The Maine Sportsman - October 2017 by The Maine Sportsman - Digital Edition

Sportsman The Maine

October 2017 • $4.99

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Majestic Maine Moose Pages 11 & 76

Dog Training on a Budget Page 19

Tracking Whitetail Bucks, Old School Style Page 28

What’s New in Snowmobiles Page 25

2 • October 2017 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————————————

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�� The Maine Sportsman • October 2017 • 3

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Editorial

4 • October 2017 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Moosehead Region Taking Charge of its Economic Future

The last few decades have not been kind to the economic well-being of folks who live and work in the Moosehead region. Large employers shuttered their doors, the population continued getting older, and it was difficult to attract businesses and young people – and the energy they bring – to the area. But that is changing, based on two separate initiatives. The first is the Libra Foundation’s investment in the Town of Monson, purchasing buildings in the tiny downtown area; razing the unsalvageable structures to create open space and parking; renovating other buildings; and re-opening the Monson General Store, stocking it with fresh produce and other quality offerings. The second is the good work being done by the Greenville-based “Moosehead Lake Region Economic Development Corporation.” This group hired a consulting firm last year to develop a “brand” for the area (“Crown Jewel of Maine”). They defined their geographic focus area (the region within 25 miles of Moosehead Lake), and hosted strategic planning meetings with municipal partners including folks from the towns of Greenville, Monson, Shirley, Beaver Cove and Rockwood Village. Area businesses, hospitals, airports and outdoor recreational organizations also got involved, and certain goals were established: 1) Diversify the economy; 2) Support local businesses and A group is developing a master economic attract new ones; 3) Increase the region’s population by plan for the “Moosehead Lake Region,” 25%, especially with young families and defined as the area within 25 miles of the lake. The plan’s coverage, therefore, school-age children; and encompasses the towns of Greenville, 4) Expand outdoor and nature-based Monson, Shirley, Beaver Cove and tourism year-round. Rockwood Village. Source: MLREDC The group also understood that while talking and planning were important, the public needed to see some quick, visible results. To that end, the group has: • Installed 17 so-called “Wayfinder” signs throughout the area, directing travelers to different sites and locations; • Established a Wi-Fi hotspot in downtown Greenville; and • Installed attractive planters and comfortable benches in town centers so visitors can relax and enjoy their walks Visitors to the Moosehead region will around town. The work will continue over the notice improved signage directing them to various sites and attractions in the area. next few years, with plans to establish The signs are the result of the work of the an “artisan cottage colony” where Moosehead Lake Regional Economic craftspersons can live, display and sell Development Corporation. their creations. We hope this economic development effort succeeds, and that growth can occur without affecting the hunting, fishing, snowmobiling and ATVing opportunities for which the region is justifiably renowned. We applaud the folks in this region for tackling head-on the challenge of adjusting to the loss of large, single-industry employers. The region’s new employment growth slogan, “Earn a Living; Have a Life,” reflects their understanding of the importance of attracting jobs by highlighting the region as a great place to live and raise a family – in other words, by offering a high quality of life outside the workplace. www.MaineSportsman.com

New England’s Largest Outdoor Readership

Sportsman The Maine

ISSN 0199-036 — Issue No. 541 • www.mainesportsman.com PUBLISHER: Jon Lund MANAGING EDITOR: Will Lund will@mainesportsman.com OFFICE MANAGER: Linda Lapointe linda@mainesportsman.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Kristina Roderick kristina@mainesportsman.com ADVERTISING DIRECTOR: Nancy Carpenter nancy@mainesportsman.com ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGER:Mike Moreau mike@mainesportsman.com ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGER:Chris Brawn chris@mainesportsman.com Second class postage paid at Scarborough, ME 04074 and additional entry offices. All editorial inquiries should be emailed to will@mainesportsman.com Advertising and business information: Phone: 207-622-4242 Fax: 207-622-4255 Postmaster: Send address changes to: The Maine Sportsman, 183 State Street, Suite 101, Augusta, ME 04330 12-Month Subscription: $30 • 24-Month Subscription: $49

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Almanac by Will Lund........................................................ 11 Aroostook - “The County” by Bill Graves......................... 36 Big Game Hunting by Joe Saltalamachia...................... 39 Bird of the Month, by Erika Zambello............................... 13 Bowhunting by Chris “Bubba” Johnson.......................... 43 Capitol Report by George Smith..................................... 16 Editorial.................................................................................. 4 Freshwater Fly Fishing by William Clunie.......................... 44 Greater Penobscot Bay by Jim Lemieux......................... 64 Jackman by William Sheldon........................................... 48 Jottings by Jon Lund............................................................ 7 Katahdin Country by William Sheldon............................. 41 Kate’s Wild Kitchen by Kate Krukowski Gooding........... 35 Letters to the Editor.............................................................. 5 Maine Wildlife by Tom Seymour....................................... 24 Maine Wildlife Quiz by Steve Vose................................... 38 Midcoast Report by Tom Seymour................................... 67 Mid-Kennebec Valley by Shawn Simpson...................... 55 Moosehead by Tom Seymour.......................................... 46 New Hampshire by Ethan Emerson.................................. 74 Off-Road Traveler by William Clunie................................ 62 Quotable Sportsman by George Smith........................... 18 Rangeley Region by William Clunie................................. 76 Riding Shotgun by Robert Summers................................. 20 Saltwater by Barry Gibson................................................. 58 Sebago to Auburn Region by Tom Roth......................... 68 Self-Propelled Sportsman by Jim Andrews...................... 61 Shooter’s Bench by Col. J.C. Allard................................. 51 Smilin’ Sportsman by Will Lund.......................................... 42 Smilin’ Sportsman - Kids Edition by Will Lund................... 54 Sporting Environment by David Van Wie........................ 65 Sportsman’s Journal by King Montgomery....................... 9 Southern Maine by Val Marquez..................................... 70 Trapping The Silent Places by David Miller...................... 56 Trading Post (Classifieds)................................................... 81 Trout Fishing by Tom Seymour........................................... 71 Washington County by Steve Vose................................. 59 Western Maine Mountains by William Clunie.................. 72 Young Maine Sportsman by Luke Giampetruzzi............ 79 Young Maine Sportswoman by Alyssa Sansoucy........... 78

SPECIAL SECTIONS

ATVing in Maine by Cathy Genthner.............................. 21 Deer Hunting in Maine by Alan Haley............................. 28 Sporting Dogs by Michael Browning................................ 19 Snowmobiling in Maine by Will Lund ............................... 25 On the Cover: “Bull Moose in Red Maples” was captured by Maine wildlife photographer, Mark Picard. Picard’s images have been published in over thirty national and international publications, books, and calendars.To view more of Mark’s stunning photography, visit. www.markpicard.com.

�� The Maine Sportsman • October 2017 • 5

Letters To The Editor

Professional Hiker-Guides -- Should a License be Required? To the Editor: Under current Maine law, a guide’s license is needed if an individual is paid to accompany or assist clients while hunting, fishing, trapping, boating, snowmobiling, using an ATV or camping at a primitive site. However, no license is required for those who guide hiking trips. Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife drafted this law about 100 years ago. The law should now be updated to add a requirement to license hiking guides. By not asking the Legislature to amend the statute to add professional hiking guides, the department is indicating that it’s not necessary to be a Maine Guide if you lead clients on a hiking trip for hire. Anybody can do it, without demonstrating that they know First Aid or CPR, or even that they know how to read maps, use a compass and GPS, or find folks who are lost in the woods of Maine. I am a Registered Maine Guide. While I have never had to perform CPR while leading a hiking trip, I have remedied blisters, twisted ankles, a broken leg, dehydration, heat exhaustion and plain ol’ panic at places like Katahdin and Gulf Hagas – two of the most hazardous hikes in the East. By allowing unproven and unqualified guides to lead hikes for hire, IF&W is, in my opinion, promoting negligence and flirting with disaster. I am surprised that although this law has been around for a century, nobody has ever challenged it by pointing out the risks of not licensing hiking guides. I hope others will join me in speaking out on this matter. Christopher Keene Registered Maine Guide, Greenville, ME tahdinbooks@gmail.com —

Young Angler Learns Conservation Early To the Editor: Our family goes on an annual fishing trip in the North Maine Woods. My dad, Randy Keach, a long-time reader of The Maine Sportsman, has been going here for years, and it is now tradition passed down to his grandsons. We get up very early in the morning and hike the trail in the dark, and his grandsons are the first out of bed in the morning and ready to hit the trail. One morning early this summer, we all found our spot on the banking, and the oldest of his grandsons, Dominik, threw his cast. With excitement in his voice, he yelled, “I’ve got one, Grandpa and it’s a big one, I can tell!” His grandfather, who was quite a ways away, yelled back, “Keep the line tight, Dom.” I ran down with the net to help Dom wrangle the fish to shore. After bringing it in, he said, “Mom, look at it – it’s such a pretty fish, and good-sized, too” and I proudly agreed. He asked, “Should I put it back, or keep it?” I hollered to Grandpa, and he responded, “It’s his fish, and the limit is two a day, so he has to decide.” Dom took another look and said, “Man, it’s a nice one, but I think I’ll put it back and let it get bigger for next year.” He released

the fish, and away it swam – the biggest fish that was caught that day. When Grandpa made his way over and saw the photo of the fish, he said, “Wow, Dom, I am so proud of you – not many boys would choose to let that fish go, but you are right: it will grow bigger, and we will be back to hopefully catch it again.” As a mom, I am so happy that my boys love the north Maine woods. We are all about keeping the angling and hunting traditions alive and well in our great State. Angela K. Pinkham Office Director, Main-Land Dev. Consultants Livermore Falls, ME —

Enjoyed JC Allard’s “Favorite Firearm” Column To the Editor: Greetings from South Texas. I just wanted to say I enjoyed reading the column about “Your Favorite Gun,” by Jim Allard. An old soldier and great American shared it with me. As I opened and closed memories, pondering all the firearms, I couldn’t help but smile, because they are tied to so many great experiences. I found comments from others very interesting – so many different schools of thought. Well, my favorite is one I don’t currently own. The accuracy of the M1A1 is jawdropping, and for me, that’s kind of a big deal.

1941 M1A1 carbine. Source: Collections & Creations, LTD

It may not be as sexy as today’s modern rifles, but for me, it’s never all about the looks. Thanks for the trip down memory lane! J. David “Jethro” Walker, Texas —

Tennessee’s Favorite Rifle Dom Pinkham’s mom and grandfather were both proud of the young man’s decision to return this beautiful trout to the waters of the North Maine Woods, where it will continue to grow. Angela Pinkham photo

To the Editor: I really enjoyed JC Allard’s column on favorite rifles. So, as I sit here and ponder, this is what comes to mind. (Continued on next page)

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Letters to the Editor (Continued from page 5)

1) I own an original Newton. My Grandpa got it from a fella who owed him money from a card game and asked would he accept the rifle as payment. My Grandpa gave it to my Dad who gave it to me. It’s the only rifle I currently mention in my will. This rifle was the impetus to take up reloading. 2) I own a pre-64 Winchester Model 70 that was rebarreled in .256 Newton. This rifle allowed me to semi-retire the one above. It’s a wonderful deer rifle. 3) I have two pre-64 Winchester Model 70s in .30-06. Goal is for each of my sons to get one when I check out. 4) Whenever I grab for a rifle as I walk around my property, invariably I reach for an old Savage 99 in .250-3000. It’s so old it has a 1:14 twist and only shoots 100 grain Speers accurately. It is light and handy if I were to spot a coyote, fox, bobcat, coon or possum. If you said I could only have one ... like your friend Jim Cox, I’d choose one of the pre-64 Winchester Model 70s in .30-’06. I can take anything on this continent, include big, dangerous bears, with the .30-’06. But, the original Newton Rifle in .256 Newton is probably my favorite. Jim “Hawk” Holloway, Tennessee —

More on JC Allard’s “Favorite Gun” Column To the Editor: Just got my latest issue of The Maine Sportsman. Great article by JC Allard (Shooter’s Bench; August 2017) about everyone’s favorite firearm! I see I wasn’t the only one to choose the 12-gauge A.H. Fox shotgun. Jim Cox probably had the most practical choice – the pre-1964 Winchester Model 70 in 30-’06 with a 3x9 Leupold scope. We’ve had three young bucks hanging around in back of the house this summer. By next year, one of them may be a very nice trophy. I may have to go after them, and spend some time in the thick stuff! Mike Martin, Norway, ME Coming next month: Still more letters in response to JC Allard’s “Favorite firearms” column, which received feedback from readers in New Jersey, Connecticut, Kentucky, and of course the Great State of Maine. —

climbing, camping, hiking and kayaking with his wife nearly every weekend (and always in a different state), so I’m glad I instilled in him a love for the outdoors. What I can really relate to is Andrews’ last sentence, in which he writes that after a day hiking, he was stiff and sore while his daughter skipped off to the spring for water. Last September when I returned from Mt. Jefferson in New Hampshire, I told my wife, “I may be too old to do big mountains anymore.” It wasn’t so much climbing up the mountain; rather, it was the descent that was most painful. I was never happier to see the bottom of a mountain as I was that day. Bart Schairer, Hammonton, NJ Jim Andrews responds: Thanks Bart. At 56 years old, I share your sentiments completely. The big climbs scare me sometimes, because I know what’s waiting on the back side. But, like you, I haven’t stopped doing them yet and I think that means we are still winning the battle. —

Big Deer are Few and Far Between To the Editor: I managed to get a big deer near Kokadjo last season. For the record, however, in Maine areas we hunted 20-plus years ago, the woods were in the early years then being clear-cut and the deer herd was in good health. Even with cuts, we could find deeper woods to hunt, and deer were surviving. Returning into this area north of Greenville, we find little sign and mostly grown-in thick cuts. Narrow strips of what was evidence of what the deep wood used to be. I find it somewhat sad that the DIF&W was not able to come to some sort of resolution of preservation with the pulp wood industry. Obviously economics do come into play but where is the trade-off when big game hunters change their trip destination to other states? The loss of out-of-state hunters translates into dollars not spent on lodging licensing, sporting goods sales, food and gas. We saw as large and larger bucks back in those days. Sadly, they are now few and far between throughout many miles of territory around the north woods of Maine. I hope that conservation interests and

On Hiking with Teenagers

To the Editor: I thoroughly Jim Andrews’ column (Self-Propelled Sportsman, “Teenagers on Katahdin”) in the August issue of The Maine Sportsman on summiting Katahdin with his teenage daughter. I can relate. My oldest son was 16 or 17 the last time we did a mountain together (Mt. Lookout and Mt. Whiteface in upstate New York), but my youngest son checked out at a younger age due to his involvement in football. I can happily say that he now does lots of www.MaineSportsman.com

Bob Fortunati and his 232-pound buck, taken not far from Kokadjo.

the pulp industry can find a compromise to preserve these special herds of hardy deer. Bob Fortunati Blodgett Supply Co, Newport, VT —

First-Hand Experience with Ticks and Lyme To the Editor: I appreciated the excellent editorial in the September issue of The Maine Sportsman on the subject of ticks. I contracted Lyme disease a couple of times some years ago, but came through fine with immediate treatment. However, an elderly neighbor contracted the disease and did not do well with it at all. She had to have regular dialysis treatments. She subsequently passed away of other causes, but I am sure the Lyme disease did not help one bit. It’s a shame that guinea hens are not more prevalent in the area, as they eat ticks by the truckload. A large population of such hens would clear the area of all ticks. Wayne Dengler, Danbury, CT —

Interested in the Quebec Moose Hunt To the Editor: I am interested in learning more about the September archery hunt for moose in Quebec (see “Bowhunting,” July 2017, by Chris Johnson). I did receive some information from the province on hunting regulations and prices, but it was written in French. Any information Mr. Johnson can provide would be appreciated. David Redman, East Orland, Maine —

More Questions on Quebec Moose Hunt To the Editor: I read with great interest Chris Johnson’s recent article in The Maine Sportsman. I have been a Master Maine Guide since its inception many moons ago! I personally have been picked for the moose hunt several times, but gave the permits away to others. I owned and operated Hector’s Kennels and Guide Service for 30 years, and specialized in German Shorthaired Pointers and upland bird hunting. I still prefer working with my dogs and fly fishing to anything else. After several back operations, my guiding is about over, but I would still love the adventure of moose hunting in Canada. Not so much for myself, but I love to call them and I have a friend that has never been picked and would love to go. I’d like to chat with Mr. Johnson about his experiences. Bud Doughty, Owls Head, ME Editor’s note: Christopher Johnson will be in direct contact with these readers to discuss Quebec’s moose hunt.

�� The Maine Sportsman • October 2017 • 7

The Publisher Tries to Out-Paddle the Wardens The trout were hitting fast and furious on my #10 muddler minnow, which was rigged as a dropper about eighteen inches ahead of a small streamer with a barred wing. A few trout hit the streamer, but their chief target was the muddler. My son, Mike, was in the rear seat of the canoe and I was in the bow, which gave me a broad arc over which to cast my fly. The barb on each fly was pinched down, so unhooking most fish meant simply turning the fly point down and the trout could drop back into the water. The small forceps attached to my zinger enabled me to drop many of the fish back into the pond untouched by human hand. If the fly was more deeply hooked, the forceps enabled me to back out the hook easily. I passed the word to

a fly-casting practice session. It all averages out.

“Wardens!” they yelled again, this time more insistently. We paddled faster, assuming our friends were gaming us in an effort to win the nightly canoe race back to camp. Mike and our buddies in their canoe that the trout were taking a muddler minnow, but the fish seemed to prefer the smaller version I was using. The breeze had died down on the hike-in wilderness pond, and the surface was calm. The dropper sometimes made a visible wake on the retrieve, which seemed to add to its appeal. #10 Muddler Minnow Rules We saw occasional rises, and a few trout that became airborne, but couldn’t identify what they were taking. Whatever it was, the trout were willing to settle for the small muddler. At one point, the

dropper appeared to be the thumbs-up favorite, and the trout may have been hitting the leader alongside the dropper preventing a hookup, so I cut off the leader below the dropper, but it did not appear to make any difference. It was one of those occasions when all the stars are in perfect alignment: the right place, the right

time and the right equipment. The trout hit our flies so steadily that a fly fisherman could begin to feel guilty. If that happens, the angler should recall the many occasions when brook trout have lockjaw, and are not interested in anything you have to offer. None of the favorite flies have any appeal, and the fishing ends up

Two-Fish Limit On this occasion, we had memorable fast action, and hooked a large number of trout, releasing all but three, which we ate the next breakfast. It was getting dark and we were getting hungry. I cleaned the three keepers, eviscerating them and removing the gills, but leaving the heads on, in accordance (Continued on next page)

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8 • October 2017 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Jottings

(Continued from page 7)

with the law. The pond had a two-fish-per-person possession limit, with a slot restriction. We pulled the anchor and started heading for camp in a leisurely fashion. I faced the stern and picked up my paddle and lazily paddled backward. The Race I noticed another canoe behind us and assumed it was our campmates, also heading for home. Sometimes we have a bit of a race, so I turned around facing the bow and paddled a conventional bow stroke. The canoe with our buddies in it was gaining on us, so Mike and I upped the paddling tempo. Our canoe gathered more speed. We heard a voice behind us call out: “Wardens!” “Yeah, right!” we thought, and kept up our paddling. Our buddies

are trying to game us. “WARDENS!” This time the voice sounded more insistent. We stopped paddling and our canoe slowed to a stop. A nondescript canoe came alongside with two DIF&W wardens in it. Avoiding Hard Time in the Hoosegow The wardens had been on the water for some time, looking like fishermen, but watching us with powerful binoculars. They’d seen us hook many trout, but didn’t observe our artful, lowto-the-water unhooking technique. They apparently assumed we had kept more fish than our twofish-per-person limit. From their perspective, those assumptions were confirmed when we put on speed and tried to out-paddle them. (Note to anglers –

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This #10 Muddler Minnow, tied for the author by Rich Neilly of Turner, endured three days of hard use and remained highly productive -- so productive, in fact, that it caught the attention of two wardens using high-power binoculars. Jason Lund photo

don’t try to out-paddle a canoe with a couple of wardens in it. You will lose the race.) The warden in the bow asked to see our fish, and I handed over my homemade trout net with three trout in it. He laid out the three speckled beauties, took out a tape measure and called out their lengths: eleven inches…eleven inches… eleven inches. All within the slot limit and legal. (Whew!). We exchanged pleasantries and they churned on their way. We slowly paddled back to camp, and later, entertained our camp-mates with our tale of trying to out-paddle the wardens.

A Well-Tied Fly Rich Neilly, of Turn-

er, who tied a small batch of the muddlers for me last fall, commented that the small-size wet fly was a challenge to tie. I was impressed by the durability of the fly he’d tied for me. Except for a bit of “Hard As Nails” fingernail lacquer I had daubed on the body one evening, it had received no special treatment and endured three days of hard use, and still stayed in good condition. A Handy Ruler Many years ago, the late Clinton “Bill” Townsend used to fish for rainbows in the Kennebec in or near Skowhegan. His interests shifted else where, and he donated two Orvis flyrods he’d used on the Kennebec to an NRCM benefit auc-

tion. I’d bid on them successfully and fished with them. On each one, he’d marked off a ruler in inches, starting with the end of the cork grip plus six inches. This allowed him to check the length of a fish by simply holding it up to his rod. I liked the convenience of this handy ruler, and marked my ninefoot St. Croix pack rod in the same way. It was no accident that our three keepers had been within the slot limit. Thank you, Bill, whatever waters you are fishing, for helping to keep me out of trouble! Thanks to my son Mike, too.

�� The Maine Sportsman • October 2017 • 9

Gordon Setter Daze, Downeast Apparently Alexander, the Fourth Duke of Gordon, was a busy man in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, and two of his many accomplishments readily come to mind: One of his sons, General George Gordon, the Fifth Duke of the clan, formed the 92nd Regiment of the Gordon Highlanders of the venerable British Army; and he helped selectively breed a setter into a better “black and tan” Gordon Setter. The regiment went on to serve all over the vast British Empire and distinguished itself at the seminal Battle of Waterloo, prompting Napoleon’s final downfall. And the latter accomplishment – the selective breeding – persists today as one of the premier upland game and waterfowl gundogs, though the breed is not very well known in the USA. Gordons are a large breed of hunting dogs that includes the more recognizable Irish setters and English setters. They are pointing dogs that also retrieve downed birds including waterfowl that drop into the wa-

Upon our arrival at Weatherby’s, the total Gordon Setter population in Grand Lake Stream jumped from none to about 16 critters, counting George’s seven pups and adults – likely the largest assemblage of Gordons ever seen in Washington County.

Lexe, Frank Lepore’s 5-year old Gordon, is a bird hunting machine. Gordons were bred in Scotland over 150 years ago to hunt grouse, woodcock and other gamebirds on the moors of the British Isles. All photos © King Montgomery

ter. Their original mission was to find, fix (set), and retrieve game birds, particularly grouse, on the extensive moors of Scotland, Wales, and England. These Dogs Can Hunt The modern Gordon setter is the largest of the setters, and comes primarily in a coal black raiment, often sparked with tan on the muzzle,

George Bagley at Weatherby’s with his final brood of 2016. They are around 8 weeks old, but George will train them for another 4 months. When you get a Bagley Gordon setter, he/she is ready to hunt. You’re probably the one that needs training!

legs and chest. Other colors and combinations include black, black and white, white and tan, and rarely, white or red. The signature black-and-tan is most desirable, though I submit, the appearance of the animal is greatly subordinate to the dog’s hunting abilities. Gordons are somewhat larger due to the size trait selectively bred

into the line, since the Duke and others believed a stockier and sturdier animal was best suited for hunting in the moor habitat. They can hunt hard for a long time, and exhibit an “I can hunt all day” attitude and behavior. And I can attest to their energy, durability, and enthusiasm, having hunted over several of these fine dogs, partic-

Puppies often do three things a lot, and one of them is eating. When fully grown, most will weigh between 40 and 50 pounds.

ularly in recent years, when my friend Frank Lepore introduced me to Lexington. Lexington was a snotnose puppy in 2013 when Lefty Kreh and I met him at Weatherby’s Lodge, Frank was managing the camp for proprietor Jeff McEvoy, when Lefty and I fished the nearby St. Croix River for smallmouth bass. Lexe was from a wellknown Gordon breeder near Lexington, KY (Whitelail Kennels), and he was exuberant, enthusiastic, seemingly tireless, and wouldn’t/ couldn’t sit or stand still until normal puppyhood exhaustion set in and a nap was in order. Apparently at home, young Lexe managed to dismantle all the accent pillows, much to the chagrin of Frank’s wife, Patricia – she is, however, a sucker for cute dogs, and doesn’t hold a grudge. Over the next couple of years, I hunted with Frank over Lexe, and the dog only got better, learning to control the ultra-high energy levels, and became more disci(Continued on next page)

Mike Butler is owned by Gordon setters Kate (from George Bagley) and Lily. Butler, a Registered Maine Guide, is the human resources director at Ruger Firearms in Newport, NH. These dogs can hunt! www.MaineSportsman.com

10 • October 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Sportsman’s Journal (Continued from page 9)

plined. And he can hunt. I do believe the creature has trained Frank and me pretty well. In October 2016, Frank, Lexe and I headed Downeast to take part in the first Gordon Setter Daze at Weatherby’s, a several-day event organized by Frank and Jeff. Joining the three Gordon setter owners was George Bagley, a renowned Gordon breeder from Stillwater, just north of Orono. It just so happens he brought along about a dozen Gordons, including seven puppies. George’s Puppies The total Gordon Setter population in Grand Lake Stream jumped from none to about 16 critters counting George’s pups and adults, Frank’s Lexington, John Rano’s Wellington, and Mike Butler’s Lily and Kate – likely the largest assemblage of Gordons ever seen in Washington County. The puppies were about 8-9 weeks old, and two of them already were claimed by Frank and John. The two men strutted around like proud new parents, though George wouldn’t give up the dogs until another month or so to complete their initial training. Each puppy wore a different color collar, and the green-collared beauty al-

ready was named “Sofia” by Frank’s wife, who, I’m sure, already was busy picking up her new throw pillows at home. While taking photos of the mass of dogs, I made the mistake of sitting down on the grass to take some ground-level shots, and soon was covered in puppies and nearly licked and scratched into a real mess. The little ones were absolutely adorable, particularly young Sofia in her bright emerald collar. She had an attitude and carriage that exhibited a very favorable, classy demeanor, and I mused she could become one helluva gun dog. She has... Fast forward to when Sofia is about 7 months old. She’s comfortably ensconced in a nice, new portable kennel next to Lexe under the cap of Lepore’s Toyota Tacoma. We’re on the way to Setter’s Point in Albany Township just south of Bethel, and the young Gordon is about to put to practice what she learned from George Bagley, and then Lepore in the intervening months. Setter’s Point is a perfect place to continue dog training. Owner Dennis Jellison, a Master Maine Guide, is a highly-respected trainer himself, and his superb Llewellyn setters testify to his skills. Dennis has

At around 7 months old, the little female Sofia still needs a little more size and experience to properly retrieve this downed pheasant at Setter’s Point in Albany Township. She ranges, points, and retrieves well, all before 8 months of age. www.MaineSportsman.com

ring-necked pheasants, Chukar partridge and bobwhite quail available. We first hunted Lexe, and he did his usual fine job locating, pointing and retrieving prey. But it was Sofia I was waiting for, and when she got on the ground, our forecasts soon were proven spoton: this little dog really can hunt! Such a classy young lady, and a joy to watch and shoot over. Needless to say, Lepore was pleased, and he’s not the only bird hunter that likes to run Gordons. Jerome Robinson is a well-known and respected outdoor writer and photographer who was gun dog editor for Sports Afield magazine for 20 years, and the author of six books on the hook-and-bullet sports. He likes Gordons, and he had this to say about his latest animal on Bagley’s website: Jack is four months old today. He celebrated the occasion by making his first solid grouse point. I killed the bird in the air and he retrieved it. In the past month he has pointed more than 30 woodcock, six pheasants, one chukar and one grouse. And he’s only four months old! Your breeding and early puppy training really pays off. I’m about to be 79, and having this little dog is making me feel 20 years younger. Thank you! Mike Butler has owned and trained a

half-dozen gun dog breeds over the decades, but now he’s a dedicated Gordon man. His senior dog, Lily, is in her 10th bird season and still hunting like a champ. His younger dog Kate came from Bagley a few years ago, and Butler posted this on Bagley’s website when she was less than a year old: We got a little 13 week old female Gordon with a small white spot on her chin (goatee) from George on Labor Day 2014. We registered her as “Bagley’s 2 Feather Kate.” During the second and third weeks of October 2014, she went on her first big bird camp trip. We shot many woodcock over her and she was less than 4 months old. Lightning fast, brilliant hunt and point, steady as a rock to gun fire and possesses all day full throttle endurance. I’m a Master Maine Guide and have trained and hunted upland gun dogs for many years and am very impressed. Kate is now 11 months old and is an amazing and fun little dog. I recommend George’s proven blood lines of Gordon Setters to anyone who truly wants a dog that lives to hunt (not just a house pet) upland birds. John Rano is a longtime and well-known outdoor sportsman, and is a former manger of the fine Orvis Gun Room in Manchester, VT. He’s had Gordons over the years and reports on his lat-

Young Sofia brings her first field-hunted bird to hand. The Chukar partridge was taken from Dennis Jellison’s Setter’s Point in Albany TWP.

est acquisition from the Weatherby’s 2016 event on Bagley’s website: This pup (we named him Emmett) is one fantastic creature. He is as smart as can be, perhaps the best behaved dog I’ve ever owned, and, as you can see, is very much into hunting at 8 months. Can’t thank you enough for including me among last Fall’s fortunate buyers. Pretty fine praise for a wonderful breed of gun dog, and I can attest to the Gordon’s place on the ground in front of upland game birds. And I don’t even own one; I’m just fortunate to have friends that have them! Good hunting. Information and Resources: Weatherby’s Lodge, Grand Lake Stream, ME: 877-796-5558; www. weatherbys.com. George F. Bagley, Gordon Setter breeder, Stillwater, ME: 207-217-4192; http://www.gundogbreeders.com/breedersmaine/g--f--bagley-.html. Frank Lepore Guide Service, Alfred, ME: 207-8509027; www.maineguides. org/guides/franklepore. Mike Butler, Butler Boys Adventures Outdoors, Sunapee, NH: 603-763-2592; www.maineguides.org/ guides/RMichaelButler.

Gordon setters also take well to water, and are excellent retrievers of waterfowl. This versatile gun dog can handle large ducks and even larger geese downed in the water.

Almanac

��The Maine Sportsman • October 2017 • 11 —————————————————————————————————————————————————————The

Compiled Com piled and Edited by Will Lund

“Snapshots in Time” from the Written Record of Maine’s Sporting Past

zine still being issued in the United States and in that same year the publication was absorbed by its chief competitor, Field & Stream. Enjoy!

by Bill Pierce, Exec. Dir. Outdoor Sporting Heritage Museum Oquossoc, Maine

Text from 1902: “Test of Maine Game Laws”

Here is an interesting article from 1902 regarding unruly moose. The article appeared in a national publication called Forest and Stream, the leading sporting publication of its day. Published in New York City, Forest and Stream was founded in August 1873 by Charles Hallock, and featured articles and fishing, illustrations of hunting, fi shing, and other outdoor activities from throughout the United States. Maine was a premiere destination for sportsmen at the time, and it was not uncommon for an edition to contain several articles on sporting happenings in the Pine Tree State. Forest and Stream was early vehicle for the advancement of conservationism, and helped to launch the National Audubon Society. It was also an early proponent of both the national park movement and the U.S.-Canadian Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. Theodore Roosevelt was just one of many notable contributors. Theodore Gordon, long considfly fishing” ered “the father of American dry fl y fi shing” was also a mainstay. At the time of its 1930 cancellation, it was the ninth-oldest maga-

A peculiar phase of the Maine game law is emphasized by the case of Lloyd Foss, of Bingham, who is wanted by the Maine Game Wardens on the charge of killing a bull moose out of season. Foss is to be brought into court and is due to receive a fi fine ne of from $500 to $1,000 or spend four months in jail. Foss makes no secret of killing the moose, but the case shows that the law affords protection to a fi fierce erce and rabid animal, but no protection to the taxpayer and resident of the

Unlike the moose that attacked the Mr. Foss in the accompanying article, the Game Warden appearing in this vintage photo from the Outdoor Sporting Heritage Museum’s collection, isn’t getting much grief from this big bull moose.

State. A person, in self-defense may kill a human being, but not an animal? The Maine moose have been uglier than ever this year, and in several instances loggers who were unarmed have been treed by moose. Hunters have also met the same fate and have not dared to shoot, for the law has forbidden the shooting of a moose out of season and the authorities have refused to accept a plea of self-defense. A big ugly bull moose had been ranging over in Somerset County and considerable trouble has been stirred up, which, through Mr. Foss, has at last reached the courts and promises to be one of the most interesting test cases that has ever been tried in the United States. Lloyd Foss, who had a gang of men cutting his birch wood for the spool mills at Somerset, had been at work with his men putting out a forest fi fire. re. He had been attacked by this moose several weeks ago, and as a result the whole crowd had to seek the tree tops for cover and protection. After staying in their uncomfortable positions for several hours after dusk, Foss, who had a gun, shot the moose, and now a warrant has been issued for his arrest. Foss does not propose to pay either the thousand dollars or the four months’ jail penalty, and has engaged Walton & Walton Attorneys of Skowhegan, to defend him at the next session. He contends “that if it is lawful to kill a human being in defense of one’s life, it is also lawful to kill a moose under like circumstances, and that if the State protects the game from the inhabitants it must also protect the inhabitants.” Forest and Stream November 22, 1902 Editor’s note: Bill Pierce is researching to determine if any record was made as to whether this novel courtroom defense proved successful. (Continued on next page)

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12 • October 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Almanac

(Continued from page 11)

Double-bitted Axe by Will Lund

The discovery of a rusted axe head – its handle long-ago broken – in the shed at the family’s remote camp led me to consider the practicalities, and also the limitations, of the traditional double-bitted axe.

ping into the earth (“grubbing”) or splitting straight-grain wood. The double-bladed axe has a heft and balance not shared with the single blade versions – it’s the same balance that makes double blades the selection for axe-throwing target competitions. But the double-bitted axe has limitations, as well. For one, if a woodcutter is using a single-bladed axe to split wood, and the axe head becomes embedded deeply in the grain and can’t be pulled out, the worker can hit the flat top of the head (the poll or butt) and force the head through. That can’t be done with a double-bit. Likewise, when taking a break from cutting or splitting, it’s customary to swing a single-blade axe into a log and leave it there; however, it’s not safe to do that with a double-blade, since the remaining sharp edge is exposed. Finally, if purchasing a handle for a double- bitted axe, remember that you can’t select one with a curved belly or throat; rather, it must be a straight handle with no contours other than a knob at the end, because it must work equally well swinging to connect with either blade. —

Milfoil Discovered in Long Lake, Bridgton This utilitarian axe head, which may be more than 100 years old, is hand-stamped “3 1/4”, indicating its original weight in pounds.

