Although winter seems to hang on like a nagging cough, most outdoor folks who have watched the changing seasons long enough know that one day soon Mother Nature will throw the big switch.

For outdoor folks especially, there is much to be thankful for besides the proximity of May. Let me help you count the ways.

1. Maine’s new Fish and Wildlife Commissioner, Roland Martin, appears to have put together a somewhat less painful stopgap solution to his Department’s deep financial headaches. Instead of the planned $6 across-the-board increase in hunting and fishing license fees, we instead will see a $3 boost. This was accomplished by tacking on a $3 increase to just about all permits and registrations that are issued by DIF&W. In short, the Maine resident sportsman who does it all will wind up paying an additional $42 a year. The exception to this will be ATVers, who will pay substantially more for their registrations. Resident ATV registrations will go from $17 to $30. Non-resident ATVers really get whacked, as their registration fee goes from $35 to $65! Most of these increases go into effect Jan. 1, 2004.

The additional good news is that Martin managed to restore 20 DIF&W positions that were earmarked for elimination. Four game warden slots were salvaged, too.

2. Maine wild deer herds show no signs of Chronic Wasting Disease. In a cooperative venture, animal health officials from the Maine Department of Agriculture and biologists from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife sampled 831 brain tissues from deer harvested through out Maine during the 2002 hunting season. “Testing results indicate there is no evidence of Chronic Wasting Disease here in Maine. This is a good day for Maine,” said Martin.

3. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced its rule to reclassify the wolf from Endangered to Threatened throughout much of its range. Under the new rule, the wolf in Maine — if it is indeed here — will be down-listed.

4. Edgar “Duffy” White, 71 of Kennebunkport, and Larry Inniss, 65 of Arundel, pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the injuring of two other hunters while turkey hunting last May. White pled guilty to two counts of assault while hunting in Alfred Superior Court. Inniss pled guilty to two counts of assault while hunting and two counts of reckless conduct. Inniss received four consecutive sentences of 364 days, and the terms of his four-year probation include no hunting and no possession of any dangerous weapon. He also has been ordered to pay restitution. White has been fined $1,000 and will also pay restitution. Both face a possible hunting license revocation for up to 10 years. Inniss shot both Rick LaFlamme of Arundel and Stephen Pelletier of Biddeford while the pair were hunting turkeys on the morning of May 13, 2002 off of the Walker Road in Lyman. Both White and Inniss left the scene after the incident.

Maine has an enviable safety record when it comes to turkey hunting. Martin can help keep it that way by taking a hard line with White and Inniss. Ten years. No hunting. Period.

5. Game warden Kevin S. Adam of Dexter, a game warden for 10 years, was honored recently as Maine Warden of the Year at an awards banquet in Winslow. “Kevin’s commitment to the protection of Maine’s fish and wildlife has been nothing less than outstanding,” said Major Thomas Santaguida of the Maine Warden Service, “and he has excelled in his leadership position as Chief of Planning for search and rescue. Adam has proved to be relentless in investigations during his career.”

According to Santaguida, Adam often refuses to give up on cases, following up on every lead over a period of years, many times resulting in search warrants and prosecutions for major hunting or trapping violations.

Adam was not the only Maine Game Warden to receive recognition. Dozens of other deserving wardens were singled out for Meritorious Service Awards. This is good news, but the commendations belong to all Maine’s conservation officers. These hardworking and dedicated men and women who guard Maine’s fish and wildlife resources rarely get the day-by-day recognition or the appreciation they deserve.

C’mon, spring!

V. Paul Reynolds is editor of the Northwoods Sporting Journal.He is also a Maine Guide, co-host of the weekly radio program “Maine Outdoors” heard Sundays at 7 p.m. on 103.9-FM, and former information officer for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. His e-mail address is paul@sportingjournal.com.