The “Respect the Cow Moose” initiative in British Columbia is a grassroots campaign aimed at preserving moose populations by discouraging the hunting of female moose (cows) and their calves. This effort seeks to ensure sustainable moose numbers for future generations. The campaign was initiated by Dan Simmons, a lifelong hunter from Williams Lake, who, alongside his wife Vivian, has dedicated over a decade to raising public awareness on this issue. Through their Cow Moose Sign Project, they have produced billboards and distributed nearly 1,000 signs across forestry roads and First Nations territories throughout the province, urging hunters to “respect the cow moose” by refraining from hunting them where populations are in decline.

The initiative has garnered support from various First Nations and local communities. For instance, in the Cariboo region south of Prince George, local hunters and First Nations groups have rallied against the hunting of cow and calf moose. Additionally, 27 First Nations have expressed their opposition to such hunts through letters to the provincial government. Critics of cow and calf moose hunting argue that it threatens sustainable moose populations and that traditional practices emphasize leaving cow moose and their calves unharmed to ensure future population health.

The campaign underscores the importance of female moose in maintaining healthy moose populations, emphasizing that hunting them can lead to significant declines in moose numbers. Educational materials associated with the initiative highlight that killing a cow moose can eliminate at least three generations of calves, thereby hindering population growth and contributing to further decline.

The “Respect the Cow Moose” initiative reflects a community-driven effort to promote ethical hunting practices and ensure the sustainability of moose populations in British Columbia. Hunters for BC proudly supports this initiative.