The Maine Sportsman - October 2019 Digital Edition

Sportsman The Maine

October 2019 • $4.99

Moose Hunting with Mom Page 19

It’s Upland Game Season!

Pages 8, 18, 49, 51, 64, 71

George Smith’s Lifetime Pursuit of Trout Page 16

Gearing Up Your ATV for Hunting Season Page 33

Target Practice at 1,200 Yards Page 55

Deer Stand Placement Page 26

2 • October 2019 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————————————

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4 • October 2019 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Editorial

New England’s Largest Outdoor Publication

Sportsman The Maine

Expanded Turkey Hunting Opportunities —

DIF&W Makes Good on its Promise

On March 25th of this year, the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife testified before a legislative committee in opposition to LD 1117, titled “An Act to Encourage Turkey Hunting.”

The bill would have eliminated the requirement to register killed birds. Instead, at the end of the season, hunters would have been required to report the number of birds taken.

It’s unusual for state departments to oppose legislation, but had the bill been enacted into law, DIF&W would have lost an important tool used to manage wild turkey populations.

In the past few years, the department estabKudos to the department for acting lished a web-based registration system – not with near-record speed to make changes for individual hunters, that will give hunters additional but for the tagging sta- opportunities to help manage Maine’s tion operators. When a large turkey population. tagging station employee enters information on harvested game, the department can view that information immediately – or, as the technology folks say, “in real time.”

In addition, for several years the department has worked with a professor and several grad students at the University of Maine to implement a “Mark/Recapture” system of tagging turkeys, as a way of measuring harvest rates. Other birds are fitted with radio transmitters, to keep track of movement patterns.

If the turkey registration process were discontinued, the department would lose this important feedback system, since the tagging station employees supervise the registration and ensure that tags and radio transmitters are gathered and returned to the department.

In testifying on behalf of the department, DIF&W’s resource manager Jim Connolly asserted that the bill’s supporters and his department shared a common goal – to reduce the numbers of turkeys in areas where the populations were flourishing. Connolly told the committee his department was drafting a regulation that would increase the bag limit for the fall season to five birds in much of York County, Cumberland County and into Kennebec County. He said they were prepared to open the fall season two weeks early, establish a Fall Youth Day, and expand the types of shotguns and loads that were legal for turkey hunting.

In the face of the department’s opposition, the committee agreed to “carry over” the bill to next session – in effect saying, “Let’s see how this rule comes out, and how fast you can implement it.”

Well, the department held up its end of the implied bargain. On May 21st, fewer than 60 days from the date the testimony was presented to the legislative committee, the department’s Advisory Council voted near-unanimously to adopt the proposal.

So this fall, hunters in many central and southern WMDs can take two turkeys per day, and five for the season.

Kudos to the department for acting with near-record speed to make changes that will give hunters additional opportunities to help manage – and reduce – Maine’s large turkey population.

“

”

www.MaineSportsman.com

¶

ISSN 0199-036 — Issue No. 565 • 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 Second class postage paid at Scarborough, ME 04074 and additional entry offices.

All editorial inquiries should be emailed to will@mainesportsman.com Phone: 207-622-4242 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........................... 8 A Warden’s Life by Warden Lt. Bill Allen (Ret.)................ 41 Big Game Hunting by Joe Saltalamachia...................... 28 Big Woods World by Nick Campagna............................ 31 Bird of the Month by Erika Zambello................................ 14 Downeast by Jim Lemieux................................................ 51 Editorial.................................................................................. 4 Freshwater Fly Fishing by Lou Zambello........................... 45 Jackman by William Sheldon........................................... 42 Jottings by Jon Lund............................................................ 6 Katahdin Country by William Sheldon............................. 24 Kate’s Wild Kitchen by Kate Krukowski Gooding........... 22 Letters to the Editor.............................................................. 5 Maine Sportswoman by Christi Holmes........................... 55 Maine Wildlife by Tom Seymour....................................... 18 Maine Wildlife Quiz by Steve Vose................................... 46 Midcoast by Tom Seymour............................................... 58 Moosehead by Tom Seymour.......................................... 49 My Maine by George Smith.............................................. 16 New Hampshire by Ethan Emerson.................................. 23 Off-Road Traveler by William Clunie................................ 56 Outdoor Chronicle by Ed Pineau..................................... 73 Quotable Sportsman by George Smith........................... 17 Rangeley Region by William Clunie................................. 71 Riding Shotgun by Robert Summers................................. 74 Saltwater by Barry Gibson................................................. 53 Sebago to Auburn Region by Tom Roth......................... 64 Self-Propelled Sportsman by Jim Andrews...................... 70 Shooter’s Bench by Col. J.C. Allard................................. 61 Smilin’ Sportsman: Adults & Kids by Will Lund.................. 74 Sporting Environment by David Van Wie........................ 47 Southern Maine by Val Marquez..................................... 68 Trapping The Silent Places by David Miller...................... 59 Trading Post (Classifieds)................................................... 75 Trout Fishing by Tom Seymour........................................... 63 Western Maine Mountains by William Clunie.................. 66 Young Maine Sportsman by Luke Giampetruzzi............ 69

GUEST COLUMNS & SPECIAL SECTIONS

ATVing in Maine by Steve Carpenteri............................. 33 Deer Hunting in Maine by Nate Grove............................ 26 Gramp’s Canoe Hits a Bus by Randy Randall................ 32 Moose Hunting in Maine by Steve Vose......................... 19 Snowmobiling in Maine by Steve Carpenteri................. 37 Youth Writing Contest Winner Story by Emilie Rich......... 44 Use a Long Rod by David Putnam................................... 48 On the Cover:

This is an exciting time of year for those hunters fortunate enough to have been selected for a moose permit. Even those chosen are still subject to the “luck of the draw” when it comes to WMDs – success rates last year ranged from 86% (344 moose) taken in WMD 1 (the northeast corner of The County), to a mere 5% (a single moose, out of 20 permits issued) in WMD 16, which is centered in Mt. Vernon and includes Leeds, New Sharon and Belgrade. Good luck to hunters and sub-permittees!

Letters

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To The Editor

Pickerel Toothpicks To the Editor:

In a recent “Maine Wildlife” column (August, 2019 issue), Tom Seymour wrote about the fun he has catching and eating chain pickerel.

He said that if an angler spends some time with a fillet knife he can avoid most of the bones, and “the few soft, tiny bones that remain” don’t cause much of a problem.

Well, with all due respect to Mr. Seymour, I beg to differ.

I spent my early life fishing for pickerel and picking the bones out of my teeth.

Most fish can make a very tasty “chowdah,” but if you want fish chowder, and you have only pickerel, you have a problem.

John J. Walsh —

State Offers Trophy Saltwater Fish Club To the Editor:

We have watched with interest as The Maine Sportsman has administered the “One that Didn’t Get Away” Club for freshwater fish, and the new “Catch and Release” club, also for freshwater fish.

Tell us – does The Maine Sportsman recognize trophy saltwater fish?

Here in the shadow of the Penobscot Narrows Bridge, we are in striped bass country.

We think it would be great if the Sportsman associated stripers with your patch clubs.

The Folks at Rego’s Custom Tackle Prospect, Maine Editor’s Response – An official recognition program for trophy saltwater fish caught on rod and reel already exists, but it’s not administered by the Maine Sportsman. Rather, it’s run by the state’s Department of Marine Resources (DMR), and it’s called the “Tackle-Busters Club.”

To find the application, rules, and photos of current members of this club, go to MDR’s website, www.Maine.gov/dmr. Once there, click on the “Recreational Fishing” tab, and under “Participation Activities,” select “Tackle-Busters Club.”

According to the rules, a qualifying striped bass must be 25 pounds or 42 inches.

And even though the application has a space for “Witness of Weight or Certified By,” the rules make clear that “Anglers who wish to qualify for Tackle-Busters in the Striped bass or Bluefish category but wish to release their fish unharmed may do so if the fish meets the minimum total length requirement” and that “a photo of the fish beside a tape measure would provide the necessary verification of size.”

Here are the minimum sizes to qualify for club membership:

Saltwater Tackle-Busters Minimum Size Requirements

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Black sea bass: 2 lbs.

Bluefin tuna: 300 lbs.

Bluefish: 15 lbs. or 36 inches Cusk: 12 lbs.

Haddock: 7 lbs.

Halibut: 50 lbs.

Mackerel: 2 lbs.

Mako shark: 250 lbs.

Monkfish: 20 lbs.

Pollock: 25 lbs.

Porbeagle shark: 200 lbs.

Redfish: 2 lbs.

Shad: 21 inches Striped bass: 25 lbs. or 42 inches Tautog: 3 lbs.

Thresher shark: 200 lbs.

White Hake: 25 lbs.

Whiting (silver hake): 3 lbs.

Winter Flounder: 2 lbs.

Lewis Hazelwood holds up his tacklebuster 47-pound white hake. Photo courtesy of Captain Tim Tower, and Maine DMR

¶

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6 • October 2019 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————————————

As Youngster, Author Trolled with J. T. Buel Jigs A famous early fishing lure came about accidentally. Julio Buel, a fisherman who lived in Vermont, accidentally dropped a small spoon into a stream. As he watched the spoon sink, wobbling and flashing, a large trout bit it and swam away. It was apparently an “Aha!” moment for the angler.

Buel’s interest and patience led him to research the sizes and colors of artificial lures that attract fish, and in 1852 he applied for and received a patent on the first fishing lure. J. T. Buel manufactured and sold many popular trolling lures.

When my brother Mort and I started fishing in the early 1930s, we used long bamboo poles perhaps fourteen feet long, with a bobber, sinker and worm. When the bobber danced, we’d call it the appetizer. When the bobber disappeared, we’d hoist the fish, usually a yellow

Propelled by our family’s Elto Ace 1-3/4 h.p. outboard motor, we trolled along the shore of Rouses Point, on the Plattsburgh, N.Y. side of Lake Champlain. We caught lots of yellow perch, an occasional smallmouth bass and sometimes a walleye pike.

Vintage J. T. Buel jigs. Photo by Joan Sturmthal

perch, into the boat, unhook it, break its neck and toss it into the bucket, to

be later skinned and fried for supper.

Graduated to Trolling Later, we graduated to trolling. We each had

a Bristol telescoping steel rod, and a Portage Pastime level wind reel, a sinker, short leader and a J. T. Buel feather jig with a treble hook and a nightcrawler.

Dad, or our family friend Walter, operated the Elto Ace 1-3/4 h.p. outboard motor, steering along the shore of Rouses Point, on the Plattsburgh, N.Y. side of Lake Champlain. We caught lots of yellow perch, an occasional smallmouth bass and sometimes, a walleye pike.

I found a couple of J.T. Buel jigs in an old tackle box. They are collectors’ items now, for folks who want a lure made by the holder of the first fishing lure patent.

The jigs are carefully constructed, with a snap on the upstream end, to which a box swivel is attached. In the middle, a bunch of white feathers is tied, with a red feath(Continued on next page)

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ing a seine. Several men unrolled a long net from the stern of a rowboat as it travelled in a large semi-circle away from the sand beach. The seine had sinkers at the bottom edge, and small floats at the top.

After the rowboat came ashore, the men got out and two groups of men, one at each end, began dragging the net ashore. The net had a bag in the middle that held a lot of fish.

As the bag came ashore on the sand beach, the men grabbed fish, mostly perch, and put them into burlap bags.

A lone eel wiggled across the beach.

In no time, the men loaded all the fish, rolled

(Continued from page 6)

er on the outside. A second snap is built into the downstream end, to which a treble hook is attached.

A small wire loop is soldered to the spinner blade and hooked to a clevis attached to the jig, with small washers to insure smooth turning. The net result is a slow-turning spinner ahead of a red and white body and angleworm that apparently was a winning combination.

Seining – An Effective Way to Catch Fish One day on the shore of Lake Champlain, we witnessed another, less sporting but very productive form of fishing – us-

up the seine, stowed it in a truck with the bags of fish and drove away down the beach.

It was probably illegal, but those were Depression years, when hungry mouths had to be fed, one way or another.

Our family used to summer in a primitive camp in Plattsburgh, N.Y. When World War II came and long-distance travel became difficult, Dad purchased a camp on Cobbosseecontee.

Mort and I became more interested in casting for bass than in trolling for perch, and the J. T. Buel trolling jigs were put away.

¶

Chloe Mannette and Myles, a chocolate lab, show off the results of a successful pheasant hunt in Windham. Chloe’s great-grandfather is The Maine Sportsman’s Downeast Region columnist, Jim Lemieux. Photo by Rick Lemieux.

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8 • October 2019 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————————————

So Many Feathers, So Few Days For upland bird hunters and waterfowlers, Aroostook’s autumn foliage and multiple shotgunning opportunities throughout October seem like Heaven on Earth.

The stumbling block for the common, everyday working sportsman is too many options and too few opportunities to go gunning.

As expected, weekends tend to draw the heaviest pressure and some crowding, despite Northern Maine’s vast woodlands and waterways. I suggest taking a day off during the week and multitasking: • Duck hunting a pond at sunrise, then beating the brush for grouse and woodcock in the afternoon; or • Driving woods roads for partridge as the frost melts in the morning sun, and then setting out a field spread for ducks and geese a couple of hours before sunset.

Mud Hole Mallards Puddle duck hunting

We were puzzled to see a flock of ducks set their wings and land out of sight, in an area we knew there were no waterways or grain fields. When we investigated, we discovered a muddy puddle of rain water the size of a trailer truck which hosted about 75 mallards, black ducks, and a few teal!

After a couple of days of rain, many potato fields in Aroostook form their own miniponds. For some reason, local ducks flock to these waterholes to rest, relax and feed.

Here, Buddy Horr of Dedham prepares to set out a few decoys for a Mud Hole Hunt.

All photos by Bill Graves

should be outstanding this fall, since every pot hole, pond and puddle

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black ducks this spring.

More and more Aroostook outdoorsmen have been

getting into duck hunting the last few seasons.

Thankfully, the Crown of Maine abounds with farm fields and thousands of bogs, marshes, lakes, rivers, and farm ponds to harbor ducks and to hunt. Waterfowlers can jump-shoot, float streams, set out decoys on waterways or in fields, or pass-shoot traveling flocks.

However, even with the vast area and gunning options, crowding and heavy pressure can affect popular locations.

About 10 years ago, Bill Norsworthy – a longtime hunting buddy from Presque Isle – and I, discovered by sheer serendipity another occasional duck gunning option that no one else seemed to be taking advantage of.

While out driving around scouting for birds, we spotted a flock flying from a nearby reservoir suddenly set their wings and drop below the tree line.

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Calvin Prest and his canine companion enjoyed rewarding duck gunning on a temporary mud hole pond in a potato field just 10 minutes from home in Blaine. Photos by Bill Graves (Continued from page 8)

that we knew there were no waterways or grain fields in that area – only recently-harvested potato fields.

When we went to investigate, sneaking and peeking over the ridge line, there in a low spot of the field was a muddy puddle of rain water the size of a trailer truck. On and around it were about 75 mallards, black ducks, and a few teal! Thus began our series of annual mud hole hunts.

Ducks Galore!

The following afternoon about three hours before dusk, we set out a dozen decoys and a spinning wing drake mallard on a pole in the giant mud puddle. Bill and I put out a piece of waterproof canvas on the wet ground, lay on top, and covered ourselves with dark camo cloth and dead potato tops we’d gathered from the field.

We each had our limit of birds in less than an hour – they came in pairs or small flocks of 6 to 10 ducks, nearly landing on top of us. To this day I still can’t understand why ducks will leave a nearby lake or pond to dabble, splash and feed in a mud hole – it’s got to have something to do with the soft ground, nutrients and plants the accumulated rain water creates.

These spots only occur after a couple of days

Wandering the Aroostook woods roads and old logging trails in search of partridge requires keen eyes and ears, Can you spot the bird the author actually heard running in the leaves before seeing it?

of steady rain and last less than a week, but at least a couple of times each fall the chance arises. Find such a mud puddle within a mile of any river or pond that holds ducks, and you’ll enjoy early morning and late afternoon shooting. Odds are you won’t encounter another waterfowler – they’re all on the waterways or in dry fields!

Find Your Own Mud Hole!

Although just a bit of scouting after a day or two of autumn precipitation will likely help locate a field puddle near your home town, here’s a starting point for central Aroostook duck hunters – check the fields along the Conant Road, Maple Grove Road, Route 167 and their side roads and agri-field two tracks.

There are well over a dozen roost waters from which the ducks fly to

nearby mud pot holes, including Christina and Josephina reservoirs, Bishop, Tuttle, and Bryant Ponds, Fisher Lake and the Aroostook River.

Review Delorme’s Atlas, Map 65, D-2 and D-3 for likely fields where wet weather puddles likely occur.

Since these shortlived puddles occur only after significant rain, it’s usually a walk-in hunt unless there’s a very close field road. A dozen decoys are plenty, a layout blind will work, but it’s an extra burden when a lightweight waterproof tarp and camo cover will suffice.

Mallards in the mud – it’s a dirty job, but someone has to do it!

Grouse Gunning Partridge are just about as common as robins in Aroostook, and most hunters need not drive more than 10 min-

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There are plenty of grouse this season, and thousands of acres woodland throughout The County to hunt. Here, Bill Graves retrieves a bird taken with an aging Stevens O/U .22 and 20 gauge -- a versatile combo he has lugged for over 50 years.

utes from their homes to find a safe location to shoot. As a matter of fact, a lot of sportsmen head for the deep woods, driving an hour or more, thinking there are more grouse and fewer hunters.

Two problems here – first, most everyone else heads for the North Maine Woods thinking the same thing; and second, you probably drove right past some great bird cover a lot closer to home.

If you live within 15 minutes of Westfield and have a couple of hours before work, there is a spiderweb of gravel back roads and old logging trails around Burnt Land Marsh to drive or walk.

Access can be had from the Shorey Road off Route 1 in Westfield or via Mill-

er Road near Young’s Brook in Mars Hill. There are several hardwood ridges to explore, and a couple of wetland areas where both partridge and woodcock abide, offering shooters with a keennosed setter or pointer some fast-flushing feathered quarry.

Check out the roads between Pretty Brook and Clark Brook, and there are several other excellent trails a bit northwest around Burnt Land Brook and Beaver Brook. If you happen to have a Zone 6 moose permit this month during either of the two week-long seasons, this would be an excellent area to explore for fur as well as feathers.

Find this area on the DeLorme Atlas, Map 59, (Continued on next page)

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10 • October 2019 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Mike Wallace of Freeport spent a morning in Aroostook with cousin Bill Graves and fourlegged companion Maddie for a combo grouse and woodcock hunt.

If you’re a lucky lottery winner in the moose drawing and are in search of a hefty cow, there are many productive roads and trails near Blackstone Siding west of New Sweden.

The County (Continued from page 9)

A-1 and A-2. It’s close to home, full of wildlife and well worth a visit.

Zone 2 Moose While on the subject of moose, sportsmen with a permit in Zone 2 for either October season might want to head up Route 161 to New Sweden. Then imitate

the early pioneers and “Go West, young man” – drive the Westmanland Road, which turns into Blackstone Road, and then just keep driving myriad connecting side roads through expansive woodlands until a moose appears. This is a very frequent occurrence

throughout this region, and a likely area to find a bragging-size bull.

Some sportsmen feel that calling isn’t as effective this month, but I would certainly try it early and late in the day.

There are dozens of likely spots to set up and call along the Airplane Road, as well as some marshy locations along Little Madawaska River and the Old B & A railroad

There are two week-long moose seasons this month, and hefty bulls like this beauty are fairly common sights in Zones 6 and 2.

track bed.

Give each calling location at least 30 to 45 minutes before moving on, and repeat several calls at 10-minute intervals.

Watch open areas closely and listen well – it’s not uncommon to hear a big bull before seeing him.

Look over your DeLorme Atlas, Map 64, A-3 and A-4 for an overall view of the many interesting roads, trails, bogs

Aroostook County

and ridges to visit. Partridge hunting is top-rate throughout this region as well, so lug a scattergun along.

This is a month of many options, so get out early and often, and multitask your days for different quarry.

Remember – time passes quickly, and it’s a long winter!

¶

— The Crown of Maine —

When Mike Moreau is not busy promoting The Maine Sportsman, he gets a little fishing in. Here, he holds a 34-inch, 13-pound muskie, caught in July in the far northwest corner of Maine.

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Almanac

����������������������������������������������������The Maine Sportsman • October 2019 • 11

Compiled and Edited by — Will Lund —

“Snapshots in Time”

Excerpts from the Annals of Maine’s Sporting Past Submitted by Bill Pierce, of the Outdoor Sporting Heritage Museum in Oquossoc, Maine In my years with IFW and as a sportsman afield, I’ve heard a few interesting stories about close encounters with moose. In this very column, I once shared the story from an old newspaper about the timber boss over in early 20th century Bingham who had gotten fed up with a bull moose that kept treeing him and his woods crew. The irascible bull had, on multiple occasions, put the whole lot of them to the branches, and the fed-up boss finally shot it from aloft.

He was summonsed by the warden for “Taking a moose out of season,” and then fought the case and won on a claim of self-defense. Another encounter always comes to mind about now-retired Game Warden Norm Lewis, who was attacked by a bull he thought had been immobilized with at least two severely fractured legs and was lying in a field close to the road where he had been struck by a car. As Norm was maneuvering to take a safe shot to humanely dispatch the critically injured bull in the semi-suburban setting, nature’s miracle and temporary remedy, adrenaline, kicked in. Impossibly, the big fellah arose on flopping extremities and charged Norm, pinning him against some small saplings that thankfully recoiled

like springs and spared Lewis from a severe goring.

Norm dropped the shotgun he could no longer bring to bear and “grasping the bull by the horns” with one hand, pulled his sidearm and placed a round just behind the Medical Miracle Moose’s left ear, thus ending the struggle.

Lots of us have moose encounter stories, but few like that of the brave and fortunate Warden Lewis … and the one that follows, found in the Rangeley Lakes, December 5, 1895 edition.

Always give these “Monarchs of the Forest” a wide berth as you venture forth to make some Outdoor History of your own!

The following story from Harper’s Round Table written by Hubert Earl is an interesting tale of interest to all frequenters of the Rangeleys. It will be needless to add that “Billy” is our genial Billy Soule, of Pleasant Island Camps, though the storyteller does not inform his readers of that part. Sitting around the fireplace at the camp’s main lodge, Mr. Earl sees the mount of a head of a magnificent bull moose with immense spreading antlers. The moose has a look it its eye Mr. Earl describes as “savage.” He

Here, famous guide, camp owner and moose wrangler Billy Soule admires a couple of nice whitetail bucks taken along the Cupsuptic River. That river was also the site of Billy’s escapade with a huge bull moose, which is described in this month’s “Snapshots in Time.”

asks the camp’s owner, Billy, to tell the story of the moose. Billy’s story begins below:

Straddled on a Mad Moose

“It was ten years ago this coming winter,” explained Billy, “when I had a camp near the mouth of the river below here.

Some of you saw what’s left of it when you came over the Parmachenee trail yesterday.

I was all alone that fall, except for an occasional hunter or so going up the trail, and for some reason, deer were scarce.

“Well, I was hugging the fire one cold evening early in November, when I heard a loud crash outside the camp. Now that meant one of two things: either a windfall had taken place, or some large game was floundering through the bog near at hand.

Seizing my rifle, I slipped out of the cabin.

“I looked in the direction from which the crash had come, but I could see nothing.

Softly launching my canoe, I placed the rifle in the bottom of it, to be handy, you know, and started to paddle up the stream a little way.

“I had probably gone about fifty feet when a branch snapped, and then came a tremendous crash. The sound was close at hand, and I gave a quick look in the direction whence it came. The night was too

black to see much, but I made out the huge stump of a tree that I had often thrashed for trout from. Immediately back of this stump lay a tangle of dead trees.

“I had stopped paddling, and the current of the stream was slowly drifting the canoe towards it, and, with my rifle ready, I waited for a sight of the game. Judging from the noise of the last crash, I knew it must be near the stump. Most of you boys can appreciate what my feelings were at the moment, for I felt pretty sure of big game and a good stock of meat.

“It took but a few seconds to drift around to the lee of that stump, and I quickly brought up with a thump against some of the dead wood in the bog. What I saw gave me a start, for there in the deep shadow stood the largest bull moose it has ever been my fortune to run across.

“Well, I’m an old hunter, guide, or whatever you want to call me, and have tracked deer from boyhood, also bear, moose and caribou, but, boys, when I saw that magnificent bull glaring at me, I grew feverish with excitement, and for a few moments I sim-

ply stared back at him. I guess we were not more than twenty feet apart, and as far as I could tell through the steam risin’ from him, he was caught in the bog some way, and was fighting mad. ‘‘I had been at close quarters with moose before, but never saw such dangerous-looking eyes. Raising my gun, I aimed as well as I could just back of his foreshoulder. I felt shaky, though, and the sights went bobbing up and down like a cork float. I tried hard to get her steady, and when I had her fairly so, I fired.

“There was a most unearthly, savage cry, and the dark body with those fearful eyes and antlers launched itself forward at me. I had hit him, but as I afterward discovered, the bullet had cut along through the skin behind the forelegs, and the pain forced the supreme effort by which he freed himself from the bog.

“He was rapidly coming for me when I let fly at him again. By this time my blood was up, mad with disgust at having missed killing him at such close range. I hit him the second time, and hit him hard, but on (Almanac continued on next page) www.MaineSportsman.com

12 • October 2019 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Knots to Know: The Bowline Knot

Almanac

(Continued from page 11)

he came as though nothing could stop him, and I had just time enough to plant another bit of lead in him when he threw himself half out of the water and planted his forehooves clean through the canoe.

“I knew I could never get away from him, as his savage eyes were watching me, so when I saw what his game was, I made a leap for his back as his hoofs went crashing through the canoe. As I landed on him, I caught his antlers with one hand, drawing my knife with the other.

“Well boys, I actually laughed at my queer position, and I dare say that moose was more than surprised. For a moment he couldn’t realize where I had gone to and what was on his back. That moment of hesitation probably saved my life, for I reached over and drove the knife into him as near the heart as I could judge.

“There were a few seconds of trouble, during which I hung on to his antlers, until finally, with a toss of his head, he threw me out into the stream. I had lost my knife in the struggle and knew if he was not done for, it was all up with me. So, I swam away as rapidly as I could, expecting every minute to hear him after me.

“But his last effort had settled him, and with a cry of satisfaction, I looked around, to find him again caught in the bog. He was dead at last, and with a rope I hitched him to the stump.

The next morning, I hauled him up to the camp, and, after some trouble secured the canoe and rifle. He gave me the gamiest fight of my life, and that is the reason his head— the finest specimen you’ve probably seen, stands in the camp today.”

—

by Bill Graves

It’s been called the most useful knot in the world, since it’s fast and simple to tie, it does not slip, and it can be untied easily even after a great stress and pressure has been put on it.

The bowline is crucial for boating, waterfowling, camping and many other outdoor sports. It can be tied around or through objects. It can even around yourself, with only one hand if you’re injured or there is an emergency. It’s a vital, versatile knot to know.

Here are two illustrations of the bowline knot.

It’s one of the most important knots an outdoorsperson can learn to tie. Photo on Right by 101knots.com

To tie the bowline, 1) make a small overhand loop in the standing part of a rope (the longer length); 2) bring the end of the rope up though the loop, 3) around and behind the standing part, and then 4) back down into the loop.

Practice until you can tie the knot in the dark, under water, upside down and with one hand.

—

Meet the Newest Wardens: Game Warden Jake Voter

Game Warden Jake Voter was raised in Avon, Maine. He grew up hunting and fishing with his grandfather and father, leading to a lifelong love of the outdoors. When not hunting and fishing, he spent time working on the family woodlot.

Voter graduated from Mt. Abram High School, and attended the University of Maine at Presque Isle. He graduated with a degree in Forestry from the University of Maine.

Following college, Voter worked as a forester and logging contractor, and ran his own business for over 20 years.

Voter entered the Maine Warden Service (Continued on next page)

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����������������������������������������������������The Maine Sportsman • October 2019 • 13

our computer-oriented mariner friends] 3) A Loan at Last [For the poor sap who finally raised his credit score sufficiently to buy a boat – so he can go quickly back into debt] —

(Continued from page 12)

as a deputy, working whitewater on the Kennebec in the summer of 2017, and then was hired as a full-time game warden in January of 2018.

After completing the training program, Voter began work covering The Forks district as a full-time game warden.

Voter resides in The Forks and Cornville with his wife and four children. He raises beef cows, and enjoys hunting, fishing, trapping and recreating outdoors.

—

Kayakers Benefit from Stick-on LED Lights; Lit Gloves

Kayaks in open water share something in common with bicyclists on city streets and narrow country roads – namely, it’s important to be seen by those under power.

Keep the Home Fires Burning: Puffin’Billy

Ever since the invention of fire, man has understood the need for the flame to get oxygen – the more the better. That’s why forges have bellows.

But what about the outdoorsman who wants to get the campfire or wood stove burning hot – or to resuscitate a fire that has gone to a few coals overnight?

You can try fanning the fire with your hat, thereby sending a shower of sparks in all directions. You can put your face near the fire and blow air directly from your lips – which can lead to a medical condition known as NES (“No-eyebrows Syndrome”).

Or you can use a fire-blowing tube, also known as a blow-pipe or “pocket bellows.”

The late Bill Holmbom of Monson introduced the editor to a simple version of the device, which he named a “Puffin’Billy.” His model consisted solely of a length of copper tubing left over from the jobs of piping LP gas to the camp’s lights and appliances.

Store-bought fire-blowing tubes are now

Demonstration of the proper use of a Puffin’Billy.

available, including some that telescope like an old car antenna to fit into a backpack, and others with a portion of flexible tubing so they can stow easily.

