Moose are vitally important to Alaska’s subsistence and recreational hunters, wildlife viewers, and economy. Both the State of Alaska and federal government are mandated to manage moose populations. Specific information needs vary across the state, but the ability to monitor the size, trend, and composition of moose populations is fundamental to sound scientific management. Moose population monitoring (including measures of abundance, composition, and trend) in Alaska routinely involve aerial surveys flown in the fall and early winter, prior to antler drop, when sexes can be distinguished. These surveys rely on complete snow cover to optimize sightability. Over the past decade, delayed onset of snowfall has crippled biologists’ ability [...]
