Maine Fish and Wildlife Magazine, Winter 1991-92

NIAINE

FISH AND WILDLIFE WINTER 1991-92

$3.50

American Marten

Photo © Leonard lee Rue m

~AINE

FISH AND WILDLIFE Governor John R. McKernan, 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 Herbert W. Vernon, 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.

WINTER 1991-92

Features Trapping In Maine: Recreation or Business?

CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Send both old and new addresses to Circulation SecUon, 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.

2

by Kevin J. Boyle & Alan G. Clark

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

Nongame &.. Endangered Project Annual Report, 1991

10

by Alan E. Hutchinson

Highlights of the year's activities, plus a poster centerspread (turtles!)

New Rules For Anglers

21

by Kendall Warner

Several changes in Maine's fishing rules, both open water and ice, are discu ssed her~

Working The Boundary

26

by Roger Guay

What it's like on the Maine-Canadian frontier-from a boundary warden

Scouts, Beavers Help Trout MAINE ASH AND WILDLIFE (ISSN 0360-00SX) Is published quarterly by the Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 284 State Street, StaUon 41, Augusta, Maine 04330, under ApproprlaUon 01009A-0529. Subscription rate: $14.00 per year. No stamps, please. Second class postage paid at Augusta, Maine and at additional mailing offices. Š Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 1991.

Pennlssion 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.

VOL. 33, NO. 4

32

by Paul J. Fournier

Cooperation between boy scouts and beaver may well improve this trout pond

Depa1t1nents THE FLY TYING BENCH: Red-Gray Ghost (with beads)

19

KID-BITS

24

FISH AND WILDLIFE BRIEFS

28

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, naUonal 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.

The Covers: Winter ftowage, Sheepscot River drainage, Alna. Photo

by Tom Carbone Printed with vegetable-based inks on recycled paper

D

espite their small numbers, trappers are individuals who have a keen interest and understanding of Maine's wildlife, and perhaps are also the group of users of Maine's wildlife who are most misunderstood by the general public.

One misunderstanding, now revealed not to be true, is that trappers are concerned simply about the money they can earn and have little regard for wildlife. Results of a survey we conducted of Maine resident trappers reveal that the average earnings from trapping during the 1987 /88 season were $816, while average annual costs were $883an annual loss averaging $67 per trapper. Only 37 percent of trappers reported earnings from trapping in excess of costs. This type of economic track record does not indicate a viable business enterprise.

Our survey also revealed that the most important reason trappers trap is to "enjoy nature." Only 13 percent indicated their primary motivation was to "earn money."

To add perspective, let us take a more comprehensive look at the survey findings. In considering the findings, we will use a very specific definition of a viable business. That is, trapping is a business activity if a trapper has a reasonable chance to earn revenue from the sale of pelts and animal parts which is sufficient to compensate for out-of-pocket expenses, the trapper's personal time spent trapping, and a reasonable rate of return on money invested in trapping equipment.

To collect data on Maine's trappers, we mailed surveys to a random sample of 200 of the 4,799 residents who held an adult trapping license for the July 1, 1987 through June 30, 1988 licensing period.

The survey was conducted during July and August 1988.

Of the trappers surveyed, 87 percent responded, but only 76 percent of them indicated that they had actually trapped in Maine that season. The survey results discussed here are based solely on information provided by respondents who said they actively trapped. Using this 76 percent participation rate, the estimated number of residents who actually trapped in Maine during the 1987 /88 season was 3,647.

How Valuable, Part IV

Trapping in Maine: Recreation or Business?

Characteristics of Maine Trappers Survey data reveal that nearly all Maine trappers are male (99 percent). The average trapper is 44 years old, has a high school education, and had a household income of about $24,000 in 1987 (Table 1). These socio-economic characteristics indicate that the average trapper is not that different from the average male head of household in Maine.The average trapper first trapped in Maine about 20 years earlier, and most (82 percent) had set traps at least every other year. Thus, the average trapper first trapped when he/she was about 23 and has done so on a fairly regular basis since that age.

Table 1. Characteris.tlcs of the Average Maine Trapper During 1987/88 Characteristics Socioeconomic: 97 Sex (%Male} 44 Average Age High School Average Education $23,700 Average Annual Household Income (1987} Trapping Experience in Maine: 1967 Average Year First Trapped in Maine 82 Trap in Maine in More Than Half the Years(%} Participated In Other Wildlife Activities In Maine During 1987 (%}: 85 Open Water Fishing 68 Ice Fishing 24 Marine (Saltwater} Fishing 90 Hunting 6 Do Not Fish nor Hunt

This project was financed in part by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (Appropriation Account No. 1550.6067) and the Department of Marine Resources (Appropriation Account No.1140.3100). Additional funding was provided through the Pittman-Robertson (Wildlife Restoration) and Dingell-Johnson (Fisheries Restoration) Federal Aid Acts, and the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station. MAES Publication No.1603 .

2

Maine Fish and Wildlife

by Kevin J. Boyle and Alan G. Clark Photos by Tom Carbone

Study showed that earning money is not an important motivation of most trappers.

Trappers' interest in wildlife activities in Maine is demonstrated by the fact that 90 percent also hunt, and over 85 percent also fish in Maine. In fact, only 6 percent did neither in 1987. By comparison, roughly three quarters of licensed hunters also fish in Maine, and less than 60 percent of licensed anglers hunt.

In addition to asking trappers about themselves, their participation in wildlife-related activities, and their trapping activities, we also asked them why they trap. We provided them with a number of possible reasons, and they were asked to evaluate each on a scale ranging from "very important" to "somewhat important" to "not important." The reasons for trapping are listed in Table 2 in descending order by the percentage of respondents Table 2. Reasons Respondents Trap Percent of Respondents Checking Category Reason Enjoy Nature Challenge Recreation Heritage Escape Daily Routine Exercise Friendship With Other Trappers Control Animal Damage Self Sufficiency To Make Money

Very 1"1)ortant

Not

82 79

Somewhat 1"1)ortant 18 19

57

32

52

30

46 35

33

11 18 21

39

26

34 32 23

40 39 30 39

26 29

13

1"1)ortant

0 2

47 48

who said that a reason was "very important" to them. The two primary reasons for trapping are an opportunity to enjoy nature" and to experience the "challenge" of trapping. The least important reasons are "self sufficiency" and "to make money."

II

Participation in Trapping Within each Maine trapping season there are three major periods for trapping specific furbearers.

In 1987, the fall trapping season ran from October 24 through December 4, and was open for bobcat, coyote, fisher, fox, marten, mink, muskrat, otter, raccoon, skunk and weasel. Winter trapping, for beaver and muskrat, ran from December 1 through March 30 in northern Maine and from January 1 through February 28 in southern Maine. The third season, for bear trapping, ran from September 1 to October 31, 1987.

In terms of participation, fall trapping is the most popular season, with 97 percent of trappers actively involved (Table 3). Fifty percent of trappers participated in winter (water) trapping for beaver and muskrat, while only 6 percent trapped for bear.

Author Kevin Boyle is an associate professor of resource economics in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of Maine. Alan Clark is the wildlife resources planner in the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

Winter 1991 - 92

3

Table 3. Trapping Participation by the Maine Trappers During 1987/88 Participation Rates(%)

Activity Fall Trapping Winter Trapping Bear Trapping Scouted Prior to Trapping Seasons: Fall Trappers Scouting Winter Trappers Scouting Bear trappers Scouting Trapped with a Partner: Fall Trapping with a Partner Winter Trapping with a Partner Bear Trapping with a Partner Hired a Helper

Number of Trappers

99

3,610

50

1,824

6

219

65 78 75

2,346

32

1,155 930 26 292

51 12 8

1,423 164

The high level of interest in fall trapping is likely due to the large variety of legal species and the fact that fall trapping is less physically demanding than winter trapping. Although beaver and muskrat are abundant throughout the state, travel and trap setting and checking are more difficult during winter months. Also, the pelt values of beaver and muskrat are lower than the values of popular species trapped in the fall, such as fisher and martin. In addition, beaver pelts require more effort to prepare than pelts of other species trapped in Maine.

The low participation in bear trapping is probably due to the fact that a trapper can set only two traps and can take only one bear per season. Also, substantial effort is required to establish and maintain baits to attract bear to a trap. · The majority of all trappers "scouted" their trapping areas, with winter trapping and bear trapping having the highest scouting rates. This is probably due to the need to identify active beaver ponds and to locate areas where bear are present.

Overall, only 38 percent of trappers have a partner. The highest rate of trapping with a partner, 51 percent, occurs with winter trappers, who are likely to have a partner for the same reason many trappers don't trap in the wintertime: the difficulty of travel, setting traps and checking traps. Very few bear tappers trap with a partner, likely due to the two trap/one bear limits. Finally, only 8 percent of trappers hire a helper, a further indication that trapping is a solitary activity for most participants.

Given the timing of open seasons, trapping is, at best, a seasonal form of employment, with most activity occurring during the fall. However, most trappers set traps more often than every other year, which demonstrates that participation in seasonal trapping is fairly consistent from year to year.

Trappers ratings of the reasons for trapping suggest that they consider their trapping to be a recreational activity. Now let us consider participation

4

Maine Fish and Wildlife

in fall, winter and bear trapping in a little more detail to see if trapper actions support a premise that trapping is a recreational activity.

Fall Trapping Nearly 80 percent of the trappers began setting traps on the first day of the 1987/88 season (October 24), and over 90 percent set traps during the first eight days of that season (Figure 1). Participation in fall trapping declined gradually throughout the season. However, only a small proportion stopped trapping during the first week (Figure 2).

Twenty-four percent stopped the week before Thanksgiving (November 15 through 21) or during Thanksgiving week. More than half of the trappers Figure 1. Date First Set Fall Traps During 1987

10124 ::0*:··::::,,:::c::::::·---~-~-~---···M·.w.,·.·:·i ····.:1~ ,..•.···_····;_ ·_· j.. i.

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•

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:?,

C

§_10/28 '.'.~:::::: !

