Maine Fish and Wildlife Magazine, Summer 1991 by Maine State Library

~AINE

FISH AND WILDLIFE

Summer 1991 $3.50

This fisher is using a wildlife tree. See related article on page 18.

Photo ÂŠ Leonard Lee Rue

~AINE

FISH AND WILDLIFE Governor John R. McKeman, Jr.

Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife William J. Vail, Commissioner Norman E. Trask, Deputy Commissioner Frederick B. Hurley, Jr., Director, Bureau of Resource Management Charles A Atwater, Director, Bureau of Administrative Services (vacant at press time), Director, Bureau of Warden Service Advisory Council Dr. Ogden Small, Caribou Chairman John Crabtree, Warren Vice Chairman Dale Speed, Princeton Alanson Noble , Otisfield, Eugene Churchill, Orland Carroll Cutting, East Sebago Gene Brown, Durham Thomas Jagger, Sanford Gary Cobb, North New Portland Wilmot Robinson, Millinocket Maine Fish and Wildlife Magazine W. Thomas Shoener, Editor Thomas J. Chamberlain, Managing Editor Thomas L. Carbone, Photo Editor Dale S. Clark, Editorial Assistant All photographs in this issue were made by the Public Information & Education Division unless otherwise indicated. MAINE ASH AND WILDLIFE (ISSN 0360-00SX) is published quarterly by the Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 284 State Street, Station 41, Augusta, Maine 04330, under Appropriation 01009A-0529. Subscription rate: $14.00 per year. No stamps, please. Second class postage paid at Augusta, Maine and at additional mailing offices. ÂŠ Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 1991. Permission to reprint text material is granted, provided proper credit Is given to the author and to MAINE FISH AND WILDLIFE. Clearance must be obtained from artists, photographers, and non-staff authors to reproduce credited work. CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Send both old and new addresses to Circulation Section, MAINE FISH AND WILDLIFE Magazine, 284 State St., Sta . #41, Augusta ME 04333. Please allow six weeks for changes to take effect. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to Circulation Section, MAINE FISH AND WILDLIFE, 284 State St., Sta. #41, Augusta, Maine 04333. QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR SUBSCRIPTION? Just call toll-free 1-800-288-8387 The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife receives federal funds from the U.S. Department of the Interior. Accordingly, all department programs and activities must be operated free from discrimination with regard to race, color, national origin, age, or handicap. Any person who believes that he or she has been discriminated against should write to The Office of Equal Opportunity, U.S. Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240 .

VOL. 33, NO. 2

SUMMER 1991

Features 2

fishing for Angler facts

by Kevin J. Boyle, Mario Teisl, Stephen D. Reiling, & Owen C. Fenderson

Second in a five-part series on the value of wildlife to Maine

Wild Turkeys - Accept No Substitutes!

by Philip A. Bozenhard

That gobbler may look and act wild - but is it?

Splake Update

by Timothy C. Obrey

The latest on how this hybrid species is faring in Maine waters

Eagle Feathers &.. Moose Antlers

by Dan Tourtelotte

Can you or can 't you? Here's the scoop on possessing wildlife - or parts thereof!

Wanted: Dead and Alive

by Lisa J. Kane

Wildlife trees - what they are, and who benefits from them

Private Landowners Helping Wildlife

by Ron Joseph

The lowdown on a new federal program for protection of privately owned wetlands

Maine State Parks: Something for Everyone

by Steve Curtis

Somewhere in Maine 's state park system is the "place" for you!

KID-BITS

THE FLY TYING BENCH: John's Pink Streamer

FISH AND WILDLIFE BRIEFS

The front Cover: "Bangor Salmon Pool" - from the original watercolor by Arthur Taylor of Lee, Maine. Printed with vegetable-based inks on recycled paper

How Valuable, Part II by

Kevin J. Boyle Mario F. Teisl Stephen D. Reiling &

Owen Fenderson

FISHING FOR ANGLER FACTS

n the Spring 1991 issue of Maine Fish and Wildlife, we introduced a three-year study conducted for the Maine legislature's Commission to Study the Impact of Game and Nongame Species on Maine's Economy. Within this study, we collected data on fishing, hunting, trapping and nonconsumptive uses of wildlife in Maine. In this second of five articles about the study, we will present some findings concerning inland fishing in Maine. Extensive knowledge of the status of fish stocks, fish habitat, and the level of fishing effort by sport anglers is necessary to manage Maine's inland fisheries. Monitoring angler effort requires surveying anglers to learn where they fish, what species they seek, and the number and size of the fish they catch. Developing effective management policies includes more than simply measuring angler effort, however. Surveys must also characterize who fishes in Maine, why they fish in Maine, and how they as anglers feel about proposed management policies. The fact that all inland anglers must hold a fishing license does not in itself provide the information needed by fishery managers in the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IF&W). The license simply allows a person to fish Maine's inland waters, while obeying season and catch restrictions. This project was financed in part by the Maine Department of Marine Resources and the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Additional funding was provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through the Pittman-Robertson (Wildlife Restoration) and Dingell-Johnson (Fisheries Restoration) Federal Aid Acts, and the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station.

Maine Fish and Wildlife

Study revealed that natural beauty, remoteness and other characteristics of the fishing site may be more important to anglers than catching trophy fish.

Surveying anglers can be tricky, as they are notorious for "stretching the truth" and being secretive about their favorite fishing hole. On-site interviews, commonly called "creel" surveys, allow biologists to obtain accurate information on the species, size, and number of fish they caught, but creel survey findings may not be truly representative of the whole picture since it is simply not possible to survey all waters at all times. The ability to develop a picture representing all anglers can be improved by surveying a random sample of fishing license holders. They can be questioned about all of their fishing effort, even in remote areas that may have been missed by a creel survey. A mail or telephone survey after the fishing season also provides an opportunity to ask anglers to report on past fishing experience, avoiding the problem encountered in creel surveys of having to ask anglers to predict their fishing effort and success for the remainder of a trip or the season. The problem with conducting an extensive survey after the fishing season, however, is anglers may have difficulty recalling details of their fishing experiences, so they may have difficulty reporting the factual information requested in the survey. Thus, with the survey data we report in this article we are in a general sense "fishing for angler facts," but we are casting our questions toward learning specific pieces of information about fishing in Maine. In an attempt to supplement the fish catch data obtained by the IF&W creel surveys, we conducted four mail surveys of licensed anglers to character-

Authors Boyle, Teisl, and Reiling are, respectively, assistant professor, assistant scientist, and associate professor in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Maine. Fenderson is a fisheries resources planner, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

ize resident and nonresident fishing effort in Maine, and to solicit anglers' opinions on proposed fishery management policies. The surveys were conducted in two phases: Phase I involved two surveys of licensed anglers. In 1988, we randomly selected 4,000 1987 license holders (2,000 Maine residents and 2,000 nonresidents) to receive a mail survey asking about their fishing in Maine the previous year. This survey, with slight modifications, was repeated in 1989, when 3,000 licensed anglers (1,000 Maine residents and 2,000 nonresidents) were randomly selected and surveyed by mail about their fishing in Maine during 1988. Overall, 78 percent of the anglers responded to the 1987 fishing effort survey, and 81 percent responded to the 1988 survey. Responses to the questions asked in these two surveys were quite similar, thus we will focus on the 1988 Phase I survey in our discussion. Inland fishing in Maine can be divided into two distinct categories, ice fishing and open water fishing. These two types of fishing are different in that the seasons do not overlap, catch restrictions are not the same, and the methods of fishing vary significantly. Despite these differences, the species sought in these two seasons are quite similar. Phase II of the study involved surveying both groups, those who open water fish and those who ice fish. These surveys were intended to obtain data specific to each type of fishing, and to have anglers answer questions designed to solicit their opinions on proposed policies that may affect the quality of open water and/ or ice fishing in Maine. Any angler responding to the Phase I survey of 1987 fishing effort who said they open water fished in Maine was eligible to be selected to receive the survey of open water fishing. We randomly selected 400 resident and 400 nonresident anglers to receive the open water fishing survey; 84 percent responded. For the ice fishing survey, anglers responding to the Phase I survey of 1988 fishing effort who indiSummer 1991

cated they ice fished in Maine were eligible to be selected in the sample of ice anglers. Two hundred resident and 130 nonresident anglers were randomly selected to receive the ice fishing survey. The response rate ~as 82 percent.

Characteristics of Licensed Maine Anglers As shown in Table 1, the socio-economic characteristics of resident and nonresident anglers responding to the 1988 Phase I survey are quite similar in terms of the percentage of male anglers and average age. Nonresident respondents, however, had a slightly higher average level of education and a much higher average household income. The figures on fishing experience in Maine reveal a large difference between residents and nonresidents. The average resident angler has fished in Maine for nearly 30 years, while nonresidents have fished about half as long. This is particularly interesting since resident and nonresident anglers are the same average age. Considered from a different perspective, the average resident first fished at the age of 12, while the average nonresident first fished in Maine at the age of 25. Thus, resident anglers appear to develop a lifelong hobby in their early teens. Nonresidents, although possibly fishing in other states during their teens, develop a genuine interest in Maine fishing when they are young adults. Not surprisingly, the study revealed that resident anglers fish in Maine

Maine Fish and Wildlife

more regularly than do nonresident anglers. Before discussing angler effort, it is important to note that not everyone who holds a fishing license actually uses it, for lack of free time, illness, or for a number of other reasons. In other cases, a person who purchases a combination hunting/ fishing license may only use it for hunting. Still others, such as senior citizens, may receive a complimentary fishing license which is valid for three years, but may fish in only one or two of the years during the license period. In 1988, of the people legally licensed to fish, 82 percent of the Maine residents and 95 percent of nonresidents actually did go fishing in Maine. As we proceed, our discussion is based on responses of active anglers, those who were licensed to fish in Maine and actually did so. Fishing Effort. Using results from both the 1988 Phase I survey of licensed anglers and the Phase II survey of open water fishing, we estimate that 260,375 people open water fished in Maine in 1988. Combined, residents and nonresidents fished on over 4.8 million days during the 1988 open water season (Table 2). It is important to note, however, that we asked anglers to report the number of different days they fished. Anyone who fished for only one hour during the day was asked to report this as a fishing day. Conversely, if a person fished for two hours in the morning and two hours again in the evening, this would also count as one day of fishing. Therefore, our numbers should not be interpreted as full days of fishing; rather, they simply reflect the number of different days on which anglers fished. Using the results from both the 1988 Phase I survey of licensed anglers and the Phase II ice fishing survey, we estimate that nearly 100,000 anglers ice fished in Maine in 1988 and that they fished on over one million days (Table 2). Combining the 1988 figures for open water fishing and ice fishing yields an estimate of total days fished in excess of six million, with resident anglers accounting for 82 percent of the total. Types of Water Fished. Open water fishing is the most popular type of fishing in Maine, with 97

The Economic Value of Sport Fishing Sport fishing, like other activities people enjoy, has an economic value to participants. Consider the example of a person going to a movie at a theater. The economic value this person receives from watching the movie can be inferred from the price of a ticket. Given that the person has chosen to watch the movie, their economic value for this experience presumably exceeds the cost of the ticket. We could learn the maximum price an individual would pay for the movie by increasing the price of the ticket until the person decides not to see the movie. This maximum ticket price is the total value the person places on watching the movie at the theater. The amount the person actually paid for a ticket is the direct economic impact on the local economy. The difference between total value and the amount paid (direct economic impact), which economists refer to as surplus value, is the amount of an individual's total value retained and is an economic measure of their satisfaction with the experience. In other words, surplus value is the difference between the maximum amount the person would pay to watch the movie and the actual percent of resident and nonresident anglers participating. The survey indicated that fully 89 percent of residents and 84 percent of nonresidents fished standing bodies of water (lakes and ponds) during 1988. Considerably fewer - 72 percent of residents and 43 percent of nonresidents - fished flowing bodies of water (rivers, streams and brooks). Moving to ice fishing, 52 percent of resident anglers ice fished in Maine, while only 9 percent of the nonresidents participated in this winter activity. Since most ice fishing occurs on standing bodies of water, popular lakes can be fished heavily in both the summer and winter months. Brook trout are by far the most popular fish sought by resident open water anglers (see Table 3). Nonresidents prefer brook trout for open water fishing on flowing bodies of water, but on lakes and ponds the leading species are smallmouth bass and largemouth bass. Lake trout and landlocked salmon are the most popular species sought by both residents and nonresidents; lake trout is first for residents and landlocked salmon is first for nonresidents.

Angler expenditures in 1988 for equipment, supplies and other necessities of inland fishing had an economic impact on Maine's economy of $353 million. Summer 1991

amount paid. If the price of the ticket exceeded the individual's total value, he or she would have chosen not to watch the movie at the theater. In this case, there would be no direct economic impact nor surplus value retained. Thus, assuming that people make decisions on the basis of the economic value they attach to an activity, the total economic value of participation in an activity is a positive dollar amount and can be divided into surplus value (retained value) and direct economic impact (exâ&#x20AC;˘computed by multlptylng respondent's stated expenses for an Item by the percent of use that wlll be dedicated to fishing. For example, 11 an angler purchases a boat for $10,000 and wlll use It for fishing 25 penditures). percent of the time, $2,500 of the cost would be assigned as a fishing expense ($10,000 x 0.25). The analogy for fishing is complicated because, unlike the movie ticket, the cost of participation cannot be reduced to one price. Rather, anglers must pay a Angler Preferences nominal fee for a fishing license, buy gas to travel for a Fishing Site to a fishing site and, perhaps, may also purchase Realizing that the food, bait or other items (inputs) used on the fishcharacteristics of a ing trip. In short, an angler produces a fishing trip fishing site may be the by purchasing a number of inputs and using his or most important factor her own ingenuity to combine these items into a to some people when fishing trip. ~ choosing where to fish, we asked quesOverall, residents spent an average of $1,600 to tions to determine fish in Maine during 1988, while their nonresident which characteristics counterparts averaged roughly $750 in expendiwere the most importures in Maine (see Table 4). Aggregating these tant to them. Both resinumbers across all anglers reveals an annual direct dent and nonresident economic impact of inland fishing on Maine's anglers stated that a economy of $353 million. However, only the non"remote area" was the resident component of this figure -$70 million, or most important char20 percent- represents new dollars in Maine's acteristic of an open economy. The resident expenditures are not conwater fishing site. sidered "new" to the state's economy because if "Good access" and fishing were not allowed it is likely that most of the "no pollution" were a distant second and third. money would be spent on other activities in Maine. The top characteristic of an ice fishing site for resiSurplus values for resident anglers exceed the dent anglers is an "uncrowded area," while the top surplus value for nonresident anglers for both open factor for nonresidents is the "natural beauty'' of water and ice fishing, and open water surplus valthe surrounding area. "Easy access" to an ice fishues exceed ice fishing surplus values (see Table 4). ing site was also important to nonresident anglers. The aggregate surplus value of inland fishing in Survey respondents were also asked to rank sevMaine during 1988 is $142 million; $106 million for eral attributes of fishing sites as to whether they are residents plus $36 million for nonresidents. This "very important," "somewhat important" or "not represents the net value of inland sport fishing in important." Using this rating scale, we found that Maine. If, for example, all inland sport fishing was "scenic beauty" is the most important attribute of closed for one year in Maine, an economist would an open water fishing site for both resident and say that the loss to sport anglers is $142 million.

Maine Fish and Wildlife

nonresident anglers. "Safe ice" is the most important aspect of an ice fishing site. These findings reveal that aspects of the fishing environment may be just as important as catching a fish or catching a trophy fish, or maybe more important. With this result in mind, fishery managers may want to participate in the management of the "fishing environment," as well as managing fish stocks and fish habitat. Participation in shoreland zoning and other activities may be critical to maintaining a desirable fishing experience in Maine, and it may influence fishery managers' ability to shift fishing pressure from one body of water to another.

Study showed some similarities, many differences between open water and ice anglers, and between Maine residents and nonresidents.

Catch and Release Fishing Catch and release fishing is becoming a popular management tool that allows anglers to fish without depleting fish stocks. Catch and release has also become fashionable among anglers, even when it is not a legal requirement. In the Phase II survey of open water anglers we asked about catch and release fishing to help fishery managers at IF&W evaluate how anglers might react if additional catch and release regulations were implemented in Maine. To be sure all anglers answered our questions using a consistent definition of catch

and release, we defined it as "any regulation where an angler must not intentionally kill most or all of the fish he or she catches, and fish not killed must be returned to the water being fished." These types of regulations include a one fish bag limit, a no kill (zero) bag limit, or a minimum length that is higher than permitted by general law. One quarter of all anglers currently fish in Maine waters with catch and release regulations (see Table 5). Interestingly, over 80 percent of both residents and nonresidents practice catch and release even when it is not required by law. The primary reason cited was that they caught legal fish that are smaller than they like to keep. Resident anglers are much more likely to oppose catch and release regulations than are nonresident anglers. In fact, roughly 20 percent of resident anglers who voluntarily practice catch and release would oppose regulations requiring this type of fishing. With respect to new regulations, the majority of resident and nonresident anglers would prefer an increase in the minimum length of fish kept. A "no kill" catch and release policy would be opposed by nearly all anglers. We conclude from these results that a referendum of licensed anglers in Maine would gain majority approval if a policy to "increase minimum length restrictions" in Maine were proposed. This, of course, would be contingent on fishery managers demonstrating the need for such a measure. On the other hand, "one fish limit" or "no kill" regulations would likely fail to receive a majority approval in a referendum vote.

(continued on page 29) Summer 1991

Wild Turkeys T.e by Philip A. Bozenhard

The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, with the cooperation of the Maine Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, has been working since 1977 to re-establish flocks of wild turkeys to the state of Maine. A self-sustaining population large enough to support a limited hunting season is now established in York County. Wild turkeys live trapped in York County, and in Connecticut, are also being used to establish new flocks in other southern and mid-coastal locations in Maine. A disturbing trend, though, is an apparent increase in turkey sightings in towns well removed from the areas where the department has been introducing wild turkeys. One likely reason for this is the illegal release of pen-reared of game farm turkeys. There is growing concern about the release of these birds because of the threat they pose to the true wild turkey population. Game farm turkeys not only carry disease but also present a poor image of "wild turkeys" to the public. It is hard to understand why this practice continues considering it is illegal to import game farm turkeys into Maine without a permit. In addition, it is illegal to release any bird or animal into the wild without a permit. One reason illegal turkey stockings continue may be from lack of awareness, and this is the overlying reason for this article.

The author is regional wildlife biologist in Region A, headquartered in Gray, and has been involved with Maine's turkey restoration program since its beginning.

