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ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME
JUNEAU,ALASKA
STATE OF ALASKA
Bill Sheffield,Governor
DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME
Don W.Collinsworth,Commissioner
DIVISION OF GAME
W.Lewis Pamplin,Jr.,Director
Robert A.Hinman,Deputy Director
ANNUAL REPORT OF
SURVEY-INVENTORY ACTIVITIES
PART IV.MOOSE
Edited and Compiled by
Joann A.Barnett,Publications Technician
Volume XIV
Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration
Project W~22-2,Job 1.0
Persons intending to cite this material should obtain prior
permission from the author (s)and/or the Alaska Department of
Fish and Game.Because most reports deal with preliminary
results of continuing studies,conclusions are tentative and
should be identified as such.Due credit would be appreciated.
(Printed May 1984)
CONTENTS
Game Management Unit M-ap ..••...••.....•..•.............•......111
Statewide Harvest and Population Status •.........•••..•..•..•.iv
Game Management Unit/Geographical Description
GMU lA,IB,and 3 -Southeast Mainland from Cape Fanshaw
to the Canadian Border and
Adjacent Islands 1
GMU lC -Southeast Mainland from Cape Fanshaw to
the Latitude of Eldred Rock ••.••...•••••••...••...•••12
GMU 10 -Haines-Skagway ••••••..•••.......•...•.•..............14
GMU 5 -Yakutat and Malaspina Forelands,
Gulf of Alaska 18
and 7 -Within the Portage and
Placer River drainages (Anchorage Area)......•52
-Chitina Valley and the Eastern Half
of the Copper River Basin ..••••.•••••••••••.•••~••.•.37
12 -Upper Tanana and Whi te River s ••••..•••••••••••..•.••.39
13 -Nelchina and Upper Susitna Rivers .•..••••.••••••••.••44
14A -Matanuska Valley 47
14B -Willow to Talkeetna 50
14C
GMU 6A -Katalla to Icy Bay ••.••.••••.•••.•.••.•..••.•.•.•....21
GMU 6C -West Copper River Delta ..•••......•.•.••••.•••••••••.23
GMU 7 -Kenai Peninsula (except the Placer
and Portage River Drainages)•••..•.••••••.••..•.•••.•.25
GMU 9 -A·la ska Peninsula •..•••.••.•••..........•.•.•..........27
GMU 11
GMU
GMU
GMU
GMU
GMU
.i'
GMU 15A -Kenai Peninsu la •......•••.••....••••.......•.......•54
GMU 15B -Kenai Peninsula ......••••.........•.••.•....•.......56
GMU 15C -Kenai Peninsula 58
GMU 16 -West Side of Cook Inlet ••••••••••••••••••..•.•••.•.••60
GMU 1GB -Kalgin Island ......................................•63
GMU 17 -Bristol Bay 65
GMU 18 -Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta ••••••••••••......••.••.•.•••.••69
GMU 19 -Middle and Upper Kuskokwim
Drainages 77
GMU 20A -Tanana Flats,Central Alaska
Range.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82
GMU 20B -Fairbanks and Central Tanana
Valley 88
GMU 20C -Kantishna,Cosna,and Nenana
River Drainag.es 92
GIvlU 20D -Central Tanana Valley •...•..•••••••••.•••••.••.•••••96
GMU 20E -Fortymile,Charley,and Ladue
River Drainages ..••......•.•.•..••••......••...•.•.~Ol
---------F'.~'F----''H'\'Ii'-----Pr..,.,-.l,....,-::::r+~YukOI1,He ss ereek,and
Tozitna River Drainages ••••••••••.•••••.••••••....•~05
GMU 21A -Upper Nowitna,Iditarod,and
Upper Innoko Drainages ••••••••••••.••.•••••••.•••••~07
GMU 21B -Lower Nowitna River,Yukon
River between Melozitna and
Toz i tna Rivers -3-08
i
"..?
..
GMU 21C -Upper Dulbi River and Melozitna
River Drainage above Grayling
Creek e •••••••••••••••113
GMU 21D -Middle Yukon,Eagle Island to
Ruby,Koyukuk River below
Dulbi Slough 114
GMU 21E -Yukon River Drainage Upstream from Paimuit-Kalskag
Portage,Including the Lower Innoko River Down-
stream from the Iditarod River,to the Mouth of
Blackburn Creek 118
GMU 22 -Seward Peninsula 121
GMU 23 -Kotzebue Sound •••••••••••••••......•..•.•••.•....•...128
GMU 2~-Koyukuk River Drainage North
of and Including Dulbi Slough 136
GMU 25 -Yukon Flats,Chandalar,Porcupine,
and Black River Drainages;Birch
and Beaver Creeks 140
GMU 2·6 -Arctic Slope 147
ii
Al~utian Islands
'.....- -------......"-
\
~
GULF OF ALASKA
AL ASKA
GAME MANAGEMENT UNITS
..
va --
iii
Statewide Harvest and Population Status
Moose
Status of moose populations is extremely variable,depending on
local habitat conditions,weather,and mortality factors
including hunting and predation.In spite of generally favorable
winters recently,moose populations in much of the Interior are
low and either stable or declining.The exceptions are those
areas (Subunits 20A,20B,and 20E,in particular)in which wolves
have been reduced.Moose populations in the Cook Inlet area
(GMU's 14A,14B,and 16)are high,as is that on the Seward
Peninsula (Unit 22).
The 1982-83 moose harvest,as determined from harvest tickets and
permits,was 5,383 Statewide.However,this is a minimum figure,
due to lack of compliance with reporting requirements.In some
rural areas (e.g.,GMU's 17,20F,21,23,24,and 25),biologists
estimate that the unreported harvests may be 50-100%of the
reported harvest.
Reported
harvest
49
55
335
238
158
108
120
19
17
103
71
16
195
69
344
128
106
118
60
Robert A.Hinman
Deputy Director
iv
MOOSE
SURVEY-INVENTORY PROGRESS REPORT
GAME MANAGEMENT UNIT:lA,1B,and 3
GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION:Southeast Mainland from Cape Fanshaw
to the Canadian Border and Adjacent
Islands
PERIOD COVERED:1 July 1982-30 June 1983
Season and Bag Limit
See Hunting Regulations No.23.
Population Status and Trend
Moose have been expanding their range in GMU's IB and 3 since
1960 and are present on several of the major islands (Fig.1).
They were unknown in Southeast Alaska until after 1875,but
invaded the nearby Telegraph Creek area in British Columbia by
1870 (Peterson 1955).Moose are most common in areas that
produce Salix browse,but are also found where Vaccinium is the
primary winter forage.Vaccinium browse is relatively low in
protein,which lowers reproductive capability;poor calf survival
may occur during winters of heavy snow.Nutri tive content of
forage has been shown to be important to reproductive success in
other parts of Alaska (Coady 1976).
A remnant herd is present on the Chickamin River in Subunit 1A as
a result of a 1963-64 transplant of 14 moose from Cook Inlet and
the Chickaloon Flats (Burris and McKnight 1973).Moose popula-
tions in Subunit 1A -on the Unuk River are considered to be low
and stable (R.Wood,pers.commun.).No sightings were reported
in Unit 2.
The Thomas Bay moose herd in Subunit 1B supported a small harvest
from 1970 through 1981 (Table 1).Based on limited aerial
surveys (Table 2),calf survival declined in 1981 and 1982.The
heavily hunted Stikine River herd in Subunit 1B was stable during
the report period.Moose observations in GMU's 1B and 3 indicate
invasion of new areas (Fig.1).
The Farragut River was flown in June 1983,and no moose were
observed.Tracks were occasionally noted on sandbars,and light
browsing was observed on riparian vegetation.Moose sightings by
fishermen and others using the Cape Fanshaw area are becoming
more numerous.The Cape Fanshaw area is slated for logging and
roading in the next few years,and moose population response to
increased access by hunters and early successional stages of
vegetation should be monitored.No moose harvest has been
recorded in the last 10 years in the Cape Fanshaw area.
1
Population Composition
Productivity estimates on moose herds can be obtained from aerial
surveys in at least 4 ways (VanBallenb-erghe 1979),including
neonate:cow ratios obtained in early summer,calf:cow ratios
obtained in late fall,short yearling :cow ratios obtained from
surveys in the spring prior to parturition,and long yearling:
cow ratios derived during late fall surveys.Dense overstory
throughout most of the SubunitlB moose range reduces the effec-
tiveness of aerial surveys during fail;productivity estimates
are based on short yearling:cow ratios obtained in the spring
before snow melts,and calf:cow ratios derived in winter after
leaves have fallen and snow is on the ground.
A helicopter survey was conducted in Thomas Bay on 5 December
1982 which resulted in a count of 22 moose (Table 2).The sex
ratio was 5 bulls:100 cows,and no calves were seen.Early fall
counts are not feasible in Thomas Bay since aerial observation is
difficult in the forested areas and regrown clear-cuts.This
helicopter count,conducted in the area north of LeConte Bay,was
made when there was 4 inches (10 em)of fresh snow on the ground.
A subsequent flight by fixed-wing aircraft,funded by the u.S.
Forest Service,yielded a count of 7 cows,no bulls,and no
calves (J.Doerr,pers.commun.).
In the area south of LeConte glacier,a study of the potential
effects on moose of proposed hydroelectric impoundments on the
Stikine and Iskut Rivers was begun in 1981 (Boertje and Young
1982)and will be completed by July 1982.Sixteen cows and 4
bulls were captured and fitted with radio collars during March
1982,and an additional 4 cows were telemetered in January 1983.
Detailed discussion of methods and results of the telemetry study
will be presented in the final report (Craighead et ale In
Press).
Aerial composition surveys were flown with a Hughes 500 helicop-
ter utilizing 2 observers.The initial survey (4 Nov 1982)was
conducted during very windy conditions and poor visibility,and a
later count was believed to more accurately reflect herd composi-
tion (Table 2).The sex ratio was 5.1 bulls:100 cows,while
there were 26.9%calves.Sighting moose on the Stikine River is
difficult,even under optimum conditions.
During 472 radio locations where moose were known to be inside a
5 acre (2 hal area,the telemetered moose were observed only 223
times (47.2%).Effectiveness of observation without telemetry
equipment will be poorer than the 43-68%efficiency cited by
LeResche and Rausch (1974)for the Kenai Peninsula.
Mortality
No moose were killed in Subunit lA during the 1982 season,and
little hunting occurred (R.Wood,pers.commun.).Five hunters
returned moose harvest report cards.
2
The northern portion of Subunit IB was closed to hunting by
emergency order because of the lack of calves observed on post-
season aerial surveys in 1981 (Table 2).Yearling bulls composed
88%of the Thomas Bay harvest in 1981;thus,the fall calf crop
was essential to the harvest in the 1982 hunting season.Rausch
and Bratlie (1965)reported similar conditions in the heavily
hunted Matanuska valley.Subjective observations during the
hunting season in 1981 indicated normal calf numbers,and snow
accumulations of over 6 ft (2 m)are thought to have inflicted
heavy mortality on Thomas Bay calves during the late winter of
1981-1982.Calves are more affected by deep snow than are
adults.Snow depths exceeding 3 ft (1 m)are especially disas-
trous to calves because of their shorter stature and lower fat
reserves (Coady 1976).
Continued low calf observations during winter 1982-83 (Table 2)
cannot be attributed to severe winter weather.The initial
survey was flown in early December when there was only 4 inches
(10 cm)of accumulated snow.The extremely low sex ratio of 5
bulls:l00 cows (Table 2)is not believed to be the current cause
of low calf production.Rausch and Bratlie (1965)examined uteri
in the Matanuska valley where the sex ratio was 5 bulls:l00 cows
and found over 80%conception.Ballard and Taylor (1980)con-
cluded that low bull numbers in the upper Susitna River area were
not responsible for low calf incidence in the fall.The number
of calves observed in the winter,while based on limited survey
data,shows a pattern of declining calf numbers in Thomas Bay
since 1980 (Table 3).A single adult cow was found dead from
natural causes during the report period.
The 1982 moose harvest on the Stikine River was 31 bulls,includ-
ing 2 telemetered bulls.An additional telemetered bull was shot
after the season closed,and the carcass was located by means of
a mortality signaling device in the transmitter.Two dead calves
were found during the winter;and neither appeared to have been
killed by predators.There were unconfirmed reports of 2 addi-
tional moose dying during the winter.None of the telemetered
cows died during the study period.
Biologists periodically visited hunters'camps on the Stikine to
interview hunters concerning kills and to determine age of moose
killed.A total of 20 bulls were examined:10 (50%)were year-
L1ngs,1 (5%)was a calf,and the remaining 9 (45%)were 2~-3~
years old.Of the 4 bulls collared in 1981,3 (75%)were killed
in 1982.One of the telemetered bulls was still alive in June
1983.
Although the northern portion of Subunit IB was closed by emerg-
ency order,the expected increase in hunting pressure in lower
Subunit IB did not occur.Approximately 130 hunters hunted moose
on the Stikine River in 1982,and 31 (23.9%)were successful.
Four additional bulls were taken in lower Subunit IB in the
vicinity of Blake Channel.
3
During the 1982 season,2 bulls (6.5%)were taken on opening day:
18 (58.1%)were taken during the 1st half of the season.Chro-
nology of the harvest shows a fairly even distribution (Table 4).
Mandatory moose harvest report cards were used to supplement
harvest data and to determine hunter effort,transportation
means,and antler measurements.For Subunit IB,63 hunters
returned harvest report cards which indicated that 14 moose were
taken (40%of the known kill).Successful hunters averaged 12.5
days in the field,while the average for all hunters was 9.1
days.Mean antler length reported by hunters was 24.9 inches
(632 mm),with a standard deviation of 5.5 inches (139 mm).
Boats were reported as transportation by 48 (76%)Subunit IB
hunters.The remainder of the hunters failed to specify trans-
portation means.
Management Summary and Recommendations
Survey by helicopter is the most productive census technique,but
the expense renders it impractical for replicate counts.Use of
a pellet group count method should be tested in Subunit IB to
determine its effectiveness in determining population trends.
Aircraft may still be required to obtain sex ratios because there
are known differences in the pellet group deposition rate of
males and females (Franzmann et ale 1976).
Heavy hunting pressure on the bull segment in Subunit IB results
in distorted bull:cow ratios and creates a dependency on the
yearling age class to provide hunting.Permi t drawing systems
have been poorly accepted in Subunit lB.Antlerless hunting
under permits in 1972 and 1973 removed 18 and 22 cows,respec-
tively,but proved unpopular with local residents,who lobbied to
have cow hunting abolished.·It is doubtful that either-sex
hunting would be accepted at this time.A portion of the male
segment could be protected from harvest through imposing an
antler restriction.For example,permitting the harvest of only
bulls with at least 1 palmate antler would protect a portion of
the yearling bulls.In the NelChina Basin.VanBallenberghe
(1979)found that less than half of the yearling bulls had spikes
or small forked antlers.Data can be collected on antler forma-
tion of Subunit IB bulls killed during the 1983 season to
determine the practicality of an antler restriction.
Yearling bulls are capable of breeding,and protection of some
yearlings would increase the chance of cows being bred.While
the observed bull:cow ratio of 5:100 is thought to be adequate
for breeding purposes (Rausch and Bratlie 1965),there is some
point at which the number of bulls could be reduced below the
number needed to service a sufficient numbers of cows to maintain
the herd.Under the current system,few bulls develop large
antlers,and the "trophy"concept is alien to the Subunit IB
moose hunter.
4
,
Continued logging and road development in Southeast Alaska pose
problems in moose management.Logging has been shown to be
responsible for moose population explosions in Scandinavia
(Lavsund 1981,Wilhelmson and Sylven 1979)where early succes-
sional stages are sought by moose.Peak moose numbers in British
Columbia in the mid-1950's and mid-1960's were attributed to
logging and land clearing for agriculture (Macgregor and Child
1981).Conversely,large clear-cuts in Ontario helped increase
predation by wolves,causing a population decline (Bergerud
1981).Clear-cutting and logging roads in combination in Ontario
have led to excessive hunting of moose,declining populations,
and closure of hunting seasons in recently logged areas (Eason et
al.1981).
Recent calf declines in heavily logged Thomas Bay were not
matched by similar losses in the un logged Stikine-LeConte wilder-
ness.Predation in Thomas Bay may have increased by wolves
utilizing the road system and preying on moose concentrations in
unlogged areas as described in Ontario (Bergerud 1981).It is
also possible that poor nutrition in the Thomas Bay area (Doerr
et ale 1980)contributed to calf loss.It may be hypothesized
that while moose numbers in GMU's 1B and 3 can increase after
logging in response to seral vegetation,the population may not
be stable.Study of moose-timber harvest relationships in
Southeast Alaska is warranted.
Literature Cited
Ballard,W.B.,and K.P.Taylor.1980.Upper Susitna valley
moose population study.Alaska Dep.Fish and Game.Fed.
Aid in Wildl.Rest.Final Rep.Proj.W-17-9,W-17-10,and
W-17-11.Job 1.20R.Juneau.101pp.
Bergerud,A.T.1981.Decline of moose in Ontario,a different
view.Alces 17:30-43.
Boertje,R.,and E.L.Young.1982.Stikine river moose study,
wildlife evaluation of Stikine-Iskut dams.Vol.I.Prog.
Rep.Alaska Dep.Fish and Game and Alaska Legis.Approp.
Juneau.20pp.
Burris,O.E.,and D.E.McKnight.1973.Game transplants in
Alaska.Wildl.Tech.Bull.No.4.Alaska Dep.Fish and
Game.Juneau.57pp.
Coady,J.W.1976.Status of moose populations in Inte~ior
Alaska.Wildl.Inform.Leaf.No.2.Alaska Dep.Fish and
Game.Juneau.
5
Craighead,F.L.,E.L.Young,and R.Boertje.In Press.
Stikine River moose study,wildlife evaluation of
Stikine-Iskut dams.Final Rep.Alaska Dep.of Fish and
Game.Juneau.
Doerr,J.G.,E.L.Young,and A.W.Franzmann.1980.
Ecological and physiological aspects of a moose population.
in Thomas Bay,southeast Alaska.Proc.North Am.Moose
Conf.No.16.
Eason,G.,E.Thomas,R.Jerrard,and K.Oswald.1981.Moose
hunting closure in a recently logged area.Alces 17:111-
125.
Franzmann,A.W.,P.D.Arneson,and J.L.Oldemeyer.1976.
Daily winter pellet groups and beds of Alaskan moose.J.
Wildl.Manage.40(2):374-375.
Lavsund,S.1981.Moose as a problem in Swedish forestry.
Alces 17:165-179.
LeResche,R.E.,and R.A.Rausch.1974.Accuracy and precision
of aerial moose censusing.J.Wildl.Manage.38(2):175-
182.
Macgregor,W.G.,and K.Child.1981.Changes in moose
management in British Columbia.Alces 17:64-77.
Peterson,R.
Press.
L.1955.North American moose.
Toronto.280pp.
Univ.Toronto
Rausch,R.
moose
Proc.
Comm.
A.,and A.Bratlie.1965.Annual assessments of
calf production and mortality in southcentral Alaska.
45th Annu.Conf.West.Assoc.of Game and Fish
VanBallenberghe,V.1979.Productivity estimates of moose
populations:a review and reevaluation.Proc.North Am.
Moose Conf.15:1-18.
Wilhelmson,M.,and S.Sylven.1979.The Swedish moose
population explosion,preconditions,limiting factors,and
regulation for maximum meat production.Proc.North Am.
Moose Conf.15:19-33.
PREPARED BY:
E.L.Young,Jr.
Game Biologist III
SUBMITTED BY:
Donald E.McKni~ht
Regional Supervlsor
6
Fig.1.Moose distribution map,1982.A =popular
moose hunting area;B =common (5 or more sightings
annually);C =uncommon (less than 5 annual sightings);
and D =rare (known from tracks and droppings).
7
Table 1-Subunit 1B moose harvest locations,1970-1982.
Thomas Bay Stikine River Other areas Total
Year Bulls Cows Bulls Cows Bulls Cows Bulls Cows -'
1970 12 28 40
1971 10 25 35
1972 5 8 18a 13 18
1973 3 25 22 a 1 29 22
1974 4 25 1 29 1
1975 8 16 1 25 0
1976 16 21 37
1977 13 1 19 32 1
1978 9 29 38
1979 21 26 47
1980 17 33 1 50 1
1981 10 2 33b 1 4 47 3
1982 0 32 4 36
Average
bull
harvest 9.9 24.6 35.3
1'\
a Cow permits were issued only in 1972-73.All other cows were taken
illegally.
b One bull was killed after the season closed.
8
\'
Table 2.Subunit 1B population composition data,winter 1982-83.
,,
Area
bThomasBaycThomasBay d
Stikine RiverbStikineRiver
BuIll Calfl
100 100 Count
Date Bulls Cows Calves Undet.a Total cows adults time (hr)
12/5/82 1 20 0 1 22 5.0 a 3.1
1/10/83 a a a 7 7 ?a 1.0
11/4182 1 30 7 1 39 3.3 21.9 3.8
1214/82 2 39 24 48 113 5.1 26.9 2.8
c
d
\0
ab All adults of
Surveyed from
Surveyed from
Surveyed from
unknown sex.
Hughes 500 helicopter;snow accumulations and flight conditions
Cessna 180;count shortened because of snowstorm.
Hughes 500 helicopter;flight conditions poor (high winds)•
optimum.
Table 3.Subunit IB postseason calf and bull observations,1982-83.
Year
Area Ratio 1980-81 1981-82 1982-83 a
Thomas Bay Calves/lOa cows 47.0 20.0 0.0
Stikine River Calves/lOa cows 69.0 38.0 61.0
Thomas Bay Bulls/lOa cows 0.0 9.0 5.0
Stikine River Bulls/lOa cows 7.7 5.0 5.1
_.
a Utilizing maximum count under best survey conditions with only
positively identified animals being included.
10
Table 4.Stikine River moose harvest chronology,1982.
15-23 Sep
11(35.5%)
Date
24-30 Sep
7(22.6%)
1-7 Oct
5(16.1%)
11
Total
8-15 Oct kill
8(25.8%)31(100%)
Season
length
31 days
MOOSE
SURVEY-INVENTORY PROGRESS REPORT
GAME MANAGEMENT UNIT:lC
GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION:Southeast Mainland from Cape Fanshaw
to the Latitude of Eldred Rock
PERIOD COVERED:1 July 1982-30 June 1983
Season and Bag Limit
See Hunting Regulations No.23.
Population Status and Trend
Because survey data were not collected for the lower Chilkat
Range or Taku River areas,the status of these moose populations
is not fully known.However,comments by hunters indicated that
population levels were similar to previous years.In Berners
Bay,the moose population is near or above the carrying capacity
of the winter range riparian habitat.Bulls-only hunting and
poor calf recruitment,since at least 1980,have resulted in an
unbalanced sex ratio (4.9 bulls:l00 cows in December 1982).
Based on an estimated 10.9 sq mi of riparian moose winter range
habitat and 3 December 1982 survey results,the 1982-83 wintering
moose density was 9.7 moose/sq mi.
Population Composition
A sex and age composition count was conducted by helicopter under
excellent counting conditions in the drainages of Berners,Lace,
Antler,and Gilkey Rivers on 3 December 1982.A total of 105
moose were observed,including 4 males,82 females,and 19
calves.Sex and age ratios were as follows:4.9 bulls:100
females,23.2 calves:100 females,and 18%calves in the herd.
Mortality
Based on harvest ticket returns,the harvest for the Taku River
area in 1982 was 14 bulls;77 hunters hunted and the success rate
was 18%.While all hunters averaged 5.7 days hunting,successful
hunters spent an average of 6.4 days hunting.Chronology of the
Taku harvest showed 8 bulls were taken in September and 6 in
October.Five animals were killed during the 1st 7 days of the
season compared with 10 the previous year.
In the lower Chilkat Range,4 moose were taken in 1982 (Endicott
River,3 and St.James Bay,1).Twelve hunters reported hunting
in the area for a success rate of 34%.Successful hunters spent
an average of 7.2 days hunting,while unsuccessful hunters spent
4.4 days.One bull was taken in September and 3 in October.
