The hunt is on!
Wildlife managers across the land reveal this year’s hot spots for Canada’s favourite big-game animals
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The prospects for Manitoba’s elk hunters are excellentMANITOBA
Manitoba’s big-game hunters have seen some disappointing seasons recently, but things are looking up. Following a second consecutive relatively mild winter, most game numbers are improving, and so are the hunting prospects.
BLACK BEARS
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The outlook for bear hunting this fall is great. With increasing populations and range expansion, there are now more bears in more places than ever before. There’s also a high proportion of colour phases, and Manitoba has traditionally produced some big boars. Riding Mountain, Duck Mountain and the Interlake region are all good bets this year.
CARIBOU
Unfortunately, there’s little positive to report about this big-game species in Manitoba. Migrating herds from the north that traditionally come into the province during winter, stayed further north and west again this year. Last season was nearly a bust, and that may be an emerging pattern. There will still be a hunt, but hunters may be disappointed. An interagency study with Nunavut will assess the population status of these herds.
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ELK
For Manitoba hunters, the news for the fall is really good—elk numbers are stable or increasing in all regions. Some areas, such as Turtle Mountain, are up substantially. The Riding Mountain herd, which had been reduced in size to manage an outbreak of bovine tuberculosis, is now on the rebound.
MOOSE
The picture is mixed for Manitoba’s moose. In some areas, particularly those that are most easily accessed, there continue to be significant management and moose population problems. In the Moose Conservation Closed Areas, numbers are improving, but not yet enough to allow a sustainable harvest. In the province’s more remote areas, however, populations are stable, and dedicated hunters should do well.
WHITETAILS
The simple statement for 2020 is that white-tailed deer numbers are up right across the province. A couple of nasty winters a few years back knocked populations down, but numbers are coming back nicely. Last season, hunters once again reported seeing and harvesting more deer than previous years. That trend should continue this fall, which is great news for Manitoba hunters.