CALVING SITES OF MOOSE IN CENTRAL ONTARIO

Abstract

Fifty-four calving sites of moose (Alces alces) were located during the calving and early postpartum period in Algonquin Park, Ontario. The major objective was to capture calves for other studies. Objectives influenced methods and subsequent possible interpretation of results. Thus, although 44 of 54 sites were on islands, this may reflect only disproportionately large amounts of time searching islands and not a propensity for moose to calve on islands. Similarly, there is no suggestion that certain types of habitat were actually preferred by moose. This cannot be done using the resources and techniques available in this study. Moose used a variety of hardwood, conifer, hardwood-conifer mixed, and occasionally open habitats for calving. Sites varied greatly in tree density, shrub density, shelter, visibility around sites, and in proximity to water. Many sites were elevated on slopes and did not have hiding cover or shelter from weather close at hand. Most sites were in areas believed to provide predator avoidance characteristics.