Maine Fish and Wildlife Magazine, Spring 1993

NIAINE .

FISH AND WILDLIFE SPRING 1993

$3.50

Alert red fox

~AINE

FISH AND WILDLIFE Governor John R. McKernan, Jr.

Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Norman E. Trask, Acting Commissioner Frederick 8. 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

John Crabtree, Warren Chairman Eugene Churchill, Orland Vice Chairman Dr. Ogden Small, Caribou Alanson Noble, Otisfield, Carroll Cutting, East Sebago Gene Brown, Durham Thomas Jagger, Sanford Gary Cobb, North New Portland Wilmot Robinson, Millinocket Joseph Robbins, Machias

Maine Fish and Wildlife Magazine W. Thomas Shoener, Editor Thomas J. Chamberlain, Managing Editor Thomas L. Carbone, Photo Editor Denise M. Moore, Advertising All photographs in this Issue were made by the Public Information & Education Division unless otherwise indicated.

MAINE FISH AND WIIDUFE (ISSN 0360-00SX) Is published quarterly by the Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 284 State Street, Station 41, Augusta, Maine 04330, under Appropriation 01009A-0529. Subscription rate: $14.00 per year. No stamps, please. Second dass postage paid at Augusta, Maine and at addiUonal mailing offices. Š Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 1993.

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SPRING 1993

VOL. 35, NO. 1

Features The One That Didn't Get Away Club, 1992

2

From many big entries in the club last year -

Managing Maine's Brook Trout

here are the biggest!

3

by Forrest R. Bonney

Some history, some biology, and some proposals for Maine's favorite fish

6

The Porcupine

by Joe Kio/as

This peaceful mammal can be a comedian - from a distance!

Protecting Maine's Wildlife Habitat

10

by Richard L. Dressler

How our new Wildlife Habitat Group is coping with the need to identify critical habitat areas

Thanks For Calling!

13

by Charles-S. Allen IV

Operation Game Thief is still going strong in its fourth year - with your help!

Scarborough Marsh

18

by Philip A. Bozenhard

The lowdown on one of Maine's most popular wildlife management areas

Family Donations Protect Valuable Habitat

22

by Flis Schauffler

Three coastal islands are added to the Coast of Maine Wildlife Management Area

Trying Out My Flies In The neld

25

by Butch Carey

Our resident fly tyer goes afield in search of "the one that got away"

Salmon or Brown Trout?

29

Depa1t111ents 16

KID-BITS

FROM THE RY TYING BENCH: The Needle Smelt

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nsH AND WILDLIFE BRIEFS

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The Front Cover: "Little Boy Falls, Magalloway River, Maine." From the original watercolor by Rod Skidmore of South Freeport. Cover painting photo by MeMlle Mclean, Auburn, Maine.

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Printed with vegetable-based inks on recycled paper

The One That Didn't Get Away Club -1992 Outstanding freshwater fish caught In Maine last year and entered In The One That Didn't Get Away Club, run by The Maine Sportsman, PO Box 910, Yarmouth, ME 04096-0910. Entries must be certified by a game warden or fisheries biologist of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The Fish Brook Trout (Qualifying Weight 4 pounds) 6 entries In 1992

Brown Trout (Qualifying Weight 6 pounds) 17 entries In 1992

Lake Trout (Qualifying Weight 15 pounds) 11 entries In 1992

The Angler Jeffrey A.C. Taylor, Rockland Tracy J. Ripley, Augusta Jay Robinson, Woodville llus Knowles, Anson William Sharpe, Bangor Jeffrey Mark Jamison, Fairfield

Lbs. Length Oz. (In.) Date

Where Caught

Lure

6-8 4-12 4-8 4-5 4-3 4

261/4 19 21 22 181/2 19

4f7 1/8 7/28 9/27 4/28 5110

Meadow Brook, Rockland Messalonskee Lake, Sidney Celia Pond, T3-R10 Moosehead Lake Long Pond, Aurora Webb River, Carthage

live bait Maple Syrup nymph worms Colorado lure worm

John Carlton, Acton Bruce W. Hilton, Kennebunk Robert W. Fountaine, Poland Spring Todd Carlton, Acton Dennis Randall, Sanford Germaine Morrissette, South China

11-14 10-4 8-8 8-5 8-3 8

30 27 251/2 28 25 261/2

2/15 5123 4/16

2122 5131 613

Square Pond, Acton/Shapleigh Kennebunk Pond, Lyman Range Pond, Poland Square Pond Mousam Lake, Aton China Lake, China

live bait live shiner Grey Ghost live bait live bait shiner

Bill Sawyer, Newport Scott Gaboury, Winthrop Kevin Kent, Gorham Alvin Hanson, Calais Harry Gorrill, Danforth

24-8 22 20-8 18-12 17-8

391/4 37 341/2 38 36

5125 5122 7/5 2/21 5112

Moosehead Lake Churchill Lake Sebago Lake West Grand Lake East Grand Lake

sewed smelt smelt Moosebook Wobbler live shiner smelt

Bill Randall, Winthrop

6-9

241/2

9/30

Kennebec River, Wyman Dam

Wulff

Cy Eastlack, Oquossoc

7-7 6-6 6-6 6

261/2 241/2 25 23

9/29 9/27 9/30 1/1

Rangeley River, Oquossoc Long Pond, Belgrade Lakes Rangeley Lake Pleasant Lake

Hares Ear nymph worm streamer fly smelt

21-4

39

6/6

Sheepscot River, Alna

Muddler Minnow

6-8 5-8 5-3 5-2 5-1 5

21 1/4 21 1/2 21 20 18 1/2 20

8/22 6/20 9/19 9/6 8/23 5/25

West Pond, Parson field Sm. Boyd Pond, Milo Upper Range Pond, Poland Spring Androscoggin Lake, Leeds Meddybemps Lake Sebago Lake

Crazy Crawler Blue Fox Viberx Plain live bait Jitterbug Mepp's Baby Slug-Go

Patrick J. Therriault, Auburn Richard J. Mackie, Woolwich Galen Chambers, Gorham Arthur L. Abbott, Belfast Jim Landry, Livermore Falls David Metcalf, W Buxton Ted Sperdakos, Gray

9-14 9-9 9-6 8-6 8-2 7-9 7-8

24 24 231/2 241/2 24 231/4 221/2

8/14 4/3 7/11 2/23 7/19 2/22 6/29

Androscoggin Lake Jig & Pig Sewell Pond, Arrowsic 7 1/'Z' Black Shad Worm Sebago Lake Jitterbug Quantabacook, Searsmont live shiner Cobbosseecontee Lake, Monmouth red plastic worm Moose Pond, Bridgton live shiner rubber worm North Pond, Smithfield

Joseph Arsenault, Rumford Jimmy Rodrigue, Sanford Donald Briggs, Hallowell Robbie Taylor, Orrington Parrie F. Willette, Old Town Scott Kervin, Waterville Peter M. Rogers, S Berwick Paul J. Slipp, Princeton Ronald N. Breton, China

6-13 5-8 5-8 5-7 5-1 5 5 4-13 4-11

281/4 27 26 271/2 26 27 25 28 261/2

2/11 3/15 2/23 2/22 2/22 3/8 2/20 9/27 3/20

Androscoggin Lake, Wayne Great East Lake Cobbosseecontee Lake Phillips Lake, Lucerne Spectacle Pond, Aurora Messalonskee Lake, Oakland Great East Lake, Acton St. Croix River China Lake

red fin shiner live shiner live bait red fin shiner shiner live bait live shiner Yellow Tail Mr. Twister live shiner

Bill Randall, Winthrop Omar Roberts, Jr., Dexter Rebert Potter, Palermo Wayde R. Carter, Ellsworth Shirley Conklin, Milo Danny W. Doyon, Waterville

2-13 2-2 2-1 2 2 1-15

17 14 3/4 15 3/8 15 1/4 14 151/2

3/8 7/9 2/16 8/23 2/18

Torsey Pond Wassokeag Lake, Dexter China Lake Great Pond, Franklin Branns Mill Pond, Dover-Foxcroft Snow Pond, Oakland

shiner shiner shiner worm shiner

23-12 21-12 19-12 15-3

44 45 42 40

3/18 9/12 1/25 1/10

Great Pond, Belgrade Lakes North Pond, Smithfield Great Pond North Pond, Smithfield

shiner Lazy Ike jumbo shiner live shiner

2-8 2-7

16 1/8 15 1/2

3/26 4/26

Sebago Lake Sebago Lake

minnow

Rainbow Trout (Qualifying Weight 5 pounds) 1 entry In 1992

Landlocked Salmon (Qualifying Weight 6 pounds) 4 entries In 1992

Bobby Herzing, Belgrade Lakes Walter Willey, Fairfield Scott Adams, Veazie

Atlantic Salmon (Qualifying Weight 15 pounds)

William A Debray, Richmond

1 entry In 1992

Smallmouth Bass (Qualifying Weight 5 pounds) 6 entries In 1992

Largemouth Bass (Qualifying Weight 7 pounds) 13 entries In 1992

Pickerel (Qualifying Weight 4 pounds) 15 entries In 1992

White Perch (Qualifying Weight 1 1/2 pounds) 12 entries In 1992

Northern Pike (Qualifying Weight 15 pounds) 4 entries In 1992

Norris McElwain, E Wakefield, NH Sesan Boyd, Norridgewock Robert R. Reynolds, Yarmouth Meddy J. Payette, Woonsocket, RI Wendy R. Moffitt, Machias Timothy S. Roy, Jr., Eliot

Michael C. Heino, Belgrade Lakes Marc T. Auger, Lyman Maurice Bedard, Biddeford Phil Bolduc, Augusta

Black Crappie (Qualifying Weight 2 pounds) 2 entries in 1992

Dick Arsenault, Gorham Bob Long, Raymond

818

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L

ake trout are bigger, salmon jump higher, rainbows are more colorful and brown trout more of a challenge to catch, yet the brook trout is the coldwater fish that holds the

Their widespread distribution and availability make brook trout a favorite of children and casual anglers, but it is the intricacies of their behavior and feeding habits which attract the seasoned angler - who will run a gauntlet of complicated special

liberal regulations and for conservative regulations. In the end, though, we must base our recommendations and decisions on biology, the underlying principle of which is to protect the species from overharvest.

