A prominent Maine outdoors publication has put out its annual opinion poll.

Your Scribe will try to be honest in answering questions. (An aside: I hope they mark on a curve).

Q. Should we lengthen the deer-hunting season into December in the southern part of the state?
A. No. The herd is healthy but weather (and health) runs in cycles. Let the herd grow.

Q. Should there be a speed limit for motorboats at night?
A. Yes. It has come to my attention that boaters imbibe alcoholic beverages. To let them run loose at night is a bad idea.

Q. Should there be year-round fishing?
A. Yes. Maine people love to fish. It might make for a few less lunkers for the vacation crowd, but so be it.

Q. Should there be a civil penalty for crashing a motor vehicle, ATV or snowmobile through the ice?
A. No. People don't do it on purpose. Those snowmobilers on Sebago Lake didn't plan to go hydroplaning . . .

Q. The Sportman's Alliance of Maine did not support the addition of the Katahdin Land parcel to Baxter State Park because hunting, trapping and snowmobiling would not be allowed there. Do you agree with SAM's position?
A. I don't know enough to form an opinion.

Q. Should crossbows be allowed for use wherever compound bows are allowed for use?
A. I don't understand the question.

Q. Should inline muzzleloaders that use smokeless powder be allowed during the muzzleloader season on deer?
A. Please . . . see above response.

Q. Should commercial fishing for invasive species such as northern pike and yellow perch be allowed?
No. "Commercial fishing" generally means being able to bring in a lot of fish, and trash those that aren't desirable. Plus, yellow perch is about the only fish I can catch. I would hate to see their numbers diminish.

Q. Should the blueback trout be added to the state's endangered species list?
A. I don't know. I haven't caught a trout on two decades, and don't know of the blueback trout.

Q. Should there be a fall shotgun season for turkeys?
A. No, no and no. The turkey is making a robust return and it is encouraging. Let's not seek a more effective means to kill them, now that they are on the rebound. It is thrilling to see a group of them go by.

Your Scribe will attempt to complete this exercise in coming days.

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