A teenager from Beausejour was arrested last Friday after authorities caught him hunting at night.

Just before midnight, conservation officers with support from an aerial patrol, noticed a vehicle shining its headlights across a field northwest of Beausejour. They watched as the vehicle repeated this behaviour, travelling slowly, and sweeping its lights across the field. Officers on the ground were able to intercept the hunter’s vehicle on Highway 12 and the 17-year-old was apprehended. His possessions, a GMC truck, two rifles with ammunition, and a whitetail deer head were seized on site. The teen was released to their parents on a promise to appear in court.

Meanwhile, Manitoba Conservation and Climate Officials remind hunters of the Wildlife Amendment Act that took effect last month.

As of October 10th, night hunting has been prohibited on all privately owned land in the province. It is also illegal to hunt at night on Crown land, though indigenous hunters may be eligible for special permission allowing them to do so. Right now, in southern Manitoba, night hunting is prohibited except with a permit that allows rights-based hunting on Crown land, subject to terms and conditions establishing where it can be done safely.

Since the law was put into effect, charges or appearance notices have been issued to 45 individuals for serious wildlife offenses, 11 people have been fined for illegally taking wildlife, 18 firearms have been seized, nine vehicles have been seized, and the value of restitution orders issued totals $20,500.