Grizzly bear trophy hunting has long been popular in B.C.'s rural regions, but a new poll suggests few residents of rural B.C. support the controversial hunt.
The survey, conducted in late January, found 74% of voters in five rural ridings with significant hunting traditions said they oppose the trophy hunting of grizzly bears.
An earlier poll that surveyed all British Columbians in 2015, found a whopping 91% of residents opposed the hunt.
Insights West surveyed Kamloops-North Thompson, Boundary-Similkameen, Fraser-Nicola, Cariboo North and Kootenay East. The most opposition was recorded in Kamloops-North Thompson and the least opposition was found in Kootenay East, but all regions had more disapproval than support.
The long-term survival of the grizzly bear in B.C. could be at risk if action isn’t taken now, according to a recent report from the Grizzly Bear Foundation.
The foundation’s board admits grizzly hunting is still practiced by a small minority of the province’s population, but that the “vast majority” of British Columbians would like to see trophy hunting eliminated, especially since grizzly bear tourism activities are flourishing.
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