The Alberta government’s decision to allow hunters to utilize dogs for black bear hunting in support of caribou conservation efforts has sparked controversy among wildlife biologists. This regulation change, initiated last year by Forestry and Parks Minister Todd Loewen, faced criticism from wildlife advocates and gained favor from hunters. The recent reinstatement of this practice has stirred further debate, with public calls for the hunt to be revoked and a campaign advocating for its continuation.
The Alberta Guide to Hunting Regulations for this year states that the use of dogs in hunting aims to aid predator management in regions concerned about caribou recovery. However, former provincial caribou manager Dave Hervieux, with over four decades of experience before retiring in 2024, disputes the effectiveness of hunting black bears with dogs to support caribou conservation efforts. Hervieux highlights that out of the 23 wildlife management units allowing this practice, 10 lack caribou range, and two have minimal caribou presence, casting doubt on its conservation impact.
While the provincial government has successfully controlled wolf populations to safeguard caribou, Hervieux emphasizes the limited threat posed by black bears to caribou calves in Alberta. He underscores the necessity of addressing habitat loss for true caribou recovery, suggesting that caribou habitat conservation is vital to avoid prolonged wolf culling. University of Alberta ecology professor Mark Boyce echoes Hervieux’s concerns, emphasizing the minimal impact of black bear predation on caribou populations in Alberta.
The government regards caribou conservation as a secondary benefit of allowing dog-assisted black bear hunting, emphasizing broader sustainable hunting opportunities for Albertans. The province contends that reducing black bear populations in specific wildlife management units can mitigate predation pressure on neonatal caribou and enhance calf survival, aligning with existing caribou predation management strategies. Last year, hunters harvested 2,431 black bears in Alberta, signifying active predation management in support of caribou recovery efforts.
Dog use for black bear hunting is now permitted in Alberta during September and October to prevent overlap with caribou calving periods. The practice is limited to areas where bait hunting is prohibited for black bears and extends to hunting cougars and game birds in the province. While hunting black bears with dogs is allowed in British Columbia, Ontario, and various U.S. states, its implementation in Alberta remains a subject of contention among wildlife experts.
