Hunters protest new rules
Many have complained that a recent wildlife harvest allocation decision unfairly favours foreigners and professional hunting guides, at the expense of resident hunters. Some residents feel like "second-class citizens in their own province" because the decision gave a larger share of big-game hunting permits to professional guides and outfitters catering to foreign clients.
Last month, after concerned hunters debated the topic on Energy Minister Bill Bennett's Facebook page, Bennett replied with a public post saying:
"Frankly Steve [Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations] doesn't need the votes to get elected and I'm not running again, so all the threats don't mean **** to us."
Bennett also sent an angry, profanity-laced email to a constituent in 2007. That email, also on the topic of wildlife allocations, led to Bennett's resignation from cabinet before his reappointment.
“This is incredibly unfair. The foreign hunters are unable to even keep the meat from the animals they kill. They are simply out there to put a trophy on their wall. I fail to see how this benefits B.C. residents in any way, shape or form” said Dena Sharkey, a Vernon resident.
The number of B.C. hunters has grown from 84,000 to 102,000 during the past 10 years. The BCWF says the allocation rules could lead to 5,000 fewer hunting permits going to residents
http://www.theprovince.com/technolog...927/story.html
http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/news/289625331.html