Maine Fish and Wildlife Magazine, Winter 2002

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Maine State Documents Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Magazine

Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

12-1-2002

Maine Fish and Game Magazine, Winter 2002 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 2002" (2002). Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Magazine. Book 137. http://digitalmaine.com/ifw_magazine/137

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Visit One of Maine's Best Hunting and Fishing Spots.

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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 the Commissioner Advisory Council Harold Brown, Bangor, Chairman Matt Libby, Ashland, Vice Chairman Richard A. Neal, Acton Ellen N. Peters, New Gloucester David A. Wardwell, Penobscot Ray Poulin, Ripley Russell E. Dyer, Bowdoinham Don Palmer, Rangeley Ken Bailey, Camden Lance Wheaton, Forest City Don Kleiner, Editor (ISSN 0360-005X) MAINE Fish and Wildlife 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 the Department. Clearance must be obtained from artists, photographers and non-staff authors to reproduce credited work. Š Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 2001.

Features Editorial

4

Comm. Lee Perry

The Department has accomplished an array of major projects.

How to Ice Fish

6

Bob Humphrey

This winter activity has a strong social side and action too.

Wildlife Conservation

10

Eric Aldrich

Maine and North America have the best system on earth.

Maine Pheasants

13

John L. Bernard

A Maine hunter tells about pursuing Maine's gaudiest game.

Endangered Wildlife

15

A pullout poster featuring animals from whales to butterflies.

Moses Roles Out

19

Rebecca Eagan Ferante

Maine's Online Sportsmen's Electronic System.

Sharing Open Spaces

20

Cathy Genthner

A journey to goc,d landowner relations.

Junior Maine Guides

22

Lisa Price

Conservation School at Bryant Pond Adds a new program.

Garcelon WMA

26

2,977 acres of wetlands and uplands in Augusta and Windsor.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Send both old and new addresses to P.O. Box 1457, Yarmouth , Maine 04096.

POSTMASTER : Please send address changes to MAINE Fish and Wildlife, P.O. Box 1457, Yarmouth, Maine 04096.

QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR SUBSCRIPTION? Call 1-800-276-0883 Out of state call 207-846-9501 The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife 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 Design and Prepress by Harry Vanderweide

About the Cover: Maine wildlife photographer Bill Silliker Jr. caught these deer resting in his back yard.

Winter 2002

3

Editorial

By Lee E. Perry, Commissioner Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

We've Done It for You Have you received your annual pledge form or solicitation for your yearly charitable donation? We don't do pledge drives or charitable campaigns, but it's not because caring for Maine's fish and wildlife and providing you with opportunities to safely and fully enjoy Maine's outdoors doesn't require money.

When we need to raise money, we can't ask you directly, we ask through your elected representatives. This year is our year to ask them to increase your financial contribution to the Department.

We are asking the Legislature to approve a general license fee increase. The last increase was approved in 1993, a few months shy of ten years ago. Those increases were phased in over a period of three years. That increase, coupled with adjustments in some individual fees by the Legislature, supplemental contributions in the Governor's budget and spending reductions by the Department, provided a surplus of money which we saved in a "rainy day fund."

Prudent financial planning allowed us to use this surplus to balance our budget in years when our operating costs exceeded our yearly revenues and to postpone another inevitable general fee increase.

By the end of the next fiscal year, we will deplete the surplus money that we had saved. We will have reached a point that savings, conservative spending and limited general tax revenue support will no longer be able to meet the Department's daily operating costs. That is why we are asking for a general fee increase effective in 2003.

Many things have changed since the last time we asked everyone to pay a little more to support fish and wildlife conservation. Obviously, our operating costs have increased, but lets look at what the Department has been able to do with your money. I hope after you read over what we have accomplished that you feel you have made a wise investment in Maine's outdoor future.

As a Department, we care for Maine's fish and wildlife. Many population have flourished since the early 1990s.

The bear population is up by about 20 percent. The moose population has grown at a similar pace. The deer population has increased by about 33 percent.

Turkeys, once extirpated from Maine, can now be found in nearly every county of the state and continue to expand their range and increase in number.

Canada geese and other waterfowl populations have continued to rise.

Bald eagles have increased in number to the point that they are no longer threatened with extinction.

And in our waters the number and quality of fish have greatly improved.

Not only have fish and wildlife populations done well, opportunitie for hunters, anglers and all that just enjoy wild life have been greatly enhanced since 1992.

Then, deer hunters could hunt for just 57 days and take one deer. Now, deer hunters have 79 hunting days, extended hunting hours, new areas open to hunting, better odds of being drawn for an any deer permit, an option to transfer their permits, and a chance to take up to four deer.

Only 1,000 moose hunting permits were originally granted. Now, 3,000 permits are issued to hunt moose. Bonus points, multiple chances and this year the ability to designate season and type of permit in addition to district on the hunt application have improved the allocation system.

There were only 53 turkeys taken with 500 permits issued in 1992. Last year, 2,544 hunters bagged turkeys and 7,000 were granted permits. Now we are increa ing spring permits again and hope to have a fall hunt in the near future. As with moose we are providing more choices in the draw proce s.

Grouse hunting wa limited to early fall. Now hunters have grouse seasons that extend through all of December statewide.

We have stocked over 11.5 million fish into Maine's waters. Fishing is now a four-season activity. The open water 4 MAINE Fi hand Wildlife Winter 2002

fishing season now stretches year round on some waters, and every county in the state has numerous waters that anglers can fish through November. We are currently in the midst of a five year trial with rainbow trout in selected waters, to see if they may offer anglers a better opportunity for fishing.

Anglers are seeing an improvement in waters with wild fisheries. When we started our quality fishing initiatives back in the mid-90s, they were greeted, shall we say, less than enthusiastically. But after five years of studies on ponds where the regulations were instituted, it is clear that people who fish these ponds are catching more and bigger fish.

We are working ways to make it more convenient, easier and faster to purchase licenses. The Maine Online Sportsmen Electronic System, MOSES, will go on line this winter, and when it does, your passport to outdoor adventure will be only a click away. You will be able to purchase your license anytime, day or night, from your home computer and print it out for immediate use.

Our Hooked on Fishing program and Youth Field Day events have introduced 42,000 children to the joys of fishing and hunting in our wonderful state. And we're not just helping kids; wardens with the Outdoors Partners program travel around the state providing on site information about seasonal outdoor activities. These programs didn't even exist at the time of the last license fee hike.

The Maine Wildlife Park, once known as the game farm, now attracts over 85,000 people who visit with and learn about Maine's fish and wildlife. Back in 1992, only 60,000 went through the gates. Our hope is that these programs will instill a passion for the outdoors so that our outdoor heritage will never be lost.

This Department has also moved into the classroom with educational outreach programs. Project Wild, a national conservation educational program that contains hands-on activities that focus on habitat, wildlife and management concepts in Maine, has trained over 6,000 educators. In 1992 the number was 2,500. Our educational programs at the Maine Wildlife Park and Swan Island have grown from less than one thousand students a year to over 5,000 a year.

The Department was instrumental in developing and distributing an educational video concerning moose and vehicle accidents that is now part of the standard driver education curriculum statewide.

Last fall a special project provided over 1000 fourth grade classrooms throughout Maine with educational kits to a sist teachers in teaching kids about Maine's fish and wildlife. Our hunter education and recreation vehicle safety programs continue and we are exploring home study and on line delivery systems in order to serve even more people.

Public health is a growing concern and we are playing an increasing role in that area. Our wildlife biologists are at the forefront of monitoring and sampling different species for rabies, West Nile viru , chronic wasting disease and Lyme disease.

Public access to land and water has always been a concern. In I 992, this Department owned 25 water access sites.

Over the past nine years, we have purchased 62 more water access sites. In addition, the department has purchased an additional 14,978 acres of wildlife habitat, and we now manage nearly 100,000 acres for a variety of species and public recreation. Our landowner relations program has converted neatly 160,000 acres from "No Trespas ing" to "Access By Permission".

Boating, snowmobiling and ATVing are recreational activities in which the number of participants continue to increase, placing greater demands on our law enforcement and educational programs. In the ten years since the last license increase, snowmobile registrations have risen from 63,000 to over 96,000, watercraft registrations from 112,000 to over 128,000 and ATV registrations have doubled from 21,000 to over 44,000.

The Maine Warden Service has searched for over 2,260 lost people since the early 1990s. That is, on average, five earches for lost persons every week for the past nine years.

We realize that while we live in a diverse state with a variety of interests, nearly all of us share an underlying interest in the outdoors and fish and wild life.

While we are the stewards of Maine's fish and wildlife, we are also the stewards of your licen e dollar . We have invested your money in the care of Maine's fish and wildlife for everyone who enjoys Maine outdoors. Opportunities to learn about and enjoy the Maine outdoors are greater than ever. We hope to be able to continue with our current programs. There is no question that a license increase is necessary in order to sustain our current level of programs and service.

Thank you for your past and continuing support.

MAINE Fish and Wildlife

Winter 2002 5

By Bob Humphrey Ice fishing is many things to many people. For the deer hunter, it's a way to beat the post-season withdrawals. For both casual anglers and serious fishermen it's a chance to continue pursuing their intended quarry, now sealed beneath a solid ceiling of ice. Ice fishing is often as much a social activity as an outdoor sport - an opportunity for lakefront neighbors to gather on neutral ground and exchange pleasantries, or a destination for a snow machine trek. Whatever the reason or reasons for doing it, it gets us out-of-doors at a time of year when we might otherwise be inclined to stay in.

