Montana Field Guide

Moose - Alces alces

Coat dark brown to black; large overhanging snout; pendant "bell" under throat; antlers massive and flat; tail short; bulls (largest antlered animals in the world) weigh 800 - 1,200 lbs. cows 600 - 800 lbs. Usually solitary but may congregate during rut or on excellent winter range; at home in water, may submerge for 3-4 minutes, or swim for miles; cows very protective of calves.

Montana Range

Often uses separate summer/winter ranges. Movements prompted by temperature & snow depth.

Variable; in summer, mountain meadows, river valleys, swampy areas, clearcuts; in winter, willow flats or mature coniferous forests; best ability of any Montana ungulate to negotiate deep snow (FWP). Conif. cover, uneven plant age composition & willows important components. Some moose may be yearlong willow flat residents (Stone 1971). Closed canopy stands may be important in late winter (Mattson 1985).

Browse, including large saplings; aquatic vegetation (FWP). Varies btwn ranges. Winter: willow, servicebry, chokecherry & redosier dogwood. Spring/sum--incr. forb use (up to70% of diet). Some pop.s use aquat. veg. overall: sub-climax seral decid. browse imp. (Stone 1971).

In Yaak River drainage used clearcuts, small cuts & cuts logged 15-30 years ago more than expected (Mattson and Despain 1985). Because moose primarily use browse, frequently willow, competition with cattle usually minimal.

Breed in late September and early October; shed antlers in December or January; one or two russet-brown young without spots; where moose are scarce, both sexes travel extensively looking for mates; in other areas, both sexes form breeding groups; bulls fight for cows; females usually breed when 2 1/2 years old, but may breed as yearlings on good range (FWP). Ovulation rates 48/100 yearlings, 115/100 adult cows. Preg. rates 32/100 yearlings, 16/100 adult cows, twinning rates 0/100 yearlings, 16/100 adult cows; rate of increase similar to other areas.