Natural Resources Institute Finland , Yliopistokatu 6, 80100 Joensuu , Finland
Paavo Havaksen tie 3, 90570 Oulu
Abstract Finnish Moose Management Plan states that moose population should be managed so that it is viable and stable and moose damage in traffic and forestry remains moderate. For practical implementation of targeted population management, Finland is divided into 59 moose management areas (MMAs), for which targets are set for moose density and population structure. To achieve these targets, accurate information on size, structure and recruitment of moose population in each MMA is needed. To provide this information, Luke has developed a Bayesian population estimation model, capable to utilize and synthetize information from several systematically collected datasets available of moose populations in Finland. The model produces a time series of estimates of the size and structure of the moose population with probability intervals from 2000 to the present. At the heart of the model is a population model, which separately models numbers of age classes (adults, calves) and sexes seasonally and year-to-year basis. The results are conditioned by information on the processes (reproduction and mortality) and population size that influence population dynamics. Information on recruitment is obtained from moose observations by hunters during moose hunting. Information on mortality is obtained from the number of hunted moose, the number of moose-vehicle collisions, the estimates of killing by large carnivores based on the estimates of carnivore population size, and from estimates of other background mortality. Information on population size and its dynamics is obtained from the number of daily moose observations during hunting season, the estimate of the size of the moose population remaining after the hunt reported by hunters, available ground and aerial counts and the number of moose-vehicle collisions. Besides the yearly estimates of population density and structure, the model allows us to give recommendations on the number, sex and age structure of the moose that should be hunted to meet the goals of MMA. Furthermore, the model allows us to give the hunters a real-time follow-up of the state of their population in relation to the goals, during the hunting season. This is based on the moose observations that hunters daily record into online Omariista system.