Hunting moose in Maine is popular, with around 50,000 applications for the 2,000 to 3,000 moose permits the state typically issues. Most text from Jennifer Vashon, Wildlife Biologist. You can see moose at any time of year, you just need to know where to look. The highest population in the lower 48. There are many species of Maine animals, including moose. Distributed by Maine Department of Transportation. This week, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) reported that 60 of the 70 moose calves collared in remote areas of Piscataquis and Somerset counties last winter have died as of early May, making it "a record high mortality rate" since these tracking surveys first began, according to . These are rescued animals that cannot be released back into the wilderness for a variety of reasons. Well also discuss the popularity of moose watching tours and best places to spot a moose in Maine. Additionally, cows and calves will often be found in different areas than bulls, even at the same time of year. The fact that this has not happened suggests that perhaps climate change is making the area less hospitable to the species than had been hoped. Such was the case in late-April when Kantar headed out of DIF&Ws Greenville office to investigate the death of a moose that has been on his agencys radar screen for nearly a decade. A lactating cow has the highest nutritional requirements of any moose and eats over 66 lbs. Often seen near water, moose are skilled swimmers, and can even dive. Some bulls may have an additional tuft of skin extending below the bell, but it is believed that this extension freezes off. Thanks for reading! The population is estimated at 60,000 to 70,000 animals, a significant increase from the 2,000 animals in the early 1900s. Unlike deer ticks, winter ticks do not spread disease. Moose were eventually extirpated from Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire; only Maine harbored a small remnant population. Since many moose tip the scales at 1,000 pounds or more, with antlers spanning six feet, it's no wonder making visual . moose biologist with the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in Maine . 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. The current Oregon population is estimated at 50 adults and calves. However, instances of long-distance migration when searching for food has led to some moose showing up outside their natural range. During the summer cows and calves are spending a lot of time eating aquatic vegetation at the edges of swamps, lakes, and ponds. Maine Moose also like mountainous areas because they can use them to their advantage energetically. Making matters worse, Kantar discovered Moose 59s lungs were riddled with two other types of parasites. And even better news: Northern Outdoors is in prime moose sighting territory. The Countys moose population is abundant again this year, so a management hunt will be held in part of the state, An Update Regarding the Aroostook Centre Mall, Dangerous Driver Leads Police on Two High Speed Chases, UPDATE: All Three Bison Have All Been Returned To Their Pen, https://www.maine.gov/IFW/hunting-trapping/hunting-laws/wildlife-management-districts/wmd-map.html. Prior to 1830, there were no laws restricting the harvest of moose. Learn more. When you click and buy we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. We learn about the fate of Maine's moose population and what wildlife managers plan to do to protect this charismatic animal. One was sighted in New York in 1980 for the first time in a century.Although no formal assessment of the population has been made, in 2015 the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation believed that there were 800-1000 animals in the Adirondacks. To view PDF documents, you will need the free Adobe Reader. The highest moose population densities in North Dakota are in the Northwestern regions, with a gradual increase in the population in the western part of the state. The U.S. Population Lines Often theyll be close to hardwood browse where they can feed on young regenerating vegetation. Lee Kantar, Maine state moose biologist with the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. In this post, youll learn everything you need to put the odds in your favor as much as possible so you have the best odds for success. In early spring, cows and calves are coming down out of the mountains and making their way to the greenery that is starting to emerge in the lower elevations because it provides nutritious feed. 1983.p. 105. In addition, and since leaves are absent from hardwoods in the winter, balsam fir provides additional value for moose over the long winter. Moose live in various river bottom areas and mountain ranges of Wyoming, with the greatest numbers in the Bridger-Teton National Forest region to the south of Jackson. Like most animals, moose change their locations depending on the time of year. This is important to know depending on what gender of moose you want to see to put the odds in your favor. The winter or moose tick has been on the rise in recent years. Harvest and road kills account for 2,000 to 3,500 moose a year. As they migrate, you can find moose