Moose were re-introduced to Michigan in 1985(Ontario.Canada stock) and have built their numbers up to about 500 strong...........We have discussed often on this blog about how States need to find alternative sources of funding for thier Wildlife Agencies if we are to have Biologists actually managing both predator and prey based on the health of the land rather than just what is best for the hunter or stockman.........Let us applaud noted wildlife photographer Richard P. Smith for recommending that Michigan conduct a "CAMERA HUNTING" SEASON allowing folks to go hunt Moose for the purpose of taking their picture rather than for the purpose of taking a trophy.......People would have to pay for a "camera tag"........they would submit their photos to the State Game Commission...........perhaps even aid biologists in determining the size, location and health of the herd..........."SHOOTING" benevolently---a novel concept that we hope one day can be embraced across the spectrum of predator and prey wildlife management

How a non-violent hunt for moose could be a big draw for Michigan

By Howard Meyerson | The Grand Rapids Press

A lot has been written about the possibility of hunting Michigan
moose. But very little is said about hunting them with a camera.
Why not?

Michigan has promoted its northern Michigan elk herd for decades, both
for wildlife viewing as well as hunting. Michigan has about 500 moose
roaming the U.P., according to state wildlife officials.

Richard P. Smith, the well-known hunting author and wildlife
photographer from Marquette, has suggested that camera hunting is
something a lot of people could do and enjoy. In fact, he sponsored a
camera moose hunt last fall. The top three winners got prizes.

Smith hoped the event would provide the Michigan Department of Natural
Resources with information about moose locations. The agency has fewer
field staff these days and a diminished ability to survey the moose
population.

"I began photographing moose before they were brought in from Ontario
(and reintroduced) in 1985," Smith said. "I would shoot photos of them
on Isle Royale and in Minnesota.
"When discussions began about holding a limited moose hunt in
Michigan, I thought, we don't need to wait. We can have a camera moose
hunt."

Now, moose hunting is somewhat of a delicate topic in Michigan. They
were reintroduced to restore the once native population. Hunting them
was part of the discussion if the herd grew large enough. But just how
large continues to be a question — as is determining just how many
moose there are.

Slow-growing herd
State wildlife officials have found that Michigan's moose herd has
grown slower than was anticipated in 1985 when 59 Algonquin Provincial
Park moose from Canada were released in Marquette County.
Dean Beyer, a DNR wildlife researcher, has been reported as saying the
U.P. herd "has a rate of growth over the past 10 years of 8 or 9
percent per year on average. In comparison to other wildlife
populations, that's fairly slow."

None of that, of course, has any bearing on whether you or I go out
with our cameras and get photos for our walls and Facebook sites.
Ken Pamperin, of Howard, Wisc., said Smith's camera moose hunt was
fun. He found out about it at a Crystal Falls gas station where he and
his wife Colleen got a cup of coffee and a copy of the Porcupine
Press, which had a story about the contest. Pamperin's first place
photo was taken from inside his Iron County hunting cabin.
"We were in the cabin having breakfast when my mother-in-law said:
'Don't be surprised, but there is a moose walking up the driveway,'"
Pamperin said.

t was the following weekend that he took the photo, while at the
cabin with his brother. The guys were pounding nails when the dog
started barking. "I was surprised to see him that close to the cabin. We were shocked,"
Pamperin said.But not too shocked to pull out his point and shoot and start snapping
some pics.

More wildlife viewing
Ben Evans, a field engineer from Indian River, was bird hunting in
Marquette County in October when he, his father and cousin came around
a rock and saw several moose 25 feet away.

Evans, who has hunted moose in Canada, said he would like to see
Michigan hold a moose hunt. But he also would like to see the state do
more to promote wildlife viewing opportunities for moose.

It is "something everyone can do," he said. "Eighty percent of my
friends have never seen one in their life."And he is right. Moose are spectacular animals. Seeing them in thewild is a remarkable experience. I have had the good fortune to photograph them on Isle Royale and in Canada while on paddling trips. Surveys by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service show that wildlife viewing is extremely popular, more so than hunting.

That lends itself to tourism potential and a boost for local U.P.
economies. There's no question the state should explore the potential
for a hunt, but it is time, perhaps, for it to also consider how to
promote the other values that Michigan moose offer.