Moose hunt continues

Written by admin on 07 November 2009

Is it just a little bull?

by Karina Hunter

Can you tell if the moose on the right is a calf?

There is only one month of Moose Hunting Season remaining in Ontario (ends December 15^th) and Wawa District Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) officials report that there have been just ten moose shot erroneously in the Wawa district this season. More specifically three cows and one calf in the Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) referred to as 21b, the hunting area surrounding Manitouwadge. Of the ten moose alleged to have been unlawfully killed, nine kills were investigated by MNR authorities as self-reported incidents where the hunter who shot the moose called the ministry him/herself; the tenth moose was the unfortunate case of a cow having been shot and then left to rot most likely after a hunter realized they had killed a moose for which they did not have a tag. When ministry officials establish that a moose is shot under one of three legal infractions; Hunt cow without validation tag, Hunt bull without validation tag, or Unlawfully hunt moose, the meat salvaged from these kills is most often given to the area’s food bank.

Self-reporting of erroneously shot moose has increased in recent years Conservation Officer Marcel DeMars remembers 15 yrs ago when an average season would include 15-20 investigations of moose found wasting in the bush, abandoned after being shot unlawfully. DeMars stressed that self-reporting is not the solution when the status of a moose a hunter has in his/her sights is questioned as the decision to pull the trigger will still result in a ticket and a thorough investigation adding that though self-reported cases of unlawful hunt occurrences less frequently require a court appearance, there are no guarantees. DeMars’ advice “If you’re not sure, don’t shoot”. Why are large game enthusiasts not abiding by this simple mantra? Assumptions regarding relationships between pairs of moose can be misleading; DeMars explained “Just because a cow has a smaller moose by its side does not qualify the latter as a calf”. In fact MNR 2009/10 Hunting Regulations define a calf as “a moose that is less than one year old at the time of the hunt” there is no relevance to the animal being in the company of another and DeMars explained that it is not at all rare for a year and a half old moose to still be by its mothers side. How then are hunters expected to be certain whether the moose they see is a calf or just a young cow or bull with separation anxiety? They aren’t; if it is not blatantly obvious that the moose you have your sights locked on is the moose for which you possess a tag just don’t shoot it.

Hunters who self-report an unlawful hunt often retain their hunting privileges as well as their tag (assuming it has not been affixed to the moose) though DeMars emphasizes that every case is investigated by a conservation officer who considers each based on it’s individual circumstances. Hunters can get a copy of the Hunting Regulations Summary, published by the province each spring, from license issuers, ServiceOntario offices or online. Each hunter has a responsibility to read and understand the regulations before hunting as ignorance is not a viable defense in court. The bottom line, it is illegal to abandon game or allow it to spoil. If you mistakenly shoot the wrong game, call the toll free 1-877-TIPS-MNR line and report it as soon as possible.

Helpful tips for hunting and field cleaning your moose from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Hunting/Moose_hunt/moose_game_care.htm