CHANGES IN MOOSE MANAGEMENT IN BRITISH COLUMBIA

Abstract

Moose taken by hunters in British Columbia increased from 4,300 in 1950 to a peak of 25,754 in 1968. Since 1968 the harvest has dropped rapidly, and fluctuated between 12,500 - 14,500 animals during the last six years. In 1968 the harvest was comprised of 55% males, 35% females and 10% calves. In 1979, 72% of the hunter take was males, 21% females and 7% calves. There has been a decrease in hunting success and the mean age of the bulls taken by hunters. The provincial moose management plan calls for an increase in the present moose population from an estimated 240,000 to 300,000 and provide for an annual sustained kill of 30,000. New regulations and selective harvest strategies are being implemented and are designed to direct hunting pressure to calves to restore normal sex ratios and social structure of the populations and protect the prime breeding segment of the herd.