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Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
3-1-2000
Maine Fish and Game Magazine, Spring 2000 Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
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MANE Fish and Wildlife Vol. 42, No. 1
Spring 2000 Governor Angus S. King, Jr. Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Lee E. Perry, Commissioner Frederick B. Hurley, Jr., Deputy Commissioner Kenneth H. Elowe, Director, Bureau of Resource Management Richard Record, Director, Bureau of Administrative Services Tim Peabody, Colonel , Bureau of Warden Service Andrea Erskine Assistant to th e Commissioner
Features Aggressive Eagles
4
Lisa Kane
Kennebec eagles prove effective predators on seagull s.
Outdoor Heritage Fund
6
Linda Frechette
The little lottery tickets that do a big con servation job.
Salmon Conservation
10
Maine 's plan for management and protection of Atlantic salmon .
Advisory Council Ellen N. Peters, New Gloucester, Chairwoman Ri chard A. Neal , Acton , Vice Chairman Millard A. Wardwell , Penobscot F. Dale Speed , Princeton Lila S. Wa re , Skowhegan Harold Brown , Bangor Russell E. Dyer, Bowdoinham Matt Libby, Ashland Don Palmer, Rangeley Ken Bailey, Camden MAINE Fish and Wildlife Magazine Don Kleiner, Editor MAINE Fish and Wildlife (ISSN 0360-005X) is published quarterly by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 284 State St., Station 41, Augusta, Maine 04333, under appropriation 010-09A-0529. Subscription rate is $9.95 per year. Permission to reprint text material is granted, provided proper credit is given to the author and to MAINE Fish and Wildlife. Clearance must be obtained from artists, photographers and non-staff authors to reproduce credited work. Š Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 1999. CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Send both old and new addresses to MAINE Fish and Wildlife Magazine, P.O. Box 1457, Yarmouth, Maine 04096. POSTMASTE R: Please send address changes to MAINE Fish and Wildlife, P.O. Box 1457, Yarmouth , Maine 04096. QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR SUBSCRI PTION? Call 1-800-276-0883 Out of state call 207-846-9501 The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wild life receives federal funds from the U.S. Department of 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 he or she has been discriminated against should write to the Office of Equal Opportunity, U.S. Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240
A Warden's Busy Day
15
Ken Bailey
18
Bob Humphrey
It starts early and often l asts long.
Big 'Bird in Maine
Wild turkey popu l ations taking off all over the place.
Fisheries Management
22
Ken Allen
Careful proactive planning key to improving catches.
Depanments Editorial
5
Comm. Lee Perry
Kid Bits
26
Lisa Kane
Fish and Wildlife Briefs 28
About the Cover: Warden Debbie Palman with her K9. Photo by Ben Magro. Spring 2000
3
Dinner Drama
By Lisa Kane -- Photos by Thom Watson
The ice was "making" on the Kennebec River just above the Bath Bridge on a cold January afternoon. As the tide came in, bringing large chunks of floe ice with it, several immature ringbilled and herring gulls were, for some reason, getting smashed into the ice as they sat on the edge of the pack The young gulls acted strangely, getting dunked and soaked, then walking on the ice, looking stunned and hypothermic. Eight immature eagles soared in from upriver to inspect the situation. Normally, gulls are not eagle fare, outmanuevering eagles in flight and putting up a strong fight if caught on the ground. Eagles are opportunistic eaters and normally take live fish, ducks or small mammals, but they also feed on carrion of many kinds. In this case, the sea gulls were fairly easy targets, and became entrees on the menu. Over a dozen gulls fell prey to the eagles. Once a gull was killed, eagles practiced 'displacement,' a behavior where one bird takes the place of another on a kill. Eagles rarely do battle over food, moving each other around the different kills so everyone gets something to eat. Although it wasn't a very good day for the gulls, the eagles put on quite a show for anyone watching. Eagles are often seen along the Kennebec River in winter from Augusta to Bath. For an opportunity to see these magnificent birds, follow the river south from Augusta on Routes 24, 27 or 127 and keep an "eagle eye" on the river. 4 MAI
E Fish and Wildli fe
Spring 2000
Editorial By Lee E. Perry, Commissioner Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
Proper Funding Key to Wildlife's Future Respond today! Take advantage of this new breakthrough offer! No annual fee! Insure the future offish and wildlife populations in Maine by simply checking the box below! Hunters and anglers recognized during the last century that wildlife and sport fish conservation programs would not be funded adequately through routine governmental appropriations. States passed licensing programs that not only regulated the use of limited natural resources but also raised the money necessary to fund conservation programs. Congress passed the Wildlife Restoration Act and later the Sport Fish Re toration Act, which obligated excise taxes on hunting and fishing equipment to wildlife and fisheries management. Both programs have been extremely successful.
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Federal programs for non-game, threatened and endangered pecies have not been as successful. The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act of 1980, establishing a comprehensive conservation program for all fish and wildlife species is still unfunded. The federal Endangered Species Act contained provisions for funding state conservation efforts. After 25 years, meager funding for the program has declined and is at an historic low. Today, at a time when more Maine species than ever are considered threatened or endangered by the federal government, funding available through the federal Endangered Species Act is not sufficient to support one state biologist. In Maine, programs for non-game, threatened and endangered species have been pas ed but are inadequate. The "chickadee check off" on your tax form, the "loon license plate," the "Heritage Fund lottery ticket" are noble efforts to secure voluntary funding to expand fish and wildlife conservation efforts. Each program has helped, but none provide the economic contributions necessary to fund a comprehensive conservation program, either now or in the future. This could be the last time that you will need to be asked to participate in another breakthrough offer. Congress is currently considering passage of the Conservation and Reinvestment Act (CARA). If passed, CARA will provide several million dollars a year to Maine for fish and wildlife conservation, habitat protection, parks and wildlife related recreation through a program similar to the very succe ful fish and wildlife restoration acts. At the same time, in Maine, a special advisory committee is studying the status of Maine's fi h and wildlife. They are charged with making recommendation for program and funding to su tain our fish and wildlife in the future. By now you know there i no "box below." If saving Maine' fish and wildlife and ensuring continuation of the many benefits derived from those resources into the future were that easy, the problem would have been olved long ago. But this is a problem that can not be relegated to fine print or simply put aside. Without funding the wild things of Maine, and the enjoyment they provide to you and future generations, will be lost. If you think fish and wildlife deserve a place in Maine's future, I urge you to support current program and future legislation that provide funding for fish and wildlife conservation.
