The Alberta government has allowed hunters to utilize dogs for black bear hunting to aid in caribou conservation efforts. However, wildlife biologists are skeptical of the decision. This regulation change, made last year under Forestry and Parks Minister Todd Loewen, received mixed reactions from wildlife advocates and hunters. The controversy continues this year, with public calls to rescind the hunt and campaigns supporting it.
The Alberta Guide to Hunting Regulations for this year states that the use of dogs for hunting aims to support predator management in areas where caribou recovery is a concern. Despite the declining woodland caribou numbers in Alberta over the years, former caribou manager Dave Hervieux disputes the claim that hunting black bears with dogs will benefit caribou conservation efforts.
Hervieux pointed out that out of the 23 wildlife management units where hunting black bears with dogs is allowed, 10 of them do not have any caribou range, and two have minimal caribou presence historically. He emphasized that hunting black bears with dogs is concentrated in areas not conducive to caribou habitat.
While the government controls wolf populations to protect caribou, Hervieux stressed that killing more bears will not have the same impact. He highlighted the lack of evidence showing significant predation by black bears on caribou in Alberta and the importance of habitat conservation for caribou recovery.
University of Alberta ecology professor Mark Boyce supported Hervieux’s stance, stating that hunting black bears with dogs is not a viable strategy for caribou protection. Boyce’s research indicates minimal impact of black bear predation on caribou in Alberta. He also expressed concerns about the possible provocation of grizzly bears by dogs in areas where the practice is permitted.
The provincial government referred to caribou conservation as a secondary benefit of allowing the use of dogs for black bear hunting, citing broader hunting opportunities and reduced predation pressure on caribou as reasons for the regulation change. Despite the government’s stance, Hervieux and Boyce claim that they were not consulted about the decision.
Last year, hunters harvested 2,431 black bears in Alberta. The government defended the use of dogs for black bear hunting as a means to support caribou recovery and existing predation management efforts. The practice is allowed in specific areas during September and October to avoid overlapping with caribou calving periods and where baiting is prohibited.
In addition to black bears, dogs can also be used for hunting cougars and game birds in Alberta. The use of dogs for black bear hunting is permitted in British Columbia, Ontario, and several U.S. states, with specific guidelines to prevent interference with wildlife and habitat conservation efforts.