Premier Mike Harris
Queens Park
Toronto, Ontario M7A 1A1

The Honorable John Snobelen
Minister of Natural Resources
6th Floor, Whitney Block, 99 Wellesley Street West
Toronto, Ontario M7A 1W3

RE: Registry Number RB9E6001

Dear Sirs:

I am writing in protest of the recent announcement concerning the intent to close spring bear hunting in Ontario.

Closing the Spring Bear hunt for non-biological reasons will be devastating to the industries guides and outfitters who depend on these seasons for their economic well being. Further, the compensation program being offered by the government will be of little value in keeping these businesses from bankruptcy, and will create a burden on the Ontario taxpayer to support hardworking families who would prefer to support themselves and pay their own taxes.

Already, the threat of a closure has prompted the cancellation of many hunting and fishing trips, even outside of the Spring Bear season. This decision could lead to an even bigger boycott by US hunters, fishermen and tourist; and create a "tourist unfriendly" reputation for Ontario which could take years to reverse. Even this proposal has caused a significant discussion among sportsmen and others concerning the viability of Ontario as a destination for any tourist activities - outdoor related or not. There are lots of choices when it comes to where we spend our tourist dollars. Why go somewhere that appears not to want you?

The Ontario bear population is at the highest level it has ever been. The contention that sow bear with cubs are being killed is unsubstantiated by your own studies; in fact, they find the opposite is true. Observationally, sows with cubs do not frequent bait sites because of the threat of attack by the males. If the reasons for closing the season are biological, what's the reasoning? If it is because of sows being killed, regulate the killing of sows with cubs as is done by many other provinces and states; and impose stiff fines and loss of hunting/guiding privileges for hunters and/or guides that allow that to happen.

If the proposal is being implemented for non-biological (political) reasons, then those who will be unnecessarily hurt such as guides, outfitters and others who depend on tourist dollars deserve to know exactly why and who is being appeased. In addition, the government will need to immediately generate a plan and appropriate the necessary tax dollars to support dealing with the bear overpopulation which will inevitably occur.

Therefore, I encourage you to reconsider the proposed Spring Bear hunting season closure.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

(signed)

Robin H. Trenbeath