The province is investing $1.2 million is new moose management strategies to try and bolster BC’s moose population.
The funding comes as a response to the Strategy to Help Restore Moose Populations in British Columbia, prepared by professional forester Al Gorley who consulted with First Nations groups, the BC Wildlife Federation, the Guide and Outfitters Association of BC, the BC Cattleman’s Association and other stakeholders.
Gorley makes 21 recommendations, including developing moose management plans for the Peace, Omineca and Cariboo regions.
The province says it plans to act on this recommendation immediately, as well as increasing habitat protection, expanding this winter’s moose survey to include calf mortality and reducing the number of limited entry hunts for cows and calves significantly – from 1,792 to 200.
The new funding is in addition to $750,000 the province already plans to spend on moose management this year and is earmarked for on-the-ground activities, including habitat enhancement, research and the decommissioning of unused forest service road, which can have an impact on moose survival.
“After hearing the concerns from people across the province, I am very encouraged to see the government is moving ahead with the strategy,” says Gorley.
The strategy builds on the Provincial Framework for Moose Management from 2015 and the findings of the ongoing Interior moose populations study.
You can view the full report here.
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