The Maine Sportsman September 2022 Digital Edition

Moose Season Underway Sept. 26!

Sportsman The Maine

September 2022 • $4.99

For Over 50 Years!

>> Bring Back the Spring Bear Hunt P. 4, 19 >> Beer-can Bass Lures P. 46 >> Honoring 1963’s Heroic Katahdin Ranger P. 61 >> Lou Zambello on Stealth Trout Fishing P. 52

>> Maine Outdoor Trivia Contest P. 39 >> Outboard, Dogs, Real Estate & More for Sale P. 77

2 • September 2022 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————

Maine Sporting Camps & Lodges — A True Maine Tradition — im Pond CAMPS

Native Brook Trout Upland Game Bird Deer Hunting Moose

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

Haymock Lake (T8 R11) • 207-307-2115 P.O. Box 598, Millinocket, ME 04462 Mailing Address Only

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

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

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��������������������������������������������The Maine Sportsman • September 2022 • 3

FALL SPORTING AUCTION SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2022

Wildwood Function Center, Route 113, Steep Falls, ME Mark Your Calendars and Plan to Join Us for this Extraordinary and ** FINAL ** 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 Items from various other Estates & Collections. Following are the Highlights of this Auction as of 8/9/2022. 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; 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 HalfMount 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; (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; (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; 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; South American Boa Constrictor Snake Mount; 10’ Florida Alligator 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; 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; 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; Taurus PT-92 – 9mm S-A Pistol; Thompson Center Encore Pistol w/12” – 44 Rem. Mag. Cal. Barrel w/Sights; 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; 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. Single Shot; 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; Savage Mod. 1914 – 22 Cal. Pump; Savage Mod. 99 – 303 Sav. Cal. Lever; Springfield Trapdoor 50-70 Cal. Mod. 1863 Single Shot; Thompson Center “New Englander” 50 Cal. Smooth Bore Black Powder; Thompson Center “Encore” 45-70 Cal. Single Shot w/Scope; Winchester Mod. ’06 – 22 Cal. Pump; Winchester Mod. 67A – 22 Cal. Single Shot 22 Cal. Bolt; Winchester Mod. 1894 – 38-55 Cal. Lever; Yugo Mod. 48 – 8mm Bolt; SHOTGUNS-- 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; Mossberg Mod. 500 RT – 12 Ga. Pump; Mossberg Mod. 500 – 410 Ga. Pump; Parker Mod. VH – 12 Ga. Double Barrel w/28” Barrels; 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; (3) Round Gun Floor Stands; (2) Wood Hoppe’s Boxes; Etc. FISHING: RODS-- 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; 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; 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; 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 Driftwod 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; 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.

For more information, Please call: Jerry Giguere (Me.Lic. 00884) at (207) 892-3800 or (207) 233-8724 P.O. Box 1272, Windham, ME 04062 | auctions@fairpoint.net www.giguereauction.com

www.MaineSportsman.com

4 • September 2022 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————

Editorial The Time is Now to Bring Back the Spring Bear Hunt

New England’s Largest Outdoor Publication

Sportsman The Maine

ISSN 0199-036 — Issue No. 598 • 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

In his special bear-hunting section starting on page 19, Steve Carpenteri raises the issue of whether Maine could, and should, reinstate a spring bear season.

We believe the idea has merit, and we encourage Maine’s legislature and DIF&W to institute such a season on a trial basis for the spring of 2023.

Our state’s bear population continues to grow each year, and estimates peg current bear numbers at between 24,000 and 36,000.

Maine hunters and trappers currently take about 4,000 bear per year, and biologists tell us that number needs to increase to 5,500, to stabilize the numbers of bear in this state.

State policy-makers apparently have concerns that “the public” will oppose the reinstatement of such a season (Maine offered a spring hunt until 1980), based on the belief that hunters will shoot sows and cubs.

