History

It could be said that the HVCC was born of necessity.

A few years ago Dr. Jim Hatter, former director of the Province’s Fish and Game Branch, observed that “by the early 1960s pheasant hunting…on Vancouver Island was all but finished; changed agricultural practices in which forage crops for cattle (grass) replaced the grain fields.  Winter cover along ditches and fences was removed to provide more area for forage and to discourage insect and rodent survival.  Not only were pheasants seriously impacted but also many wildlife species suffered habitat reduction in areas which were once a Mecca for pheasant hunters”.

Throughout the 1960s and early 1970s the situation for pheasant hunters on Vancouver Island only got worse.  On top of the problems caused by changed agricultural practices, the pace of urban development on the east coast of Vancouver Island meant that not only was the habitat changed for the worse, it was being lost altogether.  The number of places where the hunter could take to the field with his gun and his dog became fewer and fewer.

It became apparent if pheasant hunting was to survive at all on Vancouver Island some type of estate or preserve hunting in the English or European tradition had to be established, and it was.  The HVCC came into being in 1975 through the efforts of some dedicated bird hunters and conservationists.  It has been in continuous operation ever since.

The HVCC is a non-profit society incorporated under the Society Act of British Columbia.  Our farms hold the required government permits authorizing them to carry on operations for the purpose of hunting Ring Neck Pheasant and Chukar Partridge.

Regulations and fees

HVCC REGULATIONS AND FEES

APPROVED BY THE DIRECTORS AND CURRENT AS OF JUNE 7, 2008

PREAMBLE

The purpose of the Hidden Valley Conservation Club is to provide its members with quality bird hunting experiences safely and at reasonable cost on private farm land on Vancouver Island.

Quality bird hunting experiences can only be consistently provided by a Club which emphasizes safety, hunting etiquette, good relations between its members and good and longstanding relations with its farmers.

The purpose of these regulations is to provide a set of rules governing the conduct of members, necessary if the Club’s purpose is to be achieved.

GENERAL

MEMBERS TO OBEY ALL CLUB REGULATIONS

A commitment by prospective members to obey all Club regulations is a requirement of membership.

A commitment to obey all Club regulations by members is a term of continued membership.

Non-compliance with any regulation is a breach of Club regulations.

FAILURE TO REPORT A BREACH IS A BREACH

When a member has witnessed a breach of Club regulations by another member or a guest he shall report the circumstances of the breach to the Field Captain at the completion of that day’s hunt and in any event not more that 24 hours after witnessing the breach.

CONSEQUENCES FOR BREACH OF CLUB REGULATIONS

The consequences for a breach of the regulations are to be determined by the Directors in their discretion and include, but are not limited to, immediate expulsion of the member from the Club with forfeiture of birds.  The club has in the past issued fines of up to $200 for a serious breach of club regulations.  If a fine is issued by the directors, the member may appeal the ruling, if the ruling is upheld the member will lose his/her membership until the fine is paid.

IMMEDIATE SUSPENSION OF MEMBERS

When circumstances of an alleged breach of the regulations are brought to the President’s attention and if in his discretion he considers those circumstances to involve safety issues or to otherwise adversely effect the good order and discipline of the Club, the President may immediately suspend the membership and hunting privileges of the member(s) in question and prohibit the member(s) from entering on to any Club farm.

If the President is unable to consider the circumstances of the alleged breach, the Vice-President may do so and issue such a suspension and prohibition, applying the same factors to his considerations as outlined in the previous paragraph.

Such a suspension shall be communicated to the member as soon as possible by the Field Captain or in his absence by a Director and remains in effect until such time as the Directors are able to consider the circumstances of the alleged breach and determine the appropriate consequences, if any.

ETIQUETTE

Members must demonstrate proper hunting etiquette at all times.

GENTLEMANLY CONDUCT EXPECTED

Members are expected to exhibit gentlemanly or gentlewomanly conduct at all times.  Disrespectful or abusive conduct towards other members, farmers, guests and other friends of the Club will not be tolerated.

