Moose and Bear Hunts End

     Today is the last day hunters are allowed to hunt for bear or moose in Northeastern Minnesota.  Fewer moose permits were given out this year due to declining moose numbers and according to officials if the numbers drop too low then the moose hunt may no longer be held.  It doesn’t seem like it was too long ago when the moose hunt first started but then again time flies on the Gunflint Trail.

     The final numbers for moose killed have not yet been tallied.  I have seen two moose riding to town in a trailer this season, one with a very wide rack.  According to Dave Ingebrigsten with the DNR harvest numbers are down with only 16 registered as of last week.  This must just be for our immediate area because he also said, "Last season a total of 41 moose were registered." Overall a total of 109 moose were taken in 2010 and that doesn’t include band member totals.

     Ingebrigsten also says bear harvest numbers are down. "So far in Cook County 129 bear have been registered compared with a 2010 season total of 143."

     I’m sure these numbers have grown some.  The good news is they won’t be able to grow after today and our moose will be safe from hunters for another year.  Now if we could just stop the wolves from hunting them we’d be good.