If that is a concern that’s derailing consideration of a spring season, then let’s deal directly with it, by providing mandatory education for spring season participants (similar to bowhunting, crossbows or – starting next year – first-time powerboat operators). Require the oversight of Registered Maine Guides, if necessary, to coach hunters and to ensure that bait sites contain standard bait barrels or other items to allow hunters to determine the size of bear at the site, to encourage the taking of large bear.

Canadian provinces, and several hunter-oriented U.S. states, currently hold spring bear hunts. Hunters seeking a spring bear season can now head north to Alaska, Quebec, Nova Scotia, British Columbia, Newfoundland or Labrador. They can also remain in the Lower 48, joining spring bear hunts in Idaho, Montana or Wyoming.

And what about in Maine? You can hunt here in the springtime, too.

That’s right – hire a Passamaquoddy guide near Jackman, a Penobscot guide near Patten or Stacyville, or other Tribal guides Downeast, and enjoy a full-service hunt – in the springtime.

It’s time to bring back the spring bear hunt. It will be good for wildlife management, good for the guide industry, and – since many customers are from out-of-state – good for our state’s economy. And, through lottery or license sales, it will be good for DIF&W’s bottom line.

¶

Moose Season Begins This Month!

Maine’s moose hunting kicks off September 26, with a one-week bulls-only season in various WMDs for permit-holders assigned to that week. A second bulls-only week starts October 10. Those are followed by three antlerless moose weeks in WMD 4A, the so-called Adaptive Unit, a hunt designed to reduce moose density in the area. Maine residents-only day in WMDs 15 and 16 is October 29. Good luck to all permit-holders and subpermittees!

Bull moose photo by Presque Isle wildlife photographer Paul Cyr www.MaineSportsman.com

Almanac by Will Lund.................................................... 11 A Ranger on the Allagash by Tim Caverly.................. 61 Aroostook - “The County” by Bill Graves..................... 40 Big Game Hunting by Joe Saltalamachia.................. 23 Big Woods World by Mark Scheeren........................... 26 Central Maine by Steve Vose....................................... 58 Cooking Wildly by Kate Krukowski Gooding............... 48 Downeast Region by Jim Lemieux............................... 54 Editorial.............................................................................. 4 Freshwater Fly Fishing by Lou Zambello....................... 52 Jackman Region by William Sheldon.......................... 46 Jottings by Jon Lund........................................................ 8 Katahdin Country by William Sheldon......................... 43 Letters to the Editor.......................................................... 6 Maine Sportswoman by Christi Holmes....................... 39 Maine Wildlife by Tom Seymour................................... 15 Maine Wildlife Quiz by Steve Vose............................... 27 Midcoast by Tom Seymour........................................... 57 Moosehead Region by Tom Seymour......................... 49 New Hampshire by Ethan Emerson.............................. 72 Off-Road Traveler by William Clunie............................ 44 Outdoors & Other Mistakes by Al Diamon.................. 76 Quotable Sportsman by Will Lund.................................. 9 Rangeley Region by William Clunie............................. 67 Riding Shotgun by Robert Summers............................. 75 Saltwater Fishing by Barry Gibson................................ 32 Sebago to Auburn Region by Tom Roth..................... 64 Self-Propelled Sportsman by Jim Andrews.................. 63 Shooter’s Bench by Col. J.C. Allard............................. 36 Smilin’ Sportsman by Will Lund...................................... 75 Snapshots in Time by Bill Pierce.................................... 10 Southern Maine by Val Marquez................................. 66 Sporting Environment by David Van Wie.................... 56 Tidewater Tales by Randy Randall............................... 62 Trapping The Silent Places by David Miller.................. 59 Trading Post (Classifieds)............................................... 77 Trout Fishing by Tom Seymour....................................... 51 True Tales from the Warden Service by Ret. Lt. Doug Tibbetts.38 Vermont by Matt Breton............................................... 74 Western Maine Mountains by William Clunie.............. 70

