Canada Moose

Location

Moose prefer evergreen wooded areas with hills, swamps and openings bordering lakes and rivers, generally with a seasonal snow cover. In summer, they are often found high in the mountains (even above tree line) to escape biting insects. They migrate in the fall to lower elevations.

For Western Canada Moose: Canada: The Northwest Territories east of the Mackenzie Mountains; and in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and western Ontario.

For record-keeping purposes, we have drawn the boundary between western and eastern Canada moose as a straight line across Ontario from Fort Albany, on the southwest shore of James Bay, to Nipigon, at the northwest corner of Nipigon Bay on the north shore of Lake Superior. United States: A few in North Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

For Eastern Canada Moose: Canada: Eastern Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland Island, and the maritime provinces.

For record-keeping purposes, we have drawn the boundary between eastern and western Canada moose as a straight line across Ontario from Nipigon, at the northwest corner of Nipigon Bay on the north shore of Lake Superior, to Fort Albany, on the southwest shore of James Bay. The moose on Newfoundland Island were introduced from Nova Scotia (1878, 1904); however, we treat them as indigenous in record-keeping. United States: Maine, plus a few in other northeastern states.

Behavior

Solitary except when mating, or a cow with her recent offspring, living by itself in a small home range. Not territorial. Mates in September and October, with bulls displaying and fighting for dominance and taking one female at a time. Bulls can be dangerous during the rut, and unarmed humans may be at risk. Calves are born in May and June, frequently twins, though often a single and occasionally triplets. Females can breed until about 18 years of age. Maximum longevity is 27 years.

A browser, depending on woody vegetation-notably willow, poplar, balsam, aspen and birch-eating leaves, twigs and bark. Feeds on aquatic vegetation by wading into lakes and streams, often submerging completely to feed on the bottom. Vision is poor, with stationary objects seemingly not recognized at all. Senses of smell and hearing are excellent. Active throughout the day, but with peaks at dawn and dark. Despite its ungainly appearance, the moose is nimble and surefooted. Able to cross swamps and quicksand where other animals would mire. Its normal gait is a quiet, careful walk, but can maintain a speed of 35 mph (56 km/h) for a considerable distance. Has great endurance, able to run up mountainsides or through deep snow or downed timber for miles. An excellent swimmer. Silent except during the rut, when sexes call to each other with grunts and moans. Principal predator is the wolf, with grizzly in a lesser role. As number of wolves are required to bring down a moose, healthy adults are often attacked; calves and sick or aged adults are not necessarily preferred prey.

Description

In North America, these moose are exceeded in size only by the Alaska Yukon subspecies. Large bulls will measure 6-7 feet at the top of the hump, and have been said to weigh as much as 1,500 pounds. The antlers are smaller and less massive than those of the Alaska-Yukon race. The general color is a rusty brown. But can be almost black as well. The moose is North America’s largest deer and grows the largest antlers. It is a huge, awkward-looking animal with a large hump on its shoulders, very long legs and massive, palmate antlers. The antlers grow out from the sides of the head, with the main beam dividing into two principal branches. The smaller branch grows forward and outward and is usually palmate (the brow palm), with points growing from the palm’s forward edge. The larger branch extends backward and upward and becomes a large, flattened palm (the main palm), with points growing from the top and outer edges.

Western Canada Moose:
The second largest of the world’s moose, exceeded only by the Alaska-Yukon subspecies. Large bulls will measure 6-7 feet (1.8 to 2.1 m) at the top of the hump and have been said to weigh as much as 1,500 pounds (680 kg), although this is probably excessive. The antlers are smaller and less massive than those of the Alaska-Yukon race. The general color is a rusty brown.

Eastern Canada Moose:
Slightly smaller than the western Canada moose, with significantly smaller antlers, and a darker, blackish-brown coloration and reduced saddle area.

Habitat

More heavily timbered terrain than the other races.

Remarks

For the Rex Baker Super 40®, the Canada moose is broken into two categories: the Western Canada moose and the Eastern Canada moose.

For the Super Ten®/Super 25® we consider ALL the moose of Canada within this category (Canada moose) except those classified as Shiras or Alaska-Yukon (see those categories for further explanation). We also classify the moose of the northeastern U.S. for this category.

For the Super Slam®, in addition to the wolf, we also accept an Eastern or Western moose in the place of the Quebec-Labrador caribou. However, if substituting, one must have both species of Canada moose to complete a Super Slam.

Information found here contains excerpts from the on-line and printed version of Safari Club International (SCI) Record Book of Trophy Animals and is used by permission. Visit www.scirecordbook.org.

Source: Safari Club International (SCI).