In a recent ruling by B.C.’s Environmental Appeal Board (EAB), the definition of “hunting” has come into question in relation to the actions of wildlife biologist Doug Heard towards an endangered caribou herd in northern B.C. Heard, a former government biologist and adjunct professor at the University of Northern B.C., has been dedicated to restoring an endangered caribou herd at Kennedy Siding, a critical habitat area for threatened woodland caribou near Mackenzie, B.C., for over a decade.
Heard’s methods of collecting caribou hair for DNA samples were found to be in violation of the law. He was observed by Ministry of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship staff using a device called a “cable caster” to shoot small clamps, known as alligator clips, in an attempt to gather caribou hair at a feeding station. Despite having a permit to collect DNA samples from hair and fecal pellets, Heard was not authorized to directly remove hair from the animals.
Following the incident, Heard’s permit was revoked, leading him to appeal the decision. The EAB, in a ruling issued on May 7, determined that Heard’s actions constituted illegal hunting according to B.C. law. The Wildlife Act defines hunting as the pursuit of animals with the intent to capture any part of the animal, including just hair, regardless of whether the animal is harmed or captured.
The provincial argument against allowing Heard’s actions to continue was based on the concern that it could set a precedent for individuals to target wildlife as long as they were only aiming to capture a specific part of the animal. The EAB supported this argument, emphasizing that Heard’s permit only allowed for opportunistic collection of samples in a restricted hunting zone.
Heard defended his use of the cable caster as a less invasive method compared to his previous techniques, such as dart guns and toy crossbows, which had been deemed inappropriate in previous board decisions. Despite being eligible to reapply for a wildlife permit as of May 2, Heard chose not to comment on the ruling.
In conclusion, the EAB’s decision highlights the importance of adhering to regulations when conducting research and conservation efforts involving protected species like the endangered caribou herd at Kennedy Siding in B.C.