Deer hunting season is in full swing on the South Island. But along with the legal hunters comes a rise in the number of poachers firing weapons close to urban areas.
Saanich police and the B.C. Conservation Officer Service are investigating four recent incidents in the municipality B次元官网网址� two in the Prospect Lake area, and two near Mount Douglas Park. In one instance, a resident in the 1500 block of Ash Road discovered two arrows at the rear of his property, including one arrow embedded in a tree.
On all four occasions it appears a crossbow was used.
B次元官网网址淭he crossbow appears to be the poacherB次元官网网址檚 weapon of choice,B次元官网网址� said conservation officer Peter Pauwels. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 quiet, and itB次元官网网址檚 easily hidden.B次元官网网址�
There are a few reasons why someone might risk breaking the law to bag their prize, despite there being plenty of legal hunting areas within a short drive of Saanich.
B次元官网网址淭here are a lot of large bucks in the urban areas, and theyB次元官网网址檙e easier to find here than in wilderness areas,B次元官网网址� Pauwels said.
He added that a B次元官网网址渓arge concentration of healthy deerB次元官网网址� that lives in and around the Mount Doug/Blenkinsop Valley area is likely an attraction for would-be hunters.
And now that hunting season is underway itB次元官网网址檚 easier for poachers to get away with the crime unless theyB次元官网网址檙e caught in the act.
B次元官网网址淭his type of poaching is done under the guise of legitimate hunting,B次元官网网址� said Saanich police Sgt. Dean Jantzen. B次元官网网址淚f you have an animal when youB次元官网网址檙e stopped, itB次元官网网址檚 hunting season. YouB次元官网网址檝e got a built-in excuse.B次元官网网址�
For police, the main issue is one of public safety.
B次元官网网址淭hese are high-velocity weapons,B次元官网网址� Jantzen said. B次元官网网址淵ouB次元官网网址檙e not always going to hit what youB次元官网网址檙e aiming for.B次元官网网址�
Due to the difficulty in catching suspected poachers, police and conservation officers are asking for any help the public can provide. Things to look for include people dressed in camouflage gear or carrying unusual equipment or cases, particularly if they are in urban areas. Anyone with information about possible poachers is encouraged to contact police right away.
According to Jantzen, last year B次元官网网址渁bout six to eightB次元官网网址� similar cases were investigated by police. Although a pair of arrests were made, no charges were laid due to insufficient evidence.
The District of Saanich has a bylaw prohibiting bow and arrow use except for recreational purposes such as target shooting.
editor@saanichnews.com
