A bill giving DIF&W authority to establish bear seasons and bag limits drew a lengthy debate at the legislature’s IFW Committee. The bill got lots of discussion and debate. Rep John Martin expressed concern that, if the committee gave the department this authority, including the possibility that bear trapping would be expanded, it would provoke […]
You can expect a significant increase in the use of crossbows by hunters. The legislature’s Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee voted to allow the use of crossbows in the fall archery deer season and the fall turkey season. Crossbows are currently allowed in the spring turkey season but not the fall turkey season. And they […]
Bills to expand hunting for bears and coyotes drew lots of debate last week, some of it angry. Lots of animal rights groups opposed the bills. The coyote bill drew the most concerns. Right now you can hunt coyotes almost year-round, including at night. It’s hard to believe anyone would think that coyote hunters need […]
The Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine proposed significant changes in the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund, in a bill sponsored for SAM by Senator Russell Black. SAM’s proposal would limit to 20% the amount of funding state agencies could receive from MOHF, and forbid commissioners who are on the MOHF Board to vote on their agency’s projects. […]
Significant changes are coming to increase the number of turkey hunters and the number of turkeys harvested. The legislature’s IFW Committee spent a lot of time yesterday talking about this. The discussion started with a hearing on LD 1124, An Act To Encourage Turkey Hunting, sponsored by Senator Shenna Bellows, who worked with me on […]
Last week the legislature’s Fish and Wildlife Committee acted on several bills. The committee had a public hearing and work session immediately after on a bill giving DIF&W’s commissioner authority to extend the ice fishing season. This bill was presented by Rep. John Martin on behalf of the governor. DIF&W Commissioner Judy Camuso testified for […]
At 2 pm today, DIF&W Commissioner Judy Camuso will present her new budget to the legislature’s Appropriations Committee. Yesterday, Judy briefed the IFW Committee on the budget, focused on changes and increases. She covered everything from purchases of snowmobiles and ATVs to lots of improvements in the Warden Service. More money is proposed for everything […]
The legislature’s Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee always has a bunch of interesting bills and issues to debate. Yesterday was typical, with issues ranging from ATVs to handguns to deer and turkey hunts. Here’s what happened. Two bills that would limit the size of ATVs allowed on trails were heard. One bill would also increase […]
A turkey bill that I collaborated with the sponsor on is scheduled for a public hearing on Monday, March 25. The bill is sponsored by Senator Shenna Bellows and I’m very grateful to her for doing that. I’m hoping some of you will be there to support this bill. Turkeys have become a nuisance all […]
Several interesting issues were debated yesterday by the legislature’s Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee. Public hearings were held on 5 bills and work sessions on 2 bills. Work Sessions LD 881 would allow the holder of a super pack license who obtains an antlerless deer permit to also participate in an antlerless deer permit lottery. […]
