Decision Date: March 1, 2002

Panel: Joan M. Young

Keywords: Wildlife Act – ss. 51, 60(1); bull moose; annual guide outfitting quota

Mr. Dorsey appealed the Regional Manager’s decision to grant him an annual guide outfitting quota of 14 bull moose per year. Mr. Dorsey sought an order increasing his quota of bull moose to 16 per year.

The Board found that although quotas were higher in previous years, this did not justify an increase in Mr. Dorsey’s current quota. The Board also found that Mr. Dorsey had submitted insufficient evidence to establish, on a balance of probabilities, that the moose population in the areas in question had increased to the point that his quota should be increased to 16. The Board held that the survey methodology used by the Ministry is the accepted methodology. Consequently, there was no basis for the Board to conclude that errors were made.

For these reasons, the Board found that the evidence did not justify an increase in Mr. Dorsey’s quota for moose, and that there was insufficient evidence to establish that the quotas set by the Regional Manager were unreasonable. Accordingly, the appeal was dismissed.