Bill Holmbom’s advice for new users of the Puffin’Billy was as simple as his device itself: “Whatever you do, don’t breathe in.”

—

More Boat Names

At least once a year we take a stroll down to the docks, to see what wit, whimsy or irony is to be gleaned from the names painted across the transoms of Maine boats.

This month’s favorites: 1) Unsinkable II [Kinda makes you wonder what happened to “Unsinkable I,” doesn’t it?]

2) Error 404: FISH NOT FOUND [For

Waterproof LED lights affixed to a kayaker’s gloves provide a moving clue of the presence of the low-slung boats, especially to powerboaters.

Kayaks sit low in the water, and while the hulls on some are bright yellow or red, a surprising number are “Ocean Blue” or “Sunset Maroon,” causing them to blend into the background as they are making their way back to the dock or beach from Fort Gorges or other popular destinations.

Bright-Strike Technologies, Inc. is offer(Continued on next page)

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14 • October 2019 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Well, THAT Didn’t Take Long!

Recent Splake Record Surpassed

A mere three months ago, we helped Ciera Hamlin celebrate her then-state record 11.38-pound splake. That mark stood until recently, when Andrew Leavitt of Greene, Maine hauled this 14.7-pound monster out of Pleasant Pond in Turner.

Once the paperwork is complete, Drew’s name will be posted on the state record leaderboard maintained by The Maine Sportsman.

Concerned that his huge catch might be a togue in disguise, Drew submitted the entire fish to Maine state biologists for testing. Their determination -- 100% splake!

We will carry Drew’s complete story of the catch in a future issue of The Sportsman.

Congratulations, Drew!

Almanac (Continued from page 13)

LED lights can also be affixed to the kayak’s hull, and are designed to make the small boats as visible as possible.

ing a solution.

Just as LED lights have become a boon to bicyclists who want to be seen, so are the same bright, efficient lights now offered to kayakers – both in a “peel and stick” version that fastens to the hull, and in the form of lighted, fingerless kayaking gloves – red for the port side, and green for the starboard side.

The lights have various illumination modes, including steady light, or flashing.

From our perspective, it looks like a great idea!

—

2019 a Record Year for Threatened Piping Plovers

by Nick Lund, Maine Audubon

Beaches are a lovely place to visit, but a tough place to lay eggs. Piping Plovers try anyway. These cute little sandpipers nest among the dunes and wrack of Maine’s sandy beaches, permitting their tiny chicks direct access to food plucked from the sand. Though spending all your time at a beach sounds fun, it’s a very dangerous place to raise a family.

Nesting on a beach means there’s nowhere to hide from a predator like a crow or a fox. Piping Plovers are masterfully camouflaged to match the color of the sand, but they can put up little defense once spotted.

Beaches are also popular with humans, of course, who can unwittingly trample unseen nests or release pets that can harass the birds.

Times have been tough for Maine’s Piping Plovers, and in 1981 their population reached a nadir: only 10 pairs of birds in the entire state. www.MaineSportsman.com

Mainers took action. Thanks in large part to protections available after the Atlantic Coast Piping Plover was listed as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act, state and federal agencies, environmental groups like Maine Audubon, coastal towns and cities, and many volunteers worked to protect Piping Plovers on sandy beaches along the southern coast.

Nests were identified and fenced off.

Towns installed signage along their beaches informing visitors of bird nesting areas and best practices for a safe day at the beach.

Slowly, the Piping Plover population began to rise.

Over the past decade, the number of pairs of Piping Plovers fluctuated between the low twenties and the low forties. The state broke the 60-pair mark in 2015, and then set a new record in 2018 with 68 pairs. Our efforts were paying off. (For comparison’s sake, however, a total 2018 population of around 130 birds still made the Piping Plover likely the least numerous birds to nest in Maine. The state supports more than 6,000 pairs of another vulnerable bird, the Atlantic Puffin.)

2019 saw an incredible jump: 83 pairs, fledging more than 170 chicks. There were so many birds that some had to nest in unusual areas, like directly in front of the Ferris wheel at Palace Playland in Old Orchard Beach. This summer, birds nested on more than 25 of the state’s beaches.

Biologists aren’t exactly sure what’s causing the spike. Habitat has improved in some areas of the state, but not drastically. Plovers seem to be faring better through the winter on the beaches of Florida, the Bahamas, the Gulf Coast, and the Caribbean.

Whatever the reason, it’s welcome news, and further proof that when people work together to prevent extinction, species can and do recover.

—

Bird of the Month: Tricolored Heron

by Erika Zambello

As Maine turns cool and fire-colored leaves spread across our hardwood forests, many among us begin to reflect on the waning summer. For those interested in wildlife,

we bask in the memories of cool sightings, favorite species, and rare glimpses. In summer 2019, Mainers were treated to multi-hued views of the Tricolored Heron.

Tricolored Herons hail from the wading bird family, standing up to 27 inches tall, with a wing-span of over three feet. Common in Florida and Gulf-coast states year-round, their breeding range stretches up the Eastern Seaboard in the summer months.

In search of small fish, these herons strike up a fairly comical dance routine. Running this way and that, turning in rapid circles, they chase their prey back and forth before stabbing at them with sharp bills.

Few birds are as colorful as the Tricoloreds when in adult plumage. The front of their necks and bellies are bright white, contrasting against deep blue backs with a nearly purple sheen. Up close, their face and bills are a beautiful yellow, visible even in the dim light of the evening. In Maine, they may be mistaken for Little Blue Herons, but golden bills and areas with white feathers are distinct identification marks.

In the United States, approximately 194,000 Tricoloreds breed every year.

Though their populations appear relatively stable, they easily blend into their environments and are difficult to count accurately.

Always sensitive to habitat availability, their numbers fall off when coastal areas are destroyed, but rebound after restoration efforts.

To spot a Tricolored Heron during a Maine summer, head to coastal estuaries and protected saltmarshes, where they can be seen feeding. Even when in groups, they opt to hunt at the edge of the flock or completely alone.

¶

����������������������������������������������������The Maine Sportsman • October 2019 • 15

NOTE: This hunting season information was updated by MDIF&W since our last publication. The revised seasons and/or bag limits include turkey, ruffed grouse, pheasant, squirrel, hare, crow, and bobcat.

October 2019 Sunrise/Sunset Portland, ME DATE 1 Tue 2 Wed 3 Thu 4 Fri 5 Sat 6 Sun 7 Mon 8 Tue 9 Wed 10 Thu 11 Fri 12 Sat 13 Sun 14 Mon 15 Tue 16 Wed

RISE 6:37 6:38 6:39 6:40 6:41 6:42 6:44 6:45 6:46 6:47 6:48 6:50 6:51 6:52 6:53 6:54

SET 6:24 6:22 6:20 6:18 6:17 6:15 6:13 6:11 6:10 6:08 6:06 6:04 6:03 6:01 5:59 5:58

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

RISE 6:56 6:57 6:58 6:59 7:01 7:02 7:03 7:04 7:06 7:07 7:08 7:10 7:11 7:12 7:13

SET 5:56 5:54 5:53 5:51 5:50 5:48 5:46 5:45 5:43 5:42 5:40 5:39 5:38 5:36 5:35

October 2019 Tides Portland, ME DATE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

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

HIGH AM PM 1:17 1:37 2:10 2:27 3:05 3:21 4:03 4:18 5:05 5:19 6:07 6:22 7:10 7:25 8:10 8:24 9:02 9:16 9:48 10:02 10:29 10:44 11:06 11:22 11:40 11:59 — 12:13 12:35 12:45 1:10 1:17 1:46 1:51 2:25 2:30 3:08 3:16 3:59 4:09 4:56 5:09 5:58 6:13 7:02 7:21 8:05 8:26 9:03 9:26 9:56 10:22 10:47 11:16 11:36 — 12:08 12:24 1:00 1:12 1:51 2:01

LOW AM PM 7:22 7:53 8:12 8:47 9:05 9:44 10:01 10:45 11:01 11:48 — 12:04 12:52 1:09 1:55 2:11 2:50 3:06 3:38 3:53 4:18 4:34 4:55 5:12 5:28 5:47 6:00 6:22 6:32 6:56 7:06 7:32 7:42 8:11 8:21 8:55 9:05 9:44 9:56 10:39 10:54 11:38 11:56 — 12:41 1:02 1:45 2:09 2:45 3:11 3:40 4:07 4:31 5:01 5:21 5:52 6:10 6:43 6:58 7:34 7:47 8:25

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16 • October 2019 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————————————

A Generational Change in Streams, Trout, and Fishing Techniques To a 12-year-old boy, it was wilderness, a place of fantasy, escape and high adventure. The wilderness was only a short half-mile walk from his house to the very top of High Street, onto a tote road through a forest of sugar maples, huge oaks, and fir thickets, over the hill and into the next valley.

He’d seen bobcat, deer, partridge and lots of squirrels there, but it was along the small brook that meandered through the forested valley that he spent most of his time.

That cold sheltered brook held wild trout – many trout, colorful trout, huge 6- and 7-inch trout. He dreamed of them often.

But the reality was even better than his dreams. Nestled in his backpack along with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a candy bar, the boy carried a can of worms, usually dug from his 4-H award-winning garden out back of the house. Sometimes the can was brimming with huge nightcrawlers gently pulled from their holes on the front lawn during an evening rain storm when his parents allowed the boy to stay up late in order to replenish his crawler supply.

Sneaking across the lawn with a flashlight, quick reaction and fast hands were required to grab the crawlers, only partly out of their holes, while gentle hands were needed to coax them all the way out of the ground without ripping them apart. The boy was an expert. Sometimes he did so well on a rainy night that he could sell his surplus to other fishermen, friends of his Dad. They used the www.MaineSportsman.com

One facet of the author’s lifetime outdoors has remained constant and steadfast -- his rewarding pursuit of Maine brook trout. crawlers to catch perch in Maranacook Lake.

He never told them about the trout in the brook up over the hill.

Even then, he had an innate sense that too many fishermen could spoil a good thing. But he did take his buddies along sometimes, and they’d make a daylong adventure out of it.

Basic Gear His fishing gear was basic stuff. The boy had an old rod hardly longer than himself and a small spinning reel, something his Dad had discarded. A plain bare hook was tied onto the end of strong monofilament line – line hefty enough that he never lost a hook to bottom.

Ever. Which was a good thing, because he only had a couple of hooks.

His fishing technique was simple too. Sneak along the alders, poke the rod out over the brook just above those places where he knew a trout would be hiding, dip the hook with a gob of worms into the water, let it drift past the hiding place, and when the trout darted out, give the rod a sharp yank, which hooked the fish and pulled it right out of the water and onto the bank all in one motion.

The boy knew his water – every riffle, deep pool and long bank. He didn’t know this was called “reading the water.” He just knew where those trout lived. And he got to be an exceptional trout fisherman. Returning home on late afternoons with a creel – real-

ly just an old canvas bag he’d found in the barn – full of ten 6- and 7-inch trout – well, that was the finest kind of living for a twelve-year-old boy.

He’d clean the trout after he got home and his Mom would fry them up in corn meal in a huge old cast iron skillet for supper, with lots of praise for her little sportsman who could feed his family. And boy, did those trout taste great. For the rest of his life, there’d be no finer meal than wild brook trout, fried.

Times a-Changin’ Of course things change – even deep, cold, fast-rushing brooks – and when the boy returned to town after college to settle into the banking profession and trudged one Saturday morning up to the end of High Street, he was surprised to find that the street had been extended deep into his wilderness. Much of the forest was gone, and the last half mile of the brook he had fished so many times now flowed through a housing development.

He fished the entire length of the brook that day and caught only four trout, all less than 6 inches long. You can’t go back, even to fish.

So the boy moved on, buying a 12-foot boat to troll the lakes for brown trout that were introduced to those Maine waters that could no longer grow brook trout because of diminished water quality. What had led to the loss of brook trout? Some thought the trout were affected when water in

the small tributaries that fed the lakes was warmed by timber harvesting and development along their banks. Those tributaries had been trout factories in the old days. The young man thought about that, content to gas up the boat and troll for hours up and down the lake.

Sometimes he’d hit the ocean for a cooler-full of mackerel taken on Christmas tree rigs six at a time, as he and his Dad trolled John’s Bay in Pemaquid. Lots of fun.

Nothing like taking six fish at a time.

He clung to his worms too, filling up buckets with white perch during their spring spawning run, and taking stringers of huge bass off their spawning beds in late May and early June with those old reliable night crawlers.

Marriage and children intruded, reducing fishing time, but before he knew it, the kids were old enough to fish. He took them perch fishing. Soon they could fling a worm and bobber out there with the best of them. A feast of fried perch wasn’t hard to take, either. But the kids never fished on their own. “Kids these days have too many things to do,” he often said.

Dreaming of Trout Occasionally, he daydreamed about that wilderness trout stream up over High Street, but that only made him sad, so he stopped thinking about it.

He progressed in his profession, started his own consulting business,

and soon had amassed enough savings to think about buying a camp someplace up north in the real wilderness. More and more, he found himself thinking about the old brook, those colorful trout, and wilderness adventures.

His boy was ten years old and his girl was seven when the perfect camp was found on Sourdahunk Lake, just outside the northwest corner of Baxter Park, a forever-wild sanctuary of 46 mountains, dozens of small ponds and miles of mountain streams. And oh yes, lots of wild brook trout.

Just one problem – almost all of the waters were fly-fishing-only.

He’d read a bit about fly fishing, but had never tried it.

But the camp was perfect, the setting sublime, and they bought it in September as the brookies began to spawn.

Oh, how beautiful those fish were – and how difficult to catch.

With a borrowed fly rod and a few Royal Coachman flies, he flayed the water in great frustration. And caught just one trout all month. But it was gorgeous – 13 inches long and very tasty.

One month, one fish, but he was hooked on fly fishing.

The next spring, before going to camp, he attended LL Bean’s introductory 3-day fly fishing school, after which he headed to Sourdahunk with much more enthusiasm – and an improved casting motion – and of course with a lot more gear.

The new 8-weight rod (Continued on next page)

����������������������������������������������������The Maine Sportsman • October 2019 • 17 (Continued from page 16)

and a world-class collection of flies also helped.

He caught a few fish, enough to feed the family a supper of fried trout several times in May and June. Yummy.

Next Generation His boy began joining him at times, spending his time practicing casting with an old fly rod which his Grampy purchased at a yard sale and left at camp. Even Grampy was trying this new fly fishing thing.

But what really caught his attention was the daughter, casting from shore using an alder branch and string that her brother rigged up for her. She was amazing to watch. She really had the motion and rhythm down pat. Her little arm made a compact cast which was stunning in its simplicity and effectiveness.

One afternoon he took the kids to a nearby trout stream where worms were allowed and they limited out. But something didn’t feel right. The trout were tiny – barely legal at 6 inches. Didn’t fish that size used to thrill him, he wondered?

Learning How to Release So the next time they tried the trout stream, they took the fly rods and did just as well. And because they’d eaten their fill of trout by that time, they released every single trout. It felt kind of good.

As they trudged down the stream on their way out, a deer stepped into the water about 50 feet away and began drinking. When they got back to camp, there were plenty of stories to tell. The empty creel didn’t seem all that important.

And finally one evening as they enjoyed a stunning sunset while casting to rising trout on the lake, his son finally hit a ring and caught a trout, an eleven-inch beauty, his very first fish with a fly rod. Keeping his rod tip high, he handled it like a pro, bringing it quickly to the side of the boat. But when the father reached out to lift the fish into the boat, he heard his son say, “Dad, we don’t need that one.

Can we let it go?”

The boy’s first big trout on a fly rod. And he wanted to let it go. The father couldn’t believe it, and tried briefly to talk his son into keeping the fish, but the boy persisted. Lifting the fish gently from the water, the father twisted the fly out of the trout’s mouth, and gently released it back into the water.

After that, the father started to admire the boy’s casts. Somehow, quite suddenly, the boy was hitting every ring.

And the father was busy releasing trout, almost too busy to fish himself.

The next time the father did manage to catch a fish, he heard the boy

Quotable

say again, “Dad, we don’t need that one. Let it go.”

Oh, it was hard.

Catch-and-release was not his heritage. Trout in the creel was how he judged his success. It just didn’t seem right to let a keeper go. But for the boy’s sake, the father began releasing fish that evening.

Eventually, with both his son and daughter releasing nearly all their fish, the father caught the spirit. Now they measured their success by how many fish they released. Two or three suppers a summer of fried trout were sufficient. The rest went back into the lake.

He started thinking about that boyhood stream and all the fish he’d taken out of it. Could he have ruined it, before the developers ever arrived?

When his daughter was nine she could cast a beautiful line, so he bought her a 7 ½ foot 4-weight rod (OK, so he planned to use it himself, too, on some of those small alder-choked streams). The boy was twelve and tying flies by then, and had become nearly a fanatic about fly fishing. He’d gotten a nice 8 ½ foot 7-weight rod for Christmas.

Full Circle But the father could still out-fish the boy most of the time. Then one evening, when he had taken the boat out alone for the

George, shown here along the Leaf River in Quebec, has followed his passion for brook trout throughout Maine and beyond.

last half hour of fishing after the sun had set, to catch one fish for his morning’s breakfast, it happened.

The biggest trout of the evening was just 10 inches long, a bit disappointing in a lake that held lots of 13 and 14inch fish. But he kept it and returned to camp.

Stepping onto the camp’s porch, he heard the boy exclaim, “Dad, wait ’til you see my fish!”

Leading the father to the cooler on the porch, the boy shined his flashlight on a monstrous trout, a 16-inch beauty, the largest ever caught by our family here at camp. The boy had cast from shore shortly after sunset and landed the

Sportsman

permits. This year they will issue 68,145 permits, in 20 WMDs. The decrease comes in the northern and western sections of the state, where DIFW is concerned about the impact of a severe winter.”

“I think if we took a poll, it would be bass.”

Outdoor News, Bangor Daily News website, August 1, 2019 —

by George Smith

Roger Laflamme, Jr., Mainely Bass president, claiming that bass are Maine’s most popular fish. Our state currently hosts 300 bass fishing tournaments, and has about 50 bass fishing clubs. Deirdre Fleming story, Maine Sunday Telegram, July 21, 2019 — “DIFW will reduce any-deer permits by nearly 20% this year. Last year they issued 84,745

“Maine is home to more than 35,000 bears, and the population has been growing quickly over the past 15 years…. [However, DIFW] is putting off a plan to study how the consumption of human food (used as bear bait) affects the animals.”

Patrick Whittle story, Associated Press.

July 30, 2019 —

huge trout.

“Gee, Dad, what’s that puny fish you’ve got in your hand there,” laughed the boy. The father ignored the barb.

Looking longingly at his boy’s trout, he replied, “Son, that is a fantastic fish.” It was the only fish the boy kept all summer.

So it was that a twelve-year-old boy fishing a stream near home with worms and filling his creel nearly every time with 6-inch brook trout, turned into a different twelve-year-old boy casting flies to eager wild brookies on a northern pond and keeping only a single fish all summer long.

¶

“It takes a lot of nature to support a large animal, and if you hit one, you’re impacting nature in a bigger way than if you hit a small animal.”

Fraser Shilling, who is helping build a roadkill reporting system for Maine. Ian McKenzie story, Kennebec Journal, July 28, 2019 — “Governor Janet Mills and Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Judy Camuso recently enjoyed a fly fishing experience north of Rangeley.

Many people do not realize that Governor Mills loves to fly fish. And while Commissioner Camuso enjoys fishing, this was the first time that she has ever fly fished.”

Outdoor News, Bangor Daily News website, July 31, 2019 www.MaineSportsman.com

18 • October 2019 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Maine Wildlife:

American Woodcock

by Tom Seymour

American woodcock have a special place in my heart. The first bird I ever shot on the wing was a woodcock, and although it was nearly 60 years ago, the memory stands as clear as if it were yesterday.

Becoming a proficient wingshot was a difficult path. I burned up countless shotgun cartridges before meeting with success.

In the end, Grandpa, my mentor, bought me a box of scatterloads. This was in the paper-shell era, and scatterloads were simply regular loads that had two cardboard wads interspersed in the shot column. This tended to widen the pattern significantly.

And it worked. A woodcock leapt to the air just steps away. I swung on it, heard the gun go off and saw the bird fold. It was one of the biggest accomplishments of my young life.

After that, things easily fell into place.

But of course that was in the glory days of upland shooting in Maine, with flights of 30 – 40 woodcock being quite common.

Now, all these years later, the magic remains. Woodcock continue to thrill me.

Several years ago I had the need of a smallgauge shotgun and bought a superimposed .410.

My first time out saw me making a double on woodcock. And the thrill was the same as that first day so many years ago. That’s how woodcock affect some people.

Springtime Treat Just because most people concern themselves with woodcock in October, doesn’t mean that the ungainly little birds aren’t available to thrill us at other times of the year. For me, seeing the first woodcock of the year is an annual springtime ritual.

As an avid trout fisherman, I hit the brooks each year beginning April 1, opening day of open-water fishing season on brooks and streams. And that’s usually where my first woodcock sighting occurs.

Some of the little valleys where tiny brooks wind through tangles of alders offer just the right woodcock habitat. A few have spring seeps alongside the stream, and even when snow remains on the ground, the areas around these seeps always offer bare ground.

Early-arriving woodcock zero in on the soft mud around these seeps, since they provide an easy source of earthworms. So just imagine pushing your way through an alder www.MaineSportsman.com

jungle, spinning rod in hand, wading through foot-deep snow and having a woodcock flush practically underfoot.

And when this happens, who can blame me for instinctively swinging my fishing rod at the woodcock, as if it were a shotgun? Old ingrained habits die hard.

Year-Round Often, I’ve stood in fields at sunset and watched and heard male woodcock performing their mating ritual, flying straight up in the air and the plummeting down as in a tailspin, all the while uttering their “peent” call. It’s a thrill, for sure.

And then there are the occasional woodcock that just happen to fly over my lawn in early fall, long before hunting season. Somehow, though, I’m never able to locate these birds come October. But that’s okay, it’s enough just to know that these revered game birds are present.

Sometimes in my junkets through grownup fields and scrub brush, I’ll see a woodcock on the ground. This doesn’t happen every day and when it does, it thrills me to no end.

You would think that as agile as woodcock are in the air, they must be equally as adept at walking on the ground. Wrong.

Woodcock act as if they have had one too many adult beverages. They waddle, clumsily, in the manner of Charlie Chaplin.

Of course if a hunter in October spies a woodcock on the ground, the accepted procedure is to flush the bird and then try to hit it. But a friend once confided in me that as a youngster, not yet having hit a bird in the air, he saw a woodcock on the ground and shot it.

His father detected a note of remorse in his son’s account of the incident, and so my buddy ’fessed up, and told the whole story.

The old man didn’t beat him with an alder switch, but he certainly got a good tongue lashing.

Habitat, Habitat While all woodcock are the same species, upland hunters make a distinction between birds migrating from points north, versus those that in spring go no farther north than Maine, spending the spring, summer and early fall here.

Migrants from north of Maine are called “flight birds,” while those that nested in Maine are called “local” or “native” birds.

Both native and flight birds have the same habitat requirements. Since they feed primarily on earthworms, with some insects thrown in the mix, woodcock need soft, damp soil to forage in. Reverting farmland, a scarce commodity nowadays, makes the best woodcock cover of all. Old apple trees, alders and even stands of young poplar give woodcock the habitat they need.

But development has despoiled untold numbers of woodcock covers. Along with that, the natural order of succession dictates that what reverting farmland remains is fast becoming mature forest.

Therefore, places I used to hunt woodcock are now either someone’s back yard, or else they are unrecognizable because of thick forestation.

Thankfully, woodcock have found newly-created habitat in the form of reverting clearcuts. The same pioneer species that made reverting farmlands so productive have, and are, creeping in on clearcuts each year. Indeed, some reverting clearcuts offer excellent woodcock shooting.

So let’s all hope that Maine can continue to host ever-increasing numbers of these wily, attractive and interesting game birds.

����������������������������������������������������The Maine Sportsman • October 2019 • 19

Mom’s Moose – Part 2

by Steve Vose

Family members, who only the day before had been at Lenny’s funeral, honored him in a different way following his widow’s successful hunt.

Our story so far – The author’s mother had a difficult 2018. She was selected for a tag in the moose lottery, but a few days before the start of the season, her husband Lenny died of cancer. The week of the wake and funeral was the same week she and her husband would have been trying to fill the tag. After the well-attended and emotional mid-week memorial services were over, the author’s mother realized that Lenny – an avid hunter – would have

Lenny loved hunting. I know he was up there in heaven watching over us on that emotional day. The events of September 28th could only have been preordained by some higher power. wanted her to get out into the woods and clearings Down East to look for a moose. So with Mom armed with her TC single shot in .308 and accompanied by the author and other family members, the expedition party prepared to set out. Steve Vose picks up the story.

I awoke early in the

morning on the day after the funeral, and got everyone up and motivated. After a hearty breakfast, we drove two trucks down Route 9, headed for our first choice of hunting spots.

Turning off Route 9, we traveled dirt roads for about 15 minutes before arriving at the edge

of a large clear cut. We parked the trucks, well within the tree line, Mom got out and loaded her rifle, and the four of us started slowly creeping into the edge of the clear cut.

After we’d walked about 20 yards, Mom noticed a decent-sized fresh bull track in the mud,

but the track showed the moose had been headed in the opposite direction.

I replied that bulls in heat are wanderers looking for a cow, and there was as much of a chance he was now in front of us as behind us.

Before entering the clear cut, I turned on my electronic FoxPro Patriot game call and let out a long mournful cow mating call. After 10 minutes of waiting with no response, we eased into the cut.

(Continued on next page) www.MaineSportsman.com

20 • October 2019 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Moose Hunting in Maine

(Continued from page 19)

Calling Sequences A long dirt road divided the massive clear cut into two distinct halves, and large intermittent gravel berms on both sides of the road partially hid our approach. Every 50 yards or so I would stop, glass the area with my binoculars and then let out another soft call on the FoxPro. Thirty minutes later and half-way across the cut, we all stopped behind a large berm. I continued calling. As I was about halfway through my third calling sequence, my brother slowly turned to me and said he thought he heard a bull grunt. I inquired in what direction, but he was unsure.

We continued to scan the clear cut, when suddenly I heard an odd noise directly behind us that I can only describe as a rapid, high-pitched squeaking. It was unlike anything I’d ever heard in the wild, but I knew it

“That one was for you, Lenny,” declared my mother, pointing to the heavens. All photos: Steve Vose

was a sound worth investigating.

“MOOOOSSSE!” Peering slowly around

the edge of the berm, I saw a hefty 725-pound bull moose, standing (Continued on next page)

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Minimum Weight: Bull 800 lbs. • Cow 625 lbs.

Moose must be shot in Maine.

Only the shooter is eligible to join the club.

Shooter will receive a PATCH, a CERTIFICATE, and will be in the MOOSE CLUB REGISTRY. Cost is $15 payable to B.M.I.M.C. Biggest Moose Club postcards can be found at tagging stations or request one by email at

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Year _____________________ Name __________________________________________________________________________ Address_________________________________________________________________________ City _____________________State_____________________ Zip _________________________ Phone ____________________Email _________________________________________________ Weight ___________________Spread ___________________ Points _______________________ Location __________________Zone ____________________ Tag # ________________________ Date Shot _________________Time ____________________ Firearm ______________________ Mail check or money order to: NORTHEAST TROPHY • 79 Fort Road, Presque Isle, ME 04769 • www.NortheastTrophy.net www.MaineSportsman.com

����������������������������������������������������The Maine Sportsman • October 2019 • 21 (Continued from page 20)

only 25 yards away. He appeared so rapidly that I can only assume he’d been bedded down out in the middle of the clear cut and stood up when he heard the cow call.

Wasting no time, I withdrew around the corner of the berm and began frantically waving to Mom. Giving me a confused look, she mouthed the word, “What?” Spreading both my hands wide and putting one on each side of my head to mimic a set of antlers, I whispered, “MOOOOSSSE!!”

At that point, Mom’s eyes opened wide and she walked slowly toward me. Although I frantically waved at her to hurry, she instead walked carefully and deliberately so she would not trip and fall. Even with a gun in her hands and moose in her sights, she still maintained a “safety first” level of composure.

Taking Mom by both shoulders, I told her to mount the rifle, keep her finger off the trigger and slowly pull back the hammer. When she accomplished these tasks, I eased her around the edge of the berm.

One Shot As soon as Mom saw the moose, I could feel her body shaking slightly. Throughout the entire process, I never took my eyes off Mom, so when the gun went off, I had to

ask my stepbrother if the moose had in fact gone down. He assured me it had dropped in its tracks.

I helped Mom reload the rifle, as her arthritic fingers lacked the strength to extract the bullet, and we both started walking together toward the downed moose.

As we got closer, Mom asked, “I hit it … right?”

I replied, “In a clear cut of this size, if you had missed, where would he go?” Since I had not seen the moose go down, this statement was as much to convince myself, as it was for Mom’s benefit.

Our concerns were soon alleviated, when after only a few more steps we saw the moose lying at our feet. Upon verifying that the moose was dead, Mom knelt down beside the beast. Looking to the

heavens, she said, “That one was for you, Lenny.”

I cannot justly describe the outpouring of emotions that then ensued – it certainly was a joyous – yet difficult – time for all of us.

Result Preordained by a Higher Power?

Using ropes, pulleys, a come-along and a little brute strength, the four of us managed, in one-and-a-half hours, to drag the moose 25 yards out of the blueberry barrens and into the back of my Toyota 4x4 Tacoma pickup truck. We were exhausted after the work, and all I could think to say to Mom was, “Thank God you didn’t shoot a bigger one!”

