Sheep Changes Coming
- Thread starter sheephunter
- Start date
Actually the ram that was killed this year was stalked by several resident hunters without luck this year.
This pilot project was based on conserving habitat, allowing more access and rewarding the landowner a small token of appreciation.
Ya, money for wildlife conservation is never good.
This is based on conserving sheep habitat, more hunting opportunity. Costing someone a large amount.
I guess money for wildlife conservation is only good if its a large amount for sheep sake. hmmmmm. just a thought.
I suspect it wouldn't be palatable at all but that fact the it raises a significant amount of money for conservation in this province was the whole idea of creating it. To that end it works. Nothing new here, virtually every jurisdiction in North America with sheep save for the NWT does it. You guys would be pissed off if you had to drive to a brewery that was giving away free beer. You'd want it delivered. Sheeeeesh.
Absolutely not. I just don't think management of wildlife resources has to work this way and its rarely that simple. As long as we have a public resource with resident demand exceeding supply I think we need to manage it with external demand being the lowest priority - and that includes even the ram to be sold to the highest bidder. That's just my opinion.
And if I am drinking the beer I would just rather pay for it and pick it up rather than be expected to put out for specific interests.
Some of us aren't so easy or cheap I guess.
Really?
Yup...There is a levy that goes to the Alberta Conservation Association and the private vendor's fee that comes off but all of the Government's portion goes straight into general revenue. What the Government spends on actual conservation projects is dismal. Heck, Government bios are applying to the non-profit groups to get money to do research. It's a sad state of affairs. Without the raising of money for conservation by non-profit groups in this province, we'd be a lot worse off than we are.
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Agree with you 100% on that.
And by developing the NGO's, raffle tags and such the gov't sees a opportunity to offload funding responsibility, and the chance of interest groups to hijack the process.
Bloody crooks - and from this week I think even folks who haven't been watching see just how busted the moral compass of Alberta's political landscape really is.
It's unfortunate that someone has to pick up the slack...I agree but if they didn't wildlife conservation in this province would be non-existent. Absolutely hunters should be lobbying for a major paradigm shift from this government when it comes to conservation but until that time, someone has to do it. Sadly, I see that shift heading further in the wrong direction rather than the direction of conservation. A lot of this stuff we can never get back if wait for the government to come around. It will be gone forever. It's not the perfect solution but it is a solution for the interim at least...and sadly likely the long-term. When we no longer have a dedicated Minister of F&W.....the government has pretty well stated their position. I don't see much hope from the new Conrose party. We can spend a lot of time whining about the state of affairs and criticizing the NGOs but in the end, at least they are doing something....and in this case it is far better than nothing. Once it's gone....it's gone.
NGO's were opposed years ago - and folks were sold a bill of goods. I firmly believe they have a place, I just won't ever believe that place is at the front and centre, and that it is always in the public's best interest.
All it takes is a little courage to question the status quo. And things are going to be questioned a bit heavier under the combined dimwit alliance. 55 dollar oil will make things rough all the way around.
Especially for conservation...Prentice made it pretty clear where it rated when he appointed Fawcett. Like I said, you can criticize NGOs all you want and likely some warranted but in the end they are all we have. I see a paradigm shift within them much more feasible than within the Government...in fact there are some major changes happening with several as we speak. It's all about becoming involved.
An interesting look at harvest stats in WMU 302/400. While the stats are open to a bit of interpretation due to the die off it does demonstrate that harvest does decline under full curl regulation in 1996 and if you compare current harvest to pre die off, it's not hard to see that it is significant. Possibly 50% or more. Let the arhjuing begin...........
Nice to see Wild Sheep Foundation of Alberta on top of this issue! This was just posted on their Facebook page:
Are you concerned about proposed changes to Alberta's sheep hunting regulations rolled out by AESRD at the AGMAG earlier this month? Do you feel that no changes should take place until proper scientific evidence and data is brought forth supporting the need for change? If so, then let Kyle Fawcett, Minister of Environment, know that making these changes, without first proving a need for change, is unacceptable. To help you do this, WSFA has prepared a letter that you can easily insert your name, print off, sign and mail in to Mr, Fawcett. The letter is availble at the following link http://www.wsfab.org/pdfs/esrd4.pdf If you agree with this, and are as concerned as we are that the face of sheep hunting may unnecessarily change forever, then please take a few minutes to send him this letter. Mr. Fawcett's contact information is available at: http://www.assembly.ab.ca/net/index.aspx?p=mla_home
Are you concerned about proposed changes to Alberta's sheep hunting regulations rolled out by AESRD at the AGMAG earlier this month? Do you feel that no changes should take place until proper scientific evidence and data is brought forth supporting the need for change? If so, then let Kyle Fawcett, Minister of Environment, know that making these changes, without first proving a need for change, is unacceptable. To help you do this, WSFA has prepared a letter that you can easily insert your name, print off, sign and mail in to Mr, Fawcett. The letter is availble at the following link http://www.wsfab.org/pdfs/esrd4.pdf If you agree with this, and are as concerned as we are that the face of sheep hunting may unnecessarily change forever, then please take a few minutes to send him this letter. Mr. Fawcett's contact information is available at: http://www.assembly.ab.ca/net/index.aspx?p=mla_home
The sheep outfitters had a meeting Saturday and from what was passed along to me, they agreed to oppose any change and support status quo unless a valid biological argument for change could be made. Seems to be a fair bit of unity among the groups again. Good to see.
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Wonder if the new GOS for sheep on the BC side will effect the mature sheep population in Alberta? The rams probably don't respect the border.
I doubt much but if we go to full curl here it will undoubtedly create a few more legal rams on your side of the divide. I suspect there has been more than one ram passed up in BC because it wasn't legal only to be killed a few days later in Alberta.
You can probably rectify that by closing the season in mid October. It would cut the harvest of mature rams significantly unless people are willing to hunt a lot harder in the earlier season. Certainly would level the playing field but I think the guides and hunters that want an easier ram would be opposed.
Neil
Neil
