The Maine Sportsman October 2022 Digital Edition

Training Your Gun Dog

P. 40, 51, 68, 73

Sportsman The Maine

October 2022 • $4.99

For Over 50 Years!

>> Plan Your Moose Hunt P. 33, 34, 72

>> Get Your Bear P. 24, 25

>> Snowmobiles – What’s New P. 37

>> Bowhunt for Deer P. 70 >> Moosehead & Katahdin Grouse P. 51, 56 >> GPS Hunting Apps P. 31 >> Firearms, Dogs, Real Estate & More for Sale P. 81

2 • October 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————

Maine Sporting Camps & Lodges — A True Maine Tradition —

Allagash Lakes Region

Quality Cabins & Lodge on Haymock, Spider & Cliff Lakes American Plan Lodge • Housekeeping Cabins • Year Round

Haymock Lake (T8 R11) • 207-307-2115

Fully Equipped Lakefront Cabins & Guide Service — Open Year Round —

P.O. Box 598, Millinocket, ME 04462 Mailing Address Only

www.macannamac.com

www.WilsonsOnMooseheadLake.com • 207-695-2549

BOGGY BROOK OUTFITTERS Booking Guided Fishing Trips, Bear, Moose, Turkey & Deer Hunts Lodge & Cabin Accommodations Master Guide Jesse Derr 207-667-7271 ~ jdcon@yahoo.com Branch Lake, Ellsworth, ME

www.boggybrookoutfitters.com

Shoreline Camps

Lake Molunkus Sporting Camps

Housekeeping Cabins & Boat Rentals on Big Lake

Family Vacations • Group Events Hunting & Fishing Parties World Class Small Mouth Bass & Landlocked Salmon Fishing ATV & Snowmobile Trails • Hiking Snowshoe • Cross Country Ski 191 Pine Drive, Grand Lake Stream, ME (207) 796-5539 • shorelinecamps@gmail.com

www.shorelinecamps.com

Spencer Pond Camps Rustic Family Friendly Lakeside Housekeeping Cabins Dogs Welcome - Pet Friendly Open May thru November

www.spencerpond.com Reservations@SpencerPond.com • 207-745-1599

— Established in 1904 —

Open Year Round for ALL Your Outdoor Adventures

Make a Maine Memory at Molunkus!

Main Lodge with Comfortable Furnished Lakeside Cabins

Direct Access to ATV & Snowmobile Trails!

(207) 725-9471 www.lakemolunkus.com

Bald Mountain Camps Guide Service Guided Snowmobile Tours Fishing & Hunting

Deer • Moose • Bear • Upland Bird Coyote • Bobcat 14 Cabins on Mooselookmeguntic Lake Mooselo Full-Service Lodge, Restaurant & Bar

207-864-3671 • baldmountaincamps@gmail.com

www.baldmountaincamps.com

Mt. Chase Lodge —

Shin Pond, Maine

Waterfront Cabins, Private Rooms & Gourmet Family-Style Dining

www.MtChaseLodge.com • 207-528-2183

im Pond CAMPS

Native Brook Trout Upland Game Bird Deer Hunting Moose

Box 22 | Eustis, ME (207) 243-2947 relax@timpond.com www.timpond.com

North Maine Lakeside Cabin Rentals 207-551-8292 www.libbyoutposts.com

GRANT'S KENNEBAGO CAMPS Get away, y sh, bird hunt & relax!

Guide Service • Seaplane Flyouts Brook Trout & Salmon Fishing Wild Ruffed Grouse, Bear, Deer & Moose Hunts

mattj@libbycamps.com • (207) 435-8274

WWW.LIBBYCAMPS.COM

www.MaineSportsman.com

207-864-3608 • info@grantscamps.com • www.grantscamps.com

�� The Maine Sportsman • October 2022 • 3

Macannamac Camps Tradition. It is a word associated with Maine sporting camps. When the first sporting camps were established nearly two centuries ago, traveling to and staying at such camps was considered an exotic experience undertaken by elite members of society from far-away places. Today, however, sporting camps have evolved into destinations for folks from all walks of life. In modern day culture, a quiet camp in the remote backcountry provides a place not only to hunt and fish, but to relax and live unconnected from the grasp of high-tech advances that surround us ever day. When Macannamac Camps came into existence in 1983, it broke the mold of

a traditional sporting camp. In addition to a full-service lodge, its camps were set up individually and separately from one another, allowing for the rental of a camp independent from the lodge. It introduced a new option for vacationers, providing the space and privacy to enjoy one’s own camp, nestled on the lakeshore, front porch and all. Macannamac Camps are centered in the grand landscape known as the north Maine woods. The profoundly unique expanse of privately owned woodlands is made available for public use through cooperative efforts of landowners and land management companies. The landscape continues to provide ample opportunity for hunting and fishing in a wide variety of ways. Beyond that, Macannamac’s location is ideal for such outings as exploring the Locomotives on Big Eagle Lake, visiting Churchill Dam and museum, and hiking places such as Allagash Mountain, just to name a few. But the best of it all can be found in the realm of being “in camp.” The front porch, the cribbage board, hearing the loons, sunsets, moon rises, the clear and dark star-clustered sky, shared with family, friends, or with one’s own solitary

company. Those of us who live here in Maine do not need to travel to far-off places to find the wilds of woods and waters. We have it all, and are blessed with the opportunity provided to us, as respectful admirers who revere the natural world as well as pursuing fish and game to consume in our role as hunters and gatherers. The space and solace found in the outof-doors is nutrition for the human condition. Take some time, and come to camp. Call Macannamac Camps any time at (207) 307-2115, or write to P.O. Box 598 Millinocket, ME 04462.

Wilsons on Moosehead Lake The dam at the East Outlet on Moosehead Lake creates a river flowage leading to Indian Pond, the headwaters of the Kennebec River. Well-informed anglers know the East Outlet as one of the finest brook trout and landlocked salmon fisheries in New England. Wilsons on Moosehead is situated at this “salmonid epicenter”! Scott and Alison Snell recall, “It started over 17 years ago with a dream and two young children (soon to be three). It turned into hard work, uncertainty, determination and incredible relationships with so many new and repeat guests we now consider family. In 2017, we were fortunate to be able to purchase Wilsons on Moosehead.” Visitors to the Greenville/Moosehead region will continue to enjoy hunting,

fishing, family vacations and four-season recreation at Wilsons, and relish the idea that this unique set of camps may be around for another 150 years! Wilsons cabins range from one to five bedrooms, all with full kitchens and bathrooms, and a screened-in porch (lakeside) to enjoy the views of beautiful Moosehead Lake and the surrounding mountains. Wake up at one of your own personal cabins at Wilsons on Moosehead, grab your fly rod, and walk down to the East Outlet dam to fish the turbulent headwaters. Or experience the ultimate fly-fishing adventure and book a drift boat trip with Scott, a Master Maine Guide. He will show you the tactics and techniques to help you catch the fish of your dreams. Adventures abound at Wilsons on Moosehead, every season – all year long. Spring/Summer at Wilsons includes some of the best drift boat fishing trips on the East Outlet, as well as world-class fishing for brook trout, landlocked salmon and huge smallmouth bass – the ultimate prize when fishing with Scott as your guide. Fall offers hunting and fishing “cast ’n’ blast” at Wilsons on Moosehead. Flyfish the world famous East Outlet of the Kennebec River, and end the day on a

guided upland bird hunting adventure! Winter at Wilsons on Moosehead offers ice fishing on over 1,000 feet of lake frontage. Snowmobile the hundreds of miles of beautifully groomed ITS trails – right from your cabin door. Wilsons on Moosehead also boasts private scenic trails to enjoy winter hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. You might even see some wildlife! Their guests agree – vacationing at Wilsons on Moosehead is a spectacular adventure driven by the whole Snell family. Scott, his wife Alison and their children offer their guests the most spectacular experience possible. For reservations or more info, go to wilsonsonmooseheadlake.com, or call the Snells at (207) 695-2549.

www.MaineSportsman.com

4 • October 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————

Editorial

Five Modest (Very Modest) Proposals for Simplifying Maine’s Fishing Laws Simplifying the fishing law book was a crusade championed by long-time Maine Sportsman writer, the late George Smith. In his honor, we must pursue his goal. So here are a few ideas. Some are good. And the ones that aren’t, should at least spark productive debate. 1) Abolish North and South Zones, or at least make them conform to county lines. To understand what general laws apply to a particular water body, the angler should not have to know whether it lies in the South Zone or the North Zone. Who remembers where the line runs? Oh yes – it’s by county. Unless, of course, you live in Penobscot County, in which case those north of Routes 11 and 157 are in the North Zone, while they look across the road to those in the South Zone. Or if you live in Oxford County, where the Penobscot River bisects the county into North and South Zones. What this state needs is a good dividing line – you know, like an EastWest Highway. 2) Eliminate bag and size limits on largemouth bass, everywhere in the state. That’s already the law in the North Zone. Largemouth bass have proven they can grow and thrive in every freshwater habitat Maine has to offer. Catch, keep and eat the little ones, we say – they are the safest to have for dinner. 3) Do away with slot limits, like the ones currently found on brown trout and landlocked salmon in rivers, streams and brooks, or the slot limit on brook trout in those waters governed by Special Law Code S-20. 4) Change the names of all but one of the lakes and ponds that have the same names. What rules apply to Mud Pond? Good question. There are 43 Mud Ponds in Maine. 32 Long Ponds. 26 Round Ponds. 21 Horseshoe Ponds. 6 Pug Lakes, 2 Pug Ponds, and, of course, Pughole Pond (T41 MD). Like cities and towns did to comply with the E-911 rules by changing duplicate street names, it’s time to have discrete names for each water body. Get a legislative committee on the project, pronto! (And while you’re at it, please change the names of a few, just because it’s a really good idea; to wit, the two Lard Ponds (in Turner, and in Elm Stream TWP), Industrial Waste Pond (Easton), and Ugh Lake (T12 R14 WELS). And of the two Monson Ponds, only one is actually in Monson – C’mon, Fort Fairfield -- give it up!) 5) Require DIF&W to erect a sign at the public landing of every lake or pond, listing the applicable fishing seasons, limits and special rules. If Emily Bastian and her able assistant Bob Mallard can post their Native Fish signs everywhere, it should be no problem for state wildlife officials to do the same. What’s that, you say? The rules would be too long and complicated to fit on a sign? Exactly! ***** Complex rules take the fun out of fishing. They put parents in a bind if their kid hauls up the trophy of a lifetime that’s over the slot limit. They discourage open-water fishing when it’s nice out (70-degree days are now common in October, but don’t cast a line out in the North Zone). Begin with a blank slate, and go from there? It would be a good start!

On the Cover German Shorthaired Pointers (often abbreviated to “GSPs”) were developed in the 1800s in Germany. The breeders’ goal was to produce a versatile and companionable hunting dog, one that could excel in the woods and also in the water. The best testament to the breed’s popularity is the partial list of folks who have written for (or been written about in) The Maine Sportsman magazine over the years, who have owned or hunted with GSPs, including King Montgomery, Gene Bahr, William Clunie, Bill Sheldon, Joe Saltalamachia, Ethan Emerson (who was on his way to buy one before his heart was stolen by a Springer Spaniel), Brad Varney, Michael Tuminaro, Tom Roth, and Stacey Wheeler and her son Tanner (see photo, page 81). www.MaineSportsman.com

New England’s Largest Outdoor Publication

Sportsman The Maine

ISSN 0199-036 — Issue No. 599 • www.mainesportsman.com PUBLISHER: Jon Lund MANAGING EDITOR: Will Lund will@mainesportsman.com OFFICE MANAGER: Carol Lund carol@mainesportsman.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Kristina Roderick kristina@mainesportsman.com ADVERTISING DIRECTOR: Nancy Carpenter nancy@mainesportsman.com DISTRIBUTION DIRECTOR: Deb Lund Carter distribution@mainesportsman.com Second class postage paid at Scarborough, ME 04074 and additional entry offices. All editorial inquiries should be emailed to will@mainesportsman.com Phone: 207-622-4242 Postmaster: Send address changes to: The Maine Sportsman, 183 State Street, Suite 101, Augusta, ME 04330 12-Month Subscription: $30 • 24-Month Subscription: $49

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Almanac by Will Lund.................................................... 15 A Ranger on the Allagash by Tim Caverly.................. 50 Aroostook - “The County” by Bill Graves..................... 47 Big Game Hunting by Joe Saltalamachia.................. 31 Big Woods World by Matt Breton................................. 30 Central Maine by Steve Vose....................................... 66 Cooking Wildly by Kate Krukowski Gooding............... 58 Editorial.............................................................................. 4 Freshwater Fly Fishing by William Clunie...................... 62 Jackman Region by William Sheldon.......................... 53 Jottings by Jon Lund...................................................... 10 Katahdin Country by William Sheldon......................... 51 Letters to the Editor.......................................................... 8 Maine Sportswoman by Christi Holmes....................... 33 Maine Wildlife by Tom Seymour................................... 20 Maine Wildlife Quiz by Steve Vose............................... 43 Midcoast by Tom Seymour........................................... 59 Moosehead Region by Tom Seymour......................... 56 New Hampshire by Ethan Emerson.............................. 76 Nolan’s Outdoor World by Nolan Raymond............... 55 Off-Road Traveler by William Clunie............................ 73 Outdoors & Other Mistakes by Al Diamon.................. 80 Quotable Sportsman by Will Lund................................ 18 Rangeley Region by William Clunie............................. 68 Riding Shotgun by Robert Summers............................. 79 Saltwater Fishing by Barry Gibson................................ 44 Sebago to Auburn Region by Tom Roth..................... 67 Self-Propelled Sportsman by Jim Andrews.................. 72 Shooter’s Bench by Col. J.C. Allard............................. 41 Smilin’ Sportsman by Will Lund...................................... 79 Snapshots in Time by Bill Pierce.................................... 14 Southern Maine by Val Marquez................................. 70 Sporting Environment by David Van Wie.................... 71 Sportsman’s Journal by King Montgomery................. 12 Tidewater Tales by Randy Randall............................... 64 Trapping The Silent Places by David Miller.................. 60 Trading Post (Classifieds)............................................... 81 Trout Fishing by Tom Seymour....................................... 61 True Tales from the Warden Service by Ret. Lt. Doug Tibbetts.65 Vermont by Matt Breton............................................... 78 Western Maine Mountains by William Clunie.............. 75

GUEST COLUMNS & SPECIAL SECTIONS

ATVing in Maine by Steve Carpenteri......................... 21 Bear Hunting in Maine: Hound Hunting Basics by Steve Carpenteri........... 24 Fryer Oil Makes Scents by Bill Graves...................... 25 Deer Hunting in Maine by Greg Gove........................ 27 Moose Hunting in Maine by Staci Warren................... 34 Snowmobiling in Maine by Steve Carpenteri............. 37 Upland Game Hunting by Michael Browning............ 40

�� The Maine Sportsman • October 2022 • 5

FALL SALE SEPTEMBER 16–18 Select Inventory on Special Throughout the Store!

Full Line of Browning Products! We have Browning Citori & Cynergy Shotguns, X-Bolt Rifles & Many Browning Handguns In Stock! PLUS Knives, Binoculars, Apparel and MORE!

OVER 2,500 GUNS IN-STOCK! L.L.Cote is Now a Maine Licensed FFL Dealer! Maine Residents Can Now Purchase Handguns with NO SHIPPING Plus FREE TRANSFER with Purchase Over $300! TAX FREE NH

L.L. Cote Sport Center

7 Main Street, Errol, NH • 1-800-287-7700 • www.llcote.com Intersection of Rt. 16 and 26 • Open 7 Days a Week 8AM–5PM

TAX FREE NH www.MaineSportsman.com

6 • October 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————

FALL SPORTING AUCTION SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2022 • 10:00 AM Wildwood Function Center, Route 113, Steep Falls, ME

It is said that “All Good Things Come to an End” and so, after over 30 Years in the Auction Business, Giguere Auction Co. Presents its Final Auction – an Extraordinary Fall Sporting Auction Event! This Auction will Feature the Lifetime & Museum-Quality North American Taxidermy Collection of Lawrence T. Keenan of Wolfesboro, NH. Every Species of Wildlife that can be Legally Hunted or Trapped in North America is represented in this truly amazing Collection! In addition, there will be Many & Varied Quality Guns & Other Items from various other Estates & Collections. Mark Your Calendars & Plan to Join Us! Following are the Highlights of this Auction as of 9/1/2022. For Preview Photos, Please Visit Our Listing at www.auctionzip.com TAXIDERMY: (5) Prong Horn Antelope Head Mounts; Armadillo Mount; Montana Badger on Base; Walking Alaskan Grizzly Bear Mount; Alaskan Grizzly Bear Skull; Growling Black Bear Rug; Russian Brown Bear Rug & Skull; Idaho Chocolate Phase Black Bear Mount; Black & Chocolate Phase Black Bear Tanned Skins; Cinnamon Phase Black Bear Shoulder Mount; Black Bear Standing Mount & Shoulder Mount & Small Maine Black Bear Rug; Standing Alaskan Brown Bear Mount on Base & Alaskan Brown Bear Skull; Yearling Black Bear W/ Trout Mount; Beaver Rug & Beaver Stump; Bison Head Mount; Tanned Bison Lodge Hide & Bison Skull; (2) Peccary Head Mounts; (2) Russian Black Boar Head Mounts; Wild Pig Head Mount; Yukon Mountain Caribou Head Mount w/ B&C Certificate; Northwest Territory Barren Ground Caribou Head Mount (In Velvet); Woodland Caribou Head Mount; Alaskan Barren Ground Caribou Skull Mount; Labrador Caribou Head Mount (In Velvet); Barren Ground Caribou Head Mount; Utah Mountain Lion Rug & Skull; Alaskan Lynx on Base; Bobcat on Wall Rock; Bobcat Half-Mount on Wall Base; Bobcat Rug; Alaskan Lynx Reclining on Twig Display; Utah Mountain Lion on Rock Base; Alaskan Lynx Rug; (3) Tanned N.H. Coyote Skins; Coyote Mount on Base; (2) Coyote Head Mounts; British Columbia 18 Pt. Whitetail Deer Head; Many Misc. Whitetail Deer Heads (8 Pt., 9 Pt., 10 Pt., 11 Pt., 12 Pt., 13 Pt.); Standing Whitetail Deer Fawn Mount; Piebald Deer Foot Gun Rack; (2) 8 Pt. Couses Deer Head Mounts; (2) 8 Pt. Sitka Blacktail Deer Head Mounts; 10X12 Mule Deer Head Mount (w/B&C Certificate); Many Misc. Mule Deer Heads (4X5, 4X6, 5X3, 5X5, 6X5, 6X6); Many Misc. Racks & Drop Antlers (Whitetail, Mule Deer, Couses, Blacktail, Sitka); 6X6 Rocky Mountain Elk Head; 6X6 Tule Elk Head; 6X6 Roosevelt Elk Head; Maine Fisher Mount in Shadow Box Wall Hanging; Fisher Rug; Red Fox Standing on Driftwood; White Arctic Fox on Base; Walking Grey Fox; Red Fox Head & Tail; Red Fox Mount on Wall Rock; (2) B.C. Mountain Goat Head Mounts & Rug; Maine Tree Martin on Tree Fungi in Shadow Box Wall Hanging; Tree Martin Mount on Driftwood Base; (2) Mink Mounts; Canada Moose Rack on Plaque; B.C. Canada Moose Rack on Plaque; (2) Shiras Moose Rack on Plaque; Alaskan Moose Head; Vintage Moose Head Mount; Arctic Musk Ox Mount on Base & Head Mount; Muskrat Mount on Base; Opossum on Wall Driftwood; River Otter Mount on Base; (3) N.Y. River Otter Tanned Skins; Porcupine Mount on Base; Prairie Dog Mount on Base; Arctic Hare; Cottontail Rabbit; Snowshoe Rabbit; Raccoon Mount; Desert Sheep Head; Stone Sheep Head; Bighorn Sheep Head; Dahl Sheep Head; (2) Curly Sheep Head Mounts; Skunk Mount; Flying Squirrel Mount on Wall Plaque; Red Squirrel on Base; Fox Squirrel on Base; Grey Squirrel on Base; Ebert Squirrel on Wall Base; Fox Squirrel & Grey Squirrel Mounts; Long Tail Weasel (Ermine Winter Phase); Standing Alaskan Timber Wolf & Rug; (2) Alaskan Wolverine Mounts on Base (Left Turn & Right Turn); Standing Black Phase Woodchuck Mount; BIRDS-- (2) Flying & (1) Standing Cock Pheasants; Flushing Hen & Cock Pheasants; Flying Pheasant Mount; Exotic Pheasant Mount on Wall Hanging; Alaskan Ptarmigan Mount; (2) Mourning Dove Mounts on Driftwood; Quail & Ruffed Grouse Mounts; (2) Bobwhite Quail Mounts; Turkey Mounts – Eastern, Ocellated (Mexico), Merriam, Rio Grande, Gould, Osceola; (3) Eastern Turkey Fans; FISH & REPTILES-- Very Early Landlock Salmon Mount on Birchbark Plaque Sg. David Footer w/Provenance; 8 Lb. Leaping Steelhead Trout Mount on Plaque Sg. David Footer; Grayling Fish Mount; 8 ¾ Lb. Brook Trout Mount on Birchbark Panel Sg. David Footer; Golden Trout Mount on Panel Restored by David Footer; Greyling Fish Mount on Board Sg. David Footer; Dolly Varden Trout Mount on Board Sg. David Footer; South American Boa Constrictor Snake Mount; 10’ Florida Alligator Mount; South American Caiman Mount; Large American Snapping Turtle Mount; MISCELLANEOUS-- Reindeer Tanned Hide; (5) Misc. Tanned Fur Rugs; (3) Black & Brown Bear Skulls; Lot of Misc. Small Animal Skulls & (3) Bear Penises; Neanderthal Skull (Museum Casting), H. Habills Skull (Museum Casting), Male & Female Gorilla Skulls (Museum Castings); Etc. BOATING, KNIVES, TRAPS & BOWS: Man-U-Troll Hand-Crank Trolling Motor; Early Tiger Maple Canoe Paddle w/Center Crest Design; A&F and Early Canoe Paddles; Maine Guide & Native American-Made Canoe Paddles; (2) Lg. War/Freight Steering Canoe Paddles; (2) Lg. 19th C. Push Paddles w/Hand-Forged Iron Tip; Vintage Canoe Back Rest; Vintage Western Bowie Knife w/Leather Sheath; Lg. Marbles Demascus Bowie Knife w/Leather Sheath & Bahco Survival Knife w/Sheath; Marttini & Rapala Fish/Fillet Knives w/Sheaths; Marttini “Lapinleuku” & Hunting Knives; Misc. Knives – Olsenok, Buck, Finnish Bowie, IISAKKI, WhiteTail Hunter, Hoffritz, French Country, Schrade, Colt Sportsman, Chipaway, Roderna Johnson, GC & Co. Mora, Erik Frost, K.J. Rikssen, Frost; Newhouse Oneida Community No. 5 Bear Trap w/Original Signed Springs; Grizzly No. 6 Bear Trap w/1856 Patent Date; Katana Sword W/ Scabbard; Bear Kodiak Hunter Recurve 60” – 40 Lb. Draw Bow w/Misc. Vintage Arrows; Etc. GUNS: HANDGUNS-- Bersa Thunder 22 Cal. S-A Pistol w/2 Mags.; Bersa Thunder 45 Cal. S-A Pistol; Cobra 38 Spl. O/U Derringer; Heritage BarKeep 22 Cal. Revolver; SCCY Mod. CPX-2 – 9X19mm S-A Pistol w/2 Mags.; SCCY Mod. CPX-2 – 9mm S-A Pistol w/2 Mags.; SCCY Mod. CPX 9mm S-A Pistol; SCCY Mod. CPX-1 – 9mm Semi-Auto Pistol w/2 Mags., Box & Papers; Taurus PT-92 – 9mm S-A Pistol; Beretta M-Storm - 40 Cal. Semi- Auto Pistol W/ Hard Case & Acc.; Thompson Center Encore Pistol w/12” – 44 Rem. Mag. Cal. Barrel w/Sights; Ruger Mod. GP-100 - 357 Mag. Cal. Revolver; Smith & Wesson Mod. 29-3 - 44 Mag. Cal. Revolver; Smith & Wesson Mod. 66 – 357 Mag. Stainless Revolver; FEG Mod. 61 – 9mm Short Semi-Auto Pistol w/2 Mags. & Leather Holster; RIFLES-- BSA 1864 Enfield Snider – 577 Snider Cal. Swing-Over Breech Block Single Shot; Custom (Harry Lawson) 300 Win. Mag. Bolt w/ThumbHole Stock, High Grade French Walnut Carved Stock & Leupold 10X Variable Scope; Custom (Bill Wiseman) 308 Cal. Bolt w/Composite Stock & Leupold Variable Scope; English-Made Mod.-U-9 – 222 Cal. Bolt w/Scope; Golcher Custom 38 Cal. Black Powder Cap Lock Rifle (Antique); British Enfield 308 Cal. Bolt; Sporterised British Enfield 308 Cal. Bolt; German Mod. 98 Mauser 9X57mm Bolt; Custom Mauser 98 – 8mm Bolt; Plainfield Mfg. U.S. M-1 Carbine 30 Cal. S-A w/Mag.; Remington Mod. 550 – 22 Cal. S-A w/Scope; (2) Remington Rolling Block Mod. 1864 – 45 Danish Cal. & 43 Spanish Cal. Single Shot; Springfield Mod.1873 - 45-70 Cal. Trap Door Carbine Rlfle W/ Saddle Ring; Russian 7.65X54 Military Bolt; Russian 7.62X64mm Carbine Bolt; SKS 7.62X39mm S-A w/Combat Exchange Stock; SKS 7.62X39mm S-A w/Scope & Sling; Mosin-Nagant M-9130 - 7.63 X 54R Bolt Rifle W/ Bayonet, Sling & Ammo Pouches; Savage Mod. 1914 – 22 Cal. Pump; Savage Mod. 99 – 303 Sav. Cal. Lever; Savage Mod. 99 - 300 Sav. Lever Rifle w/Lyman Tang Sight; Springfield Trapdoor 50-70 Cal. Mod. 1863 Single Shot; Schuetzen (Made by Gebr Rempt- Suhl) Single Shot 10mm Target Rifle; Thompson Center “New Englander” 50 Cal. Smooth Bore Black Powder; CVA Apex 50 Cal. Black Powder Rifle; Thompson Center “Encore” 45-70 Cal. Single Shot w/Scope; Winchester Mod. ’06 – 22 Cal. Pump; Winchester Mod. 62 - 22 Cal. Pump Rifle; Winchester Mod. 67A – 22 Cal. Single Shot 22 Cal. Bolt; Winchester Mod. 1894 – 38-55 Cal. Lever; Winchester Mod. 94 - 32-40 Cal. Lever Rifle (AS-IS); Savage Mod. 99 - 250-3000 Cal. Lever Rifle; Browning A-Bolt 22-250 Cal. Bolt Rifle W/ Leupold Scope; (Continued on Next Page)

