While there are opportunities for hunters, licenced trappers harvest the majority of coyotes in the province. According to the five-year average between 2004 and 2008, trappers took more than 8,200 coyotes annually. If you’re interested in trapping, get your hands on a 2012 Manitoba Trapping Guide, available through Manitoba Conservation.

Do you need a licence to hunt coyotes in Manitoba?

Yes. Coyote can be hunted under the authority of any current big game licence, and as such, there are no tagging requirements. For example, you can hunt coyotes under the authority of your deer or moose licence.

How old do you have to be to hunt coyotes?

To be eligible for a Manitoba hunting licence, you must be 12 years of age or older. In addition, all hunters are now required to possess a valid Hunter Education Certificate or equivalent from another jurisdiction to obtain any type of Manitoba hunting licence.

Is there a specific season for hunting coyotes?

The coyote season typically starts the last Monday in August and runs until the end of February (it ends Feb. 29 this year). Coyote hunting is allowed in all Game Hunting Areas (GHA), except GHA 38, located inside the Perimeter Highway around Winnipeg.

What’s the bag limit for coyotes?

The bag limit is one coyote per year. To be clear, if you harvest a coyote under the authority of your deer licence, then you cannot harvest any more coyotes during the remainder of the coyote season, even if you have other big game licences (bear, moose, elk or caribou).

Can I hunt coyotes in a specific GHA during an open big game season? In other words, if moose season is open in an area, can I still take a coyote at that time in that area?

If you are hunting coyote while in a GHA that has any other big game season on, you must have an unused game tag (personal or party) for that area, species and time period. In other words, if you are hunting for coyote during the general deer season, then you must have an unused general deer tag to harvest a coyote. If you harvest a deer, you can no longer hunt coyote during that season, or if any other big game season is on. If you signed up as a party, you can keep hunting coyote until all hunters in the party have filled their deer tags.

Okay, so the deer season is over and I didn’t take a coyote. Can I still hunt for coyote?

Yes. If all big game seasons are over and you have not harvested a coyote then you can hunt coyote under the authority of any used or unused big game licence until the coyote season is over or you harvest one.

Are there different rules for coyote hunting for non-residents (a person who is a Canadian citizen but is not a Manitoba resident) and foreign residents (a person who is neither a Canadian citizen nor a resident of Manitoba)?

Non-resident and foreign resident hunters can only hunt coyotes during the season for which they have a big game licence. For example, they can only hunt coyote under the authority of a general deer licence during the general deer season. They could not hunt coyote after the general deer season is over. All other hunting regulations pertaining to coyotes are the same.

From personal observations and talk among hunters and outdoor enthusiasts, it seems there are lots of coyotes out there. What kind of shape is the coyote population in these days?

The coyote population in Manitoba is considered healthy and can be found in good numbers in most areas of the province.

Any final tips or rules when it comes to coyote hunting?

Electronic predator calls maybe used for hunting coyote under the authority of a big game licence.

Shel Zolkewich writes about the outdoors, travel and food when she’s not playing outside, traveling or eating. You can reach her with your comments at shel@shelzolkewich.com

Winnipeg Free Press - February 18, 2012

The bill still needs final approval from the Senate, but since the Conservatives form a majority in the Upper Chamber as well, the law is sure to pass.

The Long Gun Registry Act, first introduced last October, eliminates the requirement for gun owners to register their long guns and other unrestricted or non-prohibited weapons. It also relaxes the rules for the transfer and sale of non-restricted guns.

Data in the Canadian Firearms Registry related to restricted and prohibited firearms such as handguns will be maintained, however.

On Tuesday, RCMP found a .50 calibre sniper style rifle in a truck that is suspected of being involved in a police shooting near Killam.

These kinds of guns are used by enthusiasts for long range target shooting, and also by the Canadian Armed Forces in Afghanistan but they aren’t common among civilians.

“It’s a five thousand dollar plus rifle, it’s used for long range target shooting. It weighs probably 30 to 40 kilograms. Like I said it’s two meters long, it’s only practical application is for long range target shooting,” said James Bachymsky from the Calgary Shooting Centre.

