As an avid hiker,…

As an avid hiker, conservationist, Bruce Trail Conservancy member of the Dufferin Hi-lands Bruce Trail Club, BTC iNaturalist Biodiversity survey volunteer AND licensed hunter, I am OPPOSED to proposed changes to the status of the Boyne River Provincial Park that would permit hunting in this sensitive area. I support the addition of lands to the area for the pursuit of passive recreation such as hiking, snowshoeing, fishing and birdwatching. Allowing hunting in areas which have historically been used for passive recreation will be counter productive, decreasing the biodiversity in Park, and pose a danger to local residents and recreation users.
The iNaturalist projects of the BTC, Dufferin County and Boyne Valley Provincial Park have identified numerous species at risk in the area and intrusion of hunting in the Park will have a negative impact on species biodiversity, particularly those at risk. As a responsible hunter, I would not be interested in hunting in this area as its value to the passive recreation community would be impacted negatively impacted by such activity.
Therefore I disagree with the proposal to permit hunting in Boyne Valley Provincial Park.