Williams Lake First Nations condones illegal elk harvesting, implenting new measures to find poachers

Williams Lake First Nation (WLFN), in a statement released, says they have “received credible reports of Tcetś (elk)” being illegally harvested in the Horsefly area.

WLFN says it does not authorize, and condones the hunting of Tcetś (elk) within its Traditional Territory.

Historically, the Tcetś (elk) played a vital role in the First Nation’s traditional food systems, culture, and ways of life. Due to overhunting, the Tcetś (elk) population and herd sizes have been decimated. Still, with the help of conservation efforts from the First Nation alongside the Conservation Office and advocacy groups, WLFN Chief Willie Sellars says that the First Nation has seen the herds grow.

He also said the herds are still being impacted by Indigenous and non-Indigenous hunters, and the First Nation is working with the Conservation Office to get a better handle on.

“We also need to do a better job working with our local ranchers, and be cognizant of the concerns of our neighbours on how quickly they [Tcetś] grow and the impacts they have on local farms,” Chief Sellars says.

“It’s a challenging one, but we don’t want everyone and their dog shooting [Tcetś (elk)], and to see these herds be decimated, and not have them reintroduced back into the Territory.”

Herds of Tcetś have been seen on the WLFN reserve and in more regions across the Cariboo Chilcotin. Sellars says local ranchers and stakeholders have “a heck of a time” dealing with roaming Tcetś. Reports of the massive animals have spread from bullying cattle, grazing on crops, and damaging sheds and barns.

Sellars says when it comes to having conversations with local stakeholders to help them while still continuing to grow the Tcetś herds, “we have to be champions for them.”

The WLFN does issue permits to hunt in it Traditional Territory, but, like the moose, the WLFN said in its statement that it “will not authorize the hunting of Tcetś”, and it will oppose the establishment of any provincially regulated Limited Entry Hunt, or open season on Tcetś (elk).

While there is currently limited data on Tcetś (elk) herd populations, migrations, and health within WLFN’s Territory. To study the animals and their patterns more, the WLFN’s Natural Resources Department is working collaboratively with the BC Conservation Office to establish a Tcetś Camera Trap Research Program to study the herds.

Cameras have been placed along known trails and hunting grounds. The cameras also have another purpose that Chief Sellars says plainly…

“To stop the poaching.”

“We need to be better stewards of this land. We are the champions of the Cariboo Chilcotin. I hope everyone can support us in that, and we can raise awareness on this issue and approach the conversations in a better way with a united front.”