The Manitoba Wildlife Federation is calling on the RCMP to intervene after alleging that licensed hunters were prevented from travelling through a Bloodvein First Nation check stop on a public highway leading to provincial Crown land.
In a letter dated September 22, 2026, the Manitoba Wildlife Federation (MWF) asked RCMP D Division to take immediate action, arguing that restricting passage along the highway interferes with public access and may contravene provincial and federal law.
The dispute comes as Manitoba’s big-game hunting season gets underway, with the federation saying some licensed hunters rely on the highway to reach hunting areas for which they have received provincial licences.
MWF Renews Concerns Over Access to Crown Land
The latest dispute follows concerns raised by the MWF in 2025 over efforts by Bloodvein First Nation (BFN) to restrict access to an area of provincial Crown land.
In its letter to Assistant Commissioner Scott McMurchy, MWF Managing Director Carly Deacon referred to correspondence exchanged between the organization and the RCMP last year and to subsequent legal proceedings.
“You will recall our correspondence last fall (our letter to you on August 29th, 2025, yours of September 19th, 2025, and ours of September 25th, 2025) expressing our concerns with efforts by Bloodvein First Nation (BFN) to restrict access by non-indigenous members of the public to an undefined area of provincial Crown Land, including travel on a public highway. When no enforcement effort was forthcoming, the Manitoba Wildlife Federation (MWF) was forced to seek an injunction against the illegal blockade.”
According to the federation’s account, Bloodvein First Nation told the Court of King’s Bench that the check stop was intended to prevent illegal drugs and alcohol from entering the community. The MWF said it supports that objective.
The federation also said BFN stated during those proceedings that licensed hunters and anglers would not be denied passage. Conservation officers were subsequently assigned by the province, according to the letter, and members of the public were permitted to travel through the area.
Federation Says Attempts at Dialogue Followed
The MWF said it and the Manitoba government have since attempted to find an arrangement that would address Bloodvein First Nation’s concerns about drugs and alcohol while maintaining access to public lands.
The federation said its proposal would move the check stop from the public highway to reserve land at the entrance to the community. According to the MWF, attempts to discuss the proposal did not produce an agreement.
The federation said it learned over the weekend that licensed hunters were again being denied passage through the check stop.
“We learned over the weekend that BFN is once again preventing passage by licensed hunters through their check stop on the public highway to the public land beyond. We remind you that many big game hunters have been issued licenses by the provincial government for hunting areas that are only accessible through this highway, and that this season opened on September 21st.”
MWF Asks Authorities to Enforce Access Laws
The MWF alleges the obstruction violates Manitoba’s Highway Traffic Act and provisions of the Criminal Code. Those assertions represent the federation’s legal position in its letter; the material provided does not include a response from Bloodvein First Nation or the RCMP to the latest allegations.
“MWF is once again urging you to prevent the operation of this illegal barrier as soon as possible. We believe that it contravenes the provincial Highway Traffic Act and the Criminal Code. Failure to act will set a chilling precedent of indifference to lawlessness and send a message that our laws only apply to some Manitobans.”
The letter concludes: “Please take immediate steps to enforce our laws.”
Copies were directed to Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew, Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures Minister Ian Bushie, Justice Minister and Attorney General Matt Wiebe, and federal Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree.
MWF Hosts Sold-Out First Shot Program
Separately, the Manitoba Wildlife Federation partnered with the Lac du Bonnet Wildlife Association on September 19 for its annual 1st Shot program.
The initiative introduces newcomers to shooting sports under the direct supervision of experienced volunteers, providing participants with an opportunity to try rifles and shotguns in a controlled setting.
MWF said the program sold out and thanked volunteers from both organizations for supporting the event. The federation described the initiative as part of its efforts to introduce participants to shooting activities through supervised instruction and hands-on experience.