Maine Hunters and Biologists Team

Drew Farney is a student and athlete who plays football and basketball at Hyde Academy in Maine. In his free time, Drew Farney is a hunting enthusiast.

In Maine, keeping track of the moose population has become more important than ever as Moose numbers decline. Some hunters are joining crews to capture and collar young moose to help harvest data on them. Last year, 59 percent of the collared moose calves died, most likely due to the outbreak of winter ticks in the area.

Biologists and hunters have worked together using specialized equipment to catch calves in nets with lead weights on the corners. In just ten minutes, the team can immobilize a moose, blindfold it, and attach a GPS-capable collar. Blood and tick samples are also taken, and the calf is released back into the wild. Researchers are conducting experiments alongside local hunters to see if reducing the moose population will also lead to a decrease in the deadly ticks.