Alces (A Journal Devoted to the Biology and Management of Moose)
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INTENSIVE MANAGEMENT OF MOOSE AT HIGH DENSITY: IMPEDIMENTS, ACHIEVEMENTS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS
No full textIn 1994, the Alaska Legislature passed legislation directing the Board of Game to identify big game prey populations where “intensive management” (IM) would be used to attain and sustain high levels of harvest. The IM law specifically provides for active management of predators and habitat, but fails to mention that antlerless hunts are key to achieving high levels of harvest. We discuss IM for moose in Game Management Unit (GMU) 20A through 2005, because GMU 20A has a unique history of predator management and currently supports the highest moose density for any equivalent-sized area in Alaska. Moose numbers in GMU 20A exceeded the IM population objectives beginning in 1999, but the IM harvest objectives were not met during 2002-2005. We identified the following impediments to achieving IM harvest objectives in GMU 20A: (1) negative public attitude toward antlerless moose hunts; (2) local citizen advisory committees have veto power over antlerless hunts; (3) bull:cow ratios are difficult to maintain when harvests are restricted largely to bulls; (4) access issues, including spatial and temporal distribution of the harvest; (5) social issues including local-non-local hunter conflicts, hunter-landownder conflicts, and illegal harvest; and (6) insufficient funding for research programs, management activities, and public education. Despite these impediments, liberal antlerless harvests were sufficient in 2004 and 2005 to halt moose population growth and attain high levels of harvest; annual harvests reached the highest levels recorded for GMU 20A. To facilitate the management of high-density moose for high levels of harvest, we recommend: (1) elimination of advisory committee veto power over antlerless hunts; (2) greater flexibility by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) to implement and manage antlerless hunts; (3) close monitoring of hunting-related social issues; (4) ADF&G authorization to initiate prescribed burns; and (5) increased funding for management activities, research programs, and public education
ELEMENTAL COMPOSITION OF INCISORS IN NOVA SCOTIA MOOSE: EVALUATION OF A POPULATION WITH ABNORMAL INCISOR BREAKAGE
No full textThis study compared the concentrations of major and trace elements in the enamel of incisors from moose (Alces alces andersoni) in Cape Breton Highlands, where the incidence of incisor tooth breakage was believed to be unusually high, and moose in southwest Nova Scotia (A. a. americana) where there was no evidence of breakage. Our goal was to determine which elements, if any, might be related to the incisor breakage in moose from Cape Breton Highlands. There was a positive relationship between age and frequency of incisor breakage, and most moose had a broken I2 incisor by 4 years of age in the Cape Breton Highlands. We analyzed I2 incisors for 51 trace elements with Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry. Concentrations of 8 elements, including barium, beryllium, cadmium, cobalt, lead, tin, strontium, and yttrium, were lower (P < 0.05) in incisors from Cape Breton Highlands; gallium had a higher concentration. Reduced intake of barium, beryllium, and strontium is linked to depressed growth and reduced calcification of bones and teeth
HISTORY, STATUS, AND HUNTER HARVEST OF MOOSE IN WASHINGTON STATE
No full textSince the middle 20th century, moose have expanded their range and population in Washington, especially within the northeastern part of the state. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife opened a limited-entry hunting season on moose in 1977. Permit numbers gradually increased from 3 in 1977 to 98 permits offered in the 2005 hunting season. Hunter harvest is believed to be well within the reproductive capacity of Washington’s moose population. Moose abundance and range are expected to at least remain at current levels into the future
COMPLEXITY AND INFORMATION GAPS IN RECOVERY PLANNING FOR MOOSE (ALCES ALCES AMERICANA) IN NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA
No full textIn 2003, the Eastern moose (Alces alces americana) on mainland Nova Scotia was declared an endangered species under the Nova Scotia Endangered Species Act. Subsequently, as required by the Act, a recovery team was established and the recovery planning process was initiated. Very early in this process, it was recognized that developing a recovery strategy for this moose population was going to be difficult due to the complexity of issues involved. The basic demographic data on population structure, reproduction, and mortality are not current for the population, and the assessment methodologies are inconsistent. The ability to evaluate potential factors limiting the population is hindered by a lack of information, primarily in the subject areas of genetic structure, health, illegal harvest, and habitat suitability and fragmentation. There are great difficulties in establishing cause-effect relationships, as well as verifying the potential cumulative and synergistic effects of the factors impacting the moose population. Answering these questions is challenging and will require substantial social, political, and financial support as well as a properly designed research program to acquire the requisite data. Until the information gaps can be addressed, it is prudent to adopt a precautionary and adaptive approach to the recovery of this species
