Moose population decline continues in northeastern Minnesota - News release from MNDNR

Moose population decline continues in northeastern Minnesota
(Released February 8, 2010)

According to results of an aerial survey released by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the moose population in northeastern Minnesota continues to decline.

Survey results revealed lower moose numbers and the proportion of cows accompanied by calves continued a 13-year decline and dropping to a record low of 28 calves per 100 cows.

“These indices along with results from research using radio-collared moose all indicate that the population has been declining in recent years,” said Dr. Mark Lenarz, DNR forest wildlife group leader.

Moose populations are estimated using an aerial survey of the northeast Minnesota moose range. Based on the survey, wildlife researchers estimate that there were 5,500 moose in northeastern Minnesota. The estimate, while not statistically different from last year’s 7,600, reinforces the inference that the moose population is declining. In addition to the decline in the calf to cow ratio, the bull to cow also continued to decline with an estimated 83 bulls per 100 cows. Aerial surveys have been conducted each year since 1960 in the northeast and are based on flying transects in 40 randomly selected plots spread across the Arrowhead.

A study of radio-collared moose in northeastern Minnesota between 2002 and 2008 determined that non-hunting mortality was substantially higher than in moose populations outside of Minnesota. Lenarz indicated that, “combined with the reduced number of calves, the high mortality results in a population with a downward trend.”

The causes of moose mortality are not well understood. Of 150 adult moose radio-collared since 2002 in Minnesota, 103 have subsequently died, most from unknown causes thought to be diseases or parasites. Nine moose died as a result of highway vehicle accidents. Two were killed by trains. Only six deaths were clearly the result of wolf predation.

Analyses by Lenarz and other scientists have indicated a significant relationship between warmer temperatures and non-hunting mortality. “Moose are superbly adapted to the cold but intolerant of heat,” said Lenarz, “and scientists believe that summer temperatures will likely determine the southern limit of this species.”

As recently as the 1980s as many as 4,000 moose inhabited northwestern Minnesota, an area of agricultural land interspersed with woodlots. The population declined dramatically during the 1990s and currently numbers fewer than 100 animals. In contrast, the northeastern population occurs in wetland-rich forested habitat which presumably provides thermal cover in a warming environment.

In August, a Moose Advisory Committee convened by the DNR released their findings which will be used in the development of a legislatively-mandated research and management plan. They indicated that while climate change is a long-term threat to the moose in Minnesota, moose will likely persist in the state for the foreseeable future. The plan should be ready later this spring and will be open to the public for comment.

The Fond du Lac band of Lake Superior Chippewa and 1854 Treaty Authority contributed funding and provided personnel for the annual survey.

A copy of the aerial survey report is available online at:
http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/outdoor_activities/hunting/moose/moose_survey_2010.pdf
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Cook County Snowmobile Club 2010 Events Schedule

Trail Center Ride - Sunday, January 3 Ride to Trail Center for lunch. Start from Devil Track General Store at 10 a.m.

Gunflint Lodge Bistro Ride - Saturday, January 9 leave Devil Track General Store at 9 a.m.

Afternoon ride to Hungry Jack Lodge - Saturday, January 16 Leave 'The Landing' @ Devil Track Resort at 3 p.m.

Ride to Cascade Lodge - Sunday, January 17 Leave Devil Track General Store at 10 a.m.

Fortune Bay Resort Vermillion - Thursday to Sunday January 21-24 Fortune Bay Resort in Vermillion, Minnesota. Standard room $67, Suite $93. Block of rooms are reserved under Cook County Ridge Riders. Make reservations by December 27th. 1-800-555-1714

Drag Race at Devil Track Lake - Saturday, January 30. Sign up at 11 a.m. Racing starts at noon. Antique Snowmobile Display – bring your Vintage Sled. Parking near Devil Track Resort and event on lake infront of Devil Track Resort.

Ride to Moguls in Lutsen for lunch - Sunday January 31. Leave Devil Track General Store at 10 a.m.

Fun Run Casino Night - Proceeds to the Club! Saturday, February 6 Poker Run. Start from Devil Track General Store at 10 a.m. for first card, then to Trail Center, Windigo, and Hungry Jack. Have lunch where you choose and get last card at The Landing by 5 p.m. with Casino night at The Landing with card games, food and drink specials, prizes and entertainment. Money raised goes to the Club! See trailhead option C for location/directions and parking.

Drag Races / Radar Runs - Saturday, February 13 @ Windigo Lodge on Poplar Lake. Sign up at 11 a.m., racing starts at noon.Windigo Lodge is approx. 35 miles up the Gunflint Trail, in the Mid-Trail area, on the left side as you drive up. Large moose staue in front of lodge. In the 40 MPH zone.

Valentine's Day Ride - Sunday, February 14th. Riders will decide destination... Meet at Devil Track General Store at 10 a.m. See trailhead option C for location/directions.

