Every year, a number of natural resource violation cases go unsolved. They can be difficult to solve because they happen in remote areas where there are few eyewitnesses.
Our conservation officers make over 170,000 contacts with citizens in the field each year. We rely on tips from the public, physical evidence and community support to help solve these cases.  You can visit the website at: https://www.ontario.ca/page/solve-natural-resource-case#section-2 for more information.  Help us solve natural resource violation cases. Call MNRF TIPS if you have any information at 1-877-847-7667.
 
Recent unsolved cases

• Tip received on November 12, 2017
  • Occurrence number: RM17005896
  • Occurrence summary: Conservation officers received a tip from the public regarding two moose gut piles and an abandoned deer located in Ojibway Provincial Park. It was determined that the gut piles were related to two moose killed a short distance away on Highway 72. The moose were transported into the park where they were gutted and a whole deer was abandoned on Park property.
  • Location summary: Ojibway Provincial Park, 27 kilometres south of Sioux Lookout on Highway 72
• November 5, 2017
  • Occurrence number: RM16001265
  • Occurrence summary:The MNRF is investigating the discovery of a cow moose on November 5, 2015. The moose was shot and abandoned in Wildlife Management Unit 08 on the east side of the Weiseieno Road. The head of a bull moose was located nearby.
  • Location summary: Weiseieno Road, Wildlife Management Unit 08
• October 28-October 30, 2017
  • Occurrence number: RM17005664
  • Occurrence summary: On October 24th, 2017, MNRF conservation officers discovered several parts of a single cow moose along an access road leading to a gravel pit located on the north side of Highway 66. These parts included some whole intact, and partial quarters with the hide on, the severed head and sawn off lower legs.
  • Location summary: Wildlife Management Unit 28, approximately 14 kilometres west of the junction where Highway 11 and Highway 66 intersect, Gross Township.

​As you are aware, the Draft Strategic Policy for Bait Management in Ontario is currently posted on the Environmental Registry (www.ebr.gov.on.ca) (#012-9791).  The comment period is open from February 27-June 27, 2017.  
As part of the consultation period we have scheduled a number of information sessions across the province to explain and clarify what is being proposed and answer any questions that stakeholders may have on the draft policy.  We will be having three types of sessions: 1) combined industry/stakeholder sessions; 2) Public open houses in the evenings; and 3) Indigenous sessions
 
The session dates and locations are as follows:
 
Stakeholder information sessions will be held in the following locations:
 
Location   Date   Time  Address

Sudbury   May 24  9am-12pm     Lexington Hotel,    50 Brady St., Sudbury

Timmins   May 25  2-5pm   Ramada Inn,   1800 Riverside Dr., Timmins

Kingston  May 29  2-5pm  Ramada Kingston Hotel  33 Benson St., Kingston

London  June 8  2-5pm  Best Western Plus Lamplighter Inn,  591 Wellington Rd, South, London

Thunder Bay  June 13  9am-12pm  Valhalla Inn Hotel,   1 Valhalla Inn Road, Thunder Bay

Kenora  June 15  9am-12pm  Clarion Lakeside Inn,   470 1st Avenue South, Kenora

 
 
In addition to the stakeholder information sessions, MNRF will also be providing public open houses, at the locations and times outlined below.  These open house sessions will be relatively informal with MNRF staff being available for one-on-one discussions to answer any questions that individuals may have.
 
Public open houses will be held in the following locations:
 
Location    Date  Time     Location

Sudbury  May 23  6:30-9:00pm    Lexington Hotel,      50 Brady St., Sudbury

Timmins  May 25  6:30-9:00pm    Ramada Inn,  1800 Riverside Dr., Timmins

Kingston  May 29  6:30-9:00pm    Ramada Kingston Hotel,   33 Benson St., Kingston

London   June 8   6:30-9:00pm   Best Western Plus Lamplighter Inn,   591 Wellington Rd, South, London

Thunder Bay   June 12   6:30-9:00pm  Valhalla Inn Hotel,   1 Valhalla Inn Road, Thunder Bay

Kenora  June 15   6:30-9:00pm   Clarion Lakeside Inn,   470 1st Avenue South, Kenora

 
Once again we encourage all stakeholders to review this posting and either submit comments through the Environmental Registry (www.ebr.gov.on.ca; #012-9791).
If you have any questions regarding the proposed policy or the provincial bait policy review process, please contact Scott Gibson (Senior Fisheries Biologist) at bait@ontario.ca or at 705-755-5395.

The Strategic Policy for Bait Management in Ontario is now on the Environmental Registry for a 120 day public review and comment period. This should make for good discussions. Here is one of the recommendations that is in the Policy.

"Anglers would be required to retain the receipt in their possession for two weeks in order to demonstrate that the bait was purchased within the respective BMZ within the previous two weeks. Anglers would be required to use or lawfully dispose of all commercially harvested bait within two weeks of purchase"

Click on EBR link below:
www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/displaynoticecontent.do?noticeId=MTMxNzQ3&statusId=MTk5ODc5&language=en

Attention moose stakeholders! Read below in the link. OMNR has apparently caved in on the proposed changes to allow wolves to be harvested without the purchase of a separate tag or seal. NOSA believes this decision is not in keeping with the intent of Phase II of the Moose Project where it has been identified that wolf predation has a limiting effect on moose population growth especially when moose are in decline. Make your views known to your local MPPs and our Minister of Nat. Resources Bill Mauro.
https://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-…/displaynoticecontent.do…

As you will recall, Ontario launched the Moose Project in fall 2014 to consider new moose population objectives and explore potential management actions to address factors affecting moose populations such as harvest, predation, parasites, changing climate and habitat. In December 2015, a public notice was put out seeking comments on some proposals as part of Phase 2 of Moose Project for new moose population objectives and additional management actions to address factors affecting moose.
 
