Maine Fish and Wildlife Magazine, Fall 2005

Maine State Library

Maine State Documents Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Magazine

Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

9-1-2005

Maine Fish and Game Magazine, Fall 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, Fall 2005" (2005). Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Magazine. Book 8. http://digitalmaine.com/ifw_magazine/8

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DEC 1 5 2005

DID YOU KNOW

FEDERAL GUN LAWS PROHIBIT YOU FROM • Possessing a gun if you've been convicted of assaulting: -your child; - your spouse or live-in partner (past or present); or - the mother or father of your child .

18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9)

• Possessing a gun if you are subject to a final protection from abuse order.

18 U.S. C. § 922(g)(8)

• Possessing a gun if you are a convicted felon.

18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)

• Providing a handgun to anyone under age 18.

18 U. S.C. § 922(x)

• Buying a gun for someone who is prohibited from owning a gun.

18 U.S. C. § 922(a)(6) and 922(d)

• Selling a gun to someone who lives out of state.

18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(5)

• Lying on an application to buy a gun.

18 U.S.C. § 922(a){6}

IGNORANCE OF THE LAW IS NO EXCUSE.

Project Safe Neighborhoods Task Force United States Attorney - District of Maine • Portland/Bangor, Maine (207) 771-3294 or 262-4694 • usame.psn@usdoj.gov Page 2 MAINE Fish and Wildlife

Fal l 2005

MAINE Fish and Wildlife 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 Sheridan Oldham, Waterville Lance Wheaton, Forest City David A. Wardwell, Penobscot Marc Michaud, Editor Lisa Kane, Copy Editor Mark Latti, Copy Editor (ISSN 0360-005X) MAINE Fish and Wildlife is published quarterly by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife , 284 State St., Station 41 , Augusta, Maine 04333, under appropriation 010-09A-0529. Subscription rate is $14.95 per year.

Permission to reprint text material is granted, provided proper credit is given to the author and to the Department. Clearance must be obtained from artists, photographers and non-staff authors to reproduce credited work. Š Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 2002.

Fall 2005 Editorial

Vol. 47, No. 3 4

Roland D. Martin

Safety: It 's our number one concern .

ATVs Gaining Ground

6

Cathy Genthner

More fo rmal organization is leading to more and better pl aces to ride.

Feeding the Hungry

9

Cathy Genthner

Maine hunters are providing game meat to those needi ng good protien.

Hunter Safety

12

Cathy Genthner

200,000 people have now completed life-saving training courses.

Kidbits

16

Lisa Kane

Help Wanted: A test about what "jobs" wild creatures perform.

CWD

18

Gerry Lavigne

Working to keep a deadly deer disease out of Maine's woodlands.

100 Years Ago

23

Kendall Warner

A look at the good, old days of Main e hunting and fishing.

Erle R.Kelley WMA

25

Mark Latti

A prime wetland management area is located in Dresden and Wiscasset.

September Geese

27

R. Bradfo rd Allen

Resident Canada Goose fl ocks are now providing early fall hunting.

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. 20:!40

Embden Hatchery

29

Mark Latti

Governor Baldacci re-opens a key trout production facility.

About the Cover: Talented Maine artist Tom Merriam painted this pair of ruffed grouse in the fall woods.

Fall 2005 Page 3

Editorial

Safety: Our Number One Concern With the hunting season in full down numbers by 10-ycar periods you see gradual reduction in inciswing and over 200,000 people hunting in Maine annually, we are dents: fortunate to enjoy one of the safest Incidents Years Fata l sports anyone can participate in.

1965-1974 464 56 We often hear non-hunters talking 1975-1984 314 25 about being concerned about 1985-1994 170 going afield in the fall or having a 14 family member go hunting and 1995-2004 100 6 how they fear for their safety.

In actuality, hunting is much safer Laws enacted over time have than many people realize. helped reduce incidents. The requirement of wearing some visiAccording to a report by the ble hunter orange clothing and National Shooting Sports legislation prohibiting unsafe Foundation published in 2004, hunting was much safer than base- practices have all helped to make the sport safer. Another major bal 1, basketball, soccer and even factor was the enactment of fishing. For example, the report mandatory hunter education that cites that in 2001 there were an started in 1986 in Maine. estimated 19.2 million active hunters with 720 injuries occurFiream1s safety education had ring compared to 44.4 million begun in the I 950's and has now evolved into a course that requires people who fished and a reported a minimum of 12 hours. The 79 ,369 injuries.

Over the last decade, the num- course includes firearms knowlber of accidental fatalities by edge, ethics and responsibilities, survival, map and compass, firearms from any type of use wildlife management and other (excluding homicide and suicide) related subjects. This year, has dropped nearly by half (45%). approximately 6,000 students will The NSSF report lists 800 graduate from these safety courses firearms related deaths across the offered throughout the State of country in 2001 , which includes Maine. Instructors for the courses 78 hunting related incidents.

Factors for the decline include are all volunteers numbering 800 better designs of firearms, more or so and donate approximately availability of locks for firearms , 12,000 hours annually to the and, of course, education.

Depa1iment of Inland Fisheries In Maine, hunting incidents have and Wildlife.

This summer, Maine graduated been reduced from a high of 70 in 1952, which included 19 fatalities, its 200,000th student from its to a low of 3 incidents with no Hunter Education prog ram , a major milestone for the program. fatalities in 1998. lf you break Page 4 MAINE Fish and Wildlife

Approximately 10 years ago, a requirement to cover landowner relations and hunter ethics was added to all safety courses. With 95 % of Maine being privately owned, it is imperative that landowner respect be stressed.

Obtaining permission prior to recreating on someone's land and thanking them afterward are necessary if we are to continue our Maine tradition. Conducting ourselves in an ethical manner will bring respect to the sport and will go a long way to gain support from the general public.

What causes the incidents we do have?

Taking time to review the incidents we do have annually, it becomes apparent that nearly half of the incidences are self-innicted.

Failure to properly identify your target can result in hunter Fall 2005

shooting something they thought may be game. Poor communication between hunting partners on their location or direction of travel is another contributing factor.

Failure to wear hunter orange while bird hunting especially is also an area that creates an unsafe situation.

As you venture out in the woods of our state this fall keep in mind the cardinal rules of hunter safety: 1) Treat every gun as if it were loaded.

2) Always point the muzzle in a safe direction .

3) Be sure of your target and beyond.

4) Keep your finger off the trigger and outside the trigger guard area until ready to shoot.

ATV Safety The increased use and popularity of ATV's has heightened our concerns for safety. When operators are involved with an ATV accident, the injuries are often serious and can result in death.

The terrain where they ride, the speed at which they travel and the susceptibility of these vehicles to tip over in curves or tip back while climbing steep inclines are all factors that have contributed to serious injuries. Letting very young people operate adult sized ATV's without proper training and adult supervision have also resulted in increased accidents. Parents and guardians should make every effort to ensure that people under their care receive proper instruction in the safe handling and operation of ATVs .

Operators should stay on marked trail s, and avoid areas Maine Fish and Wildl ife

along railroad beds and highways.

Not only is it illegal to ride in the right of way of railroads, it causes a disruption of the ballast beneath the rails and could cause derailments. On roadways, ATV's are no match for oncoming vehicles.

Extreme care should be exercised when legally crossing a roadway.

Getting Prepared for the Snowmobiling Season With our first snowfall in many parts of the state having already occurred, many folks will be thinking of digging out their snow sleds and putting the ATV's away. Before one simply jumps on that sled for a ride some attention to maintenance is probably in order.

A pre-start safety check is very worthwhile and should include the following: P- Point the snowmobile in a safe direction in case of a stuck throttle.

S- Check the steering systemdoes it move easily, any bent parts, check the skis for wear, etc.

T- Check the throttle- does it move easily, return to position, have cable wear, etc.

B- Check the brakes - do they stick or bind, show wear, etc.

Check all fluid levels and replace gasoline if it has set very long. Modern gasoline has a problem with moisture and bacteria buildup, so it may be best to drain and start with fresh gasoline. It is also good to replace the fuel filter if so equipped. Check all switches for proper movement and working order before and after initial start.

The emergency stop switch is extremely important and if not working, it should receive imme-

diate attention. Check adjustments for track tension, ski alignment and brakes by referring to your owner's manual or if in doubt with you local sled repair shop. Be sure to replace plugs, drive belts, broken parts, lights, etc., before striking out on that first trip. Also make sure to have spare items as well as the owner's manual stored on the machine. Check the electrical start for proper operation and replace the battery if necessary.

Also be sure the manual start will function if is needed and carry a spare starter cord.

Please remember that most accidents are caused by operator error. Common causes of incidents include excessive speeds for existing conditions, lack of knowledge of terrain or area, failure to observe hazards, failure to obey laws and/or the rules of the road, poorly maintained equipment, and operating under the influence.

