Out and About: If your favorite winter pastime is waiting for a flag to fly above an ice-fishing trap, then you might as well put your power auger to work where you could snag a prize as well as a fish. That possibility will present itself on Saturday when the Maine Air National Guard and Maine Distributors co-sponsor the fifth annual Bud Light Fishing Derby.

Again, headquarters and weigh-in station will be at Violette’s Landing on Green Lake. According to derby regulations, baits go under the ice at 6 a.m. and come out at 5 p.m. The fishing grounds include all Hancock County waters open to ice fishing.

The throng of frozen-water fishermen who turn out for this popular winter event will take their chances in four divisions of competition: togue, brook trout, salmon, and pickerel. First, second, and third place prizes will be awarded in each division. Also, there will be a bonus prize for the largest brown trout. The brown trout category was added last year. Any fish registered in the derby automatically qualifies the fisherman for the Luckiest Fish Sweepstakes drawing.

If you’d like to support the Air Guard’s Maineiacs Charities but wouldn’t like to spend a day clearing holes and checking baits, you could participate in the Shore Drawing. This year’s prizes include a Ski-Doo snowmobile, a pack basket and ice traps, and two pair of Sorel boots. You don’t have to participate in the fishing competition to be eligible for Shore Drawing prizes, and winners aren’t required to be present at the drawing.

Last year, the Bud Light Derby iced $6,410 for the Maineiacs’ Charities. The proceeds support a variety of programs, including Down East Big Brothers and Sisters and Operation Liftoff.

Tickets for the derby are available at area sports shops and stores.

The huge turnout of bowhunters and archers at a recent Brewer City Council public hearing was encouraging to say the least. The hearing was held in regard to a proposal that would ban the use of bows and arrows within Brewer’s city limits. Because of the overwhelming opposition to it, the proposal was withdrawn.

The response of sportsmen and women to the hearing was a clear indication of what unity and visibility will accomplish in protecting our rights and privileges as gun owners, hunters, fishermen, trappers, etc. Also, recent letters appearing in this newspaper’s “Letters to the Editor” section indicate that Maine sportsmen, particularly hunters, are becoming fed up with the derogatory and inflammatory ridicule and criticism of antihunters. It’s about time.

To protect the grand tradition and heritage of hunting in this state sportsmen must be as active and vocal as the people who would abolish the sport. Exercise your right to express your views and opinions and to defend your privileges as responsible sportsmen.

A bill (LD 589) presented to the Legislature by Rep. Jacques of Waterville would establish the Class B crime of hunting homicide. The bill reads: “A person commits hunting homicide if that person, while hunting, discharges a firearm without identifying the target at which the person is shooting and a person dies as a result of being shot. A Class B crime is punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 or imprisonment not to exceed 10 years, or both.”

Without hesitation, I would support Rep. Jacques’ bill. Surely, it would result in higher levels of hunter conscientiousness and responsiblity. Also, it would result in convictions in the courts and, therefore, the quieting of derisions such as: “If you want to shoot someone and get away with it, take them hunting.”

I’d be a bit shy, however, of another bill (LD 90) that would prohibit hunting from an accepted road. If enacted, that could place unreasonable restrictions on hunting in many areas of the state. An accepted road is a state, county, or town road that is under the control of the state, county, or municipal authorities and maintained at public expense. Currently, Maine hunting regulations prohibit hunting from a paved way. The bill was presented by Rep. Merrill of Dover-Foxcroft.

If your L.L. Bean Double L fly rod becomes broken or damaged for any reason while on a fishing trip next spring, it can be replaced overnight – free of charge.

Through an arrangement with Federal Express, L.L. Bean will ship customers a replacement Double L Series rod via next-day service to any location in the lower 48 states. There’s little doubt that the unique arrangemenadditional peace of mind to fishermen traveling to distant fishing grounds.

Purchasers of Double L fly rods will receive a card similar in size and appearance to a credit card. It can be carried in a fishing vest, wallet, or tackle bag. The card contains the necessary information and a toll-free number to dial for an overnight replacement.