MDIFW Blog
Good News For Anglers Who Enjoy Ice Fishing On Swan Lake
By Fisheries Biologist Jason Seiders When listing the waters I would consider the “gems” within the Belgrade Lakes Management Region (Region B), the list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Swan Lake
The Porcupine's Foe
By Regional Widlife Biologist Scott McLellan Obviously, a porcupine has few predators because of how well-armed with quills it is (approximately 30,000), but one of the more fascinating prey/predator interactions exists between the porcupine and fisher. The fisher, which is a member of the weasel family, has carved out a hunting strategy that enables it to seek out and suc
New Rules Proposed Regarding Use Of Bait In Northern Maine
By Tim Obrey, Regional Fisheries Biologist, Moosehead Lake Region [caption id="attachment_3403" align="alignright" width="333"] A fine Arctic charr caught in the Moosehead Lake Region[/caption] If you keep your ear to the tracks regarding fishing in Maine, then you’ve probably heard about the Department’s proposal to change rules pertaining to the use of live fish as
Giving Landlocked Salmon a Head Start in Crescent Lake
By Fisheries Biologist Nick Kalejs Here in Maine, we are lucky to have an abundance of coldwater fisheries. Still, perhaps no fish is more closely linked to the Sebago Lake Region than the landlocked salmon. In fact, landlocked salmon are often referred to as Sebago salmon. Over twenty lakes and ponds in the area, many within the Sebago Lake basin, are stocked annually with landlocked salmon, providing exciting recreational fisheries in many unique bodies of water.
Love is in the Air
By Wildlife Biologist Shevenell Webb [caption id="attachment_3393" align="alignright" width="226"] A young tracker consults her notebook to confirm opossum tracks.[/caption] Valentine’s Day has come and gone, but love is still in the air!
Have you purchased a new fishing rod lately? How about a new tackle box? If so, then thank you!
By Joe Overlock, Fisheries Management Supervisor Most people don’t realize that when they buy fishing gear, they are directly helping the fish they love to catch. It is all thanks to a law passed in 1950 called the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act (named after the congressmen who spearheaded the effort).
Orphaned Cub Gets Fresh Start With New Mom – Update
By Amanda DeMusz, Regional Wildlife Biologist Note: This post is an update to a story shared last April.
Wildlife Habitat Enhancement Harvest Planning and Layout at Frye Mountain WMA
Jeremy Clark – Resource Manager, Lands Program MDIFW’s Lands Program foresters have started laying out areas for a harvest operation at the Frye Mountain Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Knox. A Forest & Wildlife Management Operations Report, or harvest prescription, was developed in 2018 for a 643-acre compartment in the southeastern section of the 5,238-acre WMA. Compartment J has been cruised and wildlife habitat management goals and objectives have been identified based on current forest types, soils, and habitat features noted during the inventory, and in consulta
Mustelid Surprises
By Sarah Spencer, Wildlife Biologist On a recent site visit to a property on the mid-coast, I was rewarded with a great view of a small mammal I don’t often encounter. I discussesd with two foresters at the site the value of a “wolf” white pine and the importance of these types of trees to a number of wildlife species who use them for foraging, breeding, raising young, and for cover. The lot we were on had a history of farming and practicing forestry. This white pine had likely grown in what was once pasture and was left when the plantation was planted years later.
Hunting Big Bucks: Some Observations and Differing Experiences from Two Wildlife Biologists
By Chuck Hulsey, Regional Wildlife Biologist, Region D, Strong I grew up deer hunting with family and friends. There were no great deer hunters in my group. As the oldest of eight, my dad was a teen during the Great Depression and lived in rural Arkansas and Oklahoma. He hunted more for food than sport. There certainly wasn’t any such thing as going to deer camp in those days. Fox squirrels and jack rabbits were the game. World events resulted in an invitation to participate in the Second World War.
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