SO much fail.....

[Gatehouse]

http://www.piquenewsmagazine.com/pique/index.php?cat=C_News&content=Bow+hunting+1809

Mar 2, 2011 1:42pm
Bow hunting bylaw falls short for human safety
Council passes amendment to ban crossbows in areas of Whistler
By Alison Taylor

Council hasn't gone far enough to protect humans and animals from crossbows in Whistler's recreational areas, according to one concerned citizen.

Sylvia Dolson said the bylaw amendment passed at Tuesday's council meeting to ban bow hunting from Emerald Estates to Function Junction including municipal parks such as Lost Lake and the Whistler Interpretive Forest, isn't good enough.

"Mayor and council failed the residents of Whistler by not including some important recreation sites and trails (in the bylaw change)," said a disappointed Dolson after the meeting.

She pointed to the Whistler Bungee site, the Cougar Mountain site and the Cal-Cheak campground all as heavily used recreational areas that still allow bow hunting.

"The main issue here is safety around crossbows," she added. "They're highly sophisticated, dangerous weapons."

Crossbows were allowed within municipal boundaries, unlike other lethal firearms, something that was brought to light last year when a guide outfitter shot a black bear with a bow beside the highway near Function Junction.

The incident sparked outrage in the community and prompted this bylaw amendment.

Dolson wants bows banned within the entire municipal boundaries. Failing that, she said, signs should be posted in recreation areas where crossbows are allowed to warn residents and guests of the dangers.

Councillor Tom Thomson also argued for a ban in the entire municipal boundaries, focusing on the ethics and morals of hunting rather than public safety.

"I don't think the town could bear the shame (of a black bear being killed by a bow) after what has gone on..." said Thomson, referring to the recent sled dog cull that thrust Whistler into the international spotlight.

Hunting, said Thomson, is not something that fits with the greater scope of the Whistler experience.

A debate ensued at the table about the morals of hunting.

"This isn't just about bears," said Councillor Chris Quinlan, addressing Thomson's points. "Hunting is for sustenance, is a natural part of our existence as human beings."

Councillor Eckhard Zeidler also highlighted the arbitrary nature of the boundary lines.

"They're political," he said. "They're nothing to do with what's happening on the ground."

Moreover, said Zeidler, those boundaries could change in the future.

The bylaw amendment still allows for bow hunting to the west of Whistler's developed area, within the boundaries.

The Conservation Officer Service (COS) has reported that hunting guide activity has increased in the corridor and the Pemberton area but no accidents with humans have occurred. The COS was unable to confirm if bow hunting has increased and does not have statistics for the activity, according to the municipal staff report.

Curtis Christian, who owns a company called Whistler Archers, also asked council to consider the impact the bylaw change would have to the sport of archery and asked that council designate an area, like the Frisbee disc course, where archers can shoot.

In the end, with a small change to include the Flank Trail within the banned bow area, council unanimously voted to accept the bylaw amendment.

While she was pleased with the inclusion of the Flank Trail, Dolson said overall the change falls short of what she was hoping for.

"I think we missed a really important (point) around the safety of crossbows," said Dolson. "The issue is not the ethics and morals around hunting."

The amendment also widens the banned hunting area along the highway and roads. Previously hunters could use a crossbow 15 feet beyond the middle of the road, now that has been expanded to 100 feet.

Meanwhile, in response to the letters about the sled dog cull still falling on council's desk, Mayor Ken Melamed stressed that Whistler is a caring, dog-friendly community.

Council is following the case and is awaiting the findings from the three-member provincial task force.

That task force is due to serve its report to the Minister of Agriculture on March 25.

 

[7mmlefty]

Here I thought the rest of Canada was safe from Retarded politicians except Ontario... where all levels of political retardation are born and nurtured.

 

[Gatehouse]

While the focus is on hunting with crossbows, it seems that the ban will be more encompassing and include all forms of archery, not just hunting.

One thing that I am sure helped the anti case was a local traditional bowhunter that has an archery range in his backyard publicly stating that crossbows are used by unskilled hunters and should be banned. Something to thik about in the crossbow debate on the other thread....

It's unfortunate that there was any restriction put into place but it seems this is the lesser of 2 evils, as a complete ban was certainly possible. Congrats to Councillers Zeidler and Quinlan who removed the emotion form the debate and focused on facts.

 

[blargon]

Hunting, said Thomson, is not something that fits with the greater scope of the Whistler experience.

Not enough pot smoking, granola and Kumbaya singing, eh dude...

 

[sealhunter]

it's like this meeting happened inside a vacuum somewhere in la la land...

 

[USP]

No longer is it enough to save the children, now they must save the bears..

 

[trevj]

Well, now we know where to drop of the live-trapped bears, eh?

Cheers
Trev

 

[kjohn]

The reason for the ban on bow hunting is because of poor visibility in the area from pot smoke. Hey man, pass the Cheezies, man.......

 

[gak]

"The main issue here is safety around crossbows," she added. "They're highly sophisticated, dangerous weapons."

I didn't know composite bows, compound bows, etc. were so safe compared to "dangerous" crossbows.

Sophisticated and dangerous:

Simple and safe:

 

[Wrong Way]

While the focus is on hunting with crossbows, it seems that the ban will be more encompassing and include all forms of archery, not just hunting.

