Image Credit: Flickr / Government of BC

By Stephanie Swensrude

DECLING POPULATION

Tŝilhqot’in Nation asks moose hunters to stay home amid declining Chicoltin moose population

Aug 27, 2022 | 8:21 AM

WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. — The Tŝilhqot’in Nation is asking those authorized by the provincial government to hunt moose in the Chicoltin Region to stay home.

“Now is not the time for limited entry hunt (LEH) hunters to come here,” said Nits’ilʔin Joe Alphonse in a news release Thursday (Aug. 25).

“Our households are predominantly low income, meaning a nearby food source is not only a constitutionally-protected Aboriginal right, but also an absolute necessity for healthy living.”

The news release says the province has doubled the number of moose LEH authorizations since 2021 despite data showing the lowest levels of moose on historic record.

“Moose were once abundant, but in recent years Tŝilhqot’in hunters are reporting too few moose on the territory to feed their families and communities,” said the press release.

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“Many have chosen not to hunt moose out of deep concern for future generations.”

Alphonse said the Tŝilhqot’in Nation has not been properly consulted by the province on this issue.

“LEH hunters need to stay home. They will not be welcomed in our territory,” said Alphonse.