Many of the animals we see today—deer, beaver, wolves, cats, bears, moose, and several species of birds such as loons— moved into the area at the close.

Mammals of Minnesota Past and Present

Minnesota Mammals

Many of the

animals we see

today—deer,

beaver, wolves,

cats, bears,

moose, and

several species of

birds such as

loons—moved

into the area at

the close of the

Pleistocene and

adapted to the

warmer

temperatures of

today.

Whitetail deer have played a very important role in the history of our country.

Deer were an item of trade between Indians and European settlers.

The American Indians and early settlers depended on the Whitetail Deer for food, clothing, implements, ornaments, ceremonial items, used the bones of the whitetail deer to make harpoons, picks, and needles.

The hides provided shelter year round. They utilized deer hides, hooves, and antlers.

Whitetail Deer

Lived primarily in southern Minnesota where food and cover was available. They preferred living along hardwood forests, river bottoms, and prairie grooves.

Up until 1860 deer were very rare in the heavy evergreen forests of the northern and northeastern counties. They preferred habitat with many openings. Originally 63% of Minnesota was forested, today approximately 33% is forested.(2001)

Whitetail Deer

White tailed deer moved northward when forest were opened up by cut-over and by fires. New growth of deciduous shrubs and small trees were and still are a favorite food for deer. They became more populated in Superior National Forest by 1920.

The population in northern counties continued to increase as more and more land in the southern part of the state was converted into farm land and more people settled the area. Deer survival in the northern climate is however more difficult because of winter weather.

Whitetail Deer

In many parts of the United

States extensive clearing of land,

unregulated hunting, and loss of

habitat brought the whitetail

deer population to a record low

by the late 1800's.

Changing land uses, introduced

game laws, and for a time a lack

of natural large predators caused

the whitetail deer population to

rebound dramatically (1930's to

1950's).

Localized population of deer began to grow in the early 1900’s due to federal and state laws that prohibited hunting white tailed deer and the development of fully protected wildlife refugees. The result of the overpopulation was:Over browsed habitats leading to starvation during

severe winters. Deer consumed all available food sources leaving

nothing for oncoming winter. The deer made browse lines, areas that can be visually be seen where deer have depleted the entire area of all vegetation and browse.

15-20 deer per square mile was the population estimate.

Minnesota Deer History

During 1850 - 1900 deer had been marketed commercially

1870 -1880 was the height of commercial marketing of wildlife. Marketing wildlife meant:Meat was sold in meat markets. St. Paul customers could purchase deer meat at

8 -10 cents per pound. In 1872, six tons of venison was sent from

Litchfield, MN. to Boston MA. market.

Whitetail Deer

Unlimited numbers of deer were taken by settlers and market hunters.

Poaching versus Market HuntingMarket

hunters were commercial hunters, who exploited animals as a natural resource, for both money and economic development.

Poaching refers to the unlawful or illegal harvest, possession, sale, transport and use of wildlife or their parts

Before that no hunting license was required and there were no restrictions on animals taken. By 1900 a hunting license was required, the

fee was $.25, the harvest limit was 5 deer. By 1901 the limit was set at 3 deer. By 1905 the first season was established.

Hunting deer was limited to a 21 day season and only 2 deer could be harvested.

The limit was narrowed to 1 deer by 1915.

There were no hunting limitations until 1897.

The purpose of the buck only law was to protect does and fawns.

By 1933 the deer population was sufficient to support an annual hunting season once again.

In Minnesota’s northern, northeastern and north central counties the annual hunting season did not return until 1942.

Since the opening of a regulated firearm season with specific and limited harvest numbers the white tailed deer population is stable.

By the 1920’s a bucks only law was passed and they could only be hunted in alternate years.

30 subspecies exist – northern subspecies are larger than southern species

In 1900 – 500,000 whitetail deer remained in the United States

Estimated today over 30,000,000 deer in the United States

MN DNR estimates there are about 1,000,000 whitetail deer in Minnesota (in spring after fawns are born),

Whitetail Deer

Size3 feet tall at the withersAdult females weight 85 - 130 pounds Males over 100 to 300 poundsBirth weight is 4 to 8 pounds.

ColorFall/Winter pelage- thick, grayish in color, short

under fur with long guard hairs. Shed in April-June.

Summer pelage- short thin, reddish brown in color. Shed August-September

Fawn pelage- spotted for protection. In August-September lose spots.

Whitetail Size and Color

It is thought that mule deer were always present in Minnesota. However early explorers never mentioned mule deer presence.

