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2 • January 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————
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4 • January 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————
Guest
Editorial
Inspiring the Next Generation of Outdoorsmen and Outdoorswomen
New England’s Largest Outdoor Publication
Sportsman The Maine
ISSN 0199-036 — Issue No. 591 • www.mainesportsman.com PUBLISHER: Jon Lund
by Stacy Belanger
MANAGING EDITOR: Will Lund will@mainesportsman.com
I am fortunate to have grown up in Northern Maine. Each new day provided an opportunity for self-discovery and adventures. My fondest childhood memories are of exploring the backwoods. We spent hours riding the dirt roads in search of wildlife. When I was a child, crossing paths with small creatures like grouse, fox, rabbit and racoon were reasons for excitement, and that excitement only grew when we encountered large game such as bear, moose and deer. It fueled my love for nature, and it later inspired me to take wildlife photographs. For many, hunting and fishing are ways of life. While some outdoorsmen spend a lifetime pursuing a trophy animal, a true sportsman knows that any game animal, whether or not it’s a trophy, will be harvested as a source of food for the family. Although I do not hunt, I understand that hunting is done not only for sport, but as a necessary and effective method for wildlife management and preservation. My husband and I have been blessed with two wonderful boys, one of whom is 10 years old, and the younger who is 14 months. Our hope is that our sons will join a new generation of outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen who possess the same respect, passion and enthusiasm we experienced as kids. Last year, our older son was successful in harvesting his first buck. He carries with him a treasure trove of memories as a result of hunting with his dad, who is a registered Maine guide. Our son also enjoys fishing, riding an ATV, and snowmobiling. This past bear season, he helped his dad prepare for the hunt by packing baits, setting up tree stands, and clearing shooting lanes. He successfully baited his own bear sites on our property, and enthusiastically checked his trail cams daily for any signs of visiting bear. We’ve taught him that hunting is a privilege, and with it comes some important lifelong lessons. He is learning not only the principles of gun safety, but also the values of hard work, patience, and perseverance. He has gained a deep appreciation for nature, and when he shares stories of his adventures, his eyes light up with excitement. As parents or guardians, it’s important that we inspire the next generation. We must not only teach our children how to safely interact with nature, but also how to manage our forests, waters, hills, and fields. We must teach our children the importance of gun safety, so they will handle firearms with care. With a little guidance, we can teach our children how to preserve our land, water, and wildlife for future generations.
OFFICE MANAGER: Carol Lund carol@mainesportsman.com
Stacy Belanger’s outdoor photographs, including this colorful image of ice fishing houses on Eagle Lake, reflect her love for Maine’s natural resources and the sportsmen and -women who enjoy them.
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On the Cover: Late afternoon sun reflects off new-fallen snow, creating this stunning snowmobiling vista. Maine’s riders will be out in force this month, as snow accumulates and is packed down by sledding enthusiasts. www.MaineSportsman.com
CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Kristina Roderick kristina@mainesportsman.com ADVERTISING DIRECTOR: Nancy Carpenter nancy@mainesportsman.com DISTRIBUTION DIRECTOR: Deb Lund Carter distribution@mainesportsman.com Second class postage paid at Scarborough, ME 04074 and additional entry offices. All editorial inquiries should be emailed to will@mainesportsman.com Phone: 207-622-4242 Postmaster: Send address changes to: The Maine Sportsman, 183 State Street, Suite 101, Augusta, ME 04330 12-Month Subscription: $30 • 24-Month Subscription: $49
TABLE OF CONTENTS Almanac by Will Lund.................................................... 15 A Ranger on the Allagash by Tim Caverly.................. 48 Aroostook - “The County” by Bill Graves..................... 10 Big Game Hunting by Joe Saltalamachia.................. 28 Big Woods World by Joe Kruse..................................... 27 Central Maine by Steve Vose....................................... 58 Cooking Wildly by Kate Krukowski Gooding............... 41 Downeast Region by Jim Lemieux............................... 55 Editorial.............................................................................. 4 Freshwater Fly Fishing by Lou Zambello....................... 43 Jackman Region by William Sheldon.......................... 37 Jottings by Jon Lund........................................................ 8 Katahdin Country by William Sheldon......................... 36 Letters to the Editor.......................................................... 6 Maine Sportswoman by Christi Holmes....................... 34 Maine Wildlife by Tom Seymour................................... 20 Maine Wildlife Quiz by Steve Vose............................... 56 Midcoast by Tom Seymour........................................... 61 Moosehead Region by Tom Seymour......................... 51 New Hampshire by Ethan Emerson.............................. 67 Nolan’s Outdoor World by Nolan Raymond............... 46 Off-Road Traveler by William Clunie............................ 39 Outdoors & Other Mistakes by Al Diamon.................. 71 Quotable Sportsman by Will Lund................................ 12 Rangeley Region by William Clunie............................. 65 Riding Shotgun by Robert Summers............................. 72 Saltwater Fishing by Barry Gibson................................ 49 Sebago to Auburn Region by Tom Roth..................... 59 Self-Propelled Sportsman by Jim Andrews.................. 47 Shooter’s Bench by Col. J.C. Allard............................. 53 Smilin’ Sportsman by Will Lund...................................... 72 Snapshots in Time by Bill Pierce.................................... 14 Southern Maine by Val Marquez................................. 60 Tidewater Tales by Randy Randall............................... 45 Trapping The Silent Places by David Miller.................. 57 Trading Post (Classifieds)............................................... 73 Trout Fishing by Tom Seymour....................................... 42 True Tales from the Warden Service by Ret. Lt. Doug Tibbetts.63 Western Maine Mountains by William Clunie.............. 66 Young Maine Sportsman by Luke Giampetruzzi........ 64
GUEST COLUMNS & SPECIAL SECTIONS Snowmobiling in Maine by Steve Carpenteri............. 21 Reader Story: Memories Made by Chris Sargent....... 26 Ice Fishing in Maine by Steve Carpenteri.................... 30 Ice Safety by Blaine Cardilli.......................................... 32
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6 • January 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————
Letters To The Editor
Ed Grant, my Great Grandfather
To the Editor: I am writing about William Clunie’s “Rangeley Region” column in the November issue, in which Clunie includes a vintage photograph of Ed Grant, operator of Grant’s Camps. Grant is shown in a canoe, with a guide (and a couple of big bucks). I am the great grandson of Ed Grant.
Dreaming of Chile To the Editor: As I sat back after a long day of hunting Misery Ridge with my son and picked up the November issue of The Maine Sportsman, I was stunned and delighted to read the article by King Montgomery describing his experiences fly fishing Patagonia with guides Bob Duport and Mike Jones. My son Joey and I experienced the very same trip 13 years ago, also staying at the Las Torres Lodge and fishing the same breath-takingly beautiful rivers of Chile. We ate like kings, received top-notch guidance from Mike and Bob, and caught countless native trout.
ternet and publications like The Sportsman. But there’s one basic, non-technical tool that can be beneficial to everyone from ice fishermen and trappers to hunters, and that’s the Jet Sled. Ever since they first came out, I have used these sleds to haul bear, fishing equipment, trapping equipment, and especially whitetail deer, including the 10-pt., 203-lbs. buck shown in the photo, taken in Baldwin on November 4, 2021.
A Jet Sled is just the right size for a trophy buck. Photo: Edward Dippolito
The other fellow in the canoe, I believe, is Rufus Crosby, who guided with Grampa Ed and later worked at Grant’s Camps for my Grandfather, Will Grant. Gramp (Will) built Grant’s Kennebago Camps, and his father joined him in the business, and sold his Beaver Pond Camps that Cornelia “Flyrod” Crosby favored fishing at so much. If you get to The Outdoor Heritage Museum next year, you can see many great displays of the Rangeley Lakes heritage, including ours. Glenn D. Grant (age 79) – Scarborough, ME
As proof, I’ve included a photo of my son Joey (then 14 years old) and Mike Jones with a trophy brown trout from Rio Manihuales. This fish was largest trout caught that season at Las Torres. Keep up the great work! Mark Lefebvre – Hampton Falls, NH
Jet Sleds can also be used in an emergency situations, such as getting an injured person out of the woods. My tough plastic sled is one of my most important tools, and I keep one in the back of my truck from fall till the end of winter. I recommend them. Eddie Dippolito – Bridgton, ME —
Finally Got a Chance to Try Kate’s Recipe
To the Editor: More than a year ago, in the Novem— ber 2020 issue of The Maine Sportsman, Ed Loves his Jet Sled Kate Gooding shared her recipe for marinated, grilled venison heart. To the Editor: When I enquired of her, Kate was As modern sportsmen, we benefit gracious enough to forward along a from a great deal of technology, includpacket of dried Mexican Oregano, a key ing cell game cameras, accurate rifles ingredient in the recipe. and unlimited information from the in— Unfortunately, during the 2020 season I was unable to procure a venison heart to utiA Family Owned Hardware Store with 2500 Sq. Ft. of Sporting Goods lize with her recipe. However, in the fall of 2021, I was fortuHeavyweight 100% Cotton Pre-shrunk nate enough to harvest a suitable whitetail. So a few nights ago I was finally able to put her 186 Sabattus Road, Sabattus, ME • (207) 375-6253 recipe to the test. 2 Miles Off I-95 Exit 86 Just like she promised, it was wonderful. FREE set-up on orders of 72 pieces or more! The Mexican Oregano Hats $7.00 Prices on 36 pieces ($20 set-up) Price includes garment and 1 color 1 location screen print complimented it perRush Service Available ~ Call for free catalog fectly! Thanks Kate! T-Shirts-Jackets-Sweatshirts-Sweatpants Hats-Aprons-Totes and more And thanks to The Maine Sportsman for publishing her wonderHand Forged 852 DEXTER ROAD • CORINNA, MAINE ful preparations for the game we harvest. Cooking Equipment Jerry Scribner Belgrade, ME etsy.com/shop/TrippHammerForge
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(Continued on next page)
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You Call it Gobey; I Call it Gorbie To the Editor: When reading Tom Seymour’s article about spruce grouse in the November, 2021 issue of The Maine Sportsman, I was surprised to see that he called the Canada Jay a Gobey. In Birds of Maine by Peter Vickery, the bird is referred to as a Gorbie. I believe the name Gorbie is from a legend of the Maine woods about a giant of a woodman named Esau, who plucked the feathers from a Canada Jay, and the next day found that he had lost all his hair and was completely bald. The legend was called “Esau and the Gorbie.” Henceforth, Canada Jays were known as Gorbies. Fred Huntress – Poland, ME Tom’s Response: Thank you for the feedback, Fred. I don’t have Peter Vickery’s book, so I haven’t seen
that spelling. I have always written “gobey” as I pronounce it and, as everyone I know pronounces it, sans “r.” In the bird guides that I do have, and I have a number of them, none of them even mention gobey or gorbie. It is a Maine name, not an official name, and all I can say is, we spell it as we pronounce it. I am not aware of any definitive spelling of the word, but perhaps Mr. Vickery is correct. In any case, at least for me, the mystery remains unsolved. I’d welcome further direction in this matter, and I thank you for your letter. Tom Seymour – Frankfort, ME —
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New Book Details Sustenance Hunting at 1930s Woolwich Farm In recent years, my brother Erik, who lives in Boston, has been spending more time at his summer home, a farmhouse in Woolwich. While there, he became acquainted with Roberta Ames, who grew up in Erik’s house when the property supported a dairy farm many years ago. Roberta is a good storyteller, and Erik became fascinated by
her accounts of growing up on a farm, from the 1930s through the 1960s. Roberta and Erik recently collaborated on a book entitled The Ames Farm of Woolwich, Maine, a memoir by Roberta Ames, as told to Erik Lund. The book is now available at local bookstores and online. Hunting for Food The Ames family consisted of Roberta, her mother and father, two older brothers and an older sister. “We had to fend for ourselves, and hunting was a necessary part of our lives,” Roberta recalls. Her father owned a 30-30 lever action
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ing, but she would not carry any firearms. Later, she was allowed to carry a .22, in case she encountered small game.
rifle, a 30-’06 rifle, and a Remington pump action shotgun. The father’s choice for deer hunting was the 30-30 lever action. Roberta’s father was a crack shot with a rifle and a good wing shot. He was reputed to have shot a deer at a range of 300 yards. Roberta’s father was very careful with firearms, and he taught Roberta and her siblings how to handle them safely. In the early days, Roberta would accompany her father deer hunt-
Roberta Brings Home the Venison Deer hunting was much a family-and-friends operation, with Roberta and others going through the puckerbrush to flush deer out into the open, where her father and others could shoot them. On one occasion, Roberta was going through the brush carrying only a .22 rifle. A deer appeared, but instead of going where it was expected, it walked straight towards Roberta. She knew that she could not kill the deer with a .22 unless she shot it in the head. She shot it in the head, and so the family had venison. Her father dressed
out the deer, hung it in the shed to cool, and later butchered the deer. The venison they could not eat right away was made into mincemeat, or cooked for stew and canned in jars for later consumption. Upland Game Birds, Ducks, Geese The family also shot partridges and pheasants in nearby woods and fields, as well as ducks on Merrymeeting Bay. In the spring, another form of bird hunting was carried on, although the family did not discuss it with others. Geese flying north for the coming summer would often stop at Merrymeeting Bay. Some of the geese came ashore and plucked out strands of grass that were being grown for hay to feed (Continued on next page)
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the farm animals. Mr. Ames asked the game warden what could be done about that. The warden said that he could shoot over the head of the geese to frighten them away, and that if his aim was bad and he hit an occasional goose, not to worry about it. Duck Boat The book includes a photograph of a gunning boat that Roberta’s father built himself. It looks to be 16 or 18 feet in length, shallow draft, and with racks for decoys up forward. A hole in the stern was used with a special oar for sculling. Mr. Ames was an expert at sculling. Building a gunning boat is no small feat, and it looks as if he was a good woodworker. Merrymeeting Bay was a famous shooting ground for duck hunters. In those days, hunters in the bay would often locate a “guzzle” – a small open area where ducks would congregate. They would use a scythe to cut a zigzag path through the grass to the guzzle, and then put out decoys. When a flock of ducks came in and landed, the hunters would scull along the zigzag path until the ducks were within shotgun range.
ing for smelts and was good at it, but she was not invited to join her brothers in any of the smelting camps along the river until her siblings were grown and out of the house. Her brothers maintained smelt camps and sold the fresh smelts at local markets. Long Days of Work Opportunities for hunting and fishing needed to be squeezed into busy schedules. The farm had no electricity, and the milk was cooled by ice that the family cut in Merrymeeting Bay and stored in an icehouse. And as a consequence, the chores were labor-intensive.
The day started at 4:30 a.m., and breakfast followed after the cows were milked and fed, and the stalls mucked out. Then came a full breakfast, followed by the tasks of the day. The family ate a full noon meal and a full evening meal, and the cows were milked and fed once more, and stalls cleaned out before the day was over. Eventually, the arduous work and meager income became too much to overcome, and the family moved on. Milk production became a large-scale operation, requiring larger storage and cooling tanks, and more machinery. The
Letters (Continued from page 7)
issue, and it explained why we are seeing a few more people at the Engines/tramway than we have in the past. We have not seen the large numbers he reports; rather, over the past two years we have seen groups of 6 or 7 – but still more than in prior years. Despite recent increased access, I feel compelled to say that the Allagash is still the crown jewel of Maine’s wilderness experience. There are
Roberta’s father sculling his duck boat.
brothers served in the military, and then had employment opportunities other than returning to the farm, which still had no electricity. The father and daughter persevered as long as they could, and the book offers a strong portrayal of the challenges of farm life. It is fascinatingly descriptive, details that will make older read-
fewer canoeists on the river than there were 20 years ago, and it is not unusual to make the whole 95-mile trip and see only a handful of people. And regarding Al Diamon’s take on budget cocktails, Al makes some good points about Manhattans; namely, that a good vermouth will make an inexpensive whiskey taste good. However, his idea of “mid-priced” bourbon (e.g., Makers Mark, Bullit) are products I would not waste on a Manhattan. I go for the not-quite-bottom-shelf variety, and find the quality
ers nod with familiarity, while educating younger readers. The Ames Farm of Woolwich, Maine is available at your local bookstore, as well as on Amazon. If a local bookstore does not have it in stock, ask them to order it, or it can be ordered through them online at IndieBound.com.
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satisfactory. Al also had an interesting take on a Manhattan variation, using ruby port instead of vermouth. I tried it, and prefer a tawny port to the ruby, but still would rather use vermouth. My bitters of choice is the Orange Bitters, rather than the Angostura. Thanks to Al Diamon for the excuse to taste-test more Manhattans. Peter Bloomfield Bloomfield Engineering Hollis, NH
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Aroostook Ice Drilling – Choose Rural, or Remote To avoid the crowds, try ice-angling on some of the area’s lesser-known lakes and ponds. For example, a few miles north of Houlton’s big draw lakes sits a diminutive 25-acre pothole called Conroy, and oddly, at 108 feet deep, it’s the third deepest lake in the entire state. Well-stocked with splake and brook trout, Conroy has only been open to ice fishing for a couple of years, and experiences only moderate pressure. I’ll wager my favorite ice jigging outfit that there’s not a city, town, or village in Aroostook that’s more than a 30 minute drive or snowmobile ride from a spot to ice fish. The question is, are you up for a quick prework outing, a halfday venture, a full day excursion, or an entire weekend of setting traps and working a jigging rod?
opening to ice fishing in January, the influx of winter anglers to some waterways is intense – especially those close to communities and renowned “Big Name” lakes. In Island Falls, for example, locals and visiting ice drillers flock to Pleasant and Mattawamkeag Lakes. For a change of pace, especially on weekends, visit often overlooked smaller nearby lakes. Here are a few suggestions. Just about six miles south is Caribou Lake (236 acres) and about the same distance northwest in Hersey is Crystal Lake (137 acres).
Neighborhood Ponds If your work schedule usually only allows for short jaunts, then urban edge and rural frozen gems are the key to fun and a fresh fish fry this month. With so many lakes
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Brook trout, pickerel and perch will be far more plentiful than fishermen, and a snowmobile will ease access and exploration. Both waterways actually opened to ice fishing in November, but in recent years, the changing climate has curtailed that option until at least December. Especially for youngsters, another great neighborhood urban-edge option is Rock Crusher Pond, well stocked with brookies that often top 16 inches and exceed a pound in weight. The caveat for this spot is that anglers must be under 16 years old or have an eligible complimentary license. At only 12 acres
Small lakes and ponds can be found within 20 minutes or so of most Aroostook villages and towns. They freeze up quicker than many big lakes and are perfect spots for a family outing this month. All photos by Bill Graves
and shallow, with shoreline access along two sides, Rock Crusher is easy to reach and simple to fish. Shallow snow depth allows access by foot, and a set of snowshoes will get you to good fishing sites all winter. Since this pond is geared toward the young and old anglers, a snowmobile erases travel obstacles. Check DeLorme’s Atlas, Map 52, C-4 and B-2 & B-3 for this trio of more obscure but worthwhile wa-
ters. I-95, Route 2 and Route 4 are the main approach byways, and plowed secondary roads will get ice drillers near each location. Houlton Hot Spots Summer or winter fisher folks from Houlton and its several satellite villages flock to Nickerson and Drew’s Lake for their wide variety of gamefish, but even more for the chance to hook a rare brown trout. I’d opt to shun the mass(Continued on next page)
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Bill Levasseur of Sinclair lives right on the shore of Long Lake and keeps track of when a safe depth of ice forms in the nearby cove. That allows him to enjoy early action before the crowds arrive. (Continued from page 10)
es this month in favor of a well-stocked small urban waterway, Hodgdon Mill Pond. This is another spot to catch a brown trout, and it’s located right beside Route 1. Check DeLorme’s Map 53, B-3. This in-town site is perfect for a short outing. A few miles north of Houlton’s big draw lakes sits a diminutive 25-acre pothole called Conroy, and oddly, at 108 feet deep, it’s the third deepest lake in the entire state. Well stocked with splake and brook trout, Conroy has only been open to ice fishing for a couple of years, and experiences only moderate pressure. Conroy is an extremely easy lake to access, just minutes off Route 1 along – what else? – Lake Road. Other than hauling gear around, a snowmobile isn’t a requirement to reach likely hot spots. Be aware that due to oxygen levels and light penetration , most fish will be above 25 feet, often between 6 to 18 feet deep. Check DeLorme’s Map 59, grid D-3 for an overview. Pre-
Only a small number of lakes in The Crown of Maine provide the opportunity to catch whitefish. Chamberlain Lake offers a great population of this unusual finned quarry as well as other species. The lake features a deep-woods location, keeping fishing pressure lower. Whitefish must be a minimum of 16” to be kept.
work and weekday outings garner fewer competitors. Deep Woods Drilling There are a handful of North Woods waterways that every angler should visit at least once, summer or winter, and while the fishing remains top rate all year, travel and the elements are much tougher during wintry weather. Technically, the huge expanse of snow and ice this month is actually south of Aroostook’s boundary, but ice fishing Chamberlain Lake
is well worth the effort and border-jumping. Churchill, Round, Eagle, Chamberlain, Telos and Mud are all gems in the liquid necklace, but Chamberlain is the crown jewel. Although it’s possible to accomplish a day trip from most Aroostook communities, expect a long dark-todusk exploit. For that reason, a two-weekday or a weekend visit will be less grueling and far more fun. Be aware there is only one set of camps and outfitters on this huge lake – Nugent
Allagash Lakes Region
Lisa Levasseur lives less than 500 yards from a Crown of Maine lake. She takes full advantage of safe ice thickness as soon as it arrives, and gets a jump on the early season anglers who need to travel from afar.
Camps, owned by the Thornton family. During winter months, this remote resort can be reached only via skis or snowmobiles, and the only other option for an ice fishing foray is to bring your own gear, and camp outdoors.
Brook trout in the 3- to 4-pound class are fairly common this month, and lake trout weighing 5 to 7 pounds are iced regularly. The third species that has drawn a lot of attention in the last few years is the white(Continued on next page)
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12 • January 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————
Some small waterways freeze up much faster than large lakes, allowing not only early fishing but also the chance to set out a fishing shanty to provide comfort and warmth.
Aroostook lakes are open to ice fishing as soon as safe ice forms, and -- as seen in this photo -- some of the fastest smelt fishing of the season can be enjoyed this month.
The County (Continued from page 11)
fish, a trophy found on a few Aroostook lakes. Jigging for these fish has been extremely productive the last
couple of winters, and although three a day may be kept, there’s a 16” minimum length limit. It’s not uncom-
Quotable
Sportsman
by Will Lund
“It would be like an elephant walking up out of Africa into Scandinavia – like getting a call that the Rolling Stones are playing in a field behind a warehouse in the next town over.” Nick Lund, Maine birdist, quoted in a New York Times article on 11/5/2021, titled “This Eagle Is Very, Very Lost,” about a Steller’s sea eagle that’s usually found in Asia, but turned up in Nova Scotia.
mon to catch and release a dozen whitefish a day early in the season. Winter anglers seeking a real winter venture at a truly remote, deep woods
destination where skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling miles of well groomed trails supplement the fishing won’t be disappointed in Chamberlain Lake. See DeLorme’s Map
“Sportsmen and women continue to come into conflict with the Maine Municipal Association and management of natural resources. I once battled the city of Randolph, which wanted to charge property taxes on smelt shacks on the Kennebec River. We prevailed.” David Trahan, Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine Institute for Legislative Action — “There was one kind of bird hunting we didn’t talk about. In the springtime, Canada geese would come into the fields for the nice green grass that was going to become part of our hay for the winter. They would pull the grass up by the roots so it would have to be reseeded. Dad asked the warden what could be done about them [the birds were protected by law at that time]. The warden told him he should shoot a gun over their heads and scare them away, and if he happened to hit one, not to be concerned about it.” Roberta Ames, “The Ames Farm of Woolwich, Maine,” as told to Erik Lund; copyright 2021
— www.MaineSportsman.com
—
Brothers Connor and Ethan Cushman of Mars Hill visit one of their neighborhood small lakes for some early January success.
55, segments D-5 & E-5, and Map 56, E-1 & 2 – those pages display this Allagash waterway, as well as several route options.
¶
“Snowman Steak Smoker.”
One of Zachary Fowler’s inventions for “cold-smoking” steaks before grilling them. He hollows out the middle of a snowman, makes a smoking grill inside the snowman to hold the steaks, and runs a pipe from a small smoking woodstove into the snowman. Search “Fowler’s Snowman Steak Smoker” to view the sight of smoke coming out a snowman’s head as steaks are flavored inside.
