Moose hunters get shot at zone swap SAM offering online service to participants who prefer different site

If you’re among the lucky sports who won a moose permit in Thursday’s lottery, congratulations. And if you didn’t end up with a permit for your preferred zone, don’t give up hope for your dream hunt.

The Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine will once again host an online informational database for those wishing to swap their moose permits for a different zone.

The online swapping system lists hunters who want to swap their hunting zones so that others can contact them to arrange the swap.

Hunters can sign up on SAM’s Web site (www.samecef.org) and for $5 can list their name, phone number, e-mail address, the type of permit they have (bull or antlerless), the zone they have, and the zone they want.

Participants can sign up via phone at 622-5503 with a credit card or they can mail a check for $5 to SAM, 205 Church Hill Road, Augusta, 04330.

Once a hunter finds a potential swap online they can contact the other hunter directly and arrange the switch. After the match is made, the two hunters contact the Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife with their information and the DIF&W makes the swap and sends each hunter a new permit.

After the swap is made, hunters are asked to call the SAM office to have their name removed from the online database.

Baxter programs on tap

The staff at Baxter State Park has a busy schedule of events planned in the weeks ahead, including several programs designed for kids.

Among the upcoming events:

. On June 17, “Learning to Fly” will be offered at the Daicey Pond library at 10 a.m. The program will explore the life cycle of birds, from nesting to migration.

The program will look at birds in the park and each participant will make a set of wings to take home with them.

. On June 24, “Nature Journals with Leaf Rubbings” will be offered at South Branch Pond at 10 a.m.

Since visitors can’t take different animals home with them when they leave the park, staffers will show kids how to draw those animals and record them in a nature journal. A short nature hike and leaf rubbings will also take place.

. On July 1, “Carnivorous Plants” will be explored at the Cranberry Pond trailhead at 10 a.m. Kids will learn about bug-eating plants that exist in Baxter State Park. They’ll learn how the plants work and take a short hike to where they live.

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