Mat-Su moose populations remain strong

WASILLA — Moose population in the Mat-Su valley and surrounding area is a mixed bag, depending on what management area one looks at. Units 14A and 14B—commonly referred to as the Mat-Su Valley region, have numbers at or above optimal levels. Units 16A and 16B, the Lower Susitna region, aren’t faring quite as well.

According to Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) Biologist Tim Peltier, of the area’s four management areas, 14A has a surplus of moose while Unit 14B numbers are right where ADF&G officials want them. Peltier said based on the most recent available data, Unit 14A had a census of around 8,500 animals, or about 2,000 more than optimal. Information for Unit 14B indicated a count of 2,700--almost centered at the 2,500-2,800 census numbers ADF&G is aiming for.

Lower Susitna management numbers are a mixed bag. The count for Unit 16A showed the herd at 2,600 or 900-1,400 below optimal number of 3,500-4,000. The latest data for Unit 16B revealed a count of 7,400. Peltier said that is at the high end of the optimal 6,500-7,500 animals for the area. Peltier said unit populations are directly attributable mainly to food supply while weather plays a role as well.

“We’ve had several mild winters and that has really helped out with the calf counts,” Peltier said. He said the department also performs spring browsing studies to determine how hard moose graze an area. He added the department hasn’t seen much die-off related to nutrition in recent years. Peltier added the mild winters might also result in cows giving birth to more than one calf.

“That’s another way we measure the health of the herd,” Peltier said. “The milder the winter, the more likely (multiple births) occur. In the spring, we can see how much (foliage moose) clip off. You’re always going to lose some animals. Moose get old and die. But we’re always really hoping to avoid a big die-off.”

Bull moose harvest continues through Sept. 25 for all four units. Because of the surplus population in Unit 14A, an antlerless moose season by drawing runs through Sept. 25 and a second one Nov. 1-Dec. 25. Sheep season continues through Sept. 20. Application for the 2017 hunting season permits drawing permits runs Nov. 1-Dec. 15.