VANCOUVER — The provincial government is sticking to its guns and won’t intervene to stop a controversial wolf-kill contest in the Peace region.

Douglas Scott, assistant deputy minister for the gambling policy and enforcement branch, said in a letter that for an activity to be considered gambling, it must involve three elements: consideration (participants must pay a fee or make a purchase to be eligible), chance and the opportunity to win a prize.

“While this contest involves the elements of consideration and prize, we are satisfied that hunting is a skill-based activity,” he writes in a letter to West Coast Environmental Law. “To be eligible for winning a prize, contest participants must present a wolf.”

West Coast staff lawyer Andrew Gage provided a legal opinion to Pacific Wild last week suggesting the province erred when it concluded the wolf-kill contest does not require a permit.

Hunters who enter the contest and kill the biggest wolves stand to receive $250 to $1,000 and more — plus a booby prize of $150 for the smallest wolf.

According to a copy of the contest poster obtained by the Vancouver Sun, hunters pay $50 to enter, with winners receiving 10 to 40 per cent of the entry prize pool in addition to the guaranteed prizes of $150 to $1,000. — Vancouver Sun

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