Manitoba Natural Resources and Northern Development are reporting that conservation officers, through a variety of enforcement activities, have handed out numerous charges and fines for illegal activities during the months of August through October, 2022.
On Aug. 28, Saskatchewan conservation officers observed a suspicious vehicle travelling along the Manitoba-Saskatchewan border. Officers later observed the vehicle shoot two moose inside Manitoba, within a moose conservation closure area. Manitoba conservation officers from Roblin attended to investigate. Four individuals from Saskatchewan were issued Manitoba court appearance notices for two counts of possessing moose killed within a moose conservation closure area. The court will determine the penalty. A $12,000 restitution notice was issued by officers at the scene. A rifle and other hunting equipment and a cow and calf moose were seized. The moose were later donated.
On Sept. 3, conservation officers from the Ashern area and the special investigations unit apprehended two individuals who were illegally fishing using gill nets in Lake Manitoba. The pair were charged under the Fisheries Act for fishing without a licence and unlawfully possessing fish caught without a licence and a restitution notice for $3,108. Officers also seized a boat, outboard motor and fishing gear including two gill nets, 74 walleye and one quillback.
On Sept. 18, conservation officers from the Brandon area were conducting an aircraft-assisted night hunting patrol. Officers observed a slow-moving vehicle in the Carberry area using a spotlight to illuminate fields. Officers stopped the vehicle and charged four individuals with illegally hunting at night and hunting on private land without permission. The courts will determine the penalty. The vehicle, a firearm, a spotlight and other hunting equipment were seized.
On Oct. 3, conservation officers from Dauphin received information about a bull moose along Provincial Trunk Highway (PTH) 5. Conservation officers attended the area and found an individual dressed in camouflage hunting the moose from an all-terrain vehicle. The officers determined the suspect had fired three shots at the moose from the opposite side of the highway. The shots missed the moose. The hunter was charged with discharging a firearm so the projectile crosses a provincial road, with fines totaling $672.
Later that evening, about 1.5 kilometres from the incident along PTH 5, conservation officers received a call from a landowner reporting that someone had shot a moose on their property. Officers attended and found both the landowner and another individual. The individual was charged for hunting on private land without permission and possession of illegally taken wildlife, with fines totaling $1,782, and a $2,500 restitution notice. The firearm was seized while the moose was seized and donated.
On Oct. 4, conservation officers from the Lac du Bonnet area conducted aerial patrols of game hunting areas 17A and 17, north of Bissett. Officers inspected 21 hunters. Two hunters were charged under the Wildlife Act for having a loaded firearm in a vehicle (boat). The firearms were seized and each accused received a $486 fine. Another individual encountered on the patrol was fined $152 under Manitoba Fishery Regulations for possessing over the limit for walleye.
On Oct. 16, conservation officers were conducting a morning patrol in the Roblin area. Officers observed a slow-moving vehicle travelling nearby and heard a rifle shot shortly after. Officers stopped the vehicle and determined the driver had shot at two deer in a field while standing on a provincial road. The driver was charged for discharging a firearm from a provincial road, with fines totaling $672. The firearm used in the offence was seized.
Also, on Oct. 16, conservation officers from the Lac du Bonnet area conducted a roadside checkstop north of Pine Falls. During the checkstop, the officers inspected 15 groups that had been hunting and fishing in the area. Officers issued one ticket under the Wildlife Act for an individual having a loaded firearm in a vehicle. The firearm was seized and the accused received a $486 fine.
Anyone with information on illegal activity is asked to call their local Natural Resources and Northern Development office or the Turn in Poachers (TIP) line at 1-800-782-0076.
