To do this we need to work together to manage the potential impacts on resources and on other users. Most hunters are safety conscious, ethical and environmentally aware. However, hunting in areas close to the restricted zone requires a higher degree of awareness.
Hunters have a long tradition of supporting wildlife conservation. We need to continue to display that leadership in showing others how to enjoy the wilderness while leaving nothing behind but our boot prints.
The Hunting & Trapping Regulations Synopsis prepared by the Province is a summary of the B.C. hunting and trapping regulations made under the Wildlife Act, prepared for the convenience of hunters and trappers.
The Regulations Synopsis:
The 2016–2018 Hunting & Trapping Regulations Synopsis is effective from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2018. The Regulations Synopsis is a guide to hunting and trapping in B.C. for the 2016/17 and 2017/18 seasons.
Click here to learn more about the hunting and trapping regulations, management units, and which areas are generally open.
There are three types of hunting licences available to B.C. residents:
A hunting licence, in combination with the appropriate species licence (if required), provides a hunter with a personal bag limit. Click here for more information on hunting licences and fees
Under the District of Sparwood Firearm Regulation Bylaw 540, the Clerk or Corporate Officer is authorized to issue a permit to:
The Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) hotline should be used to report wildlife-human interactions where public safety may be at risk. The RAPP program is a toll free tip line and online service that also allows you to report known or suspected violations of fisheries, wildlife, or environmental protection laws anonymously and without risk of confronting the offender.
Available 24/7, RAPP is simple, safe and effective. It is based on the principle that someone other than the criminal has information that can solve the crime. Just like the police use Crimestoppers, the B.C. Conservation Officer Service needs your help in catching poachers and polluters.
The RAPP hotline should also be used to report human-wildlife conflicts where public safety may be at risk.
Remember, never confront or attempt to apprehend a suspect. Environmental violations to report include:
Your observations should be recorded in note form as soon as possible. Where possible include:
Call 1-877-952-7277 (RAPP) or #7277 on the TELUS Mobility Network. If the situation is not an emergency, report the incident online or contact the nearest Conservation Officer Service district office.
For fisheries violations related to salmon, contact Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) at 1-800-465-4336. You can also contact your local RCMP detachment or municipal police.
With accurate reporting, the province's Emergency Call Centre staff will quickly relay your information to the nearest available Conservation Officer. Accurate and timely violation reports reduce conservation officer response time and increase the likelihood of apprehension and successful prosecution.
In addition to minimizing any damage caused by poachers and polluters, you can help prevent violations before they even occur. The watchful eyes of responsible and informed resource users are a powerful deterrent to potential violators.
As one example of the types of penalties violators are subject to, provisions in the Wildlife Act allow for a poachers hunting licence to be cancelled for up to 30 years, following conviction.
A poacher may also be subject to a fine and/or imprisonment, which could be:
The BC Wildlife Federation pays rewards up to $2000 for information leading to the conviction of persons who have violated laws related to the protection of fish, wildlife, or the environment, or damaged the property of companies or individuals who provide access to hunters and anglers.
![]() | 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