12
-"
In the Berners Bay moose drawing permit hunt,
permittees hunted (84%):5 of the hunters were
success rate of 24%.Successful hunters hunted an
days,while unsuccessful hunters spent 5.9 days.
taken in September and 3 in October.
21 of the 25
successful,a
average of 5.2
Two bulls were
Antler widths of bulls (N =4)killed in Berners Bay in 1982
ranged from 32 inches to-39 inches,averaging 35 inches.In
1981,antler width (N =9)averaged 37 inches.The mean cementum
ages of bulls killed-in 1980, 1981,and 1982 were 5.5 years (N =
4),2.4 years (N =9),and 1.8 years (N =5),respectively.
Management Summary and Recommendations
Hunter pressure and harvest levels in the Chilkat Range and Taku
areas were similar to previous years with no known changes in
moose population status.Hunter pressure will probably increase
with the recent State land disposal in the Taku area.No season
or bag limit changes are recommended at this time.
Since 1978,the Berners Bay moose population has been near or
greater than the estimated carrying capacity.In 1978,1980,and
1982,the number of moose observed during aerial surveys was 120,
81,and 105,respectively.Based on an estimated 10.9 sq mi of
winter range riparian habitat,the density of moose on this range
was 11.0,7.3,and 9.7 moose/sq mi,respectively for these years.
Studies of other North American moose populations have shown that
sustained densities of 4-6 moose/sq mi of winter range preceded
significant population declines.Population reductions have been
recommended since 1979,including a limited cow harvest.The
local Fish and Game Advisory Committee in Juneau supported the
taking of 15 ant1erless moose based on current recruitment
information,and the elimination of the bull season to improve
the unbalanced sex ratio (4.9 bulls:100 cows,3 December 1982
survey results).The Board of Game subsequently adopted these
proposed changes during their spring 1983 meeting.Fieldwork was
completed in September 1982 on a Department study (initiated in
1981)to determine the extent,quality,and carrying capacity of
riparian moose winter range in Berners Bay.Dry weights of
vegetation samples were determined.The data are being reviewed.
PREPARED BY:
David W.Zimmerman
Game Biologist III
SUBMITTED BY:
Steven R.Peterson
Acting Management Coordinator
13
MOOSE
SURVEY-INVENTORY PROGRESS REPORT
GAME MANAGEMENT UNIT:1D
GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION:Haines-Skagway
PERIOD COVERED:1 July 1982-30 June 1983
Season and Bag Limit
See Hunting Regulations No.23.
Population Status and Trend
The area from Murphy Flats to Turtle Rock on the Chilkat River
and the lower 15 mi of the Klehini River were surveyed by heli-
copter on 30 November and 1 December 1982.Two hundred moose
were recorded in 4.8 hour s 0 f survey time,or 41.6 moose /hour
(Table 1).Based on this survey,the moose population was
estimated to consist of 44.3 calves/100 cows;29.6 bulls/l00
cows,and 34.2 calves/100 adults.The Chilkat River portion of
the area was surveyed again on 20 March 1983,and 88 moose were
counted in 5.6 hours (15.7 moose/hour).During this survey,22%
of the moose observed were calves (27.5 calves:l00 adults),
compared with 26%in the fall survey.The total number of moose
observed and moose per hour have declined since 1981,when 211
moose (63.4 moose/hour)were observed;in 1982,183 moose (42.2
moose/hour)were observed.Yet the number of calves per 100
adults increased from 18.5 in February 1982 to 27.5 in March
1983,indicating a substantial increase in production and good
overwinter calf survival.
Mortality
_.
Twenty-five moose
1982 season.This
of 40 moose/year.
successful in 1982
(24 bulls,1 cow)were harvested during the
harvest level was below the 1975~1981 average
Similarly,the percentage of hunters who were
(9.4)was below the 7-year mean (13.9).
No natural mortality was documented during the reporting period.
Management Summary and Recommendations
The success ratio of moose hunters,the total harvest,and the
number of hunters in Subunit ID decreased from prior years (Table
2).If the population estimate reported in 1981-82 (300-350
moose)were accurate,the 1982 harvest fell within the allowable
harvest.Survey results indicated that overwinter calf survival
was good (Table 1).Poor survey conditions were probably respon-
sible for the low counts in March,and the 66%reduction in the
total number of moose seen in early December was probably not
caused by high mortality.
14
Action by the Board of Game in March 1983 changed the moose
season from 15-30 September to 22 September-6 October.This
change resulted from the public perception that more bulls would
be available for hunting due to movements from higher elevation
summering areas.In addition,moose would be more visible during
leaf fall.Hunter participation should not increase greatly with
this new season,but an increased harvest is possible.If the
1983 harvest rises significantly above the 8-year average (38),a
more conservative season or a permit hunt with an established
quota may be necessary in subsequent years.
No changes in seasons or bag limits were recommended.
PREPARED BY:
w.Bruce Dinneford
Game Biologist III
SUBMITTED BY:
Donald E.McKnight
Regional Supervisor
·15
Table 1.Game Management Unit 1D moose surveys,1982-1983.
Date
11/30-
12/1/82
3/20/83 a
Total
bulls
34
Total
cows
115
Total
adults
149
69
Total
calves
51
19
%
calves
25.5
21.6
Count
time (hr)
4.8
5.6
a Survey conditions ranged fair to poor.Chi1kat River islands
and hills above the Haines Highway not surveyed due to
poor conditions.
16
Table 2.Game Management Unit 1D moose harvest,1975-1982.
No.Success
Year Male Female Unk.Total hunters ratio (%)
1975 25 0 1 26 300 8.7
1976 36 18a 1 55 430 12.8
1977 30 0 1 31 202 15.3
1978 44 1 0 45 293 15.4
1979 38 0 1 39 192 20.3
1980 48 0 0 48 342 14.0
1981 34 1 0 35 315 11.1
1982 24 1 0 25 267 9.4
a A 2-day either-sex hunt was conducted during the regular season.
17
MOOSE
SURVEY-INVENTORY PROGRESS REPORT
GAME MANAGEMENT UNIT:5
GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION:Yakutat and Malaspina Forelands,Gulf
of Alaska
PERIOD COVERED:1 July 1982-30 June 1983
Season and Bag Limit
See Hunting Regulation No.23.
Population Status and Trend
No data were available.
Mortality
In the Yakutat Forelands,the 1982 moose season ran a full month
with 199 hunters taking a total of 48 bulls.Twenty-seven other
permittees did not hunt.The 48 successful hunters spent a total
of 137 days hunting (x =2.9),while the 151 unsuccessful hunters
were afield for 697 days (x =4.6).Twenty-four percent of all
permittees hunting were successful.Forty-one (85%)of the moose
harvested were taken during the 1st week of the season.Seven-
teen moose (35%)came from drainages east of the Dangerous River,
while the remaining 31 (65%)came from west of,and including,
the Dangerous River watershed.A total of 3 permittees failed to
submit hunt reports.
In the Nunatak Bench area,9 of the 10 moose quota were taken
during the 3 month,either-sex season (Fig.1).Three bulls and
6 cows were taken by 14 hunters who entered the field (5 other
permittees did not hunt).Ninety-five days were spent by the 9
successful hunters (x =10.6),while.the 5 unsuccessful hunters
devoted 13 days (x =2.6)to hunting the benchlands.Over 64%of
those hunting were successful.Eight of 9 animals taken were
harvested in the latter half of the season.
The earliest moose season in Unit 5 (1 Sep-31 Oct)attracted 78
permittees,25 (32%)of which did not hunt.Of the 53 permittees
hunting in the Malaspina Forelands area,18 (34%)successfully
harvested bull moose.Successful and unsuccessful hunters spent
54 (x =3.0)and 161 (x =4.6)days hunting,respectively.Most
of the harvest (16,or-89%)occurred from 14 September through 9
October (Fig.1).Eleven of 18 moose taken (61%)came from Point
Manby and east in the Subunit.
No natural mortality was documented during the reporting period.
18
-.
Management Summary and Recommendations
The 1982 permit registration hunt in the Yakutat Forelands area
was an apparent success.High participation (226 applicants,199
of which hunted),a harvest approaching the desired level (48 of
50-bull quota),and a fairly well-spaced harvest (over approxi-
mately 3 weeks)point to this success.A low nonresponse rate
(3 of 226,or 1%)on permit reporting also indicates a workable
system.The fact that 13 of 48 (27%)animals harvested were
taken on opening day and 41 (85%)were taken in the 1st week
indicates emergency closure authority is a desirable tool to have
at the manager's disposal.No changes in seasons or bag limits
are recommended.
For the 1st time in 3 years,the harvest goal was approached in
the Nunatak Bench hunt.Furthermore,a high hunter success rate
was documented.With no survey data available,no changes in bag
limits are recommended.However,a change in the season opening
date can be considered.It has been well documented that moose
stay high on the benchlands until winter is well underway.
During the 1982-83 hunting season,only 1 of 9 animals harvested
was taken prior to 30 December.Adjusting the opening date to
later in the year could reduce the chance for confusion in season
dates on the bench lands and forelands among hunters as well as
provide for more effective enforcement of regulations.
The 1982 harvest of 18 moose in the Malaspina Forelands was
higher than the average take of 16 moose for the previous 13
years.The 1st 2 weeks and last 3 weeks of the season accounted
for only 2 of 18 animals harvested.However,hunting pressure
was lighter than in 1981 (53 compared to 85 hunters),when the
desired harvest of 25 bulls was exceeded by 2 animals.
Land status remained the same in GMU 5B as described in 1981.
The reduced 1982 harvest may be due in part to access restric-
tions by National Park Service regulations.Land selected by the
Chugach Native Corporation remained under Bureau of Land Manage-
ment administration and thus was available to hunters.
PREPARED BY:
w.Bruce Dinneford
Game Biologist III
SUBMITTED BY:
Dona~a ~.McKnight
Regional Supervisor
19
Figu!,e 1.ChronolQ9:t_0.1:moose harvest in Game Nanagement unit 5,1982-83.
J ,»I I ,I i ,, , ,,i ,iii,
13 20 27 31 10 17 24 1 8 15 22 29 5 12 19 26 2 9 15
,.....,
/........•/If,
,,""..,I ......."','",...,.
'f
Feb.Jan.
Malaspina Forelands
Yakutat Forelands
Nunatak Bench
Dec.
_eJ _
.--_._._----_....-----....----.........--------..
Nov.Oct.
61522 29
Sept.
8
42
40
38
36
~34
32
30
28
~26
(!)~24
co
+l 22
(!)20 -
to
0 18
°~16
=l*:14 -
12
10 ...,
8
6
4
2
1
1
Date
..
"-
MOOSE
SURVEY-INVENTORY PROGRESS REPORT
GAME MANAGEMENT UNIT:6A
GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION:Katalla to Icy Bay
PERIOD COVERED:1 July 1982-30 June 1983
Season and Bag Limit
See Hunting Regulations No.23.
Population Status and Trend
Sufficient data were not available to determine current status or
trend of moose in Subunit 6A.
Population Composition
No data were available.
Mortality
The 1982 moose harvest was 58 animals:43 bulls and 15 cows.
Forty-five moose were taken from the Bering River-Controller Bay
herd and 13 from the Tsiu River herd.The season was closed by
emergency order on 8 October 1982,after 5~weeks of hunting.
The harvest of 13 moose from the Tsiu River herd was the 1st
significant harvest to occur east of the Suckling Hills.Only 3
moose were taken from the Tsiu herd in 1981 and none in 1980.
Two hundred and seventeen permits were issued,but moose hunting
effort was unknown.Methods of transportation used by successful
hunters were airboat (29),airplane (26),and riverboat (3).
Management Summary and Recommendation
This was the 1st time in 3 years that the desired quota of 50
moose was taken.The kill was nearly 50%greater than the
previous year's harvest.The reason for the increased kill is
unknown.
The winter of 1982-83 was extremely mild.Overwinter survival
should be excellent;however,due to the lack of snow,nc moose
surveys were flown during the fall or winter.Good composition
counts are needed to manage these herds.Judging by the high
percent (74%)of males in the harvest during this either-sex
hunt,the 2 herds are not being overharvested.
21
Separate harvest quotas for the Bering River-Icy Bay and Tsiu
River herds should be established for the 1983 season to prevent
overharvesting the Bering River-Controller Bay herd and to en-
courage use of the Tsiu River herd.The Suckllng Hills is a nat-
ural boundary which separates these 2 herds.
PREPARED BY:
Julius L.Reynolds
Game Biologist III
SUBMITTED BY:
Leland P.Glenn
Survey-Inventory Coordinator
22
'-
MOOSE
SURVEY-INVENTORY PROGRESS REPORT
GAME MANAGEMENT UNIT:6C
GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION:West Copper River Delta
PERIOD COVERED:1 July 1982-30 June 1983
Season and Bag Limit
See Hunting Regulations No.23.
Population Status and Trend
During the past 3 years,the West Copper River Delta moose herd
has increased and is at or approaching the desired herd size of
175-200 moose.
Population Composition
A 2.7-hour moose survey was flown 21 January 1983.Survey condi-
tions were fair;162 moose were counted.The bull:cow ratio
could not be determined,but the percentage of calves in the herd
was 20.4.Other data obtained from this survey included moose of
unidentified sex (104);females with 1 calf (18);females with 2
calves (7);lone calves (1);twins/100 females with calves (28%);
total calves (33);and total adults (129).
Mortality
Twenty-one bulls were taken in Subunit 6C during the 1982 season.
The season was closed 8 September after 2 half-days and 1 full
day of hunting.Actual hunting effort was unknown,but 359 per-
mits were issued.
Management Summary and Recommendation
The West Copper Delta moose herd has been below the desired popu-
lation level since spring 1979 when 75-100 moose migrated across
the Copper River.Small harvests of approximately 20 bull moose
have been taken annually during past 3 years to allow maximum
herd growth without eliminating all hunting.The 1982 harvest of
21 bulls conforms with management strategy to rebuild this herd.
Good survey conditions were not available to determine the status
of the West Copper Delta moose herd.A survey flown 21 January
revealed 162 moose under "fair"counting conditions.In my opin-
ion,good-to-excellent count conditions would have revealed a
moose population close to 200 animals.
The winter of 1982-83 was extremely mild,and overwinter survival
should be excellent.
23
Without good survey data,it would be unwise to recommend any
change in harvest quotas for the fall 1983 season.
PREPARED BY:
Julius L.Reynolds
Game Biologist III
SUBMITTED BY:
Leland P.Glenn
Survey-Inventory Coordinator
24
<.
MOOSE
SURVEY-INVENTORY PROGRESS REPO~~
GAME MANAGEMENT UNIT:7
GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION:Kenai Peninsula (except the Placer
and Portage River Drainages)
PERIOD COVERED:1 July 1982-30 June 1983
Season and Bag Limit
See Hunting Regulations No.23.
Population Status and Trend
Moose occur throughout Unit 7 in intermountain valleys.Aerial
surveys indicated that the moose population stabilized in 1980
and remained at relatively low densities.
Population Composition
A total of 210 moose were counted and classified in 1982.The
combined counts included 41 bulls,126 cows,and 43 calves.
Nineteen moose were observed per hour of survey time.
The ratio of bulls:100 cows has risen steadily since 1977.In
1982,33 bulls:100 cows were observed.Calf recruitment into the
fall population was higher in the past 2 years than in previous
years.This year 34 calves:100 cows were observed,and there
were 17 sets of twins:100 cows with calves.
Mortality
Harvest reports indicated 36 bull moose were killed by 244
hunters;hunter success was 15%.This harvest compares with 48
bulls taken by 256 hunters the previous year.
Management Summary and Recommendations
In spite of a series of mild winters and relatively high natal-
ity,the moose population has experienced little growth.There
were 44 and 34 calves:100 cows recruited into the fall moose pop-
ulation in 1981 and 1982,respectively.The count of moose per
hour has remained essentially constant since 1980;however,the
number of count areas sampled in 1982 was less than in 1980 and
1981.Adequate sampling of count areas is a priority objective
for 1983.Unless unusually high mortality is occurring,the com-
bined effect of 2 consecutive years of high calf recruitment
should be noticeable during the 1983 surveys.
25
Public interest in moose on the Kenai Peninsula for hunting and
viewing is higher than ever before and will probably continue to
increase through the turn of the century.In recognition of this
fact,U.S.Forest Service personnel are currently engaged in a
prescribed burning program for the purpose of enhancing moose
winter range.The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has contrib-
uted to this effort by providing information and expertise con-
cerning the distribution and relative importance of wintering
areas.Forest Service personnel report that 3,040 acres of win-
ter range have been burned since 1981.They project that an ad-
ditional 6,000 acres will be treated through the burning program
during the next 5 years.
.-
PREPARED BY:
David A.Holdermann
Game Biologist II
SUBMITTED BY:
Leland P.Glenn
Survey-Inventory Coordinator
26
MOOSE
SURVEY-INVENTORY PROGRESS REPORT
GAME MANAGEMENT UNIT:9
GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION:Alaska Peninsula
PERIOD COVERED:1 July 1982-30 June 1983
Season and Bag Limit
See Hunting Regulations No.23.
Population Status and Trend
The moose population in Subunit 9B appears stable,while in 9C
moose are stable or slowly declining.The Subunit 9E moose popu-
lation continues to decline as a result of poor £alf recruitment.
A census in the central portion of 9E (1,300 mi between Ugashik
River and Cinder River)in February 1983 produced a population
estimate of 1,148 ±16%at the 90%confidence level.Moose den-
sities f9r high,medium and low strata were 2.43,0.85,and 0.24
moose/mi ,respectively.
Population Composition
Poor snow conditions on much of the Alaska Peninsula hampered
fa 11 composition surveys;however,surveys were cOmpleted in 5
trend areas in Subunit 9B (Chekok,Kijik-Miller Creek,Koksetna-
Chulitna,Big Mountain,and Nakeen);3 areas in 9C (Branch,King
Salmon Creek,and Park borde~);the Katmai area;and 3 areas in
9E (Dog Salmon,Mother Goose,and Cinder River).Results of
these composition counts are presented in Table 1.
The addition of several new trend areas in Subunit 9B resulted in
a more realistic picture of moose composition than was reflected
in 1981 surveys.The bull:cow and calf:cow ratios were higher in
9B than elsewhere on the Alaska Peninsula.The area west of Lake
Clark had particularly good calf production.Fall and winter
surveys in that area showed that calves composed between 24 and
27%of the herd.The composition ratios for moose in 9C,except
the Ka tmai trend area,were adequate and comparable to 1981.
Moose in the Katmai trend area and in trend areas in Subunit 9E
suffered very poor recruitment with only 9 calves:100 cows and 6%
calves in the herd.This level of recruitment was particularly
significant for 9E where the herd continued to decline.The
bull:cow ratio in 9E has increased from about 19:100 in 1979 to
32:100 this year,primarily as the result of a shorter fall hunt-
ing season.A contributing factor may have been increased nat-
ural mortality of old-aged cows.
27
Mortality
The total reported hunter harvest for Unit 9 was 130 moose:98
bulls,2~cows,and 4 of unknown sex.Hunter SuCcess (39%)was
comparable to the previous .year..The bull harvest decreased in
all Subunits,with the most dramatic decline in 9E where only 35
bulls were killed.The 9E harvest represents a 30%decrease from
1981.This decline was influenced by a 20%decrease in the num-
ber of hunters.Twelve of the 28 cows killed were taken during
the December antler less registration hunt for the Naknek drainage
in 9C.This hunt remained open the entire month with 88 permits
issued,of which 72 went to local residents.
Predation on neonatal moose calves is suspected to be the primary
factor responsible for the continued poor calf recruitment on the
Alaska Peninsula and for the failure of the moose herd in GMU 9E
to stabilize.Calf:cow ratios in the central part of 9E declined
from 40:100 on 1 June to 22:100 on 9 June to 9:100 in December
1982.
Range Analysis
Two range inventory and trend assessment stands were established
near Painter Creek in Subunit 9E.The number of stems,browsed
twigs,unbrowsed twigs,and stem height classes were recorded
from randomly located 2 x 5 m quadrats,20 quadrats in a 2-ha
stand on an upland site,and 15 quadrats in a 1.5-ha stand on a
lowland site.One hundred twigs of each willow species were
clipped at mean browsing diameter,air dried,and weighed.One
hundred current annual growth twigs of each species were simi-
larly prepared and weighed,and preliminary results are presented
in Tables 2 and 3.
Much of the upland area in the Painter Creek drainage is covered
by dense stands of balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera).Under-
story species include highbush cranberry (Viburnum edule),gray-
leaf willow (Salix glauca),Barclay willow (Salix barclayi),and
diamondleaf willow (Salix pulchra).Grayleaf and Barclay were
the only 2 willow species encountered in the upland sample quad-
rats.
Preferred browse species such as feltleaf willow (Salix alaxen-
SlS),littletree W1.L.LOW (Salix arbusculoides),and diamondleaf
willow were observed in the riparian zone;of those,only dia-
mondleaf willow occurred in the lowland sample stands.The
shrublands on the Painter Creek floodplain appeared to be domi-
nated by Barclay willow.Machida (1979)reported Barclay willow
was the least preferred willow by moose in his Kenai Peninsula
study area,and Milke (1969)gave both grayleaf and Barclay
willow low preference ratings in his Interior Alaska study.
28
--
Estimated percentage dry weight utili~ation of willow by moose at
Painter Creek was 8.9%and 0%in lowland and upland stands,re-
spectively.Some browsing had occurred in the upland stands;
however,browsing intensities were very low,and none of the
sample quadrats had been browsed.
Based on willow production and utilization values alone,moose
numbers in the Painter Creek drainage appear to be well below the
carrying capacity of the range.However,additional sampling is
needed in other shrub communities wi thin the drainage that may
contain a greater proportion of preferred browse species.
During April 1981,a browse inventory was conducted near Pumice
Creek in Subunit 9E (Sellers and McNay 1983).In conjunction
with that inventory,twig samples were collected for nutritional
analysis.Twigs were clipped from approximately 20 plants of
each of 3 willow species (diamondleaf,feltleaf,and grayleaf)
and alder (Alnus spp).Current annual growth twigs from willows
were separated into old-aged plant samples and young-aged plant
samples.
All clippings were air-dried for at least 7 days before being
sent to the Palmer Plant and Soil Analysis Laboratory,Palmer,
Alaska for analysis.Each sample was subjected to the Van Soest
analysis;each was analyzed for the following elements:nitrogen
(N),phosphorus (P),potassium (K),calcium (Ca),magnesium (Mg),
sodium (Na),cobalt (Co),zinc (Zn),manganese (Mn),and iron
(Fe)(Table 4).
Crude protein and digestibility values from the Pumice Creek wil-
low sample compare favorably with those reported from other
Alaskan moose ranges (Table 5).The literature lacks information
on the specific needs of moose for most of the macro and micro-
nutrients;however,some attention has been given to the levels
and seasonal variation in dietary sodium (Belvosky and Jordan
1981)and copper (Flynn et ale 1977).Sodium levels in the Pu-
mice Creek sample appeared adequate;however,the 5.6 ppm value
for copper may be marginal.On the Kenai Peninsula,a mean of
5.72 ppm copper in browse plants was considered marginally suf-
ficient and was linked to faulty hoof keratinization and de-
creased reproductive rates (Flynn et ale 1977).Additional samp-
ling is needed to assess the potential existence of copper de-
ficiency in moose browse on the Alaska Peninsula.
Management Summary and Recommendations
The moose population in Subunit 9B appears relatively stable and
more productive than in Subunits to the south.Winter surveys
flown in cooperation with the National Park Service in the Lake
Clark National Preserve showed that calves composed 27%of the
population.Calf recruitment was lower around Lake Iliamna,but
not enough data were available to determine if this problem is
chronic or to identify predation as the cause..
