Annual Haudenosaunee deer hunt in Dundas Valley Conservation Area begins next week

The annualHaudenosauneedeer hunt in the Dundas Valley Conservation Area starts nextMonday.

From Nov. 8 to Dec. 2,hunters will be able to harvest a maximum of 60 deer, according to a joint media release from the Hamilton Conservation Authority(HCA) andHaudenosaunee Wildlife and Habitat Authority (HWHA).

"Deer harvesting has been a long-standing tradition of the Haudenosaunee dating back thousands of years and serving an important role in their way of life," it reads.

The hunt will take place in two sections of the conservation area Mondays through Thursdays.

One area, which runs along Governors Road between Weir's Lane and Binkley Road, does not have any public access points or trails.

The second covers parts of the headwater's trail between Powerline Road and Jerseyville Road West and Paddy Green Road and Martin Road.

Police, city bylaw officers and the Ministry of Natural Resources have all been consulted in regards to public safety and trail closures, according to the media release. Signs and other forms of notification will be in place so hikers and nearby residents will be informed about the hunt and closures.

In 2011 theHWHAand HCA set up a protocol for hunting on HCA-owned lands.

Meat that's harvested will be used to feed hunter's families and community members.

The media release points to the 1701Nanfan Treaty, which gives theHaudenosauneethe right to harvest and fish in the area.

It states the HCA"recognizes the importance and validity" of the treaty and"respects the important cultural role that deer harvesting plays in the Haudenosaunee's way of life."