Maine Fish and Wildlife Magazine, Winter 1995

MAINE

FISH AND WILDLIFE MAINE STATE LIBRARY LIBRARY USE ONLY

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WINTER 1995

EDITORIAL

by Ray B. Owen, Jr., Commissioner

PARTNERSHIPS Are partnerships all that they are touted to be? You bet, and a heck of a lot more! Partnerships bring groups together to share talent and resources that no one entity could ever marshal. The resulting benefits to Maine's citizenry are many fold over what one organization could possibly achieve.

This fall, our department joined partnerships with a group of pulp and paper companies, each of which are adopting one or more of our fish hatcheries. Included are James River, International Paper, Champion International, Georgia Pacific, and Boise Cascade. We're hoping that more may join in this effort. Already this fall, two companies have helped roof a number of hatchery buildings, provided equipment, and constructed an oxygen diffuser system. The companies have pledged in-kind services and direct monetary help and employes are volunteering their time. This is a major boost to our hatchery woes.

This year also saw the completion of a nongame watchable wildlife project, jointly sponsored by L. L. Bean, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and our Department, entitled Partners in Wildlife. In addition to supporting census work to determine essential habitat for shore birds and island nesting birds, 15 coastal viewing areas were identified and will be developed for public enjoyment. A 30-minute video on coastal wildlife will also be available shortly for schools and the public.

Recently, a team outlined critical waterfowl habitat in Maine and developed a plan to protect these areas.

Cobscook Bay and the lower Kennebec River were targeted, and our congressional folks leveraged federal funds to help. Local conservation groups, including Maine Coast Heritage Trust, the Nature Conservancy, and Quoddy Regional Land Trust, all contributed-the key wetlands in Cobscook Bay are protected. Now it's off to the lower Kennebec where Ducks Unlimited, the Lower Kennebec and Phippsburg Land Trusts, and Land For Maine's Future Board are all pitching in.

A unique partnership evolved recently as the plight of the Atlantic salmon became known. Called SHARE (Salmon Habitat and River Enhancement), the organization consists of private, industrial, conservation, and public entities and has been recognized nationally as a new way of dealing with species in trouble.

Already, SHARE has sponsored training programs for foresters, removed river obstructions, supported two research projects, built and installed a weir, and helped outfit a small hatchery and education center. Champion International, Georgia Pacific, Cherryfield Foods, Jasper Wyman, Bangor Hydro, Tom DiCenzo, the Atlantic Salmon Federation, Maine Council, Downeast Salmon Clubs, numerous state and federal agencies, and many more make up this unique coalition.

And finally, a brilliant success story: at two ends of the state, groups pulled together to protect key waterways that were proposed for development. In Grand Lake Stream, a cooperative effort involving Maine Coast Heritage Trust, the town, the Grand Lake Stream Guides Association, L. L. Bean, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Georgia Pacific, Land For Maine's Future Board, Trout Unlimited, Friends of Grand lake Stream, and others raised almost $300,000 to protect this premier landlocked salmon fishery for future generations. As the project wound down, folks in Rangeley and Oquossoc were beginning a campaign to protect the Rangeley River, a major recreational fishery and wildlife area. The town, Rangeley Conservation Trust, Land For Maine's Future Board, Union Water Power, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Oquossoc Angling Club, and others rose to the occasion in a matter of months and recently signed a purchase and sale agreement.

These are some of the major partnerships we have been involved with in 1995- and there are others.

Partnerships do work; Maine people care and contribute time and resources far beyond anything I had imagined. The benefits transcend generations, and I can only say thank you. You're all great!

AINE

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VILDLIFE

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by Jay Davis & the magazine staff on our summer camp scholarships

by Philip A. Bozenhard

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by Gary Anderson , lead, and Bismuth compared

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join in this effort. Already this • vided equipment, and construe and direct monetary help and< woes.

This year also saw the corr Bean, the U. S. Fish and WildliJ supporting census work to deb viewing areas were identified , wildlife will also be available s Recently, a team outlined c Cobscook Bay and the lower K funds to help. Local conservati and Quoddy Regional Land Tr off to the lower Kennebec whe· Land For Maine's Future Boarc A unique partnership evol SHARE (Salmon Habitat and F tion, and public entities and ha Already, SHARE has sponsore< research projects, built and insl pion International, Georgia Pac Atlantic Salmon Federation, M and many more make up this t And finally, a brilliant succ waterways that were proposed Coast Heritage Trust, the town Wildlife Foundation, Georgia I Stream, and others raised almc erations. As the project wound the Rangeley River, a major rec Land For Maine's Future Boarc Angling Club, and others rose agreement.

These are some of the majc Partnerships do work; Maine F imagined. The benefits transce

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FISH AND WILDLIFE VOL. 37, NO. 4

WINTER 1995

Features letters From Camp

2

by Jay Davis & the magazine staff

From Greenland Point & Bryant Pond-updates on our summer camp scholarships

These Birds Are Survivors!

6

by Philip A. Bozenhard

New zones, regulations for Maine's "f/edg/ing n turkey population-hunters, take notice!

Take Your Best Shot!

8

by Gary Anderson

Through interuiews and through the sights-steel, lead, and Bismuth compared

Giving The Trait A lift

12

by Bob Haskel I

Maine Army Guard lends a hand-and a helicopter-on the Appalachian Trail

Picture This

14

by Lisa Kane

Looking back on education projects and programs-the year in pictures

Drought &.. fish

18

by Ken Warner

You know how a dry summer like 1995's impacts Maine 's fish-or do you?

flnneg&n's Tale

20

by Rachel Cleaves

This old dog still had plenty of surprises left for his adopted masters!

Departments KID-BITS

16

FROM THE FLY TYING BENCH: The Governor Angus King

23

THE MARKITPLACE

25

FISH AND WILDLIFE BRIEFS

26

by Charles Mann

The Front Cover: Canada goose toilers wait for a response on this grey day near season's end. The flats, the sky, the chop-all typical sights In Maine as she settles In for a long winter. Photo by Tom Chamberlain.

Printed with vegetable-based

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"1

inks on recyclable paper

etters The next four pages deal with something close to our hearts: giving a bunch of Maine youngsters opportunities to attend summer camp-in two different locations now-and it's mostly our treat! Where's the money to do this come from? How is it used to help ensure a fu-ture generation of adults who care about what happens to our outdoors? Read on!

Part 1: Greenland Point

by Jay Davis Editor's Note: This Washington County camp was contracted for the IFW Scholarship Program for the first time this past summer. The Bryant Pond facility hosted the program for the second time in 1995.

A

t the far end of the lake,

the tops of spruce trees edge into a sky the color of a robin's egg.

An aluminum boat gently spanks the water as it heads toward a canopy of cedars.

Close now, the dark shadows beneath the trees reveal youngsters in T-shirts and shorts, pulling on life vests in preparation for a canoe lesson, or gathering in a rectangle of floats to learn the basics of boating safety.

The hand on the outboard motor belongs to Rick Scribner, director of the Conservation Camp at the Greenland Point Center. Located on Long Lake in Princeton, this complex of rustic buildings is owned by the University of Maine System and managed by the University of Maine at Machias (UMM).

Scribner is an associate professor of Recreation Management at the Machias school.

He maneuvers the boat through a school of canoeists

2

Maine Fish and W ildlife

practicing their strokes, then sidles up to a class in boating safety taught by retired military veteran Harold "Tom" Carter of Milbridge.

The students, aged 10-14, are sprawled around the fallen needles and rugged boulders of the shore while their instructor introduces them to the world of bow, stern, tiller, and sheets (which have nothing to do with beds), in preparation for a sail only moments away. Most have never felt the wind push a finelyshaped hull quickly through the blue water; when their boat heels in the breeze, there are shrieks of delight!

The Conservation Camp is a joint project of UMM, the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IFW), and sportsmen's and conservation clubs around The author is with the Office of Public Information for the University of Maine at Machias.

the state. All have cooperated to provide more than 100 youngsters a week of camp for only $25 each.

A similar camp at Bryant Pond has functioned for years, but this first year at Greenland Point hints at an expansion of the state's effort to get Maine young people into the outdoors.

Most camper subsidies come from a fund established by IFW Commissioner Ray Owen last year through the auction of five moose hunting licenses. The sportsmen's clubs sponsor individual students through fundraising projects of their own.

Scribner noses the boat back into the lake, pausing by the bateau Machias, a graceful, greenhulled boat bobbing peacefully in the gentle breezes. These stable boats were first built for the tumbling water of spring; the log drives on the rivers made them famous.

Counselor Bruce Hodgdon, a UMM alumnus, has the first group of sailors pulling on those ropes called sheets to tighten the sails as they fill with wind. They leave the mooring with grace and head for the far shore, their

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amp

Clockwise from top left: The main lodge at Greenland Point; two shooters share their bulls-eyes with the world; whoever said this fly fishing was easy?; nothing like carrying the rules with you; the bateau in foreground, with two other camp vessels sailing in the distance. Photos by Lisa Kane.

happy shouts tattered to nothingness by wind and distance.

Scribner explains that the camp has two aims-to expose as many youngsters as possible to the recreational opportunities afforded by the outdoors, and to keep them involved so they will become stewards of the state's forests and lakes for many years to come.

Time is short, but the campers will learn the rudiments of boating and fishing, to identify birds, plants and animals, to sail, kayak, canoe and swim. If they are successful, they will earn

certificates in boating safety and hunting safety, the last of which will be necessary when they apply for an adult hunting license.

Scribner says most of the campers, who come from all over Maine, have never participated in most of the planned activities. In an introduction to gun safety, for example, Hodgdon asks how many of his charges have hunted.

Three say they have, bu t one confesses that her targets were blossoms in a potato field!

The nearby Princeton Rod and Gun Club rifle range presents

more traditional targets to the squints of the youngsters; in every session, Scribner says, a handful join the Quarter Club, whose members are so proficient that five shots from a .22 end up close enough in a bullseye to be covered by a 25-cent piece!

As they prepare to break camp and head home after their week at Greenland Point, Scribner asks the campers to write letters to their sponsors telling them exactly what they felt about their experience. Most are brief, but nearly all urged Owen and the conservation clubs to help other Winter 1995

3

kids spend a similar week in the woods. A young camper from Fort Fairfield sums it up very well: "This has been a really good week. I wish it would have been longer. I learned a lot of good things here. When I first got here, I just wanted to go home. Everything was different

and not at all what I expected.

Now, I don't want to go home."

The high-quality instruction was provided by Scribner and his staff, most of whom are UMM students or alumni: Carter, Hodgdon, Adam Goodspeed, Eric Carlson, Jo-Ellen Stevens, Stuart Smith, Jessica Kelley, Dottie Small,

Kate Albert, Kara Calso, Samantha Brooks, Matt Moores, Andy Agnotti, Phil Bunnell, Jane Whitehead, Brian Smith and Glenn Endre, who helped with hunting safety and archery, Dale Speed and Philip McDowell of the Princeton Rod and Gun Club, and Paul Thibeault of Trout Unlimited.

Part 2: Bryant Pond

â&#x20AC;˘

T.s

camp has served the

department's scholarship program for two summers now-two successful camp sessions, two groups of happy campers!

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Maine Fish and W ildlife

Activities are similar at Bryant Pond and Greenland Pointhiking, orienteering, swimming, boating, nature study, etc. For a story and more pictures of Bryant Pond, see "At Work ...

And At Play," MAINE FISH AND WILDLIFE, Fall 1994.

Above, the main lodge ("Stone House") at Bryant Pond Conservation Camp.

Below, boating safety is one of several outdoor recreation subjects which are dovetailed into Bryant Pond's nature study curriculum.

