BCWF
12-20-2017, 01:41 PM
https://bcwf.thankyou4caring.org/image/in-the-news/GBear1.png
BCWF Responds to Grizzly Bear Hunt Ban
News Coverage
Mike Smyth in the Province: read the full story HERE (https://bcwf.thankyou4caring.org/page.redir?target=http%3a%2f%2ftheprovince.com%2fn ews%2fbc-politics%2fmike-smyth-ndp-does-an-about-face-on-grizzly-bear-hunting%3futm_content%3dbuffer2e338%26utm_medium%3 dsocial%26utm_source%3dfacebook.com%26utm_campaign %3dbuffer%23comments&srcid=26988&srctid=1&erid=6098737&trid=d436f12f-73a0-4bc1-a657-64a7f36bc06f)
Pro-hunting groups are furious, since the consultation was supposed to be about implementing the partial hunt, not bringing in a surprise total ban on grizzly hunting.
“We were told the hunt would move forward,” said Jesse Zeman, director of the B.C. Wildlife Federation, which represents resident B.C. hunters. The government changed the goalposts. It reflects poorly on how we’re going to be doing business in B.C."
Larry Pynn in the Vancouver Sun: read the full story HERE (https://bcwf.thankyou4caring.org/page.redir?target=http%3a%2f%2fvancouversun.com%2f news%2flocal-news%2fndp-government-kills-plan-for-food-hunt-of-b-c-grizzly-bears%3futm_content%3dbuffercdbbc%26utm_medium%3ds ocial%26utm_source%3dfacebook.com%26utm_campaign%3 dbuffer&srcid=26988&srctid=1&erid=6098737&trid=d436f12f-73a0-4bc1-a657-64a7f36bc06f)
Harvey Andrusak, president of the BC Wildlife Federation, representing hunters and fishermen, said he is disappointed to see the government making decisions based on public emotion rather than good science.
He said it “raises the question of why have government biologists been doing any work if their data is to be ignored. Public sentiment and emotions driving government decisions is bad news for fish and wildlife in B.C.”
CTV News: print and video stories HERE (https://bcwf.thankyou4caring.org/page.redir?target=http%3a%2f%2fbc.ctvnews.ca%2fb-c-bans-grizzly-hunting-effective-immediately-1.3726358%3futm_content%3dbuffer36ecf%26utm_medium %3dsocial%26utm_source%3dfacebook.com%26utm_campai gn%3dbuf&srcid=26988&srctid=1&erid=6098737&trid=d436f12f-73a0-4bc1-a657-64a7f36bc06f)
The BCWF said it expects closing the hunt outright will result in increased human-bear confrontations and attacks and that taxpayers will be on the hook for managing the bear population. Referencing the auditor general's report, the BCWF said habitat loss is a more important issue to address, and that many of its members feel betrayed.
"While those opposed to grizzly bear hunting may rejoice it is a sad day when emotions trump science," the statement said.
Listen to Jesse Zeman with Mike Smyth on CKNW: HERE (https://bcwf.thankyou4caring.org/page.redir?target=http%3a%2f%2fomny.fm%2fshows%2ft he-simi-sara-show%2fbc-hunters-speak-out-against-grizzly-hunt-ban&srcid=26988&srctid=1&erid=6098737&trid=d436f12f-73a0-4bc1-a657-64a7f36bc06f)
How We Got Here
Reviewing newspaper clippings, government documents and files going back to the 1970s opponents of hunting have ebbed and flowed, but over the past 22 years, and more so in the last decade, the movement gained significant traction with the media. There are a number of groups with anti-hunting messages who have re-branded as conservation organizations to increase public support. The message from these organizations is: 1) Hunting is not sustainable 2) Science government uses is not reliable 3) Hunting, particularly of carnivores, is unethical.
After annual media and political campaigns to stop the hunt, B.C.’s provincial government implemented a brief moratorium (2001), which was overturned in the provincial election six months later. While government researchers and top bear ecologists in North America spent hunter, industry and public dollars to continue their work around grizzly bears conservation, (identifying the bottlenecks around habitat and that hunting was not a major threat), the anti-hunting campaigns continue to spend theirs on a message that the hunt is not sustainable and more so that the trophy grizzly bear hunt is unethical.
What does this mean for you?
