Wildlife Habitat

[POINTY STICKS]

I seem to be running into the same thing a lot this winter. Over the last few weeks I have been talking to a lot of folks whom come into work. Some of these people are non-hunters, some are X-hunters and some are hunters.

The topic which seems to be brought up a lot is the amount of woodlands being harvested. In central Nova Scotia a lot of people are taking notice to this. Their either seeing the remains of the wood lots daily as they travel around the country side, or they are seeing the number of transport trucks heading to the mills. The question that is on everybody mind is ;

How long can they continue to do this ?

I don't know if this is going to stop, but there's not a lot of woodlands left in NS and even less old growth forest to support the wildlife. How long can this continue before the mills and harvesting companies have nothing left to scavenge and they have to close, putting thousands of folks out of work.

In the spring there will once again be problems with bears. Those who have awaken to find the woodlands they roamed last summer and fall are no longer there. Deer will have to change their habits in these areas and move around more nocturnally because of lack of cover. Thank god for an easy winter, for the deers sake.

How long will this last? Is there some way to control this before it's too late for all?

I do not look at this as an attack on an large industry. I do not look at this solely as hurtful intrusion against the wildlife we hunt. I do not look at this as a lack of good management on the governments behalf. I do look at this as a ominous means to the termination of both, a sustainable resource and wildlife habitat. Something were all going to loose.

[huntwisely guest]

I figure the pulp industry in NS will be over in about 20 years. As more places with longer seasons get into the market, with modern mills, our old pulp mills, with the hight transportation and labor costs won't be able to compete.

[litekpr]

I agree PS,
I think there may well be no turning back and that serious harm has been done, I wonder if even stopping now will help.
With the destruction you can see in the woods I think it would really scare you if you could see the bottom of the ocean off our coast which, is habitat for fish, this has gone unchecked...as it is not visible to the public...and look where our fishery is headed, the whole structure of the ecosystem has changed in the 20 odd yrs I have been at it. There are now differant species flourishing, native species are in serious decline, differant predators taking hold...changed forever IMO.
Scary stuff....
KPR

PS...Was wondering about the bears this spring, given the increased problems lastyear, and I'm anticipating a greater number this year...just cause humans(some) can't use their common sense...bears will be senselessly destroyed again.
Is there any possibility that BANS will be asking for a springhunt again?
I know of two bears that were destroyed in my nieghbourhood, my hunting partners bear was full of birdshot (healed) in the frontend. Annapolis county has only two livetraps for relocation, these two are used from Kentville to Digby...not real effective and with only two enforcement officers in Lawrencetown well....you can see where this ain't gettin er done.

[POINTY STICKS]

Kpr I would have to think that a spring hunt at this time is not something DNR wants to discuss. I believe that a little more time is needed to determine if the population is as large as it may seem.

Yes there have been more bear/human encounters in heavily human populated areas. I think the big question is, why? Is this due to the habitat being lost at such large rates that the bears have no place to go? Is the food supply for these animals being cut back by spraying and human development to the point they have no choice other than to eat out of the roadside green buffet bins?


It's not fair to jump the gun and promote a spring hunt if the numbers aren't there. That being said I would be interested in finding out if the numbers could support such a hunt and going from there. It may take a couple of years but, I think it could happen if the numbers suggest that it could work.

[litekpr]

PS,
Now I can only speak for the valley.
I have hunted the same ten mile circle for the last consecutive ten years....my numbers are way up...I have way more bears hitting my bait, see more in open fields in spring(two years in a row now)(diff. bears diff. fields) mores bears seen on roadways, sows have at least two cubs sometimes three. I notice alot more sign around.
Something must be apparent to DNR as well to allow hunters to take them during deer season away from registered bait sites again?
Have any other hunters here noticed an increase in bear activity in their travels in other parts of the province???

[BEA]

I'll tell ya why....and it's all politics..nothing more.

It was soooo close last time to having it that the then minister (Don Downe) congratulated the then BANS president for running such a great campaign to get it done. What's more...the dnr was behind it - solidly- plenty of bears they agreed-perhaps even too many.

The minister simply wanted to release a press release (cover his ass-quite frankly) just to see what the general public thought.

Well, anyone who remebers the debate can tell you what they thought. The papers claim it received more letters to the editor than any other single issue (for and against).

