I'm a hunter from Vancouver Island and have been coming up to Salmon River for some time now, fortunate to gain a moose draw for that area.
What I noticed this trip beyond other years is how bad the litter has gotten in the bush - I'm not talking about the odd candy wrapper or water bottle. There are bathtubs, reclining chairs and the like, scattered about on the roadside as well as deeper into the bush. I was out walking one morning and enjoying the serenity and beauty of your area when I noticed a thrown away 20-pound propane tank under a tree.
We are all very fortunate to live in such a beautiful part of the world - we clearly are taking it for granted and using it as our own personal dumping ground. Unfortunately I know that hunters are much to blame for this litter as anyone, seeing the trash left about where they sight in their rifles.
I'm not sure what the solution is or how to reach out and verbally give all of us that use the bush a verbal smack upside the head aside from writing this letter. If you have the means to pack the garbage into the bush, you have the means to pack it out. Perhaps the regional district can hold a "free dump day" if they don't already; the CO's can hand out more littering fines; those of us who hike and hunt in the area can hold each other accountable to cleaning up what messes we've made. If we can help clean up others garbage, then do so.
Hank Schmidt, Campbell River
