Maine Fishing and Outdoor Magazine - Northwoods Sporting Journal

Outdoor News

June 2009
Edited by V. Paul Reynolds
June is bustin' out all over, and like they say, June is "troutin' time."
With more than 5,000 lakes and ponds, thousands of miles of rivers and streams and 400 remote trout ponds scattered throughout the Pine Tree State's sprawling wilderness, there is room enough for all of us to find solitude and sustenance for the soul - and maybe even some fish. So get the garden in early, and get after those wonderful brookies. Be sure to read this issue of the Journal thoroughly.
It's chocker block full of troutin' tips and places to go.
Don't forget to buy a fishing license -you can do that online now - register your boat, grease the hubs on your boat trailer, bring a kid along and wear a life jacket.
CAPTION FOR PHOTO ABOVE: Maine Warden Service Game Warden Jim Martin Jr. of Calais was recognized in May as “Warden of the Year” for his honesty, consistency and strong work ethic during his 20-year career.
Club News
If your club or outdoor organization has news or photos that warrant publication in the Northwoods Sporting Journal, send them to: Club News, NWSJ, P.O. Box 195, W. Enfield, ME 04493, or e-mail news to: paul@sportingjournal.com
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Club News - Bucks Mills Rod & Gun Club
Our last meeting was held on March 19, 2009. After the Pledge of Allegiance, the Secretary’s report was read and accepted with two corrections: South Gate was omitted where the permits were being given out at the Wildlands, and fly-tying classes start at 6pm (not 7pm) and will go through the end of April. Treasurer’s report was read and accepted.
A moment of silence was held for two of our dear Life members who passed away, Phil Gross and Ralston Gray. Our deepest condolences go out to their families. They will be missed. We will always remember the way that Ralston would introduce himself to new club members... “Mayor of Hardscrabble Hill”.
Archery Report—Alton reports shoot dates, June 7th & June 28th. See or call Alton for more information 469-2195.
Finance Committee—It was recommended to send to Dirigo State a boy and girl, as has been past tradition. Motion was made and seconded, motion approved.
Kitchen Report—the next event will be Game Supper, April 16th at 6pm. Bring a game dish to share. The grill will be ready in case you have steaks that need to be cooked. Regular meeting to follow.
Advisory Committee—A reminder that May 15th is the deadline to register online for the Moose Lottery.
Reminders for upcoming events: GPS course to be held early May. Fly-tying classes every Wednesday at 6pm. Turkey seminar will be April 13th at 7pm.
Ken H. with an update on the pig roast. Dave B. is in need of hard wood for the fire.
Bob Mushrall will be at the clubhouse April 26th at 1pm to hand out hunting permits for those that would like to hunt on the Wildlands at GPMCT. He will also be at the South Gate entrance after June 15th at 8am every Saturday and Sunday. Give him a call on his cell 991-1882.
Correspondence—we received a thank you letter from GPMCT for the $100 donation the club sent last month. Cathy Ames received approval for the
501(c)(7). We are now an official social club with tax exempt status. Suggestion Box—to have a turkey contest to raise $ for the club with a suggested entry fee of $5.
Don L. discussed having a range ID badge and brought in an ad for “Badge-A-Minute”. He was asked to look into it. A motion was made to donate $40 in memory of Phil Gross (in lieu of flowers) to the East Bucksport Methodist Church. Approved. There was no information available regarding Ralston’s family wishes.
The 50/50 raffle was won by Ned Clement! $29. Congratulations, Ned!
Respectively submitted,
Rhonda Loncto
Maine Warden of the Year
Maine Warden Service Game Warden Jim Martin Jr. of Calais was recognized in May as “Warden of the Year” for his honesty, consistency and strong work ethic during his 20-year career.
Maine Warden Service Col. Joel Wilkinson, Chief Game Warden, and Major Gregory Sanborn, Deputy Chief Game Warden, presented Warden Martin with the honor, and recognized others for exemplary service during the Maine Warden Service’s annual meeting today in Winslow.
“The significant achievements we honor speak volumes about the commitment, courage and core values of Maine game wardens,” said Col. Wilkinson. “These awards do not single out any warden as being the best warden in Maine, but rather honors individual wardens who represent the excellence of game wardens statewide. We take pride in our peers’ achievements, and their recognition is reflective of the agency’s entire work ethic.”
