The inability to attract a new president for the Yukon Fish and Game Association speaks volumes, says past president Jim Haney. He ended a four-year stint Jan. 22.

Haney said it's not surprising the position was not filled at the annual general meeting because it requires a great deal of time and commitment that not everybody can offer.

As a construction contractor, Haney said, he had flexibility. However, fulfilling the responsibilities of the president for the past four years cost him money because of the time and travel required.

There is a need, he said, for a full-time executive director but the association doesn't have the funding. One of the directors, however, will be tasked this year with the sole responsibility of chasing down money for the position.

Haney said one of the first stops will be the Yukon government. The government funds the association now to the tune of $35,000 this year. But the money is all project-specific, unlike the annual funding provided to the Yukon Conservation Society with no strings attached, he pointed out.

He said funding for an executive director is essential in this post-land claim era where more and more local renewable resource councils are up and running and handling fish and game management issues for their individual traditional territories.

With more and more boards and committees, Haney continued, there are more meetings about management matters and consquently more demand on the association to provide the voice of its 600 or so members.

Haney said the government is always asking for the association's input on the different issues.

'If you want the voice of the people, if that is your platform, then you should fund it,' he said.

An additional $40,000 from the Yukon government would enable the association to hire an executive director whose job would include searching for additional funding, he added.

A full-time executive director, he added, would result in a significant reduction in the work load for the president and other board members.

Among the resolutions passed Jan. 22 was the unanimous support for the nomination of Clayton White to the Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board.

A former board member, White was rejected for reappointment last year by then-Environment minister Jim Kenyon.

The refusal to reappoint White despite a recommendation to do so from the wildlife management board prompted swift and harsh criticism of Kenyon from the board.

White, board members argued, was extremely capable and was being groomed as a future chair of the board. One of the two appointed by Kenyon at the time is a long-time Yukon Party supporter and a former member of the party executive.

'There is a new minister in charge of environment now,' association vice-president Al Porter said Friday morning when asked why nominate White when he was rejected for re-appointment last year.

'We feel he would be the best man on the job. He has a good understanding of the job, and has been on the board before.'

New appointments to the board are scheduled to be made in mid-February.

In his departing address to the general meeting, Haney recommended vigilance from the membership to guard their right to hunt and fish in the territory.

There are many challenges that lay ahead, he said.

The association managed to challenge the Yukon government on a couple of issues, such as having the government reverse itself and provide for a limited sheep hunt in the Richardson Mountains, he said.

It has also managed to have the government repeal the regulation it brought in last year that prohibited anglers from keeping one trophy-sized game fish.

'We have been able to determine this government will respond to the will of the people of Yukon, but they do not react to subtleties,' Haney told the membership. 'Only a strong, clear, persistent voice of many will be heard.'

Haney also outlined a number of ongoing issues that members must watch over. An example is ensuring if hunting opportunities are made available in the Kluane Game Sanctuary for first nation members, they be made available for all Yukon hunters.

There is a concern, he said, that the association does not have a seat on the bison management team, nor the caribou management team or the elk management team.

The association was instrumental in both the bison and the elk introduction programs to the Yukon, yet is not invited to participate on the management teams? he questioned.

Haney thanked the board for its tireless effort, particularly Paul Jacobs, Doug Hogan, Justin Roberts and John Carney.

'This job has been one hell of a ride from the peaks of successes to the lowest valleys of failures often within the same week,' Haney said in closing.

'It has always been a challenge and a great source of satisfaction. It is now time for new blood' and new enthusiasm. I challenge our members to step up to the plate and take a swing. Thank you.'

Leaving the board this year is Carney, Roberts, Amy Iles, Manfred Hoefs, Justin Rogers, Tom Wyers and Devron Hulburt. Returning for another term are Porter, Hogan, Jacobs, Pat Anderson, Tammy Hamilton, Jason Ivens, Wolf Riedl, and Chad Sjodin. New to the board arte Pat Hogan and Arnold Stenger. In addition to the vacant president's chair is the vacant secretary's position, which was held by Carney.