SCOBGA Booth At Hunting Show 2002

    SCOBGA members manned a booth at the 21st Annual Hunting Show at The International Centre on Sept. 6,7,8, 2002 which was sponsored by OFAH and Ont. Out Of Doors Magazine.  We had our booth in a prime spot, at the entrance.  We hosted a display of magnificent whitetail racks in partnership with the Foundation For Recognition Of Ontario Wildlife. FROW members also measured any racks that were brought to the show. Our donation box for Deer Rescue was filled Friday and I expect the rest of the weekend to be the same. (we brought in aprox. $750. for Deer Rescue over the weekend)

    The Honourable Jerry Ouellette, Minister Of Natural Resources and lifetime SCOBGA member participated in a ribbon cutting Opening Ceremony. He took this opportunity to acquaint the outdoors fraternity with initiatives his government is taking concerning the "Problem Bear" situation in Ontario.  A committee has been set up to study the situation in all it's aspects. They will study safety as well as environmental, scientific, social and economic issues regarding the spring bear hunt. When this committee has completed it's study, the government will make it's decision on the spring bear hunt. Jerry also told us that a notice has been posted on the Environmental Bill Of Rights web page that asks for comments regarding a proposal to allow training permits to trail bear with hounds in non-hunting seasons. This would allow the MNR to have houndsmen assist them in tracking, treeing and identifying problem bears, in order to relocate them to areas in which they would not pose a threat to humans, livestock or property. This proposal ensures that the specific bears causing damage or threats to humans are targeted. These are both important first steps in what hopefully will be the return of the spring bear hunt. We urge you to go to this EBR site http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/envision/ebr/welcome.htm at and post a message of support for this traditional use of hounds in Ontario. (this posting will be made shortly after Sept. 9th)