Minnesota Moose population continues to decline; hunting season to be evaluated

[Scott M]

Moose population continues to decline; hunting season to be evaluated

MN DNR News

Feb. 23, 2012

Minnesota’s moose population continues to decline, dropping from an estimate of 4,900 in 2011 to 4,230 in 2012, according to the annual aerial survey by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

“Estimates from the survey and results from research using radio-collared moose both indicate that the population has been declining in recent years,” said Mark Lenarz, DNR forest wildlife group leader.

Minnesota’s moose population was estimated at 8,840 in 2006 and has trended downward since then.

The causes of moose mortality are not well understood. Of 150 adult moose radio-collared since 2002 in Minnesota, 119 have subsequently died, most from unknown causes thought to be diseases or parasites. Ten moose died as a result of highway vehicle accidents. Two were killed by trains. Only 11 deaths were clearly the result of wolf predation.

This year’s aerial survey, however, showed some positive trends. The number of cows accompanied by calves and twin calves increased in 2012, which means more calves can potentially mature into adults. But the cow and calf ratio, estimated at 36 calves per 100 cows in 2012, remains well below 1990s estimates that likely contribute to a peak population in the early 2000s.

The 2012 survey results also showed the bull-to-cow ratio increased from 2011 to an estimated 108 bulls per 100 cows, indicating that more bulls were available to breed with cows.

DECISION ON HUNTING SEASON TO COME

While this year’s aerial survey showed improved calf survival and bull-to-cow ratio, the DNR will be evaluating the data and consulting with tribal biologists before making a decision on a 2012 hunting season. The decision on the season will be announced in the coming weeks.

Last fall, the DNR continued a bulls-only hunting season and cut the number of moose-hunting permits by more than half, from 213 in 2010 to 105.

Although hunting mortality of bulls is not driving the moose population decline, the state’s moose management plan does have science-based triggers for closing the hunting season. One of those triggers is if the bull-to-cow ratio drops below 0.67 bulls-per-cow for three consecutive years.

While the bull-per-cow ratio dropped to .64 bulls/cow in 2011, it went up this year to 1.08.

ABOUT THE AERIAL SURVEY

DNR wildlife researchers estimate the moose population by conducting an aerial survey of the northeastern Minnesota moose range. The surveys, which have been conducted each year since 1960, are based on flying transects in 49 randomly selected plots spread across the Minnesota’s Arrowhead region.

Since 2005, the downward trend in moose numbers, as reflected in the survey data, has been statistically significant.

Moreover, a study of radio-collared moose in northeastern Minnesota between 2002 and 2008 determined that non-hunting mortality was substantially higher than in moose populations outside of Minnesota. Although the formal study ended in 2008, researchers have continued to monitor non-hunting mortality, which has continued to be high.

A new, two-year study begins in 2013 that will concentrate on identifying disease and parasites that might be responsible for high moose mortality. Funding for the $600,000 study comes from the Minnesota Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund, which gets proceeds from the Minnesota State Lottery. The funding, recommended by Legislative-Citizen Commission on Natural Resources, has been appropriated by the Minnesota Legislature.

Funding and personnel for the annual DNR aerial survey are also provided by the Fond du Lac band of Lake Superior Chippewa and 1854 Treaty Authority.

A copy of the 2012 aerial survey report is available online.

The DNR’s Moose Management and Research Plan, approved in 2011 as a way to possibly identify causes of moose mortality and potentially slow Minnesota’s declining population, is available online.

[bobbymalone]

If it's not 2012, it'll be 2013.

It needs to happen.

[Bear55]

Close it, I will go to Canada if I want to go on a moose hunt.

[brian6715]

I agree, close it. There is no need to hunt moose here. I really don't understand the idea of shooting a species of animals that really doesn't have a healthy population (or population trend). I wish the DNR would let Elk get established as well.

[Musky Buck]

My gut says close it my gut says many shot likely would've parished anyway. The moms have the babies so that is most important, have a bulls only season shortly after the majority of the cows are bred each year. Cut the number of permits to lets say 10 ? If they close it which I'm actually in favor of, I just posted a few maybe possibilities, does that mean they'd be off limits to the tribes also ? Whatever the outcome, I just hope they can do an autopsy that pinpoints why they are dying off, better yet if there's a way the decline can be halted and or reversed. I would imagine the animal rights groups are ponying up there fair share of $ to help with this near tragic situation.

[leech~~]

Maybe we should bring in some Moose specialists from Maine or Newfoundland or some where if our DNR can't find out what is knocking off all our Moose in MN!