MAINE Fi sh and Wildlife
Spring 2000
5
The little tickets that do a BIG
utdoorjob
The spectacular setting of Little Pond, long a favorite destination for hunting, fishing, camping and hiking, will soon be permanently protected. An abandoned 16-mile branch of the B&A Railroad in Aroostook County will soon provide a picture que multi-use recreation trail for snowmobiling. The St. John Valley Heritage Trail will run from Fort Kent to St. Francis along the St. John River, serving as a long distance route not only for snowmobiling and ATV's, but horseback riding, bicycling and walking. "The project will provide a developed, all- eason, multi-use recreation trail in a setting that features St. John Va ll ey landscape and history," says Donald Guimond, Town Manager of Fort Kent. Elsewhere, a thorough study of Maine's wild brook trout populations aero s the state is nearing comp letion and a public education campaign emphasizing gun . torage and safety is ¡ues pertaining to children soon gets underway. What do Little Pond and the St. John Valley Heritage Trail have in common with kids and gun safety education and a study of wild brook trout? They are among 200 projects funded in part by the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund, created in 1995 to upport wildlife and conservation efforts through sales of a dedicated instant lottery ticket. If the Outdoor Heritage Fund doe n' t ring a bell, don't be surprised. After four years, many Mainers are still unaware that purchasing an Outdoor Heritage instant lottery ticket directly benefits wildlife conservation and recreation projects all over the state. The Heritage Fund awarded its first grants in December 1996, one year after the outdoor tickets first went on sale. Since then, the program has awarded over $5.6 million to conservation and recreation projects all over Maine, from Kittery to Fort Kent. According to Jo D. Saffeir, Secretariat of the Heritage Fund, many of the projects would not be eligible for public funds under any other state program. "The Heritage und program is
unique in that it also encourages partnerships between agencies that might not otherwise work together," explains Saffeir. For example, the town of Fort Kent partnered with the Maine Department of Conservation to CORDS obtain a $59,976 ~ ~ ~ Outdoor Heritage grant for the abandoned stretch of B&J rai lroad. The Maine Department of Transportation also provided major financial PROCEEOS TO WILOLIFE & CONSERVATION support for the project. The Kid and Guns Safety Education Match any Program forges, ~ olYOUR for the first time TRAIL . NUMBERS ever, an Important to the RIGHT partnership TRAIL NUMBER, . ' win prize shown lor between the Mame lhatnumber. Ch iefs of Police $1 MAINE STATE LOTTERY PIICEEII TD WILILIFE I CINIEIVATIII Association and sportsmen OutdGor Heritage Fund tickets are colorful and fun. The tatewide. The tickets change on a regu lar basis so players wi ll have new proposal was subgames to play. mitted in partner"The entire nation is focu ed on gun ship with the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildl ife, which is responsible safety issues," said Police Chief David Pickering of Cape Elizabeth. "The need for gun and hunter safety programs and has for gun safety is evident. Firearms are identified this issue as a high priority in its used in a number of activities such as strategic plan. hunting and target shooting, all of which A grant of $3.650 from the Heritage are important to Maine's outdoor herFund will help fund the public education itage. We must educate coming generacampaign. The grant includes production tion about how to use and store firearms and distribution of 1,000 posters to gun properly. Education of gun owners and shops highlighting options for ecuring children is the most important element in guns and ammunition from young children; a statewide school mailing to elementary re olving the serious problem of gun school principals to alert them to the nation- safety." al "Eddie Eagle" gun safety cour e recently Pickering, who i immediate past endorsed by the State Legislawre, and a president of the police chiefs association. firearms video and safety course for ele~ays he is proud that hi organization mentary students. wa the first in the . Late to form a part-
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New Public/Private Partnerships Emerge to Benefit Diverse Projects MAINE i~h anti Wildlife
Spring 2000
7
ner hip with sportsmen to develop a program of educational materials addressing gun safety issues. "The Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund helped us take this crucial first step," he said. The Maine Coast Heritage Trust is partnering with the Maine Department of Conservation's (DOC) B ureau of Publi c Lands in an effort to purcha e 666 acres of land surrounding Little Pond. A grant of $75,000 from the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund has helped to bring this acquisition closer to reality. Support will also be sought from the Land for Maine's Future and private donations. The Outdoor Heritage grant will allow the state to expand traditional recreation opportunities such as hunting, fishing, camping and hiking and provide a new trail route to Schoodic Mountain. Walk-in campsites on the pond will offer remote and exceptional backcountry
development possibilities in the Little Pond watershed, including two shorefront lots, will be extinguished, thereby conserving the habitat of the entire pond eco ystem. "We see the project as a great opportunity to secure a large parcel of land with a variety of natural and recreational resources that comp lement the Donnell Pond Unit," explained Ralph Knoll, Director of Planning and Land Acquisitions at the Snowmobiling is just one of the many outdoor Department of activities to benefit from 8 rants from the Maine Conservation. "The Outdoor Heritage fund. Outdoor Heritage grant has been an important first step the acquisition pos ible. in raising the needed funding." Natural resources law enforcement In Kennebec County, the Hallowell project supported recently have included experiences. Conservation Commi,'i,1ion and the a gram of 2.5,3 10 the Maine Warden The region . encompa sing a cluster Kennebec Land Trust teamed up with supService to acquire new global positioning of lakes, ponds and mountain s, is known port from Maine's Department of Inland system (G PS) units and training for al l fo r its natural and scenic qualities. The Fisheries and Wildlife lO acquire 92 acres of wardens to enhance their ability to locate acreage surrounding Little Pond is adja- land adjacent to the Jamies Pond Wildlife mi ss ing or lost persons . GPS units, highcent to the spectacular Donnell Pond Management Area for wildlife habitat and tech navigationa l aids that work off satelUnit of P ublic Reserved Land, currently public recreation. The newly acquired undelites orbiting the earth, are hi ghl y accumanaged by the tate fo r multiple use, ve loped habi tat is valuable to waterfow l, rate and can greatly reduce search time. and other public lands and con ervation loons, snowshoe hares. grou e, woodcock, An earlier grant of 5,229 wa awarded ea ements around Tunk Lake and the and numerous other no n-game spec ies. An to Maine Search and Resc ue Dogs, an Little Tunk Pond Preserve. Remaining Outdoor Heritage grant of $33, 100 made all-volunteer, non-profit civilian organi-
Thanks to to Outdoor Heritage Fund grant, more Maine children are being educated in the basics of safe gun handling.
8
MAI E Fish and Wildlife
Lation that a sists the Maine Warden Service with highly trained search and rescue dog teams. An Outdoor Heritage grant of 38,500 funded the first year of a tudy to determine the effect of mercury on common loon in Maine. The Outdoor Heritage funds were matched by $30,000 from the Earthwatch Institute and 22,800 from the . S. Fi h and Wildlife Service. The project followed up on a 1997 study that examined mercury expo ure in fish-eating birds , and found high levels of mercury in fi hand five pecies of fish-eating birds. " o fie ld stud ie ¡ have documented the extent of ecological effects of mercury in Maine wildlife species," exp lained David Evers, Director of Biodiversity Research Institute, a non-profit ecological research group in Freeport. "The Outdoor
Spring 2000
Heritage grant provided us with seed money to help get our research underway." The study involved collecting loon blood and feather samples from a range of mercury contaminated lakes to determine the effect mercury is having on Maine's common loon population. Results of the study will be provided to state and federal natural resource agencies, policy makers and the public. Another study supported by a Heritage Fund grant wil l ana lyze the genetic properties of the Arctic charr in 11 populations in Northern Maine in an effort to develop sound conservation strategies for one of the state's rarest fishery resources . "A thorough understanding of the genetic structure is necessary to develop sound conservation strategies and to help determine whether endangered species Ii ting is necessary for any of Maine's charr population ," explained Peter Bourque o f IP& W. 0th r project partners are Webber Oil, Bradford Camps and the Un ivers ite Lava l in Quebec.
How It Works A seven-member board consisti ng of representative from the wi ldlife con ervation and sportsmen communities, and state natural resource agencies admini sters the Outdoor Heritage Fund. Individuals or organ izations interested in obtaining funding for a con ervation or recreation project must apply for a grant in partnership with one of 16 designated state natural re ources agencies, which in turn act as a sponsor of the project. Grants are awarded twice each year and range in size from under $1,000 to over $100,000 depending on the cope of the project and fund availability. Consi tently, there are more grant applications than there is money available, with total requests ranging anywhere from 1.5 to 4 times the amount awarded. The Heritage Fund also encourages applicants to seek matching grants for their projects. By law, grants are allocated to a wide variety of wildlife and conservation project in four categories based on the following formula: • Fishcrie!, and wildlife and habitat MAINE Fi!,h and Wildlife
Photo courtesy Biodiversity
More is being learned about the toxic effects of mercury on loons, thanks, in part, to a grant from the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund. conservation - 35%; • Acquisition and management of public lands, parks, wildlife conservation areas, public access sites and outdoor recreation
sites and faci litie - 35%; • Endangered and threatened !>pecies 15%; • Natura l resou rces law enforcement 15%.
