"The light lit up the frog’s eyes and an arrow flashed silently through the dark, skewering the green bullfrog to the bank. A “whoop” that sounded like an Indian war cry split the night’s silence as my boys went splashing through the water to lay claim to the tasty little amphibian. Besides a little squabbling over who got the next shot, we were all having a blast."
Read more.
http://www.bowhunter.com/the-advantages-of-bowhunting-small-game.html
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Awaiting More from the CRD Shellgame
Current
Citizens Advisory Group Meeting
The next CAG meeting will be the week of June 4-June 8 . Location TBD.Sunday, May 27, 2012
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
CRD Has Not Posted Video from May 16 Deer Management CAG Meeting
The May 9, 2012 Citizen's Advisory Group meeting was videotaped and posted on moderndemocracy's Youtube channel, in it's entirety. The May 16 meeting was videotaped for the duration, yet the proceedings have not yet been posted.
Those of us who were present have a good idea why. Some CAG members made inappropriate and unprofessional comments about deer, such as Jocelyn Scrlac's question: "Why do deer have more rights over (sic) other animals?" * 1:14:30 and Wendy Fox's assertion that deer are "charging" cyclists on Lochside Drive "when they have fawns." *1:17:07
During discussion about economic losses, Robin Bassett asked Wendy Fox for a dollar figure on agricultural losses and Jeff Weightman suggested they will ask the ERWG for an economic study. At this time Marg Evans declared that the group "doesn't need to justify why this is an agricultural issue." She reiterated her comment from the last meeting that "we tried to get stats and we work now with what we have."
*As per posted May 24, CAG meeting on moderndemocracy's channel
Those of us who were present have a good idea why. Some CAG members made inappropriate and unprofessional comments about deer, such as Jocelyn Scrlac's question: "Why do deer have more rights over (sic) other animals?" * 1:14:30 and Wendy Fox's assertion that deer are "charging" cyclists on Lochside Drive "when they have fawns." *1:17:07
During discussion about economic losses, Robin Bassett asked Wendy Fox for a dollar figure on agricultural losses and Jeff Weightman suggested they will ask the ERWG for an economic study. At this time Marg Evans declared that the group "doesn't need to justify why this is an agricultural issue." She reiterated her comment from the last meeting that "we tried to get stats and we work now with what we have."
*As per posted May 24, CAG meeting on moderndemocracy's channel
Monday, May 21, 2012
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Friday, May 18, 2012
Canada Has a History of Human/Wildlife Conflict Prevention
Human-Wildlife Conflict Prevention
Humans have profoundly impacted wildlife and the environment. While we need to develop a better understanding of the broader factors contributing to human-wildlife conflicts in Ontario, including climatic factors, land use, agricultural practices and wildlife management initiatives, we are focusing on human-wildlife conflicts that result from direct interaction.
Human-wildlife conflicts are best described as interactions among humans and wildlife when the actions negatively impact one, the other or both. Conflicts vary depending on where they take place, time of year and type of wild species.
The increase in both urban and rural development to accommodate Ontario’s population of nearly 13 million people has resulted in a greater number of interactions with wildlife.
Animal Alliance is committed to innovative, effective, humane and non-lethal solutions to human-wildlife conflicts. We are currently working on a number of human-wildlife conflict issues, listed below. Cormorants
Coyotes
Deer
Hunting / Trapping / Poisoning
Animal Alliance has worked with many organizations and government officials to develop a humane, non-lethal approach to human-geese conflicts.
Most urban conflicts occur from June to mid July when the birds are flightless and at their maximum numbers. They congregate in large numbers in municipal parks, around storm water management ponds and along urban shorelines and come in conflict with residents who are using the facilities for recreational purposes. Residents complain of goose faeces and grass damage.
Animal Alliance has developed a Habitat Modification & Canada Geese manual. The purpose of this manual is to provide parks and wildlife personnel, government officials, as well as advocates of wildlife preservation and restoration ecology with information relating to the habitat needs and deterrents of Canada Geese in urban environments. Habitat modification as a means of reducing human-goose conflicts works on a site specific basis. It offers a choice between eliminating the use of the site by geese
altogether or accommodating the geese in such a way as to reduce or eliminate conflict.
altogether or accommodating the geese in such a way as to reduce or eliminate conflict.
Habitat modification through natural landscaping techniques offers both an ecological and humane means of reducing human-goose conflicts in urban, suburban and even agricultural environments.
