Public access to private land is a longstanding tradition in Maine. More than 94% of land is privately owned, and more than half of that is open to the public for outdoor recreation. This access is an incredible gift. Hunting with dogs is part of Maine’s hunting heritage and a method used by Maine Department […]
Celebrate Father’s Day the best way possible… outside! Father’s Day Weekend, June 19-20, 2021, is Free Fishing Weekend! On these days, any person who registers online (except those whose license has been suspended or revoked) may fish without a license. All other laws and regulations apply on these days. Open to residents and nonresidents. For fishing tips, to find a […]
The 2021 Maine moose permit lottery application process is open! Applications for the moose permit lottery will be accepted online only. To apply online, go to mefishwildlife.com and fill out the online moose permit application. There, you will be able to indicate several preferences, including which wildlife management districts (WMD) you are willing to accept […]
By Wildlife Promotional Coordinator Lauren McPherson It’s that time of the year again; thousands of sportsmen and women have flooded Maine’s woods with orange, carrying traps, bows, and guns. While many assume hunters and trappers are simply taking valuable resources from our incredible state, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife frequently refers to our […]
By Public Relations Specialist Katie Yates Maine has the highest population of black bears in the eastern United States. The population is currently stable and appropriate for what the landscape can support, but black bears do not have any natural predators in Maine. Unchecked populations could easily grow exponentially, eventually leading to unsustainable numbers of […]
By Natural Resource Manager Jack Chappen Here at MDIFW’s Lands Program, we are tasked with creating, maintaining, and improving wildlife habitat on the state-owned Wildlife Management Areas for the benefit of Maine’s fish and wildlife populations. One of the most effective tools we have to accomplish this is a conventional timber harvest. It may seem contradictory […]
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and the Department and Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry know that during these challenging times, everyone wants to get outside and recharge. One challenge we all face right now is how to enjoy the outdoors responsibly during this civil state of emergency. Here are a few reminders on […]
By Regional Wildlife Biologists Kendall Marden One of Maine’s most underappreciated natural resources is public land. Many folks from the western U.S. are used to having access to millions of acres of public land. On the contrary, accessing private land in the west is a challenge and often involves paying for that privilege. We are lucky in […]
By Regional Wildlife Biologist Shawn Haskell A year ago, some meteorologists examined intercontinental atmospheric and oceanic trends and predicted another cold and snowy winter for northern New England. This was a few weeks after the 80-degree weather we had in early September of 2018. For Aroostook County at least, they nailed it. Our snow period […]
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