Adirondack moose population growth

[adkayaker]

The latest estimates of the number of moose in northern NY is from 200 to 500. Within the Adirondacks, the majority of moose are still reported to be concentrated in separate and isolated core areas - the Moose River Plains/West Canadas, Jessup River Wild Forest, Lake Desolation, and north of Paul Smiths area. This leaves the High peaks area, Pharoah lake Wilderness, Champlain corridor, Lake George-Scroon, and western Adirondacks with mainly sporadic sightings along highways of wandering moose.

I am wondering if the current population, number and location-wise, is now large enough to not only sustain itself but start to explode as it did in Vermont and New Hampshire the past two decades. Are there enough moose now in NY to find each other, reproduce, and reach into the thousands within a short number of years? Or are the numbers increasing each year, slowly, mainly from wanderers from Vermont?

[lumberzac]

I'm thinking yes. There have been moose sightings in the Catskills in recent years, which were assumed to have come from the Adirondacks. I think the reason moose sightings are less numerous in the Adirondacks than places like Vermont and New Hampshire is there is simply more open space away from human populations for moose to get to.

[redhawk]

There is a "Pumpkin Hollow Pair" of Moose around for at least 10 years.

I think that there have been several calves from that pair that have been spotted from time to time.

So, if that is any indication, the answer to your questions would be yes.

In the 10 years I have lived in the Southern Adirondacks, I have seen about 15 moose between the West Canada Lake, Silver Lake Wilderness areas and the Wilcox Wild Forest.

Hawk

[hobbitling]

the population is definitely self sustaining, and pretty much has been since they reappeared. I'm not aware of any intentional reintroduction of moose to the Adirondacks. They just returned on their own and started breeding. They are now very well established and doing just fine with no help from us.

If they start dispersing from these core habitats they could really multiply quite rapidly. but if they stay localized in those areas, they will eventually reach some maximum population, limited by habitat availability. But there is very little stopping them from dispersing to wherever they want.

[Wldrns]

Originally Posted by hobbitling

the population is definitely self sustaining, and pretty much has been since they reappeared. I'm not aware of any intentional reintroduction of moose to the Adirondacks. They just returned on their own and started breeding. They are now very well established and doing just fine with no help from us.

Interesting story on first sightings....
In the early 1970's farmers began seeing bull moose roaming around the fringes and hills of dairy cow pastures in Lewis County. Barbed wire fences were no obstacle whatsoever. Once word got out, crowds of people would show up within hours to view the unusual creatures. The thought is, the bulls traveled completely across the Adirondacks from VT and Quebec, heading upwind in search of a mate. They travel upwind hoping to catch the scent of a nice female (moose, that is).

Eventually the upwind travel brought them to the western side of the Adirondacks and large dairy farms of Lewis County. Now a dairy cow is not the same as a cow moose, but evidently there is a commonality to their scent. Some of the big old fellows could be seen just standing at the edge of a pasture, almost with a perplexed look on their face... you could almost see them thinking... "well now that I am close enough, something is just not right about those ladies". You had to feel sorry for them. Eventually the cow moose made their way in too, with the happy result of where we are today.

[adkayaker]

From a tourism viewing perspective, the Adirondacks are lacking a type of roadside habitat prevelant in northern NE, the roadside moose wallows or muck. Adjacent the higways in numerous places, there are wet mucky areas that attract moose at dawn and dusk in ne vermont, the lake Umbagog area, Ct. lakes area, and Rangeley area. It's great for the tourists not wanting to leave their vehicles, but not my cup of tea-especially when tourons plug in big spot lights at night. Yuch! But although the Adirondacks have sizable areas of wetland, these roadside wallows are limited. The only are I know of is along Rt 28 from utowana lake to Inlet.

[Woodsman]

.
I'm sure they are pets someone released so their pet Mountain lion they previously released would have something to eat.

[Peakbagr]

There is a moose population in the 'Little High Peaks' area around Indian Lake and Cedar River area.
It appears there is a growing population in the area north and south or rte 28N between Long Lake and North Hudson, but the woods are so big and impenetrable they've been largely out of sight.

[redhawk]

I've seen a few moose (3) in the area around Lewey Lake.

Also at LEAST 2 in the area from Pumpkin Hollow to Wells

And 5 in The Silver Lake Wilderness along the Route 10, West Branch Corridor.

One of the Lewey lake and two of the Silver Lake moose were yearlings.

There has also been local reports of a calf this past year with the Pumpkin Hollow pair.

[Neil]

We saw an abundance of signs all over the Big Range-Siamese Ponds-Eleventh Mtn. region this past w/end.

Also saw many, many signs in the Sentinel Wilderness.

Best to drive slowly at night and be very alert.

[Cory D]

I was surprised that I saw very distinct and fresh tracks at the base of Allen at the end of June this year and 3 years ago I saw them right on the trail between Lake Arnold and the Feldspar leanto (must have been hanging in that swamp). Seeing sign right in the center of the high peaks takes me by more of a surprise because of all the lush lowlands that with a small population you'd think they'd hit the prime areas first.

[Peakbagr]

They'll be everywhere in another 3 years. Moose are pretty shy and very good at fading into the trees when they hear or smell us coming. I suspect we walk by them all the time as they watch from a hundred feet away.

On our way out, we've come across very fresh tracks that we're there on our way in on some 'whacks.

[Wldrns]

Two distinct areas where I virtually always see plenty of sign if not the moose themselves... southern reaches of the 5 Ponds, and lesser traveled regions of Moose River Plains south of the river.

[droman]

Bullwinkle is usually on about 6PM in the morning.

[droman]

I mean AM with his pal the flying squirrel.

[Connie Bear Orion]

Originally Posted by adkayaker

From a tourism viewing perspective, the Adirondacks are lacking a type of roadside habitat prevelant in northern NE, the roadside moose wallows or muck. Adjacent the higways in numerous places, there are wet mucky areas that attract moose at dawn and dusk in ne vermont, the lake Umbagog area, Ct. lakes area, and Rangeley area. It's great for the tourists not wanting to leave their vehicles, but not my cup of tea-especially when tourons plug in big spot lights at night. Yuch! But although the Adirondacks have sizable areas of wetland, these roadside wallows are limited. The only are I know of is along Rt 28 from utowana lake to Inlet.

The lack of roadside habitat is a good thing.
Keeps people from stopping in the middle of the road, or even pulling over to look at the moose.
And creating a situation that an accident might be more likely to occur.

As much as I would like to see a moose in the wild, I hope to see one while I am well back in the woods.
With out tourists around.

[redhawk]

Originally Posted by Connie Bear Orion

The lack of roadside habitat is a good thing.
Keeps people from stopping in the middle of the road, or even pulling over to look at the moose.
And creating a situation that an accident might be more likely to occur.

As much as I would like to see a moose in the wild, I hope to see one while I am well back in the woods.
With out tourists around.

Second that.

Hawk

[Volte]

Hawk,

I always thought that the West Branch along route 10 would be great moose habitat, I've kept my eyes peeled for the big guys but never have had the pleasure of sightihng one one that strech of the river.

[redhawk]

Originally Posted by Volte

Hawk,

I always thought that the West Branch along route 10 would be great moose habitat, I've kept my eyes peeled for the big guys but never have had the pleasure of sightihng one one that strech of the river.

I've had six sightings on the West Branch. I'm sure of at least 3 separate moose since I saw them all in the same day. I can't be sure if the other three were repeat sightings.

Hawk

[adkayaker]

My sister-in-law saw a moose standing along Rt 10 right at the Big Bay Piseco bridge-this spring.