These proposals were being considered in addition to other actions the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) has taken in recent years, including those resulting from Phase 1 of Moose Project, to address harvest pressure on moose by reducing tags and seasons for provincially licensed moose hunters. These actions are intended to help stabilize and grow Ontario’s moose population.
 
MNRF appreciates the input and comments provided on these proposals and other matters related to moose management. The following decisions have been made regarding the most recent proposals:
 

• Policy proposal #012-6074 proposed new moose population objectives for Wildlife Management Units across the province. Population objectives have been approved with minor modifications resulting from input received, and have been used to inform 2016 harvest planning.

• Regulation posting #012-6073 proposed changes to wolf/coyote hunting regulations in northern Ontario to address concerns about the potential impact of wolves on moose populations. The decision has been made not to proceed with this proposal.Wolf and coyote hunting regulations will remain unchanged for Ontario, with hunters in northern and parts of central Ontario requiring a small game license and wolf/coyote game seal to hunt wolves and/or coyotes. The wolf/coyote game seal limit remains two per calendar year and all seal holders are still be required to report on their hunting activity and harvest.

• Regulation posting #012-6075 proposed minor changes to the moose hunting season in southern Ontario to add a day and better align the season with the hunting season for calf moose in northern Ontario. This proposal has been approved but implementation will be delayed until fall 2017 to give hunters time to plan for the change.

 
Decision notices on these proposals can be viewed on the Environmental Registry (www.ontario.ca/environmentalregistry) by entering the proposal numbers listed above in the search box.
 
Ontario will be monitoring the effects of these changes on moose populations and considering additional actions over time based on the input received from discussions to this point. MNRF appreciates the participation and insights provided by stakeholders, tourist outfitters, Aboriginal groups and communities, and the general public as part of the Moose Project. We will continue to seek opportunities to share information and work together to pursue our common interests with respect to moose. 
 
If you have any questions about moose and sharing of information in a local area we encourage you to contact your local district MNRF office. If you would like to discuss Ontario’s moose management policies, Moose Project or the changes resulting from it we invite you to contact Patrick Hubert in Wildlife Section at (705) 755-1932 or patrick.hubert@ontario.ca.
 
Sincerely,
Chloe
 
Chloe Stuart, Director
Species Conservation Policy Branch
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
300 Water Street, 5th Floor North
Peterborough, ON K9J 8M5
 
Phone: (705) 755-5341
E-mail: chloe.stuart@ontario.ca
 

BIG GAME MEASURING EVENT!
   The Northwestern Ontario Sportsmen's Alliance (NOSA) is proud to announce the return of the BIG GAME MEASURING EVENT, to be held at the Central Canada Outdoor Show Friday Feb. 26th to Sunday Feb. 28th. Bring your moose or deer antlers and bear skulls to the outdoor show, OR leave them with the NOSA booth that will also be set up at the Heritage Building during the Northwestern Fur Trappers Convention held that same weekend - and be eligible for great prizes totalling over $1000 !!

The Rules of the Event are as follows:       
3 species/4 divisions
1) - Bear skulls
2) - Moose antlers
3) - Typical Deer and Non-Typical Deer
4) - 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes for largest gross score in each division - based on               minimum 5 entries per category (5 or more entries - 3 prizes, 4 entries - 2 prizes, 3           entries - 1 prize)
5) - 1 Mystery prize for each species, randomly drawn from all entries in each species will     be awarded
6) - Additional Random draw prizes will be selected from all entrants regardless of                 species.
7) - "All-Time" entries will be accepted for each species and will be eligible for 1st, 2nd         and 3rd prizes as set out for other categories. Eligible for random draw prizes.
8) - All entries must have been legally taken within Ontario. If a legal harvest occurred           outside a specified season for species and weapon type the corresponding entry will         be eligible in the "All-Time" category only.  All-Time also includes "found dead".
9)  - All event sponsors/volunteers/directors are permitted to enter the measuring event          however all such entries must be made by noon on Saturday Feb. 27th with fees paid     same time for their entries.  
10) - All FROW recognized species will be eligible for free measurement, however only          paid entries will be eligible for any prizes (see rule #11).
  - FROW measuring by the Boone and Crockett scoring system will be utilized.
11) - Registration fee is $15 per entry or 3 for $30.  Should an entry be eligible for entry          into the FROW record books additional FROW registration fees are the responsibility        of the entrant.
12) - All scores and decisions are final and at the discretion of The show directors: Joe           Dampier (Lakehead  Archers) and Shane Baker(NOSA Director)
 
( NOTE: This event was originally scheduled to be held at the NWFurTrappers Assoc. Convention in the CLE Heritage Building however the location of the event has been moved to the Central Canada Outdoor Show to accomodate co-sponsor Lakehead Archers Inc. who will be assisting with measuring at their booth during the Outdoor Show)