News & Updates

Region 8 Chronic Wasting Disease Sampling Incentive Program

The Okanagan Region of the B.C. Wildlife Federation (OKBCWF) and Westside stores have teamed up to offer an incentive program to encourage hunters to submit cervid heads for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) testing.

Support CWD monitoring and increase confidence that Region 8 remains CWD free.

For each hunter-harvested cervid (white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, and moose) head you submit to a designated Okanagan drop off location, you’ll receive one free entry into a random draw for cool prizes!

Prizes:

  • First prize – Zeiss Terra ED 10×42 binoculars, retail value $750
  • Second prize – $250 gift certificate to Westside Stores
  • Third prize – $175 gift certificate to Westside Stores

Learn more about the contest rules, procedure, and fine print here: OKBCWF CWD Incentive Program 2023 V1.1

Please visit www.westsidestores.ca for store location and to support our generous partner!

Contact OKBCWFCWD@gmail.com with any questions!

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Rick Taylor has lived on Kootenay Lake for 40 years and has seen some ups a...
Photo: Anngela Bayer

It’s International Volunteer Day

United Nations Volunteers introduced International Volunteer Day in 1985 an...
November 26, 2020

Recovery & Persistence of Interior Fraser Steelhead – Webinar

Last year, only an estimated 38 Chilcotin steelhead made it back to spawn...

Kootenay Lake Angler Incentive Program: October Winner Announced!

Dena Steenson was the lucky winner of the $1,000 gift certificates during t...

$10K Reward – Squamish Bull Elk Poaching

A bull elk was shot and killed along the paved portion of Squamish Valley...

COVID-19 Update: The BCWF Office Moves to a Contactless Drop-off System

Please note that the BCWF office is open, but due to the recent increase...

BCWF Statement on new COVID restrictions for Lower Mainland and Fraser Health regions

The BCWF recommends that all members residing within the Lower Mainland and...

BCWF Meeting with Ministry of Forests, Lands & Natural Resource Operations

On November 9, BCWF met with the assistant deputy minister and executive st...
October 28, 2020

Southern Interior Mule Deer Webinar Update

The BCWF has launched a world-class mule deer research in collaboration wit...
(Photo left to right: Terry Jones, Woodbury Resort owner; Jan Thomas, September winner; Tim Rutherglen, West Arm Outdoors Club; and Scott Girdwood, Woodbury Resort Fish Technician.)

Kootenay Angler Incentive Program: A Win at Woodbury

There is more good news for Kootenay Lake anglers as the summer fades into...

Press Release: The BCWF Calls for Increased Investment in Fish and Wildlife

British Columbia’s mountains, rivers, lakes, and forests are suffering fr...
Mathijs Deerenberg

2020 marks the 40th Annual BC Rivers Day 

Thousands of river enthusiasts in British Columbia celebrate BC Rivers Day...
Photo Credit: Anderson

Highway 37 Update – Access to Ealue Lake Road Restored

In 2016, BCWF gained an Interlocutory Injunction with Enforcement Order tha...

BC Watershed Security Coalition & BCWF Celebrate a Big Win for Watersheds

As record low salmon returns, floods, drought, erosion, and climate change...

Excitement Grows Over Fall Fishing on Kootenay Lake

The BCWF and its local member club, the West Arm Outdoors Club, are thril...

2020 National Hunting, Trapping and Fishing Heritage Day

Saturday, September 19, marked as National Hunting, Trapping and Fishing He...
Movi-infected lamb that was put down to protect other wild sheep populations. © Wild Sheep Society of B.C.

Support Wild Sheep Society of B.C.’s “Save our Sheep” Campaign

In 2013 the Chasm bighorn sheep herd experienced a decline from approximate...
Photo Credit: Anderson

BCWF’s Recommendations Included in Finance Committee Budget 2021 Consultation Report

Fish and Wildlife Conservation and Management (page 40 Report Volume 1)...

Kootenay Lake Angler Incentive Program (KLAIP) announces second $1,000 winner!

Local anglers continue to be incredibly supportive of the Kootenay Lake Ang...

COVID and Outdoor Recreation in B.C.

The BCWF has received a number of questions with regards to outdoor recreat...
Photo: Dennis Verdell

2019 B.C. Wildlife Federation Awards

President's Award for Outstanding Achievement – Mike Langegger The...
Photo by Stefanie Harron

Request for an Audit

The B.C. Wildlife Federation has written to the Auditor General of B.C. req...

A survey about newly prohibited firearms in Canada

We need your help to tell the true story of how the newly prohibited firear...

Kootenay Lake Angler Incentive Program off to a Great Start!

