The David Suzuki Foundation and Ontario Nature welcomed Ontario’s decision on April 4th, to maintain current hunting regulations for Ontario’s northern wolves and coyotes. In December, 2015, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry proposed to address declining moose populations by making it easier to kill wolves, removing any limit to the number of coyotes that could be killed by licensed hunters, and opening up the hunt to non-residents.
The David Suzuki Foundation, Ontario Nature and other organizations argued that science does not support predator control as a long-term, successful means of managing moose and other prey populations. “We are happy to see that the government has based its final decision on science and precaution,” said Anne Bell, the Director of Conservation and Education at Ontario Nature. “Enlightened wildlife management calls for more than shot-in-the-dark solutions that unwisely target top predators like wolves and coyotes.” There are many potential factors contributing to moose decline in Ontario in recent years. The one certain factor is hunting pressure by humans. Appropriately, the Province has been implementing changes to the hunting regime, and is seeking to better understand the causes of moose decline.
“We hope to have turned the page on this issue,” said Rachel Plotkin, Ontario Science Projects Manager at the David Suzuki Foundation. “For centuries wolves and coyotes have been treated as vermin and problem animals when really they are linchpins in healthy, functioning ecosystems. They continue to be scapegoated and killed as a result of misguided management decisions. This has to change.”
2 Comments
Totally BULLSHIT with Suzuki not understanding the logic behind the decline of the moose population as well as the MNR! Wolves,coyotes and bears are the main predators that can be controlled and that is what is happening. What can not or will not be controlled is MAN as is HUNTER. I do not think that there are more hunters all hunting moose in Ontario, heck with all the restrictions and expense one would wonder how or why this could be possible. An example is the unfair tag system that limits one to entry early in a lottery. Failing to receive a Tag in most areas that have the most hunters, well that is another question. The reason behind this is absurd with the calf now having its own available mandated time. So a party of say 4 hunters that applied in an area say 35 or 36 do not receive a tag then this group can not hunt moose till the calf season opens which is around 10 to 14 days later and then only for 12 or 14 days. This calf hunting was the only thing going for us hunters that planned a hunt to get out for the thrill and enjoyment. I guess we could all pack up and go to other areas or arrange for a fly in expensive encounter that most likely will result in receiving a tag or two but now this has become a huge decision with a hefty price tag. These same areas also have this restriction on the calf season and most have more COW tags available! Now you tell me, kill the mother, who will make more babies and who will look after its baby!!! Mr. Suzuki you ever look into this! So say something about the precious wolf and save the bears but kill mommy and let its calf be food for these hungry killers! I guess you also believe that a hungry wolf pack only kill what they need or only the weak or old! NOT true, they will kill anything that they can and anything that they can catch. The bear too will follow the mother till birth and upon delivery, ambush the poor little new born, grasping it by the neck to carry away and eat. In fact bear is the #1 moose calf predator. I say, bring on the wolf and bear hunt and make changes to this tag system to make it fair for all us hunters. The other factors of moose decline must be addressed as well and that is the absurd notion about harvesting the Cow moose and the restrictions on the Calf. The uncontrolled problem with overharvesting by the FN and Metis is in my opinion the most valid reason for moose population with no restrictions and until this gets controlled, then nothing will change and we all can continue to pick at straws.
I agree with you 100% on your statement. What also needs to be controlled is the year round hunting by natives and metis, These group where not using 4X4 trucks, 4 wheeler’s, and high powered rifles when their precious treaties were drawn up. If they want to hunt year round with no licenses, bags limits or regulations what so ever, they should be doing so with what technology that was available to them at the time when these treaties were sign. This type of hunting is the root of our declining moose, deer, and bear populations. The same can be said for fishing.