Outdoors...

Some see major contradiction in wardens' use of Jet Skis
By DEIRDRE FLEMING
Portland Press Herald

In the wake of Maine's highest court upholding a ban on personal watercraft, the Maine Warden Service will be using Jet Skis to police southern Maine lakes and ponds this summer.

Joy-riding on small, populated ponds where these toys have been banned is one thing -- but stopping violators is another matter. At least, that is what the state seems to be saying.

And residents of Lake St. George in Liberty, one of about 60 lakes in populated areas of Maine where Jet Skis are banned, agree with that.

But Mark Haskell, a Camden man fined $100 for riding his Jet Ski on Liberty's lake, is at least one Mainer who finds it all a bit odd.

"I see a whole lot of irony," Haskell said.

Haskell challenged the ban in a three-year fight, and finally lost before the Maine Supreme Judicial Court last month.

Then, two weeks later, the Maine Warden Service picked up two new Kawasaki Jet Skis on loan from Moose Landing Marina on Long Lake in Naples.

Marina owner Dan Craffey donated the watercraft to help keep Long Lake safe.

Last August, two people died on Long Lake when a high-speed boat driven by a Massachusetts man plowed into a 14-foot boat. The crash killed Terry Raye Trott, 56, of Harrison and Suzanne Groetzinger, 44, of Berwick.

"We want to keep customers safe. The speed seems to be an issue. The Jet Ski is an easy watercraft to do enforcement out of," Craffey said.

"I took my family out on a pontoon boat (on Long Lake) in Harrison for dinner," Craffey said. "We were coming back when it was dark. I was amazed at the speed out on the water, and how close they were coming to the pontoon boat. I realized a lot of our customers have pontoon boats. I felt a little concerned. As a marina owner, I benefit by keeping the lake safe."

Craffey said one of the two donated Jet Skis will stay at the marina on Long Lake, and the other will be used by the Warden Service elsewhere in southern Maine.

Warden Service Maj. Greg Sanborn did not return calls to comment.

http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=190714&ac=Outdoors


File photo

Sledder's lawsuit tests power of wardens
By DEIRDRE FLEMING
Portland Press Herald

Thomas Dube did more than mimic motorists at rush hour on the New Jersey Turnpike when he expressed his frustration at a game warden on March 10, 2007.

Since Dube, as he put it, "flipped the international bird" from his snowmobile, he has spent the past year building a case so that he can take a stand as an American.

And he's not backing down.

Dube filed a lawsuit in Piscataquis County Superior Court last month alleging that Wardens Michael Boyer and Ronald Dunham violated his constitutional rights of free speech. The Maine Attorney General's Office moved the case to U.S. District Court.

And Dube -- a native Mainer and lifelong outdoorsman -- has been waiting for this opportunity for a long time.

In fact, Dube may have been caught by surprise on the snowmobile trail outside Millinocket when he and his wife, Patricia, came upon four game wardens in the woods. But he was not surprised when they later rode up to his parked snowmobile -- after he gave them the middle finger -- and asked to see his registration.

Dube took out a tape recorder, and repeatedly asked, "Am I free to go?"

"We are losing our rights all the time," said Dube, 52, who owns a car dealership. "This is my First Amendment right. It's not the 15th or 16th Amendment, it's the first. And the Fourth: they were detaining me without just cause."

The Warden Service could not comment on the lawsuit because it is pending litigation, said Col. Joel Wilkinson in a prepared statement.

However, that Dube found fault with the wardens' reasons for detaining him is ironic.

In 2000, the Maine Legislature changed the law, giving game wardens the same power -- but no more -- as other law enforcement officers.

After that, game wardens could no longer stop ATV riders, snowmobilers or motorists without reasonable suspicion that a law had been violated.

Once the clarifications were made in the law, "wardens recieved training on the revisions as they apply to how they do their jobs," Wilkinson said in a prepared statement.

Wilkinson also wrote: "The Maine Warden Service is given statutory language that allows them to conduct safety checkpoints, as well as stop snowmobilers if there is an articulate suspicion of noncompliance of state law."

http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=192099&ac=Outdoors

Setting a new direction at Compass Project
By DEIRDRE FLEMING
Portland Press Herald

For six years, middle school and high school youths have been learning to build boats in the Compass Project. Now, boats are being commissioned there.

The Portland nonprofit program that works with at-risk youth has grown in notoriety through its public, three-day boat-building festival that takes place in Monument Square each July.

And through word-of-mouth, the skills, products and pride that have developed in the Compass Project warehouse are getting known.

But for the first time this spring, three boats that were commissioned were launched by the program that works with at-risk middle school and high school youth.

This spring, the boat-building program turned out a 16-foot Gloucester Light dory, a 16-foot Mackerel dory and a 12-foot Francis Kinney dory for three boaters who asked specifically for these style boats.

