Mountain lion in Maine?

One of the posts here that has drawn a lot of attention and comment was about the possibility of mountain lions being present in the Northeast.

Another sighting has cropped up in Maine in the Augusta area.

There have been two reports in the area including a sighting by a woman and her sons had an encounter with an alleged mountain lion at about 20 feet in Winslow, Maine, recently. There was also reported scat collected in Northern Augusta last week.

Officials say the sighting seems credible, but say there are no known wild populations in Maine or even nearby. The nearest known wild populations are in Michigan and Iowa and there is disagreement over whether there is a wild population in Quebec.

Read the entire story from the Waterville Morning Sentinal here.

OutdoorsVT 6-19-09

Venture Vermont

Outdoor challenge provides plenty of ideas for summer fun

Looking for an outdoors Father's Day event this weekend and can't think of anything to do? The Vermont State Parks have you covered.

  Log on to the State Parks Web site and download the Venture Vermont Outdoor Challenge activities score sheet, put fresh batteries in your camera and head out to start accumulating points.
 
  I'm very fortunate in that my family and I have managed to spend time outdoors three times in the last two weekends.
 
  On the first of the three days, an impromptu stop at a beautiful lake had me pulling my fly rod out and before my long-suffering wife noticed I was pulling palm-sized panfish from a weed bed.
 
  My kids got in on the action and both caught their first fish that day.
 
  Unfortunately, my wife didn't have her fishing license, but she apparently got hooked on the idea of fishing and she surprised me the next day when she came home from a shopping trip with a license and new rod-and-reel combo.
 
  An hour later we were casting at another local pond. This trip gave up only one 10-inch largemouth that fought like a wounded panther before I lipped him and slid him back in the water. We watched as he bee-lined back into the weeds from where he had attacked my top-water bait.
 
  Last Sunday we visited Emerald Lake State Park near Dorset with fishing gear and stuff for a barbecue. It was our first visit to Emerald and we were quite impressed with the place - so much so that before we knew it we had stayed so long our kids didn't make their bedtime.
 
  I have every expectation that this coming weekend might find the Marcys standing along the shore of another lake, pond or stream somewhere tangling line and thrashing the water in an attempt to lure a fish.
 
  We'll most likely eat food cooked over an open flame and play until we're exhausted before heading home to wash off the grime and drift off to sleep with visions of fish and grilled hotdogs in our dreams.
 
  Best of all, we'll earn more points toward our Venture Vermont Outdoor Challenge total.
 
  Trips like these are exactly what the Vermont State Parks had in mind when the challenge was launched last year.
 
  Each person has to engage in a series of outdoor fun with different point values assigned to each activity. Reach 250 points and you'll receive a free Silver VIP Pass, which grants the holder free day-use admission to any state park in Vermont for the rest of this season and all of next season.
 
  Points are earned individually and the park pass is valid only for the person who reaches the 250-point goal.
 
  But, if you tackle your challenge as a family, each member can mark the activities down and you can earn your passes together.
 
  And that, says Vermont State Parks director Craig Whipple, is exactly the point.
 
  "The important part is it gets people out and having fun," Whipple said. "The purpose (of the program) is to get people outdoors. It gives people a reason to get outside. We get so busy and so wrapped up in other things. We're just giving people a little nudge."
 
  Last year, just more than 200 families completed the challenge, Whipple said. This year, the number is likely to be much higher.
 
  "The response this year has been terrific," Whipple said. "It makes sense. For Vermont it's the perfect type of program. There's practically no cost and it's easily accessible. A lot of the activities don't even involve state parks. It is so simple and self-guided, people just download the score sheet from our Web site and take off."
 
  Whipple said the challenges facing today's families means fewer and fewer people are heading outdoors.
 
  "Every generation gets further and further away from the outdoors," Whipple said. "The effects of that are serious and very well documented. Kids who grow up in the outdoors have better attention spans, they do better in school. And who's to carry on the legacy of environmental stewardship? There's a huge value for the individual and a huge value for the culture at large."
 
  With the program, the Vermont State Parks has answered the summer-long complaint of "there's nothing to do."
 
  "It's a ready-made list of things to do," Whipple said.
 
  Many have recognized the value of the program and the Vermont State Parks have heard from many people who like the challenge.
 
  "So many of our VT youth DO NOT do these things and I am pleased to see you offering up such a generous prize for the effort of just getting outside," Caroline Camara, of Mount Abraham Union High School in Bristol, wrote on the State Parks' blog.
 
  Another teacher said she planned to challenge her fourth-grade class and next year's fourth-graders with the challenge over the summer.
 
  "When I presented it to my fourth-grade students today, one said 'What is a state park?'" she wrote in an e-mail message. "I was shocked that some had never been in a state park. So now I have decided to challenge the whole school with this great project."
 
  And Lincoln Town Clerk Sally Ober sent the information about the challenge to the local elementary school and the score sheet was sent home with all the students.
 
  "Kids might moan: 'I don't know what to do, I'm bored,' when faced with extra free time during the long stretch out of school," Ober wrote by e-mail. "Vermont is a truly wonderful place to grow up and raise a family. Venture Vermont looks like a great way to celebrate the vast array of opportunities we have all around us."
 
  Each person who completes the challenge will be awarded a metal medallion that grants the holder free day-use access. A day-use pass is $25 per person per year so the medallion is potentially valued at $50.
 
  There are very few rules associated with the challenge.
 
  Download the list, engage in activities and take photos to document your participation. When you're done, ship the list to the State Parks with the photos and wait for your medallion.
 
  "It gets people to get outside and reconnected with the out-of-doors," Whipple said. "Sometimes simple things have the most value."
 
  Vermont already has one family that has achieved the goal this year.
 
  One family from northern Vermont used the State Parks new program that allows you to borrow a parks day-use pass from your local library then went crazy to achieve the goal in one action-packed weekend.
 
  Now they won't have to borrow the pass. They'll have their own.
 
  For my family, we'll surely take longer to reach the goal, but we'll plod along.
 
  The best part is that whether we reach the 250-point mark or not, we'll fill a hard drive with fun family photos that will create memories that will outlast any medallion the state can offer.
 
  For more information, log on to
www.vtstateparks.com.
  
  
  
  Darren Marcy is a local outdoor enthusiast. His Web site is www.DarrenMarcy.com. E-mail him at darren@darrenmarcy.com.

OutdoorsVT 6-12-09

Why can't we be friends?

Sharing the trails starts with compromise

Motorized and nonmotorized. Access versus preservation. Foot-power or pedal-power. Greens versus plaids.

  Can't we all just get along?
 
  Outdoor users groups continue to butt heads and as long as we battle, everybody will lose to some degree.
 
  It's no wonder some sections of our outdoor recreation groups are decreasing in numbers and funding for trails projects and infrastructure maintenance is lagging.
 
  We can't even agree on who's allowed to use a section of trail, so how do you expect us to get along when it comes to asking for money or getting a kid involved in the outdoors?
 
  The most recent battleground in Vermont isn't new as all-terrain vehicle riders find themselves facing off against recreation advocates who are against ATVs on the trails.
 
  The conflict surrounding ATVs is nearly as old as the machines themselves and has grown steadily as more and more people buy and ride them.
 
  In recent years land-management agencies have tried to catch up on the debate and referee the brawl, pushing the battle to a fevered pitch.
 
  The resulting rule-making has only intensified as both sides scratch and claw to gain the upper hand.
 
  Nonmotorized folks try to push the machines off the trails and the ATVers seek more access.
 
  You'd think there would have been some compromise by now, or at least they would have run out of trails over which to argue.
 
  That would be easy and when it comes to ATVs, the discussion is never easy.
 
  Recently, Gov. James Douglas' administration proposed allowing ATVs on trails in Vermont State Parks, state forests and Vermont Wildlife Management areas.
 
  This has predictably created a roar of protest from the anti-ATV crowd and a chorus of support from the riders of the machines.
 
  One voice in that chorus belongs to George Wuerthner of Richmond, who is the editor of "Thrillcraft: The Environmental Consequences of Motorized Recreation."
 
  Wuerthner wrote an op-ed in the Rutland Herald on Wednesday lambasting the governor's proposal to allow ATVs on state land.
 
