ʔiiḥmaa ƛ̓uunim ( The elk is large) and can be yours this year.
The harvest area will be in the Klanawa Watershed, which is within the Maa-nulth Wildlife Harvest Area, Elk Hunt Zone 1- 03B-Klanawa.
Applications will be accepted from September 29 to October 7, 2015 (closing at 4 p.m.) at both the Port Alberni and Anacla Government Offices and by e-mail. The Huu-ay-aht First Nations elk season will run from October 8, 2015 to March 31, 2016. Application forms will be available at both Huu-ay-aht Government Offices where licences and certificates can also be brought in for copying.
Criteria for eligibility for this draw are:
- Must be a Huu-ay-aht Citizen enrolled in the Maa-nulth Treaty,
- Must have a current Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) or FAC,
- Must have a valid Huu-ay-aht Harvesting Card,
- The Maa-nulth Harvesting card must be checked off for hunting,
- You must have passed and have a certificate for the B.C. Hunter Training Program. If you were over the age of 19 on the Effective Date of Treaty (April 1, 2011), you are exempt from this requirement.
As outlined in the Maa-nulth Wildlife Harvest Plan, all Maa-nulth Nations have signed off on a “herd growth” approach to management (as opposed to a herd reduction or herd maintenance approach). This means the target will be “spike bulls” since about 50 per cent of spike bulls survive their first winter when they leave the protection of the cows. Bulls generally lead solitary lives in the winter, while the cows stay together and protect the young.
The successful applicant of this lottery must also agree to:
- Fill out a Maa-nulth Wildlife Harvest Form, which includes information such as effort, date of harvest, location and sex.
- Collect and provide to the Huu-ay-aht First Nations the front incisor tooth from the killed elk, for age and condition assessment.
- Gift one hind quarter to the Huu-ay-aht and drop off at custom cut game processor for butchering, with the Tayii Ḥaw̓ił receiving a prime cut (roast).
The winning hunter must also understand that a wounded animal that is not recovered is considered a kill and the hunt is over. This measure is designed to ensure responsible harvesting and promote the growth of local elk herds.
We would like to remind all Huu-ay-aht citizens to report the date, location and sex of all elk sightings to help us understand the local population.
To enter the draw, please fill out the application form here:
Public Notice – 2015 Elk Hunt Draw