OUT of DOORS with BARNEY MOORHOUSE

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WILDLIFE RESEARCH

On August 26, 2013, Chris Davies, Wildlife Research Section Manager MNR spoke to Zone E Anglers & Hunters at the Bancroft Fish & Game Protection Association’s recently renovated clubhouse and tied in nicely with the club’s50th anniversary. (Can you recall where you were 50 years ago?)

Davies, with a rather extensive background, including Acting District Manager of Bancroft District, brought a wealth of information. Following are gleanings from the meeting. Davies talks quickly trying to deliver as much information as possible in a short period of time. As this writer doesn’t listen as quickly anymore taking notes proved a considerable challenge. And so, I offer the following GLEANINGS.

Science is but one component of the decision making process. Like a puzzle, it is but one piece. It takes many pieces to create a picture. Davies continuously emphasized this important point. For example, there was no scientific evidence to terminate the spring bear hunt - or to keep it. Therefore the decision was not based exclusively upon science. “Science seldom makes the decision,” he emphasized. He also emphasized that the pain staking, time consuming efforts of researchers are then checked by peers in the scientific community before publication accenting the work’s credibility.

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The HUDSON BAY LOWLAND is 1/3rd the area of Ontario. “You really have to see it to believe it,” said Davies.

MINK escape mink farms. The more mink farms, the more mink are trapped. Many are escapees. Proven by genetics. And they can introduce and spread disease into the environment.

FISHERS from Quebec and the Adirondacks have populated Ontario. A change of habitat is key. Old abandoned farms, now reclaimed by forests, are home to the furry creatures. Many hunters will come across stone fences in the middle of a forest. Proof that some settler pioneered the area harvesting our best crop - stones- before moving on. And, said Davies, an 8-10 pound fisher is no match for a fully developed turkey. And no, they don’t take them off the roost. “That’s another myth.”

CARIBOU, an endangered species in Ontario, don’t like roads. Put in a road and they make their exit. Research indicates they are not a major part of the wolf diet which leans towards moose and beaver.

DUCK BANDING from an airboat “has to be the most legal fun there is,” said Davies. From personal experience, the challenge of netting ducks without taking a swan dive off the airboat’s bow platform is more than stimulating!

FYI an airboat is 10 feet long, powered by a 350 Chev engine (330 HP) with a Teflon skid plate. They don’t float when taking on water. Zone Director Eric Smith was present when one sunk at Grassy Lake in 4 feet. Since modified the boat has remained afloat.

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2012 was a record year for banding duck numbers. “100 birds a night is considered a success.” The banding team likes the North Hastings area for its black ducks. “The U.S, gives us $100,000 towards our effort,” said Davies.

BLACK BEARS number 95,000 (plus or minus 10,000) according to the most recent data accumulated over the past 7 years. That compares to the 75,000-100,000 previously identified in 2002. (Not comparable to the one per km mistakenly reported by some outdoor writer who required an adjustment to his glasses.) With suitable habitat alterations the bear is moving south.

ARCTIC ICE is melting sooner, freezing later - with as much as a 4 week difference. POLAR BEARS are “dead bears walking” said Davies. They need seals to live. Davies sees a time when there will be no Polar Bears in Ontario. “One person suggested that we build rafts on Hudson Bay for the bears to live on. She also suggested planting apple trees in southern Ontario for the black bear.”

Black bears are cannibalistic. The worst is to be a male black, aged 1-4 years. They spend their life running from larger, older predaceous males wanting to take them out for dinner. Eating-wise the females are left to their own devices.

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The EASTERN COYOTE is really a hybrid mixed in with the western coyote. And, of 1000 samples, no dog genes have been discovered. “We had a black coyote with a white chest and thought ‘aha, we’ve found dog’” said Davies. But they didn’t. It was all coyote. Interestingly, in Kawartha Highlands the coyote has adapted to hunt in packs like a wolf. When it comes to road kill coyotes have learned how to handle traffic. Wolves, in Algonquin Park for instance, haven’t. Within the park they can travel interior roads with no problem but when they encounter more heavily travelled highways they become bumper stickers.

Perception is reality. When MNR research disproved University of Waterloo professor Theberge’s science that led to banning wolf hunting and trapping in the perimeter townships surrounding Algonquin Park feed back was almost instantaneous. One group saw it as the rationale for terminating the ban which initially had been declared “temporary”. A pro ban group saw the same research validating the ban. Both congratulated Davies for a great study.

As for sheep kills, Davies said most of the coyotes killed are not the ones doing the major damage. Usually, they are young coyotes travelling. The main culprits are resident coyotes. They need to be targeted. Davies thinks that the recent Kemptville study using special snares that permits live-release holds an answer to the shepherd’s dilemma. The theory appears to be correct. Next is to translate that into practice. More next week.

AND FINALLY…

“Talk is cheap, except when Parliament does it. Not to mention the Senate.” Anonymous.

Photo…Brian McRae, Zone/Member & Club Services Liaison, OFAH, presents Bancroft Club Vice-President Lois Poff with a Dumas print in recognition of 50 years of conservation.

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