Deer, Moose, and More: How Large Mammals Thrive in Our 775,000 Acres

New Brunswick’s northern forests feel alive when you spot fresh tracks in the mud or hear branches snapping in the distance. Those signs come from the large mammals that call Acadian Outdoors land home.

Across our 775,000 acres of working forest, white-tailed deer, moose, black bears, and others find the food, cover, and water they need to thrive year-round.

This guide shares what lives here, where they go, and how our sustainable forest management keeps their populations healthy. Whether you hunt, camp, or just explore, knowing these animals helps you appreciate the land more deeply.  

Learn more about our hunting access

White-Tailed Deer: The Forest’s Most Common Resident

White-tailed deer roam every corner of Acadian Outdoors property. You will see them most often at dawn and dusk near forest edges, clearings, and along brooks. They favour young hardwood stands with plenty of browse, like maple twigs, raspberry bushes, and winterberry.

Our mix of mature timber and regenerating cutblocks creates ideal deer habitat. After harvest, new growth explodes with their favorite food. Deer yards form in winter near cedar swamps and conifer thickets around Plaster Rock and the Tobique River valley.

Hunters regularly observe healthy numbers during the November rut season.

Look for rubs on small trees and scrapes on the ground. These signs show active bucks. Stay quiet and use the wind to your advantage when glassing fields at first light.

Moose: Giants of the wetlands and clearcuts

Moose stand out as New Brunswick’s largest land mammal. Bulls tip the scales at 1,000 pounds with antlers spanning five feet. They browse aquatic plants in summer and twigs from deciduous trees in winter.

Acadian Outdoors lands offer prime moose country around many of our lakes and wetlands, Green River wetlands, and recent harvest sites. Young poplar and birch regrowth draws them in. Bulls favor wallow areas near streams during the September rut.

Cow moose with calves stick to thicker cover. Watch for tracks wider than your hand and fresh browse lines two meters off the ground. The best viewing comes from road systems early morning or late evening. Give them space, especially mothers with their young.

Black Bears: Opportunists Across All Seasons

Black bear numbers are healthy on our property. They den in large hollows or uprooted stumps through winter. Spring greens, berries in summer, and acorns in fall fuel their diet.

Campsites near St. Quentin and Renous gates see the most bear activity. They scavenge human food if given the chance. Secure trash, never feed them, and store food in vehicles or hung bags.

Bears use clearcuts for early berries and old burns for hazelnuts. Sows with cubs avoid open areas. Look for claw marks on trees, scat full of hair and berry seeds, and fresh digs for grubs. Hunters target them over bait in May and September.

Other Large Mammals You Might Encounter

Coyotes patrol the edges of fields and roads. They control rodent populations and occasionally take fawns. Their yips echo at night across the Tobique valley.

Bobcats and lynx stalk quietly through cedar swamps. These cats prefer rabbits and hares but take deer in deep snow. Tracks show four toes with no claw marks. Learn more about Acadian Forest predators.

Beavers build dams on every brook and reshape wetlands. Their ponds attract moose, ducks, and otters. Watch for fresh chew sticks and muddy slides.

How Our Forest Creates Perfect Wildlife Habitat

Acadian Outdoors manages 775,000 acres under Sustainable Forestry Initiative standards. We balance timber harvest with wildlife needs. Riparian buffers protect streams where animals drink. Wildlife corridors connect mature stands to young regrowth.

Cutblocks mimic natural disturbance. They provide early successional habitat that deer and bears crave. Retention patches of live trees offer escape cover.

Water access stays a priority. Wetlands and brooks across the Plaster Rock, Green River, and surrounding areas support every species. Our land use pass system limits traffic, so animals face less disturbance.

Best Times and Places to Spot Large Mammals

Plaster Rock / Tobique River Area: Deer everywhere, moose in river bottoms, bears near campsites. Dawn drives on gravel roads, which yield the best results.

Green River / St. Quentin: Wetlands draw moose year-round. Coyotes hunt field edges. Check clearcuts for bear sign.

Renous and East Brook Gates: Mixed forest holds deer, bears, and occasional lynx. Quiet roads make glassing easy.

Visit May through October for active animals. Winter snow reveals fresh tracks on every trail.

Wildlife Viewing and Hunting Tips from Our Staff

Move slowly and quietly. Open the glass areas of your vehicle first. Use binoculars to scan edges where cover meets open ground.

Never approach animals. Keep 100 meters distance from moose and bears. Report aggressive behavior to DNR immediately. Hunters need valid tags and to follow season dates. Our lands support fair chase opportunities. Scouting roads now builds success later.

Secure campsites always. Hang food bags seven meters high, 100 meters from tents. Clean grills after use.

Why Healthy Wildlife Means Better Outdoor Experiences

Strong deer, moose, and bear numbers prove our forest works. Visitors enjoy authentic wild experiences. Hunters fill freezers. Campers tell stories of close encounters.

Every land use passes funds for habitat protection. Your trip supports the system that keeps animals thriving.

Explore Acadian Outdoors responsibly. Spot the giants, read their sign, and leave the land better than you found it.

Ready to see them yourself? Get your Land Use Pass.