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Membership News - August 18, 2009

Protecting Guides & the Natural Resources
We Depend On for 30 Years -- 1979-2009

1. MPGA Meetings

• Board of Directors - Sunday, August 23, 2009 at 9:00 AM. Location is the Holiday Inn on Odlin Road in Bangor.
• Board of Directors - Sunday, October 18, 2009 at 9:00 AM. Location is the Holiday Inn on Odlin Road in Bangor.

Members are welcome to attend all Board meetings.

2. Public Hearing Notice

Attention Waterfowl Hunters
Submit Your Comments

• Public Hearing: Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. at the Augusta Civic Center, Kennebec/Penobscot Room, Community Drive, Augusta, ME
• Proposed Rules:  http://www.state.me.us/ifw/laws_rules/rulemaking_proposals.htm
• Deadline for Comments: August 19, 2009
• Agency Contact Person: Andrea L. Erskine
• Agency Name: Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
• Address: #41 SHS – 284 State Street, Augusta, ME 04333-0041
• E-Mail: andrea.erskine@maine.gov
• Telephone: (207) 287-5201
• FAX: (207) 287-6395

Concerns About Changing the Eider Bag Limit

The Maine Professional Guides Association has submitted comments in opposition to a rule change being proposed by IF&W that would reduce the daily bag limit on eider ducks for the upcoming waterfowl season. MPGA has requested that IF&W consider leaving the eider bag limit at 5 birds for the coming season, and when the 2009/10 waterfowl rules are published, announce their intent to work with all interested parties to develop a method for reducing the eider harvest beginning in 2010/11.

MPGA has a long history of supporting restrictions necessary to protect fish and wildlife from being over harvested. We are aware that IF&W has been carefully monitoring the eider situation for a number of years to determine if recent harvest levels are sustainable. Until a few days ago, however, we were not aware that a change was imminent.

Although we have not yet seen the supporting data, we don’t question IF&W biologists’ judgment as to whether a further reduction in the eider harvest is advisable. Our concern is about a 20% reduction in the eider bag limit just prior to the start of the hunting season.

Many Maine guides rely heavily on sea duck hunting in general, and eider hunting in particular, for a significant portion of their livelihood during late fall and early winter. For several years, Maine has offered a more liberal bag limit than other coastal states just to the south of us. This has given Maine guides a competitive edge in attracting duck hunting clients.

Maine guides, unaware that a limit reduction would be proposed, have been booking hunts on the assumption that the 7-bird bag limit would continue to allow up to 5 eiders. During these very tough economic times, guides are finding it increasingly difficult to entice hunters to come to Maine. Reducing the bag limit on eiders just prior to the start of the season will compound this problem.

Alternatives

While most guides will probably acknowledge that the eider harvest should be reduced, there may be other more acceptable methods of reducing the harvest than a smaller bag limit. At the very least, guides would like the opportunity to discuss various options with the Department before a final decision is made.

At this late date, there is not adequate time to consider possible alternatives for the upcoming season. Retaining the 5-bird bag limit on eiders for one additional year would have little impact on the eider population. However, a delay of one year would give the Department ample time to sit down with guides and other interested parties and try to reach common ground on the best way to meet the Department’s long-term management objectives for eiders.

Knowing a full year in advance that the eider hunting rules will be changed would be far more palatable to guides than being forced, at the last minute, to call their clients and inform them that they can no longer offer what they promised when the hunt was booked.

A healthy eider population is critical to MPGA members who offer guided sea duck hunts. These conservation-minded guides are committed to working cooperatively with IF&W in addressing concerns about recent harvest levels and feel very strongly that their input should be considered.

What You Can Do

• Send written comments! Written comments are often more effective than attending a public hearing and giving oral testimony, because the comments can also be emailed directly to Advisory Council members at their homes in advance of the day they have to make a final decision.
• Attend the Public Hearing. MPGA members that have an interest should attend the hearing if possible, but it is even more important that you submit your written testimony prior to the public hearing.

The rule-making process is a lot different for waterfowl than for other wildlife, because of the federal requirement that each state adopt waterfowl rules within a federal framework and by a certain date. Normally, after a public hearing there are several additional days for the public to submit written testimony - with waterfowl rules, the public hearing is held in the evening, and the Advisory Council votes on the rule the following morning. I'd certainly encourage

Advisory Council Members

The Advisory Council will review and vote on the rule proposal at 9:30 am on Thursday at the New Harbor Fire Station.

