In Friday’s editions of this paper, you may have read about the Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife’s plan to make budget cuts in response to a directive by Gov. John Baldacci.

You didn’t see my name on any ballots during the recent election, but here’s one citizen’s suggestion to the governor: Step away from the hatchet. Get out a paring knife. And let the DIF&W be.

At the very least, let the DIF&W be to whatever extent you can, given the state’s economic woes.

I understand the state needs to make cuts.

I understand that every agency ought to do its part.

And I also understand that the DIF&W has been underfunded for years, and making the cuts that are being suggested would rip the guts out of an agency that is already one of the state’s most self-sufficient.

When the DIF&W looks in its wallet for cash, it doesn’t find a pile of money that came from the state’s taxpayers via the General Fund.

Instead, the bulk of the operating budget of the DIF&W comes from licenses and fees it levies on outdoor enthusiasts who fish, hunt, trap, boat or ride their ATVs.

The governor wants a rundown on how the DIF&W will cut its entire budget by 10 percent.

That’s the hatchet.

What he ought to be asking for is a 10 percent cut on that portion that actually comes from the General Fund, which would be a reduction of about $275,000.

The rest of the cash was paid into state coffers by outdoorsmen and women who have been told for years that their rising license fees were working for them by funding valuable DIF&W programs.

That hasn’t stopped the administration from asking for 10 percent of the whole budget, which amounts to $2.8 million and $3.2 million during the next two budget years.

Let’s look at a few cost-saving moves that the DIF&W has proposed, in order to reach the desired level of cuts.

This isn’t trimming. This is lopping.

. The warden service would lose 10 positions.

At times over the past year the state severely curtailed how many miles wardens are allowed to travel.

Now we want to institute a plan whereby fewer of those immobile wardens are available to respond to a variety of far-flung complaints?

Yikes.

. The Grand Lake Stream Fish Hatchery would be shut down.

For the past 130 years, the hatchery has provided fish for some of the most famous Down East waters, including Grand Lake Stream and West Grand Lake.

The facility is a key component of a tiny village that exists largely due to its role as a fishing destination.

And we want to close it.

The hatchery in Grand Lake Stream is a Maine institution. It ought to be a shrine. Or a museum. Or at the very least, it ought to be appreciated enough to pump needed money into the place so that its wastewater treatment operation can be brought up to snuff.

Close it?

We ought to be ashamed.

. The position of deputy commissioner would be eliminated.

I’ve dealt with a few deputy commissioners over the years, and though I’m not a fan of burdensome bureaucracies, I’ve come to appreciate the role the person in that position plays.

Past deputy commissioners have been productive and helpful, but the current deputy, Paul Jacques, symbolizes what the position can be, and what it often is. In many ways, he has become the face of the agency.

Some folks will shudder to hear that. You’ve got to realize that Jacques is often loud and sometimes abrasive.

But there’s no doubt in my mind that every day he goes to work, Jacques is working his tail off for the sportsmen of Maine.

Go to the moose lottery and Jacques is there. Go to a sportsman’s forum and Jacques is there. Need an answer to a tough question, or want to know why a certain hunting law exists? Call Jacques. He’ll tell you what he thinks, whether you like the answer or not.

He keeps busy. He works hard. He gets results.

Call me crazy, but it sounds like just the kind of guy they’ll need in the DIF&W if the governor keeps swinging his hatchet in the agency’s direction.

Ready for a challenge?

So you think you’re in shape. Your resting heart rate is lower than low. You’re tough. You’ve got endurance. You need a challenge.

Well, I’ve got one for you.

Before I tell you more, let me assure you that I will not be joining you in this endeavor. Not this year. Not next year. Not ever.

As Mr. Eastwood once said, a man’s got to know his limitations. And I’m quite certain that the event that Sugarloaf officials have planned for Dec. 27 is well beyond mine.

According to a Sugarloaf press release, skiers will gather two days after Christmas to compete in an event that turns traditional skiing upside-down.

They call it a “randonee” race, and have named theirs the “Holiday Hill Climb.”

Whatever its label, I call it torture. But that’s just me.

Of course, if you’re in good enough shape, you might just enjoy it.

Also known as “Alpine touring,” randonee racing requires participants to ascend a mountain using specialized bindings and “skins” that allow the skis to grip the snow during the climb, according to the news release.

Sugarloaf is the only resort in Maine to host a United States Ski Mountaineering Association race this year.

Competitors will gather at the bottom of the SuperQuad chairlift and race up the mountain to Bullwinkle’s restaurant.

Did I mention they’ll do this at 4:30 p.m. … in the dark?

The course is about a mile long and ascends 1,200 vertical feet.

Complete the course and you can adjourn to the Sugarloaf Inn for a pasta dinner and awards presentation.

Racers will be allowed to use randonee, telemark or Nordic equipment. There’ll even be a separate snowshoe division.

According to the news release, randonee skiing is typically practiced in backcountry areas where modern lifts don’t exist. In recent years, the sport has increased in popularity at resorts.

“Ski mountaineering or randonee skiing has its roots in the European Alps, but it’s growing fast here in the states,” said Nina Silitch, Holiday Hill Climb organizer and member of the U.S. Ski Mountaineering Team, in the news release. “Night rando races are fun events that bring folks together on the slopes and then after at the post-race meal. Sugarloaf is the perfect place to host this kind of event and kick off the New England series.”

Silitch went on to say that Pete Swenson, the U.S. Ski Mountaineering coach, will hold a randonee clinic on race day from 10 a.m. until noon.

Register early and you’ll be able to try out some demo equipment.

“In this race, we hope to help spread the word about this up-and-coming sport and encourage all levels, especially newcomers, to come and give it a try,” Silitch said in the release. “The clinic will give them a chance to learn about what equipment is needed and how to use it.”

If you miss the holiday race, you can rest easy: Sugarloaf will hold another one in the springtime, so you’ve got plenty of time to get in better shape.

Fly-tying symposium on tap

If you’re a fly-tying enthusiast, or have thought you might enjoy taking up the hobby, this is your lucky weekend.

The Penobscot Fly Fishers will hold their annual Fly Fishing Symposium at the Brewer Auditorium on Sunday, and the public is invited to stop by, enjoy a few snacks and chat with some veteran tiers.

The event runs from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., and as is often the case when the Penobscot Fly Fishers hold one of their shindigs, admission is free.

That’s right. Free.

The event is part demonstration, part social event, and although some tiers will have items for sale at their booths, the focus of the event is tying.

That means you can stop by and watch Dan Legere of the Maine Guide Fly Shop tie some of his beautiful presentation streamers.

You can “ooh” and “ah” as Ed Muzeroll turns feathers and thread into an elegant Atlantic salmon fly that looks more like a work of art than a fishing tool.

Alvin Theriault, the inventor of the “maple syrup” fly, will be on hand, as will 24 top-notch tiers and teachers.

If you’re looking for a new vise, or tying tools, or materials, this may be the place for you, too – the tiers will surely have a few surprises up their sleeves, and you can ask all the questions you want.

I’ve attended the event in the past, and I can tell you that the Penobscot Fly Fishers are among the friendliest bunch you’ll ever find.

And who knows? You might even meet a new fishing buddy or two … or decide to join the club yourself.

jholyoke@bangordailynews.net

990-8214