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Winter habitat use by moose (Alces alces) in response to climate change may reflect shifts in biotic and abiotic stressors that pose both environmental challenges and opportunities. Snow depth, temperature, winter length, and forest composition influence moose mobility, habitat use, and access to forage and cover resources. We analyzed habitat selection in winter home ranges of adult female moose (n = 96) over the course of six winters (2014-2019) to explore the influence of winter weather and forest composition on landscape and habitat use. Second order (home range) resource selection functions were estimated using generalized linear mixed models. Moose selected most strongly for forest habitat, specifically evergreen and mixed forests, which had similar strength of selection and represented ~50% of home ranges. The models identified a slight positive association with regenerating forest, although high levels of variance indicated a weak relationship. Contrary to our prediction, we did not detect any influence of weather conditions on winter habitat selection. Maine's mosaic of forest types and commercial forestry seemingly provide adequate food and cover resources for moose regardless of winter conditions, with the three habitat types selected for representing ~70% of home ranges. Due to the coarse resolution of the data we analyzed, more specific data on forest structure such as stand age, canopy, and forage species may be required to identify finer relationships in habitat use and specific resource requirements during winter. It is possible that other factors associated with climate change, such as increases in deer (Odocoileus virginianus) populations, parasites, and disease will have greater influence on moose than habitat per se. However, because these potential influences are indirectly related to habitat use by moose, further research is warranted to best understand the multiple factors and relationships affecting winter habitat use. Key words: Alces alces, seasonal resources, home range, landscape use, New England, weather conditions, winter., INTRODUCTION Moose (Alces alces) population dynamics are largely influenced by forage and cover resources in forest habitats; within Maine's boreal forest moose landscape use is likely driven by access to [...]

Moose (Alces alces) populations in northern New Hampshire and western Maine experienced 3 successive years of high winter tick infestations (epizootics) in 2014-2016 that resulted in late-winter calf mortality rates >70%. To assess productivity in these populations, we measured fecundity rates of yearling and adult cow moose, and neonatal and summer calf survival. Parturition, fecundity, and survival were measured via direct observation by stalking VHF and GPS radio-collared cows (n = 177) in May-August, 2014-2016. Calving rates for yearlings and adults averaged 0 and 57%, respectively; there was no twinning documented. Summer calf survival to August was high overall (83%), with 85% of the mortality occurring in the first week of life. Calving and twinning rates declined since last measured in New Hampshire in 2002-2005 and were below the North American average; conversely, summer survival of calves was considered normal. Given that optimal habitat has increased in the past 15 years in the study area that is dominated by commercial forestry, lower productivity is presumably related to the additive impacts of successive winter tick epizootics on year-round condition of cows. Key Words: Alces alces, calving, fecundity, Maine, neonate survival, New Hampshire, pregnancy, winter ticks, Many moose (Alces alces) populations along the southern edge of their North American range are declining, including in Minnesota, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Vermont, New York, and New Hampshire (Murray et [...]

ABSTRACT: Winter habitat use by moose (Alces alces) is typically comprised of regenerating forest and softwood cover in the northeastern United States, and globally, high winter densities are of concern [...]

ABSTRACT: Age, field-dressed body weight, and antler spread data collected from 11,566 harvested moose (Alces alces) were analyzed to assess whether temporal change has occurred in the physical characteristics of [...]

ABSTRACT: Management goals and objectives for moose (Alces alces) in Maine are centered on providing hunting and wildlife viewing opportunity. Robust population estimates of moose are critical to assure that [...]

ABSTRACT: In eastern Aroostook County, Maine abundant populations of moose (Alces alces) within an agricultural-woodland setting negatively impact cole crops and incur a high rate of moose-vehicle collisions. Despite increases [...]