Maine Fish and Wildlife Magazine, Summer 2005

Maine State Library

Maine State Documents Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Magazine

Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

6-1-2005

Maine Fish and Game Magazine, Summer 2005 Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalmaine.com/ifw_magazine Recommended Citation Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, "Maine Fish and Game Magazine, Summer 2005" (2005). Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Magazine. Book 101. http://digitalmaine.com/ifw_magazine/101

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Page 2 MAINE Fish and Wildlife

Summer 2005

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 Robert. S. Savage, Limington , Vice Chair Ron Usher, Westbrook R. Leo Keiffer, Caribou John Law, Mexico Raymond Picard, Newcastle Lance Wheaton, Forest City David A. Wardwell , Penobscot Marc Michaud, Editor Lisa Kane Copy Editor Mark Latti , Copy Editor

Editorial

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Marc Michaud

It's their land. Respect it. Good landowners relations.

Float Stocking

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Ken Allen

It's a win-win situation for anglers and the Department.

Search and Rescue

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Tom Seymour

A look at the Warden Service's Incident Command Team.

Boating Enforcement

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Cathy Genthner

Making the Sebago Region safer for everyone.

Maine Wildlife Park

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Cathy Genthner

Seeing native animals in a "nearly wild" setting.

Kidbits

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Lisa Kane

A wildlife identification test that covers many species.

(ISSN 0360-005X) MAINE Fish and Wildlife is published quarterly by the

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildl ife, 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

Lakes Research Report

18

Tim Obrey and Joe Dembeck

This Department crew worked mutiple statewide projects this year.

Brook Trout Rules

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Tom Seymour

Simplified regulations pave the way for future management standards.

Frye Mountain

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Jeffrey Williams

An intensive land management program is underway at this WMA.

Bassin'

26

Marc Michaud

The results are in from the Eighth Annual Governor's Cup.

Canada Lynx

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Tom Seymour

Maine biologists doing research on this little-known wildcat.

About the Cover: Department photographer Mark Latti made thi s photo of a lynx kitten as it was about to get a pair of ear tags as part of a population study.

Summer 2005 Page 3

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Editorial

It's Their Land: Respect It we¡re about to embark on another hunting season and some thoughts on how to conduct ourselves as hunters while on other people's land may be in order. Of the 21-millionplus acres in Maine, the vast majority of it is privately owned, either by individuals or various corporations. Practically all of these lands are accessible to the general public for a variety of outdoor recreation. The sport of hunting, in particular, often creates real safety concerns for the landowner, so here are considerations to ponder before, during and after we access the private land of someone else.

Well in advance of the hunting season, one should locate an appropriate area they wish to hunt, and make arrangements to meet with the owner. Be considerate about how much time you spend with the individual because they are often going to be working or preparing to do work and idle talk may not be welcomed. Showing up in the farmer's yard at 5 a.m. on opening day to ask for permi sion to hunt turkeys on his farm that morning is uncalled for.

The farmer may be an early riser, but think about the welfare of other family members. This apparent disregard for their privacy may cost you the privilege of using their land.

Be specific about what you are asking for. If you request permission to hunt the back forty and then show up and hunt around farm buildings against the owner's wishes, you have compromised your welcome and that of others who will follow. Let him know where you expect to set up. It is also important to know if permission to hunt on his land has been granted to someone else. With this information you can prevent interfering with the other party and both of you will have a quality experience. If you have specific knowledge about when you plan to hunt the propeny, let the owner know so that he may grant permission to another on the days you are not going to be hunting his land.

If for some reason your request to use the land is denied, be courteous and polite.

Indicate that you understand why the owner is reluctant to grant permission at this time and ask if would it be appropriate to check with him again at a future date to ee if permission might be granted then.

Because your hunt is likely to be early in the morning, you want to make sure that you ask where you should park your vehicle. Pulling in the owner's driveway at 4 a.m. and alarming the family dog and other farm animals may adversely affect the hospitality extended to you. Don't take for granted an open gate to pasture land as an invitation to drive in unless the owner gives you permission. Often, these roads are expressly used as access points limited only to farm machinery and only when the grounds are dry enough to permit vehicular traffic without causing ruts.

If allowed to use a farm road, be sure to stay on the traveled portion especially when turning around with your vehicle. Also, be mindful of unharvested crops by not walking or driving through them. And that includes grassland.

When setting up a blind or picking an area to hunt from, use care in clearing a sight lane. Be careful not to damage or cut quality trees.

Never pound any metal object in the trees. Respect the land as though it was your own. If you did all the right things, it should be difficult to see the spot you hunted from. Always be mindful of litter. Carry out your wrappers, sandwich bags and beverage containers. In fact, take that extra step and if you see any litter, pick it up and dispose of it accordingly.

It is important that you reassure the owner that you are a safe hunter and that you will not in any way, compromise his and his family's safety nor the safety of his farm animal . EmphasiLe that you are going to abide by his rules and the laws that govern the sport. Knowing that you are a safe and ethical hunter will help guarantee your continued use of his land.

The fall turkey season presents unique considerations that should be explored. Mo t landowners welcome bow hunters because of the relatively safe aspect of the sport. However, some activities need to be addressed . The practice of busting a flock of turkeys during the fall season so that they can be hunted later as the turkeys regroup might encourage walking or running in an unharvested field. In addition, s hooting at the birds while in open fields makes the retrieval of the arrow very difficult because they have a tendency to skim the ground and be practically impossible to find. Add the fact that the arrows may also be in camouflaged covering, making them virtually invisible in the grass. Farmers have found the arrows in the course of harvesting and cultivating the fields and they don 't like it. An arrow can damage equipment and be a haLard to animals if pieces end up in animal forage. Exercise care in selecting an ambush point so that the backdrop is an uphill incline, which helps by having the arrow stick out from the ground along with using more visibly colored arrows. These minor considerations will allow the hunter the ability to retrieve his arrows more effectively.

Once you have finished your hunt, let the landowner know the outcome. They are often as excited about your success as you are. Extend the offer of sharing some of the game with them. And lastly, provide them with a token of your appreciation for the privilege of hunting on their land. It isn't so much about what is given; it is more about you recogni7ing their generosity and hospitality.

By doing some of these simple acts and considerations, we show that we recognize that it is a privilege to be able to access private land, that we are willing to do what's right. and that we appreciate the land owners for lettin g us enjoy our sports on their land .

Marc Michaud Director, Information and Education

Page 4 MAINE Fish and Wildlife

Summer 2005

By Ken Allen Photos By Bill Pierce In 2003, the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife's (DIF&W) hatchery trucks stocked spring-yearling and fall-yearling brown trout near the Route 20 I A/8 bridge on the Kennebec River in Solon, where Joe Albu it at the Evergreens Campground and Restaurant noted that eight ospreys fed heavily on the recently released fish in the spring, and then, J4 mergansers took advantage of the windfall that autumn.

These efficient predators hung around for many days, according to Albuit, before trout began disper ing up and downriver, making it easier to escape the hungry, avian maws.

Trout Unlimited (TU) activists from the Somerset Chapter of Trout Unlimited (SCTU) and Bob Mallard, owner of Kennebec River Outfitters, in Madison, heard about the osprey and merganser concentrations, and many of them investigated the problem firsthand.

Soon, they began thinking a float-stocking program would spread the hatchery browns out and make them less vulnera-

ble to predation. This group of concerned anglers approached DIF&W with the idea, and a rapport began.

Getting such a project off the ground, though, would not be easy.

During spring stocking in particular. hatchery workers must follow a hectic schedule to get all the fish into the 700 separate waters that receive 1,800 individual stocking events. DIF&W's access to a group of dedicated volunteers, though. made noat stocking on the Solon stretch of the Kennebec a possibility, so negotiations continued.

Right from the beginning, personnel in DIF&W's Fisheries and Hatcheries Division knew that spreading stocked salmonids aero s each water lessened predation, but they had lacked manpower for dispersing fish, making such an effort impractical.

"Stocked trout do eventually spread out and find niches," said John Boland, director of Fisheries Operation, but he recognized the benefits of teaming up with TU to reduce the initial predation.

"When TU asked to float-stock the Solon stretch, we evaluated the proposal and plans," Boland said. "If we could do this project without interfering with the stocking-truck driver's schedule, it

It takes a lot of manpower and gear to conduct a full-scale float stocking effort.

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would be a good thing for the department."

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This project between SCTU and DIF&W began in early May 2004, and was a raging success. This achievement encouraged a repeat performance the following May, and after two successful stockings, this Kennebec River program looks as if it is here to stay.

(Also, in May 2005, the Mollyocket Chapter of TU (MCTU) float-stocked brown trout and rainbow trout into an upper section of the Androscoggin River in Maine.)

John Boland recently said, "In the May 2005 Kennebec stocking, we used two hatchery-truck workers and Bill Pierce from the Information and Education Division to pull it off. That day, no fisheries biologists were used for the stocking."