Maine Fish and Wildlife

term "game farm turkey" is one used by wildlife biologists to identify an undesirable type of turkey which is not of true wild stock nor one of the domestic breeds. Game farm turkeys are descendants from stock originating from the cross breeding of wild turkeys and domestic turkeys in the 1930s and 1940s to try and produce a source of "wild" turkeys for restocking. Prior to that time, wild turkeys had been eliminated from most of the eastern United States. Techniques used today for capturing large numbers of wild turkeys, and the benefits derived from using truly wild turkeys, were yet to be discovered. Through the process of trying to raise large numbers of turkeys in captivity, genetic traits allowing the birds to survive in the wild were bred out. Hatching eggs in incubators and raising birds in pens with human contact continued to reduce the wildness of the bird. Many states spent considerable time and money attempting to raise and release this type of turkey in areas where the original wild turkey population had been eliminated. Turkeys from these programs proved to be susceptible to predation and poaching, and they showed an inability to successfully raise young in the wild. Even when a few birds did survive in the wild they failed to increase in numbers and to expand the range they occupied. Today there is no fish and wildlife department in the country engaging in or advo-

Accept eating the use of game farm turkeys in a restoration effort. Because the game farm or semi-domestic wild turkey has evolved in part from domestic stock, early progeny often exhibited physical traits and feather coloration characteristic of domestic turkeys. They are often less streamlined than wild turkeys, with bigger heads and necks, excessive wattles, heavier and shorter legs and broader breasts. A few off-colored feathers may also be present. The tips of the tail feathers are quite often whitish or light buff in color, in contrast to the brown or tancolored tips of wild turkeys. There are several breeds of domestic turkeys such as the bronze, royal palm and red bourbon, and one should have little difficulty in identifying one if seen in a backyard or roadside. While the overall brown coloration of the bronze is similar to the wild turkey, the tail tips and the tips of the chest and back feathers are a huffy-white. Continued back-crossing with wild turkeys in recent years has produced a game farm turkey that is an identical look-alike to the wild bird, but their behavior is quite different. Turkeys of game farm origin are generally quite tame. Predictable behavior patterns include hanging around highways, roosting on houses, porches or cars, showing up in heavily developed places and allowing people to approach them closely. Turkeys of questionable origin have been reported from various parts of Maine over the past years. Releases have been documented in Rumford, Wiscasset,

No Substitutes!! Brunswick, Kennebunk, Windham, Cumberland and Jackman. The majority of these birds appear to have either not survived in the wild or were recaptured by department personnel. Releases of game farm turkeys are not only fruitless in establishing wild populations, they are also very real threats to existing populations of wild

diseases, having received vaccines and eaten medicated grain while in captivity, but wild turkeys have little or no immunity and some populations have suffered major losses from illegal releases of game farm birds. Game farm turkeys often present a "poor image" to hunters and the non-hunting public due to their tameness. This gives a false impression of true

Wild tom turkey.

turkeys. Interbreeding can readily occur and quickly lead to genetic pollution of the wild stock. Maine and other New England states need the hardiest strain of the Eastern wild turkey possible because of our marginal habitat and severe winters. Releasing game farm turkeys may introduce diseases such as blackhead, cholera or fowl pox into wild flocks. Game farm birds are little affected by these

wild turkey behavior and fosters a protectionist attitude in the minds of many people. These turkeys are prone to living in backyards and becoming dependent on people. One result is often the posting of land to protect the birds. Another problem is that their presence near roadsides and other places where they're easily seen often gives people a false impression of the viability of game farm turkeys,

further encouraging attempts to raise and release them. Illegal releases of game farm turkeys can adversely affect ongoing efforts to restore wild turkeys to other parts of Maine with suitable turkey habitat. It is a waste of time and money for biologists to spend months of effort trapping and monitoring wild turkeys for a new release area if the new population is going to be polluted by an illegal release of genetically inferior birds. Why do people still buy and raise game farm turkeys? One under! ying reason is they don't know much about wild turkeys. They have the idea that it will be easy to establish turkeys on their property, and they're unaware of the problems posed by game farm birds. They go to the only source available, the commercial hatchery or game farm, whose products, while advertised as wild turkeys, are in fact only wild turkey look-alikes. Landowners interested in buying true wild turkeys cannot do so. The purchase of true wild turkeys between states currently has a price tag of from $200 to $500 per bird, and the department does not trap wild birds to release on private property. So again, the only source of so called wild turkeys is the commercial producer. One way for the problem of game farm turkeys to be significantly reduced is to restructure the laws pertaining to game breeders so that it becomes unlawful for individuals or organizations to buy, sell, trade or possess any wild type turkey whether it be of game farm origin or not. Another way is for everyone to be aware of the futility and potential harm of releasing game farm turkeys into the wild. â&#x20AC;˘ Summa1991

SPLAKE UPDATE by Timothy C. Obrey

plake have demonstrated several attributes that suggest they can out-perform stocked brook trout in many Maine waters. Sp lake have displayed a higher rate of survival to age 3, thereby providing greater returns to anglers at large sizes. In many waters, hatchery brook trout survive only a year or two. Splake routinely survive to age 3 and in some waters with special regulations, splake have surFigure I MEAN LENGTH AT AGE FOR S P L ~ STATE OF MAINE 2

Ml E

A I N

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vived to ages 4 and 5. These older splake may range in weight from 3 to 5 pounds. Figure 1 demonstrates the average lengths of splake that have been observed in Maine waters stocked to date. Splake stocked in the Great Lakes were reported to reach age 8 and measured over 30 inches in length! We do not know if splake have this kind of potential in Maine waters; however,

Maine Fish and Wildlife

one of the objectives of the splake project will be to address this issue. Special regulations, such as increased length limits and/ or decreased bag limits, will be designed to protect splake until older ages and larger sizes on a few waters around the state. Another beneficial characteristic of the splake is its' ability to utilize a wide variety of fish as forage in waters where competition limits brook trout growth. At Piper Pond in Abbot, splake were able to utilize the resident population of white perch as forage, thus reducing competition through direct predation (See Figure 2). At Minnehonk Lake in Mt. Vernon, young smallmouth bass and largemouth bass were identified in splake stomachs collected in August. This is interesting because it suggests that during the summer months, splake will journey into shallow, warmer water at night to feed. Typically, splake stay in the deep, cool, welloxygenated area of lakes during the warmer months. During the winter, splake may be found in virtually any area of a lake. Anglers report catching the hybrid in shallow and in deep areas, as well as, on the bottom, just under the ice, and in the water column. Contrary to common belief, splake can reproduce naturally. Wild splake have been recorded in at least one Canadian lake. Splake have also been reported on traditional lake trout spawning shoals in the Great Lakes and in brook trout spawning areas at Redrock Lake in Ontario. In Maine waters, no splake spawning has been verified. This may be the result of the high rate of harvest by anglers, which limits the number of older splake available to spawn. In the Great Lakes, the majority of splake do not mature until age 4. The age of maturation for splake has yet to be determined in Maine. For the next five years, fisheries biologists will collect and analyze data to evaluate the performance of splake in Maine waters with various

The author is assistant regional fisheries biologist in the Moosehead Region, with headquarters in Greenville.

In the earl 1980s, the De the (Seeperfony ~a1!ce of s Zak partment of Inl

. splake stocWin~er sT-s4 i~s: hybrid of th:n/ Fisheries and w· . be~':::::tJ:~ br~:k~~~an ~ro~id::J:ut~f::ed a pilot stud with the h;u~7ng that ~uailzd provi1romise thatfisherie s:~:te stocked i:i;:: l'f se!'eral re-evaluate rt 1. spaketoproject h;c1,eptable provid:/,i~e,:n fhe 1960~e wdters s een expanded'and .es.could The results ts enes Maine an from to date 29 rom this in pilot ;Vaters ' waters have b pro7ect have .

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Far left a,: splake 'tak me-looking ice. Left t!n through the trout, b;oo:t~~ b;ttom, lake Photos by 7i u , splake. om Carbone

physical and b.101.Og1cal · o . the splake charactenstics . . proiect Ob' f with existing fi h are to: evaluat . Jectives look for evid s species, docum e competition ment mov ence of natural re ent food habits effects of sepm~nt into adjoiningproduction, docu: . . ec1al re waters a d survival to older gu1a hons desi ed, assess It prom· ages. gn to mcrease

wel earn more IB~~beave · ab ry mterestin f some excellent co~ut this hybrid thaf hive years as dwater . wast provided ously cons1·d ered m . fishen· es m atchery broo k trout. argmal or u nacceptable a ersfor previh

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MAINE WATER SPLAKE A: STOCKED WITI WATER

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OTE-5<> me waters are no I ACf onger stocked with splake ON

Summer 1991

Eagle Feathers & Moose Antlers

AGuide to the Ins a1

by Warden Sgt. Dan Tourtelotte I n January of 1990, Warden Alan Later obtained a search warrant for a gift and craft shop in central Maine. A subsequent search turned up parts of over 50 protected species, including parts of several that are on the Maine threatened or endangered species list. The animal parts included hawks, owls, song birds, turtles, and several pieces of ivory from protected marine mammals. Also found were approximately 65 birds' nests from a variety of species. In total, wardens seized more than 220 prohibited items from the craft shop! The owner claimed that many of the items were either given to him by friends or picked up along the road. Nevertheless, he was found guilty, paid a fine exceeding $1,250, and spent 10 days in jail. Some time after the case became public, I overheard several people talking about it in a small country restaurant. The attitude was generally negative 12

Maine Fish and Wildlife

toward the enforcement action taken by the Warden Service against the shop owner. The group failed to understand why possession of birds' feathers and other animal parts, that otherwise would have gone to waste, was such a big deal - an opinion typical of what other wardens and I heard elsewhere about this case. Another similar misunderstanding that we often encounter concerns young mammals and birds that have apparently been abandoned. People usually want to adopt the animal or have a wildlife official come and pick it up to "save" it, but in most cases, the young animal has not been abandoned and being "saved" by a human being is the last thing it needs. It's obvious that some members of the public have difficulty understanding why we have laws prohibiting the possession of protected animals or parts. Even though most people are acting with good intentions (or

at least without bad intentions), such possession puts them in situations where they may be violating state and/ or federal laws. In an attempt to clarify some of the laws regarding the possession of birds, animals, or their parts, here are some commonly asked questions and the answers to them, and a brief explanation of why they are needed.

+ Why can't private citizens keep animals or their parts, especially if they had nothing to do with the animal's death, such as a road kill? This is difficult for people to understand, but the ability to enforce is a major part of the

nd Outs (or Cans and Can'ts) of Possessing Wildlife

reason for this law. The ability to enforce means that it is more effective to enforce laws uniformly, as they are written and with no exceptions. For example, if it were legal to pick up a road-killed owl, have it mounted, and exhibit it in a private building, unscrupulous people would have the opportunity to violate the law and get away with it. Laws are easier to enforce if no exceptions are made. Exceptions to the law would increase the exploitation of protected species in the illegal

The author is a sergeant in Maine Warden Service Division D, with headquarters in Greenville.

Not all of these items in these photos are illegal possessions; but note the mounted birds of prey, assorted feathers, songbird parts, and jewelry.

commercial market, where documented cases have revealed that violators are reaping huge profits. Another reason protected animals may not be possessed deals with safety. The threat of rabies and other diseases, or injury inflicted by teeth, claws, or talons is a concern when handling wildlife. The protection of species populations is justification enough for strict conservation laws. Conservation laws must be enforced to protect these species

adequately from commercialization and possible over-exploitation.

+ Which species of wildlife are protected and which are not protected? Generally speaking, you should assume that any bird or animal in the state is protected unless you know otherwise. There are currently 22 species of wildlife on the threatened or endangered species list in Maine, all of which are strictly protected. Almost all other species Summer 1991

A colorful hat - but possession of feathers from songbirds and owls is against the law.

of mammals and birds are either protected or the taking or possession of them is regulated. The only exceptions among mammals are coyote, woodchuck, porcupine, and red squirrel. English or house sparrows and the Europeal;). starling are the only bird species not protected in Maine.

+ Should a person take a baby animal or bird that has apparently been abandoned by its parents - or if the parents are found dead nearby? No. Living in a rural state like Maine, many people come in contact with what appears to be lost or abandoned wildlife. Many of these animals are not abandoned, but are being cared for by the parents.

Maine Fish and Wildlife

Most people have good intentions, but aren't aware of the illegality of taking such animals into their possession, nor do they know the harm they are doing. Young adopted animals either die or become too accustomed to life in captivity to be returned to the wild. Even in cases where parents are found dead, it is best not to interfere. It may seem cruel - but nature is neither cruel nor benevolent, it just is.

+ May a person pick up an injured bird or animal? No one should pick up an injured animal. It's best to call your local game warden or one of the five regional headquarters of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (located in Gray, Augusta, Bangor, Greenville, and Ashland) and let a wildlife official either advise

you or take care of the problem. Telephone numbers for the regional offices are listed in this issue at the bottom of page 23.

+ Can a person get a special permit to keep or mount a protected bird or animal if it can be proven that it was killed in an accident? No, once again - because of the inability to enforce. State and federal wildlife agencies do not want to encourage unscrupulous people, using exceptions or loopholes, to break the law. Only bona fide public or state scientific, educational, or zoological institutions with valid scientific collection permits may keep or display protected animals.

+ What constitutes a "part" of an animal or bird? For example, may a person pick up a feather of a protected species if they find one? No. The reason, once again, is primarily enforcement related. It would be difficult to be sure that an individual did not kill the bird, then recover the feather.

You may think "what a find!"; but it would be hard to prove that you didn't kill the animal illegally.

+ Is it legal to possess a bird nest? Maine law states that a person cannot possess or needlessly destroy the nest or eggs of any wild bird. If nest collecting were allowed, collectors could affect reproductive success in some species. Protection is necessary for this reason alone.

+ Is it legal to keep feathers from a bird taken legally, or antlers from a deer shot during the hunting season?

Our songbird and raptor species are having enough trouble maintaining their populations without being collected illegally.

being mindful, of course, of daily bag and possession limits.

+ Can I keep a shed deer or moose antler I find in the woods? Yes. It is legal to possess a naturally shed antler. On the other hand, if you find a dead deer or moose, or the skeleton of one, it would be illegal to remove the antlers or any other part of the carcass. Also, you should report finding the dead animal to your local game warden or the nearest regional headquarters.

F ull

understanding of our sometimes complicated conservation laws cannot be gained by looking at individual situations, but rather by looking at the overall impact that exceptions or less strict laws would have on wildlife species that we all have a responsibility to protect. While it may be difficult to understand that "just one" exception could be a problem, remember that these laws were established to protect wildlife from illegal harvests and to protect species that are rare or endangered. A combination of strong protection through enforcement and increased public education will assure that all wildlife will be given the opporâ&#x20AC;˘ tunity to flourish.

It is legal to possess these specimens or their parts, because they were taken legally in season. In short, if you can legally hunt it, you can legally have it,

Some traditional, "decorative", and illegal uses of shells and feathers - rattles and earrings, in these cases.

Summer 1991

mayfly. 1

nymphr-'.

MODERATE FLOW

caddisfly larva

black.fly larva stonefly

~ ~~ nymph

â&#x20AC;¢ blackfly

mayfly nymph

1/J/f caddisfly

stonefly

FAST FLOW - ROCKS & STONES - FEW OR NO PLANTS

Maine Fish and Wildlife

Letters can be sent to: Lisa Kane or Denise Moore, KID-BITS Editors MAINE FISH AND WILDLIFE Magazine 284 State Street, Station #41 Augusta, ME 04333

(midge

\.;

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cadd1sfly

STONES & GRAVEL • PLANTS & DETRITUS

Trout eat a variety of insects, mollusks, and small fish. If you know where these critters live within a stream bed, you should be able to find good fishing! Tum over rocks throughout the stream to find attached stonefly, caddisfly, and Mayfly larvae. Look in calmer areas for small fish, snails, and freshwater clams. Sifting through gravel and mud could tum up scuds, dragonfly larvae, and leeches. What a collection! So next time you're fishing your favorite trout stream, take a minute to see for yourself what the trout eat.

--.........

nymph

-~ ~,

beetle larva

snail beetle

freshwater clam

SLOW FLOW· MUD • PLANTS & DETRITUS

dragonfly

Thanks to: Nova Scotia Dept of Fisheries

Summer 1991

Wildlife Trees by Lisa Kane

There

is an old dead tree, with few limbs left on it, the bark gone, stark and weathered in an area of shrubby second growth. What possible benefits can this old specimen provide to the wildlife which inhabits the area? Look a little more closely, and you might begin to see holes in the tree - lots of holes of all different sizes and shapes. Tiny holes were left by downy and hairy woodpeckers. Large rectangular excavations with piles of wood chips on the ground below were created by a pileated woodpecker. Long, shallow and intricate tunnels were left by bark beetles, residents from long ago. Even larger cavities, further excavated by bigger tenants like a pine marten or a fisher, may be found.

Anglers know that the big ones take shelter under fallen trees such as this; set your fly there sometime! Photo by Bill Cross

Maine Fish and Wildlife

Wanted: and Pileated woodpeckers. Photo by Bill Cross Baby raccoon. Photo ÂŠ Leonard Lee Rue Ill

Dead

Alive!!

"Snags" are dead or partially dead standing trees, "den trees" are live trees with existing cavities, and a "wolf' tree is a large tree in a forest of smaller and younger trees. Snags, den trees and wolf trees can be collectively identified as "wildlife trees," and they all enormously benefit a variety of wildlife. Think of how we put up wood duck boxes, or bluebird homes and bat houses. What we are really trying to provide is a substitute for a cavity in a naturally occurring wildlife tree. Wildlife trees provide shelter in the form of denning and nesting sites for marten and fisher, bats and ducks, blue birds and gray tree frogs, honeybees and other insects. A dead trees' leafless branches furnish hunting sites with clear views for hawks, owls, and bobcats; and perches and roosts for songbirds, porcupines and bear. Cavities within the tree are often created by wildlife, termed "primary excavators." Woodpeckers are often responsible for primary excavation, Even though it's dead, this statuesque snag on China Lake could provide homes for a variety of critters. .. Photo by the author

choosing a place to create their own nesting cavity, using it for one season, and then abandoning it. All the other species subsequently using the cavity are termed "secondary excavators." These species may modify and enlarge existing cavities, and/or rely on the natural processes of disease and decay to expand their chosen living quarters. As snags further decay, the extensive root systems holding the tree upright also decompose, enriching the surrounding soil. Eventually, a winter gale or summer thunderstorm may knock the snag down. But even on the ground, the tree provides food and shelter for a variety of smaller organisms. Ever roll over a rotted log? Salamanders, snakes, toads, shrews, moles, beetles, millipedes, centipedes, earthworms, and sow bugs are all part of the "clean-up crew'' living on and within the soil. Woodpeckers and other insect-eating birds continue to use the tree as a food source. 'Coons, skunks and even bears dig and claw at the heart of the log for insect larvae.