Most rural conflicts occur in the spring, when the early wheat begins to grow, and the late summer and early fall, when crops mature and are ready for harvesting. Farmers complain of crop damage. Most recent figures estimate the economic impact on Ontario agriculture of all wildlife at approximately $41,000,000 (Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association http://www.ontariosoilcrop.org/docs/Wildlife_Update_Report_051109.pdf). Therefore the average damage per farm in Ontario (close to 60,000 farms) is $683.00. Wheat damage, the main crop attractive to geese, other migratory birds and wildlife was estimated at total of $979,171.
The Canadian Wildlife Service’s brochure titled Canada Geese and Farms suggest habitat modification as a mitigation measure. The brochure suggests that the farmer “focus efforts on the area between cultivated land and ponds or other wetlands. Create natural barriers of trees, brush and shrubs around ponds, wetlands and streams. If you have a pond, avoid creating islands or peninsulas which are ideal nesting sites for geese.” (http://www.ontariosoilcrop.org/docs/geesefarms-e.pdf)
Organizations, such as GeesePeace, have formed to provide conflict resolution measures where geese and people are in conflict. GeesePeace is dedicated to building better communities though innovative, effective, and humane solutions to wildlife conflicts.The Habitat Modification & Canada Geese manual is available to all interested parties (for manual appendicies, click here). We feel this is of particular interest to municipalities dealing with human-goose conflicts in their area. The manual features numerous case studies in locations in USA and Canada that have implemented habitat modification practices.
Double-crested Cormorants are native colonial waterbirds. In the late 1800s and early 1900s cormorant numbers were dramatically reduced because of persecution by fishers and others who killed the birds. As a result of protection, cormorant populations began to recover, reaching approximately 900 nesting pairs in the early 1950s, but impact from toxic chemicals such as DDT again reduced their numbers to 125 nesting pairs in 1973.
From the 1970s to present day, cormorant numbers are returning to those of pre-persecution days, a success story for sure.
But now wildlife management agencies across North America are calling the cormorant population “overabundant” and “unnatural”. One document classified cormorants as “grotesquely hyperabundant”.
Animal Alliance has joined with a coalition of organizations to stop the continent-wide lethal management of cormorants, forming Cormorant Defenders International (CDI). Please refer to the CDI web site for all available reference material.
From the time Europeans settled North America, coyotes have been persecuted because of conflicts, including preying on livestock. Coyotes have thrived despite organized attempts made to eradicate them in the first half of the 20th century. Governments offered bounties and funded extensive coyote “control” programs. Farmers even poisoned dead livestock and left them for the coyotes to eat.
Animal Alliance has worked to reduce human-coyote conflicts through education and non-lethal intervention programmes, specifically in communities that are experiencing conflict, such as Sarnia, Toronto and Ottawa.
Stanley Gehrt is an assistant professor of environmental and natural resources at Ohio State University and he is in the sixth year of a multi-year study of coyote behavior in urban Chicago. Gehrt found that “urban coyote populations are much larger than expected; that they live longer than their rural cousins in these environments; and that they are more active at nighttime than coyotes living in rural areas.” (http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/urbcoyot.htm.) As a coyote expert, he has written about human-coyote conflicts and how they can be resolved. A document titled Urban Coyote Ecology and Management provides an excellent overview of coyotes and conflict resolution possibilites.
In spite of our recommendations, in November 2009, Saskatchewan introduced a coyote bounty, paying residents $20 if they produced four paws of a killed coyote. In February 2010, the government announced 18,000 coyotes were killed, about one half of their target number.
For CBC’s February article, visit http://www.cbc.ca/canada/saskatchewan/story/2010/02/19/sk-coyote-program-1002.html.
2011 articles:
February 18, 2011 – Ottawa Citizen – “Controversial coyote hunting contests continue”
February 22, 2011 – myKawartha.com – “Business owner launches coyote contest”March 2, 2011 – Ottawa Citizen – “Minister mum on hunting contests”
March 4, 2011 – Ottawa Citizen – “Ontario mulls coyote hunt”
In spite of biologists and conservationists providing evidence to the contrary, Agriculture Minister Bob Bjornerud believes the bounty was necessary. For a May 2010 article, click here.
