This is the BC Government's latest, greatest idea.
I think they will be creating a whole new crop of poachers.
Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2009 11:45:21 -0800
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
2009ENV0106-001715
Ministry of Environment
Effective January 12th 2009:
Due to conservation concerns for the following species and sub-species of grouse, the British Columbia Ministry of Environment, Fish and Wildlife Branch, will initiate a Trial Program in the Fall of 2009 involving the requirement of Hunting License Holders to purchase grouse tags for all species of grouse legally hunted in BC.
Species of Concern:
BLUE GROUSE
(Dendragapus obscurus)
SOOTY GROUSE
(Dendragapus fuliginosus)
DUSKY GROUSE
(Tetrao Obscurus, Say.)
SHARP-TAILED GROUSE, Linn.
[Tympanuchus phasianellus.]
British Columbians have an important global responsibility to ensure the continued existence of these valuable game birds.
The road to recovery of BC�s populations,however,is not easy.We need to implement
realistic approaches that address the current relationship between Blue grouse, it's sub-species, sharp-tailed grouse and land use practices.This in turn must be incorporated into long term plans and activities geared towards conservation and recovery at the landscape level.To achieve this requires the co-operative efforts of provincial governments, ranchers,First Nations and the range management community.Together,we must develop and implement ecologically and economically
sustainable range management practices that incorporate the needs of this and other grass-
land species regardless of political and demographic boundaries.
Due to the impracticality of requiring tags for strictly the species at risk, the MOE has determined that tags will be required for all species, and the funds collected will go directly to research programs, controlled burns in areas where indicated, and subsidies to Grazing Lease holders to improve food and cover for species at risk.
Preliminary Bag Limits will be as follows:
(Subject to change at any time. it is your responsibility to check for updates on the MOE website. ANY CHANGES TO THESE FEES AND BAG LIMITS will be posted to
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/ )
Ruffed Grouse: No seasonal bag limit. Regular Daily and Possession Limits apply.
Spruce (Franklins): No seasonal bag limit. Regular Daily and Possession Limits apply.
Blue Grouse (Sub-Species Sooty and Dusky Grouse): 12 per Calendar Year.
Sharp-Tailed Grouse: 6 per Calendar Year
Tag Fees will be as follows:
Ruffed and Spruce grouse: $1.25 per tag.
Blue grouse (all species): $1.85 per tag.
Sharp-Tailed grouse: $2.15 per tag.
All prices subject to GST.
All proceeds to go to the Habitat Conservation Trust Fund: Grouse Enhancement Project.
Tags will be self-adhesive stickers, which must be affixed to one of the legs of the bird immediately on retrieval.
It is an offense to remove the tag until you are at your normal dwelling place (this will be extended to include hunt camps for this application), meat cutter, or taxidermist.
Tags will be available sometime this August 2009 at all normal retailers of hunting licenses and tags.
