GoatGuy
09-10-2009, 12:33 AM
More to moose management
100 Mile House Free Press
September 8, 2009
http://www.bclocalnews.com/bc_cariboo/100milefreepress/opinion/letters/57890742.html
To the editor:
Re: “Wildlife being mismanaged,” Guest Column, Aug. 26.
I appreciate that the authors of a letter to the editor to your newspaper recognize that our government has a responsibility for conserving wildlife and addressing the needs of First Nations. However, I am disappointed that the authors chose not to discuss their concerns with either Ministry of Environment staff in Williams Lake, or in Victoria, before writing their letter.
There is a long history behind moose and mule deer regulations in the Cariboo region.
Both moose and mule deer species are highly valued in the Cariboo by First Nations, resident hunters and guide-outfitters. For that reason, the amount of consultation on moose and mule deer regulations in the Cariboo region is among the most extensive in the province.
With respect to moose, over-harvesting in the past resulted in the need for progressively more restrictive regulations, which started with partial implementation of the Limited Entry Hunt (LEH) bull-only seasons for residents in 1993 and full implementation of the LEH by 1999.
Most antler-less hunting opportunities were closed in 1998 due to low moose densities. Moose harvest rates, estimated at nine per cent, are now comparable to other regions in the province.
The ministry’s approach to managing deer has been to control the population with progressively more liberalized limited entry antler-less deer seasons around agricultural areas. Maintaining sustainable harvests for mule deer bucks, through general open seasons, is an ongoing challenge due to strong hunter interest (from both resident and non-residents). A new buck regulation regime was established for the 2009 hunting season to address concerns of overharvest and skewed buck/doe ratios.
Wildlife biologists in the ministry are guided by an allocation policy that apportions the harvestable surplus amongst First Nations and resident and non-resident hunters.
All decisions associated with specific hunts are based on the best available information.
As a means of better explaining the numbers, and the decision-making process for the 2009 moose and deer hunting regulations for Region 5, I have asked ministry staff to extend an invitation to meet with the retired biologists. I hope they will accept the offer.
Barry Penner
Minister of Environment
100 Mile House Free Press
September 8, 2009
http://www.bclocalnews.com/bc_cariboo/100milefreepress/opinion/letters/57890742.html
To the editor:
Re: “Wildlife being mismanaged,” Guest Column, Aug. 26.
I appreciate that the authors of a letter to the editor to your newspaper recognize that our government has a responsibility for conserving wildlife and addressing the needs of First Nations. However, I am disappointed that the authors chose not to discuss their concerns with either Ministry of Environment staff in Williams Lake, or in Victoria, before writing their letter.
There is a long history behind moose and mule deer regulations in the Cariboo region.
Both moose and mule deer species are highly valued in the Cariboo by First Nations, resident hunters and guide-outfitters. For that reason, the amount of consultation on moose and mule deer regulations in the Cariboo region is among the most extensive in the province.
With respect to moose, over-harvesting in the past resulted in the need for progressively more restrictive regulations, which started with partial implementation of the Limited Entry Hunt (LEH) bull-only seasons for residents in 1993 and full implementation of the LEH by 1999.
Most antler-less hunting opportunities were closed in 1998 due to low moose densities. Moose harvest rates, estimated at nine per cent, are now comparable to other regions in the province.
The ministry’s approach to managing deer has been to control the population with progressively more liberalized limited entry antler-less deer seasons around agricultural areas. Maintaining sustainable harvests for mule deer bucks, through general open seasons, is an ongoing challenge due to strong hunter interest (from both resident and non-residents). A new buck regulation regime was established for the 2009 hunting season to address concerns of overharvest and skewed buck/doe ratios.
Wildlife biologists in the ministry are guided by an allocation policy that apportions the harvestable surplus amongst First Nations and resident and non-resident hunters.
All decisions associated with specific hunts are based on the best available information.
As a means of better explaining the numbers, and the decision-making process for the 2009 moose and deer hunting regulations for Region 5, I have asked ministry staff to extend an invitation to meet with the retired biologists. I hope they will accept the offer.
Barry Penner
Minister of Environment