Federal Member of Parliament Richard Cannings was on hand Friday at the Kettle Wildlife Association meeting to discuss the declining deer population in the Boundary.
Cannings, who attended several events while back home in his riding, is the Opposition Natural Resources critic. The meeting brought up issues with the counting and preservation of deer in the area, which local hunters say is in huge need of help.
Concerned Boundary resident Barry Brandow spoke about the difference in the federal deer count and the local count, noting the federal government should reduce hunting licenses proactively to make sure the deer population stays plentiful.
Cannings said hunting is not under federal jurisdiction so his hands are tied, but he advised the organization to try and get provincial groups on board.
“Natural resources in a federal sense means oil and gas, energy and mining, and forestry, and even then the federal government reach is pretty high level,” Cannings said. “It is my impression that the BC Wildlife Association has a very strong voice.”
The meeting was held at the Kettle Wildlife Hall, and was attended by more than a dozen residents who actively hunt in the area.
Brandow said the meeting was important because people need to understand the impact hunting is having in the area.
“The one thing missing totally from the landscape today is respect for wildlife,” Brandow said. “If we respected the mule deer, we would close the [hunting] season Oct. 21. People say ‘what is the big deal,’ and the big deal is we are losing every habitat fight.”
