Maintaining our Moose Population

Cordova has abundant moose habitat, but due to isolation from populations in the interior, did not have moose until orphaned moose calves were introduced to the Copper River Delta in the 1940's and 50's. Moose would have eventually migrated to Cordova through the Copper River Valley as the glaciers receded and the delta became accessible. That initial group has grown from a small introduced population to well over 500 animals on the west Copper River Delta alone. This moose population has become a staple of Cordova residents and other Alaskans and is the source of an extremely popular Federal Subsistence hunt for bull and cow moose, and a State hunt for bull moose.

The 1964 earthquake uplifted the land in the Copper River Delta, resulting in successional change of the plant species over time. Willow, a favorite food for moose and vital to their winter survival, began to grow on much of the former marshland. However, plant species continue to change, moving towards more woody species such as alder, spruce and cottonwood. A 2001 study predicted significant losses of winter moose foraging habitat due to this natural change in plant composition. Losses of 2014 and 4383 acres are expected within the outwash plain and uplifted marsh, respectively, over the next 75 years. These declines are predicted to be pronounced within the next 10 years in the outwash plain but not expected to begin within the uplifted marsh until after 2014. Because moose are relied on for subsistence in Cordova, the Native Village of Eyak is working with the rangers of the Chugach National Forest, Eyak Corporation, and Alaska Fish and Game to help stabalize winter foraging habitat.

A proposed study on the effects of hydroaxing moose winter forage land could provide a way to ensure that moose habitat remains healthy well into the future. An initial study done by the US Forest Service in 2007 identified vital moose habitat that was at risk of being encroached upon by mature, woody forest. The proposed study would hydroaxe a small area within the identified at-risk habitat and examine how effective hydroaxing is at maintaining a willow-dominated vegetation community. NVE is currently seeking funding for this follow-up study. The initial study can be read here.

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