Québec to Launch Aerial Moose Survey in Zone 17

The Québec government will carry out an aerial survey of moose populations in Hunting Zone 17 during the winter of 2026. The initiative is being led by Minister Bernard Drainville in collaboration with the Cree Nation Government, the Cree Trappers Association, the Cree First Nation of Waswanipi, and the Oujé-Bougoumou Cree Nation. 🚨 Background: Sharp Decline in Moose Numbers A previous survey conducted in 2021 revealed a 35% decline in the moose population since 2009, showing that mortality had exceeded productivity in the region. In response, conservation measures were introduced under the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (JBNQA) to reduce hunting-related mortality. Since 2022, sport hunting of moose has been prohibited in Zone 17, and a harvest limit of 104 moose was set for Cree hunters. ⚖️ Conservation Measures and Community Guidelines The Cree Nation Government, along with Waswanipi and Oujé-Bougoumou communities, adopted strict guidelines to ensure compliance with quotas. These include harvest monitoring and fair hunting practices to protect the herds while maintaining subsistence hunting traditions. The upcoming aerial survey will evaluate the effectiveness of these measures and determine whether quotas should be revised. 🌲 Government and Community Voices Minister Bernard Drainville emphasized that moose hunting is “a way of life in northern Québec” and said the survey responds directly to community calls for updated population data. Minister Ian Lafrenière, responsible for First Nations and Inuit relations, highlighted that the survey reflects ongoing collaboration with Cree and Jamesian communities. Local representative Denis Lamothe welcomed the initiative, calling it “very good news for the region”. 📢 Why It Matters The aerial survey will provide crucial data to guide future wildlife management decisions in Zone 17. Results will be reviewed by the Hunting, Fishing and Trapping Coordinating Committee under the JBNQA, which may adjust harvest limits or allocations between beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries. The project underscores the importance of balancing cultural traditions, conservation, and sustainable resource management in northern Québec.