Deer hunt numbers comparable to prior year
 

MANITOULIN - The big story in this year's deer hunt seems to be the overeager hunters who simply could not wait for the first day of the season.

"We saw an increase in the number of people who were hunting prior to the season over the last two weeks, with the number of complaints and apprehensions. This increased as compared to the last couple of years," said Ministry of Natural Resource (MNR) spokesperson Ian Anderson. A total of "10 people were charged or about to be (with hunting prior to the season), which is an increase over normal years."

Otherwise, the 2003 deer hunt season was much the same as that of 2002, Mr. Anderson indicated. A total of six Conservation Officers, deployed in teams of two, patrolled the Island this year, which was the same number as last year. While the number of hunter contacts was down this year, to 439, there were 37 warnings, 32 people charged, three deer seized, and seven enforcement complaints in the hunt.

"These numbers are comparable to the last couple of years," Mr. Anderson said.

The charges included six for hunters having no deer license, six for hunters who were not wearing hunter orange or insufficient hunter orange, seven for not having landowner permission to hunt in an area, six charges of having unencased firearms after dark, "as well as a variety of other charges such as discharging a firearm across the road, two charges of making a false statement to a C.O., one transfer of a deer seal, two for having a loaded firearm in a vehicle, and one charge of possessing another person's deer seal."

He noted the officers also gave out roughly the same number of warnings as they had last season.

"We had one complaint about night hunting. A deer had been shot by a hunter, who was caught and charged," Mr. Anderson explained.

As far as the quality of the hunt, Mr. Anderson indicated that, in consultation with his colleagues, the feeling was that the hunt in Central Manitoulin was even better than last year.

However, "the western part of the Island again the harvest was generally not as good, particularly on the south shore in the Dawson and Robinson area. For the remainder of the Island the harvest was reasonable to good."

"Some of the traditional good harvest areas like Allan and Gordon, we saw some camps that had reached their limit of deer, but some with no deer at all," continued Mr. Anderson.

The health of the deer population on Manitoulin continues to be good, he noted.

"Many of the deer we saw were healthy and there were a lot of big, mature bucks. What some people were seeing when they say there are a number of small deer is small fawns. If we had a hard winter last year, we wouldn't have seen the number of fawns around because they would be weak, or wouldn't have survived. But we didn't see high snow depths last winter, and a lot of the fawns that wouldn't have survived did. Overall, the deer are big, healthy and fat, and there are no problems with the health of the heard on the Island," Mr. Anderson said.

Island bracing for killer flu

by Michael Erskine

MANITOULIN---People who attended the Grey Cup game in Saskatchewan are expected to bring something a lot nastier than a bad hangover back with them to Ontario this year, the Fijian strain of flu is expected to be hitching a lift back as well.

"SARS killed 44 people in Ontario in the past year," said Paula Gauthier, public health nurse with the Sudbury District Health Unit. "The flu killed around 3,000."

The Fijian strain of flu, which is not in the current flu immunization shots, is expected to bump the fatality list across North America to 25,000.

This is expected to be the worst flu season in several decades.

While the current immunization program does not provide full protection against the Fijian flu, a variation of the influenza 'A' strain, the current program does provide substantial protection. Health officials did not expect the Fijian strain to to mke an appearance until next flu season, which is why is was not one of the three variation in this years immunization cocktail.

"Our information is that it will provide 72 to 76 percent protection," said Ms. Gauthier. "That is a lot better than nothing at all."

The sooner people arrange to get their flu shots the better.

"It takes about two weeks for your body to produce enough antibodies to provide protection," she said. "With the holiday season fast approaching, people will be traveling around a lot, bringing the virus with them. So get your shot as soon as possible."

The flu is a respiratory ailment, often bringing sore throats and high fevers along with it breathing difficulties, but it does not include vomiting or diarrhea.

"A lot of people are confused on that," said Ms. Gauthier.

Although most of the local flu shot clinics have ended, there are still a wide range of sources from which the shots are available.

"You can see your family doctor, the nurse practitioner or the Sudbury District Health Unit," said Ms. Gauthier. "Failing that, you can always call me to make arrangements to get a shot."

There have been no adverse reactions to the shots reported this year, despite a higher number of people getting the shots.

"Our numbers are up in every community," said Ms. Gauthier. "That is really good to see. The more people we can get immunized the less chance of the disease spreading to those who are most vulnerable."

Children and the elderly are especially susceptible, and there has already been a reported case of a child dying from the flu in Peterborough this year.

"The sooner everyone gets their shot the better," said Ms. Gauthier.

Wiky Police seeking leads following armed robbery

by Neil Zacharjewicz

WIKWEMIKONG - Chief and council for the Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve are calling on any band member with information with regard to a recent armed robbery in the community to come forward.

A community meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, at the Wikwemikong Arena, to encourage band membership who might have any information to come forward.

The incident occurred on Saturday, November 22, at 8 pm, when two individuals dressed in black shirts, jeans, shoes, trenchcoats and wearing black balaclavas, and brandishing a firearm, held up Patsy's Family Restaurant in Wikwemikong, and made off with an undisclosed amount of cash. The pair are still at large as of press time. Police believe the firearm the pair used was a rifle.

"No one was hurt," noted Gary Reid, chief of the Wikwemikong Police Service. He indicated evidence suggests that the individuals had cased the business for some time.

However, the major obstacle to solving this case has been a lack of witnesses.

"How do these people get away? Nobody has seen anything," Chief Reid suggested. He said this is particularly unusual as Patsy's Family Restaurant is located in downtown Wikwemikong.

"It's like pulling teeth. Nobody wants to get involved," Chief Reid said. "Somebody must have seen something."

Chief Reid noted this was the reason chief and council chose to hold the community meeting, in the hopes someone might come forward with information.

"I know somebody out there knows something, has heard something, has seen something, and I need their support," Chief Read said. He suggested the police officers can only make their case on so much evidence, and in this case, they need community support.

"It's not like watching a television show, where in 45 minutes they have the case solved," he stated.

One of Chief Reid's main concerns is the severity of the crime.

"It has raised the bar substantially," he said, adding people have to understand that since the crime has reached a new plateau, so too will the police response to incidents. Now, he said, there are concerns about the level of safety for the officers.

"I don't want this to continue, so I am looking for community support," Chief Reid said. "I am trying to be proactive."

Now that an armed robbery has occurred, he questioned what comes next. He also raised concern that community members may start arming themselves out of concern for their safety.

"The big time issues of the south are coming north," he indicated.

The Wikwemikong Police Service has dedicated an officer to investigate the incident, Chief Reid explained. Anyone with any information with regard to the incident is asked to call the Wikwemikong Police Service, the Ontario Provincial Police, or to call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

"If people feel more comfortable using Crimestoppers, then I encourage them to use it," Chief Reid suggested. Callers to Crimestoppers do not have to identify themselves, will not have to appear in court, and remain completely anonymous. Any information would be appreciated, he added.

Chief Reid expressed his appreciate for the information the department received earlier this year which resulted in two narcotics investigations.

"It doesn't stop there," he said. "We need more help."