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Attention moose stakeholders! Read below in the link. OMNR has apparently caved in on the proposed changes to allow wolves to be harvested without the purchase of a separate tag or seal. NOSA believes this decision is not in keeping with the intent of Phase II of the Moose Project where it has been identified that wolf predation has a limiting effect on moose population growth especially when moose are in decline. Make your views known to your local MPPs and our Minister of Nat. Resources Bill Mauro.
https://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-…/displaynoticecontent.do… As you will recall, Ontario launched the Moose Project in fall 2014 to consider new moose population objectives and explore potential management actions to address factors affecting moose populations such as harvest, predation, parasites, changing climate and habitat. In December 2015, a public notice was put out seeking comments on some proposals as part of Phase 2 of Moose Project for new moose population objectives and additional management actions to address factors affecting moose. These proposals were being considered in addition to other actions the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) has taken in recent years, including those resulting from Phase 1 of Moose Project, to address harvest pressure on moose by reducing tags and seasons for provincially licensed moose hunters. These actions are intended to help stabilize and grow Ontario’s moose population. MNRF appreciates the input and comments provided on these proposals and other matters related to moose management. The following decisions have been made regarding the most recent proposals:
Decision notices on these proposals can be viewed on the Environmental Registry (www.ontario.ca/environmentalregistry) by entering the proposal numbers listed above in the search box. Ontario will be monitoring the effects of these changes on moose populations and considering additional actions over time based on the input received from discussions to this point. MNRF appreciates the participation and insights provided by stakeholders, tourist outfitters, Aboriginal groups and communities, and the general public as part of the Moose Project. We will continue to seek opportunities to share information and work together to pursue our common interests with respect to moose. If you have any questions about moose and sharing of information in a local area we encourage you to contact your local district MNRF office. If you would like to discuss Ontario’s moose management policies, Moose Project or the changes resulting from it we invite you to contact Patrick Hubert in Wildlife Section at (705) 755-1932 or patrick.hubert@ontario.ca. Sincerely, Chloe Chloe Stuart, Director Species Conservation Policy Branch Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry 300 Water Street, 5th Floor North Peterborough, ON K9J 8M5 Phone: (705) 755-5341 E-mail: chloe.stuart@ontario.ca
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BIG GAME MEASURING EVENT!
The Northwestern Ontario Sportsmen's Alliance (NOSA) is proud to announce the return of the BIG GAME MEASURING EVENT, to be held at the Central Canada Outdoor Show Friday Feb. 26th to Sunday Feb. 28th. Bring your moose or deer antlers and bear skulls to the outdoor show, OR leave them with the NOSA booth that will also be set up at the Heritage Building during the Northwestern Fur Trappers Convention held that same weekend - and be eligible for great prizes totalling over $1000 !! The Rules of the Event are as follows: 3 species/4 divisions 1) - Bear skulls 2) - Moose antlers 3) - Typical Deer and Non-Typical Deer 4) - 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes for largest gross score in each division - based on minimum 5 entries per category (5 or more entries - 3 prizes, 4 entries - 2 prizes, 3 entries - 1 prize) 5) - 1 Mystery prize for each species, randomly drawn from all entries in each species will be awarded 6) - Additional Random draw prizes will be selected from all entrants regardless of species. 7) - "All-Time" entries will be accepted for each species and will be eligible for 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes as set out for other categories. Eligible for random draw prizes. 8) - All entries must have been legally taken within Ontario. If a legal harvest occurred outside a specified season for species and weapon type the corresponding entry will be eligible in the "All-Time" category only. All-Time also includes "found dead". 9) - All event sponsors/volunteers/directors are permitted to enter the measuring event however all such entries must be made by noon on Saturday Feb. 27th with fees paid same time for their entries. 10) - All FROW recognized species will be eligible for free measurement, however only paid entries will be eligible for any prizes (see rule #11). - FROW measuring by the Boone and Crockett scoring system will be utilized. 11) - Registration fee is $15 per entry or 3 for $30. Should an entry be eligible for entry into the FROW record books additional FROW registration fees are the responsibility of the entrant. 12) - All scores and decisions are final and at the discretion of The show directors: Joe Dampier (Lakehead Archers) and Shane Baker(NOSA Director) ( NOTE: This event was originally scheduled to be held at the NWFurTrappers Assoc. Convention in the CLE Heritage Building however the location of the event has been moved to the Central Canada Outdoor Show to accomodate co-sponsor Lakehead Archers Inc. who will be assisting with measuring at their booth during the Outdoor Show) 12/18/2015 0 Comments Moose Project- Phase 2
This is good reading material regarding Moose calf survival and Black Bear densities. This thesis was written by Raymond E. Kotchorek. Click on link below to review. 