~ 10/29

:~

i

10/30 ~i~~i 10/31 11/1-7 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 % of Trappers

Figure 2. Date Stopped Fall Trapping During 1987 50-

• Days [·\·~)·~ Weeks (starting mo./day)

40-

...

U)

Q)

C. 30-

c. as

e20o 10-

0-

~~

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Date (month/day)

(57 percent) stopped during the last week of the season, and 33 percent trapped right up to the last day of the season (December 4).

During the periods when they were actively trapping, 84 percent of trappers had traps set every day, and an additional 10 percent had their traps set on more than half of the days. The average trapper had 50 traps set at one time. The survey revealed one trapper who set only one trap per day, while the most active trappers reported setting over 100 traps per day.

The largest number of traps set during the fall season were for fisher and mink (Table 4). Fisher, mink, muskrat, fox, raccoon and coyote were all Table 4. Species Sought by Trappers During the Fall 1987 Season Percent of Trappers Setting Traps 78 74

Species Fisher Mink Muskrat Fox (Gray and Red) Raccoon Coyote Otter Marten Bobcat Skunk Weasel

69 67 65 56 36 28 12 6 3

sought by over 50 percent of the fall trapper. Fisher, mink and muskrat received the most trapping effort for quite logical reasons: the pelt value of fishers is relatively high, muskrat are abundant are the easiest species to catch, and mink, also have a relatively high pelt value and can be trapped concurrently with muskrat.

Bobcat, skunk and weasel receive the lowest trapping effort for just the opposite reasons: Concentrations of bobcats occur only in limited areas of the state, and skunk and weasel are abundant and easy to trap but have low pelt value.

For purposes of managing furbearers, the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has the state Figure 3.Wildlife Management Units In Which Trappers Set Fall Traps During 1987 Wildlife Percent of Management Fall Unit Trappers 1 9 2 16 3 10

4 5 6 7 8

42 15 10 17 15

Number of Trappers

325 578 361 1,516 542 361 614 542

Density of Trappers Per Square Mile 0.10 0.07 0.09 0.26 0.18 0.14 0.29 0.19

divided into eight wildlife management units (Figure 3). The largest number of fall trappers (1,516) were active in Unit 4, which covers most of the central part of the state. Fall trapping participation in the other units varied, with only 9 percent in Unit 1 and 17 percent trapping in Unit 7. (The percentages reported in Figure 3 add to more than 100 percent because some trappers set traps in more than one WMU.) It is also interesting to note, however, that the largest density of trappers occurs in Unit 7, which is comprised, principally of Waldo, Knox and Lincoln counties along Maine's centralcoastal region and about half of Kennebec County.

This change in the ranking is simply due to the relative size of the units. Unit 4 has the largest land area (5,726 square miles) while Unit 7 is the smallest (2,113 square miles).

The average fall trapper traveled 49 miles, in total, from home each time he/ she set and checked traps, and spent about five hours per day on weekdays, and nearly six hours on weekend days setting and checking traps. At the extremes, some trappers traveled less than a mile and spent less than an hour per day tending their traps, while. . others traveled over 100 miles and spent more than 10 hours per day on their trap lines.

Since the average trapper traveled 49 miles, the furthest trap from home could be no more than 25 miles. It seems, then, that most fall trappers were active in the wildlife management unit in which they reside. Trappers who set traps in more than one unit are likely to either live near WMU boundaries or be among the avid trappers who set large numbers of traps and travel a great distance to tend their traps.

Fall trapping, with nearly all trappers participating, provides mixed signals as to whether trapping is recreational or a business. Analysis of trapping effort reveals that the opportunity to earn income does serve to direct trapping effort by season and by species. However, trappers do trap near their homes and do not travel over wide expanses of the state to set traps. On the other hand, it appears that they dedicate more than 50 percent of a normal waking day to trapping when actively maintaining set traps.

Winter Trapping Recall that winter trapping had two open seasons during 1987/88, one for the Northern Zone (Wildlife Management Units 1 and 2) and one for the Southern Zone (Wildlife Management Units 3 Winter 1991 - 92

5

As with fall trapping, the largest percentage of winter trappers set traps in Wildlife Management Unit 4, and the largest density of winter trappers was in Unit 7 (Figure 4). In fact, if you compare the participation rates by WMU in Figure 3 for fall trapping to those in Figure 6, you will note that the Figure 4. WIidiife Management Units In Which Trappers Set Winter Traps

Number of Trappers 146

2

Percent of Winter Trappers 8 18

3 4

5 42

91 766

5 6 7

18 8 18

328

8

10

Wildlife Management Unit 1

Only half of all trappers are active in the winter trapping season.

through 8). In the Northern Zone, over 80 percent of trappers placed their first sets in December, 64 percent on the first day of the season, December 1.

Winter trapping closed on March 30 that season, but the last day anyone in the sample reported placing traps in the Northern Zone was March 10.

Winter trapping in the Southern Zone ran from January 1 through February 28 in 1988. All trappers in this zone placed their first sets during January, fully 98 percent on the first day. Twenty-five percent of winter trappers had traps set on the last day of the season in this zone.

The average winter trapper had 30 traps set at one time, about 20 less than the average fall trapper. The smallest number reported was three, and 5 percent of the winter trappers reported having 100 or more traps set at one time. Not only did fewer trappers participate in the winter season, but each trapper maintained considerably fewer sets than fall trappers.

Nearly all of the winter trappers, 98 percent, set for beaver, but only 27 percent made muskrat sets.

These relative participation rates are explained by the fact that the beaver's pelt value is higher than the muskrat's. Also, the winter season was traditionally open only to beaver trapping; only since 1984 has winter muskrat trapping been legal, and then only in areas open to beaver trapping.

6

Maine Fish and Wildlife

328

146

328 182

Number of Trappers Per Square Mile 0.04 0.04 0.02 0.13 0.11 0.06 0.15 0.06

relative rates of participation for each zone are quite similar. This pattern holds because most trappers trap relatively near their homes, and nearly all winter trappers (89 percent) also trap in the fall.

Winter trappers traveled an average of only 29 miles and tended traps about four hours per day on weekdays and nearly six hours per day on weekends. Thus, although shorter in terms of number of traps set and miles traveled, the average winter trapline takes as much time to tend as a fall trapline, likely a result of slower winter traveling conditions and greater time is required to set and check water traps under the ice.

The same conclusions we reached for fall trapping apply to winter trapping, providing a mixed picture as to whether winter trapping should be considered primarily recreational or a business.

The fact that only 50 percent of trappers participate in the winter season strongly reinforces the notion of a seasonal activity regardless of whether it is recreational or a business.

Bear Trapping Due to the small number of bear trappers in Maine, we cannot develop information on bear trapping to the same level of detail that we did for fall and winter trapping. Some general findings, however, are still relevant. For example, half of the bear trappers surveyed set traps for bear on the first day of the season, September 1. Some stopped trapping as early as September 3, but a few still had traps set for bear on the last day of the season, October 31. Those who quit very early in the season may have gotten the one bear the law allows them.

Traps, scents, travel and other trapping expenses averaged $883 for the 1987/88 trapping season.

Table 5. Income from Trapping In Maine During 1987/88

Most bear trapping occurs close to the trapper's home. The average daily travel to set and check bear traps was 7.4 miles; average time spent: a little over one hour. These figures likely reflect the fact that each trapper can set only two traps. Survey estimates indicate that the majority of bear trappers were active in Wildlife management Unit 4, the same result we observed for fall and winter trapping.

Bear trapping is recreational, de facto, by the legal limit of one bear per trapper per season. The low participation rate further supports this conclusion.

Trapper Earnings and Expenditures As noted earlier, the most important factor in determining whether trapping is a profession or is recreation boils down to the income trappers earn after all costs of trapping are paid. Trappers do sell furs and animal parts, but the average catch rates are low and trapping expenses are substantial.

The average trapper reported income from trapping of $816 for the 1987/88 trapping season, with 63 percent stating that their income from trapping was "about the same" or "less than" their trapping expenses (Table 5). The majority, 84 percent, derived income from the sale of furs to a buyer within Maine. Only 9 percent of the trappers kept the furs.

Only 24 percent of the respondents stated that they were a full-time or part-time trapper "trying to make a profit." Another 23 percent said they were "recreational" trappers who are "unconcerned" about their income from trapping (Table 5). How-

Average Earnings($) Respondents Stated Relationships Between Trapping Earnings and Trapping Expenses (%): Earnings Greater Than Expenses Earnings About the Same as Expenses Earnings less Than Expenses Where Sold Furs (%): To a Buyer in Maine To a Buyer Outside of Maine Kept Furs Gave Furs Away as Gifts Traded Furs for Other Items Respondent Classification of Themselves as a Trapper(%): Full Time Trapping for Profit Part Time Trapping for Profit Recreation, but like to earn some money Recreation, and money not important Time Trappers Dedicated to Trapping (%): Trapping is Primary Job Before and After Work at Primary Job Shorter Work Days at Primary Job Paid Vaca~on from Primary Job Unpaid leave from Primary Job Do Not Work (Retired, Unemployed, etc.)

Trapping Is Primary Source of Income (%):

816

37 37 6 84 20 9 3 2 4 20 53 23 2 44 7 35 9 21 O

ever, 53 percent categorized themselves as "recreational trappers" who "like to earn some money."

Asked when they tend their traps, the largest percentage stated they spent time before and after work at their primary job (44 percent) or while on paid vacation from their primary job (35 percent).

Most trappers derive income from another source simultaneous to their trapping activities; in fact, no one reported trapping as being their primary source of income.

Out-of-pocket expenses for the average trapper during the 1987/88 trapping season were $187 for day-to-day purchases of items such as gas for a vehicle while checking traps, baits, scents, etc.

(Table 6). An additional $207 was spent on equipment that is used only for trapping, and $489 was spent on equipment that is used for trapping and other activities. The total expenses by the average trapper were $883. Thus, the total out-of-pocket expenses for the average trapper were $67, or 8 percent, more than the reported average income from trapping ($816).

When asked whether they keep records of their trapping, 57 percent said they keep records of the animals they catch, 45 percent keep trapping income records, 25 percent record trapping expenses, Winter 1991 - 92

7

Table 6. Average Trapper Expenditures In Maine During 1987/88 Category Day-to-Day Expenses (Gas, Baits, Scents, etc.)

