b18
sports
Thursday, September 12, 2013 • COMOX VALLEY RECORD
www.comoxvalleyrecord.com
Hunting helps reduce number of problem animals I
t is a challenge to move from an active fishing season – still ongoing – and open the hunting folder. We live in a blessed part of the Island that has a rich hunting resource along with our bountiful fishing. Technically our local archery season in Region 1 (Vancouver Island and some Coastal inlets) for black tailed deer and black bear opened Aug. 25 and grouse season opened Sept. 1. The first of several split seasons for Canada geese opened Sept. 7. The main firearms season for black tailed deer opened Sept. 10 throughout the region. Region 1 - Vancouver Island is one of nine resource management regions that regulate the hunting and trapping resources of the province. Many resident hunters from Vancouver Island make annual trips to the vast hunting regions of the Interior that are home to moose, elk, bison, mountain sheep, mountain goats and deer. While the thrill and challenges of big game hunting are significant factors in the rationale for the hunt, another important factor is the thousands of pounds of prime organic meat that is harvested each season.
except that it the coastline on is primarily on outdoors the east. It is land. It is home a primary area to thousands of where deer, deer, hundreds Canada geese alph of black bears and ducks can and some herds create serious haw of Roosevelt elk. problems for The regional agriculture and limit for black tailed deer home gardening activities. is three, of which only two Most of the land in question may be antlerless and only is private so if you hunt in two may be bucks. The sea- this sub-region get permisson limit for black bear is sion from the appropriate two. landowners. The daily limit for snow The local press and geese and white fronted media frequently reports geese is five per day, while on the negative aspects of the daily limit for Canada large populations of the Geese and cackling geese above animals in urban is ten. The daily limit for areas all along the coast ducks is eight, with some from Campbell River to Victoria. species limitations. Culls and fortress-qualThe daily limit by species for grouse is five of each ity fences are frequently species with a total daily mentioned as methods of controlling the offensive limit of 15 birds. Of particular interest to animals and birds. Recreational hunting as local hunters is the subregion on Map A22 on page allowed in the above reg32 of the provincial regula- ulations offers a sensible tions. solution to much of the The Courtenay/Campbell problem. River – Bow or Firearms It also creates a posiusing shot only area (situ- tive method of harvesting ated in MU 1-6) and special high-quality, locally grown antlerless mule deer (black protein by way of meat tail) season. A Gulf Island from the animals and birds special license is required taken during the hunt. on Denman and Hornby One of the problems of islands. using low-impact projecThis relatively small tiles, such as arrows and area is bounded on the shot from shotguns, is that west by Highway 19 and the animal will frequently
R S
HUNTING IS AN inter-generational activity involving youth, old age and everything in between.
PHOTO BY RALPH SHAW
Region 1, Management Unit 6 covers the land area that encompasses most of the watersheds that flow into the Strait of Georgia from Qualicum Beach on the south to Campbell
River on the north including Denman and Hornby islands. For a comparison it covers approximately the same area as Area 14 in the saltwater regulations
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run a short distance before it drops dead. This occasionally results in a deer expiring where somebody who is deeply offended by the dead animal gets all excited, calls the press and calls hunters all kinds of negative beings. The press will report that this picture may not be suitable for all members of your family. It is a reality of life that any meat we consume is normally dead – unless you enjoy raw oysters, which are eaten while the animal is still alive. I respectfully suggest that there is nothing pleasant about a dead animal that you had nothing to do with – such as a dead deer in your neighbourhood or as in the thousands of road deaths of animals on our streets and highways throughout the year. They are part of the reality show called Life. Hunting is a positive way of harvesting problem animals in congested rural and urban areas. Ralph Shaw is a master fly fisherman who was awarded the Order of Canada in 1984 for his conservation efforts. In 20 years of writing a column in the Comox Valley Record it has won several awards.
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