Hunters and non- hunters must protect wildlife

Re: Bear- baiting isn’t hunting — it’s assassination, Issues, May 23

As a longtime hunter, guide and conservationist, I do not agree with Peter Fricker’s article condemning hunting.

Nevertheless, every British Columbian who cares about wildlife should be aware our wildlife resource is in serious trouble. Political agendas to increase and sustain hunting opportunities are fast forwarding the serious decline of many populations.

Our wildlife resource cannot compete with long hunting seasons, endless road access that gets larger every year, plus the great number of 4X4 trucks and the new problem, the quad bike. In the background are the unmanageable problems of roadkill, hard winters, predators and habitat destruction.

One of the most glaring examples of the corruption that is wildlife management today is the story that showcases the collapse of the Boundary deer herd ( Rock Creek- Grand Forks), for decades the largest in the province

The reality is that unless there is a coalition of stakeholders, including anti- hunters, committed to pressuring our provincial government for a meaningful review of wildlife management the resource has a grim future.

The solution is a wildlife advisory of all stakeholders for every wildlife management region in the province and terms of reference that put a major emphasis on managing the resource for the ages! BARRY BRANDOW Grand Forks