In a 2022 poll conducted for the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, 19% of hunters and anglers perceived climate change as an active threat to their present activities, while an additional 51% anticipated its future impact. Yet, the danger emerges when climate change is perceived as a distant threat to fish and wildlife. When in reality, its repercussions are unfolding right before our eyes.
Across Canada, from the prairies of Saskatchewan to the vast landscapes of Ontario, the effects of climate change are disrupting hunting seasons. Intense storms, floods, heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires are reshaping the conditions for hunting and fishing — altering access and wildlife behavior.
Long-time hunters note the unmistakable changes in weather patterns, expressing concern about the decline in waterfowl hunting success. “Waterfowl hunting is nowhere what it used to be. Not enough cold fronts to push the birds down,” laments one hunter. Simultaneously, anglers face the challenges of annual fishing closures in mid-summer on coldwater river fisheries — a consequence of rising temperatures and changing ecosystems.
Beyond altered weather, the spread of wildlife diseases and parasites adds a layer of complexity. Ticks, once confined to specific regions, are spreading rapidly due to changing weather patterns. A hunter from the Northeast highlights this change, noting the appearance of ticks in areas previously untouched by the parasite.
In Ontario, changes in the territories where whitetail deer and moose roam showcase the ecological consequences. As deers migrate northward, they enter moose territory, bringing along parasitic brainworm and making the threat from winter ticks even worse. Obtaining a moose tag becomes increasingly challenging, reflecting the complex set of problems caused by climate change.
In the Arctic, rising temperatures over time are causing delays in caribou migration, affecting hunters who rely on local resources in Alaska. This alteration in animal movement patterns echoes the broader consequences of climate change on traditional hunting practices.
The 2022 poll reveals that 72% of hunters and anglers acknowledge the reality of climate change, foreseeing a future where their pursuits are significantly impacted. Their concerns extend beyond personal experiences to a collective plea for decisive action. The majority believe in the potential for human intervention to positively impact fish and wildlife habitats, emphasizing the urgent need for policy-makers to prioritize conservation efforts.
Indigenous communities, particularly in Saskatchewan, face a threat to their traditional practices. The abundance of sweetgrass, an important element in indigenous cultures, is dwindling due to a changing environment. Elders recount a time when vast fields of sweetgrass thrived on the prairies, contrasting sharply with the present reality of limited and stunted growth.
In a parallel narrative from Alaska, the Inupiaq people of Kotzebue are witnessing the erosion of their seal hunting traditions. The shrinking timeframe for seal hunting caused by the decline in sea ice threatens not only their survival but also a deeply ingrained aspect of their indigenous identity. The reduction of the hunting season by approximately one day per year for the past 17 years is a tangible testament to the significant impact of climate change on indigenous ways of life.
As the evidence grows, communities, policymakers, and the public at large must recognize the urgency of climate change’s impact on hunting seasons. The call for proactive measures to preserve these traditions and ecosystems echoes louder with each passing season.
