Outdoors news aids seasonal transition

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While the regular firearms season on deer has been over for a couple of weeks, and we’re still waiting for a bit of snow and ice to kick off our winter season, that doesn’t mean there hasn’t been plenty of outdoorsy goings on.

In fact, it has been hard to open an e-mail or answer a phone lately without hearing about newsworthy outdoors items.

Here then, are a few … along with comments.

. News item: A bald eagle was being cared for at a Freedom facility after being rescued from a coyote trap in the Androscoggin County town of Leeds.

The key words in the previous passage: Coyote trap.

As you may recall, when Maine abandoned its controversial coyote-snaring program in 2003, the incidental take of lynx and bald eagles was cited as a reason animal rights groups were protesting the practice.

Add a lawsuit filed in October by another animal rights group, alleging that the state is not protecting eagles and lynx properly, and you’ve got the makings for yet another political firestorm.

. News item: A letter from an old friend brought me the story of Jake Wood, a student at Community High School in Fort Kent.

Wood went hunting with his father on Youth Deer Day, and successfully bagged a deer that weighed close to 300 pounds. The initial weight, on a non-certified scale, was 295, while a subsequent certified measurement set the official total at 283 pounds.

Either way, that’s a big deer, and congratulations are in order.

. News item: The American Hunters & Shooters Association, billed as an alternative to the powerful National Rifle Association, has formed.

The thought: The NRA is typically uncompromising, and those who have formed the AH&SA think there’s room for a middle-of-the-road advocate for gun owners, hunters and shooters.

In published reports, NRA director of public affairs Andrew Arulanandam offered the following nugget: “We have no gray area in our support for hunting.”

Neither, it seems, does the fledgling group. But they do differ in their stances toward some guns, including so-called “assault weapons.”

The NRA is powerful, no doubt about it. But the AH&SA points out building the trust of the millions of Americans who disagree with the NRA’s rigidity and don’t own guns is something that would aid hunters and shooters in the future.

The NRA is here to stay, and will continue to lobby effectively for gun owners.

But adding a second, more moderate voice – also the voice of folks who enjoy the shooting sports – can’t hurt.

. News item: Field & Stream magazine has unveiled a list of the top 25 fishing lodges in North America … and Maine is well-represented.

Checking in tied for second place are Weatherby’s in Grand Lake Stream and Wheaton’s Lodge in Forest City.

Weatherby’s, which is owned by Jeff McEvoy and his wife, Beth Rankin, has a rich history as “The Fisherman’s Resort.” A sporting lodge has existed on the site for more than 100 years.

Wheaton’s, a few miles away in Forest City on East Grand Lake, is owned by Dale and Jana Wheaton. Wheaton’s Lodge marked its 53rd year in business last summer.

This was the first year Field & Stream compiled the list, which was based on the experience and opinion of fishing editor John Merwin.

Congratulations to Weatherby’s and Wheaton’s Lodge, both of which truly qualify as legendary Maine sporting camps.

. News item: The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife will get the chance to give motorists an early heads-up on hunting and fishing matters thanks to a new radio broadcast.

When motorists cross into Maine from New Hampshire, they’ll be able to tune in to 1640 AM, Fish and Wildlife Outdoors Radio.

A large sign on the Maine Turnpike in the York-Kittery area will direct interested travelers to tune in to the station, where they’ll get timely information that can enhance their outdoor experience, the DIF&W says.

The project was the idea of Bill Pierce, the DIF&W’s marketing specialist.

Pierce is a tireless and enthusiastic worker for the department, and this is just the latest of his projects to get Maine’s wilderness options out to the public.

His work is largely done behind the scenes, but it’s nice to see him get credit for another huge coup for the department.

John Holyoke can be reached at jholyoke@bangordailynews.net or by calling 990-8214 or 1-800-310-8600.