More Hunters Of Moose On The Loose States Ease Up On ‘Conservative’ Approach To Offering Permits

While many Western states are being conservative with tags for big-game species such as elk, mule deer, and antelope this fall, the largest of North America’s big-game animals is making an ever-larger mark around the Idaho Panhandle.

Last year, Idaho doubled the number of moose hunting permits from 53 to 100 in the Panhandle Region. The number of permits offered in the three counties of northeastern Washington has grown from eight in 1991 to 31 this fall.

Biologists are careful not to talk too optimistically about moose populations, since little money has been available to do widespread surveys.

“But there’s no doubt we’re seeing moose in more places outside the traditional stronghold of Unit 1 in Boundary County,” said Dave Spicer, Idaho Fish and Game Department biologist. “They’re not only expanding in units 2 and 3, but also in units 6,7, and 8.”

Washington added a new moose hunting area this year called the Selkirk Unit. “There were 43 moose actually seen in the Selkirk Unit during elk surveys,” said Dinah Demers, Fish and Wildlife Department regional wildlife manager in Spokane. “We figure there could be a total population of about 165.”

During Idaho’s elk surveys in Unit 1, biologists counted 300 moose.

The expansion of moose appears to be related to lowland logging that has created more browse, particularly willow, Spicer said.

The big jump in the number of Panhandle moose tags doesn’t necessarily indicate a sudden increase in moose. “Basically, I think we’ve been conservative with giving out permits because of our lack of knowledge about the populations,” he said.

Interest in hunting moose is steadily increasing. Washington had 1,214 applicants for eight permits in 1991. Last year, there were 2,600 applicants for the 25 once-in-a-lifetime permits.

Unfortunately, the increase of moose also generates increased interest beyond the legitimate hunter. Moose poaching cases soared in North Idaho and northeastern Washington last year, officials said.

, DataTimes