A date would be helpful.

First line says, “Saturday” so I assume that means June 01.

There is probably multiple reasons for moose population decline but there is 1 very simple solution to help it rebound.

Get rid of cow and calf hunting season for 3 years or so.

There is probably multiple reasons for moose population decline but there is 1 very simple solution to help it rebound.

Prohibit ATV’s from most of the outback.
Too many noise making, stinky machines terrifying the wildlife keeps all the critters stressed out.

Stressed out critters do not breed, and tend to be less healthy.

Also, as more people enjoy ATV use, they put more pressure on the critter habitats with more vehicles driving down the back roads, and more and larger groups camping with generators, litter and the ever burning camp fire, plus the ode de camping of DEET.

Some will say “it is my right to access the outdoor”, and they are somewhat correct. As long as they respect those outdoor spaces. That means to tread litely. Pack ALL of your garbage out, don’t be a nuisance to critters by keeping your distance, and keep the damn noise down.

If you really want to enjoy the outdoor spaces, get off the machine and use your feet.

I’m not an ATV fanatic, but to blame the decline in moose population on a few ATV’s buzzing around is a bit of a leap in logic.

That’s the problem, it is no longer just “a few ATV’s buzzing around.

I think ATV’s are an excellent tool. But, they have devolved into another noisy, intrusive toy.

For the most part, I think many if not most ATV users try to be respectful. Those operators are not so much the issue. It is the wild, disrespectful, self-centered manics that spoil it for all.

manics = maniacs

I’m not disputing that while most ATV operators are good, there are idiots out there as well. The idiots might be responsible for littering and some environmental damage, but not the decline in moose population by and large.

I think what we are dancing around is that we cannot blame one cause on the single subject of this article, moose population decline.

There are many significant causes. I happen to correlate the rise in use of ATV with the dramatic reduction is all ungulate populations. It is not just ungulates that are in decline. We have noted many declines in all critter populations.

We used to go out and had to be careful lest we run over or into a critter while driving down a dirt road. Now, we are wondering where did ALL the critters go.

Grouse are now hard to find, when decades ago you could through a stick and take home your limit.
Squirrels are less populace.
Even the fishing sucks now.
I firmly believe that it is the pressure that human activity places on the critters.
They have no place to go now.
We are getting more human cougar attacks in recent years, and on adults not just children. That indicates to me that they are hungry because there is less food to find.

Some will say “but look at all the deer in Chetwynd or in the kooteneys”.
Those a grain fed farm pests. This is another example of humans corrupting the wilderness.

Hey, we all agree this is a problem and challenge. I can support aspects of every one of the points of view outlined above.

IMHO, this symposium with its education dimension is a very good way to stimulate meaningful dialogue and understanding about the decline … before we look at solutions (we all have our favorite scapegoats to blame) we need to develop a common understanding of the factors .. then maybe we can all give up a piece of our turf for a solution that will result in a meaningful result for all of us.

Perhaps a summary of the presentations at the symposium can be published online for those of us that cannot attend.