Snowmobile operators and other outdoor enthusiasts should remember to file a "trip plan' with someone even if it is for a short ride around the back forty. Having survival and first aid gear along will prevent many minor situations from becoming more serious.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO RIDE RIGHT and RIDE SMART! Enjoy all that our wonderful state has to offer, but please remember do so in a safe manner.

Roland D. Martin Commissioner Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

Fall 2005 Page 5

•

ATVs Gaining Ground

By Cathy Genthner The number of ATV clubs and miles of trail s has nearly tripled over the last few years as club members work diligently to improve the reputation of the sport. At the beginning of 2005, there were roughly 3,000 miles of established trails in Maine. As of this fall, there are now nearly 4,800 miles.

"I attribute the dramatic increase to hard working volunteers at the club level, and the organization that 'ATV Maine' has put into the whole thing, " said Dan Mitchell, the president of ATV Maine.

"More clubs are getting involved.

With the new laws and other things, everyone is coming to the understanding that joining a club is the way to go," said Jeff Linscott, the chair of the Trails Committee for ATV Maine. "That is what we are promoting -ATVers should get involved and join a club."

That advice is obviously being taken

very seriously. The number of ATV clubs in Maine is now approaching 130 - that is up from around 33 just two years ago.

"We've gone from 2,200 club members to over I 1,000, and we are hearing about new clubs everyday," said Linscott. "The sport is alive and well."

The improving health of the sport can be attributed to numerous efforts aimed at making the sport safer, and improving the relationships with private landowners. An ATV advisory council was rece,1tly created by the I 22nd Maine Legislature, and charged with highlighting issues and legislation to be presented to the legislature in February 2006. This advisory council has already met at least twice this fall. It was created to carry on the work initiated by the Governor's ATV Task Force that resulted in nearly a dozen ATV-related bills last session. One recommendation from the new advisory council is to reexamine a law passed in 2004 requiring ATVers to get permission to operate on

Fall 2005

private land, unless it is on an authorized trail. The permission has to be in writing if access involves cropland. This permission differs from other activities such as hunting, hiking or even snowmobiling.

"It is the responsibility of the ATV owner to obtain permission, instead of putting it on the landowner to post the land. The law was changed so that an ATV operator had to have permission whether the land was posted or not," said Brian Bronson, the recreational safety and vehicle coordinator for the Department of Conservation. "I think the new law has been helpful because the landowners need our support; and it was important that we made it clear that the landowner owns the land. However, the new law can be problematic for people if they have always hunted or fished on that land, and already know the landowner."

Bronson notes that it may also be difficult for ATV operators to know from whom they need to get permission; especially if access involves large tracts of land owned by a company or large landowner. The new law has also created some problems for landowners.

"If you are a landowner and you allow ATV use, you don't want to talk to hundreds of ATV operators," said Bronson. "So that can create problems whether you are a small or large landowner."

Another issue the advisory council is reviewing is the penalty for an ATV violation. Presently, if you are convicted of certain violations involving the use of an ATV, the law mandates that operators will lose their registration, as well as all licenses issued by LF&W, such as a hunting or fishing license.

"There are people who feel the law should say that someone could rather than will lose other licenses, because the ATV violation could be an accidental occurrence, rather than something done deliberately to break the law," said Bronson. "Right now, the way the law is written, an ATV operator must give up all IF&W licenses. There is some confusion."

The advisory council is also looking at safety issues, courses and the minimum age for wearing a helmet.

MAINE Fish and Wildlife

There are now over 4,800 miles of established ATV trails, such as this one near the Piscataquis River in Medford. Cathy Genthner photo Presently, anyone under the age of 18 must wear a helmet, and any operator under the age of 16 must be under adult supervision when operating an ATV. In addition, anyone under the age of 16 must have taken a safety course to operate off their own land. The goal is to make the sport safer, because of several fatalities and injuries every year.

"The number of injuries and fatalities based on registrations seems to stay somewhat consistent, but is generally higher than snowmobiling, especially personal injuries," said Michael Sawyer, the Recreational Safety and Vehicle Coordinator for IF&W. "ATVs climb banks and can roll over, so there tends to be a lot of limb injuries due to a lack of protective clothing. People who snowmobile generally wear heavy suits that provide lots of cushioning."

Another reason for a greater number of injuries and fatalities is the fact that ATVs can be operated on a year-round basis, depending on weather conditions.

In fact, there is an increase in the num-

ber of people who use ATVs when they go ice fishing. Still, there are steps that ATVers can take to make the sport safer, such as taking the ATV Safety Course that is offered throughout the state.

Every ATV club in the state sponsors at least one safety course a year. "lf you look at the people who have taken the safety course, very few end up as an injury or fatality statistic," said Bronson. "Safety training is a big part of the solution."

What is learned in the classroom will help operators when they get out on the field. ATV safety classes are mandatory for riders under the age of 16, and an adult must accompany those who take the class. Those who take the six-hour course will learn how to properly operate and maintain an ATV. Laws, ethics, responsibilities, personal safety, map and compass, first aid, and landowner relations are also covered. A final exam is given at the end of the course and participants must attend every day of the class to receive certification. To further

Fall 2005 Page 7

reinforce the emphasis on safety, landowner relations and other issues.

ATV Maine is sponsoring the production o f an ATV video.

"What we are telling people in the video is that the rules have changed.

The easiest and best way to know what is going on is to register your machine, join a club and get involved. The designated marked trail system is the answer and the future for ATVs, " said Bronson.

Joining a club can also make the sport safer because of increased access to other ATVers. who may have more experience on the trails. It can also help improve landowner relations, which have been strained over the past several years, mostly due to trespassing and disrespect for the land.

"The overall reputation of ATVs is improving. and the clubs have done a lot to improve the relationship between ATVers and landowners," said Bronson.

"But there have been several years· worth of problems, and other recreational access has been impacted. For example, some snowmobile clubs have lost access to land because of ATVs that have caused damage. Some landowners have a real bad taste in their mouths - as they should - when it comes to ATVs .

The clubs are trying to improve that.

The problems didn't happen overnight. and they won ' t get fixed overnight."

There are some ATV operators who are resistant to joining a club or registering their machine. which slows down advances made by the clubs .

"We have some ATV owners who are

I

Game Warden Jason Luce checks ATVers at a gas station in West Gorham. Cathy Genthner photo

saying they aren't going to register their machines because they have nowhere to go. It is a terrible attitude and it doesn't help landowner relations," said Scott Ramsay, the director of the off-road vehicle division at the Department of Conservation. "If they don't register their machines then we (DOC) don't have money for trails and maintenance .

The fact is there are a ton of trails out there where people can ride legally."

Unfortunately. it is where ATVers have ridden illegally that has left an imprint on the land as well as the landowner. "l think what is happening is that the ATV Maine is trying to get people better organized, although most of them don·t ATV Accidents have the support REGIS. OUI FATAL. JUVE. YEA R ACC. INJ. that the snowmobile (Fatal. ) clubs have, " said Lt. 2005 Stati , tic, not ava ilable yet Nat Berry. of the I 66,139 2004 311 328 28 10 Maine Warden 2003 313 340 38 56.784 6 0 323 40 2002 I 52.830 333 6 Service. "ATVs 279 298 24 I 46,141 200 1 0 leave an ever-lasting 26 1 277 32 44,796 5 I 2000 mark on the land .

253 38 7 256 0 40.2M 1999 When an ATV goes 22 4 33,854 0 161 166 1998 2 28.834 0 132 1997 136 across a field or 4 I 27.270 1996 107 128 wetland. they can 24.324 I 0 134 1995 123 do a lot o f damage .

23.857 2 0 1994 11 9 126 22,390 We arc finding that I 2 1993 88 89 21,447 3 1992 107 117 6 landowners are 20,67 1 2 1991 129 138 5 upset in the way 21,3 10 1990 167 4 162 0

Page 8 MAINE Fish and Wildlife

that some ATVers are treating their property. A lot of complaints are coming from landowners."

Grant money is available by enforcement to heavily patrol areas where ATV riders were causing problems - with one of the biggest problems being trespassing. For example, the owner of a gravel pit in southern Maine didn ' t want ATVs on his property because it is a working pit with trucks constantly going in and out. The pit is heavily posted, but there were still those who didn't abide by the landowner\ wishes. As a result. wardens on ATVs heavily and successfully worked the site in search of violators .

Progress is being made on ATV education and safety. As more clubs form , more ATV trails are established and maintained . This increases the popularity of the sport and attracts more ATVers from out of state. helping the local economy and the prospect for more trails .

"Our goal is to have trails that stretch from Kittery to Fort Kent," said Linscott .

For a list of ATV classes 1-i.sit: 1n m . state. me. 11sl(fir/ed11cat io11/safet\lat1 · .htm For more i11fon11atio11 about joining cm ATV C/11/J 1·isit: 11w11·.ATVMaine.01'.'/

Fall 2005

Maine Hunters Feed the Hungry Through distribution coordinated by the Maine Chapter of SCI, Maine hunters provide food for those who need it most.

