The Manitoba Wildlife Federation (MWF) is currently embroiled in a battle to protect the hunting and angling rights of non-Indigenous hunters in northern Manitoba. The controversy stems from the Manitoba government's decision on July 11th to significantly reduce tags for resident Manitoba licensed moose hunters, a move that has sparked outrage among hunters and anglers in the province.
Chris Heald, Senior Policy Advisor for the Manitoba Wildlife Federation, expressed strong concern over the decision, stating, “The scary thing is that It may open the floodgates, if it’s allowed to happen in Northern Manitoba, what’s going to stop it from happening in central Manitoba or Southern Manitoba."
The decision, reportedly made in response to pressure from MKO, a non-profit, political advocacy organization representing 26 First Nation communities in the North, has been met with skepticism. The MWF contends that the decision lacks scientific justification and is contrary to the principles of conservation and reconciliation. In response, the organization has consulted legal counsel and intends to proceed with an application for judicial review to potentially overturn the government's decision.
The MWF, in its efforts to rally support against the decision, has called for personalized emails and letters to be written to Minister Jamie Moses and Premier Wab Kinew. Furthermore, the organization is seeking financial support from new backers to fund its legal and advocacy efforts.
“The fear is that the moose hunt is just the start and there will be further restrictions on hunting and fishing province-wide,” said Heald “When political organizations like the MKO start to manage conservation, rather than the biologists, all Manitobans will lose as our natural resources will simply be depleted,”
“Reconciliation is about uniting not dividing,” said Carly Deacon, Managing Director of the MWF. “The sustainability of the resource must come first, which is why we are alerting Manitoba's 350,000 hunters and anglers to the growing threat from the Province.”
A significant 75% reduction in tags were revoked for resident Manitoba licensed moose hunters has been implemented. The MWF, representing licensed hunters in the province, has consulted legal counsel and intends to file an application for judicial review in response. This application seeks to challenge the decision on the grounds of arbitrary or unreasonable government action.
The MWF staff and Executive Committee emphasized their belief that if this decision remains unchallenged, it could pave the way for further limitations on licensed anglers and hunters' access to public lands across the province. They have also provided relevant information, timelines, media releases, and communications to date, urging support from clubs to protect the rights of hunting and fishing. The documents reveal that MKO and the First Nations Chiefs have advocated for an end to licensed hunting and angling in the North.
The issues at play encompass not only the immediate impact on moose hunting in northern Manitoba but also the broader implications for hunting and fishing rights provincewide. The MWF's battle to protect these rights reflects the deep-seated concerns of Manitoba's hunting and angling community and the determination to uphold these traditions for generations to come.