How It Evolved In Maine, finding sources of funding has been challeng ing for conserva tion groups. Polls have consistently shown that wi ldlife and habitat conservajion i sue are important to Maine people. However, funding from the State Legislature, where natural resource agencies obtain their financial support, has not been sufficient. Some alternative funding sources do exist. License fee and ammunition excise taxes support game species programs. The chickadee check-off on the state income tax form raises money strictly for IF&W management of non-game species habitat. The loon license con ervation plate earmarks funds for IF& W 's endangered and threatened species program and the state Conservation Department's Bureau of Parks and Lands . However, these initiatives have not been sufficient, and as a result many other wildlife and conservation projects have remained unfunded. This funding picture in 1994 drove the Sportsman's Alliance of Maine (SAM) to commi sion a public survey with support
from L.L. Bean. The urvey revealed overwhelming support for a wildlife conservation fund , and indicated that the most popular way to raise the money would be through the state lottery, especi all y if supported by a partn ersh ip
between SAM and the Maine Audubon Society. SAM approached Maine A udubon to j oin efforts in a campaig n to estab lish a new source of revenue to support Maine's wildlife habitat. "Maine's game and non-game wildlife needed a new revenue ource, and we were going to have to be creati ve in funding it." recalls Thoma Urquhart, Executive Director of Maine Audubon. A petition drive led by Maine Audubon and SAM volunteer later that year resulted in over 50,000 signatures delivered to the Secretary of State's office by the January '95 deadline, leaving no doubt the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund iss a popular concept. The legislature enacted the Fund into Jaw without a referendum vote. Only once before had a citizen's initiative ever been voted into Jaw without going to the polls. The Outdoor Heritage ticket is the only lottery ticket that solely funds projects promoting conservation or recreation relating to Maine s vast natural resources. From an environmental standpoint, there's no question it's a winning ticket.
Many thanks to the Maine Audubon Society for contributing to this article. Spring 2000
9
Maine's Atlantic Salmon Conservation Plan: A Challenge in Progress When Cameron Clark caught a 27+ pound Atlantic salmon from the Machias River in June 1982. a documented, modern-day United States record, he nor any other almon angler at the time likely thought there might be a time when the State of Maine would prohibit salmon fishing. In fact, prior to that time, runs of Atlantic salmon in the downeast rivers were relatively robu t, although already in decline. Records kept by the Atlantic SeaRun Salmon Commission dating back to 1936 indicate that Atlantic almon populations in the downeast river have steadily dwindled over the past 18 years. When a marquee species population . uch a. Atlantic salmon uffer , angling enthu ia t , biologists, and casual observers alike sit up and take notice, although few attempt to do anything about it, largely becau e there is wide disagreement about the cause(s) of Atlantic salmon populations decline in Maine. Cries of alarm reached a crescendo in September 1995 when the ational
10 MAINE Fish and Wildlife
Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service jointly propo ed listing Atlantic salmon in seven Maine rivers as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. This action followed a citizens' petition to list Atlantic salmon throughout the Northeast as endangered. The Service's proposal, based on a status review of salmon populations, contained a list of potential, general threats to Atlantic
Adult Atlantic salmon live in the ocean and return to fresh water to reproduce. Without suitable marine and freshwater conditions, they will not thrive. In Maine, all threats are being addressed in order to restore a sustainable salmon fishery. North American salmon are experiencing low marine survival. Our success in this effort may be determined by environmental conditions beyond our control.
salmon and its habitat in the Sheepscot, Ducktrap, arraguagus, Pleasant, Machias, East Machias, and Denny Rivers. Seizing an opportunity to create a protection and recovery plan for Atlantic salmon as an alternative to Endangered Species Act listing, Governor Angus King convened a task force to develop a conservation plan. Chaired by then Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife Commissioner, Bucky Owen, the Atlantic Salmon Task Force, comprised of stakeholders from government, industry, conservation organizations and local angling groups, prepared a detailed, five-year plan in 18 months. That document, known as the Atlantic almon Conservation Plan for Seven Maine Rivers (A CP), addressed each potential threat to Atlantic salmon or its habitat as highlighted in the Federal Services proposed listing. On December 15, 1997, U. . Department of Interior ecretary, Bruce Babbitt. and .S. Department of
pring 2000
Commerce Undersecretary, Terry Garcia, came to the Maine State House and officially withdrew the federal proposal to list Atlantic salmon under the Endangered Species Act, citing the ASCP as a new model for working cooperatively to recover an endangered species.
At its core, the ASCP relies upon two important and related elements: l) enforcement of a myriad of laws and rules designed to protect aquatic species and their habitats , and 2) cooperation of industries and landowners operating and living in the seven river watersheds toward protecting Atlantic salmon (and its habitat) with sound, conservative, resource decisions. The ASCP challenges anyone who suspects their activities might affect Atlantic salmon to take extra precautions above and beyond the minimum standards et by law. What separates the ASCP from previous efforts to recover depleted runs in these rivers is its focus on protecting and restoring habitat. Further, the ASCP provides an opportunity for conservationists to protect habitat within the context of maintaining the complexities an entire
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A rotary screw smolt trap on the Narraguagus River. (John Kocik photo) river system through routine monitoring of natural conditions and direct action to address identified threats.
Calling upon a wide variety of state agencies, businesses, and non-governmental organizations, the ASCP out-
lines actions to address threats within four broad categories: fish management, species protection, habitat protection, and habitat enhancement. For many years Atlantic salmon biologists have practiced fish management on the seven downeast rivers. The ASCP fish man-
1) Atlantic Salmon Management • Designed, permitted, and constructed fish weirs on the Pleasant and Dennys Rivers. These weirs were in the water by mid-fall 1999, now are in winter storage, and will be back in the water this spring; • Improved three fish passages on Cathance Stream; a tributary to the Dennys River, by rebuilding a flow control dam at Cathance Lake, replacing a fishway at the Great Works Dam, and improving fish passage at Marion Falls; • Installed and operated traps on the Narraguagus and Pleasant Rivers to study smolt migration in cooperation with National Marine Fisheries Service; • Continued river-specific fry stocking in six of the seven rivers, as called for in the Plan; • Continued the collection of broodstock from five of the seven rivers, also according to the Plan; • Stocked adult broodstock back into their rivers of origin; • Continued a smolt study on the Narraguagus to better understand parr-to-smolt survival; • Continued annual juvenile population assessments on specific reaches of each river, and • Continued annual redd counts on spawning areas in each of the rivers. MAI E Fi hand Wildlife
Spring 2000 11
2) Species Protection • Completed and implemented a voluntary Loss Control Code of Practices by the aquaculture industry; • Drafted a rule to codify these practices , making them mandatory and adopted fish health rules; • Developed a rule requiring gear changes for elver fishermen to reduce by-catch ; • Adopted angling rules shortening the catch and release season on the seven rivers; then , following the first annual review of the plan , adopted a rule prohibiting all angling for Atlantic salmon in all Maine rivers; • Adopted rules for trout, black bass, chain pickerel , and landlocked Atlantic salmon fishing to protect Atlantic salmon. agement activities include: assessing the population status in each river through various counting techniques, surveying the amount and condition of critical spawning and nursery areas, researching juvenile survival, increasing fish passage to historical spawning areas, collecting broodstock, and stocking five of the seven rivers with river-specific fry. This latter activity i designed to help tabilize each river's population and supplement it with progeny that have the best chance of successfully completing a life cycle. Under the ASCP, species protection involves actions to reduce interaction between farmed and native Atlantic salmon by containing cultured
fish at hatcheries and sea cages. The ASCP also directs state agencies to develop fish health rules guarding both cultured and wild Atlantic almon against disease. Other species protection mea ures include reducing by-catch of Atlantic salmon from commercial fisheries, assessing the effect of stocking other finfish species into the salmon rivers, and manag ing populations of known predators. Finally, the ASCP calls for a prohibition on angling for Atlantic almon in the even river after originally requiring a shortened fishing season and gear changes. The ASCP's authors recognized that efforts to protect individual Atlantic salmon from disease, predators, undesir-
able interactions with farmed fish, and from angling and commercial fishing, must be complemented by corollary actions to protect freshwater habitat by safeguarding the quali ty and quantity of river waters. The ASCP direct four state agencies, in cooperation with local conservation groups, to maintain or improve water quality by reducing non-point source pollution and protecting important riparian buffers. Scientific research clearly shows that undisturbed, vegetated buffers are the mo t effective means of keeping streams relatively cool, filtering sediment and toxic pollutants. reducing streambank erosion, providing litter for macroinvertebrates, and maintaining balanced water chemistry. However, creating entire protected riparian corridors along the main stems and tributaries of the seven rivers is unrealistic and unnecessary. Rather, the ASCP anticipates a combination of permanent protection on key stretches of each river combined with landowner cooperation and adherence to State and municipal water quality regulations. A number of qualified conservation organiLations and agencies are dedicated to working with large and small landowners by promoting best management practices that reduce non-point source pollution from entering the salmon rivers . Habitat protection through the
12 MAINE Fish and Wildlife
pring 2000
ASCP also means safeguarding flows in the Narraguagus and Pleasant Rivers and in Mopang Stream, a tributary of the Machias River. These same river watersheds are home to intensive blueberry cultivation that is expanding through irrigation practices. Initiated by the ASCP, stakeholders are in the midst of developing water use management plans for these basins to better manage the timing, location, and amount of water used for irrigation in order to protect critical flows for juvenile Atlantic salmon. The responsibility for making any plan work I ies squarely with irrigators, regulatory agencies, and conservation groups. People will appropriately judge the success of the ASCP, in paI1, on our collective ability to olve this vexing competing resource problem. Like o many issues confronting Maine policy makers, long term resolutions to water use will signal Maine's ability to expand economic activity while protecting valuable natural resources.
