• Krafft, Arne
  University of Maine Graduate School
  

The management of the moose herd on a 360 sq. km. private forest in Hurdal, Norway was studied from 1953 to 1957. The numbers of moose on the area were estimated to average about 8 animals per sq. km. Some of the animals spend part of the winter period outside of the area. An average of 59 calves per 100 cows 1.5 years or older were produced each year. About one fourth of the adult cows failed to produce offspring. It is suggested that the high incidence of barren cows may be related to poor range conditions resulting from over browsing. The animal harvest of moose through legal hunting has averaged 1.2 animals per 10. sq. km. Other mortality factors include losses resulting from accidents, illegal hunting and malnutrition. The current rate of harvest of moose could be increased by 50 percent. Modification of current hunting practices and regulations will be necessary to permit better utilization of the herd. It is believed that an all-age and all-sex harvest of the annual crop will result in better range condition and ultimately a more thrifty herd.