The Voice of BC Snowmobilers

The Government of BC provides a website containing information with regard to Snowmobiling and Mountain Caribou in British Columbia. To visit this website Click HERE

Throughout the province of British Columbia areas have been set aside for the preservation of Ungulate Winter Ranges. To view restrictions which may apply to these ranges in your area, Click HERE.

ABCSC Powerpoint presentation

"SNOWMOBILING AND CARIBOU IN BC"

(This presentation is best viewed with Powerpoint Viewer 2007 which can be downloaded HERE.)

The slides advance on  your mouse click. View presentation HERE.

As part of the government process to protect Mountain Caribou, signs have been erected at entry points into BC to help inform visiting snowmobilers.

In an ongoing effort to ensure the continued use of our public lands for motorized recreational activities ABCSC has been actively involved in the process to protect Mountain Caribou habitat and historic snowmobile recreation areas. Although ABCSC not in full agreement with the magnitude of the proposed closures to protect this endangered species, we have attempted to work co-operatively with government on behalf of our members in an effort to satisfy the needs of all stakeholders.

We ask that when you encounter Mountain Caribou signs, these signs be observed, as your co-operation will support the protection of these sensitive habitat areas and additionally, and very importantly, will demonstrate that the recreational snowmobile community is exercising sound stewardship and back-country behaviour which will ensure "our right to recreate on our public lands" in the future.

ABCSC thanks everyone for their co-operation.

"Snowmobiling and Caribou in British Columbia" brochure. Please click here to view the brochure.

The following are some basic suggestions which are contained in this pamphlet and which, as responsible snowmobilers, we are asking our Members to consider at all times when riding in areas which may be frequented by Mountain Caribou. In this way we can protect both our Snowmobile Recreation Areas and critical Mountain Caribou Habitat.

• Before you snowmobile in an area, find out if it might be used by caribou. 
• Find out if there are snowmobile closures in the area where you intend to snowmobile. The contacts listed in this brochure can provide local information. Many closures are regulated under the Wildlife Act; details and maps for these closures are in the current Hunting and Trapping Synopsis, which can be obtained free at many sporting goods stores and on the web at: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/wild/synopsis.htm

PLEASE

• Ride in areas designated for snowmobiling; do not ride in Closed Areas. Many closures are marked, so please obey all posted signs.

• If caribou are encountered on a road or designated trail, turn off the engine and wait until the caribou have moved off the road or trail before continuing, making every effort to stay as far away from the caribou as safely possible.

• If caribou are encountered in a play area, do not approach them and shut down your machines to give the animals a chance to move away. Then leave the area and refrain from riding within sight of the caribou.

• Taking photographs is okay if from a distance.

• If caribou tracks are observed, do not follow the tracks.

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