Council Members

• Representing: Androscoggin, Kennebec, and Sagadahoc Counties
  Cathy A. DeMerchant, 551 Nelson Road, Vassalboro, ME 04989; Home: (207) 923-3287; Email: cathjohn@fairpoint.net
• Representing: Cumberland County
  Richard Thurston, 11 Whistler Landing, Scarborough, ME 04074; Home: (207) 885-5441; Cell: (207) 415-0127; Eustis Lodge: (207) 246-2307; Email: rthurston2@maine.rr.com
• Representing: Franklin and Oxford Counties
  Steven Philbrick, PO Box 332, Oquossoc, ME 04964; Home: (207) 864-3671; Cell: 557-0743; Email: BaldMtCamp@aol.com
• Representing: Hancock County
  Frank M. Dunbar, 409 Millvale Road, Bucksport, ME 04416; Home: (207) 469-2667; Work: (207) 469-1054; Email: Robertsnorland@verizon.net
• Representing: Knox, Lincoln, and Waldo Counties
  Michael Witte (Chair), PO Box 201, New Harbor, ME 04554; Home: (207) 677-2587; Cell: (207) 592-9265; Email: mjwitte@tidewater.net
• Representing: Penobscot County
  Joe Clark, 299 Katahdin Avenue, Millinocket, ME 04462; Home: (207) 723-9262; Email: clarkjm@207me.com
• Representing: Piscataquis and Somerset Counties
  John E. Simko, PO Box 876, Greenville, ME 04441; Home: (207) 695-3430; Cell: (207) 731-7479; Email: John@GreenvilleME.com
• Representing: Washington County
  Albion Goodwin, 70 Hersey Road, Pembroke, Me 04666; Home: (207) 726-5574; Email: goodwin6919@roadrunner.com
• Representing: York County
  Ron Usher (Vice-Chair), 4 Whispering Pines Drive, Buxton, ME 04093; Home: (207) 929-3474; Cell: (207) 831-0541; Email: rusher@sacoriver.net

Waterfowl Council Members

The Waterfowl Council will review proposal from 3 to 5 pm, prior to the Public Hearing, on Wednesday, August 19.

Council Members

• Representing: Androscoggin, Kennebec, and Sagadahoc Counties
  Walter "Dutch" Holland 28 Floral Street Bath, ME 04530 Telephone: (207) 442-9250 or 522-4501 (cell) E-mail: mainelywat@hotmail.com
• Representing: Aroostook County
  F. James Gramlich 434 Gardner Creek Road Wade, ME 04786 Telephone: (207) 455-4419 Email: jimgraml@gwi.net
• Representing: Cumberland County
  Walter Purda 95 Fairwind Lane Yarmouth, ME 04096 Telephone: (207) 846-9797 or 885-5900 Email: w.purda@mainefinancialgroup.com
• Representing: Franklin and Oxford Counties
  Dr. John Mason P.O. Box 570 Bethel, ME 04217 Telephone: 233-8553 (Cell) Email: masonj@megalink.net
• Representing: Hancock County
  Steve Hunt, P.O. Box 2002, Orland, ME 04472
• Representing: Knox, Lincoln, and Waldo Counties
  Huck Wonson, 15 Hackett Road, Winterport, ME 04496; Telephone: (207) 223-4221; Email: huckwonson@aol.com
• Representing: Penobscot County
  Tom Duff, North Street, Brewer, ME 04412; Telephone: (207) 989-2609; Email: tomduff@prexar.com
• Representing: Piscataquis and Somerset Counties
  Michael P. Cray, 191 Wyman Road, Palmyra, ME 04965; Telephone: (207) 938-2802; Email: mpcray@gmail.com
• Representing: Washington County
  Deane Richmond, Elm Street, Machias, ME 04652; Telephone: (207) 255-4441; Email: 4kayrichmond@verizon.net
• Representing: York County
  Owen Grimes, 28 Simon Ricker Road, Shapleigh, ME 04076; Telephone: (207) 636-1502; Email: bgrimes10@yahoo.com
• Representing: State DU Chairman
  Churchill Barton, 302 Lake Street, Auburn, ME 04210; Telephone: (207) 782-7863; Email: info@brettunsvillage.com

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