Maine Fish and Wildlife Magazine, Fall 1977 by Maine State Library

MAINE FISH AND WILDLIFE

FALL 1977

1st ISSN : 0360-005X

MAINE Governor Jam B. Longley

FISH AND \VILDLIFE

Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Maynard F. I\1ar h

Commissioner

J. William Peppard

Deputy Commissioner

Kenneth H. Ander on David 0. Locke

upt. of Hatcheries Chief Warden

Lyndon H. Bond

Vol. 19, No. 4

Chief, Fishery Division

Big Bucks '76

Busines Manager

Legislation Roundup

William C. Mincher

How To Bug a Bear

Roy D. Hugie

Winter Smelting

Peter M. Bourque

Wildlife Management Areas: Ruffingham Meadow

Gary G. Donovan

John M. M cPhee Peter G. Walker

_Hypothermia: A Subtle Killer

18 21

Aging By Tooth Sections

Andrew S . Clauson

Maine Rivers: The Orland

Ron Brokaw

KID-BITS

Letters, Notes, Comment

Robert W. Boettger

Chief, Wildlife Division

William C. Mincher

Director, Information and Education

Clayton G. Grant

Fall 1977

Director, Planning and Co-ordination

Charles S. Allen

Ralph C. Will

STATE OF MAINE

Chief, Engineering Division

Richard B. Park

Chief, Realty Division

Lorenzo J. Gaudreau

Director. Recreational afety and Registration

Make Your Own Inner Tube Snowshoe Harnesses

Chief Biologist, Atlantic Salmon Commission

Bass Tourna ents: Professional Fishing Comes to Maine

Alfred L. Meister

Advisory Council Dr. Alonzo H. Garcelon, Chairman Augusta Maine Glenn H. Manuel Littleton Robert D . Steele Scarborough Ralph L. Noel Auburn

A a 0. Holme Belfast George E. Prentis Rumford

Lorenzo J. Gaudreau

Rodney W. Ros Brownville

Maine Fish and Wildlife is published quarterly by the Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 284 State St., Augusta Maine 04333, under appropriation 4550. No advertising accepted.

William C. Mincher, Editor

THE COVERS Outside : Blaze of autumn, Doubletop Mountain, Baxter State Park. Pho to by Bill Cross.

W. Thomas Shoener , Managing Editor Thoma J. Chamberlain, Features Editor William W. Cross , Pholo Editor Thomas L. Carbone , Photographer

Inside Front: A crisp autumn day - your favorite shotgun - a loyal and hard-work ing friend - and a brace of pheasants. It makes one really appreciate th e season - and the great outdoors. Pho to by Bill Cross.

ÂŠ Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 1977. Written permission must be secured from the Department before reproducing any part of this copyrighted material. Subscription rates: $2.50 for one year, $4.00 for two years, $5.50 for three years. No stamps, please. Second class postage paid at Augusta, Maine 04330. Publication Number 3262 0.

Maine Fish and Wildlife - Fall 1977

All photographs in this issue were made by the Information and Education Divi sion unless otherwise indicated.

DEER HUNTINGÂˇ 1916 EER HUNTERS will not re-

member 1976 as one of the all-time great deer hunting years. It's not that the final deer kill of 29,965 was way down; fact is, it was a little higher than the average harvest of the previous 5 years. But to the average hunter out there waiting on the ridges or stalking in the swamps, the final deer kill figure is academic. He's more interested in a decent chance to hunt and to enjoy all the pleasures that attend the hunt. The day-to-day conditions he's faced with are as important maybe more important to the genuine deer hunter - as getting a deer. In this respect, the 1976 season wasn't too hot; in fact, it was downright cold, the coldest November on record. And it was 2

dry. And blow, didn't the wind blow! On top of this was the fact that hunters throughout much of the state had only a brief dusting or two of snow on which to try their tracking skills. All these factors added up to a distinct handicap for hunters in most areas of the state. Only in the northern two wildlife management units did hunters have reasonably good conditions for any length of time, and only there were deer kill figures up significantly from the previous year.

NTRIES INTO Maine's famous

"Biggest Bucks in Maine Club" increased by about 50 in 1976, to 480. This is well within the range of what could be considered "normal" for the Club al-

though well short of the record 608 entered in 1970. Entry into the Big Buck Club is reserved for hunters who have taken a Maine buck deer heavier than 200 pounds, woods dressed. The Club was started in 1949 as a state promotional program and is now administered by the Maine Sportsman (Box 507, Yarmouth, ME 04096), with application cards available from game wardens and wildlife biologists of the Fish and Wildlife Department. Space does not permit listing information on all of the deer entered in the Club each year, but we do try to give recognition to a few of the largest ones. The accompanying table lists the biggest of the Biggest Bucks entered in the Club in 1976. Maine Fish and Wildlife - Fall 1977

Breaking down the 480 Big Bucks entered last year by counties, we find that Aroostook County led the list with 99. Somerset County followed with 82, then Piscataquis with 53, Franklin with 41, and Oxford and Washington counties with 32 each. We would like to take this opportunity to correct a several-yearold mistake which was recently called to our attention. Our list of the Biggest Bucks entered in the Club in 1972 somehow did not include the very largest deer entered that year, a tremendous animal that should not go without mention, even though several years belated. On November 25, in the closing hour of the 1972 deer season, John P. McLaughlin of Caribou, Maine, shot a 10-point buck that dressed out at 295 pounds. Few deer larger than that have ever

been entered in the Club. In informing us of her husband's omission from our 197 2 Big Buck list, Mrs. McLaughlin noted that "as hunting companions we have shared the Maine trails together

since the last year of the decade of '30, and in that interval he has thrice been a big buck winner.'' Congratulations, Mr. McLaughlin. We'll try not to miss you on number four. â&#x20AC;˘

BIGGEST BUCKS, 1976 Name

Jean-Guy Thibodeau Lela O'Neal Steven R. Brown Wayne Young H.J. Wilt Walt Alden Kenneth S. Southworth Reid W. Emery Gary Uterstaedt George LaBreck Thomas J. McElwain Harvey B. Steward Darrell E. Seaney Richard Bucknell Russell Pike Al Kimball Alexander Quandt John Belanger Bill Blacker, Jr. Gary Hastey Dale M. Meyers Norene Perigo Gene Shoemaker Norman McPheters William Beasley, Sr. Thomas A. Estabrook Glendon S. Knapp Howard Shawney Cecil Waite

Address East Angus, Quebec Springfield, Me. Dennysville, Me. Union, Me. Presque Isle, Me. Carrabassett Valley, Me. New Vineyard, Me. Eastport, Me. Biddeford, Me. Limestone, Me. Peabody, Mass. Corinna, Me. Corinna, Me. Readfield, Me. Skowhegan, Me. Presque Isle, Me. Wilmington, Mass. St. Agatha, Me. Waterbury, Conn. Caribou, Me. Meyersdale, Pa. Guilford, Me. Pitman, N.J. Freeport, Me. Yarmouth, Me. Oakland, Me. Phillips, Me. Littleton, N.H. Rochester, Vt.

Maine Fish and Wildlife - Fall 1977

Date Killed

Where Killed

11/ 2/76 11/22/76 11/20/76 11/24/76 11/22/76 11/ 8/76 11/27 /76 11/12/76 11/ 2/76 11/19/76 11/15/76 11/ 9/76 11/ 9/76 11/16/76 11/ 8/76 11/17 /76 11/12/76 11/15/76 11/13/76 11/ 8/76 11/ 8/76 11/10/76 11/11/76 11/18/76 11/ 8/76 11/12/76 11/13/76 11/12/76 11/ 1/76

Spencer Pond Topsfield Edmunds Appleton Bridgewater Carrabassett Valley New Vineyard Perry T. 5, R. 15 Blackstone Siding Oxford County Ripley Corinna Manchester Cornville Mapleton E. Waterford T. 17, R. 5 North Amity Connor Plt. Weld Parkman Eagle Lake Hay Brook Mt. Yarmouth Bingham Phillips ----- -

T. 4, R. 18

Dressed Weight

Firearm

.30-06 .30-06 .208 .243 .30-30 .300 .30-06 12 gauge .30-30 .303 7mm .44 .270 .308 .. - - .308 .30-06 .308 7mm .308 .32 .30-30 .44 .410 .32 .308 .30-40 .308 .358

286 264 260 260 259 255 254 252 252 25l1h 250 250 249 243 243 242 242 241 240 240 240 240 240 236 235 235 235 235 235

Live Weight 372 345 340 340 336 332 330 328 328 326 325 325 323 316 316 315 315 313 312 312 312 312 312 307 305 305 305 305 305

Legislation Summary a roundup of the major

fi h and wildlife law change enacted in 1977 by the 108th L gi lature -

Âˇ ~- . ._-.a. Âˇ........_

By Bill Mincher

The 108th Maine Legislature made a number of changes in laws of interest to sportsmen. The following summary is intended to explain briefly the major changes. It is an advisory interpretation only anq should not be construed as law. Words in quotation marks are direct quotations from the law. "Commissioner" as used herein refers to the commissioner of inland fisheries and wildlife unless otherwise specified. Unless otherwise indicated, all measures are now in effect. The Maine fish and wildlife laws are contained in Title 12, Revised Statutes of Maine, chapters 30133 7. Section numbers cited refer to those chapters unless another Title is mentioned by number. The LD number in parentheses at the end of entries represents the Legislative Document generating the stated law. HUNTING Sec. 2353. Provides that the Saturday preceding the regular deer season for all hunters shall be an open day for Maine residents only. (LD 20)

