HomeMy WebLinkAboutAPA950ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME
JUNEAU, ALASKA
STATE OF ALASKA
Jay S. Hammond, Governor
DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME
James W. Brooks, Commissioner
DIVISION OF GAME
Robert A. Rausch, Director
Donald McKnight, Research Chief
SOUTHCENTRAL MOOSE POPULATION STUDIES
by
Jack C. Didrickson, Donald Cornelius
and Julius Reynolds
Volume I
Project Progress Report
Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration
Project W-17-8, Job 1.16R
and
Final Report
Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration
Projects W-17-6, W-17-7 and W-17-8, Job 1.12R
Persons are free to use material in these reports for educational
or informational purposes. However, since most reports treat only part
of continuing studies, persons intending to use this material in scientific
publications should obtain prior permission from the Department of Fish and
Game. In all cases tentative conclusions should be identified as such in
quotation, and due credit would be appreciated.
(Printed April 1977)
a.- r-
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JOB PROGRESS REPORT (RESEARCH)
OLate; Alaska
Cooperators: Jack C. Didrickson and Donald Cornelius
Project No.: W-17-8 Project Title: Big Game Investigations
Job Title:Lower Susitna Valley
Moose Population
Identity Study
Period Covered:December 15, 1975 to June 30, 1976
SUMMARY
Forty-nine adult moose were marked with individually identifiable
collars, including 24 radio-collars and 25 visually identifiable collars,
in the Peters-Dutch Hills portion of Alaska's Game Management Subunit
16A during November 1975. The radio-collared moose were tracked weekly
and a search for visually-collared moose was conducted in conjunction
with the radio-tracking. To date, 386 observations of radio-collared
moose and 74 observations of visually-collared moose have been obtained.
In August 1977 a report on the movement data will be submitted.
i
Job No. :1. 16R
CONTENTS
4
Background ....... .......... ........ ..1.
Objectives .......................... .2.
Procedures ................... .... ... ... 2
Findings ............................3
Acknowledgements ...... ..................6
Literature Cited. ... ............. ... .....6
BACKGROUND
Knowledge of moose (Aices atces) population identities and seasonal
movement patterns is necessary for game management. Alaska game managers
are presently formulating management plans and require information of
this type to delineate management areas and evaluate the adequacy of
present data collections. Winter and summer ranges as well as rutting
and calving areas must be recognized in order to identify critical
habitats and minimize land use conflicts.
Little information is available on moose populations in Game
Management Unit 16. Hunter interest in this area has increased steadily
and potentially conflicting land uses have been proposed. The initial
phase of this study was directed at one population of moose that has a
fall distribution in the Dutch and Peters Hills, a portion of the area
designated as Alaska's Game Management Subunit 16A.
Hunter access to this area is limited to a single road system which
begins on the Parks Highway and ends between the Peters and Dutch Hills.
Aircraft are used infrequently by hunters because there are few landing
strips and few lakes for float-equipped planes. Some off-road vehicle
use takes place, but closure of recent moose seasons before snow fall
has prevented use of snowmachines, which were very popular in the past.
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has several years' sex-and-
age composition counts of moose in the Peters and Dutch Hills area.
Bull/cow ratios have fluctuated from 25.5/100 in 1967 to 30.0/100 in
1975. Calf/cow ratios have also fluctuated from a low of 23.6/100 in
1975 to a high of 51.2/100 in 1970. In 1975, 43 moose were taken. The
area experiences severe winters and it appears that winter kill does
occur, although this has not been well-documented.
The study area includes the Peters Hills, Little Peters Hills and
Dutch Hills on the south side of the Alaska Range, 33 km west of Talkeetna
and 56 km south of Mt. McKinley. It is bounded on the north and east by
the Tokositna River and on the west by the Kahiltna River. To the south
lies a vast area of mature birch and white spruce forest interspersed
with areas of open muskeg and black spruce stands. The Little Peters
Hills, Peters Hills and Dutch Hills are low rolling mountains less than
1500 m in elevation which form the southern foothills of Mt. McKinley.
Subalpine areas are comprised of large tracts of alder interspersed with
spruce stands and open grasslands. The Tokositna River and Kahiltna
River Valleys both are comprised of large tracts of alder mixed with
1
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west side of the Little Peters Hills and is dominated by heavily-browsed
birch ard willow cover, most of which is within reach of browsing moose.
The terminal and lateral glacial moraines of the Kahiltna Glacier are
dominated by young stands of mixed willow and alder.
OBi. ECTIVES
To delineate populations and subpopulations of moose on the west
side of the lower Susitna Valley and to assess their seasonal movement
patterns.
PROCEDURES
Under S&I Job 1.1, 49 moose were captured and marked using heli-
copter darting techniques between November 13 and 17, 1975 (Appendix I).
Initial dosages of 25 mg of Aneccine (Succinylcholine chloride) per
moose were utilized but drug-associated problems caused this dosage to
be reduced to as low as 20 mg for males and 21 mg for females.
An attempt was made to mark each animal with red streamers held in
the ear by numbered ear tags. Hair samples for mineral analysis were
taken frami each animal and an incisor tooth was collected when time
permitted. When an Incisor was not taken an estimate of the age of the
moose was made based on tooth wear.
Twentv-four moose (18 adult females and 6 adult males) were fitted
with radio-collars supplied by AVM Instrument Company, Champaign, Illinois.
Each collar was equipped with an SB 2 transmitter with an internal whip
antenna. These 40km-range transmitters are powered by low temperature
lithium batteries with a theoretical life span of 48 months. The trans-
mitter and battery pack were imbedded in dental acrylic with the trans-
mitter enclosed in a hermetically sealed can. The entire unit is
waterproof. Each transmitter emits a pulsed signal on frequencies
between 150,800 and 151.090 MHZ.
'Twenty-five moose (18 adult females and 7 adult males) were fitted
with numbered neck collars visually identifiable from the air (Yfanzmann
et. al. 1974).
Antlered moose present a unique problem because the drug utilized
has little or no effect on the neck musculature. Initial attempts to
place open-ended collars on antlered moose resulted in a loss of time
and placed the individual who bolted the collar together in a precarious
position. Very large antlers were a particular problem, because the
individual could be caught between the swinging antlers and the body of
the recumbent animal. After working on a few antlered animals and
realizing the drug down-time was too short to permit us to accomplish
all of the collections and also to bolt on the collars, we utilized a
teflon-coated carpenter's hand saw to remove the antlers. This procedure
allowed us to prefabricate the collars and slip them onto the animal
easily. Prior removal of the antlers required less time and eliminated
the possibility of an accident.
2
open meadows, gravel flats and ponds. An old burn is located on the
ollared moose were located on reconnaisance flights made approxi-
mately once a week using either a PA-18 or a PA-11 aircraft equipped
with a Hy-Gain directional antenna.
A 100 microampere meter is an integral part of the receiver and a
remote 100 microampere meter is situated above the instrument panel in
view of the pilot. The arrangement allows the pilot to find the area in
which the radio-collared moose is located in the most expeditious
manner.
Moose not observed during one week were the first to be searched
for the following week. On occasion, inclement weather conditions
prevented flights for an entire week. Whenever possible, moose were
visually located, and their locations were plotted on 1:63,360 USGS
maps. Searches were conducted for visually-collared and radio-collared
moose concurrently.
In addition, locations of visually-collared moose observed during a
moose sex-and-age composition survey on December 2, 1975, were also
plotted.
FINDINGS
Attempts to observe moose movements on the Kenai Peninsula resulted
in 200 observations of 185 visually-collared moose over a 21-month
period (LeResche 1970). The proportion of radio-collared (386 obser-
vations of 24 moose) to visually-collared moose observations (74 obser-
vations of 21 moose) in this study is greater than four-to-one. Use of
a radio signal to bring the biologist into the immediate area of the
radio-collared moose greatly increases the opportunity to sight the
animal. In a large number of individual sightings of visually-collared
moose, the animals were seen only because they were in association with
radio-collared moose. It is extremely difficult, and at times impos-
sible, to see a radio-collared adult moose even though its general
location is known. In the summer, high grass and dense alder patches
combine to form an effective barrier to sighting the animal from the
air. If a visually-collared moose were in such a patch of alder, it
could not be noted or seen. The radio receiver, however, is accurate
enough to locate the radio-collared moose within 200 yards, regardless
of whether or not the animal can be seen; a definite location can thus
be made.
Because a number of the visually-collared moose were collared in
the same area and within the same small pods as moose that were radio-
collared (Appendix II), the gregarious animals are often found together
at a later date. Often the visually-collared moose move a similar
direction and distance as the radio-collared moose; thus the chances of
sighting the visually-collared moose were much increased. Had visual
collars been placed on all of the moose, it is doubtful that the total
number of observations made would be any greater than the observations
made on the 25 visually-collared moose, because the association with
radio-collared moose would have been lost.
