And A Strong Cup of Coffee

Blog Posts About

Wildlife Conservation

Wildlife Conservation

Jan 2022 16

The Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund board

By Erin M | Maine Outdoors, Wildlife Conservation, Women Who Hunt | 5 Comments | 3 min read

Last week, I went in front of the joint committee of the Environment and Natural Resources to provide testimony for my nomination to the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund board. The only other time I had done this was when I testified in favor of Judy becoming Commissioner. This time, the Governor was nominating me. One of her representatives introduced me and then I had the opportunity to say a little about me. You can watch the hearing by clicking here. Joe's introduction of me begins around the 7 minute marker. My testimony is below. My Testimony Senator Brenner, Representative Tucker and members of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee. My name is Erin Merrill and I am here to say a few words about my nomination to the Maine...

Mar 2021 22

Taking Turkeys to Texas

By Erin M | Turkey Hunting, Wildlife Conservation | 0 Comments | 4 min read

There are a few less turkeys in Maine to hunt this year. A few months ago, Maine Inland Fisheries & Wildlife in partnership with the National Wild Turkey Federation, captured and released more than 50 birds into East Texas with the hope of rebuilding their population.

Dec 2020 28

Conservation Organizations Need Your Help NOW

By Erin M | Wildlife Conservation | 1 Comment | 3 min read

As we plan for 2021, we know that we will not be attending sportsman’s shows. We won’t be able to catch up with fellow hunters, trappers and anglers and we won’t be spending money on all of those raffle tickets. And that is hurting hunting organizations – a lot. Many outfitters and conservation organizations rely on the foot traffic that these shows provide to help get reach more people which helps to draw more donations. Businesses rely on shoppers to buy the cast iron, jackets, wooden carvings, jerky and more but we will not there to make those purchases next year. And while everyone is still feeling the pinch of the pandemic and a changing world, we need to make sure that these organizations have what they need to continue with...

Dec 2020 11

Nurturing a Love of Nature

By Erin M | Wildlife Conservation, Women Who Hunt | 0 Comments | 2 min read

In the past twelve months, I've been a homeschooling teacher (temporarily), figured out how to work from home full-time and maintained a stable supply of toilet paper. We went from being out and about in the community to everyone at home. It was a lot! But one of the things we did from the start was get outside more. I asked people on my Facebook page for a list of items that we could search for in the woods. We had everything from birch bark and 3 types of moss to bones, different shapes of pinecones, mushrooms and beechnuts on our list. We eagerly searched the woods around our house and crossed off items. It was good for everyone’s mental health to be outside and exploring. It made me think back to my own childhood and walking...

Nov 2020 3

Some Shane Mahoney Inspiraton

By Erin M | Wildlife Conservation | 0 Comments | 1 min read

Yes, this is an older video but the message still rings true; "...they have concluded, in agreement with us, that yes, sportsmen and women and the activity of hunting, done in a sustainable manner operates as a conservation mechanism the world over..." On this polarizing election day, let's focus on what we can agree on. Conservation efforts, traditions, and the importance of understanding and working for social and biological carrying capacities for all animals in an effort to maintain the resource for generations to come.

Aug 2020 4

The Blood Origins Project

By Erin M | Wildlife Conservation | 0 Comments | 4 min read

"I was looking for a narrative that described who we are as hunters,” my friend Robbie Kroger explained to me, “Essentially looking for an authentic truth about who we are. I couldn't find it. So we built it with Blood Origins.” If you have never heard of Blood Origins, set aside a solid hour and watch the videos on their website or YouTube, featuring some of the most influential people in the hunting world. People like Will Primos, Cuz Strickland and Jim Shockey all share a small piece of their story and the how and why hunting was so important. Robbie has more than 30 unique stories from hunters, nonhunters, men, women, veterans, young and old and each one is a personal look into the importance of hunting and conservation. “It is...

Jun 2020 3

Front yard birding

By Erin M | Wildlife Conservation | 0 Comments | 1 min read

We have known since we bought the house, that there were owls around. I frantically flagged down Hubs when I was on the phone being intereviewed and saw one land on a dead tree across the backyard, so that we could get some pictures. We hear them at night calling to one another and occasioanlly, we hear them in the morning when we take the dog out. There is two, maybe three nearby. Since we have been at home for weeks, I have found myself going for walks during the naptime. On this particular day, the sun was shining and I was headed towards the mailbox when I heard an owl hoot. It was close. I spun on my heels, ran inside and grabbed my camera. I told Hubs to come with me and help me find this owl. We did. He spotted...