How to Ice Fish In ~aine

All photos by Bob Humphrey

6 MAINE Fish and Wildlife

Winter 2002

Perhaps best of all, it's a sport for all ages; virtually anyone who can hold a stick or pull on a line can do it. You can get started with minimal investment, particularly if you fi h with others. Though it requires some specialized equipment, you can utilize much of your open-water tackle. What follows is a general primer on ice fishing - enough to get you started.

A visit to your local tackle shop, or a day on the ice with experienced anglers will help you fill in the blanks.

Equipment Like any outdoor activity, ice fishing comes with it's own set of accessories ranging from nece sities, such as hooks, to luxuries like snowmobiles. Obviously, you'll need omething with which to cut a hole. The most rudimentary device is a chisel or spud, which is inexpensive and easy to transport. The major drawback is that it's human-powered. The next step up is a hand auger es entially a giant bit-brace with an auger drill. It too is human powered, but cuts faster and with less effort than a spud, and produces a neat, round hole. The top end hole cutter is the gas auger. Powered by a two- or three-horsepower engine, it will cut holes with a minimum of effort. The hardest part is lugging it and fuel out on the ice. Also, they are costly, and can be temperamental in cold weather, especially if not well maintained.

The Methods There are two general methods of fi hing on the open ice (as opposed to fishing from a smelt shack), jigging, or bait fishing. For jigging, you can use a specially de igned jig stick or just an ordinary fishing pole. The ba ic jig stick is nothing more than a short rod, a foot or two long, with anywhere from one to four line guides. The line may be carried on a pool , or simply wound on a cleat or pegs. These are relatively inexpensive, but can be hand-made MAINE Fish and Wildlife

with an old rod tip and a length of broom handle. While some fishermen prefer the shorter jig sticks, an ordinary rod-and-reel combo works fine. The rod should be short. Or, you can buy a short rod, a foot or two long, specifically designed for ice fishing, to which you can attach a spinning reel. Terminal tackle varies by quarry, but generally consists of artificial lures that are jigged at varying depths.

Bait fishing is a more passive method, whereby you set devices alternately

referred to as traps, tilts, or tip-ups. The basic design consists of three parallel wooden sticks joined in the middle so one can be pivoted to a perpendicular position to hold the apparatus in the ice hole. On one end is a spool of line, which will sit underwater, beneath the ice. On the other is a flag. The trap is designed so that

when the reel turns, it trips the flag, signaling a fish ha been hooked. Of course nowadays there is a tremendous array of variations on this basic theme.

Traps come in wood, plastic, and metal.

Tip-up line typically consists of braided material such as dacron.

Length and weight can vary considerably depending on what you're after.

Lighter lines of 10- to 20-pound test are better for smaller fish 1ike trout, bass, and perch. They also allow you to put more Ii ne on the reel - a plus when fishing deep water. Heavier lines, in the 20- to 30-pound range, are better for larger fish like salmon, lake trout or pike.

The best way to overcome wary fish that may not bite because they see your line is to use a monofilament leader.

Again, what pound test you use depends on what you're after. Lighter line is less visible, but more apt to break. You should lean toward the heavy side for several reasons. First, fish often make long runs before you stop them, and can drag the line into ubmerged weedbeds or structure and you need to be able to haul them out.

Second, the most critical point in landing a fish is when it is up near the hole.

Here, they make quick runs, darting back and forth, and chafing the line against the bottom edges of the ice hole. You need line strong enough to stand up to this.

A few other essentials will complete the package including hooks, of a ize appropriate for what you're after, swivels and sinkers. Swivels help keep the line from twisting from the constant circular swimming of live bait.

Some fishermen prefer dark swivels over shiny brass ones as they are less apt to spook wary fish. Traditionally, sinkers consisted of lead split shot.

With all the concern lately over the Winter 2002 7

,.....

•

Brook trout prefer shallow water. the shore over shoals. effect of lead on waterbirds, particularly loons, non-toxic alternatives are recommended, and in some states, like neighboring New Hampshire, required. Another nearly indispensable device, and one of the least expensive items in your outfit, is a depth sounder - a heavy weight that can be easily attached to the end of your line.

Specific technique is probably the most variable, and debatable elements of ice fishing. Everyone has their favorite lure or technique, though there are some general ities.

Trout and Salmon

Cold water fish include species like landlocked salmon, lake, brook, brown and rainbow trout. Of the lot, salmon are probably the most finicky and as with open water fishing, are most often caught early and late in the day. They are fairly nomadic and the preferred method is to fish jigs or live bait just under the ice surface in deep water. Lake trout, on the other hand, are bottom dwellers and can be caught most any time of day by jigging just above the bottom, generally in deeper water. Among the more popular lures are the airplane jig, the Swedish pimple and, believe it or not, the Kastmaster.

Attaching a minnow tale or pork rind sometimes helps with finicky fish. Certain locations tend to be traditionally more productive and the location of these togue holes is often a well-guarded secret among succe sful veterans. Brook trout, which are probably the most abundant and most popular ice trout in Maine, tend to run in the hallow and fishing in a few feet of water along the shoreline i often the mo t productive method. Where allowed, live minnows or worms work well. Considered

8 MAINE Fi hand Wildlife

to be among the most finicky by open water fishermen, brown trout become generalists in the winter and can be caught by jigging or bait fishing in shallow or deep water most any time of day.

Warm Water Species

Warm water fish include a broader variety and number of species that can be categorized into three general groups: panfish, pike and pickerel, and black bass.

Panfish include sunfish, perch and crappie.

Shortly after ice-in, you'll find most panfish in typical summer areas: shallow weedy coves, sloughs, and backwaters. Later, as ice blocks out sunlight, vegetation begins to die, and forage and oxygen are depleted , the fish move out of the shallows, still avoiding the deeper lairs of larger predatory fish. Then you should key in on structures such as shoals or reefs. If however, the dominant prey base is plankton, schools wi II roam throughout the lake and chance, or a depth sounder, are the only ways you'll locate them.

The simplest, and easiest method for panfishing through the ice i the tip-up baited with a small minnow or a worm.

The alternative, and more popular method is jigging.

Many people prefer

this more active, and typically more successful method. Familiarity with the waterbody you 're fishing will increase your odds of success. If the primary forage base is minnows, use minnows or larger spoons or jigs. If fish are feeding predominantly on zooplankton, you may want to use micro-jigs. Your local tackle shop can help here.

Though they are predators, these are small fish with small mouths. Think small when choosing bait or lures.

Small rubber bodied or marabou leadhead jigs work great. Experiment with colors.

The next group includes perhaps Maine's mo t enigmatic gamefish. On the one hand is the beloved chain pickerel, <'ften the savior of slow fishing days on the warm water lakes and ponds. Shallow, weedy pickerel pond rarely fail to produce some action, mak-

A gasoline-powered ice auger makes it easy to cut fishing holes quickly.

Winter 2002

ing them a great target for younger or more impatient anglers. They are also qu ite accommodating and will hit most anything shiny or wriggling beneath the ice surface. Still, nothing beats live minnows.

The other common member of this group is the northern pike. Ma ligned by some cold water "purists" as an unwelcome competitor and predator, the tacklebusting size and exciting runs of this toothsome predator has quickly earned it a rep utation as one of ice-fishing's most sought-after trophies. The technique is relatively simple: live bait in weedy sha llows. While some pike enthusiasts actually prefer sma ll er bait, th is is one case where the old adage, bigger bait catches bigger fish is definite ly true. Shiners or suckers in the 4 - 6 or 6 - 8 inch range are standard. Steel leaders are recommended, though some of the more savvy veterans use heavy monofi lament, be!ieving it doesn't spook fis h. Pike can be quite finicky and may hover near a ba it for some time before striking.

Of the warmwater fish, bass are probab ly the most genera l in terms of distri bution and techn ique. Yo u cou ld potentially catch them using any of the methods mentioned above and they occur across a wide range of aquatic habitats.

Stil l, you're more like ly to catch sma ll mouths when fishing co ldwater ponds

and lakes and largemouths in warmer, shallower waters. If you want to target these species, use live shi ners and target the edges of weedy sha ll ows for largemouths or rocky dropoffs or shoals for sma llmouths.

Perhaps the most va luab le tool in your ice-fishing arsenal is a good depth map. Maine Fishing Maps, availab le from the DeLorme Company, is a two volume set of books containing depth maps and descript ions of Maine's larger or more popu lar lakes and ponds. You can view a comprehensive set of depth maps by visiting the fis heries bio logist at the reg ional o'ffice in the area you intend to fis h.

Winter bass can provide as much action and excitement as they do in summer.

Maine Conservation School

Second Annual Conservation Education Auction to raise money for MCS Youth Scholarsh ip Fund

SATURDAY, JANUARY 26TH, 2002

Dinner and Auction DoubleTree Hotel Tickets: $4S ea

Doors Open at 3 p.m.

MAINE Fish and Wi ldlife

Winter 2002 9

Hunters are the keys to ...

North America's

Wildlife Conservation Model There :s· nothing quite like it anvwhere e/,·e in th<: 1i arid a J )tEr11 that keeps wildlife as a puhlic and \'l/5/ainahle rernurce, scientificallv managed hy profe,·sional,· thanh to hunters and h1111t111g

By Eric Aldrich Of New Hampshire Fish and Game (Reprinted by Permission) unting, as some folks may forget, has been a human activity for a long, Jong time ... as long as there have been humans. But something happened to hunting around the late 1800s and early 1900s that changed it forever. lt became regulated. The relatively new profession of wildlife biology supported those regulations with science. License fees and excise taxes paid for by hunters themselves - supported the enforcement and the science. Money was also set aside to protect habitat, conduct re earch and teach hunters to be safe and ethical.

