On March 13, 2020 the decision to proceed with this proposal was made.

This change is being implemented by an amendment to Ontario Regulation 665/98 (Hunting). This change will take effect for the 2020 bear hunting season.

Ontario is one of only a few jurisdictions that regulate the distance bait must be placed from roads and trails. The province is maintaining the 500m setback from dwellings and public buildings.

The environmental impacts of this change are expected to be neutral. Ontario is home to a healthy black bear population.We will continue to enforce all hunting regulations, monitor black bear populations, harvest results and sustainability indicators to ensure bear populations are managed sustainably.

For more information on black bear management can be found here.