The first lucky winner of the new Kootenay Lake Angler Incentive Program is...

Letter About Public Salmon Fishery Closures

The Honourable Bernadette Jordan Minister of Fisheries, Oceans & the C...

Presentation to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services

Presentation to the Select Standing Committee - Provincial Budget 2021 I...

COVID-19 Guidance to Anglers

As anglers have standard etiquette at boat launches that keep fishing a low...

COVID-19 Range Safety

COVID-19 Range Safety Dear club and region leaders, I was most please...

New angler program for Kootenay Lake

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 28, 2020 Kootenay Lake, B.C. -  A new angle...

BC Parks Open For Day Use

BC Parks Open for Day Use FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 6, 2020 Today, t...
Photo Credit Lindsay Danchella

Chronic Wasting Disease Update – April 2020

Chronic Wasting Disease Update - April 2020 In 2019-20, the B.C. CWD Pro...

Hunting and Angling included in Essential Services

Hunting and Angling included in Essential Services For Immediate Release...
Photo: Anthony Bucci

COVID-19 Update

Last updated: September 3, 2020   Outdoor Activities Updates Dur...

Southern Interior Mule Deer Project Update: March 2020

Southern Interior Mule Deer Project Update : Doe O18013 was captured and co...

Wild Turkey Hunting Survey

Take part in our Wild Turkey Survey, turkey hunting has grown over the last...

The BC Wildlife Federation’s Wetlands Institute: Over 20 Years of Success.

Since its conception in 1998, the Wetlands Institute has been held in 18 co...

BCWF COVID -19 Update: Office closed to public until further notice

Please be advised, as a proactive measure against COVID-19 the BCWF Office...
Photo: Nancy Shields

BCWF Annual General Meeting and Convention Cancelled

BCWF AGM & Convention Cancelled The BC Wildlife Federation is sad to...

BCWF Statement on the COVID-19 Virus

BCWF Statement on COVID-19 March 12, 2020 Surrey, B.C. - The BCWF...
Photo Credit: TJ Gooliaff

Southern Interior Mule Deer Project: Winter Update

Southern Interior Mule Deer Project Winter Update The Southern Interior...
The female staff at the BCWF

International Women’s Day

It’s International Women’s Day and we would like to highlight our Direc...

BC Budget 2020 Lacks Investment in Water and Wildlife

BC Budget 2020 Lacks Investment in Water and Wildlife For Immediate Rele...

BC Wildlife Federation Supports Selective Fishing Proposal

BC Wildlife Federation Supports Selective Fishing Proposal Skeena River...

Old Growth Strategic Review

We welcome the opportunity to participate in this exercise the Old Growth S...
Photo Credit: Claudia Ferris

Ottawa’s “buy back” is a multi-billion boondoggle

Ottawa’s “buy back” is a multi-billion boondoggle In his Mandate l...
Gerry Paille

“Together for Wildlife”: Urgent Response Needed

The Provincial Government is soliciting feedback on its “Together For Wil...

Hunting and Trapping Regulations Engagement Open

Hunting and Trapping Regulations Engagement - until January 19, 2020 The p...

Firearms Advocacy

Firearms Advocacy In the federal government's December throne speech, th...
Photo Credit: Wilderness Committee

Skagit Headwaters Saved from Logging

Skagit Headwaters Saved from Logging The B.C. government has announced...

Big Bar Slide Disaster: What Next?

Big Bar Slide Disaster: What Next? The BC Wildlife Federation has signed...
Photo: Alexandra Scott

Hear no Evil, See no Evil: The Plight of B.C.’s Salmon and Steelhead stocks

The Plight of B.C.'s Salmon and Steelhead stocks The BC Wildlife Federat...
Photo Credit Anngela Bayer

Chronic Wasting Disease Current Update – November 2019

The BC Wildlife Health Program is happy to report that the Kootenay samples...
Photo: Anthony Bucci

A Watershed Security Fund for B.C.: Building Resilience and Advancing Reconciliation

A new Watershed Security Fund Position Paper describes a genuine opportunit...

Southern Interior Mule Deer Project Update

The Southern Interior Mule Deer project continues to march along, adding ad...

Submission to the Proposal for changes to the Mines Act

The proposed changes to the Mines Act are a step in the right direction, bu...

Alan Martin – A Champion of Conservation

The BC Wildlife Federation is devastated to inform you that Alan Martin, ou...

BCWF Calls for Change in Salmon Management

Surrey, B.C. - The BC Wildlife Federation is calling for fundamental change...

Response to Forest Renewal Policy Initiative

The B.C. government is seeking ideas on how to create or change current pol...

