[Wendell]

"The British Columbia government is bringing an end to the hunting of grizzly bears throughout the province, Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, and George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, announced today. "Through consultations this past fall, we have listened to what British Columbians have to say on this issue and it is abundantly clear that the grizzly hunt is not in line with their values," Donaldson said. "Our government continues to support hunting in this province and recognizes our hunting heritage is of great importance to many British Columbians." The spring grizzly bear hunt was scheduled to open on April 1, 2018, but the ban on hunting for resident and non-resident hunters takes effect immediately. Through the consultation process with First Nations, stakeholder groups and the public, 78% of respondents recommended the hunt be stopped entirely. First Nations will still be able to harvest grizzly bears pursuant to Aboriginal rights for food, social, or ceremonial purposes, or treaty rights. There are an estimated 15,000 grizzly bears in British Columbia.

https://www.outdoorhub.com/news/2017/12/18/british-columbia-gov-ends-grizzly-bear-hunting/

 

[3macs1]

Pretty good post from a nutz member IMO on this today

Lessons we should heed from the BC grizzly hunt ban

Today's ban on the grizzly hunt in BC should be a stiff reminder of what will happen to firearms owners unless a solid, vocal and united front is presented to the Canadian government. For too many years BC outfitters, management boards, local hunters all squabbled amongst themselves arguing about who knew what was best for management populations, and in many cases just plain old greed and self interest. Meanwhile, the anti's and the NDP organized, banded together and took away thier rights. Given the opportunity, the NDP will ban all hunting if possible. That is a given. Once hunting is no longer legal, the next argument will be:

"What do you need a gun for? you can't hunt anymore..."

The major difference between the left and right at the moment, is that the left controls most of the media and they are far more organized online, pushing any given political agenda 24/7. The right needs to combat this behaviour directly, vocally and calmly...without giving them further ammunition to use against us.

I don't have all the answers but Canada needs a united NRA-like firearms coalition that EVERY ONE OF US gets behind. It seems to me as of now their are multiple smaller agencies which wont help. We need to all get behind one, and just move forward.

A suggestion list

DO's:

• Every chance you get to protest, or defend firearms rights in your area, online or anywhere else, get involved, be vocal, firm, but polite
• Write your local political representatives at every level, frequently. Try and call. Annoy them.
• POLITELY correct ill informed comments and posts on social media, use examples like sweden and finland as solid examples of high gun ownership and low crime
• Join an agency like the CCFR etc. I honestly don't know which one is the best right now but CCFR seems to pop up on my facebook a lot. Again, we need to unite on this front somehow
• Join a pistol club and/or rifle range. Go to events they host.
• Take up hunting if you have not done so already, purchase tags even if you can't fill them
• Purchase a handgun or restricted rifle, even if you do not intend to use it. For 300 bucks or less it will assist in assuring your firearms rights
• Get family members, friends, girlfriends and as many new people into shooting as you can, take away the fear, replace it with knowledge and fun

Don'ts:

• Argue online with other firearms owners about the need for certain types of firearms, eg semi autos or pistols regardless of your stance
• Act like a jackass in public with your gun, or behave in a way the left wing media machine can edit or use footage to attack us all.
• Delude yourself into thinking the ultimate goal of liberal and NDP governments is not an all out firearms ban, or at the very least severe taxes, duties, registration fees and excessive control
• Become complacent thinking they will just restrict certain types of guns, because eventually they will come for yours too

Merry Christmas all, this war is just heating up...

don't sit back and let a gun (grizzly) ban happen to you too

 

[KEVIN]

the man's right !!!

 

[Tyson10gauge]

Every bit 101% very true .

 

[The Accountant]

I don't think it was a great idea to refer to the democratic process as a war in reference to guns, but most of his list is decent.

I'm guessing he doesn't know much about gun laws in Scandinavia if he suggests using them as examples.

Completely agree with getting new people involved. I've done that a few times at the range I was a member at. Luckily, all of the negative experiences I had at the range happened when I was alone or with a friend who was already involved.

 

[Pete]

the man's right !!!

X2 >Pete

 

[gary]

great points there - especially focused on firearms which is great however please don't loose sight of the fact that public opinion is/was against hunting a particular bear species.

We need to include the firearm issue with the hunting issue. The majority of the public voted against science and, of course, the politicians went with the majority - even went so far as saying there needs to be more support for picture taking opportunities of the bears. Slippery slope.

