Hunting license needed or not?

[finngun]

If farmer,,(rancher) shoot a wolf or bear,,,who is killing his cattle,,,is he breaking a law if he does,not have a hunting license?
Or is that OK? Eye of the law.?......f...gun

[srthomas75]

I think most rancher type folks don't advertise what predators go missing. but a good point as I would assume they would need a license.

[whitlers]

There is a crop/livestock protection clause I believe but its pretty tight knit. Would pretty much need to be viewing a wolf trying to take down a calf or something. I could be wrong

[nebcfarmer]

When the CO’s can’t be bothered to investigate trespassers/hunters on your property, they won’t be getting a call when you have to shoot something.

[Carrollizer]

Legally yes since they’re shooting animals

[finngun]

When the CO’s can’t be bothered to investigate trespassers/hunters on your property, they won’t be getting a call when you have to shoot something.

Yep I agree..s s s works well I heard about farmer in port Alberni who shoot a bear with 22 just wounded it,,,he got moutfull from co...but no charce.. I have no another gun...said farmer...true..

[rocksteady]

I am not sure if this is correct, that the rancher needs a license. I believe under the Livestock act they can protect their assets.. i doubt every rancher has a licence to shoot bears, wolves, coyotes or even gophers that are disrupting their way of life

[Gateholio]

No, you don't need a hunting lic to protect your livestock, as you aren't hunting. However, there is a specific set of requirements that must be met to legally kill predators that are harming your livestock.

From my experience, how many CO resources dedicated to this topic tends to depend on the type of animal being targeted, with things like raccoons and coyotes not garnering much attention and on the other end of the spectrum would be grizzly bears.

[AK-47]

Page 14 of regulations:

4Schedule B and C wildlife are known to
destroy property and/or are detrimental
to native wildlife. These species have fewer
restrictions regulating their hunting, killing
or capturing. Any capture or killing of these
species must still abide by provincial laws
regarding the humane treatment of animals.
4Schedule B lists animals that may be
captured or killed on private land only for
the specific purpose of protecting property;
no hunting license or open season is
required. On Crown land a person must
abide by the open seasons for Schedule B
species (see Regional Schedules for open
seasons). Schedule B species include coast
mole, snowshoe hare, lemmings, bushy-tailed
woodrat, deer mice, porcupine, northern
pocket gopher, yellow-bellied marmot, woodchuck,
Columbian ground squirrel, striped
skunk, raccoon, and spotted skunk.
4For all Schedule C species there are no
closed seasons or bag limits. Furthermore,
there are no requirements to remove edible
portions or report the killing to an officer.
Schedule C birds may be hunted using electronic
calls.
4You do not need a hunting licence to
capture, hunt or kill the following Schedule
C wildlife: American bullfrog, green frog,
snapping turtles, North American opossum,
eastern cottontail, European rabbit, nutria,
gray squirrels, fox squirrels, house sparrow,
European starling, and rock dove (domestic
pigeon).
4You do need a hunting licence to hunt
the following Schedule C wildlife UNLESS
you are hunting them on your property
or they are damaging your property:
Northwestern Crow, American Crow, blackbilled
magpie, brown-headed cowbird.

[Yuritau]

The government's Farm Practices Guide has a collection of PDFs that touch on a lot of things, including Wildlife Damage Control (there's two different PDF's for that, one for the interior, and one for the south coast).

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/agricultural-land-and-environment/farm-practices-protection/farm-practices-guide

From the PDF for the interior:

Wildlife Control
Sometimes it may be necessary to remove certain species or specific animals which are causing too much damage to the crops or livestock being farmed. Removal of wildlife must be done in accordance with the Wildlife Act as well as any other relevant provincial and/or federal legislation. Farmers should take all reasonable steps to protect their crops or livestock from wildlife damage before applying for permits to remove or kill problem wildlife that are protected. Please consult the Ministry of Environment for more information about the Wildlife Act. Removal methods include:
• trapping (both live and lethal traps can be used);
• crossbow or bow and arrow;
• firearms to scare away or kill wildlife; and
• poisoning with registered rodenticide baits and/or fumigants (pocket gophers, ground squirrels).