North American Native Hunting and Management of Moose Populations.

Abstract

This paper presents an analysis of the system of moose management and conservation practiced by hunters in a James Bay Cree Indian community in northern Quebec, and sets these findings in a broader comparative perspective. It shows how Cree use available indicators of trends in moose populations to guide their hunting decisions. The data presented demonstrate that Cree practices do work to meet Cree objectives and to conserve moose populations. The paper also presents summaries of new evidence from research in other parts of northern North America which show that other Native peoples have similar systems of knowledge and use related methods of hunting and management. However, the lack of systematic data on how widespread such practices are, or on when and how such practices change is noted; and needs for future research are identified. The parallels between Native knowledge and practice and the practices of wildlife management are also noted, as is the need for joint management by government mandated and Native managers.