British Columbia Bans Grizzly Hunting Public Opinion Rules, Not Science Or Common Sense in Grizzly Hunting Ban
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DSC NEWSLETTER VOLUME 30,Camp ISSUE 8 TalkSEPTEMBER 2017 British Columbia Bans Grizzly Hunting Public Opinion Rules, Not Science or Common Sense in Grizzly Hunting Ban fter November 30, 2017, grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) will be on the “no hunt” list for the Great Bear Rainforest, in British Columbia. AFor a very long time, hunting has been recognized as one tool in managing bear population and distribution. In fact, bear experts on the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee believe that hunting promotes IN THIS ISSUE coexistence and minimizes conflict with humans. The biggest threat to grizzlies in British Columbia was Letter from the President ................. 1 habitat loss from the cumulative effects of human, industrial and commercial encroachment. New Executive Director................... 2 Now, however? The real threat to grizzly bears are the humans who have decided that a complete ban Grants in Action.................................. 4 on hunting will “save” them. The people of British Columbia have spoken, and decided that hunters are the Conservation News .......................... 6 bigger threat. Summer Gatherings .......................... 8 “Society has come to the point in B.C. where they are no longer in favor of the grizzly bear trophy hunt,” Happy Hill Farm .................................. 9 said BC’s Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development Minister Doug Donaldson. Weatherby Award ...........................10 How did this happen? The new provincial government appears to want to curry favor, and/or stop the Auction Donations ...........................11 nagging from outspoken anti-hunters who don’t understand or even want to understand the benefits of hunting – economically, biologically and ethically. Chapter News ...................................28 Not all of the people spoke up to ban hunting. Guide Outfitters Association of British Columbia, with the Hotel Reservations ..........................29 help of DSC, actively worked to make sure this didn’t happen. Unfortunately, the effort was not successful, Animal Attacks .................................30 largely because, as DSC Interim Executive Director Karl Evans said, “This decision was based on emotion, Membership Drive ...........................31 rather than science. Ultimately, the grizzly bear will be the loser.” Law Enforcement News ................32 Minister Donaldson has stated that “hunters will no longer be able to possess the hide or head or paws of Trophy Awards .................................33 a grizzly bear” but a sustenance hunt could continue outside the Great Bear Rainforest. DSC Foundation ...............................34 The future of grizzly hunting is unclear at this time, but DSC will continue to fight with its partners in Photo Contest ...................................35 British Columbia for science-based conservation policies and practices. CT Reloading ...........................................36 New Members .................................38 Member Bulletin Board .................40 Facts on Grizzly Bears in British Columbia • The Great Bear Rainforest, approximately 25,000 square miles, has a population estimate of 1,400 grizzly bears but only 11 bears per year are harvested by hunters (BC residents and guided clients combined). • Grizzly bears are not classified as an endangered species. • Hunters kill only about 2 percent of grizzlies in British Columbia annually, about 250. • The total population of bears is 15,000, 25 percent of all of North America’s grizzlies. • Bear sanctuaries and vast wilderness areas provide excellent habitat and can support that many bears. Source: GOABC − Guide Outfitters Association of British Columbia www.biggame.org Facebook: UPCOMING Meetings www.facebook.com/dallassafariclub RSVP: members.biggame.org Twitter: Monthly Meetings are $35 per person, $45 day of event and for walk-ins DSC Media @DSCNEWSCENTER Dallas Safari Club @officialdsc SEPTEMBER 14 OCTOBER 19 NOVEMBER 16 Monthly Meeting Monthly Meeting Monthly Meeting Instagram: Craig Boddington “We Hunt for Life” – Dr. Bob Speegle − My Lifetime of Hunting @officialdsc DoubleTree Dallas (Near the Galleria) DSC’s and DSCF’s New Campaign Royal Oaks Country Club 4099 Valley View Ln, Dallas, TX 75244 Bent Tree Country Club 7915 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75231 5201 Westgrove Dr, Dallas, TX 75248 CampTalk LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT CAMP TALK PRODUCTION STAFF Jay Ann Cox, Ph.D, Publisher and Editor in Chief Terri Lewis, Associate Editor Karrie Kolesar, Assistant Editor/Awards Coordinator Defending Conservation Terry Blauwkamp, Reloading Editor Crystal Allison, Membership & Circulation Cameron Kuenzer, Social Media Manager n college (yes, in the 1970s), the small college I attended required students to take @ Graphics, Art and Production religion courses. In the New Testament course, the professor spent a great deal of Nieman Printing, Printing Itime on what is referred to as “apologetics.” The word actually means “verbal defense,” Safari Classics Productions, Online Media Services but it has been described as the practice of defending Christian beliefs against critics, DSC STAFF Administrative along with learning how to discuss and recommend those beliefs to others who may Karl Evans, Interim Executive Director not feel the same way. Barri Murphy, Executive Assistant/Grants Coordinator Auctions Hunting and conservation, are under increasing attack from those who don’t Lori Stanford, Auctions Manager participate in it, don’t understand it and, consequently, don’t feel the same way we do. Kamille Martin, Auctions Assistant Chapter Development How do we change how others instinctively feel when the subject of hunting comes up? Kim Rappleye, Chapter Development Coordinator That New Testament course decades ago may have the right approach. We engage Convention Events Lynda Rexrode-Adams, Convention Events Manager them, not with counterattacks and insults, but with facts and science. We arm ourselves Events with knowledge, and share it with all of those who are willing to listen. Ben Kimmel, Events Manager Exhibits In a recent video, Shane Mahoney discusses how critical it is that young people Terri Lewis, Exhibits Manager engage in the debate over conservation, no matter what their viewpoints are. Tyler Williams, Exhibits Assistant Membership “Their minds aren’t yet calcified by their experiences,” Mahoney said. Crystal Allison, Membership Manager/DSC 100 It is increasingly important that our joint belief in the DSC mission and conservation Publications Jay Ann Cox, PhD, Director of Publications & Digital Media be shared with all of those willing to listen. Most non-hunters are receptive to the Karrie Kolesar, Assistant Editor/Awards Coordinator science of conservation and the role hunting plays in it. For advertising opportunities and rates, contact Won’t you help us? Join DSC, learn all you can, talk about hunting and conservation Jay Ann Cox at [email protected], (972) 980-9800. with friends, fellow members, family, co-workers – spread the word that this is OFFICERS 2017-2018 important for wildlife in the here and now. Craig Nyhus, President Allen Moore, Immediate Past President The DSC convention is rapidly approaching. Volunteers are needed, and our next Rod Wooley, President-elect volunteer meeting is scheduled for Oct. 5. Signing up is important, and even better, it’s a John Eads, CPA, Treasurer lot of fun! Rebecca Evans, Secretary DIRECTORS 2015-2018 2016-2019 2017-2020 Mike McKinney Charlie Barnes Karl Evans Tori Nayfa Mark Little John Patterson Amy Callender Jim Tolson Scott Tobermann Craig Nyhus, DSC President VICE PRESIDENTS Ross Jackson Mark Rose Brent Karrington Carol Wooley Ravin Reddy APHA LIAISON David Oakes For 10 years with DSC, DSC-PAC CHAIRMAN M. Lance Phillips Hats Off to Ben Kimmel GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS ADVISORY Steve Weinberg Ben was hired on CONSERVATION SOCIETY LIAISONS August 23, 2007 and Nic Drayovitch Martha Justice Moore has been an invaluable part of DSC ever since. Thank you, Ben! 13709 Gamma Road • Dallas, TX 75244 USA Phone 972-980-9800 • Fax 972-980-9925 Email: [email protected] • Website: biggame.org Advertising inquiries, letters and stories are welcome. Dallas Safari Club reserves the right not to publish, or to edit for content and length. The views expressed in Camp Talk are expressly those of Kimmel with elk, 2015 the author and are not necessarily those of Dallas Safari Club, its members, employees or assigns. BIGGAME.ORG SEPTEMBER 2017 | 1 CLUB NEWS Corey Mason Hired As New Executive Director fter an exhaustive search from a His Master’s in Science, Wildlife looking forward to introducing him A qualified pool of applicants, the Management, was obtained at Stephen and his wife, Karyn, to our members search committee recommended Corey F. Austin State University. He has and exhibitors.” Mason for the position of Executive published peer-reviewed work on Jim Tolson, chair of the search Director of DSC. On August 9, the several topics ranging from wetlands committee, said, “We feel that Corey is DSC Board of Directors approved management to dove population the right choice because of his expertise the recommendation, and Mason has studies. Mason is the current president as well as his familiarity with many accepted the offer. of the Texas chapter of the Wildlife of the issues in conservation, hunter A Certified Wildlife Biologist®, Society, and has been a member since advocacy and policy, and outdoor Mason was Regional Director of Texas 1996, and of the national