A woman walking her dog along the dike near 216th Street in Maple Ridge was startled by a hunter along the same pathway shooting his shotgun down at some ducks.
She took a roundabout way back to her car, and called police, not sure of the hunting regulations along the dike, but suspicious enough that something seemed out of place.
Police attended, but without incident or arrest.
Duck and goose hunting is permitted along the dikes in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, as well as other areas, with proper licencing – but not on the dike pathway in some areas.
Only shotguns are allowed.
While these regulations are spelled out in municipal documents, the message is less clear, on some signs but not others by the dikes. Some don’t mention hunting. They should, given the popularity of the dikes among the stroller set, dog walkers, joggers and cyclists.
Hunting complaints regarding the dikes average a few a year.
Even so, a heads-up to those new to the area might eliminate them altogether, or at least give those who loathe anything involving guns warning to seek recreational opportunities elsewhere.
The cost would be minimal.
Just to be clear, hunting from the top of the dike is allowed, in some areas.
According to Pitt Meadows’ Discharge of Firearms bylaw, hunting can take place on dikes, unless prohibited, as illustrated in a map that’s part of the bylaw.
No hunting is allowed from the dike along the Alouette River or for a portion of the dike that runs along the Pitt River, just north of the Alouette River.
Pitt Meadows’ resource management committee reviews areas where hunting is allowed annually.
The committee can take this suggestion now, invest in some more signs, clearly outlining hunting areas, to avoid conflict and provide some peace.
– Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows News