Landon Magee

Blackfeet Fish and Wildlife Biologist & UM Graduate Student

Wednesday, June 12, 2024
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Where: East Glacier Park Women's Club

Moose populations, including those in and around Montana, have experienced declines in abundance and recruitment rates, prompting the need for increased monitoring efforts. However, monitoring moose is challenging due to the limitations of conventional survey methods, which are exacerbated by their low-density and solitary nature, preference for dense habitat, and lack of distinguishing markings. To address these challenges, we employed new survey methods to estimate moose abundance and calf recruitment in the Blackfeet Indian Reservation and Glacier National Park Using data from trail cameras deployed during the summers of 2022 and 2023. The Blackfeet Tribe, with support from the University of Montana and Glacier National Park, will assess the efficacy of these models in estimating moose demographics and informing conservation strategies. Given the importance of moose to the tribe's revenue through hunting permits, sustainable management strategies are vital in the absence of baseline data.

Landon Magee is a member of the Blackfeet Nation, whose deep-rooted connection to the land was cultivated through childhood hunting and fishing adventures with his father. This profound bond with nature has been the driving force behind his academic and professional pursuits in wildlife biology. Landon holds a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Biology from the University of Montana and is currently advancing his expertise through a master's program in the same field. His master's thesis explores the use of trail cameras to accurately estimate the abundance and recruitment of moose populations within the Blackfeet Reservation and Glacier National Park. This research not only contributes to wildlife management practices on tribal lands but also holds broader implications for conservation efforts. During the summer months, Landon brings his works for the Blackfeet Fish and Wildlife Department’s Threatened and Endangered Species Program, addressing the intricate challenges of human-bear conflicts and providing additional support for the Tribe’s other research projects.