Lenny Lloyd loved hunting, fishing and all manner of outdoor pursuits. I know he was up

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there in heaven watching over us that emotional day.

The sheer coincidence and luck involved in all the events that occurred on September 28th, could only have only been preordained by some higher power. If ever I had any

small doubt that there is a God and an ever-after, this day eliminated those doubts and renewed my faith in a power beyond mere mortal man.

¶

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22 • October 2019 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Smokin’ Spaghetti and Moose Meatballs I was just flying by Berry’s in The Forks.

Year round they display their orange gear for anyone going through. And now the store is full of “Hunter Preparations” for the rest of 2019. They have orange everything – hand and butt warmers, extra cool gadgets you must have, plenty of carbs, and my wild game

cookbooks!

I love driving down Route 201, “Moose Alley.” I watch for moose.

I treasure our moose, both in the woods and in the pan. This dish appreciates both.

I took a little heat and paired it with some Moose River smokiness, and voilà, not your

typical Spaghetti and Meatball dinner.

I love how this recipe came out. The smokiness came through perfectly when adding that extra dash on the tomatoes.

Bon appétit, and happy, healthy wild game meals!

Ingredients: – 1 pound ground moose – 2 slices of bacon, chopped – ½ cup sweet pepper, finely chopped – ½ cup red onion, finely chopped – ½ teaspoon Smoked Sea Salt – 2 cloves garlic, minced – ¼ cup breadcrumbs – 1 large egg, slightly beaten – 1 tablespoon Chris’s Hot Sauce (or your favorite hot sauce)** – 12-16 ounces spaghetti or linguine, cooked – 2 cups tomatoes, fresh chopped (15 oz. can diced tomatoes) – 2 teaspoons dried basil, or 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped – ½ teaspoon garlic powder – ¼ teaspoon Smoked Sea Salt – Parmesan, freshly grated Directions: Preheat oven to 375°F. Heat chopped bacon in cast iron pan on low so it renders a good tablespoon plus of bacon delight. Remove bacon and add onions and peppers, sauté on medium for 3 minutes. Sprinkle Smoked Sea salt and stir. Add garlic and sauté another minute, then slightly cool.

Combine moose, breadcrumbs, egg, sautéed vegetables and bacon in large bowl, mixing thoroughly.

Shape moose into 19 1-inch meatballs; place on stone baking pan and bake for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, cook pasta according to directions.

Heat tomatoes in stockpot, on medium until hot. Sprinkle Smoked Sea Salt and garlic and stir. Add pasta and heat through.

Plate with meatballs, top with parmesan and enjoy! **This offers a little heat and if you want to kick it up a notch, like I do, add another tablespoon or two of hot sauce.

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����������������������������������������������������The Maine Sportsman • October 2019 • 23

A “Success”–Filled Fall If one is looking for success in the woods this fall, then he need look no further than…well…Success.

In a technical sense, “Success” is the proper name of an unincorporated New Hampshire township, east of Berlin. It is also the proper name of a large pond that lies within that township’s boundaries.

To the locals, however, “Success” refers to the entire larger chunk of surrounding timber-company land encompassed

by Route 16 on the west, Route 26 on the north and east, and US Route 2 on the south. That’s everything from Upton to Shelburne, the Androscoggin River to Sunday River.

It’s just massive! And relatively few outdoorsmen take advantage of it.

One of the writer’s favorite fall pastimes in the region of Success, NH is calling in bull moose and photographing them. He’s had good success during the rut, using grunt calls and tree rakes. As the rut progresses, however, the mature bulls tend to “cow-up,” and it is harder to entice them.

The logging road up Cambridge Black mountain provides for a beautiful overlook of the early morning fog rising off Lake Umbagog to the north. The view is exceptionally breathtaking around the 1st of October when the foliage is at its peak. Brian Emerson photo

cated here. The Mahoosuc Mountains have often been described as the toughest and most rugged

section of the 2,100-milelong Appalachian Trail.

Old Speck Mountain is the highest of the

Mahoosucs, standing at 4,170 feet. This makes it the fourth-highest mountain in Maine. Goose Eye

Motor Sports The majority of the people enjoying Success are those who are riding their OHRVs (Off-Highway Recreational Vehicles, including ATVs, UTVs and trail bikes) and snowmachines on the logging roads that double as sanctioned trails. If you happen to be a patron of ATVing or sledding, there is certainly plenty here to offer. There are hundreds of miles of trails. And given the extensive logging that has taken place, many of the ridgetops have been opened up to tremendous views right from the roads and trails.

Hiking The other prevalent user-group of the area are hikers; in particular, AT hikers. The Appalachian Trail traverses the NH/ME border range lo-

The writer and his father called in and photographed this Success bull in mid-September 2013. The aggressive bull chased them right out of the cut and back to the truck!

The same moose was later taken during the October moose season by a guiding client of the writer’s father. Brian Emerson photo

is prominently noted for its picketed stature, and stands at 3,870 feet. It offers stunning views.

Mount Success, though not quite as tall, is still an interesting hike. A short offshoot from this trail will bring a hiker to the site of a 1954 plane crash, where the fuselage is still located and explorable. North Bald Cap Mountain is notable for its intense cliffs and ledges.

And lastly, of note, the Mahoosuc Notch is described as the “longest mile in the AT.” Hikers here have to climb over and under hundreds of massive boulders and chunks of ledge that have slid down the sides of the steep mountains over time and settled in the notch.

Hunting Because of the extensive timber harvest activity, there is a wide array of growth progression and species habitats. Also because of this, there are ample access roads, skid trails and tote roads. It is hard to find better grouse habitat than what exists here. Those who by necessity or choice prefer to bird hunt from the truck will encounter many grouse strutting in the gravel roads or sunning themselves on the banks.

Since these roads are privately owned and maintained, shooting from the road (outside of the vehicle, of course) is permissible.

This area encompasses nearly 300 square miles of open-to-the-public land. It is big country, to say the least. Those (Continued on page 25) www.MaineSportsman.com

24 • October 2019 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Scenic Byway Provides More Than Just a Ride!

Most bird hunts start out with a scenic drive to known back-country coverts. This fine fall morning I sensed the boys needed a tad more than the usual “Honey Hole” run.

Usually that restlessness sets in after a few days in bird camp. Compound a few missed shots and the realization that Farmer Joe already packaged the easy road birds in his refrigerator, and edginess starts to grow.

“Let’s take a run up Route 11,” I suggested.

“We’ll find some logging roads off the main highway, and see what these two Brittany Spaniels

While scouting a dusty gravel road for ruffed grouse covers, we spied a truck crossways in the road. “I’ll bet they’re winching out a moose,” I correctly surmised. The on-the-spot engineering to move the big animal – using a trailer hitch as a right- angle pulley – really impressed us. can find.”

I kenneled up the pups. Sluggish nods of agreement were followed by everyone rummaging through their pockets for yesterday’s unused shells.

I really like touring the scenic roads in Katahdin Country, and doing it this time of year provides eye-pleasing foliage while searching for the next great grouse or woodcock hole.

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Scenic Byway Starting from the Togue Pond Gate at the southern tip of Baxter State Park to the northern gate at Lake Matagamon, three major roads connect to form the Katahdin Woods and Waters Scenic Byway. This 89-mile route provides great views of the region that get better with every turn.

In fact, from most points along the byway one can view Maine’s iconic 5,268 feet tall Mount Katahdin. The area encircled by this route contains many lifetimes of adventure for those keen enough to appreciate this pristine outdoor world.

Scenery searchers target the beginning of October – considered prime foliage viewing by many for the dazzling dis-

play of autumn gold, canyon red and melancholy orange leaves clinging to the hardwood branches.

While I appreciate the view as much as the next guy, I also figures there’s gotta be a bird or two in there. No problem, I’m a generous guy. I am willing to share the road with leaf-peepers.

Looking for Covers We started in Medway and nosed my loaded Jeep north towards Patten. Four adults and two bird dogs have a way of filling up my mid-sized rig. It’s not long before someone spots an interesting cover, causing boots and paws to start hitting the ground.

A perusal of DeLorme’s The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer maps 43, 51 and 52 show the Route

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11 corridor in detail, along with the all-important side roads that signal the start of some great exploring.

The morning had not produced as I hoped, so we raided the local store in Patten for some pizza and sandwiches for lunch. At this point, continuing north on Route 11 would take us off the scenic byway, but not away from our original goal of finding the next great “honey hole” for birds.

For the record, Route 11 turns into the “Aroostook Scenic Byway” once it crosses Route 159.

For traveling purposes, it’s the same road, same great views and hopefully our trail to fast bird action.

Maine Engineering Before long, we spied a paper company road, and left the paved byway.

After a bit of dusty travel, we noticed a truck crossways in the road.

“I’ll bet they’re winching out a moose,” I surmised. As we inched closer, that prediction turned out correct. We pulled over, offering congratulations and assistance.

Introductions would have to wait. The serious business of dragging 715 pounds of moose meat to the edge of the road and into a trailer took top priority.

Mainers have a way of improvising. With one truck parked across the road, they ran a long rope from the moose, around the trailer hitch and to the bumper of another truck headed up the road.

The trailer hitch served as an on the spot right (Continued on next page)

����������������������������������������������������The Maine Sportsman • October 2019 • 25 (Continued from page 24)

angle pulley.

In a tribute to Maine engineering, that moose slowly made its way towards the waiting trailer.

Once it got to the roadside, they lined up their trailer and, with a little guidance from all of us (everyone wanted at least a hand in loading this trophy), the truck gave another tug and the big animal landed squarely in the trailer.

With the moose loaded for travel, it was time to shake the hand of Peter Bako from South China, Maine. Peter and his companions, David and Peter, had teamed up on this successful moose hunt.

Bako downed the moose with a single shot from his .308 using a 165-grain copper bullet.

Much to his credit, he did extensive research BEFORE embarking on his once-in-a-lifetime moose hunt. He liked the fact that these copper bullets would hold together and penetrate for a quick, clean kill. He couldn’t have been happier with the results.

Share the Fun In October, bird hunters often run into those fortunate to have drawn a moose permit. They’ve

Peter Bako (center) and two friends pose with the moose Bako harvested in the northern reaches of Katahdin Country.

Bako downed the 715-pound moose with a single shot from his .308. rifle, using a 165-grain copper bullet. Bill Sheldon photo

got such a limited time to harvest one that I always give them plenty of room so as not to mess up their hunt.

While we weren’t actually that much help, it was great to share the moment with a fellow hunter. Bako’s eyes twinkled as he told us how the hunt unfolded and how his lone copper bullet did the job. Thank you for the story, Peter!

After a few photos, it

New Hampshire (Continued from page 23)

adventurous hunters need not worry about running out of space. Houndsmen can run their dogs without worrying about highways. Deer trackers can scour the roads for hours in search of the right track to take.

Moose hunters have hundreds of cuttings to overlook and call in.

Moose Calling One of this writer’s favorite fall pastimes is calling bull moose for photo ops. Mature bulls usually start responding to calls about the second week of September.

I use a simple fiberglass “cone” as an amplifier. On crisp mornings with no wind, the sound can travel quite far, and bulls may respond from half a mile or more away.

I usually start the season using mainly grunt calls and tree rakes. I use a shed antler to thrash the brush to entice aggressive

was time for Bako and company to embark on the task ahead – getting the animal skinned and all that meat processed.

We bird hunters went back to scanning the scenery for the King of Game Birds.

Running into the moose hunters reminded me of how many different ways folks enjoy the Katahdin Region, especially this time of year. We only shot one bird that after-

noon, but considered the day highly successful.

In fact, the spirited conversation in that southbound, crowded Jeep revolved around all the different observations of the successful moose hunt. The fact that the three guys I had with me had never seen a harvested moose this close up really opened their eyes to myriad details.

For me it was Bako’s single copper bullet,

and territorial bulls, who will return the favor on their way to investigate the supposed intruder. Sometimes tree rakes alone will be enough to get a bull to commit, and no calling is necessary.

As the rut progresses, the mature bulls tend to have already “cowed-up,” and it is hard to entice them—especially with grunt calls. Occasionally you might be able to pull one away with some attractive-sounding cow bellows, but more likely the responders will be younger bulls.

There seems to be a switch that occurs around the beginning of October, where bulls will go from coming directly to a call, to actually turning and running the other direction from one. It is a mysterious phenomenon, and I have yet to pinpoint the exact reasons why it happens. All I know is that it seems that the moose have a form of telepathy (or a secret Facebook group page), where one night the memo will go out, and

while two of my buddies enjoyed the Maine-engineered trailer ball pulley system used to sled the beast across some pretty tough ground. My son, Matt, marveled at the sheer size of the ungulate.

It certainly wasn’t just an ordinary “Honey Hole” run.

¶

the next morning, they are all on the same wavelength – just like that.

The foliage typically peaks in the Success region about the 1st of October. Everything seems to come together at this time, including the beginning of bird season, the moose rut, and the end of ATV riding. It would be worth any serious sportsman’s or nature lover’s time to, at the very least, take a ride through Success and enjoy the scenery—maybe throw a shotgun in the truck for birds, or try your vocal chords at moose calling.

Unique to Success, in comparison to most timber company lands that have only one or two ways in and out, is that there are eight main access roads that interconnect, approaching from all directions. So it really doesn’t matter where you are coming from.

Enjoy it, and let me know what kind of “success” you find this fall.

¶

www.MaineSportsman.com

26 • October 2019 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Successful Deer Hunt Requires Careful Planning, Avoiding Common Mistakes

by Nate Grove – Durham, NH Sitting in my stand watching a fat forkhorn twitch its ears and flick its tail represented both a dream and a nightmare come to life.

A half-hour before, when he and another young buck had trotted in and bedded down in the hemlocks beneath me, it had been one of the most exciting things I had witnessed up close in a lifetime in the woods.

But the following 30 minutes had given me plenty of opportunity to imagine everything that could go wrong when the whitetail

From my vantage point in the tree, I saw a flash of blaze orange. I descended and spoke with the other hunter. He admitted he was there primarily to take a nap in the sun. I somehow neglected to tell him about the deer I’d just seen. finally decided to stand up.

At the moment, I had no clear shot. Being in a tree, I’d have to be patient and wait him out. I had put much time and effort into this spot, hoping for a moment like this, and didn’t want to blow it.

New Hampshire a Productive Deer State I spend a lot of time hunting seacoast New

Hampshire, a scant six miles from York County, Maine. In my little area of Strafford County (DeLorme New Hampshire Atlas, Map 77), the success rate is quite high.

Statewide, New Hampshire produces lots of deer. According to NH Fish and Game department figures, the 2018 harvest was up 15% from 2017, and the department recorded the second-highest bag total since 1922.

The total number of deer harvested in this state, 14,113, represents 43% of Maine’s total of 32,451. That is pretty good for a state one-quarter the size of Maine.

Where I hunt, there

are 5-7 deer taken per square mile, evenly balanced between bucks and does. It’s a great spot to fill your tag, and the deer forecast for 2019 appears equally promising.

Time and Effort Required But any serious deer hunter knows you don’t just walk into the woods, sit down and harvest a deer. A successful hunt, including one from a stand, takes time and effort.

Though I was sitting stock-still with the deer bedded down, I had spent years and had walked many miles finding this exact spot for this precise

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moment.

Like many others who want to hunt but can’t regularly drive 2-3 hours to the big woods, I often hunt smaller parcels. A favorite area of mine is about half a square mile – just over 300 acres.

When finding a new spot for a stand, I focus on two things to tip the odds in my favor. Let’s face it – in their own environment, deer are way smarter than we are! So, I try to minimize my own mistakes while maximizing the opportunity for a deer to make one of its own.

Geographically, this spot is a small bowl, bordered on one side by a half-acre bog, and a down-sloping hardwood hillside on the other.

Cresting a low ridge and dropping down into the bowl, it is quite dark, even in broad daylight, wrapped in a dense blanket of old hemlocks. The center is open just enough to create a few shooting lanes.

In short, it’s a travel corridor honey-hole. I had discovered it only the day before, after having walked past this hidden gem dozens of times over the years.

(Continued on next page)

����������������������������������������������������The Maine Sportsman • October 2019 • 27 (Continued from page 26)

First Mistake – Being Unarmed That previous day I had climbed a perfect oak 40 yards from a heavily used trail to see if it would do for a stand. It was early November – muzzleloader season in NH – and I had just made my first mistake. Perched 20 feet up, I could view the farther end of the bowl well enough to see a beautiful buck tiptoeing toward me.

I could hardly believe it. Despite what my father had told me many times over the years, I had gone into the deer woods unarmed. I had to watch that magnificent beast walk by at 50 yards, then wait half an hour before coming down so I wouldn’t spook him.

What a fool I was! But I also learned where he had come in and exited, and I hung my stand on that line.

Once that was done, I had another look about from up high, and saw blaze orange on the bog side of the bowl! I had orange on myself, and went over to apologize for possibly interfering with the man’s hunt.

Turned out he was a true Old Timer, very kind, and confessed he was really there simply to take a nap in the mid-afternoon sun. He had known about this spot for 60 years, and I felt naive for thinking I had discovered something new.

As luck would have it, he hadn’t seen my buck, and I somehow forgot to mention it to him!

Deer Starts Exiting the Wrong Way I chuckled about all that as I sat in my stand and watched the little buck take its own nap. I had it figured there was only one way for him to walk away where I wouldn’t have a shot.

So guess what he did?

After 45 minutes his buddy stood up and so did he.

Showing me his rump, he followed his pal away into the hemlocks, and I felt sick.

But I tipped the odds in my favor by encouraging him into a mistake.

Blowing softly on my Maine Woods Deer Call, I got him to turn. He came back, looked about and checked the mock scrape I had laid out the day before. He was in a clear lane, and my hunt ended very successfully.

Of course every hunt is different, but for me they have some common characteristics – preparation, minimizing mistakes, and finding ways to tip the odds in my favor. I do it on every hunt, and haven’t been skunked in a long time now.

Not every strategy or tool works the same way every time, and there will be more failures than successes. Yet isn’t that one of hunting’s most fascinating characteristics? *** About the author: Nate Grove, 54, has been hunting deer in Maine and New Hampshire since he was 10 years old, with a bow, muzzleloader and rifle. In the hunt described above, he used a Black Knight .50 caliber in-line with iron sights.

¶

More than a honey-hole, the author found a true “honey bowl” in which to place his stand -- a large, bowl-shaped depression bordered by a bog on one side and a hardwood ridge on the other. Careful stand placement led to this successful hunt. Nate Grove photo

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Looking Forward to an Amazing Deer Season I’m turning 50 this month, and I’m hopeful this fall will be a special one in terms of my hunting adventures. I started a farm this year, and because of the new schedule and work requirements, my annual deer scouting efforts has suffered.

Take as gospel, however, that I’ll find my way into a treestand this month. However, most of my efforts will be focused on November and peak rutting activity.

Happy Days are Here Again In my opinion, the good ol’ days of deer hunting have returned to Central Maine. Our deer

With the increase in numbers of does in Central Maine, bucks won’t have to work as hard to find a receptive doe.

Hunters may see fewer rubs and scrapes, and they may misinterpret that to mean the rut is slow. Rest assured, however – the rut will still take place, and Central Maine’s adult buck population is excellent. densities in WMD 23 are nearing levels not seen since the late 90s. And as you recall, the late 90s and early 2000s provided Central Maine deer hunters with world-class opportunities.

Back in those days, I was absolutely a meat hunter. I would shoot the first legal buck or doe I had the opportunity to take. I knew Central

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When deer densities are higher, hunters see

more deer. When hunters see more deer, they usually harvest more deer.

Maine’s deer harvest totals have risen with population numbers.

More deer means greater numbers of deer in each age class. Since most hunters are still very happy to shoot the first antlered buck they see, more yearling bucks are killed. However, because

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there are more of those deer in the population, those not taken make it to the next age class.

This increase in the overall population should result in more adult bucks roaming the woods.

There can be drawbacks of higher deer densities, however. An increase in the number of does available can suppress rutting activity.

Fewer rubs and scrapes, and less fighting and chasing, are often the result of inflated doe numbers. Bucks simply don’t have to work as hard when there are more does around.

Because deer hunters like seeing deer sign, and associate it with good hunting, we may hear people saying the rut is slow. My advice? Don’t worry – the rut will still take place, and Central Maine’s adult buck population is excellent.

Changes in Attitudes As mentioned earlier, I changed professions (Continued on next page)

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this year, and it has cut into my pre-season scouting time. If I were younger, a life change such as this might send me into a panic or depression.

Anyone who’s passionate about hunting knows the feeling. We have a short window of opportunity to pursue our passion, and knowing the number of days afield will be significantly reduced is disheartening to say the least. For me, however, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.

In years when I’ve not been able to bowhunt frequently, I’ve filled the gaps with early-season goose hunting, early October wood ducks, and turkey hunting. This fall, turkey season could be fabulous because of increased bag limits. However, I also have some concerns with those increased limits.

Too Many Turkeys?

When it was 100% confirmed hunters would be able to take five turkeys of any sex in my WMD (23) this fall, I was

extremely pleased. There are more birds than ever around the areas I hunt.

I’ve heard hunters complain for years about only being allowed to harvest two birds. There have been complaints from deer hunters and landowners alike about too many birds. Since turkey are highly visible and move in large flocks in the fall, their populations are often overestimated by those not familiar or trained in wildlife biology.

Are there too many

turkeys? The answer depends on who you ask. Dairy farmers suffer through large flocks damaging bunker silos. Vegetable farmers lose seedlings or freshly planted seeds to feeding flocks. Turkeys also defecate on feed for animal stock, causing false positive tests for diseases in herds. Farmers experiencing this likely believe there are too many birds.

Deer hunters watching flocks of hungry birds feeding across oak or beech nut flats in the fall have complained to state wildlife officials. “I watched a flock of turkeys move slowly across my favorite oak flat last fall,” a local deer hunter told me last fall. “After they left, I walked over the area and there wasn’t one acorn left. What are (Continued on next page)

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Big Game

(Continued from page 29)

the deer supposed to eat now?” I didn’t want to argue with him, but there weren’t many acorns last year, and deer eat far more than just acorns.

This isn’t a major problem.

lem in some areas? Many folks would say “Yes.” The good news is there’s currently a surplus of birds, and that means we hunters should do our part in managing the population this fall. I’m not sure how strong recruitment was this spring. I’m not seeing hens with huge numbers of young this sum-

Still Limited to Two Turkeys per Day Are turkeys a prob-

mer, but I am seeing lots of birds.

After all the complaints I hear, I do have some concerns with the increased bag limits. I’m thankful we can only take a maximum of two wild turkeys per day, even in WMDs that allow a season total of three or five birds to be taken.

I’m happy because a daily limit of three to five birds might have result-

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Be Thankful There’s a lot to be thankful for this fall. Our

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The Moment It Clicks

by Nick Campagna Most of us, at some point or another, have experienced it – the moment when walking around in the woods, reading sign and following tracks, all comes together. The moment when you go from a deer hunter, to a killer.

The moment when everything falls into place, and everything seems so much simpler.

That’s the moment it clicks.

I had this moment at a very young age while following my dad as he tracked a buck in the Adirondacks.

A Camp of our Own It started with a camper, then a piece of land, and finally a camp.

A deer camp butted up against an unlimited amount of tracking woods in the Adirondack Park of northern New York.

As a young boy growing up and hunting with my dad and his friends, nothing was better than heading to camp on the weekends and following Dad around the deer woods. Sometimes it seemed like we were walking aimlessly.

Youngsters can’t carry guns until they are 16 in New York, so instead I would follow my dad as he hunted. I learned to read sign, identify tracks and found a few sheds as we tromped through the mountains.

One day everything changed, and it finally clicked. I was 10 years old. There had been a light snowfall the night before, which brought excitement to the atmosphere at camp.

On the Track We hurried through breakfast and jumped in the trucks to head for

I was 10 years old, accompanying my dad as he hunted the morning after a light snowfall. We hadn’t gone far on the tracks of a small buck and two does, when we cut the track of a mature Adirondack buck headed up the mountain. The big buck was just walking and feeding all alone – the perfect opportunity we’d been looking for.

When Nick Campagna was 10 years old, his father brought him along on hunting trips and taught him how to track deer. The skills Nick learned at that young age obviously paid dividends later in life, as shown by his success with this monster buck.

higher elevation. The area we headed for was one of our favorites, with an old overgrown logging trail that headed out along the ridge for about three miles. This trail was good for walking on a fresh snow to look for crossing buck tracks, so that’s just what we did.

About halfway out the trail that morning we found our first tracks – a young buck and a couple of does. We decided that since it was the only game in town, we would follow them in hopes of coming across a bigger buck track to take.

We didn’t go far on them when we cut a big track headed up the mountain. The buck was just walking and feeding all alone – the perfect opportunity we were look-

Now an accomplished hunter and guide, Nick Campagna will be working in Maine and Vermont helping Big Woods Outfitters’ customers seek out trophy moose and deer.

ing for.

As we worked our way along on the track, Dad showed me sign that the buck had made and explained about it in detail. The buck was working alongside a big brook and was headed for a big hardwood basin near the top.

We assumed he would get up around the top of that basin and lay down for a while, so we crept along the track in hopes of spotting him before he saw us. As we neared the bottom of the big basin and began to break out into the open, Dad pointed and whispered, “There he is!”

When It All Comes Together I can still remember the feeling of surprise and excitement as my

eyes scanned the basin.

It took me some, time but when I finally spotted the buck at the bottom of the basin, he was broadside to us, working his way up towards the top.

In a split-second, Dad raised his rifle and fired.

I watched as the buck kicked and ran towards the top, stopping for a second to look back. Dad fired again, and the buck

piled up and slid into a small depression behind a big rock.

We rushed up to get a look at him and so many things were rolling through my head. All the days in the woods, all the time following Dad, all the rubs and scrapes and tracks we had seen and all of the years up to this point.

There it was – a beautiful, wide-racked mature Adirondack 7-pointer.

Everything that I had imagined was lying right there in front of me, and on that day, it all seemed so easy.

It was a long drag, but it was worth all of the time and energy.

It was at that moment for me, as a hunter, that everything fell into place.

I had learned that if you read the sign, figure out the tracks and be persistent, you can and will be successful.

Everybody successful hunter reaches that moment at some point – the moment that it clicks.

Hal Blood Adds His Thoughts Nick was fortunate to have a father who took him along and taught him the ways of the woods at an early age.

Deer trackers are a rare breed, and Nick is (Continued on next page)

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32 • October 2019 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————————————

— Guest Column —

Gramp’s Canoe Hits a Bus

by Randy Randall I have a friend who owns more than 40 canoes. And my son, who races kayaks, has a dozen different ones.

But how many boats does a man really need?

Grandfather didn’t even own a boat. He borrowed his canoes.

When I first knew him, he was borrowing my father’s Kennebec. Gramps used it like it was his own.

I guess he’d earned the right, since Dad stored the canoe in Gramps’ barn, and if Dad needed the canoe, he knew right where to find it atop Grandfather’s car where it stayed the entire summer. Grandfather went fishing so often there was no point in removing the canoe from the car roof.

Years later, Grandfather borrowed another canoe. This was a 15-foot Grumman. It belonged to George, and George’s father Mike was a fisherman.

Mike and Grandfather went fishing together two and three times a week, so they might as well use George’s canoe.

As with the Kennebec, the Grumman spent

Gramps was old school. He’d been driving since the 1920s and mistrusted new inventions like turn signals.

the entire summer on top of Grandfather’s car.

Gramps and Mike were getting on in years, and the lighter aluminum canoe was easier for them to hoist up onto the car roof.

They took that canoe everywhere – Deer Pond, Ossipee flowage, the Saco River, the Killick, Shaker Pond, Mousam Lake and even the Scarborough Marsh. It was the only boat they had, and it served them well until the Grumman collided with a bus.

This was probably the only canoe in the entire state of Maine to hit a Greyhound bus.

Big Woods World (Continued from page 31)

one of those “dyed in the wool” trackers.

It doesn’t matter how long it takes or how many tracks you have to follow, if you keep at, it will click for you as well. For

As I mentioned, Grandfather left the canoe on top of his car all the time. It was a fixture, like it was part of the car.

On this particular afternoon, Grandfather was on his way to catch a few flounder in the Scarborough Marsh, and the place to do that was on Rte. 9 where the Nonesuch River sweeps in close to the Pine Point Road. There’s a small gravel turnout there where Gramps parked his car.

Now remember, Gramps was old school.

He’d been driving since the 1920s, and mistrusted new inventions like

turn signals. He wanted to be sure he was seen, so Grandfather rolled down his window, threw his arm out and made the appropriate hand signal for a right turn, only the Greyhound bus driver coming along close behind never saw Gramps’ hand waving in the breeze.

Gramps almost stopped before making his turn, and the bus rear-ended him. This jolted Gramps’ old car and dislodged the Grumman canoe from the tie-down straps.

Obeying the laws of inertia, the canoe seemed to fly backward through the bus’s windshield. The

those of you that it has already clicked for, you know what I mean.

It is up to all of us to pass on our hunting skills to the next generation of hunters. It’s like passing the torch! *** About the Author: Nick Campagna is one

good news is that no one was injured in the car or the tourist bus, but the police had to wrestle the canoe around to get it free from the broken windshield and pull it out of the bus.

The stern of the Grumman was somewhat mashed in, but it never leaked afterwards. The police also had quite a time sorting out Gramps and his intent to go flounder fishing from the bus and the driver who swore he never saw a turn signal. Gramps of course insisted he’d made the correct hand signal.

They had to tow the bus away. The police helped Grandfather strap the canoe back on top of his car.

Gramps was pretty shook up, so he drove very slowly along Portland Avenue on his way home.

I never did hear what George had to say when he came to collect his little Grumman in the fall and found it had been transformed into a square stern canoe.

