Join the Hidden Moose Observation Network
Help us understand Wisconsin's resident moose
Wisconsin's moose story is still being uncovered.
Understanding where moose live, how they use the landscape, and how their presence changes over time requires observations collected across large areas and across many years.
Hidden Moose of Wisconsin combines field research, trail camera monitoring, and community-based observations to better understand Wisconsin's resident moose.
By joining the Hidden Moose Observation Network, you can help expand the knowledge that supports ongoing research and conservation efforts.
A Shared Commitment to Wisconsin's Moose
Protecting Wisconsin's resident moose begins with protecting the places they use.
For that reason, Hidden Moose of Wisconsin does not publicly share the locations of project cameras or sensitive moose observations. Participants who join the Observation Network are asked to respect that same commitment by helping safeguard sensitive locations while contributing valuable observations and research.
Together, we can expand our understanding of Wisconsin's moose while helping ensure they remain undisturbed.
Ways to Participate
There are several ways to contribute to the Hidden Moose Observation Network. Whether you're sharing a single moose observation or interested in long-term monitoring, every contribution helps build a better understanding of Wisconsin's resident moose.
Level 1: Moose Observer
Have you seen a moose?
Share what you see.
If you encounter a moose while hiking, hunting, driving, paddling, or simply enjoying Wisconsin's outdoors, your observation can help us better understand moose distribution across the state.
Submit:
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Date and time
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Location
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Photos or video (if available)
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Number of moose
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Sex and age (if known)
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Any additional observations
Level 2: Camera Contributor
Let your trail camera help tell Wisconsin's moose story.
Many people already use trail cameras to observe wildlife on private property or in locations where cameras are permitted. If your camera captures a moose, those observations can become an important part of the Hidden Moose Observation Network.
Camera Contributors share:
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Camera location (GPS coordinates)
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General habitat and site description
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Moose photographs and videos
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Observation dates and times
Camera Contributors are encouraged to leave cameras in place as long as practical, but participation is flexible and designed to complement existing camera use.
To protect wildlife and the integrity of ongoing research, exact camera locations are used only for research purposes and are never shared publicly.
Level 3: Establish a Research Monitoring Site
Help build Wisconsin's long-term moose dataset.
Research Monitoring Partners commit to a standardized monitoring protocol designed to collect consistent, long-term data across Wisconsin. By following shared methods and documenting both wildlife detections and camera effort, participants help create a dataset that can support meaningful research into the distribution and ecology of Wisconsin's resident moose.
Research Monitoring Partners collect:
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Standardized camera monitoring data
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Moose observations, photographs, and videos
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Camera deployment and maintenance records
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Monitoring effort and camera outages
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Habitat and site information
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Additional wildlife observations following project protocols
Research monitoring sites are intended to remain active for at least one year to provide meaningful long-term data.
To protect wildlife and the integrity of ongoing research, exact monitoring site locations are used only for research purposes and are never shared publicly.