SAFETY

Members must demonstrate a total commitment to safety at all times.

FEDERAL AND PROVINCIAL REQUIREMENTS

It is the personal responsibility of members and their guests to be in compliance with all Federal and Provincial laws applicable to hunting.  These laws include but are not limited to the BC Wildlife Act and its regulations and the Federal Migratory Bird Act and its regulations. Non-compliance with any Federal/Provincial Act or Regulation shall be considered a breach of Club regulations.

FEDERAL AND PROVINCIAL LICENSES AND PERMITS

Members and their guests when hunting on Club farms shall possess all Federal and Provincial licenses/permits required to hunt lawfully and to possess firearms lawfully.

HUNTMASTER

The Executive shall appoint a Director to serve as Huntmaster for the Club.

CONDUCT OF SHOOTS

The Huntmaster shall be in charge and have conduct of High Release Pheasant Shoots, Circle Shoots and Clean up Shoots and goose hunts.

Once a Shoot commences and until the Shoot is finished members, guests and dog handlers must immediately follow any direction from the Huntmaster.

The Huntmaster in his sole discretion may eject from the Shoot a member, guest or dog handler if he considers that the action or inaction of that person is jeopardizing safety or the orderly conduct of the shoot.  Any person so ejected must immediately leave the field.

Any complaints that arise during a Shoot are to be directed to the Field Captain after the Shoot.  No complaints are to be directed to the Huntmaster.

At the end of a Shoot the bag shall be shared between all registered guns.

 

RULES SPECIFIC TO CLEAN UP SHOOTS

The Huntmaster in his sole discretion may decide to conduct a walk up shoot for un-shot birds (CLEAN UP SHOOT) following a High Release Pheasant Shoot or Circle Shoot.

The number of guns participating shall not exceed eight (8).  The Huntmaster in his sole discretion may reduce the number of guns from eight (8) if he considers it necessary for safety or the otherwise orderly conduct of the Shoot.

Only registered guns for the High Release and/or Circle Shoot may participate in the Clean Up Shoot.

To participate in the Clean Up Shoot each gun must pay the Club $25.

If those guns wishing to participate exceeds eight (8), participation in the Clean Up Shoot shall be decided by lottery.  Those wishing to participate shall have their names placed in a hat.  Those eight (8) persons whose names are drawn first may take part in the Clean Up Shoot upon paying $25 each to the Club.

The Huntmaster may issue directions to the guns in the Clean Up Shoot necessary in his sole discretion for the safe, orderly and fair conduct of the Shoot.

The bag for a Clean Up Shoot shall be shared equally between all participating guns.

The Huntermaster may set a fixed time for the Clean Up Shoot to end at which time all guns must return to a central location on the farm for the fair and equal distribution of the bag between all participating guns.

SHOTGUNS ONLY

Members and their guests shall use only shotguns.  12 gauge is the maximum gauge of shotgun that can be used. No other firearm or weapon of any kind shall be brought on to any of the Club’s farms.

COMPLAINTS

Complaints of any nature must not be discussed with the farmer but shall be brought to the attention of the Field Captain and processed through him.

ATVs PROHIBITED

The use of All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) is prohibited on all farms.

VEHICLES

All other vehicles are to be driven on and confined to approved roads.

Under no circumstances shall vehicles be parked or driven in fields.

GATES

Members are to leave gates as they find them (open if open, closed if closed).  If a member has a concern over an open gate he or she should advise the farmer before leaving the farm.

 

UPLAND BIRD HUNTING

SEASON

The Club hunting season is from September through to March.  The specific start and end dates will be determined by the Executive in consultation with the farmers and the bird raiser.

GUESTS

Members may bring guests to hunt throughout the season.

Members are responsible for the conduct and safety of their guests.

Members can choose to take their guest’s birds off their cards or pay for extra birds by sending a cheque to the Club treasurer. Unpaid cash birds will be invoiced to the member at the end of the season.  At High Release Pheasant Shoots guests’ birds can be paid in cash.

