Public hearing on coyote-snaring program Tuesday

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Coyote snaring is getting a lot of publicity lately, and concerned parties on both sides of the issue will head to Augusta on Tuesday for a public hearing.

Discussion at the hearing will revolve around LD 237, a bill which would prohibit coyote snaring and eliminate the state’s coyote-snaring program.

Proponents of the snaring program say the practice is necessary and will help the deer herd recover in areas where coyote predation is a severe concern.

Proponents in Washington County say the snaring program has paid dividends already, and the program’s elimination would be devastating to the deer herd.

Opponents, including Maine Audubon, say that snaring coyotes is indiscriminate, and that nontarget species including bald eagles, bobcats, deer, and snowshoe hares have been found in snares. Maine Audubon is also concerned about Canada lynx, a federally listed threatened species which could come in contact with snares.

The hearing in front of the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee begins at 2:45 p.m. in Room 206 of the Cross State office building.

Derby time continues

With all of our lakes enjoying a thick blanket of February ice, many people are making plans to enter one of several ice fishing derbies on tap.

If you’re interested, here are the derbies planned for next weekend (Note: derbies are listed by the sponsoring organization, which may be different than the publicized name):

. The American Legion Post 116 derby, March 1, on Hebron Lake in Monson.

. The Sabattus Mountaineers Snowmobile Club derby, March 1-2 on Sabattus Pond in Sabattus.

. The Western Maine Fish & Game derby, March 1-2, statewide.

. The Moosehead Lake Vacation and Sportsman’s derby, March 1-8, Moosehead Lake in Rockwood and Greenville.

. Western Maine Hooked on Fishing/Peru DARE derby, March 2, Worthley Pond in Peru.

. The Lubec Lions Club Derby, March 2, Gardner Lake in East Machias.

Jefferson drag race set

For folks who missed out on the Jefferson/Nobleboro Sno-Packers’ big event a couple weeks ago, there’s good news.

Due to the popularity of the drag races, the club will hold another day of racing on Sunday, March 2.

According to club secretary and events coordinator Cheryl Weeks, club members figured that since the ice doesn’t seem to be going anywhere … and the reaction had been so positive … they’d give the event another go.

“The conditions on the lake have been wonderful this year, especially for this area, being so close to the coast,” Weeks said, pointing out that club members have told her they’ve measured 30 inches of ice on the lake recently.

The drag races will take place at Damariscotta State Park in Jefferson, with registration tables open from 7:30-9 a.m.

The registration fee is $5, with an additional $15 fee assessed per racing class entered.

Weeks said the races are on a 660-foot track, and 20 different classes will be contested.

Among those are a junior class and a class for mini sleds – Weeks’ personal favorite.

“It’s just so funny seeing those little kids going down that track,” she said.

For more information e-mail caweeks@prexar.com.

Augusta Boat Show set

Anglers and pleasure-boaters alike will be able to find exactly what they’re looking for … or dream a little … at the 27th annual Augusta Boat Show.

The show, March 7-9, will be held at the Augusta Civic Center.

A highlight this year is the return of a sailboat – a 27-foot Hunter – to the show. According to organizers, past shows have focused more on motor craft and it has been a number of years since sailboats were displayed.

More than 100 boats will be on display, and the show will feature other products related to the marine industry, including personal watercraft, docks, ramp ways, and fishing gear. A discount marine show is also planned at the event.

The show’s hours: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday.

Safari Club auction scheduled

Safari Club International’s local chapter will be holding its annual fundraiser on March 8 at the Holiday Inn Bayside in Portland.

More than $150,000 worth of donated equipment and expeditions will be auctioned off to raise money for the Maine Conservation School.

Exhibits open at 2 p.m. and dinner is from 6-7 p.m. The auction will run from 7-11 p.m.

For more information, call Dave Sowerby at 363-4088.

Ancient Ones plan event

The Ancient Ones Living History Club is planning its seventh annual Black Powder/History Outdoor Sports Show, which will be held on March 29-30 at the American Legion Hall in Augusta.

Demonstrations include knife and tomahawk throwing, fire-starting with flint and steel, and flint napping.

Black powder gun makers will have exhibits at the show, and guns will be available for show and trade.

For more information, call Ray Hamilton at 987-5058 or David Bryant at 293-2437.

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, Maine, 04402-1329.