Cariboo Region Moose Allocation Ministry of Environment Nov. 6, 2008

Overview Current Status of Moose in the Cariboo –Game Management Zones –Moose Population Estimates –Moose Harvest Estimates Moose Harvest Management –Management Objectives –Moose Population Model –Annual Allowable Harvest Harvest Allocation –Harvest Allocation Policy –Current Annual Allocation Next Steps

Current status of Moose in the Cariboo

Game Management Zones (GMZ’s) GMZ’s are amalgamations of wildlife management units (WMU’s) which share similar ecological characteristics and hunter harvest patterns GMZ’s provide the basic geographic area for assessing moose populations and developing and implementing harvest strategies Hunting regulations are set by WMU The Cariboo region is divided into 5 GMZ’s and 16 WMU’s

GMZ’s and WMU’s in the Cariboo GMZNameWMU’sArea (km 2 ) 5AQuesnel Highland5-15, ,758 5BCariboo5-01, ,535 5CNorth Chilcotin5-10, 5-12 to ,093 5DSouth Chilcotin5-03 to ,543 5ECentral Coast5-07 to 5-09 & ,609

Moose Population Estimates Population estimates are made for each Game Management Zone (GMZ) Population estimates are from Stratified Random Block surveys (SRB), supplemented with Composition Surveys and Historic Harvest Data Survey results are extrapolated to estimate moose numbers in each GMZ

Moose Surveys

Example: 5-13C Kluskus (2008) SRB Survey conducted in Jan and Feb 2008 Survey area was 4,008 km 2 divided into km 2 blocks 91 blocks or 31% of area surveyed by helicopter Stratification required 31 hours of fixed- wing time and cost $10, Helicopter survey time totaled 67 hours and cost $64, With contractor costs the total survey cost exceeded $111,000

5-13C Kluskus Survey Results Observed Moose Density: 36 Moose per 100 km 2 Corrected Moose Density: 49 Moose per 100km 2 up from 37 in 1997 Estimated Bull/Cow ratio: 35 Bulls/100 Cows Estimate Calf/Cow ratio: 31 Calves/100 Cows GMZ 5C Population Estimate: –30,088 km 2 suitable moose habitat –GMZ 5C estimated moose density: 0.44 moose/km 2 –Total estimate = 13,193 moose 2,777 bulls 7,276 cows 3,140 calves

Moose Population Estimates by GMZ Game Management Zone Moose Estimate BullsCowsCalves 5A –Quesnel Highlands * 5B –Cariboo C –North Chilcotin 13,1932,7777,2763,140 5D –South Chilcotin 5,9451,3933,2111,341 * GMZ 5A calf/cow ratio well below required ratio for population growth

Moose Population Estimates: 2004 and 2008 Game Management Zone % Change GMZ 5A2,850*1, % GMZ 5B6,6506,727+ 1% GMZ 5C11,22513, % GMZ 5D5,3005,945+12% *2004 GMZ 5A pop. Est. not based on SRB surveys

Moose Harvest Estimates for R5 Partial LEH introduced Full LEH

Moose Harvest by GMZ,

Moose Harvest Management

Management Objectives: Manage for bull/cow ratios above 30 bulls/100 cows Manage for densities above 40 moose/100 km2 in MU’s 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 13, 14 Manage moose numbers in conjunction with caribou recovery efforts within MU’s 6, 10, 11, 12 & 15 Ensure FN harvest needs are addressed Provide a resident hunter success rate of less than 25 days per harvested moose

Moose Population Model Model forecasts the status of each GMZ population through the allocation period Incorporates estimates of population size, bull/cow and calf/cow ratios, natural mortality rates, and historic harvests; as well as uncertainty of all estimates. Allows us to assess the consequences of different harvest levels relative to objectives, and to examine trade-offs Used to calculate the Annual Allowable Harvest (AAH)

Steps to Determine the AAH 1.Assemble biological data by GMZ and estimate moose population size 2.Construct moose population model 3.Use model to assess consequences to moose population health under different harvest levels. 4.Use the model to estimate the AAH that best achieves management objectives 5.Discuss modeling results with First Nations, resident hunters and guide-outfitters 6.Determine final AAH

Preliminary Estimates of AAH by GMZ GMZ 5A – Reduce AAH by 20% –Wolf predation has reduced calf/cow ratio well below recommended minimums for population growth –Maintaining current AAH has high likelihood of reducing bull/cow ratios below 30/100 GMZ 5B, 5C, 5D – maintain current AAH –should maintain stable to increasing moose populations

Harvest Allocation

Harvest Allocation Process Harvest allocations are determined on a regional basis by the Regional Manager Priorities of allocation: 1.Conservation 2.First Nation sustenance harvest 3.Resident harvest 4.Non-resident harvest Harvest Allocation Policy determines harvest share between residents and non-residents

Current Annual Allocation ( ) First Nations sustenance 946 moose –Need updated FN tradition use data Resident hunters (LEH) 1070 bulls Non-res. hunters (quotas) 260 bulls Total 2276 moose (total harvest is approximately 9% of population)

Request for Harvest Information from First Nations –Estimate of current and expected annual harvest over next 3 years –The proportion of harvest made up of bulls, cows and calves –Location of harvest by Management Unit

Next Steps Complete consultation with FN and update sustenance needs Update population modeling and develop final AAH Undertake allocation between users according to allocation policy Determine specific guide outfitter quotas Process must be completed by the end of March, 2009