Both the House and the Senate voted to override the Governor’s veto of a moose bill, so it will become law. The bill had won the support of the legislature’s Fish and Wildlife Committee, after a lengthy discussion, and was enacted by the House and Senate before the Governor vetoed it. The bill requires the […]
A legislative hearing last week on a modest gun bill was ugly. Pro-gun folks showed up in force and were loud and angry, ignoring the requests of the committee’s Senate chair to remain quiet and calm. I testified in favor of the bill, although I don’t think either side liked my testimony. The intent of […]
Great news! The House and Senate over-rode both of Governor Paul LePage’s vetoes of important hunting bills. Both bills were supported by his Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. One bill reduces the penalty for hunting deer over bait. Last year the legislature passed a bill that called for a one year suspension of the […]
Governor Paul LePage has vetoed two important hunting bills, both of which were supported by his Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. I wrote about these two bills in earlier outdoor news columns. One would reduce the penalty for hunting deer over bait. Last year the legislature passed a bill that called for a one […]
My Mount Vernon friend Dr. Dan Onion and I have come together to share our thoughts on guns. Dan: George, as town health officer for two small towns here in Western Kennebec County, I’m charged with finding ways to promote public health. I have practiced primary care and preventive medicine here in Central Maine for […]
The Maine Legislature’s Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Committee has released its report on conservation lands owned by nonprofit organizations, which it was authorized to undertake by a provision in the General Fund Biennial Budget for 2018 and 2019. The report gives high marks to our land trust community and includes some interesting recommendations. I was […]
After resisting requests that tributaries to our Heritage waters be protected, DIFW Fisheries Director Francis Brautigam told members of the legislature that his agency will do that. This has been a long and sometimes ugly battle, but I am delighted that the department is now on board with those of us who have advocated for […]
important news for veterans who want to hunt
After fighting for the last two years for protection of the tributaries to our Heritage ponds, where our native brook trout are protected, I was delighted to read that revered DIFW fisheries biologist Roger Auclair recognized this need long ago. Roger’s widow, Suzanna Auclair, writes a monthly column for Northwoods Sporting Journal, and often shares […]
“The committee is sometimes confused,” said Francis Brautigam, speaking on February 16 to his fisheries working group about the legislature’s Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee. Francis was deeply upset about the February 6 IFW Committee work session on expanding protection for our native brook trout. I reported on that work session in this column on […]
