LARGE AREA MOOSE CENSUS IN NORTHWESTERN MANITOBA

Abstract

A moose census for the 152000 km² Northern Flood Agreement area was designed and flown. Expeditious completion of the census within fiscal limitations was fundamental to the survey design. Satellite multispectral scanning data were used to classify and map winter moose habitat. Stratification was based on the habitat maps and previous 30 years’ fire history. A random selection procedure was used to select variable size sample plots within 5 habitat types. Plot shapes were irregular and followed geographic features for easy definition. Plot boundaries did not cross habitat boundaries. Between November 1983 and December 1987 two censuses of the area were completed. Study areas in a given year ranged between 14000 and 78000 km². Moose densities were greatest in young mixed wood habitat. Moose per plot were poorly correlated with plot size. Degree of homogeneity of age of early successional growth and hunting affected distribution of moose groups in young mixed wood habitat.