05-12-2004, 04:16 AM
Spring Grizzly Bear Hunt Significantly Reduced For 2004
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EDMONTON - As part of Alberta's continued commitment to a conservative approach to grizzly bear management, this year's regulated spring grizzly bear hunt will be further reduced as follows:
* 73 licenses will be issued - a reduction of 44 per cent since 2002;
* the length of the season will be reduced by two weeks in all bear management areas (except the northernmost area) to reduce the impact on female bears; and
* the season will be closed in three bear management areas.
Adjustments to last year's spring harvest proved to have successful management results in targeted areas and were expanded where appropriate. In particular, shortening the season appears to have limited the impact on the female harvest.
In making the recommendation for the regulated 2004 harvest, department staff did a detailed review of last year's harvest and all bear mortalities in the province. In addition, the department considered information received from stakeholder groups, staff, the Grizzly Bear Recovery Team and the public as well as the previous recommendations of the Endangered Species Conservation Committee.
In light of the ongoing debate over bear population estimates for Alberta, the province has committed to conducting an inventory based on DNA census techniques in order to more accurately estimate populations. Alberta is one of the few jurisdictions that will be using actual census techniques to better estimate population numbers. Data collection will start as soon as possible this summer in two bear management areas.
This new management step builds on Alberta's comprehensive, proactive grizzly bear management program. For example, new legislation last fall established a maximum $100,000 fine for poaching grizzly bears and introduced steps to improve public and bear safety through enforceable clean-up orders.
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For further information:
Donna Babchishin
Communications
Alberta Sustainable Resource Development
Edmonton
(780) 427-8636![[Image: spacer.gif]](http://www.anglersatlas.com/images/templates/spacer.gif)
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EDMONTON - As part of Alberta's continued commitment to a conservative approach to grizzly bear management, this year's regulated spring grizzly bear hunt will be further reduced as follows:
* 73 licenses will be issued - a reduction of 44 per cent since 2002;
* the length of the season will be reduced by two weeks in all bear management areas (except the northernmost area) to reduce the impact on female bears; and
* the season will be closed in three bear management areas.
Adjustments to last year's spring harvest proved to have successful management results in targeted areas and were expanded where appropriate. In particular, shortening the season appears to have limited the impact on the female harvest.
In making the recommendation for the regulated 2004 harvest, department staff did a detailed review of last year's harvest and all bear mortalities in the province. In addition, the department considered information received from stakeholder groups, staff, the Grizzly Bear Recovery Team and the public as well as the previous recommendations of the Endangered Species Conservation Committee.
In light of the ongoing debate over bear population estimates for Alberta, the province has committed to conducting an inventory based on DNA census techniques in order to more accurately estimate populations. Alberta is one of the few jurisdictions that will be using actual census techniques to better estimate population numbers. Data collection will start as soon as possible this summer in two bear management areas.
This new management step builds on Alberta's comprehensive, proactive grizzly bear management program. For example, new legislation last fall established a maximum $100,000 fine for poaching grizzly bears and introduced steps to improve public and bear safety through enforceable clean-up orders.
-30-
[url "http://www.anglersatlas.com/press/2004/ab_20040202_map.php"][#0000ff]Click through to view map[/#0000ff][/url]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
For further information:
Donna Babchishin
Communications
Alberta Sustainable Resource Development
Edmonton
(780) 427-8636
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