As anyone who spends any time in the Maine woods knows, our coyote populations are plentiful and thriving despite recreational and programmed efforts to control these highly efficient predators.

 

And interestingly, there were no coyotes in Maine at one time. But what about wolves in Maine?

Retired U.S Fish and Wildlife biologist Mark McCollough, a Hampden resident, was very close to this issue, having spent many hours professionally helping USFWS answer the question: Are there wolves in Maine toDNA testing revealed that these Maine wolves had been on a diet of commercial dog food and were most likely domesticated wolves before they were released. McCollough says that the New Brunswick wolf, on the other hand, was the real deal.

Wolves were commonplace when settlers first came to Maine. Naturalists assert that there were two species of wolves, the smaller “deer wolf” that preyed on deer in coastal Maine and a larger species of gray wolf that preyed on moose and caribou in northern Maine.day?

DNA testing revealed that these Maine wolves had been on a diet of commercial dog food and were most likely domesticated wolves before they were released. McCollough says that the New Brunswick wolf, on the other hand, was the real deal.

Wolves were commonplace when settlers first came to Maine. Naturalists assert that there were two species of wolves, the smaller “deer wolf” that preyed on deer in coastal Maine and a larger species of gray wolf that preyed on moose and caribou in northern Maine.