Re: BCWF Stance on what's considered "Essential Travel"?
I am not sure we'll be issuing any formal statement aside from what we've said in the past: follow provincial health orders and take note that BCWF was very active in getting hunting declared an essential service last year. Hunting is, in fact, deemed essential.
I don't think BCWF is going to go further than that -why would we have to?
I'm glad you asked. Last year hunting was deemed essential and everyone thought we were good to go.
Then the issue of First Nations expressing Covid-19 concerns came up. There were conflicting worldviews on the Covid question. I won't go into details to avoid inflaming an already sensitive issue.
How are conflicting issues, especially over access to the land base in BC sorted out? Negotiation, court, or..."regulation". In this case the government decreed, through regulation, that while hunting is essential, travelling to hunt renders the practice "recreational". It's a bullshit call on the government's part, but they wanted a fast and easy workaround (and by "bullshit" I mean I traded a couple sharp emails with a rep from the Wildlife Branch. Strangely he didn't ask "how high?" when I said "jump!")
It was in the works for BCWF to deal with this workaround, and we've brought it up with the Wildlife Branch, but as of a few weeks ago we were all of the opinion that it was moot - we didn't have any existing restrictions and we were confident that by fall everyone would be vaccinated.
Then the numbers flipped the wrong way and we got the renewed lockdown.
I'm caught on that front myself. I've got personal and club spring bear hunts that were planned before the recent guidance.
We are having the AGM this weekend. I'm sure it will come up. We will be attending Provincial Hunting and Trapping Advisory Table Monday and Friday and I will raise it there (PHTAT is not the PHO, mind you).
Short answer: hunting is deemed essential, travelling to hunt is recreational (my understanding); from North Van MLA Bowinn Ma: up to 10 people can gather outdoors (Stick to the same people), work, both paid and unpaid (volunteer) is essential.
There are a lot of other things that can be deemed essential as well, such as livestock and agriculture, or the provision of financial services.
Bottom line? BCWF is going to recommend following PHO orders, requests and suggestions. The organization can't really do otherwise. Look at the regs closely and see if you can determine a workaround.
I wish I could give better news.
Rob Chipman
"The idea of wilderness needs no defense, it only needs defenders" - Ed Abbey
"Grown men do not need leaders" - also Ed Abbey