The first recorded kill of a mule deer was in 1887 in East Pembina, Kittson county. By 1950 mule deer had been noted as being seen regularly across the state.

They had been observed and harvested in 22 counties.

Mule Deer

Size Males 150 to over 3oo pounds. Height at shoulders is 3 to 3 ½ feet

Birth weight averages 6.5 poundsBodies are more stocky than whitetailColor varies from gray to brownTail is flat and tipped with blackGet their name for their long ears which

are reminiscent of a mule’s ears

Mule Deer

The mule deer is known for its bouncing gait, landing on all fours. It can reach speeds of over 35 miles per hour, cover 25 feet in a single jump, and clear a 6 1/2 foot fence. Also, the body can be turned completely in the opposite direction during a single bound.

Peak breeding season is in November

Mule deer live primarily in western United States, in the Dakotas and Manitoba Canada. Some live in western Minnesota and have been reported as living in southwestern and metro area counties as well as north central counties.

No breeding colony currently exists in Minnesota.

Mule Deer Range

The moose is Minnesota’s largest and most distinctive large game mammal.

Lives primarily in the northern wilderness.The moose is a boreal forest mammal.

Living north and east of Duluth MN. between upper Red Lake and Lake of The Woods. They live where there is balsam fir, white spruce, birch and aspen, and swamps.

Moose

Lumberjacks killed moose to eat, they were also thought to be in the way humans and were hunted with out regard to the effect the unregulated hunting would have on the population. In 1660 a number of writings by early settlers indicated their presence and killing. One party of individuals reportedly killed 600 moose in 1660.

Logging, mining and extensive forest fires destroyed moose habitat.

As white tailed deer migrated to the northern forest they began to compete with the moose for food and cover resources.

Before the lumberjacks moved into the north woods the moose was the most common big game animal in the northern forest. The decline in the population was due to:

The moose population became quite scarce in Minnesota by 1885.

 The first laws protecting moose occurred in 1887. Hunting season of moose was closed in 1922 when the population was estimated to be less than 2,500. The season remained closed until 1972 when populations reached 4,600. The current hunting season is highly regulated and offered yearly.

The moose population has decreased recently. In 2011 the population was estimated at 4,900 and in 2012 at 4,230. In 2006 it was estimated at 8,840.

Minnesota Moose

SIZEMoose are taller than horses and can measure up to 7.5 feet (2.3 m) tall at the shoulder. Bulls in Minnesota average 950 to 1000 pounds. Calves weigh 25 to 35 pounds when born.COLORDark cocoa-brown with light colored legs. During the winter they turn a grayish color, helping to camouflage them in the snow-covered landscape. The long legs of the moose are lighter in color than the body.

Moose antlers grow to be up to 5 feet (1.5 m) long or more. Each year, the old antlers are shed; new antlers emerge the following spring.

ANTLERS

Moose feed on a large variety of foodsBrowse on twigs and

leavesGrass and marsh

plantsAquatic vegetation

growing in lakes and streams relished in summer

Can dive up to 20 feet and stay under water for 1 minute to feed on submerged vegetati0n

Moose need an average of 45 pounds of vegetation per day and up to 120 pounds in the fall

Elk

Elk were once

distributed over most

of Minnesota, but the

native races, believed

to be Cervus elaphus

canadensis in the

wooded forests and C.

e. manitobensis on the

prairie, were nearly

extirpated from the

state by the early

1900s.

Elk

Elk Distribution in North America

Elk Distribution in Minnesota

Elk were commonly known as “white rump”. The largest antlered deer is similar to the red deer of Europe except that it is much larger in size. Many early European settlers were confused by the large red deer that was known as elk in the US.

 Elk were native to Minnesota and were once abundant. They were most abundant in the prairie and hardwood transition forest zones of the south, west and northwest. Father Hennepin frequently encountered “stags” along the upper Mississippi 1880, Carver saw them above the falls of St. Anthony in 1766 and Pike wrote of the great elk along the Mississippi near Monticello and St. Cloud.

Link to Elk Bugling

Elk

Color is tan with a white rumpHeight = 4 to 5 feetWeight = 500 – 1100 poundsBirth weight average is 35 pounds

The elk disappeared around 1900, their disappearance from Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan was attributed to:Fenced pastures, and developed farm landMarket huntersSettlers abundantly utilized the elk for food

and clothing. Labor gangs utilized the elk for food.

Entire herds were wantonly killed for the two canine teeth which sold as tusks for $75 per pair.

