Band and DNR share news on deer, moose

It was nothing but good news coming from the Fond du Lac Resource Management Division last week, as the Band announced a stable moose population, as well as favorable results in a sampling of the local deer herd for chronic wasting disease.

The CWD test results, announced on social media, showed the disease was not detected in any of 161 samples provided by the Fond du Lac Band and state-licensed hunters or collected roadkill from Minnesota 1837- and 1854-ceded territories and the FDL reservation.

"CWD was not detected in any of the samples submitted from FDL nor in any of the 492 samples submitted by all of the participating Ojibwe and Dakota bands around the state," the announcement said.

"A comprehensive surveillance program is an important part of combating the spread of the disease," a statement said.

The Resource Management Division plans to continue a similar CWD surveillance program again next fall. The mild winter suggests does and fawns will enter the spring in excellent condition, the Band's social media post said.

Regarding moose, the results of the aerial survey by the Band, Minnesota DNR, and 1854 Treaty Authority show an estimated population of 3,470 moose. The treaty land extends from Moose Lake to the Canadian border, encompassing the entirety of northeastern Minnesota.

"This continues a recent trend indicating a stable moose population of between 3,000 and 4,000 animals," the Band's announcement said.

The survey featured a pair of helicopters operated by the enforcement division of the DNR, flown 250 feet above the ground at 58-63 mph. Two observers join a pilot as transect lines are flown.

In 2023, a total of 53 moose survey plots (43 random and 10 habitat plots), totaling 708 miles, were flown Jan. 6-28.

Find the complete study results here: https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/wildlife/moose/moosesurvey.pdf?v=2024.03.04-14.02.55