Voyageurs National Park moose population survey report: 2017
Windels SK and Olson BT. 2017. Voyageurs National Park moose population survey report: 2017. Natural Resource Report. NPS/VOYA/NRR—2017/1455. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado
Moose are at the southern edge of their range in Minnesota, where populations have experienced dramatic declines over the last 10 to 20 years. Concern for the status of moose in Voyageurs National Park resulted in the establishment of a monitoring program in 2009 that includes an annual estimate of the moose population in winter. The 2017 survey was conducted 9–18 February on the Kabetogama Peninsula, a 305 km2 roadless area in the center of the park where >90% of the park’s moose reside. We counted 33 moose during the survey (13 bulls, 10 cows, 3 unknown adults, 2 yearlings, and 5 calves). After correcting for sightability, the 2017 population estimate for the Kabetogama Peninsula was 44 moose (90% CI = 39–50), or 0.14 moose/km2 (0.37 moose/mi2). The 2017 population estimate is similar to estimates for the period 2009–2016. Indices of calf production in 2017 were relatively low, similar to 2014–2016. No twins were observed in 2017, as has been the case in most survey years. The estimated calf:cow ratio was 0.50, and calves were 16% of the population. The bull:cow ratio observed during the 2017 survey was 1.30, slightly higher than 2014–2015 but much higher than during the 2010–2013 period. Combined with data from GPS collared moose and other sources, our population estimate is indicative of a low density but stable population of moose in the park.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Windels, Steve; Olson, Bryce
- Date of Issue
- 2017-05
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- NRSS , VOYA
- Keywords
- Alces, Minnesota, moose
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Mammals