29
Subunit 9C continues to show relatively poor calf production and
recrui tment into the yearling age class.Bull:cow ratios re-
mained high,but because 9C contains the area's major human popu-
lation/transportation center,close monitoring of moose densities
and composition is necessary.The December antlerless registra-
tion hunt for the Naknek drainages,under close supervision,
should continue to .provide local residents additional opportunity
to hunt moose.
The moose population in GMU 9E is still declining because of poor
recruitment and an increasing old-age structure in the cow seg-
ment.Calf production in 1982,as measured during fall compo-
si tion counts and a winter population census,was alarmingly
poor.After discussions with residents of local villages,both
the advisory committees and the Game Division withdrew support
for the December antlerless moose season.In general,local res-
idents would prefer to see the 50 inch or 3 brow tine regulation
dropped in favor of bulls of any antler size during the December
season.If the bull harvest during September remains low and the
bull:cow ratio remains above 30:100,this relaxation of the reg-
ulation would be acceptable.
Preliminary analysis of range indicated that the moose herd in
the central portion of GMU 9E was below carrying capacity,and
further decline in this population is not desirable.Although no
moose-bear predation studies have been conducted,I suspect that
brown bears are depressing calf recruitment enough to prevent
population growth.The elimination of the December antlerless
moose season will probably not in itself cause the population to
stabilize.
Literature Cited
Belvosky,E.E.,and P.A.Jordon.1981.
adaptations of a moose population.
62 (3):613-621.
Sodium dynamics and
J.Mammal.
Flynn,A.,A.W.Franzmann,P.D.Arneson,and J.L.Oldemeyer.
1977.Indications of copper deficiency in a subpopulation
of Alaskan moose.J.Nutr.107(7):1181-1189.
Franzmann,A.W.,and C. C.Schwartz.1982.Evaluating and
testing techniques for moose management.Alaska Dep.Fish
and Game.Fed.Aid in Wildl.Rest.Final Rep.Proj.
W-17-7,W-17-8,W-17-9,W-17-10,W-17-11,W-21-1,and
W-21-2.Job 1-14R.Juneau.45pp.
Gasaway,W.C.,and J.W.Coady.1974.Review of energy
requirements and rumen fermentation in moose and other
ruminants.Nat.Can.(Que.)101:227-262.
Machida,S.1979.Differential use of willow species by moose
in Alaska.M.S.Thesis.Univ.Alaska,Fairbanks.96pp.
30
Milke,G.C.1969.Some moose-willow relationships in the
Interior of Alaska.M.S.Thesis.Univ.Alaska,Fairbanks.
79pp.
Schwartz,C.C.,A.W.Franzmann,and C.Johnson.1981.Moose
Research Center report .Alaska Dep.Fish and Game .Fed.
Aid in Wildl.Rest.Prog.Rep.Proj.W-21-2,Job 1.28R.
Juneau.42pp.
Sellers,R.A.,and M.E.McNay.1983.Unit 9 moose
survey-inventory progress report.Pages 36-42 in J.A.
Barnett,ed.Annual report of survey-inventory activities.
Part II.Moose.Vol.XIII.Alaska Dep.Fish and Game.
Fed.Aid in Wildl.Rest.Prog.Rep.Proj.W-22-1,Job 1.0.
Juneau.150pp.
PREPARED BY:
Richard A.Sellers
Game Biologist III
Mark E.McNay
Game Biologist II
SUBMITTED BY:
Leland P.Glenn
Survey-Inventory Coordinator
31
Table l.Fall sex-age ratios of moose in Unit 9,1982.
Total Small Calves/
males/lOa males/lOa 100 %calves Sample ~~
Area females females females in herd size
9B 54 11 33 17 384
9C 39 6 19 12 463
Katmai 45 9 9 6 214
9E 32 10 9 6 226
-.
32-
Table 2.Stem density,browse production,and browse
utilization estimates from 2 x 5 m quadrats on an upland
site near Painter Creek (~=20),1982.
Plant
species
Salix barclayi
Salix glauca
Viburnum edule
Populus
balsamifera (saplings)
Populus abalsamifera(trees)
stem density,
stems/ha (SE)
2,050 (1,104)
2,150 (805)
19,650 (3,369)
8,600 (939)
2,014 (172)
Browse Browse
product.utiliz.
(kg/ha)(kg/ha)
12.7 0
11.3 0
a Tree density determined by point centered quarter
method (N =20).
33
Table 3.stem density,browse production,and browse utilization
estimates from 2 x 5 m quadrats on lowland site near Painter
Creek (N =1$),1982.
-~
Browse Browse %twigs %stems
Plant Stem density,product.utiliz.browsed browsed
species stems/ha (SE)(kg/ha)(kg/ha)(SE)(SE)
Salix
mrclayi 35,500 (6,820)203.5 18.2 2.9 (0.9)16.7 (4.5)
Salix
pulchra 4,400 (2,270)9.6 2.7 1.1 (0.9)7.4 (7.0)
34
,.t
\
Table 4.Results of macro and micronutrient analysis from Pumice Creek browse samples,
April 1981.
Plant Nutrients
sample P (%)K(%)Ca (%)Mg(%)Na (%)Cu(ppm)Zn(ppm)Mn(ppm)Fe (ppm)
Salix alaxensis
old growth 0.18 0.44 0.69 0.13 0.02 4 150.0 47.5 107
young growth 0.15 0.39 0.56 0.10 0.10 4 119.8 30.0 71
leaves 0.12 0.16 1.18 0.23 0.12 6 100.2 101.0 244
Salix pulchra
old growth 0.17 0.39 0.41 0.14 0.10 5 214.5 252.4 57
young growth 0.15 0.36 0.40 0.13 0.10 6 180.8 185.0 43
leaves 0.09 0.11 0.49 0.17 0.06 3 160.8 452.1 86
Salix glauca
w old growth 0.14 0.44 0.40 0.16 0.03 9 152.7 .131.5 64
U1 young growth 0.15 0.38 0.33 0.12 0.10 7 176.3 79.4 56
Alnus spp.0.15 0.31 0.41 0.09 0.10 4 32.0 94.3 51
Table 5.Nutritional values of Pumice Creek browse samples compared with those reported
from other areas and in different seasons.
Data source/I~crude
%ADF b %%Digestibility
season protein %NDF a lignin cellulose in vivo in vitro
Kenai,C
July 6.9 44.9 40.9 18.2 ----42.6
Kenai,d
April 7.5 ------ ----39.0
Interior,e
June 12.0 51.7 40.2 11.7 28.5
Interior,e
October 6.0 68.9 58.9 18.5 40.4
w MRC Special 11.8 47.2 26.5 ----64.3
en
Pumice Creek 8.8 51.9 36.3 12.6 22.4 --38.8
a Neutral detergent fiber.b Acid detergent fiber.c
d Franzmann and Schwartz 1982.
Schwartz et ale 1981.e Gasaway and Co~ly 1974 (rumen samples).
I.
MOOSE
SURVEY-INVENTORY PROGRESS REPORT
GAME MANAGEMENT UNIT:11
GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION:Chitina Valley and the Eastern Half of
the Copper River Basin
PERIOD COVERED:1 July 1982-30 June 1983
Season and Bag Limit
See Hunting Regulations No.23.
Population Status and Trend
Moose numbers are currently low,but apparently increasing from
the extreme lows observed in the late 1970's.From the late
1950's through the 1960's,a mean of 86 moose per hour were
observed in the Mt.Sanford-Mt.Drum count area.By the mid to
late 1970's,this figure had declined to 14 moose per hour.In a
November 1982 survey,23 moose per hour were observed compared to
30 moose counted per hour the previous year.
Population Composition
During the fall 1982 count,with 85 moose sampled,121 bulls:100
cows and 36 calves:l00 cows were observed.
Mortality
Harvest report data indicated that 176 hunters killed 42 bull
moose during the 1982 season.Hunter success was 24%,as compar-
ed with 36%last year.Nonresident hunters killed 4 moose,
representing 10%of the total 1982 harvest.The most popular
method of transport among successful hunters were ATV's (44%),
followed by highway vehicles (24%)and aircraft (22%).
Management Summary and Recommendations
The increasing trend in hunting pressure and harvest seen over
the past few years in Wrangell-St.Elias Park did not continue in
1982.Instead,the number of hunters reporting decreased 16%.
This decline may be largely a response to poor weather conditions
during the hunting season since similar declines were seen in
adjacent areas.
37
With continued low harvest and high bull:cow ratios,there is no
evidence to indicate that hunting is impeding population recov-
ery;thus,no changes in season or bag limits were recommended.
PREPARED BY:
James W.Lieb
Game Biologist II
SUBMITTED BY:
LelandP.Glenn
Survey-Inventory Coordinator
38
MOOSE
SURVEY-INVENTORY PROGRESS REPORT
GAME MANAGEMENT UNIT:12
GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION:Upper Tanana and White Rivers
PERIOD COVERED:1 July 1982-30 June 1983
Season and Bag Limit
See Hunting Regulations No.23.
Population Status and Trend
Moose densities in Unit 12,as determined by fall sex and2 age
composition surveys,range from approximately 0.1 ~oose/mi in
the Tetlin-Northway flats area,to 1.0-1.5 moose/mi in the Tok
River drainage.The virtual absence of a local resident moose
population in suitable lowland habitat in the Tetlin-Northway
flats area is believed to be the result of chronic poaching and
high rates of predation by bears and wolves.
Populations in most areas are believed to be nearly stable with
no trends discernible using present survey techniques.However,
moose inhabiting the north slope of the Alaska Range and the
portion of Unit 12 north of the Tanana River and west of the
Taylor Highway appear to be increasing in abundance as a result
of recent reductions in wolf numbers in adjacent Subunit 20D and
in Unit 12 north of the Tanana River.
Population Composition
During the period 7 October-22 November,810 moose were classi-
fied during 18.4 hours of aerial surveys (Table 1).Tetlin
National Wildlife Refuge (NWR)personnel provided data for the
Cheslina and Kalukna River drainages.
Bull:cow ratios in the Dry Tok Creek and Little Tok River survey
areas remain low.Recent moose movement investigations indicate
that a substantial portion of the winter populations in these
drainages summer in nearby Units 11 and 13 and are being harvest-
ed during the fall in those heavily hunted areas.
Calf survival to 5 months of age remained low in most areas.
Moderately high densities of black bears,grizzly bears,and
wolves exist throughout most of Unit 12 and are believed to be
responsible for high neonate mortality.
39
Habitat Conditions
No standardized browse use surveys were conducted by the Depart-
ment during this reporting period.Casual observations,however,
indicate light to moderate levels of browse utilization in the
Tanana Valley and a high level of use in the Tok River drainage.
Tetlin NWR personnel reported high levels of browse use in the
Cheslina drainage,which supports a relatively high moose density
during the rutting periods.Snow accumulations were normal
during winter 1982-83 and many moose remained in subalpine
rutting areas throughout the winter,unlike winter 1981-82 when
heavy snow forced nearly all moose into lowland ranges by Decem-
ber.
A 3·0-acre.browse crushing trial project received heavy use by
moose in ..the .Tok River drainage.The area,characterized·by
feltleaf willow (Salix alaxensis)10-20 ft in height,was crushed
during March 1982.By August,the shoots were 3.0-5.5 ft tall
with an estimated doubling or tripling of available biomass.Use
during winter 1982-83 was nearly 100%,much heavier than adjacent
untreated areas.
Mortality
Predation by black bears,grizzly bears,and wolves is the
primary mortality factor affecting most moose populations in
Unit 12.Chronic poaching in areas close to villages in the Unit
is believed to be responsible for the virtual absence of resident
moose in such areas during fall.
Approximately 5 moose were killed by automobiles during the
reporting period,and an estimated 20-30 moose were taken ille-
gally.
Moose hunting pressure in Unit 12 during 1982 increased 13%to
408 hunters,compared to 354 hunters in 1981 and 285 hunters in
1980.
Eighty-six bull moose were reported taken,for a hunter success
rate of 21%.Ninety-one bull moose were harvested in 1981.The
Nabesna Road area was opened for moose hunting during the fall
1982 season;7 bulls (8%of the total harvest)came from this
area.Harvest distribution is presented in Table 2.
A total of 172 residents of Unit 12 reported hunting in Unit 12.
Unit residents reported killing 24 moose (28%of the total
reported harvest),a 14%success rate.In addition,191 other
residents of Alaska hunted in Unit 12 and took 36 bull moose.
Thirty-four nonresident hunters took 23 moose for a success rate
of 68%,which was much higher than the 17%success rate attained
by residents of Alaska.Undoubtedly,guides accounted for the
higher rate of hunting success among out-of-State hunters.
40
Management Summary and Recommendations
Most moose populations in Unit 12 exist at low densities and
appear to be stable.Moose densities are moderate in the Tok,
Little Tok,upper Tetlin,and Cheslina drainages.Wolf reduc-
tions in northern Unit 12 and adjacent Subunit 20D are expected
to result in increased densities of moose in the northern and
western portions of the Unit.
The Tok River Operational Moose Management Plan should be fully
implemented to improve habitat conditions and moose productivity.
Moose habitat improvement efforts in the Tok River drainage
should continue.
The Fire Management Plan for the Fortymile Planning Area should
be implemented during 1983 to return a near-natural fire regime
to much of the Unit.
I recommend that public aerial shooting permits be made available
to initiate a measured reduction of wolf numbers in the eastern
portion of Unit 12.Wolf reductions will be necessary to restore
moose abundance in the Tetlin-Northway flats area.
A 50-inch antler spread (or 4 brow tines on 1 antler)restriction
will be implemented in the southeastern portion of Unit 12 in
1983.No further regulation changes were proposed.
PREPARED BY:
David G.Kelleyhouse
Game Biologist III
SUBMITTED BY:
Jerry D.McGowan
Survey-Inventory Coordinator
41
Table l.Unit 12 moose sex and age ratios observed during aerial surveys,
7 October-22 November 1982.
Total Small %
bulls/bulls/small Calves/%Moose/Total
Area 100 cows 100 cows bulls 100 cows calves hour moose
North Alaska
Range 55 14 7 31 17 24 54
Tok River 33 14 9 30 19 41 150
Dry Tok Creek 20 4 3 27 18 65 72
Little Tok
River 19 4 3 12 9 78 202
Nabesna Road 38 11 7 19 12 26 58
Tetlin River-
Tuck Creek 55 8 5 18 11 33 104
Tetlin Flats 73 23 13 9 5 NA 40
Cheslina River 52 24 14 28 15 21 52
Kalukna River 73 16 9 5 3 98 78
42
Table 2.Number and percentage of bull moose harvested in major drainages of
Unit 12,1982.
Drainage Number of bulls taken %total harvest
Tok 10 12
Little Tok 20 23
Tanana 14 16
Nabesna 20 23
Chisana-White 13 15
Tetlin 8 9
Unknown 1 1
Total harvested bulls 86 100
43
MOOSE
SURVEY-INVE~TORY PROGRESS REPORT
GAME MANAGEMENT UNIT:13
GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION:Nelchina and Upper Susitna Rivers
PERIOD COVERED:1 July 1982-30 June 1983
Season and Bag Limit
See Hunting Regulations No.23.
Population Status and Trend
The Unit 13 moose population increased during 1982.During the
past 3 years,the number of moose observed during fall composi-
tion counts has increased.A series of mild winters resulting in
low mortality was an important factor contributing to the in-
crease in population size.
Population Composition
Moose sex and age composition counts were completed in 9 count
areas during October and November (Table 1).More yearling bulls
were observed during that count than in previous years.
Mortality
Six hundred and twenty-three moose were killed by 2,919 hunters
during the 1982 season.Hunter success was 21.3%.Nonresident
hunters killed 53 moose,or 8.5%of the harvest.The most popu-
lar method of transportation among successful hunters were ATV's
(40%),followed by aircraft (28%)and highway vehicles (18%).
Management Summary and Recommendations
Aided by a series of mild winters,the Unit 13 moose population
has been increasing.Fall composition counts indicate higher
bull:cow ratios,largely due to greater yearling bull survival
under restrictive hunting regulations.These regulations protect
yearlings and 2-year-old bulls by requiring hunters to select for
older,mature bulls.The mean age and number of mature bulls in
the population have therefore declined.
Both moose hunting pressure and the moose harvest declined in
1982.Adverse weather conditions the last 10 days of the season
may have contributed to this decline.
44
No changes in seasons and bag limits were recommended.
PREPARED BY:
Robert W.Tobey
Game Biologist III
SUBMITTED BY:
Leland P.Glenn
Survey-Inventory Coordinator
45
Table 1.Moose sex and age composition in Game Management Unit 13,
1981-82.
Lrg.Yrlg.Bulls/100 Calves/100 Moose/
Year bulls bulls cows Calves cows Total hr
1981 455 294 21.4 1,054 30.0 5,311 56.4
1982 427 475 23.9 970 25.7 5,645 65.3
46
MOOSE
SURVEY-INVENTORY PROGRESS REPORT
GAME MANAGEMENT UNIT:14A
GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION:Matanuska Valley
PERIOD COVERED:1 July 1982-30 June 1983
Season and Bag Limit
See Hunting Regulations No.23.
Population Status and Trend
The increasing numbers of moose observed during composition sur-
veys suggest the moose population in the Matanuska Valley has
increased.
Population Composition
Composition surveys were flown under good snow and weather con-
ditions in all 8 historical trend count areas.An additional
trend count area was also established and flown in the vicinity
of the Point McKenz ie Agriculture Proj ect.Survey results are
shown in Table 1.
Mortality
Harvest ticket reports indicated 311 bull moose were killed by
2,219 hunters.The number of hunters increased by 214 from the
1981 season.Moose hunting success rate was 14%,which was below
the 9-year mean of 21%.An additional 123 antlerless moose were
killed by 400 permit holders.An analysis of successful moose
hunters show 96%were residents,2%were nonresidents,and 2%
were of unknown residency.Successful hunters spent an average
of 4.4 days hunting.
A review of Department of Public Safety records indicated that
182 moose were killed by highway vehicles during winter 1982~83.
This compares to 72 killed by highway vehicles during the pre-
vious winter.
There were 5 known cases of natural winter mortality.Three of
the moose showed extreme tooth wear indicating old age.Two had
improperly healed broken legs,which restricted their mobility.
Management Summary and Recommendations
A heavy snowfall in early October forced moose out of alpine
areas to lower elevations.The number of moose wintering in the
47
human populated portion of Subunit l4A was substantially higher
than during the previous 3 winters.This situation contributed
significantly to the 2.5 fold increase in vehicle-caused moose
mortalities.
At the time composition surveys were completed,most of the moose
were in timbered areas where observation and classification are
difficult.For this reason,the observed calf:cow ratio may be
greater than 40:100.
The mean antler size of harvested bulls was 30.9 inches.The
harvest of predominantly small antlered males is believed to in-
dicate that hunting pressure is allowing few bulls to mature to
the older age classes.If hunting pressure continues to in-
crease,it may be necessary to consider restrictions to limit the
harvest of bull moose.
The moose population is believed near the maximum level desired.
Efforts are being made to improve moose habitat in the Moose
Creek Moose Management Area.Gains realized in that area will be
offset by losses to expanding agricultural areas such as Point
McKenzie and Fish Creek.Residential developments continue to
reduce moose range,with 3,500 new homes being built during 1983.
No changes in seasons or bag limits were recommended.
PREPARED BY:
Jack C.Didrickson
Game Biologist III
NicholasC.Steen
Game Biologist II
SUBMITTED BY:
Leland P.Glenn
Survey-Inventory Coordinator
48
Table 1.Moose sex and age ratios in Subunit 14A,1982.
l'iales/Calves/Twins/Count
Count 100 100 100 females Moose/Sample time
area females females w/calves hour size (hr)
1 31.2 40.9 5.7 30.8 160 5.2
2 12.9 35.5 22.2 14.8 46 3.1
3 22.9 43.3 8.2 74.6 261 3.5
4 16.9 35.5 5.0 82.2 189 2.3
5 a 21.9 51.0 5.6 85.1 332 3.9
6 16.9 49.4 6.4 91.3 411 4.4
7 a 27.1 37.9 12.1 58.6 287 4.9
8 a 12.2 26.7 0.0 58.1 250 4.3
Point 14.1 25.9 0.0 59.5 119 2.1
McKenzie
01:>-Means 19.9 40.3 6.4 58.9
1.0 Totals 2,055 33.7
a Incomplete survey.
•I
MOOSE
SURVEY-INVENTORY PROGRESS REPORT
GAME MANAGEMENT UNIT:14B
GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION:Willow to Talkeetna
PERIOD COVERED:1 July 1982-30 June 1983
Season and Bag Limit
See Hunting Regulations No.23.
Population Status and Trend
The moose population appears to be increasing as indicated by
high calf production,survival,and moose density.
Population Composition
Composition surveys,totaling 23.6 hours,were flown throughout
the Subunit in early December;1,124 moose were counted at the
rate of 47.6 moose/hour.Weather and snow conditions varied from
poor to excellent depending on the area surveyed.Results of
those surveys were as follows:43.0 males/100 cows;29.1
calves/100 cows;and 6.4 twins/100 cows with calves.
Mortality
A total of 248 moose,151 bulls and 97 cows,were killed by
hunters in Subunit 14B.In September,203 moose (131 bulls and
72 cows)were killed by 997 hunters for 20%success.Ten of the
72 cows were taken.by hunters possessing antler less permits.
During the winter season (28 Jan-10 Feb),hunters having antler-
less permits killed an additional 45 moose (19 bulls,24 cows,
and 2 calves).Of the 50 permit holders,45 hunted and all were
successful.
The average age of moose harvested during the winter permit hunt
was 4.9 years of age for males and 7.0 years of age for females,
excluding calves.These ages compare to 6.0 and 7.7 years of age
for males and females,respectively,harvested during the pre-
vious winter hunt.During the 1983 winter hunt,20 adult females
(including 3 long yearlings)were checked for pregnancy rate;15
were found to be pregnant with an in utero ratio of 1.47 calves:
cow.
Records obtained from the Department of Public Safety indicated
that 22 moose were killed by highway vehicles during this report-
ing period.Observations along the Alaska Railroad tracks indi-
cated 34 moose were killed by trains during the winter.This
figure compares to 9,6,and 9 moose killed annually by trains
during the previous 3 winters.
50
Management Summary and Recommendations
The winter of 1982-83 began with a heavy snowfall in October,
forcing moose out of alpine areas to lower elevations.The
number of moose wintering in the human populated portion of
Subunit 14B was higher than during the previous 3 years.This
resul ted in a higher rate of train and vehicle-caused moose
mortalities.
Aerial composition surveys were conducted throughout Subunit 14B.
Most of the moose were located at lower elevations.Locating
moose in dense timber was difficult and time consuming.Obser-
vation of lone animals and calves was particularly difficult;
thus,the observed ratios are questionable.Calf survival may
therefore be greater than 29 calves:100 cows.
The majority of the cow harvest (62 animals)resulted from a
10-day,nonpermit hunt for that part of Subunit 14B located 3 mi
east of the Parks and Talkeetna Spur Highways.That hunt gene-
rated extensive interest from the hunting public;however,due to
the very limited access,few animals were killed.With relative-
ly high calf reproduction and low mortality,we believed the
population has increased and recommend the entire Subunit be
-opened to either-sex hunting,without permit,for the month of
September.
PREPARED BY:
Jack C.Didrickson
Game Biologist III
Nicholas C.Steen
Game Biologist II
SUBMITTED BY:
Leland P.Glenn
Survey-Inventory Coordinator
51
MOOSE
SURVEY-INVENTORY PROGRESS REPORT
GAME MANAGEMENT UNIT:14C and 7 within the Portage and
Placer River drainages
GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION:Anchorage Area
PERIOD COVERED:1 July 1982-30 June 1983
Season and Bag Limit
See Hunting Regulations No.23.
Population Status and Trend
Calf production and winter survival have been at near maximum
levels during the past 4 years,mainly as a result of 4 conse-
cutive mild winters.During this time,the population increased
slightly despite deteriorating browse conditions.This trend
will likely continue barring the inevitable return of more severe
winters.
