Given their small size, galls and paws could easily be smuggled across borders without much hindrance. In addition, there is a greater profit to be made by avoiding taxes as well as import and export duties. Naturally, the large forests and the low population density of Canada greatly reduces the risk of illegally killing bears. Even if caught, poachers only face a few months in jail and a fine small in comparison to their profits. In response, provinces such as British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Yukon, New Brunswick, New Foundland and Manitoba have outlawed the trade of bear galls and paws altogether.
Shooters consists of legal hunters and poachers.
It is estimated that 40,000 black bears are killed legally each year and just as many illegally. The bears are typically killed with hunting dogs or by baiting. Many hunters equip their dogs with hi-tech radio collars that allow them to follow the dogs as they search for bears by scent. The suppliers are the middlemen in this business. Often, they are guides and outfitters who arrange hunts and take galls of the kills as tips.