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A commercial bear trophy hunter nominated for the Liberals in the riding of Mid Island-Pacific Rim is finding himself in the cross-hairs of the B.C. environmental movement.

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Darren DeLuca of Vancouver Island Guide Outfitters — a company that specializes in trophy hunts for wealthy foreigners — is running against NDP incumbent Scott Fraser.

Photo by Handout/NDP / PNG

DeLuca is a realtor and vice-president of the Guide Outfitters Association of B.C., an organization that last month received $60,000 from U.S.-based Safari Club International. The money was donated to help counter campaigns to end the widely unpopular grizzly trophy hunt.

DeLuca is a life member of Safari Club International, according to an auction website in which a trophy hunting trip with DeLuca and well-known U.S. military pilot Scott O’Grady sold for $30,000 US in 2014.

The B.C. Liberal Party is in favour of the grizzly trophy hunt, whereas the B.C. NDP has vowed to stop it.