The above may not be entirely true....are the deer causing crop damage?
Read this:
The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act
Protection of Property from Nuisance Animals
The new Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act provides more provisions for protecting property from nuisance animals.
The new Act comes into force on January 1, 1999, and enables the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) to provide sound management of the province's fish and wildlife well into the next century. It replaces the Game and Fish Act, that last underwent major changes in 1980.
What are nuisance animals?
Nuisance animals are animals on your own land that you believe are damaging or are about to damage your property. More than the mere presence of an animal is required for the protection of property provisions to apply. The new Act sets out specific ways of, and conditions for, dealing with nuisance animals.
Dealing with nuisance animals yourself
On your own land , you generally may capture, kill or harass wildlife to stop the wildlife from damaging your property. However, there are some exceptions:
You may not capture, kill or harass a moose, caribou or elk.
You may not capture, kill or harass a white-tailed deer, unless you are in possession of a Deer Removal Permit issued by MNR (see below), You may not damage or destroy the dens of furbearing mammals unless you are a licensed trapper. This rule does not apply to the dens of foxes or skunks, or to beaver dams.
You may not destroy or take the nests or eggs of wild birds, except for American crows, brown-headed cowbirds, common grackles, house sparrows, red-winged blackbirds or starlings.
You may not capture, kill or harass endangered species.
You may not cause unnecessary suffering to any wildlife.
If you destroy a black bear in defense of property you must immediately notify the district manager of your local MNR district of the date and location of kill and provide any other relevant information requested.
Releasing captured animals
If you live-capture a nuisance animal, and do not kill it humanely, you must, within 24 hours, either release it in close proximity to where you caught it, as directed by MNR, or, if it is sick, injured, or immature, turn it over to a veterinarian or an authorized wildlife custodian.
Using an agent
You may hire or ask someone to deal with nuisance animals on your land. That person you hire or ask is your agent and must have authorization from MNR. The following four categories of people are authorized by the regulations to act as agents:
A licensed trapper
An employee or agent of the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals appointed under the OSPCA Act
A member of your immediate family
A person whose main business is removing nuisance animals
Other persons may act as agents, but will require individual authorizations before acting in protection of property situations. Contact your local MNR district office about this.
I believe that when issued the permit (in bold) a hunting lic. is not required, But...when in doubt, contact the MNR.
Ryan
