Dr. Vince Crichton (Doc Moose) from Chapleau coming to Cranbrook to speak at Big Game Symposium sponsored by Kootenay Heritage Wildlife Fund

Doc Moose (Vince Crichton Collection)

When I saw news about a Big Game Symposium scheduled for Cranbrook where I now live, on April 13,  I reflected on my childhood days in  northern Ontario in Chapleau where I was raised. 

 There were many moose in the Chapleau area. In fact, I could stand in front of our house on Grey Street as a kid, look across the Nebskwashi River and see them.

Right away I thought "Who speaks for the moose?

Well it did not take long to find the answer. It is no one other than Dr. Vince Crichton also known as “Doc Moose”. Was I surprised!!– yes and no. Doc Moose also comes from Chapleau and he followed in the footsteps of his father Vince Crichton Sr., into the wildlife game. Further, his dad and my my mother Muriel (Hunt) Morris are cousins.

Vince was coming to Cranbrook. to speak at the Kootenay Heritage Wildlife Fund one day Big Game Symposium with six professional presenters each covering a different topic . I got in touch with him. 

Vince retired just a few years back after 40 years with the Manitoba’s Wildlife Branch and had many positions such as regional wildlife biologist, provincial moose/elk/caribou biologist and for the 10 years prior to retiring he was manager of game fur and problem wildlife. Although retired from government he has not retired from the Wildlife Game and is active in the moose world where he is recognized internationally by colleagues and by the general public and in the field of moose and wildlife diseases.

His  biography includes  highlights of his career. Born in Chapleau, he attended Chapleau Public and Chapleau High Schools.

Vince Crichton collection

Advanced degrees were done at the Universities of Manitoba and Guelph in the field of wildlife diseases. He retired after 40 years with Manitoba’s Wildlife and Ecosystem Protection Branch where he served in many capacities two of which were Provincial Moose, Elk, Caribou Biologist and prior to retiring Manager, Game, Fur & Problem Wildlife. 

He is a certified Wildlife Biologist and has published in scientific journals, popular magazines, authored 2 chapters in a book entitled “The Ecology and Management of the North American Moose”, past eeditor and now associate editor of the journal ALCES, editorial panel for various journals, editor of the Moose Call newsletter for 12 years and past president of the Manitoba Big Game Trophy Association. 

Vince produced a video entitled Moose Close Up and a CD entitled Moose Music and has been featured in documentaries on the Discovery Channel and Animal Planet. Recently he has been featured with his 13 year old granddaughter in a four episode series on moose. 

Vince and grandaughter. Vince Crichton collection

A hunter, conservationist, university lecturer, guest speaker and amateur photographer he is recognized internationally as an expert on moose biology and management. His peers awarded him the Distinguished Moose Biologist Award in 1988 and a special award in 2016 at the 50th North American Moose Conference/8th International Moose Symposium (which he co-chaired) for his long standing commitment to these events. 

He is a recipient of the Conservation Award presented by the Manitoba Chapter of The Wildlife Society and in 2018 the Manitoba Wildlife Federation recognized his contributions by presenting him with their Outdoor Heritage Award. He is recognized for his ability to communicate with his peers and the public. Although retired, he is still active in the wildlife game – a strong advocate for public education and for contemporary management programs in these challenging times to ensure there are resources for future generations. Next to family, wildlife runs in his veins and he speaks for “The Moose".

Vince will be one of the guest speakers at the symposium that include some other well-known and respected speakers. His presentation will focus on moose and cover items such as where did they come from, how they distributed themselves across Canada and the United States, some significant diseases, natural and anthropogenic mortalities, reproduction and hunting.

Vince Crichton collection

In light of extremely low populations in a number of jurisdictions what can be done?? He will touch on these and some will be controversial. But, if our generation is to manage the resources passed to us and pass them on in a sustainable fashion then there is a need now to invoke action plans which will ensure the legacy is there, he argues.

Vince believes that a fundamental change that must happen and he is outspoken on this is the need for science to come before politics and recognize that moose and other big game are there not just for hunters of all stripes but for those societal members who do not hunt but enjoy seeing all wildlife. 

He adds that legislation must be universally applicable and not just directed at licensed hunters. Since moose migrated to North America they have not changed but look at what society has in these contemporary times – cars, trucks, aircraft hi-powered firearms, atvs, snow machines etc and greater access via roads. 

He poses a challenge: "What chance do they have? It is time all members of society and politicians looked in the mirror and recognize that if changes are not made what a legacy to leave."

Now that we know who speaks for the moose will you step forward and work with Doc Moose and his colleagues. All photos are from the Dr. Vince Crichton collection and are used with permission.  My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Chapleau Moose Lodge made immense contribution to community for 40 years

For 40 years after being established in 1969 the Chapleau Lodge of the Loyal Order of Moose made an immense contribution to the community.

