Since the early 2000s, the moose numbers in Ontario have seen a decline of roughly 20 percent overall, with some northern regions experiencing reductions of over 50 percent. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) is currently investigating the reasons behind this trend.
Nick Luymes, a research scientist with the ministry, recently held a presentation to share the latest insights from his team’s extensive moose research initiative in Wildlife Management Unit 13, located near Thunder Bay.
Launched in 2024, this project aims to explore multiple factors that may be leading to the decrease in moose populations, such as predator-prey relationships, disease and pests, calf survival rates, the effects of roads, and forestry operations.
According to Luymes, despite a significant reduction in hunting tags over the years, moose populations have not shown any substantial increase in nearly two decades.
“Our goal is to identify which limiting factors are most influential, enabling us to focus our experimental efforts effectively,” he stated.
“We aim for our findings to be applicable in other regions of the province and to comprehend what drives these factors.”
Nick Luymes, a research scientist, discusses the moose population study at the recent Northern Ontario Tourism Summit held in Sault Ste. Marie. (Alex Flood/CBC)
Early Insights from the Ministry’s Research
In the past two years, ministry biologists and technicians have successfully captured and fitted with GPS collars over 200 moose in the Thunder Bay region to observe their movements, behaviors, and lifestyles.
“During capture, we gather extensive data including pregnancy status, health condition, parasite load, physical condition, and genetic information,” Luymes mentioned.
Luymes highlighted that the decline in moose populations can be significantly linked to low calf survival rates due to active predators like wolves and black bears, with only about one-third of calves surviving their first year.
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Researchers search for answers to declining moose population in northwestern Ontario
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The team estimates that the annual survival rate for adult cows is around 95 percent, while adult bulls have a survival rate of approximately 70 percent.
“We receive alerts when a moose may have died. If that is the case, we can gather samples and conduct investigations at the site to determine the cause of death,” he explained.
So far, 36 of the collared moose in the study area have died.
For adult males, the primary causes of death were vehicle collisions and hunting, while predation was the leading cause for calves and yearlings over eight months old.
For adult females, the most frequent cause was categorized as “unknown health issues.”
“We are aiming to gain clearer insight into the specific causes of these deaths,” Luymes remarked.
“We have submitted bodily samples to laboratories for more thorough analyses to uncover what is leading to these fatalities.”
A moose is collared in the course of the ministry’s continuing study near Thunder Bay. (Ontario Fish and Wildlife)
Conservationist Says Addressing Predator Issues is a Temporary Fix
Dave Pearce, a senior forest conservation manager at Wildlands League, a conservation organization based in Toronto, and a collaborator with the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, acknowledges that wolves and bears have an impact on moose populations but believes they should not bear full responsibility.
“It’s easy to point fingers at them and suggest we reduce predator numbers,” he said. “However, that approach serves as a temporary fix and doesn’t tackle the underlying issues.”
Pearce asserts that climate change is a significant factor contributing to stagnant moose populations.
He cites rising temperatures, especially during spring, as a critical reason that these large mammals are not thriving as they once did.
“We’ve been experiencing sudden heat waves in spring, which can cause moose to overheat rapidly,” he explained.
“Animals stressed by heat tend to be less active and feed less, which adversely affects both them and their offspring.”
According to the province, moose populations in Ontario have decreased even with a reduction in hunting tags compared to previous years. (CBC)
He also pointed out that a warming climate benefits white-tailed deer. An increase in their numbers could attract more predators to that habitat, ultimately affecting moose populations.
Pearce mentioned the issue of winter ticks, which heavily feed on moose, although Luymes clarified in his presentation that the ministry has not observed significant concerns regarding this in the study area.
Sault Hunter Encounters Limited Moose During Recent Trip
Jeremy Coulis, an Indigenous hunter from Batchewana First Nation and Sault Ste. Marie, has been hunting moose in northern Ontario since childhood.
He also participates in the regulated tag system alongside his non-Indigenous friends.
“It’s all about the social experience and connecting with nature,” he stated. “Spending time with family and friends while unplugging from technology is refreshing.”
However, in recent years, the sport has become considerably more difficult for Coulis and his companions.
During a recent hunting outing this year just north of Aubrey Falls, he and seven friends spotted four moose—three cows and one bull—throughout their week of hunting.
In contrast, the previous year, the same group observed only one moose over a span of ten days.
“It’s definitely more challenging now,” he remarked. “You can spend countless hours out there, and yet the moose seem to be absent.”
“Seeing one has become quite surprising these days.”
Every fall, Jeremy Coulis and his friends take pleasure in hunting for moose north of Aubrey Falls. (Submitted by Jeremy Coulis)
Coulis has also observed a noticeable decrease in the number of camps and hunters in the woods due to the reduction in tags in recent years.
When asked about the reasons behind the lack of recovery in moose populations, Coulis raised concerns regarding forestry companies that apply herbicides to the forests.
Their intent is to eliminate broadleaf plants that compete with coniferous species like spruce and pine, which are harvested for timber. Environmentalists have expressed frustration with this practice in recent times.
“Quebec has demonstrated that their moose population has significantly rebounded after halting herbicide spraying,” Coulis noted. “However, Ontario shows no intention of discontinuing this practice.”