DULUTH – The Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa has canceled its moose hunt this fall amid concerns over the precipitous drop in northeastern Minnesota's moose population.
The band announced last month that it would issue 21 permits for a bulls-only moose hunt in October on lands where it holds rights under an 1854 treaty.
The Duluth News Tribune reported the tribe's reversal averts going to arbitration with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, which opposed the tribal subsistence hunt and canceled the state's sport moose season this fall.
Minnesota's moose population has been on a long-term decline and fell 35 percent from 2012 to an estimated 2,760 in the DNR's survey this past winter.
The Fond du Lac Band still plans to hold a moose hunt this fall on lands covered by 1854 and 1837 treaties. The tribe will offer its members 77 permits for a maximum of 25 bull moose.
The Bois Forte Band has opted not to hold a moose season.
Associated Press
