Moose hunting Changes

[Tigertail]

I have been reading with great interest the proposed changes to Ontario's moose hunt and would like to comment on a few things;

1. I read a news release in the Timmins paper from the OFAH by biologist Ryckman. He commented that the proposal of a two week period for calf hunting down from the current nine weeks is going to cause great grief in our forests, hunters fighting for prime locations, or just fighting period. To a non hunter reading his article, you would have the opinion that ONLY calves are hunted during the Ontario moose hunt and that ALL moose hunters in the Province are going to cram themselves into that two week timeframe to hunt calves. Worse yet, to the animal rights organizations it also appears that we only hunt the “babies” during the annual hunt. Therefore the wording in the news release, could have explained more clearly that the moose hunt involves the taking of adults over the total season and a proposed limited hunt of two weeks for calves be included with the hunt for adults.

2. Regarding the proposed changes, first off let me say I have hunted moose for almost fifty years, every year, all over the Province and therefore think I have a credible opinion based on my observations and experience over that timeframe. I am a long-term member of the OFAH and suspect some of my following comments will not sit well with some of my fellow OFAH members.

I have seen the early years where there was moose everywhere you went, and most were road hunted by parking and walking to a secret swamp, ridge etc or by waterways. Those that worked for it, generally were successful. Logging roads were always in place way back then, some passable some not..........hence the walking and stalking aspect of the early years. But along came ATV’S and over the years to current time, the hunting landscape changed. Access was now available to those places that before were impenetrable and moose populations were stable or increasing. Now those areas saw a decrease of animals and it continues today. Yes I have a ATV but do not use it for hunting but for retrieval of game if necessary. I also realize that for some senior hunters they may be the only way to have dad or grandpa continue his hunt with the gang and I applaud that. My point is though, that ATV’s have increased hunter success in the taking of animals. It is a fact.

In the early years, we always saw the odd bear, but now I think you would agree we see a lot more. Statistics by the Ministry state there are more bear in Ontario than Moose. If there are more fox than chicken in the henhouse, what’s the future for the chickens???? The bears are eating new born calves left and right.

3. I have absolutely no faith based on my own knowledge, in the data gleaned from the questionnaire the Ministry sends out every year to moose hunters. Some hunters report lots of moose seen in hopes this data figure will result in more tags being issued for a particular WMU. Some do not report filling a tag thinking that info is used somehow in the lottery allotment success. The ministry cannot manage a population if they do not have accurate numbers on animals harvested. I see no reason that a mandatory reporting of tags filled is not instituted. NOT during the hunt or within 24 hrs. Make it a requirement that a legally tagged moose be reported within two weeks upon the closure of the season. Any ethical and legal hunter I know would not be opposed to such a requirement.

4. I don’t know of any hunting party or individual that before applying in the May draw says, “Well this fall we’re going calf moose hunting this year” They apply for a adult tag and prey they are successful in the draw. Those that are unsuccessful, either go anyway to celebrate the tradition of the gang getting together, hunt some birds, or do some fishing, or do something else. My point is, hunters want to bag a adult moose and they don’t start off in May looking for a calf. SO WHY ARE SO MANY OF US UPSET ABOUT A RESTRICTED CALF SEASON. We didn’t want one to start with. With this in mind, we should support a total ban on calf hunting, say for a three year period AND THEN do a comprehensive survey to look at herd numbers. If numbers are up good for us and the moose. If not, then there are other factors at play which we all know of, which will have to be addressed.

Any plan by the Ministry radical or not has to be supported. The moose population will not increase overnight. it will take time. BUT if it means a return, down the road, to the hunts of years ago, more moose, more tags, happier gangs, I am all for it.

Gentlemen, in closing, if we do not band together and support some radical ideas to increase the moose population it will fast become a tradition that we once did and only talk about in our local Tim Horton's NOT the hunt camp.

TIGERTAIL
Collingwood ON

[Dude Bro]

"Any plan by the Ministry radical or not has to be supported."

So...as hunters we have to swallow whatever the government feeds us? Like sheep. I for one prefer to hold the ministry accountable and ask that they justify any management actions that they propose.

[sherlockbonez]

If they ban all calf hunting then they will lose $ which makes it hard for them to do a comprehensive study.

I dont mind not hunting calves tho.

[lazyman]

if we licenced hunters support a 3 yr moratorium on calf hunting what will cause others to not harvest them?

[ysyg]

if we licenced hunters support a 3 yr moratorium on calf hunting what will cause others to not harvest them?

I agree 100%, but until the entire harvest is controlled, its a lost cause. I don't blame the bears and wolves.

[Foxx]

If they ban all calf hunting then they will lose $ which makes it hard for them to do a comprehensive study.

I dont mind not hunting calves tho.

I agree.

[trimmer21]

Bears and Wolves have always been the "constant" in the equation. There was never an issue until we started to target calves,specifically,as a compensatory for the decrease in adult tag allocation. It was rigged from the get-go solely to keep license sales dollars flowing because,after a season or two of nothing to hunt,why would anyone buy an Ontario license? Rocket science it ain't.

[sherlockbonez]

How about a simple point system so that a group 2,3 or 4 guys who didn't draw last year can pretty much get a pick at a few wmu, say 48 or what ever else wmu that they give tags to. 10 bucks for the draw (because I'm sure the gov can't go cold turkey off my money) then the group that draws pay 200 (or how ever much a couple of tags goes for now. But cut out the calf hunting all together.

So it sort of split the hunters number in half but guarantee that everyone gets to go every other year. Which kind of sucks but I can spent my g note going somewhere else to poke holes in other stuff in alternate years.

[MikePal]

He commented that the proposal of a two week period for calf hunting down from the current nine weeks is going to cause great grief in our forests, hunters fighting for prime locations, or just fighting period.

If they ban all calf hunting then they will lose $ which makes it hard for them to do a comprehensive study. I dont mind not hunting calves tho.

What would result if they shifted the allocations for a calf to a later period...ie..the last 4-6 weeks of the season. Since most hunters hit the bush the first week, a restriction on hunting calfs during that initial 2 week period would cut down the amount of calfs taken in a season overall.

I agree with the comments from Tigertail in regards to the use of ATV's....

[tracker]

X2 tiger. I have hunted same spot since the early 70's. Only accessible by air or water back than, now there are two new bridges, new roads, clear cuts, bush roads, atv trails and no cover with miles of open areas. At night the MNRF could make money from lost licence sales from vehicle traffic by setting up a toll booth or a timmy's. Ban calf hunting to all hunters not just licenced hunters that can now only hunt calfs for two weeks. There are 52 weeks in a year.