A roadmap for responsible wildlife management was ensured today with the release of the implementation plan for the Harvest Allocation Policy.

Over the past year, the government has worked closely with the BC Wildlife Federation, the Guide Outfitters Association of BC and the BC Trappers Association to clarify how the Harvest Allocation Policy will be implemented in 2013. The resulting plan sets allocation guidelines for the next four years in a consistent and transparent manner that is fair to all wildlife user groups.

Highlights include:

• Full implementation for 2013-14, with a four-year transition period for those specific hunts that will have substantive impacts to guide allocations and quotas.

• Establishing an Allocation Working Group to help with transition during the implementation of the Harvest Allocation Policy through 2016. This working group will:
• Co-ordinate regional reviews to identify guides suffering economic hardship and assist those affected by coming into compliance with the allocation policy before the start of the next allocation period (within five years).
• Work with ministry staff to develop strong decision-making processes and improve communications with individual businesses and stakeholder groups.
  

• The calculation to determine the allocation split will remain the same through 2016 and the following allocation period as well.
• The government is committed to reviewing the Harvest Allocation Policy in 2014 to ensure the process is on track and working as intended.
  

Allocations for resident and non-resident hunters are set only after conservation requirements and First Nations harvest opportunities have been fulfilled.

Conservation is the highest priority, and if there are concerns for the viability of a wildlife population, then harvest opportunities will be reduced or even suspended. If a harvestable surplus exists, the first priority for harvest goes to First Nations exercising their aboriginal rights, which entitle them to hunt for food, social or ceremonial purposes.

Quick Facts:

• Each year, ministry biologists calculate an annual allowable harvest (AAH) for many wildlife populations in B.C. using conservation principles.
• An established procedure is then used to split the AAH between resident hunters and guided non-resident hunters. These proportions are referred to as 'the allocation' and generally apply for five-year periods. 
• The province manages a non-resident big game hunt by requiring them to acquire the services of a guide outfitter. 
• There are approximately 245 licensed guide outfitters in the province employing over 2,000 people and providing services to roughly 5,000 non-residents hunting in the province each year.
  

Learn More:

To learn more about the Harvest Allocation Policy, visit: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/wildlife/harvest_alloc/docs/bkgrd_dec2012.pdf

Media contact:

Brennan Clarke
Media Relations
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 356-5261