Maine Hunting Today News and Headlines

3/14/2007 - 2006 Is A Good Year For Deer Hunters

Despite a rainy and windy opening day to the deer season, hunters fared a little better than expected last year during the deer season, with 29,918 deer killed.  The number is slightly above the 29,400 preseason prediction, and also above the 20 year average of 28,700.

1/03/2007 - January 3, 2007 Outdoor Report -- Waterfowl Management and Research

Since the 1985 waterfowl assessment was completed, Maine has switched from a harvest-oriented goal to a breeding population-oriented goal that has resulted in a more responsive program for waterfowl management in Maine. Waterfowl are now being managed to increase certain breeding populations.

11/28/2006 - Maine's Outdoor/Hunting Report

This past week, favorable hunting conditions coincided with some time off from work for most deer hunters. Based upon my observations at registration stations and meat lockers, the deer harvest was high.

11/21/2006 - Maine's Outdoor/Hunting Report

Earlier this fall while on my first adventure to the western United States, I was walking around the parking lot of our hotel on the outskirts of Portland, Oregon and spied an animal in a relatively secluded spot of the lawn, seemingly feeding on grass. As I cautiously approached, it became aware of my presence and stopped feeding.

10/17/2006 - Maine's Outdoor/Hunting Report

For outdoor enthusiasts, fall is in full swing as we approach the end of October. Both weeks of the moose-hunting season have passed for this year. However, many are anticipating opening day of firearms season for deer, and the subsequent peak in buck activity due to the “rut”.

10/10/2006 - Maine's Outdoor/Hunting Report

In Maine, there are several programs that work together to promote what are called Best Management Practices, or BMP's. Training sessions are available to loggers, foresters, contractors, landowners, and wildlife management personnel that identify potential problems or difficult situations and give solutions or methods of reducing or avoiding all together a problem situation.

10/03/2006 - Maine's Outdoor/Hunting Report

Shortly after 6:00 a.m. on Monday, the migratory waterfowl season opened statewide. For Region A staff, this is a welcome day in the field conversing with hunters and collecting data on the waterfowl harvest at Brownfield Bog Wildlife Management Area in Brownfield.

09/26/2006 - Maine's Outdoor/Hunting Report

The 122nd Maine Legislature adopted a Resolve directing the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife “To Evaluate the Possibility of a Moose Hunt in Southern Maine” The resolve read that the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife shall evaluate the possibility of a moose hunt in southern Maine and shall submit a report based on the evaluation, including necessary implementing legislations

08/31/2006 - Management and Outlook for Deer, Bear and Moose in Maine

Since the early 1970s, our deer management program has been guided by a strategic plan developed with considerable public input. The strategic plan is revised every 10 to 15 years to address changes in public attitudes or changing biological factors affecting deer.

04/26/2006 - Turkey Season Opens Monday

AUGUSTA, Maine -- Wild Turkey Season begins Monday, and for the first time ever, hunters can purchase their permit through a license agent or online at www.mefishwildlife.com.

04/26/2006 - Youth Hunters Get Their Own Day This Saturday

AUGUSTA, Maine -- Once again this year, junior hunters who are interested in turkey hunting get their own day before the regular season starts.

04/15/2006 - Simmons Named Warden of the Year

AUGUSTA, Maine - Game Warden Dave Simmons, a game warden since 1997, was honored today when he was named the 2005 Maine Warden of the Year at the Maine Warden Service 2006 Awards Banquet in Winslow.

04/14/2006 - Department Will Follow Consensus-Based Protocol for Turkeys

AUGUSTA, Maine -- After a series of meetings with stakeholders in Aroostook County, the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife will resume with the continued release of turkeys into Aroostook County, following a protocol designed by the stakeholders group.

04/12/2006 - Wildlife Management Area Renamed in Dorso's Honor

AUGUSTA, Maine -- Jim Dorso, a wildlife technician at the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife for over 20 years was honored today when the Ruffingham Meadows Wildlife Management Area in Searsmont was renamed in his honor.

