Get Your Trophy Buck!
Pages 20, 26, 46, 48, 64
Sportsman The Maine
November 2021 • $4.99
Our 50th Year!
>> Tree Stands Elevate Your Hunt Pages 4, 21, 24
>> Best Scopes for Deer Rifles Page 17
>> Survive the Night in the Woods Page 44 >> Trail Riders Prepare for Snow Page 31 >> The Old Man and the Togue Page 59 >> Camps, Boats & Land for Sale Page 77
2 • November 2021 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————
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4 • November 2021 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————
Editorial
Tree Stand Safety Equipment Only Works If You Use It We’ve been thinking a lot about tree stand safety these days. It began when we took a crossbow certification course a few years ago, and the instructor spent what seemed to be an extraordinary amount of time on the issue of tree stands. In fact, the instructor distributed a booklet titled “Today’s 3-in-1 Responsibility Guide,” published by the National Bowhunter Education Foundation, and the first 38 pages of the booklet related to tree stands – types of stands, selecting a “fall-arrest” system (abbreviated to FAS), ladders and steps, location and preparation of the stand, how to haul your gear up after you are on the platform, and safely descending the tree. The theme continued when we received a request for advice from a father of an 18-year old bowhunter. The son wanted a stand; the father was admittedly biased against their use, because a family friend had suffered a serious injury resulting from a fall 25 years ago. So when Maine Sportsman reader Bob Elliot turned in a deer hunting/tree stand column titled “Tree Stand Safety Has Come a Long Way” (see page 21), that served as confirmation it was time to emphasize the importance of preparation and caution when using elevated platforms in the woods. If you are a hunter who uses tree stands, chances are very good you have taken a fall, or you know someone who has. For hunters, injuries from tree stand falls now far surpass injuries caused by firearms. Tree stands themselves are safer than those of ten or fifteen years ago, and the safety gear that now comes standard with the purchase of a new stand, or that can be easily purchased, make the experience less risky than it used to be. However, better stands and efficient safety gear are effective at preventing injury only if they are used. As Elliot reports, most stand users own safety gear, but more than half of the folks with access to gear (55 percent) “never” or “rarely” use the equipment they have. We quizzed one hunter last year who, unharnessed and untethered, scrambled up a wobbly ladder to perch on a small platform at the top. “Well,” he explained, ‘I don’t wear my life preserver all the time when I’m in my boat, either.” “That’s true,” we responded, “but while most of us can manage to swim twenty feet to shore, very few of us can fly from twenty feet up in the air.” He pondered that thought, and before ascending the following day, he reached for his harness and tether.
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ISSN 0199-036 — Issue No. 589 • www.mainesportsman.com PUBLISHER: Jon Lund MANAGING EDITOR: Will Lund will@mainesportsman.com OFFICE MANAGER: Carol Lund carol@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
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Almanac by Will Lund.................................................... 13 A Ranger on the Allagash by Tim Caverly.................. 38 Aroostook - “The County” by Bill Graves..................... 70 Big Game Hunting by Joe Saltalamachia.................. 24 Big Woods World by Mark Scheeren........................... 23 Central Maine by Steve Vose....................................... 48 Cooking Wildly by Kate Krukowski Gooding............... 69 Downeast Region by Jim Lemieux............................... 52 Editorial.............................................................................. 4 Freshwater Fly Fishing by William Clunie...................... 57 Jackman Region by William Sheldon.......................... 64 Jottings by Jon Lund........................................................ 7 Katahdin Country by William Sheldon......................... 66 Letters to the Editor.......................................................... 5 Maine Sportswoman by Christi Holmes....................... 26 Maine Wildlife by Tom Seymour..................................... 9 Maine Wildlife Quiz by Steve Vose............................... 22 Midcoast by Tom Seymour........................................... 51 Moosehead Region by Tom Seymour......................... 62 New Hampshire by Ethan Emerson.............................. 34 Nolan’s Outdoor World by Nolan Raymond............... 43 Off-Road Traveler by William Clunie............................ 60 Outdoors & Other Mistakes by Al Diamon.................. 74 Quotable Sportsman by Will Lund.................................. 8 Rangeley Region by William Clunie............................. 44 Riding Shotgun by Robert Summers............................. 75 Saltwater Fishing by Barry Gibson................................ 54 Sebago to Auburn Region by Tom Roth..................... 47 Self-Propelled Sportsman by Jim Andrews.................. 40 Shooter’s Bench by Col. J.C. Allard............................. 28 Smilin’ Sportsman by Will Lund...................................... 75 Snapshots in Time by Bill Pierce.................................... 12 Southern Maine by Val Marquez................................. 46 Sporting Environment by David Van Wie.................... 41 Sportsman’s Journal by King Montgomery................. 10 Tidewater Tales by Randy Randall............................... 39 Trapping The Silent Places by David Miller.................. 68 Trading Post (Classifieds)............................................... 77 Trout Fishing by Tom Seymour....................................... 56 True Tales from the Warden Service by Ret. Lt. Doug Tibbetts.49 Western Maine Mountains by William Clunie.............. 36
On the Cover: Walking quietly through the Maine woods, the hunter enters a grassy clearing where a big buck is feeding. Then it happens — the winds shifts to carry the hunter’s scent to the buck, or the hunter’s boot loudly breaks a dry stick — and instantly, the deer leaps into the air and bounds off. Good luck to all the Maine Sportsman readers during November’s regular firearms season.
Deer Hunting in Maine: Scopes for Maine Deer by Steve Carpenteri.......... 17 Attack of the Rutting Buck by Blaine Cardilli.......... 20 Tree Stand Safety by Bob Elliot................................. 21 Snowmobiling in Maine by Steve Carpenteri............. 31 The Old Man and the Togue by Jim Thomas.............. 59
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Letters To The Editor
Doreen’s Word is Good
To the Editor: Enclosed please find my application for the Biggest Bucks Club. I hope you can send me a patch for my 8-point, 210-lb. buck, even though the hunt occurred a number of years ago – in fact, it was 19 years ago, in 2002. In preparation for the upcoming season I was looking through a box of hunting gear, and in the bottom of the box was the signed and certified weigh station slip, which I have enclosed. As you can see, it’s signed by Doreen Bennett, owner of “9 & 7 Corner Store,” in Dixmont. Thank you for your consideration. Kevin Leeper – Medway, MA Editor’s response: Doreen Bennett has owned the 9 & 7 Corner Store for many years, and her word is good. You provided written proof that she certified the deer’s weight, and that’s all the evidence we need. Congratulations on being the newest member of the Biggest Bucks Patch Club.
Walking Down a Deer To the Editor: I enjoyed the story by Dr. Dibble in the October issue about his success in walking down deer. A long time ago, I read a pretty good novel titled The Chaneysville Incident, by David Bradley. The novel contained a long description of a hunter walking down a deer. It seemed it could be true, but I was never sure. Now I am. Thank you. Bob Mittel Portland, ME & Alpine, TX —
How Far? To the Editor: I love your publication and I’ve been enjoying The Maine Sportsman for at least 20 years. I was wondering – how far away has the paper been mailed? Just curious. John DeHaven – Stroudsburg, PA
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6 • November 2021 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————
Letters to the Editor (Continued from page 5)
Non-resident Landowners Should Get a Break on Registration Fees To the Editor: In the October issue, Steve Carpenteri writes about the recent fee hike for snowmobile registrations, which will now amount to $55 for Maine residents, and $119 for non-residents. What’s really needed, however, is a third classification added, for non-residents who own (and pays taxes on) property in Maine. This rate should be inbetween the cost of resident registration and that of a non-resident. This rate should apply to hunting and fishing licenses, as well as ATV and snowmobile registrations. As camp or vacation property homeowners, we pay property taxes, just as residents do, to support the state and towns of Maine. However, we don’t get any of the license or registration fee benefits that accrue to full-time residents.
This simple third tier of licensing and registrations fees would reward those who are contributing property taxes to support schools and local government. Give us a break – we pay for it! Anthony Borzi – MA —
Blue Jays Benefit Oak and Beech Wildlife Habitats To the Editor: The Maine Sportsman has always done a good job writing about game birds such as grouse, woodcock, and wild turkeys. However, I would like to draw your attention to another bird – one that has had a positive impact on the upland forest habitat. That bird is the Blue Jay. Blue Jays have gotten an undeserved bad reputation, and are often characterized for a supposed tendency to steal the eggs of other birds. But as a forester and owner of woodlands, I can tell you they are also responsible for establishing stands of beech and oak trees. That’s because they are classified as
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a “scatter-hoarder,” meaning they store food in many different locations. They can carry one acorn in their mouth, and a second one in their throat, and can fly up to a mile. There, they bury the nuts Fred Huntress beabout an inch deep lieves it’s time the in the soil, with the Blue Jay received apparent intention the forest-planting to return at a later credit it’s due. Phodate for a meal. Be- to: Maine Forest cause beech nuts Products Council are smaller, blue jays can carry more than two at a time. Through this manner, Blue Jays succeed in planting red oaks, white oaks, bur oaks and beeches. Oak trees provide acorns that feed deer, bear, turkeys, grouse, and other game animals. Beech nuts are a favorite high-protein source of food for whitetails. So next time you are hunting deer in an oak or beech forest, thank blue jays for helping provide the necessary habitat. Fred Huntress, Jr., Licensed Forester
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Writer Pleased with Welded Aluminum Tree Stand Ishi was the name given to a Native American, one of the last surviving members of the Yahi tribe of California. Hungry and afraid, he entered the modern world in 1911, and was befriended by two University of California anthropologists. His fear and mistrust were justified, since local governments and the U.S. Army in the mid-1800s had waged a relentless war on the Native American tribes in California. Even cities and towns paid a bounty for Indian scalps, and thousands of Native Americans had been killed. Before he died in 1916, Ishi demonstrated his toolmaking and hunting skills on numerous occasions. Although he could move noiselessly through the woods, his most productive hunting technique was ambush.
As an alternative to a store-bought tree stand, the author found a tall, sturdy aluminum ladder at a moving sale, sketched out a rough diagram of what he wanted, and presented the ladder and the drawing to a skilled local welder. He showed boundless patience when waiting for game. No Snow, No Tote Roads Make for Tough Tracking The pages of this publication describe many variations of deer hunting methods, but I find the most interesting to be the tracking of a big buck. It is great reading, but it ain’t for me, for a variety of reasons. For one thing, with the advent of global warming (yes, I know, the politically correct term is “climate change”), winter is shorter on both ends. Snow on the ground in the southern part of the state starts lat-
er than it used to, and there is less of it. When I was a youngster, snow in Augusta was so deep that one year, we played by jumping off the roof into snowbanks. Nowadays, we often don’t get tracking snow in the southern part of the state until muzzle-loader season in December, if then. For another, walking noiselessly through the woods is more difficult than it used to be. A lot more huff and puff. We used to be able to readily find and follow a tote road that offered quiet walking opportunities and a chance to jump a deer. Not so easy now, as
skidders are used more to harvest timber, and tote roads are fewer. There is nothing so challenging to walk through as a cut-over area where tree-tops and branches are scattered about, and that is often where following the deer tracks takes you.
Even standing motionless becomes a challenge after a time, and sitting comfortably is a welcome relief. I have used a collapsible aluminum and canvas seat. Duct tape will mute the sound of brush scraping the aluminum tubing. Some hunters carry a five-gallon dry-wall bucket. The bucket can even hold your lunch (Continued on next page)
Different Seating Options So I’m with Ishi on his choice of strategy. Ambush is my best bet, too, and the effective range of a rifle shot is many times that of an arrow.
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Jottings (Continued from page 7)
and other essentials, like rain gear. Some leave the bucket behind for their future use, or for use by other hunters. To improve the comfort of the bucket, glue a layer of plastic foam to the cover. The glaring white sides can be muted by a touch of spray paint or by gluing burlap to the sides of the bucket. Tree Stand Success Use of tree stands has increased significantly in recent years. A tree stand brings a hunter above the usual range of a deer’s vision, and allows greater diffusion of a hunter’s scent. It also allows the hunter to see and shoot over a wider area. Use of a tree stand paid off on opening day of last season for this
hunter, but did not work out in my later effort to fill out my bonus tag. Probably the ambush location can be improved. Aluminum Good Option If you want a tree stand that is light, strong and weather resistant, consider aluminum. But storebought aluminum tree stands can be pricey. One option is to make a tree stand out of an aluminum ladder that you are not using, or finding one that is cheap. Finding an inexpensive ladder may be a long-term project. Check out the moving sales. Look for one where the folks are moving a long way away – so far they don’t want to move their aluminum lad-
Quotable
Sportsman
by Will Lund
“Off-road cops.” Description of Maine game wardens by Paul Doiron, author, in his “Mike Bowditch” novel, Knife Creek. Wardens are fully authorized law enforcement officers who have passed a police training program and have also graduated from the state’s advanced warden academy. — “Since you made a mistake, you have to fill out a Form ID Ten T.” A State of Maine supervisor good-naturedly hazing a new law enforcement recruit who’d made a mistake. When the recruit asked for a copy of the form, the supervisor handed the recruit a piece of paper captioned, “ID10T.” — “Why do you let those animals out at night?” A question asked of an Allagash ranger by a woman from out-of-state www.MaineSportsman.com
der. Perhaps they just want to unload it. That ladder may be your next tree stand, provided it is well made. See if you can rack it. Check the rungs. Are they solidly attached to the rails? Are the rungs simply round, or are they flattened on the upper side and angled so as to be comfortable for a person climbing it? Is the ladder long enough that you can cut off part of it to support the seat? Welding aluminum is trickier than steel, and building an aluminum tree stand is not a job for hackers. Skilled Welder Chris Markee, of Carver Road in Monmouth, has done a number of welding repairs to aluminum watercraft for me and others of my family. We have always been pleased with his work.
who had nearly hit a deer on a dirt road after dark. — “How big does a deer get before it becomes a moose?” Another question reportedly fielded by the same ranger. — “Fish of 1,000 casts.” Nickname of the muskellunge, or “muskie” – sharp-toothed, aggressive fish that can grow to more than 50 inches long – because they are so difficult to find and catch, according to the Michigan Wildlife Council.
In the hands of a skilled welder, a good quality used aluminum ladder can be transformed into a lightweight, sturdy and weather-resistant tree stand. W. Lund photo
I gave Chris a rough sketch of what I had I mind, using a section of the ladder to support the seat. He is a deer hunter, so I asked him to make it as if it were for his own use. I have been pleased with the result (see accompanying photograph), and plan to use
it this deer season. One downside of using any tree stand is the possibility of falling out and injuring yourself. A number of hunters fall asleep every year and are injured. I recommend obtaining, and using, a proper safety harness.
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Maine Wildlife:
Spruce Grouse by Tom Seymour
I am old enough to recall the days when Maine had an open season on spruce grouse. However, few hunters ever shot spruce grouse, because it was commonly thought that they tasted like conifer pitch. However, never having eaten one, I cannot attest to that. Spruce grouse were eventually protected, and remain so today. Birds of the far north, Maine and northern New England mark the bird’s southernmost range. Even so, a day trip through paper company land in the North Maine Woods will offer an honest chance of spotting a spruce grouse. Spruce grouse have little fear of people, and usually, instead of flying, they will simply run away. If actively pursued, the bird may take to the air, only to land in the nearest tree and stare down, as if in bewilderment. It is this naiveté that gives spruce grouse the common name of “fool hen.” Once, while trout fishing near Greenville, I met an old-timer who said he had seen a “spruce pa’tridge” on his way to the pond. Call it what you will, the spruce grouse ranks as one of Maine’s more interesting birds. Roadside Denizen Like certain other birds, spruce grouse need to ingest small pebbles for digestion. These go into the bird’s crop, where they serve as ersatz “teeth” to grind food. The pebbles eventually get ground down themselves and need replenishing, which explains why we so often see spruce grouse along the roads. Even from a distance, a practiced eye can easily differentiate between a spruce grouse and a ruffed grouse. Spruce grouse don’t exhibit such a harried appearance when they walk and as often as not, instead of walking or running away at the approach of a hunter, a spruce grouse will stand pat, as if totally unconcerned. Spruce grouse differ physically from ruffed grouse in several ways. Spruce grouse have shorter, darker tails than ruffed grouse. The tail has a chestnut-colored band at the tip. Also, spruce grouse have shorter necks than
the ruffed variety. Male spruce grouse are of a very dark brown, with white patchwork on the chest and belly. A prominent characteristic of the male is a red eyebrow, or comb. Female spruce grouse are overall dark brown, with fine black-and-white barring on the chest, and the telltale chestnut tip on their tail. Female spruce grouse blend in easily with the grays and browns of woodland roadsides. Spruce grouse are birds of the northern conifer forest and are seldom seen elsewhere. There are exceptions. I once spied a spruce grouse in the Town of Waldo in Midcoast Maine. But such is the exception, not the rule. Truly Wild Spruce grouse have always fascinated me, partly because they are only happy in wild settings. You won’t see spruce grouse in built-up areas or around backyard bird feeders. Sure, it’s possible, but not likely. For my money, wherever you see spruce grouse is a good place to be. The same rings true for another bird of the far north, the gray jay, or gobey. Gobeys, like spruce grouse, act almost tame. Unlike spruce grouse, gobeys will purposely approach humans, begging for food. It seems that every public campsite in the north woods has its resident gobey, waiting for visitors to throw it crumbs. Gobeys and spruce grouse stand together in their preference for wild places. Although we commonly see spruce grouse out along the roads, they rely upon dense conifer thickets for food and shelter. In winter, the birds seek even denser cover as protection from extreme cold.
In the springtime nesting season, female spruce grouse choose a protected site on the ground, sometimes using brushpiles as cover. They will also build a nest beneath a conifer tree that has low-sweeping branches. Grouse Diet Spruce grouse have a varied diet that consists of fruits, seeds, insects and leaves of tender herbaceous plants. Spruce grouse will also eat wild mushrooms, which leads some people to believe that the birds have the ability to discern between edible and toxic mushrooms. Sad to say, they don’t. Lots of birds and small mammals eat wild mushrooms and sometimes they eat toxic ones, with fatal results. A friend once asked me to tell him if a mushroom in his backyard was edible. We walked up to the mushroom, a toxic variety, and saw where something had nibbled on the cap. Not far away was a dead mouse. I asked my friend, “Well, what do you think?” Of course the mouse may have died from other causes, but it served as a foil for a teachable moment. Spruce grouse and other birds are no more able to distinguish between toxic and edible mushrooms than that mouse. Beginning in late summer, spruce grouse begin switching over to a diet of conifer leaves (needles) and buds. This always surprised me, since the bird’s summer diet seems far more nourishing. In that case, why would it change to a conifer diet before conditions forced it to? At least for me, it remains one of nature’s intriguing mysteries. The next time you visit the north woods, keep an eye out for spruce grouse. www.MaineSportsman.com
10 • November 2021 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
Chilean Patagonia and the River of Swans No one is really sure where Patagonia begins or ends. It is neither a political unit nor a firmly defined geographic location, although it is generally considered to be the area of Chile and Argentina below the 40th degree of South latitude. But I am not sure defining boundaries really matters; for me, Patagonia is more an experience than a locale – a wild, beautiful, mostly pristine place where condors soar the Andean thermals, pumas still roam, guanaco graze, wildflowers thrive, people are so nice – and brown trout jump. Whoever said brown trout don’t take to the air when hooked never fished in Chilean Patagonia. These descendants of early 20th century transplants from Scotland would make a smallmouth bass or tarpon proud with their aerial antics. The trout’s similarity to black bass doesn’t end with jumping; I spent time,
If you ever wondered where licensed Maine fishing guides go in the winter, wonder no more.
Maine guides Bob Duport, here with Charlie Walshein of New York and a good brown trout, and Michael Jones ran the Las Torres Lodge in Chile for several summers. When it’s winter in Maine, it’s summer in South America. All photos by King Montgomery
particularly when the catching was relatively slow, popping for browns in beautiful mountain and springfed lakes, on the wonderful Rio Cisnes, the fabled River of Swans, and other streams too. Maine Meets Patagonia If you ever wondered where licensed Maine fishing guides
The Rio Picaflor (Hummingbird River) is loaded with good size and numbers of brown trout. Here it flows through bucolic pastureland. www.MaineSportsman.com
go in the winter, wonder no more. Although it is no longer a fishing operation, the Los Torres Lodge was run efficiently by Michael Jones and Bob Duport, two fine Maine guides who had the good fortune of escaping one of Maine’s snowiest winters several years ago – it was summer in Chile. Lefty Kreh and I had fished with Mi-
chael on Maine’s Androscoggin River the previous August, and found him to be knowledgeable, affable, and a great angling guide. Bob is a full-time guide who plies several waters in Maine including the famed Rapid River. At four inches over six feet tall, Bob was our osprey on the streams, and often could spot fish when
Rio Picaflor also traverses evergreen forests on its way to the Rio Manihuales. Its freestone characteristic is evident here.
we couldn’t. Both men are fine gentlemen and I recommend them very highly, in Chile, in Maine, or anywhere. One of the other three lodge guests was Aldro French, the owner at the time of Forest Lodge, Louise Dickinson Rich’s rustic home on the Rapid River. Aldro was a fine angler and gentleman, and a good friend of Mike Jones. The Rio Cisnes and its sister rivers flow out of the high glaciers and mountain streams of the Andes near the Argentine border, and traverse the broken valley terrain. The freestone habitat is home to numerous wild brown trout and certain streams, some fed by springs, hold rainbows as well. The browns can reach near 30 inches in length, and are the prettiest I’ve ever seen anywhere. The high valley floors are largely comprised of ranches or estancias that raise (Continued on next page)
The Rio Manihuales is a fine trout stream that flows through the area to Puerto Aysen on the Pacific coast.
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A number of spring-fed creeks course the region, and they all hold trout populations. Registered Maine Guide Bob Duport shows New Yorker Charlie Walshein where to put a fly. (Continued from page 10)
mostly sheep and some cattle. The hillsides and lower parts of the mountains still carry the scars of wholesale burning in the early 20th century of the once lush forests to make room for the sheep to graze. Burned out cypress and other hardwoods stand where they died or lie prostrate, felled by the strong Patagonian winds. These deadfalls and snags still provide good lumber, and Las Torres Lodge is made from rough-hewn cypress timbers. Mike and Bob took us to fish numerous stretches of prime trout waters. We either would wade or float in a comfortable 3-man raft. A few fish rose now and then, probably to the occasional caddis or Light
Registered Maine Guide Bob Duport puts sport Charlie Walshein onto a nice brown.
Cahill-type mayfly, but most fish were caught prospecting in likely-looking feeding and holding lies: current seams, bubble lines, and any structure such as rocks or tree snags held fish. Region’s Beauty is Distracting Always one to get distracted, particularly when surrounded by the splendor of the Andes, my gaze left the drifting fly to take in a high-mountain glacier to the northeast reminiscent of Alaska. A flock of olive green birds with colorful markings about their heads juked and jinked along the river. These wild parakeets and the ever-present flocks of ibis, some Southern lapwings, and cara cara, provided continuous avian entertainment.
Gauchos are skilled riders, often accompanied by several canine outriders, who herd the many sheep and cattle that are raised on extensive estancias in Chilean Patagonia.
The guides gave me several trout flies that looked more like bass flies. The B-52 was a foam rendition of one of the huge black local dragonflies; another was a black foam beetle with orange or yellow rubber legs that mimicked a large beetle; and one they called Tony the Tiger, a woolly bugger with the colors of a Bengal tiger. I soon learned to fish both flies the same way – cast across or a little downstream, and allow the fly to deaddrift as best as possible. Mend when you can, but don’t worry about line drag – Patagonian brown trout sometimes like dragging flies just like bass do in Maine. There were times when this approach didn’t work, so I popped, gurgled, and manipulated the
The brown trout in Chile mostly are from Scotland and were introduced in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Some of them reach or exceed 30 inches in length.
flies like bass poppers or sliders. The browns would attack from below, or they would porpoise out of the water and take the fly on the way down. Lake of the Towers Nearby Lago Las Torres lies along the mostly asphalted road that is part of the 2,150 miles of Chile’s portion of the Pan American Highway that originates in Alaska. On my previous visit, the road was dirt and gravel, and I spent some time reflecting on whether the “progress” was good, or bad. The lake, several hundred acres of deep, cold, and clear water born of glacial mountain streams and springs, held monster brown trout. The north end of the lake where a gorgeous spring creek continued its journey to the Rio
A puppy checks out my wading boots. Dogs and cats are part of every human enclave in the wilds of Patagonia. They add to the charm of the place.
Cisnes was covered in tules, supple reed-like plants that provided cover and groceries for big browns. The natural wonders of Patagonia and the inspiring Andes Mountains are magnificent. The wildflowers that take advantage of the short growing season—fuchsia, foxglove, lupine, and thistle— add to the grandeur and beauty of the time and the place. A wonderful location with very hospitable people, and waters filled with wild brown trout that leap like bass, and show a power and wildness befitting their unique and beautiful home. And the fishing guides had Maine accents.
¶
Aldro French (L), the affable owner at the time of Forest Lodge, Louise Dickinson Rich’s rustic home on the Rapid River, with Bob Duport and a brown trout. Aldro was a fine angler and gentleman, and a good friend of Mike Jones. www.MaineSportsman.com
12 • November 2021 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
“Snapshots in Time”
Historical Glimpses from Maine’s Sporting Past Compiled by Bill Pierce, Former Executive Director, Outdoor Heritage Museum
The following was found in the October 3, 1902, edition of the Maine Woods newspaper. It takes a special type of individual to be a Maine Game Warden. One must be a highly motivated “self-starter.” This must be blended
with a well-grounded moral obligation and commitment to protect wildlife from those who are lacking in those qualities – the poachers. What an amazing trip the warden below took (with no help, communications, or back-up) some 120
years ago to fulfil his mission. What that country must have looked like! Please enjoy what follows, and be sure to get outside and make some Outdoor History of your own!
