Spring bear-hunting season opened in New Brunswick on Monday, April 21, and runs until Saturday, June 28. It is illegal for hunters to harvest female bears accompanied by one or more cubs.

A bear licence is valid for all three 2008 bear-hunting seasons: the spring season, fall bow-hunting season, and the regular fall season. The bag limit for each hunter is one bear per year.

Resident bear-hunting licences are available at Natural Resources district offices and several Service New Brunswick centres. Residents may hunt in any wildlife management zone (WMZ) open for bear hunting. Non-resident licences are available directly from qualified outfitters and guides, or the Department of Natural Resources, Fish and Wildlife Branch. Non-residents are restricted to hunting bear in the WMZ indicated on their licences.

Outfitters and guides are reminded of the federal regulation restricting movement of black-bear trophies and parts across international borders. This regulation was implemented by Canada in 1992 to comply with the listing of the North American black bear by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Although the North American black bear is not endangered, it has been listed to help control the illegal trade of several bear species that are endangered.

The regulation states that any international exports of live or dead black bears, as well as their parts or derivatives, must be accompanied with a valid CITES export permit. This regulation will affect non-Canadian black-bear hunters in New Brunswick, who must obtain a CITES export permit if they want to leave the country with any part of a black bear. Some exemptions may apply. Contact Natural Resources offices for more information. CITES export permits are available at Natural Resources district offices during regular business hours.

Bear hunters are encouraged to concentrate on sportsmanship, hunter safety and ethics. New Brunswick has many excellent hunting opportunities, and it is up to each hunter to help manage wildlife resources in a responsible manner.

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A Bad Night in Yellowstone
It is odd that I would be here, in this hospital bed, writing this story. Odder yet, that I am alive yet to tell it. But if I do not, it won't get told. Camping: it is something I usually enjoy very much, but this night, as many others, I was in enough pain to make it look less than attractive.