MDIFW Blog
Collecting Deer Data - Part 1
The firearms season on deer is in full swing and while hunters scramble seeking deer, biologists scramble seeking successful hunters. During the month of November, wildlife biologists across the state are in a frantic race to collect as much biological data as possible from harvested deer; to do this they are making regular visits to tagging stations and meat processors. Don’t be surprised if they also show up on your door step. The first step to bulk data collection is getting to know the people who handle deer every day all season: the processors.
Collecting Deer Data - Part 2
In the first post about deer bio-data collection, I talked about where wildlife biologists go to collect information and measurements from harvested deer. In this part, I’ll tell you what measurements and samples we collect and why. The first thing the biologist takes note of is the seal number. This is the seven digit number on the registration tag which is affixed to the animal at the tagging station. This number provides an easy way to keep all of the samples and meat connected to the specific deer organized.
Biologists gather data from dead deer to monitor health of the deer herd
While many of us are out hunting this deer season, Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife regional wildlife biologists are busy hunting for deer as well, knocking on doors and visiting meat lockers, chasing down biological data that will give the department a better glimpse of the health of Maine’s deer herd.
Brown Trout Get Radio Tags
Once a nationally renowned brown trout fishery, the tailwaters around Shawmut Hydroelectric Project, referred to as Shawmut, have hastily [caption id="attachment_218" align="alignright" width="240"] One of the tagged brown trout post surgery.
Aerial Angling Surveys
To effectively manage a body of water for a specific species or type of species, fisheries biologists employ multiple survey and study methods to observe the dynamics of that population or species. They use multiple netting techniques during different seasons and target certain species with each study attempt. However, one of the preferred methods of collecting information about a specific fishery is to ask the people with the most recreation time invested using that fishery, the anglers. In my post Spring Fishing Census, I explained about creel surveys, what they are and why we do them.
C&R Not For All Waters
[caption id="attachment_382" align="alignleft" width="225"] Biologist Jim Pellerin shows a lake trout caught while studying a southern Maine pond.[/caption] For years conservationists everywhere have been preaching conservative angling practices, such as catch and release, in
Hatching and Fledging Birds
Living with wildlife, and allowing wildlife to live with us and despite us, may be difficult at times. With urban sprawl, and the human population branching out into more rural areas, the number of human-wildlife interactions are on the rise. Some of these interactions are exciting and harmless, some are a bit frightful and remind us that wildlife is just that, wild, and some may seem innocuous to us, but may put the critter in peril.
Spring Family Fishing
It's finally spring in Maine and as the ice and snow slowly disappear many of us are itching to get outdoors! In my opinion, there is no better way to get out and enjoy some time together than wetting a line and taking in all the beauty that Maine has to offer.
Spring Fishing Census
[caption id="attachment_379" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Greg Massey and Bob Giguire proudly show one of their spring salmon.[/caption] As the lakes and ponds throughout the state are thawing after a long winter, anglers are itching to get out on the open water.
Fish Fry Growing
First and foremost, before we get into some fishy talk, I’d like to apologize for my absence on this blog the last several weeks. I have switched positions, headquarters, and many duties within MDIFW and will continue to post about three entries I hope you find interesting every month. I am fortunate that with my new position, I will continue to work with the hatcheries division, fisheries division, and wildlife division, and will attempt to keep the blog entries diverse.
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