2016 moose-wolves-coyotesebrcomments final ·...

8
January 18, 2016 Minister Bill Mauro Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Information Centre 300 Water Street Peterborough ON K9J 8M5 Dear Minister Mauro, On behalf of a broad coalition of animal protection organizations from across Ontario; including: Animal Alliance of Canada, Animal Alliance Environment Voters Party of Canada, Born Free, Canadians for Bears, Coyote Watch Canada, Humane Society International/Canada, Wolf Awareness, and Zoocheck, please find below our collective comments on EBR Registry Numbers 0126073, 0126074 and 0126075. Comments on EBR Registry Numbers 0126073, 0126074 and 0126075 On December 17, 2015, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry signaled his intent to relax protection for wolves who are hunted, open up the wolf and coyote hunting season in the Northern area from mid September to the end of March beginning in 2017. Hunters would be allowed to kill two wolves with no limit on the number of hunters, while the coyote kills would be unlimited. No seals would be required either for wolves or coyotes. According to the Minister, the proposed changes are intended to: “• address the concerns in recent years about the impacts of wolf predation on moose in northern Ontario, address concerns about the requirement to purchase a seal in northern Ontario, maintain controls necessary to ensure the sustainability of wolf and coyote populations in northern Ontario, not impact current protections for the Eastern wolf population in their core range in central Ontario. “ (EBR 0126073)

Upload: dangdan

Post on 18-Oct-2018

219 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: 2016 Moose-Wolves-CoyotesEBRComments FINAL · Wolf#harvestdata#are#also#obtained#fromquestions#on#wolf#harvest included# in# the# voluntary# annual# postcard# surveys# of# moose#

                                                                                         

                                                       January  18,  2016    Minister  Bill  Mauro  Ministry  of  Natural  Resources  and  Forestry  Information  Centre  300  Water  Street  Peterborough  ON  K9J  8M5    Dear  Minister  Mauro,   On  behalf  of  a  broad  coalition  of  animal  protection  organizations  from  across  Ontario;  including:  Animal  Alliance  of  Canada,  Animal  Alliance  Environment  Voters  Party  of  Canada,  Born  Free,  Canadians  for  Bears,  Coyote  Watch  Canada,  Humane  Society  International/Canada,  Wolf  Awareness,  and  Zoocheck,  please  find  below  our  collective  comments  on  EBR  Registry  Numbers  012-­‐6073,  012-­‐6074  and  012-­‐6075.  

 Comments  on  EBR  Registry  Numbers  012-­‐6073,  012-­‐6074  and  012-­‐6075  

 On  December  17,  2015,  Minister  of  Natural  Resources  and  Forestry  signaled  his  intent  to  relax   protection   for   wolves   who   are   hunted,   open   up   the   wolf   and   coyote   hunting  season  in  the  Northern  area  from  mid  September  to  the  end  of  March  beginning  in  2017.  Hunters  would  be  allowed   to  kill   two  wolves  with  no   limit  on   the  number  of  hunters,  while  the  coyote  kills  would  be  unlimited.  No  seals  would  be  required  either  for  wolves  or  coyotes.  According  to  the  Minister,  the  proposed  changes  are  intended  to:    

“•     address  the  concerns  in  recent  years  about  the  impacts  of  wolf  predation  on  moose  in  northern  Ontario,    

•     address  concerns  about  the  requirement  to  purchase  a  seal  in  northern  Ontario,    

•     maintain  controls  necessary  to  ensure  the  sustainability  of  wolf  and  coyote  populations  in  northern  Ontario,    

•     not  impact  current  protections  for  the  Eastern  wolf  population  in  their  core  range  in  central  Ontario.  “  (EBR  012-­‐6073)  

 

Page 2: 2016 Moose-Wolves-CoyotesEBRComments FINAL · Wolf#harvestdata#are#also#obtained#fromquestions#on#wolf#harvest included# in# the# voluntary# annual# postcard# surveys# of# moose#

  2  

The  Minister  claims  that:  “separating  harvest  limits  for  northern  wolves  and  coyotes  reflects  current  science  showing  that  hunters  can  generally  distinguish  between  northern  wolves  and  coyotes  in  the  wild.”  (EBR  012-­‐6073)    The   apparent   purpose  of   the  Minister’s   decision   is   to   “grow  moose  populations”   at   a  time  when  he  claims  declines  “in  moose  numbers   in  many  parts  of  northern  Ontario”  but  are  doing  relatively  well  in  southern  Ontario.  (EBR  012-­‐6075)    Our  recommendations:    To  truly  protect  or  enhance  moose  populations,  while  at  the  same  time,  also  showing  responsibility  for  protecting  and  conserving  other  species  in  these  ecosystems  the  MNRF  should:    