www.MaineSportsman.com

�� The Maine Sportsman • October 2022 • 7

Yugo Mod. 48 – 8mm Bolt; Marlin Mod. 60 – 22 Cal. Semi-Auto Rifle w/Scope & Mfg. Test Tag; Hawthorn Warrior Mod. 820B – 22 Cal. Single Shot Bolt Rifle; SHOTGUNS-- Ruger Red Label 20 Ga. O/U Shotgun W/ 5 Choke Tubes, Tool & Snap Caps; American Gun Co. 12 Ga. Side/Side w/Exposed Hammers; BSE Fox 12 Ga. Side/Side; Belgium Browning A-5 – 16 Ga. S-A; Chinese-Made 12 Ga. Double Barrel; B. Evans 12 Ga. Side/Side w/Exposed Hammers & Demascus Barrels; Fox Sterlingworth 12 Ga. Side/Side; Ithaca Mod. 37 – 12 Ga. Pump; Ithaca Mod. 66 – 12 Ga. Single Shot Lever; J. Stevens 16 Ga. Single Barrel; Lefever Nitro Special 12 Ga. Side/ Side; Browning Maxus 12 Ga. Pump Shotgun W/ Choke Tubes; Mossberg Mod. 500 RT – 12 Ga. Pump; Mossberg Mod. 500 – 410 Ga. Pump; Parker Mod. VH – 12 Ga. Double Barrel w/28” Barrels; Winchester Mod. 1897 - 12 Ga. Pump Shotgun W/ Trench Gun Modifications; Remington Mod. 870 – 16 Ga. Pump; Remington Mod. 31-870 – 12 Ga. Pump w/Cutts Compensator Multi-Choke System; Remington Mod. 1148 – 16 Ga. S-A; Remington Mod. 870 – 16 Ga. Pump; SKB Mod. 7300 – 20 Ga. Pump; Stevens Mod. 20 Ga. Side/Side; Winchester Mod. 1200 – 12 Ga. S-A w/Slug Barrel & Sights; Winchester Mod. 1893 – 12 Ga. Pump; Winchester Mod. 37 – 12 Ga. Single Shot; Winchester Mod. 12 – 16 Ga. Pump; AMMO & MISCELLANEOUS-- (2) Boxes Fusion & (2) Boxes Federal Premium 300 Win. Mag. Ammo; Misc. Shotgun Shells, Rifle Ammo in Boxes & Ammo; (2) Boxes 357 Mag.; (1) Box 7mm Mauser; (1) Box 30-30 Cal.; (9) Boxes 45 Auto Ammo; (6) Original Rounds of 577 Snider w/Original Box; Keynock 9mm Ammo in Boxes; 4100+ Rounds Winchester 22 Cal. Ammo in Factory Boxes; 2000 Rounds CCI- 22 Cal. Ammo in Factory Boxes; 1400 Rounds Federal 22 Cal. Ammo in Factory Boxes; 2700+ Rounds Remington 22 Cal. Ammo in Factory Boxes; 700 Rounds CCI & Winchester 22 WMR Cal. Ammo in Factory Boxes; 400 Rounds Winchester & Magtech 38 Spl., 380 & 357 Mag. Ammo in Factory Boxes; 270 Rounds Winchester, Federal & Misc. 12 Ga. Shotgun Shells in Factory Boxes; (5) Boxes PPU - 222 Rem. Ammo, (1) Box 303 British & (1) Box 405 Winchester; (3) Round Gun Floor Stands; (2) Wood Hoppe’s Boxes; Lots More! FISHING: RODS-- Orvis 7’ - 2 Pc. “Delux” Impregnated Bamboo Fly Rod W/ Bag/Tube; Heddon “Thoroughbred” 9’-3 Pc.-2-Tip Bamboo Fly Rod w/Bag/Tube; Heddon 8’-2 Pc. Fiberglass Fly Rod w/Heddon Mod. 310 Fly Reel; Phillipson 9’-3 Pc.- 1-Tip Bamboo Fly Rod; Herters 9’-2 Pc. & L.L. Bean 9’-3 Pc.-1-Tip Bamboo Fly Rods; Hardy “Fairchild” 8’-3 Pc.-2-Tip Bamboo Fly Rod w/Bag; Edward Vom Hofe Bamboo Bay Rod; Bangor “Thomas Special” 8 ½’-3 Pc.-2-Tip Bamboo Fly Rod w/Bag; Bangor “Thomas Special” 8’-3 Pc.-2-Tip Bamboo Fly Rod w/Bag; Vintage Round Bamboo 9’-3 Pc.-1-Tip Fly Rod on Round Form Case; William Reid 9 ½’-3 Pc.-2-Tips Bamboo Fly Rod on Wooden Form Case; Montague 8’-3 Pc.-1-Tip Bamboo Fly Rod on Form Case; Dame Stoddard “Optimus” 9’-3 Pc.-2-Tip Bamboo Fly Rod w/Bag/Tube; Hardy Bamboo Boat Rod w/Hardy Fortuna Big Game Reel; 12 ½’-3 Pc.-2-Tip Bamboo Spey Rod w/Bag & (2) Early Wood River Rods w/Bags; REELS-- Precision-Bilt Mosquito Fly Reel; (9) Vintage Heddon & Misc. Spinning Reels; Wright McGill & Humpfrey’s Vintage Spinning Reels; Orvis Presentation & Battenkill III Fly Reels; (2) L.L. Bean Fly Reels w/Cases; Julius Vom Hofe & Other Vintage Trolling Reels; LURES-- (4) Vintage Leather Fly Wallets w/Flies; Vintage Wood Tackle Box w/ Vintage Plugs/ Lures; (3) Metal Tackle Boxes w/Contents; Misc. Salt Water Flies; Vintage Bottle w/Izaak Waltons Favorite Flies; MISCELLANEOUS— Vintage Green Sturdibilt & Falls City Minnow Buckets; (5) Misc. Early Minnow Buckets; (2) Vintage Fishing Creels & Early Leather Rod Caddy; (6) Vintage Fishing Bobbers on Turned Display Bases; Lucky Floater & Climax Floating Minnow Buckets; Vintage Ice Fishing Boxes, Traps & Misc.; Sg. Wallace Hand-Made Canoe Trout Net; Vintage Native American-Made Woven Ash Bait Trap; Early Green Falls Minnow Bucket; Min-O-Life & Lucky Waters Minnow Buckets; Etc. ART, ADVERTISING, CARVINGS, BRONZES & DECOYS: Canoe Paddle w/Painted Brook Trout Sg. David Footer; Maple Mini Paddles W/ Painted Decoration (Leaping Trout, Flushing Woodcock & Footer Special Fly) Sg. David Footer; Painting on Leather “Indian Chief” & Painted Indian Story Pipe;(2) L.E. Prints “Fly Reels” Sg. Arthur Taylor; Oil on Oval Board “Dog with Duck”; Large (45”X35”) O/C “Hunting Dogs” Sg. Jim Hutt; O/B “Red Fox”; (2) Hand-Colored Currier Sporting Prints; Print “Camping on Shore” Sg. Oliver Kemp; Litho “Noah’s Ark”; O/B “Maine Moose” Sg. Earl Morrill; Fredrick Remington Print; Vintage Maine “Gee Mister” Poster by Klir Beck; Metal State Fish Stocking Sign; Early Winchester Poster; Vintage Lodge & Fishing Signs; (2) Winchester & (1) Remington Gun Posters; Birdseye Maple Oval Panel with Walleye Pike Painting Sg. David Footer; Pine Panel with Brook Trout Painting Sg. David Footer; Framed/Matted Trout Prints Sg. David Footer; Wood Carving “Fisherman” Sg. P.E. Taron; Carved Haddock & Perch & Bass (2) Fish Mounts Sg. W.C. Harris; Carved Brook Trout & Landlocked Salmon on Birchbark Panel Sg. Gene Bahr; Turned Burl Wood Case Sg. AR; Moose Drop Antler WELCOME Sign; W. R. Franke Custom Rod Sign; Original Bronze “Sheep Hunter” Sg. Fred Boyer; Lg. Original Bronze “Bird Hunter with Dog” Sg. Fred Boyer w/Pedestal Base; Bronze “Hunter with Dog” Sg. P.J. Mene 1897; Bronze “Hunting Dogs” Sg. C. Valton; Bronze Hanging Woodcock on Plaque; Bronze “Upland Hunter” Sg. P. Rigual; “Indian Hunter in Canoe” Sculpture; Cast Metal “The Shooter” Statue; Widgeon Decoy Sg. Elmer Crowell; DU Canada Old Squaw Decoy w/Medallion Sg. Roger Desjardins; Decoys Sg. Jules A. Bouillet – Drake Bufflehead w/Certificate, Drake King Eider w/Certificate, Goldeneye w/Certificate, Greenwing Teal, Cinnamon Teal, Harlequin Duck; Hen Greenwing Teal Decoy w/Cabela’s Medallion; Ring-Neck Duck Decoy Sg. Leah Jewell; Black Duck Decoy Sg. Dana Sabolewski; Redhead Decoy Sg. Susie Webb; Bald Eagle Carving Sg. Susie Webb; Goldeneye & Snow Goose Decoys Sg. Susie Thomas; Decoys Sg. Nancy Albro – Drake Mallard, Blue Winged Teal, Shoveler Duck; Decoys Sg. Robert Kelly – Swan, Common Merganser, Grebe; Loon Decoy Birdhouse; Flying Drake Mallard Decoy; Greenwing & Bluewing Teal & Black Duck Decoys; Carved Flying Drake Wood Duck on Driftwood Sg. Casey Edwards; Canada Goose Decoy Sg. Tom Taber w/DU Medallion; Ruddy Duck Decoy Sg. R. Livingston (Decoy Co.); Blue Bill Decoy Sg. C. Fiedler; Drake Wood Duck Decoy Sg. Rick Alley; (2) Mason Black Duck Decoys w/Stands; Drake & Hen Canvasback Decoys w/Stands Sg. L.M.L.; Ruddy Duck Decoy Rig Sg. R. Birck; Drakes & Hens Greenwing Teal Decoy Rig Sg. J. Valatha; (2) Vintage Folding Tin Shorebird Decoys w/Base; (5) L.L. Bean Cork Decoys w/Bag; Etc. FURNISHINGS & MISCELLANEOUS: Moose Leg Table Lamp; Military Rifle Floor Lamp; Carved Leaping Brook Trout Table Lamp; Vintage Twig Coffee Table; Vintage Pinecone Stand; Old Hickory Toy Furniture Rocker & Love Seat; 1918 Toy Porch Love Seat; (4) Early Sg. Old Hickory Kitchen Chairs; Twig Table; Early Twig Stand; Early Round Top Twig Table; Old Hickory Octagonal Side Table; Twig Lamp Table; Old Hickory Hat Rack; Vintage Wicker Chest, Wicker Hamper & Wicker Planter; Framed Streamer Flies by Carrie Stevens & Carrie Stevens Book Sg. by Author; Vintage Circus Posters – Clown, Polar Bear, Tiger, Elephant; Early Framed Photos – “Birch Bark Canoeists” & “Hunters” in Chip-Carved Frame; Vintage L.L. Bean Bear Paw Showshoes; Vintage Indian-Made Snowshoes; Birchbark Box w/Birchbark Frames; Moose Call Horn & Dahl Sheep Horn; Primitive Wood Mallet; Moose Foot & Mountain Goat Foot Ashtrays; (2 Pair) Whitetail Candle Holders & Repro Antler Candle Holders; Ladies Pheasant Feather Box; Lot of Early Hunting/Fishing Badges; Early Ice Fishing Decoy; Early Hand-Carved Toothpick Holder; Early Birchbark Mail Holder; (4) Early Birchbark Containers; Vintage Round Container (Hat Box) w/ Cover; Birchbark Moose Call; Tree Fungi; (2) Large Vintage “Skookums” Indian Dolls; Etc.

PREVIEWS: Friday, October 21, 2022, 10:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. Saturday, October 22, 2022, 8:00 A.M. – 10:00 A.M. TERMS: Cash or Good Check. NO Credit or Debit Cards Accepted. 15% Buyers Premium. LISTING SUBJECT TO ERROR. 5.5% Maine Sales Tax Charged on Bid Price + Buyers Premium. Buyers Please Bring a Copy of Your Valid Resale Certificate with You! All Local, State & Federal Firearms Regulations will be Strictly Adhered To. ALL ITEMS SOLD AS IS. The Hall Phone the Days of the Preview & Sale is (207) 675-3207. CATERED. GPS Address of Hall is 945 Pequawket Trail, Steep Falls, Maine 04085 Absentee Bids will be Accepted & Executed on a Competitive Basis. Orders of Sale will be Available for Purchase on October 21 & October 22.

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www.MaineSportsman.com

8 • October 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————

Letters To The Editor

Last Word on High-Capacity, Military-Style Firearms? To the Editor: I am writing in response to Jim Andrews’ column on high-capacity, military-style firearms (August, 2022) and on the follow-up letters included in the September issue. I understand in the wake of tragic events how people feel the need to fix things. I am afraid looking at the tool used to commit these acts is not going to solve the problem. I am concerned that some gun owners are willing to restrict the access of other gun owners to their firearms, simply because they don’t happen to own ones like them. I have been a shooter/hunter since I was old enough to hold a firearm. I am also a student of history, and I have read the 2nd Amendment. Nowhere does it talk about hunting or sport.

I am interested in all firearms and ballistics. I probably shoot more rounds in a year than the average hunter/gun owner, because I enjoy the pastime. I love nice blue steel and walnut, but I am also a fan of a firearm that just had its 60th birthday – the AR. The AR platform (the abbreviation stands for Armalite) is a very interesting firearm. I was close to 60 years old when I built my first one in 6.5 Grendel, and I hope to use it to get my deer this fall. Confederate Col. John Moseby complained about “those damn Yankee Henrys,” since they could be “loaded on Sunday and shot all week.” Winston Churchill knew his way around firearms, and wrote in his book The Malakand Field Force, about the terrible firepower of the Lee Metford bolt action rifle during his time in Afghanistan in 1897. I would also recommend American Gun by Chris Kyle, a history of the US in ten firearms. The author describes how prior to the doughboys coming home after WWI, most all sport firearms were lever actions. After carrying the bolt actions into the fight, they started to carry them into the field when they returned home, until WWII, when our troops became familiar with the semi-auto M1.

After Vietnam and all actions since, our troops became used to Eugene Stoner’s invention, the AR. Seeing a pattern here? The “modern sporting rifle” aka AR platform that you buy in your local gun shop is not the same weapon that is issued to our troops today, despite what some would have you believe. With respect to tragic shootings, the real question that needs to be answered is “Why?” There is a problem in our culture and society that is the reason for these shootings. It could be as simple as there being more evil people on a percentage basis, but I believe it to be more complex, and determining the answer to that question is the way to proceed – not restricting access to certain firearms. The Founders knew what they were doing when they wrote the Bill of Rights. Technology changes, but the Constitution still pertains. Gary Browning – Mapleton ME —

In Memory of Ty Coates To the Editor: I’m writing to inform your readers of the passing of one of the finest fly tyers Maine has ever known. (Continued on next page)

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�� The Maine Sportsman • October 2022 • 9 (Continued from page 8)

Gordon “Ty” Coates left us on June 20, 2022, finally succumbing to many years of ailments. Since 1972, Ty had made his career at his vice, creating tens of thousands of beautiful, meticulously-crafted hand-tied fishing flies. Some of the most noteworthy were the “Castle Island King,” “Ty’s Smelt,” “Jig-a-Fly,” and his famous “Mackerel Killers.” Ty’s passion and love for all things concerning hunting, baseball and of course, fishing, were immense. While I was home on leave from Korea in May of 1980, I told Ty that my Dad and I were headed to Rangeley Lake for a week of ice-out trolling. The next day, he showed up at my home with a fistful of “top secret” streamer flies for our trip.

groups advertise charter fishing on Sebago, Moosehead, the Rangeleys, and other waters and describe the large numbers of fish being boated. It’s not uncommon to read about 10, 20, 30, or more salmon, togue, or brook trout being boated PER DAY. From many of the photos, a large number of the boated fish are not being released, and of those that are released, I can’t help but wonder how many actually survive. My concern is that such commercialized lake fishing in Maine, while legal so long as the rulebook is followed, is not sustainable and defeats the efforts of IF&W to improve the quality of freshwater fishing in Maine for the average fisherman. Is anyone at Maine’s IF&W concerned about this? Are charter licenses mandated for these groups, and if not, should they be considered? P. Popieniuck – MA —

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When we returned, he came over for a full report. I recounted that the first morning, we boated four huge brook trout, with one brute weighing 6-1/2 lbs. We also caught many beautiful salmon on his hand-created secret weapons. I can picture him in the next world, sitting at his vise, feathers and thread in one hand, telling stories to anyone who’ll listen. Well, my lifelong friend, I wish you long casts and tight lines. Until we meet again. Steve Hill – Bowdoinham, ME Note: To read Tom Seymour’s tribute to his friend Ty Coates, see “Trout Fishing,” page 61. —

Lake Fishing Becoming Commercialized? To the Editor: I’ve been noticing a disturbing trend in fishing tactics on several of Maine’s larger lakes. Internet-based

To the Editor: Just a quick comment about an item in the September “Quotable Sportsman” column to the effect that “politicians have but three goals: to get reelected, to appoint cronies into decision-making positions, and to reap financial reward.” I could not disagree more. I am not a politician, but I have worked for and with state legislators for 30 years, and most of them are responsible people who want to make good public policy to benefit us all. They may disagree on what that policy should be, but they do care and try to do the right thing as they see it. My job was a nonpartisan one, so I worked for both Democrats and Republicans. Most politicians don’t make a lot of money, and they work long and challenging hours wrestling with difficult and complex issues, knowing that no matter what they decide or how they vote, some people will be unhappy with them. When people complain about politicians, I always suggest that they run for office themselves or get involved in the campaign of someone they agree with. It’s easy to complain, but harder to do something to make things better. Lawrence Furbish – Sanford, ME

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10 • October 2022 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————

Four Generations of Anglers Learned to Fish Without a Reel One way to introduce young anglers to the sport is to teach them to fish without a reel. This writer’s first rod was a long bamboo pole, which was stocked in hardware stores a few generations ago. The outfit included a line, colorful bobber, sinker, leader and hook. The angler impaled a worm or nightcrawler on the hook, swung it out and watched

the bobber carefully. When the bobber jiggled around, it signaled that a perch was nibbling the worm. When the bobber disappeared, the angler hoisted the perch clear of the water and brought it to hand to release it or dispatch it by breaking its neck. When we no longer found bamboo fishing poles in hardware stores, we introduced our sons and daugh-

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ter to stick rods, which were simple to find, prepare and operate. Preparing a Stick Rod How do you find a stick rod? On land you own or have permission to cut a sapling, look for a thicket or dense growth of hardwoods and a sapling about the size of your finger that is tall and straight with no major branches or forks. Five or six feet should be ample length. Girdle this sapling a few times with a sharp knife so that when you bend it, it breaks at your cut. Trim off any small branches or knots, and you are ready to go. Letting it dry is not a requirement – it’s possible to fish with a green stick rod, if you are in a hurry. At the tip, cut off the rod above where there is a branch or

knot, and girdle the tip of the stick slightly so that fishing line can be tied on securely. Tie on a short length of line, short leader and longshank hook. The line need not be much longer than the length of the stick rod. Pinch on a small non-lead split shot sinker. With pliers, flatten the barb of the hook. It is helpful to have no barb when a youngster is unhooking a wriggling fish or someone’s shirt. For elegance, wrap a length of cotton or synthetic twine tightly around the thick end for a handle. Many Advantages A stick rod has a lot going for it in the hands of a budding angler. If the beginner drops the rod in the water, it’s likely it won’t break or sink, and can be recovered. If a big fish makes

off with the rig, the rod will come back to the surface in time. If it doesn’t, it is not a great loss. No buttons to push or crank to operate. It allows the angler to concentrate on technique, and on having fun. There is no need for Mom or Dad to be hovering over the young angler giving instructions. If the action is slow despite the presence of panfish, the parent can suggest letting the sinker and bait go to the bottom. Some youngsters find that jigging the bait at the surface may bring a strike. If patience runs out, simply try a different location. The young angler will soon learn that varying the approach may bring improved results. Most important, the young angler is not distracted by details of the (Continued on next page)

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�� The Maine Sportsman • October 2022 • 11 (Continued from page 10)

equipment being used, but instead focuses on technique and how to get a fish to bite. Uncomplicated Bait The bait selection can also be kept simple. If worms are not conveniently available, a slice of skin from a hotdog or other edible may work. If the lake contains mussels, some kids love scrambling for mussels, and find that mashing them with a rock yields pieces of mussel meat that make good panfish bait. (Just make certain not to use any part of a spiny-finned fish, like a sunfish or perch for bait, as it is against the law.) It is important when a young angler catches a fish that siblings or parents take the time to admire the fish, give the angler a chance to feel the slime and scales and the sharpness of the spines. Photos are oftentimes in order. If

an unusually large fish is caught, it is a plus to have a brown paper bag or Tyvek envelope and felt marker pen to quickly trace the outline of the fish for future reference, or for wall-hanging. If eating a bit of the fish is in order, it will be the angler’s first chance to contribute to the family’s sustenance. Some beginners may find that panfish will also bite on small spoons, spinners and flies, and will want to move on to new techniques. For adults who find the simplicity of the stick rod to be attractive, the Japanese are there ahead of you with their Tenkara rods: lightweight telescoping flyrods without guides or reel. One of their goals is to catch the smallest fish. Take that, you tournament bass-anglers!

The author helps his great-grandson Elliott unhook a sunfish caught with a stick rod. Photo by Nick Lund

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Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) Aims to Get Kids to Look Up from Their Smartphones It is, I most firmly believe, essential for young people to learn about the outdoors, but more than just about the hunting and the fishing that we mostly concentrate on with our time, effort, and money. The outdoors is a complex concept that needs to be viewed and understood in a broader context of relationships between plants, animals, geology, geography, and the vast, closely interrelated environment that comprises our collective world. The equation does, of course, include people – the strongest, and the weakest, link in the chain. I believe that children who learn about and respect the outdoors and our place in it, can become responsible stewards of our vital and often fragile natural resources.

VINS’ mission is “to motivate individuals and communities to care for the environment through education, research, and avian wildlife rehabilitation.” All photos by King Montgomery

Help them shut down their electronic doodads and take them fishing, camping, canoeing, or just walking in the woods along the water. Even sitting on the grass in the backyard is better for

them than constantly staring at a screen. (Make sure you do a tick check afterwards, though – another learning point of the ecological world.) More and more each year many lose

There are a bunch of interesting things to see and do for young and old at the Nature Center near Quechee, VT. www.MaineSportsman.com

touch with the outdoors, or never were part of it at all. These unfortunates simply have no idea, or perhaps don’t even care, about nature or the concept of nature. It was bad enough

when television began to take over people’s lives, only to be heavily reinforced by the arrival of personal electronic devices. Yes, there is a lot of good in TV, computers and such machines, but they can become addictive, much like opioids and other insidious drugs. It usually begins in young people in the single-digit ages, carries on into the formative teen years, and continues into adulthood as well. Unfortunately, getting outdoors does not seem to be an option in our toxic electronic, digital mix. “Time in nature is not leisure time; it is an essential investment in our children’s health, and also, by the way, in our own,” says Richard Louv in his seminal Last Child (Continued on next page)

There are hour-long programs in an outdoor arena setting near the raptor enclosures. We saw four raptors highlighted by VINS staff and volunteers, including this Harris’s hawk.

�� The Maine Sportsman • October 2022 • 13

The view from the Tree House is quite stunning, and it’s pretty unusual to be above the tree canopy where you get a true raptor’s visual perspective. The view is more than worth the climb! (Continued from page 12)

in the Woods: Saving our Children with Nature-Deficit Disorder, 2005. I have a suggestion for you how to pry them at least temporarily from their electrified pacifiers and perhaps get them thinking about the outdoors: head to the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) complex in Quechee, Vermont, and plan on spending the better part of a day there on its 47 acres of forest, meadow, and hills. The VINS is particularly renowned for its work with many birds, and specializes in rehabilitation of injured raptors. A Most Unusual Place The unincorporated village of Quechee, is a census-designated place with roughly 660 people, that technically is in the town of Hartford. The Ottauquechee River flows through it, and a quaint wooden covered bridge provides passage from one side to the other. Quechee is home to various stores and restaurants, including one of my favorite dining spots, the Simon Pearce Restaurant, that is cantilevered out over the

river. Simon Pearce pottery and fine glassware is featured in the attached shops and glassblowing area. Just up the road from the village is the mile-long Quechee Gorge, carved out to a depth of about 165 feet, that holds the Ottauquechee River. The Gorge exposes some rock formations that go back to the Devonian Period from 420 to 359 million years ago. There is a trail down to the river on one side of US Route 4, and a trail along the top above the river on the other side. There are shops and two restaurants right near the Route 4 bridge, and the Quechee State Park is just down the road. The latter has some facilities and campgrounds. And just along the road on the other side of the bridge from the park is the Vermont Institute of Natural Science, with its Nature Center, and it was here we spent the most time – time very well spent. Birds of a Feather & Above the Canopy Even kids who don’t know much about the outdoors, I suspect, think raptors are pretty cool – almost as neat as the endless parades of dinosaurs that cover computer,

Another Interpretive Node on the walk is the Spider Web that is 20 feet in diameter. Young and old can cavort on the web while seeing all the way to the forest floor without fear of falling.

TV, and movie screens across the globe. Once folks learn that birds evolved from dinosaurs in a journey that began over 250 million years ago, hopefully they can get excited in a positive way. VINS’ mission is “to motivate individuals and communities to care for the environment through education, research, and avian wildlife rehabilitation.” They do this by providing a number of education programs and services that attempt to instill a strong desire among people – and youth are a particular target – to show respect for wildlife. The Nature Center Map that accompanies this article clearly shows there are a bunch of interesting things to see and do for young and old, and I’ll highlight a couple of the many positive experiences Elizabeth and I had during our visit a few months ago. We started and ended with the Welcome Center and Nature Store by first purchasing our entry tickets and lastly buying a couple of things on the way out. In 2021, the VINS rehabilitated about 1,000 birds that had been injured or habit-

The mile-long Quechee Gorge is carved out to a depth of about 165-feet by the Ottauquechee River.

uated to human contact and couldn’t be returned to the wild. After birds are fixed up as best as possible in the Center for Wild Bird Rehabilitation, some are displayed to visitors in the Raptor Enclosures. These creatures – bald and golden eagles, several owl species including a snowy owl, red-tailed and other hawks, and ospreys, are most impressive. We watched an hour-long program in an outdoor arena setting near the raptor enclosures. Four raptors were highlighted by VINS staff and volunteers, and the Harris’s hawk put on a memorable aerial display. It flew from one handler in front of the large audience to another person behind the audience just

above head level. This program is not to be missed. The Forest Canopy Walk allows visitors to begin on the forest floor and end up above the forest canopy at the Tree House, that provides a 360-degree view over the treetops to the surrounding countryside. All except the latter are on a clever handicap-friendly boardwalk with five Interpretation Nodes branching out from the main trail. And there’s more – much more. Like the VINS’ website says, after children receive education on the Birds are Dinosaurs program, their “…perception of the chickadee will be changed forever.” (See www. vinsweb.org for more information.)

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14 • October 2022 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————

“Snapshots in Time”

Historical Glimpses from Maine’s Sporting Past Compiled by Bill Pierce, Former Executive Director, Outdoor Heritage Museum

In the animal world, examples of cooperation by individuals within a species in hunting or gathering food are abundant. Instances of a particular species capitalizing on the efforts or movements of another are numerous

Two wolves and a panther formed an alliance in Maine a month ago, if the Bredville Local newspaper of that state is to be believed, and the result has been disastrous to wild creatures of that region, as well as to some tame ones. “Barker Simpkins and Fred Parsley,” the Local says, “were hunting over on the Old Pine Ridge a few days ago, when they heard a yelping howl across the swamp as if dogs were chasing a deer. “As the sounds came closer, the men made haste with still hunters’ caution to two runaways that cross the ridge, hoping to get a shot at the dogs, since it is against the law to hunt deer with dogs in this state. “Simpkins took the runaway on the north side of the ridge and had waited scarcely ten minutes when he heard the steady beat of a running deer’s hoofs in the three inches of snow down in the swamp. The deer came into sight twenty rods away, headed very nearly toward the place where the man was seated, and had come within ten rods of the man when a lithe form leaped from a big birch tree branch, hit the deer, and rolled over and over with it. “The deer never got up again, its neck having been broken. “Simpkins was so surprised that he forgot to shoot, for a minute, when www.MaineSportsman.com

as well, but a little less frequent. What follows was found in the February 11,1896 edition of the RANGELEY LAKES, and if true would be extremely rare, if not preposterous. However, both predator species men-

tioned are intelligent and resourceful hunters. You be the judge, and enjoy this tale from the 19th century Maine woods!

A Panther and Wolf Trust

Vintage mountain lion image in which the species wielding the double-barrelled shotgun prevailed.

the animals that were in pursuit of the deer came into view. They were wolves, tall and gaunt, with gray hair. “The wolves ran without hesitation to the deer, and while the beast that had killed it, which Simpkins made out to be a panther, tore at the deer’s throat, the wolves’ bit through the skin of the haunches and ate chunks of the flesh, unopposed by the panther. “Less than a week later another hunter, Sam Wells, found the trails of two doglike sets of paws on a deer trail. Following these two miles, Wells came to a gully, and here were the remnants of the deer, and the leaps a panther had made left an unmistakable stain. “Nick Schumacher, a German, living two miles from Bredville, a farmer and sheep raiser, heard a wild commotion in the sheep shelter in the pas-

ture, which begins thirty rods from his house. Hastening into a pair of overalls and felt boots, Schumacher took his rifle and made his way rapidly along the path to the shelter. The sheep – there had been fifty-eight of them in all – were racing about in all directions, bleating in fear. “On the man’s approach, a long animal bounded off through the snow, but until it was beyond the sheep, no shots were fired, and they were ineffectual when they were made. Two other animals were there, but the German did not see them. Their trails, found in the morning, showed them to have been wolves, and the trail of the jumper was that of a panther. Eight sheep were killed, some of them being torn in two. “The last heard of the odd trio was yesterday. Burt Jones went fox hunt-

ing with his dog, a halfbull and half-hound, which had put many bears into trees. Finding the wolves’ trails, Jones put his dog on to them. “Three hours later, Jones, who followed the trail of his dog, came up with it. A hip and bit of the backbone were on a log, and tracks indicated that one of the wolves had lain there to eat its share. The head and fore shoulders had plainly fallen to the lot of the panther, for the bones were found under a branch of a large beech, as if dropped from the beech. The rest of the body had gone to the second wolf, and lay where the trampled snow showed the dog’s last fighting place. It looked to Jones as if the wolves had led the dog to the panther’s resting place and there, with the panther’s aid, had killed it.” ***** Author’s note: These days, occasional “unconfirmed” reports surface regarding wolf or panther sightings here in Maine. However, both species have long been regarded as extirpated in these parts by state wildlife officials. So, as you are out there making some outdoor history of your own, be sure to watch out for any signs of wolves or panthers. In particular, let alone those Catamounts and Lupus that hunt in cooperation with one another. Try spinning that tale down at your regional IFW office!

�� The Maine Sportsman • October 2022 • 15

Almanac Three Minutes with a Maine Guide by Lisa DeHart

Dealing with Wind in a Canoe WIND SPEEDS: At 5 mph, leaves rustle intermittently; at 8 mph, leaves rustle constantly; at 12 mph, steady whitecaps appear across the water; and at 15 mph, the whole tops of big pine trees are rocking and rolling. If you’re a canoeist when it’s blowing 12-15 mph, you need to be on shore, reading a book. Let’s say you’re right on the cusp, 8-13 mph, and need a strategy. Life jackets on, and gear tied in, are givens. Weight the bow heavily – this will keep the wind from taking it and causing unwanted “wind ferries,” possibly taking you to the center where it’s the most dangerous. Which brings us to our next strategy – hug the shorelines, hook the coves, hide behind any islands you can, in order to block the wind and make any capsize

Compiled and Edited by — Will Lund —

less dangerous because of the proximity of land. Hit those waves so you cut them right in half. I know you’ll read in a book the most efficient way is to quarter them. That’s great, but if you’ve got an open, loaded canoe and you’re quartering those big rollers, if and when you get tired, or do something late/wrong or you get a rough wave that hits you, in a split second you’re now sideways in the belly of the beast. If you cut those waves in half when any of those things happen, NOW you’re quartering, and you can adjust and save it. Compared to heavy winds, rapids on a river or stream are a walk in the park. Think about it – a rapid is a quick, short bit of adrenaline to sustain, and then it’s over. If you choose to make an extended crossing in wind, on the other hand, you could be bracing and fighting for hours. At some point, you just won’t be able to sustain that any longer. Finally, if you end up windbound, my advice is to rest, eat, and if you really need to get there, wait until the wind dies enough in the evening and paddle

If the wind during the day is too strong to handle comfortably, one approach, says the author, is to go ashore, eat some food, rest up, and wait until the evening brings calmer weather. Lisa DeHart photo

the same distance in the 2 hours of dusk you would have fought all afternoon for. Or even better, wait until the 2 -3 hours of dawn, when the wildlife viewing is spectacular. Let’s face it – it’s better to get there safe than on time. —

Should You Upgrade the Treble Hooks on New Bass Lures?

Many of us don’t think much about the hooks on our lures, but perhaps that should change. (Continued on next page)

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16 • October 2022 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————

Almanac

(Continued from page 15)

When Rapala balsa wood minnows first made an appearance in Maine in the 1960s, one aspect we noticed right away was the quality of the stock treble hooks. Bronze in color, and needle-sharp, they seemed to snag fish that merely grazed the lure during its retrieve through the water. Original Jitterbugs also had memorable hooks – not so much for their quality (although that was fine) but for their long shanks, which kept the hooks and barbs away from the lure’s body and resulted in solid hook-ups. So has the quality of hooks decreased over time? The question arose as a result of the experience of a family member, Alfred Lund. He wrote: “Late in the afternoon on Monday July 19, I was in a canoe and fishing along a south-facing shoreline with my niece Sofia, who was happily catching yellow perch and sunfish

on her spinner. Aiming for larger prey, I tossed my plug near a granite boulder along the shore. Setting the reel, I twitched the plug once. It was immediately sucked under by a large fish which thrashed for a moment under the surface, then dove deep. “I realized too late that I had set my drag too hard. The pull on my line intensified until there was a “give,” and my plug slowly came up to the surface. “I’ve had fish work a hook loose before, but this felt totally different. When I took a good — Stories from a Maine Guide — look at my plug, I understood by Carroll Ware of Fins & Furs Adventures why.” (see photo above) Carroll caught his very first brook trout at the tender Since then, we’ve learned age of ten. He always maintained from the moment that that some anglers who fish for a 10-inch brook trout took the Parmachenee Belle fly, he and the trout were hooked! Carroll comes from several living, routinely swap out stock generations of outdoorsmen and women, hunters, hooks for high-quality substifishermen, Guides and schoolteachers. Initially licensed in 1989 as a Master Maine Guide, tutes (see this month’s Quotable Carroll spent the next 33 years guiding hunters and Sportsman, page 18). However, fisherman in the great State of Maine and various

On the Wrong Side of the River

destinations in Quebec. This book of true stories comes directly from Carroll’s lifetime in the outdoors. Order your copy today for just $15 plus $2 shipping!

just like when a mechanics consider installing lift kits on their automobile’s suspension, care must be taken when changing hooks. This is especially true of the angler wants to “improve” the hooking performance of the lure, by using larger hooks, or ones with longer shanks or differently-shaped curves. That’s because lures are engineered to move through the water with the stock hooks, and the sizes and configurations of those stock hooks are selected such that they won’t weigh the lure down, and also so the hooks will not tangle with each other while the lure rotates through the air during a cast. Our in-house experts tell us many modern hooks contain tin, which may bend easily and also not maintain sharp points under heavy use. And we know that many cost-conscious manufacturers are equipping their lures with inexpensive hooks. So we encourage our readers to swap out their lures’ stock hooks if they are so inclined, and we invite them to report on the results. We recommend starting with hooks of the same shape, weight and shank length as the stock hooks, until you determine the effect on the lure’s motion and performance. —

Shot Placement on a Moose Despite the temptation to take a brain or neck shot, experts agree that, under ordinary circumstances, the (Continued on next page)

To order, mail a $17 check to Carroll Ware at 32 Greenwood Avenue, Skowhegan, ME 04976 For more info, contact Carroll at (207) 474-5430 or finsandfursadventures@beeline-online.net

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�� The Maine Sportsman • October 2022 • 17

Wilderness Medicine

(Continued from page 16)

heart/lung area is the most effective moose shot placement. In an article titled “Shot Placement on Moose: Where to place your bullet for safe and clean shots on moose,” Norma Ammunition Co. of Sweden (www.norma-ammunition.com) points out that the vital areas on moose, which will result in a kill when struck, include • heart • lungs • spine/neck, and • brain. However, even on a very large bull moose, the brain is not much larger than a standard baseball or tennis ball, according to the ammunition company, and it’s protected by skull-bone structures and the antlers. And while the spinal cord and major arteries in the spine and neck are large compared to other animals, they are still only about the diameter of a soda can. This anatomical information leads to the company’s recommendations: “[Compared to the spine and brain], the lungs and heart are massive – the lungs on a grown moose are the size of an oven tray, and they are not heavily protected by bone. The heart of the moose is also very large; it

Staying Warm and Dry – Avoiding and Treating Hypothermia by Stacey Wheeler, RN

As the water and air temperatures drop in Maine, hunters and anglers alike are at increased risk for hypothermia. Hypothermia occurs when your core body temperature drops below 95, and your body is losing heat faster than it can produce it. • • Rather than aiming for a bull moose’s brain or neck, the 120-year old Swedish cartridge manufacturer Norma Ammunition Co. recommends a double-lung/ heart shot, into an area the size of a basketball. Illustration: www.Norma-Ammunition.com

sits a little more protected down and to the front of the leg. If the hunter traces the front legs of the moose up roughly 1/3 to where it meets the shoulder, that’s where the heart is.” Good luck to all moose permit holders and subpermittees this season. —

• •

•

• • •

Prevention Wear a hat, mittens and gloves. Limit exposed skin. Dress in layers. Outer layers should be wind- and water-resistant. Avoid cotton clothing, which holds moisture. Limit activities that cause you to sweat. Damp clothing wicks heat from the body. Stay dry. If you do get wet, change to dry clothes as soon as possible. First Aid Items for your Pack Dry socks and mittens Thermal foil blanket Fire starter kit The first symptom you will expe(Continued on next page)

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18 • October 2022 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————

Almanac

(Continued from page 17)

warm, dry, and out of the weather. If left to progress, hypothermia can quickly lead to confusion, and the situation can become deadly.

The author’s son Sawyer dressed in layers to avoid hypothermia on this cold morning of hunting in the Town of Bowdoin. Stacey Wheeler photo

rience is shivering. This is the body’s attempt to warm itself. At this point is when measures should be taken to get

Quotable

Sportsman

by Will Lund

“It’ll probably help if you remember all the people who take vacations and pay money to camp in the Maine woods just as you are doing now.” From the section “Mental Control” in the publication “You Alone in the Maine Woods – the Lost Hunter’s Guide,” a pocket-size survival manual printed for decades by Maine DIF&W. The text reminds

The instantly-recognizable “Lost Hunter’s Guide” has been published for 50 years – just like The Maine Sportsman magazine. www.MaineSportsman.com

• • • • • • • • • • •

Symptoms of hypothermia Shivering Mumbling Shallow breathing Weak pulse Lack of coordination Low energy Confusion and erratic behavior Loss of consciousness Treatment Find shelter Use blankets or another person’s body heat to get warm Start a fire

the reader that even without food, shelter or fire, many lost individuals have been able to safely remain in the woods for a week or more, because they maintained their composure and did not panic. — “Electric vehicles (EVs) are powered by fossil fuels. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, fossil fuel-based power plants — coal, oil, and natural gas — provide about 60% of the electricity on the nation’s electrical grid. Source: www.FinishTheRace.com. As the number of electric cars grows, some observers are raising concerns about the capacity of the existing electric grid to support additional usage, and about maintenance of infrastructure – onethird of all San Francisco’s EV charging stations are currently inoperative, according to a recent study. — “[When I purchase a new lure], I always upgrade from stock to premium hooks. Stock hooks are often price-point related, semi-sharp fish-losers.” Bassmaster Elite Series pro Brent Ehrler, quoted in wired2fish.com. Read more about changing out hooks in this month’s Almanac, page 16. — “Judge Boasberg’s ruling is the latest in what has been an unrelenting and groundless campaign against Maine lobstermen by elite, out-of-touch conservation groups and their city-dwelling, silver spoon donors and lobbyists [in] yet another effort by special interests and unelected officials to ignore scientific data as they try to put lobstermen out of business.”

Rewarm slowly so as not to induce shock • Call 9-1-1, stay put, and get help immediately Many people have the misconception that the outside weather must be extremely cold to induce hypothermia. Yet it can occur even in your own home, or just by slipping your lower legs into a cold stream. Being prepared and knowing what to do can save your life or the lives of other individuals with you. Stay vigilant so you can continue to enjoy the Maine outdoors. For a Mainer’s real-life experience assisting a Boy Scout who was experiencing the symptoms of hypothermia, read this month’s “Tidewater Tales” column by Randy Randall, titled “Deadly Cold” (page 64). •

Congressman Jared Golden, following a July 2022 ruling from the DC Circuit Court in the case titled Center for Biological Diversity v. Raimondo & Maine Lobstermen’s Association, in which the court held that the federal government had not done enough to restrict or limit fishing and lobstering practices in order to protect whales, including the endangered North American right whale. — “The partnership with [New York Mets infielder Pete] Alonso is what sports marketing experts deem a win-win for both the bat company and the batter.” Mainebiz magazine, in an article titled “A Piscataquis County Bat Maker in the Spotlight This Season,” revealing that Alonso used a baseball bat made by Dove Tail Bat Company, of Shirley, Maine (population 225) to win the 2019 and 2021 Major League Baseball mid-season Home Run Derbies.

Professional baseball player Pete Alonso has been very effective for several seasons swinging a Mainemade “DTB” (Dove Tail Bat). Photo credit: WEZQ-FM (“The Ticket”), Brewer

�� The Maine Sportsman • October 2022 • 19

Trophy Gallery

October 2022 Sunrise/Sunset Portland, ME DATE 1 Sat 2 Sun 3 Mon 4 Tue 5 Wed 6 Thu 7 Fri 8 Sat 9 Sun 10 Mon 11 Tue 12 Wed 13 Thu 14 Fri 15 Sat 16 Sun

RISE 6:37 6:38 6:39 6:40 6:42 6:43 6:44 6:45 6:46 6:47 6:49 6:50 6:51 6:52 6:54 6:55

SET 6:23 6:21 6:20 6:18 6:16 6:14 6:13 6:11 6:09 6:07 6:06 6:04 6:02 6:01 5:59 5:57

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

RISE 6:56 6:57 6:58 7:00 7:01 7:02 7:03 7:05 7:06 7:07 7:09 7:10 7:11 7:12 7:14

SET 5:56 5:54 5:52 5:51 5:49 5:48 5:46 5:45 5:43 5:42 5:40 5:39 5:37 5:36 5:34

October 2022 Tides Portland, ME DATE

Productive Outing Aiden Gomm, age 16, of Old Town, had a very successful Canada goose hunt with friends on September 3, 2022. Photo by Andy Gomm

Joining the Club Steven Fitton of Thorndike became the newest member of the Maine Sportsman “Saltwater Angler Club” on August 19, 2022 when he reeled in this 45-inch long striped bass in York. Steven was using live bait aboard the vessel “Chaos,” a Portland-based boat. The catch was witnessed by Jason Fitton.

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

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

HIGH AM PM 3:19 3:32 4:17 4:31 5:21 5:36 6:30 6:47 7:40 7:58 8:45 9:02 9:41 10:00 10:31 10:52 11:18 11:42 — 12:02 12:29 12:44 1:14 1:24 1:58 2:05 2:43 2:48 3:31 3:35 4:24 4:28 5:20 5:25 6:18 6:25 7:15 7:24 8:09 8:19 8:56 9:08 9:37 9:52 10:15 10:34 10:51 11:15 11:28 11:56 — 12:06 12:39 12:47 1:24 1:32 2:13 2:21 3:07 3:16 4:08 4:19

LOW AM PM 9:19 10:01 10:15 11:03 11:17 — 12:09 12:25 1:19 1:36 2:26 2:44 3:25 3:44 4:17 4:38 5:04 5:28 5:49 6:15 6:31 7:00 7:12 7:44 7:53 8:28 8:36 9:14 9:21 10:05 10:12 10:59 11:08 11:57 — 12:06 12:55 1:07 1:52 2:05 2:41 2:56 3:23 3:40 4:01 4:21 4:38 5:02 5:15 5:43 5:54 6:25 6:36 7:10 7:21 7:58 8:09 8:50 9:02 9:48 10:02 10:52

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20 • October 2022 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————

Maine Wildlife:

Horseshoe Crabs

by Tom Seymour

When is a crab not a crab? When it’s a horseshoe crab. Horseshoe crabs, Lunataspis aurora, because of their crab-like exoskeleton, were for years mistakenly considered a kind of crab, but that has changed. Science has determined that horseshoe crabs are, in fact, more closely related to spiders and ticks than true crabs. I want to paraphrase the bard by saying, “A crab by another name would be as crabby,” but I won’t. Horseshoe crabs, like so many other animals, are at the northernmost part of their range here in Maine. This means that populations are unstable, compared to those in more southerly regions. Small populations of anything, at the extreme end of their range, are always more susceptible to the vicissitudes of change. In this case, the biggest threat is habitat loss, due to shoreline development. Also, up until recently, commercial harvest was a major threat to Maine’s horseshoe crab populations. Most Mainers have never seen a horseshoe crab, at least in the wild. I saw only one in my whole life, and it was a dead one. In the late 1970s, while I was hunting rail and snipe in the Frankfort Marsh along Marsh River, which flows into Marsh Bay, part of the tidal section of the Penobscot River, a strong odor stopped me in my tracks. Following my nose, I soon came to the upturned body of a large horseshoe crab. Having seen photos of horseshoe crabs, it was easy to make an identification. Scarce Critters Horseshoe crabs in Maine have four primary breeding grounds: Casco Bay, in Southern Maine; Damariscotta, in Midcoast Maine; and Bagaduce River and Taunton Bay, both in Eastern Maine. This does not mean that horseshoe crabs are limited to those regions, since sightings are reported from numerous parts of the state. I’d like to add my sighting of the dead crab in Frankfort to the list, but I cannot, since it could have expired somewhere else and then www.MaineSportsman.com

been carried to Frankfort on the tide. In the past, commercial fishermen harvested horseshoe crabs for use as bait. In some cases, very few crabs were left to breed and sustain the population. Today, harvest is by permit only, with a 25-per day bag limit restriction. No permits have been issued in more than a decade. In areas near their breeding sites, the arrival of horseshoe crabs in late May and early June has become as much a sign of spring as the arrival of migrating songbirds. With a renewed interest in these prehistoric creatures, individuals and groups take time to visit breeding areas to view the crabs in action. Horseshoe crab-watching can be fun, especially if a crab somehow gets turned around on its back. The long, tapered tail, called a “telson,” serves as a lever that the animal uses to flip itself right-side-up. Turtles can only wish that they had such tails. So while at first glance a horseshoe crab’s tail looks like the spiny, venom-inflicting tail of some rays, horseshoe crabs are harmless and do not use their tails as weapons. Mass Mating The most exciting time in the life of a horseshoe crab comes in the spring mating season. This usually occurs at night, but it sometimes happens during daylight hours, too. The crabs move to the water’s edge,

most with their bodies protruding from the water, where the female lays her eggs. The male, using specialized claws, clings to the back of the female and fertilizes the eggs as she lays them. Although the female lays several thousand eggs at a time, not all live to make little horseshoe crabs, because shore birds and even some species of fish eagerly gobble them up. Interestingly, as with other creatures whose eggs are fertilized outside the body, such as fish, interlopers often get in the act as two crabs are mating. These are called “satellite males,” and they in fact have some limited success in fertilizing the otherwise spoken-for female’s eggs. Here’s a horseshoe-crab fact that affects us all. Their blood, blue, due to high copper content, is used medicinally in detecting bacteria contaminants in medicine. The blood is added to the medicine, and if it produces a certain slimy substance, that’s proof of bacterial presence. Doubtless untold lives have been saved because of horseshoe crab blood. The blood is extracted from live crabs, which are then released into the water. However, many crabs die from this treatment, and there is a move afoot to develop and use synthesized horseshoe crab blood. Who would have ever thought that such a bizarre, seldom-seen creature could be so fascinating?

�� The Maine Sportsman • October 2022 • 21

Every Hunter’s Helper by Steve Carpenteri

ATVs have become real workhorses for hunters, hauling people and gear to camp, facilitating productive scouting, and – after a successful hunt – dragging or transporting game animals out to where they can be retrieved using full-size vehicles. Maine hunters who roamed the woods of the Pine Tree State prior to the 1970s remember that it often took days of serious compass work to scout new territory, and many hours of hard labor to pack supplies into camp. Plus, you haven’t lived if you’ve never tied a rope onto

a big Maine buck or bear and had to manually drag it out, foot by foot, to the nearest road or camp. Today’s moose hunters can only imagine what it would have been like to quarter a big bull and have to pack it out, piece by piece, using a tumpline or pack board.

ATVing, Fishing, Hunting, Hiking & Wildlife Viewing!

Hurray for ATVs! Modern-day hunters with the means to purchase a four-wheeler for hunting will learn to appreciate how much time, effort and work these mechanical marvels will save them each season. Built to (Continued on next page)

Maine hunters can make good use of ATVs for scouting, hauling gear, and transporting game. Photo courtesy of ATVimages

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An ATV with a dump body, enclosed cab and brush guard will get hunters as far into the Maine woods as they need to go. Photo by Steve Carpenteri

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ATVing (Continued from page 21)

last and more than capable of maneuvering over Maine’s roughest back-woods trails, todays ATVs are a godsend for sportsmen who want to get as far back into the woods as possible while transporting everything they need to enjoy a successful hunt safely, easily and in one trip. Scouting There’s little doubt that most avid ATVbound hunters use their machines for pre-season scouting. It’s possible to put 50 miles or more into a scouting session in a single day while checking wetland crossings, ridge trails, saddles and clear-cuts. Using GPS and mapping apps, hunters can locate, examine, save and store the coordinates for the best-looking hotspots for future reference. Sometimes a change in weather is all it takes to turn a routine crossing into a guaranteed hotspot. With all the pertinent details plugged in, it’s a simple matter of revving up the ATV and heading for prime hunting areas for early morn-

ing or late afternoon trips. Hauling In days gone by, hunters would carry all their necessary tools and gear in their pockets or in a small backpack. However, modern sportsmen are able to carry large, bulky items that are best transported via ATV. Crossbows, tree stands, blinds, chairs and other useful items can be loaded into the vehicle for a day or weekend hunt. All of those valuable items can also be transported back to camp at the end of each day, reducing the chances they’ll be damaged or stolen. Camp-bound hunters also use their ATVs for carrying boxes of food, water, supplies and heavy tools, items that used to be a major chore before ATVs came on the market. Today’s ATVs feature hood, rear, top and side racks, as well as custom-built trailers, all of which increase the load capacity and reduce the number of trips back and forth along rough woodland trails. (Continued on next page)

�� The Maine Sportsman • October 2022 • 23 (Continued from page 22)

Transporting Game All of this planning, scouting, traveling and transporting is undertaken in hopes of having a successful hunt, which should mean there will be game to haul from woods to camp and from camp to the truck and home. During Maine’s golden years, hunters would have to drag or pack their deer, bear and moose out, whole or in pieces, which could often add many hours or even days to the trip. With an ATV, the hunter need only get his vehicle as close to his trophy as possible, and then drag it a short distance to the ATV. Using a variety of helpful tools such as winches, levers, pulleys and ramps, even the largest buck, bull moose or black bear can be efficiently loaded onto the ATV, tied down and transported back to camp. Cab, or No Cab? Speaking as a hunter who uses ATVs primarily in late fall and winter, I have to

say that the added cost of an enclosed- cab ATV is well worth the expense. Late-season rains, snow, ice and wind can create real safety and comfort issues when riding to and from hunting areas as well as when transporting guns, bows, blinds, stands and other gear over long distances. Open-cab designs are great for fair-weather hunting, but when late fall and winter conditions descend, those close-cab designs are greatly appreciated by hunters, their partners and passengers. Also, twoor four-person ATVs with enclosed cabs are great for transporting hunters and their gear, but the addition of a bed or dump body is also a consideration when hauling bulky equipment, grain, corn and (hopefully) trophy game back to camp. Of course, the final choice in ATV selection is entirely up to the hunter. Make a list of what you want or hope to accomplish with your ATV, con-

sider all your options, and then go with the model and design that suits your needs. Most experienced riders suggest picking the minimum design for your purposes

and then upgrading at least one model (or more), because you are probably going to need it down the road. With proper care and maintenance, the life span of a typical

ATV is about 10 years, so think ahead and buy the model that will best fit into your long-term plans.

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©2022 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). All rights reserved. ®, ™ and the BRP logo are trademarks of BRP or its affiliates. Offers valid in your state only from Sunday 7th August 2022 to Monday 31st October 2022. The terms and conditions may vary depending on your state and these offers are subject to termination or change at any time without notice. See an authorized BRP dealer for details. †Rates as low as 4.99% APR (Annual Percentage Rate) for 36 months. Examples of monthly payments required over a 36‑month term at a 4.99% APR rate: $29.97 per $1,000 financed. An example of a monthly payment with $0 down, no rebate, an APR of 4.99% APR for 36 months at an MSRP of $9,999 is $299.63/mo. Total cost of borrowing $787.83 with a total repayment obligation of $10,786.83. Down payment may be required. Other financing offers may be available. Minimum and Maximum Amount Financed may vary. Not all buyers will qualify. Higher rates apply for buyers with lower credit ratings. Other qualifications and restrictions may apply, depending on the participating financial institution(s). BRP is not responsible for any of the financing terms and conditions. Offer subject to change without notice. Financing promotions void where prohibited. See your BRP dealer for details. BRP recommends that all ATV‑SSV drivers take a training course. See your dealer or call the ATV Safety Institute at 1‑800‑887‑2887. ATV and SSV can be hazardous to operate. Never carry passengers on any ATV‑SSV not specifically designed by the manufacturer for such use. All adult model Can‑Am ATVs are Category G ATVs (General Use Models) intended for recreational and/or utility use by an operator age 16 or older. Carefully read the vehicle’s operator’s guide. Follow all instructional and safety material and observe applicable laws and regulations. ATV and SSV are for off‑road use only; never ride on paved surfaces or public roads. For your safety, the operator and passenger(s) must wear a helmet, eye protection and applicable protective clothing. Always remember that riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix. Never engage in stunt driving. Avoid excessive speed and be particularly careful on difficult terrain. Always ride responsibly and safely. See your authorized BRP dealer for details and visit www.can-am.brp.com.

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24 • October 2022 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————

Hound Hunting Basics by Steve Carpenteri

Bear hunting with hounds is among the most mysterious, misunderstood and maligned hunting techniques in Maine. Uninformed folks think the hounds are released to find a bear, chase it down and kill it. Nothing could be further from the truth. Good, straight bear hounds (including Walkers, Plotts, Black and Tans, and Blue Ticks) take years to train, and are worth their weight in gold. The hounds do not catch or kill the bear. In fact, this is an impossibility, simply because no single hound can handle a mature Maine black bear – and the smartest hounds know it!

Even the biggest, fastest hunting hound is no match for a mature Maine black bear. Photo by Steve Carpenteri

The strategy is simple: Hunters transport their hounds in vehicles with a “strike cage” on the front that contains the dog with the hottest nose. They cruise corn fields, ap-

ple orchards, swamps and known bear crossings. When the strike dog sounds off on a bear scent, the hunter stops and examines the track. If the bear is

a big one, the hounds are released, and the chase is on. The key word here is “chase.” The dogs follow the bear, keeping a safe distance behind their quarry

until the bear stops or “trees.” At this point, the dogs continue to bark and howl at the bear while staying well away from its sharp teeth and claws. Hunters make their way through the woods to the site and assesses the bear, deciding if it is large enough to harvest. If not, the dogs are leashed, and everyone walks away. This is, in essence, “catch and release” hunting. Hunting with hounds during October is one of the most strenuous, exciting and interesting ways to hunt bears in Maine. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it!

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�� The Maine Sportsman • October 2022 • 25

— Bear Hunting in Maine —

Fryer Oil Makes Scents by Bill Graves

A savvy hunter can turn yesterday’s French fries into today’s bear steaks. Contrary to much popular opinion, shooting a black bear over bait is no easy feat. Big bear don’t get to that size by being stupid; they are very wary, and all their senses are acute – none keener than the sense of smell. A bear’s caution and awareness are the prime reason Maine’s hunting success rate each season is generally below 25%. Proof of Maine’s bruins’ phenomenal olfactory senses are the two highly successful

commercial industries that have sprung up to meet hunter demand – the first that manufactures products containing “cover scents” to hide human odor, and the second that produces “attractant scents” that mimic favorite food sources, engineered to draw bear to actual bait sites. From sock to hats, gloves to underwear and myriad types of inner and outer wear, dozens of companies produce what’s known as scent-free clothing. “Scent restrictive”

would be a better description, since it’s not possible to contain all human scent. Laundry detergents and dryer sheets, body soap, shampoo, antiperspirant, personal body wipes and clothing sprays all combine to improve elimination of human and household odors. When used in conjunction with bait sites attractant scent products in the form of gels, sprays, powders, scent sticks, bait balls and aerosols, hunters (Continued on next page)

The author recommends supplementing commercial odor elimination products and attractants, with used fryer oil. Food scents from the oil travel on the wind as well as on the feet and fur of any bear that encounters the oil on its way to the site. Bill Graves photo

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26 • October 2022 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————

Bear Hunting (Continued from page 25)

can almost disappear from bears’ olfactory alarm system. After decades of bear hunting and scent control experimentation with hightech products, I’ve improved my success using a unique but relatively common everyday product – used cooking oil. Restau-

rants use large quantities of oil to cook French fries, chicken, fish and other fried foods, and they regularly change out for fresh oil. The used oil is a veritable smorgasbord of food aromas, and the viscous liquid adheres to anything it’s splashed onto. I fill a 12-oz. cup

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from a five-gallon plastic jug two or three times, and fling it in a wide arc on brush, tree leaves and the grass along well- worn bear trails and around the bait barrel. I spread the fragrant oil at least twice a week, and especially on days I’m going to hunt. It’s particularly effective on windy days to cover my scent. Any bruin that visits

my bait site walks in the oil. Its fur rubs the permeated brush, and when another bear crosses the first bear’s path, it will pick up the delicious aroma and follow it back to my bait. I’m certainly not the original hunter to discover the effectiveness of using fryer oil, Northwoods Bear Products of Wisconsin developed a Butter-

scotch flavored additive for the oil called Gold Rush a few years ago, boosting its effectiveness even higher. Fried foods in excess may not always be a healthy option for humans, but the used cooking oil will certainly improve any bear baiting hunter’s opportunities.

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�� The Maine Sportsman • October 2022 • 27

The Day I Almost Got My Biggest Bucks in Maine Patch by Greg Gove

During my entire hunting career, my number one goal has been to kill a Maine 200-pounder whitetail and get my Biggest Bucks In Maine Patch. Having seen lots of deer sign on paper company land in Aroostook County during an earlier successful moose hunt, I decided to return to The County in search of a patch. I chose the first part of November, 2021 knowing that the bucks are at their heaviest, but also knowing that the tracking snow might be hard to come by early in the month. The hunt started out slowly. I spent half the day in the woods

The huge buck went up on the digital scales. I had already selected the spot on my jacket sleeve for my new patch. The weight numbers flashed – 193 … 193 … 194 …. I tried to maintain my composure.

Big-bodied buck down with one shot – all that’s left is the ceremonial weigh-in, and the author will be the newest member of the patch club.

and half the day riding the roads looking for buck sign, and seeing

moose and partridge. Mid-week I decided to go into an old

cut and poke around. I found a whopper track in the dry leaves, so I

followed it the best I could and came to a really old cut where the whips were so high and thick, I couldn’t penetrate in. I was creeping along, when all of the sudden I heard a crash above me in some little Christmas trees and in a flash, I saw a huge rack bound over the bank. I knew I needed to spend some more time in that area. The next day brought a steady light rain. My father-in-law drove me to the spot I had seen the big buck the day before, but to my shock there was another hunter already heading into the woods. Disappointed, I hopped back into the (Continued on next page)

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28 • October 2022 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————

Deer Hunting (Continued from page 27)

rig, and we headed to another spot that had looked promising. On the drive, we saw a doe looking at us – a good sign. The rain had slowed down to a mist, but the wind was blowing pretty good, so I decided it was time to do some sneaking around. We went to the end of the logging road and my fatherin-law let me out. My plan was to do a one-

mile loop and come out to where we had seen the doe. I loaded up my gear, grabbed my rifle and wished my father-in-law good luck. After initially walking through some pretty open woods, I battled my way through a cedar bog (more accurately, a cedar-choked, water-filled hell hole), and ended up in some nice rolling hardwoods

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that had some pretty good deer sign in it. One of those tracks was a really nice buck with rounded toes that sank in way deeper than all the tracks around it. As I followed the trail, the deer sign got heavier and heavier. I saw a rub, then a scrape, and my pace slowed way down. It was still only 8:00 a.m. Suddenly, the hair on the back of my neck stood up and I had a feeling I was close to something happening. Rounding a corner, I spotted a bedded deer about 100 yards away. Safety off, my Remington pump 30-’06 up, and I was on the deer. The first thing I saw was nice main beam coming off its head. I was caught in the wide open and had absolutely nothing

to lean on. A few different times I almost pulled the trigger, but caught myself to avoid taking a bad shot. My heart was pounding, and I knew this was the heaviest deer I had ever tangled with. I calmed down as best I could, took aim, and when the crosshairs moved through the vitals, I snapped the trigger. As the shot rang out, smoked filled the air, and I saw a white tail tearing through the hardwoods. I immediately pumped another round in and ran as fast as I could to where the deer had been, to try and get another shot. I leveled the crosshairs on the white tail as it danced through the hardwoods 150 yards away. I was just about to touch another round

Wait ... what?

off when something made me look down and to my left. About 10 yards away lay my buck in his bed, motionless. It was a doe running away. Thank God I did not pull the trigger a second time. I immediately noticed the size of the body, and I was pretty sure I had my patch buck. The animal had great main beams and was wide, but the points were pretty sorely lacking. No (Continued on next page)

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�� The Maine Sportsman • October 2022 • 29 (Continued from page 28)

problem – I’d trade a spike that weighed 200 pounds for a 12-pointer that weighs 150. I set to the business of dressing the deer. However, I may have done too good of a job dressing him out.

The deer was clean as a whistle, because I wanted my patch buck to be a legitimate 200-pounder. I did not know that some hunters leave fat and miscellaneous parts attached to the deer. Later, as we pulled

into the weigh station, I was already looking for a place on my jacket to sew my patch on. We hooked the buck up to the scale. 180, then 190 – I was trying to keep my composure. 191,192,193,194,195 … and that was it! Oh

no!

I was disappointed, but soon reminded myself that I’ve still got plenty of time to get my 200-pounder. I always pictured myself getting my patch buck tracking on snow, and everything happens

for a reason, so maybe I am destined for that in the future. I know I am destined for that, because I won’t stop trying until it happens.

