Natives blockade moose hunters

First Nations protesters are blocking hunters from entering a popular hunting area south of Dease Lake in northwestern B.C.

Local First Nations want to stop what they call the "open season" on moose in their traditional territories and are worried about over-hunting. They are telling hunters already in the area to leave.

"[We] don't want our moose to end up like the fish in the Fraser," said Annita McPhee, chair of the Tahltan Central Council, referring to the dwindling salmon population insouthern B.C. rivers that some have blamed on poor government management.

"Our people depend on the moose for sustenance. Seventy per cent of the people have moose in their freezer," McPhee told CBC News.

The Tahltan have set up the blockade at Klappan Road and Highway 37, 100 kilometres south of Dease Lake.

The B.C. environment ministry has refused to confer with the natives to change the hunting rules, said McPhee.

"We have been trying to work with the province for several years,"she said.

"Our members are frustrated and feel they can no longer sit by and allow another season of over-hunting to take place without doing everything possible to protect our land and most precious resources."

Environment minister 'disappointed'

The government said the Tahltan action is regrettable.

"I'm disappointed and I would respectfully ask the Tahltan First Nation to reconsider," said B.C. Environment Minister Barry Penner.

"I think it would be wise at this point for everyone to take a step back. I certainly don't want to see the situation get inflamed," Penner said in Victoria.

Penner said the moose population in the area is healthy and can sustain the open hunt on bull moose.

The area in the northern reaches of the Skeena hunting area, Region Six has an open season on moose hunting.

In other parts of B.C., hunters have to enter a draw with a limited chance to win a ticket that would allow them to hunt moose.

"We have a sacred trust to protect the moose population for our future generations," said Tahltan Chief Rick McLean in a news release Tuesday.

"We can't sit by and watch the moose in our territory get pushed to the edge of extinction," McLean said.