Boland particularly liked the idea of

First step in the float stocking process is transferring the trout from the tank truck into buckets for carrying to the waiting float stockers. freeing fisheries biologists from being involved in stocking trout. This left them available for ¡ _.. other duties such as collecting scientific data, and in the process, the hatchery browns were spread out along ' the river so ospreys, mergansers, minks and other fish eaters would have less of an impact on these expensive hatchery trout, which can average from $1 to $3 each to raise and stock, depending on age and species.

lnnertubes with netting suspended from the middle holes have proven an efficient way to transport the trout during the stocking float.

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Successfully float-stocking a river or spreadstocking a lake requires great commitment from the volunteers , and the work begins weeks before the stocking date. Any group interested in float-

stocking must realize that it is a difficult task that requires dedication.

On the Kennebec and Androscoggin rivers, volunteers from SCTU and MCTU built holding containers to transport hatchery trout along the river, and the design was simple and effective.

They collected inner tubes, blew them up and then hung nets on the inside of these floatation devices. PVC pipes shaped like squares went into the inside bottom of the nets to spread the mesh out. (This year, the Somerset Chapter experimented with a few rubber-mesh nets, which might be the standard in the future.)

Once the stocking began, volunteers received a dose of reality - stocking fish is not all fun and games. The ones who carried the pails from the hatchery truck to the boats with the holding containers received a fishy-smelling shower each time they reached over their heads to grab a 5-gallon pail full of trout and water from one of the hatchery guys on the truck.

As the canoes and drift boats floated downriver with the payload, the volunteers dipped the trout out with longhandle landing nets. Everyone involved remarked at how lively these trout were in the 40-degree-range water. Even in the small, enclo ed holding containers, it was sometimes difficult to net one of the e little rockets to release into the Summer 2005

Volunteers, one to paddle the other to stock the trout, make ready to head down the river with loads of trout

nver.

While the trout remained in the mesh nets before being released, they were exceptionally energetic, and one point intrigued the volunteer stockers.

When the boats were floating slower than the current, all the trout would point their noses upstream into the flow.

When the boats floated faster than the flow, the browns put their noses downstream. Like passengers on an airliner, the trout in the nets behaved as if they were not moving but rather, were stationary in the water.

Anyone who float-stocked in 2004 or 2005 can attest to one fact. If TU's homemade containers stress trout, the stocked fish showed absolutely no sign of it.

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One point about the joint venture between TU and DIF&W can never be underestimated: The project serves as a superb public-relation vehicle, beginning with the obvious. Volunteers have hands-on experience that shows how hard DIF&W personnel work to get hatchery salmonids into Maine waters safe and sound. With or without volunteers, stocking involves a hectic schedule and somewhat precise timing so

everyone arrives at the same place when the truck shows up. If volunteers had never thought about the logistics of stocking or labor involved, this project teaches the lesson in a hurry.

Volunteers rubbing elbows with DIF&W personnel give them a chance

Rafts with row frames make maneuverable and efficient craft for float stocking efforts.

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to mingle and become friends. That might be the best part of the program because it builds mutual respect. Both sides see the other guys are not the enemy, but rather, just plain folks who desire the same goals for Maine's outdoors.

Anglers who volunteer time to help DIF&W's fisheries biologists stock fish, trap-net or electro-fish cannot help but admire these professionals because collecting data often involves dirty, hard and sometimes dangerous work - thanks to high wind and waves or water freezing on the boat bottom ... common during trap-netting.

One last thought: Even the most casual observer will not miss an obvious outcome of the float-stocking day.

When a group of people volunteers their time for a good cause, they feel good about themselves. As the day passed on the Kennebec River during the last two stockings, a slap-happy and carefree atmosphere permeated the air, an atmosphere reminiscent of recess on the last day of school. Such a setting insures everyone feels a strong camaraderie that reaches a climax after the last trout slips off to its lie. Then, it is time for congratulations and handshakes for a job well done.

Summer 2005 Page 7

Maine Warden Service Incident Command Team

Tops in Search and Rescue

By Tom Seymour Photos by Mark Latti aine Warden Sergeant Patrick Dorian is a softspoken gentleman.

Dorian is also doggedly determined and one hundred percent dedicated to his job as Search & Rescue Coordinator for the Maine Warden Service. Specifically, Dorian is in charge of the Incident Command Team, also known as the Search and Rescue Team. These are the people from the Department's Bureau of Warden Service who search for missing or lost persons.

The Incident Command Team members are, each and every one, highly trained and exceptionally skilled in their own area of expertise. As a unit, they comprise what Sgt. Dorian considers the best in the nation. In fact, Dorian said, "If you are going to get lost, Maine is the best place to do it."

Maine i omewhat unique in that it is among the few states where the state's game wardens or conservation officers and the Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife is responsible for search and rescue operations. In other states, that task

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Consulting topographic maps of the search area is an important step. is often assigned to State Police, County Sheriffs and similar law-enforcement groups.

Search and Rescue is not cheap or easy. Annual search and rescue operational costs often exceed $250,000 and the overall cost to the Department including training, administration, planning and

accounting approaches one half million dollars per year.

In the past, the Bureau of Warden Service had been provided with approximately $250,000 from the general fund to a sist other agencies such a the State Police and to conduct search and rescue.

The Department i working to regain general fund dollars for this activity due to the fact that many persons lost are not licensed hunter or fisherman . Because the Department is primarily funded by hunting and fishing license dollars, sportsmen and women pay for search and rescue. Maine Warden Service per onnel average 200 search and rescue missions annually. Some years, that figure rises to 300.

First Assessment

The incident command post trailer is the key focal point as wardens set up to search in a comprehensive fashion.

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When Dorian and the team get a request for searc h and rescue, the first order of business is to determine whether the case is a high or low priority. Lots of factors contribute to this assessment and

Summer 2005

in the final analysis; the information gathered dictates what type of search wi ll be launched and what resources will be employed? These might include airboats, motorboats, airplanes or dogs.

The standard concept of a search and rescue mission evokes scenes of wardens walking through remote country, searching for a lost hu nter. Whi le this is the most common search, there are other scenarios. To illustrate this , the Incident Command Team once conducted a search in the city of Portland. Over the last few years, the Incident Command has been called upon to work on several hom icide cases, inc luding a murder at Colby College. Several other searches were launched for persons missing due to probab le drug-related causes. Again, not at all related to the outdoor sports .

Whether outdoor-related or not, the Maine Warden Service Incident Command Team performs thei r task aggressively and with modern technology. Warden Kevin Adam, Chief Planning Officer for the team, is at the center of a hive of activity. Adam is the person who asks for and directs the various reso urces needed for a search and rescue operation.

The resources employed are many.

Search and rescue has more than 200 vol-

Many different organizations need to be coordinated once a full-scale search effort gets underway unteers throughout the state, persons whom can be called upon to respond at a moment's notice, anywhere in Maine.

These volunteers have the same training as the full time members of the Warden Service team, which makes them an inval uable asset. And, the Maine Association of Search and Rescue Personnel meets every two months. This group includes experts in such widely diverse groups as equestrian teams, cadaver experts, GPS (Global Positioning

System) specialists, dog handlers and first-aid responders. In other words, every area of expertise that might conceivably be called upon to participate in search and rescue is involved.

Canadian Counterparts Additionally, Maine's search and rescue personnel have a reciprocal agreement with neighboring New Brunswick, Canada. Often, the Canadians are able to respond more quickly to an effort in far,

What Does Search and Rescue Cost??

To illustrate what is involved in terms of human and financial outlays in a single year, here is a breakdown from fiscal year 2002-2003. The breakdown is shown by category (i.e. hunting, fishing , swimming and so on) , the number of that type of incidents that occurred during the year and the total cost for those incidents. Special thanks go to Dale Clark of the Warden Service , for this information.

Hunting: 36 incidents, with a cost of $8 ,163.11 Fishing: 18 incidents, with a cost of $8 ,163.11 Snowmobiles: 18 incidents, with a cost of $11 ,203.77 ATVs: 8 incidents, with a cost of $2,036.88 Boating: 41 incidents, with a cost of $19,301 .74.

Drowning: 8 incidents, with a cost of $18,955.11 Swimming: 1 incident, with a cost of $3,298.77 Hiking: 18 incidents, with a cost of$ $13,383.92 Drug and alcohol related incidents: 6, with a cost of $2 ,821 .30 Other: (These incidents include but are not limited to Alzheimer's disease-related cases, berry pickers, walkers, runners , lost people, plane crashes and suicides) : 102 incidents, with a cost of $156,823.59.

This constitutes a total of 248 incidents, a cost of $244,151.30, with a total of 324 personnel involved. Note: This figure represents the actual cost of search operations only. It does not include other costs such as training , travel , administration , accounting, planning and clerical activities related to search and rescue.

Prior to this, there were 200 incidents in fiscal year 2001-2002 , with an associated cost of $185 ,796 and 259 personnel involved.

