Aroostook County Hunting Report: November 27, 2007

The big hunting news this past week has been the weather. We’ve had somewhat of a repeat from last year’s 3rd week of deer season. For those of you who may have forgotten last year, it rained, actually poured, most of the week. It was some of the most miserable extended hunting weather I can remember. Again this year, we got hit with a couple of days of very heavy rain. On Thursday and Friday, southern and central Aroostook County got approximately 2-4” of rain. This created not only miserable hunting conditions but swelled all rivers and streams resulting in widespread flooding, particularly in lowland swamps and floodplains. Walking any distance through the woods was a challenge, requiring rubber boots and lots of backtracking and skirting around flooded lowlands. Flooded roads also made travel into more remote areas over lightly used gravel roads very difficult.

Also given the wet, muddy ground conditions in central and southern Aroostook County, hopefully hunters will respect private landowner concerns and refrain from causing damage to their field roads. In meetings with agriculture landowners, we’ve heard repeatedly that a major concern in regard to wildlife damage on their farms is not necessarily damage caused by wildlife, but damage to property caused by hunters.

The good news for deer hunters in the Allagash region was that some of this rain eventually turned to snow, dropping 4-10” of new snow. This is great for tracking deer but this additional snowfall, plus the existing snow from prior snowstorms, has made getting around in this region more difficult. Plan on having a 4-wheel drive and chains for icy roads particularly if hunting far from major roads. If possible hunt with a companion and always let a friend or relative know your destination.

Lately I’ve been seeing an unusually high number of hooded mergansers in the County. I passed Daigle Pond in New Canada two weeks ago and the pond was full of these little diving ducks. We also had some flocks on the Hodgdon Mill pond and surrounding wetlands. The males are now in their breeding plumage and are quite striking with their large white hooded crest. These little diving ducks feed mostly on small baitfish, which are very abundant in small ponds and forested wetlands. The warm weather we had earlier this fall kept many small wetlands ice-free longer than normal providing for ideal feeding and staging sites. Unfortunately, with cooler temperatures in the forecast many of the remaining migratory birds will move south creating a noticeable void in the North Maine woods until next spring.

We have been getting reports over the last few weeks of moose showing up on roads particularly after dark. I’ve heard of groups of moose on Route 163 between Ashland and Presque Isle and on Route 161, but I’m sure there are others. Having all these roadside moose sightings just after the moose season is certainly not part of our moose management plan. In WMD #3 and 6 we’ve increased the number of moose permits to reduce moose populations and roadside moose numbers and vehicle accidents. However, even if we are successful in lowering moose populations in these wildlife management districts, motorists must still be vigilant in watching for roadside moose. This time of year moose tend to herd together in groups around abundant food sources. So, if motorists see one roadside moose keep an eye out for others.