6 ‘Hills’ Every Mainer Is Willing To Die On

We Mainers are a pretty keep-to-yourself bunch of people. We are tucked away in our little corner of the country, and we like what we like. Sure, people might think we're weird, but you should see things from our point of view.

There are certain things about life in Maine that we hold near and dear to our New England hearts. Apart from the tiny, charming, time-capsule towns, here are just a few things that make our state what it is—and we wouldn't change it for anything or anyone...especially out-of-staters.

1. Lobster Isn’t the Same Anywhere Else

There is no lobster quite like Maine lobster—at least that's what we think. Our secret? It's not some invisible line separating our lobsters on the ocean floor, leaving our borders to only have the tastiest. We just have strict rules for catching and releasing these delectable crustaceans, and have a peak lobstering season: from around June to October.

That way, lobsters will mature to have the best meat possible. Bottom line, no one else has lobsters quite like the Pine State. We even have an annual lobster festival every August to celebrate our delicious catches.

2. "Red Snappers" Are Hot Dogs, Not Fish

Okay, we know: snappers are a species of fish. But here in Maine, they're also hot dogs. Named after their bright red casing and the "snap" sound they make when we take a bite, red snappers can be found all over the state at local restaurants, pubs, and grocery stores. We top them with our favorite classic condiments or some bacon bits for a twist.

But red snappers are somewhat of a dying art. W.A. Bean & Sons is one of the last regional butcher shops and wholesaler of our beloved bright red dogs. Thankfully, they offer both pickup and delivery orders.

3. We Own the Moose

Maine doesn’t "own" the moose, per se, but we do have a lot of them. Thanks to conservation efforts and regulated hunting, Maine is home to the largest population of moose in the contiguous U.S. We might even have more moose than people in certain counties, like Aroostook County, for example.

The best way to spot Maine's iconic figures? Moose often appear at dawn and dusk, hang out near bodies of water, and form groups during mating season in the fall. Even when we're not trying, we've seen one or two of these majestic creatures grazing across our Pine State while hiking and exploring... or just on our daily commute.

4. Winter Is Coming... Always

Mainers have a love-hate relationship with the snow. We get it for up to six months of the year, so it's something we get used to. The preparation to make it through the long, cold months is often capped by the looming phrase, "winter is coming."

Of course, that first snowfall is beautiful, but after about the 10th major snowstorm, we're over the excitement and reserve all rights to complain until it gets warm. We're just being funny—but if you think about it for a second, you know it's true. After all, average winter temperatures fall below 15 degrees Fahrenheit and we get about 50 to 70 inches of snowfall each year.

5. Maine Is for Mainers

This next one isn't as flattering, but it's still very true. We just don’t like outsiders coming to establish businesses here. We want things to stay in the hardworking hands of Mainers. The whole town starts talking if someone from Massachusetts or Vermont comes up and buys out all of the good vacation spots. There is a rivalry between us and other New Englanders, but we all bleed the same blood when it comes to the Patriots.

6. We Are Self-Sufficient

Maybe it's the years of enduring long winters, or the way we grew up, but we are self-sufficient. Why pay somebody to do things when you can do it yourself? We will build our own furniture, fix our own cars when we need to, and figure stuff out by ourselves before we ever ask for help. Mainers are hardworking and proud of it. So, when it comes to asking for help, we simply say "No, thank you."

These are just a few "hills" almost every Mainer is willing to die on when it comes to life in our state. Curious to discover more indisuputable facts? Consider planning a trip using the Only In Your State itinerary planner, where you can explore iconic foods in Maine, sights, and other cool Maine lure—whether you're a local or a first-time visitor.