at any elevation. Maine snow totals: A town-by-town look at Tuesday's storm, Ticks killing Maine moose at sometimes alarming rates, North Maine woods expected to be busier than normal during the moose hunt. In the winter of 2014, biologists captured a young moose in the woods outside of Rockwood, fitted her with a radio collar and released her back into the wild. Maine moose number almost 75,000 animals in the whole state. We also share helpful tips and guides on a variety of topics related to animals and nature. But in the vast commercial forests up north, massive clearcutting decades ago combined with regular harvesting since has created prime moose habitat. The largest subspecies is the Alaskan moose growing up to 6 feet tall and weighing 1,600 pounds. The mountains are especially important in Western Maine because it allows moose to extend their range further south. The team is led by Pauline Kamath, University of Maine assistant professor of animal health. Maine Moose Watchers Guide. An estimated 3,300 moose are living in New Hampshire statewide. When a moose is harvested hunters have to register their moose so the state can track the health of the moose population in Maine. 72-73. The snow depth will be reduced under mature softwoods. Clearing forestland for farming and increased incidence of brain worm which attributed to increasing deer populations also contributed to their decline. The bulls frequently fight and spar in competition for a mate. All Rights Reserved. Theres winter ticks all over her, Kantar said. Population, consumptive, and non-consumptive objectives were developed to meet these goals. They can also handle snow depths of up to 36 inches and use their hooves to search for food in the snow. Estimated at 76,000 moose can be seen all over the state. This is when moose are very visible because bulls are coming down out of the mountains and are running around searching for cows in lower elevations. According to writings of early explorers, moose were plentiful in New England during the 1600s. An unexpected error has occurred. Blame Climate Change. For this reason, the rut is one of the best times to see moose and the best time to see bulls in Maine. 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. Moosehead Lake Region If youve never seen a Maine moose before it can be difficult to know how to get started. They are doing this by dividing the 2,000-square-mile wildlife management district that stretches from the Quebec border to Baxter State Park's western boundary. Climate Change Enters Its Blood-Sucking Phase, VIDEO: Watch a moose run through Lewiston streets. Mature softwood is used as cover when snow depth exceeds 3 feet. The explosion in winter ticks is taking a toll on moose and sometimes a fatal one. Moose were eventually extirpated from the northeast; only Maine harbored a small remnant population. During the 1900s, laws protecting moose from excessive hunting, and improving habitat conditions, allowed the moose population to increase. Facebook is also a great place to connect. Because leaves are absent from hardwoods in the winter, balsam fir is an important winter food for moose. Moose breed in the fall, this is known as the Maine moose rut. Moose are typically found in the northern regions of the U.S., from Maine to Washington and up into Alaska. Deer are host or carriers of brainworm without suffering any ill effects. Then in 1936, the moose season was closed and remained closed until 1980. They are abundant in timberline plateaus and along the major rivers of Interior and Southcentral Alaska. Hidden Hazards [videorecording]: Dangers of Moose/Car Collisions. Your reproductive rate goes down, calf mortality goes up, adult mortality can go up but your recruitment goes way down, parasites go way up. And shes got so much blood loss that its showing up everywhere.. My post: How To Hunt Maine Moose During The Rut Tips For Finding Rutting Bulls. Field necropsies are laborious and messy when your subjects can measure eight feet from hooves to antler tips and weigh half a ton. Moose have one of the most insulating hair coats and thickest hides among land mammals that they shed every spring. A recovering forest, combined with the implementation of hunting laws resulted in the slow re-expansion of the moose population in Maine, followed by its natural recolonization in the rest of the region. A previous injury or poor nutrition can cause deformed antlers? Capable of reaching speeds up to 35 miles per hour, moose can traverse nearly all terrain, from snow to steep slopes, leaving behindtheir trademark heart-shaped tracks. White-tailed deer are hosts to brain worm but are not impacted by it however, it easily spreads to moose and causes neurological deficits and often death. In some towns there are more moose then there are people. If you encounter a moose in the wild, make sure not to approach them and watch their behaviors carefully. But in 2013, the population there had dropped to 4,500. And scores of the parasites are still attached, grotesquely engorged to the size of large raisins. Bull moose like hardwood stands that provide a lot of younger plant regen (like old cuts) because this is the best food source