The author is the staff educator in the department's Public Information and Education Division. Summer 1991

And remember the ruffed grouse you heard drumming last spring? The male grouse uses a large log or stump from which to declare his territory. If the snag happens to topple into a stream or pond, it provides a shady place to rest and feed for various species of fish - including brook trout, Atlantic salmon, and bass. And who hasn't seen a dozen or more turtles sunning themselves on a fallen tree on the edge of pond - or a great blue heron using it as a convenient perch from which to hunt? Unfortunately, we don't often allow a wildlife tree to progress through the natural cycle of gradual death to decay. For years, good forest was a clean forest, with all dead and dying woody material removed. Recently, however, foresters and wildlife managers have recognized the value of den trees, wolf trees, and snags. Some 79 species of wildlife in Maine depend on snags as a basic component of their habitat. This includes 29 mammals, 35 birds, eight reptiles, and seven amphibians. Of these, there are 58 species of wildlife which specifically use cavities in trees for nesting and denning.

: ·- ~

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Maine Fish and Wildlife

.rT

Wen,

you are now convinced of the importance of "wildlife trees." How do you decide which trees to leave standing when thinning, or "cleaning up" your acreage or even your backyard? It is important to remember that most wildlife are territorial, and attempting to space individual wildlife trees and clumps will benefit a wider variety of species. Leave all the wildlife trees you can, but where a choice must be made, leave the largest, soundest trees, especially those already exhibiting cavities. A general rule of thumb might be to leave four wildlife trees per acre with a diameter at breast height (dbh) over six inches. Thinking ahead, remember, too, that dead trees do not remain standing forever. Leave some trees or patches of trees, uncut for replacements as you look at the long term management of your property. A wildlife tree is a strong link in the forest chain. Even as it dies, it provides life to many wild creatures of the forest. Take a walk in the woods, seek out the wildlife trees, and follow the activity at one through the seasons. By allowing these trees to stand, you are saving an important place for wildlife. •

Lookout, feeding, and display sites

~~·

• D~sites

Even wildlife trees which lack cavities, yet are broken and flat topped, are ideal nesting sites for species as eagles, ospreys, great blue herons, or great homed owls.

under loose bark

For more information about wildlife trees, and a complete list of the Maine species which use snags, see a publication produced by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service and the Maine Chapter of the Wildlife Society, Inc., entitled "A Forester's Guide to Managing Wildlife Habitats in Maine." It is available for $7.00, plus $1.50 for postage and handling, by writing to: University of Maine, Cooperative Extension Service, 103 Nutting Hall, Orono, Maine 04469.

Restoring Wetlands

Private Landowners Belping Maine Wildlife 0

by Ron Joseph

ne day late last summer, I met with a potato farmer in Aroostook County to talk about wildlife and wetlands. He proudly reported that lots of wildlife lived on his farm and that his property contained no wetlands. "I think you do have wetlands", I replied, pointing to a brook that traverses his property. "Oh heck, that ain't a wetland," he responded, "it's a cedar swamp." For me, those words sum up the misgivings and misunderstandings of what constitutes a wetland in the minds of many people. It is not surprising that such notion persist today. Historically, wetlands have had very negative connotations in our thinking, and in our vocabulary. Swamps have long been regarded as impenetrable wastelands - places inhabited only by mosquitoes, snakes and other "vermin." As a student at Messalonskee High School in Oakland, it was customary to kiddingly refer to our fellow students from the town of Sidney as the "Sidney Bog Bunch."

The author is a biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in charge of wetland restoration in Maine. He is headquartered at the University of Maine, Orono.

These negative connotations about wetlands pervaded our national public policies, as well. As one consequence of the perception of wetlands as wastelands, the federal government once promoted the loss or alteration of wetlands. The Swamp Acts of 1849, 1850, and 1866 gave away federal lands in certain states on the condition that they be drained. The toll on our nation's wetlands over the past two centuries has been staggering. Of the estimated 215 million acres of wetlands in the contiguous United States at the time of European settlement, only 94 million acres (44 percent) remain. Wetland losses still continue at a level estimated at several hundred thousand acres a year.

In Maine, wetlands have been filled for residential and commercial development. Construction of Interstate 95 and other roadways has resulted in the loss of hundreds of acres of wetlands. Wetland losses have occurred in agricultural areas through ditching and draining of "wet spots" in fields. The loss of wet, sedge meadows, for example, is detrimental to water-dependent wildlife. Chief among them is the sedge wren - a sparrow sized bird listed by the state of Maine as an endangered species. We now know things about wetlands that we should have known decades ago. Of course, we knew that wetlands provide important habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife resources. However, we are only now be-

This drainage ditch is typical of the ones to be plugged by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. USF&WS Photo Summer 1991

ginning to recognize and accept other wetland values. Among other important functions, wetlands:

• enhance water quality by trapping sediments and retaining nutrients,

serious about wetland conservation when he stated that there would be a national goal of "no overall net loss of wetlands." Last August, to help meet the President's challenge, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Restored wetlands will attract ducks and other wetlanddependent wildlife. Photo by Daniel McAuley

• provide water for public use and recreation, • serve as a natural means of flood and erosion control, ., and • produce timber and other natural resources. We all pay for wetland losses in direct ways, such as construction of multi-million dollar flood control projects. All levels of government, as well as private conservation agencies, recognize that in Maine, and elsewhere in the United States, protection and creative management of wetlands must focus on private lands because it is those lands that support the vast majority of wetlands. Therefore, measurable gains in wetland protection and management cannot be achieved without cooperative efforts of private landowners. In a speech before Ducks Unlimited in June 1989, President Bush challenged the nation to get

Maine Fish and Wildlife

launched a wetland restoration program in Maine by notifying landowners of the program. From Ft. Kent to Berwick, over 130 landowners have requested the Service to evaluate and determine if their wetland qualifies for the restoration program. The response has been so overwhelming that some sites still await review. In order to qualify for the program,alandownermust have a wetland that was previously drained or altered. Drainage ditches, drained "wet spots" in fields, or tiled land characterize land eligible for the restoration program. To restore a wetland requires no financial commitment from the landowner the Service oversees and pays the entire cost of the restoration. However, what is required of the landowner is a commitment not to drain the restored wetland for a period of at least ten years. To this end, the Service requires the landowner to sign a ten-year

agreement from that spells out exactly what kind of work is to be done on the property. Typical wetland restoration work involves plugging a drainage ditch, breaking up tile or building a small berm to hold water. The purpose of the agreement is to make certain the landowner is committed to the project while also protecting the financial investment of the Service in the wetland restoration project. For example, some wetland restoration projects may cost several thousand dollars, depending on their size and scope. Once restored, these shallow water wetlands remain the property of the landowner. One of the primary reasons to restore wetlands is to provide habitat for waterfowl and other wetland-dependent species, such as rails and herons. With nearly half a million acres of wetlands drained annually in the United States, and with drought in the mid-west, duck populations have plummeted. By permitting the Service to restore wetlands, landowners play a more active role in helping to reverse declining duck populations. Who knows, a restored wetland may provide breeding habitat for Maine's endangered sedge wren. These thoughts were in the mind of Alice Wheeler, a dairy farmer in Richmond, when she asked the Service to look at restoring a wetland on her 310acre farm. ''We grow acres of com in our fields, and each fall we get geese and ducks using them. If we had a few acres of water in the drainage area next to the com fields, it would be good for the waterfowl as well as the other wildlife," stated Wheeler.

The Wheeler farm, a few miles from Merrymeeting Bay as the duck flies, is a model of how well agriculture and wildlife can co-exist. "The state Fish and Wildlife Department has released wild turkeys on my farm, and I've got a deer yard and beaver ponds. The wildlife help to make this farm a very special place," Wheeler exclaims. There is a small but growing list of other dairy farmers who, like Mrs. Wheeler, hope to restore a wetland for wildlife. Lendall Taylor owns a diary farm in Benton. When asked why he would like a drainage ditch plugged in one of his pastures, he replied: "Me and my boys like seeing the wildlife on the farm, particularly the ducks and the deer. I can't use the wet area in the field for anything

anyway so we'd just as soon tum it over to the ducks." Although Wheeler and Taylor are dairy-farmers, landowners do not have to be farmers in order to enroll in the program. Those with an interest in wetland restoration share two things with Wheeler and Taylor- they have a drained

wetland and a desire to give wildlife a helping hand. If you think you have a drained wetland that you would like the Service to evaluate, you may contact me at (207) 581-3675 or write to me at: USFWS, Room 214-USDA Building, University of Maine, Orono, Maine 04469. •

Great blue heron, another species drawn to wetlands. Photo by Mark McCollough

ALERT US" ABOUT POACHERS

Operation Game Thief, Maine's anti-poaching program featuring a toll-free telephone ''hotline" is still operational. The toll-free hotline telephone number is 1-800-ALERT US (1-800-253-7887) .

The purpose of the program is to encourage persons who don't want to get personally involved to report fish and wildlife law violations while remaining anonymous. Callers to the ALERT US phone number are not asked to give their name. They will not be known to anyone, including the warden who investigates the information. Warden Service personnel handle incoming calls during normal work hours; at other times the phone is switched to an answering service whose employees are trained in the proper procedures to be followed when taking a call. The program is aimed at curbing hardcore major fish and game violations, not for reporting violations which are in progress - where an arrest could be made at the

scene - typically night hunting cases where a rural resident sees a light or hears a shot. In order to get an immediate response, these complaints should still be directed to either the nearest state police barracks or the nearest of the following warden headquarters: ASHLAND .......... 1-800-322-4011 AUGUSTA .......... 1-800-322-3606 BANGOR ........... 1-800-322-2033 ,. GRAY .............. 1-800-322-1333 ~@1\ GREENVILLE ........ 1-800-322-9844 Jtt\. ALERT US does offer monetary re~

violators caught and convicted will be ample reward in itself."

