MOOSE MOVEMENTS AND HABITAT USE ALONG THE SUSITNA RIVER NEAR DEVIL'S CANYON

From October 1976 through January 1979 a moose movements and population study was conducted along the Susitna River in southcentral Alaska to aid in assessing the potential impacts of hydroelectric power development on moose (Alces alces gigas). Twenty-two radio collars and 21 visual collars were placed on adult cow moose during the study. Radio-collared moose were Located on 467 occasions while visual-collared moose were observed 43 times. Annual home ranges of moose are calculated and compared between drainages and to those from other studies in North America. Movement patterns, fidelity to summer and winter ranges and habitat utilization are discussed. Areas of high moose concentration are identified. Proposed hydro-electric developments are described and their potential impacts on moose are considered