At the time, those visionary moves were essential because of the pathetic status of North America's wildlife populations.

In Maine alone some species were either few in number or gone entirely in the early 1900s. Now, throughout the continent, many species are back for all to enjoy, not just hunters.

H

Alberta, or Oregon - are the sy~tem's backbone of success.

To remind biologists (and anyone else) about why this model is unique and succes ful, Geist and two colleague presented a paper at this year's orth American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference. The other co-authors are Shane P Mahoney of the ewfoundland and Labrador Wildlife Division, and John F. Organ, with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Hadley, Mass.

We wrote this for the simple reason that, what is so obvious has been forgotten by many people," Geist said. "Even our own colleagues had forgotten the history of the wildlife conservation movement here."

WHY DO WE MENTION THIS? Because sometimes we forget. Sometimes, we get so accustomed to the way things are that we forget how they used to be and what it's like elsewhere in the world. There' a fellow in Calgary, in Canada's Alberta Province, who wants to remind us that hunting is THE reason for conservation's success in North America. He's Yaleriu · Geist, a German native who immigrated to Canada as a young teenager in 1953 and began hunting two years later. Geist studied wildlife biology in western Canada, earned a doctorate in animal behavior, and wrote several books on big game mammal of North America. By the 1980s, Geist could ee that his own colleague· (wildlife biologists for the most part) had forgotten what their predece sors had built: a phenomenal environmental success story. the restoration of wildlife in North America. "When I came over here from Germany, it was a real eye opener", Gei t said. "Hunting i different. Con ervation i different. The whole model here that ties hunting and conservation together i unique and very succes ful." It' called the North American Model of Wildlife Con ervation. There's nothing like it elsewhere in the world.

And hunter - whether they're in Maine, New Hampshire,

10 MAINE Fish and Wildlife

In North America, hunter's harvest game, but they also pay for research and protection, such as winter den studies Of black bear. Amy Smith photo Winter 2002

WHAT IS THE NORTH AMERICAN MODEL? The North American model has endured despite widespread changes in ociety, technology and in the landscape of the continent. It has also become a "system of sustainable development of a renewable natural resource that is without parallel in the world" , the au thors say.

Canada cou ld have adopted Great Britain's model of hunting and wildlife conservation, but instead chose to follow the path being developed in the United States. Furthermore, the North American model has benefited not only huntable wildli fe, according to the au thors. Countless species of songb irds and shorebirds were protected, becoming specifica ll y designated as nongame species.

So, what is the orth American model? Geist, Mahoney and Organ identify seven features that make it distinct.

1. Wildlife is a public resource. This is a notion that dates back to the lega l codes of ancient Rome. A wi ld an imal was owned by no one, until it was physically posses ed. The concept was solidified in the Uni ted State , to the extent that wild li fe was held in common ownership by the state for the benefit of all people. And it has withstood tests in the U.S. courts.

Contributions of Hunters By the Numbers t/ Total U.S . retail purchases by hunters in one year ( 1996) on hunting equipment, travel, license fees, etc.: $ l .725 billion. Total economic impact to U.S.: $60.9 billion and 704,601 jobs. Put another way, if hunting was a company, it would generate sales equal to United Parcel Service and support three times more jobs than Wal-Mart. t/ Total Maine retail purchases by hunters in one year (1996) on hunting equipment. travel. license fees, etc.: $329.9 million. Total economic impact to Maine: $453.9 million and 6.440 jobs. t/ Total U.S. hunters' annual dues to conservation and related organizations, such as Ducks Unlimited: $296 million. t/ Total in resident and nonresident hunting license fees and permits to Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (2000): $7.9 million.

t/ Total amount of Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration to Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in fiscal year 2002 (from excise taxes paid by hunters/manufacturers on hunting equipment and distributed to states): $2.1 million.

t/ Wildlife Management Areas pennanently protected for wildlife and recreation from Federal Aid dollars and hunting license revenues: 52 Wildlife Management Areas totaling nearly l 00,000 acres.

t/

Partial list of species restored to Maine. thanks to license fees, Federal Aid dollars and good management: wild turkey, white-tailed deer. moose, black bear, beaver, many waterfowl species. Many nongamc species have benefited from habitat protected via hunters¡ dollars.

Wild turkey restoration is a prime example of how well the North American wildlife management model has worked here in Maine. Harry Vanderweide photo MAI E Fish and Wildlife

2. Markets for trade in wildlife were eliminated. Making it illegal to buy and sell meat and parts of game and nongame species removed a huge threat to u taining those species. At the same time, however, allowing markets for forbearer have helped manage them as a u tainable resource, in conjunction with re trictive regulations and advocacy of trappers for land stewardship.

3. Allocation of wi ldli fe by law. States allocate surplus wildlife by law, not by market pressures, land owner. hip or special privilege. The public gets a ay in how wildlife re ources are all ocated; the proces fosters public involvement in managing wild life.

4. Wildlife can on ly be killed for a legitimate purpose. The law prohibits killing wildlife for frivolou reasons. Under the "Code of the Sport man," hunters use a much as they can. The harvest of wild animals must erve a practical purpo e if society Winter 2002

11

is going to accept it.

5. Wildlife species are considered an international resource. Some species, such as migratory birds, transcend boundaries, and one country's management can easily affect species in another country.

6. Science is the proper tool for discharge of wildlife policy. Science is the foundation of wildlife management. It has its roots in the Prussian Forestry System, according to the authors, and arose in this country as the basis of wildlife management by the convincing forcefulness of Theodore Roosevelt and Aldo Leopold. By spawning the profession of wildlife management, North Americans were decades ahead of their global neighbors.

In the United States, science-based, professional wildlife management really took off with passage of the 1937 Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Program. ln this successful program, excise taxes on hunting equipment are returned to states for wildlife management, restoration and research, along with hunter education.

Steve Weber, a lifelong hunter and now chief of ew Hampshire Fish and Game's Wildlife Division, says those dollars go a long way. "Because of sport hunting and the Federal Aid dollars that it provides to state agencies like New Hampshire Fish and Game, we can con duct sci entific, professional management that can benefit all specie , not ju t game or nongame," Weber said.

7. The democracy of hunting. In the European model, wildlife was allocated by land ownership and privilege. ln orth America, anyone in good tanding can participate.

economic returns on hunting fees to rural indigenous people. Now, they have a reason to stop poachers.

The glue that holds this unique North American model of wildlife conservation together is hunting, according to Geist and his co-authors. Wildlife should be a publicly owned resource not only as a food source, but also to help foster the American "pioneer spirit," Geist and his co-authors write. "The ability for all North Americans to be able to cultivate these pioneer skills through sport hunting meant that there could be no private ownership outs ide of the public trust."

Threatening that public trust were the markets for wildlife that were driving some pecies toward extinction. And the strongest proponents for eliminating market hunting were the organized sportsmen and sporting publications, according to the authors . The Boone and Crockett Club and Forest and Stream magazine ralli ed aga in st market hunting, re ulting in many tate and federal laws ending the practice.

Without the markets, there were game surp luses, which became allocated by law. Those allocations should not jeopardize the sustainab ility of wildlife for future generations. Sportsmen became the biggest advocates of maintaining sustainable numbers of wildlife.

As ranching increased as a way of getting meat to the table, hunting strictly for food became less important. Thus grew hunting's empha is on the chase, not the kill, while still keeping the need to use as much of the wildlife killed as possible.

HUNTING IS THE GLUE

WOULD IT SURVIVE WITHOUT HUNTING?

"In Germany, and much of Europe, hunting is landowner-based," Geist said.

"Areas are e · entially leased for hunting, and hunters are responsible for the management of species on that piece of land.

It's an elitist system."

What developed in North America is what Geist calls a populous system. "It appeals to everyone, blue-collar and white-collar a like" and was championed by the likes of Theodore Roosevelt.

In Africa today, efforts to stop poaching have led to programs that direct

One of the biggest threats to orth America's model of wildlife conservation are efforts to commercialize wildlife.

Those efforts take many forms, notably game ranching and fee hunting, according to Gei t. These efforts undermine the model's components or public trust, elimination or markets, allocation by law, science, and democracy or the sport.

And since the days when North America's approach toward conserving wildlire was developed, populations or many wildlife species (mostly game

12 MAINE Fish and Wildlife

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-Theodore Roosevelt, 1916 species) have gone from seriously in trouble to abundant. Now ome species, such as white-tailed deer, are seriously in danger of becoming too abundant in places. Deer are eating suburban gardens and shrub all over the Eastern seaboard.

"As certain species become common enough to cause conflict with humans, will humans value them less?" wonder Geist and his co-authors. "Will high level of abundance and conn ict make people less comfortable with using bears for ferti Iizer?"

Actually, hunter could play a key role in alleviating such conflicts, they say. Hunters can help keep wild animals wild. As fish and wildlife agencies figure out what to do about local over-abundances of deer or other species, they can look to the public -hunters - as part or the solution. "This may have to be combined with other management alternatives." say the paper's authors, "but hunting and its advocates can again be the rorce that ensures sustainable wildlire resources are a priority for society."

Winter 2002

Sir Oliver & Matt

A Hunter's Success Story

By John L. Bernard It was already a very hot day and getting hotter. Those were the terrible scenting conditions when Doug Smith's setter, Oliver, first got a whiff of pheasant scent. That first thin pufT produced four finds ... four magnificent long tailed cock pheasant ... followed by a string of hens. Earlier that morning Doug offered to help me out by sharing himself and his setter. Obviously Doug realized I was still a bit worn out and tired from yesterday's upland bird hunt; a strenuous all-day affair dealing with three tenmonth old setter pups and their sire. A hunt that encompas ed Windham's thickest underbrush and Love Il's steepest terrain.

