Winter Habitat Selection by Moose and White-Tailed Deer

Abstract

In January, 1967, activity of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in the central New Brunswick lowlands was concentrated in dense-canopied forest types with a high proportion of conifers. Moose (Alces alces) avoided these types in favor of more open forests. In March, 1967, most of the activity of both species occurred in stands of the dense coniferous type. Snow depths in January ranged from 28 to 48 cm, in March, from 76 to 112 cm. Although the mean March snow depth in the dense conifer type did not differ significantly (P < 0.05) from that of the other types, 83 percent of a series of systematic depth samples in this type were less than the maximum depth at cervid tracks. Only 33 percent of depths in the other types were less than this value. Deer and moose used 22 percent of the total study area in March. They were essentially exclusive in their use of habitat, sharing only 1 percent of the area. The ranges of moose and white-tailed deer overlap extensively in eastern Canada and a few adjoining states. Since the foods and feeding habits of these species are similar, interspecific competition for food is a possibility (Peterson 1955:168, Idstrom 1965:88). Anderson (1964) has shown that the parasite Pneumostrongylus tenuis may be transmitted from deer to moose causing high mortality in the latter. Studies by Parker (1966) and Telfer (1967b) suggested that the incidence of transmission of this parasite is related to the extent that moose and deer populations mingle in late winter and early spring. Habitat requirements of white-tailed deer in winter have been described by several authors (Severinghaus and Cheatum 1956, Hosley 1956, Gill 1957, Hepburn 1959, Behrend 1966). Winter habitat use by moose has been reported by Peterson (1955), Des Meules (1962), Telfer (1967a), and Prescott (1968). Little has been published on the comparative habitat choices and reaction to winter conditions of moose and white-tailed deer in areas they both occupy. Kelsall and Prescott (in press) and Telfer (1967b) have reported aspects of the relationship between these species in localities having considerable topographic relief. Both these studies found altitudinal separation between the species in winter. The present study compared early and late winter habitat choice by moose and deer in relatively flat country where altitudinal variation is not great enough to be a factor in cervid distributions. I acknowledge the assistance of J. Maxwell and the cooperation of B. Wile and his staff at the Acadia Forest Experiment Station of the Canada Department of Fisheries and Forestry.