Expect a heightened Conservation Officer presence in Zone X of 4-03 starting Sept. 17.

The new general open season on antlerless elk is expected to draw more hunters than usual, whose activities will help reduce the elk population to the Ministry of Environment's target levels. In turn, that's expected to ease the damage the herd of “homesteader elk” cause to agricultural property.

Aaron Canuel, Conversation Office Services (COS) Inspector for the Kootenay Subregion, and Joe Caravetta, Supervisor for the Kootenay Zone, addressed a public meeting held by the local Regional Agriculture and Wildlife Committee (RAWC) on Thursday to discuss the new season.

With the influx of hunters in late September, care is being taken to avoid incidents of trespass on private land. But Conservation officers' primary focus is on hunter education as to the new season and the “Special Hunt Zone” created by the Ministry of Environment.

Zone X of 4-03 follows the Kootenay River valley from the U.S. border to Findlay Creek, just south of Canal Flats, and contains an area where damage to agricultural lands from wildlife has been fairly extensive.

“You're going to see an increase in COS presence in the Zone X agricultural area,” Canuel said. “Our focus is on the education of hunters coming into the area, and working with landowners in the area.

“Our primary priority is human health and safety.”

Canuel said COs will be watching for incidents of trespassing, illegal dumping, mudbogging and other infractions. He also cautioned that the focus on Zone X didn't mean the Conservation Office would be neglecting their supervision in other areas.

But beyond compliance and enforcement, education of hunters is key.

Caravetta said COs, working with ranchers, will be stopping hunters along the local highways to explain the reasons for the new hunting program and the regulations. Maps and map booklets have been produced to show the hunting areas in Zone X. Those seeking to hunt on private land require permission from the landowner.

The new open season runs from Sept. 20-30. COs will be stationed on Highway 3 and Highway 95 coming from Invermere on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 17-19.

Faye Street, a member of the Kootenay Livestock Association and RAWC, said the vast majority of hunters are law-abiding, and that a little education for hunters from outside the area will go a long way.