Added Col. Wilkinson, “In the face of recent developments relating to the state budget, it would be easy for all of us to let the current economic situation drive negativity and deflate the spirit towards our professional obligations. But I am confident that Maine Game Wardens will meet this challenges with the same determination, dedication and spirit by which our agency has been known in its 129-year history.”
Today’s annual meeting was attended by Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Commissioner Roland “Danny” Martin, IF&W Deputy Commissioner Paul Jacques, members of the IF&W Advisory Council, the IF&W Legislative Committee, and other guests.
“Folks that you connect with, from sportsmen and sportswomen to outdoor enthusiasts, appreciate what you do,” said Commissioner Martin. “A recent survey in an outdoors publication stated that 92 percent of the people believe you’re doing a good job. I do, too. I congratulate you and thank you for all that you do for the people of Maine.”
This year’s honorees are:
· Warden of the Year/Shikar Safari Club Wildlife Officer of the Year Award: To Jim Martin, a 20-year veteran based in Calais, nominated by Sgt. David Craven. Warden Martin is recognized for his dedication to the public safety of people within his district, his enforcement of Maine’s poaching laws, his commitment to safety education by wardens, his work with local, state, federal and international law enforcement officers and agencies, and his representation of game wardens through union efforts to negotiate contracts.
“Jim is as honest a person as you will find,” according to Sgt. Craven. “His integrity is above reproach, and the ethics and professionalism he displays in the performance of his duties serve as a model to all who work around him. Jim is a steady year-in and year-out performer; no flash, no big talk, just consistent results. This comes from old-fashioned pride in doing his job well, and conducting himself as a man of honor.”
“The Colonel has asked me to say a few words,” said Warden Martin, upon receipt of this honor. “I will keep it few. I am proud to serve.”
· Colonel’s Award: To the Cumberland County District Attorney Stephanie Anderson, Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Norbert, and the Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office, selected and presented by Col. Joel Wilkinson. For their unwavering support and steadfast commitment to the prosecution of Robert Lapointe, who last fall was convicted of aggravated operation of a motorcraft while under the influence in the deaths of two people on Long Lake in 2007.
“A critical component to successful prosecution of major cases is early involvement and support from the Prosecutor’s Office,” said Col. Wilkinson, who detailed the extraordinary level of time and attention to detail given to this case. “Ms. Anderson and Ms. Norbert successfully argued to have the jury view the boats and their associated damage in person, an impressive sight indeed. They examined dozens of witnesses and argued unceasing objections. They pressed forward through the shock of Lapointe’s emotions as he broke down when he described seeing his damaged boat. They remained cool under pressure as they navigated the ebb and flow of trial emotions.
“To the people of the State of Maine, the Long Lake investigation demonstrated that the Maine Warden Service will not tolerate people operating watercraft recklessly or under the influence of alcohol or drugs on our inland waters,” said Col. Wilkinson. “To the Maine Warden Service, it demonstrated the positive results that can be achieved with teamwork and partnerships such as the one developed between our investigative team and the Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office.”
· 2008 NASBLA Boating Officer of the Year: To Warden Alan Gillis of Orrington, presented by Col. Joel Wilkinson and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. Throughout the last year, Warden Gillis conducted more than 400 watercraft safety checks and documented 63 violations, has participated in search and rescue missions and poaching investigations, and has spoken to area schools, sportsmen’s clubs and sportsmen’s shows.
“Warden Gillis rarely misses an opportunity to educate the public about recreational boating safety, a task he takes seriously and one in which he represents the Maine Warden Service very well,” said Col. Wilkinson. “He is dedicated to ensuring the safety of those who recreate on Maine’s waters.”
· Supervisor of the Year Award: To Chief Game Warden Pilot Charlie Later of Greenville. Presented by Major Gregory Sanborn. For his expertise in aviation, fiscal responsibility, and supervision of two MWS pilots who provide all of the aviation needs for the MWS throughout the state.
“Chief Pilot Later is never satisfied with the status quo,” Major Sanborn said. “He is constantly recommending training for his division and applying for grant money to increase the capabilities of the air wing. Just recently the division was able to get a ‘free’ airplane from the federal government. Being free, there was plenty of work to be done on it. Once completed, this additional aircraft will help provide additional air resources to our missions.”
