The government is cutting the number of moose that can be killed by hunters by 18 per cent this year because populations are falling in northern Ontario.

The Ministry of Natural Resources says it is cutting adult moose tags by about 18 per cent for 2014 to 13,478, with the largest reductions in areas with the biggest population declines. The decline is expected to hurt some tourist operators who cater to moose hunters.

Ontario's moose draw opens April 22.

Overall, the 13,478 resident moose tags available for 2014 are down from 16,383 tags in 2013. The limits change by region:

the Southern region is increasing by 134 tags, or 8.3 per cent.
Northwest Ontario is decreasing by 2,394 tags, or 22.4 per cent.
Northeast region is losing 645 tags, 15.8 below 2013.

The ministry said the reduction in moose herds is not isolated to Ontario. Falling moose populations have also been seen in Manitoba and Minnesota and have been squeezed by a changing climate and its effect on habitats, more predators, development pressures, parasites and disease.

“Ontario and its partners have agreed that we must act now to secure the future of moose in this province," said David Orazietti, Minister of Natural Resources. "Moose are not only important to Ontario’s economy, particularly in northern communities, but they are also vital to our province’s biodiversity.”

John Kaplanis, executive director of the Northwestern Ontario Sportsmen’s Alliance, said the hunters' group hopes to help turn around the trend by helping the ministry with moose management.

“While this is not encouraging news for moose hunters, it does present the opportunity to re-evaluate how we share in the management of the moose resource. We would like to work co-operatively with the Ministry of Natural Resources to investigate this trend and subsequently make changes to manage moose, with confidence that this declining trend can be turned around.”

Aerial surveys last winter indicated moose populations are showing signs of decline in most areas of northeastern Ontario and in the more accessible parts of northwestern Ontario.

Heard: Ontario cuts moose tags by 18 per cent

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