Activity patterns of moose on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, as influenced by season and food availability

Abstract

Research was conducted at the Moose Research Center, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, to determine activity patterns and budgets of moose. Mercury tip-switch transmitters mounted on the lower foreleg of moose and a computerized data acquisition system were tested for remote monitoring of moose activity. The activities of 2 adult female moose within each of 4 2.6 km² enclosures were monitored from mid-December 1985 through early April 1986. Comparisons were made between activities of moose in enclosures with differing levels of deciduous browse. No significant difference could be demonstrated in activity level among animals in different enclosures. Although the amount of forage varied, all enclosures appeared to provide poor winter habitat for moose. Seven moose monitored in the enclosures from June through August 1986 were significantly more active than during winter, due to shorter mean resting bouts during summer. There was no difference in mean active bout length between seasons.