And interestingly, in 1999, in the category of "Other," the cost for search and rescue was a whopping $194,153.98.

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Summer 2005 Page 9

Volunteer searchers need to hear first-hand the conditions and situation involved in covering an area. northern Maine than is the Maine group.

This high degree of cooperation stems from the excellent work done by the Maine Warden Service Incident Command Team in locating a missing person in ew Brunswick. The Canadians recognize what Maine offers in this department and thus, are only too willing to respond when called upon.

Maine's search and rescue experts also work with the Border Patrol in solving cases along the 600-mile Maine/Canadian border. And, the team is ready and able to assist the Department of Homeland Security, if the need arises.

Given these examples, the value of the Maine Warden Service Incident Command Team cannot be overestimated.

Scrupulous Searching Here's an example of a typical case where the Incident Command Team utilized a variety of resources and in the end, located a missing person. During the search for Crystal Higgins, a young lady reported mi sing in the coastal Washington County town of Addison, the search included groups of two-person

Page 10 MAINE Fish and Wildlife

teams ranging along 1,000 miles of roadsides, scrupulously searching both sides of the road for the missing girl. When Higgins wasn't located, Warden Kevin Adam called for helicopter fly-over at area boat landings. But the water was murky, and although the team passed close to the victim's location, she was not spotted. Finally, Adam a ked the Maine Department of Marine Re ources Marine Patrol to employ their sonar capability in the search. That's when the body of the mi sing girl was found. According to Sgt. Dorian, the total cost for this operation was close to $20,000.

Electronic Assistance Adam sticks by his laptop computer during any search and rescue mission.

Using GPS technology, searchers paths are plotted and saved. By utilizing this method, all possible sites are eliminated and any untouched areas are ea y to spot.

Adam pointed out that most earches begin with the canine unit . These have an approximate 30 percent chance of success. If the canine unit is unable to quickly locate the missing person, "hasty teams," consisting of group of between

two and five persons are assembled and sent out. The hasty teams have an approximate 55 percent success rate. The last step in a rescue is often a grid search.

The end result is that one or the other of these methods finds the missing or lost person.

Looking at data on Adam's computer, and peaking with Sgt. Dorian, it is tempting to compare the Maine Warden Service Incident Command Team to the television show CSL The only difference is that while the television show is fiction based on fact, the Warden Service Team is the real thing and uses DNA evidence and similar, modern practices in solving lost and missing per on ca es. Here is the best of what human effo11 and ingenuity, combined with highly advanced technology, has to offer.

Suffice it to say the Incident Command Team and their earch and rescue efforts perform an invaluable service.

Maine people can be proud of the men and women in the Warden Service, as well as all other trained earch and rescue volunteer , and Maine Warden Service's outstanding Incident Command Team.

Summer 2005

Making the Sebago Region Safer for Everyone Dramatically increasing the number of game wardens in that area has calmed once tumultuous waters

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By Cathy Genthner A 25-mile stretch of water in southern Maine is now safer as the result of increasing warden patrols by nearly twelve-fold on the connected waters of Sebago Lake, Long Lake, Brady Pond and the Songo River - a large and popular tourism area.

"You are talking about a huge body of water where you can go from Harrison to Standish. IL is close to high populations areas located off of the 1-95 corridor such as Portland, Portsmouth, Lewiston and Boston," said Major Gregg Sanborn. "l used Lo have Lhe Sebago area and I would routinely check people who just two and a half hours earlier were sitting in traffic in Boston."

During the past few years, these waters had become a big party spot for people who like to operate boats and peronal watercraft recklessly - at a high rate of speed; too close to the shore or other boaters, swimmers or wildlife; exceeding the noise level; and under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The high-speed boats are extremely loud and are operated around the clock. This risky and illegal behavior combined with the expansive and deep waters of Sebago was creating dangerous conditions. The Aggressive Boating Law Enforcement Campaign, which began on the July Fourth holiday weekend, is designed to reduce the number of boating complaints, accidents and fatalities in Lhe region. It was designed and implemented by Colonel Thomas Santaguida.

"IL is nol a huge traditional hunting

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Game warden Jason Luce checks boaters for proper boat registration and safety equipment. Cathy Genthner photo or fishing spot. People go there for fun times and it gets a high volume of people and a high volume of boats. We've received dozens of complaints from the public about the quality of life. This has been a persistent problem for this region," said Santaguida. "When you have the public saying 'I won't even go out on Long Lake anymore because of the safety conditions,' we had to take action. We want people Lo feel good about going to that area."

The problem had gotten increasingly worse over the past few years. Numerous citizen groups in the Lakes Region have formed to combat the problem and have been meeting with state officials, including those from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, to determine what should be done. Brian Spaulding, who has li ved on Long Lake in Harrison for over two decades, is a founding member of the Lake Region Safe Lakes Association. Spaulding says one of the biggest problems is the increase in Lhe number of off-shore racing boats, 20-30 feel in length, that operate long after the sun has sel.

"I've been woken up at one in the

morning by these boats. They've been loud at all hours of the night over the allowable noise levels. Some of them just thumb their no es at the rest of us and say 'to hell with you,'" said Spaulding.

In response to these concerns, Game Warden Colonel Thomas Santaguida is utilizing wardens from less busy northern areas of Maine, adding 87 additional warden patrols for the area between July 4th and Labor Day - the busiest time of the season. Wardens are using conventional watercraft, personal watercraft and aircraft to monitor the safety of all boaters and to issue summonses and make arrests, when appropriate.

"Thi does not cost the state anything extra. All we are doing is temporarily reassigning less busy wardens from the northern part of the state and they stay over at the warden's camp in Naples," said Santaguida. "It is similar to what we do during the moose hunt, when we take wardens from southern Maine and temporarily assign them to the northern part of the state."

Wardens are also moved around during other time of the year such as during the Memorial Day Weekend when the

Summer 2005

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trout fishing is heavy or in the winter to areas where there is a lot of snowmobile activity. The temporary reassignments have been a good educational experience for many wardens.

"One warden from northern Maine whose district had few large bodies of water who was assigned to Sebago for the weekend told me, 'I think I checked more boaters that weekend than I had for the entire eight years I worked in my home district,' and I believe him," said Sanborn. "It allows wardens from the north to experience Sebago Lake and they all say they've never seen so many boats before."

The enhanced patrols will continue during peak boating times - weekends, hot weather periods and evenings, when boating and personal watercraft activity is particularly heavy. Initial results of the temporary reassignments have been phenomenal. Over the July Fourth weekend, 73 summonses and 50 written warnings were issued, mostly for safety violations and a few registration violations. As the result of the increased game warden presence, residents have taken notice.

Representative Richard Cebra, a life-long resident of Brandy Pond who serves on the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife committee, said the wardens' presence produced a dramatic change.

"The huge amount of summonses the first three days confirms the fact that people have not been following basic boating regulations as well there is a litany of boaters who just disregard the

Game wardens are out in large numbers on Sebago and Long lakes, cracking down on unregistered watercraft and other violations. cathy Genthner photo law," said Cebra. "I saw a tremendous pre ence that weekend. lt was almost like everywhere you turned there was a warden there. The crowd that comes up here is a very loud, partying crowd with very expensive speed boats. There are local people who have had homes on the lakes for generations. It got to the point where something had to be done."

Something was done and safety has improved. Game warden Ja on Luce, who district includes Sebago Lake south of the locks, knows the area extremely well. During the summer months, he routinely spends much of his time on Sebago. Luce along with warden eil

Wykes, whose district includes the area north of the locks - Songo River, Long Lake and Brandy Pond, routinely patrol the area. Luce welcomes the additional help.

"I feel the increased warden presence has been a great success," said Luce.

"During that July Fourth weekend, most people either saw u or expected to see us. There were some headway speed violations, and personal watercraft problems such as prolonged circling, which were addressed. Most people who we checked were in compliance."

Moosehead Lake, Maine's largest lake has some narrow passages and a scraggily shore. Tn contrast, Sebago is Maine's second largest lake but for the most part i~ wide-open, which encourages some boaters to operate at a high rate of speed. However, they are less likely to speed when a warden is nearby.

"The people who are happy with the new campaign far outnumber people who are unhappy. For example, we ' ve heard complaints like 'this is the fourth time I've been checked today,"' said Sanborn.

"Just like with seeing a state trooper on the turnpike, people immediately take inventory of their safety equipment and assess if they are doing everything right.

They don't want to break the law and that is what we are after - voluntary compliance. "

The fishing remains good at Sebago Lake, attracting thousands of anglers to its waters every year.

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Summer 2005

Wild Animals - Up close and Personal Maine Wildlife Park Is a place where people can see wild animals in a "nearly natural" setting.

