Northernlightswolf’s Weblog

I know this comes a little late in the season… but it’s a topic that keeps coming up, and we have some strong opinions about this.  The topic is whether to restrict access by snow machines into sensitive ecological areas – and a lot of it has to do with caribou and wolves.

A comment was made on a news story back in March (Revelstoke Times Review) how caribou “appreciate” the tracks put down by machines, so they don’t have to work as hard to walk through deep snow.  Well, these snowmobile “highways” also allow predators to follow the caribou into their winter habitat. 

Thus, the caribou are losing one major tool they have always used to avoid predators – climbing into inaccessible terrain.

Snowmobiling clubs and outfitters should be commended on their efforts to raise awareness of sensitive areas.  We, as citizens, should encourage them to continue educating their members and clients to avoid these areas during certain times of the year.  It seems that for the most part, snowmobiling organizations and conservation organizations are able to meet in the middle when it comes to the endangered mountain caribou (www.mountaincaribou.org).

It’s only a handful of whiners, as usual, who make a lot of noise and make the others look bad…  The squeaky wheel gets the grease, I guess.

The Environmental extremists supposedly skew data and studies to suit their agenda… is an argument used by people who don’t want their movement in the backcountry restricted in any way.  So does that mean that the extremists on the other side do not skew any data ever, then?  “Maybe” the caribou are avoiding areas with snowmobiles.  So let’s just continue to “maybe” harass them and we will see whether it’s true or not…

Handfuls of snowmobilers, and others enjoying the great outdoors, have had close encounters with caribou out there.  It is a rare and special event to come that close to such a shy animal, and those of you who have turned off your engines, enjoyed the moment, and left quietly should be proud.   Surely not everyone is so respectful.  We all know the yahoos in our neighbourhood.

The big issue is not whether we chase them around (although that is a concern, and so is the noise)… the big issue is the easy access we give predators when we pack down the snow.  The caribou no longer have anywhere to hide.

How is it possible, that in a province with this much open wilderness, that we cannot all agree to explore other beautiful and remote areas, and stay away from identified sensitive areas?

When tourists pour $8 million per year into the local economy to explore our backcountry, you can bet they don’t have their heart set on disturbing wildlife in sensitive areas.  We are surrounded by majestic wilderness and it’s not all sensitive.  They would still give us $8 million to go somewhere nice.  Don’t try to tell me that we’re limited in towns like Golden and Revelstoke.  We should be ashamed of ourselves.

Why should we be allowed to recreate in every corner of the wilderness all the time?  Why wouldn’t we do everything in our power to help endangered species? 

Here are some links you all might find interesting:

Snowmobiling and national park boundaries
http://www.bclocalnews.com/kootenay_rockies/revelstoketimesreview/lifestyles/40193438.html

NCES says B.C. mountain caribou recovery plan implementation falls short
http://www.bclocalnews.com/kootenay_rockies/revelstoketimesreview/news/40192703.html

Calls for snowmobile closures sparks debate
http://www.bclocalnews.com/kootenay_rockies/revelstoketimesreview/news/40577768.html

Black male wolf killed on TCH, Banff National Park
http://www.bclocalnews.com/kootenay_rockies/thegoldenstar/news/40133343.html

More on wolves in Kootenay National Park
http://www.bclocalnews.com/kootenay_rockies/invermerevalleyecho/news/37464409.html