Seasonal Expenses (License and Tagging Fees; Traps and Other Trapping Equipment) Equipment Purchased for Trapping and Other Activities (ATV, Snowmobile, Pack, Shovel, etcY Total Trapper Expenses in Maine During 1987/88

Average Annual Expenses Per Trapper

$187

207 489

883

*Computed by multiplying respondent's stated expense for an item by the percent of use that will be dedicated to trapping. For example, if a trapper spent $2,000 for an ATV and will use it 50 percent of the time for trapping, $1,000 of the cost would be assigned as a trapping expense ($2,000 x 0.5).

and 10 percent make note of their time. The largest percentage of trappers may keep track of the animals they catch only because all furbearers caught, with the exception of muskrats, must be reported to an official tagging station.

When we consider the value of the time a trapper invests in trapping, it becomes clear that trapping is not a business enterprise for over 90 percent of Maine's licensed adult trappers. Take fall trapping as an example: The average fall trapper spent five hours per day on week days and six hours per day on weekends setting and checking traps. Using the average income from their primary job ($23,700), we can infer that the average trapper earns $11.85 per hour at this job. Applying this wage rate to one week of fall trapping, indicates an average trapper would have to earn at least $428 from the sale of furs to compensate for one week of time spent setting and tending traps - over 50 percent of the average annual earnings from trapping.

Furthermore, this cost estimate does not include the time a trapper spends at home preparing to trap, re airing gear and handling pelts. Also, the fact that only 10 percent of them keep track of the time the spend on trapping strongly implies that trapping is a recreational activity where parcipants do not place a value on their time, but do derive substantial personal satisfaction.

Implications

For most trappers, earnings from the sale of furs does not offset expenses and time spent preparing, trapping and tending to pelts.

8

Maine Fish and Wildlife

Results of our survey of Maine trappers suggest that trapping is a recreational activity for most trappers, and that they enjoy earning some income from the pursuit. Earnings from the sale of furs from the 1987 /88 trapping season, $816 per trapper, were not sufficient to offset out-of-pocket trapping expenses of $883. Trappers were not able to compensate themselves for the time they spent trapping, nor did they earn a return on money they invested in trapping equipment.

These results, along with trappers' own classification of themselves as primarily participating in a recreational activity, leads to the conclusion that trapping is a hobby from which participants earn some income. Some trappers may break even on out-of-pocket expenses or even earn a small profit, but most draw the major portion of their income from other sources. Trapping requires participants to dedicate a substantial amount of their time, which is compensated by the personal satisfaction they derive from their hobby. The value of pelts does, however, appear to direct trapping effort toward those species whose pelts command a premium value in the market.

In closing, we might note that trapping is not unusual in the characterization of being a recreational activity where participants can earn some

able to cover food and veterinarian bills by selling puppies, but they don't earn enough to compensate for their time or the money they invest in kennels.

As with any hobby, they do it for the enjoyment they derive. Further, most hobbies and recreation activities, including trapping, can be quite expensive and most of us would like to be able to offset some of the costs of participating in our chosen ~ti~~ • Copies 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 Public Information Division, 284 State Street, Station #41, Augusta ME 04333.

l •800•2S3·7887 Help Us Stop Maine's

Trapping, like many hobbies that bring in some revenue, is done mainly for enjoyment.

money. Many hobbies meet that description, such as the collecting coins, stamps, and baseball cards, where the collector often has the opportunity to sell duplicate items or items with a high value. Collectors probably buy new items with an eye toward their resale value, and they may enjoy the buying and selling, but in general, sales probably don't offset out-of-pocket collection costs. Another example, somewhat closer to trapping, is the raising of hunting dogs. People who raise dogs may be

Fish8 Wildlife Law

Violators OPERATION GAME THIEF Winter 1991- 92

9

ENDANGERED & N PROJEC It may be the most satisfying tax deduction you'll ever claim. Your vo Maine Endangered & Nongame Wildlife Fund will support 450 species Maine wildlife .. .. like eagles, falcons, piping plovers and spotted turt I.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

IO.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

Bald eagles, Endangered: Population surveys and inventories, habitat protection, and effects of pollution.

Peregrine falcon, Endangered: Reintroductions of chicks, population surveys, and prote nest cliffs.

Golden eagles, Endangered: Population surveys and inventories, and habitat protection.

Blanding's turtle, Threatened: A study to determine its population status, habitat req ¡ and conservation needs.

Spotted turtle, Threatened: A study to determine its population status, habitat require conservation needs.

Piping plover, Endangered: Population surveys and inventories, protection of the nestin and habitat protection.

Least terns, Endangered: Population surveys and inventories, protection of nesting colo habitat protection.

Roseate terns, Endangered: Management of nesting colonies, population surveys and in and habitat protection.

Maine Natural Heritage Program: The status of all Maine's rare and endangered species are maintained through this standardized, comprehensive, record-keeping system.

Grasshopper sparrows, Endangered: Population surveys and inventories, research, and protection.

Wading bird habitat: High value habitat for wading birds such as herons, egrets, and bit ing identified and protected.

Tomah mayfly, candidate Endangered: Research into the population status and habitat this rare species.

Shorebirds: High value shorebird roosting and feeding habitat is being identified for maJ and protection.

Town planning: Information on rare and Endangered Species was provided to more th~ in support of their developing comprehensive town plans.

Seabird nesting Islands: Maine's unique coastal seabird nesting islands, used by nearly c million nesting seabirds are monitored, managed and protected.

Habitat protection: Land acquisition, voluntary agreements, conservation easements an mental permit review are all used to protect critical habitat.

Black terns, candidate Endangered Species: Population survey and inventory with the a of Nokomis High School students.

Public service: Hundreds of talks, presentations, and meetings with public groups in sui their needs and concerns.

Endangered and Threatened Species Listing: Maine's comprehensive list of Rare and En Species is maintained and updated.

To contribute, please check off the appropriate box on your state income tax return. Or send a check to:Maine Endang

10

Maine Fish and Wildlife

()NGA.ME WILDLIFE S OF 1991

untary contribution to the of endangered or nongame es.

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ered & Nongame Wildlife Fund, Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildife, 284 State St., Sta. #41, Augusta ME 04333 Winter 1991 - 92

11

Do

vou WANT To SAVE SOMETHING ON YOUR TAXES THIS YEAR? Well how about an endangered species!? In 1991, more than 20,000 Maine taxpayers did just that by making a contribution to the Endangered and Nongame Wildlife Fund through a voluntary checkoff on their Maine income tax returns. You can join them by making a gift to the fund on your next tax return.

Meanwhile, this report explains the many accomplishments past gifts made possible.

Hundreds of species of birds, mammals, fish, reptiles and amphibians, and thousands of species of invertebrates (such as butterflies, mayflies, freshwater mussels, and horseshoe crabs) exist within the great diversity of ecosystems and habitats found across Maine. The Maine legislature recognized the extraordinary yalue this great diversity of life provides to the people of Maine and also recognized that some of those species are in danger of becoming extinct within Maine, and, as a result, in 1975 they passed the Maine Endangered Species Act. The Act's purpose is stated clearly: to "declare it is the policy of the State to conserve, by according such protection as is necessary to maintain their numbers, all species of fish and wildlife found in the State, as well as the ecosystems upon which they depend".

To achieve that purpose, the legislature created the Endangered and Nongame Wildlife Fund in 1983, and included the line for voluntary giving on the Maine income tax return. The people of Maine have made this program a success by contribut-

12

Maine Fish and Wildlife

Endangt•1·t•d and NongameA.nn11al Rt•po1•t 1991

Save a Bird! or a Turtle • • or a Marsh or • • •

by Alan E. Hutchinson ing, on average, more than $100,000 a year through the first eight years. These contributions have provided the core funding for the conservation of the state's rare and endangered species. All money donated to the fund is deposited in a special interestbearing account, from which money can only be spent for the conservation of these species. A nine-member citizens advisory council oversees the fund and the programs it supports.

The Maine Endangered Species Act sets forth two basic charges for action. The first is to conduct investigations on any species of fish or wildlife, whether endangered or not, to develop information on population size, habitat needs, limiting factors, or data relating to the status and requirements for survival and to develop the necessary programs to enhance or maintain them. The second is, for any of the preceding species warranting it, to designate them

as either endangered or threatened, thereby making them eligible for additional recognition and protection under the Act, and to establish the programs necessary for their recovery.

There are 22 species of wildlife currently listed as endangered or threatened and in danger of becoming extinct in Maine. An additional 60 species have been identified as needing immediate attention to prevent them from becoming endangered or threatened. These 82 species are the prime beneficiaries of the Maine Endangered and Nongame Wildlife Fund.

Projects of the Endangered and Nongame Program are focused at four major areas: 1) species recovery programs; 2) habitat protection; 3) natural history surveys; and 4) public service.

Current projects are shown on the state map on page 11, and a brief explanation for each can be found by following the key on page 10.

Marking individual eagles is necessary for relatively easy distant identification. Photo by Betsy Spettigue.

egrines. Six nesting pairs were found and they produced 10 chicks, a record for Maine! The reintroduction program continued in 1991 with the release of three peregrine falcon chicks from a mountain top site in Piscataquis County. Since 1984, 111 falcons have been released into the wild from seven sites throughout Maine. The nesting sites are being closely watched and cooperatively managed with the landowners.

• ••

GOLDEN 3 EAGLES Endangered.

I

BALD EAGLES

Status in Maine: Endangered.

Population estimate: 127 nesting pairs in 1991.

Location: Statewide Threats: Habitat loss, disturbance, chemical pollution.

Conservation actions: Statewide nesting and production surveys, flown in April and June, found 127 nesting pairs producing 117 eaglets, the highest number in Maine in decades, yet still below a healthy level. The most important bald eagle nest sites are now protected as Essential Habitats under the Maine Endangered Species Act. Voluntary agreements are also in place with many landowners. Several key nest sites were purchased and a major research project was initiated in 1991 to determine the current effect of chemical contaminants on Maine's bald eagles. ~

,el

PEREGRINE FALCONS

Status in Maine: Endangered.