GUEST COLUMNS & SPECIAL SECTIONS

ATVing in Maine by Steve Carpenteri......................... 16 Bear Hunting in Maine by Steve Carpenteri............... 19 GUEST: Synthetic Deer Lures by Staci Warren............. 22 Saltwater Fishing by Sam Wheeler............................... 28 Shooting Sports by Brad Varney................................... 34 Turkey Hunting in Maine by Blaine Cardilli.................. 69

��������������������������������������������The Maine Sportsman • September 2022 • 5

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

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6 • September 2022 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————

Letters To The Editor

A Fan of Andrews (1) To the Editor: I have enjoyed Jim Andrews’ columns in The Maine Sportsman for many years.

When I started reading his August 2022 column titled “Why New England Sportsmen Should Care About Uvalde and Buffalo,” I was prepared for another “No gun control at any cost” article.

His column was anything but. Well thought out, eloquently written, and courageous, I might add.

In these days of political extremes, it has always seemed to me that the most rational positions on these issues are to be found somewhere in between.

To his point, without being at the table as a gun owners, we relinquish our vital role in determining what these reasonable regulations might be.

Jerry Scribner – Belgrade, ME

A Fan of Andrews (2)

A Fan of Andrews (3)

To the Editor: I read with great interest the “Self-Propelled Sportsman” column, by Jim Andrews, in the August, 2022 issue of The Maine Sportsman.

Jim correctly states that the right to bear arms comes with responsibilities. I think most gun owners agree that the fact that in many states, almost any young person can buy an assault weapon on their 18th birthday is a problem.

To the Editor: Years ago, in a most memorable piece of writing, Jim Zumbo professed his dislike of military-type rifles being introduced to our sport of hunting. He called them “black guns.” Zumbo’s narrative cost him his position at Outdoor Life.

Jim Andrews wrote a piece in the August Maine Sportsman that should be required reading at the purchase of every firearm.

To me, Zumbo and Andrews are in the same admirable league, and both came to the same conclusions.

I know many African and Alaskan guides who sometimes must go into heavy cover to sort out a wounded (and often well-hit), dangerous animal. If a few rounds are good enough for them, then that is sufficient, too, for me.

Joseph N. Weiss, Ph.D. – Clarence, NY

Taking the position that all attempts at regulating gun purchase and their use are to be resisted, is contrary to how responsible sportsmen and women use their guns, and is ultimately self-defeating.

I applaud Jim Andrews as a sportsman willing to take an undoubtedly controversial stand on this issue.

Paul Cain – Oxford, ME

—

NOW AN AUTHORIZED

—

Not a Fan of Andrews To the Editor: This guy [Andrews] doesn’t need to be writing for a hunting/gun publication. His August 2022 column is disgusting anti-gun pro-government intrusion/ loss of rights.

Numb as a hake he is … totally

DEALER

(Continued on next page)

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��������������������������������������������The Maine Sportsman • September 2022 • 7 (Continued from page 6)

wrong on gun ownership, taking on an absolute right of 18-year-olds.

Must be a grandma’s boy Democrat.

Stupid is as stupid does.

[Name withheld] – Woolwich, ME —

woodpeckers, but I have to respectfully disagree with Steve Vose (see “Maine Wildlife Quiz,” August 2022) when he states that woodpeckers don’t produce vocal songs.

I have Pileated pairs in my woodlot, and I’ve observed them while deer hunting.

How Long Will Mid-Coasters Be Chunking for Stripers This Fall?

To the Editor: I really enjoyed Barry Gibson’s article on chunking. I have caught a lot of stripers over the years, mostly small- and medium-sized, but some up to 38”, using chunks of mackerel.

I learned a few things from his article.

How late into the fall on the midcoast does he think the fishing will be good this year?

Jeff Lyons – Manchester, ME The columnist responds: Hi Jeff – Thanks for the nice words. It’s hard to say exactly how long the bass will remain in Maine this fall, but given that the water is pretty warm, I would guess mid-October at least.