04/07/2006 - Maine's Wild Deer Population Shows No Signs of Chronic Wasting Disease

AUGUSTA, Maine - Maine's wild deer herd shows no signs of Chronic Wasting Disease.  This past year, biologists from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife sampled 819 brain tissues from deer harvested throughout Maine during the 2005 hunting season.

02/08/2006 - Commissioner to Convene Aroostook County Turkey Group

AUGUSTA, Maine -- Commissioner Roland D. Martin announced today that the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife will create a stakeholders group that will assist the department in developing a strategic plan for the continued release of wild turkeys into southern Aroostook County.

01/12/2006 - Two Arrested, One Other Charged

AUGUSTA, Maine -- The Maine Warden Service arrested two Washington county men last night, charging them on a variety of wildlife crimes and also summonsing one other person on wildlife charges.
 

01/11/2006 - The Ugly Deer Stand Contest

WEST POINT, MS – Southern Outdoor Technologies™, the maker of the Sportsman’s Condo™, along with an all-star cast has announced the formation of a new initiative designed to find the Ugliest Deer Stand in America™. It has long been known that hunters will improvise in order to place themselves in a prime position to record that trophy deer. Now, their innovative designs and/or design mishaps are the focal point of this new contest.

12/21/2005 - Maine's Outdoor Report for December 21, 2005

How Maine’s Endangered and Threatened Species Fared During the Past 15 years

The past 15 years witnessed significant advances and accomplishments for Maine’s endangered and nongame wildlife.  The primary reason for these advances has been a major philosophical shift in the Wildlife Division’s approach to endangered and nongame wildlife management.  What began as a one-person responsibility is now woven into the fabric of the Division’s overall program. 

12/16/2005 - Maine's Outdoor Report for December 16, 2005

Many of you may remember how cold, wet and long last spring was. In fact, those of you that turkey hunted probably remember these conditions all too well. In some parts of the state it rained 25 days during the May wild turkey season.

12/16/2005 - Wilkinson Promoted to Sergeant

AUGUSTA, Maine -- Joel Wilkinson of Greenville, a game warden of 11 years, was promoted to the rank of sergeant during a ceremony with family and associates at the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Department on Tuesday.

12/15/2005 - Preliminary Harvest Figures Are in For Maine

AUGUSTA, Maine - The 2005 deer season came to an end on Saturday, December 10, and  ith the season now closed, it is estimated that the deer kill will be over 28,000. This is approximately a 14% drop from the pre-season harvest prediction of 32,400 deer, but reflective of overall statewide perspectives gathered through interviews and collected data during the 2005 hunt.

12/06/2005 - Maine's Outdoor Report for December 6, 2005

The muzzleloading season has provided people with the opportunity to pursue whitetails a little longer. Stopping in at a local processor, I observed a buck harvested during this past week that had run off a good deal of his fat reserves.

11/28/2005 - Maine's Outdoor Report for November 28, 2005

The weather cooperated quite well for the last few days of the firearm season by providing snow and good hunting conditions for the majority of the state with the exception of District 24.  Deer started to show up in good numbers at meat cutters following Thanksgiving Day.  While the overall kill still appears to be down, the good hunting conditions will very likely
provide a late boost in the final number.

11/22/2005 - Maine's Outdoor Report for November 22, 2005

With three weeks of the deer season completed, the kill in the southern part of the state appears to be down from past years.  After talking to numerous hunters over the last week or so there have been many suggestions as to why the kill is down ranging from warm weather, not many deer around, to the many acorns in the woods so deer do not have to move for food, and low hunting pressure.

11/15/2005 - Maine's Outdoor Report for November 15, 2005

We are beginning the third week of deer hunting with firearms and the weather seems more like mid-September than mid-November. Warm, mostly dry, with a bit of wind has been pretty much the standard for the first two weeks. The kill seems slightly lower this year compared to last season, and weather certainly plays a role in hunting success.

11/09/2005 - Moose Hunt Success Rate in Maine 76%

AUGUSTA, MAINE - The preliminary numbers are in from this fall's moose hunt, and this year, 2,226 hunters were successful in their quest for a moose. The department issued 2,895 permits, and the preliminary success rate for hunters in 2005 is 76%.