· Special Recognition Awards:
o To Jody Breton of Livermore Falls, former director of the Natural Resources Service Center, presented by Col. Joel Wilkinson and Major Gregory Sanborn. For her tireless and outstanding support during recent budget reductions to ensure that the Maine Warden Service continued to meet its obligations to the people of Maine. Ms. Breton also was made an honorary member of the Maine Warden Service.
o To the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Department, presented by Sgt. Chris Simmons and Col. Wilkinson. In the Fall of 2007, Sheriff John J. Goggin and the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Department formed a partnership with the Maine Warden Service to handle dispatch calls for service in Piscataquis County, and for Operation Game Thief, a statewide program that allows anonymous individuals to report alleged poaching operations.
“This service provided by the staff of the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Department to Operation Game Thief has been nothing short of excellent,” said Col. Wilkinson. “Their efforts play a major role in the overall protection of our natural resources. We thank them for their commitment and dedication to this program and to the members of the Maine Warden Service.”
o To U.S. Fish and Wildlife Agents Eric Holmes and Robert Roth, presented by Game Warden Joey Lefebvre. For their surveillance assistance over a period of time in the apprehension of a convicted felon and others who were operating a poaching operation behind the felon’s home, as well as growing marijuana plants, hunting without a license, and possession of a firearm.
o To Dave Blake, Jeff Coon, Chris Davidson and David Minott, four members of the Maine State Police garage staff and nicknamed the “Dirty Dog Posse,” presented by Lt. Shon Theriault and Warden John MacDonald. For their invaluable assistance in bringing the Maine Warden Service and its Mobil Data Project online when financial resources were tight and deadlines were looming.
· Meritorious Service Award: Given to a Game Warden for conduct above the ordinary course of duty when, because of initiative, courage and diligence, the Game Warden places himself in danger while performing his duty.
o To Sgt. Bill Chandler of Greenville, presented by Lt. Pat Dorian. For his selfless efforts to subdue a suicidal man brandishing a loaded firearm at Indian Hill Trading Post in Greenville. “Sgt. Chandler used personal knowledge of the man and his family to negotiate with him, encouraging him not to hurt himself. The subject eventually laid the weapon down and agreed to walk over to Sgt. Chandler with his hands over his head,” according to Lt. Dorian.
· Exemplary Service Awards: Given to a Game Warden who has rendered relevant outstanding service which deserves special recognition.
o To Captain Dan Scott of Hampden, Investigator Phil Dugas, Investigator Jason Luce, Warden Kevin Anderson and Warden Jeremy Judd, presented by Lt. Adam Gormely. For their investigation that led to the arrest and conviction of Robert Lapointe for aggravated operating under the influence for the deaths of two boaters on Long Lake in 2007. This investigation was the most comprehensive undertaken by the Maine Warden Service to date.
o To Warden Specialist Steve Allarie of Farmingdale, presented by Lt. Shon Theriault. For sound judgment and fiscal responsibility in coordinating a relocation of the Maine Warden Service administration into a new, centrally located office at the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife headquarters in Augusta.
o To Warden John MacDonald of Pownal, presented by Lt. Shon Theriault. For distinguished service and project management in coordinating and placing mobilized data equipment in all Game Warden vehicles. The daunting task included working with the state Office of Information Technology, other law enforcement agencies, contractors and vendors to ensure the software worked with current operating systems and could be used throughout the state.
o To Warden David Allen of Ashland, presented by Sgt. Tom Ward. For offering wilderness first aid and twice stabilizing a moose hunter who was suffering from cardiac arrest at Clayton Lake before the hunter was transported by LifeFlight to Bangor.
o To Warden Rick Clowry of Harmony, presented by Sgt. Bill Chandler. For investigating a trespassing complaint in Palmyra that led to the shutdown of a poaching operation, with convictions and fines for four subjects and jail time for a fifth individual.
o To Warden Mike Pierre of Gorham, presented by Sgt. Tim Spahr and Lt. Adam Gormely, for his fish conservation efforts, including the protection of native landlocked salmon and smelts, by investigating and apprehending poachers in southwestern Maine.
o To Warden Ben Drew of Houlton, Warden Durward Humphrey of Benedicta, and Warden Scott Martin of Patten, presented by Lt. Doug Tibbetts. For their investigation that led to 25 summonses for illegal moose and deer hunting, and illegal drug possession.
