By Charlie Otto Rasmussen, Editor
From regional megafauna like elk and moose to diminutive members of the grouse family, the Ceded Territory offers outstanding opportunities for the Ojibwe hunter. Heading into the 2025 off-reservation dagwaagin season—which kicks off September 2 in many jurisdictions—much of the wildlife that nourishes Indigenous communities are available in healthy numbers. And for some, like wawaashkeshi, continued herd growth has treaty hunters well-positioned for success in the coming season.
After the region experienced one of the warmest and mildest winters on record in 2023-2024, last season eked out a bit more snow and cold but ended with an altogether near-repeat balmy performance. For some wildlife like white-tailed deer, it translates to rising herd numbers. Others, including snowshoe hares, suffered another season of high mortality as they navigated the grey-brown landscape in shockwhite coats—an easy mark for terrestrial and avian predators alike.
An exception to the sparse-snow trend, the northern tier of Upper Michigan still received significant doses of snowfall in the Keweenaw—a region that historically supports fewer white-tailed deer than forests south of the snowbelt. For animals that prosper in cold and snow like moose and grouse, full-on winter in the Michigan Keweenaw and Minnesota 1854 Arrowhead suits them just fine.
Bine
Commonly known as partridge, ruffed grouse numbers are reportedly dipping slightly following recent highs over the past few years. Male grouse drumming survey results from Departments of Natural Resources in Minnesota and Wisconsin earlier this year point to an overall healthy population with good hunting forecasted in the best habitat containing young forests and a strong poplar-birch component.
For the first time since 2018, Wisconsin wildlife officials have authorized a sharp-tailed grouse season for tribal and state hunters. Sharptails, a close cousin to widely distributed ruffed grouse, are found in rolling barrens habitat like Wisconsin’s northwest sands region. In the southern reaches of the sands, a limited harvest opportunity is open in Unit 10, which hugs the St. Croix River along the boundary with Minnesota. On August 7, the Voigt Intertribal Task Force declared 12 sharptails, or one-half the available quota. Through timber cutting and prescribed fires, land managers enhanced the region’s characteristic prairie/savanna sands habitat, providing an environment that helps sharptails regain their place on the Ceded Territory landscape.
An about-face to the fast flushing ruffed and sharp-tails, spruce grouse often present an easy target for hunters. While pockets of spruce grouse are found in the ceded forests of Upper Michigan and Wisconsin, hunting for the ostensibly tame bird is limited to the northern portion of the Minnesota 1854 Ceded Territory. The Minnesota season for ruffed and spruce grouse runs concurrently September 13, 2025 to January 4, 2026 with a combined limit of 10 birds.
Mooz
Off-reservation moose hunting is currently restricted to Ojibwe treaty tribes in the Minnesota 1854 Treaty ceded territory. Fond du Lac Band officials set a 30-bull moose quota for the 2025 season, which opens September 27. Members are required to have a minimum of 3-4 hunters for each application to receive a harvest tag.
Citizens of Bois Forte and Grand Portage evenly share a 30 bull-only quota in the 1854 Ceded Territory. The hunt gets underway September 15, running to December 31 or until the quota is reached for each respective band.
After a dramatic population downturn from 2009-2013, Minnesota moose numbers stabilized over the last dozen years, settling into a range of around 3,200-4,000 animals. The Minnesota DNR, 1854 Treaty Authority, and Fond du Lac Band work closely to monitor the health of the herd. Researchers identified a combination of factors from predators to climate-related impacts including parasites, disease, and higher average temperatures for the herd reduction.
Look for more information on the 2025 hunting season on GLIFWC social media and the next issue of Mazina’igan. Make sure your permits are up to date and enjoy safe and successful hunts this dagwaagin!