11/09/2005 - Maine's Outdoor Report for November 7, 2005

November is a season of plenty for hunters, but most of our time in the regions is devoted to collection of deer data. Most of the meat cutters and registration stations in York county are showing deer numbers close to normal.

10/17/2005 - Maine's Outdoor Report for October 17, 2005

An interesting cow, referred to as the "Elf Moose" which has been observed around the Beaver Brook Road (T14R5) for the last two years was harvested this past week by Traci Bushey......

10/11/2005 - Sports Transition From Fishing to Hunting

Although open water fishing continues on many Maine waters through the fall months, most sportsmen are busy now transitioning into hunting seasons.

10/05/2005 - Junior Deer Hunters Have Own Day Oct. 22, 2005

AUGUSTA, Maine - Once again this year, junior hunters get their own day for deer hunting on Saturday, October 22. Last year, 599 young hunters were successful.

10/05/2005 - Fall Archery Season for Turkey Opens Saturday, Oct. 8

AUGUSTA, Maine -- Once again this year, there will be a fall archery season for turkey in Wildlife Management Districts 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26

10/03/2005 - Maine's Outdoor Report for October 3, 2005

ith fall just around the corner, many of Maine's hunting seasons have started or are just about to begin.  I have talked to several hunters who were out with there.....

9/29/2005 - Maine Warden Service Recruitment Ends November 14

AUGUSTA, Maine - The Maine Warden Service is looking to hire several new officers. Interested candidates can obtain an application and a career opportunity bulletin by visiting Bureau of Human Resources' website.....

9/27/2005 - A Look Ahead at Maine's Hunting Season and Other Outdoor Updates

Take a look at the upcoming forecast for hunting in Maine by region as divided by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

9/22/2005 - Maine's Moose Hunting Season Begins Monday, September 26, 2005

AUGUSTA, Maine - Moose hunters get their chance at a trophy starting on Monday, September 26. The first week of the two-week moose hunting season begins Monday in northern and eastern parts of the state. The second week of the split season begins on Monday, October 10 in the northern two-thirds of the state.

9/16/2005 - Maine's Youth Waterfowl Hunt Saturday, September 24

AUGUSTA, Maine --  Maine's 2005 Youth Waterfowl Hunt is Saturday, September 24.  This one-day, kids-only hunt is a great opportunity to introduce young people to the great activity of waterfowl hunting.

9/15/2005 - Informational Meetings Concerning Moose Proposal

Maine's moose hunting season could be changing. The Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife is proposing to expand the current moose hunting season to curtail moose population growth.....

9/8/2005 - Hunter Education Reaches a Milestone -

With the Fall Hunting seasons upon us, Hunter Safety Education has reached a milestone, with the number of students completing the hunter safety course surpassing the 200,000 mark.
 

9/8/2005 - Wildlife Park Open House on Sept. 10 -

GRAY, Maine -- The 7th annual FISH AND WILDLIFE OPEN HOUSE will be held on Saturday, September 10th, from 9:30am-3:30pm, at the Maine Wildlife Park in Gray.

8/29/2005 - Any Deer Permit Drawing September 2 -

September 2nd marks the date for this year's Any Deer permit drawing, and this year's numbers shows that hunters are warming up to the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife online application system.

7/19/2005 - Becoming an Outdoors Woman Workshop -

AUGUSTA, Maine -- Have you ever wished for an adult summer camp (if only for a long weekend), where you could try a variety of outdoor activities under the supervision of experienced teachers and guides?
 

5/17/2005 - MOSES tops Century Mark -

AUGUSTA, Maine - The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife's
electronic licensing system has turned 100. MOSES, The Maine Online
Sportsman's Electronic System, now has 103 agents using the web-based
licensing system that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

4/15/2005 - Governor Signs Bill That Gives Turkey Permits To All Who Applied - AUGUSTA, Maine --Turkey hunters who thought they missed out this year were given a second chance by Governor Baldacci, when earlier today, he signed into law a bill that gave turkey permits to all turkey hunters who applied for one, but were not selected in the February lottery.
 

