Confusion over bear licences leaves hunters calling for better communication

Many bear hunters in the province have been unable to purchase a licence, with less than a week to go until the season is scheduled to start in Nova Scotia.

Danny Eastman, who operates Bear Necessities Guiding Services in East Dalhousie, N.S., said customers are set to  begin arriving next week but there has been a lack of information about accessing the licences.

“I’m sure there’s a lot of other outfitters that are in my situation and it’s not good,” he said. 

“I wasn’t sure if I was gonna have to get these guys here, ruin one of their first days’ hunts because we have to run around and chase after a licence, or could they get them on their way from the airport without me being there?”

Eastman said he is nervous and frustrated about the licence delays. 

‘Technical issues’ to blame

The Department of Natural Resources and Renewables said in a statement that “technical issues with printers and the system that manages hunting licences” are to blame.

A spokesperson said the issues have been resolved and stamps will arrive at the department by the end of the day on Thursday and at retail locations by Friday.

“We are in the process of sharing this information via social media and an email to hunters who we have email addresses for. There is no change to the offices or vendors where people can get licences,” said Adele Poirier, a spokesperson for the department. 

Al Muir, a hunter based in Plymouth, N.S., said he typically purchases a licence weeks before the season starts. He said the lack of communication on when licences will be available has left hunters and guides in limbo. 

“There was a few people threatening to, you know, to go out and hunt them anyway,” said Muir. “But you know, that underlines the importance of getting the tags out in a timely manner, because you don’t want to see anybody doing anything like that.” 

Muir said a similar situation occurred earlier this year when the province proposed a spring bear hunt. The plan was cancelled about a month before the pilot hunt was scheduled to begin.

“What happened is hunters went in looking for the tags on the release date and they weren’t there. And the office staff wasn’t sure why they weren’t there,” Muir said. “So they couldn’t get the tags. And then they started to get the jitters.” 

The fall bear hunt is scheduled to start in Nova Scotia on Sept. 9. Last year, the province sold 12,195 bear licences.