We learn about the fate of Maine's moose population and what wildlife managers plan to do to protect this charismatic animal. You can find them mostly in the Selkirk Mountains, with smaller populations in the Okanogan, North Cascades, and the Blue Mountains. You can learn more about how to find Maine moose during the rut here: The rut starts to taper off and will pretty much be done by mid-October. And shes got so much blood loss that its showing up everywhere.. The moose population in Maine is estimated to be around 76,000, making it the highest population in the United States outside of Alaska. They can also handle snow depths of up to 36 inches and use their hooves to search for food in the snow. You can see moose at any time of year, you just need to know where to look. If youre in a semi-populated area your chances are going to be less than if youre in the more remote wilderness. My post: Best Moose Watching Gear For Maine | Maine Moose Watching 101 can help you choose the best gear for Maine moose watching. Ive created a Maine moose location map sketch of the best locations to see moose in Maine based on my education, research, and years of experience in the Maine woods. Augusta, ME 04333-0041, Mailing Address: Bulls are typically found at higher elevations in mixed and hardwood stands, where food supply is less available, but shading provides cooler temperatures. During Maines fall hunting season, the average adult cow weighs 600 lbs (dressed) and the average adult bull weighs 800 lbs (dressed). Aquatic plants, such as pondweed and water lily, have a higher sodium content than woody vegetation and are an important part of a mooses diet. Moose occupy most of the forested landscapes in Western Montana, ranging from the Cabinet Mountains in the Northwest to the Centennial and Big Hole valleys in the Southwest. Moose Droppings on a Farm in the town of Sherman (2006). A tiny critter that is thriving in parts of Maine as the climate warms. Moose die from a variety of causes: legal and illegal harvest, road kills, other accidents (drowning, falls, etc. Before diving into the states with moose populations, lets first omit states without an established population of these large deer species. This concentrated food source limits the amount of time cows spend feeding, which limits calves vulnerability to predators. Calves are another story, however. Also known as the rutting season, bulls (adult males) will move towards lower elevations to find cows (females). Capable of reaching speeds up to 35 . Kantar was recently honored with the Distinguished Moose Biologist Award at the 53rd North American Moose Conference. The U.S. Population Lines The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) 2022 aerial moose survey recorded a population of 4,700. And research suggests that winter ticks are also leading to fewer moose cows carrying pregnancies to full term in Maine and other parts of northern New England. Some bulls may have an additional tuft of skin extending below the bell, but it is believed that this extension freezes off. Calves may have small buds by late September, yearlings may have spikes or small forks, and palms typically first develop in two and three-year-old bulls. These were more comprehensive than the goals developed in 1985 that essentially directed us to maintain the population at 1985 levels. Cows rarely have more than 2 calves and young cows rarely have twins. Maximum antler development is obtained at age 5 and declines when bulls are in their teens. The snow depth will be reduced under mature softwoods. The eastern or Taiga moose is the subspecies found in Maine. Once the mating season is over, bulls no longer need antlers so they shed them early winter. Each May, cows give birth to one to two calves. During the summer cows and calves are spending a lot of time eating aquatic vegetation at the edges of swamps, lakes, and ponds. If you have content suggestions, questions, or comments about any of my posts your best bet is to email me. Moose may live into their late teens, but rarely live past 20. When Is The Best Time Of Year To See Moose In Maine. Both cows and bulls have bells, skin flaps found on the neck. 1975. Augusta, Me. Banasiak, Chester, et al. The largest bull ever harvested in Maine had a dressed weight of 1,330 pounds and means it would have weighed approximately 1,767 pounds! The most recent biennial survey in 2019 estimated a moose population in the western Upper Peninsula of Michigan as 509 animals. There may be sightings in these omitted states listed below due to long-distance travel and changing temperatures. Home Fish & Wildlife Wildlife Species Information Mammals Moose, An icon of the Maine woods, Maine is home to the highest moose population in the lower 48 states. Moose continue to breed into their teens, but are less productive. Harvest and road kills account for 2,000 to 3,500 moose a year. In Maine, moose face the same issues with winter ticks. But she was in the first class of cows collared by DIF&W in 2014 and provided years of data before her radio collar eventually gave out. Female moose (3.5+ years old) average 836 pounds and the average prime age (5.5+) adult bull weighs 