Maine Fish and Wildlife Magazine, Winter 1997

Maine State Library

Maine State Documents Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Magazine

Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

12-1-1997

Maine Fish and Game Magazine, Winter 1997 Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalmaine.com/ifw_magazine Recommended Citation Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, "Maine Fish and Game Magazine, Winter 1997" (1997). Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Magazine. Book 172. http://digitalmaine.com/ifw_magazine/172

This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife at Maine State Documents. It has been accepted for inclusion in Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Magazine by an authorized administrator of Maine State Documents. For more information, please contact statedocs@maine.gov.

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MAINE

FISH AND WILDLIFE •

fvlAl'NE STATE LIBRARY LIBRARY JSc c:~LY

WINTER 1997

EDITORIAL

by Dr. Dave Samuel, Conservation Editor Bowhunter Magazine

Kids Shouldn't Hunt?

More than ever, young people need to get into the woods. There are many forms of outdoor recreation that kids can do in nature, but the oldest traditional activity in nature is hunting.

We know that ethical hunting teaches character, self-esteem, patience and cooperation. In addition, it teaches children the realities of life and death. In his book In Defense of Hunting, author Jim Swan suggests that" one of the main causes of the violence and lack of value for human life among children today must be their loss of first-hand contact with the life-and-death processes of nature."

At a time when kids need the values they can learn in the woods, the Fund For Animals is making a major push to stop state and federal government youth hunting and hunter education classes. Twenty-six states sponsor youth hunts. These actvities are good for kids. They should be encouraged.

AINE FISH AND WILDLIFE

:NE

~ILDLIFE VOL. 39, NO. 4

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

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2

by V. Paul Reynolds

·ide

4

by Ken Warner

e same as in summer, but through the ice

8

by Lisa Kane & Gerry Lavigne

(ion just by taking measurements?

12 14 1 of

by Lisa Kane

North!

15

by V. Paul Reynolds

:hin '!

18

by Gary Anderson

·e to get more answers

20 n services to blow their own horns

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23

by Charles Hulsey

p the animals that inhabit your acres

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FISH AND WILDLIFE

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

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SPECIAL HALF-PRICE OFFEB.! · D 1 year only $9 D a years only $18 D Payment enclosed

by V. Paul Reynolds

their own ranks to make their sport safer

21

by Butch Carey

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28 •f his youthful trapping days, Lted this watercolor. inks on recyclable paper

EDITORIAL

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Kie

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

MAINE

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

More than ever, young • outdoor recreation that kj nature is hunting.

We know that ethical h1 tion. In addition, it teachE fense of Hunting, author Ji: and lack of value for hurr contact with the life-and-, At a time when kids nei mals is making a major F hunter education classes. are good for kids. They sl

Place Sta.mp Here

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

MAINE

FISH AND WILDLIFE Governor Angus S. King, Jr.

Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Lee Perry. Commissioner Frederick B. Hurley, Jr., Director.

Bureau of Resource Management Richard Record. Director.

Bureau of Administrative Services Parker K. Tripp, Director.

Bureau of Warden Service

WINTER1997

VOL. 39, NO. 4

Features 2

The Crie Legacy

Our editor visits, and visits with, Maine 's oldest guide

Winter Sport Fishing Surveys

4

by Ken Warner

What do fisheries biologists do in winter? Much the same as in summer, but through the ice

8

"Have Calipers, Will Travel! "

Advisory Council Stanley D. Milton . A ndover

by V. Pau l R eyno lds

by L isa Kane & Gerry Lavigne

How much can we find out about our deer population just by taking measurements?

Chairman Charles F. Beck, Presque Isle

Vice Chairman Millard A. Wardwell, Penobscot F. Dale Speed. Princeton Richard A. Neal. E. Lebanon Ellen N. Peters, New Gloucester Russell E. Dyer, Bowdoinham Lila Ware. Skowhegan Harold Brown. Bangor A. David Trahan, Wa ldoboro Maine Fish and Wildlife Magazine V. Paul Reynolds. Editor Thomas L. Carbone. Photo Edi tor V. Paul Reynolds. Advertising All photographs in this issue were made by the Public Information & Education Division unless otherwise indicated.

Maine's Moose Auction The lowdown on how to sign up, what you get

12 if you win, and who benefits

Declination Dilemma

14

by L isa Kane

Maine outdoorswomen sort of "invent " a new kind of North!

Pickerel Passion

15

by V. Paul Reynolds

Rediscover the chain pickerel-it 's not just for catch in '!

Flying With Firearms

18

by Gary Anderson

How to pack 'em .. .how to check 'em in . . .and where to get more answers

Outdoor Roster

20

A chance for providers of Maine outdoor recreation services to blow their own horns

Managing Woodlands For Wildlife

23

by Charles Hulsey

A selected list of reading materials to help you help the animals that inhabit your acres MAINE FISH AND WllDUFE (ISSN 0360-00SX) is published quarterly by the Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. 284 State Street, Station 41.

Augusta, Maine 04330. under Appropriation 01009A-0529. Subscription rate: $ 18.00 per year. No stamps, please. Preferred Periodicals postage paid at Augusta, Maine and at additional mailing offices.

•!:; Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. 1997.

Permission to reprint text material is granted, pro· vided proper credit is given to the author and to MAINE FISH AND WllDUFE. Clearance must be obtained from artists. photographers. and non-staff authors to reproduce credited work.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Send both old and new addresses to Circulation Section. MAINE FISH AND WllDUFE Magazine, 284 State St., 41 State Hse. Sta., Augusta ME 04333. Please allow six weeks for changes to take effect. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to Circulation Section.

MAINE FISH AND WllDUFE, 284 State St.. 41 State Hse. Sta .. Augusta, Maine 04333.

QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR SUBSCRIPTION? Just call toll·free 1-800-288-8387 Tne Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife receives federal funds from the U.S. Department of the Interior Accordingly, all department programs and activities must be operated free from discrimination with regard to race. color, national origin, age, or handicap. Any person who believes that he or she has been discriminated against should write to The Office of Equal Opportunity. U.S. Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240 magdzine design & prepre;s by graphitl belfa,t me 04915

The Freedom And Future Rests Witb All Of Us!

24

by V. Paul Reyno lds

Snowmobilers acknowledge that they must police their own ranks to make their sport safer

Gray Wolf Alert

27

What to watch for ... how to identify a wolf in the wild .. .and who to tell about it

Departments KID-BITS

t6

RECIPE CORNER

19

FROM THE FLY TYING BENCH: Yellow Ghost

21

FISH AND WILDLIFE BRIEFS

28

by Butch Carey

The Front Cover: From recollections of his youthful trapping days, Camden artist Dan Daly created this watercolor.

...*'·

Printed with vegetabl e-based •

..,

1l

inks on recyclable paper

Maine's Oldest Guide

The Crie Legacy Story and photos by V. Paul Reynolds

At

age 93, registered Maine guide Ernest K. Crie bills himself as "Maine's oldest living registered guide." So far, no other elder outdoorsman has stepped forward to challenge Crie' s claim. One has only to glance at the Crie business card to know that this gentle man from Rockland wouldn't trifle with the truth: A morning visit with Ernie at his home on Summer Street in Rockland is visual testament to at least one of his claims. "Master Craftsman," indeed! The Crie homestead is furnished with finely crafted chairs and tables built by Ernie. One of the rooms overflows with enumerable Crie creations: ash packbaskets, birch containers of every size and shape, hand-fashioned brooms and assorted utensils made from wood. "I can't imagine that one person lived long enough to make all of this stuff," says the old guide, who seems genuinely amazed, not only about his own longevity, but his lifelong inclination to make things with his hands.

Ernie Crie was born in Rockland of Scottish ancestry.

Great-grandfather Hiram H. Crie and brother Robert found themselves serving as "volunteer crewmen" aboard a British naval vessel after a drinking bout at a Scottish pub. Hiram and Robert eventually found their way to some islands off Rockland,

2

Maine Fish and Wildlife

where they raised sheep for a time. "Grandfather Crie became lonesome on Ragged island," recounts Ernie, "and he rowed all the way to Matinicus one windless afternoon after having spotted through his glass a frilly underthing hanging to dry on a Matinicus clothesline."

The rest-according to Ernie-is Crie history.

ERNEST K. CRIE "HONEST ERNEST"

Master Craftsman OFFICIAL MAINE GUIDE

Storyteller Extraordlnalre • (207) 594.4893 • 14 SUMMER ST. • ROCKLAND, ME 04841 -:

Born just 11 months after his brother Hiram, Ernie grew up feeling at times unwanted. "I was a misfit and I learned to go it alone: the outdoors with its solitude held a natural attraction for me," he recalls.

Crie headed for the woods right after high school graduation in 1922. A Penobscot Indian invited him to live off the land from September until that Christmas. Together, they trapped muskrat, gathered ash and made baskets in the Nicatous Lake area, which was to become Ernie's favorite outdoor stomping ground for many year to come. From Peter Ranco, a Penobscot Indian, Ernie

learned well the fine art of making handsome packbaskets, as well as the fabrication of the handmade tools needed to prepare the ash into thin, but strong, workable strips.

Along the way, Ernie married his childhood sweetheart, Mildred, and worked a regular job at the family hardware store in Rockland. His love and knowledge of the outdoors persisted. A local game warden, Bill Snow, became a close friend. In those days before paperwork and processes, there was no formal procedure for becoming a Maine guide: a warden's approval was the only prerequisite. "Bill took me out into the field to test my outdoor skills," recalls Crie. "For a couple of weekends, we went to the woods and Bill checked me out on map and compass, knots and such and then had me cook him a full course meal over an open fire. He said he was impressed with my outdoor skills, but that my cooking still wasn't quite up to snuff! This went on for a month." A natural storyteller, Crie pauses in prolonged reflection to see if the interviewer is beginning to get the drift.

A smile spreads slowly across his weathered face. "Yup, you guessed it," Crie muses. "My biscuits were good, too good. I began to catch on after awhile."

The author is editor of Maine Fish and Wildlife Magazine. h ti p://www .state.me. u s/i fw/h omepage. h tm I

As a registered guid e, Ernie took his friends year after year to his favorite Nicatous area for deer hunting and fishing. He is proud of the fact that he never charged a centfor guiding. He did it for the love of the outdoors and the friendships he formed.

Taught the art of basketmaking as a young man, Ernie Crie demonstrates the technique of separating the ash strips.

Among his convictions born of almost a century outdoors:

• At a hunting camp, the cook is "always the top dog. That's why I learned to cook."

