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AUGUSTA, Maine – The commissioner^s Advisory Council today approved new rules for the 2001 moose season, and also approved season dates and bag limits for ducks, geese and other migratory game birds in their monthly meeting at the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife headquarters in Augusta.
The new rules pertaining to the 2001 moose season includes a one-week hunt during the second week of October in southwestern and central wildlife management districts; and a split season, one week in late September and the second week in October for northern and eastern districts. Just how many any-moose and cow permits are issued will be determined after this fall^s moose hunt, when the most recent information regarding the size and health of the moose herd is reviewed. The rules also repeal the old moose hunting zones, and assign moose hunting permits into the department^s wildlife management districts which are used in managing other hunting seasons.
The new rule would keep the same season length in areas such as Greenville, increase hunting season length downeast where huntable acreage is expanding, and provide an opportunity to increase antlerless permits in order to stabilize the herd in areas where there is a high frequency of moose vehicle accidents such as in the Route 11 and 201 corridors. It also spreads hunters out more season and reduces potential conflicts with other moose, bear and grouse hunters, anglers, and tourists. It allows the department to permit fewer people in the woods at one time, reducing crowding and increasing the quality and safety of the hunt.
The new rules were accepted following considerable public input over the past year. In that time period, the department convened a public working group comprised of 24 individuals that met many times over the period of several months. This group devised an initial recommendation for the public. This recommendation was unanimously endorsed by the Legislative Fish and Wildlife Committee in early February and then discussed at nine public information meetings throughout the state. Public input from these meetings resulted in revisions that were incorporated into the just passed rule. The rule was also reviewed at four public hearings around the state and by a public comment period.
The council also approved the following framework for hunting ducks, geese and other migratory game birds this year in Maine:
1) Ducks (except Black Ducks):
NORTH ZONE: October 2 through December 2, 2000
SOUTH ZONE: October 2 through October 14, 2000
November 6 through December 23, 2000
Black Duck Season:
NORTH ZONE: October 7 through December 2, 2000
SOUTH ZONE: October 7 through October 14, 2000
November 6 through December 23, 2000
Daily Limit - 4; Possession Limit - 8 with the following exceptions:
a. From October 2 - 6, NO BLACK DUCKS MAY BE TAKEN.
b. Closed season for Harlequin ducks.
c. Daily limit 1; possession limit 2 for black ducks, pintail, canvasback, mottled ducks and fulvous tree ducks.
d. Daily limit 2, possession limit 4 for hen mallard, wood ducks and redhead ducks.
e. In addition to the daily limit of 4, two (2) additional teal may be taken per day (either blue-winged teal or green-winged teal). NOTE: A possession limit of 12 is permitted providing that it includes 4 or more teal.
2) Mergansers and American coots: SEASON SAME AS DUCKS.
Daily limit 5; possession limit 10 with the following exceptions:
a. Hooded mergansers: daily limit 1, possession limit 2.
b. American coots: Daily limit 15, possession limit 30.
3) Canada Geese (Special Early Season): September 5 - September 25, 2000.
Daily limit 3; possession limit 6.
Regular Goose Season
NORTH ZONE: October 2 - November 16, 2000
SOUTH ZONE: October 2 - October 14
November 6 - December 7, 2000
Daily limit: 2; possession limit: 4
4) Snow Geese: October 2, 2000 - January 31, 2001. Daily limit 15; no possession limit.
5) Brant: October 2 - November 28, 2000. Daily limit 2; possession limit 4.
6) Special Falconry Season: In addition to the regular migratory bird season on ducks, mergansers, American coots:
NORTH ZONE: Dec. 4, 2000 - Feb. 1, 2001
SOUTH ZONE: Dec. 30, 2000 - February 28, 2001
Falconry season daily bag and possession limits for all permitted migratory game birds shall not exceed 3 and 6 birds respectively, singly or in the aggregate.
7) Sea Ducks: (scoter, eider, old squaw): Oct. 2, 2000 - Jan. 20, 2001. Daily limit 7; possession limit 14 with following exceptions: Scoter (Sea Coot): daily limit 4; possession limit 8. Common Eider: daily limit 5; possession limit 10.
8) Woodcock: Oct. 6 - Nov. 4, 2000. Daily limit 3; possession limit 6.
9) YOUTH WATERFOWL HUNT: September 23, 2000. Bag limits as above except that youth hunters may take 1 black duck. Special regulations will apply to youth and accompanying adult.
The Advisory Council consists of ten members representing the 16 counties of the state. The Advisory Council works with the Commissioner to provide information and advice concerning the administration of the department, and to review all rules being proposed by the Commissioner and determine if the Commissioner should adopt them. Rules cannot be adopted by the Commissioner without the consent (majority vote) of the council.
In addition to regular and special meetings, council members are expected to attend public hearings on pending rules, as well as sponsoring public forums to gather input regarding timely issues relating to inland fisheries and wildlife management and the use of these resources. Council members are encouraged to attend local fish and game club meetings, other conservation related events, and exhibits and events sponsored by the department.
Uploaded: 8/27/2000
Uploaded: 8/27/2000