Before we bid farewell to another year, here is a selective review of outdoor highlights from 2015. A lot happened this year that will have an ongoing impact on most of us who hunt and fish and recreate in the Maine outdoors.

On the political front, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) announced that it would not seek an anti-bear hunting referendum in Maine this year or next, after all. HSUS will instead pursue its goal of eliminating bear hounding, trapping and baiting through the legislative process. Trappers, and sportsmen who value their right to hunt and believe in letting professional wildlife managers — not politicians — manage our wildlife, are advised not to let their guard down.

A number of new laws were enacted that deal with guns and hunting. To the surprise of many, Maine’s concealed carry law was repealed. Anyone, sportsman or non sportsman, who is not a convicted felon, can now carry a loaded concealed handgun in Maine without a permit. This means that a hunter or angler in the woods can legally carry a loaded concealed handgun in a motor vehicle, Sunday included. Be advised, however, that the new law places a legal obligation upon the handgun carrier to disclose the concealed weapon upon any encounter with law enforcement personnel, game wardens or police officers.

It is also legal now to use noise suppression devices on hunting guns if permission is secured from MDIF&W. Additionally, electronic hunting or fishing licenses can be presented to a game warden in lieu of a paper document. Licensed hunting guides may also use leashed tracking dogs to locate wounded game animals without the tracking licenses required earlier. A game warden’s approval is required.

There was a major change in the requirements for youth hunting licenses. There is no longer any age requirement for licensed youth hunters. It used to be 10 years of age. This is now a parental decision. The law does state, though, that for any junior hunter under 10 years, the supervising adult cannot be more than 20 feet away from the junior hunter. Non-resident college students in Maine may also purchase hunting and fishing licenses at the resident rate. Also created was a Junior Hunt Day for young bear hunters. This, like the other junior hunt days set aside for deer hunters, will occur on the Saturday before the regular bear hunt. Hunters who are 70 or older may now use crossbows during any of the archery seasons for deer, as well as during the black powder season in December.

Finally, as we begin another Maine winter, wildlife managers and sportsmen alike, will watch our coldest season with fingers crossed. Our last two harsh winters have taken a toll on an already hard-pressed deer population, and, to some extent, moose and grouse as well.

A happy, healthy and peaceful New Year to sportsmen and sportswomen from one end of Maine to the other.

The author is editor of the Northwoods Sporting Journal. He is also a Maine Guide, co-host of a weekly radio program “Maine Outdoors.” His e-mail address is [email protected] . He has two books “A Maine Deer Hunter’s Logbook” and his latest, “Backtrack.”