Two areas of the Cariboo Region that were severely impacted by wildfires this summer will be closed to moose hunting for the Oct. 15-31 and Nov. 1-15, 2017, seasons.

Zones A and C of management unit 5-13 in the Cariboo contain high-quality moose habitat that was severely affected by the Chilcotin Plateau Fire. In addition, the area is important to First Nations for sustenance hunting.

Closure of these zones applies to all licensed hunting, including resident and guided hunters. The moose hunting closure announced today is for an area immediately north of Highway 20 and west of Williams Lake and Quesnel.

The closure was recommended by ministry biologists. It comes on the heels of a ban on motor vehicles for the purpose of licensed hunting within the Chilcotin Plateau and Hanceville-Riske Creek area last week.

These measures were a first step to mitigate wildlife vulnerability to hunters as a result of increased access and sight lines following the burning of major tracts of forest this past summer.

The areas impacted by today’s hunting ban will be assessed over the winter to determine what levels of sustainable hunting opportunity will be available in the coming years.

A map of Zones A, B, and C of management unit 5-13 can be accessed online:
http://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/sports-recreation-arts-and-culture/outdoor-recreation/fishing-and-hunting/hunting/limited-entry-hunting/zone-maps/region-5/moose_5-13_a_b_c.pdf

Quote:

Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development –

“This has been an unprecedented wildfire season, with parts the Cariboo particularly hard hit. With moose populations already declining in this management zone, we need to take steps now to protect wildlife and ensure healthy moose populations in the future.”