Since the early 2000s, Ontario’s moose population has decreased by approximately 20 percent overall, with declines exceeding 50 percent in certain northern regions. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) is investigating the reasons behind this trend.
Research scientist Nick Luymes from the ministry recently led a presentation detailing the latest results from his team’s extensive moose research initiative in Wildlife Management Unit 13, located near Thunder Bay.
Launched in 2024, this project explores multiple factors contributing to the decline in moose numbers, such as predator-prey relationships, diseases and pests, calf survival rates, the effects of roads, and forestry practices.
Luymes highlighted that, despite a significant reduction in hunting tags over the years, moose populations have not seen a meaningful recovery in nearly twenty years.
“Our goal is to understand the significance of these limiting factors so that we can focus our experimental efforts effectively,” he stated.
“We aspire for our discoveries to benefit other regions of the province and shed light on what influences these factors.”
Ministry research scientist Nick Luymes presents findings on moose population research at the recent Northern Ontario Tourism Summit in Sault Ste. Marie. (Alex Flood/CBC)
Initial Insights from the Ministry’s Findings
Over the past two years, ministry biologists and technicians have successfully captured and fitted GPS collars on more than 200 moose in the Thunder Bay vicinity to track their movements, behaviors, and life patterns.
“During the capture process, we gather extensive data, including pregnancy status, health metrics, parasite load, body condition, and genetic information,” Luymes remarked.
Due to active predators like wolves and black bears, Luymes pointed out that a significant factor in the moose population decline is low calf survival, with only a third reaching their first year.
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The study’s findings suggest that the estimated 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.”
So far, 36 collared moose within the study area have died.
For adult males, the leading causes of death are vehicle collisions and hunting, whereas predation is the primary cause for calves and yearlings older than eight months.
In the case of adult females, the most frequent reason cited is “unknown health issues.”
“We aim to gain clearer insights into the specific causes of these deaths,” Luymes added.
“We have bodily samples sent to laboratories for more detailed analysis regarding the reasons behind these fatalities.”
A moose is collared during the ministry’s ongoing study near Thunder Bay. (Ontario Fish and Wildlife)
Conservationist Views on Predator Issues
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, shares his perspective on the situation.
While acknowledging that wolves and bears do affect moose populations, Pearce does not believe they should bear the full responsibility.
“It’s easy to conclude that they are the main drivers, so the solution is to reduce their numbers,” he stated. “However, that’s merely a short-term fix that fails to tackle the underlying issues.”
Pearce attributes a significant part of the stagnant moose population to climate change.
He highlights rising temperatures, particularly above seasonal averages, as a crucial factor hindering the well-being of these large mammals.
“In the spring, we experience sudden warm spells, which can lead to hyperthermia in moose, causing them to overheat rapidly,” he elaborated.
<p“Heat-stressed animals tend to move less and eat less, which adversely affects both themselves and their offspring.”
Despite fewer hunting tags being issued in recent years, Ontario’s moose populations continue to decline. (CBC)
Pearce also mentioned that a warming climate benefits white-tailed deer. An increase in their population could attract more predators, which would further impact the moose.
Additionally, he pointed out the issue of winter ticks, which feed heavily on moose; however, Luymes clarified during his presentation that the ministry has not observed significant concerns regarding ticks in the study area.
Sault Hunter’s Experience
Jeremy Coulis has been hunting moose in northern Ontario since childhood.
An Indigenous hunter from 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 shared. “Spending time with family and friends, away from technology, is refreshing.”
However, the sport has become increasingly challenging for Coulis and his companions in recent years.
On a recent hunting expedition just north of Aubrey Falls, he and seven friends spotted four moose—three cows and one bull—during their week-long hunt.
In contrast, last year, the same group only encountered one moose over ten days of hunting.
“It’s definitely more difficult now,” he remarked. “You can spend countless days outdoors, but the moose simply aren’t present.”
“When you finally do see one, it’s pretty surprising these days.”
Jeremy Coulis and his friends look forward to moose hunting north of Aubrey Falls each fall. (Submitted by Jeremy Coulis)
With the recent decrease in hunting tags, Coulis has also noticed a significant reduction in the number of camps and hunters in the woods.
When asked about the reasons behind the lack of recovery in moose numbers, Coulis expressed concerns regarding forestry companies using herbicides in forests.
These companies aim to eliminate broadleaf plants that compete with coniferous trees like spruce and pine, which are harvested for lumber, but environmentalists have recently expressed their discontent with this practice.
“Quebec has demonstrated that their moose population has significantly rebounded after they ceased spraying,” Coulis noted. “However, Ontario shows no interest in halting this practice.”