For example, only three of the visually-collared moose were seen
between April 19 and June 30. This is believed to be due to emerging
3
vegetative complexes which effectively prevented aerial observers from
locating animals. During the same period, however, 155 observations of
radio-collared moose were made, illustrating the greater usefulness of
radio-collars.
The longest movements recorded to this point in the study were made
by female moose just prior to calving (Appendix III). Although the
reasons for these long movements are unknown at this time, the previous
winter was not harsh and this may have had an effect on the condition of
the female moose, allowing greater mobility.
Midsummer sightings of radio-collared moose revealed that they
tended to remain in low areas after moving from higher altitudes prior
to winter (Appendix IV).
Bull moose movements during the rut (Appendix V) were not as
extensive as expected. Most bulls moved altitudinally to lower riparian
habitat and moved within smaller areas than calving females.
The following is a chronological listing of radioed moose locations
and other significant observations.
November 13-17, 1975: 24 moose were radio-collared, and 25 moose
were visually-collared. One bull and six cows were killed as a result
of drug vagaries. No animals were killed in self-defense. An additional
28 moose were darted and failed to go down after receiving the drug.
November 13, 1975 to June 30, 1976: 386 observations of 24 radio-
collared moose and 74 observations of 21 visually-collared moose were
made.
November 19: male #5527 lost his collar. The collar was subsequently
retrieved. Female #5544 was not noted to have rejoined her calf after
collaring. Female #5547 was not noted to have rejoined twin calves
after collaring.
November 28: signal from female #5589 was lost. Interference on
frequency of female #5538 prevented location of that moose.
December 2: 10 of 25 visual-collars were located during sex and age
composition counts in Peters-Dutch Hills count area.
January 23, 1976: female #5538 was located. Position of antenna
was moved forward on the wing strut, and this eliminated interference on
that frequency.
February 2: male #5540 lost his collar. Collar was subsequently
retrieved. Female #5589 was located. Variance in location of signal
when utilizing channel selector on receiver had exceeded expectations,
and the signal was lost.
March 5: the last date that female #5589 was observed to have her
calf.
4
rý
'-----A- II A~1*i .A1 I r1 JL9~Iiarcn 11; visually-collarea remale fil was ooservea in an area
heavily-covered by wolf tracks. Calf of cow was not located in the same
area where cow and calf had been located six days earlier.
April 27: female #5536 was found dead. She had been largely
consumed by wolves and a wolverine and had apparently died shortly after
last sighting on April 7. Exact cause of death was not determined, and
the calf was not located. The collar was subsequently retrieved.
May 27: seven females were observed with newborn calves, three with
twins and four with single calves.
June 3: six additional females were observed with newborn calves--
one pair of twins and five single calves.
June 10: female #5588 was not observed, but a female brown bear
with two yearling cubs was observed at location of transmitter signal.
June 15: brown bear cub was observed on remains of female #5588,
and collar was observed near bear. No sign of #5588's calf was seen
because of dense foliage. Female #5532 was seen without one of two
newborn calves. Female #5543 was seen without her calf. Female #5545
was seen without both of her calves.
June 30: female #5588's collar was retrieved. Examination of long
bones indicated that she was not debilitated. No sign of her calf was
found. Female #5588 had been consumed by brown bear.
In general, collared moose in the tagging area moved out of the
upland areas in December to winter in a few key areas: on the lateral
and terminal moraines of the east side of the Kahiltna Glacier below
Dutch Creek, on the west side of the Little Peters Hills, on the Bunco
Creek flats, and along Cache Creek. Smaller numbers of moose wintered
in other areas such as the Tokositna Flats, Peters Creek and upper Bunco
Creek. In May, moose began dispersing throughout the area and became
widespread. Immediately prior to calving many of the females made their
longest movements observed to date. Movement data will be analyzed and
covered extensively in a subsequent report.
Three of seven females which had eight calves when collared kept
three calves until the 1976 calving season. Observations indicate that
the visually-collared moose were more successful in keeping their calves
through winter, but difficulties in maintaining continuity in observations
of individual visually-collared moose, particularly after mid-April,
preclude making any definite statements.
Thirteen of the 17 radioed females alive at the time of the 1976
calving season produced 17 calves. Four females were never observed
with calves, but it is unknown whether they bore and lost calves between
observations. Individual habitat preferences and large movements
immediately prior to the calving season suggest that two of the females
might have produced calves which were never seen. By July 1, seven of
the 17 calves were no longer seen. Difficulties in observing moose in
dense alder or under birch canopies preclude making any positive state-
ments regarding newborn calf mortality at this time.
5
In summary, two of the 24 radio-collared moose (both males) lost
their collars within three months after being collared; one female was
probably killed by wolves; and one female was probably killed by a brown
bear. At this time 20 radio-collars are still in operation on moose,
three radio-collars are in Fish and Game offices, and one radio collar
remains in the field to be picked up at a later date.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Appreciation is extended to Department of Fish and Game personnel
David Lorring, Ken Taylor, and Dave Harkness, for assisting in the
moose-collaring project. Helicopter pilot Vern Lofstedt is to be
commended for his efforts in making the project a success.
LITERATURE CITED
Franzmann, A.W., P.D. Arneson, R.E. LeResche and J.L. Davis. 1974.
Developing and testing of new techniques for moose management.
Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game P.R. Proj. Final Rep. 54pp. Miltilith.
LeResche, R.E. 1970. Moose report. Ann. Proj. W-17-2, Vol. XI, Alaska
Dept. of Fish and Game. 13pp.
PREPARED BY:
Jack C. Didrickson and
Donald Cornelius
Game Biologists
SUBMITTED BY:
Karl Schneider
Regional Research Coordinator
APPROVED BY.Ga
ect6r, Division of Game
attrl -, id\ /j-
Research Chief, Division of Game
6
ndix I.Numerical designation and sex of moose in Game Management
Unit 16 fitted with visual-collars or radio-collars.
Radio-Collared Moose Visually-Collared Moose
Numerical Numerical
Designation Sex Designation Sex
5527 M 1 F
5528 M 2 F
5529 M 3 F
5530 M 4 F
5531 F 5 F
5532 F 6 F
5533 F 7 F
5534 F 8 F
5535 F 9 F
5536 F 10 F
5537 F 11 F
5538 F 12 F
5539 M 13 F
5540 M 14 F
5541 F 15 F
5542 F 16 F
5543 F 17 F
5544 F 21 F
5545 F 76 M
5546 F 77 M
5547 F 80 M
5548 F 82 M
5588 F 83 M
5589 F 84 M
85 M
.*S '' -"fl .1",. o_
: .. ..... JL
• 7,V .•".. --
* 7 -VIM
7 -o- .....,-
._* * ....' -.<, ". -: _N
.°- '.1- .-... .. --' *- ,
.. .." --...- .' .' _,. _ , , .-.
-4
; Appendix II. Locations of moose in Game
Management Unit 16 when
.collared November 13-17,
1975. Four digit numbers
A represent locations of radio
collared moose. One and two
digit numbers represent loca-
itions of visual-collared moose.
'' '
I .
Appendix ' .,.Appendix III.
~-7j~ ~
Locations of moose in Game
Management Unit L6 duringpeak of. calving, June 3,
>'"' )- -- ^U^
\ ^ ,, c. *.- -.-^ '. ^
Locations of moose in Game
Management Unit 16 during
peak of calving, June 3.
1976. Four digit numbers
represent locations of
radio-collared moose.,ri
,
;Ye ~'~":~., " I
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" N-; -. "S "/ / i/ 9 .{ j.*& r i ' ,,T>-.; .<. .' .k
Vol- v A
(- 0 J )e n' "c.. '* -
C >
:- k#J. .- " 7. Lu-'<
4 .. *, -.... i --
-' / -4 2"-7 -!.'' .^ } ^ :.-l ' "1 "
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7 ,,1 -.-i -..... -I , .' ,, T O W -i
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N.... q• '"K- -K' brk-' ..p ' , '
, Z>.1I_ >.,:•,L....'-. .-. 1-. Q
*M .*s r ' ^ -S t' _ t --K.'7. " ,-.- ! • .K ,' -.,. .
-' .; -- ._ .-Q , I _ 5* •
--y , N N'. ,., -z -
." , "."- I -... ---' -r* 4' -.
S -"- .. .L " -, -'
,.,,jan a,'eet .U.n it M. -T e r -k ...._ , -
--'. -• '---s t^ •;. II ,n b r loc ation s
\. ...-... .-c" '- a , e d mo ose
Management Unit 16 during mid- _&?> ( ___________________summer, July 14-23, 1976. --,. ^. :-
-.:." .: -.-.Four digit numbers represent >. f 1 ". " ' :
moose. One and two digit -.,
Sof visua-collared moose. --
....:~~ •• {._• •' .. -....+·s- E
of~~~~~~~~~~ viulclae os... LJ..I'•;:?- : ..-J'r2 "' ,p" -' ' \ -.. .•;•• ,, ,
-5 • -r ",'
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• -'-.- e :
* .-.s ,., -, -- \- '
r. 7--•.i
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9*. .-:/' \^ ..