Population Composition
Moose (l,100)were counted during aerial surveys conducted during
October and November.These surveys were the most extensive ever
flown wi thin the Subunit,covering virtually every area where
significant concentrations of moose are found.A ratio of 49
bulls:100 cows was obtained,the highest since Subunit-wide sur-
veys were initiated (1966).Forty-six calves:100 cows were also
observed,comparable to the 1979-81 mean of 48 calves:lOO cows.
The mean age of 38 road-killed and 34 hunter-killed cow moose was
3.8 years,clearly representing a young,growing population.The
mean age of 10 hunter-killed bull moose was 2.5 years.
Mortality
Thirty-five antlerless and 71 antlered moose were killed by sport
hunters within the Subunit.The antlerless moose were taken un-
der the drawing permit system from the Fort Richardson and Por-
tage hunt areas.Thirty-six bulls were also taken from the same
areas under permit,and the remainder (35)were taken during a
general open season within other portions of the Subunit.Ex-
cluding those taken on Fort Richardson,the bull harvest was 69%
above the 1977-81 mean of 42 bulls.Excluding the Fort Richard-
son hunt,280 persons reported hunting moose for a success rate
of 25%.In the Fort Richardson hunt,each of the 35 permittees
took a moose.
52
An additional 159 moose,approximately 62 of which were calves,
were killed by vehicles on Subunit 14C roadways between 1 June
1982-31 May 1983.This compares to a mean of 77 killed on local
highways during previous reporting periods from 1977-1981.The
75%increase in vehicle-related deaths was attributable to the
abundance of moose wi thin the Subunit,the rapidly increasing
number of motor vehicles on Anchorage area roadways,and heavy
snow accumulation in early winter.A significant portion of this
mortality (53%)occurred during the months of November through
February when darkness and slippery roads created hazardous con-
ditions for both motorists and moose.An additional 26 moose
were reported killed by other means,such as poaching,accidents,
and train kills.The total reported mortality for the Subunit
was 291 moose.
Management Summary and Recommendation
As a consequence of 4 consecutive mild winters,the population
continues to increase slowly to a high level last seen in the
early 1970's.This fact,coupled with the annual loss of winter
browse due to human expansion and high winter mortality due to a
variety of causes,indicates the need for increased hunter har-
vest.I recommend this be accomplished by lengthening the exis~
ting season by 10 days to 30 September,providing for permit only
antlerless hunts in several local drainages,and by allowing
archery-only hunts in several areas presently closed to all moose
hunting.
PREPARED BY:
David B.Harkness
Game Biologist III
SUBMITTED BY:
Leland P.Glenn
Survey-Inventory Coordinator
53
MOOSE
SURVEY-INVENTORY PROGRESS REPORT
GAME MANAGEMENT UNIT:15A
GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION:Kenai Peninsula
PERIOD COVERED:1 July 1982-30 June 1983
Season and Bag Limit
See Hunting Regulations No.23.
Population Status and Trend
Results of moose surveys conducted in a portion of Subunit 15A
indicated an increasing moose population.The portion surveyed,
however,consisted primarily of the 1969 burn and Mystery Creek
crushed areas.Both of these areas contain excellent moose
browse,but make up a small portion of the Subunit.Most of the
unsurveyed portion was within the 1947 burn,which no longer con-
tains good moose browse.A slight increase in the overall moose
population probably resulted from a series of mild winters since
1979.
Population Composition
Surveys were conducted in 8 of 13 count areas;692 moose were
classified.The U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service conducted 6 of 8
surveys.These surveys revealed 13 bulls:100 cows,40 calves:100
cows,and 9 sets of twin calves:100 cows with calves.The per-
centage of calves in the sample was 26%,suggesting moderately
high early-winter calf survival.
Mortality
Harvest information derived from hunter reports indicated 1,049
hunters killed 210 bulls and 1 cow.These figures represent a
24%decrease in the number of moose killed and a 7%decrease in
the number of hunters reporting when compared to 1981 data.
Hunter success was 15%.Alaskan residents accounted for 96%of
the successful and 98%of the unsuccessful hunters.
Reported kill locations plotted on a map (not shown)have indi-
cated that the majority of harvest came from the areas burned in
1969.
54
Management Summary and Recommendations
Increased public awareness of high moose density in the 85,000
acre 1969 burn area has tended to concentrate hunters.Habitat
improvement is necessary in other portions of Subunit 15A to
stimulate population growth and to distribute hunting pressure.
The preferred method to improve habitat for moose,and conse-
quently shift hunting pressure,is prescribed burning where
feasible and crushing where burning is not possible.
A proposal to issue 30 permits for the taking of antlerless moose
in the western portion of Subunit l5A (1969 burn)was approved by
the Board of Game during their spring 1982 meeting.If moose
survey data continue to show an increasing trend in moose dens-
ity,it is recommended that this hunt be continued and the number
of permits readjusted annually according to survey and harvest
information.
PREPARED BY:
Ted H.Spraker
SUBMITTED BY:
Leland P.Glenn
Survey-Inventory Coordinator
55
MOOSE
SURVEY-INVENTORY PROGRESS REPORT
GAME MANAGEMENT UNIT:15B
GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION:Kenai Peninsula
PERIOD COVERED:1 July 1982-30 June 1983
Season and Bag Limit
See Hunting Regulations No.23.
Population Status and Trend
Survey information,available in 3 of 4 count areas within Sub-
unit 15B West,indicated the moose population was healthy and in-
creasing.Surveys were not conducted in Subunit 15B East.
Population Composition
A total of 459 moose was counted in 15B West during an aerial
survey conducted in November.Composition of observed moose were
14 bulls:100 cows,5 yearling bulls:100 cows,and 39 calves:100
cows.Noteworthy was the fact that 353 of these animals (77%)
were found in an area where the habitat had been mechanically
manipulated to increase its potential carrying capacity.
Mortality
Hunters harvested a total of 49 bulls in 15B West during a 20-day
season.Resident hunters took 96%(N =47)of the harvest.Hun-
ter success was 17%~Antler spreads of harvested bulls were as
follows:~29 inches =53%(N =21);30.0-49.9 inches =35%(N
=14);and >50 inches =13%(N =5).The antler spreads aver=
aged 31 inches.Successful hunters averaged 3.8 days in the
field,and unsuccessful hunters averaged 6.0 days.
Seventy-three of 100 permittees hunted moose in Subunit 15B East.
A total of 23 bulls were harvested,yielding a success rate of
32%.Mean antler spread was 56 inches (N =21,range 46 to 65),
and the largest antler spread was 65.8 in-ches.
Management Summary and Recommendations
Moose calf survival in 15B West was substantially improved in
1981 and 1982.Winter survival of the calves was high,and the
addition of the yearling cohort resulted in moderate population
growth.This increase in calf survival was influenced by a se-
ries of exceptionally mild winters that began in 1979.
56
The trophy bull moose hunt in 15B East continues to provide ex-
cellent hunting opportunities and is popular among Alaskan and
nonresident sportsmen.The doubling of permits and splitting the
season into 2,20-day periods increased the average annual har-
vest from 15 to 25 bulls in 1982.This is an acceptable level of
harvest:therefore,no regulatory changes were recommended.
PREPARED BY:
Ted H.Spraker
Game Biologist III
SUBMITTED BY:
Leland P.Glenn
Survey-Inventory Coordinator
57
MOOSE
SURVEY-INVENTORY PROGRESS REPORT
GAME MANAGEMENT UNIT:15C
GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION:Kenai Peninsula
PERIOD COVERED:1 July 1982-30 June 1983
Season and Bag Limit
See Hunting Regulations No.23.
Population Status and Trend
Moose are near the ecological carrying capacity of the maturing
forest habitats of this Subunit.Comparison of 1977-78 and 1981-
82 count data clearly indicates the population in this region has
made only modest gains during the past 5 years despite a recent
series of mild winters.
Population Composition
Complete aerial surveys were conducted in 4 count areas that com-
prise approximately 70%of the land area between Tustemena Lake
and Kachemak Bay.Survey conditions were nearly ideal for all
areas.A total of 1,019 moose (125 bulls,670 cows,and 224
calves)were classified.An average of 19 bulls:100 cows were
observed.The ratio of c~lves:100 cows ranged from 17 to 67 and
averaged 33.
Mortality
The reported harvest was 197 moose,which included 193 bulls and
4 moose of unspecified sex.This harvest was slightly smaller
than that reported in 1981 (225 moose).Eight hundred eighty-six
hunters pursued moose,and hunter success was 22%.
Management Summary and Recommendations
The mature state of forest habitats appears to be the major fac-
tor limiting moose population growth in Subunit 15C.Forests
typically consist of rather dense,50 to 100-year-old stands of
spruce and,less commonly,spruce mixed with birch.Very small
amounts of browse exist under these conditions.The highest
browse production per unit area occurs in the open riparian and
low alpine habitats.
The area's capacity to support moose could be greatly improved by
reversing the present course of forest succession.Maj or wild
fires occur too infrequently on the southern Kenai Peninsula to
maintain optimal browse production.Furthermore,the potential
58
to extensively enhance habitat conditions appears quite limited
due to the restrictive land management policies on the Kenai Na-
tional Wildlife Refuge and complex land ownership patterns within
the balance of the Subunit.Nonetheless,every effort should be
put forth to identify tracts of public land where habitat manipu-
lation may be used.
The region's carrying capacity for moose has been further reduced
over the past 3 decades by various human-related disturbances on
critical winter ranges.Most noteworthy of these losses are the
following:range competition with domestic livestock in the
lower Fox River Valley,and residential housing development on
the Homer "benchlands."The Department should work closely with
the Division of Lands to suggest ways to reduce foraging
competition on ranges in Fox River Valley.Realistically,
however,conditions for moose in the "benchlands"will continue
to deteriorate in the future.
Preliminary evaluation of moose habitat and land ownership of the
South Fork of the Anchor River shows that this area should be
maintained in public ownership and primarily managed for moose.
This goal can be accomplished if immediate steps are taken to
designate the area as a State game range or refuge.
No changes in seasons and bag limits were recommended.
PREPARED BY:
David A.Holdermann
Game Biologist II
SUBMITTED BY:
Leland P.Glenn
Survey-Inventory Coordinator
59
MOOSE
SURVEY-INVENTORY PROGRESS REPORT
GAME MANAGEMENT UNIT:16
GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION:West Side of Cook Inlet
PERIOD COVERED:1 July 1982-30 June 1983
Season and Bag Limit
See Hunting Regulations No.23.
Population Status and Trend
The moose population in Subunit 16A appears to be healthy and
stable.The moose population in Subunit 16B has recovered from
extensive winter kills experienced in the late 1960's and early
1970's.
Population Composition
Composition surveys were flown in early December in the Peters-
Dutch Hills and Kroto Creek areas of Subunit 16A,and in the
Alexander Creek,Susitna-Beluga Mountain,Sunflower Basin,Lone
Ridge,and McArthur River areas of Subunit 16B.Survey results
are shown in Table 1.
Mortality
In Subunit 16A,206 moose,163 males,41 females,and 2 of
unknown sex were killed by 947 hunters.The 150 persons with
permits for antlerle·ss moose reported taking 41 moose (4 males
and 37 females),and the remainder of the harvest came from the
general open season.Hunters were primarily State residents (187
successful,697 unsuccessful)i nonresidents (12 successful,10
unsuccessful)and persons of unknown residency (7 successful,34
unsuccessful)were less than 7%of total hunters.
There were 362 moose (296 males,56 females,and 10 of unknown
sex)killed by 1,135 hunters in Subunit 16B.State residents
(297 successful,684 unsuccessful)remained in the majority,with
nonresidents (31 successful,51 unsuccessful)comprising a
slightly higher percent (14%)than in Subunit 16A.
An additional 78 hunters,hunting an unknown portion of Unit 16,
killed 5 bull moose.
Management Summary and Recommendations
Composition data obtained in both Subunits were generally compar-
able to data from those same areas in recent years.The varia-
tions in data reflect bias introduced as a result of moose
60
movement and survey conditions rather than actual changes in the
population status.A lack of adequate snow cover prevented
surveys of some areas,and a significant movement of animals out
of established boundaries caused problems.For count area L in
the Long Ridge trend area,the sample size decreased from 142
animals observed in 1981 to only 18 because of such movements.
The Unit 16 moose populations appeared to be benefiting from the
recent series of mild winters and experienced good reproduction
and recruitment.Calf:cow ratios varied from a low of 26.6
ca1ves:l00 cows in the Sunflower Basin area to 47.7 ca1ves:l00
cows in the Kroto Creek area.
The harvest for Subunit 16A decreased from 248 moose in 1981 to
206,although the numbers of ant1erless moose taken by drawing
permit increased from 30 to 41.Hunter success (19.9%)remained
the same for both years,and the decreased harvest was a product
of reduced effort as a result of inclement weather during the
season.In Subunit 16B,the same trend was evident with the
reported harvest declining from 439 moose in 1981 to 362 and
hunter numbers decreasing from 1,345 to 1,135.
Subunit 16B supports a large number of moose.Due to poor hunter
access throughout most of the Subunit,only a moderate harvest
was achieved.In an attempt to take more·moose,we recommend
increasing the length of the ant1er1ess moose season by 10 days.
PREPARED BY:
James B.Faro
Game Biologist III
William P.Taylor
Game Biologist II
SUBMITTED BY:
Leland P.Glenn
Survey-Inventory Coordinator
61
Table 1.Moose sex and age ratios in Game Management Unit 16,1982.
Twins/lOa Count
Count Males/Calves/females Moose/Sample time
area 100 females 100 females w/calves hour size (hr)
Subunit 16A
Peters-Dutch
Hills 20.9 35.8 10.8 34.2 315 9.2
Kroto Creek 51.2 47.7 20.6 43.8 171 3.9
Totals 486 13.1
Means 30.0 39.4 14.1 37.1
Subunit l6B
0'\Alexander 39.8 43.2 12.1 67.1 161 2.4
!')Creek
Susitna-
Beluga 39.8 36.1 16.7 48.7 146 3.0
Mtn.
Sunflower 52.2 26.6 11.8 112.7 524 4.7
Basin
Lone Ridge a a a a 18 3.0
McArthur 43.5 33.9 10.5 40.3 110 2.7
River
Totals 959 28.9
Means 48.1 31.5 12.4 60.7
Unit 16
Totals 1,445 28.9
Means 41.8 34.2 13.1 50.0
a Small sample size.
•
MOOSE
SURVEY-INVENTORY PROGRESS REPORT
GAME MANAGEMENT UNIT:16B
GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION:Kalgin Island
PERIOD COVERED:1 July 1982-30 June 1983
Season and Bag Limit
See Hunting Regulations No.23.
Population Status and Trend
The moose population on Kalgin Island has been significantly re-
duced by hunting;however,the estimated2 population of 45-50
moose still exceeds a density of 2 moose/mi .
Population Composition
Forty-three moose were observed during a trend survey (2.3 hours)
flown on 30 October 1982;18.4 moose/hour were seen.The compo-
sition of that sample was 4 bulls,21 cows,and 18 calves.Sex
and age ratios were as follows:males/100 females (19.0);
calves/IOO females (85.7);and twins/100 females w/calves (20.0).
Mortality
Seventy-one moose (34 cows and 37 bulls)were taken from Kalgin
Island before the season was closed by emergency order on 17 Sep-
tember.The age structure of the harvest was predominantly young
animals;82%were 3 years of age or younger.Only 8 of 141 moose
killed in the past 2 seasons were 6 years of age or older.Exam-
ination of tooth wear suggested few moose lived beyond 6 years of
age.Tooth wear was so extreme that it would be
difficult for them to obtain adequate feed even during mild
winters.
Management Summary and Recommendations
In December 1981,141 moose were 20bserved on Kalgin Island for a
density in excess of 7 moose/mi of available habitat.Obser-
vations of the island's vegetation indicated that extreme over-
browse had occurred,and significant winter mortality could be
expected with even moderate snow depths.A special midwinter
hunt was authorized and the known population reduced by 70 ani-
mals.In September 1982,an additional 71 moose were taken.
With recruitment of calves born in spring 1982,a minimum of 43
moose are known to remain on the island.
63
Unlike moose on the mainland,Kalgin Island moose have no winter
habitat they can move to in response to deep snow.The browse
that supports them through the winter has already sustained use
during the growing season.Therefore,browse is not available in
the same quantity and quality that would be present were it not
used during ~e growing season.Under the former stocking rate
of 7 moose/mi ,overbrowsing occurred;moose are now foraging on
food items not normally utilized as a mainstay of their diet.
The detrimental impacts of this nontypical feeding is reflected
by rapid tooth wear.
The present density of 2 moose/mi 2 is still too high to allow
vegetation to recover to the level where it could carry the popu-
lation through a winter of moderate to heavy snow depths.
Reproduction next spring is expected to add a minimum of 20 moose
to the population,as survival of calves is high on the predator-
free island.It appears significant winter mortality has been
avoided only because of recent mild winters.
We recommended that the ~opulation on Kalgin Island be maintained
at a level of 1 moose/mi.The vegetation should be monitored to
determine if it can recover from past overuse.The stocking rate
of moose will be determined through annual surveys and adjust-
mentsmade in response to carrying capacity.A registration hunt
provides the best means of monitoring the harvest and to ensure
the desired number of animals are removed from the island.
PREPARED BY:
James B.Faro
Game Biologist III
William P.Taylor
Game Biologist II
SUBMITTED BY:
Leland P.Glenn
Survey-Inventory Coordinator
64
MOOSE
SURVEY-INVENTORY PROGRESS REPORT
GAME MANAGEMENT UNIT:17
GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION:Bristol Bay
PERIOD COVERED:1 July 1982-30 June 1983
Season and Bag Limit
See Hunting Regulations No.23.
Population Status and Trend
Population status is highly varia~le between Subunits.A moose
census was conducted in a 1,834/mi portion of Subunit 17C using
the population estimation method developed by Gasaway (1981).
The census area was divided into 164 sample units which were
stratified into 3groups--high,medium,and low density.
Random sampling within each stra~um yielded the following fensity
estimates:¥gh,1.87 moose/mi ;medium,0.78 moose/mi ;low,
0.35 moose/mi.~e density estimate for the entire census area
was 0.66 moose/mi.Using these estimates as a basis for prZ-
diction,the density in Subunit 17A is probably <0.1 moose/mi •
In the Nushagak drainage portion of SU?2mi t 17B,moose density
probably falls between 0.6-0.9 moose/mi.Moose densities are
higher in the ~ulchatna River drainage,probably approaching
1.0-1.3 moose/mi •
Moose populations increased in most portions of Subunits 17B and
17C during this reporting period.Increases were due primarily
to the mild winter and to the availability of the Mulchatna
Caribou Herd to people of Nushagak River villages.Fewer cow
moose were taken illegally during the winter months because
caribou were easily accessible from December through March.The
moose population in Subunit 17A,however,has been nearly extir-
pated by poachers,presumably from Togiak and Twin Hills.
Population Composition
Lack of snow prevented most surveys from being accomplished this
fall.Surveys were conducted in the Sunshine Valley and Kemuk
Mountain count areas (Table 1).As has been true in previous
years,sex ratios in both areas exceeded 100 bulls:100 cows.
Calves composed 20%of the herd in the Kemuk Mountain area and
10%in Sunshine Valley.Survival of yearlings appeared high in
both areas.
65
Mortality
Harvest ticket reports indicate 149 hunters killed 49 moose,a
55%decline from 76 moose reported taken the previous year.
Harvest data do not accurately reflect the true harvest level,as
the majority of harvest taken during the legal season by resi-
dents of the Unit remains unreported.Additionally,a signifi-
cant number of moose of both sexes are taken out of season.
Of the successful hunters who reported their kills,39 were
residents,5 were nonresidents,and 5 did not specify residency.
Of the 39 successful residents,21 (34%)resided in Unit 17.
Because residents of the Unit are responsible for nearly all the
illegal kills and a large percentage of the unreported legal
harvest,the actual percentage of moose taken by residents of the
Unit is substantially higher.Harvest reports indicated that 29
moose were taken during the September season,11 moose were taken
during the December season,and 9 moose were taken out of season.
Boats (39%)and aircraft (21%)are the most common methods of
transportation used for hunting moose.Access to Subunit 17B is
primarily by aircraft while boats are used almost exclusively in
Subunit 17C.While nearly all residents of the Unit'utilize
snowmachines for access during the winter season,only 5 hunters
reported using them as their principal transportation means.
Winter snow conditions were mild during 1982-83,and no winter
mortality was documented.-Sealing certificates indicate the wolf
population had increased substantially since 1981,and several
wolf-killed moose were reported.The incidence of poaching
appeared to be considerably lower than in past years.However,
area residents allegedly took a minimum of 10 moose from the
Togiak drainage,even though the moose season is Subunit 17A was
closed.
Management Summary and Recommendations
Most residents of Subunit 17A were aware that the moose season
was closed.It may take several years before villagers have
sufficient respect for hunting regulations to make season closure
effective.
Stratification crlteria used during the ~ubunlt l7C census should
be extrapolated over other portions of the Unit to provide a
better estimate of the moose population.Survey data are sparse
in Subunit 17B.Survey efforts should be intensified there to
provide baseline information necessary for intelligent considera-
tion of regulation proposals.
During this reporting period,the Board of Game adopted a regi-
stration permit hunt for Subunits 1 7B and 1 7C ,exc luding the
Mulchatna drainage above the confluence of the Chilchitna River
with a 20 August-4 September season.This hunt was requested by
the local advisory committee to provide an earlier season for
local hunters.By increasing the season length in this manner,
66
it is hoped there will be less illegal killing cows.The Board
of Game requested that the Department conduct adequate surveys
during fall 1983 to document what effect this season will have on
the moose population.
Literature Cited
Gasaway,W.C.
Alaska Dep.
Rep.Proj.
Job 1.17R,
PREPARED BY:
1981.Moose survey procedures
Fish and Game.Fed.Aid in Wildl.
W-17-9,W-17-10,W-17-11,W-21-1,
1.18R,and 1.19R.Juneau.13pp.
SUBMITTED BY:
development.
Rest.Final
and W-21-2.
"-
Kenton P.Taylor
Game Biologist III
Leland P.Glenn
Survey-Inventory Coordinator
67
Table 1.Fall and winter sex and age ratios from Sunshine Valley and Kemuk Mountain count
areas in Unit 17,Northern Bristol Bay,1972-1982.
Count
area Date
Total
bulls/
100
cows
%
yrlg.
bulls
in herd
Calves/
100
cows
%twins/
100 cows
w/calves
%
calves
in herd
Moose/
hour
Total
sample
Sunshine
Valley 3/11/72 ------33.3 33.3 69 48
3/28/80 -- ----40.0 15.6 --45
11/26/80 118.2 9.1 27.3 0.0 11.1 15 27
1/5/82 -- --
--33.3 19.6 58 46
12/6/82 153.4 41.1 29.4 25.0 10.2 49 49
2/24/83 ------20.0 17.6 26 68
0'\Kemuk 12/2/80 135.3 12.5 23.5 0.0 9.1 42 88
co Mtn.12/8/82 161.1 9.3 65.2 25.0 20.0 38 75
t..'I,
'.
MOOSE
SURVEY-INVENTORY PROGRESS REPORT
GAME MANAGEMENT UNIT:18
GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION:Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta
PERIOD COVERED:1 July 1982-30 June 1983
Season and Bag Limit
See Hunting Regulations No.23.
Population Status and Trend
Moose populations remain depressed throughout Unit 18,particu-
larly in the Kuskokwim River drainage.In the lower Yukon River
drainage above Marshall,populations appear to have increased
slightly but are still well below carrying capacity.In the
lower Yukon River drainage below Pilot Station and St.Mary's,
moose densities remain extremely low.Al though much suitable
habi tat is available in both drainages,heavy hunting pressure
and a high illegal harvest have prevented the establishment of
viable populations in most of the Unit.
