B.C. resident hunters livid

[kawdy]

Hello all,

As the title suggests B.C. resident hunters have been let down by our own government. There is now a grassroots movement to reverse our current governments decision. The BCWF (B.C. wildlife federation) is the organization that promotes conservation and hunters rights in BC. but they are a not for profit organization and are unable to get involved politically to the extent that is required now. This is why I and others will be contacting you through the various forums supported by hunters. I am in no way affiliated with the BCWF. I need to state this as our largest forum for hunters in B.C. is the HBC, huntingbc.ca and already a letter has been received from a lawyer threatening the mods with slander. I assume this is from one of the members of the GOABC and they are unhappy with and concerned about the average Joe Hunter pressuring the government to reverse it's decision.

The GOABC (guide outfitters of B.C.) have succesfully lobbied the government of B.C. to dramatically increase their quota on certain species (big dollar animals) at the expense of the resident hunter. 40 % of sheep/grizzly and goat in the north have been allocated to the outfitters of the GOABC and up to 25 % of other species. Considering that the average allotment to non residents in the USA and Canada is between 5-10 % this hurts. We are concerned about the future of hunting for our children when commerical interest takes precedent over the citizens interest. We can't match the financial contributions to the government that the GOABC makes and we don't have the ability to sway government policy in the same organized manner of a consortium, such as the GOABC. What we do have is thousands of betrayed hunters with fire in our belly.

What I ask of you my American brothers is to ask yourself how would you feel or react if a decision was made such as this in your state. Would you sit idly by or would you do something about it. What we ask is for you to ask yourselves, if booking with a member of the GOABC is what you feel comfortable doing right now, or is booking a hunt with an outfitter who isn't a member (there are many) would help your fellow sportsmans to the north. Remember the Yukon has stones sheep as well and Alberta offers better bighorn hunting in my opinion

If you do happen to find yourself on a guided hunt in B.C. this year, have no fear, you will be welcomed by the B.C. resident hunter as hunter and friend with common shared interests and values, however the man sitting beside you on the horse may have a very frosty welcome from this hunter.

Please take some time to educate yourself on this issue by visiting the huntingbc.ca site and reading the various threads.

Now as I suggested before, the lawyers are following our efforts and I'm afraid they will engage with litigious law suits. So hear is my disclaimer. All comments are opinion only and I make no claim to the accuracy or completness of any facts or figures I have provided. As I said please educate yourself.

thanks kindly,

Kawdy

 

[Topgun 30-06]

We all have our problems, but I think it's asking a little much for Americans to boycott another country in a matter that should be taken care of by the citizens in that country and not us. Question---Is there anything in the change that disallows the residents from using those guides and tags or do they have to be purchased by a person who doesn't reside in that Province, regardless of whether they are Canadian or not?

 

[sneakypete]

I'm having a problem with this also, as an American and I will be hunting in B.C this fall. I am required to pay a 5% tax. On my hunt, which I'm not complaining about, hell in Calif, we can't hunt bears with dogs, can hunt cougars yet I still buy a hunting and fishing license. I agree with Topgun 30 06 we all have our problems we're trying to solve. I think if there is a conservation group like the RMEF that's willing to fight for your hunter rights ask us to support them! That's eactally why isupport the RMEF, DU, CALIF WATERFOWL ASSOC. NWTF! I feel your pain. My thoughts.

 

[kawdy]

Hi Topgun, thanks for taking an interest and responding. That is what we are trying to accomplish dialogue and education. You mentioned we should basically take care of business ourselves. Well this us taking care of business. We don't have the resources as the GOABC to effect change as they do, tens of thousans of dollars in political contributions from it's members. We need to ask oursleves to what end are these contributions trying to achieve. Social media is one way a grassroots movement can reach people and this is taking action. Myself and others are also taking care of business by getting our message on local radio, local newspapers, club meetings throughout the province. A local one on Vancouver Island on the 21st will have provincial MLA's attending. Our efforts are effecting change. I am a member of the BCWF (B.C. Wildlife Federation) they represent close to 50 of the 100,00 plus hunters in B.C. As mentioned in my previous post, they are a non profit organization and can't engage politically to the extent that is required now. That is why I and others are setting up cells in various juristictions to get the message out. Also taking care of business by paying for my own legal advice and media space, yet to come.

The guiding industry in B.C. is unique. Guide outfitters just can't go anywhere and guide a non resident. They have purchased guide outfitter areas, they do not own the land, they do not own the wildlife. What they do have is the exclusive rights to guide hunters in their respective area without competition from another guide.

Hunter numbers are up 20% in B.C. over the last few years and foreign hunters coming to Canada are down 30% and yet the resident hunter has just lost a greater share of the wildlife. An industry struggling to cope with reduced revenue. For example, I live on Vancouver Island, I have been applying for Roosevelt Elk for 30 years with no success yet, we don't accumulate points in our draw system, for the most part it is completely random. This change will make a once in a lifetime draw too maybe a once in two lifetime draws. So no, the residents don't have access to the guides tags even if they don't use them. Unless we are willing t pay the same amount as you. This is all land and animals owned by the crown, which means public land and resources. The residents of B.C. collectively own all public land, it's part of our law.

Contrary to what you may think I harbour no hate or dislike towards the GOABC, they are businesses doing what businesses do, making money and trying to make more. The real problem is with the government who gave public resource to a private entity.

To answer the next post below, we don't want any hunter to boycott hunting in Canada. There are many fantastic hunting opportunites throughout B.C. and the rest of the country. What we want you to ask yourself, is booking a hunt with a member of the GOABC helping
our fellow sportsmans cause in Canada or would booking a hunt with another GO serve the task better. There are many options for guide outfitters in and out of the GOABC. The GOABC is the organization that lobbied for these

With regards to wildlife organizations. I am a member of three BCWF, Wild sheep society of B.C. and our local fish and game club. These groupls can't engage politically and criticize government policy without the possibility of losing their charitable organization tax status. That is where I and others have stepped forward with time and much effort.

Phew, lots of typing. On another note, I have yet to talk to one hunter who will have an issue with any foreigner coming to Canada to hunt. I personally will offer you a warm welcome on the mountain and we can compare our smashed feet.

If either one of you are interested I can post a link to a radio talk show that aired today which highlights the issues I have spoken about here.

Cheers

 

[sneakypete]

Kawdy, I glad you have some organizations that are fighting for your hunting rights! I would like to hear that broadcast.

 

[Topgun 30-06]

kawdy---I believe you edited your initial post after I made my boycott statement, as I don't believe you initially stated there was a choice to go with an outfitter that doesn't belong to the organization. Even though it would still be considered a boycott, at least you're now saying that a person could hunt up in BC and help your efforts by not going with any organization member. That would appear legitimate IMHO, as it would appear that bunch got way more than their fair share of tag with that huge % they got passed. Good luck!

 

[kawdy]

Thanks guys, I will post a link in the next day or two. As you can see by the time stamp I'm not getting much sleep at the moment. Working on this up to 12 hours a day.

.http://www.cknw.com/audio/
got it sooner than expected, here it is.

Apparently you need to select January 6th, 1:00 pm and go about 9 minutes in. haven't heard this one myself yet as there are a number of interviews being conducted.

 

[Gr8bawana]

It's strange how you are asking for a boycott by non resident hunters since a lot of hunters are always upset that there are so few non resident tags available to them in some of the western states.
A few years ago a guide went so far as to sue the state of new mexico over the cap on non res tags.
That being said I would be very upset if they started giving out more non res tags in my own state of NV where it's tough to draw as a res hunter.