News Releases
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Northeastern Minnesota moose count completed (February 12, 2009)
Northeastern Minnesota’s 2008 moose survey estimates a population of 7,600 animals. This is similar to last year’s count, but related factors suggest that the population is continuing to decline.
“The raw survey numbers were similar,” said Mark Lenarz, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) wildlife researcher overseeing moose research. “But a historically low calf survival rate, a steadily declining hunter-success ratio, and a higher than normal non-hunting mortality rate all continue to suggest a downward trend in the moose population.”
Minnesota’s 2008 non-hunting mortality moose rate was 17 percent, down 3 percent from the 20 percent average rate reported during the past seven years. Elsewhere in North America, between 8 and 12 percent of moose generally die from causes other than hunting.
Moose remain abundant enough in the state to support a bulls-only hunt for a limited number of Minnesotans. But the percentage of hunters who successfully harvested a bull moose has steadily declined from 61 percent in 2001 to 45 percent in 2008.
Members of the DNR’s moose advisory committee are identifying management practices and research opportunities that may forestall the decline of Minnesota’s moose population. The committee will make recommendations to the DNR later this year.
Aerial moose surveys have been conducted each year since 1960 in the northeast. The Fond du Lac band and 1854 Treaty Authority contributed funding and provided personnel for the survey.
A copy of the aerial survey report and additional information about Minnesota’s moose population is available online.
Posted on 21st February 2009
Under: Minnesota DNR, Montana Dnr, Uncategorized, minnesota, moose | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Hunting – Region 6
Hunters participating in three ongoing special deer management seasons in Region 6 are reminded that not all land in these areas is open to hunting.
The special hunts are designed to reduce animal damage to stored crops such as haystacks and silage, and to decrease deer numbers where they have overrun available habitat, said Glasgow-based Warden Ron Howell. In most cases, these late-season hunts have only been set up with specific landowners.
The deer-management seasons started Dec. 15 in portions of the Milk River Valley between Saco and Nashua, in the Sandhills area east of Medicine Lake, and in the Big Dry Creek area east of Jordan.
“We’re hearing reports of some hunters just going onto any land and hunting,” Howell said. “That’s trespassing, and it’s illegal to harvest deer in areas outside the special season boundaries.”
Besides a few legally accessible state lands, the only places now open to hunting are private lands where landowners have explicitly signed on.
“Some of these lands were already enrolled in FWP’s Block Management Program, but not all Block Management lands in these areas are open for hunting at this time,” Howell said. “People need to be sure they’re on the correct property before they start hunting.”
Any legal resident or non-resident hunter can participate in any of the hunts by using unfilled deer licenses or permits from the 2008 general season. In addition, each hunter may purchase up to five additional antlerless Deer B licenses for use in the special seasons. All hunters are required to report each deer they harvest to FWP. Each of the seasons, at the latest, will run until Feb. 15, 2009.
Maps and additional information about the management hunts and participating landowners can be obtained at FWP offices or by calling (406) 228-3700.
Other Cool Stuff On Domka Outdoors
Posted on 27th January 2009
Under: Montana Dnr | No Comments »
The hunting of all mountain lions in southwestern Montana hunting districts 323, 324, 325 and 327, which include portions of Madison and Beaverhead counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Sunday, January 25, 2009.
The order halting the hunt came shortly after Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established harvest quota for the districts combined has been met.
For more information, visit FWP’s web site at fwp.mt.gov, click on “Hunting” then under “Hunting Guides” click on “Mountain Lion”, or call the toll-free number at 1-800-385-7826.
Other Cool Stuff On Domka Outdoors
Posted on 26th January 2009
Under: Montana Dnr, Mountain Lion hunting | No Comments »
