The province is increasing fines for people caught illegally hunting and angling.
Fines under the Wildlife Act and its regulations have not been substantially updated in more than two decades, the province reports. Effective Tuesday, June 18, the new fines for violation tickets range from $345 to $1,495, an increase from the current range of $115 to $575.
About 200 violation ticket fines are increased. The highest new fine amount, $1,495, will apply to people hunting wildlife defined as big game during a closed hunting season, the unlawful possession of big game or the unlawful possession of threatened or endangered species, as well as other serious offences under the Wildlife Act and its regulations.
Violations of the Wildlife Act include unlawful trapping, hunting and angling; hunting without a licence; operating a motor vehicle in an area where motor vehicles are prohibited; damage to wildlife habitat; and illegal trafficking of wildlife.
The province reports that the increase is supported by stakeholders throughout the natural-resource sector, including hunters, anglers, conservationists, guide outfitters, trappers and others, as well as many First Nations partners that welcome harsher penalties for people who demonstrate a lack of respect for fish, wildlife and their habitats.
Penalties for Wildlife Act violations include warnings, violation tickets, court prosecution and community justice forums. The Province's conservation officers will continue to recommend court appearances and formal charges for serious offences where issuing a violation ticket is not appropriate. Penalties higher than a violation ticket fine will continue to be sought in those circumstances.
The Conservation Officer Service, part of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, is the lead agency that enforces the Wildlife Act and its regulations throughout the province. B.C. Parks rangers, RCMP officers and Fisheries and Oceans Canada officers are also authorized to enforce the legislation.
The B.C. government reviewed comparable fine amounts in other jurisdictions in Canada and in the western United States to help guide adjustments to the Violation Ticket Administration and Fines Regulation in British Columbia.
The number of violation tickets issued under the Wildlife Act is consistently one of the highest totals for all legislation enforced by the Conservation Officer Service. More than 1,000 tickets for various Wildlife Act offences were issued in 2023, resulting in more than $200,000 in fines.