For many years, the double-bitted axe was the choice of all serious woodcutters. It was a practical option – in its simplest form the twin blades means it’s really two tools in one – if one edge gets broken or dulled, the second blade will keep the lumberjack working in the woods until the end of the day when the tool can be returned to the camp for resharpening. There is a reason folklore’s Paul Bunyan (and Babe the Blue Ox) are always depicted with a double-bitted axe – it served a utilitarian purpose. Many woodsmen sharpened each blade to a different shape and edge – a thin, very sharp side for felling the big trees, and a thicker, blunter edge for limbing trees, chop-

Paul Bunyan’s presumed choice of a double-bitted axe reflects the preference of all serious woodsmen of the pre-chainsaw era. www.MaineSportsman.com

The Lakes Environmental Association (LEA; MaineLakes.org) recently announced the discovery of invasive milfoil in Long Lake, which feeds into Big Sebago. The infestation, in the area of Mast Cove, was quickly surveyed by LEA members, along with representatives of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Signs were installed at the public landing 4 miles away, reminding boater to check for weeds on motors and trailers. Divers were sent down to determine how far the patches had spread. And teams laid tarps over the patches along the bottom, deprive the weeds of sunlight to kill them and prevent further expansion. It’s a constant battle – one that LEA has

been fighting in different area lakes for several years. Those who are interested in volunteering or contributing to the association can contact the association in Bridgton at (207) 647-8580 —

Learn About Maine Plants; Become a Better Hunter by Val Marquez

The hunting industry is flooded with gadgets, scents, camouflage and other must-have gear. Most of these products work as advertised and make life easier. Others, unfortunately, are complete duds. However, store-bought products are not the only possible answer to improved hunting success. Consider, for example, that even without these modern conveniences, Native Americans hunted and gathered, surviving quite well living off the land in Maine. Nature provides everything humans need. The following natural Maine plants can match the performance of even the latest and most-engineered outdoor items: • Sweet fern (Comptonice peregrine), commonly found in sunny dry areas like pastures, logged-off areas and power lines. It has a strong, pleasing fragrance and makes a great natural cover scent that deer are very familiar with.

Sweet fern and goldenrod make great organic cover scents. Both plants are available throughout Maine. Marquez photo

Placing Sweet Fern leaves in a blender or crushing it by hand creates an excellent cover scent – rub the crushed leaves on hunting gear, your hands, and clothing, including that stinky, stained hat. • Goldenrod (Solidago) also is a good cover scent. Placing these shrubs into containers with hunting clothing and boots will help cover human scent and keep your apparel smelling natural. I have never observed deer actually eating either shrub, but if it’s in your local hunting area, then they will be complacent with its smell and accept the scent. • Milk weed (Asclepius syriaca) makes a great natural wind detector. When each cucumber-like pod opens in the fall, its fluff floats around to spread the seeds. The white (Continued on next page)

��The Maine Sportsman • October 2017 • 13 (Continued from page 12)

fluff sticks to wool or fleece. When placed on a hunter’s coat, it can be picked off when needed and then be released into the air. The fluff will drift though the forest indicating air flow long after hunting industry powders have dissipated. Nothing beats natural wool hunting clothing and rubber-bottomed L. L. Bean boots while slipping through the forest on a cold November morning. Complement that outerwear by trying these organic, natural Maine plants for masking scent and determining air flow while hunting this fall.

of the matter is – as any cyclist can confirm – many cars and trucks pass by much closer. The trick for cyclists is to look ahead for pinch-points that are likely to cause problems – bridges, narrow roads, potholes along the pavement’s edge, oncoming vehicles, sharp curves or crests of hills – and then look backwards to spot overtaking vehicles and maneuver as necessary to reduce the risk. A mirror is the only practical way to look backward.

Now I’m not sure why I waited so long. The new mirror provides a generous view backwards; it’s easy to adjust while underway; and it does not get in the way of shifting or braking. When biking Maine roads, in order to get ahead, you’ve got to be able to see behind.

—

Mountain Bikes, and the Importance of Looking Backward by Will Lund

Some of our mountain-biking readers may be fortunate enough to live or work adjacent to trails they can access without traveling on any pavement whatsoever. For the rest of us, however, trail-riding starts with traversing paved roads to get to trailheads. I’ve put 970 miles on my mountain bike over the past two years, and it’s likely that nearly half of those miles have been on tarred roads, traveling to and from off-road sites. Despite a state law mandating that motor vehicle drivers maintain a 3-foot buffer between their vehicles and bicyclists, the fact

their technicians install a simple handlebar mirror.

— For about a year, I relied on a small mirror mounted on my riding glasses. While certainly better than nothing, it was often difficult to line up the view behind, especially when riding fast (any speed over 30 mph is fast on a knobby-tired mountain bike) or over rough roads (which means many – I dare say most – rural roads in this state). The tiny mirror was also nearly impossible to adjust if it got knocked askew during rough riding. So last time the bike was in Mathieu’s Cycle on Maine Avenue in Farmingdale for its twice-annual hose-off and tune-up, I had

Bird of the Month: Little Blue Heron by Erika Zambello

Birds can be hard to identify. I’m often driven crazy by female warblers that look exactly like other female warblers, nearly identical sparrows, thrushes that appear annoyingly similar to veeries – and don’t even get me started on gulls. Perhaps that is why I love Little Blue Herons so much – I will never mistake the adults for anything other than Little Blue Herons. (Continued on next page)

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14 • October 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Almanac

(Continued from page 13)

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology reports that this wading bird is “arrayed in moody blues and purples,” an excellent description of their dark plumage. Their bills are a light shade of blue, eventually shading into black Little Blue Heron. at the tip. While it’s Photo by E. Zambello true the mature form of this heron is easy to identify, they are all white as juveniles, easily mistaken for Snowy Egrets. Though Little Blue Herons are not common in Maine, they can be seen in tidal flats, wetlands, or near streams during the summer months as they feed on small fish as well as amphibians, crabs, dragonflies, and other types of invertebrates. They wait patiently for prey to come closer, then strike with rapid, dramatic movements. Since populations of Little Blue Herons began to be monitored in 1966, their numbers have declined by 55%, according to the North American Breeding Bird Survey. Habitat loss remains their greatest threat, but they are also vulnerable to water contaminated with pesticides and heavy metals. They nest in colonies, but can abandon their nests if humans come too close. Unlike other herons, Little Blues do not sport

the long plume feathers that were popular on hats in the early 20th century, and thus escaped the hunting pressure that nearly caused the extinction of other heron and egret species. If you want to see a Little Blue Heron for yourself, check out Stratton Island in York, the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve, Biddeford Pool, and Scarborough Marsh. —

Book Review: The River at Night, by Erica Ferencik Review by George Smith

I hope you never experience a rafting trip like this one. In her new novel, The River at Night, Erica Ferencik sends four ladies on a north Maine woods rafting trip that turns into a disaster – and that’s putting it mildly. As the ladies’ raft turned upside down and dumped them into the cold and fast-moving remote river, I remembered a similar experience on the West Branch of the Penobscot River. In the last of a series of major bumps at the Crib Works, our raft overturned, trapping some of us under it while others floated in the foaming river. Fortunately, we were in the slow water very quickly and able to get out from under the raft and to shore, where we righted the raft and continued on. The ladies continue on as well, but not the way we did. Death, murder and mayhem lie ahead, in a spine-tingling series of events as they struggle to find their way out of the deep woods. Ferencik is a great writer, and her story seems all-too-real. She even captures the allure of the north woods. She’s especially good at writing dialogue.

In the Acknowledgments, she thanks “everyone in Maine who put me up and answered countless questions.” I especially liked her thank you to “the brave souls living off the grid who invited me into your buses, teepees, cabins, yurts and boats to share your insights and inspire me with your impassioned individualism.” Ferencik had never been north of Portland, and she began her journey by contacting Chambers of Commerce up north. “Everyone I spoke to on the phone” she explained, “said: ‘Well, these folks don’t want to be contacted. That’s why they live off the grid…but I do know someone who knows someone… ’ Soon I was able to line up half a dozen interviews with people who had decided to disappear.” I can only hope she didn’t find anyone like the mother and son whom those lady rafters encountered in the novel! “I left my house with a backpack filled with power bars, warm clothes and mace,” said Ferencik, “with plans to interview five individuals and one family who had decided to cut themselves off from civilization. It wasn’t easy to convince my husband I was going to be okay, but in the end he let me go.” Having just finished this gripping novel, I thank her husband for that! Ferencik also gives “A big nod to the State of Maine itself, as well as my apologies for the liberties I took with your geography.” I’m glad she created her own space in the north woods, because if she had used a real place and a real rafting company, none of us would ever raft with them again!

New State Record Pumpkinseed Sunfish Elliot Bouchard, 12 years old, caught a new Maine record pumpkinseed sunfish on August 21, 2017. Fishing at dusk on Bonny Eagle Pond in Buxton, Maine, Bouchard caught the fish on a Yamamoto Senko worm. The fish weighed 11.5 ounces, surpassing the previous record 9.6 ounce fish caught by Gregory T. Schmidt of Ketchikan, Alaska on September 9, 2014 in Knights Pond. Bouchard’s fish was certified by DIF&W fisheries biologist James Pellerin at the Gray headquarters. According to Elliot’s father, Francois Bouchard, both father and son are avid readers of The Maine Sportsman magazine.

Elliot Bouchard and his record fish. www.MaineSportsman.com

Digital scale reading.

��The Maine Sportsman • October 2017 • 15

— October 2017 Hunting & Fishing Information — Hunting Seasons and Rules Ruffed Grouse, Bobwhite Quail and Pheasant season runs October 2 – December 31. Deer Firearms season runs October 30 through November 25. Maine Residents-Only Day is Saturday October 28. Youth Deer Day is October 21. Muzzleloader season for deer starts November 27. In southern WMDs the season ends December 9; while in WMDs 12, 13, 15 – 18; 20 – 26 and 29, the season extends another week, through December 9 Crow season ended September 22. Hunting Bear with Bait (general season) started August 28 and runs through November 25 (bait could be placed starting July 29). Expanded Archery for Deer began September 9 (designated areas) and runs through December 9. Hunting Bear with Dogs started September 11 and runs through October 27. Moose season in WMDs 1 – 6, 11 and 19 begins September 25. Deer Archery season started September 28 and runs through October 27. Fall Wild Turkey in most WMDs runs October 1 through November 7. Canada Geese: Early Season (September 1 – September 25) North Zone: Daily limit: 6; Possession limit: 18 South Zone: Daily limit: 10; Possession limit: 30 Coastal Zone: Daily limit: 10; Possession limit: 30 Canada Geese: Regular Season North Zone: October 2 - December 21; Daily limit: 3; Possession limit: 9 South Zone: October 2 – October 26 and November 1 – December 26; Daily limit: 3; Possession limit: 9 Coastal Zone: October 2 – October 26 and November 10 – January 4, 2018; Daily limit:

3; Possession limit: 9 For more waterfowl information and a Zone map, see: www.maine.gov/ifw/hunting_ trapping/hunting/laws/ Squirrel, Raccoon and Hare season starts October 1. Fox season starts October 16. Night Hunting for Coyote – Night hunting ended August 31, 2017. Others: There is no closed season for coyotes (daytime hunting), red squirrels, porcupines and woodchucks. Hunting is prohibited at all times for cottontail rabbits, lynx, spruce grouse and ravens. HOURS: 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset, except for migratory game birds (1/2 hour before sunrise, to sunset) and raccoons (night hunting allowed in season). Ammunition: Non-toxic shot only for migratory game birds. —

Fishing Seasons and Rules

Season – Rivers, Streams and Brooks From August 16 through September 30, artificial lures only; combined limit for all salmonids (togue, landlocked salmon and trout) is one fish. From October 1 through March 31, rivers, streams and brooks are closed to all fishing. Season – Lakes and Ponds North Region – From April 1 through September 30, general law; From October 1 through March 31, closed to open-water fishing and ice fishing. South Region – Open to ice fishing and open-water fishing; general law. Size Requirements Minimum size for brook trout, splake and arctic char: 6 inches; for landlocked salmon: 14 inches (with a maximum size for salmon and brown trout of 25 inches in much of Washington and Hancock Counties); for togue: 18 inches; for brown trout: 14 inches

in lakes; 6 inches in streams and rivers; for rainbow trout: 12 inches in lakes; 6 inches in streams and rivers. Bag Limits Brook Trout: Daily bag limit 2 trout on lakes and ponds in Androscoggin, Cumberland, Franklin, Hancock, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Oxford, Penobscot, Sagadahoc, Waldo, Washington and York Counties. Other Fish Other daily bag limits and minimum lengths (if any): Bass (2 fish; 10 inch minimum; only one longer than 14 inches); Whitefish (3 fish); Smelts (2 quarts); Pickerel (10 fish); Northern Pike and Muskies (no size or bag limit); Eel (25 fish); Shad (2 fish); Striped bass (one fish; minimum 28 inches); Alewives (25 fish). Go to www.eregulations.com/maine/fishing/general-law-information/ , find the lake, pond, river or stream you want to fish, and interpret the codes that apply. Look up the “S” (special rules) Codes. Learn the open-water season, the ice fishing season (if any), whether you are limited to artificial lures, or catch-and-release, and whether there’s a slot limit. ***** Atlantic Salmon can’t be targeted, and if caught they must be released immediately. Current saltwater fishing regulations are found at www.Maine.gov/dmr/recreational-fishing/regs-tips/index.html. Use of Lead Tackle 1) Lead Sinkers: The sale or use of lead sinkers not exceeding the length (2.5 inches) and/or weight (1 ounce) requirements, is prohibited.  The definition of a lead sinker does not include artificial lures, weighted line, weighted flies or jig heads 2) Bare Lead Jigs: As of September 2017, the sale and use of bare lead jigs not exceeding the length (2.5 inches) and/or weight (1 ounce) requirements is prohibited.

October 2017 Sunrise/Sunset

October 2017 Tidal Chart

Portland, ME

DATE 1 Sun 2 Mon 3 Tue 4 Wed 5 Thu 6 Fri 7 Sat 8 Sun 9 Mon 10 Tue 11 Wed 12 Thu 13 Fri 14 Sat 15 Sun

RISE 6:38 6:39 6:40 6:41 6:43 6:44 6:45 6:46 6:47 6:49 6:50 6:51 6:52 6:53 6:55

SET 6:22 6:20 6:18 6:16 6:15 6:13 6:11 6:09 6:08 6:06 6:04 6:02 6:01 5:59 5:57

DATE 16 Mon 17 Tue 18 Wed 19 Thu 20 Fri 21 Sat 22 Sun 23 Mon 24 Tue 25 Wed 26 Thu 27 Fri 28 Sat 29 Sun 30 Mon 31 Tue

RISE 6:56 6:57 6:58 7:00 7:01 7:02 7:03 7:05 7:06 7:07 7:08 7:10 7:11 7:12 7:14 7:15

SET 5:56 5:54 5:53 5:51 5:49 5:48 5:46 5:45 5:43 5:42 5:40 5:39 5:37 5:36 5:35 5:33

DATE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun

HIGH AM PM 8:27 8:40 9:15 9:28 9:58 10:13 10:38 10:56 11:17 11:38 11:58 — 12:22 12:40 1:08 1:25 1:57 2:13 2:50 3:06 3:48 4:05 4:51 5:09 5:58 6:17 7:07 7:27 8:12 8:33

LOW AM PM 2:12 2:26 3:01 3:15 3:44 4:00 4:25 4:43 5:05 5:26 5:46 6:09 6:28 6:55 7:12 7:43 8:00 8:35 8:52 9:31 9:48 10:32 10:51 11:37 11:59 — 12:46 1:09 1:52 2:15

DATE 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue

HIGH AM PM 9:10 9:32 10:02 10:25 10:49 11:13 11:32 11:56 — 12:11 12:38 12:48 1:18 1:25 1:57 2:03 2:39 2:43 3:22 3:26 4:09 4:14 4:59 5:06 5:53 6:02 6:48 6:59 7:40 7:55 8:29 8:47

LOW AM PM 2:52 3:16 3:46 4:10 4:35 4:59 5:19 5:43 5:59 6:25 6:38 7:05 7:16 7:45 7:54 8:24 8:33 9:06 9:16 9:51 10:02 10:40 10:54 11:33 11:49 — 12:27 12:47 1:21 1:43 2:12 2:36

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16 • October 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Bait Deer, and You’ll Never Hunt Again A new law requires those convicted twice of baiting deer during an open hunting season on deer to lose their hunting privilege for life. And yes, that is a very severe penalty. A first deer baiting conviction requires the loss of a hunting license for one year from the date of conviction. Representative Will Tuell of Washington County sponsored the bill, and began his testimony by thanking the committee for rejecting a bill that would have made hunting deer over bait legal. “Doing so would have encouraged and emboldened those bad actors who flout our game laws to push the envelope, while threatening the overall health of our deer herd,” he said. Colonel Joel Wilkinson of the Maine Warden Service testified in favor of the bill for DIF&W, reporting that “hunting deer over bait prosecutions have steadily in-

creased since 2004 to a point that we average over 100 cases per year now.” Dave Trahan, Executive Director of the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, supported the bill and suggested that community service be an option instead of a fine. The committee did not add that to the bill. No Changes in Petition Process Senator Ben Chipman, a Democrat from Portland, worked successfully to kill a bill that would have impacted his business, according to David Trahan, Executive Director of the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine. LD 31 was a Constitutional amendment to require those gathering signatures for a ballot referendum to collect half of those signatures in each Congressional district. That would force the businesses and groups putting issues on the ballot to include rural and northern Maine in

the process. This was a very high priority for SAM, and Trahan believes Chipman’s personal business interests convinced enough Senate Democrats to oppose the bill that it fell one vote short of the 2/3 needed to put the issue on the ballot. According to Trahan, one of Chipman’s arguments was that the amendment would bring out too many northern Maine voters who would then vote against another ballot initiative, championed by Chipman, to expand Medicaid. Chipman did this “purely for voter suppression for the purpose of political expediency,” Trahan told me, and so that his business would be able to continue to gather signatures exclusively in southern Maine, focused on Portland. Dave said Chipman’s business was paid in two of the last five ballot initiatives. LD 31 was sponsored by Assistant House

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Minority Leader Ellie Espling, a New Gloucester Republican, and had previously won strong support in the Senate. Trahan said he was particularly disappointed that the issue was never debated in the Senate. Instead, it was killed behind closed doors. Trahan was able to get the bill forwarded to next year’s legislative session, where he’ll have another chance to get it on the ballot. A second Constitutional amendment, to protect hunting and fishing, was also carried forward to next year. Alter Your Fish, and You’ll Be in Big Trouble A new law governing fisheries included language that “prohibits anglers from altering fish, including smelts, from their natural state until after they have conducted a wet measure.” That’s the way the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife described their proposal, sponsored for

the agency by Senator Scott Cyrway, Senate chair of the IFW Committee. Cyrway, in his testimony, explained that “fishermen are cleaning smelts and cutting the heads off at the stream, in order to allow an increased limit of fish, and this is negatively impacting the smelt population.” The bill also replaces, in law, the term “alewives” with the term “river herring.” Cyrway explained that this is the “correct reference when referring to both alewives and blueback herring.” The bill also removed several species from the definition of baitfish. “This is due to the fact that the baitfish either does not exist in Maine waters, is found in much localized areas or the use of it as baitfish may cause it to be introduced in other Maine waters with potentially adverse effects.” Francis Brautigam, DIF&W’s Fisheries Divi(Continued on next page)

��The Maine Sportsman • October 2017 • 17 (Continued from page 16)

sion Director, also testified for the bill, informing the committee that the three baitfish being removed from the list are emerald shiners, blacknose shiners, and spottail shiners. Francis noted that this still leaves anglers with 16 special of legal baitfish for sale and use in Maine. Sebastian Belle of the Maine Aquaculture Association opposed the bill, reporting that a fisheries working group did not agree with these changes, and noting that there are aquaculture businesses that grow these baitfish for sale out of state. Bruce Steeves, a Maine bait dealer, also opposed the bill. The bill won the unanimous support of the IFW Committee, and was enacted by the full Legislature and signed into law by the Governor. Public Lands After several years of intense effort, a bill governing our public lands has been enacted, thanks to votes in the House and Senate to override the Governor’s veto of the bill. Several legislators, including my district’s State Senator Tom Saviello, as well as our state’s major environmental groups, deserve credit for crafting this bill and never giving up on it. Last year, the same bill was vetoed by the Governor, and the veto override failed. Among other things, this bill: 1) Requires a detailed forest inventory of our public lands by March15, 2021. 2) Requires permission of the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee to spend public lands revenue. 3) Requires annual reports to include a list and description of roads built and maintained in the preceding year, and a description of roads to be

built and maintained in the next year. 4) Adds forestry to the programs eligible to receive funding under the educational grant program established in the bill. 5) Adds career and technical education programs to the types of programs that are eligible to apply for an educational grant related to logging and forestry. 6) Removes language specifying that educational grants are only one-time grants, specifies that those grants may be given to an approved eligible educational program if funds are available, and provides that the total distributions from the Public Reserved Lands Management Fund under the grant program may not exceed $300,000 in the state budget biennium. 7) Requires the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over public reserved lands matters, after public input, to rank the statewide priority list of recreational infrastructure projects for the State’s public reserved lands and the statewide priority list of projects under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 for the State’s public reserved lands submitted by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Bureau of Parks and Lands and to make recommendations, if funding is available, to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over appropriations and financial affairs for funding projects. Guides Bill A working group of DIF&W staff and the Maine Professional Guides Association joined in proposing a bill to “preserve the reputations of Maine Guides and protect public safety.” Senator Paul Davis

sponsored the bill on behalf of DIF&W, and reported that it “authorizes the Commission of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to revoke, suspend, refuse to issue or refuse to renew a guide license if the license holder has been convicted of committing a crime punishable by imprisonment for one year or more or is found not criminally responsible by reason of insanity of committing a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term of one year.” Senator Davis noted that the guide could request a hearing to appeal the revocation, suspension or denial. It also requires the applicant or holder of a guide’s license to notify DIF&W of any conviction. Dan Scott of the Maine Warden Service testified in favor of the bill, stating, “Imagine the surprise to learn that the guide, who was tested, licensed and linked to you by the Department, had been convicted of an

aggravated assault, burglary, or sex crime after you or a loved one had spent or were planning to spend 2 or 3 nights camping on a remote pond with him or her…. LD 1489 ensures that Maine Guides are as morally and ethically sound as they are competent and knowledgeable in the field.” Don Kleiner, Executive Director of the Maine Professional Guides Association, also supported the bill, testifying that they were “seeking to preserve the reputation of the Maine Guide into the future. That reputation serves us well as a state for marketing purposes, but [also] for other things as well like favorable insurance rates.” This bill was enacted by the Legislature and signed into law by the Governor. Snake Wraps Up Woman and Bites her Face “Oh, please. I have a boa constrictor stuck to my – my face!” How’d

you like to be the 911 dispatcher who got that call? This Ohio woman had moved the 5 ½ foot boa constrictor to her home recently, and apparently it wasn’t happy there. It wrapped itself around her neck and began biting her nose. Cleve Wootson’s recent story in the Washington Post reported that the first responders had to cut off the snake’s head to rescue the woman. They reported that there was “blood everywhere.” Yikes! Wootson reported that Born Free, a group that advocates against owning exotic animals including snakes, has documented more than 471 attacks by “pet” snakes between 1995 and 2013. Double Yikes! You might be surprised to know that anyone in Maine can possess a boa constrictor without a permit. Furthermore, they do not have to let their neighbors (or anyone else) know if their (Continued on next page)

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Capitol Report (Continued from page 17)

snake escapes. Imagine finding a 5-foot boa constrictor on your porch. That’s what happened to a Biddeford resident in June. Or how would you like to have been the couple in Veazie who woke up to a shocking surprise slithering around in their shower: a 3-foot-long ball python? The python’s owner ac-

knowledged that the python escaped its tank a month earlier. And did you hear about the Fairfield apartment owner who discovered a 3 ½ foot python trying to eat her pet parakeets? I tried to fix this problem this year with a legislation sponsored at my request by Senator Scott Cyrway, but DIF&W op-

Quotable

Sportsman

by George Smith

During the last three winters… the state paid its agents over $138,000 to kill a purported 690 coyotes, for an average of about $200 per animal. One individual was paid nearly $5,000 and killed no coyotes. Maine’s coyote control program is a waste of public monies. John Glowa of South China, founder of the Maine Wolf Coalition. Kennebec Journal guest editorial, July 2, 2017. — They will continue to get bigger. They have more wolf genes than the western coyote. Roland Kays, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences researcher, on Maine coyotes. Deirdre Fleming story, Maine Sunday Telegram, May 7, 2017. —

The fish and wildfire resources could be

posed the bill and it was reduced to a simple hike in fines for those who don’t get permits for exotic animals that require a permit or who fail to notify the Maine Warden Service if such an animal gets loose. Unfortunately, there are thousands of exotic animals that can be possessed without permits. And the owners of those animals don’t have to let anyone know when their animals get loose.

DIF&W maintains four lists for exotic animals: Unrestricted Species, Prohibited Species, and two categories of Restricted species. One restricted list limits the species to very specific reasons including some public benefit. I was surprised to learn that there are only 5 or 6 animals on the prohibited list, and more than 3,000 on the unrestricted list, including lots of snakes. The agen-

harmed fairly quickly if we weren’t enforcing daily bag limits or people night hunting or baiting deer. Maine has some of the premier brook trout fishing, and those wild brook trout populations need to be protected. Take a year like last year, when it got really dry and a lot of streams were virtually dried up. The trout were congregated in just a few deep pools. The predators are taking advantage of that, and some people are tempted to go in and take way over their limit. It’s like fishing out of a barrel at that point. Joe McBrine, game warden and wood carver. Laurie Schreiber, Island Institute’s Working Waterfront newsletter, June 16, 2017 — Results showed a striking decline in angler use on most waters over the study period, which mirrors demographic trends and is consistent with anecdotal observations. This lower level of angler use highlights the need to reconsider the effectiveness and necessity of current fishing regulations, and the potential to explore options that might better manage fisheries and encourage more angler use in northern Maine. Jeremiah Wood, DIF&W Fisheries Biologist, on a study of northern Maine

cy has issued about 150 permits for restricted species. Our legislation would have required a permit to possess all exotic animals in Maine, and require the owners of exotics to notify the Maine Warden Service – along with any neighbors within that animal’s range of travel – if their exotic animal gets loose. Including boa constrictors.

angling between 1996 and 2016. — Both seem to forget that a guide is much like a wife: what suits one man has no attractions for another. Herbert Jillson article, Outing magazine, September 1901. — Video camera footage of these seven brown bears showed that they killed approximately 238 moose and caribou calves across the 45 days …. These bears also ate trumpeter swans and snowshoe hares, and in one case a ten-year-old male bear killed and ate a sixyear-old sow. Wade Nolan, Alaska wildlife biologist, Bear Hunting, July/August 2017. — It’s a generational thing, too. There’s not another generation of trollers coming along. Everybody wants to be on moving water. There’s not any call for [guiding] pond fishing. Dan Legere, Greenville fishing guide. John Holyoke story, Bangor Daily News, June 23, 2017.

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��The Maine Sportsman • October 2017 • 19

Dog Training on a Budget – A Quail and Some String Part 1

by Michael Browning Anyone who has trained a bird dog knows one of the most important training tools are birds! Now, what birds you choose is a personal preference, whether it be quail, chukar or pheasant. I myself have always used bobwhite quail. They’re relatively inexpensive and usually easy to acquire. I certainly have had my share of training dogs over the past 14 years and I’ve had an abundance of quail. But when I first started training my dogs, I had a limited budget. At the time I didn’t have a recall pen for quail, or really any equipment to care for the quail. I decided to purchase a pigeon cage and converted into a “quail condo.” I took tin sheets and cov-

Driving home from the breeder with my two quail, I had visions of my English Pointer pup locking on point to a planted quail, and me flushing the bird with ease. As it turned out, that was an outcome that was easier imagined than accomplished. ered half of the pen to make a shelter, and purchased a little feeder and waterer. “I’d Like to Buy Two Quail, Please” Now that I had a cage for a bird or two, all I needed was quail. Being new to bird dogs and training, I had to locate someone with quail. I checked around, and word got out. Eventually a gentleman contacted me asking me if I would be interested in buying a few quail. He didn’t live far away, so I drove to his place and got to see a recall pen with over a hundred quail scurrying

around. He raised bobwhite quail as a hobby and sold them to individuals wanting to train their dogs. We sat for ten minutes in front of his pen watching the quail run around. I told him I had bought an English Pointer pup and was eager to learn how to train with quail. After we talked for a while, he asked me how many quail I wanted to buy. I told him two. He looked at me with a puzzled look and replied, “Two? Only two?”

be a problem, but without a recall pen for them to return to, the chances of them making it through the night with foxes and coyotes were slim. (A recall pen is a sturdy box with a metal screening, perches and a ground-level funnel to let birds back in but keep predators out; usually the whistling of one or more birds left inside the pen will cause

released birds to return and re-enter the pen.) I told him about my little 2-foot by 3-foot pen I had converted into a quail condo. He said that was adequate room for two quail. The quail I purchased were 16 weeks old, and he told me they were fullgrown and strong enough to fly short distances. On the way home, I had these visions of my pointer locking on point to a planted quail and me flushing the bird with ease. Again, easier said than done. (Continued on next page)

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20 • October 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Sporting Dogs Special (Continued from page 19)

When I got home, I instantly put the two quail in their “condo.” After giving the two birds food and water, I let them rest the remainder of the day before any training. First Day of Training The next morning I was eager to start training with the quail. I went out to the pen and grabbed one of the quail and headed to the woods. I had an excellent piece of cover in which I was going to plant the bird. It was in a clump of alders surrounded by hawthorn bushes. I had read a chapter in my book about “dizzying” a bird to put in a cover, so it wouldn’t run off when I went and got the dog. Dizzying the quail was quite simple and harmless. I placed my index finger over his head and gently rocked my arm back and forth several times, then laid the sleeping quail in the grass. As I brought Tess down through the field into the woods, BAM! She locked on point 25 feet from the quail. I knew this was going to be my new passion, with my adrenaline pounding and anticipating the flush. Over-Dizzied the Bird? I approached Tess’s

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staunch point from the side, clenching the end of the check cord. I went in to flush the quail, ready for her to break point. I was kicking and stomping the grass around where the quail had been planted, but it wouldn’t flush. Apparently, dizzying a quail is not a wise move. They will not flush, just walk off. And what you quickly discover is that it’s extremely difficult to prevent an eager pointer from pouncing on the helpless quail. And so ended my first quail training session. Tess, at 5 months old, with no live bird training, broke from point, zipped past me and scooped up the quail! Fortunately, I was able to grab her check cord as she ran by, and retrieve the panicked quail from her mouth. Eventually I learned through years of using different birds such as pheasant, chukar and pigeons, those are birds you can dizzy, plant and flush. For some particular reason, bobwhites will fall asleep when dizzied, and lie there for a long stretch of time. I didn’t know this at the time. If you did find one, he/she wouldn’t flush well. But, I did learn that if you held

The author’s problem was not that his English Pointer would not point; rather, it was that the quail would not flush, and when it did flush, it disappeared into the thick brush, never to be seen again. Photo: all4hunters.com

the quail upside down, by his legs, he would flap his wings several times and you could gently toss him in a cover and he would flush with ease. Second Quail Becomes a “Free Bird” The second quail I was putting out was not going to be dizzied. I grabbed the bird and placed it in our field, and then covered the trap with grass. So far, so good. The quail was placed and ready for Tess. As I went back and got Tess, ten minutes had gone by. I wanted Tess to run off some energy before we went after the quail. When I called her towards me, I grabbed her check cord and followed. Now, again, she locked on point as she did the previous quail. But when I went ahead to flush the bird, it was nowhere to

be seen. Apparently, Mr. Quail decided to burrow itself in the nest I had placed him in. With Tess still holding point, I had to remove some of the grass and sticks for the quail to flush. As I started to remove the layer of debris, the quail came exploding from the hole, hitting me in the face and knocking my hat off. And Tess ran by me like a bullet, trying to grab the quail. Only this bird was too fast for Tess, and the quail soon disappeared into the thick cover. The next morning, Tess and I went searching for the quail that flew off. We circled the covers several times with no luck. Days went by and we never saw the bird again. So now I was down to one quail and I was frustrated. How I was sup-

posed to train my dog if after one flush (if it did flush) it disappeared? And how could I ever keep track of birds if I had no recall pen for the birds to return to after a day of training? It took a while, but I finally hit upon a solution I thought would work. Next month: Part 2, in which we learn whether the author was able to come up with a workable solution to his dog-training, only-one-quail-remaining dilemma. Michael Browning has been a registered Maine guide, and owns a business called Grouse Haven Wingshooting. In 2014 he became an Orvis-endorsed wing-shooting guide.

��The Maine Sportsman • October 2017 • 21

Getting Into the Sport of ATVing Part 2

by Cathy Genthner Editor’s note: Last month, Cathy Genthner told of purchasing her first ATV – a 2017 CF-Moto CFORCE 500 two-up. She described the importance of beginner operators taking a safety course, and wrote about both the practical uses (deploying the winch for construc-

tion or brush removal) and the sporting-related uses (for example, an ATV can provide access to otherwise inaccessible hunting, fishing or camping areas). This month, she continues her discussion of what it’s like for a new rider to purchase and own an ATV.

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22 • October 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��

A FIERCE NEW FAMILY TREE

ATVing Special (Continued from page 22)

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LINCOLN Lincoln Powersports 265 W. Broadway 207-794-8100 lincolnpowersportsme.net

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LEEDS Reggie’s Kawasaki Ski-Doo Moosehead Motorsports 255 US HWY 202 13 Moosehead Industrial Park 207-933-4976 207-695-2020 HURRY, OFFER ENDS SOON doitatreggies.com mooseheadmotorsports.com

Contact Your Local Can-Am ATV Dealer Today!

