Board opposed to banning roadside grizzly hunting
Proposed legislation banning the roadside hunting of grizzly bears should not go forward, says the Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board.
Proposed legislation banning the roadside hunting of grizzly bears should not go forward, says the Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board.
The board delivered its recommendation to Environment Minister Wade Istchenko late last month.
The minister exercised his prerogative this morning to waive the confidentiality provision attached to the recommendation, though he has not made a decision on the recommendation and is not willing to talk about it until he does.
Istchenko told the Star he waived the confidentiality provision because of the high degree of interest in the issue.
He also hopes it will prompt further feedback, particularly from the local renewable resource councils which were not privy to the board’s recommendation.
Istchenko pointed out along with the recommendation, the board had requested he waive the confidentiality provision so the resource councils and the general public knew what it said while the minister contemplated his decision.
The proposed regulation change put out by the board for public input last fall would ban roadside grizzly bear hunting along several stretches of numbered highways in southern Yukon.
The board’s recommendation said:
• “The Board recommends the Minister set aside the proposed regulation change.
• “The Board recommends the Minister support the development of a Grizzly Bear Management Plan for Yukon.
• “The Board recommends the Minister support an educational initiative that emphasizes the intrinsic value of grizzly bears, their appreciation of viewers and hunters alike, and safety considerations for all users that view or hunt animals on roadsides.”
Istchenko said by waiving the confidentiality requirement, he hopes further feedback from the local renewable resource councils will assist him with his final decision.
The councils are a valuable source of input and he respects their role, he said, adding he once sat on the Alsek Renewable Resource Council.
Graham Van Tighem, the board’s executive director, said in an interview last week the board wanted the confidentiality provision waived while the minister reviews the proposal because of the significant public interest in the issue.
Currently, it’s legal to hunt both black and grizzly bears along highway rights-of-way.
It’s a provision that has ignited passionate public debate for many years.
Under direction from former Environment minister Currie Dixon, the board and Environment Yukon began a series of meetings last year to revisit the issue with First Nations, renewable resource councils and the general public.
Some 80 or so individuals were in attendance for the public meeting in Whitehorse last April, divided down the middle on the issue.
In June of last year, the board asked the minister to advance a regulation change banning roadside grizzly hunting along several major roadways in southern Yukon.
As is standard with any proposed regulation change, the board put the specific proposal out for public review last fall, then forwarded its recommendation to the minister last month.
Under the legislated process, the minister has 60 days to respond but can extend the period by 30 days, with the confidentiality provision remaining in place unless waived by the minister.
A segment of Yukoners want to maintain their right to harvest grizzly bears along the rights-of-way as a means of gathering food, particularly for those with mobility issues.
Others counter that shooting a bear as it grazes quietly in the ditch is appalling, unsportsmanlike and an affront to promoting wildlife viewing opportunities.
While some argue most grizzlies shot along the road are killed for their trophy value, others counter that grizzly bear meat is delicious.
Environment Yukon estimates an average of two grizzly bears are shot annually along highway rights-of-way, one of which is killed in the Southern Lakes region.
On average, five black bears are shot, two of which are killed around the Southern Lakes.
Comments (17)
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Bears are there to be harvested just like any other animals if it is road way. on Mar 5, 2015 at 10:01 am
If the Government stops bear hunting on road ways, that is the only means hunters can hunt them. I think the Government should, like other areas of Canada, let hunters bate for bears then they would not have to hunt on road ways.
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JayDangles on Mar 4, 2015 at 12:51 pm
@what about.... Please read peoples posts before posting... I very clearly stated that people are allowed to have opinions, and even voice them. My statement is that when people have opposing opinions that's life, and we don't always have to try and submit one persons opinions to another's, which is what some are trying to force in this case.
Secondly, if you have scientific facts to support banning bear hunting along these roadways please share.. because the YFWMB, Dept. of Environment, the public, hunters, and anti-hunters have all been unable to find such data. If scientific data existed, I would be first in line to cast my vote banning this type of hunting.... but alas, it is only emotion which guides these proposed changes.
Thirdly, of course I'm entitled to my opinion, as are you, I don't judge. The only difference between the two of us is I can live with others who disagree with me without passing judgment and trying to get people to conform to my way of thinking. It seems you and many others cannot say the same.
Fourthly, YFWMB as you stated is not making decision based on Yukoners, they are making decision based on wildlife.
