Moose are something of a hot topic in Upper Peninsula circles these days, with debates over hunting, lotteries and other proposals floating around. The
Department of Natural Resources and Environment has some hard facts to back up your latest argument, released this week.
The DNRE's biennial aerial moose survey results are in, and they don't show very much growth in the western U.P.'s moose population since the last survey, two years ago.
The latest survey shows about 433 moose in Marquette, Baraga and northern Iron counties, which is a slight increase over the 2009 estimate, which was 420 moose. In the eastern U.P., moose are much scarcer, with fewer than 100 animals. So the entire U.P. moose population is right around 500 animals.
The question now is whether the small increase will foreshadow things to come, or whether it just hasn't been a good two years for moose growth.
"The results suggest that moose population growth during the past two years may have slowed down, compared to the growth rates we saw over the previous decade," says DNRE wildlife research biologist Dean Beyer. "However, surveys in coming years will help us determine if slowed population growth is going to be the trend, or if it's just a short-term deviation."
In late 2010, lawmakers approved a moose hunting season, if the Michigan Natural Resources Commission chooses to create one. These latest results will be considered by the commission as they discuss the issue.
The moose in the U.P. were brought there in the late 1980s, relocated from Ontario to northwest Marquette County. Since then, they've established a wider ranging area, and have been monitored by the DNRE for population growth and health, including this regular survey.
Writer: Sam EgglestonSource: Dean Beyer, Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment
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