-."* i .i .'-t. '
--- *^, s- -.
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-"rs^ ^ ''' ^i
Appendix V.
Mtn
Locations of moose in Game
Management Unit 16 during
breeding season, September 14
through October 13, 1976.
Four digit numbers represent
locations of radio-collared
moose. One and two digit
numbers represent locations
of visual-collared moose.
l.
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FINAL REPORT (RESEARCH)
State: Alaska
Cooperators: Julius Reynolds
Project Nos.: W-17-6, W-17-7 and
W-17-8
Job No. :1.12R
Project Title: Big Game Investigations
Job Title:Copper River Delta Moose
Population Identity Study
Period Covered: March 8, 1974 to June 30, 1976
SUMMARY
This is a final report on 50 moose (38 females and 12 males) that were
neck-collared in Game Management Unit 6, the Copper River Delta. Twenty-
five moose were individually marked in each of the two major wintering areas
to identify populations, key habitat areas and seasonal movements.
Forty-five surveys, 23 east and 22 west of the Copper River, were flown
during the 28-month study. Four hundred fourteen sightings were recorded.
Surveys flown December through March yielded over 100 moose per survey;
60-90 percent of the collared animals were observed.
Movement from one side of the Copper to the other was minimal.
Movement by month is shown. Observations of cows with newborn calves
are shown for three years.
Mortality during the study was estimated at 30 percent. Humans
accounted for most of the mortality.
Management implications are discussed.
i
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r
CONTENTS
Summary ..............................i
Background ................... .........1
Objective .... ..........................2
Procedures ............................ 3
Findings and Discussion ................... ....3
Surveys and Observations ...................3
Interaction ................... .. ...... 3
Individual Movements ................. ...4
Seasonal Movements ................... ....4
Calving Areas. ................... ......5
Mortality. .................. ........6
Management Implications. ...................7
Literature Cited. ................... .......8
BACKGROUND
Moose (Alces aZces) are not native to the Copper River Delta. The
present population is the result of introductions made by the Izaak Walton
League of America (Cordova Chapter) in cooperation with the Alaska Game
Commission. During the 1950's (1949-1959) 6 male and 14 female calves
were released along the Copper River Highway, west of the Copper River
(Sheets 1960, Robards 1954). The transplant was an immediate success
with a rapid increase in numbers of animals and expansion of the area
utilized (Robards 1954).
By 1960 the herd was of sufficient size to allow a limited harvest
of 25 bulls. Annual harvests have since been held on the Copper River
Delta each year with the exception of 1961. Regulations separating the
east and west sides of the delta were enacted in 1968 to distribute the
harvest and hunting pressure. Utilization of the female segment of the
population commenced west of the Copper River in 1968 and east in 1969.
Present management goals provide for a post-season population
of 175-200 west and 150-175 east of the Copper River. Regulations
governing the harvest are established in the spring after herd size,
composition, winter survival and calf production have been determined.
The Copper River Delta moose herd lends itself to intensive management
because of its restricted range, its popularity as a hunting ground, and the
generally cooperative attitude of the public. Additional knowledge of
population indentities and seasonal movements, however, is needed to
properly manage this resource and to protect its critical habitat.
The Copper River Delta lies at the east side of Prince William
Sound and is bounded by the Chugach Mountains on the north and the Gulf
of Alaska on the south. This entire area is a flat, glacial plain of
deposited silt, gradually sloping up from sea level. The Delta is a
mosaic of freshwater ponds, lakes and marshes dissected by silty glacial
streams and intertidal sloughs. Its seaward portion is vegetated by
sedges and small forb-shrub communities. Slightly higher elevations
further inland are dominated by an alder-willow association with scattered
1
stands of cottonwood and spruce. The steep mountainous fringe is heavily
timbered with spruce and hemlock. Moose use the willow-alder zone almost
exclusively.
The climate of the Copper River Delta is typical of coastal Alaska
with heavy precipitation and cool temperatures. Average annual precipitation
is 92.5 inches and the temperature averages 38.20 F with a range during
1974 of -130 to 790 (Nt. Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin. 1974). Snow
depth varies with the winter, from almost nonexistant to the maximum of
261 inches, recorded during the winter of 1971-72.
Roughly 80 percent of the Delta (330,000 acres) is managed under a
cooperative agreement, entitled "Copper Delta Management Area," by the
United States Forest Service, Alaska Department of Fish and Game and
Alaska Department of Natural Resources. The purpose of the agreement is
to preserve the habitat in its present quality and condition for wildlife
(U.S. Forest Service 1967).
OBJECTIVE
To identify populations and key habitat areas and to learn seasonal
movement patterns of moose on the Copper River Delta.
PROCEDURES
Fifty moose (38 females and 12 males) were captured on the Copper
River Delta on March 5, 8 and 9, 1974 utilizing 22-24 mg. of Anectine
(Succinylcholine chloride) in projected syringes shot from helicopters.
Wydase (hyaluronidase) was added to speed reaction time of the immobilizing
agent. One mortality occured during tagging when the drug was accidentally
injected introvenously.
Twenty-five moose were tagged in each of the two major wintering
areas (Fig. 1). Separate color-coded and numbered neck collars (Franzmann
and Arneson 1974) were used because each wintering area was suspected to
support a distinct moose population. East of the Copper River, white
canvas collars with red numbers were used to mark 17 females and eight
males, whereas yellow canvas collars with blue numbers were placed on 21
females and four males west of the Copper River. No calves were collared
and yearlings were avoided. Numbered metal ear-tags were placed in each
ear apd a 3-inch x 9-inch strip of flourescent flagging, red denoting
males and yellow denoting females, was attached to one ear with an ear
tag.
Monthly surveys were flown on each side of the Copper River to
monitor movements of collared animals. Time and weather permitting, the
same areas were flown each month with the same Department biologist,
aircraft (PA 18 Supercub) and pilot. Normally the west bank of the
Copper River and Castle Island Slough formed the boundary between the two
survey areas but some overlap did occur.
2
i,
FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION
Surveys and Observations
During the 28-month study from March 1974 through June 1976, 45
surveys were flown by the reporting biologist (Tables 1 and 2). A total
of 414 sightings of collared moose were recorded. East of the Copper
River, 23 surveys yielded 208 collared moose observations. Twenty-two
surveys west of the Copper River yielded 206 observations. Mean percent
of collared moose observed during the surveys east and west of the
Copper River were: (1) 46.3 percent east; (2) 43.4 percent west.
During the winter of 1974-75 collared moose comprised a substantial
portion of the population as indicated by the percentage of moose seen
that were collared: 9.3 to 12.4 percent east and 11.4 to 13.5 percent
west for the December-through-March period. During the same months the
following winter, collared moose comprised only 7.8 to 10.6 percent of
the herd east of the Copper River and 7.7 to 7.9 percent west.
Surveys conducted during the winter months of December through
March typically yielded samples of over 100 moose per survey including
60 to 90 percent of the collared moose (Table 3). Surveys at other
seasons were less efficient.
Interaction
Intermingling of the two collared groups was surprisingly rare.
During the 28-month study two bulls and three cows were observed to have
crossed the management boundary. The two bulls made their noteworthy
movements during the spring months. In May 1974, #20 had moved from the
east side to the west side but was killed in August 1974 east of the
Copper River during the hunting season. In May 1975, #46 had moved from
west to east of the Copper River where it remained until taken by a
hunter in August 1975. Another male, #23, moved approximately 15 miles
immediately after being collared, but this movement may have resulted
from handling stress.
Probably the most significant movements were made by females collared
west of the Copper River. Females #34 and #45 utilized the lower Copper
River islands during the spring and summer of 1974, while female #33
was observed on Long Island several times the same stunmer. The summer
range of these three females is in the "eastern" management area. All
three females returned to the west side prior to hunting season.
No collared moose were observed utilizing the lower Copper River
islands during summer 1975 or spring 1976.
Following the termination of the collared moose study in June 1976,
two noteworthy observations were made of moose tagged on the west side;
#38, a female with twins, was seen in August 1976 on a lower Copper
River island and #41, also a female, was observed in February 1977 east
of the Copper River in the Martin River Valley. The movement of #41
frohm west to east was significant in that it represented the first
collared moose to winter in the management area opposite that in
3
';.i W ia *, -,4 [ 0' lN
" .::. .- "'*. _r, -: ' '.O.. o_ _ _ : ; --. :.--
II I '-, 1 ''', -^ '^
L -..' •-- , r., --.-: -: -N----- 2-l-. .-
I
I? I• ..• , , •'"..a d -s Lk " I-
•-?.,, .,. , • ""':•" " t I•Y , 2 ••, • .. .o .: --•. .• : • • : '•' " • -" "•' • • ' • •L .'
