Maine Fish and Wildlife Magazine, Summer 1997 by Maine State Library

Maine State Library

Maine State Documents Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Magazine

Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

6-1-1997

Maine Fish and Game Magazine, Summer 1997 Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalmaine.com/ifw_magazine Recommended Citation Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, "Maine Fish and Game Magazine, Summer 1997" (1997). Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Magazine. Book 131. http://digitalmaine.com/ifw_magazine/131

This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife at Maine State Documents. It has been accepted for inclusion in Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Magazine by an authorized administrator of Maine State Documents. For more information, please contact statedocs@maine.gov.

MAINE STATE LIBRARY LIBRARY USE DNLY

EDITORIAL by Ray B. Owen, Jr., Commissioner

The Legislative Process in RevielV We have just completed five months of intensive legislative activity. It all started last fall as the Department drafted proposed legislation. After the election in November, the new legislative leadership began assigning committee chairs, and by early January, committees were formed. For Fish and Wildlife, nine of the 13 members were new, and the chairs were Senator Marge Kilkelly and Representative Norman Paul. In addition to the Department's five bills, organizations such as SAM submitted legislation as did most of the committee members and some outside legislators. Nonlegislators such as ourselves then needed to find sponsors, especially from the Fish and Wildlife Committee. Two factors made this session especially long and arduous. First, approximately 100 bills were referred to the Fish and Wildlife Committee, 20 more than the previous record! Second, since many of the committee members were new, they supported legislation that had been defeated numerous times in the past; thus, a lot of old issues were debated before going down to defeat. This is an education process for new members when some institutional memory is lost as longtime committee members such as Paul Jacques, have to step down because of term limits. During the special sessions on alternate years, bills are screened before they are accepted. Frankly, some process of screening would save valuable time each year, permitting more in-depth debate of the more substantive issues. All that said, the 118th session was a big success for Fish and Wildlife. Our biggest issue was the budget, as I discussed in my fall editorial. Instead of leaving the budget until June, it was dealt with early in the session. Senator Kilkelly deftly worked through the is ues and in the end, we had a

(continued on inside back cover)

, , ·NE FISH AND

~ILDLIFE

ILDLIFE

VOL. 39, NO. 2

A quarterly full-color magazine about hunting, fishing, or just plain recreating in Maine's outdoors

SPECIAL HALF-PB.ICE OFFER! D 1 year only $9 D Payment enclosed

D a years only $16 D Please bill me later

2 Address _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

:eason--catchers AND catchees!

City/State/Zip_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

OB FASTER SERVICE, CALL TOLL-FREE 1-800-288-8387

&~~~===~~==~~============~ 8 9702

AINE

A quarterly full-color magazine about hunting, fishing, or just plain recreating in Maine's outdoors

by Lisa Kane

;-and how many folks have 'em anyway!

by Craig McLaughlin

the Maine woods-and with it. ..

SPECIAL HALF-PB.ICE OFFER! D Payment enclosed

by Patrick 0. Corr

:ults of last winter's census

ne? We provide some answers

FISH AND WILDLIFE D 1 year only $9

by John Whalen

four wardens? Well, here 's one account!

D 2 years only $16 D Please bill me later

by Sandie Ritchie

:irenting"-the baby wasn 't even a bear!

Name _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _~ Address _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

City/State/Zip_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

,6 ,n services to blow their own horns

,7 1

"orphaned " wildlife

OB FASTER SERVICE, CALL TOLL-FREE l-800-288-8387

"WEAR IT WITH PRIDE" ORDER FORM Please indicate Quantity, Type and Size

All shirts available in ash gray only, sizes S, M, L, XL, XXL Item Qty Size Loon Moose Deer Shield Price Ea. Postage ...-----,--....:....r-GoIf Shirt $19.95

7 Subtotal

9 Sweatshirt

- - - _ _,_

by Butch Carey

,8 T-Shirt

Postage: Subtotal $3.00 for 1st item, $1.00 for each additional item. Maine residents add 6% sales tax on subtotal 1 - -- -...J ,__ __, Order 3 or more items shipped to the same Postage ,__ __ __, continental U.S. address, we pay postage! .___ __, TOTAL Please allow 2 -3 weeks for delivery

1 Macleod, is a freelance Line. His work is on display n Kennebunkport. inks on recyclable paper

•

MAINE

EDITORIAL

FISH AND WILDLIFE 284 State St., Sta. #41 Augusta ME 04333

Place Sta.mp

He:re

We have just completed fi,

MAINE

Department drafted propose ership began assigning comr and Wildlife, nine of the 13 n

FISH AND WILDLIFE 284 State St., Sta. #41 Augusta ME 04333

Representative Norman Paul submitted legislation as did 1 legislators such as ourselves Committee. Two factors made this sesE referred to the Fish and Wild of the committee members w times in the past; thus, a lot c education process for new m members such as Paul Jacqw sions on alternate years, bills screening would save valual:

SHIPTO: NAME ADDRESS CITY

------STATE _

ZIP

stantive issues. All that said, the 118th sesi budget, as I discussed in my early in the session. Senator 1

Mail this completed order form, with check or money order for payment, to: MDIF& W- Info Center 284 State Street 41 State House Station Augusta ME 04333--0041 Please make checks payable to: Treasurer, State of Maine

/'---....

• .

Governor Angus S. King, Jr.

Department of Inland Fishe ries and Wildlife Ray 8. Owen. Jr.. Commissioner Matthew Scott. Deputy Commissioner Frederick B. Hurley. Jr., Director, Bureau of Resource Management Richard Record. Director. Bureau of Administrative Services Parker K. Tripp. Director. Bureau of Warden Service

Advisory Council Stanlev D. Milton. Andover Chairman Charles F. Beck, Presque Isle Vice Chairman Millard A. Wardwell. Penobscot F. Dale Speed, Princeton Richard A. Neal, E. Lebanon Ellen N. Peters. New Gloucester Russell E. Oyer. Bowdoinham Lila Ware. Skowhegan Harold Brown. Bangor A. David Trahan. Wa ldoboro Maine Fish and Wildlife Magazine V. Paul Reynolds. Editor Thomas L. Carbone. Photo Editor V. Paul Reynolds. Advertising All photographs in this issue were made by the Public Information & Education Division unless otherwise indicated.

MAINE

FISH AND WILDLIFE VOL. 39, NO. 2

SUMMER 1997

Features The One(s) That Didn't Get Away Club, 1996

Statistics on the biggest reported landings of last season-catchers AND catchees!

Ambush At Grant's Cemetery

by John Whalen

What kind of stuff REALLY goes on in the lives of our wardens? Well, here 's one account!

Winter Waterfowl Survey

by Patrick 0. Corr

How ARE populations in the Atlantic flyway? Results of last winter's census

fish Consumption Advisory

How much wild fish to consume-or not to consume? We provide some answers

Black Market Wildlife

by Lisa Kane

It 's amazing the things you can 't legally own today-and how many folks have 'em anyway!

BEARS, BEARS, BEARS!

by Craig McLaughlin

A statistical, pictorial look at the bruin 's status in the Maine woods-and with it ...

Dodger And l'he Three Bears

by Sandie Ritchie

... one mama bear who believed in "no-favorites parenting "-the baby wasn 't even a bear!

Outdoor Roster

A chance for providers of MairJ e outdoor recreation services to blow their own horns 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: $18.00 per year. No stamps. please. Preferred Periodicals postage paid at Augusta. Maine and at additional mailing offices. c; Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. 1997. Permission to reprint text material is granted, provided proper credit is given to the author and to MAINE FISH AND WIIDUFE. Clearance must be obtained from artists. photographers, and non-staff authors to reproduce credited work. CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Send both old and new addresses to Circulation Section, MAINE FISH AND WJIDUFE Magazine, 284 State St., 41 State Hse. Sta .. Augusta ME 04333. Please allow six weeks for changes to take effect. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to Circulation Section, MAINE FISH AND WIIDUFE, 284 State St., 41 State Hse Sta .. Augusta. Maine 04333 QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR SUBSCRIPTION? Just call toll-free 1-800-288-8387 The Department of Inland Fisheries dnd Wildlife receives federal funds from the U .S Department of the Interior. Accordingly, all department programs and activities must be operated free from discrimina· lion with regard lo race, color, national origin, age. or handicap. Any person who believes that he or she has been discriminated against should write to The Office of Equal Opportunity. U.S Department of the Interior, Washington. D.C. 20240 magann d •stqn I< prepress by graphiti bclfasl me

04915

from The Photo Archives

Our "old photo " of the day-what NOT to do with "orphaned " wildlife

Departments RECIPE CORNER

FROM THE FLY TYING BENCH: Brook Trout

KID-BITS

FISH AND WILDLIFE BRIEFS

by Butch Carey

The Front Cover: The artist, Robert Macleod, is a freelance painter living in Cape Porpoise, Maine. His work is on display at the Mast Cove Gallery in Kennebunkport. Printed with vegetable-based •

¥•6

....T

inks on recyclable paper

The One That Didn't Get Away Club -1996 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 fi sheries biologist of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The Fish Brook Trout

(Qualifying Weight 4 pounds)

3 entries in 1996

I Brown Trout (Qualifying Weight 6 pounds)

14 entries in 1996

Lake Trout (Qualifying W eight 15 pounds)

7 entries in 1996

Landlocked Salmon (Qualifying Weight 6 pounds)

6 entries in 1996

The Angler

Lbs. Length Oz. (In.) Date

Bob Dumais , Vassalboro Philip Myers , Jr., Rockland Alan Varn um, Dresden

5.03 4-9 4-6

23 20 21 1/2

Robert L. Hodson, Sanford Butch Desanctis, Durham Tom LeBlanc , Sanford Bruce Hilton , Kennebunk Rory B. Trudeau, So Portland Deborah Gagnon , Shapleigh John Charles , Gray Bob Reynolds , Yarmouth Luke Dionne, Acton Allan Hill , Gray Peter Windrush , Casco Kendell Libby, Gray David Gagne , Wells Harry T. Parsons, Brunswick

23 .8 10.665 9-4 9 8-3 7-3 7.29 7-2 6-8 6-7 6.49 6-4 6 -

35 1/4 31 27

27 25 25 25 27 25 24 26 24 30

William Day, Kezar Falls Paul Tardi ff, Litch fi eld Joe Kitchen, Ellswo rth Noelle Barth , Milford , MA Adam Silvestri, Kensington, NH Lane Perkins, Saco Stephen Nappi, So Portland