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Scale samples being taken from an Atlantic salmon smolt. (John Kocik photo)
3) Habitat Protection • Completed habitat mapping of critical spawning and nursery areas in each of the seven rivers and distributed the information to regulatory agencies and key landowners; • Completed a scientifically justifiable buffer methodology (http://www.state.me.us/spo/salmon/), a tool conservationists can use to establish site-specific protective riparian buffers,c1djacent to important spawning and nursery habitat in cooperation with willing landowners; • Completed modeling, using lnstream Flow Incremental Methodologies (I Fl Ms) for the Pleasant and Narraguagus Rivers and Mopang Stream (a major tributary to the Machias River), providing information about the flow requirements of juvenile Atlantic salmon along critical reaches of each of these streams; and • Acquired, assisted in the acquisition of, or in the process of acquiring 4,806 acres with more than 40 miles of frontage along five of the seven rivers. Supported and worked for passage in November 1999 of a $50 million bond issue to recapitalize the Land for Maine's Future Program which will make additional land purchases possible; • Restricted the direct withdrawal of water during dry summer months for blueberry irrigation through permit conditions each of the last two years by the Land Use Regulation Commission (LURC). Each year, growers had to cease withdrawals during August because they reached the low flow limits. DEP is currently preparing a draft rule to establish minimum flow standards for waters in its jurisdiction; • Created 300 linear feet of riparian buffer by fencing out cows and providing an alternative water source away from the Sheepscot River. This project serves as a model for how resource agencies, watershed councils, and landowners can cooperatively solve problems affecting water quality without creating economic hardships; • Held eight workshops promoting forestry BMPs to forestry, logging, and municipal officials; and • Initiated non-point pollution source inventories and riparian surveys on six of the seven rivers. These surveys will become the basis for remediation projects as specified in local watershed management plans. MAINE Fi sh and Wildlife
Spring 2000
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4) Habitat Enhancement • Removed 105 beaver dams on the downeast rivers; • Improved fish passage by removing most of the remains of an abandoned dam in the Machias River Drainage; • Began registry of potential wetland restoration sites in each river watershed; and • Upgraded a number of road crossings, ditches, and culverts on paper company lands in Washington County to reduce non-point source pollution and sedimentation. Certain landowners have undertaken a comprehensive improvement plan for their roads and have responded to a survey by LURC, noting non-point source problems, by addressing these areas immediately last summer.
Lastly, the ASCP also includes opportunities to enhance Atlantic salmon habitat. The authors envisioned resource agencies and volunteers working together to identify opportunities to restore degraded habitat by improving fish passage and restoring wetland functions important to Atlantic almon. Beaver dam-building activity, especially on the five rivers downeast, restricts salmon from reaching historical spawning grounds. Biologists and volunteers will remove key beaver and debris dams each fall by hand. Department of Environmental Protection regulators are keeping a registry of degraded wetlands in the seven river watersheds that developers could use to fulfill restoration requirements. They will complement this registry program by identifying those wetlands that have the highest value to maintaining Atlantic salmon habitat.
cant progress toward the ASCP's 14 lofty goal , much work remain . Many people should take credit for the accomplishments to date, however, the cooperation and goodwill of many more people is needed to protect and restore Atlantic salmon habitat and return river populations to robust runs. The essence of the ASCP is that, through cooperation, it comprehensively addresses threats to Atlantic ' almon and its habitat both real and potential. It challenges people that
live, ,vork, and play in the salmon river watersheds to make deci ions always conscientiou of the fragile nature of these special river systems. While no one expects immediate results, many people envision that one day anglers will have the chance to break Cameron Clark's record, catching and releasing their trophy Atlantic salmon while landing in pristine waters.
ASC Biologist Wayne Simmons releases hatcheryreared Narraguagus smolts.(ASC photo)
The State of Maine and its numerous partners are beginning the third year of the ASCP's five year implementation schedule. Most people recognize that it will take more than five years to begin to see the results of the ASCP's actions. In the first two years state and federal agencie , non-governmental organi.t.ations, and volunteers have accomplished much in the name of salmon conservation and recovery. While the State of Maine and numerous partner · have made signifi-
14
MAI E Fi~h and Wildlife
Spring 2000
By Ken Bailey. (Reprinted courtesy Couner Publications) The alarm clock sounded in the predawn hours. Another work day began for Maine Game Warden Mark Thompson of Morrill. Early-morning starts are nothing new for Thompson and his fellow wardens, who, more often than not, get up before dawn and return home well after dark. Each of the 93 district wardens, the law-enforcement division of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, is responsible for hundreds of square mi Jes of Maine real estate and all the fish and game that live there. I met up with Thompson on a Saturday morning in the middle of the November deer season. He had fini hed his day around midnight, working on a difficult investigation, but was ready to start a new day. Our first stop of the day concerned hi mo t erious investigation of the year, a shooting incident that took MAINE Fish and Wildlife
Maine Game Warde n Mark Thompson gets ready to start another day's work in in his mobile office, his trusty pickup truck. (Mark Latti photos)
place in his district on the second Saturday of the deer se&son. Interviews and evidence-gathering for the case were well under way, and Thompson expected to wrap up his case in a matter of days. We left Belfast and headed into the rural comers of Waldo County. Thompson's office is his fourwheel-dri ve pickup truck, which contains his lawbooks, spotting scopes, binoculars, firearms, extra clothing and footwear and just about any other item a busy warden mioht need in the course of the day. e, "You never know what will take place when you leave the house in the morning," said Thompson. "You'd better bring everything with you." As we rode along the quiet country roads, dirt and paved, country western tunes from Q106.5
played in the background. In his office on wheel ,Thompson is in touch with the rest of the state through his pager, cell phone and two-way radio. Throughout the day, the radio crackled as wardens responded to numerous situations that required their attention.
Veteran Warden Thompson was hired as a deputy warden in 1983 and became a fulltime department employee in 1987. Today he is assigned to Warden Division B, headquartered in Sidney and stretching from the ew Hampshire border to the coast. Thompson feels Maine citizens should be pleased with the wildlife situation in the state, where there is now more game than he has ever seen. The establishment of the wild turkey is another success tory that Spring 2000 15
pleases this Waldo County native. "We've had the opportunity to see a population of animals thrive that were never here before," said Thompson. "That is exciting." Although the Warden Service has had its share of detractors, Thompson thinks Maine people are getting a bargain. "The organization and all its people may not be perfect," said Thompson, "but most of the warden I know are truly dedicated." Thompson is assigned to cover the towns of Morrill, Belmont, Waldo, Belfast, Searsport, Stockton, Prospect, Winterport and Monroe. On this day he would cover his own district and also be on call for a neighboring district, covering for a warden who had the day off. Having grown up in the area and working as a warden here for many year , Thompson said, "there's not much of Waldo County I haven't seen." When he isn't working, he enjoys training and working with his two black Labs, one a hunter and the other a champion field-trial dog. "Dogs are fantastic, loyal companions," said Thompson. "No matter what happens, they're always plea ed to see you and will do anything for you."