1. Prioritize  non-­‐lethal  methods  over  lethal  methods  in  protecting  moose  populations  and  mitigating  predation;  

2. Increase  efforts  to  end  moose  poaching;  3. Make  moose  hunting  reports  mandatory;  4. Increase  aerial  surveys  and  land  surveys  to  better  understand  moose  populations  

and  wolf  and  coyote  populations;  5. Increase  funding  for  studies  and  solutions  to  mitigate  parasites,  such  as  winter  

ticks;  6. Prohibit  hunting  in  the  areas  of  most  concern.  

 Background:      Information  lacking  to  make  a  considered  decision:    The  Minister  provides  no  science  to  demonstrate  that  moose  populations  will   increase  to   projected   numbers   through   the   proposed   actions.   A   vast   body   of   literature   shows  that   predator-­‐prey   relations   are   not   simplistic,   and   killing   native   carnivores   will   not  bolster   ungulate   numbers   because   of  many   confounding   factors   that   inhibit   ungulate  increases,   including   habitat   loss   and   climate   change.   We   are   given   no   indication   or  estimate   of   how   many   native   carnivores   will   have   to   die   in   order   to   achieve   the  Ministry’s  arbitrary  target  moose  population  increase.  Indeed,  this  is  because  there  is  no  credible  scientific  evidence  that  justifies  these  measures.    Wolf  dependency  on  ungulate  populations:  The  Minister  provides  no  explanation  as  to  how   a   decline   in   the   moose   population   has   not   resulted   in   a   decline   in   the   wolf  population  if  moose  are  so  integral  to  the  wolf  survival.  Information  provided  by  MNRF  staff  cite  the  latest  Ontario  Out  of  Doors  publication  which  states  that  in  Ontario  there  are  8500  grey  wolves  and  hybrids,  500  Eastern  wolves  and  an  undetermined  number  of  coyotes.   The   article   shows   the   number   of   wolves   and   coyotes   killed   under   the   small  game  permit  from  2005  to  2014.    The  Backgrounder  on  Wolf  Management  in  Ontario,  page  16  seems  to  agree  that  wolf  density  and  numbers  are  dependent  on  ungulate  densities.  It  states,  In  summary,  across  

Page 3: 2016 Moose-Wolves-CoyotesEBRComments FINAL · Wolf#harvestdata#are#also#obtained#fromquestions#on#wolf#harvest included# in# the# voluntary# annual# postcard# surveys# of# moose#

  3  

Ontario  it  is  likely  that  regional  wolf  population  densities  reflect  the  abundance  and  composition  of  the  primary  prey  species,  ranging  from  <1wolf/100km2  where  wolves  are  reliant  on  a  single  (and  relatively  scarce)  ungulate  species  (either  deer  or  caribou  depending  on  locality)  to  densities  approaching  3/100km2  where  multiple  ungulate  species  are  present  and  deer  are  relatively  abundant.      Number  of  wolves  killed  on  the  increase  over  the  last  10  years:  The  chart  included  in  the  article  shows  a  growing  number  of  wolves  killed  by  hunters  from  2005  to  2014—a  number   that   is   likely   unsustainable.   Hunting   wolves   results   in   disruption   to   pack  structure   and   to   pack  members,   especially   pups   of   the   year.   If   the  wolf   population   is  stable  or  growing  as  the  MNRF  claims,  then  it  would  follow  that  moose  populations  are  also  stable  in  those  regions  based  on  historical  codependency.  If  moose  populations  are  in  decline,  then  it  is  also  possible  that  the  wolf  population  is  also  in  decline.  The  MNRF  needs  to  focus  on  other  factors,  such  as,  poaching,  overhunting  or  parasites.  

