This is very important - please spread the word.

Hi Jane…

First of all thank you for calling yesterday about the incident that happened over the weekend involving a fisherman and one of the loons. Ray has gone out and spoken to the gentleman that actually saw this happen…

First, please know that the person who witnessed this is from Florida and just working here. He was on break at the time looking out over the pond… He was not aware of the regulations and protection provided to the loons here in Vermont. So even though he thought it strange and quite irresponsible, he did not know he should possibly report the incident, nor did he know to whom he should report…

We are not sure which day this happened, but it was either Friday or Saturday… Apparently, a man and a younger figure, (father and son?), were in a small fishing boat on the North shore by Bona’s camp casting their fishing lines toward the loons (reportedly there were four loons in the group… so we are assuming that it was the ‘family’ that was involved)… Then they reeled in one of the loons… they reached down and pulled it up into the boat… the person witnessing it said, “ it was really thrashing around!”… Then the boat took off really fast headed towards Smith’s Point… it was about 200 yards from the witness, so he was not able to catch any registration numbers off the boat… he had no binoculars with him… He assumed they were going for help…

Ray has been out on the pond, last night late, and early this am… there is no sign of one of the chicks… the family was seen (as a family of three) early Sunday morning, and ever since, as only three… After checking last night Ray was able to determine that one of the chicks is missing from the group.

Ray has been on the phone all morning calling the local vets, and the vet on-call over the weekend, Vermont Fish and Wildlife, The Game Warden, Vermont State Police, and Vins… Eric Hanson has also been notified… there were no reports of any incidents, nor any loon reported to have needed emergency assistance… Apparently, when the fishing boat rushed off… it did not rush to get help from these agencies…

The witness stated that he did not feel the fisherman was attempting to hook the loon intentionally… but he was casting in their direction.

I wouldn’t have thought that this needs to be said, but… While fishing… please do not cast out toward the loons, because if you hook a fish and are reeling it in… the loon, if he sees your fish, will think it is a meal for him… and go for it… then you get yourself in a difficult situation…

Although we are very upset that this has happened, we realize that some folks don’t think ahead… this case is one of those… If you know anything about this incident, or the condition of the loon chick,,, please call us (563-3083) or VINS… We also ask that all camp owners check their shoreline for a loon in distress or dead… and call Ray… do not try to handle the chick/body yourself. This chick could still be on the pond… we need to find it…

If you happen to be the one that has the chick and are trying to rehab it… please call Ray (563-3083)… they are very difficult to rehab and may die… they need to be put in special hands to recover… (We would need to take it to the rehab person in Maine IMMEDIATELY… we can do that but we need your help)

Thank you Joe’s Ponders for your help… (thank you Jane for calling and letting us know what you heard.)

PLEASE CHECK YOUR SHORELINE>>>> thanks… Evelyn and Ray