I'm generally supportive of…

I'm generally supportive of the recommendations outlined here except when it comes to 8b - Group Applications and proposed elimination of them.

I feel this recommendation fails to take into consideration the online survey preferences indicated by hunters (70%) or the statistical relevance of group applications and how such applications actually result in a better and fairer distribution of tags among all hunters.

• The current list of hunters who’ve gone the longest without at tag are those who have failed to understand the current draw system and how it was designed to encourage group applications which statistically have a much higher probability of drawing a tag (Step 1 & Step 2) and result in a better distribution of tags among all. The current proposal will mainly benefit those who were ignorant of how to properly apply in the first place and likely significantly reduce opportunities for hunters who hunt and apply as long-established groups.
• A stand in line point system sounds great, but there is a high probability of longer periods between tags on average between hunters. For the first couple of years especially, there are likely to be large numbers of applicants with the same number of points, requiring a random draw. A draw that likely will have insufficient tags to address all the ties. Hi potential for increasing wait times between tags for hunters.
• Eliminating Individual applications and implementing group only applications will decrease wait times between tags and distribute tags more fairly among all hunters, among all MWUs and hunt types.
• The proposed recommendation of treating all individuals equally, the draw will likely diminish the distribution of tags among the greatest number of hunters. This is unfair to those who understood the current draw system and hunt/applied accordingly to maximize chances of receiving a tag.
• The current proposal will also do nothing to prevent multiple tags being issued to individual hunters who link up to party hunt. My experience has been that even with the proposed ability to not accept a tag, most groups will likely accept multiple tags, thereby further reducing the distribution of tags among hunting parties.
• Receiving a tag as an individual should be irrelevant, as the vast majority of moose hunters hunt in groups even if they choose to apply as an individual. The current system allocates the tag to the person who has gone the longest without. If the proposal only allowed group applications, these hunters who have gone without a tag would be the first to get a tag if their group is successful, while ensuring only 1 tag per moose hunting group.
• Getting a tag in the current system is predictable if applying in a group. Tag gets allocated to hunter who has gone the longest without a tag. Same would occur if system only accepted group applications.
• In the proposal of treating all applicants as individuals, the draw pool only shrinks by one (1) each time a tag is allocated. Comparatively, if only group applications were allowed, the draw pool would shrink by the entire group size each time a tag is allocated, thereby statistically increasing the odds of remaining groups in the draw pool as the draw is run.
• I have annual copies of each Moose Draw Statistical Report for each WMU and it clearly illustrates that group applications have better probability for drawing a single tag, resulting in a better and fair distribution of tags among all than that of individual applicants, who for the most part hunt in groups anyway.
• Alternatively, allocating a certain percentage of tags for specific group sizes (groups 2-5, 6-10, 11-15) would also provide a fair distribution among hunters and allow them the ability to choose their preferred group size.
• Another Alternative option would be only allow party hunting for hunters that apply as a group (same as elk group hunting regs). No more lenient Party Hunting rules that allows hunters to hunt with multiple groups, which increase fill and harvest rates.
• Another Alternative would be to only allow individual applicants to apply for calf tags (if the unit can support such harvest) and not adult tags. Individuals who prefer to hunt alone are generally targeting calves. Adults tags allocated to groups share the resource around more people.

Recommendation 4 – Early bow specific seasons
• I fully support the recommendation for creating bow seasons similar to WMUs 48, 55A&B and 57.
o Increasing archery opportunities with specific tag quotas for each hunt type will spread out applicant pressure and help increase distribution of tags among hunters. Current units around Algonquin Park are the most heavily subscribed WMU’s in the province, partly due to increased costs to travel to NE & NW and reduced tags.