They have been looking at it for years and still can't seem to come up with how to stop the mortality or improve the herd!

Time to bring in a new pitcher before the game is lost!

[mwal]

According to some earlier articles. There is low calf survival. But they haven't studied that or predators of calves but will start in the future. Already to late

Mwal

[certified jumbo]

very unfortunate. my fingers are crossed for MN moose, but i'm really starting to worry.

[leech~~]

According to some earlier articles. There is low calf survival. But they haven't studied that or predators of calves but will start in the future. Already to late

Mwal

Thats kind of my point above. They have known for years that there are some issues and have not studied all aspects of the issue! I say throw the DNR bums out and find someone new to lead the the moose studies! I was just listening to the news on the radio and who ever the person was they were talking to said they didn't have much hope that there would be a Moose population in Minnesota much longer. That is unacceptable to me! This is a magnificent animal and we just can not let it go extinct! Why don't they pull in some help from the fed wildlife people or make up a task force of Moose specialists from other states or countries to help. All stops should be pulled out on this. Dam the budget, they went over board to save the Wolf which has thrived and maybe in part to blame for the low calf rate! I have never hunted Moose or may never get a chance to but no one else may either!

[certified jumbo]

I agree Leech, it is frustrating. I don't know enough about whats being done to give an great reply or point blame. But i know there are 18 people on the moose advisory committee. Some are from the DNR and others are not. The chair of the committee comes from Michigan. There is a 52 page report on the DNR HSOforum.

My personal opinion which obvioulsy doesn't carry much wieght is that we know for sure wolf pop. are at all time highs and we also know that air temps are statistically higher since we started recording temperature data. These I beleive are facts and may have something to do with it. Who knows??

[bobbymalone]

I say throw the DNR bums out and find someone new to lead the the moose studies!

[NoWiser]

I guess I have to disagree with closing the season for now. As long as the bull to cow ratio stays at an acceptable number (enough bulls to breed with every cow), having a limited bulls-only season will not have any effect on the long term survival of moose in Minnesota.

Talking to the veterinarian for the DNR this last fall, she told me that she is very worried they will close the moose season. Basically, they collect a lot of samples from hunter killed moose. These moose they consider "healthy". They compare the results of these samples with those of moose that they find dead. The only other way to get samples from healthy moose is to find those who are hit by cars, and even then, by the time they get to them, it's usually too late to get good samples.

I know this is just one experience, but this past fall I hunted 5 days. In that time I saw 17 moose. Every single cow we saw had either a calf, or twin calves, and every single cow we saw was also accompanied by a bull. We also saw bulls with no cows with them. When we finally shot our bull, there were 3 bulls following a single cow (with twin calves). Now, I don't have a degree in Wildlife Biology, but I know taking that bull did not impact the population in that area. Obviously other areas may be different.

I really think they need to figure out what is killing the calves....

Obviously if the population continues to fall, they will have to cancel the hunting season, but I just don't think we are quite there yet. Like I said, there are benefits from the the moose hunt that could help solve this mystery.

[leech~~]

bobby, that looks like a very long list of highly respected people on the Advisors board.

Now if we can just get more highly trained Field Specialist out of the office and into woods turning over ever rock to find out what is going on they may solve this issue!

[monstermoose78]

I have to believe the wolf has something to do with the low number of calves. I have friends that raise cattle in the wolf range and every spring come calving season the wolves show up and calves go missing. They get the federal trappers to come in and trap one or 2 wolves, but that happens every year. I deer hunt north of Hovland and it does not take long for wolves to clean up the gut piles. If they can smell the blood from a gut pile I am sure they can smell the blood from the after birth of a moose. I have put in for a moose tag for 17 years now and I will put in again if they have a season. My grandpa put in for 34 years until he got a tag, my uncle put in for 35 years then he drew a tag. My family enjoys seeing moose and eating them as well. I have been watching a bull for 2 years now and pray i get a tag and chance to take such a fine animal.

[Farmboy1]

I guess I have to disagree with closing the season for now. As long as the bull to cow ratio stays at an acceptable number (enough bulls to breed with every cow), having a limited bulls-only season will not have any effect on the long term survival of moose in Minnesota.

Talking to the veterinarian for the DNR this last fall, she told me that she is very worried they will close the moose season. Basically, they collect a lot of samples from hunter killed moose. These moose they consider "healthy". They compare the results of these samples with those of moose that they find dead. The only other way to get samples from healthy moose is to find those who are hit by cars, and even then, by the time they get to them, it's usually too late to get good samples.

