MDIFW Blog
Understanding The S-13 Regulation -- Why Waters With Illegal Introductions Of Bass Have No Size Or Bag Limit On Bass
By IFW Fisheries Biologist Brian Lewis Part of the recent Fishing Laws booklet simplification process included multiple reviews by staff biologists to ensure major errors were not included in the final product. While going through one edition of the booklet I chose to focus on the S-13 special regulation. This special regulation allows unlimited harvest of largemouth and smallmouth bass with no minimum length limi
Maine's Wildlife Uses Different Strategies To Deal With Winter
By Scott Lindsay, IFW Wildlife Biologist [caption id="attachment_2192" align="alignright" width="601"] Wildlife in maine utilize a variety of strategies to deal with a Maine winter.[/caption] In southern Maine, winter rules for about one third of the year. To the north and west, due to latitude, elevation and distance from the moderating effects of the ocean, it can prevail for nearly half the year.
Habitat Improvement Work At Jamies Pond Concludes For The Season, Grouse and Deer Habitat Improved
[caption id="attachment_2185" align="alignright" width="384"] Regenerating forests provide ideal habitat for a variety of birds.[/caption] By Eric Hoar, IFW Lands Management Biologist Habitat work at Jamies Pond began in August of 2016 and is now concluding for the season in anticipation of spring breakup. The Department has created 14 grouse blocks totaling approximately 18 acres, enhanced deer wint
Why an Apple a Day Could be Bad for a Barred Owl
By Wildlife Biologist Erynn Call Have you ever thrown an apple core out the car window and thought it was a harmless action, or maybe even a nice snack for a little critter? Tossing out edible tidbits while driving can threaten wildlife, particularly raptors such as hawks and owls. These birds are attracted to roadways as they provide convenient perches on power lines with clear views of their prey.
Katahdin Forest Management Helps Out Wintering Deer in Rockabema Deer Winter Area
By Allen Starr, IFW Wildlife Biologist Maine winters can be critical period for wildlife survival. Fortunately, Maine’s wildlife has developed adaptations and strategies to get them through long periods of cold temperatures and deep snow. White-tailed deer have developed a strategy of seeking out mature, coniferous forests that contain trees at least 35 feet in height and provide dense cano
Moose Fatalities Can Take Many Different Forms in the Maine Woods
By Scott McLellan, Wildlife Biologist, Region E The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) recently entered its 4th year of a moose mortality study in western Maine (west of Moosehead Lake). This study aims at improving our understanding of mortality factors, mortality rates, calf survival and recruitment, just to name a few. To gain this understanding, moose are equipped with a radio collar that communicates information to wildlife biologists via satellites. Our findings thus far have been interesting and intriguing, and on December 18, 2016,
For A New Generation, Are These The Good Old Days Of Deer Hunting?
By Chuck Hulsey, IFW Wildlife Biologist I grew up in southern Maine in the 1960s. Nobody in my immediate family hunted. That said, my father grew up in Depression-era Arkansas and Oklahoma and hunted small game to help put food on the table. Later, with the exception of ports of call in foreign countries during WWll, he never again picked up a gun until I was 11 years old.
Blown Off Course
By Sarah Spencer, Region C Wildlife Biologist [caption id="attachment_2133" align="alignleft" width="300"] Photo from Maine Coastal Island NWR[/caption] Recently in Region C, we became aware of several dovekies which showed up on land in a period of 48 hours. If you aren’t familiar with what a dovekie is, think about their larger relatives the Atlantic puffin, razorbill, common murre, or bl
Ice Fishing with the Wounded Heroes Program of Maine
By Corporal John MacDonald On Saturday, January 21, several Maine Game Wardens and their families helped organize an ice fishing event in Standish for the Wounded Heroes Program of Maine. Fifteen Wounded Heroes, veterans and their families attended Saturday’s free event that focused on good food, good laughs and catching a few Maine brook trout.
IFW Biologists Track New England Cottontails In The Snow
[caption id="attachment_2111" align="aligncenter" width="796"] A New England cottontail. One of the major differences in appearance between New England Cottontails and snowshoe hares is that cottontails remain brown in color during the winter, and snowshoe hares turn white. If you see a brown bunny this winter, let us know![/caption] By IFW Wildlife Biologist Cory Stearns Have you seen this rabbit?
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