Of the millions of tourists that visit Maine each year, many hope to see a moose. Maine and moose are synonymous, with thousands of animals making Maine the most populous state for moose south of Alaska. Prior to colonization by Europeans, Maine had abundant populations of moose, caribou, and wolves. By the early 20th century, both the wolf and the caribou were hunted to extinction. Moose were luckier, however. Although hunting decimated their numbers, a few animals hung on in the remotest parts of the northern forest. Legal moose hunting was finally banned in the 1930’s, but only after it became nearly impossible to find a moose.
For nearly fifty years, moose hunting was illegal in Maine and over the decades, their population gradually rebounded. In 1980 a controversial moose hunt was initiated. The annual hunt has become a tradition for many, but others remain opposed to it and what they see as mismanagement by the state fish and wildlife agency.
Maine’s moose, Alces alces americana, is the smallest sub-species of moose in North America. Adult females, called cows, can weigh eight hundred pounds and the largest males, called bulls, can exceed more than one thousand pounds. They breed each Fall during what is called the “rut”. Calves are born in May at which time any yearlings that are still with the cow are chased away and forced to find their own place to live. It is these yearlings that are usually seen walking into towns and crossing highways as they search for suitable habitat and a home of their own.
Aside from hunters and motor vehicles, there are other significant causes of moose mortality. The brainworm is a parasite that lives in deer, which are immune to its effects. Moose contract brainworm from deer feces. Where deer populations are high, moose mortality is also high because brainworm is always fatal to moose. Seeing a sickly moose that is disoriented likely means that that animal has contracted brainworm and is near death. Other causes of mortality include various parasites including the winter tick. Winter ticks have always been in the Maine woods. In recent years, they have become so prevalent that it is not uncommon to see hundreds of them on a moose during the fall and winter months. They feed on the moose’s blood and can kill moose calves and even adults. They can also force pregnant females to absorb a developing fetus if the female cannot sustain it. In recent years, due to the winter tick, many pregnant females have not given birth, twin calves have become rare, and many calves have died during their first winter.
Moose range in Maine is contracting northward and it is becoming nearly impossible to see one outside of their core range which is primarily in far northern Maine and the western mountains. Do not expect to see one when driving from Kittery to Bar Harbor, although it is wise to always be on the lookout and drive carefully, especially at night when it is nearly impossible to see them, even with your headlights on.
If you really want to see a Maine moose, perhaps the most southerly significant population is north and east of Bangor in the vicinity of the Stud Mill Road. To reach this road, drive north from Bangor on Route 2 to Milford. Take a right on the County Road and drive alongside the Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. Just as you get past the refuge, take a right onto Stud Mill Road. This is a gravel woods road its entire distance which is owned by large landowners in the forest products industry. Remember that this is a working forest and that logging trucks have the right-of-way. If you should take any of the several side roads, remember that it can be easy to get lost, and there are no services in this remote area.
Another area to see moose is the Moosehead Lake region. Here you can pay to go on a moose safari. Moose watching is a significant contributor to the local economy. While in the Moosehead area, check out the lake and its stunning beauty and remoteness.
Perhaps the best area to see moose is in the North Maine Woods. There is a fee to enter, and one of the best entry points is just west of Ashland. After the checkpoint, take the Realty Road and drive west. You can take this road all of the way to the Quebec border. There are many woods roads off the Realty Road where it is possible to see moose. You should have a four-wheel drive vehicle or a truck if you leave the main roads. Moose are most active at dusk when it cools down, so if you are in the woods at dark, be particularly careful.
If you do drive the North Maine Woods for any distance, a high quality gps that shows the woods roads or a Delorme Maine Atlas is essential. There is no cell phone service and if you break down, you may end up spending the night since most of the woods roads are very lightly traveled. It is not uncommon to drive all day and see only two or three other vehicles in this wilderness region, so be prepared. Remember that this is also a working forest so the logging trucks always have the right-of-way.
So, there you have it. You now know a little bit about Maine moose and some of the best places to find them. Do not ever approach a moose! A mother with a calf is very protective and a bull can be aggressive during the rut. Watch them from a distance. If you do see a moose, especially a new mother with one or two calves, consider yourself very lucky. Most importantly, always be on the lookout for moose whenever and wherever you are driving in Maine. While moose numbers and collisions with vehicles are down, you don’t want to be a moose/vehicle fatality.
Enjoy your Maine vacation, and with a little effort and a beautiful drive inland, you still have a good chance to see Maine moose!
