Outdoor News September 2010 Edited by V. Paul Reynolds September. Music to the senses. The cadence quickens. Time to bid summer farewell and make plans for Maine's finest hour and Mother Nature's supreme orchestration: the debut of Autumn and those magical October days. September's song includes a landscape of golds and rust-colored ferns. Windless days of apple picking, ripened Big Boys and dedicated anglers squeezing in a few more hours on the waters. Hiking mountain trails and camping can be great this time of year. Cool nights for deep sleeping and bugless afternoons for lingering beside still waters. For hunters, there is bear season, special archery season for deer, an early goose season and much planning to be done. There are dogs to be trained, guns to be sighted in, camp roofs to be fixed and woodlands to be scouted for deer and moose. And for those true hunter-gatherers, there are wild mushrooms aplenty and vine-ripened blackberries to be plucked and put up in jam jars and pie plates. Maine in September. Next to October, who could ask for anything more. CAPTION FOR PHOTO ABOVE: The nearly 7-pound Pacu was captured on July 14 when MDIF&W Fisheries Biologist Frank Frost and District Game Wardens Ryan Fitzpatrick and Ed Christie located the fish swimming sluggishly around the small, shallow pool upstream of the road culvert. The outlet of the culvert was blocked by a screen, for beaver control, otherwise, the fish would have likely escaped downstream into a large private pond that eventually drains to Limestone Stream. Disabled Vets Get Moose Permits Four alternates also were selected during a special lottery drawing barbecue on Friday, July 23 in Lee. The lottery was hosted by Paul and Deanna House, whose son Sgt. Joel House was killed in Iraq in 2007, and Bill Emery, whose son Sgt. Blair Emery also was killed in Iraq in 2007. “It is a privilege to attend the disabled Maine veterans moose permit lottery drawing at what’s called The House in the Woods, a welcoming place where the Houses bring veterans for outdoor recreational adventures, camaraderie and friendship,” said MDIF&W Commissioner Roland “Danny” Martin. “My appreciation is extended to Mr. and Mrs. House and Mr. Emery for hosting the event. Through your sorrow, you’re helping Maine veterans. The special controlled moose hunt permit for disabled Maine veterans is our way of joining you to say ‘thank you’ to veterans for their service.” The Controlled Moose Hunt takes place from Aug. 16 through Sept. 25 and is not part of Maine’s annual recreational hunt. It is a targeted and focused effort to respond to farmers’ concerns about crop depredation and to address concerns about high incidences of moose/vehicle collisions along Routes 1 and 161. For several years, MDIF&W has increased the number of moose permits in this area during the recreational hunt to address the same concerns. The controlled hunt, however, provides greater flexibility for MDIF&W to effectively manage moose and reduce the negative impacts from moose in areas that may have “non-traditional” habitat that may not attract hunters. This year’s controlled hunt will be the second consecutive one approved by the MDIF&W Advisory Council based on the recommendation of Commissioner Martin and the Department’s Wildlife Division. One-hundred permits, with 55 being allotted for landowners and 45 allotted for Maine Registered Guides, are awarded through a separate lottery and NOT as part of the recreational moose lottery. In a letter that was read at the lottery drawing, Gov. John E. Baldacci said giving the disabled veterans the opportunity to take part in the controlled moose hunt is one way all Mainers can show their appreciation to those who have served in the military. “Disabled Maine veterans have been able to obtain complementary hunting permits, and this program expands opportunities we offer to disabled veterans to enjoy the beauty of our great state,” Gov. Baldacci said. This year, five additional permits were designated for Disabled Maine Veterans and the permits were to be drawn through a lottery. The names of four alternates also were drawn. More than 145 disabled Maine veterans entered the lottery, which was coordinated by Peter Ogden of Maine’s Bureau of Veterans Services. The disabled veterans selected are: Francis J. Dumas, Augusta Robert E. Blais, Holden Michael A. McArthur, Orrington Darrell C. Grover, Orrington Douglas B. Kulisich, Norridgewock The four alternates are: Larry E. Brooks, Mars Hill Leonard D. Hanson, Crawford Gilbert R. Rossignol, East Millinocket Philip A. Smearer, Waldo Bucket Stocker Nabbed (Pictured Above) A Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife biologist and two game wardens recently captured an exotic Pacu fish from an unnamed brook in Limestone, and a Limestone man has been charged with illegally stocking Maine’s waters and possession of a restricted species of fish without a permit. A photo of the Pacu that was retrieved from a brook in Limestone. Photo provided by Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. The fish was spotted by a Town of Limestone public works employee while inspecting a culvert at Mill Road, northeast of downtown. Based on an investigation, it was determined only one of the exotic fish was released into a small, shallow pond upstream of the road crossing. The nearly 7-pound Pacu was captured on July 14 when MDIF&W Fisheries Biologist Frank Frost and District Game Wardens Ryan Fitzpatrick and Ed Christie located the fish swimming