Trophy Gallery

The Family that Hunts Together “This past hunting season,” wrote Corinna Domagala of Ellsworth, “my husband and son both shot deer in Hancock County, one day apart. My husband Thomas is a lifelong hunter, and he taught my son to hunt. Thomas’ deer, shot on November 12th with a 7MM Rem Mag, weighed 165 lbs and had 8 points; it qualified for the Maine Antler and Skull Trophy Club. My son Mitchell’s deer, shot on November 13th with a 30-’06, weighed 175 lbs and featured 7 points.” Photo by Corinna Domogala

Crossbow Buck Joshua Gauthier of Hebron earned his “Biggest Bucks” patch on October 4, 2021 with this impressive 221-lb, 11-point buck, using a crossbow. The weight was certified at Northland True Value, in Turner. The 2022 Regular Archery and Crossbow season begins October 1 and ends October 28. www.MaineSportsman.com

30 • October 2022 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————

October Anticipation by Matt Breton

When the calendar flips to October, my heart skips a beat. All of a sudden, everything is in front of us. It usually isn’t perfect yet – the temps are warm, the trees still have a lot of leaves, and the critters aren’t quite in their fall routine. But it’s close enough for me to start getting my wool out. In the big woods, there usually isn’t a lot of sitting involved in the hunting we do. Some folks consider it hardcore, and I guess it can be. With that hardcore attitude in mind, it is important to start narrowing down hunting spots in the many hundreds of thousands of acres to the few “microhabitats” that might hold the buck we want to track when snow flies. How do we get that done? Putting on Miles One way to narrow things down is to put some miles on. I like to chase and shoot partridge, so a brisk walk with my shotgun uphill is a good way to scout and have a great dinner, too. To find the spots I want to walk into and check, I usually need to put in some windshield time. I used to dread time spent behind the wheel, and while I still don’t love it, I’ve found it necessary to stay abreast of the ever-changing condition of timber company land. I like to combine www.MaineSportsman.com

Don’t sit around waiting for deer season to arrive, says the author. Drive the roads; hunt birds; check your trail cams – in other words, “Get. Yourself. Prepared.”

After some “windshield time” driving the dirt toads, Matt Breton found this buck track in the road – a good place to start when the snow flies!

a weekend of travel into country I know to see how things are going, with the added activity of checking out some new roads and areas that I can add to the list of spots to scope out. When I get sick of driving, I park and take my pump shotgun for a walk, looking for general sign. If there are does around, the bucks will be through there in November. Finding rubs and scrapes doesn’t hurt, either! Confirmation Confirming that a big buck is in the area can be done any number of ways. Obviously, one of the best is seeing his track. If snow flies in early November, you might find him nearby where he was in October, but wait too long and he’ll be roaming. I also like to keep a few trail cams out

A buck checking out a signpost last fall.

there on signposts to have an idea of what is around. I love the feeling of walking into the woods to check a camera to see what is going on. The new-fangled cell phone cameras feel like cheating, but that might just be me. The writer Kurt Vonnegut is quoted as saying, “You can’t fight progress – the best you can do is ignore it,” and I kind of like that. Be Ready I was on a Wyoming mule deer hunt years ago when a big buck cruised by us while we were on horseback. Never mind that it was my first day hunting on a horse with a rifle in a scabbard – the guide I was with sternly told me, “You. Have, Got. To. Be. Ready!” Each period in that sentence was accompanied by an index finger to

my sternum. I like to think that sealed the lesson for me. While I wait for November to get here, October isn’t a bad month to chase partridge and ducks, maybe even elk if you get a chance, and get ready for tracking. If you don’t live close to the big woods, spend some time e-scouting with your OnX maps, shooting your rifle offhand, and getting your gear in order. Learn to use your compass and to start a fire. The best time of the year is upon us! Hal’s Thoughts Matt has a good approach to things. Doing things like shooting, scouting or just riding around to check out the woods, gets you into the mood for deer hunting. Just today I was having a discussion with my grandson Rylan, who is twelve years old. We

were baiting our bear sites and enjoying the woods, hoping to see a deer, moose or even a partridge. Since he’s my sub-permittee on my moose permit, we’ve been talking moose quite a bit, but more interest has turned to bear as the season is upon us soon. Today he was trying to figure out how far we walked taking bait to the sites, so we of course had to have a math lesson as well. Anyway, this steered the conversation to getting in shape. I told him lugging the bait buckets was the start of getting in shape for deer season, because we’re getting our upper bodies strengthened and getting our cardio walking up and down the hills. I told him the next step will be moose hunting as we might walk ten miles a day trying to find the right bull. Then throw in some bird hunting, and we’ll be ready for deer season to roll around, so we can get on a track and see where it takes us. He wants to be a guide, so this is important stuff for a twelve-year-old. If you’re getting the deer season itch, don’t wait for it to start – just get out in the woods and enjoy all of what fall has to offer.

�� The Maine Sportsman • October 2022 • 31

Benefiting from Technology When I was young and less experienced hunting in the woods, my sense of direction wasn’t always good. Especially when scouting a new property, there was much ground to cover in an effort to learn the patterns of local deer. There’s no question I often walked in circles, venturing over the same ground, missing portions of a property that could easily hold deer or be a highly productive stand site. In fact, I sometimes experienced deja vu moments where I’d walk through a “new” piece of ground, only to discover my boot tracks and realize I’d been through a piece just hours before. With today’s technology, you can prevent that from happening.

Is the author getting spoiled by technology? Well, here are the facts – he can look at his smartphone screen, see his route traveled and detailed waypoints, discern real estate ownership boundaries so he avoids crossing onto property without permission – and he can even learn current wind direction! There are many new hunting applications (apps) on the market today. A good hunting map app allows a deer hunter to see a property in detail before setting foot on it. Via satellite view, we can track our

movements, see topography, mark stand locations and the locations of trail cameras, bedding areas, food sources, scrapes and rubs. We can even check current wind direction at each marked spot.

None of this information was available in this format until the last few years. This technology has allowed novice hunters to analyze and scout a property more efficiently, compared to just ten years ago.

How to Best Utilize Modern Hunting Applications The current app I’m using is onX Hunt. To say this application has been helpful is an understatement. Prior to having this technology, I’d rely on good notes, memory, natural instincts and my 40+ years of deer hunting experience to figure out where to set a stand or place a trail camera. Today, I still use instinct and memory, but thank(Continued on next page)

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32 • October 2022 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————

Big Game (Continued from page 31)

fully have to commit far less to memory or a notebook. The first thing this program allows me to do is stay on the property. A tax-map overlay shows approximate property lines, which keep me off the neighbor’s land. Knowing where the borders of a property are located, allows a hunter to thoroughly scout the property and leave no piece of ground untouched. The application has a “Tracker” mode, which tells me where I’ve

been by superimposing a blue dashed line over the aerial view of the land. It tells me how far I’ve walked, how long it took me to walk there and what my average speed was. This application is excellent to look at when first scouting a property, but also useful in determining how long it takes to get to and from a location when hunting. A second and favorite part of this application is its waypoint marking ability. If I find interesting sign,

natural funnels, food sources, stand locations, ground blind locations or deer sign, marking it is a snap! Just zoom into the current location, hold a finger down, and the mark is placed. As an added and extremely useful feature, the mark can be named, a symbol added, notes written about the location, and all can be stored for later use. Just touch the mark, and all that information is in front of you. Among my favorite features is the ability to determine current wind direction at any location. Every seri-

ous deer hunter knows that playing the wind properly is a must if we want to succeed regularly. With one look at a map, the current wind direction at each site can be viewed. This allows entry strategies, exit strategies and even deer movements to be determined, long before we ever set foot on a piece of land. This is a time-saving and mistake-preventing application. Of course, this application doesn’t show us how thermals or topography are affecting wind currents, but good experience and observation should also be utilized to figure

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these things out quickly. Last, but certainly not least, this program allows me to keep track of deer movement more efficiently with trail cameras. The Cuddelink cameras I use send an image to my cell phone as they are set off. Each camera has a name. I open my app to see which camera just sent me a picture. By keeping track of where I see deer showing up, I can get a good feel for deer movements on a property, and sometimes narrow down the best sites to place a stand, or when to hunt a particular location. Technology is spoiling me. No matter how good the technology is, I must often use instinct and experience to determine what I see, why I see it, and how this information can best be utilized to harvest a great buck or just put meat in the freezer. Apps are indeed fabulous and welcome additions to my hunting world, but there’s still no substitute for boots on the ground, time spent observing, and good old-fashioned patience.

Jamie Roy • Livermore, ME

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�� The Maine Sportsman • October 2022 • 33

The Blueberry Barren Bull No one pities people who draw a coveted moose permit. It’s hard to sympathize with someone who was lucky enough to get drawn for something that you were not. But moose hunting is stressful. Every year I was not drawn, I released a sigh of relief. Though I dreamt of being drawn, it seemed every year was, “not a good year, anyways.” I didn’t really have enough vacation time. I couldn’t really afford to have a moose butchered and mounted. I’d have to buy a freezer, too. Lodging is a big expense, and then there’s the cost of hiring a guide, and the mental cost of kicking yourself for not hiring a guide and going home empty-handed. So in 2021, when I was finally drawn after eight years, I was excited, yet filled with trepidation. I had never even been on a moose hunt. Couldn’t call one. Couldn’t dress one. Didn’t have a big enough gun.

Six days to find a bull, in a two-Zone area where only 40 permits are issued in total. Monday passed, as did Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. By Thursday night, the author had accepted that she would likely go home empty handed.

The author’s moose weighed 670lbs. Photo: Dennis Perry

No Place like Home Luckily, I was drawn for Zone 27 Downeast, where I grew up. I could stay at my parents’ house if I wanted. Though it wouldn’t be the romantic Northern Maine moose hunt, it would be special to me. I had seen moose occasionally while

The author’s great grandfather, Oscar Larson (left), was an avid hunter in Downeast Maine. Photo courtesy of Lyman Holmes

growing up, so I knew they were there. I only needed one. Logistically and financially, it was a good first moose hunt. Guides were half the price of a Northern Maine trophy moose hunt, and cell service and a gas station were 20 minutes away. My parents, non-hunters, could easily be a part

of the experience. I considered trying to trade zones, but decided it was a unique adventure to embrace. My parents had dinner with us and spent the night at hunting camp every night. When Travis and I left to go hunting with our guide, Dennis Perry, my parents left to go

Moose hunts elicit a lot of emotions. Photo: Christi Holmes

to work. Stress Builds It was a stressful week. Downeast Maine isn’t known for moose. The State only issues 40 permits per year across both Zones 27 and 28, and permit-holders can hunt both zones. Six days to kill a moose. If unsuccessful, I would likely wait at least another eight years before being drawn again. Despite a lower moose density than other zones, a Downeast moose hunt has its perks. It was beautiful to hunt the fall blueberry barrens, and it seemed like the entire community was cheering for us. Almost daily, Dennis would get a text or phone call from someone who said they had just seen a bull at such-and-such and to hurry up and get over here (we were never quick enough). We saw more black bears than other moose hunters, and that’s saying a lot. (Maine Sportswoman continued on page 36)

Moose hunting in Downeast Maine is a unique experience. Photo: Christi Holmes www.MaineSportsman.com

34 • October 2022 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————

Moose Hunt Preparation Checklist by Staci Warren

Congratulations – you got a moose permit! Whether you are hiring a Registered Maine Guide or are planning a do-it-yourself hunt, you will need to be prepared. Here’s a list of some of the items that are must-haves on our moose hunts. For those of you who have hired a RMG, make sure that you remind them of the kind of hunt you want. If you want an

www.MaineSportsman.com

out-in-the-woods-trekking-and-calling-allday hunt, be sure your guide knows, and vice versa. Keep your expectations within your capabilities. Bring your wallet. Pay up front, and be sure to tip your guide. Have a good attitude and enjoy your hunt, and remember – no hunt is a guarantee. For the do-it-yourself hunter, by now most of you have either rented a camp, or are

planning a camping trip. Renting a camp can be cost-effective for a large group, but be prepared to travel considerable distances, and build that time on the road into your timeline if you’re not staying within your hunting zone, or within the area you plan to hunt in your zone. Camping is popular in regions such as the North Maine Woods that have limited camps available,

or in regions that don’t offer any other types of accommodations. Camping allows you to be closer to where you hunt, and therefore you’ll spend less time traveling, and more time hunting. If you don’t own a camper, there’s always the option of buying a cheapy, renting, borrowing, or tenting. Pre-Hunt Scouting Before you ever leave, you can scout at home.

Start by reviewing the harvest reports from previous years. Call the local biologist for any information to help you out. This was particularly helpful in less plentiful areas during the November hunt. Study the Gazetteer for marshy areas, and if on paper company-owned land, find out if any significant harvesting has taken place. If your zone (Continued on next page)

�� The Maine Sportsman • October 2022 • 35 (Continued from page 34)

is like ours – four-plus hours away – then scouting isn’t that easy to do on a weekend. Plan on spending a couple of days, or more if you can, to scout prior to Opening Day. Even if you’ve hunted a zone before, you’ll find that so much of the land and its food source changes even after 2-3 years that you won’t be able to just go back to where you saw one before on your last hunt. In this case, look for clues for raked willows, tracks, wallows. And if there are cow moose just lingering around, there’s a bull there somewhere. If you’re hunting the rut, don’t be afraid to call to see if they’re answering back … and just listen. Listen for sounds of bulls fighting, cows calling, and listen to locals. Even logging crews have been known to offer help pointing a hunter in the direction of a resident moose. Reminder: If you’re staying in the North Maine Woods, there is a day usage fee and per night camping fee charge per person. Be ready to pull out your checkbook or cash, since you cannot use your debit card. Don’t bother bringing a four-wheeler unless it’s registered and allowed on the land you’re going to hunt. More and more landowners are restricting their use, including NMW and several other

Block and tackle and rope we used to pull out a moose.

Electric winch rigged to be secured to a tree, used to get moose close enough for block and tackle.

paper companies. Have a safe and successful hunt, and I hope my list comes in handy as you prepare for what may be your first or one of many moose hunts of a lifetime. GUIDED HUNT Hunting Equipment ❑ Big game hunting license and moose permit. Keep a copy on your phone as well as in your pocket. ❑ Clothes: Bring a variety for temperature changes and multiple days; don’t forget rain gear and at least two pairs of hunting boots you can walk in all day, extra socks. ❑ Blaze orange: Vest and hat. Wear it. ❑ Weapon of Choice: Rifle with a comfortable sling & ammo. Be sure to bring extra ammo to sight in your rifle, if needed. Bow & arrows

or crossbow: Bring a spare bow if possible, and a target to practice-shoot. ❑ Scent Eliminator spray to keep your hunting clothes fresh ❑ Flashlight – We pre-

We called this moose to within about 25 feet of us.

fer LED headlamps with at least 300 lumens. DIY HUNT Hunting Equipment ❑ Big game hunting license and moose permit. Keep a copy on your phone as well as

in your pocket. ❑ Clothes: Bring a variety for temperature changes and multiple days; don’t forget rain gear and least two pairs of hunting boots you can walk in all day, (Continued on next page)

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36 • October 2022 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————

Moose Hunting (Continued from page 35)

and extra socks. ❑ Blaze orange: Vest and hat. Wear it. ❑ Weapon of Choice: Rifle with a comfortable sling & ammo. Be sure to bring extra ammo to sight in your rifle, if needed. Bow & arrows or crossbow: Bring a spare bow if possible, and a target to practice-shoot. ❑ Scent Eliminator spray to keep your hunting clothes fresh ❑ Flashlight – We prefer LED headlamps with at least 300 lumens. ❑ The Maine Gazetteer – we always have a copy on hand, even if it’s the 2019 edition. ❑ A legal shooting hours chart. You’ll need it to calculate your time to get up and get ready, and to travel to your hunting location. ❑ Backpack for when you go into the woods. Have emergency supplies, matches, compass, granola bars and water in place. I also include my fully-charged Garmin inReach. ❑ North Maine Woods map if you’re staying or hunting there. Logging roads have changed dramatically since the

pandemic, and roads shown on the Gazetteer and our GPS were no longer there. Logging had just started back up in July, and many of the roads weren’t maintained. The map in the NMW magazine, which you can also download online, is up-to-date and essential if you plan to hunt there. ❑ Moose call to amplify your voice. We prefer amplified voices to electronic callers. We’ve gone many times without anything other than our voice, and we’ve also tried a funnel…both work. ❑ Compass, and know how to use it. Getting lost can ruin a hunt quick. Carry it. ❑ Scapula from moose or an oar for raking branches when calling for bulls. ❑ Moose Bomb, Code Blue Psst!, or Tink’s smoking sticks, or another preferred lure ❑ Offline Map of your hunting area from OnX Hunt, HuntStand or similar online app. Many areas don’t have cell service, so don’t rely on it. ❑ Winch – we have used both a capstan rope winch and a stan-

Maine Sportswoman (Continued from page 33)

We saw lots of moose sign, and heard cows and bulls respond to Dennis’ calls. We were so close. Despite hiking an average of 8 miles a day, sleep came slowly that week, and by Thursday night I had accepted that we would likely go home empty handed. “Bull! Bull!” Friday morning, after hiking back to the truck to try our second spot of the day, Dennis slammed on the brakes, www.MaineSportsman.com

dard winch rigged up to use block and tackle. Both worked equally well. The key is you need trees. ❑ Block and tackle, 100-200 ft rope, and 2-3 tow straps to use with the winch ❑ Jet Sled/Backpack frame – Comes in handy to pack out a moose that can’t be retrieved any other way. ❑ Anti-microbial Game Spray to eliminate flies– Prevents flies and insects from laying eggs on your game meat. One can will treat an entire moose. ❑ Knives – opt for a Havalon or Outdoor Edge with replacement blades or carry multiple knives and sharpeners. Moose hide is thick, and knives dull easily. ❑ Raincoat and dressing gloves- when you field dress that moose, it’ll save your hunting clothes. Truck/SUV ❑ Spare key kept where you can get to it if you lock your keys in. Keyless entry can still fail if your battery goes entirely flat, so still have a key on hand. * 10-ply tires, and at least one if not two spares. We’ve been lucky and have not had a flat, but roads in

NMW are unpredictable in what they use for road base, and recently there has been lots of shale and sharp rocks used to build up roads. ❑ Booster pack with inflator. The last thing you want is a dead battery when you’re ready to head out in the dark. We’ve used the inflator for a repaired tire or a slack camper tire more than once. ❑ Tire plug repair kit ❑ Tool kit – Standard and metric suitcase set; you don’t need it until you don’t have it. ❑ Extra 10-15 gallons of gas – plan on it for the truck or other items you’re bringing. ❑ Trailer for moose, hauled by second vehicle that we park until we need the trailer. Since our main truck hauls the camper, we have to bring two vehicles. ❑ Bottled water – lots of it. Keep it in the truck, carry it in your backpack. ❑ Toilet paper – yeah, sometimes you just have to go at the worse time. Leave no trace. ❑ Dead Down Wind Woodsman’s Wipes or Scent Killer Gold Field Wipes to freshen up on the road. ❑ Basic cooler for drinks and to keep food in for the road.

“Bull! Bull!” A bull was sauntering across the barrens, nearly 300 yards in front of us. Travis and I hastily jumped out of the truck and loaded our rifles (mine was borrowed). We grabbed our shooting sticks, and I zoomed in my scope. The bull continued meandering. When we were ready, Dennis did a cow call and the bull turned broadside, staring toward us. Travis shot and I fired after him. “He’s hit good,” Dennis reported. I watched with bated breath as the bull took a few steps, wavered back and forth, and fell over into the crimson blueberry field. I called my parents, who said they’d

I have reusable ice packs from my camper freezer that I rotate. Camper ❑ Spare set of keys to your camper just in case you lock a set in or drop them in a potty. ❑ Bring two spare tires since we’ve been told you can’t get 10ply. Fill tires well. ❑ Food for at least two more days than you plan to be there. On my first NMW hunt, I totally underestimated the time to get a moose. We ate Halloween candy for two days before I succumbed to the long drive back to town for groceries and better snacks. ❑ Propane – plan on running the heater all night for every night. ❑ Generator – we run an inverter to maintain the charge in our camper batteries, since running the furnace all night can drain them; and I have to have real coffee in the morning. Power takes the stress off worrying if something’s going to quit halfway through the night. ❑ Scent killer soap and shampoo. Roughing it can also mean showers in the camper.

be right there. The gravity of the situation settled. When would I be here again, with my family, hunting moose? I thought of my great grandfather, Dr. Oscar Larson, whom I never met, but have a set of his moose antlers. He was the last hunter in my family. I felt a connection to him. Had he hunted this area a century ago? It was an emotional week, with close calls and fond memories. Though I have much more empathy than jealousy towards those whose names are drawn now, I already can’t wait for my next moose hunt!

�� The Maine Sportsman • October 2022 • 37

What’s New in Snowmobiles for 2023? by Steve Carpenteri

When it comes to choosing a new snowmobile, today’s riders have a variety of options to consider. Some folks are looking for a stable machine that can be used to haul gear, trailers and sleds long distances on groomed trails where winter hunting, ice-fishing and woods

Although specialized machines are fine, what most Mainers want is a sled that will get them there and back comfortably and safely with enough back-up speed to shorten the travel time between destinations when needed. cruising are the ultimate goals. Others want sleeker, more comfortable machines that are designed for long-range riding on

Maine’s ITS (Interconnected Trail System) routes, where the trip is the attraction and the destination is secondary. Still others

look for the lightest, fastest, most competitive snowmobiles they can find – sleds that can operate at high speeds in open fields,

on groomed trails, and across lakes and ponds. These and many other options are available to new buyers, who can expect to pay anywhere from $10,000 to $20,000 for their dream ride. The average snowmobiler will choose something in-between the ex(Continued on next page)

Visit Your Local Ski-Doo Dealer for Current Offers!

THAT SKI-DOO FEELING Discover it. Share it. Repeat.

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

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

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

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

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

WILTON Mountain Side Powersports 912 US Route 2 East 207-645-2985 www.mountainsidepowersports.com

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

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

JACKMAN Jackman Power Sports 549 Main Street 207-668-4442 www.jackmanpowersports.com ©2021 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). All rights reserved. ®, ™ and the BRP logo are trademarks of BRP or its affiliates. Products in the United States (US) are distributed by BRP US Inc. Always ride responsibly and safely and wear appropriate clothing, including a helmet. Please observe applicable laws and regulations. Remember that riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix. See your authorized BRP dealer for details and visit ski-doo.com.

www.MaineSportsman.com

38 • October 2022 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————

Snowmobiling (Continued from page 37)

tremes – a sled that can get them there and back comfortably and safely with enough back-up speed to shorten the distance between destinations when needed.

EXPLORE. DISCOVER. DOMINATE. — Visit Your Local Arctic Cat Dealer for Current Promotions — GORHAM White Rock Outboard 351 Sebago Lake Road 207-892-9606 www.whiterockoutboard.com

LEBANON Northeast Motorsports 451 Carl Broggi Hwy. 207-457-2225 www.nemotorsportsofmaine.com

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

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

WARNING: Arctic Cat snowmobiles can be hazardous to operate. For your safety, all riders should read and understand their owner’s manual and safety instructions. Always wear an approved helmet and other safety apparel. Be aware of natural hazards you may encounter and don’t drink and ride. All scenes depicted or described were performed by professional riders under carefully controlled conditions. Never attempt to duplicate these maneuvers or encourage others to do so. Arctic Cat recommends that all operators take a safety training course. For safety and training information, please see your local dealer. ©2023 Arctic Cat Inc. All rights reserved.

DOMINATING TRAIL PERFORMANCE INDY VR1 • Ferocious Acceleration • Effortless Control in Any Condition • The Most Advanced Technology on Snow

Which Sled is Best? Who better to ask about snowmobile performance and preferences than the people who sell, service and maintain them? These folks make their livings providing and servicing snowmobiles for Maine’s winter outdoor enthusiasts. Many have spent decades in the field and know which machines are best for specific purposes. Here’s a look at what some of these authorities have to say about selecting a new snowmobile for Maine riding in 2023. Polaris: According to Dave Jones at Jackman Power Sports on Main Street in Jackman, the best Polaris long-distance touring model is the 650 Indy Adventure. It has a 137-inch track for stability and power, and comes standard with a windshield and mirrors. It also boasts a heated helmet plug, hand and thumb warmers, electric start and reverse. It has a Century front bumper, high-capacity storage chamber, 7-inch LED display, and heavy-duty shocks for better riding and handling.

— See Your Polaris Dealer for Current Promotions Today! — JACKMAN Jackman Power Sports 549 Main Street 207-668-4442 www.jackmanpowersports.com

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

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

GORHAM, NH MOMS Jericho 461 Main St. 603-466-5454 www.momsjericho.com

Polaris recommends that all riders take a safety training course. Do not attempt maneuvers beyond your capability. Always wear a helmet and other safety apparel. Read, understand and follow your owner’s manual. Never drink and ride. Polaris is a registered trademark of Polaris Industries Inc. © 2021 Polaris Industries Inc.

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The Polaris Indy Adventure boasts a heated helmet plug, hand and thumb warmers, electric start and reverse. Photo courtesy of Polaris

“It should go 180 to 210 miles on a tank of fuel,” Jones said, noting that ambitious riders will often go two or more times that distance in a weekend of sight-seeing and touring. MSRP for the 650 Indy model is $14,799. For more information, contact Dave Jones at (207) 668-4442. Yamaha: In Skowhegan, Adam Whittemore at Whittemore and Sons recommends the Yamaha Sidewinder LTX for ultra-fast riding and racing. “It’s Yamaha’s biggest, fastest sled available this season,” Whittemore said. “It has a four-stroke turbo 205 hp. Engine, so no oil mixing is required. It’s essentially a trail sled, but is capable of the same speed as the previous SRX racing model. It could easily go 115 mph at full throttle. I have one, and it takes off at 75 even at half-throttle. It’s quick!”

Yamaha’s Sidewinder LTX features a fourstroke “bullet proof” engine and a solid reputation for dependability. Photo courtesy of Yamaha

The Sidewinder LTX features a fourstroke “bullet proof” engine with a solid reputation. Other options include electric start, reverse, heated seat and handlebars. The LTX has a 137-inch track with 1.25-inch lugs. (Continued on next page)

�� The Maine Sportsman • October 2022 • 39 (Continued from page 38)

MSRP is $18,200. For additional information, call Adam Whittemore at (207) 474-2591. Arctic Cat: At Northeast Motor Sports in Lebanon, Arctic Cat pro Hannah Rogers recommends the Riot 8000 for snowmobilers looking for the best choice in a hauling-type snowmobile.

Arctic Cat’s Riot 8000 is an excellent beginner’s model, but is also ideal for low-speed hauling and transporting. Photo courtesy of Arctic Cat

“This sled gives you the best of both worlds, with its on-the-fly, onand off-trail features,” Rogers said. “It has an ‘attack’ feature, so the suspension can be adjusted automatically and instantly when switching from open country and groomed trails to off-trail conditions. The Riot 8000 also boasts excellent cornering, bump absorption and weight transfer.” Rogers noted that the Riot 8000 is an excellent beginner’s model, but is ideal for low-speed hauling and transporting as well. Along with an improved cooling system and cross-action rear suspension, the sled has heated seats, pow-

er steering and a 5.5inch windshield. The Riot 8000 comes standard with a 794cc engine, 146-inch track and 1.6-inch lugs. MSRP is $16,299. For more information call Hannah Rogers at (207) 457-2225.

is the Renegade X-RS; and the manufacturer’s “workhorse” design is the Skandic SE. “Our biggest chal-

lenge,” said Gray, “will be to meet customer demand by maintaining sufficient stock.” For more informa-

tion, contact Jon and Jennie Gray at (207) 695-2020.

Ski-Doo: In the Greenville area, Ski-Doos are sold by Moosehead Motorsports, located in Greenville Junction. Jennie Gray, co-owner, is excited to be part of Ski-Doo’s new wave of technology for 2022, including brighter, twin LED headlights, and a 10-1/4 inch color touch-screen dash display with blue tooth and wi-fi connectivity. Performance-wise, premium adjustable shocks front and back, and a narrower, lighter-weight and more agile body style, add to rider comfort and control. Incredible power is available, too – up to 180 horsepower in the turbo models.

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For deep snow riding, Gray recommends the Summit X; the “performance” model

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40 • October 2022 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————

Bells, Beepers & GPS by Michael Browning

Anyone who’s hunted behind a bird dog has probably had a bell hanging from their dog’s collar, jingling through the covers. It’s an exciting sound as your dog searches for a bird, waiting for the silence of the bell, hoping it signifies that your dog has pinned a grouse or woodcock. But what if you’re in a thick grouse and woodcock cover and can’t pinpoint where your dog is?

The goals of all three devices are the same – keeping track of the dog, and knowing when the dog is on point. Whether you use a single method or a combination of two is a choice you will have to make based on the dog’s tendencies and the cover characteristics of the area in which you are hunting.

Bell

Cow bell

A bell is a classic tool used to keep track of your dog in a thick cover. Gundog enthusiasts have been using bells for many decades. Whether you are using a flushing dog or a pointer, you want to keep track of the dog in thick cover. When I had my first pointer, she al-

ways had a bell on. At the time, I thought a bell would suffice in grouse and woodcock covers, until my pointer would range out and the bell would go silent. At times, the bell would break from its clip, and she would come from a direction I didn’t expect. I was getting frustrated, not only because I couldn’t keep track of her – I kept losing bells in the thick brush she would slam through. I can’t even begin to tell you how many bells I’ve lost.

of bells to choose from. They come in different styles, sizes, and sound. For me, I like the sound of a Swiss bell. It has a nice jingling tone that’s pleasant to hear. But, even when I was a young boy, my hearing wasn’t great. I had to get a louder bell. So I went to the cowbell. It has a low clanky tone, but is very easy to hear at 100 yards away! Occasionally, I will put the Swiss bell on one of my older trained dogs that will not range far, just because I like the sound.

Swiss Bell, or Cowbell?

Beepers

GPS Tracker

Swiss bells

There’s a variety

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eral models that have different beep modes. For the pointing dog hunter, it’s great for locating your dog. Most models, they have a mode that beeps when the dog is on point, for easily locating your dog to their exact spot. They even have different sounds in addition to a variety of beeps. You can have a hawk scream or a bobwhite quail whistle. Some hunters swear the hawk scream keeps the grouse holding tight from scurrying off or wildly flushing, as it tries to conceal itself from a hungry predator.

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Beeper collar

Through the years of evolving technology, we have the beeper collars. They serve the same purpose as the bell ... keeping track of your dog. I used beeper collars for years, and they work very well. You can purchase sev-

GPS collar

Last but not least, the GPS tracker. I just purchased my first GPS tracking device a couple of years ago.

