Central Government

TAHLTAN WILDLIFE NEWSLETTER 2018

1 President’s Message

Christine Creyke and our consultants and negotiators in the background for creating so much progress over the past year. I also want to thank all the stakeholders, particularly the Tahltan Guide & Outfitters Association, who are collaborating closely with the Tahltan Nation to find ways to collect further data and create positive initiatives that help us make better wildlife decisions and policies together. In the past year, the Tahltan Central Government, through the work of our Wildlife Department and Lands Department, has increased our involvement with wildlife initiatives within our territory. They successfully lobbied to create progressive wildlife regulations which resulted in new Limited Entry Hunting (LEH) areas, protection for areas highly utilized by Tahltan community members, more President, Tahltan Central Government restrictive rules on moose hunting and others. Collectively, these changes will ensure enforcement Chad Norman Day is easier for conservation officers and wildlife are more closely managed. In addition, increased funding, both from Tahltan Welcome to the Tahltan Central Government’s second revenues and the Province, will allow the Tahltan annual Tahltan Wildlife Newsletter. Thank you to all Central Government to create more wildlife those wildlife stakeholders across that initiatives and policies to increase our roles in took the time to contribute messages, statistics and wildlife management. We have also worked hard updates in this important communication resource to lobby the Province to increase their wildlife data that we share amongst the Tahltan Nation and publicly collection efforts and to transition to more online. science-based wildlife decisions that include and respect both local and traditional Tahltan Tahltan Territory is an extraordinary place for wildlife knowledge. not just in British Columbia and , but for the world. As we continue to see several regions in BC In the coming months we plan to hire more struggle with dwindling or disappearing wildlife full-time wildlife staff, create various populations, the Tahltan Nation believes our wildlife wildlife-related training sessions for community will face a similar fate if we do not get increasingly members, and will continue to become involved with wildlife management. Over the past three increasingly involved with our local schools and years we have become increasingly assertive as Tahltan youth. Regardless of all these efforts and our recent governments and individuals with the Province with success, the TCG encourages our Tahltan people to wildlife issues. We cannot and will not tolerate further help us manage wildlife effectively through a wildlife practices and results that put our communities, variety of ways explained throughout this culture and nation at risk. As stewards of our newsletter. Protecting wildlife, managing them homelands we must ensure we have healthy wildlife properly, and holding others accountable for populations for our future generations. unethical wildlife practices and breaking the law are tasks we must tackle together as families, I must acknowledge the extraordinary efforts by TCG’s communities and as a united Tahltan Nation. Wildlife Guardian, Jarett Quock, our Lands Director,

2 Wildlife Guardian Message

in our territory; I attended many meetings throughout the year with the Province and our negotiation team and we made significant progress. In time and with further research and collaboration from multiple wildlife stakeholders, we expect that the entire Tahltan Territory will be subject to Limited Entry Hunting and that all hunters will record their wildlife harvest information to make sure we can collectively make decisions with accurate data. As TCG’s Wildlife Guardian, I have been steadily more involved with wildlife counts and wildlife-related meetings with industry to make sure that our nation is aware of future plans on the landscape and involved with decisions that impact our wildlife. I advocate for our wildlife and outside visitors understand that the Tahltan Nation is passionate about having healthy ecosystems for our animals. Industry and are continually learning about Wildlife Guardian, Tahltan Central Government each other and the dialogue and relationship building with the Tahltan people has, for the most Jarett Quock part, been very progressive and respectful. The 2017/2018 year was another successful season for the Tahltan Guardian Program. Our guardians The Tahltan Central Government Wildlife Department were more experienced, worked a longer season, had another busy year! I also became a father in 2018 and received further training for both wildlife and with the birth of my gorgeous little girl, Sheslay, and I enforcement related topics, as well as remain as determined as ever to ensure we protect and environmental monitoring. We also covered more enhance wildlife for our future generations. ground and connected with more resident hunters It has been an honour working with our TCG Team as than we did in the previous two seasons. As for this they have continually provided me the encouragement, upcoming season, monitoring the areas with the support and inspiration necessary to help me and this new regulation changes is very important and we department evolve. In the past year we have secured expect to see more infractions by resident hunters significant funds for wildlife initiatives through than usual. Making a presence out on the land is multiple negotiation tables with the Province and very important for the guardians and I want to thank increased tax-revenues that our nation collects from them for their dedication. industrial activities. There are plans now in place to Look for our Wildlife Guardians this year and please expand our wildlife department by purchasing more assist us in the field by documenting anything out of equipment and hiring another full-time Wildlife Guardian the ordinary with pictures, timing and other relevant and Wildlife Director. This department will continue to information. Meduh cho to all the Tahltan people become more productive and the Tahltan Nation is that have helped us with such documentation in getting closer to co-managing wildlife with the Province. the past and those that continue to encourage us This year was the first time that TCG was heavily involved and provide positive feedback to help our program in decision-making around changing hunting regulations improve. Taking care of our wildlife for future generations is a collective responsibility.

3 Message from 3 Nations Leadership

3 Nations Tahltan, Kaska and Tlingit

The success of the Stikine Wholistic Working Group · Sharing resources across the 3 Nations to has demonstrated that when the 3 Nations work advance all together we are far more successful in achieving our · Coordinating game checks, monitoring and shared goals. Wildlife has become one of the most planning important issues for the leaders and a Wildlife Working Group was established with representation · Increasing 3 Nations capacity and teamwork from each of the Tahltan, Kaska and Tlingit Nations. through ongoing training This Group coupled with determined leadership There is much more to accomplish, but each year we across the 3 Nations has been working diligently to continue to make strides to further our internal find sustainable solutions for improved wildlife capacities and create new understandings and management in Northern British Columbia. progress with the Province. All 3 Nations are looking forward to pursuing new possibilities and will Over the last two years the 3 Nations Leadership and continue to work together to make the necessary technical teams have partnered with the BC changes to ensure the First Nation governments and Government through the Ministry of Forest, Lands communities play a vital role in improving wildlife and Natural Resource Operations (FLNRO) to management in Northern British Columbia. implement new approaches to protect and sustain our wildlife. Significant progress has been made The leaders, wildlife staff and communities from the through the following: Kaska, Tlingit and Tahltan Nations stand in unity and solidarity for the ongoing advocacy of the wildlife in · Creating a Wildlife technical team that brings our respective territories. We have been honoured together each Nation and FLNRO to utilize the to work together and look forward to our continued best practices collaborations and success. · Implementing Guardian Programs across all Nations

4 Message from Tahltan Guide & Outfitters Association

have started the Northern Wildlife Round Table, the largest wildlife sampling program in BC, the Stone’s Sheep Research Project, local knowledge research for caribou health monitoring with PhD students, and significant funding for local wildlife inventory work. Furthermore, we successfully engaged other stakeholders and secured funds both within our own country and internationally. Organizations such as the Wild Sheep Foundation, Washington State Wild Sheep Foundation, Safari Club International, Dallas Safari Club, Heritage Conservation Trust Fund, the Sables Club and Shikar Foundation have all taken notice of the progressive work being lead in partnership by President & Vice President, TGOA the TGOA and the Tahltan Central Government and donated funds and resources to our wildlife initiatives. Rudy Day & Bill Oestreich We must also commend Imperial Metals and Kutcho Creek for donating to our projects; we appreciate these progressive partnerships with Industry in Once again another year has come and gone. The Tahltan Territory. Tahltan Guide & Outfitters Association (TGOA) have Over the past year, as in years before, the members been busy over the past year operating our own of the TGOA have donated countless volunteer hours businesses and working together with other wildlife and contributed $90,000 to support wildlife stakeholders to create a new era of wildlife initiatives. With help from the Tahltan Central management. Government collaborations, a further half million With the insightful leadership and collaboration from dollars has been raised. We expect to see that number the Tahltan Nation and the Tahltan people, all of us grow in continued years as we become more working together have managed to make some very organized and continue to see successful results. progressive changes to wildlife management in the By working together and looking after wildlife and province. Although there is still much work to be the habitats they need to thrive, we believe there is a done, there is now a chance to bring about a more bright future for wildlife in Tahltan Territory and across responsive and accountable wildlife and habitat Northern British Columbia. It is important that we all management strategy in Northwest British Columbia. recognize we all have a part to play in doing what is The agreement TGOA signed last year with the best for wildlife; they cannot speak for themselves. Tahltan Central Government is being implemented We are looking forward to another year of good work, and we are proud that it’s the only agreement of its new initiatives and continued success with the kind anywhere in the Province. We are proud to projects currently underway. Thank you to the support the TCG Wildlife Department and have Tahltan Nation for your hard work and willingness to travelled several times over the past year working be wildlife management trailblazers and leaders alongside Jarett Quock, Christine Creyke and the within the Province. Tahltan leaders. Together with the Tahltan Central Government we