By Cathy Genthner or Dana Bullen of Ca1i-abasset Valley. there is an even bigger thrill than bagging a nearly 800-pound bu ll moose during the first week of the moose hunt this fa ll. It was donating a majority of the meat to the Bread of Life soup kitchen and shelter in Augusta.

Bullen i making his donation as part of the Sportsmen Against Hunger program, coordinated by the Maine Chapter of Safari Club International (SCI).

"I talked to the shelter in Augusta and found out they don't get a lot of donations of fresh meat. So instead of giving the meat to my friends and relatives, I will end up giving 250 to 300 pounds of meat to the shelter," said Bullen, who shot the bull with a .300 magnum Winchester in WMD Zone I in Allagash.

"I enjoy hunting and eating the game we get in the field. I do an awfu l lot of hunting and end up with more than we can use."

F

Maine have found that giving something back from nature' bounty is the humanitarian thing to do. La t year, hunters, rod and gun club and other sportsmen's groups donated more than 4,000 pounds of game through the coordination efforts of the Maine Chapter of SCI, who utilized 17 local meat cutters. The list of meat cutters has grown to 25 this year, and the hope is that more wild game will end up on the plates of needy Mainers.

Hunting Culture "I think the meat will be appreciated even more because of rising oil prices.

Low-income familie , the elderly and soup kitchens have less discretionary money to spend on food ," said Sandy

Hosmer, the chair of the Humanitarian Service Committee of the Maine Chapter of SCI. "When I volunteered at the York County Shelter, I would see a lot of people come in who were homeless, very quiet and depre sect. This one gentleman kept very much to himself.

But when he saw on the bul letin board that the shelter was serving deer stew that day, he opened right up. He went right into the kitchen and talked about what it was like when he used to hunt. It was one of those special moments when he was able to connect to people around him. Hunting is part of the culture here in Maine, and it just can't be denied. It is real and it is so much more than ju t pulling the trigger."

Hundreds Help Marc Michaud, the Director of the Information and Education Division of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, who was hunting with Bullen that day, told him about the Sportsmen Against Hunger Program.

"When Marc talked about this program, he told me we had the opportunity to share meat with people who couldn't afford it," said Bu llen. "Now, quite frank ly, my enjoyment of hunting isn't about killing an animal. The enjoyment comes from being out in the woods.

Being able to donate the meat to people who really need it adds another positive element to hunting. I look forward to doing this again."

Hundreds of hunters from across

MAINE Fish and Wildlife

The Maine Spaniel Field Trial Club has donated hundreds of pounds of dressed pheasant meat through SCI to the Wayside Soup Kitchen at the Preble Street Soup Kitchen in Portland over the past several years to help feed the hungry.

Shown here is Dick Moore of the Maine Spaniel Field Trial Club and Sandy Hosmer, the chair of the Humanitarian Services Committee of the Maine Chapter of SCI with "Bucky" holding a pheasant in his mouth. Photo courtesy Maine Chapter SCI

Fall 2005 Page 9

•

Hosmer got involved in the project because she saw a need in her community, as well as an overabundance of game in her own home. "My husband was a long-time hunter, and while he was off at hunting camp for the week, one of my projects was to clean out the freeze r" said Hosmer, who is an accompli shed hunter herself. "I felt uncomfortable doing this, thinki ng that there were people out there who could really use this food."

Other hunters across the state and arou nd the wo rld share the same feelings.

As a res ult, this is the third year that Safari Club International has ponsored a Sportsmen Against Hunger Week. T his year, the desig nated week is November 13-19, in the middle of M aine's regular firearms deer hunting season. The Sportsmen Agai nst Hunger prog ram, which is active thro ughout the United States, parts of Canada and in several other countries has been in ex istence ince 1989.

"Hunters have the opportuni ty to make hunger go away, and the SC I Foundation i ready to give the m the

Master registered Maine guide Blaine R. Miller (left} called in this bull moose from a distance of 600 yards, which was shot by Dana Bullen. Bullen donated much of the meat to the Bread of Life Soup Kitchen in Augusta. Photo courtesy of Blaine N. Miller, nephew of Blaine R. Miller.

opportun ity," said SCI Foundati on Executive Director Tom Riley.

List of Participating Meat Cutters

How it Works

Town

Meat Processor

Phone

Albion Alexander Arundel Bowdoin Charleston Detroit Dixmont Dover-Foxcroft Harpswell Livermore Minot Minot Monticello New Canada No. Anson Oakland Sidney Waldoboro West Gardiner Windham Winslow Winslow Winslow Winslow Wytopitlock

Jason's Butcher Shop Blakes Slaughtering & Custom Cut Meats Gil Laflamme & Sons Butcher Boys Deer Cutting Maple Leaf Farm Brousseau\ Family Meats Pine Ridge Taxidermy Herring Brothers Thibeault 's R & B Meats Harris Custom Cutting Trophies Unlimited Folsom's Custom Meat Cutting St. John\ Valley Custom Meats Luce's Maine Grown Meats Bill's Custom Cutting Tony Cummings Moon's Meat Cutting Weston's Meat Cutting Windham Butcher Shop Boucher Custom Cutting Custom Deer Cutting Dennis Jackson G & G Custom Cutting D & R Custom Meat Culling

437-2490 (new) 454-8438 (new) 282-1027 353-5660 285-3591 (new) 487-6949 234-7227 876-2631 725-8952

Page 10 MAINE Fish and Wildlife

345-9582 966-3713 538-2129 316-4582 635-2817 465-9551 547-4605 832-4074 724-2027 892-4203 873-3671 872-9589 873-5535 872-2958 456-7172

(new) (new) (new) (new ) (new)

(new) (new)

Hunte rs who wis h to donate meat can pay to have the ir game butchered at one o f the 25 partici pating meat cutters across Maine, and do nate as much or as little meat as they want. With the consent of the Maine Department of Inl and Fisheries and Wildli fe and the Maine Department of Agri cul ture, thi s network of meat processors is connected to local charities in ad vance of the hu nting season.

Parti c ipati ng meat processors have identi fyi ng posters in their shops. When hunters arrive to co llect thei r own cut and wrapped meat, they will be asked if they want to do nate any game to the neighborhood food pantry, soup ki tchen or other charity. M ost peopl e are wi llin g to give a pound or two, which the meat cutter will set aside for the charity.

Another way th at Mai ne's hungry are helped is through the effo11s of sport ing gro ups that hold specia l suppe rs, Chri . tmas parties or other events, asking member to donate processed game. For example, the Maine Bowhu ntcrs Association co llects game at the ir an nua l

Fall 2005

banquet for charities in the area. The Maine Spaniel Field Trial Club has donated over 200 pounds of pheasant meat to the Wayside Evening Soup Kitchen at Preble Street in Portland. The pheasant and other donated game is a great help to Preble Street, which serves or distributes 300,000 meals a year morning, noon and night.

"We have served moose before and people really love it. Getting meat and protein into the diet is really important and we are always looking for meat. We want to serve healthy, nutritious meals and this game is very helpful," said Mark Swan, the executive director of Preble Street. "Venison has also been very popular because many of our clients grew up in rural areas where it was something they were used to."

Fond Memories The meat is not only helpful physically, but for many people, eating the wild game brings back fond memories of times enjoyed during hunting season.

"We have several older people who come in; some are homeless while others

live in the neighborhood," said Swan.

"There is one older woman in particular who gets such a big lcick out of it when we serve venison. She is excited and starts talking about her childhood memories of when the whole family would have a venison feast and the icebox would be full of venison as well."

The Durham Rod and Gun Club collected meat at its annual Christmas Party on behalf of the Lisbon Area Christian Outreach (LACO), an ecumenical organization. LACO is a food pantry run by a group of several churches in the area. The donation of game is a big help because it means that LACO doesn't have to buy the meat from the Good Shepherd Food Bank in Auburn, even though the food bank offers meat at an extremely reduced cost to soup kitchens.

"Last year we had someone drop off 25 pounds of deer meat and the people that were served were very appreciative of it. It is definitely a big help because meat is getting more difficult to get now," said Michelle Barley, the president of LACO. "Since the gas prices have been going up, we have a lot more people

•

Ground venison donated by hunters is utilized in the making of meatballs to feed the hungry at the York County Shelter in Alfred.

Volunteer Peter Colburn (left} of the Maine Chapter of Safari International is shown here with Pam Gryspeerd, the food pantry director of the Mid-Coast Hunger Prevention Program in Brunswick. The soup kitchen had requested the delivery of game in coolers, as well as a meat grinder to process game donated by hunters.

MAINE Fish and Wildlife

coming into the food pantry saying they are concerned about how they are going to make end meet. For instance, we have a family with 11 children and the mother has a good job, but they just can't make it without ome help."

Hunters can also donate on their own and bring in the processed and wrapped meat to a charity of soup lcitchen of their choice. As an added incentive, those who donate meat through the Sportsmen Against Hunger program can have their name entered into a raffle for a tree stand, with the drawing to be held in January 2006.

"It is a very good program," said Lt. Nathaniel Berry of the Maine Warden Service. "The whole idea of helping needy people i a great thing. The goal is to get the meat to people who need it."

