There is good evidence that along the southern part of their range, that is the southern edge of the Canadian Shield, the bear population has been slowly growing over the past 20 to 30 years. As abandoned farmland returns to old field habitat, it provides much better habitat for bears. Raspberries, aspen, and hawthorn all grow in this habitat to provide food and cover for bears. Mild winters may also have had an impact by improving natural food supplies for bears.

In fact, it is the increase in the human population, particularly in "cottage country", that is a credible explanation for more contact between people and bears. Many retirees now live in "cottage country" year round, increasing the likelihood of sighting a bear. Cottages are also built in areas that were once excellent bear habitat. Both bears and people enjoy river valleys and forested areas. Clearly, an increase in the number of permanent and summer residents in "cottage country" will result in more bear "sightings" but this does on its own does not necessarily suggest more bears.
Outfitters and the organizations that work to protect that business have been on a mission to create a bear crisis in Ontario. Posters and ads encouraging people to report and document any bear seen (bonus points given to those who photographed the animal near their homes, dogs and children) created an effective campaign. The result has been the government-appointed Nuisance Bear Committee and a new legislative proposal to allow for the chasing of bears with dogs. While the Committee's purpose to review scientific information and public input about nuisance bears is a positive initiative, the latter proposal truly puts Ontario in the Dark Ages when it comes to wildlife management.

There is little doubt that there has been an increase in bear sightings, particularly across the southern limits of this species' range. However, an increase in sightings does not necessarily mean an actual increase in the bear population. When natural food sources such as berries are in short supply or the season is delayed by drought, bear sightings go up. As more bears are forced out of the bush to find food, it is likely they will be encountered more by people.

There are many effective non-lethal control measures that can be used to alleviate nuisance bear problems. Reinstating the spring bear hunt and allowing the use of dogs to chase bears does nothing to address the problem. In all likelihood, these two initiatives, disguised as nuisance bear management, actually exacerbate the problem.

Bears are primarily hunted with bait. Since a bear's sense of smell is 100 times more sensitive than a human's, bait stations can attract a number of bears from far and wide, concentrating them in one area. This practice habituates animals to human-generated food sources, increasing public risk. The proposal to allow the chasing of bears with dogs also increases public risk. The bears are not only frightened by the chase, but are likely to become very hungry after utilizing a tremendous amount of energy during the chase. This proposal is nothing more than a new recreational opportunity for bear hunters that can't pursue their favorite sport in the spring.

It has been estimated that there are 75,000 to 100,000 bears in Ontario, but no reliable survey method has ever been employed. What is certain is that this species has been extirpated from 50% of its former range in North America due to habitat destruction and high hunting pressures. Thousands of bears are killed each year in North America because they are perceived as a nuisance. As the largest jurisdiction for black bears, Ontario has an international responsibility to play a leading role in bear management and conservation. The need for a new, effective approach to alleviating human-bear conflicts is heightened by the increased development and human activity in bear country. Co-existence with bears is possible, but it takes human tolerance and education.