In an article in the Maine Sunday Telegram, Mark Latti, the Landowner Relations/ Recreational Access Coordinator for the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, says the Department (MDIFW) is doing aerial surveys on moose for the third year in a row. The excitement seems high, and perhaps if the people doing the actual flying and counting do it enough, they will obtain enough experience to increase the value of their data. In speaking with experienced fliers, I have been told that it takes years of experience and coordination between pilots and counters, regardless of methods, to obtain reliable data.

In the meantime, mum’s the word I guess in aerial surveys for deer. I suppose it’s a waste of time to try to count something that doesn’t exist.