The provincial government has announced all revenue from hunting licenses issued in British Columbia will now be earmarked to support and enhance wildlife management activities.
On March 24, Forest, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson said government will provide startup money of $5 million for a new agency to be formed in the fall of 2017, and then the entire $9 million-$10 million collected annually from hunting licenses will be funnelled directly into this agency for administering these funds.
Donna Barnett, Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA at the time of the announcement, said this change follows broad consultation with wildlife stakeholders.
“They have wanted for years to have an agency like we have for the Freshwater Fisheries Society to help enhance and manage wildlife populations in B.C.
“To put the model together, the government has put $200,000 to support a process to engage wildlife stakeholders, First Nations and the public later this spring.”
Barnett adds the wildlife populations are declining due to climate change, predators and other factors, pointing to a “crucial” need to have more people on the ground working with government.
Noting the new agency is still in its infancy stage so the details are fairly unknown, Cariboo Chilcotin Guide Outfitters Association (CCGO) president Al Madley said his group fully supports government’s decision.
“There is lots going on and lots of engagement with all the stakeholders so I’m very very pleased.”
This latest change builds on the Gorley Report released last summer outlining a strategy to help restore moose populations and the province’s commitment of $1.2 million to implement some of its recommendations, followed by the province’s $27 million commitment in February to enhance caribou recovery, Madley explained.
“The guide outfitters are supportive anytime there’s a move by government to increase wildlife populations in B.C. for all people to enjoy.”
Clinton Rod and Gun Club member Bruce Ambler, also a member of the CCGO with interests in hunting, said the funding needs co-operation between the stakeholders and a focus on growing wildlife and not allocation.
“If government is willing to put money toward building wildlife, we support this thing 100 per cent.”
With files from Monica Lamb-Yorski, Williams Lake Tribune.
