Are you, or your friends quitting the Ontario moose hunt due to no tags?

Speaking from 40 years of experience there, a 17-hour drive to WMU 10 is a waste of gas and time these days. It was once considered to be one of the best units to hunt deer in Ontario, sadly those days are behind us.
Well that was about ¼ century ago, there were 11 of us, we all could have tagged out on day 1 if we wanted.
Most of us waited and we all tagged out Thursday
 
We hunt in 41 and the numbers seemed to be decreasing the last 5 years. We have a camp of 17 guys and went multiple years drawing nothing. Our 2 weeks in Moose camp ended up becoming bike weekends, armed bird watching, maybe trying for a bear.

This year we finally drew 2 Cow tags, both members had 24+ points to draw such.....
I'm no biologist, but something tells me that filling those tags won't help increase the moose population.
 
The new tag system may be great for the moose, but it's very frustrating for hunters. For me as an example, I have 13 points this year, and no tag. That's 13 years I have not drawn a tag of any sort for moose. Many camps have no one with sufficient points to draw a tag, and thus the entire camp can't hunt.

This at first look, is not very expensive, the draw entry is only $15. But then, there's the annual camp costs, in our case rent, (paid to the govt in our case) in addition to the costs of trips in to maintain trails, and the camp itself etc, that have to be done regardless of hunting or not.

This can lead to not only discouragement of existing members, but great difficulty in getting new members.

I have friends in other camps who have quit moose hunting entirely, not being able to afford to drive the better part of a day north to areas where tags are plentiful.

Around my house, (54b) I am of the opinion that moose numbers are rising, however, a trip to camp a week ago, shows that this doesn't appear to be the case there (56).

I'm not quitting, until I'm too damned old BTW.

Comments?

If you didn't get a tag with 13 points, then in theory neither did anyone else who had 13 points in your WMU - so the system is equitable. Whether it's fair or not is a different story. It would be nice to be able to pool points - this would encourage party hunting, and give people more options for staying closer to home, without actually giving out more tags than we do now.

I hate to say it because I know that everyone wants to hunt where their camp is, but drive north. If you work the system right, a group of 4 guys can get an adult tag every year.

Good luck this season
 
I'm in WMU 60, a little south of you. I drew my very first bull tag under the old system in 1990. Then I had a 19yr wait for my second. I'm now waiting for my 3rd, with 15 points going into next year. From my point of view, the only thing that's changed is the predictability. At least now I can predict when I'm likely to draw again, under the old random draw system I might never have gotten another. The group tag system only benefited those who had the option and desire of hunting in a large group. Individual hunters were often s.o.l.

Do any of your group apply for calf tags? I know it's hard to swallow burning points for a calf, but looking at last years draw somebody could have had one with 6 or 7 points.

I figure I have one more bull tag left in my home unit, then I'll have to find a few guys willing to make the pilgrimage north to hunt.
We have had guys go for calf tags in the past, but the general feeling in the group is that shooting a calf is burning your future. I've hunted in 63A before, just south of me, and shot moose there too. But that was a long time ago. Under that system, the guy I hunted with hadn't drawn in 23 years. He died without drawing. The new system does give a person a bit better chance at an adult tag, but the calf rule that kills your points in the first draw if you draw a calf, means nobody wants to lose the points. It takes too many years to get them.
 
We have had guys go for calf tags in the past, but the general feeling in the group is that shooting a calf is burning your future.

Well you'd be burning the future if the tags were given out haphazardly without research and science to keep the population at a sustainable level.

If tags are available in other WMU's save up and do some driving.

That's like complaining that the local Canadian Tire doesn't have a toaster in stock but the store a town over does but not wanting to drive there.

Sounds lazy actually unless there's more to it
 
In MB we're currently having issues with this. Moose populations have been devastated by brainworm and other factors here such as a string of very tough, cold winters. The MWF is currently in a court battle with the Manitoba Metis Federation, and another First Nation I believe, because they just up and started issuing their own tags in defiance of Provincial Regs. As a hunter it's frustrating sure, and indigenous hunters can go on all they want about harvester rights, but it won't mean squat if the moose have been extirpated. One thing I've learned in my years hunting (that's been echoed in this thread), is that we're all part of a big system that needs to be managed carefully so that balance can be maintained and future generations can enjoy the resources nature provides. Even if it means sucking up a few years of missed seasons.
 