Population estimate: 6 nesting pairs in 1991.

Location: Mountain areas.

Threats: Habitat loss, disturbance, chemical pollution.

Conservation actions: More then eighty remote cliff sites were searched in 1991 for nesting per-

Status in Maine: Population estimate: One nesting pair in 1991.

Location: Mountain areas.

Threats: Chemical pollution, habitat .. loss, disturbance.

Conservation actions: Searches for nesting pairs were conducted in the spring, focusing on historic nest sites. The only pair of golden eagles left nesting in the eastern United States is Maine's last pair. No young have been produced for the past eight years.

Maine's last pair is being closely watched from a safe distance, minimizing disturbance, to learn as much as we can in an effort to prevent their permanent loss from Maine and the eastern U.S. A Species Recovery Plan is being prepared and nest sites are being protected.

4'

~

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BLA.NDING'S &SPOTTED TURTLES

Status in Maine: Both Threatened.

Population estimate: Blanding' s Turtle - known from fewer than 20 sites. Spotted turtle - known from fewer than 30 sites Location: Wetlands in York County.

Threats: Habitat loss, water quality, and predation.

Conservation actions: A major project is underway to increase our understanding of these two rare speThe author is leader of the department's Endangered and Threatened Species Group.

Winter 1991-92

13

des of turtle, which are listed as endangered, threatened or special concern throughout New England. A several square mile area in the Mt. Agamenticus area of York County, one of the few areas in Maine known to be populated by these turtles, is being studied to determine their population status and habitat needs, in order to design a recovery plan.

6

'-----IL----'

PIPING PLOVERS Status in Maine: Endangered.

Population estimate: 18 nesting pairs and 45 young in 1991.

Location: Sand beaches in southern

Maine.

Threats: Human disturbance, loss of habitat, predation.

Conservation actions: Maine Audubon Society, The Nature Conservancy, state Bureau of Parks and Recreation, Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and others combined forces again this year in a monitoring and protection program on the nesting beaches of southern Maine. People using the beacltes, predation, unleashed cats and dogs, and the development of sand dunes are the problems facing this species. Fences around nest sites, signs, predator control, public education and nest site "guardians" on busy beach weekends protect the plovers.

Common tern. Photo by the author.

7

LEAST TERNS

Status in Maine: Endangered.

Population estimate: 54 nesting pairs and 25 young in 1991.

Location: Sand beaches in southern Maine Threats: Human disturbance, loss of habitat, and predation.

Conservation actions: Like the piping plover, the least tern requires sand beaches for nesting. Also like the least tern, it's endangered because of disturbance from people and pets, loss of habitat, and predation. Fences, signs, public education, predator control, and nest site "guardians" were in place in 1991 in cooperation with Maine Audubon Society, The Nature Conservancy, Bureau of Parks and Recreation and others.

8

ROSEATE TERN Status in Maine: Endangered.

Population estimate: 128 nesting pairs in 1991.

Location: Nested on seven coastal islands.

Threats: Competition from gulls, habitat loss, disturbance.

Conservation actions: A coalition of groups including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Maine Audubon Society, National Audubon Society, College of the Atlantic, Bureau of Parks and Recreation, and Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is cooperatively inventorying, monitoring, and protecting the roseate tern in Maine. Restricted to nesting on a few coastal islands, roseate terns were almost eliminated from Maine by competition and predation by gulls and human disturbance. The removal of gulls from a few islands has again given a toe-hold for this species in Maine.

9

MAINE'S NATURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM As a partner in the Maine Natural Heritage Program, the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife maintains a comprehensive and standardized information system on all of Maine's rare and endangered fish and wildlife species. This information base provides a standard support sys-

14

Maine Fish and Wildlife

tern for the many varied functions and mandates the department has for rare and endangered species, including population assessments, species listings, management and recovery actions, environmental permit reviews, and habitat protection.

Endangered species such as the sedge wren and black racer and other rare species for which specific recovery programs are not in place yet, are given basic attention and protection through the Natural Heritage Program system.

IO

GRASSHOPPER SPA.BROWS Status in Maine: Endangered.

Population Estimate: 47 nesting pairs in 1991. ~-::.....:a..__..._____, Location: four grassland sites in southern Maine.

Threats: Habitat loss and degradation, and herbicides.

Conservation actions: The status of the grasshopper sparrow is monitored and it is protected through the cooperative effort of many, including Peter Vickery, the lead scientist on the topic in Maine, The Nature Conservancy, Brunswick Naval Air Station, and Wildlife Biologist Phil Bozenhard of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

In Maine the sparrow is found nesting at just four sites. The most important of these sites, the Kennebunk Plains with about 30 pairs, has been acquired as a wildlife management area. Coordination is also underway with the land managers at the other three sites for the benefit of the sparrows.

W.ADINGBmo HA.BITA.T PROTECTION This project was undertaken to develop a process for the protection of high value freshwater wetland habitats for wading birds. A two year survey and habitat analysis for least bitterns, American bitterns, green-backed herons, black terns, sora and Virginia rails, marsh wrens, pied-billed grebes, coot, and moorehens was completed and the information applied to this process. The results are to be applied through the Natural Resource Protection Act.

"~ •

::-"\. .

_,-,v - ~

\

12 THE~~~; Siphlinisca aerodromia

is so rare it doesn't even have a common name, ··'1 although it has been nicknamed the Tomah mayfly, after the primary site where it is found. This species, until recently thought to be extinct, may be the rarest species found in Maine. A major study, funded jointly by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, was conducted by Dr. K. Gibbs of the University of Maine to determine its status and habitat needs. Fewer than ten sites are now known for this species worldwide, and they all occur in Maine or just over the border in Canada. ~~~~-

L...__ _..u.i.,w~

13

SHOREBmos A detailed survey was completed -:=-- of coastal wildlife habitat in two dozen towns of Washington ~ ~-::-:. County. The most significant wildlife features were identified, including shorebird roosting and feeding areas. With the completion of this survey, shorebird information is now complete for the entire coast of Maine.

This will allow for a comprehensive evaluation of

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L _ __ _ _ ____.

II

Capturing Siphlinisca aerodromia. Photo

by Mark McCollough.

Winter 1991 - 92

15

the conservation needs for these species in Maine, and for the start of a conservation program. This information is already being provided to town officials, state agencies, and conservation interests.

TOWN COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING As towns across Maine complete comprehensive plans they require information on significant wildlife habitats. Site specific information on 80 rare and endangered species was compiled, mapped, and provided to 88 towns throughout the state. Habitat protection guidelines also were developed and distributed. The information is being incorporated into town plans and the plans are being reviewed and assistance given in implementing the plans.

14

!::..::......-----1

I~

SEABffiD NESTING ISLANDS Twenty species of colonial-nesting seabirds, totaling more than 100,000 nesting pairs, use a relatively small ..______.f!.l.1!:41_,e_~....., proportion of Maine's coastal island as traditional nesting sites. Theimportance of these islands has now been recognized with their inclusion in Maine's Natural Resources Protection Act as habitats of special significance warranting special protection. Nesting populations on about 100 islands were monitored in 1991. The department's seabird survey files now contains more than 15 years of data on hundreds of islands.

This data is serving as the basis for the Seabird Management Plan that is being developed. ~

HABITAT PROTECTION Habitat protection is the most critical need facing most rare and endangered species in Maine. The ....__ _ _ ___. department uses a variety of methods to protect critical habitat including land acquisition, voluntary management agreements with landowners, conservation easements, Essential Habitat designation under the Maine Endangered Species Act, .and environmental permit review.

Habitat acquisition is the most essential tool for the

16

18

Maine Fish and Wildlife

long-term protection of the most significant sites.

Several very important acquisitions were made in 1991, making it a very exciting year. The Nature Conservancy, Land For Maine's Future Board, and others have worked together with the department on these accomplishments.

Several thousand environmental permits were reviewed by the department in 1990, on devel0pments ranging from subdivisions to construction of major transmission lines and shipping ports. All applications were screened to ensure the protection of the most sensitive areas for rare or endangered species. In 1991 about 100 sites important to rare or endangered wildlife received protective action from the department through this process.

Voluntary, cooperative management of important sites for rare or endangered wildlife, on lands owned by state or federal agencies, by businesses, or by individuals is an important and regular occurrence for the department. In 1991, cooperative management arrangements of various types were in action on dozens of sites important to rare or endangered wildlife. The Bureau of Public Lands, Baxter State Park, Acadia National Park, Bureau of Parks and Recreation, and most of the major timber industry landowners are included .

(continued on page 27)

Immature golden eagle keeping winter watch near Trenton. Photo by Mark McCollough.

~

the Fly Tying Bench

RED-GRAY GHOST (WITH BEADS)

Tandem Streamer

by Butch Carey THE PATTERN HOOKS: 2, #4 94840 TANDEM CONNECTOR: 30# test steel (covered with monofi lament) BEADS: #3 (small) fluorescent red THREAD: Black mono cord RIB: Embossed silver tinsel BODY:Red floss

1

3

For back hook: wind on black thread base, starting at bend and going to eye. Insert 1 3/4" of leader material through eye and wind on in close tight winds. Cement (two coats).

Double-wrap hook with red floss, eye to bend and return; tie and trim. Wrap silver tinsel over red floss in five evenly spaced turns to eye; tie and trim. Tie in black head and cement to finish back hook.

WING: Four strands peacock herl, over sparse red bucktall THROAT: Sparse white bucktail TOPPING: Four blue dun saddle hackles, matched CHEEK: Two silver pheasant feathers, matched OPTIONAL: Jungle cock or painted eyes

2

Dress back hook with embossed tinsel tied in at the bend (halfway between barb and hook point). Wind thread to eye; tie in red floss at eye of hook.

4

Put beads on connector. Leave enough room to tie leader to front hook. Decide if you want back hook up or down, then position leader over front hook shank and tie on close and tight, front to back and return. Cement (two coats).

Winter 1991- 92

19

5

Finish dressing front hook same as rear hook (see step 3), but leave 1/16" space behind the eye. The beaded tandem body is now finished.