   

       

 No  data  on  First  Nations  take  of  moose:  The  MNRF  has  no  idea  how  many  moose  are  taken  by  First  Nations  (including  Metis)  as  confirmed  in  the  following  statement:  “MNRF  respects  Aboriginal  and  treaty  rights  to  harvest  moose  and  doesn’t  have  the  authority  to  require  Aboriginal  peoples  to  provide  their  harvest  information.  That  said,  we  have  developed  specific  agreements  with  some  Aboriginal  groups  in  recent  years  to  share  this  type  of  information,  and  we  are  working  to  further  promote  cooperation  and  information  sharing  with  Aboriginal  groups  and  communities  as  part  of  the  Moose  Project.”      Problems   assessing   population   size   requiring   precautionary   approach   to   wolf  conservation:   There   is   no   application   of   the   precautionary   principle   with   regard   to  wolves.  As  the  Background  report  states,  “At  this  time,  there  is  no  evidence  to  suggest  that   either   gray   or   eastern   wolves   are   threatened   or   endangered   on   a   regional   or  provincial   basis   in   Ontario.   Wolves   and   coyotes   occur   at   relatively   low   densities  compared   to   their   main   prey   species   (deer,   moose,   elk,   caribou,   beaver)   and   are  generally   secretive   by   nature.   As   a   result,   inventory   methods   are   time-­‐consuming,  

Page 4: 2016 Moose-Wolves-CoyotesEBRComments FINAL · Wolf#harvestdata#are#also#obtained#fromquestions#on#wolf#harvest included# in# the# voluntary# annual# postcard# surveys# of# moose#

  4  

expensive  and  subject   to  a  high  degree  of  error.  The   information  currently  available   in  Ontario  is  not  sufficiently  sensitive  to  predict  changes  in  the  populations  of  canids  except  at  the  largest  of  scales.  Therefore,  there  is  the  risk  that  conservation  measures  may  not  be  appropriate  or  timely  to  respond  to  changes  in  local  wolf  populations.  “  (Backgrounder  on  Wolf  Management  in  Ontario,  2005  page  1)      How   does   the   Ministry   intend   to   live   up   to   its   commitment   to   protecting   wolves   in  Canada   as   is   cited   in   the   Backgrounder?   The   report   states   In   view   of   the   apparent  relative   abundance   of   gray   and   eastern   wolves   in   Ontario,   compared   to   their   world  status,   Ontario   has   an   international   responsibility   to   conserve   this   species   carefully.  Wolves  can  be  considered  a  barometer  of  both  biodiversity  and  a  functioning  ecosystem.  (Backgrounder  on  Wolf  Management  in  Ontario,  2005,  pg  1)    Population:  The  Backgrounder  shows  that  the  number  of  wolves  in  Ontario  has  declined  from   the   estimated   10,000   to   15,000   in   the   1960s   and   1970s   with   the   estimated  population   at   8,300   wolves   today.   The   Backgrounder   states,   “Given   the   difficulty   in  precisely  estimating  wolf  abundance,   it   is  unclear  precisely  how  many  wolves  there  are  (or   have   been   historically)   in   Ontario.   During   the   mid-­‐1960s   the   number   of   wolves  province-­‐wide  was  estimated  at  between  10,000-­‐15,000.  During  the  1970s  deer  numbers  declined   throughout   their   range   in   Ontario,   and   moose   numbers   similarly   declined  through  much   of   the   southern   boreal   forest,   leading   Kolenosky   to   conclude   that   wolf  numbers  had  probably  declined  drastically  as  well.  Assumptions  discussed  by  Kolenosky  lead  to  an  estimate  of  ~4,500  wolves  province  wide  in  the  early  1980s.  However,  based  on  a  thorough  review  of  the  literature  it  seems  unlikely  that  there  were  ever  these  few  wolves   in   Ontario   in   recent   (post   colonization)   times.   (Backgrounder   on   Wolf  Management  in  Ontario,  2005,  pg  7)    Failure  of  hunters  to  distinguish  between  wolves  and  coyotes:  The  Backgrounder  talks  about   the   difficulty   in   distinguishing   wolves   from   coyotes,   yet   the   coyote   hunt   in  northern  Ontario  is  significantly  expanded.  The  report  states,  “The  full  extent  of  harvest  of   wolves   by   hunters   is   also   not   known   at   this   time.   The   most   reliable   harvest  information   is   collected   through  mandatory   reports   from   fur   dealers   and   taxidermists  indicating  wolves  received  from  hunters  for  sale  or  tanning  from  hunters.  These  reports  indicate  a  small  harvest  of  wolves  and  coyotes  by  hunters  within  wolf  range  (2000/01  –  151  animals,  22  identified  as  “wolves”;  2001/02  –  109  animals,  11  of  these  identified  as  “wolves”,   2002/03   –   170   animals,   23   of   these   identified   as   “wolves”).   Some   of   these  coyotes  may  be  eastern  wolves,  as  it  would  be  difficult  for  hunters  to  visually  distinguish  wolves  from  coyotes  in  the  field  particularly  in  central  Ontario.    (Backgrounder  on  Wolf  Management  in  Ontario,  2005,  pg.  21)    The  Minister  provides  no  evidence  to  support  the  statement  “that  hunters  can  generally  distinguish   between   northern   wolves   and   coyotes   in   the   wild.”   In   fact,   many   wolves  have   been   killed   because   of  mistaken   identity.1  This   statement   is   particularly   suspect  given   all   the  Ministry’s   discussions   about   the   larger   size   of   coyotes.     So   not   only  will  there  inevitably  be  mistakes  by  hunters,  the  methods  for  capturing  those  data  are  gone  

