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Maine State Documents Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Magazine
Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
9-1-2004
Maine Fish and Game Magazine, Fall 2004 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, Fall 2004" (2004). Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Magazine. Book 7. http://digitalmaine.com/ifw_magazine/7
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I ESTATE LIBRA Y LIBRARY USE ONLY
EC 1 6 2004
DID YOU KNOW? FEDERAL LAW may prohibit you from: • Possessing a gun if you've been convicted of assaulting: ./ your child; ./ your spouse or live-in partner (past or present); or ./ the mother or father ofyour child. 18
u.s.c. § 922(g)(9)
• Possessing a gun if you are subject to a final protection from abuse 18 u.s.c. § 922(g)(8) order. • Possessing a gun if you are a convicted felon. 18
u.s.c. § 922(g)(1)
• Providing a handgun to anyone under age 18. 18 U.S.C. § 922(x)
• Buying a gun for someone who is prohibited from owning a gun. 18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(6) and 922(d)
• Selling a gun to someone who lives out of state. 18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(S)
• Lying on an application to buy a gun. 18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(6)
IGNORANCE OF THE LAW IS NO EXCUSE. PA OJ EC T
**
SAFEii
NEIGHBORHOODS * *
Am 1ca'1 ctwork Ag11nst Gun Viol
ca
Project Safe Neighborhoods Task Force United States Attorney - District of Maine Portland, Maine (207) 771-3294 psnmaine usdoj.gov
Page 2 MAINE Fish and Wildlife
Fall 2004
Governor John E. Baldacci Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Roland D. Martin, Commissioner Paul F. Jacques, Deputy Commissioner Kenneth H. Elowe, Director, Bureau of Resource Management Richard Record, Director, Bureau of Administrative Services Thomas Santaguida, Colonel, Bureau of Warden Service Andrea Erskine Assistant to the Commissioner Advisory Council David A. Wardwell , Penobscot, Chairman Raymond H. Poulin Jr., Ripley, Vice Chairman Tenley A. Meara, Topsham R. Leo Keiffer, Caribou Sara Dyer, New Gloucester John Law, Mexico Raymond Picard, Newcastle Harlow Floyd, Holden Lance Wheaton, Forest City Robert. S. Savage, Limington Marc Michaud, 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 $14.95 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, 2002. 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 Periodical Postage Paid at Augusta, Maine 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
Editorial
4
Comm. Roland Martin
Bear referendum is over; where do we go from here?
Warden Service
5
Tom Seymour
Focusing on voluntary compliance and in tentional offenders.
Stream Restoration
7
Tom Seymour
All about pebble counts and flu vial geomorphology.
Moose Hunting
9
Kathy Chamberlain
Lesson s and life savors from a lady first-timer.
Youth Waterfowl Hunt
12
Cathy Genthner
Excitement strengthens Maine's hunting heri tage.
Warden's Wife
14
Rev. Dana Kadey
Tribute to a special wo man, one of a rare breed.
City Slickers
15
Lisa Kane
A centerfold pullout feature on birds that live with people.
Shocking Technology
19
Cathy Genthner
The Department has a new electrofisher boat.
Problem Whitetails
22
Bob Humphrey
The Department is prepared to deal with problem deer.
Float Plane Update
24
Bill Graves
Eagle Lake base gets major improvements.
About the Cover: The late Maine wildlife photographer Bill Silliker Jr. captured this photo of a mature Maine whitetail buck during the rut. Fall 2004 Page 3
Editorial
Where Do We Go From Here? The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife faced one of its toughest tests ever this past November. Maine voters who went to the polls were confronted with a referendum question that stated, "Do you want to make it a crime to hunt bears with bait, traps or dogs, except to protect property, public safety or for research?" The department decided early in this campaign that we would firmly oppose this referendum. There were many reasons, but foremost was the fact that it would jeopardize our bear management program, as well as impact much of the state economically. Governor Baldacci supported the department in its decision to defeat the referendum, and throughout the campaign, he was firm and outspoken against the referendum, believing that biologists and game management professionals best carried out wildlife management. It was reassuring to know that the voters of Maine decisively rejected r this referendum by a 53-47 margin, and in my opinion, this was an endorsement of the department's bear management program. It also was a watershed moment for the entire outdoor community in Maine. Never before have J seen one issue pull together so many diverse groups to form and defeat this referendum. In the past, many of these groups have fought with each other, but in this campaign, differences were set aside, and the outdoor community united to defeat this referendum. Now that the vote is over, the question has been posed, where do we go from here? Certainly, there were issues with our bear management program that struck a chord with voters. While the referendum was defeated, there was some part of Question 2 that prompted a significant amount of people to vote in favor of it, and we need to take a look at how that will affect the way we manage our bear population in the future. In addition, supporters of the referendum have made it clear that they intend to pursue this anti-hunting and anti-trapping agenda. Maine Friends of Animals have stated they are considering introducing legislation in this next legislature in regard to all trapping practices. As a department, we are closely reviewing the results of this vote, as well as reviewing our bear management program. We will make sure that Maine stays at the forefront of bear research and management, and continue to be a model for other states. We will continue to ensure that hunters abide by the rules of fair chase, and review our trapping policies to ensure that people are using best management practices for trapping. We will also look at broadening our outreach programs. Three counties voted in favor of this measure, while 13 counties voted to defeat it. The measure passed only in the more suburban and urban areas of the state, and as a department, we must do a better job of educating our citizens on the importance of hunting and trapping. Hunting in Maine is a special part of our heritage, however, each year, there are more and more non-hunters, while the number of hunters stays relatively the same. This department and all outdoor enthusiasts need to better educate our non-hunters about the importance of hunting and the continued need to manage our wildlife. 1f we do that, when another referendum concerning hunting arises, hopefully, non-hunters and non-consumptive users will have a greater understanding of hunters, the importance of hunting both as a management tool and for its economic value, and they will support our hunting tradition. We in Maine are blessed with a wealth of natural resources. As an agency, we are entrusted with care of this public trust, and must answer to the public as to how and why we care for these resources in the manner that we do. As we move forward, we must be more inclusive. I welcome your thoughts and opinions.
Page 4 MAI E Fish and Wildlife
Fall 2004
Maine's Warden Service Focusing on Voluntary Compliance and Intentional Offenders By Tom Seymour hat does a television detective show have in common with the Maine Warden Service? Techniques. According to Colonel Thomas A. Santaguida, chief game warden, the Warden Service Investigations Division employs all the traditional investigative methods, much like the ones shown on the silver screen. Santaguida pointed out that in addition to the typical methods, the Investigations Division has every modern device at its disposal. For instance, investigators still use fingerprinting, but now also have access to such space-age assistance as DNA technology. Such modern technology has brought the Maine Warden Service into the twentyfirst century in a big way. The Warden Service Investigations Division combines time proven tactics with modern, state-of-the-art methods. Technology is a great help, but it must be said that oldfashioned determination remains a telling factor. According to Santaguida, the Maine Department of Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIF&W) Investigations Division, a part of the Maine Warden Service, employs a Sergeant and three full-time lnvestigators , positions that carry the title of Game Warden [nvestigator. This group takes referrals from local wardens and others concerning i Ilegal fish and wildlife activities. After assessing each individual case, the investigators determine whether or not to investigate further. If an investigation is warranted, an investigator or team of investigators will investigate and deal with the complaint
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MAINE Fish and Wildlife
A large contingent of game wardens gather together to plan strategy and assignments before setting out on a major poaching ring bust. Mark Latti photo and the suspected lawbreakers.
Teamwork Is Crucial These Warden/Detectives often get requests from, and ultimately work hand-in-hand with, other state agencies, Federal agencies and fish and wildlife agencies from other states. By way of example, in the year 2002, requests for investigations came from the following sources: 412 from Maine Game Wardens, and 37 from out-of-state agencies, the Federal Government and the Marine Patrol. These requests resulted in 236 investigations and as of December 3 J, an approximate total of $45,000 in fines, 964 days in jail and five years in probation for the offenders. I asked Colonel Santaguida if Operation Game Thief (OGT), the tollfree hotline run by MDIF&W, played a
significant role in initiating large-scale operations from the Investigative Unit. Santaguida surprised me by saying, "All large operations don't necessarily tie into Operation Game Thief." Santaguida explained that while OGT is a valuable tool, the investigators are often alerted to large-scale poaching operations through other means, in addition to Operation Game Thief.