Because he understood my situation, Doug graciously offered to host 13-yearold Matt Davis, while l hosted his 10year-old younger brother Billy and their dad, Rick Davis of Gorham. To better explain, perhaps I should back up a bit.

Lets start at the beginning of this story.

The first time I met Rick Davis and Matt was in August at the Department's Maine Youth Field Day of 2000; held in Lyman which was hosted by Southern York County Fish & Game Club. This year the South Berwick Rod & Gun Club, will host the event l attended as a volunteer representing Windham/ Gorham Rod & Gun Club. I was very impressed by the vast amount of cooperation between the Department and so many volunteer , representing uch a wide variety of outdoor sporting interests. Group after group of boys and girls and their parents were shuttled by chool bus to an assembly point. A success like this is the result of good leadership, planning and vision. I low el e could an event provide such a variety of activities? Each one was geared to the youngster's ability and interests. Their parents and the volunteers wanted to join in! Every excited young voice repeated, "I'm having fun".

Rick a ked me about our club's involvement in the Department's Pheasant tocking Program in Cumberland and MAI E Fish and Wildlife

â&#x20AC;˘

John Bernard photo

York Counties. One question led to another and I offered to take Rick and Matt afield over my setters in October.

The Maine weather didn't cooperate at all. Our first date it was too wet and rainy ... second date was too windy ... third date was too hot but because it was a Saturday, a no school day, we attempted it.

Our plan was simple. Split up at a power line right-of-way at IOAM then reunite about noon at an appointed place.

Problem was, the mercury had already climbed to 75 degrees. Thankfully with Doug & Oliver's help I managed to get the Davis family into about a dozen pheasants.

Doug, with Oliver, drove Matt about _ mile up the road. There they entered our "secret" overgrown phea ant cover.

I, with Grouse Girl , drove Rick and Billy across the road to a shady place to park.

We entered the southern end of the same " ecret" pheasant cover. The Davis boys promised to keep quiet about it.

The weather continued to be unhelpful.

In fact, hot became hotter. A record high temperature day unfolded.

Immediately Grouse Girl got birdy.

She went "on point" 2 dozen times but no bird was produced. even though I was sure she had been working a running pheasant. Sooner than later she became hot & tired. I decided to pick her up.

Meanwhile, Oliver, also known as Sir Oliver, was having a field day. He'd already located l O pheasant in spite of the heat. Matt and Doug burned up a lot of ammo but alas, had nothing in their game bags. They and Oliver became hot and tired as well. Doug told u , "I've got only one hell left."

Perhaps it was the heat waves on their shotgun barrels; or the excitement Winter2002 13

of so many birds in such a brief span of time had caused them to miss easy shots.

It's one thing to shoot well at a skeet range, and quite another thing to shoot well at live game birds while afield. At any rate, my group hadn't experienced similar problems. Yet. Doug and Matt decided to take a rest break for themselves and the dog.

After all, they 'd made a lot of game contact and done a lot of shooting. Too much excitement may not be the right introduction to upland bird hunting, however, Matt didn't complain, in fact l thought l noticed a gleam in his eye. His comment was, "I took only three shots."

"He's hooked on hunting," I thought to myself.

Grouse Girl had cooled down and rested some, so we tried to hunt up Oliver's previously located pheasants.

She managed to find and point one hen under an old apple tree. Unfortunately, it didn't hold. The bird flushed and flew directly at and over Rick and Billy.

Because it wasn't a safe shot they held their fire. l saw firsthand the value of the firearms safety course they had completed.

Soon Grouse Girl got hot and tired again. Within this half hour hunt, the temperature soared. It seemed like 90 John Bernard photo

degrees. I picked her up again. We rejoined Doug Matt and Oliver in the shade.

Doug then offered to take everyone with him & Oliver back down the hi II toward a place where ome hens had flown .

I waited and listened. About an hour later I heard one hot.

Then another one ten minutes after. ext thing I heard was the

slow steady jingles of Oliver's bell as he trudged slowly back up the hill toward me. He was the most hot and tired I'd ever seen him. ext I spotted Doug and Davis Boys trudging along behind Oliver. All of their faces wore a weary expression; all that is except Matt. His face was beaming-the kind of expression that shows satisfaction and pride for a job well done. He held up a magnificent cock pheasant for my approval. l gave this 13 year-old boy a warm hand shake and aid, "Congratulations Matt, I know how hard you worked for it!"

Matt replied, "You know, I would never have found that bird before or after I hit it without Oliver."

"Yes" I agreed. After all, I'd helped Doug with Oliver and I'd een him do ome pretty amaLing thing afield. In fact, I'm the one who renamed him , Sir Oliver, the teadfa t pheasant bird dog.

John Bernard photo

14 MAINE Fish and Wildlife

Winter 2002

BALD EAGLE - recognized as an endangered species since 1978 in 43 states, the resident eagle population in Maine declined to fewer than 30 pairs in the early 1970's.

An active research and management program in the mid-1970's. Eagle recovery has been a success; by 2000, the population grew to 225 pairs, and the eagle is currently being considered for state and federal de-listing. Intensive monitoring of the population will continue, to ensure contaminants and habitat loss do not re-endanger the species.

CLAYTON COPP ER BUTIERFLY - In 1937, this small orange and blue butterfly was discovered for the first time in the vicinity of Springfield. Despite extensive searching, it has been found only at 10 sites in the world - 9 of which are in Maine. Its restricted range is explained by the availability of its host plant, the shrubby cinquefoil, which only grows in a handful of wetlands and fields, predominantly in the central Maine area. The , two largest populations are in state ownership and will be managed for the butterfly.

KATAHDIN ARCTIC BUTIERFLY - One of the world's rarest butterflies, the Katahdin arctic, is found only one place in the world - the treeless summit of Mt. Katahdin.

This small, brown butterfly can be seen during a brief flight period in early July. Global warming could threaten this endemic species.

The butterfly shares the mountaintop with the American pipit.

GOLDEN EAGLE - The golden eagle is Maine's rarest bird and is on the verge of extirpation in Maine. In the past, nesting golden eag les were noted at about a dozen remote cliff sites in western and northern Maine, but shooting, DDT poisoning and habitat loss all contributed to the decline in the population. The last remaining pair has failed to nest since 1998.

PIPING PLOVER AND LEAST TERN - The piping plover, a small, sand-colored shorebird and the least tern, the smallest tern in Maine, nest together on Maine's sandy beaches. Maine Audubon has monitored and protected nesting colonies since 1981. Plover and tern nest sites are fenced and sig ned each year to keep beach goers away from the nesting birds. Plover nests are further protected by enclosures to keep predators away from incubating females. Plover popu lations have responded to management and have increased from 7 pairs in 1983 to a high of 60 pairs in 1998 . Least tern populations have not fared as well and have fluctuated between 39 to 125 pairs .

BLANDINGS AND SPOTIED TURTLES - These rare turtles live in complexes of small wetlands and vernal pools in southern Maine. Both species travel extensively between wetlands placing them at risk to road mortality and habitat fragmentation . Fewer than 1000 Blanding's turtles are believed to exist in the state. MD IFW, The Nature Conservancy and land trusts are working to save large blocks of the best remaini ng habitat in southern Maine.

TIDEWATER MUCKET AND YELLOW LAMPMUSSEL - Over 75% of the 297 species of freshwater mussels in North America are extinct, endangered, threatened or on a watch list. Dams and pollution (and more recently the introduction of zebra mussels) have lead to their demise. From 1991-97 MD IFW conducted a statewide survey and found the mucket and lampmussel to be very rare. They are found in five watersheds , in central Maine, including the lower Kennebec and Penobscot Rivers. Conservation will require protection of rivers, water quality and adjacent habitat and the native fish species that are needed help complete the unique life cycle of mussels.

ROSEATE TERN , ATLANTIC PUFFIN, RAZORBILL AUK - Island nesting seabirds • return to the same island year after year. Disturbance, predation and competition for nesting space by gulls, and habitat loss have greatly diminished populations in the last century. The puffin and auk are at the southern edge of their range and are abundant in the North Atlantic . Audubon biologists have helped restore puffins to Maine by translocating young birds for several years from Newfoundland . Razorbills have maintained populations on only 3 islands in eastern Maine. Roseate terns are federally endangered and populations have slowly risen to about 300 pairs. All three species have benefited from intensive management that includes removal of gulls from some of the nesting island and purchase of many islands by conservation groups.

UPLAND SA NDPIPER AND GRASSHOPP ER SPARROW - A century ago, farmlands provided abundant grassland habitat for these rare birds. Today, most large grasslands have reverted to forest or have been developed. Maine hosts the Northeast's largest populations of grasshopper sparrows at the Kennebunk Plains and upland sandpipers 1n the Down East blueberry barrens. Recovery of these species is contingent in devel-

oping partnerships to maintain and properly manage grasslands in agricultural and airport setti ngs.

RINGED BOGHAUNTER DRAGONFLY - This dragonfly is known from fewer than 50 sites in the world , including five sites in Maine. The boghaunter lives in small, sphagnum-filled wetlands, and often shares habitat with Blanding 's or spotted turtles. This tiny dragonfly is among first to emerge in Maine in early May. Conservation will likely include protecting the wetlands in which it matures as a larva and surrounding uplands where it lives as an adult for a few brief weeks each spring .

Add itional information on Maine's endangered species can be obtai ned at: www.meflshwlldllfe.com www.endangered .fws.gov/ http ://www.state.me.us/doc/nrimc/mnap/home.htm http ://www.natureserve.org/ POSTER KEY Maine Endangered Species: 1. Golden eagle - Aquila chrysaetos 2. Peregrine falcon - Falco peregrinus· 3. Piping plover - Charadrius melodus..

