Far from Cecil the Lion’s world, big game hunting a thriving industry in Canada

WATCH: Will the international outrage over the killing of a beloved African lion have an effect on trophy hunting in BC?

TORONTO – The loss of Cecil the lion in Zimbabwe — the result of illegal hunting by an American — has put the spotlight on big game hunting. Many may be surprised to learn that big game hunting goes on in Canada.

READ MORE: Cecil the lion was just one of many killed by rich, foreign trophy hunters. Why is that permitted?

Across the country, hunters can get licences to hunt for big game. Included are grizzly bears, black bears, cougars, caribou, mountain goats, elk, moose, sheep and more.

But it’s not just about grabbing a gun and running out to chase a wild animal. Rather, there are stringent government regulations that restrict where, when and how you hunt an animal.

Provinces and territories conduct population censuses on various animals. For those animals that are abundant, tags are issued, limiting the number of that particular animal that can be hunted.

“When their population is high enough and there’s surplus, it justifies having a hunt,” said Scott Ellis of the Guide Outfitters Association of British Columbia.

For those animals that qualify but don’t have as much of a surplus — like grizzly bears, for example — there is a lottery. A particular number of tags are issued for hunters as well as outfitters, companies that provide guides to those looking to hunt big game.

Ellis said that many people enjoy the experience not only of the hunt, but of being around nature.

Zimbabwe officials say country has good record of conservation despite Cecil’s death

“They see sights and pristine lakes and mountains, and northern lights, and listen and see wildlife … And it really is a desired activity for many,” he said. He added, “But the draw is the hunt.”

Ellis knows that there are those who oppose trophy hunting, but he said that those who hunt the animals are typically doing the animals that are overpopulated a favour.

“The people who oppose the hunt or hunting, they think of one particular animal. Hunters are typically rural and are concerned about the species as a whole and their habitat and are happy to pay whatever to ensure that those species are doing well.”

READ MORE: Dentist who killed Cecil the Lion bombarded by threats, mocking reviews

“I don’t know about Zimbabwe and what they do there, but I can tell you in British Columbia that there is a very controlled industry, and there are conservation officers in the field to ensure there’s no poaching,” he said. “And when they catch people, they are prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”

WATCH: Executive director of the Guide Outfitters of BC Scott Ellis joins Global News to speak about hunting in BC and any potential changes we may see in the future

For many hunters, Ellis said, it’s a generational experience. For his own experience, his grandfather was a hunter, his father was a hunter as is he. “And I hope my children will follow too,” he said.

“Trophy hunting has come under some bad light, and somehow that is worse to the animals than something else,” he said. “I think it’s really about personal ethics and personal beliefs as to what is fair.”

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“From our perspective we want to ensure that it is done humanely and ethically…and we’re only hunting where there’s a surplus.”

According to Ellis, the outfitting industry generates revenue of $116 million a year in Canada, with 4500 clients a year using the services of a guide. And most often it’s those from out-of-country, Americans in particular.

Once the animal is hunted and killed, people can take their trophy — be it the hide or something else. Across the country there are different regulations for the meat. For example, in B.C. the black bear meet needs to be pulled out and consumed, though there are no such regulations for grizzly bear meat.

And across Canada the meat cannot be sold commercially. However, oftentimes it is given to the community and First Nations.

READ MORE: Do cuts in the number of B.C. conservation officers result in more animals euthanized?

“There is quite a high demand,” said Ellis. “It’s organic…free range…”

Still, not everyone believes that trophy hunting — even if the meat is used later — should be allowed.

“There’s more value in the lives of animals,” said Patricia Zaat, director of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) Canada.

And Zaat isn’t talking from an emotional perspective.

“If you conserve animals, eco-tourism can rise, rather than just having one or two outfitters who profit,” she said.

Zaat looks toward Kenya as an example: since 1977, the country has banned trophy hunting, and since then its ecotourism industry has been rising. Now, it plays a vital role in the country’s economy. The same could be done across Canada.

In fact, some might argue signs of this are already evident, as in Churchill, Manitoba, where flocks of people head towards the small town each year to watch Canada’s majestic polar bears.

“We would like people to think about whether they are going to take a firearm or a camera on safari,” Zaat said.

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