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Maine State Documents Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Magazine
Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
3-1-2006
Maine Fish and Game Magazine, Spring 2006 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, Spring 2006" (2006). Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Magazine. Book 55. http://digitalmaine.com/ifw_magazine/55
This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife at Maine State Documents. It has been accepted for inclusion in Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Magazine by an authorized administrator of Maine State Documents. For more information, please contact statedocs@maine.gov.
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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 MAI NE Fish and Wildlife
Spring 2006
MAINE Fish and Wildlife Governor John E. Baldacci
4
Editorial Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Roland D. Martin , Commissioner Paul F. Jacques, Deputy Commissioner Kenneth H. Elowe, Director, Bureau of Resource Management Don Ellis, Financial Analysist 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 Sheridan Oldham, Waterville Lance Wheaton , Forest City David A. Wardwell , Penobscot Joseph E. Clark , Millinocket Marc Michaud, Editor Lisa Kane , Copy Ed itor Mark Latti , Copy Editor (ISSN 0360-005X) MAINE Fish and Wi ldlife 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 obtai ned from artists, photographers and non-staff authors to reprod uce cred ited work . Š Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 2002. CHANGE OF AD DRESS: Send both old and new addresses to P.O. Box 1457, Yarmouth, Maine 04096. POSTMAST ER: Please send address cha nges to MAINE Fish and Wildlife , P.O. Box 1457, Yarmouth, Maine 04096. QUESTIONS ABOUT YO UR SUBSCRI PTI ON? Cal l 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 shou ld wri te to the Office of Equal Opportunity, U.S. Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240
Vol. 48, No.1
Spring 2006
Roland D. Martin
Explaining why the consequences of illegal stocking are so damaging.
MOHF Turns Ten
Cathy Genthner
5
Four hundred projects funded by little scratch lottery tickets.
Telos Dam Changes
8
Rick Denico
A lot can be accomplished when state agencies cooperate.
Invasive Aquatics
9
Paul Gregory
Maine lakes suffer when nature goe wild.
Pike at Long Pond
Tom Seymour
11
Fisheries biologists study the effects of ice fishing on this exotic.
Governor Hill Hatchery 13
Tom Seymour
Looking at a "state of the art" trout hatchery.
16
Kidbits
Lisa Kane
Wildlife babies! If you care, leave them there.
Black Bear Monitoring
18
Cathy Genthner
Maine continues to refine its studies of bruins in the wild.
Turkey Season
21
Bob Humphrey
A look at the past, present and future of gobbler hunting in Maine.
Maine Wildlife Park
25
Pat Friedman
Life is getting better for critters living in the Gray facility.
Lynx in Maine
27
Bob Humphrey
Research shows these shy cats doing well in Maine.
FAHI Pond WMA
29
Mark Latti
Exploring a 277-acre bog in Embden
About the Cover: Department photographer Mark Latti caught this bear cub in a sideways moment.
Spring 2006 Page 3
Editorial By Roland D. Martin, Commissioner
The Consequences of Illegal Introductions This winter, the presence of northern pike were confirmed in Mosher Pond in Kennebec County. Unfortunately it is a story that we have all heard before, and sadly, will soon hear agam. Mosher Pond represents the latest in a long line of illegal introductions that threaten our native fisheries. In fact, these are happening with alarming regularity. What makes Mosher Pond notable, however, is the size of the pond itself, and its impact. Mosher Pond is situated in the northwest corner of Kennebec County in the town of Fayette. It is a small pond of just 70 acres, and it runs parallel to the Ridge Road. Pike, contained to just Mosher Pond, would be a relatively small problem with few impacts, but the problem expands beyond the boundaries of Mosher Pond because of an outlet that drains out of the north side of the pond. Once fish are illegally stocked, they have the potential to inhabit an entire watershed. The impact can be enormous. Lets look closer at Mosher Pond watershed, and just how far pike can spread. The outlet of Mosher Pond flows north into orcross Pond. Norcross Pond is connected to Little Norridgewock Stream. From there pike could travel into North Pond in Chesterville and Parker Pond in Jay. From Little Norridgewock and Wilson Streams, pike could travel to Locke Pond and Sand Pond in Chesterville, or to Crowell Pond and Fellows Pond via the Sandy River and McGurdy Stream. Page 4 MAINE Fish and Wildlife
Once into the Sandy River, pike would have access to the entire Kennebec River below the Madison Dam, including several outstanding fisheries for brown and rainbow trout in the Abenaki, Weston and Shawmut tailwaters. The pike could also move north, heading up the Sandy River all the way to nearly Rangeley, where the 60-foot drop of Smalls Falls stops them. From the Sandy River, pike will, of course, have access to the entire Kennebec River between the darns in Madison and Waterville, encompassing several reaches supporting outstanding fisheries for bass, brown trout and rainbow trout. It is hard to fathom that a pond that is just a mile long and less than a quarter mile wide can impact a watershed that stretches for nearly I 00 miles.
The problem is not limited to pike. Chain pickerel , a Maine native once restricted to a few waters in extreme Southern Maine are now found in all of our 16 counties. Bass have been illegally stocked in over 150 waters since 1986. Black crappies, like bass, a non-native species, are now considered common in southern and central Maine. To varying degrees, all of these fish species pose significant problems for native fishes. Unfortunately, once illegal populations become established, there is little that can be done. Our best defense against illegal stocking is prevention. Over the past few years, we have worked with the Legislature to
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increase the fines to $10,000 for those who are caught illegally stocking fish. It is also now a crime to illegally stock fish. Operation Game Thief has increased the reward money to $2,000 for information leading to a conviction. The Department has increased educational efforts to alert people of the irreversible damage that is done by these illegal stockings. Posters at access sites, education brochures, and advertisements in sporting publications, lawbooks and television are all ways that we are informing the public about the harm caused by illegal stocking. Fishing contributes nearly $300 million to the state's economy on an annual basis, and illegal introductions pose a very real risk to damaging an integral part of the state's natural resource-based economy. It is now time for all of us to be work together to slow this increasing epidemic. Let people know - anglers and non-anglers about the implications of illegal stockings, and don't he itate to report any information you may have heard about illegal stocking by calling Operation Game Thief at 1-800-ALERT-US. Spring 2006
Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund Turns Ten Proceeds from the sales of Outdoor Heritage Fund Lottery Tickets have funded over 400 conservation projects since January 1996; unfortunately, sales have steadily declined in recent years. By Cathy Genthner Proud History The phrase "Necessity is the Mother of Invention" certainly sums up the creation of the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund (MOHF), which for the past decade has been funding over$] million in conservation projects every year. If not for the MOHF, many of these projects would not have received funding. "The idea for the fund grew out of a frustrating legislative session where we didn't get the funding we wanted, so SAM and Maine Audubon teamed up," said George Smith, the executive director of the Sportsmen's Alliance of Maine (SAM) and a board member of MOHF. "We teamed up with SAM to flesh out the idea to come up with the actual law that would govern how the program would work," said Sa lly Stockwell, the director of conservation for the Maine Audubon Society and a board member of the MOHF. "Our staff attorney drafted the bill." That was back in 1994 when the idea was to create a lottery for conservation projects. Originally, the aim was to bring the proposed lottery Lo the ballot for all
Maine Fish and Wildlife
Mainers to vote on, and enough signatures were collected to do just that. However, the idea for the lottery was so promising that the governor and legislature passed a law creating the MOHF, so no citizen vote was even needed. Paul Jacques, currently the deputy commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, was the house majority leader at the time when the fund was approved by the legislature. "I said while on the house floor speaking as the representative from Waterville, ' Why are we sending this to the voters? Let's pass the bill ,' said Jacques. "It was a non-partisan issue. Whoever came up with the idea and the language did a great job." It was only one of two citizen-initiated pieces of legislation in Maine's history that didn't have to go before the voters. "Paul Jacques was primarily responsible for the legislation being passed in the legis lature. The fund was actually invented by George Smith and Thomas Urquhart, the director of the Audubon Society when the plan was put together, " said Dick Anderson, the chairman of the board of directors for the MOHF. "The fund gives people an incentive to come
up with different projects and there is a poss ibility that they might be funded. It has certainly been a boom to all kinds of conservation efforts." A seven-member board chooses projects for funding in the following categones
1) Fisheries and Wildlife - 35 percent 2) Public lands and outdoor recreation - 35 percent 3) Endangered species - 15 percent 4) Conservation and Law Enforcement - 15 percent "It has been great. It is not a program designed to supp01t Maine Audubon, but a program designed to support the conservation programs we are interested in," said Stockwell. "One of the things I think is so exciting is there are a lot of programs getting done and getting results ; and the work would not be getting done without the funding. These programs go above and beyond the regular core work. I think il has really expanded conservation work in the state since it was originated in 1995." State agencies with limited budgets,
MAINE OUTDOOR HERITAGE FUND
to the LUCKY NUMBER, win prize shown. Get a "$" symbol, win double the prize shown for that symbol!
