Maine Fish and Wildlife Magazine, Spring 1995

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FISH AND WILDLIFE SPRING 1995

$4.50

EDITORIAL

by Ray B. Owen, Jr., Commissioner

Quality Fishing Can Maine once again be noted for its high quality fishing? The answer¡ "yes. In fact, fishing is still good to excellent in many areas of Maine, but it could be a lot better. One of my goals is to provide the highest quality fishing possible on selected lakes, ponds, rivers and streams in Maine, not in all waters - not even in a high percentage of our waters - but enough so that anglers have a choice. This will provide a wider variety of opportunities for our residents as well as our guests. These expanded angling opportunities will enhance the economy of rural Maine.

On page 2 of this magazine you will see a wonderful photograph of young Percival Baxter posing with an eight-pound brook trout he caught at Cupsuptic Lake in 1884. I can think of no better representation of our quality fishing initiative than this photo!

Quality fishing means larger fish on the line, but not necessarily in the frying pan. This can only be achieved on certain waters with high productivity and only through the use of carefully crafted special regulations that reflect an understanding of hooking mortality. Special regulations and hooking mortality are covered in adjoining articles starting on page 3 in this magazine. I urge you to read them.

During this current legislative session, a variety of special angling regulations aimed at increasing quality fishing in Maine are being proposed. Examples are: reducing ice fishing lines from five to two; eliminating ice fishing in January; creating four fishing zones in Maine and requiring that one zone be catch-and-release in any particular year. Although well-intentioned, these special regulations would I believe be too restrictive and greatly reduce fishing opportunity. Specifically, five lines in winter are generally appropriate on ponds and lakes with warm water fisheries and on most stocked waters, but may well be inappropriate for waters holding wild salmonid populations.

In a recent survey by The Maine Sportsman, anglers endorsed restrictions on ice fishing if it would lead to a higher quality fishery. On the other hand, a survey of ice fishermen recently conducted by the Department and the University of Maine found that this group of anglers favored no changes that would affect their fishing opportunities. And there you have it! Ice fishing has increased tremendously in popularity equalling open water fishing in many areas. (There are 20 percent more ice anglers in Maine today than 10 years ago).

In fact, on many waters in this state there is simply too much pressure to provide a quality fishing experience, thus the need for special fishing regulations.

How do we get there from here? The trail to quality fishing is not without some tough going. We've made a good start with the Advisory Council's approval of much of our quality fishing initiative. But public opposition, not to the concept itself, but to any restrictions on their special fishing place such as Chesuncook Lake reduces the Department's ability to provide all anglers with a few trophy fishing waters for landlocked salmon.

As anglers, we all have a stake in the future. Only if we pull together and make some short-term sacrifices in the interest of long-term gains can Maine once again offer trophy fish as part of its quailty wilderness experience.

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FISH AND WILDLIFE VOL. 37, NO. 1

SPRING 1995

Features Why Special fishing Rules?

2

by Ken Warner

What our fishing initiatives will do for the future of trophy fishing

Reducing Hooking Mortality: A Key To fish Survival

6

by Ray B. Owen, Jr.

Why the "killer hook" needs to be tamed-a companion article to the one aboue

The One That Didn't Get Away Club, 1994

9

The greatest of the great-last season's Junker list!

Take A Kid flshln'I

10

by Robert Tougias

It's usually a treat-makes you feel good-and helps train tomorrow's leaders

A Night In Gulf Hagas

13

by Roger Gaay

A search-in winter, at night, in dangerous country-how did it come out?

How To Buy A Maine Gulde

18

A list of basic questions to ask your prospective Maine guides before signing on

Gee, Buddy!

21

This antique poster has a WW II soldier wondering what'll be left back home

How Good Were Those Good Old Days?

22

by Bob Foye

A longtime Maine sportsman and retired fish biologist helps us decide

International Migratory Bird Day

28

Share your passion for birds-help Partners in Flight celebrate May 13

Depa, t1nents THE MARKETPLACE

12

KID-BITS

16

FROM THE FLY TYING BENCH: The Cosseboom

19

HSH AND WILDLIFE BRIEFS

30

by Butch Carey

The Front Coven When resident fly expert Earle "Butch" Carey mentioned a cover spread of his streamer flies, Photo Editor Tom Carbone Jumped at the chancel See page 20 for a key to these handsome Carey creations.

Printed with vegetable-based

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inks on recyclable paper

ySpe

Maine's First Fisheries M3.nagement Fund?

On June 3, 1884 young Perciv al Baxter joined his fat her on a fishing trip to some sporting camps at Cupsuptic Lake.

The day was damp and cool with periodic rain, a day some would not consider ideal to be out on the water.

However, James Phinney Baxter's primary purpose in being there was to do some fishing-and that was exactly what he and young Percival proceeded to do.

After awhile, the boy became impatient. In order to motiv ate him, his father told Percival that he would give the lad $10 per pound for the next fish he caught that weighed over five pounds. Within an hour, the boy had hooked an eight-pound spotted trout!

When asked what he was going to do with his $80, Percival said that he was going to put it into a savings account. By 1957, "The Percival P. Baxter Fish Account" totaled more than $1,000.

At the time of Governor Baxter's death in 1969,, it was announced that the money accumulated in the "Baxter Fish Account" had been donated to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife for fish research at the request of former Gov ernor Baxter.

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Maine Fish and Wildlife

Special fishing regulations are those that differ considerably from statewide general law regulations. They are proposed by either the public or the biological staff and aired at public hearings and approved by the Commissioners' s Advisory Council through the Administrative procedures Act (AP A) process. They are designed for specific waters or groups of waters and are useful and effective tools for fishery management when applied on the basis of sound fishery science.

Special regulations should be considered when angling harvest or other factors prevent attainment of specific management goals. The goal of special regulations should be to maintain or improve the quality of a fishery expressed in catch rate and/ or the proportion of larger fish in an angler's catch (e.g. percent of catch over 3 pounds). Valid uses of special regulations include protecting a unique fishery, managing a fishery with unique potential, or reserving certain fisheries for specific angler activities (e.g. fly fishing only, childrens fishing areas). In every situation, the purpose of special fishing regulations should be clearly defined to avoid confusion and possible misapplication.

Since 1960, changes in fishing, fisheries, and fisheries science have progressed at a rapid rate. Increased angler efficiency, improved angler access to formerly remote waters, and more leisure time spent fishing has sometimes resulted in over harvest and an overall decline in fishing quality.

Fishing regulations are not new in Maine.

The first law protecting Maine fishes was passed by the First Maine Legislature in 1821.

The first legislation designed to reduce abuse of Maine's freshwater fishing resources by restricting seasons was passed in 1822. The first restrictions on gear were passed in 1874. The

~ial Fishing Rules?

by Ken Warner first bag limit law was passed in 1882; this provided for a 50 pound weight limit with no restriction on numbers! The first length limit provided for a 5-inch minimum length limit on trout in 1889.

Nearly a century later, because of increasingly easy access to some of Maine's previously remote wild trout ponds, increased angling pressure has required additional special regulations. An example of this is Little Pleasant Pond in Piscataquis County, a Fly Fishing Only pond on which additional restrictions on bag limits and length minimums were imposed. In just a few years, the result has been very positive as larger wild trout being caught there demonstrate the potential of special fishing regulations.

The four major means of controlling fish harvest are by restricting gear, seasons, bag limits, and length limits. Special ice fishing regulations dealing with one or more of the above, are currently in place on 464 Maine waters (mostly lakes). Special open water regulations are in effect on over 2,000 Maine lakes; many lakes have more than one "special". "Specials" are in effect on 141 brooks, rivers and streams. The most fundamental rule to remember in managing recreational fisheries is that effective regulatory control must be applied to every individual fish. Fishery managers usually have no direct control

over changes in fishing effort levels. Fishing seasons and daily bag limits, when used by themselves are not effective management tools, because they do not apply to each fish that is captured. It has been found that a size limit, if wisely applied, is the best single regulation for preventing excessive angler harvest.

Special length limits are established to protect a segment of the population from angler harvest.

Higher length limits may be desirable in populations sustained by natural reproduction to allow

part or all of a population to mature and spawn before being subjected to angling mortality. In favorable circumstances, higher length limits also produce fisheries for fish of larger-than-average

attain the general law length limit until they are older. Lower length limits tend to "thin out" the slower growing fish, favoring increase in growth rate. " "Slot length limits" protect a segment of the population between certain length ranges; for example: "salmon between 16 and 20 inches must be released alive at once". This focuses angler catch on the smaller, more abundant fish, while allowing harvest of an occasional fish of largerthan-average size. This is called a "protected slot limit". The opposite of this is the "unprotected slot" where only fish within certain length ranges maybe kept.

Special seasons may be established to protect fish during periods of high vulnerability and to prevent over-harvest. Examples are closures during spawning seasons and closures during periods of unusually high concentrations of fish.

Special low bag (creel) limits are applied in some waters to favor more even distribution of the catch among anglers and through the season. In addition, low bag limit, (e.g. 1 fish) may be a deterrent to some anglers who will not fish a water unless they have a chance to take home a general law limit. This may reduce fishing pressure and offer some protection from overfishing.

Special higher bag limits may be established in waters with an overabundance of certain species The author supervises the department's Fisheries Research & Management Section, headquartered in Bangor.

Spring 1995

3

causing stunted growth and resulting in a poor quality fisheries. The most common case is no size or bag limit on certain species such as pickerel, white perch or yellow perch.

Restrictions on fishing gear may be on the number lines permitted or type of terminal tackle. Fly fishing only (FFO), artificial lures only (ALO), and no live fish as bait (NLFAB) are the most common regulations of terminal tackle in Maine waters. The purposes of these regulations are two-fold: to prevent the spread of undesirable fishes via the bait pail and to reduce hooking mortality. Mortality caused by hooking with various terminal types is discussed in a companion article in this magazine.

In 1994, our Department held a number of public informational meetings, followed by public hearings to consider proposals on "Initiatives for Quality Fishing." These proposals were mostly for special regulations designed to provide fisheries for

fish of larger-than-average size and fisheries with higher catch rates. To achieve this, a number of special regulations will go into effect on specific waters in 1996. These regulations often combined the various regulations discussed above in order to achieve desired results. Keep in mind that these initiatives constitute only a very small percentage of Maine waters, and while many restrict terminal gear to ALO or FFO, there is still plenty of opportunity for bait fishermen in the majority of Maine waters. Keep in mind, as well, that these initiatives are experimental in a sense that while we chose candidate waters which were most likely to be successful, there is no guarantee that all will succeed.

To determine success, fisheries in "initiatives" waters will be closely monitored in ensuing years, and appropriate management measures will be

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Initiatives For Quality Fishing in Maine The following waters in Maine, which represent about 2.5 percent of Maine's lakes, ponds, and tributaries, have been designated for special fishing regulations. These waters were carefu.lly selected by fisheries biologists for their unique potential to grow large game fish. Regulations affecting these waters have been approved by the Fish and Wildlife Advisory Cotf...ncil and become effective in 1996.

WATER

TOWNSHIP(S)

COUNTY(S)

Androscoggin River Moccasin Pond Ferguson Pond Green Pond Fish River & Soldier Pond Big Machias River Cupsuptic Lake Mooselookmeguntic Lake Kennebago River Rift Pond King Pond Long Pond Tunk Lake Alligator Lake Youngs Pond Great Pond Georges Pond Abrams Pond Webb Pond Pistol Pond, Lower Annabessacook Lake Cobbosseecontee Lake

Livermore Falls, Brunswick, Topsham T14R8 WELS T14R8 WELS Moro Plt

Androscoggin Aroostook Aroostook Aroostook Aroostook Aroostook Franklin Franklin, Oxford Franklin, Oxford Hancock Hancock Hancock Hancock Hancock Hancock Hancock Hancock Hancock Hancock Hancock Kennebec Kennebec

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Maine Fish and Wildlife

Adamstown, etc.

Rangeley, etc.

Rangeley etc.

Great Pond Twp Great Pond Twp Great Pond Twp. T10SD T28MD, T34MD Otis Great Pond Twp. Franklin Franklin, Eastbrook Eastbrook, Waltham T3ND Monmouth, Winthrop Manchester, West Gardiner, etc.

Cobbosseecontee Stream Spectacle Pond Pleasant (Mud) Pond Little Pond Pond in the River Rapid River Cupsuptic River Parmachenee Lake Rump Pond Otter Pond Wells Pond Magalloway River, Big Magalloway River, Little Long Pond on Little Magalloway River Penobscot River Aroostook River Rum Pond Secret Pond Brown Pond Indian Pond Prong Pond Sawyer Pond Shadow Pond Mountainview (Fitzgerald) Pond West Branch Penobscot River Brann's Mill Pond Allagash Lake Allagash Stream Celia Pond Fowler Pond, Lower Currier Ponds, 1,2,3,4,5,6 Round Pond Island Pond Horseshoe Pond Pierce Pond Upper Pierce Pond Kilgore Pond Grass Pond King Pond Split Rock Pd Dixon Pond Pickerel Pond Berry Pond, Big Bowler Pond Mixer Pond Silver Pug Lake Getchell Lakes, Upper & Lower Hot Brook Lakes, Lower & Upper Third Machias Lake Fourth Machias Lake Millinocket Stream Munsungan Stream Mooseleuk Stream

Kennebec Kennebec Kennebec,Sagadahoc Lincoln Oxford Oxford Oxford Oxford Oxford Oxford Oxford Oxford Oxford Oxford Penobscot Penobscot, Aroostook Greenville, Bowdoin College Grant West Piscataquis Piscataquis Greenville Piscataquis Bowdoin College Grant West Piscataquis Bowdoin College Grant West Greenville, Beaver Cove Plt. Piscataquis Greenville Piscataquis Piscataquis Greenville Piscataquis Big Squaw Twp. T3Rll WELS, T3R10 WELS Piscataquis Dover-Foxcroft Piscataquis T7&8R14 WELS Piscataquis T7&8R14 WELS Piscataquis T3R10WELS Piscataquis T6R9WELS Piscataquis T9R10&11 WELS Piscataquis Chase Stream Twp. Somerset Chase Stream Twp. Somerset Chase Stream Twp. Somerset Pierce Pond Twp. Somerset Pierce Pond Twp., Bowtown Twp. Somerset Pierce Pond Twp., Bowtown Twp. Somerset Pierce Pond Twp., Bowtown Twp. Somerset Somerset Bowtown Twp. Somerset Pierce Pond Twp. Somerset Pierce Pond Twp. Somerset Pierce Pond Twp. Somerset Johnson Mtn Twp. Palermo Waldo Knox Waldo T26ED Washington T43MD Washington T8R4NBPP Washington T41MD, T42MD, T43MD, TSND Washington, Hancock T41MD, T42MD, T43MD, TSND Washington, Hancock Manchester, West Gardiner, etc.

Augusta, Vassalboro Gardiner, Litchfield, etc.

Damariscotta Township C, Upton, etc.

Township C, Upton, etc.

T4R3 Lynchtown Twp., etc.

Parmachenee Twp. Parmachenee Twp. Parmachenee Twp. Lincoln Plt, etc.

Parmachenee, etc.

Magalloway Plt.

Spri11g 1995

5 .

Reducing Hooking Mortality

A Key

Factor In Fish Survival

by Ray B. Owen, Jr. V, V,

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"If enough fish die from being hooked, even when we release them apparently unharmed, wild-fish programs maintained by catch-andrelease angling are lost causes."

Patrick Trotter, fisheries scientist

Many states, including Maine, continue to establish special fishing regulations to increase the number and size offish available to the angler. The reasons for these regulations are explained in the preceding article.

Central to the success of these regulations, however, is an understanding of hooking mortality and how it varies among differenl types of terminal fishing gear. For example, when it comes to lowering hooking mortality of released fish, is it better to use flies or lures, barbed or barbless hooks, lures or sewed bait, lures or live bait, single or treble hook? These comparisons appear endless, but the answers are important. Most fish, whether wild or stocked, take several years to reach legal size, and many are hooked before getting there. Also, special regulations are enacted on many waters to increase the size offish, thus requiring that many be released. Our

The author is commissioner of The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife .

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Maine Fish and Wildlife

ability to release them unharmed is critical to providing a quality fishery.

Recently, fishery science consultant Patrick Trotter reviewed most of the studies on hooking mortality of trout; he provided an excellent summary of his findings in the March 1995 issue of Fly Fisherman. Much of his data comes from a 1992 scientific review published by Taylor and White in the North American Journal of Fisheries Management. Here are some of their conclusions.

• Fish caught on bait suffer a much higher rate of hooking mortality than those caught with either lures or flies. Comparing all studies of stream and lake dwelling salmonids, the information looks like this:

Hooking Method Bait Lures Flies

Mortality Rate (%) 31.4 4.9 3.8

studies do not support this. A recent study of salmon caught just before the spawning season and fought to complete exhaustion showed no impact on the adults' survival, their spawning capabilities, or the survival of their offspring. Indeed, it appears the major cause of hooking mortality is hooking injury itself.

When comparing all studies, fish hooked in the gills, intestine, or stomach suffer 57 percent mortality; those hooked in the eyes or tongue 23 percent; less than 10 percent die if hooked in the mouth and jaws. Use of live bait resulted in 50 percent of the fish being hooked in the stomach, intestine, gills, eyes, or tongue, while artificial lures and flies caused hooking to occur in these critical areas less than 10 percent of the time.

Studies show that cutting the leader of deeply hooked fish rather than trying to remove the hook will significantly reduce mortality. Also, bleeding fish have a very high chance of dying so if the fish is legal, it is best to kill it and let the others go for another day-even if they may be larger.

These studies set the background for special regulations, but there are still some questions to be answered.

Does the use of barb less hooks when fishing with bait

There is one interesting report suggesting that using barbless hooks while bait fishing may greatly reduce hooking mortality. This needs to be looked at in more KIDNEY detail for it could have an impact on some of our fishing methods here in Maine.

• Hooking mortality results favor the use offlies over lures - but only slightly. In fact, the differences are about one percent and justify both fly fishing only and artificial lures only regulations when attempting to keep hooking mortality at ----t•~• an absolute minimum ..

• The rate of hooking mortality suffered by trout depends on species. Interestingly, rainbow trout caught on baited hooks are almost three times more ' likely to die when released than brown trout. Brook trout fall in the middle with 30.3 percent #8 LONG-SHANK HOOK HEART mortality.

• Fish caught on barbless hooks suffer lower greatly reduce hooking mortality? And how about ice hooking mortality than fish caught on barbed hooks. This one has been hotly debated for years, but recent analyses fishing? There is one study of togue that suggests that hooking mortalities are similar in winter and in sumshow mortality rates of 2.6 percent for barbless flies and lures and 4.8 percent for those with barbs. The difference mer. But what about how we handle our fish? Are fish that are kept in the water, measured, and released likely is perhaps too small for management decisions, but it to survive considerably more than fish brought out onto does offer an individual a choice. the ice? We believe the answer is yes, but this needs to be • Other interesting findings were that there were no verified. What is apparent is that we now have much significant differences in the effects of hook size, number better information on hooking mortality -information of hook points nor in water temperature. Length of time will enable us to make better decisions in fisheries playing a fish and resulting stress have often been management. thought of as contributing to mortality, but numerous

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Spr ing 1995

7

Career Biologist Named Deputy Commissioner, Warden Major Chosen to Head Warden Se1Vice Two recent appointments have filled out management ranks of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

Matthew Scott, a career fisheries biologist with more than 32 years of state service, has been named deputy commissioner. The appointment of the Houlton native to the number two post at Fish and Wildlife fills a position vacant since the fall retirement of long-time Deputy Commissioner Norman Trask.

Scott, 59, is an active outdoorsman and Maine guide who brings to the new post a solid background in fisheries biology, environMatthew Scott mental issues, public administration, and state government. A 1962 graduate of the University of Maine, he holds degrees in wildlife management and public administration, and also did graduate work in fisheries science.

Scott worked for the Maine Fish and Game Department as a fisheries biologist for 11 years early in his career, then joined the Maine Department of Environmental Protection as chief aquatic biologist. From1988 to1994, Scott served as director of the Maine Low-Level Radioactive Waste Authority.

Scott has served in a number of volunteer positions with organizations active in environmental conservation. He is a 1978 recipient of the Conservationist of the Year Award from the Natural Resources Council of Maine.

Owen said that he "is pleased to have Matt on board at fish and wildlife. Matt's professional knowledge and career experience, as well as his abiding interest in protecting the resource, make him well-suited for the post."

Scott says that he sees his role as one of "primarily supporting the commissioner and helping him

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Maine Fish and Wildlife

carry out his agenda." Scott added that he is looking forward to working with the department in such areas as the regulatory process, legislation, personnel issues, and enforcement of Maine's fish and wildlife laws."

Parker K. Tripp, Vassalboro resident and career Maine game warden, has been named head of Maine Warden Service. Tripp assumes the post of warden colonel, which has been vacant since the fall retirement of Herbert W. Vernon.

Tripp, 47, who grew up in York, is an Air Force Vietnam veteran, and holds associate degrees in administration and forestry from Husson College and the University of Maine.

He began his career in conservation law enforcement as a district warden in Washington County in 1975. He later transferred to the Parker K. Tripp Waterville area as a warden diver. In 1985, he was promoted to warden sergeant in the Moosehead Lake area. During this assignment, Tripp was also named training coordinator for warden school. He was promoted to warden lieutenant in 1988 and to warden major in 1991.

In announcing Tripp's appointment, Commissioner Owen said that he was "pleased and proud to name Parker to this important post. He has shown himself to be a thoughtful, innovative leader and a tireless worker with a diverse background in all aspects of the Maine Warden Service."

Tripp sees challenges in making sure that the Warden Service continues to protect Maine's fish and wildlife resources while responding to increasing public demands by "carefully establishing priorities." Another task: to manage the enormous transition within the ranks of the Warden Service, due primarily to a high rate of retirement affecting more than two thirds of Maine's current game wardens.

The One That Didn't Get Away Club -1994 Outstanding freshwater fish caught In Maine last year and entered In The One That Didn't Get Away Club, run by The Maine Sportsman, PO Box 910, Yarmouth, ME 04096-091 Entries must be certified by a game warden or fisheries blologlst of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wlldllfe.

o.

