ManitobaA conservation organization that represents Manitoba hunters has launched a legal challenge against the province’s decision to create a hunting buffer zone on the east side of Lake Winnipeg, after a First Nation turned away licensed moose hunters from its checkstop nearby.Conservation officers sent to Bloodvein’s checkstop to ensure ‘fair’ access: ministerOzten Shebahkeget · CBC News · Posted: Oct 27, 2025 2:28 PM EDT | Last Updated: 2 hours agoListen to this articleEstimated 4 minutesBloodvein First Nation put up signs forbidding licensed hunters from their traditional territory in late August. (Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs)A conservation organization that represents Manitoba hunters has launched a legal challenge against the province’s decision to create a hunting buffer zone on the east side of Lake Winnipeg, after a First Nation turned away licensed moose hunters from its checkstop nearby.The Manitoba Wildlife Federation has asked the Court of King’s Bench to stop Bloodvein First Nation from “blockading” Rice River Road before licensed moose hunting resumes in the region from Dec. 1 to 14, according to court documents filed last week.In late August, Bloodvein said it would start turning away licensed hunters from its Rice River Road checkstop, several kilometres south of the community, in order to address concerns about declining moose populations. The checkstop was originally set up in May to prevent drugs and alcohol from entering the community.The province introduced a hunting buffer zone that affects an area of 500 metres on either side of Rice River Road within game hunting area 17B, on Sept. 15 — the opening day of moose hunting season for rifle hunters in the region.The buffer zone was tweaked days later to include 500 metres on either side of the Bloodvein River and Namay Falls, up to the intersecting border of hunting areas 17, 17A and 17B. It will remain in place for the 2025 hunting season only, the province said.Those three hunting areas are only accessible via road from southern Manitoba by travelling to Pine Falls, going north on Provincial Road 304 and then up Rice River Road, court documents say.The wildlife federation seeks court declarations that licensed moose hunters in Manitoba are entitled to travel on Rice River Road and every other highway, roadway and waterway, as well as all unoccupied Crown land, within the involved game hunting areas.It also seeks a court declaration that the province’s decision to establish the buffer zone was unlawful, calling it an “unreasonable” decision inconsistent with “the principles of both reconciliation and conservation.”None of the allegations have been proven in court.Hunters turned awayThe wildlife federation claims Bloodvein’s safety officers turned away licensed moose hunters who were travelling up Rice River Road on Sept. 28, and said they’d need to fly into game hunting area 17A to access it, according to court documents.Bloodvein Chief Lisa Young told the licensed hunters in a phone call that the “Crown land belongs” to Bloodvein’s members, that Natural Resources Minister Ian Bushie is aware of her community’s insistence that licensed hunters fly into game hunting area 17A, and that Bloodvein plans to sit down with Bushie once hunting season is over, the wildlife federation alleges.The wildlife federation says its efforts to urge governments and law enforcement to remove Bloodvein’s blockade of Rice River Road have been unsuccessful.The province has no evidence to show that licensed hunters are affecting moose populations in the impacted areas, the wildlife federation alleges. A recent aerial survey report from the province suggested game hunting area 17A has had a stable moose population since 2000.It’s also asking for copies of all communications regarding moose hunting exchanged between Premier Wab Kinew and/or Minister Bushie with Bloodvein’s chief, councillors and public safety officers, as well as law enforcement and provincial wildlife management staff.In a written statement, Minister Bushie said his department is working with Chief Young, the wildlife federation and licensed hunters to support hunting access for all Manitobans.Conservation officers have been sent to Bloodvein’s checkstop to ensure “fair and safe access” to big game hunting areas on the east side of Lake Winnipeg, he said.CBC News has reached out to Bloodvein First Nation for comment.ABOUT THE AUTHORÖzten Shebahkeget is a member of Northwest Angle 33 First Nation who grew up in Winnipeg’s North End. She has been writing for CBC Manitoba since 2022. She holds an undergraduate degree in English literature and a master’s in writing.Email: ozten.shebahkeget@cbc.ca
Manitoba Wildlife Federation asks court to intervene after Bloodvein First Nation turns away licensed hunters