27.05 20 19-3 17.62 16.60 16 15-8

40 38 39 36 35 34 34

Larry Gilman , Sidney Paul Pion, Belgrade Jeff W. Zimba, Fairfield Peter N. Pelletier, Brewer Bud Farwell , Bangor Jonathan Capon , Millis , MA

7-9 7-8 7-4 6-7 6-2 6

26 30 24 26 25 23

1/2

3/4 1/8

3/4 1/2

6 entries in 1996 1

White Perch (Qualifying Weight 1 1/2 pounds) 7 entries in 1996

1 7/1 5/2 5/9 8/9 5/5 1/21 3/1 5/23

live bait live bait Weeping Willow Rapala w/fly rod Warbler Gray Ghost sewn shiner shiner live bait - shiner F6 Black Ghost

1 6/3 2/11 1/15 8/18 7/26 2/18 5/18

Sebago Lake Sheepscot Lake, Palermo Green Lake, Ellsworth Sebago Lake, Standish Sebago Lake Sebago Lake Sebago Lake

Flatfish ice fish sucker flatfish flatfish Swedish Pimple w/sucker flatfish

Long Pond Long Pond. Belgrade Long Pond. Belgrade Long Lake , Sinclair East Grand Lake. Forest City Kezar Lake, Lovell

smelt smelt pattern Weeping Willow Gray Ghost Double A Special Streamer Flashking

5/3 9/19 4/9 6/6 9118 8/22

1/2 1/2 3/8 1/2

Ray Weickel, New Milford, NJ

5-3

20 5/8

I 5/ 18

Iva Jelenic, So Harpswell Ken Gibb, Bath Ken Bradley , Gray Mike Cash, Saco John Corey, Waterville Rick Dussault, Biddeford

8-11 8.02 8 8 7-9 7.26

24 22 1/4 24 24 1/2 23 22

6/19 2/ 11 5/8 7/21 3/17 313

Eric Dube, Fairfiel d Dave Johnston , Monticello George V. Grover, Veazie Paula K. Phelps , Waite Arthu r R Lambert, Winslow Joh n A. Lambert, Winslow Gregory G. Mendez, Babylon , NY

2-2 2-2 1.94 1-15 1-111 /2 1-10 1-8

14 1/2 15 16 16 13 7/8 13 3/4 14

Vincent J. Caruso, E Rumford John Mullen, Auburn Richard F. Flood. Woodland Phil Bozenhard , Gray Roy H. Guidry, Jr. Presque Isle Felix Korn , Union David D. Dunton , Bar Harbor

6-4 4-11 4-10 4.65 4.55 4.5 4

Pickerel (Qualifying Weight 4 pounds)

7 entries in 1996

Bill Swan , Belgrade Lakes Jerry Peterson , So Portland James T. Billings, Li berty (Qualifying Weight 15 pounds) Mike Gibbs, Mt. Vernon 6 entries in 1996 David Langlais, Scituate, RI . Sherwood Juskewitch, Merce r

Northern Pike

-~-

26 .33 24.84 21-3 18.13

_G7.44 -4

28 25 26 26 26 24 24

I 311 1/10 9/3 6/3 2/4

2/4 8/16

I I

I East Grand Lake

Tube Jig

Upper Narrows Pond Damariscotta Lake. Newcastle Little Sebago Lake Shaker Pond, Alfred North Pond , Smithfield Bonn ie Eag le Lake , Buxton

Hedden Lucky 13 shiner

Three Mile Pond, Vassalboro Drews Lake , Linneus Pushaw Lake, Bangor Spednic Lake , Vanceboro China Lake China Lake Long Pond, Rome

Kelly Striper (plastic worm)

Giant sh iner

I I

live smelt live bait worm spinner & crawler smelt smelt worm

1/2 3/4

1'1 3/2 3/17 2/10 3;1 9 1018 2/24

Androscoggin Lake, Wayne live bait Tripp Lake, Poland shiner Meddybemps Lake , Baileyville smelt Ingalls Pond shiner Lower Mattawamkeag Lake, Island Falls live shiner Round Pond . Union Jointed Rapala Graham Lake, Ellsworth Swedish Pimple

48 44 41 3/4 41 43

5/11 7/28 2/ 11 6/4 8/28

Long Pond, Belgrade North Pond , Smithfield North Pond, Smithfield Long Pond North Pond, Mercer North Pond , Mercer

3/4 3/4 1/2

shiner Gray Ghost live bait

3/6 4/29 717 6/ 15 5/20 5/28

1 entry in 1996

(Qual ify ing Weight 7 pou nds)

Lure

Square Pond, Acton Upper Range Pond Square Pond - , Acton Square Pond , Shapleigh Square Pond, Shapleigh Little Sebago Lake Upper Range Pond, Poland Spring Mousam Lake , Acton Little Sebago Lake Range Pond , Poland Crystal Lake Mousam Lake, Acton Rangeley Lake

5/20 1/ 12 4/9

(Qualifying Weight 5 pounds)

Lig ht Edison Tiger (fly) live smelt Swedi sh Pimple

1/2

3/4 3/4

Where Caught Grass Pond , Pierce Pond Twp Moosehead Lake Long Pond , Belgrade

Smallmouth Bass

Largemouth Bass

41 _ _ j ~

fly - Lefty's Deceiver large shiner live minnow Silver Rebel

There were no entries in the following categories in 1996: blueback trout (qualifying weight, two pounds), rainbow trout (qualifying weight, five pounds), splake (qualifying weight , four pounds), or black crappie (qualifying weight, two pou nds).

M aine Fi sh and Wildlife

h tt p :// www .s tat e. m e. u s/ if w / hom e p age. h tm I

by Warden John Whalen I transferred tension and from Fort Kent to adrenaline levels Hartland in the fall were nearly as of 1982. Activity high as our was fierce, and I poacher-catchand my new working tally. One ing partner, Warnight that fall, den Jim Ross, had while posted in been very successa field in ful catching Palmyra, Jim nighthunters. On and I counted 11 the first day we gunshots in our met, Jim asked me area before to pick out a good someone finally spot for us to work found us! together, and I I had heard spent that whole from a person on day driving around the Grant Road in my '78 Ford LTD that some people cruiser, looking for living on the just the right place. north end of the That night, we road were doing set up in the spot a lot of deer I'd chosen, a field killing in those on the Grant Road same fields I had worked my first in St Albans. Jim talked about my night. He agreed predecessor, legto call the state endary warden police and report orm Gilbert, and I any gunshots. "One Hundred Sixteen Years "-limited edition prints of this original wondered if I'd Because this commemorative are available through the artist, Ramone Hanleyever measure up. man had Warren, (207) 793-2298. The artist is donating 30 percent of all proceeds to the Maine Warden Service Scholarship Fund. As it got later, adopted several the traffic on Route mustangs from 152 all but stopped and things field, the vehicle slowed out West, I gave him the name of started to get real quiet. Then I "Custer's Last Stand." Whenever abruptly-and there it was, a Custer called (and he did, numerheard the noise of heavy mudder shaft of light coming out of the tires on Route 152. When that ous times), I knew it was because right side of the vehicle. Well, noisy truck got to the Grant someone had shot in those fields. we about flew across that field in Road intersection, it turned in But I was always in the wrong Jim's cruiser, and after a short place, and the harder I tried to our direction. chase without headlights, we catch these folks, the more frusJim said this might be the had the truck's two occupants trated I became. headed for jail. truck we were looking for. Just That was how it went, all that as he was telling me how he'd fall. We were in some sort of never seen anyone using one of The author has been a Maine game mess almost every night. The tho e big spotlights to "burn" a warden since 1983. http: // www.sla le .me. us / i fw / hom epage. h Im I

Summer 1997

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Spring 1983 finally arrived, bringing welcome relief from the furious activity of the fall and winter. I thanked God for mud season that year! I soon began to hear reports of shots fired in several areas in Hartland and St Albans. I was able to pick up two does that were shot and left at the scene. Whenever a vehicle was seen leaving the area, it was described as a station wagon. One night in May, someone finally got a registration number-and it ran down to a vehicle belonging to those same Grant Road poachers-the ones I'd been trying so hard to get!. I went hot on the trail, working almost every night near their home and fully expecting to catch them. But the shooting stopped in the middle of May. I tried to get a search warrant for the house, but couldn't develop enough information. I was exasperated. I finally swallowed my pride and went to visit the "Legend." Norm Gilbert gave me several hours of tutoring covering nearly every aspect of warden work. I remember many of his words as if I'd heard them only yesterday. Above all, Norm said, "Be patient-when the poachers' turn comes to be caught, they'll fall!" One evening in early June, I was working on the kitchen of my nearly completed house when those poachers suddenly entered my thoughts again. I hadn't had any recent complaints, but I couldn't get them out of my mind. For some reason, I visualized them night hunting on the Bean's Corner Road in Hartland, even though I'd never had a complaint involving them there. Finally I gave in to the feeling, hung up

Ma111e Ftsh and Wi ld/1[,Âˇ

my hammer, and went back to my apartment to get ready for work. I must include here a description of my truck-very important to the story. It was a 1980 Ford two-wheel drive pickup truck with a six-cylinder engine; wardens called them "quarterpounders," but they soon became known as "quarter-pounders without cheese" because their top end was only about 85 miles per hour! Mine was a very special model, because it had only a three-speed transmission (the original four-speed transmission had disintegrated). The shifting stick was a little short, too, and the transmission would lock up in second gear now and again. But back to the story. I got into my "cheeseless quarter pounder" and headed toward Hartland with these poachers atill on my mind. It was about 9:30 p.m. and totally dark when I turned onto the Bean's Corner Road. As I crested the first hill on the road, I could see a vehicle about 600 yards ahead of me, headed in the same direction I was. I stopped in the road and took a look with my binoculars, and darned if it wasn't a station wagon! I could see two people in the car, silhouetted against their own headlight reflection. I couldn't believe it! My heart was pounding, and my arms started to shake from the rush of adrenaline. I followed along at a slow speed, staying as far back as I could. The wagon made a U turn at the next intersection and headed back towards me. As the vehicle passed by, I signaled to turn right at the intersection. I made my turn, then doused my lights and made a U turn of my

own, soon catching up to the now slow-moving station wagon. They were just creeping along, with me about 100 yards back. As we went by a large green field, the passenger climbed out of the right side window and sat on the window ledge. From there, he "burned" the field with a spotlight! Norm Gilbert's words were true; they had just fallen into my hands. Or so I thought. I downshifted to close the gap; when T did, I ground that second gear, and the guy spotting the field sounded the alarm. While I was trying to get my burger into second gear, the poachers were getting away! I lost sight of them at the first hill, but saw them as they made the turn towards Hartland. That wagon had a big VS in it and it moved some fast! I fell further and further behind, and finally lost them. I called for a trooper and, as luck would have it, Trooper Peter Hard wick was sitting in the center of Hartland. He stopped the wagon about five miles from where I had lost them. I arrived at the scene, and finally faced my poachers for the first time. The two were indignant that I would accuse them of nighthunting, and after a complete check of the wagon, I had to let them go. There was nothing in the wagon-no spotlight, no gun, no bullets, nothing! I'd been outfoxed again, and I was depressed. Peter, comic that he was, didn't help me feel much better! Summer passed into fall, and those Grant Road boys were still real quiet. I privately took some credit for that; maybe that situation in June had saved some deer! Fall was a repeat of th http: //www.sta te. me. us / i fw/h ome page. h tm I

previous one. It was "Dodge City" again, and the nighttime frenzy was unbelievable. I was working alone on the Snakeroot Road in Pittsfield on this particular October night when state police dispatch called me at about 10 p.m.

