Bighorn Backcountry New Proposal

[decker]

They announced today consultations are open for the BigHorn Backcountry there is a joke of a survey but take time to let them know how we feelhttps://talkaep.alberta.ca/bighorn-country

[Joe Black]

this is bad. the only thing that will stop this is if the NDP cant push it through before the election.

[JDK71]

I have a funny feeling it is going to happen no matter what the only group that will get anything out of this is the FN more parks to hunt very sad

[crazy_davey]

Oh it’s going to happen...

[Albertadiver]

It was a done deal a year ago, they just have to pretend to listen to interest groups for a little while longer.

[decker]

So I thought I filled out the survey but actually didn't as soon as you hit next on the last of the questions it erases all comments and kicks you back to the beginning. You have to hit save, kind of sneaky on there part I think.

[outdoorsman12b]

Does anyone know the actual impact this will have to hunters in the area? Will I still be able to continue my sheep hunting?

[bitterrootfly]

Originally Posted by outdoorsman12b

Does anyone know the actual impact this will have to hunters in the area? Will I still be able to continue my sheep hunting?

Not if your area is in the provincial parks or recreational areas. I’d assume you will still be able to hunt in the wild land provincial park.

[fatboyz]

Originally Posted by bitterrootfly

Not if your area is in the provincial parks or recreational areas. I’d assume you will still be able to hunt in the wild land provincial park.

When I read the briefing document for each individual site it said in the David Thompson, North Saskatchewan River and Ya Ha Tinda Parks hunting is allowed,you just need a discharge permit.

[bitterrootfly]

Originally Posted by fatboyz

When I read the briefing document for each individual site it said in the David Thompson, North Saskatchewan River and Ya Ha Tinda Parks hunting is allowed,you just need a discharge permit.

That’s not as bad as I thought it would be, I’d love to hear from people who have experience with the castle discharge permits for reference. Still a little worrying to me that we are at the point where instead of gaining opportunities we are consistently losing them for one reason or another.

[dshaw]

Originally Posted by bitterrootfly

That’s not as bad as I thought it would be, I’d love to hear from people who have experience with the castle discharge permits for reference. Still a little worrying to me that we are at the point where instead of gaining opportunities we are consistently losing them for one reason or another.

The discharge permit is really easy, download it, sign it, carry it with you at all times. Its all the other stupid little rules that come with these "parks" that make it not as user friendly. Can't site in a rifle, can't collect firewood (been doing it for years and can't anymore), can't random camp, etc. This really has nothing to do with the environment. They spend millions of dollars to create these parks when all they need to do is have designated trails, hire more officers to actually patrol and hand out higher penalties and fines. I agree the lands are being abused in parts (even castle) but closing everything off is not the way to go about this. They promised there would be designated trails that would remain open but as soon as it passed and they came out wit more rules we lost almost all the designated trails (90-95%). But i guess its just easier to keep people out.

[outdoorsman12b]

So was speaking with a friend whome is a Parks officer down south. He says the access to Castle is very difficult now and hunting opporunities are not what it once was. Going through the proposal it seems like the reclass won't affect access, but I have to wonder if there is any truth to the changes down south. Does anyone have any experience?

There seems to be a lack of an organization in Alberta that looks out for our rights like the SCI.

[FinnDawg]

Originally Posted by outdoorsman12b

So was speaking with a friend whome is a Parks officer down south. He says the access to Castle is very difficult now and hunting opporunities are not what it once was.

How so?

[matt1984]

Originally Posted by FinnDawg

How so?

By closing the majority of the old logging roads, so unless you have horses you have a 30 km hike to get to where you used to park your truck. Also, you can’t just set up camp now Unless you hike all your gear in. Makes it tough for a lot of guys.

[outdoorsman12b]

Originally Posted by matt1984

By closing the majority of the old logging roads, so unless you have horses you have a 30 km hike to get to where you used to park your truck. Also, you can’t just set up camp now Unless you hike all your gear in. Makes it tough for a lot of guys.

Thanks for this. I forgot you can't drive vehicles into Wildland parks and this is the exact type of impact I was looking for.