5 Message from Province of British Columbia

Connection to the land is an important value and the Tahltan Nation has identified areas that are significant to traditional cultural practices and hunting. Representatives from the Province attended an Iskut community meeting in August where community members shared their experiences and the significance of Klabonna (Klappan). In addition to the activities of the Klappan Board, a Limited Entry Hunt zone has been established for the Klappan that will address community concerns while allowing resident hunters to still have the opportunity to hunt. Provincially, a Wildlife and Habitat Engagement process has begun the first phase of engagement Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural with community meetings occurring throughout BC. Resource Operations and Rural A community engagement session is planned for Development the northern Skeena Region in Watson Lake for July 6th, 2018. The purpose of the meetings is to initiate dialogue and opportunities for input on Species at Change is coming to the North. The Province has Risk legislation, Provincial caribou recovery, Wildlife continued to work with the Tahltan Nation through management improvement and habitat a variety of forums including community meetings, conservation, and Review of Professional Reliance the Northern Wildlife Roundtable, Klappan Board and in natural resource decision making. Feedback from field and training activities. Collaboration, community members will help direct the future of opportunities for engagement and information the above mentioned initiatives. sharing have led to the understanding that the The Province and the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Tahltan Nation desires changes to wildlife Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development management practices. look forward to continuing collaborative work with Regional activities fostering change and the Tahltan Nation. collaboration include prioritization and work planning completed through the Fish and Wildlife Kala Hooker Working group and Klappan Board, community meetings, Moose Regulation changes facilitated Project Manager through the Northern Wildlife Roundtable and Major Projects Office, Skeena Region Government-to-Government discussions. The Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Klappan board was established because the Tahltan Operations and Rural Development and the Province are committed to developing an innovative decision making and management Phone: 250-847-7695 model in the Klappan area and implementation of the Klappan Plan respecting and acknowledging the existence of Tahltan Title and Rights, and advancing reconciliation between Tahltan and the Crown.

6 Message from BC Wildlife Federation

traditional knowledge. Tahltan leadership has been collaborative, progressive, and forward thinking. Working with Chad Day, Christine Creyke and Jarett Quock has been great and the strength of our relationship is growing. With every meeting we move closer to forming a united voice with a shared vision which results in better outcomes for habitat, wildlife populations, and those who care about them. We will also be far more effective when dealing with politicians and taking steps which will ensure they are focused on what is important to us. Over the next year I can see a day where the Tahltan Central Government, BC Wildlife Federation and Tahltan Guide & Outfitters Association takes its message to Victoria to lobby our provincial politicians to do what is right. The BC President, British Columbia Wildlife Federation Wildlife Federation is committed to work with the Tahltan Nation, the TGOA and government over the Harvey Andrusak long-term, focusing on what’s important: conserving, managing and restoring wildlife populations.

Thank-you for the opportunity to discuss our shared Now You Can Download on Andriod and concerns with regards to the sustainability of wildlife within the Tahltan Territory. Across the province the BC iPhone! Wildlife Federation membership is seeing declines in fish For those passionate about conserving and and wildlife populations – it has become clear what we protecting natural resources in Tahltan Territory, the new have done in the past is not working. Working in isolation BCWF Conservation App allows you to take a of each other has not produced results for fish, wildlife or time-stamped, geo-located picture or video of an those who cherish them. environmental violation that can easily be submited to the After decades of poor management we are seeing appropriate enforcement agency. widespread declines in our habitat values, and fish and Reports are sent to a secure server, which will protect your wildlife populations across the province. For too long personal information, and then automatically forwarded government has starved fish and wildlife populations of to the appropriate enforcement agency. A notification will adequate resources required to conserve, manage and alert the user when the report has been sent to an restore fish and wildlife resources. Government’s historical investigating agency and when the case has been viewed. approach has been to divide those who should be working together. The app works both in and out of service using the phone’s GPS and is currently available for iPhone users. The The Tahltan Territory is a very special part of the Android version will be available early next year. Visit province, having a landscape which has a relatively low iTunes on your mobile device and search man made impact compared to other parts of the “Conservation App” to make the free download. province. Having everyone who cares about wildlife come together offers hope that currently does not exist in other Remember, the more information you can include in your parts of the province. report the better for enforcement agencies. The BC Wildlife Federation has appreciated its For more information go to: participation in the roundtable process, and we are http://bcwf.bc.ca/ looking forward to a focused effort on recovering and managing wildlife populations using science and

7 History of Hunting in Tahltan Territory Hunting and trapping have been part of Tahltan culture Tahltan and Kaska Nations quickly adapted to the since the Tahltan Nation was formed. In pre-contact times, growing demand for their hunting skills and their distinct Tahltan people were spread throughout their traditional knowledge of the local habitats, thereby securing hunting territory in multiple clans and each group had its as an important part of their economy. respective practices, protocols and laws around wildlife management. They lived a nomadic lifestyle that was The Tahltan Nation was forever changed when colonial dictated by the wildlife that sustained the communities governments and other visitors moved their way into for thousands of years. Every animal harvested was Tahltan Territory as they had with other indigenous utilized as much as possible for food, clothing, tools, peoples across the landscape that would become Canada medicine and other purposes. and British Columbia. Canada was officially established in 1867, the Indian Act was enacted shortly thereafter in The Tahltan Nation understood that they were competing 1876, and British Columbia officially joined confederation with other predators for various species and practiced in 1871.The Tahltan Nation population went through predator control, particularly with wolves and bears. The some devastating times once European people started Tahltan Bear Dog was utilized as a trusted friend, ally and moving into the territory. The implementation of the trained as an expert in aiding the Tahltan people with Indian Act and creation of the reserve system, coupled several vital hunting practices throughout the year. These with the onslaught of Tahltan deaths caused by foreign incredible canines also acted as packers when necessary. diseases, brought the Tahltan population from thousands down to a meagre three hundred people by the late The economic history of the basin started 1800s. Some clans were nearly completely wiped out by with a trade network between the Tlingit, Tahltan, Kaska disease and this had lasting impacts on the Tahltan and Thloadene peoples. Central to this network was the culture and governance systems. Tahltan Nation; they traded upstream with the Kaska and Thloadene, and downstream with the Tlingits. The Tahltan While the Tahltan people were adjusting to their new traded various furs, medicines and obsidian/bone tools in political realities and creating new livelihoods to support exchange for seafood, coastal tools and European goods. their communities and families, British Columbia was Indeed, the social, cultural, and ceremonial elements of steadily crafting wildlife management laws and life along the Stikine River all reflected the importance of regulations across Tahltan Territory. In addition, the the trade cycle. Given the dependence of trade on wildlife Province started creating guide outfitting areas across the and fur, it is not surprising that both hunters and hunting landscape and several of the Tahltan people eventually knowledge were vital. capitalized on the opportunity. As the Tahltan Nation began acquiring European trading In 1884, J.C. Callbreath started the first official outfitting goods such as guns, clothing and tools made of steel, business out of Telegraph Creek. He hired Tahltan guides onerous work such as crafting tools from obsidian to conduct hunts throughout the Cassiar District. Soon (obtained from Mount Edziza) and other traditional many outfits sprang up, owned and operated by Tahltan practices were being discarded. The introduction of members as well as other locals. horses had a major impact on Tahltan culture and hunting practices. Once you combined the knowledge of Tahltan In an article in the August 1916 edition of the Rotarian, hunters along with horses and the new hunting goods Charles French wrote about a hunting trip he took to the from abroad, the modern Tahltan hunting guides were Cody Lake area for caribou. He travelled from Victoria to born. With these skills a new economy was also born, Wrangell, then up the Stikine River to Telegraph Creek which was based on hunting and trapping to ensure where he was joined by his outfitters/guides, Louis and Tahltans could continue to feed their families and Meabe, who he described as being Tahltans from the area. acquire Canadian money and other supplies in exchange They collected four fine caribou before returning to for their labour and furs. Telegraph. Charles reported that he knew of at least 20 other hunters who came that season on a similar After gold was discovered on Choquette’s Bar on the expedition. This new way of making a living had a huge Stikine River in the 1860s, traditional Tahltan economy impact on the local economy. experienced a disruption due to an influx of prospectors and gold seekers. Stories of the abundance of large During the 1930s, most industries in were mammals made their way to dedicated sportsmen from in severe decline. This was not so for those who provided and North America. The influx of hunters created a services to hunters in the Cassiar. There were many need for guides and people to outfit them. The families in North America who were not burdened by financial losses and could still afford what were, at the