Clint Chase, the boat-building project manager, said when the youth in the program travel to boatyards or boat shows, the key experience working boat builders share is the relationship they develop with each buyer.

But up until now, that piece of Maine's boat-building heritage has been missing from the Compass Project.

Chase said they plan to add it in the next few years.

"It brings a sense of realism to their work, if the boat is actually commissioned," Chase said. "From the kid's perspective, when they've met the owner, they don't want the boat to sink."

http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=194756&ac=Outdoors

Adults can choose softer ways to enjoy nature, or still go rugged
By DEIRDRE FLEMING
Portland Press Herald

Rippleffect, like many recreation outfits across Maine, is starting to offer adult programs to lure more people outdoors.

The multi-day adult programs are low-impact, and may be, to some, a watered-down wilderness experience.

The classes include yoga, cooking, drumming and even a dog-training school.

All are held on Rippleffect's Cow Island in Casco Bay, its home base for the wilderness and kayaking adventures offered to youths.

The trendy new outdoor classes are focused more on education than adventure, but they are meant to get folks outside to experience nature, said Emilia Dahlin, Rippleffect's adult program director.

"We are presenting programs that are more accessible to a wider audience," Dahlin said.

But the fact is, soft as Rippleffect's new adult programs are, the more rugged Maine adventure is not going out of style with the older crowd. Just the opposite.

At the Chewonki Foundation in Wiscasset, for example, a family camping program was brought back last year after a 38-year hiatus. And Chewonki president Don Hudson said the response was overwhelming -- the family camp sold out within weeks.

"I actually think there is a resurgence of people coming to family camp," Hudson said of the program, which sold out again for this summer.

Rippleffect's new adult programs on its undeveloped island, while less active, are also focused on the restorative aspects of nature.

"The topics we wanted to focus on are personal, social and environmental well being," Dahlin said.

The idea is to connect people with nature and teach them to focus on and consider the natural world.

"We wanted to focus on education. I think some people are scared away by huge adventure, and we wanted to be more inclusive," Dahlin said.

Meanwhile, physically challenging activities are still in vogue around Maine.

Chewonki's four- to six-day family camping experiences encourage folks to keep active and moving, like the tides.

"The focus of the experience is natural study and an appreciation of nature. It's going on nature walks, and identifying birds and plants," Hudson said.

And Chewonki's even more rugged backwoods camping trips along the St. John and Allagash rivers are still popular with adults.

http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=196357&ac=Outdoors

A midcoast slice of vintage Maine
By MELISSA KIM
Portland Press Herald

In the prevailing spirit of the "staycation," here's a close-to-home bicycle ride that starts at Thomas Point Beach in Brunswick and takes you to Cundys Harbor in Harpswell.

Both these spots are vacation destinations in and of themselves, making this an enjoyable day trip. You'll have two great end points where you can enjoy all the pleasures of the New Meadows River.

One of the things I've noticed about the tidal rivers that sandwich the long, skinny, finger-like peninsulas in midcoast Maine is their ocean-like nature. Linger along the banks of the Sheepscot, the Kennebec or the Damariscotta and you might be fooled into thinking you are at the ocean's edge. The New Meadows River has this quality as well. Clammers hunch in mud flats. Ospreys protect their nests with shrill cries. Lobster pounds and pleasure boats dot the shoreline.

Thomas Point Beach sits near the head of Thomas Bay, a stone's throw from the New Meadows. When I was there one morning recently, low tide had brought out dozens of clammers who were raking away just off the beach. A tall straight pole at one end of the park is home to a nesting osprey who had a lot to say that morning.

Thomas Point Beach is a pretty, private park and 75-site campground with ample parking and a small sandy beach, home to many major summer events including the annual Bluegrass Festival in August. There's a main lodge with a snack bar, ice cream shop and arcade, open Friday through Sunday. On weekdays a "Loose Caboose" snack bar outside serves hotdogs, drinks and ice cream. There are bathrooms, a playground and a shower building, handy after a hot ride. Admission is $3.50 for adults and $2 for children under 12. The park is open from 9 a.m. until sunset every day.

To get here, take Route 1 to Cooks Corner in Brunswick and head south on Route 24 toward Orrs and Bailey Island. Drive 2.5 miles on Route 24 and turn left onto Board Road. In half a mile, turn left at the end onto Meadow Road. The entrance to Thomas Point Beach is about a half a mile ahead on the right.

Ready to ride? This route is a 17.6-mile out-and-back ride with moderate hill climbing and some areas of heavy traffic. In other words, it's not for families with small kids or for people who are uncomfortable riding near fast-moving cars.