Text and photos by

By Cathy Genthner Since the wildlife park began nearly sixty years ago, it has dramatically evolved into a home away from home for injured and orphaned animals as well as a unique place to see Maine wildlife On a late spring day, the parking lot at the Wildlife Park in Gray is a maze of yellow school buses intersected by dozens of cars with booster and child safety seats in the back. Once inside the gate, you hear the sounds and see the sights of children laughing, talking and squealing in amazement as they see a red fox, a bobcat or any number of wild animals and birds that can be found in the woods of Maine.

The Maine Wildlife Park isn ' t a zoo - it is much "wilder" than that. Every effort is made to place the animals and birds in exhibts that closely parallel their natural wild habitats.

"I just love it and when I was a fulltime teacher I always brought groups here," said Tara Lamb of Durham, who

Sherri Gee shows off Pretty, a red-tailed hawk that delights visitors to the Maine Wildlife Park. was visiting the park with her husband Ryan and two-year-old son, Devin. "My parents always brought me here when I was little. It is just a great place for kids to come and enjoy wildlife in a safe envi -

ronment that allows them to explore."

Another parent, Tonya Powers of Cumberland, echoes those feelings of nostalgia. Powers remembers when her parents, who had a cottage on nearby Thompson Lake, brought her to the park when she was a little girl. Now a parent herself, she brings her children, Joseph , 2, and Tasha, 3, to the park every chance she gets.

"This is just an incredible place for kids. I love the concept that the animals are here because they were injured and weren't just taken out of the wild for the sake of being on display," said Powers.

"What I love about the park is that it isn't staged like a zoo and it is more natural.

The kids love to hear that some of the e animals will be able to go back into the wild."

Saving Animals

Moose have plenty of room to roam in their spacious enclosure at the Maine Wildlife Park in Gray.

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The park prides itself on being able to return animals to the wild, whenever possible. However, animals are often too injured, or too used to humans to return to the wild, without dire consequences.

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Park superintendent Henry Hamilton, an animal scientist and Maine native who has been coming to the park for over half a century clearly remembers a conversation that took place between him and a man who didn't believe in caging wild animals.

"I had a gentleman here from New Hampshire who said to me in reference to our cages, 'Well, this is an interesting park but our motto in New Hampshire is live free or die.' I said, 'Sir, if we freed these animals they certainly would die'," said Hamilton, who has been at the park for three years. Prior to joining the park, Hamilton worked in third-world countries, most recently Afghanistan, providing relief and assisting people with raising animals.

"Many of the animals at the park are human-dependent. The deer we keep are so friendly they would be a problem if they were let free. All of our birds have flight or sight issues."

One of those birds, who will never to able to fly again because of a broken wing, is "Pretty," a red-tailed hawk who mesmerizes young and old alike, as she perches majestically on the arm of Americorps volunteer Sherri Gee, who lives in Minot.

Don't try this at home. Normally holding a bobcat would get you seriously bitten and scratched. This one was raised by humans from birth.

"Pretty's right wing was broken and it wasn't able to be repaired to the point she could fly again and be successful in the wild. She lives here now so that we can

teach people about red tail hawks," said Gee. "This is a wonderful place to educate people about the animals and why they are here. People are able to see all kinds of animals up close and personal that they wouldn't get the chance otherwise to see in the wild. I especially like getting the message out to the public concerning wild animals, 'If you care, leave them there'."

Volunteers Crucial

While it looks a lot like a bobcat, the prominent ear tufts on this animal clearly identify it as a lynx, a rare animal in Maine.

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Gee is among the more than I 00 volunteers who keep the park and its inhabitants going. The park has four full-time employees, and about 12 seasonal employees. However, a great deal of the work, such as staffing the admissions gate, running the gift shop and snack shack, planting flowers and picking up trash and helping to care for the animals, is done by the volunteers.

"This place would not be operable if it were not for the volunteers," said Hamilton.

One of those volunteers is NateBarnes, another Americorps volunteer who left IO years of working in corporate America lo help take care of some of the wildlife of America.

Summer 2005

"I've been at the park for over a year and it has been a huge opportunity for me to get back into the environmental field," said Barnes. "My biggest thrill is to teach people about the wildlife and the environment, which we do a lot of here. l love that!"

Barnes, and other volunteers and employees at the park confirm there is a great variance in knowledge about Maine wildlife among the general public. Some people are experts, while others are learning for the first time. In fact, one park visitor mistook a pheasant for a parrot.

However, education is the key to helping Mainers understand and identify the wildlife in their backyards, as well as in the more remote areas of the state.

Plenty of Variety The park has over 25 varieties of mammal , including animals that people would rarely see while out for a walk, such as box turtles, red foxes, fishers, mountain lions and lynx. The park is also home to bobcats, which can be mistaken for lynx. Three bobcats about a year old, named Little Bob, Dot and Tiny, live at the park and they are all extremely fond of Nate.

"The bobcats were born and raised here in the park," said Barnes. "l wasn't one of their primary parents, but whenever they were around I interacted and played with them so they are very used to me."

However, bobcats in the wild a.re quite the opposite. They are usually frightened by humans and dangerous when confronted because of their sharp teeth and claws. People who see a bobcat in the wild - even a bobcat kitten, should not try to touch or capture it. The same is true for all animals in the wild.

What makes the park truly special is its ahility to bring the wild to the suburbs. For those efforts, the Maine Tourism Commission awarded the park with the "2005 Excellence in Tourism Award" in the category of Attraction .

The Excellence in Tourism Awards are given each year "to recognize those whose service and dedication has contributed to Maine's reputation as a vacation destination."

Future of the Park However, maintaining the high stanMAINE Fish and Wildlife

dards of the award-winning park is expensive because of the cost of creating and enhancing the natural settings for the animals. For example, the coyote habitat cost a.round $80,000, while the new fox habitat being constructed currently which is more complicated because it has a special system to keep the fox from escaping underground, may cost over $ I 00,000.

Despite the cost, progress has been made.

"In the time that I've been here we've seen a shift to more habitat-appropriate we could look at the animals in the dark. systems. For example, our beautiful deer It was really something special," said yard and our coyote enclosures have McKenney. "All kids love animals. They increased space by more than 20-fold and want to see how they live and they want they now have a sky over them for a us to read everything there is about roof," said Hamilton. "I would like to see them." a great expansion of our enclosures that The more we know and understand are viewer, photographer and, of course, the animals and bird in our backyards animal-friendly." and in the remote areas of Maine, the betAnother dream Hamilton's is coming ter we will be able to live together in this true this summer - the creation of a vast wooded-state. The Maine Wildlife wildlife and Native American Art Gallery Park gives us the opportunity to be better at the park. Hamilton was inspired by a neighbors with those creatures who live Forest Hart sculpture of a doe and fawn in the wood that he saw when he first arrived at the park.

"I see an affinity between art and our animals here," said Hamilton. "I thought it would be wonderful to see Jots of art here, so I started talking to artists in the area and they've organized themselves.

This park has just started reaching its potential."

In addition to regular hours of operation, the park holds special events throughout the year - all designed with an eye towards education. For example, each year in October, the park holds a Halloween night hike.

Angela McKenney of Steep Falls brought her children in costumes for a very different kind of trick or treating experience.

"We came all dressed Animals such as this moose can become very tame up and everyone brought when handled, which means it wouldn't be safe to their flashlights so that return them to the wild.

Summer 2005 Page 15

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Summer 2005

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Summer 2005

Lakes Research Report - 2005 The Crew Has Been Keeping Busy

By Tim Obrey and Joe Dembeck Each August, the Lakes Research crew writes a fishing report summarizing the work we have completed over the past year. We have several projects of statewide significance that keep us very busy.

Hydroacoustics Program One of the primary responsibilities of the Lakes Research crew is the new hydroacoustics program. Hydroacoustics is the science of using sound waves to locate and count fish, much like a fi hfinder. However, this high-tech equipment can detect very small fish and accurately determine the size of each fish.

Sampling is conducted at night using OPS to navigate in the dark. The Fi heries Division uses this information to assess melt populations in Maine's lakes. This work must be completed in a relatively short time span. It must be done in August or September when young smelts have become large enough to detect and while the lakes are still thermally stratified. Therefore, we can only urvey a limited number of waters around the State.

The primary objective for the use of this technology is to estimate smelt abundance. However, we are also working on a program that will u e the same data to yield rough estimates of abundance for other species, in particular lake trout.

Several of our larger salmon lakes also have abundant wild lake trout populations. Lake trout also feed primarily on

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smelts and must be factored into the analysis.

Last year we were able to sample the following lakes: Thompson Lake, Schoodic Lake, Sebago Lake, Sebec Lake, Moosehead Lake, Rangeley Lake, and Swan Lake. These waters are listed in order of the estimated density of young smelts. Thompson Lake had the highest densities while Swan Lake had the lowest. It is still too soon to determine: "How many smelts are enough?"

There are other factors to consider in addition to smelt abundance. Predator species and abundance must be considered as well. We are hard at work trying to better understand these relationships so we can enhance our coldwater fisheries.

