Manitoba Wildlife Federation

The Manitoba Wildlife Federation represents the interests of Manitoba’s anglers, hunters and outdoor enthusiasts.

  • Get Involved
    • Become a Member
    • Become a Mentor
    • Become a Volunteer
    • Donate
    • Nominate Someone
    • Wild at Heart
    • Outdoor Canada Magazine
    • Club Directory
    • Wildlife Gallery
  • News
    • NightWatch
    • LakeWatch
  • Events
    • MWF Events
    • Club Events
    • Events Calendar
  • Go Hunt
    • Licensing and Education
    • Programs, Skills, Training
    • How-to
    • Where To Go Hunting
    • Get Involved
    • Get Gear
    • Show Your Stuff
  • Go Shoot
    • Licensing and Education
    • Programs, Skills, Training
    • How-to
    • Get Gear
    • Where To Go Shooting
    • Get Involved
  • Go Fish
    • Licensing and Education
    • Programs, Skills, Training
    • How-to
    • Where To Go Fishing
    • Get Involved
    • Get Gear
    • Show Your Stuff
  • Go Trap
    • Licensing and Education
    • Programs, Skills, Training
    • How-to
    • Where To Go Trapping
    • Get Involved
    • Get Gear
    • Show Your Stuff
  • Hunter’s Ed
  • Donate
You are here: Home / MWF News / LakeWatch / Results From Sustainable Developments Angling and Hunting Surveys.

Mar 29 2018

Results From Sustainable Developments Angling and Hunting Surveys.

From Sustainable Development:

The Manitoba government created three short preference surveys to gather information from anglers and hunters. The information obtained will help inform future fish and wildlife management decisions. The surveys were available online for anyone to fill out and hard copies were mailed out to a random sample of anglers and hunters selected from licence databases (for example, people that had recently purchased a licence to fish or hunt). The following summarizes the results of the survey questions and the path forward.

Angling Preference Survey Review:

1. Should the requirement to keep six square centimetres of skin on each fish fillet for identification and enforcement purposes during transportation be removed?

Online

Mail In from Anglers

# Replies

Yes

No

No Opinion

# Replies

Yes

No

No Opinion

1356

25.8%

69.0%

5.2%

270

19.6%

76.3%

4.1%

The majority of survey respondents were opposed to removing this requirement. Conservation Officer Services also had concerns regarding removing this requirement. Therefore, the Wildlife and Fisheries Branch is not considering any regulatory changes at this time.

2. Should the general spring angling closure be open in the spring except for walleye and sauger?

Online

Mail In from Anglers

# Replies

Yes

No

No Opinion

# Replies

Yes

No

No Opinion

1353

25.4%

72.8%

1.9%

282

6.7%

91.8%

1.4%

The majority of survey respondents were opposed to opening the general spring angling closure. The Wildlife and Fisheries Branch is not considering any regulatory changes at this time.

3. Should the three-day limit on purchased live bait be removed in Manitoba?

Online

Mail In from Anglers

# Replies

Yes

No

No Opinion

# Replies

Yes

No

No Opinion

1355

49.5%

40.7%

9.7%

280

28.9%

57.1%

13.9%

Survey responses to this question were mixed. With the recent introduction and spread of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) such as zebra mussels in Manitoba, removing the three-day limit would increase the risk of spreading bait and AIS across the province. In addition, by law in an AIS control zone, anglers are required to dispose of live and dead bait in the trash before leaving the shore of a waterbody, regardless of the three-day live bait fish transfer and use receipt.

The Wildlife and Fisheries Branch is not considering any regulatory changes on the three-day limit on live bait at this time. However in light of AIS, the Wildlife and Fisheries Branch is reviewing the risks associated with the use of live bait fish and leeches in Manitoba.

4. Should anglers be allowed to use two rods per angler during the open water angling season?

Online

Mail In from Anglers

# Replies

Yes

No

No Opinion

# Replies

Yes

No

No Opinion

1353

44.8%

52.3%

3.0%

277

32.1%

66.8%

1.1%

A majority of survey respondents were opposed to the use of two rods per angler during the open water angling season. The Wildlife and Fisheries Branch is not considering any regulatory changes at this time.

