Things to Know befor you go Hunting

Habitat

Moose are found throughout most of Alaska except on the Aleutian Islands, but they are most commonly found in southcentral and interior Alaska. Moose occur in a variety of habitats from the open tundra of the Seward Peninsula and Arctic plains to the birch forests of southcentral to the rain forests of southeast. Moose seldom inhabit mountainous areas above 5,000 feet. Most moose make seasonal movements to calving, rutting, and wintering areas. They travel anywhere from a few miles to as many as 80 miles during these moves. However, some moose are year-round residents of one area and may live and die within a 5 square mile area.

Moose eat forbs, grasses, sedges and leaves of broadleaf trees and shrubs during the summer months from leaf-out in May until September. Moose are commonly seen in open meadows and ponds during the summer, feeding on aquatic plants. At some point in late August or early September, moose begin changing their diet to include woody browse of willow, aspen, poplar, birch and alder. In early winter, moose can be found near their rutting areas feeding on low shrubs, like diamond-leaf willow, which become snow covered later in the winter. As snow accumulates, moose are forced to lower elevations and feed on tall shrub habitat, like the tall felt-leaf willow type, along rivers and creeks. Lowland burns with sapling aspen and birch are also used in winter.

Scat

Moose have large, cloven hooves that are more pointed than elk. They have an alternating stance that leaves an overlapping impression of tracks. Moose tend to keep to well defined, wide trails.

Behavior

Moose are solitary animals with a good sense of smell, sight, and hearing to protect them from natural predators. Moose breed in September and early October. Bulls commonly compete for cows by jousting. By late October, bulls have exhausted their summer accumulation of fat and tend to stay near their rutting areas for one to two months after breeding. Bulls generally shed their antlers in December or January.

Tracks

During the summer, moose droppings usually resemble cow patties, resulting from feeding on leafy forage. In the fall when their diet changes, pellets become more concave and dry. In winter, pellets are hard and dry, reflecting a seasonal change in diet from leafy to woody forage.