Tonya Fletcher caught this nice 34” striper off Kennebunkport last year.

Christi Holmes photo

The river bass (especially in the Kennebec) tend to stay the longest, because the water there remains warmer longer than it does in the open bays and shorelines. I have had some excellent trips in the past on Columbus Day weekend.

Barry Gibson, “Salt Water Fishing” columnist —

Some Woodpeckers Can Vocalize To the Editor: I enjoyed reading about our

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Sea Lampreys May Have an Ecological Niche, but Boy, are They Scary!

To the Editor: I’d like to offer my personal observations following up on David Van Wie’s Sporting Environment column about sea lampreys (see “Sea Lampreys Returning to Maine Rivers Sign of a Healthier Ecosystem,” May issue).

The reader is correct – these are scary-looking fish!

Back in the early 1990s, my dad and I were catching mackerel in Saco Bay, and we caught a mackerel with a lamprey on it.

Then, a little later, we caught another mac with a lamprey on it.

I will have to say – these were the scariest-looking fish I have ever seen.

They popped off the mackerel, and I chucked them back into the water.

Steve Clark – Dover-Foxcroft, ME

¶

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8 • September 2022 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————

Lead Ammo: The Elephant in the Room?

Mark McCollough is an excellent outdoor writer. His pieces are well-founded in science, and solid in their reasoning. He writes for another northeast outdoor publication.

In May, 2014, he penned a column entitled “Lead in Our Game Meat?”

The column pointed out that lead is a highly poisonous substance, a fact that has been known for many years. That is the reason lead has been banned in auto fuels and paints. However, lead can occasionally be eaten by an adult without any obvious bad effects, although for a young or unborn child, exposure to lead can cause permanent damage.

What is it going to take, asks the author, to convince hunters to change their choice of ammunition, for the sake of scavengers in the wild, and – more important -- for the protection of humans who eat the game meat?

Even if you remove an occasional lead pellet at the dining table, marinating and cooking the meat may cause lead to be distributed throughout the meat.

Lead also affects wildlife. A fleck the size of a few grains of sand will cause death to an eagle. The practice of passing unsaleable venison meat scraps on to trappers may be an additional source of lead to scavenging wildlife. Research has shown that a single #6 shotgun

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pellet contains enough lead to kill three eagles.

Impact on Humans Lead fragments in deer meat became an issue in North Dakota, where 60 out of 100 packages of venison given to Hunters For The Hungry were found to be contaminated with lead. Venison ground meat contained more lead than whole cuts.

A study in Minnesota found 26% of commercially ground venison contained lead fragments. Venison from hunters who processed their own meat showed similar results.

Minnesota re-

searchers found that high velocity center-fire bullets, which are designed to expand quickly, left many lead fragments, while lower velocity projectiles like shotgun slugs and muzzleloader loads left less lead. Most of the lead was within five inches of the wound channel, but some fragments were as far as 18 inches away.

What about the effect on humans? Medical studies have shown that low levels of lead in adults can contribute to high blood pressure, and problems with short term memory.

A study in North Dakota found that

residents in that state who ate game shot with lead ammo had a small but statistically significant increase in the lead level in their blood, compared to that of non-game eating residents.

Deafening Silence I thought that the information that lead fragments can be found in deer meat as far as a foot and a half from the wound channel was startling information and would shock hunters into exploring the use of copper or other nonlead alternatives, or to challenge McCollough’s findings as bogus and anti-hunting propaganda, as took place when lead based waterfowl ammunition was banned years ago.

But, no. The following month, I looked for Mark McCollough’s (Continued on next page)

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

next column and could not find it. Zip. Nada.

Nothing there from him. And no letters to the editor labeling Mark as a tool of the anti-hunters, or a good human-health watchdog. No letters thanking Mark for alerting deer hunters to a health threat that can be minimized.

Two months later, Mark’s column resumed its appearance,

but no reference or explanation for the missing month Almost eight years have crawled by.