PROCEEDS TO WILDLIFE AND CONSERVATION
This "lucky duck" lottery scratch tickets shows the colorful games with outdoor themes used by the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund.
Spring 2006 Page 5
such as the Departments of In land Fisheries and Wildlife, Mari ne Resources and Conservation, have also received funding for many projects that did n' t make the state funding list. "We met with the governor the other day and Cate Pineau (the executive director of MOHF) had a list of funded projects. The governor got to a req uest for all weather gear from Mai ne game wardens," said Jacques. "We never have been able to get the money from the leg islature for this. If wardens are going out in the worst weather to look for peop le, they need the proper equipment."
Collaborate -
Not Compete
The program is designed to encourage different conservation groups to work together, rather than to compete for limited doll ars. "Right fro m the start, we set up the criteria to favor projects done in co ll aboration with another group or agency that has some outside or matching fu nding," said Stockwell. "We have seen groups come together to work on projects, that didn't work together at fi rst." As an example, Stockwell cites two groups reque ting fu nding that dealt with protecting native brook trout in the Rapid Ri ver. near Mooselookmegun tic Lake. The groups were asked to work together and came back with one proposal with clear priorities, which did indeed receive funding. Another exa mple of group collaboration is the impl ementati on of a grant fo r a major landowner relations ini tiative. SAM has teamed up with the Small Woodland Ow ners Associati on of Maine and the Maine Forest Products Cou nc il to work together o n the proj ect. Sportsmen and all those who enjoy Maine's natural beauty and reso urces have benefited greatly from the fund. The fund helped SAM establish its statew ide land trust. The fund has also helped pri vate businesses, such as URSUS Productio ns, a multi-media production company based in Waterville. URSUS has prod uced a nu mber of videos on projects funded by the MOHF as we ll as educational videos. Andy Collar and Harry Va nde rwe ide are the co-owners of URS US. "Obviously, the ou tdoors is our niche and we've been able to help out agencies
Page 6 MAINE Fish and Wildlife
Examples of Recent Grants Awarded December 7, 2005 CATEGORY ONE : Fisheries and wildlife, and habitat conservation projects Pickering Commission - Deer Task Force - SAM's Pickering Commission will review all hunting laws, rules , and publications, and submit recommendations to the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and the legislature to simplify and clarify the laws and rules and improve the publications. Partners: Sportsman 's Alliance of Maine, and all major hunting organizations and landowner organizations. Location: Statewide. Grant: $4,500. Allagash Wilderness Waterway Movie - Will film and produce a high quality, inspirational, and informative 53 minute film about the special history and status of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway. Partners: URSUS Productions. Location : Statewide. Grant: $30,000. Black Bear Rehabilitation Facility - Provide funds to build a 2-acre pen for orphaned bears in need of rehabilitation and return to the wild while providing students and wildl ife biologists with the opportunity to observe young bears in a natural setting. Partners: Dawn and Michael Brown. Location : New Sharon, Franklin County. Grant: $3,907. CATEGORY TWO: Acquisition and management of public lands, parks, wildlife conservation areas and public access, and outdoor recreation sites and facilities Thompson Point Trail - Provides funds to extend the Fore River Trail network for a bike/pedestrian trail suitable for hiking, running , biking, skiing and snowshoeing and provide access to a traditional fishing area. Partners: Portland Trails . Location: Portland. Grant: $31 ,000. Ecological Planning for Public Lands in Maine - Will conduct landscape analysis, field inventory, long-term monitoring, and conservation planning on lands owned by the Bureau of Parks and Lands. Partners: The Nature Conservancy. Location: Statewide. Grant: $ 35,744. Lord Parcel Acquisition - To purchase and protect a 2-1/2-acre inholding property within the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve that is imminently threatened by development. Partners: Town of Wells Conservation Commission , Laudholm Trust. Location : Wells , York County. Grant: $30,440. CATEGORY THREE: Endangered and threatened species conservation projects An ecological Inventory of the Central and Western Mountains - Will develop inventory of exemplary natural communities and ecosystems and habitats supporting rare , threatened and endangered plants and animals to support voluntary protection efforts with small and large landowners. Partners: The Nature Conservancy, Elliottsville Plantation. Locations: Central Mountains, Western foothills and Western Mountains Ecoregions. Grant: $55,710. Common Loons in the Classroom - Create a unique digital loon curriculum for teachers covering a host of topics including water quality, lake ecology, behavioral sciences, population dynamics, pollution, environmental toxins and wildlife conservation. Partners: Maine Audubon , Biodiversity Research Institute. Location : Statewide. Grant: $9,014. CATEGORY FOUR: Natural resources law enforcement Maine Warden Service Dive Team Trailer - Will purchase a custom trailer for the Maine Warden Service Dive Team to improve the safety and effectiveness of Recovery Dive Team operations. Partners: Maine Emergency Management Agency. Location : Statewide. Grant: $16,323. Digital Cameras For Natural Resource Law Enforcement - Will purchase digital cameras and necessary accessories for members of the Department of Mari ne Resou rces patrol capable of preserving evidence associated with violations of Marine Resource's law. Partners: N/A. Location : Statewide. Grant: $5,000.
Spri ng 2006
or go to the state parks. "My mother would never play the slots," said Jacques. "But she will buy a couple of lottery tickets to benefit fish and wildlife." Protecting fish and wildlife and our natural resources is the whole point behind the creation of MOHF fund. "We briefed the governor recently on projects that contributed to our natural resource based economy. These things we've talked about are important to capturing the outdoor economy. The funds have protected wildlife and have contributed to the construction at the hatcheries," said Smith. "It is named the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund for a reason. The focus is to protect and enhance the things that are important to our outdoor heritage. It has been a fabulous success in achieving the program's mission." For more information visit: www.state.me. us/ifw/outdoorheri tage/
MOHF Board The Department's ability to rear high quality trout and salmon has been greatly aided by Outdoor Heritage Funds grants. in the state of Maine focusing on outdoor recreational activities, because we know the outdoors well," said Collar. "It has made for a very good partnership."
Declining Sales MOHF Lottery Ticket Sales Fiscal Year
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
Sales
$1.617 million $1.068 million $1.104 million $1.749 million $1.427 million $1 .389 million $1 .171 million $811 ,000 $ 774,917
MAINE Fish and Wildlife
When the MOHF lottery tickets first hit the market in the mid-l 990s, sales were brisk. However, in recent years there has been a flood of other instant lottery tickets on the market. Often times, people don't know the difference between a MOHF lottery ticket and a Maine state lottery ticket because they look alike, except for the notation at the bottom of a MOHF ticket which reads, "Proceeds to Wildlife and Conservation." MOHF board members and others are presently working on ways to increase sales and to distinguish the ticket from competing tickets. "We do have a marketing subcommittee. The last ticket that was a big seller was ' Reeling in the Cash.' We are doing our best," said Pineau. "We are not experts at marketing. When people walk into a store, they have to ask for the ticket that benefits wildlife, the outdoors and conservation ." The tickets are not only bought by sportsmen, but also by people who don ' t normally buy hunting or fishing licenses,
Citizen Members Richard B. Anderson, Chairman Charles F. Beck George Smith Sportsman's Alliance of Maine Sally Stockwell Maine Audubon Society
Permanent Members Patrick McGowan Commissioner of Conservation Roland D. Martin Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Molly Docherty Natural Areas Program
Staff Catherine Pineau Project Manager
Spring 2006 Page 7
Telos Dam Operational Modifications By Rick Denico art of the Department of Conservation/ River Drivers 2003 meeting in Millinocket was devoted to forming a group to address all aspects of fisheries issues in the Allagash Wilderness Waterway (AWW). Concern with the operation of Telos Dam and its potential effects on the water levels of Webster Stream (East Branch of the Penobscot), Chamberlain Lake and Lock Dam outlet to Eagle Lake was one of the issues discussed by the fisheries group. During the winter months, Telos Dam's gates freeze and are extremely difficult to adjust, resulting in an inability to control water levels in this portion of the AWW. Maintaining optimum water levels and stream nows in the winter is critical to maintaining the wild fisheries in our lakes and streams. Several ideas were discussed to accomplish this objective for easier and more reliable flow control operations. One concept appeared to have potential, and seemed to satisfy the concerns of the Bureau of Parks and Lands in their operation of the AWW, the East Branch Stakeholders, that of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and fishermen in general. John Picher, a Department of Conservation engineer, and myself, agreed to design a system incorporating the modifications needed to attain our objective of easily managing the water now from the dam during the critical winter months. John and I made two float plane/helicopter trips to Telos for pre-engineering. With all the measurements obtained, we then proceeded to design the system. We settled on a modified wooden stoplog arrangement for the two largest sluiceways that would compliment the exi. ting gate function system. The system allows water to overflow stoplogs set at a winter pond level of approxi-
mately six feet above the sluiceway floor. Flows to Lock Dam outlet will also occur with the water level above a five-foot lake elevation. One other lift gate is opened one foot to provide adequate downstream flows, should the pond not have sufficient flow to keep water above the stoplogs. The system automatically holds the pond level near the 6-foot mark during the winter, with the goal of stabili1.ing the pond level for both recreational use and fisheries improvement. Summer pond control is unaffected, since stoplogs are added to increase lake height to or beyond the 8-foot summer level agreed to by the stakeholders. Two additional trips were made to bring the materials needed to complete the stoplog phase. Students at Bonney Eagle High School agreed to construct the removable guard rails that would protect people during the seasonal installation and removal of the stoplogs. This part of the project will be completed this winter and be ready for use in the spring.