• Red and white bucktails make the best flies for trout and salmon.

• The best deer rifle calibers are .30-30, 300 Savage and .3006.

• "A good, rich gravy" is always a surefire way to keep men happy at a hunting camp.

• Never go home the same way you came. Take a different way, you'll see more that way.

• Always park headed out.

• Leave the camping place better than you found it.

One of Maine 's oldest registered guides, Ernie Crie guided not for the money, but for the friendships and the pure fun of it. http://www.s ta te. me. u s/i fw /homepage . h tm I

Ernie Crie. Master Craftsmen.

Official Maine Guide. Storyteller Extraordinaire. "Honest Ernest," born in 1904, will be 94 years old this January. So far, not a soul has asked Ernie to teach them the finer points of making ash baskets. A pity, huh?

• W111ter 1997

3

by Ken Warner ost ice fishermen begin to gather their gear together shortly after the hunting season is over to be sure that they have everything ready before opening day. This is usually at about freeze-up" for Class A waters (warm water fisheries) and January 1 for cold water fish.

Fishery biologists follow suit in order to perform their annual winter angler checks.

There are three general types of winter surveys. The standard survey is designed statistically to derive an estimate of total catch by species and total angler effort.

This usually entails surveying one weekend day and two weekdays per week. Biologists, on foot or snowsleds, interview anglers on the ice and obtain data on time fished, catch by species, lengths, weights, and missing fins (hatchery fish).

4

Maine Fis!, and W1 /dlife

Spot check surveys are done mainly to obtain information on fish and catch/effort. Data gathered on fish are the same as those gathered in the standard surveys. Total catch and effort estimates cannot be made with ispot checki surveys.

Aerial surveys are conducted solely to obtain estimates of angler effort (use). Using statistical design, angler counts are expanded to a total use estimate for the total winter season.

Winter angler surveys are designed to answer the proverbial question: "How's the fishing on Skunk Lake?" To answer this question, we need to gather data on fish and fishing that was mentioned previous! y. We need to know how many fish of each species were caught-their ages, growth rate, and catch rates-so

As the day draws to a close, a youthful ice angler checks in line while dad looks on. we can assess the general health of the populations and the quality of the fisheries that they provide.

Biologists are also on the lookout for fish with one or more fins missing. These are hatcheryreared fish that have been fin clipped prior to stocking. Evaluation of fin-clipped fish tells us the success of each year's stocking, age composition of the catch of stocked fish, and their growth and survival.

The winter of 1997, at least January and February, like most Maine winters, was very unusual.

Mild temperatures and rain made for very treacherous ice conditions. Only coves and shore areas were frozen on many water during the first part of January, http://www.sta te. me. us/i fw/home page.html

resulting in light fishing pressure.

February saw some colder weather, but often with intervening thaws and rain. Icy snow and/ or slush conditions on northern Maine lakes also inhibited anglers in February. This report does not cover March conditions or fisheries, but usually pressure and fishing quality are lighter then.

In southern Maine (Region A), catch rate and size of togue in Sebago Lake appears to be down, but several fish from 10 to 13 pounds were checked. Use was down due to poor ice conditions and lower catch rates.

Sabbathday and Crystal lakes showed slow fishing, but brown trout growth was good in Crystal.

Thompson Lake was surveyed to evaluate landlocked salmon and togue fisheries and new regulations. Catch rates were down, and use was low, but fish condition was good. Smelt abundance was good as well.

In addition, routine surveys to evaluate their fisheries were down on Barker Pond, Mousam Lake, Keoka Lake, and Bryant Pond . Spot checks were also done on several other waters.

In central Maine (Region B), four waters were surveyed to compare stocking results from fall yearling and large spring yearling brown trout. Those waters are Salmon, McGrath, and Togus ponds, and China Lake.

The best results were in China , where 52 brown trout checked averaged 17 inches and 1.7 pounds.

Results of routine stockings of brown trout were evaluated in Big Indian, Cobbossee, Biscay, Pemaquid ponds and Androscoggin Lake. In the latter lake, brown trout were jawtagged during fall trapnetting in h ttp://www.state.me. us/i fw/homepage.html

All in a day's work! An unidentified angler shows off a very formidable bass taken in one of the Belgrade Lakes, not far from Maine 's capital city.

1995 and 1996. To date in 1997, five or six tagged browns have been reported.

Sabattus Lake was surveyed to gather data on the growing northern pike population, which is a result of an illegal introduction. To da te, 583 anglers have been checked; they caught 320 pike averaging 24.6 inches long and 4.1 pounds.

In Down east waters (Region C), Long Pond (Mt. Desert) was surveyed to evaluate salmon use, harvest, and effects of fishing regulations. Salmon growth and condition are poor. Smelt eggs will be planted to bolster the smelt population.

Tunk Lake was surveyed to evaluate use harvest, and effects of regulations changes. Ca tch rate of legal-size (23 inches) togue has improved; anglers voluntarily released about 75% of the legal togue caught.

Alligator Lake has a special 16to 20-inch slot limit on salmon.

Surveys to date have shown the catch to be poor.

In West Grand Lake, fishing has very good for 20- to 22-inch togue; one togue had 98 smelts (2 to 21 / 4 inches) in its stomach.

Salmon fishing has been unusually slow, but the fish are in good condition.

In general, catch rates in waters in western Maine (Region D) have

been good this winter. Use was low during the first few weeks due to poor ice conditions.

Clearwater and Porter lakes were surveyed to evaluate their wild togue fisheries and effectiveness of the slot limit (one fish 1418 inches and one greater than 18 inches). Catch rates were good, and this regulation appears to be effective in thinning out young togue and reducing pressure on the larger ones. Wilson Lake's wild togue fishing was evaluated in the presence of a slot limit and landlocked alewives, which are providing forage resulting in better growth.

Fisheries in Wesserunsett, Embden, Wentworth, and Baker were also evaluated by surveys.

In the Moosehead Region (Region E), surveys were done on Moosehead, Big Wood, Piper and Sebec lakes.

Big Wood Pond's winter fishery was surveyed to evaluate performance of salmon and splake stocked in the same water, to evaluate spring yearling brook trout stocked in 1996, and to evaluate effects of fishing regulations. Salmon fishing improved slightly this year, though growth remains below objectives. With The author is Fishery Management Supervisor for the department's research section in Bangor.

Winter 1997

5

only Age ill and older fish available in the fishery, the splake catch rate decreased as expected. Advanced spring yearling brook trout were stocked in Big Wood in June 1996 to replace the spring yearling splake that had been scheduled but not available. These trout contributed to the winter fishery, but they fell short of replacing splake that would have been stocked in 1996 had the fish been available.

At Moosehead Lake in January, the 372 anglers interviewed caught the following legal size gamefish: brook trout (28), togue (171), salmon (18, inches+, 7), and cusk (42). The 1997 catch compared with the average for 199596 were: brook trout (90%), togue (60%), salmon (119%), and cusk (341 %) . These figures will change when February and March data are compiled and analyzed.

Catch rates on Sebec Lake were lower than usual, average lengths of togue and salmon are about the same, but fishing pressure was higher.

At Piper Pond, use on this splake water was very high during the first part of January, and catch rates were high. There were few older splake in the catch in 1997.

Region F (north central Maine) surveyed Schoodic Lake to evaluate effects of change in stocking and fishing regulations.

Fishing pressure was low except for the ice fishing derby in February. Catch rates have been good for togue, and condition (robustness) has improved dramatically.

West Lake was surveyed to evaluate the effects of special salmon regulations (two salmon with a minimum length of 14 inches-but only one salmon more than 18 inches). Fishing pressure

6

Maine Fish and Wildlife

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When carefully filleted and deep fried to perfection, these pickerel- taken through the ice-make for action-packed winter recreation and fine eating. (Check out page 15 for more on the passion of the chain pickerel-catching, cleaning, cooking, the whole works!) was lower than usual; most of the lake was not frozen on opening day. Catch rates have been good.

Nicatous, Duck, and Pistol lakes and Spring Pond were also surveyed.

Aerial surveys (angler counts) were made on several lakes in the eastern section of Region F. Angler activity has been less than normal, probably because of unusual winter weather.

January-February use in Region E in the Far North has generally been lower than normal because of poor ice/weather conditions. Total winter use will probably remain low for most lakes, because of deep snow and slush conditions.

In the Fish River Chain, Cross, Long, Square, Eagle, and St. Froid lakes were surveyed in winter 1997. In these lakes except for Long and St. Froid, use was lower than normal. Salmon growth rates were below optimum in Cross, Long, and Square but stable in Eagle and St. Froid.

Salmon catch rates in Square

remain very high. Several threeto six-pound salmon were taken in Long. Eagle Lake togue growth remains excellent.

In Allagash waters: at Big Eagle Lake, use, and average size of togue were down. Chuchill Lake showed lower use, but stable brook trout catch rates.

Surveys were also down on Spider and Clear lakes.

At Squa Pan Lake, use and catch rates were lower than in 1996 for brook trout, splake, and salmon.

In southern Aroostook, Drews and Nickerson lakes use was lower than in 1996, probably due to ice/weather conditions. Brown trout catch rates and growth remain very good in Drews.

In summary, in JanuaryFebruary, 1997, angler use was lower than usual in most Maine lakes, mainly because of weather and ice conditions, and catch rates were generally lower than usual. But take heart! This means that there are still a lot of fish left out there! • http ://www .state .me . us/ifw/homepage.h tml

In Maine, only Supersports

can wear this hat! and it's ortlY

$

This high-quality, forest green hat-made of blended wool & acrylic-is available 0/VLY to licensed 1998 Maine Supersports ... and at our cost! With the embroidered Fish and Wildlife logo, this cap would retail for $20. But licensed 1998 Supersports can purchase one of these hats for only $8, plus postage and handling.* Check out these features: • • • • •

Embroidered IF&W logo Seven-stitch visor Forest green-wool & acrylic blend Adjustable snap back Produced exclusively for IF&W by a Maine company

Become a Supersport! It's not just about the hat! (see back cover for details) • Upon purchase of a 1998 supersport hunting or fishing license, new Supersports will receive a special mailing card for ordering this exclusive Supersport headwear.

http://www. state.me.us/if w /homepage.html

Winter 1997

7

•• ave

aliper or

HHere~s why our wildlife biologists want to look at your deer!H

Get

in the truck and drive; that's what many IFW wildlife biologists are up to for a large part of the month of November, the regular firearms season on deer. They are out working their 'deer data routes', driving hundreds of miles to collect important data on harvested deer at deer lockers and processors throughout the state. They are recording ages, sex, body weights and antler beam diameters to evaluate the condition of the herd and estimate recruitment levels - or the number of fawns born annually to replace losses from the harvest, and other factors. This information helps wildlife biologists determine if the deer herd in a given Wildlife Management District (WMD) has reached the desired population level, and if the Maine herd overall is growing, declining, or stable.