Managing Maine's Brook Trout

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by Forrest R. Bonney

affection of a majority Maine anglers. It is also more commonly found than the others, in almost any Maine brook, river, pond, or stream that is cold, clean, and relatively free of competing warmwater fish.

Within its broad habitat requirements, the brook trout is wonderfully adept at making itself at home. In small, cold streams, it may live its entire life without growing to be more than six inches long. Where food and habitat conditions are more hospitable, it may grow to be several pounds. If necessary, trout will migrate seasonally to seek out their required habitat and food supply.

regulations, bad roads, bugs, expensive fishing equipment, and bad weather to pull a prize brookie from an isolated stream or remote pond (often to admire it, remove the hook, and carefully let it go again). For if small brookies are relatively abundant and easy to catch, large ones are as rare and as difficult to catch a fact that encourages a natural angling progression from childhood to adulthood, from worms to flies, from quantity to quality.

This range of expectations contributes to the complexity of managing brook trout in Maine. As fishery biologists, we are lobbied for less stocking and for more stocking, for

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wide range in brook trout growth rates has necessarily resulted in a large number of special regulations to protect them throughout Maine's wide range of habitat. Add increased angler use and improved access to once remote waters to this situation and the need for more restrictive regulations becomes obvious. Statewide angler questionnaires and angler interview surveys indicate that both angler

The author is the assistant regional fisheries biologist in Region D, headquartered in Strong. He has served as the Fisheries Division's brook trout species author since 1989.

Spring 1993

3

use and brook trout harvest have more than doubled in the last decade.

In response to increased fishing pressure, the general law daily bag limit has been gradually reduced from 25 brook trout in 1915 to five today. The number of special regulations aimed at protecting brook trout has also increased dramatically over the years. For example, the number of fly fishing only waters has increased by 40 percent since 1965, and the number of lakes where only artificial lures may be used has increased from none in 1965 to over 50 today. The number of waters with 2-trout limits has increased sharply from none in 1975 to over 200, and the number of special minimum length limits of both 10 and 12 inches has increased dramatically.

Restrictive regulations have been imposed primarily on lakes with wild brook trout populations, both to improve size quality and to assure that an adequate number of fish survive long enough to spawn. On lakes where the brook trout fisheries are mainly dependent on stocking, special low limits are employed for a different reason: to distribute the catch over a longer period and among more anglers.

For this reason, nine southern Maine counties currently have a 2-brook trout creel limit on lakes; three of them also have an 8-inch limit on brookies.

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Maine Fish and Wildlife

Trapnetting is among the ways fisheries biologists gather information needed to monitor trout populations.

Although many would argue that these regulations are complicated and unwieldy, the fact that they are effective is sÂľpported by harvest and growth data indicating that the quality of brook trout fishing in Maine has been maintained or improved despite increasing angler use.

If natural reproduction is lacking or inadequate, all the fishing regulations in the world can not guarantee a brook trout fishery. In many Maine waters, there are no gravelly areas in which trout can successfully spawn, even though the habitat for adult fish may be adequate.

Enter the stocking program.

For decades, hatcheries have served the role of hatching and rearing eggs from trout and other coldwater fish species. Of Maine's 1,010 brook trout lakes, 457 are stocked because of insufficient natural reproduction. The majority, 322, are stocked with fall fingerlings, which usually overwinter in the wild before becoming vulnerable to anglers the following spring.

In 147 waters, however, spring yearlings are stocked. These fish are held over in the hatchery an extra winter to attain larger size, which helps them compete in waters with warmwater fish

species. Fewer than 100 streams are stocked annually because they usually have an abundance of spawning habitat and a limited amount of adult habitat.

The standards used for stocking brook trout in Maine waters were summarized in "Guidelines to Fish Stocking in Maine" (Maine Fish and Wildlife, Summer 1992). Prominent in that summary is the fact that we, as managers, "give preference to wild brook trout populations where they exist, and efforts are made to preserve them through regulatory protection. Because of the possible loss of genetic integrity, hatchery-reared brook trout ... that are derived from nonindigenous stocks are not introduced in waters where wild populations of these species are reproducing successfully."

Maine has 432 such lakes and ponds, located primarily in the northwestern part of the state.

In waters that are stocked, the highest priority is given to those capable of supporting brook trout but which have insufficient natural reproduction to provide good fishing. These waters are stocked with small fish (primarily fall fingerlings) that have the potential to grow to attractive size. Of the 800,000 or so brook trout stocked annually in Maine,

about 85 percent are fall fingerlings, which are about six months old and five to seven inches long at stocking. Spring yearlings, averaging seven to 11 inches in size, are stocked in waters with marginal water quality and/ or competition from other species, which results in poor survival of smaller stocked brook trout.

E

valuation of Maine's brook trout populations, whether wild or stocked, is ongoing and never ending. Fisheries biologists evaluate the performance of stocked fish, the effect of fishing pressure and changes in regulations through information derived from angler interviews, nettings, and electrofishing on as many waters as possible. For stocked populations, we analyze the results of different stocking rates and the performance of different genetic strains. For wild populations, we must assure that they are not being harvested to the point where natural reproduction cannot be sustained.

Having met these basic guidelines, there is opportunity to provide a diversity of angling opportunity through special regulations which may, for example, encourage a quality fishery through severe restrictions, including catch and release.

Not to be overlooked in the role of brook trout management is the importance of environmental laws, which are responsible

Mature male {above) and female brook trout in spawning coloration.

for the protection of fish habitat.

Aside from the illegal introduction of competing fish species, there is no greater threat to brook trout populations than the destruction of their habitat.

Pollution, siltation, and the warming of water through the loss of shade eliminate trout populations as surely as overfishing, and are much more difficult to reverse.

Another form of "pollution" is the spread of unwanted fish species into brook trout waters.

While these species are valued as game fish in their own right, their spread to brook trout waters often leads to the demise of the coldwater fisheries. Nolive-fish-as-bait regulations are in effect on many of our trout waters to prevent the inadvertent introduction of competing fish species by anglers using bait.

The intense interest that Maine anglers have for the brook

trout is evident from the amount of effort that they spend fishing for them and the concern they express for their well being. This enthusiasm is especially evident at public hearings for proposed regulation changes, where anglers argue passionately for rules which will provide the quality of fishing they have come to cherish. Most heartening is the role that individual anglers and organizations such as Trout Unlimited, Maine Trout, and local fish and game clubs have played in advancing the cause of a diversified fishery and assisting in the collection of information through the voluntary angler booklet program. In a time of increased angler activity and losses in fisheries management and enforcement personnel through governmental downsizing, brook trout populations will benefit more than ever from an involved angling public. •

7 Consider, if you will, the porcupine: A solitary beast and saturnine, A paragon of peaceful indolence, Some little bark his humble need contents.

Slow to anger, he will gladly flee, But if he's struck, then back he strikes most pointedly!

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If

you live in the Maine countryside you've probably got porcupines for neighbors. They are very common and not hard to find.

You might come across one on the ground, bristling and clattering in preparation for defense, a display that discourages most humans and experienced dogs from a closer inspection. Or you might spot a porcupine, a plump, bear-like silhouette at dusk, high among the smallest branches of a hardwood tree. A common clue to a their presence in the winter is the deep, V-shaped trough they leave as they plow awkwardly through the snow leading

6

Maine Fish and Wildlife

from a den tree to a hemlock grove of feed trees.

Let's consider this strange neighbor of ours.

The name "porcupine" means "spiny pig," which is not very helpful because, while the animal is certainly spiny, it does not much resemble a pig.

The scientific name of our porcupine, Erethizon dorsatum, is better. It means "irritable back." The Abnaki Indians of Maine and Eastern Canada, with less science but more music in their tongue called the animal "madawehsoos" (mii-dii-weh-soos) and there are towns in Maine and New Brunswick with the mellifluous name of Madawaska, which means "place of the porcupines."

The Porcupine

by Joe Klofas Human curiosity has always stuck firmly on the quills of this shy mammal. Of course everyone knows that the porcupine can shoot his quills. The learned among us could quote, as evidence, Pliny's Historia Naturalis, written in the 1st century AD and Englished thus by Holland in 1601: "The porkpen hath the longer sharp pointed quilles, and those, when he stretcheth his skin, he sendeth and shooteth from him."

Well, like many of the things that everyone knows, this is untrue. The porcupine can no more shoot its quills than you can shoot your hair. In fact, a quill is a modified hair that grows from a root that closes off when the quill is fully developed. This leaves the quill loosely attached in the flesh, so loosely attached that around dens and feed trees you can often find quills that have merely fallen out. When a porcupine loses a quill the spot usually does not bleed and quills that are lost are replaced.

The quills are not long. The longest that I have is not quite three inches. An adult porcupine has about 30,000 of them fretfully defending him or her, at a rate of 100 per square inch on the head and powerful tail, and 140 per square inch on the rest of the body. Most of them are white for three quarters of their length and black at the pointed end, although some are all black.

The quill's pointed end is not barbed as a fishhook is barbed (as is often claimed) but has scales, like fish scales, covering most of the black point.

Those tiny scales, which cannot be seen without a magnifying glass, hold fiercely to anything the quills get stuck into, and they alone are the reason it takes pliers and surprising force to pull quills from a luckless dog's flews.

A quill feels like a piece of hollow plastic and, while it is very sharp, it is not very hard, so in spite of all the porcupines run over on the highways of New England every year it is unlikely that any quill ever punctured a tire.

A porcupine with all his quills erect and threatening is a fearful sight, but most of the time this large rodent is more comical than formidable.

When his quills are relaxed and only the dense underfur and long guard hairs are visible he looks like a very soft little bear.

Porcupines come in all the colors between brown and black. The guard hairs are sometimes silver and can make the animal seem almost green, like the patina on old bronze. Like bears, raccoons, badgers, beavers, and man the porcupine is a plantigrade animal, which means that he walks flat-footed, with his heels touching the ground. His bristly tail often whisks away his footsteps as it sweeps from side to side behind him.

A porcupine's usual gait is very slow and pigeon-toed. When he tries to run, that awkward, chubby amble becomes ridiculous, but not much faster.

A porcupine will attack neither man nor beast.

To defend himself he bristles up his quills (the same reaction that raises the hackles on a dog's neck) and keeps his broad back squarely to the face of his antagonist. If that warning is not heeded and the enemy advances still closer the porcupine thrashes his strong tail at the aggressor. Usually that gets his point(s) across and there's an end. The porcupine will always choose flight over fight and, though well armed, is a confirmed pacifist with no need nor use for courage.

The average adult porcupine is about 18 inches tall at the back and 30 inches long in the body, has a six to ten inch tail and weighs about 15 pounds.

The females weigh less than the males and, except when the female's nipples show at nursing time, it is impossible to tell a male from a female by a casual examination.

Porcupines are solitary animals and, although occasionally more than one will share a den in the The author is a freelance writer who lives in Bridgton.

He became interested in porcupines when he made the "happy discovery one winter that if you follow a porcupine's track through the snow you will come to the porcupine."

Spring 1993

7

winter, they are commonly found in pairs only during the breeding season, which lasts from September into December.

How porcupines mate is a question to arouse the curiosity of even the most modest among us. Few have ever witnessed the act, and to my knowledge no one has ever seen it in the wild. According to David Costello in his fine book The World of the Porcupine, the animals mate with the female on all fours and the male standing behind her, erect on his hind legs and supporting himself with his tail, and not using his fore limbs to hold the female.

The female gives birth on the ground to one offspring a year, called a "porcupette." Apparently she makes no nest. The gestation period is seven months, so most porcupettes are born in April, May or June.

At birth the animal weighs about a pound, is 11 to 12 inches long and has a two-and-a-half inch tail.

The porcupette is born with eyes open and with

quills that are useful as soon as they are dry. The instincts to raise those quills and thrash that little tail are present at birth.

I have found only one very young animal in the woods. He was a perfect little reproduction of the adult except that he was all charcoal grey, and when he flattened his leathery back to defend himself his quills were tiny and thinly spaced. He crawled through the fems and hid among the roots of an elm tree. When he could stand no more inspection from me he climbed that tree quickly and expertly to a branch about 20 feet from the ground, at the end of which, to my surprise, was mama, looking big and black and sleeping unconcerned in the warm June sun. When he reached her she bristled up slightly and turned on the thin branches so that his head was to her middle and his sturdy little tail hung off the branch near her handsome face. Five minutes later the young one left her side, climbed onto another limb and fell asleep, the disagreeable incident quite forgotten it seemed.

The female suckles her young for six or seven weeks and stays close for a few weeks more. The porcupette spends much of its time on the ground, but its mother rarely leaves the protection of the trees until almost nightfall. After those few weeks of childhood, the young porcupine is on its own.

An

A porcupine's main defense is the quills, shown attached to the animal's business end, and attached to something else something that got too close (inset)!

8

Maine Fish and Wildlife

adult porcupine, awkward and oafish on the ground, can climb a tree with astonishing agility and ease. Using its sharp, black claws (four on each front foot and five on each back foot) and muscular tail for support the porcupine always ascends head first and backs down the trunk of a tree. Unlike the bear which climbs with its back feet, the front feet merely holding the animal in place, the porcupine climbs with his front feet. He reaches up, one front foot at a time and then pulls his body up behind, anchoring his back claws in the trunk, then he reaches up again, one foot at a time and pulls himself up again and so on. High in a tree he will nibble among the smallest branches with a surefooted confidence and slow grace that deserts him as soon as his black feet touch the ground again.

A porcupine has an acute sense of smell and touch, and seems to hear quite well too, but he is hopelessly nearsighted, and beyond a few yards probably sees only blurred forms. Small wonder that the porcupine is as unobtrusive as he can be and seems to understand quite clearly that he is far safer in the trees than on the ground. You can get quite close to a porcupine

in a tree if you're just a little careful. His sensitive face, famous quills and dexterous feet are worth the trouble it takes to get a close look.

In the spring and summer porcupines do not use a den but move around at night, staying in the trees, often in the dense lower branches, during the daylight. They eat the inner bark of many hardwood trees during this time and are especially fond of sugar maples and quaking aspen. They also like succulent pond plants like lily pads and sedges. In the fall porcupines are fond of apples and a good place to see the "spiny pig'' is at an apple orchard. Sit quietly in the orchard near the woods at dusk, and if you're lucky one might waddle by in that worried, introspective way they have.

A feed tree is easy to spot. Many of its branches will be cropped and stubby and nearly leafless. A porcupine strips a branch of twigs, leaves and leaf veins, unlike most insects and caterpillars, which leave the veins of the leaves on the twigs. There will be fibrous, woody pellets and probably a few quills at the base of the tree, and if you look closely at the trunk itself you will see the gouges made by those strong claws when the animal climbs up and down.

Porcupines do kill feed trees and can, therefore, be very destructive. Every ten or twenty years there seems to be a population surge that is not much understood. Especially during these peak periods they can do enough damage to enough trees to drive some folks to kill them.

Other than man, the porcupine has only one effective predator, the fisher. This large, dark brown cousin to the weasel, after nearly being exterminated in New England for its silky pelt and by degradation of its forest habitat, is making a comeback in the Northeast, helped partly by lots of porcupines to eat.

The question of how fishers get around the prickly matters and to the meal was answered by Dr. Malcolm Coulter, a retired University of Maine wildlife professor who studied fishers. He said they kill porcupines by repeated attacks to the head region, circling their well-armed prey, then dashing in for the strike. Once the porcupine succumbs, the fisher feeds either on the underside, where there are no quills, or at the head and neck, where they are less a problem than elsewhere. Many fishers carry quills from their porcupine encounters, sometimes deeply embedded in their flesh and organs, but usually without apparent harm.

Porcupines spend the days of winter in dens. These dens are usually in hollow, old trees, but they will also den among rocks and on the ground if there is

sufficient cover and privacy. The same den is often used for generations.

The porcupine is not a tidy animal and a new den is soon spilling woody pellets onto the snow at the base of the tree. The pile around the tree grows deep and is a fertile spot for mushrooms in the fall.

Early one spring when the woods were still full of snow I located a den by the not unpleasant, rich, fermenting-wood smell of the pellets alone.

If you track a porcupine through the snow to his den he will sometimes whimper exactly like a puppy, sometimes his teeth will chatter and always he'll show you that horrent backside.

The animal comes out at dusk to feed and by dawn is usually back in his den although sometimes a porcupine spends whole winter days in the trees, even during storms. Through this season of hunger for many woodland animals the porcupine lives primarily on hemlock needles and bark, a bland but bountiful diet. The snow around hemlock feed trees is always littered with the boughs that the porcupine snips off, and these boughs excuse some of the damage the porcupine does because they must help many animals, particularly deer, through this most difficult season.

The

Abnaki Indians, who had a use for most things, used dyed porcupine quills to decorate their reed baskets and birch bark containers.

Though the colors have faded in the sunlight, good examples of this ingenious and beautiful craftsmanship can be seen in the Abbe Indian Museum at the Sieur de Monts Spring in Bar Harbor, a part of Acadia National Park. These Indians also roasted the madawehsoos whole, burned off the quills and ate the meat. The meat and liver of porcupines are said to be delicious, particularly in the fall when the animals are feeding on acorns and beechnuts. Other than the adventuresome souls who eat might eat him, we have no use for the porcupine, and he certainly has no use nor need for us.

The porcupine is blithely indifferent to heat and cold, to wet and dry, and is fat in the worst of weather. His survival seems guaranteed as long as there are dark nights to amble in and trees to eat.

His slow pace and myopic reticence make him a rewarding study for the naturalist that hides in all of us. So take a walk at dusk and perhaps you'll meet this strange neighbor of ours, the guileless porcupine. • Spring 1993

9

Protecting Iv.l~in as by_,Richard L. Dressler

What

do the Marine Oil Spill Prevention, Planning and Response Act, Natural Resources Protection Act, Land Use Regulation Commission, Endangered Species Act, .Northern Forest Land Council, and the Gulf of Maine Council have in common?

They all require the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to identify Maine's important wildlife habitats. Combine these needs with wildlife habitat information required for the department's species assessments and management systems, as well as numerous permit reviews and requests from private and public groups, and you begin to understand the overwhelming nature of the demands for wildlife habitat information. All of these efforts are focused on one basic concern, minimizing the loss of wildlife habitat in the state of Maine.

Recognizing the importance of efficient management of habitat information, in October 1991 the Wildlife Division created a new

10

Maine Fish and Wildlife

group within its Resource Assessment Section to act as a focal point for addressing the many and diverse needs for wildlife habitat information. The new unit, known as the Wildlife Habitat Group, was initially staffed by two current department wildlife biologists; a third biologist, paid from the Maine Coastal and Inland Surface Oil Clean-up Fund, was soon added to work exclusively on oil spill issues.

The new Wildlife Habitat Group was faced with several major tasks, including: coordinating development and implementation of wildlife habitat inventories; managing wildlife habitat information, and transferring information to various users; implementing habitat protection initiatives; and, providing expertise on monitoring habitats. Obviously, a staff of three cannot accomplish such broad tasks unassisted, and, to that end, planners, regional wildlife biologists, species specialists and others in the

Wildlife Division continue to play key roles.

Two

major tasks that required the Habitat Group's immediate attention were identification of sensitive coastal areas for Maine's marine oil spill contingency plan and development of a rehabilitation plan for wildlife encountering spilled oil.

Our oil spill biologist is currently working with wildlife species specialists and regional biologists to identify important coastal wildlife habitats that would need protection in the event of marine oil spills. This information is being entered on the state Geographic Information System (GIS), a computerized mapping and spatial analysis system capable of manipulating large amounts of complex geographic (i.e., wildlife habitat)

The author is leader of the department's Wildlife Habitat Group, headquartered in Bangor.

Wildlife Habitat Marine Wildlife, Yarmouth, Maine

Coastal wildlife habitats are being identified for marine oil spill response and protection as Essential or Significant Habitats.

Habitat Group biologists are using the Geographic Information System (GIS) to map coastal wildlife habitat.

This particular map depicts a portion of coastal York County.

Map courtesy Maine GIS.

•

Harbor Seal Haulout

Marine Birds

Water

information. Resource information entered in the GIS will also be used to assess oil spill damage.

We are also working with the Department of Environmental Protection to develop a wildlife rehabilitation plan to handle wildlife affected by a marine oil spill. Rehabilitation facilities, materials, equipment, and volunteers are currently being prepared to respond to oil spills along Maine's coast.

