Maine Fish and Wildlife Magazine, Winter 1998 by Maine State Library

Maine State Library

Maine State Documents Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Magazine

Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

12-1-1998

Maine Fish and Game Magazine, Winter 1998 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, Winter 1998" (1998). Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Magazine. Book 173. http://digitalmaine.com/ifw_magazine/173

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

FISH AND WILDLIFE WINTER 1998

MAINE.

EDITORIAL by Lee E. Perry, Commissioner

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

Another season has passed ... another year has passed ... as we begin a new year many people review the past year and resolve to make changes during the new year. At the Department we are constantly challenged to find new ways to provide more or better service at a reduced cost to you. Through reflection, questioning and listening we seek continuous improvement. As you probably know the Department depends upon the money it raises through the sale of various products and services to pay for its programs. Over the years we have continually examined both the cost of doing business and the revenue that a particular line of business produces. When revenues are not sufficient to pay for a particular product or service, steps have been taken to eliminate costs or raise sufficient revenue to pay for that product or service. As with other products, this magazine is also being reviewed to determine how best to achieve a balance between the cost of production and the money available from subscriptions and limited advertising to pay for its publication. We know that it costs the Department about $125,000 to put the magazine in your hands annually. This amount does not include the salaries of various Department employees who contribute to its preparation and production. You are one of about 12,000 subscribers who provided anual revenues of about $80,000 in fiscal year 1997 and $65,000 during the past fiscal year ending on June 30, 1998. Our goal is to improve our ability to provide information about the Department to an estim0ted 500,000 people who participate in a variety of fish and wildlife related outdoor activities. Unfortunately, at this point, the magazine does not appear to be contributing significantly to that goal or to our goal of insuring that our products and services are delivered in a cost effective manner. Enclosed with this magazine is a customer survey. This survey is one way of seeking your help in evaluating how best to meet your needs while providing satisfactory service to our other customers. I encourage you to complete and return it to us so that we may have a full understanding of your interests and needs before we make a decision regarding the future of this publication. Thank you for your past support and your input regarding this important decision.

AINE

2/99

[NE NILDLIFE

FISH AND WILDLIFE

VOL. 40, NO. 4

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 2 years only $15 D Please bill me later 2

by Wilmot Robinson

aster Maine guide tells you how!

Address _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

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

OB FASTER SERVICE CALL TOLL-FBEE l-800-288-8387

AINE

2/99

by Jennifer Higgins

by Mark McCullough

'? Find out here.

FISH AND WILDLIFE

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

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

Â·at? Specific answers.

D 2 years only $15 D Please bill me later

by David Peppard

damp place like this?

by Russ Dyer, V. Paul Reynolds, & Steve Forrest

eriences in the outdoors

Name _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

Address _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

by Joshua Geib

:, not mechanics, that draws us

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

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

AINE

2/99

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

SPECIAL HALF-PRICE OFFER! D 1 year only $9 D Payment enclosed

29 30

D 2years only$18 D Please bill me later

Name _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _~

,y Maine artist Ed Murdock

Address _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

City/State/Zip

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

inks on recyclable paper

Winter 1998

Pla.oe

Sta.mp Here

EDITORIAL

MAINE

Another season has passed a new year many people re changes during the new ye stantly challenged to find ni service at a reduced cost to and listening we seek contiI know the Department dept the sale of various products Over the years we have con doing business and the revE produces. When revenues a product or service, steps haÂˇ sufficient revenue to pay fa As with other products, thi~ determine how best to achi, production and the money , ited advertising to pay for ii put the magazine in your h, Department employees wh 12,000 subscribers who prm during the past fiscal year e

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

Pla.oe Sta.mp Here

MAINE

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

Our goal is to improve our , 500,000 people who particip nately, at this point, the ma our goal of insuring that ou Enclosed with this magazin1 evaluating how best to mee1 ers. I encourage you to com1 your interests and needs be Thank you for your past sur

Pla.oe Sta.mp Here

MAINE

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

MAINE

FISH AND WILDLIFE Governor Angus S. King. J r.

WINTER 1998

VOL. 40, NO. 4

Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Lee Pe rry, Commissione r Frederick B. Hurley, Jr., Deputy Commissioner Kenneth H. Elowe, Di rector, Bureau of Resource Management Richard Record, Directo r, Bureau of Administrat ive Services Tim Peabody, Colonel Bu reau of Warden Service

Advisory Council Russell E. Dyer, Bowdoi nham, Chairman Ellen N. Peters, New Gloucester, Co-Chairwoman Charles F. Beck, Presque Isle Millard A. Wardwell , Penobscot F. Dale Speed, Princeton Richard A. Neal, Acton Stanley D. Milton, Andover Lila Ware, Skowhegan Harold Brown, Bangor

Features Ice fishing: A family A ffair

by Wil mot Ro binson

Come one, come all to this family fun time! A master Maine guide tells you how!

Bobcat!

by Jennifer H iggins

Who are they, where do they live, what do they eat? Specific answers.

Survey of Reader Opinions

Tell us what YOU think-and get a chance at a sporting art print!

Maine's Endangered Species List

by Mark McCullough

Which species are hurting, which are hurting bad? Find out here.

The Pierce Pond Resurrection

by David Peppard

So what 's a nice clean fly rod like you doing in a damp place like this? Maine Fish and Wildlife Magazine V. Paul Reynolds. Editor & Advertising All photographs in this issue were made by the Public Information & Education Division unless otherwise indicated.

Outdoorswomen Are Growing In Numbers

by Russ Dyer, V. Paul Reyno lds, & S teve Forrest

Three Maine outdoorsmen share their wives' experiences in the outdoors

The Art of fly fishing MAINE FISH AND WILDLIFE (ISSN 0360-00SX) is published quarterly by the Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. 284 State Street. Station 41, Augusta. Maine 04330, under Appropriatie,n 010 09A-0529. Subscription rate: $18.00 per year. No stamps, please. Preferred Periodicals postage paid at Augusta. Maine and at additional mailing offices. ~ Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. 1998. Permission to reprint text material is granted. pro· vided proper credit is given to the author and to MAINE FISH AND WILDLIFE. Clearance must be obtained from artists. photographers. and non-staff authors to reproduce credited work. CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Send both old and new addresses to Circulation Section, MAINE FISH AND WILDLIFE Magazine, 284 State St.. 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 WILDLIFE, 284 State St., 41 State Hse . Sta . Augusta. Maine 04333

by Joshua Geib

This angler knows, as many of us do, that it 's art, not m echanics, that draws us

Departments KID-BITS

ALONG THE TRAIL

RECIPE CORNER

FISH AND WILDLIFE BRIEFS

QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR SUBSCRIPTION? Just call toll free 1-800-288-8387 The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife receives federal funds from the U.S. Department of the Interior. Accordingly, all department programs and activities must be operated free from discrimination with regard to race. color. national origin, age, or handicap. Any person who believes that he or she has been discriminated <1gainst should write to The Office of Equal Opportunity, U.S. Department of the lnte rior, Washington . D C. 20240 by graphiti belfast me 04915

The Front Cover: "Winter Coyote" by Maine artist Ed Murdock

¥• Printed with vegetable-based " . . inks on recyclable paper

nMgazine de,;ign & prepre~~

Winter 1998

Maine Ice Fishing:

A Family

fair

by Wilmot Robinson, Master Maine Guide

T here

was a time when mention of ice fishing meant sharpening the homemade chisel (it was constructed from an old file and welded to a pipe) and going to the local store for mummy chub for bait. There were no "traps" as we know them today. Most "hardwater" anglers simply cut a fivefoot bush and tied some cheap line to it with a #2 hook and a lead sinker on the end. A piece of cedar bough served as a flag. Pickerel were the species most sought after. Cutting a hole could take upwards of an hour, depending on the thickness of the ice, and since snowmobiles had not been invented yet, snowshoes were the mode of transportation. Lucky were the ice fishermen who found glare ice conditions. They could bring ice skates and enjoy skating as well as fishing. Much of this changed with the advent of gas-powered ice augers, and again when snowmobiles came onto the scene. The snowsled opened up so many distant bodies of water, some hardly ever fished in winter. Pickerel became the lowliest of catches, while togue and landlocked salmon took top priority. Even choice of bait changed drastically as shiners and smelts became available.

Maine Fish and Wi/d/1/e

Mummy chubs nearly disappeared from dealers' holding tanks. Another big change took place with traps. While oldtimers held on to the bush style for fishing, younger generations attracted to the sport invented traps that held spools of line under the ice, away from the freezing effects of temperatures and wind. Flags attached to springs that lifted high into the air when feeding fish struck the bait were a far cry from the first homemade ice fishing rigs. Once such early affair was made from the ribs of an old umbrella nailed to a stick with line on one end and a piece of red wool on the other. Extra running line was laid out in neat coils on the ice beside this contraption. How did ice fishing ever survive? If this wasn't enough to get Dad and the kids out of the house in January, Monsieur Bombardier and his yellow snowmobiles did the trick. Wow! Imagine a machine that could carry two people and tow a tote sled full of gear, taking the occupants to waters rarely ever fished in winter! Togue, salmon, whitefish, and huge white perch-even jack smelts and bottom-feeding cusk-were prized targets for anglers.

A new era is born! Come along on a trip to ice fishing land and learn all about it.

Clothing & gear Dress warmly. A snowmobile suit is ideal. They come in several styles and colors, some one-piece and others two-piece units. Most are crafted from man-made fabrics. Boots and mittens, helmets and face shields, add to your comfort, too. Snowshoes are seldom used, but safety-minded travelers always carry a pair in case of a breakdown. The variety of fishing traps on the market is astounding, with new introductions every year. There is even one with a flag that revolves when a fish is running away with the bait-when it stops, wait 10 seconds before setting the hook by pulling sharply on the line. Another trap sits low on the ice and the flag is nearly hidden, especially if snow is deep. Probably the favorite for most ice anglers is the sty le that unfolds from its wooden shaft into a horizontal four-legged affair with a main shaft, with a spring-loaded flag on the top end, hooked into a pool holding the running line with hook and bait on the end. Feeding fi h grab the bait, springing the flag. http://www .sta te . me. us/i fw

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Smelt fishing through the ice can be fun and productive. This action always results in cries of "Flag! Flag!" Then everyone runs like mad to get to the spot to wait for the fish to stop running. The trap owner is the only one allowed to touch this trap, or so most unwritten laws of the ice mandate. As the owner takes the line, he slowly feels to be sure the fish is still on the other end. He then sets the hook and in a hand- over -hand action begins to bring in the fish. The audience is in awe, waiting to see how big it is. Instructions, like advice, are free, but seldom acknowledged by the lucky angler. Finally, the moment of truth arrives, as the end of the line comes close to the hole. With close attention to the fish under the ice, making sure it is lined up http://www.state.me. us/ifw

with the hole, he brings his finny prize up on the ice and away from the hole. More than one fish has come off the hook at this moment and disappeared back down the hole, leaving a disappointed angler cursing his failure to be more careful.

