Moose population continues to decline; hunting season to be evaluated

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.

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

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

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.

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.

The DNR will be evaluating the data and consulting with tribal biologists before making a decision on a 2012 hunting season. Last fall, the DNR continued a bulls-only hunting season and cut the number of moose-hunting permits by more than half to 105.

The state's moose management plan has 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.