Will you be Moose hunting this Fall??? New Regulations for 2014
byPaulonApril 18, 2014
Do you believe MNR really know how much the moose population has declined? Did the elimination of the spring bear hunt cause this? Is the problem due to over population of wolves?
To ensure moose populations remain healthy and resilient, Ontario is reducing adult moose tags across the province by about 18 per cent for 2014.
The reductions are in response to declining moose populations in northern Ontario, which were noted by provincial biologists during this winter’s annual aerial surveys. The largest tag reductions will occur in areas with the largest declines.
Ontario has been working with key stakeholders and the hunting community to respond to these changes and plans to seek public input this summer on next steps.
For more information about the moose tags available in your area, see the 2014 Hunting Summary Regulations at ontario.ca/hunting. Ontario’s moose draw opens on April 22, 2014.
QUICK FACTS
Ontario’s moose population has remained relatively stable over the past decade; however, most areas of northeastern Ontario and the more accessible parts of northwestern Ontario have recently been showing signs of decline.
Many factors can contribute to population shifts, such as harvest, predation, parasites, habitat condition and low calf numbers.
Ontario continues to set long-term population targets and look at how and when moose can be hunted in this province through its Moose Project.
“Ontario and its partners have agreed that we must act now to secure the future of moose in this province. Moose are not only important to Ontario’s economy, particularly in northern communities, but they are also vital to our province’s biodiversity.”
— David Orazietti, Minister of Natural Resources
“While this is not encouraging news for moose hunters, it does present the opportunity to re-evaluate how we share in the management of the moose resource. We would like to work cooperatively with the Ministry of Natural Resources to investigate this trend and subsequently make changes to manage moose, with confidence that this declining trend can be turned around.”
— John Kaplanis, executive director, Northwestern Ontario Sportsmen’s Alliance
CONTACTS
Media calls only: Andrew Donnachie
Minister’s Office 416-314-2198
Media calls only: Media Desk
Communications Services Branch 416-314-2106
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Aerial Surveys Show Declines in Northern Ontario
To ensure moose populations remain healthy and resilient, Ontario is reducing adult moose tags across the province by about 18 percent for 2014.
The reductions are in response to declining moose populations in northern Ontario, which were noted by provincial biologists during this winter’s annual aerial surveys.
The largest tag reductions will occur in areas with the largest declines.
Ontario’s moose population has remained relatively stable over the past decade; however, most areas of northeastern Ontario and the more accessible parts of northwestern Ontario have recently been showing signs of decline.
Many factors can contribute to population shifts, such as harvest, predation, parasites, habitat condition and low calf numbers.
Ontario has been working with key stakeholders and the hunting community to respond to these changes and plans to seek public input this summer on next steps.
“Ontario and its partners have agreed that we must act now to secure the future of moose in this province. Moose are not only important to Ontario’s economy, particularly in northern communities, but they are also vital to our province’s biodiversity,” says David Orazietti, minister of Natural Resources.
Ontario continues to set long-term population targets and look at how and when moose can be hunted in this province through its Moose Project.
For more information about the moose tags available in your area, see the 2014 Hunting Summary Regulations at ontario.ca/hunting.
Ontario’s moose draw opens on April 22, 2014.
Read more about moose management in Ontario at ontario.ca/moose or Moose Survey Results by Region.
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Zeke MarshallMay 5, 2014, 1:18 pm
You Notice they say this summer after they have already allocated the tags. This is why the OMNR needs better transparency.
bonnie devineJune 17, 2014, 1:19 pm
how come no one mentions when the count was done in Feb. for zone 28 when the snow was over 6 feet deep in the bush? Ministry realizes count is down as the amount of snow in the bush and late winter the moose are under the bows of the trees. A recount should be done in Nov. Dec. or Jan.
bonnie devineJune 17, 2014, 1:22 pm
another factor is bears kill more moose than Hunters and spring bear hunt is not reinstated in zone 28. So between bears getting young and the count being done at the wrong time would contribute greatly to these numbers. Whey are there so many vehicles hitting moose?
Zeke MarshallJune 17, 2014, 2:02 pm
Hello Bonnie,
You make a great point. The MNR uses the reasoning that it is easier to see the moose this time of year because of A. The snow, B. Lack of Brush, C. Herding Up.
It makes sense to a point, but in heavy snow fall years they do go to heavy bush because feed is easier to get also making the moose harder to see. I hunt WMU 28 as well and I have my friends that live down the road from my camp sending me texts that they have never seen so many moose at my camp. They were everywhere. The reason is my camp is near some very heavy bush and swamp and it is very hilly. I went up a few weeks ago and I seen 6 moose around my camp even in the spring. I have never seen that many. So I agree they should have to re-due it or try and figure out why the numbers are off. As well you have to remember they do not due the whole WMU only pre-selected parts. I have a hug issue with that.
Comments on this entry are closed.
Are our moose dwindling? David says so
Wednesday, April 16, 2014 by: SooToday.com Staff
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NEWS RELEASE
MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES
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Aerial Surveys Show Declines in Northern Ontario
To ensure moose populations remain healthy and resilient, Ontario is reducing adult moose tags across the province by about 18 percent for 2014.
The reductions are in response to declining moose populations in northern Ontario, which were noted by provincial biologists during this winter’s annual aerial surveys.
The largest tag reductions will occur in areas with the largest declines.
Ontario’s moose population has remained relatively stable over the past decade; however, most areas of northeastern Ontario and the more accessible parts of northwestern Ontario have recently been showing signs of decline.
Many factors can contribute to population shifts, such as harvest, predation, parasites, habitat condition and low calf numbers.
Ontario has been working with key stakeholders and the hunting community to respond to these changes and plans to seek public input this summer on next steps.
“Ontario and its partners have agreed that we must act now to secure the future of moose in this province. Moose are not only important to Ontario’s economy, particularly in northern communities, but they are also vital to our province’s biodiversity,” says David Orazietti, minister of Natural Resources.
Ontario continues to set long-term population targets and look at how and when moose can be hunted in this province through its Moose Project.
For more information about the moose tags available in your area, see the 2014 Hunting Summary Regulations at ontario.ca/hunting.
Ontario’s moose draw opens on April 22, 2014.
Read more about moose management in Ontario at ontario.ca/moose or Moose Survey Results by Region.
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You Notice they say this summer after they have already allocated the tags. This is why the OMNR needs better transparency.
how come no one mentions when the count was done in Feb. for zone 28 when the snow was over 6 feet deep in the bush? Ministry realizes count is down as the amount of snow in the bush and late winter the moose are under the bows of the trees. A recount should be done in Nov. Dec. or Jan.
another factor is bears kill more moose than Hunters and spring bear hunt is not reinstated in zone 28. So between bears getting young and the count being done at the wrong time would contribute greatly to these numbers. Whey are there so many vehicles hitting moose?
Hello Bonnie,
You make a great point. The MNR uses the reasoning that it is easier to see the moose this time of year because of A. The snow, B. Lack of Brush, C. Herding Up.
It makes sense to a point, but in heavy snow fall years they do go to heavy bush because feed is easier to get also making the moose harder to see. I hunt WMU 28 as well and I have my friends that live down the road from my camp sending me texts that they have never seen so many moose at my camp. They were everywhere. The reason is my camp is near some very heavy bush and swamp and it is very hilly. I went up a few weeks ago and I seen 6 moose around my camp even in the spring. I have never seen that many. So I agree they should have to re-due it or try and figure out why the numbers are off. As well you have to remember they do not due the whole WMU only pre-selected parts. I have a hug issue with that.