I was told about this tonight and I would like to ask CGN what they have to say about this...I personally say hunters, the ones that paid for those nice yellow plastic tags we got this year to be held in a draw to let us have a chance. Discuss
http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2012/12/31/short-hills-park-to-close-for-two-weekend-deer-hunt
Short Hills Provincial Park will be closed for the next two weekends because of an Aboriginal-only deer hunt.
In a press release issued Monday afternoon, the Ministry of Natural Resources said the hunt will “allow Aboriginal hunters to safely harvest deer for food.”
The restricted hunt will take place Saturday and Sunday, and again Jan. 12 and 13 from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.
The 735-hectare park will be closed during those two weekends with park staff patrolling the perimeter boundary and park trails.
“All sorts of safety protocols are in place and we're hoping that the fact it's two weekends in January, the park won't be as busy as it could normally be,” said Jolanta Kowalski, a spokeswoman for the MNR. “Safety is our priority so that's why we're closing the park during the hunt.”
However, even during the winter, the park is popular in Niagara for walking and hiking, skiing, snowshoeing and cycling. Dozens of cars could be seen in the park's three parking lots off of Pelham, Wiley and Roland roads over the weekend.
The hunt will be conducted by the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, which is made up of natives from the Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas and Senecas.
“Only the Haudenosaunee will be allowed to hunt on those weekends,” Kowalski said. “It's about them being able to exercise their treaty rights.”
Only archery equipment will be allowed, so no rifles or shotguns will be used, and the hunters are being asked to stick to the southeast corner of the park, which is more remote and has fewer trails.
Kowalski said the hunt isn't the result of an overpopulation of deer in the park.
“There's a favourable climate, a lot of food sources nearby and mixed wood forests and that has all helped the deer population increase,” she said. “So this isn't going to be damaging to the deer population in that area.”
It's expected between 15 and 20 native hunters will take part each day of the hunt.
Some non-Aboriginal hunters, including one who contacted the Standard, aren't happy about the hunt being restricted, but Kowalski said it's important to realize hunting inside the provincial park is still illegal.
“Existing Aboriginal and treaty rights are recognized and affirmed by the constitution, so we're committed to respecting those rights,” she said. “It's not a case of the park suddenly being open to hunting by everyone.”
http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2012/12/31/short-hills-park-to-close-for-two-weekend-deer-hunt
Short Hills Provincial Park will be closed for the next two weekends because of an Aboriginal-only deer hunt.
In a press release issued Monday afternoon, the Ministry of Natural Resources said the hunt will “allow Aboriginal hunters to safely harvest deer for food.”
The restricted hunt will take place Saturday and Sunday, and again Jan. 12 and 13 from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.
The 735-hectare park will be closed during those two weekends with park staff patrolling the perimeter boundary and park trails.
“All sorts of safety protocols are in place and we're hoping that the fact it's two weekends in January, the park won't be as busy as it could normally be,” said Jolanta Kowalski, a spokeswoman for the MNR. “Safety is our priority so that's why we're closing the park during the hunt.”
However, even during the winter, the park is popular in Niagara for walking and hiking, skiing, snowshoeing and cycling. Dozens of cars could be seen in the park's three parking lots off of Pelham, Wiley and Roland roads over the weekend.
The hunt will be conducted by the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, which is made up of natives from the Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas and Senecas.
“Only the Haudenosaunee will be allowed to hunt on those weekends,” Kowalski said. “It's about them being able to exercise their treaty rights.”
Only archery equipment will be allowed, so no rifles or shotguns will be used, and the hunters are being asked to stick to the southeast corner of the park, which is more remote and has fewer trails.
Kowalski said the hunt isn't the result of an overpopulation of deer in the park.
“There's a favourable climate, a lot of food sources nearby and mixed wood forests and that has all helped the deer population increase,” she said. “So this isn't going to be damaging to the deer population in that area.”
It's expected between 15 and 20 native hunters will take part each day of the hunt.
Some non-Aboriginal hunters, including one who contacted the Standard, aren't happy about the hunt being restricted, but Kowalski said it's important to realize hunting inside the provincial park is still illegal.
“Existing Aboriginal and treaty rights are recognized and affirmed by the constitution, so we're committed to respecting those rights,” she said. “It's not a case of the park suddenly being open to hunting by everyone.”
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