One more vote for technology.
Message from Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development
Successful Moose Draw Applicants
To: Successful Moose Draw Applicants
For 2013, moose hunters in Alberta are being asked to contribute information on the number of moose seen while hunting. For each day hunted, hunters are asked to record the number of moose seen, using an “App” on their mobile phone devices. These observations will be used to enhance information of population size and structure for each Wildlife Management Unit (WMU), information critical to the sustainable management of Alberta’s moose populations. This program was piloted last year, but was hampered by the coincident introduction of Apple’s new operating system, iOS6. As a consequence only 1,750 reports were received last year. Even with this relatively low sample size, information roughly correlated with our aerial survey estimates of moose density. Both iPhone and Android systems are supported, vastly increasing the ability for hunters to use this “App”.
To participate in this monitoring program, you must load the “App” onto your mobile smart phone device, using either an iPhone or Android-based smart phone. Instructions for loading the “App” are found on the website:
www.biology.ualberta.ca/moose. On first use of the “App” you must enter your WIN card number and the WMU for which you’ve drawn a licence. Each day, at 8:00 p.m. your mobile smart phone will emit the call of a cow moose in heat, as a reminder for you to record the number of moose seen that day, their sex/age if identified and the number of hours spent in the WMU hunting.
Rules for contributing data include:
1. Record the number of hours spent in the WMU when moose might be seen, whether in a vehicle or on foot.
2. Only record moose seen on that day.
3. Only report moose actually seen. Do not record observations of tracks or moose beds.
4. Only record moose observed within the WMU for which a hunting licence was issued. Do not report moose observations in areas outside this WMU.
5. Record the number of bulls, cows, and calves observed. If uncertain of the sex/age classification of an observed moose, record it as “unidentified” on the App form.
6. Record moose observations even if outside the range of cellular communication. The date-stamped observations will be uploaded when the hunter returns to an area with mobile phone or WiFi coverage.
If you have any difficulties with the “Moose App”, you may call Mike Kaiser with the Alberta Conservation Association for technical support. He can be reached at (780) 983-2066.
Long-term studies in Sweden, Norway and Finland have demonstrated that hunter observations of moose are highly correlated with moose abundance. Annual change in relative abundance can be due to year-to-year variation in weather, parasites, disease, predation, habitat change, and/or hunter harvest. Using annual estimates of abundance and herd composition, from the Moose Hunter Survey, along with data on harvest from ESRD Fish and Wildlife’s Game Harvest Survey, we can optimize harvest opportunities for each WMU, while ensuring the long-term sustainability of Alberta’s Moose populations.
_____________________________
Fish and Wildlife
9920-108 Street
Edmonton, AB T5K 2M4
Email
SRD.FWDLicensing@gov.ab.ca
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