Trapper charged in dog killing incidents

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This article was published 14/02/2023 (1259 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A pair of dogs were killed in the La Broquerie area, after a trespassing trapper set power snares. The man charged faces potential fines of up to $25,000 or six months in prison or both. That example was just one of the charges laid for hunting or trapping related infractions in late November.

Announced in a Friday press release, Manitoba Natural Resources and Northern Development shared enforcement activity including roadside checkstops that nabbed several Southeast Manitoba residents more than two months ago.

Suspicious vehicle

Conservation officers from the North Whiteshell district received a report of a suspicious vehicle stopped on Highway 13 near Rennie on Nov. 17.

After observing a kill site and drag marks, they located the individuals responsible.

“Further investigation revealed that one individual had previously filled their general white-tailed deer tag when they shot and killed a white-tailed deer doe,” the report stated.

The Whitemouth resident was issued a ticket for hunting a big game animal without a valid licence, a ticket for possessing illegally taken wildlife, and a warning for discharging a firearm from a highway. The white-tailed deer doe was seized and donated. The individual was issued a ticket and restitution totalling $3,282.

No licence, no deer

On Nov. 19 conservation officers from the North Whiteshell district encountered individuals on a resource road near Whitemouth and conducted a compliance check. During the check, one individual advised they had shot a white-tailed deer buck. That individual could not produce a licence for inspection when requested.

Further inspection revealed the tag affixed to the deer was not properly filled out and did not match that of the individual’s licence. The individual, from Winnipeg, was subsequently issued a ticket for possessing a big game animal under the authority of a tag other than that issued with the licence and a ticket of $846 for failing to carry their licence on their person while using it. The deer was seized and donated.

Trapper kills homeowner’s dogs

On Nov. 20 a Beausejour conservation officer investigated a complaint in the La Broquerie area of a trapper trespassing. An individual had set several power snares on private land without permission of the owner.

“This negligent action resulted in the death of two of the homeowner’s dogs,” Conservation said. The individual, from La Broquerie West, was identified and charged with trapping on private land without permission and trapping in a manner dangerous to property. The individual faces fines of up to $25,000 or imprisonment for a term of no more than six months, or both.

Decoy attracts illegal hunting

A white-tailed deer decoy operation conducted by Beausejour conservation officers to crack down on hunters shooting deer from the road on Nov. 24 succeeded in drawing attention.

Officers observed two individuals in a grey truck stopped at the decoy and the passenger shoot the decoy out the window using a high-powered rifle. Officers conducted a stop and arrested two individuals.

The shooter, from Ross, was charged with discharging a firearm from a vehicle and because this occurred in an archery only area, he was also charged with hunting out of season. Two rifles and other hunting equipment was seized. The shooter was issued a ticket for $1,782 and given a two-year hunting suspension. The driver of the vehicle, also from Ross, was charged with hunting from a vehicle and faces fines of $1,296 and a two-year hunting suspension.

Anyone with information on illegal activity is asked to call a local Natural Resources and Northern Development office or the Turn in Poachers (TIP) line at 1-800-782-0076.