Clark defends grizzly bear hunt, says B.C.’s wildlife policies based on science

[Ohwildwon]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/clark-defends-grizzly-bear-hunt-says-bcs-wildlife-policies-based-on-science/article26607129/ (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/clark-defends-grizzly-bear-hunt-says-bcs-wildlife-policies-based-on-science/article26607129/)


Clark defends grizzly bear hunt, says B.C.’s wildlife policies based on scienceMARK HUME (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/authors/mark-hume) AND JUSTINE HUNTER (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/authors/justine-hunter)
VANCOUVER and VICTORIA — The Globe and Mail
Published Wednesday, Sep. 30, 2015 8:46PM EDT
Last updated Wednesday, Sep. 30, 2015 8:52PM EDT




After recently fending off criticism of British Columbia’s controversial wolf cull, Premier Christy Clark is now defending the fall grizzly bear hunt, too.
“We aren’t contemplating any changes at the moment to the way we approach that,” Ms. Clark told reporters on Wednesday, when asked about the bear hunt.
“We have a record number of grizzly bears in the province, a huge and growing population, and the hunt is scientifically managed.”
She said B.C. – which this year issued more than 3,000 bear-hunting licences – does a better job of managing grizzly bears “than anywhere else in North America and we are going to keep doing that.”
Ms. Clark argued recently, in responding to criticism of the wolf cull by pop sensation Miley Cyrus and actress Pamela Anderson, that the province’s wildlife policies are based on sound science.
But on Wednesday, 10 environmental groups attacked the wolf cull in a letter to the Premier, saying the cull, which was implemented to protect endangered caribou, is not working. The groups called on the government to stop shooting wolves and instead to protect more caribou habitat.
Chief Doug Neasloss, of the Kitasoo/Xai’xais First Nation, said Ms. Clark is wrong to defend the grizzly bear hunt.
“The province always says they have the science to justify the hunt … but where are their scientists?” he said. “They don’t have one set of gumboots on the ground in the Great Bear Rainforest.”

Mr. Neasloss said his First Nation, which is based in Klemtu, about 200 kilometres south of Prince Rupert, declared a ban on grizzly bear hunting in its traditional territory in 2012. He said boats are patrolling coastal inlets this fall, and if anyone sees hunters, they will tell them the First Nation opposes the hunt and ask them to leave.
The grizzly bear hunt opened Thursday in the Knight Inlet and Kingcome Inlet areas on the central coast, but the season has been under way since the start of September in some regions and since August in the Peace River Country. It runs until Nov. 15.
Al Martin, director of strategic initiatives for the BC Wildlife Federation, said the grizzly hunt is carefully controlled in B.C., and wildlife managers take into account the mortality of bears from all factors before determining how many licences to issue to hunters.
“I think what gives you confidence [in the management plan] is that in more cases than not, there’s an increase in [bear] numbers and there’s an increase in the age of bears,” he said.
A government spokesperson said 3,469 grizzly bear licences have been issued for 2015, but it is expected that only a small number of bears will actually be killed. In 2014, 3,067 licences were issued and 267 bears were taken by hunters.
But for those who oppose the hunt, even killing one grizzly bear is too much.
“We’re absolutely horrified by the hunt,” Eric Boyum, who runs Ocean Adventures wilderness charters on the B.C. coast, said in an interview via marine radio. “Right now we’re half an hour away from watching grizzlies in the wild, here in an area where they are protected from hunting, but the thought that it still goes on [in unprotected areas] is just beyond our comprehension.”
Dean Wyatt, who operates Knight Inlet Lodge at Glendale Cove, about 80 kilometres northeast of Campbell River, said tourists from all over the world come to his wilderness resort to watch grizzly bears.
His lodge was the first in B.C. to focus on bear viewing, which has now become popular coast-wide.
“When we started in 1998, 80 people came, and this year we just had over 2,400 people from 19 different countries,” Mr. Wyatt said. “The market is insatiable. Everyone who comes to our lodge wants to shoot a grizzly bear and every one of our grizzly bears has been shot about 10,000 times. The difference is, it’s all with a camera.”
He said bears are more valuable to B.C. alive than dead.
“The government doesn’t seem to be able to get it that there’s no reason to hunt these bears. … They don’t understand how valuable the business is to the economy of B.C.,” Mr. Wyatt said.

