Atlin, B.C, First Nation urging hunters to reconsider their hunting plans this season

[GreyDog]

I think residents of any area should have priority for hunting. This goes for Atlin, Kootenays, Kamloops, Okanogan, or where ever. GD

[kevingm1987]

Does that mean my tax dollars should be used for projects around Maple ridge only? Should people from Gold river get priority to fish Nootka sound? Should we not ship any of farmed food up to Atlin? let them grow there open fruit and veggies in the 3 month growing season they get? The entire province relies on another portion of the province for something, its all interconnected like a spiderweb. To continue to push the idea of "since I live here, I get priority" is such BS.

BC is big and has tons of area to hunt. Born and raised on the lower mainland. So far I have hunted, regions 1,2,3,5,6,7,8. I will continue to hunt across the entire province because its my damn right too.

I think residents of any area should have priority for hunting. This goes for Atlin, Kootenays, Kamloops, Okanogan, or where ever. GD

[Arctic Lake]

GreyDog what are you thinking in terms of priority ? That might be a tricky subject . We have no moose in Haney .
Arctic Lake

I think residents of any area should have priority for hunting. This goes for Atlin, Kootenays, Kamloops, Okanogan, or where ever. GD

[Trapper]

Does that mean my tax dollars should be used for projects around Maple ridge only? Should people from Gold river get priority to fish Nootka sound? Should we not ship any of farmed food up to Atlin? let them grow there open fruit and veggies in the 3 month growing season they get? The entire province relies on another portion of the province for something, its all interconnected like a spiderweb. To continue to push the idea of "since I live here, I get priority" is such BS.

BC is big and has tons of area to hunt. Born and raised on the lower mainland. So far I have hunted, regions 1,2,3,5,6,7,8. I will continue to hunt across the entire province because its my damn right too.

Well said... I agree with you 100%

[Otto1946]

My family has now lived in BC for 153 years and I feel all BC residents should be equal in all aspects of access to our resources, no exceptions.

[HarryToolips]

Want less hunters in Altin? Reopen 7b back up how it was before, any bull Aug 15-30, SOFT-10 starting Sept 1. That hunt was completely sustainable.

Completely agree.....

[Guller74]

Sorry for the rant but here goes!

This has been our government's MO for time immemorial. They don't use science, don't spent 1/100th of what they should doing proper counts and assessment, and instead follow like sheep wherever the political fodder (and votes) take them. They have closed, or drastically reduced, hunting opportunities in MU's and entire regions over the last 3 decades and then wonder why the hunting pressure and increases in areas that still allow GOS. To my FN brethren, I do feel for your plight because it is our plight too. That said, in region 7b, let's all be honest...that closure was nothing more than a concession to two FN communities to appease them in order to fast track resource extraction political agendas. The game populations up that way are healthy and sustainable and, quite honestly, were a model in many ways for the rest of the province. It has to change or this trend will only continue until everything is LEH only. No disrespect to Steve Hamilton and Jesse Zeman for the tireless work you gents are doing to represent all hunters in BC, but the BCWF's reach is limited. We play the fair game while some FN's, political parties, and environmental activist groups play dirty. It's not a fair game and we all know it. Because BCWF is classed as a charity organization, my understanding is that they cannot lobby governments the way that activist groups can...perhaps that needs to change. I've signed countless petitions and letters to MLAs/MPs and where has it gotten us? We are ignored. We are seen as merely an irritant. So here is where I think we should start:

I'm asking ALL FN groups across BC to JOIN our fight to protect our wildlife through real science. Respect each other and band together for what should absolutely be 100% sustainable for all. If non-indigenous and indigenous hunters band together, instead of being divisive, now you have the making of a powerful group of advocates that have a lot of voice and influence that will see much more acceptance and support from the general population of non-hunters. We need to be the voice that pushes hard for things to change for the better with solid, real boots-on-the ground everyday, experience in the wild. We CAN do this!

We either need to create a lobby group of hunters that is willing to fight too or ask the BCWF to relinquish its charitable status so it can lobby and get a bit dirty too. We need to find media outlets willing to tell the truth and advocate for science-based management instead of these bought-and-paid for puppets currently in most media organizations. How about a reporter willing to do a deep-dive on this story instead of the token news articles we typically see. What about an international media source willing to turn over BC's dirty little secrets?

Lastly, for all you biologists out there who are involved in assessing populations and population health...speak up and tell your truth. Tell us if you truly have the resources and funding to accurate assessments or are you simply relying on anecdotal, antiquated information, or political pressuring?

I have two young kids that I only pray will have opportunities to hunt that I have had and now see taken away. The outlook is not good if we don't push for real change now! Who's with me?

[Spy]

Sorry for the rant but here goes!

