Caribou, Deer, Elk & Moose - Sounds Wild
Moose Aplenty

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Moose aplenty

Moose are important to Alaskans. Alaskans and nonresidents harvest between 6,000 and 8,000 moose each year, about three and a half million pounds of meat.

One of the most productive regions for moose in Alaska is in the interior of the state, the area around Fairbanks and Delta Junction. About one third of all the moose harvested in Alaska come from this area.

Biologist Tom Paragi said several factors contribute to the productivity of the area - there is a very good mix of vegetation and there is very good access to the area for hunters and trappers, which keep the predator population down.

Another reason moose are doing well is because the area does not get as much snow as other parts of Alaska. This area is in the "snow shadow" of the Alaska Range. In many other areas of the state, snow is deep and persistent, which makes winter a tough time for moose.

To manage Alaska's wildlife, the department of Fish and Game has divided the state into 26 Game Management Units. These range from Unit 1 in Southeast Alaska to unit 26 at the northern extreme of the state. Some, like unit 20 near Fairbanks, are further divided into subunits.

The moose population in 20A is estimated to be about 16,000 animals, and the population objective, before hunting season, is 10,000 to 12,000 animals.