N.H. Drought Was Good for Moose

N.H. Drought Was Good for Moose.
Preliminary numbers from a project that puts tracking collars on moose show that only one of the calves — the most vulnerable group — died from winter ticks this year.
Project leaders are still watching with caution, as winter ticks are in the adult stage in April and are feeding heavily.
It was 71 last year.
Permits also are down to 80 in Vermont, from 165 last year.
Maine authorities want to cut the number of moose permits to 2,080, 60 less than last year.
Vermont, which joined the study this year and didn’t have drought issues as serious as New Hampshire, has seen five of its 30 collared calves die, so far.
Some feel it’s time to stop moose hunting, period.
“Why would you threaten it further?” Moose population densities are taken into account in all hunting areas.
That will have a bigger impact … We could stop (hunting) tomorrow, and what’s going to happen to these animals will continue to happen.”

Why New Hampshire’s drought was good for its moose

Why New Hampshire’s drought was good for its moose.
Preliminary numbers from a project that puts tracking collars on moose show that only one of the calves – the most vulnerable group – died from winter ticks this year.
It was 71 last year.
Permits also are down to 80 in Vermont, from 165 last year.
Vermont, which joined the study this year and didn’t have drought issues as serious as New Hampshire, has seen five of its 30 collared calves die, so far.
The wildlife federation says it understands the Fish and Game Department’s goals to maintain a healthy moose population, as well as the challenges of trying to reopen a hunting season once it is stopped.
Some feel it’s time to stop moose hunting, period.
“Why would you threaten it further?” Moose population densities are taken into account in all hunting areas.
She said parasites are the bigger problem, and will continue to be so in the future.
… We could stop (hunting) tomorrow, and what’s going to happen to these animals will continue to happen.” Share

Drought was tough on farmers, but good for moose

Drought was tough on farmers, but good for moose.
Preliminary numbers from a project that puts tracking collars on moose show that only one of the calves — the most vulnerable group — died from winter ticks this year.
Project leaders are still watching with caution, as winter ticks are in the adult stage in April and are feeding heavily.
It was 71 last year.
Permits also are down to 80 in Vermont, from 165 last year.
Vermont, which joined the study this year and didn’t have drought issues as serious as New Hampshire, has seen five of its 30 collared calves die, so far.
Some feel it’s time to stop moose hunting, period.
In New Hampshire, there were only about 50 moose in 1950.
Rines notes the hunt is targeting about 1 percent of the moose population in New Hampshire.
That will have a bigger impact … We could stop (hunting) tomorrow, and what’s going to happen to these animals will continue to happen."

Drought was tough on NH farmers, but good for moose

Drought was tough on NH farmers, but good for moose.
Associated Press CONCORD, N.H. (AP) – Last year’s drought in New Hampshire was tough on farmers and towns.
But it turns out to have been good for moose.
Preliminary numbers from a project that puts tracking collars on moose show that only one of the calves – the most vulnerable group – died from winter ticks this year.
A year ago, nearly 75 percent of the calves tracked died.
Moose biologist Kristine Rines says many of the blood-sucking ticks died because they were deprived of moisture.
The latest findings come as a state commission prepares to vote Wednesday on a proposed 51 permits for the annual moose hunt, the lowest in nearly 30 years.
Permits have declined, partly because of the impact of parasites, both ticks and brainworm, on moose.
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