In 1915 a herd of 54 animals were placed in an enclosure near Lake Itasca. All died but 13 within one year.

In 1929 8 elk were taken to Superior National Forest however herds never established.

In 1935 27 elk were shipped to the northern Beltrami, Lake of the Woods and Roseau counties. This herd grew to 100 by 1940.

The herd began to move west into agricultural lands along the Red River Valley and the herd size grew to 200 - 300 head. Hunting season had been closed in 1893 which helped the herd to grow. However very little was done to manage the herd and it slowly diminished.

Restocking efforts to elk:

Most recently the small herd, left from the original restocking in 1935 in Beltrami county, still exist and caused a controversy in the 1980’s. Many individuals living in the area complained of many problems with the herd and so the government reacted by attempting to re-locate the herd. The measure failed and caused even more controversy.  

A herd in Kittson and Roseau Counties may have migrated from Canada/North Dakota, and/or be from the reintroduced herd

Elk History in Minnesota

BisonThe bison or buffalo

once thrived on Minnesota

prairies. However, by

1900, settlement and

slaughter by market

hunters and the U.S. Army

combined to reduce

buffalo numbers to a

handful of captive bison.

Soldiers killed thousands

of buffalo in an attempt to

starve out Native

American tribes.

Prior to the North American settlement, bison ranged from the Appalachians to the Rocky Mountains and beyond to the Sierra Nevada Range and from Mexico into Canada.

Two species exist: Plains Bison - most numerous and ranged over a larger

area. Woodland Bison - lived mainly in forested areas. Plains bison were very important to the survival many

Native American tribes. The Native Americans killed only the bison they needed for food and shelter. They made complete use out of the animal.

At birth a bison calf weighs about fifty pounds. A full grown adult bull can weigh around 2000 pounds. Cows (female bison) average around 1,000 pounds

A full grown bull is about six feet tall.Both male and female buffaloes have horns.Bison are dark brown

Facts

At one time over 60 million existed in the U.S. The largest herd extended for 50 miles in one direction and 25 miles in another, and contained 4 million animals.

White settlers did not live well with bison and so the slaughter of millions of animals began. Many animals were needlessly killed and wantonly wasted. The slaughter reached its peak in 1870 and by 1883 was nearly over.

Prairie regions of Minnesota supported large herds of plains bison. Radisson, Hennepin, LeSueur, Carver and Pike all reported encountering large herds in Minnesota, including area of the Falls of St. Anthony, Kanabec county.

LeSueur party reported killing 400 bison near Mankato to sustain them through the winter of 1700.

By 1850 all the bison had disappeared from eastern Minnesota. In 1867 a large herd was observed in the Red River Valley but were on the North Dakota side.

Bison skulls were used by surveyors in plotting the treeless section of S.W. Minnesota. Each section corner (4 skulls) one skull at the half section mark. Skulls were readily available for surveyors to use. This occurred in the early 1870’s.

Bison Skulls

A herd of bison reside at Blue Mounds State Park. In 1961 Blue Mounds State Park added three bison from the Fort Niobrara Wildlife Refuge near Valentine, Nebraska to start the present bison herd. Today, the Blue Mounds' herd is maintained at more than 100 bison.

Bison

Member of the deer familyOnly deer species in which both species grow

antlersDiet Ground and tree lichens preferred, also

shrubs, grasses, and willowsSize Average height 4 feet at shoulders Length 6 feet Weight 250 to 700 poundsColor Deep brown in summer and nearly white

in winterLifespan 10-15 years

Woodland Caribou

Wood Caribou are sometimes called Reindeer!!

They are a wilderness animal of the northern forests, muskegs and bogs. They require large tracts of wilderness and are even less tolerant of man and his activities than moose. Their range is the southern limits of the northern boreal forests to the Arctic. They are also on occasion found in southern Canada. Four species exist.(Tundra Reindeer) (Barren Ground Caribou)Woodland CaribouMountain CaribouQuebec - Labrador Caribou

Woodland caribou were once fairly common in northern Minnesota. From 1660 - 1880 explorers, Native Americans, voyagers and biologists all reported caribou as abundant and a source of meat supply from Lake Superior to Lake of the Woods.

By 1880’s population diminished Unrestricted shooting for meat was a major factor as well as logging, mining, forest fires settlement and clearing of land

By the 1920’s they were diminished in Minnesota and completely disappeared by 1940. The herd had numbered in the thousands originally and was reduced to 3 cows by 1937. The last of the caribou survived until 1940 in the “Big Bog” of the Red Lake area.