Moose and Deer Killers
Game Warden Templeton Again in Pete Fontaine’s Territory Kineo, Sept. 30, 1902 Game Warden Hermann O. Templeton, the intrepid officer who shot the notorious Canadian poacher, Peter Fontaine, last March, has returned from an extended woods trip through the wilderness which lies north of here, investigating various rumors of violation of game laws. He worked from the Northeast Carry up through Baker bog and stream to Baker Lake. At this point, a side trip was made to the site of what was once the home camp of the poacher Fontaine. Since Templeton’s last visit, this camp has been burned, thus removing what has come to be regarded as one of the curiosities of this section. Thumbing Their Nose at Authority From Baker Lake, Templeton kept on down to the St. Johns River to Seven Islands, without finding much evidence of illegal killing. Eight miles below Seven Islands, he hauled his canoe across to the Big Black River, and at the foot of Lower Dead Water an interesting discovery was made. Evidence went to show that a party consisting of two sports and four guides had left but a short time before. Tacked to a tree was this notice:
NOTICE!
All parties shall be prosecuted in the State of Maine who kill caribou, a moose, or a deer. Per order, Commissioners, D. C. Under the notice were found part of a moose’s nose, two moose’s legs and an ear. Parts of deer and poles where deer hides had been dried were discovered near at hand. No names of any kind were found on any of the arwww.MaineSportsman.com
Sculling for Game -- In 1902, northern Maine was a remote wilderness, and despite laws prohibiting the killing of caribou and moose (and in some parts of the state, deer), the laws were routinely ignored.
ticles lying about. On the cover of one box was the word “Quebec.” Some miles up the river, the warden found where the party had left their boats and gone out on a tote team, which had evidently met them by appointment. This was very close to the boundary line, and the tote road leads to Canada. There was every evidence that this road had been used for similar purposes a great deal. and a close watch will be kept on this section in the future. Close to this point, a leg of moose was found. At Seven Islands, a man has a small calf moose in captivity. The owner said he caught it at his gate, but some of his neighbors said he caught it with dogs. It was also reported at this point that an Indian had caught a calf moose and taken it to Canada.
“A Bad Lot” At Hunter Farm, a dead deer was
found, and the fellow who said he shot it promised to meet the warden and settle. That was the best that could be done with the offender, as he could not be taken along on the trip. At Round Pond on Allagash waters, the bones of a large bull moose which had evidently been killed and skinned about the last of June was found. The animal had a fine set of antlers just started in the velvet. Just below Seboomook Falls on the West Branch, a dead bull moose was found, and a careful examination failed to reveal a bullet wound. At Moosehorn-on-Dead-Water, farther down the river, a dead buck deer was found which had evidently been left after being shot. The people in this section made a very unfavorable impression on the warden, and he regards them as “a bad lot.”
Almanac
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Three Examples of Outdoor Automation – Progress, or Potential Problems?
The headline caught our attention: “Tesla Owners Can Now Request Full Self-Driving Mode, Prompting Criticism From Regulators and Safety Advocates.” But we’re not a car magazine; rather, our coverage areas include recreational boating, and hunting the Maine woods. How could proposed or existing outdoor-related automation affect our readers? Here are three examples: 1) Autonomous cargo ships: Boaters who go offshore at night in the Atlantic Ocean – or even in the Great Lakes – should be paying attention to the latest news from the cargo ship industry; namely, that several autonomous cargo ship projects are in development. Designers propose to allow these mammoth vessels – some with hulls a quarter-mile long – to make their way across the water while being controlled either from a land-based control center, or through artificial intelligence, in which the ship’s computers formulate a course of action if another boat approaches. 2) Raymarine’s DockSense Control: On a more positive and less-concerning
Compiled and Edited by — Will Lund —
note, Raymarine and Emerson have partnered to develop a system to assist recreational boaters get safely into their slip or dock spaces. The companies describe the system as “the recreational marine industry’s first intelligent object-recognition and motion-sensing assisted-docking solution.” It uses “an array of stereoscopic cameras” to establish and monitor what they call a “virtual fender zone” around the vessel. Its developers claim the system accurately senses pilings, dock edges and other vessels as those objects encroach on the electronic perimeter around the boat. The system employs GPS monitoring and position-sensing technology to compensate for the effects of wind and currents. 3) SafeShoot: This product is intended to prevent accidental shootings when one hunter is hidden from the view of another hunter. The promotional material states that “by attaching a shooter device that fits most rifles, shooters will be automatically alerted when another SafeShoot device-holder is in the line of fire.” The system uses a combination of radio frequency, micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS) sensors, and GPS. The company states that when a user takes aim, the system alerts the shooter both audibly and visually that there’s
ANY WORKLOAD. ANY TIME.
another SafeShoot user downrange, thereby avoiding danger to the downrange individual, whom the material refers to as “friendly.” ***** Without editorializing specifically on these products, it is nonetheless clear to us that these types of boating or hunting technologies should only supplement – and not replace – basic, competent seamanship, and hunting safety principles. We have already seen clear demonstrations of the strengths and weaknesses of electronic devices. Too frequently, for example, hunters and hikers head into the Maine woods relying on their hand-held GPS for navigation and their cellphones to call for help, without realizing 1) how fast cold weather can sap and drain a device’s batteries, and 2) the fact that many areas of the northern and western woods do not offer reliable cell service. —
Qualifying for a Grand Slam Without a Fall Wild Turkey Registration No sooner had DIF&W announced that 2021 Fall Season Wild Turkeys would not need to be registered, then (Continued on next page)
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14 • November 2021 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
Almanac
(Continued from page 13)
calls came to our offices from Grand Slam candidates wondering how they could prove they’d taken a wild turkey. A hunter qualifies for a Maine game-hunting “Grand Slam” when the hunter harvests a moose, deer, bear and turkey in the same calendar year. The application contains a space in which the applicant is supposed to enter the registration number for their turkey. The Maine Sportsman patch club rules committee held an emergency meeting, and issued guidelines allowing for three acceptable options: 1) The hunter can take the bird to a tagging station and obtain a form listing the shooter’s name, the date and the firearm, signed by an attendant; 2) A witness can prepare a short note attesting to the kill, in which the note includes the witness’s name and phone number; or 3) The application can include a photo of the hunter with the bird. —
Backstabber Captain and Crew Win Tuna Tourney – Again! South Portland – Local captain Pete Speeches of Scarborough and the crew of Backstabber, brought a giant bluefin to the scale weighing 719 pounds to win the Third Annual Casco Bay Bluefin Bo-
nanza and the coveted Casco Bay Cup, their second consecutive victory. Competition was fast and furious during the three-day contest. First to the dock on Day 1 was Endorfin, with a 511-pounder. Then, Bailey & Bella brought a 700-pounder to the docks, followed by Backstabber with the eventual winner.
Day 3: Molly Jane (632 pounder); Bailey & Bella (646); and ANUT (698 pounds). More than $18,000 in prize money was handed out, including a top prize of $7,500 and the Casco Cup for the largest fish. The Bluefin Bonanza also raised enough money to fund 14 scholarships to Maine community colleges next year, and to establish a new endowment with the University of Maine’s School of Marine Sciences and the Gulf of Maine Research Institute to support bluefin tuna research. For more information, see www.bluefinbonanza.org. —
Maine Huts & Trails To Open This Winter Jonathan Prior, battling a big tuna aboard the Bounty Hunter II.
At the awards ceremony, (L to R): Bob Humphrey, Pete Speeches, Andrew Lebel, Mike Lebel, and Shawn Tibbetts.
Other monster Day #1 fish: 598 pounds (Mitch Napolitano); 373 pounds (Kurt Christensen and the Molly Jane) 478 lbs. (Wasabi), 311 lbs. (High Anxiety) and 440 lbs. (Lion’s Den). Day 2: Backstabber (467); Bailey & Bella (582); Bounty Hunter II (a 422-pounder, brought in after a 5-hour battle – see photo)
Maine Huts & Trails recently announced they will reopen this upcoming winter season. Organizers have made some changes to jump-start their offerings. Previously, for example, night-stays were offered by the bunk. Going forward, guests will be offered bunk-room rentals. Pricing has been adjusted to be attractive to families; and different tiers of service – full-service and self-service – will be available at different times of the week. Huts scheduled to open this winter for day excursions or overnight stays include: • Flagstaff Hut • Stratton Brook Hut, and • Poplar Hut. Since the opening of the first hut in 2008, Maine Huts & Trails has welcomed over 80,000 guests to its lodges, while many more have used MH&T’s 80 (Continued on next page)
200 REWARD
$
offered for information leading to the recovery of a four-seater Equinox Snowcoach MPV
stolen from my home on Route 201 in Richmond on February 12, 2016. It was yellow in color, both inside and out, although it may have been repainted. — INFORMATION? Contact Jeff at (207) 844-9997 or 63jtilton@gmail.com www.MaineSportsman.com
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Maine Duck Stamp Winner
(Continued from page 14)
The Maine Sportsman congratulates Gary Winders of Stockton Springs for winning the 2021 Maine Waterfowl Stamp Art Contest, with this depiction of a pair of Longtail Ducks, formerly known as Oldsquaw.
A Maine Huts & Trails mountain biker catches air during an autumn ride along Newton’s Revenge in Carrabassett Valley. Photo: MaineHuts.org
miles of trails, which extend from West Forks in Somerset County, to Carrabassett Valley in Franklin Country. Reservations can now be made for the upcoming winter season. Maine Huts & Trails staff will begin hiring for seasonal hut outdoor enthusiasts. Visit www.mainehuts.org for trail information, hut status and employment opportunities. —
Other top finishers included: • 2nd Place – Nancy Culver, Bucksport, ME • 3rd Place – Michael Boardman, North. Yarmouth, ME • Honorable Mention – Brenda McGuinness, Sebago, ME • Honorable Mention – Carolyn Nichols, Brunswick, ME
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
—
TNC Announces Conservation of 13,500 Acres Downeast In mid-September, Jeremy Cluchey of The Nature Conservancy’s Brunswick office notified us of the completion of the organization’s most recent project. He wrote: “The Nature Conservancy is excited to announce an important conservation project in Downeast Maine. “TNC has acquired fee ownership of the Spring River – Narraguagus Forest property in Hancock County, west of Cherryfield. This property consists of approximately 13,500 acres of valuable habitat in the Narraguagus River watershed, including 3.75 miles of shoreline on Narraguagus Lake, two miles of frontage on the north side of Spring River, seven miles of frontage on the West Branch of the Narraguagus River, and 46 miles of interior tributary streams. “Conservation of this property will help maintain a forested connection between the Downeast coast and Maine’s north woods, protecting habitat for wide-ranging wildlife and allowing species to move in response to a changing climate. It was achieved through collab(Continued on next page)
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
16 • November 2021 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
Almanac
November 2021 Sunrise/Sunset
(Continued from page 15)
Portland, ME DATE 1 Mon 2 Tue 3 Wed 4 Thu 5 Fri 6 Sat 7* Sun 8 Mon 9 Tue 10 Wed 11 Thu 12 Fri 13 Sat 14 Sun 15 Mon
RISE
7:15 7:17 7:18 7:19 7:21 7:22 6:23 6:24 6:26 6:27 6:28 6:30 6:31 6:32 6:34
SET
5:33 5:31 5:30 5:29 5:28 5:26 4:25 4:24 4:23 4:22 4:21 4:20 4:19 4:18 4:17
DATE 16 Tue 17 Wed 18 Thu 19 Fri 20 Sat 21 Sun 22 Mon 23 Tue 24 Wed 25 Thu 26 Fri 27 Sat 28 Sun 29 Mon 30 Tue
RISE
6:35 6:36 6:37 6:39 6:40 6:41 6:42 6:44 6:45 6:46 6:47 6:48 6:49 6:51 6:52
SET
4:16 4:15 4:14 4:13 4:12 4:12 4:11 4:10 4:10 4:09 4:09 4:08 4:08 4:07 4:07
November 2021 Tides Portland, ME DATE 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
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 Tue
HIGH AM PM 8:41 8:59 9:27 9:49 10:11 10:38 10:55 11:27 11:41 — 12:17 12:29 1:09 12:19 1:02 1:12 1:59 2:10 3:02 3:14 4:08 4:22 5:15 5:31 6:19 6:38 7:18 7:39 8:10 8:34 8:56 9:22 9:37 10:06 10:15 10:47 10:51 11:26 11:26 — 12:03 12:00 12:40 12:36 1:18 1:14 1:59 1:55 2:44 2:42 3:32 3:33 4:23 4:28 5:14 5:26 6:06 6:25 6:58 7:24
LOW AM PM 2:23 2:45 3:11 3:36 3:56 4:24 4:41 5:13 5:28 6:02 6:16 6:53 6:05 6:45 6:58 7:40 7:54 8:40 8:56 9:45 10:03 10:51 11:13 11:57 — 12:23 12:59 1:28 1:54 2:24 2:42 3:12 3:25 3:56 4:03 4:36 4:40 5:13 5:15 5:49 5:50 6:25 6:25 7:01 7:03 7:41 7:44 8:24 8:30 9:11 9:21 10:00 10:16 10:51 11:13 11:44 — 12:13 12:38 1:12
*Daylight Saving Time ends at 2:00 a.m. November 7 www.MaineSportsman.com
View of Tunk Mountain beyond Narraguagus Lake. Tom Pakulski photo
orative conservation among many partners, including The Conservation Fund, Maine Coast Heritage Trust, state and federal agencies, and private foundations and individuals.” Since the chapter’s founding in 1956, The Nature Conservancy has helped to protect more than 1.7 million acres in Maine. More information can be found at www.nature. org/maine. —
2021 Whitetail Deer Hunting Seasons • Firearms Season: November 1 – November 27 • Maine Resident-Only Day: October 30 • Youth Day: October 23 • Archery/Crossbow: October 2 – October 29 • Muzzleloader: Season starts Statewide November 29, and ends December 6 or December 11; check law book for last day applicable to your hunting area • Expanded Archery (Designated areas only): Sept. 11 – Dec. 11 —
More Maine Animal Name Origins by Nick Lund, Advocacy and Outreach Manager, Maine Audubon I’m still interested in the etymologies of Maine wildlife. Why do we call a bear a “bear” instead of a “Terror Dog”? Shouldn’t cows be called “moose” (I mean, they moo), and moose be called … “Huge Nose Horse” or something? Maybe in fact that is what it meant in some ancient language. Let’s find out. Moose. The name is derived from a Native American language, perhaps the Abenaki moz or the Penobscot muns, said to have meant “he strips
off,” supposedly in reference to the animal’s stripping bark for food in winter. Moose also live in Europe, but in British English they are called, very confusingly, Elk. Deer. The origins of the word “deer” apparently stretch back thousands of years to the word dheusom spoken in the Proto-Indo-European language. The word meant “creature that breathes,” a broad and fundamental term similar to the Roman words animal and anima, meaning “breathe” or “life.” Heavy. Tracing the “white-tailed” in “Whitetailed Deer” is easier, as any hunter throughout history could tell you. Squirrel. The name for these acrobatic tree dwellers apparently resulted from a combination of the Greek words skia meaning “shadow” and oura meaning “tail,” resulting in skiouros: “that which makes a shade with its tail.” Of note, the root of the Greek oura for “tail,” is thought to be the Proto-Indo-European ors, meaning “buttocks,” which also eventually gave us arse. Not the direction I expected the squirrel entry to take! Beaver and Bear. Believe it or not, the names of these two animals both derive from the same ancient origin: the Proto-Indo-European word bher, meaning “bright; brown.” It’s thought that the connection between “bright” and “brown” might have something to do with the idea of polished wood, and bher eventually gave us words like “burnish,” “berserk” and “Bruin.” But for these two animals the connection was clearly the color of their fur, with “beaver” eventually spinning through the Old High German bibar and the Old English beofur, among others, before its modern English spelling. “Bear” wove through Dutch beer and Old English bera before landing with us in Maine. Raccoon. Derives from the Powhatan word arahkun, from arahkunem, meaning “he scratches with the hands,” a reference to its foraging technique. Raccoons are another species with completely different name origins in Europe, where they’re introduced. The Norwegians don’t have any raccoons at all, from what I can tell, but call the critters vaskebjørn, which translates to a delightful “wash-bear,” from its habit of dipping its food in water before eating it.
¶
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Scopes for Maine Deer by Steve Carpenteri When I began deer hunting in Maine back in 1961, scope sights were uncommon accessories. Most hunters in that era carried their grandfather’s Winchester or Marlin lever-action in .30-30 or .32 Special and, believe it or not, whitetail harvests topped 40,000 annually, even 50,000 in the 1950s. I started out with a bolt-action shotgun with open sights, and then a bolt-action rifle similarly equipped. I was young, had perfect vision, and shot my deer at rock-throwing distances. Around 1965, I bought my first telescopic sight, a Weaver K-3 with a postand-crosshair reticle that eventually would account for over 200 deer in 25 states. With its wide field of view, low magnification and easy-to-see reticle, that scope proved to be ideal for hunting deer in Eastern brush country and, nearly 60 years later, it is still laying them down with one-shot regularity. Still Good Today? Today’s “experts” would scarcely recommend such a scope sight for deer hunting
The author is not a fan of high-power or variablepower scopes for most Maine applications. In fact, he owns several rifles equipped with low-power scopes, and he’s used them successfully for deer, groundhogs, wild hogs, black bears, mule deer, elk and moose. – even the great Jack O’Connor considered the 4-power scope as the best all-around choice for big-game hunting. I own several rifles with low-power scopes attached, and I’ve found them to be ideal for deer hunting in thick cover. I have also taken ground hogs, wild hogs, black bears, mule deer, elk and moose with such scopes at long distances, and the results were the same – one shot, one kill. Fixed, or Variable? Over time, variable- and high-power scopes became the rage in the shooting industry, and these days “tactical” scopes capable of delivering gong-ringing accuracy on silhouettes at 1,000 yards are still the focus of a great deal of attention in the industry. Each situation certainly has its applications, but here in Maine – where the
average shot at a deer is less than 50 yards – those multi-power, long-range sights are more of a hindrance
than a help. Advantages of Fixed Magnification Low-power scopes
gather more light, and make it easier to find the target in heavy cover. Many are the stories of hunters who whiled away their day with their scope set on 8x or 10x in order to watch distant squirrels or turkeys, but then forgot to set the (Continued on next page)
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18 • November 2021 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
Deer Hunting
(Continued from page 17)
sight back on 3x or 4x, and could not find their target toward the end of the day. Having too many variables available leaves plenty of room for mistakes, but low-power scopes are always brighter, clearer and sharper at close range in thick cover. My old Weaver K-3 makes every deer look three times larger, which is more than enough magnification at woods distances, and more than enough to allow me to identify and evaluate the animal before I center my crosshairs on the sweet spot directly behind the shoulder.
Get serious about shooting. Use a steady rest, hearing protection and a paper target set at a measured distance. Photos by Steve Carpenteri
High-powered variable scopes certainly have their place in the shooting world, but for hunting in Maine’s typically thick evergreen woods and swamps, a basic 4x scope with a one-inch tube and post or crosshair reticle is all that’s required for a success-
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ful hunt. Sighting In Of course, no scope is of any value if the shooter doesn’t take the time to sight in before deer season. Every year since the 1960s, I have talked to hunters who failed to sight in. “Miraculously,” many of them missed the buck of a lifetime – at 30 yards! How can you confidently make a killing shot if you don’t know where your rifle is shooting? Accurate shooting is not rocket science.
The author’s Remington Model 600 and Weaver K-3 scope are still on target after nearly 60 years.
Start by tightening all base, mount and ring screws. Use Loctite or some other fixative to ensure that the screws don’t come loose over time. Do this before you head for the range, and especially after traveling to a far-off destination. The success of your hunt may depend on it. Set up a target at 25 yards, and shoot from a solid rest, bench or prone position. No off-hand shooting; no casual kneeling shots. Settle in over a solid rest so that the
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crosshairs lay directly on the bull’s-eye. Fire three shots, slow fire, for the initial group. These may be dead center, or they may be 10 inches off target. Make the necessary scope adjustments and shoot again, slowly from a solid rest. Continue this process until each bullet lands dead center in the bull’s-eye at 25 yards. Ballistics Basics For the majority of modern “deer cartridges” (including the .308, .30-06, .243, and 7mm Magnum), hitting dead-on at 25 yards will put the bullets 3 inches high at 100 yards, and dead on again at 250 yards – more than adequate for any Maine deer-hunting situation. Of course, it’s important to shoot at 100 yards and 250 yards for verification. Practice definitely makes perfect. Choose the proper scope for the conditions you plan to hunt in, sight in, and practice as often as possible. You may get but one chance to fill your tag – make it count!
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������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • November 2021 • 19
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20 • November 2021 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
— Deer Hunting in Maine: A Maine Sportsman Special Feature —
Attack of the Rutting Buck by Blaine Cardilli It was deer season, 1998. I had taken my buck, was tagged out, but it was still early in November and I did not want to be done, so when my buddy told me he was going out the next day, I jumped at the chance to help him get his deer. The plan was for us to sit next to each other in our hunting chairs. I would put out some scent and do some calling for him. I had left my firearms at home, and was armed only with a 12-inch knife. However, when we met, he decided he wanted to sit by himself. I was bummed, but decided to relocate about 100 yards beyond him. All the while keeping his blaze orange vest in sight, I found a huge boulder and sat beside it. Daylight was just starting to break as I surveyed the situation around me. The boulder was sunk into a nice little hummock, so I plopped myself down and settled into the depression in front of it. Ahead of me was a clearing bordering a small swamp, and the forest floor around me was almost completely carpeted in soft moss. I didn’t put any scent out, and I decided not to call, since I was sitting alone. Admiring the serene, soft hue of the developing sunrise, I unsuccessfully fought the urge to doze off. First One Deer, Then More A little while later, www.MaineSportsman.com
The buck snorted a third time, lowered its head, pawed the ground, and then charged right at me from 20 yards away. Instinctively, I turned my body to face the big animal, and raised myself onto one knee. My hand reached for my knife. Within seconds, the whitetail had cut the distance between us in half.
When the author waved his hat to get his hunting buddy’s attention, the buck apparently took the movement as a challenge.
I was abruptly awakened by a loud snorting noise. Opening my eyes, I was surprised to see a nice buck foraging in the short vegetation about 20 yards in front of me. As I blinked to clear my eyes, I noticed more movement, and realized there were at least two other deer near the first one. Leaning slowly forward, I glanced toward my buddy, Jeff, and saw him sitting on a stump, staring intently into his own little area, watching for deer. I decided to covertly try to get his attention, hoping he might see the deer that were right in
front of me. Like Waving a Red Cloth at a Bull Taking my hat off, I slowly raised it into the air, hoping to attract Jeff’s attention. However, he was almost 100 yards away, and he didn’t notice me efforts. While waving my hat, I became aware of movement out of the corner of my eye. I turned to see the buck staring at me. Suddenly, he put his head down and shook his antlers a few times, and pawed the ground. Getting a bit nervous, I turned back toward Jeff and tried
even harder to get his attention, going so far as uttering hoarse whispers in his direction in an effort to get him to look my way. I again waved my hat. The buck snorted again, startling me. Closing the Distance As I slowly turned to look at the big deer, it snorted a third time, lowered its head, pawed the ground some more, and then charged right at me from 20 yards away. Instinctively, I turned my body to face the big animal, and raised myself onto one knee. In a few seconds,
the buck had closed half the distance between us. But as I started to rise, the deer immediately stopped its charge, halting so abruptly that its front hooves pushed up moss in small mounds. In anticipation of a confrontation, I pulled my knife from its sheath and raised it over my head. Was I really going to have to defend myself against a rutting buck? In my mind I envisioned the incident being featured in the “This Happened to Me” section of Outdoor Life. Disbelieving Hunting Buddy The buck stopped a scant five or six yards from me, then turned and slowly walked off, finally disappearing in the thick firs. I was drained and a bit light-headed from my brief yet heart-pounding encounter. Only then did I realize it had probably smelled the “doe-in-heat” scent I had liberally applied to my hunting boots for the walk in. When it was over, I got to my feet and glanced towards my buddy, who was still sitting on his stump. He remained completely unaware of what had just taken place within sight of him. At first, he refused to believe me, until he examined the tracks and the moss and realized that this experience could have happened only to me!