"Augusta ... 2153"; "2153 . Augusta, 10-3; "2153 Custer' Last Stand reports three shots fired." There it was! I knew that the boys had come out to play one more time, and I was some 15 miles away! Just my luck! Well, I started for St. Albans, and as I went through the lights in the center of Pittsfield, I downshifted my "quarter-pounder" to make the corner, and you guessed it! The gear box locked in second and I couldn't budge it. I pulled into the parking lot at the Sebasticook River bridge, got out my tire iron, crawled under the truck, and pried the locked linkage apart. I figured the effort was useless, but I continued on to the Grant Road location anyway . As I approached the residence where "Custer" lived, I doused my lights and proceeded slowly. I soon saw a flashlight at the end of the driveway. I stopped and he jumped in. He told me that he had been outside since the shots were fired and hadn't seen or heard anything. This man was full of spirit-over 6' 6" and very fitand said he was fed up with all this night shooting. Tonight he was going to help me catch these "jerks" and put an end to this poaching business. I was unaware at that time that he had a "hogleg" .375 tied to his right leg and he was "loaded for bear." The Grant Road in this area was blacktopped and the field in which the hots were fired was http ://www. s tate.me. us / ifw /homepage . h tm I

on our right. Directly across the road from this field is a large cemetery enclosed with 100-foot tall pines on the roadside and a "banjo-string tight" woven wire fence on the other three sides. Behind this cemetery is another small hay field where deer often come out to feed at night. The moon was full and visibility was exceptionally good. The moonlight created dark shadows. I parked near the back fence and the informant and I took up positions beside a giant pine near the cemetery entrance at about 10:30 p.m. I was sure the poachers had gone home, but we stayed in position and waited. It was dead quiet, and the only things moving were the moon shadows. What a spooky place to set up an ambush for a couple of poachers, I thought. Halloween was just around the corner, the stone monuments were all stand1ng tall and silent over the former residents of St Albans, and the shadows of the monuments intertwined and embraced each other. It was eerie! Just before 1 a.m. I heard footsteps on the blacktop road from the north-the direction in which the poachers' house was. I snapped my binoculars into position and I could see the two men walking toward us. The heavyset fellow was carrying a rifle and the other guy had something in his hand. About 300 feet away from us, they turned left onto a camp road that ran down beside the field where shots were fired earlier. We lost sight of them, so we just waited and prayed they would reappear and do their thing. My assistant decided he should move to another location in the cemetery-and I agreed with him. I

didn't want him involved in any skirmishes! After about 45 minutes, I heard footsteps on the blacktop off to the south. They had come across the field and entered the Grant Road about 100 feet from us. They walked closer, finally turning into the cemetery right beside me! I heard them talking, and one said he didn't like cemeteries. I could see clearlythey were the same men I had encountered back in June on the Bean's Corner Road. Some investigation had revealed that one of them-the guy with the rifle!-was a convicted felon. As they turned into the cemetery, I unhostered my .357, drew down on the felon with the rifle, and said, "Hold it boys-

game warden. " In a heartbeat, the one without the gun leapt into the air, venting the belly scream of a demon! While in the air, he rotated in my direction and threw his six-volt light at me. It struck me in the belt buckle hard enough to knock me down!. He then went into high gear and ran the length of the cemetery and into the shadows where my truck was parked. He made several more shrieks as he ran-but then I heard the sound a woven wire fence makes when it is stretched to the breaking point"YYeeeeCH" -then a dull thump as the demon hit the ground . The felon with the rifle, meanwhile, shifted the weapon from right to left as he ran quarterly across the cemetery and disappeared. By the time I had my missing flashlight in hand, the two were gone from sight-but I finally had enough evidence to convict them. I stood up and loudly addressed the woods where they had disappeared. "You guys have Summer 1997

â&#x20AC;˘

had it!!", I yelled. My assistant

into an unshaded front window.

reappeared and said to me, "You're nuts!" He was hyperventilating and shaking as he left. For once, I was calm-I was thinking how I was going to get these poachers before they got home, which was a half mile away. I picked up the evidence that had been thrown "at" my lap and went over to find a big bulge in the fence and a piece of red shirt hanging from it. I also found a Budweiser ball cap (I still have the hat-a silent reminder of that glorious night in Grant's cemetery), a small pocket knife, and several coins. It appeared that Mr. Demon had ripped open his clothing and spilled the contents of his pockets. I knew he must have suffered some injury and would be sore in the morning. I called state police for assistance. Soon Troopers Dennis Hayden (with his K-9) and Bob Rowe arrived, along with Sgt. Art Roy. I gave Roy and Rowe the poachers' names and descriptions, and directions to their residence. They left, and Hayden and I started on the track with the K-9. A few minutes later, Sgt. Roy radioed for us to come to the house. When we arrived, he told us that he and Rowe had tried unsuccessfully to rouse the occupants of the old rundown house. The only activity in the darkened house was a very small shaggy dog, barking and ricocheting off the entranceway walls. As we walked around the house, trying other doors and windows, the dog suddenly became very quiet, and Roy said he heard footsteps in the house. About then, Trooper Rowe rounded the corner and looked

"John! Come here! Is this who you're looking for?"

Mai,1e Fish and Wild life

We all were peering into the bedroom-with four flashlights on!- and we could see two people in a bed, covered with a heavy comforter. There lay Mr. Felon-beside his wife, face up, the comforter pulled up to his neck, his eyes clenched shut. He would not respond to our requests for him to come out. I could see the collar of the same plaid wool shirt he had on in the cemetery, and he still had his boots on! His face was scratched and bleeding slightly and beaded with sweat, and there were bits of branches and fir boughs in his hair. The woman was lying on her left side under the comforter. We noticed that something was wriggling and struggling under the covers-we then realized where the dog had gone (she must have had a death grip on that dog, because it never made another sound!). I told Mr. Felon I'd be back in the morning with an arrest warrant. We left, and I stopped off at "Custer's Last Stand" to tell him what had taken place. The next day I took Mr. F. to jail without any problems and charged him with nighthunting and felony possession of a firearm. I then went to the place where The Demon worked (a local body shop) and spoke to the owner. When I asked the owner (a personal friend) where Demon was, he laughed and wanted to know why. I gave him a brief rundown, and he told said that my man did in fact seem a little stiff and was having a hard time getting around. I found Mr. D. down back, taking a water pump off a junk

car. As I approached he was bent over the car. When he spotted me, he started to shake and when I spoke to him, he jumped. Poor Mr. Demon! He really had been scrubbed up from his encounter with that fence. He didn't walk, he hobbled. I asked him if he shouldn't go to the hospital for a check up and he replied, "For what?" I then made reference to the past evening, and he denied everything. He said I was picking on him, and that be wasn't nighthunting. "J always walk like this," he said. This incident concluded with Misters Felon and Demon paying their fines and spending a few days in jail. Since that time, I've had several other encounters with them. I recovered a deer killed by an automobile late one evening, and I couldn't find anyone who wanted the deer. Then I thought of Mr. Felon. I drove to his house and knocked on the door. The same small dog went through the same ricochet routine. Mr. F. answered the door, and I asked him if I could speak with him outside. He was nervous and reluctant, but agreed to come out. As we went towards my truck, he asked several times what it was all about. When we got to the truck, I snapped on my flashlight and asked him if he wanted the deer. He was in shock. Was I kidding? Was this a setup? I assured him that it was all on the level. I knew he could use the deer and said he could have it if he wanted it. Well, he took the deer and thanked me, and to this day, I have never had a confirmed report of him killing deer in closed season or at night. Several years later I encountered Mr. Demon deer hunting in St Alban . He was afield h I tp: // www .state. me. us / ifw/ h o mepage . h tm I

that resulted in total fines exceeding $4,500! Over the years, many people ask me "Just what do game wardens do?" I believe that most people don't understand what game wardens experience during their careers. Very few actually get opportunities to witness these incidents, as "Mr Custer" didduring years that he was around St Albans, Custer often told the story of that night in October.

without enough hunter orange, and I issued him a warning for the violation. He told me he had walked miles that day, had "somehow gotten turned around," and was now very tired. Would I give him a ride home, he asked? I did and as we rode along, he "filled me in" on something. A week later, working on that hint, I encountered a group of six hunters. That hint from Mr. D. helped solve a case

Each year, as the cool fall breezes blow the brightly colored leaves across Maine, campfires and cookstoves are kindled. As sportsmen absorb the comforting heat, sooner or later an old game warden story is related. I'm sure of one thing. Somewhere, somehow, sometime, another Maine game warden made another arrest that was worth talking about! â&#x20AC;˘

PICKLED WHITE PERCH Fillet white perch and cut into bite-size pieces if fillets are too large. Put fillets and/or cut pieces in a crock or glass container (do not use metal or plastic) and cover with a solution of 5/8 C. canning or picking salt and 1 C. white vinegar. (you may need to double or triple this solution , until the fish is completely coverfd). Let stand five full days in refrigerator or cold spot. Remove fish and wash in cold water till clear. Cover fish with cold water and let stand for one hour, then drain well. Place fish in a glass canning jar, and prepare the following solution: 3/4 C. white vinegar 1/2 C. white sugar 1/2 C. white port wine

