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U.P. moose population seems to be increasing, DNR says

HOUGHTON, MI--   The Department of Natural Resources says moose numbers in the Western U.P. appear to be on the uptick.

Wildlife biologists estimate the number of the core population at 378 animals, up from 285 in 2015.

Surveys of moose in the Western U.P. are conducted every two years from fixed wing aircraft. But winter weather conditions prevented biologists from completing this year’s aerial survey. Researchers think if it had been finished, it would have yielded between 420 and 470 moose in the Western U.P.

Moose are found in two areas of the Upper Peninsula. The western range covers about 1,400 square miles in portions of Marquette, Baraga, and Iron counties.

An Eastern U.P. population is spread across Alger, Schoolcraft, Luce, and Chippewa counties. Biologists estimate fewer than 100 moose range in a 1,200 square-mile area. That population wasn’t surveyed by the DNR.

        

Nicole was born near Detroit but has lived in the U.P. most of her life. She graduated from Marquette Senior High School and attended Michigan State and Northern Michigan Universities, graduating from NMU in 1993 with a degree in English.