Hunters in the northern region of Alberta are collaborating with scientists to investigate the impact of industrial noise from oilsands operations on moose hunting. Moose hunting is not only a vital food source but also a deeply rooted cultural tradition for many rural and Indigenous communities in the area.
The clearing of forest landscapes for industrial activities has led to more open moose habitats, making the animals more visible but also more vulnerable to predators. Longtime hunter Kevin Adby, known for his moose calling expertise in Conklin, located approximately 155 kilometers south of Fort McMurray, noted significant changes in hunting patterns due to industrial development.
A new mandate letter issued by Premier Danielle Smith to Energy Minister Brian Jean emphasizes the province’s goal of increasing oil production. However, concerns have been raised within the community regarding the impact of industrial noise on traditional hunting practices.
To address these concerns, the Moose Calling Pilot Project was established through a partnership between the Conklin Resource Development Advisory Committee, the University of Alberta, and the Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute. The project aims to assess how noise from oilsands operations influences hunters’ ability to call and locate moose.
Peter Fortna, a social scientist involved in the project, highlighted the challenges faced by moose in fragmented landscapes, where increased industrial noise attracts more predators. Community interviews revealed that changes in landscape and noise levels are believed to affect hunting success and strategies.
The study involves setting up two sites – one in a quiet environment and the other near industrial activity – to measure sound propagation in different settings. Autonomous recording units were strategically placed to capture moose calls and responses in varying noise conditions. The data will provide insights into the detection range of moose calls and how noise impacts both calling effectiveness and hunters’ ability to locate moose.
Alberto De Rosa, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Alberta’s bioacoustics unit, expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with local communities on the project. The research, funded by Alberta’s Oil Sands Monitoring Program, aims to bridge the gap between scientific expertise and community knowledge, with results expected in a month after data analysis.
Local community members highlighted the increasing hunting challenges in Conklin due to habitat fragmentation and the influx of outside hunters disrupting traditional hunting areas. Adby emphasized the negative impact of industrial activities on wildlife and traditional hunting practices, leading to concerns about the loss of animals and habitat damage.
The ongoing research aims to provide valuable insights into the complex interactions between industrial noise, habitat changes, and moose hunting practices in northern Alberta.