BCWF FOI Reveals Flawed Decision-Making Process for Endangered Steelhead

Surrey, B.C.  - The iconic Interior Fraser steelhead face imminent extinct...

The Economic Footprint of Hunting, Fishing, Trapping and Sport Shooting in Canada

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) and the Canadian Sport...

Committee on Finance and Government Services Recognizes Recommendations by the BCWF

Thanks to all the BCWF volunteers who made presentations to the provincial...
Photo: Alexandra Scott

Steelhead not to be listed under SARA

The BC Wildlife Federation is hugely disappointed that the Governor in Coun...

Heart of the Fraser Development Stopped!

Herrling Island Bridge Denied For Immediate Release: July 27, 2019 – S...

Federal Fisheries Act Changes Passed

Good News for Fish Habitat For Immediate Release: June 21, 2019 - Surrey...

BCWF Responds to the Government’s Implementation of a Interim Moratorium to Protect Caribou

The BC Wildlife Federation is pleased the provincial government is implemen...
Photo Credit: Wilderness Committee

Saving the Skagit Headwaters

The BC Wildlife Federation has joined more than 110 conservation and recrea...

BCWF Formal Position on the Glyphosates and Other Systemic Herbicides

At the 63rd Annual General Meeting, delegates voted to pass the resolution...

Presentation to the British Columbia Legislative Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services

Investing to create a legacy of fish and wildlife diversity and abundance...

Vancouver Gun Club Fishing Forever Fundraiser Shoot

On a raining Sunday, May 26, 2019, 42 shooters attended Region 2's Annual S...

2019 Selective Fishing Forum

On March 13th, 2019, the BC Wildlife Federation hosted one day forum on sel...

New President of the BC Wildlife Federation Elected

Bill Bosch from Kelowna has been elected president of the BC Wildlife Feder...

Southern Mountain Caribou

Government is now conducting a series of public engagement sessions in many...

Predator Management

The recent outcry over hunting contests has arisen due to member frustratio...

Support the Managed Hunt

The BC Wildlife Federation is aghast at statements being made in a new camp...

Predator Control

The BC Wildlife Federation believes that when predator control is conducted...

Testimony on Bill C-71

Firearms Committee Chair Chuck Zuckerman presented to the Senate Standing C...

Homegrown Worms: An Angler’s Guide

Bait, it’s one of those things where you can never be too picky. I am not...

Ice Fishing the Fishing Highway

5 am, alarm goes off. I think to myself, “should I hit snooze, or sleep i...

2019 Provincial Budget Response

The 2019 Budget released on February 19 by Finance Minister Hon. Carol Jame...

A life of Hiking Mountains and Paddling Waters: In Memory of Richard Simpson

On February 2nd, 2019, Richard Larke Simpson, born Dec 4th, 1944 known to h...

Does and Fawns Collared This Winter

Our Southern Interior Mule Deer Project team was busy throughout December c...

Populism and the Ban on the Grizzly Hunt

Several questions have come up after the recent news of a guide outfitting...

North East Caribou Update

BCWF representatives Jesse Zeman and Al Martin met on Friday, Dec 14, 2018...

BCWF Responds to the South Okanagan National Park Reserve Proposal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – December 13, 2018 In October 2017, the federal...

At the Heart of the Fraser

Submitted by Jenny Ly Since the BCWF Fall Harvest Celebration, hosted to...

Response to Federal Engagement – an examination of a ban on handguns and assault weapons in Canada

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 30, 2018 Surrey, B.C. – The BC Wild...
Photo: Jessica VanIerland

Media Advisory: Fisheries Management Threatens Endangered Steelhead

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 24, 2018 The BC Wildlife Federation is...

Fisheries Management Threatens Endangered Steelhead

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 24, 2018 Surrey, B.C. - The BC Wildlif...

Out In the Woods With a Fisheries Technician

Meet Heather Vainionpaa. She is a Fisheries Technician with a Diploma from...

Sossy Outdoors: Venison Osso Buco

https://www.youtube.com/embed/4ESWZgxfsRo   As hunting season ne...

News Release: Calls for Round Table Answered

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – September 29, 2018 The B.C. government has ann...

The Cottonwoods of the Heart of the Fraser

Black cottonwood trees, the biggest poplars on earth and one of the fastest...

BCWF Supports Online Petition to Promote Sustainable Fish Harvesting Techniques

The BCWF is in support of the petition to encourage and promote sustainable...

The First Hunt and What it Takes to Be a Mountain Hunter

Jenny Ly has returned from her Woodland Caribou hunt in Northern BC. This i...

