get busy you guys...

[delcecchi]

Just saw this latest update

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – State wildlife experts say our moose calves are dying at a faster rate than they should be.

Researchers in northern Minnesota say more than 60 percent of the young moose they tracked have died within the first four months of their birth.

The leading cause appears to be predators, like bears and wolves.

The DNR already suspended the hunting season because of a 35 percent drop in the population last year.

[NoWiser]

Will try to get another wolf again this year. They are thick where we deer hunt and moose sign has gone from common 4 years ago to practically nonexistant. Sad deal.

[maros91]

From the Pioneer Press:

Of the 49 calves fitted with GPS collars in May shortly after they were born, four slipped their collars and 11 died of complications immediately following their capture, mostly because they were abandoned by their mothers, researchers said.

Twenty-four of the remaining 34 calves died within four months. Sixteen were killed by wolves, four were killed by bears, two were abandoned, one drowned and died of unknown causes.

[CANOPY SAM]

11 died of complications immediately following their capture, mostly because they were abandoned by their mothers

So 25% of the study group died directly because of the study and capture methods! You know what? That's NOT good!

Might wanna consider another way of tracking these animals for study? So maybe we don't immediately seal 1 out of every 4 animal's death certificate.

I appreciate the science, but that little statistic makes me a little angry.

[delcecchi]

On the other hand, if they hadn't put the collars on they wouldn't have any idea about what is happening to the calves. This might be one of those "gotta break a few eggs.." deals.

And we don't know the abandonment percent of uncollared calves. Might be close to that.

[Port.Winterhawk]

From the Pioneer Press:

Of the 49 calves fitted with GPS collars in May shortly after they were born, four slipped their collars and 11 died of complications immediately following their capture, mostly because they were abandoned by their mothers, researchers said.

Twenty-four of the remaining 34 calves died within four months. Sixteen were killed by wolves, four were killed by bears, two were abandoned, one drowned and died of unknown causes.

Almost 70% of the remaining 24 collared calves were killed by wolves. There may be more than one underlying issue for the drop in moose #'s, but wolf depredation is the major cause. I have a permit and I will harvest a wolf this fall. It will be too easy- I see so many every deer hunting season.

[monstermoose78]

My dad drew a wolf tag and he will do his part to try and help the moose.

I agree with nowiser we used see lots of moose while deer hunting and now we see next to none in the last 4 years. However the wolves seem to be increasing in our neck of the woods.

[nonteepical]

they wasted way to much time defending the wolves and trying to blame it on other things like global warming, ticks and brainworm. when the hunters blood samples and brain sampling at moose check points came up empty, they convinced themselves it was global warming and ignored the obvious. I took my moose hunt in '08 and applied for 4 years previous and they were talking back then of closing the season, thats why i started applying, so it's been a good 10 years wasted time denying it was the wolves.

[monstermoose78]

+1

Look at what the wolves are doing in Idaho and other western states destroying the elk herds. The deer in the arrowhead migrate to the north shore leaving the wolves to chase the few moose in their area to death.

[ClownColor]

So about 95% died from wolves and researchers...no wonder there are no moose. Like in strange brew..."i didn't need a lie detector machine to tell me he farted"...

[zepman]

I think on behalf of the Minnesota moose population, it would be a wise decision for the State to re-think the quota on our wolves in the next few years.

[Jameson]

Make it no quota bear state-wide.

Make it no quota wolf state-wide.

Just like we have no quota buck state-wide.

[Scott K]

But then we would need state wide QBM, and QWM so we can all have trophy bears and wolves in the state, because it is all about having a trophy animal to hunt.

[Wanderer]

Geez Scott, you just had to go there...

People cant seem to count points on an antler; how'll they ever be able to count inches of skull???

I know of two people who drew tags this year and plan to trap. Their one tag last year was filled with a young female; I expect they'll get two this year. A friend of theirs had a pack show up in his trail cam on a deer carcass that showed 13 wolves at one time.

[nonteepical]

We do need quality moose, to do that, there needs to be a moose zone established. That would be the arrowhead region from, duluth to cook to grand marais (hypothetical). That way with an established area managed for moose the wolves would have to be strictly managed to a population that dosen't destabilize the moose population.

[Wanderer]

That sounds like a great idea to me. Howling for Wolves cites the wolf is necessary for a quality wilderness experience. I say the same about moose.

[Jameson]

But then we would need state wide QBM, and QWM so we can all have trophy bears and wolves in the state, because it is all about having a trophy animal to hunt.

Then we would need??? Man you have it backwards. We already have QBM and QWM, we have a limited lottery for both controlling the number of animals harvested. Get it, yet? Not saying that I think we should have QBM or QWM, as I asked for the same management as do our whitetail bucks receive now.

pull your head out of it, man.

[BuckSutherland]

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My up north neighbor just shot one a couple weeks ago cause it was killing his dog, already killed his other one. DNR came over and investigated and did nothing. This is not to far from where the wolf bit the kid in the head.

[B. Amish]

Just saw this latest update

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – State wildlife experts say our moose calves are dying at a faster rate than they should be.

Researchers in northern Minnesota say more than 60 percent of the young moose they tracked have died within the first four months of their birth.

The leading cause appears to be predators, like bears and wolves.

gotta know a couple things. 1. what's the rate of recruitment needed to grow the population. 2. what's been observed in other studies as far as predation rates go.

[BobT]

There is another side to consider. While 70% loss to predation may seem like a high number, I wonder if how far off of normal that really is. Of course, the word normal takes on its own meaning too. Normal as it was 10 years ago when the wolf population was lower or is normal what we are experiencing now with a higher population of wolves?

I do think those who regulate, need to watch this very closely to be sure we aren't sacrificing prey animals for the sake of the predator. We are a predator and naturally we will compete with other predators and so it is only natural for us to express that competitiveness with a desire to eradicate our opponents.