  His piece was a scathing look at the negatives of ATVs on shared-use trails, and explained why many land-management agencies are banning ATVs from trails in other states.
 
  Wuerthner's well-reasoned and detailed argument was bolstered by numerous examples, but - as is often the case with camps from both sides of the issue - it was just another example of the "me, me, me" attitude that pervades this issue.
 
  At some point, we have to get away from the "This is what I want," and look more at "This would be best for the largest number of people."
 
  Don't get me wrong.
 
  I'm pretty much a middle of the two-track guy here.
 
  I don't own or ride ATVs, but I have nothing against the legal and ethical operation of the machines.
 
  An ATV isn't my cup of tea. Although I would definitely ride an ATV at times and would find great fun in using an ATV, I personally would rather use my feet and, for the most part, would prefer to hike than ride an ATV.
 
  But, my opinion doesn't - and shouldn't - dictate what others are able to do.
 
  What I think shouldn't weigh an ounce more than what an ATV rider wants.
 
  That's the level of respect that is missing from this debate.
 
  Just because I don't ride an ATV doesn't mean I want to keep them off the trails.
 
  There are, however, places they shouldn't be due to the risk of trail damage, erosion, and other potential impacts.
 
  Where the trails are capable of handling ATV traffic, they should be allowed.
 
  I've known many, many ATV owners who are great people, respectful of others and careful in their riding.
 
  They stay on trails, don't ride when trails are muddy, ride at safe and sane speeds, keep their rigs muffled and tuned to prevent excessive exhaust, and whatever else goes into being a good steward of the land.
 
  As with any other group, there are the outlaws.
 
  It doesn't matter what outdoor activity you pick, there are idiots out there.
 
  There are poachers who call themselves hunters, although I'll never mix the two words.
 
  There are hikers who tromp down muddy trails and circle mud holes, there are anglers who don't obey limits or size restrictions, skiers and boarders who go under the ropes and ski out of bounds and bicyclists who bomb down trails without regard for anybody else who might be on the trail.
 
  There's just a certain percentage of people who won't follow the rules and there are ATVers who, right now, fall into this category.
 
  You can close all the trails you want to - or in this case refuse to open them - and you'll still have rogue ATVers on those trails.
 
  You can't manage for the 2-percenters. You have to manage for the resource and access that best serves the most people.
 
  All user groups deserve places to play. Unfortunately, Vermont is a small state. Out West, there are opportunities to spread people out and keep the ATVers away from the hikers.
 
  Here in the Green Mountains of Vermont, space is not a luxury and we're going to have to share the trails.
 
  Finding the right balance won't be easy.
 
  But it needs to be done.
 
  Maybe, just maybe, we can all get along.

  Darren Marcy is a local outdoor enthusiast. His Web site is www.DarrenMarcy.com. E-mail him at darren@darrenmarcy.com.

Antlerless permits apps available

Applications to hunt antlerless deer in Vermont are now available on the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department Web site, at district offices and at license agents.

Applications can be submitted online with a credit or debit card, or printed and filled out to be sent with a check.

A hunter who draws an antlerless permit can take one deer without antlers or antlers less than 3 inches in length during the Dec. 5-13 muzzleloader season in designated wildlife management units.

Antlerless hunting permits are made available in WMUs based on scientific management data considering winter severity, habitat conditions, population goals and harvest objectives.

Applications are due by Aug. 27.

There is an application fee of $10 for residents and $25 for nonresidents.

OutdoorsVT 6-5-09

One great month

June loaded with outdoor fun

In my book, June has always been a great month in the outdoors. No matter what happens in the spring, June is the month when everything finally comes together for warm-weather activities.

  The hiking, biking, camping, fishing and simply hanging out by a fire doesn’t get much better than in June.
 
  Apparently, great minds think alike.
 
  Monday, President Barack Obama declared June as Great Outdoors Month.
 
  OK, one great mind and one sorta mediocre mind. I’ll let you decide which is which based on your political persuasion.
 
  One thing is clear, though, June is one great outdoor month.
 
