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Jade Boulder Sheep Project
GUARDIANS SUMMER PREDATOR REMOVAL TECHNIQUES
The Wildlife Department is transitioning to the next phase of implementing the Tahltan Predator Management Plan. The first phase included specific trapping techniques and a predator training plan summer session.
Jarett Quock, Clements Brace, Brianna Tashoots, Richard Louie, Thorton Louie, Jamie Henyu and Francis Quock participated in five days of extensive training. The first two days included a wolf capture refresh and one day of classroom recap of the wolf capture system. It was followed by a second day outside demonstrating summer methodology and student practice. The third day featured a bear capture course, including classroom instruction and a controlled demonstration of the mechanics behind the capturing methods. The next days took the Guardians outside for practical instruction, demonstration, and practice. The final day saw the Guardians set a live set bear snare at 30 Mile Culture Camp to remove a problem animal.
The course closed with an overall review of bear capture procedures including outdoor scenarios for students (in teams) to demonstrate proper methods and tactics for creating different types of sets and operating safely.
Top-right: Wolf capture system demonstration. Right: Classroom snaring instruction as part of the bear capture course. Below: Jamie Henyu setting a grizzly bear snare.
SHARED DECISION-MAKING AGREEMENT
The Government-to-Government (G2G) Fish and Wildlife Working Group (FWWG) is an outcome of the Shared Decision-Making Agreement between the TCG and the Government of British Columbia. It is composed of BC representatives from the Skeena Region, and Tahltan representatives from the TCG, Tahltan Band and Iskut Band.
The FWWG supports the Tahltan BC G2G Forum. Its main roles are:
Ȗ Provide shared recommendations to the G2G
Forum on fish and wildlife matters Ȗ Respond to the G2G Forum direction and queries Ȗ Respond to wildlife initiatives from the
Province and/or Tahltan Ȗ Complete an annual workplan with priorities and submit it to the G2G Forum for approval Ȗ Provide regular updates to the G2G Forum Ȗ Respond to fish and wildlife specific Shared
Engagement Records to BC
Annual workplans are completed each spring and provided to the co-chairs of the G2G Forum. Workplans outline the priorities and interests to work towards completion each fiscal year.
The key areas of interest are:
• Identifying priorities to support funding opportunities under the 3N BC CSF • Information Sharing: working on how to share information between governments and protect sensitive information from being misused • Linkages to other initiatives such as 3Nations and TGOA projects • Guardians Program • Tahltan Wildlife Policy • Predator Management • Inventories and hunting regulations to support harvest management • Fisheries including Steelhead Working Group on the Iskut River
• Habitat Management and Protection • Support for cultural activities – trapping promotion and culture camps • Moose Management Planning – Klappan, Spatsizi,
Lower Stikine and Liard Basin are priorities for population-specific plans
The FWWG is currently involved in the Klappan Moose Stewardship Plan process and is developing a draft plan outline and community engagement strategies. It will be seeking community direction to help develop a plan that includes:
• Population, habitat, harvest, and land use management objectives consistent with provincial and Tahltan moose management approaches
• A moose stewardship plan based on Tahltan, local and scientific sources of knowledge
• A moose stewardship plan consistent with moose management direction from Tahltan land use plans and conservation initiatives, Klappan
Decision-Making and Management Board, and legal higher-level plan objectives
• Community-based review and approval process for Tahltan.
Above: Grizzlies feeding on sockeye in Johnny Tashoots Creek, just below weir spillway, at Tahltan Lake.