· K-9 Conservation Case of the Year Award: To Game Warden Paul Farrington and Koda, of Springfield, presented by Warden Wayde Carter and Warden Roger Guay. For their recovery of key evidence to apprehend deer poachers on Marsh Island in the fields at the University of Maine.
· K-9 Search and Rescue of the Year Award: To Game Warden Jeff Spencer and Bridger, of St. Francis, presented by Warden Wayde Carter and Warden Roger Guay. For their search of a suicidal female subject who was missing and armed with a handgun. Warden Spencer and Bridger located the subject, who had a gunshot wound to the chest, deep in the woods and administered first aid until an ambulance arrived.
· Maine Warden Service Association Legendary Game Warden: To retired Game Warden Don Walker of Bingham, presented by Warden Chris Dyer. Walker served from 1954 to 1975. For being “gritty and persistent” and for his efforts to start up and supervise the Maine Warden Service’s search and rescue operations. Retired Warden Walker continues to participate in dive team and other MWS training programs.
· Maine Warden Service Association Merit Awards: Given to volunteers and other individuals who help the Maine Warden Service perform its mission. To Rick Michaud of Crouchville, Lance Wheaton of Forest City, Jack Knight of Bridgton, and Pam and Brian Wells of Old Town.
Maine Wildlife Park Honored
The Maine Wildlife Park, owned and operated by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, has been recognized as a 2009 Editors’ Choice in Yankee Magazine’s Travel Guide to New England, on sale from April 28 through the end of the August.
The Editors’ Choice recommendation designates Yankee editors’ and writers’ favorite restaurants, lodgings, attractions, and bargains across New England.
“Yankee’s editors and our trusted legion of travel writers select our Editors’ Choice winners,” says Yankee editor Mel Allen. “From their own experiences and tips from our readers, they research and find the most deserving establishments in New England. Recipients range from the rustic to the refined, but all are noteworthy and memorable destinations.”
Located just 3.5 miles off of Maine Turnpike Exit 63 on Route 26 in Gray, the Maine Wildlife Park is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Visitors must exit the park by 6 p.m. Here, you can view and photograph live moose, deer, bears, eagles, cougars, porcupines, coyotes, owls, turtles, trophy trout, and more – over 30 species of native wildlife. Enjoy nature trails, wildlife gardens, a snack shack, nature store, picnicking and more! Admission fees. www.mainewildlifepark.com
“We at the Maine Wildlife Park certainly appreciate the national recognition by Yankee Magazine,” said IF&W Natural Sciences Educator Lisa Kane, who supervises the Maine Wildlife Park. “We hope the designation of being the ‘Best Place to Meet the Natives’ will contribute to our already promising 2009 season.”
Special County Moose Hunt
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife will be conducting a controlled moose hunt in Aroostook County in response to farmers’ concerns about crop depredation and to address the increasing incidence of moose/vehicle collisions along Routes 1 and 161.
The controlled hunt, which will occur between August 17 and September 19, 2009, was approved by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Advisory Council on Wednesday, April 29.
“With a solid plan in place that was written by our biologists, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is implementing this controlled moose hunt to alleviate the negative impacts caused by moose in parts of eastern Aroostook County,” according to Commissioner Roland “Danny” Martin. “Broccoli and cauliflower crops are being damaged by moose, and the number of moose/vehicle collisions, which can prove fatal to humans, remains high. Our intention with this year’s controlled moose hunt is to reduce or alleviate problems in this area where recreational hunting could not.”
For several years, IF&W has increased the number of moose permits during the annual fall recreational hunt to respond to the landowners’ concerns for crop damage and communities’ requests for safer roads. With the controlled hunt, IF&W has greater flexibility to effectively manage moose in areas that may have limited access or are in “non-traditional” habitats, such as an agricultural-woodland mix, that may not be attractive to hunters.
The controlled hunt is NOT open to all hunters. Persons eligible to participate include:
· Landowners with 80 or more contiguous acres, who own property in Limestone, Caribou, Woodland, Presque Isle, Fort Fairfield, Washburn, Westfield, Easton and Connor Township. The eligible property is agricultural, forested or undeveloped land that is open to hunting, including hunting by permission. A dependent living in a landowner’s household also is eligible.
