Should NH suspend the annual moose hunt?

The moose population is on the decline in New Hampshire, and one of the primary reasons is a parasite called the winter tick.

Shorter, warmer winters in the region make the moose more susceptible to winter ticks, which feed on the moose, causing them to lose their protective fur. Moose infected with the parasites also spend less time feeding and more time scratching and grooming, weakening their ability to stay alive. For more information, click here. 

Winter ticks: deadly for moose

According to the state Fish and Game Department, ticks are the primary mortality source for moose in northern New Hampshire, and they are also the cause of reduced calf production. One moose can carry 10,000 to 120,000 ticks.

The issue of tick infestation can be particularly acute in high-density moose areas. Fish and Game said areas of high moose density have more ticks, causing a sharper increase in moose deaths.

The moose population peaked in the late 1990s, with between 7,000 and 7,500 moose in New Hampshire. Since that time, the population has declined to about 3,500.

What about moose hunting?

The moose hunt has been an annual event in New Hampshire since 1988. The number of permits to hunt moose, which are given out by way of a lottery, has been decreasing in recent years, dropping from 675 permits in 2007 to 51 permits which have been issued this year for the hunt that will occur between October 21 and 29.

There has been unofficial discussion of suspending the annual moose hunt as a way of trying to stabilize the moose population while research continues on how to address the tick infestation.

Arguments for and against

Proponents say a suspension of the hunt increases the chances of stabilizing the number of moose, an iconic symbol of the Granite State’s natural resources.

Opponents say hunting isn’t the issue, the ticks are the issue, and that stopping the annual hunt won’t make a difference. There is also an argument that increasing the moose hunt in high density areas would thin the herd enough to help stave off the tick infestation spread.

Should the moose hunt be suspended? Let us know in the comments section below.