Meanwhile, the Habitat Group has also been assessing the current status of habitat information in the Wildlife Division. Based on this assessment, a habitat information management system will be developed to improve and update existing habitat databases and facilitate distribution of information to where it is needed.

GIS capabilities will be used to facilitate management of habitat maps and geographic information. The process has just begun, and still has~ long way to go!

The

Habitat Group has also begun work to assist in mapping habitats that will be protected under various state laws, such as the Endangered Species Act (Essential Habitat for endangered or threatened species) and Natural Resource Protection Act (Significant Wildlife Habitat for example, deer wintering areas, seabird nesting islands and wading bird/ waterfowl habitat). Criteria are being developed by department biologists, including Habitat Group personnel, to define these habitats. Existing information related to these habitats is being prepared by the Habitat Group for entry on the GIS to facilitate habitat mapping and protection.

As habitats are identified and maps are produced, the Habitat Group will be responsible for distribution of maps and associated data.

Habitat Group staff are also working cooperatively with Land Use Regulation Commission staff and department regional biologists to produce upgraded maps (scale 1:24,000) of deer wintering areas. In addition, we are providing information for a wildlife habitat study being conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in northern New England.

Deer wintering habitats are being mapped for protection by the Land Use Regulation Commission or as Significant Habitat.

12

Maine Fish and Wildlife

To use the GIS for many of the tasks described above, Habitat Group personnel have had to learn to operate the computer system and software. From using GIS to map the annual moose kill by town to coordinating with U.S. Forest Service on the 199394 forest resurvey; from creating master files of aerial photos used by department biologists to coordinating department input to the Northern Forest Lands study; from attending workshops to learn GIS technology to exploring new technology to assess wildlife habitat by remote sensing (satellites); the new Habitat Group has had a busy first year!

Future efforts will require looking at the need for collection of new or updated habitat information. Analysis of existing moose and bear telemetry data with the addition of land cover maps produced with satellite imagery may provide a better understanding of habitat requirements of these species.

Department studies on a variety of other species, such as the spotted and Blanding' s turtles, will require new approaches to habitat identification and use of GIS techniques to map areas of essential habitat. Many challenges lie ahead as the Wildlife Division moves into a more active role of habitat protection and management to maintain the wildlife populations of Maine. •

Editor's note: In addition to the author, formerly the Cervid Project Leader, the Habitat Group is staffed by Mark A. Caron, who transferred from the Bear Project, and Roger D. Applegate (Oil Spill Biologist), previously a temporary department employee.

I992 in Revie~

Thanks For Calling!!

0

peration Game Thief (OCT), now over three and one-half years old, has again proven to be a most successful and effective enforcement tool for Maine game wardens. The program has also served as a painful reminder that poaching is a year-round and increasing problem in Maine. Clearly, poaching is everyone's problem because the poacher is a thief and is stealing our fish and wildlife resources. The apprehension of the poacher needs to involve a joint effort between Maine's wardens and its citizens.

Citizen involvement is the essential ingredient in this process. Without it our efforts to stem the increase in poaching is severely compromised. With only 82 game wardens now patrolling the woods and waters of Maine, it is more important than ever that responsible citizens be aware of and report any signs of poaching by calling 1-800ALERT-US. Let's take a quick look (Table 1) at how well Maine's citizens did during 1992 in reporting poachers through Operation Game Thief: Table 1: Summary of OGT Activities for 1992 Complaints of Poaching Total Number of Arrests Made Number of $1000 Arrests Made* Those Wishing to Remain Anonymous Those Requesting Rewards Amount Approved for Rewards **

n8 196 84 567 197 $8150

• Maine statutes provide for a mandatory penalty of $1000 fines and a minimum of three days in jail for conviction of major violations such as night hunting, illegal possession of deer, bear, moose.

•• Not all rewards for cases during 1992 have been approved as of this writing, so the amount of rewards indicated will eventually be substantially higher.

Total OCT complaints for 1992 reflect a 25 percent increase over those received during 1991.

by Charles S. Allen IV Increases in almost all of the major poaching categories, as reported to OCT, were observed, and these increases represent a most disturbing trend. These increases are presented in Table 2.

Exaµ1ining only night hunting complaints, for example, two points should be noted: First, night hunting complaints for 1991 were up 17 percent above 1990, and for 1992, up *'~N··\ 10 percent over 1991; these figures ·~~@~j1!1~}i!li\:=:· definitely support the belief that this

e~~:~ :f~¥~~~?~~:~~:: 2

.~>·

and 1992, night hunting of deer was reported during 23 of the 24 months! Sadly, 65 percent of all OCT calls received during 1992 Table 2: Rate of Increase of Major Poaching Complaints for 1992 over Those Received in 1991 Driving Deer Exceed Bag limit/Deer Illegal Possession/Deer Illegally Hunt/Moose Illegal Possession/Moose Night Hunting Sunday Hunting

+ 170% +86% +69% +22% + 14% + 10% +50%

involved the illegal taking or illegal possession of deer. These facts alone should be of grave concern to all of us who enjoy this precious and important wildlife resource. The other increases are indeed worrisome. The question becomes, how much longer can this trend continue?

Our fisheries resources do not escape the poacher either. Combining all OCT reports of illegal fishing The author, a district warden in Division C in Bangor, is also statewide coordinator for Operation Game Thief.

Spring 1993

13

(fishing in closed season, over-the-limit, gill netting, etc.) shows an equally disturbing fact. Although the numbers of these complaints remained essentially the same from 1991 to 1992, illegal fishing complaints were reported in all 12 months of 1992. Not one of our resources escapes the greed of the poacher.

Apprehensions of poachers are up substantially over previous yea.rs. This is the result of excellent information provided by concerned citizens and outstanding game warden work. Although all reports are not in as of this writing, a total of 196 OCT-originated arrests were made by game war-

18 for doe deer violations, and others including illegal possession of gift deer and moose, fishing arrests and numerous others.

S

ince the inception of OGT in May of 1989, a total of 2,826 poaching complaints have been received through OCT. Night hunting continues to be the most-reported act of poaching, accounting for 26 percent of the total calls! Maine game wardens have made a total of 610 arrests; of these, 259 were for $1000 violations!

In terms of rewards, almost $30,000 has been awarded for informa.tion leading to the apprehension of poachers, every dollar of which was raised through donations to the pro-

Wardens never know just how far "over the limit" poachers will go until they finish their investigation!

dens (up 84 arrests from 1991). Of these arrests, 84 were for $1000 violations (up 46 arrests from 1991).

The major OCT-originated apprehensions are presented in Table 3.

All of the above arrests resulted in a minimum of $1000 fines and three days in jail for the poacher. In addition to these 84 arrests for major violations, game wardens made 112 other arrests for a total of 196 OCT-originated arrests. Some of these included 29 deer registration violations, 21 for driving deer, Table 3: OGT Arrests for $1000 Violations During 1992 Illegal Possession of Deer Illegal Possession of Moose Night Hunting Killing Deer In Closed Season

Possession Deer Killed In Nighttime Exceeding Bag Limit on Deer Illegally Hunt Moose

14

23 20

14 10

7

Hunting Deer in Closed Season

5 3 2

Total $1000.00 Arrests

84

Maine Fish and Wildlife

gram. Essentially, these arrests would never have been possible were it not for citizens reporting the violations through Operation Game Thief.

This past year also produced a first in the Operation Game Thief program. The maximum reward of $1000.00 was awarded to a caller for information leading to the arrest of three individuals. The facts of this case bear mentioning. Briefly, a concerned citizen called 1-800-ALERT-US and reported shots being fired in a particular area during a November evening. The game warden was notified by the OGT dispatcher and immediately responded.

Shortly after arriving near the scene and concealing his vehicle, the warden observed a vehicle stop, two subjects get out and load two deer into the trunk, and then speed off. Following without lights, the warden pulled in behind the vehicle as it drove into a residence. Further investigation revealed one deer in the cellar of the residence and parts of two in a shed; a total of one doe and four fawn deer!

Eighteen charges were brought against the three men, nine of which were for $1000 violations. Upon conviction, this could mean more than $10,000 in fines and at least nine days in jail!

Let's look at a few other apprehensions this past year that were possible only because of OCT calls.

playing blaze orange and one for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon!

• Acting on an OGT tip that two subjects had shot an illegal moose, game wardens investigated and found that not only a moose had been shot, but deer as well. Four individuals were charged and convicted with illegal possession of deer, illegal possession of moose, possession of gift deer, and illegal possession of two Canada geese.

These are just a few of the many quality apprehensions that were possible only through excellent citizen involvement. Give game wardens good information and we will do all we can do to apprehend the poacher.

>.

.D 0 ~

s::.

a.

The game collection of someone who doesn't know what STOP means!

• A caller reported four individuals ice fishing on a closed pond. A warden responded, apprehended and charged four men with fishing in closed waters, one for fishing without a license, and he seized several trout.

• During March, a caller reported that an individual had shot a doe and lamb deer. Wardens investigated and charged and convicted four individuals with possess'ion of deer killed in closed season.

• A concerned citizen reported a poacher had shot a moose in closed season. Game wardens, after a lengthy investigation, charged and convicted four individuals with possession of moose in closed season.

• Acting on an OGT call, and serving a search warrant, wardens charged two individuals with possession of four illegal deer, 77 trout over-thelimit and 72 short trout!

• A caller reported to OGT that several hunters were driving deer nearby. A game warden responded and apprehended seven hunters, charging them all with driving deer, and one for not dis-

0

peration Game Thief cannot work without a high degree of citizen involvement.

Last year's results clearly indicate an outstanding level of public support.

That support is needed now more than ever for two basic reasons. First, we know that poaching is occurring year-round and at an increasing rate.

And second, the ranks of the Maine Warden Service are at the lowest level in many years. Maine game wardens need the "eyes" and "ears" of the public to help us stem the increase in poaching in Maine - without this support, our hands are tied and our fish and wildlife resources will be severely jeopardized.

Please help us make a difference. If you observe or know of poaching, call 1-800-ALERT-US. You may remain completely anonymous and collect a cash reward of up to $1000.

Your financial help is also needed. You should know that no state funds are expended in this program with the exception of the cost of the tollfree phone line. Financial support comes from contributions from sportsmens' groups, civic groups and concerned citizens. As stockholders, support of Operation Game Thief is an investment • in our fish and wildlife resources.