Many deer hunters take their deer to local butchers for processing. These deer locker operators set aside deer heads so

8

Maine Fish a11d Wildl,fe

by Lisa Kane and Gerry Lavigne biologists can look at teeth to determine each deer's age class (fawn, yearling, adult), measure antler beam diameters in yearling bucks, and note the sex of each deer examined. Biologists' goals are to check over 25% of the deer harvested annually, approximately 6000-7000 animals. Two-thirds of the deer checked come from contacts with meat-cutters; the remainder are checked at tagging stations, roadside check stations, and visits to sporting camps and homes. Biologists visit most of the lockers on their routes at least every other day throughout November. Meat processors aid biologists in data collection by holding deer parts that would otherwise immediately be discarded. They do it for no dollar return, but receive many thanks from the Department.

Without their cooperation, collection of this necessary deer data would be difficult, if not impossible; and it's this data that contributes to the determi-

nation of next year's deer harvest goals and distribution of anydeer permits in each WMD. Spending time at the local butcher's is a good way for regional biologists to meet and talk with hunters in their regions.

After stopping to chat with a hunter who had just dropped off a 200 pound buck for processing, and learning at the same time that some wild turkeys are causing problems in a nearby farmer's silage bunker, a regional biologist typically starts to examine over 30 fawn, yearling, and adult doe and buck heads that have been set aside by the 'cutter'. Experience quickens this lengthy process. A deer's teeth indicate its age; fawns Lisa Kane is a natural science educator for MDIF&W and Gerry Lavigne is Maine's deer biologist.Thanks also to Keel Kemper and Rusty Dyke, regional wildlife biologists, for their help in assembling this article. h ttp://www.state .me . us/ifw/hom epage .h tml

avel'' Wildlife biologists equipped with data sheets, calipers, and a sharp knife examine over 6,000 deer statewide during the regular firearms season.

don't have room for all their back teeth, or molars; yearlings are replacing their molars; adults have a full set of molars and the teeth are generally worn and more stained. If it cannot be determined whether the animal http://www.state.me. us/i fw/homepage.h tm I

is a yearling or an adult, a tooth is taken and sent to the Wildlife Resource Assessment Lab in Bangor. There, biologists take cross-sections of the tooth, and under a microscope, count the number of rings to correctly age

the deer. Knowing the relative number of young vs. older deer in the harvest enables biologists to estimate the size of Maine's deer herd. The age distribution of bucks and does in the herd also allows deer managers to calculate vital statistics such as year-long mortality rate, the importance of hunting vs. other losses, and the availability of trophy-age bucks in the herd.

Biologists need to know if the deer herd is in balance with its food supply. Each year, the deer themselves provide the answers.

You see, the old adage "you are what you eat" is very true for white-tails! When deer become too numerous, they over-browse their best groceries, and then have to rely on less nutritious foods. Undernourished deer, particularly fawns and yearlings, will show poor body size, and in the case of a yearling buck, stunted antler growth for its first set of "horns".

The first set of antlers on a yearling (18 months old) buck may range from tiny spikes to well-formed, six, eight, or even Winter 1997

9

Which of these racks are from yearling bucks?

Believe it or not, all of them were taken from 1 1/2 year old bucks.

ten point racks. It all depends on whether that youngster had plenty to eat or not (and a little bit of good genetic stock!).

Biologists capitalize on the antler size-food connections in deer to evaluate how well the local herd is foraging within existing habitat conditions. Among the 7000 deer they check, biologists measure the antlers of more than 1500 yearling bucks. Within any given district, if the average antler size of young bucks is below par, there are too many deer for the available habitat.

However, when yearlings average larger racks, the herd is wellnourished - and maybe could be encouraged to increase.

Body weights of fawns and yearlings examined are also of interest to biologists. These younger deer are generally outcompeted by the larger adults for food. If fawns and yearlings show average or high body weights, biologists can infer that the food supply within a particulQ

Maine Fish and Wild /1/e

lar WMD is adequate or abundant; thus indicating that the habitat is not yet saturated with deer and could tolerate population increases.

If a doe reaches a roadside check station or a meat locker relatively intact, her udder is checked for signs of milk. Fawns are completely weaned by midAugust, but the doe maintains a little milk to preserve the maternal bond with her young. Her fawn(s) will continue to nurse periodically into December. If a dry doe is killed during the November hunt, she produced no fawns that year or they were otherwise lost. Checking does for evidence of successfully rearing fawns provides biologists with much-needed data on how well the herd may be replacing losses to hunting, and all other mortality. When annual fawn production exceeds adult losses, the herd grows. The reverse situation causes the population to decline. Variations

in annual fawn survival to recruitment (or replacement) age in autumn has a major influence on the number of doe permits which can be issued in each WMD. All this information and more is entered into a computer database by IFW personnel in Augusta. How many mature bucks and does, fawns and yearlings were taken? How does this compare to last year's harvest in this district? How mild or severe was the winter?

Are the numbers of fawns increasing or decreasing as replacements for losses in the herd? Did yearling bucks show poor, average or exceptional antler development? Have the deer population objectives for this area been reached? Are deer becoming a nuisance in the district by getting hit by cars. raiding gardens and agricultural operations or contributing to increases in Lyme disease in area humans? These and other queshttp://www.sta te. me. us/i fw/homepage.h tm I

tions are discussed when the deer biologist meets with regional biologists to draft recommendations to increase, decrease, or stabilize the herd within each district for next year's hw1ting season. Numbers of Any-Deer permits for each district are issued based on these determinations.

If you' re bringing in this year's deer to be processed for your freezer, and meet up with a wildlife biologist armed with a sharp knife, antler calipers, and da ta sheets, now you know why and what they're up to - collecting the information that will improve your chances for a deer next fall.

Deer Harvest One of Highest Thanks to nearly ideal hunting conditions and an expanding deer population in most areas, Maine's November 1998 harvest was the highest in 17 years.

The preliminary total of registered deer-30,800-is higher than predicted by Maine Deer Biologist Gerry Lavigne. Since 1980, this figure has been surpassed only twice: 1981 hunters tagged 32,167 whitetails, and in 1980, tagging stations checked 37,255 animals.

Final numbers must await a thorough analysis of registration books, as well as the results of the December black powder season, this year's harvest was well ahead of last year's deer kill, 28,375.

According to Lavigne: "bucks were abundant in central and southern Maine, with 2, 3 and 4 1/ 2 year olds especially well represented." Lavigne added that this is a reflection of the excellent survival among young deer following recent very mild winters in most of the state. The total of bucks taken is expected to exceed last year's record of 19,000.

Biologists who checked nearly 8,000 tagged deer found them to be well-fattened from a bumper crop of apples, good fall herbage and acorns.

It was expected that despite ideal tracking conditions for black powder hunters, snow accumulations exceeding a foot likely discouraged some from trudging much through the woods. By late November, deer in many areas were already bunching up near their yarding areas.

:J 'Z# :tt 't# :sewwana s6uuJea). %0t :saAJea %BZ :SMO:) %OZ :suns %Bt' :,,new asoow Jaaa ·i, :noq/Je:J ·e :Jt/3 :asoow ·t :aie1n6un tBlU aweN

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Antler beam diameters are measured with an instrument called a caliper. http://www.s ta te . me . us/i fw /horn epage .html

S~3MSN'I S118·01)t Winter 1997

11

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•Trophy bulls •Seven zones covering 20,000 square miles •Herd estimated at 30,000 •Hunt with handguns, muzzleloaders, bow and arrow, or conventional firearm •Recent kills listed in Boone & Crockett and Pope & Young 12

Maine Fish and Wildlife

http://www .s tate.me.u s /ifw/homepage.html

Traditionally, Maine's annual moose season has been an early fall hunt mostly for Maine residents lucky enough to win a permit in the spring lottery and for a few even luckier nonresidents.

Next fall a select few will join the October moose hunt in the N orth Woods because they were willing to pay for the privilege. And support a worthy cause as well!

All revenues generated by Maine's Moose Permit Auction w ill provide youth conservation education scholarships in Maine.

Conservation School Plans include sending more than 200 Maine youngsters to the Maine summer conservation school at Bryant Pond and elsewhere. During these programs, youngsters ages 12 through 14 take part in a wide array of classroom and outdoor activities including wildlife identification, boating safety, firearms handling, hunter safety, and map and compass work.

On average, three Boone and Crockett bulls are taken each year in Maine.

Competitive Bidding When Maine's 17th annual moose hunt gets underway next October, five of the 2,000 hunters with state permits will have acquired those permits -not through the customary spring Moose Lottery-but through a competitive bidding process called the 1998 Maine Moose Permit Auction.

New legislation allows the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to publicly auction five moose hunting permits to the highest bidder. All proceeds from this permit auction will be used to support youth conservation education in Maine.

Alces alces americana According to state game biologists, Maine's expanding moose population is estimated at a minimum of 30,000. During the last five limited moose seasons, the

You can obtain an 11" x 14" color print of this photograph

by BIii Sllllker, Jr. • matted and ready for framing ....... $39.95 • print only ........................................ $29.95 • &hipping ......................................... $ 3.00 (Maine residents please add 6% sales tax) Send a check or money order to: BIii Sllllker, Jr. Wlldllfe & Nature Photography

P. O. Box 7106 Ocean Park ME 04063

http ://www.state.me. us/i fw/homepage.html

success ra te for hunters has been about 90 percent.

During the 1995 season, 1,304 moose were taken by moose permit holders. At least 80 percent of the 1995 kill were adult bulls and several weighed in excess of 1,000 pounds. Trophy racks are not uncommon. During the last two Boone and Crockett reporting periods, four Maine moose have been listed with scores ranging from 1911 /8 to 200 7 /8.

The highest score for a moose taken in Maine during the past 10 years was 214.

The Season During the moose season in early October, hunters holding valid moose permits and their designated subpermittees may hunt Alces alees a111ericana in one of seven Northern Maine zones, which cover about 20 000 square miles. Successful bidders may select the hunting zone of their choice.