1/4 C. mixed pickling spices 1 large onion, sliced several whole garlic coves

Again, you may have to double or triple this solution , until the fish is completely covered. Mix the above solution so it is all dissolved before pouring over fish. Place the fish in the refrigerator for two to three days, so the solution can mix with the fish, and then they will be ready to eat. Note: this recipe works well for all freshwater fish , including those with "y" bones. Charles R. Mann, Maine Department of Inland Fish and Wildlife Volunteer Coordinator

WHITE PERCH JERKY Fillet white perch , then cut into 1/2 inch strips (if the fillets are small, you may leave them whole). Remove all skin, then marinate in soy sauce and garlic for 30 minutes. The amounts of these you use should be in accordance with your taste. Spread the strips or fillets on a non-stick type cookie sheet; sprinkle with curry powder and a liberal amount of lemon pepper. Place in oven at 180-200 degrees. Leave the oven door open slightly so it does not become too hot. The purpose is only to dry the fish. When the fish becomes approximately half dried, remove from the oven , turn them , and replace them in the oven until finished. Fish will keep for several weeks in the refrigerator. Charles R Mann, Maine Department of Inland Fish and Wildlife Volunteer Coordinator

Want to see your favorite fish and game recipe in our Recipe Corner? Just send it, along with a little background, to: THE RECIPE CORNER, Attn: Charlie Mann, 284 State Street, 41 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333 http :// www. s tate.me . us/ ifw /homepage .h tml

Summer 1997

199 7 Winter Waterfowl Survey Is Completed D by Patrick 0. Corr

epartment Biologist Pat Corr and Jim Goldsberry, pilot and biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, conducted the 1997 winter waterfowl survey, logging more than 25 hours of flying on five separate

days between January 9 and January 14. The team counted a total of 70,309 ducks and 1,926 geese, a grand total of 72,235 birds. The 1997 count was 8.2 percent lower than the 10-year average of

Approximately 1, 100 blue-winged teal were taken by hunters in Maine in 1995 (last available data).

78,728. A count of 14,596 was recorded for black ducks , down 7.9 percent from the 1996 count of 15,848 but still above the 10-year averao-e of 13,957. The survey team reported 39,001 eidershigher than the 1996 count of 35,716, but 12 percent lower than the 10-year average of 44,327. Waterfowl wintering in Maine during December and the beginning of January experienced unusually mild temperatures resulting in very little coastal ice, and many inland wetland habitats were available. Black duck numbers recorded on the survey units may have been lower than last year because many spent the early part of the winter on inland rivers and wetlands. Surveys are conducted at the same time every winter in each state in the Atlantic Flyway. Results of the Maine inventory are added to those from other states to obtain total wintering populations on the East coast. Waterfowl counted this year (1996 numbers in parentheses): black duck, 14,596 (15.848); mallard, 556 (480); scaup, 1,175 (1,052); merganser, 1,662 (1,244); goldeneye, 5,429 (3,776); bufflehead, 3,175 (3,776); old quaw, 1,797 (954); scoters, 2,804 (5,134); eider, 39,001 (35,716); canada gee e 1,911 (1,103).

The autl,or is leader of the Department's Bird Research Group, wit/1 headquarters in Bangor.

Maine Fish a11d Wild/1fe

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BROOK TROUT by Butch Carey rom the Fly Tying Bench

THE PATTERN HOOK: #4-94720, ax THREAD: White monocord TAIL: White, black, & orange hackle barbules BODY: White floss , salmon pink floss RIBBING: Flat silver Myler

UNDERWINGS: Orange bucktail WINGS: Olive over grizzly saddle hackles THROAT: White, black, & orange hackle barbules EYES: Jungle cock HEAD: Black thread

Cast on white monocord on shank above barb. Tie in white, then black, then orange barbules for tail.

Attach line silver Mylar for ribbing. Move thread 3/4 up hook shank. Cement.

121 Tie in white floss. Double wrap, to back and return to starting point. Tie, trim. Tie in salmon pink floss. Wrap in close, even turns to just behind eye of hook, t hen back to starting point. Tie off. Trim, cement.

Wind silver Myler ribbing to front in even turns. Tie, trim. Cement.

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141 Summer 1997

Tie in orange bucktail, same lewngth as body

~ and tail , for wing .

Tie in grizzly saddle hackles, then olive ~ sadd le hackles, over bucktail for wing. Tie, trim . Cement.

Add white, then black, then orange barbules for throat, same as tail. Tie, trim . Cement.

Tie on black thread and add jungle cock eyes. Finish the head, then paint a series of alternating red and ~ yellow dots on the olive hackles (see Fly Tying Bench, Fall 1991 Maine Fish and Wildlife, page 30 for tips on painting dots) to finish your Brook Trout fly!

M ~ine Fis h and Wi ld life

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1997 MAINE FISH CONSUMPTION ADVISORY General Consumption Advisory for ALL Inland Surf ace Waters Due to Mercury Contamination Pregnant women, nursing mothers, women who may become pregnant, and children less than eight years old, should N OT EAT warmwater fish species (bass, pickerel, perch, sunfish, crappie) caught in any of Maine's inland surface waters. Consumption of cold water fish should be limited to one meal per month for these same people.

All other individuals should limit consumption of warmwater species caught in any of Maine's inland surface waters to two to three meals per month. People who eat large (older) fish are advised to use the lower limit of two meals per month.

There are no consumption limits for coldwater species except as noted above. This year, more restrictive consumption advisories have been extended to include the following s treams, brooks, and rivers.

Androscoggin River Kennebec River Penobscot River Salmon Falls River East Br. Sebasticook River West Br. Sebasticook River Little Madawaska River and all tributaries Green Pond, Chapman Pit, Greenlaw Brook Red Brook

Gilead to Merryrneeting Bay Madison to Edwards Dam !Augusta) Edwards Dam (Augusta) to The Chops (Bath) Below Lincoln Below Berwick Below Corinna Below Hartland Madawaska Darn to Grimes Mill Road All Waters (on former Loring Air Force Base) All Waters (Scarborough)

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife 207- 287- 8000

http ://www .sta te. me. us /ifw/ hom epage.h tml

For more information, contact the:

Maine Dept. of Human Services Bureau of Health at207-287-6455 Summ er 199 7

by Lisa J. Kane In the southwestern US: Illegally killed bald and golden eagles are worth $850$1000 each. A single golden eagle feather is worth $100. A red-tailed hawk peyote fan is worth $150. A doubletrain Indian war bonnet, made up of eagle feat hers from several birds, can fetch up to $20,000. In Taiwan: Bear gallbladders of average weight can bring $800$3000; a bowl of bear paw soup costs up to $1500 in some upscale restaurants catering to rich clients looking for unusual, unique or endangered animals on which to dine. In New York City: Bear galls from Maine can be worth up to $300 each. In Maine: Bear galls can be illegally purchased for $100-200 each.

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lot of people wonder why there are such seemingly excessive wildlife protection laws in Maine and throughout the United States. It's against the law to pick up and possess feathers from blue jays, owls, cardinals-even seagulls! It's really against the law to pick up and keep an eagle feather. It's against the law to collect old birds' nests. It's against the law to pick up a moose or deer skull with attached antlers from a long-dead animal you may come across while wandering out in the willywags. It's really against ......1 ---1

the law to have in your possession a spotted, Blanding' s, or box turtle shell, or any other piece or part of an endangered or threatened species in Maine. All of these laws are on the books to protect wildlife from

This was and still is a popular (and illegal) method of exhibiting songbirds. unscrupulous dealers aiming to make big money by illegally killing, marketing and selling

Maine Fish and Wi ldlife

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wildlife. Just like anything else that is 'collectable', like diamonds, baseball cards, postage stamps, old Corvettes, or Dr. Pepper bottles, people collect wildlife and parts of wildlife; either because they like to look at it, believe it possesses medicinal powers; or is an integral part of ancient cultures or religions. A few major wildlife "busts" have recently made headlines in nationally recognized newspapers and magazines like US News and World Report; The New York Times, and Newsweek; but we don't often think that there is much black market wildlife activity going on in Maine. WRONG!! Here are a few examples of cases recently investigated by Maine Warden Service. These are just 3 of close to 300 investigations conducted by wardens in the last year! Wardens have traveled to Connecticut, New York City, Florida, New Jersey,

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New York State and virtually all the other New England states in pursuit of people illegally taking and hoping to profit from Maine's wildlife. Remember, wildlife is not just Fish and Wildlife's wildlife it's all of our wildlife; the game, nongame, threatened and endangered animals game wardens are charged with protecting for the use and enjoyment of all people of our state. #

Case #1 In a case that spanned three or four years, wardens received a tip that illegally killed wildlife was being transported from Wytopitlok, Maine to New Britain, Connecticut to be mounted by a Erwin Jarczewski. Using a dead snowy owl from an IFW evidence locker, game wardens planted a transmitter into the owl carcass in order to follow the electronic signal to the taxidermists' residence in Connecticut. Twenty wildlife officers from Connecticut

The author is a department natural science educator. This article was written after a recent conversation with Warden Investigator Tom Santaguida. http: //www .s tate .me . us/ifw /homepage .h tml

A radio transmitter was placed in a snowy owl carcass. The signal led game wardens from Wytopitlock, Maine to Connecticut. and Maine organized a 'take down' for 10:00 am on a weekday morning. They found an amazing clearinghouse for illegal wildlife at the house. Over 3 truckloads of illegal wildlife and wildlife parts were removed from the site, including untagged bear, fisher, and marten hides; moose antlers in velvet, endangered short-nosed sturgeons, and a variety of mounted European and American raptors - over 300 items in all. The platform bird feeder in back of the residence was full of BB shot, and although no songbirds were found in the residence, it was obvious to wardens that native birds had been killed, then mounted under domed glass in the European manner of exhibiting songbirds. Evidently illegally killed wildlife from all over New England was funneled to this individual for illegal mounting and taxidermy work. The taxidermist eventually paid $10,000 in fines and penalties under Connecticut wildlife laws, and all his taxidermy equipment was confiscated and became the property of the state Summer 1997

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These Savannah Monitors were illegally kept and offered for sale. of Connecticut; he was not sentenced to jail time due to his age and health conditions. Incidentally, the snowy owl implanted with that expensive transmitter was not recovered; but the burned-up shell of the transmitter was found in the house woodstove.