  In his proclamation, Obama hails the virtues of our country’s natural beauty, tranquil and pristine surroundings of the National Parks, the recreational opportunities on public lands, the treasured landscapes, and the joys and wonders of the outdoors.
 
  “I encourage Americans to pay tribute to and preserve the great outdoors,” the proclamation reads. “Whether near or far, the outdoors offers unique experiences.”
 
  Now he’s preaching to the choir.
 
  “Americans are fortunate to have so many beautiful natural wonders and open spaces,” the proclamation reads. “I encourage all in our Nation to enjoy these resources and to help protect them for future generations. Together, we can carry forward our Nation’s proud tradition of admiration and preservation of the great outdoors.”
 
  Hallelujah!
 
  OK, I’m calming down.
 
  Have I mentioned that I love June?
 
  It makes sense that June was chosen to host National Trails Day, National Get Outdoors Day, National Fishing and Boating Week, the Great American Backyard Campout, and even Vermont Days, which celebrates the Green Mountain State’s parks and historical sites.
 
  It’s a full month of celebrating, but someone has to do it. I could sure use some help, though. So, dig out your hiking books, check the air in the tires of that bike, put new line on your rod and reel, set up the tent in the backyard and let’s get ready to have some fun.
 
  The fun starts Saturday with National Trails Day as well as National Fishing and Boating Week, which runs through June 14.
 
  National Get Outdoors Day is June 13, the Great American Backyard Campout is June 27 and Vermont Days is June 13-14.
 
  National Trails Day is an American Hiking Society’s program to bring awareness to public trails and the volunteers who help take care of them.
 
  There are many activities throughout Vermont in celebration of National Trails Day on Saturday.
 
  The Green Mountain Club’s Killington Section will hold a Long Trail maintenance work day in Killington. Anyone interested in putting in a day giving back to Vermont’s famous trail should meet in Rutland’s Main Street Park near the fire station at 9 a.m.
 
  Bring gloves, lunch and bug dope. Tools will be provided.
 
  For more information contact Herb Ogden at 293-2510.
 
  The Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park will host a Trek to Taste from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Forest Center.
 
  The free event offers hikes, food, music, an ice-cream social, trail stewardship information, exhibits and samples from the Upper Valley Farm to School programs and more.
 
  For information, log on to www.walkwoodstock.com
 
  In Quechee, the Friends of the Ottauquechee Trail is holding a dedication ceremony for a new village trail along with music, children’s discovery activities and refreshments.
 
  The event will be held from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Stronghouse Spa with a two-mile, easy-to-moderate trail leading to Lake Pinneo and the Quechee Lakes Landowners Association clubhouse.
 
  For more information, call 295-6718 or e-mail mgmtaylor@earthlink.net.
 
  The Upper Valley Trails Alliance is holding work days throughout the area.
 
  For details on work planned near you, log on to www.uvtrails.org.
 
  For more information, call 649-9075, or e-mail russell.hirschler@uvtrails.org.
 
  Two National Trails Day events will be held on days other than Saturday.
 
  The Wilmington Trail Committee is planning a two-mile hike and trail dedication ceremony for the Deerfield Valley Trail System from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday in the town center.
 
  There will be a nature scavenger hunt for the kids and picnic in the park.
 
  For more information, call 464-4674 or e-mail kkurak70@yahoo.com
 
  The U.S. Forest Service is hosting a trail maintenance day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 20 in the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area near Goshen.
 
  Bring a lunch, water and appropriate clothing. At the end of the day there will be a barbecue to celebrate the day’s work.
 
  For more information, call 247-6735, or log on to www.moosalamoo.org
 
  After all that work, get home and rest up, because the fun continues June 13 with National Get Outdoors Day.
 
  The Green Mountain National Forest is hosting two events to celebrate the day.
 
  The first event is at the Moosalamoo Campground in Goshen.
 
  Beginning at 10 a.m. visitors can view demonstrations about setting up tents, cooking over a campfire, and what types of stoves to use.
 
  Hikers will talk about hiking shoes and lead families on a hike.
 
  “We are really making an effort to help families make the most of getting outdoors,” said Green Mountain National Forest Supervisor Meg Mitchell. “Many families may not know how to get started in outdoor activities, what to buy, or what is recommended.”
 
