B.C.’s Haida Gwaii seeing surge in illegal hunting, conservation officers say

The Conservation Officer Service says there's been a spike in illegal hunting on B.C.'s Haida Gwaii. (CTV News)

Wildlife hunters are being urged to familiarize themselves with the sport’s rules and regulations after thousands of dollars in fines were handed out during a spike of illegal activity on B.C.’s Haida Gwaii.

Sixteen tickets totalling close to $10,000 were dished out to non-compliant hunters during a three-week period spanning the end of August and the beginning of September, according to conservation officer Michael Geuze.

Thirty-four written warnings were also issued and there are “several other files” still under investigation, he said.

The tickets were issued for several offences under the Wildlife Act and Firearms Act, including hunting without a licence, unlawful possession of dead wildlife, transporting wildlife contrary to regulations and species tag violations.

There were also several incidents of hunters keeping a loaded firearm in their vehicle, said Geuze.

While the spike has seen illegal activity related to all manner of wildlife, the incidents are mostly related to the hunting of Sitka blacktail deer.

“People need to read and understand the regulations prior to hunting,” said Geuze.