100 Mile House Bc

 The BC Wildlife Federation and resident hunters in the Cariboo (Region 5) have been in discussions with provincial and local Fish and Wildlife staff of the Ministry of Natural Resource Operations to consider changing their Moose harvest strategy for the Cariboo Region.  At present moose hunting regulations in Region 5 consist of a Limited Entry Hunt system (LEH) for Bull Moose only.  This regulation has been in place for many years and we fear is resulting in excessive pressure on the bull component of the population while overprotecting the cow component.  The moose population in Region 5 now consists mostly of immature and juvenile bulls with a surplus of old aged cows resulting in a bull to cow ratio that is far below natural levels, and which we believe is negatively impacting basic productivity and harvest potential.

 A Selective Harvest Strategy (SHS) has been proposed to bring about a more balanced and productive sex and age composition of the moose population. The SHS model, in place in both the adjacent Omineca and Thompson Regions, would include a combination of Limited Entry Hunts (LEH) on mature bulls, LEH on cows and calves, and potential General Open Seasons for immature bulls (spike-fork) and calves only. There is significant evidence illustrating that the SHS model is a much healthier way of managing Moose for harvest, as well as providing increased opportunity for resident hunters to secure meat for the freezer.

  At our recent annual general meeting of the BC Wildlife Federation, Cariboo Region, a motion was passed that we communicate the support of our resident hunters for implementation of the SHS model in Region 5.  We also appreciate your interest and support of this important initiative.