pete_k
02-08-2014, 12:58 PM
Here is an article from the PG Citizen.
Any ideas what could be affecting the numbers so drasticly?
Hunting, Road strikes and poaching are all fairly constant numbers.
Coyote, wolf and bear pops may be on the rise which can increase calf mortality
Overall, I think it's obvious the problem is the cow calf season. Just frikin ridiculous to have a season like that.
I hope the study looks into this as well. They should discontinue that season immediately.
Here is a link to the article:
Province to probe moose death mystery
February 6, 2014
Frank PEEBLES
Citizen staff
fpeebles@pgcitizen.ca
The provincial government is initiating a study to find out what might be killing thousands of B.C. moose at an unsustainable rate.
"The study will engage 11 wildlife biologists, one wildlife veterinarian and several other staff over its five-year duration," said a Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations statement Wednesday. "Over 200 moose will be radio collared, their movements tracked and all mortalities will be investigated to determine cause of death."
There will be five study areas: northwest of Kamloops, west of 100 Mile House in the vicinity of Big Creek Provincial Park, the northern bulk of Tweedsmuir Park, from Prince George to Francois Lake, and from Prince George to Stuart / Babine Lakes.
The problem was pinpointed a few years ago by the province's staff of wildlife biologists, with significant input by Prince George-based Doug Heard. According to provincial data, in 1998 and 2005 the moose numbers in the Omineca area were about 20,000 but the numbers have plummeted to about 10,000 now. Major hunting curtailments were implemented at different spots in the province.
"I don't think hunting caused this, but we are not going to have hunting accentuate it," said Heard. "This is not a catastrophe but we want to get on it before it becomes one."
The Spruce City Wildlife Association grabbed the issue by the antlers last year with a provincial symposium held in Prince George. Although the group is populated by many avid hunters, it was decidedly in favour of protective measures, as well as a scientific investigation of the issue.
"We do feel we've had a fair bit of impact on this," said association president Jim Glaicar, also the Omineca region's president of the pro-hunter BC Wildlife Federation. Hunting is poorly served by dwindling wildlife, he said, and part of hunting's appeal is a hands-on appreciation for the ecosystem.
"The government has absolutely stepped up and addressed the problem. We certainly appreciate that they are putting resources to this. All too often the government takes it on the chin for their decisions but in this case, they took the concerns seriously and are taking the appropriate steps with a science-based effort and in a collaborative way."
Glaicar said the collaboration has some key features. One is the open line of communication that has formed between the association and a deputy minister involved in the issue, and the other is inviting the group to play a role in the data gathering. Spruce City Wildlife has partnered with UNBC and the North-Central Guide Outfitters Association to do a different study alongside the radio collar main initiative by government.
The group is even investing its own money in this project, to the tune of $10,000 per year over five years. "We will do a predator scat analysis program in moose calving areas," said Glaicar. "That is a done deal, the funding is in place. The results will be shared with the local biologists here."
Spruce City Wildlife is also asking for a grant towards another companion study. This one, should funding be obtained, would get personal with the moose. Researchers would do a series of focus sessions following one moose (a different moose each session) for a 24-hour period to learn the details of its daily activities, and add that data to the general information obtained from the 200 with radio collars.
"It's an exciting time," said Glaicar.
To raise money for these initiatives, SCWF is holding a number of events. The main fundraiser confirmed so far is their annual banquet and auction event happening March 22. Tickets are on sale now at Northern Hardware. Special guests this year are T.J. Schwanky and Vanessa Harrop, writers and television co-hosts of the Outdoor Quest program seen in Canada and the U.S. on outdoor recreation channels
Any ideas what could be affecting the numbers so drasticly?
Hunting, Road strikes and poaching are all fairly constant numbers.
Coyote, wolf and bear pops may be on the rise which can increase calf mortality
Overall, I think it's obvious the problem is the cow calf season. Just frikin ridiculous to have a season like that.
I hope the study looks into this as well. They should discontinue that season immediately.
Here is a link to the article:
Province to probe moose death mystery
February 6, 2014
Frank PEEBLES
Citizen staff
fpeebles@pgcitizen.ca
The provincial government is initiating a study to find out what might be killing thousands of B.C. moose at an unsustainable rate.
"The study will engage 11 wildlife biologists, one wildlife veterinarian and several other staff over its five-year duration," said a Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations statement Wednesday. "Over 200 moose will be radio collared, their movements tracked and all mortalities will be investigated to determine cause of death."
There will be five study areas: northwest of Kamloops, west of 100 Mile House in the vicinity of Big Creek Provincial Park, the northern bulk of Tweedsmuir Park, from Prince George to Francois Lake, and from Prince George to Stuart / Babine Lakes.
The problem was pinpointed a few years ago by the province's staff of wildlife biologists, with significant input by Prince George-based Doug Heard. According to provincial data, in 1998 and 2005 the moose numbers in the Omineca area were about 20,000 but the numbers have plummeted to about 10,000 now. Major hunting curtailments were implemented at different spots in the province.
"I don't think hunting caused this, but we are not going to have hunting accentuate it," said Heard. "This is not a catastrophe but we want to get on it before it becomes one."
The Spruce City Wildlife Association grabbed the issue by the antlers last year with a provincial symposium held in Prince George. Although the group is populated by many avid hunters, it was decidedly in favour of protective measures, as well as a scientific investigation of the issue.
"We do feel we've had a fair bit of impact on this," said association president Jim Glaicar, also the Omineca region's president of the pro-hunter BC Wildlife Federation. Hunting is poorly served by dwindling wildlife, he said, and part of hunting's appeal is a hands-on appreciation for the ecosystem.
"The government has absolutely stepped up and addressed the problem. We certainly appreciate that they are putting resources to this. All too often the government takes it on the chin for their decisions but in this case, they took the concerns seriously and are taking the appropriate steps with a science-based effort and in a collaborative way."
Glaicar said the collaboration has some key features. One is the open line of communication that has formed between the association and a deputy minister involved in the issue, and the other is inviting the group to play a role in the data gathering. Spruce City Wildlife has partnered with UNBC and the North-Central Guide Outfitters Association to do a different study alongside the radio collar main initiative by government.
The group is even investing its own money in this project, to the tune of $10,000 per year over five years. "We will do a predator scat analysis program in moose calving areas," said Glaicar. "That is a done deal, the funding is in place. The results will be shared with the local biologists here."
Spruce City Wildlife is also asking for a grant towards another companion study. This one, should funding be obtained, would get personal with the moose. Researchers would do a series of focus sessions following one moose (a different moose each session) for a 24-hour period to learn the details of its daily activities, and add that data to the general information obtained from the 200 with radio collars.
"It's an exciting time," said Glaicar.
To raise money for these initiatives, SCWF is holding a number of events. The main fundraiser confirmed so far is their annual banquet and auction event happening March 22. Tickets are on sale now at Northern Hardware. Special guests this year are T.J. Schwanky and Vanessa Harrop, writers and television co-hosts of the Outdoor Quest program seen in Canada and the U.S. on outdoor recreation channels