For the past several years, all-terrain vehicles have proven to be one of the most popular “new” forms of transportation around.

In the last five years, the number of ATV registrations in Maine has jumped more than 90 percent, to 55,000 in 2001.

With that growth has come growing pains, as relations between ATV owners and landowners have grown increasingly more contentious.

Anyone with a stake in the ATV debate might want to head to Augusta on March 18, as the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine hosts a statewide conference on ATV issues. The conference will take place at Augusta Civic Center and is free and open to the public. The only catch: The meeting room will fill up fast, and reservations are required. Call 622-5503 or e-mail members@samcef.org to make the necessary arrangements.

The conference runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and lunch will be available for $10.

The conference is being funded with a $12,000 grant from the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund and $3,000 from the International Paper Foundation.

According to organizers, Gov. John Baldacci will be the opening speaker, and speakers from Virginia, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, and Maine will follow. Panel discussions on law enforcement, community programs, funding, and legislation are on tap.

“Although Maine has many responsible ATV riders, there are others who are trespassing on private property, damaging land, and jeopardizing access for everyone,” Baldacci said. “Landowners, legislators, law enforcement officers, and ATV riders need to work together to resolve these problems. This conference is an important step in this process.”

SAM’s stated goal in the conference is to “bring together stakeholders, from legislators to law enforcement to ATV riders, to hear about options and discuss ideas for resolving ATV concerns across the state.”

SAM points out that there are 2,200 miles of trails available to ATV riders, while snowmobile riders can travel on more than 13,000 miles of trails.

With plenty of ATV bills crowding this session’s legislative session, this promises to be an informative and worthwhile conference.

Narraguagus run rescheduled

The Narraguagus Snowmobile Club’s poker run – originally scheduled for Feb. 2 – was rained out, and organizers have rescheduled it for Feb. 23 … with a few changes.

According to club secretary Velma Orcutt, registration will be available at two locations, and all food will be sold at the clubhouse to accommodate people who would like to participate, but who don’t snowmobile.

Registration will be held at the Narraguagus Snowmobile Clubhouse on Ridge Road in Cherryfield and at Harry Rolfe’s camp on Schoodic Lake, between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m.

Nonsnowmobilers can come enjoy a meal ($4 for beef stew, a hot dog, drink, and dessert) and may draw their cards without leaving the cozy clubhouse.

A 50/50 raffle and door prizes are planned, and at the end of the event, riders can purchase two cards at the clubhouse to hopefully obtain a better poker hand.

Ice fishing derbies heat up

Many organizations choose the weekend of Feb. 15-16 to hold their ice fishing derbies for a couple of reasons. First, most schools have closed for vacation, and families may be more apt to participate together during vacation week.

Second, the weekend is one of the state’s Free Fishing weekends, and no license is required.

Among the derbies on tap next weekend (listed by the state-required sponsoring organization, which may or may not be the same as the publicized name of the derby):

. The Donald Roy derby, to be held at Field’s Pond in Orrington on Feb. 15.

. The Boothbay Region Fish & Game derby, statewide, Feb. 15.

. The K-9’s for Kids derby, at Pleasant Lake in Stetson, Feb. 15.

. The Phillps Elmet Corp. Fishing Derby, at Sabattus Pond, Sabattus, on Feb. 15.

. The Sanford/Springfield Fish & Game derby, at Number One Pond in Sanford, Feb. 15.

. The Deeper Life Assembly of God derby, at Great Moose Pond in Hartland on Feb. 15.

. The Sons of American Legion derby on all legal lakes and ponds in Waldo County, Feb. 15.

. The Damariscotta Police Department Benevolent Association derby, statewide, Feb. 15-16.

. The Milo Fire Department derby, on Schoodic, Seboeis, and Ebeemee lakes, Feb. 15-16.

. The Maine Elks Association derby on Wilson Lake in Wilton, Feb. 16.

. The Co-B Enlisted Club derby at Mousam Lake in Shapleigh, Feb. 16.

. The Calais Rod & Gun Club derby at Round Pond in Charlotte, Feb. 16.

. The Belgrade Lions Club derby, statewide, Feb. 16.

. The FET derby at Little Ossipee Lake in Waterboro, Feb. 16.

. The Island Falls Winterfest derby on Pleasant Lake and Mattawamkeag Lake, Feb. 16.

Moose permit lottery open

Maybe you weren’t lucky earlier this week, when the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife announced the names of 12,000 hunters who’ll get to bag a turkey this spring.

Don’t despair. There’s another lottery for you.

Hunters interested in participating in the fall moose hunt can sign up for that drawing on line at the DIF&W Web site: www.mefishwildlife.com.

The deadline for entry in the popular lottery is April 1, and the drawing will be held in mid-June.

If you’re new to the Internet, this might be the time to try your hand at online registration.

DIF&W media coordinator Mark Latti reminds folks that by choosing to sign up online, prospective hunters are helping the department save time (and money). Compiling lists of names and entering data by hand off paper applications takes plenty of time.

Give the department a break, if you can. Register online. It’s simple … fast … and you don’t even have to buy a stamp.

Hooked on Fishing Day set

Adults looking to introduce a child to the joys of fishing may want to consider taking a youngster to the annual Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs outing scheduled for Feb. 15.

The outing, which will be held at the new Maine Youth Fish and Game Association clubhouse on Pickerel Pond (just outside Milford), promises to be a fun-filled day.

Sponsored by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and financially supported by Dead River Oil Co., the daylong event offers children an easy way to find out how much fun fishing can be.

All equipment and bait is provided, and no license is needed.

A smile and a warm pair of mittens are mandatory, however.

To submit an item for publication in the Outdoor Notebook, send e-mail to jholyoke@bangordailynews.net, fax to 990-8092, or mail information to Outdoor Notebook, Bangor Daily News, PO Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402-1329.