Ready for the ice Okay! Lets go ice-fishing. Its a cool, clear early March morning, with the promise of some warming sun at midday. Lets join Bill as he takes his son, Jimmy, 11 and daughter Beth, 9 on their first ice fishing trip. Destination? Dolby Pond, where ice anglers find white perch, pickerel, smelts and the occasional landlocked salmon or smallmouth bass. Easy access allows Bill to get

kids and gear out to his favorite spot in two short trips, using one snowmobile with tote sled on behind. Jimmy even gets to feel the thrill of driving on the second trip. Beth is content to sit behind Dad with her small arms wrapped around his waist. The sharp ice auger makes short work of cutting 10 holes and soon Bill is enjoying his job of teaching his children the fine art of baiting up the traps. Before half of the traps are in, the second one trips a flag. The kids are eager to be first to bring a fish onto the ice as they race to the flag. Line is still running off the reel but soon it stops and Bill gives the word to "set the hook." Beth lets Jimmy handle it now. She isn't too keen on handling slimy, wiggling fish at her age. Jimmy isn't bashful as he hoists a Winter 1998

Ice fishing regulations for your favorite fishing spot are likely different than open water regulations, so be sure to check the ice fishing laws before you fish.

24-inch pickerel out of the hole. "Wow! My first fish. I like this." Jimmy exclaims as he picks up the pickerel. "Be careful, Jimmy!," Dad cautions. "Pickerel have sharp teeth." After re-baiting the hook, they continue setting the rest of the traps. It isn't long before more flags flip into the air and more fish are iced. White perch and pickerel are numerous, and Bill elects to release most of the pickerel because perch fillets are his favorite winter fish. By now the sun has warmed the day, and fresh air and activity have spawned big appetites:

lunch time. A shoreside fire must be kindled. Lots of driftwood is gathered here and soon the fire is roaring and the kids toast a few marshmallows while Bill sharpens a couple sticks for roasting hot dogs. Somehow hot dogs always taste better cooked outdoors on an open fire . The children are enjoying the outing as much as Bill as they chase flags, eat their lunch and try to build a snowman. What a glorious day to be outdoors! The sun is low in the sky and the air is cooling fast as they pick up the traps and prepare to head for home.

Fishing has been good and Bill will have his work cut out for him when they arrive home. The perch will need to be cleaned and filleted. "We've got enough for a fish fry and a chowder, too," he tells the kids. "When can we go again, Dad?" asks Beth. "Maybe next weekend, and lets ask Mom if she wants to come along, too," Dad responds. "Sounds good to me!" Jimmy says. "Can I drive the sled, Daa?" "Sure, son. I'll start it for you." "Let me try it, Dad. I know I can pull that starter rope!" Jimmy exclaims as he gives it a yank. But his small hands can't hang on to the handle and it flies back into the cowling, snapping the handle off the rope. Jimmy stares in disbelief at the hole where the rope's handle should be. Then he looks at Dad, wondering what he will do. Bill is wondering that himself, but doesn't want to make Jimmy feel badly about the new problem. "Are you okay, Jimmy? The rope didn't hit you, did it?" "No, Dad. I'm okay, but I didn't mean to do that. What will we do? How will we get the sled started now? Will we have to leave it? Can you fix it? I wish we had an electric start sled, Dad, don't you?" Jimmy asked worriedly.

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Bill lifted the cowling and fumbled around in the tool box where he got out the emergency starter rope. Wrapping it around the flywheel, he gave it a sharp yank and to his surprise, the engine started. "Imagine that! It started on the first pull. We sure were lucky today, kids. Let's go home!" Heading home across the lake with his day's catch and his two

Open water anglers often blame ice fishing for an decline in fishing success on their favorite waters-and . vice versa. Fishery biologists do their best to manage the resource for both.

Tips for Ice Anglers • Always carry extra sounders, plenty of hooks in various sizes and waterproof matches. • Power augers should be tuned up prior to the season. Carry extra spark plugs, and gap them ahead of time. Most augers use a replaceable blade-keep a spare wrapped to protect the sharp edge. • Spare (mixed) gasoline should be kept in a tightly capped container. • A battery operated aerator will provide oxygen for the bait bucket. Keep the bucket out of cold winds and not too close to the fire. Some waters will not allow live bait. To keep dead bait fresh, wrap it in an old woolen mitten or sock. Be sure it is completely dead by pinching the heads. • Splake, togue, smelts and cusk feed close to bottom while landlocked salmon feed just under the ice. Brook trout like shallow water close to shore. Perch will be found two to five feet off bottom. • Jigging is productive for most all species. Lures for jigging include Swedish pimple, daredevils in a variety of colors, Moosehead Wobbler, Cecil's Smelt, many spinners and bass lures that dip and dive and believe it or not, worms, night-crawlers or cut bait (spiny-finned species are illegal in Maine) on a hook, tied a foot above a sinker. • When using lures for jigging, replace the treble hook with a single strong hook and add a morsel of cut bait to the hook. It works! When action is slow, and if the holes aren't freezing over, try hanging the line on a bush with a small piece of cedar bough tied in such a way that the breeze will jig the line. Be sure the line can easily fall off the bush if a fish hits the bait. When the line falls into the water, the reel on the trap will take over.

happy children, Bill watched the red sun sink beneath the black fir tops and breathed deeply of the cool, still air. He was sure there would be other great days on the ice, and he could hardly wait! •

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At Hermon Pond, grandmother and grandson wait for some panfish action. http ://www .state .me. us/ifw

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Winter 1998

Just plain cold is one thing-but cold plus blowing winds causes hypothermia, which means your body loses heat faster than it can produce it. Cold winds , even if you are completely - - dry, can cause hypothermia. Take a look at the wind chill chart below. If the air temperature is a relatively mild 30°F, and the wind is blowing at 10 mph, it feels like l6°F. If that wind kicks up to 25 mph, it feels like 0°! ·.· If you're not dressed for the weather, or are damp from sweating, a boating acci .·•·. dent, etc., you might be headed for hypothermia. At first you shiver , and lose · . control of your arms and legs. Stumbling, confusion, more intense shivering, and · muscle spasms follow. In the advanced stages , skin turns bluish, muscles are rigid , .·.·.•. breathing shallow, and heartbeat weak. : Hypothermia should be prevented. Once it starts , it is difficult to stop . To prevent it, dress in layers, bring a light nylon shell to block wind , keep your head warm, wear · · · wool, drink hot fluids, and do not drink alcohol. When hypothermia occurs, get out of wind and weather, change to dry clothes , build a fire and get warm. Don't over-exert.

CAN YOU READ THE WIND CHILL INDEX BELOW? 40 35 30

WIND 25

SPEED

20 15 10

1 3 5 7 12 16 21

-4 -4 -2 0 3 11 16

-15 -13 -11 -7 -4 1 9

-22 -20 -18 -1!5 -9 -6 2

-62 -60 -56 -!52 -46 -40 -27

-69 -67 -63 -58 -!52 -45 -31

-76 -72 -70 -67 -60 -51 -38

-87 -83 -78 -75 -68 -60 -45

-94 -90 -87 -83 -76 -6!5 -!52

15 10 5 0 -5 AIR TEMPERATURE CF)

-10

-15

-20

-25

-29 -27 -26 -22 -17 -11 -2

-36 -3!5 -33 -29 -24 -18 -9

1. You are set to head out ice fishing for the day. When you leave the house it is bright and sunny, 15 by your thermometer with winds at about 10 mph according to the radio. What is the wind chill?

a. 25 b. -11 c. -2 d. 16 6

Maine Fish and Wildlife

-45 -43 -41 -37 -32 -25 -1!5

-54 -52 -49 -45 -40 -33 -22

2. It 's later on in the afternoon , still sunny , and you 've caught a nice bass. The wind has started to pick up , now blowing at 20mph; and the temperature has dropped to 10' F. What's the wind chill now? a. -24 b. -29 C. 10 d. 21 http ://www. s tate . me .u s /ifw

WINTER WHO'S WHO Match the pictures to the animal or bird described. Write their names in the spaces provided. 1. I need wetland habitats to survive, and often engineer my own. I have large webbed feet for swimming, am an excellent dam builder, and store large amounts of poplar twigs and sticks for winter food.

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From November to March, I am mostly white to blend in with the snowy Maine landscape. My large feet are covered with 1 inch thick fur to help me get through deep winter snows. My fur starts to turn brown in spring.

3. I am Maine's first nesting bird species, building a nest and laying eggs as early as February. A large predator, I , am famous for my hooting sounds. I also have feat hers on my head that someti mes look like horns. 4.

I am often called a hibernator, but am really just a deep sleeper. I am big and black, and den up for the long, cold winter. I do not eat or drink for up to six months, but can be easily awakened if someone disturbs my sleep.

WINTERING WILDLIFE HABITIPS Winter is make-it or break-it time for Maine wildlife. Are places in your back yards that provide shelter from weather and predators. Is there food, and a reliable, unfrozen water source for wintering wildlife in your a ea? Some winter wildlife benefits you can provide include: • Piling branches to make brush piles-songbirds, rabbits and other small mammals love them! • Feeding black oil sunflower and thistle seed to attract winter birds to your feeders. • Putting up new wood duck boxes, or cleaning existing ones. Duck boxes require annual maintenance to benefit wild duck populations. Same thing for songbird nest boxes. (Joaq >f:>D1q)

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Winter 1998

"Spruce Ridge Bobcat" Painting by Susan Knowles Jordan of Ellsworth

Maine Fish and Wildlife

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by Jennifer Higgins

Both

bobcats and lynx occur in Maine. Bobcats and lynx are close relatives, but they are separated geographically and only occur together at the edge of their range. In Maine, lynx are at the southern part of their range and bobcats are at the northern part of their range. Lynx are found in northern areas of Maine, whereas bobcat are found statewide. Lynx are better adapted for living in colder climates; their large feet help keep them atop the snow, and they have a thicker coat than bobcats. Snow depth and snow conditions can significantly hinder bobcat's movement. Lynx and bobcat, although they look similar, have several distinguishing features. Bobcats have shorter ear tufts, their fur is generally more spotted, and their back legs are a darker color than lynx. The most distinctive differentiation feature is the coloration pattern of their tails. Bobcats have several black bands on their tail with the most distinct black band near the tip of the tail. The underside of the tail is white, which can make the tip appear white. The tip of the tail of a lynx is completely black. Bobcats are slightly larger than lynx. Adult male bobcats weigh between 12 and 62 lbs. and average 28 lbs. Adult female bobcats weigh between 9 and 34 lbs. and average 15 lbs.

http://www.state.me.us/ifw

Habitat & Food Habits

Survival

In Maine, bobcats subsist mainly on snowshoe hare. White-tailed deer constitute a small portion of a bobcat's diet, but are generally taken by large male bobcats. Small mammals, such as squirrels, mice, shrews, and voles, are less important in their diet. Bobcats are associated with habitats that support their prey. Typical habitat types for bobcats in the northern part of their range are swamps, bogs, conifer stands, and rocky ledges. Rocky ledges provide shelter and den sites for raising young. Brush piles, hollow trees and logs, and low hanging conifer branches have also been used for shelter and den sites. In Maine, bobcats are associated with forests with dense understories, which provide food and cover for snowshoe hare and stalking cover for bobcats.