Big Game Hunter Preference Survey Review:

1. Should Manitoba resident hunters have increased black bear harvest opportunities?

Online

Mail In from Big Game Hunters

# Replies

Yes

No

No Opinion

# Replies

Yes

No

No Opinion

1212

36.9%

42.6%

20.5%

307

44.3%

37.1%

18.6%

Responses to this question were equivocal with a large proportion of respondents indicating no opinion. The Wildlife and Fisheries Branch is not considering any regulatory changes at this time.

2. Are you in favour of a separate wolf/coyote hunting licence?

Online

Mail In from Big Game Hunters

# Replies

Yes

No

No Opinion

# Replies

Yes

No

No Opinion

1192

36.2%

57.0%

6.8%

319

33.2%

60.8%

6.0%

The majority of survey respondents were not in favour of creating a separate wolf/coyote hunting licence. The Wildlife and Fisheries Branch is not considering any regulatory changes at this time.

3. Should the length of the deer season be increased to the standard season length?

Online

Mail In from Big Game Hunters

# Replies

Yes

No

No Opinion

# Replies

Yes

No

No Opinion

1188

49.9%

47.0%

3.1%

313

54.3%

44.1%

1.6%

The majority of survey respondents were in favour of increasing the length of the deer season. These results supported the Wildlife and Fisheries Branch’s intentions of enhancing deer hunting opportunities. For 2018, there will be one week added to each of the archery, muzzleloader, shotgun/muzzleloader and general (rifle) deer seasons and the standard deer season bag limit will be ‘one deer’ (not bucks only).

4. Should there be set dates for big game seasons?

Online

Mail In from Big Game Hunters

# Replies

Yes

No

No Opinion

# Replies

Yes

No

No Opinion

1184

14.1%

78.9%

7.0%

318

8.2%

86.2%

5.7%

The majority of survey respondents did not favour setting fixed dates for each big game hunting season. Given the support for the current system, the Wildlife and Fisheries Branch is not considering any regulatory changes at this time.

5. Should there be a novice deer hunting licence with an any deer bag limit?

Online

Mail In from Big Game Hunters

# Replies

Yes

No

No Opinion

# Replies

Yes

No

No Opinion

1182

38.7%

57.0%

4.3%

306

36.0%

61.8%

2.3%

The majority of survey respondents were not in favour of creating a novice deer season licence. Expanding the 2018 deer bag limit to include does/fawns will alleviate some concerns for novice deer hunters. The Wildlife and Fisheries Branch is not considering any regulatory changes at this time.

6. Should the use of crossbows be allowed in the archery deer season?

Online

Mail In from Big Game Hunters

# Replies

Yes

No

No Opinion

# Replies

Yes

No

No Opinion

1176

36.2%

56.4%

7.4%

315

38.1%

52.7%

9.2%

The majority of survey respondents were not in favour of including crossbows in the archery deer season. The Wildlife and Fisheries Branch is not considering any regulatory changes at this time.

Game Bird Hunter Preference Survey Review:

1. Should boats be prohibited on Whitewater Lake for waterfowl hunting?

Online

Mail In from Game Bird Hunters

# Replies

Yes

No

No Opinion

# Replies

Yes

No

No Opinion

746

15.3%

50.1%

34.5%

232

15.5%

62.1%

22.4%

The majority of survey respondents were not in favour of this change and a large proportion of respondents had no opinion. The Wildlife and Fisheries Branch is not considering any regulatory changes at this time.

2. Should restrictions be placed on foreign resident waterfowl hunters?

Online

Mail In from Game Bird Hunters

# Replies

Yes

No

No Opinion

# Replies

Yes

No

No Opinion

746

49.1%

43.3%

7.6%

238

43.7%

51.3%

5.0%

Responses to this survey question were equivocal and the Wildlife and Fisheries Branch is not considering any regulatory changes at this time. However, the Wildlife and Fisheries Branch is working with the Manitoba Lodges and Outfitters Association to draft a Waterfowl Outfitting Policy that will place restrictions on the number of waterfowl outfitting businesses operating in individual Game Hunting Areas. Additionally, the Wildlife and Fisheries Branch is reviewing other options to make it more difficult for illegal outfitters to operate.