Of special note to prospective bidders: Maine is one of a few states in the country that permit the hunting of moose with shotgun, handgun, muzzle-loader or bow and arrow, as well as conventional rifle.

11

In one recent season, six Boone and Crockett bulls were registered following an October hunt.

Deadline The bidding period will be from December 16, 1996 to March 31, 1997. Applicants must submit written applications along with a nonrefundable $25 bidding fee.

Only bids submitted using an official bid package provided by the Department will be acceptable. Bid packages may be obtained by writing or calling: Moose Auction, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, State House Station #41, Augusta, Maine 04333, telephone 207-287-5207.

Bids must be received by 5 p.m. March 31, 1997. Bids will be opened April 3, 1997.

Successful bidders will be contacted by certified mail and will be given 30 days to submit bid payment and select a moose hunting zone.

Winter 1997

13

The Deelination Dilemma

by Lisa Kane instructor for Becoming an Would you believe .....

Outdoorswoman, at his range in Recently, this under-reported fact Warren. Robin had heard about was circulated at the last Becoming an this underwire situation, and Outdoors-Woman workshop in asked Kathy about it for the Camden, and we thought others Magnetic benefit of the class as they might like to know about it.

North were reviewing the basics It seems that Warden Sgt. Roger of compass work.

Guay was in the midst of teaching Kathy '-onfirmed his popular Map and Compass that it was true, the course to an enthusiastic bunch compass went off of Outdoors-Woman when about 20-25' if one Dale Clark, a clerk from was wearing an Warden Service in the underwire Augusta office bra, but she (always a really didn't troublemaker), want to demonlobbed a question at strate the mechanics for Roger. She had recently read the whole class. Later, she an article reporting that agreed to show just Robin, underwire bras threw the comand as Robin tells it, his eyes pass off by up to 20' when the just about popped out of his compass was held too close to the head! Apparently, that compass center of a body equipped with that swung from East to West as Kathy item. Well Roger, smooth as he is, positioned it left or right of center. figured that watches throw compasses So, women take note! When off, truck hoods throw compasses off, you're out in the willywags and so why not an underwire? He quickly depending on your compass to moved on. guide you; remember that what Kathy Chamberlain, Warden Service you're wearing may effect the dispatcher in Sidney, was participating accuracy of your readings. Hold in that class, and reports observing the compass directly at the center many of the women quietly testing of your body, and several inches (and evidently verifying!) this possibilaway. You don't have to extend the ity, but there didn't seem to be much compass all the way out at arm's more discussion about it. length, but steadying it by holding Kathy was so inspired by her it in tight to your ribs will change Outdoorswoman weekend that she the reading if you're wearing an went right on to take a Hunter Safety underwire. â&#x20AC;˘ course with Robin Overlock, the riflery The author is the department's natural science educator.

14

Mai11e Fi,!, n11d Wildlife

http://www.state.me.us/i fw/homepage. h tm I

Pa.ss\o{' ··

by V. Paul Reynolds They say first impressions are lasting. Not so, though, with fish. Take the chain pickerel. By rights I should loathe and fear this voracious, torpedo-like predator. But that's not the case. In fact, I love 'em! Let me explain.

I met my first pickerel as a four-year-old angler, and we didn't get off to a good start. My father introduced me to old, toothy Esocidae one overcast July afternoon at George's Pond near Franklin. To entertain me, while he was casting a plug for bass, Dad dropped my line on the bottom with a small yellow perch attached. Long story short: the Mother of All Chain Pickerel became impaled on my hook.

We decided to keep the fish 'cause it was cheap groceries, and Dad had been recently put out of work.

But when he attempted to boat this invader from the weeds, I screamed, and so Dad elected to tow Jaws back to camp.

Time passed. I learned to love fishing for just about every fish Maine had to offer, save pickerel. Then I started taking my four-year-old boy ice fishing. To keep him interested after the hot dogs were gone, I began, somewhat reluctantly, to focus on pickerel. It worked. Scotty took to it. Together we raced from flag to flag. In fact, the fast action began to grow on us both and my childhood pickerel aversion quickly faded.

The eating challenge remained, though. In our family, one never catches or kills anything that isn't consumed. And yet the Lord-it would seem-did not intend for man to feast on these bone-laden fishes.

Those wispy, long bones have discouraged many a fish eater who decided that getting throat-speared by a sneaky fish bone was too big a price to pay for a mouthful of sweet meat. Nevertheless, through trial and error and with the help of some preparation tips from my Medford guide & friend Doug Russell, we http://www.sta te. me. us/ifw/h omepage.h tm I

eventually adopted and fine-tuned a surefire way to cook and eat pickerel free of bone-choking anxiety.

Here's what you do: 1. Take a sharp fillet knife and carefully slice off both fillets from the pickerel leaving the skin attached to the meat.

2. Scrape off the brunt of the larger scales (But don't work to hard at this).

3. Turn the fillet over on a cutting board, meat side up.

Using a razor sharp fillet knife start at one end of the fillet and draw the blade across the flesh until it reaches the underlying skin. Continue to make vertical cuts across the fillet. Space the cuts about one-half inch apart. Then turn the fillet and make a series of horizontal slices similarly spaced. What you are doing, in effect, is criss-crossing the cuts and making a cube-steak of pickerel meat with the skin still attached and uncut.

4. Place the cubed fillets in a refrigerator dish and pour over them a cup or so of evaporated milk. Let this set for an hour or so.

5. Remove fillets from dish and roll in your favorite fish batter (A mixture of well-peppered flour and corn meal will do fine).

6. Place the battered fillets flesh down in a skillet coated with a generous layer of cooking oil (olive oil is best) and cook until both sides are golden brown.

7. Remove and drain well on paper towels. Serve hot.

Lot of work? Yep. But don't take shortcuts. The cubing, the milk-soaking, and the frying in hot oil all serve to minimize the bones and liberate all of that sweet, succulent fish flesh. And it is some good! In fact, prepared this way, a winter-caught chain pickerel will give any pan-fried trout or salmon a run for its money.

Try it this winter. And if you don't get, er, all caught up in the pickerel passion, I'll personally send you a free copy of my North Woods Beans recipe. • The author is editor a/Maine Fish and Wildlife Magazine.

Winter 1997

15

2.

1.

3.

4.

Write the name of each animal in the spaces provided. Do you know a) which two have always been found in Maine; b) which one used to live here but no longer does; and c) which one has never been found in Maine?

NA#E THAT UNSULATEI {N,11, t61t r161t?J The animals above belong to a group called ungulates (from the Latin word for hoo~, and are divided into two orders, Artiodafyla and Perissodactryla. Elk, deer, moose, and caribou (which belong to the Order Artiodactyla, the deer Family Cervidae) have even numbers of toes. Horses and elephants have odd numbers of toes, and belong to Order Peris$odacty/s.

All males in the Cervidae family grow and shed antlers each year; female caribou are the only female ungulates to grow and shed antlers, due to the presence of hormones called adrenal androgens. Female caribou keep their antlers after the males lose theirs, possibly ensuring that they can compete for the best nutrition during the winter months-important for developing calves.

Members of the deer family are herbivores, which means they eat only plants. Their diet includes grasses, forbs (low growing short-stemmed plants), mushrooms, shrubs, and trees. They must consume huge amounts of nutrients for the energy and minerals needed to grow antlers, not to mention the energy to carry them around (a large set of moose antlers can weigh up to 80 pounds)!

Good nutrition, not the age of the animal, is the key for large antler development. Large antlers identify individuals that are able to defend against other males and against predators, and help to attract females during the breeding season. bone matrix

ABOUT ANTLERS

velvet

Each spring, male deer, elk, moose as well as male and female caribou, begin growing antlers from bony bumps on the skulls called pedicles. Increasing daylight elevates the hormone testosterone in the animal's blood, which triggers the growth of antlers. Antlers begin as layers of cartilage that slowly mineralizes into bone. Asoft covering called velvet helps protect the antlers and carries blood to the growing bone tissue.

If you look closely at a deer or moose antler, you'll see grooves and ridges on it, marking the paths of veins that carried blood through the growing antlers. Blood stops flowing to the antlers in late summer and the velvet is scraped or falls off. The hardened antler is composed of calcium, phosphorous and as much as 50% water!

Antlers grow faster than any other kind of bone - up to one inch a day during the summer.

Biologists, scientists and physicians are studying antler growth in hopes of learning the secrets of this incredibly fast cell growth, to apply it to healing broken bones in humans and other animals, and to find cures to various forms of cancer.

Illustrations on this page by Randy Babb, Arizona Game and Fish Department;

Cutaway view of an elk antler in the velvet, or growth stage.

text in part from the Project WILD " WILD About Elk activity g uide.

16

Mai11e Fish a11d Wildlife

http ://www.sta te.me. u s/ i fw/ h o m epage. ht ml

Horn, or Ant/111? flhino,110, ind highorn lh11p h,v, horn,; ,,,, ind 110111 h.v, ,nt/111.

Whit 1 th, dill1r,n11?

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HORNS ARE: • Made of bony core covered by thin layers of keratin, the same material as your fingernails.

• Slow growing and permanent, they are not shed each year • More like daggers than branches • Usually grown by both sexes • Usually grow in yearly rings that mark the animal's age

ANTLERS ARE: • Fast-growing bone, shed winter or spring each year • Usually grown only by males (what's that exception?)

• Often branched (number of points doesn't signify age) • Antler size and number of points is determined by the quality of the animal's habitat; if it had enough to eat, and was not stressed by disease or other environmental factors

,,,,,,, ,,,,,,: Afamily camped and hiked at several sites in Baxter State Park one fall weekend, and counted 9 bull moose, 4 cows, S calves, and 2 yearlings, for a total of 20 moose! Can you calculate the percentage of bulls, cows, calves and yearlings seen? %Bulls %Cows %Calves %Yearlings

C,n You Solv,

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Dil,11m1 111. rl,lking in th, r1ool1 in lit, M,y, you upon , young r1hit,t1il,I f1r1n. Tb,r, 1 no 1ign of th, f1r1n'1 moth,r.