Ten people worked on the stoplog adjusting phase one; and six people on phase two installing the new adjustable stoplog segments. The group consisted two Baxter Park employees, three from DIF&W, four from Bureau of Parks and Lands and myself. The workers on the second phase included two biologists from DIF&W, three employees from Parks and Lands and myself. The members were Chris Drew and Kevin Osborne from Baxter State Park, Nels Kramer, Buster Carter and Brian Campbell from IF&W, Marilyn Tourtelotte, Tom Coon, Tom Hammon and John Picher from BPL/DOC and myself. This was a most enjoyable project because of the great cooperation between all three groups. The project cost was kept to approximately $1,600, plus the time of the individuals who worked on the project. It certainly demonstrated what can be accomplished when the resources of three state agencies are focused to solve a problem .
It was summer when work to improve the Telos Dam began . ...
... but snow was flying when the work was completed. Page 8 MAINE Fish and Wildlife
Spring 2006
Invasive Aquatif; Plants Maine lakes suffer when nature goes wild. By Paul Gregory Invasive aq uatic plants with di sturbingly alien names li ke M ilfo il and Hydrill a .... These are just two poster pests in the Pine Tree State' s five-year fig ht to prevent and control these environmental threats to our inland waters. Jf yo u haven' t heard of them by now, yo u've either been away or yo u're new to Maine.
The Problem What's the gri pe with these plants? They are from away .. . very far away and they come with no natu ral co mpetiti on to keep their popul atio n in check. So once they're establi shed in a local lake, pond or river, they grow rapidl y to spread and di spl ace native plants. Ulti mate ly, they can redu ce water quality and habitat for fis h and other wildlife. But aren't pl ants supposed to be good fo r the fi shing? Sure, at moderate leve ls- the way nature intends them to be. However, like hum ans getting too much sun or indulgin g in too much salt or sweets, the expl os ive growth of these exotic pl ants in lakes spe ll s health problems for the enviro nment. Wh en pl ants as aggress ive as Variable mil fo il , Eurasian milfo il , Hydrilla and Curlyleafed pondweed multipl y without restraint, they will eventuall y deprive fi sh and all other pond life of the lifesustaini ng oxygen they need. The e aq uatic intruders do n't onl y j eopardi ze what's below the surface; they also harm the lake experience fo r land dwellers. Boating and other recreatio nal acti vities suffe r whe n thick mats choke a cove, spoil a lake's beauty or fou l boat motors and other gear. That's not all ; when Mai ne' s largest econo mic motor- to uri sm- is fo ul ed by these nui sance species, the losses can rippl e far beyo nd an affected lake's shoreline.
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Invasive Aquatic Plants sites in Maine Where
What
LakeAuburn .. ... .... ....... ......... Variable leaf milfo il Parker Pond .... ............. ... ...... Variable leaf milfo ii Pleasant Lake ...................... Variable leaf milfoil Seabago Lake ....... ... ............ Variable leaf milfoil Messalonskee Lake .... ....... Variable leaf milfo il Pleasant Pond ..... .................Variable leaf milfoil Balch Pond ... ......... ... ...... ...... .Variable leaf milfoil Thompson Lake ...................Variable leaf milfoil Cushman Pond .... ....... .........Variable leaf milfoil Hogan Pond ............... ....... ....Variable leaf milfoil Bryant Pond ....... ..... ....... ....... .Variable leaf milfoil Lake Arrowhead ..... ... ...... ... .. Variable leaf milfo ii Presumpscot River.. ............ Variable leaf milfoil Cobbosee stream ........... .... Variable leaf milfo ii Little Androscoggin River.... Variable leaf milfo il Pickerel Pond ....... ................ Hydrilla Shagg Pond .............. ............ Variable leaf milfoil Little Sebago Lake ...............Variable leaf milfoil hybrid West Pond .......................... ...Curly-leafed Pondweed Messalonskee stream ........Variable leaf milfoil Songo River.. ................. ....... Variable leaf milfoil Unnamed Private Pond .. .... Eurasian water milfoil Middle Range Pond .. ......... ..Variable leaf milfoil Collins Pond .........................Variable leaf milfoil hybrid BrandyPond ........... .............. Variable leaf milfo il The Basin ................. ............. Variable leaf milfoil
D Monitorin g Edu ca ion
Cl Ins pection
Prevention: First, Best Option Fortu nate ly, Mai ne has the upper hand. Out of its 6,000 ponds and lakes, onl y 26 have doc umented infestations of fo ur invasive plant species. Few states or neighborin g provi nces can boast thi s record as they face a larger variety of pest plants in great percentage of inl and waters.
MAIN E Fish and Wildlife
D Site Mangement/RR
13Task Forceilnt erstate .tforts
What MDEP doe s with your mi/fo il sticker dollars
Spring 2006 Page 9
With such an enviable record, and because an established infestation is practically impossible to eradicate, prevention becomes Maine's first, best option when confronting invasive aquatic plants. What's the most effective way to prevent new infestation in your favorite pond of lake? Stop 'em cold--right there on the boat ramp before entering and exiting any body of water by inspecting your boat, trailer and all gear for weeds, and then disposing of any plant fragments in the regular trash. Sounds simple, right? It is. And effective. Last year, no new infestation of invasive aquatic plants were found or reported! That impressive record came by way of more than 40,000 Courtesy Boat Inspections (CBI) conducted on 67 in land waters throughout the state in 2005. Courtesy Inspectors are those nice folks you meet at boat ramp, many of them volunteers, who ask if they may check your boat and gear for hitchhiki ng plants. They also show boaters how to conduct their own inspections. That's an important goal of the CBI program; if all boaters inspect their craft for plant material, invasive species like milfoil and other would have few opportunities to spread. An infestation prevented is one that doesn't need to be controlled through labor intensive handpull ing, expensive bottom barriers, or treated for years or even indefinite ly with herbicides.
Milfoil Sticker and You: How Maine Fights Invasive Aquatic Plants Who's picking up the tab for funding 40,000 Courtesy Boat Inspections or for control measures in infested waters? You are ... that is if you've purchased a Lake and River Protection Fund sticker, also known as a milfoil sticker. Every cent of th is revenue goes exclusively into invasive species efforts. While 40 percent go to DIFW for its invasive fish work and enforcement of sticker compliance and the state's prohibition on transporting invasive species, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MDEP) receives 60 per cent of sticker revenue . Among the MDEP program are cost-sharing grants to lake associations and municipalities, grants
Page 10 MAINE Fish and Wildl ife
Variable leaf mi/foil about to hitch a ride on an outboard motor. Could it end up infesting another Maine lake ? and contracts for plant identification workshops, plant monitoring, public outreach and signage. Together, these activities add up to three quarters of DEP's portion that is aimed at preventing infestations. The remaining quarter of DEP's pot goes to rapid response to new finds and to manage and control existing infestations. Salaries for three full time DEP employees are also covered through the mjlfoil sticker fund. Just as invas ive plant prevention and control efforts are an annual activity to protect the future of Maine's lakes, so is the responsibility of boaters who use Mai ne's inland water . Stickers must be purchased every year for each powered craft put on in land waters, whether registered in Maine or out of state. The sticker is valid for the entire ca lendar year in which it was purchased and must be affixed next to the registration number on both sides of your boat's bow. Maine residents pay $10 for each set of stickers, while out-of state boaters pay $20. Of course this is news to only 7 per cent of Maine's boating public. Boat
ramp surveys show that a remarkable 93 per cent of boaters on Maine waters are buying the stickers as required by law. This underscores some values that ought to be app reciated by all who enjoy Maine's lakes: 1) When you buy your 2006 sticker, be assured that your partic ipation is a true partnership with other boaters, lake associations, municipalities and state agencies committed to invasive species work; 2) Lake and River Protection sticker revenue goes l 00 per cent into invasive species work and no other state programs; and 3) With no new infestation reported in 2005, this partnership is delivering uccess. No new infestation in Maine ... that's the highest achievement possible earned by the hundreds of Mainers committed to invasive plant issues. Here's keeping that record in 2006! Paul Gregory is an Environmental Specialist with Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Invasive Species Program.
