Ont. moose program under review

News Release
MNR

TORONTO — The Ontario government will conduct a broad public review of Ontario’s moose
program, Natural Resources Minister David Ramsay said today.
“The review will address concerns raised by the hunting community within the greater context of the entire moose program,” said Ramsay. “We want to ensure our world-class program continues to respond to environmental changes as well as the needs of society.”
The review will deal with factors affecting moose populations, such as environmental influences and population and habitat objectives, as well as the resident moose tag allocation and harvest management system.
Ministry staff will work with other experts, Aboriginal communities, moose hunters and stakeholders, including the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, to determine best approaches to ensure the long-term sustainability of the moose population and how to allocate hunting opportunities.
Ontario’s moose tag allocation system provides flexible hunting opportunities while maintaining sustainable moose populations. However, the demand for adult moose tags is greater than the number of available moose, which leaves some resident hunters going years without receiving a tag.
Measures have been taken in past years to address the availability of moose tags as well as the number of moose harvested. An enhancement to the program this year will be the allocation of a moose tag in a successful group to the person who has gone the longest without one.
“Moose hunters have voiced their concerns, and addressing them is a priority for me,” said Ramsay.
“But we need long-term solutions, so we’re asking for input from all interested parties – by working together we can maintain a sustainable program.”
The ministry will be hosting information sessions across the province starting in January 2008 to encourage participation in the review process and to gather opinions and advice from moose hunters.