The Fish

Brook Trout (Qualifying Weight 4 pounds) 13 entries In 1994

Brown Trout (Qualifying Weight 6 pounds) 12 entries In 1994

Lake Trout (Qualifying Weight 15 pounds) 8 entries In 1994

The Angler

Lbs. Length Oz. (In.) Date

Lure

Where Caught

6-4 6-4 5-8 4-1 4 4-12 4-11 4-8 4-7 4-6 4-5 4-4 4-4 4-3

20 1/2 22 21 1/2 19 20 1/4 18 1/4 20 19 1/2 20 20 20 17 21

1/3 8/2 5/21 1/ 13 1/1 6/8 6/4 1/1 5/ 18 5/25 2/6 6/ 13 4/24

Togus Pond , Augusta Chamberlain Lake, T6A12 China Lake China Lake McGrath Pond, Belgrade Little Madawaska Stream Cupsuptic Lake McGraw Pond, Belgrade Rangeley Lake Rangeley Lake McGrath Pond Island Pond, Rockwood China Lake

live smelt sewed bait Rapala crawler live shiner crawlers , Silver Spinner frozen smelt live bait-shiner "Ken-Do" Black Ghost Streamer live bait Mansfield sewed smelt

11-14 11-12 9-12 9-12 9-8 9-8 9-6 8-10 7-13 7-10 6 6

291/2 301/2 281/2 271/2 26 271/2 28 1/2 27 25 1/2 271/2 241/2 24

7/3 6/4 1/30 2/10 5/24 5/13 7/9 5/11 2/12 1/13 1/21 2/12

Square Pond Square Pond , Acton Kennebunk Pond Square Pond, Acton Square Pond, Acton Square Pond, Acton Middle Range Pond, Poland Range Pond Square Pond Square Square Pond , Shapleigh Square Pond, Shapleigh

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Jennifer Lyons, Woodland Fred Reny, Jr., Westbrook Albert Gregoire, North Berwick Ronald Vainio, Guilford Bob Auclair, Greenville Garrett Agrell, Melford David Ober, Rockport Andre Cyr, Fort Kent

26 24-3 16-9 16-8 16-5 16 15-4 15-1

40 39 35 371 /2 34 35.5 36 33

2/26 5/21 8/24 2/5 4/27 6/6 6/ 19 5/30

West Grand Lake Sebago Lake Sebago Lake Hebron First Roach Pond , Kokadjo Moosehead Lake Sebago Lake Eagle Lake

JP leadfish Flatfish Aatfish live bait-shiner sucker sewed smelt Flatfish Sutton

Neil Marquis, Brunswick

7-12

24

1/1

Trickey Pond, Naples

smelt

John Thornton, Augusta Roger Kolterman, Falmouth Lawrence Cyr, Van Buren Tim Mowatt, W indham Stephen T. Bell, Hollis John 8 . MacKay, So. Weymouth, MA

8-8 8-6 7-10 7-9 6.05 6

29 25 1/2

5/13 5/30 2/20 6/26 3fl 4/29

Lower Narrows, Winthrop Umbagog Lake, Upton Long Lake, T17, R3 WELS Thompson Lake, Casco Kezar Lake, North Lovell Nicatous Lake

Rapala, Shad, Shallow Runner smelt

Brock Nazier Clukey, Sangerville John 8 . MacKay, So. Weymouth, MA Robert Reynolds, Yarmouth Ryan Libby, North Turner Robert Foisy, Sanford

5-5 5-4 5-3 5-2 5-2

22 22 1/2

6/2 5/11 8/27 6/5 9/24

Sebec Lake, Dover Foxcroft Nicatous Lake Upper Range Pond Little Bear Pond, Hartford Middle Range Pond, Poland

Tender Tube (brown) Mepps #2 Gold Spinner

Scott M. Sheltra, Kennebunk Michael Gallagher, Litchfield Ted Sperdakos, Gray Kenneth Wills, W iscasset Theodore A. Breece, Shapleigh Edward S. Boyd, Jr., Chelmsford , MA

8-6 8-3 7-9 7-6 7-4 7-3

24 23 22 1/2 23 1/4 22 3/4 22

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1/ 22 7/22 8/ 16

Tacoma Lakes, Litchfield Little Sebago Nequasset Lake, Woolwich Mousam Lake, Shapleigh Sand Pond

live bait crawler Tender Tube live shiner Jitter Bug live shiner

Shane Palmer, Oakland Jeff Taylor, Oakland

1-9 1-8

14 1/2 14

2/20 2/13

Great Pond McGrath Pond, Oakland

smelt live smelt

4-8 4-7 4-4 4-2 4-1 4.09

26 27 25 25 1/2 243/4 26 1/4

2/22 1/1 3/5 2/6 2/26 2/19

Great Moose Lake, Hartland Bonney Eagle Pond Spednic Lake, Forest City Messalonskee Lake, Oakland Branch Lake, Ellsworth Ingalls Pond , Bridgton

live shiner minnow live bait minnow

18-12 16-12 15-8

43 38 39

2/13 2/20 3/27

Great Pond, Belgrade North Pond, Belgrade Lakes North Pond, Smithfield

bait shiner live bait-large shiner

3

16 1/4

7/ 18

Songo River

Mapps Spinner

Robert C. Cayford, Augusta Arline Popsham, East Corinth Tony Morrissette, Augusta David Mccaslin, Pittsfield Cory Pomeroy, Fairfield Ralph Hornick, Caribou Maurine Dubard, Augusta Charles M. Pomeroy, Fairfield Kenneth Cutler, Fairfield John A. Roode, Skowhegan Randy Payne, Oakland David M. Ring, South Paris David L. Marshall Bruce W . Hilton, Kenn.

Brad Lodge, Lyman Richard Doucette, North Berwick Gary Nichols, Sanford Dennis M . Grenier, Sanford Steven McNamara, Westwood, MA Robin Ray Lilley, Windham Robert Fountaine, Poland Spring Shane Michaud , North Berwick Frank Clark, Sanford Martin Hawker, Springvale Dale Mrazik, Acton

live bait shiner live bait shiner shiner on Slip Rig Red Grey Ghost Red Ghost Streamer live bait live bait live bait live bait

Splake (Qualifying Weight 4 pounds) 1 entry In 1994

Landlocked Salmon (Qualifying Weight 6 pounds) 6 entries In 1994

Smallmouth Bass (Qualifying Weight 5 pounds) 5 entry In 1994

Largemouth Bass (Qualifying W eight 7 pounds) 6 entries In 1994

?

261 /4 26 24

21 22

1/ 1 6/ 1

sn

Mooselook Wobbler live bait-shiner smelt

live bait Northern Wobbler live bait-shiner

White Perch (Qualifying Weight 1 1/2 pounds) 2 entries In 1994

Pickerel (Qual ifying Weight 4 pounds) 6 entries In 1994

Northern Pike (Qualifying Weight 15 pounds) 3 entries In 1994

Gordon "Butch" Gower, Pittsfield David G. Savage, West Buxton Roger Costello, Jay John Fisher, Waterville Matt Berry, Camden John S. Miller, Windham Tyler Shorty, Oakland Bruce W . Fales, West Rockport Jeffrey Brawn, Camden

medium shiner

Black Crappie (Qualifying Weight 2 pounds) 1 entry In 1994

Jim Tardiff, Lakeville, MA

It's a beautiful day! Spring is here, the ice is about gone, and the birds are back. So what're you gonna do today? Well, if you want to have a great experience, share an enjoyable activity, and help train the next generation of caretakers ...

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Maine Fish and Wildlife

by Robert Tougias I can still recall my first day of fishing. My recollections are of memorable and exciting moments with my Dad. I know he still thinks of my enthusiasm on that day, and it is perhaps one of his most memorable moments as well.

Taking a kid fishing is, indeed, one of life's more memorable and rewarding times. But there are ways to make sure that each trip turns out to be fun-fishing isn't always trouble-free, after all. As a Big Brother volunteer, I have learned how to maximize the fun and reduce the agony.

I'll never match that childhood excitement I had before those trips with my Dad. The mood is apparent in the old black-and-white photographs my mother treasures. I still recall the walk down from the cottage through the soaked grass, while making trails in the dew. Strange yellow birds would fly about. I guess they were goldfinches-I only knew the crows that would call out over the mist from the dead pine, where beach ended and lake began.

I often think of the wildlife we talked about while sitting wide-eyed, waiting for that big one. I think that's half of the experience, when you come right down to it-taking time to appreciate nature.

Had it not been for my early fishing experiences, I might never have been even aware of Mother Nature.

I knew that fishing would be the best thing for my "little brother"-it builds character and teaches patience, skill, and observation. The secret, I believe, is to fish only those areas where a yield is guaranteed. The size and species of fish are not so important.

Good planning and consideration for each step involved will pay off. In fact, take a moment to mentally go over each possible scenario. If a kid gets bored or lines get crossed, the result could drive you crazy. Remember, you want it to be a memorable experience, not a hair-pulling event.

But your child may grow to love it, and the days you spend together will be that much more memorable, if you both enjoy doing the same thing.

You should be aware of the trip's length, the time actually spent fishing, and the weather. Don't take the kids out on a cold windy day. This will Ol}ly make for cold noses and red, tender ears. And

The author is a resident of West Springfield, MA and a regular visitor to Maine.

avoid windy locations-the wind makes casting impossible.

Should the weather turn foul on you, learn to be creative. You can repair sore feelings with a stop at an ice cream stand. Food is known to soothe in times of disappointment.

Fortunately, most fishing excursions take place during vacations. Chances are you'll be in the hinterlands on a lake in the summer. One sure bet is a mid-summer morning. Try a spot were the fish are biting every few minutes. Keep in mind that a 15minute interlude may seem like forever to a child.

They simply aren't built to stand it!

Bob Spear works with children at an Audubon Sanctuary. He believes: "Let the quiet moments be what they are; use them to teach the child observation. Help them focus on nature's drama, or let their imaginations soar. You've got to keep them amused by communicating creatively."

Often, it's not just the fishing they're excited about, it's the being together. This, I think, is the best part of any activity with children. They never miss the whole picture. This is evidenced by the fun they have.

If you pack a lunch, keep it full of special treats.

This can soften the blow of one of those duller moments. I've taken kids out several times and, as my friend who leads nature trail camp says, "Don't expect to do any serious fishing with the little ones." In other words, you spend so much time helping with things that you won't ever get time for much serious fishing yourself. You might actually enjoy yourself more if you leave your pole at home and take your camera. These are fleeting moments, and you won't want to miss them. The canSpring 1995

11

did spontaneity of fishing is great home video or snapshot material.

Remember: life preservers must be worn, not just carried-and safety skills should be discussed, not assumed. Teaching safety skills to the youngsters will give you added confidence when your offspring venture out as adolescent explorers on their own.

I try to build in my kids a sense of appreciation and respect-respect for others, appreciation of the sport. Basically, the seeds of good sportsmanship must be sewn. Fishing is a billion dollar industry; without it, we would not have the revenue to protect, purchase, or manage our aquatic ecosystems.

Whetting a youngster's appetite for fishing is not only good for the soul, it's good for the future of sport fishing and the environment.

I started bringing a field guide along after we encountered a blue heron. Your child may enjoy

that, too. Help them learn and make them curious.

Weeds, turtles, frogs-all are significant parts of the ecosystem. Our young people need to know that if they are to grow up and become concerned citizens.

It seems that people who have an activity they love just for the sake of doing it never stray far.

Few people who love outdoor activities like fishing can, at the same time, be lost in some vice like drugs.

Because few children will take to fishing immediately, follow these steps to give them the best shot at taking to the sport: • Keep it simple.

• Hold their interest each time.

• Never bring them to a crowded place.

• Choose a site where the fish bite often.

Then, as your young anglers improve, you can plan longer and more challenging trips.

•

t 940s Posters

The original silk-screened versions of these posters measure about 22 by 28 inches. Screened sometime in the mid-1940s, they are three of a series of at least four posters designed to promote conservation efforts. (Editor's note: see page 21 for information about the fourth poster in this series.)

We're offering these 14" by 18" reprints of these handsome and topical posters for $5 each, shipping and handling included.

To order, send check or money order to: POSTERS! Inland Fisheries and Wildlife 284 State Street, Station #41 Augusta ME 04333 Be sure to specify which poster(s) you want and/or the quantity of each. Please allow four weeks for delivery.

Watchable Wildlife Guide Available!

This new-in-1994 pocket guide contains more than two dozen fullcolor wildlife photographs and descriptions of 62 great places in Maine to go in search of that ever-remembered glimpse of wildlife in its natural setting. Most of the sites are on publicly-owned land, but all are open for careful public use.