Spring 2006
Pike at Long Pond By Tom Seymour Region B Assistant Regional Biologist William Woodward told me at the beginning of our interview, "Long Pond was once a world-class salmon fishery." Much has changed at Long Pond since northern pike dropped down from North Pond and established themselves along the way into Great Pond, Long Pond and Messalonskee Lake. Salmon proponents have lost a grand resource. On the other hand, pike fans spend much time and money in pursuit of this illegally-introduced, aggressive, nonnative species. What to do? Maine's fishery biologists often rely upon trapnetting to provide data on fish species in specific waters. Nets are set out in spawning areas to direct and contain mature northern pike. Mostly, trapnetting is used to capture coldwater game fish. Salmonids spawn in the fall and reaching spawning areas by boat is not a problem. But since northern pike spawn in early spring, March and April in Maine, a lingering ice cover often impedes the biologist's efforts to reach spawning areas in order to set their trapnets. Fortunately, the prime and probably the most important pike-spawning site on Long Pond, near the pond's outlet, is usually ice-free in March. And that is where the biologists set their trapnets. Please note that data collected and conclusions drawn from that data pertain only to that single, isolated spawning site - and not to the lake as a whole. Other, smaller spawning sites do exist, but they cannot be reached when the pike spawn.
Spawning Runs Stepping back a bit, the reason for trapnetting pike here in the first place is, as Fisheries Biologist Specialist Scott Davis noted, "It is the best place to observe pike during their spawning run to collect data. We want to learn how many there are and what the population looks like." To that end, trapnetting began in 1995. This was the first time Maine biologists undertook a spring trapnetting for pike. A total of 143 pike were taken that year and from this , biologists estimated that around 1,500 pike resided in or near that particular spawning area. One other stated goal of that 1995 through 1997 trapnetting period, was to observe and track pike movement throughout the Belgrade chain of lakes. Studies from other states indicated that pike move upstream during their spawning period. In subsequent trapnetting, pike numbers decreased considerably. With other trap net operations in nearby waters, and ice and weather conditions making for difficult success, pike did not come to the nets as easily as in 1995. The 1996 catch consisted of only 61 individual pike. From this , an estimated 200 individuals frequented that particular spawning area. In 1997, with netting emphasis directed to other waters the catch showed a continued decline. Trapnetting was then discontinued and only resumed in 2004, when an ice-fishing season for all species except salmon, trout and bass was instituted on Long Pond. The pond had been off-limits to hardwater anglers because it was a trophy salmon water. With the introduction and adaptation of pike, fishing was re-instituted as a possible control measure for the northerns. As might be expected, anglers from far and wide flocked to Long Pond during that first season of ice-fishing. According to biologist's records, 3,000 anglers sought pike there. The catch for that year was 530 legal-sized pike. The next year, 2005, angler use decreased to 1,300 and only 130 pike were recorded. Numbers for 2006
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are not available because data is not yet completely recorded. However, it is likely that the pike take will be quite low, considering that 2006 was an "open winter," with poor ice conditions that kept many anglers off the ice. From the above figures, biologists have determined that in 2004, it took 26 angler hours (that is, one angler fishing on the average of 26 hours) to land one pike of any size. That figure grew sharply and in 2005, requiring 42 angler hours to land one pike. It's important to note that during that first year of ice-fishing, anglers removed a high percentage of the lake's large, or mature, pike. Subsequently, fewer large fish remained available for biologists to trapnet and for anglers in the following years. The ice-fishing season at Long Pond exists as a special, limited-duration, regulation. Woodward noted that he expects the season to be extended after it expires at the end of the 2006 ice-fishing season. Ice-fishing is an important management tool and the data provided through icefishing has much value.
Management Goals A specific pike management goal for Long Pond has yet to be completely outlined. However, Woodward, Davis and Regional Biologist Bob Yan Riper indicate that their eventual course of action will be one of containment, rather than eradication . Here's why. To totally eradicate a species from a large body of water is unrealistic. A
Pike are controversial in Maine, but they are also popular with those who want to catch big fish. Page 12 MAINE Fish and Wildlife
Long Pond, like many central Maine lakes, is growing big pike. complete purge can only be accomplished by the use of chemicals. Woodward pointed out that even with the most diligent of care, some individuals might escape poisoning. It's very difficult to get a complete and total kill. Using chemicals in a small pond, perhaps one of several hundred acres, may be an option, but in 2,714-acre Long Pond, reclamation is financially and practically out of the question. Doing everything possible to see that pike do not continue to infiltrate other waters may be the only viable option for Long Pond and other large bodies of water in the Belgrade Region . If the Department were to use every tool in its power to eliminate mature, spawning pike in Long Pond, a totally unanticipated consequence may result. Davis said that in another Region B water, large pike were removed and many more, smaller individuals filled that resulting vacancy. Could that happen in a larger water, uch as Long Pond? Davis said that il might be that removing large fish may "create a monster." In fact, nobody really knows what might happen shou ld mature pike be purposely trapped and killed in Long Pond. Also, as Van Riper said, "It's a social issue. Pike are a big, hard-hitting, some-
times trophy fish. Why does the public want to go here?" Indeed, northern pike may be anathema to salmon and trout fans, but they are also the darlings of many others. People from not only Maine, but also neighboring states visit the Belgrade Region in search of trophy-sized northern pike. In fact, anglers from Massachusetts frequently call the Region B office, requesting specific information on where to go for a crack al a trophy pike. And somewhere in the equation, it must be remembered that while pike are an exotic, non-native species in Long Pond and other area waters, so are salmon and brown trout. Public input must be weighed and evaluated before any groundbreaking deci ion can be reached regarding the ultimate handling or disposition of northern pike in Long Pond and elsewhere. Woodward and the other biologi . ts continue to set lrapnels and to collect and evaluate data thus gained. But exactly how pike in Long Pond will be managed in the future is by no means certain. Pike, being at the top of the food chain, are the ultimate aggressors. Certainly, care will be exercised in their management.
Spring 2006
Text and Photos By Tom Seymour
Governor Hill A 'State of the Art' Fish Hatchery
ugusta's Governor Hill Fish Hatchery has an intriguing history. This venerable hatchery was named not after a geographic location, but rather for a Maine Governor named Hill. At the turn of the twentieth century, Governor Hi!J raised rainbow trout in what back then were wood-lined raceways. Consequently, the Governor treated visiting dignitaries to the joys of catching these locally-raised trout. Upon Governor Hill's death, his family wi!Jed the hatchery and surrounding 180-acre complex to the State of Maine, to be forever used as a public fish hatchery. Much change has come to this hatchery over the last 100-plus years of its existence. The wooden raceways are gone, filled in with gravel to become an entrance road. The spring-fed stream was re-routed through modern, concrete-lined raceways. It has now become a modern, state-of-the-art hatchery that produces brook trout, lake trout and splake. Brook trout are the main product of Governor Hill Hatchery. However, the hatchery also produces lake trout and splake. Incidentally, all lake trout and splake raised in Maine are spawned, or conceived, at Governor Hill. In fact,
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Hatchery Supervisor Tom McLaughlin feeds tiny trout that were raised in the Governor Hill Fish Hatchery facility MAINE Fish and Wildlife
Maine's entire supply of broodstock (adult fish used for spawning) lake trout reside at Governor Hill. The fortuitous coincidence of different spawning times for different species makes it possible to spawn both brook trout and splake at one single location. Here's how it works. In order to make a splake, hatchery workers combine milt from male brook trout and eggs from lake trout. This occurs in the second week of October, which is when lake trout naturally spawn. Next, since female brook trout eggs are not ripe for use until mid-November, the same male brook trout broodstock used to spawn splake a month earlier are used to spawn brook trout. Having rested a month, the male brook trout have regenerated sufficient milt for another successful spawning.
Impressive Numbers The numbers are impressive. Governor Hill Hatchery collects 400,000 eggs from broodstock brook trout, and 100,000 lake trout eggs. A staggering total of 200,000 artificially-spawned splake eggs are created annually. Additionally, Governor Hill Hatchery receives brook trout eggs from other Maine hatcheries, notably Enfield and sometimes Phillips. These amount to about 500,000 eggs. According to Hatchery Supervisor Tom McLaughlin, the primary focu of the Governor Hill Hatchery is to supply other Maine hatcheries with fish. "We couldn ' t possibly raise all the fish that we make," McLaughlin said. Governor Hill has limited rearing capacity, but practically unlimited hatching ability. For example, in November, the Enfield Hatchery might send 400,000 fresh brook trout eggs to Governor Hill. There, the eggs are hatched and raised to the amount of 100 fish per pound. These fish average about two inche in length. at which point they are returned to Enfield by the second week of May Lo be raised to a length suitable for stocking in Maine waters. Governor Hill Hatchery boasts of many superlatives, the most impressive being that the hatchery runs entirely upon well water. Wells have several advantaoes over other water sources. Notably, I:> well water remains at a constant temperaSpring 2006 Page 13
This is the time of year when many members of the public encounter baby fawns , robins , raccoons and other young wildlife in their back yards and woodlands . Young wildlife is often 'kidnapped' by wellmeaning people in the mistaken belief that they have been abandoned. The mother-young bond is very strong in mammals and birds , and wild parents will return - given the opportunity to do so without human interference. Because wild parents can't hire babysitters , and must leave their youngsters alone while they search for food , people often stumble upon a fawn hidden in the leaves on the forest floor , young birds taking their first flights , or young raccoon and fox kits wandering a bit too far from the home den. If you encounter a fawn , leave it alonel Adult mother does return only 2-3 times a day to nurse their young fawns , otherwise leaving them stashed in a protected place and relying on their camouflage and lack of scent to protect them from predators. As soon as fawns are able to keep up with mom , they begin to travel under her protection as she forages for food. If a nest of squirrels or raccoons must be disturbed , (for example if a tree has been cut down or fallen) leave the young in the den section of the tree and put the whole section nearby in a protected place. The mother will in all likelihood come back and transport the young to a new location. The same is true for a bird ' s nest if it blows to the ground. Put the nest and nestlings into a nearby tree , supported in a basket or other container that has drainage. The mother robin or blue jay is probably right around the corner , and will return to feed the young and care for them until they can fly on their own. But in most instances , if you come across any healthy young wild animal or bird , leave it alone! The mother will come back to care for it, as long as humans keep their distance to let the family reassemble. If you have pets, keep them inside your home or leash them so they can't disturb the young wildlings Wild birds and mammals do not make good pets , and it's against the law to possess them without the proper state and federal permits.