MOOSE DISTRIBUTION RELATIVE TO HUMAN DEVELOPMENT IN A NATIONAL PARK
No full textThe potential influence of human development on distribution of moose (Alces alces) within Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska, was investigated during May-September 1995-1997. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to evaluate seasonal habitat use and distances to the park road and developed areas. Moose exhibited avoidance of spruce habitat during summer and spruce, shrub, and deciduous habitats during autumn. Results from univariate analyses indicated moose were closer to the park road than expected during summer and autumn further than expected from developed areas during autumn. However, multivariate logistic regression models including habitat types revealed that distances moose were located from roads were similar to expected during each season. Logistic regression models also indicated that moose were further from developed areas in autumn. Moose movement away from developed areas during autumn was likely because developed areas were located predominantly (69%) in forest and shrub habitats; moose appeared to select more open areas in autumn for rutting activities. Distribution of moose did not appear strongly influenced by human development. That moose did not overall avoid the park road or developed areas appears a consequence of habituation (i.e., indifference) to human activity from no positive or negative reinforcement
INCISOR TOOTH BREAKAGE, ENAMEL DEFECTS, AND PERIODONTITIS IN A DECLINING ALASKAN MOOSE POPULATION
No full textWe examined 56 anterior segments of mandibles from moose harvested from a declining population that was affected by tooth wear and breakage at higher rates than in moose elsewhere on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska. Incisor teeth were examined for extent of tooth wear and breakage, the degree and prevalence of surface enamel defects, and radiographic evidence of periodontitis. Body size (incisor arcade width of adult moose) and body condition index (timing of tooth eruption in yearlings) of the Seward Peninsula population were compared to other Alaskan moose populations. Mean (± SE) age of adult moose in the study was 4.6 ± 0.4 years. The age distribution of harvested moose was 32% yearling, 61% young adult (2-6 years old), 4% prime adult (7-11 years old), and 4% old moose (> 11 years old). Comparatively smaller body size in moose observed in this study probably reflects the absence of older animals in the 2002 harvest. Timing of tooth eruption in yearlings was within the range of other moose populations. Mean tooth wear and breakage score was 2.1 ± 0.2. Ninety-three percent of the teeth exhibited hypoplastic enamel defects (pits) and staining, while 59% exhibited vertical and horizontal fracture lines on both labial and lingual tooth surfaces. Fifty-three percent of examinedteeth showed radiographic signs consistent with periodontitis. Evidence of osteoporosis was present in 74% of the examined jaws. We hypothesize that observed enamel defects exacerbate age-related tooth wear and breakage in this population thereby resulting in accelerated demise of older animals. The skewed age distribution, with very few animals > 7 years supports this conclusion. The etiology of the observed enamel defects is unclear and requires further investigation
DOES FIRST NATION’S HUNTING IMPACT MOOSE PRODUCTIVITY IN ALBERTA?
No full textWildlife biologists and members of the hunting public in Alberta voiced concerns that unregulated hunting by First Nations’ hunters was detrimental to some moose populations. Moose population dynamics were examined in 3 study areas where First Nations hunting occurred. Provincially licensed sport hunters were only allowed to harvest antlered moose in all 3 areas, but numbers of permits were unlimited. Moose populations in some management areas were characterized by strongly biased sex ratios in favor of females, high mean age of the female cohort, and reduced reproductive performance. In Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) 358, where hunting by First Nations’ hunters was considered “heavy”, the sex ratio was not strongly biased, moose numbers were sustained at a higher level, and both pregnancy and twinning rates were higher than in the other areas. Contrary to the fears of wildlife managers and sport hunters, moose hunting by First Nations’ hunters in WMU 358 did not appear to be detrimental, but may have actually enhanced moose productivity. The moose harvest there probably resembled a selective harvest system where females as well as males were included. Wildlife managers in Alberta may wish to consider the benefits of selective harvest for other areas that are currently managed under a non-selective male-only harvest strategy
PREDATOR CONTROL, POLITICS, AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION IN ALASKA