¶

of the newest moose and deer guides for Big Woods Outfitters. Hailing from Williston, Vermont, Nick is a member of the Vermont National Guard Mountain Division, and is an accomplished hunter and guide in Maine and Vermont.

¶

Never Miss Another Issue - Subscribe Today! r One Year $30 Your Name__________________________________ Your Address_________________________________ ___________________________________________ City________________________________________ State_______________________ Zip______________ VISA/MC___________________________________ Exp.________________________________________ www.MaineSportsman.com

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����������������������������������������������������The Maine Sportsman • October 2019 • 33

Gear Up Your ATV for Hunting Season

by Steve Carpenteri After a long summer of riding, exploring and enjoying Maine’s vast network of recreational vehicle trails, it’s time to get down to the serious business of hunting.

Come October, sportsmen’s thoughts turn to upland game, waterfowl, archery deer, bear and even moose.

Because most ATV riders spend considerable time on the trails during summer, it’s a good idea to get your vehicle serviced before departing on extended fall and winter hunting trips. Any mechanical or electrical issues that were merely troublesome in summer can be downright crippling once cold weather and snowy conditions take over.

Each of these pursuits requires specialized equipment, and every bit of it will fit on or in your ATV – if you plan ahead, and rig for success.

Organizing Your Equipment For starters, everything you put into or tie onto your ATV should be securely attached and

placed so you know where it is every time you look for it.

In addition, every time you use a piece of equipment you must make an

effort to put it back where it belongs so you can find it again, quickly and easily, without a lot of searching, cussing and shuffling through piles of loose gear.

You know the benefits of that drill – throw everything in a heap and head for the hills, and (Continued on next page)

Contact Your Local Can-Am ATV Dealer Today for the Latest Models and Offers!

The

ULTIMATE

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AUBURN Wallingford Equipment 2527 Turner Road 207-782-4886 www.wallingfordequipment.com

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

AUGUSTA North Country Can AM 3099 N. Belfast Avenue 207-622-7994 www.northcountryh-d.com

LEEDS Reggie’s Kawasaki Ski-Doo 255 US HWY 202 207-933-4976 www.doitatreggies.com

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

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

GREENVILLE JUNCTION Moosehead Motorsports 13 Moosehead Industrial Park 207-695-2020 www.mooseheadmotorsports.com

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

HODGDON Tidd’s Sports Shop 154 Calais Road 207-532-6476 www.tiddssportsshop.com © 2018 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). All rights reserve<!.™.®, and the BRP logo are trademarks of Bombardier Recreational Products, Inc. or its affiliates. 1AII other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. In the USA, the products are distributed by BRP US Inc. BRP reserves the right, at any time, to discontinue or change specifications, prices, designs, features, models or equipment without incurring obligation. Some mcxlels 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, in USA, call the ATV Safety Institute at 1-800-887-2887. In Canada, call the Canadian Safety Council at (6131 739-1535 ext 227. Read the Operators Guide and watch the Safety DVD before riding. Wear appropriate protective clothing and helmet. For side-by-side vehicles, fasten lateral net and seat belt at all times. Never engage in stunt driving and avoid excessive speed. Always observe applicable local laws and regulations.

Side-by-side vehicles and ATVs are recommended for drivers aged 16 and older, and passengers aged 12 and older 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.

www.MaineSportsman.com

34 • October 2019 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————————————

THE CAT IS BACK

ATVing in Maine (Continued from page 34)

#PASSIONISPOWER

Some ATV hunters prefer to build their own custom gear boxes, including integrated, modified seating. Photos

by Steve Carpenteri

then spend half your trip looking for stuff you know (or think) is in there somewhere.

See Your Local Arctic Cat® ATV Dealer For Current Promotions!

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GORHAM BERLIN, NH White Rock Outboard Jericho Outdoors 351 Sebago Lake Road 232 Jericho Rd. *Offer valid at participating U.S. dealers to U.S. residents on new and unused 2010–2015 Arctic Cat ATV models excluding youth, rental, government and special services models. See dealer for details and 207-892-9606 603-215-6002 program dates. 4.9% FINANCING FOR 60 MONTHS valid on 2010-2015 models, Financing provided through Sheffield Financial or FreedomRoad Financial and is subject to credit approval; not all applicants will qualify for credit. Financing promotions void where prohibited. 2-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY valid on 2015 models and includes six-month limited factory warranty and 18-month extended service www.whiterockoutboard.com www.jerichooutdoors.net contract through Cornerstone. REBATES UP TO $1,000 valid on 2010–2014 models and varies by model purchased. Offer subject to change without notice. Excludes tax, freight and dealer setup. Only ride an ATV that is right for your age. Supervise riders younger than 16. Arctic Cat recommends that all riders take a training course and read and understand the owner’s manual operation. safety information, your dealer Safety Institute at eye (800) 887-2887. ©2015 Arctic Cat Sales Inc.,andThief River ROVs can before be hazardous to operate.For Improper use or cantraining cause severe injury or death.see For your safety, each or ridercall mustthe wearATV a seat belt, approved helmet, protection and protective gear.

Avoid excessive speeds be particularly careful on difficult terrain. All ROV operators must be 16 years old and have a valid driver’s license. We recommend that all riders take a training course and read and understand the owner’s manual before operation. See your dealer for Falls, MN 56701. safety or training information or visit http://rohva.org. ©2017 Arctic Cat Sales Inc., Thief River Falls, MN 56701.

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Offer valid on qualifying purchases made between 16 July 2019 to 1 November 2019. This offer is for XUV, HPX, and RSX only. Subject to approved credit on a Revolving Plan account, a service of John Deere Financial, f.s.b. For consumer use only. No down payment required. 0% APR is for 48 months only. Available at participating U.S. dealers.

Prices and models may vary by dealer. Offers available on new John Deere Gator Utility Vehicles and in the U.S. only. Prices and savings in U.S. dollars. 2Offer valid on qualifying purchases made between 16 July 2019 to 1 November 2019. This offer is for XUV, HPX, and RSX only. Subject to approved installment credit with John Deere Financial, for consumer and ag use only. Down payment may be required. Average down payment is 10%. $20.83 per month for every $1,000 financed. 0% APR for 48 months only. Taxes, freight, setup and delivery charges could increase monthly payment. Available at participating U.S. dealers. Prices and models may vary by dealer. Offers available on new equipment and in the U.S. only. Prices and savings in U.S. dollars. 3Offer valid on qualifying purchases made between 16 July 2019 to 1 November 2019. This offer is for XUV, HPX, and RSX only. Subject to approved credit on a Revolving Plan account, a service of John Deere Financial, f.s.b. For consumer use only. No down payment required. 1.90% APR is for 60 months only. Available at participating U.S. dealers. Prices and models may vary by dealer. Offers available on new John Deere Gator Utility Vehicles and in the U.S. only. Prices and savings in U.S. dollars. 4Offer valid on qualifying purchases made between 16 July 2019 to 1 November 2019. This offer is for XUV, HPX, and RSX only. Subject to approved installment credit with John Deere Financial, for consumer and ag use only. Down payment may be required. Average down payment is 10%. $17.48 per month for every $1,000 financed. 1.90% APR for 60 months only. Taxes, freight, setup and delivery charges could increase monthly payment. Available at participating U.S. dealers. Prices and models may vary by dealer. Offers available on new equipment and in the U.S. only. Prices and savings in U.S. dollars. 5Offer available on qualifying purchases made between 16 July 2019 and 01 November 2019. $300 retail bonus available on the purchase of any new Mid-Size XUV Series Gator™ Utility Vehicle from a participating U.S. John Deere dealer. Dollars off will be deducted from the agreed upon purchase price. Some restrictions apply, see your participating John Deere dealer for further details. Prices and savings in U.S. dollars, offer can be combined with finance offers. 6Offer available on qualifying purchases made between 16 July 2019 and 01 November 2019. $500 retail bonus available on the purchase of any new Full-Size XUV Series Gator™ Utility Vehicle from a participating U.S. John Deere dealer. Dollars off will be deducted from the agreed upon purchase price. Some restrictions apply, see your participating John Deere dealer for further details. Prices and savings in U.S. dollars, offer can be combined with finance offers.

1

www.MaineSportsman.com

Everything in its Place Avoid the aggravations of disorganization by being organized. Most ATVs have a spacious glove box or similar compartment that is perfectly sized to store small necessities such as sunglasses, cell phones, binoculars and GPS units. Teach yourself to put them there, keep them there and return them to their places when you are done using them. Train your partners to do the same – every time, no excuses.

Transporting bows or firearms can be a challenge, but most ATVs are designed to accept hard plastic cases that fit over the handlebars, or on a custom-fitted rear or side scabbard-type rack.

Be sure the case you buy will fit your rig, and then make sure it is properly attached and won’t come loose after long miles of hard riding.

When hunting with scoped rifles, make certain the interior of the case is well-padded to avoid bumping or rattling sensitive scopes during transit.

Light Your Way Because most of the travel time during hunting trips occurs before daylight or after dark,

rig your ATV with plenty of interior lights (upper and lower level), as well as flood lights front and back to make tracking or loading game and equipment much easier.

A simple 24-inch rack of LED lights is easy to attach and operate, and will brighten things up considerably while leaving both hands free when you need them most.

Fuel and Spare Parts When packing for an extended hunting trip, consider how far you’ll be going and how far you’ll be from necessary supplies. If you’ll need gas and water, there are racks available to safely transport them. Running out of gas 40 miles back in the wilderness is no one’s idea of a good time, so plan accordingly.

With spare fuel at camp and more on the ATV, you should be able to enjoy an extended hunt without having to worry about fuel-related issues.

Also, be sure your ATV is equipped with a fully-stocked tool kit including jumper cables, tire patching gear and an electric air pump. Most of these kits are about the size of a lawyer’s briefcase and can be easily stored under a seat, overhead or in a cargo hold.

As the saying goes, don’t leave home without it!

(Continued on next page)

����������������������������������������������������The Maine Sportsman • October 2019 • 35

Front-mounted trays can accommodate guns, bows and other gear for the long ride into camp. Firearms should be carried in well-padded hard cases that are designed to protect sights and scopes.

(Continued from page 34)

Comply with Legal Requirements Speaking of lawyers and briefcases, equally important are the regulatory requirements of the sport. Every Maine ATV must be registered with the state, which can be done online.

The registration fee for Maine residents is $46 plus an agent’s fee of up to $2. Proof of payment of sales tax is required for new registrations (Maine residents only).

Non-residents must pay $76 for a seven-day registration, or $91 for the season.

A complete list of fees, rules, regulations and training requirements are available on the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife’s Web site (www. mefishwildlife.com).

Ensure Smooth Operation in Cold Weather Because most ATV riders spend considerable time on the trail during summer, it’s a good idea to get your vehicle serviced before departing on any extended fall hunting trips. Tune-ups, oil changes and tire rotations or replacements are just some of the basics, but if you’ve noticed issues with other operating systems (e.g., lights, starter, gear-shift, or 4wd transmission), plan to get those taken care of before you head out in October or November. Anything that was merely troublesome in summer can be downright crippling once cold weather and snowy conditions take over.

Also, consult the owner’s manual annually for regular and routine maintenance scheduling,

THE WORLD LEADER IN OFF-ROAD POWERSPORTS — See Your Local Polaris Dealer for the Latest Promotions! — HODGDON Tidd’s Sports Shop 154 Calais Road 207-532-6476 www.tiddssportsshop.com

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

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

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

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. ©2019 Polaris Industries Inc.

GET UP TO $2,500 CUSTOMER CASH!*

(Continued on next page)

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Visit Your Local Yamaha ATV Dealer for Details Today!

JACKMAN Jackman Power Sports 549 Main Street 207-668-4442 www.jackmanpowersports.com Custom or factory-mounted winches can be installed front or back, where they stay out of sight when not in use. And front-mounted brush bars are very effective at keeping trees, logs, saplings and other woodland obstacles away from your ATV’s headlights and grille.

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

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

TOPSHAM Woody’s Performance Ctr. 70 Topsham Fair Mall Road 207-729-1177 www.teamwoodys.com GORHAM, NH Absolute Powersports 461 Main Street 603-466-5454 www.absolutepowersportsnh.com

*Customer Cash offer good on select models between September 01, 2019 through December 31, 2019. See dealer for additional customer cash available on prior year models.

www.MaineSportsman.com

36 • October 2019 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————————————

ATVing in Maine (Continued from page 35)

and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid costly breakdowns on the road. Most folks never even look at their owner’s manual, and they are the ones whose rigs can be seen going back to town on a dealer’s tow trailer. A little bit of pretrip maintenance goes a long way.

Getting Unstuck While ATVs are generally designed to operate in rough country and rarely get stuck in mud or on brushy off-road trails, the impossible can happen. For this reason, it’s important to carry, at the minimum, a 20-foot tow strap with hooks at-

tached.

If you want to go the extra mile, there are a variety of electric or hand-cranked winches available that can make roadside rescues or offroad accidents much easier to deal with. In extreme cases you’ll have to strap your ATV to a tree, stump or large rock in order to winch out another vehicle but at least you’ll be prepared for whatever happens, get back on the road and continue your hunt.

Calling for Assistance These days, perhaps the ATV rider’s most valuable tool is his or her cell phone. Keep yours

charged, and be sure to load up with local emergency contacts for the area you plan to hunt.

In most cases, 911 calls can be routed to the proper agencies, but if you need to call your buddies at camp or a lodge owner, guide or pilot, be sure their contact information is also on your call log.

The bottom line in hunting with an ATV is to consider all the options, imagine various scenarios and then prepare and equip your rig for every possibility. In other words, simply ask yourself, “What could possibly go wrong?” and then plan for the worst.

¶

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����������������������������������������������������The Maine Sportsman • October 2019 • 37

Quick – Now’s the Time!

Pre-Season Snowmobile Maintenance and Repair

by Steve Carpenteri I know as well as anyone that the last place a snowmobiler looks for help or information is in his unit’s owner’s manual, but therein lays the key to a long, successful, trouble-free winter.

The same goes for all of our power equipment, ranging from weed whackers to farm tractors, but who looks at an owner’s manual?

No one, at least until all else has been tried and nothing else seems to work.

Oddly (or laughably) enough, the answers to most common mechanical dilemmas are right there in black and white.

I’d be delusional if I thought this revelation will send all of Maine’s snowmobile owners to the glove box for a rousing read of their machine’s owner’s manual, but I suspect that over time and for any number of reasons, they will eventually be forced to do so, simply because when all else fails they discover the solution to their problem has already been figured out for them.

Inventory Damage from Last Season When getting ready for another riding sea-

Try to remember what wasn’t running right last year, before you put the machine away. Was it starting properly? Running smoothly? How about lights and tracks? Steering? Handling? Well, now is the time to get these issues addressed because – Surprise! – they don’t fix themselves. Rather, they recur, worse than ever, when you are miles deep in the woods.

Extended snowmobile trips into rugged country in rough weather require annual maintenance and routine service well before the first snow falls. All photos by Steve Carpenteri

son, it’s a good idea to begin by repairing last year’s trail damage. Bent or broken skis, tracks and windshields top the list of parts and pieces I see strewn across every trail in Maine from York County to the Canadian border. All of those were once viable, working parts of someone’s sled,

and should be repaired or replaced before snow falls again in 2019.

Doing the repairs is often the easiest part for anyone who’s the least bit handy with tools. The real crisis is finding the exact parts for your machine, ordering them, and having them arrive on time for the season’s first

run.

To be sure, October is almost too late for some items to be delivered, so if you’ve delayed this process, it’s long past time to get to your dealer or repair shop – or hit the computer keyboard – and get the party started.

Friendly Local Repairman

Some aspects of snowmobile repair are too complicated for the average garage mechanic, which means scheduling time to bring your sled to an authorized, trained local repairman. These capable folks can not only diagnose what is wrong with your machine, but also order the correct parts and make the necessary repairs without long delays.

The trick is in remembering what it was that wasn’t running right last year, before you put the machine in storage for the summer. Was it starting properly? Running smoothly? How about the lights and tracks?

Any trouble with steering? Handling? Were the heated handlebars actually heating? Any trouble with stopping, turning or cruising at certain speeds? The list of glitches is long, and grows with each passing season.

Well, now is the time to get these issues looked into because, surprisingly, they don’t usually go away on their own. Rather, they have a knack for turning up, worse than ever, when you are miles down the trail and there is no way (Continued on next page) www.MaineSportsman.com

38 • October 2019 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————————————

The

Wide World of Arctic Cat

— Visit Your Local Arctic Cat Dealer for the Latest Promotions — GORHAM White Rock Outboard 351 Sebago Lake Rd. 207-892-9606 www.whiterockoutboard.com

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

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

BERLIN, NH Jericho Outdoors 232 Jericho Rd. 603-215-6002 www.jerichooutdoors.com

Always wear a helmet and don’t drink and ride. © 2019 Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc.

THE POWER TO

PERFORM The BOSS Snowplow. No one knows more about snow plowing equipment. No one!

Snowmobiling in Maine (Continued from page 38)

Packing and hauling this much gear safely and efficiently takes planning and preparation.

or place to get help.

Wilderness breakdowns are the pits, especially for night riders or those who like to go off on rarely-used trails where rescue options are minimal.

Your Emergency Pack What a great opportunity to segue into stocking up for emergencies while on the trail!

Anyone who travels on Maine’s extensive winter trail system should be fully equipped for unexpected trouble on every outing. Basics to carry include a Space blanket for warmth and protection from the wind and cold; bottled water for hydration; working flashlights; a fully-charged cell phone, and a bright red, green or white emergency beacon that can be seen for miles.

A basic first aid kit is also mandatory for anyone traveling Maine’s

winter trails. If you already have such a kit but have not looked at it or used it in years, it’s time to conduct a complete review of its contents, because some items expire over time. It’s a good idea to replace simple medicines, as well as bandages, Band-Aids, gauze, tape and other items that may become useless or ineffective with age.

In short, when you need them, you want them to work effectively, so take the time to update, replace or restock the most important items.

Other Gear Other valuable items to consider carrying on any trip include a tow rope or strap, a sturdy folding shovel, hand warmers, extra drive belts and the tools to install them, plus any other maintenance or repair (Continued on next page)

Contact your local BOSS Snowplow retailer at one of these locations: BOWDOIN J.L. Custom Fab, Inc. Rt. 201 (North of Topsham) 207-666-5800 www.jlcustomfab.com

ELLSWORTH E Skip Grindle & Sons 485 North St 207-667-5808 Find us on facebook

DOVER-FOXCROFT Rowell’s Garage 191 East Main Street 207-564-3434 www.rowellsgarage.com

EAST MACHIAS Johnson’s Town Line Auto 1060 Main Street, Rt. 1 207-255-4996 www.johnsonstownline.com

www.MaineSportsman.com

Maintenance performed now will help ensure that snowmobiles and other cold-weather machines will run smoothly all season long.

����������������������������������������������������The Maine Sportsman • October 2019 • 39

Pre-season maintenance includes trailers, too -- check all locks and closures, hubs, lights and hitches before setting out for a long trip on fall and winter roads.

(Continued from page 38)

gear specific to your make and model snowmobile.

Finally but equally important (at least to local game wardens) are the paperwork aspects of the sport. Every snowmobile used in Maine by residents or non-residents must be registered, and registrations may be completed online for

those who live far from the local town office.

The registration fee for Maine residents is $46 plus an agent’s fee of up to $2. Proof of payment of sales tax is required for new registrations (Maine residents only). Non-residents must pay $50 for a three-day registration, $76 for a 10-day registra(Continued on next page)

600 SWITCHBACK® XCR Smoothest Riding.

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

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TOPSHAM Woody’s Performance Ctr. 70 Topsham Fair Mall Road 207-729-1177 www.teamwoodys@outlook.com GORHAM, NH Absolute PowerSports 471 Main Street 603-466-5454 www.absolutepowersportsnh.com

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

HANDLE THE

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See state-of-the-art Fisher® Plows at these locations: ARUNDEL Weirs Motor Sales GMC 1513 Portland Road 207-985-3537 www.weirsgmc.com

BRUNSWICK Bodwell Chrysler Jeep Dodge 169 Pleasant Street 800-339-2455 www.bodwellchryslerjeepdodge.com

AUBURN Morrison & Sylvester, Inc. 1175 Minot Avenue 207-783-8548 www.morrisontruck.net

NEW GLOUCESTER Trafford Supply 531A Penney Road 207-576-4271 Like Us on Facebook

AUGUSTA Motor Supply Company 268 State Street 207-623-1971 www.motorsupplyautoparts.com

SPRINGVALE Black Bear Automotive 251 Main Street 207-324-4538 Like Us on Facebook

AUGUSTA O’Connor GMC Chevrolet 187 Riverside Drive 800-452-1911 www.oconnorautopark.com

WEST BATH Bath Auto Parts 116 State Street 207-443-4274 www.napaonline.com

BELFAST Dutch Chevrolet Jct. Routes 1 & 2 800-339-2468 www.dutchchevy.com

WISCASSET Wiscasset Auto Parts 693 Bath Road 207-882-6389 www.napaonline.com www.MaineSportsman.com

40 • October 2019 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Snowmobiling in Maine (Continued from page 39)

tion or $100 for the season.

Information about fees, rules, regulations, training requirements and free snowmobiling

days is available on the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife’s Web site (www.mefishwildlife.com). A PDF

copy may be downloaded from that site. Paper copies of current regulations are available from town clerks, and at most places where hunting and fishing licenses are sold.

¶

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Feeling

Maine’s ITS is Impressive

by Steve Vose Maine’s Interconnected Trail System (ITS) is provided to snowmobilers through the joint partnership of the Maine Snowmobile Association, the Snowmobile Division of the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands, and the Department of Conservation.

The trail system is maintained through the efforts of the state’s snowmobile clubs, local municipalities, supporting businesses and the many landowners throughout the state of Maine who generously allow snowmobilers to access their property.

Mileage Dwarfs Other NE States The Maine ITS system is comprised of 4,000 miles of primary trail (depicted on the ITS map in red) and 10,000 miles of secondary trails (depicted on the ITS map in green).

The end result is that snowmobile riders in Maine have a total of 14,000 miles of trails to explore during the winter season, part of a network of trails that extend into the very-most northern, western, eastern and southern parts of the state.

Compared to New Hampshire (7,000 mi) and Vermont (5,000 mi), Maine’s snowmobile trail system dwarfs the riding available in those neighboring New England states.

The ITS map is updated each year to reflect changes and additions to the trail system for the upcoming season. New maps are available by late October.

Get the Latest Map ITS maps can be obtained from the Maine Snowmobile Association office, located at 7 Noyes Street Place in Augusta; at Maine Tourism Association locations along I-95; at the annual Maine Snowmobile Show; and at some MSA-supporting business member locations, Chambers of Commerce or local snowmobile clubs.

ITS maps can also be requested through the mail. Requests can be mailed to ITS Map, Maine Snowmobile Association, PO Box 80, Augusta, Maine 04332, along with your return mailing address and $2 for postage and handling.

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����������������������������������������������������The Maine Sportsman • October 2019 • 41

The Rockland Quarry Moose Sunday, September 11, 1994, started out like many of the other days in my 33-year career with the Maine Warden Service. It was a warm, early fall day and I had decided to head down toward the coast to spend some time with the warden in the Lincolnville area. We worked our way around the Lincolnville, Camden and Searsmont areas, looking for early signs of night hunting.

Along toward the middle of the afternoon, we received a report of a large bull moose stranded in the Limerock Street Quarry in Rockland. Upon arriving at the quarry, I could see the moose standing on a ledge 80-90 feet below the rim and about 20 feet above the surface of the water.

There appeared to be only one way for the moose to exit the quarry, and that was up the bank behind him. We tried to convince him to head up the bank, but instead of climbing up the steep bank toward the rim, he came down off the ledge and into the water.

Finally, he made it back up onto the ledge and that was where we left him for the night.

Armed with a Dart Gun The next morning, we returned to the quarry with Biologist Keel Kemper and a tranquilizer gun. We had also contacted the Rockland Fire Department, and they offered a small inflatable

All we had to do was wait a few minutes for the tranquilizer to render the bull moose unconscious, make a big sling out of straps, hoist him to the rim of the quarry with the borrowed crane, load him in one of our trucks and haul him inland to a remote bog. What could possibly go wrong?

In this photo from the Bangor Daily News, the moose being hoisted up out of the quarry to be loaded in a warden truck. Biologist Keel Kemper is holding the legs of the moose, with the author on the far right of the photo. The crane that tipped over is in the background, still on its side. Photo: BDN Archives

boat and motor, with personnel to operate it.

Our plan was to launch the boat with Biologist Keel Kemper and the firefighters in it to dart the moose from the water, since the moose was back up on the ledge and this was to only way to get a clear shot at him.

A rough terrain crane and operator were offered up

by Dragon Cement, and man and machine were ready and waiting up on the rim to lift the moose out of the quarry as soon as the tranquilizers had immobilized him.

The moose was on the ledge, Keel and the firefighters were in the inflatable on the surface of the quarry. The firefighters maneuvered Keel into

position below the moose to make the shot with the tranquilizer gun.

Keel fired and made a great shot with the dart.

Now all we had to do was wait a few minutes for the tranquilizer to take effect, hoist the moose to the rim, load him in one of our trucks and haul him inland away from the quarries. What could go wrong?

This is What Could Go Wrong I was positioned on the other side of the quarry where I could view the entire scene. The moose began to slump as the tranquilizer took effect, and I thought that we were home free.

However, at the last

minute the moose staggered over to the edge of the cliff and fell about 20 feet into the water below.

Because only his antlers were visible, I thought that we had lost him for sure, but Keel and the firefighters motored out to him in the boat.

Keel grabbed his antlers and held his head up while the firefighters maneuvered the boat back to the edge of the quarry under the ledge. Wardens and Marine Patrol officers scrambled down the side of the quarry to help drag the moose out of the water and to rig him for the lift up and out of the quarry.

was rigged with slings, the cable from the crane up on the rim was attached and the operator started the lift. All was going well.

However, just as the moose was starting to clear the tree tops on the side of the quarry, one of the outriggers on the crane broke through the surface and over went the crane. It was almost like slow motion, as the moose dropped down through the trees with Wardens and Marine Patrol officers scrambling to get out of the way.

Moose Sobers Up After the moose was examined by the biologist and given another dose of tranquilizers, he was lifted up to the rim to a waiting warden truck by another crane dispatched to the scene by Dragon Cement. After loading the moose into one of our trucks, we took him out to a large inland bog to sober up.

I was there when he came to and rose to his feet, shaking off the cloth that we had placed over his eyes to protect them from the sun. He just stood there glaring at us with absolute fire in his eyes. After what seemed like forever, he turned and ran down into the bog.

Just one more day in the incredibly interesting life of a Maine Game Warden.

¶

Crane Failure As soon as the moose www.MaineSportsman.com

42 • October 2019 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Spend the Money on the Dog! It’s fair to say “My dog has taught me well.”

I’m approaching six decades on this earth, and I can’t remember a time I didn’t have some type of old hunting dog hanging around.

I’ve seen old photos of a two-year-old wrapped around my dad’s big grey Weimaraner. Yup, the Sheldon’s have always had a dog or two around to help put game meat on the table.

That’s the cliché, but in all reality most canines spend more time enrolled as man’s best friend than working wooded acreage pointing birds or chasing rabbits.

In my lifetime, dog

My two Brittanys are spoiled beyond repair. In cold weather, they stake out spots near the woodstove. During the heat of summer, they sit on the couch and soak up the AC while watching the Animal Planet channel. ownership has changed.

My old man kept his meat hunters chained to a dog house. Once in a great while, if the mercury plummeted below zero, he would bring them in.

For the most part, they got a little extra hay in the coop.

Spoiled Pups Fast forward to today.

My two Brittanys have no clue what a dog house looks like. And, much to my wife’s chagrin, we have replaced coops and

hay with couches and beds.

In cold weather, they stake out spots near the woodstove. During the heat of summer, they enjoy sitting on the couch and soaking up the AC while watching Animal Planet – spoiled beyond repair.

Some forty years ago, a hunting buddy gave me a beagle. Back then I too had a dog house system. When my hunting comrade stopped by the house to check on the

dog’s progress, he was genuinely upset to find no dog at the end of the chain.

Instead, he discovered this tougher-thannails hound sitting on the couch watching TV with Mrs. Sheldon. He berated me for spoiling a good hunting dog.

Small Game Season With the October 1 opening of the small game season at hand, couch hounds everywhere will get the call to spring

into action. Hopefully, these hounds have gotten a little exercise before opening day. If not, I’d suggest easing them into action, so as to not totally wear out dogs that are whose only conditioning has come from watching the Animal Planet station.

Many dedicated bird hunters make their way up the Route 201 corridor to get an early crack at Jackman’s native grouse population. With countless miles of minimum-maintenance roads weaving through and around prime coverts, bird hunters have lots of ground to pick from.

(Continued on next page)

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����������������������������������������������������The Maine Sportsman • October 2019 • 43 (Continued from page 42)

Grouse hang around young aspen trees, due to a taste for the buds. One such cover I hunt has 20-foot poplar and birch trees lining both sides of an old gravel tote road.

One side has a trench that seems to always hold water.

The trees gravitate to the sunlight, effectively creating a covered bridge effect. Here, ruffed grouse have everything they need – plenty of young buds, water, cover and a shady, gravel road to re-fill their gizzard.

Road Hunting Road hunters do well to stop their vehicles and slowly navigate these prime-looking covers.

Those of us with couch hounds will let the feather-finders do their work.

A coon’s age ago, I ran into an older woman walking slowly along one of Jackman’s no-name logging roads. After we chatted for at least half

an hour, we heard a vehicle approaching.

“Oh, that’s my husband,” she explained.

Apparently, he had some mobility issues, so she walked while he drove.

