Western U.P. moose population estimated to be 426
UPPER PENINSULA, Mich., — Survey results reported to the Michigan Natural Resources Commission on Thursday showed the population estimate for moose in the western Upper Peninsula "was not statistically different" from the previous survey conducted in 2019.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources said the 2023 survey is the first completed since 2019 due to COVID-related scheduling conflicts.
"The 2023 moose survey estimate was 426* individuals, which is not statistically different from the 2019 estimate of 509 individuals," said Tyler Petroelje, a wildlife research specialist with the Michigan DNR in Marquette.
"This continues the trend of plateauing abundance where population growth over the last 12 years is now less than 1%," Petroelje said.
Aerial surveys are conducted over moose habitat areas during the winter season to identify and tally the animals.
The 2023 winter survey was conducted by the Michigan DNR this past January and February.
Researchers tallied 212 moose, which the Michigan DNR said was 20% fewer than the 266 moose in the 2019. The point estimate indicated a "16% decline in moose abundance," the Michigan DNR said.
The 2023 survey was calculated with a 95% confidence interval, between 334 and 518 individual moose.
"Looking at demographic data, with respect to previous surveys, we observed a comparable – but low – cow-to-calf ratio and percentage of calf numbers," Petroelje said. "A potentially concerning observation is the lesser percentage of twins seen during this survey (9%) compared to the 10-year average of 15%."
Petroelje said that fewer twins and a smaller bull-to-cow ratio could explain a recruitment issue.
Recruitment in this context refers to the number of individual moose added to the wester U.P. population by births or immigration.
Wildlife biologists will continue to monitor recruitment within the population to determine if a trend is developing, or if 2023 was simply a poor calf year.
"Another factor that has affected the moose in the western U.P. is that 2022 was a high year for moose-vehicle crashes," said John Pepin, DNR deputy public information officer in Marquette.
"Collisions involved at least 20 moose last year in the western U.P. We remind motorists to watch for moose, especially when traveling at night," Pepin said.
For more information on moose in Michigan, visit this link to the Michigan DNR's website.
The "western U.P. moose core range" covers roughly 1,400 square miles in parts of Marquette, Baraga and Iron counties. Moose were translocated there from Canada in two separate efforts in 1985 and 1987, the Michigan DNR said.
The Michigan DNR has been surveying the western U.P.'s core moose population since 1997, typically every other winter season.