Hunters will need to head online before venturing out into the backcountry looking for game next year.
The province has phased out paper applications for the fall 2016 Limited Entry Hunting (LEH) draw as of Dec. 15 and is transitioning to a new online registration service starting this spring.
“The new service will be an efficient and convenient way to address the needs of hunters and guide outfitters, and will help the province ensure the health and sustainability of wildlife populations,” says a Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Dec. 10 press release. “The new service is part of government’s commitment to improve service delivery for British Columbians that is faster, easier to access and simpler to use.”
Minister Steve Thomson committed in summer 2013 to launching the new service in spring 2016.
LEH authorizations are awarded by lottery, and applications are available to resident First Nations and other British Columbians with a resident hunter number.
The province held a public engagement process from October to December on “reducing red tape” and heard ideas on improving the hunting licensing process.
More than 83,000 resident hunters applied for a range of LEH draws last year and more than 23,000 authorizations were issued.