The member will be charged $10 per guest per day for walkup shoots, $50 per day for High Pheasant shoots.

Members shall forward the guest fee to the Club’s treasurer or they will  be invoiced for them at the end of the season.

Non-payment of guest fees is a breach of these regulations.

BOOKING A HUNT

Members should try to book a hunt at least two days in advance by contacting the farmer.

A minimum of three pheasant equivalents (6 chukar partridges) shall be released for each gun in the party.

If the member is hunting alone a minimum of 5 pheasants equivalents (10 chukar partridges) shall be released.

Members shall check with the farmer at least two hours before the scheduled bird release time if rain or other inclement weather is imminent.

If the member does not keep the appointed time for the shoot, the member will be charged for the number of pheasants or chukar partridges to be released, unless the shoot is cancelled at least two hours before the hunt was scheduled to commence.

Guests must hunt in the same area as the member who sponsors them.

A minimum of three pheasant equivalents (6 chukar partridges) shall be released for each guest.

DOG SHALL BE PRESENT

A minimum of one hunting dog shall accompany each party on walk up shoots for pheasant and partridge.

HUNTING RESTRICTED TO BOOKED AREA

On walk up shoots for pheasant/partridge members must hunt only in the area booked.

Under no circumstances shall members and guests hunt outside the area where their birds have been released.

Members and guests may send a dog into a non-hunting area to recover a cripple.

Birds that escape off a Club farm shall not be pursued on to adjacent land.

Members and guests shall abide by the No Hunting signs posted around buildings on the farms and other prohibited areas.

BIRD RELEASE FORMS

When hunting pheasant/partridges, bird release forms shall be signed by members before they commence hunting and fully completed before leaving the farm after the hunt.

The bird release forms contain a liability disclaimer therefore the form must be read and signed by the member before the hunt commences.

The signing and full completion of the bird release form is also a Ministry requirement as part of the Ministry’s authorization of the release of pheasant and chukar partridge on our farms.

PINK COPY

The bird release forms are in triplicate.  The pink copy is for the member and must be retained by the member after a walk up shoot or high pheasant shoot.  This pink copy provides the member proof that the birds in his or her possession have been legally taken.

As the birds are released pursuant to provincial authorization, members can shoot pheasant/chukar partridges in excess of the normal bag and possession limits for these species.

The member is also allowed to take species outside the normal season and without reference to any prohibitions to the shooting of hens.

Members can only prove that the birds were legally taken if they produce the pink form when stopped by the RCMP or Provincial Conservation Officers.

 

MEMBERSHIP AND FEES

FULL MEMBERSHIP

Annual full membership dues consist of the administration fee and the selection of at least $500 of hunting in the first year.  After one year of membership continuing members my purchase one or more hunting units with a minimum value of $250.

INITIAL MEMBERSHIP FEE

Members are required to pay a one time $100 fee upon joining the Club in addition to annual membership dues.

ADMINISTRATION FEE

Members are required to pay a yearly administration fee of $50

TRIAL MEMBERSHIP

A person who is considering joining the Club may pay in advance half the initial membership fee ($50) plus the cost of birds released for a one time hunt.

If that person decides to join the Club at a later date, he or she is required to pay the balance of the initial membership fee ($50) plus the normal annual dues.

JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP

Annual junior membership dues are $160 and entitle the junior member to eight pheasants or their equivalents in chukar partridge (16).

A junior member must be ten years or older, still in school and not yet graduated from grade 12.

A junior member must be accompanied at all times during a hunt by a full Club member.

A junior member must release all his or her birds by December 31^st.

A junior member must be the ward of a full Club member.

CRONMILLER YOUNG HUNTER PROGRAMME (CYHP)

An applicant who wishes to participate in the CYHP must be at least 10 years of age and no more than 18 years of age at the commencement of the Club season in the year that he or she is applying.

