History of Moose in northern Alaska and adjacent regions

Abstract

Coady, John W. 1980. History of Moose in northern Alaska and adjacent regions. Canadian Field-Naturalist 94(1): 61-68. Moose (Alces alces) have occurred in northern Alaska since the late 1800s. Before the 1920s most Moose were probably immigrants from more southern latitudes. Breeding populations became established during the 1 920s in the eastern portion of the region, and during the 1 950s and 1 960s in the western portion. Weather, habitat, and predation were probably not limiting factors to Moose in northern Alaska during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Temporary cessation of most hunting in northern Alaska and growth of Moose populations south of the region by 1920 were probably the most important factors promoting dispersal to, and increase in Moose numbers in, northern Alaska.