Campers have written about the Bryant Pond experience, describing it as: ''fun ... wonderful

. .. informative . .. exceptional . .. busy ... # 1!" Others said: "too much classroom ... food OK ... not enough free time!" But all were grateful for the opportunity to spend a week at a beauti ful camp on a lovely lake, learning more about the world around them.

The department plans to continue its scholarship program

in the years to come. Call 2875244 to be placed on the mailing list for information about next summer's camps-or write to us at the address on the contents page. â&#x20AC;˘

Map & compass work (orienteering) was one of the more popular activities at the Bryant Pond camp sessions.

The wildlife in this case was two-dimensional!

â&#x20AC;˘

Part 3: How We Raised The Money

D uring

October, the live successful bidders in the 1995 Maine Moose Auction all got their moose. The three Maine residents and two nonresident moose hunters managed to bring home bulls the firs t few days of the hunt.

Each year in Maine, five moose hunting permits are awarded to the highest bidder with proceeds from the auction going to send deserving youngsters to Maine conservation camps. This year the auction raised $42,000 for youth conservation scholarships.

Maine youngsters attend conservation camp at Bryant Pond and Long Lake in Machias. This year as a result of the moose auction, 200 conservation scholarships were awarded.

The highest bid for a Maine moose hunting permit was $13,500, which came from a Maine resident. This year, five moose hunting permits, out of the 1,500 total permits, will be open to the highest bidder. Three of the five permits will be open to general bidding and advertised in national sporting publications; the remaining two will be offered

to bid during national meetings of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the Foundation For North American Wild Sheep.

The Maine Department of Inland Fish eries and Wildlife will accept bids for moose hunting permits until March 28, 1996. Anyone interested in

participating in the auction should write for an official bid package to: Moose Auction, Maine Depart. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, State House Station #41, Augusta, Maine 04333 or telephone 207-287-5207.

The regular moose permit lottery will take place in June.

One successful participant in the Maine moose auction, Stephen Mitchell (left) of Pottstown, PA, with guide Casey LaCasce (right) and Casey's wife, Sarah, got his bull just after daybreak on opening day. The following day, Mitchell bagged a crotchhorn buck with a bow and arrow. He said that he is "high on Maine " and plans to return next year.

Winter 1995

5

Maine's Wild Turkeys

THESE BIRDS ARE SURVIVORS!

by Philip A. Bozenhard

R

eintroduction of the Eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallapavo sylvestris) began in 1977. During 1977 and 1978, a total of 41 birds were live-trapped in Vermont and given to Maine to start the program.

These birds were released in the York County towns of York and Eliot. This program was designed to determine whether wild turkeys could reestablish themselves at this northern fringe of their former range; if the birds did survive, it would provide an additional game bird for the sportsmen of the state.

Since those early years, the wild turkey population has steadily expanded both in range and in numbers. Trap and transfer of birds from in-state and from Connecticut have accelerated this expansion; birds are currently found from Kittery to the Penobscot River. While wild turkeys will never be found throughout the state, they are flourishing in southern and central Maine. The current population is estimated to be around 3,000 birds.

In 1986, the population had grown sufficiently to allow a limited hunting season. This initial season was confined to York County and hunters were selected by a lottery drawing of 500 permits, ten percent of which were allotted to nonresidents.

Harvest figures for the initial years were very low, reflecting the wariness of the birds, the inexperienced nature of the hunters, and the relatively low population.

After six years of hunting in York County, the hunting area was expanded to include most of Cumberland County and several towns in Androscoggin County. Permit numbers remained at The author, a department wildlife biologist, has been instrumental in establishing a wild turkey program in southern Maine.

6

Maine Fish and Wildlife

The author prepares trapnetted wild turkeys for transportation to a different site.

500 in order to distribute hunting pressure and encourage hunter safety (Table 1).

Following years of conservative turkey hunting regulations, an active trap and transfer program, and favorable weather, wild turkey numbers have increased dramatically. Along with an increasing wild turkey population came an increased interest in hunting this challenging new game bird.

In 1995, turkey permits were increased to 750, applications increased by 69 percent (to 1,712), and the harvest increased by 89 percent (to 117 birds).

While permit applications have increased over the past several years, the largest percentage of applicants still comes from the southern counties. York and Cumberland counties accounted for 63 percent of the permits, the remaining counties account for 29 percent, and nonresidents account for 8 percent.

The 1995 harvest was well distributed over the hunting zone; 52 birds were taken from 11 towns in York County, 51 birds came from 16 towns in Table 1. Turkey Hunting Seasons, 1986 - 1995.

Birds Dates Permits Year Counties Taken 9 1986 May 8-24 500 York 1987 May 8-23 500 8 York 17 1988 May 9-29 355 York 474 19 York 1989 May 8- 27 York 498 15 1990 May 8-28 York 500 21 1991 May 8-28 500 53 1992 May 4-30 York/Gumb York/Gumb 46 1993 May 3- 31 500 62 1994 May 2- 30 York/Gumb 500 750 117 1995 May 1-29 York/Gumb

Towns Where Birds Taken 4 5 9 9 7 8 19 18 22 30

Cumberland County, and 14 birds were taken from three towns in Androscoggin County.

In response to the increasing wild turkey population and growing increase in turkey hunting, the 1996 season will see some radical changes from seasons during the past 10 years.

• The season: May 1 through May 31.

• The total number of permits: 1,250.

• The area open to turkey hunting will be expanded to a two-zone system The addition of a new northern zone will more than double the size of the area open to turkey hunting (see map). The southern zone (same as the current open area) will have 750 permits and the new northern zone will have 500 permits.

• From May 1 through May 15, a permit holder can only hunt in the zone assigned through the selection process. From May 16 through May 31, a permit holder can hunt in either zone. Each successful applicant will be assigned to hunt within the zone of first choice; if the permit quota for that zone has already been filled, the applicant will be assigned to hunt in the other zone.

The primary reason for the split zone system was the concern about problems which might arise from landowners in the newly opened area who have had wild turkeys on their property for a decade or more with no hunting of them allowed. Past experience has shown that in a newly opened hunting area, many of the permittees will be first-time turkey hunters; these hunters will usually hunt the more visible flocks (which these previously non-hunted birds would be). This can result in concentrations of hunting effort, creating some landowner concerns.

Limiting the number of turkey hunters in the northern zone for the first two weeks will minimize these concentrations.

A second concern is with hunter safety. Turkey hunting has the potential to be a very dangerous sport; by regulating turkey hunter numbers, it is hoped that Maine will continue its string of accidentfree turkey seasons. In an effort to educate successful permit holders about turkey hunting, the department and the Maine chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation have conducted turkey hunting seminars each year.

During the spring of 1996, these seminars will be expanded to the northern zone. These seminars, covering hunting safety, rules and regulations, turkey biology, calling and strategies, are a must for the beginning turkey hunter.

1-95

Waterville

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ne problem facing Maine's wild turkey flocks is the illegal release of game farm turkeys, either wild or domestic. There is risk of passing on many of the common poultry diseases to the wild population, since they have not built up immunities as have the captive birds.

Another problem is from genetic contamination.

There is evidence that introduction of inferior genetic traits from game farm birds may adversely effect wild populations, contributing to poor survival of the young and ultimate loss of important genetic makeup of the wild population. Many states have experimented with stocking pen-reared or game farm turkeys; these efforts have failed to establish populations in the wild in areas where wild-trapped birds later became established.

In an effort to tighten up the regulations governing the importation of wild turkeys, Maine passed legislation making it unlawful to import any species of wild turkey, hybrid wild turkey, or wild turkey/ domestic turkey cross-or the eggs of these species.

In addition, it is unlawful to possess, propagate, or sell any wild turkey, hybrid wild turkey or wild turkey/ domestic turkey cross. It is hoped that these new regulations will allow the department to take a stronger position on regulating importation, possession, and release of game farm wild turkeys.

• Winter 1995

7

Steel Shot l'S. Lead Shot l'S. Bismuth Shot

our I n May of 1987, a joint effort involving the National Rifle Association, L. L. Bean's, the United States Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), several ammunition companies, and local people of Harpswell, Maine (including the author) resulted in the first multi-agency cooperative effort for teaching steel shot use. Attendees represented several states and one province.

These attendees were "certified" to teach what they'd learned about the use of steel shot to others in their home states and province. Maine held 13 subsequent workshops in 1987 and several more in 1988.

Needless to say, a great deal of information was gathered at these functions-and several "accepted-as-gospel" bits of information were found to be not wholly true.

We learned, for instance, that most waterfowlers a) are not good judges of distance; b) do not pattern their shotguns; and c) are average, or below average, marksmen. These factors are among the essential skills and practices to develop if a person wishes to do well in the blind; without some basic knowledge and / or abilities along these lines, a person can expect many misses-and worse, high crippling rates.

The author is the department's hunter safety coordinator.

'

8

Maine Fish and Wildlife

Many people, when we patterned their fowlers, were astonished to see how far offcenter their equipment threw their patterns. It was also astonishing to them to find that some full chokes threw open patterns, while some open chokes threw tight patterns. Remedies for these problems? Keep trading until you get a tight shooter, if that's your wish-or go to screw-in chokes in your favorite fowler, or buy one so equipped.

If your gun shoots off-center, your gunsmith can bend your barrel to center in two shakes of a duck's tail. It's simple and inexpensive. Or you can learn to compensate by shooting left or right, up or down, as the situation requires.

We kept the participants' names on file and, in March 1995 we asked them some questions to see if they'd developed some ideas after at least a five-year period of shooting steel. Results of this questionnaire effort are included on page 11.

Here are some personal impressions: I shoot three different 12-gauge magnum guns, all full choke. I am currently shooting 1 3 / 8 oz. of # 4 shot. None of my firearms show any wear or damage. My Browning Auto 5 has shot at least 2,000 rounds of steel, including the original school, the public training seminars, Warden Service inservice training, and hunting. I

have had to replace the recoil spring, but it has required nothing else in the way of service or repair. My crippling rate is not high enough to note, because I never shoot over decoys set more than 40 yards from the blind. This is the one single factor that will make or break you as a waterfowler, regardless of what type of shot, gauge, or load you use-if they aren't in range, you can't kill them!

Here are some tips we think will make you a better waterfowler.

• Get to really know and understand waterfowl. Learn to positively identify them in all conditions of light, weather, and circumstances.

• Study the many ways to rig and set out decoys in order to draw waterfowl close.

• Learn how to blend different species decoys so as not to confuse waterfowl. By blending decoys in order to decoy two or more species, you can stretch out your day and bag a variety of waterfowl. Most divers and dabblers decoy to each other.

• Don't be a one-spot waterfowl hunter. Feel free to move if things are not going well where you are. Sometimes just a short distance will make a great difference.

• Create effective and natural blinds. A piece of netting or some of the commercially sold

by Gary Anderson

roll-up blinds work very well with some dead items spread through it. Never cut or uproot any living material. Natural grass, stone, or drift materials are unobtrusive and do not create bad relations with the public and landowners. Speaking of landowners, ask permission, by the way.

• Be quiet and attentive. It seems that just when you move, that as yet unseen duck flares suddenly away!

• Keep your shots to 40 yards or less for quick, humane kills.

Always pattern your fowler so you'll know exactly how and where it shoots.

• Practice shooting. How can you possibly shoot well if you don't touch your shotguns until opening day?

Many times, I've heard how well a particular hunter shoots running deer. Knowing that the person never practiced, never shot his rifle except at deer, I often wondered how many deer were injured and how much lead was sprayed around the woods until a deer was finally killed.

Those same questions can be applied to waterfowling.

As a self-metering exercise, try reducing your bag limit when a wounded bird can't be retrieved.

