WFSA Current News - February, 2004 

February 13, 2004

Canadian gun registry costs continue rising
            The criticism of Canada ’s gun registry has not ceased since first independent costings of it were circulated. Originally to cost $2 million, then, later, $85 million, the new scheme gave rise to a nationwide argument when it was announced by the Auditor General that the total moneys expended would be one billion dollars before the year 2005.
            Canada ’s CBC News in an article published today claims it has carried out its own investigation under the Access to Information legislation, and has found the actual figure to be $2 billion. It also claims to have asked for and been refused a comment from former Justice Minister Anne McLellan.
            The registration program still has a substantial non-compliance element throughout Canada . In additions, some provinces are continuing to refuse to follow up with prosecutions of those refusing to register guns.

February 10, 2004

African nations benefit increasingly from hunting
            Safari Club International (SCI) has been identified today as the provider of US$6 million in a unique partnership plan to benefit three African nations. The article from LiquidAfrica under the byline of Wisdom Mdzungairi has described the conservation project as benefiting the region shared by Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Zambia.
            The SCI director for conservation, Dr. Bill Wall, spoke of the local community being involved in regional game counting, wildlife protection, and setting of sustainable hunting quotas. He also referred to the success of the now well-established Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources (CAMPFIRE), which was noted by its director, Mr. Charles Jonga, to have produced over US$20 million from hunting safaris. Income, the latter said, is still increasing.
            The SCI initiative is based on training programs to ensure there will be local involvement in hunting-related decisions. The aim is to link local programs of wildlife conservation with international regulations such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, and EU importation regulations.  

February 8, 2004
 
Call for change in bear hunting in Alaska
            Both black and grizzly bears have had substantial restriction on hunting them in Alaska . Bears in Alaska have been relocated when there is too much predation taking place on other animals, such as moose.
            In recent times it has become fashionable to support animal relocation programs as a common tool of game management. If the pressure on a species has been identified as being too great because of predation, there are occasions when a given predator can be trapped for transportation to another area. If there is shortage of feed in an ecosystem, sometimes a temporary alleviation is possible if some animals reliant on it are moved elsewhere. It is of course extremely expensive and quite often may create a new problem in a different area.
            Recognition appears to be growing that sometimes more is required. A Senate bill just introduced in Alaska would relax hunting regulations somewhat in areas where the state game authorities have identified bear predation as a factor in declining numbers or productivity of game such as moose and caribou. Designed to keep hunters working cooperatively with game management authorities, the bill nevertheless draws the usual blanket criticism from animal preservation groups.