A study on polar bear hunting in Canada’s western Arctic shows how Inuit communities have balanced conservation with cultural traditions, even in the face of major policy changes. In 2008, the U.S. banned the import of polar bear trophies after listing the species as threatened, which caused a sharp drop in American hunters traveling to Canada for guided hunts. While this hurt the local economy, it didn’t reduce the total number of bears harvested.
Instead, Inuit hunters increased their subsistence hunting to fill the gap left by the lost guided hunts. Across the three polar bear subpopulations studied, overall harvest numbers stayed stable and within established quotas, showing that hunting remained sustainable. This reflects the Inuit’s deep knowledge of polar bear behavior and their long-standing commitment to careful wildlife stewardship.
However, the loss of guided hunts came at a cost—reduced income, fewer jobs, and fewer opportunities for cultural exchange. This study highlights the need for wildlife policies that do more than protect animals—they must also support Indigenous communities and respect their way of life. Responsible, quota-based hunting by Indigenous people can align with conservation goals while preserving cultural heritage and economic stability in the Arctic.