Poachers Don't Care The gravity of some offenses surprises many people. As an example of an average case, Santaguida said, "An average case might be that of a poacher who took 100 trout and put them in his freezer." While it may seem that such an offense was excessive for even the most hardened lawbreaker, but Santaguida said, "They're poachers. They don't Fall 2004 Page 5
think like regular, honest sportsmen. These people get up in the morning and decide that they will go out that day and kill 100 trout. It's what they do." The Investigations Division runs more than 200 investigations each year, resulting in between $30,000 and $50,000 in fines annually. One recent conviction alone brought a fine of $3,500. Colonel Santaguida pointed out that I00 percent of the money from fines is turned directly into the MDIF&W budget. "It's only a small part of our budget, though," Santaguida said. Santaguida said, "Most people are honest. We're not out to nickel-and-dime the average sportsman." The Colonel explained that since he and former Warden Service Colonel Timothy Peabody took office, the Maine Warden Service had adopted a new stance. That is, to be extra-tough on intentional, repeat violators, while at the same time educating the law-abiding sporting public, rather than trying for convictions for unintentional offenses. Santaguida said that the Maine Wardens were not out to impose a fine on the father who takes his son fishing and through an imperfect knowledge of the fishing regulations, commits an infraction. "It's better to educate these folks," Santaguida said, "than to summons them. Through a warning and a discussion, we can foster a positive outdoor
When the warden service conducts a major operation on a group of poachers the result can be stacks of evidence that need to be recorded and stored until trials can take place. Mark Latti photo experience and create a long-term supporter of the outdoors and the department. A hastily issued fine could turn both the father and son off to the outdoors forever, which is a missed opportunity for the department."
Outdoor Partners Colonel Santaguida also discussed MDIF&W's Outdoor Partners Program (OPP). Created in the spring of 2000, the OPP trailer has appeared at various outdoor events, fairs, festivals, and at strategic, high-visibility points along highways. The wardens who operate the trailer are equipped with a huge arsenal of helpful material such as maps, posters, brochures and other written
When poachers illegally shoot deer and moose trophies, they are stealing from everyone. Mark Latti photo Page 6 MAINE Fi sh and Wildlife
material. People readily took to this opportunity to talk with a Maine Game Warden in a relaxed atmosphere and to discuss the various laws, rules and regulations that govern their various sports. Santaguida said that in past years, some Maine Wardens were too focused on issuing citations. The difference today is that where possible, the Warden Service is determined to educate the average person rather than seek a conviction. "But," Santaguida said, "The real poacher. need to look out. Anybody who has it in their heart to commit an offense in Maine's outdoors should know that we will catch them." This two-part approach works, as indicated by the above-mentioned facts and figures. So what does this mean for the average, law-abiding sportsman? Just this. It is good to know that the Warden Service is devoted to informing and educating people. So while growing pressure on our natural resources mandates that rules and regulations be somewhat complex, the Maine Warden Service is there to help. The sign on the OPP trailer that reads "Hunters and Anglers Stop Here" is the best news yet for Maine sportsmen. At the same time, it is reassuring to be aware of the great scope of effort, determination, along with the vast aiTay of useful resources that the Maine Warden Investigations Division employs to protect our valuable fish and wildlife. A<:, Colonel Santaguida said, "Poachers beware. We'll get you." Fall 2004
StreaJTI Restoration By Tom Seymour In 1998, Forrest Bonney, Regional Fisheries Biologist fo r the Maine Department of [nl and Fisheri es and Wildli fe (MDI F&W) Region D, took a course in strea m restoration. What he learned fo rever changed hi s concept of what is needed to undo centuri es of degradati on to our Maine streams and ri vers. The key phrase regarding stream restorati on Bonney fo und , is something called "flu vial geomorphology". It's a long handle representing the study of landforms associated with rivers. Flu vial geomorphology is a cience, and an exact one. It incorporates detailed stud y and mea urements of stream width, depth, life forms, and in fac t, all the phys ical characteri sti cs of not only the stream, but the geography of the surroundin g countryside as well. Without such intimate know ledge of a stream, res toratio n efforts may at best be useless, and at worse, may cause long-term harm.
Cupsuptic Complaint In the late 1980s, fis hing guides on the Cupsup tic River compl ained that some of the pools were fillin g in. Thi s was prior to Bonney's more in-depth training and o, using conventional logic; he decided to re move the sed iment fro m
I
Volunteers conduct a 'pebble count' (measuring the sizes of rocks to determine their average size) on Martin Stream. This exercise is part of the stream classification process. Forrest Bonney photo the pools. Usi ng a group of local high school students a volunteers, Bonney managed to res tore the pools to their previous depth s. But the following year more sediment swept dow nstream and filled the poo ls again . It was clear that in order to remedy situations like these, it was necessary to address the causes rather than the sy mptoms.
What the heck is fluvial geomorphology anyway? MA INE Fi h and Wildlife
This all changed in 1998, as mentioned earlier. Putting his new knowledge to use, Bonney first conducted a stream urvey to determine if the river needed restoration. Such a survey takes into accou nt all the factors mentioned above, as well as the cun-ent state of fi hery and in ect habitat. After determ ining that the Cupsuptic River qualified for stream restoration work, MDIF&W enli ted a specialist to formulate a plan for re toration . In the case of the Cupsuptic, the recommendation was to install two grade control structures to reduce downstream sediment migratio n and to recon nect the river with the fl oodplain. The Cupsuptic, like so many Maine river , had once ho ted log drives. These resu lted in sedimentation, stream widening and a host of other ills. A section of the Cupsuptic had been dammed to form a lake in which to gather enough water to float the logs down tream. In later years the dam gave way, creating more ero ion. Fall 2004 Page 7
The end result was that the Cupsuptic River bore little resemblance to what it looked like prior to human intervention. This brings up the stated goal of stream restoration in general. That is, to restore the stream to its original, or primordial condition. Here's an interesting note. Bonney pointed out that treams in parts of Canada, in terrain that had never been logged, were physically different from most of our Maine streams. This is because the riparian habitat had never been destroyed and erosion, with all its accompanying problems, has never occurred.
Fry Hidey Holes In the undamaged Canadian streams, the areas between the rocks on the stream bottom are home to trout fry (erosion has not introduced sediment to fill between the rocks). Here, the young trout live, comparatively safe from predation and able to hunt insect larvae for food. In a degraded stream however, and this includes many of our Maine streams, the area between the rocks is tilled with silt. This greatly reduces the stream's capacity to produce trout. When conducting a tream survey, MDIF&W biologists take the "imbeddedness," or state of the area between the rocks, into account.
Daunting Task To properly restore a stream to its original state is a massive undertaking, requiring numerous per onnel and considerable funding, something that is in short supply to our MDLF&W biologists. The Cupsuptic project cost $10,000 while the Department's other restoration project on South Bog Stream required $20,000 to finish. Thankfully, outside source were willing to help. Paper companies donated manpower, supplies and equipment for both projects. And on the Cupsuptic, local river guides assisted in the project. Help also came from Trout Unlimited and the Trout and Salmon Foundation. Interestingly, treams and small rivers are widely dissimilar. Tn fact, Bonney pointed out that seven different tream types have been identified in Maine. These vary according to how the water gets from an imaginary "point A" to "point B." Page 8 MAI E Fish and Wildlife
This photo shows a grade control structure on the Cupsuptic River, built of logs covered with rocks and boulders. The purpose of these structures is to reduce downstream movement of sediment that was filling in pools. Forrest Bonney photo
The first type of stream might be considered as following a rather straight course, without any appreciable crooks or sharp bends. Next, would be a stream that follows a slightly more crooked path. After this, would be a stream with the occasional steep bend. The fourth type of stream has multiple channels. And the next category includes streams with sharply bending "oxbows." The last two categories include streams that are somewhere between the second and third types mentioned above. And that's not all. Streams differ according to the shape of the channel. Typically, a degraded stream might have a channel that has !illed in with sediment and becomes wider than it once was. Sometimes, because of manmade influences to the streamside geography, streams dig deeply down in the earth, forming gulleys. In Bonney's Channel Evolution Model, a typical, stable channel is shown in a cross-section. This has a mediumdepth channel in the middle, a flat floodplain and a raised terrace. This is a healthy . tream and needs no restructuring. Sometimes, though, the stream suffers from widening and the sides of the channel cave in. It's called bank failure and is a sure signal of the beginning of
the end of the stream's health. Rather then describing further specifies, suf!ice it to say that the scientific approach is absolutely necessary to remedying these situations. Bonney and other Department staffers take everything one-step at a time, in their effort to addre s the problem and return the stream to its original state.
