= 8 PROG RAM AIMS AT SAFETY Instituted in 1969 on a voluntary basis, the hunt- er training conservation and outdoor safety program has been conducted in co- operation with outdoor or- ganizations and school board night school classes. However, on April 1, 1972 successful completion of the program and the passing of an examination will be- come mandatory for all res- ident hunters 14 years of age or older applying for a hunting licence for the first time, and for all resident hunters aged 14 to 18 regardless of whether they have previously held a hunting licence. Also on April 1, gun licences will likely be- come necessary for all non- hunting use of firearms in the province. The requirements for obtaining gun licences will be the same as those for obtaining hunting licences. The Fish and Wildlife Branch has accumulated some pretty cold statistics. Fifty-six people have died in British Columbia from 1968 to 1971 from accidents involving firearms, This year, to date (Dec, 10th) there have been 15 fatalities while hunting, in- cluding 11 by firearms, The total number of deaths while hunting in 1971 is about the same as the previous three years, but the number caused by firearms has increased to 11 as compared to 5 in 1970, 8 in 1969 and 8 in 1968, The other deaths were caused by such accidents as falls and drownings, One thing the statistics _ Show, deflating some argu- ments, is that young hunters cannot be collectively blamed for hunting accidents: The average age of hunters in B.C. who have inflicted, injury or death on them- selves or others is 26.9 yrs. The Fish and Wildlife Branch is making a determin- ed effort to reduce the accident rate. They feel that the hunter training, conservation and outdoor safety program conducted by Paul Presidente, who man- aged an outdoor "safety course for many years, must not only be mandatory but comprehensive as well, The 20 hour course deals with wildlife management and legislation; identi f- ication of birds, fish and animals, and their habitats; care of firearms and gun handling, sportsman res- ponsibilities, caring for “game meat; safety, first aid and survival. "The more we understand the outdoors and practice the rules of safety, the better off we'll be!!, explains Presidente. ''And it might prevent that terr- ible realization that you have fired upon and injur- ed or killed another person. 2. Speeding of Company owned and pri- vate vehicles above the 15 mph on OBSERVANCE OF REGULATIONS As from time to time there may be a tend- . 3. ency amongst the men and bosses to disre- certain rules and regulations set out by the Metalliferous l the Compensation Board, or the . Company, let this be a reminder that these gard, or gloss over, Mines Act, rules are made for a purpose and must be followed by all concerned. positions. As.a reminder at this time, are brought to your attention: 1, Non-stopping of Company owned and pri- Men who repeat- edly disregard rules and regulations MUST be dismissed, and supervisors who allow the continued disregard, or disregard the rules themselves, are not fit to continue in their NOTE : the following plant and townsite roads other than main. truck haulage roads. Transportation of men on running boards of cars, wagons, trucks or power Transportation and handling of ex- plosives. There are additional items too numerous to mention and it is your duty, if you are fulfilling your position, with them and see that you and your men conform to. them. to be familiar The above memo was circulated to supervisors and foremen on October : 21st, 1954 by C.G. Little and it ts intoreating: vate vehicles at stop signs. | LF LY AST MY AST MSE BY BY AY BA to note that 18 years later, we sttll he the sam problems.