And think about applying the same rule to rabbit, grouse, and even big game, as well as waterfowl. Considering big game again, is it ethical to shoot at

running, jumping big game when so many are needlessly injured or lost to a lingering death? Consider also how unsafe this practice is and how many other people who hunt have been injured or killed by this practice.

If you were a landowner would you be more receptive to the person who tries to be a oneshot hunter or to the spray shooter?

Some more tips for waterfowlers: • Use a full or modified choke • Use small shot. Sizes 1, 2, 3, and 4 are all large enough.

• 3-inch magnum is more than adequate.

C

Above, Robin Overlock of Oyster River Range in Warren was willing to get wet to change targets (and phone books!) on the gloomy day of the shoot. Below, the author and Robin examine one of the patterns in the warmth of indoors later.

Winter 1995

9

â&#x20AC;˘ With small shot (up to #1), I don't worry about damaging firearms in good condition.

Even as it became clear the whole ammunition industry was gearing up for steel shot production a small group of people in Canada and Great Britain were exploring other possibilities.

Tungsten, very expensive and heavy, can be blended with other components for an identical weight per pellet as lead. Molybdenum and polymer were blended in the same manner and named molyshot. Both are expensive and not in general production; as of this writing, though, Kent Cartridge in England is reported to be capable of producing about a ton of molyshot per day. These materials may be over the head of some duck hunters, but collectively they may drive down the price of steel.

So as of this writing, it looks as if Bismuth is the load to use if you want to take that older family keepsake to the duck blind one more time.

What is Bismuth? It is an elemental metal found in deposits with tin, gold, silver and lead.

In fact, it is next to lead on the

periodic table and is only about 10 percent lighter than lead.

Bismuth shot is composed of bismuth with 3 percent tin added to make it less brittle.

Bismuth is non-toxic as evidenced by it's inclusion in medicines for digestive tract disorders. After exhaustive tests, bismuth was given provisional clearance by USFWS for waterfowling. According to information from the Bismuth Cartridge Company, their product can be used in your oldest and finest shotguns. We'd add for your protection that firearms should be in good condition for any shotshell; if

OFFICIAL FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY SHOTSHELL PATIERN TARGET

there's any doubt, check with a reputable gunsmith. These shotshells are available in upland bird, turkey and waterfowl loads for 12,16,20,28, and 410 gauge guns.

We have included results of pattern and penetration tests comparing steel loads to Bismuth loads for your interest. We make no claim to be anything more than lay people doing a simple experiment for the average waterfowler.

Bismuth shells cost more because the raw material cost of bismuth is six times higher than lead or steel. Prices for upland shells and waterfowl shells

OFFICIAL FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY SHOTSHELL PATIERN TARGET

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X

X

> X

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----X

X

X

X

X X

x><

X

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were, for 10 round boxes, $12.12 and $16.11 respectively. The box of ten 3" magnum #2 shot I bought at LL Bean's for these tests cost $15.99; a box of 25 steel #2's were $14.49 there.

If you read a bit about Bismuth you can't help but admire the people who developed these shotshells. Their story is that of an epic struggle against long odds and a government so slow as to be nearly inert. However, the government did move and you may use that favorite fowler with piece of mind even if for only a few shots per season.

Won't it be nice to see those old Parkers, Lefevers, Ithacas, etc, on the marshes and in the â&#x20AC;˘ blinds again?

DUCK HUNTER QUESTIONNAIRE (With number of responses or most common answer underlined for each, ) Y 15 N Q.

1. Do you pattern your waterfowling shotguns?

2. How many days do you hunt waterfowl per year?

4. What choke? Full 2 IC J

6. What size steel shot? BB 2 7. What is you r favorite load?

13. Which types of waterfow l hunting did you do at least 2 days per year?

A. Decoying 14 B. Pass Shooting 12 C. Jump Shooting 2 D. Sculling 2 14. Which species of waterfowl hu nting did you hunt at least 2 days per year?

A. Dabblers 19 B. Divers 13 C. Geese 2 D. Other 2 15. A t w hat range do you try to shoot waterfowl?

0-15 yds. Q 16-30 yds. 10 31-45 yds. 10 over 45 yds. Q , 16. What shotgun would you recommend for most people for most conditions using steel shot?

Gauge 12 Choke F, M (order of preference) Shot Size BB, 1, 2, 3 (order of preference) Load Magnum Action Repeating 17. Now that you've used steel for five years, would you go back to lead if you h ad the opportu nity? Y 12 N 2 OFFICIAL FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY SHOTSHELL PATTERN TARGET

Xx

X X X X

X X

D

N 12

12. Have you tried finer shot w hen killing cripples?

Y 13 N 1 If yes, did it help when they were in reasonable range?

Y Z N i

X

Xx

Y 11

11 . Is it more difficult to kill injured waterfowl in range on water with steel than with lead? Y 10 N 11

X XXX

X

(in order of preference)

12 %

10. Is this higher than with lead in you r opinion?

X X

X

#4 Q._ #6 _l #3 Q. BB, #1,#2,#3, #4

30"

~

21

9. Approximately what percentage of waterfowl were lost as cripples?

X

-

12 gauge

N 21

X

X

13

8. Do you have feeding, gun damage, excessive recoil problems? Y Q

30"

X

M

5. What gauge do you use for waterfow l?

OFFICIAL FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY SHOTSHELL PATTERN TARGET

X

N Q

3. Do you favor an open 10 or tight 11 choke for waterfowl?

We shot four times, twice with steel and twice with Bismuth, at wetpack (two identical phone books). Pictured is one of the steel specimens-shot went barely through one book in either steel test. But with Bismuth, pellets went clear through one book and halfway through the second book each time we fired. That's 50 percent more penetration with Bismuth!

X X

Y 13

X X

You be the judge! All are 12 gauge, full choke, at 40 yards.

A) Winchester Model 12 magnum, 1 1/8 oz. #5 Bismuth; B) Stevens Model 30 Ranger, 11/4 oz. #4 lead; C) Winchester Model 12 magnum, 1 3/8 oz. #2 steel; D) Browning Auto 5 magnum, 1 5/8 oz. #2 Bismuth; E) Browning Auto 5 magnum, 1 3/8 oz. #4 steel.

E

Winter 1995

11

'I,

~

Story and photo by Master Sgt. Bob Haskell

he Appalachian Trail is one of this country's enduring wilderness adventures. It is a frequent topic of conversation among the many who have hiked it. And it is a constant source of concern among those who watch over it.

Paul Johnson, Jr. of Moruhouth, a retired U.S. forester who harbors strong feelings for the Maine wilderness, is one of those caretakers. Thanks to his efforts-and some pull from a western Maine legislator-members of the ~aine Army National Guard are now among those who have made Maine's stretch of the Appalachian Trail a better footpath.

Fifteen members of a Maine Army Guard unit from Bangor-Company C, 1st Battalion, 192nd Aviation-joined forces with the civilian caretakers on June 25, a Saturday. T~e mis_sion: airlift a dozen 1,000-pound loads of newly-cut spruce timber up

1,700 feet to a forest clearing on the West Peak of Baldpate Mountain, in the White Mountains near the Maine-New Hampshire border. With these materials, the Maine Appalachian Trail Club will build a new 15- by 20-foot lean-to on a site beside the trail, finishing by early August. A lean-to this size provides room for eight people to sleep, explained Johnson, the club's third-year president.

"These are our favorite types of missions," said Capt. Mark Sullivan of Hampden, commander of the Maine Army Guard unit that sent four UH-lH "Huey" helicopters across country from Bangor to airlift the timber.

The sorties were short-less than two miles from a field beside Route 26 in Grafton Notch State Park to the newly-cut clearing on the mountain. But it

would have been nearly impossible to get the timber up the heavily wooded mountain any other way, said State Representative Tom Winsor, R-Norway, who helped arrange for the airlift.

"I bet I know who has a helicopter," said Winsor before filing his request for help to the Maine Military Bureau in Augusta. Winsor is an Appalachian Trail enthusiast himself, having hiked about twothirds of the 2,150-mile trail that twists along the East Coast from Springer Mountain in northern Georgia to Mt. Katahdin in Maine's Baxter State Park.

Thousands of people, including determined through-hikers, explore the trail in Maine and New Hampshire every year, said Andy Haskell, manager of Grafton Notch State Park. This requires that the trail be kept clear of fallen trees and maintained safe

for the hikers. Lean-tos such as this one provide shelter from rough weather and for sleeping.

Johnson's club maintains the northernmost 270 miles, including 29 lean-tos, from Route 26 to the top of Katahdin. The new structure will replace a lean-to built in 1935 by the Depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps.

This mission reinforced the Maine Army National Guard's ties to the Appalachian Trail, initiated in 1989 when helicopter crews from Bangor flew bundles of planks from Bethel into the White • Mountains for rebuilding a section of trail.

The author, a publicist for the Maine Army Guard, is sports editor for the Bangor Daily News.

What You Can Do You can reduce your exposure to chemicals in fish if you: • Obtain and follow the health advisories, • Trim off and discard the skin and fatty portions of fish, including the dark meat, which may contain contaminants. (Note: This does not remove mercury.)

• Eat smaller fish, since they have lower chemical levels, • Use cooking methods such as poaching, baking, and broiling which allow fats to drain (cooking liquids should be discarded), Remove fat from back

Cut away dark fatty tissue along lateral lines on both sides

Remove belly fat

Winter 1995

13

•

ional Update 1995

By Lisa J. Kane Natural Science Educator

--

EE:~ .. .__....__......... ............... ...............

Several thousand of Maine 's wildlife watching guide, "On Water, On Wings, In the Woods " have been sold since it was published by the Department in May 1994. In one component of a 3-way cooperative grant initiative with LL Bean, the US Fish and Wildlife Service and IFW called Partnerships For Wildlife, 15 of the coastal wildlife viewing sites listed in the guide will host this full color interpretive sign that describes Maine 's coastal habitats and the wildlife that resides there.

1

M lncocpart Inland r I licrinicnt of & Wildllt ~

May 30, 1995 Dear Lisa, â&#x20AC;˘Thank you for the tour on Thursday, May 25. Stephanie was glad to hold your hand. We liked reading the animal signs. We were suprized and happy to see the painted turtles. It was impressive to see the wrens in the bird house and they were so close to us. We think your job is great! Your job must be fun because you can work with wild animals and people. We hope we can come again soon. Again, thanks. â&#x20AC;˘u d.icured 10 ).ls. Devon

Spring and Fall programs in wildlife and conservation at the Gray Game Farm and Visitors Center had over 1600 school children, home-schoolers, teach,ers and chaperones attending programs such as Fishes of Maine, Endangered and Threatened Species, and walking tours of the Bird, Mammal, and Wetlands and Wildlife exhibits at the 200-acre facility.

14

Maine Fish and Wildlife

Project WILD, Project WILD Aquatic, and WILD School Sites teacher workshops continue to be a popular way to integrate wildlife and conservation education into everyday subject and skill areas in grades K-12. Over 3500 educators have enthusiastically participated in one or more Project WILD workshops in Maine.

What Else?

Over 50% of the visitors to Swan Island are school children. Although getting across the Kennebec River to this historic Richmond site can be a challenge, the guided tour in the back of a specially-designed pickup truck, with good chances of seeing deer, wild turkeys, bald eagles or bluebirds, is worth it!

Spring and Fall wildlife and conservation education programs at the Pine Tree State Arboretum in Augusta were attended by over 825 school age children, home-schoolers, teachers and chaperones.

Programs such as this one, How to Catch a Black Bear, presented by former IFW wildlife biologist Barry Burgeson, were fascinating for kids and teachers alike.

