General Information
Hunting on Public Land
Finding a great place to hunt may be challenging. Manitoba
hunters are fortunate that the search is not nearly as difficult
as it is in many jurisdictions, where public land is rare. The
most commonly hunted public lands in Manitoba are wildlife
management areas (WMA), provincial forests, some provincial
parks, and Crown lands, as well as privately owned land.
Maps, including land ownership maps, are available that provide
valuable information to hunters. For more information or to purchase maps, please contact (link
opens in new browser window) Canada
Map Sales toll-free at 1-877-627-7226.
Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs)
Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs)
are Crown lands designated
by the Province of Manitoba for the protection of wildlife
habitat
and for wildlife-related forms of outdoor recreation, such
as
hunting. There are now 80 WMAs in Manitoba, encompassing
some 2.5 million hectares (5.0 million acres) of land. See summaries of restrictions for hunting while on private lands, big game hunting or game bird hunting.
Leased Crown Land
Most leased Crown land is open for hunting. However, there may be limited areas of leased Crown lands, which are intensively used, such as corrals, feeding areas and building sites, where hunting is prohibited. These areas will be identified by approved signs provided by Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives. Permission is not required to hunt on leased provincial Crown land, which is not posted in this manner. It is recommended that hunters notify leaseholders before entry. Please do not damage trails, drive across fields, or leave gates open.
Provincial Parks
(link opens in new browser window) Provincial
Parks are multiple use areas where a variety of outdoor
recreation occurs, including hunting. The use of off-road vehicles
may be restricted. Persons may not hunt, possess a loaded firearm,
or discharge a firearm within 300 metres of recreation areas,
cottages, dumps, roads and prescribed trails (including those portions of Provincial Trunk Highways #10 and
#39 that fall within the Grass River Provincial Park).
Hunters also require a Park Vehicle Permit.
For your convenience, selected provincial park campgrounds
remain open into the fall. Services may be reduced and the fees
(if applicable) are based on the level of service provided.
For more information, contact the local Manitoba
Conservation district office.
The Whiteshell Provincial Park has “No Hunting Areas,” which
differ from most provincial
parks. For more information, contact one of the Manitoba Conservation District offices in Whiteshell Provincial Park.
Provincial Forests, Timber Cutting Areas and Forest Access Roads
Hunters are advised to use discretion when hunting in the vicinity of a resource road, timber operation, forest-harvested area or mine. Signs may be posted to prohibit hunting on or within 300 metres of such areas for safety or conservation purposes.
International Peace Garden, Community Pastures, P.F.R.A. Dykes and other Federal Lands
Before entering these lands, hunters must obtain permission
from the management authority. Not all federal lands are open
to hunting. For more information, please contact the appropriate
management authority.
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