Introduction
Task
Process
Resource
Conclusion
Evaluation

Moose Quick Facts

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Authors:
Rita O'Brien

Grade Level:
7-9

Context:
10 days during, just prior to, or after the moose rutting season in September

ARSI Region:
Athabascan

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Skills and Knowledge:

A caribou unit similar to the moose unit could be developed using larger area maps to accommodate caribou migration patterns and feeding grounds as appropriate.

Index:

Lesson plans p. 3-5

Local Environment
Habits and Migration
Subsistence
Influences on Moose Population
Gwitch'in Words for Place p.6

Moose Migration Information p.7-8

Moose Questions for Students p.9-10

Moose Resource List p.11

Assessment: Some suggestions accompany lessons

Moose Lesson Plans

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Athabascan Kwichin Words For Place

Lake
van (vun)

brush/willows
tr'al

meadow
gwizhrih goo'aii k'ahjik

sandbar
khii kat

muskeg
tl'oo han shyaa

dried up lake
teehotr'i

creek
ninlaii

hill
taih

cow moose
dizhuu

moose calf
ditsik

moose
dinjik

bull moose
ch'izhur

Moose Migration Information:

I. Moose respond to several conditions that determine their migration patterns.

A. Predators
B. Insects

C. Temperature

D. Food supply

E. Snow and ice conditions

They dislike clear ice because their hoofs slip
The have difficulty moving about when the snow is up to their belly.
They have extreme difficulty traveling or escaping predators when the snow is crusted in the spring.

II. Spring

A. They go to the south side of the hills where the snow is melting and not as deep. The crust on the snow during the night makes all moose quite vulnerable to predators. Cows often calve on the south side of hills for this reason. The wolves travel on top of the snow, and the moose's' legs are cut by the crust, greatly impeding their escape and defense.

III. Breakup

A. Before breakup they are still in the hills avoiding the river where there is clear ice and potential flooding. After breakup, cows and calves are often on the river for the protection the water provides. Bears kill more moose calves than wolves, although both are devastating.

IV. Summer

Mosquitoes and horse flies often drive them to the water, either the lakes or rivers where they remain up to their bellies protecting the areas of their bodies that have thin hair. If they aren't in the water, they seek windy places that keep the mosquito hoard down.
Wolves. Moose, particularly cows with calves stay close to the water because the first line of defense for a moose is to go to the water where their long legs keep them on the bottom while predators are swimming. The moose can beat a bear or wolf in the water.
V. Fall

A. The moose are either in the hills or on the lakes. They are more scattered during this time of year until the rut brings them together.
B. In our area moose rut on the river or the lakes close to the river. The cow's choice of feeding places determines the location of the bulls.

VI. Freeze-up to mid-winter.

A. The moose get away from the river and lakes because they don't like the clear ice that is forming. They migrate to the hills and mountains where the temperature is warmer. In the hills they can see and smell predators from a distance. They often get in groups of 2-5 at this time, with the bulls and cows segregated. Deep snow and predators kill many calves at this time.

VII. Mid winter to Crust time

A. The moose leave the mountains when the snow gets belly deep in the mountains. They go to the rivers where the winter chinook has caused the snow on the river to be far less deep. They live individually on islands and sandbars unless there are many wolves, when they will get in groups as big as 15 moose on an island. Predators kill many calves during this time. Wolves surround a moose, keeping it from eating until it is too weak to fight well. Again, during crust time the moose are in great danger.

Sample Moose Questions

What is the history of moose in western Alaska (They are quite new ! )
What are the different strategies for hunting depending on country and season? Island? River banks? Lakes? Brush? Mountains?
Moose typically sleep in a certain type of place. What are the attributes they look for in a sleeping place?
How do moose react in years with exceptional snowfalls?
What are the greatest pressures on the moose population?
What are current views on predator control? How absurd do you find them to be?
In the hierarchy of animal intelligence, where do moose fit?
Why are Alaskan moose the biggest in the world?
A moose is a ruminant. Find and describe the four stomachs. Identify the traditional names for each.
What are the differences between the native way of butchering a moose and the modern meat cutting practices? Why do these differences exist?
What is the best skin for babiche and skin boats?
What are the traditional uses for moose hoofs?
Describe how to cook moose horns while they are still in velvet.
What are the insects that trouble moose in the summer and how do moose respond to the insects?
What are the differences between the tracks of a bull and a cow moose? How can you tell one from the other?
How can you tell which direction a moose was going when the tracks are blown over in the winter?
Moose often stand sideways when they see a hunter. Why do they do this? This gives the hunter a great chance to shoot.
What is the main line of defense for a moose in the spring and summer when threatened by wolves and bears? What do moose often do when wounded by a bullet that is related to that defense?
How is leg bone marrow cooked and prepared?
Describe the process of preparing moose brains for tanning the skin.
Where is the thickest skin on a moose? Where is the thinnest skin?
Describe the processes used in cleaning a moose skin inside and out.
What are the differences?
Before a moose skin is tanned, it is often hung outside to freeze dry. What is the difference between a skin dried in this fashion and one dried in the house?
When we butcher a moose, we almost always lay the moose on its right side when removing stomach and other guts. Why is this a common practice?
Moose migrate from mountains to rivers and lakes for different reasons. What are the common patterns they follow and why?

Moose Resource List

Videos:

Moose Song Video, Minto AK
Alaska Motion Picture Archives, Rasmusson Library - Alaska Native (1) Animals; (2) Forum on Wolves
Audio-tapes:

Oral History Collection, Rasmusson Library -

Elders in residence collection has 80+ tapes o moose related subjects

Interior Elders

Howard Luke, Fairbanks

Jonathan David, Minto

Rita and Fred Alexander, Fairbanks

Catherine Attla, Huslia

Johnson and Bertha Moses, Allakaket

Margaret Tritt, Arctic Village

David Salmon, Chalkyitsik

Effie Kokrine, Fairbanks

Publications

Moose Tanning, Babiche, and Rawmane, TCC Survival School, 1977

Hoshino, Michio, Moose. San Francisco: Chronicle Books. 1988

Alaska Department of Fish and Game - Ecology curriculum books

Miquelle, Dale. Sexual Segregation in Alaskan Moose. Wildlife monographs, no. 122. (Washington, D.C.): Wildlife Society, 1992

Sopuck, Lennatt G. Late Winter Distribution and movements of moose in relation to the Trans-Alaska Pipeline in Interior Alaska. Sidney, B. C. 1984

Matanuska Valley Moose range Management Plan prepared by ADNR. Anchorage, AK: ADNR 1986

Field & Stream (West Ed), Moosin' around. Jerome B. Robinson. Jan 1966 v 100 n9 p52 (5).