MNR to ease restrictions on public, private property wildlife controls

New Tecumseth Free Press January 11, 2013

Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) is proposing changes to fish and wildlife-related activities that will make it easier for property owners to eradicate problems with wildlife by removing the crown agency from the approvals process.

“Under the proposed change, at the request of the landowner, licenced hunters will be permitted to harass or kill certain species of wildlife if the wildlife is damaging or about to damage the landowner’s property, provided that the activity is permitted by municipal by-laws,” according to the Modernization of Approvals – proposed amendments to five regulations under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act.

“Individual authorizations will continue to be required in order to harass or kill white-tailed deer or American elk. All other current rules or provisions set out in regulation will remain the same.”

Proposed changes were posted for a  47 day public review and comment period which ends on Jan., 21, 2013  (“All comments received prior to January 21, 2013 will be considered as part of the decision-making process by the Ministry of Natural Resources if they are submitted in writing or electronically using the form provided in this notice and reference EBR Registry number 011-7663.”).

The amendments are of particular interest in south Simcoe which includes thousands of rural acres, and an agricultural community with livestock that continues to be threatened by animals like coyotes.

The changes will also ease restrictions on municipalities which “will no longer be required to obtain approval from MNR to hire or employ hunters or trappers to harvest furbearing mammals to help resolve human-wildlife conflicts within their municipal boundaries, and such hunters or trappers may accept financial compensation from municipalities for their activities. All other current rules or provisions related to hunting and trapping these species (e.g. bag limits, seasons) will continue to be set out in regulation.”

Other amendments include Authorization to Destroy, Take, or Possess Nests and Eggs:

“Currently, it is illegal to damage, take or possess the nests or eggs of most birds without specific MNR approval. Under the proposed change, businesses that are undertaking certain activities that already require consideration of environmental values (e.g. maintenance of telecommunications towers or transmission corridors, forest management) will be permitted to destroy the nests and eggs of certain species of birds without MNR approval. The requirement to obtain approval will still exist for migratory birds protected under the Migratory Birds Convention Act and birds listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act, 2007. Individuals and proponents of other types of activities will still be required to obtain an authorization to destroy, take or possess nests or eggs.”

There are also changes proposed to hunting which include:

Residents will no longer be required to obtain a Resident Licence to Hunt Raccoon at Night. They will still be required to obtain a Small Game Licence and follow the same rules currently set out in regulation under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act: the resident must be accompanied by a dog (licensed for hunting), hunt during the open season, and comply with current hunting and firearms restrictions.

Licence to Chase Raccoon at Night or Fox, Coyote, or Wolf during the Day: Persons engaging in these activities will no longer be required to obtain a Licence to Chase Raccoon at Night or Fox, Coyote or Wolf During the Day. However, each individual participating in the activity will be required to obtain a Small Game Licence. Those undertaking these activities will continue to be permitted to conduct them outside the open season, provided that they are not in possession of a firearm. In order to obtain their first Small Game Licence, individuals are required to successfully complete the hunter education course and purchase a hunting version Outdoors Card.

In a statement issued this morning, the Association for the Protection of Fur-Bearing Animals (APFA www.furbearerdefenders.com) said the changes will lead to the “needless slaughter of young and at-risk wildlife.”

“Anyone with a gun and a hunting license will be able to collect tax dollars for killing animals on municipal property,” according to the release. “Not only is this a serious ecological problem, but clearly a massive safety issue.”