Emphasized at Snowmobile Safety Press Conference

AUGUSTA – Gov. John E. Baldacci today joined the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and the Maine Snowmobile Association to promote snowmobiling in Maine and to emphasize safety and personal responsibility on the trails when out sledding.

During a press conference at the Hall of Flags, the theme “Ride Right, Ride Smart, Ride Responsibly” was accentuated in a new public service announcement produced by the Maine Warden Service and the Maine Snowmobile Association.

The PSA features Gerry James of Presque Isle, whose 22-year-old son, Brian, was killed in a snowmobile incident on April 11, 2009 in T9 R7 WELS, about six miles west of Oxbow in Aroostook County. Brian James, a member of the Maine National Guard, his brother and friends were taking their last ride of the season when the incident occurred.

Mr. James and his wife, Carol, attended the press conference to show support for the safety efforts of the Maine Warden Service. In the PSA, Mr. James stresses that tragedies can happen to any family, including his own.

“Sometimes bad things happen to good people,” Mr. James states in the PSA. “My son, Brian, came home from college for one last ride. He failed to negotiate a turn and struck a tree, which killed him instantly.”

Gov. Baldacci and MDIFW Commissioner Roland “Danny” Martin, who knew Brian, expressed their condolences to the James family.

“Mr. and Mrs. James wish they could talk to Brian some more about his love for sledding,” Commissioner Martin said. “Instead, they are here today to tell snowmobilers to be responsible and make it back home. The Jameses asked us to help them get a message out to all snowmobilers: No one should lose their life enjoying one of Maine’s most popular winter activities.”

Last year, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife registered more than 99,000 snowmobiles. While the majority of sledders are safe on the trails, 97 people were injured and nine people were killed while snowmobiling during the 2008-2009 season.

Maine’s wide open spaces are a major draw for snowmobilers, and the majority of its snowmobile trails are maintained by about 300 snowmobile clubs statewide.

“It’s no secret. Mainers know the state’s 13,000 miles of trails are the best in the Northeast, and thousands of people from around the country travel here to enjoy them, too,” said Gov. Baldacci. “If you haven’t tried snowmobiling in Maine, you should. Maine is the place to sled.”

Col. Joel Wilkinson of the Maine Warden Service stated that game wardens will be on the trails this season to educate sledders with safe riding tips, and to patrol them for law infractions.

Among the tips offered to snowmobilers are: Don’t drink and ride; wear a helmet; ride to the right on marked trails; ride at a reasonable speed for conditions; bring emergency provisions, including extra batteries if carrying a cell phone or flashlight; leave an itinerary with someone, including when you expect to return and what route you’re taking.

The public service announcement may be viewed at www.youtube.com/mefishwildlife. Select “snowmobile safety.”

Ice fishing season is almost here!

Our regional fisheries biologists preview the upcoming season in their annual Ice Fishing Preview. This is an informative guide to what fish have been stocked and where, and biologists’ picks of great ice fishing hot spots!

To view the preview on our website, visit http://www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing/reports/weekly_biologist/index.htm

For a printable pdf version, select this link: http://www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing/reports/pdfs/2010icefishpreview.pdf

Happy Fishing!

Photo from fOTOGLIF

AUGUSTA – Maine 2010 hunting and fishing licenses now are available for purchase just in time for holiday gift giving.

Licenses are available using MOSES, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife’s online licensing system, at https://www.informe.org/moses/. This system, too, is used at more than 300 licensing agents statewide.

With MOSES, hunters and anglers can purchase licenses at any time of the day or night and print their licenses from their home or office computer in just minutes. It’s also easier to print duplicate licenses, and by clicking on “express user” the system will maintain your information for future license purchases.

Any resident or non-resident sportsperson looking to hunt or fish in Maine can use MOSES. This online service in not available for individuals that need to obtain a complimentary, lifetime or military license, or for those interested individuals from countries other than the United States or Canada.

All hunters and anglers will notice an increase in license fees this year. For resident anglers and hunters, most licenses are increasing by $4. The price increase, approved by the Maine Legislature, helps the Department cover the costs of fish and wildlife resource management. When considering the license fees in other states, Maine’s rates are comparable or are a better bargain for outdoor enthusiasts. Plus, Maine offers wide open spaces and some of the best opportunities in the country! Ask any angler and you’ll hear that this year’s fishing was the best in years!

The best value for residents is a hunt-fish combo license, which increased by $4. If you hunt and fish, buying a combo license instead of each license separately saves $4.

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife primarily is funded from the sales of licenses and registrations. This year, the Department will receive little revenue from the state’s general fund.

All proceeds from the sale of licenses and registrations stay within the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. None of the money is used to support other state agencies.

If you believe in the Department’s efforts to manage Maine’s natural resources, but may not be a hunter or angler, consider buying a license to support our programs. Outdoor recreation activities such as hunting, fishing, ATV riding, snowmobiling, boating and wildlife watching contribute $2.4 billion to Maine’s annual economy and support 15,790 outdoors-related jobs.