And Lastly,
Whether it be religion, hunting or gay marriage I will always preach to respect peoples lifestyles and choices, even those which I do not understand or necessarily agree with... what are you teaching? In order to be right it must be right in your eyes? Whose judging now?
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what about.... on Mar 3, 2015 at 6:27 pm
@ Jaydangles: You really think some of the people writing comments on wanting to see changes made to hunting regulations, aren't hunters and shouldn't be trying to change things based on their opinions? Since when can people not voice an opinion based on their beliefs and scientific facts? Or more directly, who are you to pass judgement on those who are vocal about their beliefs that are based on experience and solid knowledge? It is my opinion that wildlife management is a misnomer. It is also my opinion that the Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board is making decisions that may not represent all Yukoners who hunt, fish, explore, etc....but heh, you're welcome to your opinion.
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Josey Wales on Mar 3, 2015 at 6:06 pm
I suggest we ban the very ability to ban?
...ahh the good ol' days.
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JayDangles on Mar 3, 2015 at 12:09 pm
It still amazes me that the people writing a lot of these comments genuinely believe that if you don't like something, you should have the right to change it. It's ok to have a personal opinion. i.e. "I don't agree with bear hunting along roadways." but why do people think it's ok to say "I don't agree with bear hunting along roadways, so I'm going to try and force my opinion on others"
People need to get over themselves...Actually a lot of anti hunters could learn a thing or two from hunters.... live your life based on your beliefs, and don't worry about what others are doing. Also when you don't get your way, don't whine about it... maybe educate yourself as to why the decision was made, maybe it's because the Board knows that peoples emotions shouldn't control the rights of others. That's a Board I can get behind. Well done YFWMB, I'm proud that there are still rationale people making rationale decisions in the Yukon.
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what about.... on Mar 2, 2015 at 8:49 pm
Aren't the stats skewed when we know that many animals are poached and therefore never reported? As an example of this, consider the collared grizzly that was shot by Alligator Lake last year and never reported. Or how about the people with "mobility issues" that hunt along major highways in the Southern Lakes region and take not just one bear, but many in a season just because they feel entitled to? In the end, there is no such thing as "wildlife management"--that's simply a term we use to condone our reckless attitudes towards wildlife and our environment.
We may have a seemingly "healthy" population of grizzly's today, but what about 20 years from now? As a recent example of so called resource management, just look at the salmon run on the Yukon river! We don't have to look far to see that our ideas around "managing" wildlife should have some serious erring on the side of caution from the outset.
A former hunting guide does not a good environment minister make. Bad call again on the Yukon Party and for shame on the Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board for not supporting initial legislation regulating road hunting on a major Yukon species. Just who are you trying to please?
This ban is not enough---I would like to see a 1 km ban on hunting from paved (at the very least) roadways in the Yukon.
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mary laker on Mar 2, 2015 at 3:40 pm
I hope the Yukon Party implements a ban in these areas. It is a compromise. They are talking about a very limited ban yet the fish and wildlife 'management' board can't handle respecting other peoples' interests in the slightest. I think their input was to be expected, dissappointing and selfish as it is.
Hunters can still sit in their trucks in plenty of areas around the Yukon to shoot a bear. Leave some places alone for the rest of us who would rather see the bear with its skin on and its head, even if it's just by serendipity that we get to see a bear at all. They like to hang body parts around their house as trophies. That should not give them the right to ruin it for everyone else. It seems really sick to me in fact.
Also consider other industries such as tourism, and the huge boost that wildlife sitings give to tourism.
People's jobs in tourism, and the enjoyment and pleasure of thousands should come before some person's desire to kill a bear and put a bear's skin on the floor or hang its head on their wall. And yes, even before their 'right' to eat a bear. They can kill a bear somewhere else where it is not affecting other people, if you want to only consider the interests of people.
I supported this fish and wildlife crew when they were complaining that they were not being flown out to areas where outfitters operate, but on this bear killing beside the road issue they are way out of line. I won't be writing letters on their behalf again, period.
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Hunting of Animals is Normal on Mar 2, 2015 at 3:03 pm
Hunting off of roads is normal. Stopping hunting from roads would not be reasonable to a lot of hunters whose choice to hunt.
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Smurf on Mar 2, 2015 at 9:20 am
I remember the story of the woman who ran over her cat at Fish Lake road! She had to pay a fine and wasn't allowed do have another animal!