The government at the time elected to let it pass but adding only for the time being perhaps it would be re-visited again.
The same year they extended the grouse season and around the same time they extended rabbit seasons - WITH NO PRESS RELAEASES-THEY JUST DID!

I feel the ball has been dropped by Hunters & Anglers Association....imho !.

Should have kept at it. still should be.

But they are shy of it for some reason...so is the elected ones...and well dnr they take their orders from the elected gov.

With the amount of bear complaints over the last few seasons...it should have been first and foremost ! Again, only my opinion. I think the public would not be as against it right now.

For the dnr to say we need more data on numbers etc is a complete cop-out and ploitical answer....they had the data 10 years ago to support it - and what has changed? Nothing I submit-'cept maybe even more bears.

Sure in some areas like HRM humans are intruding in bear habitat - but province wide that is not happening.

I know fiolks in the country who grew up there ( outside hrm) , worked in the wood most of their lives and never saw a bear til 10 odd years ago - and now they are a regular thing. Oddly, in these locals there are less folks nowadays- so I don't buy the encrouchment argument (again outside of hrm).

To take the easy way out dnr extended the fall season till december. Where was the press release then looking for unput....?

They are hoping this will take care of the spring bear complaints - not gonna happen. The sprinf is when they roam more for the rut and food - come the fall there is plenty of food for the bruins....



I'll tell ya why they won't admit there isn increase in bear numbers..to the point they are a problem.....because then they would have to deal with it.....

out.

[POINTY STICKS]

BEA I respect what you say and I know that this battle was before my time .

I would tend to agree that spring bears are going to continue to be an increasing concern until there is something done. If in the past it was so close, when why has it been let slip tot he back burner?

I would think that a spring hunt would be just what the doc ordered. If you start putting bait stations in the woods in the spring, would not that help keep bears out of the unbanized areas? Would this not these hungry bears find food sources other than "green bins". Would this not help reduce the number of bear complaints that happen, not to mention the ones which never get reported.

Maybe it's time that this gets looked at again.

[archeryman57]

That is a good question for you to have on your wish list when we are at the convention a couple of weeks from now Pointy Sticks.
BEA you have PM.

[POINTY STICKS]

I might just do that this year. Test the waters if you will. Then maybe take the next year to get organized again and go for broke. Bet if this was brought up in early summer opposed to late winter more people would take notice.

[BEA]

count me in for some/any leg workk on that spring season proposal.....I think it's overdue.

ps - I just re-read my last post....I should add because it maybe didn't come out that clear - I do have the utmost respect for the DNR staff and Tony Rodgers and company at Hunters and Anglers.....I responded to the pm AM

This forum would be a great place to hash out a well written, well re-searched resolution...one with facts to bact up the whereas's........Perhaps an open invite to others from other forums to come and express their opinions.....there is a lot ok knowledge out there.

[POINTY STICKS]

I'm thinking along those same lines. If we could get enough positive input on this one, and maybe even get a petition going around it could all help.

I'm not looking at this only as a hunter, but also as John Q public that see each year that spring bears are getting to be a problem around the province.

[biggame]

Count me in too boys. I'd be willing to help out.

[litekpr]

Awesome....
I'm in also.
Open admission I would love nothing more to be setting up for a hunt this week/shortly, but seeing animals killed and dumped for doing what comes natural just irks me to no end.
PS...I am no biologist but I would think the bait sites would help by decreasing the number of bears looking for food that is much more scarce in spring than in fall. The chopping and clearcuts allow berry bushes to grow first and gives the bears a ready food source before denning...when they are gorging....this could be the factor in rising numbers...more cuts=more berries...just a guess, but I gotta say it's been a productive guess in helping my success rate...lol
Another guess would be that the majority of problem bears would be juveniles ousted by mothers with new cubs. They were feeding on mom the spring before and not a clue as to what to be feeding on as it is new to them to be fending for themselves.
Just sharing some guesses.
KPR ;D

[POINTY STICKS]

Well, so far it would seem that the few members who use this site are in favor of a spring bear season. Now I'd like to get the numbers up on this one before I jump.

Maybe this is one of those causes which will rally the troops and help get membership up. The more members who are behind this the bigger the voice to be heard. Spread the word guys, this could be a good challenge. I'd be willing to go for it if we can get enough interest.

[litekpr]

Any chance we could have a petition out at the outdoor show somehow?
Short notice but a good opportunity to gather some names.
KPR ;D