Kirby
11-18-2011, 04:03 PM
Implement LEH sheep hunt in Chasm Creek, MU 3-30 – LEH, Nov. 1-20, any ram.
· Rationale:The primary rationale for this proposed season is to provideadditional hunting opportunities for bighorn sheep in the Thompson-OkanaganRegion. There is significant demand by resident hunters for sheep huntingopportunities in Region 3 as indicated by the large number of applicants forcurrent LEH hunts in adjacent Management Units. For example, the odds for the Kamloops Lake any ram hunt last year were ~1350:1. Current estimatesindicate there are approximately 100 sheep in the Chasm area with good lamb recruitmentand sufficient numbers of rams as recommended in the draft Bighorn Sheep Policy& Procedures. With only approximately 20km² of natural sheep habitat forthis herd, sheep density is approximately 5/km² and carrying capacity is beingapproached. Therefore, a second objective with this hunt is to beginimplementing tools (i.e., hunting) to maintain this herd at a healthy density. An aerial survey was conducted on April 1, 2010and 77 sheep were estimated in the zone. Ground observations by regionalbiologists and local hunters since have indicated good sheep numbers (minimum75 observed sheep, minimum 60 rams/100 ewes) and good lamb recruitment (spring2011: 43 post-winter lambs/100 ewes). Given that this population has beentrending upwards in recent years and lamb recruitment has been good, a minimumof 100 sheep are estimated in this unit as of fall 2011. See attached proposed LEHzone boundaries.
Add all MUs (3-12 to 3-20, 3-26 to 3-44) with current goose seasons to Canada goose split seasons (Sep 10-20, Oct 1-Dec 23 and Mar 1-10)
· Rationale:Canada goose populations continue to increase in the Thompson Region, both indistribution and numbers. We have no formal CAGO population inventory butanecdotal observations by FLNRO staff, hunters, and land owners support thisopinion. Due to mild winters and an abundance of year round forage in theboth the North and South Thompson River valleys, large numbers of CAGO in theRegion are now resident, spending the winters on lower elevation agricultural fields,municipal and regional parks, golf courses, and school grounds. A splithunting season in these additional MU’s may help alleviate CAGO damage on theseprivate lands and distribute geese more evenly in the area. It also providesadditional and alternate opportunities for hunters.
3. Extend theBlack-Bear Harvest by Trappers to include all of Region 3 and 8 – HQ Proposal
Regulation Type: General Open Season
Species: Black Bear
Current Regulation:
Region 3: MU’s 3-34 to MU’s3-44, Oct.1 – May 31, quota = 2 black bear in 1 year
Proposed Regulation:
Region 3: MU’s 3-12 to3-20, 3-26 to 3-44, 3-46; Oct. 1 – May31; quota = 2 black bear in 1 year
Region 8: MU’s 8-01 to8-15, 8-21 to 8-26; Oct. 15 – May 15; quota =2 black bear in 1 year
Rationale:
This regulation change will increase opportunity fortrappers to annually harvest up to 2 black bears on their trapline (by rifle,shotgun or bow) in Region’s 3 and 8; as currently occurs in parts of theThompson, Kootenays, Cariboo, Skeena, Omineca and Peace. An expansion of blackbear hunting opportunities by trappers in these regions is considered to besustainable, and will harmonize the trapping seasons with adjacent regions inthe interior of BC. Previous consultation with stakeholders have indicatedsupport for the regulation proposal.
Additional Information: Opportunity for Black Bear Harvest by Trappers in SouthernBC. http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/wildlife/management-issues/ (http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/wildlife/management-issues/)....
4. Close season for Churn/Camelsfootmigratory sheep in 5-03 and portions of 3-32.
· Rationale:sheep numbers in this migratory herd have declined by more than 80% since the1990s. Currently, less than 45 sheep are estimated in this herd. A survey of summerrange for these sheep in Region 3 on September 8, 2011 produced sightings of14, 9 and 12 sheep on Yalakom Mountain, 9 Mile Ridge and Red/French Mountains,respectively. Historically, over 250 sheep would typically be observed on thesesummer ranges. Several spring surveys of these sheep on their winter range inRegion 5 in recent years have revealed very similar low numbers. Anecdotalinformation from local ranchers and Conservation Officers suggest that FirstNations are harvesting sheep from this herd. This conservation closure isnecessary to attempt to end all human caused mortality on this herd to ensurelong-term survival of these migratory sheep. See attached map referencing theportions proposed to be closed in 3-32.
Figure 1. Churn/Camelsfoot observedsheep during aerial surveys on winter/spring and/or summer range, 1993-2011. Nosightability corrrection applied.
5. Close goat seasons in MUs 3-33D,3-43A,B,C and 3-44C
· Rationale:These units are being closed due to conservation concerns. Recent goat surveys(September 2011) in these units have indicated a declining trend and thatsignificantly less than 50 goats (including kids) currently exist in theseunits. Due to low productivity/recruitment and sensitivities to femaleharvests, BC’s Mountain Goat Management Plan recommends that harvesting ofpopulations of less than 50 adults be avoided. The majority of harvests(67%) from these units in recent years have been nannies, which adds to theurgency of establishing hunt closures. Estimates, including kids, generatedSeptember 2011 are in Table 2 below.
