Remember safety first during moose hunt

MNR News Release

********************

North Bay — The Ministry of Natural Resources Northeast Region will be conducting heightened enforcement activity this fall. In particular, for the first two weeks of October 6 to October 20 − the regular gun season for moose – conservation officers will be checking hunters regarding hunter orange requirements and safe use of firearms. Regular gun season for moose opens on October 6 in the North Bay District for resident hunters.

The fines range from $100 to $250 for offences involving these matters. In more serious cases, offenders could face fines of up to $25,000 or imprisonment or both.

To ensure a safe and lawful hunt, hunters are reminded of the following:

• All hunters must wear solid hunter orange clothing (minimum of 400 sq. inches) and a hunter orange cap, except during a "bows-only" season. Mesh type construction vests are not acceptable.

• All persons in possession of a firearm for the purpose of hunting shall not handle or discharge it or cause it to be handled or discharged without due care for persons or property.

• Any hunting injury caused by the discharge of a firearm resulting in medical treatment by a physician must be reported to a conservation officer.

• You cannot have a loaded firearm in a vehicle, motorboat, or aircraft. It is illegal to discharge a firearm from any of these modes of transportation.

• You cannot shoot from, down or across a public road.

• When in an area usually inhabited by wildlife, firearms must be unloaded and encased from ½ hour after sunset to the ½ hour before sunrise.

Under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, a firearm includes air guns, bows and crossbows, along with traditional rifles and shotguns. A firearm is considered loaded if there is a cartridge in the chamber or a magazine that is attached to the firearm. Bows, crossbows, and muzzleloaders have various definitions of ‘loaded’.

For more information on hunting, please consult the 2007 Hunting Regulations Summary, available from licence issuers and ministry district offices, or on the ministry's website at www.mnr.gov.on.ca.

Call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) toll-free any time to report a natural resources violation or contact your local ministry office during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

********************