Case #2 The Animal Welfare Agent for the state of Maine received a complaint that a person in Portland, Maine was illegally possessing and selling reptiles and tortoises without a permit to do so as required by the state. The Agent then contacted Maine Warden Service for assistance in the investigation. Specific species illegally possessed by this individual included Savannah Monitor

Mai11 e Fish and Wildl, fe

Lizards and Klienman's Tortoises (Egyptian tortoises); native Maine species advertised for sale included spotted turtles, a Maine Threatened species. The complainant stated that he had answered an ad for various lizards for sale and had visited the premises from which they were being sold. He was dismayed at the poor condition of the animals and the conditions in which they were being kept. He also recognized that some of the species were CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) Appendix I listed animals (includes species in danger of extinction and cannot be traded except under exceptional circumstances); and was told by the seller "not to ask about permits and that it was impossible to get permits for those animals." He filed a complaint because of his concern for the welfare of the animals.

Warden Service ran a FBI check on the reptile seller, a Christopher J. Kenoyer, and found that Kenoyer had an extensive criminal record . Maine laws violated in this incident included: illegally possessing three Savannah Monitor Lizards, two Klienman' s tortoises, misuse of endangered species by illegally offering for sale a species on the Maine endangered species list, illegally operating a pet shop and offering wildlife for sale without a permit. A search warrant was obtained for Kenoyer' s residence, and game wardens conducted the search on a weekday morning. Evidence seized included three Savannah Monitor Lizards, two

These ruby-throated hummingbirds were illegally collected in Maine and then illegally transported to Florida to be mounted.

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Klienman's tortoises and flyers offering these and other reptiles and amphibians, including spotted turtles, for sale. Kenoyer was advised that he was in violation of possession of two types of reptiles that required a permit and was given a summons to appear in court with other summonses to follow. The animals seized as evidence were transported to a private individual knowledgeable in keeping captive reptiles. Kenoyer never showed up in court to answer the summons and there are 4 outstanding warrants for his arrest. He is a fugitive from justice in Maine, and currently it appears that he has fled to Florida.

Case #3 Recently a Florida Game and Fish enforcement officer interviewed a Boca Raton taxidermist, a John Anthony Williams of John's Taxidermy, about his knowledge of the illegal killing of alligators by a known acquaintance. The taxidermist agreed to a consensual inspection of his freezer during the course of questioning. Two ruby-throated hummingbirds were found there, among other things. The hummingbirds were clearly marked as being received from a southern Maine couple. The Florida Wildlife Officer then contacted Maine Warden Service for further investigation. Maine Wardens interviewed the southern Maine individuals identified in this case. According to them, one hummingbird had flown into their window and died, and another had been picked up dead and given to them by a friend . Both had called Maine taxidermists to have the two hummingbirds mounted, http ://w ww .s tate .me.us /if w / home page. h trn I

but were told that was illegal to do so and that they could not get a permit to do so. At their winter residence in Florida, the southern Maine individuals contacted a Boca Raton taxidermist to mount the two hummingbirds. He said he could do it; the birds were then transported to Florida from Maine stuffed in a sock and packed in a suitcase; and were subsequently found and identified in that taxidermists' freezer by the Florida wildlife officer. The two Maine individuals were eventually charged with Illegal Transportation and Illegal Possession of Wild Birds (hummingbirds) and were sentenced in Maine District Court to a fine and costs totalling $420.

Even though they had been told by two Maine taxidermists that it was illegal for them to possess or have the hummingbirds mounted, they ignored the law and pursued the project. As these three diverse cases illustrate, illegal trade in wildlife is happening in Maine. If you know of or suspect any illegal wildlife activities, please call your regional game warden or Fish and Wildlife regional headquarters, or call the Operation Game Thief toll-free line anonymously at 1-800-ALERT-US, or 1-800-2537887. With less than 100 game wardens covering the entire state of Maine, any assistance from the general public is appreciated in our efforts to preserve and protect all wildlife. â&#x20AC;˘

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife

Game Farm

& Visitors Center

Route 26 â&#x20AC;˘ Gray, Maine A 200-acre park with 25 different species of wildlife on exhibit, including moose, black bear, fisher, lynx, mountain lions, white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, bald eagles and more! Spend a day enjoying nature trails, a great visitors center with interactive wildlife and conservation displays, wildlife gardens, a show fish pool, picnic and grill areas, and a new Audubon nature bookstore and gift shop. Open daily, 9:30am-4:00pm ; through November 11 Located on Route 26 in Gray Admission Fees: $3.50/ages 13 & up $2 .00/ages 4-12 Three & under Free $2.50/Seniors Group rates , 15 or more; or school groups/$1.50 ea. Season passes:

$20 $35 $100

Individual Family Mountain Lion

For more information , please call 207-657-4977 , or 207-287-5244

Summer 1997

Summer Fi1hing Scramble Unscramble the letters listed below. They make up a list of things you might need on a summer fishing trip. Keep the list handy for your next fishing expedition!! 1. Tl~ ____

9. KSNRSi) ______ _

2. NISHGIF@ _______ ___

10. ~SEU ____ _

3. ~LKJiI)OXB ______ ___

11. L@E ____ _

4. OKSqB) _____

12. SL@ ____ _

5. OE@RB _______

13. m<FIE ____ _

6. ~ ____

14. ERi{ยง ___ _

7. CN(@ _____

15. ~L 00KB ______ _

8. SFRIT DAI TKI

16. DPF __ _ Can vou find these fishing words hidden in the jumble of letters below? Thev go forwards, backwards, up, down, and even diagonallv. Some words do cross others, so letters can be used twice. There's even a small bonus word! Have fun!!

bass plug chub worm crappie eel popper . minnow

perch trout nymph smelt bait hook line sinker

REKNISFBJDCTOOB QEKNISMBHTOZEHR VCRAPPIECDJTWNX DHBUOBNKRTUORTB BUCKPMNXEBRTHKD NBFEPBOEPMBSSAB YNANELWJDORSMNU MBQIRLUQBMPYERL PZUL -T FBGLEEBLPS HOOKBSGBJGUATKW

"Parts" See if you can put the three parts listed in each group below together into something found in fishing. To find each answer, unscramble the red letters! A. 8. C. D. E. F. G. H.

eye propeller fin eye hook pool bow body

shank throttle tail ferrule blade riff1es stern hackle

' DDDDD SAN

barb shaft gill buff shaft banks gunnel wings

are parts of a OKHO are parts of a TOORM are parts of a SHIF are parts of a SIHFIGN ORD are parts of a RENPSIN are parts of a MEATRS are parts of a ABTO are parts of a YLF

The Mystery Message:

ODD DDDDDDD LEAD ...

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Lead tac.kle is deadly to waterbirds! Lead sinkers & jigs cause fatal lead poisoning in thousands of loons & other waterfowl each year. • Use steel, tin, bismuth or plastic instead • Ask local tackle shops to stock alternatives • Properly dispose of old lead sinkers & jigs Thanks lo Steve Ulsh, Pennsylvania Fish & Boal Commission for ideas for these pages! Answers on page 23

A 1peci1I eight-page

Maine Fish a11d Wild l,fe

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1eetion devoted to M1ine'1 &ruin1-froâ&#x20AC;˘ two ver, different point1 of view

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Maine's 1996 Black Bear Season by Craig McLaughlin

aine's 1996 black bear season included three hunting seasons and a trapping season. The early general hunting season opened August 26 and closed November 1. Bears could be hunted near natural food sources, or by stalking / stillhunting, during this period. Hunting over bait was permitted from August 26 through September 21. The hound season overlapped the early general season, opening September 9 and closing November 1. The late general bear hunting season opened with the firearms deer season on November 2, and closed November 30. Hunters were restricted to hunting bear near natural food sources or by stillhunting during the late season. The bear trapping season opened September 22 and closed October 31.

The 1996 harvest of 2,246 bears represented a drop from the 1995 harvest level of 2,645 bears (the secpnd largest harvest on record) . The high harvest in 1995 was related to a scarcity of fall foods, which increased bears' vulnerability to hunter::. In contrast, abundant food supplies in 1996 reduced bear response to bait, and consequently lowered the early-season harvest. Shortened bear seasons in the 1990s have been successful in reducing annual harvests below 2,300 bears, permitting population growth to the management objective of 21,000 bears.

Geographic Distribution OfThe Harvest Bears were harvested in 11 of the State's 16 counties in 1996 (Figure 1). Most bears (705) were registered in Aroostook County, which yielded 31 percent of the

statewide harvest followed by Piscataquis County with 338 bears (15 percent). No bears were taken in Cumberland, Kennebec, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, or Waldo counties. All Wildlife Management Units (WMU) contributed to the bear harvest. WMU 2 accounted for 701 bears, or 31 percent of the State harvest, followed by WMU 1 with 386 bears (17 percent) and WMU 3 with 364 bears (16 percent).

Timing Of The Harvest Most bears (1,474) were taken during the early general season. An additional 273 bears were registered during the 8-week hound season, and 458 bears were registered during the late general season. Trappers reported 41 bears during the 6week trapping season.

Classroom in the wild. A visit to a bear's den is an educational experience for folks of all ages, including 10-year-old Nathan Elowe.

http ://www .s ta te. me. us/ifw /hom e pa g e.h tml

Summer 1997

In the Ashland area, biologist Kristine Higgins uses telemetry and a directional antenna to locate the den of a sow bear equipped with a radio collar.

Biologists Kristine Higgins (left) and Randy Cross play it safe near the den and wait for the tranquilizer to relax the sow before removing her.

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Residence Of Successful Hunters Maine residents killed 795 bears, or 35 percent of the total. onresident hunters registered the remaining 1,451 bears. onresidents accounted for 72 percent of the early general season harvest, and 65 percent of the take during the hound season. Resident hunters took 53 percent of the bears harvested during the late general season. Most bears taken over bait (74 percent) were taken by nonresident hunters. Hunting with hounds was also popular with nonresidents, as they registered 65 percent of the bears taken with dogs. Residents tagged 56

Maine Fish and Wildlife

percent of the bears taken by unreported methods, and resident trappers accounted for 90 percent of the trapping harvest.