The successful applicant must be sponsored in his or her application by a Full Member of the Club and be supervised at all times during a hunt by that Full Member.

The maximum number of successful applicants in any year is two.

The successful applicant is entitled to eight pheasants or chukar partridge equivalents (16).

The successful applicant must have released all his or her birds by November 1^st

The successful applicant is entitled to hunt ducks on the Club Waterfowl farm(s) provided that his or her sponsor is a Full Member who holds the Waterfowl Option.

No guest fees are applicable to the successful applicant.

Application is made to the Executive.

The Executive may or may not accept applications in any one season.

The decision to award a spot in the CYHP is entirely in the discretion of the Executive.  The Executive’s decision is final.

EXTRA BIRDS

Members who use up their on card birds (pre-paid birds) on walk up shoots before the end of the season may purchase additional birds, if available, for $25 per pheasant or chukar partridge equivalent (2) prior to January 1, 2009 and $30 after December 31, 2008. .  Members will be invoiced by the Club Treasurer for extra birds.  At High Release Pheasant Shoots or Circle Shoots members may pay for extra birds in cash, $25 per pheasant equivalent prior to January 1, 2009 and $28.50 after December 31, 2008.

ALL REMAINING BIRDS TO BE SHOT AT CRONMILLER SHOOT

The Cronmiller High Pheasant Shoot marks the end of the Club’s season.  This Shoot is held on December 27th each year.  Members pheasants that remain unused at this date will be forfeited to Club and shot at the Cronmiller shoot.  Depending on weather and availability of birds chukars may be available after the Cronmiller shoot. However the availability of birds so late in the season can not be relied upon by any member to use up their quota at this time

EXCEPTIONS AND HOLDOVERS BECAUSE OF HARDSHIP

A member who because of serious illness or other serious hardship is unable to shoot all his birds by the end of the Club’s season may apply to the Directors to be credited in the following season for the number of birds he was unable to use.  If the Directors accept the member’s application to be credited in the upcoming season for unused birds the member is required to purchase the balance of birds required for full membership.  If a member would like to request a holdover of birds, informing the directors of their request as early as possible in the season will improve the likelyhood of the request being accepted.

 

WATERFOWL HUNTING

DIRECTORS IN CHARGE OF WATERFOWL HUNTING

The Executive shall appoint one Director of waterfowl hunting for each waterfowl farm. The Directors shall appoint a waterfowl committee to oversee all waterfowl operations and make recommendations to the directors.

SEASON

The first day of the Club season on each waterfowl farm shall be determined by the Director of waterfowl hunting for that farm and shall fall on or subsequent to the start of the government season when in his opinion conditions are conducive for hunting including whether there is sufficient water on the fields.

DOGS

Members are strongly encouraged to have a retrieving dog with them in the blind; however this is not a mandatory requirement.

 

WATERFOWL OPTION MEMBER LIMITS

The Executive may when necessary set the maximum number of members eligible to hold the Waterfowl Option at any time. Limits are to be based on the best interests of the Club and are entirely subject to the discretion of the Executive.

WAITING LIST

The Executive may when necessary establish a waiting list of those full members who wish to become holders of the Waterfowl Option.

Members not holding the Waterfowl Option but wishing to do so may ask to have their name placed on the waiting list.

 

TWO HUNTERS PER BLIND MAXIMUM

Only two hunters may hunt out of a blind.

To accommodate a dog handler, a maximum of three persons are allowed in a blind during a hunt.

DIRECTOR MAY DIRECT THE SHARING OF BLINDS

Where a blind has been booked by a single member the Director of Waterfowl hunting may in his discretion direct that the booked member share the blind with another member.

If the booked member is unwilling to share the blind with another member when directed to do so by the Director, he must either move to an unoccupied and less desirable blind or forfeit that day’s hunting and leave the field.

The requirement to share a blind will arise in circumstances when the farm is heavily booked or in circumstances where available blinds are unproductive.