If a wild animal is obviously in need of help , it is legal for you to assist. How do you tell? If a cat or dog brings one in, if there is bleeding or other trauma , shivering, evidence of a dead parent nearby, or has been hit by a car . Who do you contact? Go to WWW.MEFISHWILDLIFE.COM and click on ' wildlife '. There is a statewide list of licensed wildlife rehab ilitators that are qualified to assist the animal. You will have to bring the critter to them , but they will make every effort to treat and release the animal back into the wild - where it belongs!
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Spring 2006
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Spring 2006 Page 17
Maine's Evolving Monitoring Program By Cathy Genthner or over three decades, biologists of the Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife have been monitoring Maine's black bear population. Today, black bears are widely distributed in Maine and their population is thriving.
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Healthy Population Maine's black bear population stands at an estimated 23,000, thanks to decades of monitoring work by dedicated biologists and the management of the bear population through carefully monitored hunting seasons. "O ur bear program has evolved from a research and monitoring program to one that primarily focuses on monitoring the bear population," said Dr. Walter J. Jakubas, Mammal Group Leader. Statewide, roughly 90 bears are monitored annually in three separate sections of the state: Bradford (Central Maine), North East of Beddington (Downeast) and Spectacle Pond (Northern Maine). Biologists who conduct den work, radio collaring and ear tagging do this work. "Ninety bears may sound like a small number, but no other state has as big a sampling of bears as does Maine. If you are studying one group of 30 bears in northern Maine, that are all eating from the same table, we find out how all those bears are doing. It is amazing how consistent the information is. For example, al l of the bear at one monitoring area
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will either be all fat, all skinny or somewhere in the middle. If we have a bad year, it is a bad year for all the bears in the district," said Randy Cross, a wildlife biologi t and the field crew leader for the bear monitoring project. Cross has been monitoring black bears in Maine for over 24 years. "The bears are at a level that f would term 'healthy.' As far as being in balance with their habitat, you will always see some starvation. Some bears will starve because of the availability of their foods. They don't have population spurts - they are steady in terms of population fluctuation."
History of Bear Monitoring During the past three decades , the bear-monitoring program has evolved greatly, changing study areas and the gender and age of bears monitored . Maine's black bear study began in 1975 when biologist Roy Hugie established two studies areas in Spectacle Pond (Aroostook County) and Stacyville (Penobscot County). Hugie radio-collared a total of 31 males and 20 females. Spectacle Pond experienced some hunting while Stacyville had the heaviest hunting pressure in the state. Today,
Deputy Commissioner Paul Jacques and Commissioner Dan Martin keeping bear cubs warm and calm prior to ear tagging. Spring 2006
black bears are found throughout the state, but most bear hunting occurs in northern, western, and eastern Maine, except for a narrow coastal band east of the Penobscot River, as well as some coastal sections of southern Maine. "We initiated the study so that we could learn how many bears we had, how many were dying and how many cubs they were producing," said Jennifer Vashon, a wildlife biologist. In 1982, the Bradford monitoring area was established as bear research was intensified and redirected. Pilots in the air were able to monitor the bears location, range and selected habitats through radio collars. The Stacyville monitoring area gradually dissolved until the last radio-collared female was lost in the fall of 2004. However, in the spring of 2004, a new study area was created in Amherst to address a longstanding need to better represent the bear population in eastern Maine. Biologists obtain information about the bears through the radio collars, which have a mortality switch. The collars beep at a pitch the bears can ' t hear. The bear's activity level affects the frequency of beeps per minute. At 70 beeps per minute, the collar is sending information that the bear is alive and moving around . At 40 beeps per minute, the animal isn't moving or is in a den - which could also indicate that the animal is dead during the summer months when bears don't den.
In the 1990's, research went from intense radio telemetry monitoring to long term monitoring since biologists had already obtained basic information about the bears' habitat and ranges . "From the research done by radio telemetry, we had baseline information, so we backed off on the home range and habitat monitoring," said Vashon. "We realized the importance of the female so we stopped the radio collar work on the males, focusing on the females and cub production and cub survival. Now we are tracking the births and deaths of the females and their offspring." That work involves going into the den when the female is hibernating with the cub or cubs. The pilot locates the female at the den site with GPS coordinates and relays that information to the biologists. The biologists then go in part-way with a snowmobile, and walk in the rest of the Cubs are carefully weighed as a means of way with snowshoes and judging their condition with hand-held telemetry equipment. Once the den is you have to dig. We find the entrance, found, the digging in the snow begins. we chemically immobilize the female. If "The farther north you go, the deeper she has cubs, we go in after she is sedat-
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Radio telemetry equipment is used to locate hibernating bears. MAINE Fish and Wildlife
ed . We wrap her in a sleeping bag, count the cubs , determine their sex, condition and age," said Vashon. Hibernation is usually from October to April, depending on the location of the den , the severity of the winter and the availability of food before the hibernation. Bears only reproduce every other year and don ' t reproduce until they are four, five or six years old. The cubs are usually born in January, emerge in April from the den and stay with the female throughout the summer months. Then in the fall, the cubs go back into the den with the female as yearlings . They emerge again in April and may stay with the female a few months before leaving for good. In June or July, the female bear goes into estrus, which mean s she is able to produce another litter. The
Spring 2006 Page 19
female is also able have another litter if the cubs die their first year. "The first year, mortality is usually caused by starvation. There are also predation losses, such as from coyotes, right after the cubs emerge from the den. Other bears also will kill a younger bear," added Vashon. However, 67 percent of the cubs survive their first year, which is an adequate number to ustain a healthy population.
, A female bear sleeps in a well-dug den with her body providing heat and protection for her cub.
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Bear Problems With a thriving bear population comes some bear nuisance complaints, most of the time in the spring when bears leave the den. There isn't a lot of natural food out just then, so bird feeders and pet food can smell extremely appealing to a hungry bear. However, when the berry crop comes in during summer, bears have adequate natural food and the number of complaints goes down. Fall can also be a time of nuisance bear complaints, if there isn't a lot of natural food available, such as acorns and beechnuts. Many bear food are impacted by weather. There can be a wide variability of natural food abundance and quality between years in different parts of the state. In southern Maine, there are fewer
bears but many more people. There have been reports of bears in South Portland and Westbrook as well as parts of York County. Most of the bears are seen in the area west and north of Sebago Lake, as well as in the Bridgton and Fryeburg areas, where there has been a teady growth in the human population as houses take over habitat. "That is where most of our nuisance complaints are coming from," said Scott Lindsay, a wildlife biologist in Region A in Gray. "People are feeding bears without knowing it. For example, bears will get into bird feeders, garbage or eat pet food that is left outside. The bears feed on just about anything. If there is a food, the bear is going to stay there until the food is removed." And removing the food source i the best way to get rid of nuisance bears, at least until mid-summer when natural food is available. Lindsay notes that just seeing a bear can be viewed as a problem in southern Maine. "Sometimes if people see a bear, their first response is to call us - they want us to trap it and remove it. I tell people to look out their windows and enjoy watching the bears."
The Benefits of Hunting
Field-weighing an adult sow bear is a two-man job. Page 20
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Without hunting, the bear population could increase to over 40,000 bears in Maine. Bear nuisance complaints would increa e dramatically as well as the mortality rate among bears. "We use hunting as a management tool. Without hunting the bear population would grow to a level where eventually bears would eat themselves out of
house and home," said Vashon. Ma~~ bears make up about 55 percent of the bear harvest, with younger males more likely to be shot than any other group. The younger males are less cautious and males in general have larger range and as a result move around more. Adult females will still go to bait, but tend to be much more cautious. "Without hunting, the bear population would grow largely unchecked," said Vashon. "With hunting we can maintain a population that is biologically and socially desirable."
