FEDERAL FUNDS TO MAINE More than $1 million in federal aid funds for fish and wildlife restoration has been apportioned to Maine for fiscal year 1977. The total of $1,192,955 includes $248,500 for fish restoration, $839,455 for wildlife restoration, and $105,000 for hunter safety programs. The fed8ral aid funds must be matched three-toone by state funds for approved projects. Funds for wildlife restoration and hunter safety programs come from an 11 per cent excise tax on sporting arms and equipment, a 10 per cent tax on pistols and revolvers, and an 11 per cent tax on certain archery equipment. Fish restoration funds come from a 10 per cent excise tax on fishing rods, reels, creels, artificial baits, lures, and flies. Hunting and fishing license fees and federal aid funds combine to provide nearly all of the financial support for the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and its programs that benefit Maine's citizens and nonresident visitors.
Buoyant Cushion Use On the inside back cover of your Summer 197 6 issue you show a young lady demonstrating what you describe as a proper way to use a buoyant cushion lifesaving device - held against the chest with clasped hands, with arms through the straps. While I agree that it should not be worn like a knapsack, I think you will find the preferred method for using a buoyant cushion - and one that does not require constant use of the hands is to put diagonally opposite arm and leg through the straps; i.e., left arm and right leg. I think this method is a better way of using what is basically a pretty inadequate lifesaving device. Jon A. Lund Augusta, Maine
• The consensus of several water safety authorities is that the way we showed in the magazine is third on a list of three acceptable ways to use the buoyant cushion. First choice is to put one leg through one loop and the head and neck through the other.
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PERSONNEL NOTES
George R. Ed wards The Warden of the Year selection, retirements, promotions, and new assignments are among recent personnel news from the Department's Warden Service. Named Maine's Warden of the Year was George R. Edwards of Mt. Vernon, a 14-year veteran game warden. In naming Edwards for the honor, Chief Warden Charles Allen said that he is "of high moral character and extremely efficient in carrying out his warden duties. His willingness to assist others, and the respect he has gained from the public, fellow wardens, and other law enforcement agencies are outstanding." Retiring from the Warden Service recently were Chief Warden Pilot Andrew B. Stinson and Warden Inspector Robert S. Thomas . Stinson, of Enfield, has been a pilot for the Department more than 20 years, chief pilot since 197 3. Thomas, a Manchester resident, had more than 25 years of service as a district game warden and since 1962 had been a warden inspector. Recently promoted to warden inspector and transferred to Greenville was Skowhegan district war-
den Michael D. Collins. Collins has been with the Warden Service since 1962. Eight new game wardens recently graduated from warden training school at the University of Maine at Orono. Their names, hometowns, and assigned warden districts are as follows: Stephen K. Chick of Eliot, to East Corinth; Terrence A. Hunter of Macwahoc, to Allagash; Howard W. Gautreau of Augusta, to Round Pond; Thomas F. Jacobs of Hallowell, to Rangeley; Frederick W. Jackson of Caribou, to Daaquam; James F. Ross of Troy, to Skowhegan; Peter W. McPheters of Millinocket, to Pittston Farm; and William F. Hanrahan of Alfred, to Farmington. Also graduating from warden school were wardens Terrence A. Glatt, Patrick M. Dorian, and Parker K. Tripp. Glatt had most recently been warden dispatcher at the Orono State Police barracks and is now district warden in Bangor. Dorian and Tripp have returned to their districts, the Ripogenus area and Calais, respectively. ANSWER TO PUZZLES ON PAGES 5 AND 40
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Maine Fish and Wildlife - Spring 1977