4. Roseate tern - Sterna dougallii• 5. Least tern - Sterna antillarum 6. Black tern - Chlidonias niger 7. Sedge wren - Cistothorus platensis 8. American pipit - Anthus rubescens (breeding pop. only) 9. Grasshopper sparrow - Ammodramus savannarum 10. Blanding's turtle - Emydoidea blandingii 11. Box turtle - Terrapene carolina 12. Black racer - Coluber constrictor 13. Roaring brook mayfly - Epeorus frisoni 14. Ringed boghaunter - Williamsonia lintneri 15. Clayton's copper - Lycaena dorcas claytoni 16. Edwards ' hairstreak - Satyrium edwardsii 17. Hessel 's hairstreak - Mitoura hesseli 18. Katahdin arctic - Oeneis polixenes katahdin Maine Threatened Species: 19. Bald eag le - Haliaeetus leucocephalus ..

20. Razorbill - Alea torda 21 . Atlantic puffin - Fratercula arctica 22. Harlequin duck - Histrionicus histrionicus 23. Arctic tern - Sterna paradisaea 24. Upland sandpiper - Bartramia longicauda 25. Northern bog lemming - Synaptomys borealis 26. Spotted turtle - Clemmys guttata 27. Loggerhead turtle - Caretta caretta ..

28. Swamp darter - Etheostoma fusiforme 29. Tidewater mucket - Leptodea ochracea 30. Yellow lampmussel - Lampsilis cariosa 31 . Tomah mayfly - Siphlonisca aerodromia 32. Pygmy snaketail - Ophiogomphus howei 33. Twilight moth - Lycia rachelae 34. Pine barrens zanclognatha - Zanclognatha martha Federally Listed Endangered and Threatened Species, currently or historically occurring in Maine but not listed under Maine's Endangered Species Act 35. Eskimo curlew - Numenius borealis'/?

36. Canada lynx - Lynx canadensis ..

37. Gray wolf - Canis lupus•/?

38. Eastern cougar - Felis concolor couguar·f?

39. Right whale - Eubalaena glacialis• 40. Humpback whale - Megaptera novaeangliae· 41. Finback whale - Balaenoptera physalus· 42. Sperm whale - Physeter catodon• 43. Sei Whale - Balaenoptera borealis' 44. Leatherback turtle - Dermochelys coriacea· 45. Atlantic ridley turtle - Lepidochelys kempi• 46. Atlantic salmon - Salmo salar' 47. Shortnose Sturgeon - Acipenser brevirostrum· 48. American burying beetle - Nicrophorus americanus·/?

49. Karner blue - Lycaeides melissa samuelis' /? note: • = Federally listed Endangered Species; " = Federally listed Threatened Species ; ? = current presence uncertain in Maine; E = believed to be extirpated in Maine.

Numbers correspond to poster key.

This poster is available full-size for $1.50 plus postage and hand li ng from MDIFW headquarters. Call 287-8000 for more info o r to order.

A HISTORY OF E-NDANGERED SPECIES LISTING - The Maine Endangered Species Act was passed in 1975, and authorized the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildl ife (MDIFW) to establish a list of wildlife species that are endangered or threatened . It wasn 't until the Endangered and Nongame Wildlife Fund (a voluntary income tax checkoff) was established in 1983 that MDIFW had the resources to determine which species might be in trouble . In 1986, after a comprehensive review of the status of vertebrate wildlife that naturally occur in the state , 22 species were listed as endangered or threatened. Species federally listed were automatically state-listed. In 1989, the legislature clarified that MDIFW had responsibility for the conservation of invertebrates , and in the 1990's MDIFW undertook a second major comprehensive review of species status. In 1995, the legislature transferred authority to list species from the commissioner to the legislature, and federally listed species were no longer automatically listed. In 1997 the legislature approved 20 new species to the state list. Thirtyfour species are now state-listed (including 12 species of invertebrates), and an additional 15 species are federally listed only.

Species on the Maine Endangered Species List are strictly protected from take (killing) , hunting, trapping, possession and harassment. In 1987 the Act was amended to allow MDIFW to designate Essential Habitat for endangered and threatened species. This special habitat protection has been designated for bald eagles, roseate terns, piping plovers, and least terns. In 1999 the Act was amended to allow incidental take of state listed species only with an approved Incidental Take Plan. Endangered plants are not covered under the Maine Endangered Species Act. Conservation of rare plants and natural communities is the responsibility of the Maine Natural Areas Program, 93 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333.

WHAT IS AN ENDANGERED SPECIES? -An endangered species is in immediate danger of extirpation from the state because of critically low or declining numbers.

Habitat loss or degradation, overexploitation, pollution, disease and competition with other species are all causative factors. The continued existence of these species in the state is unlikely without implementing special measures to protect the species or their habitat.

WHAT IS A THREATENED SPECIES? - A threatened species is not as critically Jeopardized by extirpation as an endangered species, but will probably become endangered if current populations experience further decline. Threatened species include indigenous wildlife that are rare and declining within the state, and which are likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future.

EXTINCTION -An animal that has died out or is no longer in existence. Extinct species that once occurred in Maine include the passenger pigeon , Atlantic gray whale , sea mink, great auk and Labrador duck.

EXTIRPATION -An animal that has been eliminated from Maine, but still occurs elsewhere. Species extirpated from Maine, but still exist elsewhere include the timber wolf, woodland caribou , Karner blue butterfly, timber rattlesnake and eastern cougar.

ENDEMIC - An animal that is restricted to, or present in, a small region and found no where else in the world. Species endemic (or near-endemic) to Maine include the Katahdin arctic butterfly, Tomah mayfly, Roaring brook mayfly, and Clayton 's copper butterfly.

HABITATS AT RISK -All wildlife (and people!) need food, water, shelter and cover to survive. If any of these habitat components are missing or altered significantly, animals become stressed, exposed to disease or predation, and even die. Habitat loss and degradation are the primary causes endangering Maine's wildlife. Because some habitats are rare (like peatlands, sand beaches, pitch pine barrens. nesting islands). many of the animals that live there are rare also . When these rare habitats disappear. the species that inhabit them do too. Other habitats were once relatively common (like brushy fields, grasslands, farms and orchards) , but as they are developed or revert back to forest land, the species that depend on these habitats become rare or endangered. In developed landscapes in central and southern Maine, habitat fragmentation , is endangering wildlife. Roads, housing developments. utility right-of-ways and other habitat alterations separate patches of habitat. Wildlife is killed crossing roads or simply can no longer access all the features of habitat that they need to survive.

Maine 's most endangered habitats include: Wetlands and vernal pools - Small wetlands in central and southern Maine are home to Blanding's and spotted turtles , ringed boghaunters and many other rare species .

Forested uplands adjacent to these small wetlands are being lost to housing developments and small wetlands are being filled . Turtles and dragonflies are losing their homes and can no longer move between wetlands . Nearly half of Maine's state-listed species are associated with aquatic environments.

Special forests - Atlantic white cedar and Pitch pine - scrub oak barrens - These special forest types are found only found at a few locations in southern Maine, but they host many rare plants and wildlife . Some of these forests have been purchased by MDIFW and The Nature Conservancy to be managed for rare species like the black racer, twilight moth, and Hessel's hairstreak.

Coastal islands - Maine has over 3,000 islands but fewer than 30 provide habitat for endangered seabirds like the roseate and arctic tern . razorbill auk , and Atlantic puffin .

Many islands are now in conservation ownership, but the habitat has been dominated

by a growing gull population, forcing many of the smaller birds away from their preferred nesting areas .

Grasslands - Many of Maine's grasslands are reverting to forest or being developed.

Many grassland birds are declining, and some , like the grasshopper sparrow and upland sandpiper are endangered and threatened.

Rivers and streams - Maine has an outstanding freshwater resource with over 5,000 lakes and ponds and 32 ,000 miles of streams and rivers. Pollution and dams have endangered species like the tidewater mucket, yellow lampmussel, pygmy snaketail dragonfly, and the bald eagle . It is important that Maine communities fully implement Shoreland Zoning standards and help to maintain water quality.

Cliffs and alpine mountaintops Cliffs and high alititude areas are rare and support some of our rarest species like the golden eagle, peregrine falcon, American pipit and Katahdin arctic butterfly.

Fortunately, many of these habitats are conserved and are not in direct threat of being developed.

Sand beaches and salt marshes - Over two-thirds of Maine 's beaches have been lost to development and adjacent salt marshes have been ditched, drained and developed. This is the primary cause of endangerment for the piping plover and least tern. Some beaches are in conservation ownership, however at other sites conservation partners must work hard to ensure that hoards of summer visitors share the beach with endangered species.

RECOVERY - MDIFW 's mission is to work with conservation partners to restore populations of endangered and threatened species. Wildlife biologists develop recovery programs for state-listed species to identify threats, develop strategies for saving species, and document when a species has been recovered and can be removed from the list.

Protecting habitat is the most important need for most endangered species. In some instances, research studies are needed to identify limiting factors for endangered species. The peregrine falcon and puffin have been successfully reintroduced back to Maine. Removing harmful contaminants like DDT. mercury and PCB's from our environment has helped to restore bald eagle and peregrine populations. Biologists monitor some populations annually to assess how they are responding to recovery actions.

Sometimes biologists must manage predators that may harm endangered species. A species may be delisted (taken off the endangered and threatened list) . when its populations have recovered to a self-sustaining level, sufficient habitat has been protected , and biologists are sure the species will not decline again in the future once protection is removed .

