Moose may not be returning to their large numbers, but the population has remained steady, giving hope that the moose aren’t going to disappear from here anytime soon. Photo courtesy of the MN DNR
For eight straight years, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) northeastern Minnesota moose survey indicates that the population has remained relatively unchanged.
The 2019 aerial moose survey estimated 4,180 moose in northeastern Minnesota, statistically unchanged from last year’s estimate of 3,030.
Conducted between January 3 and January 17, the survey involved flying in 52 survey plots distributed across northeastern Minnesota’s moose range. While the count is statistically sound, there is inherent uncertainty associated with it, because researchers will never see and account for all of the animals across the 6,000-square-mile survey area.
Calf survival from birth in spring to January continues to be relatively stable but consistently low, suggests the survey. Field studies have shown survival rates are even lower by spring, translating to small numbers of moose calves living through their first year.
One of the findings of DNR’s field research shows that wolves have consistently accounted for two-thirds of the calf mortality and onethird of adult mortality. Moose injured in attacks by wolves also died because of their injuries, and moose that were sick or suffering from disease were more susceptible attacks by wolves.
The annual population survey is the most critical aspect of DNR moose management. Tracking moose numbers and determining the gender and age makeup of the population allows the DNR to closely monitor the health and well-being of moose.
In 2012, the DNR made nine forested areas a permanent part of the moose survey. These areas include different types of forest, including forests disturbed by events such as wildfires, blow-downs, and timber harvests.
Higher population counts within specific regions may indicate that moose prefer certain types of habitat. The DNR and its partners can use this information to better target current and future habitat enhancement projects to provide better conditions for long-term moose survival in Minnesota.
While the survey is statistically sound, there is inherent uncertainty associated with such studies, because researchers will never see and count all of the animals across the 6,000-square-mile survey area. Statistically, the DNR is 90 percent certain that the population is between 3,250 and 5,580 moose.
“We’re encouraged that the moose population is not in the steep decline it was,” said Glenn DelGiudice, DNR moose and deer project leader. “In the short to medium term, we’re likely to keep seeing moose in the forests, lakes, and swamps of northeastern Minnesota. But their long-term survival here in Minnesota remains uncertain.”
Each year the population estimate is compared to 2006 because the state’s highest moose population estimate of 8,840 occurred that year. Currently, northeastern Minnesota’s moose population is estimated to be 53 percent lower than 2006, an improvement from 2018 when it was 65 percent lower than the peak estimate of 2006.
Reproductive success and adult survival have the most significant impact on the annual aerial count.
DNR wildlife research is in its seventh year of an extensive study to determine how winter nutrition affects moose survival and reproductive success.
“There are many things we still don’t know,” DelGiudice said. “But our understanding of habitat preferences, population structure, nutrition, and predation has significantly improved. Our goal is to use this new information to identify management options that better the chances for long-term survival of moose in northeastern Minnesota.”
Since 1960 the DNR has conducted annual aerial moose surveys in northeastern Minnesota. Adjustments made to the survey in 2005 made it more accurate and its yearly results more comparable from 2005 to the present.
The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and 1854 Treaty Authority again contributed funding and provided personnel for the annual moose survey.
More information about moose is available on the DNR website at mndnr.gov/ moose.
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