Home / Crime and Justice / First Nation's Checkstop Sparks Legal Battle Over Moose Hunting Access
First Nation's Checkstop Sparks Legal Battle Over Moose Hunting Access
14 Nov
Summary
- Bloodvein First Nation blocks licensed moose hunters from accessing public lands
- Manitoba Wildlife Federation seeks court injunction to stop the "blockade"
- Province introduces 500-meter hunting buffer zone around checkstop
As of November 14th, 2025, a legal dispute is ongoing in Winnipeg over Bloodvein First Nation's checkstop that has restricted licensed moose hunters from accessing public lands in southeastern Manitoba. The Manitoba Wildlife Federation, a conservation organization representing hunters, has asked the Court of King's Bench to stop the First Nation from "blockading" the Rice River Road before the upcoming moose hunting season from December 1st to 14th.
Bloodvein First Nation set up the checkstop in late August 2025 on an access road just outside the community, initially to prevent drugs and alcohol from entering. However, the First Nation later announced it would start turning away licensed hunters from the checkstop, citing concerns about declining moose populations.
In response, the Manitoba government introduced a 500-meter hunting buffer zone around the Rice River Road, the Bloodvein River, and Namay Falls on September 15th, 2025, the opening day of moose season for rifle hunters in the region. This buffer zone will remain in place until the 2025 hunting season.
The Manitoba Wildlife Federation has also requested a judicial review of the buffer zone, arguing that the issues of the buffer zone and the checkstop are unrelated and should not be heard together. The court is set to reconvene on November 27th, 2025, to decide on the federation's request for an injunction to stop the Bloodvein First Nation's checkstop.
