The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) is cutting back on Ontario’s moose hut but some people don’t think it’s necessary.

Grant Pearce is an avid hunter and every year he heads to northern Ontario to go moose hunting. But before they head off into the woods this fall they will have to get a licence called a ‘tag’ issued by the MNR. Pearce says hunters enter a draw to get one and the odds aren’t good.

“I was fortunate I got the tag last year but that was our first tag in 14 years and that’s six people,” says Pearce.

And getting that tag is about to get even more difficult. The province is reducing the number of tags it issues by 15% this year and delaying the start of the hunting season by a week by 2016.

According to the MNR the changes are necessary because moose populations have been declining. In some areas around Parry Sound it's estimated the number of moose has dropped 25% over the past five years.

Moose populations are surveyed by aircraft flying over wildlife areas.  Harvest, predation, parasites, along with changes in climate and habitat are all believed to be factors in falling moose numbers.

Pearce is not convinced the MNR's numbers tell the whole story.

“I think the science is flawed. I think they need to do another survey, an independent survey and let a northern university set up their own.”

Carl Banting owns The Wolf’s Den and is concerned the reduction in moose tags will hurt hunting lodges and outfitters in the north but says hunters will do what's best for conservation.

“Hunters if they know for sure it will make a difference they will go along with it but I would like to know for sure that it will make a difference.”

The province will issue more than 11,000moose tags this year, that's a 34% reduction over the past four years.

Moose hunters can apply for a tag from April 21st through to June 1st.