Brook Trout Strain Evaluation

We found that most of the Kennebago and Fl trout survived the first winter at large but there were significant losses for the MHS. This was very interesting. It indicates that MHS suffer heavy losses soon after stocking and it also indicates that summer habitat is limiting for all trout in this trout pond, which we consider typical of other trout ponds across the State.

Based on the three years of research , we have determined that the Kennebago and Fl strains are better suited for many waters in our fall-fingerling, put-growtake stocking program. However, since the new strains survive much better, stocking rates may need to be reduced to protect growth rates, e pecially in waters like Ten-Forty Pond where summer water quality is limiting. Therefore, we have reduced the stocking rate at Ten-Forty Pond and selected the Fl strain for future stockings. We will continue to evaluate the fishery at Ten-Forty Pond and other ponds selected for this modified study.

We would like to acknowledge the FishAmerica Foundation for graciously awarding the Fisheries Division a

Last year we presented results from the Brook Trout Strain Evaluation study conducted by the Lakes Research crew and regional staff. This study evaluates the performance of the three strains of brook trout stocked in ponds by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. The goal is to determine which strain survives, grows and contributes to the fishery the best.

In the fall of 2004, we trapnetted two stocked trout ponds that had three strains (Maine Hatchery Strain (MHS), Kennebago Strain, and their hybrid (Fl)).

The results were very imilar to the past two years. The F 1 and Kennebago strain fish survived and grew the best. We estimated around 30-35% of the Kennebago and Fl strain brook trout survived to the fall; while only 10% of the MHS fish survived. We again also trapnetted Ten-Forty Pond in the spring to determine over-winter survival rates of recently stocked trout.

We wanted to determine if the This is an example of the quality of brook losses observed in the fall traptrout that are turning up in the Age Ill strain netting occurred in the winter or evaluation study. summer months.

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$ I 0,000 grant to purchase the equipment

necessary to conduct this research.

New Lake Surveys One of the duties of the Fisheries Division is to inventory the nearly 6,000 lakes and ponds in the State and assess their potential for fisheries management based on physical and biological characteristics. To date, we have around 2,100 surveyed waters in our database. The Lakes Research crew assists the regions by completing new lake surveys each summer. Most of our work is focused on the northwestern areas of the State where many of the small, remote unsurveyed waters are located. These waters are usually very remote and require hiking and/or ATY's to access. Carrying a canoe is not usually an option, so we pack in an inflatable boat to conduct fish sampling and water quality.

The immediate goal is not necessarily to survey every water in the State. The Lakes Research crew is focused on identifying waters that could be enhanced, either through regulations or stocking, to create additional fishing opportunities for Maine anglers. For example, waters that have existing wild trout fisheries could be candidates for special regulations. Most unsurveyed waters are managed under General Law. Some of these waters may have more potential for higher quality fisheries.

We are also very interested in identifying waters that may not have wild trout but would be suitable for sustaining a fishery through stocking. These types of ponds offer a unique opportunity to create additional high-quality trout fisheries in Maine. The Department has created some superb fisheries, where trout over 16 inches are common, by stocking some of these waters at low rates. These types of trout ponds that have little or no competition from other fish species can play an important role in this Department's effort to expand trophy trout fishing opportunities.

Last year, we were only able to conduct a few new lake surveys because most of our summer was spent preparing the new hydroacoustics boat. However, we did survey one very nice native brook trout pond in the Moosehead Lake Region and one very nice pond (for bait!)

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I,

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Heading out at dusk to do research on smelt populations in the Department's boat equipped with high-tech sonar equipment. in the Downeast Region. This summer we have assisted staff in the Moosehead Lake Region on three new surveys and conducted a recon trip to identify other ponds for future evaluation. We also found a wild trout population in one large pond surveyed just this week. The other two ponds had just minnows, suckers and a few bullheads present and may be suitable for stocking trout to create additional fishing opportunities in the area.

Splake Program We continue to monitor the splake program in Maine. This winter we conducted clerk creel surveys and angler counts on Piper Pond and Kingsbury Pond in southern Piscataquis County.

Piper Pond, which is typical of many of our splake waters around the State, has been our flagship study water throughout the last 15 years. We also trapnet Piper and Kingsbury Ponds each fall to monitor growth and survival. Kingsbury Pond is primarily managed for salmon but we stock a very small number of splake every other year to provide some diversity in the catch. Kingsbury Pond has a 1 fish, l 6- inch minimum length limit on splake to protect the limited number of fish to larger sizes.

The fall trapnetting was good at Piper Pond. Catch rates for splake were among the best we have seen in the past 15 years. We collected good numbers of splake up to age 3. The fish were exceptionally fat indicating that smelts were also abundant. This winter we found the fishing at Piper Pond to be very good. In fact, in past winters most of the fishing occurred in the first two weeks of January and then as fishing slowed anglers went to other water in the area.

In 2005, the fishing (and angler use) continued to be good through February.

Overall, we are very pleased with the quality fishery at Piper Pond. This 420acre pond has had a history of poor fishing under other management schemes, including brook trout and salmon programs. Now we have created a good fishing opportunity for coldwater gamefish within just a few minute of the Dover-Foxcroft/Guilford area.

The results at Kingsbury Pond were not as good as Piper Pond. Although the fall trapnetting indicated that salmon and splake growth were good, the abundance was low. This was also the case during the winter clerk survey. Overall, fishing was slow but the fish were in average shape. We did hear reports of a few good

Summer 2005 Page 19

splake being caught and we checked one very nice splake, just over 6 lbs, in March. This is precisely the role splake play at Kingsbury Pond.

Technical Support Mention grayling, steelhead trout, Loch Leven trout, Scottish sea trout, cutthroat trout, humpback salmon, and coho salmon and images of distant lakes and rivers comes to an angler's mind. Yet from 1880 through J 920 these species were stocked in lakes, ponds, and rivers here in Maine! Of course other more common species of fish (landlocked salmon, brook trout, lake trout, and Atlantic salmon) were stocked throughout Maine during this time period.

You are probably wondering why steel head trout are not caught in the Penobscot River or grayling in Heart Pond. Luckily for our native fishes, the stockings of these introduced species were done by railroad or horseback with fry carried in milk cans. Though the rearing and tran portation techniques were state of the art for that time period, they pale in compari on to modern methods.

Likely due to stress occurrin g from transport, many of these fish were in poor physical condition when stocked and given their small size (l-2 inche in length) they were easy prey for the larger fish in the e lakes and rivers . However, not all of these stockings were unsuccessful as is evident by smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and yellow perch thriving throughout the state and landlocked salmon in many lakes they were not native.

reports for Maine stocking records has proven daunting as each of these reports run 800 - 1,300 pages in length, names of some waterways do not correspond with their present name, and the common names of fish were quite different, such as blacks potted trout (cutthroat trout) or Quinnat salmon (coho salmon).

With the end of the field season in November we will be reviewing all the Maine stocking records found in the thousands of pages of records for specific waters throughout the State. Who knows what other surprises wait as the records are looked at in fine detail!

You can check it out at: http ://docs. Ii b. noaa.gov/rescue/cof/data_r escue_fish_com miss ion_an nual_reports. h tml In addition to the above projects, the Research crew also assists the Regional staff whenever possible.

This past fall we assisted the staff in the Rangeley Region by trapnetting Round and Ellis Ponds in Chase Stream Twp. Both ponds have wild trout populations. Overall, Round Pond had fewer but larger fish. Trout are very abundant in Ellis Pond, although they were generally small er.

We also assisted the Downeast Region by conducting winter clerk surveys on several waters within striking distance of the Bangor Office, including Hearts Pond and Phillips Lake.

This spring we assisted the Moosehead Lake Region staff with the trapnet-

ting of Misery Pond. Misery Pond is a small native trout pond situated in the heart of wild trout country between Greenville and Bingham. There were two separate reports of an illegal introduction of smallmouth bass in this pond in the fa ll of 2004. Fortunately, we did not collect or observe any bass during the spring work. However, we will have to return for the next few years to be sure.

Database Creation The Research crew is also responsible for maintaining and creating many of the Fisheries Division's databases. This may not seem very exciting or newsworthy, but it is an important and time-consuming role. During the winter months, we created a new stream inventory database and updated several databases including the fishing regulations and the lake inventory.

We also began work on a computer model that will allow us to evaluate the effects of different regulations on trout ponds. Unfortunately, we did not make as much progress on the model as anticipated because of other unanticipated computer work. But, there's always next year.

We did spend a considerable amount of time generating lists for the exercise to consolidate the brook trout regulation, the legislation to protect brook trout ponds that have never been stocked, and the ever-increasing requests for information that come from the public.

Daunting Research Project In order to further identify where fish of any species have been historically stocked in Maine, the Lakes Research crew is currently reviewing archived US Fish Commission reports. The US Fish Commission (now known as the US Fish and Wildlife Service) was the first rederal agency created to specifical ly manage, improve and document the freshwater and marine fisheries of the United States.

