In the past 30 years, the population of Shiras moose in northwestern Wyoming has declined, in some places precipitously.

Alarmed by the swift downturn, researchers have been studying the largest knobby-kneed member of the deer family to try to figure out what’s happening, looking at everything from parasites to predators, disease to habitat and birth rates. In conjunction, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department has considerably reduced its annual moose harvest in the region, no longer allowing cow moose hunting in the northwest and significantly limiting bull moose tags.

“The ’88 fires were not helpful for moose,” said Kevin Monteith, who works with the Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit in Laramie, Wyo., which has been involved in several moose studies in collaboration with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. More than a third of Yellowstone National Park burned in 1988.

Loss of old-growth spruce-fir forests, where moose like to winter, could be a factor in the animals’ decline. Increases in the number of large predators, like grizzly bears, black bears and wolves, may also be contributing to the drop. But more recently the state is seeing the moose population fall in other regions where those factors aren’t at play. It has also become apparent that Wyoming may not be alone in seeing its moose population trending downward.

“Throughout the West, moose populations are declining in most herds,” Monteith said.

Minnesota moose

Nowhere in the lower 48 states has the decline in moose populations been worse than in Minnesota, which is home to the southernmost populations of Northwestern moose. Shiras moose, the ones found in Wyoming and Montana, are the smallest member of the moose family, with big bulls weighing just less than 1,000 pounds. Alaskan moose are the largest, standing more than 6 feet tall at the shoulder and weighing up to 1,200 pounds. Northwestern moose fall between Alaskan and Shiras moose in size.

In northwestern Minnesota, the moose population has fallen in the past 20 years from more than 4,000 to less than 100. The decline was blamed on poor nutritional condition and parasites. In northeastern Minnesota, which contains more traditional moose habitat, the population has nose-dived from 8,800 in 2006 to about 4,200.

One factor that may tie all of the life-threatening conditions together is warmer temperatures for an animal geared to cooler climates. With no sweat glands and a gut that has to ferment the moose’s woody diet of twigs, the animals have a hard time when temperatures reach more than 80 degrees.

Monteith said there may be “more broadscale potentially environmental factors at work” in the decline of Wyoming’s moose.

“As we’re seeing warmer temperatures in the spring, we are ending up with a shorter spring,” he said.

That hurts moose because the spring forage is some of the most nutritious for the animals because it is higher in protein. Although green forage may still be around after spring green-up, it’s not as nutritious, Monteith said.

The way a shorter spring affects moose populations is that if a cow moose isn’t getting enough nutrition, it’s less likely to give birth or may give birth to a calf that is less healthy.

Parasite problem

Recent research is also pointing to another possible culprit affecting Wyoming’s moose population — parasites. A study published this year showed that about 50 percent of 168 moose that were killed during the 2009 hunting season were infected with Elaeophora schneideri, a worm that takes up residence in the animal’s arteries.

Although Wyoming researchers can’t make a direct link between infection in moose and the population decline, the state has noted that it’s worth further study.

“We don’t know if it’s contributing to their poor condition, or if their poor condition makes them more susceptible to elaeophora,” Monteith said.

Elaeophorosis infection is known, in some cases, to cause blindness, gangrene in the nose, antler and ear malformation and damage to the central nervous system. Mule deer and the West Coast’s black-tailed deer are a common host of the disease. White-tailed deer, bighorn sheep, elk and domestic sheep have also been documented as hosts. Horse flies spread the parasite to other animals after biting infected animals. Interestingly, the first documented case of the parasite in Montana was in a moose in 1972.

In a 1973-74 study, none of the 74 hunter-killed elk tested in Wyoming had signs of the parasite compared to three of five from southwestern Montana that were tested and found infected.

But that changed in 2000 when two Wyoming moose were killed after exhibiting abnormal behavior, then again in 2008 a moose was killed by Game and Fish officials — all were found to be infected with elaeophorosis.

“In Wyoming moose both the prevalence of infection and the parasite’s geographic extent appear to have undergone a recent, notable increase,” a 2011 study of the parasite said.

Montana gears up

Montana has been slow to start its moose research because of a lack of funding and no strategic plan. That changed two months ago with the hiring of a full-time moose biologist, Rich Deceasre. He will be in charge of an eight- to 10-year study of moose in three areas — the Big Hole, Cabinet Mountains and along the Rocky Mountain Front. His position is being funded after one biologist retired and with a federal grant and matching dollars raised through the annual moose license auction.

