*Editor’s Note* – I changed the title of the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) moose study update and changed the word “clues” to “secrets,” as it appears that MDIFW is more interested in telling us they are collecting data and less about sharing any of the “clues.”

In the comment section, one readers says, “I was disappointed that the article did not live up to the headline. No information about the clues to moose mortality were mentioned. No statistics from the previous three years. Have more or fewer moose died? Something? Its great to know the study is being conducted, but let us have some information about the data so far.”

Maine people are thinking the moose population is shrinking. They would also like to know what indications biologists are getting. Let’s hope that in the end of the study we get more than some lame excuse that climate change is the problem.

Maine has more moose than any other state in the continental US. In order to manage moose in Maine, it is important to understand how many moose there are in the state, how many moose are being born into the population, and how many moose are dying every year.  In addition, it is important to know what is causing the moose to die and whether there is anything that can be done about it.

We have learned that March and April are the critical months for the survivability of moose. These are the months when the majority of moose die, especially young-of-the-year calves (that are about 10-11 months of age during these 2 months) that were born the previous year.  IFW has recently investigated several calf mortalities where biologists collected biological data that includes external examination of animal, tick counts, organ sampling, and fecal collection.

Source: Moose Mortalities Providing Clues About Moose Survival |