Bighorn sheep need protection

I have lived in the Hinton area most of my life, being born in Jasper, many, many moons ago. I have watched the progress of Cardinal River Coals digging coal on their sites. They have done a very commendable job of reclaiming what they disrupted. In the process, Cardinal has created habitat that sheep could only dream about. But, this is my concern: Somewhere in the future, Cardinal is going to complete their present diggings, either by abandoning it or moving into their Cheviot area. What about the sheep? At present there is no hunting on Cardinal leases, but after they are gone, then what? There are actually hundreds of sheep presently there. These sheep are quite at home in the presence of man. If one of the above takes place, who is going to protect them? If open hunting is then allowed one need only a slice of bread in one hand and a butcher knife in the other. There is no way the current Fish and Wildlife Division, having one officer in that whole area, will be able to police this. This is my personal view and in no way involves the Hinton Fish and Game Association.

Vern Truxler
Past President and life member
of the Hinton Fish & Game
Association

 

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