Testing and evaluation of a technique to estimate moose habitat use in west-central Alberta

Abstract

This project was designed to test and evaluate a technique to estimate moose ('Alces alces') habitat use in west-central Alberta, Canada. Home range size and habitat use of adult female moose were estimated for portions of a Wildlife Management Unit in west-central Alberta. Nineteen radio collared adult female moose were relocated from January through March 1997. Mean distance travelled between daily relocations was 1.51 +- 0.04 SE km, and the mean home range size was 68.77 +- 5.38 SE km 2. Moose were found to prefer areas classified as browse, wet areas and 25-29.99 in tall forest stands. Statistical and trended analysis indicated that moose preferred areas classified as browse, wet areas, low to medium % canopy closure, and tall trees when selecting whiter habitat.