Where have all the moose gone
Hunters in the Prince George and surrounding area are finding it more and more difficult to find a moose every year. I am fortunate to be able to take 5 to 7 weeks off ever hunting season. I have talked to a lot of hunters and they are leaving the bush year after year with no meat in the freezer. Lots of hunters are against cow calf season, they believe that by taking the cow or calf is depleting future moose, according to fish and wildlife 10 moose poached in one area is a lose of 60 to 70 moose in five years. They also say that only 2% of poaching incidents are reported.
So this being true why are they allowing cow/ calf season. I talked to a conservation officer a couple years ago, and when I asked him why they have it. His response was I quote (Its to generate money) I asked him if he would give me that in writing, he replied no I like my job. The poaching in BC is at an all time high, I have found 4 large bulls in 4 consecutive years that have been shot and left. All these moose were shot on the road. So if I can find 4 moose shot and left in one area, how many are left each year. There are not enough conservation officers in the Prince George area, their needs to be a lot more. Now let’s look at natural predators wolfs and bears do kill moose and they always have and yes they do take a lot down. Since all teran vehicles have come out, hunters have been shooting moose in areas that were so remote where before they would not even think of shooting one. So these remote pockets of moose are getting less.
The BC government would have you believe that wolfs are the main cause of the moose lose. This is a lot further from the truth than they would have you believe.
They will not blame themselves for total gross negligent are their part.
When the LEH hunting cards first came out they told us give us ten years and we would have an over abundant of moose in BC. That was over 30 years ago and still here we are. When I asked a Biologist what he had to say about a alack of moose In Prince George area. He informed me that the moose population has been stable for years. These guys need to get out in the field more and quit looking at numbers and graphs. The hunting questioner that is supposed to be filled out ever year for those that hunt is a joke. I know a lot of hunters that throw them in the garbage or just outright lie on them. Do you really think that poachers fill them out correctly? So for them to use this information to base how many animals are harvested every year is a bigger joke.
What is worse is they extended calf season. Your trading 140lb animal for one that’s 340 lbs the following year. And those of you that say 140 lbs of meat is all you need is hogwash, ever hunter I run across that is hunting cow/calf there is always at least two of you. A lot of cows shot in October are already pregnant, so you are killing up to 3 moose. Now lets look at the BC biggest killer CN Rail, they kill thousands of moose, deer, elk, etc you name it. If it is on the tracks they kill it. This happens every year in our province. There is nothing done about it. Sections where animals are being hit the most need to be fenced off, runaway lanes need to be plowed when the snow is deep. We are building overpasses on our highways to protect our wildlife, why are we not doing something on our rail tracks, because the average Joe does not see the carnage on the tracks he sees on the highway. Take a trip on the passenger train in late spring to McBride or Terrace, ever 100 meters there is a blood splatter. I talked to a Train man that had made 23 trips to Chetwynd in a 4 week period he told me that he hit 21 moose, times that by how many trains are running around the clock. He’s supposed to phone it in so they will come out and dispatch the animal that’s laying there with its legs cut off. He told me he does phone it in but He sees the animal still laying there 24 hours latter. He also told me that his boss has told him to speed up when he sees an animal not slow down. This I imagine is so they don’t have to pay someone to come out and kill it. I was told that as much as 5000 moose have been killed in the last 2 years by CN Rail. Its Getting worse not better. The government Would have you spend your hard earned dollars on tags, license, fuel, groceries, etc.
And have you believe the moose population is alive and well.
I know of a few guys that don’t hunt anymore, they have taken matters into there own hands by putting in cow draws and if they get the draws they put them in their desk and don’t use them. If 10 cows are saved that means an increase of 60 to 70 moose in 5 years are saved. So if you know any one that does not hunt, have them put in cow draws since BC Biologist is more interested in keeping the money flowing then in conservation.

“He also told me that his boss has told him to speed up when he sees an animal not slow down”
While I agree with most of what you say, that sentence calls your whole story into question for me… its a train, not a Ferrari – you dont just “punch it” when you see something on the tracks ;)

As Hummer suggests above, I think you would have a far greater effect by banning hunting for a few seasons.

When the conductor calls it in, the information gets passed onto Fish and Wildlife for them to send out an officer. No railway employees are allowed to carry guns anymore to dispatch animals. It’s not that the company doesn’t want to pay anyone like you would have people believe.
And I agree with interceptor, it is extremely hard to just ‘speed up’ a 10000 foot 18000 ton train. And believe it or not, trains do have speed limits and heaven help the engineer who is found to be in violation.

But anyways, yes, lets get rid of cow and calf season for at least a few years to build up the population. Although I do believe that the wolf population has an effect. Just last year in our area, we would see fresh game tracks covered by fresher wolf tracks. Even our tracks would have wolf tracks on top of them. There is an extremely large wolf population in certain areas.

How about, having the first Nation population get tags for their kill, Is it really neccessary for them to kill more than two or three moose to feed their family.

They may squawk about its their rights, and it is a part of their heritge. Well, kill them with a traditional bow and arrow.

I have heard of them having killed a dozen moose in a season, and their excuse is, its for the elders.

To the earlier comment, The tags are issued to all eligible first nation hunters, with names on the tags. no cost. not transferrable.

Beetlestone says the cougars were desperate and had no fear of people.

“They were walking on the street past people without fear. This is another example of wild animals hungry and desperate and lose fear of people and start to do these types of things,” said Beetlestone.

from
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2013/05/30/bc-cougar-shot.html?cmp=rss

This is a direct result of human encroachment.
The critters have no where else to go.

Moose have also really declined since the elk started moving into this territory.

Just like before 1928 threre were no moose in this area.

I left mack this mourning seen 4 moose heading to pg. on the way back seen one alive one dead.Dead one near the 5 bridges up on the railway tracks fresh??? No moose problem just access driving moose way back in woods. Need atv restrictions!!! Dea
ctivations don’t work. Just my opinion. cheers all

Lots of Cougars are a direct indication of very healthy Deer populations, their main food source. More Human/Cougar interactions due to more Deer and Cougars. A lack of food for them is laughable.

Eric is that you?

Depends on where the cougars are. In the lower mainland & coast racoons & seals are the primary food source for cougars.
I agree with Givemore, part of the moose population decline is due to elk moving back into their traditional areas. I see way more elk close to PG than ever. Whatever the cause, meaningful dialogue between all users is essential.

I know one native that killed 26 cow moose in one year. I’m sure he needs that many for his family. They only take the hinds. I talked to a CO, he said there was nothing he could do no court would touch it. This needs to be stopped.