Population Composition
In November and December 1982,aerial composition counts were
conducted along the Yukon River between Devils Elbow and Paimiut,
and along the Kisaralik River-Ophir Creek drainage (Table 1),In
both surveys,the observed percentage of calves was low,probably
reflecting high mortality the previous spring due to record
flooding.The bull:cow ratio was high in both samples,probably
because of heavy hunting pressure on both cows and bulls rather
than low mortality of bulls alone.In the Yukon River survey,
bulls were classified as yearlings,young adults (antler spread
<50 inches or less)or adults ('>50 inches).Virtually all
adult bulls observed were classified as young adults,suggesting
that hunting mortality is substantial among bulls.
The fall 1982 count of the Yukon River between Devils Elbow and
Paimiut was compared with the fall 1981 count of the same area
using contingency analysis (Table 2).Survey dates and condi-
tions were similar in both years,and both surveys were conducted
by the same observer and pilot.Overall composition counts
differed significantly (P <0.001);the proportion of cows with
twins was significantly lower in 1982 than in 1981 (P <0.001),
and the proportion of lone cows was significantly higher
(P <0.025).These results suggest that calves suffered high
mortality during spring 1982.Water levels along the lower Yukon
River and associated drainages reached record heights and did not
69
subside until mid-to-late June.Many residents along the lower
Yukon River observed dead,newborn calves in the river and
believed that mortality during spring calving was greater than
normal.
Late winter and spring composition counts were conducted on the
Yukon River between Ohogamiut and Paimiut,and on the Nageethluk,
Reindeer,and Andreafsky Rivers (Table 3).No moose were observ-
ed during the Andreafsky River survey,and the other samples were
too small to provide reliable composition comparisons.The
density of moose observed in all count areas was extremely low,
averaging less than 5 moose/hour.The percentage of calves
observed in the Yukon River survey was higher than that observed
the prev~ous fall.Because the survey was conducted in March and
the spring snowpack was relatively shallow,I believe the dis-
crepancy may.·be the result of movement of some adults away from
the main river earlier than normal.In any case,overwinter calf
mortality was probably quite low because of the mild winter.
Densities (moose/hour)and calf percentages observed during the
1983 late winter survey of the Yukon River (Russian Mission to
Paimiut)were similar to results of surveys conducted in the same
count area over the past 3 years (Table 4).The percentage of
calves in the sample declined slightly from the previo~s year,
but the difference is not statistically significant (X =3.22,
P >0.05).Although the 1982 calf crop was smaller than normal,
recrui tment of short yearlings appeared to be similar to past
years.
Mortality
Hunting is the most important source of moose mortality in Unit
18.Hunters reported a legal harvest of 55 moose during the fall
1982 season ..An additional 3 moose were reported taken during
the closed season..Of the legal harvest,32 moose were taken
from the Yukon River drainage,20 from the Kuskokwim,and 3 from
unknown areas.Most of the reported harvest from the Yukon River
drainage was taken above Marshall.In the Kuskokwim River
drainage,most of the harvest was taken above Tuluksak and in the
upper reaches of associated drainages.Because illegal hunting
of moose during winter and early spring is a common practice,I
believe the actual harvest is at least 100-150.
The 1982 reported harvest (58 moose)is substantially lower than
that of 1981 (82 moose).A spot-check of hunters in the field
during September indicated that most hunters were aware of the
harvest ticket requirement and had tickets in their possession.
Therefore,the lower harvest report~d in 1982 probably reflects
an actual reduction from 1981.Most hunters contacted in Septem-
ber commented that hunting conditions were poor due to high
water,and hunting success appeared to be poorer than in past
years.
70
.'
..
'.
In 1982,220 hunters reported hunting,compared with 221 in 1981
and 145 in 1980.Most of the reported harvest was taken by
residents of Unit 18 (83%),a pattern observed in past years as
well (Table 5).Although competition from nonlocal hunters is
significant in some rural Game Management Units,it appears to be
minimal in Unit 18.Low moose densities,heavy hunting pressure
from local residents,and special restrictions on the use of
aircraft discourage nonlocal hunters.
As reported in previous years,most hunters used boats as the
primary method of transportation (79%).The percentage of
hunters using aircraft remains low (8%),reflecting the low
number of nonlocal hunters using the area.The percentage of
hunters using snowmachines as the primary method of transporta-
tion is also low (11%).Because most hunters in Unit 18 were
afield in September (82%),the disproportionate use of boats
compared with snowmachines is not surprising.
Although little is known about predation in Unit 18,I do not
believe that it is a significant source of moose mortality.
Wolves are rare or nonexistent throughout most of the Unit,and
recurrent sightings of packs are made only in the Yukon River
drainage above Russian Mission.Although grizzly bears are
common in the Andreafsky and Kilbuck Mountains,there is little
evidence that bears are major predators of moose in Unit 18.
Management Summary and Recommendations
Illegal moose hunting in winter and early spring by hunters using
snowmachines remains a serious management problem in Unit 18.
Moose are the only large ungulate available to most residents of
Unit 18 and are usually considered too valuable to pass up when
sighted by a hunter.A relatively high human population,in
conjunction with extremely low moose densities,further aggra-
vates the problem..Department personnel should continue to
inform the public of the need for active moose management and the
necessity of abiding by the seasons.Increased enforcement
during winter and spring is also needed.
Most hunters are aware of seasons and harvest ticket require-
ments.Efforts should continue to establish license vendors in
all villages and to inform the public of the need for the harvest
ticket requirements.
Due to heavy hunting pressure throughout the year,occupation of
many areas by moose appears to be quite transitory,and seasonal
movement patterns may be very different from those observed in
other areas of the State.I recommend using radio telemetry to
better understand the nature of these movement patterns.
PREPARED BY:
Steven Machida
Game Biologist II
SUBMITTED BY:
David A.Anderson
Survey-Inventory Coordinator
71
Table 1.Unit 18 moose composition counts,fall 1982.
Adult
bulls/
Area 100 cows
Yukon R.,34a
Devils Elbow
to Paimiut
Kisaralik R./
Ophir Ck.
Yearling
bulls/
100 cows
18
Total
bulls/
100 cows
51
40
Calves/
100 cows
35
40
%
calves
19
22
Sample
size
138
36
a All adult bulls classified had antler spreads of approximately
inches.
72
<50
."
..
Table 2.Yukon River fall moose composition counts,Devils Elbow to
Paimiut,1981 and 1982.
1981 1982
x2Sex/age No.%No.%P
Adult bulls 19 29 25 22 l.05 NS
Yearling bulls 4 6 13 12 1.41 NS
Cows/l calf 12 19 20 18 0.01 NS
Cows/2 calves 12 19 3 3 13.21 <0.001
Lone cows 18 28 51 46 5.51 <0.025
Overall 65 100 112 100 26.50 <0.001
73
Table 3.unit 18 moose composition counts,winter-spring 1983.
%
Area Adults Calves calves Totals
Yukon R.,35 10 29 45
Russian Mission
to Paimiut
Yukon R.,6 1 17 7
Ohogamiut to
Russian Mission
Nageethluk R.3 2 40 5
Reindeer R.1 0 1
74
.-
'.
Table 4.Moose winter composition counts from the Yukon River,Russian
Mission to Paimiut,1980-1983.
%Moose/
Date Adults Calves calves Totals hour
February 1980 38 11 22 49 15
February 1981 27 12 31 39 18
March 1982 22 15 35 37 19
March 1983 35 10 29 45 18
75
Table 5.Unit 18 moose harvest by residency status,1979-82.
1979 1980 1981 1982
Residency
status No.%No.%No.%No.%
Unit 18 8 67 39 81 67 86 45 83
resident
state resident a a 4 8 3 4 3 6
(nonlocal)
Nonresident 3 25 4 8 8 10 1 2
Unknown 1 8 1 2 a a 5 9
Totals 12 100 48 100 78 100 54 100
76
."
MOOSE
SURVEY-INVENTORY PROGRESS REPORT
GAME MANAGEMENT UNIT:19
GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION:Middle and Upper Kuskokwim Drainages
PERIOD COVERED:1 July 1982-30 June 1983
Season and Bag Limit
See Hunting Regulations No.23.
Population Status and Trend
Data on moose densities in Unit 19 are unavailable.Because of
poor survival of calves born in 1982,populations throughout the
Unit are expected to remain stable or decline.
Population Composition
Survival of the 1982 moose calves was poor throughout most of
Uni t 19.Twin calves were rarely sighted during November sur-
veys.Cold spring weather and rain during much of the summer
probably contributed to poor survival.
Weather prevented completion of composition surveys in Subunit
19A,but cursory surveys indicate that calf survival was poor in
19A.Bull:cow ratios were relatively high especially in the
foothills of 19B and 19C.
Movements
In February 1983,10 bull moose were radio-collared on the Bear
Creek Burn and 9 were radio-collared on the flats of the North
Fork of the Kuskokwim River to the north and west of the burned
area.Information will be obtained on the movement patterns of
moose occurring on the flats of the Upper Kuskokwim Controlled
Use Area (Subunit 19D)and in the adjacent foothills (Subunit
19C).The use by moose of the large Bear Creek Burn will also be
evaluated.By May 1983,at least 5 of the 10 moose captured in
the Bear Creek Burn near Farewell had moved down onto the flats;
all 9 captured on the flats had remained there.Their movements
will be monitored monthly for the next 2 years with the assist-
ance of the Bureau of Land Management.
Mortality
The total moose harvest for Unit 19 in 1982 was estimated to be
between 600 and 700 moose.The economic value of this harvest to
residents of Unit 18 and 19 is estimated at $250,000 to $2.3
million in meat alone (Table 1).The reported harvest in 1982
77
was 335 moose,which was down f~Om the 369 moose reported taken
in 1980 and 1981.The number of hunters (687)was also down from
1981 (753);however,hunter success was identical (49%).
The number of hunters (208)who reported hunting in Subunit 19A
increased slightly from 1981 (199),but the reported harvest was
nearly identical (77 in 1982 and 78 in 1981).Boats remained the
principal mode of transportation used by moose hunters in Sub-
unit 19A (49%).Most hunters were Alaska residents (88%),and
nearly one-fourth of the hunters were from Southcentral Alaska.
An equal number of Unit 18 and Subunit 19A residents hunted
Subunit 19A.
Subunii·tSB continues to be the hunting domain of Southcentral
residents (49%)and nonresidents (39%).There were fewer hunters
in 1982 (142)than in prior years (189 in 1980 and 170 in 1981),
and they took fewer moose (71 in 1982,78 in 1981,103 in 1980).
The number of aliens hunting continued to decline sharply.
Legislation enacted prior to the hunting season required all
alien hunters to be accompanied by a guide.Aircraft continues
to be the principal means of transportation (80%)to get to the
hunting area.
Subunit 19C is also popular with So~thcentral residents (59%)and
nonresidents (39%).As in Subunit 19B,aircraft is the principal
means of transportation used by hunters in Subunit 19C (88%).
There were slightly fewer hunters in 1982 (129)than in 1980 or
1981 (148 and 147,respectively),and they reported taking 80
moose in 1982 compared to 78 in 1980 and 86 in 1981.
Moose _hunting in Subunit 19D more closely follows the hunting
pattern in Subunit 19A where boats are the principal mode of
transportation (78%)rather than aircraft as in the foothills of
Subunits 19B and 19C.The number of hunters who reported was
down slightly (175).compared to 1981 (185).The reported take
(104 moose)was identical both years.However,last year 40
hunters from Nikolai reported taking 25 moose in Subunit 19D,but
this year Nikolai residents returned only 14 harvest reports that
indicated a total of 7 moose killed.Apparently,last year's
effort by the Subsistence Division to get a better return of
harvest tickets in Nikolai did not carryover to this year.
Based on hunter reports,60%of those hunting in Subunit 19D
lived in Subunit 19D,12%were from Southcentral Alaska,and 11%
were nonresidents.
Studies in Nikolai,Sleetmute,and Chuathbaluk by the Subsistence
Division during the last 2 years provides some measure of the
unreported harvest by Unit 19 residents (Table 2).The reported
harvest ranged from 14%to 44%of the actual harvest as deter-
mined by village interviews.Similar comparisons suggested that
only 23-30%of those hunting complied with the reporting re-
quirement.Since residents of Subunits 19A and 19D compose at
least 40-60%of the hunters in those Subunits,the actual
harvests for Subunits 19A and 19D p~obably vary from 190 to 260
78
and 225 to 250,respectively.In Subunits 19B and 19C,the
reported harvest is probably about 75%of the actual harvest;
thus,the harvests in these Subunits were probably around 90 and
100 moose,respectively.
Management Summary and Recommendations
It is not clear what has caused the low initial survival of moose
calves in Unit 19.Some areas like the Holitna and Innoko Rivers
experienced spring floods and high water through most of June.
Water levels on the upper Kuskokwim River stayed near normal
except for a period of flooding in late summer and fall.
Surveys were not completed in Subunit 19A
lack of snow.So little snow accumulated
moose did not congregate along rivers,
winter counts were not attempted.
in November due to the
during the winter that
and consequently late
>,
"
Harvest reports suggested that the reduction in numbers of alien
hunters probably accounted for the slight decrease in hunting
pressure and harvest in 1982.The weather during most of Sep-
temberwas cool and rainy,and bulls did not seem to start moving
until··the last week of September.The fall harvest usually
accounts for over 90%of the total harvest.Winter weather was
more favorable for hunting than last year.The kill was
probably higher,but few (10)reports were returned for that time
period.
The recently initiated moose movement study in Subunits 19C and
19D will be continued for the next 2 years.Observations thus
far indicate that moose living wi thin the burned upland area
during late winter move to the flats along the Kuskokwim River by
summer.
PREPARED BY:
Robert E.Pegau
Game Biologist III
SUBMITTED BY:
Jerry D.McGowan
Survey-Inventory Coordinator
79
Table 1.Calculations used to estimate the economic value of
the Unit 19 moose harvest to residents of Units 18 and 19.
Cost of least expensive beef purchased in local stores:
$3.50-$8.50/lb.
Cost of beef purchased in Anchorage:$1.50/lb.
Shipping from Anchorage to village in Unit 19:
$24-$85/100 lbs.
Cost of Anchorage beef flown into village:$1.75-$2.35/lb.
Estimated weight of moose cut and wrapped:500-700 1bs.
Value of a moose as a substitute for beef purchased at
a)Local store:$1,750-$5,950
b)Anchorage:$875-$1,650
Subtract $200-$300/moose for the estimated cost of gasoline
used in hunting (gasoline @ $2.35-$2.75/gal.)
Estimated number of moose harvested by Unit 18 and 19
residents:300 to 400.
Estimated value of Unit 19 moose harvest to residents of
Units 18 and 19:$250,000 to $2.3 million.
80
,.(
"
Table 2.Compliance.wi th the moose harvest ticke·t reporting
requirement in selected Unit 19 villages,1981 through 1982.
Approx.Harvest Harvest tickets Subsistence
no.tickets returned Division
Village hunters issued Success.Unsucc.harvest data
Nikolai 50 41 7 8 50
Sleetmute 35 10 5 3 19
Chuathbaluk 45 ?7 5 16
81
MOOSE
SURVEY-INVENTORY PROGRESS REPORT
GAME MANAGeMENT UNIT:20A
GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION:Tanana Flats,Central Alaska Range
PERIOD COVERED:1 July 1982-30 June 1983
Season and Bag Limit
See Hunting Regulations No.23.
Population Status and Trend
A population estimate survey was conducted on the Tanana Flats
portion of Subunits 20A and 20C during November 1982 to refine
the population estimate obtained from a similar survey in 1978.
Estimates were of the resident moose population,since the
migratory segment had already moved to upland areas in the Alaska
Range to the south and in the Tanana Hills to the north.
About 73%of the estimated 3,200 moose composing the Tanana Flats
winter population occupy the area between the Little Delta and
Wood Rivers.Density averages 1.6 moose/mi.Another 17~(560)
occur west of the Wood River.Density was 0.75 moose/mi.The
area east of the Little Delta River containzd the fewest moose
with density averaging less than 0.5 moose/mi .
The resident moose population on the Tanana Flats now appears to
have been growing by about 25%annually,instead of 15%as pre-
viously believed.The rate of increase in the foothills popula-
tion is thought to be about half that of the moose population on
the Tanana Flats.Less effective wolf control and a moderately
large grizzly bear population in the foothills probably account
for these differences.
Population Compo~ition
Moose winterinq in upland areas of Subunit 2"OA experience dif-
ferent survival rates-than moose that are year-round residents of
the Tanana Flats (Table 1).Early winter calf survival and
yearling recruitment indices obtained for moose residing on the
Tanana Flats continue to indicate a rapidly growing moose popu-
lation.However,both calf survival and yearling recruitment
have declined since the late 1970's as the wolf population
increased.The bull:cow ratio remained high.
Composition data from the foothills of the Alaska Range indicate
a substantial decline in initial calf survival and yearling
recruitment (Table 1).Some of these moose are permanent resi-
dents of the foothills area,while others overwinter in the area
after summering on the Tanana Flats.Predation by wolves
82
'.
and grizzly bears is substantially greater than on the Tanana
Flats.The bull:cow ratio was also high in the foothills area.
Moose using the calving grounds in the central Tanana Flats
consisted of animals from the Chena and Salcha Rivers of Subunit
20B,the Alaska Range foothills of Subunit 20A,as well as
year-round residents of the flats.Annual preparturition surveys
conducted during mid-May to assess overwinter calf survival
showed 31 yearlings/100 cows,an 8%decline from the 5-year mean.
Yearlings composed 19%of the herd.Even though recruitment was
down slightly from recent years,survival remained relatively
high compared to most other portions of Unit 20.
Mortality
According to harvest ticket data,238 bull moose were taken in
Subunit 20A during 1982 (Table 2),a 19%increase over 1981.The
harvest has increased nearly 5-fold since 1978.Seventy-nine
percent of the harvest (189 animals)was from the Tanana Flats
between the Wood and Little Delta Rivers.Sixty-one moose were
taken during the November season,the first held since 1974.
Public pressure resulted in the establishment of a harvest quota
of 50 bulls about 10 days before the hunt was due to begin.The
season was closed 5 days early when the quota was attained.
Assuming yearling moose possess antler spreads of <30 inches,17%
of the harvest consisted of yearlings.Mean antler spread for
all animals was 40.8 inches.
Hunts averaged 5.6 days in length,with no significant difference
in hunt length between successful and unsuccessful hunters.
Hunters using aircraft or boats harvested the most moose,but the
hunters experiencing the greatest success used horses and snow-
machines (Table 3).
Habitat
Because of plant succession and the paucity of wildfires on the
Tanana Flats,carrying capacity is generally declining.In many
locations,preferred browse species are overmature or are being
replaced by spruce or other nonbrowse species.Habitat may
become limiting in the future if the moose-population continues
to grow at the present rate.
Management Summary and Recommendations
Moose numbers in Subunit 20A are continuing the rapid increase
experienced since local wolf control commenced in 1976.Harvest
levels are also increasing.Habitat limitations will not allow a
sustained increase of moose numbers,and management plans must
address a population goal commensurate"with management objectives
83
and habitat limitations.Wolf populations should be monitored
and control exerted when and where warranted.Range rehabilita-
tion,either through prescribed burning or reduced wildfire
suppression,should be addressed.
PREPARED BY:
Larry B.Jennings
Game Biologist III
SUBMITTED BY:
Jerry D.McGowan
Survey-Inventory Coordinator
84
.'
Table 1.Subunit 20A moose composition data,November 1982.
Calves!Yearlings!
Bulls!100 cows 100 cows %%
Area 100 cows >2 years >2 years calves yearlings
Flats 59 43 52 18 21
Foothills 47 32 24 16 13
Both areas
combined 57 41 47 16 18
85
Table 2.Residency and success of moose hunters in Subunit 20A,
1982.
Status
Successful
Unsuccessful
Totals
Resident
206
515
721
Nonresident
22
46
68
86
Residency unknown.Total
10 238
14 575
24 813
Table 3.Transportation modes used by hunters in Subunit 20A,
1982.
Transportation Successful Unsuccessful Total
Aircraft 89 126 215
Horse 12 2 14
Boat 82 186 268
Snowmachine 33 34 67
Off-road vehicle 17 28 45
Highway vehicle 2 25 27
Unknown 3 171 174
Totals 238 572 810
87
MOOSE
SURVEY-INVENTORY PROGRESS REPORT
GAME MANAGEMENT UNIT:20B
GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION:Fairbanks and Central Tanana Valley
PERIOD COVERED:1 July 1982-30 June 1983
Season and Bag Limit
See Hunting Regulations No.23.
Population Status and Trend
Moose density in most of Subunit 20B appears to be increasing:
all the trend areas except Munson Creek and Goldstream showed a
substantial increase.A pack of 8 wolves was removed from the
Munson Creek area during winter 1982-83,which should reverse the
declining trend of moose in this area.The Goldstream trend area
is small:thus,differences noted during the 2 years that surveys
have been completed may reflect differences in moose distribution
due to early winter snows rather than a decline in moose numbers.
The present density is still 4 times the 1975 density.After an
effective wolf control program in the Minto Flats,Chena,and
Chatanika drainages (which should produce a 1:47 fall 1983
wolf:moose ratio),moose populations should continue increasing
in these drainages.Moose density in the area between the
Tatalina drainage and Manley Hot Springs may have stabilized at a
low level.
Population Composition
Fall sex and age composition surveys were flown on Minto Flats
and in the Goldstream,Chena,and Salcha drainages (Table 1).
The bull:cow ratio remains very high in Subunit 20B.Calf
survival to early winter was good but lower than last year.This
may be due to the increasing wolf population on the Tanana Flats
calving area.Ove'rwinter survival of calves was also down from
last year,but it should be noted that this reflects conditions
existing during the 1981-82 winter prior to the removal of
significant numbers of wolves from the area.
Mortality
According to 1982 harvest ticket returns,158 bulls were harvest-
ed by 1,420 reporting hunters (Table 2).Hunter success was 11%:
most hunters were residents.'The number of hunters increased by
a substantial 74%,while the harvest remained about the same as
1981.The moose harvest increased on the Chatanika and Salcha
River drainages,decreased on the Tatalina and Tolovana River
drainages,and remained stable throughout the remainder of
Subunit 20B (Table 2).
88
Nine moose were harvested by bow and arrow.Eight of those were
taken near Fairbanks in the area restricted to bowhunting.Seven
bulls were harvested by 29 reporting permittees who hunted in the
Minto Management Area.
Yearling bulls composed 39%of the reported harvest based on
antler spreads of <30 inches.Successful hunters spent an
average of 4.2 days afield.
Moose mortality due to poaching and road kills declined in
1982-83 accordil1g to Fish and Wildlife Protection records.A
minimum of 22 moose was estimated to have been taken illegally by
poachers.Accidental road-killed moose accounted for another 35
moose in Subunit 20B.Mortality due to bears and approximately
25 wolf packs is unknown but thought to be substantial.
Management Summary and Recommendations
Moose densities are increasing throughout Subunit 20B except the
western end which has a very low moose density.The habitat is
underutilized,and the moose density is below carrying capacity.
Because of large and increasing numbers of hunters in the Sub-
uni t,the moose population increase should be accelerated by
maintaining a ratio of I wolf:50 moose in the central area where
wolf control was conducted during winter 1982-83.Wolf control
should be extended to the western end of Subunit 20B to help
revive the moose population in that area.
The bull hunting seasons should be lengthened in the central
portion of the Unit where the population is increasing and a high
bull:cow ratio is evident.
Trend count areas should be established in the Chatanika and
Tolovana River drainages and in the Manley Hot Springs area.
PREPARED BY:
Edward B.Crain
Game Technician III
Dale A.Haggstrom
Game Biologist II
SUBMITTED BY:
Jerry D.McGowan
Survey-Inventory Coordinator
89
Table 1.Moose survey data for Subunit 20B,fall 1982.
Total Small %Calves/
bulls/bulls/small Calves/100 cows %Sample
Area 100 cows 100 cows bulls 100 cows >2 years calves size
Minto 50 a 0 29 29 16 25
Goldstream 91 55 22 55 120 14 27
Chena 58 20 10 39 49 20 310
Salcha 49 14 7 42 49 22 190
90
Table 2.Distribution of Subunit 20B moose harvest,1982.
