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MOOSE. Moose originated in northern Eurasia and then spread east across Siberia into North America. The map, looking down on the earth from above the north pole, shows these movements into Alaska and then across North America. Moose also moved west into northern Europe.
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Moose originated in northern Eurasia and then spread east across Siberia into North America. The map, looking down on the earth from above the north pole, shows these movements into Alaska and then across North America. Moose also moved west into northern Europe
What is the average size and weight of moose? • Weight: • Largest Deer in the world • Minnesota Moose are small compared to Canadian and Alaskan Moose • Adult Bulls: 900-1200 lbs.. • Adult Cows: 600-900 lbs.. • Newborn Calves: 25-35 lbs. • Average age is 15 – 25 years old
Moose Range in Minnesota Moose were the most common big game animal in Northern Minnesota before settlement Moose were first protected by game laws in 1887 Two distinct populations – one in Northwestern Minnesota and one in Northeastern Minnesota
Cow and Calf The plural for “Moose” is :Moose”
Height • An adult moose stands 6 to 6 ½ feet tall at the withers • 9 to 10ft. from nose to tail
What are the physical characteristics of Moose? • Coat • Dark Cocoa-brown, light colored legs and belly • Calves: light reddish coat • Excellent insulation • Sheds annually
Moose Facts • Largest member of the Cervidae family • Adapted for running, and rough terrain traveling 25-35 mph • Hooves well adapted for travel and protection • Shoulder hump, drooping nose, “bell”
Digestive System • Ruminant (4 compartments to stomach) • Can store more than 100 pounds of food in it’s stomach • Main diet-Woody Plant Material, aquatic plants • “Twig Eater” • Summer diet: Aquatic Plants
Antler Development • Palmated antlers, cast off annually • Peak antler growth about 6-10 years • Normally don’t palmate until year # 3 • Velvet growth begins in April • Boone and Crockett Scoring System
Senses • Vision • Poor Eyesight • Good Night Vision • Smell • Acute sense of smell • Critical role during rut • Hearing • Acute Hearing • Uses antlers as amplifier
What are breeding behaviors of Moose? • 1. Pre-Rut • Begins in late August • Dominance established: Sparring, Old dominate Young • Bulls search for cows • The Bull will search for a cow by using his hearing and more importantly his sense of smell. The cow urine contains pheromone, sex hormones, which the bull is able to smell by flemen, curling up his upper lip and sniffing the air. He will also use his tongue to pick up pheromone in the air
Breeding behavior • Breeding arena established • She will choose an open area surrounded by forest. • Cows—2 ½ Years Old • Bulls—1 ½ Years Old • Bull uses sense of smell and hearing, “flemen” • Bull digs wallow pits: • Shallow depression in the ground • Bull urinates in pit, rolls around in it • Cow in Estrous will indicate her receptivity by rolling in his pit.
Flemen is a behavior whereby an animal curls back its upper lips exposing its front teeth, inhales with the nostrils usually closed and then often holds this position for several seconds.
Breeding behavior • 2. Rut • Photoperiodism (shorter daylight hours) • Bull establishes personal zones • the size of the zone reflects the dominance ranking of the bull. • If a bull trespasses into another bull’s zone the bull will announce his displeasure first by thrashing nearby tree with his antlers and roar loudly to warn the encroaching bull to leave or else.
Breeding behavior • Bulls unpredictable and dangerous • Several days of courting • Once a bull has located a receptive cow he will stay with her for a few days waiting for her receptivity or her peak estrous time when she will allow the bull to breed her. The two will often rub against each other. The cow will shove her head under the bulls’ to rub up against his bell.
Breeding- once the moose have mated the cow he will move on to find another receptive cow. Un-bred Cows re-enter estrous, 2-3 times
3. Post Rut • Rut ends in October • 90% of cows bred • Hormone level decreases in the bull • The hormone level decreases in the bull and he becomes more less aggressive and now focuses on eating and preparing for the oncoming winter • Antlers cast off
4. Gestation 8 months • Calves are born in May-June • Twins common in good habitat • Calves develop fast • Within one week they are able to travel with the cow on rough terrain and in the water • Calves remain with cow for 12-18 Months
What are typical behaviors of Moose? Solitary Non-Aggressive with exceptions Most active dawn, dusk, and night Summer spent in and around water Winter spent in concentrated area
Human development Moose habitat is being affected by human development such as: drainage of swamps, housing developments, forest fires, roads built through the moose range, and clearing of forest by loggers and farming.
Parasites The moose is very susceptible to parasitic diseases. These infestations are often fatal to the moose.
Parasites Eye worm- Causes blindness, making the moose an easy target for predators Brainworm- Causes severe damage to nervous system and brain, eventually fatal 60% of sick moose in NE had brainworm Bang’s disease- Causes abortions in cows and is very contagious to domestic livestock
Parasites External parasites- ticks, fleas, lice infestations, rarely fatal
Flukes Liver flukes- Causes severe damage to liver
Predation Most common predators are humans, wolves and bear.
Predation by wolves, bears and humans does not cause a threat to maintaining a healthy population level.
The DNR manages moose range to ensure a quality and healthy habitat. Modern Minnesota moose hunting season began in 1971 Hunting was closed in Northwestern Minnesota in 1997.
Moose Hunting Information • 2012 Results Northeastern Minnesota • MN DNR Licenses • 87 permits issued • 46 bulls harvested • 1854 Treaty Authority • Issued 49 permits • 16 moose (11 bulls and 5 cows) harvested • Fond du Lac Band • 64 permits issued • 20 bulls harvested
Moose Study • Changes in moose numbers in Northeastern and Northwestern Minnesota based on aerial surveys
Minnesota Moose Count 2006 Estimated at over 9,000 2011 Estimated at 4,900 2012 Estimated at 4,230 Northwestern Minnesota Moose population has gone from over 4,000 to under 100 in two decades
No Moose season in 2013 “The state’s moose population has been in decline for years but never at the precipitous rate documented this winter,” DNR Commissioner Landwehr said in a statement Wednesday. “This is further and definitive evidence the population is not healthy. It reaffirms the conservation community’s need to better understand why this iconic species of the north is disappearing from our state
Poachers are the most senseless and illegal predators. Moose have been found shot and left to rot. It is a cruel and wasteful method of predation.
The DNR has initiated a program called “T.I.P.” Turn In Poachers, to help stop poaching. The program has been very helpful, more than 5,200 poachers have been convicted since the program began 20 years ago.
