Black Bear Behaviour
Black bears are not normally dangerous animals. They are, however, opportunistic omnivores that will eat practically anything that they can get at easily. In late summer and throughout the fall, black bears feed actively for up to 20 hours a day on berry crops such as raspberries and blueberries, as well as mountain ash, acorns and beech nuts.
If natural foods are not readily available, black bears can travel up to 100 km to find other food sources - including food in and around human dwellings. Once they know where to find a food source, black bears can return again and again.
Dispatching a Problem Bear
When a bear becomes a problem and all other avenues have been exhausted, a landowner may dispatch a bear to protect personal property. According to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act (FWCA):
"...If a person believes on reasonable grounds that wildlife is damaging or is about to damage the person's property, the person may, on the person's land,(a) harass the wildlife for the purpose of deterring it from damaging the person's property;..."
According to the FWCA, if the bear is not deterred, a property owner does have the right to dispatch the bear. If a bear is dispatched, it must be done with the most humane means possible;it must be done in a safe manner and in accordance with any other applicable legislation e.g. discharge of firearms. Although a hunting licence is not required, it is strongly recommended that only an experienced hunter attempt to dispatch a black bear. If a property owner is not an experienced hunter, they may wish to make use of an agent to dispatch the problem bear.
Human-bear conflicts are best dealt with by taking preventive measures before conflicts occur. Please refer to the fact sheet Keep Bears Out of Your Neighbourhood to learn how to bear proof your property.
All bears dispatched in defence of property must be reported immediately to the Ministry of Natural Resources, as required by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act. It is strongly advised that dispatching a bear be the action of last resort.
NOTE: This is provided for your information only and is not intended to provide legal advice. You should obtain your own legal advice pertaining to any particular situation.
TO REPORT BEAR PROBLEMS: contact the Bear Reporting Line at:
1-866-514-2327 (TTY) 705 945-7641
In a life-threatening emergency, call your local police or 911.