FUNDING ENDANGERED SPECIES WORK IN MAINE - Funding for Maine endangered species recovery comes primarily from your donations to the Chickadee Checkoff (Maine Income Tax) , and purchase of Conservation License Plates (the Loon Plate) and Outdoor Heritage Fund lottery tickets .

HOW YOU CAN HELP - Students at Nokomis High School in Newport studied black terns for over 10 years and successfully convinced MDIFW and the legislature to list this species as endangered. Although 1t may be difficult for everyone to participate directly 1n saving endangered species, you can help on many levels, f1om becoming aware of species in trouble to volunteering time and money towards recovery efforts: L Get involved in how your community handles development proposals and ensure that habitat is being maintained for wildlife .

L Buy a conservation license plate or and Outdoor Heritage Fund lottery ticket. The proceeds go directly to endangered species conservation. ,/ Join a state wildlife organization like the Natural Resources Council of Maine, Maine Audubon or the Maine Chapter of The Nature Conservancy. ,/ Vote pro-wildlife.and the environment ,/ Don't use herb1c1des or pesticides that can harm wildlife.

I Enrollment, Education and Equipment

By Rebecca Eagan Ferante MOSES is fast approaching. This winter the Department will launch MOSES, the Maine's Online Sportsmen's Electronic System. In coordination with the Department, MOSES is being designed and developed by WorldCom, a company that designs and implements computer solutions around the world.

Many licensing and/or registration agents statewide will begin processing licenses and registrations via a new online system. Agents and customers alike will benefit from the speed and flexibility of this innovative system. In addition, agents will be provided convenient access to customer support services.

Maine outdoors enthusiasts who use a MOSES agent will enjoy the advantages of: Multiple customer licenses printed on a single sheet of plain paper v Time savings, since once a customer is entered into the system, electronic agents will be able to retrieve data to issue licenses and registrations more quickly -.J A streamlined procedure for processing registrations and an improved check-off license that will be processed by manual agents using a new convenient format

v

Enrollment In preparation of the MOSES launch , the Department has been actively enrolling agent to participate in the program. Town clerks and retail locations that process greater than 500 licenses per year are required to take part, although agents of any size can become an online agent. Online agents will experience reduced paper processing and improved customer service provided by the system.

Once a customer has been entered into the system , their information is captured and retrievable for additional transactions, making subseq uent sales much ~impler.

Interested agents may obtain a MAINE Fish and Wildlife

MOSES Enrollment package online at http://www.mainemoses.com!agents/enrol lment.htm ; or by contacting the Department directly at 207-287-8000.

Education Manual agents will benefit from MOSES training sessions offered statewide.

Late this fall, enrolled agents were invited to attend a training course in their area. The course is designed to give an overview of the MOSES system, create a sense of familiarity with the online computer program, and to give hands on experience to prospective agents. For agents undecided about participation in the MOSES program, additional Manual Agent training sessions will provide the opportunity to experience the system first hand and to pose questions about the system. All participating agents will be provided with reference materials for use at their location for guidance and additional training.

For those agents with little-to-no experience with personal computers, there is time to become familiarized with the program. Following a training session, participants will find MOSES to be user-friendly. MOSES will also provide a Training Mode, which agents can use to practice and increase their ability to use the system.

Equipment The MOSES sales application will be accessed via the Internet from a personal computer. The system requirements to access and utilize the MOSES licensing system are minimal. Basic requirements, to ensure a secure and speedy connection to the program, include: -.J A web browser that supports Java (Ex: Internet Explorer 3.02/ AOL3.0/ Netscape 4.0 I or higher) .../ 64MB RAM -.J A laser or inkjet printer v Internet service provider While not required, choosing a personal computer that includes a CD-ROM

drive will add additional functionality to an agent's system. In addition to a personal computer capable of connecting to the Internet to process online sales, every agent location will need to establish an account with an Internet Service Provider via dial-up or a high-speed connectivity method such as cable modem, DSL or wireless Internet. Guidance on selecting the best option for Internet service can be found at: http://www.mainemoses.com/agents! connectivity. htm.

The system is also expected to be available on the Internet to individuals early this winter. You can then purchase your license or registration from the comfort of your own home twenty-four hours a day. This system will greatly improve the Department's ability to serve its customers and represents a great effort by WorldCom and the Department staff.

Gone are the multiple forms for different licenses. Now license agents will have the ability to issue any license with just one sheet of paper by checking the appropriatebox. The new license marks the beginning of the departure from the oldmulti-form, multi-license system to MOSES.

Maine Online

Winter 2002

19

Game Warden Ronald Dunham checks out a camp in Medford and leaves a card, indicating the property was checked as part of the Landowner Relations Program. Cathy Genthner phtoo

It was predicted to be the "Blizzard of '99" and it was to strike the entire state of Maine with a knockout blow. On that day, the sky was dove gray and hauntingly silent. Local weather forecasters had predicted over two feet of snow with high winds, causing power outages and whiteout conditions. It was going to be enough snow to shut down a town and prevent emergency personnel and their vehicles from responding to a crisis. With uncertainty and a massive storm looming on the horizon, Albert Leach of the Family Snowmobile Club called the Bucksport Fire Department. Leach offered the use of the club's snowmobiles and emergency rescue sled to assist

20 MAINE Fish and Wildlife

emergency personnel in the event of a crisis.

"If anyone needs assistance, we are there to help", said Family Snowmobile Club President Andy Osborn. "You are not just helping your town, you are helping your fellow citizens and neighbors. If a person gets hurt or has a heart attack and the roads are impassable, sometimes the only way to get them to the hospital is by snowsled."

"They told us their sleds were avai Iable to access the areas that our vehicles could not during the storm," said Bucksport Town Manager Roger Raymond. "The club members are very civic minded and supportive whenever ¡

we have any activities in town that require the help of local residents . They are very courteous in whatever they do."

PGnoring Towns The town has worked with businesses and residents to help the club establish a trail system that runs through the entire width of the community, traversing public and private property. The town even provided the club with land for its storage shed. As a result of this amenable relationship, the Bucksport Family Snowmobile Club nominated the town of Bucksport as the Municipal Landowner of the Year for 200 I. Bucksport was among everal landowner groups and

Winter 2002

Signs Available through the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Sign Assistance Program: 1. Safety Zone - To be used around buildings and pastures.

2. No Vehicles Permitted Beyond This Point, Including ATVs - To be used Lo di sco urage conventio na l motor vehi cle use on pri vate fi eld roads and woods roads.

3. Access Permitted - To be used to encourage the use of pro perty by the publi c.

4. No Dumping-To be posted in areas where ill egal dumping is occurring.

5. Road Closed - To be used when a pri vate road has been closed so to imp rove w ildlife habitat.

6. Stop. This is Not a Public Access to a Great Pond - To be used to regul ate access to a great pond .

7. Designated Public Access to a Great Pond - To be used to des ignate access across pri vate property to a Great Pond fo r the purposes of hunting or fi shing onl y.

8. Access May Become Limited Thi s is an educati onal sign to be used by landowners who are experiencing improper use of their land by the public. lt sends a strong message that access may be lost if the land is not treated properl y.

9. Access by Permission Only T hese signs have been des igned by the Inl and Fisheri es & Wildli fe Program and are the fi rst of their kind . It is the intent to have these signs repl ace th e traditi onal "No Trespass ing" and "No Hunt ing" signs. The cost o f th ese signs is 35 cen ts each plus tax.

J0. No Snowmobiling on This

Plowed Road

T hese signs are posted

as a wa rn ing sign and wi ll be enfo rced by game wa rd ens.

MA INE Fish and Wi ld life

Wade Brown , of the Snowgoers Snowmobile Club of Gorham , wo rks on a trail that runs across private property in West Gorham with the landowner's permission , in preparation for the upcoming season. Cathy Genthner photo indi viduals that were honored in 200 1, as part of the Landowner Relations Program.

Snowmobil e clu bs from arou nd the state have taken , an active ro le in supporting the an nual award program.

"Landowner re lations is a hug~ part of what we do," said Bob Meyers, the executive di rector of the Ma i:ie Snowmobile Association. "There are over 12,000 m iles of trai ls in Mai ne. Ninety-seven percent of those trai ls are on private land. Without the landowners, we would have nothing to snowmobile on."

"The snowmobi lers do a great job with landowners as far as asking permission," said Peter Li ll y, a private Landowner of the Year rec ip ient who lives in Richmond.

"They take good care of the trails, cut back the bushes and keep the trails well marked. Now, of course you wil l have your wildcats. But for the most part the snowmobilers are the mode l for other outdoorsmen."

It is not just snowmobile trai Is that traverse private land. Hiking and ATV trails, access to bodies of water for fishing and boating, as wel l as hunting grounds, are for the most part located on private land in Maine.

Fostering respect fo r the rights of the landowner to maintain publ ic access to private land is the aim of the Inland Fisheries and Wild life Landowner Re lations Program started in 1989.

Game Warden Sergeant Dave Peppard was put in charge of the program in 1995. Since that time, Peppard has seen a decrease in the number of large property owners, because land is being subdivided at a fast rate, espec ial ly in the southern and central parts of the state.

r n Concer "We are dealing with a lot more land owners now. The major concern of landowners is that they just want to know who is using their land," said Peppard. "It is their land, they bought it, and they pay taxes on it. They want to manage the pub lic's use of their land.

They want to know who is out there, what they are doing and alert the public to places where they don't want them to go. People should simply ask first before stepping on private property."

Those are the feelings echoed by farmer Harvey Williams, a Landowner of the Year award recipient, who owns Winter 2002 21

1300 acres in Anson, Madison, Bingham, Concord and Norridgewock.

