An initiative to help deer and mountain sheep populations drew a lot of questions from people over safety of pets and hikers, but it turns out nothing has been finalized, yet.
A notice posted on the Grand Forks and Region Neighbourhood Watch Facebook group by an anonymous member read that “predator control” traps were being placed north of Gilpin Grasslands, Morrisey, Valley Heights and Overton areas over the coming months.
This quickly attracted replies over safety concerns for hikers and people walking dogs off-leash in those remote areas, as well as the lack of notification or public announcement over this.
The Gazette reached out to longtime trapper and outfitter Bear Brandow, who has a trapline stretching from Paulson to Greenwood, for clarity. He said he first heard about it around Christmas, but there was nothing confirmed.
Since then, he’s received numerous calls about this and has been trying to confirm if or when this project may happen.
“I’ve spent a lot of time on the phone trying to find out what’s happening. I’m sure it started with good intentions and conservation in mind,” he said.
“I know the B.C. Trappers Association is involved in a possible initiative to put traps out. But there’s so many people involved nothing has really been done. But the thing is, if this is going to happen, I would be aware of it because no one else can set traps on my line without me clearing it. No one can just set traps where they want on anyone’s trapline without permission and licensing.”
Brandow added his family helped re-introduce California Mountain sheep to the area in the 1980’s with support from biologists, as well as built a wildlife fence stretching from the Gilpin Grasslands to just west of Christina Lake out of their own personal finances.
If trapping is going to happen, he said there will be plenty of public notice from the association and anyone else involved, as well as signage in the areas where there are traps.
Regional District of Kootenay Boundary Rural Grand Forks director Linda Kay Wiese isn't involved in the project, but said the plans are true.
That area, she said, is under the governance of the province.
To explain the situation, she shared information she received from the BC Trappers Association, which she said is placing the traps as part of an “ungulate enhancement project” to try to help wild sheep and deer populations recover after an outbreak of the fatal disease blue tongue devastated local populations three years ago.
Earlier reports stated the Wild Sheep Society of British Columbia was also involved. A communication expert with the society said they are not.
“They have done similar projects in the Kamloops area as well as Merritt last year,” she said.
How successful those were, she couldn’t say for sure.
The project was originally reported to included placing traps in strategic areas, which she pointed out are largely inaccessible except by snowmobiles or ATVs. However, signage will be placed in the area warning of active trapping happening for people who do use the are for hiking.
“My understanding is that most of the work will not be easily accessible, they’ll be using snow machines to get to the area, so most people shouldn’t be in those areas, anyway,” she said.
Request for comment from the BC Trappers Association was made on Tuesday, but has yet to return the call.