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������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • November 2021 • 21
— Deer Hunting in Maine: A Maine Sportsman Special Feature —
Tree Stand Safety has Come a Long Way by Bob Elliot – Mt. Vernon, ME
Installing steps for the stand, I had climbed about 13 feet up, when suddenly the leg I had slung around the tree for support slipped. Down I went! As I was falling, I remember thinking, “This is going to hurt!” I shot my first buck with a bow in 1988. It was one of only 130 or so deer shot with a bow in the entire state that year. That was around the same time that “bucks only” laws became a reality in Maine. Up until then, like most Mainers in those days, my father and I only hunted with rifles and did not much care if we put our tags on a doe or a buck. We found out that shooting does would still be allowed during the October archery season, so we went to L.L.Bean and purchased kits that included a small compound bow, three arrows, a finger tab, and an arm guard. The equipment back then was not nearly as advanced or widely available as it is today. Homemade Tree Stands We also realized that if we were going to be able to hit a deer with this primitive set-up, we would need to be close, and the best way to do that would be to start hunting from an elevated position. Tree stands in those days were just as crude as the archery equipment we
were carrying. Most were homemade affairs, with wooden ladders or boards nailed into trees. The tree stand I shot that 1988 buck from was a ladder I had made from 2x4s with a platform attached to the top. I spray painted it green, leaned it against a tree, and secured it with a ratchet strap. It had no seat, forcing me to stand for the entire hunt. The day of that successful hunt, the wind was blowing hard, so for safety I attached a rope around my waist and tied it to the tree. Things Start to Improve We didn’t know much about tree stand safety back then, and very few people hunted with a bow or used elevated stands. Taking an archery safety course was not mandatory, and we just didn’t hear about too many people falling
or becoming injured in tree stand accidents. Not long after that memorable October day, companies such as Baker, and Warren & Sweat, started manufacturing metal stands with wooden platforms – crude by today’s standards, but a huge step up from the days of homemade rigs. It also became common to see archers wearing straps around their waists with tethers attaching them to the tree trunks. “This is Going to Hurt!” As bowhunting became more popular, my father and I started traveling from Maine to Pennsylvania each fall to extend our hunting opportunities. Most of those trips involved hunting on public land, where screwing steps into trees was illegal. The stands we used most often back then were the hang-on
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types, with chains that went around the tree. I used steps or short ladder sections that strapped to the tree to get up to the stand. I was young and full of confidence in those days. I would simply climb up on a step that I had strapped onto the tree, wrap my other leg around the trunk
to support my weight, and then start installing the next step. One beautiful fall afternoon, I was in the process of hanging my stand in a giant Pennsylvania oak tree. I had gotten about 13 feet up, when suddenly the leg I had slung around the tree for support slipped. Down (Continued on next page)
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22 • November 2021 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
Tree Stand Safety (Continued from page 21)
I went! It was one of those moments that passes in a flash but feels like it is taking an eternity. As I was falling, I can remember thinking to myself, “This is going to hurt!” Fortunate Landing I landed squarely on my back among the rocks and leaves. I lay there for a few moments and did a self-assessment. Luckily, my injuries were minor – only some bruises and a small cut. The next thing I noticed though was that my Screaming Eagle hang-on stand was lying on the ground, only about a foot away from where I had landed. All four of the sharp pegs, the ones that usually dig
into the tree, pointed directly toward the sky. Had I landed just a little to that side, I would have been impaled for sure. Studies Show Falls, Injuries Common Years ago, firearms accidents accounted for most of the hunting-related injuries and deaths. Today, falling from elevated hunting platforms has far surpassed firearms accidents to become the leading cause of injuries. A 2016 study from Wisconsin combined hunter surveys about tree stand accidents, with medical records reviews. It concluded that 84 percent of gun hunters in that state used tree stands, and 94 percent of bowhunt-
ers used them. Among tree stand users, 62 percent owned a safety restraint. However, only 31 percent “always” used them, and another 14 percent “usually” used them. So, the remaining 55 percent either rarely – or never – used a safety restraint. The study concluded that if you hunt from stands for 10 years, your odds of a serious injury are one in 100. So why is that? I think many hunters have the same attitude that I had on the day of my fall – they are overconfident, and feel “it just won’t happen to me.” Modern Safety Equipment Today, nearly all stands are built to voluntary indus-
try standards, and if you purchase a new stand, it will come accompanied by a safety harness. Aftermarket options include lightweight vests or harnesses that are easier to put on than the strap models. They are designed so they don’t limit your range of motion when drawing a bow or swinging into position for a shot. Another option is the “lifeline” system, featuring a climbing rope with a built-in Prussik knot that allows you to slide your tether up and down as you ascend or descend. The important factor is that you are always attached, from the time you leave the ground until your return, including the most dangerous time when you climb on and off the stand platform.
Another new device is a “brake” that, if you fall, allows you to slide down the safety line at a controlled rate of speed. Use It Every Time Up I hunt almost exclusively from climbing stands these days, at least whenever I can find tall, straight trees. And they are safe – I put my harness on, slide the tether up the tree trunk as I climb, and then bring it down as I descend. I like the feeling of always being connected to the tree. You owe it to yourself and your family to return safely from every hunt. Use your safety gear properly, and use it every time you leave the ground.
¶
MAINE WILDLIFE QUIZ: Spruce Grouse by Steve Vose
The Spruce Grouse (Canachites canadensis) inhabits the evergreen forests of Canada and northern and western North America. “Chicken-like” in physical appearance, the species relies heavily on its dappled feather coloration as an effective camouflage pattern against predators. Males of the species possess a brown-black coloration with white spots and a red eyebrow comb, while females possess a more muted brown and white coloration with no eyebrow comb. This makes them extremely difficult to see when they are on the ground feeding. When frightened, Spruce Grouse typically explode into flight, beating their wings loudly. Spruce Grouse exhibit a tameness around humans, which makes them great subjects for birdwatchers. It also makes them easy targets for hunt-
Questions 1. What is the range of the Spruce Grouse? 2. What common barnyard animal does the Spruce Grouse look like?
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ers who mistakenly identify the illegal-to-hunt Spruce Grouse, for the legal-to-hunt Ruffed Grouse. Spruce Grouse feed almost exclusively on the needles of fir, spruce, and pine, but will also eat other vegetation, including buds, leaves, berries, seeds, and woody plants. They will also eat small insects. The grouse’s ability to consume foods high in cellulose allows it to feed on foods that most other ani3. What coloration on the male Spruce Grouse make it distinctive? 4. Are Spruce Grouse legal to hunt in Maine? 5. What does the Spruce Grouse eat?
mals would be incapable of digesting. Since Spruce Grouse lack teeth, they seek out gravel roads where they swallow small pieces of grit which pass into the gizzard and help them grind up hard food items. The Spruce Grouse’s digestive organs change seasonally. In the winter, the bird’s gizzard and intestines grow and increase in length to help them adapt to process more food for cold weather survival. During nesting season, May to early July, the female scratches a depression in the ground that she fills with grass and leaves. The female typically lays 4-7 eggs, which hatch in about a month. Fledglings stay with the female until they are 3–5 weeks old. If able to successfully avoid predators such as coyotes, bobcats and foxes, the birds’ lifespan is about 5 – 6 years 6. When is the Spruce Grouse nesting season? 7. How many eggs are typically laid by the female Spruce Grouse? 8. What is the average lifespan of a Spruce Grouse? Answers on Page 36
������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • November 2021 • 23
The Tracker’s Mind by Mark Scheeren
The author, who is a human behavior researcher, had to analyze and correct his own mental approach to tracking before he began achieving success. Step #1 was abandoning the idea that each tracking opportunity was a battle he had to win. Instead, he says he had to learn to “calm down inside.” In my book Learning to Track and Hunt Wilderness Whitetails, two chapters describe my odyssey of chasing a true Adirondack mountain king (a 152” beast – I have his sheds from that year). I call this buck the “Seven Mistakes Buck,” because while I never did get him, he taught me how to track through the hard-fought reality of making those seven distinct blunders. Throughout the two years I chased him, and through all the mistakes I made, there was one theme that kept coming up (although I didn’t know it at the time) – the way I thought about this animal and myself was the very reason he escaped seven times over. A lot has been written about preparing for the tracker’s hunt. We prepare our body by getting in shape. We shoot our rifles at standing and moving targets. We might scout and put cameras out, and we might even hike some mountains on weekends to get our “sea legs” ready for the mountain terrain. However, the most important assets we have can so easily get overlooked – our mindset, and our
self-awareness. More Intensity is Not Better As a human behavior researcher (that’s what I do for a living), I understand when folks tell me this is one aspect of the tracking experience that I, of all people, should not overlook. But for nine long years (2006 – 2015), I never shot a buck in the big woods because I didn’t realize that my mind wasn’t up to the task to be successful. I saw bucks. I shot at big bucks and missed. I pushed big bucks all over those mountains, but connecting eluded me each year. Quit is not in my name, so I had the “persistence” part down solid. I was certainly in great physical condition, too. I am a pretty good shot. Yet, I couldn’t buy a buck in those big hills up north. Somewhere in my experience with that
one big ridge runner in 2014 and 2015, I began to understand that I was a bit of a mess when I tracked. As a youth, whenever I encountered a challenge or struggle, I was required by my circumstances to hit the challenge head on. I didn’t grow up with “safe spaces” or helicopter parents. I knew only one way – struggle and overcome with intensity. You’d think this attitude would be beneficial in the tracking woods, and in some ways it was and continues to be. I caught up to big deer more than the average tracker, but I blew it every time because I didn’t know how to slow down, and – more importantly – how to calm down inside. I looked at tracking as if it were a fight, and in doing so, my tracking experiences became emotionally painful failures. It was
The author made seven different errors while tracking the big buck that carried these antlers. As a result, the author never harvested this buck -- he just recovered these sheds. However, the whitetail taught him valuable lessons on getting into the right mindset to be a successful tracker in the years to follow.
only when I began realizing that the forest was reflecting my own mental struggles back at me, that my failure streak ended. Lose the Anxiety and Stress In 2016 I realized this flaw in my mental game. One morning I consciously decided to mentally relax (while
continuing to be physically alert and persistent), and in less than three hours after this mindset change, I watched the buck lie down in his bed and I shot him. I’ve had success in the big woods ever since. Being aware of (Big Woods World continued on page 27)
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Patience is Key When Stand-Hunting Whitetails It had been a cold day, to say the least. The temperature never got above 20 degrees. My toes hurt and my body shivered, but my mind was sharp. I hadn’t seen a deer all day, yet I remained confident as darkness rapidly approached rapidly. With just 10 minutes of legal light remaining, a solid two or three year old buck appeared about 75 yards to my left. The wind was good and he was walking slowly toward an opening. I’d have
Having tagged out on a small buck, the author climbed down from his tree stand, only to hear the snort of a much larger buck. “With no buck tag remaining,” he writes, “I was forced to watch the old buck walk around me and continue on its way. A little patience on my part would have resulted in a chance at a 130-class buck.” my chance if I desired. By the time the buck got to my shooting lane, I had already decided not to shoot. His body was definitely under 200 pounds, and his rack was good but nothing I would mount, likely in the
120” range. Still, it was fulfilling to see a decent buck after sitting all day in the cold. I quickly snapped a few seconds of video as he was slipping out of sight. Sometimes, encounters like that feel nearly as good as
killing a good buck. At 52 years old, I’ve becoming more patient. That will bring more success in time. I Wasn’t Always Patient Even in my twenties when I was beginning to shoot older
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bucks, I wasn’t very patient. There’s no way I’d have sat in a stand all day if I wasn’t seeing deer. Normally, I’d sit for an hour or two, get bored, and get down to “scout.” Sometimes a scouting mission would bring me to fresh sign and I’d sit for another couple of hours, only to move again when deer didn’t show up. Behavior like this undoubtedly cost me more opportunities at good bucks, rather than putting them on my game pole. Sometimes patience in sitting at a spot would pay off with deer sightings, but more often than not I’d end up shooting a younger buck instead of waiting for a mature buck to show up. Once when hunting the early firearm (Continued on next page)
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������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • November 2021 • 25 (Continued from page 24)
season in CT, I had ten deer walk by my stand early in the morning. I was focused on putting meat in the freezer and shot two yearling bucks as they passed, following a group of does. As I got down from the stand, I heard a deer snort just 30 yards from my stand. A much larger buck was on the same path the two younger bucks and does had followed. With no buck tag remaining, I was forced to watch the old buck walk around me and continue on
his way toward the group of does. A little patience on my part would have resulted in a chance at a 130 class buck – certainly a fine specimen for Connecticut. Easier to be Patient if you are Warm Sometimes it was the cold weather that’d drive me from a stand. Technology has certainly helped me fight the urge to leave when feet and hands get cold. I’m a firm believer in layers today and whenever possible, I carry hand warmers, foot warming electric soles by Thermacell
and extra outerwear when I know temps won’t climb above freezing. Wearing multiple layers on a long walk to a stand is a no-no, so carrying a good sized pack is also important. When I have the electric warming soles in my boots, I don’t turn them on until late in the day. The slight bump in temperature they provide is enough to get me through at the end of a long day,
rather than being frustrated and fidgety. Though technology like the electric insoles is important, it’s also the increased knowledge of what to wear that’s kept me comfortable. When I was a youngster, cotton t-shirts, sweatshirts and cotton socks probably ruined more hunts for me than anything. No number of cotton layers will keep hunters warm if they’ve been sweating
and it’s below freezing. Poly base layers are a go-to now, as are wool and wool blends. Outer layers of Thinsulate and wind-stopping fabric help a hunter last much longer when their skin is dry. Avoiding Mental Boredom How many times have I thought about past hunts while sitting in a stand? How many prayers have (Big Game continued on page 27)
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26 • November 2021 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
Redemption In 2019, I shot my first deer after six years of no luck. It was a nice 8-point, 154lb. buck, but I made a poor shot and didn’t find the deer until the next day with the help of a tracking dog. The buck was still alive, and I had to shoot it again. It was very emotional for me. I always thought my first deer would be a happy, proud moment, but instead I felt a bit ashamed, disappointed in myself and sad that I had caused the deer’s suffering. Last fall, I redeemed myself. Working Girl It was the first Friday of firearms season. I had hunted opening day and hadn’t seen a thing. I had also hunted that Monday and Wednesday before work – just until 7:15 a.m. so I could be to work by 8. I changed out of my camo clothes and into my work clothes in the parking lot of the office. I put my hunting clothes in a tote to keep them scent-free, locked my shotgun in the trunk and put my makeup on in the bathroom at work. This is a fairly common routine for me – I turkey hunt and duck hunt before work, too. I make a coffee and say, “Good morning” to my boss and coworkers, while unbeknownst to them, I’ve been up for four hours already, www.MaineSportsman.com
The night before the hunt, the author had watched a YouTube video by Blaine Cardilli. She followed Cardilli’s recommendations by using her deer call to grunt aggressively. Minutes later, she spotted a buck walking along the game trail toward her tree stand.
The author grunted in this 129-lb. 3-pointer during the opening week of firearm season last year. All photos by Christi Holmes
and sometimes have a dead turkey in a cooler in my car, or a duck in the fridge in the break room. By the Light of the Moon As I drove to Falmouth that Friday morning, I thought to myself that it was probably pointless to bother hunting when I only had an hour and a half, but I had to try. I arrived at my friend’s house, and walked the four-wheeler path in darkness, guided by the light of the waning full moon. A half-mile later, the footpath to the tree
stand appeared, and I activated the dim red bulb on my headlamp. When I reached the stand, I tied my shotgun to a rope, and secured my safety harness to the lineman’s rope that ran vertically up the tree. I ascended the climbing sticks slowly, sliding the slipknot attached to my harness up as I went. When I reached the tiny seat and foot platform of the hangon stand, I cautiously climbed onto it, and pushed the slipknot up as high as I could. Then I quietly hauled up the rope connected
to my shotgun, hand over hand, careful to not let it bang against the metal stand when it was close. Loading Up; Settling In I loaded a slug in the chamber of my Remington 870 and two more slugs into the magazine. My gun had a plug, since I used it for waterfowl, and I figured if I needed more than three slugs I had a problem. I took a deep breath and settled in. The stand was about 20 feet high, in a large maple tree. A game trail ran beneath
the stand; my friend called it his archery stand because the deer came so close. It was a pinchpoint on the property. I faced toward thick underbrush and a train track, and behind me was a relatively open forest bordered by a deep stream. There was about 150 yards of land between the stream and the tracks. Of course deer cross both of those features, but it was still a pinchpoint. It was 6:15 a.m., and a cool 50 degrees. The high called for 71, so I hoped the deer would be active while it was still cool. I had watched a YouTube video by Blaine Cardilli about grunting in bucks the night prior. I decided to follow his recommendation by trying a very aggressive grunting sequence. Antlers! Mere minutes after grunting, perhaps by coincidence or perhaps not, I turned around to check behind me and spotted a buck walking toward me along the game trail. I picked up my gun and turned toward the deer. Despite the fact that I was 50 yards away and 20 feet in the air, the buck sensed my movement, slowed, and turned off the game trail. It was now broadside. I lifted my shot(Continued on next page)
������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • November 2021 • 27
To get in position, you’ve got to be up and in your stand before sunrise. (Continued from page 26)
gun, aimed, and pulled the trigger. Bang! It felt like a good shot, right where I was aiming. But the buck turned around 180 degrees and took a
Although the buck was smaller than her 2019 deer, the author is prouder of this 2020 deer.
few steps in the opposite direction, broadside but now on the other side. I pumped the shotgun, ejecting the shell and loading another slug in the barrel. Had I missed? Wasn’t he supposed to run off? I aimed and
Big Woods World (Continued from page 23)
our mind is just as important as any other aspect of the tracking art. If you find yourself struggling, and you know you’ve got all the other pieces of the puzzle solved, you might take a seat, look inside yourself, and let your stress and anxiety drift away. I guarantee that after doing so, you will not only find the hunt much more enjoyable, but you will find more success too. Good luck, everyone! Hal’s Thoughts Mark is absolutely correct about having your mind prepared to be a
Big Game (Continued from page 25)
I said? How many bird songs have a tried to identify? Thousands? Millions? There are myriad ways I try to stay mentally sharp while on stand. Admittedly, I try to solve the world’s problems. I think back on old friendships, and about family members who’ve passed on. I’ve even told myself jokes so funny I’ve laughed out loud, acciden-
shot again. Bang! The buck turned and slowly walked away from me. What the heck?! My aim felt good. Had I missed twice at 50 yards broadside?! I only had one slug left!
This photo shows the contents of the author’s freezer following her successful hunt.
Then the buck turned again and started wavering back and forth, and I knew I had made a good shot. He lay down, and remained motionless. I couldn’t believe it. After six years of being unsuccessful,
then finally getting my first deer after a restless 16-hour ordeal, this hunt seemed too easy. I texted my boss and told him I would be late.
¶
tracker. In fact, the statement that I have used when talking tracking is “the biggest part of tracking is played in your mind.” Mark is also right that most people don’t realize it. I answer literally thousands of questions each year from aspiring new trackers to the ones who’ve achieved tracking success, but no one has ever asks me how to prepare your mind for the job. Hunters are so eager to get out there and chase a buck around because they have read many books and articles on tracking, that they overlook this key principle. It’s been a long time since I started on my tracking quest, and I don’t remember how and when I realized
the importance of the mind game, but it took me seven years to kill my first buck tracking. Granted, I had no one to show me the ropes and answer the questions, so it was a struggle. Then on that fateful day back in 1987, everything seemed to come together, and I shot that first buck while tracking. It was almost as though a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. From that that day on, I shot my buck year after year, and it almost seemed easy. That’s when I knew my mind was prepared to be a tracker. Good luck on the trail!
tally spooking deer I didn’t see coming. Fighting off a day that’s seen no deer walk by is difficult for many. Getting past the boredom is often vital to success. I find my snacks (raw cashews) and a large bottle of water, helpful in getting me through long days. Unfortunately, the movement associated with eating or drinking is something hunters must keep to a minimum while stand hunting.
This is where mental toughness comes into play. Keeping a mind sharp is helped by clean eating, drinking and in overall happiness. Just like with professional athletes, we can find ourselves “off our game” when life gets in our heads, if we’re sick or hung over. During deer season, I’ve found meditation helpful...just don’t close your eyes when doing it!
¶
¶
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28 • November 2021 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
Small Alterations Won’t Bedevil Tradition The call rang through as surprising as it was appreciated. Noted Massachusetts-based outdoor writer Mike Roche telephoned to say that he planned to forego his annual month of bird hunting in New York State, and instead would explore grouse and woodcock habitats in Vermont and New Hampshire this year. Mike suggested that we get together somewhere for a “gentleman’s hunt” afFins & Furs Adventures
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Non-lead shot-shell pellets can’t be too hard, can’t be too brittle, and should ideally create a pattern similar to that of lead shot. The author favors a bismuth-tin mix as the most satisfying upland recipe, with the tin content approaching six percent. ter researching some prospective terrain. Pleased and flattered by his invitation, I stood to spout an excited “Yes!” into the landline. We talked another half hour, as wing-shooters do, about dogs, bird covers, shotguns, and absent friends. We
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discovered that we each prefer shooting the smaller shotgun gauges these days. Smaller bores seem to fit our joint sense of “fair chase.” And in my case, the lighter gauges fit my desire to avoid a lot of recoil, or my reluctance to carry a lot of artillery through the woods. Not knowing when Mike’s call to action might come propelled me to thinking about the details of my own response to a “gentleman’s hunt.” Anyone who reads The Shooter’s Bench understands that we hold
the 16-gauge with a special reverence, but in this case, something said to step it down a notch. The conversation about fair chasing beautiful birds, and an awareness that the larder has few requirements, set me to thinking of a nice, handy 20-gauge. A couple of days later, the idea of trying an ammunition experiment popped up. Poison Control Thirty years ago, in 1991, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service banned the use of lead shot for taking migratory
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waterfowl, including ducks, brants, geese, swans and coots. As with many controversies, this Federal mandate (there’s that word again) set the firearms and ammunition industries scrambling to design and develop workable and acceptable alternatives to lead. Like other controversial shooting tools such as sound suppressors and holographic sights, non-toxic shot has come a long way since it first hit the market just before the ban on lead went into effect. Today numerous lead alternatives including steel, steel-copper alloys, bismuth, tungsten, and bismuth-tungsten-tin mixes are available and are embraced by hunters without complaint. Concern for our environment remains paramount, and interest in non-toxic shooting has spread like ripples on a duck marsh. Today the use of non-toxic components has extended far beyond the marshes, and even reaches projectile designs for other types of hunting, where copper and polymers are starting to squeeze the lead out of bullets. In the uplands, away from the water(Continued on next page)
������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • November 2021 • 29 (Continued from page 28)
fowl routes, each season sees increasing uses of non-toxic shotshells. Whether by regulation, policy, or personal preference, upland hunters have joined waterfowlers in the use of lead substitutes, especially where shooters congregate in large numbers. Many sporting clays facili-
ties face lead abatement projects, or are considering them. Several state legislatures have lead abatement, regulation, or prohibition on the agenda, or are debating lead use statutes already. Some sporting camps and hunting lodges are trying to stay ahead of the issue by acting on their own
to regulate the use of lead on their properties. Seems this might be a good time to get to know something about lead substitutes. Cautious Optimism All types of shotshells and cartridges
have come a long way since 1991. To borrow a phrase from that time, this is not your father’s ammunition. However, each of these products differs, and none perform exactly as lead has done for
generations. They are substitutes, not clones. Some have issues that must be taken into account. This season presents some challenges for any kind of ammu(Continued on next page)
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Shooter’s Bench (Continued from page 29)
nition experiments. Every type of civilian ammunition remains in short supply, and that includes 20-gauge non-toxic shotshells. The search for shells requires some dedication. Beyond the supply challenges, the use of steel shot and even copper-plated steel remains questionable in older shotguns. I rule that out in the older, fixed-choke guns I shoot. That leaves the more expensive bismuth or tungsten-tin alloys as better, safer options. The next issue to overcome, or at least be familiar with, is variations in velocity and shot patterns with
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non-toxic pellets. An old favorite scattergun may not perform as expected with substitute shot on board. Fair chase is one thing, but some practice with a patterning target and clay pigeons will help avoid disappointments in the field. The experiment thus far points toward a bismuth-tin mix as the most satisfying upland recipe. Tin helps to harden the bismuth and make it less brittle and less likely to fragment as it leaves the barrel. The experts recommend an alloy approaching six percent tin. Three percent or less tin still leaves the pellets susceptible to breakage and,
Non-toxic alternatives to lead shot are growing in popularity, but caution should be used when loading alternatives into older shotguns like this 1977 Ruger Red Label. Photo: JC Allard
therefore, less lethal at their business. Getting Out The halcyon days of October have
slipped away, but bird seasons continue to run through the bare days of November and on past Christmas. The experiment con-
tinues. With a wary eye out for birds and deer hunters, the gentlemen keep hunting.
