Fish and Game Changers

In the final episode of season 7, Emily talks with Game Warden Corporal Kris MacCabe to take a deeper look at the delicate and often complicated tradition of public access to private land in Maine. Kris is one of two Corporals within Maine Warden Service who focus on landowners relations, providing support to private landowners across the state and helping to educate and inspire outdoor users of all types to be responsible and appreciative private land users.  Listen in and then learn more at mefishwildlife.com/outdoorpartners 

Since 1970 North America has lost 2.9 billion breeding adult birds. However, surveys show that many people are not aware of this decline or the fact that they can easily contribute to the solution. In this episode Emily sits down with Wildlife Biologist Adrienne Leppold to discuss how we can help protect Maine's birds right in our own backyards. Adrienne shares valuable information on bird conservation, and highlights some of the specific challenges facing North America's bird populations. Listen in and learn how you can help #BringBirdsBack Learn more: maine.gov/birdatlas 3billionbirds.org mainenativeplants.org

In this episode of Fish + Game Changers, Emily joins Fisheries Biologist Liz Thorndike on a tagging mission on Mooselookmeguntic Lake to learn more about the spawning behavior of wild brook trout and landlocked salmon. Liz, with years of experience under her belt, takes us through the intricate process of tagging and implanting radio transmitters in brook trout and landlocked salmon. She also shares some insights into the importance of community support and involvement. We learn how studying the movement of these fish during their reproductive season can help biologists better understand their habitats and ultimately protect them from various threats. Learn more about freshwater fisheries management in Maine at mefishwildlife.com/fisheries 

In this episode, Emily sits down with Game Warden Sergeant Kyle Hladik to discuss how an experience he had as a young child growing up in the Maine outdoors led him to his career and inspired him to take a personalized approach to recruiting new game wardens. They discuss what makes candidates stand out in the hiring pool, and how the Department is actively engaging with potential recruits to understand their needs and goals. They also talk about the importance of being able to connect with potential applicants on a more personal level, and the value of having a diverse team of highly qualified and skilled staff in the Warden Service. Learn more at mainegamewarden.com/gethired

There are hundreds of sites across the state that provide public access to many of Maine's 6,000 lakes and ponds and 32,000 miles of rivers and streams. Have you ever wondered how these public access sites are acquired, constructed or maintained? In this episode, Emily talks with MDIFW's Chief Planner Diano Circo to find out more about the development of public water access sites in the state and takes a little field trip to a newly renovated site just outside of the center of Augusta.   

Maine is home to the largest population of black bears in the eastern United States and when natural food sources are scarce in the spring it sometimes leads them into backyards in search of an easy meal such as bird feeders, garbage, grills and pet foods.  In this episode, Emily talks with wildlife biologist Jen Vashon about some of the ways we can all prevent conflicts or negative encounters with one of Maine's most iconic species. Learn more at mefishwildlife.com/livingwithblackbears 

You found a deer fawn all alone... now what?  In this episode, Emily talks with Wildlife Biologist Scott Lindsay to discuss the normal and natural behavior of female white-tailed deer (doe) during the spring season when they give birth to their young (fawn). Listen in to learn a little more about our wonderful white-tails and how to S.P.O.T. a fawn in need of help! Learn more about dealing with orphaned or injured fawns at mefishwildlife.com/fawn

Season 7 of Fish + Game Changers kicks off with a conversation about Maine's Endangered and Threatened Species in Maine. Host Emily MacCabe is joined by wildlife biologist Alex Fish to discuss the state of endangered and threatened species in Maine and how listeners can make small changes in their own backyards that could have positive impacts on some of Maine's most vulnerable species. Learn more at mefishwildlife.com 

For Maine Game Warden and Landowner Relations Corporal Rick LaFlamme, supporting Maine's landowners is a privilege. In this Season 6 finale, Rick describes Maine's unique Landowner Relations Program, educating the public on how to be good land users, working with landowners to preserve outdoor recreation opportunities, picking up millions of pounds of litter, and why he's passionate about this work. Learn more about accessing private land in Maine and how you can support Maine's generous landowers who allow access to their land at mefishwildlife.com/outdoorpartners 

Katie chats with Fish Culturist Ashley O'Neal. Ashley describes her daily routine raising trout and splake at the MDIFW Governor Hill Fish Hatchery. Ashley explains why she finds the hands-on hatcheries work to be rewarding, despite originally pursuing a career in wildlife.

Katie chats with MOSES (MDIFW's licensing system) Supervisor Angie Vo about how her office job connects her to Maine's outdoors.

Katie checks in via Zoom with MDIFW Deer Biologist Nathan Bieber. Nathan describes growing up and working in the Midwest, his move to Maine, the final steps of the state's deer collaring study, and why he loves his job.

Katie meets up with avid angler and fisheries biologist Jake Scoville to try out fly fishing and chat about his experiences in the field. Jake is based in the Grand Lake Region in downeast Maine.

Do turkeys spread ticks? Why don't we put tick collars on moose? In this final episode of season 5, Katie reviews the adaptive management study, next steps, and FAQs with MDIFW Moose Biologist Lee Kantar. In the coming months, Lee will present his proposal to the Department's advisory council. Christl Theriault, MDIFW's legislative liaison, explains this process. Learn more at mefishwildlife.com/wintertick

The proliferation of winter tick due to climate change is impacting the health and reproduction of the moose population. In this episode, MDIFW Moose Biologist Lee Kantar reviews all things winter tick including how they differ from other ticks you may be familiar with and how they impact moose. Lee also introduces the Adaptative Management Study, an ongoing study to determine if lowering the moose population density can lessen the impacts of winter tick. Learn more at mefishwildlife.com/wintertick

With 10 million acres of moose habitat in Maine, MDIFW Moose Biologist Lee Kantar has found helicopters to be essential to monitoring the state's moose population. Lee explains the three different studies from the air: the aerial survey to count moose, another aerial survey to determine the distribution of bulls, cows, and calves, and a third study where GPS collars are placed on cows and calves to track them. Learn more at mefishwildlife.com/moose

Moose are as synonymous with Maine as lighthouses and lobsters. Moose can be found grazing in swamp lands, browsing on saplings sprouting in recent clear cuts, swimming in lakes, and seeking the cool shelter of our state's enchanting forests. In this episode, Katie chats with MDIFW Wildlife Division Director Nate Webb and Moose Biologist Lee Kantar to learn a little about the history of moose in Maine. Learn more at mefishwildlife.com/moose

Katie visits with wildlife biologist Sarah Spencer, whose work focuses on managing habitats for the benefit of wildlife. We talk about Sarah's unique off-the-grid upbringing, how she charted a career in conservation, and the wild, beautiful, and ever-changing places her work brings her every day.