Sec. 2353-B, 2551. There shall be a closed season on all wild birds and wild animals, and no one shall fish or hunt, on property of the Unity Utilities District on Route 139 and Prairie Road in Unity. (LD 990) Sec. 2468. Provides a legal definition of hunter orange, which explains precisely the scientific qualities required for an article to satisfy the law requiring 4

the wearing of this color while hunting. Hunter orange is "a daylight fluorescent orange color with a dominant wavelength between 595 and 605 nanometers, excitation purity not less than 87%, and luminance factor of not less than 40%." (LD 229) FISHING

Sec. 2552. Changes in the black bass season: Until June 20 each year, not more than three bass per day may be taken or possessed; in addition, general law provisions apply. After June 20, bass fishing is according to general law or as provided by special regulations on individual waters. In waters where the bag limit on bass has been removed by the commissioner, the season and methods of fishing shall be the same as for trout and salmon. (LD 333)

(Resolve) Changes the system of classification of waters and certain requirements pertaining to ice fishing. The changes will be incorporated in the ice fishing regulations folder to be_ available this December. A summary of major provisions: unless otherwise specified on individual waters, the game fish season will include January as well as February and March as heretofore; minimum length limit on togue will be 16 inches; the daily bag and possession limit may not include more than three fish of the salmon, trout, and togue species or five black bass, or more than five fish or seven and one-half pounds in the aggregate of salmon, trout, togue, and bass; pickerel limit statewide will be 10 fish; smelt limit will be two quarts from inland waters. (LD 1839) Sec. taking taking and be

2701. Allows the use of bow suckers whenever it is lawful to this species. Arrows must have attached to the bow with a line.

and arrow in use spears in barbed point (LD 114)

Maine Fish and Wildlife - Fall 1977

Sec. 2553-A. (Emergency, now in effect): provides that the Kennebec River from Indian Pond dam to tidewater in Augusta shall be open to fly fishing only, Sept. 15 to Oct. 31 each year, for all fish with a one-fish daily limit. (LD 667) Sec. 2553-B. Removes the weight restriction on black bass during a sanctioned bass tournament and sets forth certain rules and regulations for these tournaments; provides that the commissioner shall promulgate rules and regulations to carry out the purposes of this section. (LD 765)

"Intent to establish permanent residence may be established by payment of state income tax, payment of state excise tax, owning and registering a motor vehicle in this state, or holding a valid Maine driver's license. Absence of United States citizenship shall not be deemed a bar to residency status under this section." (LD 1224) Sec. 2355. Makes a correction by changing the fee for the deer transportation tag (for residents to transport a deer out of state) to $53.50. (LD 1224) OTHER

LICENSES Sec. 2401-B. Complimentary licenses to hunt and/or fish will be available to Maine residents who are veterans with service-connected disability of 75% or more. Full details are available at the Department office in Augusta. (LD 1263) Qualifying foreign exchange students may buy hunting and fishing licenses at the resident license fee. (LD 768) The requirement for an eye examination for recipients of free hunting licenses for residents 70 or older is dropped. (LD 679) Qualifying paraplegics, both resident and nonresident, may be issued complimentary hunting and fishing licenses. One condition for the nonresident applicant is that his state must provide a reciprocal privilege for Maine paraplegics. (LD 328) Sec. 2501 and 2502. Changes the previously existing laws regarding the special archery season on deer and the licensing therefor. The archery license that goes on sale October 24, 1977, will be valid at any time of the year of issue instead of only during the special archery season on deer; it may be used for hunting any wild animal in open season. The fee for the nonresident archery license changes to $30.50 (instead of $60.50 as . at present). A combination fishing and archery hunting license at $12.50 will be available to Maine residents only and will be obtainable only at the Fish and Wildlife Dept. office in Augusta. (LD 1278) Sec. 2401-B. Makes it clear that the only license Maine residents may exchange for another is a 3-day fishing license for a regular fishing license, and the only nonresident exchange is a 15-day fishing license for a regular annual license: Additional payment is required in each instance. (LD 1224) Sec. 2401 and 2401-B. Changes the residency requirements for purchase of hunting or fishing license. A resident must be domiciled in Maine for 12 or more consecutive months with the intent of establishing permanent residence. Maine Fish and Wildlife - Fall 1977

Sec. 1952, 24 70, 2757. Provides that the commissioner shall have responsibility for management of all inland fish and wildlife in Maine, and that municipalities may not enact any ordinances regulating hunting, trapping, or fishing. (LD 44 7) Sec. 2354. Clarifies the rights of citizens to kill or cause to be killed any wild animal, night or day, except beaver or wild birds, found in the act of attacking, worrying, or wounding the citizen's domestic animals or destroying the citizen's property. (The complete section sets forth the restrictions for such protection of property.) (LD 1467) Sec. 3551, Title 7. Changes the period for training of dogs on foxes and rabbits (and adds raccoons) from the current Sept. 1-0ct. 15 period, to Aug. 1 to the following Apr. 30; eliminates the application and $3 fee for training dogs on raccoons in closed season. (LD 1224) Sec. 3455, Title 7. Changes the so called leash law so it provides that "it shall be unlawful for any dog, licensed or unlicensed, to run at large, except when used for hunting." (Previous wording said it would be unlawful for the owner of a dog to permit it to run at large .... ) (LD 1224) (Resolve) The commissioners of marine resources and of inland fisheries and wildlife are authorized and directed to take necessary steps to assure fishway construction at the Kennebec River dam in Augusta. (LD 1494) Sec. 2951. Resident owners of vehicles encountering "apparent damage" by collision with a deer or moose shall report to a game warden as quickly as possible. (Previous requirement was that the vehicle had to be "substantially damaged.") (LD 874) Title 17, Sec. 2264-2267. Increases the fines that may be imposed for violations of the litter control law. (LD 1294) 5

HOW TO

BUG A BEAR By Roy D. Hugie Assistant Big Game Research Leader

HY WOULD ANYONE want to bother bears? They're big and strong and have giant teeth, right? During the last three years, the black bear study of the Wildlife Division has been "bugging" bears in a variety of ways. We've been capturing, ear tagging, and transporting them. Some have not only endured the handling but have been bugged technically by installation of radio transmitters around their necks. The project has been active since 1975 and is now one of the Department's major big game research programs. Why the sudden interest in Maine's black bears, you ask? Throughout much of eastern America, the land historically used by black bears has been put to uses not suited to bears. Many states have only remnant or token bear populations; some, none at all. More than two-thirds of Maine remains "bear country," thereby making Maine one of the few strongholds for large populations

in the east. Despite the relative abundance of bears in Maine, little research has been done regarding their status, needs, and management. A project in the early fifties on the status of the black bear in Maine (Spencer 1955) was essentially all that had been done. The black bear research currently underway is an attempt by the Department to investigate and monitor the status of bears. We are defining their biological needs, learning about their movements and behavior, and trying to find

out how we can use our land and forest resources and still have bears. The research is intended to help answer important questions before the status of bears declines to a dangerous level. The program is financed by a Pittman-Robertson federal aid project with monetary and/or equipment support also coming from the Department, the National Rifle Association, University of Maine, University of Montana, and the Border Grizzly Research Project. The bear research is divided into

Co lla r is checked a f inal t i me (above), and soon t his bruin will be released. Gro ggy bear at ri ght has just yi elded to th e drug injected by t he dart in his hind leg. He may be examined fo r 20 minutes or so .

Maine Fish and Wildlife - Fall 1977

several individual jobs. The number and title stated for each job are given here, in case the reader has special interest in a particular job. One aspect (Bear Registration and Kill Composition:W67R-176) is concerned with registering how many, where, and by whom the bears legally killed are taken each year. The sex and general age of each bear are also taken. The biological data (Sampling of Bear Legal Harvest:W67R-177) represents only part of the total registered kill; but from it, the average age and weight of various sex and age groups are determined as well as other valuable information. Small pre-molar teeth and sometimes other biological material are collected every month from cooperative sporting camp operators, guides, and sportsmen. deal with live bears that are released unharmed after capture. We introduced a capture-tag-and-release program in 197 5 to find out to what degree hunters harvest bears and to monitor movement (Bear Exploitation Rate Study:W67R178). It would be an immense job to do this for the whole state so we selected two study areas, each four townships in size. One study area is located south of Patten, and the other is west of Ashland. The two study areas differ markedly from each other. The Patten area is characterized by heavy bear hunting pressure, agricultural land intermixed with forested areas, moderately good access, housing, and a few small villages. In contrast, there are few hunters specifically hunting for bears in the more northern area, no housing or villages, no agricultural areas, and a canopy of forest broken only occasionally by rugged logging roads or cuttings. The difference we've found and expect to find among the hears living in the two areas are often associated with the differences in their habitats. We trap the bears using the so-

called cable trap or Aldrich foot snare. It is a very humane way to capture bears if properly and expertly used. Bears are lured into placing their foot on the trap treadle in an effort to secure the bait. We've used several types of bait - carrion, potatoes, and molasses - with varied success. Once caught, the bear does usually fight the trap and often tears up the

Cable trap (right) holds bear securely. Stops on the cab le prevent its cutting the animal's leg. Below, center, author secures a cable; trap treadle is in the oil drum. Bottom : it 's a job to weigh a bear.

HREE OTHER JOBS

Maine Fish and Wildlife - Fall 1977

area around the trap. However, in three years of trapping we have experienced very few serious injuries to the bears and only two to the handlers. A dart fired from a special capture gun and loaded with a drug called Ketamine hydrochloride is used to restrain the bears while tagging and handling them. The drug has been excellent for us and the bears. No deaths or even close calls have been experienced using Ketamine. The drug takes effect in 5 to 8 minutes, and the animals stay out for 20 to 30

minutes unless another dose is given. Ketamine substantially reduces or eliminates the pain and stress experienced by the bears. During the last three years, project personnel have captured, tagged, and released about 150 bears. As of July 1977 , 14 of the tagged bears had been shot by hunters and the tags returned along with a pre-molar tooth and information on where the bears were taken. The distance between the original capture sites and where they're recovered has ranged from a few miles to more than 100. Data from this job are just beginning to take form but will require a few more years to be helpful in management.