©2015 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). All rights reserved. ®, ™ and the BRP logo are trademarks of BRP or its afﬁliates. In the U.S.A., products are distributed by BRP US Inc. Offers valid in U.S.A. only, from February 1,

2015 to April 30, 2015. See an authorized Can-Am dealer for details. The conditions may vary from state to state and these offers are subject to termination or change at any time without notice.� Rebate up to $2,000 on select © 2015 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). All rights reserve<!.™.®, andrebate the applicable BRP logo trademarks ofATVs Bombardier Recreational Products, Inc. onortheitsmodel affiliates. other trademarks arelast. the¥ Rebate property of their 2014 models: to neware and unused 2014 Can-Am and Can-Am side-by-side vehicles. Rebate amount depends purchased. 1AII Dealer may sell for less. While quantities up to $800 on select 2015 models: rebate applicable to new and unused 2015 Can-Am ATVs and Can-Am side-by-side vehicles. Rebate amount depends on the model purchased. Dealer may sell for less. While quantities last. � GREAT FINANCING : respective owners. In the USA, the products are distributed byLowBRP US Inc. BRP reserves the right, at any time, to discontinue or change specifications, prices, designs, features, models or equipment without incurring obligafinancing rates are available. Subject to credit approval. Approval and any rates and terms provided are based on credit worthiness. Multiple financing offers available. Other qualific ations and restrictions may apply. Financing promotion void where prohibited. BRP is not recommends responsible for any errors, or actions related to the financing providedcourse. by the financial the right, at any time, to discontinue or change specifications, features, models or equipment without at tion. Some mcxlels depicted may include optional equipment.incurring BRPobligation. highly thatchanges all ATV drivers take a training Forinstitutions. safety BRP andreserves training information, see your dealer or, in prices, USA,designs, call the ATV Safety Institute Some models depicted may include optional equipment. BRP highly recommends that all ATV drivers take a training course. For safety and training information, see your dealer or call the ATV Safety Institute at 1-800-887-2887. ATVs can hazardous to 739-1535 operate. For your wear the a helmet, eye protection, and other Never carry passengers on any ATV notWear specifically designed by theprotective manufacturer for such use. and All adult model CanFor Am ATVs are Category 1-800-887-2887. In Canada, call the Canadian Safety CouncilbeG ATVs at (6131 extsafety: 227.always Read Operators Guide andprotective watchclothing. the Safety DVD before riding. appropriate clothing helmet. side-by-side (General Use Models) intended for recreational and/or utility use by an operator age 16 or older. For side-by-side vehicles (SxS): Read the BRP side-by-side Operator’s Guide and watch the Safety DVD before driving. For your safety: wear a helmet, eye and other protective gear. Fasten lateral net andexcessive seat belt at all times. Operator must be at observe least 16 yearsapplicable old. Passenger must be at laws least 12 and years old and able to hold handgrips and plant feet while seatedand againstATVs the backrest. and SxS are for vehicles, fasten lateral net and seat belt at all times. Neverprotection engage in stunt driving and avoid speed. Always local regulations. Side-by-side vehicles areATVs recommended only; never ride on paved surfaces or public roads. Always remember that riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix. Never engage in stunt driving. Avoid excessive speed and be particularly careful on difficult terrain. Ride responsibly. 9100637 for drivers aged 16 and older, and passengers aged 12 and off-road older use only. For off-road use only. Never ride on paved surfaces or public roads. Always ride responsibly and remember that riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix.

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Can-AmOffroad.com

ATVs provide a practical way to accomplish some heavy work, especially if you attach a trailer for hauling. Cathy Genthner photo

ditional ATV, two-up or side-by-side. Your final determination should depend on how you plan to use it, price range and your mechanical ability. You also need to consider the weight of the ATV, because the vehicle you use to haul your ATV around may have impose some practical limitations. For example, I own a Subaru Impreza that can haul a total of 1,200 pounds, which isn’t that much. I was limited to buying a traditional ATV or a two-up, because a side-by-side would have been too heavy for the 2-liter, 4-cylinder engine to pull. One thing to be certain of before buying is the width of your ATV. Most trails in this state are designed for ATVs that are no more than 60 inches wide, and tires count in measuring the overall width. As discussed in Shane Brown’s excellent piece in the August issue of The Maine Sportsman, there are some ATVs out there – side by sides – that are wider than 60 inches, and may not be operated on

many trails. Bring a tape measure to the dealer or private seller if you are unsure. Take a Course; Join a Club Another piece of advice is to take a safety course – even if you are an adult – and join a local club. I joined the Buxton Trail Blazers in May. It is a great way to learn the sport and the trails, and it’s also an opportunity to make some really good friends. “The first thing I recommend is for people to join a club, especially in the beginning of their ATV ownership experience, said Brian Bronson, ATV Coordinator for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife. “Take a safety course, even if you think you don’t need one. A lot of things can happen out on the trail. Always let someone know where you are going. You might not have trouble on the trail, but nonetheless it may be important for others to be able to reach you.” It’s important to select trails that match (Continued on next page)

��The Maine Sportsman • October 2017 • 23 (Continued from page 23)

See Your Polaris ATV Dealer for Details! GORHAM Wescott & Sons, Inc. 500 Ossipee Trail 207-839-4500 wescotts.com

JACKMAN Jackman Power Sports 549 Main Street 207-668-4442 jackmanpowersports.com

ATVs are able to transport sportsmen and -women to some great locations, including the Piscataquis River, shown here. Genthner photo

your level of experience. As a newcomer to the sport, I’ve found that the Medford-Lagrange trail is an easy one for novice riders. On the Trails, No One is a Stranger ATVing brings people of all ages, incomes and backgrounds together. It is no longer just a “younger person’s sport.” “It is so much fun and interesting to check out all the trails in Maine,” said Molly Hook of Sebago. “You meet different people out there. If you saw the same people in a store, you probably would be hesitant to start talking to a total stranger. But because you are both on ATVs, you automatically have something in common.” “Also, I’ve found that people who are on the trails provide a lot of information if you are new to the sport or are on a new trail,” she added. The reputation of ATVs is also changing for the better, with side-bysides’ popularity on the rise. “If someone has never owned an ATV, they

may think that the sport is just about going out, making a lot of noise and tearing up the land,” said Forrest Genthner. “In reality, it is about going out and looking at the land and nature. ATVs can take you to some beautiful remote places that are inaccessible by a car or truck.” Above all else, it’s important to respect the rights of landowners. Stay on the trail, don’t litter, and leave things in better condition than when you found them. Most of Maine’s 7,000 miles of ATV trails are on private land. Though much land has been posted prohibiting ATV use, my hope is that more landowners will re-open their land to the sport, as it changes and becomes more popular with an increasingly diverse ridership. For more information about ATVing in Maine, visit www.atvmaine.org. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife also mails out maps upon request; call (207) 287-2751.

LEWISTON Central Maine Powersports 845 Main Street 207-689-2345 centralmainepowersports.com

OQUOSSOC Oquossoc Marine Inc. 87 Carry Road 207-864-5477 oquossocmarine.com

TOPSHAM Woody’s Performance Ctr. 70 Topsham Fair Mall Rd. 207-729-1177 teamwoodys.com

*Offers vary by model. Rebate offers valid on select 2014-2017 new and unregistered models purchased between 7/26/17- 9/30/17. Finance offers valid on select 2014-2018 new and unregistered models purchased between 7/26/17- 9/30/17. See your authorized dealer for complete details. Rates as low as 2.99% APR for 36 months. Examples of monthly payments required over a 36-month term at a 2.99% APR rate: $29.08 per $1,000 financed; and at an 6.99% APR rate: $30.87 per $1,000 financed. An example of a monthly payment with $0 down, no rebate, an APR of 2.99% APR for 36 months at a MSRP of $9,999.00 is $290.74; total cost of borrowing of $467.60 with a total obligation of $10,466.60. Down payment may be required. Other financing offers may be available. See your local dealer for details. Minimum Amount Financed $1,500; Maximum Amount Financed $50,000. Other qualifications and restrictions may apply. Financing promotions void where prohibited. Tax, title, license, and registration are separate and may not be financed. Promotion may be modified or discontinued without notice at any time in Polaris’ sole discretion. Warning: Polaris off-road vehicles can be hazardous to operate and are not intended for on-road use. Driver must be at least 16 years old with a valid driver’s license to operate. Passengers, if permitted, must be at least 12 years old. All riders should always wear helmets, eye protection, and protective clothing. Always use seat belts and cab nets or doors (as equipped). Never engage in stunt driving, and avoid excessive speeds and sharp turns. Riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix. All riders should take a safety training course. Call 800-342-3764 for additional information. Check local laws before riding on trails. ©2014 Polaris Industries Inc.

1,000 CUSTOMER CASH

Visit Your Local Yamaha ATV Dealer for Details!

JACKMAN Jackman Powersports 549 Main Street 207-668-4442 jackmanpowersports.com

LEWISTON Central Maine Powersports 845 Main Street 207-689-2345 centralmainepowersports.com

TOPSHAM Woody’s Performance Ctr. 70 Topsham Fair Mall Road 207-729-1177 teamwoodys.com

SKOWHEGAN Whittemore & Sons 257 Waterville Road 207-474-2591 whittemoreandsons.com

GORHAM, NH Absolute Powersports 461 Main Street 603-466-5454 absolutepowersportsnh.com

Offer available on approved purchases of new 2014-2018 Yamaha Side-by-Sides made on the Yamaha Credit Card issued by WebBank, member FDIC. Subject to credit approval as determined by WebBank. Offer valid through 9/30/17. Available to existing cardholders of the WebBank Yamaha Card. Account must be open and current to be eligible for this offer. **1.99%, 5.99%, 6.99%, or 12.99% APR with Minimum Payments of 2.87%, 3.05%, 3.10%, or 3.39% respectively of the purchase price balance, based on your creditworthiness, are effective until the purchase is paid in full. Minimum Interest Charge $2. Standard APR 15.99%-23.99%. *Purchase a new 2017 Yamaha Wolverine or Viking between 4/12/17 - 9/30/17 and receive a Free 18 month Y.E.S. (Yamaha Extended Service) Contract for a total of 2 years Genuine Yamaha Coverage. Includes 6 month Factory Warranty + 18 month Y.E.S. Or Warn® Vantage Winch with mounting kit offer available through participating Yamaha dealers only. Dealer participation may affect this offer. Installation not included. tCustomer Cash offer good on select models between 6/1/2017 to 9/30/2017.

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24 • October 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Maine Wildlife: Woodcock

by Tom Seymour

As often happens with the technical labels for plants and animals, the old scientific name for American woodcock, Philohela minor, has gone by the wayside, replaced by Scolopax minor. What does this mean to those of us who push through alder covers in October, hoping to flush a woodcock or two? Absolutely nothing. For all practical purposes and concerns, woodcock are woodcock are woodcock. They still twitter when flushed, still fly as fast and continue to eat earthworms as a mainstay of their diet. And woodcock remain the favorite of legions of dedicated upland hunters. Flight Characteristics Woodcock reach speeds of up to 28 miles an hour during their migration flight, but when flushed from a thick stand of alders, that speed gets cut to about half of their cruising speed. Still, 14 or 15 miles per hour seems much faster as the little brown bird dips, dives and twists through the trees. Also, migrating woodcock that are flushed often fly much slower than “native” birds, or those that were born in the cover. While the native birds are fresh and full of vigor, migrating woodcock often show signs of fatigue. This manifests itself when the birds bump into branches as they flush, sometimes nearly getting tangled in the thick brush. It almost seems a shame to shoot such tired, played-out birds. I said “almost” because at other times woodcock more resemble plump, brown rockets more than anything else. So we take those tired migrating birds as bonuses and remember them fondly when other, more rested birds make monkeys of us as we swing on them a bit too late, our shot pattern falling far behind the darting birds. And then we have that loud, twittering sound. This unique trilling whistle is not a vocalization, but rather results from air passing through the bird’s rapidly-beating wings. It’s a sound that once heard, is never forgotten. Weather Dependent Very dry years bring poor woodcock hunting. When fallen leaves crackle underfoot and dry grass rattles in the breeze, woodcock hunters know that not only will birds come at a premium, but also the dry conditions will make them spooky to a fault, flushing www.MaineSportsman.com

If a choice were given to me, I would opt for woodcock hunting above all other forms of hunting. nearly out of gun range. Prolonged drought can drive woodcock away from their traditional upland covers of alder, raspberry bushes, overgrown apple orchards and stands of young poplar. With earthworms making up about 70 percent of a woodcock’s diet, drought forces the birds to whatever wet or moist areas remain. This was evident last year, a drought year, when woodcock near my Midcoast home were absent from their regular haunts. The only place that held multiple woodcock was a flooded section of woodlot. There, the birds probed the soil around a small, shrinking pool. The reason for all this is that woodcock find earthworms by probing with their long, prehensile bill. Both mandibles have flexible ends, allowing woodcock to probe into the soil and grasp earthworms with their bill tips. But if the soil is dry and hard, the birds cannot probe, and even if they could, earthworms have gone far underground, out of reach of any bird. Woodcock Migration During normal years when soil in upland covers remains cool and damp, woodcock make their presence known by virtue of little round holes in the ground, produced by their rounded bills probing the soil. Also, woodcock leave white droppings that closely resemble splattered white paint. These “splashes,” plus those probe holes, are a sure sign that woodcock are, or were, present. When found in numbers, probe holes and splashes usually indicate the presence of migrating woodcock. And to hit a cover full of migrating “flight birds” is an upland hunter’s dream. Sometimes multiple flight birds flush at once, confusing the hunter as to which one to fire at first. Such situations often result in missed birds – but not always. I can still see in my mind’s eye the two woodcock that flushed in front of my bird dog some years ago. The first bird flew straight away, a relatively easy shot which I accomplished. The other bird flew from left to right, making it possible to continue my slightly altered swing and drop the second bird. This doesn’t happen frequently, so when it does, it’s a moment to cherish. Migrating woodcock filtering down from Canada and northern Maine allow for good hunting well after October, because lots of birds linger a bit long before packing up and taking off. This year, woodcock season lasts through November 15. Indeed, I have flushed woodcock many times during the early morning trek to my deer stand. And it’s then that I wish that deer season wouldn’t even open

until mid-November. So yes, if a choice were given me, my choice would be to opt for woodcock hunting above all other forms of hunting. Woodcock Characteristics Agile as they are in flight, woodcock have an exceedingly clumsy, Charlie Chaplin-like gait when on the ground. In fact they waddle more than walk, and when watching one on the ground, a person would scarcely believe the capers the same plump little bird can describe when airborne. Some authorities believe that this plodding walk serves the purpose of stirring earthworms to increased activity, thus making them easier for the bird to pinpoint. And given an adequate supply of earthworms, a woodcock can eat its own weight in worms each day, thanks to a fast metabolism. Although they sometimes appear quite large when flushed, woodcock closely approximate the size of a robin. A female, which runs about 7.6 ounces, weigh around 1.4 ounces more than a male. Woodcock eyes, large and round, are set far back in the bird’s head. This probably allows the birds to see danger coming from all directions as it busily probes soft earth for worms. Or maybe not. Woodcock are mysterious birds. Woodcock are reluctant to leave their summer homes, sometimes waiting until a hard frost makes it impossible to harvest earthworms. In general, though, woodcock flights, which can consist of small groups but can range into the dozens, begin sometime in late September and persist through November. American woodcock, while small in size, are giants in stature. And those hunters, once bitten by the woodcock bug, rarely recover. Most of us can spend a lifetime hunting, studying and admiring this fascinating game bird, and never tire of the pursuit.

A plump female woodcock from the 2016 season. Seymour photo

��The Maine Sportsman • October 2017 • 25

Purchasing a Snowmobile – Many Choices Available to Buyers by Will Lund Purchasing a new snowmobile is an enjoyable process, but it requires that the buyer do some work. Because there are so many choices available, the buyer first needs to determine what type of sled will match their riding style, their needs and their budget. Basic Models Like many other things in our life, snowmobiles have become specialized, and it’s important to have a basic understanding of the different types of models offered by the major brands – Arctic Cat, Ski-Doo, Polaris and Yamaha – that are designed to appeal to various segments of the public. Touring/Utility/Trail: Primarily designed with increased load capacity to carry two people, or one rider and gear or a pull-behind sled, these larger units are geared for power but not the highest top speed, and their suspensions are designed for comfort but not high-performance maneuvers. They have a wide stance, and are intended primarily for use on groomed trails. The touring versions often include many convenience features (hand and thumb warmers; blue-

Most youth models feature a 120cc engine and manual pull-start. One manufacturer’s version offers a tall flag on a flexible pole, to allow parents and guardians to keep an eye on young riders out in the rolling fields. Many models for youngsters also have a throttle that can be adjusted by the parent, limiting the top speed to a level that matches the youngster’s experience. tooth compatibility; interactive screens), while the utility models feature storage areas, cargo racks, hinged hitches and protective bumpers. “Mountain” or OffTrail: These are the “extreme” models frequently featured in promotional videos for the new-year models – professional riders roaring up steep, snowy hillsides; executing power-turns to the right or left with the front skis in the air; then plunging back down the mountains with the deep, powdery snow jetting out on all sides. They offer fast acceleration and high maneuverability. Their suspension systems are stiff but with a great deal of travel, since they are designed to absorb the shocks of bottoming out after a weightless flight into the air off a precipice or jump. They are basically one-person sleds, designed for high performance in deeper snow. Crossover: As the label suggests, these are

general-purpose machines with moderate characteristics that enable users to ride prepared trails, but still exit the trails and head into the deeper-snow woods or

fields. Skis on crossovers are wider than those on trail-only sleds, but not as wide as the “floating” skis found on sleds intended primarily for deep-snow use. Most will offer fea-

tures found on other models (hinged hitches, hand-warmers), making them a versatile choice for those riders who are likely to experience a variety of riding surfaces and snow depths. Youth models: All manufacturers offer various versions of youth sleds, that are designed to bring young riders into the sport (presumably many of these youngsters will be raised in families (Continued on next page)

See Your Local Yamaha Snowmobile Dealer for Financing Options! JACKMAN Jackman Powersports 549 Main Street • 207-668-4442 jackmanpowersports.com

TOPSHAM Woody’s Performance Ctr. 70 Topsham Fair Mall Rd. • 207-729-1177 woodysyamaha.com

SKOWHEGAN Whittemore & Sons 257 Waterville Rd. • 207-474-2591 whittemoreandsons.com

RANGELEY Rev-It-Up Sports Shop Route 4 • 207-864-2452 revitupsports.com

Always wear an approved helmet and eye protection. Observe all state and local laws. Respect the rights of others. Ride within your capabilities. Allow extra time and plenty of distance for maneuvering. Do not perform stunts. ©2014 Yamaha Motor Corp, U.S.A. All rights reserved.© 2016 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved.

www.MaineSportsman.com

26 • October 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Snowmobile Special (Continued from page 25)

in which one or both parents already ride), with a premium on supervision and safety. The sleds are reasonably affordable (the manufacturers have kept the prices for this year’s youth models relatively low – under $3,000), and have the basic components designed

to keep kids entertained. Most contain a 120cc engine and manual pullstart, although at least one company also offers a larger, faster version with a 192cc engine for kids transitioning to fullsize sleds. Arctic Cat’s youth version offers a tall flag on a fiberglass

pole, to allow parents and guardians to keep an eye on the young riders out in the rolling fields, and most youth models have a throttle that can be adjusted by the parent – a “governor” that restricts the top speed to a level that matches the youngster’s experience. Standard Features Prospective buyers – especially those who have

been out of snowmobiling for a while, or who have been using an older machine – will be amazed at the improvements and features that are now found on many sleds as standard equipment. For example, LED lights, which work much less draw on electrical systems compared to incandescent bulbs of the past, are now found as

UP TO $2,000 REBATE on select 2017 models and GREAT FINANCING through October 31, 2017! AUBURN Wallingford Equipment 2527 Turner Road 207-782-4886 wallingfordequipment.com

GREENVILLE JUNCTION Moosehead Motor Sports 13 Industrial Park 207-695-2020 mooseheadmotorsports.com

LINCOLN Lincoln Power Sports 265 West Broadway 207-794-8100 lincolnpowersports.com

AUGUSTA North Country Ski-doo 3099 N. Belfast Ave. 207-622-7994 northcountryh-d.com

JACKMAN Jackman Power Sports 549 Main Street 207-668-4442 jackmanpowersports.com

WINDHAM Richardson’s Boatyard 850 Roosevelt Tr, Rt 302 207-892-9664 richardsonsby.com

DETROIT Huff Powersports 284 North Road 207-487-3338 huffpowersports.com

LEEDS Reggie’s Kawasaki Ski-doo 255 US Hwy 202 207-933-4976 doitatreggies.com

COLEBROOK, NH Lemieux Garage Inc. 161 Main St 603-237-4377 lemieuxgarage.com

FORT KENT Fort Kent Powersports 377 Caribou Road 207-834-3659 fortkentpowersports.com

Contact Your Local Ski-Doo Dealer Today!

© 2017 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). All rights reserved. ®, ™ and the BRP logo are trademarks of BRP or its affiliates. This offer is valid in the U.S.A. select market only at participating Ski-Doo® dealers on new and unused Ski-Doo snowmobiles (excluding racing models and units sold under the Spring Fever promotion) purchased, delivered and registered between August 1, 2017 to October 31, 2017. The terms and conditions may vary depending on your state and these offers are subject to termination or change at any time without notice. See your Ski-Doo dealer for details. ‡ Get up to $2,000 on select 2017 models: Eligible units are select new and unused 2017 Ski-Doo® models. Rebate amount depends on the model purchased. While quantities last. Promotions are subject to termination or change at any time without notice. Offer may not be assigned, traded, sold or combined with any other offer unless expressly stated herein. Offer void where restricted or otherwise prohibited by law. BRP reserves the right, at any time, to discontinue or change specifications, prices, designs, features, models or equipment without incurring any obligation. Always consult your snowmobile dealer when selecting a snowmobile for your particular needs and carefully read and pay special attention to your Operator’s Guide, Safety Video, Safety Handbook and to the safety labelling on your snowmobile. Always ride responsibly and safely and wear appropriate clothing, including a helmet. Please observe applicable laws and regulations. Remember that riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix.

www.MaineSportsman.com

standard equipment. Not only do they provide a great deal of illumination, but the latest technology has some companies claiming the lights will last the life of the overall machine. Suspensions are easily adjustable in most models, allowing operators to accommodate different terrain, or even to make changes if unexpected weather or the need to haul a passenger or gear makes it necessary to firm up the suspension. And for those riders who frequently carry a second person, those passengers can now rest comfortably in seating areas with back rests and handholds. Cargo racks, saddle bags, under-seat storage and other accommodations make it possible for riders to carry gear for ice-fishing, overnighting, survival or simply a big lunch around a fire. Windshields have gotten bigger, and hand-warmers have become more adjustable, in order to make cold-weather riding more enjoyable. Electric start is now found on all but the most basic models. Display screens are standard on many higher-end models, featuring informative digital displays for instrumentation, entertainment and communication. Digital compasses are included on many, while GPS capability is usually available as an option. Riders in certain geographic areas of the country are able to purchase chips containing detailed trail atlases with elevations and land features indicated, as well as electronic overlays listing services for riders and repair facilities for their sleds. Overall, it’s a fun time to be looking for a sled. With list prices of 2018 models ranging from under $3,000 for youth models, to between (Continued on next page)

��The Maine Sportsman • October 2017 • 27 (Continued from page 26)

$6,900 and $14,900 for full-size sleds, the purchase process should be approached in the same manner as any other large financial decision.

So evaluate your expected use for a machine, learn as much as you can about the different models, visit local dealers and try out test models, and enjoy the process.

See Your Polaris Dealer for Details Today!

The Arctic Cat Mountain M comes with a 600cc or 800cc engine, advanced suspension and ski shocks, and a front-mounted heat exchanger.

GORHAM Wescott & Sons, Inc. 500 Ossipee Trail 207-839-4500 wescotts.com

OQUOSSOC Oquossoc Marine Inc. 87 Carry Road 207-864-5477 oquossocmarine.com

JACKMAN Jackman Power Sports 549 Main Street 207-668-4442 jackmanpowersports.com

Polaris’ 800 Rush Pro-S is lightweight, offers “active pitch control” suspension, and provides RPM and engine temperature information to the rider using a 4.3-inch LCD screen.

TOPSHAM Woody’s Performance Ctr. 70 Topsham Fair Mall Rd. 207-729-1177 teamwoodys@outlook.com

GORHAM, NH Absolute Power Sports 471 Main St. 603-466-5454 absolutepowersportsnh.com

*Offers valid on new 2015 – 2018 Polaris snowmobiles. On approved Polaris purchases. Minimum Payments required. Offer may not be combined with certain other offers, is subject to change and may be extended or terminated without further notice. Minimum Amounts Financed, Interest Charges, and penalties for accounts non-current, may apply. Subject to credit approval. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on credit worthiness. Other financing offers are available. See your local dealer for details. Financing promotions void where prohibited. APR AS LOW AS 0% FOR 60 MONTHS*Monthly payments required. Valid on Amount Financed of $5,000 or more of select new untitled 2015 – 2018 Polaris snowmobile models made between July 26, 2017 and October 31, 2017 on your Polaris / Synchrony installment loan account. Model & year exclusions apply. *Rate of 0%, 3.99%, or 5.99% will be assigned. Examples of monthly payments required over a 60-month term at a 0% rate: $16.67 per $1,000 financed; at 3.99% rate: $18.41 per $1,000 financed; and at a 5.99% rate: $19.33 per $1,000 financed. Program minimum amount financed is $5,000 and 0% – 10% down payment required. Sales tax, registration fees, and dealer fees not included. Rate and down payment based on credit approval criteria. Offer is subject to credit approval by Synchrony Bank. The 2 Year Factory Warranty offer consists of a standard 1 year factory warranty plus an additional 1 years of additional factory warranty coverage. The 3 Year Factory Warranty offer consists of a standard 1 year factory warranty plus an additional 2 years of additional factory warranty coverage. The additional factory warranty offer is subject to a $50.00 deductible per visit after the first year. All rebates are paid to the dealer. Valid at participating Polaris dealers only. Offers are valid between 7/26/17 – 10/31/17. Always wear an approved helmet and eye protection. Observe all state and local laws. Respect the rights of others. Ride within your capabilities. Allow extra time and plenty of distance for maneuvering. Do not perform stunts. ©2017 Yamaha Motor Corp, U.S.A. All rights reserved.

The 2018 Ski-Doo Freeride offers a 165 horsepower engine, as well as a long track and advanced rear suspension for deep snow.

The 2018 Yamaha Sidewinder M TX 153 mountain sled features a 4-stroke turbo-charged 998cc engine, electric start and reverse gear.

AUBURN Ames Sport Shop 84 Littlefield Road 207-782-4917 See Us on Facebook

SIDNEY Kramer’s Inc. 2400 West River Road 207-547-3345 kramersinc.com

JACKMAN Jackman Power Sports 549 Main Street 207-668-4442 jackmanpowersports.com

SKOWHEGAN Whittemore & Sons 257 Waterville Road 207-474-2591 whittemoreandsons.com

*Offer valid August 28, – November 17, 2017 at participating U.S. dealers to U.S. residents on new 2013-2017 Arctic Cat snowmobile models excluding youth, race, rental, government and special services models. See dealer for details. *FINANCING AS LOW AS 0% FOR 60 MONTHS is valid on 2013-2017 models and financed through Sheffield Financial. Financing is subject to credit approval; not all applicants will qualify for credit. Consumers will be charged a $50 consumer document fee. Financing promotions void where prohibited. REBATES UP TO $4,000 valid on 2013-2017 models is based on model purchased. Offer subject to change without notice. Excludes tax, freight and dealer setup. Always wear a helmet and don’t drink and ride. © 2017 Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc.

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28 • October 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Old School Snow-tracking for Big Bucks Part 1

by Alan Haley Wayne Hockmeyer had a theory for everything. You could ask him what was on the mind of god or why the truck was running rough and he would have an immediate answer for both. He always sounded like he knew what he was talking about, but frequently did not. It took me years to figure out what he knew and what he didn’t. One of the things he

Once you are on the right track, follow the deer as fast as you can -- jogging where terrain permits, fast-walking when you are out of breath, pushing through brush and wading through streams. knew was deer hunting. He could not tell the difference between a pine and spruce tree, couldn’t start a fire without a pint of kerosene, and couldn’t cook anything more complicated than fried eggs or hot dogs, but he was

a master at finding and shooting big bucks. Although he treated his sports like employees, would frequently berate them for their lack of ability and work them to exhaustion, his success filled the camp year after

1681 Bennoch Road, Old Town

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year. Over the 11-year period I worked for him, 41 percent of the clients tagged a deer before the bucks-only law, and 28 percent tagged deer after. I doubt there is a camp in New England today that can document that level of success. Hard work and dogged determination accounted for some of his success, as it does with

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most endeavors, but his greatest asset was a fearless willingness to try new ideas and a keen eye for interpreting a deer’s behavior. His technique for snow-tracking deer was characteristic of the way he approached hunting. First, find the right track. The “right” one is a single, adult track, early in the morning, made by a deer that’s walking. Ignore anything else. Two or three tracks moving through the woods are likely does and lambs. Even if there is a buck in (Continued on next page)

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��The Maine Sportsman • October 2017 • 29 (Continued from page 28)

the pack, distinguishing his antlers when shooting time comes will be difficult to say nothing of the additional eyes that will be looking for you. Deer tracks that are meandering back and forth are deer looking for feed. Although feeding deer are quite vulnerable, they will bed down and ruminate at any time. A bedded deer is near impossible to walk up on. Second, start running. If you have ever seen a deer walking through the woods, you know how fast their gait is. When they come to a blowdown, they glide over it; when they get to a stream, they walk right through it. Thick brush and raspberry brambles are nothing to them. You have to cut down the distance between you and the deer, and you have to do it quickly. This means jogging when you can, fast-walking when you are out of breath, pushing through brush and wading through streams. Every deer usually beds down during the day; generally speaking, that time is somewhere in the late morning and early afternoon. If you are going to be successful, you have to catch up with the deer before this hap-

Thanksgiving week 1986, and a successful hunt for Wayne Hockmeyer’s camp on the south side of Hurd Mountain, northwest of Chesuncook. The author, Alan Haley, reports several repeat customers became so skilled at snow tracking that eventually they chose to hunt without guides, since they were happy “as long as the tents were tight, the food good, and they were in deer country.”

pens. Once the buck is bedded and chewing cud, no predator – least of all you – is likely to get close. Third, Keep your eyes up. People tend to watch their feet when walking through rough terrain or trying to be quiet. The problem is that when your eyes are on the ground, they are not looking for small movement

at the limits of visibility. Eyesight is the biggest advantage you have over a deer. In daylight conditions, you can see far better than a deer, and perceive stationary shapes and colors. Deer always seem to be able to see better than you because they are always watching for the tell-tale movement of an

approaching animal – and that’s exactly what you should be doing. When you watch your steps, you are giving up that advantage. Of course, when you don’t watch your steps, you make more noise and stumble more often. However, this does not pose as big a drawback as many hunters believe.

Although a deer can hear better than you, it is not a large advantage. That soft crunch in frozen moss or the breaking of twigs might sound like a loudspeaker in your ear, but that is only because you are close to the sound and are making it. You feel the sound as well as hear it. There’s a good (Continued on next page)

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Deer Hunting Special (Continued from page 29)

chance that sound won’t carry more than 20 or 30 yards away. Also, if the deer is up and moving it is making noise as well, that noise fills its hearing just like your noise fills yours. Conditions can also make a great difference. Any time there is snow on the trees and branches, it acts as a giant noise sponge. The more snow, the more deadening it is. In fact, the problem you will have on those mornings when a half foot of new snow is stuck to all the black growth, will be walking up too close to the deer! Those types of snow conditions eliminate all noise be-

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32 • October 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��

— Guest Column —

How I Survived Alone, and Won $500K Using a Handcrafted Miniature Boat to Catch Trout – Part 1 by Zachary Fowler My name is Zachary Fowler, and until last year I lived with my wife and two daughters in an off-the-grid yurt in Appleton, Maine. On August 16, 2016 I was in the wilds of Patagonia, 87 days into my experience for Season 3 of HISTORY’s reality survival series, Alone. And that was the morning that I heard the boat coming to perform the medical check required for all ten original contestants. The only protein I’d eaten for nearly three months had been 63 fish and two birds. I was afraid I was going to fail the medical check that morning – as it turned out, I had lost 72 pounds – and that I’d be going home defeated. At stake was a $500,000 prize for the last man or woman standing, and I intended to survive no matter how long, and win that for my family so we could build a new home. Out-stubborned Them All The medical team arrived with sad faces and checked me physically. Then started asking me about my mental state and how much I missed my wife and two girls who were waiting for me at home. In part because I’d eaten little more than three fish and some dandelion roots those last two weeks, it didn’t take much to break down my walls. Through tearful eyes I replied, “As long as I have strength in me, I will never give up.” www.MaineSportsman.com

The “Duck Hunter 3000” equipped with a spring-loaded fishing pole to set the hook on Padegonia trout. In Part 2 of this series, readers will learn about the “beta” version of this little boat, which employed a more refined propulsion system.

And that was the moment my wife Jami came up behind me, hugged me and said “It’s over, you did it. You out-stubborned them all; you won!” I won so much more than half-million dollars that day. It’s been a year now, and six months since the rest of the world saw that moment on TV. Ten Tools We were each allowed to bring ten items of gear for our survival. I knew that fishing and hunting were going to be critical, so among my selections were a small package of fishhooks, some fishing line, and a slingshot with two sets of elastic bands. However, my dreams of feasting on rabbit or other small animals were quickly dashed, when I learned through observation that there was no game to be had during the winter up high in the Andes Mountains. Therefore, a nearby lake and the gorgeous

trout were to be my sustenance for the duration of my stay. The hooks and line were critical components – now all I needed were fishing poles. Fortunately, an amazing species of bamboo grew all over the area that was assigned to me, and it made a great fishing pole. I started out by simply rigging a few 16-foot bamboo poles with short lines and baiting them with worms and grubs I dug from the rich Patagonian soil. Good Fishing, but Improvements Required I caught about a fish a day the first month I was there. I smoked every fish for three to six hours before I finished it on some hot coals. After the flesh was consumed, the head and all the bones went into my pot for soup. I drank nothing but that fish-head soup three

times a day for the entirety of my stay, and it gave me the needed strength to make it through the days I did not have a fresh fish. It turned out the static poles were not the best option. More often than not, I found my hooks bare, stripped of bait. Sitting and waiting for a fish to bite so I could set the hook manually was not the best use of my time. I had a lot to do to prepare for winter, and the nights were already below freezing. I needed to come up with a way to set the hook in the fish’s mouth while I was not tending the rig. Book Learning Most of my survival skills came from old books I found at garage sales. I had a head full of knowledge, and now was the time to put it into action. I started out by constructing a few devices that would normally be used as rabbit snares.

