Since the early 2000s, Ontario’s moose numbers have decreased by approximately 20 percent overall, with some northern regions experiencing declines of over 50 percent. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) is currently investigating the reasons behind this decline.
Recently, research scientist Nick Luymes from the ministry conducted a presentation to share the latest insights from a multi-year moose research initiative in Wildlife Management Unit 13, located near Thunder Bay.
Launched in 2024, the project aims to explore various elements affecting the reduction of the moose population, which includes predator-prey relationships, diseases and pests, calf survival rates, the impact of roads, and forestry practices.
Luymes noted that despite a significant decrease in hunting tags issued over the years, the moose population has not seen a notable recovery in nearly two decades.
“Our goal is to understand the significance of these limiting factors to better direct our experimental approaches,” he stated.
“We hope that our discoveries will be applicable to other areas across the province and will shed light on the driving forces behind these issues.”
Ministry research scientist Nick Luymes presents findings on moose population study during the recent Northern Ontario Tourism Summit in Sault Ste. Marie. (Alex Flood/CBC)
Insights from the ministry’s initial research
Over the last two years, ministry biologists and technicians have successfully captured and fitted with collars over 200 moose in the Thunder Bay region, utilizing GPS and video tracking to observe their movements, behaviors, and lifestyles.
“During the capture, we collect extensive data including pregnancy status, health metrics, parasite counts, physical condition, and genetic information,” Luymes explained.
Luymes pointed out that active predators such as wolves and black bears play a significant role in the moose population decline, particularly due to poor calf survival rates—only one-third of calves survive their first year.
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The research team has estimated that the yearly survival rate for adult females is around 95 percent, while for adult males it stands at approximately 70 percent.
“We receive alerts if a moose is reported dead. If that happens, we collect samples and conduct investigations at the location to determine the cause of death.”
So far, 36 of the collared moose in the study area have died.
The leading causes of death for adult males included vehicle collisions and hunting, while predation was the primary cause for calves and yearlings over eight months old.
For adult females, the most common cause was classified as “unknown health issues.”
“We’re aiming to obtain clearer confirmations on the specific causes,” Luymes said.
“We have submitted bodily samples to laboratories for more comprehensive analyses to uncover the reasons behind these deaths.”
A moose is collared as part of the ministry’s ongoing study near Thunder Bay. (Ontario Fish and Wildlife)
Predator management viewed as a temporary fix, according to conservationist
Dave Pearce, a senior forest conservation manager with Wildlands League, a Toronto-based conservation organization in partnership with the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, acknowledges the influence of wolves and bears on moose populations but believes they should not bear the entire responsibility.
“It’s convenient to suggest that predation is the primary driver, leading to calls for a reduction in predator populations,” he stated. “However, this approach is merely a temporary solution that fails to address the underlying issues.”
Pearce attributes a significant factor in the stagnant moose population to climate change.
He points to increasing temperatures as a major reason why these large mammals are not thriving as they once did.
“In particular, during spring, we experience abrupt spikes in summer-like temperatures, which can lead to hyperthermia in moose,” he elaborated.
“Animals under heat stress will not move as much or feed adequately, affecting not only themselves but also their young.”
Moose populations in Ontario are declining despite a reduction in hunting tags compared to earlier years, according to the province. (CBC)
Pearce also highlighted that a warming climate benefits white-tailed deer. An increase in their populations could attract more predators to the habitat, which would further affect moose numbers.
Additionally, he mentioned the issue of winter ticks, which feed heavily on moose, although Luymes clarified during his presentation that the ministry has not observed any significant problems with ticks in their study area.
Sault hunter’s experience during a 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 takes part in the government-regulated tag system with his non-Indigenous friends.
“It’s all about the social experience and immersing ourselves in nature,” he shared. “Spending time with family and friends away from technology is refreshing.”
However, in recent times, the sport has become increasingly difficult for Coulis and his companions.
On a recent hunting trip 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, during the previous year, that same group only encountered a single moose over ten days of hunting.
“It’s definitely more challenging now,” he remarked. “You might spend days out there, yet the moose simply aren’t present.”
“Seeing one has become a surprise and a rarity nowadays.”
Jeremy Coulis and his friends enjoy hunting for moose north of Aubrey Falls every fall. (Submitted by Jeremy Coulis)
With a reduction in the number of tags issued recently, Coulis has noticed significantly fewer camps and hunters in the wilderness.
When asked about the reasons behind the lack of moose recovery, Coulis expressed concerns regarding forestry companies using herbicides to treat forests.
These companies aim to eliminate broadleaf plants that compete with coniferous trees like spruce and pine, which are harvested for timber—an approach that has drawn criticism from environmentalists in recent years.
“Quebec has shown that their moose populations have significantly rebounded since they halted spraying,” Coulis noted. “However, Ontario shows no willingness to cease these practices.”