I was recently in the greater Virden area for the two-week deer hunting season. Great time with family and friends on my annual trip out from BC. Now for the bad.
I witnessed some of the most disgusting hunting practices this year that I have had the misfortune to observe anywhere. Including 4 deer poached off land where no permission was given. Some people seem to think that because their Uncle "Bob" had permission 10 years ago that they have the same permission now. Should be asked every fall as situations often change.
Numerous road poachers shooting from trucks while on the road, one person even shot at a mule deer buck and doe from his truck while stopped in the road way (luckily he was a bad shot, deer survived). There is no mule deer season there.
Also saw deer not being tagged and many, many instances of people shooting long after dark. Is this what it's become? Does anyone need a deer that bad to risk all that you could lose? Up to and including trucks, guns, hunting privileges etc.
Remember people that today's technologies are all around us. We all have cell phones now that shoot video, trail cams are everywhere, as are long range spotting scopes. The forest and the prairie does have eyes.
So when you think no one is looking think again!
If these ridiculously stupid practices continue it won't be long before someone is hurt or killed. Or that there simply won't be any deer left to hunt.
We had occasion to call the completely overwhelmed CO's (conservation officers) twice while I was there. Feel so bad for these guys who are trying to do their job the best they can but are stretched beyond any reasonable means. We can help them as much as possible by simply observing, recording and reporting.
If any of these things I've mentioned are you, maybe it's time to re-evaluate what you are doing and the reasons why you "ahem" hunt. Because none of these things make you a hunter. What it does make you is a criminal, robbing legal and law-respecting hunters a chance of harvesting a fair chase animal.
In case anyone is wondering, I've eaten a $170 tag two years in a row now - my choice as I passed on many bucks in the last two seasons. Just haven't seen one I wanted to take.
Thanks for your time.
D. Sheppard