Ongoing Process Oddly enough, the application of such an approach is so new that Bonney ays it i difficult to predict the end result with I00 percent certainty. Bonney says it will take time to evaluate all the data collected from stream restoration projects. So the science of stream restoration is an ongoing process- an art no less than the art of medicine or any other similar endeavor. Judging from an initial view of the two projects undertaken thus far, it appears as if the work has been successful and certainly, the streams look different, better and healthier. This is apparent even to the untrained eye. Looking at photos of the completed grade contro l structures placed on the Cupsuptic River, it is difficult to tell that this has been a manmade project. Rather, the boulders (Continued on Page 29)
Fall 2004
LESSONS AND LIFE SAVORS FROMA FIRST TIME LADY MOOSE HUNTER By Kathy Chamberlain Former Radio Dispatcher Sidney HQs Maine Warden Service
MAINE Fish and Wildlife
Kathy Chamberlain and her partner Granville pose with her moose. Christmas came early for me last year. I could scarcely believe my eyes when I saw my name on the newly drawn 2003 Moose Permit List for WMD (Wildlife Management District) 8. I have a wonderful partner, Granville, who is an outdoorsman himself. He has a deep appreciation for the outdoors, has drawn two moose permits himself, and was now going to be my sub-permittee. After enjoying many trips to his camp in Rockwood, riding dirt road after dirt road and relishing every bit of wildlife we laid eyes on, I fell in love with the North Maine woods - the "other Maine." I learned to scan every bush , tree, field, and clear-cut and tote road, hoping to get a glimpse of any wildlife. We saw many moose on those trips, and once a bear that chose to hang out in the road for a bit before he ambled off. Now, I was ready to try my hand at getting a moose. "How hard can it be?" I asked myself. Having been on three prior moose hunts, helping friends scout to fill their own coveted moose permits, and seeing many moose during the years, I thought it would be a simple thing to get a moose, though I had never hunted in my life. l had no idea that this moose hunt would be one of the biggest learning experiences of my life!
Learning Experience: Seeing the biggest, most beautiful, perfectly symmetrical antlered bull moose two weeks before hunting season is no guarantee that you will look him in the face again during Moose Week! Moose can roam within a four-mile radius or more, so chances were good (and it proved true), that I would not see him again. Learning Experience: Realizing that the bulls you do see during the weekend before the hunt that ignore your attempt at calling them doesn ' t work because ... THEY ARE NOT RUTTING ANYMORE! Life 'Savor': Watching a red squirrel go round and round a birch tree, gathering up pieces of it in his mouth until he couldn't hold any more and darting off to build his wintering hole. Opening Day. Getting up at 5:00 a.m., I excitedly donned my brand new camouflage coat, blue jeans, gloves , hiking boots and of course, orange hat. I had on my dangly moose ean-ings, and an orange bandana. Well , a girl 's got to still look like a girl in all that camouflage, doesn ' t she? My yellow moose transportation tag and hunting license were in my back pocket and I had three bullets in my right front coat pocket, with extras (which I hoped I wouldn ' t need) in my left front pocket. Learning Experience: Don ' t wear Fall 2004 Page 9
anything that's going to flash in the sunlight and spook your quarry off! Learning Experience: Put on more clothing than you need, because dressing in layers enables you to peel off as you need to, but it's difficult to add on, especially if you don't have anything to add on. Life Savor: The appreciation of being a first time hunter and taking that first real walk down into a "honey hole", a place where there were many moose tracks. I was barely breathing at all in anticipation of something suddenly appearing in front of us! Who knew? We had to be on the watch all the time, which proved to be somewhat overwhelming. Life Savor: Standing about I 00 feet from a beautiful cow moose, and having a stare down for about 10 minute ¡ before she decided to shuffle off. Regret: The fact that I had a Bull Only permit in my hip pocket, because she was a keeper. Life Savor: Watching her unconcernedly stripping leaves from a branch by running her mouth the length of the branch. Regret: Being sucked in to another hunter's moose call, believing it was finaJly going to be "the One!" Learning Experience: Feeling a bit deflated by mid-afternoon on Tuesday because you felt you should have had your moose by now. Moose fever? Patience? Big Learning Experience: Finally getting a long distance shot off at a big bull, only to have him go up a hill and disappear; only then to climb that hill, find a blood spot and track him that late afternoon with several others, unti I 11 :00 at night with nothing to show for it. Learning Experience: To go on your first ever blood trail and be amazed at the two who were heading up the search and their abil ity to find blood spot after blood spot, until the blood trail dried up; making the decision that this moose was st ill moving and going to be okay. Calling the local warden to advise him of the same and he is supportive and complimentary in telling you a lot of hunters wouldn't pend four hours chasing game and we had done well to try. Life Savor: Spending four hours Page 10 MAI E Fish and Wildlife
with your friends at camp, who are willing to truck up along a mountaintop, helping you hunt fo r your wounded moose. Being rich in friends who are willing to do so. Thanks again, guys . Learning Experience: Spend enough pre-hunt time practicing with the gun you are going to use during the hunt, so that you are comfortable with it and able to take good fair chase shots. Learning Experience: Discuss ahead of time with your hunting partner exactly how yo u plan to respond when the time comes. Tt will not on ly save a lot of work, but also avoid mistakes on either part. Granville hesitated a bit because it was my first permit and he wanted me to shoot first if I could. Learning Experience: Flagging yo ur blood trail is important for two reasons. One, for being able to quickly look back at the last spots you were at and two, for finding yo ur way back down the mountain when you are through. Life Savor: Freshly laundered hunting clothes during moose week, because one day it rained so hard, it wasn't conducive to hunting. Making a run to Indian Hill Trading Post to replenish food supplies and grilling a big ole rib eye on the camp gri ll -delicious! Life Savor: Thursday morning, walking down a dead end wood road at pre-sunrise hours, only to see at the crest of the hill in front of you, the silhouette of a big bull moose, back lit by the soon to be rising sun. Beautiful. Live Savor: Driving over to view the nicely palmed bull that your friend in camp just got and sharing in their success; not to mention having some of the tenderloin from that moose for supper that night, with fresh string beans and mashed potato. "Hey, Grandpa, what's for suppah?'" Life Savor: On Friday, cresting a tote road, on ly to see an eagle rise up from the remains of a moose carcass. there anything more graceful than an eagle, soaring through the air? Learning Experience: RealiLing on Friday, with only one day left to hunt, that a moose permit is a permit to HU T, not to shoot, or "heater hunt", the nickname for those hunters who hunt by riding around in their vehicles. It' the hunt that counts. Hunting from the road used
Maine moose hunter Kathy Chamberlain pauses for a moment of reflection on her moose hunt. to work, but now that the clear-cuts are all grown up, they don't all ow you to see much anymore. You must get out of your vehicle, do some hiking into the woods and get away from the roads. lt's going to be even more challenging in the years to come. Learning Experience: Knowing this is your last day of the 2003 Moose Hunt, you don't have your moose yet, but wanting to remain hopeful that this will, in fact, be the day. Then getting an opportunity mid-morning to shoot at a nice bull that you not on ly don't hit, you watch walk away and disappear. Feeling the tears of frustration well up in your eyes thinking you may have just blown your last chance to get a moose. Learning that you should follow your shot through the scope, after firing in stead of looking up over it to see if you did hit it. Follow through is everything. Learning Experience: Having learned this week that you sneak up on a moose single file so that it may appear like only one person is coming, instead of the whole gang, spread across the road like Wyatt Earp and company. Shhhhh ... l'm hunting moooooose! Learning Experience: Learning that you shouldn't stand too close to your sub-permittee, so that when he fires your ears don't instantly start ringing making to impossible to hear the others encouraging you to shoot because the moose is still standing there, but im,tcad start running up the hill towards it. Where were Fall 2004
you going? To watch the moose walk off? Learning Experience: Not to move once you start shooting, keep your position and follow through . Reflective Life Savor: By midafternoon on the last day of moose week, to decide to be at peace with yourself if you don't go home with a moose. To ignore your heart's murmuring that you really do want to get one, but if it's not to be, it's not to be. Really Big Life Savor: At 5:30 p.m. on the last day of moose week, to step out into a clearing, face two young bull moose, fire at the bigger one, and watch as it falls over. .. finally, success, sweet success! Learning Experience/Savor: In your excitement, after firing the first shot, not bringing the bolt all the way back, which causes a jam in your rifle. Letting your partner continue to fire to ensure it is a good clean, fair kill. You did every-
thing right, fired a good initial shot, followed it through and watched it go down. Life Savor: Having the fortitude to go to the 11th hour, to believe you can still get a moose, though you haven't had things go tight all week. Being satisfied that you saw it through to the end. It was 7:00 p.m. by the time the moose was gutted out and we were back on the road, and too late to go to Greenville to tag it. We hung the moose up at camp and prayed the coyotes we heard baying in the distance would not come up this way to investigate during the night. Sunday Morning Savors: Enjoying the ride to Greenville to the tagging station. Watching as the wildlife biologist there took down data, telling us our moose was about a year and a half old and weighing him in at 405 pounds. Finally relaxing on the ride from Greenville to the butcher shop in DoverFoxcroft and appreciating the thumbs up
people gave us as they drove by. What satisfaction we had in watching your moose being skinned and being handed the tenderloins to take home with you. Temporary Anxious Moments: Missing the fact that the registration tag in the moose's leg had snapped off when he was lowered back into the truck after weighing and getting to Dover-Foxcroft, only to be asked, "Where's your tag?" Calling the Warden Sgt to find out if the tag was at the tagging station. Phew! He called back with the number. All set, all legal; we can now go home. This entire week was one of the biggest learning experiences I have ever had. As I pointed out to you , there were many, many things that first- time hunters, and especially first time moose hunters, should learn about and do. I wouldn't trade thi s entire week's experience for anything, because I emerged from this week as a true Outdoors Woman- a hunter, a provider of our winter food supply, a better Hunter Safety Instructor and with a new respect for moose and the sport of hunting. It can't be beat. A very special thank you to my wonderful partner, Granville and to all of those who came to camp for the week, who helped us scout, track, and were there for general upport: Cliff, Dave, Dayton , Jonathan, Jimmy, Bonnie, Brian, Jake, Darlene, Russell, Ryan , Jamie, Dawn, Arthur, and Ron . Thank you all. Cost of supplie for moose week including gas, food and ammunition: $400. Cost of new hunting clothes: $125.00. Getting a moo e: PRICELESS .
