Consultation or Confirmation? Why BC’s 2026–28 Hunting Regulations Deserve Closer Scrutiny

Every two years, British Columbia updates its hunting and trapping regulations. On paper, this is a routine and necessary process — one meant to balance conservation, public safety, and access to the outdoors.

The current round of proposed regulations, covering 2026–2028, is now open for public comment, with submissions closing on February 16.

Hunters, trappers, and back‑country recreationists should absolutely take the time to review what is being proposed. But it’s also important to understand how this process is unfolding — and why many are questioning whether this consultation is meaningful, or merely procedural.

You can review the proposed regulations here:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/sports-culture/recreation/fishing-hunting/ahte/hunting-trapping

A Catch‑All Regulation with Far‑Reaching Impacts

One of the least understood aspects of hunting regulation in British Columbia is how broadly it reaches. Motorized public recreation access — including ATVs, dirt bikes, and snowmobiles — is largely governed through the same regulatory framework. As a result, changes introduced through hunting regulations can directly affect recreational access under the Motor Vehicle Prohibition Regulation, even for people who are not hunting.

That reality is coming sharply into focus with several proposed access changes across the province.

In the Tumbler Ridge area, proposed snowmobile closures — particularly in the Bullmoose riding area — have become a flashpoint. Local concern is growing, and organizations such as the BC Snowmobile Federation have already mobilized their members to engage in the consultation process. This issue is gaining traction, and rightly so. Access decisions of this magnitude deserve transparent justification and real dialogue.

There are also proposed changes to motorized access in the Northwest Region. While these proposals are still being examined, they reinforce a broader concern: that access restrictions are being layered in through regulatory updates without sufficient local engagement or clarity.

Practical Concerns Are Being Overlooked

Not all concerns are about closures. Some are about practicality.

The province is proposing to end printed hunting regulation books, moving entirely to digital formats unless individuals print them themselves. For those who hunt in remote areas — often well outside cell service — this is not a minor inconvenience. It raises real questions about accessibility, safety, and enforcement, and it has already drawn pushback from the hunting community.

Another proposal generating significant debate is the removal of lead shot. While there are legitimate environmental arguments around lead use, many hunters are deeply concerned about how this change is being framed and implemented. For some, it feels like a back‑door policy move with broader implications for firearms regulation.

The volume and intensity of feedback — both for and against — suggests this issue requires more careful handling than a simple regulatory tweak. Organizations such as the BC Wildlife Federation, along with countless individual hunters and recreationists, are actively monitoring and commenting on these changes.

Consultation Must Mean More Than a Comment Period

Public engagement only works if people believe their input can still influence outcomes. When proposals appear settled before feedback is gathered, trust erodes — and once lost, it is difficult to rebuild.

Your comments matter. This is the window for hunters, trappers, snowmobilers, and back‑country users to speak up. It is also a test for government: will it genuinely consider the feedback it receives, or will it move ahead unchanged?

I will continue to monitor stakeholder responses and emerging concerns, and I will share further observations as this process unfolds. In the meantime, I encourage anyone affected by these proposed changes to review them carefully and submit their comments before February 16.

If we want regulations that are respected, enforceable, and grounded in reality, consultation cannot be just for show.