Management Unit 3-32; Carpenter Lake

Canadian moose inhabit their summer ranges at high elevations. In winter, however, they leave the areas of deep snow and migrate to their winter habitat in valley bottoms. Due to the Bridge River Hydroelectric project of the 1950s over 4,437 hectares of valley bottom and 232 hectares of adjacent hillsides were flooded (Clayton Res. 1991) and resulted in destruction of important wildlife habitat. Prior to the flooding the target area was a well inhabited winter range for moose due to the availability of forage, shelter, and suitable climate. Moose require high densities of dense browse stands to enable them to recover the energy they expend on metabolism and thermoregulation while travelling through snow. The major loss of winter habitat for moose in this area affected moose migration patterns and population densities. Winter habitat availability and quality is considered to be one of the limiting factors to moose population (Lemke 2000) and therefore restoration of important preferred moose wintering range is imperative to increase population potential of the area. The goal is to restore the moose winter habitat by providing and maintaining adequate browse of palatable species, specifically willow (Salix spp.).

Issues:

• Major loss of winter habitat for moose in the mud flats west of carpenter lake is affecting migration patterns and population densities

Goals:

• Restore moose winter habitat by planting willow species in historic moose browsing areas
• Identify suitable sites for willow stand planting
• Monitor and manage site to ensure maintenance of moose winter range
• Provide conditions necessary to increase moose use of the area
• Educate interested groups about responsible natural resource utilization to raise awareness of resource stewardship activities
• Ensure that management plans are consistent on a regional and provincial scale. This will ensure effective conservation, increase participation in wildlife resource activities and contribute to a larger conservation and management plan
• Reduce road density in high value winter habitat areas