Tag: Maine
Maine’s ice out vigil begins and how you can help
When I checked my email inbox and saw the message from The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry titled “Maine Lake Ice Out Dates Updated” I just about swooned. While I’m sure ice fishermen would disagree, I look forward to this yearly event that signifies the coming of spring. More importantly, I yearn for the approach of the open water fishing season and the pursuit of my favorite spring and summer pastime – bass fishing.
3 easy ways you could break the law fishing in Maine
Ever since the introduction of laws regulating the taking of game and fish, people who rely on wild game for subsistence along with those who fish for sport have unwittingly broken those laws. What started out to be a reasonable and noble attempt at conserving wildlife has morphed into a complex bureaucracy replete with complicated and unintelligible regulations. To make matters worse, stiff penalties and fines are levied by the Maine legislature for innocent mistakes made inside the boundaries of good faith and common sense but outside of Maine’s general fishing provisions and special rule.
Stocking Season Nearly Completed!
From the Maine Dept of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
December 9, 2016 at 4:30 pm by Mark Latti
Stocking season is nearly complete! With snow on the ground, and ice skimming over many ponds and lake, some might say not a moment too soon.
This season, our crew of over 30 hatchery staff from our eight state hatcheries have been extremely busy, stocking hundreds of locations with hundreds of thousands of fish.
Autumn hunting in Maine can’t be beat
This time of year there is a lot going on for the Maine hunter. Black bear is still open, archery season for deer is open and firearm season is right around the corner. Ruffed grouse, wild turkey and snowshoe hare are all open right now too.
An overview of Stand #1 site – Southeastern Tucker Ridge
Our Stand #1 location is prime black bear and whitetail deer country. Numerous heavily used game trails network through this site.
Maine Any-Deer & Bonus Deer Permit deadline approaching
Applications must be completed by 11:59 pm (ET) on August 15, 2016.
A chance drawing will be held on September 9, 2016.
How to Apply for an Any-Deer Permit
There is no application fee to apply for an any-deer permit.
To apply for an any-deer permit, you must possess a valid Maine license to hunt big game. Exceptions: See Maine resident landowners. You may enter up to three (3) Wildlife Management District choices in order of preference.
Everyone is strongly encouraged to help the Department in its efforts to save money by applying for the any-deer permit lottery using the online application. The online application process is quick and easy. Applicants will get instant confirmation of their entry into the lottery.
Bonus Deer Permits
Bonus deer permits will only be awarded in WMD’s where there are more permits available than applications received. If you do not want to apply for an any-deer permit but would like to apply for a bonus deer permit should bonus permits be available, make sure you designate a WMD choice for a bonus deer permit. No WMD changes can be made after the drawing.
- A bonus deer permit entitles a hunter to an additional antlerless deer.
- Bonus deer permits are for antlerless deer only. An applicant may choose to apply for a bonus deer permit and not apply for an any-deer permit.
- Bonus deer permits will be distributed to hunters who applied for a bonus deer permit in the WMD where any-deer permits went unused. If selected to receive a bonus deer permit you will be notified by mail and there will be a $12.00 fee. Bonus deer permits can be paid for right up to the last day of the muzzleloading season on deer.
- Successful bonus deer permit applicants will be listed online with the any-deer permit and superpack deer permit winners.
- Bonus deer permits may be used at any time during the archery, expanded archery (designated areas only), firearm, or muzzle-loading seasons on deer, but only in the assigned WMD. Hunters are not required to fill their any-deer permit prior to using a bonus deer permit.
- Bonus deer permits are available to residents and nonresidents and will be allocated in the same proportion of residents to nonresidents as the regular any-deer permit drawing.
- Bonus deer permits may be transferred in the same manner as any-deer permits. The deadline for the bonus deer permit is the same as the any-deer permit.
Source: Maine.gov, Dept of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
IFW proposing new rules and clarifications for 2017 fishing season
Notice of Agency Rule-making Proposal
Brief Summary: The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is proposing regulation changes for the upcoming ice fishing and open water fishing seasons. These regulations are needed to provide for the effective conservation of Maine’s inland fisheries, and enhance fishing opportunities throughout the State. Some of these changes have occurred due to simplification and reformatting of the entire fishing law book. All of the proposals may be discussed at any of the 5 public hearings listed below.
View 2017 Fishing Regulation Proposals (PDF) or obtain a list of the proposals from the Agency Contact Person.
Anyone unable to attend a public hearing may submit written comments on any of the proposals. The proposals, if adopted, will become effective January 1, 2017. The Department is also proposing modifications and additions of waters to the State Heritage Fish waters list.
Public Hearings:
July 26, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. – Northeastland Hotel, Red Room, 436 Main Street, Presque Isle
July 27, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. – Stearns High School, Auditorium, 199 State Street, Millinocket
July 28, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. – Ramada, Breakfast Room, 215 High Street, Rt. 1 & 3, Ellsworth
August 2, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. – University of Maine Farmington, Olson Student Center, N. Dining Hall B, 111 South Street, Farmington
August 4, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. – Comfort Inn, Breakfast Room, 199 Pleasant St, Brunswick
Comment Deadline: August 17, 2016
Contact Person for this Filing: Becky Orff, Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 284 State Street 41 SHS, Augusta, ME 04333; phone: 207-287-5202; fax: 207-287-6395; e-mail: Becky.Orff@maine.gov
Financial Impact on Municipalities or Counties (if any): No fiscal impact anticipated.
Statutory Authority for this Rule: 12 MRS Sections 10104, 12452 & 12461
Source: www.maine.gov/ifw (Press Release)
How Maine leads as a model for black bear management
The Dept of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife discuss how hunting & trapping black bear in Maine is a vital population management tool…Maine’s bear program is a model for states with bear conflict and population control issues.
Follow Maine’s black bear biologist, Randy Cross, as they study the black bear population. Go with them into the forests as they trap during the summer, and follow them in the cold of winter when they visit the dens to count how many cubs enter the population. Source: Maine Dept of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife
Behind the scenes at a moose tagging station
So you won your first ever moose permit, you’ve bought your tag and you just put a 900lb bull on the ground on opening day. Here’s a little background on what you might expect when you show up to tag your moose…
Why Maine is a true sportsman’s paradise
Opening day of the Spring Gobbler season found a way to sneak up on me this year. Usually, I’m well planned and have my spots scouted and prepared. My gear is sorted through, replacing deer hunting equipment with turkey tools. My slate call is well roughed up and some practice calling has already taken place. This year though, none of that happened. To my surprise however, my procrastination set me up for a day that was a prime example of why Maine is truly the sportsman’s paradise.
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