Black bear, moose, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, grouse, and furbearers





Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife





*mefishwildlife.com*






2023-2024 Game Species Conservation and Management Report

arrow with Game Species Conservation and Management TExt [ [link removed] ]

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife was founded in 1880 to protect Maine’s big game species; and while the scope of our work has grown since then, conserving these species—namely deer, moose, bear, and wild turkey—remains a core priority.

The 2023-2024 Game Species Conservation and Management Report is a snapshot of harvest data and trends, current research and monitoring, management updates, and more. 

Grab a coffee and a comfy seat, we have a lot to share about Maine's wildlife management programs in this biennial report. 

View the 2023-2024 Game Species Conservation and Management Report (PDF) [ [link removed] ]

 



black bear cub being held by MDIFW biologist wearing a green wool coat with MDIFW patch on shoulder [ [link removed] ]
Black Bear

The black bear is an iconic symbol of Maine’s forests and one of our wildlife success stories. Once relegated to no more than a nuisance, the black bear has risen in stature to one of our state’s most valued animals—by wildlife watchers and hunters alike.

Today, Maine’s expansive northern, eastern, and western forests support one of the largest black bear populations in the lower 48 states, estimated at around 25,000 bears. Despite this large bear population, human-bear conflicts have remained low compared to other northeastern states. MDIFW manages the bear population through regulated harvest, including seasons for hunting over bait, hunting with dogs, trapping, and still/spot/stalk methods. MDIFW strives to balance biological and social needs, using data collected from hunters, trappers, and MDIFW’s long-term monitoring study of radio collared bears (initiated in 1975) to guide management decisions. Learn more in the report.  [ [link removed] ]



biologist conducting necropsy on dead cow moose during spring [ [link removed] ]
Moose

Moose are among Maine’s most iconic and sought-after game species. Moose densities in Maine are some of the highest in the lower 48 states. Along with northern New Brunswick and southern Quebec, Maine remains a stronghold for the species.

Moose management is guided by the 2017 Big Game Management Plan [ [link removed] ], which outlines goals and objectives for sustaining healthy moose populations for hunting and viewing. In this report, you'll find 2023 and 2024 harvest data including antler stats and moose reproductive data, research and monitoring including the adaptive unit hunt in WMD 4, and ongoing health and disease monitoring. Read more [ [link removed] ]. 

"Photo by Hunting ME"

 



mature buck standing in field at dusk [ [link removed] ]
White-tailed Deer

White-tailed deer are adaptable, resilient, and found statewide in nearly all habitat types. Deer populations in Maine are now as abundant as they’ve ever been, and in some areas, more
abundant than ever. Our primary tool for influencing deer numbers is regulated harvest, particularly of adult females. In much of central and southern Maine, where populations exceed
goals, we’ve been increasing doe harvest pressure for several years to slow or reverse growth.

To guide our management decisions, we collect a range of data, which includes examinations
of hunter-harvested deer, community science observations, public surveys, and environmental
monitoring, learn more in the 2023-2024 report [ [link removed] ]. 

 



pine marten photo on game camera [ [link removed] ]
Furbearers

*Beaver, bobcat, coyote, red and gray fox, fisher, marten, mink, muskrat, raccoon, river otter, opossum, striped skunk, short- and long-tailed weasel, and red squirrel*

Maine’s abundant forests and aquatic habitat support some of the most varied wildlife assemblages in the Northeast. Thanks to modern wildlife management principles, many of these species are more abundant now than they were 100 years ago. MDIFW’s furbearer management efforts aim to maintain healthy, sustainable populations for viewing and harvest, while also minimizing conflicts. Regulated trapping and hunting provide many benefits, including population management, protection and restoration of rare species, reduction of human-wildlife conflicts, and improved knowledge of furbearer species. Maine trappers and hunters have contributed to scientific research including disease surveillance and studies on genetics, toxin prevalence, and the role of carnivores as potential hosts for ticks. Read more [ [link removed] ]. 



wild turkey head as shown being held by wildlife biologist in green wool jacket [ [link removed] ]
Wild Turkey

Maine’s wild turkey population is considered stable overall. Wild turkeys are present in all 16 counties, though levels vary. In its core range — from Central to Southern Maine — the population is considered abundant. Outside of this area, turkeys are found in lower densities, often in small pockets. Recently, wild turkeys have been expanding into the northern part of the state, especially Wildlife Management Districts (WMDs) 3 and 6 in northeast Aroostook County.

The Department’s management focus is to maintain a quality spring wild turkey hunting season while maximizing social tolerance and appreciation of the species. Our goals are to stabilize the Central and Southern Maine populations and encourage growth outside of the core range.

In the report, you'll learn about harvest data, hunter participation in self-registration, research and monitoring including reward banding study, wild turkey brood community science survey, and health and disease monitoring. Read more [ [link removed] ]. 



ruffed grouse [ [link removed] ]
Ruffed Grouse

The ruffed grouse, also known as partridge, is one of Maine’s most popular and ubiquitous game species. They occur in every county at varying densities depending on the amount of quality habitat, which can include early successional and mixed growth upland and lowland hardwoods, old fields, and orchards. Young forests are a key habitat component, providing both food and dense cover for protection from predators. Management for ruffed grouse focuses on encouraging these younger forests on both public and private lands. Read more [ [link removed] ]. 



*Learn More* [ [link removed] ]


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Big Game Harvest Dashboard

Current big game species harvest data is now available! Data are updated daily with exports from the Web-based Game/Fur Registration System. View the Big Game Harvest Dashboard [ [link removed] ]






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More Information

Community Science Projects [ [link removed] ]
Wildlife Information [ [link removed] ]
Research and Management Reports [ [link removed] ]
Maine's Big Game Management Plan [ [link removed] ]
Maine's Furbearer Management Plan [ [link removed] ]

 








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This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife ·41 State House Station · Augusta, ME 04333-0041 · (207) 287-8000 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]