Maine’s wild deer herds show no signs of Chronic Wasting Disease, according to the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

In a cooperative venture, biologists from the DIF&W and animal health officials from the Maine Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture checked 810 brain tissue samples from deer harvested throughout Maine during the 2003 hunting season.

The tissue samples were sent to a federally-approved lab at the University of Connecticut for testing.

This is the third year that Maine has tested for CWD in whitetail deer, and each year all samples have tested negative for the disease.

CWD is a fatal brain-wasting disease in deer that has been found in deer herds in several western states and in some Canadian provinces.

Nationally, there are 46 states that have whitetail deer, and 27 states which are sampling and testing for CWD.

IWLA campsite cleanup today

The Izaak Walton League of America’s Maine Chapter has organized an opportunity for Mainers to give back to the wilderness “communities” they enjoy visiting.

Individuals, families, and organizations will work together today to clean up and restore many of the remote, unsupervised – and often privately owned – campsites, scenic locations, and water access points in the state.

These sites are available to the public free of charge, and many campers and outdoors enthusiasts take advantage of them each year.

“Campsite Clean-up Day is one way we can give something back to private landowners who allow public use of their property,” said Dave Lovejoy, vice president of the IWLA’s Maine Chapter.

Insect repellents can bug fish

Anglers looking to avoid turning into bait for blood-thirsty insects often reach for their insect repellent frequently during a day of fishing.

In the DIF&W’s weekly fishing report, fisheries biologist Robert Van-Riper offers some advice on the topic.

“Care is necessary when using repellents,” Van-Riper wrote. “Most ‘bug dopes’ have either oil of citronella or DEET as their active ingredient. While both work to a degree, it must be recalled that they are called repellents for a reason. Just as they repel bugs, they will just as quickly do the same to fish.

“Fish have an adept sense of smell and will avoid lures and baits that have been exposed to the chemicals,” Van-Riper wrote. “Remember to wash your hands thoroughly after applying repellent. In fact, wash them twice; the first time with soap and water, the second with just water to remove any leftover soap or chemical. You may [be] more ‘bug bit’ on the hands, but that will mean very little when you have that fish on the line.”

Youth fly fishing day set

The Sunkhaze Stream Chapter of Trout Unlimited is hosting its second annual youth fly fishing day today, with a variety of activities on tap.

TU’s Youth Day, which is being held at Maine’s Youth Fish and Game Association at Pickerel Pond outside of Milford, will give kids a chance to learn all they need to know to get started fly fishing.

The best part: The entire day’s event is free.

A fly rod giveaway is planned, and fly tying, fly casting, and entomology lessons will be offered from 9 a.m.-noon.

Lunch will be served from noon to 1 p.m., and fishing will take place from 1-3 p.m. Equipment will be provided.

Registration for the event begins at 8:30 a.m. at the clubhouse, which is on the Stud Mill Road.

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.