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Living with wildlife

Sparwood is surrounded by wilderness that is home to an incredible array of wildlife, on major migratory routes where you can expect to see large herds of elk just outside of town as well as white tailed and mule deer.

Black and grizzly bear roam the mountainous forests with moose grazing in the wetlands while cougar laze in amongst the tall cedars.  It’s not unusual to spot bighorn sheep and mountain goats while exploring the hillsides and cliff tops and if you cast your eyes skyward you will probably spot bald eagles, golden eagles and osprey from time to time.

Down in the valley bottom, the Elk River is home to the famed westslope cutthroat trout and large bull trout so if you are a fisherman what are you waiting for?

The District has implemented the Community Standards Bylaw and Wildlife Management Strategy as part of its ongoing commitment to keeping citizens and wildlife safe.  The key goal of the bylaw is to provide regulations for waste and wildlife attractant management to help reduce human-wildlife conflict.  For general information on managing your waste responsibly please contact the Bylaw Enforcement Officer at 250.425.6271 (District Office), 250.425.6820 (Animal Pound) or by email at bleo@sparwood.ca. 

Wildlife links...

  • The District has implemented the Firearm Regulation Bylaw to establish a ‘no shooting area’ within the community.  The no shooting area includes longbows and crossbows, as identified on the boundary map.  Please note that private lands outside of the boundary map may also be off-limits to hunters.

    For more information on hunting and trapping regulations please visit the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations website for prior to your outing.

    Report All Poachers and Polluters >>

  • The Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) Program is a toll free tip-line and web-based service provided through the Ministry of Environment that allows you to report known or suspected violations of fisheries, wildlife, or environmental protection laws – anonymously and without risk of confronting the offender.

    If you have witnessed a serious violation, please call toll free:

    If it is not an emergency, you can report the incident online or contact the Conservation Officer at 1.877.952.7277.

    << Hunting Restrictions

    Offences & Fines >>

  • The District’s Community Standards Bylaw states that you may not feed or store wildlife attractants in such a way that they are accessible to or attracts dangerous wildlife.  The Bylaw Enforcement Officer may take remedial action if a resident fails to do so.  Remedial action may include, but is not limited to removal of cooking grills, pet food, bird feeders or any other wildlife attractants deemed unsafe. 

    It is an offence in Sparwood to feed or attempt to feed deer either directly or by leaving food or other wildlife attractants. All residents are required to store their waste and any attractants in a building that is not accessible to wildlife.  Waste must be placed in an approved wildlife container and shall not be placed out for collection prior to 5am on collection day, unless securely covered with a tight fitting lid. Fruit must be removed from any tree, bush or the ground, which is likely to attract dangerous wildlife.

    The following table reflects the applicable fines when a person violates the above restrictions:

    OFFENCE FINE*
    1st Offence 2nd Offence 3rd & Subsequent Offence
    Birdfeeder that is accessible to dangerous wildlife $500 $750 $1,000
    Fail to maintain fruit tree/brush $500 $750 $1,000
    Fail to store/dispose refuse or attractants appropriately $250 $300 $500
    Fail to take remedial action to avoid wildlife conflict $250 $300 $500
    Fail to use an approved wildlife container $100 $150 $200
    Feed dangerous wildlife $500 $750 $1,000
    Feed deer or other wildlife $250 $300 $500
    Place attractants for dangerous wildlife $500 $750 $1,000
    Place attractants for deer $250 $300 $500
    Unlawful disposal or storage of waste $100 $150 $200

    Note* Fines are reduced by 50% if paid within 30 days of ticket issuance

    << Report All Poachers and Polluters

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District of Sparwood
136 Spruce Avenue
Box 520
Sparwood
British Columbia
V0B 2G0
1 250 425 6271
1 250 425 7277
sparwood@sparwood.ca

© 2016 District of Sparwood