Hunting privileges in management units 5-04 and 5-05 may be affected by the recent Supreme Court of Canada’s decision regarding the Tsilhqot’in Nation, the Ministry of Forests Lands and Natural Resource Operations warns in a recent notice to hunters on its website.
The province is analyzing the decision, the ministry notes, adding at this time hunters who have applied for a Limited Entry Hunting (LEH) Authorization for moose, mountain goat, or antler-less mule deer in Management Units (MUs) 5-04 or 5-05, will not be able to retrieve LEH draw results for these MUs.
Xeni Gwet’in (Nemiah)Chief Roger William said Thursday there will be short term and long term decisions on agreements for things like hunting.
“It’s a transition period and we may come to an agreement for the interim,” William said. “For certainty and transition there will be dates set aside, and negotiations to improve or look at all that again.”
William was in Williams Lake attending the first meeting of the Tsilhqot’in chiefs since the court decision was handed down, he said.
The ministry notice said hunters will be notified separately as soon as possible in writing of the draw results for these species in MUs 5-04 and 5-05.
Information related to how the decision may impact general open season and other hunting activities within MUs 5-04 and 5-05 will be posted on the fish and wildlife website as soon as possible.
The ministry of forests did not return the Tribune’s request for an interview by press time.