Deer Hunter Checks With the deer-hunting season in full swing, much of Thompson's time in November is concentrated on that activity. "I've seen a number of very big deer this year," Thompson aid, "more than the usual number of 200-poundplus animals." Rain had fallen over much of the area that night and early morning, and we encountered a light coating of snow as the truck labored up through the Frye Mountain State Game Management area. Thi 5,400-acre tract of land is managed to provide a varied habitat
just issuing tickets," said Thompson. "Nearly all the hunters and fishermen we stop and check are happy to see a warden. Of course, those few who do break the law may not always be all that happy to see us arrive." Leaving Frye Mountain, we passed a large open field. Thompson recognized a vehicle making its way slowly back to the paved road. Binoculars are an important tool for Maine wardens In ide were two as they scan for possible violations. happy hunters, Andy Cook of Union and for big and smal I game animals and Chris Cornell of Camden. Cook had birds. Selective cutting and planting just downed a plump young buck make it an attractive place for with his .243 and was on hi way to wildlife to live. There are a number a tagging station. of well-maintained roads and ome "This is a great spot," aid very rough ones that challenged the Cook. "My son shot his first woodwarden's truck even as it ground cock up here earlier in the fall." He along in four-wheel drive. added that bringing a woodcock We found a few hunters in back to the vehicle was much easier search of the elusive whitetail buck. than the long, uphill drag through a There were hunting parties from tangle of storm-damaged trees with Maine, ew Hampshire and Masshis deer. achusetts, and ome had seen deer Thomp on was pleased that but none had brought home fresh Cook was teaching his son about the vemson. outdoors and hunting. He ees an One fellow from Brockton, MA., increasing lack of participation in a would have liked to get a deer but number of outdoor activities by was "Just happy to be here." today's young people. Richard Preston of Gorham was "It is our duty as adults to take couring the mountain with hunting kid hunting and fishing," said partner Harry Mank of Camden. The Thomp on. "These important Maine two had seen some fresh deer tracks tradition ¡ mu t be preserved." in the new snow, but as of midmorning, they hadn't seen anything Keeping in Touch standing in those tracks. After lunch on the run, Thompson met each hunter with Thomp on returned to talk to a a friendly greeting, checking hunting property owner who had ome inforlicenses, answering questions and mation about a possible night-huntpassing on tips about where they ing incident from the previous might find a deer. evening. "There' more to this job than As Thomp on talked to the
'The organization and all its people may not be perfect, but most of the wardens I know are truly dedicated. ' 16 MAI E Fish and Wildife
Spring 2000
'We don't look for drug violations, but in our normal operations we discover a lot, and we can't avoid it. ' landowner, he kept an ear cocked to his radio as reports came in concerning a shooting in Fairfield. Bird hunting behind their home, a father had accidentally shot his son with bird shot. Depending on the seriousness of the situation, he might have to head that way to help out. Within a few minutes it was determined that the injuries were minor and the wardens in that area had the investigation under control. We continued our patrol.
Just a Warning As his Jong day continued, Thompson checked a duck hunter who had just harvested a pair of mallards. The hunter's license and migratory waterfowl stamps were in order, his weapon was legal and he was using the required steel shot. Thompson did advise the young
man that during the firearms season on deer, even duck hunters need to wear hunter-orange clothing unless they are hunting from a boat, blind or over decoys. This hunter was walking through a field to sneak up on ducks feeding in a small river. "I could have written a summons for that," said Thompson, "but this was a case where giving a warning was more appropriate." As darkness began to descend, we hurried over to Appleton to investigate a deer found dead in a field. Two hunters found the animal and called Thompson, then dragged the deer up to the road with their ATV and gave what information they had to the warden. Thompson had planned to give the animal to a needy person in the county, but on examining the deer, he found it had been dead for a few
Cellphones are important tools for the modern warden, allowing them to keep in touch with far-flung points of the state. MAINE Fish and Wildlife
¡ days and the meat would not be safe to eat. Thanking the hunters for their assistance, he loaded the deer into his truck and we drove to another complaint. More hunters were checked, more miles driven and more complaints investigated. At a stop at a field overlooking an apple orchard, Thompson stopped to pick up some trash on the ground and found a homemade pot pipe with drug residue inside. He and other wardens have become more involved in drug enforcement as the action spreads into the more rural sections of the state, Thompson said. "We don't look for drug violations, but in our normal operations we discover a lot, and we can't avoid it." As the day drew to a close, Thompson got a call from an angry landowner. The caller said he had just had a confrontation with two hunters who shot a deer after dark. When Thompson completed his investigation later that evening, he charged one person with killing a doe in the wrong zone, discharging a firearm within 100 yards of a dwelling, hooting from a roadway, hunting after twilight and trespassing on posted land. His companion was charged with twilight hunting and trespassing. "I had a feeling that things would start to happen when it was time to go home," said Thompson. With the summonses written and the interviews completed, Thompson turned his truck around and headed home. After 16 hours, his work day was over-maybe. Spring 2000 17
•
18 MAINE Fish and Wildlife
Spring 2000
A Little History When the first Europeans arrived on this continent, wild turkeys occurred throughout an area now encompassing 39 states and the province of Ontario. Though their actual distribution and abundance in Maine are unknown, historical records suggest turkeys were most abundant in York, Cumberland and Oxford counties, with smaller numbers east to Hancock County. But colonization of the New World spelled doom for the birds. Turkeys were an important source of food, and were hunted year-round and without limit. In addition, settlers cleared the vast virgin forests for agricu lture and protection from the Native Americans. By the end of the 19th Century, turkeys had been extirpated from al l but the most inaccessible regions of their range, mostly in the outheastem U.S. The tide did not tum until the mid J900s, when the Industrial Revolution drew people into urban population centers. Abandoned farms began reverting to forest, providing better habitat for the turkeys. Meanwhile, sportsmen touched off the conservation movement, calling for regulations to curtail further declines in wildlife populations and in 1933, conservation pioneer Aldo Leopold penned the first text on the fledg ling science of game management. Arguab ly the single most important event in the history of wild turkey restoration occurred in J 937 with passage of the Pittman-Robertson Act. This legislation called for an exci e tax on sporting arms and ammunition. These funds, combined with money from the sale of state hunting licenses, were (and still are) used for wildlife
MAINE Fish and Wildlife
recovery programs. Individual states now had the money they needed to begin turkey restoration efforts. Unfortunately, early efforts faltered. Wildlife management was still in its infancy. Faced with a choice of translocating wild birds or raising and releasing captive stock, managers usually opted for the latter as a logical and more efficient short cut. Well-intentioned managers propagated the turkeys in captivity with eggs taken from the wild or other penraised birds, then released them into the wild. But without normal parental influence, the birds didn't develop normal social behaviors, and were ill-equipped to survive on their own. These early unsuccessful attempts ~ctualJy delayed restoration by almost two decades and squandered millions of dollars. It was not until the practice of trapping and relocating wild birds became widespread that states began seeing their first successes. Maine Joins Jn Maine's early reintroduction efforts suffered a similar fate. In 1942, the Department released 24 pen-raised birds on Swan Island. Later, during the 1960s, sportsmen's clubs in Bangor and Windham made similar attempts in l their areas. None were successful. Maine's current turkey restoration efforts began taking shape a little more than two decades ago. Because Maine is at the northern fringe
of the wild turkey's former range, biologists were not even sure if the species could be re-e tablished here. However, seeing successful effort in neighboring states, and responding to sportsmen's requests, the Department initiated its own restoration program. The goals were to re-establish wild turkeys in Maine, and provide a new game bird for sportsmen. Region A Biologist Phil Bozenhard orchestrated some of the first intra-New England translocations, releasing birds from Vermont and Connecticut into the Mount Agarnenticus area of York County in 1977 and 1978. Initial results were mixed. Limited funds and staffing hampered additional releases and a portion of Maine's flock relocated itself to New Hampshire. Still, enough birds established themselves to warrant further efforts. The program got back on track in the early 1980s, invigorated by help from the newly- formed Maine Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation. The original flock grew to approximately 400 by 1983, and the Department began to trap and transfer birds from within the state, and from Connecticut. They also expanded their efforts outside of southern Maine, releasing Spring 2000
19
tinued natural expansion of the turkey's range, augmented by additional releases prompted the Department to expand the hunting zone to include mo t of Cumberland County in 1992. Then in 1995, they increased permit numbers to 750. The program was originally designed to reestablish turkeys in their historical range along the outhern coast. However, encouraged by their repeated biologists continued to transplant birds progressively farther inland and north.
