What's wrong with our Moose herd?

[Ahuntr300]

atv's , planes, better boats, game cameras, electronic calls, more logging roads ....

all the above has indeed increased hunter success ratios but the tag allocations should be in line with all those factors.

Higher success ratio fewer tags. The math should balance out.

sure we all have better equipment and more access BUT moose management was controlled by the issuing of TAGS based on moose #'s - hunter success ratios - previous winter kill - poaching - FN harvest etc.

We all agree that moose numbers are plummeting and the MNR has been steering this ship on to the rocks for years.

What really puzzles me is the 5 or 6 units where moose are being eradicated to enhance the caribou comeback. Wolves and bears ARE NOT being addressed.

The MNR decisions that have been made in the past and today will be a future case study in university on mismanagement.

I know I'm hard on the MNR. This resource is not being run by the sportsmen ( the users) .. It is being run by backbench MNR personnel. Sportsmen, OFAH, (users) have no say on any decisions made. We can not correct the problem because the baton (torch) will never be passed to us! YET we're the losers!

great system we have here EH!

Better be careful to ask the MNR to further regulate/restrict the moose hunt as the regulated hunters only will be the losers. The unregulated hunters will surely welcome this as the resource will be theirs alone.

I think to balance things out, the government must regulate hunting for everyone but we know that is NOT going to happen.

The alternative is that they have to deregulate hunting for the rest of us as well. Instead of further restricting the hunt by giving less and less tags, they should loosen the rules to even the playing field. I know this sounds crazy as the moose population will suffer but its the only fair way.

When the moose become an endangered species in Canada, then perhaps everyone will sit down at the table and agree on sensible regulation for everyone.

PS. We know this is dreaming as they will 100% do what is the easiest and most politically correct instead - and that is to further regulate us until we basically stop going hunting all together.

[maskedburito]

There is one simple answer, that is ALL harvest needs to be regulated before we start dealing with the other issues (climate change, brain worm, habitat loss etc) Otherwise all our efforts will be pointless.

But we all know that wont happen, because our government has no will to take on a so called "sensitive issue". Not every unregulated hunter hunts unsustainably, but the ones that do are extremely selfish. Thanks for ruining a valuable resource for future generations. Shame on you... You know exactly what you are doing...

[bushman]

I really don't think much, if any moose meat is being sold by FNs to non FNs. We all know what the problem is.

I beg to differ!! Met an old fella in the woods 6 years ago with a bull tag in his pocket. He said if he didn't fill it , he would have to "buy "a moose when he got back home to North Bay. He said he would have no problem, bull, cow or calf, whichever he desired. Quarter, half or whole moose, his decision. I'm pretty sure this was not going to be purchased at Walmart, Foodtown, Farm Boy or any other local butcher shop. So you tell me where he would be purchasing it.

I know, you know , the government knows and pretty much everyone else knows!!!! Unfortunately the government won't stand up and address the problem, along with many others that want to remain politically correct.

[redd foxx]

I know, you know , the government knows and pretty much everyone else knows!!!! Unfortunately the government won't stand up and address the problem, along with many others that want to remain politically correct.

And unfortunately....those who buy the moose and create the market are just as much a part of the problem. The finger of guilt keeps point around in the circle!!

[GrizzlyAdams]

And unfortunately....those who buy the moose and create the market are just as much a part of the problem. The finger of guilt keeps point around in the circle!!

We can only hope the moose they buy is rotten and gives them severe food poisoning so they learn their lesson!!! May their chilli rings be cut by a thousand razors for their folly say I

[bushman]

And unfortunately....those who buy the moose and create the market are just as much a part of the problem. The finger of guilt keeps point around in the circle!!

I agree 100%. But human nature being what it is, it seems there are always some who see it differently!

I was just pointing out that it happens and I'm sure that I am not the only one that is aware of it. Both here on the forum and in government!

