Grizzly Bear Class Action Law Suit
This past week Ron Fleming, owner of Love Bros. & Lee, filed a class action law suit seeking compensation for all B.C. guide outfitting businesses allegedly harmed by the hunting ban.
The Tahltan Central Government, which represents the Tahltan and Iskut First Nations, is in support of Fleming’s initiative to pursue the class action law suit. Although this law suit is seeking compensation for the lost revenue for guide outfitters it will have a ripple effect for resident hunters. This law suit will now have to be certified in Supreme court as a class action before moving forward. The final ruling is anticipated to take a few years.
Your SCI West Coast board members have been in contact with Ron Fleming and GOABC Executive Director, Scott Ellis, to applaud them on taking the initiative to file this law suit. During our conversations we were advised that GOABC is more than willing to accept changes to the hunting regulations requiring hunters to keep all edible portions of a Grizzly Bear if the hunt is reinstated. We have offered our support and are actively working to back this initiative through public education programs and financial support.
Further updates will be posted on the SCI West Coast website at www.sciwestcoast.org
2nd Annual SCI West Coast Banquet
The date for the 2nd Annual SCI West Coast Banquet has been set for April 6th, 2019 at the Murrayville Hall located at 21667 48th Avenue, Langley, British Columbia. This year’s event will again feature an auction with many amazing guided hunts and fishing trips. If you enjoyed the wild game cooking from Sossy Outdoors spread the word and bring some friends.
Tickets will be $90 which includes your dinner and door prize entry. If you enjoyed last year’s banquet, this year is shaping up to be even better. A maximum of 200 tickets are being sold for this event so hurry and purchase now. For tickets contact an SCI West Coast board member or e-mail us at info@sciwestcoast.org.
If you are unable to make it to the banquet in person you will still be able to bid on auction items. We have partnered with onlinehuntingauctions.comto reach a greater number of hunters, conservationists and outdoor enthusiasts.
Southern Mountain Caribou
The Provincial and Federal Governments are actively discussing plans to create mass closures to users for a large portion of crown land in Northern British Columbia. The closures are being discussed as part of a plan to help the Southern Mountain Caribou herd which is currently listed as threatened. The Klinse-za herd has been increased from 16 animals to 80 animals for the past four years.
We believe that the recent government supported wolf population management in portions of the Province have greatly assisted in the recovery of these Caribou herds. Predator management will be a key issue to see the continue recovery of ungulates populations.
The Provincial and Federal governments who have been working with First Nations in the areas are poised to sign an agreement banning activities in 2019.
A group of residents in North British Columbia have started a petition to speak out against these proposed changes. If you haven’t signed the petition go to change.org and checkout “Your back country access is being seriously threatened right now (BC Peace River Region)”.
https://www.change.org/p/we-demand-all-government-actions-cease-immediately-until-proper-consultation-occurs
BC Sportsmen’s Show
SCI West Coast will again be at the BC Sportsmen’s Show at the Tradex in Abbotsford, British Columbia from March 1-3, 2019. Please drop by our booth where we will be happy to discuss how we are putting the interest of hunters first in the Province of British Columbia.
Current Issues
SCI West Coast is actively working on other benefits for our membership which includes off road liability insurance. Further updates will be provided in the new year.
When join, renew or upgrade your 2019 SCI membership you will also enter you into a draw to win a Yamaha Wolverine X2.
Questions / Concerns
If you have a question, concern or want to become a member of SCI West Coast contact us at info@sciwestcoast.org and one of our board members will get in contact with you. You can also follow us on Facebook @SCIWestCoast.
Merry Christmas
SCI West Coast Board Members wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Stay safe and enjoy the holidays with your families and friends.