Alces (A Journal Devoted to the Biology and Management of Moose)
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THE INFLUENCE OF ACCESSIBILITY ON MOOSE HUNTING IN NORTHWESTERN QUÉBEC
No full textMoose (Alces alces) density, hunting pressure (days/km2), sport harvest, and harvest rate (% of the population killed) were monitored in study blocks supporting different types and sizes of clear cuts in order to identify the impact of road access on moose hunting. The block with the lowest moose density (0.11 moose/km2) was the Control Block which was dominated by virtually unexploited mature coniferous stands. Densities were moderate to high in the cut blocks (0.22-0.58 moose/km2). We measured a 3 - 6% non-significant (P > 0.05) increase in harvest rate by sport hunting in 2 blocks surveyed before and after cutting. After cutting, harvest rate was moderate in the first (15.4) and high in the second block (23.7%). In the blocks surveyed exclusively after cutting operations, harvest rates were high (23-29%). Overall, among all blocks and years, harvest rate was 19.6% before cutting and 23.5% after. Hunting pressure increased in recently cur blocks but moose density and proximity from urban areas were as important as road access in influencing hunting pressure. Camp-hunters, who yielded the majority of harvested moose, did not rely exclusively on forest roads for access to their hunting sites. The majority of them (70%) hunted in 2 km2 or less, and consequently their hunting sites were not adequately protected by existing forest harvesting guidelines.
CHANGE IN HUNTING ACTIVITY AND HUNTERS' PERCEPTIONS FOLLOWING THE INTRODUCTION OF SELECTIVE HARVEST IN QUÉBEC
No full textBetween 1994 and 1997, we surveyed moose hunters in Québec to assess the social impacts of the 1994-1998 moose management plan. The number of hunters that stopped hunting and the number of hunting days practiced were estimated as indices of hunting activity changes, while hunters’ opinions about populations abundance and the number of moose seen and killed per 100 hunting days were monitored as indices of population change as perceived by hunters. The number of moose found dead per 100 hunting days was used to assess the proportion of animals accidentally or illegally killed. Knowledge and perception of the regulation were measured to evaluate the acceptance of the selective harvest program by hunters. Between 3,500 and 7,000 questionnaires were sent each year to hunters randomly chosen in 5 hunting zones where different harvesting scenarios were applied (limited number of cow permits, no cow harvest for 5 years, cows allowed every 2 years, no cows for 2 years and limited number of cow permits thereafter, and non-selective harvest) to determine their relative efficiency. Over 13% of the hunters quit hunting each year but were replaced by a similar number that started or resumed hunting. The number of hunting days per hunter did not vary significantly between 1994 and 1997, but 22 – 38% of the hunters indicated they hunted for a longer period in 1994 than in 1993 to increase opportunities to harvest a moose under the selective harvest program. An increasing number of hunters thought that moose populations were growing. The number of moose seen per 100 hunting days and the hunting success increased in some hunting zones. In zones where no cow harvest was allowed, hunters indicated that a large number of dead moose were left in the forest; this figure is likely voluntarily overestimated by hunters considering their proportion in relation to the legal harvest, the absence of a difference between the sexes of moose that were presumably found dead, and the low illegal harvest reported by wildlife officers. Hunters correctly understood the regulation of their hunting zone, approved its objectives, and still considered that the regulation allowed for an enjoyable hunting experience. Overall, hunters seemed satisfied with the 1994-1998 management plan despite the considerable changes brought about by the selective harvest program. This emphasizes the need for their participation in elaboration hunting strategies. Among the different hunting scenarios, the harvest of cows evert 2 years seemed the most acceptable to hunters because it is easy to manage (no computer draw) and understand, is fair for all hunters, and permits a moderate population increase
PRE- AND POSTPARTUM BLOOD VALUES AND POSTPARTUM CELL CONTENT OF VAGINAL SMEARS OF FEMALE MOOSE AND DAIRY COWS
