Wildlife and Migratory Birds- Hunting Regulations

The right to harvest Wildlife and Migratory birds within Huu-ay-aht territory is reserved for registered Huu-ay-aht citizens. Before hunting anywhere in Huu-ay-aht territory, all Huu-ay-aht hunters must have a valid harvest card.

This is a simplified summary of the Wildlife and Migratory Birds Regulation (2014). In the event of any discrepancy, the Wildlife and Migratory Birds Regulation (2014) is Huu-ay-aht law and takes legal authority.

Hunting Gear Requirements

If you are hunting with a firearm:

  • The firearm must be registered by the owner with the Canadian Firearms Registry
  • It may be used only by the holder of a Possession Only Licence (POL) or a Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL).
  • For deer, you must use centre-fire ammunition
  • For hunting bear and tl’unim (Roosevelt Elk), the firearm must produce at least2000 foot-lbs of energy at muzzle,

If you are hunting with a bow:

  • Long-bows, recurve bows and compound bows must have a minimum draw-pull of 18 kg.
  •  Regular crossbows must have a minimum draw-pull of 68 kg.
  • Compound crossbows must have a minimum draw-pull of 45 kg.

Recovery of Wounded Animals

If you injure an animal:

  • You must make every effort to recover it, humanely put it down and utilize the edible portions of that animal.
  • If the wounded animal is unable to be found or recovered, you must report this event to the manager.
  • This information helps to make appropriate decisions for future species allocations.

Utilization of Animals

Hunters must not waste any edible parts of wildlife or migratory birds. For deer, elk, and bear, you must keep and use all four quarters and the backstrap.

Identification of Harvest

When transporting your harvest:

  • The sex, species, and number of animals must remain easily identifiable until the meat is processed or preserved at your home.

Time of Harvest

You may not hunt the following wildlife during these times:

  • Elk: closed December 31 to September 1
  • Deer: closed January 1 to September 1
  • Female bears, cougars or wolves with dependent young: never permitted

Designated Species Authorization

You may not hunt tl’unim (Roosevelt Elk) without authorization from the director. If you are selected to hunt this allocated species, you will receive detailed instructions and conditions.

Reporting of game

Reportable game: grouse, deer, tl’unim, bear, cougar, wolf, and seal

All hunters are required to submit a catch report with the following to the Manager for all reportable game harvested.

  1. Date of harvest
  2. Number of days spent hunting
  3. Location where the animal was harvested
  4. Sex of the animal
  5. Estimated age and details on how it was determined
  6. The health condition of the animal
  7. Any sightings of other reportable game, even if you did not harvest them

Barter and trade

You may trade or barter wildlife and migratory birds with other Indigenous people in BC if:

  1. You are a Huu-ay-aht citizen following all hunting regulations
  2. The species is approved for trade and barter by the director.
  3. You have a transportation certificate if the trade will occur outside of the Maa-nulth harvest area.

All species are approved for trade and barter, except tl’unim, unless otherwise stated by the director.

Transport of wildlife and migratory birds

To transport wildlife and migratory birds outside of the Maa-nulth harvest area, you must have a transportation certificate issued by the manager in your possession.

Harvesting outside of Huu-ay-aht territory

You may only hunt outside of Huu-ay-aht territory if you have written permission from the Director.

Your written request must include:

  • The Maa-nulth First Nation area in which you would like to hunt
  • The dates and times
  • The species you want to harvest
  • The gear you plan to use 

Note

This is a plain-language summary to help harvesters understand the main points of the Wildlife and Migratory Birds Regulation