:a. La..-.'IC··,
le w
C ; 4 a 0 .-C -4'
'M -I .'<' jN t
* C orliova .:-, -, "A ; /i: i/-{ " t $..w•.S' ' " J Ž N w : -I -/ * .; ' l -. -
:-'. _ • _ i w .1fe ."- y. ,,.' *t -/. ' " " .~- *-' ., , ,'•V-14.ene *, " -t 4 N N-
L- -rsr ' i-'
* .(^ Cry~a,-/ , .?-, -- -.*.'. * .bi ^ '// .* / "-',- .t- .^ ,„ *, * .*.":"; **l .-^ "^ ;^ ^
-J *u FI;,· m ^^, a ·_. -u ,---: IW";"C ~ est Side Kinley / ·i '!..'
:
-17 Pi4 .' .:" .lr ,-._'i_- ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 2 -.Fe: 3 :::i.n(" 'a!g m l • -ý " Pe a k ;: .: Lon ?ýP I -t I- ýI :'.;/.., i•5~ ] '•. .... " {""/ .. " ". .:.
'4 Males 41,1fI • a 'd" .j-g. .7t .;•. "- '..
4.. .- iSJ" ' ' T. :
, -.,' ..s i. ' /
--k , :.'.5 -^i-* sa;i' 9'
-iand ', 4 /
.:. .::::..: e 0ý -
-: Lr9-C •, ' -. ' -'. 7 -• "..'' !
Adwe
st" nhj ~:-~~
%^-Gas ^. 1 a r'^ ^^ L^ ^ -i-
'*'^s-i-^Eci-ac ^*'ca'Pt s'^ ^ --~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~~~,: :! ,... , :;: ..:' ••, L)'C".y ,;.,:= •
a.. *: "* -V -*:.:.,' .. :: .:r": .": : : .* .-.: L:*- ^ .. ,7 .
-' -B ar " ' -- '." ." • " ...
'"~
B m "^ " " ^ ^ N ^
Figure 1. Tagging areas and number of moose tagged
-\ on the Copper River Delta in Game Manage-
Sment Unit 6.
S^ " ' :. i K ' --'
-.- ---I-f-- ^ 1'.. : ' 1 , J-d ; ' : ! A I l i- " ." a i4:
'
ch it was collared. It was also the first observation of a collared
to actually cross the Copper River.
Based on the above observations, it is obvious that: (1) the
lower Copper River islands are part of the western herd's normal summer
range (it should be noted that no moose collared east of the Copper
River were seen on these islands) and (2) an occasional moose
will move from one side of the Copper River to another but such movements
are insignificant from a management viewpoint.
Individual Movements
Individual observation records are found in Appendix I. Most
sightings were made during the winter and spring months when counting
conditions were optimal, i.e., maximum snow and minimum foliage. Females
appeared to be more traditional in using the same area year after year
than males.
East of the Copper River, collared moose exhibited three basic
movement patterns during the 28-month study (Fig. 2). One segment of
the herd moved north, from the winter range, across the Martin River to
utilize the eastern side of the Copper River, Sheep Creek and Pleasant
Valley. A second segment moved north and then west, circling around the
northern end of Ragged Mountain to utilize the upper two-thirds of the
Martin River Valley. A third segment of the herd remained on the winter
range throughout the year.
West of the Copper River, collared moose displayed similar movements
(Fig. 2). One segment moved west from their winter range to utilize the
Scott Glacier drainage; a second segment remained in the Alaganik Slough
wintering area; and the third segment migrated eastward to utilize the
western side of the Copper River and the lower Copper River islands.
The majority of collared moose moved into the latter area.
Moose collared in March 1974 on their winter range consistantly
returned to the same winter range the following two winters. Individual
moose displayed the same movement pattern annually, which is consistant
with movement patterns of Interior moose (Coady 1976).
Movement of moose, both east and west of the Copper River, is
confined to the flatlands. They do not display an altitudinal movement,
probably because the delta is fringed with steep mountains forested with
spruce and hemlock. No food source is present on the higher elevations.
Seasonal Movements
Seasonal movements of the collared animals are shown in Appendix
II by calendar month and year. Movement on the Copper River Delta was
closely related to climatic conditions, primarily snow depth. Moose
that migrated off the winter range tended to remain off until motivated
by wind or deep snow to return. In the late fall, moose along the
western side of the Copper River may retreat from cold Copper River
winds with little snow on the ground.
4
__._
r
-) -A- I: ; ·
F ,I '1%·i4A
A, )A- ·
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.s
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it
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u-
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{ttlnnd Ch~lrl
An observation not obvious in the distribution data is that
it of the Copper River, the dee
per the snow the closer to saltwater
the collared moose winter; whereas, west of the Copper River, the deeper
the snow the farther inland they retreat. Warm coastal (SE) winds
minimize snow depth on the eastern side of the delta near saltwater. In
contrast, winds funneling out of the Interior (Gulkana Basin) primarily
flow down the western side of the Copper River. The cold Copper River
wind causes more snow to accumulate on the outer delta. In the spring,
as the Interior warms up, the Copper River winds diminish. Coastal rain
clouds "pile up" along the Chugach Mountains and deposit precipitation
near the mountains. Thus, snow on the inland portion of the west side
melts earlier than does snow on the seaward portion or the Martin River
Valley.
Seasonal movements during this 28-month study may be summarized as
follows:
January, February, and March--Moose were on their winter range.
Highest concentrations on the winter range normally occur
in March.
April--Moose were starting to disperse west of the Copper River.
East of the Copper River the animals were still confined to
their winter range.
May--Moose were well dispersed west of the Copper River and just
beginning to disperse off the winter range east of the Copper
River.
June--Moose were scattered throughout their summer range west of
the Copper River. Snow may have retarded full utilization of
the summer range east of the Copper River.
July through November--Moose were on summer ranges. Animals were
scattered and hard to locate because of dense foliage.
December--Moose had retreated from the Copper River on the west
side because of wind and snow conditions. East of the Copper
River, the moose had not been forced onto the winter range
by snow but appeared to have moved away from the Copper River.
The coastal climate influencing the Copper River Delta is highly
variable and has a direct effect upon seasonal movements. A record
snowfall during the winter of 1971-72 restricted moose west of the
Copper River to their winter range until early June. In contrast,
during the winter of 1976-77, the ground was nearly snowfree. Moose
observed in February 1977 were scattered throughout most of their summer
range. Results of this March 1974-through-June 1976 study of moose
movements are fairly typical of an "average" year.
Calving Areas
Calving areas on the Copper River Delta were determined for the
years 1974, 1975, and 1976 (Appendix III). Each year during late-May
5
I
6
to mid-June surveys were flown and the location of every cow with a
newborn calf was recorded. The majority of cow-calf observations were
not of collared animals. Judging from the three years of data, calving is
well dispersed throughout the delta in the willow-alder zone. No distinct
"calving grounds" exist.
Mortality
Mortality of collared moose on the Copper River Delta is listed in
Table 4. Moose that were neck collared (March 1974) but never seen in
1975 or 1976 were considered dead. The high proportion of collared moose
observed during winter months and the high frequency of individual
sightings indicate some form of mortality, most likely natural.
Mortality of collared moose during this 28-month study was estimated
to be 30 percent (15 of 50). Discounting collared moose #22, which probably
died of drug effects, mortality incurred during 1974 (March through December
was estimated at 16.3 percent (8 or 49) and for 1975 14.6 percent (6 of 41).
It appears that annual mortality of adult moose on the Copper River Delta
is probably 15-20 percent in a normal year.
East of the Copper River mortality was estimated to be 36.0 percent
(9 of 25) for the study period. Known mortality consisted of four
animals taken by hunters and one killed by drowning. One animal
(#22) was never seen after being collared and is suspected to have died
from drug effects. Three were "missing" and suspected dead from natural
causes. Illegal shooting is not a problem east of the Copper River
because the area is roadless most of the year.
West of the Copper River the estimated mortality was 24.0 percent:
three moose taken by hunters, two shot illegally, and one "missing".
The environment east of the Copper River is more harsh than that
west of the Copper River, which may account for the greater number of
missing collared animals on the eastern side.
Predation by brown bears and wolves was known to have occurred
during the study period but no collared moose were known to have succumbed
to a predator. Brown bear predation on new born calves and winter-
weakened adults is common each spring on both sides of the Copper River.
Wolves do not normally inhabit the western side of the delta and are not
numerous east of the Copper River. Wolf predation on moose was noted
along the headwaters of the Martin River during the winter months when
most of the eastern herd was on its winter range. Predation was not a
significant mortality factor during this study.
Calf mortality during the study was minor (Appendix I). In contrast
to Interior moose populations (Coady 1976), survival through the
summer and winter was excellent, indicating good range and low predation
rates.
ollared Moose Survey Data, East of Copper River.
