aCci0 Saturday, September 14, 1991 & OutdoorLiFE Program rhaheuiiphe isch understa my Ta Wt Viewing wilde and sh in their natural habi- tat, a $17 million gov- ernment initiative. It’s d recreati | and cally signifi $2.5 million to cent of the Vancouver Island 75 per cent of the commercial opportunities to view wildlife and fish in their natural habitats. market. And in B.C. there is a lot to see. On a world scale, this was The formally established i in 1989 1 of a The intent of the Ministry of Environment's viewing pro- with year, $1. 7 million program. ly 24 per cent gram is to public understanding and apprecia- tion of wildlife, fish and habi- tat in British Columbia. of B.! C. residents participate in wildlife viewing activities which contribute an economi- has 60 per cent Of the Barrow’s goldeneye, 50 per cent of the trumpeter swans, 50 per cent of the blue grouse, 25 per cent of the bald eagles, and 20 per cent of the harlequin ducks. With respect to mammals, B.C. has 100 per Stone sheep, 65 per cent of the California bighorn sheep, 60 per cent: of the bighorn sheep, 60 per cent of the mountain goats, and 25 per cent of the grizzly bears. And those are only the ex- ceptional species. There are many hundreds of others, more common but no less in- teresting. The goals of the program in- clude: * To provide increased op- portunities to view and fish in their natural habitats. * To promote the growth of isa aid teehee * To provide ‘opportunities for more public knowledge and awareness of wildlife, fish and their habitats. @ Saturday, September 14, 1991 OutdoorLiFE WE MAKE YOUR TRUCKS Minister lays down the hunting law @ Rules and regulations are there for a reason and must reflect the complex problems they attempt to solve. Dave Mercier MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT The richness of British Columbia's wildlife resource presents unsur- panes ceiesetaniiios| for quality hunt- ing, a time-honored activity that occu- pies an me nyte era yt in B.C. Envi- count for the complexity of of bieibnt d to hunt certain animals on- day hunting regulations. Despite con- tinuous efforts to kee oes to an 68; must reflect the comple orthlgne they attempt to solve. Of course regu- lations alone cannot ensure that wildlife and hunting will be main- tained; they are only effective to the degree people comply with them. By guides and trappers can help ensure the per- petuation of the wildlife resource. pro- Today, as the province continues to be developed, areas available to sus- tain wildlife without competition are per ino ch and at the same time our iliar with the regula- tions. Think about their purpose. If a regulation constrains you to take an antlerless animal when you might prefer to harvest a mature bull, it is probably because animals of the type ly through a limited entry draw, likely tight control of the harvest is essential to protect a small population or to re- store balance to a larger one, or it might be that an unlimited numbers of hunters competing for a few ani- mals would destroy the quality of the hunt, and might jeopardize the game herd. There are many opportunities for hunters to assist wildlife managers and enforcement officers as partners in wildlife conservation. Information is available on the Observe-Record- Report program. Wilderness Watch patrols, the Use Respect program, Compulsory Inspection and Compul- sory Reporting and more. All of these activities and programs urb human pop ion is less in tune with natural processes, and less understanding of wildlife’s needs — and of the role of the hunter. These circumstances largely ac- d comprise the most dispens- are designed to ensure that we today, able segment of the game population you are hunting. If you are denied ve- hicular access to an area, it is not be- cause guides or horse riding hunters are being favored, but because hunt- ing pressuré is too heavy, or vehicles would be damaging to the habitat or too-disturbing to wildlife. If you are and those who follow us, will always be able to enjoy an abundance of wildlife in British Columbia. Good Hunting! PERFORM! AT A PRICE YOU CAN AFFORD Hunting Caps & Laminated Hunting Hap Li Available! 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