Fall 2005 Page 11

200,000 Have Completed Hunter Safety Since the course was made mandatory, the number of hunting incidents has steadily decreased, making hunting one of the safest sports in the world

Article and Photos

By Cathy Genthner Heather Patterson Preston or Harpswell used to only watch her husband Dale go out and hunt deer with a gun or a bow - that was until this fall.

Although he grew up in a hunting family and took part in target practice shooting with her dad, she never held a hunting license. This past August, Heather completed the Hunter Safety Course for firearms and a few weeks later he completed the bowhunting course.

This hunting season, she will join her husband in the woods, fields and deer stands. Her goal is to put meat in the freezer.

"I liked the way the instructor taught the course because it was hands on and there were a lot of stations that we went to, like tree stands that we could climb up in if we wanted to," said Preston. "There was a lot of compass work and that was fun. 1 also liked the hoot-don't hoot scenarios using the infrared rifles. It was my favorite because I enjoyed seeing the wildlife on the screen and liked getting the practice about when to shoot - or don't shoot. I also liked hearing other peoples¡ observations about whether they would hoot - or wouldn't shoot."

Father and Son Chris White of West Bath recently took the hunter safety course with his ten-year old son Jacob. White took the course over two decades ago when he fir t moved to Maine. He wanted his son to start the sport off the right way.

"I've been hunting for quite a few years but I took it with him to support

Page 12 MAINE Fish and Wildlife

Instructor Bruce Martin, who has taught hunter safety classes for over 30 years, goes over material with students in Sanford. him. He doesn ' t have to take the course until he is 16 but I wanted him to have the right kind of knowledge from day one," said White. "It i extremely important to pass down the hunting tradition to my son. It's not only about shooting a deer. It's about seeing a deer and making a choice based on good information. It's about conservation."

Heather, Chris and Jacob are among the 200,000 people who have successfully completed Maine's Hunter Safety course since the I 950's. In 1986 the Maine Legi lature passed a law requiring all new hunting license holders to successfully complete a hunter education before getting their license. Before that. attending a hunter safety course was optional. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife began offering hunter safety courses in the I 970's.

Prior to this, clubs or individuals in affiliation with the National Rifle Association ( RA) sponsored courses. The wearing of blaze orange became mandatory in 1973. This, along with mandatory hunter education training in 1986 has contributed to the increased safety of the sport, making it one or the safest sports.

Remarkable Instructors "Hunter education courses are one of the primary rea ons that hunting is one of the nation's safest sports," said R. Dan Martin, Commissioner, Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. "Our instructors have done a remarkable job in educating a generation of hunters."

Each year, the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife provides more than 350 courses on hunting with firearms, bow and arrow, and trapping.

These are attended by roughly 7,500 students and taught by over 800 trained instructor'> - most of whom are volunteers. such as Pete LamaiTe, a volunteer instructor who has been covering Kennebec and Lincoln counties for over 20 years.

"The volunteer instructors do it because they are dedicated. They've all enjoyed the sport and they want to give something back to the sport," said Lamarre. "They feel an obligation to train the new hunters and teach them the right way to hunt."

The right way is the only way because of what is at stake. Lt. athaniel Berry, who heads the southern division of the

Fall 2005

Hunting Accidents Year

Licenses Incidents Fatalities

1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

99,701 105 ,631 104,461 I09,602 110,505 113,821 130,765 113,421 124,262 154,8 15 152,042 166.961 17 1,352 170,947 172,674 170, 181 169,002 174,174 173, 180 174,584 182,652 172,485 176,766 175,723 183,346 185,928 199.171 199.311 205 ,323 20 1,248 212,080 194,052 181 ,698 197 ,922 2 10,572 224,47 1 2 14,974 220,740 227,447 231 ,054 233,305 235,272 235.195 218,340 219, 139 207.0 13 203,303 218,694 215 ,046 219,476 215, 124 228 ,860 274,885 273,849 225 ,77 1 217, 183 2 14,568 213.053 214,01 1 217,680 213.984 21 1.055 207,347 2 13,415 rcsu Its not

25 34 23 23 33 17 43 19 44 32 57 68 70 34 44 58 44 57 40 51 58 63 47 57 43 47 58 42 50 48 52 36 37 31 35 34 32 41 32 41 28 33 31 19 23 26 14 27 19 22 7 13 17 13 12 II 7 15 3 15 14 8 9

13 7 9 7 9 7 14 3 15 15 19 15 19 7 6 9 5 9 9 9 9 4 6 10 5 7 5 5 5 6 8 4 3 4 4 3 3 3 3 4 3 2 I 3 0 2 3 3 I 2 I 0 I 0 I 0 I I 0 0 2 I 0 0 5 avai !able yet

MAINE Fish and Wildlife

Maine Warden Service, has been a game warden for 33 years. In that time, Berry has seen the results first-hand of a mandatory hunting safety course.

"The number one thing that sticks out is the reduction of the hunting accidents and incidents from the very beginning when the mandatory course was started," said Lt. Berry. "It was common in my early years as a warden to cover hunting fatalities. When they created a hunter safety program it was a real eye-opener."

"I believe these courses have saved lives, basically through teaching people the proper methods for handling firearms such as how to handle them safely in the fie ld and target identification, " said Michael Sawyer, the Recreational Safety and Vehicle Coordinator for IF&W.

Comprehensive Course Sawyer notes that the hunting safety courses involve much more than just firearm safety. The course is extremely comprehensive, covering a number of areas such as tracking, game preparation, first aid, map and compass, wilderness survival, eth ics and landowner relations. "lt isn't just firearm safety anymore," said Sawyer. "During the past ten years, landowner relations and hunter ethics have been instrumental in keeping the sport professional. Four years ago, we

adopted the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) learning standards so there is a measure for what has been taught."

Gary Anderson, who was in charge of the Safety Division from 1972-97 and the Search and Rescue Coordinator from 1980-1997, is an expert in wilderness survival. Anderson is the author of the booklet "You Alone in the Maine Woods," which was first published in 1972. It is a book that has been given out during the hunting safety classes for over 30 years and is still provided today as part of the survival portion of the hunter safety program as well as other courses offered by IF & W. "Obviously, there are a lot fewer shooting incidents and many fewer Jost hunters," said Anderson who retired in 1997. "Once the hunter safety course was mandatory, we didn't have to search for as many lost hunters because of the map and compass courses. Hunters also learned how to take care of themselves better. I wrote the booklet because we wanted hunters to have a small handbook that they would actual ly carry with them when they went hunting."

The booklet is well known to anyone who has taken just about any kind of course through IF & W. Its strength is in its simplicity, humor and common sense

Student Barbara Lariviere of Biddeford practices gun handling with the infrared feature at a hunting safety class in Sanford.

Fall 2005 Page 13

•

approach to surviving in the woods. In the booklet, Anderson describes a typical scenario in which a hunter finds himself lost.

"One of the points I made in that booklet is that at any given time, there are people camping out in the woods intentionally. The only difference between you and them is that you didn't intentionally plan to be out in the woods for the night."

Anderson then explains what to have with you in order to survive the night in the wood , while staying relatively comfortable - and calm -until help arrives.

"We go on at length about not panicking. We tell people to sit down, take stock of what you have to help yourself," said Anderson. "We tell people to do something to occupy themselves, such as going through their wallet, or if they are a praying individual, to do some praying, anything to make you feel quiet. Nine times out of time, if you are quiet, you will hear a dog, or a chainsaw or kids and you can find your way out."

that can arise. The basic Hunter Education course average about 12 hours of classroom instruction. Each course is taught by trained, certified volunteer instructors according to national guidelines and state standards. During the past few years, a Hunter Education course has been developed that requires some online computer work that reduces the number of hours required in the classroom. Over the years, the course

"The course has changed in that it has become more professional in how it is taught and instructed - it is very tructured now," said Lt. Berry. "I think the course has been very advantageous. Our goal is to have no fatalities and no incidents."

If you are interested in finding out about course availability in your areas, log on to the department website al

Ethics Stressed In addition to map and compass and survival, land owner relations and ethics are also stressed. Over 90 percent of the land in Maine is privately owned.

Students are taught to respect the rights and the land of private landowners. For example, before hunting on private land, hunters hould get written permission in advance, from a landowner. The hunter should also report any suspicious activity to the landowner and pick up any trash he or she find while hunting on the private property. During the class, students take part in skits where other students or instructors act as unethical hunters, or as hunters who have broken the Jaw. "We try to throw a fair amount of humor in the course in order to put people at ease," said Lamarre. "For instance, we do a cenario where one hunter has shot an antlerless deer without a permit and tries to convince one of his or her partners to tag it for him. We encourage the student to be ethical and refuse temptation. Of course, the student 'actors' get a big round of applause from the class at the end of the skits."

