Aroostook County hunting report

The Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Department issued the following hunting report for Aroostook County, from wildlife biologist Rich Hoppe.
“The birds are spread out up here,” said Hoppe. “The grouse hunting is fair, nothing great, but fair. The birds aren’t bunched up a lot, which is typical of failed nesting.    “Woodcock are spotty, but there are some fair to good numbers this year compared to last year, added Hoppe. “We haven’t seen many flight birds yet, but we feel they will be coming through soon.”
Moose hunting resumes next week, and bird hunters in the North Maine Woods are saying that they are still seeing a lot of moose, which bodes well for the upcoming moose hunt.
Waterfowl hunters have been having a difficult time, not due to a lack of ducks, more because of an abundance of water in the region. Ducks are spread out, many making temporary homes in puddles and shallow ponds that used to be farmer’s fields.
Hoppe did say there is still plenty of natural food in the woods, and it looks like bears will be out late this year, which will offer some lucky deer hunters an opportunity to take a bear during deer season. In lean years, bears will den up early, but this year, the rains and warm weather means plenty of natural food.
In an unusual task, department biologists are busy with the remnants of a tornado that touched down in the area several weeks ago.
Hoppe is working with several large landowners concerning salvage operations for timber that was downed during the storm. The storm hit some deer yards where there are cooperative management agreements, and work is being done to remove the timber while protecting the deer yards.