1,106 pounds. Your reproductive rate goes down, calf mortality goes up, adult mortality can go up but your recruitment goes way down, parasites go way up. Kevin Miller reported and wrote this story. Email us, Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, Rulemaking Proposals Open to Public Comment, Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Reptiles and Amphibians, Rare, Threatened, & Endangered Invertebrates. The Greater Portland metropolitan area is the most densely populated with nearly 40% of Maine's population. The mating season for moose is during the fall from late September to mid-October. The herd is typically scattered across parts of the Wallowa-Whitman and Umatilla national forests. Learn more about the Adaptive Management Study. However, it is common for bulls to remain in the mountains for the majority of the time in the Spring so if you see moose in lower elevations the odds are higher that youre seeing cows and calves feeding. Large bulls weigh over 1000 lbs, dressed. In recent years, there have been approximately 400 moose hunting licenses per year. In 2021, the state awarded 100 hunting permits by lottery, which was a 45 permit increase from 2020. They are most abundant along the spine of the Green Mountains as well as in the Northeast regions, including Orleans, Essex, and Caledonia counties. The ladies, who were on the point of disappearing into the forest, heard the sound, stopped, turned, and then came for me with gathering speed and with what looked to me like romance in their eyesbut four romances, each weighing well over a thousand pounds! Moose will also eat aquatic plants, sedges, pond weeds, and grasses. Learn more about the Adaptive Management Study. The rut starts to taper off and will pretty much be done by mid-October. Maine has the highest population of moose in the lower 48 states, perhaps too high. The smallest subspecies is the Shiras moose. Natural salt licks are rare in Maine, so moose are often seen along roads using the salt runoff as an artificial salt lick. In fact, you can find around two-thirds of the U.S. moose population in Alaska. In vastly bigger Maine, which has about 60,000 moosethe densest population in the lower 48 statesthere's a suspected decline, but . Bangor Publis Library; Maine State Library; and libraries of the University of Maine at Farmington, Fort Kent, Machias, and Presque Isle], Maine. Distribution & Population Trends - According to writings of early explorers, moose were plentiful in New England during the 1600s. Mature softwood is used as cover when snow depth exceeds 3 feet. WCS, the W logo, WE STAND FOR WILDLIFE, I STAND FOR WILDLIFE, and STAND FOR WILDLIFE are service marks of Wildlife Conservation Society. However, in North America, Alces species are called moose. Population, consumptive, and non-consumptive objectives were developed to meet these goals. Often theyll be close to hardwood browse where they can feed on young regenerating vegetation. If you have questions feel free to reach out. However, they are more concentrated in some locations than others. New Hampshire's numbers have reduced nearly 50 percent, to about 5,000 moose. The breeding season for moose begins in late September and last into early October. To give yourself the best chances of seeing a moose in Maine, youll want to be in the areas that have the most moose per square mile. Bulls will be found at higher elevations in the summer. In Maine, moose face the same issues with winter ticks. While the exact population number of moose in North Dakota isnt reported, the number of hunting licenses issued each year provides insight into the populations health. We also share helpful tips and guides on a variety of topics related to animals and nature. The MDIFW received a grant from Maine's Outdoor Heritage Fund (MOHF) to . Like most animals, moose change their locations depending on the time of year. This is when moose are the most visible. During adequate weather conditions, moose are often moving around all day for days at a time. Clearing forestland for farming and increased incidence of brain worm which attributed to increasing deer populations also contributed to their decline. When you click and buy we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. The team is led by Pauline Kamath, University of Maine assistant professor of animal health. Although moose prefer forested areas, they have been seen wandering to other parts of the state, such as the Columbia Basins high desert country. Currently, the population is estimated to be just over 100 animals. To hunt moose in Idaho, you must apply for a controlled hunt tag. Maine has the second-largest moose population in the U.S and the highest in the lower 48 states. Member Benefits: Maine PBS Passport, MemberCard & More! ORONO, Maine A new research project is about to kick off at the University of Maine to better understand the effects of parasites on Maine's moose, and how to protect the declining population. RELATED: Ticks killing Maine moose at sometimes alarming rates. It is believed they first wandered to Oregon from Washington or Idaho across the Palouse Prairie. 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