Hunting Big Bucks: Some Observations and Differing Experiences from Two Wildlife Biologists
By Chuck Hulsey, Regional Wildlife Biologist, Region D, Strong I grew up deer hunting with family and friends. There were no great deer hunters in my group. As the oldest of eight, my dad was a teen during the Great Depression and lived in rural Arkansas and Oklahoma. He hunted more for food than sport. There certainly wasn’t any such thing as going to deer camp in those days. Fox squirrels and jack rabbits were the game. World events resulted in an invitation to participate in the Second World War.
An Unusual White-Tailed Deer From Maine's 2018 Hunting Season
By Scott McLellan, Regional Wildlife Biologist Wildlife biologists with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) spend countless hours each deer hunting season interviewing hunters and collecting a multitude of information from white-tailed deer. This information includes, but is not limited to, collecting a tooth for aging, sex, harvest date and township, antler measurements and number of points, and retropharyngeal lymph nodes for testing of Chronic Wasting Disease. Our goal is to evaluate 15% of the harvested deer from each wildlife management distr
Efforts to Determine Maine’s Wild Turkey Population
By Allen Starr, Assistant Regional Wildlife Biologist Establishing a wild turkey population in Maine has been a biological success story. A few captures and relocations from other states followed-up by in state captures and relocations has resulted in a thriving turkey population in many parts of Maine, but, depending on whom you’re talking to, Maine has either too many turkeys, too few turkeys or about the right amount. To properly manage turkeys in Maine requires solid information on numbers of birds in various parts of the state.
Who loves fresh powder more than a Ruffed Grouse?
By Amanda DeMusz, Regional Wildlife Biologist [caption id="attachment_3329" align="alignleft" width="300"] Photo courtesy Amanda DeMusz[/caption] Recently Aroostook County received almost 2 feet of fresh light powdery snow. While those of us that maintain homes may not be enjoying the cleanup that ensues, there is a forest bird that welcomes the fresh powder. The Ruffed Grouse (AKA Par
The Christmas Bird Count: Over a Century of Community Science
By Regional Wildlife Biologist Susan Bard Each year, thousands of birders participate in what’s known as the Christmas Bird Count (CBC). This long-standing winter census is used for various purposes such as assessing the health and trends of bird populations, public education, as well as guiding organizations in their conservation efforts.
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.
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.
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
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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