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A majority of British Columbians believe that hunting grizzly bears for sport is wrong, according to a recent poll.

The survey, conducted by Research Co. in partnership with Pacific Wild Alliance and released today, Oct. 4, also found only 23% believe the current ban on hunting grizzlies should be revoked.

More than four-in-five British Columbians think it is inappropriate for humans to hunt four different species of large predators for sport or trophies. These include grizzly bears (84%), wild cats (also 84%), black bears (83%) and wolves (81%).

Close to seven-in-ten residents in southern BC said with absolute conviction that the Government of British Columbia should pass a law ensuring that the ban on hunting of grizzly bears enacted in Dec. 2017 remains in place.

It also appeared that more women than men in the province showed disapproval towards trophy hunting. Close to nine-in-ten women said that they are opposed to the hunting of all four animals.

Meanwhile, male participant’s answers were more varied with 77% of men saying grizzlies should be left alone, while only 66% said the same for black bears. Yet, 74% thought that hunting wolves for sport is inappropriate and even more thought the same for wild cats (80%).

BC residents who have owned a hunting license within the past 10 years were also surprisingly polarised in their opinions.

While 37% of those with a hunting license said they believe the bear hunt should be reinstated, 59% of the same group disagreed.

Meanwhile, just under three-in-four British Columbians (74%) disagree with the idea that natural predators such as bears, cougars and wolves should be killed to decrease competition with hunters for moose, deer and elk.

More than three-in-four British Columbians (76%) agree that decisions about the stewardship of grizzly bears should remain in the hands of the provincial government and that grizzly bears should be held in trust for all British Columbians.

“Grizzly bears, like countless other transboundary species, need a coordinated conservation strategy at the provincial and national level working with Indigenous governments,” said Karen McAllister, executive director of Pacific Wild in the media release. “The B.C. government appears to be going in the opposite direction, preferring to offload its wildlife management responsibilities to regional and local committees.”

Opinion about this varies slightly throughout the province. Opposition to the return of the grizzly bear trophy hunt is highest on Vancouver Island (79%), followed by Southern BC (75%), the Fraser Valley (74%), Northern BC (70%) and Metro Vancouver (66%).

“The B.C. government is currently seeking feedback on its draft Grizzly Bear Stewardship Framework with a deadline of Oct. 6. Pacific Wild Alliance is encouraging people to let the government know…that the ban on grizzly hunting should be continued and legislated,” said Research Co. President Mario Canseco in the release.

"The notion of enshrining the ban on grizzly bear trophy hunting in legislation is popular across the political spectrum. At least two thirds of British Columbians who voted for the BC Liberals (66%), the BC Greens (68%) and the BC NDP in 2020 (73%), support this idea.”

More information about the poll can be found on the Research Co. website here.

More information on Grizzly Bear Stewardship Framework is available on the Pacific Wild website here.

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