Legal and illegal harvest, starvation, disease, predation, road kills, and injuries from their prey are common causes of death for bobcats. Juvenile bobcats may be less vulnerable to harvest as a result of maternal protection. The availability of food is particularly important to kittens and juvenile bobcats, with starvation being the major cause of death for young cats. Starvation may play a larger role in the northern part of their range, because of colder temperature and increased snow depth. Lower temperatures increase their energy demand, and deep snow makes it difficult to travel and hunt for prey.

Reproduction Female bobcats may breed for the first time as yearlings, but a yearling will breed later in the season than adults. Generally, males do not breed until 2 years of age. The breeding season begins as early as December to as late as April. Bobcats have a 50-60 day gestation period and give birth to their kittens in March. The average litter consists of two kittens, but can range from 1 to 6 kittens. At birth, kittens weigh 10-12 ounces and their eyes are closed.

Distribution & Population Trends Prior to the Civil War, bobcats were only reported in the southern part of the state and have spread north since. Harvest numbers were estimated from bounty records and hunting surveys prior to 1975. Since 1975, more accurate harvest records have been obtained as a result of mandatory tagging of bobcat pelts. Bobcat harvest has declined from 1975 to 1985. This decline may be related to decreasing populations size, but weather, in particular snow The author is a wildlife biologist at the department's Bangor research facility. W inter 1998

conditions, changes in hunting season length, pelt price, and exportation laws have an influence on the hunter effort and success that may be unrelated to changes in bobcat numbers. However, it is generally agreed that bobcat populations have been declining since the 1950s and 1960s. From 1897-1900 and 19091975 there was no closed season and bobcats were hunted and trapped with a bounty. Separate hunting and trapping seasons were established in 1976. From 1976-78, the hunting season was open from late October to the end of February. In 1979, concern for the population status as a result of the decline in harvest rate led to shortening the bobcat hunting season to 2 months. In 1987, following continued harvest decline, the season was shortened again to a one-month

hunting season from. Since this season restriction, harvest levels have been more stable. Few trappers target bobcats specifically, and bobcats are generally taken incidentally to other land trapping effort. Therefore, few changes have been made to the trapping season length, which has generally run from late October to early December.

Pastl\1anageinent Goals & Objectives Before 1975, bobcat were considered pests, and information about their population status was limited. During the 1975 planning period, the objective was to reduce the bobcat harvest to 400 animals, annually. In 1985, a goal to maintain bobcat populations at no lower than current levels (1,850 animals) and user opportunity, specifically maintaining current

season length and timing was established.

Current Distribution Bobcats secretive nature makes estimating population size difficult. The influence of weather, season length, pelt price, and regulatory changes on the exportation of fur muddies the interpretations of changes in bobcat harvest rates. A best-guess population estimate for bobcat in Maine is 1,855.

Current l\1anageinent Goals & Objectives Since the 1985 planning process, the goal and objectives for bobcat management have not changed. In the next few years, the status of Maine's bobcat population will be reassessed and a public work group will develop new goals and objectives for their â&#x20AC;˘ management.

Canada Lynx:

The Bobcat's

hern Cousin

by Craig McLaughlin Lyn x occur throughout Canada, but are rare in Maine, wh ich is at the sou thern limit of their range. These northern cousins of bobcats are specialized for living in deep snow and feeding on snowshoe hares , their major prey. At first glance , lynx are similar to bobcats, and an untrained eye may have difficulty telling the two apart. Closer exami nation reveals , however, that lyn x have long legs with large, well furred feet that act like snowshoes. Their black ear tufts are more prominent than bobcats , and lyn x have paler gray coats wh ich are less spotted . A lyn x's tail has a completely black tip, which looks as if it had just been dipped in a can of black paint ! Bobcats have some wh ite hairs on the underside of thei r tails . Dense fur leaves powder puff Although the lyn x's large frame makes it appear heavier appearance than a bobcat, lynx on average are a couple of pounds lighter than their southern kin. Male lynx weigh 25 to 30 pounds , and Heel pad usually doesn t show females 15 to 20 pounds . in snow Lynx leave large , indistinct tracks that are occasionall y encoun tered in thickets where they hunt snowshoe hares. Consider yourLYNX BOBCAT self fortunate if you fi nd sign of these north country cats, Length 3 1/4 - 3 3/4 Length l 7/8 2 1/2 and remember-lyn x are fully protected in Maine.

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http://www.state.me .us/i fw

Would you like to win a beautiful, limited-edition wildlife print by a Maine sporting artist? If so, read on ...

Maine Fish & Wildlife Magazine Reader Survey At Maine Fish and Wildlife, we are constantly seeking to improve our publication and make it more interesting and informative. And we need your thoughts and opinions on how we might better do this. As a way to show our appreciation for your efforts, we are making five wildlife art prints by Maine sporting artists available to the five lucky survey participants whose names are submitted with this survey and drawn at the conclusion of our survey. How do you put your name in the drawing? Simple. Just complete the survey below (both sides), cut out along the dotted line, and mail it to the address listed at the end of the survey. Remember, participating in our reader survey will give you a chance to win a beautiful sporting art print for your home or office, and help us to bring you an even better Maine Fish and Wildlife Magazine. Your opinions matter. So don't delay!

1. What outdoor activities do you pursue? (Please check all that apply) Hunt Fish Trap Watch Wildlife Feed Wildlife

Manage my land for wildlife Bird Watch Camp Hike Snowmobile

Motor boat ATV Canoe/Kayak Other _ _

2. Which of these outdoor activities are you most interested in? (Please circle up to three in the above list) 3. How many years have you been reading Maine Fish and Wildlife Magazine? 1-5 years

5-10 years

10-15 years

15 or more years

4. How did you first find out about Maine Fish and Wildlife Magazine? Waiting area of a barbershop, doctor's office, etc. From a friend Complimentary copy given out by the Department

From a gift subscription Newspaper, or on the TV or radio Other

5. What type of information would like to see more of in the magazine? (Please check up to 4 types of information that you are most interested in) Fisheries management Wildlife management Warden Service activities Wildlife education Features on outdoor places, activities, people How to articles on hw1ting, fishing, trapping How to articles on snowmobiling, boating, ATV's Other (Please specify)

How to articles on other activities (camping, canoeing, etc.) Current events involving fish, wildlife, hunting, fishing, etc. Information on Maine's fish/wildlife species Department employee retirements, promotions, etc. Department financial information Information about Department organization, funding, etc. How to manage land for fish and wildlife

6. Do you or any other members of your family read the "KID-BITS" section of the magazine?

Yes

7. In general, I think the magazine ... (Please check the answers with which you agree) provides too much technical information provides too little technical information contains too many articles requiring lengthy reading http://www .s tate.me. u s/ifw

contains too few picture and graphics provides the right mix of information, pictures, graphics Other Winter 1998

8. For many years the magazine has been published quarterly using high quality gloss paper, high quality photographs and art work, and a variety of feature articles. H the format was changed, what changes would you prefer: (Check all that apply) Published bi-monthly (6 issues per year) Printed in magazine format but in black in white only Published quarterly (4 issues per year) Printed in newspaper format with some color Fewer features, more stories about current events Printed in newspaper format in black and white only Shorter stories and more information Shorter in length (fewer pages) Published monthly (12 issues per year) No change

9. Hit became necessary either to increase the amount of advertising in the magazine or increase the subscription prices to maintain the magazine at its current size and format, which would you prefer? Increase advertising Increase the price 10. Overall, how satisfied our you with the magazine?

Very

Moderately

Not satisfied

11. What, if anything, do you dislike about the magazine? Is there something that you would like to see changed or improved? ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~ 12. What would be the best way the Department could provide you with information about fish and wildlife related matters? (Please circle one choice) Department newsletter Articles in daily newspapers Public forums and meetings Department-sponsored TY programs Internet (Department homepage) Department-sponsored radio programs TV and radio news reports Magazine articles Other (Please specify)._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

13. What is your age? _ _ _ __

Sex?

14. Where do you live?

Large City

F Small Town

Moderate/Small City

15. H the magazine were replaced by a new publication, would you continue to subscribe?

Yes

Maybe

16. I subscribe to Maine Fish and Wildlife Magazine because _

Please fill in your name, address and telephone number so we may submit your entry into the drawing for the Maine sporting art. Nam.c.__ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Address City /State/Zip Telephone_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

Mail this survey to:

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Maine Fish and Wildlife

Reader Survey /Information Division Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife 284 State Street, 41 State House Station Augusta ME 04333

http://www.s tate.me.u s/ifw

Maine's Endangered Species List by Mark A. McCollough, Endangered Species Group Leader The Endangered Species Act is one of the most far-reaching

pieces of environmental legislation in Maine. Based on the Federal Endangered Species Act, it provides a mandate for MDIFW to "maintain and enhance all species of wildlife found in the State, as well as the ecosytems upon which they depend." Since European settlement, at least 14 species of wildlife have been known to be extirpated from Maine. In 1986, Maine's first list of 27 endangered and threatened species was adopted. The purpose of the list was to identify species that may be in danger of disappearing from the State and help focus efforts to conserve their populations. Maine's choice of a comprehensi e, proacti e approach to listing endangered species has resulted in a stable and predictable environment for decision-making in both the public and private sectors. Determination of a species' status as endangered or threatened is based on an objecti e, biologically-based asses.sment the species' population viability, size,trend,distribution,and fragmentation and whether the species is endemic (occurs only in Maine). Determining which species are at risk of extinction is a technical process based on the best available biological information. Subsequent to listing, management decisions are made http ://www.s tate.me .us/ifw

Winter 1998

Table 1. MAINES ENDANGERED AND THREATENED FISH AND WILDLIFE SPECIES (as of June 10, 1997) Maine Endangered Species Birds Sedge Wren - Cistothorus platensis American Pipit - Anthus rubescens (breeding pop. only) Grasshopper Sparrow - Ammodramus savannarum

Golden Eagle - Aquila chrysaetos Peregrine Falcon - Falco peregrinus* Piping Plover - Charadrius melodus**

Roseate Tern - Sterna dougal/ii* Least Tern - Sterna antillarum Black Tern - Chlidonias niger

Blanding's Turtle - Emydoidea blandingii

Black Racer - Coluber constrictor

Reptiles and Amphibians Box Turtle - Terrapene carolina

Mayflies A Flat-headed Mayfly - Epeorus frisoni

Damselflies and Dragonflies Ringed Boghaunter - Williamsonia lintneri

Butterflies and Moths Hessels Hairstreak - Mitoura hesseli Kata hdin Arctic - Oeneis polixenes katahdin

Claytons Copper - Lycaena dorcas claytoni Edwards Hairstreak - Satyrium edwardsii

