Concerns Over Moose Management Plan

[David]

An outfitter is expressing very serious concerns about government's plans to increase the number of moose licenses issued across the island and an extension to the hunting season. Rollie Wheeler of Cow Head calls it a "knee-jerk" reaction to concerns expressed about the number of moose-vehicle collisions on the island, particularly in light of a recent class-action lawsuit filed against government.   He says instead, government should concentrate on increasing licenses in high traffic areas and along highways. Otherwise, he says, we're looking at an end to a way of life. Wheeler says one only needs to see the mistakes made with increasing caribou licenses in Labrador.   He says the once-mighty George River caribou herd numbered three quarters of a million animals, now it's down to just 70 or 80 thousand in just a few years. Just read this on the VOCM website, what is you opinion ?

[Allan Nippard]

I agree with this Dave, but we all know how dangrous highway hunting can be and well most likely cause more damage than moose -vehicle collisons. all in all im prepared to see a major fall in the moose population.  

[David]

personally I don't think increasing the licenses in high traffic areas is the answer either, like you said Allan the chances for vehicle collisions is alot higher then. I think they should leave the licenses were they are at and give the new moose detection systems and fencing a chance to see how well it works this year. It would be a damn shame to see the moose population brought down so low due to over hunting that it can not rebound. 

[Scott Hudson]

Incresing the licence will do jack all, I Know alot of people who never filled their tags this year just more people hunting the same areas.

 

Drivers got to slow down, more traffic=more incounters

[Peter Emberley]

"all in all im prepared to see a major fall in the moose population"

If the moose population falls to unhuntable numbers, you will a major loss in revenue to all these little communites all over the island and indeed to the government coffers. 28000 moose licences x $46 1.3 million and that is the cheapest part of the hunt. 1 licence, mine this is what I spent, 2 boxes of ammo 1 for target shooting 1 for hunting $70. I bought a new rifle & scope this year another $600. Gear for hunting, saws, ropes, quad, tripod, waterproof jacket & pants another $600. It cost $300 to get 2 quarters cut up. Count lunches and gas and I got mine on the 3rd trip, so I got off cheap. I could have went to the end of the season before getting. I'm in for 16 or 17 hundred, x that 28000 thats 47.6 million. Now I know most people don't spend that much but some people spend more. Thats every year!!!!

[David]

It would be nice to see a actual study put into how much money the moose hunt actually brings in to the province, from local hunters to non resident hunters. I think if they looked at it that way they would have a completely different outlook on moose. I know personally I was into mine for about $600 at the minimum and I only got 2 trips at it, previous years it cost me up wards of $ 2000 to fill tags on the northern peninsula, and there were 3 of use on that trip. 

[Peter Emberley]

Plus the money going directly into these small communities. No one wants anyone hurt on our highways. Over-reacting will only cause more pain in the long run. Want to kill something off, kill off the mosquitoes and blackflies!!!

[cam hall]

People need to slow down driving and be on the look for moose, look t alaska's moose population you see moose walking up and down the road in the citys, yes in some moose accidents the was nothing you can do, a moose jumps right out infront of you and you cant aviod it but again alot could have been prevented, i dont think they should increase licences and i dont think it will cut back on a big lot of moose, just in easy acces areas.

[cam hall]

moose population is underestimated to, go in on the farmers roads in goulds in night time no trouble to see 20 different moose anight and there olny the ones on the feilds, 90 percnt of the cows got twin calfs, coyote popultion goes up that is what will do the job on moose