Maine Fish and Wildlife Magazine, Winter 1977-78

MAI

E

MAINE FISH AND "\VILDLIFE Governor James B. Longley

Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Maynard F. Mar h

Commissioner

J. William Peppard

Deputy Commissioner

Kenneth H. Anderson

Director, Planning and Co-ordination

David 0. Locke

Supt. of Hatcheries

Charles S. Allen

Chief Warden

STATE OF MAINE Vol. ~O, No. 1

Winter 1977-78

Chief, Fishery Division

Lyndon H. Bond

Business Manager

Ralph C. Will Robert W. Boettger

Chief, Wildlije Division

William C. Mincher

Direct0r, Infonnation and Education

Winter Black Duck Banding

2

Howard E. Spencer, Jr.

Clayton G. Grant

Chief, Engineering Division

Dealing With Cold Weather

6

Gareth S. Anderson

Richard B. Park

Chief, Realty Division

Conservation Careers: The Wildlife Biologist

7

Robert W. Boeflger

Sassing for Beginners

10

KID-BITS

14

Annual Report Section

16

Letters, Notes, Comment

30

Lorenzo J. Gaudreau

Director, Recreational Safety and Registration Chief Biologist, Ar/antic Salmon Commission

Alfred L. Meister

Advisory Council Dr. Alonzo H. Garcelon, Chairman Augu ta, Maine Rodney W. Ros

Ralph L. Noel

Brownville

Auburn

George E. Prentiss

Nathan Cohen

Rumford

Eastport

Robert E. Moore

Dennis L. Smith

Casco

Oller Creek

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

William C. Mincher, Editor W. Thomas Shoener, Managing Editor

Thoma J. Chamberlain, Features Editor William W. Cross, Photo Editor Thomas L. Carbone, Photographer

Š Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 1978.

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 326280.

Maine Fish and Wildlife-Winter 1977-1978

Peter G. Walker

THE COVERS Front: It may be tarting to warm up in March in parts of Maine, but Matagamon Lake in Baxter State Park is still a good place to go ice fishing.

Shown with a fine togue are Baxter State Park Ranger Charles Kenney and family, from left to right, Charlie, 4 1/2 , Barry , l 1/2 , wife Laura, and Cynthia, 2 1/2 . Photo by Tom Carbone.

Inside Front: This little fellow is ready for the cold winter weather-if he can only remember where he hid all the carefully gathered acorns during the fall!

Photo by Tom Carbone.

Inside Back: A peregrine falcon looking directly into the eye of the viewer, symbolizing the theme for National Wildlife Week 1978: "WILDLIFE NEEDS YOU ." The National Wildlife Federation marks its 41st annual sponsorship of National Wildlife Week March 19-25, 1978.

Back: Those hikers hardy enough to trek to the su mmit of Saddleback Mountain in western Maine in wintertime would be rewarded with a breathtaking panorama, one angle of which is pictured here. Photo by Bill Cross.

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

NOT FOR THE FAINTHEARTED:

WINTER BLACK DUCK BANDING

By Howard E. Spencer, Jr. Migratory Bird Project Leader

Photos by Tom Carbone

M

AINE IS JUSTLY famous as a vacationland and host to summer residents. Other forms of life such as the black duck find our coastline attractive even during the snowbound months. As the Atlantic Flyway's most sought-after species and as Maine's Number One game duck, blacky's welfare is of prime concern to Maine waterfowl managers. It's a sort of tribute to Mr. Black Duck that duckologists and even volunteers will struggle through a howling blizzard in the middle of a January night to tend the traps and

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band the critter. All just to learn how to make life a little better for him.

The Wildlife Division has been involved with both winter (post season) and summer (pre-season) banding of black ducks for close to 30 years (yes, we get tired of it sometimes) . Like most waterfowl banding, ours has always been co-ordinated with Flyway management by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Their Bird Banding Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland, serves as a storage bank for all banding data. Just in case, though-we've always kept copies of our own data.

In January 1976, after almost a year of rather intensive planning by biologists throughout the black duck range, the Maine Wildlife Division in-

itiated a stepped-up winter banding program. Its principal objective was determining whether black duck survival rates were declining or increasing, and if so, where and to what degree. . A valid measurement of the black duck's population status throughout its range has thus far eluded managers, and it was jointly decided that changing survival rates might prove to be the best index to population changes. With this for a goal and after statistical analyses, banding quotas were established for various states and provinces, based on what was known about the winter distribution of blacks. Statistical analysis indicated that nearly 14,000 blacks should be banded in winter annually throughout the wintering range for 5

Maine Fish and Wildlife-Winter 1977-1978

to 7 years to provide a reliable measure of survival rate changes.

Maine's quota ranges from 1,0002,000 annually.

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catch, band, and release 1,000 + blacks in Maine in January and February? It ain't easy! First you have to find a supply of birds (on the coast, of course) that can be baited to the high tide line and a little above it. Trap sites have to be sufficiently secluded from human disturbance (including pet dogs) so that birds are not frightened away from the traps or upset after they are in them. Birds harassed in traps in January and February almost invariably suffer heavy losses. Despite the fact that trap sites must be reasonably secluded, they must also be reasonably accessible to the trapper day and night regardless of snow, ice, or general weather conditions.

Traps must be attended twice every 24 hours-normally, after every high tide. Since the tide regime changes nearly an hour per day, you can see why a duck trapper's (bander's) schedule can become demanding.

We use two types of traps, one of which is the same small portable trap OW DOES ONE

The larger of the two trap types used in winter banding has 8 funnel entrances for use by ducks at various tide stages .

we use in summer. This trap is about 6 feet square and 4 feet high with sides of welded 1"x2" mesh wire with top and bottom of I-inch mesh chicken wire. It has a single entrance funnel and catching box attached.

These traps may be used individually or ganged, two or more together, depending on the situation. They are set so that the high tide covers about half to two-thirds of the trap bottom.

This enables trapped birds to get out of the water and dry off quickly as the tide drops. Under the stress of being trapped, ducks often fail to oil and preen themselves, with the result that they sometimes wet through, losing their insulation, and become subject to chilling and death if not promptly removed. In some cases, it is even necessary to crate and hold them in a warm, dry location until they've had a chance to dry out.

The second type of trap we use where the sites permit is a large, permanent (for the season) welded wire contrivance, 6 feet high, 30 feet or more from front to rear, and covered with nylon netting. It's supported by steel fence posts and guyed with wire attached to steel pins driven into the frozen beach. It may have as many as 8 funnel entrances, all of which may be catching ducks at different stages in the tide. Again, the rear portion of the trap with the catching box is set above the high tide mark for the birds' safety. This trap not infre-

quently catches several hundred birds on a tide. We visit it twice daily, soon after the tide drops away from the front of the trap. Birds caught are herded into the catching box at the rear of the trap. If there are more than a catching-box-full, they're crated, and the operation is repeated until all birds are removed.

Normally, during the crating process, we separate banded and unbanded ducks. Banded individuals have their numbers recorded and are released. They fall into one of three categories: "repeats" banded at the same place during the same season (these are the commonest); "returns" banded at the same station more than 90 days previously; and "recoveries" banded anywhere other than the same station and on any date. New birds are then banded and the species, sex, date, and location recorded, after which the bird is released.

Unfortunately for the duckologist, black duck sex cannot be positively determined in many cases without a cloacal examination. This requires bare fingers, so we pack along a kerosene heater to keep ourselves more or less operational. After all this "fun in the field" is over with, our overworked secretary has the pleasure of trying to decipher what frozen fingers wrote in flickering lantern light on a snowy night. Fortunately, she's endowed with superhuman patience, and we manage to

Wildlife biologists record band numbers and other information about every duck they trap .

get the data to the Banding Lab with a minimum of errors.

For you readers who haven't seen a black duck band-they have ¡ 8 or 9 digits. The first three or four are followed by a space, then five more.

The first digit to the left of the space indicates the band size-seven in the case of black ducks: for example, 1077-59363 or 947-29876. You can see that a reasonable chance for transposing or erroneously recording a digit might occur under stressful conditions.

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MUCH FOR THE operational details-how are we making out at achieving our goals and objectives?

What are we finding out? In JanuaryMarch 1976, we banded almost 900 blacks before spring weather conditions made further trapping impractical. In January and February of 1977, we trapped and banded just under 1,200 blacks in 21 days, start to finish. These are good samples and when combined with similar data from other states and provinces

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should provide the survival data we're seeking.

To me, some of the more interesting results have been at the local level. In 1976, we trapped a dozen or more birds (out of 700+) that I'd banded in 1968 at the same location.

These birds had to be a minimum of eight years old. Same thing again in 1977 but not quite as many. No wonder some of our hunters complain our blacks are so tough you can't stick a fork in the gravy!

Last winter (1977), we caught more than 300 of the 900 banded in 1976 for a known minimum survival rate of 35 per cent. Two things are impressive about these data. First, if we actually caught 35 per cent of the previous year's birds, it seems almost certain that more were alive that we didn't catch. Hence, the annual survival rate must have exceeded 35 per cent for this particular wintering population for that particular year, at least. Second, there is obviously a very strong fidelity and homing pattern to a traditional wintering area.

Both of these findings could have future management significance of benefit to both birds and man.

Also of interest have been a scattering of recoveries from black ducks banded in the Maritimes Provinces of Canada and a few from summer bandings on the Penobscot River between Old Town and Lincoln. Some of the latter indicate that a portion of our black ducks breed inland and winter on the coast although others may go to Georgia.

A new project that we hope to initiate this winter in co-operation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service should be of interest. We call it a "reward" band study. Its purpose is to provide a measurement of the "reporting rate.'' The reporting rate is the percentage of banded birds recovered that are actually reported to the Banding Lab. When duck banding was new 30 years ago or more,

Maine Fish and Wildlife-Winter 1977-1978

probably almost everyone made an effort to find out about the band.

Nowadays, many duck hunters have reported bands only to learn that their bird was banded a mere three miles from where they shot it rather than in some exotic place. Hence, they tend to get careless about sending them in. Also, some at least feel that the more bands they send in, the greater the chances for having their hunting season or bag limit reduced.

In either event, the non-reported bands are throwing the duck manager a curve and making his efforts to help both ducks and hunters more difficult.

The "reward" band study will consist of placing bands marked "reward" on a portion of the birds banded at a particular station. The theory is that I 00 per cent of the reward bands taken will be reported, or, stated another way, the reporting rate (for reward bands) will equal the "recovery rate." When these data are compared with regular, non-reward bands put on at the same time and place, we can estimate what the actual recovery rate is for regular bands by having a measurement of the nonreports. I wouldn't tell you how much the reward is going to be (even if I knew), but it'll be well worth sending in as well as making a real contribution to better management.

bird found dead, shot, or caught in some other way) 6. Place in an envelope, mark the envelope "Hand Cancel," and send to the following address: Bird Banding Laboratory U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Laurel, MD 20810

W

HAT

DO YOU DO if you find a

live banded bird of any kind?

Do not remove the band, but carefully read the number on the band, write

it down, and release the bird. We may learn more about where it goes or how long it lives. Send in all the information you can about finding the banded bird to the Banding Laboratory. If it is a tiny bird, you will not see the name and address of the Laboratory on the band because it will be on the inside of the band.

There isn't room for it on the outside.

And remember, don't take the band off, you might injure the bird."

Thanksforyourhclp. •

I

N CLOSING-remember, if you recover a band, please follow these instructions: "When you find a band, straighten it out and tape it securely to a piece of heavy writing paper. With the band, send in the following information: 1. Your name and address (plainly printed) 2. All numbers and letters on the band 3. The date you found the band.

4. The place you found the band (mileage and direction from the nearest town, with county and state included).

5. How you found the band ( on a

A banded duck is released , maybe later to contribute to man 's knowledge of its life and life-style .

Maine Fish and Wildlife-Winter 1977-1978

5

ealing with Cold

By Gary Anderson

regated cardboard, will increase by 20 to 40 per cent the effectiveness of your shoes or boots.

Mittens are more protection than gloves and should be wool. The so called trigger finger type allows some dexterity without appreciable heat loss.

Your head gear should be loose fitting and cover the back of neck and ears. A scarf or bandanna tied loosely around the throat is an amazing additional piece of protection.

Care should be taken to protect the exposed face. The bandanna can be brought up around the face and with goggles makes a very efficient protector. Chamois masks, commercially available or homemade, are excellent. A wool mask or combination stocking-hat mask will save ears, nose, and cheeks from frost bite. Scarves and snowmobilers do not mix, however, as scarves are sometimes caught in machinery with devastating results.

While mentioning snowmobiles, the chill factor even on a calm day while traveling can be the same as if the wind were blowing. A 30 MPH trip at OO can be equal to -40°. Frequent stops for rest, a warm lunch, and a small campfire can prevent a lowering of temperatures, fatigue, and the attendant frostbite or exposure that may result. It is almost imperative that the last outside garment be windproof.

Safety Officer

F

OR DISCUSSION of the problem of cold weather injuries, let us look at three broad subjects: prevention, detection or recognition, and selftreatment.

Prevention is a simple matter of staying warm and dry. It is not necessary to be weighted down with great, bulky clothing, as several layers of garments will furnish the dead air principle which our American Indians have long known as the best insulator; hence, their use of down clothes and dry grass sleeping mattresses.

Our present-day down garments furnish this warmth and are lightweight.

They are cold when wet and are difficult to dry. Wool is warm when wet and dries quite rapidly.

An old saying goes, "If you would keep your feet warm, cover your head well." Simply put, 70 per cent of your heat loss is through your head. When this heat is being lost, your system draws blood from your extremities and rushes it to your head. Obviously, if this continues for any length of time, you are in for trouble.

Good insulated footwear with warm dry socks-preferably cotton next to skin, wool over-will do perfectly. An innersole, even cut-up newspapers or cor-

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T

HE SYMPTOMS of frostbite are a flushed skin turning waxy or pale yellow quickly, with or without pain.

Later, the skin of the hands and face may be cracked or chapped. The cracks will be raw and red and quite painful.

Treatment for the above symptoms can be made on the spot. Place your warm hand over the spot, and alternate your

hands to keep it warm. Do not under any circumstances chafe or rub the spot. Do not apply snow. This will injure the tissue and aggravate your problem. Cover with warm flannel or wool, or get into a warm atmosphere as soon as possible, and contact your physician.

The condition called immersion foot can result from prolonged exposure to wet cold. While the foot isn't likely to be frozen, it is more susceptible to freezing during this time, and care must be taken soon .. Wash the feet in warm, not over 105 °, water with soap, dry thoroughly, and cover with wool and warm slippers.

You should consult your physician. An after-experience is a severe tingling or burning effect. In my own experience, a vigorous application of Bag Balm cured this instantly.

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may be experienced from many sources and have many forms. All will lead to a lessening of the core temperature, poor judgment, drowsiness, lethargy, slurred speech, and incoherency. A person in this condition is in grave trouble. More people die from this outdoor danger than from drownings, firearms, or any other cause. Be sure all of your family or party have been trained to recognize this problem.

Treatment is rapid rewarming with warm packs and blankets. If you or your friend in trouble is able, sip warm soup, milk, tea, or coffee continuously. If possible, strip and get into a warm, dry sleeping bag with another naked person.

Don't be foolishly modest. A person truly suffering from hypothermia is in danger of death.

It is imperative to get the temperature up and get to a physician as soon as good judgment says travelling is safe.

• YPOTHERMIA

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE I. How much water per day should you drink when snowmobiling or traveling in cold, dry, snow country?

2. It is possible to reach 7 per cent or greater dehydration under these conditions; 12 per cent will result in: A. Death. B. Acute thirst. C. Amnesia.

3. When riding on a snowmobile, you may disregard the chill factor.

4. How much heat may be lost through a poorly covered head? A. 10%. B. 15%. C. 25% or more.

5. Describe briefly hypothermia.

6. State the quickest and safest way to treat frostbite: A. Rub with snow. B. Heat gradually to body temperature. C. Submerge the frostbitten area in 105 ° water.

7. State the quickest and safest way to treat hypothermia in the bush. A. Rub with snow. B. A teady intake of alcohol. C. Bundle in blankets and warm packs or lie naked in a sleeping bag with another person of normal temperature; drink warmed liquids.

8. There is one rule for breaking down on your snowmobile in deep snow or for being lost when hunting: A. Back track. B. Shout for help. C. Generally stay put.

9. What is the best food in cold, dry country? A. Fats. B. Proteins. C. Carbohydrates.

10. Should you decide to burrow into dry snow for an emergency shelter, is your available insulating material better used under you or over?

An wers are on page 32

Maine Fish and Wildlife-Winter 1977-1978

Management programs requ ire cooperation . Fishery Biologist Charles Ritzi , left; the author , center ; and Warden Supervisor John Shaw-in a picture made a few years agoworked jointly on plans for the beaver season in their area .

CONSERVATION CAREERS:

The Wildlife Biologist

By Robert W. Boettger,

D

o

YOU FIT this description?

You are a young man or woman in your teens or early twenties. You like to hunt and fish, or maybe your interests lean more towards trapping or wildlife observation and photography or hiking and back packing. Anyway, you avidly pursue your outdoors hobby every chance you get.

Trouble is, your job or school work keeps interfering with these preferred activities. Perhaps you've thought of trying to be a game warden or conservation officer but decided that you do not have a great desire to spend most of your time on law enforcement work. Wouldn't it be nice, though, if you could find a full-time job that would allow you to be out in the fields and forests promoting the welfare of wildlife and dealing with people with similar interests?

I know that someone like you exists because I have corresponded with and talked to you at meetings and in my office many times.

Actually, your wish is possible, but

Chief, Wildlife Di vision

it's not easy to realize; and, as the fellow says, it may not be all it's cracked up to be.

Most people who read outdoors magazines have probably noticed ads for schools offering courses that will help prepare an individual for a career in conservation. Basically, preparation through schooling is the route one should go if he (or she) wishes to make a living eventually working in the field of wildlife management. This schooling ranges from correspondence courses (which are usually those advertised in outdoors magazines) to full-time college courses leading to bachelor of science, master of science, or doctor of philosophy degrees in wildlife management (or conservation). The time required to complete these courses may range from a year for some correspondence courses to four academic years for a B.S. and seven or eight years for a Ph.D. Since most jobs in the wildlife management field have been and still are with state and federal government agencies and institutions, the pay is

Maine Fish and Wildlife-Winter 1977-1978

usually comparatively low. If your primary interest in a career is to make a great deal of money, this is not for you. A person must have a consuming interest in working with wildlife and nature to be reasonably happy and successful. Although there are jobs in this field that do not require schooling or training beyond the high school level, they are not plentiful and are usually low-paying positions with little opportunity for advancement. The point is that anyone wishing to make wildlife conservation his life's work should plan to continue his education beyond high school.

Some of the correspondence schools and two-year college courses help prepare an individual for a technician type of position, while the four-year college courses prepare one for a professional position, usually as a biologist. Programs of courses leading to a B.S. or advanced degree are offered by many land grant or "state"colleges including the University of Maine. In addition, there are also some private schools that offer this type of training.

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the professional association and representative of wildlife workers (similar to the Society of American Foresters or the American Medical Association), has developed minimum standards of training that are generally required for employment in this field. These are listed in a career leaflet that may be obtained by request from The Wildlife Society, Suite 611, 7101 Wisconsin Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C. 20014.

There is a charge of 25 cents for a single copy.

The profession of wildlife management, and it is a profession, is relatively new. Programs of courses leading to degrees in this specialty have been offered only since the mid1930s or for about 40 years. Therefore, the first generation of people formally trained as wildlife profesHE WILDLIFE SOCIETY,

7

sionals are mostly still working, with some just starting to reach retirement age. Compare this with many other professions which are a hundred or more years old-in existence for several generations. Before World War II, persons studying and managing wildlife were usually either selftrained naturalists or had been formally trained as foresters, general biologists, or zoologists. Aldo Leopold, considered by many to be the father of the profession of wildlife management, was a forester by training but had a great interest in wildlife and its management. His book Game Management, published in 1933, laid the foundation for the practice of wildlife management as we know it today.

Federal funding for wildlife work has been made available to state fish and game departments through two laws: the Pittman-Robertson Act passed by Congress in 1937 and the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

Pittman-Robertson funds are collected via a federal tax on sporting arms and ammunition and allocated to individual states each year, using a formula which considers the number of hunting licenses sold and the geographic size of the state; Endangered Species monies are appropriated by Congress and allocated to states on the basis of need. States can receive up to three dollars of reimbursement for each four dollars they spend on approved wildlife research and management programs.

These are dedicated federal funds and can be used only to reimburse states for approved programs. The Pittman-Robertson program made possible the creation and/ or expansion of wildlife or game divisions in various state fish and wildlife departments.

Endangered Species funds have encouraged further necessary work on endangered and threatened wildlife species.

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LTHOUGH MANY federal aid programs may have received considerable cnt1c1sm in recent years, the Pittman-Robertson program has been and is one of the best run programs, as well as being one of the oldest. During the past 10-12 years, with the rather sudden public awareness of the importance of the environment and environmental

8

problems and the passage of the Endangered Species Act, many state conservation departments and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have expanded their programs (including federal aid to states) to include research and management of nongame wildlife. This public awareness has been somewhat of a mixed blessing in that it has encouraged a segment of the public that is overly protectionist-oriented to challenge the moral and legal right of an individual to hunt and trap. To assure the continuation of these time honored and traditional sports, which are also important basic techniques and regulatory tools of wildlife management, the various state and federal governments have had to expand further their research and public education efforts.

Along with environmental awareness came legal stipulations that public agency activities and other developments that might affect the environment would require an environmental impact statement. This is basically a scientific study and written report concerning the beneficial and adverse effects of the proposed activity on the environment. Also, many new laws to protect the environment have been passed by Congress and the various state legislatures.

This need to develop environmental impact statements and enforce new environmental laws has even further increased the work loads of various federal and state agencies. It has also led to the development and expansion of private environmental consulting firms, which created needed employment opportunities in the private sector for wildlife professionals. These consulting firms usually contract with private corporations of government agencies to develop portions of, or entire, environmental impact statements or to review critically those statements written by someone else. Most of these private consulting firms employ some trained wildlife workers and often at a higher overall salary than governmental agencies.

There are also limited opportunities in other private business where wildlife professionals can obtain employment. This is usually as administrators, wildlife or ecological specialists, or game managers with

large timberland owning companies; large corporations which maintain private hunting grounds for their clientele; private sportsmen's clubs which own large tracts of lands for hunting; large estate or ranch owners; and various private or independent conservation groups such as Ducks Unlimited, National Audubon, the National Wildlife Federation, and the Wildlife Management Institute. Some wildlife workers, usually those with considerable previous experience, have gone into private consulting work and even expanded into a consulting firm.

Most "state" universities and some private colleges employ professional wildlife personnel, mostly as teaching professors. Candidates for these positions are usually required to have a Ph.D. although there is a relatively small number of technical positions available for persons having M.S. or B.S. degrees.

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L THOUGH the above list of possible employers may seem impressive, the availability of positions tends to be cyclic, with qualified candidates in greater supply than available jobs-often in much greater supply. This results in an employer's market and puts the job candidate in a relatively poor bargaining position. However, if after reading to this point you are not discouraged (and this really was not the intent), I might offer a few suggestions to hopeful candidates based on more than 13 years of field experience, followed by 9 years experience interviewing and hiring personnel while assistant chief and chief of the Wildlife Division.

1. Definitely plan to continue schooling beyond high school. Although a certificate in wildlife from a reliable correspondence course or a two-year degree from an accredited college or university is helpful, a four year B.S. degree from an accredited college would best be your minimum goal.

2. Specialize to the extent that you receive your degree in wildlife management or wildlife conservation (the exact name may vary from school to school, but it should be obvious that your major was in wildlife).

3. If your goal is eventually to

Maine Fish and Wildlife-Winter 1977-1978

specialize in research or teaching, you should pursue an advanced degree at the M.S . or Ph.D. level. Among other things, this will mean a longer commitment to formal schooling and maintenance of high grades to help insure acceptance and success in graduate school.

4. Make sure that, in addition to your required courses in wildlife management and related biological sciences, you receive training in most of the following: sociology, psychology, scientific writing, public relations, and public speaking. The ability to present your ideas and conclusions clearly, concisely, and forcefully to fell ow workers, legislators, and the general public is becoming increasingly important.

You will probably find that much of your time will be spent trying to communicate with your fell ow men, many of whom are very committed, competent, and articulate people with different philosophies. At stake is the welfare of all wildlife populations plus the future of public hunting and trapping.

5. Develop an inquiring and open mind (actually you should already have this tendency if you are interested in making wildlife management your life's work). Very little in this field is cut and dried, there are few pat answers, and most issues definitely have two or more sides.

Differences tend to be in degree rather than absolute.

6. Continue your original hobbies whether they be hunting, fishing,

trapping, camping, wildlife photography, general observation, etc., as much as possible. Practical experience in your field of study is always helpful and tends to lend you credibility, especially with the general public.

7. If your goal is to work in management, especially at the grass roots or regional level, don't expect to be the most popular guy or gal in town. You will meet more local experts in this business than in most others. Many will not agree with your views and recommendations regarding what's best for their wildlife.

However, if you can logically and firmly explain your reasoning and are willing to listen to and ask the advice of others, you will make many interesting acquaintances and some lasting friendships. You also may learn some valuable things that weren't taught in school.

8. Make every attempt to obtain summer and vacation time jobs in your chosen line of work while in school. Beside gaining valuable experience, you make yourself and your abilities known to potential employers. Many present employees of the Wildlife Division had worked during summers and other vacation periods for the Division as project laborers.

9. After completing your chosen level of schooling, persevere in your search for permanent employment.

Don't be too proud to accept parttime or project work. This tends to lead to eventual permanent employ-

ment. It seems to be more difficult to get back into the wildlife field once a person accepts permanent employment elsewhere.

10. Don't expect to spend all or even most of your working time in the outdoors. Much of a modern wildlife professional's time is spent at meetings concerned with proposals affecting wildlife and wildlife habitat, and in writing and reviewing technical reports and proposals and environmental impact statements . We oldtimers probably got in on some of the best times for cruising around in the wilds on snowshoes and in canoes and staying in woods camps. However, wildlife management has become more complex and more demanding of a person's public relations time in recent years.

11. Develop a high tolerance for frustration. You will invariably find that your recommendations are not always automatically or even eventually accepted, that many segments of the public and even your supervisors are not always very understanding, and that it always seems to take longer with more complications to get things done than you had originally planned.

12. Don't expect to get rich or even become financially well off. It's possible but not very probable.

13. Last but not least, do expect to have a continuing underlying sense of satisfaction (that occasionally surfaces in triumph) in the knowledge that you are working together with other dedicated people, at a job that is contributing to the basic welfare of the natural world and which is closely associated with the future of mankind. a question you might P wish to ask of me is, if I had the chance to do it all over again, would ROBABLY

I go the same route. The answer-a definite yes. •

Working in all kinds of inclement weather is part of the life of the biologist . Howard " Skip " Spencer tends a duck trap used in a winter banding program.

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UCH TO THE DELIGHT of tackle manufacturers and most fishermen, black bass are not fickle.

Bass will, at some time or another, sample almost any artificial bait of any size, color, or shape imaginable.

These varied tastes, its nationwide distribution, and its fierce resistance when hooked have made the black bass by far the most popular gamefish in the United States. The bass's many devoted followers support a tremendous tackle industry grossing millions of dollars annually. Yet here in Maine, where trout and salmon reign supreme, bass are considered trash by some anglers and largely ignored by the majority. Even so, lakes and streams in the southern third of the state contain quality largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing second to none in the whole Northeast.

It is inevitable that bass fishing will catch on here in the future. An expanding population with its increased recreational demands must eventually elevate Maine bass to the full gamefish status they deserve.

If you are an angler but have never seriously fished for bass, don't be the last to get in on the act. Here is a fish that is sporty, relatively easy to catch, and, for the majority of us within 60 miles of the coast, available right in our back yards.

There is a huge variety of bass lures and tackle on the market today. Modern materials and manufacturing techniques, together with bass anglers' insatiable appetites for new products, result in hundreds of more new types and variations reaching tackle displays each year. Until quite recently, most of this modern bass tackle was not generally available in Maine stores. That one can now easily obtain such items in southern Maine is perhaps an indication that bass fishing is starting to catch on. This article will attempt to familiarize neophyte bass anglers with modern bass tackle and the techniques employed in its successful use.

Bass anglers have a vernacular all their own. Terms such as "lure," "plug," and even "fishing rod" are now obsolete. Curiously, instead of more sophisticated, the new terms are more crude. Fishing rods and poles are now "sticks." A spinning rod is a "spin stick," a special rod for using plastic worms is a "worm stick," and so on.

Even the fly rod, sacred to the purist trout angler, is a "bug stick" in the eyes of the bass fisherman.

In a similar manner, the terms "plug" and "lure" have regressed to "baits." A surface plug is now a "surface bait," and a spinner type lure is a "spinner bait." Traditional underwater plugs, whose action is created by cranking the reel, have become known as "crank baits." About the only basic lures to survive the revision of terminology are plastic worms and metal spoons. (But then, there's always next year!) Let's take a closer look at bass lures.

Plastic Worms. Soft plastic worm imitations have been around for at least 20 years. In the past 10, however, they have really caught on as very potent bass medicine. Originally, they were made to imitate night crawlers quite closely. More recently, the addition of various appendages, and improvements in shape, have increased their effectiveness.

Many plastic worms are now available with sickle-shaped tails. When pulled through the water, these curly tails wiggle much like a small fish, thus adding further enticement to bass.

Worms are available in a wide variety of colors. Many are actually scented or flavored as a further enticement. As

10

Maine Fish and Wildlife-Winter 1977-1978

a rule, black, purple, and blue are the most successful colors. Some Maine bass anglers also highly recommend brown worms with orange tails.

The first plastic worms came rigged with two or more hooks in tandem and a spinner in front. While these caught bass, a far more effective method of worm fishing was soon discovered. Most bass fishermen now use "Texas rigged" plastic worms exclusively. A Texas rig consists of a single large hook and a bullet-shaped sinker. To rig a worm, the angler inserts the hook through about Yi inch of the head of the worm, then pulls the worm over the shank of the hook to the eye. Next, the hook is turned over and its point embedded in the body of the worm, thus making the bait weedless . The bullet sinker is slipped over the line in front of the worm.

To fish a worm, the bass angler selects likely spots to cast to, such as rocks, stumps, fallen trees, or other areas that provide cover for bass. The worm is cast out and allowed to sink, then retrieved in jerks so that it alternately

Texas rigged worm , above, has hook embedded in the body. When a bass takes the worm , below, the rod is pointed at the fish , creating line slack which is slowly reeled up.

surges forward and upward, then settles toward the bottom. The angler must be very alert for the slightest hint of a bass picking up the bait. A slight tap on the rod or an irregular movement of the line may be the only indication that a fish is mouthing the worm. When this happens, the rod is pointed toward the fish so that the line goes slack.

Plastic worms feel so natural to bass that they frequently try to swallow them. Next, the slack line is slowly reeled up. As the line comes up tight, the angler sets the hook very hard by lifting the rod upwards over his head. This is necessary to free the point of the hook from the worm and set it in the mouth of the fish. The beginner will miss a lot of hits and mistake the worm's bumping along bottom for hits as well. But with patience, plastic worm fishing can become very rewarding.

Crank Baits. Wooden underwater plugs, the original crank baits, have been marketed for more than 100 years.

Most modern crank baits are made of molded plastic. For many years, the only underwater plug to be found in the

When the line tightens , the hook must be set very hard .

Maine Fish and Wildlife-Winter 1977-1978

Practice with plastic worms can be very rewarding

11

Modern spinner baits .

Surface baits , including metal scoop, popping , and propeller types .

tacklebox of the average Maine angler was the Flatfish.

Although still a very effective plug, it has been surpassed in recent years by a flood of new designs.

In general, most crank baits move with a side-to-side wiggling action when retrieved. Each crank bait is designed to dive to a certain depth. The deepest-running baits are those with the longest spoon-like projections on the front.

Many of the newer crank baits are equipped with built-in rattles or other contrivances that produce bass-attracting sounds.

A good selection of crank baits for Maine bass would include shallow, medium, and deep runners. Expert bass anglers that I have interviewed recommend especially the subtler, more natural color patterns for Maine waters.

As with worm fishing, the angler should cast crank baits near or over cover where bass might be lurking. On bright, sunny days, it may be necessary to use the deepest runners to reach the fish. While a steady retrieve often works, anglers should try varying speeds and hitching crank baits erratically for best results.

Surface Baits. Nearly every fisherman is familiar with the Jitterbug and Hula Popper. Although there are many new varieties of surface baits, none have surpassed these old standards in effectiveness.

The majority of surface baits are designed to make noise or create a disturbance that will attract bass. Most fall into one of three major categories, according to the way in which they produce their noise. The famous Jitterbug and several others have metal scoops which cause the plugs to rock back and forth as they are retrieved. This action makes a "plop, plop, plop" noise on a steady retrieve.

Popping-type surface baits such as the Hula Popper have cup-shaped faces which resist movement. Quick jerks of the rod cause these plugs to plow and thus produce loud pops and gurgles. The third class has propellers or spinner blades. When drawn across the water's surface, these spinning attachments make a swishing noise.

Obviously, these noises will attract the bass's attention.

Yet, when fished in clear water and broad daylight, this activity can easily be overdone. Under such circumstances, effective surface bait fishing becomes a game of patience.

Casting to a likely spot, the angler should allow the bait to lie motionless. If a bass is nearby, the chances are that he will move to within striking distance, then hesitate and look the offering over. He may take the bait while it sits motionless. Therefore, the angler should never drop his guard during this period. If a bass doesn't strike after 15-30 seconds or more, the surface bait should be twitched

12

Maine Fish and Wildlife-Winter 1977-1978

Crank baits.

slightly. This will frequently trigger a violent strike. If not, repeat the process. Steady or noisy retrieves seldom work under these conditions. They serve only to frighten off the fish they are supposed to attract.

In murky water or after dark, it is a totally different situation. Bass seem to become less cautious under these conditions and often prowl around aggressively. When this is the case, noisy, more or less steady retrieves attract bass and allow them to home in on the bait. Many of the biggest bass taken in Maine each year are caught after dark on surface baits. Even the most inexperienced anglers can catch large bass by this method.

Spinner Baits. Most anglers are familiar with lures with spinning blades on the front. Lures such as the Colorado Spinner or Mepps are well known to most trout fishermen.

While this type of lure had its origins in the 19th century, a totally new innovation also employing spinner blades has recently arrived on the scene. Collectively, these various lures are now known to bass fishermen as spinner baits.

Though the former type is still widely used for bass, the latter invention has far surpassed it in popularity.

Modern spinner baits are actually a combination of spinner blades and another kind of lure called a jig. A jig is a Maine Fish and Wildlife-Winter 1977-1978

lure with a painted, lead head and a hook adorned with a plastic skirt, feathers, or squirrel tail. When an inventive angler attached one or two spinner blades to the top of a Vshaped wire and a jig to the bottom, the modern spinner bait was born.

The line is tied to the point of the V of the spinner bait, and when pulled through the water, the blades flutter over the jig. Although this contraption bears no resemblance to any creature that ever lived in a pond, ¡bass frequently find it irresistible. Nearly every progressive bass angler has a few spinner baits in his tackle box.

As with crank baits, anglers will find that varying speeds and erratic retrieves usually produce more fish on a spinner bait. In some situations, allowing the spinner bait to sink, then bumping it along the bottom with a slow retrieve will work well. At other times, a very fast retrieve just under the surface draws strikes.

Effective spinner bait colors in Maine include blue, black, and brown as well as bright colors such as yellow and white. Many anglers prefer flashy, hammered silver spinner blades to painted ones. The addition of a soft plastic curly tail to the hook of a spinner bait often increases its appeal to bass.

Spoons. Metal spoons such as the familiar Dardevle and Johnson Minnow are still effective bass catchers. There are days when a simple flashing spoon cast over a rocky bottom will take as many smallmouths as the fanciest crank bait. No bass angler should overlook these lures.

When largemouths withdraw into the lily pads, a spoon with a single weedless hook may be the only effective bait the angler can use. Spoons of this type can be skipped over the pads or carefully maneuvered between them. Anglers fishing in this method must have strong lines or be prepared to lose a lot of fish as they thrash through the weeds.

Buzz Baits. Buzz baits include spoon-spinner combinations, special spinner baits with heart-shaped spinner blades, and various other spoon and spinner combinations usually equipped with weedless hooks. They are made for a special type of bass fishing little known in Maine as yet.

When bass are lurking in barely submerged brush or dense weeds where the use of ordinary underwater baits is impossible, the buzz bait is most useful. These lures are designed to be cranked very fast so that they "buzz" along in the surface film, rippling the water behind them. A bass will often charge a buzz bait ferociously, apparently afraid that, whatever the thing is, it is going to get away if he doesn't grab it.

A

L THOUGH THE MAJOR CATEGORIES of spinning and casting tackle have been covered in this article, there are still many other ways to catch a bass. Many fly fishermen know the thrill of taking a bass with a streamer or deer hair bug . Bass are vulnerable to practically every kind of natural bait as well. Even the trollers, who spend so many hours each season in search of salmon and togue, can find rewarding sport by applying their skills to bass.

Whatever method you prefer, don't pass up this exciting sport. This badly underrated gamefish-always ready to challenge the angler-is going largely unnoticed right in our back yards. •

13

11111 I 11111 Reprinted from Apr il 1972 Texas Parks & Wildlife

by 1/o Hiller

Some human mouths are large and some are small, but basically they are all the same.

However, when we think of birds and their mouths (beaks or bills), many different types come to mind. Did you ever wonder why they are all so different?

Unlike humans who have hands and tools to prepare their foods to fit their mouths, birds must have mouths adapted to fit their foods.

Let's examine a few different types of birds, the shapes of their mouths and the types of food they eat.

If you have a backyard feeder, you are probably most familiar with the seed eaters. They have short, stout bills which are well suited for cracking hard seed coats to expose the tender kernels. The sharp tip of the beak is useful for capturing insects which are also part of their diet.

Cardinals, grosbeaks, finches and sparrows are typical seed eaters.

SEED-EATING Another seed eater with a unique bill is the crossbill. The tip of the upper bill curves downward to one side and the lower bill curves upward to the other side, crossing shortly before the tips. This enables the crossbill to pry off the 14

scales on pine and spruce cones to reach the seeds at the base of the scales.

Insects play a large part in the diet of many birds. Warblers, chickadees, nuthatches and titmice are insect eaters. They have slender bills which enable them to remove insects and insect eggs from in and among bark crevices and leaves.

INSECT-EATING There are also flying insect eaters such as swallows, swifts and nighthawks. Although these birds have tiny, weak beaks, their mouths open wide like traps to scoop up insects in flight. Purple martins, members of the swallow family, are well known for their insect eating abilities and people often erect martin houses to attract them.

Woodpeckers have hard, chisel-like bills with which they hollow out their nests and bore for grubs in tree bark. Woodpeckers not only have well-adapted bills but also have the added advantage, along with hummingbirds, of being the only birds with tongues which can be extended beyond the tips of their bills to assist in food gathering. Once the hole has been bored and the insect is found, the woodpecker's barb-tipped tongue is inserted into the hole to extract the insect.

Since the hummingbird's food is the sweet nectar found deep within flower blossoms, nature has provided this bird with a long slender bill for probing deep into flowers. The long tubular tongue which can be extended beyond the tip of the bill can reach into the deepest blossom to Maine Fish and Wildlife-Winter 1977-1978

suck the nectar. Tiny insects found inside the flowers are also eaten. Adaptations within the species have caused some hummingbirds to have either longer or shorter bills, or bills which are straight, curve up or curve down to fit more easily into specific flowers predominant in an area.

Birds of prey, such as eagles, owls, hawks and falcons are equipped with sharp-edged, hooked

The skimmer, a relative of the gull, has a lower bill which is longer than its upper bill. When feeding, this bird flies over shallow water with its longer, lower bill skimming through the water scooping small surface-feeding fish and crustaceans into its mouth.

Some ducks are fish eaters and some sift their food from the ooze at the bottom of marshes and ponds. Their bills reflect their choice of food.

The merganser duck has a long, thin, tapering bill with serrated (sawlike) edges. The bill is well equipped to hold even the most slippery fish until the merganser can swallow it.

The shoveller duck, on the other hand, has a wide, flattened bill with comblike teeth along the

STRAINING PREYING bills which are used to tear bite-sized pieces of flesh from the animals they capture and kill.

Although so far we have been discussing dry land birds, aquatic birds also have unique bills for food gathering.

Since many aquatic birds are fish eaters, their bills are adapted for catching and holding fish.

The pelican is a good example. It has a large skin pouch located on the underside of its lower bill.

This pouch serves as a net for scooping up fish, water and all. After catching the fish, the pelican closes its bill, drains out the water and swallows the fish whole.

FISH-EATING Maine Fish and Wildlife-Winter 1977-1978

edges. The water is strained through the teeth and the edible worms, aquatic insects and plants are trapped inside the bill to be eaten.

Some birds, such as the common snipe and woodcock, probe for their food. Nature has provided them with long, slender bills which can reach deep into the bogs and mud for worms.

After a night of feeding, pencil-like holes show where these birds have been probing for their food.

This by no means covers all of the different species of birds or types of bills. But perhaps you can see that physical adaptations are most important in helping birds live in specific surroundings and find and catch the available food in the area.

PROBING 15

Annual Report of Operations For Fis I Financial Statement Ralph C. Will, Director Administrative Services

The Income Dollar

The Department remains in a sound financial condition for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1977. However, inflation and cost increases continue to erode the value of each dollar available for expenditure. Revenue increased approximately 8.2 per cent from the previous year, largely as a result of the first full year impact of the license increase effective January 1, 1976. Costs continue to increase largely as a result of inflation but the additional revenue available allowed the Department to maintain expenditure for programs at approximately the same level as the year before.

We must continue to spend our dollars wisely, in order to obtain optimum use of funds available. We expect that inflation will continue to erode the buying power of the dollar for some time to come. The Department will continue to reevaluate priorities, to minimize the impact of inflation upon our many necessary management programs.

REVENUE 1973-77 REVENUE (x 1000)

YEARS 72-73

$5.008

73-74

5,231

74-75

5,684

75-76

6,050

76-77

6,144

Federal aid 9.9% Miscellaneous licenses and permits 2.2% { Contributions from General Fund .2 %

Nonresident hunting licenses 30.60Jo

Transfers from Watercraft and Snowmobile Registration l .40Jo Fines and fees 3.4% Resident hunting licenses 17 .50Jo

16

All other revenues 2.90Jo

Maine Fish and Wildlife-Winter 1977-1978

I Year-July 1, 1976, to June 30, 1977 The Expense Dollar

Administration 6.8%

Warden Service 52.1 %

Departmental Planning 3 .8% Safety Programs 1. 1%

Support Services 6.2%

Wildlife Management 13.7%

Summary of Operations Cash Balance July 1, 1976 : Revenues & Transfers Deduct: Expenditures & Encumbrances Net Increase in Cash Balance Unencumbered Cash Balance June 30, 1977 Less Cash Reserves: Operating Capital Unanticipated Pay Increase Effective July 1, 1977 Ultra-Violet System at Enfield Fish Hatchery Filtration and Ultra-Violet Sterilization of Intake Waters at Casco Fish Hatchery Balance of Unreserved Cash

Maine Fish and Wildlife-Winter 1977-1978

$2,029,542 $6,144,459 $6,102,497 $

41,962

$2,071,504 $ 500,000 $

150,000

$

150,000

$ 700,000

$1,500,000 $ 571,504

17

Atlantic Sea Run Salmon Commission Alfred L. Meister, Chief Biologist

The 1977 salmon angling season started slowly, with a hot dry spell of weather during May. But a wet, rainy June changed things completely, and by the season's end a new record rod catch of more than 180 salmon had been landed from the famed Bangor Salmon Pool on the Penobscot.

This catch represents the fourth highest rod catch on record for the Penobscot, and it was nearly matched by a fine catch of 140 fish from the Narraguagus. Several fish in excess of 18 pounds were landed including a 19pounder from the East Machias, a 20-pounder from the Narraguagus, and an equally fine salmon from the Sheepscot.

The Union River provided thrills for the patient angler; and the trap catch of salmon at Ellsworth, held for brood stock, is expected to yield close to 700,000 eggs for the hatchery program during November 1977. The remaining egg requirement for the hatcheries will be provided by brood stock from the Penobscot River.

Hatchery production has been seriously affected by disease problems. Production was reduced in 1976 and 1977 and stocks are depleted to the point that there will be reduced numbers of fish available for release in 1978. However, disease problems now appear to be under control, as the new filtration systems and ultra-violet water-treatment facilities are working well at Green Lake national fish hatchery. These facilities, combined with the construction of additional new pools and buildings, should place this hatchery on the line at full production in 1979. Production from Craig Brook national fish hatchery will be cut during 1978 as disinfecting 18

procedures are initiated and treatment facilities constructed to control fish diseases.

Disease transmission concerns disrupted stocking during 1977.

Rivers with naturally produced populations were withdrawn from the stocking list. It is expected that supplemental stocking of these areas will be resumed in 1978 with fry or parr and perhaps with smolts by the spring of 1979.

The spawning and natural production study is now entering its fourth season. In both 1976 and 1977, spawning occurred on October 13 in Washington County rivers. On the Machias River, large numbers of grilse were noted on the spawning grounds in 1977 and may be indicative of increasing runs of large salmon expected in 1978. These fish represent the initial results of increased spawning escapement due to removal of the Whitneyville dam.

On the Penobscot, the continuing deterioration of the dam at the head of the Bangor Salmon Pool resulted in some fish escapement.

The breach in the dam was of sufficient size that the fishway was completely dewatered for a period in excess of seven weeks from late July to mid-September. It is calculated that the salmon run exceeded that of 1976 by 20 per cent, but the inability to trap and count

ascending adults during 1977 prevented accurate assessment.

New trapping facilities will be constructed and made available for use in 1978 at the Veazie Dam. The co-operative study with the University of Maine involving implantation of radio transmitters in adult salmon continued during 1977. Fish were tracked to essentially the same locations as in 1976. Fish originating from down river releases of smolts exhibited random movement both up and down stream when transplanted to upriver sites as adults. There appeared to be some delay in passage at each major dam on the Penobscot system.

During the past year, the staff of the Commission has provided materials and assistance to the National Geographic Society; provided data for environmental problems associated with the Tenneco pipeline; prepared proposals and delineated spawning and nursery areas for the Forest Service on Washington County rivers and the headwaters of the Penobscot. Materials and technical data have been provided for international fisheries negotiations. •

Atlantic salmon fishing at the Bangor Salmon Pool . White arrow shows location of deteriorated area of dam , which seriously affected upriver migrations last spring. New fish trapping facilities at the Veazie Dam will be a great help to our biologists.

Warden Service Charles S. Allen, Chief Warden

This past fiscal year has been a very active and successful year for Warden Service. There have been more changes in personnel than in any other year I can recall. Chief Pilot Andy Stinson with more than 20 years of service retired in April, and Pilot Dana Toothaker was assigned as acting chief pilot.

Supervisor Charles Lombard (30 years) retired in January and was replaced by the promotion of Russ Dyer. Supervisor Virgil Grant (22 years) retired in October, and his position was not filled. In going along with the long range plans to have seven warden divisions eventually, Supervisor Bill Vernon assumed command of divisions G and I and established a headquarters at the regional office in Ashland.

This office is now manned weekdays and with the radio communications has proved to be very beneficial.

Warden Inspector Lee Downs (19 years) retired in January and has been replaced by Inspector Bryan Buchanan. Inspector Robert Thomas (25 years) retired in April and has been replaced by Inspector Norman Trask. The following wardens also retired during the year-Lawrence "Joe" Caron (29 years); Linwood Folsom (24 years); Winfield Gordon (23 years); Martin Savage (20 years); Alden Kennett (23 years); and Lawrence "Ray" Ellis (27 years). As a result of the retiremen ts, 10 wardens requested and were granted transfers.

Warden Charles Rommel transferred to the Department of Marine Resources as a coastal warden. Warden John Knight resigned to become a commercial airline pilot. Warden Michael Collins was promoted to inspector and assigned to the Greenville

area. In March, State Trooper Fred Jackson of Caribou transferred to Warden Service. Also in March, seven additional new wardens were appointed and along with Jackson were assigned to Warden School at the University of Maine at Orono. Upon graduation in May, they were assigned eight various districts.

Three older wardens also attended the session. Dr. Malcolm Coulter was again responsible and because

trammg session on search and seizure conducted by members of the State Attorney General's staff. The school was well received by those in attendance.

Through the efforts of the Warden Service Relief Association, a Color Guard was formed this past year. Members of the unit are made up from the ranks and include Dana Toothaker, pilot; Dave Sewall, inspector; and wardens Lawrence Grant, David Peppard, George Chase, Rodney Small, Parker Tripp, and Doug Tibbetts. Warden Larry Grant is in charge of the group. They will serve wherever warden represen-

Warden Pilot Gary Dumond, left, directs the operation as AircraftMechanic Howard Lambertson repaints Dumond 's aircraft. Repainting is a regularly recurring maintenance chore where the muchused airplanes and helicopters are concerned .

of his efforts, the school was a great success.

In May, all inspectors attended a full one-day training session on boating safety conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard. The Department's safety officer, Gary Anderson, organized the session and did his usual commendable job.

During the fall, all supervisory personnel attended a two-day

Maine Fish and Wildlife-Winter 1977-1978

tation is necessary.

Warden George Edwards was selected as "Warden of the Year" and received his award this past April at Boston during the Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference. Except for four years at Pittston Farm, George has been assigned to the Belgrade area. He is a warden of high moral character and extemely efficient in 19

carrying out his warden duties.

His willingness to assist others, and the respect he has gained from the public, his fellow wardens, and other law enforcement agencies, are outstanding.

The total number of persons convicted of nighthunting dropped again this past fiscal year.

Only 62 persons paid $500.00 and spent time in jail. The total violations prosecuted by wardens last year showed an increase over the previous year by 107, though one time during the year, Warden Service had 17 vacancies. Game wardens again proved to be a very adaptable group and in spite of the vacant districts, budgetary cuts, restricted mileage, shorter work weeks, and other problems, they came through the year with a very impressive overall record.

The Search and Rescue Unit participated in 13 underwater searches for 15 drowning victims.

Six victims were recovered by members of this unit and 2 searches were unfounded. Assistance was also given to the State Police on seven occasions searching for evidence and stolen equipment. A total of 460 man hours were expended by this unit on search and rescue.

In September 1977, I will be terminating my career with the Maine Warden Service. I have been very proud to be a game warden and thankful to have served the sportsmen of the State of Maine. I would just like to say thanks for the support and cooperation received from my fellow wardens and others I have • known for 23 years.

Film Librarian and Publications Clerk Phyllis Norton performs a valuable service to the public in distributing useful films and helpful printed material provided by the Information and Education Division.

20

Support Services (Editor's note: The heading "Support Services" includes several activities. These are the three divisions reporting below, plus the operations of the Department storehouse, regional headquarters, land acquisition program, and repellents.)

, Information and Education Division William C. Mincher, Director

Cost increases due to inflation continued during the year, and we kept a careful eye on expenditures with the intent of keeping costs as low as possible consistent with carrying out our designated functions.

A special rate for second class mail (under which Maine Fish and Wildlife Magazine is mailed) went into effect in September 1976. It appears that it will result in an annual saving of about $1,000 at the current level of subscriptions. A further saving was realized when costs made us eliminate more than 600 complimentary subscriptions to the magazine.

In late winter, we conducted the annual survey of those on our mailing lists for free materials.

We expect a saving of about $400 a year to result from the program this year. (The automated program removes from the mailing

list the names of those recipients who do not return a form indicating that they wish to continue receiving mailings.)

Printing costs have increased to the point where we have had to recover part of these costs from those using our publications. As prices change quite often but unpredictably, we revised our publication catalog and eliminated prices from it; prices are carried instead on an order form keyed by number to the catalog. The order form is inexpensive and can be updated and reprinted whenever necessary, at low cost and without requiring throwing out any supply of catalogs with incorrect prices in them.

Our operating plans call for making multiple mailings whenever possible; sending several items in the same envelope reduces postage costs.

The Fall 1976 and Spring 1977 issues of Maine Fish and Wildlife Magazine carried extra pages to present a condensed and nontechnical version of each of the lengthy species management plans: for wildlife and fishery resources.

This past spring, we sent a letter to nearly 2,800 magazine subscribers whose subscriptions had expired and had not been renewed in 1976. More than 450 of them renewed their subscriptions.

In the audio-visual field, we completed work on a short film explaining the eagle egg transplant program of 1974. Two prints of the film went into our film library which is handled for us by the University of Maine, Orono, at no cost to the Department. A small amount of filming for the deer film was completed, and the final production work has begun. We are hoping to see the film soon.

The I & E Division continued planning work in co-operation with the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, which is producing a series of films on American wildlife. This series is to be syndicated nationally when it gets into active production.

Again, I & E maintained and staffed the Department's exhibit at Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Mass. We cooperated with other divisions in presenting slide programs in the lobby of the Augusta headquarters building, on safety topics. We distributed films and slide programs used by the Department's snowmobile and hunter safety instructors.

Routine publications besides the magazine included the open water and ice fishing regulations folders, the hunting regulations booklet, trapping regulations folder, migratory bird hunting schedule and regulations folder, and numerous news releases and Commissioner's Newsletters dur-

ing the year. In addition, we produced a revision of the Atlantic Salmon Commission's regulations booklet, as well as the annual hunting and fishing guide flyers summarizing the seasons, etc., for people who seek information as trip planning aids.

The U.S. Postal Service agreed to distribute the migratory bird hunting regulations at post offices which sell duck stamps. A few problems in getting the system set up have, we hope, been solved; and we are looking forward to this co-operative venture as being the most effective way of making the regulations available to the public.

A project designed to make more efficient the process of considering, promulgating, and implementing fishing and hunting rules and regulations was launched last May. I & E and

several other divisions revised the office procedures and are looking for smoother operation of the system.

Up for revision is the bear hunting guide, a folder of information to answer questions we are often asked. The new version should be ready by Spring 1978.

The species management plans mentioned earlier in this report call for co-ordinated efforts in the field of information and education. Devising an operations plan to accomplish these objectives got under way toward the end of the fiscal year. The plan is intended to make the work of the I & E Division more valuable in the effort to attain the various goals set forth in the species management plans.

All in all, a busy and interesting year, and we look forward to more progress in the year to come.

•

Engineering Division Clayton G. Grant, Chief Engineer

The Engineering Division, during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1977, continued to carry out staff functions assigned by the Commissioner and requested by other divisions of the Department.

In addition to routine maintenance work on various structures, several major projects were completed.

A new crib dam was installed at Clay Pond in Fryeburg to create a waterfowl habitat and improve the native fish population. Land surrounding this pond was recently purchased by the Department with funds provided by a bond issued approved by the Legislature and the public for habitat preservation. Excellent cooperation among local fish and game clubs and other interested area people, along with personnel from the Fishery Division and Wildlife Division, enabled com-

Maine Fish and Wildlife-Winter 1977-1978

pletion of this project with a very small expenditure of Department monies.

Major repairs were completed at Bog Brook dam and fishway in Washington County. This log-crib structure-built several years ago by the Engineering Division for the Atlantic Salmon Commission-had deteriorated quite badly due to time and weather.

Primarily used to store water for release into the Narraguagus River during summer drought conditions, this dam also provides significant waterfowl habitat.

At Swan Island Wildlife Management Area in Richmond, the cribwork pier was substantially rebuilt. Used as a public landing for visitors to the island, the structure was removed to the lowwater line and replaced with new, treated timbers. The major portion of funding for the project 21

was provided by the federal government under the PittmanRobertson Act. Projects under consideration for the upcoming construction season are three effluent-treatment facilities at Embden, Palermo, and Governor Hill hatcheries; repair to concrete pools at Dry Mills hatchery; a new regional headquarters building for the southern region of the state; and a new fish-trapping facility at Veazie dam. In addi-

Typical winter activities of the Engineering Division include doing some yarding out of logs on the state 's wildl ife management area property . Here , Engineering Division employee Forrest Smart (now employed by the Realty Division as a surveyor) skids out some timber at Frye Mountain WMA.

tion, usual routine design, repair, and field investigation tasks will be carried out as assigned by the Commissioner.

Personnel changes during the period include the transfer of one employee to the Realty Division, and the hiring of a construction foreman. In addition, approval was granted for the hiring of four seasonal construction employees for various summer projects. • 22

Realty Division Richard B. Parks, Chief

While the actual acreage acquired during the past fiscal year doesn't come up to the previous one, more transactions were handled by the Division.

One small lot was added to the Brownfield Wildlife Management Area in Oxford County, bringing our total to about 5,599 acres.

Two parcels were added to the Newfield Wildlife Management Area in York County, bringing our total to about 4,318 acres.

Also, an outstanding 2/9 fractional interest in 250 acres of land we had previously acquired in this management area was successfully negotiated.

One 43-acre parcel was added to the Scarborough Wildlife Management Area in Cumberland and York counties, bringing the total to about 3,012 acres.

The Manuel Wildlife Management Area in Aroostook County has been increased by 1,042 acres since our last report, bringing the total to about 4,132 acres.

Two small parcels were added to the Augusta Wildlife Manage-

ment Area, Kennebec County, bringing our total acreage to about 2,340 for this unit.

One 60-acre parcel was added to the Frye Mountain Wildlife Management" Area in Waldo County, giving us about 5,176 acres in this area.

A number of significant gifts of land were received during the year. These included about 150 acres of fields and woodland adjoining Merrymeeting Bay in Bowdoinham, Sagadahoc County; 120 acres of salt marsh and woodland on the Englishman's River, Roque Bluffs, Washington County; 86 acres of salt marsh at Back Bay, Milbridge, Washington County; an access lot at Kezar Lake, Oxford County; and 48.8 acres of woodland in Belgrade, Kennebec County, bringing this continuing gift of land to 98.8 acres.

Since receiving the Department's four million dollar bond issue in 1974, the Division has purchased 10,989 acres of land to be permanently set aside for wildlife at a cost of $2,000,418.34 or an average of $182.38 per acre. •

Realty Division Land Agent Bruce Uncoln, left, and Surveyor Forrest Smart set one of the corner markers on the boundary of the Brownfield Wildlife Management Area. Much of the Department's land has been marked in this manner, and all will eventually be done.

Maine Fish and Wildlife-Winter 1977-1978

Fishery Management Fishery Division Lyndon H. Bond, Chief

Region A.-Sebago Region.

Environmental issues: Great Ponds Act, Stream LHB Alteration Act, and Site Selection investigations and reports took up at least one-third of the regional biologist's time. It is felt, however, that this work is necessary and will ultimately pay off in terms of protecting the environment and fish habitat.

In Sebago Lake, salmon and togue fishing this past spring and summer reached all expectations in that hundreds of anglers in April, May, and June had no problem catching their limits of Ito-I Yi-pound salmon. Numerous 1972-stocked togue, weighing 7 to 10 pounds, were caught during the spring and summer months. The 1973-stocked lake trout are entering the fishery now and they are in the area of 15" to 18" in size but not as plentiful as the initial stocking made in 1972. Trawling

in the summer of '77 produced surprisingly large numbers of young of the year smelts in almost every area of the lake trawled.

This is most encouraging because it looks as though smelt spawning runs may reach normal proportions again by 1979 and 1980. If this occurs, it will mean that salmon growth will again improve and, we hope, reach proportions experienced in the late '60s and early '70s.

Brown Trout Study: This ongoing program has produced some very revealing results which prove beyond all doubt that brown trout do produce excellent fishing when managed properly.

With the 12" limit on the lakes and ponds and the 8'' limit on rivers, we expect that a greater carry-over of stocked spring and fall yearlings will produce even better fisheries. Another favorable and encouraging aspect of the brown trout study indicates that brown trout stocked into a drainage do not necessarily take over the entire drainage. At this point, it appears that when they are stocked in a lake environment, their movement downstream into the outlet stream is insignificant and in some cases non-existent.

Stream-stocked brown trout appear to remain pretty well within the confines of the available habitat of that stream and do not appear to move around much.

Our stocking of the Saco River is a case in point. There are problems in getting the number and quality of brown trout needed at the hatchery level, but plans now implemented should solve this problem.

Region B-Belgrade Region.

Considerable time was devoted to evaluating the status of our coldwater lake fisheries by summer and winter creel censuses and netting operations. Maranacook Lake, where an experimental stocking of togue and browns was initiated in 1975, is producing exceptionally fast-growing fish of both species.

A largemouth bass transfer was made and previous bass introductions (both largemouth and smallmouth) were evaluated. Atlantic salmon production in the Sheepscot River was monitored.

Considerable time was spent preparing legislation implementing a more practical ice fishing season.

A new species of pickerel, the redfin pickerel (Esox americanus americanus), was discovered in an area close to Merrymeeting Bay. More investigatory work is planned to verify the distribution of this previously overlooked fish.

A better way of transporting fish out into the lakes at stocking time has been initiated through experimenting with small, battery-operated aerators attached to the stocking barrels. This will aid survival considerably.

Region C-Grand Lake Region. Of major importance was the discovery of a serious growth problem in the landlocked salmon and lake trout populations of West Grand Lake. Our data indicate that few salmon reached legal size in 1975 and 1976. The first step in solving this problem will be the reduction of salmon and lake trout stocking rates.

A greatly expanded brown trout stocking program is contemplated for the Union River. Our most recent information indicates that while browns grow, survive, and reproduce in the Union River, so few fish are reaching maturity that the goal of producing a selfperpetuating population is not likely to be achieved.

23

A substantial decrease in the number of great ponds investigations and reviews was noted this past field season. However, other environmental concerns such as the spruce budworm control program occupied considerable time.

Winter censuses were conducted on several waters including Branch, Hopkins, Long, and Flanders ponds. These studies enabled biologists to determine total angler pressure and catch. Information of this type will be invaluable in assessing the effects of the extended ice fishing season which will take effect this winter.

Region D.-Rangeley Region.

A bulletin enti tied '' Rangeley Lake Fish Management'' was written and published. The booklet discusses the characteristics and behavior of salmon and trout in Rangeley Lake, based on data collected over almost 20 years.

Landlocked alewives stocked in the Rangeley lakes in 1971-72 have become established in Richardson Lake. They are fulfilling their intended purpose as food for salmon and trout and are the major reason for improved catches of both species.

Forty-three thousand rainbow trout were stocked in 17 waters as part of a study to determine whether rainbows can provide fishing where native species have not. Eggs from two strains of rainbow trout were donated from the Fish Genetics Laboratory in Wyoming in return for an evaluation of their performance in the wild. Several waters have been selected to provide that information.

Region E.-Moosehead Region. Angler reports indicate steadily improving fishing success at Moosehead Lake during 1977. The number of angler days spent on Moosehead Lake has shown an increasing trend during the past several years, and much of the increase may be attributed to a steady increase in winter anglers. Winter angler days have 24

increased from an estimated 2,000 in 1972 to 5,900 in 1977.

Although in 1967 we estimated 4,500 angler days expended, that number declined to the low of 2,000 in 1972. Estimated summer angler days have fluctuated from 31,000 in 1967 to a low of 26,000 in 1970 and now up to 35,000 in 1976.

Winter fishing success has improved from the low point of .30 fish per angler day to .75 fish per angler day in the winter of 1977 -the highest since the beginning of the study in 1967. More importantly, the catch of togue per angler has increased steadily since the 18-inch limit was imposed in 1972, and the average togue caught weighs 40 ounces (2 Yi lbs.). Also, the total of salmon, trout, and togue caught has increased. A change in the bag limit to 2 salmon, 2 togue, 2 trout with a maximum of 5 of all 3 species combined (effective June 1977) was received well by anglers; and for the first time in 11 years of records, substantial numbers (14 per cent) of legal salmon and togue caught were returned to the water. We expect that the lowered bag limits will result in a greater number of large (older) fish in the catch in 1978 and future years.

The final report on the first 10 years of the Moosehead Lake study is being written.

Our efforts were distributed among many jobs including trapnetting and gill netting for salmon and togue in Moosehead Lake, Jackman area waters; creel census on Moosehead Lake, Telos, Chamberlain, and Sebec lakes; on the salmon hooking mortality project; regulations; trophy trout waters; fish stocking; LURC, DEP, and Great Ponds applications; remote ponds; sedimentation problems resulting from logging operations; smelt runs; proposed Dickey-Lincoln project; proposed West Branch of the Penobscot project; spruce budworm spraying and follow-up;

personnel matters; teaching at Warden School and the Boy Scouts' High Adventure program; routine evaluations of fish populations by netting and electrofishing; some new lake surveys; dams and fishways checks and problems; written reports; meetings and hearings associated with all of the above activities; reading hundreds of fish scales; producing final survey maps for all regions; and data recording and analysis.

Region F-Penobscot Region.

Considerable time was spent developing fisheries monitoring One of Maine 's stocked ponds receiving a new shipment of fish . The pilot lands before discharging the tanks whenever practical.

plans, evaluating the environmental impact statement; co-ordinating statewide lake and stream critical areas buffer zones; and attending meetings concerned with the spring 1977 spruce budworm spray program. A similar but lesser involvement was given to a proposal for blackfly control investigations. Winter creel censuses were made on several waters during February and March.

During the spring, several smelt spawning runs were checked for fish size, age, and incidence of the smelt parasite Glugea. A summer creel census was initiated at Cold Stream Pond, Enfield; and new biological surveys were completed on several lakes and ponds.

Region G-Aroostook Region.

Much time and effort were spent in Region G this past year on the problem of non-point pollution.

Reports of siltation by forest cutting operations have been monitored, and work with landowners is continuing in order to prevent erosion from logging operations.

In the farming sections, our concerns about the effects of agricultural siltation have been expressed through the "208" water

Maine Fish and Wildlife-Winter 1977-1978

quality program, which has as its goal '' fishable, swimmable waters" by 1983.

Summer and winter creel census of the Fish River chain of lakes indicated that the existing 12" length limit on salmon resulted in the harvesting of many immature fish. Consequently, public hearings were held, and the length limit for salmon has been raised to 14" for the lakes of the Fish River chain.

Aircraft counts of ice fishing activity on our back-country lakes in 1977 indicate that fishing pressure has remained stable since

ches to an average of 10-12 inches, to reduce probable predation by older, larger salmonids.

At Tomah Lake, where the special trout are being produced, average survival from stocking to one year at large has been only 1 to 2 per cent, and the lake is closed to fishing. It is hoped that increasing size of stocked fish will increase survival here. In the future, stocking of test fish at Eagle Lake in Bar Harbor will consist of spring yearlings 8-9 inches long, stocked at a time to provide some spring fishing but also to permit a holdover to older ages.

the winter of 1975. Winter creel census was also conducted on the Aroostook River, which was opened to ice fishing for the first time in many years.

Fishery Research. Brook trout longevity study; principal investigator, Keith Havey. The objective of this study, now in its sixth year, is to develop through selective mating, brook trout stock with exceptional longevity in the wild (three years or more). During our most recent trapnetting, 5 trout of age 9 were taken, the oldest taken thus far. Numerous trout of age 7 were captured. In fall 1976, size of fish stocked was increased from an average 4-6 in-

Salmon Hooking Study;-principal investigator, Ken Warner.

The study to evaluate mortality of salmon hooked and released by anglers is nearing completion.

The four-year study at Big Bennett Pond, Guilford, was completed in 1976, and the final report on the lake phase of the study is now available. For river studies, the final year of sampling at East Outlet, Moosehead Lake, was completed in June 1977; the final report of this segment is in preparation. The second of a threeyear study of spring, age 2 hatchery salmon was completed at the Casco hatchery unit. Operations will be transferred to the Grand

Maine Fish and Wildlife-Winter 1977-1978

Lake Stream station in 1978 for the final year of sampling.

Forage crustacean studies; principal investigator, Phil Andrews.

Transfers of small aquatic crustaceans have proved successful on a Mt. Desert Island lake. The organism, an invertebrate known as an isopod, is known to be an important forage item for brook trout and was introduced to Eagle Lake several years ago. Field checks have shown this new food source to be well established, with brook trout already beginning to feed upon them.

Brook trout management studies; principal investigator; Phil Andrews. A five-year study which tested various brook trout stocking rates on six trout ponds has been completed. During the study, nearly 14,000 anglers were interviewed, and more than 28,000 trout were checked. Findings showed that survival, growth rates, and catch per hour were not always dependent on numbers of fish stocked. Few trout survived to three years of age although some survival to two years was noted, even with heavy fishing pressure. Natural reproduction was variable but substantial in a few cases. Anglers caught between 16 and 75 per cent of the available trout each year, but the average was about 50 per cent.

These and other findings will allow more refined management of trout waters in the future.

Sunapee and Blueback Trout Studies; principal investigator, Fred Kercheis. Attempts are continuing to establish Sunapee trout in new waters throughout the state. To date, six ponds have established, fishable populations of Sunapee trout; but only Floods Pond is self-sustaining. The rest are still being maintained by stocking. Echo Lake, Mt. Desert Island, has been dropped from the program due to very low survival of the Sunapee trout. Long Pond, T.D. & E, is being considered as an alternate to replace Echo Lake 25

in this project. A total of 6,000 Sunapee trout fingerlings were stocked into study waters during this period.

A paper was presented at the Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference in Boston in April 1977 on the migratory habits of spawning Sunapee trout in Floods Pond. A chapter on landlocked charr in Maine was prepared for inclusion in a monograph on the genus Salvelinus to be published in 1978.

An attempt to describe the spawning habits of the blueback trout was thwarted by an early freeze-up in 1976. A further attempt will be made in November 1977 in hopes of filling in some of the gaps in our knowledge of this other uncommon fish species. •

Planning and Co-ordination Division Kenneth H. Anderson, Director

The Planning Division continued to co-ordinate and support the Department's species management planning and environmental protection activities. Species planning efforts during the past year were principally concerned with refining the information used to assess the current status of individual species of inland fish and wildlife. Improved methods of collecting, processing, and analyzing hunter, trapper, and fisherman survey data-as well as fur tagging records and land use data were implemented. Information generated from such work is

Hatchery Operations David 0. Locke, Supt. of Hatcheries

In the spring of 1976, Maine hatcheries got a shipment of fish feed contaminated with PCB (poly chlorinated biphenyl) that killed many of our brook and brown trout fry. Biological stocking of these species was reduced substantially in 1976-77, and there was virtually no put-and-take stocking of brook trout in the spring of 1977. Salmon and lake trout did not get this feed; these species were stocked at normal levels in 1977. An excellent fry production in spring 1977 should assure future stocking programs at normal levels.

Furunculosis, a bacterial fishdisease, occurred at the Casco hatchery in yearling salmon in June 1977, for the first time; it has also plagued the Enfield hatchery for several years.

Treating the water supply with ultraviolet light solves the problem. [The expensive equipment was funded in December 1977 at Enfield hatchery.] Disease problems at these units will continue, 26

with reduced quality of fish produced, until adequate equipment can be installed.

Budget restrictions have also delayed much-needed repairs and improvements to buildings, grounds, and rearing pools. No hatchery vehicles were traded during the fiscal year, and only a limited quantity of small equipment was replaced.

The fiscal year ended with five vacant fish hatcheryman positions-a 15 per cent reduction of a limited work force of 33 who run the 10 hatcheries. Their dedication and willingness to work many hours of overtime without pay kept the hatcheries operating during this difficult period.

Fish stocked during 1976 Number Pounds

Landlocked salmon 556,488 45,746 Lake trout (togue) 575,408 24,085 Brook trout 376,898 50,415 Brown trout 275,341 35,416 Rainbow trout 29,510 5,998 Sunapee trout 9,726 157 Total 1,823,371 161,817

incorporated into species assessments made by the various individuals within the Department responsible for maintenance of specific species management plans. In addition, automated data processing services were provided to a great variety of research, survey, inventory, and administrative jobs undertaken by the other divisions of the Department.

Environmental protection efforts during the past year fell into three broad categories: (1) administering the Stream Alteration Act; (2) co-ordinating and processing the Department's fish and wildlife impact appraisals associated with proposed developments affected by existing environmental regulations, and (3) support to a variety of agencies, committees, groups, and comm1ss1ons involved with environmental matters. Division personnel processed approximately 150 stream alteration applications during the past fiscal year, and co-ordinated the review of 280 DEP great pond applications; 154 DEP tidal wetlands applications, 150 DEP site location applications; 17 DEP minimum lot; 10 mining applications; 113 LURC building applications; 91 LURC forest operations permit applications; 38 LURC development applications; 14 LURC road permits; 5 LURC subdivision applications; 2 LURC utility line permits; 7 LURC bridge construction applications; and approximately 75 Department of Transportation construction and maintenance projects not requiring permits.

Co-ordination of these fish and wildlife impact appraisals involved the routing of individual applications from the administering agency to Fish and Wildlife Department personnel in the field

Maine Fish and Wildlife-Winter 1977-1978

for their assessment of the potential impact of the proposal on inland fish and wildlife, and conveying the Department's appraisal back to the administering agency for its consideration. Regarding the support given to other environmental matters, a large amount of time was spent in support of the Dickey-Lincoln environmental impact investigation; Tenneco Pipeline environmental impact investigations; the Governor's Council on Land and Water Use; Coastal Zone Management; soil erosion and control; land use planning and control; Critical Areas Program; and water resource planning.

In addition, co-ordination efforts covered a broad range of public, legislative, and technical functions. •

This remote terminal , installed in the Department's 284 State Street headquarters , enables Wildlife Biologist Computer Programmer Art Ritter to " talk " directly with the state 's Central Computer Service machines.

Wildlife Division Robert W. Boettger, Chief

During the interesting and busy year, programs initiated the previous year, as a result of the long range species planning effort and described in the 1976 annual report, were continued with only slight modifications. Information on the effect of proposed projects on various wildlife species was provided to several state and federal agencies including the Maine State Legislature, State Planning Office, Department of Transportation, Board of Environmental Protection, Land Use Regulation Commission, Bureau of Public Lands, U.S. Soil Conservation Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Endangered Species Scientific Authority.

Liaison and co-operation with the above named agencies has continued at a high level, and progress continues for the benefit of Maine's wildlife and human populations.

Division recommendations for critical wildlife habitat (consisting primarily of deer wintering areas) were well accepted by the Land Use Regulation Commission, and many of these areas were permanently zoned in LURC blocks 1 and 2. Hearings are yet to be held concerning permanent zoning of the rest of the blocks, and we will have our recommendations ready.

Special emphasis was placed on obtaining information on wildlife species and habitat conditions in the area proposed to be flooded by the Dickey-Lincoln hydroelectric project, and Division personnel provided input to the Environmental Impact Statement.

Considerable information on moose populations and the feasibility of a limited moose hunting season was provided, at their request, to the state Legislature and Governor's office. This consisted of both written reports and testimony at public hearings. Also

Maine Fish and Wildlife-Winter 1977-1978

at the direction of the Legislature, Division personnel in co-operation with members of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Maine Trappers Association planned a coyote trapping seminar in an effort to disseminate information on successful trapping of this furbearer which has recently established itself in our state and which is certain to have some effect on our other wildlife species.

Deer mirrors-reflector devices placed along the edges of highways to prevent nighttime collisions between deer and motor vehicles-were to be installed this fall on portions of the newly constructed section of Interstate 95 between Brunswick and Gardiner.

Since the effectiveness of these mirrors is still open to question, they have been installed on an experimental basis. Wildlife Division personnel worked with the Department of Transportation in setting up this scientifically controlled experiment, the results of which should provide us with some answers on how to reduce the waste, injuries, and property 27

damage caused by deer-car collisions.

Due to a change in federal regulations, it was necessary for the Department to rewrite state regulations controlling the sport of falconry. This has been accomplished through the public hearings process, and Maine should continue to provide an opportunity for interested individuals to pursue this highly specialized sport.

After several years of trying, we were finally able to convince the Atlantic Waterfowl Council and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to allow Maine to have the option of a zoned waterfowl hunting season for the next three years, after which time its results will be evaluated before it is continued.

[This option was subsequently chosen by Maine hunters at public hearing, and in 1977 Wildlife Management Units 1, 2, and 3 will have a straight season while the rest of the state will have the traditional split season.] This should provide northern area hunters more time to hunt before freeze-up, while allowing those in southern areas to continue to have some late season coastal gunning.

Following objectives and plans formulated during the previous year, a supply of live-trapped wild turkeys was obtained from Vermont and released in southwestern Maine. Some of these birds have been sighted periodically since their release, but it is doubtful whether they produced any broods this past spring. Preliminary plans are being formulated for a follow-up stocking during the winter of 1977-78. m recent years, the prices being paid for most wild furs have increased tremendously, thereby increasing trapping pressure on many furbearers. There is now considerable concern, especially on the national and international level, for the welfare of some species. This has led to the establishment of national and in28

ternational study and control commissions. In the United States, an Endangered Species Scientific Authority has been established to carry out policies formulated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna. This has resulted to date in proposals for export quotas (for export to a foreign country) for each state on the furs of river otter, lynx, and bobcat.

Many of our native furs are eventually exported out of this country, so this could have an appreciable effect on the available markets for Maine otter and bobcat pelts. In order to be granted an export quota, a state must be able to convince the Endangered Species Scientific Authority that a controlled harvest of these animals will not endanger its overall population. To date, Maine is in a good position to argue for export quotas because of documentation contained in our otter and bobcat species plans and information available through licensing trappers and pelt tagging. This does not seem to be the case for many states.

Another area of recent interest and concern is non-game wildlife.

While we have made a start on a plan for non-game species, it has not been possible to obtain sufficient personnel to complete this plan. It is hoped that this problem will be resolved before available federal matching monies are lost or diverted.

Attaching radio transmitter collars to trapped Maine black bear is an effective way of monitoring the animals' movements , and such activity has occupied much of the Wildlife Division 's field time .

Maine very likely has the largest population of black bears in the eastern United States. Because of declining bear populations in many other eastern states, it is probably safe to assume that interest in bear hunting in Maine will increase appreciably in the next few years. Therefore, it is important that the status of our black bear population be well documented so that reliable evaluations can be made of the effects of any increased hunting pressure. Fortunately, we have been able to activate additional investigative work under our black bear species plan, through a grant from the National Rifle Association. This should help us to keep abreast of a continually changing situation. Also, to help collect and consolidate information on black bear research and management, Maine will host the 1978 meeting of biologists studying the eastern black bear.

To meet research and management needs better, Division personnel continue to investigate sources of acceptable outside funding. To date, approximately $32,000 has been generated in this manner and when possible has been used to match available Pittman-Robertson federal funds.

In this way, we have been able to activate additional priority jobs not only for black bear, but also for bald eagles and migratory birds, plus conduct extra work concerning the effects of the proposed Dickey-Lincoln project. •

Recreational Safety and Registration Lorenzo A. Gaudreau, Director

During the fiscal year 197 6-77, the Division registered 71,502 snowmobiles and 363 snowmobile dealers, and issued 140 duplicate snowmobile registrations. The Division also registered 58,200 boats, issued 324 boat operator licenses, and granted 31 permits for boating races and regattas.

Numerous hearings were held concerning requests to limit the horsepower of motorboats on inland waters. At the close of the calendar year, December 31, 1976, the watercraft registry showed 118,381 boats listed.

Hunting and snowmobile accidents again showed a decrease.

Volunteer instructors gave 165 courses and certified a record 4,000 students in the hunter safety program. Instructors gave 55 courses and certified 1,000 students in the snowmobile safety program. Numerous presentations on snowmobile safety were also given in clubs and schools.

Presentations of boating safety instruction were given to 10,000 students by our recreational safety co-ordinators in schools and in summer camps. Boating, hunting, and snowmobile safety slides were continuously displayed during the appropriate season in the Augusta office lobby near the licensing counter.

Anyone interested in participating in the programs as an instructor or sponsor or by taking a training course, may contact the appropriate recreational safety co-ordinator listed or write the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Division of Recreational Safety and RegistrationSafety Section-284 State Street, • Augusta, Maine 04333.

Maine Fish and Wildlife-Winter 1977-1978

SNOWMOBILE SAFETY CO-ORDINATORS Region

Name and Address Janice E. Labrecque RFD#2 Gorham, Me04038 Tel: 892-9532

Counties All of Cumberland and York counties and Fryeburg south in Oxford County

Albert D. Deraspe 10 Orchard Street Farmington, Me 04938 Tel: 778-3418

/

2

Philip I. Morehouse Route #1, Box 87 Windsor, Me 04363 Tel: 549-5188

Franklin and Oxford counties except Fryeburg sou th in Oxford County All of Kennebec, Androscoggin, Sagadahoc, Lincoln and Knox counties

Richard E. Vieta R2 Hillside Acres, Apt 8 Oakland, Me 04963 Tel: 465-2001

4

Donald H. Clark RFD#!

Hampden Highlands, Me04445 Tel: 234-2627 Lorna M. Nason Duck Cove Road Bucksport, Me04416 Tel: 469-3690

All of Somerset and Piscataquis counties

All of Waldo and Penobscot counties except Medway north in Penobscot County

6

All of Hancock County

Harland S. Hitchings PO Box 145 Princeton, Me04668 Tel: 796-2282

All of Washington County

Michael G. Sawyer RFD#!

Smyrna Mills, Me04780 Tel: 757-8102

All of Aroostook County and Medway north in Penobscot County

HUNTER SAFETY CO-ORDINATORS Name and Address

Region

Charlene A. St. Jean RFD #1, Box 102 Sanford, Me 04073 Tel: 324-5930 Woodbury D . Thompson PO Box 3573 Portland, Me04104 Tel: 772-0179 or 797-2463

York

2

Richard E. Vieta R2 Hillside Acres, Apt 8 Oakland, Me 04963 Tel: 465-2001 Philip I. Morehouse Route #1, Box 87 Windsor, Me04363 Tel: 549-5188

Cumberland, Oxford (Fryeburg & sou th), Androscoggin (All south of Auburn) and Bath in Sagadahoc Oxford (All north of Fryeburg), Androscoggin (Auburn and north), Franklin, Kennebec, Somerset, and Sagadahoc (except Bath)

4

George L. Currier 209 Silk Street Brewer, Me04412 Tel: 989-2477 Harland Hitching PO Box 145 Princeton, Me 04668 Tel: 796-2282

Counties

Lincoln, Knox, Waldo, Hancock, Kennebec (east of Augusta and sou th of Route 9) and Sagadahoc (east of Bath) Pisca taquis and Penobscot (south of Route 188)

6

Washington and Penobscot (north of Route 108 to Medway)

Michael G. Sawyer RFD#!

Smyrna Mills, Me04780 Tel: 757-8102

Aroostook

Charles L. Duggins 10 Old South Place Bath , Me04530 Tel: 443-260 I

Survival Techniques Specialist

29

HUNTING ACCIDENTS CONTINUE DECLINE

Maine's hunting accident record continued to improve in 1977. There were 32 accidents iri all, including a record low two fatalities. Zero accidents, of course, would be better, but accident figures like these for an entire year for an active sport with over 200,000 participants would have to place hunting high up on the list of safe outdoor sports.

N C DEER SEASON REPORT

Final figures for the 1977 deer hunting season were not available at press time; however, the preliminary total deer kill figure is 31,508-about a 5 per cent increase over the 1976 deer kill. The harvest in six of the eight wildlife management units was higher, with only units 3 and 5 showing slight declines from 1976.

Overall, hunting conditions were fairly good although large areas of central and southern Maine failed to receive any trackmg snow.

We'll try to have the county breakdown, license sale figures, and other highlights of the 1977 season in the spring issue.

NATIONAL HONORS

For the fourth time, the Fish and Wildlife Department's hunter safety training program has been rated among the 10 best in the United States. The program recently received the National Rifle Association's Award of Merit for outstanding achievement in hunter safety for 1976-77. The awards are presented annually after each state's hunter education efforts are evaluated by a special committee of the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.

The Department's program, directed by Recreational Safety 30

Officer Gary Anderson, is staffed by eight part-time co-ordinators and about 850 volunteer instructors. They produced more than 3,000 graduates in 1976, and the course has been successfully completed by nearly 50,000 students in its 18-year history.

In the IO-hour course, young hunters learn the basics of safe gun handling, game identification, landowner relations, hunter ethics, and woods survival.

The program also received national honors in 1970, 1972, and 1975.

1978 LICENSE FEES Nonresident Citizen Big Game Hunting- IO yrs. and over Alien Big Game Hunling1'ionresident Small Game Hunting16 yrs. and over Nonresident Junior Small Game Hunting-JO-IS yrs., inc.

Nonresidenl Archery Hunting12 yrs. and over (permils hunling during all open seasons lhroughout year) Nonresidenl Junior Fishing12-15 yrs. inc.

Nonresident Season Fishing16 yrs. and over Nonresidenl 15-day Fishing ~onresident 7-day Fishing Residenl or nonresidenl 3-day Fishing ResidentFishing-16 yrs. and over Residenl Junior Hunting10-15 yrs. inc.

Residenl H unting-16 yrs. and over Residenl Combinalion Hunting and Fishing-Over age 70 Residenl Combinalion Hunting and Fishing-16 yrs. and over Residenl Serviceman Combination Resident Archery Hunting10 yrs. and over Resident Combination Fishing and Archery HuntingResident Trapping (Statewide) Resident Guide- 18 yrs. and over

$ 60.50

100.00

PERSONNEL NOTES

A career game warden was named in October to the top post in the Warden Service of the Fish and Wildlife Department. Alanson B. "Mickey" Noble, 47, of East Otisfield, was named by Commissioner Maynard F. Marsh to succeed Charles S. Allen who retired in September.

Noble, a South Paris native, had been deputy chief warden for three years. He joined the Warden Service in 1956 as a district game warden in eastern Maine. He was promoted to the post of warden inspector in 1962, to warden supervisor in 1965, and to deputy chief warden in 1974.

30.50 15.50

30.50 4.00 25.50 IS.SO 12.50 7.50 7.50 I.SO 7.50 free 12.50 3.50 7.50 12.50 13.00 32.00

Noble

Toothaker

Other personnel changes since the last issue of Maine Fish and Wildlife include the following: Dana W. Toothaker of Greenville was promoted to warden pilot supervisor. He had been acting head of warden aircraft divi,. sion since the retirement of the former chief pilot, Andrew B. Stinson, in April 1977. A warden pilot since 1971, Toothaker has Maine Fish and Wildlife-Winter 1977-1978

been with the Warden Service since 1966, except for three years when he was an Army pilot during the Vietnam conflict.

Others promoted were game wardens Everett J. Welch of Bowdoinham, to warden pilot; and Carter L. Smith of Winn, to game warden sergeant in Division C, Calais area. Promoted from biology aide to biologist 1 in the Wildlife Division were Alan E. Hutchinson of Old Town, James

E. Hall of Millbridge, and Alan G. Clark of Greenville.

Retiring were Warden Sergeant Clyde E. Noyes, Jr., of Dennysville, with 22 years of service; Warden Charles H. Howe, Jr., of Greenville, 22 years; Warden Herbert F. Brazier of Mapleton, 20 years; and Warden John 0.

Leathers of Brownville, 20 years.

New game wardens and their assigned districts are Glynn S. Pratt, Calais; Randall D. Probert,

-

Smyrna Mills; Michael P. Favreau, St. Aurelie; James E. Brown, Freeport; Michael A. Morrison, Waite; and Alan W. Rider, Mapleton. Brown and Favereau had previously been coastal wardens in the Department of Marine Resources. New biology aides in the Wildlife Division, and their assigned headquarters, are: Barry N. Burgason, Patten; and Karen I. Morris, Orono.

ecologogriphs ....... .... ... ...... .. ....... ......... .... .. ..... .. ..test your outdoor knowledge ACROSS

1. Tuft of feathers on a bird 's head: _ _ _ knot.

4. Instrument used as an aid in aiming a gun .

9. Sun-loving plant; a heliophyte.

12. Caudal limbs of an arthropod.

16. Low or level tracts of land.

17. Soft bolt with each end hammered into a head.

18. Recreational Vehicles (abbrev.).

19. Large antelope with elongated horns.

50. A rare bird: _ _ _ avis.

52. The lowest deck of a ship.

54. Large moths with eyelike spots on hind wings.

34. 1 am.

55. Reddish-brown seaweed eaten as a vegetable.

37. Brightest star in constellation Aquila.

57. A bushy oriental plant.

59. Recruit (abbrev.)

42. A volcanic cone in Cascade Range: Mount _ _ __

60. Wind direction.

61. Twilight (pl.).

45. Genus of mammals including most of the hares and rabbits.

62. The Jayhawk State (abbrev.)

46. Natural Resources (abbrev.)

DOWN

21. Large, ostrichlike Australian bird.

22. Whales with paired blow-holes,

1. A male cat , turkey, etc.

having rows of whalebone instead of teeth .

2. Rock containing metal.

25. Day-flying owl without ear tufts: shortowl.

27. Male nickname.

3. You may find one in a mollusk.

5. Godlike fish of northern seas. The burbot.

6. Either.

28. Compass point .

7. Large, voracious shark of northern

29. Ornamental flowering shrub with

waters.

white or purple flowers.

35. Attached hook to short line.

39. Direction Finder (abbrev.)

48. Short-tailed , mouse-like rodent.

51 . Striped bass: _ _ _ bass.

53. Signal of distress.

55. Doctor of Entomology.

56. Greatest nation in the world .

58. Dock (abbrev.).

ANSWER ON PAGE 32

8. The outer covering of a seed : _ __ sperm.

32. Early Roman copper coin.

33. Places food , etc. on a hook or in a trap.

10. Seekers of exciting experiences or daring feats.

36. An arm of the Mediterranean Sea: _ _ _ Sea.

11. Prescribed quantity of medicine, etc.

13. Double barrel: and under.

38. A showy fern with pinnate fronds growing upright.

14. Degrades.

15. Stallions.

40. Milliliter (abbrev.)

20. Popular buckshot size.

41. Lifesaving Service (U.S.) (abbrev.).

22. Large, terrestrial monkey.

43. All right.

23. State often called "The Last Frontier."

44. Flowing back; ebbing.

31 . Nocturnal mammal with fox-like face; related to the monkeys.

47. A low herb of the borage family: _ _ _ wort.

24. North latitude (abbrev.).

49. Erbium (chem. sym).

30. Genus of plants or animals (suffix).

26. One who excels in any field.

Maine Fish and Wildlife-Winter 1977-1978

~oug Jackson 1974

31

EAGLE SIGHTINGS SOUGHT The second an nual survey of Maine' s wintering eagles is underway. Researchers for the Bald Eagle Project at the University of Maine last year identified 116 bald eagles and estimated that as many as 150 were residing in Maine during January.

Public co-operation was an invaluable aid to last year's successful survey . More than 350 people submitted more than 750 eagle sightings from across the state. All individuals sighting eagles this winter are encouraged to send their observations to "Eagle Project," School of Forest Resources, University of Maine, Orono 04473 (phone 581-7388).

If possible, include the following information for each sighting: (I) Date, (2) Time of day and length of observation, (3) Specific location, (4) Number of birds seen and the age class of each, (5) Behavior (perching, feeding, soaring, etc.), and (6) Name, address, and telephone number of the ob erver.

All sightings, no matter how seemingly insignificant, will be greatly appreciated.

Results of this year's wintering study will be summarized and made available to the public.

Interested individuals should contact the "Eagle Proj ect" c/ o Charles Todd, at the address listed above.

TWO NEW GAME REPORTS

Anyune interested in the latest word on Maine's migratory game birds or big game animals might want to write for two new free publications available from the Fish and Wildlife Department.

The 1976 Big Game Project Report and the 1976-77 Migratory Bird Project Report are the latest in an annual series of booklets published by the Wildlife Division and detailing research and management activities on deer, bear, woodcock, and waterfowl.

For either publication, write to the Maine Fish and Wildlife Department, 284 State St., Augusta, ME 04333.

THE LABEL HELPS

If you are renewing your subscription. notifying us of an address change, or have any other reason to write about your subscription to MAINE FISH AND WILDLIFE , please include a label from your magazine, or at least a copy of all the information on the label. It will greatly help s peed the processing.

Of course, if you are moving we must also have your new mailing address, including zip code. We must have this information at leas t four weeks in advance of the next publication date. The magazine is not forwarded automatically.

32

MICE AND MAN

tion, Box RRP, 1412 16th Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036.

If a pair of field mice can produce six baby mice 17 times a year-which they can-then in just a few months two mice could become millions. So why isn't the earth overrun with mice?

The explanation can be found in a new, six page publication entitled ''Populations,'' available free of charge for the first copy and ten cents per copy thereafter from the National Wildlife Federation.

Designed to teach children about the relationship between population and environment, the four-color pamphlet points out that man has found ways to avoid the "natural controls" that limit other animal populations. But, it concludes, "man is b ginning to see that the earth's resources are limited and that his population cannot increase forever.''

For copies of "Populations" write: National Wildlife Federa-

DOGS AND DEER AGAIN

Game wardens are once again engaged in their annual struggle to protect Maine's deer from freeroaming domestic dogs.

Despite the prospect of heavy penalties and the loss of their pets, dog owners have been negligent about keeping their animals at home.

Many deer are chased, caught, and killed each winter when snow conditions favor the dog and hinder the deer's escape. Many more are chased to exhaustion and later die of pneumonia.

Natural instinct often compels an otherwise docile family pet to chase. At fault are the owners who ignore the law and give their dogs the opportunity. If only stringent laws were as compelling as natural instinct. ..

ANSWERS TO TEST ON PAGE 6 1. At least 8 glasses.

2.

3.

4.

5.

A. No.

C. Any drop of temperature below 98.6 °. (Note: 70 ° is nearly always fatal.)

6. C.

7. C. 8. C . (Obviously, if help is at hand, or you are very near a road, you can help yourself.)

9. A. 10. Under.

Maine Fish and Wildlife-Winter 1977-1978

National Wildlife Week MARCH 19-25, 1978 JOIN AND SUPPORT THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION AND STATE AFFILIATES

RETURN POSTAGE GUARANTEED Postmaster: If undeliverable, please return entire magazine with form 3579

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife

284 State St.

Augusta, Maine 04333