Wildlife federation takes legal action over highway blockades, hunting interference

A group representing hunters in Manitoba is challenging a moose hunting blockade put in place by a First Nations community.

A conservation organization that represents the interests of Manitoba hunters is taking Bloodvein First Nation to court. It’s hoping to put an end to a highway blockade that is preventing licensed moose hunters from accessing the area.

According to a notice of application filed in the Court of King’s Bench of Manitoba on Monday, the Manitoba Wildlife Federation (MWF) is seeking an injunction preventing the First Nation from blocking Rice River Road.

“Now we have hunters that have legally bought fishing and hunting licenses not allowed to travel on a public highway,” said Chris Heald, MWF senior policy advisor. “This way of just blocking a highway to get what you want is creating a lawless society.”

The court filing claims the First Nation is unlawfully blocking Rice River Road several kilometres south of the nation’s reserve lands with vehicles, concrete barriers, a trailer and a wooden structure to prevent people from engaging in licensed moose hunting.

The filing claims Bloodvein First Nation announced in late August it would take steps to prevent licensed moose hunters who aren’t from their First Nation from accessing game hunting areas 17, 17A and 17B by turning people away at a community check point.

A news release from the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs in August said the measures were being taken to protect wildlife following “repeated incidents of non-First Nations hunters engaging in unsafe and wasteful practices.”

Heald said the areas that are being closed off are public Crown lands — not reserve lands, adding that aerial surveillance data suggests a stable moose population in the area.

Province and minister listed as co-respondents

The provincial government and minister of natural resources and Indigenous futures are also listed as co-respondents on the filing.

The court document claims the province created buffer zones around the road and waterways after the first part of the licensed moose hunting season had already opened.

“Hunters were already in the field, and the rules were changed on them,” Heald said. “And then a second time that week they changed them again, which is unheard of.”

“The government’s wildlife branch…assert on-line that ‘It reflects a recently finalized collaborative effort between Bloodvein First Nation and the province to protect declining moose populations,” reads the document.

“MWF alleges that the decision was unfair, unreasonable, and made in bad faith – specifically, in an unsuccessful attempt to persuade (Bloodvein First Nation) to cease blockading Rice River Road.”

The legal action also seeks a declaration that the provincial government’s changes to the game hunting areas were unlawful.

In a statement from Ian Bushie, Manitoba’s minister of natural resources and Indigenous futures, he said the provincial government is working with Chief Lisa Young of Bloodvein First Nation, the MWF and licensed hunters to support hunting access for all Manitobans.

“Conservation officers have been assigned at the check stop in Bloodvein First Nation, throughout, to help ensure fair and safe access to big game hunting areas on the east side of Lake Winnipeg during this year’s hunting season,” reads the statement in part.

The province declined to comment further as the matter is before the courts.

Chief Young told CTV News she’s working with lawyers to fight the legal action but had no further comment.

None of the claims have been tested in court.