Organizations, such as the Born Free USA united with the Animal Protection Institute, have researched this issue extensively. For an overview, visit http://www.bornfreeusa.org/articles.php?p=1139&more=1
We need to keep pressure on the Premier of Saskatchewan, the Honourable Brad Wall. Please mail and call the Premier, politely asking him to make progressive advancements in his province. Hand-written letters are best but you can also email him.
Premier of Saskatchewan226 Legislative Building
Regina, SK S4S 0B3
Tel: 306-787-9433
Fax: 787-0885Email: premier@gov.sk.ca
Deer are under attack by wildlife managers throughout North America. Persistent human encroachment into deer habitat have resulted in conflicts between deer and people. Governments claim that deer populations are “overabundant”, their numbers higher than at any time in the past. They make statements about deer without any data or science to support their claims. As a result of the “hyperabundance” categorization, governments argue that deer are causing more vehicular collisions, agricultural and forest damage and present health risks through ticks carrying Lyme disease.
Consequently, wildlife managers advocate that more deer be killed during hunting season and that hunting seasons be extended. They advocate culling of deer in parks and protected areas because they claim that the deer are damaging forest habitats. And they advocate hunting in urban settings were deer habituate urban river valleys and green spaces.
Animal Alliance has actively opposed all lethal management of deer through municipal councils and provincial governments. The case of the Sifton Bog deer in London, Ontario provides a good example of a human-wildlife conflict situation. The municipal council, conservation authority and wildlife managers are advocating lethal cull of all but eight of the 50 deer who reside in the bog. The animal protection community and many area residents oppose the cull.
Below are three PDF files with important information about deer:
- Wounding rates deer and bow hunting 1998
- Indirect Effects of a Keystone Herbivore Elevate Local Animal Diversity
- Dispersal of Trillium seeds by Deer: Implications for Long-Distance Migration of Forest Herbs
A number of documents prepared by Animal Alliance were provided to London City Council – for more information, click here.
We also worked to convince the City of Hamilton (ON) to employ non-lethal methods to resolve the City’s human / deer conflicts at Iroquoia Heights Conservation Area. The Conservation Authority formed a Deer Management Advisory Committee in March 2010, of which Animal Alliance was a part. A number of documents are available – for more information, click here.
We are currently working in BC to encourage municipal councils to develop progressive, non-lethal human / deer conflict resolutions.
The Alberta and Saskatchewan governments use toxic poisons, Strychnine and Compound 1080 to kill wildlife when they come in conflict with humans. They are the last two provinces in Canada using these draconian substances. With your help, we will fight to stop these governments from using these poisons.
The Saskatchewan government must provide a notice of intent to renew their application to use Compound 1080 by September 24, 2010. They have not done so to date, which gives us an opportunity to oppose the renewal. The deadline for Alberta’s renewal of Strychnine is December 2012.
In addition, the federal Pest Management Regulatory Agency reviews restricted products like Strychnine and Compound 1080. The agency fails to consider the cruel nature of the poison, the matter of secondary poisoning and the broader and long term impacts of the poison on the environment. We intend to engage the Agency regarding the obvious inadequacies of the review and approval process. For more information, click here. In 2006, the University of Waterloo made headlines for killing and drowning beaver found on campus. AAC was contacted by concerned students, who subsequently held a memorial for eight beavers caught and killed by the University for felling trees. AAC presented a report to the University, recommending that non-lethal methods be used to mitigate wildlife issues on campus. The University agreed.
In 2005, a little dog was caught in a conibear trap and died in his owner’s arms. The dog was playing in a dog park in Guelph. Karen Levenson, our Guelph colleague, was in the park at the time with her dog, and so began AAC’s efforts to make Guelph a safer and more compassionate city. After several meetings with AAC, the City of Guelph became the first city in Canada to ban traps in the city limits, making parks safer for dogs and humans alike.
Some past incidents:
January 5, 2011 – Ottawa Citizen – No warnings needed for animal traps, ministry says
December 17, 2010 – Ottawa – Dog chokes to death after getting stuck in kill trap
December 15, 2010 – Back Bay Island – Pet’s death sparks outrage
December 15, 2010 – Lafontaine – Dog recovering from brush with death
February 11, 2010 – Kelowna – Trapper apologizes for dog’s death
Animal Alliance continues to work with municipalities across Canada in an effort to end hunting and trapping as a solution to human-wildlife conflict issues. If there is a conflict in your area, please contact us today.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
BRITISH COLUMBIA SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS HUNTING POSITION STATEMENT
The BC SPCA is opposed to the hunting of any animal for trophy or sport,
including canned hunts, whether or not any of the meat is consumed.
