Wildlife


Multi-Level Draw Program

The draw program can only be completed through the E-licensing system www.manitobaelicensing.ca.

If you have ever entered the draw since 1996, you already have a personal profile on the system. Please contact the elicensing Help Desk at 1-877-880-1203 to access and verify your personal profile. Your priority level(s) for the draws will be listed on your personal profile.

If you are a first time applicant to the Multi-Level Draw Program, please create your account and personal profile from the E-Licensing Home Page.

Important Draw Dates

Manitoba Big Game Draw Program

Online applications accepted May 1 - May 31 (11:59 pm)
Notification of draw results - June 21
Licence payment deadline - July 15 (11:59 pm)

Manitoba Big Game Draw Program

Manitoba Landowner Elk Draw Program

Online applications accepted May 1 - May 31 (11:59 pm)
Declaration of Lands Owned Deadline - May 15
Notification of draw results - June 21
Licence payment deadline - July 15 (11:59 pm)

Manitoba Landowner Elk Draw Program and
Declaration of Lands Owned

Visit Manitoba E-Licensing


ATTENTION MOOSE HUNTERS

Moose are an important and iconic species in Manitoba. They contribute ecologically, are a source of food security and have significant cultural, social and economic values for many Manitobans. Over the last 10 to 15 years, declines in Manitoba’s moose population and recommendations obtained through Crown-Indigenous consultation resulted in Moose Conservation Closures being put in place in various parts of southern Manitoba, including in the Duck Mountain (Game Hunting Areas (GHAs) 18, 18A, 18B, 18C) and Porcupine Mountain (GHAs 13 & 13A) areas.

A variety of natural and human-influenced factors can affect survival and the birth and death rates of moose, which in turn affect the number of moose in local populations. Hunting, parasites and disease, habitat loss or land-use changes, predation, and climate change, and the combination of these factors, all have varying effects on moose across the province and in the Duck Mountain and Porcupine Mountain areas. The most recent aerial survey for these areas was completed in 2020 and results suggest that the population trend is gradually increasing in the Duck Mountain area and remains stable in the Porcupine Mountain area.

While moose in these areas are showing signs of recovery, a complete re-opening and return to unlimited harvest in these areas is not sustainable. Demand for moose in the Duck Mountain and Porcupine Mountain areas exceeds what can be harvested sustainably and a total removal of the closures would jeopardize the long-term viability of the populations. A long-term shared moose management plan, including a framework for re-opening these areas, is necessary.

Manitoba is committed to involving First Nations and Metis communities in the development of a long-term shared moose management plan for the Duck Mountain and Porcupine Mountain areas to build relationships, promote reconciliation and to support sustainable moose management. Pending development of a long-term shared moose management plan, and based on feedback provided by First Nations and Metis communities in 2021, the department is proposing an adapted limited interim moose hunting opportunity to be available in the Duck Mountain and Porcupine Mountain areas in fall 2022.

Manitoba remains committed to co-developing a long-term shared moose management plan for the Duck and Porcupine Mountain areas in partnership with Indigenous communities and with input from licenced hunters and key stakeholders. It is our hope that jointly managing moose on an ongoing and sustainable basis will provide increased opportunities for rights-based harvesters, licenced hunters and generally support healthy moose populations for the benefit of our environment and communities.

For additional information on the proposed 2022 Limited Interim Moose Hunting opportunity, please go to the 2022 Limited Interim Moose Hunting Opportunity Fact Sheet, and the Moose Conservation Closure Map and the “Fall 2022 Limited Interim Moose Hunting Opportunity Areas Map”.


Mule Deer Hunting Season

To help prevent the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), the province has expanded the harvested cervid mandatory sample submission zone and has established a strictly regulated and managed mule deer hunting season in defined areas along the western and southern borders of Manitoba.

The expanded mandatory surveillance zone and a resident-only mule deer hunting season are being implemented in defined areas along the south-western and southern boundaries of Manitoba. These areas will include Game Hunting Areas (GHA) 5, 6, 6A, 11, 12, 13, 13A, 18, 18A, 18B, 18C, 22, 23, 23A, 27, 28, 29, 29A, 30, 31, 31A, 32, 33, 35, and 35A.

For the fall 2022 hunting season, licensed hunters harvesting deer or elk in the area will be required to submit the complete head and upper neck to a Sample Drop-off Depot within 48 hours for CWD testing in these areas. GHAs 23 and 23A will continue to have additional sample submission requirements for the lungs and trachea (windpipe) of deer or elk harvested in these areas in order to test for Bovine Tuberculosis.

The newly established resident-only mule deer hunting season includes a bag limit of one mule deer, as well as a second and third mule deer licence with a one antlerless mule deer bag limit. All licences have a $5.50 fee and the season dates and equipment types are the same as for white-tailed deer. Licences will be available on the elicencing website. For more information on this season, please see the information sheet.

If you have any questions, please email cwd@gov.mb.ca.


Night Hunting

On October 9, 2020, The Wildlife Amendment Act (Safe Hunting and Shared Management) was proclaimed, which protects Manitoba’s moose population and creates a safer and more ethical hunting environment.

This Act addresses significant safety risks by prohibiting night hunting in Manitoba. Effective October 10, 2020, night hunting is unlawful for all licensed hunters and on private lands for all hunters.

Rights-based Hunters

In southern Manitoba, rights-based hunters must seek authority to hunt at night on public Crown lands by applying for a free permit. The hunter would be required to carry the permit while hunting at night and must follow all conditions of the permit. Night hunting on private lands will not be permitted.

In northern Manitoba, rights-based hunters may hunt at night subject to requirements under the Act, including the requirement to hunt safely. Hunters are prohibited to hunt within 3 kilometers of a building, occupied site, or provincial roadway.

Night Hunting Approved Crown Lands

Safe hunting requirements, including the prohibition on hunting from or across roadways and hunting on private land without permission, continue to apply to all.


Hard to be a Moose in a Changing World
Night Hunting Permit Application

Manitoba has a rich diversity of natural landscapes and wildlife species, from the polar bears of Churchill to the garter snakes of Narcisse to the orchids of the tall-grass prairie near Tolstoi. Our environment, culture, economy, and society are interdependent and we must wisely protect, use, and manage our wild animal and plant resources.

The mandate of the Wildlife and Fisheries Branch is to protect wildlife resources in a manner consistent with the conservation of species and ecosystems for the benefit of Manitobans. This responsibility is carried out under the authority of The Wildlife Act, The Endangered Species and Ecosystems Act , and The Conservation Agreements Act of Manitoba, and by applying the principles of Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources.

The wildlife staff develops programs, policies and legislation for hunting and trapping, biodiversity conservation, wildlife-human interactions and habitat. The wildlife staff also represents Manitoba in numerous provincial, national, and international initiatives.

Wildlife programs are delivered by biologists, planners, technicians, and support staff throughout Manitoba. Field enforcement is carried out by Conservation Officers.

Several land stewardship and acquisition programs, as well as conservation agreements, are delivered by an affiliated Crown agency, the Manitoba Habitat Conservancy.