Youth-only private land antlerless elk LEH opportunity

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

Status: Proposed

Region: 7A

Management unit (MU): 7-12 to 7-14, 7-25

Regulation type: Limited Entry Hunting

Species: Elk

Closing date: 16:30, March 22, 2024

Decision statement: Pending

Current regulation

There are currently no youth-only antlerless elk seasons in MUs 7-12, 7-13, 7-14, and 7-25.

Proposed regulation

OMINECA AGE-RESTRICTED HUNT
The following hunts are open ONLY to hunters who are under the age of 18 and WHO POSSESS A VALID FWID AND HAVE AN ACTIVE HUNTING CREDENTIAL. To qualify as under 18, an applicant’s 18th birthday must fall on or after August 1, 2024. Hunters who are under the age of 18 at the time of their hunt must be accompanied and closely supervised while hunting by a person who is 18 years of age or older and who meets the qualifications of a Supervising Hunter for Youth; see details at www.gov.bc.ca/hunting

Code	Area	M.U.	Zone	Season Dates	Class of Animal
TBD	Prince George	7-12*		Oct 15 – Nov 14	Antlerless
TBD	Prince George	7-13*		Oct 15 – Nov 14	Antlerless
TBD	Prince George	7-14*		Oct 15 – Nov 14	Antlerless
TBD	Prince George	7-25*		Oct 15 – Nov 14	Antlerless

*Restricted to PRIVATE LAND ONLY. Permission of the landowner must be obtained prior to the hunt. It is the hunter’s responsibility to locate landowners willing to allow hunter access.

Rationale

Elk abundance is increasing in the Vanderhoof and Fort St James agricultural areas, specifically during the winter causing damages to crops, fencing, and infrastructure at the expense of the landowner.  This proposal would provide an opportunity for youth hunters, promoting a hunting culture to increase retention and recruitment in the hunting community. It also alleviates landowner stressors by facilitating hazing elk off private lands, specifically during a time of year when no elk season exists, and before the ground freezes. Agricultural producers have raised concerns about the existing haze hunt not exerting enough pressure of elk populations at times of year when they can be most destructive; this proposal would provide that opportunity. Existing antlerless opportunities are also restricted to private land, so the infrastructure and partnerships already exist for facilitating this proposed hunt.

Conservative estimates of elk utilizing agricultural lands in 7-12, 7-13, 7-14 and 7-25 are 1000 – 1400 elk (unpublished data MoF 2023). The population has been typified by good calf recruitment with high potential to increase given favorable conditions, as observed in recent years with mild winters.  Ministry staff anticipate a 0.3% increase in harvest resulting from this regulation change and anticipate the harvest would remain sustainable and within recommended rates outlined by provincial management guidelines.

Additional information