· Rationale:The primary rationale for this proposed season is to provideadditional hunting opportunities for bighorn sheep in the Thompson-OkanaganRegion. There is significant demand by resident hunters for sheep huntingopportunities in Region 3 as indicated by the large number of applicants forcurrent LEH hunts in adjacent Management Units. For example, the odds for the Kamloops Lake any ram hunt last year were ~1350:1. Current estimatesindicate there are approximately 100 sheep in the Chasm area with good lamb recruitmentand sufficient numbers of rams as recommended in the draft Bighorn Sheep Policy& Procedures. With only approximately 20km² of natural sheep habitat forthis herd, sheep density is approximately 5/km² and carrying capacity is beingapproached. Therefore, a second objective with this hunt is to beginimplementing tools (i.e., hunting) to maintain this herd at a healthy density. An aerial survey was conducted on April 1, 2010and 77 sheep were estimated in the zone. Ground observations by regionalbiologists and local hunters since have indicated good sheep numbers (minimum75 observed sheep, minimum 60 rams/100 ewes) and good lamb recruitment (spring2011: 43 post-winter lambs/100 ewes). Given that this population has beentrending upwards in recent years and lamb recruitment has been good, a minimumof 100 sheep are estimated in this unit as of fall 2011. See attached proposed LEHzone boundaries.
Add all MUs (3-12 to 3-20, 3-26 to 3-44) with current goose seasons to Canada goose split seasons (Sep 10-20, Oct 1-Dec 23 and Mar 1-10)
· Rationale:Canada goose populations continue to increase in the Thompson Region, both indistribution and numbers. We have no formal CAGO population inventory butanecdotal observations by FLNRO staff, hunters, and land owners support thisopinion. Due to mild winters and an abundance of year round forage in theboth the North and South Thompson River valleys, large numbers of CAGO in theRegion are now resident, spending the winters on lower elevation agricultural fields,municipal and regional parks, golf courses, and school grounds. A splithunting season in these additional MU’s may help alleviate CAGO damage on theseprivate lands and distribute geese more evenly in the area. It also providesadditional and alternate opportunities for hunters.
3. Extend theBlack-Bear Harvest by Trappers to include all of Region 3 and 8 – HQ Proposal
Regulation Type: General Open Season
Species: Black Bear
Current Regulation:
Region 3: MU’s 3-34 to MU’s3-44, Oct.1 – May 31, quota = 2 black bear in 1 year
Proposed Regulation:
Region 3: MU’s 3-12 to3-20, 3-26 to 3-44, 3-46; Oct. 1 – May31; quota = 2 black bear in 1 year
Region 8: MU’s 8-01 to8-15, 8-21 to 8-26; Oct. 15 – May 15; quota =2 black bear in 1 year
Rationale:
This regulation change will increase opportunity fortrappers to annually harvest up to 2 black bears on their trapline (by rifle,shotgun or bow) in Region’s 3 and 8; as currently occurs in parts of theThompson, Kootenays, Cariboo, Skeena, Omineca and Peace. An expansion of blackbear hunting opportunities by trappers in these regions is considered to besustainable, and will harmonize the trapping seasons with adjacent regions inthe interior of BC. Previous consultation with stakeholders have indicatedsupport for the regulation proposal.
Additional Information: Opportunity for Black Bear Harvest by Trappers in SouthernBC. http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/wildlife/management-issues/ (http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/wildlife/management-issues/)....
4. Close season for Churn/Camelsfootmigratory sheep in 5-03 and portions of 3-32.
· Rationale:sheep numbers in this migratory herd have declined by more than 80% since the1990s. Currently, less than 45 sheep are estimated in this herd. A survey of summerrange for these sheep in Region 3 on September 8, 2011 produced sightings of14, 9 and 12 sheep on Yalakom Mountain, 9 Mile Ridge and Red/French Mountains,respectively. Historically, over 250 sheep would typically be observed on thesesummer ranges. Several spring surveys of these sheep on their winter range inRegion 5 in recent years have revealed very similar low numbers. Anecdotalinformation from local ranchers and Conservation Officers suggest that FirstNations are harvesting sheep from this herd. This conservation closure isnecessary to attempt to end all human caused mortality on this herd to ensurelong-term survival of these migratory sheep. See attached map referencing theportions proposed to be closed in 3-32.
Figure 1. Churn/Camelsfoot observedsheep during aerial surveys on winter/spring and/or summer range, 1993-2011. Nosightability corrrection applied.
5. Close goat seasons in MUs 3-33D,3-43A,B,C and 3-44C
· Rationale:These units are being closed due to conservation concerns. Recent goat surveys(September 2011) in these units have indicated a declining trend and thatsignificantly less than 50 goats (including kids) currently exist in theseunits. Due to low productivity/recruitment and sensitivities to femaleharvests, BC’s Mountain Goat Management Plan recommends that harvesting ofpopulations of less than 50 adults be avoided. The majority of harvests(67%) from these units in recent years have been nannies, which adds to theurgency of establishing hunt closures. Estimates, including kids, generatedSeptember 2011 are in Table 2 below.