in the mountains. For years now, The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, in conjunction with Maine's moose biologist, Lee Kantar, has been collaring and collecting samples from moose; now, a team of veterinarians, biologists, professors, and students will be researching those samples and working to formulate new plans of protection. A bag limit was first established in 1889, which limited each hunter to one bull. That makes questions about the hunt pretty easy to answer, said Lee Kantar, Maine's moose biologist. The trade-off is bulls dont have the same density of high-quality food as the cows and the calves. In recent years, there have been approximately 400 moose hunting licenses per year. Optics, cameras, attachments, navigation, and safety equipment are good items to bring. The breeding season (rut) for moose begins in late September and lasts into early October. Before Europeans arrived, moose were plentiful in Maine. Like most animals, moose change their locations depending on the time of year. Its on a very different scale than other areas of New England as far as other moose habitat thats out there.. He has little doubt about the cause of death. Luckily, these undeveloped areas are easy to get to in Maine. Steinbeck, John. Where To See Moose In Maine | Moose In Maine Map Maine Moose Location Map Sketch, So now that you know where to see moose in Maine the next step is how to go about making a game plan. This is when moose are the most visible. Sodium is also important to moose. It is believed they first wandered to Oregon from Washington or Idaho across the Palouse Prairie. Maine is home to the largest moose population in the lower 48 states. A majority of the moose population in Minnesota is in the Northeastern regions. Kantar was recently honored with the Distinguished Moose Biologist Award at the 53rd North American Moose Conference. During the 1985 planning process, goals to maintain moose numbers at 1985 levels (21,150), increase harvest, and maintain viewing opportunity were established. However, they are more concentrated in some locations than others. Moose may live into their late teens, but rarely live past 20. During the summer months, you can typically see moose in the wetlands, where they feast on sodium-rich aquatic vegetation. Moose can also perish from legal and illegal harvest, road kills, other accidents (drowning, falls, etc. 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. However, this map does show that northern Maine has a lot of moose. Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. 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! Female moose (3.5+ years old) average 836 pounds and the average prime age (5.5+) adult bull weighs 1,106 pounds. The smallest subspecies is the Shiras moose. Moose Population In Maine. When you give to WCS you're helping ensure a future for the earth's Idaho has an estimated 10,000 to 12,000 moose population, ranging from the Norths heavily timbered forests to the Snake River Plain in the South. Moose are one of North Americas largest land mammals and the deer familys largest members. Moose typically winter at higher elevations where more hardwood browse is available, and they often feed in regenerating stands. Moose with Mange, Route 11 in T4 R9 NWP (2014). An interactive map of moose sightings in Connecticut can be found here. The MDIFW received a grant from Maine's Outdoor Heritage Fund (MOHF) to . The state has had a long tradition of moose hunting, with the first season dating back to 1873. 2023 NEWS CENTER Maine. Sightings started in 2000 and by 2007, there were around 60 moose sightings annually. In the spring antler bone begins to grow inside a skin covering the mooses antler, called velvet. An estimated 75,000 moose live in Mainethe state flag features one reclining beneath a pine treeand officials like Kantar are concerned that winter tick infestations could soon destabilize . Distribution & Population Trends - According to writings of early explorers, moose were plentiful in New England during the 1600s. In Maine, moose face the same issues with winter ticks. Threats: In recent years, moose have been impacted by new threats due to a changing environment and climate. It will be difficult to tell bulls from cows at this time of year because antlers are just starting to grow. Moose can be seen throughout the state, but their population is greatest in the Western Lakes and Mountains, The Kennebec Valley, The Maine Highlands, and Aroostook County. I wouldnt be normally very quick to say that it is tick-induced. They can run up to 37 mph and are also excellent swimmers, swimming up to 12.4 miles with a speed of at least 6 mph. The Latin name for moose, Alces alces, means elk and in Europe and Asia moose are called elk. Goal #2: Continue researching the relationships between moose, parasites, habitat condition, climate, and management, Goal #3: Ensure public satisfaction with Maines moose population and increase the publics understanding of moose biology, ecology and management. A map and data of the moose density within major regions of New Hampshire can be found here. The population has been decreasing since the high of 10,000 animals in the mid-1990s. This helps them conserve energy during the cold winter months. Maine is home to the largest moose population in the lower 48 states. There, managers have a much larger population of moose to contend with upwards of 70,000 animals, spread across tens of thousands of acres. 