The book is organized by geographic regions and describes each To order, send check or money site in detail - how to get there, the order for $5.95 (payable to species you might expect to see, deMaine Fish and Wildlife) to: WATCHABLE WILDLIFE tails on the availability of restrooms, 284 State Street, Station 41 parking, and other facilities, and much Augusta, ME 04333 more, including information on access for persons with disabilities.

12

Maine Fish and Wildlife

by District Warden Roger Guay clear bright February day greeted me as I stepped out the front door. The deep blue sky promised another day of crystal diamonds reflecting from the endless sea of snow.

My mission, this day, was to take a job-shadow student with me as I made my rounds in the West Branch Pond region to tag some beaver pelts. After a brief stop at the office to pick up my student, we headed north to a point where trucks stop and snowmobiles take over. Upon reaching our destination and accomplishing the task at hand, a cup of coffee and a fresh cookie from Carol Sterling put us back

on patrol. I informed the student that warden work was unpredictable: you never know what's around the next corner. Little did I know that this day would prove to be another "one of those days."

The day went by quickly and I headed home. As I pulled into my dooryard and stepped out of my truck, my eye caught the beautiful night sky. Sharp cold air stung my face. Ahh! Winter, I love it!

Stepping inside, the luscious smell of supper greeted me as I cracked the door. As my foot landed on the stairway to supper, the phone rang.

"The sheriff's office," my son said, handing me the phone.

The dispatcher said, "I've got a couple of lost skiers."

"Where?" I asked "Gulf Hagas," was the reply.

My heart fell. No other place in Maine could be more treacherous in snow than that seven-mile gorge. Full of twisting, winding water contained between jagged cliffs, it is a beautiful place in summer. In winter, it is changed into a place full of traps, areas that wait to let go at the slightest touch and send you avalanching to the river below. It could be a prison of ice and snow.

Gathering some gear, I left supper on the table, knowing that time was absolutely critical.

At-20 degrees, a person in Spring 1995

13

fading and portable radios were strength. On skis, it was almost trouble doesn't stand a chance. I losing their juice in the cold. impossible. activated Warden Tom Ward to Wardens were coming in to back After about an hour of thrashhelp, and notified Sgt. Dan us up, but for now it was up to Tourtelotte, who would coordiing through the snow, our worst us to track the lost skiers. nate the rest of the help we fear became a reality. The tracks After two hours of life-drainwould need to find them. headed down the gorge instead ing snowshoeing, one thing beof continuing on the difficult The first strike would be criticame very clear in our minds. cal. Quickly going to Little trail. What looked like a quiet ribbon of snow was actually a We were approaching the point Lyford Pond Camps, where the of no return, the wall-a place violent river with a thin layer of couple had been staying, I diswhere you look death in the eye, snow hiding its danger. Already covered that they were last seen a place where the safety net can't at 9:00 a.m. exhausted, we Their plan reach you. If anything went stopped to ""NO OTHER PLACE IN was to crosswrong from this point on, no one examine our MAINE COULD BE MORE country ski could get to us in time. With the situation.

TREACHEROUS IN SNOW to the head dim light of a worn-out flashAfter a THAN THAT SEVEN-MILE of the gorge, we moved on. Hours of light, quick cup of GORGE.¡¡ returning tea and a suffering crept by. Little hills after they shared box of became big ones. The ski tracks had had a picnic lunch. They just wouldn't stop. raisins, we decided not to risk were warned to stay out of the traveling down the gorge. Our Suddenly, hope returned The gorge area. only option was to walk the ski tracks escaped the grip of the Leaving the camps, I met Wartreacherous rim and work our gorge, finding the only path of den Tom Ward and Bud way along. The lip of the gorge in escape out of the frozen walls.

Fackleman of the Lyford camps, the dark was full of false ledges The tracks indicated panic now. and we briefly discussed what to that could give way as one apThey were irregular and signs of do next. The tracks, last found, proached-the fall would be 100 confusion became more and more evident. headed down the gorge. Ponderfeet to the canyon floor below!

Now out of the gorge itself, ing our options, one thing stood The depth of the snow made it our lost skiiers were battling the out. If we were to find them difficult to read and the darkness sharp terrain of its outer rim. The alive, we could not make an eronly compounded the problem. twisting, winding ups and Our flashlights would just reach ror along the way. downs that drain an already exthe bottom of the gorge showing Shortly after 6:00 p.m., we hausted person were taking their us two thin tracks heading for stepped into our snowshoes and toll. disaster. Flashlight batteries were headed in. The depth of the snow made each shoe fight to break free. Every inch of ground would be earned at a painful price. Stopping after only 200 yards, we shed our jackets. It was hard to believe one could be sweating on such a bitter, cold night! Dressed down to a sweater, we followed a narrow trail of two skiers whose destination was unknown. The first mile was grueling-but little did we know what lay ahead.

As the trail got closer to the canyon, it became a series of small sharp hills that, in powder Wardens Tom Ward (left) and Roger Guay. snow, drained you of all your

14

Maine Fish and Wildlife

s we approached Screw Auger Falls, another fear came to light. The Appalachian Trail intersects with the Gulf Hagas trail. If the skiers took the Appalachian Trail, we hadn't time to follow. The only chance we had to save ourselves was to push to get out of the gorge before the cold claimed us as well.

At midnight, as we approached the falls under weak

light, a shout broke the stillness.

"Help! We' re over here!"

Two forms appeared in the faint light-one covered by a space blanket, the other moving around some. Both clearly cold.

The evidence of a failed fire at their feet told us why.

Bob, who fell through the ice while in the gorge, was severely hypothermic. His

BOB AND JESSICA CONSTANTINE

411 Grove Place Narberth, PA 19072 (215) 664-1386

March 19, 1993

Warden Service State of Maine Greenville, ME 04441 Dear Sgt. Dan Tourtelotte and the Warden Service Staff: My husband and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the men who participated in our rescue from the rim trail above Gulf Hagas Gorge.

Dan Tourtelotte, Don Annis, Mike Favreau of the Warden Service, and EMTs Dave Bouchard and Chris Finn. But, especially Roger Guay and Tom Ward, who, from the moment they found us, after trekking miles by snowshoe, took control, keeping us warm and occupied until the rest of the rescue team could arrive.

This was an incredible team effort on the part of all the men involved, without which we may have lost our lives. This may have "only been a night's work" to you men, but an act of heroism beyond compare to us. And a night we won't soon forget.

Thanks again to all of you who spent a cold night in the woods rescuing us.

Sincerely, Jessica and Bob Constantine

wife, Jessica, while not wet, was close to hypothermia herself.

Quickly, we gave them our jackets, remaining food, and started a fire to warm them and us.

Soon, the light of the fire brought hope where there was none before. The worn battery of the portable radio held true for one last transmission, "We got 'em-at Screw Auger Falls."

Once stopped, we began to stiffen upeach trip for firewood became more difficult.

Plans were made as Warden Don Annis struggled to get as close as he could with a snowmobile, bringing with him badly needed clothes, snowshoes, and boots for the lost skiers.

The mission took on its final phase: moving them out. Step by step, the final mile went by-to a snowmobile, and then to emergency medical technicians who had waited the night for the exhausted frozen skiiers.

Once the Constantines were tucked in back at Little Lyford, we headed the sleds for home.

Soon, all the gear was loaded and the warmth of the old truck never felt so good. We headed for home.

Legs aching, I drove into my dooryard just as the sun was making its appearance for another day. Twelve grueling hours of the most difficult terrain ever imaginable. Two lives saved from certain death. Just another unpredictable day in the life of a Maine game warden. • Spring 1995

15

C.

State Cot /J 1. Canada lynx 2. Bobcat 3. Maine coon cat

NDBI WEll DD l!BU NNmm I\UUR Sf~lriE?

In each group, clrcle the letter of the offlclal state s,mbol and write tfie app_roprlate number next to It. Then see if you can

properly lden,W, the other two In each group as well. Answers (slate symbols In redJ are upside down on page 17 (don't peeldJ

State Anlmal 1. Moose 2. 81aclc8ear a. Whlte-talled Deer

BONUS ROUND

Here are a few more groups for you. You probably know the trees, but what about minerals, fossils, or the state motto. Good luclcf

A.

C. 8.

State Mlneral

1. Quartz

2. Tourmaline a.Beryl

c.

State Motto 1. Dies Faustus lluclcy dayJ 2. Dlrlgo ll leadJ a. Fluctuat nee mergltur ftossed by the waves, but does not slnlcJ

State Fossll State Tree 1. Crlnold 1. Sugar Maple 2. Pertlca quadrlfarla 2. Spruce 3. Trlloblte 3. White Pine ; &p a :°"ow i,-r 'a-g ':,-, :1o.1•u1w ·a-r ':,-g 'W-, :11sso:1 ·:,-r 'W-g 'a-, :ee.u ·:,-r 'W-g " - , :1Dw1uw

"8-r ':,-g 'W-1

:,:,esu1 ·:,-r

'a-g 'W-,

:..1eM01:1

·:,-r 'a-z 'W-1 :p.,1a ·:,-r 'W-z 'a-, :11•1:1 ·a-r ':,-g 'W-1 :,o:, :SlfJMSNW

What To Look For, What To Ask

How To Buy A Maine Guide CD ®

LODGING A. B. C. D. E.

TRANSPORTATION A. B.

@

®

®

18

Do you furnish transportation or do I? Year and make of vehicle?

Will an airplane be used?

ACTUAL TRIP A. B. C. D. E. F.

©

What type? (tent, lodge, spike camp, etc.)

What is supplied? (sleeping bag, food , linen, running water, electricity, etc.)

Are meals provided? Who cooks? Can menu be changed for dietary problem?

How many guests to a room or tent?

Is alcohol allowed? Are hand guns allowed on trips other than hunting?

What clothes and gear must I bring?

How many clients to a guide?

Will the guide be with me throughout the trip?

What physical condition must I be in?

Who purchases license?

Is there a limit on amount of gear brought?

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS FOR A HUNTING TRIP A. B. C. D. E. F. G.

What type of hunt is planned?

Will my group be split up?

How many other hunters with me?

How much land on which to hunt?

Who cares for game? Who's responsible for the butchering?

Who purchases necessary licenses?

How much travel involved from lodging to hunt site?

GENERAL QUESTIONS A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I.

How long have you been in business?

How experienced are the guides?

What is the entire cost of the trip including licenses and access fees?

What is the up front deposit for the trip?

What is the cancellation policy? Up to what point can the trip be canceled and money returned?

What other costs are involved?

What is the phone number for an emergency call?

What is the nearest hospital. Who is the nearest doctor?

Do you take a check or credit card, or must I bring cash?

SUGGESTIONS TO CLIENT A. B. C.

Get all information on paper and signed by the guide .

Take a camera and get pictures of what you got, if not what promised.

Get references, at least one who did not get fish or game.

Maine Fish and Wildlife

co

EBOO

( E l~C A rom the Fly Tying Bench

IC HAIRY WI G)

by Butch Carey

~-- -

THE PATTERN Hook: #368980, size 4 THREAD: Black monocord, red for head only TAG: Embossed silver tinsel TAIL: Light olive floss RIBBING: Embossed silver tinsel BODY: Light olive floss WING: Grey squirrel hair CHEEK: Jungle cock (optional) HACKLE: Lemon yellow, collared and tied back HEAD: Red monocord

1-::.1 Cast on black thread above the barb l.!J of the hook, then tie in tag.

Tie in tail, then attach ribbing just in front of tail. Move thread to front of hook.

\

@l

Tie in floss for body; wind to back of hook, then a second layer back to front.

Tie down.

Spring 1995

19

fAlsring ribbing up front in evenly ~spaced turns over body. Tie down.