— “Norway would never allow aquafarm proposed [by a Norwegian company] for Frenchman Bay.” Lincoln Millstein, The Quietside Journal, opposing a proposal to construct a 120-acre fish farm.
��������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • January 2022 • 13
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14 • January 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————
“Snapshots in Time”
Historical Glimpses from Maine’s Sporting Past Compiled by Bill Pierce, Former Executive Director, Outdoor Heritage Museum
Game Hogs, Poachers and Magic Beaver Dams What follows was compiled from the November 28, 1895, edition of the RANGELEY LAKES newspaper. It was partially redacted for space reasons, and includes contemporary commentary in italics. Enjoy! — Joseph Ellis, who ran the steamer on Kennebago Lake the past season, says there is a beaver dam across the main stream, a short distance below the lake. In low water, it bothers the guides to get a boat over it. To remedy this, Elmer Snowman cut a small opening. He found it as hard work as he ever did.
Next day, he was surprised to find it in as good condition as when he made the attack on it. Some of the trees that they have cut and rafted in are 18 inches in diameter…. Another curious feature of these intelligent animals is that they never cut a tree to fall away from the water. (Writer’s note: The longest beaver dam in the world is located in the Wood Buffalo National Park in Alberta, and measures some 2,788 feet in length! Park biologists believe the impressive structure was constructed over a period of 30 years by several generations of beaver. It is more than twice the length of the Hoover Dam, and was first spotted in 2007 on satellite photos of the region.) — A Rockland game warden hasn’t any doubt that the game law is being violated. He went down to see the (Steamer) Frank Jones come in and he also saw aboard the boat six deer saddles in as many different packages – including egg boxes and barrels, and packed with the deer were 45 partridges and 20 rabbits. (Author’s note: “Game Hogs” know no bounds, past or present.)
Legendary Maine Guide, John Danforth, prepares to adjust the effectiveness of a beaver dam, in this 19th century Starbird photograph.
— Game Warden Clark, of Smithfield, arrested four men named Mosher, residents of Rome, for taking trout with a
spear. He discovered a light near the spawning bed at the mouth of Meadow Brook on Great Pond. With assistance from other lawmen, Mr. Clark arrested the four when they landed. He also found six fish that had been speared. He thinks one man escaped and that a bag of fish also disappeared in the scuffle. They pleaded guilty before Judge Philbrook, at Waterville, and were each fined $25.00 and $1.00 for every fish taken, and one quarter of the costs. It was shown that they were very poor men, and reduction was made so that $20.00 each let them off. They won’t get caught spearing fish again right off, and the chances are that they didn’t even take home the half dozen that cost them so much. (Writer’s note: Back in the old days, Game Wardens sometimes turned a blind eye to ‘subsistence poaching’, but evidently not for these ‘giggers’). — The engineer and fireman on the morning train (Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes R.R.), discovered a deer on the track when near Gull Pond. They put on steam and got within easy pistol shot, but having no firearms had to be content with simply looking, as it eventually ran off the tracks. (Writer’s note: Interesting “tracking” method.)
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��������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • January 2022 • 15
Maine Woods Earn New England’s First “Dark Sky” Designation
In May, the Maine Woods property of the Appalachian Mountain Club became New England’s first “dark sky park,” according to World Nation News. As hikers and outdoor recreationalists who use this area can attest, the region offers great views of the pitchblack sky. In fact, it’s one of the darkest spots on the East Coast. The certified dark-sky area stretches from Monson all the way to Canada. “We hope the designation will draw additional attention to the value of this natural resource, as well as its regional rarity,” said Ruskin Hartley, executive director of the International Dark Sky Association.
Milky Way. Credit: International Dark-Sky Association, and photographer Matthew Hodgson
Compiled and Edited by — Will Lund —
To qualify, areas must be “accessible to the public in part or whole, and be legally protected for scientific, natural, educational, cultural, heritage and/or public enjoyment purposes,” according to the association. For our engineering readers, “[t]he core area must provide an exceptional dark sky resource relative to the communities and cities that surround it, in which the night sky brightness is equal to or darker than 21.2 magnitudes per square arc second.” We don’t know about all that, but we have noticed that when visitors from big cities have occasion to visit the area and look up at the night sky, many react with speechless awe and wonderment. —
play for serious hunting boot customers. One way to incorporate quality and make a promotional splash at the same time is to join forces with well-known partners for important components of a product. In this case, one of those components is the lugged sole, and the famous collaborator is Vibram, which has been making stiff, grippy, lugged boot bottoms for decades. Add a second partner for functional appearance – Mossy Oak’s camo design – and you are well on your way to putting out a winner. In this case, the results are very good.
New Muck Boot Proves its Mettle In November, the Sportsman’s review crew had an opportunity to put a new product to the test – Muck Boot’s “Apex Pro” rubber hunting boot. Muck Boot made its name years ago with flexible waterproof shoes that were great for gardening, but which lacked the starch and calf-height for more challenging endeavors. With the Apex and other hunting boots, they have now shed any remnants of that mildmannered reputation, and are making a
ANY WORKLOAD. ANY TIME.
Muck Boot’s “Apex Pro.” (Continued on next page)
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16 • January 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————
Almanac
(Continued from page 15)
The boot is lightweight and comfortable; the traction-lugged sole gets a hunter over, around and through Maine’s difficult and varying terrain; and the neoprene construction keeps feet warm. We hope the collaboration continues, and that Muck uses Vibram soles with boots higher than these 13” models, since it’s a truism in the Maine woods that over a several-day period, every Maine hunter will step in water whose depth exceeds the height of their boots. So while the Apex Pro provides excellent medium-duty hunting footwear, we look forward to the possible next steps that will allow this boot to continue competing with the “burliest” in the industry, by providing greater height (close to kneehigh), as well as a strap, buckle or catch closure at the top to keep the boots tight to the calf. —
Big Fish; Big Smiles In this photo, Croix and Eva share the excitement of Croix’s catch – a 13inch brookie. The youngsters were fishing on Hall Pond in Paris, ME on February 11, 2021.
www.MaineSportsman.com
Croix used a small piece of nightcrawler attached to a size 10 worm hook with a spoon and red beads above the 10” leader. Photo: Robert Kyllonen —
Old-Time Self-propelled Transportation on Ice and Packed Show Antique kicksleds (also known as “sparks”) are shown here lined up on Lake Hebron in Monson, as part of the town’s annual “Snow-Roller Day” celebration.
Antique kicksleds lined up for Monson’s Snow Roller Day, usually held the third Saturday in February. Photo by W. Lund
Up through the 1940s, youngsters used to race the kicksleds up and down the lake. The flexible runners allow the operator to “steer” the sled around corners. Power was provided with special boots featuring a metal cleat on the toe, allowing an operator on the back to grip (Continued on next page)
��������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • January 2022 • 17 (Continued from page 16)
the ice surface and provide propulsion. During Snow Roller Days, the owners of these sleds allow festival visitors to try out the kicksleds, providing good exercise for the “kicker” and an exhilarating ride for the passenger. —
State Purchases Abandoned “Madison Branch” Rail Line for Multi-use Trail
Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry announced the purchase of a 32-mile section of abandoned railroad bed, with plans to convert the pathway to a multiuse trail. When completed, the trail will accommodate ATVs and snowmobiles as well as self-propelled hikers, skiers and snowshoers. Certain stretches of the trail will offer spectacular views, since those sections are atop trestles that pass over the Kennebec River and the Carrabassett River.
When completed, the Madison Branch multi-use trail will provide users with great views as they safely cross repurposed railroad trestles over the Kennebec and Carrrabassett Rivers. Source: Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
On November 30, the Governor’s office and the state’s Department of
Originating in Oakland before heading north and slightly west, the Madison Branch rail trail will pass through Fairfield, Norridgewock, Madison, Anson/North Anson, and Embden.
According to the state, the rail trail will become a major connector to the Maine Interconnected Trail System (ITS) and Maine ATV Trail System (MATS). The rail line was purchased from Pan Am Railways at a cost of just over $1 million, derived from the Land for Maine’s Future Program, ($508 million), and a matching grant from the Northern Border Regional Commission. The commission is an economic partnership between the federal government and New England states. The state says that when construction is complete, the trail will connect thousands of miles of local ATV and snowmobile trails, allowing ATV riders and snowmobilers to travel from Oakland to Bingham and from there on to the Moosehead Lake Region. Snowmobilers will connect to the ITS through the new route, and ATV riders will connect to MATS 115, the only ATV trail connecting Oxford and Franklin Counties with Somerset, Piscataquis, and Penobscot Counties. Conversion of the existing rail line into a recreational trail will require additional funding and may take two years, according to the announcement. The Bureau of Parks and Lands’ OffRoad Vehicle Program will work with local clubs on trail construction and maintenance. — (Continued on next page)
www.MaineSportsman.com
18 • January 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————
Almanac
(Continued from page 17)
New Weapon in the War on Ticks According to WMTW television, a 74-year old great-grandmother from Dresden has invented a simple product designed to stop ticks in their tracks. Tired of returning from walks in the fields and woods with ticks on her legs, Jane Gower developed “Mainejane’s Tick Tacklers,” using Velcro closures and very sticky tape. Acting as a sort of flypaper for ticks, the product forms a barrier on the wearer’s leg just above the ankle. When ticks walk on the surface, they become affixed and are unable to move any farther up the wearer’s leg.
A former nurse, Ms. Gover is very much aware of the diseases that can be carried by ticks. She also knows that for every tick that meets its demise on the surface of her product, it puts a stop to that particular tick’s availability to make more ticks in the future. “One fewer tick today,” she explained, “means maybe 5,000 fewer ticks next season.” The straps come with a plastic cover for the sticky surface to allow storage between uses, and they are washable. Several Maine stores are already selling her tick tacklers. A tip of the Maine Sportsman’s cap to this inventive Mainer! —
Hunting in January Snowshoe hare: Through March 31, 2022 Snowshoe hare (Vinalhaven Island, Knox County): Through February 28, 2022 Bobcat: Through February 21, 2022 Fox: Through February 28, 2022 Coyote Night Hunt: Through August 31, 2022 Coyote, Woodchuck, Porcupine, Red Squirrel: No closed seasons —
Shotgun Choke Settings A simply-designed ankle-cuff device made using Velcro closures and extremely sticky double-sided tape, the Tick Tackler acts like tick flypaper, stopping the tiny arachnids in their tracks. Source: Mainejane’s Tick Tackler
Ever get confused among the many fixed or adjustable shotgun choke settings? Here’s a primer. The most common choke settings are: • Cylinder • Skeet • Improved Cylinder • Modified • Improved Modified, and • Full
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Some lists of available settings get more detailed, such as the chart below, which offers two different Skeet settings – Skeet 1 and Skeet 2. Choke constriction (the narrowing of the bore near the end of the barrel) is categorized by the percentage of shot that will hit within a 30-inch circle at 40 yards. Different choke settings are designated by markings on the barrel. % of shot Choke w/in 30” Markings Constriction circle at 40 yards
Cylinder (.000)
40%
IIIII notches
Skeet 1 (.005)
45%
Improved Cylinder (.010) Skeet 2 (light Mod.) (.015) Modified (.020)
50%
60%
III notches
Improved Modified (.025)
65%
II notches
Full (.030)
70%
I notch
Extra Full (.040)
73%
Turkey (.045 plus)
75%+
IIII notches
55%
¶ Discover Maine’s outdoors on-the-go with The Maine Sportsman’s
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��������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • January 2022 • 19
January 2022 Sunrise/Sunset Portland, ME DATE 1 Sat 2 Sun 3 Mon 4 Tue 5 Wed 6 Thu 7 Fri 8 Sat 9 Sun 10 Mon 11 Tue 12 Wed 13 Thu 14 Fri 15 Sat 16 Sun
RISE 7:12 7:12 7:12 7:12 7:12 7:12 7:12 7:12 7:11 7:11 7:11 7:10 7:10 7:10 7:09 7:09
SET 4:16 4:17 4:18 4:19 4:20 4:21 4:22 4:23 4:24 4:25 4:26 4:27 4:28 4:30 4:31 4:32
DATE 17 Mon 18 Tue 19 Wed 20 Thu 21 Fri 22 Sat 23 Sun 24 Mon 25 Tue 26 Wed 27 Thu 28 Fri 29 Sat 30 Sun 31 Mon
RISE 7:08 7:07 7:07 7:06 7:05 7:05 7:04 7:03 7:02 7:01 7:00 6:59 6:58 6:57 6:56
SET 4:33 4:35 4:36 4:37 4:38 4:40 4:41 4:42 4:44 4:45 4:46 4:48 4:49 4:50 4:52
January 2022 Tides DATE
Jacoby Bragdon is an accomplished young ice angler, with trophy-sized catches the past two winters on Moosehead Lake and Eagle Lake. This 16.31-lb., 37 3/8ths-inch togue qualified for 2nd place in the 2020 Moosehead Lake Togue Ice Fishing Derby. Photo courtesy Donna Bragdon
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon
Portland, ME HIGH AM PM 9:05 9:51 10:00 10:47 10:56 11:41 11:50 — 12:35 12:44 1:28 1:39 2:22 2:35 3:17 3:34 4:12 4:33 5:07 5:34 6:02 6:36 6:57 7:35 7:48 8:29 8:36 9:16 9:20 10:00 10:01 10:41 10:41 11:19 11:18 11:55 11:53 — 12:29 12:29 1:03 1:06 1:39 1:46 2:19 2:31 3:02 3:22 3:51 4:18 4:45 5:21 5:44 6:29 6:48 7:38 7:53 8:42 8:54 9:40 9:52 10:36
LOW AM PM 2:48 3:36 3:44 4:31 4:39 5:25 5:33 6:18 6:28 7:10 7:23 8:03 8:20 8:56 9:20 9:51 10:21 10:45 11:24 11:40 — 12:26 12:37 1:26 1:32 2:20 2:22 3:07 3:07 3:50 3:48 4:30 4:26 5:06 5:03 5:41 5:39 6:15 6:16 6:49 6:55 7:25 7:36 8:04 8:22 8:47 9:13 9:34 10:08 10:26 11:08 11:23 — 12:14 12:27 1:22 1:32 2:26 2:35 3:25 3:33 4:20
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20 • January 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————
Maine Wildlife:
Red Fox
by Tom Seymour
January’s cold, snow and high winds mean little to one hardy Maine resident. The red fox takes it all in stride, and as if to show its scorn for treacherous conditions, old red sleeps out at night. In its only concession to winter’s harsh conditions, a red fox might cover its nose with the tip of its tail. Other than that, let it snow and let it blow. If all this is so, then why do we hear about foxholes? Well, foxes do make dens, a.k.a. “foxholes,” and here’s why. In midwinter, during the mating season, the vixen, or female, prepares a den in which to bear and raise her pups. This can be something she digs herself, or it may be a refurbished woodchuck den. It might even be a hollow log. Red foxes are ingenious when it comes to preparing a den. Fox dens are difficult to locate, because the vixen makes certain not to leave any telltale dirt outside the den. But she isn’t so meticulous that she conceals everything. Bits of rabbit fur, hair and even feathers often serve to disclose the location of a fox den. Also, if the area bears a faint scent of skunk, that should clinch the identification. Attentive Dad The male, or “dog” red fox, acts with a great degree of diligence when tending to the vixen and their pups. For a while after the pups, or kits, are born and the vixen is compelled to sequester herself in the den, the male brings her food. After that, both male and female work to bring food to the pups while they remain in the den. Regarding the pups, they remain in the den for about one month, after which they become brave and inquisitive enough to venture to the den opening, where they play in the sunlight and take food from their parents. Come autumn, the pups have matured to the point that they can leave the den, as well as their parents and their siblings, and take off to fend for themselves. Here’s another interesting note regarding foxes and their dens. A vixen may invest in another den or perhaps www.MaineSportsman.com
The more you learn about red foxes – how they survive the winter’s cold, how they raise their kits, and what they eat – the more impressed you will be. two spare dens – the equivalent of a red fox house insurance policy. A spare den may come in handy if the main den is threatened or disturbed. Indeed, the red fox vixen seems to think of everything. While this isn’t set in stone, it is thought that red foxes are not monogamous, and that they likely only mate for the year. Ubiquitous Foxes Red foxes prefer a mixture of woods and openings, as in small fields, particularly fields with some vegetation. In days past, foxes found prime habitat where farmers left hedgerows – narrow lines of wild shrubs, plants and small trees – in their fields. Red foxes love such edge areas and continue to frequent them where available. However, they assiduously avoid thick, unbroken forests and large, open fields. Smaller fields do see fox activity, especially fields on hills, where they can watch for danger in all directions. Edges allow the fox to quickly dart into thick cover when danger is imminent. Also, edge areas give shelter to a variety of small mammals, such as hares and rodents. Red foxes are ranked as “common to uncommon,” depending upon circumstances. They are uncommon in the big woods of the far north, and common in the rest of the state. Residents of suburban areas often spot red foxes. Then, the fox is usually on the run, either chasing something such as a hare, or more likely being pursued by a domestic dog.
This attraction for the fringes of populated areas brings to mind an old folk song made popular by the late Burl Ives. It goes like this: “The fox went out on a chilly night, he went by the moon for to give him light, he had many a mile to go the night, before he reached the town-O.” I can just picture a red fox, tail bouncing in the breeze, running along on the snow crust on a moonlit night as it heads for some farmer’s henhouse. It’s a classic concept of a red fox. Friend or Foe? As a hunter of upland game, I admit to hunting foxes in the hope of saving some grouse and woodcock and perhaps even a hare or two for myself. But is that reasoning really fact-based? Foxes have a wide-ranging appetite, eating everything from frogs to voles and hares to snakes. They even eat some vegetable matter, having an especial liking for wild berries. Game birds make up only a small fraction of what a red fox consumes during the course of a year. On the other hand, foxes kill and eat countless rodent pests, mice and rats that might otherwise infest our homes, sheds, garages and barns. I’m convinced that the loss of some wild game is more than offset by the number of rodent pests that foxes eliminate each year. Consequently, I believe that red foxes do far more good than harm, and for that reason they deserve our respect and even admiration.
��������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • January 2022 • 21
It’s Fishing Derby Time, and Snowmobilers Must be Cautious by Steve Carpenteri No sooner does safe ice form on Maine’s lakes and ponds than anglers begin competing in ice-fishing derbies. Some of the earliest events occur in January, while others are held in February and early March.
If you are snowmobiling across the ice on a lake or pond, and you encounter an ice fishing derby underway, slow down and keep everyone safe. Derbies involve participants moving on foot, and other vehicles on the ice, posing challenges for riders. Derbies tertaining, tive and
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(Continued on next page)
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22 • January 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————
Snowmobiling (Continued from page 21)
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JACKMAN Jackman Power Sports 549 Main St. 207-668-4442 www.jackmanpowersports.com
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GORHAM LEBANON BERLIN, NH White Rock Outboard Northeast Motorsports Jericho Outdoors 351 Sebago Lake Rd. 451 Carl Broggi Hwy. 232 Jericho Rd. 207-892-9606 207-457-2225 603-215-6002 www.whiterockoutboard.com www.nemotorsportsofmaine.com www.jerichooutdoors.com WARNING: Arctic Cat snowmobiles can be hazardous to operate. For your safety, all riders should read and understand their owner’s manual and safety instructions. Always wear an approved helmet and other safety apparel. Be aware of natural hazards you may encounter and don’t drink and ride. All scenes depicted or described were performed by professional riders under carefully controlled conditions. Never attempt to duplicate these maneuvers or encourage others to do so. Arctic Cat recommends that all operators take a safety training course. For safety and training information, please see your local dealer. ©2021 Arctic Cat Inc. All rights reserved.
DOMINATING TRAIL PERFORMANCE 2022 INDY VR1 • Ferocious Acceleration • Effortless Control in Any Condition • The Most Advanced Technology on Snow
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LEWISTON Central Maine Powersports 845 Main Street 207-689-2345 www.centralmainepowersports.com Polaris recommends that all riders take a safety training course. Do not attempt maneuvers beyond your capability. Always wear a helmet and other safety apparel. Read, understand and follow your owner’s manual. Never drink and ride. Polaris is a registered trademark of Polaris Industries Inc. © 2021 Polaris Industries Inc.
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vehicles, crowd onto the ice during these events, adding to the fun – as well as the risk. Snowmobile operators and their highspeed sleds need to be cautious when sharing the ice with derby participants. These ice-fishing events will see anglers scattered across the ice – some in shelters, others not. And with kids skating and sliding about, and riders on ATVs and other modes of transport roving from shore to shore, it’s important that all participants, especially those on snowmobiles, maintain safety as a priority. Slow Down By their very nature, ice-fishing derbies attract large crowds of people of all ages, many of them on foot or using ice skates, snowshoes or creepers. Watch enough people walking around on the ice, and you’ll see more than a few incidents of slipping, sliding and falling down. For this reason, it is imperative that snowmobile operators cut their speed when approaching participants on foot or when passing near shacks, tents, windbreaks and similar shelters. That’s because a person can appear in the path quickly and unexpectedly, such as an ice angler sprinting for a tip-up flag that’s flying. Ice fishermen tend to set up close to shore, near roadside access points, camps, houses and marinas. Beyond the first phalanx of tip-ups, there may be a
considerable distance between them and the next group of fishermen’s shelters. These are usually clustered over known deep channels, spring holes or drop-offs. These secondary set-up sites may be scattered all around the lake, and may be hundreds of yards apart, even a mile or more on the state’s largest waters. High-speed snowmobiling is acceptable once these obstacles have been passed, but riders should always be on the alert for new “colonies” of ice-fishermen that will crop up wherever the fishing proves productive. These hotspots change from year to year, and even throughout a single season. Also, ride with care when traversing old colonies. where ice mounds, holes and tiedowns have been left behind. Hitting an ice mound at high speed can prove challenging even to a modern suspension, and where there is one hole, there will be others. Trail Connections In many cases, groomed local snowmobile trails utilize parts of a lake’s ice surface to connect to a trail on the other side. When trail conditions are excellent, as is the case in January and February, it’s not unusual for snowmobiler to hit the ice at full speed. Unfortunately, ice conditions are unpredictable and can change from week to week. Even if the landward trails are in (Continued on next page)
��������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • January 2022 • 23
While riding during ice-fishing derby time, keep an eye out for sprawling shack “cities.” Photos by Steve Carpenteri (Continued from page 22)
perfect condition, the ice near shore or over inlets and outlets may be soft and slushy. As weather warms late in the season, the condition of the ice can be affected, creating new fissures, cracks and openings that can appear overnight. Just because a lake was safe to cross yesterday or last week does not mean it will be in the same condition today. Watch for changes in ice conditions, and avoid areas where
there are open holes, cracks or standing water. Report these conditions to the local authorities (snowmobile clubs, sheriff’s office and game wardens), because unstable ice conditions are the most common cause of winter snowmobile accidents. According to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, the safest rule is to never cross lakes or rivers until you are sure the ice is safely frozen. Trust
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Expect plenty of traffic and congestion on derby day. Caution is the word during these popular winter events.
only your own judgment. If you go through the ice, a buoyant snowmobile suit could be a life-saver. A helmet and snowmobile suit, even if they are non-buoyant, may keep a person afloat for several minutes.
If you find yourself unexpectedly in the water, try to slide back onto the ice, and then continue moving toward shore or in the direction from which you came. Roll away from the hole, making sure not to stand up until you are well
away from it. For more information on snowmobile safety procedures, visit www.maine.gov/ ifw/atv-snowmobile/ safety-information. Be safe, but have fun out there!
¶
2022 Yamaha Sidewinder L-TX-SE Order online at www.UntamedMainer.com & use coupon TMS at checkout or send $57.99 (includes tax + free shipping) to: Angela Snowman PO Box 109 Little Deer Isle, ME 04650
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Always wear an approved helmet and eye protection. Observe all state and local laws. Respect the rights of others. Ride within your capabilities. Allow extra time and plenty of distance for maneuvering. Do not perform stunts. © 2021 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved.
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24 • January 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————
WE’RE! BACK
The 40th Annual
State of Maine
Sportsman’s Show
LIVE & IN-PER SO
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Mark Your Calendars for Maine’s Premier Outdoor Show! APRIL 1–3, 2022 Augusta Civic Center
Free parking! Hundreds of exhibitors! Activities for the entire family! Are you a returning or new exhibitor with questions? Contact Carol at Carol@MaineSportsman.com or 207 622-4242, or Becky at Becky@SportsmansAllianceOfMaine.org or (207) 623-4589.