In my opinion, this device is the best way to keep control of your dog and know if they get too close to a road or anywhere you don’t want them. The screen displays a map of the area you are in, and allows you to pinpoint your dog at any time. Especially when they go on point, the handheld remote beeps and vibrates with a text that says “On point.” All you do is follow the arrow on the remote right to your dog. What’s better than going through thickly wooded areas and knowing your dog is right there at the glance of the remote? Not Cheap The GPS collars are relatively expensive, but the cost is worth knowing where your dog is headed. The prices can be from $200 all the way to $1,000. The latter is more expensive because of the track/ train options. A lot of GPS collars do not incorporate the shock/nick stimulation mode. I recommend going to the more expensive one to have both features. You may know where your dog is, but it’s nice to have the stimulation button just in case your dog doesn’t want to stop hunting when you do. (Upland Game continued on page 43)

�� The Maine Sportsman • October 2022 • 41

Shotgun Barrel Appendages – So Out, They’re in October is the Golden Time in any hunter’s calendar. Open seasons beckon. The days are cool and bright, and the night skies star-filled and clear. For wingshooters especially, October is the classic Golden Time. Gunners and gun dogs move through fields of dying grasses with a background of evergreens and color-splashed deciduous trees. Waterfowlers hunker in blinds covered in browns and yellows of the marshes, working retrievers and shotguns at their

The poly-choke offers variable settings, each constricting the barrel to a different degree. The device offers settings of Cylinder, Improved Cylinder, Modified, and Full, thus making any single-barrel shotgun into a cost-effective one that performs like several shotguns. Whether it works as designed is subject to debate. sides. Even a cursory look at old-time sporting art, advertisements, or hand-illustrated magazine covers reveals ardent sportsmen clutching single-barrel American shotguns with abnormal appendages protruding from their muzzle ends. These

illustrations capture images of accessories designed to either reduce recoil or adjust the choke of the barrel and thus the pattern of shot downrange where it meets the target. From the mid1920s through to late 1960s, these additions were common sights among wing-

shooters, and somewhat popular. They often appeared on the Browning Auto-5, Winchester Model 12, Remington Model 11, and Ithaca Model 37, as well as many other similar shotguns. In the early 1970s, screw-in chokes came along, and just about knocked those tacked

onto the barrel right out of the market. Today, guns so outfitted are most often seen in old artwork and among the bargain-priced used guns in the racks that are usually in front of the sales counter and not behind it. Choke Origins In shotguns, choke refers to a constriction (usually measured in thousandths of an inch) near the muzzle that affects the spread of the shot as it flies. An open choke means a wider pattern, but fewer pellets stay(Continued on next page)

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42 • October 2022 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————

Shooter’s Bench

(Continued from page 41)

ing in a group downrange. A tighter choke holds the cone of shot together longer and means more pellets closer together at extended range. Said another way, an open choke works well for grouse or woodcock, but a tighter one is needed for turkey or waterfowl. Something marked “modified” falls somewhere in the middle. American gunsmith Jeremiah Smith of Southfield, Rhode Island gets the credit for developing the workable concept of choking a shotgun’s bore as

The century-old Cutts Compensator should not be confused with a poly-choke. It is a recoil reduction device similar to a muzzle brake on a rifle.

far back as 1827. Once a barrel is constricted to a certain diameter, that choke is “fixed,” and the way it shoots is generally how it will always perform (allowing for some variations in propellants and shot). Multi-barreled shotguns offer a choice

of chokes in the same gun, but usually only two, or possibly three. The idea of some way to adjust the business of the barrel, and with it the pattern of shot, is a 20th century concept. Attaching a constricting device to the bore came about in the mid-1920s. Earliest ones required a gunsmith to split the

A poly-choke, which is usually affixed by a gunsmith, alters a shotgun’s shot patterns when the device is twisted to tighten or loosen the amount it restricts the bore.

bore, and tightening the device by rotating one’s wrist supposedly tightened the shot pattern. The poly-choke, as it has always been known, offers settings of Cylinder, Improved Cylinder, Modified, and Full, thus making any single-barrel shotgun into a cost-effective one that performs

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like several shotguns. The debate about the devices’ efficacy rages on and would be significant, if not for the general unpopularity of the device today. Ezekiel F. White of Hartford, Connecticut invented the poly-choke in 1920. He applied for a United States patent in 1931. However, several firms sprang up, making versions of the device and with varying degrees of success. Colonel Richard Malcom Cutts, USMC invented the Cutts Compensator about the same time, but it was not then any kind of polychoke. The very popular Cutts Compensator is more or less a muzzle brake to reduce perceived recoil. Many competitive shooters also like the added weight it applies to the barrel. Later versions of the compensator adopted choke capabilities, but that was not the original purpose. Today, Lyman Gun Sight Company of Middlefield, Connecticut produces a version of the Cutts Compensator.

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Day Dreaming During another recent attempt to clean and organize the gun room, I was looking through some of that old material showing bird hunters of a by-gone era with

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�� The Maine Sportsman • October 2022 • 43 (Continued from page 42)

their shotguns with a bulbous appendage. It made me think of my old friend and shooting partner, Michael. We began shooting togeth-

er a while ago—when we were both eighteen. Mike never carried but one shotgun that I ever saw. It was a 12-gauge Mossberg Model 500 circa 1966, with a polychoke fas-

Upland Game (Continued from page 40)

All of these choices are of personal preference. I will have my dogs with the GPS collar and the bell. That way I can keep track of their vicinity without constantly looking down at my GPS remote. Does the Bell Spook Birds? I’ve had people ask me for years if the bell makes the birds run and hide. Well, my experience with pointing dogs is that the bell sound makes the birds freeze and easier for the dogs to pin. I had a client who kept saying, “I bet if you took that bell off your dog, more birds would be around. Fortunately for me, when he suggested that, my dog went on point.

tened out front. We always called it “The Salad Master” from the TV infomercials of the day. We called it that because supposedly he could “dial from slice to dice” when it came

to making a shot. His friends rode him hard about that old gun. But it worked for him. He never made a move to replace it in all the years we have tramped the woods together.

A grouse came exploding from the ground, he shot twice, missed, and while reloading, my dog went on point a few feet away from the last point. Before my client turned around, a grouse flushed from the ground. When he looked at me, I said, “Wow, I’m surprised that bird stood still with all the noise from that bell.” He looked at me, nodded and kept walking. So, if you want to have your dog with a bell, that’s fine. Or maybe just a GPS collar. Whether you opt for a combination, or one locator, is your decision. All I can say is, experiment and see what works for you and your dog.

I’d miss it and think something wrong if I didn’t see that banged up old thing come out of the truck alongside some likely looking cover.

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MAINE WILDLIFE QUIZ: Horseshoe Crabs by Steve Vose

Horseshoe crabs in Maine are found in isolated populations, with just four areas in Maine supporting the species in any numbers: Casco Bay (Thomas Point Beach), the area around Damariscotta, the Bagaduce River Basin, and Downeast’s Taunton Bay. The crabs found along the Gulf of Maine are one of only four subspecies, known as Limulus polyphemus. Horseshoe crabs range from Maine down the Atlantic coast and into the Gulf of Mexico. The other three subspecies are found around Southeast Asia. Despite their name, horseshoe crabs are not crabs, or for that matter even crustaceans. Instead, these unusual creatures are classed as arthropods, along with lobsters, spiders and scorpions. The name “horseshoe” likely arose because of the shape of the creature’s shell. Like other arthropods, horseshoe crabs have a hard outer carapace (or shell) for protection. Questions

1. What are the four areas in Maine that host populations of horseshoe crabs? 2. How many subspecies of horseshoe crabs are found around the globe?

Horseshoe crabs have a total of nine eyes, one on either side of the head and the other seven placed around the body. In Asia, horseshoe crabs are eaten by humans, while in Maine, crabs are often ground up for fertilizer or used as bait. Maine enacted its first harvest regulations in 2004 to better control the harvesting the crabs between May 1 and October 30, protecting them while they are in shallow water during their typical mating cycle. Like lobsters, horseshoe crabs have six pairs of appendages under their shell. These appendages not only provide support for locomotion, but also on

the male they are used to grip a female crab during mating. In addition, the appendages allow the horseshoe crab to catch prey and function as jaws to grind up food for digestion. Emerging at the back of the shell is the long sharp tail, which looks dangerous but is in fact harmless. The tail or telson is actually used by the crab to turn itself back over if it gets flipped on its back. Horseshoe crabs have the ability to regenerate a lost leg or tail. Horseshoe crabs are selective about their habitat, and prefer breeding and feeding on mud flats where they can easily find algae, clams, snails, small fish and marine worms. In turn, horseshoe crabs, their eggs and juvenile larvae serve as a food source for many other creatures, including shorebirds, fish and sea turtles. If successful in avoiding predators, horseshoe crabs have been known to reach about 10 years of age.

3. What is the global range of the horseshoe crab?

6. What do horseshoe crabs eat?

4. Are horseshoe crabs . . . crabs?

8. How many years can a horseshoe crab live?

5. How many appendages does a horseshoe crab have?

7. What eats horseshoe crabs?

Answers on Page 46 www.MaineSportsman.com

44 • October 2022 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————

Night of the Surf Monsters I don’t normally write about particular saltwater catches I’ve made, but one night back in 1982 remains permanently etched in my brain, and I believe the experience is worth sharing. It was the evening of September 17th, a Friday, and I had worked all day at the Salt Water Sportsman office in downtown Boston and then driven up to my house in East Boothbay for the weekend. I was pretty well beat by the time I arrived, and then the phone rang. It was my

A 53-pound striper from the beach was the catch of a lifetime for the author, but on this particular evening, it was only one-fifth of the story. good friend Dean Krah of Sheepscot. “I hate to drop this on you,” he said, “but I think tonight’s the night. Meet me in Wiscasset at 10:30. High water’s at 11:53.” When Dean says it’s the night, it’s the night. I gathered up my waders, headlamp, surf rod and sand spike, stowed everything in the back of my El Camino, and headed out. I met Dean at

the appointed hour, transferred my gear into his pickup, and off we went, winding our way down to Reid State Park at the mouth of the Sheepscot River. So Dark We Couldn’t See the Water We met Dean’s friend Dick Golden at the parking lot, and the three of us made our way south along the beach for a quar-

ter of a mile to several “humps” in the sand. We set our spikes about 100 feet apart, baited our fishfinder rigs (a sliding 3-ounce pyramid sinker and 6/0 hook) with a live eel hooked though the upper jaw, and slung our offerings out into the blackness and breaking surf that we could hear but couldn’t see. It sure was dark. But, Dean had rigged

up some ingenious rodtip lights with a wire that ran down to some sort of military surplus battery that became activated when placed in salt water. “When the lights start jiggling, a bass has picked up your bait,” he explained. “Point your rod tip down, and let the lights slide out of the tip-top” Nothing happened for about half an hour, and then chaos erupted. My tiny rod lights started swaying and jiggling in the darkness. I thumped over (Continued on next page)

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�� The Maine Sportsman • October 2022 • 45 (Continued from page 44)

in my waders, pulled the rod from the spike, dropped the lights, and leaned back into the fish. Twenty-pound mono streamed steadily from the reel until there were just a couple of wraps left on the spool. I worked my way down the beach, following the fish, and gained some line back as I pumped the rod. Twenty minutes later, I slid the largest striped bass I had ever seen, let alone caught, up onto the sand. I was astonished. Just Cranking Them In The next hour or so is still a blur. I re-baited, cast out, and within minutes had another monster on. I could hear Dick and Dean grunting in the darkness on either side of me as they inched heavy fish shoreward. I beached my second bass, which was the size of the first, and rebaited again. Many of the details of the night have evaporated from my brain, but a few remain. One was that each fish I beached lay perfectly still on the wet sand, never even twitching, which I still find rath-

The official receipt from Port Seafoods in Newburyport, MA -- five bass from 40 to 53 pounds, totaling 231 3/4 pounds.

er odd. I do remember I was using a 10’ Garcia Conolon rod (which I still have) and a Penn Mag Power conventional casting reel (that I sold at a flea market years ago). And I remember that Dean brought the eels in a cooler of ice, which really quieted them down and made them easier to handle, but I was surprised at how they instantly sprang to life when immersed in the warm seawater. And I remember one fish that I couldn’t stop. It spooled me and broke off. When the dust settled, I ended up with five bass, Dean got two, and Dick got two. It took three trips to drag them through the dry sand to the parking

lot. Dean and I loaded ours in his truck, and Dick left with the two he caught. Back in Wiscasset, I told Dean he could have my fish, but to ask the fish dealer to write out the weights, lengths and girths of the ones I caught. Dean ended up (Continued on next page)

The author strains to hold up a 53-pound striper and a 49-pound, 12-ounce bass, both taken from the beach at Reid State Park on the night of September 17, 1982. Photo by Dean Krah

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46 • October 2022 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————

Saltwater Fishing (Continued from page 45)

driving the fish all the way to Port Seafoods in Newburyport, as he got $1 a pound more than he would have at the fish store in Bath.

Why the Phenomenal Results? Several days later, he brought me my receipt, with the weights calibrated on a certified scale. My bass went: #1: 53 pounds, 51 1/2” long, 28” girth #2: 49 ¾ pounds,

51” long, 27 3/5” girth #3: 44 ½ pounds, 50” long, 26 ¾” girth #4: 40 pounds, 47 ¼” long, 26” girth #5: 44 ½ pounds, 50 ½” long, 26 ½” girth Dean’s two fish weighed 49 pounds and 37 ½ pounds. We later learned that Dick’s two fish went

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30 pounds and 28 ½ pounds. I have no explanation as to why I caught five, and why they were so big. All I can surmise is: pure luck. But in any event, I always gave Dean the credit. He’s the one who spent untold hours on the beach

at night figuring out the tides, the times, the moon phases, the baits that worked, the tip-top lights, and so much more. He did all the homework. I just cranked ’em in.

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1. The four areas in Maine that host populations of horseshoe crabs include Casco Bay (Thomas Pont Beach), the area around Damariscotta, the Bagaduce River Basin, and Downeast’s Taunton Bay. 2. Four subspecies of horseshoe crabs are found around the globe. 3. Horseshoe crabs range from Maine down the Atlantic coast and into the Gulf of Mexico. The other three subspecies are found around Southeast Asia. 4. Horseshoe crabs are not crabs, or for that matter even crustaceans. Instead these unusual creatures are classed as arthropods. 5. A horseshoe crab has six pairs of appendages under their shell. 6. Horseshoe crabs eat algae, clams, snails, small fish and marine worms. 7. Horseshoe crabs are eaten by humans in Asia, as well as by shorebirds, fish and sea turtles. 8. A horseshoe crab can live 10 years.

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�� The Maine Sportsman • October 2022 • 47

Multitasking Essential to Enjoy Full October Outdoor Options I’d been mucking about my den for an hour last week when my long-beleaguered wife came in and stood scanning the room. Her eyes got larger, her breathing shorter; a rifle and belt of shells leaned against one end of the couch, a revolver and box of shells lay on the middle cushion, and a camo 12-gauge with a bandoleer of waterfowl loads and 10 pack of turkey loads leaned on the far end. Archery gear occupied one corner of the room; a couple of bass

minutes. I tried explaining this genius idea to the Missus; there was eye-rolling, sighing and grumbled words like “mansplaining,” mess, “tornado touchdown” and a couple of other terms of endearment that made me decide it might be time to try out my new system. The “King of Autumn” throughout northern Maine is the plentiful and exciting-to-hunt partridge. Grabbing my Ruger Red Label O/U 20 gauge and accoutre-

With so many seasons overlapping, the author finds it necessary to maintain small, neat, discrete piles of fishing, scouting and hunting equipment throughout his entire den. However, as detailed here, he has failed miserably in his efforts to explain this “October outdoor organizational system” to his patient spouse. She describes his den’s helterskelter armory as a “tornado touchdown.” rods and a tackle box sat in the far corner, and a pair of fly rods, a vest and net occupied the near corner. Head shaking, fists clenching and jaw set, the light of my life turned on a dime and spirited down the hall; there was definite mum-

bling, and I might have even heard a growl! Method to My Madness In my defense, there are over a dozen open cast-and-blast seasons this month, and way too few days to take full advantage.

When the phone rings and a friend wants to hit the woods or the water, I need to be ready, regardless of the quarry. By sorting, selecting and stockpiling specific equipment in separate locations, I’m fully prepared and can be out the door in

(Continued on next page)

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48 • October 2022 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————

Among the waterfowl, moose and grouse seasons to be enjoyed in “The County,” don’t forget that there is now a Zone 6 fall turkey season as well. Collin Mccrum of Mars Hill has a two-year streak going on tagging big toms. All photos: Bill Graves

The author brings back a fat partridge taken on a North Maine woods road. Note the vintage O/U Savage .22 and 20 gauge combo from his boyhood years that he still carries.

The County (Continued from page 47)

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Walk or drive, visit the deep woods or urban edges, and there are partridge everywhere ‘Up North.” Tom Wolters of Michigan and Madawaska Lake bagged this trio of biddies with his 100-year-old Parker side-by-side.

cover. For older hunters who can’t walk much, dawn and dusk driving will have birds feeding or picking gravel on the road or sitting on stumps and sunny banks. Wandering the side roads with or without a four-legged canine companion will always produce some action. From my den’s helter-skelter armory,

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I also packed my turkey gun, appropriate shells, camo coveralls with gloves, hat, facemask and mouth calls in the pocket and two decoys. There are lots of flocks of gobblers around Ashland and Masardis, and I got caught twice last October while grouse hunting without the right gear to tag a tom. Won’t happen again! Moose and More If you’re a lucky permit holder for either of the October moose hunt weeks in Aroostook zones, some attention to Miller Road off Route 1 just north of Mars Hill is a good bet. There are dozens of side roads through old cuttings where moose love to browse. Farther south in Bridgewater, venture onto the Bootfoot or Packard Roads; both offer farm field roads and two-tracks to explore by driving or walking. Delorme’s Atlas & Gazetteer, Map 59, grids A-3 and B-3 will overview both locations. North toward New Sweden and Madawaska Lake along Route 161, Westmanland and Blackstone regions south of Square Lake abound with woods roads and (Continued on next page)

�� The Maine Sportsman • October 2022 • 49

Audrey Rooney, age 8 of Easton, started spending time afield with her father Seth last fall. She put her new single-shot to good use on the after-school outings. (Continued from page 48)

dependable drive-andspot or set-up-and-call locations. Check DeLorme’s Map 64, sectors A-3 & A-4. Referring back to my individual gun and gear caches in my den, this is another location and time to double down. I’m not a fan of shooting partridge along the road while I’m actually hunting for moose, but during scouting outings, it’s time to pack up the grouse gear from its stockpile and bag a few “road chickens” for camp stew during moose hunt week. From a couple of my other “live and learn” life lessons, if you are a whitetail archer, it’s just common sense to put the crossbow or compound bow and necessary equipment in the vehicle when scouting or hunting moose; it is archery deer season, too! Four years ago, I watched a fat crotch-horn whitetail feed under a wild apple tree and ignore our moose crew pickup truck from 40 yards until we drove away. I learned, and therefore I maintain a pile of quick-grab archery

There are two more moose seasons this month in various Aroostook zones. Those with a bull permit hope to see a beauty like this old boy, who has been laying around in the burdock bushes. Put your archery gear in the vehicle too; it’s whitetail season for bow hunters, and you might stumble into a chance.

necessities stashed in one corner of my den in October. How About Honkers? It’s not unusual to spend a lot more time scouting for where Canada geese are feeding than actually hunting. Watch roost waters, then drive and use binoculars to scan the skies and unending fields, then drive and scan some more. There are plenty of lakes, ponds and swales with geese galore between Route 1 and Route 1A from Van Buren to Hamlin, and even more honkers on the St. John River that parallels 1A. There are hundreds of grain and potato fields as well, each a food magnet for hungry native and migrating geese this month. Well worth scouting DeLorme’s Map 69, D-3 & D-4 and doing a few dawn or dusk decoy set-ups. Once again, don’t forget the multiple seasons while scouting or traveling to and from the hunt. It’s still sight-and-shoot bear season, archery deer season, Zone 6 turkey

season, as well as time to take ducks, woodcock and partridge. Better pack along some extra guns and gear, since as soon as you don’t, a chance will arise. It’s easy when everything is preseason sorted in your den! Last Cast As much as I anticipate spring trolling after a long winter, fall fishing on small lakes and ponds is a last-chance nostalgic time of year. The autumn aromas, colorful foliage and vivid coloration of late season brook trout make a spectacular collage of sights, sounds and smells. Artificial lures and quick release of all fish is mandatory, but who cares, since trout are active in the cool water and widespread after moving back from the deep holes, creek mouths, ledge seeps and springs? Try a sinking tip or floating fly line with a 7 ½ to 9 foot leader and a size 8 or 10, 3x streamer, patterns such as a Little Brook Trout, Black Nose Dace or Magog Smelt. Proven ponds include Monson in Fort Fair-

It’s archery season for whitetail, so when you’re out looking for partridge near wild apple trees, it would be wise to have your bow in the vehicle.

While most Aroostook sportsmen are taking advantage of the many hunting options, there’s still some fishing opportunities to be enjoyed, and the beauty of an autumn brookie can be breathtaking.

The warming trend throughout the Northeast yields some short-sleeve weather in October, perfect for Tom Tardiff of Robinson to visit a local pond for a late catch-and-release casting session.

field, Hanson in Presque Isle, Carry in Littleton, Black near Fort Kent, and Bradbury in New Limerick – all open through November or until ice forms. As I mentioned

earlier, my rods are rigged and ready, in the corner closest to the den door. Turns out, one woman’s turmoil is this man’s October outdoor organizational system!

www.MaineSportsman.com

50 • October 2022 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————

In the Beginning My brother Buzz and I share a combined 72 years of ranger experience. Folks often ask me how we ended up becoming rangers and wilderness neighbors – a calling that almost didn’t happen for either of us. Here’s how things came about. In April of 1960, three rangers were hired and assigned to work at Abol, Roaring Brook and Chimney Pond Campgrounds. My brother Buzz was assigned to Chimney Pond. However, prior to reporting to their spring meeting, another employee, Ralph Heath, requested a transfer from Abol to Chimney Pond. Park supervisor Helon Taylor asked Caverly if he would accept a transfer to Abol. As I wrote in my September column, in the late fall of 1963, Heath lost his life in a snowstorm while attempting to make a rescue from the headwall of Katahdin. But for the transfer, Buzz could have been the one to perish. Howev-

The author and his brother Buzz were supervisory rangers at the same time at the Allagash and Baxter State Park, respectively. However, that occurrence was the result of many divergent factors coming together through an unlikely combination of happenstance and perseverance. er, that wasn’t the first time that Buzz nearly left his job at Baxter. Nearly a Missed Opportunity for Buzz In 1965, Buzz and his wife had a new daughter. Working seasonally and accepting any part-time winter work available, he needed to find a yearround job to support his family. But the Park didn’t have the funds for a second permanent employee, so Buzz was reluctantly forced to seek fulltime work elsewhere. That opportunity came from the Millinocket Police Department. With a heavy heart, Buzz drove to Millinocket to accept a full-time appointment. While his hand rested on the doorknob of Millinocket’s town office, Buzz heard his radio call. Upon answer-

Both the author and his brother worked their way up through the ranks. Here, the author poses in 1968 as a ranger at Sebago Lake State Park. www.MaineSportsman.com

ing, he was informed that former Governor Baxter had provided private funds necessary to employ Buzz full time. And the rest, as they say, is history. Author Almost Didn’t Make It to the Allagash My first close call of not reaching the Allagash occurred during my second year of college. A friend and I planned a trip on the Allagash with his homemade canoe. Wanting to practice paddling, one day after class we put-in at the East Machias River in Jacksonville for a “short run.” Being good swimmers, neither of us wore life jackets. Ultimately, our craft capsized, forcing us to swim in freezing cold waters towards opposite shores. My friend lost his life,

while I weakly struggled to reach land. Job Available The second time I was challenged toward my goal of reaching the Allagash occurred in 1980, while I was the manager at Cobscook Bay State Park. At the time, the Bureau of Parks and Recreation was accepting applications for Regional Supervisor and Allagash Supervisor. I applied for both. I received high marks in my interview for regional supervisor, but lost out to another with more seniority. Before interviewing for the Allagash position, I was informed that, while the Bureau was going to conduct interviews, it was likely the job was going to be given to Regional Supervisor Wentworth (Wimpy) Burnham. However, I

Buzz Caverly relaxes in a summertime photo taken at Baxter State Park.

was welcome to apply. Wimpy was the person who had hired me to work at Sebago Lake State Park, and someone I held in high regard. While I was disappointed, I understood that with his many years of service, Wimpy deserved the opportunity to transfer into the woods. The day of the Allagash interview, Susan and I drove from Washington County to Augusta. Arriving at the Capitol city early, I stopped by Wimpy’s park office to have coffee with my old friend. We told a couple of jokes and reminisced about good times. When the time came to leave for my interview I turned to Wimpy and suggested, “You may remember that the winter of 1973-74 I surveyed the AWW boundary line for the Bureau, so I know the area well. Good luck with the position. From experience, I know that the job will be physically demanding, and it’s (A Ranger on the Allagash continued on page 52)

The rewards for hard work: Buzz’s badge as Supervisor of Baxter State Park, and the author’s badge as Supervisor of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway.

�� The Maine Sportsman • October 2022 • 51

E-Collars, Duplex Loads and Other Upland Game Shenanigans My dog Baxter slipped deep into some mixed balsams thick with blowdowns. I glanced up the gravel logging road and concluded that my cohorts had little interest in brush-busting. Looks like the old guy with the bad heart had to step up. I started picking my way through the thicket, one slow step at a time. Before long I heard Baxter’s E-collar beeping hard. E-Collars For those unfamiliar with E-collars, let me explain that they have multiple features to enhance bird hunting. First, I can push a button that emits a “beep” that locates Baxter on demand. While I also employ a traditional collar bell, the locater beep works great when I can’t hear the bell.

I rarely use the discipline “shock” on Baxter because, well, he’s really a well-behaved dog. The “Pointing/Locater” mode gets the lion’s share of the use. Every seven seconds it beeps, helping me keep tabs on my feather-finder in Maine’s thick bird covers. Some might question using the beeper and the bell together, but it works well for me. The bell fills in the gaps between beeps. It’s surprising how far a dog can travel in seven seconds. Keeping constant track of my companion, especially near roads or other dangerous concerns, rates as a top priority. When he locks up on rock-solid point, the collar emits a series of long, steady beeps. With the bell silent and the collar telling

me exactly where he has a bird cornered, I can swiftly move in his direction. On this day, the bell went silent, and the beeping collar betrayed the bird. I crawled up and around blowdowns and vision-obscuring balsams. Never did spot Baxter in the thick undergrowth. Nervous Birds However, the beeper told me it was time to stop and let the bird between me and him make the next move. A nervous woodcock couldn’t stand it and rocketed skyward, weaving through the branches. Somehow, one small opening betrayed the fast escaping timber doodle. An instinctive shot of duplex intercepted the chunky bird, and (Continued on next page)

The Sheldon boys, Will and Matt, connected with a handsome set of grouse while slowly navigating an old logging road. Walking old tote roads reaps big dividends for upland game hunters lacking a bird dog. The competitive brothers still had to argue over which bird was the largest. Bill Sheldon photo

The author managed to catch this shot of his dog, Baxter S. Park, on rock-solid point. He makes a handsome point and does an excellent job of staring down the wiliest of grouse, woodcock or pheasant. It all comes down to who blinks first. Bill Sheldon photo

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Katahdin Country (Continued from page 51)

it landed in the soft leaves of fall. Duplex Loads For those wondering about my “duplex” load, I’ll explain. Many years ago, a friend of mine, a state skeet shooting champion, gave me some reloads he loaded specifically for bird hunting in Maine. It is a mixture of #5 shot and #7 shot. His theory revolves around the #5 shot as ideal for grouse and the #7 plenty good for woodcock. Baxter can find both, often in the same cover. After all these years, I can confidently say that if I do my job behind the gun, those “duplex” loads hold up their end of

the bargain. I’ve not seen them commercially, but a buddy who reloads keeps me in supply. I suspect he does a thorough job mixing the shot before pouring them into the shell casing. Successful Review When I look back on that little hunt there are a few things that made it turn out well. First, I let the dog do his job. Second, while four others chose to stay on the path, I pussy footed in and stayed with the dog. The path-hunters never had a chance at the pointed bird. Moving slowly in and staying connected to the dog proved invaluable. After crawling into position, I located the

precious few openings that the thick forest offered. With woodcock, or grouse for that matter, hitting these fast-moving targets boils down to instinctive shooting. The only way to practice is to get body and scattergun in the woods. And, had a grouse busted out of that thick &%$#, the “duplex” load would have handled it just fine. It’s nice, sometimes rare, when a plan comes together. Slow Down Hunters traversing the Katahdin Country without a dog can apply some of these same

tactics. It starts with moving slowly. I crossed paths with an older couple who hunt birds together. For health reason, he rides the roads and heater-hunts. She gets out and very slowly walks along the same roads he travels on. She assured me that she “out birds” him most of the time. Also, take a tip from Baxter. When he enters a covert, he zigs back and forth. Hunters who plow through a cover in a straightline may bypass myriad opportunities. It makes sense to cover less ground more thoroughly. Grouse

A Ranger on the Allagash (Continued from page 50)

really an assignment for a young person. I hope I can visit.” During my interview, my wife waited for two hours in the Department’s reception center. When I came out, I saw that she had a strange expression on her face. Looking me in the eye, she said, “Wimpy was just here.” “Does he want to go to lunch?” I asked. “No – Wimpy said that he

and woodcock are masters at blending into the forest. If they are not nervous, they won’t flush. Four pages of The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer (43, 44, 51 and 52) have enough backcountry off-grid roads to spend three lifetimes hunting. A Google Earth search before heading out will help spot older covers that by now may have turned into perfect habitat for our feathered quarry. Don’t forget to enjoy Katahdin Country foliage while traversing the backcountry this month.

hoped he hadn’t spoiled the opportunity for you.” “How do you mean?” I asked puzzled. “He said to tell you he has turned down the transfer to the Allagash.” In May of 1981, I reported to work at Allagash Wilderness Waterway headquarters on Umsaskis Lake in T11R13 – the area where Susan and I spent the next eighteen turbulent and yet rewarding years. Tim Caverly has authored eleven books about Maine’s northern forest.