Area
Chatanika River
Chena River
Goldstream Valley
Minto Flats
Salcha River
Tanana River
Tatalina River
Tolovana River
Unknown
Total
91
No.
moose
harvested
33
63
6
7
28
15
2
4
o
158
MOOSE
SURVEY-INVENTORY PROGRESS REPORT
GAME MANAGEMENT UNIT:20C
GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION:Kantishna,Cosna,and Nenana River
Drainages
PERIOD COVERED:1 July 1982-30 June 1983
Season and Bag Limit
See Hunting Regulations No.23.
Population Status and Trend
Moose density along the Nenana and Totatlanika River drainages
increased following wolf reduction efforts in the late 1970 's,
but may have now stabilized.The moose population in Denali
National Park probably will continue to decline.No trend data
were collected from the Lake Minchumina area,or the Cosna and
Kantishna River drainages,but the low harvest suggests that
moose numbers remain low.
Population Composition
Moose surveys were conducted in Moody Creek and Denali National
Park (Table 1).Early winter calf survival was low in both
areas.Ongoing research in Denali National Park indicates that
grizzly bear predation accounts for most initial calf mortality.
Chronically poor yearling recruitment and naturally high mortal-
ity among bulls has produced a low bull:cow ratio in the unhunted
Denali Park population.
Mortality
Hunter success remained the same (22%)in 1982 as in 1981.Both
the number of reporting hunters (531)and the harvest (l08)
declined.Significant harvest increases were recorded for Lake
Minchumina and the Kantishna drainage,while sizable decreases
were noted for both the Yanert Fork and the Cosna River areas
(Table 2).Successful hunters averaged 5.4 days afield,which is
1 day longer than last year.Assuming that yearlings have antler
spreads of <30 inches,this age group composed 33%of the har-
vest.Resident hunters constituted 92%and 97%of the successful
and unsuccessful hunters,respectively.Poaching and predation
are thought to be substantial mortality factors in Subunit 20C,
but specific data are unavailable.
92
Management Summary and Recommendations
The moose population in the Totatlanika and Nenana River drain-
ages in eastern Subunit 20C has responded favorably to reduction
in wolf density.Grizzly bears appear to be responsible for the
majority of summer moose calf mortality.The grizzly bear
population should be reduced in this area by liberalizing hunting
season lengths and returning to a 1 bear per year bag limit.
Short,bulls-only seasons must be maintained in the central and
western portions of Subunit 20C until the status and trend of the
moose population are determined.A predator control program may
prove necessary.The establishment of moose trend count areas
and the completion of a wolf survey are needed to determine
management needs.
PREPARED BY:
Edward B.Crain
Game Technician III
Dale A.Haggstrom
Game Biologist III
SUBMITTED BY:
Jerry D.McGowan
Survey-Inventory Coordinator
93
Table 1.Moose survey data for Subunit 20C,November 1982.
Location
Bulls/
100 cows
Small
bUlls/
100 cows,
%
small
bulls
Calves/
100 cows
Calves/
100 cows
>2 yrs
%
calves
Sample
size
Moody
Creek 26 5 8 12,13 9 101
Denali
National
parka 30 7 5 10 10 7 145
a Data provided by National Park Service.
94
Table 2.Distribution of the known harvest of bull moose in
Subunit 20C during fall 1981 and 1982.
Moose harvest
Location 1981 1982
Lake Minchumina 9 11
Cosna River 10 2
Kantishna River 19 16
Ferry area 11 11
Healy area 38 20
Totatlanika River 15 11
Nenana River 29 25
Tek1anika River 6 6
Yanert Fork 22 6
Totals 159 108
95
MOOSE
SURVEY-INVENTORY PROG~ESS REPORT
GAME MANAGEMENT.UNIT:20D
GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION:Central Tanana Valley
PERIOD COVERED:1 July 1982-30 June 1983
Season and Bag Limit
See Hunting Regulations No.23.
Population Status and Trend
Reevaluation of the 1981 population estimate survey suggested
1,460 to 2,336 moose occurred south of the Tanana River in
Subunit 20D in 1981.Surveys conducted in 1982 indicated that
the population may have grown about 5%during the past year.The
segment of the population west of the Johnson River appeared to
be growing most rapidly.
Li ttle information is available for the portion of Subunit 20D
north of the Tanana River.Surveys were conducted in the Good-
paster River and Billy Creek drainages.Comparison of data
obtained from the Billy Creek area in 1981 and 1982 suggests that
the population is stable.The population in Subunit 20D north of
the Tanana River is believed to number about 800 moose.
Population Composition
Most of the composition data for the area south of the Tanana
River was obtained .from established trend ar~s using a stan-
dardized minimum search intensity of 4 min/mi.North of the
Tanana River,lower intensity searches of favored habitat were
employed to superficially evaluate the overall situation.The
latter surveys are more biased.Survey data are summarized in
Table 1.
Analysis of data from the southwest portion of Subunit 20D
revealed differences in moose density between the lowland and
mountainous areas.Twelve yearling bulls per 100 cows were
observed in the lowland count areas,and 8 yearling bulls/100
cows in the mountainous area.A lower bull:cow ratio was also
apparent in the mountains (24 versus 38 bulls:100 cows).Calf
survival in the 2 areas was nearly identical.
Mortality
The legal moose harvest in Subunit 20D was 120 bulls.Forty-five
bulls were taken in the area south of the Tanana and west of the
Johnson Rivers,17 were taken in the area south of the Tanana and
96
'.
east of the Johnson Rivers,and 58 were taken north of the Tanana
River.
Boats were the primary method of access for hunters north of the
Tanana River.Most harvest occurred along the Goodpaster River.
Aircraft access into the larger lakes east of the Goodpaster
drainage has increased in recent years.
Highway vehicles were the predominant mode of access for success-
ful hunters (71%)in the southwest portion of Subunit 200.
Off-road vehicles and motorbikes were used by 23%and 6%of the
successful hunters in this area,respectively.In the southeast
portion of Subunit 200,more than half of the successful hunters
(53%)used highway vehicles or walked.No preferences were
apparent among other modes of transportation.Transportation
options are restricted within the Macomb Plateau Controlled Use
Area.
The ages of moose harvested in most of Subunit 200 were inferred
from antler measurements furnished by hunters.More accurate age
determinations were possible for moose killed in the Delta permit
hunt area due to the requirement that lower jaws be turned in.
As in 1981,most (72%)of the harvest in the southwest portion of
Subunit 20D consisted of 1-to 3-year-old moose.Yearlings
composed one-third of the total harvest.In contrast,the
harvest from the southeast portion of the Subunit appeared to be
weighted more toward older animals.Eighteen percent of the
harvested moose probably were yearlings,53%probably were
between 2 and 6 years of age,and 24%were likely older than 6
years.North of the Tanana River,45%of the harvested moose
appeared to be yearlings,and 40%were in the 2-to 6-year-old
class.
Table 2 summarizes the number of moose known to have been killed
by causes other than legal hunting.The 37 moose reported that
died from causes other than hunting is more than double the
number reported last year.During this reporting period,road
kills doubled and the known illegal kill increased from 1 to 16.
Habitat
Habitat does not appear to be limiting the moose population at
this time.Browse use is not excessive even in the Donnelly Dome
area where moose density is the highest in the Subunit.
Management Summary and Recommendations
After about a decade at low levels,the moose population south of
the Tanana River seems to be increasing.Predation is slowing
the rate of increase and limiting the number of moose available
for human use.Oata suggest that wolf predation is keeping
yearling recruitmeilt low.Bear predation remains unquantified,
97
but both black and grizzly bears almost certainly affect the
moose calf survival rate.Wolf control should be continued in
Subunit 20D,with particular emphasis on public participation.
The bag limit for grizzly bears should be changed back to I bear
every year.
Collection of composition and trend data has been improved by the
establishment of trend count areas in most of Subunit 20D south
of the Tanana River.Data collection in the area north of the
Tanana River must be similarily improved.Stratification flights
should be scheduled for 1983 or 1984 to aid in the establishment
of trend areas.
Because the 1981 population estimate survey in Subunit 20D south
of the Tanana River did not provide a population figure with
sufficient precision,another survey should be scheduled for 1983
or 1984.Should the proposed goal of 1,600-2,400 moose prove
acceptable to the public,an accurate population estimate will be
important as the population approaches this level.
Additional moose browse information is needed.Browse use should
be evaluated annually,with high-use areas receiving priority.
The high losses of moose to poaching and road kills must also be
reduced.An expanded public relations effort probably will be
most productive to this end.These mortality factors will become
more important as the moose population expands.
Moose movements need to be better understood.It is not known
how moose distribution during the November survey period compares
to distribution during the hunting season.Moose calving areas
have not been located.If calving areas were known,hunting and
trapping pressure could be directed to large predators in these
areas.
.-
PREPARED BY:
David M.Johnson
Game Biologist III
SUBMITTED BY:
Jerry D.McGowan
Survey-Inventory Coordinator
98
Table 1-Sex and age composition of the Subunit 200 moose population,1982.
%Calves!Twins!
Bulls!yearling Calves!100 cows 100 cows %Total
Areaa 100 cows bulls 100 cows >2 years w!calf calves sample1
200
southwest 33 15 26 29 0 16 380
200
southeast 56 5 17 17 0 10 178
200
northwest 21 10 14 17 0 10 40
200
northeast 40 8 10 11 0 7 60
All areas
combined 39 7 21 23 0 13 658
a Subunit 200 may be divided into north and south halves at the Tanana River;-.
into southwest and southeast portions at the Johnson River;and into
northeast and northwest portions at the Goodpaster drainage.
99
Table 2.Known nonhunting moose mortality in Subunit 20D,1 July 1982-
30 June 1983.
Cow Bull Unknown
Cause of :&
death Calf Ylg Ad Calf Ylg Ad Calf Unknown Total
Road kill 3 2 6 2 0 2 0 0 15
Illegal kill 1 0 3 0 1 5 2 4 16
Defense of
property 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1
Other 1 0 3 0 0 0 0 1 5
Totals 5 2 13 2 1 7 2 5 37
.<
100
.,
'.
MOOSE
SURVEY-INVENTORY PROGRESS REPORT
GAME MANAGEMENT UNIT:20E
GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION:Fortymile,Charley,and Ladue River
Drainages
PERIOD COVERED:1 July 1982-30 June 1983
Season and Bag Limit
See Hunting Regulations No.23.
Population Status and Trend
Moose densities are low ~nd likely declining slowly in Subunit
20E,except in a 3,000 mi area in the southwestern portion.It
is believed that substantial wolf reductions in that area during
winters 1981-82 and 1982-83 have arrested the moose population
decline by reducing overwinter mortality.Moose mortality
attributable to wolf predation was reduced by 91%following
inception of the wolf control program in 1981 (22 kills in
1981-82 compared to 2 kills observed in 1982-83).
A moose population es:Y-mate survey was conducted in 1981.A
density of 0.2 moose/mi was calculated for southwestern Subunit
20E.By extrapolation of quadrat sampling data,a population
estimate of 1,400 to 2,000 moose was obtained for the entire
Subunit.
Population Composition
A total of 366 moose was classified during aerial surveys con-
ducted between 8 October-10 November 1982 (Table 1).One area
was surveyed too early and had to be repeated.
Composition of the moose population in Subunit 20E is best
represented by pooling data from all survey areas because of the
small sample sizes obtained for individual areas.Composi tion
data obtained during 1982 are believed comparable to those
obtained during the population estimate survey in 1981.
Bull ratios are quite high throughout the Subunit due to the
hunting closure that existed from 1977 to 1981.Neonate survival
and yearling recruitment have also increased since 1978.Al-
though still quite low (14 small bulls/100 cows),recruitment has
nearly tripled from the 3 small bulls/100 cow average for the
years 1974-76.
101
Mortality
Most moose mortality occurring in Subunit 20E is believed to be
the result of predation by black bears,grizzly bears,and
wolves.Poaching may also be a significant mortality factor in
the vicinity of Chicken,the Taylor Highway,and various mining
areas along the Fortymile River.
Wolf control in the southwestern portion of SUbuni'1 20E has
reduced wolf densities from approximately 1 wolf/35 mi to less
than 1 wo1f/100 mi since 1981.A ratio of 35 moose:1 wolf
should be achieved during winter 1983-84,and wolf predation on
moose should decline to low levels.
A legal moose hunting season was reinstituted during this report-
ing period because of the high bull:cow ratio,an expected low
harvest of moose,and an expected high harvest of grizzly bears
by moose hunters.
The 113 hunters who reported hunting in Subunit 20E harvested
19 bulls for an overall success rate of 17%.Only 10 residents
of Subunit 20E reported hunting moose,and none were successful.
Only 1 moose was taken by the 3 nonresident hunters reporting.
Alaskans residing outside Subunit 20E took 18 moose.The harvest
was concentrated near Taylor Mountain,Mosquito Flats,Mt.
Fairplay,and Chicken.
Habitat Conditions
Even though an unflexible fire control policy has reduced carry-
ing capacity for moose in many portions of Subunit 20E,the
present moose population is far below carrying capacity.Imple-
mentation of the Fire Management Plan for the Fortymile Planning
Area will help restore a near-natural fire regime to much of the
Subunit.This,in turn,should help maintain productive moose
habitat.
Management Summary and Recommendations
Moose exist at low densities throughout most of Subunit 20E;
populations are believed to be slowly declining,except within
the wolf control area.Predation by bears and wolves is believed
to be the primary factor causing population declines.Low wolf
and bear densities should be maintained in the southern part of
Subunit 20E for approximately 5-10 years to allow af~ected moose
populations to achieve moderate densities (1 moose/mi ).
A further 10-day extension of the moose season is recommended for
the upper portion of the Mosqui to Fork drainage where moose
densi ty is high relative to other portions of the Subunit and
neonate mortality due to bear predation is a severe problem.A
102
.-
longer moose season may attract hunters to this important lowland
moose calving area where grizzly bears are abundant.An in-
creased harvest of bears by moose hunters would aid Department
efforts to rehabilitate this moose population.
PREPARED BY:
David G.Kelleyhouse
Game Biologist III
SUBMITTED BY:
Jerry D.McGowan
Survey-Inventory Coordinator
103
Table 1.Subunit 20E moose sex and age ratios observed during aerial surveys,
8 October-l0 November 1982.
Total Small %
bulls/bulls/small Calves/%Moose/Total
Area 100 cows 100 cows bulls 100 cows calves hour moose
Kechumstuk-
Mt.Veta
10/8/82 69 15 9 2 1 36 104
Kechumstuk-
Mt.Veta
11/8/82 109 12 5 12 5 38 75
Upper Mosquito
Fork 69 15 9 0 0 22 22
Mosquito
Flats,East 62 15 9 8 5 28 22
Mosquito
Flats,North 50 4 2 19 11 55 44
Mt.Fairplay 78 0 0 33 16 15 19
Sixtymile Butte 89 42 20 26 12 24 41
Ladue River 52 9 5 17 10 9 39
20E total
(excluding
10/8/82
Kechumstuk-
Mt.Veta survey)75 14 7 16 8 22 262
104
MOOSE
SURVEY-INVENTORY PROGRESS REPORT
GAME MANAGEMENT UNIT:20F
GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION:Central Yukon,Hess Creek,and Tozitna
River Drainages
PERIOD COVERED:1 July 1982-30 June 1983
Season and Bag Limit
See Hunting Regulations No.23.
Population Status and Trend
Little population data are available,but informal observations
and other indices suggest a low,essentially static,population.
Although habitat is generally poor throughout Subunit 20F,it is
probably not limiting population size at present.Other factors,
possibly including predation,may be restricting the population
to its current low level.
Mortality
According to harvest ticket data,17 moose were harvested by
76 hunters,a 37%decline from the 1981 harvest.Hunting effort
declined by 30%.The largest harvests occurred in the Hess Creek
drainage and in the Manley-Tofty area,with the remaining harvest
coming from other scattered locations.Assuming that yearling
moose have antler spreads <30 inches,12%of the harvest was
comprised of yearlings.The-mean antler spread was 42.5 inches,
which is about the average for Unit 20.
The majority of the individuals (42)who hunted in Subunit 20F
reported their residency as Fairbanks;the remaining hunters were
mostly local residents.All hunters were residents of the State.
Out-of-season hunting and consequent unreported harvest is
believed to be substantial in Subunit 20F.
Management Summary and Recommendations
The moose population in Subunit 20F is low and probably stable.
Virtually all hunting is by State residents,but the 22%hunter
success is only average compared to the rest of Unit 20.Habitat
is not believed responsible for'present low moose numbers;
predation by wolves and grizzly bears may be limiting calf
survival and subsequent recruitment.
If recruitment substantially improves,habitat will then become a
major limiting factor.Range rehabilitation,either through
burning or decreased wildfire suppression,should be encouraged
and accomplished.
105
Predation effects should be examined and minimized,if necessary.
Increased efforts should be made to systematically gather base-
line data on moose population size,composition,recruitment,and
trend.
The Subsistence Division should obtain data regarding the magni-
tude of unreported harvest.
PREPARED BY:
Larry B.Jennings
Game Biologist III
SUBMITTED BY:
Jerry D.McGowan
Survey-Inventory Coordinator
106
MOOSE
SURVEY-INVENTORY PROGRESS REPORT
GAME MANAGEMENT UNIT:21A
GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION:Upper Nowitna,Iditarod,and Upper
Innoko Drainages
PERIOD COVERED:1 July 1982-30 June 1983
Season and Bag Limit
See Hunting Regulations No.23.
Population Status and Trend
No composition surveys were completed in Subunit 21A during this
report period,but past data suggest that the moose population
is stable.
Mortality
Reported hunter take in the upper Nowitna was 32 moose during the
September hunt and 1 moose during the November hunt.In the
Innoko drainage,70 moose were harvested.Nine were taken during
the November hunt,which is an increase from the 2 reported in
1981-82.Aircraft were used as the primary means of transporta-
tion by 39 successful hunters in the Innoko drainage.
Wolf predation continues to be the largest source of moose
mortality in the Subunit.The Nowitna River portion still
supports 60-70 wolves in 5-8 packs.The wolf :moose ratio is
between 1:26 and 1:33,which may result in a stable moose popula-
tion if other mortality is not excessive.
Management Summary and Recommendations
Moose populations in Subunit 21A appear stable;however,trend
surveys were not conducted.Trend surveys should be conducted
every other year in selected areas,and at least 1 composition
survey should be conducted along the Innoko drainage yearly.The
increase in the November harvest in the Innoko drainage was
matched by a decline in the September harvest,resulting in an
unchanged total harvest from 1981-82.
PREPARED BY:
Timothy O.Osborne
Game Biologist III
SUBMITTED BY:
Jerry D.McGowan
Survey-Inventory Coordinator
107
MOOSE
SURVEY-INVENTORY PROGRESS REPORT
GAME MANAGEMENT UNIT:21B
GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION:Lower Nowitna River,Y~kon River
between Melozitna and Tozitna Rivers
PERIOD COVERED:1 July 1982-30 June 1983
Season and Bag Limit
See Hunting Regulations No.23.
Population Status and Trend
A November 1980 population .estimate survey conducted in the
Nowitna River drainage produced an estimate of 2,386 (±10%)
moose.Two trend areas were establi~ed using sample unit
boundaries from this survey.The 75-mi Deer Creek trend area
borders the 2Yukon River on the Nowitna Flats.A density of
1.3 moose/mi 2 was indicated by the November 1982 survey,while
1.4 moose/mi were evident in 1980.The population is probably
stable.
The 66-mi 2 trend area at the confluence of the Nowitna and
Sulatna Rivers is within an area that receives heavy hunting
prissure.Density during the N~ember 1982 survey was 1.7 moose/
mi ,compared to 2.2 moose/mi in 1980.The population has
probably declined,but differences in moose density could be due
to changes in the survey area.The trend area is twice as large
as the area surveyed for the 1980 population estimate survey.
Population Composition
The outlook for recruitment is poor along the lower portion of
the Nowitna River (Table 1).The calf:cow ratio in the Nowitna/
Sulatna trend area is very low,and recuitment is expected to
decline.If moose numbers are actually declining,as suggested
by the apparent decline in moose density,then the rate of
decline can be exp~cted to increase.
The bull:cow ratio in the Nowitna/Sulatna trend area has declined
since 1980 (Table 1)and reflects the continued hLgh harvest of
bulls from the riverine area.The Nowitna RLver provides most
hunter access before snowfall;thus,the harvest is concentrated
along the riparian strip.Because most of the season occurs
before moose movements associated with the rut,the majority of
moose taken along the Nowitna are residents of the Nowitna
valley.The situation may soon prove undesirable to people
108
hunting along the river,but should have little effect on the
total population.The 1980 population estimate survey establish-
ed that a high bull:cow ratio (96:100)existed away from the
heavily hunted river.front;that a corresponding overall ratio of
50 bulls:100 cows existed in areas likely to receive some hunting
pressure;and that the ratio was lowest (37:100)at the Nowitna/
Sulatna confluence where hunting was heaviest.Overall,a bull:
cow ratio of 71:100 existed in 1980;thus,even if the bull:cow
ratio in the trend area becomes drastically skewed,normal
movements of bulls to the riverine area during rut will ensure
that breeding of resident cows remains adequate.
In the Deer Creek area,calf survival and yearling recruitment
increased markedly since 1980 (Table 1).A high bull:cow ratio
is also evident.The area is approximately 20 mi from the
Nowitna/Sulatna trend area discussed above.
Mortality
For the 1st time since 1978,a check station was not operated on
the Nowitna during moose season.However,counts indicated that
during the period 19-26 September,90 hunters used boats on the
Nowitna.
The reported harvest from Subunit 21B was 69 bulls and 2 cows,
similar to the 1981-82 season.Most hunting occurs from boats or
float-equipped aircraft.Because harvests are concentrated near
water courses,most of the Subunit is unhunted.Thirty-six bulls
were taken in the Nowitna drainage,a decline of 18 moose from
the 1981 harvest.The decline in harvest was partially the
result of warm,rainy weather that delayed the rut,made hunting
conditions unpleasant,and kept some bulls in the uplands.
Twenty-four moose were taken along the Yukon River;9 bulls and 2
cows were taken along the Ruby Road,the boundary between Sub-
units 21B and 210.Successful hunters in this area did not
specify on which side of the road moose were taken.Hence,all
moose killed along the road have been included in the harvest
figures for Subunit 21B.Analysis of moose teeth provided by
hunters indicated that few yearlings were taken (Table 2),as has
been the case since 1980.Although hunters tend to be selective,
these data are believed to reflect the paucity of young bulls
entering the population.
Bull moose in the Nowitna drainage produce significantly smaller
antlers than elsewhere in Unit 21 or the Interior.According to
harvest tickets,where measurements are made by the hunter,only
27%of the moose killed in Subunit 21B have antlers >50 inches,
compared to Subunits 21A and 210 where antlers >50 inches com-
posed 37%and 40%,respectively,of bulls taken.These data are
substantiated by data from the Nowitna check station where
Department personnel measured antlers and collected incisor teeth
for aging from 141 moose between 1974 to 1982.
109
Management Summary and Recommendations.
The moose population of the Nowi tna drainage,where hunting is
heavy,appears to be declining:recruitment will probably de-
crease in the coming year.The population probably cannot
sustain the combined losses due to natural mortality and hunting.
The reduced harvest in 1982 might temporarily help the declining
bull:cow ratio,but high predation by wolves and black bears is
responsible for poor calf survival and is preventing herd growth.
If recuitment observed in November 1983 is poor,as.predicted,
and density declines further,consideration should be given to
reinstatement of wolf control along the lower Nowitna.In the
interim,hunting seasons should be altered to reduce hunting
pressure on the resident segment of the moose population.A
later opening and closing date would shift more of the harvest to
bull moose normally residing away from the river.
It is recommended that trend areas be surveyed every other year,
except along the heavier hunted portions of the Nowitna where the
trend areas should be surveyed annuallY.Trend areas need be
established in the Long Creek and Mason Slough areas.The
Nowitna River check station has provided useful information and
should be continued.Most hunters interviewed in 1982 missed the
check station and thought it helped contribute to an orderly
hunt.