                                                                                                               1  http://www.cof.orst.edu/leopold/papers/Newsome_BC_2015.pdf    

Page 5: 2016 Moose-Wolves-CoyotesEBRComments FINAL · Wolf#harvestdata#are#also#obtained#fromquestions#on#wolf#harvest included# in# the# voluntary# annual# postcard# surveys# of# moose#

  5  

with  the  removal  of   the  requirement  of   the  seals.   In  addition,   the  Minister  has  set  no  limits  on  the  number  of  hunters  who  can  hunt  wolves.    Even   when   the   seals   were   required   the   MNRF   had   trouble   collecting   the   data.   The  report   states,   “Wolf   harvest   data   are   also   obtained   from   questions   on   wolf   harvest  included   in   the   voluntary   annual   postcard   surveys   of   moose   and   deer   hunters,   the  periodic   postcard   surveys   of   bear   hunters   (2003),   and   the   provincial   mail   surveys   of  moose  hunters  (2001)  and  small  game  hunters  (2001  and  2003).  These  data  suggest  that  1,000-­‐1,600   additional   wolves/coyotes  may   be   harvested   annually   by   large   and   small  game  hunters.  However,  the  level  of  confidence  of  this  data  is  low  due  to  the  difficulty  in  hunters   visually   distinguishing   wolves   from   coyotes   in   the   field,   low   survey   response  rates,   and  possible  duplication  of  harvest  data   submitted  by   the   same  hunter   through  various  surveys.  (pg  22)    Data   collection   through   postcards   etc.   can   only   be   described   as   sketchy   at   best.  Protection   for   wolves   and   coyotes   should   be   increased,   not   decreased   as   is   being  proposed.  Mandatory  reporting  should  mean  mandatory  –  no  permits  should  be  issued  unless  the  hunter  has  completed  the  mandatory  report.      No  information  provided  about  the  number  of  wolves  and  coyotes  trapped  by  WMU  and  not  considered  in  the  overall  kill  rate  of  wolves  and  coyotes    Harvest  of  wolves  and  coyotes  by  licensed  trappers  can  be  controlled  through  the  application  of  harvest  limits  (quotas),  should  that  prove  necessary.  Harvests  of  wolves  by  trappers  averaged  337  animals  (ranging  from  285  to  1,248)  annually  during  the  period  1971-­‐72  to  2002-­‐03,  while  an  average  of  994  coyotes  (ranging  from  397  to  3,272)  were  trapped  during  the  same  period.  (pg  22)    Removing  natural  predators  known  to  have  little  to  no  effect  on  moose  populations      In  the  Ontario  Ministry  of  Natural  Resources  and  Forestry’s  own  research  document  entitled,  “Factors  that  affect  moose  survival”  the  MNRF  acknowledges  that  targeting  such  predators  as  wolves,  coyotes,  and  black  bears  will  have  little  to  no  effect  on  moose  populations:      

“Generally,  the  number  of  moose  killed  by  wolves  increases  with  moose  density  and  the  number  of  moose  living  within  wolf  territories.  Larger  wolf  packs  kill  more  moose  than  smaller  packs.  But  the  increase  in  moose  killed  over  time  is  not  proportional  to  the  increase  in  pack  size.  So,  larger  wolf  packs  actually  kill  fewer  moose  per  wolf  than  smaller  packs.”  

 Further:    

“The  number  of  moose  killed  per  wolf  pack  will  not  significantly  decrease  as  the  pack  size  is  reduced,  so  removing  just  a  few  wolves  from  each  pack  will  not  decrease  overall  predation  on  moose.  Only  the  removal  of  an  entire  pack  can  

Page 6: 2016 Moose-Wolves-CoyotesEBRComments FINAL · Wolf#harvestdata#are#also#obtained#fromquestions#on#wolf#harvest included# in# the# voluntary# annual# postcard# surveys# of# moose#

  6  

substantially  reduce  predation  but  this  practice  may  not  be  ecologically  or  socially  desirable.”  

