As part of the Moose Program Review, the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), through consultation with the public and stakeholders, has revised Ontario’s 1980 Moose Management Policy (2008) and prepared provincial guidelines for setting moose population objectives and developed a range of possible moose harvest management approaches to achieve those objectives.

The proposed policy provides for an updated and adaptive policy environment for moose management and identifies provincial goals, guiding principles, objectives and key strategies that will help ensure moose continue to be managed sustainably now and into the future.

This proposed Moose Management Policy (2008) is complemented by two supporting guidance documents:

1. Moose Population Objectives Setting Guidelines - The draft Moose Population Objectives Setting Guidelines provides direction for coordinating the development of moose population objectives within a broader landscape and ecological context outlined in the proposed Cervid Ecological Framework (see below for a link to this document). The proposed moose population objective setting process includes consideration of the range of ecological, social, cultural and economic factors that influence moose management decisions, including additional consultation with members of the public.
2. Moose Harvest Management Guideline.- The draft Moose Harvest Management Guidelines describe a range of possible tools and strategies to help achieve moose population objectives, while providing for ecological, social, economic and cultural benefits. Implementation of many of the strategies described in the guidelines will be subject to further consultation and posting on the Environmental Registry.

To consult on the proposed Ontario’s Moose Management Policy and two supporting guidance documents: Moose Population Objectives Setting Guidelines and Moose Harvest Management Guidelines, to ensure the ministry has updated direction and tools to manage moose populations sustainably and provide ecological, social, cultural and economic benefits for the people of Ontario.

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

• Draft Ontario’s Moose Management Policy, Draft Moose Population Objectives Setting Guidelines and Draft Moose Harvest Management Guidelines http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/FW/2ColumnSubPage/261742.html  
• Draft Cervid Ecological Framework www.ontario.ca/environmentalregistry and search 010-5395 
• Ontario Moose Program Review Website: www.ontario.ca/moosereview (features updates and background information)

The MNR is currently consulting on the draft Cervid Ecological Framework. The draft Cervid Ecological Framework together with the draft Moose Management Policy are Phase 1 of the broader Moose Program Review, 2008. More information on the draft Cervid Ecological Framework can be found by searching Registry Number 010-5395 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.

Through the Moose Program Review, 2008 the general public, the hunting community, stakeholders and aboriginal organizations were asked to share their interests for improving the current moose management program. Almost 1,600 completed surveys were received in addition to the input from almost 20 focussed meetings with public/stakeholders. This information was used to help draft the policy and guidelines proposed in this notice.

Christie Curley
Policy Advisor
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) 755-1964
Fax: (705) 755-1900