7

Tie In four strands of peacock her/ directly under the hook behind the eye, the same length as the bucktall.

9

Select four matched blue dun saddle hackles (two lefts and two rights; dull side in and curve down), the same length as the red bucktail; tie them in over the red bucktail and trim off excess. (Here's a tip: if you put some cement on your fingers before smoothing and dressing the wings, they will behave very well for you!)

20

Maine Fish and Wildlife

¡6

Tie in a sparse bunch of red bucktail behind the eye, extending beyond the bend of the rear hook a distance equal to the hook's gap.

8

Tie in a very sparse bunch of white bucktail below the peacock her/, the same length as the her/.

10

Select a matched pair (left & right) of silver pheasant cheek feathers. Tie in separately until they extend about 1/3 the total length of the fly. Wind on black head and the fly is finished!.

NEW RULES E FOR ANGLERS

by Kendall Warner

veryone who fishes in Maine, whether through the ice or during the open water season, will be affected by new regulations the next time they visit the state's waterways. The new ice fishing regulations booklet, now

The author is supervisor of the department's Fisheries Research and Management Section, with headquarters in Bangor.

Winter 1991-92

21

available, and open water booklet, due out in March, contain numerous changes of special regulations on individual bodies of water, as well as several major changes of state- or county-wide importance.

The major fishing rule changes explained below were approved last fall by the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Advisory Council, after initially being recommended or approved by the Fisheries Division and then discussed at eight public hearings throughout the state. They are based on an increasing amount of biological evidence that increasing fishing pressure is, or is in danger of, adversely affecting Maine's fisheries resources.

Rule changes of major significance, and the reasons for them, are: â&#x20AC;˘ In rivers, streams and brooks statewide, the daily limit on brook trout is now 5 fish. .,, This regulation was proposed by the Fisheries Division in 1989 and heard at statewide hearings.

Despite favorable sentiment expressed at most hearings, the proposal failed to be passed by the Advisory Council. It was proposed again in 1991, this time

by Maine Trout, a recently organized group dedicated to improving and enhancing Maine's wild trout resources.

The Fisheries Division again supported the proposal based on increased accessibility of fishing areas, increased fishing pressure, environmental degradation, and declining numbers of legal-size trout as shown by electro-fishing surveys.

A statewide monitoring program for key trout streams throughout the state was initiated in 1990 and will continue

22

Maine Fish and Wildlife

indefinitely. The purpose of this study is to evaluate trends in population abundance and numbers of legal-size trout remaining at the end of the fishing season. The results will be compared with historical data in an attempt to identify the role of fishing pressure in relation to other adverse factors affecting trout abundance. â&#x20AC;˘ In lakes and ponds in York, Cumberland, Androscoggin, Oxford, Kennebec, Sagadahoc, Knox, Lincoln, and Waldo counties the daily limit on brook trout is now 2 fish.

The great majority of the waters in these counties are managed through annual stockings of spring yearling brook trout.

These are 9- to 10-inch trout, with some even larger. The large size of the trout stocked is necessary in the presence of predators and competitors, but these are very expensive fish to stock. The former 5-trout bag limit was not conducive to the most equitable use of these fish by fishermen.

The 2-trout limit was established to allow the distribution of the catch among more anglers over a longer period of time. The lower daily limit may also help in allowing more trout to survive to another season, thereby increasing the angler's chance of catching larger trout.

This regulation change also brings the brook trout bag limit into conformity with general law limits for salmon, togue, brown trout and rainbow trout. â&#x20AC;˘ The minimum length limit on brook trout has been increased on a number of ponds and lakes to either 10 inches or 12 inches.

Because the general law length limit of 6 inches on brook

trout does not protect them to maturity, trout in ponds are frequently harvested before they have had a chance to spawn. A 10-inch minimum length limit was established on a lengthy list of waters with wild brook trout populations that show good growth rates. The purpose is to protect trout until they reach spawning size, thereby maximizing their potential to sustain a population of wild trout and, coincidentally, improving size quality of the angler's catch.

An even more restrictive 12inch length limit was established for brook trout in a limited number of lakes and ponds. This regulation, too, is intended to protect trout until they have had a chance to spawn and to provide larger-size trout in anglers' creels.

The 12-inch length limit was established in two general situations, the first being waters capable of producing trout of larger-than-average size - "trophy trout." The productive capacity of some waters is greater than others. These are the waters where "trophy'' regulations now apply, and more may be established in the future. Most have populations of wild brook trout, but the fishery in a few is maintained through stockings of hatchery-reared fish.To spread out the catch of these larger fish, a 2-trout bag limit was also established in some waters.

The second group of waters where the length limit on brook trout has been raised to 12 inches is larger lakes, often managed in combination with other salmonid species (for example, salmon and/ or togue). Wild trout populations in some of these waters have been found to be much less abundant than once believed,

and trout are older and larger when they mature. It is therefore critical to allow trout in these waters to spawn before being taken by fishermen. This 12-inch length limit is also accompanied by a reduced bag limit on many waters.

• There are new general law size and bag limits on black bass (smallmouth and largemouth). From January 1 to June 20, the daily limit is one bass, and general law and special county length limits apply; from June 21 through the remainder of the season, the daily limit is three bass, only one of which may exceed 14 inches in length.

This regulation is intended to maximize over-winter survival of "first summer bass" (fry) by protection of large bass.

In the northern part of their range, over-winter survival of bass fry is size-related. Even if plenty of food is available, bass fry lose weight at water temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The length of time water temperatures are less than SOdegrees is called "starvation time."

Larger bass fry are much more likely than smaller ones to survive through the winter. The ability of bass fry to survive a particular "starvation time" is related to the size attained as water temperatures cool below 60 degrees in the fall. Apparently, small bass lack the energy stores needed to survive extended starvation times.

Large bass fry are usually the young of large adults, probably because bigger adult bass overwinter better than smaller adults. Because of this, larger adult bass are in better shape to start spawning earlier, giving

them earlier and longer access to food in an environment limited by the length of the growing season.

Starvation times in Maine range from 169 to 230 days; overwintering fry average 2.1 to 3.1 inches. Over-winter survival of 2.6-inch bass fry can be expected to be 20 percent or less at starvation times of over 200 days.

The significance of large bass to our bass fisherie~ is emphasized by the fact that most Maine bass anglers seek large fish. Despite a strong "catch-and-release" ethic, anglers are more likely to keep a large bass than a small one.

Because large bass are most vulnerable during winter and in the spawning season, their protection at these times is an important part of a successful bass management program in Maine.

• In Washington, Hancock, Piscataquis, Aroostook counties the minimum length limit on bass is now 10 inches.

In 1987, the Maine Bass Federation proposed a 12-inch minimum length limit on black bass statewide. This proposal was presented at public hearings, gained general acceptance, and was approved by the Advisory Council.

In 1987, the Fisheries Division's bass monitoring program was only in its second year. The division felt that with additional data it might be necessary to reduce the bass length limit to 10 inches in some counties.

Monitoring studies now have shown that in northern and eastern Maine there is a shorter growing season, with slower "warm-up" in the spring, which results in slower bass growth. In the counties where a 10-inch

length limit was established by the Advisory Council effective in 1992, a 14-inch bass may be eight years old, while the same size bass may be six or seven years old in southern and central counties. In northern and eastern counties, bass greater than 12 inches represent only 39 percent of the population in "goodgrowing'' bass lakes. Bass over 10 inches, however, represent 70 percent of the population. The 10-inch length limit in northern and eastern counties directs the bass harvest into the most abundance size category (10 to 12 inches).

• A wording change in an existing rule makes it illegal to alter the length of any trout, salmon, togue or bass unless it is being prepared for immediate cooking.

The previous wording of the regulation made it illegal to detach the heads and tails from salmon, trout, togue, and black bass "unless the dressed length is equal to or greater than the legal length ..."

The intent of the change was to eliminate a possible enforcemen t problem with more waters having both minimum and maximum length limits (slot limits).

Under the old wording, anglers could keep a dressed or filleted fish that would have been larger than the maximum length limit if it still had the head and tail attached.

hese

new regulations, which were presented at public hearings and approved by the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Advisory Council, should have a significant effect in maintaining and enhancing Maine's freshwater fisheries resources.

• Winter 1991- 92

23

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

WILD WORD SEARCH: ANIMALS AND THEIR YOUNG M atch the animals listed in the left hand column with the names we call their young in the right hand column.

1 :n find all the animal names in the word search puzzle. Animal names are listed horizontally and vertically. The first one is done for you-good luck!!

bear bass bobcat owl goat zebra duck otter goose turtle deer salmon parrot swan frog eagle whale turkey .fe,t-

butterfly kangaroo dragonfly

fry cygnet larva fawn duckling kid hatch ling poult eaglet pup foal owlet smolt joey kit gosling tadpole cub kitten calf nymph chick

FWPFFFPIVMTHFUNCLLFVO NMZHPOULTJUNZBBHCSUKG JRGYIXBCUBOXKAXIWWJBE NVKRAZEBRAEOIBFCNEEKK PNTWHXAOKSOTDUCKLINGV DDPQFKRBESAHATCHLINGB DRJSWANCVGNETTURTLEJF SNYMPHEAGLEJAEKITTENR FVGOWLETAEI I DRAGONFLY DCALFAFROGQFPFNJUWCTN GOATARQHTWOOOLGOSLING PPSZGVNHTHWALYAECOMFY EKITFAWNEAGLETRYQEHMS TGMXEDEERLSALMONVIPBK WFLMTGOOSEPARROTIAHKS IGXBHAWSTKUOHMKPGAKLC TYTTHDLBHVPHDUCKKWRNZ

Answers on inside back cover

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30.

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29.

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2a.

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4

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• 73 • 74 • 75 83 79 .76 85 • • / • • 77 78 84 82

.f,/\\ 81P'l" 80

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Unscramble the underlined letters and spell out my name below!

I have long legs to wade through deep §.now.

I eat lots of twigs, and buds.

I live in Maine.

I can dive up to 20 feet under water to get tasty weeds at the bottom of ponds.

