Alces (A Journal Devoted to the Biology and Management of Moose)
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HOW MANAGEMENT UNIT LICENSE QUOTAS RELATE TO POPULATION SIZE, DENSITY, AND HUNTER ACCESS IN NEWFOUNDLAND
No full textWe recommend introducing habitat-based moose density as a management tool to be used in annual quota setting. We illustrate our recommendation with the case of Newfoundland, where moose densities are much higher than elsewhere in North America, and have led to local areas of habitat deterioration and subsequent population decline. We suggest more emphasis be placed on relationships between local densities of moose and reported hunter kill locations to stabilize populations. We calculated both moose density and moose-kill density using estimates of forest and “scrub” cover in management units surveyed between 1985 and 2001, comparing aerial surveys with license sales for the same year to hunter success. In the first part of our study period, license quotas were often well below 10% of population size estimates calculated by management unit, especially in central Newfoundland. In the latter part of our study period, a strong relationship between license quotas and population estimates (r2 = 0.81) existed, in which quotas averaged about 15% of a population size estimate; however, moose kills and population size were less well correlated. Overall during this period, kill density increased, while moose density decreased, sometimes below target
SUMMER DIET COMPOSITION OF MOOSE IN ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK, COLORADO
No full textSummer diet composition of habituated adult moose (Alces alces) in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, was determined using direct observations and fecal analysis. Direct observations determined moose ate 20 different plant species, including 6 willow (Salix spp.) species, which comprised 91.3% of the overall diet from June through mid-September. Geyer willow (Salix geyeriana) accounted for 45.1% of summer diets. Other species included mountain alder (Alnus incana, 2.5%), quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides, 1.1%), and bog birch (Betula glandulosa, 1.0%). Aquatic plants accounted for 1.9%, forbs 1.1%, and grasses 0.9%. Moose ate 11 different species of woody browse, which comprised 96.9% of the diet. Species diversity in the diet peaked in July with 18 different species, including 7 species of non-woody browse. Fecal analysis showed moose consumed 79.3% willow; 11.9% less than direct observations indicated. Fecal analysis identified Carex spp. as a major contributor to moose summer diets (8.7%); a genus not identified by direct observation. Fecal analysis could not identify forbs, willow, or other shrubs to the species level, but identified all major genera (> 1%) contributing to moose summer diets that were indicated by direct observations, except quaking aspen (1.1%)
MOOSE: COMPETING AND COMPLEMENTARY VALUES
No full textMoose (Alces spp.) are the largest and one of the most widespread land mammals in boreal and mixed-wood forests of the northern hemisphere. They provide essential food for carnivores and human subsistence users in remote areas. During the 20th century, their increasing densities and distribution in North America and Fennoscandia have provided added recreation through licensed hunting, viewing, a variety of cultural, spiritual, and commercial activities, and numerous scientific/ecological studies. In some areas, their high densities are considered unacceptable due to damage caused by moose/vehicle collisions, to commercially valuable trees, to agricultural crops, and added management costs. Most management agencies attempt to manage populations through an allocation process which includes provisions for Native harvest, licensed hunter harvest, and control of illegal harvests. Moose benefits or worth, both competing and complementary, are discussed, based on a wide array of monetary and non-monetary values reported in the literature
DISEASES IN A MOOSE POPULATION SUBJECTED TO LOW PREDATION
No full textWell-publicized studies on two moose diseases, elaphostrongylosis and moose wasting syndrome, conducted across Sweden from 1985 to 1994 resulted in an increased number of reports of sick and dead moose. A sample of 724 moose were investigated, including 426 females, 208 males, and 90 of unknown sex with an average age of 3.7 years (SD = 4.9, range 0-20). Prominent diagnoses were elaphostrongylosis (18%), moose wasting syndrome (11%), and accidental death (11%). Other important diagnoses were neoplasm (5%), parasitic (6%), nervous system (5%), infectious (4%), eye and ear diseases (4%), and predation (3%). From the beginning to the middle of the 20th century approximately 10 wolves, 130 bears, 175 lynx, and 100 wolverines were present in Sweden (449,000 km2). Currently, the scene is quite different with wolf, bear, lynx, and wolverine populations all increasing. The total number of large predators and scavengers is estimated at 2,500-3,000. We believe that the diversity of moose diseases seen in the future will differ from that observed during the 1980s and 1990s by being less visible due to increasing predation