Kathy Chamberlain 's bull moose being weighed in at the Greenville checking station. MAINE Fi sh and Wildlife
Fall 2004 Page 11
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By Cathy Genthner David Sanborn began duck hunting when he was ten years old on Ma ine's special Junior Waterfowl Huntin g Day. ow, at the age of 14, he is defin itely hooked on the sport, and it is something he plans to do throughout hi s entire li fe . "When I am older, I wa nt to hunt. There's no po in t in sitting around and getting fat. I like to get out. It is a thrill to see the duck come in, and then you take the duck right out of th e air and get to see the dog retrieve it," said Sanborn . "I rea lly enjoy the youth waterfow l hun t because it gives you one more day to get out and hu nt, because when yo u are in schoo l, you can on ly get out one day a week during the regu lar season." Duck hunting for the Sanborns is a family event - and a fa mily traditi on. After the hunt, the entire fa mil y goes out for a big breakfast to discuss the hunt
Thirteen-year-old Dave Sanborn is seen here in his canoe with his dog Burdock and in the background, his father, Major Gregg Sanborn and dog Briar on Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day, 2003. that happened onl y minutes ago, as we ll as hunts that took pl ace year ago. "It is a window of opportu ni ty to ex peri ence so methi ng rea ll y pec ial in li fe," said game warden Major Gregg Sanborn, Dav id's fa ther. "At ten years of age, my son wasn't ab le to effectively use the shotgun , so my wife and I had to tand ri ght with him and tell hi m what to do. Last year, when he was 13, all J did
Ten -year old Dave Sanborn is shown here during his ve,y first hunt with his mother Deborah, and Brittany Spaniel Burdock, on September 23, 2000. Page 12 MAIN
Fish and Wi ldlife
was stand back and ca ll. He knew how to lead the ducks and he ended up shootin g his limit in 45 mi nutes. I wou ld like to thin k that years from now, he will look back on those days on the wetlands very fondly." Other waterfowl hunters share this same enthusiasm. Talk to any hunter, no matter what his or her age, and they will te ll yo u there is nothing like watching the su nri se as a pread of dark decoys cast shadows on the water. The tillness of the dawn is shattered by the sounds of birds cuttin g th rough the sky with th eir wings and their ca ll s. Your heart pounds profusely a you wait for the nap of feathers to get within range and then, you fire and your dog eagerly respond , running and then sw imm ing towa rd the game. "There are very few things in life that I cherish as much as be ing on a wetland and hearing the ducks and the night birds," aid anborn. "The anticipation as you hear the ducks Oy around i rea ll y intense. Kids are able to experience the thrill of having ducks come into the decoys. Even if they don't hit them, they still have action. The 'p lay talion' that a Fall 2004
lot of kids are really into isn't the real world. Duck hunting is very much a part of the real world." The Junior Waterfowl Hunt has been going on since 1997. In 2004, the hunt is on Saturday, September 25 and is open to hunters who are at least ten years old, but younger than 16 and posses a junior hunting license. An approved adult who holds a valid Maine hunting license or has successfully completed a hunter safety course must accompany youngsters. In 2005 , the hunt will be on Saturday, September 24. " [ have taken a young person every year since this special day began ," said Brad Allen, a wildlife biologist who is the bird group leader. "It is a great deal of fun to see a young hunter experience his or her very first duck. The young person gets to see lots of wildlife. For most of us, just being there and sharing the outdoor experiences arc rewards enough. Actually seeing a young person shoot a duck and take it home is just icing on the cake!" In an effort to encourage youths to participate, no stamps are required for this special oneday hunt and shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. "I think it is a great idea. Maine has a rich tradition of hunting, trapping and fishing, and our legislators, through the voice of the people, have come up with these special youth days - whether it is waterfowl, deer hunting or fishing, it gives youth their own special day to enjoy the outdoors," said Game Warden Dave Georgia, whose district includes parts of Penobscot and Hancock counties . "lfwe don 't take the kids hunting
Youth waterfowl hunter Forrest Wardwell of Orland proudly shows off the black duck and ring-necked duck. MAINE Fish a nd Wildlife
today, they may not do it when they get older. Everyone is wrapped up in technology, so we need to get kids back outdoors and involved to make sure the outdoor heritage is preserved ." According to waterfowl biologists, the most common birds shot on youth waterfowl day include: black duck, mallard, green-winged teal, blue-winged teal, wood duck, ring-necked duck, hooded merganser, common merganser and Canada goose. The best time to hunt birds is just as the sun is coming up. Unlike sitting in a tree stand for hours on end, waterfowl hunting really gets the adrenaline flowing - for the youth as well as the adult. "When a young hunter is learning, action is the key to keeping a person interested. So it is important that they see game and get some shots off in order to maintain that interest in the sport," said Sanborn . "It provides an opportunity for young hunters to get a very fast-paced hunt with lots of action because this time of year, the birds haven't been hunted yet. The weather in late September is beautiful and with a little bit of prescouting, a young hunter can have all kinds of action in a short period of time." The youth waterfowl hunt, deer hunt, turkey hunt and fishing days are all designed to give kids the opportunity to experience Maine's outdoor heritage. "Until these youth days were started, we were seeing the number of anglers and hunters going down," said Game Warden Chris Dyer whose district covers the Old Town area. "It lets the kids know there is more to life than just staying at home with the television and the computer. It gives them an outlet for all their energy and keeps them from getting into trouble. It is a great way to spend a family outing. Plus, while you are out there duck hunting, you see other wildlife as well." Dyer, who is also a registered Maine Guide, volunteered his services and took a 14- year old youth out turkey hunting on his first hunt. The experience was something to remember, for the youth as well as Dyer, a veteran hunter. "It was better than actually doing it yourself. Just to see his reaction when the turkeys came in was really something," said Dyer. "The young man shot a 15- pound Jake Uuvenile male turkey).
Forrest Wardwell of Orland proudly shows off the ring-necked duck that he shot in a midcoast Maine marsh. ow he is looking forward to turkey hunting again." A survey conducted by mail in 2001 revealed that roughly nine-percent of adult waterfowl hunters take a youth hunting on this special youth waterfowl day. The benefits to both youth and adult are priceless. "I believe that many adults get satisfaction from teaching a younger person how to hunt," said Andrew Weik, a wildlife biologist in the migratory and upland game bird program. "It also gives everyone involved time to spend with friends and family in Maine's beautiful outdoors." Getting youth involved through these special days, sponsored by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, has resulted in generating a greater interest in the outdoor heritage of Maine. "The youth days are taking right off. It's been a big seller to get youth involved in our outdoor traditions, especially during the duck season "said Dyer. "This, along with a special day of deer hunting that lets them take a buck or doe, regardless of whether or not they have an any-deer permit, has generated a lot of interest among young people, especially in northern Maine where there are very few permits given out." That interest, which is fostered today through special youth days, will grow into a thriving heritage as hunters and anglers pass on their love for the sport to future generations . Fall 2004 Page 13
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By Rev. Dana Kadey Maine Sportsmen are in debt. We owe the Warden's Wife. While he is protecting us and our sporting heritage, she is holding down the home front. With seldom a word of thanks and no salary, she carries on. She cooks a four-course supper that can be served hot in a time span of between 5 minutes and 5 hours. There is also enough for the three other wardens that might arrive with her warden. Her house is always neat and clean despite the fact that L.L. Bean boots don't come off at the door. Somehow the five beaver pelts, th is suspiciously dead fox, and the two muskrats seem to fit in. The blood from the moose cut up on the kitchen counter mysteriously disappears, replaced with the fragrance of lemon and lilac. She bottle feeds an orphan fawn deer 13 times a day because the wildl ife sanctuary people are away to a conference. She is an expert on fish and w ildlife regulations. They have to know now. What is the slot for Big Lake? What is the lim it on woodcock? When does the second moose season start? She's on the phone in the middle of the night comforting a sobbing nother whose teenage son is missing. They've found the overturned boat and the Ii fe jackets. All the wh ile she is bouncing her sick son on her knee. She's alone again tonight and has a hankering for a feed of the smelts in the fridge, but they are evidence, so she opens a can of sardines . Many important event are attended alone: Her daughter's fifth birthday party, the fir t high school prom. Her son's baptism and his installation to the National Honor ociety. And when we can go places together we go in separate vehicles, ju tin ca e he gets called out. She has just finished with the lipstick. He has the evening off. They are going out to celebrate their 17th wedding anniversary. The phone rings. An elderly Page 14 MAINE Fish and Wi ldlife
On August 30, 2004, Game Warden Sergeant Mike Marshall and his wife Dottie, of Princeton, Maine, were on vacation in Iowa. They were traveling west on Route 64 in Wyoming, Iowa, when they were involved in a head on car accident. Dottie did not survive. She died three days later at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City. Mike was not badly injured. Mike and Dottie were married 26 years ago, the day after he graduated from Warden School. Their first assignment was the Grand Lake Stream district in Washington County. The Marshal Family They bought an old farm house in nearby Township 21 and fixed it up. There , they raised two children , Jen and Jason who have now both graduated from college are in the work force. Jen had just married in July. Dottie was a dedicated wife and mother. Throughout the years , Mike's promotional assignments took the family from their base home in Washington County to York and Aroostook counties , but Dottie always lovingly supported her husband as well as the mission of the Maine Warden Service. Dottie's funeral was held at the Princeton Baptist Church on September 9th. It was a large funeral attended by many members of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife , relatives and friends . The family is truly honored to have so much support. One of the ministers that took part in the service was Pastor Dana Kadey who has been a longtime friend and neighbor of the Marshalls. He demonstrated that he was a rather astute observer of the family including the role played by a dedicated warden's wife. He wrote th is essay and read it during the funeral service as a tribute to all warden's wives, especially Dottie .
