Dear sir:
Well, more changes coming–yippee! The government must really be working or wanting to make it look good.
I guided Americans in the ’70s and now, we pass up many six to eight-point bucks looking for the elusive “big ones,” which we didn’t get. But the American hunters were happy seeing big rubs and scrapes and the experience of hunting in Canada.
There are great genetics here–many year-and-a-half-old bucks with nice little six-eight points. We have seen almost as many bucks as does so the buck-to-doe ratio is good, which also is evident by the amount of scrapes and rubs.
Also, I found two big bucks hit by vehicles on a bypass around Kenora. So when you see this, it is kind of hard to be told the genetic pool is going.
I know it is maddening to see Americans up here with all their fancy equipment, running up and down the powerlines, etc., most of them never going in the bush or if so, not very far. There are many miles of thick bush, big islands, and mainland where bucks and does are not shot. Even in the farm country, many farmers do not allow hunting, so it’s more sanctuary for them.
I guess if you want to change the law and make it the law for people to have a guide, then that would mean a lot less Americans coming up. Also, there will be less Americans once this idiot gun law comes into effect for them in 2001.
From what I’ve been told and believe, Americans don’t like going into another country and displaying their guns to government officials and giving serial numbers, make, etc. They still have some gun rights down there so why would they want to come to Canada and register guns for a week’s stay here.
So the gun law affects tourism, let alone us. Wasn’t it okay before this law?
Don’t worry about too many Americans next year, there are lots of areas to hunt at home from Maine to the Pacific.
It would be very risky to buy a tourist resort even if we had a half-a-million dollars kicking around because of the laws changing, etc., and not usually in your favour.
The small independent guide spends his money here. We need motels, cabins, gas, groceries, boats, and to hire other guides. The Americans spend in bars, souvenir shops, etc.–also at a time of year when tourism is slow.
I hope the Chamber of Commerce people help us out on this. The meetings are coming.
The big lodges are mostly owned by people from the States and other countries. But there should always be room for the small-time guide–everyone benefits locally at an otherwise slow time of year.
Different friends of mine have been asked about bear hunting but, of course, they can’t take them because the ministry handed all the permits to the lodges along with the bear zones. I guess we could flop down a few hundred for the paperwork.
The lodges got all the summer trade, bear zones, and moose permits. Is the ministry going to have deer zones next? Many lodges close after Labour Day so this could be an incentive to stay open longer and bring those Americans back.
OK, but don’t forget the little guide this time. We live and vote here, too.
Resident hunters, you could be next with quotas, Pool 1, 2, 3, and 4, whatever. No spring bear–what’s next?!
There are still lots of deer, and a good buck-to-doe ratio, even after year-round hunting by some, a season open until near Christmas, night hunting, and a good timber wolf population.
Quotas are no good, as there will only be so many deer anyway because of the things I mentioned. You will affect the law-abiding hunter. There will be more deer are hit on roads, and more for the wolfs. And more deer for night hunters and the year-round hunters, etc.
Point restrictions are hard to enforce. There will be many deer left in the bush to rot if not an eight-point, etc. Many young bucks have eight points anyway so what is the use. Besides, the bush is too thick and so it’s hard to judge antler points. Many people who jump a buck in the thick bush or crossing the road will shoot and count later.
Anyway, once again the lawful hunter is the only one to suffer.
Any new laws, the real problems listed will always be there. As well, a hard winter will knock the deer hard whether Americans still come or not, and any changes.
I have good respect for COs and biologists but some are ultra-conservative for one reason or another. Hmmmm!
Some of us get frustrated with the government red tape and changes. Let’s quit trying to be like other places/provinces and quit trying to fix something that isn’t broken. Some things as listed will never be changed so please don’t take it out on the legal sportsmen as their problems are the real ones.
The gun law will keep many Americans at home, and also if they need to be guided, if that’s your concern. I thought Kenora, etc. liked tourism.
Remember our heritage. We are unique here in Northwestern Ontario. Compared to other provinces and states, this area is receiving little hunting pressure for all the area and thick bush.
And the whitetail is still doing good even in these places–and even in provinces and states with far more pressure and hardly any bush.
Signed,
Blaine Parks
Independent Guides
Association of NWO
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
