Fort Severn limits hunting for visitors

During this past spring hunt, Fort Severn First Nation restricted when hunters from other communities could hunt in Fort Severn’s territory after community members brought up issues related to overcrowding and disrespect for the land and other hunters.
Angus Miles, a Fort Severn band councilor, said that when the First Nation held a general meeting earlier this year, community members raised various concerns related to hunters coming to hunt in their territory.
“At times it can be crowded and when they’re not guided, and there’s allegations of them scaring off geese where (local community members are) sitting,” Miles said, adding that outside hunters would sometimes sit in other hunters’ blinds.
It can also become easily crowded near the Hudson Bay coast, especially during years when ice on the Severn River at break up prevents hunters from crossing.
One of the main issues for the community was how the “outside hunters” would disrupt Fort Severn’s conservation efforts.
“One of the biggest things they talked about, towards the third week of May (last year), there were outside hunters shooting the Canadian geese that are nesting,” Miles said.
There were also allegations that the hunters would disturb the geese’s nests and eggs, though Miles said he has never seen anyone do this.
Fort Severn hunters abide by strict conservation efforts to ensure that the geese continue to breed and return every year.
“The ones that nest here will keep coming back,” Miles said. “This spring, I killed three banded geese and they were all banded around here.”
The community held a referendum to decide if they should forbid hunters from other communities from hunting in their territory.
After some discussion, the community decided to allow hunters but only after May 3.
Miles said the date allows local hunters to “have the first crack” at the Canada geese that usually begin to arrive around April 20. The Lesser Canada geese and Snow geese usually arrive in late April or early May.
The outside hunters must also be accompanied by a local guide, which Miles said prevents further incidents from happening as well as ensuring their safety.
A letter stating the date and hunting guidelines was sent to nearby communities.
Miles said hunters often come in from Kasabonika, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, Round Lake, Sachigo Lake and Wunnimun Lake.
Along with not disturbing nests and eggs, Miles said a general rule is to not shoot at geese flying in pairs so that they may survive to nest and lay eggs.
“From as back as I remember, that’s what I was taught and I’m assuming that’s how it was for everybody,” Miles said.
The spring goose hunt is an important time of year for Fort Severn. The harvest helps to offset the high cost of food in the community.
And it is a tradition practiced by the Cree people of Fort Severn.
“Growing up, that’s all I remember eating – stuff we get off the land,” Miles said. “It’s a lifestyle.”