8 time, long and arduous adventures. Families such as the non-residents. A delegation of Outfitters, including Carnegies and Melons hunted the area often and took George Dalziel and Tommy Walker, met with the Minister trophy hunting seriously enough to form the Boone and and convinced him to reverse that section of the Act, so Crocket Club, which encouraged fair chase and selective that non-resident hunters would have to be guided by a hunting through its publication North American Big professional in order to hunt in Canada. Game. It is in these pages that many names from local After the turn of the century, paved roads and improved Cassiar families such as Abou, Carlick, Campbell, Creyke, access to what had been pure wilderness areas Day, Dennis, Gleason, Jack, Porter, and Quock appear as throughout the north and, in particular, the Cassiar, were experts at providing a successful hunt. starting to have an effect on wildlife populations and the Outfitting was accomplished predominantly by foot and quality of the hunting experience. There was a general by horseback. As business increased after the Second consensus amongst the local outfitters that the situation World War, it was obvious that more horses would have was deteriorating to such a degree that they needed to be imported. To date, all of the horses in the area had to form their own guides association to represent their been transported from the south, usually along the interests and create a northern voice. The Tahltan Guide Stikine River. George Ball, who outfitted out of the & Outfitters Association (TGOA) was created in 2008, with Diamond B Ranch at Glenora, once bought 62 head of Fletcher Day, Willie Williams, Vern Marion, Rick Mclean, horses from the prairies. He planned to move them by rail Jerry Creyke, Rudy Day, and Dempsey Callison becoming to Hazelton and then trail them along the recently inaugural members. abandoned Telegraph Line. Forest growth and Later, there were other outfitters that joined who shared other harsh conditions extended the trip by two weeks the same view that a new approach had to be taken to and resulted in the death of almost half of the horses. enhance the values. This meant so much to local residents Soon after, the Highway became the main route from an historic, cultural, and economic perspective. The for transportation to the North. focus of the association is to explore new ways to both After the Second World War there was a demand for support the wildlife and wilderness values in the area hunts in the north. To meet the demand, a number of through research and cooperative programs with the outfitting businesses arose. Flying legend George Dalziel managing agencies, as well as to ensure the sustainability started his guiding operation in Northern BC, and this of wildlife populations for future generations. business is still operated by the same family to this day. In 1948, Tommy Walker and his wife Marion brought a pack string of horses from Bella Coola to Cold Fish Lake, an 800 mile journey from the coast to the heart of the Spatsizi Plateau. The Walkers made this trip to take advantage of a trial program set up by the Province, whereby there would be an exclusive guide area in conjunction with the Class A Guide License. He operated the area for 20 years. He later became instrumental in the creation of the Spatsizi Plateau Wilderness Provincial Park and again for the Gladys Lake Ecological Reserve. He was also a strong supporter of Val Geist’s two-year study of Stone’s Sheep on Sanctuary Ridge in the Reserve. During this period, George Ball was still operating from his ranch in the Stikine across from Glenora. His area was eventually passed on to his son Bobby and his wife Nancy. The 1960s brought a new generation of outfitter. More Tahltans were becoming outfitters as well as guides. John Creyke, Fletcher Day, and Arnold Edzerza ran successful outfits out of Kinaskan, Shesley, and Atlin respectively. They were later joined by Dempsey Callison and Thomas Dennis, and many others throughout the years. It was during this period that the legislation had gone to the second reading on a Bill that would open the entire Province to hunting without a guide, including

9 Wildlife Guardian Timeline

SEPTEMBER, 2017 JULY, 2017 • Wildlife Guardian Program NOVEMBER, 2017 • 3 Nations BC Wildlife Management underway Tools Workshop (Atlin) • End of Wildlife Guardian Program 2017 • Game Checks at the Stikine Bridge • Animal Care & Wildlife Health and Roving checks at Jade Boulder • Climate Change Symposium (Winnipeg) Workshop (Smithers) region • Enviro-inspection Training at Red Chris Mine • Presented at Tahltan Central Government Annual General Assembly • 3 Nations BC Wildlife Management Tools Workshop (Atlin) • Animal Care & Wildlife Health Workshop (Smithers)

OCTOBER, 2017 AUGUST, 2017 • Fish and Wildlife meeting with the DECEMBER, 2017 Province • Preparation for Wildlife Guardian Program and start-up • Tahltan Guardian meeting and update • Moose Regulations Change • Assisted monitoring illegal caribou harvest • Began community wildlife surveys in Meeting in Tahltan Territory Tahltan Territory • Bear Den Survey with Logging • Joined Tahltan Youth in Tene Mehodihi • Northern Roundtable Meeting Industry at Kiniskan region Youth Hike from Iskut to Telegraph Creek • Northern Roundtable meeting • Helped Recover 1 deceased Stones Sheep from TCG/TGOA Sheep Collaring Program • Conservation Officer Training () • Hired the TCG Part-time Wildlife Guardians: Chris Gleason, Clements Tashoots, Benjamin Blackburn, Albert Quock

10 MAY, 2018 • Joined President Chad Day for TCG update meetings in several locations around British JANUARY, 2018 Columbia and the Yukon • Containments Study meeting • Fish and Wildlife meeting with the Province • Fish and Wildlife meeting with the • Northern Roundtable meeting with the Province Province and other stakeholders • Attended AME Round-Up with TCG MARCH, 2018 • Joint meeting with BCWF, TGOA and TCG Executive and Youth (Vancouver) • Flight out to Boulder Road to inspect Turnagin (Whitehorse) mine site • Joined TCG President for Healthy Active • Participated at Tahltan Job Fair with TCG and Tahltan Events in Tahltan communities Tahltan Youth • Attended meeting between TCG and Tahltan • Retrieved deceased Caribou from Highway 37, Fisheries Department sampled it, and ensured parts were utilized for • Attended Climate Change Symposium cultural purposes (Watson Lake)

FEBRUARY, 2018 • Community Meetings in Telegraph APRIL, 2018 Creek, , Iskut and Red • Government-to-Government meeting Chris Mine discussing TCG’s Wildlife with the Province Department JUNE, 2018 • Attended British Columbia Wildlife • Multiple Northern RoundTable Federation Annual General Assembly with • Attended and Presented at 3rd Annual meetings​ TCG President (Kamloops) Northern Wildlife Symposium (Dease Lake) • Attended University of British Columbia session to help develop Tahltan app • Fish and Wildlife meeting with the and contribute to 2018 Teen Mohodihi Province planning (Vancouver) • Wildlife Guardian Training with part- • Completed further Environmental Training time guardians too (Smithers) at Red Chris mine site • Red Chris mine inspection and further environmental training • Participated in Aboriginal Day with TCG Team (Dease Lake) • Joined TCG Team and Tahltan Youth for Tour de Telegraph