Whoever shot the fewest number of birds was required to cook dinner that evening.

“He’s doing dinner tonight,” she whispered in my ear with a chuckle.

Turns out he was only one bird behind, and showed no signs of putting on an apron.

of bunny-busters. Early season varying hare sport brown fur, and are still weeks away from turning all white. The romantic in me likes hunting white rabbits on the snow.

With that said, I’ve learned a lesson or two in the last few seasons.

Because Weyerhaeuser doesn’t plow roads they don’t plan to use during the winter, many areas become increasing difficult to access without a properly set up snow machine.

Plain and simple, I’ve got better access to more prime rabbit country before the snow gets too

Snowshoe Hare The opening of the small game season also puts snowshoe hares squarely in the sights

THE LAST RESORT

(Continued on next page)

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44 • October 2019 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————————————

2019 Maine Sportsman Youth Writing Contest Winner: New England Junior Category

Bird of My Dreams

by Emilie Rich – 8th Grade, Lin-Wood Public School, Lincoln, NH

My dad slowly scratches the slate call. I pick up my 20 gauge, getting myself ready. I look through the sight and get it set up. The long-beard tom turkey is in full strut.

It’s a rainy, cold May morning and my dad and I are on our way to shoot the turkey of my dreams.

As we walk into the woods and get set up in the ground blind, we hear every hunter’s dream – turkey gobbles.

We get settled, and I start calling with my mouth call, trying to call them in.

As I start getting bored and losing concentration, a flock of six toms come waddling in to range. My dad closes all the windows in the ground blind, scaring five of them, but the last one – the long beard – comes in toward the decoy.

Shaking; Trembling As the big tom starts strutting and walking closer towards the decoy, my dad unzips the window to the right, and I sit up all ready.

The tom then starts bumping the decoy, strutting and gobbling as loud as possible. I get nervous, shaking and trembling. I

tell my dad that I can’t do it and that I’m too scared.

The turkey starts waddling closer to us, and my dad slowly scratches the slate call. I pick up my 20 gauge, getting myself ready. I look through the sight and get it set up, but the turkey is still in full strut.

As it starts to turn towards us, my dad whispers to me, “It’s not going to stop strutting. You need to shoot it now.” Of course, because every hunter knows you don’t want to shoot a turkey while in full strut because it’s flexing all of its muscles, my reply was “I can’t. I’m not supposed to.”

“Just Do It.” My dad tells me to just do it, so I get my eyes back into the sight and I set it right in the middle of the red in the chest. I take a deep breath in, and as I slowly let out, Boom! the gun kicks and down goes the turkey. Fluttering and flopping all over

Jackman Region (Continued from page 43)

deep, but I’ve got to settle for brown fur. At the end of the day, the thrill of the hunt and the taste of the game remain the same.

Take note that rabbits and grouse occupy the same covers. Usually while bird hunting the first week of the season, I get the chance to slip some rabbit meat into my game pouch.

Game Covers A quick perusal of DeLorme’s The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer maps 39 and 40 reveal an extensive network of unpaved roads along both sides of Route 201 from The www.MaineSportsman.com

the ground. I shot it!

I jump out of the ground blind and go over to it as it’s flopping everywhere; I clipped its wings and it’s not dead yet. My dad tells me to go find a huge stick, so that’s what I do. I go find the fattest stick I can find and give it to him. We strike the turkey’s head and finally it’s dead. I did it!

By now, I’m crying full-blown tears because I actually shot the turkey of my dreams – a long bearded tom. No beginner kid usually gets the chance to shoot a tom as their first bird.

We got it tagged and then went and got it weighed. It weighed 16 pounds, with an eight –and-a-quarter-inch beard, and a quarter-inch spur. The spur on the left leg had broken from fighting with other males.

All in all, May 12th was probably the best day of my life.

¶

With the help of her Dad, Emilie Rich remained calm, helped call in a flock of birds, took careful aim, and brought home a 16-pound long-beard tom -- her first-ever wild turkey.

Forks to the hamlet of Jackman.

I take this exploring in small parcels, using a yellow highlighter to color the Atlas with areas we’ve had success. I find this small detail important, because many of these same coverts produce birds year after year. We tend to work from yellow spot to yellow spot.

It’s easy to get locked into visiting the same locations year after year. So as not to fall into that trap, I spend at least 25 percent of my hunting time trying new areas.

Hopefully they get the coveted yellow marking too!

Hunting game birds and rabbits with man’s best friend is simply a ton of fun, es-

pecially once you really get to know the dog.

I think they call it bonding.

An old timer once gave me this bit of hunting advice which I repeat often.

“Son, if you have $1,000 to spend to go hunting, take $950 to buy a good dog, and spend what’s left on any old field-grade shotgun. If you spend it all on the gun, you’ll just have a nice gun to carry around. Spend it on a good dog, and you’ll harvest a lot of game and have a lifetime of great memories.”

Well said, my friend.

¶

����������������������������������������������������The Maine Sportsman • October 2019 • 45

Lou’s Tips for the Older – I mean “More Mature” – Angler Although plenty of fly-fishing action remains in New England before the weather turns too cold, I begin reflecting on the dwindling fishing season during October. I think back on the good times (hatches, big fish, lifelong friends, and shared family adventures), and the not-so-pleasant experiences (endless spring rain, break-offs, and biting bugs galore).

As I reminisce about this season, I am coming to grips with the fact that I am getting older – not yet ready for an assisted fishing facility, but no longer in the prime of my fly-fishing abilities.

At 62 years old, I have started compensating for the inevitable aging process, realizing that while you can’t fight Mother Nature forever, you can wrestle her to a draw for a while. I am speculating that many of my readers are at my stage in life or older (after all Maine is the oldest state in the nation), and so let me pass on some things I have learned that you may find helpful.

Tip 1: Wading Staff My balance isn’t bad, but it’s not what it used to be when I could leap from one teetering, uneven rock to another, all day, without slipping.

I have gained a little weight over the years, so accidently stepping into an unseen hole risks more foot or ankle damage now than it did before.

My solution is that I now fish with a wading staff. Always.

It is an insurance policy. I rarely require it to wade across a river or walk along a bank. But

If you follow a few helpful suggestions, you can land more fish in your 60s then you did in your 30s. To maintain the quality of your fishing experience, take these steps to compensate for decreased eyesight in low light and to ensure you stay upright while wading. every so often I will slip, or step into an invisible hole. By gripping my staff tightly and taking the weight off my off-balance leg, I can stay upright, and also not strain a knee or break an ankle.

Tip 2: Hook Threaders It isn’t a big revelation to any of you that as we age, our eyesight deteriorates.

Physical changes in the eye and eye muscles make it more difficult to focus on tiny objects and see in dim or flat light when contrast is less.

Most older anglers wear glasses or carry magnifiers to better thread small-size hooks.

Some purchase prescription sunglasses to better spot fish under the water’s surface. High-quality glasses help, but I still struggle to see in flat or dim light, because I have congenital cataracts.

For me, hook thread-

ers make all the difference. Orvis sells small-diameter metal threaders shaped like an arrowhead (see photo on next page). You slide the metal tip through the eye of the hook, insert the end of the leader through the threader opening, pull the threader back through the eye of the hook, and voilà, the hook is threaded and you can then tie the knot you prefer.

Orvis sells midge threaders that will fit through hooks at least as small as size 20. Four threaders will cost you about $12, but are worth every penny, and each one will last an entire season if you don’t drop or lose them, which I have a tendency to do.

Threaders can be invaluable if you are trying to change flies during those hatches that occur in almost complete darkness – like Hex hatches.

It can be pitch black, and I can thread a hook, because I can do it by feel.

I can tell when the threader’s metal tip touches the hook eye and because it is rigid and doesn’t bend, I can poke around until it slides through.

Putting the end of my leader through the threader gap is relatively easy, because it is 10 times larger than the diameter of a hook eye.

Purchase a few, and try them yourself the next time you are changing flies in the gloom.

Tip 3: Nymph Rigs I often nymph fish with a two-nymph rig

without a floating indicator, right along the river bed. I catch more than my fair share of fish, but I break off or tangle often.

And with my diminished eyesight, it can take me a while to retie streamside the tippet, two nymphs, and split shot, particularly in poor light, or it is windy or buggy.

So, I don’t. I tie my nymphing assemblies in the comfort of my fly-tying room, and then store them until needed.

My nymphing leader comprises a butt section that ends in a tiny metal ring. I then knot on my pre-tied nymph tippet section to that ring. If I break the nymphs off or tangle them into a hopeless knot, I can cut the tippet off the ring. Then I can easily tie on another nymphing rig with a simple clinch knot, and I am (Continued on next page)

Gene Bahr MASTER FISH CARVER

Sebago, ME • (207)647-5238 • www.genebahr.com www.MaineSportsman.com

46 • October 2019 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Freshwater Fly Fishing (Continued from page 45)

done.

The key to this strategy is being able to carry around with you the pretied rigs without breaking or tangling them.

Once again, Orvis sells a plastic device to wrap your rigs around. But you can make your own.

I have seen fly fishers use cigar tubes, fishing line spools, and even empty coke bottles – use your imagination!

Tip 4: Fly Rods Another concession to age is that I now carry two or three rigged rods with me when I walk to a river or fish from a boat. I often set up one for floating dry flies, a second for streamer fishing with a sink tip or sinking line, and a third for high-stick nymphing. If one fishing technique isn’t working, I can switch to another tactic without re-rigging all the terminal gear.

Another benefit is I can employ special-

Hook threader (on right) and dropper rig carrier (on left).

The Orvis Dropper Rig Fly Box contains individual carriers (one is pictured); each has foam, plastic hooks, and holes that can hold any rig securely regardless of the configuration. Lou Zambello photos

ized rods. For instance, my nymphing rod is a ten-footer with a sensitive tip – perfect for highstick nymphing. Fishing streamers on sinking line allows you to reach

the bottom where the big boys lie (see details my latest book, “In Pursuit of Trophy Brook Trout”). ***** Age and experience bring wisdom – hopefully

I met this gent, who is in 80s, still wading and fishing alone.

– so if you can successfully adapt to a few physical limitations, there is no reason you can’t land more fish in your 60s then you did in your 30s.

In my next column in

two months, I will share other tips to help you maintain the quality of your fishing experience into your 70s and 80s, and hopefully longer!

¶

MAINE WILDLIFE QUIZ: American Woodcock by Steve Vose

The American Woodcock (Scolopax minor), also known simply as woodcock or timberdoodle, inhabits forests, brushlands and agricultural areas throughout the United States and Canada.

Migratory creatures by nature, 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 made of leaves and twigs. Hens lay one to four eggs that hatch in about 20 days.

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

Questions 1. By what other names is the American Woodcock known?

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.

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, and a tan-colored chest. More noticeable features include its large eyes, and long prehensile bill. The eyes permit an incredible visual field, larger than any avian species, while the bird’s unique bill is perfectly adapted to capture its primary food source, earthworms.

The US Fish and Wildlife 2018 report on the population status of the American Woodcock indicates that woodcock populations have been in a state of constant decline since the late 1960s. Scientists attribute the decline to a loss of habitat, caused primarily by urban development.

How long does it take for an American Woodcock egg to hatch?

How long does an American Woodcock live?

What are the most noticeable features of an American Woodcock?

What is the most significant factor in the declining population of the American Woodcock?

Answers on Page 52

����������������������������������������������������The Maine Sportsman • October 2019 • 47

Maddening Milfoil It’s not exactly the Creature from the Black Lagoon. But Eurasian Milfoil is scary enough.

And if it gets in your lake, it’s a real horror show.

Eurasian Milfoil is one of the most aggressive and feared invasive aquatic plants that threaten Maine’s lakes, ponds and rivers. Biologists from Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the Lakes Environmental Association have been working hard to keep Eurasian Milfoil and its more common cousin, Variable-leaf Milfoil, from spreading into more of Maine’s 6000+ lakes and ponds and hundreds of miles of rivers.

Several other invasive aquatic plants and animals, like zebra mussels, are also a growing concern. So far, all of the known invasive freshwater plant infestations are south of Skowhegan and west of Jefferson (Damariscotta Lake). And it’s in everyone’s best interests to keep the problem from traveling to other parts of the state.

Easily Spread Left unchecked, milfoil and other invasive plants spread quickly, forming thick mats that can threaten recreational areas, reduce property values, and impact businesses that rely on clean, healthy lakes.

Most of these plant species spread by fragmentation, with small pieces of plant drifting to new areas and taking root. Infestations can be very difficult to eradicate unless they are caught quickly when the area af-

After discovering Eurasian Milfoil at the north end of Cobbosseecontee Lake, DEP and local organizations tried to eliminate it by having divers hand-pull the plants.

When that effort proved unsuccessful, they decided to treat the 4-acre area with herbicides – a process that requires special permitting and post-application monitoring.

These invasive and fast-spreading Eurasian milfoil plants were found growing in Cobbosseecontee Lake. Photo credit: John McPhedran, Maine Department of Environmental Protection

fected is limited.

Presently, there are approximately 45 locations that have been infested with Variable-leaf Milfoil, only three of which have been successfully eradicated. Only three waterbodies have been infested with the more aggressive Eurasian Milfoil.

Another ten or so locations have been infested with other pesky invasive plants, including Hydrilla, European Naiad, Curly-leafed Pondweed, or European Frog’s Bit. Stickers Fund Maine’s Program In 2001, Maine launched the Lakes and River Protection Sticker

program to raise awareness of invasive plants and to fund efforts to monitor lakes, train volunteers, and control infestations when possible. Funds from the sale of these stickers go to Maine DEP, the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and local lake associations to support monitoring and boat inspection programs and enforcement of Maine’s invasive species law.

It is illegal to transport any aquatic plant, native or non-native, on the outside of a vehicle, boat, trailer or equipment. Violations may result in fines up to $500, and $2,500 for subse-

quent violations (MRSA Title 38, Section 419-C).

Launching a boat carrying invasive aquatic plants carries a more serious fine of between $500 and $5,000 (MRSA Title 12, Section 13068A).

New Infestations Unfortunately, despite all of these efforts, new infestations are found each year.

In 2014, Variable-Leaf milfoil was found in Annabessacook Lake, and in July of 2018 Eurasian Milfoil was discovered in Cobbosseecontee Lake. Until then, only two small ponds in southern Maine had been confirmed to have Eurasian

Milfoil.

In 2018, the Friends of the Cobbossee Watershed initiated a 3-year campaign to remove invasive variable milfoil, survey vulnerable areas, and educate the public. This campaign will cost an estimated $250,000 during the 2018-2020 project period. They welcome donations to support their effort.

Herbicide Treatment After discovering Eurasian Milfoil at the north end of Cobbossee Lake, DEP and local organizations tried to eliminate it by having divers handpull the plants. However, they found they couldn’t remove all the plants, so they decided to treat the area with herbicides.

Herbicide treatment is rarely used in Maine in the battle against invasive aquatic plants. It requires a special permit, because it may have unwanted effects on non-target plant communities.

Maine law (Title 38 Section 465A) limits herbicide use in great ponds to “restoration of biological communities affected by an invasive species,” not for long term management of larger, likely permanent infestations. For this reason, herbicides are only used in a small area when a plant colony is not well established.

According to John McPhedran, the head of Maine DEP’s invasive species program, the department chose a new herbicide for Cobbossee Lake called ProcellaCOR EC, which contains a synthetic plant hormone that makes the plant cells (Continued on next page) www.MaineSportsman.com

48 • October 2019 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————————————

— Guest Column —

Use a Long Rod

by David Putnam

With a 7-1/2 foot rod, I have better control than anglers using shorter rods. If the fish dives under the boat, I poke the long rod down into the water, sometimes up to the reel, to prevent the line from getting tangled up in the trolling motor’s lower unit.

When an angler is fishing solo from a skiff, kayak or canoe, it’s common for a fish to take the line around the bow or stern, where the line can catch on a cleat, trolling motor or anchor line.

Even if you’re fishing with a pal, it’s not easy to move the boat to accommodate a fish of any power like a decent-sized smallmouth, trout, striper or bluefish. Best to stay seated and not lurch around a tippy boat to control the rod. Under the boat goes the fish; snap goes the line. We’ve all been there.

Many offshore head boats from Maine to California use heavy-duty 8’ rods to help anglers keep big fish away from the boat’s hull, as do many snook fishermen in south Florida. The same principle applies to a canoe or kayak.

When fishing from

a small boat, a simple solution is to use longer fishing rods with heavier line. You’ll put more fish in the cooler.

My favorite spinning rod is 7’6”, medium action with a fast tip. It’s easier to move around obstacles in the boat than a shorter rod.

Things that stick up like rods in holders and cleats all seem to reach for a fishing line—and I have better control of fish, so if they dive under the boat at the last minute, I poke the long rod down into the water, sometimes up to the reel, to help keep the line from getting tangled up in the engine’s lower unit.

To do it right, I usually fish with braided line in the 15-pound range with a 4’ mono leader, 10 pounds on average.

(I don’t use fluorocarbon leaders, nor do the top three professional an-

Sporting Environment (Continued from page 47)

grow out of control and die. It has been used in rice paddies to control weeds, and was recently registered for broader use in 2017.

Before it could be used in Maine, ProcellaCOR EC had to be evaluated for potential impacts on other plants, animals and fish.

Regulators also considered how the herbicide degrades and if it would have possible impacts on human health. Maine DEP also had to obtain written permission from all public water suppliers that use the lake for drinking water.

Following receipt of approval to use the herbicide, Maine DEP treated a four-acre section of the 5,500 acre Cobbossee Lake.

McPhedran says that initial results are promising. www.MaineSportsman.com

glers I know.) If I’m using live bait, the heavier non-stretch braided line and long rod help set the hook.

Recently, I was fishing from a Jon boat with live shiners for white perch with a friend. He used a 6’ ultralight spinning rod with 4-pound line. We forgot to bring a landing net, so his fish had to be lifted out of the water by hand.

He thought my tackle was overkill— too big— until he missed a few hook sets with his whippy light rod and conventional Eagle-Claw j-hooks.

(For live minnows, I use #6 Gamakatsu Octopus Circle hooks. No need to strike abruptly to set the hook. When I feel a bite, I just point the rod at the fish and reel fast.)

My friend hooked a three-pound bass that made a mighty jump, then the fish ran the line around the trolling motor

With a long rod and long net, anglers can maintain control over a fish and reduce snagging the line on the boat or motor. David Putnam photo

shaft. He was unable to go forward to get it loose.

Before I could move to help, off came the fish.

We eventually caught some jumbo perch in the 1.5 pound range, but he had a tough time. I didn’t count the ones that got away at boat side. I was reminded it’s best when using light line not to horse ’em. Go easy. Let

The lake will need to be monitored closely for several years to see if there is any regrowth of Eurasian Milfoil anywhere in the watershed. Friends of Cobbossee Watershed are providing much of the post-treatment monitoring.

Prevention Is Best McPhedran emphasized that the most important strategy in controlling invasive aquatic plants is prevention–monitoring boats and other gear for stowaway plants.

Many lake associations have volunteers or interns working at boat launches to inspect boats and trailers and to educate the public about invasive species.

A recent article in The Bridgton News reported that a volunteer boat inspector found Eurasian Milfoil on a jet-ski from Massachusetts that was being launched on

the fish wear itself out before you try to land it.

Strong fish often make a last-second surge and pop skinny line.

On the big boats, gaff hooks are used to put the fish in the boat. Here in my skiff in Maine, nothing beats a long-handled landing net … when I remember to take it along.

¶

Sebago Lake. Every year, inspectors record similar “saves” by finding unwanted plants (and even illegally transported fish) before they become new infestations.

Clean, Drain, Dry To protect our lakes and rivers, we should all heed the handy motto for preventing the spread of non-native plants: • CLEAN off visible aquatic plants, animals, and mud from all equipment before leaving water access.

• DRAIN motor, bilge, livewell, and other water containing devices before leaving water access.

• DRY everything for at least five days OR wipe with a towel before reuse.

After all, nobody wants to see a monster problem in their beautiful lake.

¶

����������������������������������������������������The Maine Sportsman • October 2019 • 49

Bird Hunting Tops Tom’s October Agenda Why do legions of bird hunters head to the Moosehead Region in October? Because Moosehead stands as one of the last, best places in Maine for free and open access to quality upland hunting.

With development and “No Hunting” signs eating up or taking out of circulation historic bird covers in other parts of Maine, the Moosehead Region welcomes bird hunters – a happy contrast.

Both grouse and woodcock find untold acres of prime habitat in this part of northern Maine. But the covers are not the typical kind that old-time bird hunters used to frequent.

Oh, there are some alder patches and even some reverting farmland, but most of Moosehead’s productive bird covers are of a newer variety.

Pioneer vegetation filtering in on cut-over land stands as an ongoing process; thus, new covers are continually coming online. Besides, the region being so big and so vast that it would be impossible to hunt every promising spot during the course of a single season.

It’s fun to try, though.

Annual Trip And trying new spots, in addition to visiting tried-and-true covers, is the theme of my annual bird-hunting trip with area guide Bob Lawrence of Rockwood. We have a leg up on where to find good numbers of birds, because Bob makes it a point to scout the area ahead of time. Also, Bob guides moose hunters, and in doing so, runs

Bird hunters find plenty to like in the Moosehead Region – miles of accessible logging roads; old covers and regenerating clearcuts creating new covers; and plenty of wildlife to encounter during your forays into the woods.

Just don’t get “turned around” in the vast woods, and don’t expect uninterrupted cellphone coverage.

Bob Lawrence with grouse from Moosehead Region. Tom Seymour photo

across lots of birdy places for us to try come October.

In addition, Bob knows the area inside and out, a real help in the pursuit of grouse and woodcock.

But it isn’t absolutely necessary to have “insider” information in order to locate birds. Those

new to the area can easily drive on paper company and other roads, and find great bird hunting.

Last year, my friend Russ Arnold of Jackson took his wife on a leisurely drive on backcountry roads out of Greenville, trying to get her a first look at a Maine moose.

Seeing a great-looking

cover, Russ stepped out of his truck just to look around, and immediately flushed several woodcock.

Bird hunting wasn’t his reason for being there, and so he didn’t pursue the thing. However, Russ remembers where he found those birds and plans to return this year, shotgun in hand.

And that’s just how easy it is to find good upland-hunting spots.

There is a caveat, though, for those who would cruise the north woods in search of game. It’s easy to become, if not lost, at least “turned around.”

A DeLorme Atlas makes a handy companion. Just make sure to get a recent edition, since roads and road access changes according to ongoing logging operations.

A GPS unit helps, too.

So come, scout around, but be prepared.

One more thing – cell phones don’t always work in the big woods. However, places where you can get a signal are often marked. So if you need to make a call, take advantage of such locations.

Birdy Tips Here are some tips for those new to hunting (Continued from page 49)

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50 • October 2019 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Here’s an anecdote that perfectly illustrates this point. Several years ago, instead of my favorite 12-gauge shotgun, I chose to use my 16-gauge L.C. Smith, side-by-side double gun. The Smith has modified and fullchoke barrels, and the full choke has a history of

Moosehead Region (Continued from page 49)

the big woods. First, let’s consider perspective. It’s easy to spy a grouse and think it is well within shotgun range, when it’s not. Very often, especially on windy days and later in the season, when birds

become a bit edgy from being hunted, long shots are the order of the day.

For that reason, unless you have a pointing dog, it pays to have a shotgun with plenty of knockdown power.

reaching way out to make a kill.

But for the distances encountered that day, the Smith just didn’t have quite the knockdown power. I found myself wounding birds that we had to chase – not a good thing at all. So the next time out, it was back to

the old reliable 12-gauge double gun.

Shot size matters, too. My penchant for size 8 shot in the right barrel and size 7 ½ in the left barrel works fine for close shooting in alder covers, but again, smaller shot such as this can result in wounded birds.

(Continued on page 52)

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����������������������������������������������������The Maine Sportsman • October 2019 • 51

Downeast Bird Hunting on the Upswing “Watch it! Bird coming your way!” my dad hollered. I quickly shouldered my single-shot, Savage 20 ga. and fired.

The partridge continued its flight through the over-grown apple orchard apparently unscathed.

After a few minutes, Dad, followed by our English Setter, Gypsy Pat, came over to see if I had hit the bird. I explained to him that I had shot right at the thundering grouse and I didn’t know how I could have missed! Yes, I have to admit, I said that a lot when I was young.

He said, “So you shot right at the bird?”

Yes, I told him, “I shot right at the bird.”

“That was your first mistake!” he said.

“What do you mean,” I asked?

“Well,” he said, “when you shoot at a fast-flying bird, like a partridge, you have to lead them. If it is flying left or right of you, shoot slightly in front of it. If the bird is flying up and away from you, shoot a tad above it. The bird will often fly right into your shot pattern.”

My dad’s advice

The dates for the 2019 fall turkey season have been expanded. This fall’s season begins September 16 and ends November 7, 2019 for shotgun or bow hunters. My wife gave me a crossbow for our anniversary. Please don’t mention to her that it will extend my turkey and deer hunting seasons by two more months. taught me, as a 10-yearold hunter, how to increase my success rate afield. Now, nearly 60 years later, I can still hear my dad’s words of wisdom, especially when I miss an easy shot at a fleeing partridge.

Hancock County Birds Bird hunting begins in October, which means upland-bird gunners in my home region wander afield in pursuit of helicopter-flying woodcock and explosive partridge.

According to Department of Inland Fisheries Wildlife biologist Brad Allen,

upland birds in our region appear to be healthy and holding their own.

Allen reported that “[t] he outlook for partridge should be better than average, and the outlook for woodcock should be better than last year.”

Allen also mentioned that early woodcock surveys indicate hunters will see average populations of native and flight birds this fall. Partridge broods that hatched late may have fared slightly better than woodcock due to wet hatching conditions in the month of May.

Productive bird covers exist in Prospect.

These woodcock and partridge haunts are located in the vicinity of the Old County Road (DeLorme Atlas, Map 23, E-1).

This state-owned parcel, known as the Stockton Springs Flowage, creates ideal habitat for some fast-flying woodcock action. Thick alder growth between the Meadow’s Road and the northern end of this flowage often holds a fair number of native, as well as migratory, flights of woodcock.

According to avid bird hunter Jim Sohns of Bucksport, the thickets here are more easily hunted with the assistance of a trained bird dog.

Jim often hunts partridge on the Mt. Tuck side of the Meadows Road with his German shorthaired pointer, Azurite (“Azi”). Farmlands, fields and old apple orchards along this road contain just enough cover to hold several pockets of grouse.

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Downeast Region (Continued from page 51)

cels of land near him and has reclaimed it.

In a recent conversation with David Montague, President and C.E.O of DLLT, I learned that the Ruffed Grouse Society and the land trust began working together in 2012 to improve habitat for woodcock and grouse on Dougherty Ridge (Map 35, B-4).

More than a dozen small patches, each 2 to 5 acres in area, were cleared to encourage young hardwood growth.

Woodcock use the youngest clearings for their spring-mating rituals, while grouse find food, cover and sites for nesting and breeding in the dense woody understory. Hunting is allowed on these properties. F o r

more information concerning DLLT and their efforts to establish better habitat for Downeast birds and forest animals, refer to their website: www.downeastlakes.org Timberdoodle hunters thrashing through alder covers from Trescott to Talmadge also find productive woodcock covers. These Downeast areas are one of the first stops for these migrating birds. They will settle in with the population of native woodcock.

There are many other alder-stream covers in this region that contain woodcock, as well as some excellent partridge haunts to be found along some of the long-abandoned woods roads.

Downeast Turkey Hunting The dates for the 2019 fall turkey season have been expanded. This fall’s season begins September 16 and ends November 7, 2019 for shotgun or bow hunters. In Wildlife Management District (WMD) 28, two wild turkeys of either sex may be harvested, with a three wild turkeys bag limit in WMD 26 and a one turkey bag limit in WMD 27.

Fall turkey hunting and deer hunting with my new TenPoint Stealth NXT crossbow will add one more outstanding activity to my fall-hunting schedule. I’m not sure if my wife has realized that her wedding anniversary gift to me would extend my turkey and deer hunting season by two more months. Please don’t tell her!

Downeast Land and Lakes Trust (DLLT) members have cleared more than a dozen small patches of woods, each 2 to 5 acres in area, to encourage young hardwood growth. Ruffed grouse like this one find food, cover and sites for nesting and breeding in the dense woody understory. Hunting is allowed on these properties. Photo source: DLLT

WMD 26, my home range, offers prime turkey habitat from the coastal waters of Blue Hill and Stonington to East Eddington and Bangor. Refer to Maps 23 and a copy of Maine’s Hunting

Regulations for a detailed map of this district. Some top-notch hunting areas to pursue a turkey lie within the boundaries of WMD 27.

¶

Wildlife Quiz Answers: American Woodcock 1. American Woodcock is also known simply as woodcock or timberdoodle.

2. American Woodcock inhabits forests, brushlands and agricultural areas throughout the United States and Canada.

3. Yes, American Woodcock spend the cold

4.

5.

6.

winter months in the south, and return north in the spring to breed.

American Woodcock nest on the ground.

American Woodcock eggs hatch in about 20 days.

An American Woodcock lives to approximately 8 years of age.

7.

8.

(Quiz on Page 46)

Noticeable features of an American Woodcock include its large eyes and long prehensile bill.

The biggest factor in the declining population of the American Woodcock is loss of habitat caused by urban development.

Moosehead Region (Continued from page 50)

My recommendation, therefore, is to use at least size 6 shot, and if you can find it, size 5 is even better. So keep these suggestions in mind and you’ll make cleaner shots and take more birds.

Oh, one more thing – bring a camera.

