Harassed by antis while grizzly hunting

[powderhound]

I have read this forum for a while but this is my first time posting. I want to tell my story from last weekend to warn other hunters about this kind of activity and also to see if anyone has had a similar experience or has any more information.
I went out hunting this weekend with my hunting partner who drew a grizzly tag in 4-27. I had a black bear tag, and we were accompanied by two other friends that weren’t hunting but just carried bear spray and wanted to come along. Saturday went great, spent 30 minutes glassing a boar grizzly at 140 yards and my partner ended up passing to hold out for something bigger (he already has taken two grizzlies).
The next day we headed out fairly early to the same spot. Our excitement from the day before quickly changed when we were riding our ATVs up the logging road and we passed a small black Jeep SUV with Oregon plates driving down the road. When one of us stopped to chat with them, the driver said “Is there something exciting going on up there?” When our buddy responded by saying that we were bear hunting, he excitedly said “Oh, there’s bears up there?” and asked if he could follow us to see bears and take pictures. He pretended that they were friendly to hunters but it was clear that he was lying and that they were anti-hunters. They were told no and we continued on our way. We put a couple guys on a slide to glass and myself and my buddy with the grizzly tag jumped in his side-by-side ATV and went to check out another slide up another drainage. We quickly bumped into the same vehicle and we realized that they had turned around and followed us.
We pulled up next to them and asked what they were doing. They said that they were hoping to take pictures of grizzlies and wanted to follow us. We told them that we didn’t want them harassing us and following us with cameras. We told them we were hunting up here and we didn’t want them interfering with us. They continued to insist that they weren’t there to interfere with us but finally left when we made it clear that they needed to leave.
After that, we spent the day glassing slides and thought that all the anti-hunter nonsense was behind us. The slide that we were glassing was just beginning to be in the shade as the sun got lower and we were standing around our ATVs watching the slide with our binos when we heard an audible buzzing sound. We looked up and realized that there was a drone hovering above us. A DRONE. As soon as they knew that we saw the drone it zipped back down the road. We immediately jumped in the side-by-side and drove down the road. To our surprise, it wasn’t the same vehicle as before. It was a lifted dodge ram with a big spare tire on the roof. He already had the drone loaded up and was in the cab. He didn’t get out of the cab but poked his head out the window to talk to us. He was obviously another anti but gave us a story about how he was almost out of gas and was using the drone to see how far the road went. He admitted that he was with the other people that tried to follow us that morning. He wanted to go past us and sit on the same slide we were on. We made it clear that wasn’t going to happen and that he was interfering with a legal hunt, which is a crime. I got on my InReach satellite messaging device and texted a friend to call the CO. It took restraint to not punch him in his cowardly, lying face, but we took the high road and notified the CO and did everything by the book. Later that evening there was a third vehicle (a maroon Jeep SUV) parked down the road and they filmed us as we rode by.
This was clearly an organized group of anti-hunters. This happened in a very remote location in interior BC. If this happened here it really can happen anywhere that anyone is grizzly hunting in the province. We gave statements to the CO and he is out looking for them and he also notified the RCMP and gave them the license number of the guy flying the drone.

[Knute]

I fear these types of scenarios will grow in numbers.

In the event charges are laid and the matter goes to court, I'm glad you resisted the urge to do bodily harm.

[caddisguy]

Good job exercising restraint and even better reporting them to the CO's. If unreported, nothing gets done. Whether or not they have enough to act on this report alone is uncertain, but it could certainly contribute to charges if there are further incidents.

And welcome to the forum :)

[bigredchev]

Document everything and forward to the proper authorities. If a group this big is in effect I'm sure this is not their first attempt and not their last.

Please understand grizzly hunting is conservation that is science driven and we need to stand behind it no matter the negative perceptions of the uneducated.

[whitlers]

Good job. You played it right.

[tuner]

The Anti Zealots will only be further emboldened by the recent political deal between the orange and the greens.
(incidently when orange and green are mixed you get RED along with a gold hammer and sickle,weird).
Good on you PH for keeping your cool, and defending yours and everyone's legal right, when this type of shit
goes unreported it legitimizes the antis tactics, although the temptation to plug some effeminate cuck square in the mug, must of been hard to resist.
Cheers.

[blackford]

I think its silly of them to do this. One of these days they are going to be trying to drive a truck with a bullet hole thru the radiator ... not saying I would do it but I am sure that someone will when your in the bush..

Good on you for doing what you did... But man oh man...your a better man than me

[weatherbyjunkie]

Please understand grizzly hunting is conservation that is science driven and we need to stand behind it no matter the negative perceptions of the uneducated.[/QUOTE]

Well said! I couldn't agree more,thank you!

[Busterpayton54]

Yep, 4 flat tires right there in the spot to ensure they are still there when the authorities arrive.

