According to the national press, hunters are becoming increasingly scarce. So are anglers. In fact, according to an Associated Press story that circulated earlier this week, the yearly decrease of hunters is causing financial woes in state wildlife departments across the country.

Even here, in Maine, things the trend is evident. Right?

Not so fast.

According to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, the state’s outdoor traditions are still healthy, thank you. And in a news release sent out Tuesday, the DIF&W said Maine is bucking the national trend.

Back in 1996, the DIF&W points out, Maine sold 267,158 fishing licenses. In 2006, that number actually increased by nearly 5 percent to 279,262.

Earlier this year, the DIF&W did point out the number of prospective hunters who enter the yearly moose permit lottery continues to drop. Resident applications have dropped 26 percent since 2001, and nonresidents have decreased by 16 percent over the same span, according to the AP.

But the DIF&W says that downward spiral doesn’t translate across the hunting spectrum.

Maine had 210,183 licensed hunters in 1996, and 10 years later the number had only slipped to 209,165 – one-half of one percent.

Over that same time frame, the sale of hunting and fishing licenses had decreased 15 percent nationwide.

The DIF&W attributed the state’s track record in retaining and recruiting outdoors enthusiasts to the success of programs that target prospective hunters and anglers, as well as the state’s abundant wilderness.

“Maine’s natural resources are unmatched in the northeast and Atlantic states. We have millions of acres of unposted, huntable land, and hundreds of wild brook trout ponds,” Roland D. Martin, the DIF&W commissioner, said in the release. “No other state is even close.”

Over the past decade the state has also taken the lead to offer special opportunities to youngsters, giving junior hunters permission to hunt on “youth” days before regular firearms hunting seasons on deer, waterfowl and turkeys. Free fishing weekends are also offered, for adults as well as junior anglers.

From this vantage point, another point in Maine’s favor is the relatively low cost of a license to enjoy a variety of outdoor pursuits.

Consider how many hours of enjoyment can be had for the price of a single adult hunting and fishing combination license.

For just $38 (plus agent fees), I figure that’s a pretty low hourly rate for a privilege that helps us enjoy the great outdoors.

Shooting sports day a hit

On Saturday I headed to Hampden and Hermon for an introduction to shooting sports offered by the Penobscot County Conservation Association.

Funded by a grant from the National Rifle Association Foundation, the day’s events gave interested folks a chance to try their hand at a variety of shooting disciplines.

Over at the Hampden Rifle & Pistol Club, instructors took us to the high-power rifle range, led us inside for indoor rifle and pistol shooting, and showed us the ropes in outdoor action pistol and cowboy action pistol events.

Then, after a free lunch, my group headed over to the Hermon Skeet Club for a full afternoon of shooting skeet, sporting clays and trap.

The coaches at each venue were knowledgeable and kind (even when some of us had trouble hitting those pesky clay pigeons), and by the time the day was over, I’m certain each of the participants had learned plenty.

More importantly, I’m equally sure most of us had formulated plans to get more involved in one or more of the disciplines in the future.

For me, the most intriguing shooting came at Hermon Skeet Club, where a couple of things became apparent.

First, shooting better isn’t rocket science … if you know what you’re supposed to be focusing on.

And second, after a few hours of practice, it was easy to imagine ways to put that newfound knowledge to work … like following a bird dog through a thick cover.

In all, more than 50 of us participated in the day of shooting, which I hope turns into a yearly event.

Thanks to everyone who helped, and to everyone who didn’t laugh when some of us struggled to shoot as straight as we’d planned.

Gun show on tap

Speaking of shooting sports, if you’re a firearms enthusiast (or are just looking for a good deal on a hunting rifle) the 30th annual Bangor Gun Show will be held at the Bangor Auditorium this weekend.

The show’s hours: 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Sunday.

Admission is $6, or $5 for NRA members, law enforcement officers and military personnel, but children under 12 get in free with an adult.

And if you choose to join the NRA at the show, they’ll let you in for free.

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