Responses of wild ungulates to logging practices in Alberta

The responses of moose (Alcesalces L.), white-tailed deer (Odocoileusvirginianus Zimmerman), and mule deer (O. hemionus Rafinesque) to logging practices were studied in west-central Alberta. Use of cut blocks by moose was related to size and interspersion of cut blocks with uncut mature timber and to levels of harassment. Use of cut blocks by deer was influenced by size, shape, and interspersion of cut blocks and by site treatment. Moose used large clear cuts more effectively than deer. However, moose showed greater dependence on residual cut-block cover in areas of high levels of harassment.