4/8/2005 - Deer Kill Up but Similar to Last Year - The registration tags are counted, and last fall, deer hunters killed 30,926 deer, a small increase from last 2003 kill of 30,313.

4/6/2005 - Deer Wintering Areas - Wildlife in Maine - A look at wintering areas in Maine for deer, moose, turkey and the black bear.

4/1/2005 - New Budget Allocates $3.8 Million to DIFW - AUGUSTA, Maine -- After weeks of debate, Governor John Baldacci yesterday signed into law a budget that significantly enhances the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
 

3/25/05 - Moose Lottery June 16 at Mountain Valley High School in Rumford - The annual lottery attracts hundreds of hopeful hunters, anxious to see if they will be one of 2,895 selected from a pool of over 70,000 people who will get the chance at the hunt of a lifetime.

3/25/05 - Maine's Budget Proposal - New Funding for DIFW - The $5.7 billion budget bill encompasses over 400 pages and includes 16 pages concerning funding for the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

3/16/05 - Department seeks Nominations for Advisory Council ....The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife currently has three openings on the ten member Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Advisory Council

3/11/05 - Bill Livezey name Game Warden of the Year ...Game Warden Bill Livezey, a game warden of 15 years,was honored today when he was named the 2004 Maine Warden of the Year at the Maine Warden Service 2005 Awards Banquet in Orono.

2/12/05 - Random chance drawing selects 20,300 hunters for turkey permits
20,300 hunters were awarded turkey permits in a random chance drawing this morning at the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IFW) headquarters in Augusta.

2/02/05 - Supplemental Feeding of White-Tailed Deer During Winter
Supplemental feeding of deer is gaining popularity in Maine. Practiced primarily during late autumn, winter, and early spring, deer feeding involves placing grains, apples, hay, and other feeds where deer will find and consume them.

1/12/05 - Eight Arrested in Damariscotta on Wildlife Violations
Game Wardens arrested eight people tonight after serving six search warrants simultaneously in the Damariscotta Area at 6:00 p.m. last night.
"This small family group was responsible for the illegal killing or wounding of at least 30 deer this fall.

1/06/05 - Hunting and Fishing Show Opens in Essex Junction, VT: January 14, 2005
A three-day event, the Yankee brings together thousands of hunters, anglers, trappers and their families. During this long weekend, they can attend seminars, check out the latest gear, talk with wildlife and fisheries experts, and even book an elk hunt “Out West” or a fishing trip in Canada. The kids can catch a fish in the free trout pond hosted by the professionals and volunteers with the LCI Derbies.

11/26/04 - Five Reasons to Take a Family Nordic Ski Trip in the Northeast
A family ski trip evokes an image of fun and togetherness on the snow as well as travel concerns about time, distance and affordability.

7/30/04 - Taking the Less Traveled Trail
Statistics from the Maine Office of Tourism indicate that day-hiking is the sixth most popular activity of vacationers to the Pine Tree State, just behind whale watching and shopping and ahead of antiquing and foliage viewing.

4/15/04 - Upper Androscoggin - An Emerging Fishery
Today, thanks to environmental cleanup by federal, state and municipal agencies, the Upper Androscoggin River is an emerging angling destination.

4/15/04 - Bethel’s Ponds Offer Remote Fishing Experience
Anglers in Maine have a choice between a town with a variety of hospitality services located lakeside, or a sporting camp with the basics located on a remote lake or pond. Bethel, Maine offers the best of both fishing worlds.

4/15/04 - Bethel Outdoor Pursuits
“Living in the outside” is taken seriously by residents and tourists alike in “Maine’s Most Beautiful Mountain Village.”

1/25/04 - Maine House Approves Sunday Hunting
A very limited hunting bill was approved by the Maine State House of Representatives on Friday of this week... by Thomas K. Remington

1/25/04 - Update on Bear Referendum
The citizen advisers to the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife on Thursday voted unanimously to oppose any referendum to ban bear baiting... by Thomas K. Remington

10/28/04 - Maine Holds Youth Turkey Hunt
In Portland, The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has established a Youth Turkey Day that was approved by the department's Advisory Council... by Steven Remington