EBR POSTING LETTER ON 2024…

EBR POSTING LETTER ON 2024 MOOSE TAG PROPOSED CHANGES
I am the chairperson of a hunting association in Central Ontario that has 79 organized regulated camps and over 12 people per camp making up over 800 hunters in the province. I met with the Minister of Natural Resources in August 2024 to voice concerns of the lack of tags and effective moose survey data which has reduced tag numbers in our area dramatically since the point system was put in place. I was pleased to see that the Ministry listened to some of our concerns and wanted to make changes to try and improve getting more tags into the hands of hunters. Organized camps hunting in well established groups are being short changed on doing what the points system was pitched as a better way to plan for future tag allocations. It was explained that the higher points hunters would be the ones in the groups receiving tags as their points built up thus giving what most camps wanted. What was desired by moose hunters was at least one tag for each camp allowing the group to have a moose hunt each year and enjoying at least one tag per camp. It is obvious this is not the case and that the proposed modifications could be adverse to our groups.
Problems I see with the suggested changes:
1/ the uncertainty of how the last Chance draw will be administered to make it fair for all hunters especially those in established camps. I question how will the first come first served could possibly work.
2/ Four years of the point system should be reducing the high number of points applicants out of the equation but this past year has proved it wasn't consistent with the information supplied since its inception.
3/ Hunters are still trying to figure out the 99Z process to take advantage of random draws that don't seem to be equitable for receiving tags. This process was likely a lot of the problem with tags not being claimed as hunters with high points accepting a calf tag for example when the following year hopes are still there that an adult tag may be possible.
4/ The economic impact to small municipalities like where we live and hunt is palpable since the points system was put in place. Our community's small businesses were crippled by Covid and if the camps soon don't get back to a new normal it will kill our struggling retailers who rely on shoulder season traditions like big game hunting.
5/ I have the annual statistics which I supplied to the Minister of Natural Resources that show with the
point system and lack of tags this past season, less than 25% of camps could set up and take part in our hunting heritage of hunting moose in an area abundant in this natural resource.

Please feel free to contact me if you would require further information on this issue and I hope my comments are taken seriously. I previously submitted this posting with an attachment which was presented to the Minister in August 2024 which had more in-depth data supporting our concerns. It was rejected since it had identifying information included so I have not included the attachment and hope this posting is appropriate. Thank you for the notification which permitted me time to re-submit. I have no issues with my name or other contact information being published with my submission.
Thank you