In all eriousness, the skits do prepare the students for real life ethical situations

Page 14 MAINE Fish and Wildlife

A hunter in Piscataquis County is checked out by Game Warden Michael Morrison, to ensure that his gun isn't loaded while in a vehicle - one of the laws students learn during hunter safety classes. has changed, evolved and improved.

"When I took the course twenty years ago, it was very cut and dry. There was a lot of rote memorization and just sitting in the class," said White. "When I took the course just a few months ago, it was a very positive experience - very interactive and the instructors made it fun, especially for the kids."

Game wardens often volunteer as instructors a well and enjoy the experience of teaching new hunters the right and ethical way Lo hunt.

www.mefishwildlife.com or you can call the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife at 287-5220.

For information about the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) visit: http://www.ihea.com/

Fall 2005

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Logo Merchandise Green Richardson Wax Cloth Hats (one size fits all)

Hanes Beefy T-shirts 100% pre-shrunk cotton

Item

Quantity

Price Ea

Total

Hanes Beefy T-shirts (*if ordering XXL please add $2.50 per item) Navy Blue Trout

_M _L _XL _

·xxL $15 .00 $

Forest Green Deer

_M _L _XL _

·xxL $15 .00 $

stonewashed Green Moose

_M _L _XL_·xxL $15 .00 $

Pebble Turkeyw/Camo Logo _M _L _XL_·xxL $15 .00 $ _ _ Turkey Hat w/camo logo

___

Trout Hat

$16 .00 $ - -

Deer Hat

$16 .00 $ - -

Bass Hat

$16 .00 $ - -

Postage Rates If the subtotal of your order is: up to $20 .00 = $4 .50 $20 01 - $35.00 = $5 .50 $35 01 - $50.00 = $6 .50 $50 01 - $75 00 = $7 .50 $75 01 - $100 .00 = $8.50 $100 01 - $125 .00 = $9 .50 over $125 .01 = $10 .50

In-stock items are shipped within 5 business days. Items that are out-of-stock may take four to six weeks for delivery.

Shipping costs on returned items are nonrefundable.

$16 .00 $

Subtotal

$

Sales Tax

$

Postage

$

(Mame residents add 5%)

TOTAL DUE

---

$ _ __

Name - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Mailing A d d r e s s - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - · - - - C i t y - - - - - - - - - - - - ~ State _______ Zip ________ Phone - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Mail order with payment to : Maine Dept of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife Information Center 284 State St. 41 SHS Augusta , ME 04333-0041

Method of payment (Please make check payable to: Treasurer, State of Maine)

0 Check/Money Order O Visa O Mastercard O Discover Card# _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Expiration Date ___/ _ _ _

Check out our online store

www.mefishwildlife.com MAINE Fish and Wildlife

Signature Fall 2005 Page 15

I

HELP WANTED

I

._ • _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __.

Must supply own pollen collecting gear.

Must be an experienced flyer.

Yellow and black striped uniform required.

Prerequisite: a stinging personality.

Every wild animal and plant has a 'job description', called a 'niche'. 'Niche' is how a plant or animal behaves, what it eats, how it reproduces, where it lives, how it moves , and how its physical adaptations help it survive - in short, the position each and every species fills within its habitat, or home.

5 . Pest Control Opening Available!

Treetop insect locator/remover Must have no fear of heights and a solid grasp of tree work.

Requires a hard head.

A sticky, extendable, barbed tongue useful.

Read the following 'job' descriptions advertising for Must be a real 'chiseler.' a particular species, and see if you can determine what plant, animal, bird, reptile or 6. Immediate Opening available! amphibian it is. Then see if you can write a 'help Must have a strong aquatic engineering wanted' ad for your own favorite wild animal or background. plant!

Ability to estimate water flows and make dam repairs.

1. Landscape Worker Needed: Knowledge of tree removal essential!

You must be a real producer.

Long , strong teeth important.

Must enjoy lots of sunlight.

Must be able to hold your breath and work Understand that this is stationary job. underwater for up to 10 minutes at a time.

You will achieve great heights if you remain a Statewide work required. long-term employee.

You will assist in home building projects.

2 . Applications now being accepted for: A sly dude.

Should be experienced in sneakiness.

Must be a quiet runner, and used to working in the dark.

Keen eyesight and sense of smell required.

A thick, warm red coat helpful.

(Note: those that are fond of chicken need not apply.)

7 . Extended Travel Required Ability to survive in fresh and salt water essential.

Knowledge of and taste for a variety of aquatic insects.

Able to elude predators such as eagles, seals and people.

Strong sense of smell required.

Must be able to leave home for up to 4 years for extensive maritime work.

3 . Pond opening available for: An aquatic pest remover.

Ability to swim necessary.

A smooth, sleek body essential.

Must not be afraid to lose your tail. .

A sticky tongue a must!

8. Winter Work Available Now! Must have superb winter camouflage.

You must supply your own equipment, especially snowshoes.

This is active, outdoor work in blizzards, snowstorms and bitter cold.

Must be able to work in deep snow.

Vegetarian diet required.

4 . Gardener Needed: A full time, seasonal flower pollinator.

Answers on page 30

Page 16 MAINE Fish and Wildlife

Fall 2005

MAINE Fish and Wildlife

Fall 2005

Page 18 MAINE Fish and Wildlife

Fall 2005

By Gerry Lavigne Northern populations of white-tailed deer have been relatively free of infectious diseases capable of causing widespread mortality - until now. In recent decades, a new disease has emerged in North America that potentially threatens all members of the deer and elk family, including moose. That disease is Chronic Wasting Disease or "CWD".

CWD is known to naturally occur in white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk and now moose. In 2005, CWD was detected in a wild moose killed in Colorado. In addition , other members of the deer and elk families, (red deer, caribou, fallow deer, sika deer), are considered at risk of contracting CWD, if exposed to the disease agent. Cattle and sheep can be infected under experimental conditions, but these species appear to be very resistant to CWD. CWD belongs to a class of diseases called transmissible spongiform encephalopathies or "TSE". TSEs are fatal brain diseases, in which the disease agent, once acquired, progressively destroys brain cells. In addition to CWD, other known TSEs include scrapie in sheep, and BSE or "mad cow disease' in cattle. There is a human TSE called

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD), which spontaneously afflicts 1 out of a million people, primarily the elderly. In addition, there is a variant of CJD that has emerged among people who consumed meat from BSE infected cattle in Great Britain and Europe. At this time, there is no scientific evidence that Chronic Wasting Disease of deer can cause a TSE disease in humans. However, until more is known, health authorities recommend against consumption of meat from deer that are known to be infected with CWD.

Learning Curve As with all known TSEs, scientists are just beginning to understand the nature of CWD. TSEs are thought to be caused by a special class of proteins called PRIONS. Prion proteins naturally occur in the central nervous system of healthy mammals. In the diseased form, these prion proteins become malformed or twisted in shape. Malformed prions (in this case, CWD-causing prions) trigger once-normal prions to also become malformed . As the number of transformed CWD prions accumulates in the deer's brain, they cause physical damage to brain cells, ultimately leading to death.

Deer and elk acquire CWD by ingesting CWD prions either directly or indirectly from infected deer. Once

Hunters If you travel out of state to hunt deer, moose or elk, please become familiar with safe handling techniques of your game carcass, obey CWD regulations in that hunting state, and comply with Maine carcass/meat import regulations when returning to Maine. Whether or not Maine remains CWD-free could literally depend on your compliance with these disease prevention measures.

MAINE Fish and Wildlife

It can take years before the signs of CWD actually appear in an infected animal. Marc Michaud photo acquired, it takes months or years before enough CWD prions accumulate in the deer's brain to cause obvious symptoms and death. In the latter stages of the disease, the deer becomes extremely thin (hence the term "wasting disease"). In addition, the deer may have a rough coat, it becomes uncoordinated, shows extreme thirst and excessive drooling, and it may be unaware of its surroundings, and/or unafraid of people.

CWD prions accumulate in certain specific body tissues. These include: brain, spinal cord, major peripheral nerves, lymph glands, tonsils , and the spleen. Diseased deer also excrete CWD prions in their saliva, urine, feces, and eye fluids. Fortunately, CWD prions have never been detected in muscle tissue of deer. CWD prions that are shed onto the ground (from saliva, feces, urine or decomposed carcasses) are very stable and may provide a source of infection for years. These prions are not affected by extremes of cold or heat normally found in our environment. In fact, CWD prions can withstand temperatures of 600 F!

Contact Disease CWD is thought to be spread from deer to deer by direct contact, as when deer groom one another. Also, CWD prions can be ingested when deer consume food or ground litter that was contaminated earlier by a live or decomposing

Fall 2005 Page 19

square miles, as the now-infected individuals migrate from winter to summer range. Because of the potential for rapid transmission of infectious diseases like CWD, MDIFW advises against feeding deer at any time of the year. Other states have made artificial feeding illegal.

On the Lookout Surveillance for the presence of CWD has been a major focus of the Maine CWD Committee since the Wisconsin outbreak in 2002. MDIFW actually began testing in 1999, when that agency cooperated with the Center for Disease Control in testing 299 harvested whitetails from the western mountain region of Maine. [This was done as part of a research effort involving an unexplained prion-caused death in a human who had lived in Maine for a time.]

