Maine Moose "R" Us

What about the moose?
by Brenda Marcotte     

Why are the moose tours April-Mid October?

In the winter Moose are back in the woods and any interference with them at that time would be considered harassment. (You should stay away from them as the Game Wardens are not kindly disposed to anyone disturbing them during deep winter.)

Moose are much more active in the spring when the going is easier. (They can move about more freely in snow than the whitetail deer because of their longer legs, but they, like the whitetails "yard up", to a certain extent anyway.) In the spring they are drawn to roadsides because the spring melt-off fills the ditches with salty water. (Icy winter roads, I think, are still treated with sand/salt mix in most areas up here or if they use other chemicals, it must still  have a certain percent of salt). As the weather warms up you will see moose more frequently and for a while in late May, early June you will see more bulls than cows. Although the bulls aren't sporting their full racks yet, (they are in velvet at this point), they are still impressive. After the calves are a few days to a couple of weeks old you will see the cow and calves more. Through July and August, even September, they are all fairly easy to find/spot from roadsides, around ponds and bogs.

As fall approaches and the rut is beginning I think their "normal routines" are randomized by hormones AND the moose hunt is held in October. Any moose we might see at that time would/or might be shot at and that's not a "viewer sport". While the hunting season is very short, I think that definitely disrupts things somewhat and the weather/availability of food/etc at that time has changed. After the rut and hunting season the bulls especially are exhausted, much of their stored fat having been burned off and they lay pretty low to conserve their strength. Now that is probably more info than you were looking for and someone else might read that and say I am all wrong about one part or another, so I will add this disclaimer: This has been Moose-Viewing 101 according to Brenda!

Why do I say "moose looking"?

This is a long story. (Most of mine are!) A few years ago when I decided I hadn't seen as many moose as I did growing up (I used to see them every day as a child it seemed) I thought about what my Grampa told me once..."you see what you look for..." That made sense, so I started looking for them.

It's not that simple though. Sure I saw moose...lots of them even, and then it occurred to me to try to photograph them (and that is still a work in progress). Well, I made friends with someone here from NY for the summer and one day I said "let's go for a moose ride..." (which was what I called it back then...you ride around and look for moose, right?) My friend said, "OH! You can ride them?"

WELL! I assured her that was definitely not possible and I didn't even think it was a good idea to try. So I said emphatically "LOOKING! We are going MOOSE LOOKING! " and that's what I have called it ever since just to avoid any further confusion.

Now anyone can take you on a "Moose Safari" or "Moose Watching" but I may possibly be the only person who will ever take you "Moose Looking" . It's like this, I figure first you have to see a moose to watch it...but we'll always be looking!

I've been to Maine many times and never saw a moose. Can you guarantee I'll see one?

No, but our "batting average" is pretty good. The last time I checked our average was about 5 moose per trip. Over the last few years we have only been "skunked" two or three times a season at most, and we have seen as many as 7, 9, 14, and even 21 on some four hour trips. We have also seen herds of deer in the early spring, a coyote or two occasionally, one bear, otters, and numerous other species of wildlife.

If moose are so common in Maine why do we have to travel to see them?

Moose are common in much of Maine, but sightings are random in the more populated areas. The tours we will take you on will be to areas with lower human population and higher moose population, increasing the odds you'll see one. (Also you should enjoy the scenery.)

Can we get close to the moose?

One of the last times out we stopped at a bog and spotted three moose: a small cow (probably a yearling), a good-sized bull, and a very large bull. We stopped, shut the car off and watched as the three interacted. They were less than 30 yards from us and were total indifferent to our presence. I think I took a dozen pictures and Leon took several before we decided to move along.

Later that morning we saw a cow moose and her very young calf out in a large bog, maybe 100 yds. out, but with a zoom lens we were still able to get some very nice shots of them. Still later the same morning we sat about 2 car lengths from a beautiful cow moose drinking and feeding right at the roadside. A short time after that, I pulled over to watch a young bull as he walked right toward us on the roadside ahead and disappeared into the woods to our right, when a larger bull came out from the same spot and walked straight at us. Looking at him through the view finder I snapped one last picture and said "that's close enough". As I started the car he turned, following the younger bull's path into the woods, less than two car lengths from us! The closest we came though was when a handsome bull bolted across the road in front of us and raced off into the woods on the right. No chance for pictures, but we had a good close look at him as he raced by!!

Moose are very large and can be unpredictable. One might be content to watch and be watched, yet another might take exception to our presence. Others are curious or indifferent and will walk right past us. There are definite signs you won't want to ignore.

What should I bring "Moose Looking"?

Be sure to wear comfortable clothing and bring your camera and film. We will make a lunch and souvenir stop, but you could bring a lunch if you wish. Insect repellent may be a good idea if we sit with the windows open...the mosquitoes are our unofficial state bird!

Will we be walking in the woods?

Only if you want to. I am a tour operator, not a guide, and while I will stop at scenic areas, several of which are in Grafton Notch, I will remain with or near my vehicle while you may take trails if time and weather allows and you are so inclined.

There are several guides (especially in northern Maine) who take guests in canoes or hiking to "moosey" areas. If this is your desire, I can and will drive you to those areas.

Do I have to go with a group of people?

No. I will gladly take even one person but, you should be advised there is a $75 minimum necessary to cover costs and insurance.

©2002-2006 Brenda Marcotte www.mooselandtours.com  All rights reserved.  
All material (photos, logos, brand names, artwork, text, etc) contributed to this site is protected by individual copyrights     From Nov 1, 2005, to April 1, 2006, please call Brenda at 207-998-2198

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