Are moose making a comeback in a northern Minnesota ecosystem?
Things are getting a bit more moose-y in the Greater Voyageurs Ecosystem…or are they?
Over the past few years, we have captured an increasing number of videos of moose on our trail cameras, with last year being the largest number to date. The video below is just a sampling of some of the footage of moose we captured last year.
Not only have we captured more moose but we have captured more videos of moose with calves. Last year, for example, we had footage of 3 cow moose that successfully reared twin calves until at least the fall.
Before last year, we had only captured one instance of a cow with twins on camera over the course of several years.
In addition to trail camera observations, we are just generally seeing more moose sign in the area when out and about, and more interestingly, we have been seeing more moose as well.
Of course, this does not mean moose are common or at high-densities. Rather, it just seems like they are more common than they were several years ago.
Moose populations in Minnesota declined substantially in the late 2000’s and early 2010’s, with the population decreasing by about ~50% or so. Since then, the population in the state has stabilized per annual state surveys in moose range.
However, the state survey of moose range does not include the Greater Voyageurs Ecosystem (GVE) so there isn’t any data in the GVE specifically from those efforts. Yet, there are other data in the GVE that are insightful.
Each spring, we estimate deer and moose densities using pellet count surveys, a common approach to estimating ungulate densities. That data indicates current moose densities (~0.1-0.15 moose/square kilometer) are fairly similar to what they were 6-7 years ago.
That said, given the low moose densities, our estimates have large confidence intervals around our annual estimates, which can make it difficult to detect meaningful population changes.
For instance, if average moose density was 0.10 moose/square kilometer, and then the population increased by 25%—a large increase—to 0.125 moose/square kilometer, we likely would not be able to detect that change, or at least would not have sufficient information to state we observed a statistically significant increase.
Another source of information is via Voyageurs National Park. The pack has surveyed moose on the Kabetogama Peninsula, which makes up ~15% of the GVE, almost every year for many years. That data shows a slightly decreasing trend in moose density over the past 16 years, though their most recent estimate is fairly similar to those from 10-15 years ago.
And so what do we make of our in-person observations and trail camera data? We don’t know.
Our impression is that it certainly seems like there are more moose than there were a handful of years ago, and yet it is also easy to delude oneself into believing, based on anecdotal observations, that there is some larger trend that does not actually exist.
There are many factors (e.g., habitat, sightability, sampling effort, geographical location, and so on) that influence how often one observes animals on trail cameras and in person. Human observers are generally bad at realizing this and taking these factors into account.
As a result, our perception of what is occurring might not actually reflect biological reality. Ultimately, a more formal analysis of our trail camera data would likely be informative (i.e, an analysis that accounts for these factors) as will continued collection of data in the coming years.
Learn more about the Voyageurs Wolf Project:
Website: http://www.voyageurswolfproject.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/VoyageursWolfProject
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/voyageurswolfproject/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/VoyaWolfProject
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@voyageurswolfproject
@KrolPuszczy
February 8, 2026 at 6:05 pm
@ryannelson6524
February 8, 2026 at 6:05 pm
No it is not
@TheKadster
February 8, 2026 at 6:05 pm
I believe the correct term is "meese".
@Wildman-lc3ur
February 8, 2026 at 6:05 pm
Surprised how many anti wolf people are in the comments. But yeah according to the last moose survey moose estimate is up to 4,040 definitely a rather surprising number and more than half of that of the 2006 population count of 8000. So far the lowest record population of moose in Minnesota was recorded in 2013 with a population of 2760
@NitroBoarder17
February 8, 2026 at 6:05 pm
no they arent because the wolves have destroyed everything
@scottschaeffer8920
February 8, 2026 at 6:05 pm
Swamp Donkeys! Great to see them! Thanks.
@Mystery2-q7p
February 8, 2026 at 6:05 pm
We’ve had two spotted near where I live one in Nevis Minnesota and one by the Hubbard county fairgrounds and I can only imagine there has been more we just haven’t seen.
@bigwhisky6157
February 8, 2026 at 6:05 pm
I wonder if wolves had anything to do with the decline? Hmmmm??? 🤔
Mndnr is either completely cluess or in total denial about wolves. There needs to be competent people put in charge. Not the clowns we have now.
@WolfgangDrEpple
February 8, 2026 at 6:05 pm
Sehr schön! Und ein sehr informativer Begleittext! Dank und Grüße aus Deutschland 🙏🍀🐺 Wolfgang Epple Ganzheitlicher Naturschutz
@Ernest-w2e3h
February 8, 2026 at 6:05 pm
Someone's gotta say it! Sure now that the MN DNR!! quite colloring Calves.
@CAN43714
February 8, 2026 at 6:05 pm
Funny how the moose population exploded on Isle Royal just a few miles from Minnesota when the wolf population was decimated. As long as the wolf population remains strong, moose calves and the moose population will remain at levels below where they were before wolves were re-introduced into Minnesota.
@waltk7624
February 8, 2026 at 6:05 pm
Global warming must be stopped at all costs
@banksiasong
February 8, 2026 at 6:05 pm
Sadly the hunters will target them as prized ‘trophies’ and they will go.
Moose not as stupid as shooters.
@jamesbender1967
February 8, 2026 at 6:05 pm
Lack of snow depth, in the previous few winters, has had a significant impact on calf/fawn recruitment. I’ve seen it south of you and in your video description you mention it in relation to calves. Given that wolves were found to be the #1 cause of calf mortality, the lack of snow tipping the scales in the wolves favor, has definitely made a difference. Awesome to see more Moose running around up there!
@nativestacker4185
February 8, 2026 at 6:05 pm
Over the last few years I have seen a moose two times ,but, before that , not since I was a child .
We knew if we brought back The Wolves it would help to make our forests healthy again .
@annienmn
February 8, 2026 at 6:05 pm
Stunning ❤
@lynnroney1234
February 8, 2026 at 6:05 pm
These were wonderful trail-cam shots. As a 🇨🇦 I would like to say I hope they are making a comeback. They are such magnificent animals. ❤
@steveboor8614
February 8, 2026 at 6:05 pm
Yes!❤.
@purrsephone2904
February 8, 2026 at 6:05 pm
Moose are very graceful, beautiful creatures. The photography is also lovely.
@david-yc7bc
February 8, 2026 at 6:05 pm
Moose! We had a whole family in our yard last weekend in New Hampshire! Great footage of the little Moose!
@Princess_Jenah
February 8, 2026 at 6:05 pm
Magestic creatures. The babies are so cute too
@TobiasUnterweger
February 8, 2026 at 6:05 pm
Cool Video cool YouTube 👍🏻
@ronsamborski6230
February 8, 2026 at 6:05 pm
The audio is good as well as the video quality. 3:58 moose sounds. 🫎
Thank you for sharing this compilation of video clips. 👍🏼
@408Magenta
February 8, 2026 at 6:05 pm
Primr habitat
Comments are closed.