Is this really fair?????? Not to me.

[IH8ATTN]

Do you find this fair to us hunters?

http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2012 ... -deer-hunt

Short Hills Provincial Park will be closed for the next two weekends because of an Aboriginal-only deer hunt.

In a press release issued Monday afternoon, the Ministry of Natural Resources said the hunt will “allow Aboriginal hunters to safely harvest deer for food.”

The restricted hunt will take place Saturday and Sunday, and again Jan. 12 and 13 from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.

The 735-hectare park will be closed during those two weekends with park staff patrolling the perimeter boundary and park trails.

“All sorts of safety protocols are in place and we're hoping that the fact it's two weekends in January, the park won't be as busy as it could normally be,” said Jolanta Kowalski, a spokeswoman for the MNR. “Safety is our priority so that's why we're closing the park during the hunt.”

However, even during the winter, the park is popular in Niagara for walking and hiking, skiing, snowshoeing and cycling. Dozens of cars could be seen in the park's three parking lots off of Pelham, Wiley and Roland roads over the weekend.

The hunt will be conducted by the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, which is made up of natives from the Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas and Senecas.

“Only the Haudenosaunee will be allowed to hunt on those weekends,” Kowalski said. “It's about them being able to exercise their treaty rights.”

Only archery equipment will be allowed, so no rifles or shotguns will be used, and the hunters are being asked to stick to the southeast corner of the park, which is more remote and has fewer trails.

Kowalski said the hunt isn't the result of an overpopulation of deer in the park.

“There's a favourable climate, a lot of food sources nearby and mixed wood forests and that has all helped the deer population increase,” she said. “So this isn't going to be damaging to the deer population in that area.”

It's expected between 15 and 20 native hunters will take part each day of the hunt.

Some non-Aboriginal hunters, including one who contacted the Standard, aren't happy about the hunt being restricted, but Kowalski said it's important to realize hunting inside the provincial park is still illegal.

“Existing Aboriginal and treaty rights are recognized and affirmed by the constitution, so we're committed to respecting those rights,” she said. “It's not a case of the park suddenly being open to hunting by everyone.”

[one shot scott]

No.

[IH8ATTN]

What bothers me is I hunt a stone throw away from this park. This park is rammed with deer I know but now they get to basically shoot fish in a barrel. The deer know this area is a safe haven, well until now.

[taz3]

EDIT; Not a good topic

[Gwen's Dilemma]

Same as when the Caldwell's had "culls" in Rondeau Provincial Park a few years ago. I didn't like it then either but we might as well "save our breath to cool our soup" like my grandma used to say.

[wheelie]

What bothers me is I hunt a stone throw away from this park. This park is rammed with deer I know but now they get to basically shoot fish in a barrel. The deer know this area is a safe haven, well until now.

You don't really think they would want to have to work for them do ya?
Atleast they don't like carp yet! LOL

[bigredopie]

It maybe a good time to set up a stand on the other side of the fence. Maybe they will push them to you.

[one shot scott]

This is about to get ugly. As it usually does.

[bdog]

sounds fair to me........

[bearclan]

I am one of the Haudenosaunee/ Iroquois hunters on the list to hunt this Park, and life isn't fair at all sometimes.

[robertyb]

I am one of the Haudenosaunee/ Iroquois hunters on the list to hunt this Park, and life isn't fair at all sometimes.

Good luck on the hunt bearclan. Hope you get a deer.
I have never seen any problem with restricted hunts myself.

[colouredchameleon]

sounds fair to me........

X2

I once hunted with a fellow who drummed his chest and ranted and raved all the time about how unfair it was that natives could hunt under special treaty rights.
It turns out it was more about jealously and then fairness and conviction of belief.

Because he discovered an few years back while looking at his family tree that someone in his family put together that his grandmother who died before he was born was in fact of native blood. Lets say without going into it he now beats to a different drum tune

[newbie]

I am one of the Haudenosaunee/ Iroquois hunters on the list to hunt this Park, and life isn't fair at all sometimes.

Good luck on the hunt bearclan. Hope you get a deer.
I have never seen any problem with restricted hunts myself.

X2

[TPM]

These controlled aboriginal only culls have been going on in Provicial Parks for years. They're legal and I see nothing wrong with them.

[sumner4991]

I'm all for it . . .if they use the harvest for food, then awesome!