Dear MWF Affiliates and Members:
The Manitoba Wildlife Federation (MWF) is excited to announce that our 82nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) will take place on April 25, 2026, at the Victoria Inn Hotel and Convention Centre in Winnipeg, MB. The event will include a day of meetings (lunch provided) followed by a Pint Night at Trans Canada Brewing Company, located at #1- 1290 Kenaston Blvd. Winnipeg, MB R3P 2H8. To register, visit this page. You can also call our office directly at 204-633-5967 and staff will take your registration over the phone. Deadline to register is April 13th!
As a member of the MWF, whether through one of our Affiliate Clubs or as a Direct Member, you are part of a community dedicated to preserving the traditions and opportunities that future generations of Manitobans will enjoy. We work tirelessly to ensure outdoor experiences remain accessible to all, while safeguarding the legacy of our land and wildlife.
We look forward to sharing a comprehensive update at the AGM on the year 2025. Challenges continued to focus our advocacy efforts on the ongoing threats to public access to Crown lands and the decision-making process surrounding wildlife regulations. Throughout, MWF staff and board members have remained committed to our Access for All Campaign ensuring the conservation and management of our resources are science-based, holistic, collaborative, and inclusive.
In addition to our advocacy, MWF has made significant progress in other initiatives, including membership services, Hunter Education Safety Course delivery, the National Archery in the Schools Program, outdoor programming, and the creation of educational videos.
MWF has pulled together an extensive YEAR IN REVIEW of 2025 that is available for you to read on our website at https://mwf.mb.ca/archives/12088
The AGM will feature open dialogue, opportunities for questions, and candid discussions with staff. We’ve also invited the Department of Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures to present updates on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Enforcement.
We are eager to garner support and unite all our members and clubs at the AGM to strengthen our collective voice as we reflect on our accomplishments in 2025, and plan for the challenges and opportunities of 2026.
Sincerely, MWF Staff and Executive Committee
Deadline to register is April 13th!
SATURDAY APRIL 25TH – AGM PRELIMINARY AGENDA
9:00 am – Call to Order and Opening Remarks
9:05 am – Approval of 2026 AGM Agenda and Approval of 2025 AGM Meeting Minutes
9:10 am – Audited Financial Report – Grant Thornton LLP.
9:25 am – Insurance Update – Cooperators/Inview Insurance Services
9:45 am – Coffee Break
10:00 am – Greetings from the Department of Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures
10:10 am – Government Branch Updates and Q and A
11:45 am – Lunch
12:45 pm – Organization Update and Q and A
1:45 pm – Changes to the Constitution/Resolutions, EC Elections
2:30 pm– Awards and Raffles /Access for All Club Recognition
3:30 pm – Adjourn
PINT NIGHT – SATURDAY APRIL 25TH 5:00PM – 11:00PM
After the AGM, JOIN US at Trans Canada Brewery FOR A BEER AND A SLICE!
This event will be a casual and fun night for members and non-members to gather at a local brewery in Winnipeg to hear short hunting and fishing stories and listen to live music, all centered around craft beer, a pizza slice, and good conversation, with themes of hunting, fishing, and conservation throughout the program. Space is limited and will be filled on a first come, first serve basis.
Trans Canada Brewery is located at #1- 1290 Kenaston Blvd. Winnipeg, MB R3P 2H8
SPONSORSHIP LEVELS
MWF appreciates any, and all donations towards the 2026 Annual Convention. If you are interested in contributing as a sponsor, please fill out the sponsorship section in the online registration, or payments can also be made by cheque to the Manitoba Wildlife Federation.
Bronze Coffee Break Sponsor: $100
Silver Pint Night Sponsor: $200
Gold Gun Sponsor: $500
Access for All – Donation of Club’s Choosing
All voting delegates and members attending this AGM must have a valid 2026 membership.
Resolutions, changes to the constitution and nominations can be mailed or emailed to MWF at the following address:
Manitoba Wildlife Federation
4-999 King Edward St.
Winnipeg, MB R3H 0R1
Email: info@mwf.mb.ca
2026 RESOLUTIONS
The constitution of the Manitoba Wildlife Federation defines a resolution as a “written statement and proposed solution to an issue of concern” and “may contain a change to the Federation’s policies, programs, and procedures.” Resolutions that are passed by a 2/3 majority vote, form the policy and guidelines that the President and Executive Committee follow on behalf of the membership.
