DIFW set to create task force on deer

Warmer weather has arrived and second-session turkey hunters are getting up early to target their toms. Hopefully I’ll have a turkey tale or two to share later this week, but until then, it’s time to catch up on a number of news items that have poured in over the past week or so.

So grab your coffee as we go around the horn, with lots of news (and a bit of comment).

. News item: The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife has announced it will create a northern and eastern deer task force to study deer management and make recommendations for improvement.

Among the 10 task force members are top-notch present and past biologists, including current DIF&W deer specialist Lee Kantar and his predecessor, Gerry Lavigne. Also included in the group are representatives of landowner groups, Maine Audubon, the Maine Professional Guides Association, and the Maine Bowhunters Association.

There has been a lot of pressure from folks Down East and in Aroostook County to do something about the dwindling deer herd, and the DIF&W has listened.

Here’s hoping this task force is the first step in a productive process that can answer some questions and get the kind of results everyone wants.

. News item: The Maine Warden Service promoted one of its own last week when acting Lt. Doug Tibbetts took the job of overseeing the southern division on a permanent basis.

Tibbetts, who began his career as a game warden in Bridgewater back in 1970, subsequently transferred to the Corinna and Dexter area in 1985 and was also a sergeant in the Greenville area.

From this writer’s perspective, the choice is a natural, and well-deserved. Tibbetts not only has a top-notch reputation in the warden service, he has also earned the respect of the general public.

Many wardens serve their 20 years (or a bit more) and move on to another career, but Tibbetts has been serving as a steward of our fish and wildlife resources for 36 years.

And for a writer, a couple of the best things about dealing with Tibbetts is that he’s not only refreshingly blunt, but also a very funny man.

Tibbetts always has a story to tell – many of which end up poking fun at himself or his fellow wardens – and every conversation with him is a gem.

Hearty congratulations to Lt. Tibbetts.

News item: In last week’s DIF&W fisheries report, biologist Tim Obrey detailed a couple of proposals that would change the rules on two popular Moosehead region waters.

Obrey promised to write about other such changes in the weeks ahead, but in the limited space allotted he focused on just two waters: the East Outlet and West Outlet of the Kennebec River.

According to the preliminary plan, both would open to year-round fishing. East Outlet’s expanded season would include the portion of the river from Moosehead Lake to the tail of the popular Beach Pool, where catch-and-release fly fishing would be allowed from Nov. 1 until March 31. Other regulations would govern fishing done at other times of the year.

At West Outlet, during the expanded season (from Aug. 16 until March 31) rules would require the use of artificial lures, with a two-trout limit. All salmon would be released at once.

Increasing angler opportunity through extended seasons is a fantastic way to allow the fishing public to enjoy the resource on waters where stocked fish predominate.

Hats off to Obrey and his staff for their efforts.

. News item: The Merryspring Nature Center in Rockport is hosting a lecture and guided walk Friday that will be of interest to anyone with a passion for Maine’s wild greens.

The topic is foraging for wild edible plants, and one of the state’s delicacies – fiddleheads – will surely be discussed by lecturer Kerry Hardy.

Hardy will talk about traditional native American uses of the plants, many of which were prized for their medicinal value.

If a feed of steamed fiddleheads sounds tasty, consider this: Hardy will show you all kinds of other edibles – maybe dandelions or mustard greens – that you can find with just a bit of work.

The program will run from 4-6 p.m. and costs $5 for members, $10 for nonmembers. For more information, call 236-2239.

With ice nearly out all over the state, and black fly infestation surely just days away, a mess of fresh greens sounds like just the way to celebrate our Maine spring.

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