Moose symbolize Minnesota’s northern wilderness and are a significant part of its natural heritage. Their presence contributes to the ecological diversity and cultural identity of Minnesota’s vast forested landscapes. For centuries, moose have been an important part of the state’s culture, including for Native American communities.
Key Moose Habitats in Minnesota
Minnesota’s moose population is primarily concentrated in the northeastern Arrowhead region. This expansive area provides ideal moose habitat, including the Superior National Forest and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). These regions feature extensive forests, wetlands, and mixed boreal and deciduous tree species. The varied topography also creates diverse habitat structures.
Historically, moose were found in both the northeastern and northwestern parts of Minnesota, but their range has become more restricted. The northeastern range, including areas along the Gunflint Trail and near Ely, remains the primary stronghold for the state’s moose. These areas offer vast woodlands and abundant water sources.
Ideal Environmental Conditions
Moose require specific environmental conditions found in Minnesota’s northern forests. Healthy moose habitat includes young, regenerating forest stands and older forests for thermal cover. Young forests, often from disturbances like timber harvests, fires, or windstorms, provide abundant browse. Their diet primarily consists of leafy deciduous plants from these younger northern forests, including willow, aspen, birch, mountain maple, mountain ash, and cherry trees. During summer, moose also consume aquatic vegetation from wetlands, lakeshores, and stream banks, often diving to access plants.
Mature conifer forests, while not a primary food source, offer thermal cover, providing shade in summer and shelter in winter. Moose are well-adapted to cold climates, but prolonged periods of high temperatures can cause heat stress, leading them to seek out shaded areas or cooler temperatures near water.
Current Population Dynamics
Minnesota’s moose population has experienced significant fluctuations over the past couple of decades. The northeastern population declined by about 60% since the mid-2000s, from an estimated 8,000 animals in 2009. This sharp decrease prompted concerns, but the population has since shown signs of stabilization, fluctuating around 3,700 animals. The 2024 survey estimated 3,470 moose, with the 2025 survey indicating an increase to about 4,040. Despite recent stability, the long-term trend shows a reduced population compared to historical numbers.
Several factors influence these dynamics, including habitat changes, disease, and parasites. Brainworm, a parasite carried by deer, can be fatal to moose, and winter tick infestations weaken moose, particularly during warmer winters. Climate change also plays a role, with rising temperatures contributing to heat stress and potentially impacting food availability and parasite prevalence.
Efforts to Protect Minnesota’s Moose
Various initiatives are underway to support and protect Minnesota’s moose population. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) conducts annual aerial surveys, often in partnership with tribal nations like the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and the 1854 Treaty Authority, to monitor population numbers and trends. This collaborative approach helps in understanding the current status and informing management decisions.
Habitat management strategies are a component of conservation. Organizations enhance moose habitat by promoting preferred browse species regeneration through mechanical thinning and prescribed burns. These actions mimic natural disturbances, creating young forest growth essential for moose forage. The Minnesota Moose Habitat Collaborative (federal, state, county, tribal, and conservation organizations) has implemented habitat enhancement treatments across the core moose range in northeast Minnesota since 2013, funded by the Outdoor Heritage Fund. These efforts aim to improve food sources and thermal cover for moose, contributing to their long-term persistence.