Mark S. Lenarz, DNR Forest Wildlife Populations and Research Group, (218) 327-4132
Moose Population Holding Steady in Northeast Minnesota
Northeast Minnesota's moose population held steady this year according
results of an annual aerial survey completed in January.
Wildlife researchers estimate there are 7,300 moose in northeast Minnesota,
statistically similar to last year's survey that estimated 6,500 moose,
said Mark Lenarz, a researcher with the Minnesota Department of Natural
Resources. The Fond du Lac band, 1854 Authority and the U.S. Geological
Survey also participate in the study.
"It appears that reproduction is balancing out the mortality rate," Lenarz said. "The situation has not changed significantly. This is what we've been seeing for the past several years in the aerial survey."
Aerial surveys have been conducted each year since 1960 and are based on flying transects in 37 randomly selected plots spread across the Arrowhead. The addition of a helicopter and new survey techniques in 2004 improved the survey's accuracy.
While this year's increased aerial survey count is encouraging, a study of radio-collared moose has identified non-hunting moose mortality that ranged from 9 to 24 percent in the first four years of the study. This year's non-hunting mortality rate in northeast Minnesota was 17 percent, Lenarz said. The non-hunting mortality rate for moose is generally between 8 and 12 percent elsewhere in North America.
Typically, moose are killed by various illnesses and parasites, vehicle collisions, wolves or old age (after 20 years) and only a small proportion are harvested during the hunting season. During the past four years of the study, at least 15 emaciated prime-aged radio-collard moose were found dead.
"We've tested for all of the diseases and parasites known to kill moose yet the cause of death in most cases, remains unclear," Lenarz said. "We are continuing to collaborate with scientists around the world in our attempt to identify this unknown cause of mortality.
Considering the year to year variability in mortality rates, it is too soon to say what the long-term trend in moose numbers will be."
The DNR will use information from the survey and the ongoing study to develop moose hunting quotas and regulations for next fall. Details on the 2006 moose season will be announced in late April and the application deadline for the moose hunting license lottery is June 16.
