Fishing and Hunting COVID-19 Updates
As part of the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic, this page will provide updates regarding any changes implemented by the Province related to hunting and fishing activities.

As the Covid-19 situation rapidly evolves, the Resource Stewardship Division within the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development continues to modify our response accordingly. Changes and updates to hunting and angling services as of March 28, 2020 include the following:

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General Information

Licensing Information

Hunting licences and other products continue to be available online through BC Hunting Online. Many hunting licences are electronic only, with no paper copy required. Species licences will be mailed directly to you – expect to receive them within 4 weeks. Please make sure your mailing address is correct and up to date.
Angling licences are also available online through BC Freshwater Fishing. Anglers are not required to hold a paper copy of their licence unless they are fishing for a species where a retention record is required. An unmodified electronic copy on your digital device (i.e. a photo on your phone, tablet, computer, etc.) is acceptable. See Basic Licence Carry and Production Requirements for more details.
Service BC locations are only providing core services and will not be administering hunting or angling services.
FrontCounter BC has closed all in-person locations.
Angling and hunting licences may be available in-person through private vendors who are continuing to operate. It is suggested to call ahead.

BCWF WILDLIFE REPORT

As with all aspects of life, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted wildlife and habitat engagement —
it’s been pretty quiet, but the committee chair continues to have discussions with Wildlife and Habitat
staff in Victoria.
COVID-19 Impacts on Hunting
Unlike some other jurisdictions (Washington State, Oregon, and Alaska), angling and hunting are still
supported by government. The Provincial Health Officer (PHO) has not issued any orders restricting
individuals from angling and/or hunting at this time. At all times, individuals are expected to follow
the orders and guidance provided by the Provincial Health Officer (PHO). Dr. Henry has also indicated
that everybody should stick to activities close to home according to her orders and guidelines, and that
travelling to smaller communities is not recommended at this time as the medical capabilities in
smaller communities are not up to handling a COVID-19 outbreak. Government may choose to restrict
hunting and angling if people choose to ignore these orders, guidance and recommendations.
COVID-19 Angling and Hunting Updates:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/sports-culture/recreation/fishing-hunting/fishing-and-huntingcovid-
19-updates
Service BC and Front Counter BC (FCBC) offices are not providing in-person services for anglers,
hunters, guides and outfitters at the moment. However, Service BC’s community access terminals are
still accessible. Therefore, a person could go into a Service BC office to use their computer to buy
licences (species licences would be mailed). This process could change in the future.
Licences can be purchased online. Indications are that species licences are being delivered quite
quickly. BC Mail Plus and Canada Post continue business as usual at this time.
Some licence vendors are still open, but it is recommended that the hunter/angler call first to confirm.
Government has provided plenty of licence stock to vendors.
FCBC has increased Contact Centre support and is well prepared to help hunters/anglers get their
licences.
More information:
www.gov.bc.ca/hunting
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/sports-culture/recreation/fishing-hunting/fishing/recreationalfreshwater-
fishing-licence
Hunting licence and species licence sales have been brisk so far in 2020 compared to recent years for
January to March:
Wildlife Allocation Committee, Quarter 1 Report 2020
Cont’d… Page 2.
Year (Jan, Feb and March) 2017 2018 2019 2020
Resident Hunting Licences 1844 2478 2324 4852
Black Bear 1441 1968 1886 4803
Grand Total Hunting Licences (all types) and Species Licences 6626 9192 9073 17,356
Provincial and

March 31, 2020

Pursuant to BC Health Authority guidelines our indoor range is now closed to all activity until further notice.

 As of March 31, 2020, the NDRGC Outdoor Rifle Range and its other ranges (archery and trap) 
situated at 124 Porto Rico Road, Ymir will be closed until further notice. 
This is due to health concerns re  COVID-19 Corona Virus

Membership applications will only be processed by email for the time being. 

Given concerns around the Covid-19 outbreak, this year’s Gun Show is cancelled. With social gatherings being limited to 50 people, an event like our gun show becomes logistically un realistic. 

Due to COVID-19 pandemic, our Membership Meeting scheduled for March 25, 2020 has been cancelled and will be held at a later date.

Be safe everyone.

Howie

NDRGC Wildlife Banquet and COVID-19 Virus

The Nelson Rod and Gun Club executive held a meeting on March 12, 2020, to address concerns regarding our upcoming Wildlife Banquet scheduled for Saturday March 14, 2020 and the COVID-19 virus.

At this time there have been no reported cases of the virus in the West Kootenays and the area is considered low risk. Also, our banquet numbers will be less than 200 people.

The Banquet will be going ahead as planned.

We have implemented precautions for those attending however the decision to attend is yours.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the President of the NDRGC, Howie Grant @ 250 551-1077

This is Marc and Katie Britton from Kamloops. This year Marc placed 1st in the Canadian 3D Nationals for Instinctive archery at Prince Albert, Sk.  Katie placed 2nd. They went on to compete at Lac LaBiche, AB in the World 3D Archery Compeition. Marc placed 6th and Katie 12th.  All the while Katie was shooting with a broken finger. 

We have arranged for this talented couple to come to Nelson for a skills improvement clinic.  For a full day, the cost would be $60 per person +GST. Minimum 10 people, Max 14. Day 1 is about improving the shot process through theory and practical application, step-by-step. We can go onto a second day for $100 per person, which would be more technical things arrow tuning, arrow building, string making, etc. They will bring light training bows (light bows are required for a full day of drills, to prevent fatigue) and string making jigs/spools of string which will be available to buy and keep at the end of the weekend.

We are looking at May 2- 3/2020
Traditional archery
Contact: annette.spanky.smith@gmail.com

Membership Meetings only 3 a year!

The first is the Annual General Meeting (AGM), held the second Tuesday in January and primarily deals with short recaps of the previous year and the election of five directors for the year 

The other two will be a combination of a social event, with an hour long meeting, dealing only with items on which the directors need you- the members input and for you to bring to the directors any concerns or suggestions you have for the betterment of the Club.

Saturday, June 13 – mark your calendars as this is the date of the second Membership Meeting of 2020 to be held at the Outdoor Ranges, 124 Porto Rico Road. The meeting will commence at 10 a.m. and will last one hour.  All members attending this meeting will be given a voucher for the Club sponsored lunch.

There will be some Club Social events following the meeting.  The Directors have not yet decided on these events.

The past two years great things have been happening at the outdoor range, the new Archery Range is nearing completion.  The Trap Range is up and running; and plans are being finalized to        add a food prep area and covered shelter to the area by the shooting range 

We are looking for your input on things you would like to participate in at future meetings some ideas to get you thinking

• fly tying demonstration and perhaps an intro into how to start your own tying
• archery demonstration, with the opportunity to try it yourself
• fun shoot for all ages, similar to the chicken shoot the club has run in the past
• a talk by various folks or groups,  conservation officers, conservation groups.

If you have some ideas, please contact a Director or Co-ordinator 

Saturday, August 22^nd  will be the third Membership Meeting of the year and will also be held at the Outdoor Ranges.  Meeting will start at 10 a.m. and be limited to one (1) hour .

 Followed by the opportunity to sight in those firearms in preparation for a successful hunting season. 

From noon until 3 p.m. the range will be open to non-members to sight in firearms with the assistance of a Club Member or Range Officer.

Any ideas on what else you would like to see/participate in on that day?