The last hunting season for woodland caribou was 1904.

In 1936 an intensive program was undertaken to reintroduce caribou to Minnesota. Ten animals were brought in from Canada in 1938. Some died and few calves were ever born and by 1946 no evidence could be found that the animals existed. Since 1995 only an occasional sighting is reported in the Rainy River region. Those animals are thought to be wanders from Ontario.

Unsuccessful re-introduction efforts were made in the late 70’s and early 80’s.

Antlers -Family Cervidae

Antlers are a pair of bony, branched structures that protrude from the frontals of the skull of animals and are shed annually

Most easily recognized characteristics of family Cervidae (deer-elk-moose-caribou)

Present only in males (except for caribou)

Horns – Family bovidaeMembers of the

Bovidae family have horns (Bison – Cattle )

Horns are also paired and protrude from the frontals, but they are permanent, unbranched, and made up of a bony core and a keratinized sheath.

Their original range included the extreme western edge of Minnesota. All sightings and comments are restricted to the western edge of Minnesota.

Antelope were never abundant in Minnesota. Most resent sightings in Lac Qui Parle 1977 - 78 and 1982.

The last antelope hunting season in Minnesota was 1892.

Antelope is a native of America and did not migrate from Asia as is true of deer, moose, bighorn sheep and bison.

Prong Horn Antelope

The American subspecies of the pronghorn (Antilocapra americana americana) may be infrequently found in far western Minnesota.

Although they are often referred to as "pronghorn antelope" they are not antelope, and are not related to the African or Asian antelopes or any other family.

They are the last survivors of a once widespread North American family known as Antilocapridae. Many of their ancestors had pronged horns on both the top of the head and on the upper nose.

Pronghorn antelope

Adult Pronghorns may be from 4-4 1/2 feet long, 3-3 1/2 feet high, males weigh 100-150 pounds, females 75-100 pounds. Live 5-10 years, mate from September through October, gestation 7-8 months, generally have 2 fawns born in May or June. Color is light tan to reddish tan, with white cheek patches on chin, neck, chest, sides and rumps, ears are trimmed with black. Males have a dark patch under the lower jaw.

pronghorn antelope (Antilocapra americana) is the fastest land animal of North America

Their eyesight is phenomenal and compares to a human using 8X binoculars

Pronghorn attributes

Both males and females have horns; the males are larger. Their pronged horns, which range from 15-19 inches, are shed annually. Tracks are 2 3/4 - 3 1/2 inches long and they have no dewclaws

Horns and not antlers

Pronghorns shed the outer keratinous layer of their horns annually, but retain the bony core. Unlike the horns of the family Bovidae, the horn sheaths of the pronghorn are branched, each sheath possessing a forward pointing tine (hence the name pronghorn).

Black bear inhabited most of Minnesota at the time it was settled. They were found in timber lands and survived where large deciduous forest existed.

Today black bear are found in the northern one third of the state or generally north and east of the line from Roseau to Pine City. This migration of bear to the north was due to settlers clearing land for farms and logging.

Black Bear

Typical weightsMales (Boars) of breeding age: 125-500 lbs. or

moreFemales (Sows) of breeding age: 90-300 lbs. or

moreHeight- An average adult black bear measures 2-3 feet tall at

the shoulder when on all four legs.Cubs weigh ½-1 pound at birthFemale black bears give birth to two or three

blind, helpless cubs in mid-winter and nurse them in the den until spring, when all emerge in search of food. The cubs will stay with their very protective mother for about two years

Black Bear characteristics

Black bear dietConsists of grasses, roots,

berries, and insects. Also eat fish and mammals

—including carrionEasily develop a taste for

human foods and garbage. Bears who become

habituated to human food at campsites, cabins, or rural homes can become dangerous and are often killed—thus the frequent reminder: Please don't feed the bears!

.Pelage Black bears are not always black.B. They can be brown, black, blonde and

cinnamon and on very rare occasion albino. The same litter of cubs may include all three

colors.

Color (Pelage)

The black bear of Minnesota is of the geographical sub-species that is most common and widely distributed of 15 -18 sub-species found in North America. It ranges from northern Georgia through the Appalachians to Labrador and west to the Rocky Mountains across Canada and Northern U.S.

As settlements moved westward, the black bear disappeared from the cleared areas for farming. It remained in areas too hilly or mountainous for farming.