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�� The Maine Sportsman • October 2022 • 53

Someone’s Missing It’s extremely difficult to lose a hunting dog that has accompanied you in the woods for a decade-and-ahalf. What makes is slightly easier is reminiscing about the good times – the woodcock, the grouse, the pheasants, and even the skunks and the coyote trap. It’s no secret that October rates as my favorite month. The small game season opens Sept 24, and the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife extends the fishing season on some of my preferred waters until the end of the month. However, this fall someone will be missing. For the past 15-years, a little Brit-

tany Spaniel named BD accompanied me on my trips for fish and fowl. This year, I’ll have to go it alone. Well, not exactly. My seven-year-old Brittany, Baxter, will do his best to fill in. I’m not sure how dogs think, but he has acted notably strange since BD crossed the rainbow bridge.

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Dogs quickly become part of the family. Here, the author and his wife, Denise, and loyal Brittany Spaniel “BD” (short for “bird dog”) enjoy an afternoon pheasant hunt. Without BD’s nose, the couple would have walked right by that big ole pheasant. Bill Sheldon photo

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54 • October 2022 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————

Jackman Region (Continued from page 53)

let her select the little female bird dog from a litter of eight. At eight weeks she came home, and we named her BD, short for Bird Dog. The lifestyle change began immediately.

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scent. Hannah and I set up an incubator and hatched a pile of quail to train our newest family member. We did our best to “home school” this active new puppy. Friends who hunted with me and BD often asked how I trained her to find and point birds with such desire. I always believed she just had it. It didn’t matter. Pheasants, grouse and woodcock couldn’t evade this sharp-nosed feather-finder. Episodes All dogs have a few, let’s say, episodes. At 10 weeks, BD broke her leg, requiring a

cast. Because she was still a pup and growing, we had to have the cast removed and replaced every two weeks. I have photos of her pointing birds with a cast on her rear leg. She had desire to point birds from the day Hannah and I brought her home. It’s not that way with all dogs. It took my dog Baxter about 2-1/2 years before he started to get excited about chasing birds. Everyone said he would learn from BD. Maybe he did, but it took an excruciatingly long time. Together we experienced the ups and downs of our new life-

style. From the highs of pointing one migrating woodcock after another to the lows of being on the wrong end of a porcupine encounter. Make that two porcupine encounters. Of course, it’s hard to forget the time she hopped in my truck, AFTER rubbing noses with a skunk. She also managed to get in the house AFTER her second skunk encounter. We started keeping plenty of tomato juice cans after the second round with Pepe Le Pew. One detail of that lifestyle change I had to figure out on my own. (Jackman Region continued on next page)

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�� The Maine Sportsman • October 2022 • 55

New vs. Used: The Gear Shakedown The author stretches his budget by scouring various sources in his search for good used outdoor gear, since some vintage equipment is better than what you can purchase today. However, he is challenged by two factors: 1) technology is changing at an unprecedented rate; and 2) there’s a fine line between “vintage” and “junk.” Take a scroll through Facebook Marketplace, or poke around a tackle shop, and you’re bound to find some used fishing gear. I’ve bought a lot of used gear, mostly due to the fair prices, but I’ve also bitten the bullet and bought plenty of new gear as well. So here’s the official shakedown addressing the question: Is used gear trouble, or treasure? Cost As a general rule, used gear is more affordable than buying new. Whether it’s a season-old spinning reel or a lead core setup that’s older than you are, the prices are almost always better. This isn’t always the

case, however. In some specific instances, you’ll find a discontinued product; the Pfleuger Sal Trout reels come to mind, which are hot commodities and are very valuable. Beyond being a collectors’ piece, it is (in my opinion) one of the best trolling reels that money can buy. They’re foolproof: sporting a simple drag that tightens the spool onto a shaft, and an even simpler clicker. They aren’t humongous reels, but they have an incredible capacity and can hold 20 colors of lead core with no issues. A bulletproof artifact, the Sal Trout reel can only be found used online or occasionally at an antiques shop.

Jackman Region (Continued from page 54)

Heart of a Champion At 35 pounds, she was on the small side for a Brittany. What she lacked in size she made up for in speed and heart. Her most traumatizing event showed me just how tough the little dog was. While hunting an old tote road, I heard a rattling racket racing towards me. I saw BD, but couldn’t initially figure out what all the noise was about. She was dragging a coyote trap securely attached to her front foot. She knew who to come to for help. While at the time it seemed like an

Wear and Tear Obviously, a new piece of equipment will be in perfect, brand new condition. Anything used will be – well, used, and that fact shouldn’t be overlooked. Without knowing the previous owner of an item, you don’t know how it was treated. Not all of us have the same standard for gear maintenance, and some people downright abuse their equipment. A quick inspection of a piece of gear is often enough to determine its overall condition, but some items (firearms come to mind) should be looked at by a professional.

The author plays a fish on Sebago Lake while employing some of his used fishing equipment. Everything shown in the photo -- boat, downrigger, rod and reel -- is a “pre-owned” item. Raymond family photo

Technology Technology is rapidly changing the ways we engage in our favorite sporting activities. ATVs and snowmobiles go farther and faster; computers have invaded lake trolling; and GPS units are now commonplace on hunting dogs. Many 10-year-old pieces of equipment will be dated, but some items have remained essentially unchanged. Downriggers are among the items of gear that have developed rapidly. They went from manual cable reels with hand cranks (in common use not all that long

eternity, I calmed her down and got the trap released. I was by myself and honestly could have used some help. In the ensuing commotion, I cut my hand, and made a beeline for the truck and a waiting first aid kit. BD, on the other hand, went immediately back to nosing around for birds. My little girl was tougher than me. Jackman Covers When bird season finally opens, I’ll be poking around bird covers in some of the myriad logging roads that cut through the heart of the Jackman Region. Baxter and I will carry on. The entire Cold Stream drain-

ago) to digital models connected to fish-finders that automatically adjust to the contours of the lake. A classic downrigger still works great, but new tech is invading the industry. Bottom Line So is used equipment worth it? Depends on who you ask. For me, it sure is! It’s a good way to get into some gear on a realistic budget, giving you the most bang for your buck. It sure helps in your adventures to purchase what you can afford, however … as the adage goes, “You buy junk, you get junk.”

age area starting at the shores of the Kennebec River and running north to Route 6/15 has more than enough old tote roads to keep us out of everyone’s way. My little bird dog came home in my daughter’s arms. 15 years later she passed away in my daughter’s arms. In between we had one helluva great time. The veterinarian sent us her ashes. Baxter and I have one last task. There’s one favorite honey hole where BD pointed hundreds of migrating woodcock over the years. I’m thinking her ashes belong there.

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56 • October 2022 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————

Glorious October Driving with Bob Lawrence along some logging road he could never find again to save his life as the sun rises over the beautiful landscape, the author reports that his worries and concerns “evaporate like the mist on a still pond that disappears with the rising sun.” The air in the Moosehead Lake region acquires an exhilarating clarity in October – even more so in the higher elevations. It’s as if someone turned a page on nature’s calendar and from now on, everything is crisp and clean. It’s a perfect time to visit the region, if only to drive around and admire the spectacular scenery. But there’s more to October than just sightseeing. The season has opened on upland game species, and orange-clad hunters flock to area sporting lodges and campsites. Some people opt

for a guided trip, in which the guide, who has an encyclopedic knowledge of the best bird covers, supplies the bird dog or dogs, and usually a picnic lunch. It’s a great way to wring the best out of a trip here, since on a guided trip, the odds are stacked in your favor. Non-guided trips can prove productive, but it helps to do some pre-season scouting to get the lay of the land. That way you can know exactly where to head when you do come up to hunt. Even day-trippers can enjoy fine sport, especially on wood-

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cock. It’s easy to ride the back roads and try promising bird covers. Interestingly, lots of alder patches line the roads, and if you hit it right, flights of migrating woodcock might have dropped in the previous night. Grouse can show up anywhere, too, so always keep an eye out for a bird along the road. You can slowly walk up to it until it flushes, which will hopefully happen within shotgun range. Always use at least #6 shot in order to make certain you will anchor a hit bird. Relaxed Hunt I traditionally spend time each October with my friend Bob Lawrence, a guide and all-round outdoorsman, at his place in Rockwood on

Sunshine strikes distant hills on an early morning bird hunt. Photo by the Tom Seymour

Moosehead Lake. Bob knows each and every road, open and discontinued, on paper company land in the North Maine Woods. We arise in the predawn hours and head out for the day. By the time we reach our first destination, wherever that may be, the sun has just begun sending streamers of light through the fir trees. We always find some birds, but shooting game is only part of it for me. It’s the total picture, the good company, eye-popping scenery, salubrious temperatures and the catching up on how the

woods have changed in the course of a single year. It always amazes me how a place that was forest last October now stands barren, with no trees, or perhaps only a few small, scraggly hardwoods remaining. On the other hand, clearcuts grow back quickly, and some places that were wideopen only a few years ago now sport wild raspberry bushes and pioneer trees such as poplar. This cycle, then, becomes the process that creates new bird covers. As a Mainer who grew up hunting the farmland of the Midcoast region, it pains me to see that most reverting farmland has long since reverted to forest. Other past bird covers either have posted signs displayed at regular intervals or have become someone’s backyard. As my friend Jim Robbins once said, “Up north they cut trees and grow trees. Down here (Midcoast), they cut trees and grow (Continued on next page)

�� The Maine Sportsman • October 2022 • 57 (Continued from page 56)

houses.” That was some time ago, but Jim’s comment was prescient, for certain. Driving along with Bob on some road I could never find again on my own to save my life, all regrets and sorrows over a lost countryside evaporate like the mist on a still pond that disappears with the rising sun. Looking out over

mountain vistas and savoring the quietness of early morning in the big woods, things that seemed important before have little significance now. Quirky Pat We never know how ruffed grouse (partridge) hunting will turn out, because partridge are so unpredictable. Some years, area guides will tell me that they see

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“pats” all over the road during summer and early call, but come October, they wonder where the birds all went. And on other years, when gloomy predictions prevail through summer, October’s woods seem alive with the sporty game birds. This reminds me of a story Bob Lawrence told me of a fellow from out-of-state whom he met while driving the

back roads. The guy asked Bob if those little, chicken-like birds were legal game. Bob shook his head and said, “Yep. They are game birds.” (However, he also added information about the protected Spruce Grouse.) We never know what kind of numbers we’ll encounter on any partridge-hunting trip. But even on supposedly “slack” years, I always manage to put

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at least some birds in the cooler for the trip home. Woodcock are quite another matter. The Moosehead Region holds quite a few resident, or “native,” birds, and these make for lots of fast sport early in the season. Later, as the major flights drop in, hunters find some of the best wingshooting around.

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58 • October 2022 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————

Maine Venison Steak Diane Many of you may have heard of Steak Diane, yet you’re not quite sure what’s in it. This steak recipe was popular in the 1950s and 1960s, especially in New York City’s upscale restaurants. This dish was prepared tableside, with its theatrics arising from flambéing the cognac used in the sauce. (Do you remember the Bill Murray movie, Scrooged, where he is imagining the waiter on fire? LOL). The dish was supposedly named after the Roman goddess, Diane. I could not find anything definitive. Maybe I should just call it the Maine Sportsman Venison Steak!! Enjoy, and Bon Appetit! *** Maine Venison Steak Diane I’ve made this dish several ways over the years, and tonight Don said it is on his “Kate’s Top Ten List” now, which means it’s on mine, too! And a big thank you, Glenwood for contributing freshly dried Black Trumpet Mushrooms. These mushrooms

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weren’t dried like those you buy in a store; rather, they were gently dried so when I chopped them up and put them in the game stock, they immediately reconstituted! They weren’t as chewy as storebought mushrooms. Ingredients: • 4 (6-ounce) venison steaks • Kosher salt • ½ cup game broth, slightly warmed (or beef) • ¼ cup Black Trumpet mushrooms, crumbed/dried (Note: if you have fresh Black Trumpet Mushrooms, use 1 cup of them!) • 4 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce • 2 teaspoons horseradish • 2 teaspoons tomato paste • 2 tablespoons butter • ½ cup finely minced shallots • 4 tablespoons cognac (or brandy) • Freshly ground black pepper • 2 tablespoons chives, finely chopped (optional)

Directions: Sprinkle salt on both sides of steak; set aside at room temperature for 30 minutes. Whisk broth, Worcestershire sauce, horseradish and tomato paste; set aside. Melt butter in cast-iron skillet set over medium-high heat. Pat steaks dry with paper towel. Increase heat to high and sear venison for 1-3 minutes per side, depending on thickness. When steaks are done, move to cutting board and tent with foil. Sauté shallots for 2 minutes on medium-high heat, stirring once or twice. Add cognac to deglaze pan. Increase heat and cook until cognac is almost evaporated. Stir in broth mixture and bring to a boil. Cook until thickened, about 1-2 minutes. Plate venison steak and drizzle warm Diane sauce over and garnish with freshly ground black pepper and chives.

�� The Maine Sportsman • October 2022 • 59

Did Summer’s Dry Conditions Make Upland Game Scarce? Hunters must be prepared to change with the times, says the author, who also offers this advice to young and old: “Make the most of every day afield.” Growing old allows a person to view things from a wider, more expansive perspective. I’ve been around long enough to remember when along about the end of September, Mainers could count on one or two powerful tropical storms sweeping the state. “Line storms,” we called them. Cold weather immediately followed, bring migrating woodcock down from Canada in droves. Flights peaked around Columbus Day. Also, long-term droughts were not as common. Drought conditions cause wildlife to change their habits and feeding patterns. And we are in the midst of a threeyear drought. Fifty years ago or more, if we had a good apple year (apples are cyclic, and good crops usually come on alternate years), we could count on finding grouse in the apples, foraging long-forgotten orchards and giving us the grandest sport. Today, even during years of bumper crops for apples and other fruits, grouse don’t necessary head to the apples in fall. I hunt a formally productive cover each year, hoping for a change. Last year, the ground was littered with apples as

far as you could see, but none showed the telltale pecking marks of foraging partridge. Different climate conditions have caused the birds to change their habits, and it’s anybody’s guess where partridge go in October. “Hardwood ridges,” people tell me. I go to the hardwood ridges, but they are bereft of game. Add to that increased hunting pressure, loss of reverting farmland, and more land being placed outof-bounds because of increased posting, and you have a far different hunting climate than the one in which I grew up. Come to think of it, growing old may not be so great after all. If I didn’t remember all those great times, I wouldn’t know what I was missing. Lower Expectations All this has caused me to lower my expectations. This isn’t 1972 – it’s 2022, and things are different. Nothing lasts forever, and we old-timers should stop concentrating on the “good old days” and embrace the here and now. That means that today, shooting a brace of woodcock or a single, fast-flying grouse should rate as a good day.

It’s true that we must work harder now to find places to hunt and, more than that, productive places to hunt. They’re out there; they just need to be discovered. Also remember that woodcock rank among the most capricious of game birds – their here-today, gone-tomorrow nature being a vexation for so many hunters. Also, never forget that grouse don’t lag far behind woodcock in that department. Food, water and cover all have a bearing on grouse locations. They need all three. Taking my own advice, I have located a brand-new spot for bird hunting, and hope to try it this October. It seems promising, and I’m told that few people hunt it. My situation differs from most hunters in that except when hunting with my buddy Laird Townsend, who has a crackerjack bird dog, I hunt alone – no partner, no dog. But by going slow, making noise and then stopping and waiting before making another step, I manage to flush my share of birds. And looking at everything as a whole, I’m extremely grateful that I can still walk up and down ridges, jump small streams and gul-

Today, even one or two woodcock satisfy the author.

lies and, every once in a while, knock a bird out of the air. I plan on making the most of every day afield, and that’s good advice for all of us, young or old.

lock from the float at Lincolnville Beach (see Delorme Atlas, Map 14, C-4). Pollock were uncooperative that day, but after 10 minutes of fishing without a bite, something strong smashed my panfish jig. To my amazement, it was a mackerel of perhaps 14 inches. This was, I thought, out of the ordinary. That was until every subsequent cast elicited another smashing hit. Mackerel were present in abundance, which perplexed me greatly. Then I recalled the words of old-timers who had told me of schools of

Mackerel, Too Saltwater fishing goes on in October, and mackerel – often, the biggest of the season – congregate under and around floats and piers. This phenomenon isn’t new, or secret, but all the same, few anglers are aware of it. Late-season mackerel fishing can really get the heart pumping. I became aware of late-season mackerel many years ago when fishing for harbor pol-

(Midcoast Report continued on page 63)

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The Past, and Now I have been asked what the differences are between trapping a long, long time ago, and trapping today. I would say that there are more trappers today than in the real old days that most associate with trapping. The period about 100 years ago may have seen the highest-ever number of trappers, because the United States and Canada were rural in nature, and many of the rural inhabitants supplement their incomes by trapping. Even when I was young, many farm kids made some spending money by trapping before or after school. I know my friends and I did, along with many of the parents. Heck, back then we used to ride our bikes and horses to sell seeds so we could get traps in return for a specific number of seeds sold

When the author and his friends were boys, they sold seeds from door to door, since some of the seed companies gave out animal traps as premiums for selling a certain number of seed packages.

More and more women are taking up trapping. Here, Jeanie Cote holds a prime Maine mink.

through many of the seed catalog companies. Fur Trade Funded Early Explorations Early on in North America, furs were obtained by trading with Indigenous Peoples. Colored cloth, steel knives, iron cooking pots and pans

Maine Sportsman columnist Christi Holmes (right) and her trapping partner Jeanie Cote during a successful beaver quest.

and muskets were key trade items. This practice started with the earliest French explorers and trappers (voyageurs) working outward from the St. Lawrence River watershed, and continued into the era of the famous period of the Mountain Men.

In fact, those who participated in the earliest history of exploration and colonization of North America were dependent on the fur trade. Most of our early settlements started as fur trading establishments. The two most important exports to Europe early on were furs and fish. Trapping Get Short Shrift from History Books Although much is written in the history books of the famous early explorers seeking a Northwest Passage to Asia or searching for riches reported to be found inland, little today is taught in our schools of the way it really was. One only has to read about early explorers like Cartier, Champlain, Henry

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Hudson and La Salle to realize what the importance of fur had to do with the settlement of North America. During the Great Depression, some families made it through more easily than others by trapping. The European fur market was progressing well, and there was also a ready market at home for various by products of trapping, such as beaver castor, skunk oil and scent, plus the sale of some furbearers for consumption. Other Products of the Woods Other materials that trappers gathered in the wild added to the family income. These included a wide variety of plants used to produce medical products. Many of these plants are still in demand today, such as ginseng, goldenseal, and black cohosh. Spruce gum was gathered by the tons for many years and used for a variety of products, including the manufacturing of chewing gum. Even today, some will pick off a hardened clump of spruce sap from the side of a tree, scrape off the bark, and pop it into their mouth to work it into a chew. Chaga These days, many trappers are harvesting a newer item here in the northeast. It is the “chaga mushroom” (Trapping continued on page 63)

�� The Maine Sportsman • October 2022 • 61

A Tribute to Ty Coates – Legendary Maine Fly Tyer and Angler Those under 30 years old probably have never heard of Ty Coates, but in his heyday, Ty was a big influence in the world of trout fishing and fly tying. Ty (named not for his fly-tying prowess, but rather, for baseball player Ty Cobb) passed away last June, and as his friend, I want to share his story. Ty had only one overriding passion in life, and that was trout fishing and tying flies. But Ty didn’t just tie flies – he tied the best, most durable flies I have ever seen. I just said goodbye to my last Warden’s Worry tied by Ty. The fly fell victim not to age, but to trout teeth – many dozens of them. You could catch trout after trout on one of Ty’s creations and they would not fall apart. But in time, mangling and chewing by countless trout had to take a toll. I was about to place an order for a half-dozen more when I received the news that Ty had gone on to greener streamsides. Ty was the quintessential Maine sportsman, and asked nothing more of life than to go out once in a while to some remote stream or beaver pond and catch some wild brook trout. Ty never kept more trout than he needed for a meal, and did not overfish any one water – a true

The author says that when Ty Coates named a fly after him (the “Tom Seymour Dragonfly Nymph”), it was the greatest honor of the author’s life.

A selection of Ty Coates’ beautiful streamer flies. Tom Seymour photo

conservationist. As much as he loved trout fishing, Ty also loved tying flies so others could catch fish. Ty was a professional fly tier, and for many years he provided his product to major retailers. This was his life and vocation, and Ty’s relationships with those retailers ended only when, according to Ty, the stores

dropped his offerings and instead turned to Asian-made flies. Quality Counts In most instances, we must pay more for quality products. Ty Coates’s flies went against that maxim. Ty took pains that others wouldn’t. He didn’t just cement his fly heads; rather, he applied multiple layers – a time-

consuming process. Ty somehow locked in the bodies so that they could withstand repeated attacks from trout and salmon. And yet, Ty charged the same for his flies that

every other fly tier charged. Ty wanted to make a living from fly tying, which he did, but he didn’t want to overcharge people, so he never managed to make an overly lot of money. In addition to tying the absolutely best streamers and bucktails, Ty was an innovator. Always experimenting, Ty devised some great fly patterns. His “Osprey Series” flies featured huge eyes and multicolored bodies, with thick shoulders that tapered toward the end, making the fly something similar to the shape of a sunfish. Ty dedicated one of his new creations to me, naming it the “Tom Seymour Dragonfly Nymph.” An article on this lifelike trout-killer ran in these pages several years ago. I’ve won some prizes for writing and even for (Trout Fishing continued on page 63)

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62 • October 2022 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————

October Fly Fishing Opportunities This year I’m targeting trout and salmon in Maine during the month of October, with a passion like never before. I used to get distracted by upland hunting opportunities at this time of year, but I can do both – like chewing gum and walking at the same time. I have a five-weight Thomas and Thomas rod with some new line – sink-tip “Bankshot” by Orvis. I tried some of this new line on a seven-weight G. Loomis rod for smallmouth this past summer and really like it. This fiveweight for trout and salmon should be the perfect system for fishing this October.

Casting (“swinging”) large, heavy streamer flies into the river in October is a very effective way to catch large trout and landlocked salmon. However, the activity requires different line, a different rod, and some modified techniques. Here, the author spells it all out. Sure, I’ll hit a few brook trout ponds that stay open for October fishing and use a floating line with some dry flies, but swinging this new sink-tip line with streamers in moving water has really got me going bonkers – I can hardly wait. The sink-tip line allows me to reach out at least another twenty feet … the forward-heavy line really takes off when I cast it. The extra distance

helps to get a good bend in the line for swinging a big streamer under the surface to entice those hungry autumn brook trout and landlocked salmon. I use only a fourfoot leader made of 12or 15-pound-test line … it gets the streamer down quicker. I don’t want to waste any time sinking the streamer, especially in faster water. The sink-tip re-

ally helps to get the streamer down fast, too, but not all the way to the bottom in moving water. When I first started using the sink-tip line, I thought I would be snagging up on the bottom a lot. It didn’t happen, especially when using a fly that has a little buoyancy. The line may slide along on the bottom, but the streamer rides a few feet above that.

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Casting Sink-Tip Line Casting Orvis’ sink-tip Bank Shot line requires a little tweak in technique. This forward-heavy line doesn’t do well with a lot of false casting, so keep it simple. I limit my false casting to once – that is, I pick the line up, let it roll back behind me, and toss it directly to where I want it. I am not the best roll caster, but it does really well with roll casting, as the sinktip isn’t under water. When done correctly, this line screams out to your target like I’ve never experienced before. The first time I made a cast with this line was when Laurin Parker allowed me to cast his seven-weight Orvis Recon loaded with the Bank Shot line. Laurin is a Registered Maine guide, co-owner of Western Maine Guide Service (westernmaineguideservice.com), and a topnotch fishing guide who really knows his stuff. I usually use an extremely fast rod for throwing big poppers and divers when fishing for large smallmouth bass, so the Recon rod seemed a little whippy for me at the time. Laurin said he thought the mid-flex (whippy) rods work better with this sink(Continued on next page)

�� The Maine Sportsman • October 2022 • 63 (Continued from page 62)

tip line, and I must admit the combination ripped the line out of my fingers on that first cast. To say I was impressed would be a huge understatement. I went out early this year and searched for a similar rod, one with a mid-flex as Laurin suggested. I took my reel of Bank Shot line around to several fly-fishing shows, and tried it on different rods. What I have determined is that they didn’t perform any better than the “fast” G. Loomis rod I already own. I might have to just get the seven-weight, Orvis Recon rod for the smallmouth fishing I do.

Arsenal of Flies The flies I have ready for subsurface action this October constitute quite a vast selection, because I don’t normally swing a lot of stuff – I’m usually fishing the surface for brook trout and salmon. Just lately, I have been getting into more subsurface fishing than ever, due to the influence of friends like Laurin Parker, as well as Rangeley angler and fishing buddy, Steve Marsters. Both of these fellows, and their friends, tie some great subsurface stuff. Check out another friend’s (Will Pease) Facebook page (River Valley Flies) for some similar flies. I guess you could

Midcoast Report (Continued from page 59)

large mackerel hanging around under floats well into November. The old boys were right. Mackerel were there, and in good numbers. Why a certain percentage of the population of this pelagic species would

Trapping (Continued from page 60)

– a type of fungus that grows on the bark of birch trees in cold climates. It has been used for centuries in Northern Europe and Russia to boost immunity and aid overall health. Traditionally it is grated and taken as a tea. Recently, tailgaters at the trapping rendezvous and shows have been selling chaga. One can read about it online and decide if they would like to try it. It also may be bought in several forms online or in some health food stores. As in all natural medical products there are pros and cons to its use. Check with your doctor prior to using anything.

Trout Fishing (Continued from page 61)

playing the Highland bagpipes, but when Ty named one of his new flies for

say – and these friends might disagree – that we all have taken a little from the famous angler/fly tyer, Kelly Galloup, and others, and made our own flies that work for us. In the accompanying photo, you’ll see some of the flies I have tied or purchased for this “swinging” activity. They are chunky streamers for the most part … not to say that other streamers won’t work as well. A simple Black Ghost will do the trick, as will any other similar streamer pattern. This group of fishing buddies I have been with over the last several years seem to simply like the idea of “going big.” Me, too!

Here are some of the author’s varied fly selections for October trout and salmon fishing. William Clunie photo

choose to stay in sheltered harbors long after the rest of their kind had departed for offshore regions remains a mystery. But instead of wasting time pondering the why of it, I say get out and take advantage of some of the last, great saltwater fishing of the season.

Many Trappers in Maine, Including Women Today there are about 40,000 trappers in North America, and 4,000 of them are here in Maine. There are a number of women trapping today, and that number is increasing yearly. I have in past years met a number of women trappers who worked in the woods logging and trapped to supplement their incomes, just as many men have. It is interesting to hear of their adventures and what species they preferred to trap. Out-of-Staters Filling Classes Fur prices go up and down over the years. Times like now are hard times for one to realize a profit trapping. When prices increase in the future, some will me, that was the greatest honor of my life. And now Maine’s legendary flytier has passed away. I suggest that if anyone has any of Ty’s flies, you save

When game birds are scarce, the author takes his .410 shotgun out for gray squirrels.

quit good full time jobs to make money in the fur business. As the human population grows and wildlife habitat shrinks, there will be increased demand for those who can trap efficiently to reduce problems. One example of this is a large increase in people from Massachusetts coming to Maine attending our trapping courses so they can get licensed at home to do Animal Damage Control work, which pays exceptionally well in their state. This influx of out-of-state students has resulted in a lack of space available for Maine students in these classes. I believe Mainers should have priority, as our license fees and taxes pay for these courses.

them as heirlooms. Ty, his work ethic and his general likeability are gone. Peace be with you, my friend.

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64 • October 2022 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————

Deadly Cold “Bucky’s acting weird,” Sammy said. “He’s hiding in his tent.” “What happened?” I asked. “I don’t know,” he replied. “I think he got cold or something.” We were winter camping at Camp Gustin, an unimproved camping area owned by Pine Tree Council. Temps had hovered around zero, but so far things had gone pretty well. The scouts had slept warmly during the night, and they’d all had a good breakfast. Now they were getting their sleds ready for the Klondike Derby. “I gotta get back,” Sammy said. “Thanks for telling me,” I told him, and then I headed off to

Through personal experiences including those recounted here, the author has become a de facto expert on hypothermia. “Don’t be complacent,” he advises. “Read about it, learn to recognize the symptoms, and practice the rescues.” find Bucky’s tent. Providing Heat and Water “Hey Bucky, you in there?” I asked loudly. “What’s up?” I heard a mumble from inside the tent. Incoherent speech is one of the symptoms of hypothermia. I pulled back the flap and looked inside. Bucky was curled up inside his sleeping bag. I could see he was shivering, another sure sign. “Come on, Bucky,” I said. “Let’s get you warmed up.”

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Gary Theriault of Naples boated this massive 18.69-lb togue while fishing on Sebago Lake at 8:34 a.m. on August 26, 2022. “I was fishing with a giant Flatfish, and it took me a half-hour to reel him in,” Theriault told The Sportsman. “I had been hunting a lake monster almost every day for a month, trolling 4 or 5 hours a day. This was my reward.” Congratulations, Gary. www.MaineSportsman.com

I helped steady him, walked him out to the parking lot, and assisted him into my truck. I started the engine, and put the heater on high. Then I grabbed a canteen of water, and told Bucky, “Here – drink this.” Dehydration is another marker and cause of severe hypothermia. “Open your jacket,” I instructed, “and let the warm air circulate.” Can Happen Even in August This was not my first encounter with hypothermia. I had one scout get hypothermia at a summer camp in August. The boys were all enjoying an evening swim after supper, and I was on lifeguard watch. Teddy, a very thin boy, came up out of the lake, grabbed his towel, and began to shake. His lips were blue, and he stuttered when he spoke. “Hi-ii-i, M-m-m-m-i-s-t-e-r R-r-r-randall,” he said. “I’m-m-m-m-m cold.” The cool night air, a little breeze for evaporation, and that’s all it had taken – he was a skinny kid with no natural insulation, and he was hypothermic. “Come with me,” I said, wrapping the

towel over his boney shoulders. We walked across the pine spills to the health lodge. I knocked on the door and brought Teddy inside. “I think we might need to warm Teddy up,” I told the EMT. The medical clinic had a gas stove in the kitchen. We turned on the burners and opened the oven door and sat Teddy right in front of the stove. The EMT monitored Teddy’s pulse and temperature. Fifteen minutes later, the boy’s lips were back to their normal color, and he had stopped shaking. Know the Symptoms Anyone who plays in the outdoors should be well-schooled in both the symptoms of, and treatment for, hypothermia. The ailment can be deadly if not reversed. We had survival experts from the nearby Brunswick Naval Air Station talk to the troop about winter survival. Hypothermia was the main topic, including how to prevent it – how to stay dry; taking immediate action if you get wet; dressing in layers; and drinking lots of water. They got the boys’ attention when they

suggested putting a nearly naked warm kid into a sleeping bag with a nearly naked cold kid. Despite the seriousness of the topic, they giggled non-stop, entertaining themselves with jokes about girl scouts. Adults, Too Through experience, I seem to have become a bit of a hypothermia expert witness. A bunch of us were ice fishing on Moosehead at Spencer Bay. One night we rescued a guy who’d fallen through a pressure ridge on his snowmobile. He’d seen the spotlights on the shore and, soaking wet, stumbled across the lake to Casey’s Camps. We got him into the cabin, stripped off his wet clothes, wrapped him in a heated towel, and stuffed him into a sleeping bag. We helped him sip warm water. By the time the ambulance arrived, he was feeling warmer, and unlike when he’d arrived, he was able to communicate. ***** The point of these stories is this – don’t be complacent; hypothermia can happen even in the summertime, especially when water is involved. Read about it, practice the rescues, and learn to recognize the signs. Be prepared, and you might save a life.