8/21/2015 0 Comments Using human-dimensions research to reduce implementation uncertainty for wildlife management: a case of moose hunting in Northern Ontario, CanadaLots of good reading material regarding moose management in Ontario. Research paper is written by Len M. Hunt. Click on link below to view.
Share Your Voice Campaign August 7, 2015 Please post until August 14, 2015 For the past two years, Greenpeace and ForestEthics have waged attack campaigns against Resolute and the people of the boreal forest. Their market campaigning does not reflect on-the-ground forestry practices and sustainability leadership in Canada. It is based on inaccurate allegations. The fact that the Canadian boreal is considered among the best managed, if not the best managed, forests in the world does not seem to matter to Greenpeace and ForestEthics. These activists are specifically targeting the purchase of products from Canada’s boreal. Greenpeace and ForestEthics are continuing to intimidate and threaten our customers. Their attacks have resulted in the loss of jobs for workers in Northern Ontario and Quebec, and impact the socio-economic well-being of communities. Contrary to their claims, Greenpeace and ForestEthics do not represent the views of northern communities, the majority of First Nations, and certainly not the workers of the region. As a result, more than 500 municipalities in Ontario and Quebec have expressed strong concern about the activist campaigns; 30 mayors recently travelled to Ottawa to take a firm stand; letters of condemnation have been sent by unions, mayors, First Nations and others; and the federal and provincial governments have been on the road meeting with customers to set the record straight. Recently, an exchange of letters between Resolute and ForestEthics resulted in a powerful column written by Peter Foster of the National Post, applauding Resolute’s resolve and principled position. We believe that a range of stakeholders must be part of any workable solutions going forward in the boreal. Resolute remains steadfast in our support and willingness to engage in conversations, but we insist on the participation of regional stakeholders, First Nations and governments. We are seeing an overwhelming rejection of the notion that groups like Greenpeace and ForestEthics speak for local communities, workers, First Nations and governments in the boreal. The people of the boreal deserve a seat at the table; they are not second-class parties in determining their own future. Quite simply, they deserve a voice. And we plan to help amplify that voice. If you want to make your voice heard, please visit act.resolutefp.com to send an email right now to Greenpeace and ForestEthics demanding an end to their misinformation campaign and a seat at the table for the people who live and work in the boreal. To reinforce the message, Resolute is running full-page advertisements in national and regional newspapers as well as launching a full digital advertisement and social media campaign. In addition, pre-paid postcards will soon be available at Resolute locations in which employees, their families and friends can make their voices heard. 7/16/2015 0 Comments Moose Project Phase 2 July 15, 2015
Dear Moose Project Focus Group Participant, The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) appreciates the contributions of all those who participated in the first phase of Ontario’s Moose Project, a multi-year initiative exploring potential actions to address pressures influencing moose populations such as harvest, predation, parasites, changing climate and habitat. Phase 1 concluded with the implementation of hunting regulation changes that shorten the calf moose hunting season (beginning in fall 2015) and delay the start of the moose hunting season (beginning in fall 2016) across much of northern Ontario. MNRF is initiating Phase 2 of the Moose Project, intended to set new moose population objectives and to develop possible management actions in the short and long term, to help address a number of factors affecting moose in Ontario. The ultimate goal of the Moose Project is to stabilize and grow Ontario’s moose population. MNRF is not advancing any specific policy proposals at this time; rather we welcome further input to ensure the best available information is considered prior to consulting on specific actions. An information notice has been posted to the Environmental Registry to share information and invite written comments by August 14, 2015. For more information please visit ontario.ca/environmentalregistry (#012-4587). Additional updates and opportunities for further input on Moose Project continue to be provided at ontario.ca/moose. During Phase 2 we remain committed to working together and gathering insights from stakeholders, Aboriginal peoples and the public. We look forward to working with you throughout the Moose Project and beyond in order to achieve our collective interest in ensuring moose remain healthy across their range in Ontario. Sincerely, Chloe Chloe Stuart, Director Species Conservation Policy Branch Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry 300 Water Street, 5th Floor North Peterborough, ON K9J 8M5 Phone: 705-755-5341 Email: chloe.stuart@ontario.ca Many Canadians know the Beasley Brothers, creators of the television show Canada in the Rough, as decent, hardworking farm boys from Ontario. What many don't know is this: while their show is aired in 27 countries overseas and nationally in the United States, these home-grown Canadian boys cannot find a major Canadian television network willing to sell them airtime for their immensely popular show.