¶
������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • November 2021 • 31
Bring On the Snow! by Steve Carpenteri
Safety courses coordinated by the state include instruction on snowmobile operation and maintenance, laws, personal safety, ethics, map-and-compass, winter survival, and first aid. Maine’s November deer hunters and snowmobile enthusiasts have at least one thing in common – we’re all waiting for that first real serious snowfall of the year. Global warming aside, we normally expect to see a good tracking snow blanket the ground in time for Thanksgiving, if not shortly thereafter. Either way you slice it, winter is on the way in the North Country. All we can do at this point is watch and wait. Meanwhile, sled owners across the state have been busy
taking care of routine maintenance, registrations, beginner training, safety precautions and trip planning – all the things that, combined, ensure a safe and enjoyable season on the trail. Registration Registration fees provide the funding to build Maine’s extensive trail system and help support the clubs and volunteers who provide the critical work to maintain those trails. Maine residents may renew a snowmobile registration
online; however, new registrations must be done through a registration agent such a town office or the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife’s headquarters in Augusta. Non-residents may register or renew a snowmobile registration online. Following the transaction, applicants will receive a confirmation page to print for immediate use. The official registration and stickers will arrive at the shipping address specified within 30 days. Registrations may
Ride on established trails in a group for a safe and enjoyable ride. Here, riders travel near Coburn Mountain, near Parlin Pond Lodge. Photo by Al Swett, Maine Snowmobile Association
also be obtained from licensing agents or by mail. For additional information log onto mefishwildlife.com or call (207) 287-8000. There is still plenty of time to get sleds registered before the first flakes begin to fly! Safety Courses A snowmobile education course teach-
Ride Maine’s High Mountains & Lakes Region
(Continued on next page)
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Snowmobiling (Continued from page 31)
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proper operation and safety, including riding skill, equipment knowledge, and maintenance. Also covered are such topics as Maine snowmobile laws, emergencies and winter survival, mapand-compass techniques, self-help first aid, and environmental/landowner ethics. New course schedules will be posted as they become available. Contact the Recreational Safety Division Office at (207) 2875220. When registering either by telephone or email, include your full name, telephone number, and which course, date and location you are applying for. The Ethical Approach Snowmobilers are coming under increasing scrutiny by landowners and law enforcement, as the number of accidents and ethical violations continue to rise each winter. Landowners who
exclude riders by posting their land tend to take that action for a predictable reasons – disputes with neighboring landowners, resentment at having to pay high property taxes, and fear of responsibility or liability if someone gets hurt (unwarranted, since state laws protect landowners who allow access to their property). Other reasons for limiting access include trespassing (traveling off the established trails without authorization); littering (including illegal dumping); land abuse (such as damage from vehicles, or unauthorized cutting of trees), excessive noise, illegal hunting (including driving deer, unlabeled stands or stands with supports hammered into trees, as well as baiting, poaching, or shooting too close to a dwelling), Landowners also withhold access if riders show a lack of ap(Continued on next page)
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������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • November 2021 • 33 (Continued from page 32)
preciation, or if other riders witnessing law violations fail to report those violations. Keep in mind that trails are a series of links across private property, so even if a single landowner is given good reason to close off access, this action can cause an entire section of trail to be posted or closed, ruining the fun for everyone. Ethical behavior is every rider’s responsibility. Maine’s Trail System Over 2,000 businesses in Maine support snowmobilers all winter long, Riders using the ITS (interconnected trail system) will find: • accommodations • dining; • fuel;
• snowmobile sales and rentals, repairs and parts; • guide services; and • local updates on trail conditions. Riders are encouraged to take advantage of Maine’s growing community of snowmobiling hubs, where meals, lodging, rentals and guide service are available in one location. Registered sled rental operators also offer snowmobiles and equipment plus operator and safety instruction, along with guided trail excursions. For more information, log onto the website of the Maine Snowmobile Association (MeSnow.com) or the MDIFW’s website, at mefishwildlife.com. Ride right, ride safe!
¶
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34 • November 2021 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
More Log Lore In the April, 2021 edition of The Maine Sportsman, I highlighted some gems from the first decadeand-a-half of log entries for our family camp on Trio Ponds in Northern NH. The 1970s and ’80s saw the camp transition from being an open-door club-type of camp with tons of visitors who both partied hard and played hard, to a more family-oriented, serene getaway. A few things stayed constant, however. Just about every entry mentions 1) an elaborate meal, usually of steak, brook trout, and/or seafood; 2) benign commentary on the weather; 3) descriptions of a variety of raucous card games; and 4) maintaining the firewood pile and completing small projects. In the margin of every excerpt appear two lines of numbers. The first is the score of the Red Sox game, as heard through the radio static. The second, circled number is that of the total brook trout landed, reminding the reader that, above all else, it is a fishing camp. Below are some of the more fun excerpts with a bit of commentary: May 30, 1970 “Fish were infrequent except for the ones Spence got with his grenades.” www.MaineSportsman.com
2021), the deer herd was devastated and took about a decade to rebound. November 1970, ’71, and ’72 saw a similarly worded entry. This was the last “deer week” they held at camp.
Above all other purposes, the writer’s camp was built to be a fishing camp. The log book shows incredible tallies of brook trout, like the haul seen here by the writer’s great-grandfather and company.
Though this was a known method of oldtime fish poachers, I believe this to be sarcasm. At least I hope so, given the frequent visits to the camp by the friendly self-described “fish cop,” Game Warden Arthur Muise (see below). May 24, 1972 Routine Patrol at Trio. Checked 3 at 14 ½. Not anyone around Trio. More boats than trees around this camp. Still 2-3 feet of snow in road in places. It’s a pleasure to see such a clean and well-kept camp. Hope you have a good year fishing. Ye Old Fish Cop will be looking in on you from time to time. (Just to earn my pay—not that you need watching.) -- A. Muise Here are some notes on different mishaps of camp life. Oct. 10, 1970 Merle caught his
limit. Pooge had his on, but it was one of those large ones that got away…. Caught two birds on trail to Second Pond. Tried to get both with one shot. Got neither. Didn’t have to clean them. June 30. 1971 Dad and I were out for an hour and a half and all we hooked was each other. Sept. 4, 1971 Someone knocked over the bucket of eggs and cheese cooling in the spring house—all fell into the spring. Big job for Dick and Jim to clean mess out of spring. Pump didn’t work, so they emptied it out by hand by the bucketful. Started with 10 qt bucket, lost it, then used 12 qt bucket. Oh, the blisters! BandAids on nearly every finger! Never did get the eggs, but got the cheese out.
Oct. 8, 1971 Monrad went fishing and I was working on the porch when I heard a crackling. Opened the door and saw flames up the back of the stove into ceiling! Ran to lake for pail of water and extinguished the inferno. What a mess. Burned hole through outside of camp. May 28, 1982 Brent opened a bottle of champagne and put the cork thru the insulation over the table! ***** Here is a running joke for whichever masculine man ends up doing the camp chores: Sept. 5, 1971 Dick made breakfast again. He’ll make someone an awful good wife someday! After the famous winter of ’69 (see log excepts in T.M.S. April
Nov. 22, 1972 No deer again this year. But lots of sleep and plenty to eat. A big part of camp is introducing youngsters to the outdoors. Here are some entries regarding the father-son bond and learning process. Sept. 4, 1973 Dad took the boys out target shooting, even little AJ, too. May 5, 1976 Adam progressing in his attempt to learn to fly-fish. Wish I could say the same for his rowing—I get dizzy going around and around in circles. June 22, 1978 Jim picked up 2 fish, but “Ding Dong” Brian tried to fill the bucket with water while the fish was in it. Result: No fish. June 23, 1979 Up to 3rd Pond. Jim picked up 7 for breakfast. Brian managed to catch his rod tip about a dozen times!! When the camp was built, Fish and Game was still backpacking fish in to stock the remote pond. As time went on, their methods changed, though. (Continued on next page)
������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • November 2021 • 35 (Continued from page 34)
May 26, 1982 Brian got a 16 ½” trout—Beauty! While sipping coffee, heard a helicopter, which followed the valley up from 14 and a Half, and dropped its fish over toward Forest Home and Beaton’s camp. A few other scattered entries of note. May 28, 1973 Had an earthquake during the evening. Centered near Newport, VT. 4.4 on the Richter Scale. July 5, 1979 Really cold today, about 48 degrees.
The author’s father, Brian Emerson, and his uncle, Kevin Emerson, circa 1970.
Wind blowing most of the time and cold. This is not July weather! Thank heavens for
wood stoves.
May 17, 1980 Fish really hopping
Camp is where skills are passed down from one generation to the next. Here, the writer’s grandfather Jim teaches firearms skills to the writer’s uncle AJ, in the early 1970s.
tonight. Put one in the well to help keep clean. OK, Readers – What are some of your
iconic camp log entries?
¶
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Hunting Deer from a Stand It’s the little details that count. The author gets to his ground blind in the pre-dawn hours. Before sitting down, arranges all his gear, using the red lens on his flashlight. He places a water bottle next to his seat, rakes away any leaves from the area, adjusts branches so he can clearly see the dripper/ scrape area, and then, when legal hunting time arrives, he slowly and quietly loads his rifle. These days I find most of my deer hunting is done from a stand or ground blind. In the past I’ve tracked deer and still-hunted, but my hunting techniques evolved over time. During my years of hunting, I slowly came to the realization that I wasn’t a very effective deer tracker. And as I aged, I found I couldn’t physically do what I needed to stay on a track hour after hour, day after day. I had such a love of deer hunting, however, that I didn’t want to stop, so I found another way to get it done – stand hunting. Through stand hunting, I discovered a way to help me to continue to keep bringing home the venison.
My father taught me how to hunt deer by sitting on a stand downwind of where two deer trails crossed. We lived in Michigan, and the large numbers of deer in that state allowed us to successfully hunt this way. There were so many deer around that we didn’t need to track them – they came to us. This kind of hunting offered great opportunities for taking a well-fed deer in the agricultural areas in the middle of Michigan’s lower peninsula. We were fairly successful, but I needed to tweak our methods slightly for hunting the sparse deer populations in the big woods of Maine.
Maine White-tailed Deer When I stand-hunt for white-tailed deer in Maine, I focus on scrapes rather than trails. I locate an area that allows me to set up a blind of some sort, downwind of a wellused scrape. Whitetailed deer use scrapes year round, but really increase their scraping activity starting in late in October, when their hormones get them stirred up for the upcoming breeding season that usually peaks mid-November. I like to hang a dripper from the Wildlife Research Center (wildlife.com) with scent they call “Active Scrape” over an existing scrape, or make a mock scrape of my own in an area with plenty
This big buck track near the author’s stand dwarfs a huge .45/70 Marlin cartridge. William Clunie photo
of deer sign. Then I set up a blind at least fifty yards downwind of the scrape so I can see a buck coming to the scrape if it approaches from the downwind side (they almost always do). I prefer a simple ground blind – sometimes nothing more than sitting in the middle of a downed evergreen or beechnut tree that has leaves
Wildlife Quiz Answers: Spruce Grouse 1. The range of the Spruce Grouse includes the evergreen forests of Canada and northern and western North America. 2. The Spruce Grouse looks similar in physical appearance to a barnyard chicken. 3. The coloration on the male Spruce www.MaineSportsman.com
Grouse that makes it distinctive is a red eyebrow comb. 4. No, Spruce Grouse are not legal to hunt in Maine. 5. The Spruce Grouse feeds almost exclusively on the needles of fir, spruce, and pine but will also eat other vegetation, including buds, leaves, berries,
clinging to the branches, just enough to hide me if I have to move a little. I have a nice lightweight but comfy seat that I carry in and set in the middle of the blind. I make the blind “better” by cutting off or tying in extra branches where needed. I like to be concealed enough so I can stand up to stretch (Continued on next page)
(Quiz on Page 22)
seeds, and woody plants and small insects. 6. Spruce Grouse nest from May to early July. 7. The female Spruce Grouse typically lays 4-7 eggs. 8. The average lifespan of a Spruce Grouse is 5-6 years.
������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • November 2021 • 37 (Continued from page 36)
my legs; therefore, I take the time to build up the blind enough to cover slight movements on my part. I also make sure to clear the forest floor in a large swath of where I’ll be sitting. I want to be able to stand up and turn around in complete silence. I bring in a lawn rake with me and groom the last hundred yards of the path into the blind, snipping off any branches that might cause noise as I come and go to and from the blind during the initial set-up.
Details That Count Mature bucks are wired to detect any variation in the woods they call home. I like to use a scent-eliminating spray on the area when I’m done setting it up. Then, when I’m refilling the dripper with scent, or hunting, I make sure to wash my clothes in a scent-eliminating soap, and then spray everything with the same scent-eliminating product to increase my chances of going undetected by the sensitive nose of the buck. I take a shower with scent-eliminating
soap/shampoo before each hunt, and go one step further by also using some kind of cover scent when I sit down to hunt, like a doe-inheat scent if it’s near the rut. Be sure to wear rubber boots when walking in to the blind, to eliminate leaving a scent trail. Walk in slowly so as to not work up a sweat that can put human scent into the air. I like wearing merino wool longjohns, because they don’t absorb odor like some synthetic underwear I have used in the past.
They retain warmth even if they get wet, and wool outerwear stays quiet even in thick brush. I chew spruce gum to cover up my breath ... humans release quite a lot of scent into the air from breathing. I also dig a little hole in the earth to use if I have to urinate. I sprinkle loose dirt over top of the hole and then spray it with the scent-eliminating product to hide any scent. When I sit down to hunt, I make sure to arrange everything first, before actually
sitting down. I will, with a red lens on my flashlight, set a water bottle right next to my seat, scrape away any leaves from the area, adjust branches to view the dripper/ scrape area, and then slowly and quietly load my rifle when the legal time arrives. If I do everything right and take care of these final details, I have a better chance of dropping a big buck. Good luck to all, no matter what method you use to hunt your trophy this season.
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The Trials and Tribulations of Living in the North Maine Woods In my presentation titled “Challenges of Wilderness Living,” I discuss the tests and risks people must overcome while living in the deep woods. One such example is attributed to Henry and Alice Taylor, owners of the Taylor Sporting Camps in T15R12. Born in 1895, Henry Taylor went to the Allagash at an early age. Described as tall and strong, and as a man who referred to his own forearm and fist as ‘The Hammer,” he worked as a guide, trapper, game warden and pilot, eventually passing away in 1984 at the age of 89. His sporting camps were built at a time of rock-stump strewn tote roads, portage trails, and river log drives. His tale of survival occurred in November of 1983. The ground was frozen, and a northeast snowstorm was predicted.
1982 – Henry and Alice Taylor at their camp. T. Caverly Collection
But he had a red Farmall Cub tractor. One fall, many years before Henry had brought the tractor to his camps to use for mowing fields, hauling wood, and other odd jobs. But there wasn’t a road to his camp, which meant the tractor had to be driven across the normally-deep Allagash. Not wanting to drown his tractor, Henry waited for low water, and safely drove the tractor to camp. There, the woodsman used it during the spring, summer and fall, storing it in a barn during winters. But with November came the prediction of heavy snow, which meant it was time to put the tractor away. But 88-year-old Henry found he had a problem. The tractor had a dead battery, and www.MaineSportsman.com
His leg broken, Henry was strapped to a litter, which in turn was secured to the thwarts of a canoe. But Henry was not the type of person to remain immobilized for long. thus it wouldn’t start. And the machinery was 50 feet from the barn. The nearest farm store was in Fort Kent, 60 miles away, and it was unlikely he could get to town and return before the storm hit. Using the resources at his disposal, Henry grabbed his peavey and, using a lever-and-fulcrum method, he began wrenching the equipment towards winter shelter. Partway to the barn, the peavey slipped, and Henry fell, slamming his leg onto a mound of frozen dirt.
Allagash lumbermen holding peaveys in 1940s. T. Caverly Collection
Fearing he’d broken his leg, Henry limped to camp, where he and Alice wrapped a poultice from a slab of salt pork around the quickly-swelling purple sore. Through experience Henry had learned that salt pork was a good remedy for preventing a wound from becoming infected. Two days later, nearby Michaud Farm Ranger Lee Hafford noticed that he hadn’t seen Henry lately, and so checked on the neighbor. When he arrived, Lee found Henry sitting inside, with the salt pork still bound to his leg. Recognizing the injury as a probable broken leg, Lee called for the Allagash Village ambulance.
Since there wasn’t a road near the Taylor camps, the rescue crew parked on the west side of the river, loaded a wooden stretcher onto a canoe, and poled the craft 100 feet to the opposite shore. Once at the scene, they strapped Henry onto a litter, and secured the litter onto the thwarts of the canoe. Following her stretchered husband toward the waiting canoe, Alice allegedly hollered, “Just throw him into the river; he’ll come out at the bridge in Allagash Village.” The village was about 15 miles to the north. Once Henry was admitted to the Fort Kent Hospital and Alice was safe at a house in the village, Ranger Lee Hafford returned to his daily patrol. Three days later, canoeing to Allagash Falls, Lee noticed smoke coming from Henry’s chimney. Beaching his canoe at the Taylor Camp landing, Lee was surprised to find Henry’s canoe already there. Entering the camp, he found Henry sitting at the kitchen table holding a pair of pliers. Lee inquired why the old woodsman had returned, and Henry answered, “After lying in the hospital, I thought about all the work that needed to be done before winter. So while the nurses were busy, I got up, put on my clothes, walked to my truck, and drove back to the river. Finding my canoe as I left it, I poled back across to the landing and got a fire going while I was attending to business.” “And what was that business?” Lee inquired. “Why,” Henry surprised at such trivial question, answered, “I have to put the tractor away. But first I gotta break this cast off, cause by the holy sailor, I can’t do any work with this thing on my leg.” A short time later, Ranger Hafford returned to the Taylor Camps with a battery and helped Henry store the tractor. Henry and Alice’s stone may be found in the St. Francis cemetery with the inscription Mr. and Mrs. Allagash. Tim Caverly has authored ten books about Maine’s northern forest.
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Fire Starters Grandfather used kerosene. He had a tin cup hanging on a nail in the hallway between the kitchen and the shed. After he’d laid his kindling and wood chips in the Queen Atlantic, he took down the cup and stepped out into the woodshed, where a 55-gallon barrel of kerosene was set up on sawhorses. He turned the spout and drew off a cup of fluid. Back in the kitchen, he poured the kero on the kindling, struck a match against the stove top, and tossed it into the firebox. In a few minutes, Gramps had his coffee perking on the stove. I have no idea how many years he had been using this method to light his morning fire. But Gramps didn’t fool around. Birch Bark – Great Kindling I think of Gramps nowadays when I read a column in an outdoor magazine about all the various ways to start a fire. Everyone knows or should know that being able to start and keep a fire is a key to survival, and could ultimately save your life. Warden pilots say they can spot smoke from a campfire almost as soon as they are airborne. In his own way, Gramps was surviving too. He knew what worked and what was convenient and cheap. I grew up using
crumpled newspaper or birch bark as fire starters. Birch bark is easily obtained and never fails, except you sometimes need a long-burning match to get it lit. Peeling the bark thin and shredding it helps get things going. When we light the old Jotul at the camp, we use birch bark. We’re careful to always have enough bark tucked into a galvanized bucket beside the woodstove. Alternatives Can Be Dangerous But there was one time I tried Gramps’ fire-starting method, and it nearly killed us. The problem was I didn’t use kerosene. No – I used white gas, and that was a serious mistake. It’s a short story. We’d been canoeing all day in the rain on the Machias River. By late afternoon, we hauled out on a sandy beach and set up our soggy tents. The rain was relentless. We needed a fire desperately, not only for warmth and drying wet gear, but for morale, which was about a low as a snake’s belly. Everyone was grumpy and short tempered. Time for a campfire. The guys gathered dry dead limbs and twigs, and I dug out my stash of birch bark and laid up the teepee fire. They held a tarp slant-
wise over me and the fire. I struck a match and held it to the birch bark and waited for it to light, but no luck. I tried again. And again. Everything was just so damp, not even the birch bark would light. That’s when I remembered Grandfather, and went after our Coleman lantern. I tipped that up and drizzled Coleman fuel over the sticks. “Gee, I sure hope this works,” one of the guys said, as water dripped off our hat brims. I struck another match and it flared out. Rats! Tried another. Too damp. Wouldn’t light. I crouched down close to the fire and scratched another match. VAROOM! The air exploded, and a wave of flame encircled our feet. “Get back!” “What was that?” “Anyone hurt?” “Nope, don’t think so.” How It Happened You see, the white gas fumes are heavier than air, and all the while I was fumbling around striking match after match, the fumes spread out over the ground and around our feet. We were lucky none of us caught on fire. We were soaking wet anyway, and I believe that saved us. After the shock of the explosion, I looked down at the fire and son-of-a-gun, the wood was burning! I added
The author’s Jotul woodstove, lighted with the aid of birch bark. Photo by Mhanat Nojor Go, of Scarborough
some bigger branches, and we watched as the fire grew stronger and began to give off heat. Our soaking pants started to steam. Test of Skill It’s a test of a woodsman’s skill to get a campfire going in the rain. Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts practice lighting fires in the rain. Junior Maine Guides pass a test called the Wet Day Fire. Maine Guides make their own never-fail fire starters. Egg cartons filled with sawdust and melted wax light easily and burn a long time. Newspaper rolled up tightly, tied with string, and dipped in parafin wax also works well. I like Vaseline rubbed into a cotton ball and folded up into a square of tinfoil. It’s hard to beat a
good old wax candle for getting a smudge going. There are, of course, many other kinds of fire starters, and I suspect they all work, more or less, depending on the skill of the fire maker. I sometimes wonder at the tragedy of Geraldine Largay, an Appalachian Trail hiker whose body was recovered in 2014, and how she apparently tried to start a fire but was not successful, for reasons we can only guess at. These days, I feel pretty confident using birch bark. I know if Gramps had to start a campfire when we were ice fishing or for toasting our sandwiches, he’d use birch bark too, but only because he didn’t have access to any kerosene.
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www.MaineSportsman.com
40 • November 2021 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
We’re a Nation of Hunters Based on his observations during a coast-to-coast drive, the author concludes that hunting is an important thread of the fabric that creates our national identity. Every American should drive across the continental U.S. at least once in their life. It’s difficult to grasp the vast distance involved, the abundance of the natural landscape, and the different types of Americans that inhabit the country, without seeing it first-hand. The best window seat in a passenger jet can’t provide the same experience. In fact, an automobile may be too fast. It would be great to do it on a bicycle someday. I had a chance to make that drive with my daughter this fall. We stayed on a northern route and stuck to secondary roads – similar to Maine’s iconic East/West corridor, Route 2. We carcamped along the way, and stopped frequently in small towns, at historical sites and public squares. Our early-fall trip caught me in the middle of planning for a moose hunt scheduled for the first week of the season in Maine’s Zone 4. And all across the country we ran into folks who were gearing up for their own fall hunting. We found reminders everywhere that America is a nation of hunters. www.MaineSportsman.com
Bears and Bowstrings Camo caps were already on abundant display in New Hampshire and Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom area. The Granite State’s archery opener for deer was only a few days away. And signs on every corner store welcomed hunters as customers. After our first night of camping in the Adirondacks of upstate NY, a yearling bear barreled across the road in front of the car. He was so fat that it almost impeded his speed. We mentioned the sighting when we stopped for coffee a few miles later, and fell into a debate about the ethics of baiting with a few local breakfast customers. The male population appeared to be in favor of the tactic, while the women were generally opposed. We got our coffee and hit the road before things got heated. In Ohio, the roadside advertising on country ways was all about deer bait for sale. It’s legal to bait deer on private land in that state. And the statewide limit on deer is six animals per hunter. Groups of does were a common sight in roadside farm fields.
Woods Over Waters When we got to Michigan, I picked up a copy of Woodsn-Waters News, that state’s monthly publication equivalent to The Maine Sportsman. Even news about a new Great Lakes record Chinook Salmon (47.86 lbs.!), was overwhelmed by coverage of the upcoming hunting seasons. Deer are a big deal in Michigan. More than half a million hunters participate, harvesting more than 350,000 deer each year. At a historic lighthouse site along the shore of Lake Huron, I spoke with an older deer hunter who remembered trips to the Upper Peninsula back in the early fifties. He told me that before the bridge was completed over the Mackinaw Straits in 1957, hunters often waited in a line of cars for a place on the ferry that crossed the choppy expanse. Just before opening day of deer season, that line would sometimes stretch for 15 miles. New Terrain – Same Preoccupation By the time we got to the northern plains of North Dakota, the landscape changed dramatically. In the
The author and a huge Upper Peninsula buck, in Michigan. Grace Andrews photo
wide-open expanses, there was little cover that a Maine hunter would expect to harbor big game. But the archery season for pronghorns was already open. And it was common to see a pickup pulled off to the side of the road with a window-mounted spotting scope sticking out of the cab. The pronghorns being scouted were mere orange specks in the distant pastures. Mose of the species that drew Teddy Roosevelt and other early settlers to this vast North Dakota territory can still be hunted in lottery-regulated hunts. Elk, Bighorn Sheep and even moose permits are available, mostly to resident hunters. It’s impossible to drive across these huge open plains without imagining the massive bison herds that once roamed here.
Following Lewis and Clark We picked up the trail of the Lewis and Clark Expedition at the confluence of the Yellowstone and Missouri Rivers, in North Dakota, and followed it westward towards the Rocky Mountains. A rich hunting tradition blankets the entire region. We explored a state park near Missoula that featured petroglyph paintings by prehistoric native Americans. Game animals dominated the drawings created thousands of years ago. Even gentrified western towns cater to big-game hunters. We visited the Schnee Boots flagship store in downtown Bozeman, MT. Like much of new-age Bozeman, the updated store is all blonde wood furniture and dramatic lighting. (Self-Propelled continued on page 42)
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Clean Air is for the Birds Birds have a unique respiratory system that makes them especially susceptible to air pollution, says the author. Ground-level ozone and nitrogen oxides are powerful oxidants that can damage birds’ lungs. Bottom line? Cleaner air = more birds. It makes perfect sense, when you think about it. When we clean up our rivers, lakes and coastal waters, it helps the fish. Less pollution, less silt, better aquatic habitat. Less waste means more oxygen, which means better success with spawning and rearing young trout or salmon or stripers. Biologists have documented for years how the Clean Water Act has been beneficial for our fisheries, both freshwater and saltwater. What About The Air? So, wouldn’t it follow that when we reduce air pollution from cars, power plants and factories, the cleaner air will help birds? Fish are in the water, and birds are in the air. Simple. Recently, I saw an article in Living Bird magazine (thanks to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s website AllAboutBirds.org) that demonstrated the direct impact of air pollution on birds of all types. It was fascinating. Bottom line: cleaner air = more birds. Known Impacts There have been
reports over the years of how extreme incidents of air pollution have harmed birds. For example, a temperature inversion in Mexico City in 1986 caused a catastrophic die-off of birds, when toxic air pollution built up in cool air trapped under a layer of warm air. And we know how chemicals like DDT, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and hydrocarbons affect bird health and reproduction by accumulating in the food chain. When the widespread use of DDT and PCBs was discontinued, populations of eagles, ospreys and peregrine falcons bounced back. Everyday Pollution But our understanding of how “everyday” air pollution affects bird populations is more limited. It stands to reason that because common pollutants like nitrogen oxide (NOx), ground level ozone (O3), and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) affect human health, those pollutants would also affect bird populations. A December 2020 article in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
presented a convincing study of how air pollution affects bird abundance across many different species in locations across the United States. Cornell University scientists used “citizen data” of over 11 million bird sightings reported on the eBird mobile application from 2002 to 2016. They constructed a database that tracks month-over-month changes in bird abundance, air quality, and regulation status for 3,214 counties across the US over a 15-year time span. The team ran a statistical analysis of the effect of ground level ozone (O3) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) on relative bird abundance. They found that higher levels of ozone correlated very strongly with lower levels of bird abundance. They found no correlation with particulate matter. Bad vs. Good Ozone According to Maine Department of Environmental Protection, ground level ozone is caused by chemical reactions between nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in motor vehicle exhaust,
Maine’s familiar House Wren, like its cousin the Carolina Wren, eats spiders and insects that may contain high levels of mercury from air pollution. Photo credit: Don Faulkner, Wiki Commons
industrial emissions, gasoline vapors, chemical solvents, and natural sources. This socalled “bad ozone” that we breathe is not to be confused with “good ozone” high in the atmosphere that protects the earth from dangerous solar radiation. Ground-level ozone has been associated with human health problems, including chest pain, coughing and congestion. Ozone aggravates symptoms of bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma. Inhaling ground ozone also can reduce lung function and may permanently scar lung tissue. Birds have a unique respiratory system that makes them especially susceptible to air pollution. The air sacs in
their lungs allow them to breath in and out at the same time, with a higher breathing rate during flight. Ground-level ozone and nitrogen oxides are powerful oxidants that can cause inflammation and irreversible damage to birds’ lungs. Long-term exposure can lead to lung failure. Ozone also damages vegetation, which can reduce the birds’ food supply – both seeds and insects. The Cornell study team concluded that all of these impacts clearly reduce bird populations in areas of higher air pollution. Regulations Matter Most importantly, they found that reductions in nitrous oxide emissions (NOx) mandated by federal (Continued on next page) www.MaineSportsman.com
42 • November 2021 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
Sporting Environment (Continued from page 41)
and state regulations, particularly the US EPA’s NOx Budget Trading Program from 2003-2008, resulted in significant recovery of bird populations in areas where the NOx emissions were reduced. The authors estimate that the regulation of ozone has led to an additional 1.5 billion birds, about 20% of current populations in the United States!
