a black bear in a field

Earlier this week, the New Brunswick government announced that its fall black bear season will be extended by 2 weeks and hunters will be able to get a second licence once they have made their first harvest.

Ontario Bear Hunting

  • The fall bear hunt runs from Aug.15 to Oct.31 or Sept.1 or Sept.2 to Nov.30, depending on the wildlife management unit (WMU).
  • There is mandatory reporting for anyone who purchases a black bear licence.
  • WMU-specific second game seals are available.
  • Non-resident hunters are required to use a licensed bear operator unless an immediate relative is an Ontario resident with a bear licence in a WMU open to non-residents, or the non-resident owns property in a WMU with an open bear season for non-residents.
  • Resident hunters spent an estimated $8.9 million and non-resident hunters spent $18.1 million on expenditures associated with bear hunting in Ontario (2007 data)

New Brunswick Natural Resources Minister Paul Robichaud said the changes will take effect on Sept. 1—the opening day for the 2014 hunt—and are being made because the province has a healthy and increasing black bear population. The province estimates the black bear population at more than 16,500 animals.

The second licence can be bought by provincial residents immediately after they harvest their first bear of the season, and will be valid for the rest of the season for that calendar year. The province estimates 10% to 15% of hunters will be willing to buy a second licence.

Non-residents can purchase a second licence, depending on availability, directly from an outfitter or guide with an allocation of non-resident licences, or from the Natural Resources Department.

The fall bear hunting season in New Brunswick runs from Sept. 1 until the first Saturday in November. The last full week of September will be restricted to bowhunting, which coincides with the new 5-day moose season.

The province says the black bear season contributes between $4 million and $5 million annually to the provincial economy.

– With files from Canadian Press