MNR Seeks Assistance From Resident Black Bear Hunters

The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) is seeking assistance from resident Ontario black bear hunters to help determine the age structure of harvested bears in the province.

MNR strongly encourages successful black bear hunters to submit the two premolar teeth from the harvested bear for analysis by MNR (CLICK HERE for: Resident Bear Hunters – We Need Your Ongoing Help poster). The age structure, as determined by the premolars, provides MNR with information towards sustainably managing the bear population in the Northeast Region (NER).

Over the past few years, only 7% of successful resident bear hunters hunting in the NER have been submitting bear teeth to MNR, compared to 65% of non-resident bear hunters. 

In return for their support of wildlife management efforts, black bear hunters will receive an Ontario Bear Hunter Crest as well as information about the age of the bear harvested. These items will be mailed to the hunter’s home address, usually within six months.

The first premolar is a small, single-rooted peg-like tooth located just behind the canines. To remove the tooth, hunters should push the blade of a knife down along all sides of the tooth between it and the gums. Gently loosen the tooth by rocking it back and forth using the canine for leverage, then carefully remove the tooth using pliers. Care should be taken when extracting the tooth to ensure the root is not broken.

Teeth should be extracted shortly after the animal has been harvested, while the jaw is still pliable. Hunters should place the teeth in an envelope along with their name, address, Outdoors Card Number, the date the bear was harvested, sex of the bear, and location (Wildlife Management Unit) of the harvest.

The teeth and information can be mailed to:

Ministry of Natural Resources, Wildlife Surveys Officer, 1350 High Falls Road, Bracebridge, ON P1L 1W9

Hunters can find further details on page 76 of the 2013 Hunting Regulations Summary, found online at Ontario.ca\hunting.

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Posted in Chapleau/Wawa/White River/Dubreuilville/Hornepayne, Environment, Law Enforcement, Manitouwadge/Marathon, Northern Ontario Headlines, Provincial, Regional, Sports | Comments Off on MNR Seeks Assistance From Resident Black Bear Hunters

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