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Press Releases

September 5, 2008

Agency Rulemaking Process Underway Regarding Wild Turkey Hunting Season and Piping Plover and Least Tern Habitat Destinations

Augusta - The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife currently is undertaking the Agency Rulemaking Process on two proposals: Establishing the 2009 Wild Turkey Hunting Season, and Establishing four additional destinations as essential habitat for Piping Plover and Least Tern nesting, feeding, and brood rearing.

The proposed rule changes go through a three-step review before the IF&W Advisory Council with step three being an up or down vote on the proposed rule.

Wild Turkey Hunting Season Summary:

  • The Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has proposed to adopt a rule establishing the dates for the wild turkey hunting season to occur as follows: May 4, 2009 – June 6, 2009 for all hunters (there will no longer be a split season);
  • Youth Spring Wild Turkey Hunting Day will occur on the Saturday preceding the opening day (May 2, 2009);
  • Legal hunting hours will change from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset (currently hunting ends at 12 p.m. noon).

Public comments are welcome, and are due by Oct. 10, 2008. Written comments should be directed to Andrea Erskine, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 284 State St., 41 SHS, Augusta, ME 04333-0041, or by e-mail to andrea.erskine@maine.gov.

Piping Plover and Least Tern Habitat Designation Summary:

  • The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has proposed four (4) additional designations of areas as essential habitat for Piping Plover and Least Tern nesting, feeding and brood rearing.
  • One of more new Piping Plover nesting, feeding, and brood-rearing areas are being designated in the towns of Biddeford, Cape Elizabeth and Old Orchard Beach.  Letters of notification and maps of proposed areas have been sent to all known affected landowners.
  • The proposal is designed to enhance the recovery of these Endangered Species by adding new nest sites to the areas protected as Essential Habitat for Piping Plovers and Least Terns.
  • Implementation of the proposed rule will assure that habitat degradation resulting from development and other land use projects licensed, permitted, funded, or carried out by state agencies or municipal governments will not jeopardize the recover of these Endangered Species.

A public hearing is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 18 at the Old Orchard Beach Town Office, 1 Portland Ave., Old Orchard Beach.

Public comments are welcome, and are due by Sept. 29, 2008. Written comments should be directed to Andrea Erskine, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 284 State St., 41 SHS, Augusta, ME 04333-0041, or by e-mail to andrea.erskine@maine.gov.