Where hunting is practised for subsistence purposes, it must be carried out in a
humane, responsible and sustainable manner by qualified and experienced
hunters, abiding by applicable laws and regulations.
Hunters should make every effort to minimize the infliction of pain or suffering by
using techniques that cause instant death. Bow hunting is not condoned by the
BC SPCA as it does not meet these criteria. The BC SPCA is also opposed to
the hunting of all animals using dogs or other animals (e.g. falconry), due to the
stress it imposes on the hunted animal and the risk of injury to the animals
involved.
Approved by the Board of Directors – February 7, 2009
including canned hunts, whether or not any of the meat is consumed.
Where hunting is practised for subsistence purposes, it must be carried out in a
humane, responsible and sustainable manner by qualified and experienced
hunters, abiding by applicable laws and regulations.
Hunters should make every effort to minimize the infliction of pain or suffering by
using techniques that cause instant death. Bow hunting is not condoned by the
BC SPCA as it does not meet these criteria. The BC SPCA is also opposed to
the hunting of all animals using dogs or other animals (e.g. falconry), due to the
stress it imposes on the hunted animal and the risk of injury to the animals
involved.
Approved by the Board of Directors – February 7, 2009
A PowerPoint Presentation from June 2, 2008 on the UBBC Website is Removed. Of particular Interest, Slide 11 Entitled "Recruitment"
Recruitment
Archery as an outdoor sport attracts non-hunters.
No firearms course or license exist as a barrier to entry.
Children enroll in 3-D Archery shoots each year which provides a breeding ground for new hunters
Encourage schools in BC to introduce archery as part of the physical education curriculum
Increased interest within the bowhunting community to have the IBEP course mandatory
BCAA/UBBC are committed to having a dozen new instructors trained this calendar year.
Creating quality bowhunting opportunity will encourage retention for cross-over hunters
Archery as an outdoor sport attracts non-hunters.
No firearms course or license exist as a barrier to entry.
Children enroll in 3-D Archery shoots each year which provides a breeding ground for new hunters
Encourage schools in BC to introduce archery as part of the physical education curriculum
Increased interest within the bowhunting community to have the IBEP course mandatory
BCAA/UBBC are committed to having a dozen new instructors trained this calendar year.
Creating quality bowhunting opportunity will encourage retention for cross-over hunters
Monday, May 14, 2012
Legal or "Illegal" This is What Bow Hunting Looks Like
B.C. deer illegally shot with crossbow
This story contains disturbing images
Last Updated: Friday, December 31, 2010 | 8:31 AM PT
Officers hope to find this doe and at least one other also reported to have been shot through the neck. (CBC)
Conservation officers on Vancouver Island are on the trail of someone maliciously shooting deer with a crossbow.
At least three deer in the Hammond Bay neighbourhood of Nanaimo have been hit with arrows that injure the deer but are not likely to kill them.
"They're target arrows not meant to kill," said conservation officer Steve Ackles. "These deer are suffering. So far [we've seen] two deer with arrows through the neck, one deer with an arrow through its head."
Officers were able to use darts to tranquillize a wounded buck and remove the arrow from its head, likely saving the animal.
Area resident Lori Geiger has seen two does with arrows in their necks, but officers have yet to find the animals.
"It's heart-wrenching to watch them not being able to eat," said Geiger.
Conservation officers were able to tranqullize this buck and safely remove the arrow from its snout. (CBC)
Authorities are appealing to people in the area to report anyone seen carrying a crossbow.
Posters have been put up in the neighbourhood alerting residents to the danger to both humans and animals.
"This is illegal, unethical and a huge threat to public safety," said Ackles.
Makeup of Deer Advisory Committee Worries Animal Rights Advocates
The selection process for the Capital Regional District’s deer management Citizen’s Advisory Group was not transparent, and the makeup of the group seems biased, claim local animal rights advocates.
Members of DeerSafe Victoria are expressing concerns over one of the appointed members of the CAG, Richard Christiansen, who appears to be a representative from the United Bowhunters of British Columbia, a bowhunting lobby group.
“He’s not just a citizen, he’s a representative of a lobby group, and they work for bowhunter recognition and opportunity, so that doesn’t make him a citizen at all,” said Kelly Carson, one of the founding members of DeerSafe.
