Few changes in hunting, trapping regulation for Natives in 1989

Page 10

Edmonton

There are few changes in hunting regulation for Natives in 1989. The following regulations apply only to Treaty Indians:

Treaty Indians who hunt on a subsistence level (killing only enough to feed their families), can hunt on unoccupied Crown land and on privately owned land where they have gained special

permission from the owner.

In these areas, Treaty Indians are not always required to follow Alberta's hunting legislation.

They are not generally subject to quotas being imposed by the Department of Fish and Wildlife on all other hunters such as the Metis or non-Native.

However, Indian hunters are required to register all big game shot this season to the nearest wildlife station.

"Registration of big game such as elk, trophy sheep, mountain oats, grizzly bear and cougar are compulsory," he said.

However, it remains illegal to kill more animals than is needed to feed the family.

Killing mountain sheep and elk, for example, and taking only the horns and trafficking are unlawful actions not permitted by Treaty Indians or any other hunter in the province.

Safety regulations such as those which prohibit hunters from shooting too close to houses, shooting from the highway, or travelling with a loaded gun in the vehicle re laws which also apply to Treaty Indians just as they do to non-Native and non-Status Indian or Metis hunters. These are considered laws of general application.

Indians are free to exercise their Treaty rights completely only when hunting big game and birds (such as ruffed and spruce grouse) that are native to Alberta because these animals are completely

under provincial jurisdiction.

However, the hunting of migratory game birds is governed by federal legislation when hunting these birds as non-Natives, except they do not need a hunting license. This means Indians must

comply with hunting season designations, bag limits, possession regulations and other regulations.

This year, restrictions have been placed on the harvest of pintails and canvasbacks. The duck season has been shortened and will close December 2, 1989.

It is lawful to kill starlings, crows, pigeons, house sparrows, magpies, blackbirds, common grackles, and brown-headed cowbirds.

The fisheries act is also under federal legislation, so Indians between the ages of 16 and 64, must have a fishing license to angle or catch fish using a net. Licenses for both types of fishing can be

obtained from the government at no charge.

The department hopes to better manage the resources by issuing licenses to fishermen.

Indian trappers are also free to exercise their Treaty rights if the fur or meat is being used to feed their family even if another person's trapline was being used. However, if he or she sells the fur

the individual must register the trapline or obtain a resident trapper's license.

First or second generation non-Status or Metis people still waiting to have their Treaty status reinstated under Bill C-31 legislation who want to exercise their hunting, trapping and fishing rights, can do so freely.