man with A lzheimer's is lost in the woods. She helps her warden load the truck . She welcomes him home at 2:30 am with a ki . Perfume, and a gleam in her eye. Later that week, she shares with a c lose friend, "It wa our be t anniversary ever!" Her warden has been false ly accused of di honorable conduct, again. Thi time by a night hunter with multiple convictions. Wi ll he be unjustly suspended or dismissed? Last month's oil bill ha n't been paid. he knows. She ha to take care of the family finance .
She picks her son up al school. Waiting with him is a classmate who needs a ride home. A ride she cheerfully gives despite the fact that the boy's father tried to run down her warden last winter with a snowmobile. When alone at night he has that lingering fear when the phone rings. Will it be that call? Was breakfast this morning our last meal together'/ She worries, but she carries on because she is "The Warden's Wife." And Dottie wa one of the best.
Fall 2004
Peregrine Falcons Ea/p per~rilta.r Peregrine falcons are -,s,.:,..iiir:- about the size of a crow. The wings and back of the peregines are dark gray, the underside light with horizontal bars. The head sports a distinctive black "helmet" with "sideburns" and the feet and bill are yellow.
Peregrine falcons feed only on other birds, ranging in size from warblers to mid-sized 1.1u.t,;;a:,. They chase their pre over open by
Page 16 MAINE Fish and Wil dli fe
Peregrine falcons historically nested at 16 locations throughout Maine. ranging from the Downeast coast to the western mountains and northern Maine. However, chemical contaminants such as DDT led to the decline of the species. By the 1960's, peregrines were no longer breeding in the eastern US.
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Peregrine falcons were listed as endangered both federally and in Maine. Recovery efforts in Maine began in 1984, with a captive breeding and reintroduction program. In 1987 the first wild pair returned to Maine. By 1999, the peregrine falcon had recovered enough to be removed from the federal Endangered Species List. Today, peregrines nest throughout Maine, although their numbers are low and they are still on the state endangered species list.
Peregrine falcons are very agile flyers. They can reach speeds up to 200 mph when diving, and make many twists, and_ ¡
Fall 2004
Peregrine falcons nest on shelterecl ledges in cliff faces, and occasionally on top of tall buildings, beginning in March or April. Young peregrines begin flying in June or July, and begin dispersing in late summer. An average of 2 young successfully
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Fall 2004 Page 17
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City Slickers ~
Need to Know
Bird #1
Birds are all around us, but how many of them do you know by name? Even in cities, where it seems that birds might not have an easy time, birds have made themselves right at home. Some of them are your neighbors, whether you live in a huge city, a suburb or a smaller community. To help you get to know your bird neighbors better, we're giving you clues that help identify five of the most common urban birds.
1. When hunting, this bird can dive at speeds greater than 200 miles per hour, making it the fasted bird species in the world. 2. The name of this bird means "wanderer," "traveler," "foreigner" or "roving," which is appropriate because it is found on many continents around the world. 3 These birds scrape their nests into soil or gravel, usually on a high cliff, bridge or building. Tall buildings offer them the perfect vantage point for spotting and diving down on their prey. 4. This bird has dark blue-gray coloring on its back and wings, with a whitish underside and belly. On its face is a dark gray mustache.
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Taking Flight! Guess the names of common city birds based on these clues. Read the clues on the card for the first bird. Read one clue at a time and see of you think you know what the bird is. Try to guess the bird after reading each clue. If you do not guess what the bird is, read the next clue. If you don't know the name of the bird by the time you reach the last clue, check the answers on Page 28.
This activity is adapted from "Flying Wild, An educator's Guide to Celebrating Birds ," by the Council for Environmental Education. For more information about Project Wild and Flying Wild, contact Lisa Kane , Project Wild coordinator at : Lisa.Kane@maine.gov or 207-287- 3303 MAINE Fish and Wildlife
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Bird#2 1. The most numerous bird in North
Amer ica, more than 200 million of these are found across most of the continent. They can mimic the sounds other birds make. 2. In 1890 about 100 of these European birds were released in New York City's Central Park in an effort to introduce to North America all the birds mentioned in William Shakespeare's writ ings. 3. These birds mainly eat berries and insects, but also snack on fru its , grains , seeds and even garbage.
Fall 2004 Page 15
To do more research about urban birds, and possibly come up with clues about birds not included in this activity, visit the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's guide to the most common urban birds at:
www.birds. corne/1. edul programs/urbanbirds/ BirdGuide The website also includes photographs of each bird it covers.
Bird #3 1. Originally a western U.S. Species, a few small birds were released on Long Island, New York in 1940 and spread quickly through other parts of the U.S. and Canada. 2. Males and females are mostly a gray-brown color with heavy streaks on their chests and bellies. 3. The males have colorful heads, cheeks, necks and rumps that are bright red to orange-yellow. The color depends on the food they eat. Certain pigments in their food affects their color - like you turning orange if you eat a lot of carrots. 4. These birds are not picky about where they eat - on the ground, in trees and shrubs and at bird feeders . Their favorite foods are buds , seeds from trees weeds and fruits. 5. These birds use fine material such as weeds , stems , roots , string and feathers to build their nests.
Bird #4
Even in cities, where it seems birds might not have an easy time, they have made themselves at home.
1. These "city slickers" are often found on roofs, ledges, bridges and parking garages - looking for food on the ground. 2. Both the male and female take care of the young. The male collects small twigs , one at a time, while the female actually builds the nest. 3. These birds eat almost anything, including seeds, waste grain, corn and fruit. They also eat popcorn, bread, peanuts and other scraps that humans leave behind. 4.These birds are also known as "winged rats." 5. These are colorful birds with iridescent neck feathers in different colors and patterns. Some even have feather "stockings" on their legs.
Bird #5 1. During the fall and winter these urban birds may r oost together in large groups, by the hundreds, thousands or even tens of thousands. 2. These birds mostly eat vegetables , including a lot of corn , but also insects , spiders, millipedes , worms , snails , salamanders , lizards and even small mammals and other small animals that are found dead. They also eat other birds' eggs , to the point of being a major predator for some. 3. They build their nest high up in pines or other coniferous trees and their nests are built of large sticks. 4. Their call sounds like "Caw , caw, caw." 5. These birds are glossy black all over have dark eyes and bills.
(ANSWERS ON PAGE 28)
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Fa ll 2004
Shocking Technology! The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife uses its recently-acquired electrofisher boat for fisheries research and management By Cathy Genthner In the dark of the night, when the fish are feeding, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife's "electrofisher boat" can be seen easing along Maine's lakes, ponds and rivers. The boat sends a short electric current out into the water, stunning fish so they can be easily collected with nets. From the nets, the fish are placed into a livewell on the boat. The fish are then examined by fisheries biologists to determine their species, gender, size, health , age, and
whether stocked or wild. The fish are not harmed by this process, and are returned alive once the biological information has been collected. The Department has operated the boat for over two years now, and the resulting sampling efficiencies have saved numerous hours of staff time and have improved the quantity and quality of the data collected. "It is state of the art technology - one of the newest pieces of equipment that the fisheries division has purchased that reflects a more progressive approach to fishery management. We acquired the boat because of data collection efficiencies that would be realized in using this
sampling technology," said Francis Brautigam, a regional fisheries biologist for the Sebago Lake region who was instrumental in obtaining grant funding for the boat. "When you use the electrofisher, it gives you a quick snapshot of what is going on out there. You get an idea of what condition the fish are in, whether they are growing well or slowly and if a particular body of water could support more stocking -- or doesn't need stocking. It is a piece of equipment that is very mobile, and can be used on fresh waters throughout the state. "The electrofisher is extremely important, and will revolutionize the
Biologist Brian Lewis attempts to net the stunned fish in Crystal Lake in Gray as biologist Francis Brautigam operates the electrofisher boat. Cathy Genthner photo MAINE Fish and Wildlife
Fall 2004 Page 19
work we do regarding warm water fishery and invasive species management," said John Boland, the director of operations for the Fisheries Division of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. "We have used it on several occasions with some of our cold water work. For example, we've used it on Thompson Lake in Casco and Sebago Lake to sample spawning lake trout populations." The boat is extremely efficient. In the case of bass sampling, the specialized boat can "catch" as many fish in just as few hours as could be landed with rod and reel after fishing 40-80 hours. "From the standpoint of assessing and monitoring, it has made my job easier," said Brautigam. "It has expanded the opportunities available to us to analyze and research fish populations, and in so doing, increased our ability to more effectively manage the state's fisheries.'
