Dear Kamloops Target Sports Association:

I would like to re-introduce the British Columbia Bovine Tuberculosis (BTB) Program in the Merritt area for the 2021 hunting season.

• Program tasks:
  • Increase awareness of Bovine Tuberculosis (BTB) surveillance in the target area.
  • Serve as a local point person for the program and liaison for First Nations, government staff including the Conservation Officer Service, hunters, private land owners, ranchers and the public.
  • Provide community outreach and educational materials on Bovine Tuberculosis (BTB) and Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) at local functions, radio, social media, and with local organizations.
  • Coordinate and lead the voluntary head collection program for the community.
  • Maintain drop-off locations with marked freezers and accompanying supplies (posters, instructions, ear tags and other sample supplies).
  • Monitor drop off locations to ensure cervid samples are properly stored in bags with completed ear tag attached and maintain an electronic database of samples.  
  • Monitor drop off locations for freezer capacity, report to contract monitor and coordinate transport of heads as needed.  
  • Respond to calls from local sources and highway contractors and collect road killed cervid samples
  • Assist Wildlife Health staff with sample collections as required at game checks and other opportunities.
  • Provide a written report on completion of contract that summarizes surveillance activities, outcomes and contacts and provides recommendations.

If you could please post on your website and/or your association newsletter for the hunters that hunt in Wildlife Management Units 3-12, 3-19, and 3-20 (Merritt area) that would be greatly appreciated. These areas overlap into the Kamloops area.

There are 3 freezers for the samples located at: Merritt Conservation Office, Douglas Lake (Upper Nicola Indian Band) beside their green shed, and Benny the Butcher in Kamloops on the Circle Creek Ranch / Running Horse Ranch. At these locations in the freezers are bags for the samples, ear tags please fill out and attach to the samples ear with a zip tie that is also provided. Please inform Beth Coutlee of your donated sample – there will be some type of draw (prize to be determined).

For the 2021 season – please let me know as soon as you can for any help and/or assistance you can give to this vital program. Post article/poster for hunters to initiate awareness and hopefully submit moose, deer and/or elk heads for sampling. (Posters, rack cards, detailed information on BTB / CWD were attached to last season’s emails)

If you have any questions, please contact me at the provided contact information.

Covid 19 protocols are being followed, including the: use of hand sanitizer, social distancing and wearing of masks.

Thank you sincerely,

Beth M. Coutlee, N.R.T., BTB Program Coordinator
British Columbia Conservation Foundation
Ph: (250) 378-0808
Cell: (250) 315-6141
Email: BethCoutlee@gmail.com