Beginning in 2002, MDIFW has devised a sampling strategy for detecting CWD, if present in wild deer. During each of the past 3 years, the Department has tested 650 to 830 hunter-killed deer.

In addition, the Department tests any deer that may show symptoms of disease, when detected. To date, tests have been conducted on 4 to 6 apparently ill whitetails.

Domestic elk, red deer and fallow deer are now being routinely tested at 2 federally inspected slaughter facilities in Maine. Over the past few years, more than 1,900 domestic deer and elk have undergone testing for CWD. To date, all wild and domestic deer tested for CWD in Maine have been negative for the disease.

Testing for CWD can on ly be done on dead animals, using tissue samples taken from a portion of the brain, lymph nodes, or tonsils. Testing requires laboratory procedures that seek to detect accumulated CWD prions and/or the damage these infectious particles cause in tissues. CWD testing is expensive, both for collecting the tissues from deer carcasses, and fo r laboratory analyses. The federal government plays a major role in providing funding and expertise for CWD testing for both the wild and domestic deer surveill ance programs.

When Maine's CWD certification program goes into effect, CWD testing on deer farms will be expanded to

Page 22 MAINE Fish and Wildlife

include deer dying from natural causes on Maine's 80+ commercial farms, in addition to increased testing at slaughter.

Currently, licensed deer farms house abo ut 6,000 domestic deer per year.

Educational Efforts The CWD Committee has initiated an educational program. At one level, the task force networks with other agencies to share emerging information on CWDrelated issues. In addition, the task force has prepared fact sheets and advisories on CWD for education of the public.

MDIFW has CWD fact sheets available as hard copy (207) 287-8000, or on the Department web page www.mefishwildlife.com. MDIFW also provides CWD advisories in their annual hunting law summaries and their Wildlife Division Annual Report. MDOA provides communication materials to licensed deer farmers, and they link with the MDIFW web page. MDIFW also provides links to federal, other state and national-level organizations dealing with CWD. One important activity yet to be tackled by Maine's CWD Committee involves drafting a response plan if CWD is ever detected in Maine. This is a critical step in CWD preparedness and it should be a high priority ... especially now.

Risk Increasing The risk of CWD emerging in Maine has gotten increasingly more likely with the discovery of CWD in captive and wild deer in central New York State in February 2005. The source of the New York outbreak is sti ll being investigated, but the disease may have been transmitted in carcasses originating in a CWD disease area that were exported to a New York taxidermist. This individual also rehabbed white-tailed deer fawns and kept other whitetails in captivity. At this farm, rehabbed fawns were allowed contact with taxidermy wastes, while also co-mi ngling with wild and captive deer.

The New York outbreak of CWD highli ghts the importance of preventing commingling of wi ld deer, captive deer, and contaminated material like heads from infected deer taken in other states .

Three Watersheds Away The bottom line is that the nearest source of CWD-infected deer is no longer half a continent away, but now only 3 watersheds from the Maine border.

The New York outbreak may be a field example of what has already been proven by research. That is, deer that come in contact with carcass parts containing CWD prions can acquire CWD. It is a chilling reminder that hunters can play a role in spreading CWD! In early September 2005, we learned that another eastern US state has become the latest known CWD outbreak area.

West Virginia wildlife officials announced that a wild white-tai led buck that had rlied in a vehicle collision in October 2004 has tested positive for CWD. This deer was killed in Hampshire County in the northeast corner of West Virginia, and was tested as part of a routine surveillance effort. At this time, WV wildlife officials do not know the source of the CWD outbreak, nor its prevalence in the surrounding deer population. The CWD-infected buck was killed within 25 miles of the Pennsylvania border, in the vicinity of the Maryland panhandle. Deer populations throughout this area are very abundant.

The New York and West Virginia outbreaks have prompted MDIFW to reevaluate the status of its advisories to hunters. There is a large (but as yet unmeasured) number of Mainers who travel to NY and similar northeastern states to hunt deer. Now that CWD is closer to our doorstep, the risk of just one hunter inadvertently triggering a CWD outbreak by transporting an infected deer and improperly disposing highly infective carcass parts becomes much greater.

MDJFW wi ll be promulgating more formal regulations (than its current advisories) regarding importation of carcass parts from hunter-killed deer in 2006.

They are also evaluating their urine-based deer scent and winter- feeding advisories.

Along with the above, MDIFW and MDOA must take steps to ensure that ALL hunters and deer farmers are provided with the facts and the knowledge they need to be in compliance with CWD preventive measures.

Fall 2005

One Hundred Years A90

By Kendall Warner

W

hat happened on the fish and game scene 100 years ago? No, I don't remember, although rumors are that I was alive in 1905. Actually, I was born 22 years later! Ten years ago, in 1995, my good friend and colleague Bob Foye, the retired director of fisheries, wrote an article for MAINE Fish and Wildlife on "How Good Were The Good Old Days?" This article is a follow-up on the occurrences 10 years later in 1905.

Maine's Commissioners of Inland Fisheries and Game in 1905 were L. T. Carleton, H. 0. Stanley, and E. E. Ring.

Mr. Stanley retired at the end of his 1905 term , after a long and distinguished career in public service. The Commissioners' Report for 1905 showed that over I, I00,000 fingerling trout and landlocked salmon were planted, and 300,000 fish would be wintered over in the eight hatcheries, fed another season, and stocked the next fall at 6 to 8 inches.

The cost to operate the hatcheries for 1905 was about $21,418. The Commissioners indicated that with the usual $25,000 appropriation, it would leave only about $3,000. With other fees there would be only about $4,000 for the Warden Service for fisheries enforcement. This was equivalent to the pay of four Wardens for the entire State.

Liberal Fishing Laws Fishing regulations in 1905 were very liberal by today's standards. For landlocked salmon, brook trout, and lake trout (togue), the bag limit was 25 pounds per family in the aggregate with bass and white perch. Length limits were 9 inches for salmon, 5 inches for trout, and 9 inches for Logue. There were no length or bag limits on pickerel or whitefish. There was a 25-pound weight limit on white perch.

In February, 1905, my grandfather, MAINE Fish and Wildlife

... .A successful hunter at King and Bartlett.

Dr. William C. Kendall, wrote an article for the Maine Sportsman, tracing the decline and eventual demise of both the huge brook trout and their principal food, the blueback trout, coincident with the introduction of smelts and landlocked salmon in the Rangeley Chain of Lakes. At that time, there were no yellow perch or threatened introductions of bass into these waters.

Smallmouth bass were first introduced into Maine lakes for the purpose of adding another fish to Maine's sport fishery. The Commissioners eventually lost control of bass introductions, and the public stocked bass illegally in many waters. By 1905, bass were present in at least l 00 Maine waters. Bass are now providing important fisheries in many waters, but their presence in other waters was and is a serious detriment to Maine's native sport fisheries.

Maine was a prominent participant in the National Sportsmans' Association Show at Madison Square Garden, New York City, in 1905. Several transportation companies, and hotel and resort

Photo courtesy Maine State Museum

owners staffed the Maine display.

Numerous publications were available promoting successful "outing trips" to Maine. The exhibit included a large log cabin lined with birch bark, photographs of outdoor Maine, and taxidermy specimens by S. L. Crosby of Bangor. There were also large displays of rifles, fly rods, and animal skins. The Maine exhibit was a huge success, the "best in many years." It must have been a prodigious effort transporting many tons of materials by railroad, and assembling and dismantling the exhibits.

Remember, there were very few "horseless carriages" in 1905 !

350 Brook Trout An article in the June Maine Sportsman reported "Four gentleman captured Little Squaw Pond by storm the last Sunday in May and brought out 350 brook trout. It was the "banner story of the season for the pond" . I wonder if they left any for "seed".

The Maine Sportsman's Fish and Game Association held an "excursion" to

Fall 2005 Page 23

the Rangeleys in June. Representative costs were: Hotel rates - $2.00/day Fare for the carry between Mountain View and Haines Landing - 25¢ Steamboat fare Rangeley Lake - 75¢ Round trip railroad fares ranged from $1.50 - Farmington to $7.24 Ellsworth.

Annie Oakley, "champion woman shot of the world" performed several exhibitions in Maine in 1905, including the Bangor Gun Club in August. She performed with a rifle, revolver, and shotgun. The Union Metallic Cartridge Company (UMC) sponsored Miss Oakley. She had previously appeared with "Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show" and "P. T. Barnum's Biggest Show on Earth."

A hunting cabin along the Dead River.

pounds, and trout ranged from 1.5 to 6 pounds. Scientists rrom the U. S. Fish Chinooks Introduced Commission in Washington, D. C, idenQuinnat (Chinook) salmon fry from tified several fish. There was no evithe Pacific Coast were planted in Pierce dence that Quinnat salmon ever reproPond, T2, R4, Somerset County in 1904. duced in Pierce Pond.