Tie in squirrel tail wing, extending back to end of tail. Tie down. Add optional jungle cock cheeks at this point.

Tie in lemon yellow saddle hackle, collared and tied back. Finish head with red thread, cement, and ...

I71 ¡.. your Cosseboom is complete!

20

Maine Fish and Wildlife

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

1O. 11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

Dark Edson Tiger Governor Barrows Liggett Special Sportsmen Say Kennebago Smelt Chief Needahbeh Supervisor Wood Special Grand Laker Black Ghost Tandem Black Ghost Ballou Special Warden's Worry Senator Muskie Ripogenus Smelt

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

28.

29.

30.

Ballou Special Grey Ghost Green King Colonel Bates Parmachene Belle Coachman Blue Smelt Nine-Three Frost Blue Smelt York's Kennebago Libby's Cal Winnipesaukee Smelt Joe's Smelt Spencer Bay Queen Bee

Only three of these patterns originated outside of Maine. And yes, you're right, #12 and #16 are both Ballou Specials! The mistake was discovered after the front cover went to press.

Old Sporting Posters, Part 4

WARTIME, FOR SURE! When we began this poster series nearly a year ago (of course, we didn't know it would be a series then!), all we had was one old poster, which we reproduced and promoted in the magazine, complete with a request for information about the possibility of more" in the series. Almost immediately, the second and third ones surfaced (from the same source)-this one, our fourth antique poster, came to light a short time later.

Because we're only a quarterly, it's taken us awhile to get to this fourth one. But here it is-and here's the story: Our first plea for information brought, among others, a letter from Ivan Porter of Ashland, a retired 20-year veteran of the Maine Warden Service (1951-1971). Ivan wrote: "I. .. had several of the posters and displayed them at the sporting camps on Big Machias Lake when my wife and I owned them. I have two posters left of the hunting poster that was printed during World War II, one in excellent condition and one in fair condition, no stains on them.

If you wish to see or use this poster, feel free to call me."

Sowe did!

We are offering 14" by 18" reprints of this poster-the third in our series (with at least one more to come, so stay tuned)-for $5 each, postage and handling included. Printed in full color on sturdy coated stock, this poster is the perfect complement to the others, or will stand alone as a statement from the past about how we feel about the future. The poacher is still a thief, and he's still stealing from you!

To order, send check or money order for $5 for each poster to: 11

11

"Gee Buddy" Fish and Wildlife 284 State St., Station 41 Augusta ME 04333 Editor's Note: We still haven't given up our search for more in this old series.

It has recently become evident, for example, that there were two different versions of the 1.1Gee, Mister!" poster (first in the series), and we're attempting to get more information on that. If anyone has anything further on any of these posters, or leads on additional ones, don't hesitate to let us know!

Spring 1995

21

Fishing 8t llunting Retrospective

How Good Were Those Good Old Days?

by Bob Foye Photos courtesy Bangor & Aroostook Railroad archives

By 1895, Maine had been a sovereign state for 75 years. The Civil War had been over for only 30 years-and Custer's defeat at the Little Big Horn was still a big issue.

I

grew up during the "great depression." In 1947, I began a career as a fisheries biologist.

During that time, I often heard the expression "back in the good old days." I wondered what was meant by "the good old days" and what fishing and hunting was like when my grandfather was a young man. No one I know could attest to its meaning, so I began searching for information that might shed some light.

Sometimes a few of my older acquaintances-now gonespoke of "lifetime" licenses costing 25 cents to hunt and fish (which were in later years revoked, much to their chagrin).

I pondered on where to turn for

C. S. Cook's camps on Birch Island, Holeb Lake.

22

Maine Fish and Wildlife

Game pole (typical) at Schoodic Lake, circa 1900. some answers to satisfy my curiosity.

I began by looking at the Report of the Commissioners of Inland Fisheries and Game for the year 1895. There were actually three commissioners at that time. In the report by Commissioners Thomas H. Wentworth, Henry 0. Stanley and Charles E. Oak to Governor Henry B. Cleaves, dated December 31, 1895, I found that Maine's Inland Fisheries and Game Department operated that year on an appropriation by the Maine Legislature in the amount of $25,000.

Interestingly, they reported spending nearly the entire amount to run six fish hatcheries including fish distribution, finance the Warden Service along with smaller amounts to assist the Federal Government's Atlantic Salmon stocking program. A small amount was used for travel expenses, fees for printing and binding, council and engineering fees, and other administrative costs.

Landlocked salmon and brook trout were the principal species raised in our hatcheries in 1895.

These fish were distributed in numerous waters throughout Maine.

The Maine Commissioners, in their 1895 report to Governor Cleaves, also wrote of the success of brown trout introduction in other states, including New York-this species was first brought into this country by the U.S. Fish Commission in 1886.

They noted that brown trout introduction in this country was still in the experimental stage and cautioned about the species' indiscriminate introduction into Maine's best trout waters.

The commissioners passed on information from the U.S. Government's Green Lake Station about the federal government introductions of brown trout into Hart's Pond in Orland , and into Great Brook, a tributary of Branch Pond, in 1891, and into Toddy Pond in 1893-five hundred trout were also furnished to individual applicants.

Likewise, in 1893-94, the federal government planted brown trout

into a number of other waters, including Hart's Pond, Branch Pond, Rocky Pond, Phillips Pond, Forth Pond, Lidenspecker Pond, Rogers Pond, Big Tunk Pond, Patten's Pond, and Green Lake. In 1894-95, more were planted in Branch Pond and into Weston Pond. This was done without the knowledge or consent of Maine's commissioners-when they discovered these introductions, they notified the United States Commissioner of Maine's statute forbidding introduction of certain fish without their consent. The U.S. Commissioner then acknowledged Maine's right to control fish introductions and agreed that no fish except brook trout, landlocked salmon, or Atlantic salmon should be planted in Maine waters without first obtaining permission from the commissioners.

The 1895 report states also that the department reared about 6,000 brown trout at the Lake Auburn Hatchery and stocked

The author retired from the position of Fisheries Division Director in 1984 after more than 37 years with the department.

Spring 1995

23

them in the fall of 1895 in Range Pond in Poland, Androscoggin Pond in Leeds and Wayne, and Sabattus Pond in Green and Wales. About 40,000 brown trout eggs were reported to be present at the Lake Auburn Hatchery that year.

The commissioners also made mention of several smelt introductions, and commented on the presence of pickerel, bass, and perch in some of the larger rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds in the older portions of Maine.

They cautioned about further introductions of these species into Maine's best trout and salmon waters until more was known about them. Lastly, they wrote about new regulations established at several waters, including a 15-fish limit for four years at Quimby Pond in Rangeley and the licensing of taxidermists. The author notes that pickerel, which were originally located only in a few waters in central and southern Maine, were being introduced elsewhere as early as 1818, that year to Penobscot County and soon to the St. Croix drainage, Meddybemps Lake in the Dennys River drainage, and then into the East Machias drainage.

D

eer was another leading topic discussed by the commissioners in 1895-mention was made of out-of-state shipments by nonresident sportsmen during the hunting season. Their estimate of the total deer population in Maine was at least 20,000 animals, with an estimated kill of 4,800 that year. The January 1894 issue of the Maine Sportsman noted that deer were occasionally seen on the lower Kennebec, although there was not one in

24

Maine Fish and Wildlife

the whole region a few years earlier.

Moose hunting in 1895 was limited to bulls only-in 1894, both sexes could be taken. Some 103 bulls were reported taken in 1895, with indications pointing to an increase in their numbers.

Only one caribou was allowed by hunters in 1895-a year earlier, two could be harvested.

Indications also seemed to be in favor of an increase. Ruffed grouse were plentiful in 1895 along with woodcock.

The commissioners reported on feeble attempts made by the Maine Game Protective Association to begin introduction of large exotic game birds from Norway and Sweden. Failure to successfully breed these birds in captivity to obtain chicks for introduction was given as the cause. Hunting regulations already listed for 1895 made it unlawful to hunt, take, catch, kill, or destroy these exotic species.

Noted in the report were new fishways at Caribou on the Aroostook River, at Grand Lake Stream at Lincoln's Mill, on the Dennys River at Dennysville, and plans for a new fishway at Songo Lock on the Songo River.

By 1895, the importance of hunting and fishing in Maine had become evident. Railroad lines were already in use throughout the state and the Bangor-based Bangor and Aroostook Railroad (BAR) began encouraging sportsmen to use their service to reach access points along the line. The BAR accomplished this by publishing a series of interesting articles on hunting and fishing in the "North Country." A BAR brochure-"Shooting and Fishing A Big Game and Fly Fishing

Guide to Northern Maine"published in 1896, yielded interesting information pertinent to these activities some 100 years ago.

At the end of the rail line, access to and from places to hunt and fish in Maine was by stage, carriage, buckboard, horseback, or on foot over dirt roads and trails. Boats and canoes were ready means of access by water-steamers were sometimes available on some of the larger lakes.

North of Bangor to the east and west were vast forests broken up by mountainous terrain. Countless numbers of lakes, ponds, rivers, brooks, and streams crisscrossed the entire area. Some of these waters flowed in a northerly direction, others followed southerly courses.

Many of the waters contained populations of brook trout and togue. Landlocked salmon occurred in some of the larger lakes, and sea-run salmon in great abundance could be found in some of the major rivers where access from the sea to spawning areas was not a problem. The Aroostook River ranked second only to the Penobscot at that time in terms of numbers of salmon entering from the sea.

Wildlife was abundant. The forests and farming country of northern Maine was inhabited by moose, deer, and bear. Caribou were also present during annual migrations. Partridge were everywhere-and small game was abundant. There was no scarcity of waterfowl.

By 1895, timber operations were everywhere. Lumber camps were at many locations, and sporting camps were situ-

ated on many lakes and ponds.

The BAR soon began promoting hunting and fishing close to areas easily reached by their service and through connections with other lines-at Old Town and Dover with the Maine Central, at Greenville and Brownville Junction with the Canadian Pacific, and at Monson Junction with the Monson Railroad. Some 62 railroad stations where stages were available were listed by the BAR in their brochure. Stage fare was based on the distances from the railroad station to points of destination and ranged from 25 cents to no more than $1.50. Round trip fares via the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad from Boston ranged from $13.50 to $18.50. Fares were proportionately less from Portland and Bangor.

Chair back Mountain Camps, Albert Brown, Proprietor, situated on Long Pond, seven miles from Katahdin Iron Works.

Completion of a new narrow gauge line between Phillips and Rangeley made travel easier for sportsmen hunting and fishing in the Rangeley area. A new rail line to Rumford Falls, connecting by stage or team to Andover and the south arm of Lower Richardson Lake, was a very popular and pleasant route.

The Maine Central Railroad to Farmington, the narrow gauge Sandy River line to Strong, and lines of the Franklin and Megantic and Carrabassett railroad companies provided access to Jerusalem where stages to Eustis and points farther north were available in the Dead River region.

As a means of encouraging nonresidents to travel to Maine

to relax and enjoy fishing and hunting away from the turmoil and noise of the big cities, the BAR provided the names of 183 guides and location of camps where they were available for hire. Altogether, nearly 100 hotels, boarding houses, and camps were listed by the BAR. Camps in those days were ordinary log cabins-good and comfortable, but not fancy.

Capacities ranged from 10 to 400 occupants-rates were anywhere from $1 to $4 per day, with prices per week from $3 to $25 (this highest at the Mt. Kineo House on Moosehead Lake).

An interesting list of hunting and fishing regulations appeared in BAR's brochure. Minimum legal lengths in 1895 on both seaSpring 1995

25

Typical hunting scene in the late 1800s. run and landlocked salmon were a mere nine inches, on trout five inches, with a daily bag and possession limit of 25 pounds.

