Ecology and management of moose in northern New England

Abstract

This study examined three facets of moose ecology in northern New England: impact of moose browsing on forest regeneration, physical characteristics of harvested bull moose, and winter habitat use. Forest regeneration was not considered a major problem in northern Vermont based on stocking levels of commercial tree species. Increasing dominance of softwood species coupled with suppressed growth of hardwoods suggests possible local shifts in composition. Bull moose in Maine had stable body weight and antler spread, and selective harvest of trophy bulls was not apparent over 30 years. Winter locations from aerial surveys indicated that moose preferentially used deciduous/mixed forest proximate to cuts; wetlands and conifer stands were used less. Good physical condition of harvested moose and similarities in habitat use at multiple scales indicates that commercial timber harvesting provides long-term, high quality moose habitat in northern Maine