Methods Used By Successful Hunters Method of take was recorded for 1,712 bears, or 76 percent of the harvest. Baiting continued to produce the bulk of the harvest in 1996, accounting for 1,358 bears, or 62 percent of the take. Hunters using dogs took 273 bears (12 percent of the total harvest) . Traditionally, a small but consi tent percentage of the bear harvest is recorded by trappers. In 1996 41 bears (2 percent of the harvest) were

trapped. Hunters tagged 534 bears by unreported methods in 1996. The 1996 archery bear harvest totaled 204 bears representing a 34 percent decrease from 1995. About 55 percent of successful hunters (1,233) employed Registered Maine Guides to assist them during their hunt. Guides helped take 70 percent of the bears registered in WMU 2, and over half the bears harvested in WMU's 1,3, and 5. Most successful guided hunters (995 or 81 percent) took their bears in the early general season. An additional 215 guided hunters took bears in the hound season, 7 trappers were guided to their bears, and 16 hunters indicated they were guided to a bear in the late general season. Guides helped take 71 percent of the bears taken over bait, 79 percent of the bears taken in front of dogs, (17 percent) of bears that were trapped, and 4 percent of the b ar taken by unreported m thods. Seventy- even percent of successful nonre ident hunter employed guides, but only 14 percent of successful resident bear hunters did. Only 111 http://www.sta te. me. us/i fw / h om epage. h tm I

successful nonresident hunters took bears over bait without assistance by a guide. All nonresidents that took bears with dogs hunted with a guide.

Sex And Age Distribution Of The Harvest The 1996 harvest included 1,319 males (59 percent), 919 females (41 percent), and 8 bears of unreported sex. Hunters registered 2,057 bears (92 percent) as adults, 181 (8 percent) as cubs and age was not reported for 8 bears. Sex and age composition of the harvest fluc tuated regionally. The adult female component ranged from 32 percent of the harvest in WMU 1 to 43 percent of the harvest in WMU 5 (excluding WMUs 7 and 8, where very few bears were taken). 15 .c Forty-one percent of the bears "' 0 !;, harvested over bait were regiser tered as females, as were 41 "S "' percent of the bears taken with > hounds, 41 percent of the bears With the den located and the sow tranquilized biologist taken by unreported methods Randy Cross carefully removes the newborn cubs before and 37 percent of the trapping the sow is taken out of the den briefly for measurements harvest. Forty-one percent of the late season harvest was reported and retagging. to be females. Baiters registered 0

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Summer 1997

94 percent of their harvest as adult bears' houndsmen reported 96 percent of their bears were adults. Eighty-three percent of the harvest by unreported methods was adult bears, and adults made up 95 percent of the trapping harvest.

A bear den visit of radiocollared adult females, who sometimes have newborn cubs, is an opportunity for wildlife biologists to gather much-needed biological data.

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Make no mistake! These relatively young bears (above) are armed and dangerous! CHeck out the claws (and the wary, hairy look) from the one on the left. While they don 't necessarily feel compelled to do damage, they are certainly capable of it! At right, a bear's wary but curious nature has been known to get him (or her) in trouble. Why just stand behind the tree when you can peek around and see what's happening? Photos by the author.

Marne Fish and W,Jd/ife

http:// www .s tate.rne.us / i fw / homepage.htm I

During a late winter bear den visit, State Senator Marge Kilkelly, chairwoman of the Legislative Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, comforts a newborn cub while biologists gather scientific data from the tranquilized sow.

PROSPECTS FOR THE 1997 SEASON

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KID-BITS ANSWERS SUMMER FISHING SCRAMBLE 1. BAIT

WORD SEARCH

2. FISHING ROD 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11 . 12. 13.

TACKLE BOX : ;::: ;..i ~ I HOOKS • 1: I~ ~ I BOBBERS 1, ,: • ,! BOAT I : I LUNCH I I~ ,! ,. 1: FIRST AID KIT ~ SINKERS ,. ~~ ~ • LURES : CREEL • ,:, I FLIES I~ 11 ;.w : KNIFE 14. REEL 15. LAW BOOK 16. PFD (personal flotation device)

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PARTS A.

HOOK MOTOR FISH FISHING ROD SPINNER F. STREAM G . BOAT H. FLY B. C. D. E.

In 1997, the bear season framework will remain similar to recent seasons' structure. The general hunting season will open August 25 and close November 29. Bears may be hunted over bait from August 25 until September 20. Bear hunting with dogs will be permitted from September 8 until October 31 . Bear trapping will be permitted from September 1 through October 31. A bear hunting permit ($5 resident, $15 nonresident) will be required before hunting bear during open seasons preceding the opening of firearms deer season on November 1. The number of permits is not limited , and hunters may purchase permits throughout the bear season . Maine's spring 1997 bear population is estimated at approximately 22,000-23,000 animals, slightly above the Department's objective level of 21 ,000 bears. If the pattern of alternating years of abundant and scarce beechnut crops observed in the State continues, few beechnuts will be produced in 1997. Consequently, earlyseason bear harvests should be strong, as bruins respond to baits well and travel widely to obtain forage . Subsequently, the late October and November harvest will be light in northern Maine as bruins enter dens early. Therefore, the 1997 hunt should once again remain below 2,300 bears.

Summer 1997

by Sandy Ritchie Illustrated by Carol Kutz

When

Dodger, a three-year old beagle owned by William "Butch" McCormick of Wilton went out to hunt rabbits in the foothills of western Maine, little did he know that trouble was abruin. Dodger's grizzly odyssey began on Thursday, February 6 when McCormick was teaching him to hunt rabbits in Perkins Township. Now Dodger is not a quick study and had other plans. Soon he set his sights on a deer trail and ran off. Aided by the dog's radio collar, which beams a directional signal to a hand-held receiver, McCormick set out to look for his wayward pooch. He searched until the wee hours of the morning. No luck. He continued searching on Friday and again on Saturday. Still, no luck; The author is a regional wildlife biologist from Region D in Strong.

Ma111e Fish and Wi/d/1/e

however, the unchanging signal from the radio collar suggested that Dodger had not moved. This worried McCormick as he feared the worst. On Sunday, McCormick's persistence finally paid off when he located Dodger's tracks and followed them to a snow-covered brush pile. Butch called to his dog, and as Dodger started to climb up the brush pile a large, black paw reached up and gently whisked him back in. Butch's relief at discovering Dodger alive was short-lived as he realized that his pooch had stumbled into a bear's den,

and that Mama Bear was not anxious for the little dog to leave. McCormick solicited the help of Warden Tom Jacobs, and together they found the small hole in the snow that revealed the entrance to the den. Their plan was to call Dodger and lasso him when he emerged, but

once again their efforts were in vain as Mama Bear hauled Dodger back into the den with her two cubs. On Sunday evening Jacobs contacted me seeking assistance in tranquilizing the bear and removing the dog from the den. On Monday, wildlife biologist Alan Starr a11cM, ong with seasonal workers Adam Vashon and Richard Dill, showed up loaded for bearwith a tranquilizer gun and jab stick fixed with a tranquilizer dart-ready to execute Operat~;;r ::;,:.,. Rescue. At first, -"" ·. neither dog nor cubs were visible, but as Alan readied to "jab" Mama Bear, Dodger presented himself. Optimistic that his rescue was imminent, Dodger tried scurrying up the brush pile into my outstretched arms. Mama Bear wouldn't hear of it and gently grabbed his hind leg in her mouth and coaxed him back into her den. This gentle tug-of-war continued for a minute or so until I was finally able to grab the pooch by his collar and pull him free. Concerned for the safety of her adopted "cub," Mama followed Dodger out of the den leaving her two cubs behind. She cared little about our presence and slowly trudged out-of-sight in the deep snow. Hopeful that Mama Bear would return to her cubs, we packed up our gear and left. By mid-afternoon, Mama had still not returned to her two cub , scarcely four weeks old. http ://www .sta te . me . u s/ i fw /h omepage.h tml

With clear skies and sub-zero temperatures forecasted for the night ahead, the cubs would probably have died if left as they were, so we bundled them up in several blankets and hoped for the best. ....: - ~ The best is exactly what · happened. This bizarre tale

of mistaken identity ended happily when we returned to the den the following morning and found that Mama Bear was back. As for Dodger after his fourday standoff, he was fine albeit hungry and dehydrated. He had a few teeth marks in his radio collar, a testament to Mama Bear's parenting skills, and a few bare spots on his ears where the cubs had apparently tried to suckle. Neither Dodger nor the three bears had any comment.

Epilogue More than a month after Dodger's release from a bear' s den, Mama bear was given

another young one to adopt, and this time it wasn't a beagle. I was recently notified of the availability of a cub, orphaned when a logger accidentally ran his skidder over a bear' s den causing the sow to abandon her two young cubs. Since Dodger's surrogate J,..." mother was more than willing to adopt a dog we figured that her den was a perfect spot to place one of the orphans. The second J;,r orphaned cub was relocated to a den in Franklin. When we arrived at the den with the six-week old cub, affixed with a red tag in each of its ears, Mama bear and her two cubs were nowhere to be found. This much-publicized bear had moved them! Finding her new den would have been relatively easy had she been equipped with a radio collar. Hopeful that she had not ventured far, we proceeded to look for anything that would resemble a den. We finally located her in a brush pile about 150 yards from her former densite. The squawking cub soon announced our presence, so wasting little time, we lowered the cub into the den. Mama bear awakened from her late winter's nap just long enough to grab the little cub and tuck it under her body. Unlike Dodger, this little one seemed content to stay! • Summer 1997

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Maine Fish a11d Wildlife

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A look back into the photo files of the Maine Fish and Game Department

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Warden Nat Berry (now a warden lieutenant in southern Maine) holds an orphaned fawn in this picture, which first appeared in the Summer 1980 issue of Maine Fish and Wildlife. The picture accompanied a plea by Russell Dyer (then deputy chief warden) to "Leave Them Be!" Dyer was addressing the problem (still a problem today) of well-meaning people doing more harm than good in attempting to assist apparently "orphaned" wildlife. http ://www .s tate .me . u s/ i fw / hom epage .h tml

s~mmer 1997

FISH AND WILDLIFE BRIEFS Santaguida Wins Warden of the Year During an annual awards ceremony recently for the Maine Warden Service, a Kennebunk game warden was named Warden of the Year. Thomas Santaguida, a native of New Jersey, received the award, which is bestowed annually to a Maine game warden who is selected by a panel of peers. Last year's Warden of the Year was Aroostook County District Warden Fred Jackson. Santaguida, who is currently a Warden Investigator assigned to Division "A" in Gray, has been with the Maine Warden Service for 8 years. He began his warden career as district warden in Washington County. In 1993, he was promoted to warden investigator. A letter of commendation presented to Santaguida by Deputy Chief Warden Dan Tourtelotte reads in part " ... has been instrumental in organizing on the divisional and state level many complex investigations. His outstanding knowledge of state and federal law, as well as search and seizure practices, has aided all warden service personnel." According to Tourtelotte, Santaguida organized a recent covert operation in Arundel that resulted in the apprehension of a major poaching ring. In that operation, 30 summons were issued and 24 illegally killed deer were confiscated." In other awards presented, Gary Anderson, retiring safety officer for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, was given the Colonel's A ward by Chief Warden Col. Parker

Retiring Safety Officer Gary Anderson was presented the Colonel's Award by Col. Parker Tripp for Gary's many years of dedicated service. out incident two armed felons after tracking them in wooded areas; Menard was recognized for risking his life to recover the body of a drowning victim in a swollen river. Exemplary Service Awards were also pres~nted to District Wardens Scott Colter, Reginald Hammond, Calvin Hall, Glenn Annis, James Fahey and Warden Pilot Alan Rider. Warden Lt. Pat Dorian, who heads up Division "D" in Greenville, received the Distinguished Supervisor's Award.