I shoot my old Corlokt Remington 30/30 ammunition at sighting-in time, and load the Remington Model 788 and clip with copper Barnes triple shock bullets @ $1.60 per shot at hunting time.

Two seasons ago, one shot with the

Quotable

Sportsman

by Will Lund

“That’s the last time I wore anything department-issued while undercover.”

William Livezey, in his book “Let’s Go for a Ride: The Wild Life of Maine’s Longest-Tenured Undercover Game Warden.” As part of his cover, Livezey was “arrested,” together with Big Steve, a renowned poacher. When he and Big Steve were handcuffed and standing beside a group of arresting wardens, Livezey looked down and realized his boots exactly matched those worn by the wardens.

— “Just don’t accidentally hit ‘record’ and live stream your, um … live stream.”

Press release from American Technologies Network Corp., promoting use of their thermal digital and thermal long-distance scopes as a way to let wilderness campers find their way to the outhouse in complete darkness.

According to the promotional material, use of the scopes is “a way to turn a bump-in-the-night bathroom break into a night-vision, thermal imaging experience.”

Barnes copper bullet dropped a young buck in its tracks.

The 150-grain bullet mushroomed perfectly, and still weighed 150 grains on the reloading scale.

Is the threat of lead rifle ammunition to human health and the health of wildlife like the elephant in the room that no one wants to talk or write about?

¶

The author has been convinced by the science, and now he loads his .30-30 with all-copper bullets, which have proven effective for him. Photo: Barnes Bullets

“We do not need to take some types of firearms away from all Americans, but instead we should work to keep all firearms out of the hands of felons and those who have demonstrated that they are at serious risk of committing harm to themselves or others.”

Maine Rep. Jerod Golden, commenting on Congressional negotiations on firearms legislation. Rep. Golden is working with Sportsmans Alliance of Maine to craft a balanced approach to gun ownership issues.

— “BOOYAH Poppin’ Pad Crasher Jr.” This month’s Maine Sportsman nominee for the best-named bass lure.

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— “When a young reporter … asks how politics could possibly dull the luster of a wilderness experience in a remote place [such as the Allagash], Cummings reminds her that politicians have but three goals: to get reelected, to appoint cronies into decision-making positions, and to reap financial reward ….”

Excerpt from a favorable review by Lee Downing, Library Director, Porter Memorial Library, Machias of Tim Caverly’s most recent book, “From Within: Intrigue on the Allagash,” a fictionalization of events and people met during

Caverly’s time as Superintendent of the Waterway.

— “As gun owners, women are different [from men]. They are analytical and take the time to research firearm technology and take gun safety classes and training.”

Jason East, President of Adams Arms, Brooksville FL. In further comments to The Maine Sportsman, East was enthusiastic. “We at Adams Arms see new women gun owners as very tech-savvy in researching, and willing to learn about new technology,” he explained. “As a result of all their research, they typically buy high-end products. Women are increasingly researching firearms technology, training, and self-defense. Their level of proficiency, skill, and willingness to learn is refreshing.”

— “Three new whiskies become part of the ‘Cask & Release’ lineup.”

A press release from Dry Fly Distilling, of Spokane, WA. “Every angler knows why Catch & Release is important,” explained the company, “[elements including] sustainability, bigger fish and healthier populations. We channel that same philosophy into our ‘Cask & Release’ Whiskey Series.”

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10 • September 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————

“Snapshots in Time”

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

Hunting Upland Birds from the Cow-Catcher in 1896 It’s August, and the trees around the wetlands soon will begin to show fall their colors.

The changing air itself conjures up anticipation for the days we will again pursue the King of Game Birds, PAHTRIDGE! When it comes to bird hunting, I am more of a Universalist. I do not condemn those who do not own a birddog and desire to travel the backroads to “ground-swipe a few biddies.” In the mind of many among the more orthodox purists, I should be banished to hell for that last sentence. To them I can only reply… “Let Ye amongst us who has not sinned, cast the first high brass #7-1/2”!