The following Resolutions have been submitted by a MWF Affiliate or Member for discussion at the next Manitoba Wildlife Federation Annual General Meeting, set for April 25th, 2026, at the Victoria Inn, Winnipeg.
In accordance with the constitution, affiliates or members submitting a resolution are required to be in attendance, or have a member in attendance on Saturday, April 25th, 2026, to bring the resolution or proposed motion to the floor.
Resolution 2026-01
RESOLUTION TITLE: Reduction of Whitetail Deer Tags in GHA 22, West of PTH 83 and North of PTH 42
AFFILIATE NAME: Russell Game and Fish Inc.
AFFILIATE CONTACT: Travis Layh
EMAIL: russellgameandfish@gmail.com
BACKGROUND: The deer population in our area has decreased substantially over the last 3 years and we feel that it can no longer sustain the current harvest limits. We feel that the decrease in population is due to many factors that include unseasonable freezing rain in January over the last two years, an increase in predation and to an extent the CWD cull. The hunters in the area would like to see the population given a chance to recover to ensure a healthy population. Deer hunting is a treasured part of our culture, and we would like to be able to pass that on to the next generation. We would also like to ensure that we can use wild game to help feed our families for years to come; therefore, be it
RESOLUTION: Resolved, that the second and third deer tag be eliminated in GHA 22 West of PTH 83 and North of PTH 42; and be it further Resolved, that the Department of Wildlife determine whether the single remaining deer license be either a “General” license, or a “Buck Only” license going forward.
Resolution 2026-02
RESOLUTION TITLE: Increased Bear Hunting Opportunities for Resident Hunters
AFFILIATE NAME: Russell Game and Fish Association
AFFILIATE CONTACT: Travis Layh
EMAIL: russellgameandfish@gmail.com
BACKGROUND: Black bear license purchases have averaged 1,946 licenses over the last 3 years, with very little change from year to year. This makes us believe that the same hunters are buying licenses every year with very little interest from new hunters. We feel that the number of licensed hunters does not have the ability to effectively manage the bear population. We feel that increasing the amount of black bear hunting opportunities for the few resident black bear hunters in the province would be beneficial for multiple reasons: 1: It would help reduce the amount of problem bears that the Conservation Office has to respond to by trapping, moving, or euthanizing. This would allow them to deploy their resources elsewhere. 2: It would help reduce the number of black bears damaging farmer’s crops. 3: A reduced number of bears would help preserve deer, elk, and moose populations by allowing more fawns and calves to survive each season. 4: It would help licensed hunters feed their families with wild game, helping to offset the higher cost of living.
RESOLUTION: Resolved, that there be a second, and possibly third bear tag be made available for resident hunters in the province.
Notice of Motion to Change the Constitution: 2026-01
Notice of Motion Title: Article 19. 1 – Canadian Wildlife Federation Membership
Submitted by: MWF Executive Committee
Contact: Brian Brownlie
Email: brianb1@mymts.net
Background: It has been apparent to us for some time that CWF’s mission no longer align with MWF’s goal to secure the future for licensed hunting and anglers and their contributions to conservation. For the past several years we have tried to find ways to work around that divergence. Recent developments have led us to conclude that we will not be nominating a representative to the CWF Board or participating at the staff level at this time.
Notice of Motion to Change the Constitution: Article 19-1 under the Canadian Wildlife Federation Membership the article reads “The Manitoba Wildlife Federation shall be an affiliate member of the Canadian Wildlife Federation”.
Change Article 19-1 to the following: “The Manitoba Wildlife Federation may be an affiliate of the Canadian Wildlife Federation”.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER NOMINEES
Manitoba Wildlife Federation would like to thank the following who have been nominated and have agreed to stand for election for the MWF Executive Committee.
The President and Executive Committee Members of MWF are responsible to promote the aims and objectives of the Federation, act on the direction of the MWF strategic plan, support resolutions passed by the membership, interpret policy, and make decisions to run the organization efficiently and effectively.
In accordance with the constitution, all nominees must be 2026 Affiliate Members and must attend the Annual General Meeting scheduled for Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Victoria Inn Hotel and Conference Center, Winnipeg. The nominee will have an opportunity to speak prior to the election. The following members was nominated:
Andrew Boumford
2026 Direct Member
Nominated in the Position of: Director
Biography: I would like to start by thanking the membership and the Board for their consideration. It would be an honor to represent hunters and anglers in Manitoba as a director of the MWF. By way of background, I grew up in St. Vital in Winnipeg with no direct exposure to hunting or angling. My parents are immigrants from Great Britain without any hunting background. However, I have always loved getting outdoors in Manitoba and in Manitoba and in my adolescence, I have enjoyed frequent canoe and camping trips, including challenging multi-day backcountry endeavours.
