The Alberta government has allowed hunters to employ dogs in hunting black bears as a measure to aid in caribou conservation efforts. This decision, which was initially made last year by Forestry and Parks Minister Todd Loewen, has stirred up controversy among wildlife biologists despite receiving support from hunters. The move has sparked public calls for the hunt to be revoked and a campaign to show backing for the practice.

According to this year’s Alberta Guide to Hunting Regulations, the use of dogs in black bear hunting is intended to support predator management in areas where caribou recovery is a concern. However, Dave Hervieux, the former caribou manager for the provincial government, refutes the notion that hunting black bears with dogs contributes to caribou conservation efforts, stating that there is no scientific basis for this claim.

Hervieux highlights that many wildlife management units where hunting black bears with dogs is permitted do not have caribou range or history of caribou presence. He emphasizes that the focus of black bear hunting with dogs is in areas that are not conducive to caribou occurrence.

The provincial government has been actively managing wolf populations to protect caribou, with Hervieux acknowledging the effectiveness of this approach. He notes that the impact of black bears on caribou populations is minimal and questions the necessity of hunting black bears with dogs for caribou conservation.

University of Alberta ecology professor Mark Boyce supports Hervieux’s stance, stating that hunting black bears with dogs is not a viable strategy for caribou protection. Boyce’s research indicates that the actual impact of black bear predation on caribou in Alberta is insignificant, casting doubt on the effectiveness of the practice.

The province has defended its decision, stating that allowing hunters to use dogs for black bear hunting offers sustainable hunting opportunities and contributes to caribou conservation as a secondary benefit. Last year, a total of 2,431 black bears were harvested by hunters in Alberta as part of the government’s predation management efforts.

Hunting black bears with dogs is only permitted during September and October in Alberta to avoid overlapping with caribou calving periods in the spring. The practice is limited to areas where bait is prohibited for black bear hunting, and it is also allowed for hunting cougars and game birds in the province.