Poker Run - Sunday, February 21 Start from Devil Track General Store at 10 a.m. for the first card, then to Trail Center, Windigo and Hungry Jack. Get last card by 2 p.m. Entry fee and prize for highest and lowest hand. See trailhead option C for location/directions.

Fishcakes @ Carbine's - Saturday, February 27 Fishcakes on McFarland Lake. Leave Devil Track General Store at 9 a.m. See trailhead option C for location/directions.

Annual Trout Derby Picnic and fishing contest - Sunday Feb 28th. Door prizes to be given away. Gunflint Lake boat access. Bring along your Vintage Snowmobile for display. See trailhead option G for location/directions.

Overnight ride to Grand Portage Lodge and Casino - March 6-7th Sat - Sunday. Start from Devil Track General Store at 9 a.m. See trailhead option C for location/directions.

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IQALUIT, Nunavut - Hunters on snowmobiles a way of life in G-7 venue

from Business Week

And authorities are telling them not to worry much if, say, a gun-toting man goes by on a snowmobile. Government finance chiefs of the seven big industrial ...
read more at Business Week
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9DLKIK01.htm
 
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North Shore Snowmobile Trail Report February 5th, 2010

North Shore Snowmobile Trail Report February 5th, 2010 from http://www.snowmobiletrails.com/

February 4th, 2010 We rode the north shore state trail on Wed Feb 4th from south of Two Harbors to Finland. Then rode to Isabella and then down to the Brimson trail and south back to our cabin. 190 miles and the trail were great!!! All of them were smooth and lots of snow. The DNR lists the trails as good but they are very good to excellent. Report by Jon W., Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. See trailhead option I for planning this route.  Send your report to us!

North Shore Snowmobile Trails - http://www.snowmobiletrails.com/
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North Shore Snowmobile Trail Report January 27th, 2010

After the storm summary for January 27th, 2010; This is our tenth season online! January thaw is over! Temps are back to normal. Wet snow and some rain fell during the weekend along Lake Superior. Though it seemed horrible; rain running down the streets in January, we got a good dumping of fresh snow. Areas between Lake Superior and the first height of land were warmer than inland areas and affected the most by rain. Use trailheads inland where storm totals have been 7-14".

The areas of higher terrain along Lake Superior where the North Shore State Trail runs received the most snow. We also received reports of over 10" of snow in the Mid-Gunflint Trail and well over a foot in the Mineral Center area. Duluth, Two Harbors, Finland, Devil Track Lake received 8-12" of wet snow. Image below from Jan 25th, 2010 on North Shore State Trail in Lutsen 11". Reports have been good... Check out our trailhead and lodging suggestions for the good trails to hit and where to stay!

Minnesota North Shore Snowmobile Trails http://www.snowmobiletrails.com/

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North Shore Snowmobile Trail Report Jan 25th, 2010

January 25th, 2010 Headed out @noon to verify snow depths up along Grade/Forest Road 153. Headed out on Tofte trail from home and found very little snow along lakeshore up to Carlton Peak. Snow accumulations were getting better, around 6-8" by the North Shore State Trail. Then headed north on Wringer Lake road and found only one track and great riding, once to the "Grade" there was about 11-13" of heavy wet snow and great riding. Over to Trestle Inn and snow was plentiful! Played around on various logging roads in area then back on State Trail which had more traffic and back up to Grade and broke trail down Wringer Lake road, which was a hard ride due to all the brush heavy with snow and ice in trail, after spending a lot of time clearing trail to pass through, made it back to State Trail and headed for home.

All in all a great day to be out in new snow and little traffic. Groomer will be out on Thursday if not earlier for trail packing for Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon which starts this Sunday, so keep your sled to the right and watch your speed if riding during the race!! Happy sleddin'. Report by Blake N., Tofte, Minnesota. See trailhead option O for planning this route.  Send your report to us!

Minnesota North Shore Snowmobile Trails http://www.snowmobiletrails.com/
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Annual Fish Cake Party - Snowmobiling Event by Cook County Ridge Riders Snowmobile Club

Annual Fish Cake Party - Snowmobiling Event by Cook County Ridge Riders Snowmobile Club Feb 27th, 2010

>>>Fish Cakes @ Carbine's on McFarland Lake, meet @ Devil Track General Store @ 9am CST.

Devil Track General Store directions from downtown Grand Marais; go to http://www.snowmobiletrails.com/#optionc

On Sunday Feb 28th, 2010 is another great event put on the the Cook County Ridge Riders Snowmobile Club is the Annual Trout Derby and Icefishing Contest. See blog post; http://www.snowmobiletrailsblog.com/2009/02/annual-trout-derby-and-icefishing.html

- Snowmobiling Event from Cook County Ridge Riders Snowmobile Club;
www.snowmobiletrails.com/ridge_riders
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