Three-Man Cre\\' Three people: two with nets in the bow and a person at the control console operate the boat. The person at the control console supervises the operation and is responsible for navigation, making adjustments to the electrical output, and record keeping. Two pedals need to be pressed in order for the current to be discharged into the water, for safety reasons. Before the boat is launched, the conductivity of the water must be determined in order to obtain the correct electrical settings, which can vary greatly depending on the water body. Proper adjustments ensure the minimum effective amperage needed for successful collection without harm to the fish. "Our goal is not to kill, but rather immobilize the fish. When fish enter the electric field, they rol I and expose their bellies while being drawn into the field. They are not totally paralyzed because they are still breathing and they can resume a nonnal function within a few minutes." The Smith-Root Company based in Washington State manufactured Maine's electrofisher boat. It is equipped with a gas generator and a cooled and oxygenated holding tank to keep the fish alive while they are being examined. The company specializes in manufacturing Page 20
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These fish in the oxygenated and cooled holding tank were stunned by the electrofisher, so that biologists can examine the fish for management and research purposes. After a few minutes, the fish recover and are returned to the water unharmed. Cathy Genthner photo electrofisher boats for public and private agencies conducting fisheries research. "This is a heavy duty work boat that gives you everything you need to do fisheries research using electric fields," said Lee Carstensen, an engineer at SmithRoot. "The boat is designed around the electrofisher. There is a built-in generator that supplies the voltages nece sary to run the electro fisher system. Of cour e, the boat comes with al I the standard things, but one addition i work lights for night work, because that is when a lot of research is conducted . The boat comes with insulated booms that hang over the water and develop the electric field around the boat. By carefully positioning the booms in relation to the boat, we can control the electric field in the water, so that fish actually swim toward the positive electrode."
listor) of lectrofishing Smith-Root has been manufacturing electrofisher boats for over 30 years. However, in more crude forms, people have been using electro fishing since the 1800s. In fact, before IF&W acquired it present electrofisher, it used a homemade electro fishing boat that wasn't as efficient or technologically advanced. IF&W shared the boat with the University of Maine and the Maine Salmon Commission. "Depending on the conductivity of the water, the old boat worked very well in some places and in other places, not so well," said Peter Bourque, the director of fisheries program development for IF&W. "The boat was 30 year old when we got it from the univer ity. It wa refurbi hed and it had its limited use for certain application ." Fall 2004
Increasing Popularity of Bass It should be noted that the e lectrofisher is extreme ly useful in sampling bass populations. In the past, bass were not the focus of past management efforts in Maine, while they were extremely popular in southern states. Bass were introduced in Maine sometim e in the 1800s. The popularity of bass fishing has grown tremendously in Maine during the past decade or two. In tenns of desirability, bass are becoming quite popular. Supportin g this claim is an increase in the number of fishing permits issued for bass tournaments and an increase in the number of unauthorized, and illegal, bass stockings. A !so, bass are easier to catch compared to trout and salmon , which may account for their increased popularity as a game fish. At night, bass will come into shore to feed and are more vu lnerabl e to sampling. Biologists will often head out in the electrofisher at sunset and not return to shore until sunrise, doing much of their research in May and June when the bass are spawning. "There is a lot of interest in bass fishing and a grow in g number of organized bass fishing clubs," said Brautigam. "Maine has a reputation as one of the premiere ba&s fishing destinations in the eastern United States." "Bass are important to the Maine economy," said Bourque. "The boat is doing a lot of valuable work evaluating ba sand other fish populations."
Invasive Species The electro boat is also useful for other species as well - experiencing great success in October and November when sampling spawning lake trout and sa lmon , where lake trout are close to shore looking for rocky shoals and sa lmon are in search of streams. As a management tool, the boat helps biologists determine the percentage of wild to stocked fish, and monitor new and illegal invasive pecie , such as no1thern pike and black crappie. "As far as inva ive specie , there are cases where we've used it to confirm illegally stocked species," said Boland. "In some situations, it may help to eradicate undesirable or illegally introduced species. For example, ifwc arc in a MAI
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The operation of the boat, as well as the operation of the electrofisher. is conducted from the console that looks as though it belongs in a airplane' cockpit. Cathy Genthner photo waterbody like Sebago Lake with the electrofisher and we find a northern pike, we can collect it and determine if it had spawned. In smaller waters, we can possibly eradicate these illegally introduced species, depending on numbers and conditions ."
Looking Ahead "There are a whole variety of projects you can use it on," said Brautigam. "In fact, we could actually use a smaller electrofisher to use on smaller bodies of water."
The outlook for the ongoing u e of the electrofisher boat appears positive in Maine, where the boat has proven itself a very useful research tool, saving the Department and its supporters money because of its efficiency and effectiveness, while managing the fisheries resource to provide for future generations of anglers. Purchase of the boat was made possible in part by a grant from the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund for which the Department is grateful.
Fall 2004
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The Department Is Well Prepared to Deal With Deer Problems By Bob Humphrey The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has a legislative mandate to manage Maine's deer herd, providing for sustained use of that resource while maintaining populations at a level the habitat can support and the general population will tolerate. Unti l fairly recently, that has meant protecting deer from overexploitation. For roughly the past two decades however, biologists and managers have faced just the opposite problem. "The problem," says deer biologist Gerry Lavigne, "has been 100 years in the making in some places, but has been much more widespread since rough ly the 1970s." The major cause has been development (sprawl) and its associated hindrances to effective deer management. Safety zones, local firearms discharge ordinances, sanctuaries and other legislative closures and an urban mindset where hunting is foreign, have all led to inadequate control of burgeoning deer populaPage 22 MAINE Fish and Wildlife
tions. This, in turn , has resulted in increased dam age to forest ecosystems, crops and ornamental vegetation; higher incidence of car-deer col l is ions; increased ri sk of Lyme disease and a perception of deer as a nuisance. There is also cons iderable cost assoc iated with these. The problem was first officially recognized roughly 20 years ago. After soliciting public input and convening a public working group, the Department prepared a management plan for the 15year period from 1985 - 2000. In it, they acknow ledged the grow in g problems associated with managing deer in suburban and coastal areas, and identified some of the obstacles to meeting management objectives. Among the biggest obstacles were improving access, obtaining legislative authority to establish special seasons, and gaining widespread public support. After garnering support from within the Department, Lavigne and his peers began the larger process of changing the rules and educating the public. Legislative approva l to set specia l seasons and regulations was finally received in 1991 , and the Departmen t went to work.
Expanded Archery One of the first major efforts was
establ ishment of a provisional expanded archery season. In its first year - 1997 properly permitted archers could take one additiona l deer from a narrow coasta l area, ro ug hl y from Kittery to Brunswick. During that initial , one-month season, 1,443 hunters participated, taking 258 deer. The next year, the Department expanded the area open to hunting to include many inland pockets in southern, central and mid-coast Maine where deer were being under-harvested , primarily due to firearm discharge ord inances and intensive residential development. In 1999, the Legis lature permanently established the expanded season. They extended it to run through the end of the muzzleloader season in mid-December, added more areas and increased the bag limit to two deer. Archers could now hunt the expanded zone for nearly 3- 1/2 months and potentially take three deer with expanded and regular archery li censes . Last year the legislature instituted an unlimited bag limit on antlerless deer. Also in 1999, the Department began working on the next deer management plan, which would guide deer management through the year 20 15 . In it, they establi shed a population goa l or 15 deer per sq uare mile for the state's urban areas. Fall 2004
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Some hunters will have a hard time believing it, but there are too many deer in a number of Maine locations.
Management Options Concurrently, they established a step-down policy regarding the various options available to accomplish this goal. Whenever possible and practical, the preferred option is recreational hunting seasons. The Department considers hunting to be an ecologically appropriate way to control deer because regulated hunting mortality mimics predation. This also fulfills the Department's legislative mandate for wise, sustainable use of a public resource. It provides a positive benefit to Maine 's economy and costs the Department less to administer. When the Department deems that existing hunting seasons are not sufficient to achieve population goals, the next option considered is Special Seasons, where the Department establishes a different, orLen more liberal framework of season dates and bag limits to increase harvest rates. These seasons are open to anyone interested in participating. A prime example is the expanded archery season.
