When Question 8, the constitutional amendment to protect the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife’s revenues received nearly 75 percent voter support during the recent election, the message it sent rang as clearly as the calling of geese. The gist of it is that Maine people – sportsmen and nonsportsmen alike – have innate interest and respect for the fisheries and wildlife resources that are so environmentally important and economically valuable to the state.

Nowadays – and you know it as well as I do – Maine’s social and cultural climates are being eroded by a rising tide of urbanites who have no concern whatsoever about the outdoor recreations and traditions that make this state the envy of many others. Consequently, those urban attitudes are becoming evident in state government.

Accordingly, during last year’s budget crisis, some state legislators saw the DIFW’s funds as a “sitting duck” on Augusta’s political pond. As you know, they didn’t hesitate to draw a bead and fire both barrels.

Needless to say, the feathers flew – particularly among sportsmen, whose license, permit, and vehicle-registration fees were being “poached.” The result, obviously, was Question 8 of the constitutional amendment referendum; and you can rest assured its solid passage echoed across the political pond like the report of a 12-gauge magnum.

Thanks to the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, the Natural Resources Council of Maine, the Maine Audubon Society and the thousands of Maine sportsmen who took trails leading to voting booths on Nov. 3, there is no longer an “open season” on the DIFW’s revenues.

Without question, the constitutional amendment’s resounding success will have a positive effect on the future of the DIFW and, therefore, on the continuation of Maine’s outdoor recreations.

Again, the message couldn’t be more clear: Maine people – sportsmen and nonsportsmen alike – have innate interest and respect for the fisheries and wildlife resources and outdoor traditions that make this magnificent state the envy of many others.

Arizona sportsmen also sent an unmistakable message to animal-rights activists on Nov. 3 when Proposition 200, a referendum initiative calling for a statewide ban of leghold traps, was defeated by a 62 percent majority.

The proposition contained rhetoric that could have resulted in statewide bans against hunting, fishing, and trapping, which, of course, was the intention. But like their Maine counterparts, Arizona sportsmen set their sights on Prop. 200 with a major communications campaign that “bagged” the anti-everything initiative.

When the U.S. Shooting Team’s 70-member development squad for 1992-93 steps to the firing line, Maine will be represented by an Augusta sharpshooter named Kevin Smith. Recently selected for the team, Smith will compete in the running target division. The team consists of the nation’s top up-and-coming shooters in each of four divisions: pistol, rifle, running target, shotgun.

Team selections were based on performances at the U.S. International Shooting Championships, the National Junior Olympic Shooting Championships, the National Collegiate Pistol Championships, plus additional matches held by the national team coaches this fall.

According to Lones Wigger, director of the USST, “Making the development team is one of every shooter’s goals because it’s a stepping stone to the top. Our developmental shooters receive a certain amount of funding, help with their training, ammunition, and occasional international trips.”

It’s possible that Kevin Smith could compete in shooting matches held in Egypt, Guatemala, Korea, Italy, and Germany. Wish him luck.

From what I’m told, it’s safe to say Maine’s 1993 moose hunt will be held Oct. 4-9. During this year’s Oct. 5-10 hunt, more than 900 moose were tagged by 1,000 permitted hunters and their subpermittees. An official tally has not yet been released.

Beaver trappers may want to check on a DIFW amendment to trapping regulations. During the open season for beaver – Dec. 1-Mar. 31 in Wildlife Management Units 1, 2, 3, 5 and Jan. 1-Feb. 28 in WMUs 4, 6, 7, 8 – in any of the eight WMUs, certain townships or specific lakes, ponds, brooks, streams, or rivers may be restricted as follows: 1. complete closure; 2. closed with certain specific areas open; 3. open with certain specific areas closed; 4. completely open.

For a complete listing contact: Gary Donovan, DIFW, 284 State St., Station 41, Augusta 04333.

If you tag a deer during the next week or so, you’ll find no better place to tell the story than at the 32nd annual Maine Air National Guard Sportsman’s Supper. Rest assured, this soiree scheduled for Dec. 9 at the Air Guard’s Horizon Inn at Bangor International Airport will leave you loosening your belt.

After priming your palate during the social hour beginning at 6 p.m., you can get serious about cutting a swath through the following dinner menu: choice sirloin steak, sauteed mushrooms, onions, green peppers, chef’s salad with Argyle sauce, vegetables, Maine baked potato with sour cream, rolls, and “log drive coffee.” For the uninitiated, log drive coffee is brewed stout enough to float an axe. Guest speaker will be Tom Nannery, executive director of the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, which means you’ll hear a deer-camp story for sure.

The following guardsmen will take your $11 reservation: John Berry, David Ingraham, John Nelligan, Bill Siebert, Brian Smith, Ray Plourde, Al Morrow, Sonny Reynolds, Kerry Dalton. No tickets will be sold after Dec. 7.

Let me suggest, though, if you want your deer story to be best, save it for last.