The Social Background of Policy Transformations in Bear Management in Hokkaido, Japan: From Aggressive Culling and Conservation‐Oriented Management Toward Adaptive Management

ABSTRACT Significant policy transformations in brown bear management occurred in 1963, 1990, and 2023–2024 in Hokkaido. From 1963 to 1966, the Hokkaido Government began aggressive culling of brown bears, promoting den hunting with bounties in spring (the Spring Bear‐culling Program) to reduce the bear population before the occurrence of bear‐caused problems. As den hunts were effective, the bear population declined, raising concerns about the possible extinction of some local populations. In 1990, the Hokkaido Government changed its policy from aggressive culling to conservation‐oriented management, abolishing the Spring Bear‐culling Program as the awareness of the concept of biodiversity and nature‐oriented lifestyles spread. Conservation‐oriented management successfully led to the recovery of the brown bear population; however, people once again faced serious conflicts and severe damage caused by bears. In response to social demands to reduce bear‐caused problems, the Hokkaido Government started the Regulated Program for Spring Bear Shooting, including den hunting, in 2024 and adaptive management to maintain local populations. This history suggests that bear management in Hokkaido has fluctuated between exploitation and conservation. Generally, city residents favor conservation‐oriented management, while farmers advocate for culling bears to reduce damage. Although no solution completely satisfies everyone, it is essential to develop management measures that minimize human‐bear conflicts while maintaining local bear populations. Zoning‐based management may provide a practical solution to reconcile polarized views. We need conservation‐first zones to ensure the survival of bear populations, and bear exclusion zones to protect human lives and livelihoods. Furthermore, a community‐based decision‐making process should be considered when determining the zoning.