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