Trappers Pleased With Closure Of Groomed Trail

Trappers Pleased With Closure Of Groomed Trail

Friday, March 11, 2005 at 08:34

 

 

A fur block president in the Cumberland House area says a dispute between local trappers and a snowmobile club appears to be over.

 

However, Clifford Carriere says he’s still not happy with how the entire matter played out.

 

It was last month that trappers objected to the grooming and marking of a snowmobile trail between Tobin Lake and Denare Beach, saying the noisy machines would scare away animals.

 

They also contended they hadn’t been properly consulted by Saskatchewan Environment.

 

Department spokesperson Nancy Cherney says the government recently sent a letter to the Border Explorers Snowmobile Club telling them they couldn’t use the trail anymore.

 

Carriere says he still doesn’t understand why the government went ahead with the move in the first place — and without input from trappers.

 

But he’s glad the government has taken action on the trapper’s concerns.

 

However, Carriere notes the government still allowed the snowmobilers to carry out their traditional rally last weekend.

 

He also worries that thousands of game animals may have already moved away.

 

Meantime, Carriere says he and other trappers are grateful for the help of the Cumberland House Cree Nation on this matter.