Jun 2019 22

Nate Webb takes over as Director of Wildlife

By Erin M | Wildlife Conservation | 0 Comments | 3 min read

Nate Webb has researched and hunted animals I can only dream about; wolves, cougars, grizzlies and even Big Horn sheep. I first met Nate when we worked on Maine’s bear management plan for MDIFW. An avid outdoorsman, Nate is incredibly knowledgeable about all things wildlife in Maine and beyond. So, I was not surprised when I saw the notification that he had been named the new wildlife director of the department. I sat down with Nate to go over some of his goals and reflect on all of the impressive animals he has studied so far in his career. I asked him the question “Now that you are the wildlife director, what’s on your priority list?” and we went from there. “I want to make sure that we are working towards the broader vision for IFW...

Nov 2018 16

How do you remember your hunts?

By Erin M | Hunting in Maine, Wildlife Conservation | 0 Comments | 3 min read

A few years ago, I decided to collect skulls and furs from the animals that I killed or trapped. It was partly selfish to be able to highlight the hunts that I have been on but it was also in an attempt to educate my kids about the animals that we eat and interact with here in Maine. My first skull was my bear’s and even though there were a lot of issues with it (cut into pieces and put back together), it was great to see what was under the fur of the animal that I killed and ate. My son loved touching the teeth and seeing the ridge where the two halves of the skull were fused together. The bear rug is thick and soft and it’s my son’s favorite spot for reading/listening to books on tape. Since that bear, my...

Show Me More Articles

Jan 2022 16

The Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund board

By Erin M | Maine Outdoors, Wildlife Conservation, Women Who Hunt | 5 Comments | 3 min read

Last week, I went in front of the joint committee of the Environment and Natural Resources to provide testimony for my nomination to the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund board. The only other time I had done this was when I testified in favor of Judy becoming Commissioner. This time, the Governor was nominating me. One of her representatives introduced me and then I had the opportunity to say a little about me. You can watch the hearing by clicking here. Joe's introduction of me begins around the 7 minute marker. My testimony is below. My Testimony Senator Brenner, Representative Tucker and members of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee. My name is Erin Merrill and I am here to say a few words about my nomination to the Maine...

Mar 2021 22

Taking Turkeys to Texas

By Erin M | Turkey Hunting, Wildlife Conservation | 0 Comments | 4 min read

There are a few less turkeys in Maine to hunt this year. A few months ago, Maine Inland Fisheries & Wildlife in partnership with the National Wild Turkey Federation, captured and released more than 50 birds into East Texas with the hope of rebuilding their population.

Dec 2020 28

Conservation Organizations Need Your Help NOW

By Erin M | Wildlife Conservation | 1 Comment | 3 min read

As we plan for 2021, we know that we will not be attending sportsman’s shows. We won’t be able to catch up with fellow hunters, trappers and anglers and we won’t be spending money on all of those raffle tickets. And that is hurting hunting organizations – a lot. Many outfitters and conservation organizations rely on the foot traffic that these shows provide to help get reach more people which helps to draw more donations. Businesses rely on shoppers to buy the cast iron, jackets, wooden carvings, jerky and more but we will not there to make those purchases next year. And while everyone is still feeling the pinch of the pandemic and a changing world, we need to make sure that these organizations have what they need to continue with...

Dec 2020 11

Nurturing a Love of Nature

By Erin M | Wildlife Conservation, Women Who Hunt | 0 Comments | 2 min read

In the past twelve months, I've been a homeschooling teacher (temporarily), figured out how to work from home full-time and maintained a stable supply of toilet paper. We went from being out and about in the community to everyone at home. It was a lot! But one of the things we did from the start was get outside more. I asked people on my Facebook page for a list of items that we could search for in the woods. We had everything from birch bark and 3 types of moss to bones, different shapes of pinecones, mushrooms and beechnuts on our list. We eagerly searched the woods around our house and crossed off items. It was good for everyone’s mental health to be outside and exploring. It made me think back to my own childhood and walking...

Nov 2020 3

Some Shane Mahoney Inspiraton

By Erin M | Wildlife Conservation | 0 Comments | 1 min read

Yes, this is an older video but the message still rings true; "...they have concluded, in agreement with us, that yes, sportsmen and women and the activity of hunting, done in a sustainable manner operates as a conservation mechanism the world over..." On this polarizing election day, let's focus on what we can agree on. Conservation efforts, traditions, and the importance of understanding and working for social and biological carrying capacities for all animals in an effort to maintain the resource for generations to come.

