Voyageurs National Park moose population survey report: 2019
Windels SK and Olson BT. 2019. Voyageurs National Park moose population survey report: 2019. Natural Resource Report. NPS/VOYA/NRR—2019/1885. 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 10-20 years. Concern for the status of moose in Voyageurs National Park resulted in the establishment of a monitoring program starting in 2009, including an annual estimate of the moose population in winter. The 2019 survey was conducted February 2-11 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 35 moose during the survey (9 bulls, 15 cows, 4 yearlings, and 7 calves). After correcting for sightability, the 2019 population estimate for the Kabetogama Peninsula was 47 moose (90% CI = 42–53), or 0.15 moose/km2 (0.39 moose/mi2). The 2019 population estimate is similar to those from the 2009–2017 period. Indices of calf production in 2019 were relatively low, similar to 2014–2017. The estimated calf:cow ratio was 0.47, and calves were 20% of the population. The bull:cow ratio observed during the 2019 survey was 0.60. 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
- 2019-03
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- NRSS , VOYA