PREPARED BY:
Timothy o.Osborne
Game Biologist III
SUBMITTED BY:
Jerry D.McGowan
Survey-Inventory Coordinator
110
Table l.Subunit 21B moose composition counts,November 1982.
Yearling Yearling Calves/
Trend bulls/bulls/%100 cows %%
area 100 cows 100 cows bulls >2 years twins calves N
Nowitna/
Sulatna 28 15 11 21 a 12 114
Deer Creek 95 29 13 48 a 15 99
11]
Table 2.Age classes of 30 male moose harvested in Unit 21B,
September 1982.a
Harvest
Age
(years)
1
2
3
4
5
..6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
N
o
3
6
8
3
3
5
o
1
o
o
1
o
%
o
10
20
27
10
10
17
o
3
o
o
3
o
a Includes moose harvested in the 21A portion of Nowitna River •
....•.,
112
MOOSE
SURVEY-INVENTORY PROGRESS REPORT
GAME MANAGEMENT UNIT:21C
GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION:Upper Dulbi River and Melozitna River
Drainage above Grayling Creek
PERIOD COVERED:1 July 1982-30 June 1983
Season and Bag Limit
See Hunting Regulations No.23.
Population Status and Trend
The Subunit 21C moose population appears stable,but more inten-
sive surveys are needed to adequately assess population status
and trend.Previous survey attempts have provided information on
distribution that will aid in the establishment of trend areas.
No composition data were obtained.
Mortality
No data are available on natural mortality,but the drainage has
substantial wolf and grizzly bear populations.
Hunters reported taking 16 moose in Subunit 21C,all from the
Melozi tna River drainage.All hunters used aircraft for trans-
portation into the area.Since the Subunit boundary along the
Dulbi River is unclear,all moose harvested by hunters using
boats on the Dulbi River were considered taken in Subunit 21D.
The number of moose harvested in the Subunit was less than the
annual average of 25 for the previous 3 years.Fish and Wildlife
Protection conducted extensive patrols in the area and cited
1 same-day-airborne violation.Forced adherence to this regula-
tion probably affected hunter success.
Management Summary and Recommendations
Permanent population trend areas are needed and should be sur-
veyed yearly until trends in the Subunit are established.The
Subunit boundary in the Dulbi River area should be moved upstream
from its present location to Cottonwood Creek,the farthest
navigable point for boats during September.
PREPARED BY:SUBMITTED BY:
Survey-Inventory Coordinator
Jerry D.McGowanTimothyO.Osborne
Game Biologist III
113
MOOSE
SURVEY-INVENTORY PROGRESS REPORT
GAME MANAGEMENT UNIT:21D
GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION:Middle Yukon,Eagle Island to Ruby,
Koyukuk River below Dulbi Slough
PERIOD COVERED:1 July 1982-30 June 1983
Season and Bag Limit
See Hunting Regulations No.23.
Population Status and Trend
The riverine areas of Subunit 21D have supported high moose
densities for many years,and the moose population is stable or
expanding along the Yukon and lower Koyukuk Rivers.During
November 1982,surveys in the Three Day Slough,Dulbi River,and
Squirrel Creek trend areas showed greater moose densities than
indicated by 1981 data,but the differences'probably reflected
changes in survey technique (increased search intensity)rather
than an increase in population.
Population Composition
Surveys in November 1982 (Table 1)in the Koyukuk River portion
of Subunit 21D continued to show high densities,moderate bull:
cow ratios,moderate calf survival,and low-to-moderate yearling
recrui tment.Along the Yukon River,moose density ranged from
moderate to high;surveys indicated high bull:cow ratios,good
calf survival,and good yearling recruitment.
Mortality
The 1982-83 hunting season was split into 2 periods,both allow-
ing antlerless harvest.The harvest reported for September
included 132 bulls,24 cows,and 1 moose of unknown sex.The
percentage of cows taken in September (15%)was double the
percentage taken during the 1981-82 harvest.Poor hunting
conditions early in the 1982 season when only bulls could be
taken resulted in most of the harvest occurring during the
portion of the season when cow moose were also legal;thus,cows
composed a larger than normal percentage of the harvest.
Public relation efforts of the Game and Fish and Wildlife Protec-
tion Divisions resulted in increased compliance with the report-
ing requirement during the September season.Previous estimates
of the actual harvest have entailed doubling the reported har-
vest;probably less than 10%of the 1982-83 harvest went unre-
ported.
114
During the month of September,a moose hunter check station was
operated at Mary Vernetti's cabin,18 mi up the Koyukuk River.
The objectives of the check station were to establish a Depart-
ment presence along the river during the moose season,to deter-
mine the residency of hunters,to collect antler measurements,to
collect incisor teeth for aging,and to provide public assist-
ance.The station was an unqualified success and public accept-
ance was excellent.The 186 hunters recorded through the station
killed 74 moose.Twenty-six hunters were not residents of
Subunit 20D.
During a 2nd moose season (15 Jan-IS Feb),a total of 38 moose
were harvested.Fifteen were bulls and 23 were cows.The actual
harvest was probably 10-20%higher than the reported harvest.
Bull moose in the Koyukuk drainage of Subunit 21D have larger
antler spreads and attain large spreads at an earlier age than
moose in Subunit 21B and Interior Units 20 and 12.According to
harvest ticket data,where measurements are made by hunters,37%
of the moose killed in Subunit 21D had antler spreads of >50
inches,compared to only 27%in Subunit 21B.These findings are
substantiated by information collected by Department personnel at
the Koyukuk check station.Age and antler spread data from
72 moose killed in the Koyukuk drainage indicate that Koyukuk
moose attain the 50-inch average at 4.5 years,1.25 years earlier
than moose in the Nowi tna drainage and 1.5 years earlier than
moose harvested from Units 12 and 20.The 60-inch average is
attained at 9 years of age along the Koyukuk.The Koyukuk moose
are similar to Seward Peninsula (Unit 22)moose with respect to
their large antler spread and early attainment of the 50-inch
average size.This similarity is expected since moose are
thought to have emigrated from the Koyukuk area to the Seward
Peninsula during the last 30 years.
The natural mortality of moose within the Subunit is thought to
be high.In the uplands,good populations of grizzly bear are
present,black bears are abundant in the lowland areas,and
numerous wolf packs range throughout.Twelve black bear were
found within the Three Day Slough moose trend area during a May
1983 survey for bear,but only one was a sow,indicating that
mOit of the sows were overlooked.A density of 1 bear/2.4-3.5
mi is estimated if it is assumed that one-half to two-thirds of
the bears were missed during the survey.Black bears are probab-
ly a major predator on moose calves in the Three Day Slough area.
Management Summary and Recommendations
Moose populations along the river floodplains in Subunit 21D are
high,appear stable,and sufficient to support current seasons.
The high mortality among adult moose and the low recruitment of
yearlings,due to predation by bears and wolves,is justification
for retaining the Koyukuk Controlled Use Area in the Koyukuk
lowlands.Trend areas should be monitored yearly,and new areas
established elsewhere in the Unit.The Koyukuk check station
115
should be continued~and more effort should be expended at
monitoring the winter harvest.The current level of enforcement
by the Division of Fish and Wildlife Protection should be main-
tained.
PREPARED BY:
Timothy o.Osborne
Game Biologist III
SUBMITTED BY:
Jerry D.McGowan
Survey-Inventory Coordinator
116
·,
Table 1.Subunit 21D moose survey data,November 1982.
Trend
area
Siz~
(mi )
Observed
d .aens~ty 2
moose/mi
Bulls/
100 cows
Yrlg.
bulls/
100 cows
%
yrlg.
bulls
Calves/Twins/
100 cows 100 cows %
>2 years w/calves calves N
Three Day
Slough 95.2
Dulbi
River 42.1
Squirrel
Creek 24.4
Kaiyuh
Slough 39.2
5.1
3.9
3.5
1.3
47
36
57
76
13
7
18
20
8
4
9
9
30
31
50
45
3
12
a
28
15
18
21
17
491
164
87
53
I-'
I-'
~a h . .>4 . / . 2Searc~ntens~ty _m~n m~.
MOOSE
SURVEY-INVENTORY PROGRESS REPORT
GAME MANAGEMENT UNIT:21E
GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION:Yukon River Drainage Upstream from
Paimiut-Kalskag Portage,Including
the Lower Innoko River Downstream
from the Iditarod River,to the
Mouth of Blackburn Creek
PERIOD COVERED:1 July 1982-30 June 1983
Season and Bag Limit
See Hunting Regulations No.23.
Population Status and Trend
Past data have indicated a heal thy,probably increasing moose
population.
Mortality
Sixty-nine harvest tickets were submitted by successful Subunit
21E moose hunters.Checks of hunters in the field indicated that
many local residents hunted without having obtained harvest
tickets.Unreported harvest is estimated to be 4-5 times greater
than the reported take.Reported harvest for residents of
various villages was as follows:Grayling,14;Shageluk,5;Holy
Cross,8;and Anvik,3.During September,hunters 'reported
taking 62 moose;however,in November,only 7 moose were reported
taken.
Fifty hunters used boats as their primary transportation means,
and 12 used aircraft during the September hunt.
Management Summary.and Reconunend?ltions
The moose population is apparently healthy and capable of
supporting the current level of reported and unreported harvest.
118
Trend areas or composition surveys should be established and
flown annually.
PREPARED BY:
Timothy o.Osborne
Game Biologist III
Robert E.Pegau
Game Biologist III
SUBMITTED BY:
Jerry D.McGowan
Survey-Inventory Coordinator
119
Table l.Results of Subunit 21E moose surveys,November 1982.
Total Yrlg.Twins!
bulls! bulls!Calves!100 cows %Moose!Total
Area 100 cows 100 cows 100 cows w!calves calves hour moose
Innoko Hills,
Holikachuk to
Railroad City 92 10 8 0 4 43 102
Yukon River,
Holy Cross to
Blackburn
Island 45 10 14 11 9 129 557
120
MOOSE
SURVEY-INVENTORY PROGRESS REPORT
GAME MANAGEMENT UNIT:22
GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION:Seward Peninsula
PERIOD COVERED:1 July 1982-30 June 1983
Season and Bag Limit
See Hunting Regulations No.23.
Population Status and Trend
Historical records indicate that moose did not occur in Unit 22
prior to 1900.During the mid-1930's,a few moose immigrated
westward onto the Seward Peninsula from Yukon River drainages.
Moose numbers gradually increased,most noticeably during the
late 1960's.By 1970,moose had expanded into most of the suit-
able habitat,and sUbpopulations increased dramatically in a
number of drainages.The central Seward Peninsula subpopulation
exhibited the greatest increase and appeared to be near or above
winter range carrying capacity.Densities were much lower in the
western and southern portion of Unit 22,and moose appeared to be
stable or increasing only slightly,even though range was not a
limiting factor.
Changes in population status since the last reporting period were
minor.
Population Composition
During the past decade,the greatest moose density and the
highest moose harvests have occurred in Subunit 22D.For these
reasons,this area has the highest management priority,as well
as the most complete aerial survey history.Subunit 22D contains
2 major drainages:the Kuzitrin River,an area with relatively
good access and high annual harvests;and the American/Agiapuk
River,an area without road access and with low-to-moderate
harvests.During all but 4 years from 1971 to 1982,fall popula-
tion composition and productivity data have been obtained in
these 2 drainages (Tables 1,2).During this 12-year period,
bull:cow ratios in the Kuzitrin exhibited a slow decline from
50:100 to about 30:100.Wi th increased hunting pressure and
higher harvests,this decline was not unexpected.Bull:cow
ratios in the American/Agiapuk drainage also declined slightly
during the same period,but still remain quite high at approxi-
mately 60:100.Movements of radio-collared animals have shown
that moose regularly travel between the Kuzitrin and American
River drainages during the fall and early winter (Grauvogel
121
1983).Because of population intermixing and because no count
area exhibited ratios below 30:100,I believe that a sufficient
number of bulls have always been available for breeding.Never-
theless,a decline in calf prOduction and/or survival has appar-
ently occurred recently.From 1973 to 1981,fall calf:cow ratios
ranged from 55:100 to 70:100..In 1982,.fall ratios-fell to
35:100 in the Kuzitrin and 48:100 in the American River.These
values represent declines of 49%and 33%,respectively;from the
mean (Tables 1,2).The cause of the lower productivity is not
known,but in part may be attributed to cows being in poorer
physical condition.This hypothesis is supported by changes in
serological values (Grauvogel 1983).Although cow;calf ratios
are not now al-armingly low,a long-term downward trend in pro-
ductivity may be occurring.Changes in population composition
should be carefully monitored in the future.
Mortality
Hunting was undoubtedly the major source of moose mortality in
Unit 22 during the reporting period.Hunting seasons were the
longest in the State,ranging from 5 to 8 months.The reported
harvest according to the computer printout was 401 moose.
However,this number was erroneous due to duplicate reporting
from the moose harvest report and the Unit 22 antlerless moose
report.When the error was corrected by hand tabulation,the
minimum reported harvest was 344 moose,still the highest harvest
on record.The composition of the 1982-83 harvest was 244 bulls
(71%)and 100 cows (29%).
During the previous 8 years,the annual harvest ranged from 138
to 298 moose,with a mean of 242.From the early 1970's,inter-
est in taking moose in Unit 22 has been steadily increasing,
especially among local residents.Whereas moose hunting was once
only a minor hunting activity,it has now become one of the most
important activities during September and October.Local resi~
dents now spend literally hundreds of man-hours in search of a
legal moose.Increasing hunting pressure has resulted in ever-
increasing annual harvests.In portions of Subunits 22B and 22D,
the annual harvest is near the annual recruitment.The number of
hunters who obtained antlerless moose permits is a good indicator
of the tremendous interest in moose hunting.During the open
season,904 antlerless permits were issued for Subunits 22B,22D,
and 22E.Most permits were obtained by local residents during
September and October.Hunters with antlerless permits harvested
162 moose,(l00 cows and 62 bulls)(Table 3).
Every year a number of hunters fail to report taking their moose,
even though it is a legal requirement.Reminder letters to
hunters who held antlerless moose permits have provided some data
on the magnitude of the nonreporting problem.During the last 2
years,at least 5%of all hunters who failed to report on their
antlerless moose permit were successful.
122
Hunters who obtained antlerless permits usually had direct
contact with Department staff and were probably more cognizant of
regulations than were other moose hunters.Thus,a success ratio
of 5%is probably minimal for all classes of moose hunters who
failed to report.In addition,hunters from rural villages
accounted for another source of moose mortality.A comparison of
village population figures with the number of moose tickets
issued by vendors in the rural areas suggests that some hunters
entered the field without a moose harvest ticket in their posses-
sion.I estimate that 25-50 moose were killed by hunters who
failed to obtain a moose harvest ticket and/or failed to report.
Therefore,the actual Unit 22 harvest probably fell in the
interval 344-400.
Management Summary and Recommendations
During the past decade,aerial surveys have shown a substantial
increase in moose numbers.Subuni ts 22B and 22D populations
experienced the most dramatic growth during the 1970's,but
growth has tapered off within the last few years.Winter browse
is restricted to a narrow belt along the major rivers;in some
locations,moose density may be exceeding the long-term carrying
capacity of the winter range.Long either-sex seasons have
slowed and/or curtailed "excessive"population growth throughout
most of the Unit.However,more information is needed to deter-
mine the desired density of moose on the winter range.
Moose composition surveys have revealed a gradual decline in
bull:cow ratios in heavily hunted areas,but relatively stable
and high bull:cow ratios in unhunted populations.Recent aerial
surveys showed a marked decline in calf survival compared to
previous years.This condition may only be temporary,or it may
be a long-:term trend.Bull:cow ratios and annual recruitment
should be carefully monitored over the next few years,especially
in Subunit 22D wher.e hunting pressure and harvest are highest.
In portions of Subunits 22B and 22D,the harvest is approaching
annual recruitment.The status of the moose population and the
effects of hunting should be carefully monitored during the next
few years.If the survival of calves continues to decline,a
research and/or intensive management study should be initiated to
determine the cause and identify a possible remedy.
For the immediate future,liberal hunting seasons should be
retained.However,as the harvest continues to escalate and as
environmental conditions change,precise harvest information will
become increasingly more important.The Department must continue
to work with the public to stress the importance of complying
wi th game regulations.Hunters who acquire moose tickets and
antlerless moose permits should be sent reminder letters to
determine the percentage of successful hunters who fail to report
voluntarily.The quality of harvest data should be improved in
all villages,especially at locations where many hunters fail to
acquire a hunting license or harvest ticket.
123
The antlerless permit should be retained because it provides a
level of positive control not available through harvest tickets.
The Seward Peninsula is extremely vulnerable to overhunting due
to its open terrain and accessibility by aircraft and snowma-
chines.Seasons and bag limits should be critically reviewed in
all Subunits on an annual basis.
Literature Cited
Grauvogel,C.A.1983.Seward Peninsula moose population
identity study.Alaska Dep.Fish and Game.Fed.Aid in
Wildl.Rest.Prog.Rep.Proj.W-22-1,Job 1.29R.Juneau.
25pp.
PREPARED BY:
Carl A.Grauvogel
Game Biologist III
SUBMITTED BY:
David A.Anderson
Survey-Inventory Coordin~tor
124
Table 1.Bull and calf ratios from the Kuzitrin River drainage
during fall surveys,1971,1973-76,and 1979-82..-
Yrlg.%
Bulls/bulls/Calves/calves
100 100 100 in Total
Year cows cows cows herd sample
1971 38 19 107 39 83
1973 50 17 54 23 82
1974 52 22 75 28 427
1975 35 12 73 32 34
1976 56 24 63 24 230
1979 31 9 62 30 418
1980 30 7 48 26 243
1981 71 16 71 26 226
1982 33 11 35 19 437
Means 45 16 69 2
(1971-81)
%
decline 27 31 49 32
in 1982a
a Value computed by dividing the difference of the 1971-82 mean and
the 1982 value by the 1971-82 mean.
125
Table 2.Bull and calf ratios from Agiapuk/American River
drainages during fall surveys,1973-76 and 1979-82.
Yrlg.•%
Bulls/bulls/Calves.!calves
100 100 100 in Total
Year cows cows cows herd sample
1973 91 22 60 20 76
1974 178 57 125 17 30
1975 86 14 67 24 17
1976 62 27 64 22 205
1979 65 21 58 22 320
1980 61 23 58 22 101
1981 59 18 69 26 142
1982 66 17 48 19 196
Means 86 26 72 22
(1973-81)
%decline 23 27 33 14
in 1982a
a Value computed by dividing the difference of the 1971-82 mean and
the 1982 value by the 1971-82 mean.
126
Table 3.Unit 22 antlerless permit harvest by Subunit,1982-83.
Harvest
Subunit Hunt No.Cows Bulls Totals
22B 954 28 19 47
22D 955 50 41 91
22E 956 22 2 24
Totals 100 62 162
127
MOOSE·
SURVEY-INVENTORY PROGRESS REPORT
GAME MANAGEMENT UNIT:23
GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION:Kotzebue Sound
PERIOD COVERED:1 July 1982-30 June 1983
Season and Bag Limit
See Hunting Regulations No.23.
Population Status and Trend
The Unit 23 moose population appeared to be stable'during this
reporting period;indices of absolute numbers did not vary beyond
normally accepted limits.The reported harvest (128 moose)was
down from that of 1981-82 (176 moose)but was similar to previous
years.No major shifts in population composition were apparent,
except for the late winter calf percentage that declined from 27%
in 1982 to 14%in 1983.
Population Composition
Aerial surveys of the lower Noatak,Buckland,and part of the
Squirrel River count areas were conducted in November 1982 (Table
1).The lower Kobuk count area was also surveyed in November,
but poor weather hampered data collection.Surveys of the Wulik,
Kivalina,lower Noatak,middle Kobuk,upper Kobuk,and Ambler
River count areas were conducted from January through March 1983
(Table 2).Snow was relatively shallow over much of Unit 23 by
late winter;hence,some agel sex classes had probably moved out
of the count areas,.which would bias composition data.Surveys
conducted in the Wulik-Kivalina,Noatak,and Kobuk River subre-
gions were representative of moose populations in northern Unit
23.The Selawik subregion of southern Unit 23 was not surveyed.
The Buckland survey produced acceptable data'but may not be
representative of the remaining northern Seward Peninsula subre-
gion.
A decline in calf percentage from late winter 1982 to late winter
1983 was a consistent feature of the 1983 counts.Declines
ranged from 35%to 58%and were statistically significant in all
count areas except the Wulik-Kivalina Rivers (Table 3).Fall
surveys in the Noatak and Buckland count areas indicated a
decline in calves compared with fall 1979 levels (23%for the
Noatak and 43%for the Buckland area),but the differences were
not statistically significant (.P >'0.05).Declines in calf
percentage of at least 50%have'periodically occurred in parts of
128
Unit 23 (Department files,Kotzebue),only to be followed by
increases of similar magnitude the following year.This vari-
ability may reflect changes in productivity/suvivorship or may
result from sampling bias due to between-year variation in moose
distribution patterns (Quimby 1983).Nevertheless,the widespread
decline in calf percentages warrants close scrutiny,especially
if there are similar indications in the future.
Composition data suggest that productivity and recruitment were
mediocre;however,there is no indication that current levels of
mortality exceed recruitment.Moose numbers observed per hour of
survey time have fluctuated widely in past years,but at present
this index does not indicate any substantial change in population
size.
Mortality
The reported Unit 23 harvest consisted of 128 moose,including
119 males,8 females,and 1 of unreported sex (Table 4).The
actual harvest was higher;there were 2 known cases of moose
taken out of season,and 5 other cases were suspect.Additional
unreported harvest undoubtedly occurred,but the total kill was
probably within the sustained yield of the population.
Of 267 hunters who returned harvest reports,128 (48%)were
successful.Of 117 successful hunters for whom residency status
was determined,96 (82%)were Alaska residents,and 48 (50%)of
these resided within Unit 23.Methods of transportation for 128
successful hunters were as follows:airplane,51%;boat,38%;
and snowmachine,other,and unknown,11%.
Use of the moose harvest ticket system varied widely between
communities (Table 5).For instance,21 harvest tickets were
issued in Deering (population 100),while the same number was
issued 1n Noatak (population 260).Few people who obtained
harvest tickets returned harvest reports (range,5%in Noatak to
41%in Selawik).More effort should be made to explain and
encourage compliance with the moose harvest reporting system.
Management Summary and Recommendations
Composi tion surveys indicated that the spring calf complement
declined from 1982 to 1983 throughout the Unit.Reported harvest
also declined from 1982 to 1983.However,there are no direct
indications that the population is declining.
Next year's management activities should include close scrutiny
of calf production and recruitment to determine whether the low
1983 calf percentage was a short-term occurrence or the beginning
of a long-term trend.Action should be taken to encourage
greater local compliance with the moose harvest reporting system.
129
Sufficient data have accumulated in Unit 23 files to warrant a
thorough review,compilation,and statistical analysis to deter-
mine whether there are any indications of population changes.
This process would include an evaluation of the comparabili ty.of
data from different years.Recommendations should then be made
to improve data collection and data analysis.
Literature Cited
Quimby,R.L.1983.Unit 23 moose survey-inventory progress
report.Pages 135-138 in J.A.Barnett,ed.Annual Report
of Survey-Inventory Activities.Part -II.Moose.Vol.
XIII.Alaska Dep.Fish and Game.Fed.Aid in Wildl.Rest.
Prog.Rep.Proj.W-22-1,Job 1.0.Juneau.
PREPARED BY
David D.James
Game Biologist II
SUBMITTED BY:
David A.Anderson
Survey-Inventory Coordinator
130
......w......
..
Table 1-Sex and agl~composition of Unit 23 moose population by count area,November 1982.
Males/%Calves/lOa Twins/lOa
Count 100 yrlg.females >2 females %Moose/Total
area females males years old w/calves calves hour sample
Lower Noatak 152 8 49 13 20 54 226
Squirrel 39 6 43 a 22 19 47
Buckland 63 7 17 a 8 17 71
Table 2.Age composition of Unit 23 moose popu1atio'n by count area,
January-March '1983.