STAY TUNED TO THE SHOW WEBSITE & FACEBOOK PAGE FOR UPDATES!
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��������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • January 2022 • 25
WINTER CELEBRATION
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AUGUSTA North Country Ski-doo 3099 N. Belfast Ave. 207-622-7994 www.northcountryh-d.com
JACKMAN Jackman Power Sports 549 Main Street 207-668-4442 www.jackmanpowersports.com
WILTON Mountain Side Powersports 912 US Route 2 East 207-645-2985 www.mountainsidepowersports.com
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LINCOLN Lincoln Power Sports - Access Auto 265 West Broadway 207-794-8100 www.lincolnpowersports.com
WINDHAM Richardson’s Boatyard 850 Roosevelt Tr, Rt 302 207-892-9664 www.richardsonsby.com
DETROIT Huff Powersports 284 North Road 207-487-3338 www.huffpowersports.com
© 2021 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). All rights reserved. ®, ™ and the BRP logo are trademarks of BRP or its affiliates. *Offers valid in United States only from Wednesday 1st December 2021 to Thursday 31st March 2022. The terms and conditions may vary depending on your state and these offers are subject to termination or change at any time without notice. Offer may not be assigned, traded, sold or combined with any other offer unless expressly stated herein. Other conditions may apply. Void where prohibited by law. Always consult your snowmobile dealer when selecting a snowmobile for your particular needs and carefully read and pay special attention to your Operator’s Guide, Safety Video, Safety Handbook and to the safety labeling on your snowmobile. Always ride responsibly and safely and wear appropriate clothing, including a helmet. Please observe applicable laws and regulations. Remember that riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix. See your authorized BRP dealer for details and visit ski-doo.com.
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26 • January 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————
— Reader Story —
Memories Made and Lessons Learned by Chris Sargent – Bucksport, ME It was December 12th, 2020, 4:05 pm. Nineteen minutes remained in Maine’s muzzleloader season, and I was still deer-less. It wasn’t for lack of effort or opportunity. Since October, I’d hunted harder than ever and passed on a total of four bucks, including two beauty eight-pointers as well as a couple year-and-a-halfold four-pointers – “crotch horns” to most. I had set my sights on a mammoth buck we discovered on our hunting grounds. Dozens of trail camera videos and images haunted me. Curse those darned cameras anyhow. I had fallen into their trap, becoming a slave to their digital dream-world. Thinking Back with Appreciation As I sat there in the waning light, overlooking what I figured to be “Position A” for the big buck, I questioned my sanity while facing the impending reality that I would most likely return home empty-handed, unsuccessful and defeated. Would I really, though? A check of the time revealed 4:14 pm. Ten more minutes to go. It was now sleeting, and the ice beads peppered the top of my Ameristep blind. So much for hearing one sneak in now. No, it can’t end like this! I refused to spend the last few minutes of my season dejected, down and out. I chose instead, to reflect on what had been by far my most fruitful, memorable and amazing hunting season to date. I thought of not only deer season, but an entire year’s worth of seasons, all spent with my girlfriend, Emily. This was our first full year together, and Emily had breathed new air into my stale hunting lungs. Together, we established a new bear bait site on a piece of property near the house. Side by side, we successfully took two beautiful bears from the same stand – a 171-pound boar for Emily’s first, and a 261-pound boar for my biggest yet. www.MaineSportsman.com
The last few moments of a deerless season provide an opportunity for reflection and gratitude.
Chris Sargent
Grand Slam for Emily After an “unsuccessful” spring turkey season for Emily – despite yours truly dropping a twenty-pound tom into her lap at fifteen yards, which I later shot, and yes, there is a story and with permission, a tale I would gladly tell another time – she set her sights on a group of fall birds frequenting the area around our house. She soon had her bird, and was halfway to what was now a quest for the coveted Maine Grand Slam. Emily drew a Zone 4 September bull moose tag, and together – this time accompanied by both our fathers – we called a 678-pound thirty-inch bull off a cow to 35 yards. Emily took him with a perfect shot from her 30-’06. Deer season – oh, deer season! Opening morning found the two of us perched in a tree overlooking a back field on the property. At 7:00 a.m., a fat three-point buck fed its way across the far end of the
field, unaware and careless. Emily chose to pass on the little fellow, as she had also fallen victim to the trail camera behemoth and wanted a crack at him. She got her chance the following Monday but cleanly missed the giant while he fed with a doe at 80 yards. Ouch. True Gentleman Deer sightings were slim for the remainder of the season. I swapped my Zone 26 antlerless permit with Emily, who had drawn a Zone 23 permit – a move I felt not only appropriate but also chivalrous. With seven minutes left in the regular firearms season, Emily made good on the swap, taking a beautiful doe with a perfect shot from her Remington 760 in .300 Savage, completing her Grand Slam. I became joyfully lost in the recollection of the past year’s hunts. It was an honor and privilege to have been at Emily’s side for all of her successful harvests, and to watch her grow as a hunter. As an added bonus, my father Gary took a handsome eight-point, 191-pound buck near his home in Surry. Emily and I readily made the trip that morning to “inspect” the buck, hear the story and share in his excitement. Time to Unload It was then I snapped back to the present, and realized I could no longer see much of the far side of the field. Darkness had all but fallen. I had inadvertently abandoned all focus and alertness, losing the final few precious minutes of the season in my daydream. A final glance at the time. 4:25 p.m. I removed the primer from my CVA Wolf in-line. That was it. Over and done with. Tag soup for me. However, it would be a dish gladly eaten with a smile, as I felt in that moment like the most successful hunter in the world. I’ll raise a glass to fun had, lessons learned and memories made. Until next year, Mr. Buck…until next year….
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��������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • January 2022 • 27
When Everything Works Out by Joe Kruse The Luck of the Draw In June of last summer, I attended a Maine moose hunt lottery party at a friend’s house. For anyone who puts in for a moose permit, you know how exciting it is to hear your name (or family members’ names) called as the list scrolls up the screen. Not long into the drawing, I saw my son Taylor’s name on the list. I was very excited, as he was the only hunter in the family who had not drawn a tag. After congratulations from friends who were there and phone calls out to spread the good news, I saw my daughter Leah’s name come up. I’ve seen and heard of families drawing multiple tags, but it’s certainly nothing I ever expected. As excited as I was, I had to start thinking
When the author’s son could not use his moose tag, he donated to an Iraq War veteran, and the results were very fulfilling for all involved. about logistics. I guide moose hunts in the fall, so going on both of their hunts would be challenge. After much thought, we came up with the plan that Leah would go on her September hunt with her fiancé Braydn and his dad Dennis up in Zone 1, while I guided a hunt in Zone 4. If my client got his bull before her, then I’d join them. It was more important to me to be on my son’s hunt, as Leah shot a moose in 2009 and I was able to share that experience, so I wanted to do the same with Taylor. His permit was an October Zone 4 hunt, so I knew we had a good chance of calling in a bull, and showing my son what a hunt is
all about. A Veteran’s Hunt Then the unexpected happened. In the week before Leah’s hunt, I got a call from Taylor. He explained to me that with his college classes and his involvement in extracurricular activities, he would have a hard time making the hunt. As much as it was a blow to my excitement, I understood. Taylor isn’t an avid hunter like his sister, and I knew his grades and other commitments were more important to him than killing a moose. After getting over the initial disappointment, I called my friend Erik, who guides with me. I knew he had a contact who
The author (center) was able to guide Iraq War veteran Sgt. Todd Musial (left) to this handsome 53-inch bull moose, using a tag donated by the author’s son, Taylor.
might be able to set us up with a disabled Veteran to whom we could transfer the permit. I figured if I couldn’t guide my son, I might as well take someone who’s more deserving than anyone. Erik called Paul House, who operates “House in the Woods.” In a matter of a few days, Paul identified a qualified and deserving Veteran. Success All Around Sgt. Todd Musial showed up the day before the hunt, ready to go. On our ride to the remote camp, he told us about some of his experiences from his deployment in Iraq from March of 2003 to July of 2004. As I listened, it became increasingly important
to me that he leave this hunt with some great memories. We headed out opening morning with all the anticipation that comes with the first day. Todd, Braydn and I were walking an old winter road, raking and calling every couple hundred yards or so. I beat an alder with my antler, and we got a bull to answer right back. He was angry and tearing up trees. It didn’t take long for him to make his way to us, and when I got my first look, I knew right away he was a shooter. After holding up for a few minutes and staring at us from 60 yds, the bull started coming closer. Todd fired the first shot at about 40 yards and double-lunged the big animal. The bull took (Big Woods World continued on page 29)
The author’s daughter Leah also had a successful fall hunt, harvesting this 45-inch bull while being guided by her father and accompanied by her fiancé, Braydn (right). www.MaineSportsman.com
28 • January 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————
Headed West to Iowa On November 6, 2016, I killed my largest bow buck to date. The buck gross scored 146” and dressed around 275 pounds. I killed the buck around 9:30 a.m., and instantly started thinking of how I would get back to Iowa as soon as possible. Iowa is a draw state, meaning a non-resident hunter needs to draw a tag for the privilege of hunting the state. This is similar to our moose lottery, only those with the most points always draw first. It had taken four years to draw my 2016 tag. Little did I know, it would take five years to draw the next. Covid scared our
Bowhunting in Iowa, we passed on deer that we would not have hesitated to shoot here in Maine. They included a large 6-point, at just 16 yards; a good 9-point at 27 yards, and a 130 class 8-point at 25 yards. It would take the author five to ten years in Maine to get those results. group away from applying to hunt Iowa in 2020. We applied for 2021 and were rewarded with tags. The plan was to go back to the same pieces of public ground we’d been hunting in Zone Six. Iowa has some amazing public hunting grounds. Outof-state hunters are welcomed by locals, though many don’t understand why we drove from Maine and New York, over 24 hours,
“just to deer hunt.” In my opinion, Iowa has the best deer hunting in the country. Iowa’s deer herd is similar in number to Maine’s herd. What makes Iowa fun are the high deer densities and the large number of mature bucks roaming public land. Unlike Maine, which is the most forested of our lower 48 states, Iowa likely contains the most open area. The smaller pieces of land leave deer less space to
hide, and seeing deer on almost every sit is the norm. Seeing one or two “shooter” bucks each day is common. However, when you hunt a state like Iowa and wait four or five years to draw a tag, why shoot a deer that could be reasonably harvested in Maine? My Iowa buck standards are higher. What Defines a Shooter Buck? While hunting Maine, I strive to shoot bucks at least three years of age and often pass on them, waiting
for a four-year-old. My goal is to shoot a 200-pound buck or a buck that has a rack of at least 125” of antler. If that opportunity doesn’t present itself, no Maine tag is filled. However, when in Iowa, a 125-140” threeyear-old buck, gets a pass from everyone in our group. It’s partially because of these habits, Iowa is always in the top three states for Boone & Crockett bucks taken annually. When there are more adult bucks and fewer does in a population, the hunting is often amazing. What makes it amazing? Well, the rut activity (seeking, chasing, breeding) is dramatically increased. In six weeks of hunting (Continued on next page)
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Iowa, I’ve seen more fighting, grunting, chasing, snort wheezing and breeding by adult bucks, than in 30 years of hunting Maine. On this year’s trip, I watched and listened to a gorgeous, wide racked, huge bodied buck, tend a doe in estrous. His long, 1015 second grunts, gave him away long before I saw him. Watching him work the doe was a treat and made for an amazing hunt. Unfortunately, a poorly placed arrow allowed him to get away. Still, my hunt was very memorable, because of the action the buck provided. Rattling and calling (grunting) often produces immediate and sometimes exciting results. I rattled a total of seven times on this year’s hunt. My three hunting buddies rattled at least the same number of times. Each of us had bucks respond half the time. Three of the bucks that responded to my attempts would have been shot here in Maine. They all got a pass in Iowa. The first, a large 6-point, got a pass at just 16 yards. The second,
Maine bowhunter Steve Breznyak got his turn in Iowa this fall. He was rewarded with this gorgeous buck. Though the weather wasn’t awesome and the “normal Iowa rut” was slower than normal, Breznyak’s experience was still amazing. He knows why Iowa is special!
a good 9-point, got a pass at 27 yards, and the third, a 130 class 8-point, came by at 25 yards. It would take me five to ten years in Maine to get those results. Get in Shape...it’s Not That Flat! Lots of people believe the entire west is flat and easy to hunt. Well, it’s not that flat. My first trip to Iowa opened my eyes to the surprisingly rugged terrain. The myriad ditches, draws, gullies and hills provid-
Big Woods World (Continued from page 27)
off running, and as he crossed the winter road, Todd fired again. This time was in the neck, and to see the big bull crash while running at full speed was just plain awesome! It was a special moment for the three of us who each contributed to the hunt, and it was one of those hunts that we’ll never forget. It was a privilege and an honor for Braydn and me to be a part of Todd’s dream hunt, and extra-special that Taylor’s donated permit made it to happen. Although the moose season didn’t turn out how
ed good cardio workouts each morning and evening. Many of these were surprisingly steep and when choked with brush, thorny bushes and their “unique” mud, often prove formidable when navigating to or from a stand location. Speaking of unique mud, here’s a warning to stay off the dirt roads when it rains. Much of the public land contains dirt roads that haven’t been covered in stone. When it rains, access
Dustin Morgan of New York state, a friend of the author, with his 2021 Iowa public land buck. Massive, wide 8-points like this one are a great example of what hunters wait four and five years to take in Iowa. There’s always a chance of seeing a “Booner” while hunting Iowa. It can happen any time.
to good ground is challenging. For those unwilling or unable to walk long distances or to handle the mud that’s the consistency of bacon grease caking on their boots, competition for good spots will increase. Warning – don’t test it. The towing bills are outrageous, and the best mud tires are useless! Be willing to walk, and leave plenty of extra time to scrape pounds of mud from boots. In a nutshell, Iowa once again proved to
I initially envisioned it, Leah’s beautiful 45-inch bull and Todd’s 53-inch bull made for fantastic memories. Some would say that everything worked out exactly as it should have. Hal’s Thoughts Moose hunting in Maine is as great a hunting experience as you can have. Just getting drawn for a permit is the biggest part of the battle. Believe me I know, as it took me thirty-three years to get drawn. You might saw it’s a oncein-a-lifetime opportunity. Over the years, Maine Fish and Wildlife has become more accommodating when it comes to swapping permits, and now that anyone can donate
be an amazing experience. In all, our group of four hunters saw at least 20 bucks we’d have gladly shot in Maine. Each hunter saw at least one Iowa shooter, but nobody took a deer home. Three friends who were hunting Iowa at the same time, scored on awesome bucks. That’s why we wait four or five years to draw. Iowa once again lived up to its reputation!
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their permit to a veteran, I think it is a grand slam. Last year, my wife drew her third permit and didn’t seem too excited about it, as she had already shot two bulls. I asked her if she wanted to donate it to a veteran, and she was all in for it. She gave it to a veteran whom I had worked with at Remington, and he shot a nice bull with me. It’s a great gift, and I’m glad we are able to give back to those who have served the country and have suffered for it. Congratulations to Todd and Leah on their bulls!
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www.MaineSportsman.com
30 • January 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————
Ice-Fishing Shelters – Part 1 Homemade Ice Shacks by Steve Carpenteri Most Maine ice-fishermen learn by hard experience that spending time on a frozen lake is far more enjoyable in an enclosed, wind-proof, heated shelter. One can only be young and carefree for a short time, braving the wind and cold wearing nothing more than your best wool-
Building your own ice shack? It’s both a simple and complicated process. In Part 1 of two parts, Steve Carpenteri provides a primer on framing, roof, walls and skids. lies, gloves and a face mask. Eventually, the pride in being a sturdy Maine outdoorsmen wears off, and thoughts turn to build-
ing a shelter that will stand up to winter’s biting cold and wind. Chapter 1: Ice Shack Basics The shorelines of
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Maine’s most popular ice-fishing lakes are strewn with the tattered remnants of ice shacks that were cheaply constructed and poorly anchored. High force, continuous winter winds and storms wreak havoc on shelters that were slapped together the night before a fishing trip. Any intrepid Mainer with a saw, hammer and nails can build a serviceable ice-fishing shack, but some seri-
ous thought should go into the design, construction and transportation of the shack to and from the lake, as well as securely anchoring the structure to the ice. Shoreline rocks and ridges of ice are major obstacles when transporting a shack on and off the lake. For this reason, construction should begin with a heavy, solid base made of wood or metal. I recommend using railroad or landscape ties, deck posts or similar heavy-duty lumber. Connect all elements with lag bolts (Continued on next page)
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or screws, for a solid, lasting fit. Design the base so that it can be easily connected to – and transported by – a four-wheeler or snowmobile. Builders will often fasten metal or hard-plastic strips or
runners to the bottom of the base to function as skis or skids, allowing for a smoother drag, and minimizing the chance of damage during transport. Install several heavy-duty eye-hooks or metal rings to aid in anchoring the struc-
ture after it is positioned on the ice. Anchors must also be designed to be removable at the end of the season. Setting up a shack early on is often much easier than removing it after a full winter on the ice, so plan ahead for every contingen-
cy. Avoid leaving any wood or metal pieces on the ice. Chapter 2: Four Walls and a Roof The size of the shack is determined by how many anglers it will need to accom-
modate. Two fishermen and their gear can comfortably fit inside a shack that is 4x8 feet, or the size of a sheet of plywood. This includes room for two seats, a fold-down table, and a (Ice-Fishing Shelters continued on page 33)
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32 • January 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————
— Ice Fishing in Maine — Breaking Through Thin Ice Taught Author the Importance of Safety by Blaine Cardilli The year was 1978. I was 17 years old, and I’d been asked to walk the neighbors’ small dog while they were away. I took the pup down through the field and onto the lake. She must have seen something, and suddenly bolted, jerking the leash out of my hand. We weren’t far
The dog did not dare to move on the thin ice. I slid closer and closer to her on my belly. When I was four feet away, the dog made a sudden, desperate leap and landed on my shoulders, then bounded off to safety. The dog made it to shore. Unfortunately, I did not. from the lakes’ inlet, and when she got out onto the thinner ice that bordered open water, she immediate-
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ly hunched down and started whimpering. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t get her to come to me, so I got down on hands and knees and began inching my way towards her. On Thin Ice The closer I got, the thinner the ice became, so I lay flat on my belly and slithered closer. When I was four feet away, she made a desperate jump, landing on my shoulder blades, and from there leapt to the safety of stronger ice and a bee-line home. Unfortunately, her impact on me caused
the paper-thin ice beneath me to crack, and I found myself slowly sliding forward as water began creeping up toward me. The open channel wasn’t very wide, but it was about 7 feet deep and shallowed quickly on the shore side, where it blended into a frozen mass of thick, brown reeds. In seconds, I had slid all the way into the water, and found myself frantically flailing for the shallows. I was wearing bibbed ski pants, a heavy coat, and snowmobile boots, and it didn’t take long for the boots and pants to fill
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with water. As I began to sink, I took as deep a breath as I could. Just as my head went under, I felt my feet hit the sloping side of the channel, and I struggled to both walk and claw my way up. My head emerged and as I gasped for breath, crawled onto the reed-laden ice, and staggered home in my frozen clothes – a tough lesson I’d rather you not repeat! Staying Safe on the Ice A lifetime of winter activities on the ice combined with instances such as that described above, have made me safety-conscious about the associated risks and what we can do to avoid them. Whether snowmobiling, fishing, skating, or racing our vehicles up and down our favorite lakes and ponds, we New Englanders like our ice. That’s the good news. The bad news is there are far too many injuries on ice that may have been prevented if a few simple safety tips had been followed. Many of us find ourselves wanting to hit the lakes to play, asking each other, “How thick do you think the ice is?” Thickness Guide for Blue or Clear Ice The following ice thickness guide is one of many that provide the general suggested amount of weight per (Continued on next page)
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x number inches on clear/blue ice, and it’s critical information everyone should know: • 2 inches or less Stay off; the ice is unsafe. • 3-4 inches - The ice is usually thick enough for ice fishing or other foot activities. • 5 inches - You can travel on the ice with snowmobile, ATV or on foot as a group in a single file line. • 7.5-12 inches - This is the minimum recommended thickness for a car or small truck. • 10-15 inches - The ice can typically handle the weight of a medium-sized truck; however if you’re at all unsure, wait until it’s at least a foot. When ice is white or opaque, it’s about half as strong as the clear/blue ice. If you plan on traveling across white or opaque ice, then double the
recommended thicknesses from the information above. When ice is gray or white & mottled, you should avoid it. These types are the weakest and are unsafe for any kind of travel or activity. Also keep in mind that river ice is about 15% weaker than ice over non-running waters. Checking the Ice If you want to check the thickness of the ice prior to an upcoming event, you might want to grab a friend, a tape measure, and a cordless drill. Attach a wood auger bit to the drill (the kind with a spiral shaft, because the spiral will pull out the ice chips), at least as wide as the end of your tape measure. Once the hole is drilled, you can measure the thickness. It’s a lot easier than carrying a bulky ice auger! Tools & Gear A lot of folks get hurt when they slip on
ice, so it’s a great idea to bring a set of crampons, which provide much-needed traction. It’s also good to have a set of ice picks, and some type of flotation device. The flotation device can be a great asset, especially if someone around you falls through. If you fall through, the two ice picks, which many anglers and lake-skaters wear on a cord inside their outer jacket and around their neck or shoulders, can be used to pull yourself out of the water. Always have a fire starter kit and some rope, even if it’s just a small coil. One thing I learned from wilderness survival many years ago was to cut a strong sapling before stepping off shore (six to eight feet tall), and use it as a walking stick. If you end up falling through, the stick can be used by placing it across the hole, allowing you to pull yourself back onto the ice.
When folks gather to have fun on the ice, it’s important to keep safety in mind. Blaine Cardilli photo
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•
• •
•
Other General Safety Tips Be wary of ice covered in snow; snow may be hiding open water or cracked ice. If in a vehicle, it’s a good idea to make a hole near it. If water starts coming out of the hole, the ice’s surface is sinking, so move your vehicle immediately. Do not travel on ice at night, especially in a vehicle. If the ice is thick enough for parking, move your vehicle every two hours to prevent gradual sinking. When driving on ice, keep the win-
Ice-Fishing Shelters (Continued from page 31)
small amount of shelf space. Clever shack builders incorporate designs similar to those found in modern travel trailers or weekender boats – a lot of stuff in a little bit of room. Let your imagination and personal preferences be your guide. Standard 2x4s can be used to frame the shack. Some builders go bigger, some go smaller. Siding can be any sturdy material that can be nailed or screwed to the framing. Avoid soft materials such as canvas, nylon or plastics, because high winds will quickly tear them to shreds. Lightweight, sturdy materials such as wood, metal or rigid plastic siding are the best choices. Windows need only be large enough to peek through while sitting and jigging through holes cut in the floor, which can be made of plywood or boards. Think about the size and lo-
Ice fishermen in Aroostook County have learned to construct sturdy structures that can provide comfort during the region’s long, cold winters. Stacy Bellanger photo
cation of doors, windows and jigging holes before making any final cuts. Roofs can be sloped, flat or even peaked, but the roofing should be made of metal, fiberglass or plastic, and it should be firmly anchored to the roof joists, so it won’t blow off during a gale. Chapter 3: Heat, and Other Requirements Most ice-anglers use portable propane heaters to keep their shacks warm, but others install semi-perma-
dows open when possible. In the event the car breaks through the ice, the open windows should provide you with a quick exit. • Measure ice thickness in several locations. Local conditions such as currents, spring holes and water depths can affect ice thickness. • Always be sure to let someone know your whereabouts and the estimated time you plan to return. Have fun on the ice, but be safe this winter.
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nent wood or gas heaters that require vents. Others install electric heaters, powered by small generators. The goal is to construct a shack that’s strong and sturdy, functional and safe. To comply with Maine law, the owner’s name must be displayed on the outside of the shack in 2-inch letters. Consider adding colorful, light-catching reflectors to all four sides of the shack, to warn passing vehicles – especially snow machines traveling across the ice at night – of its location. Also, you must be able to transport the structure to and onto the ice. At season’s end, you’ll need to free the unit from the ice and get it back on land within three days of the end of the ice-fishing season. Cut no corners! Plan ahead for both eventualities, and build your shack with the most challenging of weather and transport scenarios in mind. ***** Next month: Part II – Pre-fab and manufactured shack options.