What follows shares the unrestrained passion of a pre-automobile road hunter. Have a great fall and be ye convicted (not legally) as you create some outdoor history of your own.

(The following has been edited for space purposes.) ***** From RANGELEY LAKES newspaper, Oct. 22, 1896

Partridge Railroad Hunt

Speaking of accommodating officials on the different railroads, it would seem that those running on the train of the Phillips and Rangeley railroad should www.MaineSportsman.com

A “cow-catcher,” the v-shaped fence structure on the front of the engine, pushed aside obstructions on the track to prevent derailments, but also provided a great gun position for an early roadhunter.

be presented with the “blue ribbon,” for the careful attention they pay to its passengers, and when one asks for a favor, if it is in the power of trainmen, it will be granted.

The other day, many jolly drummers were seen while coming up the line, and the entire party was well-supplied with ammunition.

Among the number of passengers was William L. Gerrish, of Portland. The fireman had told of seeing partridges nearly every trip, and this rather enthused the party and started the sporting blood in Mr. Gerrish’s veins to flow more fiercely. After

it had made several trips through his anatomy, the gentleman was prepared to face most any obstacle to get even a shot at the almost numberless birds that inhabited the woods on either side of the railroad track.

“I have it!” he exclaimed, and a moment later his actions were causing as much comment among his fellow passengers as would a flash of lightning from a cloudless sky.

He arose, took his gun from its case, inserted a couple of cartridges, and started for the door of the caboose. “Where are you going, Gerrish?”

asked one. “Going to shoot a partridge,” replied he.

At first, they thought he had become suddenly insane and was going to jump from the train, but this idea was soon dispelled from their minds, for a moment later all that could be seen of this erratic sportsman was his patent leathers dangling from the top of the freight car. A moment later he had entirely disappeared from view.

Had he fallen from his lofty seat on the freight car? His companions went to the door and peeped out.

They looked back, and nothing could be seen.

By the time his friends had given up the hunt, a train-hand came, and seeing the anxious look upon their faces, assured them the missing member was safe and sound, warming his back against the boiler on the cow-catcher.

He had gone from the caboose, over the cars, through the engine and seated himself in this conspicuous place, watching for the “enemy.”

He had not long to wait, for right ahead he spied a beautiful bird. He put his gun to his shoulder and blazed away. The train was brought to a standstill and in running back, he procured his prize and was told to hurry up and get aboard at once. But he stubbed his toe and fell upon the railbed.

The train started on. Undaunted, the man arose and started for the woods to find the dead bird’s mate.

Soon it was growing dark, and he was several miles from Rangeley. “It’s about time for the night train,” he thought.

“No time to lose.” He then made a torch and signaled the oncoming train.

On arrival, he was greeted with a hearty handshake by his many friends who were anxiously awaiting the arrival of the “Cow-Catcher Hunter.”

¶

Almanac

������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • September 2022 • 11

Three Minutes with a Maine Guide

by Lisa DeHart

The Tumpline – An Ancient Way To Carry Tumplines have been used by indigenous peoples all over the world to carry heavy loads, for hundreds of years.

The word tumpline is believed to be an English version of the Algonquian word mattump or metump.

It is essentially a piece of leather or heavy fabric shaped very much like a belt that allows a person to carry tremendous weights on the skeletal structure of their spine rather than off the muscle structure of the back, shoulders and hips. It does this by anchoring the load on the top of the head.

Compiled and Edited by — Will Lund —

by simply bending at the waist.

The owner of the outdoor gear company Patagonia has long been a fan of the tumpline. Here is one of my favorite quotes from Yvon Chouinard: “Everest Sherpas use tumplines, but Americans still insist on backpacks with hip belts.

You tell me: who is the professional?”

Here, the author uses a traditional “tumpline” -- a padded strap positioned high across her forehead -- to take some of the weight of a heavy pack off her shoulders.