Mercury Too We have known for years that mercury emissions from burning coal are deposited in our lakes, where the heavy metal builds up in the fish. Fish-eating birds, like loons and kingfishers, can get mercury poisoning that affects their nervous system, behavior and reproduction. A 2011 study in Virginia showed that mercury is also an is-
Self-Propelled (Continued from page 40)
But the iconic hand-made-in-Montana hunting boots are real. And so is the staff. I had a long conversation with one of the salespeople about his local elk hunting experience. He wants to try for moose in Maine. In the Bitterroot Mountains, along Montana’s western edge, stock trailers were parked at trailheads, and hunters on horseback worked their way along switchback trails into the high country for the first week of archery season on
sue for songbirds and other non-fish eating species. Scientists found high levels of mercury in Carolina wrens. Carolina wrens are known to eat lots of spiders. It turns out spiders eat other spiders, which eat bugs and dragonflies that eat more bugs, so mercury can build up in the food chain. It’s hard to think of a wren as a top predator, but for them, mercury pollution resulted in 34% lower nesting success. Whatever we can
Cornell University scientists have found that reducing ground level ozone pollution will increase populations of birds, like this Eastern Phoebe. Photo credit: Omaksimenko, Wiki Commons
do to reduce air pollution, especially reducing coal, oil and natural gas consumption,
elk. Over in Idaho, as we descended toward Oregon from the mountains at sunset, an immense mule deer buck stood serenely at the edge of the roadway. He rocked back his head, lifting his rack into the backlight of the sky as we passed by. Then, in Oregon, a group of a half dozen mule deer yearlings gathered around a roadside apple tree at midday. They bolted when we stopped the car and approached, but returned to the apples as we turned away.
will be a direct benefit to birds and the entire ecosystem.
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Abundance The sense of abundance is inescapable. Our game animals are public resources, not the private property of some lord or king. Much of the land those animals inhabit is held in trust for the public’s use. We have developed a hunting culture that preserves animal populations but permits fair chase of those animals for our own use and enjoyment. These are the types of things that a national identity is made of.
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— Trophy Gallery —
Twelve year old William McDonnell of Denmark tagged this 201lb., 13-point buck on October 24, 2020, using a .308. He was hunting with his dad, Dan McDonnell. www.MaineSportsman.com
Colby Kessler of New Hampshire continued his tradition of big deer on November 18, 2020 when he tagged this 240-lb. 8-point buck in T9 R7 WELS using a 30-30. The massive buck was registered at the Gateway Registration Station, in Ashland.
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Dirigo Search and Rescue – There When You Need Them When it comes to search and rescue, Dave Martin is a legend. A 52 year veteran of Dirigo Search and Rescue, and one of its original founders, Martin has devoted his life to rescuing those lost in Maine’s woods and on the state’s waters. Dirigo Search and Rescue is a non-profit volunteer SAR unit based in Orono. It has a division for adults, and another division for youth volunteers, ages 13 – 18. Martin notes that Dirigo responds to about a dozen searches annually statewide. Dave himself has been a part of a majority of those since Dirigo
Search and was founded.
Rescue
Lost vs. Rescue “You’ve got to make a distinction between ‘lost’ and ‘rescue,’” Martin said. “MDI Search and Rescue, for example, responds to a lot of rescue calls for people injured in Acadia National Park. And those are basically rescues that don’t require a search.” The members of Dirigo, however, see it all. The team is called to all corners of the state, and often travels to very remote areas for a rescue. “Most of the ones we respond to are searches, as opposed to rescues,” he elabo-
rated, “and obviously the searches generally wind up with a rescue.” Warden Service is Maine’s “Authority” Martin recently participated in an exchange of emails with Christopher Boyer, the director of the National Association for Search and Rescue. Through those communications, Martin learned that Maine is one of only 12 states to have a state search and rescue (SAR) authority. These authorities govern the way search and rescue teams are trained and used. In this state, the Maine Warden Ser-
Dirigo members recover capsized participants during this year’s Kenduskeag canoe race. Photos: Dirigo SAR
vice is the search and rescue authority, and search and rescue teams are called out only when the warden service requests it. Also according to National Director Boyer, Maine is a “well-respected SAR state.” Pandemic Results in Challenges During the current 18-month pandemic, Dirigo Search and Rescue has experienced some struggles. Without being able to actively recruit for the youth division, the process of encouraging potential future members came to a standstill. However, the adult division has remained
active, and has even gained a group of new members. “We’ve managed to maintain a pretty good turnout for searches,” Dave Martin confirmed. With a sudden spike in outdoor sporting activities due to the COVID pandemic, it’s more important than ever to have efficient and ever-ready search and rescue services available. It makes sense that the increased number of outdoors-people recreating in the woods and waters will result in an increase in incidents in which an injured or lost individual will need assistance and guidance.
¶
Dave Martin, one of Dirigo SAR’s founders and a 52-year veteran of the all-volunteer search and rescue team. www.MaineSportsman.com
44 • November 2021 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
Always Be Prepared to Spend a Night in the Woods Our hunting culture has moved from most folks having a general understanding of traditional woodsmanship, to a large number of computer geek, high-tech wanna-bees. I feel sorry for those who never were raised around the woods, and I also don’t want to come off sounding like I’m a legendary mountain man, “livin’ large” in some kind of off-grid, remote cabin in the woods. The fact is, my home is located right on Route 2 in Dixfield. I shop at Walmart and Hannaford just like everyone else. The difference is that when I do go to the woods, I am comfortable and happy and can stay out there for extended periods of time completely enjoying my time away from civilization – something an alarming number of folks will never experience. Quite a few folks, even those who call
If folks who are lost can take care of the essentials like fire, shelter, and water, they can survive quite a while in the woods. The author carries a firestarting kit, an ultralight silicone-nylon tarp, and a small water filter.
I’ll bet this successful hunter (Ed Grant, owner of Grant’s Camps) and his guide were prepared for surviving anything Mother Nature might throw at them. Photo courtesy of Eric R. Ellis
themselves outdoorsy types, have learned about the woods only through the Internet
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and maybe a few bungled trips with their buddies. I recently read a post on Facebook in which a fellow asked if anyone could give him some information about a better source of communication to use when traveling up in the North Maine Woods (NMW). It seems he got a flat tire on a trip up there and was unable to get cell phone coverage to call for help, so he started walking, and five miles later someone picked him up and gave him a
hand at fixing the tire. This fellow’s inability to take care of his flat tire could have turned out much worse. What if he hadn’t run into someone who helped him? What if the flat occurred at night, when there’s little or no traffic? He could have spent a long time out there alone, or he could have suffered a far more serious fate. Common Logic I have found myself in certain situations in remote areas of the outdoors where
I had to use a good amount of logic to get out safely. Most of the time, I found that if I did a good job of preparing for the worse, I never had to worry about anything. There are those occasions when a wrench gets thrown into the mix, and it seems no preparation could have saved you, like Murphy’s Law, which states “Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.” So, if things can go wrong no matter what folks do, it comes down to how we manage the dreadful situation when it arises – this is where common logic comes in to play. This is also what a significant percentage of people are lacking these days. Take for instance the two deer hunters who froze to death in the North Maine Woods a few decades back. They got lost, and drove their truck around in the big woods until it ran out of gas. When darkness came, one fellow struck out on foot to find help, while the other stayed in the truck, thinking he might survive a frigid winter night there. Sadly, the poor hunter in the truck sat there and froze to death, while his buddy walked until he fell over and froze. If they both had just stayed near the truck (Continued on next page)
������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • November 2021 • 45 (Continued from page 44)
and built a fire, they could have at least survived until the next day when someone was likely to drive by. I can’t imagine any hunter going to the woods in winter without some kind of fire-starting kit. Fire, Shelter, Water Let’s think of this logically – if a person is out deer hunting and gets lost, it will be difficult to live through the night without building a fire for heat. I always carry a little kit with waterproof matches, a Bic lighter, and some petroleum-soaked cotton balls, so I can start a fire in any conditions – heat is a number one priority. Next on the list is an ability to find shelter – if it’s 33 degrees and raining, a fire can only do so much.
I carry a super-light, silicone-nylon tarp that folds up and fits into the same small pack that carries my fire-starting kit. I can easily create a small lean-to that covers the fire and a small sleeping area. It won’t be pretty, but I will survive. I also always carry a small water filter so I can drink out of any source of water without worrying about getting sick. I could always melt snow if I had to, and I carry a small titanium cup in the same pack. When a person takes care of the essentials like fire, shelter, and water, they can last for quite some time in the woods. A person can go without food for some time longer, but I always like to carry a few power bars in my pack, too.
This kind of winter beauty masks the reality of bitter cold weather survival. William Clunie photo
I carry this small pack with me everywhere I go in the woods and have a truck full of supplies if I ever need to stay longer, including tools,
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46 • November 2021 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
Follow the Food Chain to Kill Bucks This month, the daily patterns of whitetailed does revolve around food and thick bedding cover. Their maternal instincts are beginning to decrease. They drive off their fawn bucks, and pay little interest in other does in the family group they have traveled with over the summer. The mating urge is in the air. Bucks will be following does in November, and each doe will try to avoid them till their cycle comes ’round; then the does will stop running and stand for a buck to breed her. Unlike humans, rabbits and other year-round breeders, a whitetail doe will only accept a buck a few days a year. Put that into perspective, you guys. Crazy Time The rut is a crazy time in the whitetail woods. Hunters can and will encounter deer moving at any time during the day, making all-day hunts the way to go. Hunters are exposed to a lot of industry hype designed to sell gear touted as ways to kill big bucks. Social and written media amplify the message, as do outdoor TV shows. Most videotaped hunts take place in the Midwest, and I can tell you – Ohio habitat has very little in common with habitat found in Southern Maine. Most “How to kill a trophy buck” videography takes place www.MaineSportsman.com
The author does not employ the conventional manner of finding bucks, which is by moving through areas marked with scrapes and rubs. Rather, he locates areas where does are feeding, then sets up downwind without disrupting their patterns. Food equals does, he said, and does equal bucks – it’s that easy. on managed lands, employing controlled hunting, food plots, and big production money. What you may learn from these shows has limited applicability here in Maine. How many televised hunts have you seen that were filmed in Maine? The answer is – not many. Simplify Hunting Southern Maine hunters should forget all the hype in the hunting industry, and instead they should hunt like their grandfathers. Back to the basics, time-tested hunting methods will kill more deer than that latest new scent or call, or even the expensive scent-controlling sprays and clothing. When you buy most scent controlling spray, you’ll pay about $10. Our grandfolks obtained much of the same results using five cents’ worth of baking soda dissolved in water. Find the Food; Find the Deer So how should you hunt southern Maine’s spooky deer? You should simply follow the food chain. Locate active food sources, and then work backwards. Does will
During the November rut, it’s wise to follow the food chain. These does are feeding on hardwood browse along an old logging road. A buck will be attracted to them, so hunters should wait for a buck to come to them. This is better than walking all over the ridge looking for scrapes and rubs, which will spook every deer in the area. Finding the food, watching does, and waiting for a buck, works much better. Val Marquez photo
feed there, and they’ll bed in the thick cover nearby. Once you find does, then study how to enter and exit the area. Also study wind patterns. This knowledge will allow you to hunt without detection. Then, move in for an all-day sit. Most hunters try to locate scrapes and rubs, looking for buck
sign. If you hunt this way, you are spooking bucks with your ground human scent and your airborne scent. Deer in the area will go nocturnal – most likely they already have, because of the concentrated hunter activity. In my experience, it’s more productive to hunt doe feeding areas, and let the bucks come to you. How to Improve Your Luck In Maine it could be days, weeks or even years between deer sightings when you are actually on stand – it’s a crapshoot, luck of the draw. You sit and wait until a deer shows. Hunters can adjust the luck factor somewhat in their favor, by utilizing diligence, persistence, patience and perseverance. Staying on stand during cold mornings and snowy weather can make you luckier, as well. Northern Maine favors trackers like Hel Blood. They track down the big bucks, following a deer from dawn to dark up mountains and through bogs until the buck makes a mistake. Then they need to make a quick shot to kill the buck.
Afterwards, a long grueling drag out is likely. This type of hunting doesn’t work well in southern Maine. If you push deer here, the buck will either be killed by a car or another hunter. I have killed deer in Maine while still-hunting quietly in the shadows along deer trails, but waiting in ambush while bowhunting is my most productive tactic. Move Quietly, and Stay Downwind Consider following the food chain to does, and then put in the time there hunting. You also need good, sound hunting methods, including staying downwind from your quarry, quiet entrances and exits, then wait for good fortune to happen. This may seem over-simplified, but after 55 years of hunting and scouting deer here in Southern Maine, I have evolved to this style of hunting. So simplify your hunting during the rut, then hunt like your grandparents did. Work on your hunting methods, learning to enter and exit feeding areas undetected, and keep the wind in your favor. Hunt hard, but also smart – the formula is simple. And the formula is: Food equals does, and does equals bucks – just follow the food chain.
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������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • November 2021 • 47
Big Bucks and Does Abound in this Region Rene’s voice broke the silence of our handheld radios, saying “Keep your eyes open – I bumped a skipper.” I scanned the tree line, and within a minute I saw movement, but this was no skipper – it was an 8-point buck! After a stellar bird season in 2020, I had high hopes for a great deer season, as well. With the restrictions COVID placed on us, it felt good to get into the woods where the air was fresh. I had a coveted Superpack any-deer permit, so I was excited about the possibility of taking two deer – a buck and a doe. I told my regular hunting partner, Rene Lavoie of Lewiston, of my goal, and he just dryly remarked, “Try getting one deer first, Bub.”
eyes open – I bumped a skipper.” I scanned the tree line, and within a minute I saw movement, but this was no skipper – it was a good-sized buck. Sure enough, it came my way, and I anchored the big buck. Imagine my elation when I saw it was a nice 8-pointer! I checked with Rene to be sure there wasn’t another deer nearby, but he admitted that he just saw the tail-end of it and assumed it was a small deer.
Tom’s Eight Opening day found us in our familiar woods doing our familiar movements toward one another. We had pushed this land so many times we had our movements choreographed. Nothing that day, but we had all month. By the third week of the season, I was becoming pessimistic. I hadn’t seen a deer yet. Rene had seen or jumped a few, but none of them wandered my way. We set up for another push, and as soon as I got to my ambush spot, Rene’s voice broke the silence of our handheld radios, saying “Keep your
Rene’s Folly I never got to fill my any-deer permit, but we hunted right up until the last day. On the last push of the last day, in a spot we had not seen deer all season, I jumped another 8-pointer that ran toward Rene, but he never got a good shot at it. Wouldn’t that have been a great way to end the season
if he had! This year, I was again awarded the Superpack bonus permit PLUS an additional bonus antlerless deer permit. Rene didn’t fare as well – didn’t draw a permit at all. So I did the right thing – I transferred my bonus permit to him. Now we can each shoot two deer, if that opportunity presents itself. Whether I shoot a second deer or not, I love being able to continue hunting after taking a first deer. To the north, hunters in the Lewiston/ Auburn region did well with permit allocations. Hunters in Wildlife Management Districts (WMDs) 15, 16 and 17 received more than 37,000 antlerless deer permits. Just south of this region, hunters in WMD 21 and 22 received more than 40,000 permits. (Sebago to Auburn continued on page 50)
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The author shows off his 2020 eight-point buck. It looks like a six-pointer, but the two second tines are perfectly in line with the front tines. Tom Roth photo
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48 • November 2021 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
Deer Hunting Hints – Ground Blinds and Scent Control Ground blinds are lightweight and portable, and can accommodate between one and six hunters. They are constructed of wind-blocking fabric that not only keeps a hunter warm, but also helps blocks a hunter’s scent. Another advantage is that a hunter is on the ground, where there’s no chance of a bad fall. To shoot a deer, you must first determine where it’s hiding. You might set up a tree stand in a beautiful spot with long shooting lanes and a lakeside view, but if no deer sign is present – rubs, scrapes, tracks or droppings – then you are not likely to see any deer. To increase the
chances of putting a whitetail in the crosshairs, start walking. Maine’s subtle terrain features and the obvious physical signs of deer can only be effectively understood through intimate firsthand knowledge, and that means putting boots to the ground. Pay close attention to the minute details;
bring a notebook and write down GPS coordinates, prevalent wind direction, food sources, game trails, sign and location of sheltered bedding areas. Use this information to devise a plan as to where to set up stands or still hunt. In central Maine, hunters wanting to stretch their legs need
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������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • November 2021 • 49
Pabst Welcomes Hunters It was nighttime, freezing cold, and windy. We worked to position the full-mount deer decoy as close to the poacher’s apple pile as we dared to get without being discovered or shot – a rather nerveracking process. Then, we waited. After about an hour, a spotlight shone out the window of the cabin. You have all seen the signs in the fall of the year that adorn many mom-and-pop stores and proclaim, “Budweiser Welcomes Hunters.” The fact is that “Bud” was not the first brewer to welcome hunters in this manner; rather, it was Pabst Blue Ribbon (aka “PBR”), in 1994. I remember this so well as I questioned why Pabst went to such lengths to welcome hunters but not any other outdoor enthusiasts. It became a point of conversation among several of us wardens, and we had some laughs over it. At any rate, it must have been a good idea, as the next year “Bud” beat them to the punch with their own welcoming sign for hunters, and the PBR sign was no longer displayed. The Pabst Connection to 1994 Someone had made a report to me about hearing a gunshot, at night, off in the distance of a remote part of the Town of Garland, east of Route 7. I decided to reconnoiter the area, and found access by way of a muddy woods road. There was one
camp on this road, but I went beyond that camp as far as I could drive, then continued on foot past a washedout bridge and came to another camp. I could see this second camp was being accessed by way of another woods road that had to be connected, somehow, to the Oliver Hill Road. It was a Sunday and there was nobody at the camp, so I proceeded to look around a little. Right away, some things started to pique my interest, such as a pile of apples about 120 feet from a window on the east side of the camp. Locating a faint trail leading away from the camp, I followed it about 150 yards to a tree stand, in a large pine that overlooked another pile of apples in a recently cut over area. As I departed the area, I formulated a plan of how best to proceed. I had a relatively new warden working for me, Durward Humphrey. He was also a pilot, and he had some occasional access to a warden plane. Fly-Over First chance I had, I met with Warden Humphrey and filled
him in on the camp. We agreed that he would contact the Chief Pilot, Roger Wolverton, to see if Humphrey could fly over the camp to see if it was occupied. I asked him to stay up high and not to circle the camp, so as not to tip anyone off about our interest in their activities. A few days later, Warden Humphrey reported that he had made a flight over the camp in the middle of the afternoon and he could see a vehicle at the camp. With that information in hand, I arranged for Warden Humphrey and Warden Dave Georgia to meet up with me at the edge of dark. We would make our way to the camp by the same route I had taken on the previous Sunday. The only problem was that the weather had turned wicked cold; adding to that, a stiff breeze had come up. It was not going to be a pleasant night to be out in the cold. Getting to the Camp Warden Georgia brought along his full mount decoy deer, which had a removeable head, and re-
quired considerable effort for us to carry, along with all our other stuff, the half mile to the camp. The vehicle was still there, and smoke was coming out of the camp stovepipe, but the camp was all dark inside and very quiet. Georgia and I worked to set up the deer as close to the apple pile as we dared to get without being discovered or shot – a rather nerve-racking process. Now, we just needed to wait for something to happen. After about an hour a spotlight, very briefly, shone out the window of the camp in the direction of the apple pile, but the beam didn’t move around much, and we were sure the deer had not been seen. After about another hour, this process was repeated and, again, it was obvious the deer had not been seen. Relocating the Deer Decoy Deciding to stay with it, Georgia and I made the risky move to re-locate the deer closer to the apple pile and if we were going to do it, now was the time as we felt the hunter in
the camp would wait a while before lighting up the area again. Looking back, this was a dangerous and foolhardy undertaking. However, we were desperate and didn’t want all our efforts to go for naught, so we proceeded to place the deer right in front of the apples. Now, we were waiting again, and getting very cold in the process. We were afraid the person in the camp had given up for the night and had gone to bed. We waited in the cold raw wind, and had to do push-ups and other exercises to keep from freezing. Each of us was thinking the hunter should at least try one more time before midnight. None of us was going to be the first one to give in to our suffering, and we were suffering. I know we were each thinking the same thing – if someone suggests we cash it in, but it’s not going to be me. Finally It was now well after midnight, there had been no action for three hours. Our courage was beginning to slip. (Continued on next page) www.MaineSportsman.com
50 • November 2021 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
True Tales
(Continued from page 49)
Then, in an instant, a light shone from the window and immediately a gunshot rang out. We all ran for the door of the camp, but we were so cold it was difficult to make our legs work. Finding the handle
to the door was a little problematic, but we announced ourselves and gained entrance. Inside, we found the lone occupant in his long johns and looking very stunned. He had tossed his loaded 44 Ruger rifle onto a couch and dropped
Sebago to Auburn (Continued from page 47)
Food Sources In checking my local haunts, It seems this year will be another bumper apple and acorn crop in the woods for deer to eat. Last year, there were so many acorns available for deer, I am convinced they didn’t have to move as much in search of food. We find that most of our deer sightings increase when other hunters push deer into our usual haunts. Apples, both the wild and orchard variety, are very abundant, so setting
Central Maine (Continued from page 48) This deer season, I challenge all readers to spend one day in the woods without a cell phone (or at least turn it off). I believe you’ll learn a valuable lesson from the experience. Ground Blinds Ground blinds have the benefit of allowing hunters to be mobile and flexible on where they plan to hunt. Ground blinds do not require hunters to locate a suitable tree. They allow for sets on field edges, power lines, clearcuts and other areas where tree growth won’t support a ladder or climbing tree stand. Perhaps the greatest benefit of a ground blind is that a hunter is on the ground where there is no chance of a bad fall. Modern-day ground blinds come in a wide variety of models that are lightweight, portable and can accommodate between one and six hunters. These blinds are constructed of wind-blocking fabric that not only keeps a hunter warm, but also helps confine a hunter’s scent within a small area. Some of the more expensive blind models are even waterproof and do a fine job of keeping a hunter dry www.MaineSportsman.com
his light on the floor. The window was on hinges and held open with a string wrapped around a nail. His name was Ray. He was calm and resigned to his fate. Ray said he had seen a plane that afternoon and wanted to know if it had been wardens. I told him that I didn’t think so,
and he replied, “After seeing the plane, I thought about going home. I wish I had.” Warden Humphrey noticed that Ray was limping a little, and when we inquired, Ray stated that a couple of days ago he was up in the pine tree deer stand and his friend pretended to be a warden and scared
him, causing him to fall while trying to get down from the tree. As we were about to leave the camp, I noticed that Ray had been drinking a 16 ounce can of Pabst. I asked Ray if Pabst was the beer that welcomes hunters. He replied “Yeah – I seen them signs.”
