Maine’s political landscape was altered dramatically by a Republican sweep of the Blaine House and the Maine Legislature. Come January, Mainers, including sportsmen, can expect to see big changes.

My impression of our new governor-elect Paul LePage is of a determined man who says what he means and means what he says. However, given the weak economy and state budget crisis, Mr. LePage has his work cut out for him. Our new governor may be too preoccupied with urgent, overarching fiscal problems to expend much money or decision-making energy on the the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. 

Still, the new governor has a constitutional duty to select his team — including a new commissioner to lead the MDIF&W. Unfortunately, like the governorship, the new guy at the helm will inherit some big headaches. The money situation is grim. With the recent departure of Ken Elowe, there is a serious lack of capable, experienced, “institutional” leadership from within. Internal morale has been better. The new commissioner will also inherit a four-year legacy of front-office decisions and policymaking that has not often pleased Maine sportsmen. So, like the governor, there will be passed-along problems that the next head will have to deal with before any substantive new initiatives can be undertaken.

Who will be the next commissioner? How will he or she be selected? What will the selection criteria be?

In a meeting at the Northwoods Sporting Journal offices before the November election, governor-elect LePage assured us that he would find the right person for the job. He indicated, as well, that he would “cross the aisle” if need be to find the best qualified candidate for the IF&W post. In a pre-election interview with the Sportsmen’s Alliance of Maine, Mr. LePage said, about the commissionership, “someone with knowledge, experience in managing natural resources, such as forest, water, hunting and fishing. Demonstrated skills in leadership and an ability to see the big picture.”

LePage also indicated that part of his transition team will include a small group of respected Maine sportsmen to assist him in his selection of the next commissioner.

As we have witnessed with the Baldacci administration, a commissioner, because he is a political appointee who serves at the pleasure of the governor, can’t do much without a governor backing him and his policy choices.

Where does governor-elect LePage come down on important fish and wildlife issues? Some light was shed on this question when Mr. LePage met with SAM before the election. During that meeting, our next governor said that he supported “an aggressive campaign to limit coyote predation.” As you know, that has not been the case with the current administration. In fact, it has been more than seven years since Commissioner Martin suspended the coyote control program, which was supposed to be for a period of one year.

Additionally, Mr. LePage said that he would defend existing hunting opportunities in all parks and public lands. He also indicated that he would support SAM’s legislation to establish tax credits for private investors who support the state’s recreational fishing economy, including the privatization of state fish hatcheries. He also supports limited Sunday hunting opportunities, including allowing landowners to hunt Sunday on their own land.

He opposes a national park in the North Woods.

With regard to Maine’s disappearing deer wintering yards, he said that instead of using tougher regulations, he would “incentivize” private landowners to protect deer yards and other wildlife habitat. We assume he means tax credits or some other state policy that would reward good corporate behavior.

As Paul LePage makes his transition from private life to public life, from business leader to political leader, sportsmen will be watching with high expectations. For us, his selection of the next commissioner will speak volumes about the journey ahead for the next four years.

V. Paul Reynolds is editor of the Northwoods Sporting Journal and has written his first book, A Maine Deer Hunter’s Logbook. He is also a Maine Guide, co-host of a weekly radio program “Maine Outdoors” heard Sundays at 7 p.m. on The Voice of Maine News-Talk Network (WVOM-FM 103.9, WCME-FM 96.7) and former information officer for the Maine Dept. of Fish and Wildlife. His e-mail address is [email protected].