Ontario hunting group "disappointed" by moose tag cuts, shortened season

Ontario's largest hunting and fishing lobby group is disappointed with changes to the province's moose hunt.

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters did not agree with the original proposals to reduce the calf season, cut tag numbers this year by 15 per cent, and delay the opening of next year's moose season. 

Now that the proposals are actually happening, the federation's senior biologist said he expects to hear a lot of displeasure from the group's 100,000 members.

"I'm sure. there is going to be quite a bit of disappointment," said Mark Rykman.

"There will be a lot of anger now that it is final.. When the hunting regulation is published, people are going to realize how it impacts them personally," he said

Ryckman said the drastic cuts to tags and seasons could affect where people hunt. 

"In 2014, adult validation tags were reduced by 18 per cent and the result was 6000 fewer licensed hunters," said Ryckman.

"In 2015, we are being hit with an additional 15 per cent tag reduction, which will almost certainly result in many people hunting in another jurisdiction such as Quebec or Newfoundland, or abandoning moose hunting altogether," he said.

Ryckman said the public seemed critical of the proposed changes.  But, he said despite that, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has chosen to go forward with them.