Moose Population Surveys

Last Update/Review: August 12, 2002

A major moose population survey was completed in 1993-94 to determine moose numbers, densities and sex and age ratios. Forty-six Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) were surveyed by air. From this survey, the moose population for the region was estimated at 81 000 animals. That was near the capacity the habitat could support with food, water, cover and space (the habitat's carrying capacity). However, moose numbers in a few WMUs were significantly below that capacity, and the number of bulls in relation to the number of cows (bull:cow ratios) was lower than desired for optimum reproduction.

During the winter of 1994-95, follow-up surveys were done in seven WMUs where numbers and bull:cow ratios were a concern. The results of these surveys indicated that populations in some of these WMUs were remaining stable but there had been no increase in bull:cow ratios.

In 1995-96 and 1996-97, further aerial surveys were conducted in specific high priority WMUs and areas.

During the winter of 1997/98, moose population surveys were scheduled for Wildlife Management Units 344, 346, 347/352, 350, 351, 353/354, 358, 519 and 527 . As a result of a lack of snow throughout much of northern Alberta, survey work could not begin until January of 1998. The results of completed surveys are included in the following summaries. Information from surveys conducted since the winter of 1993/94 are also provided. Survey information for WMUs not completed at the time of this report will be included in future reports.

Moose Management Areas

Moose Management Area 5 (see Figure 1)

The only moose population survey scheduled in this MMA was in WMU 346. Population surveys have been flown in WMU 346 since the program began. Data collected for this WMU indicated a favourable improvement in bull:cow ratio and a stable population (1996/97; 1997/98 survey not complete). Table 1 shows all survey information gathered to 1996/97.

Table 1

WMU SURVEY YEAR POPULATION
ESTIMATE
(Confidence Limit %)		 DENSITY NO. per 100 COWS
per SQ/K per SQ/Mi. BULLS CALVES
328 1993/94 840 (19.3) 0.33 0.86 14 41
328/330 1995/96 1,474 (17.2) 0.34 0.88 24 49
339 1993/94 525 (20.0) 0.28 0.72 9 41
340 1993/94 1,459 (17.9) 0.63 1.62 19 39
339/340 1995/96 2,180 (18.6) 0.43 1.11 15 46
326/429 1995/96 295 (18.1) 0.15 0.39 35 41
342 1995/96 327 (19.8) 0.22 0.56 20 40
346 1993/94 3,118 (16.5) 0.65 1.66 9 42
1994/95 2,805 (19.2) 0.54 1.40 15 45
1995/96 2,669 (15.5) 0.51 1.33 20 31
1996/97 3,369 (18.5) 0.65 1.68 21 42
1997/98 Data to come

Moose Management Area 6 (see Figure 1)

Moose population surveys were scheduled to be flown in WMUs 344, 347/352, 350, 353/354 and 351 during the winter of 1997/98. Populations of moose appear to be stable in the WMUs flown to date. Bull:cow ratios are consistent with post-hunting season expectations. However, in WMU 351 a bull:cow ratio of 42:100 was found. This latter value appears to be a result of the majority of survey blocks falling in inaccessible areas. Future surveys will be necessary to confirm this bull:cow ratio. The calf:cow ratio in WMU 351 has fallen to 28:100. Information from the surveys is found in Table 2.

Table 2

WMU SURVEY YEAR POPULATION
ESTIMATE
(Confidence Limit %)		 DENSITY NO. per 100 COWS
per SQ/K per SQ/Mi. BULLS CALVES
349 1993/94 3,911 (18.7) 0.65 1.68 15 48
1996/97 2,976 (19.7) 0.46 1.19 21 33
350 1993/94 2,952 (18.9) 0.51 1.32 23 45
1994/95 2,701 (15.7) 0.45 1.17 10 32
1995/96 3,557 (19.5) 0.57 1.47 25 39
1996/97 3,593 (18.9) 0.57 1.47 28 35
1997/98 3,204 (14.0) 0.51 1.32 29 32
351 1993/94 2,152 (16.5) 0.52 1.34 19 53
1997/98 2,451 (19.2) 0.56 1.46 42 28
353/354 1993/94 5,031 (15.4) 0.72 1.84 28 50
1994/95 6,913 (17.0) 0.97 2.52 21 51
1995/96 5,294 (18.4) 0.74 1.93 29 35
1996/97 4,015 (18.5) 0.56 1.46 25 42
1997/98 Data to come
356 1993/94 2,969 (18.0) 0.46 1.18 23 42
1996/97 3,672 (15.6) 0.57 1.47 21 35