sluggishly around the small, shallow pool upstream of the road culvert. The outlet of the culvert was blocked by a screen, for beaver control, otherwise, the fish would have likely escaped downstream into a large private pond that eventually drains to Limestone Stream. As a result of the investigation, Joe LaPierre, 34, of Limestone, has been charged with illegally stocking waters and possessing a restricted species of fish without a permit. Both charges are Class E crimes that carry penalties of a minimum of $1,000 and a maximum of $10,000. Pacu are a Characid fish native to South America. Characids are a large, diverse family of fish that number at least 1,000 species, many of which are not yet fully defined. Pacu are described as being omnivorous, commonly eating crustaceans, insects, fruit, and decaying vegetation. The Limestone Stream drainage has had two noted introductions of exotic fishes in the recent past. In 2001, largemouth bass were discovered at Durepo Lake, only several hundred yards from the Pacu capture this month. The Department followed up with a costly chemical reclamation that was successful in eradicating the new species. However, smallmouth bass were illegally stocked the very next year and are well established there today. The 2001 restoration project cost MDIF&W more than $70,000 to reestablish the brook trout fishery. “The release of illegally imported or exotic fish can cause habitat damage, introduce exotic fish parasites and pathogens to native fish and aquatic wildlife, and non native fishes can colonize Maine waters, as in the examples of Durepo Lake,” according to Dr. G. Russ Danner, State Fish Pathologist. “The costs to natural resource agencies are immense, both directly and indirectly.” The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife encourages people who own wildlife or fish and can no longer care for them to call the Department’s main office in Augusta or one of its regional offices for instructions on how to move them to a safe location. Please, do not leave them outdoors or put them in Maine’s waters. Maine’s natural resources are a crucial part of the state’s economy and heritage; such reckless acts could threaten the balance in our current ecosystem. People with information regarding fish and wildlife violations are encouraged to call 1-800-ALERT-US or go to www.maineogt.org. Tipsters can remain anonymous. To view a list of Maine’s unrestricted species, please visit http://www.maine.gov/ifw/wildlife/species/unrestricted_species.htm For information on illegal fish stockings and their threats to Maine’s waters, please visit http://www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing/illegal_stocking.htm Maine ATV Accident Three people were injured, two with life-threatening conditions, when the ATV they were on went airborne off a trail and hit hemlock trees Aug. 14th in Danforth. Tasha Barnes, 20, of Baileyville, was driving the Arctic Cat RTV equipped with a dump bucket Saturday evening on Brown Road, a road that leads to a private camp on East Grand Lake, according to Maine Warden Service Sgt. Durward Humphrey. The Maine Warden Service received the call at 5:45 p.m. Riding with Miss Barnes was a 13-year-old girl, who was sitting beside her, and an 8-year-old girl, who was in the dump bucket. The 13-year-old and 8-year-old girls are from Princeton. Miss Barnes and the 8-year-old girl were ejected. The 13-year-old was wearing a seat belt and remained with the vehicle. None was wearing a helmet. Ms. Barnes suffered broken ribs, internal injuries and internal bleeding. She was transported to Houlton Regional Hospital and airlifted to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor. She is in critical condition with life-threatening injuries. The 8-year-old suffered a skull fracture and head swelling, a broken right arm, and broken left collarbone. She was transported to Houlton Regional Hospital and airlifted to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor. She is in critical condition with life-threatening injuries. The 13-year-old was treated and released at Houlton Regional Hospital. Maine Warden Service Sgt. Durward Humphrey and Game Wardens Brad Richards, Jim Davis, Scott Martin and Paul Farrington responded. Danforth Rescue and Baileyville rescue also responded.The incident in under investigation. Vermont Moose Hunt Auction Vermont’s fourth annual auction of five moose hunting permits closed on August 3, with $21,976.75 taken in to help fund Fish and Wildlife Department educational programs, such as the Green Mountain Conservation Camps for 12 to 16 year old youths. Fourteen bids ranging from $1,600 to $4,570 were submitted. Auction winners were as follows: Joseph Tornabene, Sr., $4,570 Vermont Ryan DeWolf, $4,500 Massachusetts Giorgio Petruzziello, $4,500 Massachusetts Silbert Lanoue, Jr., $4,255.75 Massachusetts Donovan C. Davis, $4,151 New Hampshire The Fish and Wildlife Department held a lottery on July 9, when 765 moose hunting permit winners were drawn from the more than 12,000 people who applied. Hunters are expected to take 400 to 450 moose during Vermont’s moose hunting season being held October 16-21. Wildlife biologists estimate Vermont has 3,000 to 4,000 moose statewide.