Hunting Tips and Regulations
Non-Resident Hunting in Manitoba
It is mandatory for each non-resident big game hunter to be accompanied by a licensed guide, with no more than three hunters per guide. Manitoba outfitters must be licensed by Manitoba Conservation in order to contract big game hunts with non-resident clients.
NOTE: use of hand guns for hunting purposes is specifically prohibited in all provinces under Canadian federal law
Black Powder Hunting
Non-resident hunters can take advantage of a special black powder season for whitetailed deer. Hunters wishing to use black powder firearms for other species are covered by season regulations for centrefire rifles as applicable.
Black Bear Hunting
Manitoba's black bear hunting limit is one adult bear. Female bears with cubs may not be taken. Virtually all bear hunting in Manitoba is done over baits from either blinds or tree stands. The use of dogs during bear hunting is not permitted. There are several other regulations in place concerning hunter dress, use of vehicles, types of firearms, and retrieval and transport of game with which hunters should become familiar while planning their hunt.
Black bear season has a spring/fall season format. A hunter may hunt either or both portions of the season with the same licence, but with a limit of one bear for the season. This system allows hunters who do not take a bear during the spring hunt to return in the fall using the same licence. Many hunters choose to do so, tying their fall bear hunt excursion with perhaps a moose, waterfowl or whitetailed deer hunt. The 2003 spring season will begin in late April and close in mid-to late-June. The fall season generally runs from the end of August until early October. Actual dates depend on the Game Hunting Area where hunters choose to hunt.
Non-resident (non-Canadian) black bear hunters must book their hunt through a registered lodge or outfitter who is authorized to outfit non-resident bear hunters. Also, non-resident (non-Canadian) hunters must be accompanied by a licensed Manitoba guide with no more than three hunters using the services of a guide at the same time. There are more than 150 lodge owners and outfitters providing quality bear hunting packages.
Each lodge or outfitter authorized to outfit bear hunters has been assigned a specific area with an allotment of hunting licences for that area. This type of regulated hunt means there will be a minimum of competition from other hunters.
Under international agreement a CITES permit is required to export black bear or its parts from Canada unless they are in possession of the hunter who harvested them and they are fresh, frozen or salted. It is illegal to possess a bear gall bladder in Manitoba.
Moose Hunting
Licences and areas to hunt moose are allotted annually to, and are only available through the lodge owners and outfitters, thus minimizing possible conflicts between hunters during the season.
The hunting season's opening dates vary between late August to mid-September and run into mid-October in most areas. These dates generally coincide with the fall rut period. The bag limit is one bull moose.
There is no specific archery season for non-resident moose hunting in Manitoba. However, you may use your bow throughout the rifle season. Several outfitters have noted a growing interest from bow hunters for moose and are attempting to provide specialized packages to these clients.
As the fall black bear and waterfowl seasons run concurrently with the moose season, several outfitters are now offering combination packages.
Manitoba has physically big moose, with some bulls weighing well over 1,500 lb. In addition, the antlers of some bulls have been recorded in the high 220s. Some Manitoba moose may well score higher than this figure. The annual peak of the moose rut occurs (approximately) the last week of September. Hunting ventures should likely be planned for this time period.
White Tail Deer Hunting
Non-resident (non-Canadian) deer hunters must book their hunt through a registered lodge or outfitter that is authorized to outfit non-resident deer hunters. Also, non-resident hunters must be accompanied by a licensed Manitoba guide. No more than three hunters may use the services of one guide at the same time.
The bag limit in most areas is one deer of either sex. Deer hunting by non-residents in Manitoba is usually done from tree stands or by stalking.
Hunting season occurs in the fall, but dates vary based on the type of hunting (rifle, archery) and region. Rifle season varies from mid-September to mid-October in the north and early November to the end of November in the south.
The black powder season generally occurs during the three-week period prior to rifle season. There are no non-resident (non-Canadian) rifle or black powder seasons in southwestern Manitoba.
Archery season for non-residents is the same as for residents, generally running from late August to early November depending on the region. Bow hunting is also permitted during the rifle season.
Waterfowl and Game Bird Hunting
Spectacular waterfowl hunting opportunities in Manitoba continue to attract several thousand non-resident hunters each fall. Manitoba has witnessed increasing staging populations of both Canada and snow geese over the past 10 years. Waterfowl hunting in Manitoba can be the trip of a lifetime. There are large numbers of ducks and geese with diverse opportunities for hunting.
Non-resident spring snow goose hunting commences early April in all areas of the province. Game bird hunting is permitted from Monday to Sunday throughout the province.
In the fall, in the Hudson Bay lowlands, the non-resident season opens August 15 for snow geese and September 1 for ducks and Canada geese and offers the experience of hunting along the Canadian sub-Arctic lowland coast.
There are a number of outfitters that will provide full-service packages and fly you directly into camp from Winnipeg.
Further south, the seasons open incrementally later (early September in the mid-north to mid-September in central and southern Manitoba). Superb field and marsh hunting opportunities are available from The Pas in west-central Manitoba through to the south-central Interlake region and southwestern Manitoba.
Sharp-tailed and ruffed grouse are also found in most areas of the province providing an enjoyable afternoon diversion for the waterfowler.
Although there is no requirement to book through a lodge owner/outfitter or hire the services of a guide for non-resident waterfowl hunting, it is recommended. Not only do these operators have all the necessary equipment, they also have the intimate knowledge of local conditions that is so necessary to ensure a successful and quality hunt.
Hunting regulations have recently been established to help control the problem of lead-shot poisoning of birds throughout Canada.
It is against the law to possess any shot but approved non-toxic shot for the purpose of hunting migratory game birds. Lead shot can be used to hunt upland game birds.
Manitoba Lodges and Outfitters Association
Throughout this diversity there is an ethic that binds the members of MLOA. They are committed to providing their guests with a quality outdoor experience while promoting the responsible use and enjoyment of our natural resources and wilderness areas. This ethic is also shared by Manitoba's outdoor adventure industry fraternity. This legacy of sustainable development gives visitors to Manitoba the very best of nature while protecting it for tomorrow.
The members of the Manitoba Lodges and Outfitters Association Inc. invite you to explore Manitoba.
Contact: MLOA, 1036 Erin Street,
Winnipeg, MB R3G 2W9
Phone: (204) 772-1912; fax: (204) 772-1955
Web site: http://www.mloa.com
E-mail: mloa@mloa.com
