Manitoba issuing triple the number of moose hunting licenses in 2025

The Manitoba government is increasing the number of hunting permits for moose this season.

The province is issuing more than triple the number of moose hunting licences this hunting season and prioritizing Indigenous harvesting in certain traditional territories.

Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures Minister Ian Bushie announced in a news release 350 moose hunting licences will be available this season. That’s up 250 from last year.

He said this is an important measure while the province improves how moose are counted in Manitoba.

“These changes were needed in order to respect the hunting rights of Manitobans while we increase our efforts to improve data collection,” he said.

The province conducted aerial surveys late winter, which gathered data on game hunting areas (GHA) 9A and 10, which envelop areas around Thompson and Grand Rapids in northern Manitoba.

The province said this also meets the province’s obligation to prioritize Indigenous harvest in the Cross Lake trapline section of the traditional territory of Pimicikamak Cree Nation.

Fifteen per cent of GHA 9A and 12 per cent of GHA 10 will be exclusive to Indigenous hunters, and 350 licences will be granted for the remaining areas in GHAs 9A, 10, 15, and 15A.

This comes after Pimicikamak Cree Nation filed an injunction in August 2024, calling on the province to stop licensed moose hunting in its territory.

The province had previously cut fall moose hunting licences in four northern regions, including Pimicikamak Cree Nation, by 75 per cent.

The First Nation said moose populations were in crisis, and its members had treaty rights to hunt.

Friday, the province said it will create a wildlife advisory and planning board with Pimicikamak Cree Nation to help manage resources and discuss shared land and natural resource management.

“Striking a balance means ensuring moose hunting can continue to thrive in Manitoba, while protecting the species in a manner that will preserve the tradition of hunting in our province,” Bushie said.

‘As long as First Nations are at the table’

Eric Reder with the Wilderness Committee said the province’s moose population is a serious concern and hunting licences must be issued strategically.

“It seems like that’s part of what’s happening here and it seems like the licenses that are being issued are in northern Manitoba where the populations are a little bit more stable,” he said.

Hunting is only one factor that threatens moose populations, he added.

Industrial activity, like mining and logging, can also cause populations to decline.

“As long as First Nations are at the table when they’re making these decisions and we’re recognizing the impacts of industrial activity at the same time, we’re probably going to get a good decision.”

- With files from CTV’s Jamie Dowsett and the Canadian Press