There was no reference to numbers. A daily bag and possession limit of 30 birds pertained to ducks, partridge, woodcock, quail, and plover.

While hunting and fishing regulations in the "good old days" were more liberal than they are today, it is noteworthy that fewer numbers of individuals participated in these activities. Sea-run salmon were declining in numbers in some rivers of Maine by 1895, the result of dams without adequate fish passage facilities to allow salmon to reach spawning and nursery areas in upstream waters.

Guide and lady anglers of the "Gay Nineties" at Middle Dam, Mooselookmeguntic Lake.

26

Maine Fish and Wildlife

Wildlife species were in abundance 100 years ago. Small selective cuttings were commonly undertaken by the large owners of our forests, enhancing the growth of succulent vegetation which served as food for many animals and birds. The surrounding dense forest growth provided protection for these wildlife species in all seasons of the year.

nd so it was in those "good old days." Man and his ingenuity have made necessary many changes in the management of our fish and wildlife. Maine is still recognized for its fine hunting

and fishing and will continue to be under the watchful eyes of department personnel. But Maine cannot maintain its sporting integrity without the cooperation of its citizens and friends-a challenge all must meet in the years ahead.

The author thanks Kendall Warner, fishery management supervisior with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, for providing a copy of the 1895 Maine Sportsman, which contained much information helpful in the preparation of this article.

Sculpture Spruces Up Department Regional Headquarters in Sidney Maine law, under a program known as "Percent For Art," now requires that in all new construction undertaken by the state, one percent of the building's cost be allocated for artistic enhancement.

The new regional headquarters facility of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries apd Wildlife in Sidney (housing offices for Warden Service, Fisheries Division, and Wildlife Division Region B personnel) is the first department building to fall under the guidelines of this program, administered by the Maine Arts Commission.

The department's Percent for Art committee, consisting of two representatives from the Maine Arts Commission and two from the department, solicited three Maine artists for artistic use of the $3000 earmarked from the construction budget of the Sidney facility, and received two responses.

The committee chose this work by Damariscotta sculptor Carol Hanson as suitable to grace the open Sculpture provides a suitable introduction to the area near the building's Department's regional headquarters in Sidney. front entrance.

The rocks into which three reliefs are carved came from the quarry of Blue Rock Industries in Sidney. The company also donated the machine used to set the rocks in place, and photographer Hal Barter took this shot of the finished work.

Spring 1995

27

Share Your Passion For Birds

I er

•

1gra ory

r

Saturday, May 13, 1995 Sponsored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and the Philips Petroleum Company, International Migratory Bird Day is the hallmark event for Partners in Flight, an international coalition of 15 federal agencies, 50 state agencies, 35 nongovernmental organizations, academia and industry. On May 13, 1995, the theme for this year's International Migratory Bird Day is Sharing a Passion for Birds. The focus of the celebration is to encourage you-someone who already knows the wonder of birds-to share your passion with policy-makers, the news media, business leaders, teachers, students, friends, and family.

Sharing your excitement for birds and birding will be an important component in the strategy to successfully conserve our wild bird populations. Long term monitoring programs have provided the evidence to suggest that many species of neotropical migratory birds are at risk. Threats to their populations are many and complex, although habitat loss throughout North and South America, Central America and the Caribbean has had the greatest impact on species declines.

Bird watching and bird feeding are pastimes enjoyed by over 65 million Americans.

Yet, many birders are not aware that populations of favorite species such as the wood thrush, cerulean warbler, bobolink, grasshopper sparrow and western bluebird are declining at rates of 2-4% per year. Many recreational bird watchers and feeders may not have considered

28

Maine Fish and Wildlife

the impacts of habitat loss or lack of funding for migratory bird conservation programs, on the diversity and abundance of the birds that they love.

Are we a massive, silent constituency when it comes to speaking out on behalf of the conservation of our song birds?

International Migratory Bird Day is your invitation to end the silence, and share your passion for birds. Birders are a fast growing and potentially powerful constituency in the US. They outnumber golfers by more than 2 to 1; and spent over $18.1 billion on memberships, optics, and photography equipment, bird watching trips and trip-related costs alone!

Birders represent substantial political and economic clout. Make 1995 the Year of the Birder by:

• letting national, state, and local decision-makers know of the importance of keeping common birds common and the need for adequate funding for nongame wildlife programs • letting the news media know of the threats to bird populations, the severity of habitat loss, and the need for sound conservation strategies • jointly develop proactive conservation programs with public land managers and private land owners that benefit migratory birds and their habitats Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife While other agencies are considering how best to integrate Neotropical migrant (the warblers, swallows, flycatchers, orioles, vireos, etc., that spend the winter in tropical parts of Central and South America, and migrate to Maine to breed during our warm summer months) programs into traditionally structured wildlife departments, Maine has moved ahead and done so. Our agency has integrated nongame wildlife management into all activities of the Wildlife Division through amendment of our federal Pittman-Robertson Program.

Maine's Regional Wildlife Biologists are responsible for wildlife management recommendations for state and private lands within their jurisdictions, including consideration of vertebrate and invertebrate species. Our Wildlife Resource Assessment Section considers both vertebrate and invertebrate management issues through four groups: Mammals, Birds, Endangered Wildlife and Habitat. To date we have developed a Maine Endangered and Threatened Species Listing handbook, and established a Dept. rule to legally define the process which will guide the 1994-95 review of Maine's official list of threatened and endangered wildlife; employed this process to review Maine's bird species, including Neotropical migrants, for inclusion on the Maine 199495 Endangered and Threatened Species List; and reviewed Neotropical bird research proposals, requests for scientific collection of birds and bird banding studies, and issued permits for approved activities.

•

Where To Find Out Here are some Maine state organizations to contact for more information about Partners in Flight, or about activities related to International Migratory Bird Day: Maine Audubon Society Gilsland Farm 118 US Route One Falmouth ME 04105 207-781-2330

For information about National Audubon Society's Maine chapters (Central Highlands, Merrymeeting Bay, Mid-Coast, Prouts Neck, Western Maine, York County): National Audubon Society Maine State Office POBox524 Dover-Foxcroft ME 04426 Attention: Joe Spaulding 207-564-7946 Ornithological Publications Guillemot Sorrento Scientific Society 12 Spring Street Bar Harbor ME 04609

Maine Bird Notes Route 1, Box 825 Turner ME 04282 Maine Naturalist Eagle Hill Wildlife Research Station P0Box99 Steuben ME 04680-0099

/

Special note: Bound into this magazine inside the back cover is our most up-to-date Daily Checklist of Maine Birds, including species information collected through 1994. Feel free to reproduce it as often as needed-we hope it makes your loggings of bird sightings easier and more meaningful.

Institute for Field Ornithology University of Maine, Machias Machias ME 04654

' Spring 1995

29

F SH A D WI DLIFE BRIEFS Advisory Council Approves Fishing Initiative In its January meeting, Maine's Fish and Wildlife Advisory Council gave its final approval to the Quality Fishing Initiative. These special fishing regulations, which are intended to bring back some trophy fishing waters in about 75 carefully selected lakes and ponds and rivers, will become effective Jan. 1, 1996.

These special regulations, which include the designation of catch-andrelease waters, as well as increased length minimums, lower bag limits and opportunities to take trophy fish, are all part of a new gamefish strategy for Maine being spearheaded by Maine Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Ray "Bucky" Owen. Owen noted that the initiative had not been without some opposition and controversy, and that there would be further discussion about proposed special regulations for some specific landlocked salmon waters such as Chesuncook Lake, as well as Long Pond in central Maine. "I'm thrilled that the Council has approved the proposal.

Special fishing regulations work; other states have proven that. We are headed in the right direction toward enjoying trophy fishing waters once again here in Maine. It's exciting," said Owen.

Other business conducted by the council included approval of dates for the 1995 bear hunting and trapping season, the 1995 special muzzle-loading

season for deer and the 1996 deer hunting season.

In 1995, bear trapping season will run from Sept. 24 through Oct. 31. Bear baiting will be permitted from Aug. 28 through Sept.23. Bear hunters may use dogs from Sept. 11 through Oct. 27. The general open season on hunting bear is from Aug. 28 through Nov. 25.

The council also voted to extend the 1995 special muzzle-loading season for deer from one week to two weeks in some selected Deer Management Districts (DMDs). In DMDs 7,8,10,11,12, 13,14,15, and 18, muzzleloaders may hunt deer from Nov. 27 to Dec. 9. In all other Deer Management Districts, the season will be one week-Nov. 27 to Dec.2.

The dates for Maine's 1996 regular deer hunting season were also set by the council at Nov. 4 to Nov. 30, with a special opening day for Maine residents only Nov. 2. The special archery season for deer in 1996 will be Oct. 3 to Nov. 1.

The special muzzle-loading season will begin Dec. 2.

Bait Dealer Charged Moose Applications Available The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is now accepting applications for the 1995 moose hunting permits.

For the first time this year, application blanks for both resident and nonresident hunters will be sent automati-

During their January meeting, the Advisory Council of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife took time out for a "photo op." Seated, left to right, are Gene Brown, Gary Cobb, Commissioner Ray "Bucky" Owen, C. Thomas Jagger, and Wilmot Robinson. Standing, left to right, are John Crabtree, Stanley D. Milton, Joseph P. Robbins, Dr. Ogden Small, and Carroll T. Cutting.

30

Maine Fish and Wildlife

cally to all previous year applicants.

Maine residents who did not apply last year may obtain application blanks from license agents or from any office of the Fish and Wildlife Department. Resident and nonresident applications may also be requested by writing to: Moose Application, Maine Fish and Wildlife Department, Station 41, Augusta ME 04333.

The application deadline is April 30.

Nonrefundable application fees are $5 for Maine residents, $10 for nonresidents.

This year, 1,400 moose hunting permits will be issued for the October 2-7 moose hunt-1,260 to Maine residents, 140 to nonresident hunters. Winners will be determined in a public drawing June 6 in Augusta. The drawing will be computerized this year for the first time.

During last year's October moose season, hunters experienced a success ratio that exceeded 90 percent. The largest bull taken last fall field-dressed at 1,060 pounds.

A one-year undercover investigation by the Maine Warden Service into the illegal importation of live bait has resulted in a series of charges against a Farmington area bait dealer.

According to Warden Sergeant Timothy Peabody, Kyle J. Walton, 49, of Industry was apprehended in Augusta Jan. 7 by a team of game wardens and special agents of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. A search of Kyle's vehicle uncovered a shipment of 10,000 golden shiners, which the investigation team witnessed the purchase of a day earlier in West Springfield, MA. Kyle was arrested and charged with the importation of live bait. Further investigation indicated that the Farmington bait dealer was a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Along with the bait importation charge, additional charges have been brought against him, including exceeding the bag limit on deer and unswom falsification.

According to Warden Investigator Philip Dugas, wardens recovered illegal deer meat and some firearms from Kyle's residence. The bait dealer may be

At his retirement luncheon in Augusta, guest of honor Paul Fournier (left) shares a moment with veteran Maine outdoor columnist Gene Letourneau. Fournier served as media coordinator and videographer for the department for 14 years. charged with possession of a firearm by a felon, a felony crime.

Participating in the undercover investigation were Warden Sergeant Tim Peabody, Warden Investigators Philip Dugas, Gary Sargent, and Thomas Santaguida, District Wardens David Berry, Mark Thompson and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Special Agents Stott, Bosco, and Dowd. Massachusetts Enviromental Police Officers John Thranghesi and Tony Thranghesi also assisted in the investigation.

Paul Fournier Retires Paul Fournier, media spokesman for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, retired this month after 14 years with the Department.

