Post by DocHolladay on Dec 22, 2005 23:20:00 GMT -5
BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA—In what some say could become a frightening trend, an anti-hunting organization has purchased the guiding and outfitting rights to a prime piece of British Columbia wilderness with the sole intent of permanently ending commercial hunting in the area.
During late November, the anti-hunting organization Raincoast Conservation Foundation (RCF) paid a reported $1.35 million to acquire the guiding and outfitting rights to five contiguous hunting regions along the central British Columbia coast. The regions are home to such wildlife species as grizzly bears, black bears, wolves, mountain lions, mountain goats, moose and deer.
According to British Columbia's provincial regulations, licensed guides and outfitters must continue to facilitate some hunting in areas for which they're responsible. RCF Conservation Director Ian McAllister says the RCF will live up to those obligations by allowing the hunting of some "hoofed grazing animals." The RCF will hold the area's guiding and outfitting license indefinitely, although the province will charge it an annual fee, which will be negotiated.
The RCF purchased the rights from former outfitter Leonard Ellis, who had held the guiding and outfitting rights to the territory since 1981. Ellis, who operates the Bella Coola Outfitting Company, says he'll now lead wildlife viewing tours.
Courtesy of North American Hunting Club.
During late November, the anti-hunting organization Raincoast Conservation Foundation (RCF) paid a reported $1.35 million to acquire the guiding and outfitting rights to five contiguous hunting regions along the central British Columbia coast. The regions are home to such wildlife species as grizzly bears, black bears, wolves, mountain lions, mountain goats, moose and deer.
According to British Columbia's provincial regulations, licensed guides and outfitters must continue to facilitate some hunting in areas for which they're responsible. RCF Conservation Director Ian McAllister says the RCF will live up to those obligations by allowing the hunting of some "hoofed grazing animals." The RCF will hold the area's guiding and outfitting license indefinitely, although the province will charge it an annual fee, which will be negotiated.
The RCF purchased the rights from former outfitter Leonard Ellis, who had held the guiding and outfitting rights to the territory since 1981. Ellis, who operates the Bella Coola Outfitting Company, says he'll now lead wildlife viewing tours.
Courtesy of North American Hunting Club.
Thanks for the info. More hunters need to get involved in the debate before we more lose land and/or more rights to hunt.