ONTARIO MINISTRY PREACHES TO THE CHOIR

ONTARIO MINISTRY PREACHES TO THE CHOIR: Black bear hunting season in Northern Ontario is set to begin on Aug. 15. The Ministry of Natural Resources will be monitoring it closely as conservation officers will be conducting regular spot checks and will increase enforcement activity in the Northeast region during the black bear hunting season. The measures are being implemented as part of a safety-first campaign by the MNR, starting on Monday Aug. 15. Conservation officers will be checking hunters to ensure they are following all applicable bear hunt regulations. Those found not obeying the law could face stiff penalties. Fines range from $150 to $300 for some offences, while in more serious cases, offenders could face fines of up to $25,000, imprisonment or both. The Ministry of Natural Resources is reminding hunters to keep the following points in mind to ensure a safe and lawful black bear hunt:

• All black bear hunters are required to wear solid hunter orange clothing, except when in a tree stand, and a hunter orange cap. 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 of cause it to be handled or discharged without due care for persons or property.

• When in an area inhabited by wildlife, or on the way to or from an area inhabited by wildlife, hunters 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.

• It is not legal to shoot from, down or across a public road.

• For half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise, it is not legal to be in possession of an uncased or loaded firearm in an area usually inhabited by wildlife.

• Hunters should always be aware of campers, berry pickers and hikers who are enjoying the outdoors in August and September.

• Black bears may not be hunted within 400 metres (1,312 ft) of a waste disposal site as defined in the Environmental Protection Act.

• Harvested black bears must be immediately tagged with the hunter's game seal at the kill site. The seal must be notched, indicating month, day and time of kill.

• Hunters must ensure that all meat from the harvested black bear is processed as quickly as possible to avoid any spoilage in hot weather. It is an offence under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act to allow the flesh of a game animal to spoil.

Conservation officers may also enforce Small Vessel Regulations and sections of the Liquor Licence Act. (The Daily Press [Timmins] – August 14, 2011)

Amen !