The protocol for Deceasre’s study will be the same as that used in new research in Idaho, allowing for comparison of the data, said Ken McDonald, wildlife bureau chief for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

McDonald said Montana, too, is seeing a decline in its moose populations and a resulting drop in the number of moose hunting permits.

“We’re not quite sure what’s going on,” he said. “We’re seeing a range of things from climate change and warmer temperatures to parasites and predators.”

But he said the agency is unsure how those factors are affecting moose pregnancy rates or moose calf survival.

“We have a pretty good idea of where moose are and trends, but what’s driving that we really don’t have a good handle on,” McDonald said.

McDonald said Colorado is also gearing up for a moose study and Monteith said Utah has shown an interest in Wyoming’s work.

“Populations are rarely ever going to be stagnant,” Monteith said. “But evidence is piling up that we’re seeing declines across larger geographic areas.”

Pinpointing what is causing the declines in so many widely spread populations, however, is going to take a lot of research.

“The reality is, we’re right in the middle of working out a lot of questions,” Monteith said.

The number of moose permits here in NH has been cut in half over the last couple of years due to winter tick-related mortality. The warm winter last year was devastating since the ticks didn't go into their normal quiescent state. Moose were being found dead with 160,000 ticks on them.

http://northernwoodlands.org/a...icks-take-their-toll

Moose populations in Colorado are expanding, 2 of the last 3 years they've added new Moose units and more Moose tags, however I've been applying since 1986 and have yet to draw a Bull Moose tag.
Odds of drawing are the worst anywhere in the lower 48 here.

I have been preaching the Moose decline for years in Montana and Wyoming, but no one seemed interested. The presence and increase of the big predators aren't helping things either. Both Grizzly bears and wolfs love to eat moose and put added stress on them. But predators never get the blame for anything. They are a little like out President. It is interesting that in areas like Colorado and Utah where moose populations are increasing, There are no Wolves or Grizzly bears.

Utah moose are in a drastic decline also. Hunting permits for bulls have been cut by 50% and cow moose permits have been cut by 90%. Colorado herds are "new" for the most part. Utah sent Colorado numerous moose-- which gives credence to the habitat issue. Colorado's moose are thriving in new habitat, while moose from the same herds are diving in Utah.

There are many bulls (and I imagine cows) in UT and Southern WY, but they are young. 3 years or less. It seems something is killing them young- likely a brain worm, maybe a selenium deficiency.

The moose population is also decreasing here in Utah. For 2012 there are no antlerless permits.

My next door neighbors (husband/wife) are both seasoned bioligists and work for the state and the feds respectively. They say that the biggest reason for our decline here in Montana is the slow warming of our climate (like stated in the above report). The predators are certainly an issue and obviously have a greater impact when the moose herd is already in decline but they are adamant that warmer weather is making our area unsuitable as habitat.

JCS271,
I have no doubt some federal or state biologist is blaming the decline on "climate change'.
As it will likely take several more thousand years of "change" before Montana's climate is similar to Colorado's and Utah's, which both have solid moose numbers, this sounds like a typical government excuse. I'm not buying it.
It may be parasites, predators, or some other unknown cause, but it isn't climate change. The decline has been too precipitious in MT and WY, and occurred during some of the colder years in recent times. These are natural climatic variations, not enough to cause a population decline.
If the government biologists didn't blame climate change they would have to do some real research and find the root cause of this event.
Bill

The moose herd in Idaho seems to be doing very well, if it were climate change I'd think our herds would be down like they are in Wyoming, etc. I don't buy the climate crap, thats the old fall back excuse when they don't know whats really going on. I do believe the wolves & bears are turning up the "heat".

Dick

quote:

Originally posted by sixshot_01:
The moose herd in Idaho seems to be doing very well, if it were climate change I'd think our herds would be down like they are in Wyoming, etc. I don't buy the climate crap, thats the old fall back excuse when they don't know whats really going on. I do believe the wolves & bears are turning up the "heat".

Dick

Introducing Yukon Gray Wolves into our western States have been catastrophic on our Moose herds. Calf mortality is extreme due to these roving packs of sport killers. Heavy snows make escape difficult for grown Moose but calves (if they live into their first winter) don't stand a chance. Elk and Deer are being wiped out in many areas. Meanwhile the anti's back east sue our Gov't and waste millions on keeping these disease, sport killing machines rampant.

The Moose herd in Wisconsin has doubled recently.We have two now!!!!

