On April 17 hunters, fisherman, and outdoor enthusiasts from all across the East Kootenay’s will be heading to the Wigwam Flats (Mt. Broadwood) area to slash/thin approximately 90 hectares of land.
The Fernie Rod and Gun Club was approached by the Ministry of Environment to help in improving this vast area for the thousands of animals that venture there in the winter months. The Clubs of the Elk Valley have done many different slashing, thinning and burning projects over the past 35 years in this area with great results and this year will be no different. This area is a “Class I Winter Range” which is of the utmost importance to the survival of thousands of different ungulates. Elk, mule deer, whitetail deer and bighorn sheep all venture to this range for the winter months.
The Fernie Club will be hosting this work party on Saturday, April 17 and will be supplying everything to get the work done. The Club will have on hand a few brush cutters and chainsaws for certified people to run. Anybody that is chainsaw certified and would like to come out is more than welcome to. Bring your saw and safety equipment. All of the fuel for the saws will also be supplied by the Club. The rest of the workforce will be needed to pile up the trees and shrubs. Gloves will be available for all workers.
There is a big barbecue planned for the day and all other snacks and refreshments will be supplied by the Club. There are members of the East Kootenay Wildlife Association, East Kootenay Big Game Club and the Sparwood and Elkford Wildlife Associations planning on attending. It is open to the general public and all the FRGC and Ministry of Environment request is that you car pool as much as possible from the entry into Wigwam Flats. There will be a person at the entry point, which will be the Morrissey side of Mt. Broadwood, to give directions and ask people to car pool.
Come any time after 8 am on the morning of the seventeenth to help out with this great cause. For more information please contact Mario Rocca (423-7281 / gmrocca@shaw.ca) or Kevin Marasco (423-3495 / primekm@shaw.ca) this is a joint effort between the Fernie, Sparwood, Elkford, EK Wildlife Association and EK Big Game Clubs.
