MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • August 22, 2021
Another fall hunting season is nearly upon us and the overall picture looks pretty rosy. With very few exceptions, game populations are robust, which should provide plenty of opportunity for outdoor recreation and free-range protein. The bear population is also increasing faster than existing seasons and methods can accommodate. While most hunters target ducks and geese, the migratory game bird season also includes snipe, woodcock and rails. Turkeys should be abundant but possibly not as much as in recent years. Deer hunting opportunities abound. Winter ticks appear to be having a significant impact on moose productivity in some areas. IFW biologists have installed a hunt to test if reducing the moose population could depress the tick population and ultimately lead to better moose survival. ~ Bob Humphrey