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www.MaineSportsman.com
34 • January 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————
2022 Sportswomen to Watch Maine’s many sportswomen are inspiring, empowering, and fun to follow. Here are seven you should keep an eye out for in the woods and waters this year. — The Fly Fishing Guide Keaton McEvoy began fly fishing when she was eight years old, and has spent every summer at Grand Lake Stream since her parents bought Weatherby’s Lodge when she was four. Keaton now guides for Weatherby’s, helping clients catch salmon and bass. She especially enjoys introducing kids to the sport. She is an advocate for getting more women on the water, and promotes Orvis’ #5050onthewater campaign, a movement inspiring and celebrating women in fly fishing, with the eventual goal of having women constitute 50% of all anglers on the water. Follow Keaton on Instagram at @keatonmcevoyfishing.
The Recreation Guide Jesika Lucarelli co-owns Great Mountain Guide Service with fellow female guide Tallie Martin. The duo specializes in guided hikes, paddling trips, cross country skiing, and yoga retreats (featuring wine and gourmet food, even on overnight trips!). It can be a challenge being female in the outdoor industry, but Jesika knows females are just as capable as males. Once, on an all-girls canoe trip, they discovered a group of male canoeists who had gotten their canoe pinned against rocks in a rapid. The girls offered to help, and despite being scoffed at by the males, the girls quickly dislodged their boat with a z drag. In addition to holding guide licenses in recreation and whitewater, Jesika holds her hunting guide license, and collaborates with her husband guiding bear, deer, and moose hunts for Maine Whitetail Adventures in the North Maine Woods.
Follow Jesika on Instagram at @greatmountainguideservice and @maine_whitetail_adventures. — The Taxidermist Amy Blanchette is the owner of Wicked Critters Taxidermy in Litchfield. Amy began doing taxidermy four years ago, after both serving in the military and working in the construction industry. Amy recently competed in her first taxidermy competition, where she won two first-place awards and two second-place awards. Amy appreciates being entrusted with clients’ trophies, saying, “I love hearing my clients’ hunting stories, and having the opportunity to bring these animals back to life.” Find “Wicked Critters Taxidermy” on Facebook.
Amy Blanchette owns Wicked Critters Taxidermy in Litchfield.
Keaton McEvoy with a seatrout (sea run brown trout) in Iceland on Weatherbys Lodge annual guided trip to Iceland.
Jesika Lucarelli is a Registered Maine Guide in recreation, whitewater, and hunting.
Amy recently received the Maine Trapper’s Association Small Mammal award at a taxidermy show.
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Keaton guiding a successful and happy client in Grand Lake Stream, where she guides for Weatherby’s Lodge.
— www.MaineSportsman.com
Jesika co-owns Great Mountain Guide Service with fellow female guide Tallie Martin. The duo offers paddling trips, backpacking trips, cross country skiing excursions and yoga retreats.
The Hunter Kylie Dow grew up hunting and fishing in Sebec. She’s currently double-majoring in Wildlife Ecology and Forestry at UMaine, and hopes to get her Guide license someday. Kylie’s grandfather (Continued on next page)
��������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • January 2022 • 35 (Continued from page 34)
drew a moose tag this year, and Kylie shot a 770-lb., 40-inch bull at only 13 yards. At deadline time for this column, Kylie was going for her grand slam by harvesting a deer, having bagged a turkey with her bow this spring, and shooting a 200-lb. bear. Find Kylie on Instagram at @kyliedow04 to see if she succeeded in getting her grand slam!
Rebekah balances life on the water with being a mother to two small children. “Don’t be scared – be curious,” Jenna recommends.
was introduced to medicinal plants by her mother, an herbalist, and her knowledge and interest grew from there. A piece of advice Jenna offers is, “Don’t be scared – be curious.” Follow Jenna on Instagram at @jennarozelle. — Kylie Dow bagged a nice tom with her bow this spring.
The Lobsterman Jonesboro native Rebekah Hodgson is a commercial lobsterman and clam harvester. She got started as a child, learning from her father. Rebekah served in the Maine Lobster Leadership program in 2017. She balances her time fishing and clamming with being a mother of two young kids and supporting her husband, who serves in the Coast Guard. Follow Rebekah on Instagram at @lobsterlady89.
— The All Around Sportswoman Catherine Gordan grew up hunting and fishing in Presque Isle, where she grew up. Now, Catherine is a Registered Maine Guide in hunting, fishing and recreation. She’s also an avid volunteer at the Travis Mills Foundation Veterans Retreat, helping critically injured veterans and their families fish, kayak and snowshoe. Catherine says, “The outdoors is a healing and uplifting place, and I enjoy encouraging others to get out and enjoy all that Maine has to offer.” Follow Catherine on Instagram @mymaineguidelife.
Kylie with her 770-lb., 40-inch bull moose. Kyle is going for her grand slam.
— The Forager Jenna Rozelle of Parsonsfield makes a living as a wild foods educator, hosting public and private walks, during which she teaches people how to interact with land as an omnivore. As a child, Jenna
Jenna Rozelle leads public and private foraging walks to help people connect with the landscape.
Catherine Gordan is an avid hunter and angler.
Catherine volunteers at the Travis Mills Foundation, helping critically injured veterans and their families enjoy the outdoors. Rebekah Hodgson is a commercial lobsterman and clam harvester Downeast.
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www.MaineSportsman.com
36 • January 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————
New DeLorme Book Brings Region into Focus The author’s ragged and tattered DeLorme Atlas needed replacement. A shiny new DeLorme on the store shelf was just a blank canvas sitting and waiting for some lost soul to stroll through and write a story in it. The usual-thrifty author figured, “Why not me?” Last fall, while my son Matt and I were traveling north to do some bird hunting in the acreage north of Moosehead Lake, we stopped at one of my favorite places to browse – Indian Hill Trading Post in Greenville. It’s just a great place to look around. Understand that Bill Sheldon is NOT a shopper. Under normal circumstances, I only go into a store to buy a specific item, and then I promptly leave. Perhaps it’s my inherent understanding of the difference between “need” and “want” that rarely puts me in the checkout line. Friends and
family call it “cheap.” It’s rare that I buy, but do enjoy looking over Indian Hill’s outdoor gear. In fact, I almost made it out without opening my wallet. Then Matt pointed out some new Maine Atlas and Gazetteer maps by DeLorme placed dangerously close to the register. Another dozen steps and I’d be out the door with another “window shopping but never stopping to buy” moment. “Your old one looks pretty ratty, and we left it back at camp,” Matt dutifully pointed out. The shiny new cover made my dog-eared, battle-scarred old one look pretty tattered.
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Virgin Pages Not willing to let go of 25 bucks without a perusal, I thumbed through the clean virgin pages. Old faithful had a decade plus worth of notes. A yellow highlighter marked trails and streams. Every boat ramp that saw my back-up lights had some helpful comments scratched in the margins. Even the wrinkles in Old Faithful told a story. The written notes made sure I wouldn’t forget that the Kennebec River take-out ramp in North Anson drops off hard on the right side, or that the Sandy Stream Trail to Baxter State Park’s Russell Pond, while longer, takes the same amount of time as the more challenging Russell Pond trail. This shiny new DeLorme was just a blank canvas sitting on a shelf waiting for some lost soul to stroll through and write a story in it. I figured, “Why not me?” Readers know I love playing with electronic mapping. But nothing – absolutely nothing – compares to looking at an 11 x 15 page and taking in the macro view of an area. Hard to fit all that information on a palm sized screen.
The author was impressed with the updates in his new DeLorme map book. His old one was preKatahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. He appreciates the updated mapping is greatly appreciated when navigating in and around the boundaries of the park. Sheldon finds the large pages of the paper maps outshine some of the cell phonesized screens that electronic delivery provides. Bill Sheldon photo
Upgraded Information Like most maps, the DeLorme had updated information on nearly every page. For example, my old maps made no mention of the Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument. A smile came across my face as I opened to map 51 and saw the boundaries to this area boldly marked in purple. A quick look at the legend clarifies by color code whether the areas marked consist of state lands, national parks or tribal lands. Just as a special note, Tribal Lands may have their own set of laws concerning activities on those properties. Please respect this, and contact the tribal clerks at the corresponding tribe for accurate rules and regulations. The Tribal Assistance/NRC website has some contact
information at www. nrcs.usda.gov. For Maine, Google “Maine Tribal Governments; Department of Education.” Let it Snow Snowmobiles from the southern half of the Pine Tree State and from away form a steady stream heading north to this region’s unparalleled snowmobiling. The trails from Dover Foxcroft to Matagamon clearly attract trail runners looking for scenery. While the trails in and around Millinocket operate under the watchful eye of Maine’s iconic Mount Katahdin, that’s just icing on the mountain packed into a winter wonderland. Before loading up a sled and dragging it north, it’s best to formulate a plan. A DeLorme Map is helpful in orienting one to the (Katahdin Country continued on page 40)
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KISS (“Keep it Simple, Stupid”) System for Ice Fishing Many of my fondest childhood memories hatched from long cold days out on the hard water. One of my favorite photos, a black and white shot my mother took of me in 1962, stuffed in a wood soda crate, watching a tilt, pretty much summed up my childhood. I know, today they colloquially call them “traps.” But, seeing as I’m using the same “traps” my dad used in 1962, I’ll take the liberty of calling them
“tilts,” like he did. I’m sure it’s things like this that drive editors crazy. So that means I can officially say I’ve been ice fishing for 60 years. Sounds impressive. However, I’ll admit that I never got really good at it. Oh, more than a few fish came to the bright side of the ice, but nothing like the hard core ice anglers who flash frozen trophies across the pages of national magazines. I don’t dress or
look the part. The same clothes that keep me from freezing to death on a deer stand or a snowmobile make their way out onto January ice. I have made one small improvement to my ice-fishing digs – I’ve added a set of strap-on ice cleats to my LL Bean Crestas. KISS 2.0 For the first forty years or so, I carried all my gear in a red wooden box my dad
built. That box started its life as a pallet, so needless to say, we didn’t coddle it, and it wasn’t pretty. Then one bright day on the ice, I noticed some fellow anglers having a good laugh at my hobo-looking gear. Next to their shiny new Jack Traps and heated ice tents, I
looked like ice fishing’s poor cousin. That stirred me to action and led to the creation of my KISS 2.0 (Keep It Simple Stupid, second-generation) ice sled. I wanted something that I could keep my vintage gear in and not have to (Continued on next page)
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Jackman Region (Continued from page 37)
actually “carry” it out on the ice. The big upgrade consisted of an 8-inch, hand-powered auger – no more using the homemade chipper blade. I did briefly think about a gasoline powered auger … very briefly. To me, it would just be another internal combustion engine that refused to start every time I needed it. Engines that run all the time do fine. It’s those occasionally-run motors that seem to choke on ethanol or flood out because I’ve
An early version of the author’s “Jet Sled Jr.” shows how a small unit can haul all the goodies out onto the hard water. A simple, inexpensive plastic tote and a bungee cord keep things contained in case of a rough ice heave. This was the beginnings of the author’s KISS 2.0 (“Keep It Simple, Stupid 2nd generation) ice angling set up. All photos: Bill Sheldon
forgotten to point it north, pull it twice, squeeze the throttle with my middle finger all while saying cuss words in the correct order. With a hand au-
ger, I can usually remember which way to crank it. Refurbished Jigging Rods I bought the smallest “Jet Sled” avail-
An improved version, complete with holders for jigging rod and reels, adds a “cap” with top hatch access.
able, and built a cap for it. After selecting my six best tilts, I reconditioned them. With new line and some fresh red felt flags, they were ready to go. Now comes the best part. A few old bait cast rods, otherwise destined for a yard sale or worse, got
shortened up and repurposed into a handsome pair of jigging rods. Add a new bait bucket, and things were looking up. Electronics ... Kinda I’ve only ice fished with a flasher once or twice. Hint: Set up (Jackman Region continued on page 40)
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January 2022 New Year’s Off-Road Traveler Resolutions The month of January has always been the time to look back on the previous year and make resolutions to better things in the new year. For this Off Road Traveler, determining to do better has been an ongoing attempt ... I’m always trying to figure out a way to travel the back roads in a safer and more efficient mode. Although I have already outfitted my 2010 Toyota Tacoma with loads of extra gear to make my travels safe and efficient, I am always looking at the next best thing to come along.
The author is looking forward to using gear he’s purchased that will enable him to get into – and out of – tough off-road situations, including “Truck Claw” traction devices, and a lightweight battery charger for emergency boosts. Tire manufacturers continue to tweak their products. They always amaze me with some of the innovative ways they market their tires. So far, I’m completely satisfied with the Goodyear “DuraTrac” tires I have been enjoying for the past few years. They’ve pulled me through many miles of mud- and snow-cov-
ered back roads around the state, all the while giving me a smooth ride on the pavement. I’ll stick with the success I’ve been enjoying with this brand of tire, even though I know there are others out there just as fantastic. The truck itself has remained solid as ever – typical of the Tacoma line of trucks. I’ve had to replace only
a brake line fitting so far, and I’ve had the 2010 truck for three or
four years now. Tacomas are known to last many years without spending a lot on repairs – they’re just a great vehicle for rambling around the willy-whacks. Again, I’ll probably stick with a winner and keep driv(Continued on next page)
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40 • January 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————
Off-Road Traveler (Continued from page 39) ing this Tacoma for many more miles. New and Improved Items I’ve purchased last year and will give a try this year are improvements over what has been on the market for years. I’ve used the “Athena” battery charger (from amazon.com) for giving my cell phone a boost and jumping a lawn tractor, but haven’t actually used it to jump-start another vehicle yet. The impressive unit only weighs a few pounds, and isn’t more than 8”x5”x3” in size. Other battery chargers I’ve used and owned in the past weigh upwards of 20 pounds and are ridiculously bulky, with cables dangling from the unit to make matters worse. I’m enjoying this compact battery
charger so much, just for its space-saving size alone. I have a WARN winch (warn.com), studded snow tires, a shovel, and a “Hi-Lift” jack (hi-lift.com) for extraction situations that may arise. Even with all of this gear, I still am going to give “Truck Claws” traction devices (truckclaws.com) a thorough testing this winter. I got them too late last year – most of the snow had melted. This winter will give me plenty of snow to give the traction devices a good workout. These unique items look like they could really be useful for those with two-wheel-drive vehicles, as well as those of us with four-wheeldrive. Another item that
Katahdin Country (Continued from page 36)
area, but it does not have the snowmobile trails listed. This is due in part to the fact that many of the trails change from year to year. Yearly improvements, landowner concerns and environmental issues all weigh into consistently trying to build a better mouse trap. It shows in the quality of the award-winning trails. The local snowmobile clubs provide updated maps to keep everyone point-
Jackman Region (Continued from page 38)
next to someone who has all the toys, and offer them an adult beverage. I was intrigued, but not enough to spend the money on one. I did, however, have a portable fish finder. After building a custom tilt with the transducer mounted on the bottom, I could at least get depth information and actually spot an occasional fish. By keeping all my spartan gear in one sled, it’s easy to throw it in the back of my Jeep and, in a moment’s notice, head to any water that’s available for ice fishing. With the wooden cap, www.MaineSportsman.com
warrants review hasn’t been purchased yet ... but I have needed it ever since I bought the truck. I have crammed all of my accessories for off-road travel into the back seat of the truck, and really need to mount a huge toolbox in the bed of the vehicle to carry everything. My dog rides in the back seat, and I’m sure she gets rather cramped at times. A good diamond-plated, steel lock-box that is bolted securely to the truck should do the trick. I don’t want anyone to be able to simply carry the tools and gear away, so I’ll have it locked and solidly secured to the bed of the truck. Resolutions In this new year, I have made a resolution to put more off-road miles on the truck and confidently
Truck Claw traction devices attached to the wheels help keep the Off Road Traveler rolling through the backcountry. Source: Truckclaws.com
roll throughout remote parts of this state. The gear I carry in the truck allows me to take a few “extended” risks. Let me explain. While riding through a huge muddy area on a remote logging road this past bird season, I noticed the wheels slipping a little. As soon as that happened, I started looking for a tree that I might need if I had to winch the truck out. In that particular situation, I wouldn’t have considered riding
ed in the right direction. To get a list of clubs and other valuable resources, a visit to the Katahdin Chamber of Commerce website at www.katahdinmaine. com is in order. Non-Motorized Travel The website also has solid information on two types of winter travel that rely on people-power, and even mentions paw-power. Cross-country skiing has long held the interest of winter travelers looking to make minimal impact while absorbing Maine’s winter wonderland. the sled actually does double duty as a seat for jigging. Come the first of this month, the DIF&W (Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife) opens the hard-water season on many waters statewide. The Jackman Region has five lakes that attract anglers in a big way. Before heading out onto any ice, confirm that the ice is thick enough. Not marginally thick – plenty thick. I know folks who have gone through, and it never works out well. Big Five The big five, Spencer Lake, Long Pond, Holeb Pond, Little Big Wood and Big Wood Lake, all attract serious an-
through the mud hole if I hadn’t had a winch. Good gear choices help the Off Road Traveler make confident decisions, even while on the fly. Go confidently into the new year, and enjoy all that this gorgeous state has to offer. Stick to the legal trails and respect landowners. Travel freely, and be sure to take a camera ... you never know what’s just up around the bend.
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We less-coordinated types take to the wilds with snowshoes. I admire the more graceful cross-country skier but just can’t get the hang of it. Plodding along on snowshoes suits me just fine. The Katahdin Chamber website can direct both groups to trails groomed specifically for the self-propelled crowd. Every now and again I cross paths with someone using a team of dogs pulling a sled. It’s always worth stopping and watching them trot by. Winter is here, and I’ve got a DeLorme to fill up.
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glers looking for hard water action. All of these waters lie within driving distance of the hamlet of Jackman. Jackman has everything ice anglers could possibly need – lodging, snowmobile rentals, ice shack rentals, guide services, bait, and a place to get a great cheeseburger (Mama Bear’s Restaurant). Visit the DIF&W website for current rules and regulations before heading out, as not all waters in the Jackman Region are open for ice fishing. While I realize KISS 2.0 is still behind the times, 60 years of fun (and counting) never gets old.
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��������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • January 2022 • 41
Hunters Rabbit Pot Pie Cornbread Muffins As winter comes in with a flurry, or two, my kitchen stays warm from baking, cooking and stewing all day. There is nothing like comforting flavors when you walk
into a home in winter; bacon, cinnamon, game stews and sauces! My husband wolfed this main course down with a huge smile and said it re-
Ingredients: • 1 ½ cups cornmeal • ½ cup flour (I use gluten free, both work) • ¾ teaspoon Kosher salt • ½ teaspoon baking powder • ½ teaspoon baking soda • 1 large egg • 1 ½ cups buttermilk
golden around the edges, about 25 minutes.
Filling: • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil • 1 sweet onion, chopped • 1 garlic clove, finely chopped • 1 large carrot, chunked small • ¼ teaspoon salt • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper • 1 tablespoon flour • ¾ cup chicken stock (I made rabbit stock from the bones) • ½ cup rabbit, cooked and shredded Directions: In bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Whisk egg into buttermilk and add to cornmeal mixture. Fill 12 (1/2-cup) greased muffin tins about 2/3rds full with the cornbread batter. Preheat oven to 350°F. In large heavy skillet, heat oil over medium high heat until hot, add onion, garlic, carrots, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes. Stir in flour and cook, until incorporated, about 2 minutes. Pour in stock, bring to a boil, then stir in the rabbit. Season the filling with salt and pepper to taste. Place 2 to 3 tablespoons of the filling over each batter-filled muffin tin. Bake the muffins until
minded him of when you dip bread in stew to get ALL the delicious flavors in the bowl! This is a high-protein muffin for those on the go. Great for ice-fishing snacks.
I used colored carrots, purple in this picture, for contrast. Enjoy and Bon Appetit!
Maine Apple Cider Cake The extra moisture from the apple cider syrup topping brings a bright apple subtleness that will so please your comfort food palate. I am fortunate to have many offerings of taste testers, so you don’t always have to take my word. Between my neighbors, Jim and Judy, my friend Helen at the Farmers Market and my Board of Directors at Gallery 302, I have no shortage of feedback and constructive criticism. The criticism typically comes in the form of “there’s just never enough!” Cake: • 1 cup apple cider • 2 sticks plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened, plus more for greasing • 2 Macoun (or Granny Smith) apples, peeled, cored and cut in ¼ -inch pieces • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar • ½ teaspoon Kosher salt • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting • ¾ cup whole-wheat flour • 1 ¼ teaspoons baking powder • 1 teaspoon salt • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon • ½ teaspoon ground ginger • ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg • ¼ teaspoon cardamom • 2/3 cup packed light brown sugar • 4 large eggs • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Rabbit Pot Pie
Syrup: • 1 cup apple cider, reduced • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter • ½ cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt Directions: Preheat oven to 350°. Butter and flour a 9-inch springform pan and line the bottom with parchment. In small saucepan, bring apple cider to simmer and cook until reduced to ¼ cup, about 12 minutes. Remove pan from the heat and cool slightly. In large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Add apples, sugar and Kosher salt and cook over medium high heat, stirring occasionally, until apples are just tender, about 3 minutes. Remove skillet from heat and cool slightly. In medium bowl, whisk flours, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cardamom. In stand mixer with paddle, beat 2 sticks of butter with brown sugar at medium speed until light and fluffy,
about 3 minutes. Beat in eggs scraping down sides of bowl as needed. (The batter will look broken) Beat in cooled apple cider and vanilla until just combined. At low speed, beat in dry ingredients until just combined. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the cooked apples. Scrape batter into prepared pan, using spatula to smooth top. Bake for 50 minutes, until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Transfer cake to wire rack set in rimmed baking sheet and let cool slightly, about 20 minutes. Remove parchment paper and place on plate. Glaze: In small saucepan, bring apple cider to simmer and cook over moderate heat until reduced to ¼ cup. Remove from heat and whisk in butter until it melts. Whisk in confectioners’ sugar and salt until smooth. Cool slightly; 10 minutes. Poke a few fork holes in top of cake and pour syrup over, cut and serve warm. Add a little Vanilla Bean ice cream!
