Remove motor vehicle prohibition for hunting closed areas in Groundhog, Gaspard-West Churn, and Rocky Lake – 5800 Road

The public is invited to comment on the proposed motor vehicle restrictions described below.

Status: Proposed

Region: Region 5, Cariboo

Management unit (MU): 5-03, 5-04

Regulation type: Motor Vehicle Restrictions

Species: Not applicable

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

Current regulation:

Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis (PDF, 13MB) page 43:

Motor Vehicles for Hunting Closed Areas (page 10): The operation of all motor vehicles, including electric bicycles, for the purpose of hunting, to transport wildlife, to transport equipment, firearms and supplies which are intended for or in support of hunting or to transport hunters to and from the location of wildlife is prohibited in these areas:

• MU 5-3:
  • Gaspard-West Churn Forest Service (3200) Road - restricted south of the junction of this road and Stobart Creek (bridge)
• MU 5-4:
  • Groundhog FSR and any side roads, southerly from the 15.5 km point
  • Rocky Lake - 5800 Forest Service Road (FSR) and any side roads, westerly from the intersection of Rocky Lake - 5800 FSR and Groundhog Creek

Proposed regulation:

Remove motor vehicle prohibition for hunting closed areas listed below:

•  MU 5-3:
  • Gaspard-West Churn Forest Service (3200) Road - restricted south of the junction of this road and Stobart Creek (bridge)
• MU 5-4:
  • Groundhog FSR and any side roads, southerly from the 15.5 km point
  • Rocky Lake - 5800 FSR and any side roads, westerly from the intersection of Rocky Lake - 5800 FSR and Groundhog Creek

Rationale:

The areas surrounding the Motor Vehicle for Hunting Closures on the Gaspard-West Churn FSR (3200 Road), Groundhog FSR, and the Rocky Lake - 5800 Road have had a significant increase in road creation and road density due to forest harvest practices throughout the years, dating back to the early 1990’s. The current regulation no longer serves as a clear delineation given the landscape changes in the area. The Conservation Officer Service (COS) have reported difficulties enforcing the current motor vehicle restrictions given the convoluted nature of the new road network system in this area.

The proposed removal aims to modernize and update the regulations which are no longer meeting management objectives. Licensed moose harvest in MUs 5-03 and 5-04 is now administrated under the LEH and quota system, ensuring harvest is managed to sustainable levels.

Road density issues in the region are best addressed through access management, road deactivation and rehabilitation. Road rehabilitation addresses only licensed harvest, but predator use of roads and unlicensed harvest also occurs. Access management is occurring or is proposed to occur shortly in the Groundhog Creek, Gaspard and Rocky Lake areas.

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