[Drillbit]

She'll defend it for ScottE. Not us.

I also have a buddy that makes a living doing Ecotours and he isn't opposed to Grizzly hunting. This isn't on the Coast tho.

[Jelvis]

Clark trusts and backs the professional Bio's and that is very good policy. We dig that.
Jelly Bo Christy

[albravo2]

Good work Christy! Ditto for the wolf cull.

Nice to have some common sense up front.

[BigfishCanada]

She is getting bullied by lying greedy non educated groups, its important to continue to educate and make people aware of what conservation is and how hunting is the best way to conserve. I dont bear hunt but i do understand that a managed by science hunt is a much better option that disease or future cull of a problem bear that looses fear of man.

[ACB]

What we have to realize is with these environmental groups is they don't care if their lying because their end justifies their means. They'll do anything to get to their end.

[The Hermit]

What we have to realize is with these environmental groups is they don't care if their lying because their end justifies their means. They'll do anything to get to their end.

Sounds just like Christy Clark.

[gunsandhoses]

Good work Christy! Ditto for the wolf cull.

Nice to have some common sense up front.


I agree, good for standing up against these Eco bullies!

[Seeker]

I cannot say that CC has been in my good books in the last year. Her bullying antics have been unimpressive to say the least, BUT, she is standing her ground against the people we are battling against to protect our hunting heritage (I sound like the Beasley Bros. haha). And she is claiming that she is doing it on science based information. This is exactly what most of us want; science based wildlife management. So for this I must repsect her, but it is hesitant respect, as we know her history, to whom she shows favoratism and what she is capable of doing.




Sounds just like Christy Clark.

I find this hard to believe in this case Hermit. Is she lying about science based wildlife decisions simply to continue to recieve financial "gifts" form the GOABC? If she is, that truly does not bode well for our wildlife and will eventually backfire when a credible scientist challenges the utilized data. She has to know that through social media the world is watching this issue closely and that she requires sound evidence that can withstand scientific scrutiny. So will it really justify her means should she be caught in an outright balatant lie? Maybe I am missing something. Like I said I am not a huge CC fan, but I must bow my head to her in this case.

[J_T]

What we have to realize is with these environmental groups is they don't care if their lying because their end justifies their means. They'll do anything to get to their end.

Sounds just like Christy Clark.
And Fischer Dude.

[Iron Glove]

Good for Chrissy.
"Science based" is exactly what we want when making decisions.
Now, if only the Federal Conservatives would make decisions "Science based".
Good luck on that. :tongue:

[Ohwildwon]

Find it interesting that none of the BC Media has picked up and run with this?

Not even the Van Observer..

Guess its not the news that supports their agenda..

[limit time]

We attack CC on this why? I find it scary that the Indians will tell you to leave an area if they want!?? How are they going to do that Violence ???

[argyle1]

Hurray for Christy on this, but she will need a lot of ongoing support from us if we want to keep the ndp from coming to power and closing the bear season completely. I have no doubt that they would stop all hunting if they could.

[.330 Dakota]

Hurray for Christy on this, but she will need a lot of ongoing support from us if we want to keep the ndp from coming to power and closing the bear season completely. I have no doubt that they would stop all hunting if they could.

Couldnt agree more,,,they will end the bear hunt,,then it will snowball from there,,,

[1899]

She'll defend it for ScottE.

Pretty much sums it up.

[gcreek]

I find it very commendable for Christy to stand up and say she supports the grizzly hunt and wolf management. It has been decades since any polititian has had the gumption to do this.

I also find it disappointing that not one organization, be it BC Cattlemen's, GOABC, or the BCFW has offered to stand up and support her.

