Maine Moose Coalition

08/03/2026

07/31/2026

📍Seeking Solutions: Part 1 - Meet the Winter Tick

Are we asking the right questions that could change the conversation about protecting Maine's moose from winter ticks?

The Maine Moose Coalition recently had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Cheryl Frank Sullivan, Research Assistant Professor in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at the University of Vermont. She is an entomologist who specializes in pest management and has a particular interest in tick ecology and management solutions. Some of her work has concentrated specifically on winter ticks and their impact on moose populations.

Winter ticks are commonly referred to as "moose ticks" because they are a one-host tick that often relies on moose as its preferred host. Their one-year life cycle begins in late summer and early fall when newly hatched larvae attach to a host. Throughout the winter, they remain on the same animal, molting first into nymphs and then into adults, while continuing to feed on their host's blood during each stage. 🤮

In late winter and early spring, male winter ticks seek out females on their host to mate. After mating, each fertilized female takes one final blood meal. Once fully engorged, to about the size of a grape, she drops to the ground where she lays approximately 4,000 eggs before dying. The males remain on the host and die shortly thereafter.

The winter tick life cycle repeats year after year, and the resulting tick burdens have had an impact on Maine's moose herd as well as other moose populations across the Northeast. High winter tick loads weaken moose through significant blood loss, increased rubbing that leads to hair loss, reduced body and health conditions, and in some cases death. 😔

What else did we learn from this conversation? What can be done to reduce the impact of winter ticks? And... How can you help? ❓

We'll answer those questions in the next edition of the Moosehead Lakeshore Journal, available on August 6, 2026 and follow-up on social media as well.

In the meantime, visit mainemoosecoalition.org 🫎 and sign up to join our mission. We're building a growing community of passionate supporters, and we'll be counting on plenty of Moose Maniacs to help make a difference in the months ahead!

📷 Photo: The cow moose pictured has a visible cluster of winter ticks on her neck and has rubbed away patches of her coat in an attempt to remove them. Despite the infestation, she experienced no major health complications and gave birth to a healthy calf approximately 2½ months later.

06/26/2026

This calf intently watched its mother dunk her head into the water and pull out plants to eat. It was adorable seeing the calf dunk its head in over and over like mom, occasionally pulling out a small plant to munch on... The calf attempted to nurse a few times, but the cow would grunt and shoo it away so it would continue to learn how to eat on its own... Nature is so darn cool.🤩

👉 A moose calf spends its entire first year by its mother's side learning the skills it needs to survive on its own. If that first year is cut short... So is the life of the calf.

06/16/2026

Have you ever shared the early morning moments of dawn watching a moose? 🫎

There’s something special about early mornings in the woods... Just before the wild world begins to slowly wake up. Sharing those quiet moments with a magnificent moose in its natural habitat, reminds us to slow down and appreciate the beauty that exists all around us.

Did you know??? Moose live off of fat reserves during the winter when food is scarce. When the warmth of late spring & summer comes and the pond plants begin to grow, moose head to the ponds to eat the nutrient-rich vegetation under the surface. 🌱🌿

06/12/2026

🫎 Watch & Learn... All About Moose!!! 🫎

🎥 Holbrooks Guide Service

06/11/2026

Spring is a critical time for moose because they have lost a significant amount of weight over the winter.

This bull is eating those fast growing little pond plants sprouting in the shallow areas of the water. 🌱🫎🌿

Bull moose eat 40 to 60 pounds of vegetation daily during the spring to help build muscle, support rapid antler growth, and restore fat reserves for the following winter.

In summer, a mature bull eats up to 80 pounds of vegetation a day to prepare for the rut season and continue building up fat reserves.🫎

06/10/2026

🫎FUR REAL THOUGH, IT'S JUST THE MOOSE MOLT🫎

Each spring, moose undergo a natural and sometimes unsightly transformation; their annual molt. Molting is a natural process that helps moose regulate their body temperature and adapt to seasonal changes. As they shed their thick winter coats in favor of a sleeker summer look, their appearance can alarm those unfamiliar with the process.

During this transitional period, moose may appear patchy, with tufts of faded fur and bare spots where they’ve rubbed against trees to relieve itching. Some people may mistake this for mange, assume the moose are sick, or believe they are infested with ticks. However, in most cases, this is a perfectly normal part of molting.

Contrary to popular belief, a moose sporting a lighter coat isn’t always a "ghost moose" drained by winter ticks. It simply means their old hairs have faded and are ready to fall off. While winter ticks can sometimes be seen on molting moose, their unfortunate presence is not necessarily fatal. These parasites latch on to some moose in the fall and will remain into spring, but a handful of ticks is not unusual or a death sentence as some may think.

Ribs may also become more visible during this time, leading to concern about malnutrition. While moose may be excessively lean after a winter diet of twigs and bark, they’re generally in expected condition and are preparing to fatten up on nutrient-rich pond plants as summer approaches.

Wildlife are equipped with amazing God-given adaptations that are perfectly normal. Moose were created to adapt and survive the challenges that Maine hands them, and despite their outward appearance in spring, they do it rather gracefully.

So if you spot a rough-looking moose this spring, rest assured; it is likely just molting and getting ready for the greener days ahead.

Maine is blessed with four distinct seasons, each bringing its own unique beauty to our state. Wildlife in the Moosehead Lake Region undergo notable changes as the seasons shift. Educating yourself about these transformations can deepen your understanding and strengthen your connection to the Northwoods of Maine.

MHL🌲ME

06/02/2026

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05/14/2026

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