¶
up near an orchard or where an old homestead apple tree is located may prove “fruitful.” Last fall when I was walking past an old abandoned yellow apple tree in one of my spots, I startled a ruffed grouse that was feeding on dropped apples. Well, maybe the bird startled me, would be the more accurate way to describe the encounter. I sometime carry a .410 derringer when deer hunting, and I should have had it that day. If I had slowed my approach to the tree, I could likely gotten a pot shot off at him as he nibbled the frost-sweetened fruit. When hunting in Turner (DeLo-
rme Atlas, Map 11, C-5) many seasons ago, I sat in an active orchard as the sun came up. I caught a nice 6-pointer sneaking out of the orchard after filling up on apples as the sun rose. Most orchards leave fruit on the ground after harvesting season, so these are great places to look for deer this month. Hopefully, you head into the deer woods this month with an antlerless permit or two in your pocket. I’m hoping Rene gets a chance to use the permit I gifted him, and that I can finally bag two deer in one season. Happy hunting and good luck to all!
throughout a long rainy afternoon. Hunters wishing to pack light can quickly construct ground blinds onsite by utilizing camouflaged burlap cloth, clothes pins and the surrounding vegetation. Because ground blinds will be in direct view of an approaching deer, it pays to either put the blind out a few days before hunting, or make sure that the blinds are blended well into their surroundings by covering them with cut brush and foliage. Also, even though some blinds are constructed of scent blocker material, care should still be taken to ensure blinds are set up downwind of the predominant wind direction for the hunting area.
scent hygiene products are available at the local drug store, and are typically cheaper there than at a sporting goods store. Wash hunting clothes frequently, and seal them in a plastic bag with a few spruce boughs to lessen the chance for cross contamination with smells that may be lingering in the basement. If driving to a hunting location, dress in hunting clothes and boots upon arrival, as this will avoid the possibility of picking up odors from the car, gas station or convenience store.
Scent Control Highly technical clothing fosters the illusion in many hunters that they can pull off miracles in body odor elimination by simply putting on specialized scent-blocking apparel or using a bottled spray. A more traditional approach relies on impeccable personal hygiene, and using wind direction to gain the advantage. To be more effective this season, use a pee bottle, and no-scent detergent, shampoo and deodorant. No-
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Packing for Success Packing for success creates a positive mental attitude and confidence. To enforce this belief, include a gutting kit in your pack, consisting of a deer tag, pen, sharp knife, drag rope, fluorescent orange marking ribbon (toilet paper also works great as marking ribbon), disposable gloves, paper towels and a one-gallon Ziploc bag for the heart and liver. Having these items readily on hand makes it infinitely easier to field dress and bring that trophy to the tagging station. Success in the field is about the ability to remain positive.
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������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • November 2021 • 51
Tom’s New Deer-Hunting Challenge The author is looking forward to deer-hunting in his new environs. Unlike the dense habitat to which he is accustomed, he’ll be spending time this season in a mountainous region where underbrush is thin. He believes still-hunting could easily present good shot opportunities. Maine’s Midcoast region consists of widely varying geography, from open, rolling farmland to thick spruce/fir forests and even mountains and valleys. Most of my life has been spent pursuing whitetails through thick firs and cedar swamps of the central Midcoast region. But now, after having moved to the eastern end of the region, I find that things are entirely different. Instead of being daunted, though, I take this as an interesting challenge, with infinite possibilities. In the places where I traditionally hunted, it was near-impossible to still-hunt with any degree of success. You just couldn’t walk slowly or quietly enough so that deer wouldn’t recognize your presence. But in the mountainous region where I’ll spend this year’s whitetail season, underbrush is thin, and still-hunting could easily present an opportunity for a decent shot. If true, this would come as a welcome change, since a continually worsening back condition dictates that I’m unable to sit comfortably for more than
one hour. After that, I find it necessary to stretch and fidget – both no-no’s on the deer stand. Scouting the Mendall WMA Pre-season scouting has resulted in discovery of several good-looking locations for deer hunting. Much of this process involved simply hiking around in different places, trying to acquaint myself with the lay of the land. Treat Point Wildlife Management Area, located across the Marsh River from The Howard L. Mendall Wildlife Management Area, includes steep mountainside terrain and a number of hard-beaten game trails. One of the mountains debouches on a tidal river, so I assume the animals head down the mountain in search of salt licks. Another place looks more like your typical upland cover, with alders, raspberries and wild apple trees. If deer get into the apples this November, this may represent a good place to hunt, but still-hunting would be out of the question, and stand-hunting would be the only productive hunting method. Perhaps a deer
would walk by within my one-hour comfort zone. Stranger things have happened. As with any part of the Midcoast region, the biggest obstacle to finding a good hunting spot is road access. The areas I mentioned earlier are all on public land, thus have plenty of good access. This brings up another lesson for a hunter new to any area. Since most of Maine lies in private ownership, it is important to develop relationships with landowners and secure permission to hunt on private property. This I have done and now have access to what I’m told is a very productive deer area. All this remains to be seen, but at the moment the signs look hopeful, and I’m excited at all the new prospects. Fall Mackerel By November, most anglers have traded their fishing rods for their deer rifles. Some of us – me, for example – can never get enough open-water fishing, and November has much to recommend it along those lines. Atlantic mackerel, so plentiful around wharfs and floats in summer, do not all leave when cold weath-
Treat Point Wildlife Management Area is located across Marsh River from the Howard L. Mendall Wildlife Management Area, as viewed from the public boat launch at Route 1A in Frankfort. Tom Seymour photo
er arrives. Sometimes, schools remain until early December. These fish routinely run larger than those we take in summer. Also, the schools hang tight to available cover, never straying far from the protection afforded by floats. Many times, small schools of 12- to 14inch mackerel will hold under a float, where they eagerly nail small jigs. While typical mackerel jigs such as Diamond jigs and Swedish Pimple jigs work fine, I have good results with panfish jigs – Crappie Magnets, in particular. This kind of fishing resembles jigging for white perch or crappies, except that the quarry runs larger and fights harder. Mackerel fishing around Thanksgiving
seems incongruous – frightfully out-ofplace. And yet the fish remain and are easily taken. Just stick to onshore cover. Trolling, except in sheltered coves near floats and wharves, will probably not elicit any strikes. And remember that harbor pollock also stick around until early winter, and sometimes-huge schools alternate with schools of mackerel. Indeed, November stands as a fine month for unexpected saltwater fishing. Trout Fishing Last month I wrote that conditions on small rivers and streams stocked in fall by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (Midcoast continued on page 53)
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52 • November 2021 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
Memorable Moments and Fall Opportunities Downeast Hancock County offers great whitetail habitat, with thousands of acres of cultivated fields, apple orchards and small woodcutting operations. In certain areas, the deer population exceeds 30 animals per square mile. Hunters in this district, WMD 26 and 26a, were allotted 2,805 any-deer permits this year – an increase of 2,635 over 2020. The brilliant amber and crimson maple leaves lined the trail as I slowly crept through the woods. The warm, glowing sun was beginning to arc its way toward the western sky – only a couple of hours until sunset. It was the first day of the deer-hunting season. Arriving at the well-worn tree stand, I unloaded my Remington 742 semi-automatic and climbed up. Many hunters had taken deer from this stand over the past two decades. Once seated and tethered in, I slid the .30-’06 clip back into my rifle and carefully pulled down my camo-arm rest. From this elevated position 16 feet above the ground, I could see 300 yards across the bog. I had a good vantage point that looked onto several well-traveled
deer trails and a small brook. After waiting for nearly a year, I was ready for my 2020 deer-hunting season to begin. I watched and waited in the tree stand for nearly an hour before noticing a deer’s tail twitching behind an ever-green thicket. The deer poked its nose out from behind the thick growth, took one step, and then bolted toward the swale. The small buck had scented me. I fired off four shots at the streaking crotch-horn, emptying my clip. No luck! I had fired too quickly, and hadn’t taken enough time to sight accurately before each shot. Now, with me out of shells, the buck stopped before crossing the brook and looked back at me. The deer had made no mis-
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takes, and it lives on. I made several buck-fever mistakes which caused me to miss the only buck I saw last season. Deer Season 2021 Another deer season is here. I constantly remind myself about my army-infantry training when I shot my M-16 on the range at Ft. Leonardwood, Mo. The acronym they taught us, B.R.A.S.S, stood for Breathe, Relax, Aim, Sight, Squeeze. I plan to keep this acronym foremost in my mind. Hopefully, I will shoot more slowly and accurately this deer-hunting season. This year, thousands of hunters applied for the 153,910 any-deer permits that were issued statewide. The Department of Inland Fisheries (DIF&W) increased the number of anydeer permits available
Nate Lee of Poland, a friend of the author, tagged this 175-lb., 8-point buck during the 2020 season.
in many of Maine’s Wildlife Management Districts (WMDs). An examination of Delorme’s The Maine Atlas, Maps 15 and 23 should help sports select prime deer-hunting habitat. A high deer density exists on the forest and farmlands between Routes 15 and Route 1A, Map 23, D-3. Deer are bountiful near the less-traveled roads that branch off these two routes. Other top-notch hunting regions lie within the boundaries of Hancock County. Here, thousands of acres of cultivated fields, apple orchards and small woodcutting operations pro-
vide abundant habitat for deer to thrive. This area boasts a deer population that often exceeds 30 deer per square mile. Hunters in this district, WMD 26 and 26a, were allotted 2,805 any-deer permits. This is an increase of 2,635 over last year. In the towns of Bucksport, Orland and Castine, deer have become so numerous that they are now considered major road hazards and an agricultural nuisance. Another area in this district that contains cultivated farmlands and an ample amount of prime cover to sustain an ever-increasing deer herd can be found on the outskirts of Orrington or Surry. Annual figures published by DIF&W list the 2019 deer harvest and show that hunters in numerous towns in WMD 27 tagged around 50 deer last year. Some of the (Continued on next page)
������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • November 2021 • 53 (Continued from page 52)
top harvests occurred in the towns of Milbridge (65), Addison (79), Gouldsboro (60), and Hancock (73). One area that contains pockets of deer is located between Routes 1 and the Atlantic Ocean, Map 25, E-3. Fish and Feathers An additional latefall option for sports in the Downeast Region is fresh-water fishing. Many lakes and ponds in Hancock and Wash-
ington County are S-24 waters and are open to fishing. Two good November waters to consider are Upper Patten Pond in Orland, Map 23, E-4, and Long Pond in Bucksport, Map 23, D-3. Upper Patten Pond is a small, 361-acre water that contains lunker pickerel, trophy-sized smallmouth bass and plenty of white perch. Long Pond is a 222acre water that offers excellent fall fishing –
Midcoast (Continued from page 51)
(DIF&W) looked promising. A month later, and the prediction has proven true. Depending upon water temperature, fall stocking can begin as early as September, and can continue as late as December. In years past, September stocking was the norm, but with a gradually warming climate, October
chain pickerel, smallmouth bass and white perch can provide excitement for late-fall anglers. Both of these waters contain bass in the 2- to 3-pound category as well as some well-nourished white perch. According to avid duck hunter and bass fisherman Eric Peddle of Bucksport, either one of these waters may provide those last few fish of the season, as well as an opportu-
nity for a duck hunter to enjoy a cast-andblast experience. The low-lying topography in the Penobscot Bay Region features a multitude of lakes, ponds and meandering streams, creating a paradise for native and migrating duck populations. A good bet for camouflaged duck hunters to set out decoys is Silver Lake, Map 23, D-2. High concentrations of migrating ducks often settle
has pretty much superseded September as the month when hatchery trucks begin rolling. It all depends upon water level and water temperature. Whenever it occurs, fall fishing on stocked waters brings the opportunity to hook into numbers of 12- to 14-inch trout. Also, DIF&W routinely releases retired broodstock. These are large adults used for the harvest of eggs and milt for producing the next season’s trout. When these fish become played
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54 • November 2021 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
Landing and Releasing Stripers Safely Nets, lip-grippers and gloves are easier on you – and the fish – when it comes to catch-and-release tactics. Just watch those hooks and spines! Let’s face it, most if not all of us released far more striped bass that were under the 28” minimum this past season than we boated as keepers. Some of the luckier among us also released some 35-inch-plus bass, but the point is that far more stripers went back into the water than went to the fillet table here along the coast of Maine. So, although the 2022 season is ad-
mittedly six or seven months distant, it might be useful to review some of the “best practices” when it comes to landing and releasing striped bass. And I’ve changed my perspective on one particular issue. Net Gain First off, a landing net is the best tool for capturing a hooked striper and lifting it into a boat. I use an inexpensive aluminum model with a hoop
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measuring 18” by 24”, a 36” handle, and a twine mesh bag that’s 24” deep. It works great for bass up to 36 inches or so. If you expect to encounter fish much bigger than that, you’ll want a net with a larger hoop. Some net manufacturers offer “release” nets made with knotless rubber mesh that’s less likely to scrape off the fish’s protective slime as it flops around. In addition, many release nets feature bags with flat bottoms that safely support the fish horizontally while the hook is removed. Release nets are fish-friendly, but when purchasing one be sure to check the depth of the bag. Some are too shallow, allowing the rubber mesh to act like a trampoline so that the fish can bounce itself out as it’s being lifted from the water.
Dan Bonin of Belfast displays a nice striper using a lip-gripper while supporting the fish’s body with his other hand, as Shark Six crewman Jeff Pendleton looks on. Barry Gibson photos
If the bag is 18” deep or deeper, you should be all set. Gripping the Lip I’ve never been a fan of those mechanical lip-grippers such as the Boga Grip (and I’ve said so in the pages of this magazine), because I always thought that the stainless steel pincers could tear the lower jaw membrane as you lift the fish from the water. However, I’ve changed my tune. This past season my charter boat mate, Jeff Pendleton, started us-
ing a lip-gripper, and I quickly began to see the advantages. • First, we did not experience a single instance in which the pincers tore through a striper’s lower lip or jaw membrane. Didn’t happen. • Second, once the jaw was gripped and the fish was lifted, it could be better controlled from thrashing around and thus easier to de-hook. • And thirdly, the non-slip handle of the gripper made it easy for a customer to hold the fish for a photo. The gripper virtually eliminates the fish squirming out of the traditional “wet thumb-and-forefinger” hold and dropping to the deck, dock or rocks, likely resulting in injuries to the fish. Jeff bought a second gripper that features a digital scale. We ended up using that one a lot, as many folks are as interested in the fish’s weight as they are its length. (Continued on next page)
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A mechanical lip-gripper makes it easy for an angler to hold a fish for a photo-op, with far less of a chance of the fish twisting free and falling to the deck than if it was simply held by the jaw by the thumb and forefinger. (Continued from page 54)
Using Hands – Possible but Tricky On the flip side, your hands can actually be an effective tool for landing stripers when necessary. If the net isn’t readily available, I’ll sometimes squat down on the boat’s outboard bracket and grab the fish’s lower jaw with my left thumb and forefinger. Then I’ll cradle the fish’s underside with my right hand and lift it into the boat.
The only thing you need to watch out for is the hook, making sure it’s not in the lower jaw where it could also get imbedded in your thumb. I also like to wear one of those non-skid, rubber-palm gloves, available at any hardware store. The glove pretty much eliminates the fish twisting itself out of my grip, and saves my thumb from the 60grit, sandpaper-like teeth. (Saltwater Fishing continued on page 58)
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56 • November 2021 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
Canoe a Good All-Round Choice for Trout Fishing By trolling with a minnow about three feet behind a silver dodger, parallel to and just off the edge of the lily pads, I made those brown trout an offer they couldn’t refuse. While a canoe makes a good vessel for paddling and casting, that doesn’t begin to cover all this versatile watercraft can accomplish. A good, stable canoe, one with a flattish bottom and pronounced keel, can also perform on large lakes and ponds, as long as the angler keeps a weather eye out and pays attention to shifts in the wind. My first canoe, a 17½-foot White fiberglass Guide’s Model, served me well for many years. That was
when station wagons were my preferred choice of vehicle. The old White easily slid on the built-in roof racks of my various wagons. With a canoe loaded on top and the rest of the wagon filled with camping gear and supplies, my path was opened to far-flung places around Maine. Most of my time in canoes was spent without the benefit of a motor, but later on I picked up a used electric motor and was amazed at how easily it propelled my canoe. It was then that I dis-
covered that a canoe was very much suited for trolling. Canoe Trolling Up until the acquisition of the electric motor, I sometimes trolled streamer flies by paddling into the wind and then, with the wind at my back, retracing my path. This took fish, but the amount of paddling required also took its toll on me. The motor opened a whole new world of trolling for trout and salmon. My first experiment with the electric motor was to slowly
Tom’s canoe has a wide, flat bottom with a keel, a padded seat; a noise-dampening deck; sponsons for stability; and a homemade ash-wood motor bracket.
troll along the edge of the lily pads on a small brown-trout pond. The quiet approach of the canoe and its electric motor was made-toorder for this mode of trolling. I determined that toward evening, brown trout come up from the depths and feed in shoreline areas. Like pickerel, big browns lurked at the edge of lily pad beds, waiting for a smaller fish to swim past. By trolling with a minnow about three feet behind a silver-colored
dodger, parallel to and just off the edge of the lily pads, I made those brown trout an offer they couldn’t refuse. Using a standard-size boat and gas-powered motor would not have brought such good results. Even at slow speeds, a boat makes a significant wake, and that would have alarmed those wily brown trout. The Basics Too often when we think of lake trolling, (Trout Fishing continued on page 58)
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Mastering the Details of Fly Fishing – Part 2 When switching from dry fly to a sinking fly such as a streamer, that’s the time to also change to a shorter and stouter leader, says the author. In fact, a friend of his employs a four-foot leader of 20-pound test line when he decides to go subsurface – and he’s always hauling in big fish. In this second and final column about fly fishing details for success, I’d like to start with a little story. After a full summer of fly fishing, I have determined that my fishing buddies were right – fluorocarbon leaders are THE way to go. Fluorocarbon leaders last longer, and this summer of fishing has proved it. I am amazed at how long they last. With the monofilament leaders I’ve tried, I find that all of them begin to curl up at the tippet end after less than an hour of casting, no matter what kind of fly I used. Some of the fluorocarbon leaders I’ve used this past summer have lasted two or three full days of fishing without replacing the tippets. If I know that I’ll be fishing dry flies for trout, I’ll attach a three- to four-foot tippet on a nine-foot leader using a loop-to-loop connection – right out of the package. Many anglers won’t use such a long leader, but I like it for delicate dry fly presentations on lakes and ponds, or larger rivers and streams. Be sure to keep the rod tip at eye level during
the final forward cast. Then, as the fly gently floats to the surface, slowly lower the rod tip. Too many anglers drop the rod tip fast, and then wonder why their fly smacks the water so hard. Knot Sense I used to think the knot type didn’t matter except that it had to hold up under pressure. Anglers need to learn to use certain knots for each particular job. I like a nail knot for a smooth transition from line to leader. When netting a fish with one of those longer leaders, the leader must be reeled back a bit through the ferules. A nail knot slides through the small diameter ferule a little smoother than almost any other type of knot.
Learn to use loop knots for connecting the tippet to the fly. Loop knots, like Lefty Kreh’s Loop Knot, give any fly a great deal of action. YouTube.com has the best selection of “how-to” videos for learning new knots. I like to use a Duncan Loop to attach my flies to the tippet, but Lefty’s Loop Knot works even better, because it doesn’t tighten down to the fly after a number of casts like the Duncan Loop Knot will. It also uses less line when tying it – unlike the Duncan, that really takes up a lot of line. Minor Details Be sure to pay attention to your surroundings while fishing. This sounds like something everyone already should know,
Author with 18-inch trophy-sized smallmouth bass. Photo courtesy of Western Mountain Guide Service
but it can be so easy to get distracted and focus all your attention on casting and miss something important; like the beginning of a hatch, or a rise, or even more important – a fish taking your fly!
If an angler decides that the fish aren’t taking anything on the surface and makes a change to a streamer or something that travels below the surface, make sure to
(Continued on next page)
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58 • November 2021 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
Fresh Water Fly Fishing (Continued from page 57)
also change to a shorter and stouter leader. Short leaders get down faster, and big streamers don’t need smaller diameter tippets to do the job. I have one friend who goes right to a straight 20-poundtest leader of four feet when he decides to go subsurface – and he’s always hauling in big fish. To save precious fishing time, tie up a variation of droppers before getting out on
the water and store them in a case to keep them secure and easily accessible. I purchased a couple of different dropper cases from different companies, and each of them works great. I take several 12to 18-inch sections of appropriate tippet material and tie sliding loop knots (Duncan) on one end of these pieces, then attach various trailing dropper flies at the oth-
Saltwater Fishing (Continued from page 55)
Watch Those Spines Small stripers under 18 inches can be a challenge to lip-grip, either with a mechanical gripper or your fingers. They have smaller mouths, so inserting your thumb is trickier, plus they really thrash around. In many cases, I’ll simply grab the fish behind the head and work my hand back, smoothing down the sharp dorsal
Trout Fishing (Continued from page 56)
we picture a 16-foot or longer boat and gas motor, equipped with downriggers and all the other bells and whistles that accompany the fashionably decked-out trolling outfit. But is all that necessary for success on Maine’s trout, togue and salmon? Absolutely not. A canoe may not go as fast, and it isn’t suitable for long distances on Maine’s larger lakes, but other than that, a canoe makes a perfectly functional trolling craft. A few accessories help make canoe trolling easier and more comfortable. First, a comfortable seat is a musthave item. Depending upon the type and make of canoe, a seat may be made of woven material. The old cane seats were quite comfortable, and newer woven seats made of synthetic material (think synthetic snowshoe webbing) seem equally so. But hard seats, either of plastic or aluminum, are not good for more than a few hours on the water. A carry-on cushion can make a hard seat palatable, but even so, there still won’t be much give to it, and that give, or response to shifting weight, is www.MaineSportsman.com
er ends. Wrap these dropper rigs onto your storage case and when the time comes to rig up a dropper when you are out on the water, you will be more than half-way through the process. The sliding loop knot goes over the bend of the hook of the lead fly and slips into place with ease and – BINGO – you’re ready for action. Lastly, take the time to do the little things that sometimes don’t really seem to matter. Be a patient angler and stop to
check your fly every ten casts or so. Strip the line in enough so you can lift the rod tip high and let the twists unravel from the fine tippet. I don’t know how many times I’ve done this, and found my fly and tippet tangled up into a ball of line, hook, feathers, and fur. It’s so disheartening to know you’ve been casting that tangled mess without knowing it, with no chance a fish would ever take it. Take the time to get it right and catch
spines, until I get a good grip. Speaking of sharp dorsal spines, never kick a striper back into the water when fishing the beach or shoreline. The spines can easily puncture a boot and be driven into your toe. The usual result is a trip to the emergency room. It’s better to leave the fish in a few inches of water as you remove the hook, then carefully guide it to deeper water, where it can swim off by itself. Finally, the key to a striper’s survival is to get it back into the water
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more fish, because it’s the little details that count when you are after trophy-sized fish.
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as soon as possible. Every second that goes by as someone fumbles with the camera controls or waits for the sun to come out from behind a cloud reduces the fish’s chances. The rule on my charter boat is if the photo isn’t snapped within about 20 or 30 seconds, the fish goes back over the side, regardless. Watching a striper of any size swim back down into the depths after a hardfought battle sure is a wonderful sight!
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what makes sitting for prolonged periods bearable. If the seats on your canoe are just too uncomfortable, then some aftermarket replacements are in order. Two thoughts come to mind. First, if a folding wooden canoe seat will fit in your canoe, it can make fishing easier, especially for the person in the bow. For the person in the stern, operating the motor, a clamp-on seat makes for a comfortable day on the water. Other Accessories It goes without saying that a motor and a motor bracket are absolutely necessary for trolling from a canoe. These are widely available. L. L. Bean makes some nice ones, as do other outdoor supply companies. Just make sure to get a bracket that attaches solidly to your canoe. And then there are electric motors. These come in a wide array of types and powers. Power, or thrust, is measured in foot-pounds. I would get a model with 55 pounds of thrust. These run around $250. However, you can also get a decent motor for around $150, and these will suffice for small-pond use. A trolling motor requires a deepcell battery. Visit your nearest marine
This canoe has an electric motor attached directly to its flat stern. The deep-cell battery is wedged in place in the stern.
supply store or sporting goods store. As with motors, larger batteries are better suited for trolling. A battery can simply be placed on the floor of your canoe, or you might make a wooden box to accommodate it. I prefer to have the motor contained. Improvise if you need to, but it’s best to protect your battery, rather than having it just sit loose. Other accessories include a fish locator and rod holders. Now have a complete outfit, ready for trolling. Have fun!