  That same day at 10 a.m. there will be fishing demonstrations with information about fishing gear at Hapgood Pond near Peru. You will also be able to learn about camping and hiking.
 
  For more information, contact Kathleen Diehl at 747-6709.
 
  The National Wildlife Federation is getting in on the outdoor fun in June with the fifth annual Great American Backyard Campout on June 27.
 
  A recent poll shows that families are planning to stay closer to home this summer and camping is a low-cost, family activity that allows parents and kids to reconnect and make lifetime memories.
 
  There are already tens of thousands of people registered for the campout,
 
  “President Obama’s proclamation recognizes the many benefits of connecting with nature and exploring the wonders of the natural world around us,” said Kevin Coyle of the National Wildlife Federation. “We think every month should be Great Outdoors Month with families getting outside year-round to enjoy exercise, nature exploration, and bonding time.”
 
  The organization’s Web site offers ideas for the campout, along with recipes, activities, campfire songs and more.
 
  Vermont Days will be celebrated June 13-14 with free fishing June 13 and free admission to Vermont State Parks and historic sites both days.
 
  So, start planning now. There is no excuse for not stepping outside this month. But be careful. You might just find you like it.
 
  June will never be the same.
  
  Darren Marcy is a local outdoor enthusiast. His Web site is www.DarrenMarcy.com. E-mail him at darren@darrenmarcy.com.

Need more information?

National Trails Day - www.americanhiking.org/ntd.aspx

National Get Outdoors Day - www.nationalgetoutdoorsday.org

National Fishing and Boating Wee - www.TakeMeFishing.org

Great American Backyard Campout - www.nwf.org/backyardcampout

Vermont Days - www.vermontdays.vermont.gov

  
  

Moose app deadline June 2

If you're hoping to hunt moose in Vermont this year, the deadline to apply is June 2.

The deadline to apply for a Vermont moose hunting permit is Tuesday, June 2. 

Applications must be postmarked by June 2, or dropped off by 4:30 p.m. at the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department in Waterbury that day.

Applications are available on the F&W Web site at www.vtfishandwildlife.com or where licenses are sold.

Applications are $10 for residents and $25 for nonresidents.

OutdoorsVT 5-29-09

Vermont Days

Free outdoor fun on tap June 13-14

Summer is here — at least according to those who claim Memorial Day as the unofficial beginning of the warm-weather frivolity — and there’s no better way to kick it off then with a pair of free days.

  The annual Vermont Days will be celebrated June 13-14 with a host of activities throughout the Green Mountain State.
 
  Visitors can take a taste of Vermont State Park day-use areas, state forests, state-owned historic sites and the Vermont Historical Society Museum in Montpelier without charge both days.
 
  In addition, resident and nonresident anglers can fish June 13 without buying a license although all other fishing regulations are in effect.
 
  Vermont is also celebrating the state Division of Forestry’s 100th anniversary. The Forestry Centennial commemorates the establishment of Vermont’s first state forest.
 
  Vermont Days offers people a chance to experience what the state offers without the cost of entrance fees or a fishing license. It’s an opportunity to take your family on an outing and try activities or experience Vermont history without cost.
 
  For regular visitors to state parks, it’s a chance to venture out as a family or with friends and enjoy a day in Vermont’s beautiful state parks and historic sites.
 
  The weekend is free for both Vermont residents and visitors.
 
  Visitors to Vermont’s State Parks will be admitted without having to pay the day-use fee.
 
  There are 52 state parks scattered throughout Vermont that offer something for everyone whether you’re looking for a family destination or a quiet spot to escape the world for a while.
 
  State parks to consider include Bomoseen Lake State Park, Lake St. Catherine, Emerald Lake, Jamaica Lake State Park and Branbury Beach State Park.
 
  A family might choose to visit Lake Dunmore at Branbury — a great family destination that features a 1,000-foot natural sandy beach; a large, open grassy area; hiking trails; scenic vistas; waterfalls; caves; a nature trail; mountain biking; boating with canoes, kayaks, rowboats and pedal boats; and, of course, fishing. Boats are available for rental.
 