You’ll no doubt find yourself in places where the distant mountains paint a calendar picture against a blue-sky background – worth saving for later use. I often use scenic shots taken in the Moosehead region as background photos for my computer. Looking at these on cold winter days brings back the memories of good times well-spent in the Moosehead area.

Wildlife Watching Speaking of moose-watching reminds me that almost every time out bird hunting with Bob Lawrence, we spot several moose.

During the day, moose come out in the open to forage in cut-over land. They are usually visible from the road, but sometimes it takes a trained eye to spot them. www.MaineSportsman.com

Two young bull moose spotted while bird hunting in Moosehead region.

Look for large, mostly black, forms that somehow don’t seem to fit in. A set of binoculars helps immensely. I always bring my Canon image-stabilized binoculars. These completely do away with vibrations and in doing so, have the effect of seeming to increase aperture. But any serviceable pair of binoculars will do.

Also, while driving along paper company roads, look for moose crossings and trees where moose have rubbed their antlers. As opposed to whitetail deer rubbings, these

can be far up a tree. Some small trees and larger shrubs get shattered when a bull moose takes out his frustration on them.

Some places look like the aftermath of minor battles. Moose are big, powerful animals and the damage they can inflict is remarkable.

For me, October ranks as the most glorious month to just be alive and out and about in the Moosehead region. Come up, try it yourself, and see if you don’t agree.

¶

����������������������������������������������������The Maine Sportsman • October 2019 • 53

Stricter Stripers Regs for 2020 On August 8th, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (ASMFC’s) Striped Bass Board met to discuss the status of East Coast striper stocks. The ASMFC is the organization of states from Maine to North Carolina that collectively manages striped bass, bluefish, and other fish species that migrate from state to state.

The focus of the meeting was a 2018 striped bass stock assessment that indicated the species is being overfished along the East Coast, and that the number of spawning-age females (called the spawning stock biomass, or SSB) has fallen below the minimum threshold. When the SSB falls below that level, the law requires managers to do something about it.

The “fix” in order to start turning things around is an 18% reduction in the total number of fish caught by both recreational and commercial fishermen compared to 2017. So in response, the Striped Bass Board launched Draft Adden-

New rules options being considered include a 36” minimum, a 28” to 33” slot, and a 32” to 40” slot.

If any of the three proposed size-limit regulations for striped bass are implemented, 28-inch keepers like this one displayed by angler Nancy Cobb of Bradenton, FL and Larry Grimard, mate on the author’s Shark Six, will have to be released in 2020. Barry Gibson photo

dum VI to the striped bass plan that’s currently in effect.

Addendum VI starts out with three options: • The first is status quo, or no change, which is very unlikely to be adopted, given the stock and SSB condition.

• The second is an equal 18% reduction in

catch for both the commercial and recreational fisheries.

• The third is proportional reductions in the commercial fishery (1.8%) and the recreational fishery (20%).

Both the second and third options are possibilities.

Larger Minimum Size What will that mean for Maine striper anglers? Nothing is chiseled in granite yet, but regulations being considered for 2020 include one fish per person per day, minimum size 36”; one fish per day in a 28” to 33”slot; and one fish per day in a 32” to 40” slot. Proposed rec-

reational regulations for Chesapeake Bay include minimum lengths and slots ranging between 18” and 24”, since it is claimed that Chesapeake stripers run smaller than ocean fish.

Also included in Addendum VI are three circle hook options, ranging from status quo (not required in most states) to requiring them (as currently in Maine), to recommending or promoting them. I don’t think we will see any change here in Maine, but my guess is that circles will be required in other states as well in 2020. Circle hooks are said to reduce mortality in released striped bass by hooking the fish in the jaw hinge instead of the throat or gut. How effective they are – in reality – is subject to debate, but it has been estimated that the release mortality (number of fish that die after being released) in the recreational striper fishery may equal the number of fish actually landed and kept, so managers are looking (Continued on next page)

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Saltwater Fishing (Continued from page 53)

to reduce that as well.

Following the Process Everyone will have a chance to comment on Draft Addendum VI as it works its way through the process. The document is posted on the ASMFC web site at www.asmfc. org, and comments can be forwarded via email to: comments@ asmfc.org.

Include “Draft Addendum VI” in the subject line. Do this immediately, as the

comment period ends on Sept. 27th. If you miss this deadline, there will likely be another opportunity to comment once Addendum VI is finalized and before it goes into effect. Monitor the ASMFC’s web site for details.

What’s my take on this? I agree that the SSB has likely fallen below the threshold, and I believe that something should be done. However, I think

Maine anglers are going to be impacted far more than fishermen in other states. We don’t get a lot of big stripers up here anymore, so if the minimum size goes to 36”, it’s probable the number of bass caught and retained in 2020 could be counted on both hands. Most of the damage to the SSB has been done in both the recreational and commercial (where permitted) fisheries from Massachusetts through Virginia where there have been

far more of the larger fish available, and a lot more people fishing for them.

I’ll stay on the issue and report as things progress.

October’s Jumbo Mackerel In most years, mackerel start to thin out in the bays and along the ocean-water shorelines, but dense schools of really big ones often congregate over humps and ledges a bit farther offshore in 50 to 120 feet of water. If you see a “cloud” on your

fishfinder over a hump or “hill,” chances are it will be a school of big macs.

These fish, often to 18” or better, will readily take a four-ounce diamond jig. Simply lower it down to the bottom, reel up a few feet, and start jigging. If they are indeed mackerel, you’ll hook up immediately. You may also pick up a few cod and pollock as well, but remember that all cod must be released as of October 1st.

¶

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����������������������������������������������������The Maine Sportsman • October 2019 • 55

Long-Distance Shooting in a Precision Rifle Series Match “It’s kinda like golf, but you’re shooting longrange rifles,” the district sales manager, Tom, for Swarovski Optiks explained over the phone.

“We have an extra spot on our team if you want to come.”

I mulled over the invitation for about half a second before enthusiastically agreeing to drive to New Hampshire the following weekend to participate in a Precision Rifle Series (PRS) match.

PRS is a long-range rifle sport that tests speed, precision and firearm ballistics knowledge. Matches consist of multiple timed stations where shooters engage targets from various positions and distances, up to 1,200 yards. Shooters are awarded points according to how many targets they hit in the given time.

I didn’t have a rifle, scope, or experience to compete at such a level, but Tom said I could use his Ruger Precision 6.5mm and that the match is for all skill levels.

Team and Gear The Friday before the match, I met up with my team. After introduc-

Different stations in the match presented different challenges. At our first station, the target was 1,200 yards away – we were basically shooting from one mountain to another. At other stations, we fired from the back seat of a pickup truck and from behind an open car door.

Each station called for specific shooting positions. Here, the author takes a long-distance prone shot.

tions were made, they explained what a kestrel is (a device that calculates scope adjustments based on user input data including wind, distance and elevation) and told me who would be at the shoot (the top shooters in the country!).

I also familiarized myself with the rifle and scope I’d be using. I work part-time for Swarovski Optiks, so I understood things like MOA (a Minute of Angle – a scope adjustment that translates roughly into a foot of drop at 100 yards) and first

focal plane (in which the reticle or cross-hairs increase in size as the magnification level increases), but I had never use a first focal plane scope.

The next morning, we drove to the O’Neill Rally Driving School in Dalton.

The company’s property is hilly, and features six miles of an off road driving course.

I was one of only three females, out of over 80 shooters.

Different Rules for Different Stations After a short welcome

The first station required shots of 1,200 yards. Before shooting, the author’s group had to wait for a bear to amble away from the target area.

briefing, we loaded up and were driven to the first station.

My group started at the longest target of the day, 1,200 yards. We were literally shooting from one mountain to another – it was crazy!

When we got the green light to begin, we actually couldn’t because there was a black bear grazing in front of targets!

Each station has different rules, targets, distances, and shooting positions.

These were the rules

for our first station: • Rounds: 10 • Time: 2 minutes • Start Position: prone, mag in, bolt back • Allowed Equipment: one bag • Targets: – 1: 1200 yards, 36” square – 2: 1200 yards, 24” square – 3: 1200 yards, 24” square – 4: 1200 yards, 16” square • Description: Upon the start signal, shooter shall engage each target in order, with one round each. Shooter must achieve an impact on Target 1 before moving to Target 2. If the shooter misses any targets, they will lose all points for the stage, and must start over with Target 1.

If the shooter successfully engages all four targets, they may start over and reengage the targets without losing any previously earned points.

Employing Strategy This station was not only about precision, but you had to be strategic so to not lose points. Shooters began taking turns, and I watched through (Continued on page 57)

The match attracted some of the most accurate shooters in the country -- and some of the most high-end, specialized precision rifles, as well. www.MaineSportsman.com

56 • October 2019 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Quick and Easy Truck Camping for Off-Road Adventures As much as I like sleeping in a comfortable lodge with a good, solid roof over my head, I still enjoy camping outdoors in the woods. Nothing compares to waking up to the sound of waves lapping at the shore, woodland song birds chirping out their tunes, or the soft patter of raindrops on the earth around the campsite.

I am kind of a fair-weather camper – when the thundershowers last more than four or five hours, I’m heading to the nearest available cabin. I’ll wait a storm out a few hours, just because

www.MaineSportsman.com

For a quick truck-camping set-up, “Plan A” involved a cap/topper that fit over my truck bed, with an inflatable mattress to sleep on. However, as I slid three kayaks into the open bed of the Tacoma, I realized I wouldn’t be able to do that with a cap/topper in place. That’s when I began to formulate “Plan B.” I’ve done it before, and often find that a rainy day can turn into a wonderful, sunny occasion in a hurry. Still, when the weatherman predicts hard rain for days on end, I’ll be found with a good book back at the cozy and dry cabin.

Now, I’ve had my share of waiting a storm out in a little tent, hop-

ing the lightweight fabric would hold fast in the wind and remain leakfree in the rain. The worse part, besides having a leak, is being jammed into such a little space for the duration. Just making a simple cup of tea in a small tent gets turned into a physical exercise somewhere between yoga and a wrestling match

with yourself.

Camping Nowadays Nowadays, I don’t do any tent camping that involves a daily move to new locations – like a hiking camper would do.

I have given up extended tent camping trips; the old back just won’t take it anymore, so I’m limited to a few nights in a tent at best.

I still need some type of overnight camping system that requires a limited amount of time to set up and tear down. I like to hunt and fish in remote areas of the map where not many folks travel, so this requires a longer-than-usual amount of driving time to get to the location.

To access these remote locations and have enough time to hunt or fish for a day without waking at two o’clock in the morning for the long drive sometimes forces me into a camping situation. I drive up the after(Continued on next page)

����������������������������������������������������The Maine Sportsman • October 2019 • 57 (Continued from page 56)

noon before, set up camp, and then wake up right there in my hunting or fishing location and do my thing for the day.

Another scenario has me driving up to hunt or fish, and then during the activity I get farther and farther back into the woods as the day goes on.

At the end of a long day, I decide against a long and dark drive home. So I stay the night, wake up refreshed, and then drive home.

One more situation that would require a camping set-up would be if I decided to spend a few days in a remote location.

Rather than a long drive in and out of the designated hunting or fishing area each day, I prefer to camp in place for a night or two.

Quick Set-Up In any of the above camping situations, I would like to have a camping system that sets up easily and quickly, with a minimum of tools and gadgets. Also, due to my constant back troubles, I need an extra-comfortable sleeping mattress.

Truck camping has been around for quite a few years, as seen in this old photograph. Photo courtesy of Tony Pena

At first I thought the optimal solution would be a cap/topper that fit over my truck bed, with an inflatable mattress for a dry and comfortable camping experience and minimal set-up time. As long as the cap/topper had a canoe rack installed, this option would work fine.

A new idea came to mind as I slid three kayaks into the back of the open bed of my Toyota Tacoma. I would not be able to do this with a cap/topper in place, and removing the cap/topper each kayaking trip would be a pain; so Plan B began to formulate.

I sat and looked at the truck bed and wished I could carry more kayaks

Maine Sportswoman (Continued from page 55)

my binoculars. It was already hot, and I could actually see the bullets’ vapor trails!

Many of the shooters quit while they were ahead with two points. They were worried about missing their third shot, and losing all their points.

When it was my turn, my team helped me with the kestrel and told me that they held left on the first target. The data from the kestrel was not perfect at that distance.

We were shooting across a valley, and wind and conditions at the target were very different than where we were standing.

I missed my first nine shots, but on the last one, I heard a “ting” from the steel target. One point! The target was so far away, the “ting” came multiple seconds after I fired.

The other stations held their own challenges.

• One did not list the distance the targets were at.

• One required shooting out of the window from the backseat of a pickup truck.

and canoes in the vehicle when the whole family wants to go hit the beach.

Just as this thought started stirring around in my head, my wife, Nancy, told me about a canoe rack for sale just up the road from our home.

Long story short, I purchased the rack, installed it, and now have been thinking of a way to rig a huge tarp up over the whole truck to provide a rain-free area for camping while sleeping in the bed of the truck.

Quick Solution I haven’t completed this system yet, but within the next few weeks I’ll be ready to give it a test run. My plan goes like

This set-up is similar to what the author has proposed for truck camping adventures. Photo courtesy of Phil Page

this: • Locate a camping area with a few trees surrounding an opening in the woods (shouldn’t be too difficult here in Maine); • Tie off a huge tarp (30’ x 20’), high enough so I can drive the truck right under it; • Remove all kayaks and canoes from the truck; • Inflate my new comfy air mattress that covers the bed of the truck; • Lay out my sleeping bag; and then • Lift in place some kind of mosquito netting if needed.

The tarp would be big enough to keep the whole truck dry, and I could

• One, when time started, required shooters to walk up a small ramp, and then straddle it at the top before beginning to shoot.

• One required kneeling and shooting from an open car door.

Part of a Series There are over 40 PRS matches held each year, all across the country. Serious shooters collect points, and top-ranked competitors compete at an event called “The Finale”.

The New Hampshire course is a tough one; I was told it is the lowest-scoring match in the country.

The sport draws folks from many walks of shooting life, including hunters, ex-military, and shooting enthusiasts.

From a hunting perspective, the sport builds marksman skills that can help hunters take ethical shots at longer ranges and from a variety of real-world shooting positions.

There are three different categories shooters can enter in a match: • Tactical – only permits 7.62 NATO/.308 Remington and 5.56 NATO/.223

easily get up and move around the truck without getting rained on. I could cook and do chores at the tailgate of the truck, or get into the interior of the vehicle without getting wet or feeling cramped.

To be able to stand up and move about freely would be great, especially if I had to wait out a thundershower for any length of time.

I’ll take some photos as this project moves along, and report back on the finished product – hopefully in use while I’m enjoying a remote hunting or fishing adventure in this beautiful state.

¶

Remington rifles, with further restrictions on bullet weight and velocity.

• Production–rifles that cost less than $2,000, and optics that cost less than $2,000 and that remain in factory configuration.

• Open–pretty much everything else.

This was the most popular category at the shoot.

Popular rifle calibers include 6mm dasher, .308, and 6mm Creedmoor bolt action. Ballistics knowledge and a high-quality scope are a must. Nearly all the scopes are front focal plane – the opposite of most hunting scopes.

For More Information My team didn’t come in close to the top, but it was a great experience, and I got to practice my long-range shooting so I’ll be better prepared for hunting season.

If you’d like to get involved, mark your calendar for late July, and sign up 2020 events. You can also volunteer at the event as a range officer.

Locally, check out the New England group called Minuteman Precision Rifle League on Facebook or online.

¶

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58 • October 2019 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————————————

American Shad, “Poor Man’s Tarpon,” Return to Maine It’s never too early to prepare for next spring’s open-water fishing season, especially when American shad are the target species.

With the removal of dams on some of our major rivers, shad are now able to return to their historic haunts. Spotty at first, numbers of returning shad have reached the point now where the shad fishery has become a major event.

The Kennebec River hosts the largest shad fishery, with the Penobscot nipping on its heels. Other rivers also host shad runs, including some of Downeast Maine’s Atlantic salmon rivers.

Like other anadromous fish, American shad ascend rivers to spawn, after which they return to their saltwater environs.

And while mostly plankton feeders, shad willingly smash artificial lures and colorful flies. Their habit of making line-sizzling runs and jumping clear of the water, endears them to anglers.

First Shad Early last June, my pal Andy Collar invited me to stay at his place on the Kennebec River in Waterville and go shad fishing with him. Andy didn’t need to ask me

Five minutes after we began trolling jigs with fly rods and sinking line in the Kennebec River, the first shad hit.

Powerful beyond belief, the shad made steamroller runs and even cleared water, thrilling me to the core.

Shad put up a line-sizzling, nerve-jarring, battle, using their long, flat shape as leverage during the fight. Tom Seymour photo

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fishing.

While I brought my own version of shad darts (cone-shaped jigheads with yellow-and-orange tails), Andy suggested I use his jigs. These, which he purchased online, were like nothing I’d seen before – extraterrestrial-looking contraptions with crossbar eyes.

However, despite their oddball appearance, these little lures were a

red-hot choice.

After we launched at the public landing in Waterville, Andy motored upriver, where we let out our jigs. We used fly rods with sinking lines to keep the jigs down near bottom where the fish were hanging.

It wasn’t five minutes before the first shad hit.

The fish felt heavy and for a while, it had its way with me. Powerful

beyond belief, the shad made steamroller runs and even cleared water, thrilling me to the core.

The battle continued even after the fish neared the boat. Every time I thought it was licked, the shad would make another run. The 8-foot fly rod finally took its toll and my first shad came to net – a thrilling and much-anticipated achievement.

Sore Wrist That first fish was quickly followed by another, and soon my wrist was aching. Let me say that to experience muscle fatigue from fighting fish doesn’t happen that often, but with shad it seems a common occurrence. Sometimes I had difficulty in keeping the rod high – the shad were so powerful that in an instant, despite all my efforts, the rod tip nearly touched the water.

Such a battle from a fish weighing a little more than 3 pounds seems outof-the-ordinary. But shad have a flat body, and they use it to exert maximum pressure against the rod.

Couple that with the inherent fighting capability of any anadromous fish, fresh from the sea, and you have a mega-battler, a fish whose fighting prowess is legendary.

Shad grow considerably larger than what I caught that day, with some reaching the 8- to 12-pound range. But those seem rare here in Maine. Three- and 4-pound shad, though, are a handful for anyone.

It’s difficult to imagine how strong an 8-pound shad would fight.

(Continued on page 60)

����������������������������������������������������The Maine Sportsman • October 2019 • 59

Fisher Trapping Fisher are normally trapped with size 1-½ and 2 coil spring traps. Some trappers also utilize the double long spring in size 2.

The current law that requires use of an exclusion device with a body-gripping trap not to exceed an inside 8-inch dimension, has greatly reduced the take of fisher. This is due to the exclusion device design, not the trap size. Fisher appear not to spend too much time trying to figure out how to enter the device or maybe many do not like the entries twist and turns.

Whatever the reason, the take of fisher has been greatly reduced because of the exclusion device. Many trappers have stopped trapping fisher with body grips because of this requirement.

It also eliminates the taking of bobcat and raccoons; in southern Maine, this includes the opossum. All three animals are attracted to the same baits.

It’s the ultimate game-management irony – 1) exclusion devices designed to protect lynx, also prevent fisher from being easily trapped; 2) this results in an increase in fisher populations; and 3) when fisher get hungry during the long, cold Maine winter, they eat lynx!

Fisher trap with front entrance.

If one uses foothold traps for either the marten or the fisher, there are restrictions on the use and configuration of foothold traps when used state wide. This mainly relates to the requirements of center swiveling, three swivels, and placement of the trap so

Fisher trap with a side entrance.

as not to allow entanglement. Trappers need to ensure the traps are set in accordance with the law.

As with the marten, if constructing with an exclusion device for fisher, the wire mesh cannot exceed 1 ½ x 1 ½ inches, or 1 x 2 inch openings (side

by side). The wire mesh must be 16 gauge or less (heavier/thicker).

The slots for the trap springs to extend outside of the device cannot exceed 7 ½ inches in width and no more than 1 ½ inches high. The entrance

hole cannot exceed 5 x 6 inches. A baffle must be placed no more than 6 inches back from the entrance hole, and must not provide an opening greater than 5 x 6 inches. With the baffle in place, the entrance hole and interior opening in the baffle may not overlap to create an unobstructed view to the interior of the exclusion device.

You are also allowed to construct the exclusion device with the entry hole on the side with an entry area of not more than 6 x 7 inches and a baffle at the edge of the entry hole with the interior opening opposite of the entry hole.

This entryway into the interior may not exceed 6 by 6 inches.

Fisher Predation of Lynx Because recent trapping regulations for fishers have become much more restrictive to minimize the incidental take of a threatened Canadi(Continued on next page)

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Trapping the Silent Places (Continued from page 59)

an Lynx, the restrictions have resulted in limited fisher trapping effort and a lower harvest of fisher. The reduced take of fisher has led to a population increase, resulting in greater predation on lynx. Yes, fisher prey on lynx! Even before these restrictions on trapping, fisher were determined to be the leading source of lynx mortality.

A study several years ago concluded that lynx and fishers should be monitored where the species coexist, due to predation. Eighty six percent of fisher predations on lynx was found to have occurred during the winter.

Winter severity in western and northern Maine

plays a major role in the fisher predation of lynx.

During cold Maine winters, when there are fewer foraging choices and when snowshoe hare densities are lowest, lynx may be the most nutritious food item available for fishers. Winter is the most common food stress period for predators.

Currently, predation appears to be having a greater effect on the lynx population. Despite the increase in fisher killing lynx in Maine, trapping effort will require modifying our current trapping regulations to increase the harvest of fisher.

Increased trapping effort would improve the survival rate of lynx, as

Midcoast Report (Continued from page 58)

Andy and I continued fishing until nearly dark, with some fish being landed and others earning their freedom. Shad have paper-thin sides to their mouths, and a fish hooked in that membrane requires a delicate touch on the part of the angler.

Fishing Methods While all we did was troll, other anglers took shad by anchoring over holding water and either letting their line swing in the current or by casting. Also, fly rods aren’t the only workable tool in the shad fisher’s arsenal. Spinning gear works fine as well.

I would suggest using at least a 6-foot spinning rod and 6-pound-test line. Also, a parabolic action beats a stiffer action. The even bend of a parabolic-action rod allows the angler to keep tension on the fish at all times.

Later, we took a tour farther upstream, where people were fishing from shore. So

Maine’s lynx population continues to grow in response to abundant habitat and prey.

As a result, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IF&W) is considering increasing the harvest of fishers due to predation depressing the population growth rate of the threatened lynx. It appears that the effort to save the threatened lynx by restricting trapping has resulted in an oxymoron of regulations on trapping.

For a detailed overview of the predation of fisher on lynx in the Northeastern United States, review IF&W’s extensive research program presented in The Journal of Wildlife Management. You can also

access the study be either of the following links: https://wildlife.onlinelirary.wiley.com/doi/ full/10.1002/jwmg.21538, or https://doi.org/10.1002/ jwmg.21538 Bobcat/Raccoon/ Opossum As previously stated, the exclusion devices have eliminated the ability of trappers to take bobcat, raccoon and opossum with body grip traps.

The marten-sized exclusion device is too small to allow any of the three to enter the trap. The larger fisher exclusion device may possibly allow a very young-of-the-year raccoon or opossum (that was born late in the year) to enter an exclusion device. This would be a very rare incident indeed

even if you don’t have a boat, access points on the river allow anglers to cast to migrating shad. This opens up the fishery to legions of anglers whom might not otherwise have a way to participate in this incredible fishery.

Also, shad darts aren’t the only lures to take shad. Any small, brightly-colored spinning lure should work. Another lure, Crappie Magnets (jigs with plastic bodies) must surely work well. Choose the brightest body color possible, and either cast or troll with these.

Finally, certain flies work wonders on shad. A simple wet fly with a silver tinsel body and yellow or orange, duck-quill wing, has a history of taking shad. I’ve used smaller versions of this basic fly on the shad’s cousin, alewives, with great success.

Culinary Qualities Shad are less prone to high mercury counts than other ocean fish. Also, shad rank high in omega-3 fatty acids as well as

and the young that small would never survive the winter, let alone get past the older predators.

The fisher-size device is designed to prevent even a lynx kitten from entering, so a bobcat isn’t going to get in. This leaves trappers with foothold traps to take these other furbearers.

Actually, they are more easily caught in footholds, at least in my opinion. The reason more effort is not currently put into fisher trapping with footholds is that it is a required 24-hour trap check by law. Body grips allow a three-day or a four-day check, depending on where the traps are set.

¶

selenium – both valuable nutrients.

The one downside, shad are full of fine, hair-like bones. But judicious filleting can remove many offending bones. Also, the bones are easily pulled from the flesh after the fish is cooked. Baked shad is the stuff of legend.

Besides the flesh, shad roe ranks as a much-esteemed food product. Unfortunately for me, my shad were mostly spawned out.

Hitting the water in mid-May would ensure more “ripe” females.

The shad I took home (Maine has a daily bag limit of 2 fish, no length limit), were soaked in a brine and smoked – an epicurean treat.

Those living within driving distance of a river that hosts shad have access to a fantastic, rewarding fishery. I sincerely hope everyone gets a chance at these beautiful game fish.

¶

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����������������������������������������������������The Maine Sportsman • October 2019 • 61

Henry Brings New Life to Old Cartridges The burning bright days of October stir the hearts of all sportsmen.

Anyone who loves shooting sports, dogs and crisp, clean air longs to be afield.

Here in Maine and elsewhere along the northern tier of states that brush up against Canada, the ruffed grouse is king of the October woods. But there are woodcock and waterfowl too, and a scattering of pheasant on the edges where agriculture meets the woods.

For these reasons, the Shooter’s Bench covered a variety of shotguns and shotshells eight out of the last 14 years. October is the classic month for all

Imagine yourself still-hunting quietly where acorns or beech nuts litter the ground, while cradling a short, rugged lever-action rifle with a gleaming brass receiver, loaded with time-tested cartridges – the same caliber as your great-grandfather used a century ago.

New for 2019, the Henry Side Gate Rifle features a dual loading system and offers a choice of three venerable cartridges. Photo courtesy Henry Firearms

things relating to shotguns and shotgun hunting.

However, “classic” in no way means exclusive.

In Maine, for those fortunate enough to secure

a permit, there is moose hunting in designated wildlife management districts. The various bear seasons are in full swing.

And October also is the time when legions of

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62 • October 2019 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Shooter’s Bench (Continued from page 61)

Marlins and Savage rifles root deep into the hunting traditions of Maine. Lever actions defined hunting for five or six generations of Maine hunters.

Today, every type of action and configuration works for Maine hunters.

Bolt actions such as the Remington Model 700, the Savage Model 110, and the Browning A-Bolt dominate today. However, plenty of lever actions still make it to deer camp every year – especially with older and youthful shooters.

The continuing popularity of some lever guns inspired a column 16 months ago on the Henry Repeating Arms’ “Long Ranger,” a box-magazine lever gun in .223 Remington, .243 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, and .308 Winchester. Now Henry has released another in-

novative design steeped in the tradition of the lever actions of old.

Revealed at this year’s NRA Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, the Henry “Side Gate” lever action rifle is the company’s first with a loading gate on the starboard side below the ejection port. Instigated by customer requests, this new rifle gives the company another niche in the marketplace where fans want the complete package of performance and appearance.

Anthony Imperato, Henry’s owner and president, said, “The advent of the new Henry Side Gate solidifies Henry Repeating Arms as the first name in lever actions. For those who have been patiently waiting on a Henry with a loading gate, we have delivered…” Company Vice President and General Manager Andy

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Wickstrom added: “Today’s Henry firearms retain classic looks but take advantage of state-of-the art technology to build reliable, accurate and modern lever actions that are second to none.”

Cowboy Roots The Henry Side Gate combines old and new features well suited to the Maine woods and Maine shooters. The company fitted the Side Gate with a gleaming polished brass receiver reminiscent of the original B.T. Henry’s model of 1860 or Oliver Winchester’s Model 1866 “Yellow Boy.” Brass also adorns the hooked butt plate and single barrel band with its sling swivel stud.

In keeping with the company motto, “Made in America or not made at all,” the stock and forearm come from quality American walnut with laser-cut checkering and decorations. The 20-inch blue steel barrel mounts an old-style buckhorn sight in the rear and an ivory bead in the front.

Henry’s engineers also

drilled and tapped the brass receiver for mounting scope bases – another nod to tradition and modernity at the same time.

Like Marlins before it, the Side Gate’s side ejection port provides significant sighting advantage over Winchesters and their top ejection. The port’s position and the rifle’s length of pull permit left-handed shooters to use it without being hit in the face with spent shell casings.

The right side loading gate functions the same as most other lever-action rifles. However, the magazine tube also functions as a loading port and, even more significantly, as an unloading port. The company believes this feature makes the Henry safer to unload than almost any other rifle. The rifle carries one round in the chamber and five in the tube.

Side Gates weigh seven-and-a-half pounds, which is not light for a rifle with a 20-inch barrel. The brass receiver is heavy, but forces the cen-

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ter of gravity rearward for a snug fit in the shooter’s shoulder. It also helps to absorb recoil generated by the short barrel.

Historic Calibers Noting the Side Gate’s look and feel, the Henry company chose to make it in three traditional (some would say historic) calibers. Woven into the fabric of North American hunting, the .30-30 Winchester dates from 1895, .35 Remington from 1906 and .38-55 Winchester from way back in 1876.

Each remains a viable round for deer and black bear taken at ranges under 200 yards. Some would argue that the .35 Remington and the .3855 Winchester may be pushed with heavy loads to take moose or caribou at ranges under 150 yards.

Imagine hunting from the bow of a slow-drifting canoe, or still-hunting where acorns or beech nuts litter the ground.