The Chapleau lodge was officially founded on July 13, 1969, and closed in 2009, according to Jim Apsey, to whom I extend my most sincere thanks for his research assistance.

Jim also pointed out that among the lodge's major accomplishments was that "We sent a family with children to live at Ontario house at Moose Haven and put them through college." Quite an accomplishment for a lodge in a relatively small community.

I have tried to catch a glimpse of the lodge in Chapleau made possible by the work of the late Doug Greig. 

By 1971 the lodge was celebrating the opening of a new hall on Lorne Street and it being winter it included hockey games between Chapleau and two Moose sponsored teams from Timmins -- Peewee and Bantam.

Both Timmins teams won, the Peewees 6-2 and Bantams 4-1 according to an article in the Chapleau Sentinel in "exciting games". A return engagement was planned.

This reminded me of the many banquets that were catered to by the Women of the Moose and I thought about one in 1977 held in the Moose Hall where Mayor Mike Doody of Timmins was the special guest. There were many great banquets in the Moose Hall over the years,

Heres is an excerpt from a column I wrote some years ago: "Despite the intense rivalry between the Chapleau Huskies and Timmins Northstars of the Northland Intermediate Hockey League, it did not prevent Timmins Mayor Mike Doody from accepting an invitation to Chapleau to be the guest speaker at the local team's annual award night in June 1977.

"Also, before a packed house at the Moose Hall, Bill Scheer, in his first year with the Intermediate 'A' team, was the winner of four awards

 Bill was named most valuable player in regular season, leading scorer, rookie of the year and most sportsmanlike player."

Master of Ceremonies was Dr. Frank Brromhead.

 Mike Doody had been elected mayor in 1976, and was also sports director at CFCL television. 

Back to the hall opening in 1971 the ribbon cutting was done by provincial membership director Art Cooper of Toronto.

In 1975 a new hall was opened also on Lorne Street with an $84,000 mortgage which had been retired within ten years.

By the 1980s it had 115 members.

A 1993 article about a celebration to mark its anniversary noted that "A superb meal was prepared by Toy Gregson and staff. As usual Toy outdid herself." 

Certificates were also presented to the 1992-93 executive who included Joe Ladouceur, James Apsey, Armand Ruffo, Jean Guy Presse and Alfie Desbiens.

I was amazed at the support the lodge gave to good causes over a two year period ending in 1988. The total was $73,465 which included $11,885 to local charities, $11, 180 to associations and foundations, $15,000 to Chapleau extended care project, $4,400 to handicapped and seniors. The article adds the understatement: "A tidy sum for a 115 member organization."

At one point in its history the lodge received the Lodge Merit Award for four consecutive years. This is the the highest award a lodge can receive from Moose International.

This has just been a glimpse at the outstanding contribution that the Moose Lodge made to Chapleau over 40 years based on work started by the late Doug Greig with my thanks again to Jim Apsey. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Public and high school education demands met as increased enrolment from 'Baby Boom' hits Chapleau in the early 1960s

As the "baby boom" after World War II hit Chapleau in the early 1960s, the community was faced with the reality that additional space was required at Chapleau Public School while plans were also underway for a new Chapleau High School.

The Sudbury Star reported that if plans for a new high school and additions and alterations at the public school became a reality, the taxpayer was "going to get a jolt" according to Reeve Arthur Grout apparently "not too happily".

Mr. Grout made his comments at a joint meeting of council, public school board and high school board pinting out that a tax increase of 15 percent had shot up to 25 percent when education costs were included.

He added that a number of things council planned to do would have to be eliminated , "however education demands must be met."

At the meeting the high school board was represented by Chair Len Harris and members Richard Selin and George Collins, and the public school board by chair Frank Coulter and members Doug Jardine and Mansel Robinson.

High school principal Dr. Karl Hackstetter and public school principal Foy Wright were also there.

Mr. Coulter explained that a $90,000 debenture had been approved by the Ontario Municipal Board for public school expansion.

Mr. Wright explained that public school enrolment in 1962-63 had reached 277 pupils in a school designed for 180. 

These pupils were in eight rooms, one being part of a hallway and one the assembly room. Mr. Wright said the situation was hard on "teachers, pupils and parents. More space is essential".

So, what happened?

Renovations were undertaken at the public school, and by 1966, the "new" high school on the hill was opened, with plans to expand it underway almost as soon as it replaced the school on Pine Street. The public school was also expanded. 

From 1966 to 1972, some public school classes were held in the old high school It was demolished in 1975 to make way for the Chapleau Civic Centre officially opened in June 1978.

Notwithstanding the challenges brought about by the postwar "baby boom", the members of the public school and high school boards , met them and the education needs of the community were met. The two boards were merged into the Chapleau Board of Education by 1966. 

My email is mj.morris@live.ca