CALVING AREAS OF MOOSE IN NORTHWESTERN MONTANA AND SOUTHEASTERN BRITISH COLUMBIA

• Main Authors: Langley, M. A., Pletscher, D. H.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Lakehead University 1994
• Subjects: North Fork; Alces alces; Canis lupus
• Online Access: http://alcesjournal.org/index.php/alces/article/view/957

We located 13 moose (Alces alces) calving areas in mid-May to mid-June, 1990 and 1991, along the North Fork of the Flathead River in northwestern Montana and southeastern British Columbia, a regions recently recolonized by wolves (Canis lupus) after an absence of about 50 years. Calving areas were sampled for habitat features as were random areas within the 95% harmonic mean home range of cow moose. Calving areas were characterized by less edge, greater hiding cover (more shrub cover), and more bare ground than random areas within move home ranges. Calving areas did not differ significantly from random areas in distance to open roads, water, human habitation, or in elevation. These data may be used to provide a starting point from which land managers can work to maintain moose calving habitat.