MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • December 27, 2020
Around the turn of the 20th century, Maine’s moose population was estimated to be around 2,000 animals, the decline attributed to unrestricted hunting, clearing of forest land and increased incidence of brain worm. Laws were established to protect moose and other species from excessive hunting. Maine’s moose herd reached a modern population peak at around 76,000 in 2012. Hunters and wildlife watchers were delighted with the species’ recovery, but Mother Nature had other ideas. Infestations of up to 60,000 winter ticks per moose caused life-threatening blood loss. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife will attempt to reduce moose population density to lower tick levels. ~ Bob Humphrey