~¥?:··· ·· ~ i,.~·

Summ~ 1991

• • • • •

Allagash Wilderness Waterway Aroostook Bradbury Mountain Camden Hills Cobscook Bay

• • • • • • • •

Crescent Beach Damariscotta Beach Ferry Beach Fort Point (Fort Pownall) Grafton Notch Holbrook Island Sanctuary Lake St. George Lamoine

+ • • • • • • • •

+ • • • • • • •

Lily Bay Moose Point Mt. Blue Peacock Beach Peaks-Kenny Popham Beach Quoddy Head Range.. Ponds Rangeley Lake Reid Roque Bluffs Scarboro Beach Sebago Lake Swan Lake Two Lights Warren Island Wolfe Neck Woods

Reid and Popham Beach are only two of several Maine state parks offering fine surf fishing. Parks and Recreation photo 24

Maint Fish and Wildlift

Maine State Parks

Somethin. For Everyone .. by Steve Curtis

people who enjoy the outdoors and all that

it offers, Maine state parks virtually cover the

spectrum of recreational activities. Whether it's fishing some of Maine's best lakes and streams, watching wildlife, hiking trails through. scenic mountains, camping, br just lying in the sun at Maine's best beaches, the Maine state park system has something for everyone. The Maine Bureau of Parks and Recreation offers over 65,000 acres of land for public enjoyment. The bureau's mission of providing quality outdoor recreation opportunities through access to these special areas continues to be of highest priority. Spring and summer fishing is very popular on Rangeley, Moosehead, Sebec, St. George, and Sebago lakes. State parks on these lakes provide camping and boat launching facilities, and some campsites allow campers to keep their boats on the site. Most state parks are open by May 15, so those who wish to fish can have access to these lakes early in the season. Anyone who enjoys seeing or photographing wildlife- and who doesn't?- has a lot to choose from at Maine state parks. Deer are a common sight at a number of camping and day-use parks, and any parks that are on lakes are also prime places to see loons. When it comes to moose watching, the best bet, appropriately, is on Moosehead Lake, Lily Bay State Park. Seals and various sea birds can be enjoyed at several parks, including Warren Island, Lamoine, Reid and Popham. Portions of the sand. beaches at the latter two parks are among the few places in Maine with nesting populations of endangered least terns and piping plovers. These areas are well-marked during the nesting period, and

park visitors are urged to enjoy seeing the birds from outside the posted sections. Another endangered species, the bald eagle, has its nesting stronghold in Maine in the vicinity of Cobscook Bay State Park, and it is not at all unusual for campers to see the big birds fly right by their site! Another pastime for many state park visitors is hiking. Mt. Blue, Grafton Notch, Camden Hills, Wolf Neck Woods, Quoddy Head State Parks and Holbrook Island Sanctuary are examples of parks that offer exceptional hiking opportunities in varied landscapes. Wolf Neck Woods offers guided nature programs that are aimed at developing visitors' knowledge of Maine's natural history. Whereas Quoddy Head in Lubec offers spectacular views of

Osprey on nest, Wolfe Neck Woods State Park, Freeport. Parks & Recreation photo

The author is supervisor of state park operations and maintenance, Bureau of Parks and Recreation, Maine Department of Conservation. Summer 1991

Fishing and boating opportunities at Maine's state parks are excellent. In addition to surf fishing, one can congregate with the other power boaters at places like Sebago Lake (above left) or hook into a beauty like this (above right) while fishing from a quiet canoe in the Allagash Wilderness Waterway. Parks and Recreation photo

the rocky coastline and an occasional whale sighting, Grafton Notch has equally beautiful views of the western Maine mountains. Visitors should check with park staff for more information on each particular area. If you enjoy camping and the outdoors, you should give some thought to staying at a state park campground. State parks in the Freeport area (Bradbury Mountain), Machias area (Cobscook Bay), Rangeley lakes area (Rangeley Lake), and southern Maine (Sebago Lake) offer clean, attractive campgrounds at which to base your operation while visiting nearby attractions. Campsite reservations for Maine state park campgrounds can be made by calling 1-207-289-3824 or within Maine, 1-800-332-1501. For those who like coastal scenery, walking the beaches, or lying in the sun, Maine's state parks have several areas that thousands of visitors enjoy each year. Reid, Popham, Crescent, Scarboro and Ferry Beach state parks offer some of Maine's most beautiful beaches. These areas are open by late spring and can be enjoyed early in the season without encountering large crowds. State park day use areas will be operating the carry in/ carry out policy again this year. Thus, 26

Maine Fish and Wildlife

visitors will find a reduced number of trash barrels in these areas. Visitors are asked to bring their own litter bags, use reusable containers and help reduce, reuse, and recycle solid waste in state parks and historic sites. Last year state park visitors helped make this policy a great success, by doing their part to help reduce Maine's growing solid waste disposal problem. There will be special events occurring throughout Maine this summer at state parks and historic sites, including re-enactments at Fort Knox, performances at Colonial Pemaquid, road races, plays, concerts, kite flying, and nature programs. State parks and historic sites managed by the Bureau of Parks and Recreation offer much to the outdoor enthusiast. Take the time to visit one or more this summer. You'll be glad you did! â&#x20AC;˘

For information about special events, season passes, camping or any specific questions, please call 207-289-3821 or write the Bureau of Parks and Recreation, Station #22, Augusta, ME 04333.

JOHN'S PINK ~ t h e Fly Tying Bench

STREAMER by Butch Carey Photos by John Norton

Tandem Streamer

THE PATTERN HOOK: Size 4, #94840 THREAD: Black mono cord RIB: Embossed silver tinsel TAIL: Four strands red floss BODY: Red floss; double wrapped WING: White bucktail on top of hook, over which are tied four pink saddle hackle (extending to end of tail) CHEEK: Two black-tipped cock pheasant feathers EYES: Jungle cock or substitute

For the tail, attach small bunch of red floss. By the tail, tie in embossed silver tinsel for the ribbing. Bring thread up front and cement body again. For the body wind red floss from front to back then back to front; tie down. Then bring the ribbing up front, no more than five turns; tie down. Finish a small black head; back hook now complete.

Place hook In vise for back hook of fly. Cast on hook with black nylon thread (I use monocord). Lay an even layer of thread on the hook from front to back, then back to the front; cement. Insert tandem lead into eye of hook,. run It back to Just between the barb and the point of the hook, then wind thread close and tight down to the end of the wire. Seal end with thread; cover with two coats of cement.

To connect the back and front hooks together, place front hook In vise, and wind on a thread base (both hooks turned down). Take tandem lead (already dressed to back hook) and lay It on top of front hook, keeping both hooks level. Leave room between front of lead and eye for attaching additional materials. Wind thread In nice close winds around hook and wire, eye to bend and return. Tie off and cement twice. Summer 1991

Tie in embossed silver tinsel at rear of front hook for ribbing. Then move up front and tie In red floss for body double wrap floss; tie down and trim. Bring ribbing up front and tie down to complete the tandem.

Tie In two cock ringneck black tip feathers (one on each side) for cheeks. Cheeks should extend no more than one-third the length of the wing. For the throat, attach a small short bunch of yellow calf tail. Add jungle cock or substitute for eyes. Finish head and cement. Finished fly.

Tips For Trolling Streamer Flies

Tie a small bunch of white bucktail on top of front hook extending as far back as the tail on rear hook.

. /Streamer flies work best for me on a cloudy or rainy day. If it's choppy, I get better and more strikes when I troll into the waves. This wave action seems to incite the fish to strike. It has always been my thought that they are looking for food that is going with the waves, or the waves wash the food in that direction . . /If the waves are washing toward the shoreline, whether the shoreline is sandy or rocky, feeding fish should be working the shoreline; I've had great luck trolling streamer flies parallel to the shore line .

6 28

Tie in four pink saddle hackle (on top of bucktail); two lefts and two rights, all the same length, extending to the end of tail. Tie in two strands of peacock her/ (omitted from picture) on each side by the bucktail, the same length as the wing.

Maine Fish and Wildlife

. /Late evening trolling streamers requires fishing close to shore, over ledges, close to points of land and shallow areas. In the evening, some fish move in from deep areas to feed on baitfish or food near shore or in these areas mentioned above. It can be good fishing, especially for brook trout! . /Some of the fish that come in the night stay till morning hoping to get more feed; if you get to a spot early, you may be surprised at what you can catch!

Angler Facts (continued from page 7) Allocation of Inland Fishing Harvest Between Open Water Fishing and Ice Fishing Standing bodies of water receive the heaviest open water fishing effort and most of the ice fishing effort. Moreover, while open water fishing participation increased slightly through the 1980s, ice fishing participation doubled. Given this situation, fishery managers are questioning whether they need to monitor the balance between open water fishing and ice fishing. To help fishery managers understand angler opin- Âˇ ions, we posed three questions on this issue in both the open water fishing survey and the ice fishing survey. When asked whether the bodies of water open to ice fishing should "increase," "decrease" or "stay the same," the majority of resident and nonresident anglers said ice fishing opportunities should stay the same (see Table 6). For waters available for both open water and ice fishing, the majority of resident anglers stated that the harvest should be "equally" allocated between the two activities. This is true regardless of whether resident anglers only open water fish, only ice fish, or both open water and ice fish. A different picture develops for nonresident anglers. Nonresidents strongly prefer the "majority" of the harvest being allocated to open water fishing. Although most nonresidents fish only during the open water season in Maine, it is interesting to note that the few who only ice fish, or who open water and ice fish, prefer an "equal" allocation of harvest. Finally, the majority of all anglers oppose a policy that would open some waters only to ice fishing. The bottom line is that anglers prefer the status quo. If change is required, however, the majority prefer an equal allocation of harvest between open water fishing and ice fishing.

