GP First Nations Elk Slaughter

[sheepguide]

So it has come to my attention that some residents in the GP/Spirit River area have first nations out of NWT and other spots coming in to kill off ar many elk as possible. This came out of the horse debate im currently in on a FB page. This is quoted directly off of the page and is a quote of one of the people involved with organizing it. Also alot of bashing hunters there too.

" I do not poach, but the government is to interested in the logging companies, and dollars... The elk have wrecked my elk fencing because the snow is so high they tore it down, If the government would pay for my property 600 acres to be elk fenced not a problem.... and if they would pay for the other farmers elk fence not a problem. That is of course until a school bus hits 100 of them on the road., then maybe something will be done. We allow hunting, just not drunks and idiots.... we have cows and horses... the problem is they all want trophy bulls,,,, trust me., just ask the people. Therefore, the NWT first nations are coming down with trucks and trailers, to take as many as they want, and other first nations are coming. And yes Trophy hunters are up here all the time, they take the head, and that's it... we live here.I do not poach, but the government is to interested in the logging companies, and dollars... The elk have wrecked my elk fencing because the snow is so high they tore it down, If the government would pay for my property 600 acres to be elk fenced not a problem.... and if they would pay for the other farmers elk fence not a problem. That is of course until a school bus hits 100 of them on the road., then maybe something will be done. We allow hunting, just not drunks and idiots.... we have cows and horses... the problem is they all want trophy bulls,,,, trust me., just ask the people. Therefore, the NWT first nations are coming down with trucks and trailers, to take as many as they want, and other first nations are coming. And yes Trophy hunters are up here all the time, they take the head, and that's it... we live here."

Here is a link to the full conversation. The topic of the original post was about carrage horses but read the below comments and you will see where she is saying what is happening. Take it how you will.
https://www.facebook.com/EveryonesWildHorses/posts/10152259961804976?comment_id=32322046&notif_t=comment_mention

[walleyes]

Well in the end a cull is a cull. If the elk population is to a point where they are costing the land owners a lot of grief than possibly it's time for a cull. We have saw our own government shoot our animals and throw them in pits and burry them. Personally I don't know enough about these herds to make a knowable decision on it but I would trust local land owners to know and if they are to the point of this frustration then it must be serious.

Just because it's First Nations getting the meat does that bother you,, if it were the Rocky Mountain House Fish and Game association would it be alright,, just wondering what part of this has you so frustrated..

[sheepguide]

The part that has me frustrated is that hunters cannot get into a lot of areas to hunt during the season! There are over 4000 late season cow elk permits. But when the hunt starts the elk hide on lands hunters cant access and only feed out at night. Then we are bashed by how we hunt. Then out of province first nations are called to clean house. Sounds perfectly logical! Personally maybe Alberta residents be is native or non native should be the ones to harvest these elk?? Maybe the cull should be controlled not just a slaughter. I happened to witness the YaHa tinda when they used to pull in with freezer vans and kill anything thy could wounding just as many. But hey I guess if our elk are heading to the NWT and who knows where else then I should just be happy the farmers get to decide the fate of them! Should this be the new answer to every farmer that has an issues with animals in hay stacks?  And could care less who eats them but for one it best be Albertans! Really is a joke.

[walleyes]

Well I guess there is nothing wrong with Albertan First Nations going in and getting them,, I mean,, they are
Albertans as well aren't they. I see your point sheep I am just looking at it from the land owners point of view. Yes I agree some of these land owners should almost be forced into letting hunters in on their lands before receiving any compensation from the people but most are probably not getting any help so in the end,, it is their land and they can let whom ever they want or don't want onto said land. This really has nothing to do with the government and in the end they should just keep out of it,, it's private land and land owners having control of their land,, power to them..

Land owner permission is a growing issue in Alberta,, I remember as a kid 25 - 30 years ago we never needed permission on most any land,, no one really thought of it but as our province grows so will the issues. In the end there is no one to lame but hunters themselves,, and no not responsible people but the goof balls. Unfortunately as the population grows so does the amount of idiots along with it. Seems to always be a certain proportion of good to bad people. One can honestly not blame land owners for being very hesitant in giving permission there are just to many issues now a days. There are still a huge population of hunters that just think they have a right to travel where they please.

[OL_JR]

          These kind of situations will always go back to the root of the problem being this whole "treaty" thing.  It's been beaten to death over and over, it doesn't make sense in this day and age yet it persists.  If you need the meat I believe there is still a substinance hunting permit that anyone can get.  That's where it should end as far as I'm concerned.

          As far as this farmer letting natives on his land to clean things up, well he's just doing what he can within the law from a business point of view.  The fight here is with the government and this completely racist "treaty".

[Tuc]

Well said Shrubs!