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42 • January 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————
Jigging for Trout a Fun Way to Ice Fish Jigging rods come in light, medium, medium-heavy and heavy actions, making them suitable for anything from a 10-inch brook trout to a 10-pound togue. I’ve done it and will continue to do it. That is, fish through the ice for trout with ice-fishing traps and live bait. But this isn’t my favorite method, for several reasons. First, action never ranks as fast and furious. A fish or two per hour rates as pretty good fishing. And second, I hold a certain reverence for trout that makes me feel just a tad guilty when taking them on a handline. It just seems that such a noble quarry deserves better. I’m not casting aspersions on anyone else. This just comes as my own personal quirk. For those who relish trout above all other fish species, it’s hard to wait all winter for next spring’s open-water season to begin. Ice fishing gives us a chance to indulge
our fascination with salmonids and provides us the opportunity to catch, admire and even eat a trout or two. Jigging for trout through the ice allows us to fish for and sometimes catch our favorite fish, while at the same time, taking them on rod and reel. Admittedly, jigging rods are stubby, scaled-back versions of traditional fishing rods. But still, they are true rods, with a handle to accept a spinning reel and guides for the line to slide through. These come in light, medium, medium-heavy and heavy actions, and are suitable for anything from a 10-inch brook trout to a 10-pound togue. Terminal Tackle As per live bait such as worms and minnows versus artifi-
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cial lures, jig rods are capable of presenting either to good effect. In fact, I often like to use two rods, one for active use, as in jigging artificial lures, the other for the more passive process of fishing a golden shiner or earthworm on or near the bottom. For the bait rod, just let the baited hook down to bottom, using only the minimum amount of extra weight needed to take the bait down to bottom. I prefer the earth-colored nonlead split shot sold in fly-fishing shops, which come in containers filled with shot of different sizes. Then, just open the bail so that line can pay out when a fish takes the bait and runs with it. The other option is to affix a sliding barrel swivel on the line and place a small bobber on the line below it. The swivel will allow you to set the depth of line below the bobber. This only works on above-freezing days. Also, you will need to check the bobber frequently to see if a fish has taken the bait. To tie in the barrel swivel, just run the line through both ends and slide it up to where you want it. Then tie a hook on the terminal end after affixing the swivel. This is the same principle used
All the gear you need to jig for trout can fit in a medium-sized pack basket. Tom Seymour photo
when setting a sliding button on the line on an ice-fishing trap. It’s easy and convenient, and it works. With the passive rod doing its work, you are free to jig the other rod to your heart’s content. You can also cut a number of holes for your jigging outfit so that you won’t get bored standing by one hole for hours. This helps keep interest up. Where-To Conditions beneath the ice differ considerably from open-water season. Now, trout might be anywhere, from directly on bottom to just beneath the ice, and any point in between. I once cut a hole on a fall-stocked browntrout water, let my Swedish Pimple jig down a few feet and caught a brown trout. My fishing buddy, standing about 10 feet away, had similar re-
sults. At other times, brown trout have taken a bait fished directly on bottom. This shows that it pays to try all depths until fish are located. Also, if you like bells and whistles and don’t mind carrying extra gear, you can employ a fish locator to tell you where trout are holding. Just dig a shallow hole in the ice, pour water in it, and set the transducer in the water. You needn’t cut all the way through to open water, but the fish locator will work as well if you do. The small depression simply allows you to cut numerous test holes to prospect for fish. Just bring a water-filled bucket to pour in the test holes and you’re all set. Other than that, a lot depends upon the (Trout Fishing continued on page 44)
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Do You Have a Fly-fishing Bucket List? We anglers tend to daydream in front of the woodstove (or perhaps a gas-fired fireplace) about our fantasy fishing trips. Long winters foster this behavior as our fly rods gather dust. Recent global events have reminded us that good health cannot be taken for granted indefinitely, and I have recently chatted with fly fishers who are now motivated to turn at least one of their fantasy trips into reality. So, although I write about Maine fishing for this column, I am going to wander farther afield (both figuratively and literally), and write about New Zealand. When anglers make their bucket list of once-in-a-lifetime trips, it often includes
Do you like the challenge of sight-fishing and stalking trophy trout in small rivers? Do you like lake and pond fishing where the smallest fish exceed 15 inches? If so, New Zealand is for you. Alaska for salmon; Canada for char, brook trout, and pike; Bahamian flats for bonefish; and in the southern hemisphere, Patagonia and New Zealand for big browns and rainbows. New Zealand is a top location because anglers have heard or read about impressive fish, beautiful scenery (ranging from glaciers to rain forests), and friendly English-speaking people. Most folks then write the two islands off as unrealistic: too far, too expensive, and too logistically daunting. Big mistake! And I will use this column to
explain why, based on the three-week trip my wife and I made several years ago. New Zealand I will exuberantly tout the fishing in the second half of the column, but let me get to the logistical nuts and bolts first. Air fare is expensive, about $2,000 round trip per person. But you can stay in New Zealand for three weeks and spend modestly. Almost all water is public, and you do not need a guide. You need not stay in an expensive fishing lodge, or rent a boat or a 4-wheel drive vehicle.
Many college students touring New Zealand purchase a used camper-van when they arrive, drive/camp
their way around the island, and then sell it to the next visitor for the same price (more or less) they paid for it. The cost of groceries is comparable to Maine, so total living expenses are not much different from staying (Continued on next page)
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Freshwater Fly Fishing (Continued from page 43)
at home. New Zealand traveler websites and apps facilitate all of this. By way of comparison, any stay at a Maine sporting camp for one person runs you about $2,000 a week. I figured out the other day that I paid for my New Zealand trip last year by selling a third outboard motor that I rarely used, not eating out during Covid, and selling a few fishing articles to magazines. Trophy Trout But enough budgeting talk – let’s get to the fishing. Do you like the challenge of sight-fishing and stalking trophy, oncein-a-lifetime trout in small rivers? Do you like lake and pond fishing where the smallest fish hooked exceeds 15 inches? If so, New Zealand is for you. Rivers run off the mountains or bubble up from large springs and they almost all have wild trout, stocked by the Brits over 100 years ago. The population of rainbow and brown trout in each river is not high, maybe one fish per deep run or pool with sometimes 50 yards of riffles in between. You hunt each fish by stealthily walking upriver, spotting individual fish with polar-
This 5-pound brown trout ate the author’s Cosohammer Streamer.
The couple’s hikes to remote lakes featured Lord of the Rings vistas.
izing glasses, and casting precisely. Each fish you see will be between 2 and 5 pounds. The fish are spooky and require careful casting and a drag-free drift, but they aren’t picky about what they will eat. A Pheasant-tail or Hare’s-ear nymph, or a Parachute Adams or Hendrickson dry fly, will usually entice an eat. Lake Action Lake fishing is not technical, and blind-casting streams along the shorelines, especially where rivers enter or exit the lakes – is often rewarded by vicious takes. Early in the trip, my wife Lindsey and I trekked five miles into a remote small lake. The hike itself was mesmerizing, because the vistas looked like the countryside from
Trout Fishing (Continued from page 42)
nature of the water fished. In a lake or pond without prominent features such as points and peninsulas, one place rates as good as another. Even there, if you can find an inlet, trout will hold where the water enters the larger body. www.MaineSportsman.com
the Lord of the Rings film trilogy, which of course it was, because it was filmed in New Zealand. I expected Gandalf to come riding around the bend on a white horse at any time. When we arrived shore side with a steep boulder slope to our left, I heard a large kersplash that I assumed was a rock that had rolled down the slope into the water. But my guiding instinct told me to make a few casts toward the commotion anyway. I gave my wife first shot, and she put a size-16 black gnat precisely on target. Sometimes, only a photo will do, so look for it in this column so see the fish she eventually landed – her first fish in New Zealand.
The author’s wife Lindsey’s first New Zealand trout was this magnificent rainbow.
Te Anu I also remember staying in one of the larger towns, Te Anu, on the shore of the lake with the same name. On the outskirts of town, a small stream entered the lake. I stood on a sandbar at the confluence, casting my trusted soft-hackle marabou streamers to strong, chunky rainbows that threatened to tear the rod from my hands during the strike and subsequent strong runs. I never spotted even one wader boot print while I fished that spot. My wife and I like to trek (as the New Zealanders refer to hiking), and we walked along one of the popular tracks (trails) to stay in a hut along a large lake. As we watched the sunset, I casually cast along the
In rocky lakes with varying geographical features, look for drop-offs, underwater rock piles and edges of rocky points. Stocked Waters Most of our ice fishing for trout takes place in stocked waters, since places where wild – or “heritage” –
shore and hooked a big-spotted, green tinted, five-pound brown that intercepted my streamer as he was patrolling his territory. The next morning, I hooked him again in the same spot. Go on your bucket list trip like we did. You deserve it. By the way, for those of you who can’t swing a trip like this due to constraints of one sort or another, I will offer alternatives in my next bi-monthly column. I will write about New England waters that come darn close to an exotic bigfish experience, but only take one or two days and the cost of a tankful of gas. Stay tuned.
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populations live, are closed to ice fishing. Certainly, many waters open to ice fishing for salmonids have limited spawning, but most fish are stocked. So check out the stocking list in your local area. and come freeze-up, head to the nearest stocked water. Good luck.
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Deer Camp Cribbage You play cribbage? Yeah, me too – family champion. At least I was, until the boys came along. Then their grandmother taught them how to play, and I began losing, bigtime. Mom was from Canada, and cribbage was in her DNA. The boys are all grown up now, and they are fierce players. They don’t even count points anymore. They know what every hand is worth just by glancing at the cards. I suppose that happens to anyone who plays a lot. Double run of four is 10 points. Right Jack for 11. They gleefully pry their peg loose from the hole and move it ahead, again not counting the holes. They just know how far 11 points gets you. Lose More Than I Win Cribbage is huge at our camp. The board and deck of cards are prominent in the center of the kitchen table. I suspect it’s the same way at other cabins. When we went home to the Miramachi, in northern New Brunswick, to visit Mom’s family, we found cribbage boards everywhere. At my aunt’s house, there were crib boards in the kitchen, the back porch, and the living room. It was common to hear a knock on the door after supper, and one of the relatives or neighbors would drop
Louie picked up the deck and dealt. I looked at him. “Louie,” I asked, “you going to shuffle the cards?” “Oh no,” he replied. “You never shuffle – that will spoil the count!” So I lost to Louie. in and automatically begin shuffling the cards. For some reason, I seem to lose a lot more than I win. Years ago, we were at the Tarratine Club in Bangor for a tournament. Some kind of fundraiser, I think. Charity event. Greg invited me. He said “C’mon – we’ll meet some of the guys and play a few games.” Many members of the Bangor City Club were in attendance. We stepped into the salon or game room and found players seated around the room at small tables, all laying down cards and moving pegs. Two for the pair and eight for the run is ten, we heard. Harold was sitting at a table near the door. We knew Harold. He held up the cards and said, “Play a hand?” I sat down and we cut for the deal and he won and he dealt and I tried to keep up and lost so fast my head was spinning. Old Harold was beyond expert. No wonder he couldn’t attract a partner. Everyone knew they’d lose to Harold and there was no fun in that. I made some excuse for being off my game, and Greg
away a few hours playing cribbage and telling stories about back home.
Over the years, the author has accumulated a variety of cribbage boards at his camp. One is shaped like a toilet seat.
and I sought out players more in our league. M16 and a Cribbage Board In Vietnam, I carried an M16 and a cribbage board. True story: One of my jobs was driving the intelligence officer around the countryside, and when we loaded up the Jeep, I had my weapon and a cribbage board in my pack. You see, those intelligence briefings seemed to go on forever, and I was left guarding the Jeep for hours. I learned to wander around the base and poke into doors and seek out some friends. I knew this cook in Sa Dec. Nice guy. He was from New Hampshire, and he played cribbage. I’d look him up, and he’d fix me lunch, and we’d while
Louie Doesn’t Shuffle Years later, Grandfather was living at South Ridge Living Center in Biddeford. He had a French roommate, Louie. Both old men living out their long lives in the nursing home. Louie played cribbage. He used to organize the tournaments for the Club Le Voltigeur, so Louie knew all about cribbage. I’d visit Gramps, and play a few hands with Louie in the afternoon. We sat beside the window in the sunlight and put our pegs in the starting holes. Louie picked up the deck and dealt. I looked at him. “Louie,” I asked, “you going to shuffle the cards?” “Oh no,” he replied. “You never shuffle – that will spoil the count!” So, I lost to Louie, and we never did shuffle the deck, not once. Rifle Shells for Pegs Over the years we’ve accumulated a variety of cribbage boards at the camp. One is shaped like the State of Maine; anoth-
er is like a toilet seat. Our favorite is like a small coffee table. Uncle Nelson from Doaktown, made it. Holes all hand drilled and decorated free hand. There are three tracks, and we use spent rifle shells for pegs – .30-’06, 3030 and .308, because 30-caliber cartridges fit perfectly in the holes. When we were boys and our parents allowed us to go to camp on our own, we learned to cook for ourselves and tried smoking pipes and played cribbage. We had no instructions, so we made our own rules, but we knew the basics. We argued over the “right Jack” and the “last card” and whose turn it was after a “go,” and even the number of cards to lay down, but we had fun and we racked up some wicked good hands, maybe a 24 or 23? We proudly wrote the sequence of cards on the camp wall, and signed and dated it. That bit of graffiti is still there today. So, yeah, do I play cribbage? I guess a little. Not like my boys and not like those card sharps in Bangor, but I do feel a special satisfaction when I peg out and leave someone stuck in the “stink hole” – the 120th hole; one short of winning.
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Back to the Basics: What Do You Really Need for Ice Fishing? Ice fishing technology is one of those fields that’s always rapidly changing, and that includes shelters, augers, traps and snow machines. But fishermen 200 years ago caught fish through the ice in Maine, and they most certainly didn’t have tip ups topped with a strobe light to alert the fishermen … that’s a real thing. The Firehouse Tip Up is a rather odd-looking ice trap that is covered in all four sides with canvas, to cover the hole, and a strobe light on top instead of a flag. I’ve thought it would be cool to have some for cusk fishing, but decided the price tag wasn’t quite so nice. Tip ups have been around for a long time, and their purpose has remained the same, even if the designs are different. Shacks An ice shacks is another sweet accessory to have on the ice.
Even in the face of ever-changing ice fishing technology, it’s important, says the author, to keep things as simple as possible. After all, anglers caught fish through the ice 100 years ago.
The author’s ice fishing base camp, set up on a remote lake.
On busier ponds and lakes, a lot of people build shacks and drag them to a spot for the season. Some shacks I’ve seen are really quite impressive, adorned with woodstoves, televisions, solar power, kitchenettes, and lights. I run an Otter pop up shelter, and it’s served me well. We do a lot of ice fishing in remote parts of the state, and pop up shelters are about the only option, aside from no shelter at all. We have
Gavin Bartlett with a nice salmon caught on Brewer Lake, a 15-minute drive from Bangor. www.MaineSportsman.com
a Big Buddy heater, which is way more heat than our 8x8 foot shack will ever need, and it all fits nicely into a large tote sled. If you are strategic about planning, and find days with fair weather, you could fish all season without a heater or shack. Augers Augers have come a long way since heavy chippers and axes were the standard. The crank auger brought a whole new design to the industry, and it has taken off from there. Gas augers were built to be faster, followed by the proven efficiency of propane augers. In the past few years, electric augers, running on lithium batteries, have entered the playing field. They boast power, fast cutting, light weight, and long-lasting working charge. Like our strobe-light tip ups, however, they come
with a hefty price tag. Snowmobile We have a good work-horse snowmobile that we run for trips into remote lakes – a Ski-Doo Expedition. It’s able to cover some miles on trail, but excels in deep, loose snow and slush – really tough conditions when you’re hauling a tote sled. It’s never ever been stuck. It’s seen countless remote lakes, and handled upwards of 3 feet of powder with a slush base.
With the 900 ACE engine, it has no shortage of power for any task. It will haul an XL tote with multiple days’ worth of gear, along with a passenger on the back seat, with ease. I think a sled is only necessary if you plan on taking remote trips, but if you do plan on it, a snowmobile is a really useful tool. For many applications, a fisherman or -woman is adequately equipped to hit the ice with a pack basket of basic traps, a hand auger, a chair, and a bait bucket. If fishing easy access waters is your thing, it’s not necessary to have a lot of equipment. But if you wish to tackle remote trips, gearing up isn’t only a comfort matter; it enhances your safety, and is a key to success. But it seems to me that keeping it as simple as possible is best for Maine’s ice fishing.
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A nice salmon the author caught up north on a remote lake.
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How to Not Shoot a Deer in Maine The author offers a tutorial on how to avoid filling your whitetail tag, based on years of practiced personal experience. After a few years now of having no success during the deer season, I think it’s important to write about something I’m good at. It turns out that, as I slip into my 50th year of deer hunting, I’ve developed a talent for not shooting deer. For those who are tired of the dreary annual task of attaching your tag to a freshly-killed whitetail, I have some advice that will help you reduce your likelihood of success. There are no guarantees in life, but these tactics should make it easier to avoid the toil and unpleasantness of successful deer hunts.
Caring for young children, or older relatives, is another great preoccupation that will drive your success rate down. If you can manage a situation where you must care for both age-groups at the same time, that’s pure gold! A middle-schooler’s soccer schedule alone can destroy a good part of the deer season. Combine that with an aging parent and an emergency transition from their life-long home to a care facility – now you’re talking about real obstruction. It mixes in a nice element of surprise obligations for which you can never plan.
erly learning to shoot a compound bow, crossbow or muzzle-loading rifle. This simple tactic alone can shorten the potential legal season by as much as six weeks. It goes without saying that you should avoid any attempts at pre-season scouting in your deer hunting area. Make yourself too busy for such foolishness. Fill your early fall schedule with firewood chores, autumn fishing, and grouse hunting. Get yourself invited on a moose hunt to burn a week of potential scouting time, as well as those precious vacation days.
Planned Preoccupation Life can get in the way of deer-hunting success if you’ll only give it half a chance. For instance, it helps if your job is one where the annual peak requirement for your undivided professional attention coincides nicely with deer season. Even the most mundane job has seasonal peaks and valleys. You’ll want one that is busiest from October 15 to mid-December. This should be your make-or-break crunch period in the daily employment that puts food, other than venison, on the table for the year.
Pre-Season Preparation You can’t just sit idly by waiting for opening day to come along – not if you want to keep your tag in your pocket. You might accidentally run into a deer that’s intent on meeting its maker that day. It pays to prepare ahead of time. Whatever might happen, don’t apply for a doe permit, or heaven-forbid a bonus doe permit, in any deer zone in the state. It’s much better to keep a huge percentage of the deer population legally off-limits. Likewise, be stubborn about never prop-
In the Woods If you’ve done your homework, you should be able to avoid the opening day of the firearms season altogether. It’s simply too risky to be out in the woods before the deer population becomes habituated to being shot at and goes largely nocturnal in their habits. In the confusion of opening morning, almost anything could happen! Insist on hunting only in an area that is at least an hour’s drive from your home. Hunting on your own back-forty is too convenient and too productive. Completely ignore the abundant deer sign in your back
To drive down your hunting success rate, don’t apply for a doe permit, thereby requiring you to exclude deer like this from the equation. Jim Andrews photo
yard, and drive an hour to woods with fewer deer. Even better, dedicate most of your available time and effort to a multiday hunting trip up north in the big woods, where deer densities are even lower. Bonus points for making it a canoe-hunt on a remote wilderness river lined with moose tracks, but very little evidence of whitetails. Of course, anybody who is serious about avoiding deer-hunting success will know that using food plots, ground blinds, treestands, deer lures, scent eliminators, or calling devices is a fullstop “NO!” Bask in the purity of still-hunting through swirling air thermals and brittle dry leaves. Never Change Stubbornly do your still-hunting in the same area you have hunted for many years, despite declining whitetail popula-
tions. Hunt alone, on foot, from the same deer camp that is now abandoned by other members who moved on to greener deer pastures years ago. Move slowly, each year, along the same skidder trails. Stand quietly on the same flat granite rocks. Lean against the same massive red oak trees. Pause at the top of the same rock ledges and admire the view of the sere November hardwoods below. Resist any invitations to hunt with other people, in other woods, in other ways. This recipe won’t always work. Every few years the timing and the conditions will be just favorable enough to spot bucks that are unaware of your presence. And then you’ll need to decide if it’s worthwhile to spoil your quiet walk in the woods.
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Vintage Communication in the Woods –
Can You Hear Me Now?
Visitors to Maine’s wilderness often see rangers speaking through two-way radios. These electronic conversations are strengthened by mountain top repeaters that bounce wireless waves from one radio tower to another. These transmitters serve a key role for today’s protectors of our wildlands. Those listening over scanners are apt to hear calls for emergency evacuations, reports of forest fires, requesting recovery teams for a drowning victim, or organizing a search for a lost deer hunter on a November’s eve. Today’s travelers into to our northern forest are apt to carry satellite phones as an emergency backup. But such amenities were not always available.
The network of hand-crank telephones connected by 3,500 miles of thin wires hung through trees was prone to breakdowns, and was known as the “whoop and holler” communications system. called, were at their height in the 1950s. During that period, the Maine Forest Service maintained over 3,500 miles of phone lines. Many forestry districts assigned dedicated linemen to maintain the system. It was around this time that two-way radios were introduced, and they slowly began to replace crank telephones in cabins and lookout towers. Thin galvanized telephone wire strung six to ten feet off the ground ran through ceramic insulators to prevent the wire from grounding out. These metal strands electrically connected to hand-crank wall phones in camps of foresters, rangers, sporting camps and lumber company offices. In some places, these wires can still be spotted high up in the trees.
Crank phone of the type that connected logging camps, sporting camps and ranger stations.
According to the Maine Chapter of the Forest Fire Lookout Association Maine (Sept. 12, 2020), the lines of the secluded “whoop and holler” communications, as www.MaineSportsman.com
Glass insulators kept the phone wires from grounding.
A small amount of electric current provided by dry cell batteries installed in each phone’s cabinet,
allowed a voice to be carried electronically to switch boards to distance places like the Grant Farm, twelve miles southwest of Chesuncook Lake, or to Shin Pond in Mount Chase. Each phone had an identifying ring, but since it was a party line, anyone who wanted to listen in on conversations could – and did. Turning a handle caused a bell to ring, alerting the next phone in line that they were being summonsed. For example, Nugent’s Camps call might be two long rings, and the ring for the phone at the Lock Dam Camp might be one long and one short. Since the miles of line were installed only as high as a person could reach, wandering wildlife would often get tangled in the metal series. As a boy growing up in Baxter State Park, I remember that it was not uncommon for my ranger brother to pick up his phone at Katahdin Stream to call Abol Campground, only to find a silent line. Sometimes the loss of service was caused by a downed tree, a broken wire, or a moose that had gotten its antlers entangled into the vocal link. An ensnared animal was the most dan-
gerous. While rangers and wardens preferred to cut the wire from the terrified creature, often the animal would thrash about, trying to free itself, making it precarious for others to draw near. When that was the case, the moose would be dispatched, and the connection repaired.
Bull moose sometimes got their antlers snarled in phone wires.
Many years ago, while I was visiting Patty Nugent at Nugent’s Chamberlain Lake Camps, she shared the following: “My husband Al – or “Nuge,” as he was called – was an engineer, and while he could do some work from camp, sometimes he’d have to go to New York City to meet with his company. “One day, I needed to talk with him about a problem we were having at the camps. So I rang the Great Northern Paper Company phone dispatch at the Grant Farm near Ragged Lake. “Eventually, after going through several operators, I was able reach Nuge in New York. But of course,
Patty Nugent, of Nugent’s Camps, promised nosy neighbors who’d picked upon the party line that if they hung up and let her talk to her husband, she would fill them in on the details later.
every phone on the line could hear the ring of the bell, and being hungry for news from the outside world, our neighbors listened in. “There were so many who had picked up their receivers, that the battery signal was weakened, so I couldn’t hear my husband. Therefore, I announced to all who could hear, ‘If you’ll hang up so I can talk to Nuge, when we are all done, I’ll call each one of you back to tell you what was said.’” Sounds like those were challenging times to do business. But then again, seventy years ago, marketing calls were non-existent. With the amount of spam my phone receives each day, I am not sure if we are that much better off with today’s electronics. Tim Caverly (www. allagashtails.com) has authored ten books about Maine’s northern forest.
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A ’Toggin’ We Will Go! The author found that a day trip aboard a party boat in Rhode Island for tautog and black sea bass was a perfect way to wrap up the saltwater fishing season. I don’t normally write about fishing in areas other than along Maine’s coastline, but I went on a little excursion to the “south’ard” in mid-November that may be worth sharing, since it’s within striking distance of Maine’s saltwater anglers. A bunch of guys from the Stellwagen Bank Charter Boat Association in MA had chartered a party boat out of Newport, RI for this past Veterans Day to target tautog and black sea bass. I know some of the SBCBA folks, and they invited my good friend Pete Santini of Fishing Finatics Tackle Shop in Everett, MA, and me to join them. Neither Pete nor I had ever fished for tautog or sea bass, so we eagerly accepted. I picked Pete up the day before, and we headed down to Newport, an easy two-hour 15-minute drive from Kittery. We checked in at the Newport Harbor Hotel, and after a fine Italian dinner with friends at nearby Sardella’s restaurant, we hit the hay. At 6:30 the next morning, 15 of us boarded the 60-foot Bounty Hunter, docked at the marina behind the hotel, and headed out Newport Har-
bor. The weather was beautiful, sunny with just a bit of an easterly breeze, and calm seas. We ran for about an hour, and then Capt. Eric Morrow slowed the boat down, found the piece of bottom 50 feet below that he was looking for, and with the help of his mates, set two bow anchors to prevent the boat from swinging back and forth. We were ready to fish. Targeting Tautog Our primary quarry was tautog, a firmfleshed, bottom-dwelling species that’s related to the cunner but can grow to 20 pounds. They are very good eating, and are thus quite popular with anglers south of Cape Cod (although we occasionally catch one here in Maine). Tautog are notorious bait-stealers that bite lightly yet can strip a hook clean in seconds, as Pete and I would soon find out. For bait, we used live green crabs the size of a silver dollar, cut in half with kitchen shears, or a quarter of a much larger and tougher “white crab.” The crab sections were impaled on 6/0 hooks on a high-low rig with a four-ounce sinker, or on a single lead jighead.