Count area
Wu1ik-Kivalina
Lower Kobuk
Middle Kobuk
Upper Kobuk
Ambler
Middle Noatak
Lower Noatak
Total
moose
139
81
176
133
69
327
380
%
Calves calves Moose/hour
15 11 27
16 20 35
26 15 32
18 14 29
10 14 14
34 10 73
64 17 72
132
.4
Table 3.Comparative late winter calf percentage of Unit 23 moose population by
count area,1982 and 1983...
1982 1983 %decline
x2CountareaAdultsCalvesAdultsCalvesincalves P
Wu1ik-Kivalina 38 10 124 15 48 3.11 <.1
Lower Kobuk 32 22 65 16 51 7.06 <.01
Middle Kobuk 106 51 150 26 53 14.64 <.001
Upper Kobuk 56 20 115 18 46 5.31 <.025
Middle Noatak 294 92 293 34 58 21.97 <.001
Lower Noatak 139 50 316 64 35 7.28 <.01
All count areas
combined 665 245 1,063 173 48 55.84 .001
133
Table 4.Reported Unit 23 moose harvest after reminder letters,1982-83.
Subregion Males Females Unspecified Totals
wulik-Kivalina 3 0 0 3
Noatak 56 6 1 63
Kobuk 26 1 0 27
Selawik 16 0 0 16
Buckland-Northern
Seward Peninsula 6 1 O·7
Unknown 12 0 0 12
Totals 119 8 1 128
134
.'
Table 5.Unit 23 moose harvest report issuance and return by community,
1982-83.
Harvest Harvest
reports reports
Community issued returned Successful Unsuccessful
Kotzebue 504 78 25 53
Noorvik 49 14 4 10
Kiana 47 12 3 9
Selawik 34 14 5 9
Shungnak 31 9 4 5
Ambler 23 5 0 5
Deering 21 4 3 1
Noatak 21 1 1 0
Buckland 5 1 0 1
Kobuk 0 3 3 0
Kivalina 0 0 0 0
Point Hope 0 0 0 0
Totals 735 141 48 93
>.
135
MOOSE
SURVEY-INVENTORY PROGRESS REPORT
GAME MANAGEMENT UNIT:24
GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION:Koyukuk River Drainage North of and
Including Dulbi Slough
PERIOD COVERED:1 July 1982-30 June 1983
Season and Bag Limit
See Hunting Regulations No.23.
Population Status and Trend
The moose population in the southern half of Unit 24 is high and
appears stable.In the central portion of the Unit,between
Hughes and Bettles including the Kanuti River drainage;the
population is low and the trend is unknown.In the northern
portion of the Unit (from the Alatna Hills north),moose popula-
tions are moderate,with some local abundances.The northern
population appears to be increasing or stable.Trend areas were
established in 1982;thus,the stated trends are subjective
evaluations at this time.
Population Composition
Seven composition surveys were conducted during November 1982.
In the northern portion of the Unit,4 surveys were flown:on the
flats between Bettles and the Koyukuk River,in the Alatna Hills
on the West Fork of Henshaw Creek area,on the Malamute Fork of
the John River,and around Ipnek Mountain west of the North Fork
of the Koyukuk River.The Ipnek Mountain survey was conducted
inside the Gates of the Arctic National Park.Almost all the
moose were located away from the riverbottoms and were found
mainly at treeline.Results of these surveys (Table 1)indicate
the moose populations are doing well,and calf survival and
yearling recruitment are good.The bull ratio and harvest data
indicate that hunting pressure is light in the area.The Henshaw
Creek area was es~ablished as a trend area,and the moose density
was 1.5 moose/mi.:the Bettles West area was also flown for
density;1.0 moose/mi was found.
Three areas in the southern portion of Unit 24 were surveyed:
the Huslia River Flats,the South Fork of the Huslia River,and
the Dulbi Slough area.Koyukuk National Wildlife Refuge person-
nel flew the Dulbi Slough survey in a Cessna 180 aircraft.The
South Fork of the Huslia River area receives no hunting pressure.
Resul ts of the surveys (Table 2)indicate that moose densities
are high in the southern portion of Unit 24,but calf survival
and yearling recruitment are currently poor.
136
.'
Mortality
During a split season,106 moose were reported taken from Unit
24.Hunters reported taking 103 moose during the September hunt
and 3 during the March hunt.However,illegal hunting actually
occurred throughout the winter in the villages of Huslia and
Hughes.The illegal winter take is estimated at 35 moose.
The number of moose taken along the Dalton Highway has been
increasing each year.The current year's harvest was 13.The
number of hunters using aircraft as their transportation decreas-
ed to 22 and the number using boats was 64.The overall reported
harvest was 30 mOOSe less than during 1981-82.Part of the
reason for the decrease in reported harvest was the creation of
the Gates of the Arctic National Park which prohibited sport
hunting,and part was due to a decrease in Department efforts to
contact hunters after the March hunt.
Management Summary and Recommendations
The establishment of trend areas should aid in determining
population status Jin part of Unit 24.Trend areas need to be
established in the central portion of the Unit and along the
Dalton Highway.Preliminary results from the trend areas in the
southern part of Unit 24 indicate that while density is high,
recrui tment is poor.It is recommended that the Koyukuk Con-
trolled Use Area be maintained to keep mortality at its present
level.Recrui tment of yearling moose was good in the northern
part of Unit 24,although present density is low.No changes in
the current hunting season were recommended.
PREPARED BY:
Timothy o.Osborne
Game Biologist III
SUBMITTED BY:
Jerry D.McGowan
Survey-Inventory Coordinator
137
.....
w
00
Table 1.unit 24 moose composition counts,November 1982.
Yrlg.%Calves/lOa
Bulls bulls/yrlg.cows >2 %Density 2
Area 100 cows 100 cows bulls years old calves N (moose/mi )
Bettles West 266 66 14 300 21 14 1.0
Henshaw Creek 106 17 7 29 10 67 1.5
John River 60 10 4 77 30 23
Ipnek Mountain 109 24 9 56 17 53
Areas combined
Means 107 21 8 52 16
Total ----------157
..
Table 2.Unit 24 moose composition count trend area type surveys,November 1982.
Calves/
Yrlg.100 cows
Mi 2 Bulls/bulls/%yrlg.>2 %DensitY2 IntensiiY
Area 100 cows 100 cows bulls years old calves N (moose/mi )(min/mi )
Huslia River
Flats 40.6 39 10 6 27 15 134 3.3 5.0
Dulbi Slough 34.6 46 5 4 7 4 110 3.1 5.8
Huslia River
South Fork 22.1 50 12 7 24 12 41 1.8 5.2
Areas combined
Means 43 8 5 18 10
Total ----------285
....
w
ID
MOOSE
SURVEY-INVENTORY PROGRESS REPORT
GAME MANAGEMENT UNIT:25
GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION:Yukon Flats~Chandalar,Porcupine,and
Black River Drainages~Birch and
Beaver Creeks
PERIOD COVERED:1 July 1982-30 June 1983
Season and Bag Limit
See Hunting Regulations No.23.
Population Status and Trend
Surveys to estimate moose population status and trend were
conducted during November 1982 in all SUbunit~of Unit 25 except
25A.These areas varied in size from 15-60 mi a2d were surveyed
with a search intensity of approximately 4 min/mi •
.!:"our areas were surveyed in Subunit 25B.The Salmon Village and
Gulch Creek trend areas on the Black River had been previously
surveyed in fall 1980.Additional trend areas were established
at Fish Creek on the Porcupine River and Snowy Peak on the Kand~k
River.Mean density for all trend areas was 0.65 moose/mi •
Moose density was 0.30 moose/mi less than observed during fall
1980,implying a downward population trend.However,this
conclusion is tentative because comparative data between years
are available for only 2 of the 4 trend areas.
The Porcupine River drainage upstream from the mouth of the
Coleen River appears to have the lowest moose densitie~in
Subunit 25B.Density is probably less than 0.30 moose/mi in
this area.Only 15 moose were observed during 2 days of search-
ing favorable habitat.
Two trend areas were surveyed in Subunit 25C.2Density in the
Trail-Ophir Creeks trend 1lrea was 0.61 moose/mi ,suggesting a
decline of 0.71 moose/mi'"since 1981.A new trend area was
established in high-quality upland habitat within the Albert
Creek burn near Central.Seasonal concentration of moose in th~s
small area of good habitat produced a density of 5.2 moose/mi.
These habitat conditions are no longer cornmon due to years of
effective fire suppression.However,the count area demonstrates
the potential this area has for supporting a larger moose popula-
tion.
Nine trend areas were surveyed in Subunit 25D.The average moose
density west of a line extending from Circle to Venetie was 0.30
140
moose/mi 2 ~east of that line,density averaged 0.55 moose/mi 2 •
These densities were similar to those observed in 1980 and 1981~
thus,moose numbers are probably stable.
Population Composition
Composi tion of the moose population was determined by pooling
trend area data (Table 1).However,sample sizes were small due
to the low moose densities encountered in most areas.Conse-
quently,these data must be interpreted cautiously.
Composition data for Subunit 25B indicated moderate calf survival
and poor yearling recruitment.Moose numbers are probably
decreasing as indicated by population trend data.However,the
high bull:cow ratio suggests that the population is still capable
of sustaining the limited bull harvest which occurs in this
Subunit.
In Subunit 25C,calf survival and yearling recruitment continue
to be good,suggesting that numbers may not be decreasing as
indicated by population trend data.Bull:cow ratios were the
highest in Subunit 25C,but the survey design or the small sample
size may have biased the data.
Composition data for Subunit 25D indicated that initial calf
survival was excellent,but yearling recruitment varied through-
out the Subunit.Recruitment ranged from poor in the western
half of the Subunit to excellent in the eastern half.However,
composition data from the eastern half of the Subunit corne
primarily from 1 count area and may not be representative of
conditions throughout the eastern half.
Mortality
Reliable mortality information is unavailable for most of Unit
25.At least half the total harvest is illegal and,therefore,
is not reported through the harvest ticket system.Other sources
of mortality are also largely unquantified.
Harvest ticket returns for Unit 25 indicated 118 (37%)of the 319
reporting hunters killed a moose (Table 2).The reported harvest
and hunter success were unchanged from 1981.Subunit 25B had the
largest reported harvest,and the highest success rate (62%).
The success rate among reporting hunters in the other Subunits
varied from 19%to 46%.Local hunters,other Alaskan residents,
and non-Alaskans accounted for 30,49,and 12%of the reported
harvest,respectively.
Airplanes and boats provided transportation for 31 and 42%of the
successful moose hunters in Unit 25,respectively (Table 3).
Road access is not available except in Subunit 25C.
Progress was made toward quantifying sources of mortality in
Subunit 25D.Hunter surveys were conducted,illegal kills were
investigated,and a wolf survey was completed.
141
An aerial survey of Subunit 25D west of Birch Creek and the
Hadweenzic River was conducted on opening day (10 Sep)and midway
through the season (15 Sep)to locate hunters using aircraft for
hunting access.Representatives from the 3 villages within the
survey area participated as observers.The survey revealed that
few moose were harvested by hunters using aircraft.One hunting
party with 3 aircraft was located.Their harvest of 6 moose
compared favorably with the harvest ticket total of 11 moose
reported by all aircraft hunters in the survey area.
A survey of local hunters who used boats while hunting was
conducted by randomly patrolling the Yukon,Porcupine,and Black
Rivers by boat.Successful hunters were questioned and asked to
show licenses and harvest tickets.Survey results suggest that
most local residents who hunted during the season comply with
license and harvest ticket requirements.Seven hunters were
checked,and no major violations of regulations were found.
These people were 54%of the total successful local hunters who
reported.
Only 5 of the 30 illegal kills reported in Subunits 25B and 25D
could be verified.However,I feel that most reports were
reliable,that reported illegal kills composed less than half the
number occurring,and that illegal kills were a significant
portion of the total mortality incurred by the moose population.
Eight cows,2 calves,and 1 bull were among the 11 illegally
killed moose for which sex and age information was available.
The wolf survey in the western portion of Subunit 25D indicated
that wolves may be the most important source of mortality in that
area.Approximately 50 wolves in 8 packs were believed present,
but due to marginal survey conditions,underestimation was
likely.Once better estimates of wolf and moose numbers are
attained,a low ratio «30 moose:wolf)should be evident.The
moose kill by wolves could equal or exceed the average yearly
recruitment.
Habitat Conditions
Preliminary evaluation of browse availability and use indicated
that the current population was well below carrying capacity.
Browse use on the winter range probably did not exceed 20%of the
available supply.Food,therefore,is not a significant factor
influencing mortality.
Management Summary and Recommendations
Moose density is low in most of Unit 25,and population trends
vary from stable to declining.Moose numbers are probably
decreasing in Subunits 25:8 and 25C and are stable in Subunit 25D.
The magnitude and characteristics of the legal harvest show very
little change from last year.The illegal kill of moose probably
is greater than the legal harvest.
142
Low moose density along the Porcupine River upstream from the
mouth of the Coleen River makes this area a special problem
within Subunit 25B.The recently approved season reduction for
this area should help address the problem.Addi tiona 1 moose
surveys are planned.
The western portion of Subunit 25D continues to be a major
problem area.Moose density is critically low and will remain so
unless significant management actions are taken.Those actions
should be specified along with population and user objectives in
a formal management plan.Formulation of that plan will require
continuation of current data gathering activities.Those activi-
ties include the following:surveys of moose,wolves,hunters,
and browse;public meetings to discuss moose problems;and
investigation of moose movements and habitat preference using
radio telemetry.
The management actions that will be required to rehabilitate the
moose population in the western portion of Subunit 25D include
the following:regulatory changes designed to limit harvest,to
improve reporting,and to encourage legal rather than illegal
harvest;wolf control;and increased enforcement.Implementation
of these management actions has already begun.The Board of Game
approved a 1st attempt at the required regulatory changes by
instituting a registration permit hunt for fall 1983.Approval
for a wolf management program designed to reduce the population
by 50%should be obtained as soon as possible.Increased law
enforcement efforts should be sought by requesting Department of
Public Safety Personnel to devote more law enforcement effort to
the area.A full-time officer will be required during limited
periods when illegal kills frequently occur.
i.;r
PREPARED BY:
Roy A.Nowlin
Game Biologist III
SUBMITTED BY:
Jerry D.McGowan
Survey-Inventory Coordinator
143
Table 1.Moose sex and age ratios for Unit 25,November 1982.
Twins/
Bulls/Calves/100 cows %%Sample
Subunit Area 100 cows 100 cows w/calves calves yearlings size
25B Black,Nation,
and Kandik
Rivers 117 35 20 14 4 43
25C Trail-Ophir
Creeks 127 45 0 17 13 30
Albert Creek 82 41 13 18 16 49
25D a Western half 54 69 21 31 10 58
25D a Eastern half 86 50 10 21 24 52
a Data supplied in part by the U.S.Fish and wildlife Service.
,~
144
Table 2.Residency of successful moose hunters in Unit 25,fall 1982.
Nonlocal
<-Local Alaska Total
Subunit resident resident Nonresident Unspec.harvest
25A 1 10 10 0 21
25B 13 14 0 9 36
25C 2 23 2 0 27
25D 13 10 1 2 26
Unspecified 6 1 1 0 8
Totals 35 58 14 11 118
145
Table 3.Transportation methods used by successful moose hunters in Unit 25,
fall 1982.
Snow-Off-road Highway
Subunit Airplane Horse Boat machine vehicle vehicle Unspec.
25A 10 4 5 0 0 0 2
25B 10 0 22 0 1 1 2
25C 5 1 2 0 8 11 0
25D 11 0 14 1 0 0 0
Unspecified 1 0 6 0 1 0 0
Totals 37 5 49 1 10 12 4
146
...
MOOSE
SURVEY-INVENTORY PROGRESS REPORT
GAME MANAGEMENT UNIT:26
GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION:Arctic Slope
PERIOD COVERED:1 July 1982-30 June 1983
Season and Bag Limit
See Hunting Regulations No.23.
Population Status and Trend
Over the last 3 decades,moose have become well established in
most of the favorable habitat on Alaska's Arctic Slope.Occa-
sional animals range as far north as the arctic coast in summer,
but wintering moose are confined primarily to the inland riparian
systems.The greatest wintering densities occur on the central
Colville River and its tributaries.
Unitwide aerial surveys were conducted in 1970 and 1977.Moose
distributions were similar in both years,and about 1,500 moose
were observed during each survey.Annual spring surveys of the
Colville River and its tributaries between the Anaktuvuk and
Killik Rivers were conducted from 1974 to 1981.During this
period,the adult segment of the population appears to have
increased from 400 to 600 animals.However,recruitment to short
yearlings declined from a high of 37%in 1975 to 20%in 1980 and
then dropped precipitously to 7%in 1981.No spring survey was
conducted in 1982,although observations by Game Division biolo-
gists in Subunits 26A and 26B indicated that recruitment was
substantially higher than in 1981.
A composition survey of the Colville River system was flown in
1983 under poor observation conditions.Of 315 moose observed,
15%were short yearlings.The Chandler River,a standard count
area,was omitted from the survey due to deteriorating snow
cover.Because this drainaqe appeared to hold a larqe proportion
of adults without calves,15%-short yearlings may-overestimate
recruitment for the entire Colville River system.
The 1981 and 1983 spring surveys suggest a decline in recruitment
to short yearlings compared to earlier years.A rigorous assess-
ment of the Colville River moose population is necessary but must
now await the 1984 spring counts:it should not be further
postponed.
Population Composition
No information was obtained during the reporting period.For
results of previous surveys,see Coady (1982).
147
Mortality
The 1982 r-eportedharvest for Unit 26 was 60 moose (Table 1)i
this is the lowest reported harvest since 1978 and represents a
35%decline from the mean harvest for 1979, 1980,and 1981.
Although this decline is not completely understood,poor Septem-
ber flying weather south of the Brooks Range limited access to
the Colville River system from Fairbanks.Hunter success (59%)
was also the lowest since 1979 (Table 1).Although hunters could
legally shoot a moose of either sex,52 of the moose reported in
1982 (87%)were bulls (Table 2).
Table 3 compares 1981 and 1982 harvests by Subunit.Data for
1981 were obtained from Anderson (1983).Most of the reported
harvest-_came from Subunit 26A (56%in 1981 and 63%in 1982).The
prop9rtion of the Unitwide harvest taken from Subunit 26B declin-
ed from 37%(37 moose)in 1981 to 20%(12 moose)in 1982.This
decline is statistically significant (P <0.05),and partially
reflects the 1982 closure of the Dalton Highway to bow hunting
for moose.However,other unknown factors (including reporting
error)may also be involved.
Nearly 50%of the 1982 reported harvest was taken by hunters
living in the Fairbanks area,and nonresidents accounted for 38%
of the harvest (Table 4).Only 8%of the 1982 Unit 26 moose kill
can be attributed to residents of the North Slope.Some local
residents undoubtedly are not reporting,but the extent of this
bias and the reasons for it are not presently understood.
No information on natural mortality was available for the 1982-83
reporting period.
Management Summary and Recommendations
Information collected during the reporting period suggests low
recruitment compared with previous years and a decline in hunting
pressure since 1981.These cqnclusions are tentative,however,
because the spring survey was done under deteriorating snow
conditions,and because harvest tickets are sometimes not avail-
able and often are not used by North Slope residents.My lack of
experience in the Unit also makes interpretation of existing data
more difficult.
At its spring 1983 meeting,the Board of Game opened the Colville
River below the mouth of the Anaktuvuk River beginning 1 August.
Use of aircraft for this lower river hunt is prohibited.The
traditional season for all of Unit 26 begins on 1 September.The
early opening was requested by hunters in Nuiqsut to provide an
opportunity to legally hunt before the river becomes too low for
boat travel.The impact of the new regulation on the Unit 26
moose population will be monitoredihowever,the take by Nuiqsut
residents is small and the mayor of Nuiqsut believes that no more
than 6 moose were killed there last fall.
148
We must accurately assess both the status of the moose populaton
and moose hunting in Unit 26 in order to establish a rational
management strategy.We should begin by estimating moose popula-
tion parameters including recruitment,sex and age composition,
and population size.To this end,the Barrow area biologist
should place the highest priority on obtaining reliable recruit-
ment data on the Colville River in spring 1984;conduct sex and
age composition counts in Subunits 26A and 26B in October 1983;
and assess the feasibility of a Unitwide aerial census in 1984
and compare the results with those of 1970 and 1977.
These activities will be completed by the end of the 1983-84
reporting period.
We must also refine our harvest estimate.This effort will begin
wi th a field assessment of hunting pressure and distribution
during the 1983 seasons on the Colville River and its tributar-
ies.We will also intensify harvest ticket distribution and
follow-up efforts on harvest reporting.
The moose ranges of Unit 26 are remote,isolated,and unique.An
assertive moose management program should recognize and attempt
to perpetuate the characteristics of moose hunting that are
identified with the Unit.Both subsistence and recreational
hunting styles should be considered,-and management should
proceed on the basis of the following assumptions:
1.Certain aspects of moose hunting in unit 26 are unique
and worth maintaining;
2.Economic and social pressures are changing North Slope
habitats and the way people hunt moose;
3.Not all moose management philosophies are equally
desirable or compatible for the Unit;
4.Moose habitat in Unit 26 is geographically discrete
from other habitats and can be managed as a unit or a
collection of units;
5.Cooperative management agreements can be developed with
agencies and landowners having authority over Unit 26
habitat;
o
6.It is possible to measure and report how hunters,
landowners,and other individuals perceive the import-
ance and special characteristics of moose hunting in
the Unit.
On this basis,we must characterize moose hunting in unit 26 so
that we can actively manage for particular moose hunting experi-
ences.Three questions should be addressed:who hunts moose in
the Unit,what motivates these individuals to hunt there,and
149
what characteristics
hunters want to see
information will be
season.
of moose
preserved.
developed
hunting in the Unit do these
A strategy for obtaining this
during the 1983 moose hunting
No harvest reduction or other changes in existing regulations are
recommended at this time.Management options should be consider-
edby the end of the next reporting period.
Literature Cited
Anderson,D.A.1983.Unit 26 moose survey-inventory progress
report.Pages 147-150 in J.A.Barnett,ed.Annual Report
of Survey-Inventory Activities.Part III.Moose.Vol.
XIII.Alaska Dep.Fish and Game.Fed.Aid in Wildl.Rest.
Prog.Rep.Proj.W-22-1,Job 1.0.Juneau.
Coady,J.W.1982.Unit 26 moose survey-inventory progress
report.Pages 179-184 in R.A.Hinman,ed.Annual Report
of Survey-Inventory Activities.Part II.Caribou,Moose,
and Mountain goats.Vol.XII.Alaska Dep.Fish and Game.
Fed.Aid in Wildl.Rest.Prog.Rep.Proj.W-19-1 and
W-19-2.Job 3.0,1.0,and 12.0.Juneau.
PREPARED BY:
John N.Trent
Game Biologist III
SUBMITTED BY:
David A.Anderson
Survey-Inventory Coordinator
150
Table 1.Unit 26 moose hunter success,1977-1982.
Season Harvest Hunters Success rate (%)
"
1977 36 48 75
1978 46 81 57
1979 90 108 83
1980 89 132 67
1981 99 145 68
1982 60 102 59
151
Table 2.Unit 26 moose harvest by Subunit,1982.
Sex
Subunit
26A
26B
26C
Unknown area
M
31
11
o
10
152
F
7
1
o
o
Total
38
12
o
10
r,
a Significance level based on t-test for difference in proportions.
153
Table 4.Residency of reporting successful Unit 26 hunters,1982.
Hunters
Residency No.%
North Slope 5 8
Fairbanks area 25 42
Elswhere in Alaska 7 12
.Outside Alaska 23 38
Totals 60 100
OEra,y'
U.S.Fish &Wirdrife Servfci
1011 E..Q"c.-I,..'-'--4
Anchorage,Alaska 99503
154
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