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— Guest Column —
The Old Man and the Togue by Jim Thomas It was early evening on what had been a breezy day in mid-May, 2021. I was kayak-fishing on a large, remote pond in Maine’s Western Mountains. Having set up my tent at an island campsite, I decided to go out one last time before nightfall. The air temperature was a cool 50 degrees, the water was 48 degrees, the wind velocity was increasing, and the waves were getting larger. I tied on a floating Rapala and cast my first line behind me. Then I deployed my second rod, equipped with a copper wobbler. The wind made things difficult, but I finally got going and had both lines out. Waves occasionally broke into my seat. I steadied each rod by placing the handles under one ankle and over the other, with the rods pointing in opposite directions. I was getting no fish, no hits. Rain was falling from dark clouds, finding its way
As I reeled in one line, my Rapala rose out of the water and hung suspended in the twilight air, slowly approaching me and my kayak. How could that be? Then I noticed why – the lure was snagged on the line from my other rod – the line that was still wrapped around my neck. With both lines tangled together, I had obviously lost the monster fish. in around the neckline and wrists of my foul weather jacket. It was a half-hour until dark, and I was wet, tired and cold. I am 63 years old, going on 80. My bad knees hurt, and my bad feet hurt. “I am getting too old for this,” I said aloud. One More Try Looking ashore, I could see my tent – my warm, dry tent – and could almost smell and taste my dinner that would soon be cooking on the small camp stove. What would be the harm in quitting for the day? I had all day tomorrow to fish Then I snapped out of my reverie. “I came out here to fish,” I lectured myself. “My goal is to catch a togue, and I ain’t getting any younger. It’s dusk –
Aftermath of the improbable battle. Photos: Jim Thomas
the perfect time for fishing. Let’s do this!” Fish On! I worked my way through big rocks to a calmer area behind the island. Suddenly the tip of the pole trailing the copper spoon bent right down to the water’s surface, and the drag began zinging out – I mean smoking! I dropped the paddle and grabbed the pole. When the fish stopped running, I slowly reeled in, keeping tension on the line. The wind blew the paddle off my lap, so I let go of the rod with one hand to grab it. Just then, the fish turned back toward me. With only one hand on the pole, I couldn’t take up the slack. I secured the paddle and quickly started reeling in. I wasn’t feeling a
fish, but I was feeling something funny on the back of my neck. Rats! It was the fishing line from the other pole. The wind had blown the boat around 180 degrees, wrapping the line around my neck. I tried to free the line, but it was stuck on my life jacket! And it didn’t matter anyhow, because now the boat was completing the 360, and my second line had crossed over the line with the fish on it. Or was there a fish on it? Hot Mess I decided to focus on trying to land the fish if it was still on my line. I put the Rapala pole back across my ankles and slowly reeled in the wobbler line, disappointed at the little resistance I
felt. Suddenly, something at first incomprehensible occurred – the Rapala rose out of the water and hung suspended in the air, slowly approaching me. What?? How could that be? Then I realized – the Rapala was snagged in the middle of the line I was reeling in. What a mess! I had obviously lost the fish by now. When the Rapala reached me, I put my pole down, got my glasses out of my tackle box, and proceeded to untangle the double treble-hooked lure from my line. My friends had told me that trolling two poles off a kayak at once was stupid, and they were right. I’d just lost the biggest fish of my life. Pole Down! About five minutes later, I got the Rapala free and picked up that pole to reel it in. Just then, the ex-fish pole that had been sitting quietly across my legs jumped off the boat, so fast I couldn’t catch (Old Man and the Togue continued on page 61)
Monster fish; tiny net. www.MaineSportsman.com
60 • November 2021 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
Covered Side-by-Side Makes for Comfortable Cold-Weather Riding By putting tracks on a SxS, the author says he can ride on top of the snowpack, and travel to the high peaks where the big bucks hang out. And by installing a heater for the rig’s enclosed interior, he could stay warm doing it! I parked my truck by the side of the road. Next I drove the ATV with tracks off the trailer, and then up and over the fourfoot-deep snowbank. Thinking about it now, I am still amazed at how easily this machine with tracks rides on top of the deep snow, even snow that hasn’t crusted over. A friend had asked me to remove a tree stand. He couldn’t get to it because the snow had piled up and closed the access road to where he was hunting. Even though it was only a few miles back in, I didn’t feel like conducting the big ladder stand on snowshoes, so I used my 700 Arctic Cat with tracks. When I reached the bottom of the tree with the ladder stand attached, I shut down the ATV, stepped off the machine – and immediately sank up to my waist in the deep
snow! When my feet came to rest on the bottom of the snowpack, my head was about level with the ATV seat. I wish I had taken a selfie of me standing next to the machine up to my waist in snow with the whole ATV riding high at the surface of the snow, hardly sinking in more than a few inches. I climbed out of the deep snow, attached my snowshoes, dismantled the ladder stand, and loaded it all in a Jet Sled to drag back to the truck. The tracks kept the ATV on top of the snow at all times, allowing me to easily maneuver in and around obstacles in the deep, white powder. The only problem some folks might have with tracks on an ATV would be that the machine cannot generate much speed. If I remember right, my Arctic Cat would only
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get to a top speed of around 30 miles per hour when the tracks were in place. My Speed Blues musician Howlin’ Wolf used to sing a song titled, “Built for Comfort.” The lyrics went something like, “I ain’t built for speed, I’m built for comfort,” and when it comes to off-road travel, I’ve taken those words to heart. I don’t understand why folks want to fly by everything at such a high rate of speed. In fact, by going so fast, I’ll bet they miss a lot of the wonders of the outdoors. I like a good walking speed, where I can easily spot special things around me in the woods. Zipping through the woods too fast is not only dangerous, but it causes the rider to pass by many awesome sights too quickly. The relatively slow speed of the tracked ATV was just fine with me. In my quest for the ultimate side-by-side ATV, I would jump all over a Honda Pioneer 700 with a set of tracks for the snow. COVID concerns have somehow hindered manufacturers’ abilities to get new ATVs shipped
By installing tracks, side-by-sides can ride on top of the snow. They remind the author of military tanks, but they ride far more comfortably. Photo: Honda
to dealers at this time. If I could find a good used one, I’d get a plow blade and enjoy cleaning snow in my driveway and easily traveling through the snowy, winter woods – at a nice, slow speed. After taking the tracks off, I’d very much enjoy chauffeuring my bird dog around on the myriad miles of unhunted ATV trails around the state, during the fall bird-hunting season. For deer season, those same trails would take me to the tops of mountains where I could begin a day of hunting whitetailed deer without soaking my hunting clothing in sweat. Every good deer hunter knows the big bucks hang out at higher elevations. While young and healthy hunters enjoy the challenge of hunting their way to the mountain tops, this old hunter appreciates
how this rig could take me up to where the big boys roam. Helpful Tip I’ve written in this column about my desire to purchase an ATV (side-by-side). Recently, I had a reader write in to me and suggest getting a heater for warming the cab. He mentioned how his own side-by-side cab windows get steamed up in warm weather, and frosted in colder weather – something I’ve never considered. So, with this in mind, the search for a used side-by-side continues – and I will definitely take into consideration the suggestion of a heater for the cab. I remember riding a good distance in the cab of a Yamaha Rhino side-by-side during a rather chilly October moose hunt. The extra heat in the cab was nice on those (Continued on next page)
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crisp fall morning, and would also be great during the winter with tracks attached. I remember that
during the moose hunt mentioned above, two other hunters drove out with us to our location on regular ATVs. At one point, I looked in my rear-view mir-
Old Man and the Togue (Continued from page 59)
it. It was visible for a few seconds, and then sank out of sight. You’ve got to be kidding me!” I yelled to the wind and waves. “I’m on day one of a six-day fishing trip, and I lose one of my two poles???” Recovery Effort After sitting and stewing for a bit, I began reeling in the Rapala. Somehow, after all it had been through, the line was not tangled, and everything seemed to be in order. Those stupid double treble hooks, always snagging on things! Then a thought crossed my mind – “Always snagging on things!” Hey, I wonder if I could cast out and snag the line between the sunken pole and the wobbler?
ror and noticed them waving at me to stop. When I pulled over, the two fellows shut their machines off to tell me that they were freezing and wanted
to take a break to put warmer clothing on. A cab on a side-byside sure makes sense. Even during October, the wind-chill factor raises the discomfort
So I tried, and got nothing. I paddled upwind, and tried again. Nothing. OK, this is a stupid idea, what are the chances? One more cast, and then I’m going back to camp. So I threw the Rapala out and started retrieving the lure for the last time. Didn’t feel like I’d snagged anything, but when it got up to the kayak, fishing line was caught in its hooks! “Holy cow!” I screamed, grabbing the line. “I can’t believe this. No one would believe this. I might get my pole back!” So I pulled the line in from the direction I guessed the pole would be, and sure enough, the tip emerged from the depths. I got the pole back on board, and gave it a kiss. “Thought I lost you, buddy,” I said. Then it was time to see if I still had my copper lure. I started to reel the line in, expecting no resistance. But instead, I felt a
level and takes the fun out of riding. A nice tight cab and heater makes a lot of sense.
¶
pull. Suddenly I saw a monster flash by the side of my kayak, just below the surface of the water. What was that??? Looked like a big dog swam under my boat! And then my drag started zinging and smoking again! That darn fish had been hooked on that copper lure the whole time! Too Big for the Net When I finally got that monster alongside the boat, I realized it was too big for my trout net. Eventually I folded the fish in half, hanging out both sides of the net. I got the fish onto the kayak, grabbed the paddle and made for camp as fast as I could. It was a 27-inch, seven-pound togue. My goal has been met, and now I can forget all about extreme fishing and get back to a life of leisure.
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62 • November 2021 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
Down Time a Great Time to Visit Moosehead Region It’s November. Guide services, except for a few deer guides, are winding down for the winter. Larger boats were hauled from the water more than a month ago, the landscape has acquired a gray, sullen look, and most tourists have long-since headed to more southerly climes. How, then, can I say that November ranks as a great time to visit the Moosehead Region? Let me explain. First, it’s not like fishing and hunting have shut down entirely. The deer season is on, and those bucks are out there. This region was always regarded as a premiere area for big racks and some of those monster bucks still prowl the hills and valleys around Moosehead Lake. Last year Indian
Hill Trading Post in Greenville tagged 58 bucks and 4 does. This was down by about half from the previous year, probably due to drought conditions and lack of forage. The average count runs about 120 per year. This is only for that one tagging station. Small-game hunting offers rewards now, too. The legions of upland hunters are gone, and few people go afield now. That doesn’t mean that the game is gone too, because it’s not. As for grouse – sure, many of the younger, lesswary birds were taken last month, but some remain, as well as older, more savvy ones. It’s time for long shots now, given the wide-open aspect of the north woods since the leaves have fallen. Bring a 12-gauge shotgun and number 6
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shot. You’ll need it for its knockdown power. Hare Hunting While guided hare hunts usually begin as soon as snow flies, early-November visitors can still find plenty of bunnies. Hares come out in the open around dawn and dusk, so driving down paper company roads at that time puts the hunter in a position to load up on tasty hares. Also, hunters with their own dogs can find exciting sport. It’s a misconception to think that the best hare hunting only occurs in winter, on deep snow. Just make sure that when you park, there are no other vehicles around. Someone may be out deer hunting and you wouldn’t want to interfere. But in this expansive region of forest and huge openings, finding a place to hunt presents no problem. All the same, it might pay to equip your dog
If you see a doe, a buck may not be far behind. Photo by Tom Seymour
with an orange sweater or sweatshirt, for maximum visibility. Trout, Too! While it may seem out of place, some trout fishing opportunities continue through November. Stocked ponds generally remain open through November 30. Some of these waters are less than a half-hour drive from Greenville. Prong Pond in Beaver Cove, for instance, sees late-season stocking, mostly designed to fill the pond with brook trout for the ice-fish-
ing season. These fish become available to open-water fishermen in November and if you can pick a fairly warm day with light winds, chances of success rank high. Last year, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (DIF&W) stocked Prong Pond twice in October, releasing 1,100 12-inch brook trout on October 8, and 50 17-inch brookies on October 28. Stocked or not, a 12- to 17-inch brook trout fights well in November’s chilly water. What with the current warming trend, many lakes and ponds remain ice-free in November. There’s no reason not to launch a boat or canoe and have at the waiting trout. Just dress warmly and have fun. Other Pursuits Those who relish trail riding on their ATVs can find plenty of opportunities in November. Some trails may be too wet for riding, but information about trail (Continued on next page)
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conditions should be posted at trailheads. Also, the Moosehead Lake Region Chamber of Commerce has the information you need for your November visit. Visit their website at www.mooseheadlake.org, write them at 480 Moosehead Lake Rd., PO Box 581, or call them at(207) 6952702. In addition to more
remote trail riding, the Town of Greenville ranks as ATV-friendly. In-town riding as well as some local trails offer a convenient way to get out and do some riding. ATV lanes in Greenville are clearly marked. A trailhead at Greenville Junction offers parking for vehicles with trailers. Besides all these active pursuits, Greenville offers lots
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of laid-back activities. Booking rooms now comes a lot easier than in summer, since tourist activity has greatly diminished. Many local restaurants and watering holes remain open and of course, there is no closed season on the region’s spectacular scenery. You needn’t drive far from Greenville to find lots of scenic vistas. And if you decide
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64 • November 2021 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
Deer Camp Follies At deer camp, the “Wally Potter pre-dawn alarm system” went like this: Wally would grab the nearest ankle and yank a sluggard out of his bunk. The first guy would wake up when he hit the floor, and the “thud” would get everyone else scrambling. I spent my first career deer camp like any rookie, learning the ropes. For years, my father and his “gang” stayed at an orphaned camp in Central Maine. By orphaned, I mean nobody took a lick of care to it. About every other sidewall shingle was hanging on for dear life and the ones that fluttered to the ground found their way into the kitchen stove that heated the place. The missing shingles revealed worn battered gray boards with cracks that let falling temperatures suck heat from all
four sides. A bucket or two inside to catch drips when it rained betrayed a roof long in the tooth. But with a few wood shingles to start the fire and some dry firewood, that old cook stove had grown men down to their skivvies. By the time the last cribbage game was done, the front door was propped wide open. A camp door has a way of serving as a thermostat. In that uninsulated shack, it didn’t stay open very long. Of course, all this heat was great if someone stuffed the
old stove on a regular basis. However, by morning the water in the tea pot that whistled all evening was frozen solid. Birthright Bunk Getting a bunk in that camp was, well, difficult at best. Like any fine establishment, they had a waiting list. Okay, born into it. I remember “outsiders” asking if they could attend. The answer, always, “Sorry – full.” The only way to get a spot was by birth. Yup, first born of one of the core gang was usually good enough. While I punched my ticket to deer camp,
In November, all roads in the Jackman area lead to a deer camp. Jackman serves as a hub for trophy deer hunters who have an appetite for big woods-style hunting. The region offers a variety of lodging opportunities that range from spike camps and rental cabins to in-town accommodations. Photo: Shutterstock
I still didn’t have a place to sleep. All the bunks were full. That’s when my dad borrowed a truck camper that helped free up a few bunks. And, that first year, while dad and a few others stayed in the truck camper parked out by the outhouse, they let me have a coveted bunk. I had a few things to learn.
Potter Alarm First, the Wally Potter alarm system. Potter was sleeping in the truck camper. He would roll into the camp at 4 a.m., pound the iced-solid tea pot on the stove, and announce it was time to get going. Now, like most camps, some guys played cards and told (Continued on next page)
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������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • November 2021 • 65
Deer Hub Because I am now entering my sixth decade, a warm camp with an electric alarm sounds just fine to me. Because the Jackman Region serves as a “hub” of sorts for trophy deer hunting, you’ll find that lodges, camps and in-town ac-
(Continued from page 64)
deer hunting stories into the wee hours of the morning. That made getting up early problematic for a few of them. The wake-up alarm worked like this: Wally would gently grab an ankle and not so gently yank the sluggards out of their bunk. They would wake up when they hit the floor. Usually the “thud” from the first guy would get everyone scrambling. Deer hunting camps have improved dramatically over the years. Most hunters expect at least minimal creature comforts. Some of the lodges border on luxurious.
commodation options abound. This allows hunters to spend time pursuing Maine’s iconic whitetail deer while enjoying a modern version of camp life. The hamlet of Jackman’s proximity to zillions of acres of prime deer habitat just adds to
the experience. Don’t get me wrong. The appeal of setting up a canvas-wall tent and a
classic spike camp still raises eyebrows. It’s just a very labor-inten(Jackman continued from page 67)
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66 • November 2021 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
“Do-it-Yourself” Versus Hiring a Guide Over the years I’ve had a heavy dose of “do-it-yourself” outdoor exploits. Some of those resulted in experiences I’ll cherish until the day they drop me into the ground. Others darn near put me in the ground. I often advocate using a Registered Maine Guide when recreating in the Pine Tree State. A good guide is priceless. He or she can orchestrate a trip that the grandkids will have to listen to. But make no mistake – some are better than others. My formula for evaluating a guide is simple. If I forget the price the guide charged and remember the trip, I call it a win. Yes, remembering the adventure trumps lost wages every time. With frost under-
Guides increase the chances of a customer harvesting a big buck by relying on experience, extensive pre-season scouting, and sometimes a network of trail cameras. Much of the cost of a fully-guided hunt is compensation for this behindthe-scenes work. foot and deer season upon us, deer hunting guides come top of mind now. The Katahdin Region, unlike some of the southerly districts in Maine, has zillions of acres with few roads and little development for hunters to work with. Of course, this means fewer deer per square mile. It’s a different game than hunting whitetails in the more populated areas. A “do-ityourself” guy like me would need some serious pre-scouting time to formulate a decent plan for harvesting a wall-hanger from this
vast wilderness. That’s where hiring a guide makes sense. They’ll have a plan. And, rest assured, they want to see successful clients. A happy customer not only broadcasts good results, but returns the following year. Nothing makes a guide prouder than seeing photos of his customer’s hands wrapped around a thick set of horns and plastered all over social media. It’s advertising you can’t buy, except, of course, here in The Maine Sportsman.
Guide Packages Katahdin Country has plenty of guides for hire. They can put packages together that range from lodging only to semi-guided and fully guided. Semi-guided hunts can offer a real bang for the buck, figuratively and literally. Lodging-only includes a place to sleep and cook meals. It can be a great experience. Most folks who rent lodging will offer up some local intel. These subtle hints are often valuable and should be checked out. Semi-guided hunts usually include lodg-
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ing and a guide who will spend a day or two orienting deer hunters to the area. Hunters will hunt on their own, but the guides will help get them into productive areas. Some deals provide help with transporting a harvested animal out of the woods. Fully-guided hunts basically include everything from breakfast to a nightcap. They’ll have tree stands and ground blinds at select locations based on their pre-season scouting. Perhaps they have some prime acreage picked out for an oldschool still-hunt. Guide Selection They increase the chances of harvesting a Biggest Bucks in Maine candidate by relying on experience, extensive pre-season scouting, and possibly a gaggle of trail cameras. Much of the cost of a fully-guided hunt goes to offset this behind-the-scenes work. When guides shake a client’s hand for the first time, it’s not their first day on the job. Any deer that goes across the scale was more than likely on the guide’s radar a month earlier. Selecting a guide in the region is easy enough. Print media, such as here in The Maine Sportsman, as well as the internet and word-of-mouth, all produce good results. (Continued on next page)
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Talking to references can help determine if a particular guide is a good fit. One tidbit I always try to find out – how many times the reference has used the guide. If they go back on a regular basis, that’s a good sign. Client’s Responsibility Of course, getting a good guide is only part of the equation. The client must do their part, too. I talk to guides all the time who bemoan missed opportunities because the sport failed to live up to their end of the bargain. Complaints range
from guns that have not been sight-checked, to hunters who couldn’t hit the side of a barn. Other epic fails include improper clothing and inadequate footwear. I once spent a week with a friend who forgot his boots. He hunted that first day in dress shoes. Of course, showing no mercy, I selected the wettest bog south of Canada to hunt that day. That night he went to town, and he spent the rest of the week painfully breaking in new boots. Good rain gear can make or break a trip. I bring two sets. One is a military surplus outfit made for monsoons.
Jackman (Continued from page 65)
sive project best accomplished with the help of a Registered Maine Guide who specializes in such expeditions. One of the keys to a successful deer hunt involves pre-season scouting. Sometimes deer season just “sneaks” up rather quickly. If November 1 rolls around before you’ve had an opportunity for some early scouting, then a guide may just save the day. Local guides make it a point to have their finger on the pulse of the local deer herd. They chat with forestry
Not all “do-it-yourself” hunts go as planned. While this guy is good at reading “sign,” his chances for success are marginal at best. A better plan, hiring Registered Maine Guides who have their fingers on the pulse of the local deer population, would yield a much higher chance of joining the Sportsman’s “Biggest Bucks in Maine” patch club. Shutterstock photo
The other a lightweight set that works well on misty or snowy days. It also provides a little bit of a backup. Surprising
how many times another hunter has needed to borrow one of those rain suits. And lastly, I try not
officials and woodcutters who spend their days working in whitetail country. Those connections all add up when a guide puts together a game plan for sportsmen. Listen Hard I remember years ago a truck driver telling me he kept seeing deer cross a road at a certain point every day about the same time. I found the run, and before the season ended I had turned that little tip into venison. Don’t underestimate a guide’s local intel. That’s not to say do-it-yourself hunters can’t have success. Those same log truck drivers will talk to us regular
make the guide angry at me. Makes for a very long week. Another story; another time.
¶
folks too. My friend “Google Earth” can help identify topography that deer favor. Also pay attention to the chatter at the local in-town diner. Innkeeper and camp owners can also function as resources. It’s all eyes and ears, whether putting boots to the ground in the woods or enjoying a hot meal after the sun sets. My second deer camp accommodations were in the camper with Wally and my dad. Come morning, I loved witnessing Wally as he woke up deer camp.
¶
— Trophy Gallery —
Rickie Boutilier earned his Biggest Buck patch with this 221-lb., 8-pointer, shot November 26, 2020 in his hometown of Dexter.
Christopher Cyr of Oxford joined the Biggest Bucks patch club with this 229-lb., 14-point deer, taken November 20, 2020 in Concord Twp. The weight was certified at Bait, Bolts & Bullets in Solon.
Kevin Hamel of Bangor was awarded his Biggest Bucks patch after tagging this 218-lb., 10-point buck in Chester on November 19, 2020, using a .308. www.MaineSportsman.com
68 • November 2021 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
It’s All About Communication – The “Trapping Matters” Workshop The Maine Department Inland Fisheries and Wildlife hosted a “Trapping Matters” workshop on August 18, 2021. The workshop, subtitled “Communication Strategy,” is provided by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. It was the second one sponsored here in Maine in recent years. I attended this meeting. The majority of other attendees were employees of the Department. These workshops are designed to help wildlife professionals discuss regulated trapping with the public. Regulated trapping in today’s world is at times contentious and misunderstood. Trapping is an essential part of the management of wildlife. Most wildlife officials at state and federal levels shy away from discussing trapping with the public due to their lack of knowledge about trapping. These workshops are designed to help alleviate this reluctance. Who’s the Audience? The workshops are designed to help wildlife professionals understand – and be able to communicate – how regulated trapping benefits society and the management of wildlife, including: • How to gauge an audience’s perspective and assess who one is talking to; and
Trapping is among the most regulated of all outdoor activities. However, these days the subject can be contentious and misunderstood. Some wildlife officials are reluctant to discuss trapping with the public. These workshops are designed to help address this reluctance. • Understanding public opinions, along with the demographics and statistics on what and why people trap is necessary. Effective Communication Effective means of communications about trapping will vary, depending on who the audience is, the medium of communication, and the source of the information. To best communicate on the issue of trapping, the speaker must discuss the kinds of wildlife to be trapped, the fact that regulated trapping will not cause wildlife to be threatened or endangered, that trapping is managed through scientifically-based regulations enforced by conservation officers, and that various agencies constantly review and develop rules and regulations and provide educational programs to ensure that trapping is humane. Specifics of the Presentation During the workshop, basic tools and the primary methods of trapping were discussed, and subsequently reinforced by hands-on demonstrations. Topics included the various types of traps, and how they function. Specific emphasis was placed on the development and use of Best Management Practices (BMPs) – what they are, why they were developed, and how they apply to today’s furbearer and wildlife management. Next, presenters reviewed public opinion data, as well as focus group and human dimensions studies on the topic of trapping. The workshop attendees re-
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ceived scientifically-sound information, and they were trained in communication skills to make them better able to address the subject of trapping. Trapper Communications Trappers are frequently questioned about trapping methods. Often, the questions are posed by people who lack any real knowledge of trapping and wildlife management other than what they have read or seen on TV. Most people have honest and unbiased questions about trapping. Others ask because they have a predisposition against trapping, often spurred on by organizations that preach that trapping, hunting and fishing are cruel and barbaric occupations that belong in the stone age in history books. Their first “target of opportunity” in their attempt to stop these activities is trapping. Trappers need to be knowledgeable of the facts of modern trapping and its regulation so they can communicate effectively with those inquiring about trapping. Much could be learned by trappers on how to communicate effectively from information presented in the Trapping Matters workshops developed for wildlife professionals.
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Spicy Island Venison Stew Spice is not only nice, but it warms the body through any cold days. I think I’ll take you on a spice safari this winter and introduce some old and new recipes that keep your body thermometer warmed up! I hope you enjoy this recipe. To mix things up a bit, you can also substitute Scorpion Pepper Sea Salt for Scotch Bonnet and sea salt. Enjoy, and Bon Appetit! Ingredients: • 2 pounds venison stew meat • 1 lime, juiced • 1 tablespoon salt • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper • 1 Scotch bonnet pepper, seeded and minced • ½ teaspoon dried thyme • ½ teaspoon ground allspice • 3 tablespoons curry powder • 2 whole scallions, sliced • 1 onion, sliced • 3 cloves garlic, minced • ¼ cup garlic olive oil • 3 tomatoes, diced • ½ cup coconut milk Instructions: Rub meat with lime juice; place meat in bowl, add salt, black pepper, Scotch bonnet, thyme, allspice, curry powder, scallions, onion and garlic. Marinate for
5 hours, or overnight, in refrigerator. Heat oil in cast iron pot until very hot, and sear meat until golden brown. Add marinade, tomatoes and coconut
milk, and simmer for 2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally until meat is tender.
Meat Substitutions: Beef, Moose, Caribou, Bear or Elk.
Maple Bacon Brunch Cake My mom grew up 16 miles from the Quebec border in Moose River, ME. I was privy to many French Canadian-influenced culinary delights. This one is savored by those with a very serious sweet tooth. It made my teeth hurt, it was so good! This recipe is based on Pouding chômeur - which translates as “unemployed person’s pudding,” part of the traditional cuisine of Quebec. There are many stories on its origin, and they all seem to be around the start of the Great Depression. Ingredients • 1 ¼ cups dark amber Maine Maple Syrup • 11 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature • 1 cup all-purpose flour • 2 teaspoons baking powder • ½ teaspoon salt • ½ teaspoon nutmeg • 1 large egg
• • • • •
1 large egg yolk 1/3 cup buttermilk 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 2/3 cup sugar 3 slices (or more) cooked bacon, chopped
Directions: Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly butter 8-inch square ceramic baking dish. Line bottom with parchment and butter paper. Sprinkle bacon on bottom.
