Ghost hunters

One of the big complaints of the past moose draw system was ghost hunters and that the new system would fix it. I am assuming that if this is the case the # of hunters applying would go down. In 2018 there was 82,940 hunters applied. In 2019 there was 79,777 applicants. In the 2021 hunting summary there is no reference to the number of hunters applied that I can see for the 2020 draw. And for the 2021 year there was 97,342 hunters applied. That is a very big increase for the # of hunters applying when the # of hunters applying should have gone down if ghost hunters where a real problem. Maybe there is something I am missing .

Increase is likely due to guys that haven’t applied for a couple years, applying in the new system for possibly a better chance at a tag.
Just a guess though…

Ghost hunters can still apply but now will have to participate in the hunt if they get a tag instead of transferring their tags.

I think ghost hunter problem was a made up problem,to cover up shortfalls of moose numbers,and "a make feel good ", for the groups wanted to hunt in preferred WMU but could not get a tag due to high number of hunters needed to hunt low moose numbers.
Reason-one could become a "ghost"hunter IF one has a full licence,the person paid up for the licence,made the efforts to pass the test,maintains licence thru years to come,and made the effort to apply-what is actually wrong with that?
Totally legal all of it.
If this ghost hunter terminology could be "politicized "there would be out roar of discrimination already.

What if the "ghost"wanted to hunt eventually?

All in all-the MNRF changed regulations to slow down(technically to cut out)the "ghosts"-many moons ago.

Well I guess the ghost hunters are alive and well in 15 b. There was 347 tags awarded in the second chance that were not claimed. One would think a bigger problem then ever before.

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Originally Posted by Ralphy

Well I guess the ghost hunters are alive and well in 15 b. There was 347 tags awarded in the second chance that were not claimed. One would think a bigger problem then ever before.

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I believe some of the issue to that is apply with high hopes they can go, get a tag and they realize it don't happen, they have no clue about the area,
be interesting how many of those unclaimed tags were in the 2nd and 3rd choice because that's a lottery and if the whole group applies and you get 3 or 4 tags your not going to accept any,
number increase probably has to do with the fact that you have control and a chance for a tag now, before you could apply for 50 years and potentially not draw a tag,

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Originally Posted by Matt86

I believe some of the issue to that is apply with high hopes they can go, get a tag and they realize it don't happen, they have no clue about the area,
be interesting how many of those unclaimed tags were in the 2nd and 3rd choice because that's a lottery and if the whole group applies and you get 3 or 4 tags your not going to accept any,
number increase probably has to do with the fact that you have control and a chance for a tag now, before you could apply for 50 years and potentially not draw a tag,

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You are absolutely right Matt-and that is part of the problem.

Resoning-in the old system(even though i have no solid data)it seems it was very very few surplus tags left unclaimed.
When i did apply for them-randomly thru the pastb 15 years at least 10 times-the list was short-it was a true race -within hours most(if not all)were gone.

So-now we have huge amount of unclaimed and not available tags.

I think the unclaimed tag issue is because groups are applying, but are considering how many tags they actually want and try to consider the group members points, age, health etc.. This new system requires groups to consider factors, and do their homework so they have good chances of getting a tag, going forward. Our group did a lot of figuring, considering all available information.

I think most groups probably have their tags in the primary draw if they have many points at all. Applying in the secondary with no deadline to claim and pay is the problem. Why not apply. If they had a deadline and a phone in for those tags not claimed I am sure most if not all would be claimed. Also charge the tag fee but let the hunter retain their points.

As far as applications being up all my hunting buddies now apply since it’s only $15 instead of over $50.
I think that alone is the majority of the increase

I’m sure as the new system works through the kinks the MNR will adjust tags to keep the harvest levels they want.
People not claiming tags will probably work in the favour of having more in the future if indeed harvest levels go lower than they want

Yes I agree, fine tuning might be beneficial.
Depends how quickly MNRF react.

The number of applicants will probably decrease once older hunters get their tag. Once these hunters realize that they will never get another tag for the rest of their lives, many will drop out.

Yes it is a shame to think you’d be done (no chance of a tag again) before you’re done (6 feet under) but with groups including younger members there should be a group tag hopefully every year until you’re finished hunting. But for those guys who insist solo or just the group of old timers yeah the end of days comes quicker.

So far under the new system I’m okay with the tag success except for the added tag cost we’re doing okay with tags.

But if you were to look at inflation on moose hunting trips there will be a big spike for sure now.


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