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Maine Outdoors-Woman Program Starts Second Year

> Tripp. Anderson, a resident of Harpswell, who is retiring after 25 years of service was recognized for his work and dedication in overseeing one of the most effective hunting safety programs in the country. Retired game warden David Mercier, a resident of Orrington, was named Legendary Warden, a recognition awarded to a retired warden who "best exemplifies the principles and ideals that Maine game wardens strive to achieve." Meritorious Service Awards were presented to District Wardens Gregory Sanborn and Daniel Menard. Sanborn was recognized for apprehending with-

Major Dan Tourtelotte (left) presents the Warden of the Year Award to Warden Investigator Tom Santaguida.

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Ma111 ~ Fish a11d Wildl, fe

After a successful start last year, Maine will hold two Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) workshops in 1997. Modeled after a national program that is growing in popularity with women of all ages, the BOW program is an opportunity for women to learn a wide variety of ba ic outdoor skills in a non-intimidating atmosphere. The instructors at these workshops are seaoned outdoors men and women who are chosen for their patience as instructors and for their extensive knowledge of the subjects they teach. "Canoeing, fly fishing, riflery, map reading, hiking, outdoor cooking and outdoor survival skills are just some of the many skill that will be taught during this 3-day hands on program," says Marilyn Tourtelotte, program chairwoman and well-known outdoorswoman. The first BOW workshop will be held Jw1e 13-15 at Camp Bishopswood in Hope. The workshop will take advantage of the close proximity to the ocean to offer cour es in ea kayaking and salt water fi hing, while it continu s to offer the regular BOW courses such as fly fi hing shotgun, canoeing and archery. The econd workshop will be held at re nland Point ne.:ir Princeton on Sept. 5-7. Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Ray "Bucky" Owen, who c agency is sponsoring the BOW program along with the h ltp://www .sta tc. me.us/if w/h omepage. h tm I

Maine Safari Club, Bass Federation, Wild Turkey Federation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Orvis and Federal Firearms, said that "In Maine and throughout the country, this outdoorswoman program has been so successful because it specifically addresses the fact that most women prefer to learn outdoor skills in the companionship of other women, who have a similar level of knowledge." Applications for the spring and fall workshops are available from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, telephone 287-8000.

a display and gathering of guides in the Hall of Flags in the State House all will serve to acknowledge the Maine's guide's special niche in the state's culture and economy. Today, there are 2,006 active, licensed guides in Maine. Although the history of guiding in this state dates back to when the first Native American was hired to show a white man around the woods, it was on this date in 1897 when the state legislature passed a bill requiring hunting guides to register with the state. This was the origination of the term "Registered Maine Guide." Maine's first registered guide was a woman, Cornelia Thurza Crosby, who became almost as nationally known in her era as Annie Oakley. Crosby became known as "Fly Rod Crosby." Sparked by Maine's sporting camp boom, there were 1,700 licensed Maine guides by 1899. In his proclamation, the governor recognized the Registered Maine Guides and their "important part in the past, present and future of the state's outdoor recreation industry." Tuesday, March 25th from 8 am to noon in the State House Hall of Flags, guides from all over Maine will be on hand to discuss their proud profession.

Maine Guides Celebrate 100th Anniversary Proudly hailing a tradition in Maine that began even before statehood, the Regi tered Maine Guides are celebrating their 100th anniversary Tuesday, Mar. 25. Public appearances around the state, a proclamation from Governor King and

Bonus D eer Hunt Planned For September In an effort to expand Maine hunting opportunities the Maine Department of inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIF&W) has created a special September archery season for deer hunters. Archers who take advantage of this special September hunt will be permitted to also take an additional deer either during the regular October archery season for deer, or during the Novem-

During celebration of the registered Maine guides 100th anniversary at the State House, 93-year-old guide Ernest Crie shares a story with Governor Angus King.

ber firearms season. The September hunt will take place only in specifically designated areas that have high deer populations. Although rules for this special hunt are still subject to a public hearing in May and approval by the Fish and Wildlife Advisory Council, it is expected that the September hunt will be September 15 to September 30. Proposed fees for this special bonus deer permit, which will not require a regular archery license, are $40 for Maine residents and $80 for nonresidents. According to MDIF&W's wildlife director Ken Elowe, "The principle purpose of the hunt is to provide additional hunting opportunity in areas where high deer populations can allow for a bonus deer option without having an impact on the number of any-deer permits allocated for those areas or the remainder of the state." The proposed hw1t zones for the special September archery hunt will be located south of Interstate 95 between Kittery and Brunswick. Most of Maine's coastal islands will be part of the newly designated hunting areas as well. Any person eligible to obtain a regular archery hunting license is eligible to purchase a permit for this expanded archery hunt.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Approves Bismuth Shot Good news for waterfowl hunters' The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has recently given final approval to the use of bismuth-tin shot for waterfowl hunting. The decision was made after test results showed that the shot is nontoxic when ingested by ducks and geese. Acting Director John Rogers said, "As always, the Service's intention is to

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make as many shot options available to hunters as possible while protecting migratory birds from poisoning." In 1991, lead shot was phased out for use in waterfowl hunting because it was found to be toxic to ducks and geese that ingest it while feeding. At that time, steel shot became the only legal load for waterfowl hunting. In addition to bismuth-tin and steel shot, the Service has proposed temporary approval of a tungsten-iron shot for the 1997-98 waterfowl hunting season.

The Deer Seasons: 1996/1997 For the second consecutive year, Maine's fall deer kill was well ahead of the predicted harvest. The official deer harvest count for the 1996 hunting sea on is 28,375. This is about 1,000 above the harvest forecast, and well ahead of the 1995 harvest. According to Gerry Lavigne, deer biologist for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIF&W), the higher than expected totals is again "good news." During the past 15 years, Maine's deer population has increased by more than 80 percent. In fact, Maine's post-hunt deer population, or wintering herd, was 301,000 animals. This represents a 17 percent increase over last year. Deer populations in many central and southern Maine areas are nearing the "target population" established by MDIF&W's strategic plan. Hunters registered 19,611 antlered bucks last fall, which is an all-time record. Maine's two previous highest buck harve ts occurred in 1956 and 1958. Last fall bow hunters tagged 774 deer and black powder hunters registered 323 deer. This is a decrease for archer and muzzleloaders over the previous year, a downturn that Lavigne attributes, not to Jess hunter effort, but general hunting conditions and weather.

Looking ahead to the fall hunt, Lavigne has recommended , due to increased deer populations, that the Department issue 41,700 any-deer permits, as compared with the 34,429 anydeer permits issued in 1996. Maine issues any-deer hunting permits through a lottery process. Starting in June, applica tion bookletsfor this any-deer drawing will be available at town offices, regional fish and wildlife headquarters and license outlets. Last year's applicants will be mailed application booklets automatically by the Department. Details of Maine's new bonus deer hunt for archers, which will take place September 15 to September 30, will be announced later this spring.

Maine Conservation School Accepting Applications Does learning about archery, canoeing and water safety; forest ecology, lake studies, wildlife and fish identification and orienteering; rifle and shotgun safety and instruction, fly-fishing, sailing, survival and first aid sound like fun? A one-week session at either facility will offer your 12,13 or 14 year-old youngster a sound introduction to these topics and much more, The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIF&W)will offer camping scholarships to 300 young Maine campers this summer. The conservation programs will take place at the Maine Conservation School in Bryant Pond, and at Greenland Point Center in Princeton. There will be 180 scholarships available at Bryant Pond and 120 available at Greenland Point in Princeton. The scholarships will offset most of the regular application fee of $160. Campers pay only $30 and are required to submit a current physical examination form to participate in a funfilled wildlife and conservation education experience! The funds for the youth

• Enjoy IO spacious guest rooms, private baths, river-view porches, full breakfast, dinner by reservation, fuU- ervice pub. • Outdoor enthusiasts: hiking, fishing, mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, and rafting are aU available close by. • Hunters: special packages are available. • Snowmobilers: we are right on ITS 87 in The Forks.

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scholarships are provided by the auction of five Maine moose hunting permits. This year the Maine moose auction raised more than $35,000 for these scholarships. There are no prerequisites for campers applying for scholarships, except that they have a strong interest in wildlife and the out-of-doors. The three one-week sessions are available in 1997 at Bryant Pond Conservation School, running from June 29 July 4, July 6 - 11, and July 13 - July 18 .Sixty students will be able to attend each week-long session, and will be selected on a first come, first served basis. Currently, all the slots are filled for bys at Bryant Pond, but girls are encouraged to apply! The three one-week sessions available at Greenland Point Center in Princeton are June 29 - July 4, July 20July 25, and July 27 - August 1. Forty students will be able to attend each week-long session, and again will be selected on a first-come, first served basis. Slots are still available for boys and girls, but girls are really encouraged to apply - attend a session with a friend. It' s a great way to learn about the Maine outdoors. Brochure and applications are available from the Fish and Wildlife Information Center at 287-8000.

