The Saulteau First Nations have weighed in on moose management in the province.
The First Nation issued a statement on the matter Monday.
"We support the initiative to establish new regulations and increased research into moose management that is being proposed by the Province. These kinds of measures are necessary to make sure that moose populations are sustainable for First Nations and non-First Nations in the Peace Region. Everyone who has lived here for a long time has seen how things have been changing over the years," it reads.
"There is way more industrial activity on the land than ever before, and more is coming with the build up for LNG projects. More well-sites and roads and pipelines and transmission lines bring economic activity to the region, which we support keeping in mind the need to also protect wildlife. But so far the focus has only been on development and not on reclamation. That means less habitat for wildlife and more habitat fragmentation. Past governments did not invest in wildlife management, and the science on these topics is weak at best."
Saulteau notes this is why they have seen moose populations decline across the entire province.
"We do not want that problem to spread to the Peace Region more than it already has. Everyone who has lived here for a long time also knows that moose populations are already declining, and that a wide open season on moose doesn’t make sense anymore. The roads and trails are over crowded with hunters in the Fall, and most of them are from out-of-region. We need to find a better balance."
They said new regulations introduce the same kinds of limited entry hunting measures that apply in other parts of the Province, and it is their understanding that the government can apply the LEH process so that most of the tags go to local hunters.
"We are calling on the Province to give local hunters priority in the limited entry hunting draws. We understand that the government is now planning to invest in better wildlife management, including increasing budgets for inventories, adding new conservation officers, new programs for enhancing and reclaiming habitat, and by setting up a wildlife working group with stakeholders to discuss future options."
They said it is a start that will ensure that their Treaty rights are honoured, and that there are better hunting opportunities for local residents who share respect and love for the land.
"We understand that there a lot of rumours going around. We understand that people in the Peace are concerned."
Saulteau was quick to condemn hate speech and more stemming from the issue.
"That is why we totally condemn the hate speech and threats that we have been receiving. Those kinds of statements and tactics are evil, built on a platform of hate, and completely counter intuitive to finding thoughtful well-informed solutions. We want you to get involved in the discussions that happen later this year and next year," the statement reads.
"We want you to participate in a way that is informed, calm, respectful, fair, and reasonable. We think that is the best way forward and we hope that you will agree. We also call on local MLAs, municipal and community leaders to start by publicly condemning racism, denouncing rumours and misinformation, and pledging to give zero-tolerance to bullying. We equally call on everyone who calls the Peace home to work with us in building a better place for all of us to live, work, play and raise our families."
