Managing moose harvests by the seat of your pants

摘要: Moose populations are managed for sustainable yield balanced against costs caused by damage to forestry or agriculture and collisions with vehicles. Optimal harvests can be calculated based on a structured population model driven data abundance the composition of bulls, cows, calves obtained aerial-survey monitoring during winter. Quotas established respective government agency licenses issued hunters harvest an animal specified age sex following autumn. Because cost aerial is high, we use Management Strategy Evaluation evaluate benefits periodic surveys in context moose management. Our on-the-fly “seat your pants” alternative independent management solely kill hunters, which usually sufficient alert manager declines that warrant adjustments strategies. Harvests relatively cheap monitor; therefore, each year facilitating annual quotas. Other sources “cheap” such as records number seen while hunting also might obtained, may provide further useful insight into abundance, structure health. conservation dollars limited, high difficult justify when methods exist.