Editor's note: The author is available to travel anywhere in the state to speak to groups about Operation Game Thief. He may be contacted at Division C headquarters in Bangor, telephone 1-800-322-2033. Also, tax-deductible donations to this program may be made by sending a check to: Operation Game Thief, Inc. P0Box2684 Augusta ME 04338.

Your contribution is vitally important to the continued operation of this effective deterrent to ... the theft of Maine's fish and wildlife resources.

Spring 1993

15

ACROSS

SPRING THINGS

1. Small rare shorebird with black "necklace" 5. Small brightly colored birds that migrate to Maine for spring and summer 8. A layer for winter warmth 9. Lion in the sky 13. Tidbits to lure fish 14. One of the first warmwater fish to spawn in spring 16. It begins to become this in the spring 17. Gone from the spring air 19. Heart, lung, liver - each is one of these 20. The spring "color'' DOWN 2. The chickadee's spring song 3. To reap, you must first do this 4. Plant feeding and footing 5. A small, longbilled gamebird known for trick flying 6. The most important food for Maine's landlocked salmon 7. This small mammal changes from white to brown to blend in with spring surroundings • 8. June 20 is Fathers Day. In Maine, what else does it mean?

Id be sent to.

I 10. Kept loose and moist, it feeds our plants and supports them as they grow Mail shOU e & usa f(ane, 11. Small yellow flowered plant found blooming in everyone's lawn oenise Moori t station 41 12. When this clears from your lake, it's spring fishing time!

84 state stree I 4333 15. Lots of these kind of days in springtime!

2 _.a Maine 0 18. Insect-eating plants grow here AugLJ:,,, '

Use this leffer chart to help you answer our fish and wildlife questions.

I swim to Greenland to grow for up to four years.

then return to Maine to spawn (reproduce).

I'm a winged predator that eats lots of mosquitoes during the summer.

An agile mammal I often prey upon porcupines.

fff,itt~

Alaska is 'lhe only state w~ a greater population of me (a large hoofed mammal) than Maine.

rrz:rff1!1 fTT;rr f , LLLJ IEl1J

I am one of 'lhe earliest nes#ng birds of prey in Maine, sometimes laying eggs _ _ _ _ _ _ as early as February!

__ _ _ _ _ _

I'm an amphibian well-known for my loud spring songs {in spite of my very small size) heard 'from wetland areas.

I'm well known for the "drumming" noise I make with my wings during the spring breeding season.

(JD-BlfS Edit0r5

NAME THAT BIRD!

, To find out the name of this beautiful songbird, follow the yellow "letter line" and write down each letter the line touches.

Wildlife ManageJDent Areas

SCARBOROUGH

by Philip A. Bozenhard Photos by the author

0

fall the tracts of wildlife habitat owned and managed by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, it's entirely possible that one has more human visitors each year than all the rest combined. While it's true that most of the "visits" to the Scarborough Wildlife Manage-

18

Maine Fish and Wildlife

ment Area are by people driving through it on busy U.S. Route 1, the area itself has long been an attraction to sportsmen and naturalists.

Located in Cumberland County, just south of Portland, the Scarborough WMA is a complex of regularly flooded salt marshes, coastal fresh marsh, salt flats, and upland habitat. The

area is easily reached by U.S. Route 1, which crosses it on the western side, and by the Pine Point Road.

These extensive mashes have long been important to the economy of the area as well as to sportsmen who value them for waterfowl hunting. As early as the 1600s, fishing, shipbuilding, and lumbering were important industries in and around Scarborough. The marshes served as pasture in the summer and provided salt hay to carry cattle through the winter.

As many early settlers were drawn to the Scarborough area, so have come present-day developers seeking to prosper from the availability of monetarily cheap wetlands and the public demand for shore properties.

This pressure was extremely high during the 1980s and, though it has dropped off in recent years due to the poor economy, it is likely that it will pick up again in the future. This intense development on its borders makes the Scarborough tract unique among Maine's wildlife management areas.

Experience in all coastal states has shown that development of uplands adjacent to marshes is soon followed by pressures for use of the marshes themselves.

MARSH

This use often comes in the form of housing or highway projects that advance across the marshes as fast as they can be filled.

Dredging is another "misuse " of marshes, usually to provide boaters with passage to open water. Laws enacted over the last two decades have helped reduce the encroachment on wetlands throughout the state.

In an effort to protect the Scarborough marshes from development and further encroachment, the Fish and Wildlife Department initiated a land acquisition program there in 1959. The current wildlife management area consists of 3,100 acres, the The author is the regional wildlife biologist in Region A, with headquarters in Gray.

Sunrise over the tidal Dunstan River, as seen by a wildlife biologist conducting thf! annual waterfowl brood count at the Scarborough Wildlife Management Area

majority of it being obtained by direct purchase.

The acquisition program was hindered for many years by lack of personnel, small parcels of land, and unclear titles and boundary descriptions. Acquisition proceeded much more rapidly after 1970, when a full time realty agent was assigned to the project.

The

Scarborough Wildlife Management Area is managed primarily for waterfowl production. The most important require-

rnent for successful waterfowl nesting is the maintenance of stable water levels throughout the nesting season. To provide these conditions, the department has constructed several darns and ponds.

Four impoundments now exist at Scarborough. The most recent one, built in 1988, replaces a beaver darn on Jones Creek and creates a stable water level on 450 acres. The project was completed in cooperation with Ducks Unlimited and Fred Bayley of Scarborough. This structure, dedicated in memory Spring 1993

19

Snowy owls and Canada geese are representative of some of the uncommon and common species that make the Scarborough WMA their temporary home.

of Fred's son, Todd, will provide a stable water level and maintain nesting and brood-rearing habitat for waterfowl, as well as habitat for other species of wildlife that use wetland habitat. Cavity nesting species are being further encouraged there by the placement of waterfowl nest boxes.

The Jones Creek dam was designed to include a fishway, and cooperative efforts with the Department of Marine Resources have established an alewife run of approximately 3,000 fish annually.

A second management goal at Scarborough has been to provide a place for migrating geese to rest and feed. To do this, 22 acres of abandoned pasture land off the Libby Road have been rejuve-

20

Maine Fish and Wildlife

nated by clearing, liming, fertilizing, and planting. This program has met with success, and geese have used the pasture each spring. Two ponds constructed on the pasture, and ditches opened in the marsh, also provide resting, feeding, and nesting areas for ducks. The Maine Spaniel Field Trial Club has also had an agreement with the department since 1984 to use the goose pasture for dog training and field trials during the fall.

A

!though the primary objectives of acquisition and management of the Scarborough marshes have been waterfowl oriented, many other interests have benefitted as well. The

marshes are a major resting area for migrating shorebirds, as well as being a temporary home for such interesting species as glossy ibis, American egrets, and snowy owls. The presence of these species during various seasons of the year, as well as numerous migrating waterfowl, provides an excellent opportunity for bird watchers.

Bird watching and wetlands education are two important activities at the Scarborough Marsh Nature Center, which the Maine Audubon Society has operated at the marsh since 1973, under a cooperative agreement with the department. The proximity of this facility to a large portion of the state's population makes it an ideal site for field

Four dams at Scarborough WMA provide stable water levels and nesting and broodrearing habitat for waterfowl and other wetland species.

trips by school groups and others. The nature center is located on Pine Point Road east of Dunstan Comer and U.S. Route 1.

Protection of the marsh is also essential for numerous marine fish and shellfish which depend on the various tidal pools and estuaries as spawning and nurs-

ery areas. Sportfishing for both saltwater and freshwater species occurs in the brooks and estuaries within the boundaries of the wildlife management area.

In summary, the major objectives of the Scarborough Wildlife Management Area are to provide a secure and attractive place for

breeding and migrating waterfowl through water level control and other land management programs, and to provide recre_.ruional opportunity for sportsmen and the public by providing access, managing and protecting the habitat, and encouraging use by waterfowl and other wildlife. •

Aerial view of a portion of Scarborough Marsh in the spring, showing the "greened-up" goose pasture.

Spring 1993

21

Three Island Gifts

Family Donations Pr

by Flis Schauffier

11 J

VY

ith the spread of development on the mainland, coastal islands are becoming the last safe haven for many nesting birds. In 1992, three families donated islands to the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, helping to protect nesting habitat of bald eagles and common eider ducks.

All three transactions were negotiated by the Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT), a nonprofit organization that protects natural lands.

In acknowledging the gifts, Commissioner William Vai1said he is "impressed at the vision and generosity demonstrated by these three families.

They have given a priceless legacy to the people of Maine." Commissioner Vail also acknowledged the

critical role played by MCHT, a statewide land trust that conserves land of ecological, scenic, and cultural significance. Their professional staff provide free advice to landowners interested in conservation, helping them assess the natural values of their property and determine the best methods for protection.

The three islands donated last year - Inner Goose and Little Drisko islands in Addison and Hard wood Island, off Isle au Haut, are now part of the department's Coast of Maine Wildlife Management Area, which includes nearly 300 islands and ledges and extends the length of Maine's coastline.

Inner Goose Island supports a breeding pair of endangered bald eagles. Located in Wohoa Bay,

Inner Goose Island in Addison has an active eagle nest on its four acres.

22

Maine Fish and Wildlife

ect Valuable Habitat near Addison, Inner Goose is near rich tidal flats and freshwater tributaries that provide sheltered feeding areas for migrating birds and waterfowl.

The landowners (who have chosen to remain anonymous) owned the island and its two rustic camps for more than 20 years. Sharing this fouracre island with eagles proved to be difficult; the eagles are sensitive to human activity' and their

"The landowners put protection of an endangered species over their own recreational use," explains Caroline Pryor, vice president of MCHT. "That's a hard choice for a landowner to make and I commend their commitment to helping Maine's recovering eagle population."

Hardwood Island, which also supports a breeding pair of bald eagles, was used by tha. Olney

Located off Isle au Haut, 10-acre Hardwood Island is home to a pair of breeding bald eagles.

nesting season coincides with the prime spring and summer months of highest human use.

When the family began constructing a third camp on the island, they found that their increased resence could endanger the nesting eagles. The landowners approached MCHT for help, and onsidered protecting the island through an island ¡ wap," a bargain sale to a conservation group, or a onservation easement. After reviewing a range of tions, the owners decided to donate Inner Goose the state.

family for camping, picnicking, and exploring.

