Cervid is a term used to describe members of the deer family. Ontario has four native cervid species: moose, white-tailed deer, woodland caribou and American elk. Cervids are a highly valued and unique species group of Ontario's wildlife heritage. They are symbols of wilderness, an integral part of functioning ecosystems, and an important component of Ontario’s biodiversity.

Cervid management is an ongoing priority for the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR). Each cervid species has its own distinct program and objectives. The moose and white-tailed deer programs have a long history and are focused on maintaining sustainability through population and habitat management. Both programs have been subject to a number of internal and external reviews, which has improved our understanding of the complexities of moose and deer management. The woodland caribou program focuses on species and population recovery through habitat management and minimizing stressors, while the elk program is undergoing a shift from population restoration to population management.

As part of the Moose Program Review 2008, the Ministry of Natural Resources, through consultation with the public and stakeholders, has developed the draft Cervid Ecological Framework to guide provincial management actions for Ontario’s cervid species at the landscape level.

The draft Cervid Ecological Framework strategically addresses cervid management at the broad landscape and ecological level. It consolidates and integrates Ontario’s approach to managing cervid species in relation to each other with consideration of the broader ecosystem(s) they share. It acknowledges the challenges associated with managing wildlife across diverse and complex ecosystems. These challenges include the need to integrate management strategies for multiple species and their habitats, as well as human activities and stressors such as disease and climate change. It provides an overarching provincial goal for cervid management, guiding principles and establishes nine Cervid Ecological Zones across the province for the application of broad management direction and considerations to enhance the management of cervids.

The draft Cervid Ecological Framework is an important step in Ontario’s progress toward the management of cervids within an ecosystem context, and will guide opportunities to integrate and enhance species-specific policies/programs at the regional and provincial scale. It provides the landscape-level framework for improving strategic decision-making about cervid management in Ontario.

To consult on the proposed Cervid Ecological Framework to ensure that Ontario’s cervid populations are managed in consideration of each other in an ecosystem context, for the continuous ecological, cultural, economic and social benefits for the people of Ontario.

The following weblinks which provide the supporting/additional information about this notice: 

• Draft Cervid Ecological Framework http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/FW/2ColumnSubPage/261742.html  
• Background Information on the Cervid Ecological Framework: www.mnr.gov.on.ca/240593.pdf 
• Ontario Moose Program Review Website: www.ontario.ca/moosereview (features updates and background information) 

The MNR is currently consulting on Ontario’s Moose Management Policy, Moose Population Objectives Setting Guidelines and Moose Harvest Management Guidelines as part of the Moose Program Review 2008. More information on the Moose Program Review can be found by searching Registry Number 010-5396 at www.ontario.ca/environmentalregistry.

This proposal was posted for a 48 day public review and comment period starting February 20, 2009. Comments were to be received by April 09, 2009.

All comments received during the comment period are being considered as part of the decision-making process by the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Please Note: All comments and submissions received have become part of the public record.

The Cervid Ecological Framework has been through preliminary public consultation as part of the Moose Program Review, 2008. The general public, hunters, environmental/industry stakeholders and aboriginal organizations were asked to share their ideas for improving the framework. Almost 1,600 completed questionnaires were received and in addition to the input from over 20 focused meetings with public/stakeholders. This information was used to help draft the proposed Cervid Ecological Framework.

Select focused stakeholder meetings may be arranged to consult further with interested parties.

Jamie Stewart
Wildlife Biologist
Ministry of Natural Resources
Natural Resource Management Division
Fish and Wildlife Branch
Wildlife Section
300 Water Street
P.O. Box 7000
Peterborough Ontario
K9J 8M5
Phone: (705) 755-1980
Fax: (705) 755-1900