November 13, 2020
Manitoba Conservation and Climate Enforcement Update
– – –Continued Enforcement Against Illegal Hunting
Manitoba Conservation and Climate advises that conservation officers are continuing enforcement against illegal night hunting and illegal hunting in moose conservation closure areas. On Nov. 11, conservation officers charged two males in relation to an illegally killed bull moose.
Conservation officers conducted an investigation in the Minto area and determined the moose was shot off a municipal road on private land. One man from Minto was charged with discharging a firearm off of a municipal road, as well as possessing illegally taken wildlife and was issued a warning for hunting on private land without permission. The second, from Millet, Alta., was also charged for possessing illegally taken wildlife and issued a warning for hunting on private land without permission. Both men were issued a restitution notice for $2,500 for the moose. One bull moose and a rifle were seized, although the investigation is ongoing and further charges may be pending. The moose was dropped off at Killarney Meats who will process the moose meat free of charge so it can be donated to local food banks.
Since Oct. 10, conservation officers have conducted patrols to enforce Manitoba’s new Wildlife Amendment Act (Safe Hunting and Shared Management), resulting in:
• charges or appearance notices to 20 individuals for serious wildlife offences;
• warnings to 17 individuals for night hunting without a permit or for hunting in a moose conservation closure area;
• charges to six individuals for possessing illegally taken wildlife;
• seizures of six vehicles;
• seizures of seven firearms, and;
• restitution orders totalling $14,000.
On Oct. 10, the Wildlife Amendment Act (Safe Hunting and Shared Management) took effect with the goal of ensuring a safe hunting environment. Night hunting is now illegal in Manitoba on all private land. The act also allows the establishment of shared management committees, which can be an important tool for improved wildlife conservation, including for moose.
The province has implemented a permit system to allow opportunities for rights-based hunting on some Crown land, with different requirements for northern and southern Manitoba based on extensive Crown-Indigenous consultations that contributed to the development of the legislation.
In northern Manitoba, Indigenous hunters may hunt at night on Crown land and do not need to apply for a permit, though it is subject to a three-kilometre safety buffer around occupied sites and provincial roadways.
In southern Manitoba, night hunting is prohibited except with a permit that allows rights-based hunting on Crown land, subject to terms and conditions establishing where it can be done safely.
Anyone with information on illegal activities is asked to call their local Manitoba Conservation and Climate office or the Turn In Poachers (TIP) line at 1-800-782-0076.
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