November 30, 2016 at 10:40 am
By Mark A. Caron, IFW Wildlife Biologist
The Caribou Bog Wildlife Management Area is one of the state’s most unique WMAs. Located along the southeast shore of Pushaw Lake in portions of Orono and Old Town, the WMA is comprised of over 2000 acres of upland and wetland habitat types.
Caribou Bog, nearby Perch Pond, and the adjoining wetland habitats associated with Pushaw Stream form an expansive peatland ecosystem covering approximately 5,500 acres. The bog ranks as the third most important peatland ecosystem in the state based on rarity and diversity of peatland types, vegetation and flora. The Caribou Bog wetland complex also supports one of the state’s best examples of a domed bog ecosystem and supports several rare plants and invertebrates. Another natural community; a red maple fen also occurs on the WMA.
Public access is foot traffic only and is limited to a gated road/trail network that is accessible off the Taylor Road in Orono. The Taylor Road (which is part of the old Veazie railroad bed) is accessed off of Forest Avenue.
The Orono Land Trust maintains the Caribou Bog Ski Trail that runs thru a portion of the WMA. The ski trail is a winter use only trail due to areas of fragile vegetation. The trail has two points of entry; the Taylor Road and Forest Avenue. The Orono Land Trust also has a network of hiking trails that are located on lands adjacent to the WMA.
There is a single woods road traverses thru the southern portion of the WMA and initially offers views of Caribou Bog before ending in a more forested setting. Given the limited public access, hunting opportunities are also limited to foot traffic. Hunting for both small and big game species is available and due to it being foot traffic only, there is limited pressure from other hunters.
The Caribou Bog Wildlife Management Area is one of the state’s most unique WMAs. Located along the southeast shore of Pushaw Lake in portions of Orono and Old Town, the WMA is comprised of over 2000 acres of upland and wetland habitat types.
Caribou Bog, nearby Perch Pond, and the adjoining wetland habitats associated with Pushaw Stream form an expansive peatland ecosystem covering approximately 5,500 acres. The bog ranks as the third most important peatland ecosystem in the state based on rarity and diversity of peatland types, vegetation and flora. The Caribou Bog wetland complex also supports one of the state’s best examples of a domed bog ecosystem and supports several rare plants and invertebrates. Another natural community; a red maple fen also occurs on the WMA.
Public access is foot traffic only and is limited to a gated road/trail network that is accessible off the Taylor Road in Orono. The Taylor Road (which is part of the old Veazie railroad bed) is accessed off of Forest Avenue.
The Orono Land Trust maintains the Caribou Bog Ski Trail that runs thru a portion of the WMA. The ski trail is a winter use only trail due to areas of fragile vegetation. The trail has two points of entry; the Taylor Road and Forest Avenue. The Orono Land Trust also has a network of hiking trails that are located on lands adjacent to the WMA.
There is a single woods road traverses thru the southern portion of the WMA and initially offers views of Caribou Bog before ending in a more forested setting. Given the limited public access, hunting opportunities are also limited to foot traffic. Hunting for both small and big game species is available and due to it being foot traffic only, there is limited pressure from other hunters.
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