Protect Alberta's Cow Moose

Moose are an important part of Alberta's hunting heritage. Moose are also highly valued by hunters across the province for their meat, challenge, connection to the land, and symbolism among Canadians.

Moose in Alberta Why Cow Moose Matter Support the Cow Moose Sign Project
Moose shaking off water in a pond

Moose In Alberta

Moose (Alces alces) are the largest member of the deer family (Cervidae), with bull moose standing over two metres at the shoulder and capable of weighing over 700 kg in Alberta. While typically associated with wetland and riparian habitats, moose are well adapted to occupying a wide range of forest and prairie habitats throughout Alberta and can be found in and between all four corners of our province.

In Alberta, two subspecies of moose can be found: the Northwestern "Canada" moose (A.a. andersoni), found primarily in Northern Boreal and Foothills regions, and the Shiras moose (A.a. shirasi), located in the southern Foothills and Mountainous regions. The highest densities of moose in Alberta occur in the mid- and west-central regions of the province. The two subspecies are defined by geographical boundaries, and not any known biological distinctions.

Provincially, moose are listed as "Secure" under the Alberta Wildlife Act. The most recent province-wide estimate (2014-2015) placed Alberta's moose population at approximately 115,000 individuals. In recent years, there has also been a well-documented range expansion of moose into the Parkland and Prairie areas of southeast Alberta, in part due to decreased predation risk and access to agricultural forage in these new habitats. However, this general increase in range does not reflect important regional variations. Local outfitters, hunters, biologists, and Indigenous communities which have expressed concern that some populations in Alberta may be in decline. Across Alberta, moose populations are influenced by several interacting factors that include, but not limited to predation, changes in land use and climate, parasites/disease, and harvest.

cow moose and calf stading in a forest

The Importance of Cow Moose

Moose typically produce a single calf per year, although twinning can occur under favourable conditions. Reproductive potential is concentrated in adult females, which means that cow moose play a crucial role in maintaining moose populations. Despite being long-lived, with lifespans up to 16 years, moose are particularly sensitive to changes in adult female survival due to their low reproductive rate.

From a population dynamics perspective, the harvest of adult female moose (cows) has a significantly greater long-term impact on population stability than the harvest of bulls. This is due to the fundamental role cows play in reproduction and recruitment.

Under normal circumstances, a single cow moose will have the following output:

  • If she reaches sexual maturity at age 2 and has a conservative lifespan of about 12 years, she will have 10 good reproductive years. Producing an average of 1.2 calves per year (the decimal accounting for years where the cow may have twins), means that a single cow moose may produce 12 calves in her lifetime.
  • If half of those calves survive to adulthood and are recruited into the population (6 adult moose) and half of them are female (3 adult cow moose), and each of these second-generation cow moose produces 12 calves of their own, half of which survive to adulthood, then the original cow moose could add up to 24 adult moose into the population within just two generations!

In contrast, adult bull moose — while necessary for reproduction — are not individually limiting to population growth. A single bull can breed with multiple females during the rut, meaning bull-to-cow ratios can remain low (e.g., 1 bull to 5 cows or lower) without impacting population replenishment.

As a result, harvesting even a small number of cows can have a significantly disproportionate and lasting effect on moose population dynamics, particularly in areas already experiencing declines from other factors affecting moose populations.

Cow harvest alters age structure, potentially reducing twinning rates and long-term population growth if prime-age cows are disproportionately removed. Additionally, cow moose exposed to increased hunting pressure may shift their habitat use to avoid hunters, limiting their access to optimal forage, which can affect their reproductive health. In predator-rich systems, cow harvest can compound calf mortality and further limit population stability and growth.

Unfortunately, moose populations respond slowly to female harvest, making declines difficult to detect until multiple years of reduced reproduction have occurred.

Population models consistently show that reductions in adult female survival are the most influential factor in moose population decline. Voluntary reductions in cow harvest — even in circumstances where it is legal — is a precautionary approach that is supported by science.

Moose Identification Guide

Moose Illustration courtesy of Omnia Ecological Consulting

Identifying Cow Moose

Correct identification of moose in the field is essential to ensuring strategic, ethical and legal harvest. Mistaken identity can lead to the unintentional removal of cows or calves, which has direct implications for population viability. A bull moose's antlers are its key identifying factor for most hunters, but there are other cues that can help identify whether a moose is a cow, calf, or bull. See key identification features below.

Calves

  • Moose calves are rarely seen on their own.
  • They have shorter faces and smaller noses compared to adults.
  • Their legs appear long in proportion to their bodies.
  • Calves have an angular, sharp shoulder hump, relative to adult cows.
  • When viewed head-on, a calf's face appears triangular with a pointed muzzle, unlike the more rectangular head of an adult.

Cows

  • A cow's face is evenly toned and lighter coloured.
  • Bell (a hair-covered flap of skin under the throat) is usually small and shaped like a rope.
  • A vulva patch is visible as a pale or whitish area beneath the tail.

Bulls

  • Antlers are shed and grown annually.
  • Bulls may have small "spike antlers" or a visible pedicel where the antler has shed.
  • Darker nose bridge with lighter fur between the eyes.
  • Bell is usually larger and more prominent than a cow's bell.
  • Bulls lack a vulva patch and have a darker rear end.
Alberta Cow Moose Sign - White Version

Alberta Cow Moose Sign Project

The Alberta Cow Moose Sign Project, led by the Alberta Professional Outfitters Society (APOS), was launched to promote science-based wildlife stewardship, in response to growing concerns about moose populations in Alberta. The signs encourage hunters to voluntarily avoid harvesting cow moose to support long-term population sustainability. The campaign is intended to raise awareness, foster responsible decision-making, and contribute to conservation goals, helping ensure healthy moose populations across Alberta for generations to come.

Dan and Vivian Simmons, founders of the Cow Moose Sign Project in British Columbia stand behind one of their signsThe Alberta Cow Moose Sign Project was inspired by the grassroots success of The Cow Moose Sign Project in British Columbia, founded by Dan and Vivian Simmons with support from Tl'esqox Tell Tale Signs. Their passionate and community-driven approach to education, advocacy, and collaboration demonstrated the power of uniting citizens, Indigenous communities, and hunters to protect cow moose and their calves.

Building on the example set by Dan and Vivian, the Alberta project aims to raise awareness about the critical role cow moose play in sustaining healthy populations, and the urgent need to protect them for the future of our wildlife, ecosystems, and cultural heritage.

Get Involved

Help us spread the word about the importance of cow moose.

Downloads for social media are available HERE. Free publications are available by request through our contact form. Clothing items are also available to purchase.

If you are an Indigenous group or a member of the public with an option good for a high visibility highway location within the target areas, please contact us to explore the possibility of complimentary signage.

For those wishing to financially support the project, three sizes of signs are available for purchase through APOS.

Inquiries about project sponsorship or larger financial contributions can be made through our contact form.