I had drawn out in my sketch book before leaving for Patagonia. Perhaps they would make good fishing snares? I set up several of these set-ups along the shoreline, making each one a bit different. All were fabricated from flexible bamboo. My goal was to set as many as I could. It took about three weeks, but that the end of that time all 24 of the fishing hooks I had with me were in action constantly. Five of my hooks were set on spring-loaded traps that would go off when a fish bit, and they set the hook more consistently than the static lines. Then, I had three trout lines, consisting of an 18-foot bamboo pole strung with 50-lb fishing line, each with three to five short lines at the end with hooks on them. The rest were all static lines on 12 to 18 foot poles that I stuck in the rocks at the bank. They were set to hold baited hooks about six inches under the water’s surface. Getting Out Into Deeper Water My challenge now was to get my bait out into deeper water. I tried casting by hand, but the line kept getting tangled. If I could only find a way to get my line out past that 18-foot distance, and then get the hook safely back, since the lake’s bottom was covered with sunken wood and weeds. I had to get my bait out to that “sweet spot” (Continued on next page)

��The Maine Sportsman • October 2017 • 33 (Continued from page 32)

beyond easy reach. If I could do that, I thought each night before I went to sleep, I could catch more fish, eat more, and survive longer. Maybe I needed to forget about the fish, and try to catch a duck – or, more accurately, a cormorant. Goal: Roast Sea Bird On one of those presleep strategy sessions, the idea of a project I dubbed “Duck Hunter 3000” came to me (every project has to have a fancy name!). I came to refer to this craft as my “overly-elaborate primitive trap.” Ever morning, I saw a cormorant. The bird would swim by about 50 to 60 feet out from the shore every morning. At that distance, it was out of range of my slingshot, and too far out for me to try and swim out and come up from underneath and grab him. A trap was needed to do what I could not. When I was a child, my father made me a rubber-band powered paddle boat for the bathtub. I then remembered when I was fishing in Maine on the Rockland breakwater using cut bait for stripers, I managed to accidentally catch more seagulls and cormorants than stripers. So I combined those two ideas, and the Duck Hunter 3000 was born. I made a three-foot long, self-propelled paddle boat with two hooks with fish heads on them on them attached to a rock, which was then attached to the deck. The plan was that the paddle boat would motor its way out into the lake and sit there, offering up a free meal for any bird that happened by. Once the bird ate the bait and was hooked (according to my theory), it would struggle and pull the rock off the deck. That would be enough to pull the duck’s head un-

der water, dispatching him. It all worked perfectly, except for the fact that the birds were rare and the only one that ever came by was so leery of my contraption that it never had the chance to be tested. A Better Idea After a few days of abject failure, I quickly

saw a better application for my new device. That sweet spot I wanted to fish? Well, now I could reach it, with the help of Duck Hunter 3000. So I brought her in for a refit. She was relaunched, her deck now equipped with one of my spring-loaded fishing snares. On the television

show, viewers saw me finding it upside down after her first kill. The leverage of the fishing pole on the deck of the little boat allowed the fish to flip it over. But upside down or not, she brought home her first kill – a beautiful rainbow trout. Next month: Fowler’s adventure concludes.

High winds bring disaster to the tiny vessel, forcing him to redesign Duck Hunter. Also, an update on his latest project – reenacting his Alone odyssey, but in the Maine wilderness, for his new YouTube series, “Fowler’s Makery and Mischief.”

Fowler drew out his design for “Duck Hunter 3000” before making it in Padegonia out of wood, bamboo and a fish line. Note the fish heads, and the rocks that were intended to hold the snagged ducks underwater. In the end, the tiny vessel proved a better fish-catcher than bird-slayer.

In the weeks and months before participating in Season 3 of HISTORY’s “Alone,” Fowler read survival books he found at garage sales, and kept careful notes and diagrams of fish-catching devices in his notebook. www.MaineSportsman.com

34 • October 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��

— Special Feature —

Bear Meat – When Handled Properly in the Field and Kitchen, it’s Safe and Delicious by Steve Vose As a young boy growing up in Washington County, I was never allowed to bear hunt. Dad was a diehard hunter, but always asserted that bear meat wasn’t worth eating; therefore, hunting bear was in direct conflict with his eat-what-you-kill philosophy. This misinformed viewpoint was further perpetuated by my mother, who believed bear meat was filled with worms and unfit for human consumption. It wasn’t until many years later, that I was able to sample my first bear steak, and from that point forward I was sold on what a fine table fare bear makes. Guiding bear hunters, I was surprised that even those who regularly

Select dishes that will result in thoroughly cooking the bear meat – dishes such as bear stew, soup, chili and enchiladas. hunt bear are often unwilling to eat their prize. On many occasion, sports were more than happy to donate their bear meat to needy local families and about anyone willing to take it. Even many sportsmen have a difficult time bringing themselves to view bear meat as anything more than coyote bait or dog food. Why then do a wide majority of people have such an aversion to consuming bear meat? I believe there are two main reasons. First, bear meat must be properly cared for in the field, and then

Bear and beer -- Bear meat enchiladas. Vose photo www.MaineSportsman.com

must be prepared in the kitchen in a suitable manner. As with any game meat, hunters must get the meat cooled down as quickly as possible. Bears, however, have large muscular systems, thick layers of fat and a heavy, dense hide. All these factors mean bears take much longer to cool than other game animals. When butchering, this layer of fat (and fall bears have A LOT of fat) must be separated from the meat, because it imparts an unpalatable gamey taste. Secondly, many avoid eating bear because they are carriers of trichinosis. Trichinosis is a parasitic infection caused by a roundworm. Symptoms include abdominal cramps, muscle pain and fever. To avoid contamination, bear meat must be cooked well-done or to an internal temperature of 160°F. (Additional literature I have read says that approach is overly conservative, and in 2011 the USDA stated that the roundworm parasite is killed at 145°F.) While this seems to be the biggest argument I hear against the consumption of bear meat, truthfully, if sportsmen simply cook the meat properly, the risk is completely mitigated. Although there are fewer than 10 cases each year in the US of trichinosis caused by bear, it’s still important to be cautious when dealing with bear meat. So what does it mean to be cautious? When processing and butchering

bear meat, avoid touching the face, and always wear rubber gloves. Once the job is done, wash your hands with soap and water, or if you’re afield, liberally apply an antibacterial soap. When preparing bear meat, employ a cooking method that ensures that the meat is always cooked to the proper temperature. Bear stew, soup, chili and enchiladas all require you to thoroughly cook the meat well beyond the necessary temperature, but all these choices still allow the meat to be enjoyable to eat. Here are a couple “cautious” recipes that I use to empty my freezer of bear meat.

Two Bear Meat Recipes Bear Enchiladas • 1 pound ground bear • ½ a large Vidalia onion • 1 tablespoon minced garlic • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder • 1 teaspoon ground cumin • 1 can pinto beans, drained and rinsed • 1 small can chopped green chilies • 1 can diced tomatoes, drained • 1 large can red enchilada sauce • 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese • 8 flour tortillas Toppings: Chopped avocado, black olives, sour cream and cilantro Stir the ground bear in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the

meat is evenly browned. Break up the meat to make sure all of the pink is gone, and drain off any grease. Mix in finely chopped onion, garlic, chili powder and cumin. Continue to cook until the onions are soft. Stir in the pinto beans, green chilies, tomatoes and half of the enchilada sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in half the cheese, reduce heat to low and allow the cheese to melt. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Fill each tortilla with the meat sauce, roll the tortillas and arrange them in the baking dish, seam sides down. Pour the remaining red sauce over the enchiladas, and top with remaining 2 cups of Mexican cheese blend. Bake until the cheese topping is bubbly, about 30 minutes. R e m o v e from oven and allow each person to add their favorite toppings. Bear Poop • 1 pound ground bear • 1 can cream of mushroom soup • ½ bag of frozen peas • 1 bag of No Yolks Noodles Stir the ground bear in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the meat is evenly browned. Break up the meat to make sure all of the pink is gone and drain off any grease. Mix in the peas and cream of mushroom soup. Simmer for 10 minutes. Boil the No Yolks Noodles until tender and drain. Arrange the noodles on a plate and slap a healthy amount of “poop” on top. Trust me – it tastes MUCH better than it sounds!

��The Maine Sportsman • October 2017 • 35

Venison Brisket – Delcious Rewards Come to the Cook Who’s Patient Brisket is a leading example of a meat cut that requires long, slow cooking to tenderize and unlock their deep flavor. This cut is from the deer’s well-used chest muscles. The meat is stringy and exceptionally lean, so braising it very gently in your oven or slow-cooker is the best way to make it tender without drying it out. This way you end up with a perfectly

tender and delicious cut of meat. Why I eat, and know, that hunted and grass-fed farmed raised critters are better than store bought meat? I read, believe and understand that some slaughterhouses are now injecting papain (derived from papaya) into animals just before slaughtering. Papain is carried through the bloodstream and acti-

vated by the cooking process. Sometimes results are a mushy piece of meat due to the enzyme destroying too much muscle fiber firmness. The latest researched method is a machine that immerses tough cuts of meat into a water bath and sends shockwaves through the meat, breaking down fibers. YIKES!

Cider-Peppered Barbecued Venison Brisket I start this process very early in the morning so it is perfect for an end-of-the-day meal after hunting. Ingredients: • 1 large onion, diced • ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce • ¼ cup lime juice • 2 cups apple cider • 1 tablespoon kosher salt • 1 3-4 pound venison brisket Combine all ingredients, except venison brisket and pour in crockpot. Add venison brisket, cover and set heat to low for 8 hours, or until fork tender. Baste occasionally. Meanwhile… • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 3 cups onion, halved and sliced in rings • 3 tablespoons garlic, chopped • 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, chopped • ½ cup honey • 1 cup puréed tomatoes • 1 cup chicken stock • 2 tablespoons apple cider pepper vinegar • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (or more!) • 1 lime, juiced Heat olive oil over medium heat in medium saucepan. Add onion and sauté, about 3 minutes then add garlic and ginger, sauté for 1 minute. Add remaining ingredients and simmer until thick, about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. When brisket is done, drain juices into bowl and set aside. Add thickened sauce to pulled brisket and stir to cover brisket. Simmer for one hour on low. Toast bulky rolls on grill, shred Habanero Cheese (optional), and get the plates out!

www.MaineSportsman.com

36 • October 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Memorable Duck Hunting on Prestile Stream I turned my SUV off the Burleigh Road pavement just before the Westfield Bridge onto a short grass and gravel two-track right to the edge of Prestile Stream. My cousin Mike Wallace and I climbed out into the pre-dawn glooming, standing quietly between the truck and the stream. We basked in the soothing sound of the brook bubbling past and the birds waking and warbling. It seemed a shame to break the serenity by unloading the 19-foot, square stern, camo painted Grumman aluminum canoe, but there were ducks to be hunted. Float Your Boat The Prestile Stream abounds with mallards, black ducks, blue and green-winged teal, merganser and the much-treasured wood duck, and while jump-shooting works,

While we glided smoothly downstream in a canoe, we knew that two of our friends were stationed downstream a mile or so from the launch site in the bushes along the shore, ready to intercept fleeing ducks we pushed out.

October is a great month for teal hunting along Aroostook streams. This pair of bluewings came from one flock that was bumped during a Prestile float trip. Graves photo

sneak-and-peek floating tops the bill for steady wingshooting. To up the ante, my local group of ducks gunning pals and I have added action by stationing shooters downstream a mile or so from the launch site to intercept fleeing ducks we push out. Often

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the ducks fly right down the stream, seldom topping the tree line on either side, especially if no shots were fired from the boat. A lucky coin flip began the float with me as bow gunner and Mike as stern man, hugging the convoluted waterway

while quietly guiding the canoe along with the current, using a paddle more for positioning than power. Less than five minutes and 300 yards after launch as we passed the mouth of a back eddy, our appearance spooked eight mallards noisily

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aloft. Most flew upstream behind us, allowing no shot, but a pair attempted to loop around the front, and just like that I had a drake and a hen, the colorful male splashing down within 10 feet of our canoe. After picking up the pair, we switched places and Mike assumed the catbird’s seat up front. Rounding a bend about five minutes later, more than a dozen ducks took flight from a long, tranquil run. However, we were just too far for a good shot. A few minutes later, we heard a barrage from our shoreline shotgun sentries downstream. We later learned they tumbled three of the passing flock. On a long, lazy S-curve, a group of at least twenty teal exploded like a bottle rocket scattering every direction. After Mike’s 3-shot volley, a brace of birds floated on the pool, green wing speculums radiant in the rising sun, and after a quick retrieval and bankside stop I was once again locked and loaded in the bow. Memorable Double Things were quiet for (Continued on next page)

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Beaver Pierce of Blaine and Buddy Horr of Dedham paddle to shore after finishing their portion of a morning float trip for ducks along Prestile Stream. Graves photo (Continued from page 36)

awhile as we serenely slid downstream enjoying daybreak. A couple of small flocks spied our approach on long open stretches and took wing, while others paddled out of sight. Several shots sounded from our buddies stationed below, closer than I expected. In less than a minute, a quintet of small, fast-fleeing ducks rounded a bend and came straight at us just a few feet above the water. We froze, hoping to look like a mid-stream log, and when the ducks were about 25 yards out, I quickly mounted my scattergun. Not until my bead centered on the lead bird did my brain recognize it was a male wood duck! Mike and I were astonished when two ducks cartwheeled into the water right beside the canoe. The rest of the birds zipped past before my stalled reactions could let me swing and fire again. To my great pleasure both ducks were male, one just a bit less mature, and they now reside over my fireplace, where just a glance allows me to relive the memorable double.

Outdoor writer Bill Graves displays a pair of mature drake mallards taken along the Prestile Stream when friends floating from upstream pushed the birds past his hiding site.

Bushwhackers Get the Canoe I beached the canoe at Buckley’s Deadwater, the half-way point to the Mars Hill Pond, and learned the two bushwhackers had downed five ducks. They took over the canoe for the rest of the float hunt, and gave Mike

and me 10 minutes to drive downstream and settle into our shoreline pass shooting sites. Regardless of which section of the Prestile is selected to float-hunt, ducks are plentiful, the scenery tranquil and other hunters rare. As an added incentive, it’s not uncommon to pot a

During a float hunt recounted in the accompanying article, writer Bill Graves managed a rare double on mature wood ducks. Here they are on his fireplace, allowing him to relive the event on cold winter evenings.

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38 • October 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��

The County (Continued from page 37)

there are four defined sectors for floating waterfowlers on the Prestile, each with unmaintained but simple to locate and use launch and take out sites. Mars Hill and Robinson ponds and dams are two obvious locations. For a stable but shallow water shooting craft, I’d suggest a 14-16 foot Jon boat or a 16-19 foot canoe. Check out Delorme’s Atlas, Map 59, A-3, for the floating stretch mentioned above. Most folks consider the Prestile a great brook trout water, but I’ve enjoyed 50 years of memorable duck hunting, you should consider a float this month. Portage Partridge While according to the official books, the state bird of Maine is the black capped chickadee, I’m betting that Ol’ Pat,

the ruffed grouse, tops the list during October and November. Not only is the partridge a breathtaking avian specimen in plush plumage at full strut, but few stews can match its savory taste. Some sportsmen have to join forces with a keen-nosed four-legged hunting companion to truly bask in the thrill of wingshooting, and others are fine with stalk-andspot walks along old tote roads and logging trails or around wild apple orchards. There are also a surprising number of “heater hunters” who slowly drive logging roads in the deep woods, scanning the banks, trees, logs and stumps for budding or sunning birds. I have to admit, I can’t taste a whit of difference between wingshot or stump-rolled!

Drive north or south on Route 11 and turn onto West Road beside Portage Lake, then follow Rocky Brook Road to Fish River Checkpoint and then Hews Brook Road about two miles later. The spider web of trails, two-tracks and tote roads seems never-ending, far more than could ever be explored if a full week were invested. Whether you drive, walk, or trail a dog, there are plenty of options and far more grouse than gunners. DeLorme’s Atlas, Map 63, B4 & C4 offer an overview of this wonderful wildfowl area, and wise bird hunters will make sure to have a rifle along in November. As this month progresses and cold weather thins the foliage, spotting partridge becomes easier, and on frosty morning it’s possible to fill a limit before breakfast.

Remille Norsworthy and the author hide out in thick brush along the Prestile stream in Mars Hill waiting for a passing shot at ducks pushed past by their hunting buddies coming downstream in a canoe.

MAINE WILDLIFE QUIZ by Steve Vose American Woodcock

The American Woodcock (Scolopax minor), also known simply as woodcock or Timberdoodle, inhabits forests, brushlands and agricultural areas throughout the United States and Canada. A migratory creature, woodcock spend the cold winter months in the south and return north in the spring to breed. During breeding season, males attract females by putting on an impressive courtship ritual that involves the male flying hundreds of feet into the air and rapidly descending back to earth while loudly chirping. Hens of breeding age watch these impressive aerial displays and pick mates. Once bred, the hen makes a nest on the ground comprised of leaves and twigs. Hens lay one to four eggs that hatch in about 20 days. The female woodcock care for the fledglings, feeding and warning them of

danger, until they become self-sufficient at about five weeks of age. In the wild, those woodcock that survive predation by fox, coyotes and bobcats live to about 8 years of age. The American Woodcock possess a plump torso, short legs and large rounded head with unassuming body plumage in various shades of muted browns, grays, and black, with a tan-colored chest. More predominant identifying features include its large eyes and long prehensile bill. The eyes boast an incredible visual field larger than any avian species, while its unique bill is perfectly adapted to capture its primary food source, earthworms. The population of the American woodcock has been in a continual decline since the 1960s. Scientists attribute the decline to a loss of habitat, caused by urban development.

Questions 1. What other names is the American Woodcock known by? 2. What is the primary habitat and range of the American Woodcock? 3. Does the American Woodcock migrate? 4. Where does the American Woodcock nest? www.MaineSportsman.com

5. 6. 7. 8.

How long does it take for an American Woodcock egg to hatch? How long does an American Woodcock live? What are the predominant features of an American Woodcock? What is the biggest factor in the declining population of the American Woodcock?

Answers on Page 79

��The Maine Sportsman • October 2017 • 39

With a Young Dog at Home to Train, Joe’s Priorities Shift (Ever so Subtly) Anyone who knows me well, understands hunting has always been my favorite pastime. I started hunting with my father when I could barely walk. Whether it was sitting next to him or my godfather duck hunting the rough waters of Lake Ontario, or tagging along in the deer woods before I could legally hunt, my favorite memories in life (other than my wedding day) are of my time afield in pursuit of wild game. As a young man, I cut my teeth on frogs, squirrels, cottontail rabbits, ruffed grouse, ducks and geese. As soon as I was old enough, I was bowhunting deer every chance I had. At 16, I could legally hunt deer with my shotgun, and things were never the same. From October until the end of February, I hunted every chance I had. A few family members called my hobby an unhealthy obsession. Few people outside my inner circle could understand why I was so obsessed with the outdoor world. My love of hunting has had a tremendous influence on my personality and accordingly, my life. I’ve been especially focused on deer for

We were now a onedog family. All our attention was on Cricket. I began to get more involved with training and playing in the yard, but Karrie was preparing Cricket for her Natural Ability test with NAVHDA in June.

Joe’s first GSP (German Shorthaired Pointer) Luca retrieving an eider in southern Maine. Though GSPs aren’t known to be phenomenal swimmers, Luca was an exception. She was great with ducks and geese, and great in big water and fast currents.

the last 20 years, with the past seven being my most focused seasons of all. When we retired my old German Short Haired Pointer (GSP) Luca, hunting waterfowl, grouse and hare became less of a priority. With my extra time, I gained a laser focus on deer. Killing a mature buck with my bow became an obsession. In the last seven years I’ve killed some great bucks, including a gorgeous 156”, 216 pound slob that still makes me smile every time I stare at the mount. Last fall I finally scored on a mature buck with my bow – a mid-130’s Iowa buck that dressed out over 250 pounds.

Nearly all of my whitetail goals have been filled. I’m not sure how much happier a guy can get. Unexpected Happiness Last July we welcomed a new addition to our home. No, we didn’t have a baby – we got a puppy. Merry Meeting’s Cricket Summer Song joined the Saltalamachia family. It had been nearly two years since we lost Luca, and my wife thought I was ready for a new dog. I agreed to a new dog as long as Karrie did most of the early training. She’s got the magic touch (a quiet voice and a calm de-

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meanor) with dog training. At first I wasn’t sure I was ready for the puppy, but who can resist a cute face? She was a handful, but I could tell she had something special. Her prey drive was intense. She listened very well without a training collar, and her nose was stellar for a young dog. My wife kept up with the training, and Cricket was doing her part, too. When we lost our second dog, Sixx, this past March, Karrie and I were heartbroken. Sixx had been with us for over 15 years, and she’d been great with Cricket for eight months.

Perfect and Worthy of our Full Attention June came around, and I was nervous Cricket wasn’t ready for her test. I wasn’t the handler and I hadn’t been seriously involved with NAVHDA since our other two GSPs were pups over 14 years ago. No matter, I was still anxious. Karrie had worked Luca and Sixx to strong Prize 2, Natural Ability tests. Both of them turned out to be very good hunting dogs. In fact, Luca and I did nothing but kill when we were together. Still, I wanted them to earn that Prize 1. For Cricket, for Karrie and secretly, I think I wanted it for me. Test day arrived, and unfortunately Cricket was in heat. She’d be the last dog to test at each event. Temperatures that day reached nearly 90

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40 • October 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Big Game

(Continued from page 40)

Merry Meeting’s Sixx Gun Shooter. Though Sixx was Karrie’s dog, she retrieved lots of ducks, grouse, woodcock and hare for the author over the years.

degrees. I thought these factors were the kiss of death for that Prize 1. I was wrong! Cricket nailed the pointing, was spot on for the tracking and (thanks to Patti Carter), she absolutely loved the water! Long story short, Karrie and cricket not only earned a prize 1, they received a perfect score. Cricket is pretty special. While test preparation was going on, I had mentally committed to spend the next two years finishing Cricket and making her the great hunting dog and companion she had the potential to be. Luca was a

Karrie and Joe Saltalamachia’s new dog Cricket at a recent Yankee Chapter water clinic for NAVHDA (North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association). This was Cricket’s first duck retrieve.

great hunting dog, but we never finished her training. Sixx was a very good hunting dog, but never reached her full potential because we didn’t invest the time we should have in training and hunting. I was determined this time. I liken hunting with a finished GSP to driving a fine sports car. It’s an awesome experience. I was faced with a tough decision that surprisingly wasn’t as tough as I thought it’d be. In order to finish Cricket and give her the training and hunting experience she’ll need to pass a Utility test and beyond, we need to continue training, get her

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on lots of birds and get her into the field as much as possible. This means I will duck and goose hunt more than I bowhunt. Grouse, woodcock and hare will have priority over deer. Instead of being depressed, I’m actually excited about this coming season. It’s been a long time since I sat on the bank of a stream in the dark waiting for legal light and wood ducks to fly by. I miss killing my limit of ducks and then getting into a flight of woodcock on the way out. I used to shoot 1530 grouse a year. Since our old dogs retired, I’ve been killing just a few each year. I look forward to watching Cricket retrieve many birds! I still plan to deer hunt a bit. I’ve even talked to a few good friends who hunt the big woods. When rifle season opens, Cricket won’t hunt as much and my November vacation will still be spent pursuing mature bucks. Who knows, I may even finally track a buck this fall. Until then, forgive me, but I’ve got a new priority in hunting. Wish us luck!

Luca with her very first woodcock. She retrieved hundreds of birds over a 12-year period. The author hunted Luca far more than he deer hunted from 2000-2012 when he retired her. He says nothing was safe when they were together -- ducks, geese, grouse, pheasants, chukar, quail, rabbits, hare … Luca loved them all.

Joe and Luca with a few ducks taken in early October. Luca was at home hunting rivers, streams, lakes, the ocean and even swamps. Having a versatile dog to hunt with is an amazing experience. Joe and Luca hunted everything from waterfowl to upland game birds, rabbits, snowshoe hare and squirrels together.

��The Maine Sportsman • October 2017 • 41

Climb Baxter Peak or Paddle Chain of Lakes for Ultimate Foliage Photos Leaf-peepers invade the Katahdin Region this month. Armed with everything from long lenses and smart phones, these intrepid souls set out to record the perfect photo that absolutely captures the way life should be up here in northern Maine. I sometimes reflect on my own excursions chasing the rainbow and trying to get a shot of the gold at the end of that colorful arch. The camera equipment weighed a ton, and on most outings I came up miserably short. After spending a lot of money on good camera equipment hoping to offset my ineptness, I soon realized that it’s not the arrow that scores the perfect shot, but the archer. This archer struggled mightily for years under the weight of all that gear. Today’s smart phones, like the name suggests, have really bailed this dummy out. They fit neatly in any average sized pocket and take pictures at the drop of a hat. In fact, my phone has three times the resolution of my first digital camera. Recently, while tooling my way towards Millinocket, I came across a gaggle of cars pulled off to the side of the road. Sure enough, Mama moose and her calf obligingly posed for photos while cell phones from all angles recorded the event. Leaf peeping occurs on two levels. Some folks find contentment just driving the highways and byways searching for that overlook with Mount Katahdin filling the top third of the frame. This certainly rates as an en-

joyable way to explore the region and create some sharable photos. The second level requires a bit more effort. For the ultimate photo of an all encompassing view of the region in all its fall glory, a trip to the top of Mount Katahdin rates as the end game. I’ve hiked to the top of the mile-high mountain during the summer and often thought I would really like to come back in the fall when the leaves hit peak color. It’s hard to time the peak, but it seems that fall shows up later each year, and this month bears keeping a watchful eye on. Combining hiking and leaf-peeping makes perfect sense this month, because cooler temperatures make handling a backpack much easier, and the bugs of summer have disappeared in the rear view mirror. Blade-Ready Waters It’s not too late to dig a blade into one of the myriad waters that decorate the Katahdin Region. Kayaks, canoes and stand-up-paddleboards all create opportunities to view the foliage while cruising the various wa-

terways throughout the region. During the summer I do some drift fishing on the Penobscot between Medway and Lincoln. I’m seriously considering a fall float down the river, for the sole purpose of enjoying the scenery. It’s great during the dog-days of summer, but just over the top this time of year. For those considering open water, the Chain of Lakes (Ambajejus, Pemadumcook, North and South Twin, and Elbow Lake) offers enough paddling to wear out two sets of shoulders. Check the DeLorme Atlas, Maps 42 and 43 for an overview. A state-maintained boat ramp with plenty of parking located at Partridge Cove along Route 11 serves as a perfect starting point for a self-propelled excursion. Another ramp at the causeway between Ambajejus and Millinocket Lake provides access to the upper reaches of the water system. Of course, with a little bit of shuttle work and a lot of paddling, energetic boaters could navigate from one ramp to the other, thus never having to push the same water

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Once the author gets out in the Katahdin Region in October, he has more on his mind that just leaf-peeping -- here, beautiful foliage, lightning-fast grouse and shifty woodcock all came together on a fine fall afternoon.

twice. I’ve done the shuttle multiple ways. The least complicated way involves finding a guide or outfitter who will deliver the

vehicle to the targeted ramp. This costs a little extra, but it saves a ton of time rather than doing the two-car shuttle sys(Continued on next page)

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42 • October 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Katadhin Country (Continued from page 41)

tem. A bicycle works fine if it’s a short shuttle. However, many of the roads in the Katahdin Region don’t have much of – or any – shoulder. The first logging truck that rolls by will make paying someone to do the shuttle well worth the cost. Birds and Bunnies With the opening of the small game season on the first of this month, both bunny busters and bird hunters, anxious to put boots on the ground

for the first time this year, start this annual fall tradition. Snowshoe hares hang around low-slung conifers rooted along the edges of wetlands. Hunters using beagles look for sign along such areas and let the dogs’ noses do the rest. Hunting hares early in the season requires different tactics than chasing them across three or four feet of snow. During the daylight hours, hares need a reason to

Smilin’

Sportsman

move. That means lots of brush-busting for those without a sharp-nosed hound. Much of the real estate east of Route 11 and north of Brownville (DeLorme Atlas, Map 42, E-5) contains hare habitat. By locating the small blue hash marks on the map – which indicate wetlands – one can begin scouting for hare sign. The edges of these wetlands often prove productive. Expect to see road hunters in full force Oct. 2 as the grouse season kicks off. The King of Game birds likes to hang around the edges of grav-

el roads and upland hunters take full advantage of this habit. The entire region sports miles and miles of gravel roads that support the logging industry. It’s the old logging roads, those that have stood dormant for 10-years or so, that interest this writer. Walking quietly along these overgrown trails with my Brittany, both of us working the edge where the abandoned road meets forest, has proven reliably productive. For me it’s the quiet hunt away from civilization with just me and my

four-legged buddy trying to sneak up on a cagey wild bird that makes the walk a journey. A few good points and a couple of missed shots works fine for me. Expect to find some woodcock along the way. Their habitat often overlaps with the grouse. These shifty speedsters offer fast shooting and good sport. The Katahdin Region bubbles with color and excitement this month – adding yet another dimension to this resource-rich, productive area.

Send your best hunting and fishing stories, and your favorite jokes, to the editor at will@mainesportsman.com!

A woman checked in at the pearly gates and asked to join her former husband, Robert Smith. Saint Peter said, “We have five million Robert Smiths. Give us a little clue.” The woman replied, “My Robert is bald and has blue eyes, and he said that if I ever so much as kissed another man after he was gone, he’d turn over in his grave.” Saint Peter motioned an angel forward. “Gabrielle, please take this woman to Rotating Robert!” ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• A man called the hospital, screaming, “You gotta help me – she’s in labor! She’s having a baby!” The nurse at the front desk responded, “Please try to calm down. Is this her first child?” “No,” he hollered back. “This is her husband!” ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• He’s what’s known these days as an honest politician – when he’s bought, he stays bought. ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Confucius say: Before I criticize a man, I like to walk a mile in his shoes. That way, when I do criticize him, I’m a mile away and I have his shoes.

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��The Maine Sportsman • October 2017 • 43

Bow Season for Deer is Here: Find a Funnel Ironically and a bit embarrassingly, I’ve never written a feature focused solely on the one thing that makes a bowhunter good – finding funnels. Funnels help gunners too, of course, but there are a lot of other methods to gun-hunt. But for us bowhunters, aside from still-hunting, if we can’t locate good funnels, then the chances of harvesting a deer in Maine with a bow are about on par with being drawn in the moose lottery. For any readers unfamiliar with the term, a funnel is any natural or manmade object, change in terrains or set of obstacles that “funnel” deer through a specific location. Although it’s usually the easiest route from one location to the next, it’s not always the most direct, because aside from being spooked and bolting, everything a whitetail does is deliberate—nothing is random—so understanding a deer’s safest and quickest way of moving through a specific location is the key to success.

Funnels -- geographic features that condense deer movement into narrow channels – go by different names, including “fence rows,” “saddles,” “benches,” “inside corners,” “fingers,” “hubs,” “choke-points,” “cropland crimps,” “skinny pinches” and “bottlenecks.” In short, any consistently-successful bowhunter will admit to being good at locating funnels. Getting an Overview Funnels come in all forms and shapes. However, the good news is, with topo maps and satellite imagery, most funnels can be found before the archer ever hits the woods. If I’m going to a new area, I already know where I’ll hunt based solely on maps. Of course when I arrive, I’ll need to figure out proper placement with shooting lanes and wind, but I’ll at least know where my setup will be. There are several types of funnels for whitetails, and folks refer to them differently throughout the country: fence rows, saddles, benches, inside corners, fingers, hubs, choke-points... you

name it. Below I discuss a few of what I feel are the most common funnels that Maine hunters can locate and use to their advantage. Cropland Crimps Cropland crimp, farmland funnel, skinny pinch, bottleneck… call it what you want, but any area that condenses deer movement into a small channel is exactly that. They aren’t common in big woods country, but for us folks who bowhunt in and around cleared areas of the state, they are quite easily found on any aerial map. I look for any strip of timber that connects two fields, or one that connects two woodlots, and then I knock on the landowner’s door. Few bow stand sites can compete with these setups when it comes to season-long deer sightings and close shot opportunities. These areas are

The red arrows reveal pinch point funnels where deer move from one piece of woods to another while remaining hidden. The left yellow arrow designates an inside corner, and the two parallel yellow arrows point to a double inside corner. Credit: Google Earth

heavily traveled by bucks and does throughout the year, and in my opinion they are the holy grails of funnels, simply because they can be hunted early, mid- or late season. If you’re setting up a permanent stand or blind, place the stand or blind on one side of the timber strip, and only hunt that spot when the prevailing winds blow through the strip into your face with clearing behind you. Even better, if folks use climbers, then these areas can be hunted any time, and stand placement is dependent on the wind direction for that day. Just make sure—in advance—that there are two quality trees to climb on each side of the strip. Inside Corners & Double Insides Like cropland crimps, inside corners are also quite prevalent in pasture or cleared areas and

are easy to find using aerial or topo maps. Imagine a large woodlot in the shape of an “L” surrounded by fields. Looking at the woodlot from above, you would see five outside corners and one inside corner, at the 90-degree inside angle of the L, which is an excellent spot for a stand. Inside corners are great because deer cut around the corners when traveling during daylight. It allows them to remain unseen while moving because they can stay inside the timber line. It also affords them the quickest route from one end of the woodlot to another. I’ve personally found inside corners to be even better near roads, as any human noise keeps the deer from “jumping” the corner by cutting through the field at that point. Hunting them simply requires a wind direction from the woods into the field, which likely will be behind the hunter. Double inside corners are simply where two single insider corners (Continued on next page)

This topo map is of an area the writer hunts frequently in northern Maine. Each arrow designates a saddle in a large ridgeline. Due to the steepness and narrowness of the middle saddle, it’s probably a better choice for a bowhunter. Source: US Geological Survey www.MaineSportsman.com

44 • October 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��

The Latest on Catching and Releasing Fish A few months back, in the “Letters to the Editor” section of the June 2017 issue of this publication, a concerned reader sent a letter in about an idea that would help anglers record a trophy fish without harming it. This reader suggested that The Maine Sportsman magazine’s Patch Club for anglers, “The One That Didn’t Get Away,” modify its rules to include a trophy desig-

nation for fish by length rather than the present rule by weight. I don’t fish for trophies, but understand that some folks would like to at least record an especially large fish they caught and receive some kind of recognition. This publication offers a patch to those anglers who catch fish above and beyond the specified weight in each fish species category.