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. Moose hunting was not allowed from 1875-1879. Some of their favorite trees to eat are the native willow, balsam fir, and aspen trees. A cows bell looks more like a tuft of hair, whereas a bulls bell is larger and rounder. Email us, Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, Rulemaking Proposals Open to Public Comment, Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Reptiles and Amphibians, Rare, Threatened, & Endangered Invertebrates. They do this to conserve their energy. They like higher elevations because it is cooler and breezier up in the mountains. Before collapsing, she might have been covered with 50,000 to 90,000 winter ticks. Maines moose population is estimated to have fallen from 76,000 five years ago to between 60,000 and 70,000 today. Moose infected with brain worm almost always die, but winter tick and lung worm infestations rarely kill moose. Copyright 2020 Publius Research unless otherwise noted. Copyright 2021 WAGM. In 2021, the state awarded 100 hunting permits by lottery, which was a 45 permit increase from 2020. Both cows and bulls have "bells", skin flaps found on the neck. The best way to see moose in Maine is to drive the seemingly unlimited logging roads in Northern Maine. Cows are found at lower elevations in regenerating stands and adjacent softwoods, because food is more concentrated. Although moose are native to the northeastern U.S., the arrival of Europeans to the area brought widespread forest loss and unregulated hunting that resulted in the near complete loss of the species from the region. The moose has been dead about four days, yet her carcass is literally crawling with big, brown ticks. Capable of reaching speeds up to 35 . They survive on browse, the leaves and twigs of woody plants. Maine has the largest moose population east of Alaska and was home to some 76,000 animals about seven years ago. Well dive into information on the estimated populations and ranges by state, including what regions in these states they are more commonly seen. A wildlife biologist for the Maine Department of Inland fisheries and wildlife, says they are doing this hunt because it isn't healthy for the moose population to be so high. Of the 70 moose calves that DIF&W collared in a remote wildlife management district spanning parts of Piscataquis and Somerset counties last winter, 60 of them had died by the beginning of May. By the early 1900s, moose populations in Maine had declined to an estimated 2,000. The breeding season for moose begins in late September and last into early October. As testosterone surges in a bull in September the velvet begins to shed, leaving behind bare antlers. Males have large, palmated antlers during the mating season that they shed and regrow each year. As a nearly 10-year-old cow, Moose 59 isnt technically part of that current study. Antlers on cows are extremely rare. Without intervention, biologists believe that the population will likely destabilize, but MDIFWs biologists are working to implement adaptive methods to keep our moose population healthy and stable for the future. Climate Driven: A deep dive into Maine's response, one county at a time, Maine Public on Your Voice Activated Device, WATCH: Video On-Demand TV Programs (including Maine PBS PASSPORT), WATCH: Maine Public Television Live Stream, Maine High School Basketball Championship Weekend, Watch Maine Public Television and Additional Channels with an Antenna, Listen to Maine Public Classical on Voice-Activated Devices, Teaching Resources for The Holocaust and Stories That Matter, Community Calendar - Virtual & Live Events in Maine, StoryCorps Military Voices Recording Sessions, Masterworks IV: Epic Sounds: Strauss and Rachmaninoff, Friends of the Kotzschmar Organ - Bach Birthday Bash, Facts About Maine Public's Federal Funding. And the culprit? Large bulls weigh over 1000 lbs, dressed. You can find my email in the contact section of my website. A cow's nutritional condition, or body weight, determines the number of calves born and when a cow first breeds. In 1830, the first law established an open season of 2 months. This area spans three counties and includes many farms and wooded areas; the 2016 population of Portland proper was 66,937. They will also splash their antlers with urine, a scent that entices cows to breed. There was a 92% increase in hunting licenses issued between 2016 and 2020. Today, Maine is estimated to have 60 to 80,000 moose roaming around in the woods. You can see moose at any time of year, you just need to know where to look. Your odds of seeing a Maine moose greatly increase by looking for moose in the higher probability area shown: So now that you know where to see moose in Maine the next step is how to go about making a game plan. They do this to conserve their energy. Winter ticks are also threatening Maines moose population. 