Until recently black bear were regarded as nuisance. They were killed for bounty because they were thought to be dangerous and pesky. No laws restricted the hunting of black bears. The fat of the ear commonly know as “bear grease” was used greatly by settlers as a cooking oil and hair oil. It was a very valuable product.

The first legislation protecting bears was in 1917 but was repealed in 1919. Various restriction on hunting and trapping were applied and rescinded from 1923 - 1943. In 1945 a bounty was established, within 5 years 1700 bear had been killed for bounty.

By 1960 the average bounty kill dropped to 67 per year. All bounty killing was eliminated in 1965

In 1956 -1970, hunters that held deer permits were allowed to hunt bear. The average harvest was 146 bear per year. In 1971 the legislature established bear as big game animal and authorized a hunting season for black bear. During the 1970’s an average of 141 bears were harvested per year.

In 1981 1,800 bear were harvested. A development of a permit system and five bear per year

management units was established with limited number of permits issued.

In recent years, bear have expanded their range into more agricultural lands. Nuisance problems have increased as they do extensive damage to grain crops, bee hives and orchards and rarely but occasionally prey on small livestock.

A Wolves are carnivoresIt is not certain the impact wolves have on the population of

deer and moose. It generally varies a great deal and does not seem to currently limit the populations seriously.

Wolves consume an average of 15 deer per yearThey are more likely to prey upon very young or very old,

weak or sick animals. Wolves continually hunt whenever they travel. They do not

kill daily and so when they are on the move they are always alert to possible prey. When deer are aware of wolves presence they generally flee the area.

Wolves a primary predator of deer, elk antelope and moose

Deer family members often fall prey to wolves in the winter in deep snow or on frozen lakes. Deer are not adapted well to winter escape because of their long thin legs and their small toed hooves. They are able to defend themselves from wolves if they stand their ground. Their hooves make excellent weapons.

At one time, wolves lived though out Minnesota. Due to settlement and clearing of forest they moved north. Their current range is the Superior National Forest and northern Minnesota. Wolf Attack on Elk

In 1849 -1965, the wolf population declined rapidly. Wolves were thought to be dangerous and were killed for bounty. Wolves were taken by hunters and trappers employed by the state from 1949-1956. From 1969 - 1974 a predator control program that included taking wolves by designated trappers in areas of verified livestock losses for an incentive of $50 per wolf.

By 1967, wolves in Minnesota were listed on the endangered species list classified as threatened. This gave the wolves complete protection inside the Superior National Forest. Outside of this area they were unprotected until 1974.

In 1975, wolves were considered endangered and their management became the responsibility of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

In 1975, an eastern Timber Wolf Recovery Team was formed to develop a wolf management plan which resulted in five management zones, optimum wolf levels for each zone limited public taking of wolves outside sanctuaries and reclassifying of the wolf from endangered to threatened.

Minnesota's wolves transitioned from federal protection under the Endangered Species Act to state management by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources on Jan. 27, 2012.

A wolf trapping and hunting season was started in the 2012 hunting season

2012 estimates that there are approximately 3000 wolves in Minnesota

Early Wolf Harvest 2012 Results North West Zone=48; East Central Zone = 4 North East Zone = 43

Bobcats on occasion kill deer but are in no way a serious threat to the deer population.

They tend to prey on rabbits, birds and other smaller game mammals rather than deer.

They primarily live in northern Minnesota in forested areas.

About 2,000 are estimated to live in Minnesota

Bobcat

General description: A medium-sized animal with a very short "bob" (which means cut short) tail, with light brown or gray fur on the top and white fur, often with black spots, on the belly.

Length: Adults are 26 to 36 inches long, plus a 4- to 7-inch tail.

Weight: Adult females weigh 20 to 25 pounds, and adult males about 30 pounds.

Color: Brown or gray on top, white on the belly often with black spots.

The cougar – sometimes referred to as a mountain lion or puma – was found throughout most of Minnesota prior to European settlement, though never in large numbers. Today, they are rarely seen but occasionally do appear.

Mountain Lion

Mountain Lion

Color Grayish to reddish brown with black tip on tailWeight Males average 137 poundsHeight 25-30 inches at shoulderLength 6.6 feet from nose to tip of tailPotential management considerations could include

ones similar to those outlined for wolves in the Minnesota Wolf Management Plan. Those include: population monitoring, habitat management, enforcement against illegal take, dispensing information, and supporting educational efforts and research.

Mountain Lion

but also rabbit, squirrel, porcupine and other smaller animals.

Mountain lions subsist primarily on mammals, such as deer