The B.C. provincial government is ending the killing for sport of grizzly bears. "This action is supported by the vast majority of people across our province". 

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For the protected Great Bear Rainforest on the northern coast of BC specifically, the ban goes even further by prohibiting any sort of hunting of grizzlies.

Donaldson says the government will consult with First Nations and stakeholder groups before the ban comes into effect in the fall. Former premier Christy Clark supported the grizzly trophy hunt and the BC Liberals have received support from worldwide trophy hunting lobbyists. But he added: "During the election campaign I pointed out that the B.C. NDP appeared to be trying to have their cake and eat it too when it came to the grizzly hunt".

Doug Donaldson said in a statement. Eighty-seven per cent of known, human-caused grizzly bear deaths in B.C. are attributable to trophy hunters, who have killed 12,026 grizzly bears since the government began keeping records in 1975. The government could not confirm how many of those 250 were taken due to the trophy hunt.

The grizzly hunt will end on November 30 of this year when the ban takes effect.

Foreign hunters have accounted for about 30 per cent of all trophy kills in B.C. a given year and they can pay upwards of $30,000 for the proper permits and the assistance of a guide outfitter. The report was based on consultations throughout the province.

The B.C. NDP vowed to ban the hunt across the province.

Environmental groups like Wilderness Committee swiftly praised the move, saying they've been demanding such a ban for the past 16 years.

The subject has always been controversial, with the province insisting its own scientists had found enough grizzly populations to justify a limited hunt, and other researchers disputing those facts in the absense of clear population data.

One group that's been vocal in support of the grizzly hunt has been the Guide Outfitters Association of B.C., which donated more than $15,000 to the B.C. Liberals in 2016, and almost $67,000 since 2005; the group gave $8,025 to the B.C. NDP over the same period. 

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