Moose Management Area 7 (see Figure 1)

Moose population surveys in WMUs 358, and 527 indicate that populations remain stable. Bull:cow ratios and calf:cow ratios have not changed considerably since previous surveys. Survey information for MMA 7 is contained in Table 3.

Table 3

WMU SURVEY YEAR POPULATION
ESTIMATE
(Confidence Limit %)		 DENSITY NO. per 100 COWS
per SQ/K per SQ/Mi. BULLS CALVES
358 1993/94 1,328 (15.4) 0.46 1.18 20 42
1994/95 2,478 (14.9) 0.86 2.22 22 56
1995/96 2,682 (18.1) 0.93 2.41 30 46
1996/97 2,842 (14.6) 0.98 2.55 28 49
1997/98 2,552 (10.5) 0.88 2.29 24 56
360 1993/94 3,357 (24.0) 0.74 1.92 28 53
1994/95 2,677 (19.7) 0.63 1.62 19 52
521 1993/94 2,919 (15.8) 0.62 1.59 14 49
1994/95 4,314 (17.1) 0.93 2.40 14 49
522 1993/94 2,178 (13.2) 0.67 1.71 15 38
1994/95 1,894 (18.1) 0.58 1.51 14 43
526 1993/94 2,677 (16.4) 0.39 1.00 29 47
1996/97 2,562 (18.8) 0.36 0.94 14 47
527 1993/94 2,411 (17.6) 0.36 0.93 26 45
1997/98 2,295 (13.6) 0.34 0.88 27 35

Moose Management Area 8 (see Figure 1)

The only moose population survey flown in MMA 8 during the winter of 1997/98 was for WMU 517. Information from this survey is in Table 4.

Table 4

WMU SURVEY YEAR POPULATION
ESTIMATE
(Confidence Limit %)		 DENSITY NO. per 100 COWS
per SQ/K per SQ/Mi. BULLS CALVES
517 1993/94 550 (29.8) 0.12 0.31 70 49
1997/98 1,410 (20.1) 0.19 0.48 39 35
529 1993/94 477 (22.9) 0.11 0.28 87 53
517/529 1995/96 1,435 (21.5) 0.14 0.35 41 46
525 1993/94 1,598 (21.5) 0.28 0.72 36 41
1995/96 3,578 (20.7) 0.62 1.60 27 49
540 1993/94 1,040 (21.7) 0.10 0.26 62 42
1996/97 1,895 (20.5) 0.18 0.46 75 35
544 1993/94 2,091 (15.7) 0.34 0.88 36 54
1996/97 2,170 (18.9) 0.28 0.73 43 43

Moose Management Area 9 (see Figure 1)

No surveys were conducted in Moose Management Area 9 in 1997/98. Information from previous surveys is shown in Table 5.

Table 5

WMU SURVEY YEAR POPULATION
ESTIMATE
(Confidence Limit %)		 DENSITY NO. per 100 COWS
per SQ/K per SQ/Mi. BULLS CALVES
536 S 1993/94 2,065 (28.7) 0.15 0.39 59 38
1996/97 3,226 (25.0) 0.23 0.60 51 43

Moose Menu

Introduction and Recommendations

Moose Population Surveys

Cow and Calf Moose Survival

Incisor Bar Collections

Hunter Harvest Analysis

Discussion