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The primary objectives of the study are to obtain baseline information on the reproduction and survival rates, causes and rates of non-hunting mortality, habitat use, and movements of the herd. All of these pieces of

information are important in population modeling and management of the herd. Unfortunately, until now, funding for this sort of research has been unavailable and we have had to use information from the literature on other moose populations to fill the gaps. While the moose herd in northeastern Minnesota is holding relatively stable at an estimated 4,000 to 6,000 animals we really don't know why it is not increasing in number. Hunting harvest in Minnesota is fairly conservative (roughly 5% or less annually) compared to other areas where moose are hunted.

The project began on February 4, 2002 immediately following the annual moose aerial survey. Our goal was to capture 60 moose (30 adult bulls and 30 adult cows), fit them with a radio collar, and collect biological information. A contract

helicopter crew from Utah performed the actual capture and collaring of the moose. It turns out the moose weren't very cooperative in 2002. Efficient netting of moose requires wide open places (lakes, new clearcuts, or bogs) in order for the helicopter to get in close and capture the animals. The end result in 2002 was 24 moose (17 cows, 7 bulls). Each moose received an ear tag and a radio collar and also had blood, hair, and fecal samples taken for biological purposes. Weekly flights to locate the moose and detect mortalities were flown during the following months.

By January 2003, 18 of the original 24 animals were still alive. We also reached our goal of having 60 animals on the air in 2003. From February 26 to March 4, 2003 we were able to capture and collar another 42 animals in the area south and west of Isabella, MN. In 2003 we chose to immobilize the animals by contracting with a helicopter crew from Alaska to dart the moose instead of net them. The choice of darting allowed us to work in the original study area that we had hoped for. 2002 efforts with the nets forced us to move farther north and east where there were more openings and lakes to chase and net the moose. With the darting the helicopter was able to capture nearly every moose that we chose.

After being darted, most of the animals laid down within 8-10 minutes. They then received a collar and ear tags. We also took blood, hair, and fecal samples, as well as a tooth for aging. Another crew assessed the condition of each animal and used a portable ultrasound to check on fat reserves. After processing was complete the moose were given a shot of

penicillin and a reversal drug.

In February of 2004, the third round of capturing was completed. Using the same helicopter crew and methods as in 2003 an additional 18 animals were collared in about 2 days. This brought the sample size back up to 60 animals. February 2005, marked the final round of capturing. Thirty (30) additional animals were captured in 2005, and combined with the 48 animals still on the air from previous capture efforts we have a nice large study group to monitor through 2007.

Since March 2002, we've put collars on 116 animals, of which 80 have died as of March 29, 2007. Causes of death include legal hunter kills, vehicles, trains, wolves, accidental death, poaching, old age, capture complications, and unknown. Some of the unknowns may be old age, poor body condition from heavy tick infestations, or wolf kills that couldn't be confirmed as kills versus scavenging. In several cases we haven't found enough remains to be sure of a cause of death. Tests run on dead collared animals for brainworm (a parasite usually fatal to moose and carried by large numbers of white-tailed deer), chronic wasting disease, and west nile virus have all been negative. Similar deaths were also reported and investigated for several non-collared moose. We still don't know what caused some of these animals to die, but will hopefully find some answers at some point. In one instance we found only a collar, leading us to think that perhaps the cow slipped her collar off over her head. Regardless, we are continuing with the project, and are getting the answers we were hoping for regarding non-human caused mortality rates and tons of info on home ranges, habitat use, and movements.

Collared animals will be monitored from the air about once every other week. The collars are equipped with a special

feature that transmits a mortality signal if the animal does not move for a period of 6 hours. In the event that we find a mortality signal, we will be busting brush to get to the animal and determine the cause of death.

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