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Maine Threatened Species Birds Bald Eagle - Haliaeetus leucocephalus** Razorbi ll - Alea torda

Atlantic Puffin - Fratercu/a arctica Harlequin Duck - Histrionicus histrionicus

Arctic Tern - Sterna paradisaea Upland Sandpiper - Bartramia tongicauda

Mammals Northern Bog Lemming - Synaptomys borealis

Amphibians and Reptiles Spotted Turtle - Clemmys gutta/a

Loggerhead Turtle - Caretta caretta**

Fish Swamp Darter - Etheostoma fusiforme

Mollusks Tidewater Muckel - Leptodea ochracea

Yellow Lampmussel - Lampsilis cariosa

Mayflies Tomah Mayfly - Siphlonisca aerodromia

Damselflies and Dragonflies Pygmy Snaketail - Ophiogomphus howei

Butterflies and Moths Twilight Moth - Lycia rachelae

to determine which conservation actions, if any, are needed to recover species' populations. MDIFW initiated a second comprehensive review of the status of species in Maine in 1994. Determining which species are endangered or

Maine F,sli a11d Wildlife

Pine Barrens Zanclognatha Zanclognatha martha

threatened is an imposing task, considering there are 60 species of mammals, 226 species of breeding birds, 17 species of reptiles, 18 species of amphibians, 69 species of fish, and 15,000+ species of invertebrates in Maine! Committees deter-

mined the status of all species by using established guidelines and criteria, reviewing technical reports and consulting with scientists throughout the U. S. and Canada. The invertebrate committee focused only on the best-studied groups; butterflies h ll p://www .state. me. uslifw

FEDERALLY LISTED ENDANGERED OR THREATENED SPECIES (currently or historically occurring in Maine but not listed under Maines Endangered Species Act

Birds Eskimo Curlew - Numenius borealis*/ ? Mammals Right Whale - Eubalaena glacialis * Humpback Whale - Megaptera novaeangliae * Finback Whale - Balaenoptera physalus*

Gray Wolf - Canis lupus */? Eastern Cougar - Fe/is conco/or couguar*I?

Sperm Whale - Physeter catodon * Sei Whale - Balaenoptera borealis *

Amphibians and Reptiles Leatherback Turtle - Dermochelys coriacea *

Atlantic Ridley Turtle - Lepidochelys kempi *

Fish Shortnose Sturgeon - Acipenser brevirostrum *

Beetles American Burying Beetle - Nicrophorus americanus */?

Butterflies and Moths Karner Blue - Lycaeides melissa samuelis */? note: â&#x20AC;˘

= Federally listed Endangered Species;

** = Federally listed Threatened Species; ? =current presence uncertain in Maine . (For the companion list of Endangered and Threatened Plants in Maine, contact: Maine Natural Areas Program, DOC , State House Station #93, Augusta, ME 04333)

Tidewater Mucket

Leptodea ochracea

1997 marks the first time that Invertebrates (animals without backbones) were Included on the Maine Endangered Species List. Some groups of invertebrates are highly endangered. For example, over half of the 300 species of freshwater mussels found In North America are rare, endangered or extinct. Maine has only 11 species of freshwater mussels, but they Include some of the rarest species In the Northeast. The tidewater mucket (photo) Is listed as threatened because It Is declining throughout Its range; It Is found at only nine discrete, disjunct sites In three mid-coast watersheds; and It Is found In very low numbers at nearly all locations where It occurs.

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Bald Eagle

Hallaeetus leucocephalus

There were no species believed to be sufficiently recovered to be taken off the Maine Endangered Species List In 1997. However, many endangered and threatened species are Increasing as a result of recovery programs. Maine's bald eagle population has grown from 27 pairs In 1962 to 202 pairs In 1998. Production of young has Increased markedly. As a result, the bald eagle was down-listed from endangered to threatened on the State and Federal lists In 1997. It may be the first species to be recovered and removed from the State list In the next year or two.

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Winter 1998

and moths, dragonflies and damselflies, mayflies and freshwater mussels. Recommendations were reviewed and discussed at public meetings and with a wide range of interested parties. As a result, 20 species were proposed to be listed as endangered or threatened (less than 1% of all species considered) including 7 species of birds, 1 fish, and 12 invertebrates. Recent changes to the Maine

Endangered Species Act gave the Legislature final authority to determine which species will be added to the Maine Endangered and Threatened Species List. In May 1997, the Legislature approved, and the Governor signed, legislation adopting all 20 species recommended by MDIFW for inclusion on the list. The Legislature also has the authority to determine which Federal-listed species will be State-listed. Although five

Federal-listed species were approved for State listing, there are an additional 13 federally listed species whose occurrence in Maine is known or suspected that are not officially listed on the State list. Additional information on the Maine Endangered Species Act and the state's endangered and threatened species, can be found at MDIFW's web site: www.state.rne.us/ifw/endangered.

Clayton Copper Butterfly L,Nen• dorollll a/aytonl Endem#o8 are apec/ea ol wlldlHe found only In Maine. For Instance, the Katahdln Arcllc butterfly ot:cuN Just one place In the world; the top ol 116unt Kstahdln. The mayfly Epsorus lrlsonl, thought to be one of the,.,.., msyfl/N In the world, I• known only from Roaring Broolc In Baxter Stale Parle. 7be Tomah mayfly, thought to be •JCtJnct, MIS l8dMt:OvelWI In Maine and Is only /cnown fmm 11 #tes In thtl wodd-10 In Mlllne and one In New York. The Clllyton Copper Butfllrfly {photo) C111J be found no whenl In the wolld but central Maine (and a 1111111/I popil/at/On }uat over the bordtN In New Brunswlclc). AR extremely rare and unique spscles have been Hftld 1111 endangered or threatened.

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lnged boghau er d gonfly WJ/llamsonl6 llntnerl rlfllllld boghaunter dragonfly MIS discovered by .Mftr,::wblologlsts during •urveys for rare wlldllfe In Mll/ne In 19111. Thia dragonfly Is one of the world and found at only about 40 .n. The ftlalne sltell represent the north,.._ This :peel• breed8 In small, ~with~ tlpOlt#ld turtle& Two tlltltitweted In York County In 1998.

Maine Fish and Wildlife

http ://www .state .me . u s /i fw

A HUNTING 81 FISHING

TRADITION SINCE 1938

With 60 years of experience, and three levels of the most extensive selection of outdoor equipment and clothing, we're sure to have what you need to make your hunting or fishing ~perience enjoyable and successful. We have the largest selection of top quality firearms, ammunition, reloading equipment, components, scopes and accessories on the east coast! Our archery department features a full line of compound and recurve bows as well as crossbows, arrows, targets, tree stands and accessories for both hunters and target shooters. Our fishing department caters to saltwater and freshwater fishermen, Lncluding an extensive selection specifically for the fly fisherman. In addition to our diverse selection of rods, reels and lures, we stock downriggers, electric motors, electronic fish finders, canoes and all the accessories.

Open Daily 9-9, Sundays 10-6 Rte 1 Kittery, ME • 207-439-2700 • 1-888-KTP-MAI E (587-6246) • www.kitterytradingpost.com http://www.sta te. me. us/i fw

Wi nter 1998

by Warden Dave Peppard Illustrated by Dan Daly

ance and leaned perilously over n a cold, windy morning, After getting the motor in the rails of the canoe. Regaining the determined fisherman left neutral, the hapless angler athis balance became a losing tempted to crawl into the boat. the main dock in his everbattle; he fell slowly into the iceHis attempts swamped the boat, faithful Old Town Sponson which rapidly filled with water. cold water! Canoe enroute to Upper Pond. As the water level in the canoe The canoe, motor still running, Ice-out at Pierce Pond usually is rose, one of the angler's favorite circled him slowly as he tried to a raw, bone-chilling experience; custom-built fly rods, an expenfigure out what to do first. this day in May 1995 was no sive reel attached, exception. fell out of the boatAs the diehard ~ ..my mind often schemed of ways that I he could only watch fisherman as it slowly sank rounded Fox could retrieve the favorite long-lost rod ... into the dark waters Island in Middle Pond, headed for of Middle Pond! Realizing that he was 75 or 80 the thoroughfare, the unexyards from shore, the surprised pected happened. Accidentally As luck would have it, a couple and startled fisherman decided letting go of the motor handle camped on Fox Island had seen just as a sudden gust of wind the best thing to do would be to the fisherman in distress. They blew by caused the squaregrab the boat as it made a slow jumped into their boat and moended canoe to lurch sharply to pass by him. He did so on the tored out to help get the boat to the right. As it did so, the unsusnext pass, but then his problems the shore of Fox Island. After pecting fisherman lost his balreally began! emptying the water from the boat,

Maine Fis!, and Wildlife

h ttp ://www.state .me. us/i fw

the lucky angler thanked the campers before making a fast trip back to camp to stand by the fire and get some dry clothes on. As a guide, I spend many hours sitting in the boat with my party, and there's time to ponder all sorts of things. Over the course of that summer and the summer of 1996, my mind often schemed of ways that I could retrieve the favorite long-lost rod of that unfortunate fisherman. One day in late June 1996, I spent the morning and early afternoon in Upper Pond guiding a sport. As I steered the Grand Laker out of the thoroughfare and into the Middle Pond, a plan of recovery finally came to me. This hot and sunny day meant the fishing would be poor, so I asked my sport if he wanted to have some fun and try to recover a fly rod and reel in about 75 feet of water. This particular sport, always game for some sort of off-thewall idea, readily volunteered to be a participant. From the description given by the unlucky angler and my own experience, I had a pretty good idea about where the rod would be. When we reached the area, I slowed the

Laker and picked up my trolling rod, equipped with lead line. The sport did the same and put on the biggest lure he had, just as I had done. We dropped the large Mooselook Wobblers over the side and slowly let line out, ten colors to start. Trolling very slowly, I first made a very large circle around the area; each ensuing circle was a bit smaller, until we finally ended up in the middle of the circle with nothing to show for our efforts. I asked the sport if he wanted to try it again. He agreed, and away we went. This time I put out all the lead line I had, 15 colors, and slowly began circling. My theory was that the rod would be standing up on the bottom of the lake due to the weight of the reel and the sinking line. My hope was that as we circled, one of the lures would hook the rod or line. But after about an hour of circling, again ending up empty-handed in the middle of the original'search area , I told the sport to reel in to head back to camp. Slowly the heavy lead lines came in. After reeling in seven or eight colors, I noticed the weight of something on my line. I kept

reeling and then the weight seemed to be gone. Thinking I must have been hooked on bottom or on a branch, I kept reeling. Again, I noticed the tug of something on the line. Finally, all the lead line was on the reel, with only the 30 feet of leader to go. Slowly the leader came in-but all of a sudden, out of the water came the tip of a rod! My sport and I both looked in pure amazement as the rod kept rising up out of the water. The surprise and shock wore off, and I came back to reality and yelled to the sport to "grab it." He did so and pulled that rod and reel that had been in Middle Pond for many months into the boat. The rod was still strung and the fly was still hooked into the reel. All were well preserved-no rust or corrosion. After gloating over our accomplishment, the sport and I made a speedy trip back to camp, where we cleaned and oiled the rod, reel, and line. Later that evening, we called the rod's owner and told him the news, which he found hard to believe. Rod and reel were united with their rightful owner later that summer! â&#x20AC;˘