  Bomoseen is another prime destination. It features a beach and picnic area, picnic area, hiking trails, boating and fishing. A concession area offers canoe, kayak, rowboat and pedal boat rentals. There is also a self-guided slate history trail.
 
  Lake St. Catherine offers almost identical features and is another top family destination. There is plenty of grassy room for family fun as well.
 
  Emerald Lake has a small beach with a snack bar and boat rentals for canoes, kayaks, rowboats and pedal boats. There are hillside and lakeside picnic areas as well as a picnic shelter pavilion groups. Trails offer hiking. Swimming, fishing and boating round out the list.
 
  Jamaica Lake offers kayaking, canoeing, fishing, a picnic shelter, nature center, swimming hole and a hiking trail.
 
  For more information on Vermont State Parks or to find a destination for Vermont Days, log on to www.vtstateparks.com.
 
  Historic site admission is free with at least two sites having events people might want to consider.
 
  The President Calvin Coolidge site will be offering horse-drawn wagon rides both days from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
 
  The birthplace and boyhood home of Calvin Coolidge in Plymouth remains virtually unchanged since the early 20th century.
 
  Another location worthy of visiting is the Old Constitution House in Windsor, where the first state constitution to prohibit slavery, allow men to vote without requiring property ownership and to authorize a public school system was passed.
 
  From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days, Carl and Carolyn Malikowski will discuss and demonstrate what life was like in 18th century America.
 
  For more information about state historical sites log on to www.historicvermont.org/sites.
 
  Anglers will find the opportunity to wet a line June 13 at one of Vermont’s 284 lakes and more than 7,000 miles of streams and rivers offering a diverse range of fish species.
 
  Whether you prefer casting flies or lures, or offering a tasty morsel of bait, Vermont’s fish will be available for all anglers without the need for a fishing license.
 
  There will be an all-day event at the Ed Weed Fish Culture Station in Grand Isle if you don’t mind a little drive.
 
  The Grand Isle Fishing Festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
 
  Designed for kids, the event will offer basic fishing instruction and the chance for kids to catch big trout out of a pond next to the hatchery.
 
  If you’d prefer to go it alone, but still need some help deciding where to go or how to tackle the fishing there, check the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s Web site www.vtfishandwildlife.com.
 
  Grab a copy of the Guide to Hunting, Fishing & Trapping at an area sporting goods dealer for details about fishing opportunities throughout the state.
 
  There is a lot of information about Vermont Days online at www.vermontdays.vermont.gov including a map that shows the locations of historic sites, state parks, state forests, and more.
 
  So plan now to spend some time June 13-14 enjoying a little bit of Vermont.
  
  
  
  Darren Marcy is a local outdoor enthusiast. His Web site is www.DarrenMarcy.com. E-mail him at darren@darrenmarcy.com.

Turkey hunter charged with manslaughter

Vermont State Police have filed manslaughter charges against the man accused of killing his son while turkey hunting.

Following a joint investigation by the Vermont State Police and Vermont Game Wardens, Kevin Kadamus, 44, was charged with manslaughter today.

He was processed at the State Police Barracks in St. Johnsbury and released pending an arraignment that is scheduled for July 6 at the Caledonia County Courthouse.

Kadamus is accused of shooting and killing his son, Jacob Kadamus, 18, while the pair were turkey hunting on the opening day of the Vermont turkey season May 1.

Jacob Kadamus reported was hunting in a different area, but moved into the area where his father was hunting when he was shot.

He died at the scene.

Read more about the original incident here.

Vt. deer meetings canceled

Planned meetings in June to discuss a proposed muzzleloader hunt have been canceled after the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Board voted to rescind the proposed rule.

The board had planned on holding meetings to take public input on the proposed muzzleloader hunts, but decided to hold off on the proposal due to the upcoming draft 10-year Big Game Management Plan.

The plan will look at big-game management from 2010-2020 in Vermont.

Gov. signs law updating police authority on boats

Gov. James Douglas has signed an updated law allowing police officers to stop and board boats if they believe a violation has been committed.

Officers already the authority to stop a boat but now the officer can conduct a safety inspection and check the operator's identity as well as check on the boat's license.