11 Tahltan Opposition to Grizzly Bear Hunting Ban

The decision by the NDP government to ban grizzly bear creates negative impacts to the northwest economy. hunting throughout British Columbia was made without consultation with the Tahltan Nation and has left the The local knowledge, Tahltan knowledge and scientific Tahltan governments, communities and people feeling knowledge on grizzlies we have reviewed all leads to the very dumbfounded, disheartened and disrespected. While same conclusion - banning the grizzly bear hunt in Tahltan we understand that many British Columbians, including Territory will be completely counterproductive to increasing some , supported this decision, the Tahltan safety, ungulate populations, and economic prosperity. This Nation was heavily opposed for several reasons. was not a wildlife management decision founded in any kind of science; it was purely a political decision that It’s important to acknowledge that the Tahltan Nation sees completely disrespects the Tahltan Nation and neglects the the grizzly bear, amongst other iconic creatures within our duty on FLNRO to carefully manage wildlife populations for territory, as a very sacred animal. Many of our oral stories our future generations. Our Tahltan people, communities and teachings place great respect with the grizzly bear; and wildlife deserved much better from the new provincial Elders have taught us that our people as fellow herbivores government. used to follow grizzly bears to vital food sources. In response, the Tahltan Central Government and our Tahltan As an apex predator known to commonly feed on people must take predator management into our own hands. ungulate calves, protecting the grizzly bear will lead to a Since no one in the Province is allowed to harvest grizzly further decline of moose, caribou and other species bears other than the Tahltan people for cultural purposes, we commonly harvested by Tahltan people and outside will be educating our Tahltan people on the issue and hunters. Grizzlies also have significant impacts on practising such rights more than usual until we are satisfied dwindling fish populations in various areas in our that our communities are safe and our wildlife populations homelands. Tahltan people have competed with grizzlies are not under further pressure from increased predation. for the same food sources since time immemorial and Central GovernmentWe would prefer that resident hunters, guide outfitters although we respected them, the grizzly bear was harvested along with other predators as part of our and Tahltan people can all harvest grizzlies, amongst other wildlife management. animals, based on science-based decisions that suit the best interests of our wildlife and ecosystems for generations to For years we encouraged the Province to increase the come. At the same time, we believe such an approach can number of grizzly tags available in Tahltan Territory improve our northwest economy and increase the revenues because they have increasingly become a safety concern available to better manage wildlife and their habitat across in our local communities and in the backcountry. In recent northern British Columbia. We will continue to work with the years, our local people, including myself, have seen more Province to reverse the grizzly bear hunting ban in our grizzly bears than ever before and they are becoming territory. If the new government is truly genuine about increasingly comfortable coming into our communities. reconciliation with First Nations and maintaining a good This is extremely dangerous and we cannot wait until relationship with the Tahltan Nation, we look forward to a serious incident takes place to manage grizzly bears creating solutions on this issue in the near future. responsibly. Lastly, the guide outfitting industry and the economy of Northwestern British Columbia will be negatively impacted by banning grizzly bear hunting. Guide outfitting has been a part of Tahltan culture since the industry began in our territory over a century ago. Guide outfitting is a renewable industry that has employed Tahltan people for several generations and helped maintain key cultural practices out in the bush. Hurting the guide outfitting industry in our region unnecessary

12 Tahltan Opposition to Grizzly Bear Hunting Ban

Tahltan Nation in Grizzly Bear Documentary The Tahltan delegation was able to witness several Tahltan Elders, Dempsey Callison and Clements BC MLAs discuss wildlife issues, including Andrew Tashoots, as well as TCG’s President, Chad Norman Day, Weaver (Leader of BC Green Party), Andrew and Wildlife Guardian, Jarett Quock, will be Wilkinson (Leader of BC Liberal Party), and the featured in a newly developed documentary that Minister of Forestry, Lands, Natural Resource addresses the issues surrounding grizzly bear Operations & Rural Development, Doug Donaldson hunting bans. The film aims to better inform the (BC New Democratic Party). In addition, several audience about wholistic wildlife management and the wildlife experts throughout BC and others from dangers of ignoring science-based decisions for social other parts of Canada and the gave reasons. some very informative presentations relevant to wildlife issues in Tahltan Territory. The Tahltan Elders, both of whom are experienced hunters and bushmen, spoke about the history of the On April 13th, President Day prepared an hour-long grizzly bears in Tahltan culture and their experiences presentation about the TCG’s wildlife issues, recent with the apex predator in the wild. The TCG activities, ongoing initiatives and emphasized the representatives spoke about the impacts the Tahltan Nation’s issues with the Grizzly Bear hunting province-wide grizzly bear ban will have on the ban. Following the presentation, several new Tahltan communities and the mitigation measures to be collaboration opportunities were presented to the taken into the future. Jarett was also filmed TCG and further meetings were planned with the working on a grizzly hide in Dease Lake and new BCWF leadership. In addition, several of the speaking to the modern-day cultural and spiritual uses wildlife stakeholders around the Province in Central Governmentattendance are now trying to work with the Tahltan for grizzly bear parts. Nation to help them create collaborations with British Columbia Wildlife Federation 62nd other First Nations in their respective jurisdictions. Annual General Meeting The TCG presentation at the BCWF AGM was Tahltan Central Government President, Chad Norman broadcasted live on social media and quickly Day, and Wildlife Guardian, Jarett Quock, attended became the most viewed video of the convention. It BCWF’s AGM in Kamloops on April 13th and 14th. This can be viewed online at the following link: was the second year in a row that Jarett attended and the first time for the TCG President. https://www.facebook.com/BCWildlifeFederation/ videos/1719307681470608/​

13 Tahltan Nation Trapline Map

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Yukon Game Management Areas Projection : Datum/BC Albers : NAD 83 Secondary Road Created: July 29, 2016 MXD Filepath:W:\srm\nr\arcproj\sm\ Trail P16-3Nations\mxds\ Lake or Watercourse Traplines_3n_Gaurdian_Esize_29July_2016.mxd !. PDF Filepath:W:\srm\nr\arcproj\sm\ Vancouver Klappan Railgrade P16-3Nations\output\ Pacific Ocean TahltanTraplines_3n_Gaurdian_Esize_29July_2016.pdf Guide Outfitters Map in the Tahltan Nation

15 Tahltan Guide & Outfitters Association Agreement Update

Meat Sharing Program work together for the betterment of wildlife and the Guide outfitters throughout the Tahltan Territory and local peoples. Client fees are a way of demonstrating TCG have developed a meat sharing program with the readiness for a future co-management model to the local community. Wild meat is shared across the ensure wildlife thrives throughout the Tahltan community to elders and other individuals in need. Territory. Approximately twenty families have received meat through this initiative. Meat is also provided to the TGOA Bursary school for students to practice traditional meat The TGOA is proud to be sponsoring a bursary to preservation techniques and meat handling students from the Tahltan Nation. These funds will practices. Guide Outfitters and their clients are more be geared toward students entering into the fields of than happy to share harvested game meat study directly related to the guiding industry such as throughout the local communities. wildlife management, environmental research, Tahltan Hunting Permit enforcement, aviation and more. We believe the future of a successful co-management model will The Tahltan Central Government and the members of require a more local and hands-on approach that the Tahltan Guide & Outfitters Association, through has been lacking in the old management structure. the benefits agreement signed between the two By having more local Tahltans with wildlife-related parties last summer, have initiated a Tahltan careers, we feel this will help deal with the challenges hunting permit fee for clients to go directly back to ahead. the Tahltan Nation. This will not only assist in funding programs, but it will also provide our clients with the Guide Outfitters Sales ability to be involved in our joint projects, both The Tahltan Nation was offered to buy multiple guide immediate and into the future. Clients will receive a outfitting businesses over the past year as part of the Cultural Informational Pamphlet to educate them agreement. Although the Tahltan Nation is not yet on the Tahltan people and the territory. Both the ready to make these kinds of investment, the TCG and agreement and the new Tahltan hunting permit are future guide outfitters will discuss the creation of new historical as there is no other agreement like this in options for the Tahltan Nation to become part-owners British Columbia. Once again the Tahltan Nation is of guide outfitting businesses within Tahltan leading the way in wildlife management and creating Territory. As part-owners, the Tahltan people will not new kinds of beneficial agreements within Tahltan only receive financial benefits from future revenues Territory. This proactive agreement demonstrates the from guide outfitting businesses, they will have potential that exists when First Nations and other options to be more involved in guide outfitting stakeholders pool their respective resources and decision-making.

