Close hunting season for mountain goat in Niagara PMU (MU 5-15)

The public is invited to comment on the proposed hunting regulation described below.

Status: Proposed

Region: 5

Management unit (MU): 5-15

Regulation type: General Open Season

Species: Mountain goat

Closing date: 16:30, March 22, 2024

Decision statement: Pending

Current regulation

MOUNTAIN GOAT              *5-5 to 5-9, 5-11, 5-15            Sept 1 - Oct 31 

* See Maps E14, E22. See LEH. Mountain goat populations are sensitive to harvest. Hunters are requested to select male mountain goat. Compulsory Inspection required

Proposed regulation

No change to wording proposed, regulation change requires amendment/increase to the Mountain Goat closed area in MU 5-15 (Map E22)

Rationale

The Niagara Mountain Goat Population Management Unit (PMU) is remote and difficult to access, therefore it has historically been managed through General Open Season (GOS). While there is no survey history for this area, flights were conducted between 1984 - 1989 in adjacent areas and the density estimates were extrapolated to the Niagara PMU.

The Niagara PMU was surveyed following RISC standards in August 2022, September 2022, and February 2023.  Multiple surveys were completed to confirm the population estimate prior to submitting a regulation change. The February 2023 survey produced the highest count with a total of 12 goats observed, 10 adults, one kid, and one yearling. A sightability correction factor of 1.43 (assumes 70% of the mountain goats were observed) was applied to the total number of mountain goats counted, resulting in a population estimate of 17 individuals in the Niagara population management unit.

The provincial Mountain Goat Harvest Management Procedure, section 3.2.1, states that mountain goat populations with less than an estimated 50 adults (i.e. non-kids) should not be hunted due to population viability concerns.  Given the maximum population estimate from three consecutive surveys in the Niagara PMU is well below the minimum specified in the harvest management procedures, the Ministry is proposing the close the current GOS.

Additional information

Proposed Goat Closed Area