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This magazine’s “The One That Didn’t Get Away” club requirements, listed below, give anglers a simple set of rules to go by: 1. Open to anyone holding a Maine Fishing License. 2. Competition limited to fish taken in Maine in accordance with the fishing laws of the State. 3. Fish taken from a state, club or private hatchery or pool will not be eligible. 4. Weight of fish should be checked by a game warden or fisheries biologist when possible. In remote areas, fish may be weighed, certified by two disinterested persons and shown to a warden at angler’s convenience. Even when fish is dressed or frozen, angler’s application must bear a warden’s signature. The warden will be the final judge

of weight of fish before it was cleaned. CPR Over the past decade or so, I have noticed a wonderful trend – most anglers don’t go out with the thought of catching and killing fish, like they used to. Not to say that many still don’t like to take a few fish for a meal now and then, but there has been a huge push in the fishing world to release fish back to the wild so they can grow and give another angler the same thrill. Some call this CPR (catch, photograph, and release), a method that has been slowly introduced over the years to educate anglers to the value of increasing the survival rate for fish that get returned to the resource. I believe this educational effort has worked

extremely well, and that anglers, as a whole, are slowly catching on to this approach. All in all, I have been very happy with the progression of the CPR approach, and now have been seeing some folks attempt to make it even more effective. The gentleman who wrote the letter to the Sportsman mentioned above is certainly one of these anglers, trying to perfect this CPR system of improving fish survival. Gene Bahr My bird-hunting buddy, Gene Bahr (www. GeneBahr.com), has built a successful career on taxidermy over the years. We got talking the other day, and he mentioned his desire that anglers learn as much as they can about how to return a fish (Continued on next page)

��The Maine Sportsman • October 2017 • 45

Recognized around the world, Gene Bahr’s hand-carved fish receive the utmost attention to detail, vividly and accurately replicating each individual fish. Photos courtesy of Gene Bahr (Continued from page 44)

back to the water in the least-harmful manner possible. “I really don’t want folks thinking I’m against killing all fish,” said Bahr. “I occasionally eat fish I catch, but throw back plenty of fish I don’t want to kill … for various reasons. If somebody wants to kill a stocked fish, that’s fine, or if an angler wants to return every fish they catch back to the water, that is also okay by me. I promote fishing by the law, and hope that each angler learns to respect all wildlife with an ethical belief-system that protects the resource.” The prize-winning

taxidermist went on to mention how his style of preserving trophy fish has changed over the years. Bahr said, “I have slowly moved from doing skin mounts (requiring a dead fish), to only doing fish carvings (no kill required) that have become so desired by today’s anglers. I’ve also noticed an increasing number of anglers who don’t want to kill a fish just so they can mount it … they would rather use the CPR method, and have me carve a mount for them from the photograph and measurements.” Hand-Carved Fish Bahr’s world-class

Bowhunting (Continued from page 43)

are close in proximity. I’ve generally found stand placement to be best halfway between each corner instead of at one or the other. The reason is the wind. Hunting double insider corners requires a perfect wind direction, because if they are close together, any small crosswind will carry scent diagonally across the short width of the opening, potentially ruining a hunt. That said, even though I hunt double insides less frequently because I need to wait for perfect wind, they probably account for half of all deer I see during bow season. Saddles For those Mainers who don’t have the luxury of hunting around open clearings,

From large fish to small, award-winning taxidermist Gene Bahr carves life into each trophy mount.

carvings are highly sought-after for their extremely life-like detail and the fact that they’ll still be around many years after a skin mount has deteriorated. All that is needed for Bahr to carve the reproduction is a simple measurement of length and girth, and a photograph for color and other details specific to the individual fish. Recently, I caught a brook trout that I measured 20 inches long – a personal best for me and a fish that I would like mounted. I got the measurements that Gene required and a photo so he could begin carving. I kept the fish wet and

in the net while doing the measurements … I’ve got a measuring tape mounted right on the handle of my net that allows a quick and easy measurement. The handle-mounted measuring tape offers a convenient way to record a measurement and get the fish back in the water quickly, without excessive handling. Most anglers carry a measuring tape in their vest or tackle box, so I’m wondering if measuring trophy fish for the patch club might not be a better method rather than weighing a fish. A photograph of the fish on the tape showing the length could be used as proof of trophy status as well as a

tool for carving a replica at a later date if desired. Requiring anglers to weigh a fish might not be the best method for recording trophy fish – not every angler carries a scale for weighing fish. Also, having an angler take a trophy fish to a certified scale usually results in the death of a fish. This topic will be discussed with the rest of the magazine staff, and a solution that keeps the welfare of the game fish at the top of the list will be formulated – so keep tuned in here to find the final outcome of this worthy discussion.

Funnels are everywhere. Find the funnels, and you’ll find deer. and for those of us that like hunting the big woods, saddles are often the best natural terrain features to funnel deer. A saddle is formed when a ridgeline drops in elevation, then rises again. Being the lowest point in the ridgeline, it’s a perfect spot for whitetails to cross when going from one side of a hill or mountain to the other. Saddles vary in width and height. As a bowhunter, I look for longer ridgelines that only have one or two saddles, creating fewer funnels for deer to cross. When bowhunting, I will also look for narrower saddles as they condense deer for a closer shot. Also, because saddles are generally up high, I’ve noticed prevailing winds usually remain the same throughout the day. This

makes deer less skittish, but also makes it easier for the hunter in comparison to other parts of our state that feature swirling winds. Harvesting a Maine giant is difficult enough in our state in our thick forests and varying terrain. But funnels are everywhere in our woods, so folks should really consider studying maps before randomly hitting the woods. If you’re bowhunting this month, maps and satellite photos are key. Use them to your advantage, and good luck! Lastly, I’d love to get some photos of deer taken this October by bow. Send them along!

www.MaineSportsman.com

46 • October 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Upland Hunters Hoping for a Banner Year in the Moosehead Region Last year saw great upland hunting in Maine’s Moosehead region, as did the year before. And while a cold, wet spring in 2017 had many worried about the safety of grouse broods, it appears that most young birds made it. Different Conditions

Welcome to

If you are coming from other areas to the Moosehead region to hunt grouse and woodcock, don’t expect to find many classic covers. While some alder patches and reverting farmland exist, such places do not exemplify typical Moosehead bird covers.

Instead, most folks head to regenerating clear cuts. These places, with their pioneer growth of birch and raspberries, serve as bird magnets. However, many such covers, while holding grouse and woodcock, often come with a caveat. That is, it’s hard walking. Slash – scraps left over from logging operations – makes moving around difficult. Several years ago in a conversation with Moosehead-area guide Gary Urso, Gary told me that he advises his clients to get in shape by jogging with weights on their legs. Good advice, there. However, those who already spend much of their time outdoors probably won’t need to undergo such strenuous preparation. The Moosehead region, being so vast, requires lots of driving from cover to cover. And

on the way, dozens if not hundreds of small, “birdy-looking” spots present themselves. These may not cover much more than an acre, but often they hold plenty of game. I call these places “mini-covers,” and they are worth hitting. Here’s another thing to note. Grouse broods tend to stay together, even through October. So if one grouse flushes, expect another. Or perhaps several others. It’s easy for these as-of-yet unseen birds to rattle even the most astute hunter, but knowing ahead of time what to expect can help tilt the odds in your favor. High Altitude Last year during my annual bird hunt/moose scouting trip with Maine guide Bob Lawrence, game birds were spooky in the typical lowland

areas where we usually hunt, often flushing out of gun range. So Bob decided to take a trip to some higher elevations, and his hunch paid off, because there we were able to find more cooperative grouse. But our trip that day came with a twist. We woke up to a light coating of snow on the ground around Bob’s Rockwood Lodge. Living about two hours to the south, it seemed to me that this early dusting would most certainly melt away with the rising sun. Boy was I wrong. The snow, instead of letting up, increased in intensity the higher up in this mountainous area we drove. By midmorning, we had close to four inches of heavy, wet snow on the ground. Undaunted, we continued on, and despite the snow we were able to find a number of (Continued on next page)

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��The Maine Sportsman • October 2017 • 47 (Continued from page 46)

grouse, two of which we shot. It seemed odd to me, hunting in snow in October. But the game cooperated, and that was all that counted. Nature had one more trick up her sleeve, though, and a nice trick it was. While we were driving in what amounted to a driving snowstorm, a bird flew past our windshield, coming in at an angle from the left and landing on the edge of a clearcut. Wet Woodcock “Woodcock,” I hollered. “Stop the truck!” Bob brought the truck to a halt and I hopped out, loaded my side-by-side Lignose 12-gauge shotgun, and slowly walked to where the bird had landed. And sure enough, a woodcock flushed. It was a going-away shot, from left to right – not my favorite situation. Swinging on the bird

just before it passed a clump of brush, I had the mental foresight to push the gun ahead just a bit before it fired. The woodcock folded, dead as a doornail. We searched around and couldn’t find the bird. Finally, Bob located it, considerably further away than it had appeared to me. So here’s another tip, then. When hunting without a dog, don’t give up on downed game. Instead, look farther out from where the game appeared to fall. This was the first and only time I have seen, let alone killed, a woodcock during a snowstorm. But this was a migrating bird that had managed to tarry just a bit too long and couldn’t escape the snow. In fact, Bob tells me that even during the November deer season, woodcock continue to filter down from up north. To my way of thinking, northern Maine – and the Moosehead region in particular – rep-

resent the last, best place for woodcock hunting in Maine. Growing up in MidCoast Maine, I was fortunate enough to experience the “glory days” of upland gunning. But now, nearly all of my favorite covers are gone, replaced by either dwellings or posted signs. The Moosehead region, however, remains largely free and open. And better yet, it’s full of game, both grouse and woodcock. Fishing, Too When hunting out of Rockwood, I like to stop at the West Outlet of Kennebec River on my way home. West Outlet remains open to fishing year-round, and October stands as a prime month for taking hefty brook trout. As with any dam-controlled situation, much depends upon current flows. Even during times of high water, though, I usually manage to tie into a few trout by adding a bit of tungsten putty, or

“nymphing mud,” to my line. While this product was originally intended for fly-fishing use, the ban on lead sinkers has opened up a new clientele, that being spin fishermen. As long-time readers might easily guess, Trout Magnets remain my favorite lure for fishing West Outlet. And if fish aren’t taking my lure, that’s a signal for me to add a pinch of nymphing mud. Most of the time that does the trick, and my lure gets down to waiting trout. Spinners work well here too, but they need to go deep. Also, with their treble hooks, trout often

get harmed to the point where it doesn’t make sense to release them. Fly-fishers would probably do well with a large nymph. But to be effective, the fly should be fished on a fast-sinking fly line and for sure, the leader will need a dollop of nymphing mud. Look for West Outlet on the DeLorme Atlas, Map 41, B-1. The two-hour drive home from my October trip always sees me wearing a big smile. Come in October and you, too, will experience the joy of outdoor pursuits in the Moosehead region.

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48 • October 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Generational Bird Hunters Still Going Strong Forty-five years ago, I witnessed the first of many-to-follow successful bird hunts. My skinny 11-year-old frame followed my father through a briar-laced hardwood knob of a ridge with a small stream gurgling in the distance. The thorny briars made for hard going as they seemed to reach out and swallow my clothes. I’d long learned that complaining would do no good, as both my father

I was there when my two boys shot their first birds using guns handed down by my father and grandfather. I’d love to be around when my new grandson knocks his first bird out of the sky. and grandfather seemed immune to the blood-letting that goes on in the midst of a briar patch. Before long, a woodcock rocketed straight up just a few steps in front of my old man. “No way to hit that bird,” I thought as dad, hunched over and wres-

tling with the thorns himself, managed to point his Browning Double Automatic skyward in the direction of the fast escaping timber doodle. The bird dropped out of the sky like a stone. It was a fine lesson for a young briar-scarred boy trying to blame the

thorny terrain for his own lack of success. Many years would pass before I would start replicating some of those memorable days afield with my own boys. For the Sheldons, upland bird hunting makes up the third DNA molecule in our system.

Long before game laws and daily bag limits, my grandfather helped feed his family through the first Great Depression by selling partridge to folks from New York for 50-cents each – big money during the Roosevelt years. Bird hunting Tactics These days, his grandson hunts for sport and the chance to slow- cook some white grouse meat in his electric crock pot. (Continued on next page)

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��The Maine Sportsman • October 2017 • 49 (Continued from page 48)

And while grouse beats woodcock hands down when it comes to the dinner table, the shifty woodcock make fine sport and an interesting side dish. In the early days of my bird hunting career, we simply lined up and walked through attractive coverts. My family seemed to favor hardwoods with plenty of thick, thorny briars. Walking slowly through covers certainly qualifies as a viable tactic. Think still-hunting. Walk a bit, stop, walk, repeat. The stopped hunter often flushes nervous birds lacking the maturity to have confidence in

their surroundings. It’s also a great warm-up for next month’s whitetail season. Some 30 years ago, Dick Freeman introduced me to hunting birds with pointing dogs. After chumming along with Freeman for a decade or so, I finally invested the time and money into my own dog. It’s hard to beat

THE LAST RESORT

watching a dog sniff out a bird holding tight in ridiculously thick cover before stiffening up to a rock-solid point. After all that work, the dogs expect a well-placed string of pellets so they’ve got something on the ground to retrieve. Upland hunters will forever argue the merits of using a flushing dog versus a pointing dog,

but both camps admit the action goes way up with the help of a furry feather finder. Heater Hunting And, of course, heater hunting has a loyal following. The Jackman Region has hundreds of miles of backwoods logging roads ideal for em-

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(Continued on next page)

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50 • October 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Jackman Region (Continued from page 49)

gest food, but many roads sport some wild grasses and water drainage along the sides, giving the foraging birds some much need crop filler. One lazy afternoon a decade ago I ran into a woman walking slowly along a logging road west of Route 201. While chatting with her we heard a “heater hunter” inching along in his old truck – it was her husband at the wheel. This happily married couple employed both still hunting and “heater hunting” to while away colorful fall days in the Jackman Region. Bird Covers The Jackman Region abounds in paper company land loaded with minimum-maintenance roads that extend deep into prime bird habitat. Hunters looking for that perfect spot to do

some stalking, or let that sharp-nosed hound loose, do so by exploring these dusty backwoods trails. In the lower reaches of the region, the many acres north of Route 16 and east of Route 201(DeLorme Atlas, Map 30, C-4) have plenty of bird covers. Many streams and tributaries throughout Moscow and Caratunk give grouse and woodcock ideal habitat. Last season, one of the driest in 14-years, we stumbled across birds holed up along these minor waterways. Also, bear in mind that 90 percent of a woodcock’s diet comes from pulling earth worms from the ground with that pliable worm-pulling beak. I’ve found that woodcock like areas soft and damp, but not necessarily waterlogged. Woodcock hunting,

much like fishing, involves following the bait. Find soil that attracts earth worms and turn the dogs loose. Woodcock also like a canopy. I look for poplar, aspens and especially alder trees in the 12to 15-foot height range. The little timberdoodles feel secure with a bit of a cover over them as they work the ground for the protein-rich worm. Closer to the hamlet of Jackman, the entire Cold Stream drainage (Map 40, D-3) contains perfect habitat for both grouse and woodcock. The State of Maine recently purchased much of the acreage and the connected waterways. Both Johnson Mountain and Coburn Mountain have logging road access for those looking to bird hunt and scout for deer at the same time. Grouse tend to favor the southern side of mountains where they can face into the sun and soak up

Woodcock and grouse share many of the same coverts that abound throughout the Jackman Region. Miles of active and abandoned logging roads lead to prime upland bird hunting. Sheldon photo

some warmth in those ruffed feathers of theirs. I went on a bird finding seminar many years ago and the leader of the group showed us where birds had sunned themselves and how the droppings verified their south facing direction. As they say, the devil’s in the details. Bird hunting rates as a family tradition and

I’m blessed to have been in the field when my two boys knocked down their first birds using guns handed down by my father and grandfather. Time has marched on and there’s a new grandson in town. I’d love to be around when he knocks his first bird out of the sky.

— The Maine Sportsman’s Featured Maine Sporting Camps —

Wilson’s at Moosehead Lake

The dam at the East Outlet on Moosehead Lake creates a river flowage leading to Indian Pond, the headwaters of the Kennebec River. Well-informed anglers know the East Outlet as one the finest brook trout and landlocked salmon fisheries in Maine and New England. Wilsons on Moosehead Lake, situated at this “salmonid epicenter” called the East Outlet, puts anglers directly in touch with this premier flowage, and in contact with the folks who are most familiar with the awesome fish that inhabit the river connecting Moosehead Lake with Indian Pond – the Snell Family, owners of Wilsons on Moosehead Lake.

www.MaineSportsman.com

The business has been continually operated since 1865, and earlier this year the camp and its owners, Alison and Scott Snell, were named the Small Business Administration’s 2017 Family-Owned Business of the Year. “We are truly honored to be the recipient of this award,” said Alison. “Small family-owned businesses are so important to the true Maine experience. We are blessed to be able to connect with our guests personally and help them relax the ‘Moosehead’ way.” The Snells report they have been steadily increasing their guide business over the last several years, and offer a first rate guide staff and state-of-the-art equipment. They have upgraded cabins and added more services for their guests. Visitors to the Greenville/Moosehead region will continue to enjoy hunting, fishing, family vacations and four-season recreation at Wilsons, and relish the idea that this unique set of camps may be around for another 150 years. Visitors can wake up at one of their own personal cabins at Wilsons on Moosehead Lake, grab their fly rod and walk down to the East Outlet dam to fish the turbulent headwaters while the sun rises on Moosehead Lake. Or they can experience the ultimate fly-fishing adventure and book a drift boat trip with Scott, letting this highly-qualified Maine

guide show them the tactics and techniques to help them catch the fish of their dreams – over and over again. After catching landlocked salmon, brook trout or huge smallmouth bass, most anglers will agree – fishing at Wilsons on Moosehead Lake is a spectacular adventure driven by the whole Snell family. Scott, his wife Alison and their three children all get involved in offering their guests the most spectacular experience possible. Go to www.WilsonsOnMooseheadLake. com or call the Snells at (207) 695-2549.

��The Maine Sportsman • October 2017 • 51

Parker Brothers Helped Build American Wing Shooting October belongs to the birds. Sure, all sorts of hunting exists at the same time – deer, bear, moose, gray squirrels and raccoon, but for many the colorful, crisp days of October mean only waterfowl or upland bird hunting. Like figures stepping down from old posters and classic ammunition advertisements, hunters from Maine to Washington State, and Newfoundland to far western edges of Ontario, follow beautiful dogs under flamebright trees and blazing-blue October skies. Often an heirloom shotgun lies cradled in the crook of an elbow or rests against the camouflaged frame of a duck blind. With few exceptions, such as the Browning Auto-5, Ithaca Model 37 or the Winchester Models 1897 and 1912, those antique graphics portrayed American bird hunters with a break-action, sideby-side, double-barreled

Parker double-barreled shotguns earned the name “Old Reliable.” Annie Oakley owned a Parker, and in 1891, President Benjamin Harrison purchased a Parker 12bore with 30-inch barrels.

The Parker shotgun remains the most admired and sought-after shotgun in America. Collectors and shooters long to own one.

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sports began again to buy iconic double guns. Yankee Ingenuity Sadly, the renaissance in the field and the resurgence of sales happened almost completely without the participation of American gunmakers – or more to the point, without the American-made guns that brought about the Golden Age of shotgunning here in the first place. No American firearms company now makes a production run side-byside shotgun. Gone are the great names of the past. Even if an American company markets a double gun, some overseas sub-contractor makes it. The best reputed guns come from England or Scotland, or perhaps from factories in Germany or Austria – think Merkel or (Continued on next page) ALWAYS BUYING, SELLING & TRADING QUALITY FIREARMS

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52 • October 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Shooter’s Bench (Continued from page 51)

Blazer. Guns within the economic reach of most ordinary shooters come from Italy, Spain and Turkey. Some high-cost reproductions of famous American-built shotguns exist. But the real remnant of that segment of firearms industry lies with wellheeled collectors of original pieces, or family treasures handed down from one generation of shooters to the next. Originals may be had, but they are all valuable, and one in good condition with de-

sirable features carries a hefty price tag. Chief among the Golden Age shotguns was and is the line-up produced by the Parker Brothers Gun Company of Meriden, Connecticut. Charles Parker, father of the Parker brothers, founded a manufacturing company in the 1830s. Through a series of partners and changing facilities, Charles Parker’s interest morphed into the Meriden Machine Company and later the Meriden Manufacturing

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Company. According to The Parker Gun by Ron Kirby, “Parker’s company merged several times, and manufactured a wide variety of products, ranging from steam engines, train wheels and printing presses, to piano stools.” Three Brothers Charles Parker enjoyed some success making shotguns beginning in 1866. And in 1868, Meriden Manufacturing Company spun off the Parker Brothers Gun Company, named for Charles’ sons Wilbur, Charles and Dexter. (These are not the Parker Brothers, George and Charles, of Salem, Massachusetts, famous for board games such as

Monopoly, Clue, Risk, Trivial Pursuit, and the Ouija board.) Connecticut’s Parker Brothers Gun Company built shotguns and only shotguns. Ron Kirby says, “The Parker Brothers Gun Company continued as an independent company until 1934 when it was purchased by the Remington Arms Company. Including the guns made during the Remington era (ending in 1942), just over 242,000 Parker shotguns were produced.” Initially hammer guns, most Parkers used Damascus steel barrels from suppliers in Europe. The Parker Brothers adopted hammerless, top-lever actions about 1888,

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and soon after World War I, American steel replaced the Damascus. Sportsmen in Maine and across the country embraced the Parker shotgun, soon calling it “Old Reliable.” They also embraced Charles Parker Sr.’s words when he said, “Much care is bestowed to make it what the sportsmen need – a good gun.” Today, Parker shotguns have a formal, nationwide collectors’ association with more than 700 members devoted to all things Parker. Annie Oakley owned a Parker, as did the famous exhibition shooters Doc Carver and Captain Adam Bogardus. In 1914 Annie said, “My first real gun was a breech-loading hammer 16-gauge made by Parker Brothers.” President Benjamin Harrison bought a Parker 12bore with 30-inch barrels in January of 1891. But it was the tens of thousands of ordinary sportsmen who purchased, used and passed on the various models of Parkers who took them from tool to mystique to icon. (Continued on page 54)

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��The Maine Sportsman • October 2017 • 53

Extraordinary Firearms Auction October 31, November 1 & 2, 2017 | Fairfield, Maine

James D. Julia’s is the leading auction house in the world for high end, rare and valuable arms. ($10,000 and above) We also regularly handle most of the iconic, old-time collections to come to market. A sample of collections to be offered in October include: The Collection of Robert Roughton; The Confederate and Civil War Estate Collection of Fred Donaldson; The Prestigious and Lifetime Parker and Winchester Collection of Dr. Tom Bouwkamp; The Estate Collection of Dana Tauber – the Finest Collection of A.H. Fox Shotguns Ever to Come to Auction; The Estate Collection of Russell Grinnell; Session Two of the Extraordinary Warren Buxton Collection; The Outstanding Estate Collection of Confederate and Historical Arms of Morris Racker. Our auction will also include Class-3, Military, Rare and Historic items and much more. Auction catalogs and information available at jamesdjulia.com and online bidding through invaluable.com and proxibid.com.

Julia’s Firearms Auctions are Divided Into Two Sessions: The Extraordinary Session (Items of high value, rarity and significance) and The Sporting and Collector Session (Affordable guns and accessories ranging from a few hundred dollars up to $5,000-$10,000)

The Extraordinary Session

The Most Historically Important Longarm from The Battle of the Little Big Horn Ever Offered at Auction Important Historic Springfield Carbine Positively Id’d to John Martin, Custer's Bugler with Tremendous Provenance

The Dana Tauber Collection

The Dr. Tom Bouwkamp Collection Extraordinary M66 Centennial Expo. w/NRA Silver Medal, with rare Factory Letter. An Extensive Offering of Rare Brass Frames

Imp. Parker A-1 Spec. Owned by J. Simpson, 3rd CEO of Marshall Field & Co. Illus. in "The Parker Story" Over 50 Parkers!

One of the Finest A.H. Foxes Extant FE Grade 20 ga Over 40 A.H. Foxes!

One of Holland & Holland’s Most Famous Masterpiece Shotguns The Spectacular “Swan Gun” Part of an Extensvie Collection of World Class Sporting Arms

Julia’s Regularly Sell More High End (over $10,000) Sporting Arms Than Any Other Auction House in the World

Rare, Fantastic Colt Monitor. This Sale Includes Approximately 100 Rare Class 3 and Related Items

Julia’s Sell More Class 3 Machine Guns Than Any Auction House In North America Since 2008 Our Total Sales Have Nearly Equaled All Other Auction Houses Combined!

The Sporting & Collector Session

Sampling of Collectible Winchester Lever Actions

Sampling of Virginia Manufactory

Sampling of Antique Colt Revolvers

A Sampling of Parkers

firearms@jamesdjulia.com | jamesdjulia.com | (207) 453-7125 Auctioneer: James D. Julia: Lic#: ME:AR83/MA: AU1406/NH 2511

A Sampling of P38 Pistols from the Extraordinary Warren Buxton Collection - The Largest and Finest of Its Type Still in Private Hands

A Sampling of Model 1911 Variations

Fairfield, Maine Gun Auctions ( Julia’s and Poulin’s) Are Always The Largest Single Offering In The World! An Event Not To Be Missed! www.MaineSportsman.com

54 • October 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Shooter’s Bench (Continued from page 52)

Dizzying Array Parkers came in an almost incomprehensible stratification of models and variations, with the A-1 and “Invincible” at the top of the pyramid and the plebian “Trojan” at the bottom. In between came a confusing layer-

ing of nomenclature such as PH, PHE, BH, AAH, AAHE, DHE, VHE, GH, and CHE, seeming to stretch on forever. Once they strictly defined the features of a Parker gun to potential buyers, but today a Parker buyer will usually take any one he

can find and afford, including ones wearing a new or restored finish. Fortune smiles on the few who still hunt with a Parker. However, most Parker shotguns that make it to Maine these days rest in the cabinets of collectors or pass over the auction block of the James Julia auction house in Fairfield, where

pricing records fall almost every year. In March of 2007, Julia sold an A-1 Special ordered in 1914 by Tsar Nickolas II of Russia, but never delivered due to the outbreak of World War I. The gun disappeared and remained missing for nearly a century, leading many to question its existence. When it final-

ly surfaced, it brought $287,500 at auction. From a gun fit for a Tsar to legendary bird guns for eight generations or so of American shooters, Charles, Sr. and the brothers Wilbur, Charles and Dexter Parker built, maintained and left behind an incredible legacy.

The Smilin' Sportsman Youth Edition Kids! Send your best hunting & fishing stories, and your favorite jokes, to the editor at will@mainesportsman.com

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New Book Features a Lifetime of Hunting and Fishing Stories by George Smith My hunting and fishing heritage and experiences have been very important parts of my life, which makes it very exciting to announce the publication of my new book, A Lifetime of Hunting & Fishing, published by North Country Press. Subtitled The Ones That Got Away and the Ones That Didn’t, the front cover features a photo of me and my Dad with the last turkey we got before he passed away. There are lots of stories in the book about my days hunting and fishing with Dad. The book is a collection of stories written over the last 30 years about my lifetime of hunting and fishing in Maine, plus hunting and fishing adventures in Labrador, Quebec, Montana, North Dakota and Alaska. I’ve been blessed many times over by the opportunities to enjoy my favorite pursuits, both in my free time and for work. Yes, hunting and fishing were part of my work life. Lucky me! I talked to a class at the University of Maine in Machias a couple of years ago, and the first question they asked was: How did I get a job that required me to hunt and fish? www.MaineSportsman.com

You’ll walk my woodlot with me in the first section of the book, as I tell you all my hunting stories that occurred there. Section two features stories about my “best bucks (and does) and hunts.” I think you will especially enjoy section three, “Game mistakes (and other weird things).” Yup, I made lots of mistakes! Section four features wild animal tales, including battles with the wild critters that got into our house. Section five features favorite fishing stories, and in section six you’ll get my best stories of fishing, hunting, and birding the world. The final section is three fictional stories based on true stories. I hope you’ll buy and enjoy the book, which will be available wherever books are sold, including at www.northcountrypress. com. If you want to contact me, I can ship a copy to you too. George can be reached at georgesmithmaine@gmail.com, or by calling 207-2932661

��The Maine Sportsman • October 2017 • 55

Hunters Rejoice – Region’s Duck Population Rebounds with Higher Water Levels Waterfowl hunters can expect another good fall of hunting this year, as duck and goose populations remain solid throughout the Mid-Kennebec Valley Region (MKVR). The United States Fish and Wildlife Survey released its annual report on breeding populations in mid-August and cited counts that remain well above long-term averages, with total numbers in Maine and the rest of the Atlantic Flyway coming in close to their 25-year averages. As a result, waterfowl bag limits for this year remain high compared to leaner times experienced by those of us with long memories. One big change from last year comes in the form of local water levels. In 2016, the MKVR remained locked in the grips of a drought that drastically altered the waterfowling landscape, concentrating ducks and geese in smaller areas, but also limiting cover options for hunters, as most waterways were significantly lower than usual. Precipitation this year has returned to more normal levels, refilling local lakes, ponds and flowages, as well as bringing many wetlands back into

Action along the two branches of the Sebasticook will come in the form of mallards, green-wing teal, wood ducks, black ducks and mergansers, while fortunate hunters may also encounter ring-neck ducks and a few late-leaving blue-wing teal.

Last year’s droughts kept the region’s water levels low, restricting hunters’ access to ponds, flowages and wetlands, but this year’s return to normal water levels will get waterfowl hunters -- and their decoys -- back into the tributaries and wetlands where the ducks are found.

play for hunters. Wood duck lovers should note that MKVR oak trees have developed a banner acorn crop this year. Woodies love acorns and will readily feed on them whenever available, but with so many oaks producing well this year, hunters can expect the wood ducks to remain widely scattered this fall. Sebasticook River When it comes to wa-

terfowl hunting in the MKVR, it’s tough to beat the Sebasticook River drainage. The river itself has two main branches, one that passes through Great Moose Lake in Hartland (Delorme Atlas, Map 31, E-3) and the other that passes through Sebasticook Lake in Newport (Map 22, A-2). The branches north of these two waters offer decent gunning at times, but the

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best waterfowling typically starts at those lakes and runs south. The two branches of the Sebasticook merge in Detroit (Map 21, B-5), and the main river continues running southwest to its confluence with the Ken-

nebec River in Winslow (Map 21, E-2). Not only does the river itself offer great hunting for ducks and geese, but the many tributaries and wetlands lying a few miles west and east of the Sebasticook attract legions of waterfowl as well. Mallards, green-wing teal, wood ducks, black ducks and mergansers provide the bulk of the action on the Sebasticook itself this month. The lakes and ponds in the drainage also attract good numbers of ringneck ducks and some blue-wing teal (although in most years, the bulk of the blue-wing teal have departed the area before October rolls around). Wet areas in local farm fields also attract ducks, but whether there’s water present or not, those farm fields prove a major draw to flocks of Canada geese and often provide hunters’ best opportunity to take these elusive birds in this region. Fall Turkeys The MKVR is blessed with a robust turkey population, but despite the (Continued on page 57)

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56 • October 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Early Trapping Adventures Provide Memories for a Lifetime For some beginner trappers, their first-ever season is about to start. The catch or take of a certain furbearer species during those individuals’ initial few seasons will remain vivid memories for a lifetime. Memories No matter what age someone starts trapping, their first few years of trapping successes will forever remain memories. My own trapping memories go back over sixty-five years. I am not sure how old I was when I first set a trap, but I can tell you I was pretty small – in fact, I could not set a #1 trap without standing on it to compress the spring. What I do vividly remember is my first mink. I caught it in the gully beside our farm in Cumberland Center. When I checked my traps that morning I found a mink alive and well in one of them. The trap was secured to an old window sash weight. I grabbed the mink

My grandfather congratulated me on catching my first mink. Then he asked whether I wanted his help in removing the mink from my finger, which the mink had gripped tightly in its teeth. and weight and climbed up the banking and ran into the barn and hollered “Look what I caught – a mink!” My grandfather told me it sure was a nice-looking mink and that he was some proud of me. Finger Bite Then my grandfather kind of laughed and asked if I wanted him to take the mink off my finger. I looked down and sure enough – the mink had latched right onto my finger with its pearly white teeth. I was so excited I had not felt it bite my cold wet hands, let alone hanging on it for a few minutes. I do remember it hurt. My grandfather used a pair of large tongs from our forge to dispatch the mink by squeezing its neck. I remember that he also got the biggest kick out of it when he told my

dad that night after my dad came home. My dad told me he was proud of me and that he bet none of my friends had caught one yet. Twice-Bit Over the years, that memory had faded a little. That was, until a few years ago when I again got a member of the weasel family attached to a finger. I had two marten sets about 25 feet apart. I had just checked one set and was at the second set when I heard a “snap” and turned around to see a marten in the first one. I did not want to dispatch it by hitting it on the head – they have a very thin skin and I did not want to take a chance of damaging a valuable fur. Therefore, I grabbed it by the neck, thinking I would simple choke it. It worked, but not before he

had me by the thumb. After a few moments, it was over, and I once again removed a critter from my hand. It vividly brought back that morning so many years before. First Fox Another great memory was the take of my first red fox. I was 11 or 12 years old at the time. Walter Arnold (who even today is well known by almost every trapper in Maine) lived a couple of houses up the road from us. At that time, he was a nationally-known and respected trapper and lure manufacturer. Arnold always helped us young aspiring trappers with “how to” trapping information. He told me about a sure-fire trap set that would help me get my first fox – the spring hole set. He also gave me a booklet “Brown’s Fox Trapping,” which I still own. We had a nice spring on our property in an old pasture. I made the set just like Walter and the book had told me to. I must have read Brown’s Fox Trapping book that night at least dozen

times to make sure I had done it right. I had even used some of Walter’s fox scent, knowing it would ensure all would work well. After 3 or 4 disappointing mornings of checking that empty trap, I then found a beautiful red fox jumping around in my set. I was some proud catching that old wily red fox. I was at that moment transformed from just a trapper to one of greatness, or so I thought. I dispatched the fox just as my grandfather had told me to. Tap it on the nose with my axe handle to stun it, and then stand on its chest to stop the heart. Back then, before the coyote’s arrival in Maine, a fox was considered a hard animal to trap. Everyone knew in a couple of days that I had caught a fox, and I received many compliments about it from many of the older men in the town. I sure was a happy kid. “A Monster Snarling in my Face” My first fisher was another exciting trapping adventure. I use to check my trap line after school on horseback. One afternoon I rode down an old tote road behind Herb Foster’s (he was the town selectman) (Continued on next page)

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��The Maine Sportsman • October 2017 • 57 (Continued from page 56)

home to check some of my traps. I had one set up under the roots of an old blowdown, which showed signs that I had a catch.

The author and his first-ever fisher, in a photo taken by his Mom with her Brownie camera.

I leaned down from Duchess (my horse) to see whatever it was that had gone up under the roots. I grabbed the trap chain and gave it a tug. The next thing I knew, I was on the ground with a monster snarling in my face, while my horse was fast making tracks for home, snorting with her tail up. I dispatched the fisher with my 22 pistol and when walked home. My mother took the picture of me holding up that fisher with her old Brownie camera.

