Bull moose with big antlers
Big racks on big bull moose attract hunters. But does this mean that hunters cull the best animals?

Eating their genes?

Many moose hunters are looking for the largest and finest bulls. But does this mean that the best genetic material ends up on the dinner table?

Many moose hunters are looking for the largest and finest bulls. But does this mean that the best genetic material ends up on the dinner table?

And that ‘worse’ genes are inherited by the next generation? NTNU biologists are tackling this issue by studying moose on the island of Vega, where almost all the moose have been radio-tagged since 1992 and scientists have a good overview of the population.

With the help of tissue samples and DNA analysis, they will determine which bulls are the most sought after for breeding and thus shape subsequent generations.

References: Grøtan V, Saether BE, Lillegård M, Solberg EJ, Engen S. Geographical variation in the influence of density dependence and climate on the recruitment of Norwegian moose. Oecologia. 2009 Oct;161(4):685-95. doi: 10.1007/s00442-009-1419-5. Epub 2009 Aug 6. PMID: 19657678.

Solberg EJ, Garel M, Heim M, Grøtan V, Saether BE. Lack of compensatory body growth in a high performance moose Alces alces population. Oecologia. 2008 Dec;158(3):485-98. doi: 10.1007/s00442-008-1158-z. Epub 2008 Sep 30. PMID: 18830632.