Future of Bear Monitoring Biologists would like to see additional bear monitoring areas, but that of course, depends on funding. "I would love to have two more study areas but we are limited by finances," said Cross. "We are getting by with much less money than we received in the past. We don't have as good a grip on the bear population as we would like to have. It has been quite a while since we recalculated our bear population estimate. We need to figure out a way to get the money to do this. That is top on our list of things we would like to accomplish." Biologists hope to see this long-term program continue indefinitely, so that they are able lo keep a constant "finger on the pulse" of the bear population. This will ensure first-hand information directly form the bears themselves that will allow biologists lo properly manage bears for future generations to enjoy.
Spring 2006
By Bob Humphrey his year marks the 20th Anniversary of modern spring turkey hunting in the Pine Tree State; and there is a lot to celebrate. The turkey restoration program has been a resounding success. Even better, the permit lottery is gone; and for the first time, spring hunting will be open to anyone who buys a permit. While most sportsmen are elated, some wonder how we got here, why it's taken so long and what the future holds.
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The Early Years The impetus for turkey restoration in Maine came largely from sportsmen, encouraged by successful reintroduction programs in other states. In response, Maine began their program in the late 1970s. Region A Biologist Phil Bozenhard orchestrated some of the first intra-New England translocations, releasing birds from Vermont and Connecticut into the Mount Agamenticus area of southernmost York County in 1977 and 1978. With limited funds and staffing, results were slow in coming, and eventually stalled. Invigorated by help from the newly formed Maine Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), Maine's efforts got back on track in the early 80s. Biologists live-trapped York County birds and relocated them elsewhere in the state, also releasing Connecticut birds at various locations. The original flock grew to approximately 400 by 1983. The Department began to trap and transfer birds from within the state, and expanded their efforts by releasing birds in Waldo and Hancock Counties.
To encourage greater participation and recruit more youngsters to the sport, Maine established a special youth turkey hunt. Bob Humphrey photo
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The First Season By the mid l980s, they were releasing birds at several locations in Cumberland County and biologists determined the York County population was healthy enough to support a limited hunt. In 1986, Maine held their first modern spring season, restricted to York County. Of the 500 permitees, only nine were successful, a reflection of low turkey population and the hunter's inexperience. That wouldn't remain the case for long, however. Progress remained steady throughout the ensuing decade as Maine continued releasing birds at new locations, relying increasingly more on resident birds. The program's original intent was to re-establish turkeys in their historical range along
While they can be a nuisance, most dairy farmers admit they like having turkeys around.
Maine's Turkey Hunting History Year No. of Permits 1986 500 500 1987 1988 355 463 1989 1990 499 1991 500 500 1992 500 1993 500 1994 750 1995 1,250 1996 1,750 1997 2,250 1998 3,000 1999 4,000 2000 2001 7,000 2002 9,000 12,000 2003 15,600 2004 20,951 2005
Turkeys Harvested 9 8 16 19 15 21 53 46 62 117 288 417 594 890 1,559 2,544 3,395 3,994 4,839 6,236
Summary of Maine's Fall Turkey Seasons, 2002 - 2005 Year *No. of Permits Turkeys Harvested 2002 2,031 151 2003 2,849 246 2004 2,85 203 2005 2,489 (approx.) 157 * Number who purchased license Page 22 MAINE Fish and Wildlife
the southern coast. Encouraged by their repeated success however, biologists transplanted birds farther inl and and north, beyond the limits of anyone's expectations. With increased interest in hunting, a continued natural expansion of the turkey's range and additional releases, the Department expanded the hunting zone to include most of Cumberland County in 1992 and increased permit numbers to 500. where they remained for the following two years. In l 995, they increased permit numbers to 750, which resulted in Maine's first triple-digit kill of 117.
The Second Decade Begins Successful reintroduction continued, and in 1996 the Department again expanded the hunting zone, this time to include most of the bird's range, extending north and ea t from the New Hampshire border to the Penobscot River and encompassing seven counties. Maine hunters experienced their fifth consecutive record year in 1998, bagging 594 birds, and Maine's turkey population was estimated at around 8,000, and till expanding in both number and area. Bozenhard identified 1999 as a turning point. Up to then, Maine's turkey population had experienced slow, steady growth. "The birds reached critical mass," he said. "We had a favorable pring with warm, dry conditions, which led to nearly 80 percent survival rate of poults. There were birds everywhere and that was when the population got ahead of hunters."
Spring 2006
Not all of them did however, as 890 birds fell to the 3,000 permitted hunters. By 2000, Bozenhard conservatively estimated the population at approximately l 0,000 birds and predicted the statewide maximum supportable population at around 15,000 birds, based on available habitat. That year 4,000 hunters took 1,559 birds. Just two years later however, biologist Andy Weik estimated the statewide population at somewhere between 17,000 and 20,000 birds, and still growing.
who chose to could participate; they just had to use a bow. For its first two years starting in 2002, the season ran two weeks, at the end of October, and bowhunters killed 151 and 246 birds, respectively. Last year, another week was added to the season and archers took 157 birds.
Open Season Planning Time In April, 2000, the Department convened a public Wild Turkey Working Group, comprised of representatives from various stakeholders including: NWTF Maine Chapter, Maine Professional Guides Association, Maine Farm Bureau, Maine Bowhunters Association and the Maine Audubon Society. Their charge was to develop goals and objectives to guide wild turkey management for the ensuing IO to 15 years. The overriding goal unanimously recommended by the group was to increase the wild turkey population within al I suitable habitats in Maine via trap and transfer activities and habitat improvements. However, Regional Management Supervisor Gene Dumont observed: "We really don't know what suitable turkey habitat is in Maine, since the birds are now occupying habitat that we never dreamed could support them. All counties of Maine now contain at least some breeding turkeys, except for Aroostook."
Fall Hunting Under the primary goal, the group also set several specific objectives. One was to implement a limited fall season by 2003, so long as it didn't conflict with increa ing the overall population. This meant careful consideration of the longterm effects of additional hunting effort. Fall seasons typically incorporate eithersex hunting, and hen mortality has a much greater impact on long-term productivity. Ultimately, Department biologists decided the best way to balance increased hunting opportunity against overall population objectives was to limit the fall season to archery only. Anyone
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Yet another specific objective was to provide unlimited spring hunting opportunity by the year 20 I 0. An ever-increasing number of turkey hunters were taking up the sport with zeal, only to be frustrated when they failed to draw a perThe Maine Chapter of the National Wild Turkey mit. Meanwhile, the Federation has been invaluable to turkey restoration Department was taking a efforts, providing funding, materials and volunteer conservative approach, labor to state efforts. incrementally increasing achieved their goal, the Department offipermits as the turkey population cially abandoned the lottery for the 2006 increased. season. They did, however, retain the They also wanted to preserve a safe, split season in order to preserve the safequality hunting experience, and avoid ty and quality of the hunt. potential conflicts with landowners. In 1998, the Department began Unfinished Business increasing permit numbers by roughly 30 Yet another specific goal in the l 0percent a year, hoping to achieve their year management plan was to develop a goal of an open season . But the demand component to the Department's Nuisance kept ahead of the supply, as more hunters Wildlife Policy that addresses wild applied for the limited permits every turkey . Not everyone is th.rilled with the year. Seeking a stopgap solution, they went to a split season in 2001. Available turkey restoration program's success, and the number of nuisance and depredation permits went from 4,000 to 7,000, but complaint is on the rise. Most afflicted hunters were limited to either the A eaare those who grow strawberries, blueson (the first and fourth weeks) or B seaberries and corn, and those who store son (second and third weeks). In the silage for livestock. They complain that 2002 spring season, they added a fifth turkeys are pillaging their crops and week, during which all permitees could despoiling their silage. hunt. No formal research into turkey crop While it' official this year, the depredation has been done in Maine, yet. Department actually achieved their goal However, researchers from Purdue of an open season last year. They initialIowa State University and the University, ly issued 20,300 permits for the 2005 Iowa D R, California, and the spring season. That left 3,651 applicants University of Wisconsin-Extension all without a permit. As the number was so came to the same conclusions. They small, the Legislature passed an emerfound that raccoons, foxes, deer and gency bill allowing the Department to other animal that feed mostly at night issue permits to all applicants. Having caused most of the crop damage typically
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Thanks to the efforts of biologists and sportsmen, Maine wild turkeys now occur in numbers that almost certainly never existed before, and occupy a geographic area that far exceeds their historic range. Their return represents one of the most remarkable success stories in modern conservation. attributed to wild turkeys. They also speculated that turkeys might actually be doing the farmers a favor, since their diet consists largely of insects during the growing season. What crop damage they do is limited mostly to commercial berry growers, and is largely inadvertent. As the birds scratch their way through a blueberry field, they walk on the plants and may crush some, which can make for an unrakeable, unmarketable be1Ty. However, damage is minimized if they can keep the birds away during roughly a three to four-week window. Removing one or two birds through depredation permits will usually dissuade others from coming, with little impact on the turkey population. A similar situation exists as birds pick through strawberries in the fall, searching for bugs. A turkey feeds by first scratching the ground, and then looking for whatever tasty morsels they may have exposed. In so doing, they may inadvertently rake off straw that was placed there to keep the plants from freezing. This i easily remedied by
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inviting a few bowhunters in during the fall season. Much of the turkey restoration program's success in Maine is directly or indirectly attributable to farmers. particularly those who raise livestock. Ironically, this is where most of the serious nuisance and depredation problems arise. Their farms provide open space and ideal release sites. Their silage bins also provide an invaluable food source for turkeys during the bottleneck of winter. And therein lies the problem. The Department does not release birds on private farms without first gaining the landowner's permission. And while most farmers admit they like having the birds around, they're growing increasingly frustrated with the damage they do. They tear plastic sheeting off the silage piles, exposing it to moisture and rot. And as they feed, they someti mes foul it with their excrement. The Department continues to work with individuals on a case-by-case basis to remedy these problems.