"People can use our land, as long as they ask first," said Williams. "We don't allow hunting near the homes.

Also, it is important for snowmobilers to stay on marked trails and to respect our wishes. We have alfalfa fields to feed our cows. If you take a newly seeded piece and run all over it with sleds when there isn't much snow. the sleds wi II ki II the alfalfa."

"For snowmobilers, it is a priority to respect the wishes of landowners in order to establish and maintain a trail on the property," said Peppard. Snowmobilers are generally very well received because of the efforts they undertake working with the landowners. It has taken them over 25 years to get to the point where they are now." el In comparison, many ATV owners feel they are at that point today where snowmobilers were 25 years ago sometimes struggling with gaining access and acceptance among those who are unfamiliar with the sport. The sport, however, is growing in popularity. The number of ATV registrations was just over 44,000 as of June 30, 200 I. That number is presently over 50,000 and is expected to increase. Unfortunately, the animosity of many landown-

These trail signs give both directions and good advice for snowmobilers. Photo courtesy Maine Snowmobile

Harvey Williams is one of nine Landowner of the Year recipients for 2001, honored at the annual Maine Snowmobile Association banquet. From left, Ken Ingalls of the Anson/North Anson Snowmobile Club, Harvey Williams, Jean Williams and Commissioner Lee Perry. Photo courtesy of Maine Snowmobile Association ers is also increasing towards those people on ATVs who don't respect the property by leaving deep ruts, ruined crops and trash.

"ATVs, oh they're bad. In the summertime they drive right through the corn and hay fields," said Williams. "They think snowmobile trails are their trails."

"The use of al I-terrain vehicles is growing rapidly, that's why we're having problems," said Peppard. "The ATVs are basically going here, there and everywhere. That is what is causing the conflict. They have their work cut out for them. However, they appear to be getting organized."

Work is underway to solve many of the problems through programs offered by tate officials and more than 65 ATV clubs in Maine. The goal is to improve landowner relations and to educate ATV users about ethics, safety and trail locations.

"Just because it is a snowmobile trail, it doesn't mean it is an ATV trail," said Maurice Sargent, president Maine Alliance of Trail Vehicles of Maine. "It i always a few that make it hard for the majority. We are trying to get more organized to get the word out that you can have good relations with landowners if you try to work with them. If you talk to the landowner, most of the time you can get acces ."

"It i just a few people who give the rest ofu a bad name," said Roger Lee, an ATV enthu ia t who has a camp near I laynesville.

Lee, who i 59, likes to ride through the woods, looking for unusual wildflowers, observing game and checking out fi hing pots. "I haven't had any problems with access or landowners at all."

"You need the landowner's permission and it doesn't make any difference whether it's riding an ATV, snowmobiling, hiking or hunting," said Sargent.

Landowner have the right to determine which activity to allow or prohibit on their land. TJ1e Landowner Sign A sistance Program help

Association

22 MAI E Fish and Wildlife

Wimter 2002

landowners inform the public of permitted uses. It is an alternative to simply posting a " o Trespassing" sign while still giving the landowner control over his or her land. The cornerstone of the program is the creation of the "Access by Permission Only" sign, designed by Sgt. Dave Peppard. It is the only sign of its kind in the nation. Peppard originally started with a "Hunting

by Permission Only" sign. After receiving phone calls from landowners who said they needed a sign to deal with other activities such as snowmobiling, fishing, etc., Peppard designed a sign that covered all recreational activities on private land.

"The bottom line is any outdoor activity on private land deals with access," said Peppard.

The program, which began in 1998, has been successful in opening up more than 150,000 acres land that were previously posted or in danger of being posted "No Trespassing". l.J"I/E ~olution

One piece of land that might have been off limits to all hunters is a 400-acre parcel of land owned by the University of ew England in Biddeford. However, Maine bowhunters have been successful in gaining access because of negotiations that took place between the Depa11ment and the University of ew England. UNE had originally proposed to prohibit all hunting in the wooded area down the road from its Route 9 campus because of safety concerns from faculty and students. The parcel is used primarily by life science students to conduct field studies and research work. However after discussions, UNE agreed to make the land available to bow hunting by perm-it only. In the fall of 2001, five permits were granted. Next fall, the number of permits is unlimited.

"The University is trying to be a good neighbor and was willing to compromise on our issue," said Steve Price, the director of Communications at UNE. "A decision wasn't made quickly or easily. It took a lot of thought."

"We are very thankful that UNE has agreed to open the land to bow hunting," said Mike Rovella, the past president of the Maine Bowhunters Association. "We stress to our members to always ask first, even if the land isn't posted. By opening that door, you open the door to many more hunting opportunities."

The Maine Bowhunters Association working in cooperation with the dept's landowner relations program, has developed and implemented a new program called the Bowhunter Landowner Information Program (BLIP) Graduates of this advanced course that emphasizes landowner relations and ethics are added to a list that is available to landowners who are looking for responsible hunters that may be able to help them. That help may mean bowhunting in sensitive urban areas where firearm discharge ordinances may exist, or in areas that have a high concentration of deer which contribute to car/deer accidents, crop or property damage, or the spread or Lyme disease.

F oje:c t I an J r More opportunities for pub Iic access to private land are MAINE Fish and Wildlife

Good landowner relations are the key to keeping trails open for snowmobilers to enjoy in Maine. Photo courtesy Maine Snowmobile Association

avai Iable through another program called "Project Landshare".

The program, which began in September of 2000, includes over 8.5 million acres of land available for the public to use. The program features a sign stating that landowners desire to share the land, but ask the public to respect the land to preserve a~cess opportunities in the future.

Respect for the land, as well as buildings, is vital to continued public access to private lands. Game wardens routinely check on camps in cooperation with the Landowner Relations Program. They leave a card for the owner indicating when the property was checked out and its condition. Any evidence of vandalism or foul play is reported to the property owner and authorities. In addition, wardens alert the owner of any signs of illegal dumping, which is a growing concern. "['ve found abandoned cars, washing machines, refrigerators, just about anything you can think of while I was checking out my area," said Game Warden Ronald Dunham, whose district spans across parts of Penobscot and Piscataquis counties.

As whitegood and trash disposal fees increase, people sometimes dump their trash on someone else's land, increasing the likelihood that land will be posted and possibly gated.

"Access to land in Maine is a unique cooperation between the landowner and the land user," said Dunham. "The land is being used so much more than it ever was. Where we are headed, I don't know. Open land is disappearing at a fast rate.

People need to wake up. It all comes down to respect for the use of the land and respect for the rights of the landowner.

Winter 2002

23

Maine Conservation School in Bryant Pond Adds Junior Maine Guide Program Photos and Text By Lisa Price

Maine Conservation School camper are usually housed in sprawling wood frame dormitories. They sleep on bunks.

Showers are located just down the hall.

Campers head to the dining hall at specific times, grab a plate and load it with food.

Across campus and up in the woods, some campers are housed in tents. They are responsible for cooking their own meals and maintaining their own campsite. These campers are the first conservation school participants in a three-week program ca ll ed the Junior Maine Guides training course.

Today the campers are beginning their second week, and are working

24 MAINE Fi h and Wildlife

through four ski ll stations set up by instructor Rick Rogers, a registered Maine guide from Phillips. Some of the campers, ca ll ed JMGs, are working on campfire building, others are learning to handle an ax. Another group is working on map and compass skills. Still more are meeting with camp directors, discussing the group's progress so far and their own thoughts on the program.

JMG has exi ted in Maine for many year , but the Junior Maine Guide cour e is a brand new program for the chool.

Nicole Caprara, former director or education for the school, called the program "our most ambitious endeavor to date".

"We knew from the tart that our challenges would be many," Caprara sa id.

"Through their participation and continued efforts, we were able to forge a program worthy of revision and continuance."

Rogers said that wood skills weren't the only things the JMG s were learning.

"They were all strangers when they arrived, so they al o had to learn people

skills," Rogers said. "They've been using a key phrase - If it is to be, it 's up to me - and they've learned why that's important to team building."

Zack Vallee of Lewi ton is a typical JMG participant. To ay he likes the outdoors is putting it mildly. His eyes absolutely light up when he talks about fishing, especia ll y when retelling his memories of a certain 26-inch striped bass.

"I just li ke the outdoors, and omeday I want to be a guide, or maybe a game warden", Vallee says. "People tell me this wi ll look good on a resume someday.. . but 1'm just here because I like thi s stuff."

"But a soon as thi s is over, I'm going fi hing", he finishe with a mile.

Matt Davis, a JMG from Gorham, sympath ized with Vallee on the missed fishing, but sa id he also looked forward to hunting eason - he 's been drawn for the moose hunt this year.

"I've alway thought I want to be a game warden, or a marine biologi t, or a Winter 2002

Wake Yenco of Hebron cooks using a reflector oven.

Mike Waltz of Berwick works on his guide - but I never really took any steps towards doing that," Davis said . "This course has taught me that I have to work hard, be prepared for everything, if I want to get what I want."

On campus, the JMGs have a number of "survival" nights, when they must build their own shelters using natural materials. The program participants also spend many nights off campus, including hiking and camping trips to the Tumbledown Mountain area in Weld; and an overn ight canoe trip to Toothaker Island on Mooselookrneguntic Lake.

During those trips, they put to use the skill they learned at the school.

"They had to plan the whole trip, from what they'd need for meals to the equipment they'd need," Rogers said. "If they ever actually become Maine guides, those are the types of things that they'll have to know to lead a successfu l trip."

