Moose populations in trouble

[Lefty-Canuck]

Outdoor Canada Article

Moose menace

With populations in steep decline, hunters, government and First Nations must work together

During my formative years growing up near Chapleau in northern Ontario, moose fascinated me. My dad was the regional fish and wildlife supervisor for the old Department of Lands and Forests. Whenever he’d return from the field, the first thing I’d ask was how many moose he saw. And some mornings when my mom woke me up from school, I’d watch moose eating black currants in our garden. It’s no exaggeration those early experiences kick-started my own career in wildlife management, and a particular interest in moose biology.

Though I recently retired after 40 years with Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship, moose are still the focus of my activities. Having made presentations at conferences in such distant places as Sweden, Norway, Poland and Russia, as well as most jurisdictions in North America that have moose populations, I’m still often consulted for my expertise on these giant ungulates.

In short, moose have long played a big role in my life. But never in my wildest dreams during the early years of my career did I foresee what’s now happening to moose populations in many parts of Canada.

Why moose are hurting

Yes, the animals are doing well in places such as Newfoundland, but in other jurisdictions—namely northwestern Ontario, Manitoba, eastern Saskatchewan and B.C.— populations have seen dramatic declines. In certain areas of Manitoba, for example, I’ve witnessed numbers drop by more than 80 per cent. So why is this happening? Blame it on uncontrolled overharvesting.

Since arriving in North America via the Bering land bridge, which ceased to exist some 12,000 years ago, moose themselves have not changed. The same certainly can’t be said for the technology we use to hunt them, however. Consider the advances we’ve seen in just the past 100 years—trucks, cars, aircraft, snow machines, all-terrain vehicles, assorted types of communications equipment, GPS technology, advanced firearms with laser-guided scopes and, yes, roads in places that would have been unheard of 50 years ago.

All of this has made it easier for hunters to take down moose and to access remote habitat, not to mention all the not-so-remote areas. Now add in the issue of uncontrolled traditional hunting by First Nations.

The solution is clear

If Canada’s moose resource is to remain viable, it’s imperative that discussions begin now to ensure all harvesting is regulated. Governments are the management authority, but they must involve all user groups, including First Nations, to level the playing field and to ensure moose populations can sustain traditional uses.

If inclusive management practices are not initiated, current governments will be held accountable for the likely demise of sustainable populations—and the resulting economic and cultural ramifications. Governments at all levels, for example, will be unable to deliver on such obligations as those contained in paragraph 13 of the Natural Resources Transfer Agreement. That’s the 1930 document in which the federal government turned over responsibility of managing resources to the three Prairie provinces. In paragraph 13, it’s stated the provinces will guarantee First Nations the right to hunt and fish. If resources, such as healthy moose populations, are unavailable due to mismanagement, however, First Nations could conceivably sue governments for not living up to the agreement.

The cost of doing nothing is clearly monumental.

Working together is crucial

Thankfully, there’s a growing contingent of biologists, conservation organizations and members of the public—hunters, rights-based users and those with an interest in wildlife—who are concerned. Now is the time for everyone to step forward and work together with respect and transparency in a new conservation movement.

On my first visit to Russia many years ago, I was greeted by schoolchildren who presented me with flowers and a poster depicting moose and people. The caption on the poster read, “When the moose were doing fine, the people were doing fine.” I reflect on this phrase often, and hope it’s one that we in Canada can also say about our relationship with moose.

We just have to work together to make it happen.

LC

[leo]

Can't argue with the man's logic. Good luck getting all parties to agree on harvest practices though, at least until it's too late.
Leo

[woodsman205]

Yup have seen it firsthand. Don't know when that article was written, but Manitoba is a disaster when it comes to their moose populations, try and get a tag there!

“All of this has made it easier for hunters to take down moose and to access remote habitat, not to mention all the not-so-remote areas. Now add in the issue of uncontrolled traditional hunting by First Nations.”

Sad times indeed!

[densa44]

Well times have changer for sure. It is good of you to make your well thought out advice available. I live in central Alberta and we have moose running around here. I suspect it is because few people know that they are here.

It would be a terrible tragedy if we lost one of Canada's most iconic animals.

I remember that New Brunswick closed their season for many years to help the population recover.

[Mb-MBR]

If the author's initials are VC he is a self absorbed ego maniac.......on one hand he promotes all hands on deck and must have everyone at the table and just as quickly blames Indians for the decline. As he states he had 40 years of management experience in Manitoba and what did he do, exactly what he's done in the article, play the blame game.

I will agree though that everyone has to be at the table to come up with a solution, because if Indians are solely responsible for the demise, they sure as heck should be part of the solution.

Lastly all one has to do is type in "Declining Moose populations into Google" to see this is happening at a rapid pace right across North America and biologists are struggling to identify the problem. Even where there are no Indians.....the biggest factor being pointed out being global warming but that will go over like a lead balloon on this site.....lol

[Lefty-Canuck]

Originally Posted by woodsman205

Yup have seen it firsthand. Don't know when that article was written, but Manitoba is a disaster when it comes to their moose populations, try and get a tag there!

“All of this has made it easier for hunters to take down moose and to access remote habitat, not to mention all the not-so-remote areas. Now add in the issue of uncontrolled traditional hunting by First Nations.”

Sad times indeed!

Almost exactly a year ago it was written. Very honest article about the issues moose populations face.

LC

[woodsman205]

Moose populations are doing ok in many spots in AB, where a certain group of people can't get at them. Just saying

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by woodsman205

Moose populations are doing ok in many spots in AB, where a certain group of people can't get at them. Just saying

Maybe because NOBODY can get at them unless they have permission?
Cat

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by woodsman205

Moose populations are doing ok in many spots in AB, where a certain group of people can't get at them. Just saying

Yup here where I poke around the woods it is rather unusual to not see a moose, to the fact that my son calls them in and passes on them...waiting for the right one to fill his draw tag on and first one with the bow...
Game management is something all have to be on board with and has to be adheared to by all not just some.

