|
 |
|||||
|
|
||||||
|
|
||||
Special Guide Sheep Proposal - why we support it ( DOC ) |
 |
|||
| Source: | YFGA | Date: | December 24, 2008 | |
Letter below on our reasoning for proposed sheep regulation.You have likely heard of the controversy surrounding our recent submission(s) to the Yukon Fish & Wildlife Management Board (YFWMB). I wanted to contact our membership to provide additional information and clarify our position.Special Guide Sheep ProposalLast year the Association submitted a proposal for 2 Special Guide Sheep hunt opportunities in a permit only zone, which is not part of any Outfitter hunting concession. One purpose was to raise money for the Yukon Wildlife Enhancement Fund by raffling the permits to qualified Yukon hunters to guide qualified hunter applicants, similar to Alberta’s draw for Canadian hunters for 2 Big Horn Sheep.The other purpose was to provide a chance for Yukon licensed hunters, or First Nation hunters, to guide a family member or friend on a Yukon sheep hunt. Canadian non-resident sheep hunt opportunities are available in B.C. and Alberta in some form. This year we proposed to add sheep to the special guide species list for open hunt zone areas – a much different proposal, hence the reason the YFWMB allowed the proposal. In talking to the YFWMB, the Department of Environment and the Outfitters Association, before the public meeting on Dec. 10, we made it clear we really only expected opportunities similar to the Provinces that allow a Canadian an inexpensive sheep hunt. Alberta provides two permits, B.C. has 6 zones that may have 1 permit available on a year to year basis. Yukon Government can restrict any guided sheep opportunity as they may decide, like Wood Bison and soon Elk (two species the Y.F.G.A. worked to introduce for 60 years). The Yukon Fish and Game Association is not trying to increase opportunities beyond the 100 Special Guide permits that Yukon hunters can apply for to guide family or friends only once every three years. We are trying to provide other hunt opportunities, including Wood Bison now that it is open permits, to reduce a “perceived” special guide pressure that the Town of Faro alleged last year in their proposal by diversifying Special Guided hunting opportunity. Up until last year only 70 to 80 Special Guide permits have been issued annually. Last year, only 25 animals were taken on 97 permits. Generally, Yukoners eat most of the meat from special guided animals. There is no conservation reason that a few sheep cannot be special guided by experienced resident hunters; population estimates indicate there are 20,000+ sheep in Yukon. Not very many Canadian and First Nation hunters wish to spend, or can spend, $15,000 to $30,000 for the opportunity to have a Yukon Outfitter guided sheep hunt experience, for wildlife that are a Yukon public resource. Paul Jacobs President |
||||
| Hosted by: www.nwtel.ca | |
| Designed by: Bruce Ross |