�� The Maine Sportsman • October 2022 • 65

How Shall Ye Plea? One night in 1971 as I was riding through Smyrna with my supervisor, Virgil Grant, on our way to a stake out for night hunters, he directed my attention a large white house on the corner of Routes 2 and 212. He said, “That’s where Roy Gardner lives. He was a ‘Trial Justice’ up to the time they were all discontinued.” I asked, “What is that?” and Virgil responded by saying that when we got situated down on the Town Line Road, he would tell me all about it. Trial Justices A few minutes later, we had our vehicle secluded, gotten some coffee poured, and settled in. Virgil began to explain how, in years past, the state appointed some people to the title of Trial Justice, and they were empowered to hear misdemeanor crimes and civil violations, and to perform various minor judicial functions. However, after the formation of the District Court system in 1961, they were phased out. I was intrigued with this, as I had never heard of such a thing and urged Virgil to tell me more about this. He explained that he used to summons people to court there, but would always give them the choice of going there or to municipal court in Houlton,

As the trial began in the judge’s living room in Smyrna, the defendant tried to change his mind, demanding to be taken to the “real” courthouse in Houlton. How would that sit with the proud Roy Gardner, Trial Justice? whichever they preferred. So, as the night wore on I heard many stories about Virgil going to court at Roy Gardiner’s house in the late 1950s. Justice Helped Draft the Complaints Roy always held court in the evening, after supper, so Virgil would show up early at Roy’s to give him time to peck out a complaint on an ancient typewriter. Usually, Roy would ask Virgil, “What are we going to allege on this one?” Also, Roy would handwrite the case details in a logbook which he sometimes pointed to with a certain degree of pride and would tell Virgil, “See that book? We never lost a case.” Roy took a lot of pride in his court, and always wore a tie and long sleeved shirt with elastic bands on the upper arms to keep his sleeves in place. Court was held in the living room, where Roy had a small table that he sat behind with his gavel. Sometimes local people or friends of the respondents would attend if they had an interest in the case. Also, if everything went smoothly, Roy’s wife sometimes served up dessert for everyone

when court was finished. There was one major problem that often arose, as the Gardner’s had a challenged adult daughter who lived with them, and she delighted in teasing the accused about the fact that they had gotten caught. Warden Aubert Burnham and the Deer Snare In those days, Warden Aubert Burnham lived in Bridgewater and had within his patrol area Howe Brook Village, located on the shore of St. Croix Lake in T8R3. The Bangor & Aroostook railroad runs right along the east side of the lake, which was inhabited by only four full-time residents for many years. There were no roads into Howe Brook, so when Warden Burnham went there from Bridgewater, he would walk about half-way there, to Number Nine Lake in T9R3 where there was a warden camp, and there he’d spend the night. The next day he would walk on, westerly, to St. Croix Lake and return back to Nine Lake that evening; making it about a twenty mile walk that day. On one winter day when Aubert had

snowshoed to Howe Brook, he happened upon a snowshoe trail that led him to a snare, set to entrap a deer. He followed the trail the other way until he came to the camp of a crusty trapper by the name of “Jake,” one of the four residents of Howe Brook. Trying to snare deer is quite illegal, and Aubert summoned Jake to Roy’s court in Smyrna, as that was where Jake opted to go instead of Municipal Court. Jake would have to take the train from Howe Brook down to Smyrna, and Aubert told him he would meet him at the station on the day set for court. Court Date So, on the scheduled court day, Aubert and Virgil were at the train station waiting for Jake, but he was not on the train. They returned the next afternoon, and to their surprise Jake arrived. He was in a rather foul mood as they made their way to court at Roy’s residence, which was only a stone’s throw from the station. Once there, it took some time to get the paperwork all in order, and in the meantime Roy’s daughter

started in on Jake, saying “Ha, ha, ha! The wardens caught you! You have to pay a fine! Shame on you!” Roy had to send her to another room and tell her to be quiet, but by that time Jake was all worked up and agitated. Court is Now in Session Finally, they all went into the living room to hold court. Everyone got into position, with Roy behind his table and his daughter back in the picture as a spectator. Roy asked Jake to please stand, and he did so, but now he was clearly acting in quite a defiant manner. Roy read the allegation and then sternly inquired of Jake “How shall ye plea?” Jake had now changed his mind about which court he would rather go to, and loudly proclaimed, “I’m not going to plea a GD thing in this court!” Roy took that outburst as a horrific afront to the proper etiquette the court in which he took great pride. His face turned red and with a quavering voice he replied, “By Jesus, you’ll plea $100 worth!” and banged down the gavel, stating, “This court is adjourned!” There was no dessert served that evening.

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66 • October 2022 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————

Augusta’s Summerhaven Shooting Range The Summerhaven range is impressive facility staffed by dedicated and skilled volunteers. Just make sure you understand – and comply with – all the rules! In Central Maine, the days of going to the closest gravel pit and rifling off a few shells are long gone. These days, most pits are posted with “No Trespassing,” and the rare pits that are not poster are likely too close to residential areas for legal shooting. Fortunately, Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife maintains two multimillion dollar shooting ranges, one in Fryeburg and the second in Augusta. Whether shooters are looking to sight

in their firearm or archery equipment for the upcoming hunting season, target practice, or shoot for the very first time, all are welcome and invited to come to IFW’s stateowned shooting ranges. The Summerhaven shooting range is located at 211 Sanford Road, Augusta and is open for shooting both firearms and archery equipment. Range Times The Summerhaven range is typically open from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., M-F (sometimes

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till 5 p.m.) and hours also typically offered on weekends. Because the range is primarily staffed by volunteer Range Safety Officers, hours vary, so before going, do a quick Google search for “Summerhaven Range Times.” Note: In cases of severe inclement weather (major storm or heavy winds), the range is closed. While IFW has built an impressive public range, it’s staffed mostly by volunteers. I hope that new arrangements can be made in the future, since on many Saturdays and Sunday afternoons, the range is closed. Volunteers are urgently needed at the range. NRA-certified Range Safety Officers who are interested in volunteering their time to monitor shooting activity at the range can contact Craig Gerry, MDIFW Shooting Range Coordinator, for more information at (207) 446-4249. Archery at Summerhaven Range All archery equipment is welcomed, including longbows, compounds, recurves and crossbows. The range has six permanent shooting stations ranging from 15

The author’s son, Wildman, receives range instruction from one of the excellent volunteers at the Summerhaven Range in Augusta. Steve Vose photo

to 25 yards and some movable targets with ranges out to 30 yards. Shooters are also permitted to bring their own bag or block target if they choose to do so. Broadheads and hunting tips are not allowed on the range during regular range times; however, on special sight-in days, users can try out their broadheads and hunting gear to get ready for the season. A Lot of Rules It is immediately apparent that the Summerhaven range instructors are very serious about firearms safety, as they should be, and that the range itself is designed to keep all shooters as safe as possible. Shooter safety is also dependent on a lengthy set of range specific rules … a lot of rules. The range rules include all of the “normal” or standard safety rules that sportsmen would expect to encounter on a shooting range, and a lot of rules that individuals may not be as familiar

with. These more unfamiliar rules include, making sure that even an unloaded, cased firearm is pointed down range, and that all firearms brought into the facility for the first time be “proven” on the 50 yard range, before being allowed to be fired at the 100 yard range. And whatever you do, don’t step over the yellow line when shooters are downrange checking their targets. That includes, reaching for your water bottle in your backpack or attempting to grab your safety glasses off the shooting bench, both of which had me receiving a stern response. Speaking of water bottles, you aren’t allowed to drink or eat in the range area due to the potential risk of poisoning by lead dust – you must do so in the parking lot. Eye and ear protection is also required, even when you are nearsighted and unsuccessfully trying to use your (Central Maine continued on page 69)

�� The Maine Sportsman • October 2022 • 67

October Should Be Two Months Long! Pulling into the pheasant release site, I enjoyed a cup of coffee as the sun started to rise. Rylee, my buddy’s German shorthaired pointer, was anxious. It was my second season taking her on hunts, so she had been here before and knew the drill. As soon as I could see clearly outside, I got geared up and got Rylee into her vest and put on her shock collar (she’s still learning). I slipped two shells into my trusty Ruger Red Label 20-gauge shotgun, and worked Rylee along the edge of the field in the tall grass. She was birdy in no time, making tight circles that got tighter. They’d stocked the birds the day before, and the birds had roamed about, dispersing scent. Rylee locked up tight on a classic point, and I moved in. She broke point and corrected, quartering away from me, and locked up solid again. She then took two steps forward and held. I walked up on her, and a flurry of wings erupted to my left. Despite how many time this has happened, it still throws me off. The pheasant, a cock, managed to elude both barrels, and Rylee chased after the bird until I called her back. I chastised myself for missing what should have been an easy shot.

Pheasant, togue, turkeys, grouse and woodcock – So much to do; so little time! Second Chance We re-grouped, and she was soon birdy again. She locked up tight and as I approached her, a small hen pheasant tried to clear the grass but couldn’t. The bird went down a few feet away, and Rylee pounced on it, holding it in her jaws. I assumed the bird was injured, so I dispatched it and took it home to eat. Pheasants are stocked in this region in Windham, Gorham, Standish and Scarborough at least three times during the season. More details are available at the MDIFW website. Hunters with dogs fare the best, as these birds hold tight and make great training for pointers and flushers. But dog-less hunters can do well, too. You just have to really cover ground and virtually step on the birds.

The author hoists up a lunker Sebago Lake togue taken while trolling in October. Photo by Tom Roth

Fall Fishing Last year I kept my boat in the water until the end of October, and I’m so glad I did. I had some of the best lake trout and salmon fishing of the season on Sebago Lake (DeLorme Atlas, Map 5, C-1). Fishing primarily on Sundays, I got into some plump salmon and whopper lakers. I had few clients, as most of the summer crowd was long

gone, but it gave me a chance to enjoy some fishing for myself. Sebago Lake has an artificial-lure-only rule in effect starting October 1, and salmon must be released immediately. Lake trout can still be harvested under the standard regulations. Last year, Northeast Troller spoons in the orange crush pattern were very effective on salmon. I caught most of my lakers on silver and copper spoons. Turkey Time Fall turkey season runs September 19 through November 7, and I plan to get in on that excitement this month. Hunters can

take up to five turkey of either sex for the season, but no more than two per day. My turkey spot in Cumberland is loaded with birds, and it appears the hens had two hatches this spring. I may try to do a pheasant hunt, followed by a turkey hunt in the same day. Oh how I love this month! Upland Action Upland bird hunters also have grouse and woodcock to chase. I head north for grouse as a rule, but there are a few birds around here. You just have to hunt them hard and with a dog. Woodcock, on the other hand, are plentiful and hold tight for dog or for dogless hunters. I spent a lot (Central Maine continued on page 69)

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68 • October 2022 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————

Bird Dog Training: Negative Reinforcement Reduces Dog’s Passion This past summer, I had the wonderful opportunity to fish with Mike Hegarty, a fantastic Master

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time fishing for smallmouth bass with poppers on a fly rod in the Grand Lake Stream area, with plenty of time to chat about all the important things in life – family, hunting, and fishing (boats, canoes and kayaks, too). After reeling in a few fish, I turned the conversation to bird hunting. I had seen Hegarty’s great looking bird dogs on Facebook, and I wanted to hear more. I was pleasantly pleased to find that his style and philosophy of training is very similar to my

own version of teaching a bird dog to hunt. Hegarty said, “I heard someone say once that when you force a dog to learn a command, it takes something out of them. I prefer to let the dogs retain their passion, and gently encourage their natural instinct to hunt through positive reinforcement rather than trying to forcibly make them obey rigid commands given in a harsh manner.” I couldn’t agree more – I have seen hunting dogs successfully respond to

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trainers who make learning experiences a fun-filled moment. It builds on the dogs’ own passion, and bolsters their natural hunting desire. It creates a fun-loving dog that has a huge passion for hunting – my kind of canine hunting partner. Treating a dog in a negative manner if they don’t perform properly does not create the dog I want. This kind of dog responds to commands because they don’t want to receive harsh treatment such as (Continued on next page)

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�� The Maine Sportsman • October 2022 • 69 (Continued from page 68)

abusive or threatening language, aggressive prodding, actual physical abuse, or excessive e-collar use. Some trainers and owners also resort to negative treatment like making a dog sit and stay for a long period of time for not performing some unrelated tasks properly. Training Mind Set Please don’t get the impression that I am such an awesome dog trainer that I never get upset with my precious Ginger, an amazing, four-year-old Vizsla that is really coming along. During training moments, I often get frazzled to the point where I feel completely frustrated with her. When that happens, I try not to show any outward disdain for her poor actions, calmly move onto something that she can easily perform with success, give her plenty of praise, then end the training session. I

always keep training sessions short, ending on a good note, with lots of positive praise and maybe a treat. Also, don’t get the idea that I let my dog run all over me, allowing her to control every situation in the manner she determines is best. When Ginger attempts to do something wrong, I redirect her attention elsewhere and gently come back to the problem area to rework the issue until she gets it right … I want her to get excited about doing things correctly. By keeping things positive, I believe dog trainers can instill successful hunting skills and techniques without lessening a dog’s passion for hunting. I’ve seen a good number of dogs that perform in a moderate manner in the field because they are forcibly made to do so – these brow-beaten dogs have lost their hunting spirit. On the opposite end of the scale, I’ve seen champion hunting

Central Maine (Continued from page 66) prescription glasses to check targets through a spotting scope. I put mine on my head to look thorough the scope and again, was sternly reminded that was a violation. Overall Impressions I was, unfortunately, constantly stressed and feeling that I was doing something wrong, so it was an uncomfortable two hours. The staggering

Sebago to Auburn

(Continued from page 67)

of my younger years stomping around in an alder run with my trusty .410 LeFever shotgun, gunning woodcock. Those birds were so much fun to shoot (or try to shoot), and each one in the game bag was cause for celebration. Look for wet areas along rivers or

dogs that truly enjoy pleasing their master, at home and in the hunting woods. This Season Approaches I must admit, in my youth I had trained dogs with a much harsher approach – speaking loudly, ranting, and withholding love were all part of my foolish way to intimidate my dogs into submission. Sure, they put some game up for me, but as soon as they had a chance, they’d bolt and run and romp and do what they wanted to do. I grew out of that kind of negative training after watching a professional dog trainer out in San Diego in the early 1980s. I had the privilege of watching a master Schutzhund dog trainer train guard dogs, and it totally convince me to work on urging a dog into compliance through positive reinforcement … creating a dog that lived to please its master.

Maine Master Guide, Mike Hegarty, and his pack of bird dogs. Photo courtesy of Chick Hill Guide Service

Your dog is a living, breathing hunting partner – a friend in the field and at home, not a tool to be used and put away when the hunting is over. Dogs are very sensitive, and can actually feel this love and care you have for them. When they are truly “feeling it” they will respond with great enthusiasm – they in-

stinctively know this is what they were created to do and respond with a great urge to please us. Hopefully my dog will completely please me by retrieving a downed grouse this year … she performs so wonderfully in every other way. This fall, we shall see.

number of safety rules, while completely understandable, made shooting at the range work and not fun. Additionally, the Summerhaven Range is built similar to a concrete bunker, and this creates intense reverberation from fired shots. I wore both foam ear inserts and muffs and found the sound manageable; however, it made it almost impossible to hear directions from the range instructors, which further complicated safety communications. I can understand that the next time

I visit the range, I will have a much better understanding of the rules and regulations and be less stressed. However, that may not be in the near future. That’s because I am fortunate enough to have access to the Capitol Area Rifle and Pistol Club (practically across the street from Summerhaven), as well as my own private 100-yard rifle range, both of which will allow me to safely practice shooting without being concerned that I am violating any rules.

marshes, and you can find timberdoodles in this neck of the woods.

resident firearms opener. I introduced a young fellow to his first turkey hunt this spring and he is eagerly awaiting his first deer hunt. I am too! October should officially be extended to two months. There is so much of what we love about fall and fishing and hunting that it just seems too short. Someone should start a petition; I’ll gladly sign it!

Deer Days For deer hunters, archery season with both the regular and expanded season holds promise with predicted high numbers. I’ve had plenty of deer sightings in my regular haunts, and they look healthy. The annual youth deer hunt takes place October 22, a week before the

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70 • October 2022 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————

Bowhunting Tactics that will Fool Southern Maine Deer The author reveals the secrets of outsmarting experienced, pressured whitetails in Southern Maine and along the coast. First, forget all the methods you have seen or read about on outdoor shows and in print. The hunting situations featured in most of them are “controlled hunts” and take place on farms with food plots, bait, and with no competing hunting pressure. If you have the means and opportunity, then by all means book with a Midwest whitetail outfitter, and enjoy the high success rates on their farmraised big bucks. However, when you return to Maine, be ready for a reality check – now, you will be bowhunting real, wild, whitetails that, together with their ancestors, have been subject to eons of hunting pressure here in southern Maine. Your definition of a “shooter” white-tailed deer will become – much like mine – any deer without spots (consider meat prices today). The following are some in-depth methods that will improve your success while bowhunting our spooky, pressured deer. Don’t Underestimate Them Like our pets, deer have memories. Dogs and cats remember when it’s time to be fed and where you place their food. Whitetails remember where they have smelled your www.MaineSportsman.com

scent-trail, even if they only sense it a few days after you walked there. Local deer are always aware you are in the area or that you have passed by earlier. There’s only one way to fool them long enough to shoot an arrow, and that’s staying down-wind and never walking the area from which you think a deer will approach. Scent elimination clothing, if treated often and properly, can help you stay undetected, if you wear a full suit, rubber boots and with your pants tied outside around your ankles. Also, you need gloves, and a head cover that holds breath scent. This may gain you a little more time to get a shot off. Fitting In To have more encounters with deer, you should try to become a part of their natural environments and understand their tolerance levels. To establish the fine line that deer will accept and continue with their normal-daily patterns and what will cause them to become alarmed, try this approach. Enter your hunting area, sit and let the forest return to its normal rhythm, then close your eyes and listen. Anything outside those natural sounds will alarm a whitetail. The older and more experienced deer will

tolerate even less interference. Coastal deer have learned to accept some human, but deer in inland areas that have been hunted and do not have daily encounters with humans, will quickly react to you – and not in a good way. Consider a doe group that lives in their small, core areas for 274 days without any human scent, and then, on opening day of archery season, encounters your trail or airborne scent, noise, and physical alterations, such as treestands and blinds. Even the sound of your truck as you park in the quiet, still-predawn air can spook them. New Tactics To fool deer, try to locate ambush sites with consistent wind directions. This is difficult, with a cold, turbulent ocean combined with nearby mountains – but it can be done. Choosing a hunting location at the top of a ridge where the wind will remain from one direction can work. Once that wind flows over the top, it swirls in all directions, sending your scent everywhere, so try to hunt such that your downwind scent will flow where you don’t expect a deer to approach from. Plan to hunt the scent-free “kill zone” you have

A perfect ambush, if the proper tactics are used. Set up so human scent will flow across the pond and deer can’t get downwind of you. Then you can take advantage of deer trails that funnel around the water on the opposite shore. The author would recommend setting up a natural ground blind just left of the pond, when the wind direction is suitable. Val Marquez photo

created. If your human scent flows downwind, deer will soon detect you. They may not spook and run, but they will become alert and discontinue their normal patterns. An alert deer is nearly impossible to kill with a bow. Old Bones I’m too old to be climbing mountains in the pre-dawn darkness; also, it would spook every deer in the area. This season, I plan to slowly hike to high ground at midday and spend a few days and nights on the mountain where the wind is more consistent and also take advantage of the morning thermals. When I am bowhunting in the expanded zones, I will try to hunt along marsh areas – locations where winds carry my scent across the open marsh away from my ambush site. Also, the smell of marsh gas may act as a cover scent. These tactics should help keep my scent from deer and improve my

odds of success. Here’s another tactic – consider slipping into the woods when the birds start singing and forest creatures start scampering around in the leaves, rather than during the quite predawn darkness when sound travels well. Also, plan to hunt on windy, rainy days when deer have a difficult time detecting your presence. This season I intend to slip in the woods with a stool, and hunt from a natural-ground blind, before exiting as silently as possible. I will always try to keep my scent away from the areas through which I expect deer to approach – and if I can’t do this for any reason, then I’ll hunt another location. Most hunters know about scent control – how the wind reacts in their hunting areas – but few spend the time to become more in-depth with their bowhunting methods in order to take advantage of this knowledge.

�� The Maine Sportsman • October 2022 • 71

Five Reasons to Celebrate 50 Years of the Clean Water Act The federal Clean Water Act was enacted on October 18, 1972. It has been one of the most successful environmental laws in history. This month we celebrate the Clean Water Act’s 50th anniversary. Even with the US population increasing from 210 million in 1972 to 330 million today, the nation’s waters have improved substantially since the mid-20th century. Yes, we still have lakes, rivers and coastal waters that are declining because of stormwater or fertilizer runoff, soil erosion, invasive species, or dams. But overall, water quality is still much improved from the 1960s and 1970s. For people under 30, that might be hard to believe. Bad Old Days Almost anyone over 50 years old remembers how bad it was. Factories dumped chemicals and waste directly into rivers, streams and lakes. Raw sewage flowed from “straight pipes” in big cities and small towns. Dead animals, or parts of animals, floated by from meat processors. Streams changed colors depending on what dye the factory or tannery was using. Wetlands were filled, and river channels modified, resulting in massive loss of habitat.

It’s difficult for many folks today to realize just how bad waterways were treated up through the 1960s. Factories dumped chemicals and waste directly into rivers, streams and lakes. Streams changed colors, depending on what dye the factory or tannery was using.

The East Branch of the Penobscot is “fishable and swimmable,” thanks to 50 years of the Clean Water Act. Van Wie photo

Many of our major rivers were biologically dead. Not a fish or bug or aquatic plant living there. “Fish kills” – huge rafts of dead fish rotting in the sun – were a regular scene on the evening news. The People Spoke In the late 1960s, people were tired of the bad news and pollution. Thanks to Maine’s Senator Edmund Muskie, a bipartisan effort in Congress, and the brand new U.S. EPA, the Clean Water Act was passed when Congress overrode President Richard Nixon’s veto. The new law read: “The objective of this Act is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the

Nation’s waters.” Further, the water quality must provide for “the protection and propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and provide for recreation in and on the water.” This became known the “fishable and swimmable” goal for all waters. Clear Standards To do this, each state or tribe established water quality standards to meet the objective. If a state’s standards were not adequate, then the federal EPA established standards for them. Maine law defined classifications from AA to C for every water body in the state, each with clear “designated uses” such as for drinking water after disinfection, recre-

ation, or agriculture. The DEP then set water quality standards (e.g., how much dissolved oxygen is needed for trout to thrive) and effluent discharge limits that allow those standards to be met. Better Today The Clean Water Act has eliminated many of our worst problems from socalled “point source discharges” from factories, sewers and construction projects. It is tough to claim victory, as these challenges never go away, but there are certainly reasons to celebrate. Here are a few: 1. R e s u r r e c t i o n – Thousands of river, stream and shore miles brought back from the dead. With

proper treatment of industrial wastes and municipal sewage, rivers like the Androscoggin, Kennebec and Hudson are now fishable and swimmable (most of the time). We’ve reduced, and in some cases eliminated, direct discharges of dioxin, PCBs, DDT, mercury, chromium and other toxic compounds from Maine facilities. 2. Wetland habitat protected– It is now illegal to fill or dredge wetlands without a permit, under a policy of “no net loss of wetlands.” 3. Acronyms–Many of the Clean Water Act’s acronyms are important in helping to clean up our waters and keep them clean. Here’s a key: • BOD–biological oxygen demand–when untreated organic waste (like poop or pulp) goes into a stream, the natural bugs and bacteria that break it down consume oxygen. By reducing BOD, we get more DO (dissolved oxygen) for the fish. • TSS–total suspended solids–the gunk that clouds the water and mucks up your boat. Down with TSS! • TMDL– total maximum daily load–the calculated amount of pollution that can go in the water WITHOUT violating water quality standards. Total allowed discharges must not exceed the (Sporting Environment continued on page 74) www.MaineSportsman.com

72 • October 2022 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————

What Makes a Great Moose Hunt in Maine’s North Woods? It was our first afternoon of preseason scouting, a few days before the opener of the late-September bull hunt in Maine’s Zone 4. Wayne Sturdivant and I had just returned to our Maine North Woods (MNW) campsite – a beauty at the inlet to Round Pond (Delorme, Map 53) – when a young bull moose with a ragged rack appeared. He grazed in the wide-open area of the inlet, totally unconcerned with our presence, for more than an hour. At one point, he nearly walked into the campsite itself. We named him Tenderloin and, as we watched him, we leaned back in comfortable chairs, set up to catch the late-afternoon sun. Scouting Lite That afternoon set the tone for the next few days. The weather was the perfect balance of warm bright days and cool nights. The foliage was at peak intensity, and every woods road looked like a postcard. Sure, we continued

Has anyone else noticed that the best thing about a moose hunt in the North Maine Woods is not the actual moose hunting?

Allagash Mountain from Poland Pond. Andrews photo

scouting in a leisurely way. But we also slept late, cooked and ate big meals and then quit early to enjoy the campsite. Mostly, we scouted for streams and waterways deep enough for canoe navigation – our preferred method of hunting. Moose sign seemed to be abundant, and we maybe became a little too confident of success. Tenderloin came by the camp to visit three afternoons in a row. We sat and

Moose bog hunting stand. Andrews photo www.MaineSportsman.com

watched him for hours. It was Wayne’s permit, and he had nothing to prove, having shot his share of big moose over the years. We talked about what an easy mark Tenderloin would be. But the young bull’s personality grew on us as we watched his antics. We wanted a bigger moose, or at least a different moose. And we had that smug feeling that predators get when prey is abundant.

Visitors In Camp Wayne’s son-in-law Craig, and his 11-yearold grandson, Ryker, joined us at camp on the eve of opening day. Their plan was to go fishing, bird hunting and exploring while we hunted moose over the next week. On opening day, when Wayne and I left camp before first light, it felt like a Monday morning after a long vacation. We paddled and poled through mud so thick it threatened to swallow us

Wayne Sturdivant’s moose hunt. Andrews photo

whole. A local drought was making the canoe hunting a challenge. Meanwhile, Ryker and his dad took over our spots in the comfortable chairs at camp. • We sat in the mud watching moose bogs and gnawed on granola bars for lunch, while they fried fish they caught near camp. • We pulled the canoe over one beaver dam after another to get to remote ponds, while they hiked to the fire tower at the peak of Allagash Mountain. • They hunted partridge along sunsplashed woods roads, while we made endless and unanswered cow calls from an improvised blind on a steep granite ledge. The kid was having the time of his life. Tenderloin had, perhaps wisely, disappeared from the area. Wayne and I were exhausted. Last Chance On Saturday morning, a medium-sized bull finally came in cautiously to (Self-Propelled continued on page 74)

Young Ryker’s moose hunt. Craig LaPlant photo

�� The Maine Sportsman • October 2022 • 73

Off-Road Traveling with a Bird Dog Sometimes I feel like an unpaid chauffeur for my bird dog, Ginger. She sits there, tolerating the bumpy road and small seating arrangement, front legs crossed, nose in the air, with a look of total snobbishness. If you’ve ever seen a Vizsla, you know what I’m talking about – they have an air of royalty about them, as if they are looking down upon all else as peasantry. The good thing is this – my dog and I ride for miles in complete comfort, because I’ve taken a few mea-

When both hunter and dog ride the woods roads in comfort and warmth, it’s not about luxury. Rather, it’s about efficiency, and about not being all stiff and cramped up. That way, when the truck arrives in bird country, both hunter and dog can head into the woods and fields without waiting to stretch out and unkink their joints and muscles. sures to help us enjoy the long ride on the rough terrain typical of an outdoor adventure in the wilder areas of Maine. Sometimes I don’t think folks (even hunters) realize how many miles we travel in the outdoors in pursuit of wild game and fish.

I remember one trip I clocked 191 miles in one day, scouting across the Allagash region for moose. Riding that many miles increases the chance of something going wrong, and can also wear on you and your dog. There are safety and mechani-

cal issues to consider on an extended backwoods trip, as well as the comfort factor … backwoods travel can be bumpy, dusty, sloppy, and downright uncomfortable, but it’s always a wonderful adventure. I would never want to miss out on those trips.

Take a good first aid kit, leave a detailed plan of where you will be traveling, take a CB radio, and carry a set of tools to cover the possibility of a mechanical breakdown. With those details covered, let’s try and figure out the best way for you and your dog to stay comfortable on those long, backwoods adventures. Dog Tired Staying as comfortable as possible while cruising through the backwoods isn’t simply for the purpose (Continued on next page)

www.MaineSportsman.com

74 • October 2022 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————

The author’s dog, Ginger, rides in comfort. William Clunie photo

Off-Road Traveler (Continued from page 73)

of traveling in luxury – I’m not talking about buzzing around the logging roads in a Cadillac sedan. I have traveled in uncomfortable vehicles, and when it was time to jump out and hunt, it took my joints and bones a while to work properly. I want to eliminate this as much as possible.