A bobcat in the author’s trap. Miller photo

Mid-Kennebec (Continued from page 55)

great numbers and an expansion of the fall hunting options for these tremendous game birds in recent years, fall turkey hunting hasn’t gained the popularity enjoyed hereabouts by the spring season. Too bad, because hunters who choose to actively pursue turkeys in the fall find it a challenging and ultimately rewarding endeavor, especially those who opt for attracting the birds through developing their repertoire of social calls that dominate turkey “talk” this time of year. Hunters who consistently lure in turkeys through calling this time of year can consider themselves master callers indeed. And development of those skills now actually makes hunters more effective in the spring hunt. When lovelorn toms get hung up on a flock of hens in the spring, the hunter with the skills to lure the hens into gun range will bag the toms anyway, while most other hunters go home frustrated. This fall, hunters in this area can pursue turkeys with either a bow or shotgun from October 2 until November 7. Despite a wet, cool spring, which normally raises havoc with the success of ground-nesting birds, our frequent travels throughout the MKVR this summer turned up plenty of young turkeys. Towns lying east of Augusta, such

Bobcat, Too Another memorable catch was my first bobcat, taken while trapping along Red Rock Brook and Miles Knob in Stoneham, Maine. While in school, I – like most kids back then – took time off (a week or two) to go to deer camp with the family. However, when I was in high school, trapping took priority, so I took time off for that. In the 1950s, a bobcat’s fur was not worth a whole lot, but Maine paid a bounty on them, which sweetened the pot. I trapped in Stoneham two winters for a week or two, and one other winter on Saddleback Mountain near Rangeley. Back then, I camped out of our old Studebaker pickup truck, using old paint tarps for a lean-to and a kerosene heater and lamp. Yep, lots of memories.

Rules for New Trappers Those who are interested in trapping must attend Trapper Education classes (unless they are under 10 years of age) before they are allowed to get licenses for the first time. If under 10 years of age, a license is not required to trap, though a person under 10 is not allowed to trap bear. If older than 10 but not yet 16, a junior license is required – this license is good for the entire year of issue no matter when one turns 16. Then there is an apprenticeship license available, which allows an adult (over 16) to trap for up to two years with an “adult supervisor” (one who has held a valid adult license for the previous 3 years). The apprentice is not allowed to trap bear with this license. The apprentice must be under the direct supervision of the adult supervisor at all times while trapping. Resident landowners and their immediate families who live on land that is used for agriculture may trap on their land without a license, but they are not allowed to take beaver without a trapping license.

as Windsor, hold especially large flocks of hens with youngsters, but the honest truth is that it’s tough to find a town in the MKVR that doesn’t have terrific turkey numbers. October Fishing Most folks don’t think “fishing” this month, but this area is rife with October options and the angling can prove surprisingly good at times. The biggest prize for this writer in October comes in landing salmonids, as most mature fish will be decked out in their fall spawning colors. Brook trout and brown trout generally prove the most attractive, true works of art by Mother Nature. The only downside is that most of the mature salmonids don’t feed heavily this month, particularly during the second half of the month when they start spawning attempts in earnest. I say “attempts,” as many local waters lack proper spawning habitat, but that doesn’t stop the fish from trying anyway. A series of tiny ponds located in Sydney are known collectively as The Summerhavens, and a couple of them are stocked consistently and offer the hope of catching trout this month. Silver Lake and Gould Pond both receive annual plantings of several hundred brook trout each spring, while Silver Lake also gets a handful of brown trout most falls. So far this year, Gould was stocked with

David Miller 400 10-inch brookies in the spring, while Silver received 200 brookies of the same size. Fish taken this month would likely be holdovers from those plantings or from a year ago; however, brookies that escape harvest for more than a year are an exception on both these ponds – not commonplace at all. Holdover browns, though, do exist in Silver Lake, so anglers can not only catch some of the 50 browns stocked last November, but also to pursue fish from similar plantings of two or three years back. The growth rate here is very good, so anglers stand a reasonable chance of landing 2- to 3-pound browns and an outside shot at something even bigger, given that Silver has produced a handful of 10- to 12-pound fish over its history. Gould spans just 19 acres and reaches a top depth of 34 feet, while Silver covers 29 acres and maxes out at 62 feet deep. Clear waters dominate Silver in particular, making light, low visibility lines a big help in eliciting strikes. Both ponds also hold fair numbers of bass, so if the trout don’t cooperate, bass could salvage some action. Small bass of a foot or less dominate the catch, but anglers do take 2- to 4-pound largemouths, and occasionally larger, from each water.

www.MaineSportsman.com

58 • October 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Here’s What to Do If You Catch a Tagged Striped Bass The tagging of striped bass in order to collect scientific data on migratory patterns, growth rates, natural and man-induced mortality rates and other characteristics has been going on for decades. Declines in striper populations in the 1970s led to the passage of the Anadromous Fish Act of 1979, more commonly known as the Emergency Striped Bass Study. The Act required fisheries biologists to study the causes of the declines, and tagging was one of the methods to do this. A central database was set up by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to store tagging information, which is used to this day – 38 years later – to help manage a sustainable and viable striper fishery. Wild fish continue to be tagged by anglers and biologists in a number of public and private tagging programs. What We’ve Learned What have we learned about stripers? First off, these migratory fish are found from the St. Lawrence River all the way down the East Coast and in several Gulf areas, and we have a pretty good handle on the migration

www.MaineSportsman.com

If you plan to release the striper, quickly cut off the tag with wire cutters, scissors or a sharp knife close to the fish’s skin, leaving the small metal anchor in place. If the tag proves difficult to remove, just write down the tag number and phone number.

The late Joe Karolides, a long-time dedicated striper-tagger, affixes an American Littoral Society “spaghetti” tag to a school striper prior to release. Tagging provides valuable information to biologists and fishery managers. Barry Gibson photo

patterns. We’ve found that hatchery-raised bass can migrate nearly 1,000 miles, as far as those born in the wild, and can travel an average of 16 miles a day. We also know that some one- and two-yearold stripers leave the bays, estuaries, and rivers to forage along the coastline, and that both juvenile wild and hatch-

ery stripers, during their first one to three years, suffer a higher mortality rate than do adult fish. All of this is valuable information for fishery managers. Do we catch tagged striped bass here in Maine? Absolutely. Some have been tagged locally by conservation groups and by anglers participating in research projects. The fish that migrate up here each spring come from the Chesapeake Bay and the Hudson River, and many have been tagged by organizations in those areas. My charter customers have taken a dozen or so tagged fish over the years, with tags affixed by The American Littoral Society, the Berkley (NJ) Striper Club, and New York Power & Light, among other groups.

Types of Tags Most tags used today (except for tiny encoded magnetic tags in hatchery fish that require a special instrument to detect) are called “spaghetti” tags, variously colored soft plastic tubes a few inches long about the diameter of a piece of cooked spaghetti. Some are held in place by a metal dartlike tip, while others are inserted under the fish’s skin and out again via a hollow tagging needle, then tied or otherwise secured. A tag can stay on a striper for many years, virtually its entire lifetime, with little adverse effect. The tags are printed with the name or initials of the tagging agency, a phone number to call, a tag number, and sometimes an indication that there’s a reward of some sort for turning

in the tag. Often the reward is a hat, patch, pin, or small amount of cash and/or a certificate issued by the organization indicating where and when the fish was originally tagged, and possibly its weight or length at that time. If you catch a tagged striper, quickly cut off the tag with wire cutters, scissors or a sharp knife close to the fish’s skin. Don’t try to remove the metal anchor dart if the tag has one, as this may leave a wound that could become infected. If you want to release the fish but are unable to cut the tag off, write down the tag number and phone number. Some tags may appear dark-colored with no writing, but that’s because they’re older and covered with algae which can easily be scraped off with your fingernail. Call the number and you’ll be instructed on how to provide the information or send the tag. Get Involved! If you want to get involved with striper tagging, one of the top organizations is the American Littoral Society. Once you join ALS, for a $40 membership fee, you can purchase a tagging kit for $14, which contains a tagging needle and 20 tags and mail-in tagging cards. It’s for a great cause, and will add enjoyment and satisfaction to your striper fishing trips. For more information visit www.littoralsociety. org. Groundfish Regs Three Months Late! I reported in a Maine Sportsman column this (Continued on page 60)

��The Maine Sportsman • October 2017 • 59

Shoot More Ducks The author shares five quick and easy secrets to improve your waterfowl-hunting success this October, including hints on duck calls, camouflage and decoys. The nip of the early morning air, frost and the brilliance of the fall foliage all work in unison to signal the arrival of my favorite month, October. During this magical time of year, I can think of no better place to be than sitting on the edge of a marsh with my dog, watching the sun creep up to the horizon, anxiously awaiting the arrival of the first ducks of the season. Being successful during the waterfowl season requires scouting, scouting and more scouting. Every season, I go to great lengths to find new areas – to find that hidden, off-the-beaten-path, ducking-hunting nirvana. However, while location certainly is a huge component linked to success, several other items are also critical. Calling ducks into shooting range is important and doing it effectively takes a refined understanding of basic duck sounds and behavior. Hundreds of instructional videos have been created to teach people how to call effectively. Watch those videos and out-call the guy hunting in the blind next door practically every time. Five Steps to Success Busy and lack the time to invest in receiving a master’s degree in duckology? Well, let me share five quick and easy secrets to help increase success this October. 1. Buy a teal and wood duck call. These two

additions are extremely effective in calling in these two species when standard “quack” calls will fail to do so. Both the teal and wood duck calls are easy to learn by reading the instructions on the back of the package. These calls will add an entirely new dimension to any sportsperson’s duck-hunting arsenal. 2. Hunters should not be seen, so limit movement, and cover up the often-forgotten face and hands with camouflage face paint or netting so as not to spook approaching ducks. 3. To be properly seen from the air, decoy spreads need to exhibit a lot of movement. This is accomplished by including spinning wing decoys, jerk chords and any other products that create water disturbances, mimicking happily-feeding ducks. 4. Quack, quack, quack is the basic call of the mallard and black duck. This is the “king” of duck vocalizations. Use heartily to call to a duck’s wing tips and tails to turn them, and lightly in the morning when the marsh is coming alive. Do not call loud and repeatedly – overdoing it fright-

ens ducks. 5. Late in the season it pays to add white-colored decoys to your setup, as doing so will yield visits from both hooded and red crested mergansers. Take old mallard decoys and paint them white and black to mimic mergansers. In Washington County, wood duck and teal become almost non-existent after the first two weeks of October, so get on them fast and hard before they disappear! Find your own secret waterfowl hot spot by exploring Fourth Machias Lake (DeLorme Atlas Map 35, C-2). This lake has a great boat launch on the northern end and a healthy population of resident Canada geese and late-season mergansers. Let’s Shoot Pheasants! For those of us in Washington County, we will need to drive several hours south if we want to shoot a pheasant this month. Pheasant season runs from October 1 – December 31 and hunters may harvest 2 birds of either sex per day. The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, in cooperation

with several Fish and Game Clubs, stocks approximately 2,300 pheasants throughout York and Cumberland counties every year. According to Brad Zitske, a biologist with the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, “The pheasant program was initiated many decades ago to include only Cumberland and York counties, because it was believed that the

birds would not be able to over-winter further north. It’s mostly local hunters who are interested in the pheasant hunt, and many of them are members of local rod and gun clubs. Their participation is vital in helping stock and maintaining sites, and acquiring landowner permissions for new sites.” Odd, I know, but that original law (L.D. 2193, (Continued on next page)

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60 • October 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Washington County (Continued from page 59)

“An Act to Institute a Pheasant Stamp Program for Cumberland and York Counties”) has not been challenged, to my knowledge, since the law was implemented in 1993. Considering the effects of global warming and the successful expansion of the wild turkey into all areas of Washington County, I think we need to contest this law and get some pheasant hunting sites established in Washington County as well as other areas around the state! Hunt with a Friend! Pheasants are typically hunted with the help of specially trained dogs,

but that should not dissuade those lacking such a specialized K9 from hunting them. Teaming up with another hunter or hunters will help to tip the odds in your favor but a solo hunter can still take pheasants. If hunting with others, have one hunter slowly walk the edge of cover, occasionally stopping to panic birds into flushing, and post a buddy at the end of the cover. Birds that do not flush will often run to the end of a row of cover before erupting in a whirlwind of feathers. Having a hunting partner block this escape route, practically guarantees more

Saltwater

(Continued from page 58)

summer that the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) had not yet implemented the 2017 recreational regulations for cod and haddock, and said I thought the new rules would be on the street by early July. Well, I was way wrong! The regs didn’t come out until August 1st, a full three months after they were supposed to be implemented on May 1st. The big problem is that private-boat recreational fishermen and party/charter boat patrons continued to fish under the 2016 regs, which allowed 15 haddock per day, in-

birds in the bag. Safety is critical when hunting with multiple partners, so make sure everyone is wearing blaze orange and obeys the safe shooting zone rules. Talk continuously to rattle birds and ensure everyone knows the locations of the other hunters. If hunting alone, walking and stopping will often panic birds, forcing them to flush in range. Some birds will flush as the hunter approaches, but even more will hide in the last few feet of cover. Once a hunter nears the end of a row of cover, a fast walk will often surprise birds that assumed they had more time. Hunters should just be very careful where their firearm is pointing, and

be watchful of their footing. Sometimes birds that still refuse to flush can be forced to do so if the hunter kicks the brush or speaks loudly. Once a shot is taken at a bird, a hunter should not take their eyes off the bird until it either goes down or flies out of sight unharmed. If the bird does go down, the shooter keeps his eyes on the mark and directs the other hunter(s) to the spot. If hunting solo, be sure to carefully mentally designate the exact spot by marking it with an unusual tree or other landform. Walk straight toward the spot, and use care to not let your eyes drift off the location. Pheasants are also a

good bird to start young hunters on, because they usually hold tight and are larger and more predictable targets than ruffed grouse and woodcock. Hunters must purchase a pheasant permit in addition to their regular hunting license. The permit is available online or from the normal license vendors. With prices at local shooting preserves exceeding $30 per pheasant released (not necessarily harvested!), the pheasant permit is considered a very good value for the hunter. For information on updated 2018 release sites, be sure to Google “Maine Pheasant Hunting Program.”

stead of the 12 haddock limit that that was supposed to go into effect at the beginning of the season. This may not seem like a significant issue, but the additional three fish per day for three months is likely to put us over our 2017 haddock quota, and possibly the cod quota as well due to the mortality percentage assigned to cod caught and released by folks targeting haddock. If so, this may mean that the recreational sector may be forced to take further cutbacks in 2018. This delay on the part of NMFS is inexcusable, and we will be monitoring the situation very closely in the Jacob Hall, 13, of Sidney, Maine caught this months to come. 28-inch striper off Ferry Beach on Prout’s Neck.

Jacob was fishing with his father, Dean Hall.

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��The Maine Sportsman • October 2017 • 61

Bigelow Preserve Provides Wide-Open Spaces I welcomed the frigid temperature at sunrise on the north side of the Bigelow Mountain Range (DeLorme Atlas, Map 29, C-5). The third week of Maine’s firearms season had finally brought the sharp weather. And at an elevation of 2,000 feet, tracking snow covered the steeply-sloped mountainside. A mile away – and a thousand feet in elevation below me – lay Flagstaff Lake and the East Bigelow Road where my truck was parked. A thousand feet above me towered the iconic, Bigelow ridgeline – where the Appalachian Trail (AT) crossed Avery Peak in the alpine zone. My plan called for still-hunting along the contour line across the steep slope. With the rising sun at my back and the slightest of northwest breezes in my face, I hoped to see a mountain buck before he saw me. But for a long while I stood motionless. The weak November sun warmed my back while I enjoyed the absolute silence of the remote hardwood ridge. Aspen of the East The Bigelow Preserve offers free access to more than 36,000 acres of land set aside for public use. At one point, back in the 1970s, the slope I stood on was destined to become part of a massive ski resort. But the plans for an “Aspen of the East” never materialized – thanks to a group of far-sighted folks who convinced their fellow Mainers to preserve the land via a public referendum.

In the 1970s, developers planned to convert the Bigelow slopes into a massive ski resort – “Aspen of the East.” As I set off over the ridge, deer rifle in hand, slight wind in my face and the rising sun at my back, I wondered “What genius thought this would be a better place with ski lifts?”

The author canoes onto the calm surface of Flagstaff Lake, Maine’s 4th-largest water body. Bigelow Mountain rises prominently in the background.

I shifted the pack on my back, lifted my rifle, and set out across the ridge. The day stretched out ahead of me with no timeline, deadlines, or anticipated interruptions. I couldn’t help thinking, “What genius thought this would be a better place with ski lifts?” Backyard of Western Maine Plenty of folks use Bigelow like their extended backyard, we often go there to hunt or fish offtrail. But it is the trail system that attracts most users. And over recent years the number of trails in the area has tripled. When the preserve was created back in 1976, it protected 17 miles of the Appalachian Trail in one fell swoop. The AT had been laid out back in the 1930s – and the

traverse of Bigelow’s six major peaks had always been a highlight of the trail in Maine. Two of the peaks tower more than 4,000 feet into the sky. The extensive alpine area above treeline, the views, and a true mountain tarn (Horns Pond) combine to make the Bigelow Range the best big mountain hike between Mount Washington and Katahdin. If Bigelow is in your backyard, you quickly learn to use the AT to access other adventures. Hikers share Horns Pond (elevation 3,250’) with trout fishermen willing to make the five-mile hike from Carrabassett Valley. My own early morning deer hunt started from the AT. Instead of hiking in from the trail-

head that morning, I had spent the night at the Little Bigelow Lean-to on the Appalachian Trail. The trail rises from the East Bigelow Road at the foot of Flagstaff Lake to start the steep ascent along the east end of the range. The lean-to is perched a little over a mile from the road and a thousand feet in elevation above the lake. It served as the ideal jumping-off spot for my ridge hunting. Newcomers to the Area In recent years, the Bigelow area has become a crossroads of two other long-distance trails. The Maine Huts & Trails (MH&T) organization built its first backwoods lodge in Carrabassett Valley back in 2008. The ultimate plan was

to have a dozen more of them spaced strategically along a non-motorized trail that would stretch from the Mahoosuc Range in Bethel to the shores of Moosehead Lake. Each of the destination lodges is situated at a distance designed to be a day-long hike or ski trip from its neighbor. Since the first lodge was built just south of the Bigelow Preserve at Poplar Stream, three others have been opened – one on the shore of Flagstaff Lake, another near Grand Falls on the Dead River – and most recently Stratton Brook Hut on the western slope of Bigelow Mountain at the edge of the preserve. The trails between the lodges skirt the very edge of the Bigelow Preserve and offer excellent access to the lower-elevation slopes for backyarders seeking jumping-off spots and off-trail adventures. My overnight bivouac at the Little Bigelow Lean-to on the AT suited me just fine. But much softer accommodations are now available on the very edge of the Preserve. Each MH&T hut is equipped with heated bunk rooms, hot showers, indoor toilets, running water and solar-powered lights. These big new buildings are completely off-grid, but offer all the comforts of an upscale eco lodge. In the off-season, including May and November, guests can stay at a much-reduced, self-service rate and use the kitchen facilities on their own. Think about an (Continued on page 63) www.MaineSportsman.com

62 • October 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Cool Weather Camping for the Off-Road Traveler It all started decades ago. I had an old Ford Econoline van, complete with paneled interior, carpeted floor, Captain’s chairs, a small table, and a bed in the back. My life as an offroad traveler began in the mid-seventies, at the young age of 20. I really enjoyed the simple life – I was a trout bum before it was cool. I could pull off the road anywhere and I had a place to sleep, cook and relax. On extended camping trips, my friends would pull up in their cars and try to sleep, cramped up in the back seat of their

www.MaineSportsman.com

The author explains that with the right cold-weather gear, a summertime trout bum can comfortably transition to a fall or winter hunting or ice fishing bum. sedans that were not made for that purpose. I slept comfortably in my big van, able to completely stretch out and rest on the cushy mattress that came with the bed. Most of my camping trips with the van took place in warmer weather, but sometimes I would push the limit and spend a few nights out during the November deer season. I never camped in the van during the middle of winter, but wouldn’t be

a bit worried about doing it nowadays. Vast improvements in camping gear have taken us to a point where sleeping outdoors during below-zero weather can be done in comfort. I have personally been on several mid-winter camping excursions where the mercury dropped to near-zero temperatures and found it to be quite comfortable – you just need the right gear.

High Tech Innovative technology has improved camping equipment over the years, and today’s outdoor enthusiast can outfit a van – or a truck bed with a shell – and live in comfort and style, even during the coldest months. Several companies offer sleeping bags and other insulating clothing and gear made with high-quality down and a product called “Polar Tec” – a super-light synthet-

ic insulation that really holds the heat in. As long as a camper uses a sleeping bag like one of these new ones, rated to a true zero degrees, they’ll sleep comfy and warm – just make sure to supplement the high-tech bag with a sleeping pad that has a layer of closedcell foam – the only way to stop the chilling effect of the cold air seeping up from the frozen ground. I have a pad from a company (Therm-a-Rest) that inflates slightly to give more comfort, yet still incorporates a closedcell foam layer for winter (Continued on next page)

��The Maine Sportsman • October 2017 • 63 (Continued from page 62)

camping. I spread this pad out in a truck bed, curl up in my sleeping bag on top of it, and sleep comfortably through the coldest night. A little tip if anyone might be trying this – I wear a wool stocking cap and pull the material down around my ears to avoid losing heat through my head. My head sticks out of the bag, so it feels better to have it covered on real cold nights. More Tips It’s kind of cheating, but I use those chemical warming packages when the temps get down around zero. Several companies make the neat little heat-producing units; they’re inexpensive and slip easily into the bottom of my bag to keep my toes warm. I like the bigger heat package near my midsection if it is going to be extra cold. I guess a winter camper could use a soap stone in the same manner,

heating it up before bedtime around the campfire and then slipping it in the sleeping bag to keep warm. Soap stone holds heat for a longer period of time than most other stones or rocks. Some winter camping pros advocate sleeping in the buff, but I usually wear wool long johns that keep me toasty warm. Don’t make the mistake of wearing insulated clothing inside your sleeping bag…for some reason the heavy clothing works just the opposite than the desired effect, keeping the cold air near your body. Another trick I often use when winter camping involves pre-staging the coffee pot the night before, so when I wake up in the chill of the early morning I can simply reach out with my lighter and get the coffee going without getting out of my warm sleeping bag. I also pre-stage a pile of dry firewood with a small bundle of cotton

Self-Propelled (Continued from page 61)

balls soaked in petroleum jelly in the center. When I get out of my bag and drink my coffee, I can easily light the highly-flammable cotton balls and get a nice warming fire going for breakfast. Winter Rules So with the right gear, a summertime trout bum can comfortably transition to a fall or winter hunting or ice fishing bum. I have spent several Octobers in my van with my old German Shorthaired Pointer, Nellie Belle. We hunted during the day and slept comfortably at night, even though the chill of October tried to rob us of warmth. I traveled old logging roads and trails, hunting in places I probably will never find again. At the end of the day, I pulled the van over and slept where ever I wanted to in these remote regions. I don’t ever remember seeing or hearing another vehicle at night. My pointer and

I slept soundly all night long, and woke refreshed and ready for another day of hunting the next morning. I think I’ll do the same thing this fall … camping during October to take the fullest advantage of the Western Maine woods and waters. I could wake up near a prime fishing location and catch brightly-colored brook trout and salmon in the morning hours, and then later in the morning I could pull out the shotgun and stroll down a woodsy

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the right areas. Just follow the guys who are in their own backyard.

October bird hunt using the hut at Poplar Falls as a base camp. Or hike in to Grand Falls Hut for early-season trout fishing on the Dead River. Canoe Trail Flagstaff Lake is the fourth-largest water body in the state, and the Bigelow Preserve surrounds most of it. Campsites have been available on the lake since the preserve was created. But beginning in 2006, the lake became a part of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT). The NFCT extends for 740 miles across contiguous rivers, streams, and lakes, following Native American travel routes from Old Forge, New York, through Vermont, Québec, and New Hampshire, to Fort Kent, Maine. On Flagstaff, the trail extends from the inlet of the South Branch of the Dead River to the lake outlet at the dam – and then beyond that along the Dead River to Grand Falls. Like the AT, the canoe trail provides access to much more than just a point-to-point trip. Because Flagstaff is a manmade lake, it has abundant shallow areas, coves, inlets and bays. I’ve often thought it would be an ideal canoe moose-hunting area. Ditto for the section of the Dead River above Grand

paths in search of grouse and woodcock. Well, I guess I’m missing two important pieces to this plan – the truck with a shell over the bed (or a van), and the bird dog. The truck part of the plan will be coming along here within the next few months. The dog part is going to be a little more difficult – having a dog enter the family again is going to take some serious thought.

A view of Bigelow Mountain from the Flagstaff hut in winter. www.MaineSportsman.com

64 • October 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Bird Hunting Dominates the Penobscot Bay Scene in October Bird hunting begins in October, which means upland-bird gunners in the Penobscot Bay Region wander afield in pursuit of helicopter-flying woodcock and explosive partridge, while duck hunters set out decoys in salt-water marshes or take to the streams in canoes for some jump-shooting. According to Department of Inland Fisheries Wildlife biologist Brad Allen, upland birds in our region appear to be healthy and holding their own. Allen indicated that the outlook for partridge and woodcock should be within the normal to low range this hunting season. Allen also mentioned that early woodcock surveys should allow hunters to see a low to average population of native and flight birds this fall. Partridge broods that hatched in June may have faired slightly better than woodcock due to May’s wet hatching con-

The Penobscot Bay Area has hundreds of acres of farmland, hardwood ridges, abandoned apple orchards and wild berry growth that combine to support a healthy partridge population.

The Penobscot Bay region provides great habitat for ruffed grouse.

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apple orchards and wild berry growth to support a healthy partridge population. Several areas that provide fast grouse gunning can be found by referring to Delorme’s Atlas, Map 23. Most of these grouse haunts have wild berries, stone walls and an ample source of fresh water. This type of habitat can easily be found along the Jacob Buck Road (Map 23, D-2). A prime partridge-hunting area, locally known as the Gullies, is surrounded by blueberry fields, wild-apple trees, a variety of wild berries, and several small streams that eventually flow into Jacob Buck Pond. The dirt road leading up to the Orcutt Mountain blueberry fields is also an excellent spot to flush a few partridge.

My grandson Hunter and I are hoping to fire off a lot of shotgun shells along this dirt route trying to bring down a thundering partridge. However, we hope to end up with one or two wily birds per outing. Other excellent grouse covers exist all along the Jacob Buck Pond Road and the nearby Millvale Road. More Grouse Terrain Another excellent location to flush a few partridge lies along the Silver Lake powerline (Map 23, E-2). This area contains clear-cuts, old apple orchards and a few wing-beating grouse. The woods surrounding Silver Lake has ideal ruffed-grouse habitat. One particular spot that usually holds several broods of partridge is the peninsula, near the boat landing. Here, an abandoned apple orchard, stone walls and an old hay field create ideal habitat for fall-feeding grouse. Walking up a partridge is often the most successful way to hunt this bird cover. Alternating positions with another shooter is an excellent way to move birds in this dense growth. One hunter should stand in the powerline, while the other thrashes through the brush. Bird stalkers often flush a sufficient number of birds into clear shooting range to make for an exciting hunt. These are only a few of a dozen partridge-filled areas in the Greater Penobscot Bay Region (Continued on page 66)

��The Maine Sportsman • October 2017 • 65

The Science of Smells – The Nose Knows What’s in the Air In my travels across northern New England and the Adirondacks, I’m always charmed by the historic hotels and camps that date back to the late 1800s and early 1900s when city dwellers traveled by train or steamer to experience the outdoors and breathe the healthy mountain air. Recall that the cities of the day were unpleasant – no, miserable in the summer – hot and fetid with reeking sewers and streets filled with sweaty horses and manure. Coal was the primary fuel used to power industry, so the air was filled with soot and smoke year-round. No wonder people wanted to escape to the fresh air in the mountains and on the coast! Myriad outdoor activities were becoming popular: hiking, boating, swimming and fishing. Henry David Thoreau and John Muir encouraged people to experience nature up close. Coming from a stinking urban environment, the fragrance of the forest and the salt air must have been a sensory delight. Still True Today Even today, urban-dwellers head to the hills on weekends or for vacation, relishing the fragrant green landscape, quiet mornings and clean water. My friends from New York City and New Jersey (and even downtown Portland) live in an entirely different world where rumbling buses spew diesel fumes, streetlights obliterate the night sky, and sirens shatter the fragile quiet of morning or evening.

Dogs use their sense of smell to track animals, mark territory and send messages to rivals and potential mates. Your bird dog’s nose may be very helpful in finding woodcock, but it may not be so good at detecting spoiled food that will make her barf on the rug.

Tamarack cones and needle clusters – the aroma of a conifer forest is unforgettable.

I try hard not to take our beautiful state for granted, but sometimes, when visitors stare, mouths agape, at starlit skies, and revel in the damp scent of a forest, or the funky aroma of a salt marsh, I realize that I’ve started to slide into complacency. It often takes a weekend trip to Boston or New York for me to be reminded to appreciate Maine as others from away see it. And hear it. And smell it. Sensory Delight Outdoor activities excite all our senses. We marvel at the beauty of a sunrise. We listen to the wind whispering in the trees, the waves crashing on the shore, and owls hooting at midnight. We feel the sand between our toes, the spray

on our face, and the icy cold in our nostrils on a frosty morning. Who doesn’t love the taste of wild blueberries or trout sizzled in butter? When it comes to our sense of smell, however, the sensory experience goes right to the heart. It grips our emotions like none of our other senses can: • “Wow, I love the smell of the ocean! It reminds me of grandma’s place.” • “Mmmmm, can you smell the balsams? I feel like I am back at camp.” • “Nothing like waking up to the smell of coffee perking and bacon sizzling on a wood fire!” Our sense of smell is perhaps our most emotional sensory experience, triggering memories and associations the instant

we walk through the door of our family camp, sniff our favorite flower, or catch that first hint of the ocean on the breeze when we get to the coast. For many of us, a single scent will practically transport us in time and space. A whiff of pine sap makes you yearn for your favorite tree stand. Opening your tackle box plunks you right down next to the stream. For me, a hint of outboard motor fumes (twostroke, not four) zips me right into my dad’s motorboat on the lake in about 1972. It never fails. That instant association from an odor may not always be pleasant, of course. The smell of aviation fuel makes my stomach queasy as an immediate association with too many bumpy plane

rides. On a more serious note, those who suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder report that specific smells, like gunpowder or diesel fuel, can trigger terrifying memories. Brain Science Our olfactory system is rooted in the most primitive part our brain. It is our “oldest” sense – shared with creatures that came well before us on the evolutionary timeline – from frogs to fishes to forest-dwelling primates. Incoming smells are first processed by neuron receptors in the nose which connect to the olfactory bulb that runs along the bottom of the brain to activate the amygdala and hippocampus area of our brains. Information from our other senses -- vision, hearing/ sound, and touch -- does not pass through these brain areas. According to an article in Psychology Today, these direct connections may be why olfaction (smell), more than any other sense, is so successful at triggering emotions and memories in humans. Other critters rely on this direct sensory wiring and rapid processing for survival and reproduction. For them it may not be an emotional memory, like grandma’s apple pie, but a scent is clearly fast-tracked to a powerful instinctive reaction or a feeling of safety. The sense of smell is what brings salmon back to their spawning grounds. It helps a fox find a mate. In game (prey) species, (Continued on next page) www.MaineSportsman.com

66 • October 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Sporting Environment (Continued from page 65)

such as deer or bear, their high-powered sense of smell is the first line of defense against predators and hunters. Different Purposes As powerful as our sense of smell can be, we all know that dogs and

other animals have a much more powerful nose than humans do, right? Well, not necessarily. Recent research published in the journal Science indicates that humans’ olfactory abilities rival dogs and other mammals, like

Coffee on the camp porch – some smells immediately transport you in time and space.

Greater Penobscot (Continued from page 64)

where upland-bird hunters can fire off a lot of shells while trying to connect with Ol’ Thunder. Early morning and late afternoon hunts around any of these rural roads can produce plenty of feathers and at times enough meat for a good meal. Whistling Woodcock Woodcock hunters should find a least a few opportunities to bag a few helicopter-flying timberdoodles in the Penobscot Bay Area this fall. By referring to the Atlas’ Maps 23 and 24, bird seekers can find numerous locations where the habitat is ideal to sustain native and migratory woodcock populations. One area that supports a solid woodcock population is located all along Route 46, especially in the vicinity of Hancock Pond and Long Pond (Map 23, D-3). The covers surwww.MaineSportsman.com

mice, but “different species specialize in smelling different things, and it’s therefore very hard to compare [them] meaningfully.” Humans have very sensitive noses, but use our sense of smell for different purposes. Dogs use their sense of smell to track animals, mark territory and send messages to rivals and potential mates. Previous studies, and plenty of anecdotal evidence, show that dogs can detect certain smells several thousand times better than humans, whether it is a lost hiker or a stash of drugs. But how does a dog’s brain process all that information?

Your bird dog’s nose may be very helpful in finding woodcock, but it may not be so good at detecting spoiled food that will make her barf on the rug. Barkley’s nose may detect your girlfriend’s cat’s fur on your pants, but does she get that same warm and fuzzy feeling you get when you open the door at camp and inhale the rich aroma of woodsmoke and mildew? Have you ever seen your dog just stand there enjoying the fragrance of honeysuckle? Savor the Moment The next time you are out and about enjoying your favorite outdoor activity, take a few

moments to let all your senses immerse your entire being into the environment around you. Focus on the smells that go deep into your brain, into your memory, and into your emotions. Imagine (or remember) what it would be like to experience that moment for the first time. Think about what it was like for someone fresh off the train from the city a century ago. Breathe it all in and savor the moment. What is your favorite or most memorable smell? And be glad that we still have the fresh air and natural landscapes that delight our senses.

