April 9, 2021
Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development Enforcement Update
– – –Continued Enforcement Against Illegal Hunting and Fishing
Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development advises that conservation officers are continuing enforcement to protect Manitoba’s natural resources, including compliance checks for winter fisheries, and to address illegal hunting.
The recreational angling season has closed in the Southern Division. However, it remains open in the Northwest, North Central and Northeast divisions. Conservation officers and resource management staff continue to conduct compliance checks on Manitoba’s commercial and angling fisheries throughout the province. This includes checking for unmarked or illegal nets, quota violations and other infractions.
From March 15 to 31, Manitoba conservation officers laid 18 charges and issued four warnings related to fisheries related offenses.
• two charges on unlawful possession of fish;
• three warnings on fishing without a license;
• one charge and one warning on fishing with too many lines; and
• 15 charges on fishing with illegal equipment.
During the 2020-21 angling season, conservation officers have laid 804 charges and issued 142 warnings relating to fisheries related offenses.
During the 2020-21 hunting seasons, conservation officers have conducted patrols to enforce Manitoba’s wildlife laws including the new Wildlife Amendment Act (Safe Hunting and Shared Management). Manitoba conservation officers are continuing to conduct patrols for illegal moose hunting in closure areas.
On Oct. 10, 2020, 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.
Anyone with information on illegal activities is asked to call the local Manitoba conservation officer at the district or regional office or the Turn in Poachers (TIP) line at 1-800-782-0076.
Conservation officers continue to work closely with their colleagues at the Manitoba Wildfire Service. At this time, efforts are focused to address the elevated fire risks in the southwest and eastern regions of the province. This includes enforcement of fire bans, travel restrictions and fire investigations. For information on the status of fires, maps, travel restrictions, burning permit cancellations or other restrictions go to www.gov.mb.ca/wildfire/ or follow the Twitter account at https://twitter.com/mbgovnews.
Manitoba’s recreational angling and hunting regulations can be found in both the Anglers’ Guide 2020 and Hunting Guide. Both documents can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/fish-wildlife/.
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