Churchill Research Centre Inc.

Wildlife Management Area Use Permit

  1. The permittee, his/her employees, and any person using his/her vehicles may operate snowmobiles, bombardiers, or other vehicles on frozen, snow-covered ground.
  2. On unfrozen ground, the permittee, his/her employees, and any person using his/her vehicles may operate three-wheeled single-rider all terrain vehicles equipped with low pressure tires; four-wheeled single-rider or double-rider all-terrain vehicles equipped with low-pressure tires; or amphibious vehicles equipped with low pressure tires (e.g. Argos).
  3. Existing trails must be used whenever possible.
  4. When operating a vehicle off-road on unfrozen ground, the most direct route must be taken from an existing trail to a study site. The sum of all vehicles passed on a route from an existing trail to study site shall not exceed 10 per week.
  5. The restrictions regarding use of existing trails and direct access routes to study areas listed above do not apply to inter-tidal areas.
  6. Their permittee, his/her employees, and any person using his/her vehicles shall exercise care when operating vehicles on eskers, beach ridges and granular soils within vegetarian to avoid damage to the vegetation. Spinning of tires, sharp turns, and wheel lock-up during braking shall be avoided.
  7. Vehicle’s use may be prohibited in areas identified by the Manitoba Conservation District.
  8. Authorized for use on this permit for recreational purposes in the Churchill Wildlife Supervisor in Churchill. The manager of the Churchill Research Centre Inc. may also identify areas where its vehicles may not be used.
  9. The permittee, his/her employees, and any person using his/her vehicles may not use any of the vehicles Management Area.
  10. The permittee, his/her employees, and any person using his/her vehicles must not disturb archaeological sites.
  11. Their permittee, his/her employees, and any person using his/her vehicles must not place food for the purpose of attracting, feeding, or holding polar bears.
  12. Every vehicle used under the authority of this permit must permanently display a sign indicating that the feeding and baiting of polar bears is prohibited.
  13. Vehicles must be well-maintained. Containment pans and double-lined hoses on vehicles are recommended to avoid leaks of contaminants or petroleum products.  Any spills of contaminants or petroleum products must be contained and cleaned up immediately and reported to the district office of Manitoba Conservation of Churchill.
  14. Vehicles may not approach a poplar bear or active polar bear den closer than 100 meters. No person shall exit a vehicle within 100 meters of a polar bear or active polar bear den.
  15. The permittee, his/her employees shall avoid harassment of polar bears, especially females with cubs. Should activity result in the abandonment of the cub(s) by a female, the group and all vehicles must leave the area and the occurrence must be reported to the district office of Manitoba Conservation of Churchill.
  16. When conducting research or providing field tours, participants must be supervised at all times by the permittee or his/her employees to ensure that no person exposes themselves to a potential attack while in the vicinity of a polar bears. Outside of buildings or vehicles, the permittee or his/her employees will encourage any group to maintain a tight formation and avoid stragglers.
  17. Each group must be accompanied by a bear monitor. The bear monitor shall carry lethal and non-lethal means of deterring polar bears and be proficient in their use.  (Manitoba Conservations suggest that a 12-gauge shotgun loaded with slugs is the most appropriate means of lethal force.  The use of longer-range weapons, such as rifles, is discouraged as bears may only be dispatched if they pose an immediate threat to life.  Manitoba Conservation suggests that a separate shotgun loaded with cracker shells, or a pistol that fires whiz bangs be used as a non-lethal mans of deterrence for bear monitors).
  18. The bear monitor shall maintain watch to ensure that no bears present a risk during an excursion. Should a bear approach, the bear monitor shall deter it using non-lethal means.  If a bear charges, or approaches in an aggressive manner, the bear monitor shall stop the advance by the bear and prevent any attack with lethal force if necessary. 
  19. All deterrent actions and any bears killed must be reported to the Natural Resource Office (NRO) in Churchill within 24 hours. Any incident involving lethal force will be subject to formal investigation by Manitoba Conservation.

Wildlife Management Area Use Agreement

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Consent