Minnesota's moose population is showing signs of stabilizing after a steep decline, but officials say the majestic creatures of the North aren't out of the woods yet.
Minnesota's Department of Natural Resources is launching a moose research project in northeastern Minnesota to determine why the state's population of the animal is declining. DNR officials will hold a St. Paul news conference Friday to unveil what they're calling a first-of-its-kind project.
Wildlife managers say Minnesota's moose population continues to decline, and that's going to affect their decision on a moose hunting season this fall.
Officials of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources say they likely will cut the number of moose hunting permits in half for this fall's moose season. That follows the latest moose population survey, which shows moose numbers continuing to decline in northeast Minnesota.
The moose population in northeastern Minnesota continues to decline. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says based on an aerial survey conducted in January, wildlife researchers estimate there are 4,900 moose in northeastern Minnesota. That's down from last year's estimate of 5,500 moose.