Idaho Moose populations are in a total free fall. In Northern Idaho several moose hunts that haven't had a single moose killed in over 5 years were closed. Every hunter I know has told the F&G that moose are gone. The reason they don't want to come out with the bad news is $$$$$ IF the F&G tell it like it is non residents will stop applying for moose hunts. What I think is funny is Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, and Now Minnesota all have large Wolf populations. The Scientists are trying to figure this out. Really, They can't see what is going on? Really?? Maybe they should contact someone in Alaska. Ask the Alaska F&G why they do aerial kills on wolves. Biologists will not diagnose the problem as wolves. They are taught in school a Disney version of life that the predators live in harmony with the other animals and once enough predators are in the circle of life all will be well.
MAybe some of them should have went to business school. Here is a quick lesson for them if they are reading. No game = no hunters. No hunters = no money. No money = no biologist jobs. Got it! Ron

quote:

Originally posted by sixshot_01:
The moose herd in Idaho seems to be doing very well, if it were climate change I'd think our herds would be down like they are in Wyoming, etc. I don't buy the climate crap, thats the old fall back excuse when they don't know whats really going on. I do believe the wolves & bears are turning up the "heat".

Dick

quote:

Posted 20 September 2012 05:19 Hide Post
Idaho Moose populations are in a total free fall. In Northern Idaho several moose hunts that haven't had a single moose killed in over 5 years were closed. Every hunter I know has told the F&G that moose are gone. The reason they don't want to come out with the bad news is $$$$$ IF the F&G tell it like it is non residents will stop applying for moose hunts. What I think is funny is Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, and Now Minnesota all have large Wolf populations. The Scientists are trying to figure this out. Really, They can't see what is going on? Really?? Maybe they should contact someone in Alaska. Ask the Alaska F&G why they do aerial kills on wolves. Biologists will not diagnose the problem as wolves. They are taught in school a Disney version of life that the predators live in harmony with the other animals and once enough predators are in the circle of life all will be well.
MAybe some of them should have went to business school. Here is a quick lesson for them if they are reading. No game = no hunters. No hunters = no money. No money = no biologist jobs. Got it! Ron

Y'all need to compare notes and get your stories straight.

Here in NE Oregon,
we now have about 60 moose and they are coming from Idaho and not returning at all.

Gato,

North and South Idaho are very different. Good moose population down South, less woofies!

quote:

Originally posted by DIs:
It is interesting that in areas like Colorado and Utah where moose populations are increasing, There are no Wolves or Grizzly bears.

Bingo....

quote:

Originally posted by Dale:
The moose population is also decreasing here in Utah. For 2012 there are no antlerless permits.

Yes but Ill bet if you go back a few years you will find that the number of bull permits has increased. I have no data to back that up, but I know how Utah "manages" big game.. Its all about revenue to the powers that be, and if they feel that they can increase revenues by adding more permits they will..

I've got my story straight, I see them!

Dick

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Ron:
What I think is funny is Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, and Now Minnesota all have large Wolf populations. The Scientists are trying to figure this out. Really, They can't see what is going on? Really?? Maybe they should contact someone in Alaska. Ask the Alaska F&G why they do aerial kills on wolves. Biologists will not diagnose the problem as wolves. They are taught in school a Disney version of life that the predators live in harmony with the other animals and once enough predators are in the circle of life all will be well. Ron

While I totally agree about kids being taught the Disney version of life. (that has got to stop somehow)

I do have to disagree about the wolf problem as it pertains to moose here in MN. We have lots of wolves but that is not the number one factor for moose decline. Unlike the Rocky Mountain states we have always had wolves. Back in the early 90's when our moose population was over 15,000 we had at least 3000 wolves. Here in our part of the country wolves put pressure on moose for sure but they don't have the same devastating affects that they do with whitetail deer. The main reason is winter survival. When we get very cold and snowy conditions the deer in northern MN (area with wolves) herd up into what we call a deer yard in the pine forests. A pack of wolves can easily move in and kill all 50-100 deer in a yard at one time. And they do I have seen the aftermath! It makes slasher movies seem bloodless.

Moose on the other had stay solitary in the winter and don't get wiped out 100 at a time. Sure they take some moose but at a more acceptable rate.

It seems most folks here don't want to accept climate change as an acceptable answer. Here is what I have seen. In northern MN winters used to be severely cold with -40F being common. Most all of the ticks would die off in that harsh environment. Now it still is cold but we hardly ever see -40F. More like -15F or -20F and the ticks go dormant but do not die off like they used too. The numbers of ticks and I assume other parasitic insects has increased dramatically. I have heard firsthand accounts of at least 10 collared moose that have suddenly died and when the found the carcass within 24 hours there were balls of ticks on them that were 12-18 inches around!

If warmer winters are not the reason someone please tell me why we have such a tick problem now that we never did before?