|
 Moose are colonizing the area north of Elgin in the Wenaha and Walla Walla game management units, according to Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) wildlife biologist Pat Matthews. Oregon’s moose are believed to have traveled south from Washington and Idaho to take up residency in the Blue Mountains. Although individual moose have occasionally been observed in northeast Oregon during the past 40 years only recently have animals been considered established residents.
“Based on reported sightings and ODFW surveys, we are conservatively estimating a resident population of 40 to 50 animals” said Matthews. “I know of at least nine calves that were born in Oregon in 2006.”
ODFW received 40 reports of moose sightings in 2006 which included 14 cows, 9 calves and 3 bulls. To date in 2007, ODFW has received 7 reported sightings (6 cows and one bull). Matthews feels that there have probably been more moose seen, but since many people know of their presence, they are not calling to report a sighting. ODFW encourages everyone to call their local ODFW office if they have observed a moose.
Monitoring moose in Oregon consists largely of keeping record of all reported sightings, their location, sex and the age of animals observed. In addition to reports from the public, ODFW conducts winter track surveys using snowmobiles and has attempted aerial classification surveys. Observations of this nature help ODFW to better understand their movements and preferred habitats. Since moose are generally solitary animals, surveying moose in Oregon from the ground or air is not expected to be an effective form of population monitoring until there are a greater numbers of animals said Matthews.
About Moose: Moose are the largest member of the deer family. Males are called bulls, females are cows and the young are calves. There are four recognized subspecies of moose in North America:
- Alaska-Yukon (the largest),
- Northwestern (in western provinces of Canada),
- Eastern (in eastern Canada and the United States), and
- Shira’s (in SE British Columbia and south through the western United States).
Oregon’s moose are Shira’s moose and are also found in Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, British Columbia and in isolated areas of Utah, Colorado and Washington.
Moose are difficult to confuse with other animals because of their distinctive appearance. They’re dark brown and have long legs with touches of gray or white and have massive shoulders. They have prominent muzzles, an overhanging upper lip and a large flap that hangs beneath the throat called a bell.
Shira’s Moose are physically smaller than the more northern dwelling moose. Adult Shira’s measure nearly six feet at the shoulder. Bulls weigh between 850 and 900 pounds; cows are smaller, weighing between 500 and 750 pounds. Bull moose have broad, flat palmated antlers that can spread as much as 5½ feet across and weigh up to 70 pounds. Young males have forked antlers and don’t develop the palmated rack until they are around three years of age. The bulls shed their antlers between December and January and regrow them in the spring. Cow moose do not have antlers. |
