WINNIPEG – The province of Manitoba is wrapping up a 45-day public input process on a proposal to adjust regulations pertaining to American waterfowl hunters.
Known as the Waterfowl Hunting Modernization Project, the proposal would implement a seven-day “foreign resident” waterfowl license, available either through a lottery or through a licensed Manitoba waterfowl outfitter.
The comment period ends Friday, Oct. 7.
In essence, the proposal would cap the number of licenses available for American waterfowl hunters, while prioritizing resident waterfowl hunting opportunities and supporting existing licensed outfitters.
According to a provincial spokesperson, the proposal would still allow American hunters to enjoy Manitoba’s hunting opportunities without the services of a licensed hunter – providing, of course, they draw a license by lottery. Information on the number of lottery licenses that would be offered under the proposal wasn’t immediately available.
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American hunters who didn’t draw a lottery license could still hunt “under the umbrella” of a licensed outfitter, the spokesperson said.
“The goal of this project is to protect and maintain the ability for everyday Manitobans and Americans to access world-class hunting opportunities in the province,” the spokesperson said. “This ability is under threat from illegal outfitting and significant land access competition.”
There is no specific timeline on when the proposal would be implemented, the spokesperson said, although it is under consideration for the fall of 2023.
Information on the project can be viewed on the Manitoba Regulatory Consultation Portal https://reg.gov.mb.ca.
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