What I'm getting from the OFAH article is not that they are taking issue with conservation measures in general. The issue seems to be that the MNR is reducing hunting opportunities while still soaking money out of hunters. Why not drastically reduce the number of calf tags issued instead of cutting back the open season on calves to achieve the end goal? The answer is fairly obvious.
Hunters are the only ones putting money into this.Quote:
Originally Posted by iannolan
If you choose not to moose hunt and choose not to buy a tag then you save money.
If you choose to spend your money for a 2 week calf hunt then you made that choice.
I still want more restrictions.
I wonder if the OFAH people will actually read this, many members do not want to pay the OFAH to push back where more should actually be done.
Most hunters only hunt one or (the lucky ones) 2 weeks anyway. This will only restrict locals. And it will put EVERYONE in the bush at the SAME TIME....possibly penalize shift workers who may not get one of those 2 weeks off.......
I would be in favour of tags/lottery/points system for calves, perhaps make calves worth half a cow tag in number of points/GGS etc.
More and more I'm thinking FW may become a fall bear hunter, or a deer hunter. Looks like I'll get to try my hand at fall turkey too.
I completely agree that there needs to be more restrictions. I just take issue with the fact that revenue for the province trumps sound management strategies. I would like to believe that less hunters will choose to buy a calf tag as a result of the changes but will the change be significant enough to make a difference? The way to guarantee that less calves are taken is to reduce the number of tags issued. Making the hunt less appealing by reducing the number of days in the season is a half hearted attempt to do something to address the problem without affecting the cash cow that hunters are for the province.
Managing our moose herd as a cash flow asset is wrong on all counts. Wildlife management should be science based not fiscal or political based.
OFAH? MNRF? Are you there? Pay attention to this.^^^^^^Quote:
Originally Posted by terrym
…I guess not. There were many, many good posts on here and I feel that there is a general consensus when it comes to calves, cows, bear & wolf as well as the aboriginal harvest.Quote:
Originally Posted by hunterdave
I don’t see anything of that being addressed by the OFAH! If that’s all they are going to fight for, they won’t see a single penny from me again.
OFAH has offered a solution, I got an FaceBook message last night to fill out your oppostion to bill/proposition http://news.ontario.ca/mnr/en/2015/0...n-efforts.html and complete the Completing a short online survey, completing the, Commenting on regulatory proposals in notice 012-3413 on the Environmental Registry. I am not a moose hunter yet, but here is your chance to comment.
Here is the actual link for comments page, as shown in post above. http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-Ext...U2&language=en
I am thoroughly dismayed at the heavy allocation of tags to outfitters, and do believe, based on the amount of advertising in ODD Mag this month, it is in OFAH best interests to stay mum (read avertising revenue) could risk a showdown with us the readers of ODD Mag. They (OFAH) are walking a fine line between our (hunters) and the advertising money IMHO......
The wording in the 2016 regulations changes:
Description of Regulation:
Moose play an important role in Ontario’s ecosystems and are an integral
component of the province’s rich biodiversity. Moose contribute economic and
ecological benefits to the people of Ontario, and are highly valued by
Aboriginal Peoples. Recent population surveys showed declines in moose
populations in many parts of northern Ontario, a trend also being seen in other
North American jurisdictions.
The Moose Project was undertaken to explore potential management actions to
address or mitigate pressures on moose populations such as harvest, predation,
parasites, climate and changing habitat. During the first phase of
consultations, opportunities for early action to support healthy and resilient
moose populations in Ontario were identified. In response, as an initial step
and beginning in 2015, the following moose harvest management strategy is being
proposed: limiting the calf moose hunting season across northern Ontario to a
two week period.
In addition, Ontario will continue to extend opportunities to discuss new
moose population objectives and, based on input received, will address the
broader range of pressures on the moose population (such as climate change,
diseases and interactions with other species (i.e., deer, bear and wolf
populations)). There will be further opportunity to discuss and comment on
additional actions in coming months.
Harvest management strategy proposed for implementation beginning in 2015:
• Establish a two-week resident and non-resident open hunting season for calf
and adult moose across northern Ontario, beginning on the Saturday closest to
October 22; all allowable firearms (as per existing seasons) could be used
during this season. Outside of this two-week season, calf moose could not be
harvested. Hunting for an adult moose would still be permitted for the remainder
of the open season with a valid moose licence and in accordance with existing
rules.
For implementation in 2016:
• Delay the start of resident and non-resident moose hunting seasons across
much of northern Ontario by one week.
To implement the proposed changes, amendments to various regulations under
the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act (FWCA) would be required to establish new
seasons based on age or other factors, change the seasons for resident and
non-resident moose hunting and make associated consequential amendments:
A) In Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) 1A, 1C, 1D, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7A, 7B, 8,
9A, 9B, 11A, 11B, 12A, 12B, 13, 14, 15A, 15B, 16A, 16B, 16C, 17, 18A, 18B, 19,
21A, 21B, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38,
39, 40, 41, and 42
i. establish an open season for calf and adult moose
which would begin the Saturday closest to October 22 and end on the second
following Friday, in any year; all allowable firearms could be used during this
season.
B) Beginning in 2016, change the opening date of the resident and
non-resident moose hunting seasons in WMUs 5, 6, 7A, 7B, 8, 9A, 9B, 11A, 11B,
12A, 12B, 13, 14, 15A, 15B, 19, 21A, 21B, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34,
35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, and 42 to begin one week later.
Purpose of Regulation:
To consult on proposed amendments to moose hunting regulations as part of the
Moose Project, in order to support healthy and resilient moose populations that
provide ecological, social, economic and cultural benefits to the people of
Ontario.