birds in Waldo and Hancock counties. By the mid 1980s they were releasing birds at several locations in Cumberland County and biologists determined the York County population wa healthy enough to support a limited hunt. In l 986, Maine held its first modern pring season in York County. Of the 500 permitees, only nine were successful, a reflection of low turkey population and hunter inexperience. The Middle Ages With conservative hunting regulations and favorable weather conditions turkey numbers increased dramatically throughout the mid 1980s and 1990s. Meanwhile, biologists continued relea ing birds at new locations all along Maine' coastal counties, relying more on resident bird in the latter years. Increa. ed interest in hunting and a con-
20 MAI E Fish and Wildlife
Department is now successfully re-locating birds wel I beyond the geographic limits they had envisioned when the project began. Thanks to the Department's efforts and the bird's tenacity, the area open to hunting was expanded again in 1996 to include most of the bird' current range in Maine, extending north and east from the ew Hampshire border to the Penobscot River and encompassing seven counties. That same year permit number were increased to 1,250. The period ince then has been one of almost exponential growth. Permit numbers have increased in each subsequent year and Maine hunters experienced their sixth consecutive record kill in 1999. bagging 890 birds. ccording to Bonnhard, Maine's turkey population, estimated at around I0,000 -
12,000, is in excellent shape and continues to expand in both number and area. Interest in the sport has also grown dramatically and the number of applicants continues to outpace available permits. The Present The Department has adopted a conservative approach to harvest management, allowing a limited number of permit holders to hunt for one bearded turkey per year during a spring season. The impetus for this conservative strategy is to distribute hunting pres ure, promote hunter safety, and maintain a quality hunting experience. Harvest data and objectives are reviewed annually to formulate guidelines for en uing seasons. After the 1999 season, the Department con idered increasing the number of available permiLS to 4,000. This propo al was subsequently reduced to 3,750, based primarily on the concern of biologists from regions on the periphery of the turkey's range. They felt it was too soon for such a dramatic increase. However, after ideal brood rearing conditions in the spring of '99, and frequent fall and winter sightings of nocks of over I 00 birds, the Department approved an increase to 4,000 permits. The Future In light of increased demand, the Department i now exploring alternatives to increase hunting opportunities without eliminating the permit sy tern. One option is a split season, where applicants could choose between week one and four, or two and three of the four-week season. This way the Department could increase the number of hunters without significantly increasing hunting pressure for any given week. The Department is also not ruling out the possibility of multiple birds, and even an either-sex fall eason some time in the future. The latter case would likely be for archery only, as is the case in ew Hampshire. However, Bozenhard does not expect either-sex hunting in the foreseeable future. "It could be considered if turkey numbers began to get too high in a particular area, but not as long as we're still relocating birds." How long that continues remains to be seen. Initially, the Department characteriLed turkey habitat in Maine as certain forest types and farmland acreages in areas where annual snow depths are less than 60 inches. now depth is wnsidered one of the most important limiting factors, affecting winter pring 2000
survival. But time, and the turkeys have shown it may not be as important as once thought. With successful re-introductions, the Department expanded the potential habitat range to the 70-inch snow line, and then again to the 80-inch line. "We're moving birds to places we never thought we could, and they're doing well," said Bozenhard. But a good oldfashioned winter could change that quickly. A more important limiting factor may be the presence of dairy farms. ln Maine, these farms provide a critical source of winter food in the form of unharvested grain left in fields, spread in manure, or tockpiled a silage. Large flocks of turkeys concentrated around dairy farms are becoming a familiar winter sight in Maine. The continued viability of Maine's turkey population will likely depend on the availability and quality of habitat. Current estimates place the maximum supportable population at approximately 15,000 birds. This is based on avail-
able habitat. However, the future of that habitat is divergent. While maturing forest over much of the turkey's current range is providing higher quality habitat, continued loss of agricultural land is reducing both quality and quantity of habitat. Development is also gobbling up habitat, though turkeys, like deer, are learning to adapt to life in urban areas. Loss of habitat, particularly from sprawl, is also having a deleterious effect on the quality of turkey hunting as ever increasing numbers of hunters are concentrated into ever dwindling areas . According to Bozenhard, the Department's objective is to maintain a balance. While trying to increase hunting opportunitie , they're also concerned about increased landowner contacts and maintaining a safe, quality hunt. The Department is addressing these problems in several ways. Every spring they hold informational seminars at various locations
throughout the state and invite all successful permit holders to attend. At these seminars Department staff and volunteers cover topics such as turkey biology and the state's restoration program, turkey calling, and hunting. Safe, ethical and responsible behavior are stressed. The Department's Landowner Relations Program is also looking into ways to prevent, and address potential conflict . The future for turkeys and turkey hunting in Maine looks bright, at least for the short term. The variables affecting the long term are too numerous and diverse to allow an accurate prediction. However, Connecticut may provide one possible example. The landscape is a mosaic of urban, suburban, and semi-rural areas with pockets of rural open land. Despite the fact that written permission is required to hunt on private land, and often difficult to obtain, Connecticut hunters killed 1,910 turkeys inl999.
Turkey Hunting Growth Year Applicants Permits Kill
1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1993 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 MAINE Fish and Wildlife
605 536 355 464 500 508 886 1,079 1,185 1,712 3,952 5,091 6,449 9,294
500 500 355 463 499 500 500 500 500 750 1,250 1,750 2,250 3,000 4,000
9 8 16 19 15 21 53 46 62 117 288 417 594 890
Spring 2000
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Careful Planning Key to Maine Fisheries Management
The difference between a goal and an objective needs clarification, because many laymen look at the two words as synonyms. The Department defines a goal as a general statement of the end result that management hopes to achieve. An objective means the specific level of achievement that management hopes to obtain toward fulfillment of that goal. For instance, a goal for a specific water might be to produce the same size and quantity of fish that it yielded 25 years ago . The objectives would be more narrowly focused, say, to raise the average size of a species to a predetermined measurement and at the same time have a few fish in the trophy category. The planning process as it applies to individual waters is a useful analogy for understanding the process for developing a statewide fisheries management plan. Let's take a look at how a management plan might be developed in hypothetical situations.
Stage One When approaching a specific water in stage one - say a pond - regional fisheries biologists begin with an assessment that answers an all-important question. Where are we right now with this particular pond? A survey furnishes many answers, and the plan is straightforward. Biologists must compile an inventory of l) fish species, 2) quality and quantity of fish and 3) concrete data on angler pressure. These answers work in conjunction with information gathered about physical characteristics, chemical composition and biological questions, which include water temperature throughout the year, level of acidity, possible pol lutants and more. With this information, biologists have a sound base for moving to the next stage. Stage Two Stage two builds on data collected about the target water. The results of the a sessment provide regional fisheries biologists the information needed to develop goals and objectives. They formulate a general management direction for the water and have specific results in mind. For example, suppose the assessment of a pond reveals excellent water quality, ample spawning and nursery area, abunMAlNE Fish and Wildlifo
dant forage and light fishing pressure. Clearly, this cold-water pond has the potential to support a brook- trout fishery based on natural reproduction so that would be the management goal for the water. The assessment may tell the biologist that the pond could support a fishery that would provide anglers with a reasonable expectation of catching two brookies per day over 12 inches long when the fish were biting. , These would be the management objectives for the pond. , Here's another example: A water with the fictitious name Big Salmon Lake may have small landlocked salmon that seldom grow beyond the 14-inch minimum length limit. Historical records from 25 years ago indicate the lake once produced landlocks that averaged 16- to 18-inches with 4- to 6-pounders possible on any outing, thanks to superb water quality, abundant smelts and minimal fishing pressure. Nothing has hampered water quality, and smelts are still abundant. The only change is increased angling pressure, thanks to a new acce s road. The Department's goal might be to bring the lake back to its former glory, and the objective would be to increase the size of landlocks to a 16- to 18-inch average with the reasonable expectation that a skilled angler might catch one 4- to 6pounder every two to three year5.
