Maine’s new governor, Paul LePage, is hitting the ground running. So far his choices of leaders to manage state government have been encouraging. He is selecting not only capable administrators but individuals who share his core values and conviction that the way to invigorate Maine is to reduce government, streamline its functions and control spending.

This week the governor’s nominee to be the next Commissioner of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIF&W), Chandler Woodcock, will have his confirmation hearing before the State Legislature. Woodcock, a former gubernatorial candidate, appears to be a considered and prudent choice. Not only is he an honest-to-goodness sportsman, Woodcock is an ex-legislator who sat on the Legislative Fish and Wildlife Committee for a number of years. Former leaders of MDF&W, who worked with Woodcock, remember him as a savvy, capable policymaker who knows the issues. He has a reputation that bespeaks integrity and fortitude.

That’s good. Woodcock takes over the helm of Fish and Wildlife at a challenging time. He will face significant money and morale problems, not to mention all of the other conflicts and challenges that go with the territory.

This is just a guess, but I’m betting that Woodcock is the kind of leader who, unlike his predecessor, will show some grit when it comes to standing up for Maine sportsmen. We had a glimpse of this last week when Woodcock, after being named by the governor, announced that bringing back Maine’s hurting deer numbers would be a priority. In the same breath, our next Fish and Wildlife commissioner noted that controlling coyotes would be a component of that new priority.

What a refreshing contrast! For nearly eight years, our late Commissioner Roland Martin dithered and shrugged when it came to controlling coyotes. And he got away with it in spite of legislative mandates that ordered MDIF&W to get after the coyotes.

As his first order of business, Commissioner Woodcock should restore Maine’s longstanding coyote snaring program. He should also find a way to spend time with a few trappers and organizations in Aroostook and Washington Counties (ACCA and WCCA) who have had great success controlling coyotes under their own steam.

The ACCA coyote control contest drew to a close Feb. 12. The final count was 136 tagged coyotes. According to the ACCA, participation is growing every year. In Western Maine, the Rangeley Fish and Game club also conducted a coyote control program. Other Maine clubs have done so on a smaller basis.

The new commissioner would also do well to take a close look at his own staff of wildlife leaders and biologists. It is no secret that the folks who work for the department are not all on the same page when it comes to controlling coyotes or assessing their impact on deer mortality rates.

Congratulations to our new Fish and Wildlife Commissioner who is more than likely to be confirmed and on the job by this week. It has been a long eight years. Most sportsmen are hopeful that Commissioner Woodcock will speak for them and represent a refreshing return to reason.

The author 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].