The group’s main concern is that people are not aware of who is on the advisory committee.
“It’s not very transparent at all,” Carson said, adding she discovered this particular member’s history through a Google search.
Carson, along with 24 other DeerSafe members, feel that Christiansen should be removed from the group because as a representative of the UBBC, he would not be impartial, she said.
The feeling that the citizen’s group may veer towards one side is echoed by Liz White, leader of the Animal Alliance Environment Voters Party of Canada, based in Toronto.
White has experience dealing with deer management throughout Canada, including London, Ont., and the Iroquoia Heights, a conservation area in Hamilton, Ont.
Through looking at the names of the selected advisory members, it appears “heavily weighted” toward a pro-lethal approach, White said.
“My worry is that we’re going down the road of a pre-determined decision, without even really looking at the possibilities of alternatives,” White said.
White has filed a Freedom of Information request with the CRD, in hopes of learning about the background of each applicant.
“The reason for the FOI is to try and figure out what that bias is; who actually applied?” White said.
She believes the CRD can resolve the deer issue without culling deer, but she adds, there has to be a desire to move in that direction.
“When it comes to human-wildlife conflict, the approach is to go out and kill the animal,” White said. “It’s a difficult fight, but it’s one that needs to happen, because we need to learn to how to live with wildlife in a way that doesn’t require killing them.”
Members of DeerSafe Victoria are expressing concerns over one of the appointed members of the CAG, Richard Christiansen, who appears to be a representative from the United Bowhunters of British Columbia, a bowhunting lobby group.
“He’s not just a citizen, he’s a representative of a lobby group, and they work for bowhunter recognition and opportunity, so that doesn’t make him a citizen at all,” said Kelly Carson, one of the founding members of DeerSafe.
The group’s main concern is that people are not aware of who is on the advisory committee.
“It’s not very transparent at all,” Carson said, adding she discovered this particular member’s history through a Google search.
Carson, along with 24 other DeerSafe members, feel that Christiansen should be removed from the group because as a representative of the UBBC, he would not be impartial, she said.
The feeling that the citizen’s group may veer towards one side is echoed by Liz White, leader of the Animal Alliance Environment Voters Party of Canada, based in Toronto.
White has experience dealing with deer management throughout Canada, including London, Ont., and the Iroquoia Heights, a conservation area in Hamilton, Ont.
Through looking at the names of the selected advisory members, it appears “heavily weighted” toward a pro-lethal approach, White said.
“My worry is that we’re going down the road of a pre-determined decision, without even really looking at the possibilities of alternatives,” White said.
White has filed a Freedom of Information request with the CRD, in hopes of learning about the background of each applicant.
“The reason for the FOI is to try and figure out what that bias is; who actually applied?” White said.
She believes the CRD can resolve the deer issue without culling deer, but she adds, there has to be a desire to move in that direction.
“When it comes to human-wildlife conflict, the approach is to go out and kill the animal,” White said. “It’s a difficult fight, but it’s one that needs to happen, because we need to learn to how to live with wildlife in a way that doesn’t require killing them.”
Friday, May 11, 2012
What You Won't See on the CRD's Minutes for the First CAG Meeting
The first meeting of the CRD deer management Citizen's Advisory Group was videotaped. Not present: Lisa Kadonaga and Philip Tom
Sol Kinnis introduced herself and stated that she represents young people in the city who are growing their own food. She sees the deer as "a food source that are eating our other food source."
Richard Christiansen introduced himself and stated that he brings a pro-hunt slant to the group. He asked if it was possible to join the CAG meetings by teleconference as he anticipates he will be travelling and was told by Jeff Weightman that he could.
Jeff Weightman stated early in the meeting that "there is no long-term sustained budget for 'this.'”
Jeff Weightman stated “Fertility control is limited and very much in the experimental phase in BC and Canada with not much long-term research on that type of population control and there is (sic) quite a number of facts that back up our position.” (This "position" was not expanded upon).
Jocelyn Skrlac (voted chair of CAG) stated that Lyme disease is prevalent in Philidelphia, where her daughter lives. She wants to know if there is more deer/human conflict now that deer are 2nd and 3rd generation.
Kerri Ward asked for data on development in the CRD, maps and (human) population numbers. Jeff Weightman asked if she wanted development or population data and she replied “both.” Jeff Weightman admitted that the CRD only started collecting data on deer in 2010. Marg Evans stated, “We tried to get statistics and we work now with what we have.”
