Monthly Archives: May 2013

New Sportsmen’s Group Tackles Outdoor Issues

There’s a new sportsmen’s group in Maine. Let’s see if you can guess what it is, as I describe recent activities and interests of the group. At this year’s State of Maine Sportsman’s Show, this group was showing episodes of Wildfire, the TV talk show on hunting, fishing, and other outdoor issues cohosted by Harry […]

Crossbow use likely to expand

The legislature’s Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee has unanimously endorsed a bill that will increase opportunities to use crossbows in Maine. LD 1015, sponsored by Representative Steve Wood, a member of the F&W Committee, would have allowed crossbows in all seasons. The Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, the Maine Bowhunters Association, the Maine Professional Guides Association, […]

Deer Driving Law Clarified

Colonel Joel Wilkinson stepped up to straighten out confusion over Maine’s deer driving law. In April, Captain Chris Cloudier of the Maine Warden Service told the legislature’s Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee that deer driving is illegal even for two hunters. For more than a decade, an exception in the deer driving law has provided […]

SAM’s two longest serving board members resign

SAM’s two longest serving board members have resigned. Jim Gorman and Jim Hilly served together for 22 years, longer than any SAM board members in the organization’s history. Gorman cited SAM’s transition “in a new direction” for his resignation. At the same time, new board member Amos Eno also resigned. Amos founded and directs the […]

Turkey hunting poised for major expansion

A remarkable thing happened last week at the legislature. The Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee stepped up to direct a major expansion of turkey hunting opportunity. This particular committee is showing a lot more independence of thought and action than I’ve seen in the past, and its refreshing and encouraging. Here’s how it happened. A […]

Moose hunt up for legislative action

The legislature’s Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee is showing a lot of interest in awarding more moose permits to stimulate a distressed hunting economy, maximize the opportunity for Mainers to hunt the state’s biggest game animal, and begin partnering with the hunting industry. Two concepts will be central to a work session discussion next Tuesday […]

New bear referendum coming in 2014

Ten years after Maine voters defeated an attempt to ban bear hunting with bait and dogs, a new ballot measure on the same issues may be on the way for 2014. The Humane Society of United States has filed its intentions to initiate a new bear referendum with Maine’s Secretary of State. HSUS was the […]