No matter what the provincial government or guide outfitters have to say on the matter, the reality is current hunting allocation policy across this province is blatantly unfair towards resident hunters.

At a time when the number of resident hunters in this province is at an all-time high, the percentage of hunting permits being granted is approaching an all-time low.

That’s because more and more permits are being handed out to guide outfitters – many who don’t reside in British Columbia – and it’s simply not fair to resident hunters.

A large and vocal crowd of 100 outdoor enthusiasts packed into the Royal Canadian Legion hall in Oliver this past Sunday evening to hear a presentation from two directors with the B.C. Wildlife Federation (BCWF).

Kootenay West MLA Katrine Conroy was also on hand and made it very clear that provincial hunting allocation policy adopted by the current Christy Clark Liberal government is upsetting many resident hunters in her riding and across the province.

Not even the most avid hunter would argue that guide outfitters are needed in this province and do generate substantial economic benefits for this province.

However, when the concerns and rights of a few dozen guide outfitters supercede those of tens of thousands of resident hunters, there’s something seriously wrong.

Jesse Zeman and Ken Sword, two longtime directors with the BCWF, urged individual hunters to write their local MLA and letters to the editor in newspapers across the region to let the government know that current allocation policy is deeply flawed and must be changed.

They also announced that the BCWF has organized what they hope will be a massive rally for more than 5,000 resident hunters. That rally is set to take place in downtown West Kelowna. The rally will begin in the parking lot of the old Zellers store in West Kelowna and participants will then march towards the constituency office of Premier Christy Clark.

If enough resident hunters speak out, the provincial government will be left with no choice but to listen to their concerns and adopt an allocation policy that cares much more about resident hunters and less about the concerns of a few influential guide outfitters.