There was a minor controversy on who There was a perceived decline in the authorized and stocked them, and deer, moose, and bear populations in whether they were steelhead trout.

1905. Caribou had di appeared, Because landlocked salmon were although several isolated, unconfirmed, stocked about the same time, many sightings were reported. anglers were unsure about the identity of October I to December 15 was the their later catches. However, it was open season on deer in nine counties. reported that in 1907, 37 salmon were Possession limit was two deer, except in caught, of which four were "Quinnat", seven counties where there was a all of which weighed 2.5 pounds.

November-only season with a one deer Landlocks weighed from 3 to I I limit.

Open season on bull moose began October 15, with a one-bull limit. Cow and calf moose could not be shot or possessed.

There was no closed season on bear; there was a $5.00 bounty in Oxford County only.

The ruffed grouse (partridge) season was September 15 to December 15, with a limit of 15 birds per day. Non-residents could hunt grouse on a $5.00 license prior to October I. but it cost $15.00 for all game after that date.

There was a closed season on caribou. beaver and A day's catch in the Rangeley Region. quail. All non-resident hunters Photo courtesy Maine State Museum were required to have a

Page 24 MAINE Fish and Wildlife

Photo courtesy Maine State Museum

licensed guide.

The Commi sioners estimated that at least 1.800 deer were legally kilJed in 1905. At the end of October, Bangor and Aroostook Railroad agents reported shipping 1,541 deer, 81 moose, and 14 bears through that system.

Goods and services in 1905 were a "mere pittance" compared with today, but remember that wages were also much lower. For example: Stevens rifles (22 cal): $4. - $8.

Maine Sportsman periodical: I 0¢ /issue, $1 .00 /year First Class postage - 2 ¢ A "good" salary - $21/week, but most workers got $1 a day Field and Strewn Magazine $1.50 /year Maine was still experiencing "growing pains" I00 years ago. The "plunder and pillage" philosophy of the previous 50 years wa gradually subsiding. Many people began to realize that there could be an end to our fish and game if not managed properly.

Nevertheless. the usual "outlaw" element still persisted, and always will, even though today's highly efficient and well-trained law enforcement officers keep it to a minimum. This, coupled with capable, and erficient biological staffs, will ensure that our state's fish and wildlife resources will <.till provide abundant recreational opportunities for the next I00 years!

Fall 2005

Erle R. Kelley

Wildlife Management Area

â&#x20AC;˘

Photos by Mark Latti Erle R. Kelley WMA is located in Dresden and Wiscasset. The area is approximately 750 acres in size and consists of roughly 290 acres of freshwater wetland and some 460 acres of upland habitat. The upland portion is predominantly mixed forest with approximately 15 acres of fields , which are maintained by periodic mowing and are interspersed with alder along the wetland border.

The wetland, Dresden Bog, is part of an eight square mile watershed that empties into the Eastern River at Dresden Mills. It is dominated by shallow and deep marsh and open water bordered by shrub swamp, forested wetland and forested upland. Wild rice makes up a major component of the wetland vegeta-

Aquatic vegetation provides food and cover for many species of wildlife at the Erle R. Kelley WMA. tion and is an important attraction for migrating waterfowl.

History The original impoundment structure at this location was built in the l 750's as a holding dam for downstream dams (at least one sawmill and one gristmill).

These milldams were constructed via a grant for mills given to Sylvester Gardiner, a prominent figure at the time and namesake of the town of Gardiner.

Ransom P. Kelley, a long-time state representative and avid waterfow l enthusiast from Lincoln County, acquired the majority of the land holdings in and around the bog during the 1950s and I 960s. He and his wife eventually deeded their holdings to the Department on Dec. 8, 1978, as a Wi ldlife Management Area.

This gift was in the name of their son Erle R. Kelley who had recently ' deceased. The younger Kelley was an active waterfowl enthusiast and a teacher in the local school system.

Dominant Species This area provides habitat for numerous species of waterfowl and wading birds, shorebirds, aquatic furbearers , deer, turkeys, and other wildlife. Because of its proximity to Merrymeeting Bay, Dresden Bog serves as an important feeding area for bald eagles, which are common visitors to the site.

Management

There is a variety of wetland and upland habitats at the Erle R. Kelley WMA. MAINE Fish and Wildlife

The primary objective for this area is to create and maintain a diverse aquatic wetland habitat in a near "semimarsh" condition for migratory waterbirds. A high quality emergent marsh wetland is important in maintaining or improving

Fall 2005 Page 25

waterfowl production and wading bird utilization. Since acquisition, the primary management focus and activities have centered on the development and maintenance of waterfowl nest boxes. In the early 1980s nearly 70 boxes were annually maintained; however, following the dam breach of 1987 and subsequent lack of water level, many of these structures were lost to neglect.

An access road was constructed to the dam site in 1989, and following receipt of both state and federal permits, a new water control structure was constructed in 1990. Approximately 30 boxes are currently maintained. Ten acres of agricultural land have been maintained by mowing and allowing the field edges to revert to alder increasing the vegetative diversity.

Management objectives are designed to provide for both consumptive and non-consumptive public uses without compromising the habitat needs of the wildlife and/or fishery resource.

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

The fishery resource is limited primarily to warmwater species including: smallmouth and largemouth bass, chain pickerel, yellow perch, American eel, and various minnows. The water control structure has provisions for adding a prefabricated

Wetland grasses abound at the Erle R. Kelley Wildlife Management Area in Dresden and Wiscasset. fishway for migrating alewives if the Department of Marine Resources determines that this would be desirable.

Adequate access for public recreation remains a problem and needs to be addressed in the future. The purchase of a shoreline lot in 1993 by MDI FW now provides exce llent potential for development of a public access to the wetland.

Directions

An old stone wall reveals that the Erle R. Kelley WMA was once a working farm.

Page 26 MAINE Fish and Wildlife

Follow Route 27 south across the Eastern River into Dresden Mills. Take the first left after the river and proceed to the gated access road on the right after the road turns to dirt.

Erle R. Kelley Wildlife Management Area is owned and maintained by the Maine Department of Inland Fi heries and Wildlife. Its operation and maintenance are supported by your fees as well as revenue from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, and federal monies under the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Program.

To obtain further information on Erle R. Kelley Wildlife Management Area please contact Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 270 Lyons Road, Sidney, ME 043309711. General Information , Augu ta (207) 287-8000 http://www.mefishwildlife.com

Fall 2005

By R. Bradford Allen The Canada goose (Branta canadensis) is a magnificent bird, capable of attaining a wing span of nearly 6 feet and a weight of 15 pounds. Their melodious calls and V formations in flight during migration herald the official beginning of spring and fall to those lucky enough to witness this seasonal spectacle. For many, the Canada goose symbolizes nature and wildlife.

Canada geese are long-lived, with some surviving 20 years or more.

Canada geese are monogamous, with life-long pair bonds formed during their second year. But, if one member of the pair dies, the other will find another mate and nest again. They usually begin nesting at three years of age, although a few individuals nest when they are only two.

Once a female begins nesting, she will nest every year for the rest of her life. Geese lay an average of 5 eggs per nest. The male does not incubate the eggs but will stand guard by the nest and defend it against intruders. About 50% of the young that hatch will survive to flight stage in late summer. Geese have a strong tendency to return to the area

Dawn arrives and a September goose hunter's decoys await to bring in the Canada geese. where they were born, and will return feeding and wintering areas. Resident each spring to nest in the same vicinity Canada geese are NOT a portion of the year after year. traditional migratory population from In the early 1900s, Canada goose northern Canada that simply quit migratpopulations were nearly eliminated in ing north and south . Today's resident most parts of North America by unrebirds are descendants of captive geese stricted harvesting of eggs, market huntreleased by private individuals in the ing, and draining of wetland habitat. early 1900s. Further, when the use of Strict harvest regulations, wildlife live decoys for waterfowl hunting became illegal in 1935, captive decoy refuges, and land use changes that favored large-scale crop planting and the flocks were released . Beginning in the 1950s through 1990, state fish and game creation of large open grassy areas allowed for an astounding recovery. This agencies introduced Canada geese into recovery was supported by their ability to predominantly rural areas to establish resident breeding populations, with the adapt to urban and suburban goal of eventually establishing hunting areas, areas with abundant food (grass) and water and few seasons for geese.

The key to this trap and transfer propredators. Canada geese, like gram was to capture the adult geese when Wild Turkeys, are truly a sucthey are with their downy goslings and cess story in wildlife manageundergoing their annual molt of their ment. wing feathers. During this short period (usually around July 1) they are inca"Resident" Canada pable of flight and are relatively easy to Geese capture in large numbers . The key to the Resident geese, as the success of this program was to identify name implies, spend most of suitable wetland habitat and transport sigtheir lives in one area, travelThis is a scene that is growing more nificant numbers of goslings (with their common in Maine; a goose sitting atop its nest. ing relatively short distances to flightless parents) to suitable wetlands.

