More CO's But Fewer Hunters
By 250 News
Thursday, March 02, 2006 05:11 PM
The Ministry of Environment’s Conservation Officer Services (CO’s) has announced it is recruiting 18 additional seasonal Conservation Officers to serve across the province this year.
Environment Minister Barry Penner said, “We are getting a head start on recruiting and training this year. The seasonal officers will start work in May, and continue until fall.” According to the Minister this will allow them to be on the ground during the hunting seasons, at peak times for angling and throughout the summer and early fall when most human- wildlife conflicts tend to occur.
The CO’s will be deployed in the following communities: Prince George, Chetwynd, Vanderhoof, Fort St John, Burns Lake, Williams Lake, Dease Lake, North Vancouver, Whistler, Port Hardy, Sechelt, Campbell River and Fernie.
It isn’t yet clear, why the Ministry is increasing staff. As was reported on Opinion250 News last fall, there has been a sharp drop in the number of hunting and fishing licenses issued (see previous story)
In 2000-2001 there were a total of 93,326 hunting licenses issued, that number had dropped to 84,003 in 2004-2005, just under 10% in that short period.
When it comes to fishing, in 2001-2002 a total of 285,241 licenses were issued, that dropped to 248,052 in 2004-2005. Which represents a drop of over 15% in that period. Hunters and anglers told Opinion 250 News they were giving up the sports because they were tired of the hassle and the regulations.
The Ministry of the Environment has indicated it will get back to us with answers to our questions about the need for more CO’s when there are fewer anglers and hunters. We are also waiting for the Ministry to provide details on the number of infractions noted, and the fines levied in order to see if there has been any increase in those two areas from 2001 through to the end of 2005.
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Posted by: acrider54 on March 4 2006 6:02 AM
I think any added enforcement is good, because yes poaching is a problem in the interior. I worked with a guy once who every other weekend shot an animal for his brother, or his uncle, or who ever else he was talking about when in reality he was simply a poacher with no regard for conservation. I'd like to see him get caught and locked up.
I just wish they wouldn't insist on me paying to have a fishing license. It should be my right as a born in BC resident to fish without a license as long as I obay the rules and only take a couple for consumption.
Also why do the sport shops around here still sell all their hooks with barbs? Wasn't it made illegal years ago?