Moose are an integral part of New Hampshire’s natural landscape. This article explores the current status of the state’s moose population, factors influencing their numbers, and ongoing monitoring and conservation efforts.
New Hampshire’s Moose Population Today
New Hampshire’s current moose population is estimated at 3,000 to 4,000 animals. This is a decrease from the late 1990s peak of 7,000 to 8,000 individuals. Despite this decline, the population is generally considered stable or slightly declining in most areas.
Moose are found throughout New Hampshire, with highest densities in the northern regions, particularly north of the White Mountains. These areas offer suitable habitat, including transitional hardwood-boreal forest and wetlands. In the southern parts of the state, moose occur at lower densities.
What Affects New Hampshire’s Moose Population
Several environmental and biological factors influence New Hampshire’s moose population. The winter tick (Dermacentor albipictus), a native parasite, is a major concern, severely impacting moose, especially calves. Infestations of tens of thousands of ticks cause substantial blood loss, emaciation, and death in young moose, with calf mortality rates exceeding 50% in some years. Adult moose also suffer poorer physical condition and reduced reproductive success.
Habitat changes also play a role. Moose thrive in large forested areas with a mix of mature conifer cover and young forest, providing food and shelter. Forest succession and development can alter this preferred habitat. Climate change exacerbates the issue, with warmer winters and earlier springs creating favorable conditions for winter tick survival and reproduction. These warmer temperatures also cause heat stress in moose, impacting foraging and reproductive health.
Brainworm (Parelaphostrongylus tenuis) is another parasite affecting moose, particularly in areas with high deer densities, as deer are its primary host. While less impactful than winter ticks, brainworm causes neurological impairment and mortality. Regulated hunting is also a factor, managed to maintain healthy moose densities rather than being a primary driver of population decline.
Monitoring and Conservation Efforts
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department employs various methods to monitor moose populations. Traditionally, moose abundance has been tracked through sighting rates reported by deer hunters. This involves hunters recording their hunting time and moose observations, providing a valuable index of population trends.
To enhance population estimates, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department partners with the University of New Hampshire on research initiatives. These include collaring studies, where moose are fitted with radio collars to monitor movements, health, and survival rates. New technologies like camera traps and unpiloted aerial systems (drones) are also being evaluated to improve moose density estimation and tracking.
Conservation efforts include habitat management, focusing on creating and maintaining the mixed forest environments moose prefer through sustainable forestry practices. Public education campaigns raise awareness about moose ecology and ways to mitigate human-moose conflicts, such as moose-vehicle collisions. The state continuously monitors biological data, including health metrics from harvested moose, to inform management strategies and ensure long-term population viability.