A long-term effort to stop hunting has successfully made its way into the spotlight and it has changed policy. While many environmentalists have historically said they are only opposed to “trophy hunting”, some are now saying they would like black bear hunting closed and a ban on the hunting of all carnivores in the Great Bear Rainforest. The same logic of perspectives, beliefs, and values apply to a number of species across the province. It should not come as a surprise if other species such as sheep and mountain goat make onto the anti-hunters list.
B.C. has no plan for what this province will look like in 40 years. There are no meaningful mandated objectives for habitat, fish and wildlife across our province.
Without adequate funding, science fails, abundance declines across much of B.C., and social support is non-existent. Those who cherish our natural resources are fighting over an ever-diminishing pie. Government’s historical approach to managing fish and wildlife has encouraged conflict through an exclusive and divisive process.
Wildlife Management Fund
If we intend to leave a semblance of today’s environment to future generations, B.C. needs to change — we need a new approach to take care of our landscapes, watersheds, fish and wildlife. It needs to be well funded, science-based and built for the long-term so that future British Columbians can enjoy what we enjoy today.
The BC Wildlife Federation sees the first step is to dedicate all fishing and hunting licence fees to the resource and having other natural-resource users contribute financially. Since the BCWF and other conservation organizations have successfully advocated for a new funding model for wildlife management it has been attacked by a number of groups. In a recent op-ed title “Wildlife management overhaul is long overdue” in the Victoria Times Colonist the authors attempted to delegitimize the North American Wildlife Conservation Model (NAWCM). BCWF members should brush up on the origin, history and success of the NAWCM and should be conveying it to their elected officials and peers.
Read about the NAWCM HERE (https://bcwf.thankyou4caring.org/page.redir?target=http%3a%2f%2fwww.fws.gov%2fhunti ng%2fnorth-american-model-of-wildlife-conservation.html&srcid=26988&srctid=1&erid=6098737&trid=d436f12f-73a0-4bc1-a657-64a7f36bc06f)
As we move forward with a new funding model there will be many detractors and some have already started on a chorus of doubt and cynicism. This really isn’t about grizzly bears, science, or conservation – it’s about hunting and fishing (sustainable use), and more importantly the notoriety and money that flows from charismatic megafauna (grizzly bears and wolves).
Advocacy at Work
Similar to the state of funding for fish and wildlife, and the declines we are seeing in biodiversity, this change seems to be more about our collective lack of focus and hands off approach to the non-hunting public and our elected officials. Fixing it is actually relatively easy.
There are three things people can do to turn the tide. First is to represent hunters, anglers and conservationists in the best possible light. You can talk about who you are, what you do, and why you do it - NOT just to your hunting and fishing buddies, but to non-hunters and non-anglers you know. Secondly write, call and meet with your elected officials and your local media. Tell them who you are, what you do, how the NAWCM works, and how important conservation, hunting and angling are to you. Finally take a kid hunting, fishing, or both. Collectively, those are the best ways we can work together to ensure future generations of British Columbians get to experience what we enjoy today.
Please email, write, and call your MLA - find them HERE (https://bcwf.thankyou4caring.org/page.redir?target=http%3a%2f%2fwww.leg.bc.ca%2flea rn-about-us%2fmembers&srcid=26988&srctid=1&erid=6098737&trid=d436f12f-73a0-4bc1-a657-64a7f36bc06f)
Sign the BCWF petition for a new Wildlife Funding Model HERE (https://bcwf.thankyou4caring.org/page.redir?target=http%3a%2f%2fbcwf.net%2findex.ph p%2f2017-political-election-questions%2fsign-the-petition%3futm_content%3dbuffer043fd%26utm_medium% 3dsocial%26utm_source%3dfacebook.com%26utm_campaig n%3dbuffer&srcid=26988&srctid=1&erid=6098737&trid=d436f12f-73a0-4bc1-a657-64a7f36bc06f)
Read the Oct 2017 Auditor General's grizzly bear report HERE (https://bcwf.thankyou4caring.org/page.redir?target=http%3a%2f%2fwww.bcauditor.com%2 fsites%2fdefault%2ffiles%2fpublications%2freports% 2fFINAL_Grizzly_Bear_Management.pdf&srcid=26988&srctid=1&erid=6098737&trid=d436f12f-73a0-4bc1-a657-64a7f36bc06f)
BCWF Responds to Grizzly Bear Hunt Ban
News Coverage
Mike Smyth in the Province: read the full story HERE (https://bcwf.thankyou4caring.org/page.redir?target=http%3a%2f%2ftheprovince.com%2fn ews%2fbc-politics%2fmike-smyth-ndp-does-an-about-face-on-grizzly-bear-hunting%3futm_content%3dbuffer2e338%26utm_medium%3 dsocial%26utm_source%3dfacebook.com%26utm_campaign %3dbuffer%23comments&srcid=26988&srctid=1&erid=6098737&trid=d436f12f-73a0-4bc1-a657-64a7f36bc06f)
Pro-hunting groups are furious, since the consultation was supposed to be about implementing the partial hunt, not bringing in a surprise total ban on grizzly hunting.
