MNR sure messed up the moose hunt

[awndray]

...and now they want our help.

A PhD candidate from Trent University is looking to genetic testing for clues that might explain why moose populations are declining. Meredith Purcell is asking hunters to take part in the moose genome project by sending moose tissue samples to her in small tubes by mail. Preferred samples include meat, ear tips, or teeth.

The aim is to create and maintain a database of samples that can be used to determine if there is a connection between genetics and environmental factors. Purcell’s project uses genetic markers that occur within genes that have functions related to climate change and disease. “We are looking for variation within these genes within and between subspecies of moose in Ontario. For example, one of the genes I am looking at is related to thermoregulation, or the ability to regulate heat,” said Purcell. “So, finding differences within this gene (between the two subspecies of moose in Ontario) may indicate that one subspecies could be better adapted to warmer temperatures than the other.” The more samples that can be collected the more variation she may find.

The project focuses on factors other than hunting that may be causing the drop in moose numbers, yet hunters are Purcell’s number one source for the much-needed test material. Purcell is looking for samples from the Bancroft, Kenora, and Timmins areas.

The public is encouraged to get involved. Interested parties are asked to contact Purcell through her website.

Purcell is finishing up a tour of Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) zone meetings, where she has been making presentations to moose hunters and others about the project’s preliminary results and future work. Non-OFAH members are welcome to attend these informational sessions.

The final two meetings will be held:
-August 27, 2015 Zone F at Perth Legion, 26 Beckwith St.E., Perth, ON
-September 26, 2015 Zone D in Parry Sound, ON

http://www.oodmag.com/hunting/big-ga...moose-samples/

[Fox]

How someone in that office hasn't thought of this already is beyond me. Really is common sense, just have to enforce it.

No money in it.

If we had a draw system that was not $60 each to enter then you may hold a number of people but they want the cash from the idiotic draw system.

If you closed the season and based a draw system in every single WMU, take the total number of Bull tags available right now and put them in a draw, no cow and no calf. Each person who wants to try for a hunt applies for a bull tag in a given WMU, group hunts allowed and bow/rifle/muzzle loader seasons taken into account as well. People spend $10-$20 to be entered into the draw, if they are drawn they go hunt moose, if they don't then they try again next year. If you like the pool system we can keep that too, first year you have almost no chance, the following years you have a chance.

In my opinion this is better than never seeing a moose in 10-15 years but hey, that is just me.

[LeakyBoots]

If the animal populations are truly low (which I believe in many WMU's), then they need to reduce the issued tags, period. The distribution of Bull, Cow and Calf tags should be decided based on the surveyed populations. If necessary I would support the suspension of the Cow and Calf hunt, for the benefit of the future.

[revr]

the surveys are a huge part of the problem, they are not conducted properly, people that get sick in a plane shouldn't be counting moose from a plane.

[pics]

My group got a bull tag for the bow hunt but my tag says that I can still take take calf??

[Trilynx]

I'm also all for removing the cow and calf hunt for a few years to allow the population to recuperate. Just look at the spring bear hunt example.

[SK33T3R]

My group got a bull tag for the bow hunt but my tag says that I can still take take calf??

WHAT YOUR TAG IS SAYING IS THAT YOU WERE UNSUCCESSFUL IN THE DRAW
but
YOUR TAG IS GOOD FOR A CALF but ONLY DURING THE 2 WEEK CALF SEASON which is NOT during the bow season.

YOU COULD GO BACK UP AND HUNT DURING THE GUN SEASON AND USE YOUR TAG FOR A CALF BUT ONLY DURING THE 2 WEEK CALF OPEN SEASON.

I got a suspicion there will be a few bow hunters going to jail this bow season for shooting calves!

[Greenhorn]

No money in it.

If we had a draw system that was not $60 each to enter then you may hold a number of people but they want the cash from the idiotic draw system.

If you closed the season and based a draw system in every single WMU, take the total number of Bull tags available right now and put them in a draw, no cow and no calf. Each person who wants to try for a hunt applies for a bull tag in a given WMU, group hunts allowed and bow/rifle/muzzle loader seasons taken into account as well. People spend $10-$20 to be entered into the draw, if they are drawn they go hunt moose, if they don't then they try again next year. If you like the pool system we can keep that too, first year you have almost no chance, the following years you have a chance.

In my opinion this is better than never seeing a moose in 10-15 years but hey, that is just me.

Be careful what you ask for. The lottery favour some and discrimated against others. We have the lottery in NB for moose. Most hunters go from 25-35 years before getting a tag and others even longer,while others get draw very year. About 5,000 tags every year and 65,000 people applying. Price for lottery about $10.00 /year. By rights a person should get a tag every 13 years,it doesn't happen and never will.Some hunters have lots of non hunters applying then become the second gun and kills the moose every year. You don't want a lottery.

[B Wilson]

I always think the lottery system is a mess the years I don't draw a tag too.

wishing you better luck next year

[300Sniper]

Come on guys, do some research..... Licensed Hunters account for a very small % of harvested / killed Moose. I'm not interested in finding the source but it's less then 15%.

The moose population decrease, if it does in fact exist, is firstly impacted by predators followed by environmental conditions. We are seeing a decrease in moose because of the cancelled spring bear hunt as well as the need to pay for coyote / wolf tags north of the French which used to be free. Predator numbers have increased, moose numbers have declined.

The third reason might be speculation but has to do with natives and poaching which involves killing moose 365 days a year and not recording the harvest.

Environmental conditions include the changing landscape with regards to forestry combined with a couple of cold winters as well as disease.

Us as hunters come in around 4th and as mentioned, account for a very small % of the impact on moose.

I'm not fond of the MNR and the changes that have taken place, however, if you want to make a difference, buy a bear and wolf tag when you go up north and split your time up between hunting moose and hunting predators....