From its formation in 1871 until 1940 the commission wrote annual reports to document its activities, including the raising and stocking of fish.

Unfortunately the task of reviewing these

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Some of the 10-40 gear being used by the research crew.

Summer 2005

New, Simplified Trout Regs Pave Way for The Future

By Tom Seymour Anglers may soon experience less anxiety when dealing with special regulations on brook trout on their favorite waters . According to John Boland, Director of Fisheries Operations for The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (DlF&W), current regulations are effective and have achieved their intended resu lt. But, Boland also pointed out that some of Maine's angling public has complained about the complexity of current regulations. And, Boland said, DIF&W has listened to and is addressing these concerns.

Anyone familiar with the State of Maine Open Water Fishing Regulations booklet, or the Ice-Fishing Regulations booklet, has poured over the litany of Special, or "S" regulations. Add these to the general law regulations and it is easy to ee why some Maine anglers have raised objection .

So, Boland said that Fishery Biologists from around the state put their collective heads together to find a remedy. Boland says that rather than tackle the problem as a whole, biologists decided to begin with brook trout, the most highly-regulated of all Maine's fish species. And once new, simplified regulations are in place on brook trout, similar regulations will easily translate to Maine's other game fish .

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Here's an example. 'S-16' is a special regulation concerning brook trout and also splake. In the future, though, the term trout, for purposes of a similar regulation, would include brown trout and rainbow trout as well, thus making it easier to understand.

Boland cited the long list of 'S' regulations in place on brook trout, and the 30-some exceptions to these rules. One reason this complex situation came to be was due to a willingness on the part of DTF&W to accommodate special interest groups. For instance, if local angler felt that brook trout in their home water were being depleted and needed extra protec-

tion, they would petition DfF&W and if data warranted, a special regulation would be implemented. In the end, the maze of regulations has created a gnarly problem for anglers trying to interpret and understand what the law is on any particular water. So Boland and the biologists sat down with the intent of getting back to basics and to define their primary goal.

So instead of an encyclopedia of laws, DIF&W has created four, distinct categories of trout regulations. These four groups include: General Law Fishing Opportunities, Quality Fishing Opportunities, Trophy Fishing Opportunities and Experimental Category.

The first of these, General Law Fishing Opportunities, contains only two regulations and these are a daily limit on trout of two fish and a daily limit on trout of five fish. The two fish regulation will apply to stocked lakes and ponds and the five fish law will cover lakes and ponds in northern and western Maine, waters where natural reproduction is present.

Next, Quality Fishing Opportunities will enable biologi ts to manage trout ponds for their maximum biological capacity. The first two of these three regulations are: Daily limit on trout, two fish ; minimum length limit 10 inches, only one may exceed 12 inches. Next is a daily limit on trout of two fish minimum length limit 12 inches, onl~ one

Summer 2005

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may exceed 14 inches. These two regulations will enable anglers to keep a few trout for the frying pan, while allowing larger fish to remain in the water and to grow even larger. The final regulation under this heading is what Boland called "a happy medium," and consists of a daily limit on trout of one fish, with a minimum length limit of 14 inches.

Next, Trophy Fishing Opportunities includes only two regulations. These are a daily limit on trout of one fish and a minimum length limit of 18 inches, and catch and release. These are designed to bring maximum growth potential from waters where they are applied.

The last category, Experimental Category, is simple. It reads: Daily limit on trout: two fish; all fish over 12 inches must be released alive at once.

According to Boland, this is a potential, catchall regulation. It may be applied anywhere, as needs dictate. Currently, this regulation is in place on over a dozen Maine waters.

That's it. There are no more proposed, trout regulations. Once in place and once anglers become used to these, anglers should find it much easier to navig<1te the once-murky waters of Maine's fishing regulations. But will these new, simplified regulations provide the same level of protection for our precious trout and other fish species? According to Boland, the answer is a resounding "yes."

Boland summed up the reason for and the expected result of these proposed, new regulations in one sentence: "This process is aimed at simplifying the law book while maintaining the core regulations necessary to effectively manage for Maine's waters for the highest-quality, brook-trout fishing." Boland also pointed out, as mentioned here earlier, that these regulations will eventually apply to brown trout, rainbow trout and splake.

It is easy to compare the proposed, brook trout regulations with current laws on brookies. Consult the Open Water Fishing Regulations booklet and select a county. Look at the 'S' regulations on any brook-trout water and compare them with the new, propo ed regulations. ft will become immediately apparent that DIF&W has managed to pare down the gross bulk of laws into a few simple rules.

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So what does it take for a slue of new regulations such as these to become law? It's a three-step process. First, after formulating a proposal, which DIF&W has already done, the Commissioner's Advisory Council is given the proposal. Next, serious discussion between biologists and the Advisory Council takes place, along with planning for any public hearings. After this, come a final discussion and a vote. If all goes well, the proposal becomes law.

Boland is pleased with the proposed new regulations on brook trout. It was clear that much thought and consideration went into compiling these proposed new regulations. It should be pointed out that research supports the new regulations, and this will be the first major

change in brook trout regulations in nine years. In 1996, special regulations were placed on 334 brook trout waters in Maine. These were designed to reverse an ongoing decline in mature trout and they were wildly successful. Data gathered over a five-year period showed that because of special regulations, trout lived longer, grew larger, the catch rate doubled because more fish were present and the average time required to catch a legal-sized trout was halved.

New, simplified regulations on brook trout have been a long time coming.

Once these are in place, anglers can look forward to similar regulations to be applied to all of Maine's game fish. That should cause all of us to breathe a collective sigh of relief.

Maine grows hefty brook trout like this one, but some anglers find the regulations too complicated. Bill Pierce photo Summer

Frye

ountain to the Frye Mountain WMA.

The Lands Management Program is working at this wildlife management area.

By Jeffrey Williams n the fall of 2004, the Lands Management Program continued forest and wildlife management activities at the Frye Mountain Wildlife Management Area, which was dedicated to well-known outdoors writer Gene Letourneau in 1985.

These activities are aimed at promoting the three principle objectives and goals of the Department: I. Maintain or create the highest quality upland or wetland habitat possible.

2. Provide for consumptive and nonconsumptive public recreational opportunities when not in conflict with wildlife management objectives.

3. Demonstrate wildlife management through the use of sound silvicultural techniques and best management practices that can be implemented on private lands.

This article will provide a brief introduction into the Lands Management Program and the efforts undertaken to achieve the Department goals as applied

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Lands Management Program The Lands Management Program was created when, in 2001 , the Legislature approved a new lands management biologist position and a supporting dedicated account to which all habitat enhancement revenues are deposited.

Funds from this account can only be spent on activities relating to the management of the Department's wildlife management areas (WMAs). This dedicated account was initially funded by startup funds from both public and private sources including the Ruffed Grouse Society, Wild Turkey Federation, Outdoor Heritage Fund, The Nature Conservancy, and a State Wildlife Grant.

Future funding of this account is supplied by projects designed to enhance wildlife habitats on WMAs, including stumpage from timber harvest and farm leases. An example of this is the stumpage revenue received by the activities underway at Frye Mountain.

Funds from this dedicated account are used in undertaking management on

Department owned properties for such things as road maintenance and boundary line work as well as planning. Currently, the Lands Management Program is undertaking the establishment of an intensive land use database of WMA lands. This will facilitate identification of important habitats or unique habitats for special concern species, as well as determining the operational landbase for coordination of future habitat enhancement projects. To assist with Lands Program projects, a limited period staff forest techinican was hired in November of 2004.

The Lands Management Program is following two basic approaches to forestland management for wildlife: I) featured species management, and 2) biological diversity (biodiversity).

Depending upon specific attributes of a given forest stand, either approach may be initiated. Featured species management capitalizes on a stands' ability to provide key habitat functions for a selected featured species. As an example, areas at Frye Mountain dominated by an evenly distributed poplar component are

Grouse block timber management at Frye Mountain.

Summer 2005 Page 23

being managed to provide ideal age classes for ruffed grouse. Management for biological diversity seeks to maintain or increase a diverse age structure to offer multiple microhabitats, increase vertical structure, and provide for greater numbers of wildlife species using that stand.

Current operations at Frye Mountain employ both of the basic approaches to habitat management for wildlife, which will be explored after providing some background information on the Frye Mountain WMA.

Frye Mountain WMA The Frye Mountain WMA is one of the largest state-owned upland wildlife management areas, and covers approximately 5,240 acres in the Towns of Knox, Montville and Morrill in Waldo County. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, this area was a bustling agrarian community common on the Maine landscape during this time period.

During the Great Depression, the United States government acquired most of the present-day Frye Mountain WMA under the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act, an act to purchase farm properties at fair market value o families could reestablish in more prosperous, industrialized communitie . The property was administered by the State Parks Department and in 1958 jurisdiction over the area was transferred from the Department of Parks and Recreation to

Careful harvesting of damaged trees can improve the growth rates and vigor of the remaining trees. the then Department of Fish and Game.