Now there are really people out there who kill bears just for fun (legally!!!) and other people who allow them to do that (Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board!!!)
Don't you have any respect for animals out there? It doesn't matter if it is a bear or a cat or a fox!
Hunting just for fun should be banned - everywhere!!!
"When the last tree has been cut down, the last fish caught, the last river poisoned, only then will we realize that one cannot eat money." (Cree First Nations)
Shame on you, Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board!
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Frank Michigan on Mar 1, 2015 at 5:31 pm
I can see how elderly people who are not in great health or people with mobility problems can provoke a compelling discussion about their need to continue hunting bears along the road.
First off, grizzly bears are charismatic carnivores (well actually herbivores) and they have high value as a species that people cherish viewing along our highways and many people become emotionally attached to them.
Secondly, there could be opportunities for elderly and mobility challenged people to hunt elk near farms where they they are creating crop damage. There may be opportunities for the disadvantaged people mentioned to hunt swans which overwinter near Johnson's crossing or problem beaver that the highways department feels compelled to kill, or the foxes at the airport. I think these people could also be allowed to hunt in the city parks to satisfy their need to kill animals.
PS, I like Mike Greico's passion
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pedroferrero on Mar 1, 2015 at 4:07 pm
salar - your post of yesterday goes down as probably the least intelligent in the history of man. Regarding the shooting of a wild bear from the inside of an air-conditioned truck, well, as someone else intimated here, it is the only time that the shooter will ever feel as if he has anything sizeable between his legs other than the gearstick.
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francias pillman on Mar 1, 2015 at 7:29 am
It should be illegal to call shooting something from the highway "hunting". Don't worry though. The humans will eventually kill everything off anyway. They always wreck everything like clockwork. Then I'd like to see the looks on their faces. Now what Einstein? Exactly.
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Frank Michigan on Feb 28, 2015 at 10:45 am
This is very disappointing.
Hunters have to consider the right of animals to peacefully live in habitat along our highways and be generous to people who enjoy roadside viewing opportunities.
Lets look towards the future in a progressive manner.
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Salar on Feb 28, 2015 at 8:44 am
It's a non issue. It doesn't happen enough to matter but the Disney, green, don't let anything happens' are against it.....and they don't like drivers, hockey players, heating your home, turning on a light, eating anything not bought from a store, wildgame, drinking alcohol, digging a hole......like we live on the planet folks.....live a little bit...lattes and lovely walks don't get anything done. Oh and skis and bikes and strollers are made in factories
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Mike Kohler on Feb 27, 2015 at 9:09 pm
"A segment of Yukoners want to maintain their right to harvest grizzly bears along the rights-of-way as a means of gathering food, particularly for those with mobility issues."
Most ridiculous twisting of language I have read for some time!
"Gathering food" traditionally stands for picking berries, mushroom, herbs maybe bird's eggs etc, but in my opinion does not entail killing a grizzly bear.
People with "mobility issues" who can't follow a wounded animal, should not be hunting [bears] at all, for their own safety and those around them.
Generally grizzly bear meat has not been considered the safest or tastiest meat for consumption. But tastes differ and some folks just need to push what their ancestors may have eaten out of utter desperation. Just because it was somewhat traditional for some to eat questionable stuff for survival reasons, it doesn't necessarily follow that the rest of society has to embrace the practice, especially since it means killing a precious animal.
There is no justifiable argument for hunting the right-of-way of all major highways in the Yukon, apart from protecting motorists from roaming herds of elk or bison. Another reason highway corridors should be off-limits for gunning is because it is so easy to violate safety rules regarding what is behind the target, once the adrenalin kicks in.
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June Jackson on Feb 27, 2015 at 8:13 pm
Lots of humans don't understand the concept that humans aren't the only important living things in the world. We're pretty irrelevant considering how small Earth is compared to the rest of the universe.
Man has gotten very good at killing. Refined it from a hunt to a breeding farm. Yet..there is a difference between killing for survival and brutality, killing to live and killing for fun.. does it give these macho he men a w***y to kill something defenseless?
Kill a bear grazing in a ditch.. the little kids looking for wildlife as the family drives along will undoubtedly be less than thrilled to see someone run up, whip out a gun and kill it. Add another dimension to our tourism package?
I think the decision was made long ago, as so many issues with this government are.
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vlad on Feb 27, 2015 at 7:01 pm
To shoot a grizzly or any wild life from any road is simply sick. There is no exciuse!