Thread: Moose

We know that Moose don't thrive here. When their were (known for sure to be) they didn't explode in numbers, so the idea that there's small number struggling along holds water.

Its the lack of footprints and droppings which I reckon are the real killer of the idea.

Strange they didn’t mention droppings but they also know that the only way to convince people is an actual photo of one , that browsing looks pretty convincing , they should give Ken a medal for his efforts .

Originally Posted by Lucky

Strange they didn’t mention droppings but they also know that the only way to convince people is an actual photo of one , that browsing looks pretty convincing , they should give Ken a medal for his efforts .

AI will soon have that covered...

I wish they were some still hanging on in there, but i have my doubts....

I have never been there, I know its vast..... but surely by now someone would have shot one by camera or rifle?

There is now a very effective technology that beats trail cams hands-down: environmental DNA https://www.epa.govt.nz/community-in.../what-is-edna/

Take water samples at the bottom of catchments. Quick, simple, effective, doesn't need a moose to be at a given spot at a given time (as a trail cam does), can do multiple areas simultaneously. Could go straight in when there is a 'credible sighting' and check, not wait 6 months to get trail cam results.

I'm really surprised they haven't done it.

Awesome - That is very interesting!

Worth a shot i reckon!

A private Airforce of at times 30 helicopters, scouring that terrain for over 20 years, in and out of every crevice looking for $$ on 4 legs, and not one sighted. Says it all really.

Originally Posted by XR500

A private Airforce of at times 30 helicopters, scouring that terrain for over 20 years, in and out of every crevice looking for $$ on 4 legs, and not one sighted. Says it all really.

But at about the same time hair and dropping were found.

Originally Posted by Oscar

There is now a very effective technology that beats trail cams hands-down: environmental DNA https://www.epa.govt.nz/community-in.../what-is-edna/

Take water samples at the bottom of catchments. Quick, simple, effective, doesn't need a moose to be at a given spot at a given time (as a trail cam does), can do multiple areas simultaneously. Could go straight in when there is a 'credible sighting' and check, not wait 6 months to get trail cam results.

I'm really surprised they haven't done it.

Probably because it's numbers and scale game. Given the size of the location, the amount of water flowing and number of egress points of the water, and the size of the potential population the likelihood you're going to pick up DNA is going to be very very slim.

If it can pick up kangaroo DNA in Wellington's water from petfood, its chances are better than trail-cams by a margin.

@Oscar can you reach out to Ken somehow and talk to him about this maybe ?

I have - my hunting mate is a friend of his. I thought they were going to do some, maybe they have and just aren't releasing results yet

Originally Posted by Trout

Its big unfriendly country down there.Any thing is possible.I'd thort DNA,foot prints,poop,moose hair,game camera photos would have been found by now.?

I spent a bit of time in the Seaforth Valley- the forest is dense, so much so that you could be within 10 metres of a quiet animal and not see it. Also, there's a lot of swampy ground so poo and footprints would not be obvious over a lot of that country.

Originally Posted by Slug

AI will soon have that covered...

There in lies the rub...If you see one for real - no one will believe ou...If you take a photo for proof people will say its fake....If you shoot it and bring out the carcass you may have contributed to its extinction.....Its a lose lose situation...so if I saw one I probably keep it as a personal experience and not bother telling anyone about it....But I would also have to admit I am not built for access to the sorts of terrain they are in so the chances of me even getting there are smaller than the chances of seeing one if I did get there.....

Have no idea whether there are moose in there or not. Have been a few recent sightings to be fair. Interested in the video and the rubs at height. I recently got in on a stag that I'm picking was up on its hind legs eating leaves off a tree. Wondering if some of the rubs at height are this behavior?