· Any shareholder in a corporation that qualifies under the Internal Revenue Service Code as a Chapter S corporation is eligible for the landowner permit drawing if the property meets the landowner permit requirements. Dependents of shareholders are not eligible.
· All Registered Maine Guides that currently have all Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife license privileges in good standing and are not convicted felons. Guides will NOT be eligible to hunt and only three permittees picked at the discretion of the Guide will be eligible to hunt.
A total of 100 permits will be available. Eligible persons wishing to participate must file an online application form that’s available on IF&W’s website, www.mefishwildlife.com. A person may not file more than one application, and each application is for “one chance.”
To avoid confusion with the recreational moose hunt, applications for this controlled hunt WILL NOT be available on the Department’s website until Monday, May 18.
The online application deadline is 11:59 p.m. (EDT) on June 14, 2009. A random chance drawing will be held on June 15. The winners’ names will be posted on IF&W’s website. Selections are final.
Selected landowners and Guides may hunt during the entire five-week period (excluding Sundays).
There is no application charge. Permit fees are $52 for residents and $477 for nonresidents.
The permits will be allocated as follows:
· Up to 45 percent will be issued to eligible Registered Maine Guides, and each selected guide will receive three moose permits (one for each of three permittees who will be chosen at the discretion of the Guide.) Of the three issued permits, one will be an any-moose permit and two will be antlerless-only permits. Registered Maine Guides who receive permits are required to guide their permittees in agricultural areas designated by the Department within the 9 towns open to hunting.
Each Registered Maine Guide selected by the lottery must attend a training session on June 24 in Presque Isle.
· Up to 55 percent of the permits will be issued to eligible landowners. Landowners who receive a permit are required to hunt on their own, eligible land. The Commissioner may authorize a landowner to use his permit to hunt on other designated lands identified in the area open to hunting.
The moose taken under these permits are in addition to the statewide bag limit. Permits issued under this controlled hunt are exempt from the provisions of the moose permit point system of the recreational moose hunt. A person who receives a controlled moose hunting permit is exempt from the two-year eligibility requirement of the recreational moose hunt. All other fees, laws and rules relating to moose hunting will apply to this controlled moose hunt.
Additional information about the controlled moose hunt is available on IF&W’s website or call (207) 287-8000.
Montana Takes A Stand On Guns
Excerpt for online gun news report:
Executive Summary – The USA state of Montana has signed into power a revolutionary gun law. I mean REVOLUTIONARY. The State of Montana has defied the federal government and their gun laws. This will prompt a showdown between the federal government and the State of Montana. The federal government fears citizens owning guns. They try to curtail what types of guns they can own. The gun control laws all have one common goal – confiscation of privately owned firearms.
Montana has gone beyond drawing a line in the sand. They have challenged the Federal Government. The fed now either takes them on and risks them saying the federal agents have no right to violate their state gun laws and arrest the federal agents that try to enforce the federal firearms acts. This will be a world-class event to watch. Montana could go to voting for secession from the union, which is really throwing the gauntlet in Obamas face. If the federal government does nothing they lose face. Gotta love it.
Important Points – If guns and ammunition are manufactured inside the State of Montana for sale and use inside that state then the federal firearms laws have no applicability since the federal government only has the power to control commerce across state lines. Montana has the law on their side. Since when did the USA start following their own laws especially the constitution of the USA, the very document that empowers the USA.
Silencers made in Montana and sol in Montana would be fully legal and not registered. As a note silencers were first used before the 007 movies as a device to enable one to hunt without disturbing neighbors and scaring game. They were also useful as devices to control noise when practicing so as to not disturb the neighbors.
Silencers work best with a bolt-action rifle. There is a long barrel and the chamber is closed tight so as to direct all the gases though the silencer at the tip of the barrel. Semi-auto pistols and revolvers do not really muffle the sound very well except on the silver screen. The revolvers bleed gas out with the sound all over the place. The semi-auto pistols bleed the gases out when the slide recoils back.
Silencers are maybe nice for snipers picking off enemy soldiers even though they reduce velocity but not very practical for hit men shooting pistols in crowded places. Silencers were useful tools for gun enthusiasts and hunters.
