Officer training •Conservation Checks at Stikine pull out, Good Hope Lake and Indian River •Game Northern Wildlife Roundtable completes options for moose regulation changes • The need for pro-active regulations in northern British Columbia is essential to the long-term well-being of moose and the continued traditions of First Nation, licensed resident hunters and guide/outfitters. As other regions have applied restrictions as moose have declined, the local knowledge perspective is that the Skeena region has drawn more licensed hunters because the current, General Open Season from 20 August through October 31 is more attractive. Adding to the pressure, the extensive wildfires in summer 2017 in central and southern parts of the province have caused substantial loss of wildlife habitat, and hunting restrictions have been applied in those areas. By leaving the current regulations in place, it is possible that more licensed hunters will be attracted to the region in 2018. To establish a more collaborative process for managing wildlife, The Northern Wildlife Roundtable was established in 2017. The intention is to bring stakeholders together in a respectful forum to provide an inclusive, new way of finding solutions to wildlife management problems. The first task was to address changing moose hunting regulations for Skeena North. The Northern Wildlife Roundtable A draft Terms of Reference for the Roundtable was developed through 2017 between the Government of British Columbia and the Tahltan Nation that includes the following Partners: The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources Operations The Tahltan Central Government The British Columbia Guide Outfitter Association The Tahltan Guide Outfitter Association Local resident hunters The British Columbia Wildlife Federation The Government of British Columbia
•Conservation Officer training •Game Checks at Stikine pull out, Good Hope Lake and Indian River • Northern Wildlife Roundtable completes options for moose regulation changes The need for pro-active regulations in northern British Columbia is essential to the long-term well-being of moose and the continued traditions of First Nation, licensed resident hunters and guide/outfitters. As other regions have applied restrictions as moose have declined, the local knowledge perspective is that the Skeena region has drawn more licensed hunters because the current, General Open Season from 20 August through October 31 is more attractive. Adding to the pressure, the extensive wildfires in summer 2017 in central and southern parts of the province have caused substantial loss of wildlife habitat, and hunting restrictions have been applied in those areas. By leaving the current regulations in place, it is possible that more licensed hunters will be attracted to the region in 2018. To establish a more collaborative process for managing wildlife, The Northern Wildlife Roundtable was established in 2017. The intention is to bring stakeholders together in a respectful forum to provide an inclusive, new way of finding solutions to wildlife management problems. The first task was to address changing moose hunting regulations for Skeena North. The Northern Wildlife Roundtable A draft Terms of Reference for the Roundtable was developed through 2017 between the Government of British Columbia and the Tahltan Nation that includes the following Partners: The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources Operations The Tahltan Central Government The British Columbia Guide Outfitter Association The Tahltan Guide Outfitter Association Local resident hunters The British Columbia Wildlife Federation The Government of British Columbia
BCWFCommentsRecommended-Changes-to-Moose-Hunting-Regulations-in-Northwestern-British-Columbia-1-2.docx