“Sportsmen of Maine, it is time to act. Time to unite as sportsmen and do whatever we can within the law to reduce Maine’s deer-killing coyote population.”

Although there are a number of reasons why Maine’s deer numbers are at record lows, there are only a few deer- recovery remedies over which sportsmen or the Fish and Wildlife Department have any control. Culling coyotes, which have grown increasingly plentiful as our deer have become increasingly scarce, is one of these measures.

Maine’s former deer biologist Gerry Lavigne, who has long backed efforts to control deer predators, recently said: “IF&W is not going to control coyotes. Sportsmen and hunters who want to help save Maine’s whitetail deer from further decline need to seize the initiative themselves.” Lavigne, who has advocated the creation of a coyote hunter’s network, believes that individual sportsmen, fish and game clubs, and other sportsmen organizations need “to take the bull by the horns,” so to speak.

A number of organizations, which include the Washington County Conservation Association (WCCA), the Aroostook County Conservation Association (ACCA) and some other concerned groups have made some headway with annual coyote hunt tournaments. Although the governor and his fish and wildlife commissioner put pressure on WCCA not to hold its first organized coyote hunt, WCCA, to its credit, forged ahead.

Isn’t it time for a reality check, time to stop fretting about what is politically correct and face the truth? Coyotes kill deer, especially fawns and wintering deer that are hamstrung by deep snows and weakened condition. Granted, a war on Maine coyotes is not the sole solution, but experience teaches us that it can help. In deer-poor Washington County, a consistent winter coyote snaring program by the Passamaquoddies on their wild lands has helped bring deer back.

Sportsmen of Maine, it is time to act. Time to unite as sportsmen and do whatever we can within the law to reduce Maine’s deer-killing coyote population. Predator hunting can be a challenging wintertime activity, and a satisfying one, too, when you realize that in taking out a coyote you have contributed to deer recovery.

The Northwoods Sporting Journal, in partnership with the WCCA, ACCA, and the Presque Isle Fish and Game Club, is introducing a new, statewide sportsman initiative to help save our deer. It is called simply Save the Whitetail. Here is how it works:

1. Any sportsman or sportswoman can help Maine’s struggling Northern and Eastern deer population by supporting Save the Whitetail. Simply submit an application along with a check for $5.00 to Save the Whitetail, Presque Isle Fish & Game Club, 653 Egypt Road, Westfield, ME., 04787. All proceeds will be used to underwrite the cost of deer feed plots in Washington and Aroostook Counties and Save the Whitetail patches. (See application forms and mailing address in the Northwoods Sporting Journal). Additional donations of larger amounts are also welcome and will be used toward deer restoration efforts.

2. Starting in 2010, any hunter or trapper who is a member of Save the Whitetail and who kills and legally tags two coyotes that have been certified will be eligible to receive an embroidered Save the Whitetail jacket patch. (There will be no charge for the patch). A Maine sportsmen who wears a Save A Whitetail patch can do so with pride, knowing that he or she has directly contributed to the protection of Maine’s hard-pressed deer population.

3. Starting in 2010, any hunter or trapper who is a member of save the Whitetail and who has killed and legally tagged 25 certified coyotes accumulatively over any period of time will be eligible to receive an embroidered Master Save the Whitetail jacket patch.

4. Tagging station attendants, Maine game wardens, state game biologists or appointed coyote certifiers from designated fish and game clubs can certify kills.

Thanks to the efforts of a number of sportsmen organizations, a number of coyote tournaments are already underway in Maine. For some helpful tips about predator hunting, check out the February and March issues of the Northwoods Sporting Journal. Application forms for Save the Whitetail membership are also published in the March issue of the Sporting Journal.

As Presque Isle Fish and Game Club member Nick Archer points out controlling coyotes is only part of the solution. His organization, along with the WCCA and ACCA, is also actively involved in trying to protect deer habitat and encourage the planting of deer food plots in Aroostook and Washington counties.

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].