Since the early 2000s, Ontario’s moose population has experienced a decline of approximately 20 percent, with some northern areas seeing reductions of over 50 percent. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) is investigating the reasons behind this trend.
Nick Luymes, a research scientist with the ministry, recently led a presentation detailing the latest insights from his team’s extensive moose research initiative in Wildlife Management Unit 13, located near Thunder Bay.
Launched in 2024, the study explores various elements that may be causing the drop in moose numbers, such as predator-prey relationships, disease and pest issues, calf survival rates, the influence of roads, and forestry practices.
According to Luymes, despite significant cuts in hunting tags over the years, moose populations have not seen a notable recovery for nearly two decades.
“Our aim is to understand the significance of these limiting factors so we can focus our manipulative experiments accordingly,” he stated.
“We hope that our findings will be applicable to other regions of the province and help clarify what influences these factors.”
Ministry research scientist Nick Luymes presents findings from the moose population study at the recent Northern Ontario Tourism Summit in Sault Ste. Marie. (Alex Flood/CBC)
Insights from the ministry’s preliminary research
Over the past two years, ministry biologists and technicians have captured and fitted more than 200 moose in the Thunder Bay area with GPS and video tracking devices to observe their movements, behaviors, and overall lifestyle.
“During the capture, we collect extensive data, including pregnancy status, health metrics, parasite load, body condition, and genetic information,” Luymes shared.
Luymes pointed out that a significant factor contributing to the decrease in moose is low calf survival rates, attributed to active predators like wolves and black bears — only about one-third of the calves survive their first year.
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The research team has estimated that the annual survival rate for adult females is around 95 percent, while for adult males, it’s approximately 70 percent.
“We receive alerts when a moose may have died. If that occurs, we can gather samples and conduct investigations on-site to determine the cause of death,” he explained.
So far, 36 of the collared moose in the study area have passed away.
For adult males, vehicle collisions and hunting are the leading causes of mortality, whereas predation is the primary threat to calves and yearlings older than eight months.
In the case of adult females, “unknown health issues” are the most frequent cause of death.
“We hope to gain clearer insights into the specific causes,” Luymes stated.
“We have biological samples sent to laboratories for thorough analysis to identify what is leading to 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 partnered with the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, acknowledges that wolves and bears have an impact on moose populations but believes they shouldn’t bear the entire blame.
“It’s tempting to suggest they are the primary drivers, so we should reduce the predator population,” he remarked. “However, that approach is merely a temporary fix that doesn’t truly tackle the underlying issues.”
Pearce argues that climate change plays a significant role in the stagnant moose numbers.
He highlights the increase in temperatures above seasonal averages as a critical factor hindering the large mammals from thriving as they once did.
“Particularly in spring, we’ve been experiencing sudden bursts of summer-like heat, which can cause moose to become hyperthermic and overheat rapidly,” he detailed.
“Animals suffering from heat stress tend to be less active and feed less, which affects not just them but also their calves.”
Despite fewer hunting tags issued in recent years, moose populations in Ontario are declining, according to the province. (CBC)
Pearce also pointed out that a warming climate benefits white-tailed deer. An increase in their population might attract more predators to their habitat, which could negatively affect moose.
He mentioned the issue of winter ticks that heavily infest moose, but Luymes clarified during his presentation that the ministry has not identified any major concerns regarding this in their study area.
Sault hunter’s experience highlights moose scarcity
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 tagging system along with his non-Indigenous friends.
“It’s about the social experience and immersing ourselves in nature,” he stated. “Spending time with family and friends away from technology is refreshing.”
However, in recent years, the sport has become increasingly difficult for Coulis and his companions.
On a recent hunting trip 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, that same group spotted just one moose over ten days.
“It’s definitely becoming more challenging,” he remarked. “You can spend numerous days out there, yet the moose just aren’t present.”
“When you do see one, it’s genuinely surprising these days.”
Jeremy Coulis and his friends enjoy their annual moose hunting trip north of Aubrey Falls. (Submitted by Jeremy Coulis)
With the reduction of hunting tags in recent years, Coulis has also observed a notable decline in the number of camps and hunters in the wilderness.
When asked about the lack of recovery in moose numbers, Coulis expressed concerns regarding forestry companies that apply herbicides to forests.
These companies aim to eliminate broadleaf vegetation that competes with coniferous trees like spruce and pine, which are harvested for timber—yet environmental advocates have raised alarms about this practice in recent years.
“Quebec has shown that their moose population has rebounded significantly since they halted spraying,” Coulis remarked. “Yet, Ontario seems disinclined to stop this practice.”
