BC Deer Protection Coalition calls for a province-wide ban on bow hunting

Media release by BCDPC to initiate ban on bow hunting.

The BCDPC produced this media release to expose the cruelty inherent in bow hunting.

For Immediate Release

BC Deer Protection Coalition calls for a province-wide ban on bow hunting

Deer with arrows protruding from their bodies demonstrate the cruelty of the sport

Last week, a buck in the Saanich area was killed by a Conservation Officer because of a cross bow arrow protruding from his head, between his eyes. Witnesses had reported him in that state for two weeks.

The conservation officer describes the deer as moving slowly, indicating that his condition was not good. He describes a cross-bow bolt imbedded in the deer’s head between his eyes, deep enough to pass through his nasal passages and throat. The CTV coverage showed the CO removing the deeply imbedded arrow. Days earlier a second deer was found dead on the grounds of the Queen Alexandra Centre for Children's Care with a wound from an arrow that had passed through his body.

Research shows an average of 50% wounding rates in archery hunts . A study titled “Wounding Rates of White-tailed Deer with Traditional Archery Equipment” show that the 50% wounding rate reported in this study was similar to findings in other studies – in Georgia, 44%, Indiana, 58%, New Jersey, 55%, Wisconsin, 31-37%, South Dakota, 48% and Michigan, 53% ( pg 246).

The BC Deer Protection Coalition (BCDPC) is calling on the CRD and all its member municipalities to ban bow hunting and to charge the perpetrators with cruelty to animals as well as other charges.

The BC Deer Protection Coalition is a newly formed group mandated to protect deer and to assist in learning how to peacefully co-exist with deer in our communities. Our members include DeerSafe Victoria, the Invermere Deer Protection Society, the Animal Alliance and Environmental Voters Party, and Humane Treatment of Urban Wildlife.

BCDPC is seeking a strong statement from the CRD and its member municipalities against poaching and against the cruel treatment of animals. We are asking for municipalities to commit additional resources to catching the poachers.

BCDPC is also calling on the BC Ministry of Environment to ban bow hunting in BC because of the demonstrated cruelty.

BCDPC members will also provide assistance to develop deer/human conflict prevention programmes and non-lethal intervention measures for municipalities and the BC government and where conflicts occur, resolving them through non-lethal measures.