The decision by the Alberta government to allow hunters to use dogs for black bear hunting in support of caribou conservation efforts has sparked debate among wildlife biologists. The regulation change, initially introduced last year under Forestry and Parks Minister Todd Loewen, has received both criticism from wildlife advocates and approval from hunters. This year’s reinstatement of the practice has stirred further controversy, with public calls for the hunt to be canceled and a campaign launched to show backing for the initiative.
The Alberta Guide to Hunting Regulations for this year states that the move aims to aid predator management in areas of concern for caribou recovery. However, former caribou manager for the province, Dave Hervieux, who served for over four decades before retiring in 2024, disputes the notion that hunting black bears with dogs will assist in caribou conservation efforts.
According to Hervieux, among the 23 wildlife management units where hunting black bears with dogs is allowed, 10 lack caribou range, and two have minimal caribou presence. He emphasizes that these areas historically did not have caribou habitats and doubts the impact of such hunting practices on caribou conservation.
While the government has successfully managed wolf populations to protect caribou, Hervieux believes that targeting black bears for hunting will not yield similar benefits. He highlights that there is little evidence of black bears preying on caribou calves in Alberta, making the approach questionable for caribou conservation.
University of Alberta ecology professor Mark Boyce echoes Hervieux’s concerns, stating that employing dogs to hunt black bears for caribou protection lacks scientific support. Boyce’s research indicates minimal black bear predation on caribou in Alberta, raising doubts about the effectiveness of the hunting strategy.
The provincial government justifies the use of dogs for black bear hunting as a means to enhance sustainable hunting opportunities for Albertans, with caribou conservation seen as a secondary benefit. Despite the rationale provided, wildlife biologists like Hervieux and Boyce express concerns over the lack of consultation with scientific experts regarding the regulation change.
The statement from the Alberta Department of Forestry and Parks emphasizes the importance of hunting regulations being based on wildlife data and scientific information. The government maintains that managing black bear populations can aid caribou recovery efforts by reducing predation pressure on caribou, complementing existing predator management measures.
Hunting black bears with dogs is permitted in Alberta during September and October, aligning with the province’s efforts to avoid overlapping with caribou calving periods. The practice is restricted to areas where baiting for black bear hunting is prohibited. Additionally, dogs are allowed for hunting cougars and game birds in the province.