Aug 2020 4

The Blood Origins Project

By Erin M | Wildlife Conservation | 0 Comments | 4 min read

"I was looking for a narrative that described who we are as hunters,” my friend Robbie Kroger explained to me, “Essentially looking for an authentic truth about who we are. I couldn't find it. So we built it with Blood Origins.” If you have never heard of Blood Origins, set aside a solid hour and watch the videos on their website or YouTube, featuring some of the most influential people in the hunting world. People like Will Primos, Cuz Strickland and Jim Shockey all share a small piece of their story and the how and why hunting was so important. Robbie has more than 30 unique stories from hunters, nonhunters, men, women, veterans, young and old and each one is a personal look into the importance of hunting and conservation. “It is...

Jun 2020 3

Front yard birding

By Erin M | Wildlife Conservation | 0 Comments | 1 min read

We have known since we bought the house, that there were owls around. I frantically flagged down Hubs when I was on the phone being intereviewed and saw one land on a dead tree across the backyard, so that we could get some pictures. We hear them at night calling to one another and occasioanlly, we hear them in the morning when we take the dog out. There is two, maybe three nearby. Since we have been at home for weeks, I have found myself going for walks during the naptime. On this particular day, the sun was shining and I was headed towards the mailbox when I heard an owl hoot. It was close. I spun on my heels, ran inside and grabbed my camera. I told Hubs to come with me and help me find this owl. We did. He spotted...

Jun 2019 22

Nate Webb takes over as Director of Wildlife

By Erin M | Wildlife Conservation | 0 Comments | 3 min read

Nate Webb has researched and hunted animals I can only dream about; wolves, cougars, grizzlies and even Big Horn sheep. I first met Nate when we worked on Maine’s bear management plan for MDIFW. An avid outdoorsman, Nate is incredibly knowledgeable about all things wildlife in Maine and beyond. So, I was not surprised when I saw the notification that he had been named the new wildlife director of the department. I sat down with Nate to go over some of his goals and reflect on all of the impressive animals he has studied so far in his career. I asked him the question “Now that you are the wildlife director, what’s on your priority list?” and we went from there. “I want to make sure that we are working towards the broader vision for IFW...

Nov 2018 16

How do you remember your hunts?

By Erin M | Hunting in Maine, Wildlife Conservation | 0 Comments | 3 min read

A few years ago, I decided to collect skulls and furs from the animals that I killed or trapped. It was partly selfish to be able to highlight the hunts that I have been on but it was also in an attempt to educate my kids about the animals that we eat and interact with here in Maine. My first skull was my bear’s and even though there were a lot of issues with it (cut into pieces and put back together), it was great to see what was under the fur of the animal that I killed and ate. My son loved touching the teeth and seeing the ridge where the two halves of the skull were fused together. The bear rug is thick and soft and it’s my son’s favorite spot for reading/listening to books on tape. Since that bear, my...

Show Me More Articles

Enjoy these Wildlife Conservation articles

Jan 2022 16

The Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund board

By Erin M | Maine Outdoors, Wildlife Conservation, Women Who Hunt | 5 Comments | 3 min read

Last week, I went in front of the joint committee of the Environment and Natural Resources to provide testimony for my nomination to the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund board. The only other time I had done this was when I testified in favor of Judy becoming Commissioner. This time, the Governor was nominating me. One of her representatives introduced me and then I had the opportunity to say a little about me. You can watch the hearing by clicking here. Joe's introduction of me begins around the 7 minute marker. My testimony is below. My Testimony Senator Brenner, Representative Tucker and members of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee. My name is Erin Merrill and I am here to say a few words about my nomination to the Maine...

Mar 2021 22

Taking Turkeys to Texas

By Erin M | Turkey Hunting, Wildlife Conservation | 0 Comments | 4 min read

There are a few less turkeys in Maine to hunt this year. A few months ago, Maine Inland Fisheries & Wildlife in partnership with the National Wild Turkey Federation, captured and released more than 50 birds into East Texas with the hope of rebuilding their population.

Taking Turkeys to Texas

Dec 2020 28

Conservation Organizations Need Your Help NOW

By Erin M | Wildlife Conservation | 1 Comment | 3 min read

As we plan for 2021, we know that we will not be attending sportsman’s shows. We won’t be able to catch up with fellow hunters, trappers and anglers and we won’t be spending money on all of those raffle tickets. And that is hurting hunting organizations – a lot. Many outfitters and conservation organizations rely on the foot traffic that these shows provide to help get reach more people which helps to draw more donations. Businesses rely on shoppers to buy the cast iron, jackets, wooden carvings, jerky and more but we will not there to make those purchases next year. And while everyone is still feeling the pinch of the pandemic and a changing world, we need to make sure that these organizations have what they need to continue with...

