Needed changes on the way for Waterfowl hunters

𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐎𝐖𝐋 𝐇𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐑𝐄𝐆𝐔𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑

The Manitoba Wildlife Federation was part of a stakeholder led group that advocated government for the implementation of a new provincial Waterfowl Modernization Strategy. The new regulations will impact foreign residents in the fall 2023 waterfowl hunting season, who intend to hunt waterfowl in Manitoba either on their own as a freelance hunter, or through an outfitter.  Foreign residents will now have the opportunity to access the following licenses:

• Foreign Resident Upland Game Bird License: required to hunt upland birds and can be purchased online and is subject to the same regulatory framework as resident hunters.
• Foreign Resident Migratory Game Bird License: required to hunt migratory birds and is a seven-day license, which can be accessed either by entering a draw process or booking with a licensed outfitter.
• Foreign Resident Legacy Migratory Game Bird License: a grandfathered opportunity for qualifying foreign resident landowners or lessees of Crown land.
  As part of the initial phase-in, all applicants applying for the draw in 2023 will receive a seven-day Foreign Resident Migratory Game Bird License. Going forward the draw will be set based on information from hunter and stakeholder feedback.

HUNTING SUSTAINABILITY AND ACCESS NEEDED TO BE ADDRESSED

Hunting pressure and diminishing land access has been a popular topic of discussion for 20 years amongst resident hunters, our members, and stakeholders. In recent years, resident hunters and outfitters in Manitoba have reported an intensification of hunting activities by foreign residents who are increasingly staying longer and controlling access to waterfowl hunting lands.

These regulatory changes are intended to reduce illegal outfitting, establish a cap on licensed outfitting operations and legacy hunting camps, with the goal of creating balance and a quality experience for all invested parties (resident waterfowl hunters, outfitted clients, and visiting foreign resident freelance hunters in Manitoba).