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Hey, does anyone know of any good areas to chase a long-tail in British Columbia? I am just over the border in Washington and I want to get a pursuit permit for BC. I would only pursue, though, because nonresidents can't kill a cougar in BC w/o a guide--and I can't afford any guides. I just got a dog that I want to train for cats, and if I don't draw out for a Washington tag this year--I want to run at least on longtail in Canada. Washington doesn't have a plain pursuit season. To you BC experts, if you know of any places around the Creston, Castlegar, or Nelson areas--they are the closest. Feel free to send me a pm. I'll owe ya.

THANKS!

I think your oughta luck.

Yep not gonna happen for ya unfortunately.

well it can happen for you, but the only way that it will is if you hire a guide and pay full price for a lion hunt, and he may let you run a dog of yours with his. You need to be guided for any big game hunts in BC, no exceptions.

thanks for the confidence guys. Actually, a nonresident can participate in the BC pursuit season without a guide as long as he doesn't carry a weapon and doesn't harvest anything. I even called to verify. That's all I wanted to do, anyway. But who knows, I may draw out for a Washington tag anyway.

Oh, and I don't need someone to run dogs with. I already have a bad-a** cameron bluetick who eats lions for lunch. In Utah I hunted many a longtail, he's gonna help me train the pup. I'm just lookin for the name of a mountain range in BC, or any rumors as to where some lions are.

I'd triple confirm your source on running cats.
I spoke to 2 CO's who both said U.S residents are NOT allowed to pursue game period with hounds in B.C unless accompanied by a guide. You CAN be present with a resident with NO hounds of your own but cant be packin'.
As far as mountain ranges we have no shortage of cats I'll tell ya that much.
I got sick of crossing them and not having anybody with hounds to chase the buggers (hey keeps a guy in the hills a few extra months too;) )so I said screw it I'll just get in the game myself
Now whether you want to challenge them to prove who's hounds are who's well thats just up to you.
I was hoping to have someone come up and do just that with me and see some of his run.
It kinda falls under the same thing as we are not allowed to call elk (spend a life time waiting for a draw so I might as well film some up close and personal I figured with a super slutty cow call ) unless we hold a valid tag (learned that too! My bad) as it is harassment of wildlife and is an offence!
Yep I dont like it just as much as you but just passing it on to save you some gas $

I appreciate the advice Blacktailstalker. I'll be sure to triple and quadruple check. Here is the e-mail I got from them, saying that it is okay. Sorry for the length:

Hi Joshua,
Your inquiry into the requirements for a non-resident with respect to the pursuit only season for cougars in British Columbia has been forwarded to me for response.
A non-resident is not required to be accompanied by a licensed BC guide to take part in the cougar pursuit only seasons. Non-residents must be guided if they wish to "hunt" big game in BC, and the definition of hunt, or hunting, terminates with the intention to capture an animal, or to be in the possession of a firearm or other weapon. If the non-resident is not in possession of a firearm, and has no intention on capturing the wildlife they are pursuing (tricky with a cougar), their activity is not considered hunting, and as such they do not require the services of a guide.
Be aware that there are other requirements for a non-resident for the pursuit only cougar seasons:
1. You must purchase a non-resident hunting license ($180 CDN).
2. You are not permitted have a firearm or any other weapon (includes a rifle, shotgun, handgun or spring gun and any device that propels a projectile by means of an explosion, compressed gas or spring, or a bow (long, recurve, compound, or cross bow) in your possession.
I hope this answers your questions,

Senior Wildlife Regulations Officer
Fish and Wildlife Branch
Ministry of Environment

One thing that I would look into is: is there a difference between a Canadian Non BC Resident, and a Non Canadian Resident, is there a difference in what nationality you are.

jbc67 wrote:I appreciate the advice Blacktailstalker. I'll be sure to triple and quadruple check. Here is the e-mail I got from them, saying that it is okay. Sorry for the length:

Hi Joshua,
Your inquiry into the requirements for a non-resident with respect to the pursuit only season for cougars in British Columbia has been forwarded to me for response.
A non-resident is not required to be accompanied by a licensed BC guide to take part in the cougar pursuit only seasons. Non-residents must be guided if they wish to "hunt" big game in BC, and the definition of hunt, or hunting, terminates with the intention to capture an animal, or to be in the possession of a firearm or other weapon. If the non-resident is not in possession of a firearm, and has no intention on capturing the wildlife they are pursuing (tricky with a cougar), their activity is not considered hunting, and as such they do not require the services of a guide.
Be aware that there are other requirements for a non-resident for the pursuit only cougar seasons:
1. You must purchase a non-resident hunting license ($180 CDN).
2. You are not permitted have a firearm or any other weapon (includes a rifle, shotgun, handgun or spring gun and any device that propels a projectile by means of an explosion, compressed gas or spring, or a bow (long, recurve, compound, or cross bow) in your possession.
I hope this answers your questions,

Senior Wildlife Regulations Officer
Fish and Wildlife Branch
Ministry of Environment

That is a surprise to me!!!
Joshua can I borrow that qoute???
I am having a discussion regarding the definition of "Hunt" and that qoute sheds a bit more light on it....

I would suppose he is refering to the pusuit only seasons which I am unfamiliar with cause I live a fair bit north of them...this region doesn't have them....

I would advise that if you do...bring that letter with you in your pocket and keep it close...

Wow yep thats news to me too, coming from the supervisor, I'll print that off too if ya dont mind.
Hey, definitely wasnt trying to keep you "out" lol !!!

I don't know what you read into it but it looks to me like you still can't use hounds. That would be capturing which is hence hunting. He says is tricky meaning without hounds. I read that you can photograph or view not capture so use of dogs is a no no. but that just is how view his message.

my opinion on the response from the senior c/o is that when he wrote "tricky with a cougar" that meant tricky to capture. to me capture means to cage or enclose the animal to be moved or transported somehow. just because the cougar is in a tree that doesn't mean it's captured. he said that there is a pursuit only season and why would they have a pursuit only season for non-residents if that's not what it means. i agree with the person that said to check on if it means a non-resident from canada or from the states. as soon as anyone figures why all states can't have the same rules as far as hunting laws and regulations please let me know. i can understand bag limits and hunting hours and all that but why can you cross a state line and run your dog but can't in the other. makes no sense. or why can you wait 4 years to get a bobcat tag and cross the river(state line) and get 5 cat tags with your small games license. the last time i checked cats can swim. or wait 9 years for a bear tag and cross the river(state line) and get 2 over the counter. again, bears can swim. sorry for ranting but it's ridiculous the way some of the laws are made.

Interesting news there.

Here is my question in responce to the email you got.

With his explanation of hunting, and what it is. Why would you need to buy a hunting license if you are not hunting, or is it considered hunting if you are running dogs? I too would ask as many peopole as you can, heck I would call their enforcement office and ask them on the phone also.

What one warden or supervisor tells you, might be different than the view of another in these type of activities. They specifically made cougar a big game animal in BC years ago so that us guys from here could not head over the border and hunt. Its all about money, and thats all it is about. Dont get caught up in it either. Canada can take your dogs and rig if you are in the wrong. An email as vague as that, doesnt win you a case if busted. Just my .02. I would hate to see you get into trouble.

An email as vague as that, doesnt win you a case if busted.

it almost seems like some sort of bait to get him to come over there and try to run his dogs. wouldn't put it past some wardens.