CHARACTERISTICS OF WINTER BED SITES OF MOOSE IN MICHIGAN

Abstract

Eighty-three bed sites of 4 adult male moose (Alces alces) and 3 adult females with calves were analyzed in winter 1987-88 to define vegetational and physical features chosen by members of a newly established population in Michigan. During early winter, moose bedded primarily in areas dominated by sugar maple (Acer saccharum). In late winter, sites containing eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) were selected over other habitat types. Eighty-three percent of late winter cow beds were associated with conifer trees, where young hemlocks and balsam firs occurred in the shrub layer. All late winter calf beds (N = 18) examined were associated with hemlock and balsam fir. Shrubs at calf beds in late winter were dominated by sugar maple and red maple (Acer rubrum). Beds of bulls in late winter were primarily associated with an overstory of balsam fir and hemlock, where sugar maple, balsam fir, and red maple dominated the shrub layer. Canopy closure appeared unimportant in early winter, but in late winter bulls, cows, and calves chose denser canopy than could be attributed to chance, particularly in hemlock-dominated stands. In early winter, snow depths (<50 cm) did not influence bed site selection whereas in late winter, moose significantly chose areas with shallow snow for bed sites. Management recommendations to maintain late winter moose habitat include maintenance and creation of small stands of hemlock and balsam fir.