Stage Three Stage three identifies problems that might interfere with reaching the goals and objectives of the management plan. A list of some common problems facing fisheries biologists would include heavy fishing pressure, no spawning area, poaching, competing fish species, short growing season and sterile water, the latter a problem common to most waters in Maine. Addressing these shortcomings occupies much of a fisheries biologist's time. Let's return to the example of Big Salmon Lake. Suppose an intensive survey of anglers shows that this water has such heavy angling pressure that most salmon do not have a chance to grow beyond 14 inches. Regional fisheries biologists must address the problem of over-fishing if they hope to achieve the well-defined objectives of Spring 2000
23
growing salmon that average 16-18 inches with an occasional 4 to 6 pounder.
Stage Four In many instances, stage four is the most difficult step for regional fisheries biologists for here they must develop strategies designed to overcome obstacles interfering with goals and objective . Furthermore, since the public foots the bill, biologists must develop their strategies with public input while putting the needs of the resource first. "It can be a difficult dance step to master!" said Dennis McNeish, the fisheries resources planner for the Department. When fisheries biologists come up with goals, objectives and strategies for individual Maine waters, they present their plans to the public to allow for public input. The format for this step varies, depending upon the situation. For instance, management plans proposed for large bodies of water with important fisherie are usually presented in open meetings held in convenient places near the water affected by the proposed changes. "Public involvement is important to us," said McNeish, "We listen carefully to people who take the time to participate." However, according to McNeish, fisherie biologists are there to protect the resource. They cannot always do what the public wants if it is injurious to a fishery. Also, the public's wishes may not be technically or financially feasible. For example, people sometimes want MDIF&W to create wild salmonid fisheries on certain waters that have no existing or potential spawning habitat. Obviously, if fi ¡h can-
24 MAINE Fish and Wildlife
not spawn, the Department must stock to provide a fishery. Also, improving habitat often requires large urns of money and manpower that MDIF&W clearly doesn't have. Fisheries biologist u e a variety of other techniques to obtain public input from anglers to help manage the resource. One such method involves a scientific questionnaire to gather an unbiased view about angler attitudes and thoughts. The participants for the survey come from a random sample of license holders, which provides an excellent picture of the average angler. A typical survey que tion might ask survey participants to comment on a slotlimit regulation. The next question might solicit a response on a catch-and-release regulation. This give MDIF&W an idea of what step would be more palatable to the average angler in order to protect a resource, a slot limit or trictly catch and release. Other questions cover which species Maine's resident and non-resident anglers would rather catch or whether or not a certain species should be managed at all! Many anglers provide fisheries biologists with valuable input by filling out a booklet each season that tells biologists what occurred each day the participant fished. The booklet provides answers to where, when and what happened. Interestingly, biologi ts learn whom they can trust with these booklets. Some people are particularly truthful and meticulous where others might be questionable. One good example of bogus information involves fin clipping. Someone might claim he caught a 21-inch salmon that had a right ventral fin clipped. Biologists know no such size fish had that particular fin clipped. Let' return to our hypothetical
situations to examine typical solutions to management problems. Big Salmon Lake might have the potential of producing much larger salmon, but anglers are catching and killing the majority of fish as soon a they reach the minimum length limit. This clearly hampers reaching management goals and objectives for this water. The solution might be to initiate certain regulations that decrease the kill rate of salmon. Biologist could suggest reducing the lake' daily limit to one fish instead of two, and an increased length limit may be nece ary as well . Furthermore, if the biologists observe high mortality rates of released, bait-caught fish, they might suggest an artificial-lure regulation to msure a higher survival rating. Here's another problem the Department confronts annually: A lake might have great water quality and a good forage base for landlocked salmon but little to no spawning habitat. Thi would lead to a common solution at the Department, stocking landlocked salmon to provide a fishery. Only 45 landlocked-salmon waters in all of Maine have a elf-sustaining population of landlocks, explaining the philosophy for widespread stocking of this popular species. Approximately three-quarters of Maine's 153 lakes, ponds and rivers managed for landlocked-salmon must be stocked.
Limiting Kill Fisheries biologists aero the world face a common problem as the human population continues to grow. Increased angling pressure results in too many fi h being killed, particularly from water with easy access. Biologi t , government officials and landowner must come up with a solution to lowering the kill rate. In many countries, including nearby Canada, a common solution is a daily rod fee. In short, each angler pays money to the government or lodge owner for the privilege of fishing. Rod fees can run from $200 to $2,000 (and up) per day at place that have superb Atlantic-salmon fishing or trophy trout. Many anglers simply cannot afford to pay such prices in addition to travel expenses. Spring 2000
In this country with its more democratic ideals, the solution to over-fishing is infinitely more fair. Fisheries biologists come up with regulations that allow each water to develop its full potential. Tackle restrictions, lower bag limits, higher minimum length limits, slot limits and strictly catch and relea e can often turn a water into a blue-ribbon fishery. Everyone willing Lo sacrifice by obeying regulations can fish. Statewide Process In dealing with individual waters, fisheries biologists look to statewide goals and objectives adopted for most of the state's fish species. The statewide process begins by first a sessing the condition of each species on a statewide basis. These assessments are utilized to develop preliminary
MAINE Fish and Wildlife
goals, objectives and strategies. The preliminary plan is then presented to public working groups. These groups are comprised of private individuals selected to represent the broad spectrum of interests among the angling public statewide. Major revisions of the statewide strategic plan for fisheries are prepared every 15 years. The last major revision occurred in 1986; the next major rewrite should be completed by October 200 I. The assessment phase of the 2001 rewrite is already underway and should be done by late summer 2000. Fisheries biologi ts chosen as species authors will develop preliminary goals, objectives, and strategies for major game fish. These plans will then be presented to the public working groups for their input. During the last major revision, the Department formed three working groups: I) Cold-Water Working Group, 2) Warm-Water Working Group and 3) Non-Game Working Group. Each group consisted of three to six public members , and the Department chose them from regions across the ¡tate. Each group met four to six times to consider statewide goals, objectives and strategies, and then, they recommend-
ed modifications and alternatives in the preliminary plan. The 2001 plan will follow a similar public process. The final results must be consistent with the needs and capabilities of the resource and the technical and financial capabilities of the Department. The plan is then presented to the Advisory Council. Updates of the plan, termed minor revisions, occur every five years . The minor updates help the Department measure progress toward achieving the objectives of the statewide plan and to provide an opportunity for "fine-tuning." Management of Maine's fisheries resource follows a rigorous, wellplanned strategy. To suggest fisheries biologists fly by the seat of the pants with "willy-nilly" decisions is both inaccurate and unfair. The only shortcoming in the process is lack of manpower to do justice to all Maine water . Regional fisheries biologists are spread so thin that they cannot possibly survey every pond, lake, river, stream and brook in the state. For example, Maine has 5,768 lakes and ponds one acre or larger and 32,000 miles of rivers, streams and brooks. Only 1,892 lakes and ponds have been surveyed. Obviously, biologists must pick and choose potential waters for study, and often, these targeted spots produce Maine' best fishing. To um up, these professionals must carefully plan the strategies they use to direct their management efforts most efficiently.
Kidbits Answers Match the Animal 1. Blue-spotted salamader 2. Wood frog 4. Blanding's turtle 3. Fairy Shrimp 5. Yellow-spotted turtle 6. Yellow-spotted salamander Fill in the Blanks 1. Metamorphosis 2. Gills 3. Migrate 4. Nocturnal 5. Larvae 6. Carapace 7. Diurnal 8. Plankton Spring 2000
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Artwork by Carol Kutz
Test Your T~rminology See if you can select the correct word from the list below to complete the sentences correctly.