TEMPORARY OR MAKESHIFT BLINDS

Temporary or makeshift blinds may only be used when the blind the member is booked into has been rendered unusable through flooding, damage, being tipped over etc.  In such rare cases the member may use a temporary or makeshift blind in near proximity to the unusable blind, situated so as not to interfere with the hunts of other members.  The member must inform the Director of duck hunting about the unusable blind after the completion of his hunt.

HUNTING DAYS

Hunting days for the Club’s waterfowl farms are restricted to Tuesdays and Saturdays in Comox and Wednesdays and Saturdays in Cedar throughout the provincial season, with the exception that hunting is permitted on each farm on the last five consecutive days of the season.

All hunting days must be pre-booked with the Director of waterfowl hunting for the applicable farm.

SHOOTING TIMES

Comox Farm:

No waterfowl shooting shall take place before sunrise.

All waterfowl shooting shall cease at sunset.

12 gauge shells shall be no larger than 2 ¾ inches.

Cedar Farm:

Normal Provincial regulations apply.

Members should consult the National Research Council’s sunrise/sunset calculator on the Internet for actual times.

BLIND BOOKINGS

Blinds shall be booked anytime after 5 pm on the shooting day prior to the next shooting day.

The same blind shall not be booked on two consecutive shooting days.

ATTENDANCE RESTRICTED

The waterfowl farms are working farms, therefore members shall attend these farms only on days when they are booked to hunt or for work parties organized by the Directors of waterfowl hunting.   Members shall not attend these farms on any other occasion.

The Directors of waterfowl hunting shall have access to the farm(s) as required.

DUCK HUNTING ETIQUETTE

In order to preserve and enhance “The Duck Hunting Experience” members and guests shall make a concerted effort to be “set up” and in the blinds by legal shooting time

Arriving late and “setting up” late to take advantage of anticipated late flight times is considered to be in poor form and the practice is discouraged.

Movement and activity during the hunt should be kept to a minimum in order to prevent flaring birds headed to other blinds.

BLINDS TO BE KEPT CLEAN

Members shall keep the blinds clean and pick up and remove all expended shells and trash.

SHOTGUNS AND SHELLS

On the waterfowl farm(s) the largest shotgun that can be used is a 12 gauge.

 

 

GUESTS

Waterfowl Option members may invite guests throughout the season.

The member shall pay the Club $50 dollars per guest per day for this privilege by forwarding a cheque to the Club’s Treasurer.

When the guest is aged 10 to 18 years, a child or a grandchild, or a nephew or niece of the member, the guest fee shall be $10 per day. The member must forward a cheque in this amount to the Club Treasurer.

Members should try to forward payment for a guest to the Treasurer within 14 days of the guest’s hunt. Outstanding guest fees will be billed to the member at the end of the season.

Non-payment of guest fees is a breach of these regulations.

ADVANCE NOTICE OF GUESTS REQUIRED

The member shall give notice to the Director of waterfowling hunting for the applicable farm in advance, of the name of the guest and the day when the guest will hunt.

Such advance notice shall take the form of email or direct verbal communication with the Director. A message left on an answering machine or voice mail is not sufficient.

No member shall take a guest on to a Club waterfowl farm without such advance notice having been given to the Director.

SAFETY AND CONDUCT OF GUESTS

Members are responsible for the safety and conduct of their guests.

LOG BOOK

The waterfowl hunting log book be filled out by members when leaving the farm,

The member shall fill out the book by noting the member’s name and blind number, the name of his guest if any, the number of birds bagged if any, and the number of each species bagged.

Names of members and guests must be entered regardless of whether any birds have been bagged or not.

Farm Inquiries

The Club's current farms stretch from Cedar in the south to Black Creek in the North.

Good relations with our farmers are crucial for the long term growth of the Club.  We have been able to establish long term friendships with our farmers.  An association with the HVCC has several advantages to farmers.

