Moose visit yesterday!

SIKSUKR · 10-23-2014, 08:47 AM

The estimate for moose in NH is around 4500. Last year 275 lottery permits were issued. That number yields aound 180 moose taken on average. The population was at a high of 7500 5 years ago up from a low of 13 in 1900. Seems like they are managing them pretty well.

MAXUM · 10-26-2014, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

The estimate for moose in NH is around 4500. Last year 275 lottery permits were issued. That number yields aound 180 moose taken on average. The population was at a high of 7500 5 years ago up from a low of 13 in 1900. Seems like they are managing them pretty well.

They are, but one thing they cannot manage is the tics which have as of late been a real problem for the moose. There is mounting evidence that the tics are doing a number on the population, how that shakes out long term remains to be seen, but it's certainly not a good trend.

topwater · 10-27-2014, 10:34 PM

However, the wife and I were out for a drive and stopped in the Moose check in station in New Hampton and one of the Fish and Game wardens told us the state pretty much cut the amount of tags for moose in half this year. he didn't really want to get into a deep conversation about why.

Misha888 · 10-29-2014, 12:08 AM

pic taken back in April on Varney Point. Stalked the poor thing to the beach. I'd love to see a bull, though I'm not picky.

I appreciate the share. ANything and Everything in the wild, is wild!

secondcurve · 10-29-2014, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAXUM

They are, but one thing they cannot manage is the tics which have as of late been a real problem for the moose. There is mounting evidence that the tics are doing a number on the population, how that shakes out long term remains to be seen, but it's certainly not a good trend.

I'm more concerned with what the ticks are doing to the human population. It is amazing how many folks have Lyme disease these days.

tis · 10-29-2014, 07:51 AM

It is amazing how many people have lyme disease. We have two family members with it and friends and every time it is mentioned somebody tells of someone else who has it. It is like an epidemic.

MikeF-NH · 10-29-2014, 09:25 AM

While I'm not 100% sure and am not an entomologist, I believe that the only tick that carry Lyme is the deer tick and the ticks currently impacting moose are "winter tick". I'm not sure of the difference.

I also heard that the reason for the drop in tag count was because of high calf mortality due to stress caused by winter tick. The state manages each separate wildlife management unit for moose for specific numbers. when those numbers are exceeded, it results in many more "moose to car" incidents...often fatal for both parties. They seem to know what they are doing in managing the herd.

I don't imagine the herd will improve until something can be done about the ticks. With limited budget, I think Fish and Game will just have to let nature take its course as it eventually corrects itself. When moose numbers drop to really low...the ticks will begin to lose "hosts" and their numbers will drop and the moose will rebound. I would unscientifically guess this will take several to many years.

tis · 10-29-2014, 12:04 PM

According to what we have been told and always heard, you are right. The deer ticks are the ones that carry lyme.

10-23-2014, 08:47 AM	#1
SIKSUKR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,075 Thanks: 215 Thanked 903 Times in 509 Posts	The estimate for moose in NH is around 4500. Last year 275 lottery permits were issued. That number yields aound 180 moose taken on average. The population was at a high of 7500 5 years ago up from a low of 13 in 1900. Seems like they are managing them pretty well. __________________ SIKSUKR

10-29-2014, 12:08 AM	#4
Misha888 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gilford, NH Posts: 340 Thanks: 280 Thanked 90 Times in 62 Posts	This could be it's daughter . . . pic taken back in April on Varney Point. Stalked the poor thing to the beach. I'd love to see a bull, though I'm not picky. I appreciate the share. ANything and Everything in the wild, is wild! Attached Images __________________ ☮ _/♥\_ & (✿ˆ◡ˆ✿)

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10-27-2014, 10:34 PM	#3
topwater Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 302 Thanks: 85 Thanked 116 Times in 48 Posts	However, the wife and I were out for a drive and stopped in the Moose check in station in New Hampton and one of the Fish and Game wardens told us the state pretty much cut the amount of tags for moose in half this year. he didn't really want to get into a deep conversation about why.

The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Misha888 For This Useful Post:
Flylady (11-01-2014), SteveA (10-29-2014), winnasake (10-31-2014)

10-29-2014, 07:51 AM	#6
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,784 Thanks: 755 Thanked 1,467 Times in 1,023 Posts	It is amazing how many people have lyme disease. We have two family members with it and friends and every time it is mentioned somebody tells of someone else who has it. It is like an epidemic.

10-29-2014, 09:25 AM	#7
MikeF-NH Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 318 Thanks: 2 Thanked 120 Times in 80 Posts	While I'm not 100% sure and am not an entomologist, I believe that the only tick that carry Lyme is the deer tick and the ticks currently impacting moose are "winter tick". I'm not sure of the difference. I also heard that the reason for the drop in tag count was because of high calf mortality due to stress caused by winter tick. The state manages each separate wildlife management unit for moose for specific numbers. when those numbers are exceeded, it results in many more "moose to car" incidents...often fatal for both parties. They seem to know what they are doing in managing the herd. I don't imagine the herd will improve until something can be done about the ticks. With limited budget, I think Fish and Game will just have to let nature take its course as it eventually corrects itself. When moose numbers drop to really low...the ticks will begin to lose "hosts" and their numbers will drop and the moose will rebound. I would unscientifically guess this will take several to many years.

10-29-2014, 12:04 PM	#8
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,784 Thanks: 755 Thanked 1,467 Times in 1,023 Posts	According to what we have been told and always heard, you are right. The deer ticks are the ones that carry lyme.