Majority of British Columbians don’t want ban on grizzly trophy hunting lifted: poll

A new poll shows that most British Columbians are opposed to hunting grizzly bears for sport and want the law that bans it to remain in place.

Data collected by Research Co. shows overwhelming support for British Columbia’s ban on trophy hunting grizzly bears, which was implemented back in 2017.

The poll comes amid concerns that the Province will change course and leave the decision on the matter in the hands of local governments.

“Grizzly bears, like countless other transboundary species, need a coordinated conservation strategy at the provincial and national level working with Indigenous governments,” says Karen McAllister, executive director of Pacific Wild.

“The BC government appears to be going in the opposite direction, preferring to offload its wildlife management responsibilities to regional and local committees.”

Research Co. found that 84% of British Columbians disapprove of sport or trophy hunting of grizzlies, while 70% disagree with the Province lifting the ban.

Just over three quarters of British Columbians think it's time for the provincial government to pass a law to ensure the ban remains in place.

“The notion of enshrining the ban on grizzly bear trophy hunting in legislation is popular across the political spectrum,” notes Mario Canseco, president of Research Co.

“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.”

In July, the Province announced that it was seeking feedback from the public to draft its Grizzly Bear Stewardship Framework with a deadline set in August.

That deadline has since been pushed back to Oct. 6, which means there is still time to provide feedback at this link.