The B.C. NDP's announcement Monday came just one day before the province opens two of its wildlife management units - the Peace River region and part of the Omineca region - for grizzly hunting. 

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Hunting grizzlies for sport was banned in the Great Bear Rainforest by the Coastal First Nations four years ago. 

"Ever since Premier Gordon Campbell reinstated the bloody grizzly trophy hunt, we've been counting the days until the killing stops". We must focus on broader wildlife preservation if we are serious about conservation and the protection of grizzlies and other species in this province.

Donaldson says the ban is supported by the vast majority of British Columbians.

The B.C. government has announced plans to end the controversial grizzly bear trophy hunt, following up on a campaign promise made before the election. A 2012 report [PDF] by Standford University in conjunction with the Center for Responsible Travel found that bear viewing groups in the Great Bear Rainforest generated "more than 12 times more in visitor spending than bear hunting".

The ban will take effect on November 30 of this year.

Under pressure from First Nations and environmentalists, the province banned the hunt in the Great Bear Rainforest area but allowed it everywhere else.

Also, foreign hunters will still be able to shoot grizzlies in British Columbia, take a picture of themselves standing over the dead beast, and head back home without harvesting any of the animal. The province is stopping all grizzly hunting there. "While the trophy hunt will end, hunting for meat will be allowed to continue", the statement read.

According to the media release, about 250 are killed by trophy hunters. In a post on Facebook, the Canadian chapter for SCI wrote: "NDP have vowed to end the Grizzly hunt in BC if elected".

The grizzly trophy hunt has always been the target of activists and conservationists.

"B.C. and Alberta are the only provinces without Endangered Species legislation".

Joe Foy with the Wilderness Committee says the environmental group has been demanding a ban for 16 years.

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