Moose and other wildlife are culturally important and a source of food for the Penobscot Indian Nation (PIN). However, recent declines in regional populations due to winter ticks have caused concern among the Tribe. In response to these threats, the PIN has implemented aerial surveys to estimate moose populations. However, aerial surveys are costly and not a viable long-term monitoring solution.

Remote cameras are a cost-effective and robust method for monitoring moose and other wildlife species in the region. They provide abundant data and can be used to engage tribal members with wildlife on PIN lands. NSRC researchers will develop a multi-species monitoring program using remote cameras to track populations trends of moose and other wildlife species found on PIN lands.

An equally important goal is to engage tribal members, especially youth, with wildlife on PIN lands. The need to identify or tag wildlife species captured using remote cameras creates an opportunity to engage tribal members as image taggers. This project will help PIN sustain healthy populations of wildlife to protect cultural traditions and serve as an educational tool to engage tribal members and preserve Penobscot culture.

Download 2022 progress report (PDF)

Presentations

Kappel, N. S. (2024). Assessing Moose Distribution and Impacts of Winter Tick Using Remote Camera Surveys [Oral Presentation]. 42nd Annual National Conference Native American Fish and Wildlife Society, Wyoming, United States of America. https://www.nafws.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2024-NationalConference-Agenda-4.5.2024.pdf

Kappel, N., Morano, S., Simpson, B., Siren, A. (2024) Evaluating Moose-Winter Tick Dynamics Utilizing Remote Cameras on Penobscot Nation Lands in Maine [Oral Presentation]. North American Moose Conference and Workshop, Utah, USA, May 13-16, 2024.

Morano, S., Kappel, N., Carovillano, C. (2023). Moose habitat ecology and Maine forests [Invited Presentation]. Northeast Moose Meeting: Moose research in the Northeast U.S. and eastern provinces of Canada. Sherbrooke, Quebec, December 13th-14th, 2023.

Simpson, B., Kappel, N., Morano, S., Siren, A. (2024). Evaluating Moose-Winter Tick Dynamics Utilizing Remote Cameras on Penobscot Nation Lands in Maine [Oral Presentation]. 41st Annual Native American Fish and Wildlife Society Nation Conference, Prairie Island Indian Community, Welch Minnesota, May 13 – 16, 2024. https://www.nafws.org/wpcontent/uploads/2021/04/2024-National-Conference-Agenda-4.5.2024.pdf

Simpson, B. (2025) Finding our Niche: An Overview of Moose Management on Penoscot Nation Tribal Lands [Oral Presentation]. 9th International Moose Symposium, Östersund, Sweden, June 23 -27, 2025. https://moosesymposium2025.se/programme

Student Involvement:

Brendan McGowan, Courtney White, Amber Smilen, BS (all)

Special acknowledgement to the ~40 undergraduate students in the Wildlife-Habitat Relationships course and the students from the Penobscot Nation’s tribal school