MANITOULIN—The number of charges laid by the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) during the annual deer gun hunt decreased significantly over the 2024 rifle hunt.
“Overall, things went really well, and it was a successful Manitoulin Island deer gun hunt,” stated Iain McGale, staff sergeant with the MNR district office.
Staff Sergeant McGale explained, “the number of contacts conservation officers made over the hunt was just over 600. A total of 21 charges were laid and several investigations are continuing.”
Conservation officers issued 30 warnings to hunters over the annual hunt, said Mr. McGale. “Three deer were seized during the hunt, with one ruffed grouse seized.” In the latter, an individual shot the ruffed grouse but did not have a small game licence.
“Most of the charges were made under the Ontario Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, and most were hunting related but there were also a couple of others, including one charge of an individual fishing without a licence.”
“One of the most common charges had to do with hunters failing to invalidate a (deer) tag immediately after a kill,” continued Mr. McGale. “There were also several charges of unlawfully have a loaded firearm in conveyance (including trucks, cars, all-terrain vehicles and side by side vehicles).”
In the 2024 Manitoulin rifle hunt season COs laid a total of 56 charges during the season, while 53 charges were laid in 2023.
As was reported in last week’s edition of The Expositor, one person was taken into custody by the Manitoulin detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) after a standoff on Monday, November 17. The OPP had received a request for support from the MNR, which had been involved in an investigation of an individual who had a firearm, in the area of Bidwell Road and Pine Lake Road in Assiginack. The individual then barricaded themselves into a trailer. The issue was safely resolved later that day with a 39-year-old male from Assiginack being charged.
“The incident took place on Monday, November 17, after a check on the individual by a conservation officer with the MNR with a deer hunter, which turned into a weapons call,” said Staff Sergeant McGale. “I would like to thank other COs who attended and backed up the COs on the scene, the UCCM Anishinaabe Police and the Manitoulin OPP backing up as well as the paramedics who staged on site to assist if there were any injuries.”
Mr. McGale said, “I am not aware of any injuries occurring during the hunt related to hunting or shooting incidents.”
As for the deer harvested during the season Mr. McGale said the MNR will get a good indication with the hunter (mandatory) reports submitted and a full review of the hunters’ harvest of deer during the season. However, “I think it was a good hunt and harvest, and the deer seen are very healthy.”
A total of 17 conservation officers assisted with the Manitoulin hunt. A road check coordinated between MNR and OPP took place on November 19 for the MNR to monitor for hunter compliance and the OPP to monitor vehicle drivers on Highway 6 at the Swing Bridge. “We (MNR) had a high compliance rate, a much higher compliance rate than we have seen in recent years.”
Mr. McGale also commented on a report from a member of the public of three fawn having been harvested during this year’s bow hunt season on Manitoulin and were then dumped and left to rot in a ditch in the Evansville area. “The MNR received a tip through the (MNR) tipline, and this incident is currently an active investigation.”
