If you want to find a moose in the wilderness of Maine, be careful. These herbivores may look big, dumb, and slow, but they are not slow. Moose can run up to 35 mph and may attack when provoked, in rut, or protecting a calf.
Moose sighting tours, also called Moose Safaris, offer guided wildlife tours. Some tour companies guarantee at least one moose sighting. Moose sighting tours may travel by foot, van, or boat. If you would like to look for moose on your own, they aren’t too hard to find if you know where to look.
Where & When to Find Moose in Maine
Moose sightings are rare near the coast because of the large population of humans. Moose enjoy their privacy, so they live in the most wooded areas of the state. There are occasional reports of moose walking along downtown main streets, but this is unusual behavior for moose.
Three areas of Maine have been dubbed “Moose Country”. The Moosehead Lake Region, the Rangeley Lake Region, and Baxter State Park. Moose love rich woodland and fresh water. They can often be spotted walking through bogs, standing in shallow ponds, and drinking from streams.
Moose are most active during the early morning and early evening. Moose are most likely to be spotted in the months of May, June, September, October, and December.
How to Find Moose While Driving
Many Maine visitors and residents see their first moose by accident, literally. Moose cause an estimated 700 car accidents each year. Drive carefully when you see Moose Crossing signs. Take a good look at open fields and freshwater streams. Look for circular patches of mossy land with scattered short trees, these bogs are a favorite hang-out spot for moose.
How to Find Moose While Hiking
Moose can weigh up to 1000 pounds and stand almost 7 feet tall, so you may think it’s easy to find a moose, but think again. These huge creatures can be elusive, so you must look for signs of their presence. Moose leave big footprints, especially in the mud around freshwater sources. The two-toed moose track may be up to six inches long and the front is pointed. Moose also leave big piles of scat (poop). Moose scat is in the form of oval nuggets and is about the size of a Hershey Kiss (sorry!). If you are hiking in the woods of Maine, keep an eye out for these signs of moose and be sure to wear bright orange to avoid being the victim of a hunting accident.
Random Moose Facts
The plural of moose is moose, not mooses or meese.
In the fall, moose scat may be black and similar to cow patties. This is due to a change in their diet.
Some people actually design, make, and sell moose nugget jewelry.
‘Moose Tunes for Kids’ by Brent Homes & Marty the Moose is a great cd that parents and kids will love.
Sources:
AMC News, Sept 2001, ‘How Where and When to Spot Moose’ by Michele Pavitt
Wildlife News, ‘Was that a Bear or a Moose? Examining the Evidence’ by Elizabeth Manning
Sunday Press Herald, May 30, 2007, ‘Crashes remind us: Maine has seasonal moose disorder’ by David Hench