Several groups who have always been behind the registry spoke out on Wednesday saying the federal government is making a mistake by scrapping it.

The Coalition for Gun Control warned that getting rid of the registry will make it very difficult for police to trace firearms used in crimes.

At the same time, many gun owners who did all the paperwork and registered all of their guns over the years, say they never saw the point of the registry in the first place.

“To the average shooter it probably won’t make that much of a difference unless you go for a purchase or something like that. I’ve had my firearms certificate for a long time, nobody has ever called me or come to visit or anything like that,” said Stephen Stretch.

The federal government said provinces can start their own gun registries if they want, but won’t be getting any funding from Ottawa.

CTV News, February 15, 2012

“After the success of last year’s first family fishing weekend, we want to continue to encourage people to try ice fishing as a healthy and enjoyable leisure activity during the winter,” said Mackintosh.  “This weekend is a great way to spend time with family and friends while taking advantage of our world‑class fishing across the province.”

From Feb. 18 to 20, anglers will be able to fish without a licence provincewide, except in national parks where a federal licence is still required.  The same conservation limits that apply to licensed fishing will remain in effect.  While summer Family Fishing Weekends have been offered since 1992, this is the second winter Family Fishing Weekend to be offered in Manitoba.

In recognition of the second winter fishing weekend, the Manitoba Wildlife Federation is hosting an amateur photo contest to promote ice fishing as a fun family activity.

“We want families to capture the beauty of Manitoba’s winter wonderland with a camera and post the photos on our Facebook page by Feb. 24,” said Reid Woods, president of the Manitoba Wildlife Federation.  “Three random names will be drawn to win family gift packs valued at more than $125.”

Ice fishers are expected to ensure conditions are safe before venturing onto the ice.  It is also important to ensure someone knows where you are fishing.

For more information, call 204-945-6784 or visit:

www.gov.mb.ca/waterstewardship/fisheries/recreation/pdf/11guide.pdf.

Established in 1944, the Manitoba Wildlife Federation is the province’s oldest and largest conservation organization.  Through advocacy, education and conservation programs, the federation is working to ensure healthy fish and wildlife populations in Manitoba.  For more information, call 204‑633-5967 or visit www.mwf.mb.ca.

Province of Manitoba News Release – February 15, 2012

MANITOBA WILDIFE FEDERATION - PHOTO CONTEST

Want to enjoy Manitoba’s great outdoors and win prizes?
Participate in the Manitoba Wildlife Federation Family Fishing Weekend photo contest!

It’s Manitoba time!  Just snap a photo of your family enjoying Manitoba’s winter wonderland on Family Fishing weekend on February 18-20.  Then, post it on MWF’s Facebook Page by February 24, 2012.

Three random names will be drawn on February 27 to win family gift packs valued at over $125!  Each gift pack includes a MWF family membership; MWF toque, ballcap, t-shirt and fanny pack; and a Manitoba Backroad Mapbook. 

Rules and regulations:  To enter and be eligible to win, you must be a resident of Canada, of the age of majority in the province or territory where you reside.  No purchase is required.  One entry per family only.  Only amateur photographers are allowed to enter the contest.

The winner will be contacted by the Manitoba Wildlife Federation.  All prizes are to be picked up at 70 Stevenson Road, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.

The prize must be accepted as awarded and is not transferable or extendible, nor can it be redeemed for cash or combined with any other promotion.

The odds of being selected will depend on the total number of eligible entries received. All entries become the property of the Manitoba Wildlife Federation, which assumes no responsibility for lost, delayed or misdirected entries. Entrants agree to abide by the full contest rules.

Photos submitted to MWF’s photo contest become property of the Manitoba Wildlife Federation and are available to be used for any of our promotional materials.

MWF does not assume responsibility for errors, omissions, interruptions, suppressions, defects, operation or transmission delays, breakdowns in communication links or their unauthorized access or modification. The MWF is not responsible for technical problems or defects of any network or telephone line, online computer system, server or supplier, hardware or software, or the impossibility for the MWF to receive e-mail due to technical problems or any Internet or Web site congestion, or both, including any damage to the participant’s computer or that of any other person linked to the participation or to the downloading of any information relating to or stemming from this contest.

