Please speak out for moose, wolves and coyotes today!
We really need your help! We are hoping you will take a moment to write in opposition to the recommendations made in Environmental Registry of Ontario #019-0406. Ontario’s Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry is revisiting a proposal to liberalize hunting of wolves and coyotes across 750,000 km2 of northern Ontario, from Gravenhurst to the Manitoba border. A similar proposal was put forward, but withdrawn, in 2016. So we know that your activism can have huge impact in protecting animals.
Please help us protect the wolves, coyotes and moose by sending your comments, before midnight on Thursday, to the Environmental Registry of Ontario.
https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-0406
Here is a sample comment you’re welcome to use (Please note that your address and phone number are not required.):
Dear Minister,
I urge you to:
1. Protect wolves and coyotes in Ontario by turning down the proposed changes made by Big Game Management Advisory Committee (BGMAC) that would allow for increased hunting of wolves and coyotes in most of Northern Ontario as set out in ERO number 019-0406; and
2. Implement a strategy that will protect the moose population by:
- Phasing out calf hunting;
- Limiting the use of all-terrain vehicles during the hunt;
- Ending party hunting and reducing the length of the hunt to 4 weeks;
- Continuing to monitor moose populations in relation to the changing climate; and
- Managing habitat at the ecosystem level to protect all moose and other wild species, monitor the effects of climate change on all wildlife, including range changes, increased parasite loads, altered vegetation, invasive plant species and wildfire patterns.
Sincerely,
[your name]
Brief Summary:
The proposed changes follow the recommendations by the Big Game Management Advisory Committee (BGMAC) that the Minister should address hunters’ concerns about wolves and coyotes killing moose by increasing wolf and coyote hunting opportunities.
The Ministry demonizes coyotes by allowing them to be hunted year round (no other species is hunted year round). However, allowing a spring hunt is particularly cruel as they have dependent young who will die slowly of starvation, dehydration or predation.
The BGMAC report provides no population data for wolves, coyotes or moose or number of animals killed by hunters. The report cites no studies or scientific research papers that would support such a recommendation. Yet, instead of seeking science-based recommendations and clarification from BGMAC, this exact recommendation is now posted on the province’s Environmental Registry for public comment.
The Minister’s own website points out that hunting and trapping of wolves will not help in the survival of moose in Ontario (www.ontario.ca/page/factors-affect-moose-survival). Coyotes are not even mentioned as being of concern for their possible impact on the moose population.
The only conclusion we can draw from this is that hunters want the moose for themselves and not for the natural predators of moose. If the Minister believes that the moose population is too low, he should be addressing the activities that are known to affect moose, like ATV use, the length of the hunting season and hunting calves.
To give you an idea of the possible impacts this will have on animals in Ontario, here is one simple calculation. The current Ontario wolf population is estimated at 9,000 animals. If only 3,000 hunters each kill two wolves, 6,000 animals — 2/3 of the wolf population — will disappear in Ontario. And that’s if only 3,000 hunters exercise their right. In Ontario, over 190,000 people hold small game licenses (the license required to hunt wolves and coyotes).
As always, please call or write us if you have any questions.
Thank you, on behalf of the animals.
Dear Minister,
I urge you to:
1. Protect wolves and coyotes in Ontario by turning down the proposed changes made by Big Game Management Advisory Committee (BGMAC) that would allow for increased hunting of wolves and coyotes in most of Northern Ontario as set out in ERO number 019-0406; and
2. Implement a strategy that will protect the moose population by:
Phasing out calf hunting;
Limiting the use of all-terrain vehicles during the hunt;
Ending party hunting and reducing the length of the hunt to 4 weeks;
Continuing to monitor moose populations in relation to the changing climate; and
Managing habitat at the ecosystem level to protect all moose and other wild species, monitor the effects of climate change on all wildlife, including range changes, increased parasite loads, altered vegetation, invasive plant species and wildfire patterns.
Sincerely,
Manpreet