|
...harvest levels. total, 94 moose were captured by helicopter (81 net-gunned and 13 tranquilized) in December 2001-2003 and were darted at salt-licks in July of 2002. Capture mortality attributed to myopathy and injury was 4%. In comparison to measured reproduction during capture (63 and 100%), our ability to measure pregnancy by direct observations (69 and 100%) was validated in 2002-2003. Production was 0.82 and 0.85 calves per adult cow; rate of twinning was 20 and 10%. Calf mortality 2 months post-partum was similar (26 and 27%) each year. Annual mortality of adult/yearling moose was 27 and 12%. Hunting and vehicle collision mortality was 4 (all adult cows) and 6% (all calves but 1) each year. High annual winter calf mortality (38-43%) in late March and early April was associated with the combined effects of malnutrition and winter tick/lung nematodes. Winter home range size was not restricted, and composition of available habitat was similar across seasons although overlap was minimal between seasons. Consideration of habitat and population dynamics data suggests that both density dependent and independent factors could be influencing the study population.
Key words: capture, core areas, home range, mortality, population dynamics, production, survival
**********
Moose (Alces alces) have become an extremely valuable resource in northern New Hampshire in the past 20 years. Moose watching tours and casual visitation of moose viewing areas (predominantly road-side salt licks) by tourists provide measurable economic and recreational benefit in the region (Silverberg 2000). Revenue derived from hunting permits increases annually and fuels other hunting related purchases (Bontaites and Gustafson 1993). Because of the significant recreational and economic importance of the moose population, and the direct relationship of herd health to commercial forest management, it is important to manage this population with the best scientific information. However, moose research in the northeastern United States is limited in scope and extent. Specifically, only a 2-year study (Miller 1989) with marked moose has addressed habitat use in New Hampshire.
Population indices derived from deer hunter surveys, road collisions, and infrared aerial surveys suggest that New Hampshire's northern moose population has approached stability, despite perceived high quality and quantity of suitable habitat and modest harvest levels (K. Bontaites, New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, unpublished data). It is presumed that substantial non-hunting mortality of unknown sources occurs in the population. Mortality and survival rates, rate of production, and habitat use are fundamental parameters in understanding moose population dynamics (Van Ballenberghe and Ballard 1998). However, habitat use and life history of moose in New England are different from that in much moose range, and population dynamics has not been extensively researched in this region. Seasonal home range and habitat use were measured in northern New Hampshire (Miller 1989) and Maine (Thompson et al. 1995) previously, however, both studies were relatively short-term.
The overall objective of this study was to measure seasonal home range and habitat use, productivity, and rate, timing, and cause of mortality of cow and calf moose for 4 continuous years. This paper highlights population dynamics and habitat use data collected in December 2001-2003, and evaluates the efficiency of capturing free-ranging moose from a helicopter.
STUDY AREA
The study area was in eastern Coos County in northern New Hampshire (Fig. 1) encompassing approximately 650 [km.sup.2] of rolling to mountainous, forested terrain. The study area includes numerous ponds and lakes, with the Androscoggin River located centrally within. The majority of the study area is working commercial forestland. Dominant forest types include northern hardwoods (34%) as a mix of yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis), American beech (Fagus grandifolia), and sugar maple (Acer saccharum) on more well drained sites (Degraaf et al. 1992). On more poorly drained sites, spruce-fir forests are common (23%), consisting almost entirely of red spruce (Picea rubens) and balsam fir (Abies balsamea). Approximately 17% of the study area was mixed forest, typically including yellow and paper birch (Betula papyrifera) and either balsam fir or red spruce. Other important communities included clearcuts and regeneration stands (14%) of aspen (Populus tremuloides) and paper birch (Betula papyrifera) where pin cherry (Prunus serotina) was common. Tamarack (Larix laricina) and northern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis) were found on very poorly drained soils. Wetlands, including open water, accounted for 10% of the total study area. Mean weekly snow depth measured at fixed sites within the project area was +30[degrees]C. Predators in the study area included black bears (Ursus americana), coyote (Canis latrans), and bobcat (Lynx rufus); white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were sympatric with moose throughout the area. Both sexes of moose are...
NOTE: All illustrations and photos
have been removed from this article.
More articles from Alces
Diseases in a moose population subjected to low predation., January 01, 2005
Hunting moose or keeping sheep?--Producing meat in areas with carnivor..., January 01, 2005
How management unit license quotas relate to population size, density,..., January 01, 2005
Moose: competing and complementary values., January 01, 2005
Health assessment of Shiras moose immobilized with thiafentanil., January 01, 2005
Looking for additional articles?
Search our database of over 3 million articles.
Looking for more in-depth information on this industry?
Search our complete database of Industry & Market reports by text, subject, publication
name or publication date.
About Goliath
Whether you're looking for sales prospects, competitive information, company
analysis or best practices in managing your organization,
Goliath can help you meet your business needs.
Our extensive business information databases empower business
professionals with both the breadth and depth of credible,
authoritative information they need to support their business
goals. Whether it be strategic planning, sales prospecting,
company research or defining management best practices -
Goliath is your leading source for accurate information.
|
