REGIONAL— The latest aerial moose survey, released this week by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, shows continued stability in the northeastern Minnesota moose population, albeit at an overall lower population than 15-20 years ago.
The population estimate of 3,470 animals within the state’s primary moose range represents a five percent increase over last year’s estimate of 3,290, although biologists note that the estimates are valuable mostly to show long-term trends rather than year-to-year changes. The survey determined that the population ranged from 2,570-4,950 with a 90 percent level of confidence.
The latest survey also pointed to evidence of improved reproductive success. The calf-to-cow ratio in the latest survey was a healthy 0.51 calves per cow, the highest ratio since 2005, when the moose population appeared to be growing. Calves made up 17 percent of the moose sighted during the survey, somewhat above the 20-year average of 14.63 percent. And six percent of the cows had twins still surviving, which tied for the highest percentage in the past 18 years.
The DNR conducts its annual survey in January, when snow cover typically makes moose highly visible against the white background. The survey included overflights by helicopter of 53 plots, most of which are randomly selected. Ten “habitat” plots, which include recovering burns or areas with other types of forest disturbance, are flown every year to gauge how moose utilize varying habitats in the region.
Back in 2013, DNR officials had raised alarms over survey results that appeared to show a crash in the region’s moose population, which declined over a period of five years from estimates in the 8,000 range to just 2,760 in the 2013 survey. The dramatic decline prompted an end to the state’s moose season and led to more intensive study of the iconic North Country species as researchers hoped to better understand the reasons behind the decline.
Results continue to suggest that after a steep decline from a population estimate of approximately 8,000 in 2009, Minnesota’s moose population appears to have stabilized and has fluctuated around 3,700 animals in recent years.
While estimates suggest continued stability in the population and reproductive success, Minnesota DNR researchers point out that Minnesota moose remain at risk given the long-term trends. Presently, the long-term survey trends indicate the moose population has declined approximately 60 percent since the mid-2000s. Climate change, parasites, and predator impacts on calf survival all play a part in the long-term survival of the moose population, according to the DNR.
Both the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and the 1854 Treaty Authority contributed funding and personnel for the 2024 annual survey. The survey is available on the Minnesota DNR’s moose management webpage (mndnr.gov/moose).