We lowered the bait to the bottom, cranked up a turn or two, and then waited for the peck-peckpeck of a ’tog crunching your crab with its strong teeth. You need to instantly try to hook the fish as it’s dining, or you’ll likely come up empty. If so, go cut another crab (watch out for those pincers!) and re-bait and re-drop. And re-bait and redrop again. It was as addictive as it was frustrating. The few guys who had a lot of ’toggin’ experience seemed to have the drill down pat, and caught most of the bigger fish. Gettin’ the Hang of It However, Pete and I eventually got the hang of it, and landed and released a number of undersized ’togs (they need to be 16”), plus five nice keepers. Our group also caught dozens of black sea bass. Most were under the 15” minimum, but one angler lucked into a real trophy that must have gone five or six pounds. All in all, we landed perhaps 50 keeper ’tog and half-a-dozen sea bass, plus one lone codfish. Capt. Eric weighed anchor around 3:00 p.m., and
Pete Santini of Everett, MA, displays his first keeper tautog of the trip, as Capt. Eric Morrow of the Bounty Hunter looks on approvingly. All photos: Barry Gibson
the mates filleted and bagged our fish for us on the way in. We were back at the dock just before dark, a tired but very happy bunch of ’toggers. As mentioned, tautog are very good to eat. The firm, white meat is sweet and can be broiled or baked.
It’s also excellent in a chowder. Back in Maine the next day, I cheated a bit and picked up a quart of fresh clam chowder from the local seafood store, and my wife Jean sautéed a couple of the ’tog fillets, cut them into chunks, (Continued on next page)
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This was by far the biggest black sea bass of the trip, a true trophy. These fish hang out on the bottom along with the ‘tog.
Mike Pierdinock of Plymouth, MA, displays a fine keeper tautog that fell for half a green crab impaled on a lead jig-head. These fish are notorious bait-stealers, so patience and quick reflexes will work in your favor.
Saltwater Fishing (Continued from page 49)
and added them to the chowder. We then placed the “augmented” chowder in the refrigerator overnight, and heated it the fol-
lowing day for lunch. It was outstanding! This is a great fall fishing trip, and Capt. Eric and his mates are attentive and easy go-
ing. It’s just plain fun. The price this year was $140 per person, which included rod and reel and all bait, and fish filleting. Of course, you’ll want to tip the hard-working mates. The Newport Har-
Small green crabs cut in half with scissors, or quarter sections of the larger “white” crabs, are Capt. Eric’s preferred baits aboard the Bounty Hunter.
bor Hotel offers a discount on rooms if you’re fishing on the Bounty Hunter, as well as free parking for the day. For more info visit www.fishbountyhunter.com and www.newporthotel.com.
Yeah it’s only January, but start thinking about a trip now and reserve early, because Capt. Eric books up well in advance. Hey, it’s worth the drive!
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— Trophy Gallery —
Grand Slam -- an accomplishment at any age. Gavin Boothby, age 13 of Steep Falls, had a productive year hunting in 2021, earning a coveted Grand Slam patch. Shown here with his 20-lb. tom turkey taken in Gorham with a 20-ga. in early May, Gavin -- accompanied and guided by his father Todd -- used a 7mm-08 to shoot a 557-lb. moose in Allagash, a big whitetail doe in Standish, and a 212-lb. black bear in Denmark. Congratulations to son and father! www.MaineSportsman.com
Nate’s Fish of a Lifetime In February, 2020, Nathan Grard of Albion caught this 29.5inch, 9.5-lb. salmon at his camp on Schoodic Lake. Nate will be mounting a replica of his fish to display at camp. Nate is the son of Jeff and Allison Grard, and grandson of Roy and Sharon Fuller of Albion.
��������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • January 2022 • 51
Togue, Brook Trout, Highlight January Ice-Fishing Agenda For those who don’t have a boat and have no way to get out and catch those huge brookies for which Moosehead Lake has become famous, ice fishing stands as the pathway to success. Ice-fishing season on Moosehead begins on January 1 on all fish species except salmon. Open season on salmon begins on February 15. But brook trout, many of them of – or bordering – trophy size, along with togue, make early season trips to Maine’s biggest lake more than worthwhile. Unless you’re specifically targeting brook trout by fishing near some rocky shore in shallow water, togue will make up the bulk of your catch. And even then, togue often make forays into shallow water in winter in search of one of their favorite forage species – crayfish. Crayfish offer togue a big serving in one gulp. Besides that, the tasty crustaceans are easy to catch. Togue and other fish needn’t waste energy chasing smelt or other baitfish when crayfish are around. All togue need do is scoop them off the bottom – a real energy-saving feeding method. Brook Trout Togue aside, brook trout have become Moosehead’s big draw over the last several years. Some of
Brook trout in Moosehead are subject to a slot-limit regulation: those fish between 18 and 22 inches must be released alive at once. That’s OK with the author, who says a fat, colorful brook trout of 17 inches is plenty big enough to satisfy him. Moosehead’s brook trout have taken to spawning in the lake in late fall, far later than anyone could have imagined. Fish from these spawning efforts tend to grow much larger than those that come from the eggs of streambred brook trout. The specifics of how and why these certain fish grow so large remains mostly unknown, but that doesn’t stop anglers from taking advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to land a trophy brook trout. Today, people from all around make the trek to Moosehead Lake in hopes of tying on to a wallhanger. The popularity of Moosehead’s hefty brook trout has led the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (DIF&W) to impose a slot limit on brook trout in Moosehead Lake. Specifically, all brook trout be-
Dean Milligan of Auburn dreamed of taking a 4-pound brook trout his whole life. His dream was realized on Moosehead Lake in 2020.
tween 18 and 22 inches must be released alive at once. This leaves fish between 14 and 17 inches as fair game, along with any fish over 22 inches. I don’t know about you, but a fat, colorful brook trout of 17 inches is plenty big to satisfy me. And fish over 22 inches come as icing on the cake.
Brook trout being Maine’s favorite game fish, countless anglers harbor a lifelong dream of catching a 4-pound brookie. Four pounds stands as the long-accepted standard for a trophy brook trout. It’s the equivalent of a 10-point, 200-pound buck. Many of us never attain that goal. I have battled two brook trout in my life that met or surpassed the 4-pound mark, but both managed to escape. The old saying that the big ones always get away has some merit. After all, the little ones never seem to get away, and if they do, nobody cares. This, though, only serves as an inspiration to keep on trying.
Other Sports Ice fishing isn’t
the only outdoor sport in the Moosehead region. Given sufficient snow cover, lots of other pastimes come into play. Local guides cater to clients who visit the area to pursue snowshoe hares ahead of the shrill baying of beagle hounds. In addition to the sheer thrill of running hares with dogs, our “rabbits” offer some of the finer wild food around. Fat-free, tasty and nutritious, hares stand as gourmet-class fare. And then we have snowmobiling. The Moosehead Region abounds in well-maintained snowmobile trails, and towns around the lake go out of their way to make a snowmobile vacation here something to remember. Before going further, let me offer a word on our ever-changing climate. In the not-too-distant past, sub-freezing temperatures and deep snow were the norm for the (Continued on next page)
Holbrooks Guide Service Fishing • Moose Watching • Bird Hunting Eric Holbrook, Master Maine Guide
Moosehead Region (207) 349-0366 • www.HolbrooksGuideService.com www.MaineSportsman.com
52 • January 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————
Moosehead Region (Continued from page 51)
Moosehead Region in January. But the last decade has seen a new trend. Warmer winters have become commonplace, and sufficient ice thickness and snow depth can no longer be counted upon as a given. None of this should be taken to mean that
old-fashioned winters can’t still descend upon northern Maine, because they surely can. But at the least, outdoor folks should always make it a point to check first before heading out. Old Man Winter still carries a punch, but it seems that he likes to take a
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at a minimum and trails are frozen hard, trail-riding opportunities galore present themselves here. Finally, for those who have never visited the Moosehead Region, midwinter is a great time to enjoy local hospitality and experience the grandeur of snow-covered mountains. Enjoy!
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loop make for a total of 7 miles of exceptional skiing. Some sections of this trail are rated as “challenging,” meaning that beginners should exercise caution. This stands as only one example of available cross-country ski trails in the region. ATV riders, too, may find use for their machines now. If snow depth remains
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��������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • January 2022 • 53
Cases: More Than Luggage for Guns Happy New Year! Here’s hoping 2022 fulfills its promise of many fine shooting adventures ahead, whether they happen close to home or in some far-off exotic locale. January seems a fine time to take stock and try something new. With that in mind, this first column of the year explores a subject often missing from discussions about the shooting sports. Cases for holding firearms do seem a bit ordinary for much discussion, but in fact, these products are important accessories for any gun owner. They are as vital as a sighting system, and as practical as a good sling. Whether a foamfilled, aluminum framed, lockable, airline approved box, or a 100-year-old leather sleeve, anything that contains a firearm offers some measure of protection and security during storage, transport, or when out in the weather. Every firearm, be it rifle, pistol or shotgun, needs a case of some kind. Some need it for storage in the home. Others need it when traveling by planes, trains, boats, automobiles, and even pack animals. Nothing is harder on a firearm than airline baggage handlers or falling off a pack horse 20 miles into the wild country. Cases provide a degree of protection from
Think you don’t need a sturdy gun case? Consider how airline baggage handlers toss luggage, or think about your rifle falling off a pack horse 20 miles into the wild country. Now envision yourself getting to deer camp somewhere up around Sebec Lake or Vanceboro, and finding a damaged sight or cracked stock because the soft case containing the rifle failed to adequately protect it.
Protective gun cases come in many styles, designs and price points. All of them provide a measure of security and safety for the firearms contained inside. Allard photo
scratches and dings. If lockable, they also provide a level of safely by keeping prying hands well away from the action and trigger. Cases also may provide compartments for keeping cleaning supplies, tools, or even small amounts of ammunition.
Cases come in all types of material, a variety of designs, and a huge variation in price. Before buying, consumers need to determine how a case will be used and what they are willing to spend. The design of a case should match the design of the firearm if
they are to work well together. Soft Cases In general, cases made of soft materials will cost less, take up less space, and provide quicker access, usually with zipper openings and closings. Lower-priced soft cases often come with a vinyl
outer layer and some type of cotton batting on the interior for padding. Found in big box stores, department stores and sporting good places, bargain priced cases can give years of valued service. However, over time the vinyl or plastic coverings will crack and tear. Carrying handles often fail as a case ages, as do inexpensive zippers, but on the whole these cheaper cases do a passible job. Brand name soft cases from makers such as Cabela’s, Boyt and Orvis cost significantly more, but also perform to a significantly higher standard. The outside coverings tend to be highgrade canvas, with brass fittings and genuine leather handles and carrying straps. Heavy-duty brass zippers stand head and shoulders above those found on cheaper products. This class of case also tends to employ better material on the interior to protect any firearms placed inside. These cases of(Continued on next page)
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Shooter’s Bench (Continued from page 53) ten come with exterior pockets for carrying small items like shotgun chokes or choke wrenches. High-end soft cases from a good brand can provide a lifetime of year-in and year-out service. But they are still soft cases and will never provide the level of protection and safety offered by a structured hard case. No soft case can protect a firearm if the case is thrown about in the belly of an aircraft or
Amtrak baggage car, Imagine getting to deer camp somewhere up around Sebec Lake or Vanceboro, and finding a damaged sight or cracked stock because the soft case containing the rifle failed to adequately protect it. Hard Cases Cases made from structurally hardened material like wood, molded plastic, aluminum, and foam or some other shock absorbing material, provide the
best levels of protection. Cases of this type often employ key locks and sometimes combination locks. Top-ofthe-line hard cases can cost as much as some firearms, and a good case will always positively impact the value of a firearm. Buyers of custom guns expect a case to be included in the price. Some hard cases accept two and even three guns nestled in the protective material, others carry a specific shape to accommodate the shape of a mounted telescopic
sight. Some include small dolly wheels for rolling the load through long airport terminals and across acres of parking lot. Before purchasing any new gun case, consider carefully what you need it to do. Does it need to defend the firearm from the realities of international travel? Or does it stand in the closet all year and make one automobile trip up to camp and back? Will it go back and forth every week to a sporting clays range? Then, figure what the best pos-
sible case for the job is going to cost. Just prior to making the purchase, remember that leather makes a fine traditional case, but leather and some foams and other materials can absorb moisture. Some tightly sealed cases can attract rust. Gun cases must not be put away and forgotten. Opening them once in a while to let the contents breathe is a good idea.
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��������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • January 2022 • 55
Ice Fishing Downeast Creates Winter Excitement According to Region C fisheries biologist Greg Burr, West Musquash in Talmadge (Map 45, E-3) is legendary for its terrific togue fishery, as well as its excellent salmon and brook trout fishing. Many lakes and ponds in Hancock and Washington County offer quality salmonid angling each January. By checking Delorme’s, Maps 16 and 23 in Hancock County and Maps 26 and 45 in Washington County, anglers can locate the most productive ice-fishing hotspots. One of the best bets to guarantee early ice-fishing success is to rely on the up-to-date 2021 Maine stocking report for each of these counties, which are available online. East Musquash follows the south shore of Route 6 in Topsfield, Map 45, E-4. Much of this 806-acre lake is undeveloped and surrounded by a mixed-growth forest. The shoreline is rocky, except for a couple of gravel beaches on the
south shore. Winter anglers who fish off Flood Brook are often successful catching salmon and brook trout. This brook has an annual smelt run in the spring. Four hundred 7-inch landlocked salmon and 800 11inch brook trout were stocked here last fall, to sustain good fishing. East Musquash Lake provides a good fishery for lake trout and smallmouth bass. Lakers are often caught near the
center of the lake in about 40 to 50 feet of water. East Musquash is governed by general fishing rules, except there’s a daily limit of 1 togue per day. Boat access is public at the DOT rest area on Route 6 in Topsfield. It has a gravel launch. Go West According to Region C fish biologist Greg Burr, West Musquash in Talmadge (Map 45, E-3) is legendary for its terrific togue fishery, as well as its excellent salmon and brook
Winter brookies Downeast. Jim Lemieux photo
trout fishing. Local anglers often refer to this 1613-acre lake as “West Lake”. This lake produces lake trout in the 19to 22-inch range on a
regular basis, with a few bigger trophies. The deep, well-oxygenated water on the west side of the lake is an excellent place to (Continued on next page)
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56 • January 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————
Downeast Region (Continued from page 55)
set out some deep-water ice traps baited with a cut-up sucker or a large smelt. Even though this lake has water depths over 100 feet, winter anglers catch more togue at depths of 35 to 40 feet. Hatchery personnel stocked this lake in alternate years with about 1,000 brook trout and 350 salmon. This fishery is also sustained with a natural reproduction of brookies and landlocks. Brookies in the 11- to 14-inch range are often iced by anglers fishing off Trout Lake brook. Access to this lake is obtained by a dirt road to the boat landing. West Musquash Lake has many regulations on ice fishing, including a minimum length on togue (18 inches), Daily bag lim-
it on togue (2 fish, only one over 33 inches). All togue between 23 and 33 inches must be released alive at once. Another Favorite Indian Lake (Map, 26, B-5). is another favorite ice-fishing water in Washington County. This 120-acre lake has a maximum depth of 20 feet. The shoreline is quite developed with seasonal camps and year-round residences; however, access can be gained at the boat launch on the Route 1 end of the pond. Indian was stocked in the spring of 2021 with 600 10-inch brookies for spring anglers, and again in the fall with 150 14-inch trout, 6,000 8-inch fish, and 50 11-inch brookies for ice cutters to catch. Many trout
from last fall’s stocking are iced by fisherman; however, significant numbers of even heftier holdover trout are also caught. Winter anglers fishing small golden shiners, small smelts or worms fished in 4 to 5 feet of water usually have the best chance of catching winter brookies. Ice anglers who set up ice traps on the southern shoreline of the lake have the most success. Hancock County Waters Jacob Buck Pond, a 190-acre water in Bucksport (Map 23, D-2), also offers quality ice fishing each January. According to avid Jacob Buck Pond fisherman Myron Herbest of Bucksport, brook trout are the most targeted species; however, anglers also catch an occasional salmon or a few pickerel. One hundred 12-
to 14- inch brook trout were stocked here last fall. Consequently, folks should experience some fine winter angling. Additionally, folks might catch a few of the older class brookies or splake. Special regulations on Jacob Buck include a one-fish limit on trout, with a minimum length of 14 inches. There is no size or bag limit on pickerel or bass. According to several reliable reports from winter anglers, some heavy white perch in the 1 ½-pound category are also caught each year. Winter fishers can gain access to this pond by driving out the Jacob Buck Pond road to Barbour Drive. Parking is available at the public boat launch area. Another top choice for brook trout-seekers is Echo Lake, Map16, B-2. Successful trout
anglers experience benefit by cutting a few holes on the west side of the lake. Water depths from five to 10 feet create ideal habitat for winter-feeding brookies. State hatchery trucks dropped off 300 14-inch brookies and 800 8-in inch trout in 2021. Anglers catch brook trout in the 12to 14-inch range from this water, with a few trophies weighing over 2 pounds. Special regulations on this water include: Fishing is restricted to two lines a daily limit of two trout per day; trout must be 12 inches or larger; and no more than one can exceed 14 inches. All landlocked salmon between 18 and 22 inches must be released alive a once. Daily limit on salmon: 2 fish, and only one may exceed 22 inches.
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MAINE WILDLIFE QUIZ: Red & Gray Fox by Steve Vose
The Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) and the Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) are both members of the canine family. The red fox’s native range includes the entire Northern Hemisphere, from the Arctic Circle to North Africa, North America and Eurasia. The less-prolific gray fox’s range extends throughout the southern half of North America and into northern parts of South America. (Gray foxes are special creatures, as no other canine’s range spans both North and South America.) Red foxes are able to live and thrive on the edges of urban areas. This trait allows red foxes to prosper over the less-adaptable gray foxes in more “civilized” habitats. Unlike red foxes, gray foxes can climb trees to escape from predators or
Questions 1. What is the native range of the red fox? 2. What is the native range of the gray fox? 3. What is special about the native www.MaineSportsman.com
search for food. This ability is extremely unusual; in fact, grays are the only American canine capable of climbing trees. Crepuscular creatures, both red and gray foxes prefer to hunt during dusk and dawn. Red and gray foxes both have seasonally varied diets, gaining nourishment from a wide assortment of plant and animal matter, including rabrange of the gray fox? 4. What special ability do gray foxes possess? 5. What is the diet of the red and gray fox? 6. Both red and gray foxes prefer to
bits, mice, garbage, fruit, berries and insects. Some observers believe red and gray foxes practice monogamy, and that both tend to choose a singular mate for life, unless that mate is killed. Red and gray foxes mate in the early spring, with females (vixen) typically birthing litters of between 4-8 pups in late April or early May. Pups of red and grays stay with parents for 6 or 7 months before venturing forth to find their own territories. In captivity, red foxes have been known to live as long as 15 years, but in the wild they typically do not survive past 5 years. Gray foxes tend toward having slightly longer life spans, with some having survived to 20 years in captivity. hunt during dusk and dawn; what category of creature does this make them? 7. How long to red foxes live? 8. How long do gray foxes live?
Answers on Page 62
��������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • January 2022 • 57 Maine, South Carolina, Utah and Scotland – the author shares the peace, tranquility, solace and wonderment he experienced while spending time outdoors in some of the most beautiful places on earth.
What are the Silent Places? Maine, South Carolina, Utah and Scotland – the author shares the peace, tranquility, solace and wonderment he experienced while spending time outdoors in some of the most beautiful places on earth. The title of this column includes the phrase, “The Silent Places.” So what are the silent places? To me, the concept of “The Silent Places” reflects times I’ve experienced when I’ve found peace, solace, relief and happiness in wild or isolated locations. As a young boy, I spent much time outof-doors in and around our farm in Cumberland (DeLorme’s Maine Atlas, Map 5, D-4). I frequented Mill Brook, which ran through the woods just past our back property line. During the winters, I learned to trap there. I caught my first beaver and otter in that brook. I also shot my first partridge and woodcock along it. These memories, among many others, are precious parts of my early life. While growing up, I spent time in the woods and on the waters of the area around Holeb (Map 39, B-2). My dad was a guide for the Birch Island Lodge on Holeb Pond. Only Nature, and a Distant Train Whistle Back before the “Moose River Loop” became such a pop-
ular canoe trip, and before the era of mechanized logging practices, it was a peaceful place. It was easy for a youngster to head into the surrounding countryside to go fishing, hunting or panning the streams for traces of gold, never hearing a noise other than what Mother Nature provided. The only man-made sound was the Canadian Pacific Railroad engineer blowing the locomotive’s horn off in the distance. During that time, I discovered a nearby mountain top, where I could sit and listen to the sounds provided by nature and the earth. This place has continued to be a special place for me throughout my life. I have found solace there when needed. Peace in the Forest One of my greatest pleasures is to be in the woods right after a snowstorm, when the trees are draped in white. One can find great peace while the forest is hushed with snow. It is so quiet and peaceful that it reminds one of how truly gentle nature can be, while at the same time posing great danger to those who are unprepared or ill-equipped.
During the time we lived in Scotland where I was stationed, I would follow a small stream up the mountain near the old stone house we rented, passing through pasture lands into the forest near the top of the mountain, where I would fish for trout. It was a wild place, full of game. There were red and roe deer, rabbits, fox, curlew, grouse and wood pigeon. One time I got a glimpse of the rare Scottish Wild Cat (Felis silvestris). The sounds of nature were that of the wind, rain and the occasional bugling of a red deer. The baa-ing of sheep was the only other sound heard. I would often sit down and wonder about my ancestors who had come from that same Shire, and the history of the clan. It was a place of deep thoughts and wonder. Petroglyphs from the “Ancient Ones” While deer hunting the canyons in the Book Cliffs of Utah, I saw many petroglyphs and ruins that made me wonder about who the people were who’d lived there so many years ago. It’s a truly wild and mysterious place. The sound
While stationed in Scotland, the author headed for the hills, which contained trout in the streams, while the forests held red and roe deer, rabbits, fox, curlew and grouse, and even a wildcat. Photo: ScottishHills.com
of the wind blowing down though the deep canyons is almost musical. Some petroglyphs were made by the Ute, while others were said to have been made by the “Ancient Ones” (those that came before the Utes and Navaho). I climbed up a high ledge to glass a small canyon for deer. While there, I found a very old and corroded 2535 Winchester case. I wondered who it was who’d also climbed up there. Southern Climes While trapping in the coastal swamps of South Carolina, I could observe the beauty of nature by watching wading birds fishing in the shallows. The birds are aware of the constant danger from various reptiles, including the small coral snake and the large bull gator. It is especially beautiful to gaze over miles of sawgrass with scattered hammocks of oaks draped with Spanish moss and palmetto palms. A breeze moves the sawgrass as
it does a field of golden oats. The sounds of hounds running off in the far distance is one that lures the soul to join in the hunt. Maine Woods Sitting on a log on a crisp frosty day watching for deer sneaking along a ridge covered with a thicket of beech as the sun rises or sets is a beautiful sight, as is watching a majestic bull moose wading across a beaver flowage. And all the while, small birds and mammals entertain you. You may even have the joy of sharing a biscuit crumb on your knee with a bird of many names (Canadian Jay, Moose Bird, Whisky Jack, or one of several other local monikers). Have you ever sat in the woods and wondered what an old ancient tree could tell you if it could talk of what it had seen at that spot over hundreds of years? These are a few of the many thoughts and observations that occur to me in “The Silent Places.”
