Summary

Description

Aerial moose surveys were conducted on the north slope from the Sagavanirktok River to the Canning River during 1719 October 1988. Two aircraft based from Galbraith Lake enabled the surveys to be completed in a timely manner and allowed for additional safety considerations. A total of 629 moose were recorded 565 moose were counted in 1986, suggesting that the regional moose population is slightly increasing. The regional calfcow and bullcow ratios declined from 32 to 27 calves100 cows and 53 to 48 bulls100 cows during 1986 to 1988. Trend data for the Canning River area suggests a reduced abundance of moose 37 from 1985. Decline in calves100 cows from 44 in 1985 to 16 in 1988 and reduced abundance of large bulls 47100 cows in 1985 to 19100 cows in 1988 suggest that low recruitment and increased harvest are likely causes for the reduction in moose in the Canning River area.