In this conversation, Don and Steve discuss the issues of illegal dumping, zebra and quagga mussels, and whirling disease in BC's waterways.

They highlight the need for community involvement in cleaning up illegal dump sites and preventing the spread of invasive species. They explain the devastating effects of zebra and quagga mussels on water ecosystems, including the destruction of shorelines, disruption of the food web, and the cost of eradication efforts.

They also discuss the presence of whirling disease in BC and the potential consequences for fish populations.

The conversation emphasizes the importance of proactive measures and public support in addressing these environmental challenges.

The conversation covers the topics of invasive species, the importance of prevention and surveillance, the consequences of not taking action, and the need for hunters and anglers to engage in public consultation and advocacy.

It emphasizes the need for robust surveillance programs, the balance between short-term consequences and long-term outcomes, and the importance of clean, drain, dry practices to prevent the spread of invasive species.

The conversation also highlights the low level of engagement from hunters and anglers in public consultation and the need for increased participation to have a stronger voice in decision-making processes.

• Community involvement is crucial in cleaning up illegal dump sites and preventing the spread of invasive species.
• Zebra and quagga mussels have devastating effects on water ecosystems, including shoreline destruction and disruption of the food web.
• Whirling disease poses a threat to fish populations, particularly salmonids, and may require aggressive treatment and monitoring.
• Proactive measures and public support are essential in addressing these environmental challenges. Robust surveillance programs are necessary to prevent and control the spread of invasive species and diseases.
• Short-term consequences may be necessary to achieve long-term outcomes in managing invasive species.
• Clean, drain, dry practices are essential to prevent the spread of invasive species in waterways.
• Hunters and anglers need to engage in public consultation and advocacy to have their voices heard and influence decision-making processes.
• Increased participation and collaboration among hunters and anglers can lead to stronger representation and better outcomes for wildlife management.

This conversation with Don and Steve discusses the current hunting regulation proposals in British Columbia and the process of developing these recommendations.

It highlights the importance of public participation and the need for a longer consultation period and the evolution of hunting regulations from game management to sustainable wildlife management is explored.

The contentious proposals on Limited Entry Hunting (LEH) and the arguments surrounding hunter density and hunt quality are examined. The concerns of First Nations communities and the lack of specific data and science in the decision-making process are discussed.

The insufficient funding for wildlife management and the need for clear recovery objectives are also addressed. The conversation highlights the lack of trust and accountability in wildlife management, as well as the insufficient funding and resources allocated to it.

The discrepancy in budget allocation between different regions is also discussed. The importance of transparency and balancing wildlife management objectives is emphasized.

The conversation also touches on recommendations for moose and mule deer management, as well as the need for compulsory reporting and inspection.

The need for improved data collection and reporting is highlighted, along with the importance of addressing other legislation points.

The conversation concludes with a call for collaboration, compromise, and continued dialogue in wildlife management.

In this conversation, Don and Steve discuss the reasons for ending their podcast and the personal challenges they faced during their time apart.

They also share how hunting and the outdoors played a significant role in their lives, including the impact it had on their late brother.

The conversation then shifts to the detection of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in British Columbia and the need for surveillance and testing. They explain the nature of prions and the challenges of managing CWD, including the importance of keeping the disease prevalence low and local.

The conversation explores the challenges of managing Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and the measures taken to mitigate its spread. It discusses the role of wolves in controlling CWD, the impact of aggressive eradication programs, and the transmission and spread of the disease.

The conversation also highlights the effects of CWD on hunting and wildlife management, the importance of surveillance and prevention efforts, and upcoming topics related to hunting regulations, wildlife management funding, hunting ethics, and firearms ownership.

For more information on Chronic Wasting Disease, click the link

https://bcwf.bc.ca/initiatives/chronic-wasting-disease/