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58 • January 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————
Cold-Weather Sports Require High-Quality Gear Warm boots, a heated vest, and a shack on a river with smelt running thick – it doesn’t get much better than that. High quality, dependable gear really is a game-changer in staying warm, dry and comfortable in Maine’s extraordinarily fickle weather environment. How quickly a perfect day can turn brutally cold, or light snow can change to freezing rain. Chilled and wet is no way to spend an enjoyable day in the Maine wilds. Having top quality gear made to withstand Maine’s worst is critical. Good Boots Whether hunting or ice fishing, outdoors-folks must dress in layers and make sure to take excellent care of their feet. Having the right boots can make the difference between shooting a big buck, catching that monster pike or going home empty handed. Warm and dry feet also allow us to be comfortable in the wilds and spend our time concentrating on the task at hand, rather than worrying about our feet. Want to have a miserable time in the Maine woods? Spend the day with cold wet feet. To stay extra dry and comfortable this ice fishing season, try on a pair of the Muck Artic Pro Boots ($179.99). Maine’s regular firearms season on www.MaineSportsman.com
deer barely pushed the mercury low enough to warrant the testing of these boots; however, by the arrival of late season muzzle loader when the balmy days of November were a distant memory, these boots were on my feet every day. I can’t wait to try them out during the 2022 ice fishing season. Heated Vest Having received an Arris Heated Vest ($139.98) as a Christmas present in 2020, I wore it every day I hit the hard water during the 2021 ice fishing season. Quite an amazing piece of technology, the vest is completely temperature-adjustable, with five different settings ranging from low to inferno. On the medium setting, I noticed that when worn under a light windproof jacket, the vest kept me toasty warm through an 8-hour day on the ice, when the temperature was in the mid20s. For those needing more battery life, an extra battery can be ordered ($59.99). Smelting Time is Almost Here As long as the weather cooperates and Maine manages to have a decently chilly winter, there should
be plenty of excellent smelt fishing at Bakers Brothers Smelt Shacks on 95 Smithtown Road in Pittston. In recent years, mild winter weather has made it difficult to secure a fishing spot at any of the smelting camps along the Kennebec River, so be sure to phone ahead (207 582-4257) for the latest weather updates and to secure reservations. My preferred time to be at Baker’s is during an incoming, night tide, Monday through Thursday. This is the absolute best tide and time, and a weekday as opposed to a weekend will involve far fewer rowdy, party-hearty smelt fishermen. Smelt Bait Blood worms are the preferred smelt fishing bait provided by the camps; however, another highly (and preferred by me) smelt fishing bait is shrimp. If you are fishing with anglers who simply can’t stomach cutting up blood worms, shrimp is a great alternative. Any brand of raw shrimp purchased at a local supermarket is all that is needed, and three shrimp are enough bait to last an entire 6-hour evening of fishing.
When the weather’s cold, the Arris vest keeps the wearer warm with adjustable, battery-powered heating elements.
When baiting smelt hooks, only the tiniest piece of shrimp need be used. Larger sized chunks of bait seem to discourage strikes, so don’t be afraid to downsize and go small to catch big. Also, bait needs to be switched out every 20 minutes to ensure it remains fresh. Sabiki Rig and Spring Bobbers A smelt fisherman using a jig pole, outfitted with a spring bobber and fishing a 6 hook Sabiki rig, will out-fish absolutely everyone in the smelt camp who’s not using one of these set-ups. The spring bobber, like the Rapala or Frabil titanium ($9.99), consist of a metal wire extension that extends for the jig pole tip, allow-
ing the angler to detect even the smallest strike. The miniscule #8 razor-sharp Sabiki hooks are readily inhaled by schooling smelt, and a quick line jerk will often yield snagged fish as well. Sabiki rigs come in a lot of different “flavors,” including glowin-the-dark, and popular colors like red and green. While I personally have had the most luck with non-luminous red, I encourage anglers to purchase and try a couple of different colors and brands. Having two jig poles running with different colors is a great way to try and determine what the fish find interesting that particular day.
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Ice Anglers Head for Small Ponds that Freeze Early Sabattus Pond is a shallow, warm-water pond that freezes early. It’s home to a massive population of Northern pike. Illegally introduced decades ago, they have flourished, and anglers flock to target them. January heralds the unofficial start of ice fishing in this region, and anglers can’t wait to get out there. Generally, the smaller and more northern lakes and ponds freeze much earlier than Sebago Lake (DeLorme Atlas, Map 5, C-1), so you need to go up north or stay with quiet ponds if you are seeking the hard water. Late fall visits by the stocking truck mean early ice angling action can be productive. Brettun’s Pond Before heading out this month, check the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (DIF&W) website for up-to-theminute stocking reports. Brettun’s Pond (Map11, B-4) received 100 brook trout in late October, so you can bet they are ready for a worm or shiner to be lowered down in front of their noses. Brettun’s Pond is easily accessed right alongside Route 4 in Livermore, just over the Turner line. Crystal Pond (Map 11, C-4), also referred to as Beal’s Pond, is just south on Route 4 from Brettun’s Pond. The folks at DIF&W put more than 500 brookies in Brettun’s
in late October. This is a really small and shallow pond, so it skims over early and freezes quickly. Further south in Poland, Worthley Pond (Map 5, B-3) freezes quickly, It received more than 800 brookies in October and a good dose of 18-inchers in November. These tank-scrubbers should be fun when hooked on a tip-up or by jigging. Range Pond Chain You can’t mention Poland without including the Range Pond Chain (Map 5, A-3). Comprised of Upper, Middle and Lower Range Ponds, this chain gets a ton of stocked fish and grows some healthy holdovers. Stocked with brook, brown and rainbow trout, these ponds get the “Smorgasbord Award” for best selection of fish species. Upper Range received 440 brook trout, 150 brown trout and 300 rainbow trout between October and November. The largest of the chain, Middle Range Pond, received 380 brookies (30 of them 18-inchers) and 325 brown trout in October and November of last year. Finally, Lower Range Pond took in 300 brown trout and 220 brook trout in Oc-
tober. Not a shabby assortment for this early fishing destination. Anglers do well with traps, and the assortment of fish species requires an assortment of bait choices. Shiners are always a good bet, and I typically use smaller ones when fishing the Range Ponds. Set traps in a variety of depths, from close to shore to out deeper, targeting all possible trout species. Nothing beats a big glob of worms or crawlers for brook trout, too. Sabattus; Crystal Sabattus Pond (Map 12, ER-1) is a shallow warm-water pond that freezes rapidly and is home to a massive population of Northern pike. Illegally introduced decades ago, they have flourished, and anglers flock to target them exclusively. Another group of Sabattus anglers are the white perch fishermen. White perch still provide great sport and the makings of a great chowder for those who can locate the schools. No stocked fish in this water, but plenty of pike and perch to keep you busy! Crystal Pond in Gray (Map 5, B-3) is one of our earlier
Angler Rene Lavoie of Lewiston shows off typical Upper Range Pond brown trout. Photo: Tom Roth
freezers in the southern part of this region. It’s a heavily fished lake, likely because it’s close by and easy to access. Additionally, it gets a healthy dose of sticked fish each winter. This past fall, DIF&W stockers planted 250 rainbow trout, 285 brookies and 250 brown trout. That’s quite an enticement for early anglers. Little Sebago; Sabbathday Although larger and not a real early freezer, Little Sebago Lake (Map 5, C-3) received a huge stocking of fish last fall for early ice anglers. The DIF&W folks dropped 700 rainbow trout and 1,000 brown trout into the lake. I troll Little Sebago in the spring and do well on these
trout, but I need to get there in the winter, too! Sabbathday Lake (Map 5, B-3) in New Gloucester is another larger and heavily stocked lake. With 350 brown trout and 420 brookies and an additional 30 brood stock brookies in the 18-inch range, Sabbathday is a must-go destination this winter. Early season ice-angling has some great advantages. The fish have been recently stocked and are on the bite, but you need to watch the ice thickness. It will likely be a bit before the bigger lakes freeze, but these smaller gems should keep us into the fish for the start of the New Year.
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Two Waters that will Keep Flags Flying Horn Pond in Acton and Wakefield, NH has many bays and points to fish. The shallow channel leading from the Acton boat launch site to the main lake holds some large bass. The author has caught 4-pound largemouth bass in the channel, and trout can be caught near the outlet dam. You will not find me stomping my feet to keep warm on an ice-covered lake waiting for a red flag to spring up and wave in the cold air anymore. When I do ice fish, I prefer to jig a small shiny lure or a minnow and enjoy a hot coffee. But I do like to watch others fishing, taking photos and talking with fishermen. I learn more listening and watching than fishing. Also, I move from water to water to locate where and what is working on that particular water. With all that in mind, I’ve located two waters that I feel are great places to fish this month – Horn Pond and Wilson Lake, both in Acton. You could consider them twins, because they are less than a few hundred yards from each other, and are connected by a brook. Wilson Lake Let’s start with Wilson Lake. It is 308 acres, with a maximum depth of 44 feet which is located in the center of the lake. Structure-wise, the lake is boring with a basin shape, sand and silt bottom. There’s www.MaineSportsman.com
one major point and a minor one on the east side of the lake that forms two bays. The rest of the lake is sandy shoreline. I mention points because I generally have luck fishing near them, I feel that cruising fish looking for food must move around points, and fishing there can increase success – it’s just the way I fish. For me, it’s more difficult to locate fish along a straight shoreline – they could be anywhere. Brown trout have been stocked annually in Wilson since 1955. Each year, hundreds of legal-size trout, browns and brookies are stocked in the fall. In 2020, 280 brookies and 300 browns, including some 20-inch plus browns, were stocked in November. This water is managed for ice fishing for trout, and fish stockings generally remain consistent year after year. It’s not all about cold water fishing in Wilson, either – the lake has a good population of smallmouth bass, and some are large. Also, white perch are abundant and average 10 inches – great for a shore
lunch. In the 1980s, alewives were introduced to enhance a forage base for brown trout, although I’m not sure they still available now. Shiners will work well, but there should be rainbow smelt in the lake as well (more on this later). To locate Wilson, follow Route 109 north and take a right on the Youngs Ridge Road to a boat launch site with limited parking. General ice fishing methods work, tip-ups and jigging, and dawn and dusk fishing produces trout, while bass fishing can be good day long. Horn Pond Horn Pond is located in Acton and Wakefield, New Hampshire. It’s 227 acres, with a maximum depth of 31 feet, the deep spot being located on the southwest shoreline. Horn has landlocked salmon and rainbows, stocked by N.H. and both brookies and browns. It also is a good warm water fishery, with large bass and chain pickerel. This water has many bays and points to fish, and the shallow channel leading from the Acton boat
Fred Boudreau of Lebanon holds a large chain pickerel he caught while fishing on Horn Pond, in Acton. Both Horn and Wilson Lake can produce large trout, bass and pickerel this month. Photo by Val Marquez
launch site to the main lake holds some large bass. We have caught 4-pound largemouth bass in the channel. Also, trout can be caught near the outlet dam there. Horn has a rocky shoreline, and anglers can easily access the lake along the New Bridge Road on the Acton side of the lake and at the Acton boat ramp on Route 109. Both locations have ample parking. Horn is located by following Route 109 north to the Youngs Ridge Road and turning onto the New Bridge Road in Acton. Rainbow Smelt were recently released into the lake by an unknown source. The brook that flows between Horn and Wilson Lake most likely will allow these smelt to migrate between the two waters. Another issue for both lakes is that in 2006, milfoil was found in Great East Lake – Great East’s outlet flows into Horn Pond, so hopefully milfoil
will not migrate down into the water chain. Boaters are reminded to clear all weeds from their boats and trailers after exiting lakes – many don’t or do an incomplete job which could cause issues in the future in these pristine waters. Horn Pond has open water areas where anglers can cast from shore (never fish open water from ice; always from shore). Water remains ice-free near the dam at the outlet and the brook that enters Horn Pond on the New Ridge Road on the Acton side. At the brook outlet, open water flows out a few hundred yards. This is a good spot to use a bobber and float bait out into the open water. As always, check ice thickness, and don’t drive trucks on the ice. Take kids ice fishing and enjoy hot snacks on the ice. These two waters are good places to start your adventure.
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Midcoast Anglers Fired Up Over Crappies Maine has “whopper crappies” – bigger than those found in other states. As often happens when a population of a fish species finds a new home, growth rates are phenomenal. In days past, the majority of Midcoast hardwater anglers hit the ice on January 1 hoping to take a trout, togue or salmon. Now, a significant number of people can’t wait for safe ice so they can catch crappies. Today, thanks to a warming climate, many of our larger lakes that hold coldwater species don’t have sufficient ice by January 1. These spring-fed lakes usually rank among the last to see safe ice. Some of the smaller waters, though, often enjoy safe conditions by the first of the year. While many of these ponds contain only warmwater species, more and more anglers have embraced one warmwater species in particular – black crappies. Crappies reign supreme in many of our smaller waters, their popularity far surpassing native species such as white perch and chain pickerel. There are a number of reasons for this. First, crappies are plentiful. A school of crappies may give up dozens of fish before moving on. After that, it’s just a matter of moving a short distance in hopes of locating another school. Also, crappies willingly bite
on almost any small artificial lure, making them prime targets for those equipped with lightweight jigging rods. And finally, crappie fillets taste great and freeze well. White perch fillets tend to become a bit strong after a few months in the freezer, but crappie fillets retain their flavor for long periods. One other thing works in favor of crappies’ popularity in Maine, and that is their positive P.R. While our native panfish, with the exception of yellow perch in the Midwest, don’t get much national coverage, crappies rank as the nation’s number 1 panfish. Seemingly every national and regional outdoor magazine contains at least one feature devoted to crappie fishing. Crappies’ popularity is catching. And outdoor TV shows about crappie fishing draw huge audiences and great ratings. Crappies have become our nation’s and Maine’s darling of the panfish clan. Specialized Gear While you probably won’t notice sporting goods stores offering specialized white perch-fishing gear, you will find plenty of tackle just meant for crap-
pies in all but the most far-northern locations. Crappie fishing has become a bandwagon that everyone can have lots of fun jumping on. Lure selections now include crappie jigs of which there are myriad types. The most common are those with painted lead heads and plastic bodies. Jigging rods have become standard fare in stores throughout Maine, as have ultra-specialized devices such as submersible night-fishing lights, meant to attract baitfish and the crappies that follow schools of baitfish. Fly-tiers can get in on the act too. Crappies fall all over themselves for white Marabou jigs and these are easily assembled from basic fly-tying supplies. Some anglers continue to rely upon live baitfish for their crappie fishing, and for this purpose, small golden shiners take top rating. This, in turn, keeps bait dealers hopping throughout the winter. Crappies do have at least a small effect upon the local economy. New Waters Black crappies, the kind we have in
This fat crappie was taken on a jigging rod through the ice. Note the small jig in its mouth. Tom Seymour photo
Maine, are non-natives that populate our waters mostly through illegal introductions. These unsanctioned stockings carry stiff penalties, but nevertheless people continue to introduce crappies to waters around the state. It seems that every season, I hear about yet another water that has begun to produce whopper crappies. I say “whopper crappies” because as with other fish species, newly introduced fish see amazing growth
spurts during the first 10 or so years of their being stocked, legally or illegally, in a new water. Maine crappies, I was told by a Pennsylvania couple fishing at Unity Pond, run far bigger than their Keystone State counterparts. Illegal stocking isn’t the only way crappies make it into new surroundings. Crappies have a high propensity to migrate, and if they can find their way out of a pond or lake and make their (Continued on next page)
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62 • January 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————
Midcoast Report
movies, “Coming soon to a place near you.”
(Continued from page 61)
Stevens Pond It’s a terrible thing to consider, given the menace of illegal stocking and crappies’ invasive status, but sometimes I find myself half-wishing that crappies would find their way to certain shallow, warmwater ponds near me. I’ll go
way to a new location, they will. This stands particularly true of our far-reaching watersheds. Crappies in a pond or ponds that link to other ponds via streams or rivers will unerringly move throughout the sys-
tem and eventually populate all available waters in the system. So if your local pond is attached to a stream that has its beginnings in a pond, no matter how distant, that holds crappies, hang on, because crappies are, as they say about
Wildlife Quiz Answers: Red & Gray Fox
so far as to check maps and see if local ponds are in any way connected to other waters that hold crappies. If the connection is present, then I can rest assured that sometime in the future, someone will tell me they caught crappies in some new water near me. Speaking of this
– and I’m not certain how they found their way there, it may have been through illegal introduction – Stevens Pond in Liberty now holds crappies, and lots of them. Big ones. Try crappies this season. You’ll probably love them.
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— Trophy Gallery —
(Quiz on Page 56)
1. The native range of the red fox includes the entire Northern Hemisphere, from the Arctic Circle to North Africa, North America and Eurasia. 2. The native range of the gray fox extends throughout the southern half of North America and into northern parts of South America. 3. Gray foxes are special creatures, as no other canine’s range spans both North and South America. 4. Gray foxes are the only American canine capable of climbing trees. 5. Both red and gray foxes eat a wide variety of plant and animal matter including rabbits, mice, garbage, fruit, berries and insects. 6. Creatures that hunt during dusk and dawn are categorized as “crepuscular.” 7. In captivity, red foxes have been known to live as long as 15 years, but in the wild they typically do not survive past 5 years. 8. Gray foxes tend toward having slightly longer life spans than red foxes, with some having survived to 20 years in captivity.
Family Success Daniel Cote of Ashland (left) celebrates his harvest of this 11-point, 212-lb. buck with his son, Tyler Cote. Tyler, a registered Maine guide, rattled the big buck in, and Daniel downed the deer with his 30-’06. Father and son have been pursuing this monster since 2019, and passed up on several nice deer during the season to wait for the big buck. “I have guided hundreds of hunters for bear, moose, deer and waterfowl,” said Tyler, “but not one of those experiences compares with the ability to share this successful hunt with my Dad.”
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The Indoctrination, Part 2 A Shoot-out with Poachers
Last month: The author and his partner Charlie attempted to apprehend three men who were illuminating a field at night in search of deer. The poachers were driving a 1969 Plymouth Road Runner, with more power and speed than the Wardens’ cruiser. Pushing their Ford sedan to its limits, the lawmen got close behind, at which point one of the fugitives leaned out the passenger window and began firing a rifle at them. Apparently Charlie was ducking at the sight of the muzzle flashes, too, as during this activity we had gotten kind of into the ditch on the right side of the road, but we quickly got back on track and continued the pursuit toward Easton Village, with no idea where the bullets had struck – at least they hadn’t hit us. Our car was really overheating – the engine was pinging and losing power. Charlie said he recognized the guy shooting at us, and just as cool as a cucumber, without even raising his voice, he spoke to the dispatcher and said it’s so-and-so and he’s shooting at us. I was having a hard time comprehending how this was all supposed to work, as I had recently returned from Vietnam and felt the correct procedure was to shoot back. In Easton Village, the chase took a left onto the Easton Station road. Our car was hitching, and just as we felt it was about to quit, the Road Runner turned in by Vahlsing’s sugar beet plant.
It then went down over a bank into a muddy field, and we followed suit. There was some space between us, and two of the men had gotten out of the vehicle and I could see one guy running off to our left. I had my door half open with my leg sticking out. I was telling Charlie to slow down enough for me to get out to chase him, but he was fixated on stopping the Road Runner, which had now slowed considerably. Is My Foot Still Attached? Suddenly, Charlie cut the Road Runner off, and it slammed into my open door, smashing my face against the glass and crumpling the door around my leg, which was still sticking out the car door. The door was wrapped right around my ankle, and I was afraid it had cut my foot off. My immediate thought was if I lost my foot, the Warden Service will be getting rid of me. I said, “Back up!” Charlie tried, but the wheels just spun. I could not feel my leg, but I was able to wig-
gle my toes, giving me a huge relief knowing that my foot was still attached. Charlie tried to get out, but his door was jammed. We later discovered the jammed door was due to one of the bullets fired at us had entered the door and damaged the mechanism. Meanwhile, the gunman and his two accomplices were hot-footing it for the woods. Charlie finally managed to exit the vehicle, and by then a state trooper had arrived. Charlie and the Trooper tried to restart the Road Runner so they could back it up, but the battery was dead. However, they were able to brace their feet against our vehicle and push it back enough so that I could pull my leg out of the door. The nearby woods were bordered by some railroad tracks that ran to the beet plant. Charlie figured these guys may end up on the tracks during their escape, and instructed me to go up the tracks about a quarter of a mile and wait for
It was difficult for the wardens’ standard-issue Ford sedan to keep pace with the poachers’ blue 1969 Road Runner, which boasted 335 horsepower.
them. So Here I Am So, that’s how I ended up here, relieved to still be in one piece but apprehensive about what may happen next. I felt like I could be at a disadvantage here but was thinking about what my supervisor had said at the Texaco station on my second day of work (whether I was man enough to keep up with the locals). With that in mind, I resigned myself to see this through, and whatever was going to happen would happen. Nobody came by, I was disappointed and frustrated as I hobbled back down the tracks. By then, the cavalry had arrived, and Warden Maurice Gordon ran me over to the Presque Isle hospital for an x-ray and a few stitches. I spent the rest of the night with Charlie and Warden Sgt. Leonard Ritchie, and we ended up having breakfast at Smith’s Truck Stop in Blaine just before daylight. The Novocain in my ankle had worn off, and it was throbbing some. My right eye-
brow was taped up, and I had a black eye. I guess they took pity on me and sent me home. My wife was still asleep, and I didn’t wake her, as I needed a little time to think about how I was going to explain all this. I was afraid that she’d panic and decide that we ought to pack up and be done with this adventure. Domestic Bliss I awoke in the late morning to voices in the kitchen, and realized it was Roland Pelletier speaking with my wife about the prior night’s activities. I quickly got out of bed so I could get in on the conversation and smooth things over before my wife got too upset. Surprisingly, she took it all in stride, just as if she had expected things like this in the first place. That was great, for in the years to come, more situations would parlay themselves into additional adventurous undertakings for which she never batted an eye. (except for (True Tales from the Warden Service continued on next page) www.MaineSportsman.com
64 • January 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————
Ice Fishing for Big Pike If you’re searching for pike and the weed beds aren’t producing, take a a fish finder and check some basins in the lake or pond. Watch the screen for balls of baitfish, and soon you’ll find the monster pike. January’s an awesome time of year for the avid Maine sportsman. There will still be a few hard-core sea duck hunters chasing a trophy bird, but by this time my mind is on big fish. I like to fish for brook trout and salmon when I take trips up north, but where I live there’s few places close by I can fish for them, so instead, I will be after a big pike. Early ice is always a good time to fish for pike; they will still be cruising around shallow weedy bays and flats looking for baitfish. This time of year it seems like you go through a lot of smaller fish to get a big one, but it gets better as the season goes on. And if you’re going to keep a fish, a smaller pike is going to taste less fishy and, when cleaned properly, they make a chowder just as good as any. Location Scouting for any type of ice fishing is a lot easier to do during open water than it is when the lake is frozen
over. When I’m trolling or riding around, I’ll look for weed beds, shallow weedy bays and flats – all those things pike love when the lakes freeze over. I do the same thing all the time for brook trout – looking for big boulders and rocky points and shorelines. Another thing that helps is if you’re fishing in the fall and you observe big bait balls of alewives like the Belgrade chain has, there are more than likely still going to be there in January. Pike fishing’s a lot more difficult in the early season than late season, because late season is when the fish stage up in their spawning areas. At that time fishing as close to inlets as you can safely is always a good bet. At this point, the fish will be shallow. I stay in 5 -10 feet of water, but I’ve also caught and heard of a lot of people catching really big fish in a couple feet of water or even shallower. If you can find bait, it’s best to fish around
True Tales from the Warden Service (Continued from page 63)
the time I was in my bare feet, fighting with three guys in my driveway at 6:00 a.m.) www.MaineSportsman.com
the schools, because pike do chase bait like any other predatory fish. In years past, my buddies and I found on one of our favorite lakes to fish that the weed beds just were not producing, so we took a fish finder and checked some basins. Eventually we found baitfish, and those spots produced some really nice pike. Keep in mind you might be in a good spot, but pike fishing can be slow. It can be hit-or-miss even if you’re in a good spot. Rigging up You can’t overthink your pike bait; they’re very aggressive fish and will eat anything. Personally, I’ve always seemed to have better luck using shiners than suckers and fall fish. I think it comes down to individual preference more than anything, but if I had a choice, I would take shiners, although I don’t believe in spending the extra money on jumbo shiners. Yes, the jumbo baits are nice in
The author and a 10-lb. pike taken with shiners in deep water in one of the lakes in the Belgrade chain. Photo by Andrew Truman
the late season, since when fish are extra aggressive rather than in feeding mode, they’ll attack a big shiner out of aggression. But I don’t think I’ve noticed enough of a difference to warrant spending the extra money. So large shiners are my go-to. One other thing that’s worth a try is big dead jack smelts. Hook them in the middle of their back, squish them a little, and put them in the middle of the water column or even on bottom, and this can be deadly, especially in shallow water. And I like to select a red treble hook, nothing too big. I like a size 4 treble on a 25-pound fluorocarbon leader and non-lead split shot. I like about a 3-foot long leader, since pike aren’t leader-shy like trout.