One or two young are born each year.

I ama

Working the Boundary It's 0300 hours on a cold and frosty morning. The alarm clock goes , \ off like a time bomb; your head spins. The cold reality of the day's ~

by Roger G1,lay events force you to get up and quietly slip downstairs for one ~ If \ badly needed cup of coffee; after several minutes and some __ ~ ~ hot brew, you come to. You raid the cupboard of every\ thing edible and uncrushable, stuffing your knapsack. ~ " The morning stillness is broken by the sound of a Dodge truck turning in the dooryard. Rats, he's right on time! Soon ... . r.r/ · all the wangan is crammed into every open space that can be found in your knapsack amongst parkas, flash.. - :J' ,. ' lights, and other heavy but necessary gear. Into the ...,;y;·~ .·. I /// \ truck and on the road!

4 (l'/7' VJ. ; After a cozy drive, the fun's over. Time to earn your keep. The ATV starts (but from the sound, it's / .} 1V about as excited as you are to get going). All too soon, ' \ / you're slinking down the road. The cold morning air now /;; seems much colder, and penetrates your bo~y right to the I \ core. Soon you're there-wherever "there" is. All you can · \ \ see are the silhouettes of some large spruce trees. A whisper informs you: "That's Canada". //l So you make your way to a well-beaten path Vi't a?d wait. The horizon is no~ just beginning to ~\I f i: give you a clue as to ":hat ~md of day you're t~ . ·>,·[' . ;,·· ~looking at. As you wait, quietly and nearly mo. / Q' \ !J tionless, the cold and the damp team up to attack ~I \rt !l-b ..------ the remaining portions of unfrozen flesh. But thank ...__. ~ goodness for a vivid imagination!-your mind is convinced -=-...:;....::::::the little green man is coming down the trail, gun in hand, ever so wary, all eyes and ears. Your job: simple.

Capture this witty foe-with such grace that he has no opportunity to run, or worse, shoot you! Your mind starts to play a variety of scenarios, ranging from good to bad.

The sound of a vehicle gradually intrudes on your subconscious, then snaps you the rest of the way back to reality. Across the international line, your foe has just arrived. The sounds of gear being unloaded and doors shutting make your heart hit overdrive; if only you could hear over that pounding in your chest!

The minutes pass ever so slowly-your eyes grow tired of looking up the path, just now visible in the morning light. Several hours go by, and still nothing comes down the path. Next comes the rain, and it's time to move to a new location. All the gear is repacked and you head back to your truck.

The truck radio greets you with news that alien ATV tracks have been discovered just north of your location. The tempo of the day picks up. Maybe, just maybe, you can intercept the little green man. Wrong, the tracks lead to two fresh moose paunches and go back to Canada. Too late. They worked all night and looking at the tracks, they left about the time you arrived.

Your tired mind reminds you of the first time you heard the phrase "little green man". A senior warden once said, "The little green man, he comes and goes and leaves behind only little boot prints and moose paunches." This being your second year stalking the green little man, it is apparent that he is as illusive as the legends portray him to be.

Now, it's lunchtime. A Sterno stove rigged under a tarp in the driving rain warms your Spam-for dessert, a can of Spaghettios. Ah, the comforts of modern living! Then it's back to waiting-the afternoon proves as dismal as the morning as the rain continues to wet you down, body and spirit.

Tired, wet, cold, and defeated, you crawl home after a long day. The score is 2-0 in favor of the Little Green Man. But overriding today's failures is the thing that makes all game wardens tick: "I'LL GET YOU NEXT TIME!". And you set the alarm for 0200 hours, thinking maybe if you're there a little earlier tomorrow...

•

\

/v' ·;~p :· /// \

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The author is a game warden in the Greenville area. Jeremy Guay, age 11, provided the illustration for his dad's story.

Winter 1991 - 92

26

.

Save a Bird! (continued from page 18) BLACK TERNS Status: Watch List (candidate Endangered) Population estimate: 35 pairs in 1991 Location: Known from fewer than 10 sites in central Maine Threats: unknown Conservation actions: Very little is known about this species in Maine. A project was initiated in 1991 with the assistance of students of Nokomis High School in Newport, to determine the population size and distribution in Maine.

17

. _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ J

PUBLIC SERVICE AND EDUCATION More than 50 talks, slide shows, and other presentations on Maine's rare and endangered wildlife were given to clubs, groups, and schools. Department biologists also participated in many radio and television shows, led field trips, and helped in training workshops. Many informational meetings were held with landowners and town planning officials. Several new publications were produced and hundreds of general requests for information on particular species or topics were answered.

S pecial thanks are due all who have supported

ENDANGERED SPECIES LISTING The list of rare and endangered species is maintained and updated.

Species are assigned to one of sev--U1111111iJ eral categories including Endangered, Threatened, Special Concern, Indeterminate Status, and Watch List. The list

this work through their generous contributions to the fund, and to the many groups and organizations across Maine who serve as partners and cooperators in the conservation of Maine's rare and endangered species. To assure continuation of this important work, everyone is reminded: As you fill our your tax returns, consider SAVING SOMETHING SPECIAL ON YOUR TAXES THIS YEAR - AN ENDANGERED SPECIES. •

18

19

Ribbon snake, a species of special concern.

Photo by Jamie Haskins. is scheduled for a comprehensive review within the coming year. In preparation for that, the listing criteria and process are being revised.

PROBLEMS WITH YOUR SUBSCRIPTION??

JUST CALL, TOLL-FREE ~

=®©©=~®®=®~~rr Winter 1991- 92

27

FISH AND WILDLIFE BRIEFS Record Success In Moose Hunt Maine's moose hunters observed the tenth anniversary of annual one-week hunts by setting a new success record of 95.9 percent.

The 959 moose bagged by 1,000 permit holders exceeded the old hunter success record by three percent, and was eight percent higher than 1990 when 882 moose were registered.

The 1991 season also saw two other records broken: • the highest number of nonresident applicants (17,922) • the highest total (resident and nonresident) applicants (83,128).

The hunt also produced some large animals, with several exceeding 1,000 pounds dressed weight. The largest moose recorded this year weighed 1,200 pounds. It was shot by Gustave Doyon of Fairfield in Township C, Range 2, Aroostook County. The big bull carried antlers with a spread of 59 1 /2 inches.

The department's moose biologist, Karen Morris, attributes the high hunter success primarily to Maine's abundant moose population. Although counting moose is not easy in such a large, forested state, Morris estimates the moose population in the 17,000-square-mile area open to moose hunting at a conservative 25,000.

This year's season, held during the week of October 7-12, may also have · favored hunter success and quality of the animals, according to Morris. Previous hunts have been scheduled earlier, in September, or later in October. ''This year, hunters were helped by excellent hunting conditions and weather. Bulls were still actively rutting which made them easier to call and a bit less cautious. In addition, the leaves were partially off the trees so visibility was good. ''The bulls had lost some weight during the rut (as is typical when they are so active and not feeding), but a few still exceeded 1,000 pounds (dressed)".

Moose sightings by successful hunters attest to their numbers. Most said they had seen from one to six or eight moose in addition to the one they shot.

One partysaid they had seen about 40 moose; another reported 60 sightings in three days.

28

Maine Fish and Wildlife

Further evidence of hunters' selecting targets was reflected in the ratio of bulls to cows: more than three to one.

Following a decline in moose populations during the early part of this century, all moose hunting was banned in Maine after 1935. Changing forest practices in the 1950s, '60s and '70s led to a slow but steady improvement in habitat conditions favorable to moose. In 1980, the Maine legislature approved an experimental hunting season, with 700 permits available only to Maine residents; 36,636 applied, and 636 moose were taken that year.

There was no moose hunt in 1981, as the legislature studied the results of the experimental season. The first of the present format of annual hunts was approved to begin in 1982, with 1,000 permits annually - 900 for Maine residents, and 100 for nonresidents.

A petition drive by groups opposed to the moose hunt forced the issue to a referendum vote in 1983. Following strong campaigning by both sides of the issue, and accompanied by intense news media coverage, continuation of the hunt was approved by Maine voters by a 3 to 2 margin.

The hunts have been held each year since, with success varying from the low of 745 moose in 1983 (when the open season occurred during an unseasonable September heat wave) until this year's record harvest.

Permit holders are determined each year at a public drawing held in June an event which draws hundreds of spectators and is broadcast by several radio stations.

Despite an apparent increase in the moose population during the past decade and an increase in the area open to hunting from 12,600 to 17,000 square miles in 1985, the number of permits remains at 1,000, as set by the Maine legislature.

The permit application period runs from January through April each year.

Resident application fee is $5; nonresidents, $10.

Pet Deer Killed By Another Deer A pet deer found dead in its pen in November was killed by another deer,

not a hunter's bullet as first widely reported.

Game wardens who investigated the incident in Corinna said the dead white-tailed deer shared a pen with a herd of domestic Asian deer, and they believe it was stabbed by the antlers of one of them during a fight.

The four-year-old deer was found dead in a pool of blood by its owners, who believed it had been shot. As the deer hunting season was open, further speculation was that a hunter had done it. A torrent of anti-hunter outrage ensued, both in and out of the news media.

But Game Warden Bruce Galeucia, who examined the carcass, found only a short upward puncture wound under the chest, behind a foreleg-an unlikely location for a bullet wound. He found neither a bullet in the carcass nor an exit hole. The area around the puncture was heavily bruised.

Warden Sgt. Daniel Tourtelotte tested the skin at the puncture hole and found no traces of lead, as would normally appear if a bullet had penetrated the skin.

Warden Galeucia's conclusion is that "the deer definitely was not shot."

He believes it was killed in a fight with one of the Japanese Sika deer in the pen, and that the fight was related to the rutting or mating season which occurs in both species at the same time the incident occurred.

Sika bucks have short, sharp antlers.

Galeucia said the dead deer had only small, undeveloped antlers still in the velvet stage, an indication of the fact that it had been castrated. Castrated bucks are easily dominated by normal bucks during the rut, particularly in a confined environment.

Oldsquaw On '92 Duck Stamp The Oldsquaw duck will be the featured species on M·a ine's 1991 duck hunting stamp.

