Summary

Description

A moose survey of the lower Nowitna drainage on the Nowitna National Wildlife Refuge was conducted from 1721 November 1986. The 1986 population estimate for the study area is 783 191 moose at the 90 confidence level. A 1980 survey in the study area estimated a population of 1390 373 moose. The two estimates are significantly different at the 95 confidence level twotailed Students ttest. Sex and age composition data were collected during the surveys and during trend area surveys in 1982, 1983 and 1985. Calf:cow ratios are indicative of adequate summer survival of calves; however poor annual recruitment in 1983, 1985 and 1986 was reflected in low yearling bull:cow ratios. Poor winter survival of calves is a potential problem in the study area.