Notice to Hunters

Wildlife Health and Disease

The vast majority of Manitoba's wildlife is very healthy. Natural selection, through predation, ensures that only the healthiest of wild animals survive. Sick, diseased, or injured wild animals are quickly killed and eaten by a wide variety of predators such as wolves preying on elk. This natural process ensures the overall health of Manitoba's wildlife.

Diseases can significantly affect wildlife populations in situations where natural habitat and environmental conditions have been altered. An example is the loss of natural habitat for elk through land clearing and agricultural activities. The situation becomes worse when elk, searching for browse, encounter rich food sources such as hay bales left in fields over the winter. Elk may crowd together to feed on this forage thereby increasing the chance of disease transmission.

Monitoring Disease Occurrences in Wildlife

Manitoba Conservation will continue to monitor the occurrence of diseases in wildlife so that steps can be taken to reduce their impact. Hunters are encouraged to report, to the nearest Manitoba Conservation office.

BIOLOGICAL SAMPLES - COMPULSORY

By law, hunters are required to submit biological samples of elk and deer taken in certain Game Hunting Areas (GHAs) to Manitoba Conservation. Samples are assessed for disease as part of the monitoring efforts. Hunters who fail to submit these samples will be prosecuted. Please note that if the necessary sample targets are not achieved through hunter submissions, the removal of elk and deer by Manitoba Conservation after the hunting seasons may be required. 

Samples are required from elk and deer taken in GHAs 5, 6, 6A, 11, 12, 13, 13A, 18, 18A, 18B, 18C, part of 22 (west of PTH 83), 23, and 23A.

Provisions have been made so hunters may retain their antlers attached to bone plate and cape and still fulfill legal requirements to submit samples.  The head, lungs and windpipe are not needed for a mount.  Before submitting the required biological sample, the animal should be caped, and the antlers and bone plate removed from the remainder of the head. The remaining head, lungs and windpipe may then be submitted to a biological sample depot.  Manitoba Conservation allows hunters 48 hours from the time of the kill to submit samples to accommodate these actions.  

Hunters should note tagging requirements stipulate that the head and antlers be tagged. Therefore, hunters should take care to keep the antlers with the head until the sample is submitted, or contact Manitoba Conservation for clarification.

Samples may be submitted to any of the following Biological Sample Depots during regular business hours in the hunting seasons:

• Benito Meats – Benito
• Twin Valley Co-op - Birtle
• Westmore Corner Store – Dauphin
• Burdeniuk’s Service – Ethelbert
• Plains Convenience & Gas Bar - Gilbert Plains
• J & D Corner Store - Grandview
• H.L. & K. Enterprises Ltd. – Grandview
• Mafeking Gas & Grocery – Mafeking
• Five & Fifty Sales & Service – McCreary
• Miniota C-Store - Miniota
• Olha General Store – Olha
• The No. 5 Store - Riding Mountain
• 3-Way Service – Roblin
• Parkway Consumers Co-op – Rossburn
• Riding Mountain National Park Wildlife Lab - Wasagaming
• Russell & District Veterinary Clinic – Russell
• J & D’s Gas Bar - St. Lazare
• McKelvey’s – San Clara
• Shortdale Store – Shortdale
• Triple M Meat Market – Swan River
• Manitoba Conservation - Grace Lake Yard, The Pas

When a hunter submits a sample they will be issued an official receipt.  It is the hunters’ responsibility to ensure that all relevant information is recorded accurately on the receipt.  A copy of the receipt (white) must be retained by the hunter (or partner) as proof that the sample has been submitted.

Manitoba Conservation
Appreciates Hunter Co-operation

All hunters who submitted elk and deer samples under the bovine tuberculosis and chronic wasting disease program will have their name entered into a draw for a prize donated by the following sponsors:

• Cabela’s Canada
• Manitoba Wildlife Federation
• Luke’s Town Service
• Black’s Cycle & Sports
• Sticky’s Bait & Tackle
• Wholesale Sports
• The Fairmont Winnipeg

Manitoba Conservation offers a sincere “thank you” to the sponsors listed above who donated items to be used in a prize draw.