Us hunters (a tiny portion of the North American population) need to pay attention and work on our image - an image that isn't too positive in at least BC right now.

 

[long-gone]

one things for sure.....photographers will not spend or input the same money.... and regardless of anyones stance on hunting those great bears....once they loose economic value.....and no one is looking out for them....it isnt a rosey picture for their future. One thing no one can deny....is that hunters were the first to call for seasons /protection/bag limits etc.....and they pay their way and then some. That may be our biggest and most convincing argument going forward

 

[gary]

one things for sure.....photographers will not spend or input the same money.... and regardless of anyones stance on hunting those great bears....once they loose economic value.....and no one is looking out for them....it isnt a rosey picture for their future. One thing no one can deny....is that hunters were the first to call for seasons /protection/bag limits etc.....and they pay their way and then some. That may be our biggest and most convincing argument going forward

agree - but we don't push that message enough or don't push it through the right channels maybe. We have a world class hunting/conservation model in North America (a lot better set up in the US, than here IMO). However, most everything I see is preaching to the choir - we need to somehow do a better job of making this convincing argument heard by the majority of the population.

 

[The Accountant]

I read a report that put the economic impact of wildlife watching at 55 billion vs 34 for hunting in the US. Hunters spend more per person, but there are a lot more watchers than hunters.

I don't think money would have changed anything. What got people riled up was trophy pictures and videos on social media. I would bet this would not even be a problem if people kept their pictures and videos off the internet.

 

[long-gone]

agree - but we don't push that message enough or don't push it through the right channels maybe. We have a world class hunting/conservation model in North America (a lot better set up in the US, than here IMO). However, most everything I see is preaching to the choir - we need to somehow do a better job of making this convincing argument heard by the majority of the population.

all true....here's something I suspect will happen. The folks celebrating this hunt , both the extreme anti hunting types and the folks who just dont hunt and have been told its just a trophy hunt....whatever...thats an easy sell to them. But I think I can tell them for sure they have not stopped bears being killed. There will be nuscience bears killed. There will be bears killed in conflict situations. And I suspet ( and dont endorse it) but ranchers and others who have bears taking money out of their pocket thru damage and livestock loss....will imply the shoot shovel shutup method. Its happening right now....so with more bears....I dont see how it will only increase. I tend to poo-poo the danger of yotes and black bears, especually when using it as an argument for total warfare on them.....but a grizzly is indeed a powder keg. I know there are way more black bear attacks x canada....but considering how many folks are in close contact with black bears vs those smaller pockets of girzz .... the grizzly is more unpredictable. and i suspect in short order...they will indeed lose some fear of humans they now have...directly contributed to no hunting.

My argument to anyone I see who is over joyed at the prospect of a ban.....I'll be more than happy to point out they are fooling themsleves if they thing a ban on legal hunting translates to no bears being killed. All it means is hunters wont be killing them...and gladly paying to do it.

Fast fwd a few years.....I think growing grizz numbers will actually hurt other forms of wildlife/nature based form of revenue.....once they reach a certain number and are seen more often....I think fishers, hikers, and perhaps other game seeking hikers will go less. I really do.

And I'm one to always side on the cautious side of conservation. But it seems bear populations / sustainability had 0 to do with this ban.

 

[3macs1]

That member was from the Yukon and there is growing fear they are next plus the wolverine

Cheers

http://gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2017/2017-12-16/html/reg2-eng.html

 

[3macs1]

I read a report that put the economic impact of wildlife watching at 55 billion vs 34 for hunting in the US. Hunters spend more per person, but there are a lot more watchers than hunters.

I don't think money would have changed anything. What got people riled up was trophy pictures and videos on social media. I would bet this would not even be a problem if people kept their pictures and videos off the internet.

It was a old 2011 report so please lets share the rest and put it into real perspective. From the report

So, don't treat the USFWS numbers as gospel. A few other things you might want to consider. The numbers are preliminary, with the final report due in November. Children are not included in the totals. And all of these numbers are estimates based on a survey of only 48,627 households contacted by the U.S. Census Bureau for interviews. In other words, they are not hard stats compiled over time.