There would be no firearm registration, serial numbers, criminal records check, waiting periods or paperwork required. So in a short period of time there would be millions and millions of unregistered untraceable guns in Montana. Way to go Montana.
Discussion – Let us see what Obama does. If he hits Montana hard they will probably vote to secede from the USA. The governor of Texas has already been refusing Federal money because he does not want to agree to the conditions that go with it and he has been saying secession is a right they have as sort of a threat. Things are no longer the same with the USA. Do not be deceived by Obama acting as if all is the same, it is not.
Text of the New Law
HOUSE BILL NO. 246
INTRODUCED BY J. BONIEK, BENNETT, BUTCHER, CURTISS, RANDALL, WARBURTON
AN ACT EXEMPTING FROM FEDERAL REGULATION UNDER THE COMMERCE CLAUSE OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES A FIREARM, A FIREARM ACCESSORY, OR AMMUNITION MANUFACTURED AND RETAINED IN MONTANA; AND PROVIDING AN APPLICABILITY DATE.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
Soft Plastic Lures Harm Fish
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IF&W) is strongly encouraging anglers to protect Maine’s fish by changing from soft plastic lures to biodegradable ones.
Maine fisheries biologists are reporting increasing numbers of angled trout and salmon with indigestible soft plastic lures in their stomachs, according to John Boland, IF&W Fisheries Division Director. A discarded soft plastic lure consumed innocently by a brook trout from the bottom of a freshwater shoal likely remains in that fish’s stomach for the rest of its life and may cause health issues such as ulcers and weight loss.
Soft plastic lures are most commonly used by bass anglers, often in waters shared with trout and salmon. IF&W is cooperating in studies on the effects of soft plastic lure ingestion by trout and salmon, including one recent experiment at Unity College, which was conducted by IF&W Pathologist Dr. Russ Danner, Unity College Professor Jim Chacko, PhD., and IF&W Fisheries Biologist Francis Brautigam, and in another study currently underway at Southern Maine Community College.
The study conducted at Unity College found that 65 percent of brook trout voluntarily consumed soft plastic lures if they simply were dropped into water.
“We found that fish retained the lures in their stomachs for 13 weeks without regurgitating them,” according to Dr. Danner. “They also began to act anorexic and lost weight within 90 days of eating a soft plastic lure.”
Without regard to the chemical toxicity of ingested soft plastics, the fact that these lures are occupying space in a trout’s stomach limits the amount of space available for natural food. There is a lot of veterinary medical evidence that foreign bodies in the digestive tract cause ulcers, weight loss, and anorexia.
“We strongly encourage anglers to voluntarily purchase biodegradable and food-based lures rather than soft plastic ones,” Dr. Danner said. “Also, we are asking anglers not to discard plastic lures into any waters, and also to attempt to retrieve any soft plastic lures that have become unhooked”.
NH Deer Poachers
In New Hampshire, Six Addison County men recently pled guilty in Addison District Court to multiple deer poaching charges stemming from a deer jacking complaint on the morning of August 2, 2008 in the Town of Leicester.
The men were arrested as a result of an investigation by Vermont State Game Wardens Sgt. Don Isabelle, Dale Whitlock and Deputy Warden Rick Hedding. Deputy Warden Hedding initially responded to the complaint, and a lengthy investigation followed.
George “Niles” Devoid age 22, from Salisbury, Justin S. Billings 20, of Leicester, Wayne A. Hutchins 55, from Leicester, Scott D. Lanpher 19, of Leicester, Nathan C. Dearing 21, from Whiting, and a juvenile male from Leicester recently pled guilty to multiple deer poaching charges.
Devoid pled guilty to two counts of taking deer by illegal means, two counts of possessing deer taken by illegal means and two counts of taking deer in closed season. Devoid was fined $1,368, ordered to pay restitution of $1,000 to the Fish and Wildlife Fund and placed on probation for two years. In addition to the penalties, Devoid forfeited his rifle and a spotlight. Devoid also received a suspended jail sentence of 6-12 months.
Billings pled guilty to three counts of taking a deer by illegal means as well as his fourth charge of driving with a suspended license. Billings also received a fine of $1,000 and had to pay $1,000 restitution into the Fish and Wildlife Fund. Billings also forfeited two rifles and was placed on probation for two years. Billings also received a suspended jail sentence of 3-6 months.
