carnivore
01-02-2011, 10:13 AM
See recently completed survey results below. Maybe the L.E.H. and GOS in this region is too conservative, what do you think?
Information regarding moose survey
After 5 great days of weather and hard work on the part of the ‘crew’, the flying portion is now complete.
A block census was conducted in 8-11 and classification flights were conducted in parts of 8-10,22,23 (Aberdeen Plateau), 8-10,12 (McCullough Lake) and the north end of 8-08.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Sean Lenarduzzi who was the pilot from Advanatage Helicopters, Kim Poole (Aurora Wildlife Research), Les Gyug (Okanagan Wildlife Consulting), Jim Beck, Greg Hoyer, Drew Carmichael and Brian Harris. I’d also like to thank Brian Mellis from Flightline Aviation Wear who is going to give Sean a new flight suit.
Like to thank the folks in the Fish, Wildlife and Habitat Protection Branch who were able to come up with some money, all the clubs who donated, as well as the Okanagan Wildlife Heritage Society Fund.
The results of the work are likely going to result in more questions then answers. The good news is it appears we have a lot more moose than we thought in 8-11. The 2007 estimate was 198 moose and we’ll likely end up with 350-400 as the new estimate. It appears bull:cow ratios are less than 30:100, although they came up with 28 bulls:100 cows on the Aberdeen Plateau which is well above any flight conducted since 1996 (generally it’s been around 16 bulls:100 cows).
Here is a quick summary from Kim:
We had only 5 bald bulls and 1 Class II with a single antler out of 60 bulls (8% bald), so that was pretty good. I’ll have to check my data before summarizing bull classes.
8-11 stratified random block survey (naïve totals and ratios only):
·Total of 219 moose (+2 spike bulls outside of block and MU and in MU 8-08)
·~32 calves:100 cows
·~24 bulls:100 cows
·Naïve (from Gasaway Moosepop) estimate is 289 moose (will change slightly as I have to adjust some block areas), plus the sight ability correction factor which may end up in the mid to upper 300s range for the final estimate (just a guess)
8-10 classification flight (Aberdeen Plateau, which stretched into a bit of 8-22 and 8-23):
·Total of 80 moose
·~32 calves:100 cows
·~28 bulls:100 cows
8-10 classification flight (McCullough Lake area, which stretched into a bit of 8-12):
·Total of 22 moose (small sample; didn’t get over to far west of McCullough)
·~29 calves:100 cows
·~29 bulls:100 cows
Both ends of 8-10 appear similar in ratios, so could lump (102 moose; 31 calves:100 cows; 28 bulls:100 cows)
8-08 classification flight (northern end only; did get over to the west side):
·Total of 60 moose
·~24 calves:100 cows
·~17 bulls:100 cows
Overall this project really shows that the funding we have is not adequate to properly monitor or manage wildlife. With ~2200 resident moose hunters in Region 8 we’re brining in $55,000+ in license fees annually, never mind the economic contribution – it’s something like 17,000 days! Most years we don’t have the money to conduct inventory and as a result we have to manage conservatively. As consumptive users, the trickle-down effect severely limits the opportunity to hunt and harvest wildlife.
We should expect a report from Kim by late January-early February. At that point we’ll have a better handle on things and we’ll be able to come up with a plan.
Information regarding moose survey
After 5 great days of weather and hard work on the part of the ‘crew’, the flying portion is now complete.
A block census was conducted in 8-11 and classification flights were conducted in parts of 8-10,22,23 (Aberdeen Plateau), 8-10,12 (McCullough Lake) and the north end of 8-08.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Sean Lenarduzzi who was the pilot from Advanatage Helicopters, Kim Poole (Aurora Wildlife Research), Les Gyug (Okanagan Wildlife Consulting), Jim Beck, Greg Hoyer, Drew Carmichael and Brian Harris. I’d also like to thank Brian Mellis from Flightline Aviation Wear who is going to give Sean a new flight suit.
Like to thank the folks in the Fish, Wildlife and Habitat Protection Branch who were able to come up with some money, all the clubs who donated, as well as the Okanagan Wildlife Heritage Society Fund.
The results of the work are likely going to result in more questions then answers. The good news is it appears we have a lot more moose than we thought in 8-11. The 2007 estimate was 198 moose and we’ll likely end up with 350-400 as the new estimate. It appears bull:cow ratios are less than 30:100, although they came up with 28 bulls:100 cows on the Aberdeen Plateau which is well above any flight conducted since 1996 (generally it’s been around 16 bulls:100 cows).
Here is a quick summary from Kim:
We had only 5 bald bulls and 1 Class II with a single antler out of 60 bulls (8% bald), so that was pretty good. I’ll have to check my data before summarizing bull classes.
8-11 stratified random block survey (naïve totals and ratios only):
·Total of 219 moose (+2 spike bulls outside of block and MU and in MU 8-08)
·~32 calves:100 cows
·~24 bulls:100 cows
·Naïve (from Gasaway Moosepop) estimate is 289 moose (will change slightly as I have to adjust some block areas), plus the sight ability correction factor which may end up in the mid to upper 300s range for the final estimate (just a guess)
8-10 classification flight (Aberdeen Plateau, which stretched into a bit of 8-22 and 8-23):
·Total of 80 moose
·~32 calves:100 cows
·~28 bulls:100 cows
8-10 classification flight (McCullough Lake area, which stretched into a bit of 8-12):
·Total of 22 moose (small sample; didn’t get over to far west of McCullough)
·~29 calves:100 cows
·~29 bulls:100 cows
Both ends of 8-10 appear similar in ratios, so could lump (102 moose; 31 calves:100 cows; 28 bulls:100 cows)
8-08 classification flight (northern end only; did get over to the west side):
·Total of 60 moose
·~24 calves:100 cows
·~17 bulls:100 cows
Overall this project really shows that the funding we have is not adequate to properly monitor or manage wildlife. With ~2200 resident moose hunters in Region 8 we’re brining in $55,000+ in license fees annually, never mind the economic contribution – it’s something like 17,000 days! Most years we don’t have the money to conduct inventory and as a result we have to manage conservatively. As consumptive users, the trickle-down effect severely limits the opportunity to hunt and harvest wildlife.
We should expect a report from Kim by late January-early February. At that point we’ll have a better handle on things and we’ll be able to come up with a plan.