Ashnola Sheep in Trouble?

[boxhitch]

Another 'study' is being launched , and those in the business of 'studies' are excited to see what the 'study' produces in the way of information on sheep movements , mortality confirmation , and population trends . Its good to see and we can hope for some good info .....

Maybe some day it will be swords swinging and axes falling and blazes raging and voices roaring .........but not just yet folks

[GoatGuy]

This article is a huge red herring.

The helicopter company flew feed in to the feed station on south slopes FOR DECADES ----- FOR FREE. There was always way more sheep. Suddenly helicopters are the problem?

The problem here is the mites, and poor habitat due to forest ingrowth. The place needs to be burned to the ground and we need to get a domestic//wild plan which does not include fencing every place of private property in the province.

The person who wrote the article is going after this to get that whole place turned a National Park. That is where this is going and that is why this "anti-helicopter" thing is suddenly an issue. Helicopters will be banned if the Ashnola is turned into a NP, this article just starts to drive that wedge in the community.

[guest]

So if these particular Sheep are in trouble .......As they have been in the past . Just wondering how many the Government is going to allow Non residents to come and pay to finish them off. Non residents concern for BC wildlife is absent, take take take.

This is area is a prime example of an area that should not be open to non resident harvest. Zero harvest including BC residents if it's not sustainable .

The incredible amount of volunteer hours that have been put into helping BC sheep is unmeasurable. Yet the present Government is turning a blind eye and selling off what remains.

The BC Government is doing very very little in regards to the well being of BC wildlife ....... What has this Government done in regards to the health of BC wild salmon, they sit quiet and let the Federal government rape it while you can ........ How short sited

[boxhitch]

It actually looks like the revised national park map doesn't include the Ashnola anymore ?
From 650 h. in 2006 to 284 h. in 2010
See SOSNP Feasibility Study

[boxhitch]

Zero harvest including BC residents if it's not sustainable

Many professionals are confident that the hunter harvest is not the limiting factor in herd growth , and the hunt is sustainable. Lambs are being born , but not surviving to adult ages.

[boxhitch]

Helicopter training has gone on for decades , but that doesn't mean critters are immune to it , and having Gov't or anyone else ask the co. to curtail its activities in certain areas isn't unreasonable .

[GoatGuy]

It actually looks like the revised national park map doesn't include the Ashnola anymore ?
From 650 h. in 2006 to 284 h. in 2010
See SOSNP Feasibility Study

The current proposal is 284 km2, + 83km2 that is supposed to transition, + 98km2 of private land that will be bought on willing seller basis. The public wasn't shown the maps on those additions only "key stakeholders" per the usual. I think Parks Canada wants it right up to Kamloops and that this is only the thin edge of the wedge. Parks Canada is now saying they will allow some cattle grazing - of course that will be phased out over time.

The people who are pushing for the park are:
City of Vernon
North OK REgional District
Kelowna Chamber of Commerce
Destination Osoyoos
Okanagan Basin Water Board
Regional District of Okanagan
South OK Chamber of Commerce
CPAWS
South OK Naturalists
World Wildlife Fund
Ok Similikameen Parks Society
Nature Canada
Tourism Penticton
Outdoor Recreation Council
Regional District Ok Similkameen
Town of Osoyoos
A couple Wineries
Organic Famers in South Okanagan

And last but not lest the Minister of Environment for the provincial government.



This issue is currently "live", and that is the authors take on it.

[GoatGuy]

Helicopter training has gone on for decades , but that doesn't mean critters are immune to it , and having Gov't or anyone else ask the co. to curtail its activities in certain areas isn't unreasonable .

It's a matter of finding times and places to do it - pretty simple to do.

This part of the sheep issue is a red herring.

We are back to do we want to manage a dwindling resource or do we want to make more. Banning helicopters will not make more.

[boxhitch]

Are you suggesting the media is throwing red herrings ?
you won't get an argument from me , on any of your points

[srupp]

Hmm years ago our local expertused helicopters to study the sheep, move the sheep so much that still till today..25 years the sheep have learned at the sound of a chopper even high..they head into the thick timber..not the cliffs ..
The lambs are being produced..so males and females are still doing the sheep mawwwwmba..its that the lambs are not surviving,,,
Each location..different villans...would love to know what happened to the Chasm band? Gone


Steven