This week, John Yakabuski, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, and Mike Harris, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, announced the government’s proposal to revise moose management in the province, based on the recommendations of the Big Game Management Advisory Committee (BGMAC). In spring 2019, the government tasked BGMAC to advise the province on a path forward. The committee has provided the government with its report which is now available on ontario.ca/moose-management-review.
“We are listening to moose hunters across the province, and our proposal is designed to work for the hunting community,” said Yakabuski. “I encourage Ontario’s hunters to review the proposal and consider its implications on moose populations and future hunting opportunities. I would like to thank BGMAC and the committee’s Chair, John Kaplanis, for their dedication and insight on strengthening moose management in Ontario.”
The government’s proposal is now available on the Environmental Registry of Ontario for public feedback. An additional proposal to address the committee’s recommendation regarding moose predation has also been posted for comment. Interested hunters, members of the public and organizations are invited to review the proposals on the Environmental Registry and provide their comments by September 25, 2019.
“Our government recognizes the importance of moose hunting to Ontario families and communities,” said MPP Harris. “We want to make sure Ontarians can get outdoors and enjoy the sport of hunting, and that these opportunities are available today and long into the future.”
“We have said from the beginning that our goal is to make hunting fairer and simpler for hunters, while ensuring sustainable populations,” said Bill Walker, MPP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound. “I look forward to hearing feedback from our hunting community.”
Walker added that hunting is an important economic driver in rural and northern Ontario.
“Our government is committed to supporting hunting, which contributes more than $430 million to Ontario’s economy and creates jobs in many rural and northern communities that depend on it,” he said. “In particular, moose hunting generates over $200 million in economic activity.”
The government is also proposing changes to wolf and coyote hunting regulations in northern Ontario to address hunter concerns about the potential impacts of wolf predation on moose populations, based on BGMAC’s recommendations. The public can provide feedback on this proposal at https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-0406
Moose hunting contributes over $205 million to Ontario’s economy. The BGMAC committee consists of members with diverse knowledge and experience in moose management and quota review, moose hunting, tourist outfitter operations, and experience on wildlife advisory committees. BGMAC hosted seven listening sessions in May and June, 2019. Over 600 interested hunters, members of the public, and organizations attended these sessions to share their perspectives to develop a path forward. Over 2,000 individuals provided comments through an online survey. A summary of input received is contained in BGMAC’s report available on ontario.ca/moose-management-review.
Additional Resources
source: media reease
