OVERHARVEST AND RECOVERY OF MOOSE IN A RECENTLY LOGGED AREA

Abstract

In Ontario, overharvesting of moose (Alces alces) is often associated with extensive access for hunters and lack of cover for moose in recently logged areas. Our 154 km² study area, northeast of Lake Superior, was cutover for conifer from 1975 to 1979. The area was closed to hunting during logging, and the population is estimated to have been 0.40 to 0.45 moose/km². Hunting was reopened in 1979, and the harvest was extremely high at 0.30 to 0.35 moose/km², leaving a population of about 0.10 moose/km². The area was closed to hunting again beginning in 1980 to protect the remaining moose. The population recovered steadily to 0.37 moose/km² in 1984-85. Bulls were drastically reduced by the 1979 hunt, but recovered rapidly beginning in the second year after the hunt. Cows were less vulnerable to hunting than bulls, and have increased at a slower rate. Calf numbers have remained remarkably stable during most of the study, but there is evidence of a breeding failure in 1980. Calves seem to be responsible for most of the increase in the population. Immigration appears to be less important in rebuilding the herd. Predation, unsuitable habitat in the cutovers, and hunting in adjacent areas may be limiting the moose population increase. Optimum management of recently logged areas is discussed.