16 Wildlife Health Sampling Program & Stone Sheep Project

behavioural changes observed in Caribou, the The Wildlife Health Sampling Program is a project was expanded to community-based project initiated by the TGOA, TCG, and include Moose, Sheep, and the Province in the interest of learning more about Goat. Throughout the past six wildlife health in the Skeena Region. The program began months TGOA members, in 2016 and through the dedication of the guide outfitters Tahltan hunters, Kaska within the TGOA, it has produced the highest sample kit Monitors, and some local return of any program of its kind in British Columbia. Dr. hunters collected tissue, blood Naima Jutha came on board as a graduate student with and hair to test for disease, the University of Calgary in Summer 2017 and, under the body condition, stress co-supervision of the BC Wildlife Veterinarian, Dr. Helen hormone and heavy metals. Schwantje, and the University of Calgary’s Faculty of The information gathered will help establish a baseline data Veterinary Medicine Professor, Dr. Susan Kutz, she has set on our local wildlife. The health sampling project was focused on the caribou samples collected within this developed in consultation with Dr. Helen Schwantje and Dr. program. Her goal is to develop a framework for a Susan Kutz, University of Calgary. It has surpassed all previous locally-driven wildlife health monitoring program that attempts by government to obtain high quality samples with incorporates both biological data from the hunter-based over 68 contributions collected from TGOA members, Tahltan sampling kits, as well as local and traditional knowledge of members, Kaska members and resident hunters in the past past and present hunting guides, outfitters, and two years. others who have significant experience on the landscape of northwestern British Columbia. This joint sheep research project with TCG and the TGOA has been ongoing over the past year and a half. It has started to Naima has been busy at the University of Calgary working produce results through the first year of collar data. We are through analysis of the samples collected from hunted starting to understand the relationship to human activity caribou for various markers of caribou health, including and how it can have impacts on sheep movements across body condition, body size, exposure to bacterial, viral, the Jade Boulder access road. In the future we will be able to and parasitic diseases, and stress levels. Naima is currently inform road users on the times of the year sheep are moving spending an extended amount of time in Dease Lake and through the area and create a best practises policy for road the surrounding area to conduct in-depth interviews to traffic during these crossing times. Preliminary results have explore various aspects of caribou health from the indicated some practises that road users should consider to perspectives of local land-users and community members. help minimize the impacts on the Dome Mountain/Tanzilla We are so excited to see this project take flight, as it leads sheep population. British Columbia towards an innovative and effective approach to community-based wildlife health Recommended Management within the Corridor includes: surveillance. We look forward to actively contributing in a • No widening of the road, off road vehicle use, clearing of meaningful way towards understanding and managing vegetation or vegetation control within the area our local wildlife. to ensure the integrity of the surrounding habitat is Sampling wildlife is an important activity that helps maintained understanding the health of free-ranging animals. When • No greater vehicle traffic than 1.7 vehicles per day consistently done, sampling helps monitoring over time between June 1st to July 15th and August 1st to the health of wildlife populations, which reflects the September 15th health of the whole ecosystem. The information generated by sampling combined with local knowledge become • Aircraft use within the area during June 1st to critical for making management decisions that are September 15th is to be consistent with the BC Mountain directed towards the sustainability of wildlife. Goat Management Team (2010) aircraft management recommendations for sensitive habitats with 400m Stone’s Sheep Collaring and Research Project vertical and 2,000m horizontal separation from the identified area In response to concerns over wildlife health, a community initiated sampling program was created to utilize hunters • Ongoing monitoring of recreational and industrial traffic, in the collection of samples of harvested animals. sheep movement, habitat condition and predator Initially a project that sought to understand the density

17 Wildlife Contaminates Program

TCG, along with the Tahltan Guide and Outfitters It is important to ensure good sampling quality; with Association (TGOA), recently applied for the First each sample kit, we will be providing a DVD on proper Nation Health Authority Contaminates Program to sampling technique. Each of the kits will require one examine contaminant loads in our moose and caribou entire kidney, about 500g of liver (about the size of a populations. The program explores the link between fist), about 500g of muscle and the incisors (front teeth) human health and environmental contaminates; we should be collected from each moose and/or caribou. hope to sample community members’ moose and The gender of the animal, date and general location of caribou harvests to see what level of contaminants collection should be recorded on the outside of the bag. are present, as well as compare contaminant loads All samples should be frozen as soon as possible after to those from other northern regions, and assess the collection, and returned to the TCG office. During the potential human health risks, if any. Wildlife Symposium, June 1st and 2nd, Naima Jutha, a University of Calgary Masters student who is working on Two years ago, TGOA began collecting sheep, goat, the contaminates study, presented and demonstrated moose, and caribou samples from their guided hunts; improved sampling techniques. 140 samples have been collected and are currently being analyzed for organic and elemental analysis We’d like to acknowledge and thank Imperial Metals and (such as cadmium, arsenic, mercury, copper, or zinc). the Red Chris project for contributing $10,000.00 toward We are in the process of expanding the contaminates the analysis of our samples. We are working on providing program to include community harvests. This will be a an incentive for participating in the contaminates study; multi-year study to determine baseline data. Another your name will be entered in a draw when your sample aspect of the program is to look at community health; donation is returned to the TCG Wildlife Guardian we want to understand people’s perception on Jarett Quock. The prize will be geared towards contaminates, the amount of traditional foods supporting traditional harvesting. The sample kits will be eaten (Tahltan Census, 2007), as well as wildlife available at the TCG office, the Iskut Band office, and the harvest counts. The contaminants program will help Tahltan Band office. our wildlife team educate Tahltan members on healthy consumption levels and make informed decisions. For additional information please contact: Jarett Quock Moose and caribou provide an important part of our Wildlife Guardian traditional and subsistence diet; the Tahltan census [email protected] that was completed 10 years ago, reported 78 percent of families rely on moose meat as their main food source. In the interest of our health, it would be wise to institute a monitoring program for moose and caribou that are harvested for food so that contaminant information can be made available. Tahltan would then be able to make more informed choices regarding what parts of the animal to consume and in what quantities. It is important to understand that contaminants generally accumulate in the liver and kidney and to a much lesser extent in the meat of the animal. Health advisories stress that the meat of the animal remains a healthy food choice.