Why you ask? The answer is simple: Canada in the Rough shows hunting and firearms ownership in a positive light. Their show ran on Global TV for eight years until the day Keith Beasley received a telephone call from a Global network executive telling him that the network would no longer sell him airtime for Canada in the Rough. Despite outranking its closest competitor by orders of magnitude, the show would no longer air on that network. It took some time, but eventually Keith and his brothers learned why: “It had nothing to do with ratings, and it had nothing to do with what we were. It had everything to do with our content. Our content was guns and hunting. And just like that, the Canadian hunting landscape changed on a dime, and we’ve never recovered from it.” According to the head honchos at the big Canadian network, hunting is politically incorrect, and Global TV no longer had the courage to continue televising this Canadian outdoor heritage activity. You can imagine the Beasley Brothers’ shock and dismay. One day they are the producers of an immensely popular television show; the next day, they are seemingly bums on the street without a home. And all of this happened because they dare to show hunting in a positive and ethical light on television. For many that would be the end of the road. Your passion crushed, you would move on to the next phase of life – whatever that might be. Thankfully, the Beasley Brothers aren't those kind of people. Instead, they were determined that Global TV's short-sightedness and cowardice would not be the end of their dreams. They were equally determined that this would not be the end of their promotion of hunting – a proud tradition in Canada and part of our national heritage. Keith Beasley: “Sun [News Network] … when that happened, reached out to us and offered us a helping hand to get us up and without Sun, I don’t know if we would have made it, to be honest. But Sun is no longer here, and we’re back in a fight to find networks that will air hunting and guns.” The Beasley Brothers became more determined than ever to keep their vision and their promotion of our Canadian heritage activities alive. They found distributors in Europe. They found distributors in Australia. They even landed a distributor in the United States where Ontario Tourism is one of the major sponsors! Despite the valued assistance of Brian Burk, President of Hockey Operations for the Calgary Flames, the Beasley Brothers still cannot find a Canadian television network willing to sell them airtime for their 100% Canadian content television show. Keith Beasley: “I met with TSN this year, I met with SportsNet. Two obvious national carriers that should … represent us, that should let us air nationally. They won’t touch us. Why won’t they touch us? I mean soccer’s pretty dang boring, but it’s bigger than us. I get that. But darts is there. Everything outdoors is there. Fishing is even there, but they won’t touch hunting. Why? Because they’re afraid. Why won’t Tim Hortons sponsor my show? Because every hunter on his way to the duck blind … what does he do? Find me a hunter that doesn’t stop at Tim Hortons at 4 a.m. in the morning on the way to the duck blind in November. Why won’t they sponsor me? One reason: because they’re afraid of the public reaction.” Keith Beasley makes a very valid point, both for the networks and Tim Hortons. They are both natural fits for his show, yet they will not touch him even with the proverbial ten-foot pole. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) dropped the Canadian content requirement for television stations to operate in Canada, further hurting their chances. In March of 2015, the CRTC announced it had dropped the Canadian content requirement for non-prime-time hours from 55 percent to zero. That’s right: ZERO. This same CRTC that says pornography MUST be aired on Canadian television, says the Beasley Brothers cannot get their Canadian hunting show – a recognized national heritage activity – on the air. While millions of Canadians hunt to feed their families each and every year, the Beasley Brothers are ostracized by the Canadian media for showing our birthright in a positive light. Do you want to do something to help keep our great hunting heritage alive? Write a letter to the following companies expressing your gratitude for their sponsorship of Canada in the Rough. Without the dedicated support of these companies, the Beasley Brothers could not keep their show alive. Even with them, it's still hard. But it is doable – for now. Rocky Boots: https://www.rockyboots.com/contactus Beretta Shotguns: http://www.beretta.com/en/ Steiner Canada: http://www.steiner-optics.com/contact-us Stoeger Canada: https://www.stoegercanada.ca/consumer/AboutUs/ContactUs