Click on the link below to see (1) public spaces (2) neighborhoods and (3) streets nominated in Manitoba!

Nominations for Great Places in Manitoba

Visitors to this site say that these are great places in Canada.  Search the nominations submitted so far, and place your vote!

This competition is being sponsored by the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) as a way to recognize the work of professional planners, and to join with all Canadians in a celebration of the great places we are fortunate to share in this country.

So go ahead, add your voice to this national recognition program. Nominate, vote, tell everyone you know to participate.

Depending on the number of trees requested, the program may plant the seedlings for you and provide maintenance of the plantation.  In addition to helping reduce the impact of greenhouse gas emissions, planting trees on your property will also reduce soil erosion, create wildlife habitat, enhance the beauty of your property, and even provide lasting health benefits!   To learn more, contact the Manitoba Forestry Association at (204) 453-3182, ext. 5 or visit www.thinktrees.org/Trees_for_Tomorrow.aspx.

For info, visit MWF Hunter Education Information.

To obtain a mailed registration form, contact Manitoba Wildlife Federation at (204) 633-5967 or info@mwf.mb.ca.  Click here to download the BOW 2012 Registration Brochure – Early Bird and BOW 2012 REGISTRATION FORM – Early Bird.  Register before March 31, 2012 and your name will be entered in a draw for a fabulous early bird prize – a Toyota Fishing kit valued at $400!

2012 Workshop Topics will include:

-Archery/Bowhunting

-Shotgunning

-Rifle

-Survival Skills

-Fishing

-Trapping and Skinning

-Photography

-Birding Basics

-Cooking Outdoors

-Trailering

-Hunter Education

-Muzzleloaders

-GPS

-Filleting

-Outdoor Mechanics

-Knot Tying

In the past 10 years, the moose population in GHA 26 has experienced a 60% decline.  Manitoba Conservation suspects that a rising wolf population is the primary problem, but also contributing to it are disease, parasites, hunting (both legal, illegal and rights-based) and increased access to the region’s more remote parts, caused largely by the building of new roads.

 “A partial conservation closure is an abject failure on the part of Manitoba Conservation to protect the moose population in this area”, said Reid Woods, President of Manitoba Wildlife Federation.  “It is contrary to Manitoba Conservation’s own modeling which shows that without a complete closure, moose could potentially be eliminated from GHA 26 by 2017”.

The moose population in Manitoba is at a critical tipping point, similar to the situation faced by Manitoba’s Woodland Caribou population many years ago.  Preventative measures were not taken at that time, and in 2006, Caribou finally garnered protected status under the province’s Endangered Species Act.

Manitoba Conservation has failed to uphold their fiduciary duty to prevent possible extirpation of the moose population, and in so doing, have also failed to protect the rights of all peoples of Manitoba.   “A partial closure violates the Precautionary Principal, a principle that has been adopted by the Government of Manitoba.  If immediate action towards a full closure is not taken, the repercussions could include dire consequences for our provincial moose population” stated Woods.

In 2011, the Cooperative Committee for Moose Management recommended to the Conservation Minister that a total conservation closure be instituted in GHA 26.  However, no action was taken by Manitoba.  The Committee is comprised of representatives from a broad cross section of stakeholder groups:  Manitoba Metis Federation, Manitoba Conservation, Manitoba Trappers Association, Manitoba Model Forest, Manitoba Hydro, Hollow Water First Nation, Black River First Nation, Sagkeeng First Nation, Community of Manigotagan, Community of Bissett, Lac du Bonnet Wildlife Association, Brokenhead River Game and Fish Association, Winnipeg River Bow Hunters Association, Pinawa Wildlife Association, and Manitoba Wildlife Federation.

For information on Manitoba’s partial hunting closure, refer to the Government of Manitoba’s January 20, 2012 media release:  http://www.gov.mb.ca/chc/press/top/2012/01/2012-01-20-140700-13048.html

(Source:  Manitoba Wildlife Federation, January 26, 2012)