News - Moose population remains low; 5-year population decline improves

[Rick]

Minnesota’s moose population remains low despite a slowing population decline during the past five years, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said. 

Results from the 2016 aerial moose survey indicate that the population change from an estimated 3,450 in 2015 to 4,020 in 2016 is not statistically significant. Northeastern Minnesota’s current moose population could be as high as 5,180 or as low as 3,230.

“Moose are not recovering in northeastern Minnesota,” said Glenn DelGiudice, moose project leader for the DNR. “It’s encouraging to see that the decline in the population since 2012 has not been as steep, but longer term projections continue to indicate that our moose population decline will continue.”

Annual population comparisons are made to 2006 because northeastern Minnesota’s highest moose population estimate of 8,840 occurred that year. Since then, the moose population has declined 55 percent.

Studies have shown that adult moose survival has the greatest long-term impact on moose populations. Northeastern Minnesota’s collective moose population may be reflecting the annual survival rate of moose collared as part of the DNR’s moose mortality research project, which shows that survival of adult moose increased from 81 percent in 2013 to 88 percent in 2014 and 85 percent in 2015.

DelGiudice said more calves surviving beyond their first year also may be slowing the short-term population decline. Data collected in fall and early winter 2015 document the number of calves that remained with their mothers. These data reflect the 2016 population survey estimate that 17 percent of Minnesota moose are calves, up from 13 percent in 2015 and 15 percent in 2014.

This year’s survey involved flying 52 survey plots distributed across northeastern Minnesota from Jan. 4-15. The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and 1854 Treaty Authority contributed funding and provided personnel to assist Minnesota DNR with the annual moose survey.

A copy of the aerial survey report and more information about Minnesota moose are available on the DNR website and the moose research page.

Discuss below - to view set the hook here.

[leech~~]

Good info. So we know old Moose die of health issues and Wolves. Now put some collars on some calves and see the % of what is killing them. Out of all the things killing Moose, Wolves are one that we can adjust!!

[ANYFISH2]

Leech, I believe they did collar calves they first year (s), but thought they (collars/researchers) my have been a strong contributor to morality.  I haven't read the research recently however.

As far as wolves are concerned, yes they are the major predator, but we did have a hunting season or three, and as far as I know the population has still declined, however may be part of the reason for slowing of the decline.

Unfortunately, until we can get the courts to help us get them delisted again, there is nothing we or the state can do.  Just to qualify, I am a fan of wolves.  They need to be managed though, not just left to go unchecked.

[leech~~]

I really think that are DNR needs to team up with DNR folks from other states like Maine and maybe other countries like Finland or Newfoundland to compare their Moose data and findings. Maybe sharing some of it will help us come up with issues about Moose health or Wolves that other states or Countries may not have as many of or have to deal with. I watched a video on Moose hunting in Finland and the frecking things were running around like Whitetails there. 

[delcecchi]

Do I remember correctly that bears were also a contributor to calf mortality?   Probably not a lot of bear or wolf hunting (when it was done) in much of the moose range.