VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – There’ll be no grizzly bear trophy hunting allowed in British Columbia, as well as a complete ban on the hunt for grizzlies in the Great Bear Rainforest, starting from the end of November.

 

BC’s NDP government is following through on an election promise to ban the sport throughout the province. The ban comes into effect on November 30th.

 

But the big game hunting season starts tomorrow.

 

“The main factor was the long delay where we had a placeholder government of four months and during that time, limited entry hunting tags were issued in June as part of the normal process for that kind of hunt in BC,’ says Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development Minister Doug Donaldson.

 

There are an estimated 15,000 grizzly bears in BC, with about 250 taken by hunters each year.

 

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

 

“In particular, we owe it to generations past and future to do all we can to protect the beauty and uniqueness of the Great Bear Rainforest. We believe the action we’re taking goes beyond the commitment to Coastal First Nations made as part of the 2016 Great Bear Rainforest agreements.”

 

Donaldson says the government will consult with First Nations and stakeholder groups before the ban comes into effect in the fall.

 

Donaldson says moving forward, hunting for meat will still be allowed.

 

Celebration from wildlife activists

 

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

 

“Ever since Premier Gordon Campbell reinstated the bloody grizzly trophy hunt, we’ve been counting the days until the killing stops.”

 

“Premier Horgan is to be commended for ending this cruel and barbaric blood sport for good,” said Foy.