On Thursday, BC’s Ministry of Forests announced a number of changes to hunting regulations that affect the hunting of elk, moose, mountain sheep, bighorn sheep and mountain goats.
The Ministry explains the changes are the outcome of provincial regulation changes that occur every two years and will affect nearly every region in British Columbia.
One of the first changes includes the closure of the limited entry hunt (LEH) for the Okanagan Mountain park in order to assist in population recovery.
According to a new release, three previous surveys of the mountain sheep population show that the population has been below 75 sheep and lamb numbers have been below the target.
“With declining populations, low (lamb) recruitment and a new and novel introduction of a severe respiratory illness (Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae) confirmed in 2020, the prognosis of this population rebounding quickly to minimum required numbers is highly unlikely,” the release explains.
Some changes will also be taking place in the Thompson region and will impact the Fraser River mountain sheep population.
The general open season is being replaced with a LEH in order to ensure the hunting of bighorn sheep near Lytton is tightly managed and controlled.
A news release says that the population occupying this area has declined significantly over the past several years due to the illness Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae.
“The illness has contributed to several years of low lamb survival, thus limiting recruitment of individuals into this population,” explains the province.
Moreover, the average age of rams is also declining for this sheep herd which can indicate pressure on the population from hunting.
The Ministry adds that surveys since the late 1990s indicate that the Fraser sheep population has declined by about 70%.
In addition to the changes in the Interior, the province is also introducing new regulations, including:
A shorter general open season on moose hunting in the Peace region
More restrictions to reduce the harvest of moose and caribou in the Peace region
A new bull elk LEH on the north part of Vancouver Island
New either sex elk archery only LEH near Nanaimo
Amended and increased LEH opportunities for elk in the South Coast
Closure of the Passmore mountain goat LEH
Replacement of all Kootenay region Sept. 10 to Oct. 25 general open seasons for full curl bighorn ram mountain sheep with a limited entry hunt
Close the Taseko bighorn mountain sheep LEH
Numerous regulation changes for moose, bighorn sheep and elk hunting in the Skeena and Omineca regions of northern BC.
If you are a hunter, or generally just curious, more information on the regulation changes can be found at this link.