“We were told the hunt would move forward,” said Jesse Zeman, director of the B.C. Wildlife Federation, which represents resident B.C. hunters. The government changed the goalposts. It reflects poorly on how we’re going to be doing business in B.C."
Larry Pynn in the Vancouver Sun: read the full story HERE (https://bcwf.thankyou4caring.org/page.redir?target=http%3a%2f%2fvancouversun.com%2f news%2flocal-news%2fndp-government-kills-plan-for-food-hunt-of-b-c-grizzly-bears%3futm_content%3dbuffercdbbc%26utm_medium%3ds ocial%26utm_source%3dfacebook.com%26utm_campaign%3 dbuffer&srcid=26988&srctid=1&erid=6098737&trid=d436f12f-73a0-4bc1-a657-64a7f36bc06f)
Harvey Andrusak, president of the BC Wildlife Federation, representing hunters and fishermen, said he is disappointed to see the government making decisions based on public emotion rather than good science.
He said it “raises the question of why have government biologists been doing any work if their data is to be ignored. Public sentiment and emotions driving government decisions is bad news for fish and wildlife in B.C.”
CTV News: print and video stories HERE (https://bcwf.thankyou4caring.org/page.redir?target=http%3a%2f%2fbc.ctvnews.ca%2fb-c-bans-grizzly-hunting-effective-immediately-1.3726358%3futm_content%3dbuffer36ecf%26utm_medium %3dsocial%26utm_source%3dfacebook.com%26utm_campai gn%3dbuf&srcid=26988&srctid=1&erid=6098737&trid=d436f12f-73a0-4bc1-a657-64a7f36bc06f)
The BCWF said it expects closing the hunt outright will result in increased human-bear confrontations and attacks and that taxpayers will be on the hook for managing the bear population. Referencing the auditor general's report, the BCWF said habitat loss is a more important issue to address, and that many of its members feel betrayed.
"While those opposed to grizzly bear hunting may rejoice it is a sad day when emotions trump science," the statement said.
Listen to Jesse Zeman with Mike Smyth on CKNW: HERE (https://bcwf.thankyou4caring.org/page.redir?target=http%3a%2f%2fomny.fm%2fshows%2ft he-simi-sara-show%2fbc-hunters-speak-out-against-grizzly-hunt-ban&srcid=26988&srctid=1&erid=6098737&trid=d436f12f-73a0-4bc1-a657-64a7f36bc06f)
How We Got Here
Reviewing newspaper clippings, government documents and files going back to the 1970s opponents of hunting have ebbed and flowed, but over the past 22 years, and more so in the last decade, the movement gained significant traction with the media. There are a number of groups with anti-hunting messages who have re-branded as conservation organizations to increase public support. The message from these organizations is: 1) Hunting is not sustainable 2) Science government uses is not reliable 3) Hunting, particularly of carnivores, is unethical.
After annual media and political campaigns to stop the hunt, B.C.’s provincial government implemented a brief moratorium (2001), which was overturned in the provincial election six months later. While government researchers and top bear ecologists in North America spent hunter, industry and public dollars to continue their work around grizzly bears conservation, (identifying the bottlenecks around habitat and that hunting was not a major threat), the anti-hunting campaigns continue to spend theirs on a message that the hunt is not sustainable and more so that the trophy grizzly bear hunt is unethical.
What does this mean for you?
