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Legislators working on a bill aimed at increasing sportsmen’s license fees have said repeatedly that any resulting legislation will look vastly different from the original bill. Wednesday at the first work session on that bill, LD 1929, it became clear why.
Legislator’s views on that bill run the gamut.
Going around the hearing room, members of the Joint Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife shared their views about whether licenses should be increased to help fund the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife – based on what their constituents have told them.
Some, like Rep. Joe Clark, D-Millinocket, are strongly opposed to raising license fees.
“In my district, their concerns are more directed at the General Fund,” said Clark, a mill worker. “There are a lot of people I see and talk to who are very upset. Some people just can’t afford [license increases].”
Others say their constituents seem more forgiving of DIF&W’s financial woes.
“I work in a mill, too, and I hear Joe,” said Rep. Bruce Bryant, D-Dixfield. “But people do care about [supporting] game and nongame wildlife. They are willing to do something reasonable just as long as we do our homework.”
Still others, like the committee’s House chair, Sen. David Carpenter, R-York, have heard little uproar.
“In my district the problem is the size of the license,” Carpenter said of this year’s bulky new hunting and fishing licenses, which measure 8-by-11 inches.
“I tell them it’s a tent,” he said.
The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Matt Dunlap, D-Old Town, said he’s been approached by angry sportsmen telling him: “People are ticked at you.” And yet, Dunlap said he believes the resulting legislation will be able to change the way DIF&W does business and please sportsmen.
“I’m not worried about what the public’s view will be [about the final legislation]. If anyone is skeptical about this bill, it’s the members of this committee,” Dunlap said.
The one thing everyone agreed upon was the amount of support needed for any license bill voted out of committee.
“I believe, even if this is 12-1, it will be destroyed on the floor,” said Rep. David Trahan, R-Waldoboro. “We need to come up with something we all can support, even if it is a small package.”
Marshall receives national award
Maine Game Warden Lt. Mike Marshall, who works out of Ashland, was named the National Officer of the Month by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.
Marshall has been a game warden for 24 years and a lieutenant for the past five.
He earned the award for his work over the years.
He has raised safety awareness among children by getting McDonald’s to donate a dessert to any child found wearing a helmet while snowmobiling. He organized a game warden chaplain program. He also started the junior warden badge program that helps educate children about Maine’s natural resources.
Bowhunters group needs help
The Maine Bowhunters Association is looking for a salesperson to help it raise funds to extend its mentoring and landowner relations programs, and to promote opportunities for bow hunters.
The MBA needs equipment and supplies for these programs, but lacks the funds. The group is looking for a salesperson to work on commission to bring in membership from archery shops and outdoor stores.
For information, contact Jeff Hopkins at 223-4892.
One derby ready, another delayed
The Orrington Rod & Gun Club’s fishing derby at Brewer Lake, which was scheduled for this weekend, was postponed because of the rain and warm weather that hit the area this week.
However, Buck Plummer said Thursday there is ample ice and fast fishing action on East Grand Lake, where the fourth annual, two-day East Grand Area Fishing Derby kicks off Saturday in the Danforth area.
Plummer, the East Grand derby director, said the mid-week rain had created slushy conditions. But he said the edges of East Grand Lake have at least a foot of ice, and the three other lakes in the derby – Deering, Brackett, and North lakes – all have enough ice throughout their surface area.
The problem on those lakes will be slush slowing anglers down.
Plummer said derby organizers will be at the three public landings on East Grand to advise fishermen where it is safe to fish.
What fishing that is being done in the area is proving successful. Plummer said guests at area lodges are catching plenty of fish.
“They’re catching salmon at will right now. And not just on East Grand Lake,” he said.
MDI derby on free fishing day
The MDI Rod & Gun Club is planning its annual fundraiser ice fishing derby to coincide with the state’s free fishing day on Feb. 17. No license is required.
The derby raises money each year to send children to Jordan Conservation Camp on Branch Lake in Ellsworth. Last year, it sent five youths from Hancock County to the camp.
The derby offers a $1,000 drawing, as well as prizes for the largest fish. The location of the weigh-in for the derby this year will be at the Trenton American Legion hall.
Tickets are available at local merchants starting in February and must be purchased by Feb. 16.
For information, call 288-5457, 288-2767 or 288-9572.
Deirdre Fleming covers outdoor sports and recreation for the NEWS. She can be reached at 990-8250 or at dfleming@bangordailynews.net.
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