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Tagged: Moosewatch

Environment & Science
10:59 am
Sat January 26, 2013

Bad weather hampers Michigan moose population survey

Credit EPA.gov
Moose (Bull), Michigan USDA Forest Service, Superior National Forest
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MARQUETTE, Mich. (AP) - Poor weather is making it hard for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to count the number of moose in the Upper Peninsula.

The DNR surveys the moose population every two years. The census is based on the number of animals spotted by crews flying over prime moose range in Baraga, Iron and Marquette counties.

It's typically done in January, when the ground is covered with snow. That makes it easier to see the animals.

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Lessons from Isle Royale
9:20 am
Thu June 7, 2012

Volunteers hunt for moose bones on Isle Royale

Next imagePrevious image
Moosewatch volunteers mark an antler
Credit Mark Brush / Michigan Radio
Moosewatch volunteer Dave Beck holds up a marked antler. Team leader Jeff Holden looks on. They mark the antlers and hang them in a tree so others know the antler has been found and documented.
Moosewatch volunteers hike along the trail on Isle Royale National Park.
Credit Mark Brush / Michigan Radio
Moosewatch volunteers hike along the trail on Isle Royale National Park.
The trail on Isle Royale traverses a lot of rocky terrain.
Credit Mark Brush
The trail on Isle Royale traverses a lot of rocky terrain.
L to R - Moosewatch volunteers Pete Prawdzick, Dave Beck, and Jeff Morrison.
Credit Mark Brush / Michigan Radio
L to R - Moosewatch volunteers Pete Prawdzick, Dave Beck, and Jeff Morrison.
The map guides their way when they head off trail.
Credit Mark Brush / Michigan Radio
The map guides their way when they head off trail.
Getting ready to go off trail.
Credit Mark Brush / Michigan Radio
Getting ready to go off trail.
Moosewatch group leader Jeff Holden stops for a snack.
Credit Mark Brush / Michigan Radio
Moosewatch group leader Jeff Holden stops for a snack.
Moose bone on Isle Royale.
Credit Mark Brush / Michigan Radio
A found bone. The volunteers stopped, dropped packs, and searched for more bones. This moose bone was likely left here by an animal. No other bones were found.
Flags are put up to mark the search area after a bone is found.
Credit Mark Brush / Michigan Radio
Flags are put up to mark the search area after a bone is found.
The site of the found bone.
Credit Mark Brush / Michigan Radio
The site of the found bone.
Susie Morrison takes a break.
Credit Mark Brush / Michigan Radio
Susie Morrison takes a break.
Dave Beck finds a shed moose antler in the dense understory.
Credit Mark Brush / Michigan Radio
Dave Beck finds a shed moose antler in the dense understory.
The antler is marked and hung in a tree so other volunteers who might find it know it's been documented.
Credit Mark Brush / Michigan Radio
The antler is marked and hung in a tree so other volunteers who might find it know it's been documented.
Hanging a found antler in a tree.
Credit Mark Brush / Michigan Radio
Hanging a found antler in a tree.
Dave Beck marking an antler.
Credit Mark Brush / Michigan Radio
Dave Beck marking an antler.
Dave Beck marking an antler.
Credit Mark Brush / Michigan Radio
Dave Beck marking an antler.
Measuring the size of the base of the antler.
Credit Mark Brush / Michigan Radio
Measuring the size of the base of the antler.
Making a note of the find.
Credit Mark Brush / Michigan Radio
Making a note of the find.
A flower on Isle Royale
Credit Mark Brush / Michigan Radio
Dave Beck and Dave Conrad get ready for rain.
Credit Mark Brush / Michigan Radio
Dave Beck and Dave Conrad get ready for rain.
The Moosewatch volunteers. L to R - Dave Beck, Pete Prawdzick, Jeff Holden (group leader), Dave Conrad, and Jeff Morrison, Susie Morrison.
Credit Mark Brush / Michigan Radio
The Moosewatch volunteers. L to R - Dave Beck, Pete Prawdzick, Jeff Holden (group leader), Dave Conrad, and Jeff Morrison, Susie Morrison.
Getting warmed up after a cold rain.
Credit Mark Brush / Michigan Radio
Getting warmed up after a cold rain.
Jeff Morrison makes lunch.
Credit Mark Brush / Michigan Radio
Jeff Morrison makes lunch.
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Wolves and moose are at the heart of the world’s longest running study of a predator and its prey.  The drama unfolds on Isle Royale National Park in Lake Superior.

But it’s a big island, almost entirely wilderness.

The researchers from Michigan Tech say they can’t cover all that ground alone. 

So they have a program called Moosewatch.  It’s a backcountry expedition where you pay to help out with the wolf-moose study.  But be warned: it’s no easy little walk in the woods.

"We’re going to trash through the understory here for a third to half of a mile and see if we can find some dead moose."

That’s Jeff Holden. He’s a Moosewatch group leader, in charge of a group of six (himself plus five volunteers).  We’re going to push our way into the thick forest.

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