Bears, Moose & Turkeys

Maine has an astounding 35,000+ black bear population which is more than any other Eastern State! Since bears are omnivores, about 20% of their diet is animal and the remaining 80% is vegetables. 

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The black bear is the smallest of the three species of bears inhabiting North America - comprised of Black bears, Brown/Grizzly Bears, and Polar Bears.  Black bears are the only bear living in the Eastern United States and are mostly found in forested areas from Mexico North to the edge of the tree line in Canada and Alaska. In Maine, black bears are found almost across the entire state but most commonly in Northern and Eastern Maine. 

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Most black bears are not much larger than humans but their weight can vary with the season of the year. Since bears store body fat during the fall months, this is when they are at their heaviest. With this extra fat storage they are able to supply energy during their long winter denning period. 

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Bears are long-lived animals and are capable of surviving over 30 years in the wild and their survival increases as they mature. 

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In Maine, bear seasons have remained consistent with a 3-month fall hunting season opening the last Monday in August, closing the last Saturday in November. 

Maine is home to the highest moose population in the lower 48 states and can be found in different habitats and vary from Bulls (males) and Cow (females), active mostly at dusk and dawn. During the warmer months, Bulls are typically found at higher elevations, whereas Cows are found at lower elevations where food is more concentrated. 

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Classified as the largest member of the deer family, moose stand up to seven feel tall with dark brown fur and a shoulder hump. Cows weigh on average 836 pounds while the Bull can weigh around 1,106 pounds. The record Bull ever harvested in Maine had a dressed weight of 1,330 pounds and would have weighed approximately 1,767! 

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Males have large palmated antlers during the mating season establishing dominance- which they shed in early winter and regrow yearly. Antlers are one of the fastest growing tissues of any animal, growing as much as 8 inches in just 9 days!

North America's largest upland game bird is the Wild Turkey. They can weigh between 10 - 20 lbs. for adult toms and adult hens between 8 - 12 lbs. Toms sport beard are bristle-like feathers and can grow over 12 inches on older toms. Heads of gobblers (adult toms) are usually blue and bare, with a slight pink or red coloring, changing with the mood of the tom. Heads of hens are only slightly feathered with darker and smaller feathers extending up from the back of their necks. Legs of hens are shorter than that of toms.

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You may spot a tom footprint in excess of 6 inches, and hens slightly smaller not to exceed 4 inches. Both toms and hens are equipped with keen eyesight and intuitive hearing although they often walk (or run) when faced with danger. 

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Historically, wild turkeys in Maine existed in significant numbers in York and Cumberland Counties prior to the 1800's and have slowly grown in numbers as farmland from the 1880's have been reverted back to a wooded habitat, greatly improving prospects fo reestablishing turkey's into their former range.