Summing Up In this article we were only able to provide you with highlights of the wealth of data we have collected on Maine's licensed inland anglers. Here, we have tried to develop a sketch of the average

angler: who he or she is; how much they fish; what species they try to catch; and the economic value they attach to fishing in Maine. We also found that most anglers voluntarily practice catch and release fishing in Maine. However, if new catch and release regulations are proposed, anglers are likely to favor a minimum length that is higher than currently permitted by general law. Proposals to enact no kill (zero) or one fish bag limits would be likely to encounter stiff opposition.

Policies to balance open water fishing and ice fishing effort on heavily fished bodies of water will yield different reactions from resident versus nonresident anglers. Residents favor an equal allocation of harvest between open water fishing and ice fishing, while nonresidents, who primarily open water fish, favor a majority of harvest being allocated to open water fishing. Fishery management, from a user's perspective, also involves more than managing fish stocks and habitat and controlling fishing effort. Management effort directed toward maintaining a desirable fishing experience in Maine must include consideration for the aesthetics of the fishing environment. â&#x20AC;˘ Coples of the full report entitled "A STUDY OF THE IMPACT OF GAME AND NONGAME SPECIES ON MAINE'S ECONOMY" are available for $5.00 from the Publlc Information Division, 284 State Street, Station #41, Augusta, Maine 04333.

Summer 1991

FISH AND WILDLIFE BRIEFS Deer Update Maine deer hunters wanting the option of taking a white-tail of either sex this fall have until August 15 to apply for an any-deer permit. . The Fish and Wildlife Department made it easier to apply this year by direct mailing applications to everyone who applied in 1990. Not only will that be more convenient for applicants, it will also reduce the department's cost of administering the free-application deer management program, mainly through reduced computer data entry time on repeat applicants. Previous any-deer permit applicants will notice another change: Instead of having to fill out the form as in the past, they will merely have to indicate desired changes and provide their 1991 hunting license number. Anyone who hasn't already received a 1991 application, or who didn't apply last year, may obtain a form in the usual places: town offices, license agents, deer tagging stations and offices of the Fish and Wildlife Department. A permit allows the holder the option of taking a deer of either sex in a selected deer management district. Hunters without permits, and permit holders hunting outside their assigned district, are limited to "bucks-only." The department will issue about 41,950 permits this year, 6 percent fewer than in 1990. The reduction is aimed at producing a deer harvest in line with the goal of gradually bringing the deer population up to 300,000 from its present level of 215,000 to 225,000. The reduction in permits will occur mainly in the northern and eastern deer management districts, to compensate for winter deer losses in those areas. In some southern districts, where deer numbers are approaching desired management levels, and where the past winter was easy on deer, permit numbers are near or slightly above previous numbers.

Maine Fish and Wildlife

Department Employees Recognized Several employees of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife were honored during the 47th Annual Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference, held in May in Portland. James A. Dumond of Portage, Maine's Game Warden of the Year for 1990, received two additional associated honors: Conservation Officer of the Year for Maine, presented by the Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs Association, and the Shikar-Safari Club's Outstanding Wildlife Officer of the Year Award. The Shikar-Safari Club is an international wildlife conservation organization. Frederick B. Hurley of Wayne, director of the Bureau of Resource Management, became the second recipient of the Kenneth H. Anderson Award, which is presented annually by the commissioner to a department employee who has made an exemplary contribution toward

the enhancement of Maine's inland fisheries and wildlife resources. Gary S. Anderson of South Harpswell, the department's safety officer, received the Past Presidents Award from the Hunter Education Association, an international organization of hunter education coordinators. Former presidents of the association annually honor one outstanding coordinator from among the member states and nations. Dumond has been a Maine game warden since 1973, first as district warden for four years at Clayton Lake in northwestern Maine, then assigned to his present district at Portage Lake. He is a native of Fort Kent, and a 1970 graduate of Fort Kent Community High School. Before becoming a game warden, he served in the U.S. Army's 18th Millta:ry Police Brigade, including service in Vietnam in 1971-72. Hurley has been director of resource management since 1984. He began work for the department in 1970 as a regional wildlife biologist,

Chief Warden Larry Cummings Colonel Larry S. Cummings, chief of the Maine Warden Service for three years prior to his retirement in April, died May 24 after a long illness. He was 49. Cummings was appointed chief warden in February 1988 by Fish and Wildlife Commissioner William Vail, who said: "Maine has lost a great law enforcement officer and wildlife conservation leader, the Warden Service has lost a respected and effective chief, and I have lost a friend of many years ... Before becoming chief warden, Cummings had served as deputy chief warden since 1986, following assignments as lieutenant in charge of warden divisions B and C, headquartered in Augusta and Bangor. Col. Cummings joined the Maine Warden Service in 1967. His assignments as a district game warden included Topsfield, Wesley and Turner. He was promoted to warden sergeant in 1974, stationed in Madison, and became lieutenant in 1982. A native of Locke Mills and a graduate of Gould Academy, Cummings served four years in the U.S. Air Force and worked for the State Highway Commission before becoming a game warden. He is survived by his wife, Melvina, of Madison: his mother, Mrs. Mildred Tyler of Norway; and three daughters, Amy, Emily, and Sarah. Larry's spirit, attitude, and dedication to duty during his long illness were a source of inspiration to everyone who knew him. He will be missed.

later transferring to the Planning Division as a wildlife resources planner. He graduated from Nichols College and the University of Massachusetts with undergraduate degrees in wildlife before earning his master's degree in wildlife management from the University of Rhode Island. He served two years as an officer in the Anny Chemical Corps. Anderson became the department's safety officer in 1972 after four years as a volunteer hunter safety instructor, two years as the survival techniques instructor, and co-authoring the popular survival manual, You Alone in the Maine Woods. He serves as the department's search and rescue coordinator and liaison with committees dealing with workplace safety and outdoor recreation opportunities for persons with disabilities. He is a native of Cundy's Harbor, a veteran of four years in the U.S. Coast Guard, and holds an associate's degree in criminal justice from the University of Maine.

Combined Efforts Save Young Eagle The combined efforts of two fishermen, a game warden, wildlife biologist and a veterinarian last winter saved the life of a young bald eagle. The bird was found floating unconscious and near death in Penobscot Bay by two commercial fishermen, brothers Steve and Peter Brewer of Stonington, who were dragging for scallops. They pulled the drenched bird from the water, toweled it off and wrapped it in a jacket, then contacted Game Warden Calvin Hale of Sargentville. Less than three hours elapsed from the time the eagle was taken from the water until Warden Hale turned it over to Dr. Ron Lott, a veterinarian at the Timberland Animal Hospital in Orono. Dr. Lott, who has studied bird rehabilitation at the Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine and has worked with state biologists on many previous eagle recoveries, assessed the young eagle initially as being close to death, with its eyes closed, head rolling, and barely perceptible respiration and heartbeat. Twelve hours later, however, after receiving stimulants from Dr. Lott, it

was standing and starting to eat. The eagle was kept under observation for two days and then deemed ready for return to the wild. The two-year-old, brown and white plumaged eagle was successfully released in Orland by department Wildlife Biologist Charles Todd.

New Fees This Season at Gray Visitors Center Guests at the department's popular Visitors Center/Game Farm in Gray are being asked to pay a higher admission fee this year, in a move to keep the facility open and bring it closer to being self-supporting. Visitors over 13 years of age must now pay $1.50 to be admitted: age 6 to 12, $1.00; five and under, free. Season passes are also available for individuals ($10.00) and families ($25.00). There are no group rates. Over 60,000 people paid a voluntary 50 cents admission fee last year. The facility had been scheduled to be closed beginning July 1, one of many programs initially affected by cuts required in the department's budget due to the state's budget deficit. A variety of Maine wildlife are on display at the 200 acre facility located off Route 26 in Gray. Scheduled to open this summer is a new, log cabin style building housing six interactive, hands-on exhibits for kids, (and their parents and teachers), to learn more about wildlife and conservation in Maine. Also, a nearby fish pool has reopened after extensive hatchery renovations, for viewing large show fish such as brown trout, lake trout and some brook trout. The Visitors Center is open seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and has picnicking and grill areas available.

Winter Bear Den Study The survival and reproductive rates of a sample of Maine's female bear population was under study by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife last winter. Wildlife biologists with the department's Wildlife Resource Assessment Section visited the dens of 61 radio-collared female bears as part of their ongoing population monitoring program.

Biologists Craig McLaughlin and Mark Caron handled 142 bears during the den visits. The 61 dens included 23 occupied by solitary female bears, nine by adult females with year-old offspring, and 27 containing adult females with newborn litters. In one den the biologists found only a radio-collar, and another den contained the body of a bear which died in late fall.

What's new ... what to do ..â&#x20AC;˘ how to stay legal in the Maine outdoors

Q. Why are there so many lakes in Maine with live bait restrictions? What can and can't I fish with at these places?

A. Fishing on some waters is limited to fly fishing only, or to the use of artificial lures only. Other waters have a rule prohibiting the use or possession of live fish as bait. These rules serve both to reduce the harvest of fish and also to guard against the potentially harmful introduction of non-native fish species. Where fly fishing or artificial lures are required, no natural bait (worms, fish, fish eggs, frogs, hellgramites, insects, etc.). dead or alive, may be used. Prohibition of the use or possession of live fish as bait means just what it says: You can't use live baitflsh, or have them with you. Dead baitflsh (frozen smelts, etc.), worms and other natural bait are OK to use in these waters.

