Moose population declining.

[jaycee]

I just watched a programme on TVO called Mysteries of the Moose , a segment of the prorgamme dealt with moose in Alberta , dying from "Tick Infestations" it was absolutely amazing to see the number of ticks on these moose.
They mentioned that this problem occurs in the southern range of the moose .
Is it possible that this is occurring in Ontario and that is why we are seeing a drastic decline in our moose population?

[oaknut]

I just watched a programme on TVO called Mysteries of the Moose , a segment of the prorgamme dealt with moose in Alberta , dying from "Tick Infestations" it was absolutely amazing to see the number of ticks on these moose.
They mentioned that this problem occurs in the southern range of the moose .
Is it possible that this is occurring in Ontario and that is why we are seeing a drastic decline in our moose population?

Thats what the MNR blamed the sudden near wipeout of moose in Algonquin on. It was just funny it coincided with the first two years the natives were allowed to hunt in the park.

[jim]

I believe the first mandate of the MNR, is to protect native hunting /fishing rights. The next priority is commercial fisheries, etc, etc. Protecting sport hunting and fishing , is at the bottom of the list.

[toddc]

the tick on all of us is the natives

[redd foxx]

Ticks are taking their toll on some moose in Central Ontario. I've seen them on moose in the Parry Sound area.

[bdog]

the tick on all of us is the natives

Do you care to explain this remark.....

[terrym]

Not sure if moose get infested with the same ones as deer do? Can't see why not? Ticks certainly have expanded their range and have become a serious problem. The only thing that seems to keep them at somewhat a lower level than the South must be our winters? I have got to the point that I get the heebyjeebys just turkey hunting in the Spring because of how we do it and those damned ticks.

[toddc]

Do you care to explain this remark.....

the natives take more then we all care to admit,they put huge dents in the moose pop.. we can bury our head in the sand if you wish but truth be told its a major problem

[Doug]

Disappointing that a thread about the damage caused by ticks in our moose population became a thread complaining about natives. The program on TVO was based on scientific research, could I ask what research your responses are based on? If you have none based on science then I suggest that your responses are based on bigotry and could very well be considered as promoting hatred against a people.
I am not a friend of the native, IMO I believe they are getting too much handed to them and our governments need to stand up to them more then they have; but unfortunately court rulings in BC have set a precedent in which natives will get even more if things go to court.
Back to the ticks, with the Global Warming that we are experiencing we can expect to see more of this type of thing in the future as conditions become favorable for these insects to move northward.

[MikePal]

A fairly recent study of the tick problem with moose in the Park indictes it's not a critical problem to the populations there.

Ultimately, the relationship between ticks and moose is not fully understood. Every spring since 1984, biologists at Algonquin Provincial Park have been conducting aerial surveys of tick infestation based on the degree of hair loss in moose. This allows staff to predict the potential impact on the local moose population. In 2014, 64 moose were assessed with an overall rating that was fairly low for hair loss meaning moose deaths due to winter ticks are not anticipated in Algonquin this year.

http://www.parkreports.com/parksblog/?p=5647