[Mulehahn]

Also report it to transport Canada if any of the below apply to the drone or the operator:


higher than 90 m above the ground
closer than 75 m from buildings, vehicles, vessels, animals, people/crowds
if you can’t keep it in sight at all times
if you are not within 500 m of your drone


These rules went into affect earlier this year. They are the law now, and carry up to a $3000 fine! Good on you for keeping a cool head, and reporting it!

[S.W.A.T.]

Played it right for sure, good restraint.


Shoot the drone?

[SaintSix]

just yell die decepticon and shoot the drone out of the sky (transformer reference). I'm glad you have more patience then me. I don't do well with their kind.

[bigredchev]

id also like to point out how we are regular joes and not slack jawed rednecks who are impulsive and barbaric which is exactly the portrait they would love to paint us as.

In any case where we are confronted by criminals, it is best we should our dignity and be above the Antis and fight in a legal and respectful way. We have are on the unfortunate ugly side of the coin and we have much to lose compared to the Antis and their uneducated and closed minded worlds.

Saying stuff like "someone will shoot their tires or property" makes us look like idoits and fuels the flames of us as jerk-off redneck lunatics regardless of actual physical daily and monthly positive contributions are outdoor enthusiasts.

[Ohwildwon]

id also like to point out how we are regular joes and not slack jawed rednecks who are impulsive and barbaric which is exactly the portrait they would love to paint us as.

In any case where we are confronted by criminals, it is best we should our dignity and be above the Antis and fight in a legal and respectful way. We have are on the unfortunate ugly side of the coin and we have much to lose compared to the Antis and their uneducated and closed minded worlds.

Saying stuff like "someone will shoot their tires or property" makes us look like idoits and fuels the flames of us as jerk-off redneck lunatics regardless of actual physical daily and monthly positive contributions are outdoor enthusiasts.

Well said..

[HarryToolips]

You did well controlling your nerves and temper, and handling the situation legally through the CO is a very wise decision...

[Chopper]

I would have loved to shoot that drone down with a shot gun ...

[Pinewood]

The Anti Zealots will only be further emboldened by the recent political deal between the orange and the greens.
(incidently when orange and green are mixed you get RED along with a gold hammer and sickle,weird).
Good on you PH for keeping your cool, and defending yours and everyone's legal right, when this type of shit
goes unreported it legitimizes the antis tactics, although the temptation to plug some effeminate cuck square in the mug, must of been hard to resist.
Cheers.


Green and orange make brown. Per Color Matters, green and orange are both secondary colors, meaning that they are made by mixing two primary colors. Mixing any two secondary colors yields a brown shade, from muddy brown to olive brown.

Too bad about the antis though. I hope this doesn't become a common theme.

[Ride Red]

Green and orange make brown. Per Color Matters, green and orange are both secondary colors, meaning that they are made by mixing two primary colors. Mixing any two secondary colors yields a brown shade, from muddy brown to olive brown.

Too bad about the antis though. I hope this doesn't become a common theme.

Hmmmm, shit is brown.

[tuner]

Green and orange make brown. Per Color Matters, green and orange are both secondary colors, meaning that they are made by mixing two primary colors. Mixing any two secondary colors yields a brown shade, from muddy brown to olive brown.

Too bad about the antis though. I hope this doesn't become a common theme.
Thanx for the enlightening colour lesson Pinewood, I was under the impression that green and orange produced
comrade red, now I know it produces a shit shade of brown, should of known .;)

[northof49]

Thanx for the enlightening colour lesson Pinewood, I was under the impression that green and orange produced
comrade red, now I know it produces a shit shade of brown, should of known .;)

bahahahaha

[heybert]

You mentioned that one of the vehicles have Oregon plates. If you don't mind giving it to me, I'll make sure they'll get a frosty reception if they try and cross the border. If their intention is to contravene any provincial or federal legislation, they are inadmissible to Canada.

[Rattler]

Like others have said good job restraining yourselves, must have been very difficult. Sure hope charges are pressed and at the very least they get some major fines.

[Dash]

Wow well done guys! Way to take the high road. I think a lot of people would have trouble doing so in that situation. Here's to hoping they get charged or fined.

[whitlers]

You mentioned that one of the vehicles have Oregon plates. If you don't mind giving it to me, I'll make sure they'll get a frosty reception if they try and cross the border. If their intention is to contravene any provincial or federal legislation, they are inadmissible to Canada.

This ^ catch them on the way back down

[boxhitch]

This was clearly an organized group of anti-hunters.Not with the evidence you laid out here. Hope your rant to the CO's doesn't make you look like the loony tune.