Number
Survey Collared Moose
Date Seen
3/27/74
4/26/74
5/22/74
6/10/74
6/12/74 2 /
6/27/74
7/17/74-3/
10/8/74
11/6/74
12/26/74
1/27/75
2/28/75
3/25/75
4/24/75
5/31/75
6/12/75
8/26/75
10/18/75
12/9/75
2/16/76
3/12/76
5/21/76
6/2/76
21
13
8
2+141
1+34/
2
1
7
10
16
14
14
18
9
8+1/
0
5+141
3
11
10
14
6
9
Number
Collared Moose
Presenti/
24
23
22
21
21
21
21
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
18
18
16
16
16
16
16
Total
Moose
Observed
123
82
59
38
32
27
6
67
108
136
137
151
145
100
93
7
67
60
113
129
132
90
84
Percent of
Observed Moose
Collared
17.1
15.9
13.6
5.3
3.1
7.4
16.7
10.4
9.3
11.8
10.2
9.3
12.4
9.0
8.6
0.0O
9.0
5.0
9.7
7.8
10.6
6.7
10.7
Percent
Collared Moose
Seen
87.5
56.5
36.4
9.5
4.8
9.5
4.8
35.0
50.0
80.0
70.0
70.0
90.0
45.0
40.0
0.0
27.8
16.7
68.8
62.5
87.5
37.5
56.3
TOTAL 208 449 46.3
I/ Estimated number of collared moose present east of the Copper River.
2/ Copper River Islands only.
3/ "Random Survey" -surveyed timbered fringe area.
4/ First number denotes a moose collared east of the Copper River, second number
denotes a moose collared west of the Copper River.
Table 2. Collared Moose Survey Data, East of Copper River.
Number
Survey Collared Moose
Date Seen
3/26/74
4/25/74
5/28/74
6/11/74
6/26/74
7/18/74
8/23/74
9/27/74
11/7/74
12/20/74
1/29/75
3/3/75
4/28/75
5/28/75
6/6/75
8/25/75
9/22/75
10/24/75
12/10/75
2/18/76
5/17/76
6/3/76
8
12
6+L1/
8
8
8
4
10
8
18
19
16
10
5
9
9
4
4
11
15
6
7
Number
Collared Moose
Presenti/
25
25
24
24
24
24
24
22
22
21
21
21
21
21
21
21
19
19
19
19
19
19
Total
Moose
Observed
74
88
84
54
83
64
75
107
158
141
131
76
53
92
97
87
75
143
191
85
119
Percent of
Observed Moose
Collared
16.2
6.8
9.5
14.8
9.6
6.3
13.3
7.5
11.4
13.5
12.2
13.2
9.4
9.8
9.3
4.6
5.3
7.7
7.9
7.1
5.9
Percent
Collared Moose
Seen
32.0
48.0
25.0
33.3
33.3
33.3
16.7
45.5
36.4
85.7
90.5
76.2
47.6
23.8
42.9
42.9
21.1
21.1
57.9
79.0
31.6
36.8
TOTAL 206 475 43.4
I/ Estimated number of collared moose present west of the Copper River.
2/ 7 collared moose seen: 6 collared west and 1 collared east.
>le 3. Collared Moose Survey Data, by Month.
Total Percent of
Survey Moose Collared Moose
Date Observed Seen
1/27/75 137 70.0
1/29/75 141 90.5
2/16/76 129 62.5
2/18/76 191 79.0
2/28/75 151 70.0
3/3/75 131 76.2
3/12/76 132 87.5
3/25/75 145 90.0
3/26/74 -- 32.0
3/27/74 123 87.5
4/24/75 100 45.0
4/25/74 74 48.0
4/26/74 82 56.5
4/28/75 76 47.6
5/17/76 85 31.6
5/21/76 90 37.5
5/22/74 59 36.4
5/28/74 88 25.0
5/28/75 53 23.8
5/31/75 93 40.0
6/2/76 84 56.3
6/3/76 119 36.8
6/6/75 92 42.9
6/10/74 38 9.5
6/11/74 84 33.3
6/12/75 7 0.0
6/26/74 54 33.3
6/27/74 27 9.5
7/18/74 83 33.3
8/23/74 64 16.7
8/25/75 97 42.9
8/26/75 67 27.8
9/22/75 87 21.1
9/27/74 75 45.5
Table 3. (cont.)
Survey
Date
10/8/74
10/18/75
10/24/75
11/6/74
11/7/74
12/9/75
12/10/75
12/20/74
12/26/74
Collared Moose Survey Data, by Month.
Total
Moose
Observed
67
60
75
108
107
113
143
158
136
Percent of
Collared Moose
Seen
35.0
16.7
21.1
50.0
36.4
68.8
57.9
85.7
80.0
Table 4. Mortality of Collared Moose.I/
Remarks
Drowned in Martin River.
Shot by hunter.
Last seen--presumed dead.
Shot by hunter.
Shot by hunter.
Never seen--probably died of
drug effects.
Shot by hunter.
Last seen--presumed dead.
Last seen--presumed dead.
4
5
12
20
21
22
23
27
30
32
37
46
47
50
52
No.
1/ Collared moose not observed in 1975 or 1976 are considered as dead.
Area
East
East
East
East
East
East
East
East
East
West
West
West
West
West
West
Sex
Female
Female
Female
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Female
Female
Female
Male
Male
Female
Female
Date
11/25/75
8/21/75
5/22/74
8/20/74
10/20/75
8/21/75
3/27/74
4/26/74
9/13/74
12/17/74
8/29/75
9/10/74
9/14/74
4/25/74
Shot
Shot
Shot
Shot
Shot
Last
by hunter.
illegally.
by hunter east of Copper River.
by hunter.
illegally.
seen--presumed dead.
1
I
Movement data collected during this March 1974-through-June 1976
study indicate that the two major wintering areas on the Copper River
Delta are utilized by essentially separate moose populations. Some
interaction between the two herds exists but it is insignificant for
management purposes. The Copper River is not a physical barrier between
the two moose herds. Moose migrating east toward the Copper River from
their wintering grounds find ample food and cover along the west shore
and lower Copper River islands. They are not inclined to cross the 5-
plus miles of flat riverbed with little or no vegetation. Similarly,
the moose east of the Copper River move inland (N and NW) with the
vegetation rather than cross the broad, barren Copper River near their
winter grounds. The Long Island area is the only route across the
Copper which offers food and cover. This route is probably used by the
occasional migratory animal. The numerous islands adjacent to Long
Island are fairly dry, lacking the succulent aquatics that moose prefer
in the spring and summer. Such conditions further retard the migration
of moose between areas.
The present management boundary along the western shore of the
Copper River and Castle Island Slough should be modified to include the
lower Copper River islands in the western management area. These islands
are part of the spring and summer range of the western herd. Only moose
collared west of the Copper River were observed on the islands during
this study.
Survey data gathered on a monthly basis indicate that the sizes of
the two herds can best be determined in January, February or March,
when maximum snow depth has concentrated them on their winter ranges.
Sex-and-age composition counts should be conducted the first half of
December. At this time the animals begin to concentrate on the winter
range, foliage is at a minimum, and sex can still be determined by
presence or absence of antlers. Calf survival can be determined fairly
easily in late April or early May, just prior to dispersal from the winter
range. Success in determining newborn calf-cow ratios is dependent upon
leaf emergence in the spring. Parturition surveys should be flown in
early June, just prior to the time that the willow and alder canopy
obstructs aerial observations.
The willow-alder zone across the Copper River Delta is the key
habitat utilized by moose, particularly during the spring and summer.
The entire zone is important to calf production and rearing. No sepa-
rate, distinct calving area exists. The most critical habitat is the
two wintering areas (Fig. 3).
The mortality data obtained during this study indicate that the legal
and illegal take of moose on the Delta is a significant mortality factor.
Human use of the western herd is its primary regulating factor at present.
An extimated 75 percent of the adult mortality west of the Copper River
is caused by humans; east of the Copper River, humans account for 50
percent of the mortality.
It should be noted that by the end of the 28-month study the neck
collars had deteriorated considerably. The canvas collars worked
7
Management Implications
well for 2 years, were becoming marginal at 2.5 years, and were unusable
for individual identification after 3 years. No adverse effects on the
moose were noted from either the neck collar or metal ear tags. Colors
of ear flagging and neck collars were still recognizable at the termi-
nation of the study.
LITERATURE CITED
Coady,John W. 1976. Interior Moose and Moose Disease Studies.
Dept. of Fish and Game, P-R Proj. Rep., W-17-6 thru W-17-8.
multilith.
Alaska
22pp.
Franzmann, A.W. and P.D. Arneson. 1974. Development and Testing of New
Techniques for Moose Management. Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game,
P-R Proj. Rep., W-17-2 through W-17-6. 54 pp. multilith.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 1974. Climatological
Data, U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Annual Summary 1974, Vol. 60, No. 13.
Robards, Frederick C. 1954. Annual Report: Game, Fur and Game Fish,
Cordova, AK.
Sheets, Arthur M. Jr. 1960. Moose Report. Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game,
P-R Proj. W-6-R-2. 179pp. multilith.
U.S. Forest Service. 1967. Copper Delta Game Mgmt. Plan, Chugach
National Forest.
PREPARED BY:
Julius Reynolds
Game Biologist
SUBMITTED BY:
Karl Schneider
Regional Research Coordinator
APP
ector, Division of Game
Research Chief, Division of Game
8
.lharns.
