Tahltan Travel Advisory

Predator Management Policy & Framework

The Wildlife Department has been advancing the Tahltan Predator Management Framework, which is based on defining areas in the Territory to support application of:

• A Tahltan Predator Management Policy – endorsed by Leadership • Identified management units to support predator management across multiple management scales • Predator harvesting programs which support: » Tahltan Member harvesting rights » Defense of life and property » Tahltan community areas used to meet sustenance needs » Advancement of a Tahltan-based licenced hunting permit system for grizzly bear, black bear, and wolf

The first step to manage predators–specifically grizzly bear, black bear, and wolf–will be through the support of Tahltan Members by harvesting and trapping for cultural purposes consistent with Aboriginal law.

This will be further addressed by the Tahltan Wildlife Department and Guardians deploying harvesting and trapping programs and working with commercial trappers and licensed hunters in the Nation.

The final approach is re-establishing a managed licensed hunt of grizzly bear as well as predator removal through TCG trapping, snaring, and culling programs, including aerial wolf pack removal, pupping, and denning techniques.

Above: A wolf pack traveling down Jade Boulder Rd, captured on a camera trap set by the Guardians.

Grizzly Bear & Black Bear

Tahltan knowledge, scientific literature and local knowledge provide information that supports grizzly and black bear populations in Tahltan Territory are stable to increasing. In addition, bear predation has been identified as substantial on culturally-important ungulates. Tahltan Members have indicated increased numbers for both species.

The current population of grizzly bears in BC is approximately 15,000 (as estimated in 2012), with an estimated 3,846 bears in Tahltan Territory, of which 90 to 100 (2.3%) were killed by humans, with the majority from hunter harvest. This indicates a harvest of about 90 to 100 grizzly bears appear to have been historically supported while maintaining a sustainable bear population.

There is no estimate of the black bear population in Tahltan Territory. The Province is believed to support between 120,000 and 160,000 black bears (BC Government, 2001). Tahltan knowledge and local knowledge have indicated increased numbers of black bears over the last 10 years. Historically, there has been a low-licensed harvest of black bears with 23 to 30 annually. However, current hunting regulations have open seasons from spring to fall for bears with a bag limit of two. Consequently, there are no conservation issues with black bears in the Territory.

Wolf

Tahltan knowledge, scientific literature and local knowledge provide information that supports high density wolf populations. Tahltan Territory is identified as having high wolf density in the provincial Wolf Management Plan. High density includes population densities of five to fifteen wolf per 1,000 km². Review of wolf densities specific to the Tahltan Nation estimates wolf densities at 15 wolves/1,000 km², consistent with provincial information. Recent wolf harvests have, on average, been 64 wolves through licensed hunting and 145 wolves through commercial trapping. These are considered minimums since they do not include Tahltan harvests and hides not commercially sold.

Tahltan knowledge supports higher-than-reported wolf densities, and Tahltan Members have reported higher densities, pack sizes and numbers for several decades.

Below: Jarett Quock with his successful bear harvest.

Tahltan Harvest Policy

Tahltan Members who wish to participate in the incentive payment program for hunting predatory species must sign a form acknowledging the risks and associated liability associated with the activity.

A copy of the policy will be provided to you with the information including the incentives for successfully harvesting a predator. All the information is required by

the TCG Wildlife Department. Additional information such as weight, overall health and size will be valuable

and is much appreciated. This information will be requested by the Guardians and used to supplement our strategy for targeting specific areas of concern within the Territory.

Anyone who wants to take their hide to a tannery within BC should receive confirmation the tannery will accept grizzly bear hides. Grizzly bears harvested under the Tahltan Policy will be given consideration on a caseby-case basis until we can implement a Tahltan/BC Wildlife Accord with the Province of BC. The export permit required legally to transport animal hides or animal products is not currently being issued from the Province since the grizzly bear hunting ban was implemented in 2018.

If you want to transport to a tannery outside of BC, please contact the TCG Wildlife Department for additional details.

Right: Jarett Quock salting a bear hide.

“Anyone who wants to take their hide to a tannery within BC should receive confirmation the tannery will accept grizzly bear hides. Grizzly bears harvested under the Tahltan Policy will be given consideration on a case-bycase basis until we can implement a Tahltan/BC Wildlife Accord with the Province of BC.”