The juvenile male pled guilty to three counts of possessing a deer taken in closed season, and was fined $1,258 and ordered to pay $1,000 restitution into the Fish and Wildlife fund. He also forfeited a rifle and was placed on probation for two years and received a suspended jail sentence of 3-6 months.
Lanpher pled guilty to one count of possession of an illegal deer. He was fined $611 and also ordered to pay $1,000 restitution into the Fish and Wildlife fund.
Dearing pled guilty to three counts of possessing a deer taken in closed season. He was fined $798.00 and forfeited a rifle.
Hutchins pled guilty to one count of possessing a deer taken in closed season. He was fined $496.00.
In addition to the penalties and the forfeiture of the firearms all the men will lose their privileges to hunt, fish and trap in Vermont for a period of three years.
VT Healthy Deer Herd
Vermont’s deer herd is currently productive and healthy according to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. The Department’s annual proposal for a regulated deer harvest, based on scientific information and public input, was presented to the Fish and Wildlife Board on April 15th. The Board approved the proposal on the first of three votes necessary to make it law.
The proposal calls for a harvest of 7,892 antlerless deer through a combination of either-sex hunting during the archery season, an either-sex youth weekend hunt, and by issuing 23,125 muzzleloader season antlerless permits.
According to the proposal, all of Vermont’s 24 Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) would have been open to the taking of antlerless deer during the archery season. However, the Board voted to keep WMU-E closed to antlerless deer hunting during archery season, although opening WMU-E south of Route 2 is being considered.
Similar to last year, two deer would be allowed during archery season with two archery licenses, and one legal buck would be allowed anywhere in the state during archery season. In WMUs open to antlerless deer hunting, both deer taken during the archery season could be antlerless deer.
Also similar to last year, youth deer weekend on November 7-8 is proposed to be an either-sex season statewide. Any buck could be taken during this season, regardless of antler length or points. This is important for data collected at biological check stations.
Muzzleloader season antlerless permits are proposed for 14 of the 24 WMUs with an increase of 1,075 permits from 2008. Permit increases are focused on WMUs with the highest deer densities and where winter weather has been mild.
The slight increase over last year in proposed antlerless deer hunting permits is a response to growing deer numbers in some WMUs and is designed to keep the deer population in balance with its habitat. WMUs that would receive more permits are F2, K1, and K2 on the western side of the state, and M2 and O2 in southeastern Vermont. Nine WMUs would receive fewer permits under this year’s proposal. Department biologists are conducting dead deer searches in deer wintering areas in late-April, and may suggest some minor adjustments to muzzleloader permits before the Board’s second vote, pending the results of those wintering area surveys.
Vermont’s deer project leader, Dr. Shawn Haskell points out that Vermont’s deer population has increased more than expected along the western side of the state. The deer herd is healthier than it has been in the past 50 years with heavier fawns and yearling bucks, and good reproductive potential.
Haskell says Vermont’s deer have not only increased in number since 2005 but also in size. Fawns taken in the 2008 hunting season weighed an average three pounds heavier than they did ten years ago, which is important for winter survival. He also reports that the antler regulation change that began in 2005 is contributing to more older bucks being in the population and increased hunter satisfaction.
“If we send as many deer as we had last December into a severe winter next year, I would expect more of them to die than did this year,” said Haskell. “We also don’t want to severely damage winter habitat and lose our ability to support a healthy deer herd going into the future.”
The definition of a “legal buck” will remain any white-tailed deer with at least one antler having two or more points one inch or longer.
Sportsmen Lobby Limbaugh
The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) is spearheading an effort calling on American sportsmen and women to ask radio personality Rush Limbaugh to disassociate himself from the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the largest animal rights group in the country.
On April 14, 2009, the HSUS revealed that Rush Limbaugh had recorded two radio announcements supporting two of its programs. This revelation has caused an uproar in the sportsmen’s community due to HSUS’ long-standing history of assaulting hunting, fishing, and trapping rights.
“Many of Mr. Limbaugh’s supporters are the very people targeted by the HSUS,” said Bud Pidgeon, USSA president and CEO. “By lending such a prominent voice to supporting HSUS, he is helping to deceive people about the real agenda of the organization.”