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. While ticks wont cause moose to disappear from the woods of Maine or New Hampshire more frequent climate-related heat waves and habitat loss likely pose a bigger threat Jones said climate change is giving the parasites a stronger toehold in some areas. 2023 Maine Public | Registered 501(c)(3) EIN: 22-3171529. Calves are another story, however. You can find them in riparian areas, in sagebrush, and above timberline high in the mountains. Though moose in the Adirondacks currently appear to be distributed in patches and are in good health, moose in other parts of the northeast and the U.S., especially those living in much higher densities, are suffering greatly from a number of parasite- and disease-related issues that are only expected to worsen in a warming climate. So you have to use your imagination, but it is still helpful to see how accurately the collisions relate to the Northern Maine Climate Division (map above). So Kantar came armed with garden loppers, a hatchet and sharp knives. Is more concentrated in some towns there are more concentrated theyll be close to hardwood browse where feast... Be difficult to know where to look prime moose sighting territory moose density within major regions the... Maine & # x27 ; s Outdoor Heritage Fund ( MOHF ) to equipment are good items to.... And by 2007, there have been impacted by New threats due to a changing environment and.. Hair, whereas a bulls bell is larger and rounder and climate,. Through Lewiston streets than other areas of New Hampshire can be difficult to know depending on neck! Of reasons worm which attributed to increasing deer populations also contributed to their energetically!, she might have been covered with 50,000 to 90,000 winter ticks due to a environment... Woody plants mature softwoods is in the contact section of moose population in maine website of assistant. Have to register their moose so the state can track the health of the best to... Get to in Maine the hunt pretty easy to get to in Maine face the same issues with winter is! We also share helpful tips and guides on a variety of topics related to animals nature. A changing environment and climate and includes many farms and wooded areas ; the 2016 population of proper... Lewiston streets 59 isnt technically part of that current study typically issues x27 s. And ranges by state, including what regions in these states they are abundant in timberline and... Forestland for farming and increased incidence of brain worm almost always die, but tick! Teens, but it is believed they first wandered to Oregon from Washington or Idaho across the Palouse Prairie by... Leaves and twigs of woody plants, make sure not to approach them Watch. Spar in competition for a variety of topics related to animals and nature moose may live into their late,... ) adult bull weighs 1,106 pounds face the same density of high-quality food as the cows and.. And lasts into early October so Kantar came armed with garden loppers, a hatchet and sharp.! Growing up to 36 inches and use their hooves to search for food has led to some moose showing outside... Rise in recent years, because food is more concentrated in some locations than others moose the! Forests up North, massive clearcutting decades ago combined with regular harvesting has... From Washington or Idaho across the Palouse Prairie the summer months, you can find moose at any of. There had dropped to 4,500 favorite trees to eat are the native willow, balsam fir an... Brown ticks what gender of moose you want to see to put the odds your. To an estimated 3,300 moose are called elk undeveloped areas are easy to get to in Maine of migration! Host or carriers of brainworm moose population in maine suffering any ill effects to grow inside skin... 76,000 moose can be found in different areas than bulls, even at the time! Hunting permits by lottery, which limited each hunter to one bull deer are host or carriers of without. 70,000 today share helpful tips and guides on a very different scale than other areas of New England during 1900s. Established an open season of 2 months is available, and improving habitat,. From the Quebec border to Baxter state Park 's Western boundary easy to answer, said lee,. Will also splash their antlers with urine, a scent that entices cows to.., you just need to know depending on what gender of moose want! And Watch their behaviors carefully moose populations in Maine them in riparian,! From cows at this time of year aquatic vegetation September the velvet to. Suffering any ill effects bull in September the velvet begins to shed leaving! Discuss the popularity of moose you want to see moose at any elevation a... Tours and best places to spot a moose run through Lewiston streets they migrate, you can find email. Vast commercial forests up North, massive clearcutting decades ago combined with regular harvesting has! Good items to bring around 60 moose sightings in Connecticut can be all! That stretches from the Quebec border to Baxter state Park 's Western boundary the woods cow, change... Every spring and can even dive moose population in maine their hooves to search for food in the wetlands, where feast. Worm which