[Caretaker]

All they have to do is ask any one of the 12 hunters that have been mauled by a grizzly this fall If there should be a season for Grizz. LOL.

[HarryToolips]

That bimbo is just trying to suck up to us after the GOABC fiasco..

[The Dawg]

I find it very commendable for Christy to stand up and say she supports the grizzly hunt and wolf management. It has been decades since any polititian has had the gumption to do this.

I also find it disappointing that not one organization, be it BC Cattlemen's, GOABC, or the BCFW has offered to stand up and support her.


BCWF cant because they are non-partisan

[2chodi]

http://www.thefreepress.ca/community/330148361.html The BC Wildlife Federation has come out in support of wolf management and is participating caribou recovery initiative working group.

[Buck]

No matter the outcome of the wolf kill.Christy Clark does not give a damn about resident hunters.She fully supports a broken guide outfitting industry model at the expense of resident hunters don't drink the CC koolaid .

[The Hermit]

I cannot say that CC has been in my good books in the last year. Her bullying antics have been unimpressive to say the least, BUT, she is standing her ground against the people we are battling against to protect our hunting heritage (I sound like the Beasley Bros. haha). And she is claiming that she is doing it on science based information. This is exactly what most of us want; science based wildlife management. So for this I must repsect her, but it is hesitant respect, as we know her history, to whom she shows favoratism and what she is capable of doing.

I find this hard to believe in this case Hermit. Is she lying about science based wildlife decisions simply to continue to recieve financial "gifts" form the GOABC? If she is, that truly does not bode well for our wildlife and will eventually backfire when a credible scientist challenges the utilized data. She has to know that through social media the world is watching this issue closely and that she requires sound evidence that can withstand scientific scrutiny. So will it really justify her means should she be caught in an outright balatant lie? Maybe I am missing something. Like I said I am not a huge CC fan, but I must bow my head to her in this case.

Let me put it this way... the Government bio's are scrambling right now to shore-up their science around grizzly bear numbers and their conclusions as a result of serious criticisms leveled at it over the past couple years by UBC and UVic researchers in a mainstream science journal. Trust me, they believe that the results and conclusions are sound but can't argue the matter based on their previous research. You haven't seen them out in defense of their old studies yet have you? Ask yourself why. Better yet ask them WHEN? Now CC stands up and yammers on about science driven decisions after successive governments have under funded and cut back the Ministry for decades! She is a two faced lying (#$&&%) person.

You are correct that none of this political bull shit is good for wildlife. Don't get me wrong as I am 110% in support of the cull and would like to see it expanded dramatically, but CC does what is in the best interests of herself and her supporters. She couldn't give a gob of spit for the interests of resident hunters.

[gcreek]

I did say "Any Polititian" when I said Christy has shown her support. Pretty sorry that those who would benefit have issues with that.

[argyle1]

That bimbo is just trying to suck up to us after the GOABC fiasco.. She certainly seems to favor GOABC, but she has always been more pro hunter than not. If you want to retain your hunting heritage you need to make sure ndp remains in the opposition. Hermit is certainly right when he says all politians are liars, but any one who thinks the ndp will back us up more than cc is delusional

[The Hermit]

She certainly seems to favor GOABC, but she has always been more pro hunter than not. If you want to retain your hunting heritage you need to make sure ndp remains in the opposition. Hermit is certainly right when he says all politians are liars, but any one who thinks the ndp will back us up more than cc is delusional

Absolutely no NDP for me. I joined the BC Conservatives!

[palmer]

We'll meet them halfway...G.Bear hunting for residents only....No high paid trophy hunts....

[The Dawg]

We'll meet them halfway...G.Bear hunting for residents only....No high paid trophy hunts....


Just wait and see what happens when we lose the GB hunt

You think we got screwed on allocations before- you can bet your left nut they will be screaming for more of our allocations in order to "remain viable"

How many moose draws will we have to turn over to make up one GB hunt?

[palmer]

Just wait and see what happens when we lose the GB hunt

You think we got screwed on allocations before- you can bet your left nut they will be screaming for more of our allocations in order to "remain viable"

How many moose draws will we have to turn over to make up one GB hunt?