No full textLethal control programs aimed at reducing wolf (Canis lupus) and bear (Ursus arctos and U. americanus) numbers while attempting to increase densities of moose (Alces alces) and caribou (Rangifer tarandus) for hunters have occurred intermittently in Alaska, USA, for the past 3 decades. These programs were accompanied by considerable controversy, much of it directed at methods of control including helicopter shooting by government employees, snaring, and fixed-wing shooting by private citizens. From 1976 to 1983, 1,300 wolves were taken in several areas of Alaska by a combination of helicopter shooting and private trapping. Adverse public reaction largely restricted wolf control from 1984-1994 when a snaring program again produced controversy and that control program was terminated. In 1997, a National Research Council review suggested numerous biological standards for Alaska’s predator control programs. The review strongly endorsed the approach of conducting predator control as adaptive management. Control proponents sponsored legislation in the 1990s that mandated intensive management of certain depleted populations of ungulates deemed important for consumptive use by humans. The primary management tool to increase such populations is predator control. Intensive management also required setting population and harvest objectives for ungulates. These objectives often were based on historical highs that are now likely unattainable and almost certainly unsustainable. Implementation of intensive management programs involving reductions of black bears and brown bears as well as wolves has now been approved in 5 areas of Alaska totaling about 43,000 square miles with up to 610 wolves scheduled to be shot by April 2005. Approval of additional programs is pending. Controversy now is focused not merely on ethical objections to methods of control, but extends to basic principles of wildlife conservation including sustainability of ungulate populations, protection of habitat integrity for ungulates, and population viability of predators. Recommended biological standards and guidelines for justifying, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating control programs are not being applied
MOOSE DETECTION DISTANCES ON HIGHWAYS AT NIGHT
No full textMoose-vehicle collisions are a serious concern in many areas of North America and Fennoscandia. In northwestern Ontario, more than 400 moose-vehicle collisions occur annually, and 26 fatal collisions have occurred over the last 10 years. To avoid colliding with a moose, a motorist must: (1) successfully see or detect the presence of the animal; (2) determine whether or not the moose poses a threat requiring evasive action; (3) determine what action, if necessary, is required; and (4) implement the action. Whereas perception reaction times of motorists have been studied in detail, allowing calculations of post-detection distances travelled by a vehicle at different speeds, distances at which a moose can first be seen by a driver at night are unknown. We used a full-size moose decoy to determine the distances at which an animal could be detected at night when it was positioned on each shoulder and in the middle of a highway using high and low beam headlamp settings of different vehicles. Overall, we found the mean detection distance across all vehicle types, headlamp settings, and moose decoy location to be 105 m (range: 23-210 m). Headlamp setting was a significant factor; on the low beam setting, mean detection distance was 74 m and on the high beam setting it was 137 m. Moose decoy location was also important; combining the data for both headlamp settings, mean detection distances were 89 m, 93 m, and 133 m for the left, right, and centre positions, respectively. There was no relationship between headlamp height of different vehicles and moose detection distance. Comparing our results with previously known preception-reaction times of motorists, we determined that drivers travelling at night in excess of about 70 km/h are very likely to be overdriving the illumination capabilities of their headlamps for moose encounters. For drivers using a low beam headlamp setting, the maximum safe speed drops to about 60 km/h and on high beam setting, rises to about 80-90 km/h. These results suggest that along highway corridors where collisions with motor vehicles present a serious threat to public safety and may have significant impacts on local moose populations, speed limits should be set no higher than 70 km/h at night
MOOSE POPULATION HISTORY ON THE NORTHERN YELLOWSTONE WINTER RANGE
No full textMoose probably colonized the Northern Yellowstone Winter Range (NYWR) in the latter half of the 19th century. Euro-American settlement of the NYWR occurred at roughly the same time. Legislative protection of moose from hunting in the first half of the 20th century and suppression of wildfires facilitated moose population growth and range expansion. A hunting season in Montana along the northern boundary of Yellowstone National Park, authorized in 1945 in response to perceived damage by moose to willow stands, evidently reduced the moose population quickly and maintained it at moderate densities through 1988. In 1988, landscape-altering wildfires swept through the Yellowstone ecosystem and impacted old growth forest important for moose survival during winter. The moose population associated with the NYWR declined by 75% or more and has shown no sign of recovery by 2002. Several techniques for assessing population trend for moose on the NYWR were tested. Given the problems associated with monitoring a species at low densities with a dispersed social organization and occupying habitats where visibility is limited, aerial population censuses were not useful. A horseback trail survey, a road survey, and counts of moose in early winter or late spring in larger willow stands had greater potential as indices to moose population changes