Local moose population increases by 30%

News Release
MNR

DRYDEN – The Ministry of Natural Resources has been counting moose throughout areas of Northwestern Ontario for the last two months.
The ministry surveyed moose populations in five Wildlife Management Units in five districts: Unit 4 in Sioux Lookout, Unit 11A in Fort Frances, Unit 13 in Thunder Bay, Unit 15A in Dryden and Unit 18A in Geraldton.
“There was no consistent trend in moose populations across the region; some units were stable, some showed an increase, some showed a decrease,” said Ted Armstrong, Ministry of Natural Resources Northwest Regional Wildlife Biology Specialist. “There has been a concern about low numbers of calves in the population across the region for the past few winters. In general, the proportion of calves in the population appears to be on the increase, although there are still some areas with low number of calves.”
All five planned surveys were completed because of good snow cover. Last winter two surveys were cancelled due to insufficient snow.
Adult moose validation tag quotas for 2008 will be based on the moose surveys as well as moose harvest information. Ministry biologists expect to complete their moose harvest plans by early March.

Survey breakdown
Fort Frances
WMU 11A - The estimated population increased 30% from the previous survey in 2004, although the increase is not statistically significant. Calf composition was very good at 18% of the population. There were 41 calves per 100 cows and 36% of cows had at least one calf which was the highest observed since 1996.

Sioux Lookout
WMU 4 - Results have not yet been fully analyzed, but it appears that the population estimate will be lower. The % calves in the population also appears to be the lowest in several surveys.

Thunder Bay
WMU 13 - The estimated population appears to be down approximately 18% from the previous survey in 2004 (The population estimate is 4122 (obs. + missed), down 900 moose from the 2004 survey). The proportion of calves (14% calves in the population), and the ratio of calves to cows (23 calves/100 cows) is also down slightly from the last survey.

Dryden (Ignace)
WMU 15A - The estimated population is slightly lower (- 8 %) than the estimate from the previous survey in 2005. However, calf recruitment has improved (both % calves and the ratio of calves to cows - 12% calves and 19 calves/100 cows), and it is anticipated that the population may begin to slowly increase over the next few years. A few sets of twins were observed in this survey, while none were seen in 2005.
Nipigon (Geraldton)
WMU 18A - The population estimate is statistically the same as that obtained from the last survey in 2001. The proportion of calves in the population has doubled since the last survey to 18% calves. The calves/cow ratio is down slightly from the last survey in 2001 (33 calves/100 cows).