Dec 2020 11

Nurturing a Love of Nature

By Erin M | Wildlife Conservation, Women Who Hunt | 0 Comments | 2 min read

In the past twelve months, I've been a homeschooling teacher (temporarily), figured out how to work from home full-time and maintained a stable supply of toilet paper. We went from being out and about in the community to everyone at home. It was a lot! But one of the things we did from the start was get outside more. I asked people on my Facebook page for a list of items that we could search for in the woods. We had everything from birch bark and 3 types of moss to bones, different shapes of pinecones, mushrooms and beechnuts on our list. We eagerly searched the woods around our house and crossed off items. It was good for everyone’s mental health to be outside and exploring. It made me think back to my own childhood and walking...

Nov 2020 3

Some Shane Mahoney Inspiraton

By Erin M | Wildlife Conservation | 0 Comments | 1 min read

Yes, this is an older video but the message still rings true; "...they have concluded, in agreement with us, that yes, sportsmen and women and the activity of hunting, done in a sustainable manner operates as a conservation mechanism the world over..." On this polarizing election day, let's focus on what we can agree on. Conservation efforts, traditions, and the importance of understanding and working for social and biological carrying capacities for all animals in an effort to maintain the resource for generations to come.

Aug 2020 4

The Blood Origins Project

By Erin M | Wildlife Conservation | 0 Comments | 4 min read

"I was looking for a narrative that described who we are as hunters,” my friend Robbie Kroger explained to me, “Essentially looking for an authentic truth about who we are. I couldn't find it. So we built it with Blood Origins.” If you have never heard of Blood Origins, set aside a solid hour and watch the videos on their website or YouTube, featuring some of the most influential people in the hunting world. People like Will Primos, Cuz Strickland and Jim Shockey all share a small piece of their story and the how and why hunting was so important. Robbie has more than 30 unique stories from hunters, nonhunters, men, women, veterans, young and old and each one is a personal look into the importance of hunting and conservation. “It is...

Jun 2020 3

Front yard birding

By Erin M | Wildlife Conservation | 0 Comments | 1 min read

We have known since we bought the house, that there were owls around. I frantically flagged down Hubs when I was on the phone being intereviewed and saw one land on a dead tree across the backyard, so that we could get some pictures. We hear them at night calling to one another and occasioanlly, we hear them in the morning when we take the dog out. There is two, maybe three nearby. Since we have been at home for weeks, I have found myself going for walks during the naptime. On this particular day, the sun was shining and I was headed towards the mailbox when I heard an owl hoot. It was close. I spun on my heels, ran inside and grabbed my camera. I told Hubs to come with me and help me find this owl. We did. He spotted...

Jun 2019 22

Nate Webb takes over as Director of Wildlife

By Erin M | Wildlife Conservation | 0 Comments | 3 min read

Nate Webb has researched and hunted animals I can only dream about; wolves, cougars, grizzlies and even Big Horn sheep. I first met Nate when we worked on Maine’s bear management plan for MDIFW. An avid outdoorsman, Nate is incredibly knowledgeable about all things wildlife in Maine and beyond. So, I was not surprised when I saw the notification that he had been named the new wildlife director of the department. I sat down with Nate to go over some of his goals and reflect on all of the impressive animals he has studied so far in his career. I asked him the question “Now that you are the wildlife director, what’s on your priority list?” and we went from there. “I want to make sure that we are working towards the broader vision for IFW...

Nov 2018 16

How do you remember your hunts?

By Erin M | Hunting in Maine, Wildlife Conservation | 0 Comments | 3 min read

A few years ago, I decided to collect skulls and furs from the animals that I killed or trapped. It was partly selfish to be able to highlight the hunts that I have been on but it was also in an attempt to educate my kids about the animals that we eat and interact with here in Maine. My first skull was my bear’s and even though there were a lot of issues with it (cut into pieces and put back together), it was great to see what was under the fur of the animal that I killed and ate. My son loved touching the teeth and seeing the ridge where the two halves of the skull were fused together. The bear rug is thick and soft and it’s my son’s favorite spot for reading/listening to books on tape. Since that bear, my...

Show Me More Articles