The moose are where the moose are

BY CRYSTAL SANDS

When I first moved to Maine nearly 20 years ago, I was determined to see a moose in the wild. I had read about how dangerous moose can be, but I imagined that moose were most certainly walking down the road somewhere in Maine at any given moment. I just had to find the right road to observe the majestic moose safely from our car. 

After following as many tips as I could from locals (I now question whether some of the tips were real or were just “wild moose chases”) and making many trips to the Moosehead Lake region trying to spot my first moose, I never saw one. On the day I gave up my quest to see a moose on my own, I stopped at a gas station in the area for snacks for our family. I saw a woman who worked at the station outside taking a break. I asked her if she had any tips about where the moose are. 

In her most Zen voice, she said, “The moose are where the moose are.” 

Of course, she was exactly right. The moose are where the moose are, but to find out where the moose are, I contacted an expert. Amber Cole of Moosehead Area Guide Services in Greenville is passionate about nature and education. Moosehead Area Guide Services provides backwoods, moose, and wildlife tours to family-sized private groups. 

“We do not provide just any tour,” Cole said. “We give an education about the wildlife. We tell stories. We allow for questions. And we use encounters with wildlife to educate our guests.”

Cole said that one of the biggest misconceptions about where the moose are is that you will find moose in forests. Forests are not great places to find moose because food for moose can’t grow well underneath the canopy of big trees. Instead, moose are more likely to be located where loggers have cut trees, which allows for lower vegetation, which the moose can reach, to flourish.

“A lot of people do not understand that a big cut of trees is not necessarily bad,” Cole said. “A fully matured forest doesn’t provide food for moose.” 

Because the moose are more likely to be located in areas that have been cut, the best way for the average person to see moose would be to travel the logging roads. There is always a chance to see a moose from a main road, but the chances are greater from the logging roads because, according to Cole, in the last 15 years, the cuts from the logging industry have been deeper into the forests and not near the main roads. However, the logging roads are not designed for the average vehicle, and flat tires are a risk. Additionally, there is no cell service in many of these areas, meaning the safest, most assured way of seeing a moose is to take advantage of one of the moose tour guide services in the Moosehead Lake region. 

Still, if you are looking to see a moose without a guide, schedule your trip for dawn or dusk, and look for shady, wet areas like bogs and marshes. Just keep in mind that moose are dangerous, so a safe distance from your vehicle is best. Binoculars are a must.

Of course, there is more wildlife to see than the majestic moose in the region. Many people are interested in seeing bears, bald eagles, deer, and other Maine wildlife in their native habitats. Black bears in Maine are shy, so the best time to see them is in spring and early summer when they are really on the hunt for food. Driving the back roads at dawn and late afternoon increases your chances of seeing a black bear, and you should be on the lookout for berry patches. Like moose, bears are dangerous, so you want to keep a safe distance and bring binoculars. But if you are quiet, keep your distance, and respect the bear’s space, it is possible to observe a busy bear eating some berries for quite a long time. 

Although the best time to see bald eagles is in the winter months when the eagles are flying over any unfrozen water looking for food, it is also possible to see them during the summer months. Bald eagles are common in the Moosehead Lake region, and some hikes in the area will have viewing platforms. Again, bring the binoculars because bald eagles are protected by law, and it is important to give them their space. 

Maine has a wealth of wildlife, and with so much to appreciate, it’s easy to see why people come from all over the world to experience seeing a moose or bear or other wildlife in their natural habitats. It’s important to remember, however, that wildlife can be dangerous for people and that people can be dangerous for wildlife. With proper respect, preparation, and perhaps taking advantage of an experienced guide service, the experience can be life changing. 

If you want to find out where the moose (or other wildlife) are in the Moosehead Lake region, there are many excellent guide service companies in the area. Moosehead Area Guide Services specializes in private tours, but a quick search of wildlife guide services in the Moosehead Lake region will produce many results.