Alces (A Journal Devoted to the Biology and Management of Moose)
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DISTINGUISHED MOOSE BIOLOGIST - AWARD CRITERIA
Get PDFAn award was established by the North American Moose Conference and Workshop in 1981 to honour, and bring to the public's attention,the outstanding contribution of a particular individual, individuals, and/or organizations t omoose management. Guidelines for nominating individuals are described on this page
A HISTORY OF MOOSE MANAGEMENT IN UTAH
Get PDFDuring the first half of the 20th century a moose (Alces alces) population gradually established itself on the North Slope of Utah's Uinta Mountains from founders in the Greater Yellow­stone Ecosystem. Formal management of the species commenced with an aerial survey conducted in 1957, and the first legal hunt in 1958. From this small initial population moose have expanded into other areas of northern Utah and, augmented by transplants, the statewide population has increased to an estimated 3,200 animals as of 2009. In the northern portion of the state moose appear to prosper in riparian willow (Salix sp.) habitats as well as upland shrub-dominated and forested habitats. However, there are indications that these herds are at or approaching carrying capacity. Management programs have included regular aerial surveys, harvest regulation, transplants, and dealing with "nuisance" animals along the urban-wildland interface. Since 1958 a total of 6,119 moose (bulls and cows) have been legally harvested, averaging 288 animals annually in 2004-2008. Since 1973 a total of 345 moose have been translocated within Utah and an additional 115 animals moved to Colorado. These transplants have resulted in disparate success with starter populations generally failing to achieve viability in central and southern Utah. Poaching, predation by cougars (Puma concolor), and to a lesser extent disease have contributed to losses in southern target populations. The limited success of these efforts raises questions regarding the viability of populations in areas with high summer temperatures as well as the specter of climate variation on the persistence of southern populations, generally. Several research projects have been conducted on moose in Utah. Early studies on the Uinta North Slope focused on the nutritional quality of key browse species and the determination of carrying capacity, and subsequent investigations included the effects of experimental manipulation of bull-cow ratios on calf recruitment, and telemetry-based survival studies of transplanted herds. The future of moose in Utah is discussed in light of potential limiting factors including climate change
DISTINGUISHED MOOSE BIOLOGIST - 2007 RECIPIENT (Kris J Hundertmark)
No full textThe Distinguished Moose Biologist Award was presented to Dr. Kris J. Hundertmark at the 43rd North American Moose Conference andWorkshop, held at the University of Northern British Columbia in Prince George, British Columbia, Canada, 2-7 June 2007, in recognition of his numerous contributions to improving our understanding of moose biology and management
POTENTIAL VULNERABILITY OF BULL MOOSE IN CENTRAL BRITISH COLUMBIA TO THREE ANTLER-BASED HUNTING REGULATIONS
Get PDFAntlers from bull moose (Alces alces andersoni) harvested in the Omineca sub-region of central British Columbia were submitted by hunters for inspection, measurement, and comparison by age in 1982-1989. After correcting for non-reporting bias, we examined the potential vulnerability of these moose (n = 1,886) to 3 antler-based hunting regulations currently advertised in British Columbia: spike/fork (S/F), tripalm (TP), and 10 point (10PT). The S/F regulation put 15.9% of bulls at risk, and the TP and 10PT regulations put 11.1% and 12.0% at risk, respectively. Bulls with cervicorn antlers were at higher risk (41.3%) to the S/F regulation than the TP (1.4%) or 10PT (<1%) regulations. By contrast, bulls with palmicorn antlers were at low risk (5.4%) to the S/F regulation, but were at high risk to the TP (19.0%) and 10PT (17.1%) regulations. The S/F regulation focused harvest on yearlings, potentially exposing 46% of yearlings to harvest. The TP and 10PT regulations targeted prime and senior bulls, potentially exposing 40-60% of those >4.5 years old to harvest. Maximum spread and shaft circumferences of antlers were significantly smaller for yearlings at risk to the S/F regula­tion than for their same aged counterparts not at risk. Distance between the innermost points on the brow palm was significantly larger for yearlings at risk to the S/F regulation than for yearlings not at risk. Maximum spread, shaft circumference, palm height, and width were all significantly greater for bulls at risk to the TP and 10PT regulations than for those not at risk. Distance between the innermost points on the brow palms was significantly smaller for bulls at risk to TP and 10PT regulations than for those not at risk. These findings suggest that yearling bulls with smallest antlers are most at risk to harvest by the S/F regulation, whereas largest antlered bulls are most at risk to harvest by the TP and 10 PT regulations. The consequences of this directed selection of bull moose by antler-based hunting regulations on the breeding biology, population genetics, and fitness of moose requires further study
PREVIOUS MEETING SITES
Get PDFPrevious meeting sites of the North American Moose Conference and Workshop dating back to 1963
UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT OF MENINGEAL WORM, PARELAPHOSTRONGYLUS TENUIS, ON MOOSE POPULATIONS
Get PDFPeriodic declines in moose (Alces alces) populations have occurred repeatedly during the past century on the southern fringe of moose range in central and eastern North America. These slow declines, occurring over a number of years, are associated with higher than usual numbers of co-habiting white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Numerous proximate causes have been hy­pothesized but none has gained widespread acceptance among cervid managers. However, current knowledge of the nature of moose declines and the biology of meningeal worm (Parelaphostrongylus tenuis) makes this parasite the most credible explanation. Other suggested disease-related causes are rejected, including infection with liver flukes (Fascioloides magna) because there is no clinical evi­dence that flukes kill moose. As well, this parasite occurs at only moderate prevalence and intensity in some jurisdictions and is completely absent in others where moose declines are known. Winter ticks (Dermacentor albipictus), on the other hand, do kill moose but usually have a distinctly different and more immediate impact on populations. It is recognized that moose, albeit at lower density, can persist for extended periods in the presence of P. tenuis-infected deer at moderate densities. However, it is argued here that parelaphostrongylosis can, when conditions favour sustained high deer densities and enhanced gastropod transmission, cause moose numbers to decline to low numbers or to become locally extinct. Short, mild winters favour deer population growth in areas previously best suited for moose. Wetter and longer snow-free periods increase the numbers and availability of terrestrial gastro­pod intermediate hosts and the period for parasite transmission. It is hypothesized that these climatic conditions increase rates of meningeal worm transmission to moose and of disease, primarily among younger cohorts. Reports of overtly sick moose are common during declines but may not account for the total mortality and morbidity caused by meningeal worm. Means by which the parasite may lower recruitment and productivity causing slow declines still needs clarification. Managers in areas prone to declines should monitor weather trends, deer numbers, and the prevalence of meningeal worm in deer. Moose recovery will occur only after deer numbers are decidedly reduced, either by appropriate management or a series of severe winters
PREVIOUS MEETING SITES
Get PDFPrevious meeting sites of the North American Moose Conference and Workshop dating back to 1963
FOREWORD
Get PDFInternational Moose Symposiums have been held every 5-10 years since the first in Québec City, Québec, Canada in 1973. Subsequent meetings occurred in Uppsala, Sweden in 1984, Syktyvkar, Russia in 1990, Fairbanks, Alaska, USA in 1997, and Hafjell, Norway in 2002. Russia became the first country to repeat as host when the 6th International Moose Symposium was held in Yakutsk, Russia where moose biologists from throughout the world gathered on 13-23 August 2008
EDITORIAL REVIEW COMMITTEE
Get PDFOur thanks to the following individuals who served as referees for ALCES Volume 44. Each paper was reviewed by at least 2 referees who judged its appropriateness for publication and provided editorial assistance