When they learned that their property was a "Class A" wildlife habitat, with an active bald eagle nest, they wanted to ensure that it would remain forever wild. After reviewing their options with MCHT, the Olneys decided to give their island to the state, while retaining the right to continue visiting the island outside of nesting season.

The author is communications coordinator for the Maine Coast Heritage Trust, based in Brunswick.

Spring 1993

23

The conservation of this 10-acre island moves the department closer to its goal of permanently protecting 50 active eagle nests. For the Olneys, the gift provided valuable tax benefits, and the satisfaction of knowing that their beautiful, wooded island will remain pristine.

The third coastal island donated to the department last year, Little Drisko Island, came from another family in the Addison area (who has chosen to remain anonymous). This 10-acre property in West Bay is home to more than 300 nesting seabirds, primarily eider ducks. Common eiders are at the southern edge of their breeding ground in Maine, and Little Drisko Island supports 1 percent or more of Maine's nesting eider population (based on a 1989 survey). Highland cranberries grow along the island's shore, while bog cranberries, blueberries, and laurel cover the low-lying interior.

Over the past few years, the landowners considered selling the property to a private individual or to a conservation agency that would protect the island's beautiful natural features. ''We know that Little Drisko is a fragile island," the former owner explains, "and we wanted to do what was best for the wildlife there. With help from Maine Coast Heritage Trust, we looked into several options, then chose to make an outright gift. We couldn't be happier with our decision."

The

donation of these islands sets an important precedent for the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Gary Donovan, director of the

Little Drisko Island in Addison supports a large population of eider ducks and other colonial nesting seabirds.

24

Maine Fish and Wildlife

department's Wildlife Division, says there are a "large number of critical nesting islands out there that need long-term protection. We hope these generous gifts will inspire other island owners to consider some form of permanent conservation."

An outright gift may not be the right choice for every landowner, Donovan says, but options such as conservation easements could ensure protection of critical island habitats. A conservation easement is a legal tool that can be used by landowners who want to retain ownership of their property yet be assured that its natural values will be permanently protected.

Donovan encourages island owners to work with a nonprofit organization, like MCHT, to review their conservation options. Over the past 22 years, the Trust has helped landowners conserve 161 entire islands, and numerous other coastal properties with significant ecological and scenic features.

In some cases, as with these islands, the state is the best long-term holder of deeds or conservation easements. In other cases, the easements may be held by nonprofit organizations such as MCHT, The Nature Conservancy or a local land trust.

An article in the next issue of Maine Fish and Wildlife will describe how landowners can protect the conservation values of their properties through easements, outright donations, and bargain sales.

For more information on voluntary land conservation, please contact MCHT at their main office in Brunswick (167 Park Row, Brunswick, ME 04011, 207 /729-7366) or their field office on Mount Desert Island (PO Box 426, Northeast Harbor, ME 04662, 207 /276-5156). •

Trying Out My Flies In The Field!

by Butch Carey Photos by me and my "crew"

Here's

a thought. Fishing, one of the best pastimes in Maine, turns out to be incorporated with something else on everyone's mind these days the environment. Angling (and all' the glory that comes with it!) have enthused me, my sons, and my buddies since I was a kid. And with a little help from Jim, Paul, Billy, and Roy, May 1991 was no exception. You might say it turned out to be a "swimming success."

On Friday, May 3, the boys and I headed for the North Country to try our luck fishing with streamer flies. Since we arrived late in the evening - too late to fish - we had a much-needed hearty supper and got our fishing gear together, then settled in for the night (each of us dreaming of landing the perfect trout or salmon - one to brag about).

At 4:30 Saturday morning, we were up and on the water. We noticed small patches of ice floating near the shoreline. Surprised, we decided to check the water temperature and discovered that it was only 40 degrees! The trout and salmon would not be moving much at that cold temperature!

We each tied on a streamer (all tandem flies): the Red & White, the Nine-Three, and the red Gray Ghost, with florescent red beads. We tried the inlet stream , trolling upstream without so much as a hit.

Coming back down, we had the three lines about 30 feet out, still with no luck. But when we let the middle line out 60 feet, a fish hit it and took out some line. It was a 10-inch brookie, unfortunately too small to keep; back he went with no harm done.

Letting more line out on the other two lines, we waited. A short time later, we had two hits. Oh, the salmon performed well, but you've heard about

the one that got away. We released both in good shape (no breakfast for the boys!).

We continued to troll up and down the stream, catching and releasing about 14 short fish. No sign of smelts on the lake this morning, no fish for breakfast. We decided it was time to head back to camp for a new game plan, new strategy, and some lunch.

(Keep in mind, we had been planning this spring fishing trip nearly all winter. We'd tied lots of flies some old favorites, some new hopeful success stories, commonly referred to as our "secret weapons." Each one of us tried to sneak onto his line something to catch the perfect fish . That seems to be half the fun, something to talk about when we return home. We also used old favorites like Mickey Finn, Queen Bee, Sneeka, Black Beauty, Governor Aiken, and the Sportsman Say. These little beauties have always come through for us, when all else fails.)

After a filling meal, we packed our gear, and a smaller boat, into our four-wheel- drive pickup for a trip about 30 miles away from our base camp.

The roads were bad, the culverts were gone; it was hard going! We finally said to heck with the truck and walked the rest of the way. When we reached our destination, the river was running high and fast - water temperature was still 40 degrees.

I remember thinking: if you want to be a good fisherman, never give up the fight. Hang in there, and soon they'll come to you. Fish, like humans, have their bad days and their good days.

We knew their were some good smelt in the river, so we remained confident. We saw some Spring 1993

25

floating near the shore. The Gray Ghost proved to be a good fly here.

Each year, the boys and I have fished the same spots, believing that there is always the ''big one" to land. One of the biggest thrills of nature is a bald eagle we spotted at one of our favorite "holes."

The eagle is splendid, a majestic creature of nature, one of the symbols of why we Americans should protect our wildlife, and all natural resources, so that our descendants can enjoy the same splendid sights.

This eagle sits in the same tree at the same time each day. His wing span is about... well, real big!!.

He flew over our heads as if to say, "Hey! I was here first!" We all stopped whatever we were doing just to observe him.

The eagle is a great fisherman; he knows the waters better than man ever could. Our boat did not frighten him in any way. We saw his mate two or three times, so we knew that they had a nest nearby. The beauty of nature at its best!

My mind finally wandered back to the activity at hand; fishing! We camped at this spot for three nights. The days were comfortable, and the nights were cool. It was great!

From the first day, we caught a few fish, here and there; enough for lunches and dinners. The first

few days it was brook trout, measuring from 12 to 18 inches. They were beauties! Then the salmon finally moved in. We caught a few; they performed spectacularly for us in the water.

The camping was great - early sunrises and beautiful sunsets. Perfect days filled with the smells of fish cooked in foil with butter and lemon juice, and mounds of home fries on the Coleman stove. Who needed an electric stove?

When the eagle presented itself to us again, we did get the chance to get pictures of this beautiful bird searching for food. A fish had risen not 30 feet from our boat ; the eagle left his perch, circled over us a few times, then headed for the widening ripples. A few seagulls were also in the race ¡for the fish, but they were no match for the eagle.

A perfect fishing trip for this oldtimer, lover of life and nature. May this love we have for nature never be spoiled by the hustle and bustle of what life seems to be handing us. Maine is a perfect place to just enjoy - or to go fishing (if you put your mind to it).

KEEP A TIGHT LINE!

26

Maint Fish and Wildlift

~theF/yTyingBench

NEEDLE SMELT

by Butch Carey THE PATTERN

HOOK: #6 94720-BX

THREAD: Black monocord BODY: Silver piping or embossed silver WING: Golden yellow synthetic hair, four gray blue dun saddle hackles CHEEK: Jungle cock eye (optional) HEAD: Black monocord EYES: White eye, black pupil

[!]

For the body, tie silver piping down in back and in front. Apply two coats of cement.

Cast on at rear of shank with black monocord thread. Wind to the front and back again.

121 L!:.J For the wings, select a small bunch of golden yellow synthetic fish hair long enough to extend width of hook gap behind the bend. Tie down in front; trim.

Spring 1993

27

To finish the wings, add four gray blue dun saddle hackles on top of the yellow hair. Tie down in front; trim.

04

To finish up: for cheeks, select two jungle cock eyes.

Arrange one on each side; tie one down, then the other. Cement in front.

Use black monocord for the head; cement, two coats.For the eyes, paint white with a black pupil (don't paint eyes if you have used jungle cock for the cheeks).Coat the head with cement and the Needle Smelt is finished; it is shown here in two varieties: a tandem streamer with painted eyes (top) and a single streamer with jungle cock feathers.

28

Maine Fish and Wildlife

SALMON or BROWN TROUT??

Some good ways to find out A fish identification problem that often confounds Maine anglers is knowing whether what they've caught is a brown trout or a landlocked or Atlantic salmon.

Brown trout are always yellowish-brown, salmon silvery, right? Wrong. They usually are, but there are enough exceptions to indicate caution in using coloration alone to tell one from the other. And because legal size and creel limits are different for these two species, it's important that you know some other ways. Of course, if you are among the growing numbers of "catch and release" anglers, positive identification is not important legally, but it certainly will add to your satisfaction.

The single best way to identify adult brow out and salmon is by the teeth on a bone in th center f omerme teeth. In orown the roof o , trout (left), vomerine teeth are well developed in a double or zig-zag row. Salmon vomerine teeth {right) are weakly developed in a single row.

The outline of the tail fin is a pretty good reference for distinguishing smaller browns and salmon. In young brown trout the tail is only slightly forked and has rounded lobes. In small salmon it is deeply forked, with lobes tapering to points.

In brown trout over about 16 inches, the outline of the tail is square to fan-shaped when spread; in salmon, it is usually forked, but sometimes is perfectly square.

Illustrations of adult fish (below) illustrate how similar Young brown trout tail the tails of larger brown trout and salmon can be!

Young salmon tail

Adipose fin

I Adipose fin

I Caudal peduncle thick and stocky

The adipose fin, the small, fleshy fin on the back just forward of the tail fin, is usually fringed or spotted with orange or red in brown trout (colors less pronounced in older fish) but is slate grey to olive in salmon, and never colored with red or orange.