SELECTIVE HARVEST MANAGEMENT OF A NORWEGIAN MOOSE POPULATION
No full textThe moose population at Værdalsbruket in the county of Nord-Trøndelag, Norway The moose population at Værdalsbruket in the county of Nord-Trøndelag, Norway has been studied since the 1930s. Complete harvest and weight statistics for sex and age classes and detailed hunter observations have been collected since 1969 producing a data set of 2,667 harvested moose and 17,068 moose observations. These data were used to both manage and assess a selective harvest management system based upon annual hunter guidelines, contracts with sex-age quotas, and progressive pricing of hunting cost related to carcass weight. Combined with a relatively high hunting pressure, the system has produced a controlled increase in the moose population, and an improved population structure with more prime bulls, higher mean age of cows, and an improved cow:bull ratio. Long-term body weights and production have been stable, indicating a healthy moose population in balance with its resources. Success of the harvest system depended largely on the level and progression of the hunting price-carcass weight relationship
HUNTING MOOSE OR KEEPING SHEEP? – PRODUCING MEAT IN AREAS WITH CARNIVORES
No full textMoose hunting is of considerable economic and social importance in much of Scandinavia. In some parts, such as south-east Norway, it is economically more important than sheep farming. We examine trends in moose harvesting and sheep production over a 12-year period in an area of increasing predator numbers and compare the meat yield before and after the re-establishment of wolves. The production of lamb meat at the county level declined, particularly from within the forest habitat, while the moose harvest showed only localized reductions. We also consider the scale of the economic loss caused by large carnivores and discuss management options for a future with carnivores
PROPOSAL TO COMBINE CREE AND SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE FOR IMPROVED MOOSE HABITAT MANAGEMENT ON WASWANIPI EEYOU ASTCHEE, NORTHERN QUÉBEC
No full textFirst Nations involvement in forest management is necessary to achieve sustainability, even more in northern Québec where the Cree have constitutional rights on the land. An innovative research approach has been undertaken to improve forest management on Eeyou Astchee, the Cree territory. This project targets moose (Alces alces) because of its importance to the Cree people and because it is a representative species of the northern black spruce ecosystem. The research aims at combining native and scientific knowledge to overcome trust, communication, and cultural barriers, and to build a common vision of moose habitat needs in this northern area. In this poorly known ecosystem, combining Cree and scientific knowledge about moose seems to be a promising avenue to achieve sustainable forest management. Based on new knowledge of this common vision, socioecologicaly-adapted habitat management strategies will be proposed for the study area. The involvement of key stakeholders, and recognition of their knowledge, should promote better support for the research project and better social acceptability of the proposed management recommendations
FINE-SCALE WINTER HABITAT SELECTION BY MOOSE IN INTERIOR MONTANE FORESTS
No full textClarification of animal activity during habitat studies may facilitate understanding of the complexities of habitat selection. Animal activity is difficult to determine with remote monitoring (e.g., GPS collars). We used snow-tracking and vegetation sampling to examine site-level habitat selection by moose (Alces alces) within late-winter range in montane forests in southwestern British Columbia. We assessed vegetation characteristics within systematically placed available plots, and moose use plots, divided into foraging and travelling plots. Willow (Salix spp.), red osier dogwood (Cornus stolonifera), and saskatoon (Amelanchier alnifolia), together termed "moose shrubs", made up 83% of browse events recorded. Moose foraging plots had greater coverage of total shrub, moose shrub, and willow, lower canopy cover, and fewer trees than available and travelling plots; snow depth did not influence moose foraging activity. Moose foraging areas had 2.4 times more total shrub coverage, 3.8 times more