The department will conduct a contest of Maine artists next March to pick the painting that will appear on the stamp.

Contest rules are available by writing to: Duck Stamp Contest, Maine Fish and Wildlife Department, State House Station 41, Augusta, Maine 04333.

1990 Wildlife Report Available The Wildlife Division's popular annual report on wildlife research and management programs is now available to the public.

Major sections in the 52-page booklet are devoted to game birds, cervids (moose, deer, caribou), endangered and nongame wildlife, black bear and furbearers.

Free copies are available by writing to: 1990 Wildlife Report, Maine Fish and Wildlife Department, Public Information and Education Division, State House Station 41, Augusta, Maine 04333.

Federal$ For State Fish And Wildlife Programs U.S. Secretary of the Interior Manuel Lujan has announced that state fish and wildlife agencies will share $270 million in federal excise taxes paid by America's hunters and anglers. The funds will be made available through preliminary apportionments of two federal aid programs administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

"Generations of American hunters and anglers have demonstrated their long-term support of fish and wildlife conservation programs," said Service Director John Turner. ''They were among the first to form organizations to promote fish and wildlife issues and have voluntarily contributed millions of dollars to programs that protect habitat and conduct research on the needs of wildlife. Such efforts have helped preserve healthy and abundant populations of many native wildlife species for all of us to enjoy."

The Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (Pittman-Robertson Act), signed in 1937, and the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act (DingellJohnson Act), signed in 1950, collectively have raised over $2 billion, all earmarked for state fish and wildlife programs and used to fund land acquisition, habitat improvement, research, and education.

The preliminary apportionment for wildlife restoration and hunter education programs for fiscal year 1992 is $127,600,000 ($1,454,543 for Maine). This money is derived from an 11 percent excise tax on sporting arms and ammunition, a 10 percent tax on pistols and revolvers, and an 11 percent tax on certain archery equipment. One-half of the tax on handguns and archery equipment is available for state hunter education programs.

The preliminary apportionment for sport fish restoration for fiscal year 1992 totals $142,600,000 ($1,426,000 for Maine). This money comes from a 10 percent excise tax on fishing equipment and a 3 percent tax on electric trolling motors and sonar fish finders. The "Wallop-Breaux" expansion legislation of 1984 increased the tax base for sport fish restoration to include a portion of the federal motorboat fuels tax and import duties on fishing tackle and pleasure boats.

Distribution of sport fish restoration funds to the states is based on the land and water area and the number of fishing license holders in each state. Wild-

What's new .. . what to do .. . how to stay legal in the Maine outdoors

Q. What's the story on building campfires in the wintertime? Is a fire permit required? If so, do I need one even if the ground is covered with snow?

A. On private property in organized towns, permission from the landowner is always required before you build a warming or cooking fire. In addition, if the ground is not snow-covered, you need a fire permit from the local town fire warden. In unorganized towns, you need a fire permit from a forest ranger whenever the ground is not snow-covered.

A permit is not required for the use of a portable stove fueled by propane gas, gasoline, etc., nor is one needed for a fire at a Maine Forest Service authorized campsite or lunch ground, state parks or state highway picnic areas.

Open fires are prohibited on all wildlife management areas owned by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, except at designated campsites. A similar policy is in effect, when there is no snow cover, on public reserved lands under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Public Lands.

Fires on frozen bodies of water require no permit but should be no larger than needed and fueled only with wood. However, on some municipal water supply lakes, fires may be prohibited by water utility regulation.

Trash left behind in campfires, or anywhere else, is litter - and its illegal.

life restoration funds are made available based on land area and the number of hunting license holders in each state.

Distribution of hunter education funds is based on the relative population of each state.

Delicious Pickerel, Bones & All Pickerel are abundant in Maine lakes, easy to catch summer and winter, and an angler's favorite on the dinner table.

Well, not quite. They are abundant and easy to catch, fun too, but their popularity as a fish to eat is limited by notorious and numerous bones.

While no one has figured out how to fillet bone-free pickerel, there are several ways to soften the bones so they can be eaten right along with the pickerel's delicious flesh. Eat the bones? Sure, you do it every time you eat sardines or canned salmon, so why not pickerel?

One good way to enjoy pickerel on the dinner table is to take one pound of fillets, bones and all, and cook them 15 minutes in a pressure cooker. Cool the pickerel, then mash it. Mix in a small minced onion and 1 1/2 cups of mashed potato (great use for left-overs!). Then add a slightly beaten egg, salt and pepper, and shape into eight patties. Fry in hot fat until nicely browned. Viola!

Pickerel cakes.

Here's a simple way to fix a pickerel for use in your favorite fish recipe; it works exceptionally well on the smaller ones: Don't-gut the fish or cut its head off. Remove scales by scraping from tail to head with scaler or knife. Lay the fish on its side, and with a sharp fillet knife, saw behind the head until the blade comes in contact with the backbone.

Then turn the knife and slab off the side of the pickerel by sawing along the backbone. Repeat this on the other side and you'll have two nice fillets. Lay them skin side down, and with your fillet knife make parallel cuts about 1 / 4 inch apart, cutting through the flesh and bones but not through the skin. Make cuts the entire length of the fillet. Preheat at least 1/16 inch cooking oil in a frying pan, then fry fillets, skin side UP. The hot oil will work up into the cuts and quickly and thoroughly cook the bones.

You can also fillet the pickerel without the skin, then cut the flesh into thin, pencil-size strips, head to tail. Rinse the strips, pat dry, then shake them in a bag with bread crumbs, corn meal or flour mixed with your favorite seasonings.

Winter 1991- 92

29

Then fry them in a pan of very hot vegetable oil. Cooking time will depend on the size of the bones and your tolerance fo r munching on them, but generally you' ll need to cook fish prepared this way a little longer than you would cook bone-free fish. If you want to try Cajun pickerel, dip the strips in a mixture of egg and beer, and shake in a bag of Cajun seasoning, corn meal and flour, proportioned to your taste.

Recycle Your Oil People who change their own motor oil but don't recycle it are annually responsible for spilling more than the 11 million gallons of crude oil released by the Exxon Valdez into Alaska's Prince William Sound.

That startling bit of information comes from the Izaak Wal ton League of America, which says that, for the most part, the problem is a lack of auto shops and gas stations that will accept oil for recycling, coupled with the public's indifference to finding such centers.

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection notes that used oil is a potential pollutant of the soil, drinking water supplies and fish and wildlife habitat. It contains harmful contaminants, some of which are hazardous to human health.

Oil dumped down storm sewers is carried to the nearest stream, river or lake. Oil that is sent to a landfill or dumped on the ground may also end up in waterways or water supplies.

According to the Maine D.E.P., another important reason to recycle used oil is to save a valuable resource. Every gallon of oil that is discarded is another gallon that must be refined from a finite world supply of crude oil. Used motor oil is relatively inexpensive to refine into clean lubricating oil, says the D.E.P. Burning used oil for re.s idential or industrial heating, until recently a widely accepted practice, is now known to be a major source of airborne lead pollution. A recent study by IWLA and other conservation and industry groups found that more than 90 percent of the oil collected for recycling at collection centers and service stations is actually burned. Almost 800 million gallons of waste oil loaded with lead are burned every year, resulting in almost 600,000 pounds of lead spewing into the air every year. Airborne lead from this burning settles back to the earth and contaminates the nation's land and water.

30

Maine Fish and Wildlife

The Maine Oil Recycling Program (MORP) was initiated to promote better management of used motor oils through recycling. MORP is directed toward doit-yourself oil changers, and gives them an opportunity to promote energy conservation and enhance Maine's environmental quality.

A booklet entitled the "MORP Directory'' describes the proper ways to handle used motor oil and lists locations in Maine where you can take it. Copies are available from D.E.P (State House Station 17, Augusta, ME 04333).

You can also learn the location of the nearest oil collection center by calling 289-2651. There are several in most Maine counties.

Observe Safety Rules For Fun On Ice Ice fishing, skating, snowmobiling and other winter activities - even horseback riding - are popular forms of recreation on Maine lakes. They can be safe forms of winter fun, too, as long as some important safety practices are observed.

Don't venture onto any ice-covered bodies of water until you test the thickness and quality of the ice. Wearing a personal flotation device is a good precaution while you are checking.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR I have been a subscriber to Maine Fish and Wildlife magazine for many years and look forward to receiving each issue.

My father, Lyle E. Smith, was in the Maine Warden Service for twenty-five years, from 1928 to 1953, on Mount Desert Island.

He was one of the old-time game wardens when the Department of Inland Fisheries and Game was in its infancy. His life and experiences in the Warden Service were many and varied as well as very interesting and colorful, to say the least. A rugged life those old time wardens led and they were a dedicated lot to the core.

I have recently written a book called A Warden's Way, published by North Country Press of Unity and Belfast. It describes in detail my father's work and adventures in the Maine Warden Service and gives a brief history of the origin of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

Lyla E. St. Louis Biddeford

â&#x20AC;˘ The book is good reading for anyone interested in Maine's out-of-doors. It is available locally in book stores, or through the publisher.

Avoid going near inlet and outlet streams, dams and man-made structures .protruding through the ice. The ice is also usually thin around natural features such as muskrat houses, beaver lodges and tree stumps.

Stay off soft or discolored ice.

Be especially cautious early and late in the winter season when ice thickness is unpredictable due to temperature fluctuations.

Have rescue gear available - lines, ladder, a broken tree limb or spare tire could be used to extend your reach to someone who has fallen through the ice.

If the worst happens and you take a dip, you must act quickly to get out of the cold water. Your problem will be compounded if you're alone. While your clothing will provide some flotation, you must work fast before the effects of the icy water cloud your reasoning.

If you're in topnotch physical condition, you might be able to place your gloved hands on the ice and pull yourself out. Another method is to turn on your back and kick your feet and squirm out backwards.

Roll away from the hole until you feel the ice is safe, then stand and get to a warm place right away. If that place is your car and your car keys are in a pocket, grab for them immediately before your clothing freezes solid.