L2'Awmpyn .Mount' ý
* :"-, -*. •- • .-- , _-- .- .-•--** ---a-- \ ---, -.*- t--n.- ---- --...L .. .-.-, ...: ,~' " --" S -
SNeel
S1
Mo Mount
* --'. _ ' , ., ._,i _ -_, .. _ , _ --_-.' _" ----• ., ___. , ,-_ ..'. * , .; , ,Kely .: .' .- ••
C- I
SOnso tMtn
-:Murchon I
144 , ^ ^ , i- 4^ t.- '
Itoa *...S.4 .rS i:i4% ..-Monn "i I
'Murch>ý ron- i t cx1
P.lw^~?:I ·- :-
";,""'~ ' " ,: :(,::•-. .: ---.
SP. Ev R IV-
I.andi I
-d I land S ' u mmer Range -- CM
" '- '-- ' .;" ;'I;I ;;T.
C:.\b- IhPERlE IVER
,C .-astle e : , t Summer Range .
S' d -- ••Mt
." -" ; .-.. -1 '4 c2 ' -- 1 --- .• • -:
castle SuWnter Range ..:t
-.,' "- -:WStore- i inter Range : '- : am'Itn'"k ". .n.-k .1 7' .--.
C>Aý
: -: ::: ..: .,, -I,
Skinhe,,: " ..k. r , ' " -B-ar ' '
azr -Ldne
BaPly t
SFigure 3. Summer and Winter Range of Copper River Delta Moose. atui
'ile .
?1 C:4--
_ __I Mar'tin ,* * ah , r
:Br.lad? .H Drour
Cor
-F
al. ".
Individual Observation Records.
No. Sex Area Observations-/
1 F East 1974
1975
1976
2 F East 1974
1975
1976
3 F East 1974
1975
1976
3/27, 4/26, 5/22, 12/26
3/25, 4/24
not seen
3/27, 5/22, 12/26
1/27, 3/25, 4/24, 12/9
6/2
3/27 8/241 12/262
1/272 3/25
not seen
Only 1 calf seen in Aug.
4 F' East 1974 -3/27, 4/26, 12, 26
1975 -1/27, 3/25, 5/31, 8/26
5 1 East 1974 -3/27, 4/26, 6/7
1975 -1/27, 3/25, 5/312
7 F East 1974 -3/27 4/26, 5/22, 6/72
6/10 , 6/272 10/82
11/62, 12/26 2
1975 -1/272, 4/242, 5/312, 12/9
1976 -not seen
11/25/75 drowned in Martin R.
8/21/75 shot by hunter.
8 F East 1974
1975
1976
1.0 F East 1974
1975
1976
11 F East 1974
1975
1976
12 F East 1974
1975
1976
13 F East 1974
1975
1976
6/122, 10/81, 11/61, 12/261
1/271-, 3/251, 5/31, 10/16
not seen
Lost one calf.
-3/27, 5/22, 12/26
-1/27, 3/25, 12/9
-2/16, 3/12, 6/22
-3/27, 4/26, 5/22, 10/8, 11/6, 12/26
-1/27 2/28, 3/25, 4/24, 12/91
-3/121, 5/211
-4/26, 5/22
-not seen
-not seen Probably dead.
-3/27 4/26, 6/101, 12/261
-3/25 1
-2/16, 3/12, 6/22
I/ Subscript number beside date denotes number of calves with female.
Remarks
Append ix 1 .
Appendix 1. (cont.) Individual Observation Records.
No. Sex Area Observations-
14 I' East 1974
1975
1976
15 F East 1974
1975
1-976
17 F East 1974
1975
1976
3/27 4/26, 10/81
3/25
2/162, 3/122, 5/21, 6/2
10/8, 11/6, 12/26
3/25, 4/24
2/16, 3/121, 5/21, 6/2
3/27, 11/6,
1/27, 3/25,
2/16, 3/12,
12/26
4/24, 5/31, 12/9
6/2
20 M East 1974 -3/27, 4/26, 5/28 5/28/74 west of C.R
8/20/74 shot east of C.R.
by hunter.
21 M East 1974 -3/27, 5/22, 8/24, 11/6, 12/26
1975 -1/27, 3/25, 4/24, 5/31, 8/26 10/20/75 shot by hunter.
22 M East 1974
1976
1,976
not seen
not seen
not seen
Probably died after being
drugged.
23 M East 1974 -3/27, 4/26, 10/8, 11/6, 12/26
1975 -5/31 8/21/75 shot by hulLer.
24 M East 1974
L975
1976
25 F East 1974
1,975
1.976
26 M East 1974
1975
1976
27 M east 1974
1.975
1976
28 I Hast 1974
1975
1976
3/27, 11/6
1/27, 3/25, 12/9
2/16, 3/12, 6/2
3/27, 7/17, 12/261
1/271, 3/251, 4/241, 10/161, 12/91
3/121, 5/211, 6/2
3/27, 4/26, 5/22, 11/6, 12/26
1/27, 3/25, 4/24, 5/31, 8/26, 10/16
3/12, 5/21
3/27
not seen
not seen Probably dead.
3/27, 4/26, 6/27, 10/8, 11/6
1/27, 3/25, 8/26, 12/9
2/16, 3/12, 5/21
i/ Subscript number beside date denotes number of calves with female.
Remarks
Appendix I. (cont.) Individual Observation Records.
No. Sex Area Observationsa
29 M East 1974
1975
1976
30 F East 1974
1975
1976
31 F West 1974
1975
1976
-3/27, 12/26
-3/25
-not seen
-3/27, 4/26
-not seen
-not seen
3/26,
4/28,
2/18
Probably dead.
Probably dead.
6/11, 11/7, 12/20
6/6, 12/10±
32 F West 1974 -4/26, 5/28, 8/23
33 F West 1974 -3/27,
7/18,
1975 -1/29
1976 -2/18
5/22, 6/7, 6/10
12/20
3/3, 10/242, 12/102
9/13/74 shot by hunter.
On Long Island in June
and July of 1974.
34 F West 1974 -3/26, 4/25, 6/12, 8/28, 12/
1975 -1/29, 3/3, 8/252, 10/241,
12/102
1976 -2/18
35 West 1974
1975
1976
36 F West 1974
1975
1976
20 On lower CR Is. in June
and August of 1974.
Missed 1 calf 10/75.
-6/11, 7/18, 11/7, 12/20
-1/29, 3/3, 4/28, 6/62, 9/222, 12/102
-not seen
-8/29, 11/7
-5/28
-not seen
37 F West 1974 -not seen
38 F West 1974 -4/25, 5/28, 6/11, 7/18,
8/23, 11/7, 12/20
1975 -1/29 3/3, 8/251, 12/101
1976 -2/18, 5/17
39 F West 1974
1975
1976
(9/10/76 shot by hunter.)
12/17/74 shot illegally.
(8/22/76 #38/twins on lower
Copper River island.)
4/26, 6/11, 6/26
1/29, 3/3, 6/6, 9/22, 12/10
2/18
1/ Subscript number beside date denotes number of calves with female.
Remarks
Appendix I. (cont.) Individual Observation Records.
No. Sex Area ObservationsiJ
40 F West 1974
1975
1976
41 F West 1974
1975
1.976
42 F West 1974
1975
1976
43 F West 1974
1975
1976
44 F West 1974
1975
1976
45 F West 1974
1975
1976
-3/26,
-1/29,
8/25,
-2/18
6/26, 11/7, 12/20
3/3, 4/28, 5/28, 6/6
9/22, 10/24
-3/26, 4/25
-1/29 3/3, 4/28
-2/18 (2/28/77 East of CR/Martin R.
valley.)
-3/26, 4/25, 5/28, 12/20
-1/29, 4/28
-2/18
-4/25, 6/26, 11/7, 12/20
-1/29 3/3, 4/28, 8/252, 10/242
-2/182
-3/26, 4/25, 5/22, 12/20
-1/29, 3/3, 5/28, 6/6, 8/25, 12/10
-2/18
-4/25 6/12, 6/26, 7/18 12/202 On lower Copper R. Is. 6/74
-1/292, 3/3, 4/28, 8/251, 12/101
-2/181
46 M West 1974 -3/27, 4/25, 11/7, 12/20
1975 -1/29, 3/3, 4/28, 5/31, 8/26
E. of CR 5/31 until shot by
hunter 8/29/75
47 M West 1974 -4/25, 5/28, 6/10, 6/26, 7/18, 9/10/74 shot by hunter.
48 M West 1974
1975
1976
4/25, 6/11, 12/20
1/29, 3/3, 6/12
5/17
W/o antlers 12/20/74
49 M West 1974 -3/26, 5/28, 6/11, 6/26,
8/23, 9/27, 12/20
1975 -1/29, 4/28, 5/28, 6/6, 9/22
1976 -2/18, 5/17
50 F West 1974 -5/28, 6/11, 7/18, 12/20
1975 -1/29, 3/3, 6/6, 8/25
With 1 antler 12/20/74
9/14/75 shot illegally.
