IFW regional hunting reports

Moosehead Region: While much of Maine was dry this spring, it was a little different in parts of northern Maine.

“I was a little concerned about grouse numbers after all the water we had up here in the nesting season,” said IFW wildlife biologist Doug Kane, who added that once the foliage drops, hunters should start seeing birds.

With the start of the regular archery season for deer, Kane is glad to hear favorable reports on deer in the area.

“Deer numbers are showing up really well. There’s been a lot of sightings and we are seeing a slow upward growth in the population after the two very difficult winters we had in 2008 and 2009,” Kane said.

Bear hunters in the Moosehead region are doing well, but with all the natural foods in woods, it was more difficult to get a bear using bait.

“For some hunters, it was about average, but for other hunters, it was a little more difficult,” Kane said . “The good news is that bears will be out longer this year and denning later. Deer hunters will likely get a chance at a bear.”

The moose hunt started slow in the northern part of the region with temperatures in the mid-70s, but with the rain and cooler weather, hunters were seeing more moose by mid-week.

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Penobscot Region: By mid-week, area moose tagging stations were busy. Island Falls had registered nine moose, Mount Chase registered 11 and Springfield had 10 registered. Abol Bridge was the busiest as usual, registering 27 moose through early Thursday.

With the early part of bear season over, numbers look similar to last year. “They tagged 60 bear up to Mount Chase,” said IFW Wildlife biologist Allen Starr, “Milo has also tagged a similar number. While the beginning of the bait season was a little slower than normal, it picked up later in the season.”

Bird hunters were out the first day of the season, and even though it was windy, they were finding success. Many moose hunters were on the prowl for birds as well. Foliage is still thick throughout the region.

If you are looking to turkey hunt in the area, you will want to hunt the southern part of the region. “I’ve noticed some good flocks of turkeys in the Bradford, LaGrange and Charleston areas,” Starr said.

If you are looking to go grouse hunting, the Bud Leavitt Wildlife Management Area is an excellent choice. IFW biologists have been working to free apple trees that are overly grown in, and have been cutting different areas of the forested landscape in both strip and block cuts for grouse and woodcock. The staggered cuts provide excellent habitat in different stages of growth for both game birds. Page Farm on the Mattawamkeag River Wildlife Management Area is another good choice to hunt.