HUNTING GUIDE 2018 TABLE OF CONTENTS Information contained in this guide reflects the seasons and bag limits for the licence year beginning April 1, 2018 and ending March 31, 2019. This guide is a summary of the wildlife regulations. It is neither a legal document nor a complete collection of the wildlife regulations. It is meant to be a convenient reference only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, some errors or omissions may have occurred. For additional information consult the nearest Manitoba Sustainable Development Office or telephone 204-945-6784 in Winnipeg or 1-800-214-6497. For general information on wildlife programs and legislation visit us at www.manitoba.ca/sd/wildlife/index.html Minister’s Message ...................................................................................................................................................... 3 How to use this Guide............................................................................................................................................... 4 Important Telephone Numbers ........................................................................................................................ 4 Changes for 2018 ......................................................................................................................................................... 5 Licence Fees ...................................................................................................................................................................... 6 Licensing Information .............................................................................................................................................. 7 General Information ................................................................................................................................................12 Hunting on Public Land ....................................................................................................................................14 Hunting on Private Land ...................................................................................................................................15 Land Closed to Hunting ....................................................................................................................................16 Sunrise and Sunset Table .....................................................................................................................................17 Big Game Hunting General Regulations ..................................................................................................19 White-tailed Deer Seasons and Other Regulations .........................................................................26 Near-Urban Centrefire Prohibition Area ..................................................................................................31 Moose Seasons and Other Regulations ..................................................................................................35 Elk Seasons and Other Regulations............................................................................................................39 Black Bear Seasons and Other Regulations ...........................................................................................41 Caribou Seasons and Other Regulations ................................................................................................44 Gray Wolf and Coyote Seasons and Other Regulations ................................................................45 Game Bird Hunting General Regulations................................................................................................48 Upland Game Bird Seasons and Other Regulations ........................................................................52 Wild Turkey Seasons and Other Regulations........................................................................................53 Protection of Privacy Personal information pertaining to Migratory Game Bird Seasons and Other Regulations ..................................................................54 licensing and hunter success is collected Future Game Bird Season Opening Dates ..............................................................................................57 under the authority of The Wildlife Act, Future Big Game Opening Dates ...................................................................................................................58 and is used only for surveys and enforcement purposes by Manitoba Notice to Hunters .......................................................................................................................................................59 Sustainable Development. Hunter Education .......................................................................................................................................................63 Information collected is protected by The Rights and Responsibilities of First Nations Hunters ..........................................................65 the Protection of Privacy provisions of The Freedom of Information and Protection The Rights and Responsibilities of Métis People ..............................................................................66 of Privacy Act. If you have any questions, Big Game Non-Draw and Draw Hunter Questionnaire ................................................................67 regarding the protection of personal information, contact the Access and Privacy Coordinator in Winnipeg at 204-945-4170. Available in alternate formats, upon request. 2 MANITOBA • 2018 HUNTING GUIDE MINISTER’S MESSAGE It is my pleasure to present the 2018 Manitoba Hunting Guide. It includes a summary of our province’s big game and game bird regulations, as well as information on various hunting seasons, bag limits and other things you need to know to help you enjoy Manitoba’s great outdoors. Hunting is a tradition that has been enjoyed by Manitobans and visitors alike for over a century. Our province is home to a diverse and impressive array of wildlife, and the hunting opportunities it offers are the envy of outdoor enthusiasts across Canada, North America and elsewhere. Our government’s goal is to sustainably manage our wildlife resources and ensure our wildlife populations will be here for all of us to enjoy for generations to come. Currently, our government is reviewing our Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Control Program, and we are considering further restrictions to prevent the disease from entering Manitoba. As part of these restrictions, we are further expanding CWD testing to Game Hunting Area (GHA) 27 and all GHAs along our southern border to the United States. We are always looking to develop new or expanded hunting opportunities. For 2018, Manitoba is expanding our white-tailed deer hunting opportunities, by extending season lengths and changing back to an any deer (buck, doe or fawn) bag limit. Our government is also increasing the opportunity for migratory game bird hunting. We are doing this by extending the season in southern Manitoba to December 6, and in the spring of 2019, we are introducing a new Canada goose season from March 1 to 10. We are also extending wild turkey seasons and expanding the areas to hunt them. Hunters play an important role in managing our game species. Our government is committed to safe hunting and shared wildlife management. I wish you a safe, successful and enjoyable hunting season! Rochelle Squires Minister, Manitoba Sustainable Development YOU CAN HELP Big Game Hunter Questionnaires Big game hunter questionnaires are vital to the management of Manitoba’s big game species (white-tailed deer, elk, moose, barren-ground caribou, black bear and wolf). Hunters’ involvement in the questionnaire program makes it possible to estimate how many animals were harvested in any given year. If you purchased a hunting licence, please contribute by filling out a questionnaire. Even if you did not hunt or harvest an animal, please complete a questionnaire for each licence you purchased. It is equally important to know how many hunters did not harvest an animal(s) as it is to know how many did. Data from questionnaires are used to evaluate and set hunting seasons, build management plans and assist biologists in assuring sustainable harvests. Please complete the big game hunter questionnaire online at: www.manitoba.ca/huntsurvey Note: big game hunter questionnaires will no longer be mailed to licence holders. The Wildlife and Fisheries Branch thanks you for your participation and assistance. MANITOBA • 2018 HUNTING GUIDE 3 HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE This guide summarizes information dealing with licences and Each wildlife species or group of species has a section in this hunting laws. The guide is neither a legal document nor a summary. Each section deals with basic regulations on hunting complete collection of the current regulations. It is meant to be that species, including the season tables (showing the dates a convenient reference only. For detailed information, please see: and areas where you can hunt that species). • The Wildlife Act, and the regulations made under this The Game Hunting Areas (GHAs) map appears in the middle Act; of this guide. You can obtain specific details on the regulations • The Resource Tourism Operators Act and the regulations (including more accurate descriptions of GHAs) from the made under this Act; and appropriate Manitoba Sustainable Development offices. • The Endangered Species