Alberta Rural Municipalities Push for Grizzly Bear Hunt

Rural municipalities of Alberta is pushing the province to legalize grizzly bear hunting through a draw system.

This comes after Carson County reported more negative run-ins with bears, like chases near homes and attacks on livestock.

The group's resolution passed with most members in late March, aiming to manage growing bear numbers safely.

Southern Alberta spots, especially along the eastern Rocky Mountain slopes, see bears raiding grain bins, praying on ranch animals, and getting too, close to people.

Last year alone, Alberta Fish and Wildlife got over 60 complaints of grizzlies killing livestock, including four in Carson County.

Field workers faced aggressive encounters, heightening safety worries for residents and staff.

RMA president Cara Westeland says these issues demand real solutions with hunting as one option alongside better mitigation.

The province, though, sticks to its two-decade old ban on grizzly hunts, except for indigenous rights.

They listed grizzlies as threatened in 2010 and focus on education and conflict prevention instead.

Alberta launched a wildlife management responder network this year, letting qualified hunters take out problem bears case by case one grizzly down so far.

Population estimates jump from about 800 to over 1,150, pushing bears into busier areas.

The resolution also wants funding for research, bear-proofing farms, and a new management plan to replace the old recovery one.

Meanwhile, experts like those at Waterton Biosphere stress balancing removal of trouble makers with coexistence efforts.

As sightings wrap up this spring, rural folks' hope talks lead to smarter wildlife handling before conflicts escalate further.

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