Fournier, a native of Jay, Maine was a bush pilot, guide, and sporting camp operator before he became interested in outdoor photography. His background as a Maine outdoorsman and interest in film-making led to work with the Maine Department of Marine Resources and eventually with the Fish and Game Department.

During his career at DIF&W, Fournier produced hundreds of film and video productions that depicted the diverse activities of the department.

According to Fournier, one of his more memorable assignments was his chronicle of the Maine Caribou Project, which took him to Newfoundland.

Along with his video productions, Fournier handled all press relations for the department during his career. The Maine media came to rely on Fournier's accessibility and in-depth knowledge, not only of issues related to all aspects of outdoor recreation, but also of the enforcement of fish and game laws.

At a recent retirement luncheon for Fournier, former Fish and Game Commissioner Bill Vail acknowledged Fournier's dedicated service to the department, as well as his skill and remarkable ability to always get along.

Commissioner Ray "Bucky" Owen presented Fournier with a framed Maine conservation art print.

After a winter vacation in Florida, Fournier expects to return to Maine and to work on a number of unfinished video projects.

1995 Turkey Applications Available Next month when the season opens on Maine's expanding wild turkey population, an additional 250 hunters will have permits to bag a gobbler.

A total of 750 turkey hunting permits will be issued this year for the May hunt, which runs from May 2 to May 27.

A total of 750 permits will be issued, 75 to nonresident applicants. Application fees are $5 for Maine residents and $10 for nonresident turkey hunters.

Although wildlife biologists for the department report that Maine's wild turkey population has expanded its territory to eastern Waldo County, the turkey hunting zone this year remains the same as last year. That zone is bounded by roads and rivers forming a line connecting Kezar Falls, Steep Falls, Naples, Mechanic Falls, Auburn, Lisbon Falls, Brunswick, Bath, and Phippsburg.

Coastal islands not connected to the mainland at low tide or by manmade structures are not included.

Maine's successful wild turkey introduction program was started by the department in York County in the 1970s, using turkeys trapped from wild flocks in Vermont.

Turkey hunting was first allowed in 1986. The highest kill was last year, when hunters took 62 of th~ big, elusive game birds.

1994 Moosehead Lake Fishing Summary Fisheries biologists at Maine's largest lake have released their annual report on the condition of the sport fisheries.

The report summarizes findings of 1994 fishery surveys conducted on Moosehead Lake and its major tributaries by biologists Paul Johnson, Scott Roy, and Tim Obrey. Copies of the report, authored by Roy, may be obtained from the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife regional office in Greenville.

Some highlights and excerpts from the summary: TOTAL ANNUAL USE: In 1994 the total annual fishing activity on Moosehead-winter and summer-was 45,841 angler-days. The figures show a slight drop in winter fishing, but an increase in summer angling activity for an annual increase of about 2,300 angler-days over the 1993 estimate.

LANDLOCKED SALMON: While the winter catch rates did improve somewhat over the previous season with ice fishermen catching and releasing 5,600 14"-18" salmon, the summer catch was poor, with the total open water catch about 50 percent below predictions. Biologists predicted that summer fishermen would catch and

Spring 1995

31

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR I would like to comment on Anthony Soychak's letter to the editor (Winter 1994 Maine Fish and Wildlife).

The clearcuts and the coyote are the number one reason that Maine's deer herd is down in many areas. The deer and rabbits are being pushed into smaller and smaller woodlots. This makes it much easier for coyotes and people to kill deer.

The network of roads all over the state and the tangled mess left from logging has had a severe impact on all of our fish and wildlife.

Coyotes are here to stay. I don't think anyone has all the answers. We all know that state hasn't the money to fund a program to control the coyote population.

I suggest that a moose permit be given to the 50 Maine hunters who shoot the most coyotes each year! Day or night, winter or summer, a coyote pup in June or an adult coyote in February, add them all up. If your coyote kill reaches 50 animals, you get a moose hunting permit.

What has the state to lose? Maybe a few thousand coyotes. I'm still going to send in my $5 for a chance on a moose permit. But I know that I would put in many more hours coyote hunting for a moose permit.

How many other sportsmen would become coyote hunters?

Richard Sabean Springfield

• Hmmm. Interesting approach to predation control. Thoughts from other readers?

***** I realize that nothing can stand in the way of progress, not even common sense and practicality. The new hunting

L.

and fishing licenses are a good example. We can only hope that the 1995 version, with its increased size and flimsy paper, is a temporary one, intended to be used only until the new "computerized, one-stop, point-of-sale" system is in place. Now, I don't know if it had been planned this way, but the old license, when folded in two, fit perfectly into any wallet or any plastic slipcase-a great convenience. The fabric-type paper was also handy, being indestructible, waterproof, and easily written upon. The price we pay for these licenses (which by the way, I feel should remain dedicated revenue for IFW) was worth it when it included these friendly details.

Now we have an oversized, wimpy version, and we don't even get to keep the original; we get a carbon copy. If the size is going to increase, at least make use of it. Print some of the various and confusing game laws on the back. With the money I tend to spend on frivolous items, I wouldn't mind paying more for my license and looking at the regulations book.

I'm not asking that we be isssued stamped metal licenses like my grandfather's old Social Security card, but that we return to the convenient size and practical material of before. Of course, if one must endure these radical changes, so be it. But if my hunting license is a smeared, unreadable slice of mush after being with me in a duck blind all day, I hope the warden will understand.

Donald Eno

• The points are all well-taken, from you and from others. This is indeed a temporary license format, a step on the road to a better system-and it does fold well into a wallet! Fold the tags up, the top down, then in half!

~SSE:!!

Let us know when you're moving. In these days of tight budgets, the money we spend sending you a second magazine is sorely missed!!

Send change of address information to us at: MAINE FISH AND WILDLIFE 284 State St., Station 41 Augusta ME 04333

32

Maine Fish and Wildlife

release about 9,000 14"-18" salmon.

Responding to the low catch figures, Roy notes in his report: "We know a number of salmon die after being released, but to totally loose a full season's catch is beyond belief. If the loss of fish between winter and summer was caused by poor handling and poaching then those factors must be addressed. If the loss had a biological reason, we have not been able to identify it."

BROOK TROUT: The catch of brook trout of all sizes was down by 50 percent in 1994. That drop is consistent with previous cycle drops measured in the past; however, trout numbers should begin to recover in 1995 and 1996.

TOGUE: Togue regulations seem to be reducing the abundance of fish less than 18" long. Winter fishermen are keeping 67 percent of the 16"-17" togue and only 24 percent of the 14"-15" fish.

Summer anglers are reacting similarly.

Roy writes "We are encouraged by the changes, but like most of the lake's fishermen we find the pace of change frustrating. We continue to be stymied by our inability to produce any number of togue over 25" at Moosehead Lake."

OTHER SPECIES: The 1994 cusk harvest was lower than the 1993 harvest by 25 percent. Brutally cold weather last January probably cut down on angling time for cusk. Yellow perch catches remain quite low compared with 8 to 10 years ago. White perch continue to show up in new areas around the lake. Roy writes " As white perch become more numerous and smallmouth bass extend their range through more of the lake, we expect to see some dramatic changes in the fish populations of the lake. Their impact on brook trout in the lake's shallower coves will be devastating."

ROACH RIVER SEPTEMBER FISHERY: The fishing was excellent for the first two weeks of September. For the first time, a major Moosehead tributary is restricted to catch and release fishing.

The new regulations probably contributed to less fishing pressure last fall. The majority of ther fall catch were young salmon ranging from 14" to 16." Brook trout were reported up to 18" bu the average size was slightly below the long-term average.

MOOSE RIVER: As on Moosehead lake, fishing in the river was much slower than in 1993. The season catch was off by 36 percent for legal-size salmon. In spite of this, though, Moose

MAINE BIRDS: A DAILY CHECKLIST

Rare Visitors (cont.)

STATUS B B B B B B B B B B B B V B B B B B B B B B B B M B M V B l;3 B B B B B B B B B B B V V B B B B

R

R

R

E

E

SPECIES

SfSUFW

Ovenbird Northern Waterthrush Louisiana Waterthrush Mourning Yellowthroat Wilson's Canada TANAGER, Scarlet CARDINAL, Northern GROSBEAK, Rose-breasted BUNTING, Indigo TOWHEE, Rufous-sided SPARROW, American Tree Chipping Field Vesper Savannah Grasshopper Sharp-tailed Fox Song Lincoln's Swamp White-throated White-crowned JUNCO, Dark-eyed LONGSPUR, Lapland BUNTING, Snow BOBOLINK BLACKBIRD, Red-winged MEADOWLARK, Eastern BLACKBIRD, Rusty GRACKLE, Common COWBIRD, Brown-headed ORIOLE, Orchard Northern GROSBEAK, Pine FINCH, Purple House CROSSBILL, Red White-winged REDPOLL, Common Hoary SISKIN, Pine GOLDFINCH, American GROSBEAK, Evening SPARROW, House

OBSERVATIONS

ODO ODO ODO ODO ODO ODO ODO DOD 0 0 0 0 _ _ _ __ DOD ODO ODO

o oo _____ ODO ODO ODO ODD ODO ODD ODD 0 0 0 0 _ _ _ __ ODO DOD DODO _ _ _ __

0

0

0 0 0 0 _ _ _ __

o oo _____ o oo _____

DOD 0000 ODO DOD 0000 DODO DOD DOD 0000 DODO 0000 0000 0000

_ _ _ __ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ __

ooo _____

D DD _ _ _ __ DODD 0 0 0 0 _ _ _ __ DODO _ _ _ __ 0 0 0 0 _ _ _ __

Rare Visitors D Pacific Loon

D Canvasback 0Redhead D Steller's Eider 0Gyrfalcon D Willow Ptarmigan D Sandhill Crane 0 Bar-tailed Godwit 0 Marbled Godwit 0 Rufous-necked Stint D Curlew Sandpiper 0 Buff-breasted Sandpiper 0Ruff D Wilson's Phalarope D Long-billed Dowitcher 0 Long-tailed Jaeger OGreatSkua

0 Eared Grebe 0 Western Grebe 0 Black-browed Albatross 0 Yellow-nosed AJbatross 0 White-tailed Tropicbird D American White Pelican 0 Brown Pelican 0 Magnificent Frigatebird 0 Lesser Frigatebird Yellow-crowned Night-heron OwoodStork 0 Fulvous Whistling-duck 0 Tundra Swan 0 Whooper Swan 0 Eurasian Wigeon

0

5

D South Polar Skua 0 Franklin's Gull OMewGull D Thayer's Gull D Lesser Black-backed Gull D Sabine's Gull D Ivory Gull D Gull-billed Tern D Caspian Tern 0Roya1Tern D Sandwich Tern D Forster's Tern OsootyTern D Black Skimmer D Band-tailed Pigeon D White-winged Dove D Northern Hawk Owl D Chuck-Will's-Widow D Rufous Hummingbird D Red-bellied Woodpecker 0 Acadian Flycatcher D Say's Phoebe D Ash-throated Flycatcher D Variegated Flycatcher D Tropical Kingbird D Western Kingbird D Scissor-tailed Flycatcher D Fork-tailed Flycatcher D Black-billed Magpie D Bewick's Wren D Northern Wheatear D Townsend 's Solitaire D Varied Thrush D Sprague's Pipit

D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D

White-eyed Vireo Golden-winged Warbler Black-throated Gray Warbler Yellow-Throated Warbler Cerulean Warbler Prothonotary Warbler Wonn-Eating Warbler Kentucky Warbler Connecticut Warbler Hooded Warbler Yellow-breasted Chat Summer Tanager Western Tanager Black-headed Grosbeak Blue Grosbeak Lazuli Bunting Painted Bunting Dickcissel Green-tailed Towhee Clay-colored Sparrow Lark Sparrow Black-throated Sparrow Lark Bunting Henslow 's Sparrow Le Conte's Sparrow Seaside Sparrow Harris' Sparrow Smith's Longspur Western Meadowlark Yellow-headed Blackbird Brewer's Blackbird Common Chaffinch Rosy Finch

HOW TO USE THIS LIST Suggestions For Observations: Age, Sex Ratio, Flock Size, Behavior, Habitat Types (see codes below) Habitat Codes: B = brushy; C = coastal; D = deciduous; E = evergreen; F = fresh marsh, bog; I = offshore island; L = lake; M= mixed forest; 0 = open field; P = pelagic; R = residential; S =salt marsh; T =tidal

This checklist includes information about 286 species of birds, and lists 99 additional species classified as rare visitors to Maine.

