Wildlife Management Unit 528 Moose Survey, January 8 14, 2013.

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1 Wildlife Management Unit 528 Moose Survey, January 8 14, Dave Moyles Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development Lower Peace Wildlife Management May 2013

2 PERMISSION TO QUOTE This report contains preliminary information and interpretations and may be subject to future revision. To prevent the issuance of misleading information, persons wishing to quote from this report, to cite it in bibliographies or to use it in any other form must first obtain permission from the author or the Director of the Wildlife Management Branch, Alberta Fish and Wildlife Division. DISTRIBUTION Copies of this report have been sent to the Wildlife Management Branch Headquarters of Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development (ESRD) and to the Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Branch Offices in Peace River, Manning, High Level, Fort Vermilion and Red Earth. Copies are also kept on file by Lower Peace Area Wildlife Management staff. Copies of this report can be obtained through the Wildlife Management Branch Headquarters. Raw data has been incorporated into the Fish and Wildlife Management Information System (FWMIS) database. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Thanks to Bill Johnson, Lyle Fullerton, Laura MacPherson, Brian Lucko, Justin Gilligan, Nathan Webb, Brett Boukall, Rick Goy and Jack McNaughton of Alberta ESRD. Justin also did all of the FWMIS data entry. I would also like to thank Air Jasper and their pilots Barry Pendrak and Marty Pendrak, Nor-Alta Aviation and their pilots Gord Friebel and Joseph Squance, and CanWest Aviation and their pilot Derek Vosse for their work during the fixed-wing stratification. Thanks to Black Swan Helicopters and pilot Darvin Mossing, Delta Helicopters and pilot Roben Miller and Highland Helicopters and pilot Rod Drake for their service for the rotary-wing portions of the survey. Funding for this survey was provided by Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development and the Joint Oils Sands Monitoring Program. ABSTRACT A population survey was conducted in WMU 528 for moose in January 2013 using a random stratified block sampling technique (Lynch 1997). Overall estimate of moose is 2241 (+/- 13.6%), for a density of 0.19 moose/sq. km. The ratios of bulls and calves to 100 adult cows were 48 and 38, respectively INTRODUCTION WMU 528 is an important unit for providing moose hunting opportunities to hunters in Alberta. Aboriginal moose hunters routinely hunt through this WMU throughout the year, depending upon degree of access. During the licenced moose hunt, demand for hunting in the calling season (Sept. 1 to Oct. 31) has exceeded supply of bull moose licences for several years. The moose-hunting outfitting industry is also active in this WMU. Past surveys indicated the importance of the Peace River valley and major tributaries such as the Wolverine, Buffalo and unnamed rivers and creeks as winter habitat for moose and other

3 wildlife. The Buffalo Head Hills in the northeast portion of the WMU are historically known as excellent habitat for moose. A common concern voiced at public meetings held in La Crete was the lack of access management on timber haul roads and oil and gas roads that led into these areas of good moose numbers and subsequent impact on hunting. METHODS Survey Area The northern two-thirds of WMU 528 lies within Mackenzie County, while the southern portion is within Northern Sunrise County No. 133 (Figure 1). WMU 528 is legally defined in the Wildlife Act and accompanying regulations as: Commencing where the right bank of the Peace river is intersected by secondary highway 697, then south along the right bank of the Peace River to the 24 th baseline, then east along the 24 th baseline to highway 88, then north and northwest along highway 88 to the right bank of Bear River, then southwest to the north boundary of township 103, range 15, west of the fifth meridian, then west along the north boundary of township 103 to secondary highway 697, then southwest along secondary highway 697 to point of commencement. WMU 528 is a relatively large WMU at 12,043 sq. km. There is a central spine of higher elevation in the centre of the unit and an elevated area at the north end called the Buffalo Head Hills. This unit lies within the Boreal Forest Natural Region with the western portion classified as Dry Mixedwoods, the higher areas in the centre of the unit classified as Lower Boreal Highlands and the highest portion of the Buffalo Head Hills in the northern portion of the unit and along the spine surrounding Russell Lake classified as Upper Boreal Highlands. The portion of the unit between the higher elevation in the centre and highway 88 is classified as Central Mixedwoods. WMU 528 is a forested unit, characterized by tracts of deciduous forest (trembling aspen and balsam poplar), mixed wood forest, white spruce and pine stands. Muskegs are common in lower, poorly drained areas with organic soils. Several rivers run into the Peace River in the northwest portion of the unit. Much of the WMU has been fragmented by logging cut blocks, haul roads and the footprint associated with the oil and gas industry (roads, well pads, seismic lines, pipelines, and cutlines). In recent years the DMI east haul road now links secondary highways 986 to the south with 697 in the north, although the northern portion is still not all-weather. In general access has steadily increased in portions of this unit. Recent sale of Crown lands and subsequent conversion of these lands from forested areas to cultivated fields has had a major impact in the northwest portion of the unit. Crown lands that were good moose habitat were sold and have now been cleared. Survey Protocol - All surveys for moose were conducted as per Lynch (1997). We used three fixed-wings, two based out of Manning and the other based out of Fort Vermilion and flew transects one nautical mile apart orientated in an east-west direction on the four minutes of latitude between the survey unit boundaries. Each crew consisted of two observers, one in the front and one sitting behind the pilot. Air speed during stratification flights was approximately 150 km/hr, and flight altitude over the ground was maintained at 90 m or slightly higher depending on turbulence. For each sighting of wildlife, the front observer took a waypoint using a hand held Garmin GPS (models 60Cx or 76Cx). Latitude lines, flight direction, waypoint numbers, numbers of moose observed, distance to animals and side of the flight line (north or south) were recorded on stratification data sheets and maps. Weather and observer information was also recorded on the datasheets at the start of the survey and afterwards whenever conditions changed. Conditions of flights are documented in Appendix 1.

4 Figure 1. WMU 528 with survey units.

5 All waypoints were downloaded using Minnesota DNR Garmin ver and plotted using ArcMap All waypoints were entered into FWMIS. Intensive surveys - We used three three-man crews in Bell Jet Ranger 206B helicopters to conduct intensive searches of survey units (Appendix 1). Two crews worked out of Manning while the third crew worked from Fort Vermilion. In total we searched 19 survey blocks selected at random (Figure 2). Crews flew transects orientated east-west that were spaced to ensure full coverage of the survey unit; in this WMU usually a separation of 0.25 of a minute of latitude was sufficient. Crews generally flew transects at speeds of km/h and elevations of 45-75m ( ft) above ground. Conditions during the intensive searches are detailed in Appendix 1. All moose seen were classified as to either adults or calves, based on body size and length of the nose; all yearling moose were considered as adults. All adult moose were classified as cows if a vulva patch was present and as bulls if no vulva patch could be seen. Occasionally antler bases could be seen on antlerless bulls. Those bulls that still retained antlers were classified as follows: Small - with a spike or forked antlers, sometimes not extending past the ears; Medium with palmated antlers but with a spread of < ½ of body length; or Large palmated antlers with spreads > ½ of body length and with three main points forward. Locations of moose and other wildlife were marked using a Global Positioning System (Garmin GPSmap 76CSx or 60CSx). Flight lines, waypoint numbers, and numbers and sex of moose observed were recorded on intensive survey block data sheets. Weather and observer information was also recorded on the datasheets at the start of the survey and afterwards whenever conditions changed. Results of intensive searches were entered into a population estimate spreadsheet and population parameters were calculated (e.g. population estimate, confidence interval, male to 100 adult females to juvenile ratios, density, twinning rates; Lynch 1997).

6 Figure 2. Results of WMU 528 stratification. ( R/W indicates survey units that were intensively surveyed)

7 RESULTS and DISCUSSION Stratification was based on a combination of factors, including numbers of moose seen during the pre-stratification flights, past survey results, local knowledge of access, landuse patterns and habitat changes, such as large fires, and 2010 SPOT imagery. Weather conditions were for the most part favourable, with a bit of fog on some days. In total we needed 10 machine-days to complete all stratification flights. In the northwest portion of WMU 528, recent land sales have resulted in Crown land being converted and cleared into farm land. All units in this area that were impacted by the sales that were originally ranked as High or Medium were reduced one stratum (Appendix 1; Figure 2). In total 11 survey units, namely 220 to 224 and 240 to 245, were impacted by land sales and subsequent clearing. Table 1 and Figure 2 show the results of stratification of WMU 528. Table 1. Stratification results for WMU 528 Stratum Number of units % of units % of WMU Density of moose/sq km Low Medium High A total of 19 survey units were intensively searched and 369 moose were classified as to age and to sex if the animal was an adult (Table 3; Figure 2). Estimated moose population in WMU 528 was 2241 moose +/- 305 (13.6% confidence limits; Table 2). Density is 0.19 per sq. km (0.48/sq. mile). Ratios of adult bulls and calves to100 adult cows were 48 and 38, respectively. Approximately 72 % of the bulls had dropped their antlers. Of the 27 bulls still retaining antlers, 23 were yearlings and only 4 were classified as medium in size (Table 3). The ratio of approximately 48 bulls to100 cows is healthy. Moose populations have declined approximately 50% since the last survey in January 2000 (Table 2). Largest reasons for this decline are the ongoing access development in this unit with increased timber harvest, oil and gas development and recent sale of Crown land and subsequent conversion from forested habitats into cultivated farm land. There has been a 31 % increase in survey units stratified as Low while survey units stratified as Medium and High have declined (Table 2). Table 2. Comparison of current survey with last survey in January Jan Jan difference Population Est (+/- 429) 2241 (+/- 305) - 53% Density /sq. km (/sq mi) 0.40 (1.03) 0.19 (0.48) - 53% Ratio to 100 cows: Bulls % Calves % Percent s.u./stratum: Low % Medium % High 5 3-2%

8 Figure 3. Results of WMU 528 moose survey, January 8 to 14, Population structure of moose in WMU 528 is sound. Bull to cow ratio has risen, possibly as harvest rates for bull moose have declined from 30% to 25 and then 20%. The reduced harvest rates account for increased access and thus ability of hunters to hunt further into this area throughout the year. Bull to cow ratios will also be impacted by aboriginal harvest of cows. Calf to cow ratio is expected, given that this unit has healthy predator populations and aboriginal hunting pressure. Survey Budget Final aircraft charter costs were under the allocated budget of $97, 400 by approximately $7678 (Table 3), but the fixed-wing work was over budget by $3202. One of the fixed-wing

9 companies hired for WMU 528 had to attend to a personal tragedy after the first day of work. We had to pay more for replacement companies because we were paying regular fees and not the contracted fee, and because the replacement companies were not equipped to fuel from drums at the Manning airport. The lack of a refuelling facility at the Manning airport meant that companies had to fly to other airports and thus incurred more deadheading time. We learned that few fixed-wing aircraft charter companies in Alberta are equipped to fuel from drums. Had the original company been able to complete the survey, costs for fixed-wing charter would have been reduced by about $2200. Table 3. Aircraft charter costs for WMU 528 moose survey, Jan. 8-14, 2013 Expense Type Hours Cost Per Hour Total Cost Fixed Wing Charter 68.1 Variable $ 38, Rotary Wing Charter 48.1 variable $ 51, Total $89, Future Management Proliferation of access resulting from timber harvest, oil and gas development and sales of Crown lands has resulted in lower moose populations through increased hunting pressure and loss of habitat as land is cleared for agricultural purposes. These revised population data will be used for determining permit numbers for licenced harvest. LITERATURE CITED Lynch, G Northern Moose Program, Moose Survey Field Manual. Unpublished report by Wildlife Management Consulting. 68pp.

10 Appendix 1. Conditions during WMU 528 survey, Jan. 8 14, 2013

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