A couple of days later, I connected up with Charlie at a garage in Presque Isle to look over his totaled Ford sedan and clean out his personal belongings. He tried to tell me “Not every day of work will be like that one,” but I decided to keep an open mind about what
Twenty-five-pound test is plenty, but you still can’t horse a big fish. Even though you’ve got the strength of a heavy leader, you never know how the fish is hooked. Pike slam baitfish in the middle and often run a long way holding the baitfish like that, so no matter how long you let the fish run reasonably, you don’t want to take the chance of the fish dropping it. So go easy with the big ones and let them run. Put the time in and try some of these tips, and you’ll catch a big one. I always keep a good pair of jaw spreaders and pliers on me; it’s miserable to get a swallowed hook out of that sharptoothed mouth without these tools.
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the future might hold. In the end, all three of these miscreants were charged and convicted of various crimes.
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New Year’s Resolutions Reflections, and Observations It troubles the writer when other sportsmen fabricate stories of their adventures, especially about the size or numbers of fish or game harvested. All he wants is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. We all know that guy who can’t help but tell a whopper of a lie every now and then. The poor fellow just can’t come clean and tell the truth. I used to be fairly naive, but over the years I have learned to decipher fact from fiction when these “story tellers” begin their outlandish tales. Telling the truth is one of most important traits for anyone I would consider as a friend. If I can’t count on the truth from someone, how can I trust anything about them? I learned a long time ago that as a writer, all I had was my word ... without the truth in all things, why would readers care to listen to phony, made-up stories? Lies would make any reader wonder about the validity of anything written by a person willing to tell a lie. I don’t like being lied to about anything, but one of the most troubling lies in my opinion is bragging about the size and quantity of game and fish a person takes. I have endured plenty of this in my lifetime, like most of us, but I get so tired of hearing these outlandish tales
... they are so boring. I don’t like to hear this kind of bragging, even if it is a true story. What ever happened to being humble? In the end, you have to ask the bragging person, “What is your purpose for trying to impress me?” Or, “Can’t you just be happy about your time in the woods or on the water without making it into some kind of competitive numbers-game?” Memorable Moments Lately, when I come home from a day of bird hunting and try to relate the story of my day to my wife, I often get the following type of question: “You went hunting all day, saw twelve birds, and didn’t even hit one?” My lovely wife misses the fact that I am more interested in enjoying a marvelous day of training my bird dog than limiting out on grouse or woodcock. Even when I’m not training a dog, I still care more about the experience of a day in the woods than killing a bunch of birds. If I wanted to come home with a limit of grouse every time I went out, I wouldn’t be hunting with a dog ... I would sim-
ply road hunt without getting more than twenty yards off the road. I have nothing against road hunting; I just enjoy watching my bird dog work – I get so much more out of a day of wandering around the woods with my dog. But that is just me. I want to make it clear that road hunting for grouse can be just as fun for some folks. I have spent plenty of time traveling the gravel roads and shooting birds without a dog. When a hunter gets a bird dog, it just changes things. To me, there’s nothing quite like walking up to your pointer, calmly reassuring the dog to stay still, and then coming completely undone when a grouse rockets to the sky in such a devious manner that you can hardly get a clean shot off. I am so totally addicted to this kind of adrenaline surge that it seems I’ll do this until I flop over ... hopefully it will be out in the field during a wild flush. They say that in heaven the streets are paved with gold; well then, each fall I get a little piece of heaven. When the tamarack needles drop and cov-
The author believes being an outdoorsperson is about much more than simply maximizing the volume of fish or game taken. Vintage conservation poster by Maine Department of Fish and Game
er the logging roads where I hunt, it looks like gold pavement to me. Even the hills are covered with gold when the only leaves left on the trees are the dried, rich, dark yellow beech tree leaves clinging to the
branches throughout the winter ... quite a glorious sight of heaven on earth. New Year No one knows what the new year will (Rangeley Region continued on page 68)
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66 • January 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————
Giving, Receiving, and Sometimes Returning Christmas Gifts The author claims he’s easy to buy gifts for – just make certain the gift can be used when he’s hunting, fishing, or camping. While most folks sit around the woodstove in January, enjoying the afterglow of the recently-passed Christmas and New Year holidays, I have to wonder, “What kind of Christmas gifts get returned by sportsmen and women at this time of year?” At the same time, I wonder, “What outdoor gifts did other folks get that they really enjoyed?” I know I have received good and bad gifts, enjoying the spirit of giving as much as the item itself. Christmas arrives after deer season, just at the tail end of bird season, and right in the middle of rabbit
hunting season. As a child, I couldn’t wait to open packages, knowing that there was a good possibility of some kind of useful hunting item there for me. I usually received hand-me-down hunting gear from my older brother, but he was a very tall fellow, even as a child. I couldn’t fit into his lengthy clothes, so one memorable Christmas I opened a colorfully-wrapped package to find an insulated hunting jacket that actually fit, a jacket that carried me through many cold hunting seasons. Great Gifts Another great gift was a stock-finishing
kit from Birchwood Casey. I remember I was so excited about the gift that I immediately went to work refinishing my father’s Remington 11 shotgun stock, as well as a beat-up stock on an old .410 single-shot shotgun. Both of those wooden stock turned out fabulous ... my father helped by showing me how to work with steel wool and steam to gradually get the stock as smooth as possible before applying the final finish. I think I even impressed my helpful dad. I still have some of the old bottles from that stock-finishing kit. I’m not sure if I’ll
Certain objects evoke the author’s memories of Christmases past and present -- a handmade tail feather mount, wool socks, and an old Birchwood Casey bottle of gun stock refinisher. Photo: William Clunie
be able to use the stuff, but just like having the old bottles around as a wonderful memory of a Christmas full of dreams and possibilities. The hunting gear
kept me thinking about all of the future days of hunting. I was always planning for the next adventure, and my father did his (Western Maine continued on page 68)
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��������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • January 2022 • 67
A Western Education “It’s bad luck to catch a fish on the first cast of the day.” Unfortunately, my dad’s fishing adage seems to prove true most times. Also unfortunately, it seems to transcend fishing and apply to the hunting world as well. At least to the case of my recent Idaho mule deer hunt, where we passed the opportunity to put a stalk on a nice buck in the first five minutes of our hunt. We never saw another mature buck all week. After about a decade of hemming and hawing and threatening to do a western hunt, I finally put it bluntly to my dad: “The mountains aren’t getting any smaller, and you’re not getting any younger.” So we finally pulled the trigger and bought the tags and plane tickets. Unfortunately, though, we never got to pull any actual triggers with mule deer in our scopes. But we sure had fun. And we learned quite a bit in the process. Prep Time There are countless outdoor articles about planning do-it-yourself western hunts. I read lots of them. I spent way too many hours watching videos on YouTube. Although they were enjoyable reads and watches, nothing compares to learning-by-doing. Most of these resources assumed too much and were geared
Out West, hunters must be willing to shoot long range in most areas. Here in Northern New England, it’s often difficult even to find a place you can practice shooting over 200 yards. In Idaho, we encountered a couple of shooting ranges where the first target berm started at 200 yards. And they continued out to 600 yards!
Brian Emerson is silhouetted by the coming of dawn in Idaho, while ascending steep terrain to get to glassing spot to search for mule deer with binoculars and spotting scopes.
toward hunters who already lived in the West, or at least the Midwest – people who generally understand private/public landuse nuances, can drive to their hunting area, and have a general understanding of the terrain, wide open spaces, and how the animals interact in that environment. Nothing seemed relatable or directed toward hunters like us, in northern New England. So I want to briefly highlight some things that northern New Englanders really need to know if they are planning a trip out west. Distance is Everything I flabbergasted some Idaho locals when I told them that
we rarely shoot deer that are more than 75 yards away. Out West, everything is vast. Most of the area we hunted in the Sun Valley was wide open. Timber grew only on the north slopes, and sparsely so on most of them. All other sides of the pyramid-shaped mountains were covered in endless low sage and grasses. As much as I love hunting whitetails up close and personal in New England, realistically you must be willing to shoot long range in most areas in the west. (There are exceptions for more timbered or broken terrain, or when calling elk during the rut.) It is hard around here to even find somewhere where you can prac-
tice shooting over 200 yards. We encountered a couple shooting ranges in Idaho where the first target berm started at 200 yards. And they continued out to 600 yards! It is incredibly difficult to gauge distances without any trees or other objects for reference. Looking across steep canyons only plays more games with your eyes. It wasn’t uncommon for our range guesses to be off by more than 100 yards on objects that were less than 500 yards away. If you think a deer is about 275 yards away, but it is actually 375 or 400 yards, that makes for a huge ballistic difference on where you have to hold your crosshairs. If you plan
to do a western hunt in an open-spaced area, a good rangefinder is a must. Distance Doesn’t Mean Anything Doing some e-scouting over the summer, I found certain areas on the map that I thought looked good. We were told we’d have to distance ourselves from the road to get away from other hunters. (Turns out the hunting pressure there isn’t nearly as bad as the “Green Invasion” of Vermonters into NH and ME during November.) The spots I found were 3- to 5-mile hikes in. I thought it would be a pain to do before daylight (you want to be at your glassing spot when the sun comes up), but I thought since we routinely do 6-10 mile days deer tracking here, it wouldn’t be too bad. We’d also have the benefit of easy brush-free walking and some hiking trails to follow. Well, that turned out to be wildly ambitious thinking. We decided to take things easy the first morning and go to a place closer to the road and less steep – to try to get acclimated a little. I scoured the map and found a hilltop less than a mile from the road with a more gradual slope than anything else around. I figured it would take us 45 minutes or so to get up there. (Continued on next page) www.MaineSportsman.com
68 • January 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————
New Hampshire (Continued from page 67)
It took us more than twice that time! For less than a mile of hiking! We certainly aren’t in bad shape, but carrying a 25-pound backpack in the thin air of 8,000 feet combined with the whatseemed-like a 60-degree incline, just wrecked any fantasies we had of hunting several miles back. After that, I made sure to carefully count the contour lines on the topo map. Follow the Map Perhaps the biggest deterrent to eastern hunters going out west (besides time,
money, and tags) is the murkiness of where you are permitted to legally hunt. Of course, there are defined zones and units for your particular tag, but beyond that, you really have to view property ownership through a new lens. Here in the northeast, you can legally hunt anywhere that doesn’t have a posted sign explicitly prohibiting you from doing so. Out west, you can hunt anywhere that has a posted sign explicitly permitting you to do so. Private lands are almost certainly not open to public
Rangeley Region (Continued from page 65)
bring, but when I take a thoughtful look back on the previous year I like to see if anything needs to be changed or adjusted. As far as hunting and fishing, last year was great ... but maybe this year I’ll try to bring more family and friends into the fray. And a definite attempt to increase the time spent in the woods and on the
Western Maine (Continued from page 66)
best to keep me and my brothers out in the woods as much as possible. We always had beagles and chased rabbits throughout the winter – these great Christmas gifts really helped me when it came time to get after the rabbits, and then during next year’s deer and bird hunting seasons as well. Blessed I feel I’ve been blessed in many ways, especially with a gift of being able to keep an optimistic outlook – even during some rather tough times. When my parents were young and just starting out, they sometimes were financially strapped. I noticed this as a young child, but they were experts at fooling us kids into thinking all was just fine. My positive attitude also wouldn’t allow for any negative thinking. One particular year when funds weren’t as plentiful as expected, us www.MaineSportsman.com
Brian Emerson surveys the Sawtooth Mountains in Idaho for mule deer with his binoculars. He hopes he doesn’t see one on the other side of the canyon, necessitating a grueling hours-long hike.
hunting. And there doesn’t have to be any sign telling you that. Unless you buy a lease, pay a trespass fee to a landowner, or go through a guide, you are relegated to hunting public land only.
The good thing is that there is a lot of public land. The bad thing is that there is little signage telling you where it is and where its boundaries are. OnX maps, Basecamp, and other platforms allow you to
see your location and the location of property boundaries in real time using your phone’s GPS. It is a definite must-have. I can’t imagine trying to hunt the west without it.
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water with my old tried and true friends is always in the works. This year, I’ll try again to coordinate a schedule of hunting and fishing to accommodate all of those fine friends with whom I am blessed. At the beginning of this new year, my heart is so full of gratitude for all I am blessed with ... so thankful for the time I can get out with good company to hunt and fish and just enjoy all of God’s creation.
At the same time, while I’m reflecting like this, I’d like to extend a heartfelt prayer to those who feel the need to embellish the story of their life rather than live it in truth – that they be granted a glimpse into reality and find it is worth so much more than any make-believe tale they attempt to create.
kids didn’t get as much as usual. The gifts were more of the hand-made variety, and it taught us kids to appreciate Christmas for more than a time to receive – our parents helped us focus on making gifts to give others, rather than expecting so much for ourselves. Through all of this, even though I always felt blessed and hardly remember any bad gifts, I do remember one. Even though I never said anything about the goofy gift, I thought the “moon rocks” were outlandish. You were supposed to pour water on them and watch them grow ... I watered them, they grew, and that was it. I guess I just thought of it as a waste – the money spent on those moon rocks could probably have gone toward a new pair of wool hunting socks.
I happily go and buy my own socks. I don’t recall much that I’ve ever had to return. I guess folks have figured me out and understand they can’t go wrong with any kind of present that can be used hunting, fishing, or camping. The greatest gift I guess I have ever received has to be the understanding that all of this gift-giving is more about the joy of giving than receiving. As I matured from childhood to adulthood, I really found a happiness in creating gifts for others … I actually enjoy it more than receiving any kind of a gift for myself, especially if I’ve made it with my own hands. My latest creations are ruffed grouse tail-feather mounts. I hope the folks I have made these for enjoy them as much as I enjoyed giving them. I only have one return policy – bring them back to me if you don’t want them, I’ll hang them on my wall. Happy New Year!
Nowadays Nowadays, I usually get wool hunting socks as presents ... and I’m truly delighted. A lot of times, it’s a gift card from Bean’s, or Orvis, or Cabela’s, and
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��������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • January 2022 • 69
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70 • January 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————
— Trophy Gallery —
16-year-old Brady Bumford of Oakland bagged this 236-lb. 11-pointer on Youth Day 2021 while hunting with his dad, Scott, in Waldo County. The buck earned Brady a spot in the Biggest Bucks in Maine Club for the first time.
Jacob Vigue won entry into Maine’s Biggest Bucks Club with this 210-lb. trophy he harvested in Windsor during the 2021 firearms season.
Did You Bag a BIG BUCK? Become a Member of The Maine Sportsman
BIGGEST BUCKS IN MAINE PATCH CLUB! You’ve been successful at the hunt, now wear your pride by entering The Maine Sportsman’s exclusive Biggest Bucks in Maine Patch Club! To download an application, go to
www.mainesportsman.com/patch-clubs Mail your application with $10 to: The Maine Sportsman, 183 State Street, Suite 101, Augusta, ME 04330 Don’t have a computer or printer? No problem! Give us a call at (207) 622-4242 and we’ll mail you an application.
BIGGEST BUCKS APPLICATIONS DUE DECEMBER 31, 2021 FOR YOUR NAME TO APPEAR IN THE FEBRUARY, 2022 ISSUE! www.MaineSportsman.com
Hey Kids!
Did You Bag a Deer? Become a Member of The Maine Sportsman
MAINE YOUTH DEER HUNTER PATCH CLUB! You’re a junior hunter who has been successful at the hunt, now wear your pride by entering The Maine Sportsman’s exclusive Maine Youth Deer Hunter Patch Club! To download an application, go to
www.mainesportsman.com/patch-clubs Mail your application with $10 to: The Maine Sportsman 183 State Street, Suite 101 Augusta, ME 04330 Don’t have a computer or printer? No problem! Give us a call at (207) 622-4242 and we’ll mail you an application.
Please share your trophy photo with us and it may appear in a future issue! Email to photos@mainesportsman.com
��������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • January 2022 • 71
No Animals Were Harmed in the Writing of this Column... ...at least until the end, after our columnist had fearlessly faced the ominous rise of meatless meat. The future is meatless. I know this because numerous TV, print and online commentators have said so. Of course, most of them are vegans. They claim raising animals for food isn’t sustainable environmentally or financially. The fact meat tastes really good doesn’t enter into their calculations. On the off chance these people are right, I decided to explore the alternatives to meat. This was a scary proposition, considering that my usual intake of vegetables is limited to corn on the cob, cocktail cherries and mayonnaise. Burning Leaves After a quick trip to the supermarket, the odor of meatless hamburger patties cooking soon filled the kitchen air. It smelled more or less like regular hamburger patties, except with a faint whiff of burning leaves. That was disconcerting, but not off-putting – if you happen to be hungry enough. This experiment involved scientifically sampling three plant-based versions of artificial beef to see if they met the expectations of a committed carnivore. The samples were prepared just as if they were fresh from a cow. A quality bun. A slice of melted cheese on each one. Mustard, relish and thin-sliced onions on top. Compost? The first contestant was the Impossible Burger, which claims to be “All Flavor. No Cow.” According to the label, the main ingredient is water. That’s OK with me, because water is also the principal ingredient in beer, and that works out fine. However, the rest of the list reads like an autopsy of someone’s compost pile: Soy protein, coconut oil, sunflower oil, potato protein, methylcellulose, cultured dextrose and food starch, among other non-mammalian bits and pieces. In spite of this unappetizing line up, the actual product tastes pretty good. The flavor makes a reasonable approximation of beef, as does the texture. If I didn’t know it was vegetarian, I might not suspect. The Impossible Burger is at least as good as any fast food burger I’ve ever
ship to what I normally eat for lunch. It tasted like something that your awful aunt made you eat because it was good for you. To be fair, all three fake burgers had some advantages over meat. They had fewer calories than beef. No cholesterol. Very little fat. A decent amount of vitamins. If any of these were a reason why I eat lunch, I’d be pretty happy.
The author’s favorite coffee mug...not. Photo: cafepress.com
had, although not quite up to gourmet restaurant standings. It left my beef craving nearly satisfied. I’d eat another one if it showed up on my plate. Which is not to say I’ll be buying more anytime soon. At six bucks a package (makes two decent-sized burgers), it’s a bit pricey for what’s still just a substitute for what I really want to eat. I do take some pride in knowing the Impossible Burger was probably the largest vegetable-based object I’ve ever eaten at one sitting. Assuming you don’t count beer. Don’t Bow to the Burger Next up was MorningStar Farms Incogmeato, which easily wins the award for worst name. The package proclaims, “Don’t bow before beef just because you want a burger.” I’m not in the habit of bowing to my food, and I won’t be starting with Incogmeato. It’s less tasty than the Impossible Burger, and carries more than a hint of being made from freshly mulched yard waste. Still, it wasn’t awful. With enough condiments, it made a (barely) acceptable lunch. Plant-based Crumbles Which is more than can be said for Nature’s Promise Organic Plant-Based Burger. According to the label, it’s made from “organic plant-based crumbles,” along with beet powder and organic oats. Cows would love it, except I suppose the whole idea is not to be feeding cows. Nature’s Promise bore little resemblance to beef, and hardly any relation-
Body-Cleansing Speaking of pretty happy, the kitchen now smells of beef on the grill. Real beef, the kind that’s neither impossible nor in disguise nor relying on a promise from Mother Nature. It comes from a grass-fed cow that’s been rendered into premium steak. With each mouthful, I can feel it cleansing my body of the vegetarian remnants of those fake burgers. So what if it’s clogging my veins, packing on pounds and leading to environmental disaster? It tastes delicious, something no plant-based burger can completely claim. And that grass-fed aspect means there’s still some vegetation involved. Add a beer and a small salad to the mix, and the whole meal is practically vegan. Al Diamon writes the weekly column Politics & Other Mistakes for the Daily Bulldog and the Portland Phoenix. He can be emailed at aldiamon@herniahill.net.
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72 • January 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————
Smilin’ Sportsman
Flo: “How’d you get the black eye?” Eb: “My wife hit me.” Flo: “What happened?” Eb: She had just returned from the beauty solon, and I tried to pay her a compliment.” Flo: “And how could you mess that up?” Eb: “Dunno. All I said was, ‘Gee honey, you look so gorgeous, I hardly recognize you!’” — A man was trying to get out of jury duty, but none of his excuses had worked. So on the day of the trial, he asked to approach the bench. “Your Honor,” he explained, “I must be excused from this trial. You see, I’m prejudiced against the defendant.” “Oh?” the judge asked. “Yes!” the man replied. “I took one look at that scruffy beard, conniving smile, and beady weasel eyes, wrapped in that cheap wrinkled blue polyester suit, and I thought, ‘He’s a crook! He’s 100% guilty.’ So, your Honor, I couldn’t possibly be impartial!” The judge said, “It’s okay – that’s the district attorney.”
www.MaineSportsman.com
��������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • January 2022 • 73
— TRADING POST — • Subscribers may place one free 20-word line classified ad per month (2-month limit) • Items for sale must include a price • Real estate ads must include an address or location
• The regular rates are $15 for up to 20 words and 50¢ for each additional word • Check, money order, MasterCard or VISA (Credit or Debit) are accepted
• You may submit your ads by: Phone: 207-357-2702 E-mail: classifieds@mainesportsman.com Mail: 183 State Street, Suite 101 Augusta ME 04330
SUBMIT AD AND PAYMENT BY THE 30TH OF EACH MONTH AND YOUR AD WILL APPEAR IN THE NEXT ISSUE. FOR RENT CAMP FOR RENT IN OTIS MAINE Hancock County, newly constructed cottage on Beech Hill Pond. Great fishing on the lake and plenty of Deer! $150/night. Go to abnb.me/3SBiuJ1WX or call John at 609-377-4091. DEAD RIVER CAFE Year-round home for rent on the North Branch of the Dead River. Sleeps up to 9. Four bedrooms, 1-1/2 baths, 2 car garage. 3-1/2 miles North of
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74 • January 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————
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DIGITAL EDITION
Carroll PLT – Cute little cabin with substantial makeover right on Main Road. Walls and ceiling are insulated, new windows, knotty pine interior, 100 Amp electrical. New metal roof, new privy and gray water bed for sink. Possible Owner Financing. $44,900
Lakeville – Lots of well wooded land. This cute cabin is located at the end of a private road with no through traffic on Spaulding Pond Road. Situated in a wonderful area for many of Northern Maine’s recreational activities. Ready for you today. $70,000
Lakeville – Spacious inside with a covered porch and large back deck. Two sheds. Solar and generated power. Two driveway entrances for your convenience on Birch Hill Road. Extremely low taxes and access to dozens of lakes. $109,000
Lakeville – 52 acre lot with rustic cabin sits at the top of the hill offering breathtaking 180 degree views of area lakes and hills. ATVing and snowmobiling are at your door step on Vista View. Set it up for solar and live here year round. $89,000
Grand Falls – This cabin was landed on this lot two years ago and ready to finish off and use. This 41 acre lot sits high on a hill with great views on Lord Brook Road. ATV and snowsled from this location. Take a look. $79,000
Prentiss TWP – Sitting on 43 acres in a nice wildlife area, the cabin has been lived in, year round, the past few years right on Rosewood Haven. Put the work into removing the mold, put down a floor and turn this into a nice, little hunting cabin. $49,900
Mattamiscontis TWP – Nice 2 plus acre lot on the Penobscot River. Driveway has been installed. Enjoy all this water front lot has to offer. $39,900 Mattamiscontis TWP – Nice 2 plus acre lot on the Penobscot River. The lot has a driveway installed. Enjoy all this lot has to offer. $39,900 Carroll PLT – This lot was recently selectively harvested. Driveway in place, a year round road, electric available and a small Tolman Brook at one edge- its too good to pass by. POSSIBLE OWNER FINANCING!! Come look today. $39,000
ONLY
14 PER YEAR! www.MaineSportsman.com $
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Lincoln – Nice year round waterfront lot on Folsom Pond. There is a informal road association that has maintained the road. Electricity is at the street. Take a look today. $67,500
R E A L
E S T A T E
5 LAKE STREET, P.O. BOX 66, LINCOLN 207-794-2460 www.cwalakestreet.com E-mail: cwa@cwalakestreet.com
1-800-675-2460 Call any of our brokers to work for you! “Tate” Aylward ............. 794-2460 Peter Phinney............... 794-5466 Kirk Ritchie................... 290-1554
FOR COMPLETE INFORMATION ON OUR PROPERTIES VISIT OUR WEB SITE AT CWALAKESTREET.COM
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76 • January 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————
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