18 3 Nations Wildlife Collaboration

Tahltan Guide & Outfitters Association, local resident hunters and Feddie Louie for 3 Nations. Through a facilitator, the group worked on trying to get consensus on a number of changes to the Moose Hunting Regulations for Region 6. A majority of the proposed changes had consensus and where there was not, the recommendations went forward with a note stating each group’s position. Here are some highlights of the “proposed” changes that 3 The 3 Nations (3N), Tahltan, Kaska and Tlingit Nations (TKT) agreed upon with FLNRO: leadership identified Wildlife Management as a priority consistent throughout the region. Each Nation had • Compulsory inspection be conducted in the area the issues with the impacts of resident moose hunters in animal is taken their traditional/culturally sensitive areas and the • General Open Season be shortened from 10 days to 7 days number continued to increase each year. (no consensus) 3N leadership decided that together they will • Klappan management unit boundaries be changed to partner with the Province to ensure hunting reflect the access road regulations change, as 2018 was the cycle year that • Klappan rail grade and area surrounding community of regulations could be changed. Leadership also wanted Iskut become LEH resources and commitment from BC to develop and •Stikine LEH be extended to include the Pitman and Chick- enhance their Wildlife Guardian programs. Guardian acheeta watershed programs are a means of building 3N capacity, having a presence on the land, strengthening partnerships with • High cultural use areas as identified by Tahltan and Kaska FLNRO, and develop the sophistication necessary so will have SOFT 10 antler restrictions Nations are prepared to co-manage with the Province • General Open Season for bull moose be shortened to 7 of BC. days Leadership identified three objectives in Wildlife • Rut Closure for 2 weeks during the rut for all high cultural management that they wanted the 3N technical team use areas identified by TRT to focus on. • Upper Stikine River A Limited Entry Hunt for any bull moose, split into two 2-week periods: September 1- 31, and The first objective was to change the Moose Hunting October 1-15 Regulations so the territories wouldn’t be inundated with resident hunters while ensuring Tahltan, Kaska • Chutine-Barrington and Scud River ‘Soft’ 10 antler and Tlingit members had better opportunity to get restrictions from September 1- October 31 their sustenance needs met and the traditional/ The second objective for Wildlife Management that 3N cultural use areas were better protected from overuse leadership identified was to obtain long-term resources for by resident hunters. their Guardian programs. Leaders wanted to ensure the program grows and develops in a manner that is consistent Through the direction of each Nation’s Government and sustainable into the foreseeable future. to Government tables, and relationship with FLNRO, Tahltan and Kaska participated in the Northern The long-term ultimate goal of the 3 Nations wildlife work Roundtable Process, while Tlingit (TRT) were observers is to build the capacity of the Nations in order to eventually at the meetings. The Northern Roundtable participants put in place a wildlife co-management agreement with the included representatives from FLNRO, Tahltans, Kaskas, Province. BC Wildlife Federation, BC Guide Outfitters Association,

19 BC Conservation Officer Service - Skeena Region

The Conservation non-resident hunting violations and no evidence of sex Officer Service violations. Skeena Region consists of the North New Conservation Officer in Dease Lake Coast, Bulkley-Lakes, Blake Day (no relation to the Day family in the Tahltan Atlin-Cassiar-Stikine Nation) is the newest CO to call Dease Lake his home. and Blake moved to Dease Lake this February after Zones. Field offices completing a year of training in Smithers. He has a big are located in Atlin, passion for hunting and fishing and is enjoying getting to Terrace, Smithers, know the local residents as well as the beautiful country in Dease Lake, Burns the north. Blake looks forward to working with the Lake and Queen different groups in Dease Lake. The Dease Lake COS office Charlotte City. is located along the Telegraph Creek road attached to the Fourteen BC Parks office and the door is always open for a visit or Conservation any inquiries the public may have. Officers are posted to these Court Conviction in Tahltan Territory communities in A Treaty 8 First Nation who killed a Stone Sheep in Spatzizi the Skeena Region Provincial Park without a LEH was found guilty in court in (9 field CO’s, 4 February 2016. He received a $4,500 fine of which $3,500 Sergeant CO’s and was ordered to be paid to the Habitat Conservation Trust 1 Inspector CO). A new Sergeant CO for the Atlin/Dease Fund. He also received a 1 year firearm prohibition and a Lake area was created this spring to add an extra CO to 1 year prohibition from hunting outside Treaty 8 Territory. the area, bringing the number of CO’s covering the Atlin/ The Stone Sheep was ordered forfeited to the province. Dease Lake areas to 3. Increasing Bear Incidents 2017 Enforcement Statistics Bear conflicts were up substantially in 2017 resulting in • 983 contraventions investigated one of the worst years in recent memory. 1215 black bear • 951 case files complaints were received and 151 grizzly bear complaints • 403 charges laid were received. Skeena CO’s responded to 2 grizzly bear • 240 warnings issued attacks in 2017, 1 involving a resident hunter on the Smart • 188 Administrative Actions (Licence Actions, River off the Alaska Highway and 1 involving a single male Administrative Hearings, Hunting/Fishing in Kitimat. The Smart River attack resulted in Prohibitions) non-life threatening injuries and was deemed predatory. The Kitimat attack unfortunately was a fatal incident, 3 Nations Training and Involvement however the cause of death (natural causes or bear The COS has partnered with the 3 Nations (Tahltan, Kaska, caused) could not be determined due to several factors. Tlingit) Leadership in providing coordinated game checks during the last three years during the fall hunting seasons. The COS provided a one-day training session to 3Nations Wildlife Guardians in Lower Post in August of 2017. The COS has dedicated 38 days over the last 2 years specifically to these game checks. CO’s have issued over 20 tickets and over 20 warnings for the Northern game checks. Violations were for open liquor, loaded guns, licence infractions (improper cancelations), hunting w/o licence,

20 Moose Regulation Change Process 1. Skeena North Moose General Open Seasons Option 1 and Option 2 2. Klappan Moose LEH 3. Stikine Moose LEH March 2018 – Province received feedback on Option 2 from partners of NWR at face to face meeting. April 2018 – 3 Nations Government to Government meeting, review of all recommendations, public and stakeholder feedback. The 3 Nations and BC government jointly developed a third option for the General Open Season regulation change. The agreed upon Option 3 is: 1. Option 3 combines a GOS, antler restriction and moose September to December 2017 – Northern Wildlife hunting closure throughout the season in set agreed upon Roundtable (NWR) met through four face to face facilitated high use areas. See below for the Dease Liard and Atlin meetings to provide recommendations for moose regulation Moose Management Zone restrictions: changes in Northern Region 6. Consensus recommendations submitted were: • Dease Liard Moose Management Zone – GOS any bull Aug 23-31, antler restriction Sep 1-30 and Oct 15-31. No moose 1. Stikine LEH Sep 1-14, Sep 15-30, and Oct 1-15. Also hunting Oct 1-15. extending the existing Stikine LEH area to include the Pitman & Chuckachida. (Limiting the number of hunts in the area • Atlin Moose Management Zone – Antler restriction over three 2-week seasons) Aug 23-Sept 15 and Oct 15-31. GOS any bull Sept 15-30. No moose hunting Oct 1-15. 2. General Open Season (GOS) any bull Aug 23-31, antler restriction Sep 1-Oct 31 north of the Stikine River. (Reducing May 2018 – NWR teleconference update on Option 3 the general open season to a 1-week season and then obtained by Government to Government process. Option 3 implementing an antler restriction for the rest of the season) submitted for decision. December 2017 – The provincial government proposed a Final Moose Regulation Change Options second option to accompany the General Open Season 1. Klappan Limited Entry Hunt (LEH) Sept 15-30, Oct 1-15 recommendation from the NWR. (Limiting the number of hunts in the area over two 2-week 1. GOS (Option 2)- Frontcountry GOS any bull Aug 23-31, seasons) antler restriction Sep 1-Oct 31 north of Stikine River, 2. Stikine LEH Sep 1-14, Sep 15-30, and Oct 1-15. Also Backcountry GOS any bull Aug 23-Oct 31. (Reducing the extending the existing Stikine LEH area to include the Pitman general open season to a 1-week season and then & Chuckachida. (Limiting the number of hunts in the area implementing an antler restriction for the rest of the season over three 2-week seasons) in the frontcountry. The less accessible, backcountry areas stay as a GOS) 3. Option 3 combines a GOS, antler restriction and moose hunting closure throughout the season in set agreed upon Ongoing Monthly Meetings – Fish and Wildlife Working high use areas. See below for the Dease Liard and Atlin Groups (FWWG) met to discuss objectives, regulation change Moose Management Zone restrictions: priorities, and high cultural use areas. FWWGs submitted regulation proposals and provided background information • Dease Liard Moose Management Zone – GOS any bull Aug and options for moose regulation change proposals for the 23-31, antler restriction Sep 1-30 and Oct 15-31. No moose Northern Wildlife Roundtable and Government to hunting Oct 1-15. Government process. FWWG continued refinement of moose • Atlin Moose Management Zone – Antler restriction Aug 23- regulation options. Sept 15 and Oct 15-31. GOS any bull Sept 15-30. No moose February 2018 – Moose Regulation changes posted to the BC hunting Oct 1-15. Angling, Hunting and Trapping Engagement (AHTE) website:

21 General Hunting Season and Limited Entry Hunting Moose Regulation Changes

Currently licensed hunting regulations are reviewed and wildlife hunting regulation proposals from Tahltan, Kaska, TRTFN, changes proposed every 2 years for the General Open Season BC, TGOA, BCWF, and BCGOA in the Skeena Region. It was agreed (GOS) and annually for Limited Entry Hunting (LEH) areas. 2017 to focus primarily on the moose hunting regulation proposals and was a year where the Tahltan Nation and British Columbia in December a number of recommendations came from the NWR. engaged in reviewing potential changes to wildlife hunting The NWR agreed by consensus to apply antler restrictions (SOFT-10 regulations, with a primary focus on moose. Tahltan members as used in the Peace Region; it focuses harvest on small antlered or are well aware of the concerns with licensed hunting issues with large antlered bull moose and limiting harvest of bull moose high moose harvest and hunting pressures, land use conflicts with overall) for the GOS for Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) north of Tahltan camps/cabins, and members not being able to harvest the Stikine River in the Skeena Region (WMUs: 6-19, 6-22 to 6-29). moose in the late summer and fall in traditional areas and near The new GOS hunting season would have: communities. • A week in late August (Aug 23-31) for any bull moose Through the Shared Decision Making Agreement between the Tahltan and the Province, the Fish and Wildlife Working Group with • SOFT 10 (spike, tri-palm, or 10 point bull) antler restriction from representation from both parties worked collaboratively in 2017 September 1st to October 31st to propose several hunting regulation changes which included the following:

• Additional legal requirements on meat and body parts from harvested big game for licensed hunters (adding neck meat and ribs to existing regulation for the 4 quarters and loins)

• Expanding the LEH hunting areas on the Upper Stikine, Pitman, and Chukachida River systems, where it has been both GOS and LEH seasons

• LEH for moose on the Klappan rail grade and adjacent areas in the Klappan

• Changing the moose hunting season length, rut closures, and antler restrictions to areas near communities or areas The LEH moose proposal for the Upper Stikine, Pitman, and traditionally important to Tahltans Chukachida River systems was a consensus recommendation for 2 • Ensuring regulations are consistent across the BC regions in shortened LEH seasons in September and October. Tahltan Territory The LEH for the Klappan with 2 LEH seasons and a LEH hunting area The regulation proposals were shared with the Taku Tlingit First defined along the rail grade was supported by most of the NWR Nation (TRTFN), and the as members of the members but it was not a consensus decision. 3 Nations. In addition, TCG welcomed input from the Tahltan Guide After the NWR completed its recommendations, BC followed with & Outfitters Association (TGOA) and community members. Lastly, public and community review in February of the moose hunting the Klappan Board (includes representation from Tahltan and the regulation proposal(s) for the Skeena Region by providing an Province) was engaged in the review and provided support of the Option 1 (same as described above) and an Option 2 (similar to SOFT Klappan LEH moose proposal. 10 approach but only applied to the main access points and areas In the fall of 2017, the Northern Wildlife Roundtable (NWR) was near communities: the back country would stay as an open season established with the TCG, Tahltan Band, Iskut Band, TGOA, Dease for any bull from late August to October 31st). Option 2 was not Lake Residents, the Province, BC Wildlife Federation (BCWF), and tabled through any of the Fish and Wildlife Working Groups or the Northwest BC Guide Outfitters Association (BCGOA) as members. NWR. The Kaska Dena and Taku River Tlingit First Nation have been The public and community review period ended in March, and involved as observers. The NWR role is as a public advisory table based on comments received, BC requested the 3 Nations Fish and on wildlife matters in northwestern BC, which is similar to other Wildlife Working Groups technical representatives meet on a regional wildlife advisory tables in the northeast and central BC. government-to-government basis to finalize the Skeena Region The NWR had the role in the fall and early winter of 2017 to review moose regulation proposals. The final proposals would be provided

22 to the relevant provincial Minister for a decision in May/June. regulation will be in place along main access points in the After agreement was achieved, the Skeena Region moose territory. proposals were provided to the NWR members and the Klappan Board. The proposals were then provided in a final form to the • Klappan and Upper Stikine areas finally have LEH across Minister. critical areas for several years

The final Skeena Region Moose Hunting Regulation Proposals • Regulations will reduce land use conflicts, camps/cabins submitted for Wildlife Management Units in the Tahltan Nation being abused, and increase sustenance harvesting included: opportunities for Tahltan members General Open Season for Moose • New GOS areas north of Dease Lake represent 30% of WMU’s 6-23 and 6-24 • Changes would occur in WMU’s 6-19,21, 23, and 24 • All main resident hunter access points are now covered under • Changes will be applied to a number of High Cultural Use LEH or the specific GOS Seasons. It is expected the new Areas (HCUA) to include Aug 23-31 any bull moose; Sep 1-30 regulations will deter hunters from these areas and disperse SOFT-10 Antler Restriction; Oct 1-15 no moose hunting; them into more remote areas or have them hunting closer to Oct 16-31 SOFT-10 Antler Restriction their home • HCUA’s include Adsit Lake, Dease River, Gnat Pass, Bob Quinn, • Early and late hunting seasons will not be attractive to and Willow Creek Forest Service Road. A 5km buffer on each resident hunters who have to travel, it will allow local hunters side of the Dease River, Bob Quinn Area, and Willow Creek more opportunities Forest Service Road is used to define the areas. The other areas used height of land and focused on access corridors and high • It allows time for Tahltan and BC to work collaboratively over hunting pressure areas near communities or traditional areas. the next several years to collect the required information to begin addressing the long term joint management for moose • The Goldpan Area will have similar regulations as the Jade in the Nation Boulder Road (WMU 7-52) with an open season for any bull in August and a SOFT 10 bull moose antler restriction from September 1st to October 31st

• Hunting outside of these areas will be any bull from late August to October 31st

• Rut closures on highways would be removed but with the 400m “No Hunting Area” remaining on each side of the highways for public safety Stikine LEH The LEH for the Upper Stikine is agreed and will use a harvest rate of 4% and allocation consistent with the existing LEH. It is proposed as having 2 shortened seasons with limited draws and it will result in one LEH management approach. Klappan LEH Tahltan and BC have agreed to a LEH with a harvest up to 24 resident moose hunters per LEH season (2 seasons/year) for a total of 48 moose hunters per year for 4 years or until a Klappan Moose Management Plan is in place.

Other changes include a 5km buffer with the same moose hunting regulation from Dease Lake to the Yukon Border, similar seasons applied to the Hot Lakes/McDames and Hyland/Daylu Areas (Map 1). What does this all mean for Moose Hunting this year? • Approximately 6,400 km2 of the new General Open Season

23 2018 Wildlife Symposium

Northern Wildlife Symposium Presentations • Dionne Sanderson, The Local Environmental Observer (LEO), “Network for Surveillance of • Helen Schwantje, Provincial Wildlife Veterinarian, Ecosystem Changes” “Wildlife Healthy Update” • Naima Jutha, PhD Student, “Wildlife Sampling • Smithers FLNRO Representative, “Caribou Projects Training” Update” • Jarett Quock, TCG Wildlife Guardian, “Tahltan • Bill Jex , Regional Wildlife Biologist, “ Skeena Wildlife Guardian Presentations” Thinhorn Sheep Health and Management • Graham Van Tighen, Executive Director, Yukon Fish Presentation” & Wildlife Management Board, “Yukon Model for • Wild Sheep Foundation Organization Wildlife and Cross Border Issues” Representative , “Objectives and Current Projects • Jordan Brubacher, “Visualizing and Quantifying and Preliminary Results of Dome Mountain Stone’s Human Caused Disturbances on the Landscape” Sheep Collaring Project” • Frank Doyle, “Land Use Planning Related to Forest • Krista Sittler, “Moose Limiting Factors Study in the Practices” South Williston Area” • Len Vanderstar, Ecosystem Section, Resource • Chris Addison, “Habitat Burn Planning” Management Division, “Skeena Region Habitat • Naima Jutha, PhD Student, “Sample Kit Update & Mitigation Processes Related to Industrial Activities” Improved Sampling Techniques”