moose shrub coverage, and 4.4 times greater willow coverage than available plots. Moose travelling plots had less snow depth and were located closer to seral edges than available and foraging plots. Multivariate modeling indicated moose selected foraging areas where cover of shrubs was higher; willow coverage alone explained a significant amount of model fit. Moose traveled in areas with shallower snow depth, decreased distance to seral edge, and lower amounts of moose shrub, although these variables explained little of the variation in the data. Managers wishing to provide high quality late-winter moose range in interior montane environments should manage habitats to promote both forage production and reduced travel costs. Only a few key forage species appear to be preferred by moose during late winter in any particular area. These species can be readily identified, and production of these preferred browse species enhanced
A MOOSE RECOVERY PLAN FOR POLAND: MAIN OBJECTIVES AND TASKS
No full textHunting statistics showed that moose (Alces alces) numbers in Poland declined from 5,400 animals in 1991 to 1,718 in 2000. A nation-wide ban on moose hunting was imposed in 2001 in response to this decline in moose abundance. The main purpose of this paper is to outline a moose recovery plan in Poland by using verification of hunting records related to moose population numbers, collecting data on population demographic variables, and understanding moose habitat preferences. During 1998-2002 in the forest habitat of north eastern Poland (total area: 311,400 ha) a line intercept snow track index and plot sampling were used to estimate moose population numbers at 276 animals. It was shown that the population census in this area carried out by hunters in this period through a guess-estimate method overestimated the moose population by 46.0%. Research in Augustowska Forest (110,200 ha) shows that the autumn recruitment rate was 64.4 calves per 100 cows, and the ratio of cows to bulls was 1.34. Analysis of moose population dynamics during 4 hunting seasons (1998-2001) shows that the maximum sustainable harvest is about 30% of population numbers estimated in February. Habitat selection by moose was tested using Bailey's 95% simultaneous confidence intervals. Moose preferred habitats in bog and wet sites dominated by deciduous and mixed forests. The decline in moose populations in Poland over 20 years was caused by overestimation of population numbers and over-harvest. It is suggested that a moose recovery program in Poland should be started by locating 2 large moose management/conservation units where moose population numbers should be estimated by reliable methods, and sustained harvest would then maintain a viable moose population. At the same time, forestry in moose wintering areas should stimulate deciduous browse production as well as providing estimates of forest damage caused by moose using different standards than those applied in lowland commercial forests
THREATS TO THE SUSTAINABILITY OF MOOSE MANAGEMENT IN FINLAND
No full textThe large population of moose (Alces alces L.) in Finland has resulted in increased browsing damage and traffic accidents. Hunting is the only means available for controlling the moose population. Currently, about 100,000 hunters spend approximately 1 million man-days/year to harvest around 70,000 moose/year. Hunting is a voluntary activity in Finland and hunting rights below to landowners. However, the social basis of moose hunting is in danger of being eroded. The number of active farms has decreased considerably in recent years and the decrease will continue for the forseeable future. Out-migration and the aging of the rural population will continue to weaken the vitality of rural areas at least until 2030. This paper examines the current structure of moose hunting clubs in the face of these perceived threats. A quarter of the club leaders estimated that the average age of their members is between 50 and 60 years. While the membership problems are acknowledged as young people do not seem to be attracted to moose hunting, and older members are beginning to find hunting too strenuous. If moose hunting clubs are to remain viable, they must meet the challenges presented by the changing rural demographic and socio-economic conditions. Pre-conditions for hunting club membership occur in 70 - 80% of clubs and strongly reflect the nature of the current membership structure. Pre-conditions for membership may have to be revised and more will have to be done to attract younger members. While changes in the current governance of moose hunting will be required, these are unlikely to occur in the near future due to local power structures that are vested in the ties between land ownership and moose hunting