MOOSE WATCHING Maine has the largest population of moose in the contiguous United States . You might catch a glimpse of a moose in any of the state ’ s wild areas , but some of the best places to see them are in The Maine Highlands . Especially at Moosehead Lake and in Baxter State Park , if you ’ re patient and lucky , you might catch a moose snacking on vegetation or pausing from a long drink , knee-deep in a pond .
MOOSE FACTS : The moose is Maine ’ s largest mammal . Adult males can weigh 1,000 pounds or more , with an antler span of around six feet .
GO WHERE
THE ANIMALS ARE You ’ ll have the best chance of seeing wildlife if you get off the beaten path and take a walk , hike , or paddle in one of our vast natural areas . Hire a guide to take you on a moose safari !
The moose is Maine ’ s official State Animal , and the moose has been on the state seal since the state was founded in 1820 . In and around Moosehead , moose outnumber people 3 to 1 . Bull moose lose their antlers annually between November and March . This doesn ’ t hurt the moose at all . Antlers come into play in the fall during mating season , as bull moose use them to intimidate their rivals . Moose are powerful swimmers . They can swim up to 6 miles an hour and dive 20 feet under water .
GUIDED TOURS A well-trained , registered Maine guide can outfit you for your adventure and help you track down a moose or other wildlife by water or by land . With a guide ’ s help and knowledge you can safely and comfortably access the best spots for wildlife-watching — or photographing — and enjoy the scenery along the way . Look for outfitters that specialize in moose watching tours , or “ moose safaris ” to maximize your chances of seeing one of these majestic creatures .
BIRDING & WILDLIFE WATCHING IN THE MAINE HIGHLANDS
The Bangor City Forest & Bog Boardwalk | Bangor & Orono The mile long boardwalk trail offers views of bog wildlife on the border of Bangor and Orono . The bog is home to hundreds of species of hardy yet fragile plants and some of Maine ’ s rarest bird species . The 4-5 miles of trails that run through the Bangor City Forest are great for jogs or for snowshoeing or cross country skiing .
Borestone Mountain Audubon Sanctuary | Monson Located just southeast of Greenville and near the southern end of Maine ’ s “ 100-Mile Wilderness ,” this Maine Audubon sanctuary offers beautiful ponds and a lake , set within a forest that has remained uncut for more than a century . A moderately strenuous , yet kid-friendly , climb culminates with spectacular views at the summit of Borestone Mountain .
Fields Pond Audubon Center | Holden Located seven miles southeast of Bangor , Fields Pond features a modern visitor center , an 85-acre pond , and trails winding through 192 acres of field , wetland , forest , and lakeshore , where you ’ ll see many kinds of birds , including songbirds and waterfowl .
Hirundo Wildlife Refuge | Old Town This 2,400 acre nature preserve spans several streams and a lake . Extensive peatlands , reverting farmland , and diverse forests offer seven miles of hiking trails and numerous waterways suitable for kayaking and canoeing , with many opportunities to view beaver , mink , and birds .
Debsconeag Lakes Wilderness Area | Millinocket Nestled in the shadow of Katahdin , the DLWC contains the highest concentration of pristine , remote ponds in New England , as well as thousands of acres of mature forests . Debsconeag means “ carrying place ,” named by the native people for the portage sites where they carried their birch bark canoes around rapids and waterfalls .
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