Publication Date February 16, 2016 | Duluth News Tribune

Minnesota moose numbers hold steady

United States
A bull moose moves through deep snow and brush while being observed during the Minnesota DNR's annual winter survey of the state's moose population in January. Photo: Mike Schrage, Fond du Lac Resource Management Division
A bull moose moves through deep snow and brush while being observed during the Minnesota DNR's annual winter survey of the state's moose population in January. Photo: Mike Schrage, Fond du Lac Resource Management Division

Northeastern Minnesota’s moose herd appears to have held steady over the past year, but wildlife biologists say they still are worried that moose numbers remain precariously low.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources on Tuesday released the result of the agency’s annual moose survey that estimated this winter's population at about 4,020.

That’s up a tick from 3,450 moose estimated in 2015, but wildlife experts say the change is statistically insignificant.

Overall, moose numbers remain less than half what they were a decade ago, when the population reached 8,840