OHS Position Statement: Hunting
Hunting inflicts pain and suffering on animals, and is inconsistent with the mission of the OHS (1).
The OHS opposes:
- the hunting of animals for solely recreational purposes;
- the hunting of endangered or threatened species (2);
- the hunting of animals for harvesting specific body parts;
- the use of lead shot (3), which is likely to poison waterfowl and raptors;
- the hunting of animals with the use of dogs;
- the baiting or luring of animals with lights, food or sound;
- canned or compound hunts, where the target animal is confined or tame; and hunts where the animal is fired on with a remotely-controlled device.
The OHS acknowledges that some forms of hunting are legal activities and recommends that every effort is made by the hunter to inflict minimal suffering.
(1) The mission of the OHS is: To work in and with our community to provide leadership in the humane treatment of all animals, to address the causes of animal suffering, to encourage people to take responsibility for their animal companions and to provide care for animals who are neglected, abused, exploited, stray or homeless.
(2) As defined in the Canadian Species at Risk Act.
(3) Regulations under the Canada Wildlife Act require non-toxic shot (containing less than 1% by weight of lead) for hunting most migratory game birds.