Duck Stamp Winner Selected The work of a Sangerville artist has been selected to grace Maine's 1997 state duck stamp. Thomas Kemp took top honors with his oil painting of Greater Scaup. Kemp's painting will be reproduced on the state's migratory waterfowl conservation stamp, which will be available to hunters and collectors Sept. 1. This year was the 14th year that Maine artists have competed for the honor of having their art work reproduced on the state duck stamp. La t

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year's duck stamp artist was Paul Fillion. Four previous stamps were commissioned to nationally prominent waterfowl artists. The Department uses income from the sale of the $2.50 stamp to buy and manage waterfowl habitat in Maine. Winning artist Tom Kemp will receive a sheet of stamps reproduced from his painting, which will also be reprinted in the quarterly Fish and Wildlife magazine. For next year's competition, Commissioner Ray "Bucky" Owen has selected as a waterfowl species a seaduck, the Surf Scoter.

Trapped Canid Was Probable Gray Wolf After receiving DNA tests results from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, biologists with the Maine Departmen t of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIF&W) issued a statement today on the origin of the large wolf-like animal trapped last fall in Township 28 MD, near Aurora in Hancock County. They believe the animal was of wild origin, and is very likely a gray wolf. "All our evidence suggests that this animal originated in the wild; nothing

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indicates that it was domesticated in the past," said Craig McLaughlin, a wildlife biologist in the Bangor office. This conclusion comes after careful review of the available information: the animals physical features, its behavior and diet, and analysis of its genetic material. The animals large size (81.5 lb.; 5 ft 5 in long), physical appearance, and coloration are consistent with gray wolves occupying eastern Canada. It was larger than the largest known coyotes in Maine, which rarely exceed 50 lb. in weight and 4 ft in length, but was similar in coloration. It had broken several teeth long before its capture, and its claws were well worn. The USFWS compared measurements of its skull to other wild and domestic dogs, and determined that it was either a wolf or wolf/dog hybrid. The animals last meal was a beaver, a typical food of wolves. Tissue was sent to two laboratories that used independent techniques for genetic analysis. The University of California at Berkeley's tests of its DNA determined the animal to be a wolf, coyote, or wolf/hybrid. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service's DNA tests, which looked at a different part of the animal's genetic material, concluded that it was either a wolf or a wolf/ dog hybrid . Examination of the canid's skull indicated that it was either a gray wolf or a wolf/dog hybrid. Mc~aughlin explained that dogs, wolves, and coyotes are closely related, and share much of the same genes. "Wolves and coyotes have interbred in eastern Canada, and the mixing of their gene confounds efforts to identify la rge canids. We concluded that this may be a wild wolf by considering all information. It is very d ifficult to look at an isolated specimen and positively classify it as a wolf, while ruling out wolf/ dog or wolf/ coyote hybrid," said Mclaughlin. In some instances, DNA analysis is useful in distinguishing wolves from coyotes or dogs, but behavioral and physical factors are also important. The animal was larger than a coyote, and its persistence in the wild, wary nature, and food habits suggest it was a wild animal. Escaped or released captives usually have difficulty hunting, and become dependent on man for handouts. Although the laboratory tests could not rule out hybrids, none of the information collected on this animal suggests that it was a released animal. Wolves were extirpated from Maine by the early 1900s. Wolves occur nearby in

Quebec, and may occasionally wander into Maine. Although occasional sightings are reported, this animal is only the second specimen taken in Maine in modern times. A large canid shot north of Moosehead Lake in 1993 was identified as a gray wolf, but its unusual behavior cast doubt on its origin. That wolf may have been a released captive. Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Ray "Bucky" Owen urges the public to positively identify any wild canids they encounter. Gray wolves are listed as Endangered under the Federal Endangered Species Act, and are fully protected under State and Federal Law.

Boaters Should Check Registrations As boaters begin to make preparations to take to ponds and lakes of Maine, they are reminded to check to make sure that boat registrations have not expired. Last year, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife converted its boat registration process from staggered monthly registrations to a calendar year. Vesta Billing, head of the licensing division for MDIF&W, reminds boaters that registrations on all boats registered after July 1, 1996 would have expired in December of 1996.

Biologist Ken Warner is Feted at Bangor Dinner. Kendall Warner was recognized this spring at a surprise dinner celebration hosted by his famil y at Miller's Restaurant in Bangor. The event marked Warner's 45th year of service to state with the Maine Deparhnent of Inland Fisheries and Wildiife. Family members, past and present colleagues, and other professional associates gathered to share memories and honor the veteran fisheries biologist. Wa rner works out of the MDIF&W's headquarters in Bangor as supervisor of the Fisheries Research and Management Section. He is the recent recipient of several professional awards such as the 1987 Professional Award of Merit and the 1994 Presidential Award both presented by the Northeastern Division of the American Fisheries Society, the 1992 Silver Trout award presented by the Sunkhaze Stream Chapter of Trout Unlimited; and the 1994 Thomas 5. Pinkham Award from Atlantic Salmon for Northern Maine.

Summer 1997

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor: As a subscriber of Fish and Game magazine, I want to ask you a few questions. Why do you not consider women in the fish and game magazine? Why if as you reported a surplus of deer in southern Maine and a shortage in northern Maine have you not offered to move some to the County? You did not have any report on game animals in the last book. And why do you not have stories of unusual happenings in Maine woods? Also concerning the moose, why can't we figure out a fair way to allow distribution of moose for poor people in Maine? I want to renew my Fish & Game magazine, but hoped at least for a report on last fall 's game. Paula McCausland, Ashland •We do. Wait ti/ you see rhe fall magazine. Deer are very difficult to move under the best of circumstances. Check out this issue's report on Maine black bear. Moose meat is distributed to poor people through a program called Hunters For the Hungry.

Kendall Warner celebrates his 45-year career as a fisheries biologist with the department Warner graduated from the University of Maine in 1950 with High Distinction earning a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Management. He is also a 1952 graduate of Cornell University with a Master of Science in Fisherie Biology. Warner's first as ociation with MDIF&W was in 1948 when he worked as a wildlife aide. His permanent career began in 1952 when he was assigned regional fisheries biologist in Ashland. Currently, Warner has the greatest longevity of any biologist ever employed by the Department. Warner has no immediate plans regarding retirement and is working toward a possible fifty years on the job.

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Dear Editor: The enclosed photograph was taken on Branch Lake in Ellsworth in the year 1962 or 1963. Former warden Robert Hogan offered my girl friend and myself our first snowmobile ride. We later married Winter at Branch Lake, circa 1962 (1964) and live right at the location where this picture was taken. No need to return the photo, we have another one! Phillip E. Hopkins, Ellsworth Dear Editor: I am a trapper, and I would like to see something in the Maine Fish & Wildlife at least once a year. I can't remember the last time I saw anything about trapping. P.S. I still like it enough to send $20.00 to renew my subscription! Car Cabisius, Skowhegan •It's been a while. We 'll work on it. Dear Editor: I've been a subscriber to "Maine Fish and Wildlife" for a number of years, which I have been browsing through looking at fly tying patterns . I wish you would gather Peter Walker's and John McLeod's how to tie fly series from the Fly Tying Bench into a hard-cover book and index them thoroughly for a quick reference . If you would market this, it might help replenish the funds of the Dept. of IF&W. I think it would sell. Please let me have your comments. Foster Simpson, Hampden • The idea of reprinting our fly series-from the beginning-in book form has been discussed several times. Alas, it is up-front funding for such a project which is lacking. But that doesn 't make the idea any less a good one!

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FISH AND WILDLIFE 284 State St., Sta. #41 Augusta ME 04333

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284 State St., Sta. #41 Augusta ME 04333

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tat list.

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Kendall Warner celebrates his 4. fisheries biologist with the depa Warner gradua ted from the Uni ver with High Distinction earning a Bache life Management. He is also a 1952 gra versity wi th a Master of Science in Fis! first associa tion with MDIF&W was in as a wildlife aide. His permanent careE he was assigned regional fisheries biol Currently, Warner has the grea test gist ever employed by the Departmenl diate plans regarding retirement and i· possible fi fty years on the job.

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The Legislative Process in Review (continued from inside front cover) unanimous ought-to-pass vote from the committee, which was eventually accepted by the Appropriations Committee and the entire Legislature. The Governor, early on, had agreed to our request for enhanced revenues to cover our deficit. Key components of our budget were: a) a first time ever $250,000 annual appropriation from the General Fund to cover activities supporting the general public as a whole; b ) increases in boat and snowmobile registration fees to partially cover the nearly $1.1 million deficit in those programs; c) increased revenues from the moose lottery gained by offering multiple chances for $10 and $20 and (for out-of-staters) $30; d) a new expanded September archery season in southeastern Maine, which will allow a hunter to harvest an additional deer; and e) the ability to cover costs when collecting fees for other departments. In all, this amounts to about $1.3 million in increased revenues and will enable us to have a balanced budget for the first time in many years. One setback in the budget was that we are required to save $240,000 each year in personnel costs. This means that six to eight positions will remain unfilled at a time when we face constantly increasing demands for services. Other bills dealt with providing special privileges for certain groups such as special lotteries for senior citizens and moose for Native Americans. The perennial Sunday hunting and coyote control bills were heard and defeated. Eight bills dealt with rnt>ose; the most significant of which was passed and increases the harvest by 500 animals in 1998. One bill that would have eliminated the use of bait and dogs when hunting bear was withdrawn, but I am sure will be back in one form or another. We were very concerned over a bill that would have diverted one-half of our loon plate revenues from non-game to law enforcement, especially since law enforcement was fully funded in our budget bill. Also of concern was a challenge to our proposed new list of threatened and endangered species. For the first time, invertebrate species were included as mandated by the legislature. In the end, there was strong support for both the list and our procedure for developing that list. I could go on but this gives you a taste of the issues and the legislative process. Two department people devote literally all of their time to legislative issues during the session as do numerous other folks as specific topics are addressed. It is at times a cumbersome process but it allows for full citizen participation and in the end, good judgment generally prevails. I want to thank the members of the Legislative Fish and Wildlife Committee for their time and dedication to resolving often difficult issues. They are the ones who provide the long-term direction of our department and the management of our fish and wildlife resources. Special thanks are due Senator Marge Kilkelly for her artful leadership and her strong commitment toward these important issues. Thanks to all of you!

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