Cervid Distribution Browse and Snow Cover in Alberta

Studies of winter distribution of moose (Alces alces), elk (Cervus canadensis), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and white-tailed deer (O. virginianus) were conducted in the Montane Forest Region of southwestern Alberta, the Mixedwood Section of the Boreal Forest of central Alberta and the Upper Foothills Section of the Boreal Forest Region in west central Alberta. Pellet-group counts supplemented by aerial and ground observation showed that moose utilization of study areas was positively related to the weight of winter browse per unit area. Elk and deer winter utilization was not strongly related to browse availability, but may be related to traditional wintering areas and to human disturbance. The integrity of traditional winter range, especially steep south-facing slopes of major drainages and bottoms of large valleys should be maintained as essential winter habitat for deer and elk in the foothills. Moose distribution can be altered and populations possibly increased by manipulating browse supply