What else should I be aware of this Fall?

Conservation & Safety: It must also be remembered that no rights are absolute. In particular, there are limits on the Métis right to hunt when safety and conservation issues arise. For example, the law does not support a Métis right to harvest at night with lights or on road corridors. Also, if there is a legitimate concern about the survival of the animal, and all harvesting of that animal has been denied in a specific area, a limitation may be justifiably imposed on Métis harvesting.

Gun Registration: You are required to register your firearms pursuant to federal law. The Powley case did not exempt Métis from gun registration requirements.

Harvesting with Non-Aboriginal People: If you are harvesting with non-Aboriginal harvesters make sure they have the required licensing under applicable laws. Your Métis right cannot be used for the purpose of harvesting for other non-Aboriginal people or groups. This does not mean you cannot harvest with non-Aboriginal hunters-just make sure they are properly licensed.

Commercial Harvesting: The Powley case dealt with the right of Métis to harvest for food. It did not deal with commercial rights. This does not mean that Métis do not have the Aboriginal right to harvest commercially, it simply means that there is no case law to support this claim at this time. The issue of commercial harvesting will have to be dealt with in another case.