 In  fact,  there  is  virtually  no  independent  scientific  evidence  to  support  the  idea  that  it  is  possible  to  protect  ungulate  populations  by  killing  such  predators  as  wolves  or  coyotes.  Efforts  in  British  Columbia  and  the  Yukon  to  cull  wolves  proved  to  be  complete  disasters.2  Again  from  the  MNRF’s  own  research  document:    

“Some  provinces  and  states  have  undertaken  wolf  control  efforts.  After  control  measures  were  discontinued,  wolf  populations  in  Alaska,  British  Columbia,  Quebec  and  Yukon  soon  recovered  to  pre-­‐control  levels.  For  example,  in  the  Papineau-­‐Labelle  Wildlife  Reserve  in  Quebec,  wolf  numbers  recovered  to  previous  levels  less  than  a  year  after  a  71%  reduction  in  wolf  numbers.  Once  wolf  populations  recover,  moose  populations  typically  return  to  pre-­‐control  levels.”  

 The  MNRF  has  explicitly  acknowledged  to  animal  protection  and  conservation  groups  that  reducing  the  numbers  of  wolves  and  coyotes  will  have  essentially  no  effect  or  possibly  and  potentially  a  very  limited  benefit  in  some  areas,  and  even  in  regions  of  concern  the  department  has  no  stated  targets  or  ways  to  measure  the  outcomes  of  this  proposal.      Prioritizing  lethal  vs.  non-­‐lethal  methods  of  population  control    The  MNRF  appears  to  be  prioritizing  lethal  methods  of  predator  population,  despite  responsible,  non-­‐lethal  methods—including  conservation  closures-­‐-­‐being  used  in  other  jurisdictions,  such  as  in  Minnesota3  and  to  a  lesser  extent  in  Manitoba.4  There  is  not  enough  of  an  attempt  being  made  to  significantly  reduce  the  number  of  moose  hunted  or  to  prohibit  moose  hunting  in  the  areas  of  concern.  There  is  also  no  attempt  being  made  to  significantly  improve  the  enforcement  of  moose  poaching  or  the  hunting  regulations  that  exist,  despite  even  the  hunting  community  calling  for  more  enforcement,5  and  the  fact  that  moose  poaching  remains  a  serious  problem.6    

“Hunters  commonly  believe  there  are  insufficient  conservation  officers  afield  to  enforce  moose  hunting  regulations  (Bottan1999).  The  Provincial  auditor  reported  a  decrease  in  the  amount  of  time  spent  on  general  deterrent  patrols  by  conservation  officers  and  in  the  number  of  charges  laid  under  the  Game  and  Fish  Act  1996-­‐98  (Provincial  Auditor  1998:3).  The  MMP  proposed  increased  enforcement  of  legislation  and  regulations  to  control  illegal  hunting  and  to  

                                                                                                               2  http://www.yukon-­‐news.com/news/lose-­‐wolves-­‐lose-­‐the-­‐wilderness    3  http://www.mprnews.org/story/2013/02/06/environment/minnesota-­‐moose-­‐hunting-­‐season-­‐canceled    4  http://www.producer.com/2015/11/moose-­‐hunt-­‐temporarily-­‐banned-­‐in-­‐five-­‐manitoba-­‐regions/    5  http://flash.lakeheadu.ca/~arodgers/Alces/Vol38/Alces38_11.pdf    6http://go.galegroup.com/ps/anonymous?id=GALE|A150584122&sid=googleScholar&v=2.1&it=r&linkaccess=fulltext&issn=08355851&p=AONE&sw=w&authCount=1&isAnonymousEntry=true    

Page 7: 2016 Moose-Wolves-CoyotesEBRComments FINAL · Wolf#harvestdata#are#also#obtained#fromquestions#on#wolf#harvest included# in# the# voluntary# annual# postcard# surveys# of# moose#

  7  

suppress  poaching  (OMNR  1980a).  Few  moose  enforcement  data  concerning  hunter  compliance  have  been  analysed  or  published.”7  