No full textThe postpartum period of female moose (Alces alces) and dairy cows was studied in the Komi Republic where short summers (2.5-3.5 months) and long winters (8.5-9.0 months) prevail. Cholesterol concentrations in blood of pregnant and postpartum female moose serum blood varied between 1.79-2.01 mmol/l. levels in cow blood increased 1.8 times from pregnancy to postpartum, with a noticeable rise at estrus. Total serum protein of female moose blood before and after calving was 65-67 g/l and in the cows blood 73g/l and higher. Albumin-globulin ratio of female moose blood decreased before calving and increased up to 1.34 after calving. During 3 postpartum months the cell composition of female moose vaginal smears taken from the most extreme section of the vagina shows the early desquamation of 13.7-22.5% of immature superficial cells. Nuclei without cytoplasm constituted 24.1-58.8% with composition change in the moose rutting period similar to the vaginal smear composition in cows in the period of the estrus activity peak. Serum progesterone level of prepartum moose averaged 1.89±0.50 ng/ml as compared to 1.02±0.50 ngml after calving
WINTER USE OF POWERLINE RIGHTS-OF-WAY BY MOOSE (ALCES ALCES)
No full textThe objectives of this study were to determine the influence of a powerline right-of-way on moose abundance and to characterize winter food availability and use by moose (Alces alces) in rights-of-way. Moose tracks and trails observed in six 120 km long by 500 m wide plots including a right-of-way were compared to those on 6 similar plots which did not have a right-of-way (control). Helicopter surveys were done from mid-March to mid-April 1990 and 1991. Four surveys were conducted in 16 randomly selected yards (8 each year) located in rights-of-way. Between 70 and 90 4m2 circular sampling plots were located in the right-of-way itself, while 90 sampling plots were located in the adjacent forest. All available and browsed twigs of all species generally used by moose were tabulated. A total of 95 signs of moose presence were observed in the 6 right-of-way linear sampling plots while 89 were observed in the control plots. The difference was not significant. In both the right-of-way and control plots, more than 75% of yards were located in habitats where the slope was gentle or absent. Half the yards were oriented between the southeast and the west. In right-of-way plots, winter yards were mainly located within 300 m of the closest water body. In the control areas, the majority of yards were located between 300 and 1,000 m from water. Finally, the majority of yards were located in mixed mature forest stands. The average browse production in rights-of-way was 43,495 twigs/ha while that of the adjacent forest was 115,020 twigs/ha. These means are significantly different. On average, 3,081 twigs/ha were browsed in rights-of-way while 1,193 twigs/ha were browsed in the adjacent forest. These means are not significantly different. The presence of rights-of-way did not seem to affect winter habitat selection or regional moose abundance. Results indicate that although rights-of-way studied were used by moose in winter, they did not offer very good feeding habitat, but neither did the adjacent forest habitat
HUNTING PRESSURE AND RATE OF INCREASE OF A MOOSE POPULATION AT A DENSITY BELOW CARRYING CAPACITY
No full textFrom 1980 to 1984, 54,000 hunting days were spent and a total of 758 moose (Alces alces americana) were harvested within 5 experimental blocks ranging from 539 – 1,257 km2. Those blocks were located in central Québec between 45 – 150 km north of Trois-Rivières. A block of 544 km2 was added to monitor a moose population in the absence of hunting. Hunting pressure was unequally distributed within the 5 blocks (0.7 – 6 hunting days/km2), whereas hunting effort (hunting days / capture) ranged from 21-115 during the same period. The relationship between finite rate of increase (λ) of moose populations, derived from aerial moose counts conducted at the beginning and at the end of the study, and hunting pressure, led us to observe that the moose population began to decrease when hunting pressure exceeded 2.8 hunting days/km2, but it increased at a rate of 21% without hunting pressure. A negative correlation also existed between hunting pressure and the mean age of moose harvested
DOES UNBALANCED SEX RATIO IN ADULT MOOSE AFFECT CALF SIZE IN THE FALL?
