Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Minnesota Department of Forest Resources. Likewise, the University of Minnesota Department of Forest Resources does not guarantee the accuracy of information presented in these pieces. 

FOR BOTH THE INDIGENOUS and non-Idigenous people of Minnesota, moose is a special and important species. Especially for the Native people of this region, moose have long been an important part of their culture, history, and traditions. In recent years however, the population of moose in Minnesota and surrounding areas has been declining. This statistic can be attributed to factors such as climate change and habitat loss, yet one of the main factors is how white-tailed deer have altered the course life for Minnesota’s moose.

The North American moose and white-tailed deer have not always shared habitat. According to Kate Foshay at Tettegouche State Park, deer are native to Minnesota but came to more northern areas of the state after the logging industry. And since their introduction to the region, deer have significantly reshaped the landscape. For centuries, northern Minnesota’s forests were filled with tree species that moose called home. Conifers and old species such as red and white pine trees provided food while simultaneously providing suitable habitat for creatures as large as moose. However, deer love to snack on red and white pine tree saplings which creates the inability for these trees to grow as large and as dense as they once could (Foshay, 2023). This therefore leaves less food, shelter, and habitat for moose which is a native species to northern Minnesota.

Climate change is another factor contributing to the moose population’s decline. As stated by Tyler Kaspar for the 1854 Treaty Authority, moose have a low adaptability to climate change compared to deer. One reason for this is because moose rely on a heavy snow pack to keep away ticks. These ticks cause moose to scratch at trees and loose hair, which makes them susceptible to hypothermia. With rising temperatures, this snowpack is becoming less common. Additionally, brainworm, a parasite brought to the area by white-tailed deer through their feces, is extremely deadly to moose. According to a research brief at the University of Minnesota, “Twenty-three percent of collared moose that died in Northeastern Minnesota over the past 15 years were infected with Parelaphostrongylus tenuis, a brain worm parasite transmitted by white-tailed deer.” White-tailed deer, on the otherhand, can in fact survive this parasite and are not as affected by ticks (Kaspar, 2023). They can thrive in this region because they are more easily adaptable to the changes the area is facing, whereas moose rely on what the region steadily provided in the past. 

Warmer temperatures are inherently damaging to Minnesota’s moose population. According to the journal article Climate change effects on deer and moose in the Midwest, heat is a major stressor for moose because their physical structure is not meant for warmer, humid temperatures. When stressed, moose “...reduce food intake, and lose body weight” (Weiskopf, et. al. 2023). These things can lead to malnutrition and a weakened immune system, which can leave the moose vulnerable to deadly parasites and diseases (Weiskopf, et. al. 2023).

A declining food source is another way that climate change is impacting the moose population. Moose mostly eat bark and wood, especially that of birch and maple trees which are species that are less enjoyable (compared to pines) for deer (Foshay, 2023). Additionally, according to Dave Grosshuesch with the US Forest Service, areas with high moose populations will have a less populous deer population with more red and white pine trees and vice versa, where areas with low moose populations will have higher deer populations and more birch and maple trees. This is important because having a more stable moose population in turn creates a more suitable environment for native vegetation in northern Minnesota.

There are many things that need to be done in order to strengthen the population of Minnesota’s moose. My first recommendation is to perform a prescribed burn in areas that are suitable for moose habitat. Fire rejuvenates plants that are important for food and shelter, and can in turn help other species that are native to Minnesota. Another recommendation is to plant species that deer do not enjoy as much, even if they are not native to the area. While these plants would not be native to this region, they would be beneficial in helping moose survive a changing terrain. 

My final recommendation would be to support organizations who support and value Indigenous points of view and customs. These organizations’ entire purpose is to protect the rights and traditions of tribes, which includes species that are sacred to the Native people – such as moose. Because moose are valued in Native culture, they will therefore be cared and fought for by organizations that are supporting Native people. Protecting Minnesota’s moose population is not just a job for scientists or the native people of this land. It is a job for everyone, because moose are an important part of Minnesota.

~Julie Frigstad

References

Kate Foshay, personal communication, Tettegouche State Park, 23 August, 2023.

Dave Grosshuesch, personal communication, Ely, Minnesota, 25 August, 2023.

Tyler Kaspar, personal communication, Tower, Minnesota, 29 August, 2023.

Research brief: Wolves might help moose avoid acquiring a deadly deer parasite, University of Minnesota News and Events, 22 December, 2023. https://twin-cities.umn.edu/news-events/research-brief-wolves-might-help-moose-avoid-acquiring-deadly-deer-parasite

Weiskopf, Sarah R., Ledee, Olivia E., & Thompson, Laura R. Climate change effects on deer and moose in the Midwest. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 03 March 2019. https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jwmg.21649