Our social media presence may have been hibernating, but we have been working hard behind the scenes to end trophy hunting in the Great Bear Rainforest. Here's an excerpt from a newsletter we recently published and sent to the coastal First Nation communities we represent. Download the newsletter (PDF).

A Strong Presence to Protect Bears

When the trophy hunting season opens this fall, Coastal First Nations will once again use whatever non-violent means necessary to prevent bears from being needlessly shot.

As a first step we are prepared to approach any hunters in our territories to inform them of the trophy hunting ban and ask them to respect it. But, if necessary our people will occupy watersheds where hunters plan to hunt and deter any bears before they are harmed.

“If I have to stand between feeding bears and people with guns, I will,” says Kitasoo/Xai’Xais Chief Councilor Doug Neasloss, who has also worked as a bear viewing guide in his territory. “But this year I hope visitors to the Great Bear Rainforest leave the guns at home and bring their cameras instead. If they do that, I’d be happy to introduce them to some truly magnificent bears.”

In other words, trophy hunters should know that we’re not going to make it easy for anybody to kill a bear in our territories.