Controlled Hunts In some instances, the Department may need to consider a more restrictive option: Controlled Hunts. These are generally used in smaller areas, orten with multiple land ownerships, where it would be unwieldy or unsafe to bring in too many hunters. They also provide a way
MAINE Fish and Wildlife
for the Department to be more sensitive to landowner's concerns. By being able to select a small hunter force, landowners are more comfortable with, and feel more a part of the solution. Of the options mentioned thus far, this is the most costly to administer as it often requires a lot of meetings with town deer committees and landowner groups, wherein biologists present the options and work with landowners to select a solution. "It's well worth the effort," says Lavigne, " because everyone feels more confident when a consensus is reached.
Depradation Permits Occasionally, the Department will issue depredation permits to an individual landowner for a specific problem. These are limited to protecting certain specific types of crops: row crops, orchards and plant nurseries, and are issued only after a warden or biologist has verified crop damage. ln instances where open, special or controlled hunting is impractical or unacceptable to multiple landowners, the next available option is Non-traditional Deer Control. This usually involves the use of sharpshooters, and Lavigne emphasizes, "this is not hunting, it's culling." Shooters use bait, and often cull at night with the aid of lights and sound-suppressed weapons.
This option is reserved for situations where traditional hunting methods would be unsafe or ineffective due to dense human development. The only cost to the Department is administrative staff time because landowners or municipalities pay for the costs for this, and all nonhunting options.
Trap and Tran sfer Another option that is sometimes requested by landowners is Trap and Transfer. Ostensibly, it seems a popular choice because non-hunters see it as more humane, and hunters believe that removed deer can be used to repopulate other areas with low deer numbers. As Lavigne points out however, it is based on false premises. "It's one of the most stressful things you can do to a deer," he says. Deer subjected to trap and transfer often succumb to a syndrome know as capture myopathy, where an accumulation of lactic acid and overheating leads to cardiac arrest. Furthermore, deer are released into an area with which they are unfamiliar and are more susceptible to predation. "Combining the two can lead to 50 - 60 percent mortality of captured/transferred deer," says Lavigne. Furthermore, it's very costly and creates wasteful mortality. Thus far, it has not been used in Maine. Yet another option citizens someFall 2004 Page 23
times ask about is immunocontraception (sterilization). This is particularly appealing to non- and anti-hunters because it avoids killing. However, in all cases where it has been attempted, it has never been demonstrated as an effective control to deer populations. For starters, it is extremely cost and labor intensive. Deer must be immunized three times a year, tagged and monitored. "This grades more toward animal husbandry than wildlife management," says Lavigne. In order for it to be effective, nearly all deer must be immunized. This already difficult task becomes more difficult as deer become more wary from frequent human encounters. It is further exacerbated by immigration of fertile deer from outside areas. Furthermore, the drugs used for immunocontraception have only been approved by the FDA for use on an experimental basis. Because of this, the FDA will not deem deer treated with immunocontraceptives as fit for human consumption. Should one wander out of the experimental area into an area open to hunting, it could pose a public health risk.
Hunting Is Natural Lastly, there is a philosophical problem with fertility control. Lavigne considers it "an unnatural intrusion into the physiological processes of deer that runs counter to evolution." Deer evolved in an environment where predator pressure dictates every aspect of their ecology, from body form and reproductive strategies to habitat selection and behavior. "They're all geared toward avoiding predation," says Lavigne. "Hunting is a more natural process that works with the deer's natural process," he says. "Fertility control is a process they have never faced, and it could have unintended effects on other aspects of their survival." For example, non-hunting buck mortality is typically highest during the rut, as bucks battle one another for breeding privileges and deplete themselves chasing does. Though sterilized, does will continue to go through their estrous cycle roughly every 28 days. This means there will be multiple ruts occurring over a much longer period of time. Concurrently, the rut is also the periPage 24 MAJNE Fish and Wildlife
Bowhunters have shown that they can be effective in controlling deer in urban situations. od of highest car-deer collisions; so extending it would likely increase property damage and human health risks.
Examples of Control With nearly 20 years of suburban deer management experience, the Department now has a litany of successful control methods they can use to show the effectiveness of their program. The Sprague Estate in Cape Elizabeth, where firearms discharge is not allowed, has been using bowhunters for well over a decade to keep deer populations in check. In the early 90s, several controlled hunts were implemented on Great Diamond , Little Diamond and Cushing Islands, in Casco Bay. Over a three-year period, they were able to bring populations down to a level where they can now be held in check by an island "gamekeeper." After Monhegan Island gained the dubious distinction of having the highest
incidence of Lyme disease in the State, residents approached the Department for help. An Jsland deer committee reviewed the various options, and first tried methods to reduce tick numbers. When that failed, they called for more lethal means. The Department recommended a controlled hunt to reduce deer numbers but residents pushed for, and got, elimination of all the deer by a sharpshooter. As an aside, it took the consultant almost as much time to kill the last six deer as it took to ki 11 the first 50. Another problem area was several islands in Hancock County, which had been closed to hunting for over a century. Here, the Department succeeded in bringing deer populations down by utilizing locally administered controlled hunts, which allowed both firearms and archery to become effective short-term solutions. The long-term solution will be standard recreational hunting seasons and expanded archery providing hunting opportunity while alleviating nuisance problems. Fall 2004
Aggression over food becomes a problem when deer numbers get too high in urban settings. A little over two years ago, residents of Wells who had suffered the ravages of an overabundance of deer for decades, had finally had enough. They called upon the Department for help and the Department enlisted the aid of the Maine Bowhunter's Association and their Bowhunters and Landowners Information Program (BLIP). The BLIP hunters did remarkably well in reducing the deer herd and the controlled hunt will see its third season this fall. Most recently, residents of the lndian Point Association in Georgetown called upon the Department for help. The Indian Point area, and abutting Reid State Park have both been closed to hunting. The Department and the Association discussed the feasibility of a controlled hunt, and hope to have BLIP hunters there this fall. These are but a handful of the many efforts undertaken by the Department to keep the State's deer herd in balance.
Access Is Key While the Department has a range of options to choose from , their effectiveness ultimately depends on access. Lavigne considers working with towns to improve or maintain access to hunters to be a deer project priority. "Our involveMAINE Fish and Wildlife
ment in this arena, overall, has been a success. For example, when towns consider petitions to expand firearm discharge zones, or otherwise restrict access to any form of hunting, ( e.g., Yarmouth, Scarborough, Biddeford, Windham, Orono, Hampden) the Department provides testimony in support of maintaining access for deer control wherever feasible." It is not unusual to have Lavigne, a regional biologist, and the landowner relations specialist attending town hearings to provide technical input. "We also provide information they subsequently request. This hands-on, non-confrontational approach has garnered the respect of more than one town council, and it has kept some doors open to hunters over the years."
The Future What the future holds," says Lavigne, "depends on the rate of development. Clearly the need for special management will become greater. In these highly productive habitats, maintaining deer at compatible densities will require substantial deer removals annually. This means sustained high levels of hunting oppo1tunity, using the whole spectrum of tools available (firearms and
Bob Humphrey photo
archery hunting)." The Department would also like to see more municipalities take a more direct route in taking control of deer problems. "We're not as concerned that an urbanized population will reject hunting as a means of controlling deer because when it comes right down to it, there's nothing else out there." The future looks bright for Maine's deer hunters, but Lavigne observes that "it's not just about recreation; it's about solving people's problems in an urban landscape." Even in the face of rampant development, there will still be plenty of opportunities for those willing to hunt under sometimes non-traditional and unconventional methods and cond itions. "There will be an evolving niche for deer control specialists who will be needed to cull deer in un-huntable places," he says. "And there is even the possibility that deer control consultants may be employed to interface between towns and the Department to administer controlled hunts and culling activities. There is already a demand for a service where individual landowners can connect with highly qualified gun and bowhunters to alleviate deer problems at the local level. Hopefully, that demand can be met." Fall 2004 Page 25
Eagle Lake Float Plane Base Gets Upgrades By Bill Graves When I was just a youngster, my dad would take me along in the boat when he went trolling on various 'Crown of Maine' lakes. One of my favorites early on became Eagle Lake, but in my case the bias was only partially due to the fine angling we often enjoyed. The high point of my visit was often the chance to see a floatplane take off or land while we were fishing. At that age, seeing a plane lift off or plunk down on water was spellbinding. Come to think of it, it still fascinates me. For the last 3 l years I've been married to a cute little French Cherie from Fort Kent whose family has always owned a camp on Eagle Lake. Regular visits for fishing and family get togethers have continued over four decades, and although the plane and pilots have changed a few times, that little puddle hopper is still coming, going and making me smile on a regular basis. l finally went up in that float plane a few years ago, skimmed the water, scanned the forest and talked at length to the pilot about his responsibilities, the aircraft's role and function, and their Eagle Lake Billet.
