Michigan is home to moose. These large herbivores play a role in shaping the state’s forest ecosystems. Their populations faced declines, leading to efforts to reestablish their presence.
Where Moose Roam in Michigan
Moose in Michigan are primarily found in the Upper Peninsula, in boreal forest environments. They favor young trees and dense shrubs, often near cedar swamps, marshes, and alder-willow thickets alongside lakes, rivers, or streams. The population is divided into two main herds.
One herd resides in the western Upper Peninsula, in Marquette, Baraga, and Iron counties. A smaller population exists in the eastern Upper Peninsula, in Alger, Schoolcraft, Luce, and Chippewa counties, including areas around Tahquamenon Falls State Park and the Seney National Wildlife Refuge.
Michigan’s Moose Population
Their numbers declined significantly by the late 1800s due to habitat destruction and unregulated hunting. Efforts to reintroduce them included a failed attempt in the 1930s with moose from Isle Royale. A successful “moose lift” in the mid-1980s translocated 59 moose from Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada, to Marquette County.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) conducts aerial surveys every other year to monitor the western Upper Peninsula moose population. The 2023 survey estimated this population at around 426 individuals, with a range between 334 and 518. While the population grew by 10% annually from 1997 to 2007, growth has slowed to less than 1% per year since 2009, prompting further research. The eastern Upper Peninsula herd is estimated to contain fewer than 100 moose. The subspecies found in Michigan is the Eastern moose (Alces alces americana).
Life of a Michigan Moose
Moose are the largest members of the deer family, standing over six feet tall at the shoulder and weighing up to 1,000 pounds. Their hollow fur provides insulation in cold temperatures, and their wide hooves act like natural snowshoes, aiding movement in deep snow.
Their diet consists of aquatic vegetation and browse like young trees and shrubs. Moose cannot tolerate temperatures above 80 degrees Fahrenheit for extended periods, as they cannot sweat effectively, and their digestion generates considerable heat. This preference for cooler climates influences their behavior, with moose seeking shade when temperatures exceed 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
Moose exhibit seasonal behaviors, with rutting season occurring in the fall, peaking in late September and early October. Calves are typically born in the spring. Moose are also skilled swimmers, capable of swimming up to six miles per hour for two hours and diving up to 20 feet underwater.
Threats and Conservation Efforts
Moose face challenges that impact their population stability. Climate change contributes to warmer summers, which can lead to increased winter tick infestations. These ticks can number in the tens of thousands on a single moose, causing blood loss, hair loss, and making them more vulnerable to cold, particularly calves. Brainworm, a parasite carried by white-tailed deer that is harmless to deer but often fatal to moose, also poses a threat, especially as deer populations expanded in logged areas.
Habitat loss and degradation from logging and human settlement contributed to moose declines. Vehicle collisions also cause numerous moose deaths. The Michigan DNR conducts biennial aerial surveys to monitor population trends and health. Recent efforts involve fitting moose with tracking equipment to study survival rates, pregnancy occurrences, and causes of mortality. These ongoing studies aim to understand and address factors limiting moose population growth.
Observing Moose in Michigan
Observing moose requires patience and understanding of their habits and preferred habitats. The western Upper Peninsula, particularly around Van Riper State Park and Craig Lake State Park, west of Marquette, offers sightings. In the eastern Upper Peninsula, areas like Tahquamenon Falls State Park and Seney National Wildlife Refuge are known for sightings. Luce County, home to Newberry, has more moose sightings than any other county.
Moose viewing is best during early morning and evening hours, as they are more active then. When driving, pull over slowly and completely off the road if a moose is spotted. Maintain a safe distance, especially if a mother moose is with her calves, as they can be unpredictable. The Michigan DNR encourages reporting moose sightings, noting location and details like sex and number, to aid monitoring efforts.