Sako Precision Rifles: http://www.sako.fi/ Yamaha Off-Road Vehicles: https://www.yamaha-motor.ca/our_company/contact_us.php Federal Premium Ammunition: http://www.federalpremium.com/company/contact_us.aspx Bass Pro Shops: http://www.basspro.com/ Elite Archery: http://www.elitearchery.com/contact/ Excalibur Crossbows: http://www.excaliburcrossbow.com/content/contact RealTree Outdoors: http://www.realtree.com/contact Ram Trucks: http://www.fcacanada.ca/en/contact_us.php Ontario Tourism: http://www.ontariotravel.net/en/plan/contact-us As Keith Beasley said to us: “If not you … Who? If not now … When? If not here … Where?” It’s up to each of us individually to ensure that companies championing our hunting heritage be told we appreciate them and their support. It’s a simple gesture, but a critical one. Supporting these companies is a no-brainer when they defend and promote our proud hunting heritage so faithfully. Then write a letter to the following television networks and politely request that they carry Canada in the Rough on their network. Explain that Canada In The Rough is 100% Canadian content and that hunting is designated as a heritage activity in Canada. It’s in their best interests to support Canada’s rich outdoor heritage. It’s equally critical that Canada’s national television networks know we want to see our outdoor heritage activities on the airwaves. If they hear from enough of us, perhaps they will see the light. Send the message that hunters are not barbarians, but ethical Canadians who feed their families with what we harvest – and that we harvest this food humanely. SportsNet: http://www.sportsnet.ca/contact-us/ TSN: http://www.tsn.ca/tsn-ca-help-page-contact-us-1.102493 CityTV: http://www.citytv.com/toronto/contact-us/ CBC: http://www.cbc.ca/connects/help/?goto=.contact-box CTV: http://www.ctv.ca/About/Corporate-Info/Contact-Us.aspx Global: http://www.globaltv.com/faq/#contact Hunting is a legitimate outdoor heritage activity. Bill C-501, an Act respecting a National Hunting, Trapping and Fishing Heritage Day, was passed into law in 2014. September 2015 will be the first time Canadians will celebrate our hunting heritage on a national scale. A big THANK YOU to Keith Beasley for making a presentation at the Canadian Shooting Sports Association’s 2015 Annual General Meeting. He is arguably the most humble, genuine and honest presenter of hunting we’ve ever met. If you would like to listen to Keith’s entire presentation at the CSSA Annual General Meeting, please visit this link: http://s3.amazonaws.com/CSSA/Audio/CSSA-AGM-Presentation-by-Keith-Beasley-Canada-in-the-Rough-FINAL.mp3 1/22/2015 0 Comments MNR Where's the communication?Topic Title: MNR Cutting Jobs Posting Date: 08/16/2013
Source: The Chronicle Journal Section & Page: Editorial August 16, 2013 Full Article: MNR, where’s the communication? Friday, August 16, 2013 When the smoke clears, it is going to be anyone’s guess what the Ministry of Natural Resources is going to look like here in the Northwest after this latest round of restructuring. MNR officials say there will be more employees in the region and offices will remain open after the plan is rolled out. But that remains to be seen. The biggest beef we have with the MNR restructuring plan is in the way it was released. Why the Ontario Public Service Employees Union had to sound the alarm before the ministry released any information to the public is a concern. For a ministry that issues news release after news release on everything from park attractions to rabies vaccine drops, but it can’t tool together a news release announcing a major initiative, such as a restructuring plan, is beyond understanding. Kenora NDP MPP Sarah Campbell says she is “very concerned with the impact these cuts will have and the secretive way the government has been in implementing these changes. It is not right that the union for the affected employees, and not the government, has stepped forward with the details. “To date, previous cuts in the MNR, including the outsourcing of jobs to the U.S. and cuts to the Bearwise program, have not been properly co-ordinated. A full disclosure of the ministry’s plans could help ensure smooth transitions are made. “Ultimately, people and industry have a right to know what the long-term plan is. By waiting for the news to come out via a union’s press release and refusing to disclose its plans, the government is failing to operate in an open and transparent manner.” We agree with Campbell’s sentiments. Being a little more up front about job cuts and the future of the ministry would be appreciated. “In the Northwest, the decisions made by the MNR have a major impact on vital industries such as tourism, forestry and