Amalgamate limited entry hunting (LEH) zones for private land only elk hunts

The public is invited to comment on the proposed hunting regulation described below.

Status: Proposed

Region: Region 7A, Omineca

Management unit (MU): 7-02 to 7-05, 7-07 to 7-10, 7-12 to 7-15, 7-17, 7-24, 7-25

Regulation type: Limited Entry Hunting

Species: Elk

Closing date: February 13, 2026 at 4:30 pm PT

Current regulation:

Limited Entry Hunting Regulations (PDF 11MB)

Current private land antlerless hunts exist in the following MUs:

* Restricted to private land only within MU 7-02, 7-03, 7-04, and 7-05.

**   Restricted to private land only

Proposed regulation:

Amalgamate LEH zones for private land only elk hunts

• MU 7-02 to include 7-02, 7-03, 7-04, 7-05, and 7-17
• MU 7-07 to include 7-07, 7-08, 7-09, 7-10, 7-15, and 7-24
• MU 7-12 to include 7-12, 7-13, 7-14, and 7-25

* Restricted to private land only within MU 7-02, 7-03, 7-04, 7-05, and 7-17

**Restricted to private land only within MU 7-07, 7-08, 7-09, 7-10, 7-15, and 7-24

*** Restricted to private land only within MU 7-12, 7-13, 7-14, and 7-25

Rationale:

This proposal has been developed to address concerns raised by landowners, stakeholders, and First Nations regarding the presence and both positive and negative impacts of elk in the southern Skeena Region. This proposal addresses feedback we have heard regarding First Nations use of elk for sustenance needs, landowner concerns regarding property damage, licensed hunter desire for elk hunting opportunity, and the biological impacts of elk on other species.

Over the past two years elk populations in MUs 7-12, 7-13, 7-14, and 7-25 have increased by 25%, Prince George elk populations observed on and surrounding agricultural lands have exceed 600 individuals, and elk residing in the Robson Valley have been relatively stable since 2015. Also, during this time period, private landowners have expressed concerns regarding increasing conflict with elk, including damage to fences, crops, and agricultural land.

One tool to address elk/human conflict on this private property, is to utilize LEH authorizations for antlerless elk in the fall/winter, in an attempt to haze elk away from the property, while also providing hunting opportunities to resident hunters. Authorizations were increased in 2024 and 2025, for both youth and non-youth antlerless LEH in the southern Omineca.

The objective of this proposal is to address hunter access to private land for elk haze hunt. Management of the haze hunt has previously involved issuing MU-specific authorizations, but pairing hunters with landowners is always a challenge. Amalgamating the zones in areas of similar elk populations and conflict areas (i.e., Robson Valley, Prince George, Vanderhoof) provides flexibility for landowners to have more hunters harvest elk on their property if desired and allows hunters more options for private property for which their authorization is valid. The Robson Valley LEH zone has been consistent since 2008 with little concerns heard by regional biologists and stable populations observed – harmonizing this management strategy in other parts of the southern Omineca is desirable to wildlife managers.

As of 2024, wintering elk population for 7A estimated at 2350 – 3070 elk in the Omineca.

Provide feedback