One thing that I am sure helped the anti case was a local traditional bowhunter that has an archery range in his backyard publicly stating that crossbows are used by unskilled hunters and should be banned. Something to thik about in the crossbow debate on the other thread....

It's unfortunate that there was any restriction put into place but it seems this is the lesser of 2 evils, as a complete ban was certainly possible. Congrats to Councillers Zeidler and Quinlan who removed the emotion form the debate and focused on facts.

Ahhh yes, the elusive "Robin Fudd". Originally from ontario, the species was thought to have been wiped out in the province. Recent reports indicate, however, that a large # had migrated to BC where they have spread and multiplied. It appears that, unlike Ontario, the BC population has become accustomed to the Robin-Fudd and embraced the ideology en-masse.

Too bad really. If you want to ensure less new blood and avoid increasing the #'s and strength of the archery community, thats a real good way to do it.

 

[John Y Cannuck]

While the focus is on hunting with crossbows, it seems that the ban will be more encompassing and include all forms of archery, not just hunting.

One thing that I am sure helped the anti case was a local traditional bowhunter that has an archery range in his backyard publicly stating that crossbows are used by unskilled hunters and should be banned. Something to thik about in the crossbow debate on the other thread....

It's unfortunate that there was any restriction put into place but it seems this is the lesser of 2 evils, as a complete ban was certainly possible. Congrats to Councillers Zeidler and Quinlan who removed the emotion form the debate and focused on facts.

My feeling on reading the article was tat they are anti hunting in general, all forms. Nasty bunch of radical Liberal antis IMO.

 

[John Y Cannuck]

One thing that I am sure helped the anti case was a local traditional bowhunter that has an archery range in his backyard publicly stating that crossbows are used by unskilled hunters and should be banned.

Well that's certainly debatable. Unskilled hunters can use either, but are less likely to be an issue when using a crossbow, because it's easier to learn. They also are less likely to be firing arrows in their back yard all year to stay in form.

However bringing that to their attention could just dig a deeper hole.

 

[Turkeyslayer 1300]

I only own Traditional Tackle, it is un-fortunate that many Traditional Archers feel it necessary to place themselves on a pillar above the rest of the Hunting community as in reality they are hurting themselves by running parallel bowhunters through the mud, it does not help Hunting as a whole and especially archery hunting.It is unfortunate that stupidity like this make it into legislation.

 

[sulisa]

Here I thought the rest of Canada was safe from Retarded politicians except Ontario... where all levels of political retardation are born and nurtured.

Looks like some escaped, although in the interest of full disclosure, we're not doing all we can to discourage the Retarded ones from leaving the Province . It would be like trying to keep Mexicans from crossing into the US - I'd recommend a high fence (or a minefield )

 

[Gatehouse]

Well that's certainly debatable. Unskilled hunters can use either, but are less likely to be an issue when using a crossbow, because it's easier to learn. They also are less likely to be firing arrows in their back yard all year to stay in form.

However bringing that to their attention could just dig a deeper hole.

What the effect was is that the hunt banners took it as a green light to jup on the "crossbow" thing and fear monger thier way into a ban. "Look, even this bowhunter thinks crossbows should be banned"

Divide and conquer.....

 

[hakx]

Is this a case where "enlightened" urbanites try to create their version of Utopia for the accumulative 30 days they might spend in Whistler annually?

 

[ikedaboy]

Here I thought the rest of Canada was safe from Retarded politicians except Ontario... where all levels of political retardation are born and nurtured.

Yeah! x2 on that! What the hell??!!

 

[7mmlefty]

Is this a case where "enlightened" urbanites try to create their version of Utopia for the accumulative 30 days they might spend in Whistler annually?

Probably has something to do with utopia as most political types are living the dream on taxpayers backs.

I guess its safer to shoot a recurve bow 15 feet off the yellow line of a road than it is a crossbow?

It would only get dangerouse as one might get hit by a car while walking out to the roadway to get a clear shot at something and try to avoid getting hit by vehicles...

 

[Longwalker]

Here's a completely different thought....
I just came back from a hunt in Germany. Wild boar and roe deer, in the city parks of Cologne. Hunters there are accustomed to shooting game with regular rifles, often less than 100M from residences, in park and forest areas in the heart of the city. Shooting is done at night by moonlight, or with dogs and drivers in daylight. Most of my companions were shooting 30-06 or 8x57 rifles. Shotgun slugs were banned since it was their opinion that slugs were more dangerous due to ricochet off the ground - the complete opposite of our rules in densely populated areas. In addition, archery was not allowed for hunting. I have no idea why, but it's just another contrast between here and there.

The Whistler crossbow situation is really about banning hunting and not about safety at all in my opinion. It was very refreshing to have the opportunity to hunt in Germany, in a densely populated area, and have the activity seem completely accepted by the locals, and even appreciated. Strangers who meet a hunter in the forest are more likely to say "Waidmannsheil" ( the ancient hunters greeting ) than they are to look in any way concerned about a man with a rifle on their walking path. Just another contrast that I thought I should share.

 

[tigrr]

Remember we are talking about "Whistler" the capital of NIMBY's
Not in my back yard!!
Heard a story where a lady planted a tree in her back yard and the next door lady didn't like the smell of the tree so she went to council or bylaw and complained. They asked her to remove the offending tree!!