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http ://www .s tate .me . us/i fw

Winter1998

OUTDOORSWOMEN GROWING IN NUMB Editor's Note: What follows is a trio of articles written by sportsmen about the sportswomen who share their love of, and involvement in, the outdoor bounty that Maine has to offer. The articles are from different angles, but agree that sharing outdoor experiences with the special person in your life is the way to go!

by Russ Dyer It was June of 1983, the kids were grown and on their own, what now? We were both outdoors people, but with separate interests. Carole liked hiking, mountain climbing, boating and cross country skiing. I liked to hunt and fish and participated in shooting sports. We had both dabbled in each other's interest, but never to any great degree. I asked Carole if she would like to try her hand at Atlantic salmon fishing, but to do this, she had to have some backyard instruction in fly casting. She took to fly fishing with great enthusiasm and soon became a very good fly caster. We made absolutely no impact on the salmon population, but this was just the start of a whole new lifestyle for us. Together we learned that a sport once thought to be traditionally male oriented did not in fact require some mysterious genetic talent. To round out the

fishing experience, it was a natural progression to include camping and canoeing. From that point, we acquired a camper and took several trips and found that there are many fringe benefits to fishing, like meeting new friends, exploring new waters and especially sharing some memorable days together. Not long after we attended a Ruffed Grouse banquet and purchased a one- day guided hunt. Our guide happened to be Jo-Ann Moody in Brooks, and the day dawned as a blustery, rain-drenched wash-out. However, we spent the entire day, slogging through the woods following an optimistic Springer spaniel. That afternoon when we returned to the lodge, birdless, Carole told Jo-Ann what a great day it had been, and she would love to have a dog just like her Cindy. Lo and behold, that next February we were the proud owners of a six -week old springer pup!

Maine Outdoorswoman Carole Dyer enjoying a moment with her English setter after a successful pheasant hunt.

Maine Fish and Wildlife

From that time on, the possibilities just kept expanding, for you cannot expect to have a hunting dog uni~ you are willing to spend considerable hours in training. Carole thoroughly enjoyed working with the dog, and, having much more patience than I, became the dog trainer. We became a well-suited threesome. So many fall days we spent grouse hunting all over the state, sometimes accompanied by

THAT AFTERNOON WHEN WE RETURNED TO THE LODGE, BIRDLESS, CAROLE TOLD JO-ANN WHAT A GREAT DAY IT HAD BEEN, AND SHE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A DOG JUST LIKE HER CINDY. friends, but most times by ourselves. Several years later, were now allowed to accompany our two English setters, and still enjoying those precious fall hunts. I had been shooting skeet for a number of years and was doing some shot gun instructing for L.L. Bean. Carole again became an eager student and became quite proficient at the sport. The topics for conversation have now expanded to include fishing, dogs, shooting techniques, and shotguns. Best of all, we have http://www.state.me. us/ifw

ARE ERS! children and grandchildren who share our enthusiasm for these sports. Once we established bird hunting as a famility priority, we built a camp at T15-Rl4, which is the area where we lived as a young game warden family in the early 1960s. We spent a great deal of time there, building the camp, grouse hunting, deer hunting, fishing and just enjoying being in the North Maine woods. This is where archery came into the picture, and developed into far more than spending some time in October in a tree stand. There were 3-D archery shoots in all parts of the state, at all times of the year, and this became a favorite Sunday sport. We especially like shooting the traditional bows, and are members of an organization devoted to traditional shooting. Here again, we have made another circle of friends, men, women, and children who make this sport a family outing. Today Carole has become a true sportswoman in her own right. She is a registered Maine Guide, chair person of the Burton Spiller Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society and instructor at the Becoming an Outdoorswoman programs. A better than average shotgunner and a very proficient archer, she placed high overall in the womens recurve division, which is made up of 35 women shooters at an event in Massachusetts. If this were not enough, Carole is a terrific cook and the best hunting and fishing buddy a guy could have! Russ Dyer, a resident of Bowdoinham, is Chairman of the Maine Fish and Wildlife Advisory Council and a former Chief Warden. http://www.state.me.us/ifw

by V. Paul Reynolds Diane and I spent the last week in October at a small hunting camp perched on a knoll beside a remote lake. A stiff westerly wind rustled the rust-gold beech leaves, and a bright sun occasionally peeked through the clouds to illuminate the red swamp maples and yellow poppies-it was October with a capital "O." In the morning after breakfast, we stoked the kitchen Clarion and departed the cozy cabin to find game birds. Walking along -l3 old tote roads, our soft g ~ chatter was broken a: :5 more than once by ~ > fleeting partridge. We ~ brought down one ~ .c plump bird, aad left a a. couple to feed another day. This day was Diane's second bird-hunting experience. We took pictures, and shared a thermos of hot coffee. We scouted new terrain and studied game trails looking for fresh deer sign. She seemed capable and consumed by it all, soaking it all in the way I still do after more a near halfcentury of Octobers in bird cover. Watching Diane's "conversion," I felt some pride and pleasure. It was a feeling of years back, when I shared with our young sons the hunting experience. Strolling back to camp, our shotguns cradled, Diane and I acknowledged that this was a fine way to observe our 34th wedding anniversary. My wife is one of an increasing number of Maine women who are discovering the challenge and enjoyment of hunting. Nationally, the total number of licensed hunters is remaining level, but an ever-increasing percentage of that number are women who are, like my wife,

discovering that they may have missed something. As a young working mother of three in the early 70s, Diane had

Outdoorswoman Diane Reynolds with her first grouse.

little interest in hunting. She shared with me a love of the outdoors, but didn't respond to my suggestion that she try hunting. But then a few years ago, she decided on her own to sign up for Maine's new Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) program. And at my suggestion, she selected from the BOW curriculum classes on firearms and hunting. She came back hooked, and even feeling a tad self-assured about her gunmanship. This will be my wife's second hunting season. Gamewise, she has two woodcock and a grouse to show for her efforts.The summer before last fall she "aced" her final exam in the mandatory hunter safety course. Toward the end of last November, after many lateafternoon vigils on a cold stump, she took her shot at a standing doe and missed. No matter. She is eager for this deer season, and like so Winter 1998

many other deer hunters, is praying for an early snow. So eager is this grandmother for the first light of opening day, that she shared with me this rhetorical lament: "Why did I wait so long to hunt? I've missed so much." Could be. But things were different back then, and most of us tend to find our avocational niches when it's right to do so. What do you think about all of this? Should toting a high-powered rifle in the North Woods be the sole domain of maledom? Is there anything incongruous about a nurturing mother/ grandmother popping a 10 pointer and struggling through her first field dressing experience? Not as far as I'm concerned. In fact, sharing these special times in the outdoors with my life companion serves to strengthen our relationship. Of course, all marital relationships are as different as the individuals involved; some women, as with some men, will never take to hunting. If you're a hunter, and there's a woman in in your life who already harbors a natural fondness for

SO EAGER IS THIS GRANDMOTHER FOR THE FIRST LIGHT OF OPENING DAY THAT SHE SHARED WITH ME THIS RHETORICAL LAMENT: "WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG TO HUNT? l'VE MISSED SO MUCH. " woods and fresh air, invite her along on a hunt one day. Then, if she starts to take to the whole idea seriously, refer to the following tips, which you may want to cut out and squirrel away for future reference: 1. Unless she worships the water you walk on, don't try to teach her

everything you know about guns, basic woodsmanship and hunting. Have her enroll next spring in a weekend BOW program (call Augusta IF&W at 287-8000 for the schedule) and let knowledgeable experts teach her the basics. 2. When she returns from her BOW weekend, bursting with enthusiasm and outdoor savvy don't bristle up when she tells you that your compass is a "piece of junk." 3. When she signs up for the obligatory hunter safety course, sign up and take the course with her. (I did and learned a lot, even though I instructed at a state-sanctioned hunter safety course more than 20 years ago.) 4. When she's ready, hunt with her. Don't take her to deer camp with the rest of the boys during the Big Week, but encourage her to seek out other outdoorswomen and put together their own Big Week at camp. 5. If your marriage is not rock solid, carefully weigh the short term benefits of teaching gun handling to your mate against the possible longrange implications.

V. Paul Reynolds, a resident of Hampden, is the former information director for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and edits Maine Fish and Wildlife magazine and the Northwoods Sporting Journal.

by Steve Forrest Growing up in Winterport Maine, in a family with a long heritage of hunting and fishing, it was the natural thing to do as a youngster. From the time I was old enough to pull a bow or bait a hook, I was in the woods chasing something. By the time I was in my teens it had become an obsession and remains so today. As a family, we did most things together, except hunting. It was sort of a given, a tradition handed down from father to son, and the women of the family usually didn't participate, either for lack of interest, or just were not

Main e Fish an d Wildlife

included at an early age. So as a youngster it wasn't that common to see women participating in the sport of hunting. As luck would have it, in 1980 I married a woman who just happened to love the out of doors and loved to fish. Patty had grown up in a military family with a brother and sister, but again had not been included on the hunting and fishing trips. While dating and after we were married, Patty and I enjoyed fishing together as much as possible, dry fly fishing Nesowadnehunk or trolling streamers on West Grand. But come hunting season, I would

take the dogs and friends and spend all fall hunting while Patty stayed home and put in the firewood. On occasions, Pat would join me but she just wasn't comfortable around firearms. For Christmas 1985, Santa brought Patty a Jennings compound bow. I set up a target, gave her some quick instructions and away she went. Unknowingly I had really started something. That fall as I was putting in the firewood, Patty was sitting in a tree stand bow hunting for deer. She saw a lot of deer under her stand that year. She would return home after a hunt, very excited, and describe in http://www.state.me. us/i fw

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Maine Outdoorswoman and bow hunter Patty Forre~t of Hampden with her first caribou taken with a bow in Northern Quebec.

detail the doe and lambs that were so close she could almost touch them, or the buck that came almost in range but not quite, or the partridge that strutted and displayed right under her stand. Her enthusiasm was contagious. I picked up my bow, after a long absence from bow hunting and we began hunting together. We had some great experiences that first year and to be able to share these wildlife dramas with someone who had never been exposed to these privileges was deeply rewarding, especially with my wife. Patty killed her first deer that year and we became lifetime hunting and shooting companions. We have done a lot of hw1ting and fishing since then, from sea duck hW1ting on the islands off the coast of Maine to bow hunting for caribou in northern Quebec. And whether its just the two of us working bird dogs, or th e both of us and five other guys in a remote spike camp, she has always been an http://www.state.me. us/ifw

interesting and enjoyable part of any trip. And as my wife, I find her as a ttractive in an evenit,g gown at a business convention as she is in camouflage up to her elbows field dressing a deer. In recent years Patty has become m ore comfortable around guns, possibly due to the fact that she now has her own guns that fit her and are in smaller gauges. She's shooting rather well on the clay birds, but hitting birds with real fea thers she's finding a bit more challenging. It will be fun to watch her progress as a wing shooter over our dogs in the years to come. Although I still do a lot of hunting and fishing alone and with friends, as does Patty, I'll find myself on a favorite salmon river or in a turkey blind watching a big gobbler strutting his stuff, and say, "Gee, I wish Patty were here to see this." T'm glad to say my wife has become my favorite hunting and fishing partner. And all it took, was giving her the opportunity.

