The Manitoba Wildlife Federation is calling for immediate action following reports that licensed hunters have once again been denied access to public Crown lands at the Bloodvein checkstop.

On Sunday, September 20, MWF received a firsthand report that a group of licensed hunters travelling on the East Side public highway was stopped at the Bloodvein checkstop and told they could not proceed for the purpose of hunting. The group was also reportedly told that other hunting parties had already been turned away.

This is exactly the situation MWF warned could happen if the issue was not resolved before another hunting season. Last year, after hunters were prevented from accessing public lands, MWF immediately reached out to the provincial government and the RCMP to intervene. When those requests did not result in enforcement action, MWF took the extraordinary step of going to the Court of King’s Bench.

At those proceedings, Bloodvein Chief Lisa Young, was personally present. Through her legal counsel, Chief Young committed to the Court that licensed hunters who complied with Bloodvein’s drug and alcohol prohibition, would be permitted to pass through the checkstop. Following the court proceedings, Conservation Officers attended at the checkstop to ensure hunters were able to proceed.

MWF did not stop seeking a long-term solution after the 2025 season. We requested meetings with Bloodvein First Nation on two separate occasions to work toward a cooperative resolution. Both proposed meetings were declined. MWF subsequently sent registered correspondence asking that discussions be rescheduled but received no response.

MWF has also been contacted directly by elders from the Bloodvein community who expressed their own concerns through a petition signed by local community members calling for the checkstop to be removed. This is important context and demonstrates that there are voices within the community seeking a different approach.

MWF remains prepared to meet with Bloodvein leadership. We believe there is room for a solution that addresses legitimate community concerns about illegal drugs and alcohol while respecting lawful public access to provincial roads and Crown lands. Meaningful dialogue, however, requires communication from both sides.

The province has had ample time to ensure this issue was resolved before another hunting season began, yet it has failed to ensure that the law is upheld. The province establishes hunting seasons, issues hunting licences, regulates the wildlife resource and manages provincial Crown lands. Government cannot issue Manitobans a licence to lawfully hunt an area and then stand by while they are prevented from accessing it.

This issue is bigger than one group of hunters, one community or one hunting season. It is about the rule of law and the precedent being established for public access throughout Manitoba. If access to provincial roads and Crown lands can effectively be determined at a local roadside checkstop rather than through Manitoba law, the implications extend far beyond Bloodvein.

MWF respects Indigenous and treaty rights, as well as Bloodvein First Nation’s efforts to keep illegal drugs and alcohol out of its community. Those objectives do not conflict with lawful public access. What is happening now is a question of law, public access and government responsibility.

MWF has written to the RCMP requesting immediate action. We are also calling on the province to ensure licensed hunters are permitted to travel safely and lawfully to public Crown lands.

This cannot become the new normal.

The province makes the laws. The province issues the licences. The province has a responsibility to ensure those laws are upheld. MWF will continue to defend lawful public access and use every avenue available to ensure this situation does not become a precedent for the rest of Manitoba.

If you are travelling through the checkstop to legally hunt, please respect the purpose of the checkstop - to prevent the transport of drugs and alcohol into the area.

If you are denied access to hunt:

• Please document the conversation, who was involved, how you were prevented from accessing the area.
• Report the incident to the MWF at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by calling 204-633-5967. We also recommend you call the Bloodvein RCMP at 204-395-2311 and report the incident to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..