From Canoe to Computer

About the Book

The life ways of Native and other northern Canadian inhabitants and the animals they live with, respect, and use are featured in this book. The author describes the aboriginals’ (First Nations people) and other northern peoples’ historical and current involvement in the use, studies, and management of wildlife. Recommendations for the accelerated involvement of Native peoples in wildlife management are presented. In addition, interesting observations of the ways of life of northern animals and their populations are described. Details of long-term studies and management of problems with bears, wolves, beaver, elk, and other species, and their diseases and parasites, are highlighted as well as the resulting human politics. The continuation of recreational, subsistence, and commercial hunting are recommended and the need for development of complex management techniques are presented. Changes to wildlife management education are suggested.

About the Author

John Raymond Gunson worked in wildlife management at various locations in northern Canada between 1960 and 1997. Following graduation from a fisheries and wildlife management course at the University of Guelph in 1963, he journeyed to northwestern Canada (especially Saskatchewan and Alberta) to help manage wild populations of animals important to Native and “white” residents of several northern areas. He initiated long-term research projects to allow an improved understanding of complex wildlife relationships necessary for management. He also researched and managed several nuisance/problem wildlife situations. He has authored numerous publications on wildlife management in both technical and popular literature. He is a member of the Wildlife Society, the Saskatchewan Archaeological Society and the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club (CFN). His interests include nature, outdoor living, hunting and fishing, northern peoples and their histories.