ANCHORAGE — Volunteers with the Alaska Moose Federation are setting up feeding stations in hopes of keeping moose off the roads and highways where the animals are tending to go this winter to escape deep snow.
Feeding moose is normally taboo in Alaska, but state wildlife officials have made an exception this year because of the large amounts of snow that have driven the animals from the woods and nearer to roads and highways in Southcentral Alaska.
The idea is to divert the moose with feed and toward trails they can use to get to natural feeding areas.
Alaska Moose Federation volunteers set out some of the large hay bales on Sunday.
“Moose have literally taken over the roads and you are literally driving through large herds,” Gary Olson, executive director of the Alaska Moose Federation, told KTUU-TV.
Olson said since July 1st, 2011, more than 400 moose have been hit by vehicles in the Mat-Su Valley north of Anchorage. That number is more than double the number of moose typically hit in a year.
“The Alaska Moose Federation wants to do a better job than just picking up the dead ones on the roads, we want to try to get these moose in the woods where they belong,” Olson said.
The organization says more needs to be done. The bails cost about $50 each, and it will take two to feed one moose through the end of the winter. The nonprofit is funded through donations and hopes to raise enough money to keep the feed stations stocked.
Comments (16)
Add commentHard winter
Moose populations will take a hit after the hard winter. The Board of Game will blame it on predators. Parnell will fund more aerial shooting and snares. Just watch.
Latitude58....
You are VERY incorrect. The biologists will give recommendations to the Board of Game, through their field studies. This is based on counts of several types. They also take into account animals hit on road ways, calf survival rates over a period of time....not just one year....but years....and many other factors. I know! My father was a big game biologist as well as working on the Board of Game. I had the privilege as a teenager going out in the field with him, as well as my brothers. Not only did I see "first hand" the field studies and what they entailed but I also spent time in his office and saw also, "first hand", the compilation of those studies. I also worked in F&G as well. So before you or anyone else decides to get all feely, touchy and sentimental regarding how the Alaska Dept of Fish and Game manages... live it first....get yourself educated, truly educated!! The Alaska Dept of Fish and Game is the best in the nation at what they do. It is not the governor that decides these issues. Live, learn it, work in it....THEN and only THEN will you truly know what you are talking about.
That is funny
Any other off the cuff remarks that alaskawoman can help you with??.....
Governor
Its the governor who appoints the board of game. Of the seven members on the board of game, only one has no ties to guiding, trophy hunting or the tourism industry.
I think Gary Olson has exaggerated a bit when he claims “Moose have literally taken over the roads and you are literally driving through large herds,” Its not uncommon when driving from Homer to Kenai, for instance to see dozens of moose along the road in the winter. But herds?
Fish & Game needs work
alaskawoman1 writes, "The biologists will give recommendations to the Board of Game, through their field studies."
Yes, the biologists are probably hardworking, honest scientists.
Yet often, horrible decisions come from the Board that do not protect our state's game and make sure that Alaskans gain the benefits of a healthy population of animals. Maybe she has a rosy-tinted view of her father's work, and wants to ignore the political mess that F&G has become.
Fish & Game should not allow those who profit from their own decisions to be on the Board. It's a conflict of interest.
ok be specific...
In what issues that have been passed and made into law that the Board of Game has made horrible decisions? Please, state the law, in what year it was passed and how it has benefited ONLY Alaskans (the people of).
How many Board meetings have you attended, personally? Are you a resident of Alaska? If so, how long?
I've attended many Board meetings and am a resident of this state for 40 years this June.
The laws that are put in place regard to maintain, protect and preserve all species now and far into the future. Where is it that either "Board" has not done this?
My statements are not based on emotion...they are based on fact.
Look at what happened to the State of Colorado BEFORE Fish and Game's laws, rules and regulations came into effect. Here's a good book to start with. "Crusaders for Wildlife. A History of Wildlife Stewardship in Southwestern Colorado" by Glen A. Hinshaw.
If a person feels there has
If a person feels there has been received an inappropriate communication from from "any" state agency, including the governors office it should be brought to the appropriate authorities for review.
If in the case this email was a hoax, that should also be investigated.
Unfortunately, PP, you have clearly, misunderstood one or both of my posts.
I'm merely pointing out that
I'm merely pointing out that the department of Fish & Game serves at the pleasure of the governor. Biologists do honest work, but it is all too often ignored, as you can plainly see whenever someone denies evolution or global warming, or claims that predator control is needed to keep moose/deer/elk/caribou populations healthy.
Government doesn't necessarily make the best choices. It all too often makes the popular choice.
Update
The Alaska Moose Federation has just been granted permission by the ADF&G to relocate 10 moose. They signed a contract with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife division to capture the moose and relocate them 5 miles from roads or railways.
I'd agree
with PP here. Most F&G biologists do good work, although I can indeed think of one or two who should be expeditiously exported from the employment rolls. But most science is ignored when money and political worldview conflict with it, and the BOG will continue to try to justify elevating prey numbers beyond what the habitat could support even in the absence of any predation, and use that as an excuse to kill predators so they can feel like good ol' boys in the wilderness.
Holy cow, P "Right Twice a
Holy cow, P "Right Twice a Day" Persimmon said..."Government doesn't necessarily make the best choices."
There's one.....next one and you meet your quota.....
alaskawoman
I have no doubt that back in the day when your dad was on the Board, they used science to guide their decisions.
The current board only has two members who are biologists, or even have post-secondary education by the looks of it. No doubt they're all fine, earnest people, but I have serious doubts about their grasp of, or respect for scientific wildlife management principles.
Their role is to make decisions about Alaska's 'wildlife', not just amping up the consumption of big game species above natural levels.
I don't know exactly what any
I don't know exactly what any of the board members do beyond stirring the political pot but I do know from firsthand experience that the F&G biologist's managing SE fisheries are the best of the best and have broad discretion over day to day management of our resources. We are truly lucky to have the best fisheries biologist's and biometrician's in the world working for F&G......
Blackdog...
Yes you are so right!
Blackdog...
Yes you are so right!