Moose points

[Matt86]

That is not quite like that-they would not get a tag IN the WMU of their choosing.
Up until few years back-there were many WMU-s one can get a bull tag.
Heck about 15 years ago i got a surplus Rifle Bull tag in WMU 28.
Even today-many can get a moose tag-just in hard to get to-and hard to score areas.

Not trying to argue or open up a debate-but not getting a bull tag complains by many in the WMU of choosing (my backyard,or my hunting camp area) -partially led us to where we are now.


Not being rude Matt-just the facts,.

Oh I get you, its very easy to get a tag, ive had 2 adult tags, 1 bull 1 cow, and calf tag last 3 years
The people choose to apply and not receive a tag it a area its hard to get one.
We camp in the middle of no where away from any group in a area with plenty of tags and do well.

[FishHog]

Points needed will come down over time. Only makes sense that the current point values are high as the mnrf has gone back 25plus years and u gain 1 point for each year applying after being successful. Lots and lots of older hunters under the old system with high points. As time goes on these hunters will draw and be back at the bottom.

It is the fairest system out there, no other system proposed at the time gave the tags to the people that have waited the longest. The issue currently is we have a large group of people with a lot of points so it’s taking time to burn through them.
An example is 100 guys with 20pts in wmu with 20pts required for a bull tag of which there are 25 tags. It will be the 5th season before a 19point applicant is awarded a tag. Add guys moving around to different wmus and that number can go up and down obviously.

It is projected to take 5-7yrs(we are a few in now) and you will see the points required drop.

Again to re-iterate there isn’t a system out there that works more fairly. Unfortunately it’s taking some time to work for everyone but rest assured if we all be patient our time will come. It does suck that older hunters 75plus years of age may never draw another tag after using points but I can’t figure out how that could be corrected and still keep things fair for the rest of the applicants.

Well said and I agree.
Points should come down as people pass away. If your 75 and just starting….nope will probably never get a tag. But if you have been hunting all your life you have most likely had lots

Moose population is down for lots of reasons. I know many people think they have the solution to that but in the current political climate it is what it is. Not enough to go around

So I agree this is the fairest system. The old system was very biased against small or individual groups. They had their run for a couple decades but that are the ones who complain the most now that they don’t get a preference other than all the points they have from applying the last 25 years. So even now they have a drastic advantage

If moose populations rebound. There will be more tags issued. Hopefully they do but I’m not so sure. Until they take the political aspect out of it and let the biologists do what they were hired to do I’m afraid it might keep declining.

I hope I’m wrong

[alfoldivandor]

I totally agree with you ...
I myself had 3 adult tag the last 3 years ,
two times with 0 points ,
where is the problem ?

Oh I get you, its very easy to get a tag, ive had 2 adult tags, 1 bull 1 cow, and calf tag last 3 years
The people choose to apply and not receive a tag it a area its hard to get one.
We camp in the middle of no where away from any group in a area with plenty of tags and do well.

[Ahuntr300]

I totally agree with you ...
I myself had 3 adult tag the last 3 years ,
two times with 0 points ,
where is the problem ?

With all due respect, "same old song" Alfo. Most people don't have the means or want to hunt in the areas you go to.

It's great that some do and more power to you and I hope you all enjoy as what you do sounds really adventurous. Tags in those remote areas were easy to get before the new system as well.

For the rest of us that want a few more creature comforts and be a little closer to home, it now may be once in a lifetime tag / hunt with this new system if you are not part of a sizeable group.

Yes, the new system is fairer for everyone and especially individuals that complained they never got tags as they were not part of a group. But now that many got their adult tags, good luck getting another adult tag anytime soon.

[ysyg]

Question…. I’m 67 years old and claimed a tag 2 years ago. The area I hunt requires about 20 points to get a tag, and I will not be hunting any other area. Should I save the $15 and not apply for a tag anymore? Just buy a moose license and party hunt in our camp? I know it’s only $15….

[cantgetright]

Question…. I’m 67 years old and claimed a tag 2 years ago. The area I hunt requires about 20 points to get a tag, and I will not be hunting any other area. Should I save the $15 and not apply for a tag anymore? Just buy a moose license and party hunt in our camp? I know it’s only $15….

Guess it depends on how long you plan to keep hunting moose. I'd say throw the $15 in for the draw, it never hurts to take along a calf tag with you if another guy draws an adult. Once I draw my bull tag I'll get designated calf tag guy after that.

[trimmer21]

Have a neighbour who went with his group to the same area, they got a tag and a Moose every year from what he told me. Now nobody is going up there as they are not able to get tags, no idea what the Moose population is now.

Our camp is at the top end of WMU 50. We haven't been able to Moose hunt for the the reason you sited,but,we still hunt small game,Bear and Deer. We've also noted that there's been very little Moose sign around for quite some time,now. This past season,the crew hasn't seen any Moose sign and we got skunked for Deer,too. Whatever is happening can't be good.

[Sam Menard]

Question…. I’m 67 years old and claimed a tag 2 years ago. The area I hunt requires about 20 points to get a tag, and I will not be hunting any other area. Should I save the $15 and not apply for a tag anymore? Just buy a moose license and party hunt in our camp? I know it’s only $15….

It depends on your group, the number of hunters, the hunters ages, points required for a tag, etc. The reality of the situation is that with groups consisting of senior hunters, they can eventually reach a point where no one in the group will be eligible for a tag for several years or they will quit hunting before then. No tag = no hunting.

The guys in my deer hunting camp are all getting up there and I’m the youngest at 62. Chances are, in 10 years, I’ll be the last guy hunting.

[trimmer21]

It depends on your group, the number of hunters, the hunters ages, points required for a tag, etc. The reality of the situation is that with groups consisting of senior hunters, they can eventually reach a point where no one in the group will be eligible for a tag for several years or they will quit hunting before then. No tag = no hunting.

The guys in my deer hunting camp are all getting up there and I’m the youngest at 62. Chances are, in 10 years, I’ll be the last guy hunting.

That's the concept the younger hunters don't seem willing to grasp. They need to understand that with government bureaucracy,once something is lost,it rarely,if ever,comes back. Look how long we had to fight to get the Spring Bear hunt back and even then,they had to be dragged back kicking and screaming.

[FishHog]

Well the spring bear hunt was about the public impression that we were leaving orphaned bear cubs in the bush. Not about wildlife management.
I don’t know (doubt it) that the moose heard will rebound but if the numbers increase I’m sure the tags increase. But there are lots of problems to solve before that happens

The only east one to solve is to reduce tags which they did. The others are a political mess that no one seems to have the appetite to tackle