Now imagine cradling a short, rugged lever-action rifle loaded with time-tested cartridges the same as someone’s great-grandfather used a century ago.

No doubt the Henry Side Gate drips with nostalgia and will appeal to those longing for a bygone era when, perhaps, life was simpler, and hunting in Maine was an art form applied by many. But it also represents fine 21st century American manufacturing and technical advances that promise a long life for both the rifle and the venerable cartridges made to fit it.

The $1,045 MSRP comes dear to many of us, but is on par with a contemporary Winchester Model 94 or even a used Savage Model 99 in nice condition. And the Henry offers more in the way of caliber choices.

¶

����������������������������������������������������The Maine Sportsman • October 2019 • 63

Fall – the Second Trout Season While fishing for wild trout ends after September, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (DIF&W) has instituted what we may now consider the “second” season.

Without going too deep into the distinctions between wild and stocked fish, let me say that these fall-stocked trout fight every bit as hard as their wild brethren. Even the colors of hatchery-bred trout rival that of their wild cousins. Stocked brook trout exhibit their flamboyant, fall-spawning colors. Stocked brown trout, too, are hard to differentiate from wild fish, the occasional worn caudal fin or fin clip being the only giveaway.

Besides all that, in fall, stocked trout are the only game in town. So for those who live, eat and breathe trout, the second season serves as a great boon. Add cool conditions and few, if any, biting insects, and we have the recipe for glorious days afield.

Most of our fall-fishing opportunities occur in rivers and streams, but a few lakes and ponds – places holding only stocked fish because of no natural reproduction – remain open to anglers in fall. And some lakes remain open through November, with no-kill, artificials-only regulations in place. The bulk of activity, though, occurs on rivers and streams.

Temperature Critical I’m always filled with a sense of wonder at how a stream that becomes low and bathwater-warm in summer can be trans-

While earthworms and minnow are legal fare in yearround waters and rivers, the effectiveness of spoons and spinners make live bait unnecessary. Try the C.P. Swing spinner, the smallest Mooselook Wobbler, the small size Al’s Goldfish, or Trout Magnets.

This stocked brook trout was caught and released. However, anglers can fry up an occasional stocked trout guilt-free -- it’s a resource intended to be used. Tom Seymour photo

formed into a vibrant trout fishery in autumn.

Temperature stands as the deciding factor, of course. Trout need cool, well-oxygenated water in order to survive and until that happens, DIF&W workers cannot release

trout because they would quickly die.

So they wait for cool nighttime temperatures to lower water temperatures and also, fall rains to raise water levels and to introduce needed oxygen. Until these two

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Sometimes, too, the rains come earlier and at that

point, hatchery trucks begin to roll.

And as opposed to springtime stocking, fallstocked fish see decreasing water temperatures.

That often allows for some fish to carry over from one year to the next. I’ve caught many fall-stocked trout in early spring, they having spent the winter in the river. And how do I know these were fallstocked? Because they were big – far larger than spring-stocked fish.

So that’s another point in favor of the second season. We have access to significantly larger trout. And who among us does not enjoy catching big trout? Needless to say, I’m a big fan of the second season.

Fall Tackle While declining eyesight makes it difficult for me to tie tiny flies on thin tippets, bifocals allow me to work with 3-poundtest monofilament line and small lures. And that’s okay, since ultralight spinning gear suits my purpose very well.

Thin, wispy rods, diminutive spinning reels and 3 – 4 pound test line are entirely sufficient for trout fishing in autumn.

With the exception of my editor Will Lund, no (Continued on page 65)

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Winged Quarry Excites Tom This Month I had set out six mallard decoys on the pitchblack marsh. Rene rigged up his Mojo decoy that would flap its wings when he pressed the remote control. Old cork decoys met electronic gadgetry on this outing.

We settled into our makeshift blind. It was opening day, and there were still plenty of leaves on the alders, but a screen of camouflage leaf netting was strung up in front of us.

We have been hunting this little flowage for the past 30 years, and although the ducks have been more plentiful in the past, we were optimistic that we would see some

One time, my chocolate Lab Luke leapt from the blind to retrieve a duck. However, rather than going around the camouflage netting, he tried to go through it. He jumped into the water to retrieve the duck, wearing our netting around his neck like a long camo cape. action. This spot has produced mallards, black ducks, wood ducks and teal. Even an occasional goose passes by.

We chatted quietly over our morning coffee about hunts past. Stories about this spot always include Luke, my former chocolate Lab. His ashes were deposited just a few yards from where we sit, as this was likely his favorite spot, too.

One of the more mem-

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orable tales involves Luke being in a hurry to exit the blind to make a retrieve. He chose to drive his head through a small tear in the blind material and leap out in the water, dragging the blind behind him like he was wearing a camo cape.

Despite being slowed slightly by the heavy blind material, he made his retrieve and came back to the blind, duck in mouth. Rene just shook his head and called him a “wild man,” his favorite handle for Luke.

On this day we were dog-less, so I would have to make the retrieves by canoe. As we waited for the sun to rise, I could hear a flurry of wings, a water landing and then the unmistakable whistle of a wood duck.

They settled down away from our blind, like they always do, so I attempted to lure them in with my most seductive whistle. It did not work.

Rene said they would be good live decoys, so we continued our vigil for sunup.

As soon as it was legal time, I made the quiet announcement to Rene and we began scanning the sky. I caught movement behind us and saw a pair of ducks pass by. I got on my call and did a feeding chuckle, followed by a brief hail call.

It worked. The ducks banked and came down to join our decoys. We both fired and down went two ducks. I got in the canoe and retrieved our prizes – a pair of mallards. A successful morning, like so many in the past.

Duck Days For waterfowl enthusiasts, October spells duck season, but this year the opening day for most ducks is September 23rd in the north zone (above Route 11 in Auburn) and October 1 for the southern zone.

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enjoy an early season that runs from September 2 through September 25 with more liberal bag limits. The regular season opens on October 1.

Additionally, special youth-only days are held before the opening day of waterfowl season in the three zones, so be sure to take a youngster out on one of those dates. I’ve had the pleasure of taking several youngsters out on their first duck hunt, and it is always a thrilling experience for both of us.

Be sure to check the Migratory Game Bird regulations available at the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (DIF&W) website for specific season dates and bag limits.

On non-duck hunting days, you could find me at one of the various pheasant release sites around Cumberland County.

Hunters with dogs fare the best, but tenacious hunters who walk the overgrown fields and woods at these sites can and do kick up birds.

Pheasant season opens on September 28 and runs through December 31. Hunters are allowed two birds.

Each year the release sites change some, but generally there are several in the Gorham and Windham area. These spots get a tad crowded on the Monday after a weekend release, but if hunters practice safety and courtesy, it’s not a bad experience.

Hunters with good dogs like to work these spots later in the week when the pressure is down, and many do quite (Continued on next page)

����������������������������������������������������The Maine Sportsman • October 2019 • 65 (Continued from page 64)

well hunting up birds that flushed away from the more popular spots.

I grew up stocking and hunting pheasant with my dad, and it still gets my blood pumping when a cackling rooster erupts from the grass at my feet.

Check the DIF&W site for release locations, and be sure to thank the volunteers who plant the birds.

Hard Grouse Grouse hunters in this part of the state have it rough. We just don’t have the populations they have farther to the north.

On top of that, the few birds we have down here are skittish and flush well ahead of human or dog.

I’ve had luck hunting around old farmsteads in Raymond and Casco, as well as Auburn, by looking for old apple trees, a mainstay on any old-fashioned homestead.

An old topographical may can act like a treasure map finding old homesteads. Look for wells on old maps that indicate where farmhouse once

stood. Get out and cruise the backroads, too. Most times, apple trees were planted in front of the house, and houses were relatively close to the road. If you spot a roadside apple tree, park down from it and walk up slowly (dirt roads only).

You may be quick enough to startle a grouse at the base of the tree.

Homesteads farther back in the woods are harder to find, but they’re often worth the trek.

Think back to when you were deer hunting, and you may have found an apple tree in the middle of the woods.

Despite the legend, this probably was not put there by Johnny Appleseed. It is likely the remnants of an old home, and chances are there are other fruit trees nearby.

These spots are more secluded, and the birds let their guard down. Look closely at the base of the tree, and you may just see the crest of a grouse pecking away at a rotting apple on the forest floor.

You may startle and occasional woodcock, too, so be on the ready.

¶

Trout Fishing (Continued from page 63)

one knows my favorite choice of trout lures better than my readers. And that choice is Trout Magnets. These take trout under all circumstances. Most of the time, they outfish both bait and other artificials. One thing that impresses me regarding Trout Magnets is that never once has a trout hooked on a Trout Magnet exhibited any sign of severe hook damage.

The reason for this is that the hook rides up as the jig settles toward bottom on a slanting, horizontal descent. Trout mostly get hooked in the roof of the mouth and sometimes in the side of the mouth. Trout take Trout Magnets as they slowly settle to bottom. And then as they bounce along bottom, magnets become look-alikes for a variety of aquatic insects. A person skilled in the art of worm-dunking makes an excellent Trout Magnet angler.

One other thing about these little trout lures is that if trout stop biting on one color magnet, switching to another color brings

The author shows off a fat rooster pheasant taken at a Gorham release site.

Photo by Tom Roth

the fish alive again. Even a fish that bit and got stung by the hook, will often slam a Trout Magnet in a different color. It’s as if they cannot put two and two together, which only works to the angler’s benefit.

Other Options Other lures take trout in fall as well.

C.P. Swing, an old-timer, mostly forgotten by a new generation of anglers, continues to take trout of all kinds. This spinner has a brass bead body and a thin, hammered spinner blade. It ranks among the lightest of spinners and as such, it doesn’t take much water pressure to make the lure’s blade spin. Thus, we can fish it slowly, working it past likely trout lairs in a most seductive manner.

Another old-timer, Al’s Goldfish, has a place in the fall angler’s tackle box. Use the smaller size Goldfish for best results. This venerable lure comes in traditional gold, along with a number of other colors. Begin with gold, and if you feel like experimenting, try one of the newer shades.

While primarily used for trolling, wobbling spoons work on fall trout when cast

and slowly retrieved. Use the absolute smallest spoon you can find. Mooselook Wobblers come in very small sizes – great for fall fishing. Cast upstream and let the lure flutter as the current sweeps it downstream. Impart action by twitching the rod tip.

Since most fall-stocked rivers are also year-round waters and as such, have no prohibition upon the use of bait, earthworms and minnows are legal fare. But since artificials work so well in fall, there really isn’t a need to use bait.

No Guilt While as noted above, a few fall-stocked trout persist through winter, most don’t make it. That means there is no good reason not to kill a fish here and there for the frying pan. If you traditionally release your fish but would like the occasional meal of trout, killing a fall-stocked fish is just making the best use of a resource.

So give the second season a try. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

¶

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66 • October 2019 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Pet Ownership Pointers for Healthy Hunting Dogs When I’m not out in the woods hunting or fishing, I usually can be found reading about hunting and fishing. The latest book in that genre is a highly-informative narrative that explores various factors that lead to maintaining a healthy dog.

The book is Pukka’s Promise, by Ted Kerasote, who is one of my favorite writers. Kerasote has a way of blending his own life experiences with factual evidence that he gathers, such that the reader is able to enjoy the flowing narrative while at the same time learning all that Kerasote discovers on this journey.

The author points out issues surrounding pet ownership, and shines a bright light on these issues with factual, scientific evidence and common sense. I like the way he turns what appear to be cultural norms upside-down to expose the truth.

For instance, most folks nowadays strongly advocate spaying or neutering pets as soon as possible to avoid overpopulating the world with unwanted pets. Animal shelters have pushed this thought to help folks think they are “being a responsible pet owner.”

So when someone men-

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We were recently able to arrange a “play date” in which our young Hungarian Vizsla was reunited for a visit with two of her brothers and one sister. It was reassuring to learn from the other owners that their dogs were going through some of the same experiences as our Ginger. We shared the challenges and rewards of raising a dog from such an “active” breed.

Ralphie, one of Ginger’s male siblings, shows his intensity and high-flying capabilities.

While the owners chatted at the dog reunion, the Vizslas ran at top speed in endless loops. Much of the discussion among owners centered on the challenges and rewards of raising such “active” dogs. Matt Foster photo

tions that they aren’t going to spay or neuter their pet, a lot of folk’s first thoughts are, ‘What a shameless and irresponsible pet owner!”

The Truth No one can be blamed for this trend – the animal shelters are correct

in presenting this message to the general public, because the general public has allowed their pets to overpopulate the world for too many years.

What many have forgotten is that there are still plenty of pet breeders around interested in producing quality ani-

mals with the traits new owners desire.

In the same book, Kerasote delves into the subject of breeding dogs for qualities other than physical traits that conform to a certain visual standard. He mentions how some breeders don’t look into genetic prob-

lems that might affect future puppies.

Some “responsible” (and informed) breeders are now checking further than the prescribed clean bill of health that currently is limited to a few things like the testing that the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (O.F.A.) does to check for and inhibit the spread of hip dysplasia in large breed dogs.

I’m not anywhere near an expert on the subject, but I understand that some breeders just pump out puppies for cash and don’t care about the results of too much in-breeding, which can result in problems when unhealthy dogs pass on their defective genes.

In the near future, I see breeders only using dogs that have been cleared for breeding by some kind of DNA test to rule out negative hereditary traits or medical problems like cancer, hip dysplasia, and a host of other issues.

Sibling Help My wife and I recently had a chance to take our own dog, a Hungarian Vizsla named Ginger, to a play date with her siblings. Ginger reunited with two of her brothers and one sister, and had a blast running and chasing around a dog park near Portland.

The dogs wore themselves out thoroughly, and the gathering gave us dog owners a chance to compare notes on our own dog-related issues.

We found and were comforted by the fact that the other puppies were going through some of the same things our own Ginger (Continued on next page)

����������������������������������������������������The Maine Sportsman • October 2019 • 67 (Continued from page 66)

has been experiencing.

Multiple questions were answered that confirmed our belief that the other puppies were doing some of the same, exact things our puppy has been doing. Medical issues were also discussed, such as vaccinations and trauma associated with owning such an “active” breed of dog.

Watching the dogs interact was so helpful in understanding the way this particular breed relates to other dogs. As soon as the dogs met, they began a long, looping run in a field – a highspeed chase that seemed to last the whole time we were at the park (a couple of hours). They love chasing and romping at

break-neck speeds and are friendly with all other dogs and people – they actually enjoy meeting people and especially like other dogs of any kind.

The problem begins when another breed of dog can’t keep up with their level of play. A shorter dog, for instance, cannot run as fast or as far as the Vizsla can.

When this happens, the Vizsla prompts (annoys) the shorter dog in its repeated attempts to get the smaller dog to run and play. Not a huge problem, but watching Ginger play with her siblings helped each of us understand why our Vizsla seemed so overly-energetic in their play rituals with other dogs – almost to the point of being obsessive.

Recommendations I would highly-recommend reading the book mentioned above if a new puppy might be in your future. I would also encourage new puppy owners to arrange a meeting of the siblings throughout their puppy’s early years.

Before buying a dog, talk with the breeder as well as some folks that have grown dogs from the same family line.

Ask about health-related problems, peculiarities of the certain breed, and a host of issues relative to owning and raising this certain breed.

Pet owners who have already raised the breed you are interested in will be able to give you a better understanding of what to expect. I liked the fact that several of the

Our dog Ginger and several Vizsla siblings from Widdershin’s in Dover/Foxcroft gather in a dog park in Portland. It was good exercise for the young dogs, and instructional for us owners.

aunts and uncles of our own puppy were raised in the house, and that they were also great bird hunting dogs.

I had all the confidence in the world when my own Ginger started training with “real” birds out in the field. She immediately picked up on the scent, and pointed the planted pigeons and quail

that were hidden in the tall grass. As soon as her excellent nose detected a bird smell, she locked up on the hiding bird in typical “pointer fashion.”

This bird season is going to be something else...I can hardly wait.

October is bird season in this household!

¶

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68 • October 2019 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————————————

“Plan B” Bowhunting in Southern Maine The hidden field had always produced deer for me, but I hadn’t visited the spot for many years. Nonetheless, I was surprised to find the entire meadow packed with 10foot pines, rendering it useless for supporting deer. It was time for “Plan B.” I left the crutches in the bed of my truck and hobbled down the old country lane, thinking “If my wife and doctor could see me now.” It was only days after I’d had a surgical procedure on my right knee – but a mere three holes drilled into my knee was not going to prevent me from bowhunting.

The area I hunted that morning was in North Shapleigh behind the blueberry fields on the west side of Route 11, I hadn’t hunted there in years, and was going in blind as far as scouting was concerned.

As I approached the hidden field, I was surprised to see that the field was completely over grown with 10-foot, high, white pines rendering the area useless for deer other then as a bedding area.

It was early October, dry and hot, so I felt deer were holed up in a swampy area to the south. It was no place for a one legged hunter.

So I set on an old moss-covered stone wall thinking about “Plan B.” Why I decided to hunt this new site, I’m not sure – it just popped into my mind.

“Plan B” At the time, I worked at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, and drove I-95 to the Wells exit, then turned right on Route 109 towards my home here in Shapleigh. A few miles north from the exit, there’s a property that really looked like great deer www.MaineSportsman.com

habitat, and I had always planned to hunt there someday.

Well today was that day. I hobbled back to the truck and headed south to Wells for my “Plan B” bowhunt.

After arriving I checked my compass, took a heading due west, and entered the mature forest that was shaded with large red oaks and maple trees. Soon I found a rock wall with a “bar way” (opening in the wall) where deer had been passing through. It was a main trail between two swampy areas.

My “Plan B” consisted of hiking back to the truck, shouldering my Summit climbing treestand, returning to the rock wall opening, then climbing up and hunting there until dark.

I got set up. I didn’t have to wait long.

A mature doe along with a smaller deer entered the area, and as they approached I sent an arrow through the largest deer’s lungs. Both deer ran off; one darted into the nearby swamp, while the doe I had shot turned and followed her back trail.

Her final run took the doe across “Town Woods Brook” in Wells, where I found it under a brush pile. Dragging the 100pound deer was an interesting, painful event.

I have killed deer on other “Plan B” hunts here in southern Maine, as well.

Be Mobile My hunting locations are generally based on spur-of-the-moment gut feelings, like the hunt above. However, these locations are based on prior scouting sessions, and of course don’t always work out.

For instance, my attempted hunt in North Shapleigh that was thwarted by the pine trees – I hadn’t hunted there for years, and there had been logging in the area. The hidden field was overgrown, so deer patterns had evolved (I should have checked Google Maps first).

Relocating to the Wells location worked out for me. If, on the other hand, the Wells location been a dud, then I would have checked another area.

There’s a logical reason jumping around can be productive – many times you’ll locate prime locations with recent deer sign. This approach works well for me, because I like to explore different areas.

I get bored easily when I’m hunting in areas without recent sign or active feeding sites.

Spending time in dead zones is counterproductive, when you consider a possible hot spot can be in another nearby location.

I like to hunt in new areas and jump from site to site. Typical day hunting may include changing locations based on nothing more than a hunch

Hunting near the coast gives Southern Maine bowhunters the best chance for success. The author killed four deer on this island just off the coastline in the past. This year the area again has great deer sign. Hugging the coast can improve your success rates. Val Marquez photo

or the lack of active deer sign. I’m always looking for that hot spot; sometimes it works, as in the case above, and of course many times it doesn’t.

Ambush Time Once you find a spot where deer are active, then it’s time to set up an ambush. When you find a hot area where deer are feeding, sit in a natural blind or a treestand and hunt there until you spook deer from the area or deer move to another food source.

Another way to kill deer with archery gear is to wait them out at high deer activity areas.

No moving around – just be persistent with one ambush site and hunt it smartly.

This is where a hangon tree or ladder stand becomes the best option, simply because you can slip in and out of the area without making game-spooking noise.

Climbers are noisy, and constant use in one area will change deer patterns.

Where you hunt also influences success rates. The farther south you hunt, the more deer

you will see. You should check registered deer numbers for each town – you’ll discover that southern towns have some of the highest kill numbers in the state. The farther north you travel, the fewer deer you’ll see.

According to DIF&W’s 2017 deer report, southern coastal towns produced a lot of deer – York: 223 deer, Wells: 170 and Lebanon: 176.

Moving to northern York County towns, Shapleigh produced 98 kills, Limerick 65 and Parsonsfield 78. This demonstrates my point about denser populations in the south.

Don’t overlook these northern areas, however, since there are honey-holes in these more remote sections of southern Maine and fewer bowhunters. Bowhunting in these northern sections of York, Cumberland and southern Oxford counties requires more scouting, as well as dealing with larger tracks of land and mountain terrain.

Southern and central Maine boasts the largest deer populations in (Continued on next page)

����������������������������������������������������The Maine Sportsman • October 2019 • 69

Patterning Makes Perfect In order to find the combination of shot size and choke setting that works best for you and your shotgun, you need to set up some paper targets and determine the density and effective range of your ammunition. So do yourself a favor this fall – pattern your shotgun.

Whether you’re hunting ducks, geese or turkeys, it’s a given you’re going to need shotshells.

But there are many different brands, shell lengths, shot sizes and ounces of shot. It can be confusing, and determining what’s best for you to harvest your quarry might take a little research. And whatever your target, it’s always a good idea to “field test” different shells on the practice range.

The first thing to understand is what your projectiles are made of.

Most turkey loads consist of lead or tungsten – sometimes a mix of both.

Personally I like number 5s for wild turkey.

But if you are targeting waterfowl, you must use non-toxic shot.

Different Materials Require Different Shot Sizes

Bismuth or tungsten shot approximates the weight of lead, but it’s very expensive. That leaves steel shot as the likely choice for most of us.

However, steel is much lighter than lead, so I recommend using 2 shot sizes larger (that is, two numbers smaller) than what you would normally use in lead loads.

I like number 2 shot for ducks like mallards

and black ducks, but for geese I prefer BBs. Most hunters agree that when it comes to steel, these two shot sizes (number 2 and BBs) are the best all-around shot sizes for ducks and geese.

Other hunters go larger, using BBB, while still others opt for the smaller, 4 shot steel, especially early in the season when birds have not yet developed thick, cold-weather feathers. The reason some choose smaller shot early in the season is they believe they will achieve a denser pattern, and the bird will get hit with a larger number of smaller pellets, instead of fewer large pellets.

I do not recommend anything smaller than 2 steel after the second week in October unless you’re using bismuth or tungsten shot, because larger ducks like mallards and black ducks will have grown thick down that insulates them from the cold but also reduces the effective killing range for smaller shot.

Next Factor – the Choke The next factor is the choke. When patterning your shotgun, try different choke settings, and see what results you get (hunters say a pattern is “tight” or “open”).

However, before con-

Southern Maine (Continued from page 68)

the state. Farther north is bear and moose country, but there are monster bucks there,

sidering using a full choke with steel shot, be certain it’s designed to handle the harder shot – some chokes are designed to deal with lead shot only.

When I find an ammoand-choke combination that effectively places shot, I say that my shotgun “likes” that particular combination. So how do you find out what your shotgun likes?

Your goal here is to determine what factors are going to give you the best consistency. You want the pattern to be “even” (meaning few large gaps in the pattern) and as dense as possible for a given distance.

Different Chokes for Different Birds When patterning turkey loads, most hunters use a full choke. That’s because you are aiming for the turkey’s head, so you want a tight pattern – as opposed to trying to bring a fast-flying bird out of the air.

It’s always good to experiment and see what gives you the most ideal pattern for turkeys. As a general rule of thumb for turkey head targets, if you get at least 16 pellets in the head of that target you will be effective at killing turkeys at that range.

A target for patterning your shotgun need not be fancy -- a big piece of white cardboard, a magic marker and a safe backstop like a dirt or gravel banking are all you need to determine what combination of shot size and choke setting produce the best results. Luke Giampetruzzi photo

But when it comes to steel and fast-flying birds, you need a pattern that’s not as tight. When patterning your shotgun, you want it dense enough to get at least 90-100 pellets in a 30-inch circle.

That level of shot concentration will ensure a pattern that’s tight enough to effectively kill ducks.

For geese, being able to place 55-65 pellets in a 30-inch circle is ideal.

To reach these objectives, you must experiment on the test range and paper targets (see photo). Try 3-inch shells, and, for turkeys (if your gun takes them), try 3-1/2 inch shells.

Choose What Works; Price Not Always Best Guide After you decide what size shot you plan on using, then I recommend experimenting with dif-

as well.

I rate southern Maine bowhunting as, good – not excellent, like the mid-western states, but good. Success varies each year for a number of reasons. Each area changes

ferent brands of ammunition and choke settings.

My Remington 870 loves Remington “Nitro Turkey” shells with a factory full choke, while my Mossberg 500 duck gun loves Federal “Speed shock,” but try different loads and brands, and in the long run you will be glad you did.

I believe patterning and finding what works for you and your shotgun are way more important than deciding in advance on a particular brand, shot size or choke setting.

And price alone does not determine accuracy – I have seen extremely expensive (about $40 per box), high-end tungsten shotshells throw a very inconsistent pattern.

So do yourself a favor this fall, and pattern your shotgun.

¶

from week to week as the season progresses, so becoming mobile can place bowhunters in the right spot at the right time.

¶

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70 • October 2019 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Wildlife Numbers Game Can Have Unforeseen Consequences The private sporting camp was perched on the edge of a beautiful, mountain-ringed pond near the Canadian border. We were seven miles behind a manned gate that turned back all non-members.

My host for the weekend was an officer and life-long member of the exclusive club that held the lease on the camps and thousands of surrounding acres. A dozen other remote trout ponds were included.

We were fishing dry flies from a replica, double-ended Rangeley Boat, and the hired guide for the evening hatch was in the center seat. He rowed us slowly from one spot to another on the glassy surface of the pond, and netted our trout when needed.

The fishing was tremendous. Brook trout rose eagerly – even to my clumsy offerings. And it was rare to make more than three casts without a trout striking the fly.

Despite its remote location, the pond had a slot limit regulation in place – only 2 trout allowed, minimum 10” and only one over 12”. Only fly-fishing was allowed.

“We’ll keep that one,” my elderly host said to the guide, as I played a larger trout toward the net.

“No thanks,” I replied.

“I don’t really keep trout anymore “To hell you don’t,” he grumped, “that’s the whole problem! Nobody at this place will eat a trout. Look at how racy that fish is.”

The trout was indeed a skinny specimen. And I www.MaineSportsman.com

Sometimes, less is more. Maine’s DIF&W has been urging anglers to keep more of their catch in places across the state. State biologists believe Maine’s high moose populations may have contributed to the explosion of winter ticks, and that a healthier moose herd might be a smaller moose herd.

Over-populations of fish in areas with limited natural food sources can lead to thin “racer” salmon like this one. Andrews photo

received withering looks from the Orvis-clad club members when the fish was served with breakfast the next morning in the main lodge.

“To hell with them,” my host remarked, “we’ll catch more today and have a fish fry tonight.

“That’s what they used to look like,” he continued, pointing with his fork at a mounted brookie on the wall. It was a fourpound trout shaped like a football.

“The only reason my dad had that one mounted, instead of filleted, was because I caught it when I was ten years old.

“Too many damned small fish,” he concluded, as he returned to his

breakfast.

Damn Small Fish We have all seen the 100-year old trophy photos. The colored plates depicted guides and rusticators from the resort hotels at Rangeley, Sebago or other famous venues. They posed with sometimes hundreds of freshly-caught trout and salmon – from pan-size to trophy fish. Catches were often calculated in total pounds rather than by the individual fish.

To modern anglers, that era is almost universally considered the dark ages. Catch-and-release fishing has been our mantra and our daily bread for so long that we know

nothing else.

This is true even for those of us who started out as meat fisherman. A substantial portion of my daily childhood protein was supplied by lots of 6-inch brook trout angled with worms from tiny brooks in Oxford County. By the time I packed my gear for the weekend at the exclusive lodge, I considered myself more evolved.

At some point, trout fishing started to be about going to remote, pristine places and using technical fly-fishing gear to catch trout that didn’t even realize they were hungry. It was explicitly not about filling a castiron fry pan.

Victims of Our Own Success This all worked fine, until it didn’t. So few anglers are keeping fish these days that the problem is too many fish competing for limited food resources. The result is an overpopulation of stunted trout and racy salmon – which nobody wants to take home anyway.

It’s not just a problem that haunts the exclusive backwoods trout enclaves. A 2016 study done by the Maine DIF&W suggested that 84% of anglers release their catch as a personal preference.

For several years now, the department has been urging anglers to keep more of their catch in places across the state.

Relaxed possession and size limits have been put in place on affected species at Rangeley, Sebago and Eagle Lake among others. The department’s fishing regulations contain a notice that harvesting fish can help the fishery where regulations permit it. An August 2019 cover story in the Sunday edition of the Portland Press Herald was part of the effort to get the word out.

Haven’t We Been Here Before?

Sometimes, less is more. State biologists have suggested that Maine’s high moose populations may have contributed to the explosion of parasitic winter ticks in the State– and that a healthier moose herd might be a smaller moose herd.

Maine hunters enjoyed their most success(Continued on page 72)

����������������������������������������������������The Maine Sportsman • October 2019 • 71

Bird Hunting Buddies and Bird Dogs Make the Hunt Last month I mentioned that bird hunting season was “right around the corner.” Well, this is it – the corner has been turned, and the season of chasing grouse and woodcock has arrived.

I can’t think of a single other place I’d rather be in October than walking briskly through the crisp and colorful autumn leaves, with a shotgun in hand and my four-legged companion, Ginger, feverishly sniffing the wet ground ahead.

I also can’t think of a single place in the Rangeley Region where there might not be a possibility of flushing a game bird, except maybe right in town. Even then, if some in-town home owner had an apple tree and a little wooded cover …..

