The Places
Souris Mouth (Part of the Assiniboine Corridor WMA)
Vandalism and habitat destruction in this historically significant and beautiful location is clearly linked to unrestricted vehicle use and off-season firearm use.
The juncture of the Assiniboine and Souris Rivers was a crossroads for Aborigional peoples, a hub of the fur trade activity in Western Manitoba, and a nucleus of the the early settlement of the Souris Plains and beyond.
Souris Bend
An Increase in ATV traffic destroys habitat and encroaches on the trail network built and mantained by local equestrians.
The Souris Bend WMA has not seen the sort of vandalism and destruction seen at Souris Mouth, but a recent effort by ATV enthusiasts to convince the government to grant ATV's more access is troubling. As with other WMA's, keeping vehicles on designated trails is difficlult.
I have hiked and paddled here for over twenty years and there is more vehicle trafic and more litter each year. That is no coincidence.
The area is a spectacular example of river valley scenery, and is worthy of respect. If the purpose is to provide habitat for both plants and animals, then guns and motors have no role to play.
The Lang's Crossing Area
More Photos...
Middle Camp
The Gregory Mill Trail
More Photos...
More Info....
The Souris Bend Story
False Starts
Brandon Hills
This well-used location close to Brandon is inappropriate as a place for hunting and any use of firearms.
The Brandon Hills WMA presents a different set of opportunities and challenges.
The first thing one might notice in the brandon Hills is that vehicles are not allowed. The effect of that restriction is obvious. Litter is almost non-existant except for a spot close to the parking lot that might attract partiers. Partiers and litterers don't seem too keen on walking any distance, so most of the area is in its natural state except for the well marked trails.
There are a few lesson to learned here. As I might have mentioned, allowing vehicles invites damage and littering. And the very fact that the area is busy with people who like to walk, run, ski and bike makes it less likely that the eco-vandalism we see in other places will be prevalent. Nothing spoils the fun of bad people like a watchful crowd of good people.
We need to apply these lessons to other WMA's. Aside from more appropritae restrictions, actively promoting healthy activites along with the natural beauty of selected WMA's and thus drawing people who value those activites, will help safegaurd the area against damaging activities.
This should be done at historically and ecologically significant sites such as Souris Mouth and Souris Bend. They are being underused, laving them open for abuse.
The more people you have in an area who respect nature - the safer that area will be.
There is a sign, curiously placed at a little-used access point on the northeast side.
Both restrictions are nearly impossible to enforce. Vehicle tracks are everywhere. But the thought is good.
Vehicles are clearly (and physically) barred at the main entrance - but there is no mention there about firearms. Instead, hikers are warned to us bright clothing during hunting season.
We've been hiking there for decades and there are more people out there every year. It is conveniently close to Brandon and well-known, especially to bikers and cross country skiers.
It is a pleasant place to be but most of us stay away in hunting season - which takes up a nice part of the late fall.
One wonders if hunting is appropriate in an area so widely used. Perhaps it should be re-purposed in some way.
Across the province there are several alternative efforts at preserving natural areas and protecting habitat. The Nature Consevancy and the Manitoba Habitant Heritage Corporation. Virtually all of them prohibit vehicle use. Perhaps the Brandon Hills WMA,or at least a portion of it is not suited to being a WMA?
There are many other issues and examples across the province.
Vandalism and habitat destruction in this historically significant and beautiful location is clearly linked to unrestricted vehicle use and off-season firearm use.
The juncture of the Assiniboine and Souris Rivers was a crossroads for Aborigional peoples, a hub of the fur trade activity in Western Manitoba, and a nucleus of the the early settlement of the Souris Plains and beyond.
Souris Bend
An Increase in ATV traffic destroys habitat and encroaches on the trail network built and mantained by local equestrians.
The Souris Bend WMA has not seen the sort of vandalism and destruction seen at Souris Mouth, but a recent effort by ATV enthusiasts to convince the government to grant ATV's more access is troubling. As with other WMA's, keeping vehicles on designated trails is difficlult.
I have hiked and paddled here for over twenty years and there is more vehicle trafic and more litter each year. That is no coincidence.
The area is a spectacular example of river valley scenery, and is worthy of respect. If the purpose is to provide habitat for both plants and animals, then guns and motors have no role to play.
The Lang's Crossing Area
More Photos...
Middle Camp
The Gregory Mill Trail
More Photos...
More Info....
The Souris Bend Story
False Starts
Brandon Hills
This well-used location close to Brandon is inappropriate as a place for hunting and any use of firearms.
The Brandon Hills WMA presents a different set of opportunities and challenges.
The first thing one might notice in the brandon Hills is that vehicles are not allowed. The effect of that restriction is obvious. Litter is almost non-existant except for a spot close to the parking lot that might attract partiers. Partiers and litterers don't seem too keen on walking any distance, so most of the area is in its natural state except for the well marked trails.
There are a few lesson to learned here. As I might have mentioned, allowing vehicles invites damage and littering. And the very fact that the area is busy with people who like to walk, run, ski and bike makes it less likely that the eco-vandalism we see in other places will be prevalent. Nothing spoils the fun of bad people like a watchful crowd of good people.
We need to apply these lessons to other WMA's. Aside from more appropritae restrictions, actively promoting healthy activites along with the natural beauty of selected WMA's and thus drawing people who value those activites, will help safegaurd the area against damaging activities.
This should be done at historically and ecologically significant sites such as Souris Mouth and Souris Bend. They are being underused, laving them open for abuse.
The more people you have in an area who respect nature - the safer that area will be.
There is a sign, curiously placed at a little-used access point on the northeast side.
Both restrictions are nearly impossible to enforce. Vehicle tracks are everywhere. But the thought is good.
Vehicles are clearly (and physically) barred at the main entrance - but there is no mention there about firearms. Instead, hikers are warned to us bright clothing during hunting season.
We've been hiking there for decades and there are more people out there every year. It is conveniently close to Brandon and well-known, especially to bikers and cross country skiers.
It is a pleasant place to be but most of us stay away in hunting season - which takes up a nice part of the late fall.
One wonders if hunting is appropriate in an area so widely used. Perhaps it should be re-purposed in some way.
Across the province there are several alternative efforts at preserving natural areas and protecting habitat. The Nature Consevancy and the Manitoba Habitant Heritage Corporation. Virtually all of them prohibit vehicle use. Perhaps the Brandon Hills WMA,or at least a portion of it is not suited to being a WMA?
There are many other issues and examples across the province.