UNESCO World Heritage Project (Click here to see the Plan)

Moose Management Action Plan (Click here to see the Plan)

GHA26 Closure - Press Release
MWF media release, January 2012

Moose Restoration Zones-Map A
Moose Restoration Zones-Map B

The LdB Wildlife Association, Manitoba Wildlife Federation & Manitoba Metis Federation met with Manitoba Conservation Minister Bill Blaikie, Deputy Minister Fred Myers, Director Jack Dubois & Special Assistant Jessica Irvine on Sept.23rd at the Manitoba Legislature to present and discuss the Moose Management Action Plan. Cam Neurenberg & Gerry Arbez represented the LdB WA. Impressions were that the Minister and his aids took our group and our plan very seriously. They welcomed all our involvement & commitment to conservation, basically agreed with all 8 of our points, were impressed with the fact that all 3 organizations including a rights-based hunting group were united on all 8 points, commented that some of them would be more difficult and time consuming than others. We impressed upon them that time was of the essence, that all 8 points needed immediate attention. The minister remarked that Manitoba Conservation had already acted on some of our requests by increasing deer tags in GHA 26 to 3, had plans to host special free wolf trapping seminars for registered trappers in our area & that road decommissioning had just begun in GHA 26. We received assurances that our plan would be taken under advisement and discussed further with various departments for urgent action. It will be important for us to monitor future action and follow up with Manitoba Conservation. VERY IMPORTANT It is very important that all members help Manitoba Conservation with the enforcement of poaching and trafficking of moose in GHA26. The best way to do this is to report any information or suspicions you may have to the TIPS HOTLINE at 1-800-0076.

Sept. 2, 2011

For several reasons moose populations have declined in GHA 26 to the point where Manitoba Conservation closed the hunting season for licensed hunters in 2010. The Lac du Bonnet Wildlife Association (LdB WA) called a public meeting in June 2010, inviting numerous interested parties, to discuss the plight of the moose in our region. As a result of that meeting, it was decided that the LdB WA would draft a moose management plan for presentation to Minister Blaikie for his consideration. One of the 8 recommendations was a "Conservation Closure" which would temporarily stop all licensed & rights based hunting in GHA 26 to allow moose populations to recover. Manitoba Wildlife Federation (of which LdB WA is an affiliate) liked the plan & decided to endorse it. MWF also got support for the plan from Manitoba Metis Federation. Jointly, the three organizations presented the plan to Conservation Minister Blaikie on Sept.23, 2010. Copy posted here.
The LdB WA has three members and the MWF has one member who serve on the Committee for Cooperative Moose Management (CCMM), a sub committee of Manitoba Model Forest. On June 9th, 2011, Dr. Brian Kotak, Chair of the CCMM wrote Minister Blaikie with moose management recommendations including a must have Conservation Closure.Copy posted here.
On August 11, 2011, another letter was sent to Minister Blaikie pleading for an immediate Conservation Closure. No action taken to date. Copy posted here.
On March 23, 2011, Reid Woods, President of the MWF wrote Conservation Minister Blaikie asking for a Conservation Closure. Copy posted here.

Moose hunting traditionally starts in earnest in September. The current moose population can not sustain another hunt without serious long term impact. We may reach the point where the population will never recover. This is a "Conservation Crises". We note that several moose Conservation Closures were declared on the western side of the province this summer yet GHA 26 still goes neglected. We need a CONSERVATION CLOSURE IMMEDIATELY!

CCMM minutes October 13, 2011
CCMM minutes August 10, 2011
CCMM minutes May 12, 2011
CCMM minutes June 2, 2011
CCMM minutes June 27, 2011
Letter to Minister Bill Blaikie, June 9, 2011
CCMM Letter to Bill Blaikie, Aug. 11, 2011
Reid Woods letter to Minister Blaikie

The following letter has been sent to the Conservative candidates in the upcoming election:

September 7, 2011

Larry Maguire
MLA Arthur-Virden
Conservative Conservation Critic
larry.maguire@leg.gov.mb.ca

Wayne Ewasko
Manitoba PC Candidate for Lac du Bonnet
wewasko@gmail.com

Gentlemen,
I wish to draw your attention to a serious problem that is occurring in our area. For several reasons moose populations have declined in GHA 26 to the point where Manitoba Conservation closed the hunting season for licensed hunters in 2010. The Lac du Bonnet Wildlife Association (LdB WA) called a public meeting in June 2010, inviting numerous interested parties, to discuss the plight of the moose in our region. As a result of that meeting, a moose management plan was drafted for presentation to Minister Blaikie for his consideration. Manitoba Wildlife Federation worked with Manitoba Metis Federation and Lac du Bonnet Wildlife Association to come up with the workable plan. One of the 8 recommendations was a "Conservation Closure" which would temporarily stop all licensed & rights based hunting in GHA 26 to allow moose populations to recover. Jointly, the three organizations presented the plan to Conservation Minister Blaikie on Sept. 23, 2010. Copy attached.

The Committee for Cooperative Moose Management (CCMM), is a subcommittee of Manitoba Model Forest and is comprised of members of the Lac du Bonnet Wildlife Association, Manitoba Wildlife Federation and Manitoba Metis Federation. Ken MacMaster is the executive representative for the Manitoba Wildlife Federation on the Manitoba Model Forest Committee. On June 9th, 2011, Dr. Brian Kotak, Chair of the CCMM wrote Minister Blaikie with moose management recommendations including a must have Conservation closure. Copy attached. On August 11, 2011, another letter was sent to Minister Blaikie pleading for an immediate Conservation Closure. No action taken to date. Copy attached.

On March 23, 2011, Reid Woods, President of the Manitoba Wildlife Federation wrote Conservation Minister Blaikie asking for a Conservation Closure. Copy attached. To the best of my knowledge, none of the above parties have received the courtesy of a reply other than an acknowledgement of receipt of letters.

Moose hunting traditionally starts in earnest in September. The current moose population cannot sustain another hunt without serious long term impact. We may reach the point where the population will never recover. This is a "Conservation Crisis". We note that several moose Conservation Closures were declared on the western side of the province this summer yet GHA 26 still goes neglected.

For more information, please feel free to contact any or all of the parties mentioned above . We would also be pleased to meet with you on this topic.

Gerry Arbez, President
Lac du Bonnet Wildlife Association
345-8956