Appraisal of a Moose Range in Southwestern Montana

Abstract

The Gravelly-Snowcrest Mountains complex in southwestern Montana has provided approximately 18 percent of the annual moose harvest in the State since 1957. Management of moose in this area involves evaluation of range condition as well as harvest and population data. This paper reports studies of four browse species important to moose, as observed from 1959 to 1962, and discusses factors influencing utilization of these species on the summer and winter ranges. These studies were conducted in conjunction with studies of reproduction and distribution of moose, reported by Peek (1962). Unpublished Montana Fish and Game Department reports’ ’ indicated increases in moose populations in this area during the 1940’s and early 1950’s. Heavy utilization of willow (Salti spp.) by moose was noted in 1952. Knowlton (1960) counted 53 moose from the ground