HUNTING AND TRAPPING SYNOPSIS 2005-2006 Region 1 Table of Contents VANCOUVER ISLAND BEFORE YOUR HUNT Values Associated with BC Wildlife (new) . .19 Wildlife Permits & Commercial Licences . .24 Region Major Regulation Changes & Highlights 2005/06 . .2 Licensing of Transporters (new) . .25 2 Definitions . .3 Wildlife Health (new) . .25 LOWER Hunter Education . .6 Important Notice for Mountain Goat Hunters . .26 MAINLAND BC Resident Hunter Number . .6 Important Notice for Bear Hunters (new) . .26 Open Seasons . .6 Change of Address/Name Notification (Form) . .40 Waterfowler Heritage Days . .7 Habitat Conservation Trust Fund (new) . .41 Region Aboriginal Hunting . .7 Badger Sightings Notice (new) . .52 Limited Entry Hunting . .7 3 Invasive Plants Threaten BC Hunting (new) . .63 THOMPSON Licences (incl. Bears, Migratory Birds, & Deer) . .7 Record of Receipt for Transporting Wildlife . .77 - NICOLA Non-Resident Hunters . .9 The Centennial Year of the CO Service (new) . .85 Federal Firearms Legislation . .9 Report a Poacher/Polluter . .85 Licence Fees . .10 International Humane Trapping Standards (new) .86 DURING YOUR HUNT Bait Stations and Snare-sets (new) . .96 Region Site & Access Restrictions . .11 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT REGIONS 4 No Hunting or Shooting Areas . .13 Region 1 Vancouver Island . .27 KOOTENAY What is “Wildlife”? . .14 Region 2 Lower Mainland . .34 Illegal Guiding . .14 Region 3 Thompson - Nicola . .42 Illegal Transporting . .14 Region 4 Kootenay . .47 It’s Unlawful . .14 Region 5 Cariboo . .57 Region Penalties . .14 Region 6 Skeena . .64 5 Hunting Methods & Provincial Bag Limits . .16 Region 7A Omineca . .72 Additional Hunting Method Restrictions . .18 Region 7B Peace . .78 CARIBOO AFTER YOUR HUNT Region 8 Okanagan . .87 Royalty Fees . .20 TRAPPING REGULATIONS Possession & Transportation . .20 BC’s Fur Management Program . .92 Region Export from the Province . .20 Definitions . .92 6 Compulsory Inspection & Reporting . .21 General Regulations & Information . .92 C.I.T.E.S. .22 Trapline Registration, Use & Relinquishment . .93 SKEENA Taxidermy,Tanning & Meatcutting . .22 Other Restrictions & Information . .93 Submitting Your Hunter Sample Questionnaire . .23 Compulsory Inspection & Reporting (Trapping) .94 ARTICLES & FORMS Licence & Registration Fees . .94 Region Message from the Director . .2 Fur Royalty Regulations & Schedule . .94 7A Feature Articles from Past Editions (new) . .2 Trapper Education Program . .94 Important Notice About Fisher . .94 Important Notice: Hunter Penalties (new) . .15 OMINECA Lead Shot Ban Notice . .17 Trapping Methods & It’s Unlawful . .95 Provincial Trapping Seasons . .96 For more information on the hunting and trapping regulations, call a MWLAP Regional Office, Fish and Wildlife Recreation and Allocation Branch (FWRA) HQ Victoria, or the Conservation Officer Service using the numbers listed on the regional Region maps of each region. Enquiry BC can provide toll free access to provincial government telephone numbers. Simply call 7B Enquiry BC and request a transfer to the number you wish to call: • Enquiry BC PEACE from Vancouver . .604-660-2421 from Victoria . .387-6121 elsewhere in BC . .1-800-663-7867 • Report a Poacher/Polluter (see page 86) . .1-800-663-9453 (WILD) Region 8 You and the law. The British Columbia Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis is intended for general information purposes only.Where there is a discrepancy between this Synopsis and the Regulations, the Regulations are the final authority. Regulations are subject to change from OKANAGAN time to time, and it is the responsibility of an individual to be informed of the current Regulations. Director’s Message Major Regulation Changes & Highlights for 2005-2006 British Columbia is world renowned for its Electronic Calls - The use of electronic calls New Articles - We have changed a number biological diversity and abundance of wildlife. is now permitted for hunting ‘Schedule C’ of the articles in this year’s synopsis. Articles Many values are associated with these birds (see “What is Wildlife?” section, were submitted by a number of different attributes, including exceptional hunting page 14.) organizations to provide information that is opportunities for both residents and hunters Transporters - Transporting (or packing) is useful and interesting to hunters and worldwide. Hand in hand with our use and now a regulated activity. If you plan to use a trappers in British Columbia. enjoyment of wildlife is our duty to be transporter’s services for any part of your Regional Regulation Changes - Major responsible stewards of this valuable resource. hunt, make sure you hire a licensed business. region-specific changes to the regulations can Last year was an exciting year in the province Contact your regional office to find out the be found on the front page of each region’s as we recorded increased hunting licence status of transporter licensing in your area. section of the synopsis (the same page as sales for the first time in a number of years, See the new “Licensing of Transporters” the region’s map). with over 80,000 licences sold.This reversal article, page 25. suggests