This has been our government's MO for time immemorial. They don't use science, don't spent 1/100th of what they should doing proper counts and assessment, and instead follow like sheep wherever the political fodder (and votes) take them. They have closed, or drastically reduced, hunting opportunities in MU's and entire regions over the last 3 decades and then wonder why the hunting pressure and increases in areas that still allow GOS. To my FN brethren, I do feel for your plight because it is our plight too. That said, in region 7b, let's all be honest...that closure was nothing more than a concession to two FN communities to appease them in order to fast track resource extraction political agendas. The game populations up that way are healthy and sustainable and, quite honestly, were a model in many ways for the rest of the province. It has to change or this trend will only continue until everything is LEH only. No disrespect to Steve Hamilton and Jesse Zeman for the tireless work you gents are doing to represent all hunters in BC, but the BCWF's reach is limited. We play the fair game while some FN's, political parties, and environmental activist groups play dirty. It's not a fair game and we all know it. Because BCWF is classed as a charity organization, my understanding is that they cannot lobby governments the way that activist groups can...perhaps that needs to change. I've signed countless petitions and letters to MLAs/MPs and where has it gotten us? We are ignored. We are seen as merely an irritant. So here is where I think we should start:

I'm asking ALL FN groups across BC to JOIN our fight to protect our wildlife through real science. Respect each other and band together for what should absolutely be 100% sustainable for all. If non-indigenous and indigenous hunters band together, instead of being divisive, now you have the making of a powerful group of advocates that have a lot of voice and influence that will see much more acceptance and support from the general population of non-hunters. We need to be the voice that pushes hard for things to change for the better with solid, real boots-on-the ground everyday, experience in the wild. We CAN do this!

We either need to create a lobby group of hunters that is willing to fight too or ask the BCWF to relinquish its charitable status so it can lobby and get a bit dirty too. We need to find media outlets willing to tell the truth and advocate for science-based management instead of these bought-and-paid for puppets currently in most media organizations. How about a reporter willing to do a deep-dive on this story instead of the token news articles we typically see. What about an international media source willing to turn over BC's dirty little secrets?

Lastly, for all you biologists out there who are involved in assessing populations and population health...speak up and tell your truth. Tell us if you truly have the resources and funding to accurate assessments or are you simply relying on anecdotal, antiquated information, or political pressuring?

I have two young kids that I only pray will have opportunities to hunt that I have had and now see taken away. The outlook is not good if we don't push for real change now! Who's with me?

Good post I’ve always said my kids should have the same fishing and hunting rights as a native kid. We are all Canadian and skin colour should not give you special rights. I agree with all you said above.

[HarryToolips]

Sorry for the rant but here goes!

This has been our government's MO for time immemorial. They don't use science, don't spent 1/100th of what they should doing proper counts and assessment, and instead follow like sheep wherever the political fodder (and votes) take them. They have closed, or drastically reduced, hunting opportunities in MU's and entire regions over the last 3 decades and then wonder why the hunting pressure and increases in areas that still allow GOS. To my FN brethren, I do feel for your plight because it is our plight too. That said, in region 7b, let's all be honest...that closure was nothing more than a concession to two FN communities to appease them in order to fast track resource extraction political agendas. The game populations up that way are healthy and sustainable and, quite honestly, were a model in many ways for the rest of the province. It has to change or this trend will only continue until everything is LEH only. No disrespect to Steve Hamilton and Jesse Zeman for the tireless work you gents are doing to represent all hunters in BC, but the BCWF's reach is limited. We play the fair game while some FN's, political parties, and environmental activist groups play dirty. It's not a fair game and we all know it. Because BCWF is classed as a charity organization, my understanding is that they cannot lobby governments the way that activist groups can...perhaps that needs to change. I've signed countless petitions and letters to MLAs/MPs and where has it gotten us? We are ignored. We are seen as merely an irritant. So here is where I think we should start:

I'm asking ALL FN groups across BC to JOIN our fight to protect our wildlife through real science. Respect each other and band together for what should absolutely be 100% sustainable for all. If non-indigenous and indigenous hunters band together, instead of being divisive, now you have the making of a powerful group of advocates that have a lot of voice and influence that will see much more acceptance and support from the general population of non-hunters. We need to be the voice that pushes hard for things to change for the better with solid, real boots-on-the ground everyday, experience in the wild. We CAN do this!

We either need to create a lobby group of hunters that is willing to fight too or ask the BCWF to relinquish its charitable status so it can lobby and get a bit dirty too. We need to find media outlets willing to tell the truth and advocate for science-based management instead of these bought-and-paid for puppets currently in most media organizations. How about a reporter willing to do a deep-dive on this story instead of the token news articles we typically see. What about an international media source willing to turn over BC's dirty little secrets?

Lastly, for all you biologists out there who are involved in assessing populations and population health...speak up and tell your truth. Tell us if you truly have the resources and funding to accurate assessments or are you simply relying on anecdotal, antiquated information, or political pressuring?

I have two young kids that I only pray will have opportunities to hunt that I have had and now see taken away. The outlook is not good if we don't push for real change now! Who's with me?

I'm with ya as well.....

[Quince2]

Gee, close an entire region for moose hunting and people are surprised when people from different areas show up? Everyone hunts to put food on their table.

this fn's and locals hunt for food drivel is sh!t Hunting for food isnt race based or location based and should be for all people that live in bc 1st. I fish for salmon, should non- locals be banned to fish for salmon where i live? I use line with single barbless hooks while i watch "local fn's" run a damn net across the river.

Sustainability rules needs to be for everyone.