Comment
PROPOSED ENHANCEMENTS TO MOOSE TAG ALLOCATION PROCESS
ERO # 019-7813
(submitted Nov 20/24)
This current Proposal is a broad brush and knee-jerk reaction and an attempt to solve a problem that is NOT Province wide. No one, except the hunters declining a tag knows why it is being declined. There are many valid reasons and hunters should not be punished for exercising their discretion. Mass and drastic changes are not the answer.
The current system was put in place not only to make tag selection fairer to hunters but also an attempt to manage the moose population, by reducing the number of calf harvests. This current system also means that being awarded an ADULT tag may be a “once in a lifetime” opportunity for many mature hunters.
The proposal to add a third (last chance) allocation stage would be the fairest and least disruptive change to the system. The details of the process would obviously need to go through scrutiny and feedback to ensure a fair and easy solution. Make this enhancement and see how it addresses the current concerns. Presumably when the current allocation process and system was devised, the creators knew there could be growing pains to be addressed and modified. No system is fool-proof out of the gate.
Forcing a hunter to take a tag or lose the points makes no sense. The proposal is not a deterrent, its overreach and unnecessary. We are even wondering if the concern by the MNR about the number of unclaimed tags is a financial one. How much money is the MNR losing through unclaimed tag quota?
The majority of tags that are not awarded or go unclaimed are probably for calves. The MNR should take this as a win, from a population management perspective, and these should not be factored into any change proposals or decisions.
Let’s face it, not all Wildlife Management Units are the same, as far as moose populations, quotas or number of hunters so any proposed changes should be fair and equitable. Hunters in established camps are unlikely to uproot by applying and hunting in areas where the quotas and chance to secure a tag are higher.
In southern Ontario (below Sudbury/North Bay), for example, there are many well-established camps that are attempting to secure ONE (and only one) ADULT tag, in an environment of low quotas and high number of hunters. In most WMU’s in this area, all adult tags are allocated to First Choice applicants in both the Primary and Second Chance draws. Second and Third Choice will never come into play in either draws. In the Primary and Second Chance draws, the majority of First Choice applicants are unsuccessful. In certain cases, the remaining available quota in an allocation step may need to be distributed from a large pool of applicants in the same point category. Since this is done by random draw, there is no way of knowing that you and a hunting partner could both be awarded a tag, when all you want is ONE. This random draw component will become even more prevalent as the high-point hunters circulate out (rest to zero) with allocations.
By contrast, in certain northern Ontario WMU’s, there may not be enough hunter applicants in First, Second and Third Choice combined to allocate tags based on quota, even in the Primary Allocation. It all comes down to quota/hunter (applicant) ratio.
Most hunters and camps want to be able to moose hunt every year. In order to do this, someone in the camp needs to secure a tag. Hunters with mediocre points are doing everything they can in the current tag system to secure a single tag, without losing those precious points. If this camp BY LUCK secures two tags, in its simple act of desperation, one will certainly not be claimed, to protect the moose population and to ensure hunter points for future applications and the ability to hunt next season. Since most camps would be satisfied with a single adult tag, the “application desperation” could be eliminated by bringing back some form of group tag allocation.
Further to the agreement noted above (to add a third/last chance allocation stage), it is highly recommended that this step NOT be done by a so-called “modern automated process”. The chances of this flimsy process being fair and equitable is slim to none. The added stage should be incorporated into the current allocation system and process. If this happens to take a little more time and effort, so be it.
Discussed, agreed and signed by the five members of The Washago Hunt Club
November 9, 2024
Submitted November 20, 2024 2:40 PM
Comment on
Proposed enhancements to the points-based moose tag allocation process for resident hunters
ERO number
019-7813
Comment ID
120439
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Comment status