Resource selection and movement of male moose in response to varying levels of off-road vehicle access

Abstract

Many rural communities are increasingly relying on off-road motorized vehicles to access wildlife for both subsistence harvest and recreational hunting. Understanding the effects of trail and road networks on wildlife behavior is crucial to effective management for subsistence opportunities in communities that depend on accessible populations as an ecosystem service. We collared 26 adult male moose (Alces alces) in interior Alaska to monitor fine-scale habitat selection and movement patterns before, during, and after the hunting season in relation to trail and habitat characteristics. Moose response varied by region and the associated distribution of regional hunter trails (e.g., trails and secondary roads). Moose that resided in areas with extensive trail access selected habitat closer to trails and vegetative cover. Additionally, moose step length increased as distance to cover increased. Moose in more remote, less accessible regions avoided areas with high trail densities and selected habitat closer to quality forage during the hunting season. Moose step lengths also increased with higher densities of trails. Our research suggests that landscape-level hunter access can affect patterns of male moose movement and habitat selection to avoid risk during the hunting season. Our models provide an innovative approach to examining the spatio-temporal variation of behavioral responses to habitat and landscape features and can serve as a framework for managers to better understand the relationships between human disturbance during the hunting season and wildlife management and conservation.