Should you: A. l11v, it rthar, it i1 B. Mov, it to , mor, d,lt,r,I "" C. T,b it hom, rtith you ,o you 11n f11d it ,nl 111b it , p,t D. Oth,r 1

Dil,11m1 112. You "' 1nor1mo6iling ,long ITS 86 Ju1t 111t of Mil/ino,bt r1h,n you ,pot , m,gnifie,nt hull moo11. You h,v, your ,,,,,,,,, hut only , 1hort-r,ng, l1n1. Should you: A. T,b , pi1tur, from r1h,r1 you ,,, 1inea 1110011 11n 6, l1ng,rou1 1nim1/1, ,v,n though you knort th, 110011 rtill look lib , 11111/ 6106.

B. Rid, 11 11011 11 you 11n ,nl 11,oot th, photogr,ph ,o you 11n fill th, fr,m, C. fJ,t off your 1nor1mo6il, 1nl r11/k 11 1/011 11 you 11n to t1b th, pietur, D. Oth,r A111r1,r1 011

http://www.state .me. us/i fw/homepage.h tml

P'f' ti Winter 1997

17

•

Questions & Answers for Travelling Sportsmen

Flying With Firearins

by Gary Anderson

H

ow do you legally carry firearms on commercial airlines?

Do you know? Do you know how to find out?

Let's start by suggesting that you call John Chamberlain, Special Agent in Charge, Air Marshall Service, Boston MA: 617-561-5908 (or 5909). We found him most helpful, and completely sympathetic with the confusion and the lack of knowledge by citizens and sportsmen alike about firearms and airline travel. John further pointed out that his information only related to domestic flights, however.

Like everything else, traveling with firearms a learning process, and probably somewhat different each time you do it, so pay attention to what everyone is telling you.!

What follows are some tips and guidelines.

Place your unloaded firearms in hard-side crushproof cases.

Cases must be equipped with some sort of locks, but you must be able to open them for inspection by airline agents. They will place a colored tag in or on the case labelling it as an unloaded firearm. (US Air provides a white tag; others may use orange or some other color); John says to make sure that such a label is placed inside the case, as this is part of your proof that you legally declared the firearm.

You'll also have some paperwork to sign with the airlines representatives.

18

Ma111e Fish and W1/d /1fe

When transporting firearms by air, this is the only way to goa rugged gun case of high quality.

Ammunition (up to eleven (11) pounds) must be handled the same way, and of course must be separate from the firearm.

Handguns, according to John, are treated in the same manner.

They must be locked in crushproof cases with ammunition in separate containers and under lock and key.

John brought up an interesting point when I proposed a hypothetical situation of flying into Arizona with a handgun for a javelina hunt. His response was that it would not excite him, but what about the laws of Arizona? Would I be violating Gary Anderson recently retired from the position of Safety Officer for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

their concealed firearms law?

He made a good point. Call ahead and check out all firearms laws of any jurisdiction you are about to enter.

John's advice is to be early, in case someone at the terminal is not up on regulations, and because the added activity of checking firearms through does add some time to your boarding routine.

For international flights, obtain a Certificate of Registration

for Personal Effects Taken Abroad (US Customs Form 4457, available from the US Customs Service, 1301 Constitution Ave, HW, Washington DC 20229; (202) 927-1644). This is the form used for gun and other valuable items such as cameras, recorders, or wri twatches; in it, http://www.state.me . us/ i fw/homepage. html

you list serial numbers and descriptions to demonstrate that you owned the items before leaving the country. Fill it out before departure and present it to a customs officer for countersigning when you check in with your firearms and ammunition.

Make copies and leave the original in a safe piace.

If traveling from state to state, get a copy of the Guide to the

Interstate Transportation of Firearms, available from NRA-ILA Grassroots Division, 11250 Waples Mill Rd., Fairfax VA 22030-7400; (800)-392-8683.

If you can, acquire your licenses and tags before your trip and show them when the need

arises. Of course, no one can say what an exceptionally anti-gun officer might do, so cover yourself whenever possible; carry copies of agreements or contracts with outfitters, guides, and/ or friends with whom you'll be hunting. â&#x20AC;˘

If you are a law enforcement officer, ask your training officer to contact: 5200 campanile Dr. San Diego CA 92182-5400 (619) 594-7386 The California Peace Officer Standards and Training Association has put together a program called Law Enforce-

VENISON STIR-FRY 1lb. venision steakcut up into 3" long b t/4" thick strips. Marinate venison strips for 1'2 hour or more before cooking in this sauce: 1 teaspoon garlic powder (or cut-up fresh garlic) 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1 teaspoon sugar 1 cup soy sauce 6 green onions (scallions) cut into 1" chunks 1 green pepper and 1 sweet red pepper sliced into strips Optional: 2-3 carrots cut into thin wedges 2" long.

Small broccoli chunks Stir-fry venison strips in hot vegetable oil in a wok, cast iron skillet, or electric fry pan for 2-3 minutes (don 't overcook). Add vegetables and continue to stir until vegetables are lightly cooked (3-4 minutes). Use excess marinade to make a broth (add cornstarch if needed to thicken). Serve over a bed of wild rice and long-grain brown rice!

Ken Beland, Atlantic Salmon Authority Bangor

ment Officers Flying Armed.

Originally a telecourse, It is now available in video to outside interests.

For more Information, call (202) 267-5895.

Want to see your favorite fish and game recipe in our Recipe Corner? Just send it, along with a little background, to: THE RECIPE CORNER Attn : Charlie Mann 284 State Street 41 State House Station Augusta, Maine 04333

1997 State of Maine Migratory Waterfowl Hunting Print & Stamp

500 LIMITED EDITION Greater Scaup by Thomas Kemp Also limited quantities are still available for the

1996 State of Maine Migratory Waterfowl Hunting Print & Stamp 500 LIMITED EDITION

Blue Wing Teal by Paul Fillion

HOW TO ORDER: Include name and address along with (unframed) 11 " x 14" print and stamp $45.00 print and stamp $ 140.00 (framed) 15" x 16 1/2" Shipping & handling $6.00 + Add 6% Sales Tax

http: //www .state.me. us/ifw/ homepage .h tm I

check or money order made out to Guylaine Fillion and mail to Guylaine Fillion, 57 Country Lane, Durham, ME 04222.

Or call 207-353-5146. All pieces are shipped UPS.

Winter 1997

19

Maine Fish and Wildlife - - - - - - - - - - -

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Nahmakanta Lake Camps "True Maine Wilderness" GREAT PoND LODGE

Hiking Wildlife Birdwatching Fishing Hunting Dog Sled Trips

DEER. BEAR AND MOOSE HUNTS ED MUSSON GREAT POND, MAINE 04408 (207) 584 -3541

Four Season Remote Cabins

GUIDE: WAYNE MASON (207) 667 -4403

GUIDE: ROBERT GRANT (207) 667 -2511

Don and Angel Hi bbs P.O. Box 544 Millinocket, Mai ne 04462 207-746-7356 Box 620IF HCR76 Greenville, ME. 04441 (207) 695-2821 (Radio Cotact)

Your Hosts

ALLAGASH WILDERNESS OUTFITTERS

Olive & Dean Paisley Registl'red Maine Guide Bear - Deer - Moose - Coyote

, Comfortable housekeeping cabins on remote trout lake , Wooded campsites • Showers • Boals, motors, canoes • Hiking, touring in Baxter State Park - Mt Katahdin • Fishing, fall hunting • Canoe-trip outfitting, transportation for Penobscot, Allagash Rivers , Perfect fami ly vacation!

Phone: 207-444-5379

Eagle Lake

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Fishing

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Daily, Weekly Rentals Fully Equipped Kitchen TV, Linens, Towels, HWBB Heat

On the shores of Long Lake, St. Agatha

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To arrange for your advertisement to appear in this listing, contact:

V. Paul Reynolds, Editor Maine Fish and Wildlife Magazine 284 State Street 41 State House Station Augusta ME 04333-0041 Telephone: (207) 287-5248

Phil and Linda Bechard - Proprietors

Maine Fish and Wi ldlife

http: // www.stale.me. us / i fw /ho mepage. h tm I

YELLOW GHOST rom the Fly Tying Bench

by Butch Carey ·Photos by Tom Carbone

THE PATTERN HOOK: 94720 #4 THREAD: Black monocord BODY: Black floss RIBBING: Flat silver Mylar-narrow WINGS: Yellow saddle hackles

TOPPING: Peacock herl THROAT: Sparse white bucktail SHOULDER: White-tipped barred wood duck flank feathers CHEEK: Jungle cock (optional) HEAD: Black thread

Cast thread on at back of hook, above barb. Tie in ribbing , then move thread up front, covering the hook body in close turns. Cement.

~

Bring ribbing up front in spaced turns. ~ T i e, trim.

h ttp://w ww .slate.me. us/i fw/hom epage .h tm I

Tie in black floss 1/8" behind eye.

Wind floss to back of hook and back to starting point in close turns. Tie, trim.

Tie in four matched yellow saddle hackles on top of hook, extending 1/4" beyond bend.

Wm/er 1997

21

Tie in sparse white bucktail under hook for throat, same length as wing.

Tie in four strtands of peacock herl over wing for topping.

Attach one white-tipped wood duck flank feather on each side, just behind the head, for shoulders.

Tie in jungle cock (optional) over shoulders at cheek position.

Finish head with black thread , cement three times, and your Yellow Ghost is ready to haunt some big fish!

22

Maine Fis/, and Wildlife

h ttp://www. s late.rne . us/i fw/homepage .html

MANAGING WOODLANDS FOK WILDLIFE A Suggested Reading List A LANDOWNER'S GUIDE TO WOODCOCK MANAGEMENT IN THE NORTHEAST. G.F. Sepik, et.al. Misc.

Report #253. Life Sciences and Agriculture Experiment Station, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04473. 23 pages. Fee: No. MANAGING NORTHERN FORESTS FOR WILDLIFE. G.W. Gullion . The Ruffed Grouse Society, 1400 Lee Drive, Coraopolis, PA 15108. 72 pages. Fee: Yes.

â&#x20AC;¢

NEW ENGLAND WILDLIFE: HABITAT, NATURAL HISTORY, AND DISTRIBUTION. RM. DeGraaf, et. al. USDA

Forest Service Gen. Tech. Report NE-108. Northeastern Forest Experiment Station, 5 Radnor Corporate Center, 100 Matsonford Road, Suite 200, P.O. Box 6775, Radnor, PA 19087. 490 pages. Fee: No. NEW ENGLAND WILDLIFE: MANAGEMENT OF FORESTED HABIT ATS. R M DeGraaf, et. al. USDA Forest Service Gen . Tech . Rep ort NE-144. Same source as publication #3. 271 pages. Fee: o.

