B.C. Trappers Association (BCTA)director and South Cariboo Trappers Association president Paul Blackwell says members of these organizations have some concerns with the wording in British Columbia’s Wildlife Act.
The act includes an exemption that allows private landowners to trap proven “menacing” wolves without a trapping licence, he notes, which means they may not have been trained in safe and humane methods.
Conservation Officer (CO) James Zucchelli confirms the act currently allows “landowners only” to shoot, trap or kill predators proven to be “menacing” livestock.
“It has to be the landowner. If the landowner wants somebody else to trap on his property, it has to be a licensed individual.”
However, the training issue raised by Blackwell makes a good point, Zucchelli says, adding it’s something local COs haven’t come across yet.
“We would prefer everybody to have the trapping education program, just to ensure proper traps are used and non-target animals are not trapped.”
COs and other trained trappers know how to target specific animals, he explains, but someone not trained can’t be sure they won’t trap other animals, and COs don’t want wolf traps catching bears in particular.
“If you start putting traps on carcasses, you’re going to catch bears.”
The BCTA recently signed a contract with B.C. Agricultural Research & Development Corporation (ARDCorp) and the BC Cattlemen’s Association to provide a two-day training course on the trapping methods, Blackwell notes.
Rural landowners who want to understand their rights regarding menacing wildlife can review the Wildlife Act online at www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/00_96488_01.