Terry Mitchell claimed height restriction on fences. He said deer are having more twins. (Kerri Ward informed him that deer always have twins). He blames deer population on “less predators and less hunting.”
Robin Bassett asked if there are economic studies of agricultural losses rather that anecdotal evidence. Jeff said an analysis of deer impact on agriculture will be researched.
A sub-committee re urban deer being “carved off” was discussed, as it was identified that the rural deer issue was the focus of the ERWG and CAG.
Findings to be finalised by late June and submitted to the Planning, Transportation and Protective Services Committee early July.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
The Stacking of a Citizen's Advisory Group
Vic Derman, vice-chair of the CRD’s planning, transportation, and protective services committee was quoted in yesterday's Oak Bay News:
“If somebody said, ‘I’m definitely against this’ or ‘I’m definitely for this’ … there’s probably a little bit of detriment of being on the (deer advisory) committee,” Derman said.
“Everybody will have some personal opinion prior to going in but the hope, for me at least, is that we picked people who would be willing to put that aside, listen to all the evidence, and come up with what, in their view, is the best possible answer.”
Derman added that he tried not to select applicants who had already publicly voiced their opinions on the issue.
He must not have been watching A Channel on August 10, 2011. Meet Wendy Fox, one of the CAG members.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJUqPqaG4DY
"They need to be culled. For sure." said Wendy Fox.
“If somebody said, ‘I’m definitely against this’ or ‘I’m definitely for this’ … there’s probably a little bit of detriment of being on the (deer advisory) committee,” Derman said.
“Everybody will have some personal opinion prior to going in but the hope, for me at least, is that we picked people who would be willing to put that aside, listen to all the evidence, and come up with what, in their view, is the best possible answer.”
Derman added that he tried not to select applicants who had already publicly voiced their opinions on the issue.
He must not have been watching A Channel on August 10, 2011. Meet Wendy Fox, one of the CAG members.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJUqPqaG4DY
"They need to be culled. For sure." said Wendy Fox.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
CRD Receives Freedom of Information Request from Animal Alliance
The Capitol Regional District has received a Freedom of Information Request from Liz White of Animal Alliance. The selection process for appointments to the Citizen's Advisory Group was not transparent and Animal Alliance is asking for the total number of applicants who applied to CAG and the Expert Working Group.
They are also asking for copies of emails, letters, petitions phone messages and any other form of communication from members of the public to the CRD Board and staff regarding all deer matters for 2010, 2011 and to April 30, 2012, as well as similar communications between members of the Board and staff for the same time frame.
In addition Animal Alliance is requesting minutes of any meetings regarding deer management that are not part of the Committee and Board public minutes for the years 2010, 2011 and to April 30, 2012. Any documents, notes, minutes or any other form of information generated from the meetings with Ministry of Environment staff and any other individual or entity regarding deer management, any correspondence between the CRD Board and the BCSPCA, wildlife rehabilitation organizations, the BC Wildlife Federation or any other hunting group or similar entities in the same time frame.
They are also asking for copies of emails, letters, petitions phone messages and any other form of communication from members of the public to the CRD Board and staff regarding all deer matters for 2010, 2011 and to April 30, 2012, as well as similar communications between members of the Board and staff for the same time frame.
In addition Animal Alliance is requesting minutes of any meetings regarding deer management that are not part of the Committee and Board public minutes for the years 2010, 2011 and to April 30, 2012. Any documents, notes, minutes or any other form of information generated from the meetings with Ministry of Environment staff and any other individual or entity regarding deer management, any correspondence between the CRD Board and the BCSPCA, wildlife rehabilitation organizations, the BC Wildlife Federation or any other hunting group or similar entities in the same time frame.
Friday, May 4, 2012
Deer Hazing is Not an Option, Province Declares
By Kristian Rasmussen
Pioneer Staff
Chasing deer out of town is not an option for Invermere or across British Columbia, the province has declared.
In an April 20th decision, it was confirmed that the current laws against using trained dogs to run problem animals, such as Invermere’s urban deer, out of town, will remain standing across the province.
The decision comes despite pressure from towns like Invermere that have been experiencing problems with habituated deer within municipal boundaries.
“I think the decision shows the reality of the situation, which is that there are a very limited number of options for dealing with an urban deer population,” said Gerry Taft, mayor of Invermere.