No full textIt has been suggested that the sex ratio should be close to parity among adult moose to ensure high productivity. When the sex ratio is female biased, the mating period may extend over 2 - 3 estrus cycles and the calving period is delayed. As a result, some calves may be smaller in the fall and less likely to survive over winter. The objective of this study was to test whether an unbalanced adult moose sex ratio affects calf size in the fall. To do so, 8 hunting zones were sampled out of 24 in the province of Québec; their sex ratio among adults was based on aerial surveys. ANOVAs were conducted on 3 body measurements (head width, left ear, and hind foot lengths) on calves collected in the fall by hunters between 1995 and 1997 to compare body measurements from zones with different adult sex ratios. Our results showed that 2 of the measures were positively related to the percentage of males among adults. Consequently, we cannot reject the hypothesis that calves are smaller in the fall when adult sex ratio is unbalanced. However, differences were very small. Assuming that such events occur, we suggest that the impact is weak at the population level, unless affected calves are least likely to survive until fall. However, the productivity (estimated in winter) in the various hunting zones of Québec is not related to the adult sex ratio. Thus, out results indicate that it is not necessary to consider this potential impact in the management of moose populations under the current range of sex ratios observed
MANUSCRIPT GUIDELINES FOR CONTRIBUTORS TO ALCES
No full textGeneral guidelines for the preparation of manuscripts submitted to Alces appear inside the front cover of each issue, beginning with Volume 24 in 1988. This paper provides more detailed guidelines for the preparation of Alces manuscripts. To expedite the publication process, contributors should submit manuscripts in the format and style presented in these guidelines
MOOSE MIGRATION: NORTHEASTERN ALASKA TO NORTHWESTERN YUKON TERRITORY, CANADA
No full textA study of moose (Alces alces gigas) movements and population identity in the southeasters Brooks Range, Alaska, was initiated in March 1995. Fifty-seven moose (43 females and 14 males) were captured and equipped with radio transmitters in 4 major drainage where moose are known to congregate during winter. Relocations indicated that 88% of the collared animals migrated seasonally. A majority of migrations (86%) moved to Old Crow Flats, in the Yukon Territory, where they remained for the summer. The mean maximum distance between summer and winter ranges was 123 km (range: 18-196, SD 37.2). Movements to summer range were underway in late March when moose were captured. Moose began moving to winter ranges in late August, and the migration was complete by the rut in early October
MODELING MOOSE POPULATIONS FOR MANAGEMENT DECISION MAKING IN ALASKA
No full textWe took a previously described moose (Alces alces) model for the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska and enhanced its capabilities. The model produced year by year calculations of all pertinent population statistics and harvest by age class. The refined model was used to evaluate proposals for changes to hunting regulations predicted population trends over time (e.g., 3, 5, or 9 year durations) in response to various simulated management actions allowed decision makers to judge the relative merits of various harvest regimes. the model allowed planning for moderate to long-term, rather than reacting annually to short-term changes in weather, harvest, or public perceptions. Simulations allowed managers to evaluate various regulatory regimes, looking for those that produce desired outcomes on a long-term basis while considering impacts of severe winters. easy to understand graphics allowed for quick interpretations of model runs by administrators and the public, which facilitated the manager’s ability to demonstrate the consequences of a particular management action. the model and its results were accepted by the public and decision makers. Model output guided decision makers when evaluating proposed changes to harvest regulations
PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE MOOSE MANAGEMENT AND RESEARCH IN ALASKA
No full textHuman coexistence with moose (Alces alces gigas) in Alaska has always been one of exploitation. Primitive people relied on the moose as a source of food, shelter, and clothing. Interior Indians utilized moose whenever available. With the advent of white exploration and gold mining, moose were killed in large numbers for food. Market hunting was common and over-harvest in some areas resulted. Modern conservation and game management came into practice in the later half of the 20th century. With it came regulations preventing over-harvest. Moose seasons were adjusted to accommodate increased demand. Any-sex seasons were largely eliminated or restricted and selective harvest of bulls became the norm. New laws, primarily the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act changed the paradigm of equal availability of game to all citizens. The law dictated a priority for harvest by rural citizens and instituted the era of subsistence management. Subsistence regulations redistributed harvest among users. It also shifted responsibility of management toward the federal government and away from the state. Today, major interest groups are still battling to ensure their right to a share of the harvest. New to the scene are the “non-consumptive” users. This group views moose as a part of the natural environment to be enjoyed, but not killed. The focus of moose management in the 21st century will likely continue along these battle lines. Coupled with this will be the ever present threat of habitat loss. Research efforts in the next century will likely focus on increasing our understanding of how predators, habitat quality, and hunting influence the population dynamics of moose