Looking Ahead With most of their goals met, the Department can now devote more attention to those that remain. These include developing a cooperative habitat improvement program between landowners, the Maine Chapter of NWTF and the Department. While not a specific goal, Working Group members also identified as critical, finding and ensuring adequate funding to support a Department position dedicated to coordinating wild turkey management. Perhaps the greatest challenge facing the future success of turkey hunting in Maine is access. With very little exception, most hunting occurs on private land, at the discretion of the landowner. The Department has taken a leap of faith in opening the spring season to all who wish to enjoy it. It is now up to the sportsmen and women of Maine to ensure that the hunt remains a safe and positive experience for all, including the non-hunters we share the woods with and the landowners on whose property we hunt.
Spring 2006
What's New at the Wildlife Park? By Pat Friedman
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Maine Wildlife Park volunteer and artist June Brown's rendition of the new red and gray fox pen at the Wildlife Park.
At first glance, it looks like any other wooded Maine lot with sloping fields and roaming pathways. But when a gaggle of geese waddles lazily in front of you, woodchucks poke around on the hills, and owls chat nearby, you know you're somewhere special. For nearly 30 years, the Maine Wildlife Park in Gray has been a haven for injured, orphaned or otherwise unfortunate critters unable to sustain themselves in the wild. Some are totally dependent on humans: whether they were wild animals taken illegally as pets, or born in captivity, or attempted to have been "saved" by well intentioned individuals. Either way, about 30 species of wildlife - from turtles to coyotes - call this sanctuary home. The total park size is 244 acres. About 40 acres of wildlife exhibits lie inside perimeter fencing. When possible, rehabilitated animals such as moose, deer and raptors are released from the park back into the wild. But most of the park wildlife would not survive, and have become long-term, beloved residents. Charlie, one of the three resident black bears, was kept illegally as a pet when she was a cub. She was rescued
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from a gutted-out school bus, and has been living at the park for 29 years. Warren, the turkey vulture, has lived here for about 26 years since a spinal injury that caused him to lose his tail feathers. Just about every resident creature has been given a name. More importantly, they've been given a place to live.
Education This highly organized, humane and nurturing environment is testament to the Department's dedication to wildlife management. "Many Maine residents do not hunt or fish," points out the department's Natural Science Educator and Park Supervisor Lisa Kane, "and this is an example to them of the work that the Department is doing to preserve and protect Maine's fish and wildlife resources." One park priority is to educate the public on how the department manages wildlife. The park is a classic opportunity to see this up close and personal. Beautiful, full-color signs illustrate the particulars and help visitors gain a deeper understanding of wildlife. "These resident animals make them
educational ambassadors," says Kane. "It's a huge learning opportunity for Maine residents and tourists." On the subject of learning, a variety of wildlife and conservation programs are offered to the public on the premises in May, June, September and October. Individuals and school groups are regularly accommodated here, and the picnic shelters and outdoor classroom can be reserved for reunions and other special occasions.
Staff and Volunteers Only four full-time, on-site staffers manage the countless responsibilities that come with the effective daily management of this operation. The delicate balance of care and knowledge, ability and sensibility, are obvious keystones for anyone with this unique charge. Jon Bagley has been a dedicated gamekeeper here for nearly 30 years. Nate Gould, a new gamekeeper at the park, formerly worked for the department at Swan Island. Adam Farrington, a gamekeeper for five years, was recently promoted to assistant supervisor when Merritt Foster
Spring 2006 Page 25
retired after 30 years of service. And Curtis Johnson, originally from Houlton, recently became the new park superintendent. Curtis, a business major with a background in management, pursued his love for wildlife by going back to UMO for a second degree in wildlife ecology. Regarding staff, Kane says, "everyone who works here is totally dedicated to the park and its wildlife." One of Superintendent Johnson's first observations has been the tremendous value of the park's corps of volunteers, and the Friends of the Maine Wildlife Park organization. "What impressed me the most are the volunteers. l couldn't get over the extent of their efforts: from running the gate house and snack shack, to gardening and leading guided tours; essentially helping out with everything that needs to be done, excluding actual handling of the animals Nearly I 00 people currently volunteer at the park. Connie Kippax says that, having been a volunteer for 14 years, "I've seen enormous changes. There are tremendous efforts underway o improve the habitat for all the animals here." Johnson acknowledges that, with upwards of 100,000 annual visitors to the park, volunteer help is absolutely necessary. This group, which has been extremely helpful to the park's stability and growth, is known as the Friends of the Maine Wildlife Park. Based in Gray, this 501 (c) 3 group allows donors to channel money directly to the park, through donations to Friends. In addition to many other initiatives, the Friends are currently helping to raise money for a larger and more natural red and gray fox habitat.
Critters Other resident critters of interest here range from Canada lynx to great horned owls to endangered turtles . Thousands of brookies and brown trout inhabit the Department's Dry Mills fish hatchery, right next door to the park. Future plans include a catch and release fishing pond for the young and young at heart to use for the purpose of learning and experiencing the art of fish-
Page 26 MAINE Fish and Wildlife
Wildlife Park Attractions Far more features exist beyond the animal exhibits. For instance: 1. Visitor Center (replete with interactive, hands-on games and exhibits) 2. Warden Service Museum 3. Snack Shack 4. Nature Store (with lots of affordable items, and more gifts coming that represent the wildlife currently residing at the park) 5. Fish house 6. Outdoor classroom (Wildlife programs May, June, Sept. and Oct.) 7. Warm weather grilling and picnicking on site is encouraged. (The park is open for admissions until 4:30 p.m., but those already inside the park can stay till 6
ing in a safe and controlled environment. Astonishingly bright and colorful ring-necked pheasants are a reminder of the park's rich historical past, when it was a privately owned farm, then was purchased by the Department to raise thousands of pheasants to release statewide. Those former pheasant broodhouses now serve as winter shelter for many of the park's magnificent birds.
interact with the one that's here." A new three-acre deer yard is home to 10 whitetailed deer of all ages. Unfortunately, well-meaning Mainers who thought the young deer were abandoned, brought some of this herd in as fawns. Many people do not realize how often the creature's mother is just out of sight and that fawns in the wild should be left alone!
New Exhibits
Park Improvements
Construction is underway on a new fox exhibit, one natural area for red fox, separate but visible next to another area for gray fox. The field-like habitat will have a naturalized, filtered pond and stream system, built-in dens, and an eight foot-high glass encasement in an effort to avoid viewing through bars or links. Although there will be an overlook where visitors can fox-watch, areas of "no-man's-land" will break up the exhibits, lending privacy for the foxes. Farrington points out that. because foxes are omnivorous, "we'll also incorporate plants like berries and apples that they would naturally eat."
Only one last area of "traditional enclosures" remains, where porcupines and skunks inhabit the smaller areas. The staff is cager for opportunities to markedly improve their habitat, in the manner they have been doing with other animals. But the budget is tight, and the park's primary income is generated by visitor's fees. Currently, gate fees are only $3.25 for kids, $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, with children under age three are admitted free of charge. The annual cost to operate the park is over $450,000. The main office, located in an 1800's farmhouse, is currently being renovated. As you can imagine, there are many projects and dollars that are necessary to maintain and sustain the park, not to mention improve it. Kane adds that, besides projected goals, great needs lie within the park's infrastructure. "We need a new water line that will cost over $100,000. We need to find the funding to complete these projects." Future plans include the development of more nature trails and additional wildlife exhibits. Eventually, the goal is to allow people to enjoy four-season hiking and exploration throughout the park.
