New Organization Backs Resident Hunters
I just received notice that a fellow member of my fish and game club has spearheaded a organization for BC resident hunters. Here is what I found out from this message from the president, Mark Porter:
This association fights for the rights of resident hunters and fishermen of BC. where as BCWF fights for the voice of the guides and non residents. Those that got the money. We want the resident hunter to have first priority on LEH's and area's. Guides and non residents should not take priority. Each and every year they get more and we the residents of this province get the left overs. We need a stronger voice in region 2. As our voice gets louder other regions will follow suite. A great example is the kootney region. We have a strong and growing voice there as you will see on the web site. We can make the BCWF accountable as well as the MOE. Its our freedom and right as BC residents to do so. Join us. We can make a difference!
The website can be found here: http://rhabc.org/home.php
The Mission statement is as follows: Mission Statement
To ensure the wildlife recourses of British Columbia and the natural habitat they require are conserved and managed for the beneficial use for the people of British Columbia in perpetuity.
Goals
To promote proper management of our ecosystems by best available science that enhances our wildlife resources for the benefit of all British Columbians.
Objectives
In no particular order.
1) To promote transparent and accountable wildlife and habitat management.
2) To promote scientific wildlife and habitat management.
3) To promote a variety of public access to all British Columbia’s Crown lands, water and renewable wildlife resources.
4) To initiate and maintain a representative body in each region of British Columbia representing the interests of all British Columbians to have a direct influence on decision making that effects the management and use of all wildlife resources.
5) To promote, protect and enhance resident priority in the allocation of British Columbian’s wildlife resources
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It sounds good to me, I am looking at contributing in order to help out!
Anyone interested in getting involved contact: info@rhabc.org
March 24th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
[...] admin added an interesting post on Successful Hunting » Blog Archive » New Organization Backs …Here’s a small excerptA great example is the kootney region. We have a strong and growing voice there as you will see on the web site. We can make the BCWF accountable as well as the MOE. Its our freedom and right as BC residents to do so. Join us. … 3) To promote a variety of public access to all British Columbia’s Crown lands, water and renewable wildlife resources. 4) To initiate and maintain a representative body in each region of British Columbia representing the interests of all … [...]
April 9th, 2009 at 8:36 pm
Hunting allocations favour tourists over local hunters
By: Judie Steeves
Kelowna Capital News
April 7, 2009
http://www.bclocalnews.com/okanagan_similkameen/kelownacapitalnews/news/42649132.html
B.C.’s resident hunters are losing out to non-residents in the way the provincial government is allocating Limited Entry Hunting (LEH) permits, and it’s going to get worse if hunters don’t stand up for their rights.
That’s the word from Al Springer, a director for both the Peachland Sportsman’s Association and the Okanagan Region of the B.C. Wildlife Federation.
He’s been involved for a number of years in discussions between hunters, guide-outfitters and the government on policy for allocation of hunting licenses.
He says the attitude of this government is that hunting should be a commercially-viable business, not just a sport that allows local hunters to fill their freezers with meat for their families while they enjoy the outdoors.
That means that trophy hunting by visitors to the province (who are only permitted to hunt here with a licensed guide/outfitter) is being favoured when allocation decisions are made.
And, that goes against the province’s allocation policy, says Springer.
“Hunting should be managed based on science and we should be following the policy,” he says. Yet, non-resident hunters took 14 of the moose harvested in this region in 2007, while residents harvested only 50, a split of 28 per cent for the non-resident trophy hunter, instead of the agreed-upon 15 per cent.
Since the LEH permits are given out by way of a draw, the odds of getting a moose tag are 20 to one, while the non-resident is just given one when he pays for it, slanting the harvest in favour of those with money and against those without.
“It’s not fair, and it runs contrary to what was agreed upon,” he says.
“We’ve asked for an increase in the number of LEHs this year. In many cases, these animals will just die on the highway and the meat wasted if we don’t have an opportunity to hunt them for meat to feed our families.”
Contrary to the provincial government’s policy of encouraging more hunting in B.C., such inequities have resulted in fewer people having the opportunity to hunt here, he says.
Because the government’s policy is that this is “use it or lose it,” Springer says it’s likely the allocation to local hunters will drop even further in future unless more LEHs are up for draw, because only a small percentage of those who get a draw actually harvest an animal.
On the other hand, non-residents using trained guides nearly always fill out their quota.
Guide/outfitters generally prefer the LEH system of managing game because it means there will be fewer hunters participating, and a better quality hunt for their clients, with less competition, he says.
jsteeves@kelownacapnews.com
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