Volunteers clean up hunting cabins
Safe havens left in deplorable shape on the land
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
RANKIN INLET
A small group of hunters took it upon themselves to clean two hunting cabins and the surrounding area out on the land near Rankin Inlet earlier this month.
Chris Connelly of Rankin Inlet brings in a load of garbage, including empty fuel containers, while cleaning up around two hunting cabins on the land near Rankin in September of 2015. - photo courtesy of Noel Kaludjak |
Noel Kaludjak, Leo (Dali) Kaludjak, Brandon Nakoolak, Chris Connelly, Kasadluak Kaludjak and Joe Jr. Kaludjak were disgusted by the mess they found inside the cabins, and the amount of garbage scattered on the ground.
Noel said the group often uses the two cabins while out hunting.
He said he couldn't believe the shape they found them in.
"We had about five full garbage bags from what we found in the cabins and took off of the land," said Noel.
"It's not acceptable to leave them in this condition because the caribou walk right past there while migrating. The two cabins were almost unlivable because of so much garbage.
"We decided to clean the cabins out and take as much of the garbage from the land as we could."
The cabins were built years ago by the Pulaarvik Kablu Friendship Centre for taking youths out on the land.
They're located about six hours from town by Honda, or about two hours by Ski-Doo.
When funding for the program ran out, Pulaarvik donated them to the Hunters and Trappers Organization (HTO) to be used by hunters.
Noel said anyone out hunting, or, perhaps, caught in bad weather, can use the cabins.
He said it was very disappointing to find them in such horrible condition.
"The cabins are a valuable resource that come in handy when out hunting," he said.
"Having a place to go that's nice and dry, where you're able to make a bed, light the stove, make coffee or start cooking is very important.
"That's even more so if you're caught in bad weather out there."
Noel said it's hard to understand why people won't clean up after themselves, adding anyone using the cabins should have enough respect to at least pick up their garbage when they leave.
"The big concern is the surrounding land, especially when it's oil, naphtha or propane containers," he said.
"The contaminants can leak on the ground, and then the caribou come along and eat what's on the ground.
"Some might say it's very minor but still, the contaminants can hurt animals.
"The animals can also smell it and that could, maybe, cause them to divert to other areas, so the HTO should have the rest of it cleaned up properly before it gets out of hand, in my opinion."