I had a considerable athletic background growing up and was recruited to an American College for my undergraduate degree and returned to Winnipeg in pursuit of a Law degree. While at law school I, became more interested in connecting with my food sources and I asked a friend who was an experienced hunter and angler to introduce me to hunting. He agreed and began mentoring me as a new hunter. What started as trepidatious ruffed grouse hunts eventually evolved into waterfowl, turkey, and big game hunting. I am hooked on it now and love cooking and eating the harvest from my hunts. I am proud to say that after last year’s deer season I now have a full freezer of fine venison which I share with my family and friends.
Today I continue my practice as a lawyer specializing in civil and commercial litigation. This is my sixth year as a lawyer at the Winnipeg law firm MLT Aikens. I have maintained my connection with the sport community, and I am currently the director of Squash Manitoba, serving my third term. During my professional experience, I have developed skills in several areas that I hope I can contribute to the MWF including advocacy, negotiation, and collaboration. I have recent experience with advocating on constitutional matters which may be helpful to the MWF for navigating the legal aspects of Manitoba’s proposed shared management structure. My friends and colleagues who are generally unfamiliar with hunting or angling frequently ask me how I was introduced. I tell them that I was fortunate to have a great friend and mentor show me the ropes and teach me about safe and ethical hunting. In my experience there is a considerable demographic of young adults who are very intrigued about hunting but struggle with barriers to entry. I want to help build that bridge because I see how important mentorship was for me. Admittedly, there is so much more for me to learn about hunting and the outdoors, to which I look forward. Hunting is a consuming passion of mine now, and I hope to contribute back to the hunting and angling community by serving as a director for another term.
Craig Cameron
2026 Affiliate Member- North Nopiming Wildlife Association
Nominated in the Position of: Director
Biography: My name is Craig Cameron. I am a retired I & E Engineering Technologist (CET) and former electrical contractor. As well as contracting I was employed by IOL Pipelines and Teng Eng. Consultants throughout my career. I am married and I am a father and a grandfather.
I have been a MWF member since 1988 and am the past president of North Nopiming Wildlife Association. I am also a member of : MWF executive committee members, FWEF wildlife sub committee member, and associate members of Lac Du Bonnet Wildlife Association.
Current Conservation activities: lake trout stocking events & fish creel surveys, promotion of youth fishing activities in Nopiming provincial park, East side Moose conservation Committee. EC support for MWF.
Past activities with Natural Resources in Northern, MB: duck banding, woodland caribou telemetry survey, polar bear research aid & community protection Churchill. Forest fire fighting, barren land caribou aerial surveys.
I have enjoyed a lifetime of Manitoba outdoor activities: hunting fishing, remote canoe tripping, back country exploration, etc. Consequently, I feel it a duty to help MWF ensure the privileges and opportunities I have enjoyed exploring Manitoba’s Natural abundance are available to all future generations.
Chris Chipman
2026 Direct Member
Nominated in the Position of: Director
Biography: My name is Chris Chipman I am the owner of New Pass Builders Inc. a construction/general contracting company based in Winnipeg, Victoria Beach, and Lake of the Woods. I have had a passion for fishing from a very young age and developed that same passion for hunting over the last 15 years. Prior to entering carpentry, I trained and worked as professional chef for ten years in Canmore, Alberta and at home in Winnipeg. I studied at Red River College and obtained my Journeyman ticket in Carpentry. In my spare time I try to spend as much time in the outdoors as possible with my wife Katie and the boys Teddy and Charlie, friends, as well as some solo adventures. I really enjoy fishing and hunting during all seasons, then sharing great meals from those harvests with family and friends. I also serve as a volunteer on a few local boards in the city as well as in Victoria Beach.
We look forward to these discussions and seeing you all on April 25th. Please call or email the MWF office if you have any questions.
Joshua Nenka
Membership & Event Coordinator
Manitoba Wildlife Federation
📞 (204) 633-5967 | ✉️ jnenka@mwf.mb.ca | 🌐 mwf.mb.ca
4-999 King Edward St., Winnipeg, MB R3H 0R1