After being notified of Mr. Limbaugh’s promotion of the HSUS, the USSA sent him a letter to shed light on HSUS’ true agenda and outlining anti-hunting activities undertaken by HSUS. The letter also urged Mr. Limbaugh to disassociate himself from the group.
The letter, signed by the USSA President and CEO, Walter P. Pidgeon, Jr., details why the HSUS is the top opponent of sportsman rights:
“…every major piece of legislation, lawsuit or ballot issue that would restrict the rights of Americans to hunt originated with HSUS. This includes bankrolling ballot issues to ban the hunting of America’s #1 game bird, the mourning dove, lobbying legislation to ban the only effective hunting methods to control black bear numbers, opposition to hunting on Sundays, and opposition to allowing parents the ability to choose at what age their sons and daughters are permitted to begin hunting and much, much more.”
“The HSUS is the number one opponent of sportsmen in America today,” said Pidgeon. “It uses seemingly harmless campaigns like the ones endorsed by Mr. Limbaugh to raise funds for the organization to advance its controversial mission. It is our hope that once Mr. Limbaugh hears from American sportsmen and women he will understand how his endorsement aids HSUS in its quest to to destroy American freedoms such as hunting, fishing and trapping.”
Take Action: All sportsmen and sportswomen should immediately contact Rush Limbaugh and urge him to sever his ties with HSUS. Explain that regardless of the issue being promoted by HSUS, their true agenda is to destroy America’s heritage of hunting, fishing, trapping, and all scientific wildlife management methods.
Call his line at 1-800-282-2882 from noon to 3 pm eastern standard time on weekdays
E-mail him at elrushbo@eibnet.com.
Mail a letter to:
The Rush Limbaugh Show 1270 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10020
Maine Moose Permit Auction Nets $94,843
Ten hunters this spring won the privilege to hunt moose in Maine during the upcoming season by bidding a total of $94,843 in the 2009 Maine Moose Permit Auction, which benefits youth conservation education scholarships.
More than 30 people took part in the auction. The 10 successful bids ranged from $9,007 to $10,313.
All of the money derived from the 2009 Maine Moose Permit Auction goes to partial scholarships that will help send Maine youngsters to the University of Maine 4-H Camp & Learning Center at Bryant Pond (formerly called the Maine Conservation Camp) and Conservation Camp at the Greenland Point Center in Princeton. At these five-day camps, boys and girls ages 10 through 14 take part in an array of outdoor and classroom activities. Students work with experienced instructors and counselors, as well as staff from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and other state and private conservation agencies.
Close to 300 scholarships were awarded in 2008.
“The 10 successful hunters are doing more than bidding on the opportunity to participate in the hunt of their lifetime in the outdoors that they love,” said Roland D. Martin, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. “They are giving children a chance to learn valuable outdoor skills and gain a greater appreciation for the Maine outdoors as well.”
The annual Maine Moose Permit Auction was created by the Maine Legislature, which authorized the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to publicly auction permits as a way to raise funds for youth conservation education programs. Since the first auction in 1995, five permits were auctioned annually. In 2007, the Legislature voted to double the number to 10.
Conservation camp programs are designed to teach Maine boys and girls the importance of conservation, a respect for the environment and a working knowledge of a variety of outdoor skills. Subjects taught at the camp include wildlife identification, introduction to fishing, boating safety, archery, firearms handling, hunter safety, forest conservation, map and compass work and much more.
For more information on the Greenland Point Center and the Maine Conservation School, please visit their websites at http://www.meconservationschool.org/ and http://www.greenlandpoint.com/.
The 10 hunters have one month to pay their bid. The successful bidders who will join this year’s moose permit holders in the annual moose hunt are:
Robert C. Roach, Bellefontaine, Ohio; Daniel W. Braden, Shelby, Alabama; James Snyder, Garnet Valley, Pennsylvania; Rick St. Hilaire, Turner, Maine; Drayton McLane III, Temple, Texas; Frederick L. Jackson, Killingworth, Connecticut; Richard Bresnahan, Hope, Maine; Robert Wheelock Sr., Augusta, Maine; Joe Hill, Brandon, Mississippi; and Andrew Koukoulas, East Northport, New York.
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