On the hunt to capture elusive moose of Northern Maine

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, October 6, 2026

Northern Maine’s moose population has declined significantly over the past decade due to winter tick infestations, prompting the state to implement tracking and reduce hunting permits. This decline has sparked debate among hunters and wildlife officials about hunting regulations, particularly the impact of hunting pregnant female moose on population recovery.

Northern Maine continues to be a focal point for moose observation and hunting amid concerns about the declining population of the species in the region. Moosehead Lake, near the town of Greenville, is recognized as a key gateway to the vast northern woods where moose are most commonly found. Once so numerous that locals joked about having three moose for every resident, the animals now appear in lower numbers than in previous decades, according to recent data from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

State officials estimate that the moose population in Maine, currently the largest in the contiguous United States, has dropped from approximately 76,000 in 2012 to between 40,000 and 60,000 last year. Experts attribute the decline primarily to the impact of winter ticks, a parasite that has affected moose health over the past decade. Nathan Webb, director of the state’s wildlife division, emphasized that the department has been outfitting hundreds of moose with radio-equipped neckbands for tracking and research to better understand population trends.

Despite these efforts, the hunting community remains divided over the management of the species. Greenville resident Chris Young, a longtime hunter and wildlife enthusiast, has expressed deep concern about the effects of current hunting regulations on the moose population. Young, who won the Maine Moose Calling Championship in 2013, recently organized the Maine Moose Coalition to advocate for changes in how moose hunting is conducted. He argues that the hunting of pregnant female moose, or cow moose, leads to the abandonment and eventual death of calves, contributing to further population losses.

State wildlife officials counter these claims, maintaining that the current level of hunting is not excessive and is, in fact, a tool to manage moose density in efforts to reduce winter tick infestations. This year, the number of moose-hunting permits has been reduced by 400, but antlerless moose hunting, which includes cow moose, remains permitted. Webb described the population as “under hunted” rather than overhunted, stressing the need for carefully balancing conservation and hunting traditions.

Greenville, often referred to as Maine’s moose capital, attracts many tourists eager to witness the animals in their natural habitat. Moose tours from the area include early morning safaris that offer visitors the chance to observe moose in the wild, though sightings have become less frequent in recent years. Young shares his deep connection to the land and wildlife through guided excursions and calls that mimic moose vocalizations and behaviors, a method he uses to engage moose and study their responses firsthand.

“I’m fighting to save something that doesn’t have a voice,” Young said, describing his commitment to the species and the challenges facing moose in Northern Maine. For locals and visitors alike, the moose remain a symbol of the region’s natural heritage, and efforts continue to balance conservation with hunting, tourism, and ecological realities.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.