Caudal peduncle narrow and tapered

Spring 1993

29

FISH AND WILDLIFE BRIEFS

) Commissioner Vail Resigns The ex-game warden who became one of the most popular commissioners in the history of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has resigned.

William J. Vail served six years as commissioner, following a career of over 18 years in the Warden Service.

He resigned unexpectedly in February, citing concerns about the future wellbeing of his department, concerns he believed he'd be in a better position to influence as a private citizen. Most troublesome: proposals to merge IF&W with other state agencies, and continued attempts to siphon funds from his already financially-strapped department. Both, he believes, break faith with the sportsmen of the state, whose license fees provide the department's core funding, and erode support for a license fee increase needed to maintain current programs.

One major issue that led to Bill Vail's dramatic action - proposed use of the department's revenues to fund nonwildlife-related programs in state government - has now apparently been settled, favorably. Among the hundreds of hunters, fishermen, and others who rallied to the department's aid and helped affect the outcome: Bill Vail.

In spite of political and financial distractions during his six years as com-

30

Maine Fish and Wildlife

missioner, Bill Vail's list of successful conservation initiatives is long: Maine's wildlife and fisheries resources were well taken care of. Also important, and feeding on the commissioner's personal popularity, the department's public esteem remained high during turbulent times for government agencies in general.

The former commissioner's future plans are as yet unclear, but there is little doubt he will be heard from again.

Until a new commissioner is appointed, the department's capable deputy commissioner, Norman "Skip" Trask, is filling in.

1992 Was Third Safest Hunting Season One wouldn't have guessed it after all the uproar last fall, but 1992 was Maine's third best year on record for hunter safety.

Safety Officer Gary Anderson says there were a total of 17 shooting incidents during all of 1992, including one self-inflicted fatality and seven non-fatal self-inflicted injuries.

Anderson added that for the second consecutive year there were no incidents of hunters being mistaken for game.

"As is usual, grouse hunters were victims of shot pellets in a high percentage of cases, with five injuries," Anderson said. ''They (grouse hunters) are not required to wear blaze orange unless hunting during the firearms deer season. In all cases, the hunters were out of sight of fellow hunters when struck by the pellets."

Anderson's official figures contradict the negative public perception of last year's safety record. Intense news media attention focused on real incidents and on later-disproven reports of incidents contributed to the hostile climate that developed during the deer hunting season.

Anderson notes that investigation of several of the reports of animals and houses being struck by bullets revealed that they were either unfounded or acts of vandalism, but not hunting-related.

The safety officer concludes: ''To place the safety record of hunting in perspective, there are some 240,000 licensed hunters in Maine and there was one death in 1992; in contrast, there

were five deaths from all-terrain vehicles, five from snowmobiling, and 11 drownings in Maine last year. As of the first of March in the 1992-93 winter season there have been four deaths of skiers, and three ice-related deaths.

These sports have far fewer participants than hunting, which remains one of the safest outdoor pastimes in Maine."

Moose Applications Available Hunters hoping to receive one of the coveted Maine moose hunting permits have until April 30 to submit their application.

Resident application blanks are available from license agents or from any office of the Fish and Wildlife Department. Nonresident hunters who applied for last year's moose permit drawing, or who held a Maine 1992 big game license, will automatically be sent a 1993 moose application by the end of March.

Resident and nonresident applications may also be requested by writing to: Moose Application, Maine Fish and Wildlife Dept., Station 41, Augusta, Maine 04333.

As in the past, 900 Maine residents and 100 nonresident hunters will be awarded permits. They will be determined in a public drawing on June 2 in Augusta.

In 1992, 69,237 residents and 19,130 nonresidents applied for moose permits.

The one thousand permit holders harvested 908 moose.

The 1993 moose hunt is October 4-9.

Deer, Bear Seasons Set Maine's deer and bear hunting dates for this fall are: Deer Regular firearms season: Nov. 1-27 Resident-only day: Oct. 30 Archery season: Sep. 30-0ct. 29 Muzzleloader season: Nov. 29-Dec. 4 A permit is required to take an antlerless deer during any firearms season. The any-deer permit application period runs annually from mid-June to August 15, but because August 15 falls on a Sunday in 1993, applications will be accepted through (or postmarked by) August 16.

Allocations of any-deer permits are adopted in the spring each year, based on the results of deer wintering survival.

Bear

Early general season (bait permitted): Aug. 30-Sep. 25 Houndsmen season: Sep. 13-0ct. 29 Late general season: Oct. 30-Nov. 27 Trapping: Oct. 1-31 Maine's bear seasons are set with a goal of maintaining the harvest below 2,300. That goal was established in 1990 following several years of steadily increasing bear kills, which reduced the state's bear population below 18,000. In both 1988 and 1989 the bear kill exceeded 2,600.

Season adjustments since then have proven effective. The bear kills from 1990 to 1992 have been 2,088, 1,665 and 2,042, respectively.

The Wildlife Division predicts a spring 1993 population in the range of 19,500 to 21,000 bruins. The latter figure has been the state's population objective since the mid-1980s.

West Lake Land, Easement Donated A Bangor firm has made a significant donation of conservation easements and land on an eastern Maine landlocked salmon lake to the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

Prentiss & Carlisle Company has donated a conservation easement along approximately 7,084 feet of shoreline on West Lake and along 1,000 feet of tributary streams to the 1,344-acre lake in Township 3 ND, on the northern Hancock and southern Penobscot county line. The company has also agreed to donate a portion (75 percent) of the value of a four-acre parcel of land with an additional 506 feet of West Lake shore frontage for use as a public access site to the water and fishery resources of the lake.

In announcing the donation, former Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Bill Vail said the easement will provide "a significant measure of shoreline protection, and help preserve both the water quality of this great pond, and the wildlife and fishery habitat values associated with its shoreline ecosystems."

He described West Lake as a "relatively pristine body, with high water quality and a very good landlocked salmon fishery." He said West Lake is designated as a "Water Quality Limiting Lake" by the Department of Environmental Protection. As such, it "could be permanently and adversely affected by overdevelopment in its watershed."

Vail said the Prentiss & Carlisle's donation will "assure legal public access and help reduce the negative impacts on water quality from erosion at other locations on West Lake." He said the department plans to develop a small public access site on the property, including a boat launching ramp, which should be open for public use in 1994.

"The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife extends its thanks and appreciation to President David Carlisle and all those at the Prentiss & Carlisle Company for these donations conveyed in the public interest," said the commissioner. ''We believe the private/public cooperative effort symbolized by these donations is of significant benefit to the people of Maine and greatly advances the department's efforts to conserve, enhance and provide reasonable public access to the state's wildlife and fisheries resources. We look forward to future cooperative efforts with the people at Prentiss & Carlisle."

Prentiss & Carlisle Company owns and manages 72,000 acres of its own forest lands and also manages 800,000 acres of forest lands for other private landowners in Maine.

Wetlands More Than Just A Pretty Face How much are wetlands worth? We hear a great deal about, their importance to wildlife and other values of wetlands, but their economic benefits are only alluded-to. But recent information compiled by conservation organizations devoted to promoting and preserving our nation's wetlands provides new insight into their economic values.

Studies note the following specific economic benefits which accrue from wetlands: • Flood Control/Storm Protection $225 to $3,500 per acre. Wetlands prevent and mitigate potentially damaging flooding by absorbing overflow. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recognized the economic value of preserving a wetland in Massachusetts. Rather than construct a dam, the Corps purchased a parcel of wetlands which can serve the same function as a dam naturally. This decision is said to have saved the federal government an estimated $140 million dollars in construction costs and $2.3 million annually in operation and management costs.

• Water Quality- $1,400 to $2,500 per acre. Wetlands remove sediments,

nutrients, toxins, and other materials from water, serving as natural filters. In Georgia, along the Alcovy River, one three mile section of wooded swampland has been shown to improve water quality at an estimated value of about $1 million annually.

• Water Supply - $100 to $6,000 per acre. Many wetlands serve to recharge scarce groundwater supplies. In Massachusetts, a 2,700 acre wetland studied by scientists was found to recharge a shallow aquifer there at a rate of more than eight million gallons per day.

• Fish and Shellfish Production $300 to $400 per acre. Fish and shellfish depend heavily on wetlands for both food and habitat. Conservative estimates suggest that 60 to 75 percent of all commercially harvested fish rely on wetlands for at least part of their life cycle. In 1990, the U.S. commercial catch was estimated at $3.86 billion; total industry value was assessed at $16.5 billion. The continued degradation of coastal wetlands will dramatically alter the economic viability of this industry.

• Recreation - $150 to $500 per acre.

Essential habitat for fislt; waterfowl, and other wildlife provided by wetlands, in turn provides recreation opportunities for millions of Americans. Wetlands dependent recreation in the U.S. (in the form of hunting, fishing, and non-con-

Q. In years when the ice isn't out by the time the fishing season begins, which is often the case, when can I legally go fishing?

A. The open water fishing season begins most places on April 1, but, you're right, many waters are usually still iced-in then. It's legal to fish as soon as there are natural openings in the ice ("crack fishing"); the ice does not have to be completely gone. The key word here is "natural," as distinguished from a hole someone has made or enlarged.

Spring 1993

31

sumptive wildlife related activities) was valued at more than $55 billion in 1985.

One hundred and seventy million people took advantage of these recreational opportunities during that single year.

The overall monetary value of wetlands has been extremely difficult to ascribe. The above examples provide only limited insight into their value, as wetlands also provide immense nonmonetary values - among them unique opportunities for research and education, habitat for rare and endangered species, historical and archaeological sites, open space, and aesthetic improvements to communities. As a result of the difficulty in quantifying the true value of wetlands, they may appear less valuable and are more easily degraded. It is

LEITER TO THE EDITOR In your Winter issue (92-93), I noticed that there was an apparent difference in the whitetailed deer tracks than that I'd ever seen. On page 10 the artist shows the tracks with dew claws toward the front. Up here in Aroostook County they are located at the back.

If our youngsters take these education drawings to heart, there's going to be a powerful lot of ''back-trackin"' in our next generation of hunters.

R.L. Fulton Blaine, Maine

• The tracks are those of the new breed of "smart" deer, whose other adaptations to confuse hunters include orange antlers in the shape of hats and the ability to leap over tall trees in a single "bound. They haven't spread as far north as The County yet! Seriously, our official reaction is: Oops!

hoped that as more information about their value is discovered and disseminated, the staggering loss of wetlands in our nation will be reversed.

