News & Views

NEWS &

VIEWS

Here we are, rolling into the fall – typically the most exciting and anticipated time of our year here in British Columbia – and the international borders remain closed. Despite our grandest efforts, it is most likely that they will stay this way for the rest of this incredible year.

The past five months have been a blur. The GOABC has been working tirelessly on the ever-expanding COVID-19 file since mid-March. The wins have been few and far between, but we take them where we can get them!

We were proud to be one of the first sectors in BC to deliver on the Minister of Tourism’s request for an industry Best Practices document. This comprehensive document has been circulated throughout all levels of provincial and national government, receiving high praise. Even more important – BC outfitters are eager to demonstrate their ability to deliver on their enhanced protocols. Our businesses can operate under these conditions while still delivering the safe and quality experiences that British Columbia is known for. The fly in the ointment – clients being able to pass through the border and complete their 14-day self-quarantine as mandated by Canada’s Quarantine Act.

As British Columbians, we are proud of the collective good work done by residents to “flatten the curve” and keep our province safe. We look forward to the day when the threat of COVID-19 has passed, and the international borders can be softened.

Hunters know firsthand that the outfitting industry is unique in that most activities take place in wilderness isolation by design, with no contact with nearby Indigenous and nonIndigenous communities. Therefore, the remoteness of guide outfitting operations provides the ideal opportunity to gradually introduce international tourism back into our province, when safe to do so.

We support the Alternative Self-Isolation Plan approved by the Yukon government in late July where clients can selfisolate for 14-days while simultaneously participating in the activity they came to do (fish or hunt). We have lobbied the Province to approve the same plan here. Obviously, this would be done safely and in a manner that conforms to all orders and guidelines of the Provincial Health Officer and WorkSafeBC.

We have stressed to government that without some flexibility where travelers can isolate, and some alleviation to the border closure, more emphasis will need to be on Federal and Provincial aid. The outfitting sector requires support in order

Scott Ellis, Executive Director, GOABC

to survive and recover from the current situation.

We have received encouraging signals from government on our allocation and waiving-of-fees asks and are looking forward to continued meaningful engagement with government.

Families all throughout rural British Columbia are relying upon government’s support – and collaborative dealings with their clients. As a sector, we have been very proactive in going to government with well-formulated solutions and have worked hard to prepare our operations. We will continue to do so until these COVID days are behind us.

Straight shooting and safe travels.

I am writing today from my home in Alberta. Thanks to COVID- 19 and travel restrictions, I am home in July for the first time in 24 years. There are some positive things about being here, but my heart is really up at our base camp in the beautiful Mackenzie Mountains of the Northwest Territories (NWT). I have been doing all I possibly can to try to get some clients to camp this summer but so far, to no avail. Our NWT government and especially our chief public health officer are totally against taking any risk by allowing non-essential travel into the NWT. I could go on about how much I believe that approach is wrong but will not bother at this time. What I do want to talk about is some positives. I will soon be allowed to go up to camp with a few of our crew Harold Grinde, President, Association of Mackenzie Mountain Outfitters and do some much-needed repair and maintenance. Hopefully, the bears have not moved into the cookshack yet! What I really want to do is to commend all of the clients who have been so supportive and understanding through this very difficult time. Each and every one has been amazing to deal with. Even though they would very much love to be able to come on their hunts this year, they understand that we have done all we can to make that happen, but in the end, it is out of our hands and just not going to happen. I appreciate each and every one of you and thank you for your steadfast support. This is why I love this industry—the people we deal with are simply amazing. I have not had one single client want his deposit back—they just all want to come and hunt next year. God bless each and every one of you! The rams will be a year older and a year bigger next year!

Good Hunting!

May you live in interesting times! Normal seems so long ago. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a devastating effect on global travel, tourism, and of course outfitted hunting. Within the Yukon Outfitters Association (YOA) we are persevering and working hard to enable some COVID-19 safe hunting to occur and ensure that our crew remains employed and doing what they love. Globally, all outfitters have been impacted. Within the YOA, we have been working continuously with health officials and others to develop COVID-19 safe operating practices to enable some outfitting to occur this season. The reduced number of clients has enabled a shift in tasks towards maintenance, upgrades, exploring new hunting grounds, and further refining our operations to be ready for resumption to efficient and full operations Mac Watson, President, once international travel resumes. Yukon Outfitters Association As professionals in the outfitting industry, we remain committed to top-notch operations. The safety of our clients and crew is paramount, especially during this pandemic. We ask that our international hunters be patient; as outfitters, we remain focused on providing them with their Yukon adventure as soon as it becomes safe to do so. If you have an adventure already booked, or are contemplating one in the near future, communicate with your outfitter to schedule around the ever-changing world of COVID-19.

Hunters and outfitters are a resilient bunch and one lesson we have all embraced in the experience of hunting is “always have a Plan B.” We shall persevere and be as ready as ever to be a part of your Yukon adventure.

Stay safe and happy trails.