Hunters in northern Alberta are participating in a study to investigate the impact of industrial noise from oilsands on moose hunting, a vital food source and cultural tradition for many rural and Indigenous communities. Clearing forest landscapes for industrial operations has made moose more visible but also more vulnerable to predators.
Kevin Adby, a seasoned hunter and moose caller from Conklin, expressed how industrial development has changed his hunting methods. He mentioned that moose are now easily spotted from a distance, unlike before when tracking skills were essential.
A recent mandate letter from Premier Danielle Smith to Energy Minister Brian Jean emphasizes the province’s goal of increasing oil production, raising concerns among some community members about the influence of industrial noise on traditional hunting practices.
To address these concerns, the Moose Calling Pilot Project was launched through a collaboration between the Conklin Resource Development Advisory Committee, the University of Alberta, and the Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute. The project aims to evaluate how noise from oilsands activities impacts hunters’ ability to call and detect moose.
Peter Fortna, a social scientist involved in the project, highlighted how landscape changes and industrial noise are believed to affect hunting success and strategies within the community. While the ministry of environment denies significant increases in oilsands noise, ongoing research by the Oil Sands Monitoring Program and Indigenous partners will explore the effects of sound on wildlife.
The study involves setting up two sites – one with minimal noise and another near industrial activities – to analyze sound propagation. Researchers placed recording units at specific intervals to capture moose calls and assess the impact of noise on hunting success.
Alberto De Rosa, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Alberta, expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with local communities on the project. The study, funded by Alberta’s Oil Sands Monitoring Program, is expected to yield results in approximately one month.
Community members have raised concerns about the challenges of hunting near Conklin due to increased predators and habitat fragmentation. Furthermore, the development of new roads has attracted more external hunters, reducing wildlife numbers and disrupting traditional hunting grounds.
Adby voiced worries about the industry causing more environmental damage than anticipated, leading to increased deforestation and loss of wildlife. He highlighted the shift from selective hunting by locals to a more widespread hunting approach, resulting in a decline in animal populations.