Sportsmen Pay For Conservation In spite of attempts in many states, including Maine, to broaden financial support for wildlife conservation programs, sportsmen continue to pay the bills. In fact, a recent survey indicates that from 1986 to 1991, sportsmen contributed a 37.4 percent revenue increase to the nation's state wildlife agencies while general tax revenue funding for those agencies dropped 11.4 percent.

The "1992 Survey of State Wildlife Agency Revenue," goes on to affirm that America's hunters, trappers and fishermen remain the most dependable source for wildlife conservation funding.

The survey was conducted by the Wildlife Conservation Fund of America, the Wildlife Legislative Fund of America's companion organization for research and education. It is the third in a series of five-year funding trend comparisons and the only documentation of its kind to monitor the wildlife revenue funding base.

Among other significant results, the survey's table of revenue sources indicates: • Sportsmen contributed the lion's share of the nation's annual wildlife budget. Those contributions - from license fees and federal excise taxes borne on the sale of hunting and fishing equipment-increased 37.4 percent between 1986 and 1991. The increase was 13 points better than rise in the cost of living for the same period.

• General fund revenues were down 11.4 percent from 1986. While money

from general taxation represented about 15 percent of all wildlife agency support in that year, for 1991 it was less than 10 percent (0 in Maine).

• Revenues from miscellaneous sources such as tax check-offs, lottery income and mineral fees increased 62.2 percent since 1986, representing 16 percent of total wildlife agency support in 1991 (1 percent in Maine).

Further information about the survey or about the Wildlife Legislative Fund of America is available from Page Lewis, communications director, WLFA, 801 Kingsmill Parkway., Columbus, Ohio 43229-1137. Telephone: (614) 888-4868.

Moosehead Lake Report: 11 Reason for Optimism" "We feel optimistic about the prospects for improved fishing." That promising outlook for Moosehead Lake concludes an annual assessment of the fisheries of Maine's largest lake.

"Moosehead Lake Annual Summary 1992" is based on information gathered during 1992 by Moosehead' s regional fisheries biologists. It examines in detail many aspects of the fisheries in Moosehead and its major tributaries, including the Roach and Moose rivers.

Some highlights and excerpts: • Fishing pressure: Total use of Moosehead by anglers continued to decrease in 1992 but is still higher than the level of late 1970s-early '80s. Estimated use in '92: 20,404 winter anglerdays and 33,522 summer angler-days.

• Landlocked salmon: Winter catch of salmon (all sizes) continued to decline, due to heavy competition from abundant togue (lake trout). The reduction is partly due to decrease in fishermen, and redirection of fishing effort to

- - - - - - - KID-BITS ANSWERS The Maine to Greenland traveler is the Atlantic salmon.

The flying insect-eater is the dragonfly.

The fisher often preys upon porcupines.

Only Alaska has more moose than Maine.

The early spring nester is the great horned owl.

The spring peeper is the big voice in a little body.

The forest "drummer" is the ruffed grouse.

The songbird is the Eastern bluebird.

32

Maini Fish and Wildlifi

10

s

E

L

togue. New winter minimum length limit of 18 inches effective last winter resulted in reducing the salmon harvest.

Total summer catch of salmon was about 10,200 fish, an increase over the average total summer catch for the previous two years of about 7,750 fish.

Number of short salmon increased, possibly indicating improved survival of recent stockings.

• Lake trout (togue): Harvest estimates of togue, based on ice-angler interviews, indicate biologists achieved their goal of slightly reducing the take of fish over 18 inches, and encouraged the taking of 14-18 inch fish, through regulation changes. Total catch of togue less than 18 inches was estimated at 12,300 fish. Summer estimates show a lowerthan-expected harvest of 18-inch togue.

Long-term data indicate periodic peaks and valleys in annual togue catch rates suggesting a cyclical pattern of abundance.

• Brook trout: The harvest of brook trout increased in the 1992 winter fishery. The winter '92 harvest was 1,310 trout, as compared with the average for 1990-91 of 750 fish. The increase was mainly of young trout ranging from 1215 inches. A predictable cycle of pronounced peaks and valleys prevails in the winter fishery despite efforts to produce a more consistent fishery. The summer catch of brook trout was 2,700 fish. Total of fish caught, kept or release was 4,929. Catch rate of trout per angler was highest since the mid-1980s.

• Other species: Overall catches of cusk were slightly lower than 1990-91 estimates, and may be the result of decrease in winter fishing. Yellow perch catch has been erratic; the 1992 catch was below '91, but about average for the previous several years. There were no reports of fishermen catching smallmouth bass. There were no reports of white perch caught during the winter.

However, white perch were taken in several areas of the lake, including Lily Bay, Spencer Bay and the Moose River, during the summer. There was one confirmed catch of a lake whitefish from the Rockwood area during the winter.

• Roach River: Cooler summer weather in 1992 may have kept adult brook trout and salmon in the Roach River longer than normal; possibly the reason for excellent fishing throughout the entire summer. Records indicate both species provided summer fishing of a quality not matched in recent history. September catch rate for brook trout was the highest in 1992 of all years

1993 FISHING AND HUNTING LICENSE FEES (Not including agent fees) All applicants for an adult flreanns hunting license, an archery license and an adult trapping license must show proof of having previously held an adult license or having successfully completed an applicable approved education course.

RESIDENT Season Fishing (16 & older) ................................................... 15.00 1-day Fishing•• ......................................................................... 5.00 3-day Fishing .. ....................................................................... 17.00 Hunting (16 & older) ................................... ............................ 15.00 Small Game (16 & older)........................................................ 8.00 Cormination Hunting & F1Shing (16 & older) .......................... 28.00 S14>ersport• ........... ................................................................. 38.00 Junior Hunting (10 to 15 years inclusive) ............................... 3.00 Cormination Hunting & F1Shing (70 & older) ........................... free Cormination Fishing &Archery Hunting (16 &older) ........... 28.00 Serviceman (resident) Combination Hunting & Fishing ......... 15.00 Disabled War Veteran (resident) ............................................. free Archery Hunting (16 & older) ................................................. 15.00 Archery Hunting (70 & older) ................................................... free Muzzle-loading (14 & older) ................................................... 7.00 Muzzle-loading (70 & older) .................................................... free Resident deer or bear transportation tag (in-state) ................ 5.00 Resident deer or bear transportation tag (out-of-state) ......... 55.00 Duplicate (must be obtained from clerk who issued originaQ ... 1.00 ' Supeisport lcense: A combinalon fishing and hlXlting license which allows cr, Individual b make a financial cootribution tow.wd the management ol lsh & wldlife ovfY cr,d ZXNe the normal lcense fee. " A1-day a 3-day fishilg lcense may be exchanged by a Maine resident k>r a season fishilg a combilation fishilg cr,d 11.intilg lcense upa, payment ol the agenrs fee pkls the diff«eoce belween tie cost ol the tempcr.wy cr,d the cost of the anooal license.

NONRESIDENT

Corrections/Clarifications A picture on page 28 of the Winter issue might have given the im pression that it is OK to fly to one of the most beautiful-but-remote places in Maine: Wassataquoik Lake in Baxter State Park. BSP Director Irvin "Buzz" Caverly informs that aircraft are prohibited at Wassataquoik, and almost everywhere else in the park, except on official business.

Season Fishing (16 and older) ............................................... 42.00 15-day Fishing.. ....... .............................................................. 30 .00 7-day Fishing .......................................................................... 26.00 3-day F1Shing .......................................................................... 17.00 1-day FIShing ............................................................................ 5.00 Junior Fishing (12-15 years) .................................................... 5.00 Big Game Hunting (10 years & older) ................................... 77.00 Cormination Hunting & F1Shing (16 &older) ........................ 107.00 Small Game Hunting (16 & older) ......................................... 47.00 Junior Small Game Hunting (10 to 15 years) ......................... 23.00 Archery Hunting (16 & older) ................................................. 47.00 Muzzle-loading (14 & older) .................................................. 25.00 Duplicate (through Department office in Augusta only) ........... 1.00 " Norresident 15-day fishing license may be exchcr,ged k>r a norvesident season lshilg lcense upa, payment ol $12.00 ~ue tle agent's lee.

included in records. Trout up to 23 inches long were caught. The fall 1992 brook trout runs were believed to be the largest within the past several years.

The salmon catch in the Roach River was 65 percent higher than in 1991 but remained below the long-term average.

An increase was noted in abundance of 16-17 inch salmon, which may indicate a strong year-class. About 11 percent of salmon were 20 inches and longer.

Observations in mid-October revealed a high ratio of salmon to trout, confirming previous observations that adult salmon continue to enter the river through much of October. The '92 fall salmon run in the Roach was at least as abundant as any run since 1987.

• East Outlet, Kennebec River: The salmon catch rate improved over that of the immediate past few years. The average size of salmon was smaller than in the past. The catch rate of undersize salmon showed a significant increase which may be due to the stocking of spring yearling salmon downstream in Indian Pond. Brook trout comprised 19 percent of tpe total legal catch (compared with 10 percent in 1986, and 14 percent in 1990). Anglers released 78 percent of legal trout caught. Nine percent of salmon caught were 20 inches or longer; 16 percent of brook trout were 18 inches or longer.

• Moose River: Many recent changes, not least the opening of the Brassua Hydroelectric Project at Brassua Dam, have affected the river's fishery in the past few years. Dry weather in May and early June was also responsible for lower early season water flows. The catch rate of salmon 14 inches and longer improved 100 percent over 1991, but remained below the average observed for 1986-89 - the four years prior to the operation of the Brassua Hydroelectric Project. Moose River anglers continued to release approximately three-quarters of the legal-sized salmon they caught. Size composition was similar to previous years: about two-thirds of fish ranging from 16 to 19 inches. Twelve percent of the catch was 20 inches or longer similar to the Roach and East Outlet rivers.

Other information contained in the summary includes reports on studies of fish stomach contents; efforts to increase and stabilize the smelt population in Moosehead Lake; and results of the Greenville Junction fall trapnetting.

Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

A fine example of protective coloration -

•

284 State Street

•

Augusta, Maine 04333

woodcock chicks on nest. Photo by Bill Cross