Winter 1995

15

I'

oF. oc.

-

120 --= -- 110 - - 100 - - 90 - -- 80 - -- 70 - -

I

60

Have you ever seen a bale of turtles; or a smack of jellyfish? People have certa inly given colorful names to different groups of an imals. But then why do an ima ls gather in groups?

Most animal behaviors occur t o further ensure survival; a group of animals may detect approaching predators better with more eyes on t he lookout. Remember t here's safety in numbers! Deer signal danger by 'flagging' or raising the white underside of the tail as a warni ng to the rest of the group. A swarming school of fish makes a much more difficult target for a predat or t han a single swimm er. Eider ducks baby-sit fo r each other in groups ca lled 'creches', where a few females care for the broods of many ot hers, who mig ht be off finding food .

Wildlife may group up for other survival advantages. The V-shaped flight of geese and other birds actually reduces air drag, thus cutting energy expenditures. And garter snakes may hibernate in large groups of up to 200!

50 40 30 20 10 0

Draw a line from each animal name below to the name of its group.

You'll probably be in for some surprises!

A group of:

a. Geese b. Fish

-10

is ca lled a: 1. herd 2. pack 3.flock 4. gaggle 5. school 6. pod 7. raft

First 10 too easy1 Try these!

15. cast

p. Caterpillars q. Owls r. Snipe s. Hawks t . Toads

16. crash 17. wisp 18. knot 19. plague 20. army

20 10 0 -10 -20

A) 75°F. = ?? °C.

B) 30°c. = ?? 0 F.

C) 0°F. = ??°C.

D) 68°C. = ?? 0 F.

E) 42°F. = ??°C.

F) -20°C. = ?? 0 F.

Theae nine animal namea are hidden amongat all the other lettera. Some run up and down. aome aldewaya. and a couple diagonally. Draw a line through each one aa you find lt--then cloae your e:yea and aee If you can Imagine what each one looka like.

Don't peek at the anaweral

I

a.Bass

30

If you're looking at a thermometer like this one, which has two different sets of measurement lines on it, 32° F. (for Fahrenheit, pronounced FAIRun-hite) equals 0° C. (for Celsius, pronounced SELL-see-us). A scientist named Gabriel Fahrenheit figured out one system, and Anders Celsius is responsible for the other.

On a Fahrenheit scale, water boils at 212° and freezes at 32°. On the Celsius thermometer, water boils at 100° and freezes at 0°.

If you have a thermometer like this one, it's easy to convert from one to the other. You just look and see what temperatures are opposite one another (in this case, it's 32°F. and 0°C.). But how do you convert one to the other without this kind of thermometer? Well, it's not TOO hard!

• To convert Fahrenheit to Celsius: Subtract 32, multiply your answer by 5, then divide that answer by 9.

• To convert Celsius to Fahrenheit: Multiply by 9, divide that answer by 5, then add 32.

For instance, if it's 50°F.: 50 minus 32 equals 18. 18 times 5 equals 90.

90 divided by 9 equals 1O! Check it out on our thermometer here Here are a few examples for you to figure out:

FIND THE ANIMALSI

9. colony J 10. drift

11. skulk 12. shoal 13. parliament 14. murder

40

What Do You Mean, 32° = 0°?

'--

8. covey

k. Rhinoceroses I. Locusts m. Foxes n. Crows

= = = = = - -=--= = - =-- --=---=---=-=--

50

'

J

Questions? ComplalntEif Just Something To Say? Addrese your lettere; to: Llea Kane. KID-BITS Editor MAINE FISH AND WILDLIFE 284 State Street 41 State House Station Augueta ME 04333 ANSWE~ ON PAGE 19

BALD EAGLE BEAR BOBCAT COYOTE GRAY SQUIRREL MOOSE PORCUPINE RACCOON WHITETAIL DEER

G R A y

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B 0 C p 0 E p z wB L 0 B A L

GM 0 0

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BTC C A A A 0 C T EE uT0 B D I T E J H Q s B A R E L D M L 0 A N

wR

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I R R E L R C u p I N E A D R Q C E D 0 C s T D V L E Q 0 L F G I T R I y H L N BA J M0 I R T C wA R T A R C Q Ks G E C 0 B I z M B N 0 L X wy 0 L N p 0 R C u Q u I R R E L Q

Thanka to Timothy K. Tleaa of Belfaat for FIND THE ANIMALS

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by Kendall Warner

Many of us think of Maine as a "place of everlasting water." But a dry summer such as the one just past may force us to think again! r

r·

_ he third driest August in 100 years will undoubtedly affect fish population and fishing quality in Maine for the next several years.

Drought conditions affect fish populations in several ways.

Typically, salmon and trout enter tributaries to spawn in the fall. Without sufficient flow, movement into spawning areas may be physically blocked or impeded, or flow may be insufficient for attraction. Denied access in these ways, fish may be forced to use less suitable areas or not spawn at all.

Even if these fish were able to spawn, the lack of heavy fall rains and inadequate rechanging of ground water could have a significant adverse effect on survival of salmonid eggs buried in the gravel . Insufficient percolation of water through the gravel could result in egg mortality by suff0<;ation or freezing.

18

Maine Fish and Wildlife

As waters recede during drought, some fish are stranded and suffocate; considering some long-term effects of drought, these may be the lucky ones!

Salmonids in brooks, rivers, and streams may be permanent residents-or they may be progeny of spawning adults from lakes or rivers. Young usually spend one to three years in nursery areas before moving to parental wa ters.

De-watering of streams results in reduction of available habitat.

This results in decreased production of aquatic insects, the main food source of young salmonids.

Crowding and loss of food causes both decreased growth and increased mortality. This holds true in summer and in winter-in winter, however, there is also the risk of streams freezing nearly to the bottom, causing even more crowding and increased mortality.

Low wa ter in summer causes another slightly different problem. In open streams with little cover, fish become increasingly vulnerable to animal predation.

Fish-eating birds-ospreys, kingfishers, cormorants, and suchcan take their toll. Crowded and exposed fish are also easy prey for mink, raccoon, and otter. And don't forget! Two-legged predators can be a problem, too!

Lowered water levels in lakes and ponds during critically dry periods also mean decreased fish production. Shoreline (littoral) habitat is left "high and dry," forcing young game and forage fish into more confined areas where competition and predation result in even higher mortality.

Food production in desiccated areas is also lost. Unregulated lake levels sometimes reduce outlet flows to a mere trickle, causing further reductions in fish and other aquatic life.

During drought periods, there is increased use of pond and stream waters to irrigate agricultural land. Excessive use can-

and has-lowered water levels to a critical point for aquatic life. Increased development of alternative sources, such as manmade ponds, should be encouraged.

Extensive fall rains have alleviated some of the stress on fish and other aquatic life, but damage has already been done. Fish

populations will recover, but it will take time. So prepare yourself for the possibility that fishing might not be quite "up to snuff" in the next few years. And pray for rain!

•

KID-61T5 AN5WER5 Crowae of Crlttere a-4; 17-5; c-1; d-8; e-6; f -7; g-2; h-10; 1-:3:J-9; k-16;

1-19; m-11; n-14: o-12; p-20; '\-1:3; ,-.17; e-15; t.-18.

Temperature Quiz A) Z3.9°C. B) 00°F. C) -11.e·c.

D) 154.4°F. E) 5.56°C. F) -4°F.

The author is supervisor of the department's Fisheries Research & Management Section.

Find the Animals

Author's footnote: After this article was written, the "rains came." The few persons who read the preliminary draft must have prayed a lot, because we were well rewarded. October was pretty "bony," but the deluge came in November in much of the state-close to 7 inches in the Bangor area! This was a boon to November's spawning salmonids, improving access to spawning areas and aeration of eggs.

The only drawback to this fast accumulation of water might be that salmon and trout spawning in very high water might build their nests (redds) in areas that would afterwards be de-watered and thereby vulnerable to desiccation and freezing. But then, we can't have everything."

Bet A Buck Or Two On Wildlife! ·Just scratch and match your way up to a cool $3,000, or to thousands of other cash prizes, in the Maine State Lottery's new Outdoor Heritage Game. Proceeds of this special game go directly to the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund. When you scratch this bird's back, you're investing in endangered species, management of public lands, and wildlife conservation programs. So play today!

Winter 1995

19

•

A

living legend," Dad told me time and time again.

Somehow, I just couldn't believe it.

Looking at the grizzled old retriever now, it was hard to imagine him as the hero of all those duck hunting stories. Like the one where he chased a bird across a lake after his owner just" grazed it. Or how he retrieved three ducks at once in his now sagging jowls.

With cataracts clouding his eyes, and his ears reduced to , ,,, picking up the- - . sound of a rustling potato chip bag, he didn't evoke .....,;~·_..,.,..,,... .,, the awe that all of those stories left me expecting.

Nonetheless, this aging dog was accepted into our house when his owners had to move to Egypt (where dogs were delicacies, not lifetime companions).

Mom wasn't keen on the idea of having Finn in the house. We were already overrun with pets.

"That's all I need, another animal to feed ," she said. But Dad persuaded her to take the dog anyway. When he arrived, greyed and with a slight limp, Old Rinn was introduced imme20

Ma ine Fish and Wildlife

Rusty wasn't about to let this happen.

It wasn't long before we started refe~ring to the newcomer as '. ~"the bull in the ;:•china shop• / ,His old legs ·";- .had a hard If

diately to the laws of our house

by Big Tom, the large yellow tabby cat who ruled our family.

We found poor Finn cornered by the back door with the cat threatening to remove his nose if the dog moved. My brother grabbed the cat as I led the dog out of the corner, now well aware of his place in the family.

Besides this encounter, Finn would get himself into an occasional scrape with our dog, Rusty. Both were males, and Finn was determined to prove he was in the upper echelon. But

quick turns, and he would often end up knocking a plant down or banging into the stereo's glass door. His immense size took up much of the living room, and he was always sure to curl up right in the middle of house traffic.

Despite all this, we grew to love Finn as our own. His hangdown eyes, and the big paw placed on your lap when he wanted his ears scratched, were irresistible. He was loyal and protective of our yard and he'd bark whenever his failing eyes

by Rachael Cleaves Illustrated by Carol Kutz

caught sight of someone approaching the house.

Still, he was old, and we all babied him. So it was that I strongly encouraged Dad to leave Finn at home when we were planning the first day of duck season.

"He's too old, Dad," I said. "He'll

just tire himself out. Besides, he'll have no idea what he's missing. He's so old he's probably forgotten what hunting is."

Dad was in the process of getting out the shotguns when I brought this up. He set his 12 gauge down on the floor as he reached for my 20. Old Finn trotted over and sniffed the gun at great lengths, tail wagging all the while. Rusty was there as well, sitting beside the gun cabinet, his tail also going a mile a minute. It was immediately apparent that both dogs knew exactly what was going on.

"Finn's never stayed at home," Dad explained. "He'd probably whine all day if we left him home.

Besides, he's an incredible retriever."

"What do we need two dogs for?"

I asked in exasperation. How could he expect me to believe that Finn was good for anything but parlor tricks nowadays? And two dogs in the canoe would make it a precarious trip downriver to our blind.

The author, a Wayne resident and a recent graduate of Bowdoin College, is a laboraton; technician at Woods End Laboratory in Mt. Vernon.

"You'd be surprised," was the answer Dad gave me, ending the conversation as he carried the guns downstairs.

The next morning, we woke well before dawn to travel to the river. It was cold, and frost was thick on the ground under the pre-dawn sky. Making myself comfortable, I closed my eyes and dozed during the 45-minute drive to Masardis.

