Recognizing that Maine has a problem attracting nonresident hunters, the legislature enacted a bill proposed by the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine authorizing a “Task Force to Examine the Decline in the Number of Nonresident Hunters.”
Of course, legislators could have started by looking in the mirror. Once again they rejected a SAM bill that would have remedied the most common complaint from nonresident hunters – that they can’t hunt on the first day of the firearms season on deer. The legislature also increased the moose hunting fee for nonresidents and applied the moose lottery reforms only to residents, not nonresidents.
Maine treats nonresident sportsmen like cash cows, often giving them little in return. They get just 10 percent of the moose permits but contribute 50 percent of the moose lottery revenue. They get just 15 percent of the any-deer permits, while we lament the economic loss of nonresident deer hunters who have taken their business to other states.
The Task Force was directed to: review the numbers of nonresident hunters over the last 5 years; review national trends regarding nonresident hunters over the last five years, and develop recommendations to increase the number of nonresident hunters in the future, with a written report of findings and recommendations due back to the legislature by December 1, 2011.
Leading the study is Edie Smith, DIF&W’s Director of Information and Education, and Carolann Ouellette, Director of the Office of Tourism. Both are very knowledgeable about hunting and fishing and what they mean to our economy.
They have selected an excellent group of guides, sporting camp and outdoor business owners, DIF&W staff, and leaders of sportsmen’s organizations. The law requires them to include three guides and three outfitters, several tourism officials from different regions of the state, and – brace yourself – “one nonresident sportsman selected by a statewide sportsmen’s organization.”
First Meeting
At its first meeting on October 2, the task force generated an extraordinary eleven pages of minutes in a two-hour meeting. DIF&W has also generated a lot of background information, much of it helpful in understanding national trends and the current situation in Maine.
Some key facts were recognized and accepted: that Maine has lost nonresident hunters, for example, and that we can’t do much about the national recession. Obvious stuff, but important to get out on the table so they can get to the problems they can do something about.
And some solutions to the problems were identified by the task force, such as allowing nonresidents to hunt on the first day of the firearms season on deer, that have previously been identified as essential. Of course, that proposal has been rejected numerous times by the legislature. So even this easy one won’t come easy once the task force’s recommendations move back to the legislative arena.
The task force has also heard from its nonresident member, Dave Maynard, that the moose and deer lotteries “are unfair to nonresidents.” Good luck with that one! The truth hurts, but our economy will hurt more if we don’t remedy problems like this.
They’ve also broached subjects such as the need for a stronger partnership between Maine’s Office of Tourism, Maine Tourism Association, and DIF&W, again obvious stuff, but important to recognize and report.
I was pleased to see that the task force recognizes that the costs of hunting in Maine are a problem, from gas to licenses. Some task force members believe we charge nonresidents too much. Oh boy, they are treading on very dangerous legislative turf there!
Task force members identified the drumbeat of negativism over the decline of the deer herd as a problem. They think we need to be more positive, and to emphasize that we do still have deer, and we have lots of other game animals.
Easy access to both private and public land for hunting was recognized as an asset. I’m sure task force members also know that land posting is an epidemic and a problem that probably won’t get better.
DIF&W’s Lisa Kane noted that in her research, two words jumped out in terms of what attracts hunters: ease and access.
Ralph Brisette, DIF&W’s Information Center Director, came up with a very practical solution to a real problem. We must do a better job of identifying the places – including public lands – where people can hunt, and making that information readily available.
The group didn’t wait long to tackle legislative problems and opportunities. At its first meeting, it identified three pieces of legislation that should be enacted:
1) allow nonresidents to hunt on the first day of the firearms season on deer;
2) make the moose lottery “fairer” for nonresidents – I presume that means give them more permits;
3) Restructure the system of licenses, permits, and fees. “Simplify, simplify, simplify,” they recommended.
Good news on that front. SAM’s Pickering Commission has created two options that would substantially simplify the licensing system – including one from DIF&W’s Director of Licensing, Bill Swan. I’ll be writing a lot more about the Pickering Commission’s recommendations in November as they move forward.
Among the nine solid recommendations developed at the Nonresident Task Force’s first meeting, is an effort to “to educate legislators that… DIF&W needs more resources from state government” Another tough assignment!
Coincidentally, as I was preparing this report, I received a letter in the mail from Terry Miller, a nonresident hunter who owns land and a cabin in Maine. His insights – indeed I guess I should call them indictments – will be reported later.
The task force meets on Sunday, and then for a final time on November 20, and must submit its recommendations to the legislature by December 1, 2011. I’ll keep you posted.
You can also send your own thoughts on what Maine could do to attract nonresident hunters to Edith.A.Smith@maine.gov, or DIF&W, 41 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0041.
