As hunters converge on B.C. for the spring trophy bear hunt, a new report shows that grizzly bears are being killed by humans at a rate that far exceeds limits set by the provincial government.

The study by the David Suzuki Foundation and Natural Resources Defense Council used the province's own statistics to examine the number of grizzly bears that were killed by humans between 2004 and 2008. It then compared that data with province's limits for what it determines is the allowable human-caused mortality rate for grizzlies.

The report found that largely because of trophy hunting, the government's limits were exceeded in 63 per cent of grizzly populations at least once over the last five years and, in some cases, there were more than double the number of allowed kills.

"Held up against the government's own estimates of what is sustainable, the number of grizzlies being killed in B.C. is excessive," said Faisal Moola, Suzuki Foundation science director. "What's even more concerning is that our research shows this over-killing is happening year after year in many parts of B.C. and nothing is being done to stop it."

Moolah, who with other scientists writing the report, held regular meetings with Environment Ministry officials to ensure the right data was used, said he does not know why such overfills are being permitted, especially as the report found at least 547 grizzlies were shot in parks and protected areas.

Moolah speculates that government is not considering other threats to grizzly bears, such as poaching, collisions with vehicles and trains, and collapsing salmon populations.

"You can't look at trophy hunting in a vacuum. Grizzly bears are facing a perfect storm of threats," he said.

Some reports have estimated that poaching doubles the number of legal trophy kills, but enforcement is rare.

In documented kills, trophy hunting accounts for 88 per cent of human-caused grizzly deaths and the Suzuki Foundation and NRDC are calling on the province to close loopholes in the Wildlife Act to protect the bears from being shot by trophy hunters in parks and protected areas.

Also a large network of no-kill zones must be established if grizzly bear populations are to survive, the report says.

Backing up the recommendations is a letter to Premier Gordon Campbell signed by eight grizzly bear specialists from universities in Canada and the U.S.

"We are disappointed that the science-based solutions that we have consistently raised with the government to reduce human-caused mortality and provide effective habitat protection for bears have not been implemented in regulatory standards," the letter reads.

"Consequently, the viability of grizzly bear populations and their habitat continues to erode."

About half of all grizzlies in Canada are estimated to live in B.C., which amounts to about a quarter of the North American grizzly population.

Both the provincial and federal governments list grizzlies as a species of "special concern" because of their slow reproductive rates and susceptibility to human activities. Although there are restrictions on grizzly hunting in B.C., an annual trophy hunt is allowed. Grizzly bear trophy hunting is banned in the U.S. where the animals are listed under the Endangered Species Act and Alberta has suspended hunting since 2006.

That means hunters are converging on B.C. for the hunt, which is now underway, Moolah said.

The new report estimates that since 1977, hunters have killed 9,484 grizzlies in B.C. In 2001, the NDP brought in a moratorium, but it was lifted the same year by the Liberals.

Recent polls show that nearly 80 per cent in B.C. oppose trophy hunting and more than 50,000 letters have been sent to Campbell asking that trophy hunting be stopped.

Environment Minister Barry Penner said that while science indicates grizzly bear populations can withstand a mortality rate of nine per cent, B.C. hunting activities result in only two per cent per year. Most of those involved in the hunt, around 79 per cent, are British Columbians, he said.

B.C. closed 490,000 hectares to grizzly bear hunting in the past year, said Penner, adding his staff are now going through the report in detail.

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