24 2018 Wildlife Symposium

25 TCG, TGOA & BCWF Collaboration

On May 14th and 15th the Tahltan Central Government take shape and will be brought to Tahltan community along with the Tahltan Guide & Outfitters Association members to review and comment on. (TGOA) and the British Columbia Wildlife Federation (BCWF) met in Whitehorse, YK to strategize and identify The other joint initiative we are developing is a predator short and long-term goals and possible collaborations management plan to increase ungulate populations. towards better wildlife management in Tahltan Territory. Predators play a major role in the moose, caribou, sheep The goals identified included: and goat populations. A component of the plan will include a wolf collaring proposal that will help us • Ecosystem managementCentral Governmentunderstand populations, migration, and impacts to ungulates. TCG will be hiring another full-time Wildlife • Ungulate enhancement Guardian to work alongside Jarett Quock and will focus • Tahltan community laws their efforts on ungulate enhancement in Tahltan Territory. By combining different approaches (i.e. • Harvest monitoring collaring, trapping, etc.) we believe the proper scientific data will enhance our traditional and local knowledge to • Increased commitment from Industry towards wildlife ensure we fully understand the predator/prey • Wildlife benchmarks - measurables (getting away from relationship. We have identified areas (case study) close managing to zero) to each of the communities (Dease Lake, Telegraph Creek and Iskut) to begin predator management and studies • Private sector data needs to be integrated into wildlife efforts that utilize both modern and traditional practices. management The group would like to recognize and thank Tahltan • Co-management Elder, Pat Etzerza, for participating and providing his insight, experience, and traditional knowledge during our • Education and communication two-day session. Collaborating with other organizations has provided the resources and capacity to • Regulations expand and encompass a more wholistic wildlife Some of these goals will be directed by Tahltan only (i.e. management approach. Our shared objective is to sustain community laws and co-management), however some and enhance the wildlife populations within Tahltan of the other goals can be reached by working with TGOA Territory, while building a Wildlife Guardian Program and BCWF who have extensive networks and a passion to that reflects collaborative partnerships and sustainable improve wildlife management. One of the main goals for management systems based on traditional and scientific all user groups is sustaining and enhancing practices. ungulate populations; we decided a number of tools can be applied immediately. Developing a burn plan to enhance both moose and sheep habitat has begun to

26 Mountain Goat - Isba

Mountain Goat Harvest by Year and Manangement Zone (not including First Nation data)

Description occasionally piercing internal organs with fatal • All white hair with a fine wool undercoat, results. sometimes dirty brown in summer Mammals and People • Legs relatively short compared to body • Tahltan used to use goat hair for bridge build- • Pronounced hump over their shoulders ing; the hair was weaved to create suspension bridges. • Black lips, nose, horns and eyes • Today’s efficient hunting methods, as well as the • Both males and females have slender horns high trophy value of the Mountain Goat, have that extend up and away from its long and put pressures on the North American narrow face population. Males and females are so similar Behaviour that protecting females is difficult. This has led Mountain Goats live on precipitously steep rocky to severe hunting restrictions to protect the cliffs to quickly escape predators. They are generally species. solitary though kids will stay with nannies for about a year. Male Mountain Goats do not butt heads but instead they aim for hindquarters and bellies

27 Grizzly Bear - Khoh

Grizzly Bear Harvest by Year + Manangement Zone (not including First Nation data)

Description Grizzly Bears have a very low rate of reproduction. They breed for the first time in their eighth year and • Generally brown coloured fur but can range only reproduce every three to four years. Often they from near black to silver-blonde are not successful with their first litters. • Lighter tips of the long guard hairs gives the Interesting Facts about the Grizzly Bear bear a “grizzled” appearance The grizzly bear has a hump that is quite distinct on • Side profile of the face has an upturned nose or its back. Their claws are long, being about the size ‘disk’ shape of a person’s finger. Their faces are concave. In the • Characteristic hump on the shoulders coastal regions of Canada and Alaska, grizzlies are referred to as brown bears while bears habituating Behaviour inland regions and the lower forty-eight are referred The life of a Grizzly Bear revolves around an intensive to as grizzly bears. Though grizzlys are not classified search for the most nutrient-rich foods it can find. as endangered, they are considered threatened. It will spend October through April in a winter den, Populations have dwindled because of human before emerging in spring to search for food. habitation and poaching in many areas across North America.

28 Moose - Kedah

Moose Harvest by Year + Manangement Zone (not including First Nation data)

Fun Facts about Moose shoving match for dominance and mating rights. • Largest member of the deer family Cow Moose give birth in the spring to one, two or rarely three calves. The calves will stay with the cow • Dark brown/black coloration (males tend to until just before the next calf is born. be darker than females) • Long legs, hump in between shoulders Hunting Canadian Moose with an Outfitter • Long, large nose and mule-like ears Many hunters hire an outfitter to take some of the • Males have shovel-like antlers work out of hunting Canadian moose. They will know the best spots to hunt, provide much of the • Both sexes have a ‘bell’ or beard hanging from equipment and at the end of the day hunters can the throat but it tends to be larger in males retire to a comfortable lodge where a comfortable Behaviour bed and a filling meal awaits. There are a number of outfitters all across Canada that cater to visiting Solitary for most of the year, the fall rutting season hunters. Whether a hunter is looking for moose or brings Moose together. The bull Moose cough, grunt, other large game, an outfitter can take the and rub their antlers on trees to attract females. guesswork out of what areas will have the highest Cows make a low moaning call to indicate their concentration of their prey and usually guarantee a receptiveness. Bulls clash antlers and engage in a trophy at the end of the hunt.

29 Caribou - Hodzih

Description the boreal forest in winter, up into the alpine tundra • Dirty brown fur fading to tan to nearly in summer, although some herds also spend much off-white around the neck and white tail of the winter on windswept alpine slopes. They are the only animals that forage substantially on lichen • Face darker than rest of the body with a white in the winter. Their hooves are perfectly designed to muzzle dig through the snow to access the lichens below. • White ‘socks’ above the hooves They are also efficient swimmers. • Male antlers have one long curved branch Mammals and People with tines clustered at the top and a ‘shovel’ branching over the forehead. Females also • Caribou is a popular meat for hunting, but the have antlers that are much smaller and not as season and hunting areas should be carefully elaborate. regulated to keep the populations healthy • Woodland Caribou are very susceptible to • Slightly larger than Barren-ground Caribou disturbance from habitat loss and encroachment Behaviour Woodland Caribou roam in small herds moving from

30 Thinhorn Sheep - Debehe

Description same protective cliffs to give birth to their lambs every year. • Dark grey or brown to charcoal-coloured fur Mammals and People • Male Stone’s Sheep have thick horns that grow larger and spiral with age • Thinhorn Sheep have long been prized for their delicious meat. First Nations would traditionally • Female horns remain small and slender hunt sheep with bow and arrows or set snares Behaviour along frequented travel routes. Sheep fleece was used to make blankets, jackets, and winter Stone’s Sheep spend the summer grazing in alpine pants. Horns were used for ladles and dishes. meadows atop the peaks. In the fall the sheep move to their winter range a few kilometers away where • Today sheep numbers have recovered through the wind keeps the snow shallow and the sun warms protection and management considerations, south-facing slopes. They will use the same though not to their original numbers migration routes for generations and return to the

31 2017 WILDLIFE NEWSLETTER

Central Government

If you have not yet joined TCG’s Facebook Page, please head to www.facebook.com/tahltangovernment to stay up-to-date with Tahltan Nation news www.tahltan.org

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