Jessica George
Trespassing an issue, too
Hunting is a very popular pastime in this neck of the woods. But while many hunters follow the rules, unfortunately there are a few who break the law and taint the name of the activity.
One law that continues to be disregarded by some hunters is it’s forbidden to dump carcasses on the side of the road or at the edge of someone’s private property.
For anyone used to driving down Frog Creek Road, it would not come as a surprise to see multiple carcasses dotting the shoulder or the ditch—and sometimes, like most recently, at the foot of somebody’s driveway.
Just as it is illegal to dump garbage on the side of the road instead of taking it to the landfill, it is illegal to dump carcasses and animal waste on the side of the road instead of disposing of it properly.
To properly dispose of the animal carcass, the Ministry of Natural Resources recommends returning the carcass to the forest area where you originally shot the animal.
The MNR would prefer to see carcasses dumped where they were shot in the first place so that nature can take care of the remains.
That process is not as efficient along the side of the road.
To report a problem with people dumping carcasses illegally, contact the OPP.
Meanwhile, another rule that continues to be disregarded is trespassing on private land to hunt.
The issue is two-fold. First, trespassing is a legal matter and will involve the police.
Second, trespassing often can be dangerous for both the hunter and the private land owner—and most definitely will involve penalties doled out by the Ministry of Natural Resources.
The local MNR office noted penalties for trespassing to hunt could range anywhere from a ticket to a fine up to a maximum of $25,000.
A first-time offence could result in a fine or a court appearance, depending on the circumstances.
From then on, if a conservation officer sees a repeat pattern or has evidence of repeated offences, the penalty could escalate, resulting in a court date where the Justice of the Peace would decide on the penalty based on the MNR’s evidence and the offender’s plea.
These restrictions are put in place for a reason. For instance, if a hunter were to trespass on farmland, they could be subject to the dangers of farm equipment, perhaps deep drainage ditches, electric fences, and more.
As well, an unsuspecting land owner going on his/her land could be put in danger, cattle could be mistaken for prey, and any other number of unsafe situations could arise.
The MNR estimated close to 90 percent of the land from Fort Frances west to Lake of the Woods and north to Morson (Wildlife Management Unit 10) actually is owned and considered private.
This does not leave a whole lot of land for hunters, though most land owners would have no problem with people hunting on their property as long as they asked permission beforehand.
If the land owner is aware that somebody is using their property to hunt, they will be given the opportunity to alert the hunter to the dangers on their land, as well as inform them of areas and plots on their property they would prefer them to stay away from.
They also can give the hunter information like where farm equipment is kept, where dangerous plots of land are, where there is frequent activity, and where cattle are left to graze.
The MNR stressed it is the hunter’s responsibility to know where they are hunting, and whether or not they are within the law.
For a good reference point, maps containing information like which property is Crown land and which is privately-owned can be purchased at any sporting stores in the area, as well as at some gas stations.
But while the onus is on the hunter to ensure they are not trespassing, land owners are urged to protect their land by erecting “No trespassing” signs or red dots on signposts (which represent private property signage) to alert the hunter that they are forbidden to use that land.
To report a problem with trespassing to hunt, call the MNR tips line toll-free at 1-877-TIPS-MNR (1-877-847-7667).