When I opened them again, we were driving through the back fields of a farm to our launch. The sky was lighter, with pale pink streaks in the east, but still no sign of the sun. Dad parked off the side of the road, and I pulled myself ou~ of the truck.

The air hurt my lungs as it went down. The puddles in the road were crusty with ice. I put on my mittens and dark hat to ward off frostbite. I also stuffed an extra pair of socks in my pocket just in case my boots weren't warm enough.

When Dad lowered the tailgate, both dogs jumped out and made a beeline for the river. I could hear them splashing in the shallows, and got a chill as I thought of how frigid It must be.

I whistled to them, thinking that it would be best if they kept themselves dry for as long as possible, especially Finnegan. It was going to be a long day for him.

The two goldens came charging back to the truck seconds

later, Finn in the lead. They nipped at each other, tumbling around in the grain field. Finn looked as young and energetic as Rusty as he bounced around.

Suddenly he stopped and stared up into the sky above the river. My ears just caught the sound of whistling wings. Must have been wood ducks, I told myself as Finn resumed his games with Rusty. I was amazed that he'd heard them.

Dad carried the canoe down to the river and set it in the water as I got out a bag of decoys and our lunch. On the next trip, we grabbed the guns and extra clothing. The gear stowed away, Dad called to the dogs and we were on our way.

We made it to the island in just enough time to set up the decoys. Dad anchored the last one in place just as his watch beeped that it was now legal to load our guns.

It was about three minutes later when Finnegan jumped up from where he was sitting. His ears were alert, and his eyes were alive and intent on the river in front of us. Rusty saw what Finn was doing, and joined him in his vigil. Seconds later, I caught the faintest sound of a honk from down the river!

I looked at Dad and he nodded. I pulled out the goose call and gave a few questioning barks. Finn grew impatient starting to wriggle so I tried to hold his collar.

Win ter 1995

21

I called again and this time I got an answer. It was much closer than before.

I talked to the flock as they made their way up the river. It wasn't long before we could see them coming around the river bend, flying close to the water.

There were about 20 geese. I could count them as their long necks and chin straps emerged from the fog lifting off the water.

The sun reflected their images in the glassy surface; we switched off the safeties on our guns.

When they were about to land among our decoys, Father and I both stood and fired. The geese were confused, and it took them a second to pull themselves back into the sky. We fired again, and this time one of the fowls stayed down.

I tried to hold Finn back, but he bolted before I had a firm hold on his collar. Neither Dad nor I had a chance to fire another shot to end the crippled bird's life as Finn chased him across the river to the far bank. The goose beat him there and tore into the woods while Finn shook himself dry.

Dad pulled the canoe out from its hiding place and we put our guns in it. I took the bow and we paddled hard to shore. Rusty sat in the canoe, perfectly content to get a ride rather than swim like his counterpart. He'd been bitten by a goose in a similar situation, and I was sure that had a lot to do with his reluctance to give chase.

When we hit shore, we grabbed our guns and followed the trail of dog and goose. It led into the trees above the bank of the river, but eventually wound into the tall grass of a field beyond the small section of woods.

22

Maine Fish and Wildlife

It was here we encountered Finnegan, and he was not alone.

He trotted back to us with his slight limp. In his mouth he carried the still very much alive goose.

It was hissing viciously (when it didn't have its beak attached to the old dog's nose), but Finn didn't seem to notice. He sat down at my father's feet, the prize still clamped in his jaws, his tail just slightly wagging his pleasure as his bright eyes looked up to us for praise.

He got plenty as dad and I looked at each other in surprise.

Both of us knew by rights that we should be birdless. Geese were notorious for hiding in holes where no dog could sniff them out. If It hadn't been for Finn's relentless pursuit, this goose would have gotten away like so many others.

That was the only bird we took home that day, but we weren't disappointed. To us, seeing the

old hero relive his days of glory had been worth the trip.

When we arrived home that night, Finn dragged himself over to his food dish to eat before collapsing in front on the fireplace for the rest of the night.

He slept soundly except for an occasional kicking of his legs as he chased more geese in his dreams. I looked down at him with fondness and a new appreciation as I realized that greatness still lived in the old curlyhaired golden everyone took for granted.

It was then I understood that old heroes don't lose that quality that makes them a little better than average.

Their spirits, like the stories, live on despite their age. It was this hidden strength of character that made it possible for this brokendown old retriever to outsmart a goose and prove to us all that he was still the stuff of legends.

â&#x20AC;˘

THE GOVERNOR ANGUS KING rom the Fly Tying Bench

by Charles Mann, Guest Tyer

Award-winning fly tyer Charlie Mann of Winthrop designed and dressed this special streamer fly in honor of Maine Governor Angus King. The fly was officially presented to Governor King at a special ceremony October 6, 1995.

THE PATTERN HOOK: Mustad #94720 (8X), sizes 2 to 1O THREAD: Black 6/0 TAIL: Black marabou feather BODY: Shaped Stim-U-Dent (dental toothpick), adhesive-backed lead (optional), covered with purple ribbon floss, then covered with medium pearlescent Mylar braid TOPPING: Black Krystal Flash over Pearl Krystal Flash HEAD: Black

All there is to shaping the StimU-Dent pick for fly body: simply round off the square end with sandpaper and a block to roughly match the pointed end.

Cast on thread above barb of hook and coat shank to within 1/4" of eye. Coat with cement, then place shaped Stim-U-Dent under hook and secure with several wraps towards barb and back.

Tie off and trim. Remove hook from vise and check alignment of Stim-U-Dent to hook shank, then coat entire body with Sally Hansen Hard As Nails fingernail polish and set aside to fully dry. Return hook to vise; apply adhesive-backed lead to curved surface of body (shown, but optional).

[!]

Prepare a marabou feather about 3/4" long and tie in on top of shank for tail.

Tie in about 18" of purple ribbon floss at the eye of the hook, wrap body, and tie floss off at back of hook.

Cut a 3" piece of pearlescent Mylar braid.

Flare one end, slide flared end over Stim-UDent body. Tie off at barb, allowing flared end to extend over butt of marabou tail.

Leave bobbin attached at barb. Connect tying thread at eye and secure Mylar.

Winter 1995

23

Select a medium amount of Pearl Krystal Flash and tie on top of hook shank at eye; trim. Pull Krystal Flash tight, twist counterclockwise, and tie down on shank in line with barb, using attached bobbin at rear of hook.

Allow Krystal Flash to flow over base of marabou tail; trim if necessary.

Select a small amount of black Krystal ~ Flash and tie on top of hook shank at eye; trim, finish tapered head. Pull Krystal Flash tight, twist counter-clockwise, and tie down on shank in line with barb, using attached bobbin at rear of hook. Allow Krystal Flash to flow over base of marabou tail; tie off and remove bobbin.

6

The Governor Angus King is a variation of Mann's smelt fly pattern using the Stim-U-Dent technique. Pictured at left, from top to bottom, are some other variations: Gray Phantom, Rick's Landlocked Special, Rainbow Smelt, Mann's Smelt, & McKrystal Finn. Try some color variations of your own. There's nothing illegal about inventing your own flies!

[!]

Maine Governor Angus King (standing left) accepts a framed presentation version of the fly that bears his name. Presenting the framed conbination-four variations of the fly and a print of a fly fishing scene by noted outdoor artist Dave Footer- are Maine Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Ray "Bucky" Owen (center), and the fly's originator, Charlie Mann of Winthrop. The presentation took place at Grand Lake Stream as part of a property dedication ceremony (see page 27 for more information).

24

Maine Fish and Wrldlife

t 940s Posters The original silk-screened versions of these posters measure about 22 by 28 inches. Screened sometime in the mid- l 940s, they were designed to promote conservation efforts. (Editor's note: The series stands at these four, that we know about-if you know of more, let us ~ know!)

These handsome 14" by 18" (about half-size) full-color reprints of the originals convey their messages loud and clear-just like their larger ancestors did! The reprints are on sturdy coated poster stock, and are shipped flat and reinforced to avoid damage.

$5

To order, send check or money order to: POSTERS! l d\nS Inland Fisheries and Wildlife each, }nc band\\DS 284 State Street, Station #41 sb\pptDS Augusta I'm 04333 Maine res\dents) Be sure to specify which poster( s) you want ~dd 60/o sates tall and/or the quantity of each. Please allow four weeks for delivery.

t

Watchable Wildlife Guide Available!

This new-in-1994 pocket guide contains more than two dozen full-color 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 publiclyown ed land, but all are open for careful public use.

The book is organized by To order, send check or money order geographic regions and describes for $4.95 + $1 postage (payable to each site in detail - how to get Maine Fish and Wildlife) to: there, the species you might WATCHABLE WILDLIFE expect to see, details on the 284 State St., Station 41 availability of restrooms, parking, Augusta, ME 04333 and other facilities, and much (Maine residents add 6% sales tax more, including information on on $4.95) access for persons with disabilities.

1--------------

Winter 1995

25

FISH AND WILDLIFE BRIEFS Paper Companies Adopt Fish Hatcheries Last fall after Maine voters rejected a $10 million bond issue which would have funded major repairs and renovations of aging state fish hatcheries, something special and unexpected happened.

James River Corporation in Old Town stepped forward and offered to help Fish and Wildlife fix up its deteriorating Enfield hatchery. That gesture planted a seed for a prototype partnership between industry and government that has come to be known as Maine's Adopt-AHatchery Program.

Other Maine paper companies - Georgia Pacific, International Paper and Champion International - have begun to follow James River's example and are expected to participate actively in the Adopt-A-Hatchery Program.

International Paper Company, for example, has actually adopted three hatcheries. At the New Gloucester Hatchery, IP has provided labor and materials for construction of a special 1,500 gallon stainless steel tank, as well as a number of other renovation projects.

IP is also providing a metal roof for the Embden Hatchery and materials and labor for major repair projects at the hatchery facility in Phillips.

Georgia Pacific Corporation has adopted the Grand Lake Stream facility, while Champion International will be providing assistance for repairs at the Palermo Hatchery.

A number of other Maine paper companies are giving serious consideration to participation in this fledgling AdoptA-Hatchery Program.

Duck Stamp Art Contest Announced The blue-winged teal has been selected as the waterfowl species to be featured on Maine's 1996 duck stamp, according to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The department will conduct an art contest in March to pick the teal painting that will appear on the stamp, which will be sold beginning next fall to waterfowl hunters, who are required to have them, and to stamp colllectors nationwide.

The contest is open only to Maine resident artists. Artists interested in entering the spring competition can

26

Mam e Fish and Wildl1fe

obtain a copy of the contest rules by writing to: Duck Stamp Contest, Maine Fish and Wildlife Dept., State House Station 41, Augusta, Maine 04333.

The winning artist receives a cash award of $1,000. Revenues from the duck stamp program are used to acquire and manage waterfowl habitat in Maine.

Attorney General Backs Warden Service Maine Attorney General Andrew Ketterer on October 3 released a letter to "All Maine Sportsmen" that addressed public misperceptions about the enforcement powers of the Maine Warden Service. Ketterer's letter was in response to a letter-writing campaign to Maine newspapers conducted earlier this year

by William R. Randall of Winthrop.

In letters to the editor, Randall asserted, among other things, that game wardens in Maine had been conducting enforcement activities that exceeded their legal authority. Characterizing game wardens as "the most assertive, arrogant, brazen and intimidating law enforcement personnel in the United States," Randall advised that sportsmen not talk to game wardens, not let them search vehicles or containers, not show them any firearm nor show a fishing or hunting license upon request.

Since the appearance of the Randall letter, a number of wardens had reported increasing encounters with difficult and uncooperative anglers and hunters during routine checks.

