Editor’s note: The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife biologists compile outdoor reports each week. Full reports of all regions are available at www.state.me.us/ifw/hunt/weeklyreport.htm

Penobscot Region

The last weekend of regular firearms season on deer continued unseasonably mild. Flowages and small ponds are still ice free, with no frost staying in the ground yet. No snow yet in most of the region, although the top of Mt. Katahdin is wearing a white mantle. Later in the week, according to forecasters, northern Maine and the higher elevations may receive some snowfall benefiting the muzzle hunter.

Many opportunities for hunting continue as a counterpoint to crowds at the shopping malls. Taking a young person for a hunt or walk in the woods, exploring the changing season, seeing how different the woods and fields are compared to summer and early fall makes a good alternative to cruising the malls. Generally, the walking is easy, (no deep snows yet), visibility is good, (no leaves), and the temperatures are comfortable to be hunting/hiking in.

Hunting opportunity remains for the deer hunters who still have not bagged their deer, after purchasing the necessary muzzle- hunting stamp, they can pick up their muzzle loaders and pursue white-tail deer for one or two weeks yet, depending on the WMD. Check the law book for rules and regulations concerning muzzle hunting of deer.

Partridge hunting is also still open, and I have seen some birds while deer hunting. Early December can provide some great times hunting these tasty birds. Partridge may be found adjacent to softwood cover in association with wet areas having a mixture of poplar and other hardwoods nearby. Don’t forget to check some of the regular covers as you may find birds there as well.

Snowshoe hare hunting is open, and earlier in the fall I had many reports of good numbers of hare being observed.

Beaver trapping opens Saturday in much of the region. A forecast of heavy rain for late week may make trap setup difficult. Trappers desiring locations of regional nuisance beaver sites, please contact our office.

Regulated trapping provides an important management tool for beaver and other fur-bearers. Landowners with nuisance beaver are generally very happy getting to know their local trapper. Landowners who currently have beaver on their property, that are concerned with potential problems, should also contact their local trapper, as this is the best time and tool for dealing with these animals. If you are unaware of your local trapper, please contact the regional office or your district warden for names. With beaver occupying much of the available habitat, live trapping and relocating during the spring and summer is not an effective management tool, partly because these animals can become nuisances at the release sites or move long distances and develop a new problem site.

Only approximately 2,000 trappers are active in the state, and the important wildlife population management function these individuals do is greatly appreciated by the regional staff. Nuisance beaver (and other wildlife), can and do, occupy a lot of regional man hours.

– Buster Carter, assistant regional biologist