Hunting, fishing, trapping and getting out on the land were key to the Métis way of life throughout history, and remain important to Métis culture and identity today. There are active Métis hunters, trappers, fishermen, and plant harvesters found throughout every region in British Columbia. Harvesting is a measured and carefully considered practice. By protecting the land we use, our traditional ways of life - including harvesting, language and other cultural practices - are maintained for present and future generations.
Learn more about your harvesting rights and apply for your Harvesting Card today. If you have any questions, please email harvesters@mnbc.ca.
Please note:
- At this time, the MNBC Harvester Card may only be used to replace the Federal Migratory Bird license. Métis must continue to purchase all other government licenses or face charges from enforcement officers.
- The MNBC Harvester Card does not authorize freshwater fishing, saltwater fishing, hunting (other than migratory birds), cutting timber or trapping.
- Métis Harvester Card holders may be committing an offence under the MNBC Natural Resource Act if they harvest game, fish, birds, or animals that are not authorized by MNBC regulation.
Application Instructions
Citizens are encouraged to submit their application online through the Métis Hub. Alternatively, you may download the PDF version and submit in one of two ways:
- Email to harvesters@mnbc.ca
- Mail to Ministry of Environment, 380-13401 108 Avenue, Surrey BC V3T 5T3
Annual Harvester Survey
Harvesting is a measured and carefully considered practice. By protecting the land we use, our traditional ways of life - including harvesting, language and other cultural practices - are maintained for present and future generations.
We desire sustainable use of natural resources, including:
- Managing natural resources to meet present needs without compromising the needs of future generations.
- Providing stewardship of natural resources based on an ethic of respect for the land.
- Balancing economic, productive, spiritual, ecological and traditional values of natural resources to meet the economic, social and cultural needs of Métis people and other Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.
- Conserving biological diversity, soil, water, fish, wildlife, scenic diversity, and other natural resources.
- Restoring damaged ecologies.
This valuable land use data is collected through our Harvester database, where Harvester Card holders fill out annual surveys of their land use over the year, and through Use and Occupancy Mapping data, where Métis harvesters sit down for a one-on-one interview and document their life history of land use.