In medium saucepan, boil maple syrup over moderate heat until reduced to 1 cup, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, whisk in 3 tablespoons butter, then pour over bacon into baking dish. In small bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, salt and nutmeg. In another small bowl, whisk whole egg and egg yolk with buttermilk and vanilla. In large bowl, beat remaining butter with sugar at medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. At low speed, beat in dry ingredients in 2 batches, alternating with liquid ingredients; beat until batter is smooth. Evenly dollop heaping tablespoons of batter on top of bacon and maple syrup. Bake for 35 minutes, or until top is nicely browned or toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Stand for 10 minutes before cutting and serving.
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70 • November 2021 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
Whitetails and Waterfowl Keep County Hunters Active There’s no question that whitetail deer hunting is the most popular venture for Maine sportsmen; in fact, it’s likely the top big game quarry throughout the entire U.S. It’s certainly a passion for many regional hunters, verging on obsession, to tag a bragging-size buck. It’s not uncommon for lots of everyday working men and women to forge through 50 weeks of the year with tunnel vision toward one or two weeks in deer camp this month. The Deep Woods During the spring and summer, Aroostook County is a patchwork quilt of gold and green, with its plethora of farm fields and forests. Then, as autumn arrives, it suddenly becomes a kaleidoscope of color. Just as quickly, the colorful quilt becomes
very different from the approach employed in rural and urban-edge farmland and woodlots, where many sportsmen drive-andspot around fields or wander two-tracks or field roads before or after work to spot a buck. If you have a full day, I’d suggest heading for Ashland and then Six-Mile Gate and onto the Realty Road (known to us locals as the “Reality” Road) to Big Machias Lake. Once past the waterway, continue on to Pratt Lake and then turn north onto 30-Mile Road. This journey will eventually bring travelers in a loop connecting to 20Mile Brook Road and right back to Big Machias and the Reality Road. Along the way, a spiderweb of side roads, old log haul-
For deer hunters who have the time, the author recommends a big drive-and-spot loop involving descriptive landmarks such as Six-Mile Gate, 30-Mile Road and 20-Mile Brook Road. And given the rough terrain and lack of cell coverage, he suggests bringing a high-lift jack, spare tire, chain saw and winch.
If there’s no time for a drive to hunt the deep north woods, a pre-work outing to check urban edge pastures and cut grain fields can also put venison in the freezer. All photos: Bill Graves
a blanket of white, and deer hunters breathe a sigh of content throughout the Crown of Maine as they head to the woods seeking tracks and trails. The deep, dense
North Maine woods continues to be a favorite destination for resident and non-resident whitetail enthusiasts alike. The vast region accommodates a battalion of hunters,
offering uncrowded spaces and seldom a no trespassing or private property sign. How you hunt depends on the terrain. Stalking deer is a deep-woods tactic,
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Pre-season scouting and well-placed game cameras help locate trails and travel patterns in the North Maine Woods when hunters can only visit every week or so. This hefty crotch-horn ambled by in the fog one morning. (Continued from page 70)
ing trails and skidder tracks can be explored. Hunters will have no problem finding a secluded area to stillhunt, with big bucks and few other sportsmen. There are beech ridges, a few wild raspberry patches, and some old cuttings where the more “mature” or physically challenged hunters can sit and watch trails and likely feeding areas for moving deer. The younger, brush-beating crowd can explore dozens of woods roads where deer, moose and coyote tracks far outnumber human footprints. For those who break up the woods-walking with a bit of road riding, the chances of spotting a whitetail while driving these old log hauling roads are fair. I recommend a high-lift jack, an extra spare tire, a hefty come-along or winch, a chain saw and twoway radio of some sort, since roads are rough, traffic sparse and cellphone coverage nearly non-existent. On the plus side it’s the “Big Woods” and a deer hunter’s paradise.
Carson Cushman of Mars Hill took full advantage of his youth day opportunity to tag a good sized doe and put some meat in the family freezer.
Check Delorme’s Atlas, Map 62, D-5 and Map 63, D-1 for a complete overview. Cold Weather Honkers The number of goose hunters dwindles drastically with the advent of deer season and cold weather this month. However,
the birds are out in full force, as migratory flocks stop and stay to fatten up in the regional grain and potato fields. For hearty honker hunters who pursue the big birds until the season ends in early December or deep snow and frozen waterways send birds
Travel to the far depths of the North Maine Woods and you will find few human tracks in the new snow, but many deer tracks and perhaps this big buck just stepping out of his.
south, a few subtle changes in hunting style improve success rates.
Geese leave their roost ponds later in the morning, giving (Continued on next page)
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72 • November 2021 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
While most sportsmen are out chasing deer, hoping to find a fresh track in the snow, Greg Palm of Presque Isle sets out goose decoys and coaxes hungry honkers into shotgun range.
Many Aroostook hunters are beating the brush for deer this month, but some prefer a view from a river bank blind over a set of decoys: lots of birds, and very little competition.
The County (Continued from page 71)
the sun a chance to thaw the surface of feeding fields. On really chilly days, the flocks often stay out all day, so there will be no afternoon flights. If there’s snow on the ground, camo layout blinds will need a white snow cover to blend in – often, a white bed sheet will do when a commercially-made cover isn’t available. Take along a shovel and broom to keep snow off the decoys and to clear a few
bare patches to place decoys around so approaching flocks will see some bare ground and food. Be sure to have a goose flag along – it will show up well when waved at distant flocks from the snowy white fields. Check out the Washburn area along Route 164 – there are many acres of cut grain and harvested potato fields near several lakes and ponds, and the Aroostook River is nearby, just
a short flight from the rest water to food. DeLorme’s Map 64, C-5 will offer an overview. St. John Valley hunters in the Fort Kent, Madawaska and Frenchville area would do well to scout the open farmland around the north end of Long Lake. There are dozens of small lakes and ponds around the big lake as well as the St. John River that serve as roost waters for large numbers of honkers, and many fly around and feed near St. Agatha. Map 68, C-2 will put you on the
Late season hunting in snow and cold weather requires perseverance, but the geese are hungry and a bit less cautious, so the action can be fast and steady. Beaver Pierce of Blaine, and Buddy and Brian Horr of Dedham, limited out in short order.
birds. Last Chance Ducks When most of the still waters grow a coat of ice in The County, a common event late each November, the Aroostook River remains clear and flowing for a few weeks. It’s the last bastion for mature mallards and big red-leg black ducks as they flock to the backwaters, coves and eddies for roost, rest, and relaxation. The best options are to float a section in a canoe and jumpshoot flushed ducks, or locate a quiet run and
set out a dozen decoys for some pass-shooting. There are roads on each side of the river from Ashland to Fort Fairfield, and plenty of easy access sites to launch a small boat or set a decoy spread. Most are within ten minutes of a dozen towns and villages along the river’s run. Ducks will be plentiful and hunting pressure very light, so enjoy a late season outing before the ice arrives and birds depart.
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— Trophy Gallery —
Adam Vogel of Monroe earned his Biggest Bucks patch with this 230-lb., 12-point trophy on November 2, 2020, using a .308. The deer’s weight was certified at the Monroe Country Store.
Sarah Maxcy had a productive 2020 hunting season, earning her Biggest Buck patch after tagging this bruiser.
Quinn Philbrick of Oquossoc had a productive 2020. This 175-lb. buck, taken in Falmouth, was part of an impressive Grand Slam, which also included a bull moose from Upper Cupsuptic (709 lbs.), a 20-lb. wild turkey taken in Falmouth, and a black bear (474 lbs.) from Upper Richardson.
Austin Harmon of Putnam, CT, a forestry major at the University of Maine, earned membership in the Biggest Bucks Club on November 11, 2020 with this 203-lb., 8-point deer, taken in Carmel. The buck’s weight was certified by the folks at The Village Store, in Carmel.
Kai Trenoweth of Buckfield tagged this 140-lb., 7-point buck during the 2020 season. www.MaineSportsman.com
74 • November 2021 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
Seeing Stars The universe is full of stars. That’s a good thing, because if there were no stars, the night sky would be sort of empty, with nothing floating around up there except the occasional rejected Jeopardy host, and Richard Branson. But fortunately, stars brighten the night sky and provide useful beacons for anyone who’s careless enough to venture into the wild at night and become lost in the dark. If for some odd reason you’re currently reading this issue of The Sportsman outside at night, the stars offer numerous signposts to guide the ill-prepared peruser of periodicals back home. Just follow these tips to return safely to the asylum from which you escaped. North Star – Google It First, locate the North Star. This is easy, because the North Star, or Polaris as its friends call it, is located right at the tip of the Little Dipper. Or possibly, the Big Dipper. You probably should Google that. The Dippers (excellent name for a political party) are also known as Ursa Major and Ursa Minor. “Ursa” is Latin (or maybe Greek) for bear, because ancient people thought bears looked like dippers. They don’t, and that misconception just muddles up your chances of www.MaineSportsman.com
The author presents several stellar methods for finding your way around at night.
finding your way home before morning. So, let’s forget all about the North Star and consider something else. ’Round Orion’s Belt For instance, there’s the Southern Cross. If you can spot this array of stars, you’ll have a pretty good idea where you are, which is someplace in the southern hemisphere, such as Africa or Australia. You should be aware that your Maine hunting license will not be valid there. Let’s try something easier. Everybody can locate the constellation Orion, with its three stars indicating his belt. Orion is always in the night sky, except for two weeks in February, when he goes on vacation. Orion moves in a circular path around the sky, so if it’s December, it’s in one place, and if it’s June, it’s in another. Once you have Orion in sight, just figure out what time of year it is, and then you’ll know which direction
will lead you home – assuming you know where Orion is that month. You might want to keep some kind of chart in your backpack explaining all this. Cosmic Muffin If that’s too complicated, the Zodiac is here to help out. These arrangements of stars signify powerful entities, which, if astrologers are to be believed (spoiler alert: they aren’t), affect every aspect of your life. For instance, if you’re searching for a Zodiac sign to guide you home, your horoscope probably reads, “You are highly unlikely to survive this night if you interact with anybody whose first name is ‘Ursa.’” The important Zodiac signs to know are Aries the archer, Libra the scales, Cancer the disease, Pluto the pup, Baxter the park and Judy the commissioner. There are some others, but they’re currently in retrograde, so there’s no need to concern yourself with
them. Just follow any of these signs until you bump into reality. Alternate Universe If all this star stuff seems unnecessarily confusing, you can blame Galileo. Before that noted astronomer came long in the 16th century, everyone believed the sun and stars revolved around the earth. Galileo demonstrated that the universe actually revolves around the Kardashians. It is, of course, simpler that the stars stay in one place, while the earth moves, so let’s just go with that. You can’t argue with science, because if you do, you’ll just end up catching Covid-19. Not to worry about that, because there are plenty of other objects floating around in the heavens, and any one of them could guide you to safety. Blinking lights in the sky usually signal an airplane. If you follow it, you’ll come to an airport, where you can catch another plane home. You’ll have to be mov-
ing pretty quickly to make this plan work, but if you can motivate along at a few hundred miles per hour, it never fails. Lawyers, Guns and Money Space is also full of satellites. If you spot one, use it to convey the following message on your satellite phone: “Help! I’m lost! Send lawyers, guns and money!” If you don’t happen to have a satellite phone, you can follow the path of the orbiting object to Elon Musk’s house, where I’m sure he’ll be happy to provide shelter. Finally, there are UFOs, which according to an official government report, are definitely not piloted by aliens from other planets. If you don’t mind a little friendly probing, they’ll beam you down wherever you like. As you can see, there are numerous options for finding your way to safety in the nighttime. Of course, none of them are as certain as staying home and playing video games. Get a game that involves space travel. Seeing the stars up close should be educational. Al Diamon writes the weekly column Politics & Other Mistakes for the Portland Phoenix and the Daily Bulldog. He can be emailed at aldiamon@herniahill.net.
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Smilin’ Sportsman Eb: Relationships are a lot like algebra. Flo: What do you mean? Eb: Here’s an example – have you ever looked at your X, and wondered Y? — Fisherman to Lady Warden: “You are kind, funny and beautiful.” Lady Warden: “Oh come on – you’re just saying that so I don’t write you a ticket for not having a fishing license!” Fisherman: “And smart, too!” — As the sun was setting, Joe appeared in the back yard of the deer camp, dragging a big buck. “Great buck!” exclaimed his friend. “But weren’t you hunting with Mark? Where is he?” “He was helping me haul this big buck,” Joe explained, “but he had a heart attack and died about two miles back up the trail.” His friend was aghast. “So you left Mark in the woods, and dragged this buck back?” “Of course!” Joe replied. “I wasn’t worried about another hunter stealing Mark!” — “I’ll need to see your driver’s license,” said the police officer to the elderly gentleman whose car had left the road and ended up in a ditch. “According to my doctor, I’m no longer required to have a license,” explained the gentleman. “What do you mean?” asked the cop. “Well, after my last eye exam, the optometrist took my driver’s license, cut it up into little pieces and threw it away, telling me, ‘Well, you certainly won’t be needing THAT anymore!’”
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76 • November 2021 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
— Trophy Gallery —
Albert Silver of Woodstock tagged this impressive 202-lb,. 10-point buck in his hometown on November 2, 2020, earning him a Biggest Buck patch.
Emily Nyman of Corinna tagged this 205lb., 8-point buck on November 28, 2020. She was carrying a .30-’06. The “Biggest Buck” qualifier was certified at the Exeter Country Store.
Dustin Meserve tagged this 200-lb., 10-point buck on November 10, 2020 in Limerick. The impressive deer’s weight was certified at Limerick Village Variety. www.MaineSportsman.com
Jeff Stoebe tagged this 212-lb., 7-point buck while bowhunting in Brunswick on September 26, 2020. As befits a master archer, Jeff is a resident of Arrowsic.
Bow Keith Verney, age 7, got his buck-hunting career off to a great start on November 3, 2020 when he bagged this 216.4-lb., 8-point whitetail in Newcastle. Bow is shown here with his father, Brett.
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— 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
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SUBMIT AD AND PAYMENT BY THE 30TH OF EACH MONTH AND YOUR AD WILL APPEAR IN THE NEXT ISSUE. COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER’S DREAM: 6.6 ACRES 370 ft. road frontage on Whittier Road in Farmington, ME just off Routes 2 & 4. Electricity on site, 4 water hookups and 4 sewer hookups, Tax Incentives possible. 207474-0778 HISTORIC 3-FLOOR COMMERCIAL BUILDING ON ANDROSCOGGIN & WEBB RIVERS Western ME, busy US Rt 2. Restaurant equipment, furniture,
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Elite Energy 32,” ready to shoot. FMJ arrows, illuminated nocks. Four tree stands, two Summit SD climbers. All hard cases, safety and climbing gear. Excellent condition, lots of extras. Very nice stuff at fair price $1K or best offer Dan at 207-351-6117.
FULL LINE OF FISHING MATERIALS Flies, Tools, Kits, Lessons, more. Mr. Ed’s Flies & Supplies, 11 Honeysuckle Ln., Brunswick, ME. mredsfliesandsupplies.com or call 207229-8468. (Continued on next page)
North Maine Woods Gem Only camp on the pond. Traditionally built with fairly new roof. Remote, walk-in only. Fly fishing from your front yard. Major lakes and Allagash a short distance. Price will be surprisingly pleasing. 515 Main Street, Presque Isle, ME (207)764-4600 www.bigbearrealestatecompany.com
CONCORD TWP – Cast to rising trout right from your own property. This is a great opportunity to own 2 acres of water frontage on the gorgeous Kennebec River. Gravel driveway in place along with a gravel pad. Easy access from Pleasant Ridge Road in Concord. You can build your home or camp on this property or just park a camper and enjoy the sound of rushing water. This stretch of the Kennebec River holds a wild, self-sustaining population of trophy rainbow trout. Also enjoy close access to ATV and snowmobile trails. Call today for more information. MLS #1507072 – $79,000 HARMONY – Almost 9 acres of land on a town maintained gravel road, in the peaceful Maine countryside. Power is available at the street. This would make a great spot to put your hunting camp or year round home! MLS #1510991 – $25,000 ANSON – If you have been looking for 50 secluded acres with awesome western views, close to Sugarloaf, and Skowhegan, come take a look. Multiple spots for the home of your dreams. Power at the road, driveway already on the property, recreational trails near-by. This property has a lot to offer, come take a look.MLS #1505713 – $64,999 ATHENS – Well wooded parcel with good road frontage on Route 43. Good mature timber and 40 acres to build your home or cabin. Great area for the outdoorsman as this property sits in the middle of Central Maine deer country. Power is at the road only a few feet from the property line. MLS #1502538 – $66,000 CANAAN – Approximately 4.43 acres of land on Route 23 (Hartland Rd) in Canaan with power available at the road. Mobile homes are allowed. 4.20 acres is located in Canaan, ME and 0.23 acres is located in Hartland ME. MLS #1500996 – $37,900 CLINTON – Ready to own 2.7 surveyed acres with about 205 feet of frontage on the Kennebec River? Here is your chance. Power is available at the paved, town maintained road. MLS #1500740 – $79,000 CORNVILLE – 2 acres out of town with drilled well, septic system and power. This would be a great spot to put your mobile home on, use as a camper lot or build your new home. There is currently an old mobile home on the property that will convey ‘’as - is’’ but may need to be torn down and seller has little knowledge of condition. MLS #1497299 – $35,000 CORNVILLE – Nice 4 acre lot on a quiet country road! Property abuts the ITS trail and would make a great spot for your camp or year round home. Drilled well already in place, power available at the road! MLS #1491304 – $40,000 11/21
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2014 RAPIDO LOCO JR. FIREWOOD PROCESSOR WITH TRAILER
24-ft. elevator. Good condition. 567 hours. $40,000. Pictures are available upon request. 413-854-3516
SIX VINTAGE L.L.BEAN BLACK DUCK CORK DECOYS With decoy anchors and rope, good condition. Sold with origi-
Discover the versatility and convenience of Northeastern’s Camp and Cabin kits. Perfect for vacation homes or retirement retreats, these log cabin kits are easy to build and very affordable. They feature simple, open designs and come complete with pre-cut Eastern White Pine Logs, insulated doors, windows, rafters, roof sheathing and subflooring, plus step-by-step instructions.
Just imagine relaxing in your very own Northeastern log retreat!
nal L.L.Bean 6 compartment canvas duck decoy bag for $295. Brunswick, Maine. Call or text 207-7512940.
REAL ESTATE SOUTHERN FRANKLIN COUNTY FARMHOUSE With 120 ACRES. (Continued on next page)
WATERFRONT PROPERTY 44 surveyed acres in Anson. 1500’ river frontage. Currently a portion is used for farming (cornfield). Small garage with workshop, 2 dug wells, and electrical service at the road. Gravel road to the river runs through the middle of the property. $143,000. FMI call (207) 931-8331.
10 Ames Road, Kenduskeag, ME
1-800-624-2797 • (207) 884-7000
www.northeasternlog.com
Farmington – 63 acre or 67 acre lots sold separately or combine as they abut each other. Located at the end of town maintained road. Private location. Recently harvested. $95,000 per lot.
Pembroke – Over 3,000’ on Pennamaquan River and 1,000’ on the Lake this 113-acre woodlot is wonderful. Approx 600’ of frontage on a town-maintained road with power. $220,000
Roxbury – 29+/- acres. Rugged, steep terrain and good road frontage on Route 120. Half of lot recently harvested. Small stream. Property lies at the base of the 1,985’ Patridge Peak. $49,900
Nicatous Lake – Butterfield Island. A private self-sufficient 8 acre island with historic cabins from the 1920s and 30s and a newer main cabin. Move right in, fully furnished. Boat house with dock on mainland. $615,000
Rumford/Peru – 321 acres. View from Lovejoy Hill/Burgess Hill, South Peak are simply amazing. Recently harvested. Snowmobile trail (17N) passes through lot. Good access. $295,000
Hancock County - Over 800 acres with 5,400 sq. ft log cabin completely surrounding Fox Pond. Miles of maintained trails. Adjacent to 20,000 acres of conservation lands. www.foxpondestate.com. $4,300,000
Restaurant and Kitchen are a “Turnkey” Property. Available Immediately.
Restaurant Should be Owned and Operated by a Chef. Favorable Terms. Please Contact Don: (207) 730-2594 mdsrangeleysaddlebackinn@gmail.com
Caryn Dreyfuss, Broker • (207) 233-8275 caryndreyfuss@morton-furbish.com www.realestateinrangeley.com
Caratunk – 1,064 acres. Views of the Kennebec River – Wyman Lake, Moxie Mountain -east & Bigelow Mountains -west. Interior gravel roads and groomed snowmobile trail. $625,000
Beauty runs deep. So does our land sales experience. John Colannino Broker & Forester
Milo – Private wooded 58.5 acre lot with public road frontage, power, and good internal access. Not far from the town of Milo and the Piscatquis River. $69,000
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AFM Real Estate 40 Champion Lane | Milford, Maine | 04461 O: 207.817.9079 | C: 207.266.7355 John.Colannino@afmforest.com For more information on available properties please visit:
www.AmericanForestManagement.com
DALLAS PLT - Fantastic setting on 12 acres with 1880s 3 bedroom, 2 bath farmhouse overlooking spring-fed trout pond, apple trees, fields and woods. Active farm operation with high tunnel greenhouse, raised beds, market garden, low bush and high bush blueberries, and herbs. Several outbuildings for farm stand, storage, workshops. Super opportunity to live where you work with endless possibilities! Don’t miss out on this one, inquire today! MLS #1509405 – $565,000 SANDY RIVER PLT – 2.34 acre wooded land parcel offers potential views of scenic Beaver Mt. Lake! Several possible building sites to choose from and a babbling brook to enjoy. Located directly across the road from deeded lake access with small boat launch. Town maintained year-round road, plus low plantation taxes. Nice spot close to Rangeley amenities, Saddleback ski area. MLS #1475451 – $85,000 RANGELEY – Cute as a button and neat as a pin! Updated Idlewood Cottage offers sun filled kitchen/living space, 1 bedroom and loft sleeping area. Fantastic views of Rangeley Lake and mountains, fully year-round. Ideally located for Rangeley adventures - easy ATV/sled trail access from your door, minutes to town and Saddleback. Move right in and enjoy, sold completely furnished and equipped! Don’t miss out on this one – inquire today! MLS #1511644 – $215,000
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Early 1900s, 8 room, 1-1/2 bath, farm house with 120 acres, mostly wooded, excellent hunting, has snowmo-
bile and ATV trails, Also 1200ft airstrip. For sale by owner. $375,000 Call 207578-1482 —
WANTED DEER/MOOSE ANTLERS Buying any size deer & moose shed antlers/racks or antlered
skulls. All grades bought by the pound. 802-875-3206
Cash. Will Travel. Call Or Text 207-522-6940
¶
SKI DOO, ELAN OR TUNDRA Any Condition. Have
HUNTING CAMP FOR SALE
Camp in Allagash Range 13, Twp 10. Sag Pond area, off Rocky Brook Road. Leased Land. Zone 2. $35,000. Call: 207-731-1200
Grand Lake Stream! 16 acres. 5 minute walk to the stream. 4,900 square feet of living. So many possibilities – don’t miss this one! Dan Fahey Associate Broker Keller Williams Realty 50 Sewall Street, Portland, ME
(207) 632-6265 dansellsmaine@gmail.com
LOG HOME ON 8 ACRES Newly built log home in 2020 with two bedrooms, 1 bath and open concept for kitchen and living room. Nice location in small town of Perham, ME on 8 acres. Brook running along west line. ATV and ITS trail right down the road. Great opportunity for recreation and hunting not far from North Maine Woods.
Macwahoc PLT – With no immediate neighbors, cabin sits high on a bluff looking out over Molonkus Stream. 2 out buildings in very good condition and a large fire pit. Enjoy hunting, fishing or a cold one with friends $49,000
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
High Meadow Realty Trust 320 High Meadow Road, Perham, ME • realty@mfx.net (207) 455-8340 • www.highmeadowrealtytrust.com
Mountain Views with Lots of Privacy
Macwahoc PLT – Huge spruce trees, solitude and a trout and salmon stream at your fingertips. With the driveway already in and a nice clearing on Swimming Hole Road. $19,900
3 Raspberry Lane, Porter, ME – Well maintained get-away on over 42 acres with views of Green Mountain. This “off-grid” home, built in 2005, offers the privacy and seclusion you’ve been looking for yet has all the comforts of home. Propane fired generator powers the home and propane water heater heats the water. There are also some propane, wall mounted, lanterns that give the feel of camp. Lots of knotty pine finish and flooring! There are 2 bedrooms on the main floor and a loft in 1/2 of the upper floor leaving the other half as cathedral ceiling area over the living room/kitchen areas. Use this wonderful property recreationally to take advantage of all the trails, hiking, fishing, hunting opportunities or make it primary residence and enjoy all year long. Roads maintained by association. MLS# 1501576 – $300,000
Mark Moody, Realtor/Broker (207) 491-4540 markmoody@masiello.com www.markmoodysellsmaine.com
Macwahoc PLT – Only a 2 minute walk to the swimming hole, this lot could easily be turned into a sportsman’s paradise on Swimming Hole Road. One area of Northern Maine that can brag about lots of deer, bear, moose and birds. $14,900 Lee – This lot is well wooded, fairly level and ready for you to take a peek at on Old Steamboat Road. It could be the property you have been looking for. $37,500 Springfield – 2+/- acre parcel priced to move. Ready for your camper or getaway cabin right on Route 6. Call today to come see your little slice of the north woods. $18,900
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
www.MaineSportsman.com
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