The Province is hoping a new bill will help curb unsafe night hunting practices and encourage a more ethical hunting environment.

Sustainable Development Minister Rochell Squires announced Bill 29 last month, saying night hunting has been an increasing problem in our province as of late.

"We have seen deaths, serious injuries and far too many close calls as a result of unsafe night hunting practices in Manitoba."

The bill, known as the Wildlife Amendment Act, addresses unsafe hunting practices, a new approach to managing wildlife through direct stakeholder input.

Under this new bill, the definition of night hunting is more clearly defined; someone in possession of a spotlight, a firearm and ammunition. Even if the gun is not loaded, it would still be considered night hunting if ammo and a spotlight are within reach.

Night hunting is the practice of going out under the light of the moon, or more commonly with a spotlight, to locate and target a game animal. The spotlight is often used to blind and stun the animal, freezing it in place to make it easier to shoot.

Manitoba Wildlife Federation Managing Director, Brian Kotak, explains this practice is dangerous and is a serious public safety issue.

"We manage the hunter education or hunter safety program within the province of Manitoba. We provide all the instructors and instructions on safe hunting practices to all the people interested in getting into hunting. Night hunting is something that flies in the face of what we teach all our hunter education students."

Kotak explains that hunting in low visibility often means you can never be sure of what is beyond your target, with a missed shot having the potential to travel many miles.

This has caused a concern for wildlife sustainability allowing people to easily shoot multiple game animals at the same time resulting in a decline in the wildlife population.

Brian Kotak says Manitoba Wildlife Federation's part in the Wildlife Amendment Act was defining safe hunting practices, wildlife preservation and the losses night hunting causes from an economic standpoint.

Night hunting also poses a concern for economic loss with a number of incidents reported by rural landowners including equipment damage, producers finding cattle or other livestock shot, gates and fences damaged from trespassing and the loss of human life.

However, the bill also takes into account the constitutionally protected right of indigenous people hunting at night.

"Manitoba recognizes the constitutionally protected right of Indigenous hunting at night, which is why our government undertook an extensive consultation process with First Nations and Métis communities, Indigenous organizations, elders and non-Indigenous hunters, and their respective organizations to fully inform the development of this legislation," said Squires. "This bill carefully balances hunting rights while making public safety a top priority."

Under Bill 29, night hunting would be banned on all private land. Under current legislation indigenous people and Métis can hunt at night on private land if they are given permission. Under this new bill that would no longer be possible.

"Night hunting is a dangerous practice. It’s not ethical and it’s not fair to the animal. I welcome changes to make it safer and more respectful," said Nancy Nepinak-Mckay, an elder from the Pine Creek First Nation.

Grand Chief Arlen feels differently about the bill.

"If the government wants to restrict night hunting, it can negotiate agreements with our First Nations, or include us in comprehensive co-management of natural resources. There are options available to the government to address this issue, but they require cooperation. The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs was not consulted on this ban being imposed by the province."

Bill 29 has gone through first reading in the legislature, which will be voted on either before the legislature break in June or once they meet again in fall.

For more resources on Bill 29: Sustainable Development Minister Rochelle Squires to discuss the wildlife amendment act, MWF encouraged by legislation to restrict spotlighting.