Match the animal to its name Listed below are six wildlife species that depend on vernal pools to survive. In each there are two letters in their proper places. On the right are the remaining letters. Put them in their proper places to spell the name correctly. Then try to match the animal's name with its picture. 1. _ _ _ _ _ _____ Q _ Q _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ estatelubreadnmopsl
2. __ Q _ _ r __ oowgdf 3. b _________ u ____ gsliltrneandt 4. __ i ______ m_ psrrfyaih 5. __ I _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ t _ _ urlowldeteyetopst 6. ______ s __________ m _____ deedwaaatplloosynretl
26 MAINE Fish and Wildlife
-Answers on Page 25
What Is a v~~rnal Pool? A naturally occurring seasonal body of water that is free of f >redatory fish and provides breeding ho bitat for one or more of Maine's four ve~rnal pool indicator species (yellow spotteci and blue spotted salamanders, woods frogs and fairy shrimp.) Vernal pools may be found in lowlands near rivers, in a variet¡Y of wetland habitats, or as isolated wi~tlands or waterfilled depressions in uPland landscapes. They will hold water _for 3-5 months beginning in early spr 1ng, depending on snowmelt and rain fall patterns. Spring 2000
Spring 2000
1.
is the change or transformation that salamanders and wood frogs exhibit from the egg to larval juvenile state. 2. Young salamanders have fringed that allow them to breathe or draw oxygen from the water. 3. Blanding's Turtles often from wetland habitats to vernal pools. 4. Spotted salamanders are considered animals since they move around primarily at night. 5. Wood frog are commonly called tadpoles. 6. The yellow spotted turtle is so-called because its is covered with yellow spots. 7. Quacking like ducks, wood frogs are considered as they float at the surface of pools during the day. 8. Fairy shrimp feed on ? Gills Larvae
Migrate Plankton
Metamorphosis Carapace
Nocturnal Diurnal
MAINE Fish and Wiildlife
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Former Commissioner Speers Dies Rona ld Speers, who served for nearly a decade as commissi oner of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and M'i ldlife . has died . He was 81. A native of Belfast. Northern Ireland, Speers moved to Boston as a young boy and graduated from the University of Maine with a degree in game biology. After a '>tint as editor of Virginia's fish and wildlife magazine, Speers returned to Maine
Maine Fish & Wildlife
re-·- -:: ~
and became chief of the information division at Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. During his tenure as commissioner, which began in 1963. Speers helped open the Rachel Carson Coastal Bird Sanctuary.Speers stepped down as commissioner in 1972 to make an unsuccessful run for Congress. He then accepted a post in the U.S. Department of Interior under President Richard ixon. Speers later moved Lo Maryland where he published the Chesapeake Antiques Journal.
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I
Write: Kennebago River Kamps, R. Hammond PO Box 677 , Rangeley 04970 207-864·2402
on FISH RIVER LAKE Northern Maine's Last Frontier Portage, Maine 04768
Phone 207-435-6156
• • • • •
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GUIDED FLY FISHING & INSTRUCTION FAMILY VACATIONS MOOSE, LOON, WILDFLOWER FIELD TRIPS SCENIC PLANE RIDES HUNTING. FISHING ICE FISHING, CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING
Located in Allagash Wilderness Region north of Baxter State Park. Fullservice lodge, seven log cabins on Haymock, Spider, and Cliff Lake (T8R11, T9R 11, T9R12). American Plan or Housekeeping. Indoor plumbing available. (MAILING ADDRESS ONLY) P.
0. Box BFG. PATTEN ME 04765
207-528-2855 28
MA I E Fish and Wildl ife
(LET IT RING!) pri ng 2000
3rd Annual Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
Open House at the Maine Wildlife Park in Gray Saturday, June 10, 2000
1Oa.m. - 4p.m.
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Admission Wildlife and fisheries biologists, game wardens, hatchery staff, special demonstrations, exhibits and displays all day!
Great Northern Cabins A Wilderness Experience in our Working Forest We're working hard to sustain it.
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in the Katahdin Region
Plum Creek is proud to be the first timber c.ompany to have all our lands natiomvide earn third-party verification of our sustainable forestry practices. We invite you to c.ome inspect for yourself-with or without your fishing pole-and to ail/ us toll-free at 1-877-219-2647 to learn more about the Sustainable Forestry initiative (SF1). Or visit www.plumcreek.c.om to learn more about how we keep our Maine lands beautiful, healthy. and open for your recreational use.
For information or reservations visit us on the web ¡ or Call:
www.GreatNorthernPaper.com 1-877-6-CABINS (toll free) 1-207-723-2105 (local residents)
Plum Creek INC . MA INE Fish and Wildl ife
Leaders in Environmental Forestry Spring 2000
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PET DOORS Weathertight (they seal tight all around) Super Quiet • Safe • Easy to Install Sizes for any dog or cat
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FOR SPORTING 8 PET BREEDS e-mail or Call f or a FREE color brochure
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RIVERSIDE PRODUCTS W7909 Green Valley Road Spooner, WI 54801 715-635-2644
www.riversidespooner.com
e-mail: tom @riversidespooner.com
Signed limited-edition prints by Tom Hennessey, Arthur Taylor, Terry Redlin, Persis Clayton Weirs, Roger Blum, Susan Jordan
Wild~
Wings~ ~ t' Authorized dealer for Wild Wings Hadley House Applejack
Ph & Fax 207-947-1227 e-mail: rivercitygallery @earth link.com
Seen enoug h monster Maine bucks yet? If not, subscribe to the Maine Big Game Magazine and see more trophy deer, bear and moose-and read the exciting stories from the hunters who harvested them! MAINE BIG GAME MAGAZINE has dozens of first hand hunting tales each issue with exciting color photos. One year subscription : $15 .50 (four issues) Two year subscription : $30.00 (eight issues) Send check/ money o rder to : Maine Big Game Publications 36 Ame s Road - Dept. FW Dover-Foxcroft , ME 04426 (207-564-7614)
30 MAJ NE Fi. hand Wildlife
HUNT BIRDS YEAR ROUND!
H . . ""\ttS tun anting Pl'e;.VAILABLE
GIFT CERTIFICATES
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cbarles Farm TraiJ ROME, ME
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Ma lcolm Charles, Registered Maine Gu ide
PHEASANTS • QUAIL • CHUKAR PARTRIDGE Over 200 Acres of Upland Bird Cover
HUNT OR TRAIN YOUR DOGS OVER LIVE BIRDS Full or 1/2 Day Hunts • Up to 4 Hunters Per Group Guided Hunts with Maine Guide & Dog Available
FOR MORE INFO CALL 207-397-HUNT(4868) e-mail: pointers@tdstelme.net
website: www.mint.net/pointersrun prin g 2000
HOMEOF,HE
ATLANTIC SALMON The Main Southwest Miramichi River
HOWARD, N.B. CANADA
• 4 Salmon Pools
• Accommodations Our main lodge and two and three bedroom cottages are finished in pine and cedar. All facilities provide a magnificent view of our salmon pools. Meals are customized to your taste . Home-made breads, rolls, pies and donuts are our specialty. Individual instructional casting sessions available at no extra charge. Satellite TV, Fax and e-mail connections available.
• Rates Package includes lodging , meals, housekeeping, use of four private pools, guide services and day canoe trips. The charge is $165 US/day/angler during April, May, June , July, August. In Sept. and Oct, the charge is $220 US/day/ angler.
Since 1946 we have provided superb, personalized service to anglers as they enjoy exclusive use of our well equipped lodge, cottages , and four productive , private pools.
• Guides Our guides are experienced, skilled and congenial.
. • Travel Arrangements We are located 70 miles northeast of Fredericton , 35 miles southwest of Miramichi City. Highway travel time from Bangor, Maine is 4-1 /2 hours. There are airports in both Fredericton and Miramichi City, and in Moncton. We will pick you up.
• Reservations can be made by call ing or writing: Martyn Vickers 122 Winthrop Street Augusta, ME 04330 207-623-4879 vickers@gwi.net
Visit our website at www.miramichisalmon.com MA INE Fish and Wildlife
Spring 2000 31
AHUNTING TRADITI N
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With over 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 experience enjoyable and successful. We have the largest selection of top quality firearms, ammunition, reloading equipment, component , scopes and accessories on the east coa t! Our archery department feature a full line of compound and recurve bows as well as eras bows, arrows, targeLs, tree stands and accessories for both hunters and target shooter . Our fishing department cater to saltwater and fre hwater fishermen, including an extensive selection specifically for the fly fishem1an. In addition to our diverse selection of rods, reels and lures, we stock dowrniggers, electric motors, electronic fish finders, canoes and all the accessoiies. ®
Open Daily 9-9, undays 10-6 Rte 1 Kitte1y, ME • 207-439-2700 • 1-888-KTP-MAJ E (58 7 -6246) • www.kitterytradingpost.com