Moose population down. Unofficial cull?

[Kevin]

Okay we can start reducing the amount of moose tags being issued every year.  The numbers are way down and hunters are spending a lot time and money on a slim chance of getting their moose.  Yes I know some got their moose on opening day, great, but I would suggest that this is not as common as it was just 5 or 6 years ago. 

On the northern Peninsula, a few years ago, people were seeing 50 moose a day just driving around, this year however much much less.   One guy told me he only saw 6 moose the week he was up there this year.   I know we still get moose sighting reports on the traffic watch, but that used to be a daily report, don't hardly hear of it anymore. 

So the numbers are down, the herd has been unofficially culled and now we have to go into management mode.  We have to report poachers, and be happy with a tag a little less often.  We also have to spend more time looking for the moose we shoot at.  A moose can walk away after being hit seemingly unharmed and just drop dead in the bush somewhere while the hunter goes and gives it another try on another moose thus reducing our moose population even more.   Mother nature does not replace a shot moose with a new moose every year like some people believe. 

The down side is that people don't like to be regulated, my self included but we do have to submit to that so that we can enjoy the hunt for many years to come. 

[Peter Emberley]

I totally agree, Kevin. I also believe something has to done with the coyote rifle poacher. The season needs to be reduced to where it once was. The moose hunting season is 3 weeks longer than it used to be. A serious look at these measures with a reduction in licenses should have an impact over time.

Each and every hunter is morally responsible to be familiar with their rifle and it's limitations. Get out and practice with your rifle before the season opens. Make sure your rifle is accurate and only take shots that you are certain of placing a bullet in the kill shot area. Too many moose are wondering off after being hit in a non vital area. You should also take the time to go look for an animal after a shot. if you don't, you stay home and watch hunting on TV.

[kenneth Griffiths]

You can take that to the bank. I have this year never seen moose so scarce. When in moose hunting we see for sure 10 to 15 moose while out hunting for one. This year I have to say after along search on the 6 day of the 7 I finally got one. Not like it used to be and it was not close either. The moose trend is all ready way down, now it's time to stabilize it.

[jamie reardon]

What they did here on the northern peninsula was pathetic. Unreal how many hunters settled with killing a this year calf the last few days of the season, just to fill they're licence, a lot of those guys had either sex hunting most all fall.area 1 in particular has been hit to hard. The little back country we had held a few moose that were sort of our seed moose, but with the later closures people are getting back there on snow machines the last few years taking those moose.Too bad our moose resource had to brought down like this, just hoping things can change in the near future, before its too late.

[Jordan Harris]

I also agree that the moose population is declining, at least on the Bonavista Peninsula. Since I was away all fall and didn't get to begin hunting until mid December, I had never seen one from then up until the end of the season. Neither have I seen one up until now with being in the woods every weekend since. Not even seeing many tracks around in the snow. Also I have noticed last year and this one a major decline in the rabbit population. I seen only a handful all last fall and have yet to see one since I came back home from being away the fall. 

[Evil Goose]

Moose hunting starts in many areas of the island a full week before the waterfowl season. I have seen a number of hunters shooting at birds with their rifles before the season (due to being first week of moose season). This drives the birds away from the areas they are in as well as killing some of them. September is way too early to open the season. The first or second weekend in October would be a perfect start, with a close around the first weekend of December.

[Peter Emberley]

Same problem when coyote season opens. I think the moose season opens too soon and closes way to late.

[Darrell Bailey]

Coyote rifles are not helping the situation I have heard of people getting a coyote licence as an excuse to go in the woods and poach moose with these guns. Its all bad enough that they are doing it but these guns are way under powered to take down big game how many moose go away and die from wounds. We are our own worst enemy here people if it moves it has to die is the motto of allot of irresponsible hunters. I for one hunted with my brother this year we got a moose luckily but we only seen 4 in an area where you normally see lots. I am one of those people that travel the highway allot for both work and pleasure and I haven't seen a moose in that long I can't even remember when it was. I also would like to comment to the side of the people who have accidents the are called accidents for a reason slow down pay attention and for the love of god put away the cell phones that call is not that important as you are flying down the highway.

[kenneth Griffiths]

I have to say that it dont make a difference to a poacher what gun he or she is useing. A 12 gauge slug can do the same. So we all use a 12 gauge gun to hunt. I guess what i am saying is a poacher will only stop if he or she gets arested. I have a 22-250 and i hear people say it will take down a moose. I will never know.

[Darrell Bailey]

I totally agree with what you say I think the big problem here is most people attitude "its not my job" well its everyone's job to report poaching my son is 15 and wants to be a wildlife officer to make a difference I say good on him and as an avid hunter I will support him.  

[Peter Emberley]

We must all do, all we can to protect our wildlife resources. Our wildlife enforcement officers are doing all they can but they need all of our help.

[kenneth Griffiths]

Good for him more is needed in the field. I hhave been huntibg for along time and not once have seen an
Officer