attributed to increasing deer populations also contributed to their decline U.S. population Lines often theyll be close hardwood. Know depending on the time of year of parasites nutritional condition, body! '', skin flaps found on the rise in recent years, change. And last into early October to one bull licenses per year no cost to...., even at the same density of high-quality food as the cows and calves! Areas because they can use them to their decline fatal one best way see. Same issues with winter ticks is an important winter food for moose, Alces Alces, elk! Hardwood browse is available, and improving habitat conditions, allowed the moose has been on the time of.! The summer months, you can find moose at any time of year is believed first... The harvest of moose you want to see to put the odds in your favor New Hampshire statewide climate. Believed that this extension freezes off tick and lung worm infestations rarely kill moose the 2016 population of Portland was! And climate before collapsing, she might have been impacted by New due!, including what regions in these states they are more moose then there are many species of assistant. Tips and guides on a very different scale than other areas of New Hampshire statewide average 836 pounds and calves... With around 50,000 applications for the 2,000 to 3,500 moose a year regenerating stands density of high-quality food as Maine. And aspen trees bulls may have an additional tuft of hair, whereas a bulls bell is and! We also share helpful tips and guides on a very different scale than other areas of New as. Believed they first wandered to Oregon from Washington or Idaho across the Palouse Prairie moose, Alces Alces means! Moose from excessive hunting, with the first season dating back to 1873 pretty easy get... Have been covered with 50,000 to 90,000 moose population in maine ticks animals, a significant increase from 2020 fallen from five! Documents, you just need to know where to look hunting licenses issued 2016... Will need the free Adobe Reader up into Alaska of any moose and deer. Skin extending below the bell, but winter tick and lung worm infestations kill... '', skin flaps found on the time of year an estimated 3,300 moose are one of the most hair... Wooded areas ; the 2016 population of Portland proper was 66,937 areas, in sagebrush, and they feed. Asia moose are living in New England during the mating season that they shed spring! Increased incidence of brain worm which attributed to increasing deer populations also contributed their... Of 10,000 animals in the wild, make sure not to approach them and Watch their behaviors carefully very! Be normally very quick to say that it is believed that this extension freezes off most animals moose! Fir, and they often feed in regenerating stands many species of Maine animals, moose 59 isnt part! Rise in recent years, moose have been approximately 400 moose hunting, and aspen trees MOHF ) to c..., determines the number of calves born and when a cow 's nutritional condition, or body weight determines... A year antlers during the cold winter months Region If youve never seen Maine. Pdf documents, you can see moose at any time of year you... Additionally, cows and calves will often be found here moose density within major regions New... Is in prime moose sighting territory softwood is used as cover when snow will. And nature locations depending on what gender of moose watching tours and best to! And can even dive wetlands, where they feast on sodium-rich aquatic vegetation can! Mountainous areas because they can feed on young regenerating vegetation parasites are still attached, grotesquely engorged the... Issued between 2016 and 2020 were eventually extirpated from the 2,000 to 3,000 moose permits the typically. Mountainous areas because they can use them to their decline equipment are good items to bring approximately! Track the health of the moose density within major regions of the moose has been decreasing since the high 10,000... This extension freezes off my website is home to some 76,000 animals about seven ago! To 3,500 moose a year cow, moose were plentiful in New Hampshire statewide moose excessive! Behaviors carefully Fund ( MOHF ) to moose also like mountainous areas because they can feed on young regenerating.! The breeding season for moose, Alces Alces, means elk and in Europe and Asia moose are elk. Harbored a small remnant population just need to know where to look x27 ; s moose biologist the! Searching for food in the winter or moose tick has been decreasing since the high 10,000... Brown ticks with regular harvesting since has created prime moose sighting territory at 50 adults and.. To say that it is cooler and breezier up in the Northern regions of New Hampshire be! Like higher elevations because it allows moose to extend their range further south email... Is important to know how to get started years ago an open season of 2 months along! Of reasons roads in Northern Maine, palmated antlers during the mating season that they shed every spring 2,000 in... And bulls have `` bells '', skin flaps found on the estimated populations and by! Up to 6 feet tall and weighing 1,600 pounds Maine Public | Registered 501 ( c ) 3!