2009 Saskatchewan Hunting Forecast:
Shawn Burke Manager, Wildlife Management
Overall the 2009 fall hunting forecast looks fairly good. The province has experienced its third harsh winter in a row which has slowed some population recovery in the northern forest. Overall snow depths in the south were not too excessive so many big game populations appear to have come through the winter in reasonably good condition.
The north central and northeastern provincial forest deer herds have not showed signs of recovery yet due to the past three hard winters. Hunters can expect limited opportunities and low white-tailed deer numbers to remain in these areas. The northwestern provincial forest white-tailed deer numbers are better but still lower than highs experienced in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Hunters can expect many new additional hunting opportunities for white-tailed deer and mule deer across southern Saskatchewan as we try to stabilize this expanding deer herd’s growth. Winter surveys have indicated very healthy populations across much of the south. Hunting opportunities will be focused on the antlerless component of the deer herd. Management objectives are aimed at balancing the needs of conservation, public safety and landowner tolerances. The ministry is managing for healthy deer herds within a quota-based, zone specific harvest. It should be a good year for Saskatchewan deer hunters in the south.
Moose and elk populations remain stable in the provincial forest and many populations are approaching their long term population objectives. Hunters can expect good opportunity through both the regular and draw seasons. In agricultural Saskatchewan, moose and elk populations continue to expand at a rapid rate. Hunters can expect additional opportunities through the big game draw as we work towards stabilizing and lowering some of these populations to within conservation and landowner tolerance limits.
Bear populations appear to be stable and hunting pressure on this species has dropped in recent years. Expect a quality hunting experience for Saskatchewan bears.
Pronghorn antelope populations are on the rise across their western range. In Saskatchewan, numbers have continually increased over the last three years. Hunters should note this is a long distance trans-jurisdictional migratory species and many of our pronghorn have migrated into the United States to escape one of the coldest winters recorded in history on their range. The Ministry of Environment has signed an agreement with Montana and Alberta to jointly conduct research on this species through a large scale GPS/radio collaring migration study. Preliminary results have indicated that many of the animals who usually winter in southern Saskatchewan are now far south in Montana. Migrations in excess of 600 kilometres have been recorded. This southward winter migration is a normal part of pronghorn biology due to cold winter conditions. Consequently the rate of spring green up will determine if and when animals return. It can take the animals several months to begin migrating north if they are pushed too far south by harsh winter conditions. The ministry will conduct surveys in early summer to determine fall quotas.
Upland game bird populations in the north and parkland areas of the province are expected to be similar to last year. However, the prolonged spell of severe temperatures combined with crusted snow conditions are expected to result in above normal upland game bird mortality in southern Saskatchewan. Hunters should expect lower numbers of pheasants and Hungarian partridge in some localized areas this fall.
