Monthly Archives: March 2017

Sportsman’s Alliance proposes hike in fishing license fees.

The Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine is proposing a hike in fees for fishing licenses to fund a new “Maine Outdoor Programs and Activities Fund.” SAM’s bill, LD 1179, has not yet been scheduled for a public hearing by the legislature’s Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee. If the bill is enacted, resident fishing licenses will cost […]

No need to study fish hatcheries, says legislature and DIF&W

I didn’t catch much with my bill to create a Hatchery Commission. The legislature’s Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee gave the bill a unanimous ought-not-to-pass vote, although they did direct DIF&W to report back to them on what the agency has accomplished of the recommendations issued in 2004 by another Hatchery Commission. I can tell […]

Todd gets well-deserved recognition from Wildlife Society

Charlie Todd is a great wildlife biologist, so it was wonderful to learn recently that he received the highest honor from the Maine Wildlife Society, an organization of fisheries and wildlife professionals. I’m very familiar with Charlie’s work on restoring bald eagles in Maine, and I’m very appreciative of that work when I see, nearly […]

Warden and other positions restored to DIFW Budget

The legislature’s Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee, which has been sharply critical of cuts in the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife’s new budget, voted to restore some of those cuts earlier this week. I joined others in testifying against the cuts in DIF&W’s Budget at an Appropriations Committee hearing a few weeks ago. Now, […]

Maine brewers seek legislative help

Probably Maine microbrews should have been served to the legislature’s Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee as they hosted public hearings on a six-pack of bills designed to help this amazing industry to continue to expand. I’m sure the hearings would have been more fun. Wading through six bills on any subject can make for a […]

Strong opposition to mining in Maine – but it still might be allowed

“God does not come back and rebuild these mountains.” That was the testimony of a Maine tribal leader, in a 6-hour public hearing by the legislature’s Environment and Natural Resources Committee on mining bills. Many strong statements were delivered yesterday afternoon at the hearing. One of the strongest was this, delivered in a strong voice […]

Amish hunters may get to wear red instead of orange

Because their religion forbids wearing flashy clothes, the Amish are asking for permission to wear red when hunting instead of the required fluorescent orange.                 LD 426, introduced by Representative McCrea of Fort Fairfield, resulted in an interesting public hearing last week. Rep. McCrea presented a good case for […]