THE REGULATIONS OF
BEAR MANAGEMENT
IN NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA

Nova Scotia (Figure 1) continues to permit the sale of bear gallbladders but now require that galls are registered with and sealed by the Department of Natural Resources. These new sealing regulations are the focus of this paper. However, an understanding of the history and other regulations pertaining to the use and management of bears in Nova Scotia, is essential to appreciating the applicability and effectiveness of the program.

Since the arrival of European settlers, and until very recently, the area's only bear species, the American Black Bear (Ursus americanus) has been considered a threat to many agricultural pursuits, property and human safety. From 1942 until 1966, there was a bounty on bears in Nova Scotia. At times during that period both a provincial and in some areas, a municipal bounty could be collected for killing a bear. Although the bounty is no longer in place, many Nova Scotians continue to look upon the black bear as vermin. During the bounty years, records indicate annual harvests of between 139 and 409. Although the bounty was lifted in 1966, the animal enjoyed little protection until 1988. During this period estimated harvest figures rose to as high as 882. (see figure #2)

In addition to kills associated with protection of property, any person having a reason to carry a firearm in wildlife habitat, (i.e. up to 95,000 deer hunters + moose hunters + snowshoe hare hunters, etc.) could kill any number of bears. As well, trappers could obtain a permit (at no cost) entitling them to take an unlimited number of bears.

Concern for the sustainability of harvest levels recorded during the late 1970's and early 1980's, by both the provincial management agency and the organized hunting fraternity, together with an insistence by hunters that bears be afforded greater protection and recognized as a valued big game animal, resulted in the implementation of new regulations that have remained in place until present.

1. Requiring a separate license to hunt bear (at a cost of $20 + tax).
2. Requiring a separate license to trap bears (foot snare only) also at $20 + tax.
3. Issuing of bear hunting and snaring licenses only at Dept. of Natural Resources district offices.
4. Hunting over bait only
5. Bait site registration with DNR required.
6. Written landowner permission on private land (73% of province)
7. Bear hunting season separate from deer hunting season (to reduce poaching of deer)
8. Submission of hunter and trapper report card compulsory, regardless of success
9. Bag limit of one by hunting and one by snaring.

These regulations effectively changed the taking of bear from... "incidental to other hunting activities ... free and unlimited," to a hunt that required pre-planning and an investment of time and money. Now, those truly serious about hunting bears could be counted, identified and required to submit information/specimens meaningful to the management of the species.

As an aside, another significant event that has affected the interest in and level of harvesting bears in Nova Scotia, occurred in 1992-93. The Nova Scotia Wildlife Federation (an umbrella hunting organization) requested that consideration be given to permitting a spring hunt. All indications were that we had an abundance of bears throughout their natural range and the population was being harvested well below an optimum yield level. As the only Canadian jurisdiction that did not permit a spring hunt, the request was given careful consideration. However, part of the decision process was to gain public input. The subject became an emotionally charged issue, with those opposed to hunting in general at one extreme and bear hunting enthusiasts at the other with a poorly informed general public watching the debate intensify. The process, attracting much media attention, raised the awareness of bear hunting, methods used and hunter success rates which were (and are) much higher than that of deer hunters. This attention generated numerous inquiries of both DNR and NSWF as to, "How do I go about bear hunting ?" In the following years, hunting and snaring license sales and the corresponding harvest, increased substantially. (See Table # 1)

Although other minor regulation changes have been made since 1988, it was not until 1996 that the gall sealing program was introduced. International attention was being drawn to Nova Scotia as one of the three remaining Canadian jurisdictions still permitting the sale of bear gallbladders. The Department of Natural Resources received many questions, concerns and objections on the issue. Once again bears (this time the sale of their parts) were becoming a politically hot issue. Something had to be done.

The Department's philosophy has always been that, "If an animal has been legally taken, the person doing so is encouraged to make full use of that animal." This together with there being no population management concern regarding current harvest levels, left only the problem of ensuring that our management regulations did not impact on the management objectives of other jurisdictions. A review of the issue indicated that disallowing the sale of galls could arguably impact other jurisdiction management objectives as could the continued loosely regulated sale of galls.

At about the same time, (February 1996) World Wildlife Fund Canada made a number of recommendations to a meeting in Kenora, Ontario, of Canadian government agencies. One of the recommendations was, "In provinces where the sale of bear parts is legal, mandatory marking, registration and recording systems be implemented in order to monitor the legal trade."

Consequently, a decision was made to implement a gall sealing and recording program to allow the continued sale of galls, while ensuring minimal impact on the population management of other jurisdictions. The main features of the resulting regulations are:

1. All bear gallbladders must be sealed by DNR, prior to sale, or export from the province.
2. Seals used are permanent locking devises, having Nova Scotia identification and a recorded serial number.
3. Records are kept of date of issue, hunter/trapper i.d., license number, condition of the gall (dried, frozen or green) and the seal serial number.
4. And by policy, galls of other jurisdictions (any species of bear) that are passing through Nova Scotia will only be sealed if they are accompanied by documentation proving legal origin form a jurisdiction that permits sale.

   A fee of $5 is charged for each seal as a means of cost recovery. Postal scales, already used at all district offices, are used to determine the weight of each gall.

   
   
   

   At this time of year, (March 1997) most galls taken during the previous fall hunt have been sold and exported. Records indicate that 109 galls have been sealed to date (3 by DNR for demonstration/educational purposes). The number of bears harvested during the fall of 1996 was 291 while the number of export permits issued to export galls was 97. [ Note: A hunting or snaring license also serves as an export permit if the bear, or parts thereof, is leaving the province but not the country.] In spring 1996, prior to the implementation of these sealing regulations, 139 galls were exported from a previous fall harvest of 327 bears.

   
   
   

   In summary, the administration of these sealing regulations require additional time by department staff, but allow the continued full use of legally taken bears. The program's effectiveness as well as harvest levels and the status (by trend information) of Nova Scotia's bear population will continue to be monitored.

   
   
   

   Anyone seeking further information on these regulations and the effectiveness of the program, or wishing to provide input, is encouraged to contact Tony Nette
   

   
   

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   Date Of Post: August 20, 1998