Northwoods Sporting Journal columnist Mark McCollough, who is also a wildlife biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, has asked some long overdue questions this month in his column titled: “Maine Moose: Declining?” As McCollough points out, the New Hampshire moose population model is not encouraging. A five-year study in New Hampshire revealed that winter ticks and other moose parasites are raising havoc with the survivability of young moose in the Granite State. In 2002, nearly 60 percent of New Hampshire’s moose calves and yearlings died in the spring after a winter of being ravaged and drained of nourishment by winter ticks.

What does this bode for Maine’s moose populations? At this point we don’t know, but as McCollough notes there ought to be concern in the Pine Tree State. For us, the problem with regard to moose is not so much about what we know but more what we don’t know. Our moose population numbers are mostly estimates based on hunter success rates, vehicle-moose collisions and anecdotal reports of moose sightings. This is really no way to manage Maine’s largest big game animal, which generates upwards of $2 million annually to the IF&W coffers. (Not to mention the estimable economic spin-off benefits that enhance Maine’s hunting economy).

Most other states with a moose population count their critters through the use of winter aerial surveys. Maine attempted this approach a few years ago, but abandoned the effort early in the game due to prohibitive costs and what seemed to be flawed survey data.

You can’t really effectively manage moose numbers with no reliable population data, now can you? It is way past time for Maine Fish and Wildlife managers to dedicate some of the moose lottery revenues toward a scientific moose census, so that our wildlife managers won’t be making harvest and habitat decisions based merely on their best instincts and field reports.

IF&W spokesmen will tell you that our Fish and Wildlife Department is broke, that there is no money for moose population studies. Anyone who knows anything about running a business knows that protecting your major sources of income is job number one. Fish and Wildlife policymakers have over the years systematically neglected to implement a system to accurately measure Maine’s moose numbers.

The New Hampshire experience with winter tick infestations and an inordinately high mortality of young moose suggests that, for Maine, the hour is growing late. Maine’s deer biologist Lee Kantar, who now has recently been given responsibility for managing Maine’s moose as well as deer, is determined to implement a reliable system for moose population surveys.

Better late than never.

Drive with caution

Al Cowperthwaite, executive director of North Maine Woods, asked me to remind you that the record snowpack in northern Maine has produced significant spring runoff and attendant road and bridge damage. Al writes: “Water runoff has washed out hundreds of culverts and damaged several dozen major bridges on private roads in the forests of northern Maine.” He also cautions that sportsmen driving these roads need to be cautious about unstable Bbrook systems have been closed to travel until Memorial Weekend. If you have questions, e-mail North Maine Woods at [email protected].

V. Paul Reynolds is editor of the Northwoods Sporting Journal. He is also a Maine Guide, co-host of a weekly radio program “Maine Outdoors” heard Sundays at 7 p.m. on The Voice of Maine News-Talk Network (WVOM-FM 103.9, WCME-FM 96.7) and former information officer for the Maine Dept. of Fish and Wildlife. His e-mail address is [email protected].