Overview

• On September 4, a contracted hunter killed a brown bear inside the Takino Country Club in Sapporo without prefectural permission to cull bears.
• The hunter held authorization to capture deer but lacked approval for bears and was not a member of the local hunters’ association, according to city and prefectural officials.
• The golf course evacuated about 250 guests after repeated sightings over three days and says the hunter fired in emergency self‑defense when the bear approached within roughly five meters.
• Hokkaido authorities and police are examining the circumstances and have not ruled out a violation of the Wildlife Protection and Management Act.
• In a separate discussion, Hokkaido lawmakers and the hunters’ association reviewed the new emergency‑shooting framework, with hunters expressing willingness to cooperate while seeking clearer liability protections and compensation.