Sossy Outdoors: Elk Sausage Rolls

https://www.youtube.com/embed/fTGp4U2NK4I   Colder weather alway...

Urban Huntress: Feeding Her Soul

Meet Jenny Ly. She is a young woman living in downtown Vancouver. She loves...

Sossy Outdoors: Bison Canape

https://www.youtube.com/embed/x1GjyoMpPyo   Here's a quick dish...
Photo Credit: Hookset BC

The Dinosaurs of the River

White sturgeon, Acipenser transmontanus, is an ancient species of ray-finne...

Saving the Eulachon of the Fraser

Small, oil-rich smelts called eulachon return to spawn each spring in the F...

Maple Crusted Toasted Elk Marrow

https://www.youtube.com/embed/zCYq0gupjyo   Ingredients 4-6 E...

The Power of the Pen

Here is Chad on one of his many outdoor adventures. Our next Wildlife Wa...

The Beat of the River

The stretch of the Fraser River that rambles the distance between Hope and...

Sossy Outdoors: Salmon Ceviche

https://youtu.be/R93V3JJhUgs Salmon fishing! It’s that time of year ag...

Thank-you for your Support

On route to our Lake Country Go Wild Camp, our youth programs team were inv...

BCWF President Harvey Andrusak Stands Up for Public Rights

The BCWF has written to the provincial Ministers of Forests and Indigenous...

Response to Wildlife & Habitat Engagement Process

The Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Devel...

Sossy Outdoors: Coconut Thai Curry Mussels

https://youtu.be/2p7o18nfV4w   Ingredients 2 kilograms Mussel...

The Jurassic Classic

BC's Full Curl Fishing Experience! The countdown is on for the 2018 Jurass...

Jump for Wildlife

Join us at Wildplay Elements Park in Maple Ridge on September 29th, 2018...

Sossy Outdoors: Venison Wontons

https://youtu.be/56K27sOrm-g Having a party and want to serve a deliciou...

Urban Hunter Fighting for Wildlife

Alex Johnson went hunting for the first time in the fall of 2014 at the age...

Family Fishing Day

We were at the Fraser Valley Trout Hatchery on Saturday June 16th, taking i...

Leaping towards a brighter future

Rick Simpson has been the Chair of the BCWF Region 8, fisheries committee f...

Teaching youth responsible fishing and hunting

Brian Atherton has been the president of the Smithers Bulkley Valley Rod an...

Words from a past president

Les Husband currently, and has been for ten years, the Fire Centre Manager...

Guardians of B.C.’s Wildlife

Allen McEwan is the president of the Pemberton Valley Wildlife Association...

A Fisherman’s Passion

David Carleton is president of Region 8, Okanagan BCWF and is president of...

Conservation Collaborators Launch The Southern Interior Mule Deer Project

A new, large-scale research project, involving multiple agencies and univer...
Photo credit: Jessica Rodriguez

Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Deception Over Species at Risk Population

The BC Wildlife Federation and conservation partners have been calling on t...
Photo: Alexandra Scott

BCWF Files Submission to Protect Marine Fish at Risk in BC

On behalf of its client, the BC Wildlife Federation, the University of Vict...
Photo: Jessica VanIerland

Request to the Federal Parliamentary Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans (FOPO) regarding Interior Fraser Steelhead, Species At Risk Act and Marine Stewardship Council Certification

On March 23rd, Al Martin, Director of Strategic Initiatives for the BC Wild...

Lower Fraser Sport Fishing Advisory Committee Responds

On March 10th, 2018, a meeting was held at Bass Pro Shops in Tswassen. BCWF...
Photo: Jessica VanIerland

Interior Fraser Steelhead at Risk of Extinction

Due to the extreme decline of mature spawning Thompson and Chilcotin River...

BCWF Responds to Grizzly Hunt Ban

Using post-truth era consultative techniques the B.C. government has now de...

BC Wildlife Federation Response to the Decision to Proceed with Site C Dam Construction

The BC Wildlife Federation fully expects the government will direct BC Hydr...

Emergency Assessment for Interior Fraser Steelhead under COSEWIC

The federal Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEW...
Photo: Alexandra Scott

BC Steelhead Stocks in Crisis

Four groups representing many thousands of recreational anglers in B.C. are...

Vancouver Island Hunting and Fishing Access Permitted on TimberWest Land for BC Wildlife Federation Members

The BC Wildlife Federation (BCWF) is pleased to announce a Hunting and Fish...

Rick Mayor – Vice President, B.C. Wildlife Federation, February 11, 1956 – February 25, 2014

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of BCWF Vice Presi...