Since the early 2000s, Ontario’s moose population has decreased by approximately 20 percent overall, with certain northern regions seeing declines of over 50 percent. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) is currently investigating the causes behind this trend.
Nick Luymes, a research scientist with the ministry, recently led a presentation detailing the findings from his team’s extensive moose research project conducted in Wildlife Management Unit 13, situated near Thunder Bay.
Launched in 2024, this initiative explores multiple factors that may be influencing the drop in moose numbers, such as predator-prey relationships, diseases and pests, calf survival rates, the effects of roads, and forestry practices.
Despite a notable reduction in hunting permits over the years, Luymes reports that moose populations have not shown significant recovery for nearly two decades.
“Our aim is to comprehend the significance of these limiting factors so we can focus our experimental efforts effectively,” he stated.
“We hope our results will be applicable to other regions of the province and help clarify the drivers behind these factors.”
Ministry research scientist Nick Luymes presents findings from the moose population study during the recent Northern Ontario Tourism Summit in Sault Ste. Marie. (Alex Flood/CBC)
Insights from the ministry’s preliminary findings
Over the last 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 equipment to track their movements, behaviors, and lifestyles.
“At the time of capture, we gather extensive data including pregnancy status, overall health, parasite load, physical condition, and genetic information,” Luymes explained.
Due to the presence of predators such as wolves and black bears, Luymes indicated that a significant portion of the moose population decline can be linked to poor calf survival rates, with only a third surviving their first year.
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According to their findings, the estimated annual survival rate for adult female moose stands at 95 percent, while for adult males it is 70 percent.
“We receive alerts when a moose may have died. If that’s the case, we can collect samples and conduct investigations on-site to determine the cause of death,” he added.
So far, 36 of the collared moose in the study area have died.
The leading causes of mortality among adult males were vehicle collisions and hunting, whereas predation was the primary cause for calves and yearlings older than eight months.
For adult females, the most common cause of death was categorized as “unknown health problems.”
“We hope to gain clearer insights into the specific causes of these deaths,” Luymes remarked.
“We have bodily samples sent to laboratories for more detailed analyses to pinpoint 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 with Wildlands League, a conservation organization based in Toronto, believes that while wolves and bears affect moose populations, they should not be solely blamed.
“It’s easy to point fingers at predators and suggest reducing their numbers,” he stated. “However, that approach is somewhat superficial and does not tackle the underlying issues.”
Pearce attributes part of the stagnant moose population to climate change.
He highlights the trend of increasing temperatures as a significant factor that has hindered the thriving of these large mammals.
“Particularly in the spring, we are experiencing abrupt heat waves, and moose can suffer from hyperthermia and overheat rapidly,” he elaborated.
“Animals under heat stress tend to move less and eat less, which affects not only themselves but also their young.”
Moose populations in Ontario are down despite there being fewer hunting tags than in previous years, according to the province. (CBC)
He also pointed out that a warming climate benefits white-tailed deer populations. An increase in deer numbers could attract more predators to that environment, ultimately affecting moose.
Additionally, Pearce mentioned the challenge of winter ticks, which feed heavily on moose, but Luymes clarified in his presentation that the ministry hasn’t observed any major issues related to this in the research area.
Sault hunter’s experience during a recent 10-day trip
Jeremy Coulis has been hunting moose in northern Ontario since childhood.
As an Indigenous hunter from Batchewana First Nation and Sault Ste. Marie, Coulis also engages in the government-regulated tag system alongside his non-Indigenous companions.
“It’s about the social experience and immersing ourselves in nature,” he shared. “Spending quality time with family and friends away from technology for a few days is refreshing.”
However, he noted that the sport has become significantly more difficult for him and his group in recent years.
During a recent hunting expedition just north of Aubrey Falls, he and seven friends spotted four moose—three females and one male—over their week-long trip.
In contrast, the previous year, that same group only encountered one moose over ten days.
“It’s definitely tougher now,” he remarked. “You could spend days out there, but the moose seem to be absent.”
“Seeing one moose has become quite a surprise these days.”
Jeremy Coulis and his friends enjoy hunting for moose north of Aubrey Falls every fall. (Submitted by Jeremy Coulis)
With the reduction in tags in recent years, Coulis has also observed a decline in the number of camps and hunters in the wilderness.
When asked for his opinion on why moose numbers haven’t improved, Coulis expressed concerns regarding forestry companies that utilize herbicides in forest management.
Their intention in using these chemicals is to eliminate broadleaf plants that compete with coniferous species like spruce and pine, which are harvested for timber. However, this practice has drawn criticism from environmental advocates in recent years.
“Quebec has demonstrated that their moose population has significantly rebounded after they ceased spraying,” Coulis stated. “In contrast, Ontario shows little interest in halting this practice.”