Big Game Hunting

Vehicle Regulations

Restrictions on the use of vehicles have been established for several major reasons - to increase the quality of the hunting experience, to reduce illegal hunting from vehicles and to provide undisturbed areas for big game animals.

It is illegal to hunt from a vehicle. For example, a vehicle may not be used to search for, locate, "push bush" or to flush out game under any circumstances. Vehicles may only be used to transport hunters, supplies or equipment to or from a hunting area. In most, but not all areas, vehicles may be used to retrieve a big game kill by the most direct route.

Persons using vehicles for any purpose associated with hunting are reminded that hazards may exist on some of the roads and trails. The safe operation of any vehicle is the responsibility of the operator.

A map is available, outlining vehicle use zones for deer, elk and moose.

A vehicle is any mechanical device propelled or driven by any means other than human power and includes cars, trucks, powerboats, aircraft and off-road vehicles (ORVs).

A wagon, cart or sled is considered a vehicle if it is pulled by a horse or other animal.

A horse is not considered a vehicle if it carries a hunter or equipment on its back.

A power boat is not a vehicle if the motor is not in operation and all progress caused by the motor has stopped.

The following restrictions apply to deer, elk and moose hunters:

Vehicle Use

• Vehicles may not be used while hunting deer, elk or moose except to travel to or from a hunting area or to retrieve a kill by the most direct route. Hunters should be careful when traveling by vehicle as damage to habitat (terrestriel or aquatic) is illegal.

Northern Zone

In the Northern Zone, there are fewer roads and travel by ORVs is often the only way to access many areas. The number of deer, elk or moose hunters tends to be low and spread over a wide area. Therefore, ORVs may be used in these areas as a means of getting hunters to and from their hunting area. It is illegal to hunt or search for game with the use of a vehicle anywhere in the province, including the Northern Zone.

Roads, Trails and Waterways Zone

In the Roads, Trails and Waterways Zone, all vehicles operated by deer, elk or moose hunters are restricted to roads, established trails and waterways.

For example, an ORV may be used to access a hunting area along an established trail that winds through the forest or grassland, but hunters may not establish their own trails or venture off existing trails. In agricultural areas, hunters with landowner permission may use a vehicle to cross a cultivated field by the most direct route to access the continuation of the established trail or the hunting area.

In an area where bluffs of trees are interspersed with cultivated land, a hunter may use a vehicle to travel from bluff to bluff by the most direct route. However, if hunting activities cause a big game animal to travel to another bluff, a vehicle may not be used to follow, chase after, or pursue that big game animal. It is illegal to hunt, including searching for and following game, from a vehicle.

Deer, elk and moose hunters are restricted to roads, trails and waterways from August 19 to December 22.

• In GHAs 13A and 18A, deer, elk and moose hunters are restricted to roads, trails and waterways from August 19 to January 19.
• In GHAs 23 and 23A, deer, elk and moose hunters are restricted to roads, trails and waterways from August 19 to February 2.

Designated Route Zone

In the Designated Route Zone, deer, elk and moose hunters may only use vehicles on built-up provincial and municipal roads, and those trails or lakes that are specifically identified on Designated Route Maps. These designated routes are usually identified with signs as Designated Route "A", "B", and so on.

In GHA 17A, designated routes apply to bear hunters during the fall moose season.

Routes may not always be passable and hunters travel them at their own risk. If a hunter were to operate a vehicle off a designated route for any reason other than to retrieve a big game kill by the most direct route, the hunter would be liable to prosecution.

It is also illegal to search for game or hunt from a vehicle along a designated route. The designated routes exist only to allow hunters access to an area from which to begin their hunt. A vehicle may not be used by hunters to set up a camp off a designated route, or to take supplies in or out of an area off a route.

A hunter may use a vehicle to remove their hunting camp on the day following the close of the season in which they have hunted. Use of a vehicle for this purpose must first be approved in writing by a Natural Resource Officer. ORVs may be used on designated routes, but not on provincial or municipal roads. Aircraft may land only on designated routes or designated lakes.

Designated route GHAs and current map numbers are listed below. Maps are available from 200 Saulteaux Crescent in Winnipeg and from Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship offices near designated route areas.

Please ensure you have a current map for:

• GHA 18 - 18918L [PDF] Designated Route T has been closed for purposes connected to hunting.
• part GHAs 17A, 26 - 17882J [PDF]
• Turtle Mountain Park - 19513 [PDF]

In GHA 26, designated routes do not apply to deer hunters. However, hunters are required to follow the Roads, Trails and Waterways Zones restrictions.

Designated routes are in effect from August 19 to December 22 for deer, elk and moose hunters.

Designated routes are subject to closure or may not be passable. Hunters are advised to watch for signs or contact the local Natural Resource Officer.

Restricted Vehicle Use Area

Hunters should note a number of vehicle restrictions exist for big game hunters in some Widlife Managment Areas (WMAs) and other designated areas. They are as follows:

• Brandon Hills WMA (in GHA 30): Vehicles are prohibited.
• Broomhill WMA (in GHA 27): Vehicles may not be used for
  any purpose during the upland game bird season (coincides
  with big game seasons).
• Delta Marsh (in GHA 25B, as shown on Director of Survey
  Plan No. 20226): Power boats may not be used.
• Dog Lake WMA (in GHA 25): Vehicles and power boats may not be used for any purpose connected with hunting.
• Grant’s Lake WMA (in GHA 25B): All vehicles must use builtup
  roads.
• Inwood WMA (in GHA 25B): Vehicles may not be used for any purpose connected with hunting, except to retrieve a big game kill by the most direct route.
• Lake Francis WMA: (in GHA 25B) Power boats may not be used
• Lauder Sandhills WMA (in GHA 28): Vehicles are restricted to designated trails between April 1 and November 30.
• Marshy Point WMA (in GHA 25A): Vehicles may not be used for any purpose connected with hunting, except to retrieve a big game kill by the most direct route.
• Pierson WMA Frank W. Boyd Unit (in GHA 27): Vehicles may not be used in the Frank W. Boyd Unit during the big game seasons.
• Portage Sandhills WMA (in GHA 32): Vehicles are prohibited
between March 1 and November 30.
• St. Malo WMA (in GHA 35A): Vehicles may not be used for any
purpose connected with hunting, except to retrieve a big game kill by the most direct route.
• Souris River Bend WMA (in GHA 28): Vehicles are restricted to designated trails between April 1 and November 30.
• Watson P. Davidson WMA (in GHA 35): Vehicles may notbe used for any purpose connected with hunting, except to retrieve a big game kill by the most direct route.
• Whitewater Lake (in GHA 28): Power boats may not be used for any purpose connected with hunting.

Vehicle restrictions exist in most provincial parks. Contact the nearest Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship office for more information.