First off, please review this news clip.
Forty years ago, the only wolves in MN were found in moose country, in and around the BWCA, which always had low deer numbers. Blaming the deer for migrating into Moose country bringing wolves with them sounds like BS.
Quite the opposite, the wolves were confined to this remote area because of an open season on them, and the moose were there due to their ideal habitat. Why were there so many moose around Roseau County along with high deer numbers for years? At our old shack east of Ray we always noticed more moose when the deer numbers were high, and then the wolves came out of the Voyager National Park breeding grounds. This, along with federal/state protection and everything went to hell.
Isle Royal had the highest infestation of winter ticks at a time with record moose numbers. I know some do die from this but how many? I think it comes and goes like mange and depends on warm winters.
As for brain worm, the DNR research of collared moose that died 30% had stages of brain worm, but that cannot be ruled as the cause of death which equates to only an estimate 3% of the total moose herd mortality. From past DNR research a deer density of under 10 deer per square mile will not affect the transmission on brain worm to moose. But now the DNR say that was a guess, so what else are they guessing about?
Both tribal studies and DNR recorded that 80% of our moose calves die due to wolves. The second leading cause in adult moose was due to infection caused by wounds on the back of their legs from wolf bites. This is from the study that was halted by Governor Dayton, because the results were going in the wrong direction. Predation is no guess! It's a fact the DNR will not admit to.
This tribal band researchers say moose meat is relied on for band members sustenance, which is great!
But please don't blame the deer on the wolves entering moose territory!
H4H Board Member, Dale Irish
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