In his letter, the attorney general admonished Randall for dispensing erroneous legal advice to Maine sportsmen and for trying to pass himself off as an intermediary for the Department of the Attorney General.

Ketterer went on to clarify the enforcement authority of the Maine Warden Service. He wrote "sportsmen in Maine and the general public should be aware that Maine Fish and Game Wardens may use roadblocks, stop motor vehicles and other conveyances upon reasonable and articulable suspicion, stop watercraft for safety and documentation checks at any time and check for hunting and fishing licenses. This listing is not a complete statement of the authority and powers of Maine game

wardens. There are many other circumstances where wardens may, without a warrant, lawfully stop and search individuals and their belongings in order to enforce Maine's Fish and Wildlife laws."

New Trout Regs Approved Maine's more than 650 premier brook trout waters received historic attention this fall in the form of new trout regulations that take effect next spring.

At their monthly meeting Oct. 10, the Fisheries and Wildlife Advisory Council of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife gave its approval to a package of new trout regulations that were developed to improve and protect Maine's wild trout populations.

Maine's Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Ray "Bucky" Owen, Jr. said "This is a great day. These are the most important brook trout regulations ever enacted in the eastern United States."

These new trout regulations comprise four categories of trout waters. In three of the four categories, the maximum daily bag limit starting next year will be 2 trout. The length limit, depending upon the growth potential of the water, will vary from an 8 inch minimum to a 10 inch and a 12 -inch minimum. A fourth category, which is reserved for some stocked "put and take" waters, will allow a 5-trout bag limit with a 6 -inch minimum length limit.

Safety Office Issues Accident Summary The safety office for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife issued a preliminary report following the close of the regular firearms season on deer. The report indicated that Maine had a total of 14 fall huntingrelated shooting incidents, none of which were fatal.

Contrary to some press reports, two fatalities by self-inflicted gun5hot wounds that took place in the woods have not been ruled hunting accidents.

Safety Officer Gary Anderson said that in addition to another safe year, early reports indicate the fewest lost hunter searches in his memory. The Department had expected many searches as a result of the run of bad weather during the early part of the firearms season.

During the ceremony, IFW Volunteer Coordinator Charlie Mann, a veteran fly tyer who fashioned a new fly for the occasion, presented the governor with an angling print by David Footer. Displayed in shadow boxes under the artist's rendering are four different size presentations of Charlie's specially designed fly, The Gov. Angus King.

Husband and wife team Deanna and Scott Stearns of Vassalboro filled their moose tag opening day. Deanna bagged this 966-pound bull at 6:30 in the morning near First Roach Pond.

Moose Hunt Another Success Maine's 1995 moose hunting season ended October 7 with 1,305 moose being registered at 13 check stations around Maine from Wesley to Eagle Lake. Wildlife biologists are calling this a typical season in terms of hunter success, physical condition of the animals and composition of the kill.

This year's hunters, who received hunting permits through the annual moose lottery, were allotted 1,400 permits. In 1996, 1,500 moose hunting permits will be issued.

At least 80 percent of moose registered during this fall's season were adult bulls, and several weighed in excess of 1,000 pounds. The largest moose was an adult bull registered in Greenville that weighed 1,075 pounds.

Maine Coast Heritage Trust, IF&W, the Land For Maine's Future Board, Davis Conservation Foundation, L. L. Bean, Inc., Friends of Grand Lake Stream, National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, Grand Lake Stream Plantation, and 400 citizens, this magnificent cl~ssic salmon fishery will be preserved forever as a fisheries and wildlife management area.

Wildlife Report Available The annual report on Maine's wildlife research and management activities is now available to the public.

Published by the Wildlife Division of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, the popular report contains detailed information about the division's activities in 1995 related to Maine's wildlife species.

Grand Lake Stream Celebration A steady fall rain failed to dampen the day's planned fe tivities or the spirit of guests and speakers who turned out October 6 for the official dedication of IF&W's new Fisheries and Wildlife Management Unit at Grand Lake Stream.

Grand Lake Stream is one of Maine's premier landlocked salmon rivers.

Through a collaborative effort involving the original owner of the land along the stream, Georgia Pacific, as well as the

Governor Angus King (left) and Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Bucky Owen with the new sign for the Grand Lake Stream management area.

Gov. Angus King, Commissioner Ray Owen and a number of other state leaders were on hand for the celebration.

Gov. King topped off the daylong celebration by catching his first landlocked salmon on fly (a Barnes Special).

Major sections are devoted to such subjects as regional wildlife management; mammals, including in-depth reports on the status of bears, moose, white-tailed deer and furbearers; waterfowl and upland birds; lists and studies

Winter 1995

27

Advisory Board Honored

Warden Micah Thurston recovered this set of antlers from a poached buck shot in the Burnham area this fall. The 300-pound buck had a 14point rack.

The four civilian members of the Maine Guide's Advisory Board were honored for dedicated service to their profession at a recent meeting. Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Deputy Commissioner Matt Scott praised the group for their hard work in developing the policies that manage professional guides in Maine.

The board, which is comprised of three game wardens and four laypeople, meets quarterly to discuss and take action on a variety of issues.

Fred Johnson of Sullivan is the senior board member, having served since 1986. Johnson has been a licensed guide since 1992, and makes the majority of living in the fishing and bloodworm harvesting business.

Ellsworth native Dan Pelley has served on the Advisory Board since 1988. Pelley has been an active member of the Maine Professional Guides Association since 1989, including a stint as secretary and treasurer.

of endangered and threatened wildlife; and an introduction to the work of the division's wildlife habitat group.

The 64-page booklet is offered to the public free of charge. There is a $1 per booklet fee on mail-order requests to cover postage and handling.

Copies may be picked up at any of the regional wildlife offices, at the Bangor Wildlife Assessment facility at BMHI, and at the Department's Augusta headquarters. Mail-order requests should be addressed to: Wildlife Report, MDIF&W, Public Information and Education Div., Station 41, Augusta, Maine 04333.

1994 License Sales D ecrease Slightly Although nearly 440,000 licenses to hunt and fish were issued in Maine during 1994, a recent analysis of license sales by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife reveals that the overall sale of hunting and fishing licenses decreased compared with the previous year. The sale of resident hunting licenses decreased by 1.7 percent, while the sale of resident fishing licenses was down 5.5 percent to the lowest level since 1987.

Part of this decline is being attributed to a general increase in license fees. Most hunting and fishing licenses

'

28

Maine Fis/, and Wildlife

Deputy Commissioner Matt Scott (right} presents civilian members of the Guides Advisory Board with volunteer appreciation prints. Left to right, Fred Johnson, Patti Forbes, & Dan Pelley. (Not pictured is Carroll Ware.) increased by $2 in 1994, and combination licenses increased by $4. Additional increases of $1 for hunting and fishing licenses and $2 for combination licenses will occur in 1995 and 1996.

In total, 438,752 licenses to hunt and fish in Maine were issued in 1994. In 1977, 394,066 hunting and fishing licenses were sold in Maine. And, although total resi-. dent license sales are higher than in 1977, there has been a 32 percent decline in the sale of junior hunting licenses since 1977.

Patti Forbes is currently in her second term, having come aboard in 1991. The Harrington resident is also a free,ance outdoor writer and an officer with the Maine Trappers Association.

The Board member with the shortest tenure is Carroll Ware, but he brings a lifetime of outdoor experience to his post. Ware has been a licensed Master Guide since 1989. Prior to that he worked as a fishing guide in Quebec. He lives in Skowhegan.

Wardens Glynn Pratt and Norman Lewis represent the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife on the board. The vacant warden seat will be filled in the near future.

Volunteer Program Growing Charlie Mann, volunteer coordinator for IF&W, reports that the new volunteer program is catching on fast. Since the program began last spring, 116 willing volunteers such as retired biologists, Maine guides, wildlife photographers, pilots with aircraft, fishing instructors and folks with a variety of general construction skills have stepped forward to help .

The Kennebec Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited has adopted the Palermo Rearing Station as a project.

The chapter so far has supplied over 100 hours of volunteer service to the Department.

Additionally, Unity College students have as part of a course fulfillment staffed the Operation Game Thief telephones, worked on hatchery projects and assisted in the Department's storehouse operation.

Interested volunteers who would like to sign up to help out with next spring's Kids Hooked On Fishing Program, or in any other areas, should contact Charlie Mann in Augusta at 287-8069.

Nonresident Snowmobile Registrations The snowmobile registration process has changed for 95-96. Nonresidents of Maine can no longer obtain a $20 resident snowmobile registration. The residency requirements for registering are the same as for hunting and fishing license buying.

Nonresident snowmobile registration options are a 3-day registration for $35, a 10-day regi tration for $50, and a season registration for $60. We have established about 100 new nonresident registration agents throughout the state to make registering more accessible, and about 20 percent of the municipalities decided to continue to register nonresident machines.

These nonresident machines are no longer required to display a permanent registration number, but will be identified by the registration number shown on the sticker, which must be displayed on the machine. Call the licensing dvision if you have any questions about this program .

Availability of Resident Hunting & Fishing Licenses Starting with the 1996 licenses, residents are no longer required to obtain their hunting and fishing licenses from the town clerk in their town of legal residence. The Department has established about 200 additional locations where resident licenses will be sold, including L. L. Bean, Kittery Trading

Post, Johnson Sporting Goods Stores, and all Rite-Aid stores throughout the state.

To obtain a license in 1996 a resident must produce a 1995 resident Maine hunting or fishing license, a Maine driver's license, or two forms of identification showing Maine as the state of legal residence. For further information, call the licensing division.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor: To all of you wardens who had a part in my rescue - thank you so much! My leg was broken in a couple of places.

I sure was glad to to see you guys and want you to know that your expertise and hard work were very much needed and appreciated.

God bless you for helping me.

Peggy Smallwood, Mattawamkeag â&#x20AC;˘Ms. Smallwood was injured while hiking near Gulf Hagas.

Dear Editor: Regarding Skip Lisle's interesting Beaver in Maine articles in the summer and fall issues: Mr. Lisle states that "in 1630, two London merchants received the Muscongus Patent - trading rights to 30 square miles between Muscongus Bay and the Penobscot River." Was the "square miles" located somewhere between the Bay and the River? Or did it encompass the total area from the Bay to the River? If the latter, then certainly far more than "30 square miles" were involved. It would be helpful if this could be clarified.

Thank you for a most interesting and varied magazine.

Kay Gibson, Camden â&#x20AC;˘The author says that information from 1630 was sketchy, to say the least, but that the Muscongus Patent involved 30 square miles somewhere in the area between the bay and the river, not the entire area.

Dear Editor: The Burnham family would like to extend our sincere gratitude for the state wardens' efforts in the search for the little boys lost in the woods at Otter Pond in Standish on Thursday, July 27.

Other than over 400 mosquito bites, my son Jarrod has recovered from his "ad-

Jarrod Burnham venture." (On the other hand I've aged 10 years).

As a paramedic with the city of Portland, I deal with emergencies every day.

It's a little different when it hits home.

A special thanks to Nat Berry, Al St. Saviour and all of the other game wardens who participated in the search for my son. It is a comfort to know that such skilled and dedicated professionals serve the citizens of Maine.

Holly Burnham, Westbrook Dear Editor: Thank you for publishing my two articles ( on beaver). I had no idea that either could, or would , be controversial.

Because they appear to be , I wanted to reiterate my motives and assure you that beaver-deceivers are an excellent design (and strategy) and worthy of public note.

My sole intent was to entertain, educate and contribute to beaver management. I wrote the first piece before beginning work for the Penobscot Nation.

It was my own interpretation of history

Winter 1995

29

based on extensive research . I had also researched "water level control devices," and had built one beaver-deciever before my present employment.

