Wolves Struggling in Northern Minnesota — Lowest Numbers in 11 Years

Deer and wolves, two animals that generate endless conversation in Minnesota, and are also two species deeply connected in ways that shape the northern ecosystem. When one population rises or falls, the other often follows.

Wolf Numbers Plummet in Northern Minnesota

That’s exactly what’s happening right now in the Greater Voyageurs Ecosystem of Northern Minnesota. The Voyageurs Wolf Project just released its annual report, and the trend of a declining wolf population has continued, reaching its lowest level in 11 years of research.

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According to the report, the wolf population in the Voyageurs region dropped 19% over the past year. Over the past two years, the population has declined by a dramatic 31%. The reason? A massive decrease in the local deer population, which fell by more than 50% following the harsh winters of 2021–2022 and 2022–2023.

Wolves Expand Territory as Food Grows Scarce

With fewer deer available, wolves are adapting by expanding their territories and producing fewer surviving pups. The Voyageurs Wolf Project says average wolf pack territory size grew to 56 square miles, meaning fewer packs can exist across the same land. This expansion has led to overlap and competition between packs, reducing the number of established packs from 22 to 19 across the ecosystem.

The study also revealed that roughly 80% of wolf pups did not survive last year. Out of the 900 square miles that make up the Greater Voyageurs Ecosystem, only 19 pups reached adulthood.

Nature Finds Its Balance in Minnesota

Despite the declines, researchers describe the wolf population as still “moderate to high” for the region. They emphasize this is a natural adjustment, as deer herds rebound, the wolf population is expected to follow suit, continuing the cyclical dance between predator and prey that defines Minnesota’s wild north.