Hunters had less success for moose with a harvest of 18,402 animals last fall, down from more than 1,600 animals. For deer hunters, the harvest was better despite a drop in licenses sold.
For moose, if we compare the results for 2020, when the harvest of females was not allowed like last autumn, the number of recorded animals was 20,031, while this season it was 18,402, a decrease of 1,629 animals.
Photo provided by Sepaq
“I don’t think we need to worry about that drop at the moment. We need to monitor the situation closely to find out how the harvest will develop in the coming seasons,” explains biologist Maxime Lavoie, responsible for the moose file at the Ministry of Environment, Combating Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks.
“It is certain that part of the explanation for this drop is due to the very hot temperatures we experienced during the hunting season last fall. Be careful. These results are not catastrophic. They are average over the past 20 years.
“It should also be mentioned that we had more restrictive measures in certain areas than two or four years ago. In the Laurentides Game Reserve, for example, the number of permits for women has been reduced,” he adds.
NOTHING ALARMING
For this specialist, the drop in success isn’t a concern, but it’s certainly something to watch out for.
“What you have to watch out for is hunting success in adult males. This is the segment of the population that can be harvested each year. If we look at hunting success, it’s still pretty stable since 2004.
“I think we’re still in a pretty good moose season. It is true that in some areas the population has decreased while in others it has increased. We have been in a period of stability since the moose population began to increase around 2004.
“Yes, in the first year we are seeing a drop in crops, but before you make any decisions or say anything you need to monitor the situation closely and see if the drop continues. I repeat that I’m not worried, but the situation needs to be closely monitored. »
Last fall, 170,000 permits were sold. This winter, aerial surveys will be conducted in the Capitale-Nationale, Nord-du-Québec, Outaouais and Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean regions.
DEER
The situation was quite different for the other big game popular with Quebec hunters, the deer.
The harvest of 55,318 animals represents an increase of 17% compared to 2021 (54,762). Across Quebec, the success rate was 37%, a rate not seen since 2007.
“We have an excellent record of hunting white-tailed deer [chevreuils], whether at the provincial level or in each of the zones, says Sonia De Bellefeuille, biologist in charge of the dossier at the ministry. There is no doubt that the hunting methods paid off.
“However, another important factor must be added, and that is the three consecutive relatively mild winters we have experienced across Quebec. There is no doubt that the deer benefited greatly from this. »
It has recently become possible to obtain a second hunting license in order to hunt down a second deer in another area.
“While the figure of 20,000 additional permits sold may seem large, the harvest figures show that it is not harmful to the herd. Only 2,211 hunters took one adult male and one female, while others killed two antlerless deer.
“Only 1240 hunters who took two males. These figures correspond to an 18% success rate among hunters who have acquired two licenses.
“Don’t think that all hunters who get a second license automatically kill a second animal. This method allows many to simply have a second chance at bagging a deer in another area. »
However, she reminds us that winter remains the species’ worst enemy.
“When there is a lot of snow, the energy consumption for moving and eating is higher. When conditions are right the deer have a field day and we see many fawns appearing in the population. »
With the exception of Anticosti, where 130,000 licenses were sold, down 2%, and the harvest was better. This is therefore a sign that the herd is in good health.
The results of the Restrictive Legal Timber Size (RTLB) experiment will be announced shortly. Based on the data collected and the consultations carried out, decisions are made about the future application of this hunting method.
OTHER BIG GAME
In the case of wild turkey, a record number of hunters participated in the spring hunt. A total of 22,500 hunters killed 9,300 birds. In the fall, 2,600 hunters shot 440 turkeys, 57% of which were females.
With 5,600 bears killed, the black bear harvest was comparable to that of previous years. It is divided into 89% hunting and 11% trapping. The spring season continues to be the most productive with 90% of the total harvest occurring during this period.