Another job (Baxter Park Technical Assistance: 711) involving the capture and handling of bears centers around the management of bears in Baxter State Park. Details on the management plan for bears in the Park were discussed in the last issue of this magazine. In essence, following the closing of the garbage dump and removal of garbage cans from campgrounds, the necessity for removing bears from the Park was reduceq. Currently, only young male bears and any bears proven to be a problem are captured and transported out of the Park. Eventually those people involved hope to create conditions for a wild bear population that doesn't require many removals or handling of bears. fascinating and productive jobs of the O bear project is the radio-telemetry NE OF THE MOST

study of home range and habitat requirements _(W67R-181 ). The work on this phase began in 1976 as a pilot study, with 1977 being the first full field season. Some of the bears captured in the exploitation study are equipped with collars having a small radio transmitter. The transmitters - made by Telonics, Inc., in Mesa, Arizona - are powered by a lithium battery that lasts from a year to 44 months depending on the type of signal desired. The transmitter and battery are enclosed in an airtight stainless steel case with an antenna about 12 inches long protruding from one end. The radio unit is then positioned between two strips of very tough belting and embedded in liquid urethane. The completed collar is waterproof and durable and weighs about two pounds. To receive a signal from the collar, a specially made receiver

Collar (above) installed, the bear must lose a pre-molar tooth whi ch will provide reliable information on the animal 's age.

is hooked up to a portable antenna. Usually we use two antennas, one mounted on each wing strut of a small, single engine, float plane. Using techniques developed by wildlife biologists in Montana and elsewhere, the bears are located from the air. The signal is a "beep-beep" every half-second or so and can be received more than 60 miles away at times. Usually we receive the signals at a distance of 10 to 15 miles when flying about 3,500 feet above the ground. Each bear has its own channel and distinctive pulse rate. The data we gather from monitoring the "bugged" bears help to pinpoint daily and seasonal movements, determine seasonal habitat preferences, and evaluate the effects of a number of land uses on bear behavior. When the blueberries and raspberries are on, we commonly see the bears from the air. Often they simply continue about their business, usually eating, but at other times they run from the plane. Currently (1977), we have 16 radio collars out and get relocations on most of them once or twice a week. Six of the 16 bears are females, 2 with cubs, and the other 10 are males of various ages. Results have not been compiled yet for this season, but some of the preliminary observations show a definite pattern, and we are excited to start putting pieces of the " bear puzzle " together. Incidently , the radio collars on bears in the northern study area are wrapped in brightly colored tape. Those near Patten are all grey without tape. Anyone observing one of these bears is encouraged to report the sighting to a local office of the Department or to Roy Hugie at the University of Maine ( 581-2507). The effort and expense in placing a radio collar on a black bear make those particular bears extremely valuable as research animals. Some of them have been followed for two years. We urge any bear

Maine Fish and Wildlife - Fall 1977

hunter who sees one of these bears to pass it up, voluntarily. If, by mistake or chance, anyone shoots, or knows someone who shoots, a collared bear, please con tact Roy Hugie or the Department's Augusta office so that data on the bear and collar can be collected. There, is, of course, no penalty for shooting the collared animals; it is just that their protection will help immensely to protect and create habitat for other bears, thereby insuring a huntable surplus. Radio telemetry is a proven wildlife research tool, and it is being used more widely in Maine during recent years, so anyone afield is likely to encounter not only bears but other species that have been "bugged." Their protection should be a matter of sportsmenship. routine movements of 60 to 80 miles W or more by some large male bears, E HAVE OBSERVED

while females with cubs have moved no more than 10 to 15 miles over the summer. The need for concealment when travelling or resting seems very important. Several bears have been located less than 100 yards from people without ever being detected. One bear, collared on Friday, May 13, we named "Lucky." Lucky has led a charmed life so far because

of his habit of living within a quarter of a mile of an active bear hunting guide near Patten. The use of travel lanes, sometimes called "bear crossings," seems to be common among radioed bears. The protection of such areas may ultimately result in maintaining the present distribution of bears in Maine. Tag returns help to supplement movement data from the radio relocation program. Anyone who shoots or knows someone who shoots a bear that has an ear tag is strongly urged to report this to the Department's headquarters or Roy Hugie. Besides investigating movement patterns and habitat preferences, the home range and habitat study is looking at the food habits of bears. Bear scats are examined to find out not only what the bears have been eating but also the nutrition of the bear's food. Gathering kill, biological, and behavioral data on black bears can be exceptionally interesting and exciting, but the real purpose of the project is to make recommendations that will help to meet the goal and objective of the black bear species management plan. A separate job (Regulation Adjustments: W67R-180) summarizes those recommendations each year to the Commissioner and biological staff.

The species planning process itself is a dynamic, continuing program (Black Bear Species Planning: W67R-186) and will be evaluated and updated periodically as new data become available. One final job (Administration: W67R-55) in the black bear project helps to co-ordinate and administer all the former jobs plus other activities associated with bears but not directly involved with any one particular job. A major responsibility in the administration area will take place when Maine and the Bear Biologists Association host the Eastern Black Bear Workshop in April 1978. Every other year, bear biologists from all over the East gather to present recent findings, techniques, and approaches to solving management and research problems. Previous workshops have been held in New York, Tennessee,and Pennsylvania. Usually, most of the meeting is limited to those actively involved in bear research or management, but some sessions and the proceedings are available to the public. Details on the time and place will be announced later.

A LTHOUGH

IT HAS BEEN

~ privilege to direct and ad-

minister the work on the bear project, the real credit lies with the 18 workers who have been with me at one time or another over the past three years. Usually under very difficult and adverse conditions, these zealots of wildlife biology have worked long, hard hours. My hearty admiration and thanks go out to them for a job well done. Special thanks to my wife, Jan, for the many weekends and days she has spent helping us with tagging and other field activities of this project.

Detecting the bear 's transmitter signal can be done with a portable rig (left) or one mounted in an aircraft; antenna is fixed to struts.

By Peter M. Bourque Fishery Biologist

Photos by Tom Carbone

w I N T E R

Some like "solid comfort" ... . . . some "tough it out." They all enjoy ...

s M E L T I N Ci

how cold it is, or how blustery the winds, or how deep the snow, there is a breed of fishermen who will be on our Maine lakes during the ice fishing season in pursuit of a little fish that doesn't put up much of a fight. Now you might wonder why a fish that averages about 4 to 8 inches long and isn't a star performer on the end of a line would have this effect on reasonable people. But you'd wonder no more after you had your first meal of crispy, fried smelt. And, who knows, you might even want to give winter smelting a try yourself. If one attempts to study winter smelt-fishing methods, he soon realizes that the methods are as varied as the fishermen. Many anglers enjoy the warmth of a cozy

O MATTER

Maine Fish and Wildlife - Fall 1977

one line at a time .... or, on tidal waters, many melt hou e ( also called sm elt shac k , fi h house o r bob house) while other would just as soon ''tough it out" without on e. The sin gle line m ethod is one often used by anglers who do not enjo y t he lux uries of a smelt house . ome simply use their conve n t ional ice fi shing tip-ups with small hooks, while ot her anglers have ingeniously fabri cate d smaller , lighter rigging which is mu ch more sensitive to t he hard-to-detect nibbles of the smelt. Some anglers are perfectly satisfied with a hand-held piece of monofilament lin e with a small hook , sinker , and bait. As you move inside the smelt house from the invigorating chill of a froz en Maine lake , often the single line method of angling gives way to a multiple line or multiple hook method. The use of several - often a dozen or more - lines per man is a common and legal practice in tidal waters. Here, a slo t is cut in the ice along one ent ire side of t he fish house to Maine Fish and Wildlife - Fall 1977

accommodate the lines. All lines are individually wound on pegs which are fast ened to a long pole at about head level. Th e entire pole is held by a spring ( or piece of inner tube) at eith er end to permit all lines to be " jigged " at on ce in an effor t t o attract the smelts t o t he baited hooks. On some waters in Aroostook County , a special regulation permits the use of 3 hooks per line to be attached not less than 4 inch es apart.

This is a common method up north and often very productive. Sometimes the 3 hooks have a small spinner attached to each to help attract the fish. OST ANGLERS use small hooks and small pieces of bait. The most common bait used in the inland waters is a tiny piece of smelt, while the tidal anglers have the highest regard for bloodworms. Of course, if these baits

SMELT FISHING REGULATIONS Maine's ice fishing regulations vary from lake to lake and from county to county so be sure to check the current regulations folder carefully before leaving on a " smelting safari ." Generally, on inland waters, the daily limit on sme lts is two quarts, and you can fish for them with up to five lines. I n tidal waters there is no dai ly limit except between March 15 and June 15 each year when the l im it is four quarts da ily. The number of lines is unrestricted on tidal waters . There are a few lakes that are open to ice fishing for smelts in the nighttime; but as a general rule, ice fishing for anything except cusk is illegal between %-hour after sunset and %-hou r before sunrise. On tidal waters, there is no restriction on nighttime fishing. Many inland waters are completely closed to ice fishing . Of those that are open, smelt fishing begins on some as soon as the ice forms in the fa l l, but not until January 1 on others. There is no season restriction on tidal waters. Again, be sure to check the regulations folder for other restrictions and possible except io ns to these general laws.

Sinkers are variable, but hooks and bait should be smal I.

areas. Generally, such areas produce the best fishing as soon as it is safe to get out on the ice. By the time salmon and trout season has started, the smelt fishing has tapered off. Be sure to check your ice fishing regulations folder, though, as the law varies from lake to lake. In a nutshell, the best advice is: 1. Get out early in the ice fishing season. 2. Know the favorite haunts of the smelt, or get invited along with someone who does know the "hotspots." 3. Keep your hooks and bait small. 4. Be alert - the smelt bites lightly and quickly so you've got to be on your toes if you want to fill that frypan. (Boy, I can taste them now!) â&#x20AC;˘

It doesn't take many big ones Ii ke t his to make ...

.. . a mess of smelts t he maki ngs of a good feed.

aren't available, almost any small piece of fish, salt pork, whole kernel corn, etc., can be used with success. For some Aroostook County anglers, smelt eyes seem to be top-notch. What about weights or sinkers? The size, shape, and location of the sinkers seem to be extremely variable but for no obvious reasons. (I am sure most smelt fishermen would tell you differently.) Perhaps this item is not nearly so important as some of the other factors when measuring the success of smelt anglers. All types of gear pictured on these pages are successful in catching smelts. However, as is the case with most types of fishing, it helps to know the "hotspots." Smelts seem to have favorite haunts and tend to school in these

Maine Fish and Wildlife - Fall 1977

Wildlife Management Areas

By Gary G. Donovan Regional Wildlife Biologist

Photos by Tom Carbone ever travelled Route 3 to the coast, you might have noticed Ruffingham Meadow Wildlife Management Area in North Searsmont. Perhaps you saw some young people fishing for pickerel from the shore, or bicycles lying helter-skelter while their riders' youthful curiosity drew them to the eel run at the foot of the dam. At first glance, it would appear that the area is little more than a mill pond, but first impressions can be deceiving. Located in the towns of Searsmont and Montville in Waldo County, Ruffingham was the second wildlife

F YOU HA VE

management area to be purchased and developed by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Acquisition of some 30 privately-owned tracts of land was made from 1946 through 1950 and was financed on a cost-sharing basis with money derived from the Pittman-Robertson Act, Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration funds. In all, 610 acres were acquired. Originally, the area consisted of an old lake basin that had overgrown with sedges, grasses, sweet gale, willow, dogwood, and alder. Thompson Brook and Bartlett Stream wound through the dense shrub cover to a confluence in the lower section of the wetland, where Bartlett Stream continued as a tributary of Quantabacook Lake. Both streams originate on the slopes of Frye Mountain in Montville and contribute to the drainage of a 1 7-square-mile watershed. The first field evaluations made clear the potential value of the meadow as a waterfowl production area. Water levels, however, required increase and stabilization in order to develop shallow and deep fresh marshes. These wetland types are now flooded with up to three feet of water and consist of various emergent, floating, and submergent aquatic vegetation. They are important not only to waterfowl for nesting and feeding but also to shore birds, furbearers, reptiles, and fish. Of the more than 1.5 million acres of

T he dam at Ruffingham Meadow permits water level control to enhance t he marsh habitat and stab ii ity needed by nesting waterfowl .

Two examp les of habitat management at Ruffing ham are t he planned reversion of fields into alder hedge rows and a ditch blasted to give geese access from open water to a feeding fiel d.

wetlands inventoried in Maine, only 3 per cent are these valued marsh types. Preparations for impoundment began in 1950 with the creation of post-flooding islands for nesting Canada geese. Tree harvesting was also necessary in what was to become the main basin of the flowage. The dam, consisting of a 25-foot spillway, sluice gate, and provisions for a fish way, was then constructed. Also built into the structure's design is the ability to control water levels above or below the fixed crest of the spillway. Water level stability is critical because erratic fluctuations cause serious flooding of ground nests, adversely affecting the reproductive success of the black duck, ring-neck duck, green-winged teal, and blue-winged teal - species which habituate this particular marsh area. Since impoundment, the character of the 310 acre wetland has changed dramatically; paddling a canoe around the flowage will reveal an uncommon vegetative diversity and interspersion. Six distinctive wetland types, from fresh meadows to bogs, now occur at Ruffingham. Each type possesses special characteristics that fulfill specific needs for wildlife. The most significant waterfowl habitats, as previously mentioned, are the shallow marshes (35 acres) and deep marshes (38 acres). Open fresh water comprises 75 acres of the area and is important for brooding and nesting waterfowl, especially in shallow sites that are fringed with border vegetation. Two acres of fresh meadow are commonly used for nesting and are frequented by deer for feed and rest.

Adjacent to the marsh types and occurring in the upper reaches of Ruffingham Meadow are 68 acres of bog. This type, when associated with the shallow marshes, deep marshes, and open wat.e r, is used by deer, beaver, and some nesting waterfowl. Finally, shrub swamps consisting of alder, willow, button bush, and dogwood occur on 92 acres and provide cover for woodcock, ruffed grouse, deer, song birds, and in the wetter sites, cover for broods and moulting ducks.

ITH THE EXCEPTION of a 5-acre field, the 300-

acre upland portion of this wildlife management area is forested and can be described as seven acres of softwood , composed mainly of white pine, eastern hemlock, spruce, and white cedar; 180 acres of hardwood composed of birch, beech, red maple, aspen, oak, and alder; and 113 acres of mixed growth of the above mentioned species. The fields were originally larger, but, through planned reversion, alders were allowed to develop in hedge rows. This has ultimately provided more "edge," and also increased the ability of the area to support more deer, ruffed grouse, and woodcock. The Army National Guard in 1972 added one final touch by blasting a ditch between the field and the wetland, allowing Canada geese access from open water to pasturage. The only introduced plant species, aside from the occasional reseeding of the field to winter rye, clover, and timothy has been wild rice, a valued waterfowl food. Favorable conditions have allowed the wild Maine Fish and Wildlife - Fall 1977

rice to spread and occupy approximately 30 per cent of the open wetland area. Wildlife research and management activities at Ruffingham have included nest box installations, waterfowl relocations studies, and Canada goose transplants. Canada geese were transplanted from nuisance flocks in New York and New Jersey between 1965 and 1972 in an attempt to establish a resident breeding population in Maine. Many of the geese released at Ruffingham accepted their new home and have returned there each spring with mates to raise between one and three broods of goslings. The nest box program has been highly successful not only at Ruffingham but also throughout the state. The purpose of this project is to establish nesting opportunities for wood ducks, hooded mergansers, and American goldeneyes in suitable sites free from predation. All installations are located above the water and, wherever possible, among the emergent plants, to afford immediate food and cover for the duckling. Though natural cavities are sometimes numerous throughout these production areas, they are usually very vulnerable to predation by raccoons and other animals. To overcome this problem, we place predator guards below the nest boxes to insure the safety of the hen and her clutch during incubation. At Ruffingham, Wildlife Technician Jim Dorso is maintaining 40 such structures that have produced 228 ducklings this (1977) season - a very significant contribution to the local waterfowl population. All visitors to the area are cautioned that these nest boxes are being used from ice-out until early July, and excessive disturbances during egg laying and incubation may result in nest abandonment. Waterfowl relocation research similar to the Canada goose transplants was also studied. Adult female ducks with their newly-hatched broods were relocated to Ruffingham and other wetlands with results indicating that the stocking of marshes with wild-reared broods appears to be an efficient technique to establish breeding populations of wood ducks, hooded mergansers, and goldeneyes. Follow-up studies have shown that several of the female ducks that were transplanted when young, have returned to their release sites to nest. Don't be misled by the apparent emphasis on waterfowl. All the management activities conducted at Ruffingham have benefited shore birds, song birds, furbearers, small game, and big game as well. In fact, we even find that some of the wildlife have been doing some habitat management on their own. The engineering feats of the beaver have created a series

of flowages providing additional wetlands complementing the main flowage. White-tailed deer are abundant throughout the year at Ruffingham. They use the fields for grazing and woodlands for browse and winter shelter. Pileated woodpeckers and great blue herons are also found nesting here. it should be apparent that Ruffingham Meadow Wildlife Management Area offers opportunities for the hunter, trapper, fisherman, naturalist, and bird watcher alike, and makes substantial contributions to local wildlife populations. Most important, however, is that we are providing a demonstration of how wildlife will respond to such activities as apple tree releases; maintenance of small, irregular openings; stable water levels; and forest management to promote stand diversity. Over the years, many small farms in Maine have been abandoned, and the fields are reverting to forests. This trend, if it continues, will make the land unable to support the wildlife populations that we presently enjoy. Only with your efforts of improving your own land for wildlife will present abundance levels be maintained throughout the state. Some of what we have learned on our wildlife management areas, like Ruffingham Meadow, can help you improve your own land. â&#x20AC;˘

Y NOW,

Duck nest boxes, maintained at Ruffingham by Wildlife Technician Jim Dorso, are well used by cavity nesting waterfowl. Note predator guard below box.

Maine Fish and Wildlife - Fall 1977

MAKE YOUR OWN ...

Inner Tube Snowshoe Harnesses By John M. McPhee

the advent of the snowmobile and the growing popularity of cross-country skiing, one of man's oldest forms of winter travel - snowshoeing - is still in wide use. Whether snowshoes are used strictly out of necessity or merely for fun, there are many places and conditions where they are the only way to go. But maybe you have tried snowshoeing and decided that it wasn't for you, or perhaps you aren't completely happy with your snowshoes. Too many buckles to bother with . . . snowshoes keep falling off ... cold feet ... sore feet ... etc. These are not uncommon complaints, and if they are yours , the source of your troubles might well be the harnesses. If you'd like to do something about it, listen up. ESPITE

Warden Pilot

For little or no money, you can make your own harnesses from used truck inner tubes. Many of us in the Fisheries and Wildlife Department have been doing this for years. In 1964, Warden Duane Lewis and I made several pairs of inner tube harnesses using instructions printed in an outdoor magazine. These original harnesses are still in use today and have proven more than adequate. As a matter of fact, after wearing mine for over a dozen winters, I still cannot see any appreciable wear. Follow these step-by-step instructions and then give 'em a try this winter. See if you don't agree that they are a pretty slick rig. And the price isn't bad, either!

boot hole (enlarge as necess

Rule-off a piece of cardboard 1 â&#x20AC;˘ into 1-inch squares, t hen transfer the pattern to it, adjusting so the distance between the centers of the two tie downs is equal to the distance between the lower corners of the toe ho le in your snowshoe. Punch out 6 tie down holes. Cut out cardboard pattern, then transfer to rubber stock (truck or sk idder inner tube). Cut out harness. Cut out 2 reinforcing patches, using a jar cover for the pattern.

Maine Fish and Wildlife - Fall 1977

Glue rubber reinforcing patches on harness after 2 â&#x20AC;˘cleaning contacting surfaces with gasoline or

Photos by Tom Carbone

similar fluid. Use a rubber base cement for gluing. A commercial truck blowout patch works equally wel I. Pun ch three holes for both tie downs. A leather

3 . punch works well for this job, but a .30 caliber cartridge case will do if no punch is available.

Use rawhide or similar material for attaching harness to Use scissors to enlarge size of boot opening until you can comfortably slip the harness on (a size 10 boot needs a 2Y2 by 6 inch opening). Adjust rawhides until boot toe is correctly positioned in toe hole of snowshoe (toes should cover the lower third of the toe hole).

4 â&#x20AC;˘ snowshoe; leave some clearance between the two .

down center

Maine Fish and Wildlife - Fall 1977

Bass Tournaments:

OST MAINE ANGLERS en-

joy their sport for the quiet, contemplative pastime that it can be. Many wince at the thought of organized, highly competitive fishing. Yet, like it or not, the bass tournaments that originated in the south and have spread across the country in recent years have now come to Maine. Organized bass fishing tournaments in Maine are presently run by two clubs: the Pine Tree Bass Casters of Biddeford and the Pine Tree Bass Masters of Brunswick. These clubs, like hundreds of other local chapters in other states, are affiliates of nationwide parent organizations dedicated to the promotion, research, and betterment of bass fishing. Besides holding tournaments, bass clubs contribute substantial sums to bass research, habitat improvement, and related activities.

While many bass club mem rs are ordinary weekend anglers who like to fish for bass, there is a hard core in every group that can be described only as fanatic. These "bass fishermen of all bass fishermen" are so addicted to their sport that they devote practically all of their spare time and funds to the pursuit of it. The vast array of tackle and equipment amassed by each of these individuals is astounding. Fortunately for tackle manufacturers, bass are susceptible to practically every fishing technique, lure, and gimmick known to man. Thus, in order to be a complete bass angler, one must accrue a large tackle box or, better yet, several large tackle boxes full of lures, plugs, and plastic worms of every shape, size, and color imaginable.

With all this variety to choose from, a bass fisherman could spend al his time changing lures. The com -L te bass fisherman therefore starts his with two to six rods each rigged wÂˇ a different kind of terminal tacK The angler uses only one rod a a time, changing rods to fit the situ Âˇon. If the tournament bass angle ' tackle is elaborate, then his boat can be described only as luxurious. A well-equipped bass boat has two motors. Mounted on the stern is a larg~ outboard for racing other competitors from the starting point to the best spots. Once fishing begins, the boat is held against the wind or moved quietly about with an electric motor mounted on the bow. This little motor is maneuvered by a foot control to allow the angler free-

The compleat angler - not since Isaac Walton has any angler been as prepared as the tournament bass fisherman. These com petitors know how to find the fish and catch them - and they bring with them whatever they need to do it.

Maine Fish and Wildlife - Fall 1977

iNG CoMEs

Peter G. Walker

MAiNE

Regional Fishery Biologist

dom to use both arms for casting and for playing fish. The bass boat owner casts in comfort, seated in a padded swivelchair mounted on a raised deck to afford better visibility. The deck is often covered with astro-turf. Other features include built-in coolers, rod racks, tackle holders , and one or more live wells. All this may sound calculated to kill a lot of bass, but that is inTournament bass anglers fun. Virtually all bass Âˇons advocate "no kill" Ba caught during tournaments are kep alive in built-in live wells in which water is circulated with a small, electn ump. At tournament weigh-ins, Gh angler carries his fish to the official More tools of the trade - many bass ang lers carry even more than this in the way of lures, spinners , plugs , and other I ine-tip equipment.

Photos by

Tom Carbone

To keep tro phy bass alive unti l after the judging, special I ive wel Is are built into the tota ll y equi pped bass boats. Circulating water throug h t he well helps deliver t he fish to t he weigh-in in good shape.

Maine Fish and Wildlife - Fall 1977

Walking advertisements su ch as th is abound at bass tourneys , testifying to the fishing industry 's support for such activities.

proved life jackets whenever their outboards are in use. Tournament prizes, usually tackle or related equipment, are generally contributed on a promotional basis by tackle manufacturers or local dealers. One estimate places the total value of prizes to be given away at U. S. bass tournaments during 1977 in excess of two million dollars! Tournament anglers usually wear jackets or jump suits adorned with tackle emblems and slogans reflecting the encouragement of organized bass fishing by the industry. Large cash prizes offered at big southern and midwestern tournaments have created a pro circuit similar to golfing or auto racing. Regardless of whether you wish to participate in this sort of activity, you '11 find attending a tournament weigh-in an interesting experience. Tournament anglers are a wealth of bass fishing information and are usually more than willing to talk about their favorite sport. In addition, you will almost certainly see many, many bass. On the other hand, watch out! Bass anglers' enthusiasm is catching. You may be hooked, too.

T he weig h-in - a moment of trut h for t he tourney ang ler (left photo) w hen he finds out just where he stands in t he lineup. At right, fish are carefully released after judg ing, allowing some other fisherman a chance at the lunker later on .

scales in a water-filled plastic bag. After the fish are weighed, the angler takes them back to the lake to be released, with the hope that they will be caught again in some future tournament. Bass tournaments are governed by other strict rules as well. Most clubs forbid alcoholic beverages of any kind during competition. In addition, there are several strict safety rules designed to cut down the possibility of accid n ts. Tournament anglers must wear ap20

Maine Fish and Wildlife - Fall 1977

during spring fishing and fall hunting, several boating mishaps result in fatalities. Most of the accidents are reported as drownings, and although this may be a correct term, nearly all of the victims would probably not have drowned if it had not been for cold water conditions or hypothermia. All boaters, as well as others who are in danger of accidental immersion in cold water, should be aware that reduction of body heat could result in death from hypothermia. Unconsciousness usually occurs when the deep-body temperature falls to approximately 90째 F. and heart failure is common when the body cools to about 85째 F. Many boaters do not realize the dangerous situations they put themselves in while operating in small boats or canoes when the water is cold. They put themselves in precarious situations by overloading their boats and/or by being out when strong winds suddenly cause rough waters. Most of the survivors of these unfortunate accidents are the persons who stayed with the overturned boat. How long a person can survive under these conditions depends on many factors. Scientists at the University of Victoria in Canada, headed by Dr. John S. Hayward, have made an in-depth study with some very interesting results. The study concluded that at water temperature of 50째 F ., the average survival time is 2 1h to 3 hours. The survival time is increased by extra body fat and decreased by small body size. Although women generally possess slightly more fat than men, they cool about 15 per cent faster ( on the average) due to their usually smaller body size. (Children cool much faster than adults because of their size.) The average survival time decreases rapidly at lower water temperatures. An average person when swimming cools 35 per cent faster than when holding still. The increased

ACH YEAR IN MAINE

Maine Fish and Wildlife - Fall 1977

blood circulation to arms, legs, and skin exposed to the cold water greatly increases the loss of body heat, offsetting any body heat that swimming can produce. The decision to swim for shore becomes very critical, and unless it is a short distance, the best advice is to stick with the boat whenever possible. An average person in 50째 F. water could cover a distance of approximately 0.85 miles before being incapacitated by hypothermia and a much shorter distance when the water is colder. ersonal Flotation Devices (PFDs) become doubly P important in cold water situations. They not only help you to float but to do so with very little PFD TYPE

-, --, f

DESCRIPTION LIFE PRESERVER. Over 20 pounds buoyancy. Turns uncon. scious person from do'M'lward position to vertical or slightly backward position. Acceptable for all size boats.

BUOYANT VEST. At least 15.5 pounds buoyancy. Turns unconscious person from downward po. sltion to vertical or slightly backward position. Acceptable for all size boats.

SPECIAL PURPOSE DEVICE. Not designed to turn unconscious person face up. At least 15.5 pounds buoyancy. fo.N;)re comfortable for water sports. Acceptable for all size boats. THROWABLE DEVICE. At least 16.5 pounds buoyancy. Designed to be thro'M'l, not worn. Acceptable for boats less than 16 feet, canoes and kayaks and as throwable device for boats 16 feet and over.

movement, thereby conserving that all-important body heat. The head and neck and the sides of the chest - areas of little muscle or fat - are high heat loss areas. The groin region loses much heat due to large blood vessels near the surface. These areas call for special attention to increase survival time. The critical areas should be protected by placing yourself in a fetal position: putting your arms tight against the side of the chest and raising your thighs to close off the groin region can result in increasing predicted survival time by 50 per cent. Of course, this can be possible only if you are wearing a PFD. Huddling can also increase the predicted survival time. Persons huddling so the sides of the chest are holding close together also increase survival time by 50 per cent. The table at right depicts 4 different situations and the estimated survival time of an adult wearing a cotton shirt, pants, socks, and shoes in water temperatures of 50° F. Being under the influence of alcohol increases the blood flow to the surface areas, and, therefore, the cooling rate is increased by 20 per cent. One might die happier but sooner. Although we have stressed spring and fall cold water conditions , we must remember that ocean water in Maine is usually in the 50° to 60° F. range during the summer months, and hypothermia is always a problem. A small percentage of cold water accidents can kill without hypothermia. Sudden immersion in cold

water causes immediate major changes in body functions, and the heart rate and blood pressure rise sharply, occasionally resulting in heart attack or ruptured blood vessels. This is more of a danger in older persons. PREDICTED SURVIVAL TIMES

swin 1min!

w/1 1fd

hold ing s till

V1/pfd

fetal .pos ition w/pfkf hudc ling w/pf1:t

hours

o one can give definitive and positive instructions about what to do in all situations, but the best advice we can suggest is, first of all, avoid dangerous situations by not overloading or operating in rough waters. And wear a PFD. It is impossible for a good swimmer to don any PFD while in the water in ten seconds, so non-swimmers especially should wear the PFDs in the boat. Remember, safe boating is no accident.

SUBSCRIPTION EXPIRING? Don't take a chance on missing a single issue of MAINE FISH AND WILDLIFE -- check to see when your subscription expires. If you see LAST ISSUE printed on your mailing label, your current subscription has run out.

The

three digits on the top line of your label just before the asterisk(*) indicate your last issue --

,=/,,,/ 1$~ .,..J 'J'~Y.

178, for instance, stands for the first, or winter, issue of 1978.

(/: IAJll'I°#,,.. 2= ,,,,,,.,~ .)

Here's how to read the essential information on your magazine label:

a.::- S Un,,tfl'Y. ¥: fli//.

:tcllt\i,f lcai-,oj,\ ~~ ~,, nuw.bl"' ~oY- ""rh1.s 178

5c,bsct-tp't·io;:;:-

043301'L.~T ,, 11 pPtars h£r.t 0 "' lt>S~E ~ · l•beJ for 1-hz ~""•' "•P'1 ,·lo\ 't'~,.s i'E.'f"W>.

If you wish to renew your subscription, or if there are any problems with delivery of your MAINE FISH AND WILDLIFE, please let us know -- but include a label from your magazine, or at least a copy of all the information on the label.

It will greatly help speed up processing.

Maine Fish and Wildlife - Fall 1977

y IONS

A TOOT

Andrew S. Clauson Wildlife Technician University of Maine a new technique has been developed by wildlife biologists which enables them to age accurately a large number of mammalian species. This is the technique of tooth sectioning. When very thin tooth sections are stained and then viewed under a microscope, alternating light and dark areas of cementum tissue are readily visible. Each light and dark area grouped together generally correspond to one year of growth. This technique originated in Canada for use with marine mammals. Its accuracy has subsequently been confirmed in many of our common game and fur bearing species including the white-tailed deer and black bear. In the case of the white-tailed deer, this method of aging is an improvement over the previous technique of aging by examining tooth wear and replacement. Tooth wear in deer was found to occur at varying rates in different geographic regions. These differences may be due to genetic variability or, more importantly, the abrasiveness of different soils which deer ingest, which will grind down teeth at different rates. Because of these factors, the tooth wear technique was not consistent. It is also more difficult for a biologist to age a deer accurately by tooth wear when he is working under adverse weather conditions in November than it would be for him simply to pull an incisor that will later be sectioned and aged in the lab. For the bear biologist, the tooth sectioning technique is the only means of accurately aging black bear. Weight and general size criteria used by many laymen to age bears - are not reliable. Detailed training on aging is no longer necessary for field personnel; one lab technician can do the job now and with greater precision. In addition, a permanent record of each animal may now be kept in the form of a slide with tooth sections on it. Briefly described, the tooth sectioning technique begins when a tooth is removed from the skull. In bears, it is usually a first upper premolar while in

N RECENT YEARS

Maine Fish and Wildlife - Fall 1977

Tooth section from 11/2-year o ld bear, 1OOX magnificatio n. Cementum shows two w ide li ght bands and o ne dark narrow ba nd .

deer, it is a first incisor. The entire tooth must be extracted, decalcified in a weak acid solution, and rinsed in water. This decalcification removes the inorganic salts, making staining possible, and it softens the tissue sufficently for it to be cut. After decalcification, the tooth is cut longitudinally with a microtome into sections 12 microns thick. Several sections from the middle of the tooth are mounted on a slide and stained, and coverslips .are mounted over the sections. Viewing slides under a microscope and counting the number of cementum lines gives the age in years. Fifty teeth are usually processed at a time so the procedure is not as time consuming as it may appear. The accompanying photomicrograph shows the structure of the tooth as it appears under the microscope magnified 100 times. The amount of cementum is proportional to the age of the animal. One factor which must be taken into consideration is the age at which the tooth erupts in the jaw. If, for instance, the tooth did not erupt until the animal was two years old, then the age as determined by the number of cementum lines would be two years less than the real age. For the white-tailed deer and the black bear, the situation is simplified because the teeth which we examine erupt in the first year of life. Scientists are also able to age some mammalian species by similar growth layers in bones and in the den tine of the teeth. Researchers are now trying to age birds by annual layers in bone, also. Taking this concept one step further but a long way from the intent of the original investigators, archeologists are now experimenting with a similar technique. In an effort to determine season of occupancy of archeological sites, they examine teeth from the remains of animals killed by the inhabitants of these sites, and note the degree of formation of the outermost light and dark bands of cementum. This would indicate the season in which the animal was killed.

he reasoning behind the success of this technique is basic. Chewing causes stress to be exerted on the teeth. This stress would in time loosen the teeth were it not for the fact that cementum is being constantly deposited, anchoring the tooth to the periodontal membrane and so to the jaw. This cementum deposition takes the form of alternating light and dark bands when stained. The wide, light bands are deposited during the late spring, summer, and early fall; and the narrow, dark bands are laid down during the rest of the year.

Tooth section from 3Y2-year old bear , 100X magn if ication.

What is the cause of the alternating light and dark shades of the cementum? A prevailing belief is that there is a general periodic slowing down of growth in these tissues during the winter months, caused by seasonal changes in overall growth of the animal. Under tropical conditions, the same periodic slowdown occurs during the dry season. As expected, this growth decrease is more pronounced in hibernating species than in non-hibernators. While the rate of growth of the organic constituents of a tooth is decreased, the rate of deposition of calcium salts remains fairly constant, resulting in a greater degree of calcification (hypercalcification) of the slower growing cementum tissue during winter. This hypercalcification results in a differential staining, showing darker bands in the winter. Why do wildlife biologists want to know the ages of animals shot during the hunting season? The age composition of the deer or bear kill is used to determine the health and productivity of the population within the state. This knowledge is a powerful tool to help ensure a continued optimum harvest of wildlife. 24

Tooth sections from 6Y2-year old bear (above) and 71h-year old bear (below), both 100X magnifi cation.

Maine Fish and Wildlife - Fall 1977

THE ORLAND By Ron Brokaw Assistant Regional Fishery Biologist square miles of forest and agricultural land in Hancock County. The west branch of the drainage, originating at the Mill Stream outlet of Phillips Lake, flows about 11 miles before joining the east branch from Toddy Pond at Alamoosook Lake. The Orland River (also called the Narramissic at this section) then flows several miles from the outlet at Alamoosook to tidewater at the village of Orland. Approximately 3 miles further downstream, the Orland joins the eastern channel of the Penobscot River near Verona Island. One of the more notable features of the Orland River drainage is the high quality .commercial alewife fishery that has existed for many years at Orland. Some town records pertinent to alewives date back to the period from 1905-1910. Records maintained by the Department of Marine Resources dating to 1949 reveal that the peak catch at Orland occurred in 1951 when 1,246,120 pounds of alewives (representing 36 per cent of the statewide catch) were landed. In recent years, the catch at Orland has generally ranked among the top 3 in the state. In the 6 year period from 1971 to 1976, commercial alewife landings at Orland averaged 412,580 pounds with a dollar value ranging from $4,600 to $27,000. The Orland River catch averaged 15 per cent of the total statewide landings during this period. The first group of stragglers usually arrives in Orland in late April. During most years, the run peaks between May 7 May 14. Those adult alewives, which are allowed to continue their journey up-river to perpetuate the run, spawn primarily in Toddy Pond and Alamoosook Lake. Another feature of the drainage is the presence of the Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery on the shores of Alamoosook Lake. This hatchery is a major producer of young Atlantic salmon. Each year, adult Atlantic salmon captured in fishway traps on several rivers in Maine are transported to Craig Brook where

HE ORLAND RIVER drains about 113

NOTE: Some information in this article was obtained from the report, Orland River Drainage (1956) by Keith A. Havey, former regional fishery biologist for the Grand Lakes Region.

Maine Fish and Wildlife - Fall 197 7

they are stripped. The fertilized eggs hatch and grow into smolts which are subsequently stocked in a number of Maine rivers to supplement the runs of wild salmon. No rainbow trout or largemouth bass are present in any waters of the drainage. A person looking for a wilderness trout pond type of angling experience should go elsewhere. None of the streams or rivers offer any significant white-water canoeing opportunities. Now that these "negatives" have been mentioned, it is time to devote our attention to some of the attributes of the Orland River drainage. Perhaps the best manne; to accomplish this is to discuss briefly the fisheries and other recreational opportunities afforded by the more prominent waters of the region.

A LAMOOSOOK LAKE in Orland provides good .t\_ habitat for smallmouth bass and white perch. Juvenile alewives constitute a good forage fish for these two species in the summer and early fall months. Some hefty brown trout in the two to four pound class are occasionally caught in the lake, and both brown trout and brook trout exist in several tributaries. Scenic Craig Pond in Orland provides excellent 25

Gene Bouchard of Penobscot w ith a nice brown t rout cau ght at Heart Pond, Orland, on t he next t o last day of the 1977 ice fishing season.

habitat for cold-water game fish. Most of the pond is quite deep, but even the deepest section contains plenty of dissolved oxygen so critical to the wellbeing of fish such as trout, salmon, and togue. A limited fishery for good size wild togue (most fish creeled weigh in excess of five pounds) exists along with sporadic fisheries for salmon and brook trout. The latter two fisheries are dependent upon stocking programs conducted by the federal hatchery system. The Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery obtains its water supply from this pond. During the summer, a popular public beach and swimming area attracts sun worshippers and swimmers. Heart Pond in Orland is presently managed for brown trout. An experimental brown trout stocking program was initiated in 1971. Returns to anglers thus far have been spotty, but a number of 15 to 20 inch specimens have graced anglers' creels. Although the pond is quite small (only 73 acres) , it contains some water that is 69 feet deep. A highly unusual characteristic of this pond is the presence of a small, wild, togue population. Togue generally inhabit considerably larger bodies of water. Some salmon are caught from time to time. Jacob Buck Pond in Bucksport is presently managed for landlocked salmon. This species was originally planted in 1971, and some good salmon fishing ensued in the following years. However, recent data collected by netting and a winter creel census conducted by

Mr. Stephen Smith of Bucksport indicate that the growth rate of the stocked salmon has significantly declined. Only 36 per cent of the salmon observed during the 197 6 census were of legal size. The census revealed that white perch and pickerel were the dominant species caught by anglers. The stocking rate will be reduced from 500 fall yearling salmon to 250 commencing in the fall of 1977 in an attempt to improve salmon growth to an acceptable level. It is hoped that such a step will ultimately provide a better fishery for salmon. Moulton Pond in Dedham contains suitable habitat for trout. This pond was reclaimed in 1966 and produced some good brook trout fishing in the following .years. A number of complaints were received in the early 1970s concerning the deteriorating trout fishery. Check netting by fishery biologists in 197 3 verified the presence of four additional species. Tremendous numbers of stunted white perch from four to six inches were observed. This discovery prompted the decision to terminate brook trout stocking.

Dam and f ishway at t he out let of Ala moosoo k La ke, Orland River.

Maine Fish and Wildlife - Fall 1977

HILLIPS LAKE in Dedham i

one of the

two

most prominent and popular bodies of water in P the drainage. This lake has one of the most heavily

developed shorelines in the Grand Lakes Region. Clear water and the lake's proximity to the BangorBrewer area make it an attractive spot for summ r recreationists. Swimming, water skiing and picnicking on several islands are popular warm weather pursuits of campowners and visitors. Unfortunately, the quality of salmon and togue angling in Phillips Lake has drastically declined in recent years. Numerous complaints from concerned anglers prompted a resurvey (still in progress) of the lake in 1975 and 1976 to determine the current status of the various fish populations. Intensive netting verified the legitimacy of angler complaints, as very few cold-water game fish and smelts were collected. Available information indicates that the smelt population has declined to an extremely low level. The paucity of this critical forage species is a principal factor in the poor growth rate exhibited by stocked salmon and togue. Another negative factor which has contributed to the decline in the cold-water sport fishery is the increasing abundance of smallmouth bass. These fish will prey on stocked salmon, thereby adversely affecting survival rates. Fishery biologists have initiated two management procedures at Phillips Lake in an effort to improve the salmon fishery. Smelt eggs were stocked in the spring of 197 6 (at least two additional stockings are planned) in an attempt to help the smelt population "bounce back." Also, instead of stocking 2,500 4-to-6-inch spring yearling salmon, 850 6-to-8-inch fall yearling salmon will be released beginning in 197 8. It is hoped that the larger fish will be more able to withstand pickerel and bass predation. Anglers wishing to co-operate with the Department by reporting catches of marked salmon and togue are urged to write to the Fish and Wildlife Office on Water Street in Machias for further information. Voluntary census information supplied by co-operative fishermen is frequently a valuable asset to the fishery manager. Toddy Pond is the other principal recreational area within the drainage. This long, narrow body of water sprawls over parts of four towns in western Hancock County. It provides significant fisheries for salmon, togue, smallmouth bass, and white perch. An occasional trophy brown trout is creeled. The majority of cold-water fish are captured in the northern basin

Mi 11 Stream, the outlet of Phillips Lake , just be low Rou t e 4 6 in Ded ham .

Maine Fish and Wildlife - Fall 1977

or Upper Toddy," a thi is wh r the de p water is lo at d. Both "Middle and Lower Toddy' are relatively shallow with virtually no wat r more than 30 feet d ep. The pond supports a good ba s population with a fair percentag of the sporty bronz backs weighing in th l 1h -to-2 %-pound bracket. Anglers who on entrate on catching a stringer of delicious whit p rch for the dinner table frequently meet with sue ess. All in all, Toddy Pond is currently providing good angling opportunities for both the deep-water lead line troller and the spin caster or bait fisherman. brooks, streams, and beaver flowages within the drainage contain the usual compleA ment of native brook trout. Gulch Brook, a tributary NUMBER OF

to Alamoosook Lake, supports both brook and brown trout. In the Orland River itself, downstream from the dam at the outlet of Alamoosook, some nice brown trout from 1 1h to 3 pounds are occasionally brought to the landing net. Most of these fish are probably "drop-downs" from either Toddy or Alamoosook although it is possible that a small, sea-run brown trout fishery may still exist. Some sea-run brown trout were captured coincidentally with alewives in the 1950s and 1960s. While the Orland River drainage can not lay claim to any unique or particularly outstanding characteristics (other than its commercial alewife fishery), it nevertheless does provide the angler with a varied array of lakes, ponds, brooks and streams in which to wet a fly or dunk a worm. The absence of any significant industry or large population centers bodes well for the continued pollution-free nature of the drainage. With a little bit of searching, one is sure to find some spot within the drainage that will satisfy about any angling appetite. â&#x20AC;˘

FOREST HEADGEAR Can you name some wild animals living in Maine which have antlers? Are there any which have horns? Do you know the difference between antlers and horns? Although Maine does have some animals with antlers - both deer and moose have them - there are no wild animals in Maine which have horns. Some farm animals cows and sheep, for instance - do have horns. These horns are hollow, permanent, and usually found on both sexes. Antlers, however, are solid, temporary (new ones are grown each year), and usually found only on males.

April-May buds from ped icles

June - XI!{

growing in velvet

An antler is really very much like your fingernail, since it can be cut without bleeding or pain. A horn, however, is like the extension of an animal's skin. If it is cut off, it will never grow back, and the cutting would cause the animal much discomfort. Both antlers and horns have many purposes. They are used for protection, to indicate the animal's sex and size, and, in the case of males, as weapons in contests for the females. The antler growth cycle of Maine's white-tailed deer is interesting, and is shown in the diagram below.

Tu111 - A-ug. growing in velvet

8'V' ,..., Oc-tcomplete; clean of velvet

2Jec ,-,Ja,r& shedding ti me

Antler growth c11cle ef a 111/Jltewif :Buck

Maine Fish and Wildlife - Fall 1977

Unscramble these animal names and print them in the boxes below. Then arrange the circled letters to spe 11 something we should all practice-ALL THE TIME II

I. ABRE Have you ever heard someone say that a deer was "in velvet?" As you can see from the sketches, this is in the early stages of antler growth, when the antlers are covered by skin. This skin, called the velvet, is richly supplied with blood vessels to help the soft antlers grow - and it is very sensitive. In the summertime, usually during August, the antlers harden, the blood supply to the velvet is cut off, and the deer removes the velvet by rubbing its antlers against tree bark. Another reason for rubbing the antlers in this manner is so the animalÂˇ can learn the shape and size of its headgear - how much easier it would be if he could just use a mirror! Why are antlers important to wildlife biologists? Well, much can be found out about the environment, food quality, and health of an animal by the size, shape, and condition of its anLlers. If deer feed in an area wliich has a large amount of limestone in the soil, their antlers will be better developed than those feeding in areas with little limestone. Because what an animal eats and other factors in its environment affect the size and shape of its antlers so much, it is not wise to try and tell the age of a deer from its antlers. A much better method, using the animal's teeth, is described elsewhere in this magazine. Try and imagine what it would feel like to have antlers growing from your head. You may think it would be hard to get used to, but a deer would have trouble getting used to a full head of hair, too. Nature has given each animal the type of covering and protection it needs - that's what makes us all different, and the world is more fun that way! Maine Fish and Wildlife - Fall 1977

7. KCDU

2.REVABE

8. CONOCAR

3.RETOT

9. SROGUE

4. KIMN

10. SGOEO

5. SLEAWE

11. HSATPENA

6. UKKSN

12.0SEMO

DI I 21. . ___.---.I_O~I____.____. 3

.......______._O.........._J______I _ _

4_0 . . . . . 1_1_ sl___0. . . 1 . .___ 6

ID 0 0

8 9

01 I D I

II .__J_.____.___._K:::)~J--------~__,

121 I 01 Answers on page 32

N C EAGLES HA VE GOOD YEAR

Maine bald eagles have had a record-breaking year in 1977. A total of 33 young eagles were raised this year. This represents a substantial increase over the previous high of 21 young in 1976. Forty-four breeding pairs of eagles were identified this year. Of these, 22 ( 50 per cent) were successful in hatching and raising young. Last year, only thirty-one per cent of the 39 known breeding pairs raised young. The increasing number of nests with young is certainly encouraging.

The bald eagle population in Maine seems to be making a comeback after many years of extremely poor reproductive success. In past years, production was known to have fallen below the level of 10 young per year. Most of these problems were related to contamination by pesticides and other pollutants; but disturbance, loss of nesting habitat, and the shooting of eagles have all played a role. Maine 's eagles still face serious problems. Their reproductive rates remain below those to be expected in a healthy population. In addition, eagles are still being killed in

the State of Maine. Three eagle carcasses have been recovered in the last four months. One of these birds was definitely shot. These losses are a major deterrant to the struggling advancements made by the population. The bald eagle is protected by both federal and state law, and anyone convicted of shooting an eagle faces serious penalties. Research on the bald eagle is still in progress and the Eagle Project welcomes any information on eagles in Maine. Please send to: Bald Eagle Project Wildlife Resources, Nutting Hall University of Maine Orono, Maine 044 73 EXPORT PERMITS FOR BOBCAT AND OTTER

The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service has asked that we notify the public of a new requirement for exportation of bobcat and river otter. These animals, along with many others, have been added to a list of species which are most adversely affected by international trade or are likely to be in the foreseeable future. Export permits are required for shipment of pelts of otter and bobcat out of the United States. Correspondence concerning export permits or certificates should be sent to: Director, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS/WPO), Washington, DC 20240. Telephone inquiries should be made to the Federal Wildlife Permit Office, Area Code 202/634-1496. STEEP FALLS LAND ACQUIRED

Maine game wardens have orga nized t he Warden Service Honor Guard to represent the 130-man force at ceremonia l functions. Members of the unit, left to r ight , are Lawrence Gra nt , commander , of Th omasto n; David Peppard, Ric hmo nd; Michae l O' Co nn ell , Nap les; Everett We lch, Bowdoi nham; Douglas Tibbetts, Cor i nna; David Sewa ll, Etna; George Chase , Saco; Rodney Small, Cornish; and Dana Toothaker, Greenville.

Recent activities by the Realty Division have resulted in the acquisition by the Department of 2,000 additional acres of wildlife management land. The property, in Steep Falls, is part of the Wild Acres Sanctuary, operated by Mrs. Ruth Adams. Realty Division Chief Dick Parks says that the 100-campsite area of Maine Fish and Wildlife - Fall 1977

the sanctuary, and the food processing facilities there, are not part of the Department's purchase and will continue in operation as in the past. Cost of the property is approximately $400,000, to be funded from the Department's $4 million land acquisition fund. This recent acquisition brings the Department's wildlife management holdings to a total of between 36,000 and 37,000 acres.

PER ONNEL NOTE

Two long-time members of the Maine Warden Service have retired from Department service. Chief Warden Charles Allen retired Sept. 24. Charlie joined the Warden Service as a district warden in 1954, moving to a post as warden supervisor in 1961 then to deputy chief warden in 1971, and assumed the chief warden's posi-

tion in 197 4. He presently resides in Orono with his wife, the former Ruthann Williams. Oral Page, Jr., of Belgrade retired Oct. 15 after serving the Warden Service since 1956. He was first assigned as a district warden in Waterville, served for a time in Belgrade before being assigned to Daaquam, and was promoted to warden inspector in 197 2. His wife is the former Constance Wilson of China.

ecologogriphs .....................................................test your outdoor knowledge ACROSS 1. A large aquatic weasel. 5. A rope to keep weather edge of square sail forward. 12. Small, lobster-like freshwater crustacean: fish. 14. A tent fabric susceptible to mildew. 15. Female tigers. 18. Tepee Tent (init.). 19. Boat motor attached to the stern (abbrev.). 20. An Indian of a nomadic tribe of Algonquin stock. 21. International unit. (abbrev.). 22. A shelter tent. 24. Compass point. 25. Amidst; surrounded by. 26. Eggs. 27. North American Indians of Colorado and Utah. 29. The neuter pronoun. 30. Opposite compass points. 32. Erbium (chem. sym.). 33. Low coastal land overflowed by the tide: marsh. 34. Type of camera lens (pl.). 36. The shape of a sling shot. 37. Sudden invasions. 40. Evening. 42. Young swans. 44. Pond scum. -bone. 46. A cut of meat: 47. To set afire. 49. I. D. markers used in wildlife research. 51. A cultivated herb. 52. Mating season of deer.

Maine Fish and Wildlife - Fall 1977

53. Large, oily salt-water fish related to the mackerel. 54. A flat, treeless plain. 57. Large, American moth with eyelike spots on its wings. 58. Low, smooth, waxy-white, pipe shaped flower {init.). 59. Wintering place for deer (abbrev.). 61. A bivalve shellfish with scalloped edges.

DOWN 1. 2. 3. 4. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 13. 16. 17. 23. 28. 30.

An eight-armed cephalopod. A stream flowing into another. The tail or tip of the tail of an animal. The jaguarundi. Salt water covering about two-thirds of the earth's surface. The shallow part of a river. Initials of common names for: Lynx canadensis; Myocastor coypus. Number of toes on an owl's foot ( Rom. Num.). Wild I ife residing in a given area, other than stocked. Where the mouth of a river meets the sea. Country with most varied scenery. A sea eagle. A breed of smal I dogs with tapering muzzle. A deep-sea animal. Flat-bodied fish with ship I ike tail (2 words). A star which suddenly appears and fades away.

31. 35. 38. 39. 41. 42.

A favorite food fish of the lake trout. Omissions Expected (abbrev.). Lairs. Stagnant. A tropical cyclone. First state to introduce a hunting season (1677). (abbrev.). 43. An axial cylinder of vascular tissue in plants (bot.). 45. Cigar-shaped, predatory fish. 48. A young hawk. 50. Do this frequently on a long trip. 51. A young seal. 53. An Asian tree of the lily family. 55. The Tarheel State (abbrev.). 56. The Oregon Ash (init .). 60. Dorsal (abbrev.) . 62 .. - .. (Morse Code)

ANSWER ON PAGE 32

@ Doug Jackson 1974

We wish both Charlie and Oral well in their retirements, and are sorry to lose two wardens with as much service to the Department. Recently promoted to warden inspector were John Robertson of Portage in Division G ( extreme northeastern Maine); Bill Allen, formerly of Jonesboro, who will be with Division D (from Dexter to Montville between the Penobscot and Kennebec rivers); and Mike Ayer, who has been assigned to Daaquam. Three new district wardens began working with us in August: Donald Annis in the Topsfield district, Dennis Burnell in Allagash, and Norman Dean, Jr., in Amherst. The Wildlife Division has acquired three new biologists, all University of Maine at Orono graduates. Henry Hilton of Weld is assistant research leader on small game and fur bearers, Bingham· Gerald Lavigne of Orono is assistant big game research leader; and Thomas Schaeffer of Greenville is assistant regional biologist in Strong. John Boland is working as a hatchery man at Dry Mills hatchery, while Ralph Furrow and Steven Wilson have similar positions at Deblois and Casco hatcheries, respectively. And G. Donald Taylor of Winthrop is hatchery construction foreman with the Engin ering Division in Augusta. DIRECTORY AVAILABLE

A new publication that may b helpful to you is available at no charg from the Resource Planning Division, Maine State Planning Offic , 184 State St., Augusta ME 04333. The "Main Directory of Natural R source Organizations" was produ d by the Planning Office in co-operation with the Research Institute of the Gulf of Maine. It lists more than 200 federal, tate regional, educational, and private non-profit organizations, with brief descriptions of their environmental activities. 32

"POSTAGE DUE" IS COSTLY

When the post office is unable to deliver your magazine because of some address problem, the procedure we have requested results in their sending the magazine back to us along with the reason it couldn't be delivered. This is very helpful to us, but it's expensive. For example, sending a magazine that's delivered with no hitch costs about 6¢. When we get one back because it cannot be delivered for some reason or another, the return postage is 28¢ the fee for supplying us with the reason for nondelivery is 25¢, and the postage for us to send it out to you the second time is another 28¢! Though it often provides us with good information, this return service is still quite costly - and we'd rather put the money into improving the magazine quality. You can help by being sure that we have your complete address, including zip code, box or route numbers, and anything else that's necessary for proper and prompt delivery.

When your address is going to change, please let us know at once; we '11 hold the change a few weeks if you ask. (But we can't make automatic changes for summer and winter deliveries if your residence changes periodically; please let us know about each change like this.) Keeping us posted will help us give you good service. It works best if we have changes at least four weeks in advance of the next publication date, if at all possible. Thanks for helping us help you. ANSWERS TO PUZZLES ON PAGES 29 & 31

B@A R BEA@ER 0 T(I)E R

MQ)N K WEA@EL SK U @K DU @K

RACCOO@ 1 977-78 LICENSE FEES Nonresident itiLen Big Game Hunting - 10 yrs. and over $ 60 . 50 /\lien Big Game Hunting 100.00 onresident mall Game Hunting 16 yrs. and over 30. 50 onresident Junior mall Game Hunting - 10-15 rrs, inc. 15.50 Nonresident Archery Hunting 1 2 yrs. and over (permits hunting during all open seasons throughout vear) 30 . 50 otH"l'sidl•nt ,Junior Fishing l 2· 1 li yrs. in·. 4.00 onresident Season Fishing l li yrs. and over 25.50 onresidt•nt 15-day Fishing 15.50 onresident 7-day Fishing 12. 50 Resident or nonresident 3-day Fishing 7.50 Resident Fishing - 16 yrs. and over 7 . 50 Resident Junior Hunting 1 0-1 5 yrs. inc. 1.50 Resident Hunting - 16 yrs. and over 7.50 Resident Combination Hunting and Fishing - Over age 70 free Resident Combination Hunting and Fishing - 16 yrs. and over 12. 50 Resident Serviceman Combination 3 . 50 Resident Archery Hunting 1 0 yrs. and over 7.50 Resident Combination Fishing and Archery Hunting 12.50 Resident Trapping (Statewide) 13.00 Resident Guide - 18 yrs. and over 32.00

G@O USE G@O SE PHE@SANT M

o@s

What we all should prac t ice --

CONSERVATION

Maine Fish and Wildlife - Fall 1977

If he likes... Maine ... and Fish ... and Wildlife give him all three . . .

in one gift, but he will get it four times each year

Maine Fish and Wildlife Magazine

RETURN POSTAGE GUARANTEED Postmaster: If undeliverable, plea e return entire magazine with form 3;- i~

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife

-Anonymous

284 State St.

Augusta, Maine 04333