Isn’t the point system the fairest and most widespread system for species with limited populations and much greater number of applicants?

I never understood the complaint with this new system and nobody has had a logical non emotional explanation for me
 
Isn’t the point system the fairest and most widespread system for species with limited populations and much greater number of applicants?

I never understood the complaint with this new system and nobody has had a logical non emotional explanation for me
I think it simply is emotional. Which is understandable, but unhelpful. It's why it's a good plan to hunt multiple species. Hurts a little less when you can still get out there and fill a whitetail tag.
 
Pretty standard to draw both Cow and Calf tags here in Ontario. I'd like to draw a bull but hasn't happened yet.
For a long time, calf tags were available across the counter, no draw required. Whenever any noise was made about discontinuing that shameful practice, you'd think that they were bringing back prohibition. "What the hell do you mean I can't have a tag? It's my right!"

I recall when I was in my teens the shock that I felt when I first learned that "some places" actually had lotteries in place so that many hunters could compete for a small number of available. Even way back then, I could understand that this might not be ideal, but it might very well be necessary. When I mentioned the idea to some of my dad's hunting partners and asked for their thoughts on the matter...I very quickly wished that I hadn't.

And look at the situation now.
 
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I have had my property for just over 5 years, been moose hunting 10-11 years( should say I've been buying licenses for that long) Had won the draw a few years ago, but declined cause my cabin wasn't done enough. I should have enough points next year to get a tag. Going up this weekend to do some serious scouting for moose and other hunters.

I'm 53A, lots of moose around, some right at the cabin door. Like you, I can quit when I'm dead.

Dude,

I love your sweet little cabin, very cool!.......:)
 
For a long time, calf tags were available across the counter, no draw required. Whenever any noise was made about discontinuing that shameful practice, you'd think that they were bringing back prohibition. "What the hell do you mean I can't have a tag? It's my right!"

I recall when I was in my teens the shock that I felt when I first learned that "some places" actually had lotteries in place so that many hunters could compete for a small number of available. Even way back then, I could understand that this might not be ideal, but it might very well be necessary. When I mentioned the idea to some of my dad's hunting partners and asked for their thoughts on the matter...I very quickly wished that I hadn't.

And look at the situation now.
Unfortunately a sense of entitlement can be a powerful thing. People oft forget that planet Earth owes us nothing.
 
But then, there's the annual camp costs, in our case rent, (paid to the govt in our case) in addition to the costs of trips in to maintain trails, and the camp itself etc, that have to be done regardless of hunting or not.

I have friends in other camps who have quit moose hunting entirely, not being able to afford to drive the better part of a day north to areas where tags are plentiful.
I understand the frustration of the state of the moose licensing in Ontario. But are you seriously complaining about being able to have a camp on crown land? I would give my left nut to be able to build and have a camp to hunt/fish and take my family to. Sadly here in Alberta it’s not possible. You guys don’t know how good you have it.

And driving to hunt is just part of it. If we as Albertans didn’t drive 4 hours in one direct for deer, 6 hours a different direction for moose and all over the province for every thing else then we would kill anything. I understand the cost of fuel has gone up but that’s why you work harder so you can still have money to play.
 
We have a hunt camp on private property so we moose hunt same area every year.


Been 8 years since last bull tag, 4 years since last cow tag.

But we have a bull tag this year. 23 points one member had (23 years of applying) so he drew it.

We have 4 more members with 20+ points so we should have bull tags the next few years .

Problem is all these guys are 70+ years old now. If they don't get tag in next 5 years they will just quit.

I quit applying so I'm down to 0 points I think. I think I'll just save for 20 years and go to Yukon.

We seen at least 6 different bulls during the deer hunt last year so they have high hopes (starts in 2 weeks)
 
Poaching is a big problem in many areas.
I consider any animal harvested outside of provincially defined legal seasons to be poaching.
By anyone, including the indigenous wardens of the land , who seem to be slowly killing the population of EVERYTHING that walks or swims.
I also blame the spineless toothless laws we have regarding it.
 
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