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Hunting and Trapping on DUC Lands in Manitoba
Review the rules below to learn how to identify accessible lands and enjoy a safe experience.
DUC PROPERTIES
DUC-owned lands are restored and managed to provide habitat for North America’s breeding waterfowl and made possible thanks to the donors, volunteers and partners who support our conservation work. These diverse landscapes, totalling more than 45,000 acres in Manitoba, offer a wealth of opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. DUC provides access to these lands for public use, including hunting and trapping.
Hunting
Unless otherwise posted, all DUC-owned lands in Manitoba are open to hunting. These properties are foot access only and do not require written permission from DUC personnel. The onus is on the user to ensure they are accessing DUC properties that are the sole property of DUC. Those lands can be found on the Manitoba DUC Property List
Please note that not all DUC projects are the sole property of DUC. Where a DUC project is a partnership with a private landowner (such as in conservation agreements or easements), the user must seek permission from that landowner.
DUC-owned properties will have signs similar to the one shown below.
DUC-Owned Properties
Hunters and trappers are reminded that these are multi-use lands and there may be other users on the property. Those accessing DUC lands need to be cognizant and respectful of those fellow users.
As part of ongoing habitat management, users should be aware of the potential for operations on the property such as haying or late-fall grazing. Also, there may be DUC staff and contractors working on the property.
Revolving Land Conservation Program (RLCP)
Some DUC properties are classified under the Revolving Land Conservation Program and may not be under DUC ownership in the future. Through this program, DUC purchases a property, restores its wetlands and grasslands, then resells the land with a conservation agreement (easement) on the title to protect the habitat.
While owned by DUC, these properties are open to hunting under the restrictions mentioned in the above section. Access is not permitted on these properties if crop is still in the field. Users should be aware that RLCP lands will be sold once wetlands and grasslands are restored. Users can check the Manitoba DUC Property List to confirm a property’s ownership status. The onus is on the user to ensure they are accessing DUC property.
Blinds and Structures
Permanent blinds or structures are prohibited on DUC-owned projects. Portable blinds or tree stands are permitted to be set up 14 days before hunting season and all parts (including poles, steps and ladders) must be taken down within 14 days of the end of the same season. All portable blinds and stands must be clearly marked with the name and phone number of the owner.
Bear barrels and baits are not permitted on DUC land.
All hunters should be aware of federal laws surrounding the acquisition, possession, transportation and use of weapons and ammunition. For further information contact your local police service, or call the Canadian Firearms Program at 1-800-731-4000 or visit the Canadian Firearms Program website. Always consult the provincial hunting regulations before any trip into the field.
Trapping
Any breach of these guidelines will result in the loss of access to the property by the trapper:
- Access will be limited to foot only. No ATV, UTV, truck/vehicle access is granted.
- All trappers must follow current provincial trapping regulations; any illegal traps will be removed immediately and forfeited.
- The use of canine traps, snares or land-based kill type trap sets that occur less than 1.5 meters above the ground is prohibited from March 1st until December 31st of any given year.
- Baiting in conjunction with any snare, or land-based trap sets located less than 1.5 meters from the ground is prohibited. Live hold restraining traps set for raccoon are exempt.
- Kill trap sets that are less than 1.5 meters from the ground, and land-based canid sets and baited live hold raccoon traps must be placed a minimum of 50 meters from any right of way or public trail system on the property.
- It is recommended that traps be marked with visible markers such as flagging tape or a painted stake within 3 metres of the trap.
- All traps must have a name plate affixed, with the name and phone number of the owner.
- All carcasses must be removed from DUC lands.
- DUC will be notified of the capture of any non-target animals like pets and be apprised of trappers’ response to such issues. All non-target animals trapped are the responsibility of the trapper.
- All traps and markers must be immediately removed from the property by the trapper on the final day of the trapping season.
Partnership Properties – DUC and MWF Habitat Foundation Inc. (MWFHFI)
These lands are protected in partnership with MWFHFI and are managed by DUC with the MWFHFI holding title. Working in cooperation with the MWFHFI, DUC grants permission for hunting and trapping on these partnered lands under the same general restrictions and guidelines as DUC solely owned lands.
You can find these lands in the Manitoba DUC Property List. If the property of interest in not on this list, users must contact MWFHFI for permission to access.
Visit The MWF Habitat Foundation website for more information