Part 2
For all other wildlife, including wild turkeys, farmers and other property owners can take reasonable action to protect their property, including crops, livestock, poultry or honey bees, from predation by harassing or killing wildlife damaging or about to damage property.
Farmers with nuisance Canada geese must contact the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS). Although Canada geese are protected under federal law, farmers can obtain permits from the CWS to use “acceptable deterrent techniques”, such as sterilizing eggs or discharging firearms to protect their crops. Contact the CWS Permits Officer at 905-336-4464 or wildlife.ontario@ec.gc.ca.
A couple of caveats. There is a ban on hunting and trapping wolves and coyotes in the 39 townships immediately around Algonquin Park. As well, there are restrictions on hunting wolves and coyotes in Northern Ontario (closed season; limit 2 per hunter). Check with MNR to determine if these restrictions apply in your area. Nevertheless, livestock farmers can shoot wolves and coyotes in defence of property in these areas.
Finally, when bears are shot in defence of property, you are required to notify MNR. Killing certain specially protected raptors (e.g. hawks, falcons) and fur-bearing mammals in defence of property must also be reported to MNR.
An obvious first response is to wildlife damage allow hunting during the open seasons. Encourage your neighbours to also allow hunting during open seasons on their property. In some instances, trapping may be a viable solution. It is our understanding that a municipal “no discharge of firearms by-law” does not apply when using a firearm to protect one’s property.
If you are unable to harass, capture or kill wildlife damaging or about to damage your property, then the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act authorizes the use of an agent to act on your behalf. A number of people are authorized to act as an agent; licenced hunters (H1 Outdoors Card), licenced trappers, members of the property owners immediate family, Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals employees, person’s whose business is nuisance wildlife removal, or municipal employees responsible for wildlife control, can serve as your agent.
If you’re unable to find an agent from among the groups noted above, then there are two additional types of agents identified in the Act;
1: a named individual agent - tied to a specific property. Usually a 30-day appointment, and must be able to be licensed as a hunter. In the case of bears, where the response time is critical, authorization can be done over the phone.
2: a term agent - authorized to deal with all the nuisance wildlife (bears, raccoons, etc.) in a defined area, for example a specific property, concession or township.
Contact your MNR District Office for further information on either of these options.
Since July 1, 2011, the Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program provides enhanced compensation to farmers for wildlife damage to livestock, poultry or honey bees killed or injured by predators. The Program applies to a broader range of predators and farmed animals than before. To be eligible, farmers must provide a Premises ID plus current Farm Business Registration (FBR) number, approved documentation issued by OMAFRA for new/retired farmers, a religious exemption or a confirmation letter from the Indian Agricultural Program of Ontario. In the case of bee damage, a Beekeeper ID under the Bees Act is required.
When firearms used in the protection of property you must be licenced to possess or possess and acquire firearms. Firearms and ammunition must be stored in accordance with the law. However, in areas where it is legal to discharge a firearm, an unloaded and unlocked shotgun or rifle can temporarily be kept at hand, when needed for predator control. The ammunition must be kept in a separate place, or locked away.
For further information on defence of property from nuisance wildlife, contact your local MNR District Office. Alternately, you can contact your OFA Member Service Representative, or OFA’s Guelph office; 519-821-8883 or 1-800-668-3276.