WE HAD SOME GREAT EXPERIENCES THAT FIRST YEAR, AND TO BE ABLE TO SHARE THESE WILDLIFE DRAMAS WITH SOMEONE WHO HAD NEVER BEEN EXPOSED TO THESE PRIVILEGES WAS DEEPLY REWARDING.

Steve Forrest, a resident of Hampden, owns and operates Forrest Auto Body in Winterport and is an avid outdoorsman. Winter 1998

BOW Workshop A Big Success The Becoming an Outdoorswoman program in Maine had its largest single workshop to date this past September, with 85 woman participating in the three-day mid-September event at Camp Bishopswood in Hope. The Maine BOW program began in 1996 with 70 participants; in 1997, two workshops were held with a total of 99 woman attending. The workshops are targeted primarily at women, but are opportunities for anyone 18 and up to learn many useful outdoor skills. The popular program features introductory and more advanced courses in a wide variety of outdoor pursuits, and is meant to provide a sampler of activities that woman might not try individually, but with some expert instruction may be encouraged to become active participants. BOW is a national program that was conceived by, and continues to be administered from, the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point. It is currently sponsored by state fish and game agencies in 46 states and eight Canadian provinces. The national program guidelines call for all course offerings to include 1/3 hunting/ shooting instruction, 1/3 fishing, and 1/3 'non harvest' classes. The September workshop here offered 30 courses, including an Introduction to Turkey Hunting, Wildlife Signs, Whitetail Deer Hunting, Hiking and Backpacking, Survival Skills, Sea Kayaking, Map and Compass, Bass Fishing, Gun Cleaning, BOW attendee Mary Haroldson (86!) gets some Fly Tying, Outdoor Cooking, and much more! instructions on the fine art of flycasting from Maine continues io hold the record, nationMaine Guide Bonnie Holding. (Photo by wide, for the oldest participant, established last year with her attendance at age 85. The Marilyn Tourtelotte) same lady came back again this year at age 86 with her daughter and granddaughter, and vows to keep coming as long as she can! Plans for 1999 include another September three-day workshop, and two "Beyond BOW" workshops, in June and October. Beyond BOW is a one-day intensive workshop on one particular subject. June's will offer a variety of fishing tips and techniques for both warmwater and coldwater fish, and the October workshop wil offer a shooting sampler. If you are intaested in attending a BOW program, please call the Fish and Wildlife Information Center at 207-287-8000 and ask to be put on the mailing list. Information will go out by early

spring,1999.

MlullL Fffll 111111 WiUJife

http://www.state.me. us/ifw

WIN THIS PRINT!! Give us your thoughts and opinions on how we might improve Maine Fish and Wildlife Magazine and make it more interesting and informative. Participate in our reader survey on pages 11 & 12 of this issue and you'll automatically become eligible to win one of five prints of this 1998 state duck stamp painting of a male and female surf scoter, an acrylic by Jeannine Staples of Topsham. Names will be drawn at the conclusion of our survey, and all who send in the survey will be included. How do you put your name in this drawing? Simple. Just complete the survey (both sides), cut along the dotted line and mail it to the address listed at the end of the survey. Your opinions do matter. So don't delay! You could be one of the lucky five!

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Maine Fish and Wildlife

Phone (207) 435-6156

V. Paul Reynolds, Editor Maine Fish and Wildlife Magazine 284 State Street 41 State House Station Augusta ME 04333-0041 Telephone: (207) 287-5248 Winter 1998

http ://www.state.me. u s/i fw

Editor's note: Josh Geib, age 12, wrote this last year for his 7th grade English class at Hebron Academy. His mother thought it was worth publishing in Maine Fish and Wildlife Magazine. She was right!

by Joshua Geib

The Art of Fly Fish·n

ly fishing, a sport or an art? Sportsmen would generally think fly fishing is a sport. The people that would be led to catching fish, which is just believe this would be the ones something kind of extra. The real who have not actually experienjoyment is being outside enced it. These sportsmen would standing in the river listening to think that fly fishing is just the cool running water, and throwing a feather-covered hook looking at the beautiful scenery. into the water and hoping that a The enjoyment aspect is just one fish, seeking food, would come up and eat It. Now a person might think, "Why waste all that energy and effort when you could just use bait?" Others may think that fly fishing is a sport because some fly fishing gear is sold in sports stores, advertised on television for sport utility vehicles, and written about in sports magazines. Fly fishing to me is an art. It has so many different parts to be mastered. When fly casting, the slow graceful back and forth Josh Geib proudly displays a catch. motion of the fly rod can be so relaxing. of the splendid things about fly Casting and presenting the fly with gracefulness is like the fishing. wind blowing a feather on a cool A fisherman stalking the summer night. elegant trout has to match exThere is so much more to actly what these fish are feeding enjoy in fly fishing other than on. The fly tier uses feathers and

•

Mai11e Fis/, and Wild life

fur like an artist uses his paints. The tier has to match the insect, right down to the color, size, shape, stage in life. This is true whether it is in the stage of hatching and is wiggling on the surface of the water, or if it is fully hatched and just floating on the water like a leaf. Not only does the fly fisherman have to match the food source exactly, but the fly must be presented in the most naturalistic way so as to fool the fish. Tying flies is another art form to fly fishing. The fly tier who ties flies will have to make an exact imitation of the food of the fish that they intend on pursuing and catching. A sculptor may make a figure that appeals to him, and a fly tier may design a fly of his own which would be most effective in the area where he fishes. Fly fishing is seen as an art, because there is more to it than just throwing bait in the water. Fly fishing takes skill with the hands and intense visual abilities. Patience is a big contributing factor. It takes practice and years to master the art of fly fishing. • http://www.state .me. us/ifw

Fish and Wildlife 0

Maynard F. Marsh A legendary figure in the history of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife died in November at age 82. Maynard F. Marsh, whose career with the Department spanned four decades, retired in 1979 after eight years in its top position. ln 1941, after graduation from college with a degree in wildlife management and one year of work with the U.S. Forest Service, the Gorham native began work with the Department as one of the original biologists in what is today's Wildlife Division. Two years later he became a Di trict Game Warden in the Sebago Lake area, and by the early 1950s he had begun moving up the Warden Service ranks, finally being promoted to chief warden in 1961. He was appointed deputy commissioner of the Department in 1970, and the following year under Governor Kenneth Curtis he became the first game warden to progress through the ranks Lo the position of commissioner. He went on to serve under Governors Longley and Brennan until his retirement. "Maynard touched the live and influenced the career of more people, past and present in the Department,

http://www.state.me. us/i fw

than possibly anyone ever has or ever will, including my own," said Commissioner Lee Perry. "He was truly a legend in his own time, and he left permanent tracks in the Department's history. " Marsh was known early in his career as a firm but but well-respected game warden, a reputation he carried into the administrative ranks. But he is also well remembered for his quick wit and practical jokes, and for his ability to put into perspective with a few words even the most serious of issues. One of his early moves as commissioner was addressing a steep decline in Maine's deer herd brought on by several severe winters. His premature closure of the 1971 deer hunting season, a drastic and controversial decision at the time, was the first in'a number of steps subsequently taken toward rebuilding Maine's deer population. Under Commissioner Marsh's leadership, the Department also ~hated long-range species management planning, reorganized several of its divisions for more efficient operation, and with bond-issue funds approved by Maine voters in 1974 significantly expanded land in the wildlife management area system. As commissioner, Marsh also served in a number of other capacities including member and chairman of the Baxter State Park Authority, the Pesticide Control Board and the Atlantic Sea Run Salmon Commission. He was particularly proud to have met Gov. Percival Baxter and struck up a friendship with him that lasted until the governor's death. After retirement, he served for 12 years on the Maine Ind ian Tribal State Commission and also on the Board of Environmental Protection. Among his many honors, the retired commissioner was the recipient in 1993 of the prestigious Maine Legendary Game Warden Award, given annually to a retired game warden whose career upheld the statutory charge of the Mane Warden Service and its proud tradition. In 1990, the

Department dedicated the 600-acre Killick Pond Wildlife Management Area in southern Maine in his name. Marsh always enjoyed working with wood. He built the family home in Gorham in which he and his wife lived since 1947, as well as homes of several of his children and grandchildren and a summer camp in Denmark. He created pieces of furniture that grace the homes of every family member, and they most remember that he was always content with a piece of pine in his hands. Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Frances Knight Marsh of Gorham; two sons, John and Eben; a daughter, Mary. John followed his father in a career as a game warden and also advanced to the position of chief warden. Memorial contributions may be sent to to the Maine Warden Service Scholarship Fund, PO box 551, Greenville, Maine 04441. These funds will be used toward a scholarship for the child of a Maine game warden.

Stuart E. DeRoche This past October Stu DeRoche, a retired fishery biologist, passed away at 75 years of age. Prior to his career with the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, he erved on U.S. battleships in the South Pacific during the Second

Wi n ter 1998

World War. While in the service and upon his return to Maine, he gained the title of Light Heavyweight Boxing Champion. After receiving his Bachelor's Degree in Biology from the University of Maine, DeRoche became one of the Department's first fisheries biologists. He was hired by Commissioner Stobie in 1950 and along with Lyndon Bond, former Chief of Fisheries, was required to do a survey of all log driving dams in the north woods. In 1951, Commissioner Cobb appointed Stu as the first Regional Biologist with administrative authority over southern Maine waters. For 31 years he conducted fisheries research and management throughout this region. DeRoche was extremely energetic and oftentimes passionate, when it came to protecting both the fish and their habitats. After having read Rachel Carson's landmark conservation book, Silent Spring, he had the foresight to have Sebago Lake salmon analyzed for DDT. Upon finding the fish heavily contaminated, he went on a major campaign to stop the spraying of DDT around Sebago Lake in an effort to protect the future fisheries of this important lake. He conducted some of the early studies on streams (Branch Brook) to determine the efficiency of stocking in wild trout waters. He took pride in restoring a wild run of landlocked salmon in the Crooked River, Sebago's major Salmon spawning area, through the removal of dams that had blocked fish migration for 175 years. DeRoche was a great public relations person for the Department and was often interviewed or quoted on radio, television, and statewide newspapers . Even in retirement, outdoor writer, Gene Letourneau, often called on him to get a historical perspective on Maine's fisheries.