Don't put yourself in jeopardy if you are trying to save someone else who has fallen through the ice. Use any of the available equipment mentioned above to pull them out. If you must go onto the ice, crawl and spread your weight as much as possible. If you pass the victim a line, try to get him to tie the line around his waist.

Remember that a person pulled out of icy water may appear to be beyond help, b1,1t may still be saved using cold-water drowning revival procedures. Begin cardio-pulminary resuscitation and transport the victim to a hospital as soon as possible.

Several people die as the result of falling through the ice in Maine every winter. In most cases, respecting icecovered waters and taking these simple safety precautions would prevent these tragedies.

Proper Care Keeps Life In Old Boots The fishing season's long gone, duck hunting is winding down. Now's the time to be kind to your hip boots and

New "Look Out For Loons" Signs Available Thanks to the generosity of many lake Look Out associations and a few individuals, the Maine Audubon Society has printed a new series of LOOK OUT FOR LOONS signs. The hard yellow plastic signs measure 11" x 15" and carry a simple picture and message warning people not to disturb loons.

Help keep thl6 lake &ale la wildlife. Enjo,J Loon, al a Claance.

The new signs, available for $1.00 each, • Stay Away From Loon, on the Ww.« should be more visible and durable than the •Aldd Neaing Ateu • Retrieve Al Fi&hing Lile and Tackle lrcm the Wal.• former paper signs. Anyone interested in Loons are prolecled I.Wider aw.e and led«al low. I yoo '8e posting the new loon signs should contact anyooe disturoing loons, plea58 cal your local game warden. the Maine Loon Project, Maine Audubon Society, 118 US Route One, Box 6009, Falmouth, Maine 04105-6009. ....:........•...:.... ..:........:.. ·.. ·•····..·..··........... ·•···•······• ··· •··· ...................·..... ..... ··············-.-··,· ·········•.'•'•/•'······· ··:············,.:,•/•' '',,,• •,• •,•,••,•,··••,•,•·,·:···:···· ··:··::···· ··· ····:: •,•,•,•,•' , '•, ,•,•,·. ,··

waders so they aren't as stiff and cracked as an old tire the next time you need them.

As with any outdoor equipment, proper off-season storage is essential to avoid disappointment and possible replacement expenses.

Ideally at the end of each day they are used, and particularly when they are going to be stored for months, waders should be washed with a mild soap and water solution. This removes damaging sand, mud, salt, fish scales and the other sordid gunk likely to be on them. Then treat all rubber surfaces with a rubber protector.

To be sure there is no dampness inside, turn your boots inside out and hang them in a dry place with ample circulation. If they have innersoles, remove them and let them dry separately. As a general rule, do not use hair dryers to speed the drying process. The concentrated heat can damage the material.

If you must fold waders for storage, do not fold the boot portion. The boot becomes distorted if left for an extended period.

The best way to store hip boots or waders is to place them in a air-tight plastic bag and hang them vertically with the soles up. Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and excessive heat or oold.

Remember that rubber boots are susceptible to the harmful effects of ozone. Do not store them near electric motors or fluorescent lights. They emit ozone, which can cause vulcanized rubber to become hard and brittle.

Free Fishing Days Maine residents can try their hand at fishing two days in 1992 without needing a license.

..

February 16 and June 21, both Sundays, have been set as the two Free Fishing Days the law allows each year.

On a Free Fishing Day anyone who lives in Maine can go fishing on any of the state's inland waters sans the customary license. All other fishing rules remain in effect.

Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Bill Vail says that fishing is "one heck of a lot of fun, but there's more to it than simply catching fish. It's a great way to enjoy many of the other pleasures of a day in the Maine outdoors, and it's also a wonderful way to unwind and relax a bit. I hope a lot of Mainers take advantage of Free Fishing Day and discover this for themselves. The equipment is inexpensive, and fishing is truly a lifetime sport."

The commissioner's suggests that the beginning angler hook up with an experienced friend. "Keep it simple. Borrow or buy some basic equipment and go

out and try to catch some of the easy species, perch or pickerel for example.

They're abundant and easy to catchideal for the beginner."

Wildlife Importation Brochure Anyone planning a foreign vacation and contemplating bringing any critters back from abroad should write for a copy of "Facts About Federal Wildlife Laws," available free from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The 12-page brochure tells what you can and cannot import, and lists other helpful information. Single copies are available by sending a self-addressed, stamped business envelope to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Law Enforcement, 10600 Higgins Road, Suite 200, Rosemont, Illinois 60018-3770.

Bring wildlife into your classroom!

Project WILD, a multidisciplinary wildlife and conservation education program for grades K-12, helps teachers to bring, exciting, hands-on activities into every subject and skill area.

In the course of a 6hour workshop, teachers learn about Maine's wildlife, how to incorporate activities in the guides into their everyday lesson plans, have the opportunity to experience a variety of activities firsthand, and have fun! Contact Lisa Kane at 289-3303 for more information, or to schedule a workshop for your school or district.

'~ ~~~~~~~-Project WILD Update Project WILD recently passed a milestone in Maine: one thousand educators have now attended a Project WILD teacher training workshop.

Now in its third year in Maine and sponsored by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Project WILD is a national, award-winning wildlife and conservation education program for students in grades K-12.

Project WILD is introduced to teachers at 6-hour workshops presented by a corps of about 40 volunteer facilitators working under the direction of the department's natural science educator, Lisa Kane. Its goal is to help develop awareness, knowledge, skills and commitment to result in informed decisions, responsible behavior, and constructive actions concerning wildlife and the natural environment. As more educators are exposed to the lessons of Project WILD, and through them more students, future decisions about wildlife and the environment will be made by a better informed public.

Among the awards Project WILD has received is a recent one presented by President George Bush for excellence in Education and Communications as a recipient of his President's Environment and Conservation Challenge Award.

Winter 1991-92

31

Scouts, Beavers Team Up To Improve Trout Pond

by Paul J. Fournier Photos by Paul Johnson

Eure

trout fishing in a remote pond may improve, thanks to the volunteer efforts of a Green-ville boy scout troop and the enlistment of the help of three of nature's "engineers" - beavers.

On October 3, surrounded by colorful fall foliage at its peak, 13 members of Boy Scout Troop 120 carried the three beavers up a winding uphill trail for over a mile to the isolated pond. They hope the beavers will take up residence there and rebuild a traditional beaver dam at its outlet to help control the water level and maintain deeper, cooler water to enhance conditions for native trout. And the scouts themselves may have learned an valuable lesson in practical wildlife resource management.

The plan to se the scouts was initiated by Regional Fisheries Biologist Paul Johnson and Game Warden Roger Guay.

Johnson, who with his staff manages fisheries in several hundred lakes and ponds including Moosehead Lake in west-central Maine, became aware that trout fishing in the pond was declining since the loss of an old beaver dam on its outlet. Johnson said beaver had lived in the pond, and their dam maintained a constant high water level beneficial to the trout population, until about 10 years ago, when they moved away after evidently depleting their food supply.

The dam eventually deteriorated and washed away.

Replacing the dam with a man-made structure would be prohibitively expensive, given the pond's small size and remoteness, and would have required

The author is media coordinator for the Public Information Division.

Photographer Paul Johnson is the regional fisheries biologist in Greenville.

32

Maine Fish and Wildlife

Right: lashed between poles, live traps are carried in to the pond from the nearest road, one mile away. Below: scouts watch while Warden Roger Guay releases one of the animals.

special environmental studies and permits. A family of energetic beavers, he reasoned, could accomplish the same result at no expense.

The beaver were live-trapped in the Greenville area at a location where their dam was flooding a roadway, and would have routinely been relocated anyway, according to Warden Guay, who worked with the Wildlife Division

staff at the Greenville Regional Headquarters to trap the animals. Beaver can be a major problem in the fall, when they are busiest in building stick-andmud dams and lodges in preparation for the approaching winter, which they must spend under the ice.

The live-trapped beavers were kept in large cages overnight and fed their favorite food, poplar branches and leaves, which they continued to munch even as they were transported in the back of Warden Guay's truck, and up the trail by the scouts.

Upon arrival at the pond, the cages were opened one at a time and the beavers released to their new home. In each case, the beaver walked out slowly out of the cage, and began swimming and making shallow dives. As the scouts watched, all three beaver swam slowly along the shoreline in the direction of the pond's outlet.

A previous assessment of the pond area found that the type of trees favored by beavers as food, including young poplars, birches and alders, had regenerated around the pond's shorelines since the last family of beavers departed a decade ago, and it is felt there is sufficient available food for years to come.

The scouts, the biologists and the game warden have done what they can.

The rest is up to the beavers. â&#x20AC;˘

Congratulations to the following employees of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife who have served the department for 25 years or more.

39 Years Kendall Wamer, supervisor of fisheries research

Lowell W. Thomas, game warden sergeant

nd management

35 Years David 0. Locke, superintendent of fish hatcheries

34 Years Phil L. Dumond, district game warden Owen C. Fenderson, fisheries resources planner

27 Years W. Thomas Shoener, director of public information and education 26 Years Peter M. Bourque, director of fisheries and

hatcheries Warren A. Eldridge, wildlife biologist

32 Years Ray A. DeSandre, regional fisheries biologist H. William Vernon, chief game warden 30 Years Katherine Morgan, warden service secretary

29 Years Donald L. Gray, game warden sergeant Betty L. Jackson, wildlife division secretary

25 Years Thomas L. Carbone, photographer/exhibits and displays coordinator Gary G. Donovan, director of wildlife Gaynol L. Peary, district game warden Gary L. Pelletier, district game warden David 0. Sewall, game warden sergeant Dana W. Toothaker, game warden pilot Norman E. Trask, deputy commissioner

KID-BITS ANSWERS young young young young young young young young young young young young young young young young young young young young young young

bear = cub bass= fry bobcat= kitten owl = owlet goat= kid zebra = foal duck = duckling otter= pup goose = gosling turtle = hatchling deer = fawn salmon= smolt parrot = chick swan = cygnet frog = tadpole eagle = eaglet whale = calf turkey = poult fox= kit butterfly = larva kangaroo= joey dragonfly = nymph