Additional deer tags issued
MANITOULIN—Deer herd populations on Manitoulin have finally recovered from the winter of 2019, as thousands of hunters are expected to converge on the Island for next week’s deer gun hunt.
“This increase in antlerless deer tags was made due to indicators showing the deer population is increasing across the Island,” said Nichola Reiche, acting resource management coordinator with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Sudbury District.
Mr. Reiche explained, “antlerless deer tag quotas for wildlife management unit (WMU) 43A are currently at 400 tags in 2023, up from 300 in 2022. Antlerless deer tag quotas for WMU 43B are currently at 5500 tags in 2023, up from 4,000 in 2022.”
“Manitoulin deer should have come through last winter in good condition,” said Mr. Reiche. “They would have also benefited from an early green-up in the spring. Hopefully, the deer have had a good growing season and will be ready for the winter.”
In terms of hunter safety, MNRF is advising hunters again this year that they must handle firearms with care and attention at all times. Never shoot unless you are absolutely sure of the target and what lies beyond it and do not shoot from a vehicle or carry a loaded firearm in or on a vehicle-both are illegal. “One of the most common and preventable hunting violations the ministry deals with includes the safety feature that it is illegal to shoot from, down or across a public road while hunting. There are no exceptions. In many parts of Ontario, it is illegal to even have a loaded firearm in the road right of way.”
“Generally, in Ontario you must transport your gun unloaded while it is in a vehicle, motorboat or aircraft. Vehicles include all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles. You must unload and encase firearms in your possession during the period from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise. In Ontario you can generally only hunt from half an hour after sunrise to half an hour before sunset. It is a good idea to check sunrise and sunset times prior to heading out so you can plan accordingly.”
The MNRF also advises that, “Always remember, when you are hunting you cannot carry another person’s tag. Please note that you must also have on your person any applicable validation certificate and tags. You must also carry proof of having the credentials to hunt with a gun.”
“Failing to properly tag harvested animals (for example, not notching the tag or not attaching the tag properly when it is required to be attached) is a violation. Each tag has detailed instructions on its use, so follow the instructions.”
Trespassing is not permitted. You must have permission to hunt on privately owned lands. If you have wounded an animal and it runs onto private property, you usually must secure permissions prior to following the animal onto the private property.
All hunters must wear solid orange clothing (a minimum of 400 square inches or 2,580 square centimetres above the waist) and a hunter orange head cover during gun seasons for deer, moose and elk. This also applies to bear hunters who are not hunting from a tree stand.
It is up to hunters to know the rules. Hunters can check out the 2022—2023 Hunting Regulations summary available at Ontario.ca/hunting before heading out.
If you witness a hunting violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNRF (847-7667) or call Crime Stoppers unanimously at 1-800-222-Tips (8477).