The boxes in the main list indicate seasons in which a species has been regularly sighted in Maine, but space is still provided to check a sighting of a species during "off' season(s).

This list may be reproduced locally, or additional copies can be obtained by writing to: Maine Fish and Wildlife Department 284 State Street, Station 41 Augusta ME 04333 ~~lN~~

t>:-0

Information assembled during 1994

by IFW Bird Committee working on i~ update of Maine's Endangered ~~--~~ . an and Threatened Wildlife list. ~1..AS~~~

-~

6

~

Field Notes Date Time _ _ _ __ Location _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ Weather Conditions _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ __ Party Members _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Legend 8 = Breeding V = Visitor M = Migrant R = Recent E Exotic I Introduced ? No recent records Sp = Spring (March, April, May) Su= Summer (June, July, August) F = Fall (September, October, November) W = Winter (December, January, February)

=

STATUS V B B V V

V V

V V V

R

B V

B B B

B B B B B B B B B

R R R R R

B

R

B

E

M M

B B B B B B B

B B

B B V

M

R R R R

=

=

SPECIES

SpSu F W

LOON, Red-throated Common GREBE, Pied-billed Horned Red-necked Grebe FULMAR, Northern SHEARWATER, Cory 's Greater Sooty Manx STORM-PETREL, Wilson 's Leach's GANNET, Northern CORMORANT, Great Double-crested BITTERN, American Least HERON, Great Blue EGRET, Great Snowy HERON, Little Blue Tricolored EGRET, Cattle HERON, Green NIGHT-HERON, Black-crowned IBIS, Glossy SWAN, Mute GOOSE, Snow BRANT GOOSE, Canada DUCK, Wood Green-winged Teal American Black Mallard Northern Pintail Blue-winged Teal Northern Shoveler Gadwall American Wigeon Ring-necked Greater Scaup Lesser Scaup

1

D OD DODD DOD D 00 D OD D OD DD DD DO DD DD ODD DODD DODD ODD ODD ODO DODD DOD 000 DOD ODD DOD DOD ODD ODD DODD D D D DD ODDO ODD ODD DODD ODDO ODO ODD DOD DOD ODDO 000 O 00 D 0

OBSERVATIONS

STATUS B V V V V V V

B V V B B B

M B B B B B B B B B B V B B B B B B B B B B B

R

R I

I I

B B B

M M M B B

R

B M M M B B B M M

M M M M M M M

M M V

M M

R

SpSuFW

SPECIES

DODD Common Eider D King Eider D DD Harlequin D DD Oldsquaw DODO Black Scoter DODD Surf Scoter DODD White-winged Scoter DODD Common Goldeneye D DD Barrow's Goldeneye Bufflehead D DD DODD Hooded Merganser DODD Common Merganser DODD Red-breasted Merganser Ruddy Duck D ODO VULTIJRE, Turkey ODD OSPREY DODD EAGLE, Bald DODD HARRIER, Northern HAWK, Sharp-shinned DODD DOD Cooper's DODD Northern Goshawk Red-shouldered DOD DOD Broad-winged DODD Red-tailed Rough-legged D DD DODD EAGLE, Golden DODD KESTREL, American MERLIN DOD DOD FALCON, Peregrine PHEASANT, Ring-necked DODD DODD GROUSE, Spruce DODD Ruffed DODD TIJRKEY, Wild DODD BOBWHITE ODO RAIL, Yellow ODO Virginia SORA ODO DOD MOORHEN, Common DOD COOT, American PLOVER, Black-bellied DOD DD Lesser Golden DOD Semipalmated Piping DOD AMERICAN ODD OYSTERCATCHER KILLDEER DOD DOD YELLOWLEGS, Greater DOD Lesser SANDPIPER, Solitary ODO DOD Willet DOD Spotted Upland ODD WHIMBREL DD GODWIT, Hudsonian DD TIJRNSTONE, Ruddy DOD KNOT,Red DD DOD SANDERLING SANDPIPER, Semipalmated ODO Western DO Least DOD White-rumped DD DD Baird's DOD Pectoral D DO Purple ODO Dunlin DO Stilt 2

OBSERVATIONS

STATUS M B B

M M M M B V B B B B V V B V B B B

R R R

B B V

V V B

B B B B B B

E

? ?

B V B V B B V B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B

B B B B B B B B B

R

SPECIES

SpSu FW

DOWITCHER, Short-billed SNIPE, Common WOODCOCK, American PHALAROPE, Red-necked Red JAEGER, Pomarine Parasitic GULL, Laughing Gull Little Common Black-headed Bonaparte's Ring-billed Herring Iceland Gull Glaucous Great Black-backed Black-legged Kittiwake TERN, Roseate Common Arctic Least Black DOVEKIE MURRE, Common Thick-billed RAZORBILL GUILLEMOT, Black PUFFIN, Atlantic DOVE, Rock Mourning CUCKOO, Black-billed Yellow-billed OWL, Common Barn Eastern Screech Great-horned Snowy Barred Great Gray Long-eared Short-eared Boreal Saw-whet NIGHTHAWK, Common WHIP-POOR-WILL SWIFT, Chimney HUMMINGBIRD, Ruby-throated KINGFISHER, Belted WOODPECKER, Red-headed Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Downy Hairy Three-toed Black-backed Northern Flicker Pileated FLYCATCHER, Olive-sided Eastern Wood-pewee Yellow-bellied Alder Willow Least Eastern Phoebe Great-crested Eastern Kingbird LARK, Homed MARTIN, Purple

3

DOD DOD DOD DOD DOD ODD DOD ODD ODD DODD DODD DODD DODD D DD D DD DODD D DD DOD DOD DOD DOD DOD D DD DODD D DD DODD DODD DODD DODD DODD DOD DOD ODDO D DD DODD D DODD DODD D DODD DOD DOD DOD DOD DODO DODD ODDO DODD ODDO DODD ODDO DOD DODD ODD DOD DD DOD DOD DOD DOD DOD DODD ODD

ooa

OBSERVATIONS

STATUS B B B B B B B B V B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B M B B B B B B B B B V B V V B B B B B B B B M B B B B B B B B

R

R

R

R

E

B B B B B

B B

B B

R

SPECIES SWALLOW, Tree Northern Rough-winged Bank Cliff Barn JAY, Gray Blue CROW, American Fish RAVEN, Common CHICKADEE, Black-capped Boreal TITMOUSE, Tufted NUTIIATCH, Red-breasted White-breasted CREEPER, Brown WREN, Carolina House Winter Sedge Marsh KINGLET, Golden-crowned Ruby-crowned GNATCATCHER, Blue-gray BLUEBIRD, Eastern VEERY TIIRUSH, Gray-cheeked Bicknell's Swainson's Hermit Wood ROBIN, American CATBIRD, Gray MOCKINGBIRD, Northern TIIRASHER, Brown PIPIT, American WAXWING, Bohemian Cedar SHRIKE, Northern Loggerhead STARLING VIREO, Solitary Yellow-throated Warbling Philadelphia Red-eyed WARBLER, Blue-winged Tennessee Orange-crowned Nashville Northern Parula Yellow Chestnut-sided Magnolia Cape May Black-throated Blue Yellow-rumped Black-throated Green Blackburnian Pine Prairie Palm Bay-breasted Blackpoll Black and White American Redstart

SpSu FW

DOD DOD ODD DOD DOD ODDO DODD DODD DODD DODD DODO DODO DODD DODO DODO DODD DOD ODD DOD ODD DOD DODO DOD DOD DOD DOD D D DOD DOD ODD ODD DODD DOD 0000 ODO DOD D DO DODD D DD DOD DODD DOD ODO DOD DOD DOD DOD DOD D DOD DOD DOD ODO DOD DOD DOD DODD DOD ODD ODD DOD DOD DOD DOD ODD ODO 4

OBSERVATIONS

River anglers released the highest proportion of legal-size salmon that has been reported since the survey began.

EAST OUTLET, KENNEBEC RIVER: Fishing activity appeared to be up over previous years. Although the catch rate for legal salmon was down, the catch rate for legal brook trout was similar to 1993, and catch rates for both short salmon and short brook trout increased m·er the previous year.

ce Fishing Growing in Maine, _-ew Survey Reveals According to a recently completed survey of Maine ice fishing, this winter outdoor activity is becoming increas-

+ + + FIELD NOTES + + + LINCOLN-After arresting three individuals last fall for shooting a deer at 10:30 at night, District Warden Dave Georgia, Deputy Warden Frank Windle, and I listened as one of the poachers insisted that he was "legally blind. " Later, the other two men told us that the man who insisted he was legally blind was the one who saw the deer first and pointed it out to the others.

I guess his night vision was better than usual that particular night. And I thought I had heard it all!

District Warden William Livezey

At the Webber Oil Hancock County Fishing Derby held in February, Greg Burr and I checked a most unusual fish. The fish (a first place winner) was a 28-inch, 7-pound togue caught at Beech Hill Pond by a youngster, Basil Mahaney. But the togue Basil caught was no youngster. The fish had a double finclip -dorsal and left ventral-which means that it was stocked in 1972 and is 24 years old! This fish sets a new Region C record for the oldest hatchery-reared togue we have ever seen. The togue was about twice as old as the lucky angler! It's remarkable that this _fish escaped so many hooks for so many _ear , since Beech Hill receives heavy -- 1mg pressure in both ice and open water : -.: n . One notable characteristic of the and 1972 togue stockings is the 1 11.:ual longevity the togue have displayed z- a number of Maine lakes and ponds.

Tague tocking ended at Beech Hill Pond in 1989 because of increasing production of naturally-produced fish. Wild togue are now reasonably abundant and provide an active fishery. We do occasionally stock the pond with low numbers of salmon to provide fishing diversity.

Fisheries Biologist Ron Brokaw 1

:_

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ingly popular and anglers are catching more fish.

Ice Fishing, Winter 1993-94, is a collaborative effort of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and the Department of Resource Economics at the University of Maine.

The 21-page questionnaire was mailed to 5,000 licensed anglers; findings were based on 3,431 responses.

Results of the survey indicate that there has been a 20 percent increase in ice fishing activity on Maine's more than 5,000 lakes and ponds over the past 10 years. The survey also revealed that there has been a 46 percent increase in legal-size fish caught since 1983.

Some of the survey's other findings: • Pickerel led the list of warmwater fish most often caught.

• The most caught coldwater species was lake trout, followed by landlocked salmon and brook trout.

• Two-thirds of all ice anglers consider regulations to be strict enough.

• One-fifth would favor a return to a one-month ice fishing season.

• Most ice anglers use live bait, but 27 percent would still approve a ban on the use of live bait on selected waters.

• The average ice angler is 43 years old, with an annual income of about $35,000.

• Slightly more than 60 percent oppose any reduction in the legal number of lines allowed, below the current five .

• A majority of ice anglers consider Maine game wardens to be "very professional" and 60 percent consider them to be effective at catching violators.

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Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife • 284 State Street • Augusta ME 04333

Monarch butterfly, Danaus plexlppus. Photo by George Ealovega