A French colonial administrator, François Pierre Rodier, receives a ride on the back of his translator’s wife in Burma in 1900. In his diary, Rodier wrote of his amazement at locals who carried huge weights in baskets on their backs. Photo: National Archives of India. Research: John D. Kelly, Ph.D.

The weight of the load is connected to the top of the head, allowing full expansion of the chest, so the person can breathe deeply. No annoying chest strap. The structure of the spine absorbs one-third of the weight of the load, so a 60-pound pack now FEELS like 40.

It also gives you the most control once you begin going uphill. The bigger the load, the more you can compensate

Like everything in the outdoors, practice makes perfect. Start with the strap just above your hairline, experiment with smaller weights and then add more as you get better at it. Keep the shoulder straps on while learning – it helps to stabilize the load.

Those who have taken the time and practice to achieve the skill of using a tumpline can carry 60% of their body weight.

My packs all have tumplines. I also have a leather tumpline I can attach to my canoe for portages. This is really nice because once tied to the portage yoke and attached to my head, the canoe doesn’t slip off my shoulders.

—

Lobstermen Can Fish Starting at 4 a.m. in September Thanks to Public Law Ch. 498, “An Act To Extend the Legal Hours for Harvesting Lobster in the Month of September,” lobstermen can start hauling traps a 4 a.m. beginning September 1.

Previously, the law required lobstermen

to wait until October to start their early-morning hauling.

—

Youth Fall Turkey Day September 17, 2022 That’s right – it’s time for Maine’s fall wild turkey season!

Here are the dates, daily limits and season limits: • Equipment allowed: bow and arrow, crossbow and shotgun • Youth fall turkey day: Saturday, September 17, 2022 • Wildlife Management Districts 15-17, 20-25: September 19, 2022 - November 7, 2022. Seasonal bag limit: 5 turkeys, either sex, any age; Daily bag limit: 2 • Wildlife Management District 26: September 19, 2022 - November 7, 2022. Seasonal bag limit: 3 turkeys, either sex, any age; Daily bag limit: 2 • Wildlife Management District 28: September 19, 2022 - November 7, 2022; Seasonal limit: 2 turkeys, either sex, any age. Daily limit: 2 • Wildlife Management Districts 6-8, 10-14, 18, 19, 27, and 29; September 19, 2022 - November 7, 2022; Limit: 1 turkey, either sex, any age; Daily limit: 1 • Wildlife Management Districts 1-5 & 9: Closed to the taking of wild turkeys Overall, hunters may take up to five wild turkeys for the fall season, but they cannot exceed an individual WMD bag limit. The order in which the birds are taken does not matter, so be aware of the WMD in which you are hunting. To see Maine WMD map, go to www.maine. gov/ifw/hunting-trapping/, then scroll down and click on the “Wildlife Management Districts” link.

See Blaine Cardilli’s fall turkey hunting tips on page 69.

(Continued on next page) www.MaineSportsman.com

12 • September 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————

Almanac

(Continued from page 11)

Audubon Supports Phase-out of Lead Ammo at Maine National Wildlife Refuges According to Maine Audubon, increasing numbers of bald eagles are being treated for lead poisoning in Maine, as the result of their feeding on the carcasses of animals shot with lead ammunition.

Two of southern Maine’s National Wildlife Refuges – Rachel Carson and Great Thicket – are proposing to transition away from the use of lead ammunition on their properties over a 4-year period.

Photo: Maine Audubon

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According to Audubon, there’s a well-established link between lead ammunition and the poisoning of scavenging animals like bald eagles, ravens, blue jays, turkey vultures and other wildlife that ingest lead bullet fragments left in deer carcasses or gut piles.

“Increased education on use of nonlead ammunition is needed,” said Advocacy and Outreach Manager Nick Lund, “and this proposed phase-out on two southern Maine refuges is a good place to start.”