[ysyg]

I beg to differ!! Met an old fella in the woods 6 years ago with a bull tag in his pocket. He said if he didn't fill it , he would have to "buy "a moose when he got back home to North Bay. He said he would have no problem, bull, cow or calf, whichever he desired. Quarter, half or whole moose, his decision. I'm pretty sure this was not going to be purchased at Walmart, Foodtown, Farm Boy or any other local butcher shop. So you tell me where he would be purchasing it.

I know, you know , the government knows and pretty much everyone else knows!!!! Unfortunately the government won't stand up and address the problem, along with many others that want to remain politically correct.

I would hope that there wouldn't be too many guys out there like the one you met 6 years ago in the woods. He could and should be fined for illegally obtaining wild game. You are right about our governments lack of action on this topic. It's sad.

[jaycee]

Over the years of my and my friends moose hunting , I can recall about 8 occasions where we have been approached by a member of FN, at the local watering hole or nearby supply store and we had been asked if we would like to buy a moose or [ two on one occasion ] if we hadn't shot our own. I personally think there is more of this going on than most people suspect .

Once in the Matachewan Hotel , we were approached and turned the guy down , and later found out from some Americans that had taken the guy up on his offer ,and then got their money back after threatening to beat the hell out of him as that moose had been hanging in the bush for a few days and was starting to smell . Makes you wonder how many moose are left to spoil this way ?

[johny]

Over the years of my and my friends moose hunting , I can recall about 8 occasions where we have been approached by a member of FN, at the local watering hole or nearby supply store and we had been asked if we would like to buy a moose or [ two on one occasion ] if we hadn't shot our own. I personally think there is more of this going on than most people suspect .

Once in the Matachewan Hotel , we were approached and turned the guy down , and later found out from some Americans that had taken the guy up on his offer ,and then got their money back after threatening to beat the hell out of him as that moose had been hanging in the bush for a few days and was starting to smell . Makes you wonder how many moose are left to spoil this way ?

I doubt the truth of most of these "moose for sale" anecdotes.
Why?
1) They only appeared a few days ago in response to this thread.
But the moose decline started years ago--- why are the rats abandoning ship now? If this information about "moose for sale in the bush" was available years ago, why did we not hear of it then?

2) Think about it!! Tourists want a lot of meat. Really?
No!! Most want Antlers, Hunt Experience, Meat in that order.
It's a lot cheaper to buy a side of grass fed beef than pay an outfitter for a moose hunt. Plus add the cost for an FN citizen for a moose shot days before by the FN or his his relatives. No way. Tourists buy a hunt. Meat is a beneficial side effect.

3) Sorry everyone but grain or grass fed beef is better than moose. Yes I love moose and deer meat. But the reason that cows are so popular is that their meat is so tasty. Who in their right mind is going to buy an expensive outfitter tag ,plus the room and board, and travel, and time off work and then buy a chewy swamp donkey shot by an FN citizen?

The whole scenario is so ridiculous that it falls into the category of "rural mythology".

[fratri]

I doubt the truth of most of these "moose for sale" anecdotes.
Why?
1) They only appeared a few days ago in response to this thread.
But the moose decline started years ago--- why are the rats abandoning ship now? If this information about "moose for sale in the bush" was available years ago, why did we not hear of it then?

2) Think about it!! Tourists want a lot of meat. Really?
No!! Most want Antlers, Hunt Experience, Meat in that order.
It's a lot cheaper to buy a side of grass fed beef than pay an outfitter for a moose hunt. Plus add the cost for an FN citizen for a moose shot days before by the FN or his his relatives. No way. Tourists buy a hunt. Meat is a beneficial side effect.

3) Sorry everyone but grain or grass fed beef is better than moose. Yes I love moose and deer meat. But the reason that cows are so popular is that their meat is so tasty. Who in their right mind is going to buy an expensive outfitter tag ,plus the room and board, and travel, and time off work and then buy a chewy swamp donkey shot by an FN citizen?

The whole scenario is so ridiculous that it falls into the category of "rural mythology".

Sorry but I don't agree with you on this..... I can see a market for this. No proof but there are lots of different types of people in this world and suspect more than a few of them would be happy to take them up on this offer.