The beauty of working for the tribe is the potential for quick and innovative management. When our roads were flooded, our director gave me the green light to put my ideas into action . Consequently, since May I have built ten beaver-deceivers on tribal land. At each location the road was flooded. Since receiving deceivers, none of the sites has been a problem; no beavers have been wastefully killed ; no heavy machinery needed; and wetland vibrance was not compromised . I hope that state can benefit from this invention.

Beaver-related problems probably cost the state economy tens of thousands of dollars a year. I wrote the second article because I believe we haver a design that could prevent this waste.

Who could find that politically threatening?

Thanks again. You're doing a fine job.

Skip Lisle, Indian island Dear Editor: I am writing in response to the Commissioner's editorial. I am intensely interested in volunteering in two specific areas: 1) deer wintering area surveys 2) bear tagging and den work While I currently live in Topsham, I am from Caribou and do most of my hunting and fishing in Aroostook County.

I am more than willing to travel to that area and put in more than the 10 to 20 hours indicated in the editorial.

Please involve me.

Steven Michaud, Topsham â&#x20AC;˘Thanks, Steve. You-or anyone interested in volunteer work-may contact Charlie Mann, our volunteer coordinator at 287- 8069.

Dear Editor: I am enclosing a photograph of a species of small frog that has lived on the deck area of my home during each of the last five summers .

My wife and I were fortunate enough to move back to Maine in late 1990 after a few years absence. Our home has a deck that is 9 feet above the asphalt driveway and 6 feet above part of the lawn. The security light illuminates about half of the "L" shaped deck. We have many species of birds, including bluebirds and their tree swallow competitors , nezting in our boxes , and have several

30

Maine Fish and Wildlife

different kinds of bird feeders. Some years we have had bats, but have not noticed them yet this summer As you may gather, we are not living in a bugfree environment.

We are curious as to the identity of this particular frog, but are even more curious as to its habits and obvious adaptability. What is it about the deck that would be attractive to this frog, particularly during the very hot June we have had this year? In past years we have seen it sitting in the flower boxes on the deck and even have seen it backed into (living in?) the open leg of the deck table in the photo (when one of the bottom end caps on the leg was missing temporarily). Presently it spends its time under a small carpet on the deck, which we have moved from harm 's way since first finding the frog this year. We never have seen more than one frog on the deck, so do not believe there is a breeding pair here.

We wonder what the Department can tell us about our visitor, and if other subscribers have any similar experiences to share . Thanks, and love the magazine.

Keep up the great work.

Bruce Champeon , Glenburn â&#x20AC;˘The frog in question is a gray tree frog. It is fairly common in southern and central Maine. Tree frogs have the ability to change color, from gray to green and brown. As the name suggests, they are at home in trees, thus this one probably finds the height of your deck to its liking.

Insects are attracted to your lights, and the frog feeds on them at nights. Liking cool, moist places, an attractive home for your frog might be a clay flower pot turned on its side.

The mystery deck dweller, a gray tree frog, shown just about actual size.

Dear 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 â&#x20AC;˘ Hmmm. Interesting approach to predation control. Thoughts from other readers?

NOTES FROM OUR FIELD STAFF

II Division A

During December of 1993, Division A began an investigation into Fall 's Taxidermy at Dixfield , a business operated by Vance and Diane Child.

An eight-month investigation of taxidermy records and an undercover investigation resulted in about a dozen charges being brought against the pair, including failure to maintain accurate taxidermy records , forgery, tampering with public records , possession of untagged bobcat, falsifying taxidermy records , possession of untagged beaver, coyote , and fox, and illegal possession of flying squirrels and chipmunks. In a plea bargain in Oxford County Superior Court in February 1995, the couple paid a $570 fine and were ordered to repay the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife $350 restitution for investigative expenses , for a total of $920, not including court costs.

In the summer of 1994, then Investigator Tim Peabody asked Investigator Tom Santaguida to take over an investigation of alleged illegal whitewater rafting on the Kennebec and Dead rivers. Several complaints alleged that Robert Schott of Norway, who did not possess a guide's license, was working through the Moxie Gore Paddling Club and charging people to go whitewater rafting .

After a careful initial investigation , two wardens , posing as interested parties , paid Schott to take them whitewater rafting and supposed ly joined the club .

Two search warrants were issued in February 1995 to search Schott's residence and camp for documents, receipts , whitewater rafting equipment, and other evidence pertinent to the investigation .

Schott was later charged with 40 counts of violating the whitewater rafting/guiding rules and laws of Maine . On August 21 , 1995, the case was settled at

Skowhegan-the Moxie Gore Paddling club paid a civil penalty of $2 ,000 and was required to formally dissolve itself.

Involved in the investigation were Sgt. Mark Warren , Warden Michelle Belanger, Sgt. Tim Peabody, Lt Pat Dorian , Wdn. Dan Carroll , Sgt. Chris Simmons, Investigators Dugas, Sargent and Santaguida; at least a dozen other wardens assisted with the search warrants and with seizure and return of evidence.

Division B Game wardens in Division B continued their enforcement efforts on boating violations on central Maine waters through the Labor Day weekend . Compliance with the Maine boat law seems to be much better than at the beginning of the season , when many summons were issued.

The fall hunting season got off to an early start for three Winthrop men when Sgt. Glynn Pratt and K-9 Marcus apprehended them illegally killing ducks in a beaver flowage during September. Wdn .

Dan Murray had a first in the statetracking an escaped ostrich across Somerset and Kennebec counties ! After receiving numerous compl,aints of illegal fishing , Wdn . Reggie Hammond apprehended a Hebron man for jigging over his limit of two- to four-pound brook trout out of the Kennebago River.

Wdns . Mark Thompson and John Blagdon apprehended two men in unrelated incidents in November for killing bobcat in closed season in Winterport and Washington .

Wdn. John Blagdon , Wdn . Lloyd Perkins, and Wdn. Roland Tilton apprehended a China man for his role in running down a flock of turkeys with his

YOUR AD COULD BE HERE! To place a display advertisement in MAINE FISH AND WIIDUFE Magazine, please contact

Denise Brann at the

Maine Fish and Wildlife Department 284 State Street, Station #4 l Augusta ME 04333 (207) 287-5244

II

truck in Windsor . The wardens used some high-tech video enhancement and enlisted the help of OGT to bring this case to a rapid conclusion. The media's broadcast of a Windsor woman's home video of this senseless act resulted in swift identifying of the driver by the public.

Division C Game wardens in Division C have been very busy during the fall hunting season .

A training session in waterfowl identification and enforcement was held at the Penobscot County Conservation Association Clubhouse in Brewer prior to the opening of the waterfowl season . A special effort was made this year to enforce waterfowl regulations , and many people were cited for a variety of waterfowl violations . Wardens Jeff Lewis of Ellsworth and Mike Joy of Franklin checked a hunting party of three that had committed nine violations , including hunting ducks out of season , hunting ducks under power, and duck stamp violations .

Wardens have received numerous calls from concerned citizens reporting night hunting, hunting out of season , and exceeding bag limits on game, particu larly deer. Many of these calls have come through Operation Game Thief. Since the end of the first week of the regular firearms season on deer, wardens in Division C have arrested 20 persons for night hunting. The first two were arrested whi le night hunting on foot in Dixmont September 2 by Wardens Durward Humphrey and Kevin Adam . Alter the arrest, Warden Debbie Palman went to the scene of the crime with her canine Rica ; they located a deer that had been killed that night and recovered a bullet from the animal.

Wardens have noticed a tremendous increase in the illegal use of bait while hunting deer. The most common bait is a pile of apples. On the opening day of deer season , Wardens Ralph Hosford of Penobscot and Phil Richter of Lamoine observed four men climb up into their tree stands before daylight, bait the stands with piles of apples , then take off the required florescent clothing . The foursome received summonses for the violations.

While checking a pile of apples that had obviously been placed under a tree

Winter I995

31

stand for the purposes of baiting deer one night in early October, Sgt. Doug Tibbetts of Corinna and Warden Kevin Adam of Dexter found themselves in a dangerous situation with a bow hunter.

This was not a typical bow hunter-this archer had an aim point scope on his compound bow, a device that emits a red dot to the target. It was quite dark and the two wardens did not use their flashlights while walking into the stand , so they would remain concealed and not allow a violator enough time to make an escape. The illegal bow hunter was first observed when a red dot appeared on Tibbetts' chest! The wardens quickly identified themselves and arrested the man for night hunting. This was the second deer hunter that Sgt. Tibbetts arrested for night hunting this year that was using archery equipment.

Warden Detective Gary Sargent and several other division wardens have written and executed many search warrants and have recovered illegal deer meat and moose meat. Many violators have been charged with illegal possession of deer or moose.

Wardens Debbie Palman and Kevin Adam , along with Debbie's canine , Rica, were called October 5 to assist police in Carmel after a female jogger had been attacked in the dark and had fortunately escaped her attacker. The suspect had run off through the woods . A canine was requested for assistance and Debbie,

Bring wildlife into your classroom!

Project WILD, a multidisciplinary wildlife and conservation education program for grades K-12, helps teachers to bring exciting, hands-on activities into every subject and skill area. In the course of a 6hour workshop, teachers learn about Maine's wildlife, how to incorporate activities in the guides into their everyday lesson plans, have the opportunity to experience a variety of activities firsthand, and have fun! Contact Lisa Kane at 287-3303 for more information, or to schedule a workshop for your school or district.

32

Maine Fish and Wildlife

Rica, and Kevin responded . Because of the wardens' ability to follow tracks, as well as Rica's keen nose, the assailant was eventually tracked back to a nearby residence , where the suspect was arrested by the police with the help of the two wardens.

Wardens Joe McBrine and Joe Gardner, both from the Dennysville area, came upon a vehicle parked along a woods road in Cutler September 18.

They noticed a set of foot prints in the hard-packed gravel road.

Following the track into the woods for some distance, they eventually came upon an individual, who noticed them at about the same time they saw him. The man quickly tried to run away, but was overtaken , stopped , and questioned by the wardens. The man gave a suspicious reply, so the wardens continued to look around , and soon came upon another man carrying , concealed in his coat, a variety of items not usually carried around by someone walking in the woods.

The individual eventually confessed to burglarizing a nearby home. He and the first man were arrested ; they had concealed their vehicle in the woods on the dirt road and had walked through the woods to the back of the house. The two eventually confessed to many other burglaries in the Washington County area.

Several people , hunters and nonhunters alike , who became lost or stranded in the woods of Division C, were located and rescued by wardens.

They were each very happy to meet a Maine game warden in the woods, even in the dark of night!

Division D In the last six months, Division D has undergone numerous changes in personnel. Dan Tourtelotte filled the vacancy of retired Lt. Carter Smith for a short time , and was then promoted to Major.

The vacant sergeant's position left by Dan 's promotion was filled by Pat Devlin. Pat Dorian was made acting lieutenant in June, then got the nod for the full job in July.

Chris Simmons was promoted to take Dorian's section. Chris, Shelley, and their two daughters have moved from Rip Dam to The Forks.

Wdn . Scott Osgood and his wife have left The Forks district and transferred to Springfield. Wdn . Joel Wilkinson and his wife, Kelly, moved from the Rumford district to The Forks.

Wdn . Roger Guay was promoted to sergeant in Division E. His vacant district has been taken by Wdn . Glen Annis .

Wdn. Michael Favreau has taken the Rockwood district, replacing Wdn . Glen Annis . A shuffle in personnel between Division D and Division C has resulted in Wdn . Mike Morrison and Wdn. Bill Livezey being assigned to the Greenville Division.

