BRITISH COLUMBIANS SAY HUNTING OF GRIZZLIES
SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE

Survey Question No. 1          Survey Question No. 2


Most recent public opinion research conducted province-wide in BC shows that a majority of British Columbians believe Grizzly Bear hunting should be allowed to continue. In specific questions about Grizzly Bear hunting, research shows British Columbians are more favourably inclined to hunting the species as they become more aware of bear populations and wildlife management practices in the province.

The Level of support for Grizzly Bear hunting is 70% in the interior of the province where people Live in close proximity with Grizzly Bears. Even in the heavily urbanized Lower mainland, in the Greater Vancouver Regional District, 50% of the people believe the hunting of Grizzly Bears should continue compared to just 44% who think it should not. This is the most populated region of the province with nearly 2 million people, most of whom do not hunt, or have immediate contact with Grizzly Bears.

The provincial government's wildlife biologists have estimated that there are between 10,000 and 13,000 Grizzly Bears in BC. Overall in BC, the Grizzly Bear population is stable. Hunting of Grizzlies is strictly regulated by the provincial government, including the overall number of Grizzlies that can be taken by hunters. Last year, 207 Grizzlies or about 2% of the population were taken by hunters. Overall, do you believe the government should or shouldnot continue to permit the hunting of Grizzly Bears?
(Results for all of British Columbia)

These results showed that even people who have just the basic information about Grizzly Bears are more inclined to allow the hunting of Grizzly Bears than disallow it. This is a significant shift from previous research suggesting that the opposition to bear hunting from various anti-hunting activists is no longer resonating to the same degree with the public as it once did. As with other issues, when the opposition becomes too shrill, a majority of the public tends to tune them out.

Some studies have shown that the population of Grizzly Bears, because of reproduction, can increase at a rate of 8% per year. This is after hunting occurs. Given this, do you believe the government should or should not continue to permit the hunting of Grizzly Bears?
(Results for all of British Columbia)

In the latest research, once the respondents became more aware of the situation in the province, nearly 60% of all respondents told researchers that Grizzly Bear hunting should continue to be permitted in BC. Their responses are based on knowing that Grizzly Bears are not endangered in BC, that provincial wildlife biologists and managers decide where, when and how many bears can be hunted, and that some studies have shown that Grizzly Bear populations can increase at a rate of 8% per year after hunting.

This research is part of regular polling carried out by MarkTrend Research of Vancouver on behalf of the Guide Outfitters Association of British Columbia to monitor public opinion and attitudes on wildlife related issues, especially Grizzly Bear hunting.

About 500 people across the province are polled each time. At the 95% level of confidence the margin of error on the total sample of 502 is plus or minus 4.4%.







Adult grizzly bears can't climb trees, but adult black bears can.
Once respondents became more aware of the situation in the province, nearly 60% said Grizzly Bear hunting should continue to be permitted in BC.