Predators

In northwest Minnesota, moose have three predators: bears, wolves, and humans. However, to date, predation is minimal and does not seem to be a factor in the population decline. black bear by Martha Minchak, Rhode Island

Bears can be efficient predators of calf moose. Cows will fiercely defend their young; however, in certain areas in North America, bears can take a heavy toll on calves. This does not appear to be the case in northwest Minnesota. Only one documented bear/calf killing has occurred in three years on collared animals.



Wolves have been in the area since the mid 1980's. Up until the winters of 1995-96 and 1996-97, deer numbers were stable to high. Wolves utilized this available prey resource. During this time, no wolf/moose kill was ever documented. In fact, often a dead moose would be found but wolves would not move in to scavenge it for several days. Now deer numbers are at an all time low. Recently, one adult moose was either scavenged or predated by wolves.

wolf clipartWolves in Minnesota may be delisted from the Threatened and Endangered Species List by the year 2000. When this happens, wolves in Minnesota will no longer be protected by the federal government, but will be managed by the state. This is a very exciting time. The delisting process will take several years. Agassiz National Wildfire Refuge is studying the two wolf packs on the refuge. Several animals have radio collars and one has a satellite collar purchased by the Prairie Wind Middle School/Perham High School, in Perham, Minnesota. If you want to know more about the satellite-collared animal — its movements, why we are studying wolves, etc. — the students have created a web site.

 

Ely International Wolf Center web site  - For more information on wolves, and delisting process.


Man: The hunting season has been closed on Red Lake Wildlife Management Area since 1985. The hunting season has been closed on Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge since 1993. And, hunting was closed in the Viking Agricultural Area in 1997. See Table for permits issued from 1971 to 1997.

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URL: http://midwest.fws.gov/agassiz/moose.html
Last updated on: January 4, 1999
Minnesota Moose Mystery managers:
Margaret Anderson, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Gretchen Mehmel, Minnesota DNR - Wildlife
Questions and comments on this web site: Mike Caucutt