Wolverton Chief Warden Pilot Roger E. Wolverton is ended a 24-year career as a Maine Game Warden with his retirement on July 31. Wolverton, 50, has been a warden pilot since 1991. He was promoted to Chief Pilot in 1996. Prior to his appointment to the position of Warden Pilot, he served as a District Warden, beginning at Ste. Aurelie, Que., on the MaineCanadian boundary in 1974. He later was stationed at Millinocket for 2-1/2

Maine Fish and Wildlzfe

years, and moved to Jefferson in 1978. He was promoted to Game Warden Sergeant in 1981, assigned to Division B, headquartered in Augusta, until 1991. Wolverton accumulated over 8,000 hours of flying time, including 1,000 in multi-engine aircraft. He says most of his warden flying "has been great, it's been a lot of fun!" He does, however, remember a few incidents which were particularly difficult or humorous. Warden pilots frequently get involved in aerial searches and rescues, many of which can mean life or death to persons lost or injured in the Maine woods. One such was a hunter reported lost after dark in a snowstorm. When Wolverton took off, the wind was gusting over 40 knots. The wind-chill factor was 18 below zero. Fortunately, the man had been able to start a tiny fire, which the Warden Pilot spotted from the air. Then, the pilot had to spend about two hours circling over the area as he directed ground wardens to the remote, rugged location by radio. When he attempted to land at Augusta, the wind was so strong "the plane wouldn't land." The wind exceeded the stalling speed of the Cessna 185. After several attempts, he finally got the plane on the ground, but then spent nearly a halfhour taxiing it back to the safety of the hangar, as the wind buffeted and kept the plane from steering properly. "It spun me around several times" Wolverton says, of the wildest night of flying he ever encountered. But the hunter, who might not have survived that wild night, was saved. Wolverton is a native of Brewer, and graduate of Brewer High School. He has an Associate Degree in Wildlife Management and Forest Technology from Wayne Community College, Goldsboro, N.C. A veteran of the Vietnam War, he served in the U.S. Air Force as a weapons loader on F-4s. On returning to Maine, Wolverton was a park ranger for the Bureau of Parks and Recreation, stationed at Lamoine State Park. He also worked as a timber cruiser for the James W. Sewall Company of Old Town. He is married to the former Linda Stearns of Bangor. They have a daughter, Christine Gracie, and a granddaughter, Brittany, residing in Washington, Maine. Wolverton has accepted a position a~ pilot for Business Express Airlines, where he will be flying Saab 340 turboprop aircraft, which carry 35 passengers.

Sargent Warden Investigator Gary R. Sargent ended his 20-year career with the Maine Warden Service at the end of August. For the past year-and-a-half, Sargent has been the Training Supervisor for the Maine Warden Service. This included the coordination of the Warden Basic Training Academy at Unity College, which recently graduated seven new members of the Maine Warden Service. Sargent, 42, began his warden career in February 1978. After graduation from Warden School, then held at the University of Maine, he was assigned to Pittston Farm north of Moosehead Lake. In the fall of 1979 he transferred to St. Zacharie, Que., on the Maine/ Canada border. He moved to Wesley in Washington County in the fall of 1983. He was promoted to Game Warden Investigator in 1983, assigned to the Bangor Regional Headquarters. Sargent is a native of Blue Hill, and graduate of Ellsworth High School. He attended the University of Maine at Bangor. He is married to the former Deborah Jackson of Bucksport. They have a daughter Rebecca, 15, and a son Christopher, 13. They reside in Surry. Gary's retirement plans include ca retaking for several properties in Surry. He says one of his great interests now is teaching. He has done some teaching of Conservation Law and Fish and Wildlife Investigation at Beal College, and may do so again ir1 the future .

Carbone Thomas L. "Tom" Carbone, who became widely recognized in and out of state for operating the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife's displays and exhibits at fairs and sportsmens shows, has retired. Carbone served under seven different commissioners during his 32 1/2 years with the Department. He was first hired in 1966 as a photographer / darkroom technician when Ronald Speers was the commissioner, and William Mincher was Director of Public Information and Education. Carbone's photographs have been published widely, both in Department publications including the department's own Maine Fish and Wildlife Magazine, and to fill requests from a wide variety of magazines and newspapers. Carbone recalls his first photo assignment for the Department was to h ttp://www.state.me. us/i fw

Greenville, where he accompanied two wildlife biologists, John Hunt and Harold "Doc" Blanchard, who were live-trapping and tagging wild bears. These two biologists were among the most colorful in the history of the Department, and spending time with them in the woods was "an unforgettable experience," Tom says. He has also been a boating and hunting safety instructor for the department. Carbone became best known for the Department exhibits and displays he originated and managed at sportsmens shows throughout the Northeast. One of the longest-running was the large display at the State of Maine Building at the Eastern States Exposition in Springfield, Mass., each September.He has been involved with that display every year since 1966. In recent years he

became a trustee of Eastern States Exposition. Carbone is a native of Boothbay Harbor, where he still resides. He studied photography at the New York Institute of Photography in New York City; at the Eastman Kodak Company in Rochester, N.Y., and studied radio and television production at the Southern Maine Vocational/Technical College. He is a member of the New England Outdoor Writers Asociation. Despite his retirement and recent health problems, Carbone has volunteered to run the Department's display at the Eastern States Exposition.

Reynolds The information and education director for the Maine Fish and Wildlife Department, V. Paul Reynolds, 58, left

his post last July. Reynolds was appointed to head up the Department's information and education division in August of 1995 by then-commissioner Ray "Bucky" Owen. Reynolds directed the marketing, promotion, and media relations activities of the department, and served as editor of the department's quarterly magazine and media spokesman for the Maine Warden Service. Prior to his apppointment at MDIF&W, Reynolds was managing editor of the Bangor Daily News and journalism instructor at the University of Maine. A resident of Hampden, Reynolds currently writes a self-syndicated weekly outdoor column, hosts a weekly radio program "Maine Outdoors," and is editor of the Northwoods Sporting Journal.

KEN 'S DEER STEW 1 to 1 % pounds of venison chucks (trim off all fat and gristle) Roll venison in flour; brown in 3 T. of vegetable oil. Put browned venison into a stew pot and simmer in 1 can (14 Oz) of beef or vegetable broth. Add the following spices to taste: garlic, sweet basil, ground cloves, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce, salt and pepper. Cut up 1 to 2 medium onions and several stalks of celery and add to simmering meat. Simmer as needed until meat is tender. Cut up into bite size chunks: 4 to 6 carrots 1 small to medium turnip 4 to 6 medium potatoes Cook carrots and turnips in a separate pot until tender, but still firm. Add turnips and carrots, and their broth to simmering venison, and continue to simmer. Cook potato chunks separately and remove from heat while still firm. Pour off potato water and add chunks to stew. This extra step sounds silly, but this way the potatoes are still firm when you eat the stew .... Serve with fresh buttermilk biscuits.

Ken Beland Atlantic Salmon Authority

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.state.me.us/ifw

Winter 1998

FISH AND WILDLIFE BRIEFS Medford guide Tom Russell with his white moose. Lavigne did not take a tooth to accurately age the animal because the Russells are having the cow fully mounted for display in their trophy room in Medford.

Dive Team

White Moose Tagged A white cow moose was taken on the last day-in the last hour-of the 1998 moose hunt. Professional outfitters Tom and Willie Russell spotted the cow prior to the hunt, and took four days to pursue it in the Lakeview Plantation area. Subpermittee Tom Russell actually took the cow. The Russell brothers and father Doug operate a guide service out of Medford. State Deer Biologist Gerry Lavigne saw the animal in Milo the Sunday morning after the moose hunt ended. He said the white cow looked to be about 2 1/2 years old, weighed approximately 500 pounds, had brown eyes and two white and two brown hooves. Its coat was uniformly white, with an evenly distributed peppering of brown. A true albino would have had pink or red eyes, all white hooves, a pure white coat, and no brown hairs. The cow had no outward deformities (common with white or piebald deer), was not lactating, and appeared to be in good shape. The w1Usual moose had apparently been observed in the company of normally colored bulls, but often kept to the edges of clearcuts and in deepe_, woodlands .

Maine Fish and Wildlife

Joel Wilkinson and Scott Colter are new members of the Maine Warden Service Dive Team, it was announced recently by Chief Warden Timothy Peabody. The two replace wardens who have retired from the team. Wilkinson, 26, resides at The Forks with his wife Kelley and their daughter, Emma. Colter, 28, resides in Hallowell with his wife Kris and their children, Dane and Alexis. Each man has been a game warden for four years. The dive team was started in 1962 and is responsible for the recovery of all drowning victims in the sta te. During its long history, the team has responded to hundreds of drownings from extreme northern Maine to Kittery, with remarkable results, according to team leader, Lt. William Allen.

New Warden Investigator Chief Warden Tin,othy E. Peabody has announced the promotion of District Warden Albert St. Saviour of Baldwin to the position of Investigator. St. Saviour, 44, has been a district game warden since 1983. Prior to that, he was a deputy game warden for one year. He was first assigned to Calais, where he stayed until transferring to Warden Division A, in southwestern Maine, in 1985. He was assigned to that Sebago Lake District until 1989, when he took over the Fryeburg district. Both are located in Maine's most heavily populated region, where "people problems" relating to the outdoors make warden work very demanding. In his new position, St. Saviour will be assigned to work out of the Gray Regional Warden Headquarters. According to Deputy Chief Warden Tom Santaguida, investigators do basic detec-' tive work: "investigating serious violations of Maine fish and wildlife laws with priorities placed on assisting dis-

trict wardens with complex investigations and investigating illegal commercialization of Maine's fish and wildlife resources "Albert is a veteran game warden, skilled at apprehending serious fish and wildlife violators. His experience will be a valuable asset to the investigations division, and will help protect our fish and wildlife," said Santaguida. St. Saviour is a native of Parsunsfield and a graduate of Sacopee Valley High School. He studied Parks and Recreation at the University of Maine at Orono. He is married to the former Louise Lane of Biddeford. In his spare time, St. Saviour coaches downhill skiing at Sacopee Valley High School.

Kleiner Named The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife announces the appointment of Don Kleiner as Assistant to the Commissioner for Public Information. Kleiner will oversee the department's informational and educa tional programs. His duties will include promotion of Maine's fish and wildlife resources; communications with department constituents and various media outlets; overseeing the Maine Wildlife Park and conservation education programs such as Project Wild; as well as production of the department's magazine, Maine Fish and Wildlife, and other departmental publications. "Don's experience and enthusiasm are a welcome addition to the department," said Commissioner Lee Perry, "His education in environmental conservation, broad background in hunting, fishing and guiding in Maine, and his a sociation with the fi hand wildlife industry make him well suited for this position." Kleiner, a Master Maine Guide, has run his own business, Maine Outdoors, for the pa t 15 year .