1/ Subscript number beside date denotes number of calves with female.
Remarks
W
nevenuix .cont. n v ua serva o ecor .
No. Sex Area Observations#
51 F West 1974
1975
1976
52 F West 1974
1975
1976
53 F West 1974
1975
1976
54 F West 1974
1975
1976
55 F West 1974
1975
1976
-6/26, 7/18, 8/23, 12/20
-1/29, 5/28, 6/6
-not seen
-3/27, 4/25
-not seen
-not seen
3/26, 4/25, 11/7, 12/20
1/29 3/3, 8/25, 12/101
2/18 1 , 5/171
6/11, 6/26, 7/18, 8/24
1/29 3/3, 6/62, 12/101
2/18 1 , 5/171
Probably dead.
12/20
Lost one calf.
7/18, 12/20
1/29 3/3, 4/28, 8/251, 12/101
2/181
1/ Subscript number beside date denotes number of calves with female.
Remarks
I ( ) I di id l Ob ti n R s
S I
Gm\r j,
0 ee
" ': • ' -• ;'•' ) ' 1 S.der ; , .
4 ' .. ..J -" " .1...tp
M brI t 1i -
1
-S ^ -Osovatipn ' ,5 .
-ri-.- : ; o ' ," " , f- s -* -!- ' a'
..a .-. ...-
o v a, , t , ' -...: " .: .•
ov a ' ,t^ i orc- .,' -.;I ,- ..
Ih,•,. --l o ..A. ..- .' .' .".' i. -.
a1(- ....F'r _J'-' -,' • -c<\- .
C ,•i ,-.tal , -..^
" P,
½
-A
(I'
V9
'>2-
-:' .s t.. { .; ~: K~
1'ro·P~ ,
Appendix II. Seasonal Movements
January
+ 1974
o 1975
-1976
+ Movement from collared area
K
-* ., I
-.
N<
Met
V..
Poinl Ma tln.il ,
WhlB.' a .i F
Fw- .Martin
-Islainds
S-A -- ---
.... .: ,..., Y , ..-.' ;"o " "
,- ; -' 1 :' '*": .* :- .:. € .,;^ .-., '-=W ^
..-. Mr•.. / -, • n -00,
AR:
__•_°______ _ c_ ,_ .r .; "Go. a..' .t "",- .•7 iat. tei.~ ":7 'i ,it KT ..
Ci -r I. -:•' '. ' e "P
0. -C0PPER R I V .-F"fr t•" I .' *, " _"
OS ' d orean
-1<'
9Hhi
4!:
"'6
SII
I-)
r
I-I .si·t .-i .. 1 I I ~ , %
_____l O,,eef 'Mun ..N ·
i~~trr~ 4 C ` r';
ii
'C t1
;·.4r~ ""
11 1/::i"
I /1CdanneI 41$ I Ni,, gI ~ Goa 'lt11CL
List r 4 L0;j: ._L
0-/_ C-iJ *.av
a as'a''S
V Lya i I ~r I
K..Ciih- (5 4· oa.. -
P >p 1 I C C'.,/'i2% Icine / I"1)~li
Ni ' ~ to' L Peak " .il j lj
V~: f
-.-i1i-' -P1
Sass~I2'" 67 4 jt $11 ~C0 P PER RlE' ~AIKi>I½
-,~; DELTA I,'I Ij .I
r- i'I 4
1 i'*k=~~Q _'~ 'N 107x
Appendix II (cn) esna oeet
-~ ~ ~ ~ ~ (cn) February + .*'v' '' tet' [f
E~< 4~F ,f+ 1974
i~ .>'-Li Q oAlf*
S1975't2
'S ~ Bif > <rV 'A414
N ~~~~~~~-* Movement from collared area
'o-196y atif "
1.-li
,», ' -lo * -' >
-• •,/* .. i .., .-o, ._.'
--*9" 'A.8' K r * -, *
-' ' 'I .-'
S- kr 1 ' I' 4 E:
*-"4 i-
iova
".et•
Cs:;
Iv ,-:| ( •a,{i
' ^ I-'o_ -
N.:
s- C
nt ' , I "
Miles Lake
" IX I~
S. .i i
(4^ !:^^ 1
•,< .', L.
:
-^ ..-• .._ r ^ -/-- -'_ ' .. <J .'. ,/ , .-'i
trw. sm' *." .Vi .--'''** CX -K J ^-
' "--*^"*^yi Ik .1 *'^- *^'
,-~ -- ~<. ~ 5.' .-,'*-'. --...~ .-< ..•' N, .' .'-' -, * -' " Murchio -
* ('. ' p, ." * , i ,i• -' • ., ' T• .-~-'- .* ;i" "* ; '... " A"' '^"/ ..[--' " .-:-. ""
*' s
f
,... -"* * --*,- --' 1
• ,/ .: .,: ," .[ .i •' • -.'. a rp : I --'Satte. d
Me Kinl *ey '."
S Peak * .Lor
' lni, FI g
.. .. ...- -: -A --CO P E R '
1 •
*,. ; .,- , DEL
I -S 1.• -
7 -• ...-.-..- ; .> .
S .. Castle
a- tslard 4
S. .- '.- h". eStony k
".... • " '- * Kokinhenik
k~G. Crass '-
'^^^~~~~tr r*** .** .f
-'.242i
H 4 r· -r m/i
Appendix II (cont). Seasonal Movements
March
+ 1974
'4
N
o 1975
-1976
-Mdvement from collared areaN.
·a-
rl,_
i.
-~---------------
7 5,r
7-' 5
j , V -
'V·1·· W.
K. *
i: : ,
." :*&.-
,^/Y
Ab
-il
I )
N':
Nit
It,
"-I
--N
-.' 1¼.L·
CY J4~. 4Y
f r
1" ; ·?·
-; A -
a
sa,-
x-l^
a:
a.
w Qn
a
a. °~1 ^ *
'- "* .^ .W-
N.\ N.-. _'.
N,
iu _
N"r I
I:l
/:- :
'I
1,da.4l Ckan,,.I
fT~i
-r
½ t·' j:i
IT9
~1
NI'
I i
41-
C
S
OJ
0
e7'0'7Y~
'An·
Nt'
a,
VA,
.4-
C0
L
-o
a)
I-
L
'4-
4-a
a)
S
0)
0r
'0
I-03
I inr- r-
+ o
a<
a.
c
-t,
q
d
0y
J "
o..i__L
-~
; 1,:;· ·^·
a
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,,*C-
G .. ,S
2
0
L
'4.
4-)
C
U)
a)
+
~1 ''r
:' ''.L~cl:I
:lr: ~/
L~~~~1~C ·
m
Ti
I
, t.ot" , " \ •.. .< : ' , 't .... ar" t^*^ .^ k
,• " --- _": s-nS
SMt .- ' -, ' : '. .- • , •• -i.a.. -j * ..-...^ ' '-* '. .| .* --- -,.--- ., 1
JI.'u -eS,.Eyak .I. • , * • ... .... .. ............ .( ... ..* Y.
eeal s r ^ ; -... .. '- .. ..o il ---"* "" -tr f '
Cordova*^ -.. .../ .-.. -c rI ..... .-...- *:
Ca faj1 Z7Fai- is,-• • .M c ; -' --ek'in -" "ey
·- "^ ^- * ~ "4. .l^ ^ ..-° --,-- -, -^ 'T r, .*,, •t : ' * """*?/+. •-- fr -.i_ I 'an }-+ ,
* : ; ' " ;• -l -, ' ' -' .r ... -¼ -.-f. r- , * * ." .'.:.* ^ ,; ., r
I-' ' " -" --- .]C• .......:- -/ .; " •."
Ark.." -,i -1 ...
X- C- P P E R R I V
+ 197 4v + ll e y te .
, -..< ;- , '
-..i ' .. ...... -.. , -
"- to • ",a Cast ra l • • •' 1 9 ...::5 4. ; :
+ 1 '7 .' -.. .Startf < "oir no:.:..--I* 1975 ':t -Ii' ,
Grass
Appendix II (cont). Seasonal Movemnents
June -4--
+ 1974
o 1975
-1976
-a. Movement from collared area.
I
' '.. -1."".' -•. .O'Neel I--
1 '1 '1 -
."" .. .. " ' " " r • ' , • --.' t < / K
ms1
wr~ ..:F nt : " Dii
'7 Af Z. CCt
,,,,,_ I~c ~ ri cA
" .•" -"„ "- .. .•. .'. -\L ,' ' ). .: * ..;. ·. ..- i ' • -: ,X.r'' .-* "' -\ .-'^ .. u I t
C- L* ' '- *', -Yi '**--.7 I- -- -'--ri-;'--, ,T-' ' --',.." -"- ,: -" .,
, ...- " "< 4.< '-""' -'N,'' ':" ...--'•• r L 1 ta1.-."