MAINE Fish and Wildlife

Fall 2005 Page 27

The goslings would then "imprint" on that wetland (although not born there, they would be raised there) and return to breed on that very same wetland when they attain breeding age. Remember, the adult geese transported to Maine would, eventually, return to their natal wetlands the next spring, most likely somewhere in southern New England. As any Maine resident now knows, this program to reestablish resident geese has become an unqualified success.

Between 1965-1975 , 2,341 geese were imported from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut and released in southern and central Maine. During 1981-85, 1,723 more geese were transplanted from Connecticut to northern Maine. I had the pleasure of being involved in these 198 l -85 adventures by driving to Connecticut and bringing geese back by the truckload.

We generally returned at night to avoid overheating the geese. They were packed in specially designed crates. One night in early July, as I brought the easily-identified Department flatbed truck to a lurching halt at the York toll booth, the geese all honked in protest of my poor use of the clutch. I jokingly suggested to the wide-eyed toll booth attendant that because geese had become so fat and lazy, they no longer migrate, and it was up to the state wildlife agencies to truck them north and south each spring and fall.

When I eventually reached my apartment in Carmel at 4 a.m., the geese again began honking. My landlord, who lived next door, later told me as he remained in bed listening to the calls, lay wondering if it were spring or fall, forgetting that it was July 1.

Too .Many Geese?

The breeding distribution of Canada geese is now statewide, including several offshore coastal islands. Resident geese are present throughout the year.

Unfortunately, in some areas, the trap and transfer program has become somewhat too successful. Flocks of locally-nesting geese have now become inhabitants of our parks, waterways, drinking water sources, residential areas and golf courses where they can cause significant problems. In some suburban

Page 28 MAINE Fish and Wildlife

areas, abundant habitat, lack of natural predators, limited hunting, and supplemental feeding has created an opportunity for an explosion in their numbers.

While most people find a few geese welcome and acceptable, problems develop as flocks grow and droppings become excessive. Problems include public health concerns at beaches and drinking water supplies, and obvious significant hazards near roads and airports. Very quickly it became apparent that a certain level of control was and continues to be warranted.

Through the 1990s, 50- 75 geese per year were moved within the state to relieve nuisance situations. Nuisance complaints received by MDIFW regional biologists averaged about 30 per year during the late 1990s. Most issues in Maine involve geese defecating on lawns or beaches; or on or adjacent to public drinking water sources; however, research has shown that Canada goose feces pose relatively little risk to human health. Since this time, hunters have been asked to help with the control.

Currently, about 2 million geese are harvested in the U.S., and approximately 600,000 in Canada. These figures reflect the hunting activities of hunters taking both resident and migratory populations of Canada geese. Total harvests have been increasing steadily since the 1970s, making the goose the top 2 or 3 species of waterfowl harvested in orth America.

Early (September) goose hunting seasons became operational in Maine in 1996. The purpose of the September hunting season is to provide additional hunting opportunity of resident geese while protecting the migratory population. For this reason the early goose hunting season is timed to close no later than September 25, before the migratory geese arrive in Maine around the first of October. The average annual harvest of Canada gee e in September in Maine (since the season began 9 years ago) is 2,500 birds. Between 2002-2004, 815 resident geese and their gosling were captured and banded in Maine. The direct recovery rate (the percentage of birds banded in one particular year and shot in that ame year) is below I0%.

Research in other northeastern states

has shown that a resident goose population will continue to grow with this removal rate. May weather conditions have a lot to do successful production in all birds in Maine. Despite two consecutive poor years in goose production, the present legal harvest appears to be serving the dual function of providing additional hunting opportunity in Maine and reducing the number of nuisance calls regional biologists receive each year.

So if you enjoy the sites and sounds of Canada geese in Maine these days, thank your local wildlife biologist or game warden!

Sources of Information â&#x20AC;˘ Managing Canada geese in urban environments, A Technical Guide.

University of Wisconsin-Madison. â&#x20AC;˘ When geese become a problem.

N.Y. State Department of Environmental Conservation and U.S. Department of Agriculture. â&#x20AC;˘ Waterfowl Assessment, 2005.

MDIFW.

Harvested cornfields are prime locations for September geese.

Fall 2005

Governor Presides Over Re-opening of Embden Hatchery ~

Improvements Will Allow Key Facility to Quadruple Annual Trout Production

By Mark Latti Standing alongside a 20-foot-diameter stainless steel circular tank, Governor John Baldacci emptied a bucket brimming with brook trout into the new hatchery tank, on November 2, signify ing the reopening the Embden Fish Hatchery.

The day marked the culmination of a 18-month, $3.2 million complete renovation of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Embden Hatchery.

At full capacity, the hatchery can raise l 00,000 pounds of any combination of brook trout, landlocked salmon, brown trout, lake trout, rainbow trout, and splake. Last year, the Departmentstocked just over 300,000 pounds of fish.

Governor John Baldacci and Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Commissioner Roland D. Martin empty buckets of brook trout into one of Embden's new tanks. IFW Deputy Commissioner Paul Jacques, at left, looks on.

Mark Lalli photo

Upgrading the Embden Fish Hatchery involved a lot of heavy construction work for both efficiency and durability. Mark Latti photo MAINE Fish and Wildlife

Embden will significantly increase the number of fish the department stocks throughout the state. The old Emden Hatchery raised approximately 25,000 pounds of fish a year.

"This hatchery is an investment in the state's future," said Roland D. Martin, Commissioner, Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, "Fishing has an enormous economic impact throughout the state. It supports jobs and it generates revenue, and it is an industry poised for growth."

The $3.2 million dollar renovation was financed through a $7 million dollar voter-approved bond in 2002, and it updated the Embden hatchery with the most current fish rearing technology. This new technology and equipment will allow the hatchery to raise more fish, raise bigger fish, and raise them in a shorter period of time.

The new 25,000 square foot building holds 30 round tanks, each 20 feet in diameter and 3.5 feet deep. They are situated in three rows of 10. Each row is fed by a separately controlled water source

Fall 2005 Page 29

that comes directly from two gravity-fed intake pipes placed at different depths in Embden pond. By mixing the water from the two different depths, the hatchery can tailor the water temperature to ideal growing temperatures for landlocked salmon, brook trout, brown trout and other fish such as lake trout and even whitefish in the same building.

The round tanks are self-cleaning and feature a better fish-raising environment than the old concrete raceways .

Fish are easier to feed , and since they drain through the bottom and out of the hatchery, fish in the tank live in cleaner, more oxygenated water than they did in the old concrete raceways that would feed into each other.

Before entering the hatchery, water is passed through an ultra violet light system that kills pathogens, then the water is super-saturated with oxygen, and then mixed to the right temperature and fed into the circular tanks. Wastewater is drawn through a drain in the center of the tank, then through a wastewater filter system before it goes out of the hatchery.

Kidbits Answers 1. Tree 2. Red Fox 3. Bullfrog 4. Honey Bee 5. Woodpecker 6. Beaver 7. Atlantic Salmon 8. Snowshoe Hare Page 30 MAINE Fish and Wildlife

Hatchery superintendent Steve Wilson inspects one of the new 20-foot diameter rearing tanks at the Embden Hatchery. Mark Latti photo

United State Postal Service Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation 1. Publication Title: MAIN E Fish and Wildlife 2. Publication number: 0369-005X 3. Filing Date: Sept. 13, 2005 4. Issue frequency: Quarterly 5. Number of issues published annually: 4 6. Annual subscription price: $14.95 7. Complete mailing address of known office of publication: 284 State St., 41 SHS, Augusta, Maine 04333-0041. Contact person: Marc Michaud. Tel. 207-287-5248 8. Complete mailing address of headquarters: 284 State St., SHS 41, Augusta, Maine 04333-0041 9. Full names ands complete mailing addresses of publisher, editor and managing editor: Publisher: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 284 State Street, Augusta, Maine 04330 Editor: Marc Michaud, 284 State Street, Augusta, Maine 04330 Managing Editor: Harry Vanderweide, P.O. Box 351, Augusta, Maine 04332.

10. Owner: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Widlife, 284 State, St. Augusta, Maine 04333.

11 . Known bondholders, mortagees and other security holders owning or holding 1 percent or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages or other securities: None.

12. Tax status: Has not changed during preceeding 12 months.

13. Publication title: MAINE Fish and Wildlife 14. Issue date for circulation data below: Summer 2005 15. Extent and nature of circulation: No. copies Avge. No. of single copies each issue during issue pub. nearest to preceding 12 months filing date a. Total number of copies 6,000 6,000 (Net press run) b. Paid and/or requested circulation : Paid/requested outside4,817 4,817 county mail subscriptions stated on form 3541.

(Includes advertiser's proof and exchange copies): c. Total paid and/or 4,817 4,817 requested circulation f. Total free distribution: 675 675 g. Total distribution: 5,492 5,492 h. Copies not distrib.: 508 508 Total 6,000 600 j. Percent paid and/or 87.71 requested circulation 87.71

Fall 2005

Maine Fish & Wildlife

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