"Dead Moose on Isle Royale: Off Trail with the Citizen Scientists of the Wolf-Moose Project" by Jeffrey M. Holden is a 2025 nonfiction book that offers a firsthand account of volunteer-led citizen science expeditions on Isle Royale National Park in Lake Superior. The book recounts Holden's experiences leading groups of citizen scientists on week-long backpacking trips off established trails to locate and study the remains of moose killed by wolves, contributing to the world's longest-running predator-prey ecological study of wolves and moose on the island.

Isle Royale is favored by scientists for its simplified ecosystem with primarily one main predator (wolf) and one main prey species (moose), and minimal human interference. The book details the rugged, often uncomfortable realities of hiking and camping in the wilderness while supporting important ecological research through the Wolf-Moose Project, which has been ongoing since 1958.

Holden writes in an engaging, informal style that combines natural history, science, and personal adventure, making the book accessible and informative for outdoor enthusiasts, citizen science supporters, and those interested in predator-prey dynamics. He describes the challenges and "type two fun" (activities that are not fun while doing but fondly remembered later), the camaraderie among volunteers, and the ecology of wolves and moose on Isle Royale.

The book has received praise for its storytelling, wit, and insights, serving as both a practical guide and compelling narrative of citizen participation in world-class ecological research. It is suitable for readers interested in nature, citizen science, and wilderness exploration, with strong regional appeal to the Great Lakes area, especially Michigan.

In summary, "Dead Moose on Isle Royale" offers a vivid, authentic look at the dedication and experience of citizen scientists who help monitor the delicate balance between wolves and moose in one of America's most remote national parks, blending adventure, ecology, and science outreach.

Thanks to Netgalley and Michigan State University Press for the ARC

This is a really interesting little book about the author's experiences as a volunteer with the "Moosewatch" of the Wolf-Moose Project on Isle Royale. It's mostly written in a rather informal, conversational style that keeps it both entertaining and informative. The chapters tend to function sort of like mini-essays on various topics, and sometimes the flow from one chapter to the next isn't entirely smooth, but all in all it works very well. There aren't that many photographs, but those there are were well-chosen and tend to be effectively explained.

Having some amount of familiarity with the project this volunteer work serves is probably helpful in getting the most out of the book, but Holden does a good job of explaining the project and its purpose regardless. I am not a backpacker and haven't been to Isle Royale, but have read enough about the project to generally have a decent idea of what he's talking about and have spent enough time in northern Michigan to know what he's talking about on the mainland at least.

Does the book make me want to volunteer? Well... maybe someday, actually, if I get a little backpacking experience. He makes it clear that it can be an uncomfortable, sometimes outright gross experience--they're locating dead moose and gathering their bones, after all--while still capturing the idea that it's a really cool project, in a really unique place, and an experience that people keep coming back to participate in again. He also provides some information on the practicalities of volunteering, what kinds of equipment volunteers should provide, etc.--so I would imagine it would be a good resource for someone considering whether they might be interested in volunteering.

All in all, I think most people who are interested in citizen science, Isle Royale, northwoods ecology, or any number of other topics would probably find it interesting and approachable even as laypeople

What a delightful, informative book! Holden is a natural born storyteller, and each short chapter feels like a one-to-one conversation you are having with the author. The book leaves you with a good understanding of the Wolf-Moose Project, the natural history of wolves and moose on Isle Royale, and what it is like the backpack off trail in search of moose bones. Highly recommended for anyone interested in off-trail hiking, wolves, moose, and/or Isle Royale.