As discussed on this blog continually, the Moose population across North America has been fighting a three prong battle against the impacts of golbal warming, winter tick and deer brain worm infestations--------all three adversely impacting the Moose's abiilty to forage successfully ,,,,and to defend itself against its natural predator--the Wolf(where Wolves still exist).................These variables have become acute for the Moose in the Great Lakes region and this has caused the Minnesota Dept. of Resourcs to designate the Moose as a SPECIES OF CONCERN................quite frankly, perhaps not a strong enough precautionary measure as THREATENED OR ENDANGERED which would prohibit us from hunting the creature.................SPECIES OF CONCERN designation simply saids that the DNR will monitor the population further, keeping its eye on whether to do something more for their welfare................Without a kneejerk call to kill more wolves(that is already underway as you all know), the weapons of choice to slow the Moose decline(in my opinion) comes down to expanding the wolf population and reintroducing pumas----and allowing both to do their job of preying on deer.,,,,,expanding the hunting seasons for deer,,,,,,,,,as well as a closing of the Moose hunting season......................Other means may include.closing as many backcountry roads as possible and rerforesting them so as to keep deer(and wolves) from encroaching further into Moose habitat....................Your thoughts please??????

Our view: Moose protection makes much sense

newstribune.com

Don't worry; moose hunting isn't being targeted for elimination.

Yes, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is proposing adding the majestic but embattled moose to the state's official endangered species list along with 66 other animals on the decline. But the moose wouldn't be added as "threatened" or "endangered," either of which surely wouldjeopardize the future of Minnesota's once-in-a-lifetime moose hunts. Rather, under the proposal, the moose would be listed as an "official species of concern."

moose

And that'd actually be a very welcome designation, given the moose's dramatic and concerning years-long decline in numbers and a desire among Minnesotans to save the creature for future generations. The action, which can be finalized in the new year, means the DNR finally is "paying attention to what's going on. It's an official heads-up that something is wrong, even if (the moose) aren't endangered yet,'' explained Ron Moen, a wildlife biologist studying moose at the Natural Resources Research Institute of the University of Minnesota Duluth, in a News Tribune report this month.

white tail deer

The DNR begins state protection efforts with the "species of concern" designation and then moves to "threatened" if an animal, insect or plant faces seriousissues. The status can be changed to "endangered" if a species faces potential extirpation, the News Tribune's John Myers reported.

wolf with deer fawn

"The best metaphor I can think of is that this list is an emergency room at a hospital. We bring species onto the list to give them the attention and the management and the healing they need so they can someday get off the list,'' Rich Baker, the DNR's endangered-species coordinator, told Myers. "It's worked well with species like the wolf and the peregrine falcon and the bald eagle. Now we need to give that attention to a lot of other species."

puma seeking deer

Including, most prominently this go-around, the moose, an icon of our state and our north-woods culture and way of life. May the long-legged, long-eared critter get the attention it needs so its numbers can rebound.