mining,” Campbell said. “People have the right to know how these cuts will impact them and if they will put the institutional knowledge that exists in our smaller communities at risk.” Yes, they do. Hopefully the ministry will be more transparent about its plans in the future and share them in a timely manner. Northwestern Ontario Sportsmen’s Alliance executive director John Kaplanis says his organization will be watching closely to see what new and vacant jobs will be filled in the Northwest (the MNR says there will be a net increase of 36 positions), and to ensure the MNR is working toward improving and growing its fish and wildlife programming in Northwestern Ontario. So we will. ______________________________________________________________________________________ NOSA response: First, it is disappointing to note that the initial release of the information about the cutting of some 100 plus jobs at OMNR province wide, comes from OPSEU and not the government itself. Clearly OMNR and the Ontario Liberals have an accountability issue and it is the voting public that will have the final say on that matter in the next election. The ongoing lack of transparency with in OMNR has dogged everything from the information surrounding increasing bear attacks to questions over the status of our moose population, and now we are seeing the same trend internally with the most recent staffing cuts and no explanation for why. These staffing cuts are bleeding OMNR from the inside out. Keep in mind that pretty much all of the positions that have been axed are those at the bottom of the OMNR staffing hierarchy. So we're not seeing cuts to management positions or top level bureaucracy but rather the cuts are from lower earning staff that provide valued services to the public. This affects programs in fishery and wildlife management and wildlife population monitoring and assessment. OMNR's 2012 total budget was approximately $700 million dollars. Of that, a mere $30-35 million is devoted to managing the Northwest Region. NOSA believes the north is getting the proverbial short end of the stick considering the vast total of Crown Land area that constitutes the region's geographic land base. One of the big questions NOSA is asking is; why is OMNR spending so much of their budget in the south, in Toronto and Peterborough? While it is no secret that OMNR is underfunded and unable to sustain a demanding budget, NOSA has recently made a number of recommendations to OMNR in hopes that their Special Purpose Account (SPA) can be increased by generating revenue from new funding sources. NOSA believes that in order to restore OMNR to the world class Natural Resource agency that it once was, there needs to be new methods of doing business with those stakeholders that inject revenue into the Special Purpose Account which provides the majority of funding for Fish and Wildlife programming. Currently hunting, fishing and trapping license sales, fees and royalties account for about 70 percent of the Fish and Wildlife program. So clearly by affording more opportunity to hunt, fish and trap in the province of Ontario, there will be an increase in revenue generation for this agency. But NOSA questions the OMNR's commitment to making this happen, when the agency's direction has for many years been driven by special interest environmental organizations; organizations that not only oppose hunting, fishing and trapping but they also inject no funding to the SPA. The need for a complete overhaul of OMNR's management philosophy desperately needs to change. When other provinces and states are kicking Ontario's butt in the wildlife revenue generating department and offering hunting and fishing tourism opportunities that Ontario once ranked number one in, such as the spring bear hunt - it doesn't take much to figure out that the Ontario Government is sending a message to the world saying "we're not open for business in the outdoors". So when OMNR's little remaining revenue is largely devoted to schemes in things like caribou management and Species-At-Risk policy development, it doesn't leave much left over to keep front line staff in the northwest to count fish, moose and bears. NOSA is urging NOMA and all northern municipalities and townships to lobby their local MPPs to do more to address the funding issues at OMNR thus giving Ontario's northern economy the boost it needs to get back on track. Municipalities should be demanding OMNR to intelligently market and manage our sustainable and renewable wildlife and natural resource wealth to the benefit of the region as this huge potential currently sits idle. John Kaplanis Executive Director Northwestern Ontario Sportsmen's Alliance |
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