a renewed interest in hunting and Senior Licences - The requirement for a BC New information or regulation strengthening of the hunting community.The resident senior to be a Canadian citizen to changes are highlighted money from licence sales goes directly purchase licences at a discounted rate has as green, bolded text. towards wildlife management activities. As been removed. well, increased numbers of hunters inevitably contribute to and help promote stable economies in rural BC. Hunters spent over $100 million in BC on hunting related goods NOTICE! and services last year (see page 19). TO HUNTERS Each year the Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection develops a hunting and trapping In-season Regulation changes are posted on the Web synopsis that outlines the current regulations Regulations are subject to change from time to time, and it is the hunter’s governing these activities. In this document we responsibility to be informed of current regulations. Please check our web highlight any changes to the rules from the site for in-season changes before your hunt: previous year and highlight important rules that must be followed.This is an invaluable wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/fw tool that helps hunters identify and choose from the many hunting opportunities within the province. By following the rules, hunters Feature Articles from Past Editions help managers reach wildlife conservation targets and protect the exceptional hunting These articles from past editions of the Hunting & Trapping Regulations Synopsis have been experience in BC. posted on our web site for on-going reference. Please go to: Over the next three years, we will significantly http://wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/fw/wild/hunting/archive.htm increase our investment in wildlife inventory. Lynx Management Information (2004) - Knowledge of lynx cycles to help trappers to I’m confident this investment will pay divi- adjust harvesting efforts. dends for hunters. Good inventory informa- Moose Antler Regulations (2004) - Descriptions of the 3 types of moose antler regula- tion will ensure accurate population estimates, tions recognized by FWRA Branch. the determination of appropriate harvest Important Notice to all Mountain Goat Hunters (2004 Long Version) - Information levels, and ultimately allow us to maximize on Mountain Goat selection. hunting opportunities within sustainable limits. Muskwa-Kechika Management Area (2004) - Objectives, plan and access information. Safety Guidelines for Hunters in Bear Country (2004) - How to avoid encounters Finally, I’d like to give special recognition to the and what to do you if you encounter a bear. 100th anniversary of British Columbia’s Threatened Caribou Listing (2004) - Description of BC’s actions taken to protect Conservation Officer Service (see page 85). caribou. The exemplary role of the Service ensures Take Care of Your Game Meat (2003) - Instructions for taking care of your game meat. that hunters and other resource users under- Includes diagram. stand and comply with regulations which govern the use of fish and wildlife. For advertising info. only: please call 250-480-3244 or 250-382-6188 Sincerely, or email: [email protected] Published for the Ministry of Water, Land & Air Protection by Monday Tourism Publications 818 Broughton St.Victoria, BC V8W 1E4 Website: bchuntingregs.com Al Martin The sale of advertising pays for a significant portion of this publication. MWLAP neither endorses products or services offered in the advertising nor accepts any liability arising from the use of such products or services Director, Fish and Wildlife Recreation and Allocation Branch Front Cover North of Stump Lake in the Thompson-Nicola Region - Vance Hanna, Photographer - 2 . BEFORE YOUR HUNT DEFINITIONS Calf - means a moose, elk or caribou less Elk - Three Points or Greater Bull - means any Accompany - means to remain in the than twelve (12) months of age. bull having at least three tines on one antler. company of the other person, able to see Cow Moose - Shoulder height: 6 feet; Weight: 600 – 800 lbs (live) 6 point the other person without the aid of any antler Elk device other than ordinary corrective Calf Moose - Shoulder height: less than 5 3 point lenses and able to communicate by unam- feet;Weight: 300 – 400 lbs (live) antler plified voice with that person. All Terrain Vehicle or ATV - means a Cow & Calf Moose wheeled vehicle or tracked vehicle pro- pelled by motorized power, and capable of travel on or off a highway, including motor- cycles but not including a snowmobile or motor vehicle that is licensed for highway travel under the Motor Vehicle Act. Antler tines must be at least 2.5 cm in length. Antlered Animal - means a member of the deer family over one year of age bearing visible bony antlers. Firearm - includes a device that propels a projectile by means of an explosion, com- Antlerless Animal - means a member of pressed gas or spring and includes a rifle, the deer family bearing no visible antlers. Calves are much smaller and show a distinctly shotgun, handgun, pellet gun, "BB" gun or The small skin or hair covered protuber- "stubby" face.