LANDSCAPING FOR WILDLIFE. C.L. Henderson. Non-Game Wildlife Program, Dept. of Natural Resources, 500

Lafayette Road, Box 7, St. Paul, MN 55155. 145 pages. Fee: Yes. WOODWORKING FOR WILDLIFE. Same source as publication #5. 47 pages Fee: Yes. A FORESTER'S GUIDE TO MANAGING WILDLIFE HABITATS IN MAINE. University of Maine Cooperative

Extension Service and The Maine Chapter of the Wildlife Society. Order through your county CES office. Fee: Yes. A LANDOWNER'S GUIDE: WILDLIFE HABITAT MANAGEMENT FOR VERMONT WOODLANDS. Vermont Dep t. of Fish and Wildlife, 103 South Main Street, Waterbury, VT. 05671. 79 pages. Fee: o.

ELEMENTS OF ECOLOGY AND FIELD BIOLOGY. RL. Smith. Harper and Rowe, Publishers, New York, NY. Try

UM-Orono Bookstore. 497 pages. Fee: Yes. HABITAT MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES FOR FOREST INTERIOR BREEDING BIRDS OF COASTAL MARYLAND. Wildlife Technical Publica ti on 88-1, Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources - Forest, Park, and Wildlife Service, Annap olis, MD 21401. 50 pages. Fee: Unknown.

Crop Tree Management in Eastern Hardwoods. USDA Forest Service, Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry, 180

Canfield Street, Morgantown, WV 26505. Fee: No. Timber Sales and Wildlife. Pennsylvania Game Commission in cooperation with: the Pennsylvania Dept. of Environmental Resources, Pennsylvania State University, and the USDA Forest Service. Same source as publica tion #3. 13 pages. Fee: No. Guide to Wildlife Tree Management in New England Northern Hardwoods. C.H. Tubbs, et. al. General Technical

Report NE-118. USDA Forest Service. Same source as publication #3. 30 pages. Fee: No. Managing Cavity Trees for Wildlife in the Northeast. R M. Degraaf and A.L. Shigo. General Technical Report NE-101, USDA Forest Service. Same source as p ublication #3. 21 pages. Fee: o.

A Landowner's Guide to Wildlife Abundance Through Forestry. Publication 420-138, Virginia Department of Game

and Inland Fisheries, P.O. Box 11104, Richmond, VA 23230. 28 pages. Fee: Unknown.

Guidelines for Habitat Modification to Benefit Wildlife. Colorad o Division of Wildlife, Dept. of Natural Resources, 6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216. 194 pages. Fee: Unknown. h tt p://w w w .s ta te.m e. us/i fw / h o m e page. h tm I

Winter 1997

23

Maine ยงnowmobiling:

The Freedom And The Future Bests With All Of Us! Last

winter in Maine, 13 snowmobilers died in accidents.

Each accident was different.

Most involved alcohol or speed or both. Two years ago in one of the more talked about fatalities, a Houlton man, Robert McCarthy, drove his sled through an ice shack on Nickerson Lake. McCarthy was killed instantly, and accident reconstruction indicated that McCarthy had the throttle wide open and was exceedingly drunk. The game warden who investigated the accident said that the scene resembled a bomb explosion more than a snowmobile crash.

So what are we to do? A snowmobile safety task force has made some recommendations in the area of education and enforcement that may help . Meantime, those of us among the 70,000 who take to the Maine snowmobile trails each winter

by V Paul Reynolds need to pay greater heed to safety and ethics. If we don't start taking responsibility for our actions and behavior as winter recreationists, the lawmakers and the regulators will take away some of the very freedoms that make snowmobiling an appealing sport.

Let's talk safety.

First, there are the basics. If you drink and drive fast on a snowmobile, you will have an accident sooner or later. The statistics are indisputable. As media contact person for the Maine Warden Service last winter, I can tell you that more than half of the serious snowsled accidents were connected in one

Mschines that seem pretty rugged on the trail aren't much protection in collissions with trees, signposts- or other snowmobiles!

24

Maine Fish a11d Wildlife

http ://www .s tate .me .u /i fw/homepage .htm I

{ way or another to speed and alcohol.

Drink is drink. Whether you're talking one beer or a pint of Old Stumpblower, all machines and alcohol are troublesome, potentially deadly combinations. As for speed, well, that's part of why folks enjoy sledding.

The key is really common sense.

Sledders who peg the speedometer at much over 40 mph on a trail are asking for trouble.

Hidden stumps, rocks and other assorted snags can hurl a snowsled off a narrow trail and into a hard beech tree in a heartbeat. Speed addicts would be wise to use lakes or famliar open areas for winding up their machines. Lakes can be tricky surfaces, too, with pressures ridges that lurk under smoothappearing snow cover.

Snowsled accident investigations indicate that not enough sledders pay attention to weather and snow conditions.

Safe snowmobilers know that weather and temperature plays http://www.s tat e .me. u s/i fw /homepage. h tm I

a big part in trail conditions.

Insufficient snowcover can create deceptive conditions and make trails look more inviting than they truly are.

Above all,,the smart snowmobiler practices survival skills. This includes, not only knowing the trail conditions but always carrying a mindset that expects the unexpected. For example, when I make the 13 mile snowmobile trek into camp for a few days of solitude and ice fishing, a rough old tote road trail connects with the International Trail System part of the way. This is where the sledding gets wide and smooth. Safer going, right? Not on your life!

When the sledding gets good is when I really pay attention. I hug my side of the trail on sharp turns and experience has taught me that smooth, groomed trails bring out the Mario Andretti' s on the V-Maxes. In other words, always sled as though another snowmobiler will be coming at you on your side of the trail. The

same can be said for hills and intersections. Last winter a snomobiler lost his life when he hit a steel cable across a closed right of way. Another sledder died after striking a large draft horse that had wandered onto the trail. Both of these accidents happened at night. A contributing factor in both of these accidents may have been operators overdriving their headlights.

Which brings up a point: some safety professionals have suggested that snowmobile headlights have not kept a pace with snowmobile horsepower. The safety lesson is simply this: Don't overdrive your headlights.

There there is ice! There is only one safe approach for a snowmobiler on ice-covered lakes, ponds and waterways: know ahead of time if there is enough ice to venture forth.

With Maine's diverse topography and watersheds, there is no The author is editor if Maine Fish and Wildlife Magazine.

Winter 1997

25

In the winter, game wardens carry a set of these "ice spikes, which can be a life saving device to any snowmobiler who breaks through thin ice and must clamber from frigid water back onto solid ice.

Some well-prepared snowmobilers fashion their own "ice spikes " using large building spikes, some slender rope and tape.

minimize serious injury.

And what about ethics? Ethics among the snowsledding community remain vitally important if we are going to minimize regulatory incursions into the freedom of the sport. And unethical behavior by a thoughtless minority of slob sledders can only lead to closed trails and a tarnished reputation for the sport. An ethical snowmobiler is one who respects property and the rights of others. The ethical snowmobiler doesn't tailgate out on the trail, or drive too fast for conditions.

Unlike the slob sledder who refuses to slow down for oncoming sledders or cross-country skiiers, the ethical sledder watches out for others, whether it is helping a broken down sledder out on the trail, teaching safe snowmobiling habits to youngsters, or simply stopping to chat with a fellow sledder. â&#x20AC;˘

guarantee of safe ice no matter how low the temps. If unfamliar with an area, check with a game warden or a local snowmobile club member ahead of time. By the way, it takes five inches of hard ice to safely support a snowmobile and driver. Smart snowsledders who spend much time on ice-covered waterways carry a long piece of rope. A friend of mine carries in his snowmobile suit a short piece of nylon rope with large spikes tied to each end. Handy tools for one who winds up trying to clamber back on ice after a cold water immersion!

Finally, in the safety realm, dress can play a role. Helmets, eyeprotection and warm attire can, under certain wintry conditions, save your life if not at least

Maine 's ever-increasing winter snowmobile activity has placed an increased workload on Maine game wardens like District Warden Andy Glidden who must divide their time between snowmobile enforcement and angler checks.

26

Maine fish and Wildlife

For some outdoor folks, a sr.owmobile can be a working tool. Last winter, Medford outfitter and guide Doug Russell (rear) and companion Ron Hastie took advantage of the deep snow to erect some wood duck boxes near a marshy area in Lakeview Plantation.

http://www.stale.me. u s/i fw/homepage.h tml

WATCH FOR AND REPORT THE GRAY WOLF

PLEASE CALL Z07•94~·4466 IF YOU: • SEE a Gray Wolf,_

• FIND a track, or

• HEAR a howl,

• OBSERVE any sign

PROTECTED

GRAY WOLF t Long Legs t 26 - 32 Inches High t 4.5 to 6 Feet Long t More Than 80 Pounds 3- 4.5 in.

t Tail Never Curled t Broad Snout t Color Varies from White to Black

COYOTE t 16 to 20 Inches High t Less Than 4 Feet Long t Less Than 80 Pounds

t Tail Never Curled t Narrow Snout t

11/4 in.

Light Colored

Wildlife specialists are surveying the protected gray wolf populations and distributions. The gray wolf is an endangered species.

Call, or report, any wolf discoveries you make today.

Mai11e Fish a11d Wi ldlife

http: // www.state.me.us / ifw /homepage.html

FISH AND WILDLIFE BRIEFS Perry Takes the Helm at Fish & Wildlife Lee Perry, a 30-year veteran manager of fisheries and wildlife issues in Maine and Arizona, has assumed his duties as Commissioner of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

Maine Fish & Wildlife Commissioner Lee E. Perry Perry, who was assistant director for special services with the Arizona Game and Fish Department, succeeded Ray 'Bucky" Owen, who retired in August.

Perry received his B.S. in Wildlife Management from the University of Maine at Orono, and worked at Maine's

Inland Fisheries and Wildlife from 1967 to 1984.

In announcing his fall selection of Perry, Gov. King said "Lee Perry has the management skills that will help rebuild the fiscal integrity of the department, find new revenue sources and improve accountability. He gets rave reviews from both superiors and subordinates as someone who can work with interested parties to agree on a focus, bring about a change in direction, and build loyalty to the cause - exactly the skills we need here in Maine. I'm looking to Lee to work closely with traditional sportsmen, and build stronger relationships with other wildlife enthusiasts."

