The moose hunters of the Zec Bas-Saint-Laurent, unequivocally support their administrators to put in place new rules, in order to protect the herd and ensure a safe activity to hunt big game from the 2022 season.
The approximately 300 members gathered at their 44e general meeting of March 31 at the Hôtel Rimouski/Cenre des Congrès, even applauded their board of directors, describing them as daring and courageous, in the actions taken to empower them in the practice of their activity, while ensuring a better quality of hunting and the sustainability of the herd. “You put on your panties”, launched one of them, Luc Desjardins, applauded in turn.
“We’ve been ‘varging’ on the back of the moose for 10 years. It is time that we give him a little back, ”image President Guillaume Ouellet, who was taking up his seat in this uncertain path, but who returned him to the position he has held since April 2012.
Exasperated by various irritants surrounding moose hunting, including the strong growth of hunters, injured and missing animals, fear of an announced drop in the harvest, vehicle and ATV hunting, moose hunters of the ZEC-BSL were ready for major changes to protect their business. “The assembly followed us in this process, which is the result of teamwork. I’m proud of it,” adds Guillaume Ouellet, describing this annual meeting as historic.
New rules
The innovative, voluntary and free program, “Recognised Responsible Hunter”, says the CRR, will apply to curb the growing number of injured animals; 92 bloodhound searches in 2021, mostly bow and crossbow. Instructors from the BSL Shooting Club and the Archers Club will provide training between 1is May and Labor Day “It will channel knowledge sharing,” said President Ouellet. The CRR will be rewarded with a reduction of $200 for the complete moose package and $100 for a single hunting gear. The balance of one of the two amounts will be credited to the account and cleared as a CRR participant.
The “joint” package for an additional moose license will be abolished. “The sale of a moose at a discount is over,” adds Guillaume Ouellet. To avoid any disturbing traffic, the territory of the zec goes from 2 to 5 hunting sectors. The moose package will be available until the day before the opening of bow and crossbow hunting. Small game hunting will be totally prohibited during moose hunting periods with bows and crossbows, firearms and gunpowder. This measure was adopted by a vote of the general assembly and not dictated by the ca
These modifications have the blessing of ZECS-Québec. “They will breed in other zecs with similar problems. To hunt safely on the ZEC-BSL, the terms had to change,” said CEO François Garon. These new rules will be in effect from the restrictive season of 2022, considered an ideal year to make changes to moose hunting on Zec Bas-Saint-Laurent.