The Department has acquired several adjacent parcels as they have become available to complete the present WMA. Today, cultural landmarks and monuments dot the forested landscape; a legacy that MDJFW vows to protect.

The Frye Mountain WMA is comprised of a diverse mixture of forest cover type and improved fields (totaling some l l O acres) which provide good habitat for numerous wildlife species including ruffed grouse, snowshoe hare, woodcock, white-tailed deer, upland furbearers and a multitude of non-game wildlife pecies.

Approximately l 2 miles of roads

have been maintained to provide access for the sportsmen, as well as access for management activities. The roads and associated trails are maintained in the winter by the Bureau of Parks and Lands to provide use and enjoyment for snowmobile and winter sports enthusia ts.

Historically management has focused on diversifying interior forested portions of the WMA through timber harvesting operations. Among the management strategies are two ruffed grouse habitat improvement sites, which are nearing the completion of the scheduled block cut rotation to provide the needed age structure conducive to the ruffed grouse requirements.Past management has also included mowing of fields for browse and pruning of apple trees for soft mast.

Current Activities

Openings around apple trees allow these fruit trees to flourish .

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Current activities at the WMA include expanding upon existing grouse block management units, encouraging the establishment of shade tolerant, mast producing hardwoods (while salvaging stems predisposed by the 1998 ice storm), and encouraging softwood regeneration and hardwood browse. The operation is designed to clean and weed much of the white birch, a pen and other damaged stems to improve overall stand vigor and production, and is planned to encompass a total of 850 acres for all of the above mentioned prescription .

Two additional areas se lected for

Summer 2005

grouse block management units have sufficient aspen and birch components to allow for arrangement of age classes beneficial to higher than average grouse numbers. While this harvesting scheme directly benefits ruffed grouse and woodcock, numerous species of wildlife flourish in early successional habitat types.

The prescription calls for two-acre patch cuts on a forty-year rotation oriented to create "activity centers" as recommended

by Gullion's grouse habitat model.

Forest operations are conducted on IO to 15 year intervals harvesting approximately 25% of the area designated for "grouse management." Successive blocks are harvested each period unti I the required age classes are present and the rotation can be perpetuated.

A significant portion of the current operation area ( 182 acres) have overstory trees which are dead or declining throughout the stand, with biological maturity having been abbreviated due to the 1998 ice storm. In these areas, a patch shelte1wood system is being employed, up to half of an acre in patch size. Facilitated by the retention of mastproducing individuals within the patches, these patches will allow for sugar maple and yellow birch to seed in, accompanied by the sprouting of beech and red oak stems. This harvest regime will operate 25% of the stand to provide a future age class of free to grow desirable hardwoods of acceptable quality, leaving 75% in its current state to continue to produce mast in the no-entry areas.

Managed in conjunction with an

Post-harvest, decadent trees have been salvaged, creating new openings for softwood trees to grow. adjacent stand for winter shelter for deer, a 3 72-acre stand is dominated by sprucefir, which accounts for nearly 60% of the stocking. Some areas of the stand have considerable dieback and wind throw which has allowed for dense balsam fir and red spruce regeneration. The prescription in this stand calls for augmenting the already present softwood regeneration with a cleaning/regeneration establishment entry.

Removal of poor birch and aspen that is nearing or passed biological maturity will initiate softwood regeneration for cover and to a lesser extent tolerant hardwood regeneration for browse. In areas where balsam fir has experienced mortality, and adequate regeneration is present, the prescription calls for oversto-

Close consultation is required to make sure the cutting plan is correct.

MAINE Fish and Wildlife

ry removal to release the regeneration present.

The goal of the prescription in the stand is to improve the potential for white-tailed deer wintering shelter and the several non-game species associated with mature softwood stands. The operation will establish softwood regeneration, hardwood browse, and diversify the stand age classes to perpetuate the valuable shelter provided by the stand.

Synthesis Continuing to build on past management at Wildlife Management Areas across the state, the Lands Management Program is currently conducting forested habitat management operations at the Frye Mountain Wildlife Management Area to promote the objectives and goals of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. The management undertaken at Frye Mountain and other WMA's will help maintain and promote the highest quality habitat possible, provide for recreational opportunities which do not conflict with the wildlife management objectives, and it is hoped that our management will become a valued resource for demonstration of wildlife management through the use of techniques applicable to large and small landowners alike. Additionally, funds generated from management activities will be used to enhance and promote both wildlife habitat and the recreational opportunities that abound at wildlife management areas.

Summer 2005 Page 25

Bassin'!

By Marc Michaud The Eighth Annual Governor's Cup Charity Bass Tournament took place Sunday, June 12, at the Birches Family Campground in Litchfield.

Members of the Maine House of Representatives and Maine Senate competed with each other to see who would out-fish the other for the coveted Governor's Cup trophy.

The Maine Bass Federation provided the boats and the guides for the day and also solicited contributions for the chosen charity. The March of Dimes was selected as this year's charity and a check for $1,500 was given to the organization.

After a hearty breakfast, all enjoyed a morning of fishing. Lunch was provided by the Birches Campground, followed by presentation of awards.

Governor John Baldacci broke away from a heavy schedule to address the group prior to presentation of the awards. He thanked the Bass Federation members for their efforts in making the event a success and for the generous contribution to the March of Dimes. Commissioner Roland D. Martin took over the awards presentation in Baldacci's absence.

The series is now tied with the House and Senate both being victorious in four events. The Senate was the victor this year to even the score.

Twenty-five legislators took part in this year's tournament. The House members regrouped and were overheard making plans to recover the trophy next year. We'll have to wait and see.

Special thanks to Diane Rogers, proprietor of the Birches Campground, Scott Bradford, president of the Maine Bass Federation, Federation member Harold Jones and Emily Jones, public

Emily Jones, public relations specialist, and Marc Michaud, director of the lnfurmation and Education Division, review the tournament standings.

From left, Rep. Thomas Watson and Rep. Ken Chambers with Capt. Doug Lepage.

relations specialist with the Department.

Photos by Charles Wilson Page 26 MAINE Fish and Wildlife

Gov. John Baldacci with Diane Rogers, owner of the Birches Campground.

Summer 2005

Maine Bass Federation members who served as boat captains in front of a Triton bass boat. Triton was one of the sponsors of the tournament.

The morning lineup. Competitors in the Governor's Cup Bass Tournament line up beside their boats before the day's fishing begins.

Sen. Chandler Woodcock (left) and Sen. Dennis Damon pose happily with the Governor's Cup.

Award winners, from left, Rep. Charles Fisher, Capt. Dave Barnes, Rep. Edward Dugay, Capt. Josh Blackwood

MAINE Fish and Wildlife

Emily Jones shares a laugh with Rep. Charles D. Fisher after the tournament.

Comm. Roland D. Martin congratulates Capt. Matt Bedell for his participation in the tournament.

Summer 2005 Page 27

By Tom Seymour ennifer Vashon, wildlife biologist and lynx specialist with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (DIF&W), has plenty of handson experience in dealing with Canada lynx in Maine. Vashon is a project leader for the Partnership for Lynx Conservation Project (PLC).

Canada lynx, Lynx canadensis, are common throughout the boreal forests of Canada and Alaska. Historically, lynx ranged south to our Rocky Mountains and Great Lakes and Northeastern states.

Now, according to the Department, selfsustaining lynx populations exist only in Washington State, Montana, Maine and Minnesota. Maine has the distinction of being the only northeastern state to host Canada lynx.

Currently, Aroostook, Piscataquis, Somerset and Franklin counties are known to have resident lynx. However, historical and anecdotal evidence places the occasional lynx in Eastern Maine as well. What, besides average snow depth, forest conditions and prey density limits lynx distribution primarily to our northern forest? The answer is linked to past forestry practices. As Vashon said, "Although they are listed as threatened, Maine lynx are doing really well now."

J

Maine forest were reduced to dead sticks.

In an effort to salvage what could be used for pulp and lumber, as well as to prevent the spread of the bud worm plague, woodland owners embarked upon massive, clearcutting projects. In the end, huge swaths of northern Maine lay barren, candidates for pioneer vegetation and eventual regrowth.

Additionally, until enactment of the Maine Forestry Practices Act of l 990, timberland owners employed c!earcutting in a big way, as a forestry management tool. The combination of these clearcuts, along with the spruce budworm cleanup, worked well for the future of Canada lynx in Maine. Here's why.

Snowshoe hares are the primary prey of Canada lynx. In summer, though, their diet becomes more eclectic and includes birds and small mammals. In winter, deer and moose carcasses supplement their diet of hare . Without hares, though, lynx would starve. Given this, the connection between clearcuts and a healthy lynx population becomes more

apparent. Hares do best in a successional environment. New growth, such as that which fills in a forest after a fire or after a clearcu::ing operation, offers not only cover, but plenty of food for hares.

Grasses, wild perennials and annuals and the cambium layer of young saplings all figure into the hare's diet.

