Manitoba is cancelling moose hunting in parts of the province after scientists found steep declines in the animal's populations.

Surveys done by Manitoba Conservation show moose numbers have fallen as steeply as 65 per cent in several regions, including around Duck Mountain, the most popular moose-hunting area, located 400 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg.

Those surveys confirmed what officials have been hearing from local hunters and aboriginals.

The province will draft a moose management plan that will take into account motorized access, logging, hunting, predators and disease.

Hunting in areas where moose populations are considered stable will go ahead, although the awarding of hunting tags will be delayed.

Last year, the general moose hunting season ran from Aug. 31 to Dec. 20.