Monhegan coastal fog – a unique sensory experience goes deep to our emotions.

rounding these two waters are traditional nesting spots for woodcock. Many other thickets beside Route 46 also contain small flowing brooks with enough alder-poplar tree growth to hold over native stock and to entice migratory birds during October. Generally, any of the low-lying terrain found in the six-mile stretch from the Bucksport Golf Course to the northern end of Long Pond contains amply cover for woodcock to flourish. Downeast Ducks and Geese Waterfowlers should be gunning over an ever-increasing duck and geese population come October. The coastal habitat of Penobscot Bay features a multitude of fresh-water ponds, lakes, bogs and meandering streams, as well as salt-water marshes, rivers and bays, all of which offer a paradise for native and migratory duck populations. One freshwater area where duck popu-

lations abound is located along Moosehorn Stream, which runs out of Long Pond (Map 23, D-3). Access to this water can be gained at the Route 46 Bridge. Jump-shooting from a canoe is an excellent method on this water. Because of the bends and turns on this meandering stream, hunters can get well into gun range before the ducks become alarmed. Duck-shooting action is often fast toward the end of this mile-long run. The best place to intercept a few ducks is near the beaver flowage. This flowage is an ideal location to set out a raft of decoys for an early-morning hunt. This canoe trip can be best accomplished with a partner, so two vehicles can be used. One vehicle should be left at the iron bridge off the Mast Hill Road, while the other can be used to carry the duck-hunting gear back to the entry point on Route 46.

��The Maine Sportsman • October 2017 • 67

Land Trusts Provide Upland Terrain; IF&W Provides Stocked Trout in Year-’Round Rivers Last year’s warm weather and dry conditions had a negative effect upon outdoor sports. Native woodcock – those born in Maine – were scarce. Grouse, always tough customers, were spooky, and frequently flushed well out of gun range. The three Midcoast rivers that remain open year-round did not see the expected fall stockings because water levels were down to a trickle, and the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (DIF&W) decided not to release trout in waters that were too low and too warm. But 2017 should bring a marked contrast in conditions. Adequate rains will, hopefully, keep worm-eating woodcock content in our local covers (dry conditions last season precluded woodcock from reaching down to earthworms with their prehensile bills), and grouse will, hopefully, not act so spooky. Upland Hunting Classic Midcoast upland bird covers have gone the way of the passenger pigeon thanks, mostly to development. Also, the natural progression of prime covers, mostly reverting farmland, has finally reached climax stage, a point in time where pioneer plants such as alder, birch and young poplar have long since given way to mixedgrowth forest. In fact, a beautiful and productive alder cover that I hunted as a teenager is now a forest. Sadly, what few covers remain are mostly posted. But DIF&W wildlife management areas (WMAs) and many land trust organizations help

close the gap by allowing hunting on the lands that they manage. Frye Mountain WMA, the best-known WMA in the Midcoast region, has miles of great-looking bird covers. But Frye Mountain comes with a caveat. In October, the place is packed. Nearly every good-looking cover gets pounded multiple times a day by hunters and their dogs. This isn’t meant to imply that Frye Mountain isn’t a productive area for upland game; rather, it is important to know that the place can be very crowded. Oddly enough, come the month of November, Frye Mountain seems deserted. A few souls hunt deer there, but other than that, upland hunters have the place to themselves. But more about that in the November issue of The Maine Sportsman. Land Trusts Waldo, Knox and Lincoln counties are blessed with numerous wild lands that fall under the auspices of various land trusts. And most of these permit upland hunting. Two examples of hunter-friendly land trusts are Georges River Land Trust (www.georgesriver. org) and Coastal Mountains Land Trust (www. coastalmountains.org). Smaller land trust properties also dot the Midcoast landscape, and many of these contain prime upland habitat. One small Coastal Mountain trust parcel near my Midcoast home, Head of Tide Preserve, seems made-to-order for upland hunters. With fields, alders and old apple trees, the place makes a good destination for a

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife stocks scrappy fall-yearling brook trout in yearround rivers.

one-hour hunt. So for some largely untapped upland hunting areas, visit the sites mentioned above, or simply type “land trusts in Midcoast Maine” in your favorite search engine, and opportunities galore will appear. Fall Fishing While fall fishing for salmonids is limited to fall-stocked trout in the St. George, Megunticook, Medomak and Pemaquid Rivers, panfish remain legal fare, and October often sees great fishing for white perch. What was once my home water, Quantabacook Pond in Searsmont, has just too much boat traffic in summer to make for an enjoyable day fishing. Water skiers, people pulling children on tubes and speedboats in general turn the surface to a froth. That same scenario holds true in many Midcoast lakes and ponds. The only solution is to hit the water early in the

morning, before recreational boaters gear up. But come October, recreational boaters have gone on to other pursuits, leaving “Quonny” to those who, like me, love fastpaced perch fishing in peace and quiet. In fact, early mornings in October present anglers with a chance to sight-cast to schools of white perch. Huge schools of perch splash and leap on the surface at this time, and it is possible to catch them by casting toward the school. But beware of making any noise that will carry through the water. You could hold a hog-calling contest from the boat and that wouldn’t bother fish in the least. But drop an oar or a tackle box on an aluminum deck, and perch instantly leave for parts unknown. Even after the schools leave the surface, it is possible to locate fish and catch loads of them. A fish locator helps greatly in finding schools of perch. But in the days prior to fish locators, we successfully used the “poke-and-hope” method. Also, if you fish a pond or lake enough, it is possible to find white perch in the same spots year after year. Year-’Round Trout Opportunities In October, we can still catch salmonids in lakes and ponds if we practice catch-and-release. But for those who like the occasional trout to take home for the pan, our year-round trout rivers give us a way to do just that. Of the four yearround streams listed above, Medomak River and Megunticook River are my favorites. The

Medomak gets stocked at several points. One of the best set of pools sits just downstream from Wagner Road Bridge in Waldoboro. But those prime pools are usually taken, and a visiting angler could wait all day for a chance to fish. Better to go a bit farther downstream where there is lots of room and plenty fish. Look for Medomak River on the De Lorme Atlas, Map 13, E-5. Megunticook River, on the other hand, has lots of good pools and surprisingly, it’s rarely if ever crowded. Megunticook River is a river in name only, and really is only a medium-sized stream. And those fall yearling trout run about 14 inches and have all the spirit and vitality of any other trout. Here’s another tip regarding Megunticook River. The river is really two-parted. The upper section contains mostly flatwater and is separated by a dam from the lower, riffly section. It is possible to launch a canoe or even a 12-foot motorboat in the upper river at a streamside park called Shirttail Point. There is no boat launch here, but it’s easy enough to slide a small boat over the grass and into the water. I checked with DIF&W on the legality of fishing the upper section and keeping fish, and was told it was perfectly fine. See Megunticook River on Map 14, D-3 and D-4. October in Midcoast Maine stands as the perfect getaway time for upland hunters and anglers. Why not come see for yourself?

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68 • October 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Pheasant, Ducks and Upland Birds Provide Exciting Opportunities This Month It was foggy out as I drove the quiet early-morning roads to my favorite pheasant release spot. Turner was unfazed by our early rising, and as a puppy, he didn’t know exactly where we were going. Several more seasons of hunting will teach him to know the intended quarry by the gear I pack. We pulled into our park-

Without warning, a hen pheasant flushed to my left. I swung and missed. Turner looked at me quizzically, like only a dog can in such a moment. ing spot and I enjoyed a cup of coffee as I waited for daylight. A few more hunters arrived, and we talked dogs, shotguns and birds. Soon it was light enough to see, so we headed out

into the grown-up field. Turner was birdy from the get-go, but no birds lifted off. It seems they had run through the grass in search of better cover. A pop here and there indicated someone had found some birds. Getting Birdy We worked a treeline, and again Turner was onto a bird, his nose opening and closing in staccato. Without warning, a hen pheasant flushed to my left and I swung and

missed. Turner looked at me quizzically, like only a dog can in such a moment. I pushed him onward, and we worked into the middle of the field. This time I bumped a cock pheasant and dropped him in the tall grass. Turner was happy now, and he found the bird in short order. We hunted for an hour more without a flush. Not your typical pheasant hunt with stocked birds, but who knows how many were put out in “our”

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field. In any case, it was good morning hunt before work, and a good workout for the T-man, who as a result would likely sleep all morning. Pheasant Stocking Maine’s pheasant season opens October 1 and birds are stocked in portions of Cumberland and York counties. These tight-holding, big birds are great sport, especially with a dog. Check the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (DIF&W) website for release sites and dates. While pheasant hunting is big in my book, this month holds a cornucopia of sporting options for the hunter. Upland birds like pheasant, grouse and woodcock are open, fall turkey hunting opens, and waterfowl season is back again! Couple that with other small game and even deer, and it’s a wonder we have time for anything this month. Duck Days Next to upland hunting, waterfowl hunting holds a favored place in my heart and mind. In this writer’s opinion, there is nothing more soul-stirring than paddling into a marshy bog in the dark, setting out a group of decoys and watching the sun rise while ducks work your set. It’s a bonus if you take a few, but not a requisite. It was a cool Saturday morning last year and I slipped my canoe (Continued on next page)

��The Maine Sportsman • October 2017 • 69 (Continued from page 68)

into the water in North Auburn (DeLorme Atlas, Map 11, E-4) and set out a half-dozen cork dekes. I could hear wood ducks peenting nearby, so I hoped they would fly in with the light. I mimicked their calls and they paddled about, albeit out of range. Warden Dave Chabot stopped in and checked on me, but I had no game to show, yet. I was so busy watching the wood ducks swim farther away, that I almost didn’t spot the brace of mallards that circled overhead. They passed by closer, and I raised my gun and fired, instantly folding the drake and then I fired on the hen. She locked up her wings and glided into the marsh. I paddled out and found both ducks. My GoPro captured the event, so any naysayers can hold their tongues! No more ducks came into my spot, so I packed up and headed to the Basin (Map 11, D-4) for some jump shooting. The Basin is perhaps the most picturesque marshes in the region. Grassy swales, lily-pad choked inlets and open water all combine to make this top waterfowl habitat. It was later in the season, so I knew the ducks would be skittish, but I decided to try some canoe jump shooting. Despite a few faraway flushes, I didn’t see as many ducks as I had hoped, and I never fired a shot. That was fine as I got in a good paddle and had two ducks from earlier. Waterfowlers in this region have many options from big lakes, small ponds and marshes and even plenty of rivers that hold ducks and geese. Pre-season scouting pays

off, as finding a good spot that regularly draws in ducks and holds them is critical. Upland Game For upland hunters, grouse can be had in this region, but they are nervous. I find more action targeting woodcock, and I can usually find both flight birds and “residents.” Last season I worked Turner along an almost-dried riverbed, as I suspected the muddy spots would draw in these diminutive aerial acrobats. Turner had never been on a woodcock hunt but had flushed them before in the woods where we run him in Freeport. As I followed the riverbed, I could see the telltale splatches of white signaling the timberdoodle’s presence. I bumped a bird and watched it go down just ahead of us. I pushed Turner forward, and he immediately drove his nose to the ground. His circles tightened, and he made a quick dart to the left. A bird erupted from the forest floor,

and I dropped him with one shot (yes, again captured on GoPro! Check out “Hunting with Tom” on YouTube). Turner followed the bird perfectly, and pointed out where he dropped. I had mistakenly kept a full choke tube in my gun from pheasant hunting, so the bird was a tad shot up. It didn’t matter to me – woodcock scent was etched in the young dog’s mind, and he was now officially a woodcock dog. While these few adventures are indicative of how to spend an October, there is much more sport around. Archers hunt deer, turkey hunters can take two birds of either sex, and small game plinkers can target just about anything. I often say I wish October was two months long. As the leaves turn crimson and nights cool, enjoy this month spent afield in the Sebago to Auburn region.

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70 • October 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Hunt for Bucks High, and Look for Does Low Steep banks on the Little Ossipee River in Shapleigh are carved deep with deer tracks from generations of use. The river system flows among hardwood ridges that are littered with acorns. Nearby, new green growth from recent logging operations offers an additional great food source. Swamps, marshes and beaver ponds form in sections –perfect habitat for deer and other game. For eons, does existed here, rearing offspring. As a result, trails are clearly evident at traditional water crossings. Female young remain with their mothers, forming family groups that bed and feeding in cool alders swamps. Bucks take to the mountains and ridges, returning to doe groups only during the rut or at times of drought when mountain brooks run dry. Does Must Care for Offspring I have never located a doe family core area near the top of mountains – at least in areas I study and hunt. During summer heat, mountains and ridges lack adequate food and water to sustain lactating does and their fast-growing fawns. Consider the erosion effect on our landscape – topsoil, along with the

nutritious it holds, washes down to lowlands, exposing rocky sections and gravel. Oaks and beach do grow well high on ridges, and in good mast crop years deer do flock towards them – but basically bucks are high and does low in this region. Of course there are exceptions. Bucks like to take the high ground, and their core areas generally are in the most difficult terrain available – places most hunters avoid because of steep or impossibly-thick cover. It’s wise to never underestimate a deer’s survival tactic. We are only weekend warriors in the woods; for deer, on the other hand, it’s a question of life or death. One typical bedding location for bucks is the crest of a ridge, where they have a commanding view on their downwind side with the wind drifting over the top at their backs. If available, they bed on top of a rock face that’s impossible to access. They will detect predators upwind with their #1 defense, which is their incredible sense of smell – while their downwind side is guarded with eyes and ears. Deer Survival Instinct Does like to bed in thick cover that’s impossi-

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a tunnel into the deep darkness of the pile. If not for the nock and fletching imbedded in its side, I would have never seen it. The hiding place was incredible. I had to climb on hands and knees grab a leg and pull the dead animal from the brushy cave. The deer bed and entrance tunnel must have been used over the years. It was bare dirt. It’s likely the doe had been born there and had given birth to offspring there as well. Placing sweet fern on your bow can add camouflage and cover scent -- plus, it’s organic and it’s free. Marquez photo

ble to enter without making noise. A few year ago, I placed an arrow into the vitals of a 100-pound doe while bowhunting in Wells. That deer took me on a wild goose chase in deer survival tactics. First it crashed into a bog, and the only way I could track the deer was by the splash marks on the tree trunks. Then I followed a sparse blood trail – mostly on my hands and knees. Soon the wise old doe’s trail ended. I searched in all directions. Dejected, I returned to the last blood which was on a log. That’s when I noticed a blood spot on the opposite side of the log, the splatter showing that the deer had back-tracked. I was soon on the trail once again. It led me down an old logging road. As I followed, scanning the area, I saw the bright green arrow nock deep in a brush pile. That doe had crawled in along

Mock Scrapes Maine Fish and Wildlife recommends that hunters place urinebased deer lures above the height of deer, letting the air circulation disperse the scent. They ask that hunters avoid placing urine-based deer lures on the ground or vegetation where deer can reach them. Their concern is the potential spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). With that said, hunters can set mock scrapes along deer trails to entice deer by using synthetic deer lures or by handing lures on scent wicks above them, out of reach. Once deer urinate nearby, the area can become a hub of activity later in the season. Freshening scent wicks year-round keeps deer checking them. Generally, local deer will adopt the sites. Mock scrapes don’t just attract bucks – after does become adjusted to the scent, they too check out the mock scrapes. Tidal Water Trout Sea run brown trout is an option for non-bow-

hunters in southern Maine. Anglers who fish near bridges on major rivers and streams can hook both stripers and browns this month. At the Route 9 bridge that crosses the lower Mousam River in Kennebunk, there’s a launch site with parking along the road; fishing nearby can be productive. Consider tides while fishing – low tides can be difficult to fish. During low tides, the river becomes a trickle in many places with deep sections forming pools surrounded with mud-sucking flats that will pull your boots off. Fishing between the Route 9 bridge and the sea which is only a few hundred yards downstream is your best bet – fish generally hold up there, awaiting tides to flush bait past them. Casting out your lines when the tides change is a good way the fish this section. Browns can be caught in other river systems, as well, like the Ogunquit River. Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IF&W) biologists suggest using flies and lures that imitate shrimp or small minnows. Whatever your passion – be it bowhunting, fishing or hiking – October is a great time in the Maine woods. Trees are colorful, days are cool, and black flies and mosquitoes are generally nonexistent. However, the ticks are still out there, so take appropriate safety measures.

��The Maine Sportsman • October 2017 • 71

Do Your Research and Know the Rules, but Still Plenty of Trout to be Caught Steep banks on the Little Ossipee River in Shapleigh are carved deep with deer tracks from generations of use. The river system flows among hardwood ridges that are littered with acorns. Nearby, new green growth from recent logging operations offers an additional great food source. Swamps, marshes and beaver ponds form in sections –perfect habitat for deer and other game. For eons, does existed here, rearing offspring. As a result, trails are clearly evident at traditional water crossings. Female young remain with their mothers, forming family groups that bed and feeding in cool alders swamps. Bucks take to the mountains and ridges, returning to doe groups only during the rut or at times of drought when mountain brooks run dry. Does Must Care for Offspring I have never located a doe family core area near the top of mountains – at least in areas I study and hunt. During summer heat, mountains and ridges lack adequate food and water to sustain lactating does and their fast-growing fawns. Consider the erosion effect on our landscape – topsoil, along with the nutritious it holds, washes down to lowlands, exposing rocky sections and gravel. Oaks and beach do grow well high on ridges, and in good mast crop years deer do flock towards them – but basically bucks are high and does low in this region. Of course there are exceptions. Bucks like to take the high ground, and their core areas generally are

in the most difficult terrain available – places most hunters avoid because of steep or impossibly-thick cover. It’s wise to never underestimate a deer’s survival tactic. We are only weekend warriors in the woods; for deer, on the other hand, it’s a question of life or death. One typical bedding location for bucks is the crest of a ridge, where they have a commanding view on their downwind side with the wind drifting over the top at their backs. If available, they bed on top of a rock face that’s impossible to access. They will detect predators upwind with their #1 defense, which is their incredible sense of smell – while their downwind side is guarded with eyes and ears. Deer Survival Instinct Does like to bed in thick cover that’s impossible to enter without making noise. A few year ago, I placed an arrow into the vitals of a 100-pound doe while bowhunting in Wells. That deer took me on a wild goose chase in deer survival tactics. First it crashed into a bog, and the only way I could track the deer was by the splash marks on the tree trunks. Then I followed a sparse blood trail – mostly on my hands and knees. Soon the wise old doe’s trail ended. I searched in all directions. Dejected, I returned to the last blood which was on a log. That’s when I noticed a blood spot on the opposite side of the log, the splatter showing that the deer had back-tracked. I was soon on the trail once again. It led me down an old logging road. As I followed, scan-

ning the area, I saw the bright green arrow nock deep in a brush pile. That doe had crawled in along a tunnel into the deep darkness of the pile. If not for the nock and fletching imbedded in its side, I would have never seen it. The hiding place was incredible. I had to climb on hands and knees grab a leg and pull the dead animal from the brushy cave. The deer bed and entrance tunnel must have been used over the years. It was bare dirt. It’s likely the doe had been born there and had given birth to offspring there as well. Mock Scrapes Maine Fish and Wildlife recommends that hunters place urinebased deer lures above the height of deer, letting the air circulation disperse the scent. They ask that hunters avoid placing urine-based deer lures on the ground or vegetation where deer can reach them. Their concern is the potential spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). With that said, hunters can set mock scrapes along deer trails to entice deer by using synthetic deer lures or by handing lures on scent wicks above them, out of reach. Once deer urinate nearby, the area can become a hub of activity later in the season. Freshening scent wicks year-round keeps deer checking them. Generally, local deer will adopt the sites. Mock scrapes don’t just attract bucks – after does become adjusted to the scent, they too check out the mock scrapes. Tidal Water Trout Sea run brown trout is an option for non-bow-

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there, awaiting tides to flush bait past them. Casting out your lines when the tides change is a good way the fish this section. Browns can be caught in other river systems, as well, like the Ogunquit River. Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IF&W) biologists suggest using flies and lures that imitate shrimp or small minnows. Whatever your passion – be it bowhunting, fishing or hiking – October is a great time in the Maine woods. Trees are colorful, days are cool, and black flies and mosquitoes are generally nonexistent. However, the ticks are still out there, so take appropriate safety measures.

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72 • October 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Big Bulls, Birds and Bulky Bucks Beckon The crispy crunch of the bright orange, red and yellow autumn leaves beneath my boots added an extra lift to my step. My first jaunt into the October woods fills my soul with memories of past bird hunts, and this day would turn out to be one of the most memorable. Nellie, my German Shorthaired Pointer, had just entered the time in her life where her over-energetic body and her maturing mind started to mesh together, enabling her to really start performing on grouse and woodcock. The first point led to a situation where a camera would have been best for shooting. As I approached the tightly-holding pointer, the grouse broke and flew into a small sapling a few steps in front of the dog. Nellie hadn’t even had a chance to break her point, so she just started a low crawl directly to the bird in the tree when I commanded her to begin hunting again. I walked up behind Nellie, shouldered the shotgun, and waited for the bird to take off. When the grouse busted out of the small sapling, I made sure my Remington 870 20-gauge followed the speedy path of the rocketing bird, and pulled the trigger. The grouse dropped in a nearby clump of alders, and Nellie immediately retrieved the bird, sitting there in front of me with feathers protruding from her mouth. As I talked her into giving the bird up, I quietly remarked to the dog that I hoped the rest of the day went this www.MaineSportsman.com

I remember thinking, “Hey, if I shoot one more grouse, I’m done for the day.” Nobody wants to end a fine day of bird hunting too early. easy. Little did I know then that the day would prove to be one of the few days of bird hunting where I limited out. Bird Covers Even though I love the exquisite taste of quick-fried grouse, I don’t think I have ever entered the woods hoping to limit out. The couple of times that this has happened, I remember thinking, “Hey, if I shoot one more bird I’m done for the day.” Nobody wants to end a fine day of bird hunting too early. Both sides of Route 142, from Dixfield (DeLorme Atlas, Map 19, E-2) all the way to where it connects with Route 4 near Phillips (Map 19, B-3) hold plenty of quality bird habitat. Travel each of the logging roads off the paved route to find a mix of lowland swamps and mast-covered ridges. The same holds true for the woods lining Route 17, heading north out of Mexico (Map 19, E-1). At Route 17 north of Byron (Map 18, C-5), notice how many little brooks parallel the trails heading west off the paved route –great spots for grouse hunting. The birds feel secure in the thick cover, enjoy the water in the brooks, and get their fill of essential grit for digestion from the nearby gravel roads. This game bird doesn’t have any teeth, so after a meal, they require a little grit in their diet to help grind the food collected in their crop.

Author, with a ruffed grouse in hand. Clunie photo

The Number 6 Road (or Byron Road), between the town of Byron and Weld Corners (Map 19, C-2), connects Route 17 and Route 142. This major logging road gets used pretty heavily for hauling logs, but the cutting operations also have opened up the woods and created some great new-growth areas. When traveling logging roads, please stay to the far right and stay alert for oncoming vehicles. Fully loaded logging rigs can’t stop in a hurry, and on these roads they have the right-of-way. Majestic Moose Logging operations throughout the Western Maine Mountain (WMM) region have opened up

large portions of the woods to new growth, providing moose with plenty of browse – just as it has for the grouse. Well-fed moose grow some impressive antlers in these parts. In order to locate the big moose, try to get off the paved roads and search out the deep woods. Traditional hotspots like Route 26 at Grafton Notch (Map 18, D-1) will be overrun by pavement-hugging permit holders and moose watchers. After the rush of opening day, the moose head for off-road locations, so folks might as well scout out these areas ahead of time and be prepared. The Walker and Bunker Mountain area east of Route 17 near Roxbury (Map 18, C-5), and the Bunker Pond area to the west (Map 18 D-5), received some logging several years back. The moose population here gets bigger every year, taking advantage of the nutritional new-growth provided by the open woods. Horseshoe Valley (Map 18, D-5), south of Ellis Pond and north of Horseshoe Pond, offers another area with a high count of moose. Trails on both sides of Route 120 provide adequate access. One special concern moose hunters need to be aware of involves the border between Wildlife Management District (WMD) 12 and WMD 7, where it connects Ando-

ver and Byron. The road has various names, depending on which part of the road hunters travel. From Andover heading north off Route 120, the district border road is called the South Arm Road. After a few miles, it changes to the Lonas Farm Road until it connects with Garland Pond Road, where it continues on to Route 17 near Byron. Some folks call the Garland Pond Road the Roxbury Pond Road, making this a very confusing border line. Pay close attention to the map when hunting around this border road between the two WMD’s. Bonus Buck Scouting While bird hunting, I always carry a few items that assist my lofty deer hunting goals. I constantly look for deer sign while walking the bird woods, always keeping in mind the areas where big bucks roam. I put a roll of flagging tape in my pocket to mark especially good looking areas. If I find a scrape or rub, I automatically move to a position downwind, within rifle range. From there I may begin building a quick and crude ground blind of some sort … just in case I find the urge to come back and hunt deer in the area the following month. I have had the luck of dropping some of the biggest bucks of my hunting life by coming back to areas that I noticed when bird hunting during the month of October. Keep your eyes peeled.

��The Maine Sportsman • October 2017 • 73

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74 • October 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��

It’s Not What You Kill; It’s How You Harvest It We’ve all had a friend, sibling or significant other say to us at some point, “It’s not what you said; it’s how you said it.” Or the cliché old quote, “It’s not the destination that matters, but the journey.” Both expressions point to a deeper, genuine nuance than the superficial, tangible outcomes of an action. Hunting is no different: it’s not what’s lying on the ground at the end of the day, but rather how it came to be lying there. The seriousness of these mores, I’m afraid, is being lost on our youth. But it’s not our youth that are to blame; it’s us. Most all of us are

Our obsession with getting the heaviest deer can be taken too far, as in the case of the hunter whose buck would not have been 200 pounds except that he poured water into the front cavity to freeze overnight before bringing it to the weigh-in station. guilty in some way or another—certainly I am. Our hunting culture has become overly obsessive with inches and pounds. Informal competitions are held between hunters for the biggest racks and heaviest deer. Club plaques, sports shop prizes and Facebook fame are all awarded the big buck-slayers. But the awards aren’t based on commitment, enjoyment, ethics,

or even skill, but solely on a superficial, highly uncontrollable but tangible product. Other outcomes previously listed are not as tangible, or photographable, and are therefore too often unsung. Perhaps my perspective is the result of disguised envy for not yet receiving the “Hunter of the Year” award from our hunting camp, which is given to the hunter with

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the heaviest buck every year. Maybe it is coming from the fact that I annually spend ten times more hours in the woods than most other hunters, but I have yet to take a “big” buck. Maybe it’s because I have seen the pictures on Facebook of “Lucky Lou” posing with a 12-point beauty that he bailed out of his truck to shoot in some farmer’s field opening morning, while on his way to work. Do I feel like at the end of the season, and after all those miles slogged, that I deserve that buck more than Lou or that I have “earned” it? You bet I do! But at the end of the season, I know that I have something a lot more fulfilling and important than an arbitrary amount of inches of calcified bone: My pride; the satisfaction that I am both content and proud of every minute that I hunted; that I didn’t compromise my ethical standards; that I am sincerely grateful for the ability to just be able to get out and do what I do; to see the places I’ve seen; and to experience the memories that I will cherish. I have earned that pride and satisfaction. If I happen to have some meat in the freezer or some antlers on the wall at the end of it, that is all just a bonus.

Unethical Trickery at the Weigh-In Station I’m not saying that it’s unhealthy or wrong for a hunter to prize shooting a deer with a 140” rack or a 200# body – to each his own standards. I dream of the same type of deer. However, if you are willing to bend legal or ethical practice to achieve those goals, or if you regret pulling the trigger if the deer doesn’t live up to these expectations, then some soul searching needs to be done. And some humility needs to be learned. My father has told me of the story of a good, successful hunter who once shared an invitation to our hunting camp. When his beautiful buck didn’t weigh up to the legendary 200-pound mark on the camp scales, he filled the front body cavity with water and hung it to freeze, before taking it down to the registration station. Afterwards he bragged all about his 200-pound buck, and duly claimed his patch from the state. He didn’t get invited back to camp. Most of us have encountered a hunter of this type: in the least, a braggart or embellisher, and at the worst, one who adopts unethical and/or illegal tactics. And it’s wrong for fellow hunters who witness this type of behavior, to shrug and consider the situation to be someone else’s problem – in fact, we all share the problem. We have to remember that as sportsmen, we are constantly under scrutiny from unsympathetic sources, waiting to pounce on those uninten(Continued on next page)

��The Maine Sportsman • October 2017 • 75 (Continued from page 74)

tional or intentional lapses. We need to be our own protectors and enforcers. Respect and Responsibility As a baseball player, fan and coach, I know that there are some things that you just don’t do, out of respect for the other players and the game. For example, when taking the field, don’t step on the foul line or run across the pitcher’s mound. If you are up by ten runs, don’t steal home on a passed ball. Sportsmen should have the same respect for their sport and follow some similar unwritten rules. For example, when taking a photo with a harvested animal, tuck the tongue into its mouth. There is nothing more distasteful than having a bloody tongue drooping

and slobbering out of the side of the jaw. In fact, try to take your field pictures before you dress the animal off, as to decrease the amount of blood in the photos. When you have an afternoon of shooting at a sandpit, pick up your mess! And don’t shoot glass or electronics. Little infuriates me more than to find boxes of empty shotgun shells and shattered TVs in a remote gravel pit. Pretty soon that pit is going to be closed by the landowner, and those few hunters will have ruined it for everyone. Granted, like in baseball, some hunting mores are more serious than others. But just being aware of them is important, as even if you find them silly, others may not. Respect your fellow

sportsmen. What our youth need is for the older generation to teach them. Lead by example. Humble yourself in front of them by tediously searching the grass for your spent shells, stop a photo-op midway to wipe the blood off the snout. And follow a blood trail 14 miles through a swamp to finish what you started. Lastly, don’t be afraid to speak up and reprimand where it is deserved. I am blessed to have been coached and disciplined by the best. There is no better group of sportsmen than those who attend our hunting camp at Parmachenee Lake Thanksgiving week. Being in their presence alone is enough to make for a successful season. Thank you, Dad, Jack, Fred, and Ed.

The writer -- with his four-point buck from the 2010 season -- poses with his father, Brian Emerson, who helped him track the deer several miles. The writer credits his father with teaching him that how you hunt is far more rewarding than the size deer it produces.

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76 • October 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��

October Moose and Grouse Hunting Lead to Big Bucks As I stood above the open woods before me, I scanned the cleared area on the big ridge, looking for moose but also checking for any sign of deer. My moose client and I hoped to drop a big bull during the October moose hunt and do some bird hunting later that week – and I’m always searching for deer sign. Besides the occasional deer track, I found a little sapling that had been rubbed. The trees on the ridge had been extensively beaten up by a love-sick bull moose, but this little sapling had big deer tracks around it, leading me to believe this might be an okay area for deer hunting the following month. I set up a mock scrape with a Wildlife Research Center scent dispenser (www.wildlife.com) near the rubbed-up sapling, and checked the area after an early October

I set up a mock scrape with a scent dripper. The following month, a few days into the deer hunting season, I dropped a 210-pound eight-pointer that came into the scrape. snowstorm. I found the tracks of two huge bucks that had visited the scent dispenser, a dripper that releases buck lure daily, and planned to hunt for deer in that area when the season opened. I built a make-shift ground blind about 70 yards downwind of the dripper by shoving a few dead saplings around a comfortable place for my hunting chair – a padded seat that I carry in for this purpose. A few days into the deer hunting season the following month, I dropped a 210-pound eight-pointer that came into the scrape. He was just looking for love in all the wrong places. By paying attention during the October moose hunt, I found the perfect

place to take a big buck the next month. Birdy Cover The Rangeley Region offers thousands of acres of prime grouse habitat for the free-wandering bird hunter – areas that can also be scouted for possible deer hunts the next month. The problem comes when hunters try to single out just a few locations. I hang a flagging tape in areas that look interesting as I pass through them when I’m bird hunting or moose hunting. The Lincoln Pond Road runs from Wilsons Mills (DeLorme Atlas, Map 28, E-1) all the way to Route 27 near Eustis (Map 29, B-2), and changes to the Tim Pond Road when it crosses over the

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bridge at the Kennebago River. Start by driving on the Lincoln Pond Road where it connects with Route 16, near Wilsons Mills. Follow any of the many smaller logging roads and trails that intersect this gravel route, looking specifically for areas containing water and food sources for the grouse (or deer). Hunters don’t have to wait to spot birds on the road – go ahead and do some walking in any area that looks promising. Many times the major logging routes connect with smaller, almost undetectable, skidder trails. Walking these paths, a hunter has a better chance at finding a clean shot through thick bird covers. Remember that these logging roads, mostly owned by paper companies, allow the only access to remote parts around Rangeley. Be respectful and always on the alert for logging trucks – they

have the right-of-way at all times. Pull over, off the side of the road if necessary, and get completely out of their way. Also, make sure to carry a map that clearly shows the system of logging trails, and a good compass. The road system gets awful confusing, and a map and compass help to keep the layout in perspective. Cast and Blast Often a bird hunter finds that good grouse hunting doesn’t get started until later in the morning. What should an upland hunter do until the grouse come off their roost in October? Hunting anglers can try their hand at fishing in the early morning and then hunting after that and get in on a special treat that some call “cast and blast.” Loads of waters in this region stay open to fishing during the month of October. Most all mandate catch and release and fly-fishing-only requirements, so consult the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (DIF&W) to learn the rules specific to the water (Continued on next page)

��The Maine Sportsman • October 2017 • 77 (Continued from page 76)

you want to fish. Upper Dam (Map 18, A-2), located between Mooselookmeguntic Lake and Upper Richardson Lake, can be accessed by boat from the Mill Brook Road near the north end of Upper Richardson Lake. Plenty of brookies with sunset-orange bellies get played here each fall. Rangeley River (Map 28, E-3) flows between Cupsuptic Lake and Rangeley Lake, and can be easily accessed from Route 16, north of Oquossoc. Most folks park at the gate near the bridge off Route 16 (look for the sign) and walk down to the river. Fishing in either location during October offers folks the best of both worlds – deep and cold water churning with salmon and trout, and a horizon rich in vividly-colorful mountains.

The author found deer sign in October while moose hunting that led to this 210-pound eight-pointer the following month. Clunie photo

Deer Scouting October also reigns as prime time to be in the woods scouting for recent deer activity. The Rangeley Region offers miles of big-deer country, and finding just the right spot

takes time. Hunters with plenty of foresight start the search now. Township E, a good place to begin the scouting, is laced with old logging roads and skidder trails. Logging operations

in the western portion of this township have created a patchwork of oldand new-growth woods. As hunters approach the eastern border of the township near Smalls Falls (Map 19, A-1), more

Rangeley Lakes Region

recent cutting operations can be noticed. Hunters who keep their eyes peeled around the logging trails leading to Black Nubble Mountain (Map 29, D-2) often catch a big buck before it jumps back into the thick stuff. Many of these logging roads remain behind locked gates, but a hunter on foot can walk for miles without seeing a vehicle. Many of the mountains and valleys that surround the Rangeley Lakes Region hold good populations of deer, but they hang out in pockets of cover. These small pockets, strewn throughout the area, have several things in common to help a whitetail survive – food, thick cover for shelter, and water. Hunters who find areas with these three essentials will also start finding deer sign.