Saddle up and head out of the park, turning left on Meadow Road and right on Board Road. At Route 24, cross with care and turn left. This road can be very busy, especially on summer weekends, and cars do zip along at 50 or 60 mph. There is, however, a smooth, wide shoulder and soon you'll have plenty to look at. At Mile 3, you'll pass the Gurnet Trading Company lobster restaurant and cross the bridge over Gurnet Strait onto Great Island.

Here's where the sense of ocean begins, as docks tilt down to the water's edge, buoys bob everywhere like a connect-the-dot painting and fishing boats purr along.

At Mile 4.0 there's a well-marked left turn onto Cundys Harbor Road. This woodsy country road is a series of ups and downs, only a few of which are very steep, granny-gear quality hills. Still, it's enough to feel like you are getting a workout. According to Bikely.com, where I've started plotting my routes, the total elevation for this route is 1,090 feet climbing and total descent of 1,116 feet. It really does all even out in the end.

At Mile 5.3 you'll pass pretty Cranberry Horn Cemetery and the edges of the village begin to appear. A sign on a barn proudly proclaims Cundys Harbor as the home of Maine's first commercial lobstering in 1841. You know this is a community proud of its fishing heritage; in fact, it's a community so invested in its heritage as well as its future that it formed the Holbrook Community Foundation to save the village's anchor, Holbrook's Wharf.

http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=197311&ac=Outdoors


Melissa Kim photo

OUTDOORS: Maine's annual youth hunting day creates lasting memories
BY TRAVIS BARRETT
Outdoors Writer
Morning Sentinel

It's all about the look.

Butch Cunningham has three sons, two of whom are of hunting age. His oldest son, Chase, headed off with a family friend last Saturday to hunt one tract of land near the family's home in Oakland; Butch took Jared and went off in another direction.

Walking out behind Chase, Butch and Jared jumped a deer standing along a power line. Not long after, they heard a gunshot. Excited as they were -- knowing the only other hunters on the property were part and parcel of their party -- they started running, Butch practically tearing the rifle out of Jared's arms on the way so they could hurry.

What Butch saw when he got to Chase, he'll never forget.

Not ever.

"I'm telling you, you should have seen the look he gave me," Butch said, his voice elevating in both pitch and pace. "I mean, Chase is usually a very calm kid, and he was just freaking out. He was like 'Dad, no offense but I think this one's bigger than anything on your wall!' He's just smiling and bouncing up and down, practically.

"Just the look on their faces when I walked up there..."

And then Butch's words trail off. He's privately reliving what will be a very special moment in his family's history.

For Chase, he's likely going to relive the first three years of his hunting career, too.

Three State of Maine Youth Hunting Days, three deer.

"There's just not enough kids doing this nowadays," Butch said. "There are too many kids sitting around, playing video games and text messaging like crazy. This day is just a great opportunity to get out there."

Perfect timing

Each year, one week before the firearm deer season opens up to the general hunting public at large, Maine's fields and woods stretch their collective arms to welcome our youth hunters for one Saturday.

Only hunters between the ages of 10 and 16, in the presence of a licensed adult, can shoot deer on youth day. Though accompanying the youngsters, adults cannot carry a gun of their own, and the youth hunters may shoot one deer, either a buck or a doe.

http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/sports/stories/5558719.html


Staff photo by Thomas Michael Corcoran

OUTDOORS: Good fishing out there to be had at any time of year
BY TRAVIS BARRETT
Staff Writer Morning Sentinel

You know it's cold when the water temperature at midday is higher than the air temperature.

If you're Wayne Ladd, though, that hardly means it's too cold to go fishing. In fact, it only means you add an extra layer -- and a 20-year-old ski mask -- to the tackle box before you hop in the boat. The semi-retired angler from Brunswick takes fishing obsession to the extreme.

As my numb fingers shake uncontrollably while I pour another cup of lukewarm coffee from the thermos, Ladd says something that surely won't qualify as breaking news.

"I've probably only seen two, maybe three, other boats out here in the last month," Ladd says, turning his attention now to the north side of Buker Pond in Litchfield, the boat bobbing and weaving on the gentle waves below us. "And I'm out here two or three times a week."

I choke down the coffee. Cold as it is, it actually tastes warm in the bone-chilling wind of late autumn.

This time of year, most outdoorsmen in central Maine are focused on one thing and one thing only: the whitetail deer. Ladd, however, isn't most central Mainers. Because while he may only be on Buker "two or three times" each week, as he professes, he's spend the other days of the week testing other lakes and ponds.

The target?

The unusual panfish that most fishermen scoff at, the black crappie. For Ladd, though, his pursuit of crappie has become a calling. So much so, in fact, that he's not targeted a single other fish species this calendar year.

Not a one.

He's got the lakes and ponds to himself while others are hunting, for sure, but Ladd is every bit a hunter himself.

A crappie hunter.

http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/sports/stories/5607463.html




Staff photo by Travis Barrett