Since the early 2000s, the moose population in Ontario has decreased by approximately 20 percent, with certain northern regions experiencing declines of over 50 percent. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) is currently investigating the reasons behind this trend.
Recently, ministry research scientist Nick Luymes conducted a presentation detailing his team’s findings from a multi-year moose research initiative in Wildlife Management Unit 13, located near Thunder Bay.
Launched in 2024, this project explores various factors linked to the decline in moose numbers, such as predator-prey relationships, disease and pests, calf survival rates, the impact of roads, and forestry practices.
According to Luymes, despite significant reductions in hunting tags over the years, moose populations have not shown any substantial increases for nearly two decades.
“We aim to understand the significance of these limiting factors so that we can focus our manipulative experiments accordingly,” he stated.
“We want our results to be applicable to other regions of the province and to understand what drives these factors.”
Ministry research scientist Nick Luymes presents findings on moose population studies during the recent Northern Ontario Tourism Summit in Sault Ste. Marie. (Alex Flood/CBC)
Insights from the ministry’s initial findings
Over the past two years, ministry biologists and technicians have successfully captured and fitted more than 200 moose in the Thunder Bay region with GPS collars and video tracking devices to observe their movements, behavior, and lifestyle.
“During the capture process, we gather extensive data including pregnancy status, health metrics, parasite load, physical condition, and genetic information,” Luymes explained.
Luymes indicated that low calf survival, primarily due to active predators such as wolves and black bears, is significantly contributing to the decline in moose populations, with only one-third of calves surviving their first year.
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The team’s research estimates that the annual survival rate for adult cows is around 95 percent, while for adult bulls, it is approximately 70 percent.
“We receive alerts when a moose may have died. If that occurs, we can collect samples and investigate the site to determine the cause of death,” he stated.
So far, 36 collared moose within the study region have died.
Among adult males, vehicle collisions and hunting were the most frequent causes of death, whereas predation was the leading cause for calves and yearlings older than eight months.
For adult females, “unknown health issues” were the primary concern.
“We aim to gain better clarity on the specific causes behind these deaths,” Luymes added.
“We have biological samples sent to laboratories for more detailed analyses to uncover the reasons behind these fatalities.”
A moose is collared as part of the ministry’s ongoing study near Thunder Bay. (Ontario Fish and Wildlife)
Conservationist views predator management as a temporary fix
Dave Pearce, a senior forest conservation manager at Wildlands League, a Toronto-based conservation organization, and partner with the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, acknowledges that wolves and bears impact moose populations but questions whether they should be solely blamed.
“It’s easy to suggest reducing the predator population as a solution,” he remarked. “However, this approach merely serves as a temporary fix that does not tackle the underlying issues.”
Pearce believes that climate change significantly contributes to stagnant moose populations.
He cites rising and unusually high temperatures as a crucial factor inhibiting the survival of these large mammals.
“Especially in spring, we are seeing abrupt transitions to summer-like heat, which can lead to hyperthermia in moose,” he clarified.
“Animals suffering from heat stress are less active and will forage less, affecting both their wellbeing and that of their young.”
Moose populations in Ontario have declined despite a reduction in hunting tags over recent years, as reported by the province. (CBC)
Pearce noted that a warming climate favors white-tailed deer. An increase in their population could attract more predators to the area, which would ultimately affect moose.
He also mentioned the issue of winter ticks, which can heavily infest moose, although Luymes pointed out in his presentation that the ministry has not observed significant concerns related to ticks in their study area.
Sault hunter’s experience reveals challenges
Jeremy Coulis has been hunting moose in northern Ontario since childhood.
A member of Batchewana First Nation and Sault Ste. Marie, Coulis also engages in the government-regulated tag system alongside his non-Indigenous friends.
“It’s about the social experience and connecting with nature,” he stated. “Spending time with family and friends and disconnecting from technology for a few days is refreshing.”
However, the sport has become significantly more challenging for Coulis and his group in recent years.
On a recent hunting trip just north of Aubrey Falls, he and seven friends observed four moose—three females and one male—during their week of hunting.
In contrast, last year, the same group only spotted one moose over ten days of hunting.
“It’s certainly more difficult now,” he reflected. “You can spend countless hours out there, but the moose simply aren’t present.”
“Seeing a moose has become a rare and surprising occurrence.”
Jeremy Coulis and his friends enjoy hunting for moose north of Aubrey Falls every fall. (Submitted by Jeremy Coulis)
With the reduction in hunting tags in recent years, Coulis has also observed a significant decrease in the number of camps and hunters in the wilderness.
When asked for his thoughts on why moose populations have not rebounded, Coulis expressed concerns about forestry companies that apply herbicides to forests.
Their intention is to eliminate broadleaf plants that compete with coniferous trees like spruce and pine, which are harvested for lumber. However, environmentalists have raised concerns about this practice recently.
“Quebec has demonstrated a substantial rebound in their moose population since ceasing herbicide spraying,” Coulis noted. “However, Ontario shows no interest in halting these practices.”