Released on July 19, 2002
Saskatchewan Environment is taking precautionary measures to protect themoose population in Saskatchewan. It is reducing the number of moose that
hunters will be allowed to harvest during the draw moose season and closing
the early rifle moose season across most of the forest fringe and forest
moose range.
The change is a response to field reports that indicate a significant
number of moose died this past winter and spring due to a higher than
normal tick infestation. Too many ticks on a moose result in increased
hair and blood loss, a deterioration of body condition and eventually
death. The highest mortality rates were in the Pasquia and Porcupine
Forests along the Manitoba border near Hudson Bay and in Greenwater Lake
Provincial Park.
The decision to close the early rifle season throughout most of the range
was made to avoid increased hunting pressure on other moose populations.
It's estimated the number of moose licences sold in 2002 will be
approximately 6000. That's a 35 per cent reduction from the sales in 2001.
"We realize that closing parts of the moose season and reducing the harvest
in other areas could have a negative impact on businesses in these areas
that rely on hunting," Environment Minister Buckley Belanger
said. "However this is a case where the need to preserve the moose
population outweighs the costs."
The late regular moose season, the archery moose season and the guided
moose seasons will not be affected for the 2002 season.
For more details about the Wildlife Management Zones affected by the
changes to the moose seasons, please contact the local Saskatchewan
Environment office.
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For more information contact;
Art Jones
Saskatchewan Environment
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-5796
Cell: (306) 536-8452