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South coast elk limited entry hunting

Last updated on March 25, 2024

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

Status: Proposed

Region: 2

Management unit (MU): 2-5, 2-6, 2-12, 2-14, 2-15

Regulation type: Limited Entry Hunting

Species: Elk

Closing date: 16:30, March 22, 2024

Decision statement: 

Current regulation

  1. Zone F and I of 2-5, Zone A of 2-6, Zone D of 2-12, Zone B of 2-14, and Zone A of 2-15 all have Oct 10-Nov 20 bull only LEH seasons. None of these zones have an Oct 1-Oct 9 bull only LEH season.
  2. There is currently no LEH season for antlerless elk in Zones A or B of 2-12.
  3. The bull only season in Zone B of 2-12 is currently Oct 10-Nov 30.
  4. The antlerless only season in Zone D of 2-12 is currently Oct 10-Nov 20.

Proposed regulation

  1. Implement an Oct 1-Oct 9 bull only LEH season in Zone F and I of 2-5, Zone A of 2-6, Zone D of 2-12, Zone B of 2-14, and Zone A of 2-15.
  2. Implement a Nov 1- Nov 30 antlerless elk LEH season in Zones A or B of 2-12.
  3. Split the bull only Oct 10-Nov 30 season in Zone B of 2-12 into two separate seasons, Oct 1-Oct 31 and Nov 1-Nov 30. 
  4. Split the Oct 1-Nov 20 antlerless only LEH season in Zone D of 2-12 into two separate seasons: Oct 20-Nov 9 and Nov 10-Nov 30.

Rationale

Changes to Limited Entry Hunt regulations are being proposed in order to provide sustainable hunting opportunities and achieve conservation objectives for Roosevelt elk within the South Coast Region. The new regulations will increase wildlife-related recreation opportunities for Roosevelt elk through increased hunting opportunities, improved harvest success rates, and, splitting or shifting seasons to avoid and reduce hunter crowding.

Management of Roosevelt elk in the South Coast Region follows the guidance outlined in, A Management Plan for Roosevelt Elk in British Columbia (Wilson 2015) (hereafter “Elk Management Plan”).

The proposed regulations are a result of relocation, recovery, and monitoring efforts undertaken with support from the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation (HCTF) and in collaboration with local First Nations. Based on results from a series of winter aerial surveys populations are estimated to be at least 50 animals within each Elk Population Unit, indicating stable to increasing trends over time. Harvest rates are based on the population estimates, trends and targets as outlined in the Elk Management Plan, which was developed through consultation, collaboration and engagement with local First Nations and stakeholders.

Additional information