I’ve got to think the same thing happens to my dog if she’s cramped and not riding in comfort for any length of time. I like to try and make the ride as comfortable as possible to limit the amount of “road-fatigue.” Wherever I travel with my dog, I am always on the lookout for a place to

Sporting Environment (Continued from page 71)

TMDL amount. 4. No backsliding– One of the best provisions in the CWA is the anti-degradation principle. When a water body improves, it must stay that way. Even with economic growth, our water quality is supposed to ratchet up, whenever

stop where we can both stretch our legs. During bird season, we are in and out of the vehicle so often that we don’t feel a bit of this road fatigue. Some guys carry their dogs in a box in the bed of the truck, and it works out fine for them. My dog does really well riding in the back seat, with a padded pillow. I like to keep her in the cab with me so she can stay out of all the road dust and noise. Either way you do it, in the cab or outside in the bed of the truck, there are a few extra things that make the ride easier on both you and the dog. Traveling Details Most thinking individuals will carry the essentials for traveling with a dog – a leash, a couple of dishes for food and water, and a dog pad to sleep on. Plus, we have already discussed the

first aid kit, and tools for mechanical issues. A nice extra that I find helps my dog retain heat during a long ride is a wool blanket. If the weather is chilly, I can stop without having to worry about her staying warm in the truck if I turn off the heater for a while. When she gets damp during a wet morning hunt on a chilly November day, I dry her off and wrap her up in that wool blanket, and she is just fine. I always carry a few dry towels for this purpose also … and if we happen to go swimming in warmer weather, we can dry off with the towels. A roll of paper towels is also always available for cleaning out her wet ears and drying off the seats of the truck. I also carry a roll of small bags made for picking up doggie poop if I’m near civilized territory.

possible. 5. Economic benefits– when a river gets cleaned up, it’s a boon for fishing guides, shorefront restaurants and hotels, cruise ships and pleasure boats in the harbor. Maine has cashed in on its clean(er) water big time over the past five decades. The Clean Water Act was successful in restoring and protecting Maine’s water bodies statewide. Most of our

Self-Propelled (Continued from page 72)

our plaintive cow calling. Wayne got off a quick shot before the bull could disappear back into the alder brush. A short, thin blood trail ended abruptly at the edge of the alder tangle. Wayne called in reinforcements. Craig and Ryker eagerly joined us in the search. It took us hours to reassure ourselves the bull wasn’t down or badly hurt. Riker’s young eyes picked out tiny spots of blood I missed at first glance. Wayne took time to explain to him how important it was to do this work. And how irresponsible it would be to give up before we were sure. www.MaineSportsman.com

White perch for dinner. Craig LaPlant photo

We searched in ever-widening circles outward from the last spot of blood. The four of us sweep-searched a big is-

I also make sure to carry more food and treats than necessary … you never know if you’ll get stuck out overnight, so it would be good to have a little extra dog food. When we travel, even on short trips, it’s nice to have a few extra treats for the dog, also. A lot of dogs don’t handle traveling very well at all, routinely getting upset stomachs on every trip away from home due to anxiety, feeding changes, different water, or a number of various travel-related causes. For these moments, I would resort to giving them a medication called Endosorb. This medication absorbs toxins in a dog’s gut that cause diarrhea, and can stop the problem quickly. This could save a lot of trouble for dog owners with this issue.

waters are now fishable and swimmable. Some Class C waters have moved up to Class B, and Class B up to Class A. We also jealously protect our signature AA waters, those outstanding natural resources of significant ecological, social, scenic or recreational importance. Now that’s something to celebrate.

land area we thought might have been the bull’s destination. Then we swept it again on perpendicular courses. It was late afternoon before we were satisfied the bull had suffered no permanent damage. Back at camp, Wayne and I put our rifles away and reclaimed our comfortable chairs to watch the sunset over Round Pond. Ryker sat with his grandfather and talked about a story he was writing for a school assignment on his week in the Maine North Woods. Turns out, it was a great moose hunt for everybody.

�� The Maine Sportsman • October 2022 • 75

Prepping at Home for Wing-Shooting Success The author discusses preparing for the upcoming season, learning from expert wing-shooter/writers like Brad Varney, and even the ethics of roadhunting, which he believes is a good way for many hunters to get some meat for the freezer. In this column last month, I hinted about getting in more shotgun practice before the season so I could (maybe) hit more birds when legal shooting time rolls around. Well, currently, it looks like I didn’t get in that extra practice, so I’ll just have to “wing it.” I had promised myself a few sessions with a professional wing and clay shooting instructor, but I got busy with fishing and family stuff, and just didn’t make the time. But wait – there is a way to improve your shotgun shooting right at home. Yes, it’s not as good as getting out to the range and pow-

dering a few hundred clay pigeons, but it will do in a pinch. Great Book I just read Brad Varney’s book, “Mainely Wing Shooting,” and tried some of his fantastic techniques for keeping in shooting shape during the off season. Mr. Varney is a true guru when it comes to wing and clay shooting instruction, with over 60 years of wing shooting and 45 years of instruction experience. His book not only shows you how to keep in shooting shape, but it takes you from non-shooter to dusting clay pigeons in a regular fashion. After try-

ing some of Varney’s tips and techniques for better wing shooting, I still hope to get out before bird season and dust some clays for practice. Sometimes I get a funny idea stuck in my mind, and it almost wears me out thinking about it. After reading the book and trying some of Varney’s suggestions, I feel like most of the birds I’ve hit in the past were just luck. This fall I hope to drop the grouse and woodcock on purpose, with direct hits, because I learned how to do it right from a professional trainer. Varney’s Tips I don’t want to go

Hopefully, says the author, his shotgun skill will improve through training before the season starts. William Clunie photo

into detail about the methods Varney suggests – it would take too long to write about it, and besides that, I want to encourage book sales. Just go and order his book. I got mine from Amazon. com, or you can order it directly from Varney at his website, varneysclaysports.com. The book details several methods of training yourself in mounting and pointing a shotgun smoothly. I’ve heard it from others before, “Don’t try and shoot so fast

that you mess up the mount.” Remember – you have more time than you think; it just doesn’t seem like it when that grouse is rocketing off in such a hurry. Some of the highlights in the book cover things that are tried-and-true but are worth remembering, such as keep your eyes on the prize; practice mounting and dry firing to lock in the muscle-memory; and don’t aim – just point. (Western Maine continued on page 77)

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76 • October 2022 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————

Last Hour, Last Day It finally happened! After 35 years of disappointing result days, my dad was finally drawn for a Maine moose permit in 2021! A Different Kind of Hunt From the outset, things didn’t go exactly as we’d dreamt. My dad always wanted to moose hunt out of our camp at Parmachenee Lake in Zone 7, but we ended up drawing Zone 12, instead. Beggars can’t be choosers, though, so we did our homework on the new area and found moose in some beautiful, but

It was Saturday of the author’s hunt week – the last day of the season, and the last hour of legal hunting time. All hope was lost, and the sun was about to set on his father’s 35-year dream of being part of a successful Maine moose hunt. ruggedly remote country. Those who have been on moose hunts will testify that the hunt is as much about sharing the experience with others as it is about the hunt itself. We were fortunate to have an invite to hunt out of a friend’s family camp close to where we were hunting. We were blessed with the best

of company to share the scouting, camp, stories, and hunt with. And there really isn’t anything quite like a father-son once-in-alifetime hunt. My dad has carried a gun on a couple of moose hunts with others and he even shot his own real nice bull in VT with his rifle. He has always wanted to hunt them with tradi-

tional archery, though. He decided for this hunt, he was going to carry his recurve bow exclusively. He practiced with it all summer and early fall. I got him a Montana Decoy cow moose, because I knew we’d have to call one in to close range for a shot. We put lots of time into scouting and learning the area,

and had either seen or gotten trail camera pictures of at least a dozen different bulls. No giants, but some respectable ones, especially for hunting traditional archery in a less-coveted zone. This is a remote hikein area and as hard as it was to resist the urge, we didn’t do any pre-season calling to educate them. It was going to be a perfect virgin backcountry hunt. Record Highs Then the season came. And with it, came the worst weath(Continued on next page)

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�� The Maine Sportsman • October 2022 • 77

Since the writer’s father was hunting with a recurve bow, they employed a Montana Decoy named Bella into their calling setups -- so that the moose would be drawn to walking broadside in front of them. Photos: Ethan Emerson (Continued from page 76)

er in the history of moose hunting. It was over 70 degrees and sunny every day of the season. Drenched in sweat from hiking 6-8 miles per day, our scent was as thick as the humid air. The sound of the call would not travel more than a couple of hundred yards – at best. The moose were just not moving. My dad and I are both fairly accomplished moose callers. Typically, we can get a response every three sets or so, at least one of which will present himself. But in over 50 calling sets for the week, we only got one

The upside of having 70+ degree temperatures every day of the moose hunt was an extended beautiful foliage season.

faint response – and it was traveling the opposite direction! Late in the Game Finally, on the second to last day of the hunt, we saw our first bull. We jumped him, and he was running side by side with a cow at about 75 yards. I was carrying a rifle and had the green light from my dad to shoot, since the odds of calling one in to bow range were looking pretty dire at that point. I only had a split-second shooting window, and I couldn’t get a clear shot off. (I think my dad was secretly overjoyed that I didn’t shoot. Not because he wanted the shot himself, but be-

Western Maine (Continued from page 75)

After reading the book, I know I’d really enjoy meeting Mr. Varney – he seems like such a great fellow, and an instructor who really knows how to teach, as well as a down-to-earth sportsman, hunter, and shotgun expert. Road Hunting Skills Now, if you are a road hunter who hopes to shoot birds before they fly, you won’t need to learn any of these wing shooting skills. Shooting a bird on the ground doesn’t involve shooting skill – the road hunter’s skill is in everything but the actual shot. Road hunters travel many miles in

cause we would have had to pack the moose close to three miles back to the four-wheeler. And it would have taken four trips up and down the steep mountain.) Last Minute Drama On Saturday – the last day of the season – in the last hour, when all hope was about lost and the sun was setting on the 35-year dream, we stumbled into a yearling bull feeding ahead of the looming rainstorm. He was about 75 yards away and locked onto us. Though I tried to convince my dad that he needed to use the rifle and shoot it, since it was his tag, he wasn’t having any of it, and

The writer and his father tagged this non-typical yearling bull (with a surprising 8 points) with 45 minutes left to go in the 2021 Maine Moose season.

insisted that I do the deed. With no time to argue and no hopes of other shot opportunities presenting themselves in the next 45 minutes before the season closed, I let the 35 Whelen bark a few times until the moose was down. Any moose at that point was a good one. I did my ritual adrenaline-induced vomiting (which my dad made sure to take video of…), and then thanked God for all that had transpired. Though I ultimately pulled the trigger, it is my dad’s Maine moose. And given all that we’d gone through to that point and the timing

a vehicle to spot a roadside bird, then get out and shoot it. Their skill comes in the technique for getting a shot off before the bird takes off. They must be highly skilled at sneaking out of the vehicle, loading up, and getting a shot off before the bird flies off. When I was growing up in Michigan, road hunters were considered slob hunters who were too lazy to walk the woods and shoot their birds from the air. Here in Maine, road hunting seems to be much more readily accepted. I’m kind of in the middle on this. I prefer to shoot a bird in the air, but if I’m traveling from one hunting area to the next and spot a bird in the road, I might just get out, load up and shoot it. It all depends on the situation. If I want a supper of grouse and haven’t hit

of when it all came together, it was obvious that it was a gift from above. We snapped a couple quick photos, and then the real work began. Under headlights, we skun and quartered it into game bags. Just as we finished and got all the parts loaded, the skies opened up into one of the hardest torrential downpours that I’ve ever seen. A wild ending to a wild hunt that I will remember and cherish all my life. Of course, the next day the temperature dropped 30 degrees, and the hills were probably crawling with moose ….

one on the wing yet, I might just drop the road bird. Call me a slob, but I love eating wild game birds. For me, I guess it’s similar to the way I think about catch-and-release fishing. I don’t shoot every road bird I see – hardly ever. I don’t take every fish I hook. Sometimes I’ll keep a fish, and sometimes I’ll take a road bird. Either way, I don’t put down those individuals who only road hunt. Maybe their physical condition doesn’t allow them to roam the woods on foot. If, on the other hand, it is just laziness, I have sympathy for the road hunter – they are missing out on so much. The pleasure of dropping a flying bird over a dog, to me, is one of the ultimate joys in life.

www.MaineSportsman.com

78 • October 2022 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————

“Paddling for Puddlers” Uncle Ron has duck hunted since he was a young fella, but for as much as I chased deer and hare with him in my formative years, I didn’t join him in a duck blind until I was nearly 40 years old. I doubt that I’ll forget that first opening morning. We paddled into a weedy pond in the dark, found the rickety blind, threw out the decoys and sat quietly. Wings whistled in the dark, then I heard a splash amongst the decoys. The sky began to glow in the east, but those birds lifted off before shooting light. “Wood ducks,” my uncle whispered, which I’m sure I was aware of before that moment, but I hadn’t ever pondered their existence. Now I needed to know more. What was then an unseen duck in the dark of a cattail blind has become one of the quintessential creatures of northern New England for me. One I am simply compelled to chase, joining brook trout, ruffed grouse, snowshoe hare, and whitetail deer. Get Going I’ve spent time in a duck blind, just like I have a deer stand, and while it can be exciting when ducks are pitching in to the decoys, I get impatient. I’d rather get going and try to make something happen. Thankfully, I’ve stumbled into floatwww.MaineSportsman.com

Hunting ducks from a canoe is tricky and unpredictable. Shots are fast and unexpected, with ducks taking off anywhere from far away to right next to the canoe. It isn’t the most effective way to bag a duck, concedes the author, but it sure is fun.

The author and his father Richard after a successful float trip. Matt Breton photos

ing for ducks. I have a number of rivers nearby that lend themselves to several-hour floats, with meandering courses that make every corner an exciting opportunity. We normally do this with two people, so we drop a rig off at the downstream take out. Three people in a canoe can be fun, but iffy at times. The tactics are simple. The guy in the stern tries to paddle quietly and set the hunter in the bow up for a shot. It is amazing how the ducks can spook with the slightest noise or visible flash of a wet paddle. We’ve gotten better at our concealment over

the years, and I think I bump the canoe with the paddle less than I used to. Shots are fast and unexpected, with ducks taking off anywhere from a far corner of a straight stretch of river to right next to the canoe where the duck thought it was hidden. We trade off paddling duties after a couple of chances. To be honest, it isn’t the most effective way to bag a duck, but it is fun. We’ve upped our odds by learning to park the canoe and sneak into sloughs and oxbows for jump shooting. We even carry decoys, especially on the

weekends, when we think spooked ducks might be looking for safety along the course of the river. The canoe I have is a rugged Old Town, so the knocks and scrapes on downed trees and hidden rocks don’t bother me too much. A little epoxy before spring fishing keeps it going. We have dumped the canoe and had some close calls with sweepers, so the floating part of the trip is the priority, as are personal flotation devices. When things look dicey, all it takes is a quick word from the bow paddler, and the stern hunter trades his shotgun for a pad-

dle in a hurry. After a trip or two, we know the sketchy spots, and things go pretty smoothly. Wood Duck in Hand My first wood duck was a few miles into one of our more regular floats. Dad had taken a few shots and we had switched positions, so I was running my 12-gauge pump in the front of the canoe. We floated a straightaway without anything happening, and the river turned to the right somewhat sharply. We eased around the corner, and some nice paddling by my father had us floating almost sideways into the bend so that I had a full view and could swing the shotgun comfortably across the width of the river. Just as Dad took a couple of strokes to start us moving forward, a drake woodie erupted by my right side, just a couple of yards from the canoe. My shock allowed the duck to get up off and then out over open water, far enough away that my pattern of #4 steel had time to open from my improved cylinder choke. I didn’t have time to think about the shot, which usually helps my wing shooting, and the duck folded and splashed into the river. We paddled to the bird and I lifted it into the boat. If you haven’t ever held a drake wood (Vermont continued on page 82)

�� The Maine Sportsman • October 2022 • 79

Smilin’ Sportsman

Former legislator and current Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine Executive Director David Trahan decided it was time to do some public relations work at an Augusta-area nursing home. As he walked down the main hallway, shaking hands with staff members and residents, he passed an elderly resident who didn’t seem to recognize him. Sensing this, Trahan stopped in front of the man and asked, “Do you know who I am?” “No,” replied the man, in a low, confidential tone, “but if you go ask at the front desk, they’ll tell you your name.” — Eb: “My computer’s password got hacked again.” Flo: “I hate it when that happens.” Eb: “Me too – this is the third time I’ve had to re-name my cat.” —

It’s important to have a good vocabulary. If I had known the difference between the words “antidote” and “anecdote,” one of my good friends would still be alive. — Elderly wife: “Let’s go upstairs and fool around.” Elderly husband: “Choose one; I can’t do both.” — A guy walked into a bar and urgently said to the bartender, “Give me a beer, before the trouble starts!” He drank the beer and ordered another, again saying, “Give me a beer, before the trouble starts!” The bartender was confused, but let it go for another two beers. Finally he asked, “Hey man, when are you gonna pay for those beers?” The customer responded, “And now, the trouble starts!”

www.MaineSportsman.com

80 • October 2022 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————

Doc Savage Saves Maine Mainers complain about tourists because they’re loud, rude and stupid. But we really need to keep that in perspective. The average tourist in 2022 may be obnoxious, but they’re nowhere near as horrible as the invaders who threatened this state in 1949. I became aware of this incident in a roundabout way. Abrams, a publishing company, sent me a release about a new book called Pulp Power. I figured it had something to do with how the paper companies used to run this state to their political and financial advantage. I asked Abrams to send me a copy. I really should read past the first sentence in these releases, because, as it turned out, the book had nothing to do with clearcutting forests or polluting rivers. The subtitle made that plain: The Shadow, Doc Savage, and the Art of the Street & Smith Universe. Perhaps Maine Provided the Pulp? Street & Smith published pulp magazines, the cheaply produced periodicals that dominated American newsstands from the 1920s until the late 1940s. S&S undoubtedly bought a lot of the pulp newsprint their mags were printed on from Maine paper companies, but that’s hardly the concern of this book. Instead, it’s a lavish collection of lurid cover paintings featuring overly muscular heroes, blazing guns and damsels in distress. It was big fun to peruse, but it didn’t have anything to do with Maine. How to Convince the Editor? The Shadow (the mysterious crime-fighter who knew what evil lurked in the hearts of men) spent most of his time in New York City. Doc Savage (The Man of Bronze) and his entourage traveled the globe to confront wrongdoers. Secret agent Nick Carter, the Avenger and a kid called Supersnipe (whose super-power was that he owned more comic books than anyone else) never came anywhere close to the Pine Tree State. In short, there was no way I was going to finesse the editor into accepting a column based on this book. Or maybe there was. Maine Connection A quick Google search revealed that Doc Savage visited Maine as the 1940s (and the pulp magazine era) came to a close. In “Up From Earth’s Center,” www.MaineSportsman.com

Our columnist explores pulp magazines to uncover a forgotten (and fictional) piece of the state’s history

Without the heroic assistance in 1949 of The Shadow, Doc Savage, Secret Agent Nick Carter, the Avenger, and Supersnipe, the State of Maine might be a very different place today. Illustration courtesy of Abrams Publishing and Blathersweet PR, LLC

Doc’s final adventure in the original pulps, Savage and a couple of his associates are hanging out on our state’s rocky coast doing that tourist thing. But they barely had time to steam a lobster before being confronted with a seemingly deranged man, Gilmore Sullivan, who’d been rescued from an isolated island. Sullivan claimed he got his brains scrambled while escaping from Hell, a destination he reached while exploring a cave. That seems like as good an argument as any against taking up the hobby of spelunking. Apparently, our heroes had had enough of fried clams and Moxie, so they decided to investigate. They soon encountered Mr. Wail, a little guy with supernatural abilities. And not in a good way. Wail claimed to be a demon. Not exactly Satan, but sort of an under-assistant, deputy sub-devil.

Into the Depths of … Heck? When another demon appeared and recaptured Sullivan, Doc and company forced Wail to guide them to the cave that leads to … well, it’s not too clear. It might have been Hell, but it could just be Heck. One blogger described the underworld terrain created by author Lester Dent as “Lovecraftian,” which wouldn’t be all that inappropriate, since H.P. Lovecraft did set some of his creepy stories in western Maine, where he hinted at eldritch monsters hidden under the hills. In Doc Savage’s case, there were trees with tentacles, boulders that sprouted multiple arms, and mini-Beelzebubs. Sort of like downtown Old Orchard Beach on a summer Saturday night. The monsters resisted bullets and blades, but Doc discovered they were afraid of fire, which seems like an odd phobia for diabolical creatures from a land of sulfur and brimstone. Doc used this weapon to rescue everybody and return to the surface world. He then dynamited the cave entrance, thereby saving Maine from an additional infestation of visitors with cloven hooves, horns and spiked tails. Much like New Yorkers. Is Mr. Wail Still Here? Mr. Wail had also escaped with Doc’s party, and was promptly arrested by the local cops for assorted crimes he committed during his brief stay in scenic Maine. But he vanished from his jail cell before he could be prosecuted. Wail could still be out there someplace, operating overpriced parking lots in Portland, thinking up new and more complicated fishing regulations, or running the University of Maine System. But we can thank Doc Savage there aren’t more like him. ***** Al Diamon writes the weekly column Politics & Other Mistakes for the Portland Phoenix and the Daily Bulldog Art for this column can be found at abramsbooks.com/pulp power (cover and interior art from Pulp Power) or at https://jamesreasoner.blogspot. com/2020/01/forgotten-books-up-fromearths-center.html (cover of the original Doc Savage story).

�� The Maine Sportsman • October 2022 • 81

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SUBMIT AD AND PAYMENT BY THE 30TH OF EACH MONTH AND YOUR AD WILL APPEAR IN THE NEXT ISSUE. FIREARMS VERY NICE MOSSBERG 835 ULTI-MAG TURKEY/DEER COMBO Finished in Mossy Oak Obsession. Shoots 2 3/4”, 3” and 3 1/2”. Has 24” ported turkey barrel, with fiber optic sights. Also has a 24” cantilever fully-rifled and ported barrel. Very nice shotgun. Asking $600. Have some sabot slugs, buckshot and turkey loads that could possibly go with it. Call/

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Manufacturing Technicians, CNC Machinists and more Tanner Wheeler of Bowdoin, Maine and his German Shorthaired Pointer, Canik, hunted mallards in Litchfield on a frosty morning in October, 2021. Canik, 10 months old and still in training, had to be tethered to the canoe, as she would jump out each time the shotgun was fired. However, the GSP quickly learned she would have to remain still in order to be part of a successful team. Photo by Kylie Munsey

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82 • October 2022 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————

Vermont (Continued from page 78)

Looking over the shoulder of the shooter while we float for ducks on an early fall day.

duck, it’s is a sight to behold. If a picture is worth a thousand words, seeing each of his feathers was worth at least that. Often described as iridescent, a drake wood duck has colors that look like you tipped over a box of 64 Crayola© Crayons, with green, orange, chestnut and purple. For a guy like me with an 8-crayon mentality, it’s an absolutely stunning critter. Plus, it’s good to eat!

If you’re interested in duck hunting, but afraid to try, my advice is: don’t be. Your deer and partridge hunting skills are useful on the water. It doesn’t have to be all blinds and calling. Pick your shots, work on bird ID, and be patient. It is another way to enjoy our woods and water. Remember to buy your duck stamps. Your purchase supports and protects the wetland habitat that provides a home to this magnificent New England species!

★ www.MaineSportsman.com ★ “The County to The Coast” (207) 532-4500

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www.FirstChoiceRealEstate.com 24 Acres in Solon, ME #3438 – Lovely Home with 1-2 bedrooms, full basement with two-car garage, separate camp on property, detached garage, and more! Storage rooms lined with cedar. Wooded land surrounding property – very private! Hunt WMD Zone #17, fish for salmon, trout, and smallmouth bass on the Kennebec River, ITS 87 snowmobile trail, ATVing, hiking. Drive less than 25 miles to University of Maine at Farmington or to Sugarloaf USA ski area. Don’t miss out! $280,000

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Carrying Place TWP: Remote, brand new cabin sits 250’ from the shores of East Carry Pond. Excellent hunting in zone 8, within gated roads with access to four ponds, plus private gated road to camp. ATV and snowmobile trails. Septic and well, propane heat. MLS #1537868 – $229,000

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�� The Maine Sportsman • October 2022 • 83

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Caryn Dreyfuss, Broker • (207) 233-8275 caryndreyfuss@morton-furbish.com www.realestateinrangeley.com

EUSTIS – Looking for views, then check out this lot in the scenic Eustis Ridge Overlook! Wooded 3.87 acre parcel recently selectively cut to enhance the beautiful Flagstaff Lake and mountain vistas. Rough driveway in, building site cleared, underground power in place. Access ATV/snowmobile trails from your door. Quiet, private spot for your fulltime or get away home - don’t miss out on this one, inquire today! MLS #1541633 – $99,500 RANGELEY PLT - Bemis Road, ATV/snowmobile right from this building lot! Level, well wooded 1.84 acre parcel (two .92 acre parcels being sold together) has been surveyed, soils tested/4BR septic plan (expired), power available at road. Enjoy 4-season recreation from your door - close to the AT, fly fishing on the causeway, public boat ramps, Oquossoc amenities. Low plantation taxes, town maintained road. Don’t miss out on this one – inquire today! MLS #1520779 – $83,000 SANDY RIVER PLT - Looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life? Check out this large acreage parcel located behind the gate on Red Moose Lane! The 31.77 acre wooded timber tract offers seclusion and privacy on semi-remote road not plowed in winter. Live off the grid, get back to nature! Deeded access to association waterfront on Beaver Mt. Lake, super spot in the heart of recreation heaven. MLS #1530298 – $100,000

MADISON – This is a must-see property. This newly remodeled and updated camp sits just down the road from the shores of Lake Wesserunset. Enjoy the privacy of a private road in a beautiful setting. The cabin features a main room with kitchen area, one bedroom, and a nicely appointed bathroom. The cabin sits on a concrete slab and features a large front deck to enjoy your morning coffee. There is also a brand new drilled well that services the camp. From this cabin you can enjoy four season of fun. The camp has close access to snowmobile trails and Lake Wesserunset is stocked annually with brook trout for the ice fisherman. Call today for your private showing. MLS #1539846 – $89,000 CARRYING PLACE TWP – 3+ acres of pristine woodland behind the Carry Pond gates. Here you will enjoy exclusive access to all the roads in the Carry Pond Road Association and have access to blue ribbon trout fishing in East, West, and Middle Carry Ponds. Also enjoy miles of small brooks and streams. Enjoy ATV and snowmobile access for three seasons of outdoor recreation. Great area for moose, deer, bear, upland birds, and migratory waterfowl. This lot is also close to Pierce Pond and dozens of other coldwater fisheries. Call today for your private showing. Appointment required due to gated roads. MLS #1537667 – $59,000 ANSON – If you’ve been looking for a secluded spot to put your seasonal camp, home or use for hunting and other outdoor recreation, this could be it! 25 well wooded acres with deeded access via a reasonably well maintained woods road. Enjoy the peace and quiet this property has to offer while only being a short drive to town and the Kennebec River. Power is approximately 3/10 mile away and would be roughly $3,500 to have brought into the property. MLS #1537419 – $49,900 HARTLAND – Surveyed 10.3 acre wooded lot on a paved, public road with town water. Power available at the road. Over 400 feet of frontage on Athens Road. MLS #1532083 – $44,900 ATHENS – 100 acres of prime woodland in the rural Athens countryside. This property features over 700 feet of frontage on the North Road, and good interior gravel road that bisects the property, and stunning views. This is a great property for the hunter. A CMP powerline also runs through the property and there is owned acreage on both sides of the powerline. There are multiple building spots for your camp or dream home. Power is available at the road and ATV and snowmobile trails are easily accessed. Call today for your more information. MLS #1529275 – $129,000 ATHENS – 5 partially surveyed acres, wooded lot, town maintained gravel road. Power available at the road. Access to ATV trails!!!! Sign is on property indicating 5 acres. MLS #1526833 – $35,000 RIPLEY – Approximately 46 acres of land on a maintained gravel road, with power available at the road. Great spot for hunting after setting up your camp. Currently in tree growth for tax purposes. Tax figure is estimated only. (23025Hb1000) MLS #1534664 – $86,900 SOLON – 105 acres of land on a seasonal dirt road. ATV and snowmobile access is right here. This property is currently in tree growth for tax purposes. Mobile homes allowed. MLS #1534221 – $123,900 10/22

WINN – This rural home on Military Road offers privacy, farm ponds, views, wildlife, and more. There’s a large, detached, 2 story, 3 car garage with workshop Only a few minutes from downtown Lincoln and about 15 minutes from I-95 What’s not to like? $375,000

ENFIELD – This large lot on Caribou Road is part of a larger parcel that the owner would consider selling. Not far from Cold Stream Pond. Public road frontage and a short distance from electricity make this a spacious lot for your camp or home, on or off the grid. $34,000

LEE – This nice 10 acre lot located on North Road has year round road access and electricity. The lot is nicely wooded. Come take a look. $21,900

Weston – Sandy frontage on Deering Lake. Crystal clear water and a beautiful cold water fishery. Year round access and electricity available at the road, this level lot would be a great place for your full time home or vacation getaway. $129,000

LINCOLN – Excellent 3.87 acre building lot located on Egg Pond with 284’ of water frontage. Lot also includes a nice dock. Driveway is in and power is available at the road. Direct ATV and Snowmobile access from the lot. $115,000

BENEDICTA TWP – Big acreage with year-round access on Benedicta Road with electricity available at the road. Tree regeneration is strong. Low taxes. Loads of great recreational opportunities in the area. MLS #1523102 – $169,000

WESTON – Sandy frontage, crystal clear water and a beautiful cold water fishery. Year-round access and electricity available at the road this level lot. MLS #1538380 – $129,000 WINN – Acreage. Views. Farm ponds. Fruit trees. A large, detached, 2 story, 3 car garage with workshop. This rural home offers privacy, regular visits from wildlife, storage along with room for the kids and animals to explore. Beautiful farm ponds and some interior roads help to make this property truly unique. MLS #1538665 – $375,000 LEE – Well wooded. Remote. Critters everywhere. Add in the good,clean air of Northern Maine and you’ve got yourself a ‘keeper’. This smashin’ little lot shouldn’t last long – call today for a guided tour. MLS #1527867 – $69,900

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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84 • October 2022 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————