“Our management goal is to keep Vermont’s moose herd in balance with available habitat,” said Cedric Alexander, Vermont’s lead biologist on moose. “Carefully constructed hunting regulations enable us to enjoy having moose in Vermont on a sustainable basis, while their numbers are maintained at levels that fit habitat capacity and the needs of people.” NH Moose Hunt Auction The Wildlife Heritage Foundation of New Hampshire announces a very successful auction this year, with 24 bids coming from eleven states, including Michigan, Wisconsin, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Maine and New Hampshire. A total of $39,430 was raised, with the five winning bids ranging from $7,025 to $8,600. Three out of the five winning bidders were from New Hampshire. The highest number of bidders came from New Hampshire, with New York, New Jersey and Florida next in line. "We were able to reach a much wider audience this year by using a broad national network of media outlets," stated Nancy Berliner, development consultant for the Foundation. Bidders were also able to download bid documents from the Foundation's website for the first time this year. "Compared to 2009, where the total of winning bids came to $32,500, this is a real boost to the Foundation's ability to fund Fish and Game programs," said Berliner. The Wildlife Heritage Foundation of New Hampshire is the official non-profit partner of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. The Foundation raises money and works with wildlife professionals and conservation education partners to fund the Department's conservation of wildlife and natural places important to New Hampshire's family traditions, such as hiking, hunting, fishing and watching wildlife. In recent years, the Foundation has supported publication of Wild Times for Kids, improvements at the Owl Brook Hunter Education Center, Fish and Game's landowner relations program, Discover WILD New Hampshire Day and the National Hunting and Fishing Day N.H. Expo. The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department provides five moose hunting permits to the Wildlife Heritage Foundation of New Hampshire under the authority granted by RSA 206:33-e. All funds generated from auction of the permits are used by the Wildlife Heritage Foundation of N.H. in accordance with RSA 206:33-c to fund N.H. Fish and Game conservation programs that might not otherwise be possible. The moose hunt permit auction was authorized by House Bill 41, passed by the N.H. Legislature in 2009. The N.H. moose hunt season is October 16-24, 2010. Winners of the moose hunt permit auction are allowed to hunt in the Wildlife Management Unit of their choice, and may take either a cow or a bull. Winning bidders must secure a N.H. hunting license on their own. Funding for the Foundation's grant program comes from individual and corporate donors, and from the annual auctioning of fish and game permits and licenses. In most cases, contributions to the Foundation are tax deductible. The Foundation accepts general and targeted cash donations, as well as annuities and endowments. To learn more about the Foundation and how you can help conserve New Hampshire's wildlife and wild places, visit http://www.wildnh.com/foundation. Vermont Doe Permit Deadline The deadline to apply for a Vermont antlerless deer hunting permit is August 26, according to a reminder from the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. Vermont's antlerless deer hunting lottery applications for the muzzleloader season are available on the Fish & Wildlife Department’s website, at Fish & Wildlife district offices, and at license agents statewide. Applications may be submitted on-line with a credit or debit card payment, or printed, filled out, and mailed in with a check. On-line applications are found at (www.vtfishandwildlife.com). Go to “Hunting and Trapping” and click on Lottery Applications. The permits are only for "antlerless deer," which is defined as deer without antlers or with antlers less than three inches long. A hunter who wins an antlerless deer permit in the lottery may use it to take one antlerless deer by muzzleloader during the December 4-12, 2010 muzzleloader season in the wildlife management unit (WMU) designated on the permit. “We appreciate that most hunters are supportive of scientific deer herd management,” said Dr. Shawn Haskell, Vermont’s deer biologist. “They realize a certain number of antlerless deer must be removed in some areas of the state in order to keep the deer population in balance with its habitat. Wildlife biologists make recommendations annually, based on winter severity, habitat conditions, deer population goals, and harvest objectives.” All of Vermont’s wildlife management units (WMUs) are proposed to have muzzleloader antlerless permits this year except WMUs E, O1 and P. The 25,600 muzzleloader antlerless permits proposed will help slow the growth of the deer population in these units and are expected to net a harvest of about 4,500 deer. The numbers of permits to be issued and WMUs to be open will be determined by the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Board at a later date. Six WMUs on the western side of the state (A-F1-F2-K1-K2-N) had permits last year that were unallocated after the lottery drawing because not enough people applied. Applications must be postmarked no later than August 26, 2010, or delivered that day in the Waterbury Fish & Wildlife office by 4:30 p.m. On-line applications will be accepted until midnight of August 26, 2010. The cost to apply is $10 for residents and $25 for nonresidents. A person may submit only one application. Click Here For Past Stories!! Story of the Month |  Current Stories |  Next Month's Stories |  Advertising Info |  Subscribe |  Related Links |  Home