Anybody taking the ESRD survey? SRD is looking for opinion on some very controversial topics: landowner tags, splitting archery/general seasons, weapons (Atatls, crossbows etc), companions dogs and their uses and as well as who qualifies under hunter hosts. Looks like everyone should check it out. I got a link sent to me by the ABA.
This is the email:
Alberta's ESRD Fish & Wildlife Division is seeking feedback and input on a variety of issues that are discussion points in the "Wildlife Regulation Review" that is now underway. Stantec Consulting Ltd has been contracted to conduct an online stakeholder engagement initiative. There are two opportunities to provide your feedback from Nov 1 2014 until December 15, 2014:
Firstly, you are invited to complete the confidential public survey which is at the following URL (you may exit the survey and then return to where you left off by clicking this link each time):
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/wildliferegs Secondly, you are invited to participate in further discussion around certain regulatory topics at the MindMixer website which can be found at:
http://wildlife-regulation.mindmixer.com Of particular interest/concern to bowhunters are the following discussion points:
Create separate draw codes for those archery seasons that now require hunters to have the draw to bowhunt certain species in specific WMUs in these archery seasons. This follows the proposal the ABA has presented to ESRD and stakeholders at the various Alberta Game Management Advisory Group/Hunting For Tomorrow meetings.
During the archery season the equipment definitions as in the current regulations would stay the same except there is feedback wanted on reducing the minimum draw weight to below 40# (which is similar to an ABA proposal asking to lower it to 35# and is outlined in the latest ABA newsletter and will be brought forward to future AGMAG/HFT meetings).
There was also a request from Alberta Fish & Game Association reps to include an option in the survey question asking for feedback about allowing crossbows in the archery seasons.
It is imperative that you take the time to participate in this survey to have your opinion heard, to have a voice in the decisions moving forward!!
ROUTINE CHANGES TO HUNTING AND TRAPPING REGULATIONS ARE OUT-OF-SCOPE.
If you have any queries please send them to address below.
Thank you for your contributions to the future of wildlife management in Alberta.
Yours Sincerely
Brian Joubert, Ph.D., IAP2 (on behalf of the Fish and Wildlife Policy Branch, Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development)
Stantec
10160-112St
Edmonton, AB
T5K 2L6