Its just a matter of time till they come again....if you think otherwise...wait and see.
Keeping or losing GBear hunts will have no difference. Guiding is now owned by large groups that want to maximise profit....

[argyle1]

We'll meet them halfway...G.Bear hunting for residents only....No high paid trophy hunts.... nope!!! no halfway !!! half way gives them a wedge and that's all they need. If the guides lose their grizzly hunts, where will they make up the lost revenue??? - higher quotas on other species is where-the hell with that !!

[Cordillera]

If hunters want to defend the g bear hunt then as many allies as possible will be needed. Don't let this issue (stopping bear hunt) get caught up in the other issue. If residents and GO are divided on this its a weaker position.

[palmer]

If you guys think that the GOABC care if we have Gbears to hunt...they don't
They care about making money and will defend what makes them money...its a business for most of them and only a business..they will also attack what costs them money and residents hunting anything that they can sell for money costs them money....thats why we can have all the DOE tags we want
I still stand by what I have always said...if I can't go buy a tag over the counter and hunt it......it should not be open to non residents

Bear hunting will come down to what the majority of BC residents think...Politicians need votes to keep there jobs and will listen to the majority...and the majority look at residents hunting in a different light than rich foreigners
killing our game...just ask non hunters...

[Ohwildwon]

Recent poll will be talked about tonight on Global...

[hparrott]

No matter the outcome of the wolf kill.Christy Clark does not give a damn about resident hunters.She fully supports a broken guide outfitting industry model at the expense of resident hunters don't drink the CC koolaid .

I second that. I am glad she is standing up to the attacks against the grizzly hunt and wolf cull, but the hunts and other leh's are still going to people who can afford guide outfitters and most of those are $$ non-resident hunters. Bring hunting back to BC for those who live in BC.

[albravo2]

BCWF cant because they are non-partisan

I agree with Gcreek, if we want something from the gov't I think we should be letting bygones be bygones and showing support where we can. In the grown up world, that is how negotiations happen. If you don't get what you want you don't take your ball and go home with your lip stuck out, you get back to the table and try again.

Saying the BCWF supports the policy is not partisan. If it was, it would be partisan to say we don't support the GOABC policy and I hear that lots.

[Stone Sheep Steve]

I agree with Gcreek, if we want something from the gov't I think we should be letting bygones be bygones and showing support where we can. In the grown up world, that is how negotiations happen. If you don't get what you want you don't take your ball and go home with your lip stuck out, you get back to the table and try again.

Saying the BCWF supports the policy is not partisan. If it was, it would be partisan to say we don't support the GOABC policy and I hear that lots.

GOABC is not a political group.

[albravo2]

Allocation policy, GOABC policy, same thing. I'm not defending the allocation policy or our gov't's cozy relationship with the guide outfitters, I'm just saying that complex negotiations take complex strategy. And we aren't likely to win what we want by attacking the gov't because they pissed us off last year.

[Weatherby Fan]

Good work Christy! Ditto for the wolf cull.

Nice to have some common sense up front.


I agree totally, she stood up and said science supports a Grizzly Bear hunt in BC......I say good on her, remember the last ditch effort from the NDP trying to close it for votes......!!!

[gcreek]

I second that. I am glad she is standing up to the attacks against the grizzly hunt and wolf cull, but the hunts and other leh's are still going to people who can afford guide outfitters and most of those are $$ non-resident hunters. Bring hunting back to BC for those who live in BC.

Interesting comment, I've drawn a 4 grizzly tags in the last 6 years.

[REMINGTON JIM]

Interesting comment, I've drawn a 4 grizzly tags in the last 6 years.

How many G Bears have you shot with 4 draws in 6 years ? just wondering as i am Interested ! Thks :biggrin: RJ

[REMINGTON JIM]

How many G Bears have you shot with 4 draws in 6 years ? just wondering as i am Interested ! Thks :biggrin: RJ

gcreek you there ? RJ