Two new wardens have been assigned to Division D. Wdn . Joe Lefebvre has been assigned to the St. Zacharie district, and Wdn . Andy Glidden has been assigned the Rip Dam district, repl1cing Chris Simmons.

Wdn . Pilot Alan Rider is now based in Greenville.

The Maine moose season was extremely busy for all the wardens in Division D. We are just now cleaning up some of the more complicated cases.

Deer hunting pressure seems to be off this year, according to many of the wardens. But there seems to be no lack of violators ; many cases are being made for shooting antlerless deer and hunting deer after having killed one.

Thi.a What's new.,, what to do,,, how to stay •eca• in the Maine eut•-rs

Q. Why does the Fish and Wildli fe Department have so many d iffe rent "zone lin es" for d ifferen t p urposes?

A. It's better than it used to be! The department is making atte mp ts to bring its "districts" into line. For instance, the only public purpose for which we now use our Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) is beave r regulations.

And our Wildlife Division has plans to bring Ma ine's moose hunting and any-deer hunting district lines into ag reement sta rti ng in 1996. We may not end u p with the sa me number of dist ricts for each purpose, but the physical fea tures used as d istrict lines will be consistent. it's a bit more com pli ca ted w hen yo u consider adm ini strative line<; (warden districts, wi ld life and fishe ry regions, etc.). But those do n't affect the sporting public much anyway!

,pers, causing the customer to holler loud and jump out of the barber

tir.

Eventually, the barber finished the 1tleman's haircut and Dan asked for a rcut next. Everyone cleared out of the bershop except for Dan and the ber. While Dan got his haircut, the ber confessed to shooting the deer in rinna and passing an open tagging tion. He took the deer to a new regision station in Brownville, which was 1ed by a good friend of his. The bartagged the deer and signed his :fs name to the registration with the ssing of the new registration agent.

Wdn. Carroll said that he got this nplete confession without saying dly a word to the barber. All in a r's work !

MAINE

FISH AND WILDLIFE 284 State St., Sta. #41 Augusta ME 04333

~n water fishing regulations address ; issue w ith respect to togue. In the tion on proper release of fish, it ds: "lake trout (togue) often have ,anded air bladders after being led up rapidly from d eep water. If belly appears expanded, gently ss your thumb along the stom ach 1r the paired belly fins and move ir thu mb forward a few times to 10ve air from the bladder."

MAINE

FISH AND WILDLIFE 284 State St., Sta. #41 Augusta ME 04333

ortsmen Share Bounty

Place Sta.mp Here

MAINE

FISH AND WILDLIFE 284 State St., Sta. #41 Augusta ME 04333

Th e Maine Department of Inland heries and Wildlife and the Maine apter of Safari International are rking together to channel a portion of at from this year's h unting season to d the hu ngry. In addition to distrib'lg meat to soup kitchens and other ,ritable organizations, som e game 1be given to nursing homes to share h those who are no longer able to 'lt but still enjoy wild game.

The Sportsmen Against H unger npaign is national in scope. Efforts underway to establish a collection i dis tribu tion network among rod i gun clubs and sp orting groups oughout Maine. The meat is required Je cut, wrapped, and labeled by pro,ional meat processors. According to rley Fielder, recent past president i project coordinator, "The intent is to tribute the meat in an area where it is vested. This will maximize the bens of the hunting directly in the comtnity where it takes place."

For more information, call: Shirley Ider (207)-655-7359 or Sandy Hosmer 7) 353-6547.

C

stand for the purposes of baiting deer one night in early October, Sgt. Doug Tibbetts of Corinna and Warden Kevin Adam of Dexter found themselves in a dangerous situation with a bow hunter This was not a typical bow hunter-thi: archer had an aim point scope on his compound bow, a device that emits a red dot to the target. It was quite dark and the two wardens did not use their flashlights while walking into the stand so they would remain concealed and n allow a violator enough time to make a escape. The illegal bow hunter was firi observed when a red dot appeared on Tibbetts' chest! The wardens quickly identified themselves and arrested the man for night hunting. This was the second deer hunter that Sgt. Tibbetts arrested for night hunting this year tha was using archery equipment. ' Warden Detective Gary Sargent an several other division wardens have written and executed many search wa, rants and have recovered illegal deer meat and moose meat. Many violators have been charged with illegal posses sion of deer or moose.

Wardens Debbie Palman and Kevir Adam, along with Debbie's canine, Ric were called October 5 to assist police Carmel after a female jogger had beer attacked in the dark and had fortunate escaped her attacker. The suspect ha< run off through the woods. A canine w, requested for assistance and Debbie,

Bring wildlife into your classroom: Project WILD, a multidisciplinary wildlife and conservation education program for grades K-12, helps teachers to bring exciting, hands-on activities into every subject and skill area. In the course of a 6hour workshop, teachers learn about Maine's wildlife, how to incorporate activities in the guides into their everyday lesso1 plans, have the opportunity to experience a variety of activities firsthand, and have fun! Contact Lisa Kane at 287-3303 for more information, or to schedule a workshop for your school or district.

AINE

9601

FISH AND WILDLIFE A quarterly full-color magazine about hunting, fishing, or just plain recreating in Maine's outdoors

SPECIAL HALF-PRICE OFFER! D 1 year only $9 D Payment enclosed

D 2 years only $18 D Please bill me later

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FOB FASTEB SERVICE, CALL TOLL-FBEE l-800-288-8387

~~~~~===~~====================~

AINE

96.01

FISH AND WILDLIFE A quarterly full-color magazine about hunting, fishing, or just plain recreating in Maine's outdoors

SPECIAL HALF-PRICE OFFER! D l year only $9 D Payment enclosed

D 2 years only $15 D Please bill me later

City/State/Zip_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

FOB FASTER SERVICE, CALL TOLL-FBEE 1-800-288-8387

AINE

96 .01

FISH AND WILDLIFE A quarterly full-color magazine about hunting, fishing, or just plain recreating in Maine's outdoors

SPECIAL HALF-PRICE OFFER! D 1 yearonly$9 D Payment enclosed

D 2 years only $18 D Please bill me later

City/State/Zip_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

FOB F ASTEB SERVICE, CALL TOLL-FB.EE 1-800-288-8387 32

Maine Fish and Wildlife

It was an extraordinary year for partridge this fall. On the second day of moose season at a roadcheck in Kokadjo, Sgt. Dave Sewall and Wdn .

Alvin Theriault counted over 800 partridge heading south in eight hours. This will give some idea about the large number of birds that hunters were seeing at the beginning of the season.

One of the better stories from the hunting season being told around the division concerns a barber in Millinocket: Apparently, Wdn . Dan Carroll was checking one of his deer registration stations when he noticed that a woman from Millinocket had tagged a deer in Brownville that was killed in Corinna. So Dan, thinking that all was not right, went to this lady's residence in Millinocket.

The man and wife were not home, but

there was a carpenter there working on the house. He told Dan the lady was in southern Maine working , and her husband was cutting hair at the barbershop.

So Dan went to the barbershop, knowing that probably the carpenter would call the barber telling him the wardens were there in town .

There was a group of old-timers sitting around the barbershop, so Dan went in, took off his coat, and sat down.

The barber was cutting another gentleman's hair with electric clippers.

The barber immediately said to Dan , "I know why you are here." Dan acknowledged him , but just sat there not saying anything. The barber became extremely nervous while cutting the gentleman 's hair-so nervous that, at one point, he nicked the guy's nose with the electric

clippers, causing the customer to holler out loud and jump out of the barber chair.

Eventually, the barber finished the gentleman's haircut and Dan asked for a haircut next. Everyone cleared out of the barbershop except for Dan and the barber. While Dan got his haircut, the barber confessed to shooting the deer in Corinna and passing an open tagging station. He took the deer to a new registration station in Brownville, which was owned by a good friend of his. The barber tagged the deer and signed his wife's name to the registration with the blessing of the new registration agent.

Wdn. Carroll said that he got this complete confession without saying hardly a word to the barber. All in a day's work!

Colorado Lake Trout Study an Eye-Opener

idly unless they could very quickly move to a refuge region."

Good explained in his article that a lake trout taken in deep water attempts to purge its swim bladder as the angler brings it to the surface; if the bladder fails to purge properly, the fish is unable to descend to the refu ge zone in time after release. And a fis h tha t does purge its bladder but is unable to refill it rapidly will sink below the refuge zone to an oxygen-deficient region and die.

As a result of this study, Colorado policy makers will debate t'.he need for changes in fishing regulations for lake trout during the warmer months.

Maine's fisheries chief, Peter Bourque, reminds Maine's togue anglers th at the Colorado findings are very applicable to Mai ne lake trout, especially in marginal lake trou t wa ters du ring prolonged warm spells. Our

open wa ter fishing regulations address this issue with respect to togue. In the section on proper release of fish, it reads: "lake trout (togue) often have expanded air bladders after being pulled up rapidly from deep water. If the belly appears exp anded, gently press your thumb along the stomach near the paired belly fins and move your thumb forward a few times to remove air from the bladder."

According to a story by Bob Good of the Denver Post, fishery resea rch recently completed in Colorado contains strong evidence that" in some years, virtually all la ke trout caught and released by anglers at Lake Granby during certa in combined warm water and oxygen cond itions will die."

Good reports that the study's findings ca n be projected to other lake trou t habitat when similar thermal and oxygen stra tifica tion occur. Good writes: "Du ring late summer and early fa ll, lake tro ut seek refuge in colder wa ters fo und in deeper regions of the lake. When lake wa ters stra tify in thermal layers, the difference between refuge and d isaster may only be a matter of a few feet. In the Lake Granby study, trout entering these deep water dead zones d ied rap-

Help Us Stop Maine's Fish 8 Wildlife Law Violators

Sportsmen Share Bounty The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and the Maine Chapter of Safari International are working together to channel a portion of mea t from this year's hunting season to feed the hungry. In addition to distribu ting meat to soup ki tchens and other charitable organizations, some game will be given to nursing homes to share with those who are no longer able to hunt b ut still enjoy wild game.

The Sportsmen Against Hunger Campaign i national in scope. Efforts are underway to establish a collection and distribution network among rod and gun clubs and sporting groups throughout Maine. The meat is req uired to be cut, wrapped, and labeled by professional meat processors. According to Shirley Fielder, recent past president and project coordinator, "The intent is to distribute the meat in an area where it is harvested. This will maximize the benefits of the hunting directly in the community where it takes place."

For more information, call: Shirley Fielder (207)-655-7359 or Sandy Hosmer (207) 353-6547.

Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

â&#x20AC;˘ 284 State Street

â&#x20AC;˘ Augusta ME 04333

Give A Sporting Chance ...

AND preserve landowner relations!

A Maine Supersport license is the perfect gift for those special people in your life who enjoy hunting and fishing. And in 1996, for the first time, the Supersport is available to anglers as well as hunters.

Most outdoor recreation in Maine depends on access to privately owned land. This key to our outdoor heritage must be preserved by maintaining relationships between those who own the land and those who use it.

Your Supersport contribution will help support landowner relations programs to ensure a future of sporting recreation. Supersports receive a colorful decal-and a one-year subscription to MAINE FISH AND

WILDLIFE Magazine.

The first 5,000 Supersport buyers will also receive a copy of the Department watchable wildlife guide. Ask about Supersport when you buy your license. Maine residents can buy one wherever licenses are sold, including many sporting outlets across the state. Nonresident hunters and anglers may obtain a Supersport license at these outlets as well, or through the mail from:

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife 284 State Street, 41 State House Station Augusta ME 04333 You can even buy a Supersport add-on for someone else's license-a perfect gift for someone who 's already purchased a sporting license. Ask for details.