What Hunting and Fishing Means to People of British Columbia

In British Columbia, hunting and fishing are more than outdoor activities even today. They are practices shaped by geography, history, and necessity—interwined quietly into the lives of many people across the province. To understand British Columbia(BC) without understanding hunting and fishing is to miss an important part of how people here relate to land, food, and community. I was shocked to learn at my workplace that hunting is still practiced here in British Columbia.

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A Connection to the Land

British Columbia is vast and wild in a way that’s hard to ignore. Mountains, forests, rivers, and coastline dominate the landscape, and for many residents, hunting and fishing are ways of engaging directly with that environment rather than observing it from a distance. For hunters and anglers, the land isn’t just scenery—it’s something to learn, respect, and move through carefully. Knowing animal patterns, seasons, waterways, and weather conditions builds a relationship with nature that feels participatory, not passive.

Photo credit-www2.gov.bc.ca

In British Columbia, hunting is highly regulated and centered on sustainability. People commonly hunt deer, elk, moose, black bear, and smaller game such as grouse, waterfowl, and hare, depending on the season and region. Hunting is done using rifles, bows, or shotguns, with strict rules around ethical harvest, safety, and animal identification. Hunters must complete mandatory education, hold a valid hunting licence, and purchase species-specific tags, with some hunts available only through limited-entry draws to protect wildlife populations.

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Hunting takes place mainly on Crown land within designated wildlife management regions, while parks and protected areas are off-limits. After an animal is harvested, it is typically field dressed, processed for meat, frozen for long-term use, and often shared with family or community, with an emphasis on respect and minimal waste.

Indigenous people, however, have constitutionally protected rights to hunt and fish for food, social, and ceremonial purposes, which can allow harvesting outside regular seasons and without standard licences, depending on the Nation and territory.

In British Columbia, people fish for salmon, trout, sturgeon, char, and freshwater species in rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. Fishing is regulated with catch limits, size rules, seasonal closures, and gear restrictions to protect populations. A valid fishing licence is required, with special tags needed for certain species like salmon or sturgeon.

Photo credit-bcparks.ca

While hunting and fishing are often framed as hobbies elsewhere, in BC they are frequently about food. Freezers stocked with salmon, venison, or moose aren’t unusual, especially in rural communities.

For many people, harvesting their own food represents self-reliance and transparency. There’s no disconnect between the animal and the meal. The effort, time, and responsibility involved foster an awareness of consumption that goes beyond grocery store convenience.

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Tradition and Knowledge Passed Down

Hunting and fishing in British Columbia are deeply tied to generational knowledge. Skills are taught by parents, grandparents, and community members—how to read tracks, clean a fish, respect limits, and use as much of the animal as possible.

For Indigenous communities especially, hunting and fishing are not just traditions but integral cultural practices tied to identity, ceremony, and stewardship of the land. These practices long predate modern regulations and continue to influence how conservation is understood today.

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Conservation and Responsibility

Contrary to common assumptions, many people who hunt and fish in BC see themselves as protectors of wildlife and ecosystems. Strict regulations, seasons, and licensing are largely respected because sustainability matters. Hunting and fishing are viewed not as unrestricted rights, but as responsibilities. Maintaining healthy animal populations, preserving habitats, and respecting limits are central to the culture surrounding these practices.

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Community and Belonging

Hunting and fishing also create community. Stories are shared, meals are exchanged, and time is spent together—often in remote places where connection feels deeper and less rushed. In many parts of British Columbia, these activities bring people together across generations and backgrounds. They offer a sense of belonging rooted not in trends or technology, but in shared experience.

Perspectives on hunting and fishing can differ widely across the world. In urban areas, these practices may feel distant or controversial. In rural regions, they are often seen as practical, normal, and essential. Understanding what hunting and fishing mean to people in British Columbia requires recognizing these different contexts. What looks like a choice from one perspective may feel like a way of life from another.

Photo credit-www2.gov.bc.ca

Ultimately, hunting and fishing in British Columbia are about respect—respect for the land, the animals, and the effort required to live within a natural system. They reflect a worldview shaped by place, where humans are not separate from nature but part of it.