The 27 newborn litters totalled 63 cubs (33 males and 30 females). Litters ranged in size from 1-4 cubs, averaging 2.33 cubs per litter. The biologists reported that: 'The den visits indicated increased survival of female bears, and confmned our expectations that a high percentage of adult female bears produced cubs during 1991 in northern Maine. In our northern-most study area, 85 percent of solitary radiocollared females over four years of

Summer 1991

age produced litters this winter, following field reports of abundant beechnut crops last fall. "Studies since 1983 have shown that female bears have an alternate-year pattern of cub production in northern Maine, where most adult females give birth on oddnumbered years. Beechnuts are bears' major late-fall food source, and regional beechnut crops have alternated from good to poor annually during the same period. Cub production by female bears has become synchronized with the abundance of beechnuts. Few females produce cubs following a fall of low beechnut abundance. "We are currently monitoring 68 female bears in three areas, including 29 near Ashland, eight near Stacyville, and 31 near Bradford. These bears will continue to supply data on the status of Maine's bear population, which is needed to evaluate the department's management actions." The biologists estimate the spring 1991 population at 18,000 to 19,000 bears. They note that the..recent reduction in bear season length should provide for annual harvests of 2,000 to 2,300 bears, "allowing continued population growth toward the department's objective of maintaining a population level of approximately 21,000 bears."

The show features outstanding works of art (paintings, woodcarvings, bronzes and other media) by contemporaxy artists and recognized masters. Among them in this year's show is Maine's own Charles "Chippy" Greenough Chase, the renowned wood sculptor from Brunswick. Gilley Museum curator Nina Gormley said the 82-year-old master carver expressed great

Aged Togue

Birds In Art Migrates to

Maine this Summer ÂˇT he works of some of the world's most notable bird artists, including one from Maine, will be on display in Southwest Harbor thi~ summer. The internationally renbwned exhibition Birds in Art, no~ celebrating its 15th anniversary, will be on view at the Wendell Gill~y Museum from July 5 to September 1. The Birds In Art exhibition is compiled annually by the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum in Wausau, Wisconsin, and toured throughout the country and the world. This will be its first-ever appearance in Maine.

Maine Fish and Wildlife

spot familiar favorites like common loons, wood ducks, various songbirds and raptors. Less familiar species like Chippy Chase's elf owl can also be seen. The Wendell Gilley Museum is on the Herrick Road, off Route 102, in Southwest Harbor. It is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $3.00 for adults, $1.00 for children under 12.

enthusiasm for the show coming to Maine and plans to attend. Several other Maine artists have appeared in previous Birds in Art shows. The current show consists of 60 paintings and sculptures encompassing a diverse cross-section of the bird kingdom. During a "bird walk" through the show, visitors will

Robert Barlow of Exeter, N.H., caught more than a big fish when he felt a heavy strike this spring: his catch ended in the Maine Fisheries Division's statistics. Barlow was fishing at dawn on April 28 at Kezar Lake when he got a heavy strike on his fluorescent orange Rapala. Twenty minutes later he boated a hefty lake trout. The togue turned out to be 35 inches long and weighed 15 pounds. Upon closer inspection, Barlow noticed his catch had a metal tag on its jaw, prompting him to call the regional Fish and Wildlife Department office in Gray, where he came in contact with Fisheries Biologist Dick Arsenault. Following a search of past tagging records, Arsenault produced the following information about this particular togue: "On October 19, 1978, now-retired Fisheries Biologist Stu DeRoche had captured, measured, weighed, tagged, and released a large togue off Boulder Brook on Kezar Lake. At the time of capture, this particular fish was 32 I /2 inches long and weighed 11 pounds, 2 ounces. The stocking records indicated that this fish had been stocked in the spring of 1967 and was 12 years old when captured. "We suspect that this fish may have attained the legal length limit of 14 inches sometime in his fourth year. From that day in 1970 to April 1991, approximately 60,000 angler trips were made at Kezar Lake before Robert Barlow landed this fish. It is amazing that any fish is able to

survive in the wild and attain the age of 25 when anglers have so much knowledge and modem equipment now. This was a very, very old and lucky fish. "Where were you in the spring of 1966 when this fish was hatched?" Arsenault concluded rhetorically.

Bass Length-Weight Tables Available Maine's increasingly popular black bass resources should benefit from newly-created length-to-weight conversion tables now available to the public.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR On May 19 I was towing a good-size boat on Route 26 eastbound in Errol. New Hampshire when I was stopped by two Maine fish and game wardens in a pickup truck. They had caught up with me to return a rather expensive console cover which had blown off my boat. They were en route to the Magalloway area of Maine and had seen the cover blow off. They were neat and outstanding in their uniforms, friendly and a credit to the department and the state of Maine. I did not catch their names but wish to extend my gratitude for their action. At a time when the department has been taking a lot of hits, I think it is important to let you know there are many individuals who appreciate the good deeds done. Thanks. Lawrence H. Miller. Justice Colebrook (N.H.) District Court

In the latest issue of Maine Fish and Wildlife, in the article on the economic value of fish and wildlife resources, the word Mnonconsumptive" is used for one of the four categories of Mrecreational" utilizations of said resources. Please consider using Mesthetic" in place of ·nonconsumptive." Also, in reference to the same article, in what connection is trapping a recreational use of wildlife? A. Stanley Getchell Orono • There must be a better word than ·nonconswnptive," but we don't think ·esthetic" is the one. Do any readers have other suggestions? On the subject of trapping as a recreational use of wildlife: The uast mqjority of people who trap do it primarily for recreation; any income from the sale of pelts is incidental to the eryoyment they receive from the pursuit.

Using the tables, an angler desiring to release a bass quickly and in the best condition can get a good estimate of how much it weighs simply by measuring its total length. The tables, compiled by fisheries biologists Dave Boucher and Rick Jordan, are based on lengths and weights from a sample of 1,590 smallmouth bass and more than 2,400 largemouth bass from Maine waters. They are aimed at eliminating the need to weigh fish caught in bass fishing tournaments, which have become popular on many Maine lakes. The normal tournament scoring procedure is for bass to be kept alive in a livewell on board the boat, and at the end of the fishing day be brought to a central location for weighing. This means the fish are handled more than once, and can be further stressed in the boat livewell, before they are released back into the lake. Many anglers now recognize that immediate release is the best means to assure fish survival. Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Bill Vail recently encouraged members of Maine bass fishing clubs to adopt the new concept of "catch, measure, and release competitions" also called "fishing for inches," where lengths of fish caught are recorded and referred to a weightconversion table, thus eliminating live-well and weigh-in stress. Anglers wishing to obtain copies of the conversion tables may contact the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Fisheries and Hatcheries Division, 284 State Street, Station# 41, Augusta, ME 04333.

New Turkey Hunt Records Maine turkey hunters established two new records in the sixth annual spring hunting season. They bagged 21 birds during the 18-day season which ended May 28, two better than the previous record, set in 1989. The heaviest bird weighed 21 pounds, also a new record. It was shot on opening day in Dayton by Donald Edgerly of Limerick and bettered the old record by one pound. The harvest included nine adult "toms" and 12 "Jakes" (one-year-old males).

Once again there no hunting incidents or injuries reported, nor any summonses for law violations. The turkey hunt is held only in York County, and is limited to 500 hunters chosen by lottery. Hunters may shoot only male turkeys.

Lake Week Celebrated July 21-27 Maine is a water-covered state. Its lakes and ponds blanket 1,554 square miles, and provide drinking water, recreation, economic vitality and beauty for Maine residents. To underscore the importance of these valuable resources, the Department of Environmental Protection, several other state agencies, and independent associations are once again planning Lake Week. 'lbe 1991 celebration will be held July 21-27. This is the third consecutive year that activities and attention have been formally focused on the importance and fragility of Maine's lakes. Once again, the message to Maine citizens is that their lakes are valuable resources that are easily threatened by careless habits. Development, agriculture, forestry operations and day-to-day activities within a watershed are all capable of degrading water quality and, with it, a highly regarded quality of life. During Lake Week 1991, lake associations, conservation commissions and other interested groups will conduct a variety of activities. The events may include shoreline cleanups, photo contests, cruises that highlight local sources of phosphorus pollution, and door-to-door distribution of educational materials alerting citizens about threats to their lakes. In addition, admission to lakeside state parks will be free on July 26. To find out how you can celebrate your lake during Lake Week, contact Barbara Welch, Lake Week Coordinator, State House Station 17, Augusta, ME 04333, or call 289-7783.

A palndng of a single, drake ring-necked duck by Patti Carter of Brunswick, will appear on the 1991 Maine duck stamp. Carter's original acrylic was Judged the winner of the annual contest conducted by the Fish and Wildlife Department and entered this year by 33 Maine resident artists. The winning artist Is a nadve of Scarborough and studied art at the University of Maine. Her art spedaldes are wildlife and dog portraits, and her work has been commissioned throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe. The contest runner-up was Persis Weirs of Deer Isle. Honorable Mendons were awarded to Tory Farris of Sangerville, Marcel LaRue of Augusta, and Janice McCafferty of Lincoln. The Judges were: John Swan, a nadonally prominent artist from Portland; Peter Vickery of Richmond, an ornithologist; Thea nanagan, East Holden, winner of the 1990 Maine duck stamp contest; Jim Konkel of Portland, state chairman of Ducks Unlimited; and Bill Vall, Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. The winning artist receives a cash award of $1,000 and a sheet of stamps reproduced from his or her palndng. Maine waterfowl hunters are required to buy the $2.50 state duck stamp In addldon to their regular hundng license and a federal duck stamp. Each annual stamp features a different species of waterfowl nadve to the state. Stamps are sold not only to waterfowl hunters but also to stamp collectors throughout the world. Limited edldon prints, signed by the artist, are also available. For more lnformadon, call (207) 289-2871.