3. Should restrictions be placed on foreign resident upland game bird hunters?

Online

Mail In from Game Bird Hunters

# Replies

Yes

No

No Opinion

# Replies

Yes

No

No Opinion

744

54.3%

36.8%

8.9%

238

55.9%

39.5%

4.6%

Survey respondents indicated a preference for placing restrictions on foreign resident upland game bird hunters. However, a recent review determined that foreign resident upland game bird hunters accounted for a relatively small proportion of the annual harvest (for example, 6-10 % depending on species). The Wildlife and Fisheries Branch is not considering any regulatory changes at this time.

4. Should wild turkey hunting seasons be expanded to all areas of Manitoba?

Online

Mail In from Game Bird Hunters

# Replies

Yes

No

No Opinion

# Replies

Yes

No

No Opinion

746

44.5%

47.0%

8.5%

233

60.5%

34.8%

4.7%

Responses to this survey question were equivocal. The Wildlife and Fisheries Branch has chosen to expand wild turkey hunting seasons into a few Game Hunting Areas including 23, 24, 25B, and 36. Healthy turkey populations currently exist in portions of these areas and there are currently efforts underway to build these populations through the Trap and Transfer Program. There is no concern about the effects of harvest on population growth in these areas.

5. Should a spring conservation season for giant Canada geese be introduced for Manitoba residents?

Online

Mail In from Game Bird Hunters

# Replies

Yes

No

No Opinion

# Replies

Yes

No

No Opinion

745

72.1%

21.5%

6.3%

233

75.5%

21.9%

2.6%

Survey respondents supported establishing a spring conservation season for giant Canada geese. The Wildlife and Fisheries Branch has recommended regulatory changes to establish a March 1-10 Canada/Cackling goose season for 2019. Furthermore, a Notice of Intent was filed with Canadian Wildlife Service for consideration of listing Temperate Nesting Canada geese as ‘over-abundant’. Research is currently underway to establish timing of spring migration of non-target populations of Canada and Cackling geese, and opening and closing dates for a spring Conservation Season.

6. Should a hunting season for mourning doves be introduced in Manitoba?

Online

Mail In from Game Bird Hunters

# Replies

Yes

No

No Opinion

# Replies

Yes

No

No Opinion

747

49.9%

28.1%

22.0%

234

43.6%

35.5%

20.9%

Survey responses to this question were supportive with a relatively large proportion of respondents indicating ‘no opinion’. The next opportunity for Manitoba to advance a regulatory proposal change to the Federal government occurs in fall 2019, and so the Wildlife and Fisheries Branch is not pursuing any regulatory changes at this time.

7. Should some refuges be repealed to allow hunting?

Online

Mail In from Game Bird Hunters

# Replies

Yes

No

No Opinion

# Replies

Yes

No

No Opinion

745

39.0%

47.2%

13.7%

237

40.1%

49.8%

10.1%

The majority of survey respondents opposed repealing refuges. The Wildlife and Fisheries Branch will work with local interest groups (for example, affiliates of the Manitoba Wildlife Federation) to review several refuges.

8. Should a new licence be created for adults who have never hunted and not taken hunter education, to try game bird hunting for one season?

Online

Mail In from Game Bird Hunters

# Replies

Yes

No

No Opinion

# Replies

Yes

No

No Opinion

746

30.4%

65.6%

4.0%

237

27.4%

69.2%

3.4%

The majority of survey respondents were opposed to creating this new game bird hunting licence with this question generating a large number of comments that supported the hunter education requirement. The Wildlife and Fisheries Branch is not considering any regulatory changes at this time.

