AUGUSTA – A legislative committee unanimously endorsed Chandler Woodcock of Farmington on Wednesday to be commissioner of Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
Woodcock, the nominee of Republican Gov. Paul LePage, was the party’s candidate for governor in 2006. He is a former state senator and registered Maine Guide, and the current executive director of the Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association.
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He told the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee, “My outdoor experiences have included bird and deer hunting, a brief trapping stint, kayaking on inland waters and the Atlantic, canoeing both the Allagash and St. John rivers, an Audubon bird count and teaching our grandchildren to appreciate our woods and waters and the fine art of putting a worm on a hook.”
Carlisle McLean, LePage’s new senior natural resources adviser, said, “I believe Chandler Woodcock will bring a unique and well-suited set of skills to the position of commissioner.”
Before voting 11-0 to endorse Woodcock, committee members asked him about his positions on Sunday hunting, bear trapping, the budget, and the preservation of Maine’s deer herd.
Woodcock acknowledged that he used to be strongly opposed to hunting on Sundays, and said he has heard “rumors” around the governor’s office that the administration is considering supporting it.
“I am not a proponent of Sunday hunting; I also understand the economic argument,” he said.
He called bear trapping an “appropriate management tool,” said he would continue to fight vigorously for general fund dollars for the department, and suggested the state look to buy deer yards to help build the herd in northern and eastern Maine.
“If we want to preserve the deer yards, the correct deer yards, I think it might be an advantage for the state to buy some,” he said.
One of his priorities would be working with Maine’s other natural resource agencies to raise their profile, Woodcock said.
“The resurgence of the (Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife) as an economic driver in Maine is vitally important,” he said. “I don’t think people fully appreciate what we do for Maine’s economy.”
Woodcock’s nomination was endorsed by Maine Audubon, the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine and the Maine Professional Guides Association.
The Senate will schedule a confirmation vote soon.
MaineToday Media State House Writer Rebekah Metzler can be contacted at 620-7016 or at: rmetzler@mainetoday.com
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