The Manitoba government has extended interim restrictions for licensed trapping within provincial parks to address public and pet safety concerns, and has launched public consultations on the proposed changes. This announcement was made by Conservation and Water Stewardship Minister Gord Mackintosh.
“The use of many provincial parks has changed since they were first created and we need to recognize that shift to ensure the safety of park visitors,” said Minister Mackintosh. “The interim restrictions we introduced last winter have been revised and extended, and we look forward to consulting with the public, and trapping, Métis and First Nations communities about establishing clear rules for the years ahead.”
Restrictions on licensed trapping extended for 2013-14 include:
- banning trapping in 57 provincial parks due to their size, number of visitors and location;
- restricting trapping in 11 parks and prohibiting setting traps within 150 metres of non-motorized trails and developments; and
- leaving 12 parks without any trapping restrictions based on their location, level of development and number of visitors.
Consultations designed to find a balance that supports the important, historical industry of trapping and the safety and security of people and their pets have begun. The province is also working with First Nations and Métis communities to address concerns about rights-based trapping in provincial parks and other Crown lands with recreational developments.
The province applied interim restrictions to licensed trapping in December 2012 that included prohibiting trapping in 51 provincial parks and implementing 50-metre no-trapping buffer zones around all trails and developments.
The continued focus on parks supports the implementation of Building The Parks Province: Manitoba’s Parks Strategy, a fresh and sustainable strategy for provincial parks that focuses on key priority areas for investments and action to 2020, the minister said.
The list of extended interim restrictions is available at www.manitobaparks.com. The proposed changes are available at www.gov.mb.ca/conservation.
Manitobans may submit their comments on the proposals by mail to: Proposed Changes to Trapping Policies, Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship, Box 24, 200 Saulteaux Cres., Winnipeg, MB R3J 3W3; by email to: wildlife@gov.mb.ca; or by fax to: 204-945-3077.
