The provincial government is making 350 moose hunting licenses available for the 2025 season, an increase of 250 from the previous year, Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures Minister Ian Bushie announced today.
According to a release from the provincial government, the new licenses also help them meet the long-standing obligation of the 1977 Northern Flood Agreement to prioritize Indigenous harvest in the Cross Lake trapline section in the traditional territory of Pimicikamak Cree Nation.
“These are important measures our government is taking while we improve the way moose are counted in Manitoba,” said Bushie. “These changes were needed in order to respect the hunting rights of Manitobans while we increase our efforts to improve data collection. As Manitobans, we all share an interest in conserving and enhancing our province’s moose population.”
The province said in their release they had been conducting aerial surveys throughout 2024-25 with a focus on finding moose that led to their decision. The Manitoba government has designated fifteen per cent of Game Hunting Area (GHA) 9A and twelve per cent of GHA 10 as areas exclusive to Indigenous hunters, while a total of 350 licenses will be granted for the remaining areas of GHA 9A, 10, 15 and 15A.
“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,” added Bushie.