Using MOSES is simple. License buyers will need to have available their personal information, such as first and last name, address, date of birth, and other pertinent information. Also, they’ll need their previous hunting license number or safety course number (if you are purchasing a hunting authority), and a credit card number. Visa, Mastercard and Discover credit and debit cards are accepted.

By purchasing online, buyers are saving the department the direct costs associated with the expense of manual paper licensing. These savings then can be applied to the important management of our fish and wildlife resources.

Photo from fOTOGLIF

AUGUSTA – The Maine Warden Service is urging people to not venture out onto any ice that may be covering Maine’s waterways.

Throughout Maine, the state’s lakes and ponds may appear to be frozen in parts or their entirety, but safe ice conditions cannot be assumed even though temperatures have been below freezing in recent days and at night. Also, any snow covering thin layers of ice acts as insulation and slows the freezing process.

“There are no safe ice conditions anywhere in the state right now,” said Col. Joel Wilkinson, chief warden of the Maine Warden Service. “I understand that people are anxious to begin winter activities, such as ice fishing and snowmobiling. But don’t risk your life or the lives of others by traveling onto thin ice.”

As the temperatures continue to fall in the coming weeks, and the ice begins to thicken, the Maine Warden Service is recommending that people check the thickness of any ice before venturing out for any activity on frozen water.

If you must go on the ice this winter, the Maine Warden Service offers these tips for ice safety:

· Never guess the thickness of the ice – Check it! Check the ice in several different places using an auger or some other means to make a test hole and determine the thickness. Make several, beginning at the shore, and continuing as you go out.

· Check the ice with a partner, so if something does happen, someone is there to help you. If you are doing it alone, wear a lifejacket.

· If ice at the shoreline is cracked or squishy, stay off! Watch out for thin, clear or honeycombed ice. Dark snow and dark ice are other signs of weak spots.

· Avoid areas with currents, around bridges and pressure ridges. Wind and currents can break ice.

· Parents should alert children of unsafe ice in their area, and make sure that they stay off the ice. If they insist on using their new skates, suggest an indoor skating rink.

If you break through the ice, remember:

· Don’t panic.

· Don’t try to climb out immediately – you will probably break the ice again. Reach for solid ice.

· Lay both arms on the unbroken ice and kick hard. This will help lift your body onto the ice. Once on the ice, roll, DON’T WALK, to safety.

· To help someone who has fallen through the ice, lie down flat and reach with a branch, plank or rope or form a human chain. Don’t stand. After securing the victim, wiggle backwards to the solid ice.

A Dover-Foxcroft has pleaded guilty to four charges of possessing and selling fish over the legal limit and has been fined $2,960.

Mark Cox, 38, of Dover-Foxcroft plead guilty on December 7, 2009, in Dover-Foxcroft District Court on charges stemming from an illegal fishing investigation conducted in August 2009.

According to Maine Warden Service Captain Dan Scott, Mr. Cox plead guilty to two counts of Possessing Over the Legal Limit of Brook Trout. On one occasion during the investigation, Mr. Cox had 41 fish over his limit and on a second occasion he had 21 fish over his limit. Cox was assessed two fines — $920 for the first offense and $520 for the second offense.

Additionally, Mr. Cox plead guilty to the counts of selling 46 brook trout and possessing live fish. He was assessed fines of $1,020 for the first violation and $500 for the second violation.

In August 2009, approximately a dozen Maine Game Wardens executed a search warrant at Mr. Cox’s Dover-Foxcroft residence. The warrant was the result of a 7-day investigation into the illegal take and sale of fish in the Piscataquis County area.

Game Wardens conducted surveillance of Mr. Cox and his associates for multiple nights and days leading up to the warrant. During that time, numerous violations were documented, including the illegal take, possession and sale of brook trout.

Upon executing the warrant, Game Wardens seized fishing equipment, cameras, a computer, both live and frozen fish, drug paraphernalia, cash and a vehicle from Mr. Cox’s residence. Analysis of that evidence led to the execution of additional search warrants which are part of ongoing investigations. The Maine Warden Service cannot comment on those investigations.

MWS Captain Scott stated that Mr. Cox is facing license and permit suspensions once the final report and charge disposition is filed with Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Commissioner Roland “Danny” Martin.

Captain Scott commended the continued positive working relationship between the Maine Warden Service and the Piscataquis County District Attorney’s Office. “The time and attention that District Attorney Chris Almy afforded to Maine Warden Service investigatiors are indicative of his continued support to our mission of protecting Maine’s fish and wildlife resources,” said Scott. “The substantial fines in this case demonstrate the high value that we and the people of Maine place upon our natural resources.”

The original complaint regarding this illegal take and sale of brook trout originated through the Maine Warden Service’s Operation Game Thief program. People with information regarding fish and wildlife violations are encouraged to call 1-800-ALERT-US or go to www.maineogt.org. Tipsters can remain anonymous.