Hunting season is on for almost each wild game species in the Battlefords region. (File photo/ CKOM News Staff)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

Big game open

Responsibility, CWD caution stressed as hunting season begins

Sep 2, 2021 | 6:00 AM

A shift in temperature in recent has lined up with the start of hunting season in the Battlefords.

The majority of wild game approved for hunters are open season as of Wednesday, following the opening of antlerless elk archery that began on Aug. 25. Tory Thompson, supervising conservation officer for the Battlefords region, said he expects a high volume of foot traffic in the area.

“This is a nice game area to hunt, with plentiful populations of wildlife and game-birds and quite a few sportsmen that go after those birds and big game animals,” he said.

White tailed deer are the most common animal hunted in the region, which is only available to first time hunters (and those born after January 1 of 1971) if they’ve completed hunter education and obtained their license. Anyone between the ages of 12-16 must be accompanied by a responsible hunter, over the age of 18.

Thompson said they’re working to make it as easy as possible for people to find information on rules and regulations for hunting in the area, with multiple guides are available in person at the local conservation office and online.

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Thompson said he hopes people will also interact with the conservation office frequently, keeping them abreast of incidents that occur during the year.

“We can’t be everywhere all the time and we depend on the public to report, hunting, fishing and environmental violations all the time,” he said.

CWD remains prevalent

An issue present in every hunting season with the deer population is Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a degeneration of the brains of infected animals that eventually results in death. Thompson said it’s important for hunters to take advantage of the free head testing that’s done in cooperation with the University of Saskatchewan. The first place CWD was detected was just east of Lloydminster and it’s been commonplace in the area since.

“We’re watching for any new areas where it could pop up,” Thompson said. “It’s something we’re going to be dealing with and managing for years to come, unfortunately.”

Kevin Guttormson, President of the Battlefords Wildlife Federation, said everyone hunting mule deer should be sending heads in and that there’s already been cases of moose with CWD. While there hasn’t been a proven link to human transmission, he said it’s better to take precautions.

“Then you know and it helps them know if it’s prevalent,” he said.

Give bears their distance

The province has warned everyone exploring provincial and federal parks to keep away from bears that may be roaming by. Guttormson said the bear population has increased amidst the moose population dropping this year.

“We didn’t have our American hunters that normally come up and hunt bear,” he said. “There were less hunters in general the last few years.”

Despite continued limits on access to the border, the trend of having less hunters may change. Guttormson said he’s seeing increased interest in hunting and more people at firearms safety lessons that he teaches.

“Everything spurred off of the pandemic, people want something different to do,” he said. “And [occasionally] you get a group of young hunters when they get to that specific age that will boost the numbers.”

And for those worrying about bears, Guttormson said they don’t amount to a huge risk, so long as you remain aware.

“If you’re in the farmland, you’re not going to be accosted by a bear,” he said. “Just be diligent if you’re going into the bush.”

Anyone looking for more information on hunting in the area this fall can contact the conservation office and go online to the government’s website.

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josh.ryan@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports