Effects of capture on the reproductive performance of female moose

Abstract

Since 1998, 83 female moose Alces alces have been captured and instrumented with radiocollars as part of a population dynamics study in southwestern Alaska. Moose were pursued and immobilized with carfentanil citrate and xylazine HCl administered from a dart gun fired from a helicopter. We investigated the potential for capture and radiotelemetry instrumentation to alter calf production or recruitment of 78 radiocollared adult female moose. Calf production or recruitment by radioed females was not significantly different between capture and noncapture years (P < 0.290; P < 0.789, respectively). We recommend the continued use of these capture and immobilization methods for deploying radiocollars to study moose population dynamics in this region.