Summary
An aerial survey of moose in hunting Zone 17 showed a 35% decline since 2009. The number of moose was estimated at 1036 (±16%; α = 0.1), or a density of 0.52 moose/10 km2. Reduction in habitat quality over the past decade would not limit the growth in moose numbers. The low ratio of 27 males/100 females is unprecedented. The highly selective hunt conducted since 1996 has become unsustainable. However, the increase in the proportion of females increases the resilience potential of this population. Nevertheless, the low ratio of 30 calves/100 females indicates a recruitment problem in Zone 17. The increase in adult mortality is more likely to be caused by overharvesting by hunting than by wolf predation. Inadequate monitoring of the Indigenous harvesting would underestimate its effect on the moose population. Speculation on the causes of mortality limits interpretation of the proportions attributable to hunting and predation. The Zone 17 ecosystem would still be favourable to growing moose numbers in a context of sustainable hunting management.
File
Sector(s):
Wildlife
Categorie(s):
Report
Theme(s):
Inventory, Northern Québec, Wildlife
Author(s)
BRODEUR, Vincent, William RONDEAU et Charles JUTRAS
Year of publication :
2022
Format :
ISBN
978-2-550-94017-3
Keywords :
moose, zone 17, survey, habitat, hunting, recruitment
This publication exists in other language: Inventaire aérien de l’orignal dans la zone de chasse 17 à l’hiver 2021
