Big Game Species Monitoring Program
Manitoba Big Game Hunting Trends and Statistics
As has been reported in recent years, the pattern of white-tailed
deer hunting in Manitoba is changing. The southwest part of the province (Game Hunting Areas 22, 27, 28, 29, 29A, 30, 31 and 31A) was the overwhelming favorite area for hunters, and justified this preference with high success rates. Since 1997, however, the number of hunters and the number of deer taken in the southwest have been decreasing, and the southeast part of the province (GHAs 33 through 36) has shown a dramatic increase in both hunters and deer taken. In 2006 the number of deer taken in southeast Manitoba was five times the harvest of 10 years ago, and yet at the same time the population in this area has increased by almost 50%.
Muzzleloader hunters in 2006 achieved the same success rate as general deer (rifle) hunters: 65%. Archery success rates have been stable at approximately 40% for several years now.
Mule deer continue to be completely protected in Manitoba.
Moose hunting is relatively unchanged in 2007. The draw seasons (residents only) and the general seasons have had minimal changes. See the Hunting Guide for details. Successful applicants for draw elk licences in the Riding Mountain area are still elegible to purchase a Conservation
Moose Licence with which they can hunt in conjuction with their elk hunt. In the Duck Mountain area (GHAs 18 through 18C), the population remains low (down by about 1000 from the preferred population of 3000) after a devastating winter tick infestation of four years ago. Seasons continue to be conservative to facilitate recovery.
Elk hunting opportunities continue to expand, but are still restricted to resident hunters through a draw. Small herds have established themselves in southwestern Manitoba to a degree that has allowed very limited hunts to occur over the past few years.
Black bear hunting in Manitoba has had two very different components for some time, and that does not seem to be changing. Approximately 1400 Manitobans hunt black bear, and usually have a success rate of around 25%. Nonresidents, of whom about 2100 hunt bears in Manitoba each year (all with an outfitter), have a success rate of around 75%. Black bear are common in almost all portions of their range in Manitoba.
Statistical tables (below) are available by year, showing each season's licence sales, tags issued, days hunted and animals taken.
Graphs are also available to illustrate some signficant trends in big game hunting in Manitoba.
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