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78 • October 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Bow Hunting Bow hunting is your first opportunity at a whitetail deer each year in Maine. It’s more challenging than the regular rifle season, because you have to be a lot closer to the deer. Therefore, you have to be a lot more cautious with your movements and sounds, especially if you are on the ground. You may also put a lot more hours into bow hunting. A great deal of patience is necessary, because the deer needs to be near; because you only have one shot; and since you cannot make any noise or sudden movements. I tried bow hunting for my first time last year, and it was a lot harder than hunting with a rifle. I was in a ground blind. Deer are very observant – they can detect sounds, movements and changes in their habitat very easy. They also have a better sense of smell if you hunt on the ground rather than in a tree stand, so you need to make sure to use cover

Compared to hunting with a rifle during the regular firearms season, you need more time, patience and persistence for bow hunting

The author did not get a deer bow hunting last year, her first year in the sport. However, based on her recent success with moose, deer (firearms) and bear, we here at the Sportsman know it won’t be long before she prevails with a bow, also. Here she is (center of photo) in her ghost blind. She shoots a Diamond bow with 40 lbs. of draw, and she removed her face mask so she could be seen in this photo.

scents before entering the woods. Be sure all of your gear is scent-free as well. Last year I was not successful in getting a deer with my bow, but I did shoot a nice 9-pointer

on Junior Day of the 2016 deer rifle season. I do like bow hunting and encourage others to try it if they never have. However, I prefer hunting with a rifle. You need a lot more

time, patience, and persistence for bow hunting because you may see nothing the whole season or you could get one the last day. But don’t forget – you always have rifle season

to fall back on, if you are unsuccessful with a bow. It helps if you know if there are deer in the area by setting trail cameras out a few weeks prior to the hunt and using an attractant. Just like a rifle, you need to practice shooting almost every day until you can get the appropriate draw weight to kill a deer and a tight group in the target after many shots. Something that may attract deer is rattling antlers, using calls, or using a scent for deer. Bow hunting is a challenging, fun, and new way to try to get a deer if you have never done it before. And almost anyone can learn how to do it. It can be especially fun to get kids involved and teach them young so they can learn and improve as they get older. Good luck to all hunters this season, and hopefully everyone can at least get a shot at a deer.

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��The Maine Sportsman • October 2017 • 79

Author is Top Angler at Bryant Pond “Hooked on Bass” Camp When I went to Bryant Pond summer camp for the first time this summer, I did not know what to expect. In fact, I was a little nervous – this was going to be the first tournament in which I competed with other kids my age. The Bryant Pond 6-day “Hooked on Bass” camp included bass fishing at four separate locations in four days. The other two days involved swimming, canoeing, casting competitions and even a bit of fishing at a small trout pond. The first day (and in fact, every day) we woke up at 6:30 a.m. There were eight boats in all – five canoes, and three bass boats, each operated by a pro bass fisherman. Rules of the Game We switched off watercraft every half-day

I needed one more good bass. Studying the weed bed from my position in the canoe, I noticed a pocket in between some lily pads. I cast in the middle of them, and WHAM! – two people in the fishing boat, and then those same anglers were assigned to a canoe. The rules of the tournament were that the fish had to be 12 inches long to count, and the one with the most inches at the end of the day was in the lead. I brought with me all kinds of tackle and three rods – more than I needed, but at least I had them if I needed them.

I caught one fish on the frog and lost another – a big one. The bass stopped biting on frogs after a while, so we headed for deeper water and fished around rocks and underwater humps. We caught a few fish, and then it was time to switch to the canoe. The canoe was a little more limited in terms of the places we could go, so I didn’t get any more fish that day.

Morning #1 – in a Bass Boat The first location was pretty nice, because it had a lot of lily pads and grass – good for top water. I started the day in the bass boat, and we fished frogs.

Day 2 The next morning at 6:30 I was excited once again to get out of bed and get ready for the rest of the day. Most of the other kids did not want to leave their bunks. As we all sat in the

van eating a cold bagel for breakfast, I was thinking about what lure I was going to use, what the lake would be like – things like that. The last three lakes were really tough – it was hard to get a bite. We caught a few fish but nothing too crazy. Final Chance to Take the Lead Very soon – too soon – we found ourselves at the last day of camp. I was more anxious than ever to get fishing, since I was in second place. All I needed was 13 more inches of fish! The pond we were going to fish was called Moose Pond. It was very shallow and very weedy,

and the water clarity was not too high, so that day we were only in canoes. I fished frogs most of the day, really working hard for a fish. Finally I got a bite – a largemouth bass, 12 inches long. I needed 1 more inch – just 1 more! For a while, I fished with that frog. Then I saw a pocket in between some lily pads. I cast in the middle of them, and WHAM! , I pulled in the fish I needed to win the tournament –14 inches! I was ahead! I caught one other fish that day on a white chatterbait, but all I needed were those two fish. Overall I had a really great time at Bryant Pond “Hooked on bass” camp. I would definitely do it again.

— Maine Wildlife Quiz Answers — 1. The American Woodcock is also known simply as woodcock or Timberdoodle. 2. The American Woodcock inhabits forests, brushlands and agricultural areas throughout the United States and Canada. 3. Yes, American Woodcock spend the cold winter months in the south, and return north in the spring to breed. 4. The American Woodcock nests on the ground. 5. American Woodcock eggs hatch in about 20 days. 6. An American Woodcock lives to approximately 8 years of age. 7. Predominant features of an American Woodcock include its large eyes and long prehensile bill. 8. The biggest factor in the declining population of the American Woodcock is loss of habitat caused by urban development.

Quiz on Page 38

Jonathan Wheaton captured this scene along the Sandy River in Norridgewock on August 20. This pair was part of a group of six young raccoons heading out of a corn field. Wheaton used a Canon 5d Mark 4 and a Canon 70-200 f2.8L at ISO 800; shutter speed 500 at f5.6. www.MaineSportsman.com

80 • October 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Results – 2017 Maine Sportsman Opinion Poll Once again this year, readers were not shy about expressing their opinions – and hundreds of you did! The questions this year touched upon many issues debated by lawmakers in the most recent session – including deer-baiting, turkey bag limits and crossbows – and those issues are sure to resurface in future sessions. So here are the 2017 results – look them over, and let us know what you think! Be sure to send your questions and comments to will@mainesportsman.com. 1) Should Maine’s recently-enacted law permitting children of any age to hunt 25) When wardens spend time on search and rescue activities unrelated to fish, under supervision, be modified to establish a minimum hunting age of 8 years old? game activities, should the state’s General Fund pay for their time? YES 74% NO 26% YES 86% NO 14% 2) Should there be a minimum age requirement to enter the moose lottery? YES 87% NO 13% 3) Should the state constitution be amended to prohibit citizen petition-derived initiative ballot questions relating to wildlife issues? YES 66% NO 34% 4) Should the law be changed to permit deer baiting?

YES 25%

NO 75%

5) Should the law be changed to prohibit deer feeding? YES 27%

NO 73%

6) Do you believe game wardens should be allowed to violate hunting and fishing laws while carrying out investigative duties? YES 28% NO 72% 7) Do you believe the legislature should enact a law requiring all occupants in a canoe to be wearing a life jacket? YES 53% NO 47% 8) Should the law require a gun lock to be sold with each new firearm? YES 37% NO 63% 9) Should forest rangers carry firearms?

YES 83%

NO17%

10) Have you removed all lead sinkers and lead split shot from your freshwater tackle boxes? YES 66% NO 34% 11) Did you hunt coyotes within the past year?

YES 22%

NO 78%

12) Should the required archery hunting education course be combined with the required crossbow hunting education course into one course covering both activities? YES 87% NO 13% 13) Should the application fees for keeping exotic animals be raised to cover the whole cost of regulating and inspecting this activity? YES 96% NO 4% 14) Did you hunt with a crossbow this past year?

YES 4%

15) Did you hunt with a muzzleloader this past year?

YES 29%

NO 96% NO 71%

16) Should the tax break known as the Tree Growth Tax be limited to landowners who satisfactorily protect deer wintering areas? YES 72% NO 28% 17) Do you believe global warming is a real environmental threat? YES 64% NO 36% 18) Should ice fishing be allowed in salmon and trout waters now closed each winter, if anglers use artificial lures? YES 35% NO 65% 19) Should cat owners be prohibited from allowing their cats to run at large, as is now the case with dogs? YES 57% NO 43% 20) Should turkey bag limits be increased?

YES 69%

NO 31%

21) Should buyers of auto and truck tires pay a returnable deposit as we do on beverage bottles, which we would get back when we returned the used tires? YES 59% NO 41% 22) Should anglers be encouraged to kill any pike they catch? YES 66% NO 34% 23) Should a system be developed to allow an any-deer permit to be used in more than one Wildlife Management District? YES 50% NO 50% 24) Should the state recover the costs of a wilderness rescue from those who were rescued, if the individuals act recklessly and were unprepared for foreseeable risks? YES 87% NO 13% www.MaineSportsman.com

26) Do you approve of DIF&W’s current practice of stocking brook trout in marginal, put-and-take waters where these fish cannot survive warm summer water? YES 32% NO 68% 27) Did you spend time fly-casting for trout this past year? YES 46%

NO 54%

28) Only 3% of all bears killed each year are harvested by trapping. To remove an emotional issue from future bear hunting debates, should the state end the recreational trapping of bears? YES 38% NO 62% 29) Should municipalities that regulate deer hunting in the expanded season zones be barred from charging fees for permits? YES 76% NO 24% 30) Should landlocked salmon be managed to promote larger fish? YES 68% NO 32% 31) Should nonresidents be permitted to hunt deer on opening day of the firearms season? YES 52% NO 48% 32) Were you checked by a game warden this past year? YES 35%

No 65%

33) Should an outside agency investigate complaints against Maine game wardens? YES 69% NO 31% 34) Do you believe that many hunters in Maine tag deer that they didn’t shoot? YES 67% NO 33% 35) Should the owners of land with conservation easements be required to post online maps showing the public’s right of access? YES 47% NO 53% 36) Do you believe we should replace copper jacketed lead bullets with non-toxic bullets in high-powered rifle ammo? YES 15% NO 85% 37) Should the Secretary of State issue all registrations for boats, ATVs and snowmobiles if proceeds go to DIF&W? YES 68% NO 32% 38) Should the price of a Maine hunting license include the right to hunt all game animals without additional fees? YES 73% NO 27% 39) Should DIF&W game wardens participate in criminal investigations unrelated to fish and game matters? YES 30% NO 70% 40) Should hunting with crossbows be allowed wherever hunters can use regular bows? YES 69% NO 31% 41) Do you believe some large landowners abuse the preference given to them in the any-deer permit drawings? YES 49% NO 51% 42) Should Legislature repeal the law enacted to allow open-pit mining on Bald Mountain in Aroostook County? YES 59% NO 41% 43) Should mechanized gold mining in Maine rivers and streams be prohibited? YES 79% NO 21% 44) Did you hunt or fish outside of the state of Maine this past year? YES 39% NO 61% 45) Do you support the proposal to expand the instant background check of purchasers of firearms to include sales between private individuals? YES 22% NO 78% 46) Have you (or has anyone you know) seen a cougar in Maine? YES25% NO 75%

��The Maine Sportsman • October 2017 • 81

Welcome to the

CLASSIFIEDS CLASSIFIED RATES Subscribers may place one free 20-word classified ad per month, limited to two months. 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. Include a black and white photo for an additional $10. Check, money order, MasterCard or VISA (Credit or Debit) are accepted. You may submit your ads by: Phone: 207-357-2702 • E-mail: classifieds@mainesportsman.com Mail: 183 State Street, Suite 101, Augusta ME 04330 Website: www.mainesportsman.com

SUBMIT AD AND PAYMENT BY THE 30TH OF EACH MONTH AND YOUR AD WILL APPEAR IN THE NEXT ISSUE.

BOATS FOR SALE 14’ FIBERGLASS TDBDUCK BOAT Excellent shape with pop-up camouflage blind & 15 hp Yamaha motor. $6,000. Call 207-6885022. 19’ LUND ALASKAN Open deck with 50HP Mercury & 6 HP Johnson and Load-Rite trailer. Good, stable boat for fly-fishing and duck hunting. $5,000 Call 778-4374 –––––––––––––––––

HUNTING GEAR

CAMPS FOR SALE

HOYT BOWHUNTING OUTFIT Complete with lots of extras. $500 Call Dan in York for details on a great deal. 207-363-6435

CAMP IN T-2 R-12, WELLS Mile 36, Golden Road, furnished, winterized, 2 bdrm, sleeps 8, w/ garage & woodshed,’88 Jeep, tools. Spring on property. $50k 207-993-2366

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DOGS ENGLISH COCKERS FIELD BRED AKC Registered Puppies. Best for Upland, Home and Plantation. Fall 2017. $1,000. 856-3055179 or 609-805-7993

HUNTING/FISHING CAMP 15’x15’ camp on 10 acre wooded land. Electricity. Well. LaGrange, ME. DelMap 33. $29,500. wdhalverson@aol.com

MONSON: Abutting Appalachian Trail

Sportsman The Maine

Want to See Your TROPHY PHOTO or OUTDOOR TALE Published in The Maine Sportsman? Send your photo with details or your story to us and you might see it in an upcoming issue! Email: will@mainesportsman.com Photos to be published at Editor’s discretion. Not all photos may be published.

15 miles south of Moosehead Lake, start of 100 Mile Wilderness. 40 acre lots, 35 mile panoramic views of lakes and mountains. Rolling terrain with southern exposure. Gated gravel road 5 miles to village. Close to local snowmobile trail and ITS 85. Starting at $1250 per acre with owner financing 20% down.

FMI Call 207-343-2797 or Visit Greyledgelodge.com

Noyes Real Estate Agency 2388 Main Street • Rangeley, ME 207-864-9000 • info@noyesrealty.com www.noyesrealty.com

#425 - Classic log home on Aziscohos Lake. Open frontage, guest cottage, 2 car garage. Off grid with all amenities, more waterfront available. $319,000 #590 - Great camp with easy access to hunting, fishing, Rangeley Village, snowmobile and ATV trails. $87,000 #303 - Cabin and 41 acres, off-grid with all amenities. Quad, sled and water access, drilled well. $122,500

WATERFRONT LAND WITH CABINS—GREAT HUNTING & FISHING LOCATIONS

#427 - Private lot, with a camp in Avon. Over 255’ of water front on Mt. Blue Stream. Level lot, wooded, and more! $59,000 #438 - HUGE Home on the Sandy River! Whirlpool bath, second floor great room, porch. Minutes north to Rangeley, great hunting nearby. $108,000 #433 - Amazing property in Lincoln PLT, with 200 acres, 2000 feet of frontage on Magalloway River, and a country cottage. Famous fly fishing area. $189,000 #482 - Vintage, well-maintained camp on Little Kennebago Lake, full foundation, garage and boat house. Fabulous fly fishing and views. $390,000 #483 - Kennebago cottage on the Logans. Views, world-class fishing. 3 bedrooms, loft and 2 bathrooms. Includes 2 buildings at the lake. $399,000

WATERFRONT LAND

#900 - Aziscohos Lake 200+ ft. of waterfront, sandy beach, rocky peninsula, small cabin, driveway, 1.2 acres on Raspberry Lane. $160,000 #603 - Beaver Mountain Lake lot with 292 feet on the lake and 2.28 acres. Includes a boat house, driveway, and open views to the lake. $185,000. #965- Richardson Lake frontage at Middle Dam. 5.7 acres and 225 feet of waterfront. Access fishing on the Rapid River and Pond in the River. $399,000 #918 - Experience Day Mountain Pond Wilderness! Located in Avon. Over 1100 acres, trout ponds, streams, views, wildlife in Avon. Potential development .$895,000

CAMPS/ COTTAGES FOR RENT HUNTERS!! CAMP ON 140 ACRES Hogback Mt. Montville. Abuts Fry Mt. 2000+ acres. Sleeps 5, $800.00/ wk. Carriage House extra. 207-631-1023 www. wildernesscabin.org

PARKMAN, MEBUCKS CROSSING WMD 17 Rental Cabins. Turkey, deer, moose, upland game. All amenities included. Great ratesnightly, weekly, monthly. $75/night for two people. 207-277-3183 SECLUDED CABIN IN WMD 17 Comfortable, clean, with all amenities. Sleeps 4-5. (Continued on next page)

— LAGRANGE — 1309579 – 9.99+/acres with hunting camp. Lot has been surveyed. Small stream flows through the back 1296978 – PARKMAN: 100+/- acres on sea- of the land. There is a well and electricsonal road. Mixture of fields and woods. ity. $29,500 Recreational trails are close by. Great — ST. ALBANS — hunting and recreational area. $100,000 1285114 – 1.2+/1308166 – CHARLESTON: 31+/- acres with acres with all seaHudson Brook flowing through the proper- sons camp. Property. Hunter’s paradise. Food plot and blind ty borders Addition all set up. Check state record for deer/ Brook. Camp wired for generator powhunter ratio. $22,000 1314245 – BROWNVILLE: 6.75+/- acres, er; generator included. $24,900 mostly fields with nice southern exposure. — ATKINSON — Small outbuilding in place. Nice spot for 1277597 – 1.32+/gentleman’s farm. Recreational trails acres year round nearby. $20,000 camp with 4 sea1321872 – KENDUSKEAG: 12.87+/- acres sons access, powhouse lot located on town maintained er, pit privy and road. Short drive to Bangor. Lot has been newer metal roof. Just a short drive to Sebec Lake. $28,500 surveyed and soil tested. $24,500

CHECK OUT OUR WEB SITE FOR OVER 100 LAND LISTINGS

— NEW LISTINGS — STETSON POND 504+/- ACRES completely surround this pristine, 11+/- acre mountain pond located mid-way between Rangeley and Farmington! $750,000 1,039 +/- ACRES with approx. 4,000’ paved road frontage and 205’ on a 170+/- acre bass pond located approx. 1.75 hours from Portland! $1,500,000 220+/- ACRES with 360 degree views – Sugarloaf, Mt. Abrams, Ick Norton, Day Mountain and more! 4,000’ paved road frontage and interior gravel roads. $199,500 Juanita Bean Smith, Broker Coldwell Banker Sandy River Realty 602 Wilton Road • Farmington, ME Direct Phone: 207-592-2200 Office Phone: 207-778-6333 www.MaineSportsman.com

82 • October 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Available May-Dec $450/ wk. Call 207-277-4565

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY FOR SALE

BENEDICTA WATERFRONT COTTAGE Full kitchen & bath, 2 Queen beds. Dish TV. Excellent bass fishing, moose, partridge, deer hunting. $650/week. Recently remodeled. CALL: 207-951-6648

CENTRAL MAINE FRANCHISE SNOWMOBILE & ATV BUSINESS 33 years as Dealer. Building & Contents with years of inventory-New and Used. Retiring. Call FMI: 207-782-4917

(Continued from page 81)

LAKEFRONT CABIN FOR RENT On the Little Narrows Basin of Upper Cold Stream Ponds in Lincoln, 4-season cabin w/cable, internet, kayaks, canoe, access to ATV & snowmobile trails. Depending on season, can be rented nightly, weekly or monthly. More info & pictures on Craigslist under Vacation Rentals/Lincoln. Call Tate 207-794-4208

ship. This is a step-in opportunity! Price reduced $999,000. 207-532-4500 www.firstchoicerealestate.com –––––––––––––––––

REAL ESTATE FLAGSTAFF LAKE AREA In WMD 7 & 8, Cabin on a .92 acre with deeded access to Flagstaff Lake. Nancy 207-491-3089

LIVE IN NORTHERN MAINE AND MAKE MONEY Restaurant Linneus, ME. Grammy’s Country Inn. $1.2 million average food-only gross sales last 6 years. Opportunity for sales growth with addition of alcohol. Featured in Down East, Bangor Metro, Yankee Magazines. Named Top 10 Restaurants in Maine. Over 35 awards. 65+ year restaurant tradition, 28 years under same owner-

LOG CABIN CAMPS FOR SALE T 14 R8, Fish River Lake. 2 log cabins, bunk house, boat house, miles of shorefront with no neighbors, generator, great fishing, hunting, snowmobile and fully furnished. Bring your tooth brush and move in. Pictures available. $159,000 OBRO. 207-745-0191.

Kersey Real Estate visit www.kerseyre.com to view our complete listing

“No Blarney Spoken Here”

207-585-2411 207-585-2412

506 West Side Road • Weld, ME 04285 •Mike Kersey, Broker ELL

IS P

D WE

Beautiful place to spend all the seasons Maine has to offer this home is currently being used for three seasons but could be converted to year round living. Come see whats in store for you at the waters edge with dock, great swimming and magnificent sunset views.This property has wonderful inclosed porches that offer easy access to the front yard,dock and lake... Don’t miss the boat! $249,000. MLS #1293994

WIL

Extremely well built cabin nicely tucked in the woods overlooking the Webb River. Located in the heart of the Western Mountains with easy access to hunting, ATVing, snowmobiling, hiking and all the activities around Webb River & Webb Lake. $144,900. MLS #1282498

Log cabin on 96 acres abutting state park with access to snowmobile and ATV trails on the property. Camp offers three bedrooms and bath with compost toilet. This cabin is off the grid with gas lights, stove and refrigerator. Enjoy the peace and quiet while sitting on the farmers porch! $127,500. MLS #1325274

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WATERFRONT PROPERTY 6.1 ACRES IN OLD TOWN, ME 300 ft. deep water frontage on Pushaw Lake, 250ft. on Rd, Power, 3-4 house lots. $250,000. Call FMI: 207-745-4518. HUNTING/FISHING LODGE Active commercial hunting and fishing lodge with 7 cabins, 10 acres, 50 leased bait sites. $250,000. 802-738-3877 –––––––––––––––––

GUIDE SERVICE CAMP AT NE CARRY, MOOSEHEAD Can hunt in Zones 9 & 4. Call David Marshall-207-649-7260 or sdmarshall4@aol.com GUIDE SERVICE IN BROWNVILLE, MAINE $239,000. Main lodge and one cabin. Sleeps 18 total. Two utility buildings, one with a walk-in-cooler. 45 leased bait sites for bear. 1 1/2 townships in one area. 40 stands. 2 acres with another 20 acres for $25,000. Fully equipped and ready to go. Great operation for bear. deer, moose, small game and fishing. FMI Retiring. 207-965-8875.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY FULL-TIME MECHANIC Full-time mechanic with some experience in small engines, ATV & Snowmobiles. Must have own tools (specialty tools are not required), SET UP PERSON to set up snowmobiles and ATVs, PARTS PERSON with computer experience and knowledge of small engines helpful. Contact Dave at Jackman Powersports 1-800-287-7669 –––––––––––––––––

WANTED WANTED DEER/ MOOSE ANTLERS Buying any size deer & moose shed antlers/ racks or antlered skulls. All grades bought by the pound. 802-875-3206 WANTED ZONE 25 ANY-DEER PERMITS Dedicated still-hunter, bow/rifle/ muzzleloader, seeks transfer of ME resident Zone 25 permit in September. Will share professionally butchered venison. Thank you. 207779-7634

Well maintained cabin off the grid surrounded by stonewalls and old growth trees. If you have been looking for a camp well here it is. $59,900. MLS #1307502

The Maine Sportsman Digital Edition

NEW CAMPS!

If you have been looking for a nice getaway here it is very well built camp tucked away on a sleepy road with access to state park land, snowmobiling, ATVing, hunting, fishing, hiking and all of what the western mountains has to offer! $75,000. MLS #1324555

NEW 12’X32’ CAMP with 8’ ceiling. Located on 1.62 surveyed acres with direct access to ATV and snowmobile trails from your property. You might want to hurry if want to catch a peek at this one! Listed at $29,900

NEW 14’ X 36’ CAMP with 6’ screened porch. Located on 4.18 acres with direct access to ATV and snowmobile trails from your property, plus you’re in the heart of Maine’s recreational area! $34,900

— BUILDING LOTS WITH ATV & SNOWMOBILE ACCESS — Weld - Large 13 acre camp lot with trail accessible from the property, gravel road frontage in great recreation area for snowmobiling, ATVing, hiking and hunting. $24,500. MLS #1244750 Weld - Looking for a remote spot for your cabin or camper? Here it is! 8 acres w/ easy access, nice view right in the heart of the Western Mnts, a few miles to Mt Blue State Park & Webb Lk. $18,500. MLS #1282348 North Rumford - Very private 17 acres with great brook frontage and a common area on Meadow Pond located deep in the Western Mountains. $36,500. MLS #1269352 Roxbury - Don’t wait any longer! Large 12 acre + lots w/ spectacular views of mnt & valley, on private association rd. Plus a 10-acre common area for all lot owners. All lots have protective covenants to insure investment and privacy. $47,500. MLS #1304495 Carthage - Excellent building lots w/ easy access to ATV & snowmobile trails. All lots surveyed and have driveways into building site. Ready for your new cabin in the woods? Then come check em’ out. $26,500. MLS #1205057 Phillips 40 acre lot with over 1900 feet of paved road frontage in the Western Mountains near Rangeley Lakes, Webb Lake and State Parks. Located on Rt 142 only 7 miles to Webb Lake. Listed at....$49,900. MLS #1204173 South Rumford - Very nice 95 acre wooded lot with views of the Androscoggin River Valley. A well-built gravel road will bring you up the mountain side to several plateaus and building sites. Priced right at....$139,500. MLS #1261656 Carthage 160 Acres with views of Tumbledown and Webb Lake absolutely gorgeous spot for a cabin or two great recreation area for snowmobiling,ATVing and hunting.You gotta see this one. $95,500 MLS #1244326.....$95,500 26.2 Acres, Roxbury Pond, paved and private access ...........................................................$69,500

www.MaineSportsman.com

Phillips 40 Acres - Set up your camper next to the fire pit while you pick your building site. This 40 acre lot offers privacy, views and a wonderful babbling brook an acre or so of nice field with some small planted trees. $59,500 MLS #1309063 Fayette 179 Acres - Great property with old stonewalls, views, gravel also some fields and hidden locations for that hunting camp you’ve been looking to build...don’t miss this very private, huge 179 acre lot at a very attractive price. $71,500 MLS #1315323

T BE

1,356 ACRES

BETHEL KING LOT This land boasts exceptional development potential or enjoy the vast land with your friends and family, excellent road infrastrucure and beautiful views of local ski areas. 1356 acres offered at $1,250,000. MLS #1149583

WOOD LOTS & RECREATION LOTS #1282270 - Byron, 99 Acres .......................................................................................................... $55,000 #1282273 - Byron, 116 Acres ...........................................................................................................$74,900 #1282275 - Byron, 28 Acres ............................................................................................................$29,900 #1282237 - Hartford, 574 Acres .....................................................................................................$299,00 #1282239 - Hartford, 91 Acres........................................................................................................$63,900 #1282230 - Jay, 136 Acres .............................................................................................................. $88,900 #1282243 - Peru, 191 Acres.............................................................................................................$161,900 #1282246 - Peru, 322 Acres .........................................................................................................$206,500

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��The Maine Sportsman • October 2017 • 83

4-Season Camp on Magalloway River

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Wilson’s Mills, Lincoln Plt.– 4-season camp on Magalloway River. Fishing, hunting, boating, snowmobiling. Great recreational area in the Rangeley region. $139,900

The Maine Real Estate Network Brenda Birney, Broker • 207-890-5555 www.themainerealestatenetwork.com RARE FIND! 105+/- ACRES IN MOSCOW, ME Great location loaded with springs and wildlife.1/4 mile frontage on town-maintained road with utilities, also 1/4 mile frontage on a gravel road. Quiet, peaceful area two miles from town. Great place for someone who wants to hunt on their own property, and fishing is available in any direction from the property. ATVing and snowmobiling right from your front door. Whitewater rafting very close by, or just simply relaxing. This old farmland would make great house or camp lots, and with 2 roads for access it could easily be converted into 3 lots, or more. Low taxes. $95,000 ________________________________________ Frank Nichols Real Estate 207-672-4821 or 207-717-3959 • Bingham, Maine

— Luxury Mountaintop Retreat —

Baldwin, ME — This luxury mountaintop retreat offers outstanding craftsmanship and extreme attention to detail. Designed as a true rustic getaway home with ample room to entertain guests. Bar/Billiards room plus huge fireplace and beamed ceilings in great room.Enjoy the new heated inground pool and fire pit just steps from the farmer’s porch.Easy access to Portland (45 minutes), Boston (2 hours), North Conway NH (30 minutes). Cornish village only 8 miles and Sebago Lake just 5 miles. Retreat to the Saddleback Hills of SW Maine! $575,000. MLS #1285344. Paul Howe 207.625.3222 • 207.929.9358 81 Maple Street • Cornish, ME www.cotehowe.com Serving Western & Southern Maine

BINGHAM. Sportsman’s Dream! Exceptionally well-maintained log home just over the Solon town line. Home offers 3 beds, 2 full baths, open concept living space and generator hook-up. Located close to ATV and snowmobile trails for riding, as well as great fishing and hunting. 1 car direct-entry garage space under home and detached 2 car garage with finished room above. Lovely deck and screen room for outdoor enjoyment and large fenced in yard. 7+ acres of privacy includes separate partially cleared building lot. $249,900 FORKS PLANTATION. Cottage on Moxie Pond with approximately 0.83 acres of land. Three bedrooms with 2 lofts, kitchen/living room. Public gravel road, direct vent heater with approximately 119 feet frontage on the pond. Enjoy fishing from your dock. The perfect “get-away” spot for you. $119,900 HARTLAND. Two bedroom single wide that has been renovated to a Ranch style home. One floor living. New roof, windows, flooring, walls etc. Beautiful eat-in kitchen with Corian counters. Easy to heat. You are less than 1/2 mile to boat launch and swimming. Close to ITS trails. Two car detached garage. Quiet and peaceful surveyed lot. $77,000 WELLINGTON. Nice, off-the-grid cabin on 21 acres with spectacular view and over 1,000 feet of frontage on Wellington Bog (Higgins Stream). Enjoy fantastic hunting and cast to brook trout from your own property. This cabin has gas lights, gas refrigerator and range, and large sleeping area. Kingsbury road also serves as an ATV trail and snowmobile access is close by. Also enjoy easy access to Kingsbury Pond. $62,000 MOSCOW. Sit in your living room watching over beautiful Wyman Lake! Motivated Seller! Not far from the public boat launch for Wyman Lake, there are many snowmobiling and ATV trails in the area, woods to explore and white water rafting nearby. There is a large workshop and garage under the house to store your toys. $75,000 CONCORD. Beautiful, well-wooded 3.9 surveyed acre lot located on a private, gated road in the North Maine Woods. Enjoy 454 feet of frontage on Little Houston Brook. This is a perfect place to build your private get-away and listen to the waterfall. Thousands of acres at your doorstep to hunt, fish, ATV, or snowmobile. MUST SEE! $21,500 MOSCOW. 10.5 private acres on Austin Stream. Two driveways enter the property with one septic system in place and another septic system ready to finish. Snowmobile trail bisects the property and ATV access is allowed right on the main road. Great place to build your home or weekend getaway. $39,900 TROY. 47 acres of property with approximately 500 feet of frontage on Martin Stream. The property would make a nice spot for a camp. It is isolated, but easily accessed. Excellent wildlife, ITS trail borders property. 45 minutes to the Belfast Coast. Access to surrounding public land. Troy has over 3000 acres of town owed lands. $59,900 ANSON. 32 surveyed acres on a year’ round road. This property has incredible views. Electricity available at the road. This is certainly worth a look! $59,900

Enfield - 3 bedroom lakefront house. Oversized 1 car garage, beautifully landscaped front yard, paved drive. Open floor plan. Lots of glass on the front looks towards lake. Swimming, fishing, and more all on Cold Stream Pond. $237,500

Lakeville - Roomy log cabin with a loft. Mostly finished interior except the 12’x12’ addition added to the back that needs some finishing work. Wooded, 22 acre lot tucked away on private gravel Bear Mountain Road. $52,900

Prentiss - 2 bedroom camp plus 2 lofts. Drilled well, septic, 56 wooded acres. Read a book, build a fire or enjoy outdoor recreational pursuits. Camp sits ¼ mile back from seldom used Independence Circle. $65,000

Lincoln - 2 bedrooms, kitchen with granite countertops, dining room, den, 1st floor laundry, enclosed porch, patio, paved drive, garage, magnificent views of the lake, large lot, cold water fishing on Big Narrows. Reduced to $149,900

Molunkus - Ready for immediate use! Nice 2 bedroom camp, sleeping loft, screen porch and electricity 300’ from Molunkus Lake with public boat landing, sited on leased lot on S. Molunkus Road. Reduced to $19,900

Springfield - Beautiful 2 bedroom log sided cabin, well-built and maintained. Electricity, dug well, sited on 12 acres at the base of a hardwood ridge, beside a little brook on year round Bottle Lake Road. $69,900

T6 ND - Beautiful 1.32 acre lot, huge hemlock trees, little undergrowth, driveway, privy, electric onsite, nice views, deep cold water fishing with access to more, 224’+/- along W. Grand Lake. $110,777 Lincoln - Close to Upper & Folsom Ponds boat landings, 3.52 acres, driveway, gravel pad, gray water bed, snowmobile/ATV trails, ideal for outdoor enthusiasts sited on Pierce Webber Road. Reduced to $18,900 Winn - Amazing recreational area, 5+/acre lot, building site nestled amongst pine trees, more land & frontage available, 370’+/- along the clear, clean Mattawamkeag River. $32,000 Winn - 2.8+/- acre riverfront lot, electricity available, year round access, outdoor recreation in every direction, minutes to Lincoln’s amenities, 265’+/- on the mighty Penobscot River. $23,500

R E A L

E S T A T E

5 LAKE STREET, P.O. BOX 66, LINCOLN 207-794-2460 www.cwalakestreet.com E-mail: cwa@cwalakestreet.com

1-800-675-2460 Call any of our brokers to work for you!

“Tate” Aylward ................ 794-2460 Peter Phinney.................. 794-5466 Kirk Ritchie...................... 290-1554

FOR COMPLETE INFORMATION ON OUR PROPERTIES VISIT OUR WEB SITE AT CWALAKESTREET.COM

www.MaineSportsman.com

84 • October 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��

GEAR UP FOR HUNTING SEASON

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Designed with the help of Maine State Game Wardens, it’s the same one they carry

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TRUSTED GEAR. LEGENDARY SERVICE. EXPERT ADVICE. ALL AT OUR HUNTING & FISHING STORE. Looking for a new or used long gun? Come in and check out our extensive selection firsthand, available from over two dozen manufacturers. We can also special order firearms, ammunition, optics and more. Contact our firearms experts at usedguns@llbean.com or call 207.552.7728. Find store directions and see our calendar of free clinics & upcoming events at

LLBEAN.COM/FREEPORT www.MaineSportsman.com 17SPAD5333.indd 1

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