Moose winter browsing patterns on clear-cuttings in northern Ontario

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Zoology
• Main Authors: Hamilton, G. D., Drysdale, P. D., Euler, D. L.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1980
• Subjects: Alces alces
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z80-194; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z80-194

Winter browsing patterns by moose (Alces alces) were studied on three cutovers in northern Ontario during spring and summer of 1975 and 1976. The three cutovers were 5 to 6 years old and ranged from 24 to 525 ha in area. Browse patterns were determined by examining 2 m × 4 m plots spaced at 25 m intervals along selected cruise lines. The distance from cover for each plot was calculated from large scale maps. No correlation was found between distance from cover and browse abundance, and moose browsing was independent of food distribution. In 1975, it was found that 95% of all browsing activity was confined to within 80 m of cover. Browse use tended to be greater in 1976, with significant use extending as far as 260 m from cover in one cutover. Food abundance and snow depths up to 75 cm apparently did not determine moose distribution.