By Kim Moar - The Weekly News
A dog walker at Long Lake Provincial Park in Halifax was shocked to encounter a hunter on Tuesday wearing camouflage and carrying a crossbow.
"It was crazy, I was shocked," said the woman who did not want her name used.
The man, described as being in his 50s and driving a blue Mazda sport utility vehicle was gearing up in the parking lot of the St. Margaret's Bay Road park when she came upon him, but she was unable to get his licence plate number.
Natural Resources spokeswoman Jacqueline Parker confirmed a complaint was received about a hunter at Long Lake.
Parker said an enforcement officer was dispatched to the park immediately, but the hunter was gone by the time he got there.
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Crossbows are now a legal hunting weapon in Nova Scotia.
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"Hunting is obviously not permitted in provincial parks," Parker said, adding the individual would face stiff fines if caught.
Parker said if anyone encounters someone hunting in illegal areas they should call Natural Resources immediately, and if possible get the individual's licence plate number. The number to call is 1-800-565-2224 seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
Parker said this is the first illegal hunting complaint in a provincial park the department has received this year
"It doesn't happen often at all in provincial parks," she said.
Anyone applying for a hunting licence should be well aware of the rules and know hunting is not permitted in provincial parks, she said.
Last year, Natural Resources approved the use of crossbows for hunting deer only. Individuals applying for a crossbow licence have to be certified for both the bow and a rifle.
Crossbow season runs from the last Friday in October to the first Saturday in December.
kmoar@hfxnews.ca
