Choosing loon license plates aids state programs

Ever since it was introduced in 1994, the state’s loon license plate has been hailed as a way to help protect Maine’s endangered species and to aid state parks.

Now state wildlife officials are urging Mainers to consider choosing a loon plate when they register an automobile.

The loon plate’s popularity peaked in 1998, when 110,000 plates were sold.

When the general-issue chickadee plate was introduced, sales of the loon plate plummeted by nearly 20 percent over a two-year span.

The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife says other popular plates, including a revamped lobster plate and a University of Maine plate, have also cut into loon plate sales. In 2002, only 79,704 loon plates were sold, the lowest number since their inaugural year.

When registering a car, motorists have an option of purchasing a loon plate for $20, then renewing at their option for $15 each subsequent year.

Of that money, $8.40 goes to the Department of Conservation and $5.60 is earmarked for the DIFW. The DIFW’s share is dedicated to its nongame and endangered wildlife fund.

Ancient Ones plan rendezvous

The Ancient Ones, a group of historical re-enactors who portray various time frames of pre-1840 life in the U.S., are heading to Canton this weekend for the annual spring rendezvous.

All re-enactors are welcome to attend, and the event is open to the public for demos, visiting and shopping at “period correct” vendors.

The Ancient Ones site is off Route 140 in Canton on the LaPlant Road.

Union youth fishing event set

A youth fishing event will be held at Ayer Park in Union on May 23 in memory of Mike Sabins.

The fishing day is a kickoff for the Mike Sabins Memorial Youth Fish and Game organization. In response to the death of their son, Mike, Scot and Mary Sabins are organizing a group focused on teaching Maine kids about their outdoor heritage.

The event, which is sanctioned by the Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs program, will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ayer Park on Route 235.

Refreshments will be available. Children will receive a certificate of participation, and are encouraged to attend the event with an adult.

For more information or to offer your help, call Scot or Mary at 785-4076.

Cobbossee Longrifles plan shoot

The Cobbossee Longrifles wil hold a black-powder shoot on May 23 at the West Gardiner Rod & Gun Club.

The shoot begins at 9:30 a.m. at the club, which is on the Collins Mill Road.

For more information contact Norman Kelting at 622-3529 or normandi@prexar.com.

Blue Hill cowboy shoot on tap

The Blue Hill Regulators, a cowboy action shooting group from the Blue Hill Rifle and Pistol Club, will begin its sixth season with a shoot on June 5.

The sport involves shooting revolvers, rifles and shotguns of the Old West era at steel targets while being timed. The order in which they are shot is based on scenarios out of an old cowboy movie.

The shoot will begin with a mandatory safety meeting at 8:30 a.m. Lunch will be available. For more information call Chris at 584-3000 or Dan at 667-3586.

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.