Successional Habitats Lynx and hares are not the only creatures that thrive in successional environments. Various songbirds find food, weed seeds and insects and also nesting areas near to these necessary requirements. While both young hardwood and softwood forest provide food and cover for hares, regenerating softwood stands are of most value to lynx.

Clearly, these places are of great value to much of Maine's wildlife.

However valuable successional environments are, they are not static. Change is key and land that is ideal for hares, lynx and others soon becomes inhospitable.

As pioneer plant species die off, more

Budworm Beneficiaries The current happy state of affairs for Maine lynx is partly attributable to the spruce budworm epidemic that raged through Maine between 1976 and 1985.

The hungry budworms killed thousands of acres of softwood trees. Huge blocs of

Page 28 MAINE Fish and Wildlife

Radio-telemetry is used to locate female lynx that have been fitted with radio collars, so the size and health of their kittens can be checked.

Summer 2005

substantial and longer-lived plants and trees take their place. Thus, in order for Maine lynx to prosper, care must be taken to insure that ample regenerating forestland is always present.

Canadian lynx are highly specialized creatures. Lynx are about the size of a bobcat but have longer legs, which makes them appear larger. Lynx also have several other distinguishing features, among them are long, black ear tufts and a short tail with a black tip.

Bobcats have much shorter ear tufts and their tails have three or four, black bars.

Another distinguishing feature of the Canada lynx , one which is better observed at close range, is the dense hair on their feet. These natural "snowshoes" allow the cat to pursue hares on top of deep snow.

Southern Edge Maine is at the southern edge of lynx range and they have only a tenuous foothold and are liable to decrease in numbers due to a variety of causes. Here in Maine, snowshoe hare and lynx numbers are directly related. It is also is possible that individuals from more stable lynx populations just over the border in Canada are recruited into the body of lynx numbers in Maine . This, however, has yet to be positively determined. It is known that hare populations in no1thern Canada are cyclical , with populations swelling and ebbing on a I 0-year basis.

Whether this same cycle is as predicable

or even present in Maine is unknown. In fact, Maine hares may be more influenced by the amount of available habitat which, in turn, is directly related to forestry practices.

Lots of other factors, too, have their place in determining lynx numbers in Maine . Human incursion in northern woodlands may disrupt lynx cycles. Most of Maine's northern forest is privately owned and managed as working woodland. But this does not preclude human activity, since paper companies traditionally permit public access on their woodlands. Wood roads, or tote roads, while not in themselves barriers to lynx movement, allow people access to lynx territory. More of a threat, though, are modern highways. These not only introduce lynx mortality by way of roadkill, they act as barriers to lynx movement.

Finally, Maine lynx must compete with other carnivores. Bobcats, coyotes, fox , fisher and marten and predatory birds all prey upon the same species as lynx, notably, snowshoe hare and, to a lesser extent, red squitTels.

Listing Lynx The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) began receiving petitions to list Canada lynx as threatened or endangered as far back as 1990. And in 2000, Canada lynx was federally listed as threatened. In l 997, Maine Iisted lynx as a species of special concern. Only 30 years ago, Maine pennitted trapping and

Careful record-keeping is an important step when researching lynx.

MAINE Fish and Wildlife

hunting of lynx . These practices ended in 1967.

According to Vashon, the Department has long been aware that USFWS would more than likely list lynx sometime in the near future. This raised concerns that our Maine lynx population would not be specifically addressed.

That's because USFWS had data only from a limited study of lynx in the western United States. There, forest type and also human development and presence is vastly different from here in Maine.

Maine, as well as other northeast states and government entities, worried that USFWS might not have all the pertinent data needed to fomrnlate a workable recovery plan.

Vashon said that when a federal listing occurs, two steps are taken. First, critical habitat must be designated. This is a map of the area critical to lynx recovery that may require special management or protection. Second, a recovery plan is developed. This plan identifies what must occur in order to list or de-list a species. The main reason to list any species is so steps may be taken so that species no longer needs the protection of the Endangered Species Act. The Department had concerns about any federal recovery plan because when lynx were listed, they were considered as one population. Given that federal data reflected studies from western states, Maine officials knew something more must be done to address whatever lynx population existed here. In order for that to happen, Maine lynx needed to be studied and that data analyzed.

In 1997, USFWS agreed with Maine and other northeastern agencies, that Maine lynx must be studied. After considering two separate areas, the Musquacook Lake area was selected.

Work on that study began in March 1999 . This area was where lynx tracks bad been encountered and recorded by theDepartment during a past, snow-track survey.

The study had five objectives: 1. To detennine if there was a viable, self-suppotting population of lynx in a four township area in northwestern Maine, or if northwestern Maine was simply hosting transients from populations in Canada; 2. to document mortality factors

Summer 2005 Page 29

â&#x20AC;˘

affecting lynx in northwestern Maine; 3. to identify habitats used by lynx in northwestern Maine and how they relate to snowshoe hare distribution and abundance; 4. to investigate how lynx distribution in northwestern Maine is affected by sympatric populations of coyotes, red foxes, fishers and bobcats and, 5. to test the various survey methods used to determine the status of lynx.

Tough Task At the outset, the Department had a difficult assignment. Vashon told me, "We didn't know if lynx in Maine were young Canadian individuals.. Was there a breeding population in Maine?" That question was eventually answered in the affirmative. To begin, though, the Department, along with University of Maine and USFWS compiled historical data on lynx in Maine. This body of information came from a wide variety of sources.

Plenty of people alive today have legally hunted or trapped lynx. These individuals had much information to offer. Furtagging data proved valuable, too. In the end, old-time hunters, trappers and Maine guides all had a hand in contributing to the body of historical data on Maine lynx.

The Department employed various methods in order to meet the five points of the field study. Beginning in February, 1999, DIF&W concentrated upon detecting lynx through snow track surveys and also, capturing individual lynx and fitting them with radio collars for later, radio telemetry study.

In June of that year, the Department documented reproduction by a radiocollared Maine lynx. In August of 1999, yearround field efforts were launched.

Summer and fall activities included capturing lynx and fitting them with radio collars, conducting hare pellet (dropping) surveys and amassing den habitat data.

That following winter, focus shifted to identifying habitat frequented by lynx, estimating prey abundance and the number of competitors for that prey, testing snow-track survey techniques and again, Page 30 MAINE Fish and Wildlife

capturing lynx. Following that, spring and summer work consisted of documenting lynx reproduction and doing hare pellet surveys. Continuing, yearround activities include documenting lynx movements, habitat use, mortality and interactions with competing predators.

Once a lynx is fitted with a radio collar, it is located on the average of two days per week by a small plane mounted with a directional antennae, and the animal's location is then plotted on an aerial photo. Next, modem technology comes into play and a global positioning system (GPS) provides exact coordinates of the lynx's location.

Other data gathered by aerial observation includes forest type assessment.

Forest types were then classified as mature or regenerating (remember that lynx do best in regenerating forestland).

This habitat data has not been collected since 2003, but may be resumed in the future.

In May, telemetry observations are used to indicate den locations of radiocollared female lynx. In June, Department personnel, using hand-held telemetry devices, locate the dens and capture the kittens. The lynx kittens are measured, fitted with numbered eartags and electronic transponders and genetic analysis is conducted via hair samples.

The kittens are released back into the den and the female is tracked for the next several days in order to verify she has returned to her den.

In a study conducted near Clayton Lake between 1999 and 2003, a total of 32 lynx were captured and radio-tagged and 17 dens with 37 kittens were discovered.

In June of 2004, DIF&W visited seven lynx dens, only two of which were located outside the established study area. In these seven dens were found a total of 21 lynx kittens. Of these 13 were male, eight female. This shows an average litter size of three kittens.

Future study efforts, extending until 2008, have four objectives. First, is to determine lynx persistence in Maine in re ponse to changing prey densities and habitat conditions. Second, to determine

habitat use in relation to hare abundance.

Third, to determine recruitment and dispersal of lynx in relation to prey densities and habitat conditions and finally, to investigate the potential for a statewide survey technique to document lynx populations and trends.

At the end of our interview, Vashon said Maine has compiled five years worth of data from its lynx study. That data has been forwarded to USF&W for their consideration as they draft both their critical habitat and recovery plans.

As a result of the ongoing lynx study in Maine, it is recommended that all persons immediately report lynx sightings to DIF&W. Large blocks of suitable regenerating habitat need to be widely distributed over northern and western Maine.

Finally, large blocks of unfragmented forestland must be conserved and construction of high-speed highways in currently undeveloped areas of northern and western Maine must be avoided.

All this and more is needed so Canada lynx in Maine will no longer need to be protected under the Endangered Species Act. People like Jennifer Vashon stand ready to ensure that that will happen.

Kidbits Answers A. Atlantic Salmon B. Fisher C. Ruffed Grouse D. Snapping Turtle E. Opossum F. Hummingbird G. Garter Snake H. Black Duck Summer 2005

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