Good hunting predicted

Ministry of Natural Resources area biologist Darryl McLeod has provided a hunting forecast detailing what district hunters can expect in terms of numbers for the upcoming season.
The following is a brief summary of McLeod’s report:
Deer
Deer populations are in excellent shape across all wildlife management units (WMUs) in the district due to recent mild to moderate winter conditions.
Each of the last three winters only were moderately severe based on snow depth data, which has directly resulted in strong deer herds.
The six winters prior to that each were considered mild with below normal severity. The last severe winter on record here occurred in 1996/97.
Hunters can expect excellent prospects for deer in most WMUs—especially in WMU 10.
Six additional deer seals are available to each hunter in the district.
The number of additional seals available to hunters varies depending on the WMU. Hunters should check with the MNR for availability.
The MNR also has announced a monitoring program for Chronic Wasting Disease in free-ranging deer populations in parts of the Fort Frances, Kenora, and Dryden districts.
The following are the dates for the various types of deer hunting permitted for local residents in WMUs throughout the district, with the exception of WMUs 8 and 10:
•Archery—Sept. 16-29;
•Archery/Muzzleloader—Sept. 30-Oct. 6; and
•Archery/Muzzleloader/Gun—Oct. 7-Dec. 15
Hunters are encouraged to refer to the 2006 Hunting Regulations Summary for the dates pertaining to non-residents and WMUs 8 and 10.
Moose
Moose populations are in reasonable shape throughout the district.
Populations are stable or declining in WMUs 9A, 9B, and 11A while they are considered stable in WMUs 12A and 12B.
Wildlife managers remain concerned about the proliferation of white-tailed deer and potential sources of non-hunting mortality, including brainworm, winter tick, liver fluke, and predation.
Low calf recruitment across most of Northwestern Ontario the last few years also appears to have been a contributing factor in the decline of herd numbers.
The good news is that field observations conducted this past spring and summer suggests calf production may have improved.
Hunters still can expect very good moose numbers this season, with the notable exception of WMUs 7A, 7B, and 11A, where deer numbers are exceptionally high.
The following are the dates for the various types of moose hunting permitted for local residents throughout the district:
•Archery—Sept. 16-Oct. 6; and
•Gun/Muzzleloader—Oct. 7-Dec. 15
Bear
Bear populations are stable to increasing in all local WMUs. As such, hunting prospects for resident and non-resident hunters will vary from good to excellent this season.
Baiting opportunities also are considered very good based on the poor production of natural foods this year.
The following are the dates pertaining to bear hunting permitted by residents and non-residents in all WMUs throughout the district:
•Season—Aug. 15-Oct. 31
Upland game birds
Ruffed grouse have had a strong year and are on the upswing of their population cycle, resulting in high numbers locally.
The number of birds in the Fort Frances area appears to be particularly good this season. Warm, dry conditions throughout Northwestern Ontario have contributed to good recruitment and high numbers of young birds.
Hunters should expect good to excellent conditions throughout the district.
The following are the dates pertaining to upland game bird hunting permitted by residents and non-residents in all WMUs throughout the district:
•Season—Sept. 15—Dec. 15
Waterfowl
Despite low water levels in wetlands and beaver ponds this year, waterfowl numbers appear to be close to normal.
The solid numbers should lead to fair to good conditions hunting prospects for ducks and geese in the district.
Waterfowl brood appear to have fared better than expected in spite of dry conditions throughout the summer. Resident Canada geese numbers continue to expand both east and west of Fort Frances.
The following are the dates pertaining to waterfowl hunting permitted by residents and non-residents in all WMUs throughout the district:
•Season—Sept. 1-Dec. 15 for Canada geese in the Northern District; and
•Season—Sept. 10-Dec. 15 for all other ducks and geese
The MNR would like to remind all hunters that they require a migratory bird hunting permit and a wildlife habitat conservation stamp should they choose to hunt waterfowl.