Moose and wolves both play important roles in Ontario’s ecosystems and are integral components of the province’s rich biodiversity. Recent population surveys have shown declines in moose populations in many parts of northern Ontario. Populations of gray wolves and their hybrids in northern Ontario have been relatively stable.
The Moose Project is an effort being undertaken to further implement Ontario’s moose management policies that were approved in 2009, including developing new moose population objectives and exploring potential management actions to address concerns about moose populations.
Phase 1: Completed in early 2015 and resulted in the approval of two regulation changes intended to reduce calf harvest and push the start of the gun moose hunting season further from the key moose breeding period in late September and early October.
Phase 2: Initiated in summer 2015 with the posting of an Information Notice to gather further insights on moose population objectives and other potential management actions to address the broader range of factors affecting moose.
This ER proposal notice, along with two related proposals currently posted on the Environmental Registry, marks the final phase of consultation on the Moose Project.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) has considered the input received to date and is now seeking comments on proposals to change wolf and coyote hunting regulations beginning in 2017. These proposed changes are intended to:
• address the concerns in recent years about the impacts of wolf predation on moose in northern Ontario,
• address concerns about the requirement to purchase a seal in northern Ontario,
• maintain controls necessary to ensure the sustainability of wolf and coyote populations in northern Ontario,
• not impact current protections for the Eastern wolf population in their core range in central Ontario.
The following change is proposed:
• Beginning in 2017, remove the game seal requirement for wolves and coyotes in northern Ontario, allowing hunting with a small game licence. In place of the two seal limit in northern Ontario, establish an annual harvest limit of two wolves per season. Coyote harvest would no longer be limited in northern Ontario.
Separating harvest limits for northern wolves and coyotes reflects current science showing that hunters can generally distinguish between northern wolves and coyotes in the wild. It will also allow additional hunting opportunities for coyotes which continue their expansion in northern Ontario and have been an increasing concern for livestock farmers.
As a consequence of this proposed change, a modified approach to hunter reporting is also required. Currently all wolf/coyote seal holders are required to report on their hunting activity and harvest. Since some wolf/coyote hunters would no longer require a seal it is proposed that reporting requirements change to include mandatory reporting of the harvest component only (rather than hunting activity), throughout all parts of northern and central Ontario where mandatory reporting is currently required.
The proposed changes would result in the following framework for wolf/coyote hunting in Ontario. Refer to the attached map for proposed areas. The proposed area boundary between the northern and central area is intended to maintain the existing protections within the known core range of Eastern wolf (primarily Algonquin Provincial Park and surrounding townships) in central Ontario.
Proposed Wolf/Coyote Regulations (2017)
Northern Area
• Season open September 15 - March 31
• No seal required, small game licence required to hunt wolves and coyotes
• Annual harvest limit of 2 wolves, coyote harvest not limited
• Mandatory reporting of harvested wolves and coyotes
Central Area
• Season open September 15 - March 31
• Seal required to hunt wolves and coyotes
• Limit of two seals for coyotes and wolves
• Mandatory reporting of harvested wolves and coyotes
Algonquin Provincial Park and surrounding townships (no changes)
• No season
Southern Area (no changes)
• Season open year-round
• No seal required, small game licence required to hunt wolves and coyotes
• No harvest limit
• No reporting required
Changes to Ontario Regulation 665/98 (Hunting) would be required to define the areas where a wolf/coyote game seal is no longer required, establish annual harvest limits for wolves and define mandatory reporting requirements for wolf and coyote harvest. The areas that maintain the current game seal requirements and limits for wolves and/or coyotes are Wildlife Management Units: 42, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57 and 58.
The proposed implementation date is spring 2017.