[sourdough doug]

I agree with you entirely Lefty..unfortunately it's like preaching to the choir.
As long as there is that segment of our population that are UNCONTROLLED, how can the moose population be managed...and don't expect THEM ever to have such controls instituted. If size doesn't matter....VOTES do..
Where you do see moose thriving, is in the farm lands, where certain factors can be eliminated.
Granted there are other factors but when I see cow moose taken,in all seasons and in cases not all of it, then it makes my neck swell and it's not the rut doing that..

[HoytCRX32]

Let's not forget our beloved canid, the wolf. They sure take their pound of moose flesh.

[terry b]

Not sure on the reason of declining moose but all I know is what I see and a few years ago I drove past a First Nations hunt camp to my moose spot and they had 11 moose hanging in camp! Funny thing I never saw a moose that year and now it is on draw for bow now!! Buddy of mine said they would see 5-30 moose a day 20 years ago in his spot the first nations from sask. Came in now they are lucky to see 2 in a week! It's easy to point fingers but all I know is I have had no part in the decline of moose and not from a lack of trying! So don't blame me!!

[super7mag]

Originally Posted by Lefty-Canuck

Almost exactly a year ago it was written. Very honest article about the issues moose populations face.

LC

I've heard that between tics, bears, legal hunting , poaching , and of course the "stewards of the land" that the Cumberland Delta is pretty much wiped out as far a moose go.

In 06 when I was running the semi vacs, I had a guy working for me from Preccville,SK. . He said the moose and a lot of the forest were gone.
Extensive forestry and a healthy moose population don't mix either.
No worries the Alberta Bios kill em all philosophy we won't be to far behind in some zones shortly.

[Big Grey Wolf]

Although many factors affect moose population large black bear numbers eating calves and wolf eating moose all year are major cause of decline. The cutblock and quad also have contributed to major over harvest of moose.

[35 whelen]

The same thing is happening in Manitoba where there was not as much access don't know what the problem is but they're cutting back seasons and closing seasons on the moose

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[Ticdoc]

Thanks for posting this LC. This issue is complex, with major factors varying from region to region. 2 points worthy of consideration:
1. As evidenced by other known examples (e.g., fish stocks off our east coast) it is well known that some wildlife species, likely including moose, will either rebound very very slowly if at all, once their numbers are reduced to very low numbers in a region. That has already happened in southeast Manitoba. So we all lose unless EVERYONE sits down at round tables and agree to changing the course of how to best manage moose.

2. We need to think more globally rather than by what we see in the WMU in which we have hunted for many years. Thus, moose numbers are going south in northeastern United States (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont) where winter ticks, brainworm and habitat appear most important. One thing they have learned there is that where forestry practices create better habitat for whitetails (which carry brainworm and spread it to moose), moose get hammered by brainworm.
We do not have brainworm in North America west of Manitoba.

One other example. Minnesota, like most U.S. with moose (egs. Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, North Dakota) are dealing with moose numbers going the wrong direction. A lot of research going on in Minnesota to understand why numbers have dropped from many thousands of moose to several thousand in recent years. Main factors there include brainworm (as forests have changed to favour increased numbers of whitetails), wolves and warmer shorter winters and longer warmer summers that cause heat stress for our cold-loving moose.

One thing is certain: throwing stones at various interest groups will not help health of our moose populations. We as moose hunter need to back any positive initiative that brings people together at tables that are round....with common goal or righting this ship.

Thanks for listening to my rant.

ticdoc

[Troutslayer444]

The natives hit the moose pretty hard it seems.


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[dsh352]

One concern I have is why is Alberta the only province that allows FN from other provinces full hunting privileges here? For example, FN from New Brunswick have full hunting rights while in Alberta. No other province has this.

[HowSwedeItIs]

Originally Posted by dsh352

...FN from New Brunswick have full hunting rights while in Alberta. No other province has this.

Hahahaha...

[woodsman205]

Can Native Hawaiians hunt here too??? I have heard that boiled moose fetus with Macadamia Nuts is awesome!

[claystone]

Lets just blame first nations for the price of oil, wars and the weather. Seems they get blamed for everything else.

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by woodsman205

Can Native Hawaiians hunt here too??? I have heard that boiled moose fetus with Macadamia Nuts is awesome!

They prefer spam. So the mooses are safe!

[bpk1982]

I haven't read the whole thread but I think it is undeniable that the nutless politicians all across the country who will do nothing about the uncontrolled harvest is the biggest issue here. The agreement/treaties on this are so outdated it is beyond ridicules and totally unethical. Uncontrolled Sustainance hunting is a bad joke. I don't even blame the individual hunters here, it's the gutless/nutless people in charge who could make a difference here but won't. Afraid of conflict and to stand for what's right. I'm not saying this is the only problem moose face, but I think it's the biggest.

[sparky660]

In my own part of the world where I have hunted all my life it was rare to see a moose 20 years ago. Now it's rare not to see one or two a day during hunting season. Far from scientific but to me it seems like they're population is growing.


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[Torkdiesel]

Originally Posted by sparky660

In my own part of the world where I have hunted all my life it was rare to see a moose 20 years ago. Now it's rare not to see one or two a day during hunting season. Far from scientific but to me it seems like they're population is growing.


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See comments above. Farmland yes, bush no

[gsxrkiller]

This sounds like the same issues we are having here in Nova Scotia!