[Jelvis]

-- when i'm in the bush hunting with my buds, I notice they want to talk to udder hunters who are driving by, why? -- your hunting for deer or moose or anything why wood you stop and talk to others? Talk on here thats what HBC is used for, to share like these threads.
-- I avoid contact for different reasons
1. time wasted
2. who are they anyway and why do they want to talk, like yelling out the windows when yer hunting
3. if your looking to make friends then join a local hunt club
4. if someone wants to talk to me about hunting and it's whadever talk on here
5. just my ways, don't expect everyone to do
6. never encountered a situation like this one in Reg 3 yet
7. I'm not out in the bush to talk -- i'm hunting

This stuff is going to happen we know this is escalating so be prepared b4 hand with a script you follow -- on what way I will react to a red dirt road block by whosoever. Examples
a. I won't allow myself to lose control of my facalty's -- anger- etc
b. i will not use a violent act against any human being period! Unless in pure self-defense
c. i will remain as calm as i can, keeping my voice in a medium tone
d. I will stay in my vehicle, windows up and doors locked
e. I will not get out of my vehicle
f. since I do have some of my personal protection I have some relief but leave it alone
g. I turn around
h. I leave
i. If they follow then it get's a lil different, do as above but now get plate number stay in truck
j. try not to talk too much to anyone you don't know in the bush
k. chalk it up as an experience, learn from these threads, what to do and what Not to do.
Jel -- good luck in your hunting travels on the red dirt roads --

[powderhound]

You mentioned that one of the vehicles have Oregon plates. If you don't mind giving it to me, I'll make sure they'll get a frosty reception if they try and cross the border. If their intention is to contravene any provincial or federal legislation, they are inadmissible to Canada.

Unfortunately we didn't get the plate number of the vehicle from Oregon. We did get the plate number of the guy flying the drone in a dodge ram, but they were BC plates.

[boxhitch]

Another occasion where the BCWF conservation app would be handy

[ACB]

Unfortunately we didn't get the plate number of the vehicle from Oregon. We did get the plate number of the guy flying the drone in a dodge ram, but they were BC plates.
I think I would also report those incidents to the RCMP, because these guys are breaking the law, under It Is Unlawful;To interfere with or obstruct a person licensed or permitted to hunt, guide or trap while that person is lawfully so engaged. On page 15 in the Regulations Synopsis. It would be interesting to see what the RCMP would have to say, seeing that they and the CO's are payed to uphold the law. Time to get them out of Tim Horton's and into the field!

[Surrey Boy]

I think I would also report those incidents to the RCMP, because these guys are breaking the law, under It Is Unlawful;To interfere with or obstruct a person licensed or permitted to hunt, guide or trap while that person is lawfully so engaged. On page 15 in the Regulations Synopsis. It would be interesting to see what the RCMP would have to say, seeing that they and the CO's are payed to uphold the law. Time to get them out of Tim Horton's and into the field!

Have you seen Mick McKee's thread?

The RCMP are about as honest as China's 610 Office.

[brian]

I read your story and it looks like the antis are getting smart. They know exactly what line they can cross to get arrested for interfering with a lawful hunt and they are staying on the legal side of it. It isn't illegal to do anything they said they were doing. Pretty clever, and then filming you hoping to make you look like an ass on social media. Which is why it is so important to keep your cool and be respectful. Keep in mind that when you see their cameras a million people can be watching you. I wonder how they would act when the cameras are turned back on them?

[g_worsnop]

Was the dodge lifted and black with a after market type grill??

[powderhound]

Was the dodge lifted and black with a after market type grill??

It was lifted and looked black or dark grey. Stock grill but it had a big spare tire mounted on the top of the cab.

[Iron Glove]

Interesting, the group that put out the "Grizzly" video were quite emphatic that their group does not interfere in any way with a hunt.
Obviously this is a different group.

[Xenomorph]

Record, report, and sue. Only way you'll move any headway against organized tactics like these. Do your part, just like predator hunting, it's a part of your conservation efforts.

We're not yahoos, going out there and shooting anything that moves. Our efforts are studied, methodical, traditional methods to harvest and conserve wildlife. Your efforts should also include holding accountable anyone interfering with your rights.

I know what I'd do. And if your thoughts are this is bad, you should see the anti hunting tactics in Europe.

[Jelvis]

-- I wood talk at a anti-hunter or group downtown but not where other people can't hear real good and see what the tactics are. Like off road or parked by a red dirt road.
-- uptown if it get's heated and the anti guy starts pushin me downtown with his hands that wood be self defese and lots of hunters and anti's there not just me sort of ting.
-- Trouble is they see hunters downtown in summer not hunting season so see a guy like me and Roddy there they don't even start an argument, roddy looks like Sly Stallone on meds.
-- butt you get new hunters and some that don't have the stamina to argue for hours.
I speak my piece about full time decades of helping conserve mule deer and blacktail deer.
Then I listen to their lame excuse and realize, I can't make everyone like me it's impossibell.
Jelly -- My favorite song is, " Ohhh Lorrrrrrd it's Hard 2 B humble when I'm perfect in avery vay"