   Increase  efforts  to  end  moose  poaching    This,  despite  moose  poaching  being  a  rampant  problem,  “Conservation  Officers  found  793  illegally  killed  moose  in  the  Ontario  Ministry  of  Natural  Resources  Northeast  Region  during  the  period  of  1997-­‐  2002.  Of  these  illegally  killed  moose,  365  were  abandoned.”8  The  MNRF  should  invest  more  time,  money  and  resources  into  preventing  moose  poaching.  The  MNRF  should  increase  patrols  by  conservation  officers  and  increase  time  spent  on  deterring,  enforcing  and  penalizing  illegal  moose  hunting.    Reporting  moose  hunting  should  be  made  mandatory    While  reporting  of  the  hunting  of  wolves  and  bears  is  mandatory,  there  is  no  provincial  mandatory  reporting  requirement  for  moose  kills.  In  fact,  voluntary  reporting  of  moose  kills  is  reported  to  be  at  a  52%  response  rate.  Even  the  mandatory  reporting  of  wolf  and  bear  kills  is  at  68%  and  72%,  respectively,  with  no  penalties  or  repercussions  for  not  complying.9      The  MNRF  should  immediately  move  to  a  mandatory  reporting  system  for  moose  hunting.    The  proposal  appears  to  favour  livestock  farmers  concerns    In  the  MNRF’s  proposal,  it  appears  to  be  prioritizing  the  concerns  of  livestock  farmers:  “It  will  also  allow  additional  hunting  opportunities  for  coyotes  which  continue  their  expansion  in  northern  Ontario  and  have  been  an  increasing  concern  for  livestock  farmers.”  And  again…“Livestock  farmers  in  northern  Ontario  are  expected  to  appreciate  changes  to  coyote  hunting  regulations.”      It  is  irresponsible  of  the  MNRF  to  give  any  weight  to  the  separate  concerns  of  livestock  farmers  in  a  proposal  to  protect  or  increase  moose  populations  and  these  concerns  should  carry  no  weight,  as  they  have  no  relation  to  the  discussion  of  the  Moose  Project.    In  addition,  the  Ministry  does  not  provide  any  data  on  northern  farm  animal  predation  and  costs.  It  provides  no  information  on  whether  there  are  “hot  spots”  of  predation  and  whether  those  could  be  addressed  through  non-­‐lethal  measures.  And,  the  entire  north  is  opened  up  to  unlimited  coyote  killing  beyond  the  areas  where  agricultural  activities  that  would  attract  coyotes  occur.                                                                                                                    7  http://flash.lakeheadu.ca/~arodgers/Alces/Vol38/Alces38_11.pdf    8  http://go.galegroup.com/ps/anonymous?id=GALE|A150584122&sid=googleScholar&v=2.1&it=r&linkaccess=fulltext&issn=08355851&p=AONE&sw=w&authCount=1&isAnonymousEntry=true    9  http://www.oodmag.com/hunting/need-­‐mandatory-­‐harvest-­‐reporting/    

Page 8: 2016 Moose-Wolves-CoyotesEBRComments FINAL · Wolf#harvestdata#are#also#obtained#fromquestions#on#wolf#harvest included# in# the# voluntary# annual# postcard# surveys# of# moose#

  8  

These  regulations  are  not  neutral    The  MNRF  predicts  that  from  an  environmental  and  societal  perspective,  the  regulatory  impact  of  the  cull  will  be  “neutral,”  despite  the  lethal  consequences  for  wolves  and  coyotes:  “The  anticipated  environmental  consequences  of  the  proposal  are  neutral…  the  anticipated  overall  social  consequences  of  the  proposal  are  also  neutral.  Some  stakeholders  have  expressed  concerns  about  the  impacts  of  wolf  predation  on  moose.  These  groups  are  likely  to  support  the  proposals,  whereas  some  other  stakeholders  and  members  of  the  public  may  be  opposed  to  any  changes  in  wolf  hunting  regulations.”    A  proposal  that  results  in  the  deaths  of  hundreds  to  thousands  of  animals  simply  cannot  claim  to  be  neutral.  Indeed,  the  proposal  is  seen  as  a  political  move  to  gain  voter  support  in  rural  and  northern  communities  and  to  placate  the  hunting  lobby.10  Given  the  MNRF’s  stated  view  that  these  regulatory  changes  will  have  little  to  no  effect  on  the  moose  population,  there  is  no  justification  for  these  measures.      

                                                                                                               10  http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-­‐bay/wolf-­‐coyote-­‐hunting-­‐follow-­‐1.3378406