This letter was addressed to the mayor and council. A copy was forwarded to Pique for publication.
Re: Bowhunting within the RMOW boundaries
On behalf of Whistler Residents Opposed to Urban Hunting, we would like to ask that mayor and council regulate bow hunting within municipal boundaries; or at minimum in areas that are used recreationally.
According to the B.C. Hunting Regulations, most municipalities have local bylaws restricting and controlling the use of weapons, firearms and bows within their boundaries. And Whistler does in fact have a bylaw that makes it unlawful to discharge a firearm within our municipal limits (Firearms Regulation Bylaw No. 874, 1991). Provincial regulations do, however, stipulate "No Hunting" areas making it illegal to bow hunt within 100 metres of a dwelling or playground within the RMOW.
That means that during hunting season, it is legal to shoot a bear, for example, with a bow in Lost Lake Park; in the Interpretive Forest; along the Callaghan Road; or any hiking or biking trail (so long as the hunter is 15 metres from the centre line on the road and away from buildings as noted above).
This presents a huge safety risk for residents and visitors; their dogs, not to mention the animals. The wounding rate for animals shot with bows is significantly higher than those shot with firearms and they often suffer a slow and agonizing death.
The Conservation Officer Service has had recent reports of bow hunters within our municipal boundaries as well as reports of hunting out of season and illegally discharging a firearm within municipal limits. The Get Bear Smart Society has heard from many concerned residents and visitors of bow hunters legally shooting bears along Highway 99 and the Callaghan Road. To make matters worse, the Callaghan bears have become a well-known roadside attraction. They are being habituated by dozens and dozens of viewers every day. Hunting them would be like shooting fish in a barrel. We can't imagine this is a "sport" for which Whistler would like to become recognized internationally.
We would therefore ask mayor and council to direct staff to draft a bylaw to prohibit bow hunting within the RMOW boundaries.
We urge you to act quickly as the fall hunting season for black bears will open on Sept. 1 for bow hunters and Sept. 10 for all other hunters. It lasts until Nov. 30. It will resume again next spring from April 1 to June 15. Grizzlies are not allowed to be hunted in this area.
Thank you for your consideration and action.
Sylvia Dolson
On behalf of Whistler Residents Opposed to Urban Hunting