Watchable Wildlife According to a study by University of Maine economists Mario Teisl and Kevin Boyle, watchable wildlife recreation (e.g. bird watching) in Maine can be divided into two types; re idential (occurring near the home) and nonresidential (occurring away from the http://www.state.me. us/i fw

home). Nonresidential watchable wildlife recreation enjoyed by nonresidents visiting the state (321,300) and by Maine residents (133,000). Residential recreation is enjoyed by almost half of the adult population of Maine (433,200 residents). In tota l, the number of nonresidential recreation days is almost three million! Watchable wildlife recreationalists in Maine spent a total of $224.6 million during 1996, with a total economic impact estimated at $331.6 million. Watchable wildlife recreation generates an estimated $111.4 million in wages and salaries and supports 6,020 full and parttime jobs across a diverse array of industries within the state. State sales and income tax revenues generated from watchable wildlife recreation is estimated at $21.1 million, a significant amount. While hunting and fishing generate license sales revenues, state fish and wildlife management agencies do not benefit directly from increased tax revenues generated by watchable wildlife recreation.

Hunters Found Grouse Northern Maine grouse hunters found good hunting success, according to a spot check of hunters and game wardens. Linda Caron-Rhinebolt, clerk-typist at the Ashland Regional Warden Headquarters and an avid hunter, says she and her husband found ruffed grouse (many Maine hunters call them simply "birds") plentiful during a recent weekend. She bagged three that Friday, and three more Saturday, "and I saw plenty more that l wasn't quick enough to get." Linda and her husband, a forest ranger, covered areas of the Allagash Region, including Clayton Lake and Churchill Dam. Although most hunters

in fhat region like to ride the roads and spot the birds, Linda says she prefers to walk on old tote roads and flush the grouse, which is more challenging. "But you miss a lot!" she asserts. She says she found grouse even on roads where they have been scarce in the past. Warden Sergeant Roger Guay of the Greenville headquarters confirmed that many hunters he checked in the first few days of the season had been successful. Three parties he checked had full possession limits of eight grouse each, and "everybody had some birds." Guay added that weather conditions were far from ideal for grouse hunting. Near-gale force winds blew throughout northern Maine early in the season, and foliage remained on the trees quite late this year. Guay said many persons thought grouse would be scarce this fall because of the wet spring, but many grouse broods were apparently successfully reared. Berries and other mast foods for grouse have been abundant this year as well. Sergeant Gregg Sanborn, who covers a large area of c:;_entral Maine along the Penobscot River in the Millinocket area, said many hunters in his district hunt traditionally with dogs. In addition to grouse, he said hunters found woodcock quite numerous. Sanborn added that he encountered several hunting parties who had shot spruce grouse, which are closely related to the ruffed grouse but are protected. He warns hunters they should acquaint themselves with the differences between the legal ruffed grouse, and the spruce grouse or "fool's hen." Spruce grouse are darker plumaged and slightly smaller than the ruffed grouse. The male spruce grouse has distinctive red patches over the eyes.

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~INEBIG~ MAGAZINE

Seen enough monster Maine bucks yet? If not, su bscri be to th e Maine Big Game Magazine and see more trop hy dee r, be ar a nd m oose - a nd read the excitin g stori es from the hunters wh o harve sted th em! MAINE BIG GAME MAGAZINE has dozens of fi rst hand hunting tale s each issu e with exciting color photos. One year subscription: $14.50 (four issues) Two year subscription: $28.00 (eight issues) Send check/money order to: Maine Big Game Publi cati ons 36 Ames Road- Dept. FW Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426 (207-564-7614)

Winter 1998

Maine Wildlife Park A new name, new exhibits and new animals all added up to the most successful season ever at the Maine Wildlife Park in Gray. Over 80,000 people visited the park, an increase of nearly one-third over last year. The park owned and operated by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, closed for the season Nov. 11. It will reopen in midApril 1999. New this year at the park were a wild turkey exhibit, now under the final stages of construction, and several raptor exhibits. The new exhibits added interest to displays that already featured such native Maine wildlife as moose, whitetail deer, lynx, black bear, bobcat, raccoon, mountain lion, fox, and coyote .. The raptor exhibit included kestrels, red-tailed hawks, barred owls, great horned owls, bald eagles, and saw whet owls. The new turkey exhibit features a band of wild turkeys in a natural old field habitat. These elusive gamebirds had vanished from Maine by the late 1800s, but are now thriving in many areas of the state since being reintroduced. Education also played a large role in the surge of visitors. The Maine Wildlife Park offers programs in wildlife and conservation topics, with close to 1900 children participating in the educational programs and over 2,400 children taking part in guided tours led by the volunteer corps. Many schools in Maine use the park as a resource for their students to meet state education standards in all subject and skill areas. Fox 51 TV used the Wildlife Park for several educational public service announcements with their "Kids Club" stars, and ran these spots throughout the summer. Special events like Fish and Wildlife Day, Loon License Plate Weekend, Full Moon Night Hikes, and Summer Sunday Wildlife Programs also contributed to the rise in visits. Increased advertising in tourism-targeted publications also paid off. Staff are busy getting the park ready for next season, and also taking care of the wildlife. Most of the animals at the park were brought there because they were injured, orphaned, or illegally kept as pets, and require attention throughout the year. New exhibits and improvements slated for next year include a a native turtle exhibit and expansion of the deer and rr.oose yards.

Ma111e Fish and Wildlife

More than 20 injured fawn deer were brought to the park this season. Most were released in wildlife management areas in the western part of the state.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor: My son Matthew from Wiscasset is an avid sportsman who is in the woods or on the water 12 months out of the year. He caught this 22 inch brown trout April 7 in the late evening at Nequasset Pond in Woolwich. He was dragging a night crawler over the bottom when he hooked the fish. It took him 45 minutes to land the fish on a ultralight spinning rig. This fish was probably stocked by your Department. Sid Gammon, Edgecomb

Dear Editor: My hunting companion Will Wilette and I took this picture of a coyote the first week of October. We were hunting at Canada Falls Dead Water. I think that this is a very unique photo and I would like to share it with other sportsmen . Please publish it in your magazine. George Ruby, Lisbon

KENNEBAGO RIVER KAMPS North of Rangeley between Kennebago Lake and Little Kennebago Lake • Fly Fish for native Salmon & Brook Trout in Kennebago's rivers & lakes • Excellent Deer and Grouse hunting • Snowmobiling on ITS 84 and 89 • 3 Housekeeping Camps • Gated Access • Reasonable Rates Write. Kennebago River Kamps, R. Hammond PO Box 677, Rangeley, 04970 (207) 864-2402

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

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FISH AND WILDLIFE

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

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

Maine Wildlife Park

AINE

2/99

A new name, new exhibits and new animals all added up to the most succe ful season ever at the Maine Wildlife Park in Gray. Over 80,000 people visitE A quarterly full-color magazine about hunting, the park, an increase of nearly one-thir fishing, or just plain recreating in Maine's outdoors over last year. The park owned and operated by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, closed for the D 2 years only $15 D 1 year only $9 season Nov. 11. It will reopen in midApril 1999. D Please bill me later D Payment enclosed New this year at the park were a wi turkey exhibit, now under the final stages of construction, and several rapexhibits. The new exhibits added inten Address _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ to displays that already featured such native Maine wildlife as moose, white! City/State/Zip_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ deer, lynx, black bear, bobcat, raccoon, OB FASTER SERVICE, CALL TOLL-FREE 1-800-288-8387 mountain lion, fox, and coyote .. The raptor exhibit included kestrels ~~~~~~===~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ red-tailed hawks, barred owls, great 2/99 horned owls, bald eagles, and saw wh, owls. The new turkey exhibit features, band of wild turkeys in a natural old field habitat. These elusive gamebirds had vanished from Maine by the late 1800s, but are now thriving in many A quarterly full-color magazine about hunting, areas of the state since being reintroduced. fishing, or just plain recreating in Maine's outdoors Education also played a large role ii the surge of visitors. The Maine Wildli Park offers programs in wildlife and D 1 year only $9 D 2years only$15 conservation topics, with close to 1900 D Please bill me later D Payment enclosed children participating in the education programs and over 2,400 children taki.J Name _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ part in guided tours led by the voluntE corps. Many schools in Maine use the Address _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ park as a resource for their students to meet state education standards in all City/State/Zip_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ subject and skill areas. Fox 51 TV used the Wildlife Park for several education FOB FASTER SERVICE, CALL TOLL-FREE 1-800-288-8387 public service announcements with th, "Kids Club" stars, and ran these spots throughout the summer. 2/99 Special events like Fish and Wildlif, Day, Loon License Plate Weekend, Fu! Moon Night Hikes, and Summer Sund Wildlife Programs also contributed to rise in visits. Increased advertising in tourism-targeted publications also pai, A quarterly full-color magazine about hunting, off. Staff are busy getting the park read fishing, or just plain recreating in Maine's outdoors for next season, and also taking care oJ the wildlife. Most of the animals at the park were brought there because they D 1 yearonly$9 D 2 years only $15 were injured, orphaned, or illegally ke D Payment enclosed D Please bill me later as pets, and require attention throughc the year. N8.Jlle _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ New exhibits and improvements slated for next year include a a native Address __________________________~ turtle exhibit and expansion of the dee and m : w se yards.

FISH AND WILDLIFE

SPECIAL HALF-PRICE OFFER!

AINE

FISH AND WILDLIFE

SPECIAL HALF-PRICE OFFER!

AINE

FISH AND WILDLIFE

SPECIAL HALF-PRICE OFFER!

City/State/Zip._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

Maine Fish and Wildlife

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

The extra $15 you pay supports the Maine Fish and Wildlife Department's critical landowner relations program, which insures future recreational access. Residents and nonresidents - hunters, anglers, trappers, guides - can all become Supersports. And even if you don't buy sporting licenses, you can still show you support by purchasing a Supersport certificate.

As a 1999 Maine Supersport, you have an opportunity to purchase an exclusive Supersport hat with embroidered Fish and Wildlife Department logo! in addition, several business supporters of the Supersport program are offering the following gift package valued in excess of $50 as their ways of saying "thank you" • Kittery Trading Post in Kittery - $10.00 gift certificate • North Maine Woods Association - $4.00 gift ce1tificate toward checkpoint fees • Points North Outfitters in Winthrop - 10% discount on most items in the store (some restrictions apply) • VanRaymond's Outfitters in Brewer - 10% discount on most items (some restrictions apply) • Brown's Trading Post in Houlton - I 0% discount on most items (some restrictions apply) • Roy's Army Navy Store in Presque Isle - 10% discount on most items (some restrictions apply) • Indian Hill Trading Post in Greenville - 10% discount on most items (some restrictions apply) • Maine's Northwoods Sporting Journal - a one-year subscription at 1/2 price ($8 savings) • Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife - a supersport window decal Maine residents and nonresidents can buy a Supersport license wherever licenses are sold. Nonresident hunters and anglers also may buy a Supersport license through the mail from: Maine Deptartment of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife 284 State Street 41 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333-0041 Supersport certificates may be purchased when registering any recreational vehicle or after one has purchased their license.

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THESE NEW SUPER TIP-UPS LET YOU SEE WHAT THE FISH IS DOING FROM 100 YARDS AWAY.

Available at Sporting Good Shops throughout New England.