While walking through the woods with my son this morning I began to think about an article that I posted earlier this morning. It covered issues that will effect all of sportsmen and women throughout our great country. As I pointed out rabbit tracks, deer tracks and squirrel houses to my two year old son this morning I began to think about issues that will effect us closer to home. These issues will certainly come into play for me during these upcoming seasons about to bestow upon us. More importantly to me is what’s in store for my son down the road.

Something to keep in mind also, this year will be the first time in my memory, the legislature’s Fish and Wildlife Committee will include a non-sportsman. Rep. Jane Eberle, a Democrat from South Portland who was appointed by House Speaker Glenn Cummings. If your not sure of Eberle’s past involvement, during last session she sponsored a bill to ban the hunting of bears with dogs.

So lets take a look at a few of these issues that will go in front of Maine legislature.

The first one we’ll look into comes to us from The Maine Professional Guides Association (MPGA). MPGA has submitted a bill focused on wildlife conservation. They are seeking permission to be able to dispatch wounded animals for clients even on Sundays. They are also asking that a permit be required to hunt bears even during the open November firearms season. They’re arguement is that bears should not be treated as a incidental kill animal. Currently while we are deer hunting if we happen to come across a bear we are legally able to kill that bear if we choose to do so.

In my opinion I would be ok with this. First off I agree that you should be prepared when dealing with a bear. I remember driving along the road a few years back and coming upon a guy standing next to the road. This guy was visibally shaken. He had the gun grabbed by the barrel. So my hunting bud and I stopped to see what was up with this guy. First thing I did was go over and take the guys gun. After further investigation I discovered the safety was off. After talking with this guy we discovered he had shot a bear. This guy was so scared because the bear had run off into the evergreens. We tracked the bear who had run a couple hundred yards. When we came upon him he had buried himself in the thickets but was dead. This certainly is one incident that would support closing “open” season on bear. Another reason that is brought up that is very important in my opinion is this, with a permit system, it would allow the State to more accurately measure the interest in hunting bears in Maine and aid in the collection of other data.

Second bill that comes to my attention is brought to us by Rep. Tim Carter. This bill would create a shotgun turkey season in November. Currently you are able to shoot a fall turkey with a bow and arrow. I’m all for this bill. Hey, you can go shoot your own Thanksgiving turkey. Also, just one more “excuse” to get out in the woods. Only question that arises in my mind is: how will this effect deer hunting. More people in the woods and more shots ringing through the woods. How will this effect deer movement? How will this come into play with all aspects of my favorite activity, whitetail deer hunting?

Next bill is brought to our attention by SAM. This bill would change the current any-deer permit system to an anterless deer permit system. Currently, all firearms deer hunters are allowed to take on antlered deer. Those who win a any-deer permit then have the option of taking an anterless deer, although still limited to taking one deer. In the proposed bill those who were drawn in the lottery system to obtain an anterless deer tag would be able to kill one anterless deer. On top of that they would also be able to kill a antlered deer. It is recommended that a $10 fee be applied to this tag. This would enable the State to better gain true numbers in predicting and harvesting the planned number of anterless deer. The opportunity to harvest two deer in certain areas I would certainly be in support of. This would allow us to control our numbers more accurately, plus the extra 10 dollars would bring in more money for funding organizations such as deer task force and landowner relations programs.

The final bill I will bring attention to would be the one that looks into having a split deer season. Due to recent years warm and wet weather many hunters have shown an interest in opening deer season a week later. Guides in the northern part of the State have shown strong opposition to this stating “it’s very hard to book clients after Thanksgiving.” SAM made an adjustment in its initial proposal to address these concerns. The opening date would allow the northern part of our state to remain the same, while opening day would be a week later for central and southern Maine. I know the weather has not helped my personal hunting situation over the past few years. I would love to start a week later moving the season into first part of December. At the same time I can certainly understand the Guides perspective with complete understanding. I support this bill for the weather reason as well as I wouldn’t mind an extra week to pursue some upland birds.

I’m curious about your thoughts on these issues. Or possibly you have interest in the other bills that will come into play during this session. Let me know your thoughts and opinions.

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