Moose are a prominent feature of the Maine landscape, representing the largest land mammal found within the state. This animal is an iconic symbol of the North Woods and is a major draw for wildlife viewers and hunters. Maine holds the largest moose population in the contiguous United States, a testament to the state’s expansive forest habitat.
Where Maine’s Moose Live
The population of moose in Maine is concentrated in the northern and western regions, particularly the North Woods, the Western Mountains, and areas like Moosehead Lake and Baxter State Park. The habitat is characterized by regenerating forestland, which provides woody browse for winter survival and aquatic plants in wetlands and bogs during warmer months.
Historical conservation efforts allowed the moose population to rebound significantly from near extirpation in the early 1900s, when numbers had dwindled to an estimated 2,000 individuals. By 2012, state biologists estimated the population around 76,000. This dense population across the northern two-thirds of the state is supported by commercial forestry practices that create a continuous supply of young trees and shrubs, which are the moose’s preferred food source.
Population Health and Current Management
The health of Maine’s moose is increasingly threatened by the winter tick parasite (Dermacentor albipictus), the single greatest driver of calf mortality. Winter ticks spend their entire life cycle on a single host, attaching in the fall and feeding for five to six months. Infestation can lead to severe anemia, blood loss, and hair loss from excessive grooming, a condition often fatal to calves.
The proliferation of the winter tick is linked to climate change, specifically shorter, warmer winters and extended falls that allow more time for tick larvae to attach to a host. Research by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) has shown overwinter calf mortality rates as high as 86% in some high-density Wildlife Management Districts (WMDs) during peak tick years. This high mortality significantly impacts the recruitment of young moose into the adult population.
In response, the MDIFW is conducting a multi-phase adaptive management study to assess if reducing moose population density can break the winter tick cycle. The strategy involves increasing the allocation of antlerless moose hunting permits in specific high-risk WMDs as an experimental intervention. Biologists hypothesize that fewer hosts per area will reduce the number of ticks that survive to reproduce, thus improving calf survival and the overall health of the remaining moose herd. This management is implemented through a lottery system for hunting permits, which supports the research goals.
Viewing Moose Safely
The best chance for a sighting occurs during the late spring through early summer, and again in the fall during the breeding season. Moose are crepuscular, meaning they are most active during the cooler hours of dawn and dusk, which are the optimal times for viewing. They often frequent wetlands, bogs, and ponds to feed on aquatic vegetation, and they may be found near roadsides licking salt runoff.
Popular viewing locations include the Moosehead Lake region, the Golden Road, and the Western Mountains, with certain rural routes earning the nickname “Moose Alley.” While moose are generally docile, they are large, wild animals that should be observed from a distance, especially cows with calves or bulls during the fall rut. A primary safety concern is the risk of moose-vehicle collisions, particularly at night, due to the animal’s massive size and dark color. Drivers should exercise extreme caution and reduce speed in high-density areas, as a collision with a moose can be extremely dangerous.