Cook County News Herald

Fond du Lac moose hunters closing in on prescribed total





Grand Marais photographer David Johnson took this picture of what used to be a common sight in Cook County. At one time the county had more moose than people, but today there are less than 4,000 in Northeast Minnesota, down from an estimated high of 8,700. Wildlife scientists and biologists are working very diligently to discover what is killing Minnesota’s most iconic animal. According to the Minnesota DNR, these large beasts can run 35 miles per hour and easily swim 10 miles without stopping.

Grand Marais photographer David Johnson took this picture of what used to be a common sight in Cook County. At one time the county had more moose than people, but today there are less than 4,000 in Northeast Minnesota, down from an estimated high of 8,700. Wildlife scientists and biologists are working very diligently to discover what is killing Minnesota’s most iconic animal. According to the Minnesota DNR, these large beasts can run 35 miles per hour and easily swim 10 miles without stopping.

According to the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa’s website, as of Monday, October 10, Fond du Lac hunters had taken 22 bull moose.

The season opened September 24 and will run until December 31, or until 25 bull moose have been harvested.

In addition to the general moose hunt, the Band will seek to take another 3 bull moose for community needs.

The grounds hunted lie within the boundaries of the Band’s Treaty of 1854. Ceded lands include parts of St. Louis County, most of Lake and Cook County, as well as the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Developed areas such as the towns of Silver Bay, Beaver Bay and Grand Marais were excluded.

On its website, the Fond du Lac Band explains it made the decision to reinstate the moose harvest on ceded lands “after careful consideration of biological data indicating the moose herd has stabilized in recent years at around 4,000 animals, and taking into account the traditions and cultural practices of the band.”

The Fond du Lac Band is one of six Chippewa Indian Bands in the state of Minnesota. The La Pointe Treaty of 1854 established it. Today there are more than 4,200 members in the Band.


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