C Nee-- ----4 -----7 -^^ ^ .-- ^ -^ --1----.T°^"-.-^t-j
" "" Mount '- .Nl " , ... " "w. I , -' •!...- -iI "d L e 1 .....- * ' " "- -'- ''"
I s~ 'les / ake
./..V TI .
-»...• -, ' • ^ ...' --1] -:
--.*. *, ... I. .; ',. -, -? -:, -..'- ,
.-C N l ? .T i ' ..... t \ i_ -"* " \ i2 i /- ' ^sh -G. " 'f*^ r " i ,-
d t'" l t. n J ' ,'` ' ' .. , l ...--C .. .i ·.•• .,.. : --
.a.s , " -, w. , !" .. " ..-1 , , L' : J;.M '. '; * • , *.
: -.. t GI
:-ov q + '-1'f
V r $ ,* M-M 'V",
^ cnS/ Crv s talr· -, "' " I
Falls'9'
;: :: / : :: : -: : :
K niey „ -.Long• .ifffi ,--r .< " 1 ? -/ dV' L: .nd I.- *'P ,P.IPeak and
, Fa ''" Heart"
: Ala L ,-nt JLi -L l s la n d :
• ' --"• : ' .- ' •:
^ X " s'' COPPE R jR V. ER
A' D D LT A
>-
: 1 .01
S' -.to : -, -s s ---.- A.;. " -" :-'. '^ ' -.,"- .- / r·--w-^ -.: :
'rr J LJ~· Sj·~'K ·knhenkl~
Appendix II (cont). Seasonal Movements
July
+ 1974
o 1975
-1976
+ Movement from collared area.
t , 1-arilton
C;\_.. .. ; , .- ..•:.0o. 12j " •J
x-ne ½'-' -;x .---- .$ '-f. vi , .N, '.14P-cx
: :: = :::=== =:-/:^* :;::: --•^ -/ .-*--ITF ^ -• •7 .
I.j.- -,I -' % 'LMne -L '
Pc' iM '; .... "'dv- l1y " : 1: .
-Sa
.ral/ M nn ....... w:.r 4...
<'l7 lands p ^-'
Jn0
N
N
-". .4r i -.> t "', .." .--, _, V-
" " '- ." ' -.
•r •ne -0 i .N ," " -I , C'/ -" '' -.'• " j .' ' ,' .! z
.* ' , ., O , e. rq.t : ---. 6' *.. ' ..." ' .• * -1./ ' I ot .... " " ' 1 ' t 6" * "
S-' ' " -- ' .
on•ova ,-- -"•;. .~ " i ·° ".' _ '1 -E : -.":I ' • ..;--.----
S. a: -G.t --, '..
::Ecctes ..,- --.-- -" _ -k :/
A Prgm,
.....'.e " -ne ..," 1 , .../ • .
(r -a " .t -, -' ÷ z. -t, -i -6 _ /.,.-- -'-•. * : _ , "
.- : -* '-:'t N' f^,^ ^- ,A. '
a1 o Pt
.... ..4*:11* -4. "I~g'r.. w ,i -..*., .. C- P• ' • -
2 -'-P -- b^
ALAC a I Kk /h
' .• :- .: .: .:. .--.. .
--6 ., _ : l .: -" .: *' -, *.• \ ,oro-
~lwa~~,, B;ro~r'-ccT
Appendix II (cont). Seasonal Movements
+ 1974
o 1975
-1976
I--Movement from collared area.
xv
I
Alb-I
~·~··
A
Sr
*S*
Sm !
II^t
-'
j
V
a'1
A , /
6 i
U,v»
0)
C
Ga
't
4-,C
C
0-5
0-
C,·
'1'-
'C')
\> '-4---
o
a. ON
0 "y*
t. -~
C'·
/-
4,
/
.ty
7··".) +'jj~
M'D
-c
4-
0
£
(0
4-
L
Ch,1 10 Lr- T' S
a' a' C
½l -
*V
'. "
uln.d Cnh.d"
P r\i /
----
(I
'*^s
_1
w
'* ;
s
r iP:
• .. K .
1 -". ." ' " "1 *-,. or ?.- " , -[ ..
_ _ _ -t ..... -< .i , • ,-_ , __, -.__.___. --._- -..... -- F. ...ce. .'* • ,,
.,- " -¶ Ke-' " -"' '. .. ")- ' " 9 < ' 1' =
-",
' I .'- ' -
,
-' 1>* r
P1 h : 1 1 :'
• "-- -" , 4 -N h _ _. .• -..' i- .FIei _" • ! 1..; .: .• ::"
--NI -.-. -
9> l ^ ^.' '""-- ... .'*-. " w' " -" : ' -" : c ' ' ""
:: : w •-,;, -<.•;- , : -• -' .,' .v • '• .'.
S < ' "t : ---
l
L y a c .>
:·*- '' M c nl e y
Flea k lty 2:.Y^ c
t .WIaný ±a'
-d I e : \
-A& 7'
'-b;p 21 N -K.-_ ~ -P- cilyPak~~ ..
N~~ ~~ &#', r'l
.% \S * *v ^ .-^Castle A '- ,
Sa N S to-ppn.10C"ct San "Ko.mhenik e
Appendix II (cont). Seasonal Moven
October _
+ 1974 .:
o 1975
-1976
-Movement from collared area.
~.r
S- I. *' ?4"' '-'s--- ,.. I\ 7 r'* NZ".<1 ?I$'
• * • • ., -- .* -[, .-* -• ' ', .-' ..' ." , , 4 -.-.' -- 4,, .N > ' 5 V .I:.. *. .% f ? ; *...^ , .; -.. .'"' t ,. -
*-at' °K .' " !f " ,,.i .J •/ .-." '".. , :f-~ /. ' -i:.' -, , -", -* -.,5 ' : -own ' i ,'.. ... .-I. ' _ " ' ',* ; A-• tL ok'-^. " --
j''.Jx V 'L
A"' --.- -.i '-\-- .-:_ I_--- ... -I" " 1 " .-'" ' i .-® -...---- "- 'a*. 'i.&" .' -'-&. "
Mount i ', ba ke
_ýelly%, r
i. :v '-' :s ..... •, ,. ,: ,' ,. .'-, -, -l , " -., ,,:g;t ..u*.
-J-
1, --" .'* " -- , -' '.
" -.Otserat •o -- -5 -.' ", -. .• • ' .,, -O 4 -' "
,&- -.._ .> .'-. .." -.."' ., ' '- .. .. •'. .-~ .... -
E a a i'.L i'% .• s i -" -J".. -. '.: .r' ., ' Gl , ., -.. -",' : -
.... r * -I ' .' .--
--*- -.C-^^-~pi-?^ -^---I-----I-^-^-r
C I
Mc Kinley, Long
, ... ..*. ....' ' f.' .•;' P i..:
S .Peak / and i L-
At,+ tla•iý ~.. Islar -,' ^K i,'' -*' ,f ' H• .. • ' .., , • • ir". -!-^ ^ *- oun.r"• ..7 .-. :•^ i'•. i•
:." ". .. -, , .-' ."• IF/ -'
set.
..:. ... •- ..4: :C ' .' , -".i, = -0 O P P E R R I V E:
72 -Isla
Grass
550 4 T "c
November
+ 1974
O 1975
S- :1976S+Movement from collared area.
.. -o I": :o"eme t " lsla re a a:. ;
N'
.ý 4 .
dry
.ii-,.
I
:VI *.*t ^-· , **'*-ij -* 1 1 1
S1'
i.-. p t. S.-^
or .- s.,
ci ci
F-)
or-r
1**-
o 5- 0
cin+
--~ -)-54 -*
_-. v S£
p- 5r-
r*'/
£DL
/ /
''m' 'u Nee --
c7 7 :`"r atM\Lak j
..,;.•;. r ." ' -o • • : •
• ' o ---t.. -,
.,- ' ., ' -', -" .. -;.-, */ V -.•i -" < ,•' t i, ( .* -- &at .•'• .....,g' -. 1 M- ' --L ; s- -.. -- L~~ , , t'. .-- ;.
mb-t·
4" -' r J'
WWI IQurcflkorl Vt.
.Ist, t5jan
;--^ ...-I -•"a -i- "-'. .° •+•S ." 't , ;
' d r' Eas ' / t , .* .W .- " •- .- -.." 1 ' ., --. " / * ' .:'/ I "" '. ...i^ : ^ ^ ,^ -.£ya tr"sst Li. ^ -,L frr-'
I P "..; .
r: v a -:y -•, '1 ' --." A l." "- " :' -:. .j- 2.v i ' ; -- "... -:
A. :1 , 0 -o'7
*.'::-<' COPPE R :.Cj5
;:r ± ^ .<
•L "- .- ---.": ... -;..- .
-0
_"Castle, -.•, ir-. ,.
....and.::: :.: : " ..
l~l i21 .k.-:-
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Newborn Calf Observations
6/3/76 -West of Copper River
not surveyed -Copper River Islands
6/2/76 -East of Copper River
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