Perry began his career as a Wildlife Technician with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in July 1967 just after graduating from the University. He later became an assistant regional biologist and, after two years in the U.S. Navy, became a fisheries aide with the Department in 1970. That same year, he moved up to become a regional wildlife biologists, and three years later became assistant director of the department's Wildlife Division. While at the department, he planned and implemented a statewide wildlife management program for game and non-game population management, research and habitat management, and worked with a variety of organizations and agencies at the state and national levels on wildlife issues.

In 1984, Perry became the assistant director of field operations with the

Arizona Game and Fish Department where he managed the department's law enforcement and wildlife management activities. He was also responsible for planning, organizing and administering multi-functional programs for recreational vehicles. In 1995, he assumed his current position as assistant director of special services for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. In that capacity, Perry's responsibilities included the department's budget, information services, boat registration and sportsman's licensing systems, including the state's successful programs for hunting permit all orations.

Perry completed a nationally recognized program for public administrators at the University of Arizona in 1987, and is a certified public manager.

King said Perry has a strong knowledge of fish and wildlife issues nationwide, and has worked closely with numerous national groups and organizations.

Perry said he looks forward to returning to Maine. He said his initial focus will be restoring the department's fiscal integrity, addressing public concerns about the department's operations, and taking steps to ensure the department listens to its constituents and takes their concerns into account as it develops scientifically based wildlife management policies.

"In my experience," Perry stated, "clear two-way communication is the key to the success of any management program."

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Summons Dismissed Against Moose Hunters The Maine Warden Service, in conjunction with the Aroostook County District Attorney's office, decided in late Octobert to dismiss charges brought against ten moose hunters for hunting from a motor vehicle.

Chief Warden Parker K. Tripp and Aroostook District Attorney Neale Adams, agreed to reduce the court summons issued to the ten moose hunters to written warnings, which is consistent with enforcement measures taken in previous years. Both Tripp and Adams acknowledged that the intensity of the public outcry indicates that the general hw1ting public does not understand the law regarding hunting from a motor vehicle.

During the one-week moose hunt in early October, game wardens had issued summons in cases where moose hunters were using the truck as a hunting platform. They were standing or sitting in the bed of open, slow- moving pickup trucks with unloaded firearms for the sole purpose of enhancing their ability to sight and bag a moose. Although the firearms were unloaded, the law states that it is unlawful to hw1t from a motor vehicle or use the vehicle for anything in hunting other than a means of conveyance of firearms. Wardens indicated that, the hunters in question should have had their firearms stowed inside their vehicles and not outside the truck with ammunition "at the ready."

Over the past few years, the warden service has attempted to discourage this moose hunting practice by giving warnings to offending hunters. Unfortunately, this has had little impact and this was the first year that summons have been issued.

Following a number of critical newspa per articles, the Department of Fish

and Wildlife received numerous calls from hunters who were confused and troubled by what was described by critics as a "reinterpretation of the law.".

"Our critics have a point," said Matt Scott, Acting Commissioner."We should have provided moose hunters with some advance notification. People must realize, however, that the laws - including the hunting from a motor vehicle law - are written by the legislature.

Unfortunately, the Warden Service has been placed in the position of enforcing a law which is clearly not understood by a large portion of the hunting public," Scott said.

Tripp said that despite the dismissal of the ten summons, the Warden Service "continues to believe that the intent of the motor vehicle law is well founded, based upon a concern for the safety of hunters, protection of the resource and a high standard of hunting ethic." Tripp also said that the Warden Service, "encourages all hunters to transport their firearms inside their vehicles whenever possible. However, pending legislative direction on this issue, and during the November deer hunt, traditional uses of road and off-road vehicles to transport hunters and firearms will be considered lawful,"Tripp stated.

New Equipment A Boon for Warden Pilots ew equipment, bought with revenues from the sale of Outdoor Heritage lottery tickets, is helping tr~ck down illegal hunters, speeding boaters and lost adventurers, according to Roger Wolverton, the chief pilot for the Maine Warden Service.

"It gives us the ability to do things we just couldnt do before, "Wolverton said Wednesday as he demonstrated in a Warden Service seaplane how the laptop computer, equipped with mapping software, and the new video cam-

era captures speeding boaters on film and maps their location in relationship to boating safety zones.

The Warden Service has also purchased night vision equipment and communication devices to rescue lost hunters and hikers. All the equipment was purchased through three grants totaling $55,259 from the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund, a state program that awards conservation grants through revenue from lottery ticket sales.

Wolverton estimates the new equipment has helped the Warden Service make about 130 arrests in the last nine months, mostly speeding boaters and operators of personal watercraft who are driving dangerously. Some cases have resulted in operating under the influence charges as well.

The video camera and computer help the Warden Service track activities on the grow1d and map them accurately so the Warden Service has better evidence in court. The equipment is also used for land surveying by Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife biologists tracking deer, eagles nests and other wildlife.

The Warden Service is very aware of the benefit of the night vision equipment. Last fall, using borrowed night goggle , Wardens discovered 13 illegal night hunters and, in a separate incident, rescued a lost hiker on the backside of Sugarloaf Mountain.

Through the night goggles, his bonfire looked like a lighthouse, Wolverton said.

It would have been impossible for a pilot to fly through the motmtains safely without the night vision equipment, he said.

The Outdoor Heritage fund was established by the Legislature two years ago to finance state and local natural resource conservation projects. The program is funded solely through the sale of special instant lottery tickets. The

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current ticket depicts the West Quoddy Lighthouse and is sold at Maine State Lottery outlets.

To date, the Outdoor Heritage Fund has awarded $2 million of grants to 64 conservation projects.

Adopt-A-Hatchery Program Joined By S.D. Warren "With the decision this week by the S.D. Warren Company of Hinckley to adopt two state fish hatcheries in Augusta and Dry Mills, the Adopt-A-Hatchery program, which began about two years ago, can be considered an unqualified success," said Matt Scott, Acting Commissioner of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIF&W).

According to Scott, who has been spearheading the program during the past two years, all nine state fish hatcheries and rearing facilities have now been adopted by six of Maine's major paper companies: Champion International, James River Corporation, Georgia-Pacific, Madison Paper Industries, lnternational Paper Co., Mead Corporation and S.D. Warren.

These companies have over the course of the program donated more than $200,000 worth of labor, materials and technical expertise, according to Scott.

This partnership between a state agency and Maine industry had its beginnings following the defeat of a statewide bond issue that would have paid for muchneeded maintenance and repairs of Maine's old and deteriorating fish hatcheries. Joe Broz, a mill manager at James River Corporation, suggested to then Commissioner Bucky Owen that perhaps all was not lost with the defeated bond issue, that paper mills and fish hatcheries shared many technical similarities and that the papermakers might share their knowledge and help to get the hatcheries repaired and technically up to date.

And that is exactly what has happened! " It was a perfect partnership," observes Scott," not only between a government agency that needed technical help and an industry with engineering expertise looking to enhance it public relations, but also created a partnerhip-a common goal-between labor and management." As one mill manager put it, "We get people hitting us up for money often, but we seldom get asked to share our expertise and technical knowhow. Our people have really taken to this partnership."

30

Maine Fis/z and Wildlife

Along with the adoption of the nine fish hatcheries, Bath Iron Works has adopted Swan Island and the barge that is used by MDIF&W to transport visitors across the Kennebec River between Richmond and Swan Island. BIW has performed costly maintenance on the barge.

Humphrey Promoted to Warden Pilot The Maine Warden Service has a new warden pilot.

District Game Warden Durward L. Humphrey was named Warden Pilot last week by Chief Warden Pilot Roger Wolverton. Humphrey, a resident of Hampden who has patrolled the Dexter and Carmel area, will be responsible for Warden Service flight activities in Divi-

Warden Pilot Durward Humphrey sions C and D. Warden Pilot Humphrey succeed former Warden Pilot Alan Rider who recently retired.

A native of Lincoln and a 1985 graduate of Hampden Academy, Humphrey was a commercial pilot with Central maine Flying Service for seven years before joining the Maine Warden Service in 1993. He has logged more than 3,000 hours in the air and has flown as a bush pilot in Alaska.

Humphrey is one of three warden pilots who fly Cessna 185s for the Maine Warden Service and perform a variety of missions, which include searching for missing persons, boat safety enforcement, poaching surveillance, aerial fish stocking, habitat mapping and wildlife population surveys ..

Operation Game Thief Offering $5,000 Reward A cash reward of $5,000 is being offered for information leading to the apprehension of those responsible for the destruction of nesting sites of endangered shore birds recently at Higgins Beach in Scarborough.

According to Game Warden Dave Peppard, coordinator of Operation Game Thief, which is a toll-free hotline for reporting fish and wildlife violations, at least three nesting sites for Least Terns - a small endangered shorebird - were destroyed by an individual or individuals who ignored prominently posted igns, wal ked into the roped off area and crushed Least Tern eggs in nesting sites.

The Least Tern is a small shorebird that nests in sandy areas of southern coastal Maine; it is protected under the state and federal endangered species acts. There are an estimated 100 nesting pairs of these rare shorebirds in Maine.

Although the Scarborough Police Department and the Maine Warden Service are working cooperatively in the invesigation of this case, no summons have been issued to date. The $5,000 reward, according to Peppard, will be paid for any information that results in an issuance of a summons for disturbing a federally protected nesting area.

The reward is the largest ever offered

by Operation Game Thief and is made pos ible by a generous contribution from Maine Audubon. According to its executive director Tom Urquhart, "Maine Audubon is deeply concerned about this wanton destruction. This reward is possible because of the outrage felt by several members of Maine Audubon who put up the money."

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Operation Game Thief number, which is 1-800- ALERT US or 1800-253-7887. The Higgins Beach nesting sites were believed to have been destroyed at night on two different occaions in mid-July New Safety Program Emphasizes Ethics Afield The Recreational Safety Division of the Maine Department of Inland Fi heries and Wildlife (MDIF&W), which rw1s Maine's safety programs for hunters, trappers and ATV operators, has restructured its curriculum to include an emphasis on ethics training. ot only will regular students be exposed to ethics training, but any former http://www.state.me. us/i fw/homepage.html

holder of a hunting or fishing license who has had a license revoked will be required to complete an 8 hour remedial training program in outdoor ethics before the restoration of any hunting or fishing privileges can take place. So far this year, the Fish and Wildlife Commissioner has revoked more than 200 licenses of hunters and anglers convicted of major fish and wildlife violations.

Last month, the safety division held a special training session for its statewide corps of volunteer instructors. Volunteers were given guidance on strengthening the ethics and personal responsibility secti ons of their stud ent courses. More

were charged with two counts of iillegal turkey hunting and illegal possession of deer in closed season. Nason was charged with killing a deer in closed season.

