Summer Movements of Female Moose and Dispersal of Their Offspring

Fifty-seven radio-equipped moose (Alces alces) in central Sweden were located during the 3 summers of 1980-83. Forty-two were cows (≤2 years old) and 15 were calves (5 males and 10 females) when captured. Aerial tracking was conducted ≤1 time/week. No significant differences in average size of summer home ranges were found between age classes. All cows returned to the same summer range each spring. Consecutive summer home ranges overlapped from 1 to 100%. Ten of 14 radio-equipped calves accompanied their cow to summer ranges. The 1st indications of separation between cow and offspring were recorded from 7 to 29 May. The average straight line distance between cow and offspring successively increased from separation to mid-June when it became relatively constant (1.5-2.0 km). One of 10 calves that completed the migration together with the cow abandoned its mother's home range completely. Adult female offspring continued to reside near their yearling home range during consecutive summers.