MDIFW Blog
Early Winter Conditions Present Unique Challenges for Fishery Management
By MDIFW Fisheries Biologist Kevin Dunham The fall of 2018 was a challenging one meteorologically for conducting some fishery management activities. After all, a large portion of our daily duties takes place outdoors (Yes!) and, somewhat perversely, most fisheries biologists don’t mind working in adverse weather and actually find it “relaxing”. To a point. Our
Monitoring Forest Carnivores
By Shevenell Webb, MDIFW Wildlife Biologist Forest carnivores are elusive and difficult to observe, but they have a hard time resisting the smell of skunk essence and beaver meat.
Branch Lake’s Coldwater Fisheries Have Come Roaring Back
By MDIFW Fisheries Biologist Greg Burr For years, Branch Lake in Ellsworth possessed a vibrant coldwater fishery, but in 2000, public access to the lake ended.
Managing Wild Apple Trees for Wildlife
By Daniel Hill, Natural Resource Manager-Lands Program The Lands Program for Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) in coordination with regional staff, manages, and enhances wildlife habitat throughout the state in a multitude of ways.
Adjusting to Winter
By Sarah Spencer, Wildlife Biologist As we approach the winter solstice, the days get shorter, temperatures drop, and precipitation starts falling in the form of snow. To the wildlife here in Maine, it’s a transition they’ve been preparing for since day length began to shorten back in June.
Early Season Ice Fishing Opportunities Abound In Region D In Western Maine
By MDIFW Fisheries Biologist Dave Howatt Winter has come early to western Maine. Ice thickness is steadily growing on many of our waters, and the conditions continue to get better and better.
Moosehead Lake: The Year of the Brook Trout
[caption id="attachment_3218" align="alignright" width="466"] IFW biologists handled this handsome male brook trout in the fall of 2018 that weighed in at 7.3 lbs.[/caption] By MDIFW Fisheries Biologist Tim Obrey I know the Chinese calendar says 2018 was the year of the dog, but for those that fish Moosehead Lake, it was the year of the brook trout…big brook trout. It seemed like w
What Are Those Growths On That Deer?
[caption id="attachment_3202" align="alignright" width="520"] Photo courtesy of Carl Tugend of Holden[/caption] By MDIFW Wildlife Biologist Kendall Marden Every year, we receive phone calls and emails at our regional office about deer that have unusual growths on their head or body. With hunting season in full swing, some successful hunters are occasionally noticing this odd-looking phe
Lake Saint George – Trap Net Results Mean Very Good Things for the Upcoming Winter Fishery
By MDIFW Fisheries Biologist Wes Ashe The Saint George River flows approximately 50-miles from its headwaters in the town of Liberty to its estuary in Thomaston. Along its route, the St. George has long stretches of flowing riverine habitat and seven lakes encompassing nearly 3,000 acres.
Uncovering the Mysteries of Bats
By MDIFW Biologists Sarah Boyden and Shevenell Webb [caption id="attachment_3177" align="alignright" width="429"] Furbearer and small mammal biologists, Shevenell Webb, visits one of Maine’s bat hibernacula where bats hibernating during the winter.[/caption] As Halloween approaches, bat decorations can be seen hanging from trees and spooky spider webs. At this time of year, most b
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