Tla’amin Nation’s Elk Hunt Policy supports food sovereignty and access to traditional foods for citizens. It sets out how elk tags are allocated each year, who can apply, how the draw works, and what’s expected of winners once a tag is awarded.
Allocation
Tla’amin is allocated 50% of the total harvestable elk across three areas: Daniels, Theodosia, and Lois.
Daniels tags go to select Nation employees hunting on the Community’s behalf. These employees commit to harvesting solely for the Community, must hold a valid PAL or use a crossbow, and must have demonstrated elk-hunting experience.
Theodosia and Lois tags are won by citizens through the draw.
Who can apply
To be eligible for the draw, you must:
- Be a Tla’amin Citizen
- Be at least 19 years old
- Hold a valid Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL), or use a crossbow
- Not have won the elk draw the previous year
- Have no active penalties under this policy
If another member of your household wins a tag while the draw is still open, you become ineligible for that draw.
Applications are made in person at the Governance Building while the draw is open.
The Draw
The draw must be both live and recorded. Staff confirm the names of eligible applicants at the start, and winners are announced during the live draw.
If You Win
Winners are responsible for filling their tag themselves, or through a designated hunter, and must report their harvest as required. All provincial hunting rules apply.
If you need to withdraw, you can do so without penalty as long as you submit your withdrawal within one week of the season start.
Designating a Hunter
A winner can designate a spouse, child, or grandchild to fill their tag on their behalf. This must happen within 48 hours of the draw, and both the winner and the designate need to sign the designation form in person within that window.
To be a designated hunter, you must:
- Hold a valid PAL, or use a crossbow
- Be a resident of British Columbia
- Carry a copy of the signed designation while hunting
- Receive no payment for filling the tag
Penalties
A winner who fails to harvest, designate a hunter, or withdraw within the required window becomes ineligible for the draw for two years. The same two-year penalty applies if a designated hunter fails to harvest.