Moose (Alces alces) survival in three populations in northern Norway

We used radio-collared individuals to examine the seasonal, annual, and reg ional variation in age-specific survival of moose (Alces alces) in three po pulations (Vega, Beiarn, and Troms) in northern Norway. In the two populati ons subject to a regular hunt, the annual mortality from hunting was higher , on average, than that from natural mortality for adult cows. In these stu dy areas, the hunting mortality rate was higher for calves than for cows. F or both age groups there was significant annual variation in hunting mortal ity, which was associated with differences in quota size among years. The s urvival rate of adult cows was high outside the hunting season (96%). There was seasonal variation in survival among calves, the highest significant m ortality being found among neonates during summer in Vega and Troms and sig nificantly higher mortality being found during winter in Beiarn. The natura l mortality of calves differed significantly among regions during both summ er and winter. The combined effects of density dependence, changes in age s tructure, and environmental stochasticity may explain this variation in cal f-survival rate. In contrast, no significant seasonal or regional variation occurred in the survival rate of adult females.