Sharing elk hunting grounds has always been a source of conflict. Although most hunting groups can agree, there are some who overdo it by taking up too much public land. They confiscate square kilometers of hunting territory, preventing other hunters from settling nearby and also enjoying the joys of elk hunting.
This appropriation of public land during elk hunting is a situation that has been going on for several years. Government authorities are aware of the situation and hunting groups have been documenting the phenomenon for around ten years.
A territory to share
A survey was conducted in 2016 by the regional branch of the Federation of Hunters and Fishermen of Quebec. It found that about 3,000 new elk hunters gave up hunting because the area was 100 percent occupied.
In July 2021, the regional office of the Ministry of Wildlife conducted a survey to know people’s opinions on establishing a hunting structure in a peri-urban environment to democratize the free territory for elk hunting.
“Many people would like to go moose hunting, but are unable to do so given the current situation. A project to democratize free territory in areas close to the city has been studied for several years. We would like to invite you to take part in a short survey that will allow us to better determine what actions to take. “The results will be announced no later than autumn 2021,” said the ministry’s introductory letter.
The results are slow
We are in the fall of 2023 and there is still radio silence at the Department of Wildlife regional office. I was told the results will be available soon. Other sources tell me that the investigation into the results was completed a long time ago. I also learn from the branches that we don’t want to heat up the issue too much for political reasons.
It is a very sensitive issue, elk hunting areas in public forests. Wildlife managers may fear the discontent of hunters, who risk losing what they believe are earned rights.
Groups of hunters have been hunting in the same place for years, denying other hunters access to this area, which is public property and belongs to everyone.
These hunting groups are very fortunate to be able to enjoy game-rich territory for four weeks of the year. It’s just a shame that it’s always the same people who benefit from a common good and prevent others from benefiting from it.
The Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean area is 85% public land, while 15% private land lies primarily in the city.
On the ZECs and in free territory
The pass’s ZEC posted this notice on its Facebook page at the start of the elk hunting season. “During this big game hunting season, we are seeing an increase in intentional road closures on various forest service roads by certain users. This practice is illegal and can be seriously worrying, considering that many users use these routes either for work, for leisure, during fires or to evacuate people in difficulty. These trails are public and may not be closed at any time without permission, at the request of a person wishing to protect an area.
I know very well the unwritten law of elk hunting areas, but at some point we have to have the political courage and try to propose a different way to democratize elk hunting. The law of the strongest and intimidation can no longer be the norm in elk hunting areas. Some ZECs have already started documenting their territory and identifying caches.
ZEC Martin-Valin, for example, launched the “original project” and groups of hunters must register at the ZEC reception post before the start of the hunting season. The group must consist of at least two hunters for an area of approximately 1.5 km2. The hunting area is identified with GPS points on a map and a code of ethics is signed by the group’s hunters.
One day it will be necessary to map, identify, name and demarcate hunting areas across Quebec to finally get a more accurate idea of what is happening in the forest and make this information available online. The reign of “hunters on the prowl”, “danger”, “shoot everything that moves” signs should no longer be the norm in 2023.
Hunting season looks good
The first echoes of the elk hunting season seem to be very positive. ZEC Martin-Valin had a harvest of 96 elk on Tuesday October 10th. According to the manager of the Facebook page, 92 moose were shot at the ZEC in 2021 and 109 moose in 2019, a record year. Considering there were still three days of hunting left (as of October 10th), it’s a good year.
On October 10th there were 73 moose on ZEC Brébeuf. In 2019, 130 animals were captured, and in 2021 there were already 94.
Text links from 2016: https://nouveau.eureka.cc/Search/Result
Read survey: https://nouveau.eureka.cc/Search/Result