: ‘,
ott! oe
Bry ey

DIY Re Ret,

09/10/92 09:58 aod 295 | MPR TELTECH LTD

BURKE MOUNTAIN NATURALISTS SEP 14 1992
BOX. 52540
1102-2929 Barnet Highway
Coquitlam, B.C, V3B 7J4

9 September, 1992

Mayor Traboulay and Council
2580 Shaughnessy St.

Port Coquidam, B.C.

V3C 2A8

Dear Mayor Traboulay and Council:

Re: Hunting on Douglas Island

The Burke Mountain Naturalists are opposed to the (possible) exemption of the Saurgeon
Slough Game Club from Firearms Bylaw #1220, Prior to the inclusion of Douglas Island within
the city boundaries hunting on the island was permitted, but now that Douglas Island ig part of
Port Coquitlam we believe that all the pertinent rules and regulations governing this city should
apply including adherence to the above bylaw. To exempt one particular group sets a dangerous
precedent; how do you determine criteria for exempting one group from the bylaw but not
another?

The Sturgeon Slough Game Club (SS$GC) lists a number of reasons why their continued
presence on the island would benefit the city and community, chief among these is maintenance
of wildlife habitat, We applaud their conservation efforts but question whether they will carry
on this maintenance if they are no longer permitted to hunt. They claim that although they hunt
for only 40 days per year, their commitment to the island is year round. If the latter is true and
if they are seriously concerned about wildlife habitat they will continue their commitment and
efforts with no ulterior motive ( that is, hunting),

We would like to point out that hunting, especially hunting in areas of rapid urbanization
such as Port Coquitlam and adjacent municipalities, is increasingly an anomaly, In an era when
hunting is on the wane (according to both federal and provincial reports) why should Port
Coquitlam afford special treatment for a dying sport? We believe that to exernpt the Sturgeon
Slough Gun Club, a small nine-member group of hunters from a City Bylaw is unacceptable and
smacks of elitism. If your council allows this exemption how will you justify it?

Yours sincerely,

Tarn Hann shan

¢o-Chnsnane Hanrahan
Vice President
Burke Mountain Naturalists