Nova Scotia Hunting Forum banner

Nl Moose On A Decline

2K views 3 replies 4 participants last post by  long-gone 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/moose-licences-cut-newfoundland-1.4450317Newfoundland and Labrador could soon be cutting down on the number of moose hunting licences it gives out.

Gerry Byrne, the province's minister of fisheries and land resources, is ready to take action after hearing feedback from hunters, outfitters and hunting organizations that the number of moose in the province is on the decline.
■A licence for every 2 animals: Hunters say Newfoundland moose population at risk

"I think it's time to bring those licences down," Byrne told CBC Radio's On The Go. "It appears to me that there's a widespread agreement - if not demand - for that to occur."

His comments come following reports of declining moose, specifically on the Northern Peninsula, and a CBC story this week where a hunter found a moose riddled with parasites.

Announcement coming soon

Byrne said scientists are looking at the data now, and hunters can expect an announcement soon on how many big game licences will be issued.

He suspects that hunting pressure is the No. 1 cause of declining numbers, but can't talk specifics until proper research is complete.

Gerry Byrne
Newfoundland and Labrador Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources Gerry Byrne says hunters can expect an announcement soon regarding music licence numbers. (Cal Tobin/CBC)

The province is also looking to step up its moose survey efforts, after only three surveys were done last year instead of the usual five, which Byrne said was in part due to poor weather conditions.

"Our objective for 2018/2019 will be for five to seven surveys throughout the province, and then carry that on annually," he said.

Diseased moose

Some have raised concerns that moose numbers are down because the animals are eating white pine seedlings, or consuming insecticides sprayed by government near roads or during construction of electricity lines.

However, Byrne said those concerns are unwarranted as there is no widespread planting of white pine in the province or large scale use of pesticides.

"The province does not carry out forced pest control programs in a large scale at all. In fact, we don't do any," he said.

John Butt
Hunter John Butt cleans a Northern Peninsula moose that was sick with parasites. (John Butt/Submitted)

There have also been claims that moose in the province have been found suffering from conditions such as wasting syndrome or Johne's disease.

Byrne said the reality is that moose, and indeed any wild animals, sometime become ill.

He applauded people who bring diseased moose to wildlife officials to be tested, and said of the 38 sick moose that were delivered between 2003 and 2015, all died of explainable causes.

"We have not found any instances of wasting syndrome or of Johne's disease," he said.

"There are sick moose every year. I'm not trying to understate this, or minimize this, but the reality is that there are sick moose and that has been the case for decades."
 
See less See more
#2 ·
I recently worked 2 years in Nfld at Long Harbour, from my experience on that end of the island there were way to many moose. At least once a week someone would come to work and say they hit a moose or "did you see the moose on the highway", it was terrifying driving after dark of fear of hitting a moose. Almost everyone has an L.E.D. light-bar on their vehicle to see moose, personally I don't think it's a bad thing that the numbers are down especially if it's around the highways, in my opinion there are way to many moose for safety reasons. Now the health of the herd I can't speak on, just my .02 cents tho..............
 
#3 · (Edited by Moderator)
I probably know more newfies than you could shake a stick at lol and yes, there is an over hunting problem. They also have a HUGE bear population taking their toll. As far as being susceptible to disease goes, that is highly plausable given that the entire NL moose population comes from a small introduction many years ago. A pretty shallow gene pool when you think of it. Pretty sure there were originally less than 10 moose released on the rock.
 
#4 ·
talking to outfitters etc....it seems sightings are down....compared to say 5 years ago. But in reality...it may be a more realistic number now. Like mentioned before....i cant speak to the disease aspect.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top