Advantages to being a HVCC farm

1. HVCC's activities provide income to the farm during that part of the year when farming activities are slowest.
2. Little is required from the farmer in terms of time or financial commitment.
3. Having HVCC members access the farm for hunting reduces the incidents of vandalism and trespass.  This has been the experience of our farmers.
4. The HVCC can assist farmers to reduce crop and pasture damage caused by waterfowl.
5. The HVCC provides insurance coverage for its members.

How are the farms paid?

Our upland bird release farms are paid a set fee for each bird released.  Our waterfowl farms are paid a lump sum payment in advance of the waterfowl season.

What does the Club look for in a farm?

For both waterfowl and upland bird hunting the Club looks for farms that offer privacy and a beautiful setting.  Both types of arms should be large enough and private enough that shooting is safe and won't bother neighbours.  Waterfowl farms must consistently attract ducks and geese throughout the season.  Upland bird release farms must have sufficient vegetative cover to allow for the birds to be placed in the field without having moving off before the hunter's dog can find them.  The cover must be adequate to allow for a challenging and successful hunt.

The HVCC is currently looking for new farms

The HVCC is in immediate need of an additional waterfowl farm.  The farm should consistently attract waterfowl to it throughout the season and be large enough to place several blinds in good shooting positions.  The Club will consider a waterfowl farm anywhere on Vancouver Island.

The HVCC is also looking for an additional upland bird release farm.  This farm should possess the qualities referred to above and be located somewhere between Victoria and Duncan.

If you feel that we might be interested please contact us.

Young people

Chuck Cronmiller was a founding member of the HVCC.  Chuck held numerous Club positions, including both Huntmaster and President.  He was a mentor to many young members of the Club.  Chuck was passionate about hunting and was generous sharing his experience and wisdom, gained from a lifetime in the field.  He was still serving the Club as a Director at the time of his death in January of 2006.

To recognize Chuck's contribution to the Club and his mentorship of so many young hunters, the Directors decided in June of 2006 to rename an existing programme in his honour.  The CYHP offers free hunting to young persons between the ages of 10 and 18 under certain conditions.  To learn more about the CYHP and how to apply for it, go to our Regulations and Fees page on this website.

Junior Membership

Under the junior membership programme young persons can purchase pheasants and partridges at reduced cost.  To learn more about junior membership  go to our Regulations and Fees page on this website

Upland bird hunting

The HVCC provides members with upland game bird hunting opportunities on private farms on Vancouver Island.

Each farm is licensed by the Provincial government to release both Ring Neck Pheasants and Chukar Partridges for hunting by our members.

Most hunting is the traditional walk up kind where the birds are located and retrieved by the hunter’s dog.  The member is required to book the farm in advance and specify how many birds he wishes concealed in the field by the farmer in advance of the hunt.

While the traditional walk up hunt is the norm, the Club does offer English or European high pheasant shoots several times during the season.  The member is required to pre-register for these scheduled high pheasant days.

The farms have been chosen for their natural beauty and physical features to ensure a high quality bird hunting experience in terms of cover, privacy and safety.

As our birds are released under government permit the HVCC season is not bound by the Provincial regulations in terms of bag limit and season length.  Generally, our season starts in later September and ends in December.

Pheasant shoots

Have you ever wanted to shoot pheasants at a driven shoot in England?  Well, you don’t have to go so far.  Our farm is just 300 acres and not a 1000 acre estate, and no, we don’t have a gamekeeper and a small army of beaters, but we do have pheasants that fly hard, high and fast.

Our pheasant shoots are probably the closest thing to the experience of an English style driven shoot you’ll find in North America.  The unique topography of our farm allows us to present birds that are high, fast and challenging and the farm’s beautiful setting allows you to think, for a moment, you are in the Old World.

The position of the guns is rotated as the shoot progresses to ensure the best chances are fairly distributed.  The bag is evenly divided between the registered guns at the end of the shoot.

Dog handling is provided by some of the best gun dog handlers in the Province.  Professional bird processing is available for those who want it.

The dates, times and registration information are set on the upcoming events section.