Moose, the largest member of the deer family, are native to Michigan’s northern wilderness. Despite nearly disappearing more than a century ago, they have been the focus of conservation efforts. Michigan’s moose population is currently self-sustaining, though numbers remain low and are continuously monitored by state wildlife officials.
Where Michigan Moose Are Found
The distribution of moose in Michigan is concentrated in two primary areas within the state’s Upper Peninsula (UP). The largest population is found in the western UP, specifically across the counties of Marquette, Baraga, and Iron. This population originated from a reintroduction effort in the mid-1980s, which airlifted 59 moose from Ontario, Canada, to the region west of Marquette.
Moose prefer the boreal forest habitat common in the UP, which offers a mix of forest stands and protected wetland areas. They seek out dense, closed-canopy lowland conifer swamps for thermal cover and browse on young aspen, northern hardwood shoots, and willow. A smaller, remnant population exists in the eastern UP, scattered across Alger, Schoolcraft, Luce, and Chippewa counties. This mainland population is distinct from the isolated herd residing on Isle Royale National Park. Moose disappeared from the Lower Peninsula entirely by the late 1800s due to unregulated hunting and extensive logging.
Population Counts and Limiting Factors
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) estimates the size of the western UP population through biennial aerial surveys, typically conducted in January. The most recent survey, conducted in 2023, estimated the core population at approximately 426 animals. This figure is not statistically different from the 509 moose estimated in the 2019 survey, reflecting a period of stagnant growth over the last decade. The smaller eastern UP population is estimated to contain fewer than 100 individuals, while the Isle Royale population is managed separately and is much larger.
A primary factor limiting population growth in the mainland UP is the meningeal worm, Parelaphostrongylus tenuis, commonly known as brain worm. This parasite is carried by white-tailed deer without harm, but it is fatal to moose when the larvae migrate to the brain and spinal cord. Moose living at the southern edge of their range are susceptible to heat stress when ambient temperatures rise above 57°F. This stress increases their metabolic cost and impacts reproductive fitness. Furthermore, winter tick infestations contribute to poor body condition and increased mortality, especially among calves, by causing significant blood loss and loss of the protective winter coat.
State Management and Conservation
Moose have been granted full legal protection in Michigan since 1889, and they remain a non-hunted species today due to their low population numbers. The Moose Hunting Advisory Council recommends that a hunting season only be established if the population maintains an annual growth rate of 3% or more. This policy ensures the state maintains a self-sustaining, free-ranging population.
Conservation efforts focus on research and habitat improvement within designated Moose Management Units (MMUs) in the Upper Peninsula. The DNR, in collaboration with partners such as the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, conducts collaring studies to track movements, monitor mortality, and assess pregnancy rates. Habitat management involves maintaining a balance of early successional browse species, like aspen and willow, alongside protecting closed canopy conifer swamps that offer thermal relief. The ongoing research provides detailed data on the health of the herd, allowing wildlife managers to refine practices that address the complex factors limiting the recovery of this species.