Throughout the recently wrapped up hunting season there was a roughly average to below average number of concerns and infractions reported to the Sundre Fish and Wildlife office.
“It was, I would say, an average to below average year for calls and complaints,” said Darren McInnes, Fish and Wildlife officer, last week, adding there were nevertheless numerous hunters out and about.
“We checked quite a few people out hunting.”
However, there was a decline in terms of the number of calls to the 24-7 Report A Poacher hotline, he said.
“The call volume was lower than usual.”
That could be the result of a couple of variables, such as fewer offences actually being committed or perhaps fewer people reporting infractions. While that could also indicate fewer hunters getting out there, proactive patrols saw officers interacting with many outdoorsmen and -women, he said.
“There still seems to be plenty of people out there,” he said.
“I like to think the majority of hunters are responsible, and if they see something that’s not right, they’ll report it.”
Hunters or landowners who witness anything out of the ordinary as well as suspicious or outright offences are encouraged to promptly place a detailed report by contacting 1-800-642-3800, he said, adding the hotline can be reached any time and that calls are patched through to the nearest on-duty officer.
People can also call in to report injured wildlife — not roadkill, but if an animal that was, for example, struck by a vehicle is in distress and needs to be euthanized, the hotline should be called, he said.
Every year, Fish and Wildlife officers must contend with a number of offences, such as poaching. However, that is not necessarily as pervasive a problem as are instances of trespassing, he said.
“The largest one seems to be hunters hunting on occupied land.”
Officials have previously stated and continue to attempt to ensure that hunters are aware the onus is on them to know the land they’re hunting on, and whether they’re allowed to be there, he said.
“Every year, that is the largest one we deal with.”
Hunters bear the responsibility of knowing if they are on public Crown land, leased Crown land, or private land. Although anyone has access to public Crown land, some ranchers have grazing leases on Crown land. Even though that’s Crown land, hunters are still required to obtain permission to access those leased lots, he said.
“It’s up to the hunter to know and to seek permission prior to entering on it.”
Investigations that stem from trespassing complaints sometimes yield the discovery of additional offences, he said.
Although the main hunting season for common trophies such as deer and moose wrapped up at the end of November, there remains until January some late season cow elk hunting on draw only, as well as an open season on cougars, which started on Dec. 1 and ends Feb. 28. Although a draw is not required to hunt cougars, hunters nevertheless need a general hunting licence for the animal, he said.
Fortunately, there were no reported dangerous or deadly encounters with predators this hunting season. By November, black and grizzly bears are typically seeking to start snoozing for the winter. Potential problems are more likely to arise during the fall archery season in September and October, when bears are still searching for food to fatten up ahead of their hibernation, he said.