A long-term effort to stop hunting has successfully made its way into the spotlight and it has changed policy. While many environmentalists have historically said they are only opposed to “trophy hunting”, some are now saying they would like black bear hunting closed and a ban on the hunting of all carnivores in the Great Bear Rainforest. The same logic of perspectives, beliefs, and values apply to a number of species across the province. It should not come as a surprise if other species such as sheep and mountain goat make onto the anti-hunters list.
B.C. has no plan for what this province will look like in 40 years. There are no meaningful mandated objectives for habitat, fish and wildlife across our province.
Without adequate funding, science fails, abundance declines across much of B.C., and social support is non-existent. Those who cherish our natural resources are fighting over an ever-diminishing pie. Government’s historical approach to managing fish and wildlife has encouraged conflict through an exclusive and divisive process.
Wildlife Management Fund
If we intend to leave a semblance of today’s environment to future generations, B.C. needs to change — we need a new approach to take care of our landscapes, watersheds, fish and wildlife. It needs to be well funded, science-based and built for the long-term so that future British Columbians can enjoy what we enjoy today.
The BC Wildlife Federation sees the first step is to dedicate all fishing and hunting licence fees to the resource and having other natural-resource users contribute financially. Since the BCWF and other conservation organizations have successfully advocated for a new funding model for wildlife management it has been attacked by a number of groups. In a recent op-ed title “Wildlife management overhaul is long overdue” in the Victoria Times Colonist the authors attempted to delegitimize the North American Wildlife Conservation Model (NAWCM). BCWF members should brush up on the origin, history and success of the NAWCM and should be conveying it to their elected officials and peers.
Read about the NAWCM HERE (https://bcwf.thankyou4caring.org/page.redir?target=http%3a%2f%2fwww.fws.gov%2fhunti ng%2fnorth-american-model-of-wildlife-conservation.html&srcid=26988&srctid=1&erid=6098737&trid=d436f12f-73a0-4bc1-a657-64a7f36bc06f)
As we move forward with a new funding model there will be many detractors and some have already started on a chorus of doubt and cynicism. This really isn’t about grizzly bears, science, or conservation – it’s about hunting and fishing (sustainable use), and more importantly the notoriety and money that flows from charismatic megafauna (grizzly bears and wolves).
Advocacy at Work
Similar to the state of funding for fish and wildlife, and the declines we are seeing in biodiversity, this change seems to be more about our collective lack of focus and hands off approach to the non-hunting public and our elected officials. Fixing it is actually relatively easy.
There are three things people can do to turn the tide. First is to represent hunters, anglers and conservationists in the best possible light. You can talk about who you are, what you do, and why you do it - NOT just to your hunting and fishing buddies, but to non-hunters and non-anglers you know. Secondly write, call and meet with your elected officials and your local media. Tell them who you are, what you do, how the NAWCM works, and how important conservation, hunting and angling are to you. Finally take a kid hunting, fishing, or both. Collectively, those are the best ways we can work together to ensure future generations of British Columbians get to experience what we enjoy today.
Please email, write, and call your MLA - find them HERE (https://bcwf.thankyou4caring.org/page.redir?target=http%3a%2f%2fwww.leg.bc.ca%2flea rn-about-us%2fmembers&srcid=26988&srctid=1&erid=6098737&trid=d436f12f-73a0-4bc1-a657-64a7f36bc06f)
Sign the BCWF petition for a new Wildlife Funding Model HERE (https://bcwf.thankyou4caring.org/page.redir?target=http%3a%2f%2fbcwf.net%2findex.ph p%2f2017-political-election-questions%2fsign-the-petition%3futm_content%3dbuffer043fd%26utm_medium% 3dsocial%26utm_source%3dfacebook.com%26utm_campaig n%3dbuffer&srcid=26988&srctid=1&erid=6098737&trid=d436f12f-73a0-4bc1-a657-64a7f36bc06f)
Read the Oct 2017 Auditor General's grizzly bear report HERE (https://bcwf.thankyou4caring.org/page.redir?target=http%3a%2f%2fwww.bcauditor.com%2 fsites%2fdefault%2ffiles%2fpublications%2freports% 2fFINAL_Grizzly_Bear_Management.pdf&srcid=26988&srctid=1&erid=6098737&trid=d436f12f-73a0-4bc1-a657-64a7f36bc06f)