The Creston Valley Rod and Gun Club have been feeling the pressure from wildlife activists since it announced a ‘Predator Tournament’ for club members on their Facebook page, in early February.
One week after the Wildlife Protection Coalition called on the B.C. government to put a stop to the contest, the Creston Valley Rod and Gun Club have released a statement on their commitment to science-based conservation.
“After the announcement of a week-long predator tournament on social media, the Creston Valley Rod and Gun Club has been overwhelmed by the feedback from across North America. This was not unexpected; the political climate around conservation initiatives in British Columbia has been and currently is volatile and explosive.
In response to the devastating loss of the South Selkirk, and South Purcell Mountain Caribou herds, and the dwindling deer and elk populations in the Kootenays, the Creston Valley Rod and Gun Club felt it was time to do their part as hunters and assist young ungulates (fawn & elk calves) survive the winter from predator populations such as wolves, cougar, and coyotes.
Participants in the week-long tournament will be operating under BC Provincial tag limits and specifications. Zero animals will be wasted from the tournament. Meat will be consumed, and the hides utilized.
The Creston Valley Rod and Gun Club is a strong advocate for humane and ethical hunting and firmly believe predator hunting is one tool that can be utilized to facilitate the balance of the carrying capacity.”
While the club doesn’t anticipate a drastic increase in the numbers of predators harvested because of the tournament, the club believes that predator management is a cornerstone of science-based conservation.
The Predator Tournament began on March 16 and runs until March 23.
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