Traveling any of the gravel logging roads in this region puts hunters in excellent grouse and woodcock habitat. Loggers have cut over certain areas throughout the last

I’ve become good friends with Gene Bahr. We share an appreciation for good bird dogs, and an understanding that there’s a lot more to a day afield than just keeping score. As his bird dog Tilley begins to slow down in coming seasons, my energetic grown-up puppy Ginger should help fill the void. few decades, providing these game birds with a mix of forest growth – exactly what grouse and woodcock prefer.

Do it Right To make the best of the hunting time available, be sure to get in shape well ahead of the season. At a minimum, maintain a walking routine of a few miles each day at least a month before opening day. This applies to both hunter and the dog.

Comfortable walking requires good boots to provide support while tromping through the tangled forest. Good wool socks and sock liners have completely eliminated blisters from the equation for me.

I also like a good pair of brush pants with suspenders. I don’t want to have to slow down in thorns or raspberry bushes, and the suspenders keep me from having to stop to pull up my pants a hundred times throughout the hunt – nobody like droopy drawers.

Of course I don’t go anywhere without my knife and compass, and a vest full of everything else I might need. I like to pack a Ziplock sandwich bag with a lighter, matches and 35mm film container of cotton balls doused in petroleum jelly as an emergency fire starter.

My vest also holds any birds I might shoot in the big pouch at the

rear of the garment, my shotgun shells, and a handkerchief for the copious amounts of sweat that pours off my head and neck throughout the hunt. Chasing wild birds behind a dog is an honest workout.

Bird Hunting Buddies I never thought I’d find a hunting buddy that liked to chase birds as much as I do until I met Gene Bahr, the highly-acclaimed fish-carving artist/taxidermist from Sebago. Most of my other hunting partners enjoy road hunting for birds, but have never come to appreciate the highly-satisfying craft of dropping flushed birds over a good bird dog.

I don’t mind occasionally taking a road bird for

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72 • October 2019 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Rangeley Region (Continued from page 71)

the frying pan, but really prefer to shoot them over a pointing dog – the way I always hunted them with my father when I was a kid. My dad and his hunting buddies frowned upon anyone shooting a bird on the ground or in the trees. I can still hear them saying, “It’s just not sporting, and way too easy.”

Gene’s awesome bird dog Tilley, a lovely German Shorthaired Pointer, has been going strong for the last eight years and may be slowing down a little this fall. My Ginger girl should fill in those slow times just fine. This will be the first year of hunting for her, but she’s coming along great.

Hunting Bond Gene and I haven’t really been hunting together for very long at all, maybe more than five years and definitely less than ten. It’s funny, it seems like we have been hunting buddies forev-

October grouse, and author’s L.C. Smith double.

William Clunie Photos

er. From the first bird hunt, we seemed to have formed a solid and trusted bond.

Our friendship has taken us around the state hunting deer, fishing and even to a few social events, but bird hunting

Self-Propelled Sportsman (Continued from page 70)

ful deer hunt of the decade in 2018. But the

has been the main focus at this point.

I believe it was the mutual understanding clarified in our initial hunt – our belief in the common goal of having a great day no matter how many birds we missed.

Acclaimed fish sculptor and taxidermist Gene Bahr receives a special delivery from his German Shorthaired Pointer, Tilley.

Gene also understands dogs in the same way I do – growing up with hunting dogs enables most folks to realize there’s so much more to life than tallying a score or comparing one day to the next.

aging Any-Deer Permit system has never been able to adequately address the explosion of the deer population in southern suburban Maine. In 2018, Maine led the nation in reports per capita of Lyme disease.

We have the best of intentions when we take steps as individuals, or as a state, to

For a dog-loving bird hunter, nirvana is a good laugh with your buddy and the satisfying feeling of sore muscles at the end of the day.

¶

increase or maintain high the populations of our most popular wildlife. Whether we want to play it on the end of a fishing line, watch it, photograph it or eat it – all of us enjoy the perception of abundance.

¶

— GRAND SLAM — Timothy Davis of Bath, Maine earned a spot in The Maine Sportsman Grand Slam Club for all of his hunting success in 2018. Congratulations, Timothy!

18 lbs. • Spring 2018 www.MaineSportsman.com

125 lbs. • September 15, 2018

812 lbs. • September 24, 2018

110 lbs. • November 16, 2018.

����������������������������������������������������The Maine Sportsman • October 2019 • 73

Nothin’ to It I am SO ready for fall.

This past summer I caught so many bass on the warm-water pond I live on, I actually named some of them, since I caught them several times.

In the summer’s heat, I daydreamed about “see your breath” cool mornings. These daydreams always brought me downstairs to my hunting gear corner. (The wife would say the “corner” is actually half of the basement, but I disagree.)

Canada Geese Hunting Gear The first thing I have to do is to gather the gear needed for the first season of the fall. Early goose season is a great way to get fired up about the autumn and its promises of a successful hunting season.

I am amazed by the gear some hunters think they need to pursue Canada geese. There are camo hats, gloves, faceguards, shirts, pants, boots, raingear, and parkas (or as we say in Maine, pahkers). One can also purchase camo socks, undershirts, and even boxers.

(I don’t really know what to think about a guy who buys camo boxers, so I just try not to think about it.)

Anyway, some folks need various calls, camo shotgun, decoys, and a camo bag to carry them.

I for one, find all of this gear unnecessary. I have enjoyed many successful hunts simply by being stealth. One exam-

The Canada geese were on the pond right in front of my house, and it was opening day. I mean, what would you do? ple was last fall.

Hunting Local – REAL Local Last year’s opener was one such hunt. I woke early, and coffee’d up. This is probably the most important first step of a good hunt.

After drinking several cups of coffee on the deck, I decided I should take the

trash to the local transfer station. While loading the truck, I observed a raft of geese feeding in front of the house.

After returning from my trash chore, a couple dozen more geese had joined the group.

I was heading up country later in the day, so I needed to pack the

truck. I placed my two Labs in the kennel, which sits in view of the pond.

Once the truck was loaded, I observed the geese still paying me no mind.

And, then I remembered it was opening day.

Advantages of Rural Living I grabbed my scatter-

gun, loaded it with steel shot, and walked down to the water’s edge. The geese finally realized I was finished with my chores and might be up to no good, so they decided to take flight.

As the flock rose, I took aim and fired. Three geese fell on the shot.

By now the dogs were going crazy, and I had a problem. Three geese 60 feet offshore, in three feet of water. Two Labs chomping at the bit to retrieve them. But I was headed to camp four hours away. Did I really want to smell wet dogs for four hours???

Ed the Retriever I went back to the house, donned on my bathing suit and water shoes, grabbed my walking stick and headed down to retrieve my fallen fowl. The dogs by now were leaping into the air, barking and whining. I paid them no mind.

Once in the water, I grabbed all three of the day’s limit. My neighbor Bill – a good fellow, even if he is “from away” – came down to his dock to see what all the excitement was. Once he was there, his wife yelled down, “What’s all the commotion?”

He hollered back, “Don’t worry, Honey – it’s only Ed.” Do you have any idea how heavy three geese are when you are not trained to retrieve?

¶

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74 • October 2019 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Smilin’

Sportsman Neither a Borrower ….

An apartment-dweller in Bangor received a text message from his upstairs neighbor.

“Bob,” said the text, “I am consumed by guilt and I have a confession to make. I have been borrowing your wife when you are not here. I know I could get my own, but it’s expensive. Please suggest a fee, and I will be happy to pay.”

“WHAT?” texted Bob back. “MY WIFE?!”

“Wi-Fi,” replied the neighbor, quickly. “WiFi. Damn auto-correct spell-checker!”

••••••••••••••••••• Good Advice It was the day after Halloween, and Little Johnny was sitting on a park bench, stuffing handfuls of candy into his mouth.

An elderly woman walked by. “You really

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

shouldn’t be doing that,” she said. “It’s bad for your health!”

“I’ll have you know,” replied Johnny, “that my grandfather lived to the age of 95.”

“And he ate candy all day?” the woman asked.

“No,” said Johnny. “He minded his own damn business!”

••••••••••••••••••• Dipstick Clueless Clyde: “I need a new dipstick for my snowmobile.”

Parts Store Clerk: “What’s wrong with the one you’ve got?

Clueless Clyde: “It’s not long enough to reach the oil any more.”

The Smilin' Sportsman Youth Edition Thanks, Dad!

Johnny and his friend were sitting in box seats behind the Red Sox dugout at Fenway Park.

“Great seats!” enthused his friend. “Where did you get them?”

“From my dad,” replied Johnny.

“By the way, where is your dad?” asked the friend.

“At home, looking for his tickets.”

••••••••••••••••••• Choose Your Words Wisely “I miss my Grandpa,” said Little Johnny.

“In fact, I will never forget his last words to me.”

www.MaineSportsman.com

“What were they?” asked his friend. “‘Quit wiggling the ladder, you little punk!’”

••••••••••••••••••• Of Course!

The young man was nervously filling out an application for employment as a Maine Game Warden.

He got to Question #10, the final question: “In case of extreme medical emergency, whom should we notify?”

“Well, a DOCTOR, of course!” he wrote.

����������������������������������������������������The Maine Sportsman • October 2019 • 75

— TRADING POST — • Subscribers may place one free 20-word line classified ad per month (two-month limit) • Items for sale must include a price • Real estate ads must include an address or location

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—————————— LAND FOR SALE WOODVILLE, ME 114+/- acres for sale. This lovely gated parcel offers privacy, a nice road system for ease of access to most of the property, hunting, nearby lakes, ATV and snowmobile trails. Has been selectively cut. Ideal location for a camp and has been surveyed and soil tested - $59,000. FMI please call (207)633-7838 1.5 ACRE LOT ON SEBEC LAKE Small bunk house, power & water only. 200ft. of wa-

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¶

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2.45 acres only 2.5 miles Some of the most stunning Full basement with 8’ ceilings, south of Moosehead Lake views of Moosehead Lake are private septic and drilled water and Greenville’s town center. up this well-maintained ridge. well. Access ATV and Countless trails and recreation Very private location snowmobile trails from camp. spots nearby. yet close to town.

Stephanie Boone REALTOR® / Associate Broker Realty of Maine Cell (207) 227-9858 32 Pritham Avenue, steph.m.boone@gmail.com Greenville, ME www.MaineSportsman.com

76 • October 2019 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————————————

HIGH MEADOW Realty Trust

Check out our website www.MaineSportsman.com!

320 High Meadow Road, Perham, ME (207) 455-8340 • realty@mfx.net www.highmeadowrealtytrust.com

These parcels would make great hunting camps!

45 acres: Woodland Center Road, Perham, ME ... $45,000 57 acres: Fowler Road, Woodland, ME ................ $35,000 42 acres: High Meadow Road, Perham, ME ........ $29,900 68 acres: Borden Road, Washburn, ME ............... $47,600 55 acres: Mouse Island Road, Perham, ME .......... $35,000 — Financing Available — Noyes Real Estate Agency 2388 Main Street • Rangeley, ME 207-864-9000 • info@noyesrealty.com www.noyesrealty.com

GREAT OUTDOOR LOCATIONS!

#557 – MLS# 1372757 – Enjoy 20 private gated acres in Avon. Well maintained trailer, with screen house and shed. Generator ready, well, bathroom, and new roof. Very clean.

Hunt, fish, 4-wheel, and sled. $49,900 #487 – MLS# 1428998 – World class fly fishing, vintage camp on the Kennebago River. Boat to Kennebago Lake. Fish from your dock. Land lease: Lots 17 and 20 from Union Water Power. $135,000 #594 – MLS# 1418868 – Chain of Ponds! Property borders on State Land with a rustic, winterized camp and a new garage with living area above, full bath. Sled, hike, hunt, fish and enjoy the Ponds. $150,000

Caryn Dreyfuss, Broker • (207) 233-8275 caryndreyfuss@morton-furbish.com www.realestateinrangeley.com

RANGELEY – What a gem - sweet log sided cabin in the woods, off the beaten path and yet close to all Rangeley amenities. Offering cozy open kitchen/ living area with wood stove for heat, 1 bedroom space, futon for guests. Loaded with inviting North Woods charm, furniture/furnishings included, plus stylish outhouse. First time on the market ever don’t miss out on this one, call today! MLS #1420489 – $69,000 PARKERTOWN TWP – Aziscohos Lake: beautiful, remote, pristine! Fishing/hunting camp on owned land with 100’ sandy frontage. Off-grid camp with knotty pine throughout, gas appliances/lights, Empire wall heaters, wired for generator. 10x12 storage shed, 12x12 deck, privy, hand carry water. Peaceful lakeside setting, level lawn to the beach, unobstructed lake/mountain views. What a spot to get a way from it all - don’t miss it! MLS # 1339003 – $195,500 MAGALLOWAY – This custom log-sided chalet on 9.4 private acres overlooks scenic Sturtevant Pond Brook! The 3 bedroom, 2 bath, year-round home offers open floor plan, spacious loft, cook’s kitchen with Wolf range/oven, cement countertops, and woodfired pizza oven. Heat with propane or wood furnace.

Energy efficient on-demand water heater and standby generator. Plenty of room in basement with workshop and garage door for drive-in storage. Deeded 20’ ROW to Pond Brook. MLS #1366701 – $297,000

www.MaineSportsman.com

3,911 ACRES

Dallas Plt - Timber, water, wildlife and views. Four miles of frontage on S. Branch of Dead River and four remote ponds. 1,700’ of elevation. Interior roads. Close to Rangeley. $2,750,000

192+/- ACRES

175+/- ACRES

Guilford - 192± acres w/ views from Oak Hill (920’ in elevation) & in the shadows of 1,326’ Guilford Mt. overlooking First Davis Pond. Wildlife galore with evidence of moose & deer. Cut in 2011. $129,000

Harrington - 175 +/- acres with 1,650’ of salt meadow frontage on Flat Bay. Numerous coves, sea grasses & changing tides create a unique experience.

Westerly views & mature timber. $175,000

Bancroft Twp - Acreage on Mattawawkeag River. Camp just 200± feet from river w/exceptional frontage. Mature trees, easy access & special protection designated for Salmon & deer habitat. $125,000

Litchfield - Waterfront parcel with tons of diversity. Massive trees in park like setting. Mile plus frontage on Horseshoe pond feeding into Cobbossee stream.

Extensive wildlife. $195,000.

2,900+/- ACRES

Rumford & Mexico - Approx. 2,900 acres including Whitecap Mountain (2,000’), South Twin Mountain (2,156’) and Black Mountain (2,300’). Part of the land is an active Sugarbush. Impressive views. Land can be separated. $1,450,000 Greenwood - 283 ACRES - Views of the surrounding hills south and west from 1,300’ of elevation.

Ledge outcrops, old stone walls and recreation opportunities. Gravel for access and internal roads. $215,000 Greenwood - 251 ACRES - Views of the surrounding hills, lakes and Mt. Washington. 32’x20’ log cabin shell. Good access & road system.

Highest elevation is 1,620’. Recreation paradise. $229,000

Phillips - BROKER OR OWNER MUST ACCOMPANY BUYERS. Approx 1,800’ on Bean Brook which is known to support wild populations of brook trout. Stone walls, trails throughout, good topo and an old historic foundation. Approx. 21 cords per acre. $110,000 New Sharon - 678 +/- acres with abundant wildlife including deer & upland game birds. Diverse land with Bragdon Brook & Salt Marsh Creek running through the lot. Over 900’ of frontage on Weeks Mills Road. $299k or only $441 per acre.

Beauty runs deep.

So does our land sales experience.

John Colannino – Broker & Forester American Forest Management, Inc. 40 Champion Lane | Milford, Maine | 04461 O: 207.817.9079 | C: 207.266.7355 John.Colannino@afmforest.com

For more information on available properties please visit:

www.AmericanForestManagement.com

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North Maine Woods Camp For Sale

★★★★★

Subscription Running Out?

Camp in the North Maine Woods T7R12 on Little Indian Pond. Camp is only 5 years old and has solar power and a septic system installed.

Camp is on leased land. $150,000. Call for more info.

(207) 568-3940.

★★★★★

Send in the form on page 32, 54 or 60, call us at (207) 622-4242 or sign up online at www.MaineSportsman.com!

(207) 564-8073 11 North Street, Dover-Foxcroft, ME

www.mallettrealestate.com

SEBEC LAKE LANDMARK

WELLINGTON HUNTING LODGE

MONSON CAMP

Canoodlin Point with 1000 feet of frontage on Sebec Lake and 71 acres of land. This premier spot on Sebec Lake has spectacular sunsets, privacy and amazing views. There are two comfortable cottages right on the water; one with 4 bedrooms and one with 2 bedrooms. All on 14 mile long Sebec Lake.

Could be purchased with less land – call for details.

MLS #1411409 $1,050,000

Great hunting lodge, originally a one-room school house. High ceilings, insulated, oil furnace, drilled well, and private sewer system. Camp is spacious, with kitchen-dining-living room area and bunkhouse-bedroom, bath and storage shed area. Beautiful location with utilities and good road access. Great recreational property.

MLS #1321898 $32,000

Recreational camp located on a year-round road near Lake Hebron. Large camp with lots of rooms including kitchen, living room, dining area, upstairs bedrooms, plus additional bedroom and storage downstairs. Heated with wood stoves and propane, camp has drilled well, privy. Camp needs some jacking and leveling but could be a great getaway.

MLS #1430920 $35,000

GROW YOUR BUSINESS with an ad in The Maine Sportsman!

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 BYR

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We offer our advertising partners: Competitive Rates • Graphic Design • Full-Color Ads Guaranteed Ad Placement (when available; additional fees may apply) Discounts Available • Target Audience of Sportsmen & Women Stellar Customer Service

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(207)357-2702 • nancy@mainesportsman.com 515 Main Street • Presque Isle, ME Chuck Johnston • (207)764-4600 cbjohnston72@hotmail.com

Byron - Comfortable log cabin on 7 acres. Located in Byron Village with the Swift River in sight, ATV and snowmobile trails accessible from your dooryard. Enjoy all the amenities of the Western Mountains like worldclass hiking, gold panning, fishing, hunting, snowshoeing and lots more.

MLS #1417503. $98,500

WEBB LAKE updated waterfront home in a quiet cove on a dead end road. Enjoy the breathtaking views of the lake, mountains and wildlife right from your own private beach.

This area is home to some of the best mountains for hiking in the east including Tumbledown, Big & Little Jackson, Blueberry, Bald, and Mt. Blue. Year-round activities include snowshoeing, snowmobiling, skating, and skiing at the well-known Sugarloaf and Sunday River resorts. MLS #1407157. $327,500

BYRON – 177 acres with half mile of road frontage and great south westerly exposure huge views of lake and mountains, you don’t wait to miss this one.

Access to ATV & snowmobile trails from the property. Listing #300. $137,500 CARTHAGE - Very nice 21 acre lot on private gated road with access to ATV and snowmobile trails only minutes to Webb Lake and Mt. Blue State Park. Property has been surveyed, soil tested, driveway and gravel pad in place ready for your cabin or camper. great spot for solar power. MLS #1410469. $64,900 CARTHAGE - Just off the beaten path you will find a nice winding driveway leading up to a private and secluded building or camping site with vast southwesterly views. Come enjoy this 21.86 acre lot in the heart of western Maine’s best...! MLS#1402187 $59,900 WOODSTOCK - An absolute dream come true! 97 acres with nice brook meandering through the lower portion of the property and a series of old roads and trails will lead up to spectacular views from Mollyockett Mountain in Woodstock. MLS#1326728. $64,500 PHILLIPS - 1.54 acre building lot off Rt. 4 between Rangeley and Phillips located on a nice knoll with potential views. Excellent spot to hit the trails for the weekend or make your home in the great western mountains. Property has power, survey, soil test, and direct access to snowmobile trails, plus an easement to the Sandy River which is just a short walk away. MLS #1419369. $21,500 SALEM TWP - A very rare find! This 1,077 acre lot has large deposit of quality gravel sitting on top of a large water aquifer. Located on a paved highway with miles of interior roads, it also has several trout brooks that meander throughout the property teaming with moose and other wildlife. This lot is located near Sugarloaf and Rangeley and has expansive views of Saddleback and Mt. Abram.

MLS #1419362. $795,000 WEBB RIVER WATERFRONT LOTS - 1.6 to 5.9 acres. $39,000-$59,900 BYRON - Exceptional 54 acres. This lot has a good gravel road through it, pristine frontage on Thomas Brook and easy access to trails. The property is well wooded with with a mix of soft and hardwood trees that hold some of the best big game hunting in the area. $79,000. MLS #1417048

CANTON - A true cabin in the woods.

Very nice small log cabin located deep in the woods on a heavily wooded lot with great hunting and other out door activities at you door step. Don’t wait to check this one out. MLS #1421558. $59,500

ANDOVER - S. ARM ROAD, 20 acres with INCREDIBLE frontage on Black Brook.

This very rare find has deep water pools, great fishing and swimming on those hot summer days. Located on Fire Line 435 off South Arm Rd in the heart of Western Maine. $129,000. MLS #1412098 RUMFORD - 347 acres with unique road systems that will lead to pinnacles and peaks with views of the Mountain Valley and Swift River Valley and beyond.

This parcel also has frontage on Goff Brook along with frontage on a no name Brook. The recreation opportunities are endless with great hunting, ATVing, snowmobiling, hiking, skiing and all the other great activities available in the Western Mountains of Maine. $225,500. MLS #1369627 CARTHAGE - Excellent building lots w/ easy access to ATV and 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 NEAR BETHEL IN ALBANY TOWNSHIP - This 40 acre lot has several hidden building site well off the paved road with beautiful Southeasterly views. Some areas would make great spot for passive solar cabin. The Crooked River meanders on through the lot for great wildlife watching. Only 7 miles from downtown Bethel. $45,000. MLS #1325975 NORTH RUMFORD - Very private 17 acres with great brook frontage and a common area on Meadow Pond located deep in the Western Mountains. $32,000. MLS #1354993 WELD - Looking for a remote spot for your cabin or camper? Here it is! 8 acres with easy access, nice view right in the heart of the Western Mnts, a few miles to Mt. Blue State Park & Webb Lake. $18,500. MLS #1282348 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 $1,095,000. MLS #1335965 PERU - 59.3 surveyed acres walking distance to Worthley Pond.This lot offers 231’ of paved town maintained rod frontage plus your own water frontage on Worthley and Thomas Brooks come see why this is great spot for your own private resort and get away. $69,900. MLS #1363508

999 Fournier Road – T9 R7 WELS, ME 04764 Rare offering on the shore of the Aroostook River located between the Salmon Pool and the Mooseluk Stream. Prime fishing for native trout and salmon on the river and many hunting opportunities nearby. MLS#1347808. $64,900. Call Chuck (207) 227-2305.

72 Puckerbrush Trail – T1 R8 WELS, ME This camp is located on the end of a peninsula on Millinocket Lake with a spectacular view of Mount Katahdin. Property includes a fully-furnished main camp with 2 bedrooms and a sleeping loft, open floor plan for the kitchen and living area. MLS#1429494. $199,000. Call Chuck (207) 227-2305.

999 Pingree L141 Loc F – T8 R10 WELS, ME Would you like to be near the Allagash/Munsungan region and some of the best fishing/hunting in the North Maine Woods? This camp is very well built and maintained. Two bedrooms with full kitchen and 18x12 enclosed porch.

MLS# 1427550. $82,000. Call Chuck (207) 227-2305.

Castle Hill, ME Commercial hunting lodge or perfect getaway for large family or group of people looking for a place to hang out and hunt and fish in northern Maine. Located only 4 miles from Scopan Lake and about 10 miles from Ashland and the gateway to the North Maine woods. MLS# 1430594. $89,000.

Call Chuck (207) 227-2305.

84 Mountain Road – Presque Isle, ME 29 acres of woods abutting 800 acres of State of Maine park land can be yours. This wooded parcel includes gated road access a good portion of the year. Hunt on your own land and all this located only a 15 minute drive from downtown Presque Isle. MLS#1430443. $75,000. Call Chuck (207) 227-2305.

Other offerings include: Fish River Lake – MLS#1377769 – $95,000 McGowan Pond – MLS#1320835 – $119,900 Portage Lake – MLS#1421281 – $115,000

www.MaineSportsman.com

78 • October 2019 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————————————

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Waterfront Camp for Sale on Webb Pond

27 Outlet Road, Waltham, ME Great four-season outdoor activities: boating, paddling, hiking, fishing, hunting, ATV and snow sled trail connected, snowshoe, etc.

Off-grid without roughing it. Far away from it all, but only 25-minute ride to Ellsworth or Bangor – Perfection!!! $139,000

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Carl Lusby, Associate Broker (207) 266-1733 carl@sargentre.com

www.sargentre.com

BRIGHTON PLT - This camp has been meticulously thought out and cared for and is waiting for a new owner to love it the same way.

The 1800’ winding driveway brings you up to the base of Foss Mountain to the camp. Sit on your deck looking out over the western mountains for the most beautiful sunsets. The open living room and kitchen have cathedral ceilings and views throughout. There is a full daylight foundation, new drilled well, septic system, main floor bedroom and upstairs bedroom. The property extends up Foss Mountain with trails for hiking and snowshoeing all on your own 34 acres. Just a short drive to Kingsbury Pond, ATV/snowmobile trails nearby. This is an amazing getaway or possibly an off the grid homestead that you can put your finishing touches on. MLS #1428963 - $163,000 WELLINGTON - MOOSE AND BROOK TROUT! 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. If you are looking for your own private, slice of heaven, this is it! MLS #1323247 - $55,000 TROY - If you are looking for a turnkey getaway retreat camp with 100 plus acres, this is it.

The camp is insulated, wired for a generator and finished. The property is located in the Chain of meadows in the heart of Central Maine. Privacy, seasonal road, drive a 4 wheel drive vehicle to your doorstep. This is the property you have been waiting for! MLS #1370873 - $84,999 CARATUNK - Nice camp on leased land. Seller has done many updates including a metal roof and fresh paint on the outside. Camp offers a nice enclosed porch, an open kitchen/ living room area, bathroom with a toilet and shower, a woodstove, 3 bedrooms upstairs, and all gas appliances. Just a short walk across the road to the water. The Appalachian trail is next to the property as well. MLS #1427979 - $55,000 THE FORKS - Lake Moxie is located in the heart of Maine. Moxie falls, a tons of recreational opportunities surround you. The camp offers all the amenities of home, first floor master bedroom and bath, open concept living. Spend the summer, fall or stay year round - its up to you.

Enjoy boating, swimming, wildlife, while the sun crests the shore every morning, and the full moon needs to be seen to be appreciated. Fully furnished, turnkey, boat included and ready for the next adventure. MLS #1428449 - $216,000 ATHENS - Nice 5.06 acre parcel on year round road to set up a camp for hunting or a get away retreat. Electricity is available at the road. MLS #1401306 - $20,000 CANAAN - 4.61 surveyed acres of land, nice country location with views available, to build your home or get-away spot. Wooded parcel with about 296 feet of road frontage. Power available at the road. MLS #1411369 - $34,000 LEXINGTON - Approximately 3,750 feet frontage on Route 16 in Lexington Township with this approximate 97.12 acre parcel. Currently in “Tree Growth” for tax purposes. (Hb337) MLS #979168 - $89,900 SOLON - Approximately 25.58 acres of land with about 1,125 feet frontage on U.S. Route 201 and about 1,100 feet frontage on the West Road. Currently in tree growth for tax purposes.

10/19 (Hb 363) MLS #979173 - $32,000

www.MaineSportsman.com

Danforth - Cabin will sleep big crew and entertain more on the huge deck. Insulated garage with furnace for storing/working on the toys all year. Fishing out the front and hunting out the back, built for outdoor people on Sandy Beach Road. $69,500

Burlington - Well-built cute cabin tucked away in the woods with access to Madagascal’s gorgeous private sand beach. ATVing and snowmobiling and POSSIBLE OWNER FINANCING. Take a look today on W. Madagascal Pond Road. $49,900

Winn - Beautiful 4.7 acre lot is home to Maine hunting and recreational cabin. Drilled well plus a rocked up spring. An outhouse, flush and shower are there too. You need to bring only a smile and your toys to Mattakeunk Road. $39,900

Lakeville - Acreage, views, close to power, year round road, well and septic. Wired for a generator and propane. Wonderful location on Dill Valley Road near snowmobile and ATV trails PLUS it has Lakeville’s incredibly low taxes! $69,900

Pukakon - Lakefront paradise cabin on one of Maine’s most desirable lakes, Junior Lake. Fabulous fishing. Hunting, Snowmobiling and ATVing are just some activities out your door. Lake views through many windows. $345,000

Lincoln - Huge camp on huge lot with year round potential on Mattanawcook Lake. Use as-is or use grandfathered location to build your home. Sunrise and sunset views, great swimming, and great fishing. $144,000

Carroll Plt - Some views and more available with cutting down some firewood. Quiet and rural. Beautiful spot for getaway cabin. 15 minutes to Lakeville’s lakes and recreational opportunities on Kossar Road. Owner financing available. $23,900 Lincoln - If you could remodel land, that’s what has been done! Septic pumped, new well pump installed, lot is cleared, filled, leveled, and seeded. Electric on site and ready for your new home on Bagley Mt. Road.

Come take a look today. $29,500 Burlington - WOW, nice lot with road frontage on two roads. Located just minutes from Madagascal Pond. ATV and Snowsled from this nice lot on E. Madagascal Pond Road. Compare others in the area and this will be the one. $20,000 Lakeville - Tucked away on rural secondary road, and well maintained.

Electricity on lot, privy, fire pit and wood storage. Driveway and large gravel pad for camper right on Hobbs Road. Will add the camper for a small additional fee. Worth a look. $19,900

R E A L

E S T A T E

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

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

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

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

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