Comment
Synchronizing of multiple WMU seasons and having separate Archery versus Firearm seasons, those changes are smart and overdue.
Calf Harvest should be restricted and or simply eliminated if the goal is to increase the moose population. I suspect that is not the actual goal in many WMU, especially those anticipating a recovery of Woodland Caribou, whether likely or not.
If and only if this proposed system is adopted, I believe any person who receives a Bull or a Cow tag should legally be allowed to harvest a calf with that tag in any WMU. But your tag is used, no matter what animal is harvested. That would simplify things and still allow for a somewhat higher chance of a successful hunt for some parties that would be satisfied with a calf.
Party Hunting is fine the way it is, restricting distances and or limiting the number of guys or kids in a party is just another way to restrict hunter participation. Limit the tags, to the numbers of Moose that can be safely harvested. Don't further restrict hunter participation. Hunting is dying as a sport. We need to make sure that its simple, and fun. Not a complicated, expensive sport, just a fun and simple sport. I can only imagine the fines coming from people being found to be 100 meters beyond the allowable distance from the person with the "tag".
I think the current and proposed systems are too complicated. I suggest a simple Bull Moose only season, minimum antler width of 48" to be legal, and that's all. Issue tags based on that, with a 10 person party hunting limit if that is what is desired.
The preference point and tag system may work just fine, as long as the price of the combined tag and licence are reasonable. Currently the cost of the license is high enough that many people I know choose not to hunt moose any more, simply because they haven't received a tag in so long they are discouraged, and don't want to waste the money. Almost no one I know or associate with bothers to hunt moose with only a calf tag. They just simply don't participate any more.
Submitted August 24, 2019 1:37 PM
Comment on
Improvements to moose management as part of the Moose Management Review
ERO number
019-0405
Comment ID
33324
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Comment status