JDR
04-23-2013, 07:19 PM
In case anyone else was wondering, I asked the local bio (Brian Harris) the following:
1) Why have the LEH authorizations for 8-09 been reduced in the last several years as follows:
-------------------------2010/11--------- 2011/12------- 2012/13--------- 2013/14
Oct. 1 to 31 ----------- 6 ------------------ 4 ----------------- 2 -------------------1
Nov. 1 to 31 ----------12 ----------------- 9 ----------------- 4 ------------------- 2
2) How many authorizations were given for the same time periods to the guide outfitter who had rights for this area?
Brian's response:
Moose are a popular game animal in the Okanagan, in fact, the Region supports the highest moose hunter density (moose hunters per unit area) in the Province, so we closely watch the hunter harvest. Under the current Region 8 Moose harvesting plan, the target harvest is 6% of the moose population estimate, divided equally between immature bulls (general open season for spike/fork bulls) and adult bulls (LEH for any bull). We adjust the LEH numbers each year achieve the target harvest of 3% of the moose population estimate. One of the performance measures of the hunting regulations is to have at least 30 bulls per 100 cows remaining after the hunting season.
In the past winter, we received funding for a detailed moose population survey in 4 management units, including 8-09. The new population estimate for MU8-09 is 237. However, during that survey we found very low bull ratios in 8-09 (8 bulls per 100 cows). In response, I reduced the LEH numbers for the coming year and may shorten the general open season for 2014 as well. We found low bull ratios in other management units (none as low as MU 8-09) and I suspect that the logging and burgeoning road access to harvest mountain pine beetle invested timber is increasing the moose vulnerability. So, we will be working on a new Regional moose harvest management plan to try to address these challenges while maintaining hunter opportunity.
In this Region, for 2007-2011, the allocation split for moose was 85% of the harvest to resident hunters, 15% to the guide outfitter. For 2007-2011, the guide outfitter was allocated 1.3 per year for a total 7 moose over the period. With the new moose inventory, the guide outfitter moose allocation is 11 over the next 5 years. This may also be adjusted depending on the outcomes of future moose surveys.
I hope that I have answered your questions.
Cheers!
Brian Harris
Wildlife Biologist
Ministry of Forests Lands and Natural Resource Operations
102 Industrial Place
Penticton, B.C. V2A 7C8
250-490-8254 Fax 250-490-2231
brian.s.harris@gov.bc.ca
1) Why have the LEH authorizations for 8-09 been reduced in the last several years as follows:
-------------------------2010/11--------- 2011/12------- 2012/13--------- 2013/14
Oct. 1 to 31 ----------- 6 ------------------ 4 ----------------- 2 -------------------1
Nov. 1 to 31 ----------12 ----------------- 9 ----------------- 4 ------------------- 2
2) How many authorizations were given for the same time periods to the guide outfitter who had rights for this area?
Brian's response:
Moose are a popular game animal in the Okanagan, in fact, the Region supports the highest moose hunter density (moose hunters per unit area) in the Province, so we closely watch the hunter harvest. Under the current Region 8 Moose harvesting plan, the target harvest is 6% of the moose population estimate, divided equally between immature bulls (general open season for spike/fork bulls) and adult bulls (LEH for any bull). We adjust the LEH numbers each year achieve the target harvest of 3% of the moose population estimate. One of the performance measures of the hunting regulations is to have at least 30 bulls per 100 cows remaining after the hunting season.
In the past winter, we received funding for a detailed moose population survey in 4 management units, including 8-09. The new population estimate for MU8-09 is 237. However, during that survey we found very low bull ratios in 8-09 (8 bulls per 100 cows). In response, I reduced the LEH numbers for the coming year and may shorten the general open season for 2014 as well. We found low bull ratios in other management units (none as low as MU 8-09) and I suspect that the logging and burgeoning road access to harvest mountain pine beetle invested timber is increasing the moose vulnerability. So, we will be working on a new Regional moose harvest management plan to try to address these challenges while maintaining hunter opportunity.
In this Region, for 2007-2011, the allocation split for moose was 85% of the harvest to resident hunters, 15% to the guide outfitter. For 2007-2011, the guide outfitter was allocated 1.3 per year for a total 7 moose over the period. With the new moose inventory, the guide outfitter moose allocation is 11 over the next 5 years. This may also be adjusted depending on the outcomes of future moose surveys.
I hope that I have answered your questions.
Cheers!
Brian Harris
Wildlife Biologist
Ministry of Forests Lands and Natural Resource Operations
102 Industrial Place
Penticton, B.C. V2A 7C8
250-490-8254 Fax 250-490-2231
brian.s.harris@gov.bc.ca