Then and Now Eagle Lake's first storage and maintenance hangar for planes, owned and operated by the Department, was erected in 1963. With the building came a removable wharf and a sturdy, stationary pier offering protection to moored planes from high winds and wave action, as well as a solid loading and unloading station. Along with storage for the regional plane, the structure offered a work area for maintaining the department's snowmobiles and boats, as well as some inside and plenty of outside space to temporarily park those unused vehicles. Over the year , warden pilots and planes have come and gone from Eagle Lake. Jack McPhee, Gary Dumond, Alan Ryder, Jason Bouchard, and Durwood Humphrey all flew from that base, and now Daryl Gordon calls the George Townsend floatplane base home. Several make and models of aircraft have also Page 26 MAfNE Fish and Wildlife
Work crew installs a new bi-fold door at the Eagle Lake hangar. made the rounds, starting with Piper Super Cruisers, then Cessna 180s, and finally Cessna 185 Skywagons have been year 'round warden workhorses changing from floats to skis to tires as the season and job required. What hadn't changed in over 40 years was the original structure for housing and protecting the Eagle Lake plane, which is so vital for day-to-day Fisheries and Wildlife Department chores. Finally, this year, some much needed and long awaited repair and upgrades are bringing the Eagle Lake hangar facility up to modern standards. The old adage about having to spend money to make money will certainly be true in this venue, a the dollars spent on repairs will save notable expenditures as an end result. Best of all, cost for the upgrade to the decades old structure won't come from the already meager coffer of the Department. Thanks to the tenaciou endeavors of Ron Taylor and a handful of other department officials via requisite paperwork and verbal lobbying of the tate Bureau of General Services (BGS)
Bill Graves photo
during 2002 and 2003, the agency agreed to provide funds in 2004 for the repair and refurbishing of the Eagle Lake hangar. Work began this past June on the 50' X 36' metal Butler building and will continue in three major segments through ovember.
Project Progression During late pring, regional warden , engineering division personnel and private contractors joined forces to install a huge 13 ' X 41 ' bi fold door. Removal of the old slide and fold-in segmented door was the first step, and then the new door and its mechanism were set in place. The new closure machinery even has a safety feature that stop the doors upward or downward motion when a per on or object breaks an infrared beam. This particular upgrade was priced out at 15,000. During late ummer the econd pha e of the project got underway as a new furnace was in tailed and the heating duct sy tern set up. At a te ted efficiency of only 17 percent, the aged heating unit Fall 2004
was burning a great deal of oil and just barely keep ing the cavernous hangar tolerable during wicked winter weather. The replacement furnace is a forced hot air oil burner model that runs at 85 to 88% efficiency, which at the current price of fuel oil will pay for its $6,000 cost in just a few years. During October and November, the final stage of the hangar reclamation project wi 11 be in the works. Put out to bid, and won by a local contractor, the huge task of replacing the roof, siding the building, and removing the current insulation and replacing it with a better quality, more efficient insulation will bring about the greatest changes. Modem insulation will go a long way towards making the new furnace work less and heat better. Since the old roof leaked , and even allowed some snow to drift inside during heavy winds, the dry storage area will be more comfortable and effective. More importantly, considering the cost of the Cessna in storage, the new roof meets higher standards for wind and load conditions , which during a nasty Crown of Maine winter can be crucial to keeping a large structure upright and intact. A fi nal project for the Eagle Lake plane facility if money becomes available in 2005 , would be to redo the old pier and dress up the crumbling sea wall and cement foundation along the water 's edge. Improvements to the Department's Greenville floatplane facility have been ongoing since 2002 , when the headquarters building was upgraded. In 2003 the hangar got a facelift and repairs, and this year the much-needed replacement and modernization of the old dock was accomplished. An old wooden retaining wall , which was deteriorating and of questionable sturdiness, was tom out and replaced , and a new sea plane dock was constructed which will now moor all three department aircraft at once when necessary.
Pilots, Planes and Procedures A trio of winged workhorst:s in the form of Cessna 185 Skywagons and their pilots carry out an extensive and diverse itinerary on a day-to-day basis for the Department. I lead warden pilot Charles MAIN
Fish and Wildlife
One of the Department's Cessna workhorses. Bill Graves photo Later is stationed in Greenville and flies out of Twitchells or the Androscoggin River. Dan Dufault is based in Turner and Eagle Lake is home base for Daryl Gordon, an 18-year veteran warden who has worked the sky rather than the roads for the last two years. Many folks have little understanding of the various efforts a warden pi lot undertakes on a day-to-day basis. Even many sportsmen aren 't aware of the duties, beyond flying into lakes and rivers on floats or skis to check on hunters and anglers. Often , these visits aren't so much to check Iicenses as they are to secure a creel census or check on hunting results that will provide regional biologists with much needed infonnation for studies, conservation projects and seasonal planning for the future. Fish stocking is another ongoing
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project of the warden flying service, and each of the planes can be fitted with carrying tanks for air lifting fish into remote waterways. Of course, the aircraft provide quick, easy access for checking on deer and moose yards in the winter. Did you know that each year the airborne branch of wardens' assists with bald eagle studies throughout the state? A pilot can spot a night hunter lighting a field from the air much easier than a warden on the ground. Remote lakes or hunting camps that would take a day to drive to and from can be checked for activity in an hour by plane. And if you are lost, stranded, or injured during a hunting, fishing, camping, snowmobiling or boating excursion anywhere in the state, a warden plane and pilot combo could well save your life. Money is always a stumbling block
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Saturday, February 5th, 2005 9:00am-mid afternoon Eastern Maine Snowmobile Club Levenseller Road, Holden
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Fall 2004 Page 27
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KIDBITS An wers
The improvements and upgrades to the seaplane bases are long overdue, especially to the 40-year old Eagle Lake facility, but the results will be advantageous to all sportsmen. Just ask any fam ily member of a stranded or injured outdoorsmen, a lost child, or secluded accident victim, they' ll verify that warden planes, pilots and regional bases make a daily difference.
From Pages 15 and 18 Bird #1 Peregrine Falcon Bird #2 European Starling Bird #3 House Finch Bird #4 Rock Pigeon (Formerly Rock Dove) Bird #5 American Crow
Oh, and when these puddle jumpers skip across the lake and bo und into the air, they thrill young and old al ike. I still visit Eagle Lake for the great fishing and, of course, for the possibility of a mi ni air show.
In the Summer Issue of MA INE Fish and Wi ldlife, the photo showing Lombard log haulers at Cunl iffe Depot was actually locomotives at Eag le Lake (Page. 2 1).
Correction
Maine Fish & Wildlife
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Stream Improvement (Continued from Page 8) and rocks, strategically placed by heavy equipment, appear as if placed there by the last glaciers. It looks good and it's a sure bet that trout will benefit greatly from the improved habitat. But the work is not over for either project. Measurements of cross-sections of the streams at various points must be regularly taken and the data fed into the system. Also, new projects are being identified. One being considered is Grand Lake Stream. This brings up the subject of how the Department determines how to utilize its limited resources in the area of stream restoration. Sadly, more of our Maine streams need attention than it is po sible to address. So the streams must be rated according to their inherent value. For instance, is the stream important to the health of surrounding fisheries? An example might be a stream or river that grows brook trout and feeds those fish to a major lake. Also, the economic value of a stream must be considered. Thus, while Grand Lake Stream is not particularly noted for production of wild brook trout, it is world-famous for it landlocked salmon fishery and thus, is of inestimable value to not only Maine, but al o the world. How does the Department learn of streams that might need help?
Mostly from direct input from guides and anglers, people who fish the streams year after year, who are completely intimate with the water and so can readily identify changes. Stream restoration is a new and exciting concept, and the Department stands at the cutting edge of the use of new and complex technology. The massive scope of the two projects that have thus far been completed leads a person to wonder how so much could have been done in so little time and with such limited resources. But that is the Maine way, and it's for sure that Bonney and his co-workers will have a great and far-reaching impact on the health of Maine's streams and rivers. It's work that has long needed doing, and it's something from which we all benefit.
'Sadly, more of our Maine streams need attention than it is possible to address.'
Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation 1. Publication title 2. Publication No. Maine Fish and Wildlife 0360-005X
3. Filing Date 9/13/2004
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?.Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication 284 State St., 341, Augusta, Maine 04333-0041 8. Contact Person: Marc Michaud Telephone: 207-287-5248 9. Publisher: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 284 State St., #41 , Augusta, Maine 04333-0041 Editor: Marc Michaud, Address as above 10. Owner: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 284 State Street, Augusta, Maine 04333-0041 11. Known bondholders, mortgagees and other security holders owning or holding 1 percent or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages or other securities: None 12. Tax Status: Has not changed in the preceding 12 months 13. Publication Title: Maine Fish and Wildlife 14. Issue Date for Circulation data Below: Summer 2004 15. Extent and nature Ave. No Copies of Circulation (Net each issue during Press Run) preceeding 12 months
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