Politics & Predators
A
news
by Kevin Wilson
definite sign of the times,
populism and disconnectivity
pose a dim future for Canada’s
wildlife and our hunting heritage.
In other words, policy decisions based on
garnering popular political support, along
with society’s widespread removal from
day-to-day interaction with wildlife and
wild spaces are displacing common sense
and science-based decision-making.
If you haven’t heard, December 2017
was a sad, and woefully disruptive month
for wildlife, wildlife managers, and hunters
alike. I’m referring to the closure of B.C.’s
grizzly bear hunting seasons and the highly
publicized international attacks on cougar
hunting. With far reaching implications
for Canada’s wildlife, not to mention the
inevitable ripple-effects on public safety,
naïve – largely urban dwelling – naysayers
were subsequently given an international
voice on both mainstream and social
media.
Those who understand biodiversity, and
the importance of predator management,
were appalled by the monumental decisions
made by B.C.’s NDP government to stop
the province’s grizzly bear hunt altogether,
while anti-hunters simultaneously jumped
on the bandwagon to attack cougar
hunting. Coincidence? Not likely. The
antis are vigilant in tracking, and swift to
capitalize on, opportunities to exploit their
causes - be they political, multi-media
driven, or both.
It was announced, back in August, that
the B.C. government would ban the highly
regulated grizzly bear hunt with a few
exceptions. Powers that be, suggested it
was to be a ban on all trophy hunting for
grizzly bears in the Great Bear Rainforest,
but that it would continue to allow the
hunting of grizzlies for food, elsewhere in
the province. In December, however, they
did an about face, closing the hunt in its
entirety province-wide. The only people-
group exempt from this closure are First
Nations hunters.
Bombarded with over 4,000 e-mails
from a predominantly disconnected public,
approximately 78 per cent of them opposed
a continued food hunt. Unfortunately,
politicians are motivated by popularity
because it translates to voter support. In
turn, Minister of Environment George
Heyman is on record stating that he feels,
“… protecting this iconic species is simply
the right thing to do.” What’s missing here
are the facts.
No, grizzly bears are not at risk. In
fact, B.C. is home to an estimated 16,000
grizzlies. Sadly, this policy decision is
m uch less about species protection,
than it is about politics. Despite analysis
and feedback from learned biologists
confirming that the grizzly hunt was of little
consequence to the grizzly bear population,
government bowed to pressures.
If you’re like me, you find this
disconcerting. But it gets even better -
or indeed worse - depending on your
perspective. Sharing photos of a successful
cougar hunt, a co-host of a popular show
that airs on Wild TV was slammed for
killing the cat. His social media account
was
inundated
with
inflammatory
comments, and even death threats. Making
headlines overseas and covered extensively
on mainstream media outlets like CBC
and Global - his legal, ethically conducted
hunt was blown way out of proportion
due to the naïve emotional sentiments
of an excessively vocal few. Even our
past Prime Minister’s wife chimed in on
social media, making a comment that
many are describing as a combination of
cyber-bullying and sexual harassment as
she suggested he must be compensating
for small genitals. Highly inappropriate,
emotionally charged, and undeniably
inflammatory, a logical mind has to ask
why a law-abiding individual is being so
viciously targeted. Equally important, one
has to ask why did the Alberta government
not come to his side to support him
publicly?
We live in strange times folks. In it
all, one irrefutable truth remains. The
natural world doesn’t care about politics
or emotional bias. Whether anyone agrees
or disagrees with grizzly or cougar hunting
doesn’t matter. This generation has lost
touch with reality and allowed liberal
biases to cloud its collective judgement.
The predator/prey relationship is
vicious - most of society is naive about how
nature works. Predatory wildlife species
are carnivorous. They kill to survive - its
what they do. Man has inflicted so many
impositions on wild spaces that we can
no longer have it both ways i.e. we can’t
leave wildlife alone or it will disappear. If
we value sustainability, wildlife must be
actively managed. And, if used correctly,
hunters and hunting are a proven and
highly
effective
management
tool.
Traditional management ideologies believe
that the natural ebb and flow of predator/
prey cycles alone will keep things balanced.
Unfortunately, this philosophy dismisses
the multitude of human influences that aid
in predator efficiency. If grizzly, or cougar,
numbers are too high - and they are in
many areas - then intervention is necessary
to restore balance. Unfortunately, much of
society doesn’t understand this.
Given current conditions, either we
value unhealthy predator populations
in which case our deer, elk, moose, wild
sheep, and other prey species disappear
... or we value biodiversity
and sustainability - which
means actively harvesting
a strictly managed quota of
predators. It’s really that
simple.
How we as outdoorsmen
and women help? First, by becoming
informed, and second by avoiding knee-
jerk emotional reactions and offering
intelligent explanations as to why we hunt.
At a time when our heritage activities are
constantly being bombarded by the anti-
hunting community, it is up to us – more
than ever before in history – to conduct
ourselves responsibly both in the field and
in public forums. Further, take time to
write in to your local MLAs and MPs. Have
a voice but always use respect. Don’t give
anyone room to shoot holes in what you
are saying. Most importantly, take every
opportunity to convey the importance
of adhering to sound science in each and
every wildlife management policy decision.
Remember, predator hunting – although
often viewed as an easy target by the antis
– remains a vital management tool for
maintaining biodiversity. The key lies in
education, and clearly presenting its value
to policy makers and the public alike.
Wild Guide
. Winter 2018
32