The New Year is almost always a welcome event, even if we all are a year older and the economy is in the tank.

The slate is clean. As we look ahead it’s a lot like a field of virgin snow. The tracks we leave will take us to unseen ground. This is especially sweet for outdoor people who have an affinity for exploration, for finding what is just beyond the hill, or on the other side of the cedar swamp.

Move on, yes. But don’t forget to check your backtrack!

Animals do it for survival. For the rest of us contemplative bipods, who struggle for understanding and perspective, a check of what already took place can often divulge clues or insights into what lies ahead. Let’s check that backtrack for the Maine outdoors, circa 2008.

For simplicity’s sake, this outdoor lookback is divided into three categories: The good, the bad, and the ugly.

The good

Spring fishing was quite good, thanks to a robust spring runoff, cool water and wise fish management. If you ask me, Maine trout fishing is getting better and better. (Not the popular view, I know). The return tally of Atlantic salmon to the Penobscot River has turned a lot of heads. As of Oct. 31, the Veazie Dam salmon count was 2,115 returning silversides.

Despite an unprecedented harsh winter with deep snow and long-lingering cold temperatures, most of our wildlife resources – with the glaring exception of deer – fared surprisingly well. Amazingly, our wild turkey populations continue to expand and disburse. These are tough birds. Our surviving deer, bear and moose remain healthy and, as far as we know, free of Chronic Wasting Disease. Negative reports to the contrary, grouse numbers were good in some areas and not so good in others.

The Maine Warden Service got a new chief warden. Joel Wilkinson seems to be the right guy at the right time. The split season on spring turkey hunting was done away with, a good move. Conservation Commissioner Pat McGowan was cleared of charges that he used his airplane to hunt moose. Marsh Island in Old Town has finally been opened to a restricted, limited “experimental” bow season for deer.

Last but not least, the U.S Supreme Court, in a 5-4 squeaker decision, upheld an individual’s right to bear arms.

The bad

The lynx, through no fault of its own, is at the top of this list. Despite a settlement last year of a suit against MDIF&W and Maine trappers by animal rights groups, the lynx litigators are back as their relentless assault against trapping continues. Why do judges continue to allow the same people to re-litigate after a settlement is reached?

Maine’s whitetail deer population, which already has seen struggling numbers in northern Maine and Eastern Washington County for many years, was dealt a severe blow with one of the toughest winters in a long time. As a result, MDIF&W cut back on doe permits, and issued none in a number of Wildlife Management Districts. As expected, the fall deer harvest fell below normal numbers.

Even with a nominal winter this season, don’t look for significant recovery of deer numbers in the problem areas of the state. Increasing coyote numbers (still no lifting of the ban on coyote snaring after 6 years) and loss of wintering habitat bode against deer recovery anytime soon.

The ugly

The Baldacci administration, in an effort to balance its beleaguered budget, is sockin’ it to sportsmen. The plan to save money by closing down the Grand Lake Stream salmon hatchery is astonishing and short sighted. No doubt the governor will fend off the incoming flak by creating a Grand Lake Stream Study Committee.

Almost as worrisome, the Land Use Regulation Commission, in a proposal called Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP), would drastically alter land use policy in a way that restricts traditional use (hunting, snowmobiling, ATVing) as we know it today.

In the Augusta policy arena, 2008 has been a year of one step forward and two steps backward for sportsmen. We are losing the battle to elitist organizations who know how to effectively use their influence and money. Pitted against one another in this struggle for political supremacy are traditional users and elitist environmental extremists who consider the Maine waters and woodlands to be their exclusive domain.

Time to speak up

Maine’s political landscape is changing at an exponential rate. If you have been around this state for a few years, you know this to be true. Sportsmen, even those of us who don’t gravitate to politics, must speak loudly in the year about to unfold. One way to do this is to join organizations that represent your interests. Namely, groups like the Maine Trappers Association, the Maine Professional Guides Association, the Maine Snomobilers Association, and, of course, the organization that has a track record of consistently slugging away for Maine sportsmen, SAM, the Sportsmen’s Alliance of Maine.

V. Paul Reynolds is editor of the Northwoods Sporting Journal. 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].