Maine Rivers

Our mission is to protect, restore, and enhance the ecological health of Maine's river systems

Our mission is to protect, restore and enhance the ecological health of Maine’s river systems.

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Moose

Moose
(Alces alces) No animal is more closely associated with Maine than the moose–in fact, it’s the official state animal. Thanks to abundant habitat, particularly in the less populated areas of the state, moose populations thrive in Maine. They often favor the wetlands around rivers, lakes, and ponds, where they dine on water plants during the summer months.

The moose (Alces alces) is the largest member of the deer family–mature bulls stand 7 feet tall at the shoulder, on average, and weigh about 1200 lbs. Cows are generally smaller. During summer and fall the bulls sport massive, flattened, palmate antlers with many points. Bulls shed these antlers in late fall/early winter and grow new larger ones.

The rut, or mating season, occurs in late September and early October. Calves are born in the spring, and many cows give birth to twins.

The moose is well-adapted to Maine winters–their long noses are lined on the inside with small blood vessels designed to warm the frosty air before it reaches the lungs. A moose’s winter coat is a superb insulator, with a wool-like underlayer and very long, hollow hairs that conserve body heat.

While their vision is not exceptional,they have an extraordinary sense of hearing and smell. They’re also known to have a low tolerance for heat, seeking shade during the heat of the day or wallowing in rivers and lakes.

Moose hunting was outlawed in Maine in 1935 after the animals were nearly gone, but the state began a limited one-week October moose hunting season in 1980 after numbers recovered.

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Maine Rivers

1 month ago

Maine Rivers

www.pressherald.com/2021/01/21/yarmouth-to-consider-the-benefits-of-removing-royal-river-dams/ ...

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Maine Rivers

1 month ago

Maine Rivers

www.museumla.org/current-news ...

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Maine Rivers

1 month ago

Maine Rivers

www.pressherald.com/2021/01/13/klpd-to-file-plan-with-regulatory-agency-to-surrender-mousam-dams/ ...

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Kennebunk Light and Power District to file plan with regulatory agency to surrender Mousam dams

www.pressherald.com

Public meeting to hear comment set for Jan. 26.
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Watersheds

Maine’s Watershed Regions: Read More

Legislation

State of Maine Legislation: Read More

River Life

30,000 miles of rivers and streams course through the glaciated landscape of Maine. Read More

Advocating for Free Flowing Rivers

Hundreds of years ago, before the first European settlers came to Maine, the region looked very different. Read more

Restoring Native Fish to Our Rivers

We work to restore native fish populations to rivers throughout Maine. Read more

Maine River Restoration Successes

We celebrate river restoration achievements across the state. Read More

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Maine Rivers

Contact Us

P.O. Box 782
Yarmouth, ME 04096
Phone: 207-847-9277

Email: contact@mainerivers.org

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