Delano Pittman of Corner Brook is calling on the federal and provincial governments to end the Nunatsiavut moose hunt, which is currently underway within Gros Morne National Park for the second year.
The former Parson’s Pond man has a cabin in a remote area of Gros Morne — where the 40-50 moose can be killed for this year’s hunt that helps offset the impact of the devastation to the George River caribou herd in Labrador.
Pittman is also a hiker. He says many people hunt and hike in these “remote” areas designated for the licences issued by the federal government.
“The moose are so important to Newfoundland, for so many reasons, and this is just a slaughter,” he said of the hunt that has conservation officers coming with the hunters to kill the animals and fly the meat back to Nunatsiavut.
While the provincial government has been talking about the over-abundance of moose in the province, especially in the park area, Pittman argues the numbers don’t add up.
He claims to see far fewer moose than ever before, and is particularly worried by the decline in the number of moose spotted in these remote locations.
The hunt began Tuesday, said Pittman, but it should not be going ahead at all.
“It should be stopped, and it should be stopped immediately,” he said.
It is particularly upsetting to local hunters, he said, many of whom have yet to get their moose this year. He hopes it does not lead to any confrontations between the local and Nunatsiavut hunters who may cross paths.
But he says the decline of the moose population is a problem for more than just hunters. It is also a tourist attraction for the province.
He is frustrated that no local residents or hunters were contacted or consulted about this hunt happening.
Leonard Payne of Portland Creek Outfitters agrees that the moose population is dwindling. The outfitter said he notices a big difference in the number of moose he sees, especially during helicopter flights.
“It’s getting worse every year, and it could mean the end of our business,” he said.
This year, there were also 867 moose licences issued in the Gros Morne moose management area. Payne said there are too many licences issued by government, despite the warnings people in the industry have been giving.
Government representatives and/or biologists keep talking about an overabundance in the population.
“Government is wrong,” he said. “It is time for them to do their homework. The people making these decisions are sitting in an office. They are not out there.”
He also referred to the special hunt for the Nunatsiavut hunters as a slaughter. He questions just how much it costs taxpayers for this hunt.
