Moose in Minn. canceled

[Red hunter]

I read a news article about the moose seasons being canceled, for the near future, dueto low numbers and the rapid decline. What is the cause of such a rapid decline in the population? Is it the number of wolves? coyotes? loss of habitat? over hunting? etc... I am not from Minn. and figure the real deal is never what is released to the public. So what say you that live there or those that know ?

 

[emn83]

We're on the very south end of the natural range for moose. My guess it's a mix of them not being in ideal habitat, and a resurgent wolf population.

 

[MNbogboy]

emn83 You have pretty much nailed it.....Moose & deer populations grew in northern MN for the last 100 years with the introduction of market logging and other timber harvesting... Ever increasing game population also provided for an increase in predator numbers. How ever early settlers were able to controll the an increasing wolf & coyote populations.....

Now as we face a decline in timber harvesting we as well see a decline in game populations...At the same time wolf populations have been un-naturally propagated and protected to a very un-healthy level....

Part of the decline in timber harvesting is again a direct result of a selected few who make decisions based on opinion and not fact...Superior National Forest and parts of the BWCA are an example of how an undersubscribed harvest plan can affect everyone and everything...These practices have been
responsible for job loss as well as a declining natural habitat for countless species of game and non-game animals.

We have more wolves in northern MN than at any point in recorded history and moose populations are still at a higher level than they were 100 years ago or 200 years for that matters...

Most of the so called enviromentalists have no clue to how these invasive practices are affecting our eco-system...Taking humans out of the natural equasion at a time when human populations are rising steadily certainly is a
mistake...

IMHO,
Randy

 

[Red hunter]

I don't understand the lack of timber harvest effect. I would think more timber would leave more habitat for wildlife.

 

[MNbogboy]

The biggest single reason for population increase of "most" animals and including flora & fauna in any area that was comprised of old growth timber is the removal of the old growth by fire, windstorm or harvesting...The renewed habitat will almost always provide more consumable vegetation for each species...Moose & deer survive on browse in winter that is why logging activity and even natural, accidental or prescribed fire co-relate so well with game populations.....

Our forests have been and always will be a renewable resource....We can cut them or leave them stand...Cutting them provides employment...Cutting them provides a better balanced eco-system for most game...But leaving them stand creates a place for tree-huggers to gather and count mushrooms and mold species.