Dear Editor,
I am writing in response to the opinion piece titled “Spring bear hunt is unethical and outdated” published April 11. While we appreciate the concern for any and all wildlife welfare, it is essential that public dialogue on this issue is grounded in science and ecological facts, not emotion.
Bear populations, including both grizzly and black bears, are strong and healthy across the Yukon. Recent surveys show that grizzly bear populations in northern Yukon are stable and thriving. Despite their national designation as a species of special concern, Yukon’s grizzly bear populations are not at risk.
What’s equally important to recognize is the critical impact bears have on ungulate populations, particularly during the spring calving season. Both black and grizzly bears are significant predators of moose and caribou calves. One study from Alaska found individual bears were killing up to six caribou calves per day. Other research shows brown bears may take one moose calf every seven to 12 days in areas with dense populations. These numbers matter and they affect the health of Yukon’s big game herds.
Conservation-minded Yukoners, including resident hunters and licensed outfitters, play a key role in maintaining balance on the land. These are the people who spend time out there, observing firsthand how predator-prey dynamics occur. Our efforts to manage bear populations through regulated spring harvests are based on experience, ethics and a deep respect for the wildlife.
The spring hunt is not outdated; it’s one part of a broader conservation strategy grounded in facts and lived knowledge. Wildlife decisions should be scientific, informed by land experts and aimed at long-term balance.
Sincerely,
Heather Deuling
Resident hunter and outfitter
Whitehorse
