Region B

MDIF&W Regional Office
270 Lyons Road
Sidney, ME 04330-9711
(207) 547-5300

Weekly Outdoor Reports by Wildlife Biologists

The Sidney Region

by Eugene Dumont, Regional Wildlife Biologist

Regional Characteristics

Wildlife Region B contains 135 townships and extends from the central Maine coast north to Dexter; and from the Penobscot River westerly to the Androscoggin River valley. There are nearly 4000 sq.mi. in this region including approximately 3800 sq.mi of land area and 170 sq.mi. of open water lakes and ponds. In short, Wildlife Region B contains the lower river valleys of the Penobscot, Androscoggin and Kennebec Rivers. Human population and development is centered along two major corridors: (1) Route 1 and associated coastal development from the Brunswick area north to Bangor including such towns as Wiscasset, Waldoboro, Rockland and Belfast; and (2) the I-95 corridor from Brunswick to Bangor including the urban centers of Augusta/Gardiner, Waterville/Winslow and Bangor.

The remaining portions of this region are sparcely developed containing some of the Maine's best soils and an excellent mixture of reverting farmland, active farmland and upland mixed forests. Population densities vary across the region from greater than 170 residents per sq. mi. in Androscoggin Co. to approximately 50 residents per sq. mi. in portions of Waldo Co., eastern lower Somerset Co. and western Penboscot Co.

Wildlife Management Areas

There are twenty-two Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in this region ranging from small miscellaneous parcels to large upland areas such as the Frye Mt. WMA (Dedicated to Gene Letourneau). Maps of these areas can be obtained through the regional headquarters in Sidney. The Frye Mt. WMA is located in Waldo Co. and represents premier upland habitat for deer, upland gamebirds and wild turkeys. This parcel is an accumulation of over thirty old farms which are intensively managed for upland wildlife. Other WMAs in this region include several outstanding wetlands managed for migratory waterfowl such as Ruffingham Meadow WMA in Searsmont, Madawaska Bog WMA in Palmyra, and the St. Albans WMA in St. Albans. Water levels in these areas are managed for optimum waterfowl production and contain excellent stands of wild rice.

Hunting Opportunities

There are no open moose hunting districts in this region, although moose numbers have increased in recent years. Bear sightings are also increasing, yet the majority of good bear range is further north. Most bear harvested in this region are taken incidental to deer hunting.

Deer habitat in these coastal river valleys is good to excellent and diversified. It represents some of the best mix of active and reverting farmland remaining in Maine. Portions of Waldo, Knox, Lincoln, Kennebec and Androscoggin Counties contain some of the highest deer densities in the state. Wildlife Management District (WMD) 25 averages just over 90 bucks harvested per 100 sq. mi., while the inland WMDs 16, 17, 22, and 23 harvest averages over 116 bucks per 100 sq. mi. WMD 17 has the highest consistent average buck harvest in Maine at 150 bucks per 100 sq. mi. Where limited hunter access has resulted in an under harvest of deer, Special Archery Zones have been designated as to increase hunter opportunity, and minimize deer - landowner conflicts. While some access to hunting grounds has become more difficult as a result of land posting and habitat loss to development; excellent opportunities still exist across the central Maine area. Eastern Kennebec and Waldo Counties are among some of the best bets to harvest good quality white-tailed deer including trophy bucks.

Upland bird hunting opportunities abound. With the presence of numerous farms and the diversity of early succession forestland across central Maine, upland gamebird habitat is good and well distributed across the region. We recommend that some hunters concentrate their efforts in areas that were timbered harvested 10-12 years ago. A trip to the Frye Mt. WMA always provides a great hunting opportunity and a variety of bird covers.

Waterfowl hunting opportunity in this region is excellent. The boundary between the north and south zone bisects the region and serious waterfowl hunters can have an extended season by hunting both zones. Local populations of Canada geese continue to increase resulting in some landowner problems. The special September Canada goose season provides numerous opportunities for the hunter who "patterns" the local birds. Geese can be taken in both the feeding areas of local farms and resting areas of ponds with a little prehunt scouting.

Waterfowl hunters can expect good fall conditions. The wet spring and summer provided better than normal brood survival. Opportunities for wood duck, mallard and black duck are available to all hunters. Numerous ponds, lakes, and rivers receive light hunting pressure for waterfowl especially late in the fall for goldeneyes. Merrymeeting Bay, an unique tidal estuary, serves as a "staging area" for thousands of fall migrants. It still provides quality gunning for the traditionalist. Late season exist opportunities for coastal hunters on blacks and mallards. The hunter that puts in the time to locate walkable salt marshes can find some excellent hunting.

DEPARTMENT INFORMATION

Region B

The Sidney Region