Eagle Aerie A spectacular eagle habitat is also in the works, thanks to an extraordinarily generous private donation. This sweeping, open-air section will allow wild eagles that fly over the park to see and perhaps even visit the two resident, permanently unreleasable eagles, Lawrence and Marilyn . Farrington explains, "Raptors are communal, and like to hang out with other raptors . In fact, we've seen seven wild turkey vultures come around and
Spring 2006
Canada Lynx In Maine By Bob Humphrey M anley Hard y, a fur buyer, trapper, outdoorsman and natu ra li st from Brewer, penned the words to the right a century ago. But they would be nearl y as accurate if they had been written las t week. Lynx have never been abundant in Maine. Even where they are, just over the border in Quebec and New Brunsw ick, popul ations go th ro ugh a boom-bust cycl e of ro ughl y 10 year , fo llow ing very c losely the abundance and scarcity of snowshoe hares. Whil e its abundance and distributi on have re mained relati vely co nsistent (taking into acco unt the cycl ica l nature), the landscape and political climate have changed dra mati call y. M uch of what was once wild and und istu rbed is now co, mercia ll y owned working fo rest. Meanwhile, in 2000, the U.S . Fish and Wil d life Serv ice (FWS) li sted the pecies
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as Threatened in 15 states, incl uding Maine. The spec ies' newfo und tatu s has raised concerns among many. One side is ca lling fo r stricter conservati o n plans and protecti on. T he other is concerned over the listi ng's impact on trapping and commercial fo restry. In the middle are the Department of Inl and Fisheries and Wildlife and FWS, working to balance the resource with commercial and recreati onal interests, under state and federal ouide lines _ and not alway in total b ag reement.
The Lynx The Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) is a medium-sized wildcat. Ad ult ma les average 25 pounds, fe males 19. With Jong legs and large, well-furred fee t, they' re well adapted to northern environments where deep snows accum ul ate in winter. Here, they feed predominantly on snowshoe hare, but also prey on birds and small mammals. Sometimes confused with the bobcat, lynx are differentiated by their tufted ears and black-tipped tail. T hey're also lighter
Spring 2006 Page 27
in color, and appear larger due to their noticeably longer legs and larger paws. However, bobcat and lynx can interbreed and produce kittens. Hybrids have been documented in Maine, Minnesota, and New Brunswick. As alluded to above by Hardy, and well-documented in scientific literature, lynx numbers and distribution are largely dictated by the population size and distribution of their primary prey, snowshoe hare. During time of food shortage, they may move considerable distances. The Department has documented lynx captured and radio-collared near Clayton Lake, move close to 350 miles to the eastern end of the Gaspe Peninsula in Quebec. Predominantly creatures of the northern boreal (coniferous) fore t, lynx are common throughout much of Canada and Alaska, where they are trapped regularly. In Maine, they are a peripheral species, the southern edge of their range lapping over into our state. The extent of that range varies, again, depending on prey abundance. But their scarcity in Maine, and other peripheral states led conservation groups to petition FWS to list them under the Endangered Species Act.
Research and Status in Maine ln 1999, in advance of the federal listing, the Department and FWS began a study to determine the status of lynx, understand their habitat needs, identify factors that may limit population growth and determine the best way to detect their pre ence. Biologists first live-captured lynx using box and foothold traps. They recorded information on size and weight, then fitted the animals with radio collars. With aircraft and GPS technology, they're able to document lynx movements, habitat use, survival and reproduction. They also monitor prey abundance by winter track urveys and by pellets counts. From what biologist have learned o far, lynx seem to be doing quite well in northern Maine. The Department has captured and collared 52 lynx (27 males: 25 female ) and documented the production of 34 litters. Over 90 percent of adult females produced a litter each year, aver-
Page 28 MAINE Fish and Wildlife
aging just over two kittens per litter. Leading causes of death included starvation and predation, the latter primarily by fishers. Home ranges are relatively small, averaging 26 square miles for males and 12 for females, which suggests good habitat quality. Prior to listing, little research was done in Maine on lynx habitat use and distribution. Most studies outside the species' core range (Canada and Alaska) were conducted in Western tates, where habitat is very dissimilar to Maine in terms of species composition, structure and use (commercial and recreational). More recent Maine studies show the habitat most suitable for lynx in Maine is large tracts of regenerating spruce-fir forests. The best examples resulted from clearcutting timber salvage operations that took place after the spruce-bud worm outbreak of the late 1970s and early 1980s. The forest is changing however. In 1989, Maine enacted the Forest Practices Act, which placed restrictions on the size of clearcuts. One result has been a shift from clearcutting toward less intensive harvesting that leaves a larger proportion of mature trees standing. This can affect the suitability of the habitat for snowshoe hare and lynx. The Department, in cooperation with the University of Maine, is studying the effects of these cutting techniques on forest regeneration, snowshoe hare densities and lynx. "We first want to see what we've got on the landscape," says the Department's Director of Resource Management Ken Elowe. "Then we can work on what the landscape needs to look like. We're trying to work cooperatively with landowners to develop patterns of silviculture that would provide habitat for lynx, as well as other pecie like pine marten, which require older forest structure."
What the Future Holds FWS represents a third interest in this process. As required by the Endangered Species Act (ESA), they are developing a recovery plan for the species. In so doing, they have proposed designating as much as a third of Maine as critical habitat for lynx. While this may sound ominous to some, it's impor-
tant to understand the process. "People are afraid of federal oversight when they haven't figured out where it will come from, or what kind of oversight there will be," says Elowe. "What many don't realize is that timberlands are not under federal oversight as long as there is no federal ownership or dollars involved," he adds. FWS would, however, be involved in any easements that involve federal funding. "It still might not be any different, but it adds more bureaucratic oversight into a sometimes fragile negotiating environment," says Elowe. "We want to do everything we can to conserve the species, but we don't want to create a less cooperative atmosphere if we don't have to because so much of our conservation planning depends on cooperative relationships with private landowners." Some, however, feel the FWS plan may create antagonism in this process. "One of the premises of proposing critical habitat is that current oversight is not adequate," says Elowe. "It implies that their (FWS) over ight is necessary something different needs to happen with the management. Yet most people don't see where federal oversight is going to be an improvement, and in this case I'd have to agree with them," says Elowe. "The State's perspective is that the right kind of management is already happening. We have increasing lynx numbers and we don't need something different."
Conclusion lt' important to understand that while both agencies may not agree entirely on the process, both are working toward the same end. "The Department is absolutely committed to doing the best we can for lynx conservation," says Elowe. "We have invested hundreds of thousand of dollars and considerable taff time into research, not because we have to but because it's our responsibility." It's also their responsibility to manage the land and the other species that inhabit it, and balance those with recreational and commercial interest . "Our two agencies have to come to some agreement on a balance of programs before it becomes a contentious issue."
Spring 2006
Remembering Warden K-9 Reba Reba Bailey Bogguss, beloved companion and service dog of Sgt. Roger Guay and family, died on April l 0, 2006. At almost 14 years old, she persevered over the decline of age. Reba was born May 14, 1992, in Monson, Maine, at the home of Foster & Debbie Ward . She soon was chosen to be a member of the Roger Guay family, specifically Justin's dog. Roger started taking her for rides in his warden truck and the desire to see if she could become the first fish detection dog in the state started to take root. By the time Reba was two years old, she was a certified K-9 unit with the Maine Warden Service finding evidence, fish , as well as doing search and rescue work. Later, Reba became the first Maine Warden Service dog to do cadaver work . Reba's many achievements include the rescue of Goldie Jordan, a person missing for four days in the Caribou, Maine, area. The people rescued by Roger and Reba would be dififcult to list here in this small number of words, but they remember the friendly brown dog with the wagging tail. Many cases for the Maine Warden Service, along with the Maine State Police, have been brought to conviction due to the sniffing detection of Reba's nose. All along her illust:Iious career, Reba remained dedicated to her household master, Justin, as well. She k11ew she had gotten her start in the warmth of his bedcovers and that he had been there for her lo play with al 2 a.m. Reba was a mother twice. Some of her offspring have predeceased her and one has gone on to be a narcotics dog, or, in the case of Rader, her son also raised Reba when she joined the
Family.
GdaJ'
by the Guay family, to be her predecessor in the Maine Warden Service. Rader has made his mom proud by taking the lead following her retirement in 2005.
Sgt. Roger Guay and his partner Reba.
Corrections On Page 11 of the Winter 2006 issue, in the aiticle on the Hunt of a Lifetime, the first person in the photograph was guide Barry Flood and not Mike Parker. On Page l O in the article on a Southern Maine moose hunt, Wildlife Division Director Mark Stadler misspoke when he said no one was wholly negative about the possibillity of a Southern Maine moose hunt. The Maine Wolf Coalition was in opposition to the hunt.
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Spring 2006 Page 29
Kidbit s Answers From Page 18
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15.
pup boar colony queen dog chick duckling eaglet chick vixen tadpole gander and flock, gaggle, wedge doe aerie, cast, kettle chick
16 . 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22 . 23 . 24. 25 . 26 . 27. 28 . 29 . 30.
duckling bull and cow horde , mischief jill whelp , pup owlet hen sow kit snakelet pup , kit tadpole poult hatchling doe, jill and kit
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