Why do Canadians bash seals?

Answer 1

Canada allows the hunting of seal during the fishing off season. Because the seals are mainly killed for their pelts, the fisherman are allowed to use wooden clubs as apposed to guns (so the seal hide isn't damaged). The United States Humane Society, and countless other organizations have been trying to stop the hunting or at least have more humane methods be implemented, but the Canadian government continuously fails to reinforce regulations on the hunt.

Another (Native) view

Myths and Realities. While there is still a limited seal hunt, it is now mostly subsistence hunting for indigenous peoples. The days of the lucrative seal pup skin harvest are over as there is a very small market for the products. Native populations use all of the seal, not just the hide and few others bother to hunt anymore. A quota of 300,000 seals was allowed in 2010 and only 60,000 adult seals were taken. The hunting of Whitecoats and Bluebacks has been illegal in Canada since 1987. Severe limits are in place for those natives who still use the Hakpik (club). Those countless "other" organizations would have you believe otherwise since knowing the facts would stop the flow of "donations" to their organizations.

A 22 cal. bullet does far less damage to the pelt since head shots are preferred. No-one gets away with illegal harvest, the seals gather in a very defined area and the Ministry is very proactive with aerial surveillance; vessel monitoring systems (satellite tracking); at-sea patrols and inspections; dockside/landing site patrols and inspections; and inspections at buyer/processor sites/facilities.