So what is going to change in the regulations this year

[Rhyno]

How long do you think grizzly bear hunting can continue to be closed for before the population explodes or will they stay closed for ever.

Hunting accounted for a VERY small percentage of annual mortality, not hunting them won't be the cause of the "population exploding"

[Rhyno]

I am going to assume that at some point, maybe not this season, but a few changes to elk in some form or other in R4.
Whether it is getting rid of some of the bow opportunities or something even more, I cant say.
Just some of what I read and the concerns for low #'s in some areas.
Zone X worked better then they thought.
That being said, doesn't sound like they want #'s to be higher than 12,000 in the future, so who knows how they go about
propping up the #'s and then trying to cull them again??
Not really a rum our, but just my thoughts what might be coming from recent reads.

They already closed the low land antlerless season, it would be laughable to close any bull archery season in an effort to increase populations. That said the government does not use facts or common sense when making management decisions.

[LBM]

Since you're serious about advocating for eliminating even more hunting opportunity....

How is reducing the harvest of a handful of senile rams going to help recruitment?


Maybe the sheep problem is that the current regulations are causing a harmful genetic selection and it is time to go back to the regulations that existed when sheep populations were strong.....

Ya realize its hard for some to understand but have no problem giving up opportunity if certain animals numbers are not doing well/declining to low levels.
Not sure how far back your talking when sheep populations were strong like before the last die off. Numbers couldn't handle a GOS like that now, but if they went to a
LEH with any ram the hand full that may be taken could be of various ages which may be better for the heard and actually some of the older rams that will never be
legal under the current regs may also be harvested.

[LBM]

They already closed the low land antlerless season, it would be laughable to close any bull archery season in an effort to increase populations. That said the government does not use facts or common sense when making management decisions.

The spike rifle season was also closed.

[J_T]

They already closed the low land antlerless season, it would be laughable to close any bull archery season in an effort to increase populations. That said the government does not use facts or common sense when making management decisions.

Yes. With no science to support this decision. Our expectation is this season will be reinstated.
One can't imagine how "they" can conclude a low impact archery season has more impact than a GOS in the rut. We keep changing regs to show "something" is being done. What needs to be done for wildlife recovery is way beyond hunting regs.

[dmace]

I heard there will be a closure of Blacktail hunting in region 1 , to support the growth of the southern resident killer whales

[Bugle M In]

Yes. With no science to support this decision. Our expectation is this season will be reinstated.
One can't imagine how "they" can conclude a low impact archery season has more impact than a GOS in the rut. We keep changing regs to show "something" is being done. What needs to be done for wildlife recovery is way beyond hunting regs.

Yup, agree.
Since that first reduction in cow leh in late 90's (which I agreed with), AND, the 6 pt restriction, that same year (did not agree with), all to grow elk "faster" and back up", so be it.
But then Cull them again back starting mid 2000's again, because "they aren't addressing why the elk are not going back to the high country".
And in the end, cull them down to some real historical lows.

Certainly does "not" give me faith with how the Ministry operates, and potentially some Bios' unless the Bios arms are being
twisted by higher ups????

These issues, definitely after the late 90's, are "beyond hunting Regs". (like JT states).
And that goes for "much of the province".