Written by webmaster · Categorized: LakeWatch, MWF News, NightWatch

Comments

  1. Gerald says

    April 3, 2018 at 9:45 am

    I personally think that the spring Canada season is to early
    April would be better if your trying to get rid of this vermin Many farmers in the area go out and shoot them in may as they are out grazing on the new crops causing significant damage. They are just left there to rot

  2. Mike Martin says

    March 31, 2018 at 7:24 am

    I do a fair amount of fishing hunting and I’m not sure who received these surveys the results seem skewed to me. Especially the skin tag results. I don’t understand why I need to leave a skin tag if my legal possession is 4 fish of any species and I only have 4 fish filleted what does it matter. If I had 4 pickerel and 2 jack for example possibly I can see needing us to leave skin rags however if you can’t tell the difference between different species of fish then I think we need to do some more training.

  3. Orville Strand says

    March 30, 2018 at 3:56 pm

    I sent a letter proposing that they return to having area 33 as a second deer area as it had in past years. It is a huge area and has an abundance of animals. Since they never have a rifle season, the numbers keep rising. Keep it in mind.

  4. larry zurbyk says

    March 30, 2018 at 2:46 pm

    Have deer hunted area 33 for many years now and the abundance of does and number of road kills every fall in the area around St Adolphe should warrant a second antlerless deer tag for an additional fee of course.

  5. Omer Gentes says

    March 30, 2018 at 7:48 am

    We should have a bag limit for each season. 1 deer for archery 1 for muzzle and one for general rifle like it was in the passed.

  6. Nicole Nixon says

    March 29, 2018 at 4:57 pm

    Saskatchewan: Metis were forced to identify their communities and hunting for metis was limited to 50 miles within that community area.

    Manitoba better hurry to do the same.

  7. Jerry Carriere says

    March 29, 2018 at 1:08 pm

    All due respect to the creators of this survey and I wholeheartedly indorse it and more of them, but, I’m wondering what percentage of replies are avid hunters and fishers. I’ve discussed this with dozens of licensed hunters and fishers and have huge difference in outcome. Perhaps an additional question should be if they are licensed and how many days involved.


MWF Top Events

April 12 & 13, 2019 — 75th Annual AGM

AGM

The Manitoba Wildlife Federation will be holding its 75th Anniversary Convention and Annual General Meeting on April 12 & 13, 2019 at the Canad Inns Destination Centre.


Follow Us on Social Media!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent News

  • 2018/19 Big Game and Game Bird Harvest Survey – MB Sustainable Development

    2018/19 Big Game and Game Bird Harvest Survey – MB Sustainable Development

    February 1, 2019
  • MB Sustainable Development Enforcement Update – January 15, 2019

    MB Sustainable Development Enforcement Update – January 15, 2019

    January 16, 2019
  • Lake Winnipeg Walleye Rally Update – January 15, 2019

    Lake Winnipeg Walleye Rally Update – January 15, 2019

    January 15, 2019
  • MWF 75th Anniversary – Convention and Annual General Meeting, Request for Resolutions

    MWF 75th Anniversary – Convention and Annual General Meeting, Request for Resolutions

    January 9, 2019
  • MWF Invited to Meet with Lake Winnipeg Commercial Fishers

    MWF Invited to Meet with Lake Winnipeg Commercial Fishers

    November 30, 2018

MWF eNewsletter

Join our mailing list to receive our monthly eNewsletter!

How-to Article Tags

antelope hunting assiniboine river bait big game bow butchering canning catfish deer hunting duck hunting field dressing fishing flasher fly fishing food prep goose hunting ice fishing jigging ladies mentored hunts lake winnipeg lures manitoba trappers association muskie muskrat northern pike oak hammock marsh paddlefish prairie chickens preserving recipes red river sausage shooting shore fishing shotgun upland hunting vegetables waterfowl hunting winnipeg

Follow Us on Social Media!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • About Us
  • Become a Member
  • LakeWatch
  • NightWatch
  • MWF Shop
  • Contact Us
  • Site Map

Copyright © 2019 · Altitude Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in