Vince Zurbriggen of the Invermere Deer Protection Society, a group formed to prevent the town from culling urban deer, thinks hazing has an integral role in any deer management plan.
“Hazing does actually function,” he said. “It has been done and works. Hazing is nothing new; it is sad that they completely banned it. They should allow it at certain times, especially during fawning season.”
Mr. Zurbriggen wants to see the community get involved in lobbying the government to reverse their decision, he said.
“The only option is to keep the pressure on,” he added. “If they take something away and don’t give you an alternative, what do you do? We go back to them and say we need this!”
He would also like to see a system that allows council to apply for a hazing permit in certain situations and for areas like schools and public places.
Mayor Taft said he understands many of the reasons that the decision on hazing was not adjusted by the province to deal with urban deer.
“There is a fear of traffic hazards, damage to property, and deer injured in the process,” he explained.
The mayor also worries about the logistics of hazing.
“There is not an abundance of Crown land in the vicinity. The question becomes where are you pushing them into?” Mayor Taft said. “If we are able to push some of the deer out of the community, without doing damage to property or injuring the deer, then we are still putting them onto somebody else’s land.”
The continued ban on dog hazing came days before Cranbrook announced a second urban deer cull. The community culled 25 animal during the fall and were granted a second permit on April 23rd to cull a further 50.
But the Cranbrook vote will not necessarily affect Invermere’s deer management plan, Mayor Taft cautioned.
“Even though we keep in contact with Cranbrook and Kimberley, ultimately the decision of what to do is up to each individual community,” he said.
“Some of the people that are opposed to the cull are throwing out conspiracy theories that we are already planning one, that there is definitely going to be another cull in the fall. That is definitely not true, but it doesn’t mean that it wont ever happen again.”
Public involvement in the decision-making process will be key when moving forward, he added.
“I really hope that we are able to do consultation, surveying, or maybe a referendum to get a clear choice for the future of what the community wants.”
Pioneer Staff
Gerry Taft
Vince Zurbriggen
In an April 20th decision, it was confirmed that the current laws against using trained dogs to run problem animals, such as Invermere’s urban deer, out of town, will remain standing across the province.
The decision comes despite pressure from towns like Invermere that have been experiencing problems with habituated deer within municipal boundaries.
“I think the decision shows the reality of the situation, which is that there are a very limited number of options for dealing with an urban deer population,” said Gerry Taft, mayor of Invermere.
Vince Zurbriggen of the Invermere Deer Protection Society, a group formed to prevent the town from culling urban deer, thinks hazing has an integral role in any deer management plan.
“Hazing does actually function,” he said. “It has been done and works. Hazing is nothing new; it is sad that they completely banned it. They should allow it at certain times, especially during fawning season.”
Mr. Zurbriggen wants to see the community get involved in lobbying the government to reverse their decision, he said.
“The only option is to keep the pressure on,” he added. “If they take something away and don’t give you an alternative, what do you do? We go back to them and say we need this!”
He would also like to see a system that allows council to apply for a hazing permit in certain situations and for areas like schools and public places.
Mayor Taft said he understands many of the reasons that the decision on hazing was not adjusted by the province to deal with urban deer.
“There is a fear of traffic hazards, damage to property, and deer injured in the process,” he explained.
The mayor also worries about the logistics of hazing.
“There is not an abundance of Crown land in the vicinity. The question becomes where are you pushing them into?” Mayor Taft said. “If we are able to push some of the deer out of the community, without doing damage to property or injuring the deer, then we are still putting them onto somebody else’s land.”
The continued ban on dog hazing came days before Cranbrook announced a second urban deer cull. The community culled 25 animal during the fall and were granted a second permit on April 23rd to cull a further 50.
But the Cranbrook vote will not necessarily affect Invermere’s deer management plan, Mayor Taft cautioned.
“Even though we keep in contact with Cranbrook and Kimberley, ultimately the decision of what to do is up to each individual community,” he said.
“Some of the people that are opposed to the cull are throwing out conspiracy theories that we are already planning one, that there is definitely going to be another cull in the fall. That is definitely not true, but it doesn’t mean that it wont ever happen again.”
Public involvement in the decision-making process will be key when moving forward, he added.
“I really hope that we are able to do consultation, surveying, or maybe a referendum to get a clear choice for the future of what the community wants.”
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