I know this is just one experience, but this past fall I hunted 5 days. In that time I saw 17 moose. Every single cow we saw had either a calf, or twin calves, and every single cow we saw was also accompanied by a bull. We also saw bulls with no cows with them. When we finally shot our bull, there were 3 bulls following a single cow (with twin calves). Now, I don't have a degree in Wildlife Biology, but I know taking that bull did not impact the population in that area. Obviously other areas may be different.

I also drew a tag this year, and spent about 3 weeks in the BWCA this summer during scouting and hunting. I saw 3 animals during this time. (1) cow during our scouting trip, and a bull and a cow during our hunt. We harvested the bull. If you are interested, read the story. http://www.hotspotoutdoors.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/2683110/1

I also spent many, many hours researching these animals because I feel I can hunt better if I understand the animal. I also talked to the DNR veterinarian and received the same response regarding healthy samples.

My own view on this.

Causes I have heard effect the heard:

Brain worm transferred from Deer. Deer have expanded their herds in moose areas, but thy have been unable to show a solid correlation with the herd drop.

Global Warming could be a cause but herds in Maine, Montana and other areas at a lower latitude than MN are expanding. This does not seem to be feasible.

West Nile virus. Sample size is so low they cannot determine if this is having an effect. It may or it may not.

Wolves. They are taking moose. How many, and how does this effect the herd is unknown and will probably never be known.

Poor herd estimates. I don't think the DNR has a solid idea of how many moose/deer/wolves we actually have. I would call it a wild arse guess.

My own take is this is a "Perfect Storm" and all these factors are influencing the herd. I feel fortunate to be able to hunt moose and feel within 3 years this opportunity will be gone.

[certified jumbo]

Farmboy. I thought that was a good post. Plus, it was fun to see your pics again. I have always enjoyed reading the moose hunt stories from MN on the forum.

Like you, our 08' MN moose was truly what it is advertised.....the hunt of a lifetime!!

I hope others can someday share in the MN moose hunt. I hope they make a turn around!!

[john skarie]

The info I had heard about global warming being a factor is that there is a skin parasite that normally is killed in the fall when temps go down.

We have had warmer falls lately and Moose get irritated and spend a lot of time rubbing fur against trees etc. which stresses them when they should be eating more to fatten up for winter.

That would explain why moose in other regions are not affected by the warmer temps., the parasite is not widespread thoughout N America.

JS

[gixxer01]

I had watched a documentary about Moose in Alaska or Canada(can't remember which) where wood ticks were actually draining the blood from calves because of the sheer number of them on the animal. And like you stated, they normally fall off due to plummeting temps. but were able to hang on longer because of warmer temps. It was an abosolute shock to see the sheer number of ticks on one animal. The video crew actually taped the process of the Moose dying, it was disturbing to say the least.

[Powerstroke]

I really wish people would stop mentioning climate warming. It has also been well documented that moose populations in states like North Dakota, Maine, Michigan and others have been thriving. They live in some of the same climates and its been shown that temps in the northern latitudes have experienced greater warming yet no one is concerned about the moose in Canada.

The fact that this report barely mentions wolves shows that they are either ignoring a glaring issue or they are not smart enough to notice. It is frustrating for them to downplay the effect of an apex predator.

[Archerysniper]

+1,000 for powerstroke

[leech~~]

+1001! It does seem to go along with the fact that Minnesota has the highest Wolf population in the lower 48 and may explain why other states like Maines Moose are not having these mysterious issues with their herd!

[Leadhead]

+1002 It seems too convenient that the increase in wolf population coincides with declines in moose. Why aren't they having these issues across the border in Ontario? I'm sure that disease plays some role in this, but wolves have to be contributing to some extent. The study mentioned in the original post talks about radio collared animals. Studies need to be done on calves, that is where the problem lies.

[hockeybc69]

Having friends in various DNR positions.... I have to say that I am quite sure that they arent that stupid that they havent taken every possible condition into consideration......

As usual, the arm chair biologists know best......

[Bowfin]

I really wish people would stop mentioning climate warming. It has also been well documented that moose populations in states like North Dakota, Maine, Michigan and others have been thriving. They live in some of the same climates and its been shown that temps in the northern latitudes have experienced greater warming yet no one is concerned about the moose in Canada.

+1! I do however think the dramatic upswing in the deer population and along with it the tick population in the north over the last couple decades has to be a major negative factor impacting the moose pop. How high are the deer pops in the moosey areas of Maine?

"Save a moose, shoot a deer!"

[jay83196]

Maybe its a little of all of the above and not just one factor, I think its clear nobody KNOWS exactly what the precise issue is, lets hope it gets figured out sooner than later.