For infonnation about the Junior Maine Guides program at the Maine Conservation School, contact the school at P.O. Box 188, Bryant Pond ME 04219, or phone 207-665-2068.

MAINE Fish and Wildlife

The JMG course ends with a week on Swan fire-making skills.

Island, a Department-owned wildlife management area in the Kennebec River near Richmond.

There, participants from the Maine Conservation Camp, as well as from other summer camps throughout the state, were tested in their newly acquired ski ll s. For example, in one test area a JMG is handed a block of wood that has been soaked in water for five minutes. He or she must then bring water in a soup can to boil within 20 minutes over an open fire, using a knife, an ax and that block of wood to make tinder and kindling. They are given one match.

The rest of the testing is just as tough. Just two of the 16 JMG participants from the Maine Conservation School program - Ryan Rogers of Caribou and George Scharoun of Farmington - pass the test. But for everyone, it 's the participation that matters. In fact, the group heads on and off the ferry to Swan Island chanting the song that has become their theme these weeks together. It's sung in military style, with Troy Houghton of Carthage leading the cadence, and the others repeating each line: "If 1 don't make the JMG. This camp will make a man out of me.

Change me, make me rough and tough, instead of sitting on my duff If ii is to be, ii is up to me, Now 1 can identify any tree.

Mom and Dad have turned me loo e, to the land of deer and moose.

And if 1 don~ pass my test, At least 1 know J'l'e done my best."

Savannah Graves of Unity cuts firewood.

Winter 2002 25

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December 2:JO 1

26 MAINE Fish and Wildlife

Winter 2002

lonzo H. Garcelon WMA contains approximately 2,997 acres of which 996 acres and 200 I acres are associated with the Boy Scout and Mud Mill properties, respectively. Both consist of upland, forested habitat interspersed with small pond shore frontage, streams, and beaver flowages. This area provides excellent nesting and brood rearing habitat for waterfowl, wading birds and shorebirds, as well as habitat for a variety of other wildlife species. Once known as the Augusta - Windsor Wildlife Management Area, this property was renamed, in 1985, for the late Alonzo H. Garcelon, who had long been an avid sportsman in Maine. At the time of his death, he was pres ident of the NRA.

A

Habitat Wetlands make up a significant portion of the area, and consist of fresh water ponds, open water along major stream channels, shallow and deep marshes, shrub swamp, and wooded swamp along the upland borders.

Forested portions range from recently cutover sites, consisting of dense ground cover, to stands of mature hardwoods and softwoods Dominant Species These properties are utilized by a

variety of waterfowl and wading birds, shorebirds, aquatic and upland furbearers as well as other wildlife species. Bald eagles are common visitors in the vicinity and could be expected to utilize some of this habitat for feeding. There is a small great blue heron rookery on one of the beaver ftowag;s on the Mud Mill Property. Nesting boxes erected for cavity nesting waterfowl are used by several nongame species including flying

.

Upland bird hunters find productive covers at the Alonzo H. Garcelon Wildlife Management Area.

MAINE Fish and Wildlife

squirrels, saw-whet owls, American kestrels, tree swallows and songbirds.

Management One of the primary management objectives for this area is to create and maintain a diverse, aquatic wetland complex for waterfowl, wading birds, and shorebirds by maximizing the shallow and deep fresh marsh types through water level management (i.e. beaver) and stabilization (potential darn construction of Stickney Brook). A high quality emergent marsh is important in maintaining or improving waterfowl production and wading bird and shorebird utilization .

Waterfowl production is further enhanced by providing and maintaining waterfowl nesting boxes to supplement natural cavities and to ensure a safe nesting opportunity for cavity nesting birds and other nongarne wildlife.

Management objectives specifically for small game and furbearers are threefold: I) to maintain or increase beaver number through transplants/removals and recommendations of suitable trapping seasons; 2) to develop ruffed grouse habitat management demonstration areas in elected forest stands; and 3) where appropriate, to provide, through short cutting cycles, early successional forest types essential for snowshoe hare.

A primary management objective for recreation is to maintain or improve

Winter 2002 27

access throughout the area to satisfy hunting and trapping demand.

The primary objective for big game is to manage the shelter portion of known deer wintering areas through implementation of uneven-age silvicultural practices that encourage the regeneration of conifers while providing adequate she lter. ln addition, tolerant hardwood stands are managed using uneven-age practices designed to encourage browse and mast production. Intolerant hardwoods are cut in small blocks to encourage regeneration of intolerant species, while providing forest openings.

Activities Garcelon WMA provides for both consumptive and non-consumptive public use without compromising the habitat needs of the wildlife or fishery resource.

Such uses include: hunting, fishing, trapping, snowmobiling, hiking and natural resource appreciation.

The area contains or borders several small to medium-sized ponds including: Dam, Tolman, Little Wellman, Lower Togus, and Moody Ponds. Fish species present include: largemouth and sma ll mouth bass, chain pickerel, white perch, yellow perch, pumpkinseed sunfish, American eels, golden shiners, and a variety of minnows. A portion of the "Boy Scout Property" borders Spectacle Pond. This water's brown trout fishery is based on an annual stocking program .

Secondary fisheries occur for largemouth

bass, chain pickerel, white perch, and smelt. Also present are numerous beaver ftowages, several streams including Stickney, Brann, Dearborn Brooks, and several unnamed tributaries from the aforementioned ponds, many of which have brook trout popu lations.

Directions The Mud Mi 11 Property borders Route I 05 to the north . Acee s is also provided by the Old Mud Mill Road which, bisects the property and provides access to its interior. Additional access is provided by several unimproved, woods roads. Access to the Boy Scout Property is via a dirt road that branches off from the Church llill Road.

For More Information To obtain further information on Alonzo H. Garcelon Wildl ife Management Area please contact: Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, 270 Lyons Road, Sidney, ME 04330-9711 (207) 547-5312

STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP Rules Hunting/Trapping Unless otherwise MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULATION TITLE OF PUBLICATION : MAINE Fish and Wildlife provided, WMAs are open to the hunting PUBLICATION NUMBER: 320-280 FILING DATE: Sept. 18, 2001 and trapping of all wild birds and aniFREQUENCY OF ISSUE: Quarterly mals under the provisions of state and NO. OF ISSUES PUBLISHED ANNUALLY: 4 federal laws and regulations.

ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION PRICE: $9.95 COMPLETE MAILING ADDRESS OF KNOWN Motor Vehicles : The operation of OFFICE OF PUBLICATION : Maine Department of any motor vehicle, excluding motorInland Fisheries and Wildlife , 284 State Street, 41 SHS, Augusta, Maine 04333-0041 boats, within the boundaries of any FULL NAMES AND COMPLETE MAILING WMA is prohibited except as provided ADDRESSES OF PUBLISHER , EDITOR AND MANAGING EDITOR: Publisher, Maine Department of below: Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. 284 State Street, a. on roads not posted as closed or Augusta, Maine 04333; Editor, Don Kleiner, Maine restricted, Department on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife , 284 State Street, Augusta, Maine 04333; Managing Editor, Harry b. on trails designated for their use, Vanderweide, P.O. Box 351 , Augusta, Maine 04332. c. in other areas where their use is OWNER: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife , 284 State Street, Augusta, Maine 04333. specifically authorized.

KNOWN BONDHOLDERS, MORTAGEES AND Campin g/Fires: Camping and open OTHER SECURITY HOLDERS, OWNING OR HOLDfires on WMAs are prohibited except at ING 1 PERCERN OR MORE OF TOTAL AMOUNT OF

Grouse, like this one crossing a road, find the mixed growth uplands of the Garcelon WM A good habitat.

28 MAINE Fish and Wildlife

designated campsites.

Swimming: Swimming on WMAs is prohibited except at designated locat ions.

Other: Storage of personal property, cutting of live or dead trees, extraction or removal of sand or gravel, and unauthorized disposal of any material, by-products, or waste are prohibited on WMAs without written permission of the Regional Wi ldlife Biologist.

BONDS, MONTGAGES OR OTHER SECURITIES : None TAX STATUS : Has not changed during the preceding 12 months AVERAGE NO. ACTUAL NO. EXTENT AND COPIES EACH COPIES OF NATURE OF ISSUE DURING SINGLE ISSUE CI RCULATION PRECEmN G PUBLISHED 12 MONTHS NEAREST TO FILING DATE 13,000 TOTAL NO. COPIES 13,000 PAID AND/ OR REQUESTED CIRCULATION Paid/Requested Outside County Mail Subscriptions Stated on Form 3541 11 ,000 11 ,000 TOTAL PAID AND/OR REQUESTED 11,000 11 ,000 CIRCU LATION FR EE DISTRIBUTION BY MAIL 0 0 FR EE DISTRIBUTION OUTSIDE THE MAIL 1,000 1,000 TOTAL FREE DIST. 1,000 1,000 TOTAL DIST. 12,000 12,000 COPIES NOT DIST. 1,000 1,000 TOTAL 13,000 13,000 PER CENT PAID AND/OR REQU ESTED CIRC. 91 .6% 91 .6% I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. - Don Kleiner, Director of Public Information and Education

Winter 2002

Open daily, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

April 15 to November 11

Want to know more? \1 It

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We have 23 offices located around our di\ersified tate that are specialized in many different avenues for a ll of your real estate needs. Please check out our statewide website. It will enable you lo reach any of the abo,c listed offices for all the services they provide.

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Winter 2002 29

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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

Maine Fish & Wildlife

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MAINE Fish and Wi ldlife

George Pulkkinen Maine Fish & Wildlife Magazine PO Box 1457, Yarmouth, ME 04096 Telephone: 1-800-276-0883

Phone 207-435-6156 Winter

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Winter 2002 31

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