Hamilton County Wildlife
Adirondack Wild Things
Spotting a moose, black bear, beaver or loon is a hallmark Adirondack experience. The woods and waters here are home to wildlife species that are not found in other parts of the state.
A partial list of local mammals includes moose, white-tailed deer, black bears, beavers, porcupines, coyotes, bobcats, fishers, pine martens, raccoons, muskrats, river otters, chipmunks, red squirrels and grey squirrels. Since these are wild animals, they generally hide from humans. Quiet hikers and paddlers are rewarded with glimpses of wildlife in their natural habitats.
A bird species list is found on this web site under Birding, as well as trails where loons, spruce grouse, mergansers, bald eagles, osprey and many others birds have been sighted. Ruffed grouse are found almost everywhere.
Fish species include northern pike, lake trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, brook trout, small mouth bass, large mouth bass and land-locked salmon. Fishermen will want to learn more about fishing waters and the species found in them.
A partial list of reptiles includes snapping turtles, painted turtles, common garter snakes, northern redbelly snakes and northern brown snakes.
Wildlife Tips
Please do not feed wildlife. Your food does not contain the nutrients animals need and may make animals, such as bears, aggressive.
Do not leave food around your campsite or take it into your tent. Bears and raccoons are persistent in search of what they perceive as easy pickings.
Don't pet or interfere with animal babies. Their mothers are close by, even if you don't see them. They will protect their young agressively, especially moose and black bears.
Moose are making a strong comeback in Hamilton County. Please observe them from a safe distance. Moose are not tame, they are unafraid. Do not approach a moose or you may find yourself chased by an eight foot-tall creature that can run faster and farther than you can. Moose, both male and female, normally kick and stomp anything that irritates them until the irritant stops moving. Moose also swim well.
Do not paddle close to loon nesting sites. You may force the parents off the nest for so long that the eggs become unviable. Boats and personal watercraft should avoid traveling close to shorelines since wakes can wash loon eggs out of nests.
