As Manitoba approaches the 2026 spring bear hunt, the province is still reeling from the unprecedented wildfires of 2025. For weeks last summer, Manitoba was under a state of emergency, with more than 21 active fires, mass evacuations, and entire regions blanketed in smoke. Black bears lost vast areas of habitat, food sources, and denning sites — and many are still struggling to recover. Despite this, Manitoba is once again preparing to welcome foreign and domestic trophy hunters into the province to shoot bears who are already under extreme ecological stress.
Orphaned Black Bear Cubs
Black bears are the only large mammals in Manitoba who can legally be hunted in the spring while their cubs are still fully dependent on them for survival. Mother bears often hide their cubs in trees before foraging, and because their fur is too thick to reliably detect lactation, even trained biologists cannot consistently identify females in the field.
As a result, female bears are killed every spring, leaving behind orphaned cubs who face near-certain death from starvation, dehydration, or predation.
A report commissioned by the Animal Alliance of Canada Fund revealed that the number of orphaned cubs is far higher than the province acknowledges. According to Manitoba’s own data, as many as 178 cubs were orphaned in 2023 due to the spring hunt.
The situation worsened in 2024. At least 218 cubs were left motherless — sentenced to slow, needless deaths as a direct consequence of a hunt that continues despite clear evidence of its impact.
Wildfires & Black Bears
The challenges facing bears in 2026 are even more severe. The 2025 wildfire season destroyed vast areas of habitat, reducing food availability, denning sites, and shelter. Displaced bears are forced into unfamiliar territories, increasing the likelihood of conflict and making them more vulnerable to hunters.
Smoke inhalation and exhaustion further weaken bears already struggling to survive. Allowing a spring hunt under these conditions is neither responsible nor humane.
A Lack of Transparency and Responsible Management
Despite rising hunting pressure, Manitoba still lacks the basic information required for responsible wildlife management. The province:
- has not publicly released a black bear management plan
- relies on voluntary hunter reporting
- does not track how many cubs are orphaned each year
Without this foundational data, neither the public nor the government can assess the true impact of the hunt. Continuing the spring hunt under these conditions is an irresponsible and opaque approach to wildlife management.
How You Can Help
Please join us in urging Premier Wab Kinew and Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures Minister Ian Bushie to end the spring bear hunt.
You can use the form letter above or write your own message to the addresses provided.
Premier Kinew: premier@manitoba.ca
Minister Bushie: minnrif@manitoba.ca
Thank you very much for taking the time to advocate for the protection and safety of the bears. We are incredibly grateful for your advocacy.