Poaching in Conservation Area in Hamilton

[LockDown]

I havent seen any coverage of this on this site so i thought i would post it. These are just some of the articles that have been published over the last 2 weeks. Back in april it was reported that the area had a carrying capacity for 12 deer and a survey confirmed there were more than 110 deer present. It looks like someone took notice.

http://www.thespec.com/article/671344

http://www.thespec.com/article/672647

http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/673481

http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/674139

Good luck out there....safe hunting

[fuel80guy]

I can only comment on what i read in the hamilton spectator and it would appear biased.
If natives have the right to hunt there legally via a treaty then i back them 100%.
If they dont have the right then they should be dealt with like anyone else.
The problem is where this is all located in a highly populated area where the deer are virtually tame and the folks in the big houses around there treat them like there pets.
What we dont need in our area is more problems between the natives and us.

[longwinters]

I am wondering why anyone would put a park in an area, where native people have treaty rights, without coming to an agreement with the tribe or whatever in regards to hunting etc.... Its like stocking a private lake and then letting a group of people, legally, gill net it.

Although I guess you could never completely cover yourself for 200 years in the future. People will usually take advantage of their "rights".

Long

[Czy Horse]

Any one see the National News last week about the caribou herd in Labrador.

http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/ID=1337675936
http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/ID=1337675936
http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/ID=1337370469

They have Heritage rights to hunt from trucks and shooting across roads? The natives in Hamilton are missing the boat just using bow & arrows.

Czy Horse

[DanO]

Why not close the park for a week or two so that the harvest can take place? Alternatively close the park for a period of time each day and the hunters would be required to leave the area at a reasonable time.

I think the issue is more about hunting than safety. The residents don't want the deer harvested and it's happening right before their eyes........ tough! Don't turn wild animals into pets.

Dan O.

[old fart jim]

Hi. I can completely understand the objections nearby residents have as the park use is for everyone (I am also from Hamilton)and that weaponry is being used in close proximity to where they live work and kids play. BUT, I am also a Native person.

While not emphasized - " The man then showed them a map with areas shaded where he claimed Six Nations had treaty hunting rights, she said.

The couple followed the two men and a teenager to Filman Road, where police met up with them and told them the Six Nations men had hunting rights there, Jen said."

The truth of the matter finally came out. The Native hunters WERE within their legal and inherant rights. This should have been investigated and reported in the very first newspaper article, and it is my opinion that the first article was irresponible in not pointing that out or at the very least looking into the legality.
From my point of view I find the first few articles indicative of pointing fingers at Native people in an attempt to raise the hackles of those non-Native.

A simple solution is that signs can be posted in that area to at least warn nearby residents of possible danger, and the possible value in wearing bright clothing.

Surely if you were out legally hunting you would not want any people confronting and harrassing you until you finally had to leave the area to avoid confrontation. Picking fights/harrassing armed men of any nationality is not a wise idea. Kudo's to the hunters for keeping their cool and avoiding confrontation.

Sure sucks to have your hunt messed with as another thread about trespassers on private land indicates.

My two cents as a fellow Hamiltonian and Native rights advocate/supporter.

Perhaps the real culprit here is the conservation officers and upper management for not enforcing or upholding Native right to hunt, and for not properly informing the public of their right to do so. Perhaps the newspaper can help with that by informing residents of the possible danger during hunting seasons instead of stirring up emotional responses.

L.

drive all of the squatters out and give the land back to the six nations.
, then there won't be a queston about the hunting

[XCaddis]

Typical tree hugger bias. Don't hurt the poor deer...Eff off.

It sounds like the men were hunting responsibly...the urbanites need to stay out of the part if they don't like it.

Oh...and the author is incorrect. Bows/crossbows are technically NOT firearms.