If you're an outdoor enthusiast, you can appreciate the many opportunities Manitoba offers throughout the year by way of hunting and fishing.  

Rob Olson is the managing director for the Manitoba Wildlife Federation.   He says they are always involved in the big-game issue in general.  They are working with the Manitoba government with their big game surveys, the night-hunting issue, as well as the poaching issues throughout the province.  He says they are becoming more involved in a movement where non-native hunters reach out to native hunters in a program called “The East Side Moose Matters.”  

He adds this program has been quite successful in working together with different indigenous groups in Eastern Manitoba; so much so they want to implement the program in western Manitoba.  The “East Side Moose Matters” program addresses the issue of depleted numbers in the moose population in Manitoba.

Olson says the MWF has also been more pro-active in starting new hunting and fishing programs to inspire more Manitobans to enjoy the outdoors.

He adds they're hoping that by having more outdoor enthusiasts, there will be more people wanting to be involved in wildlife conservation, which makes it a win-win for all parties involved, including Manitoba’s wildlife.

The Manitoba Wildlife Federation is the province's oldest and largest conservation organization representing the interests of Manitoba’s anglers and hunters. The MWF has some 14,000 members in over 100 affiliate clubs across the province.

Visit their website at www.mwf.mb.ca  for more information.