cess rates ranging from 12.9% to 20.8% in 1964. Non-resident success also fell in 

 all but two of the central districts (Chapleau and Sudbury). 



Port Arthur and Swastika Forest Districts followed closely by Kapuskasing 

 and Cochrane accommodate the greatest number of resident moose hunters. Sioux 

 Lookout and Kenora Districts with 1,357 and 1,286 hunters respectively are most 

 popular with non-residents. Hunter success is indicated graphically on the accom- 

 panying map which shows the location of all 22 Forest Districts. 



October is still the preferred month for moose hunting and about 65% resi- 

 dent and 90% of non-resident hunting is done during this month. Changes in hunt- 

 ing practices are occurring, such as the increasing number of hunters who are using 

 motorized snow toboggans and ski-equipped aircraft to reach othewise inacces- 

 sible areas after freeze-up. 



The most difficult problem relating to moose management is getting the moose 

 and hunter together. Lack of access is a major problem in many areas. Every effort 

 is being made to open up as much territory to moose hunters as possible and lumber 

 companies for the most part have been most co-operative in allowing travel on 

 their forest access roads. 



Moose remain abundant across most of their range. Aerial census work during 

 the winter of 1964-65 on standard 25 square mile plots indicated little change in 

 moose numbers. South of the French and Mattawa in the area closed to moose 

 hunting in 1964, Parry Sound District staff tallied the largest number of moose 

 seen on the plots since the late 1950's and it is obvious that with some protection 

 moose herds can recover very rapidly. 



Although moose were available in good numbers, the ability to harvest them 

 was another story. Bad weather during the hunt, particularly during the first part 

 of the season, made hunting difficult and reduced the kill. The story was much the 

 same over a large part of the moose range. Kapuskasing staff stated that weather 

 left much to be desired. From September 15th to October 4th, 1.75 inches of rain 

 fell and the reported success at 26.8% for this period contrasted sharply with 45% 

 for a similar period in 1963. Gogama staff reported the lowest success rate in seven 

 years and commented that adverse weather in October influenced hunter success. 

 Tourist outfitters complained that moose were not responding to calls; none sug- 

 gested that there was a shortage of moose, however. Sault Ste. Marie officers also 

 felt that inclement weather did much towards spoiling the entire hunting season. 



That was the story for 1964. Prospects for a much improved hunt this autumn 

 are encouraging if the weatherman co-operates. Moose are abundant and prospects 

 for a good hunt in 1965 are excellent. 



OTHER STUDIES 



Many districts utilized Beaver aircraft in searching for moose over 25 square 

 mile blocks of range in the winter of 1964-65. In most areas a moose was observed 

 for every one to two square miles of range, and there is no suggestion that there 

 has been a material change in numbers of moose for the past several years. Parry 

 Sound District staff did observe the highest number of moose yet observed on their 

 permanent plots and it is evident that an open season for moose south of the French 

 and Mattawa is warranted in 1965. 



In an effort to discover the effect of high moose populations on their range, 

 most districts conducted moose browse surveys using a standard method. Estimates 

 of numbers of moose per square mile were obtained by conducting pellet group 

 counts on a large number of systematically selected plots. These estimates could 

 then be compared with the numbers of moose observed during aerial census work 

 in winter. 



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