The 2016 report is way more detailed and the wildlife watching group is quite a catch all. Regardless all are very important and create / support 1000's of jobs

https://wsfrprograms.fws.gov/subpages/nationalsurvey/nat_survey2016.pdf

 

[long-gone]

the biggest battle they have won is turning the word trophy hunting into a four letter word. No doubt, bad vids on-line has contributed. IMO hunters should never have resisted the not using the meat position. Many studies indicate that if the animal was utilized.....it would likely satisfy the middle of the road non hunters. But tell folks u are killing and animal especially a grizz for the fur only....and they turn.

Science should always be considered....no matter the issue under scrutiny.

So some time in the late 90's a grizz ban was put in place in BC. Thru study and science it was over turned and hunting was allowed again.

This needs to be done again. And I think it will be overturned again one day. Its worth fighting for.

 

[The Accountant]

I didn't think bird watching was so popular until a Eurasian bird popped up in Eastern Passage. There were people who drove up from Florida to see it. I was shocked.

It doesn't matter who spent the most. I'm glad people are getting outside and have an interest in nature. That is the important part. Where I grew up there is very little natural areas to visit and what is there that isn't a water-body is being turned into subdivisions or big box stores.

I was watching an interview with Jim Shockey, and he echoed what bea has already written. Once a species has no economic value, it doesn't have a bright future. I don't agree with trophy hunting, but I have made arguments for it when I hear people talk about it in a negative light.

 

[Tripple D]

When I first read the article my initial reaction was SELL THE GUNS SELL -YOUR GEAR -THROUGH IN THE TOWEL -PACK UP THE TENT!!!! WATCH OUT FOR THE DOMINO EFFECT.
I guess I'm the only one who is scared by this!
What a HUGE HUGE STEP for the anti's what a terrible blow to hunter,trappers and gun owners!
THIS IS IN BRITISH COLUMBIA which I always viewed as a hunting paradise! Thinking most in that province were pro hunting and pro guns!
Although NS is behind in someways they probably won't be when it comes to banning hunting and guns!
I'm thinking what's next,black bears,sheep,deer .......
3mac1 post from gun nutz was And is bang on! People shake your effing heads,it's time to UNITE or LOOSE !

BCL- if I wasn't polite,I don't give a good god damn,I'm pissed!
Somebody needs to start an org to unite us all or we ARE DOOMED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FOREVER DOOMED!!!

 

[long-gone]

When I first read the article my initial reaction was SELL THE GUNS SELL -YOUR GEAR -THROUGH IN THE TOWEL -PACK UP THE TENT!!!! WATCH OUT FOR THE DOMINO EFFECT.
I guess I'm the only one who is scared by this!
What a HUGE HUGE STEP for the anti's what a terrible blow to hunter,trappers and gun owners!
THIS IS IN BRITISH COLUMBIA which I always viewed as a hunting paradise! Thinking most in that province were pro hunting and pro guns!
Although NS is behind in someways they probably won't be when it comes to banning hunting and guns!
I'm thinking what's next,black bears,sheep,deer .......
3mac1 post from gun nutz was And is bang on! People shake your effing heads,it's time to UNITE or LOOSE !

BCL- if I wasn't polite,I don't give a good god damn,I'm pissed!
Somebody needs to start an org to unite us all or we ARE DOOMED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FOREVER DOOMED!!!

there's lots of groups to join who are fighting...SCI canada would be good place to star. Be nice to see all the target shooters join to support the fight. As far as that goes....be great if just the hunters would join....that in itself would be a powerful force. Its a sad % that join any groups

 

[Tripple D]

Gary- President -take the lead,we need someone who can be polite,well spoken and knowledge!
Nathan -VP you can remain cool but support the sport quite tactfully.
bea- treasurer- well experienced hunter and well travelled and well spoken
sergeant at arms- 3mac1 and Kevin

I'd help out but - I got a big mouth and I'd effing loose it ! Keep me out back outta sight.
THIS COUNTRY WAS BUILT ON HUNTING AND TRAPPING !!!

 

[long-gone]

Gary- President -take the lead,we need someone who can be polite,well spoken and knowledge!
Nathan -VP you can remain cool but support the sport quite tactfully.
bea- treasurer- well experienced hunter and well travelled and well spoken
sergeant at arms- 3mac1 and Kevin

I'd help out but - I got a big mouth and I'd effing loose it ! Keep me out back outta sight.
THIS COUNTRY WAS BUILT ON HUNTING AND TRAPPING !!!

join an existing one....such as sci....they are active

 

[long-gone]

https://www.safariclub.org/canada-home