Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Under the definitive objectives, one of the objectives is to conduct major studies in some areas. One of the studies was on the polar bear. Mr. Chairman, almost every year in the early fall, polar bears come into the community of Pelly Bay causing damage to property, mainly the meat caches, and endangering the lives of the residents of Pelly Bay. In fact, about ten years ago a man was mauled by a polar bear during Christmas right in front of his house. The hunters' and trappers' association of Pelly Bay has been requesting the Department of Renewable Resources to move the opening of the polar bear hunting season from December 1 to November 1, one month ahead. When a nuisance bear comes to town and the people in Pelly Bay have no choice but to eliminate or kill the polar bear, people are very concerned about this especially when wildlife management confiscates the skin. I think this causes unnecessary anxiety on the part of the hunter not knowing if they are going to be charged or not. One of the ways we can eliminate the problem, Mr. Chairman, is to move the hunting season from December 1 to November 1. It may not be solved altogether, but that is one of the options. I wonder if the Minister or his staff would tell the House when this request, which has been outstanding for many years, will be addressed by the Department of Renewable Resources. Thank you.
John Ningark on Committee Motion 75-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 21
In the Legislative Assembly on March 1st, 1993. See this statement in context.
Committee Motion 75-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 21
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
February 28th, 1993
Page 686
John Ningark Natilikmiot
See context to find out what was said next.