The three are scheduled for arraignment Dec. 4.

According to Warden Dave Peppard, who coordinates the Operation Game Thief program (OGT), a $1,000 reward is being offered to the anonymous caller whose phone tip made the apprehensions possible. The OGT program, including rewards offered, is funded by donations from concerned benefactors and not from licensing revenu es re-

The 108-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 & Education, Station 41, Augusta, Maine 04333.

than 250 instructors and supervisors took

ceived by the Maine Department of

hunters that a dwelling is nearby are now

part in a two day workshop.

A highlight of both workshops was a presentation by Jim Posewitz, the author of "Beyond Fair Chase." Posewitz provided MDIF&W instructors with ideas on how best to develop and deliver program materials on outdoor ethics.

A major part of the Maine program on outdoor ethics will include discussion of various real-life dilemmas that an outdoorperson may encounter, and how best to deal with various situations. Participants will be asked to develop their own code of outdoor ethics and explore the rationale for ethical behavior by hunters, trappers and anglers. Students will gain further knowledge about laws, wildlife management and the need to constantly improve relations between land users and landowners.

Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

available free of charge from the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

Part of the Department's landowner relations program, the "Safety Zone" signs are intendedt for usethat by people who live adjacent to wooded tracts of land where hunters might not realize that a home is nearby.

The signs will be issued in sufficient quantity to post woods within 100 yards of the dwelling, the area where the unauthorized discharge of a firearm is illegal.

Although the signs are free, they must be picked up at one of the MDTF&W regional offices in Gray, Sidney, Bangor, Greenville or Ashland, or at the Department's main office in Augusta.

Orland Men Charged With Wildlife Violations An anonymous telephone tip to a district game warden in the Bucksport area has resulted in two Orland men being charged with a series of wildlife violation that will, if convicted, result in fines in excess of $5,000.

Alan K. Bishop, 18, and Michael L. Nason, 19, along with a 16-year-old companion, have been charged with multiple counts involving the illegal killing and possession of four wild turkeys and a deer.

According to District Warden Ralph Hosford, he received information from an anonymous caller on the Operation Game Thief telephone line ( 1-800-ALERT US).

The caller told Warden Hosford that the three individuals were attempting to give away the illegal game in the Bucksport area.

Following an investigation and search of their homes, Bishop and a juvenile http://www.state.rne.us/ifw/homepage.html

Duck Stamp Art Contest Announced The surf seater, a sea duck, has been selected as the waterfowl species to be featured on Maine's 1998 state duck stamp.

The Department will conduct an art contest in March to pick the painting that will appear on the annual stamp, which will be sold begirnung next fall to waterfiowl hunters, who are required to have them, and to stamp collectors nationwide.

First place wirn1er in the art contest will receive a $1,000 prize. The contest is open only to Maine resident artists.

Artists interested in entering the spring competition can 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.

Annual Wildlife Report Available The annual report on Maine's wildlife research and management activties is now available.

Published by the Wildlife Division of theDepartment of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, the popular report contains detailed information about the division's activities in 1997 related to Maine's many wildlife species.

Major sections are devoted to such subjects as regional wildlife management; mammals, including indepth reports on the status of bears, moose, whitetailed deer and furbearers; waterfowl and upland birds; lists and studies of endangered and threatened species; and an introduction to the work of the division's wildlife habitat group.

Safety Zones Signs Available to Landowners New signs to help landowners alert

Lifetime License Earlier this year, the Legislature enacted legislation enabling the Department to study the feasibility of introducing lifetime licenses for hunting and fislung.

A number of states have adopted the concept, some quite successfully. The idea is to market a license that is essentially good for life. The experience of other states bas been that the lifetime license is an attractive option to some, depending of course upon the price structure of the program.

In conjunction with the University of Maine, our licensing division is looking at all of the angles and eventually a proposal will emerge for possible implementing legislation. The challenge is to construct a pricing system that is, as the financial planners would say, "actuarily sound." In other words, we must devise a system that is attractively priced to the consumer while at the same time is financially beneficial to the agency.

A number of states have fow1d that the revenues generated by the sale of lifetime licenses can be invested wisely

Wi11ter 1997

31

producing a respectable supplemental revenue stream for the Department.

State Representative Matt Dunlap, who is a member of the Legislative Fish and Wildlife Committee, has also been studying this concept and has already begun drafting legisla tion.

Warden's Chocolate Lab "Reba" Recognized Warden Sergeant Roger Guay and his K-9, a chocola te labrador retriever named "Reba," were recently presented the USPCA Detector Case of the Quar ter recently in Green ville.

Trained by Warden Guay, "Reba" has proved remarkably effecti ve as a scent dog for finding spent bullet casings w 1der the snow, hidden fish, illegal substances and other objects.

Last May, in the B Pond area, Sgt Guay was able to issue three summons to anglers who tried to hide illegal tro ut m1der the sea t of their truck. "Reba" sniffed out the sh ort tro ut after the errant anglers denied having caught any fish.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor: First let me say how much I've enjoyed your pu bl ication si nce becoming a Supersport license ho lder. I've seen and passed on to a New Hampshire friend wh o beagle hunts the newspaper accounts of your story on "Dodger and the Three bears. " Your feature story was wel l written by Sandy Ritchie and will be shared , too .

I've enclosed an article on publ ic use access being preserved with Jerry Packard .

Before taking my law enforcement retirement, I was part of a group that deer hunted out of Packard Camps in the late 1980s and 1990s. We found Jerry and his family to be great people and he directed our group into many ungu ided , successful days afield . All of us have fond memories of our one week stay each year at Sebec Lake .

Thank you again for your publication - enjoyed here cover to cover.

Carl R. Varnum , Jr. Old Town , Me. â&#x20AC;˘ Thanks for your kind comments, and for being a Maine Supersport.

Dear Editor : Just back from our place in Scarborough with great stories about stripers of the rocks at Higgins Beach. But your report about mercury really shocked me. We went through this 20 years ago when a jerk chemistry professor in Binghamton , N.Y. reported mercury in local fish . It took the world by storm , closing down swordfish . Then came PC Bs, and your notice reads like the New York notices. You grind up the whole fish , sand and all and assume the worst statistics . Where do I get the actual data. I'll be on your Internet.

E. Scala Ithaca, NewYork â&#x20AC;˘ Detailed fish consumption advisories are accessible on our Web Site (see our address listed at bottom of each magazine page) and in our fishing Jaw booklets. For additrional details, contact the MaineDepartment of Human Services, tel. 207-287-3201 .

Do It Yourself COVER SCENT Easy - Inexpensive IT WORKS!!

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Wdn. Sgt. Roger Guay and Reba

Maine 's new program, Becoming an Outdoors-Woman, continues to grow and attract women of all ages. During the June program, student Dale Clark learns the fine art of fly casting from instructor Dave Peppard. Information on class dates for the B.O. W. program can be obtained by calling 287-3303.

32

Maine Fish and Wild/1fr

h ttp :// www.s tat e. m e . u s /i fw/h o m e p age. ht ml

Pla.oe

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oto files of the ie Department

MAINE

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

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

Pla.oe

Sta.mp Here

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

this still life study of the 'Jgh and you'll begin to sing nearby... vension

producing a respectable supplemental revenue stream for the Department.

State Representative Matt Dunlap, who is a member of the Legislative Fis and Wildlife Committee, has also beer studying this concept and has already begun drafting legislation.

Warden's Chocolate Lab "Reb , Recognized

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

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Warden Sergeant Roger Guay and J K-9, a chocolate labrador retriever named "Reba," were recently presentE the USPCA Detector Case of the Quar1 recently in Greenville.

Address _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Trained by Warden Guay, "Reba" 1 proved remarkably effective as a scent City/State/Zip _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ dog for finding spent bullet casings ur der the snow, hidden fish, illegal sub- FOB FASTER SERVICE, CALL TOLL-FREE 1-800-288-8387 stances and other objects.

Last May, in the B Pond area, Sgt Guay was able to issue three summon anglers who tried to hide illegal tro ut under the seat of their truck. "Reba" sniffed out the short trout after the err anglers denied having caught any fish

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D 2 years only $1S D Please bill me later

Name _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _~ - - - Address _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

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FOB.FASTER SERVICE, CALL TOLL-FREE 1-800-288-8387

AINE

Wdn. Sgt. Roger Guay and Reb,

Maine 's new program, Becomi an Outdoors-Woman, continu to grow and attract women of ages. During the June progra student Dale Clark learns the ti art of fly casting from instruci Dave Peppard. Information class dates for the 8.0. program can be obtained calling 287-331

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Mni11e Fi,h n11d Wildlife

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 $1S D Please bill me later

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FOB.FASTER SERVICE, CALL TOLL-FREE 1-800-288-8387

A look back into the photo files of the ~~~--:~!'loo..

Maine Fish and Game Department

Former Fish and Department photographer Bill Cross snapped this still life study of the much-appreciated Clarion kitchen cookstove. Study it long enough and you'll begin to detect pleasurable aromas-oven-baked beans ... yeast bread rising nearby ... vension stew bubbling in the kettle. Mmmmm!

Be a Supersport!

The extra $15 you pay supports the Maine Fish and Wildlife Department's critical landowner relations program, which insures future recreational access.

Residents and nonresidents-hunters, anglers, trappers, guides-can all become Supersports. And even if you don't buy sporting licenses, you can still show your support by purchasing a Supersport certificate.

As a 1998 Maine Supersport, you have an opportunity to purchase at cost an exclusive Supersport hat with embroidered Fish and Wildlife Department logo! In addition, several business supporters of the Supersport program are offering the following gift package valued in excess of $50 as their ways of saying "thank you": • From Points North Outfitters in Winthro~a 10% discount on most items in the store (some restrictions apply; check with store) • From the Kittery Trading Post in Kittery-a l 0 % discount on most items • From Van Raymond's Outfitters in Brewer-a $IO gift certificate • From Maine's Northwoods Sporting Journal- a one-year free subscription • From North Maine Woods Association- a $4 gift certificate toward checkpoint fees • From the Maine Fish and Wildlife Department-a free window decal & wildlife report

Maine residents can buy a Supersport license wherever licenses are sold. Nonresident hunters and anglers may buy a Supersport license at the above businesses, or through the mail from:

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries 8t. Wildlife 284 State St., St. Hse. Sta. 41 Augusta, ME 04333