AUGUSTA — The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is embarking on a study to revise its long-term big game management plan. There have been several opportunities for resident input into the process, including a scientific survey and a series of focus groups (residents, hunters, and landowners were randomly selected to participate in each).

However, the MDIFW wants to hear from all hunters, and there are two ways to be involved in the process. The first is through an online "Town Hall" forum allowing hunters to submit comments to the agency and discuss big game management with one another.

The big game Town Hall forum can be accessed here: metownhall.org.

The second way to participate in the process is by attending one of the public meetings on big game management taking place this month and next.

The public meetings on big game will be split between meetings for deer, moose, and turkey issues and meetings for black bear issues:
Deer, Moose, and Turkey Management Public Meetings:

• Saturday, March 19 from 1-4 p.m.; Embassy Suites, 1050 Westbrook Street, Portland. - Katahdin Room
• Saturday, March 19 from 1-4 p.m.; Northeastland Hotel, 436 Maine Street, Presque Isle. - Red Room
• Saturday, April 2 from 1-4 p.m.; Black Bear Inn, 4 Godfrey Drive, Orono. - Blue Room

Bear Management Public Meetings:

• Wednesday, March 16 from 6-9 p.m.; Embassy Suites, 1050 Westbrook Street, Portland. - Katahdin Room
• Wednesday, March 16 from 6-9 p.m.; Northeastland Hotel, 436 Maine Street, Presque Isle. - Red Room
• Wednesday, March 30 from 6-9 p.m.; Black Bear Inn, 4 Godfrey Drive, Orono. - Blue Room

Many hunters in Maine are also anglers, and a similar research process is being conducted to update MDIFW's fisheries management plan.
An online Town Hall for fisheries management issues is accessible at mefish.org.

Public meetings on fisheries management issues:

• Thursday, March 17 from 6-9 p.m.; Embassy Suites, 1050 Westbrook Street, Portland. - Katahdin Room
• Thursday, March 17 from 6-9 p.m.; Northeastland Hotel, 436 Maine Street, Presque Isle. - Red Room
• Thursday, March 31 from 6-9 p.m.; Black Bear Inn, 4 Godfrey Drive, Orono. - Blue Room
• Tuesday, April 5 from 6-9 p.m.; The University of Farmington, 224 Main Street, Farmington. - Lincoln Auditorium

Thank you for your interest in Maine's fish and wildlife resources. The MDIF hopes to hear from you soon.