— Wilderness First Aid

Treestand Hunters: Wear that Harness

by Stacey Wheeler, RN

The most common accidents that Maine hunters incur during deer season are injuries resulting from tree stand falls.

And these injuries can be serious.

If you’re lucky, a fall will result only in fractured bones or gashes. If you are not so lucky, such a fall can be fatal.

Accidents often occur because of the mindset “It won’t happen to me.” My own son shared this attitude before falling from his ladder stand when he fell asleep. He did not sustain a serious injury, but that was just pure luck!

It’s a long way to the top of a tree stand, which means it’s a long way to fall back down. Photo: Stacey Wheeler

Taking the proper safety precautions when setting up and using a tree or ladder stand may be the difference between life and death.

(Continued on next page)

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1. ALWAYS wear a safety harness 2. Inspect equipment before you use it – including making sure the tree to which you attach your stand, will support the weight 3. Keep your cellphone and knife on your person 4. When climbing up or down, unload all firearms, and use a haul line to raise or lower your hunting equipment.

5. Remain centered, maintaining three points of contact with the tree 6. Keep your harness tether taut, so if you fall you will not drop below the level of the stand If you do fall: • Remain calm • Try to return to the stand • Call for help If you’re unable to get to the stand, exercise your legs by bouncing against the tree to relieve pressure off your legs and keep circulation flowing until help arrives.

ALWAYS let someone know where you are hunting and when you plan to return. Put bluntly, the only thing that should be dragged out of the woods this season is the biggest buck of a lifetime.

Happy safe hunting!

The snowshoe hare, scientific name lepus americanus, is a primary food source for Canada lynx, and populations of the two species are closely interconnected.

Also known as the “varying hare” for its seasonal change of color from brown to white, the snowshoe hare is equipped with long, furry back feet, enabling it to float over the surface of deep winter snow. Photo: Aaron Smith, Ashland

“Some outdoorsman you are, falling out of a tree stand!”

¶

Off the Water, Just in Time Eric Holbrook, of Holbrook Guide Service on Moosehead Lake, has provided us with some incredible weather-related photos, including this one of an impending thunder storm and lighting strike. Eric Holbrook photo

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14 • September 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————

September 2022 Sunrise/Sunset

Trophy Gallery

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

RISE

6:03 6:04 6:05 6:06 6:07 6:09 6:10 6:11 6:12 6:13 6:14 6:15 6:16 6:18 6:19

SET

7:18 7:16 7:14 7:13 7:11 7:09 7:07 7:05 7:04 7:02 7:00 6:58 6:56 6:54 6:53

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

RISE

6:20 6:21 6:22 6:23 6:24 6:25 6:27 6:28 6:29 6:30 6:31 6:32 6:33 6:35 6:36

SET

6:51 6:49 6:47 6:45 6:43 6:42 6:40 6:38 6:36 6:34 6:32 6:31 6:29 6:27 6:25

September 2022 Tides Portland, ME DATE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

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

HIGH AM PM 2:50 3:09 3:37 3:56 4:31 4:49 5:31 5:49 6:36 6:54 7:47 8:04 8:54 9:09 9:54 10:09 10:48 11:04 11:39 11:57 — 12:27 12:47 1:12 1:35 1:56 2:23 2:41 3:12 3:27 4:04 4:17 5:00 5:11 5:58 6:08 6:58 7:09 7:58 8:08 8:52 9:01 9:39 9:48 10:20 10:29 10:58 11:09 11:33 11:47 — 12:07 12:25 12:41 1:03 1:17 1:44 1:57 2:29 2:41

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LOW AM PM 8:56 9:27 9:42 10:19 10:33 11:17 11:30 — 12:20 12:33 1:29 1:41 2:38 2:49 3:39 3:50 4:34 4:47 5:25 5:40 6:13 6:31 6:58 7:20 7:42 8:09 8:26 8:57 9:12 9:49 10:00 10:43 10:52 11:41 11:49 — 12:42 12:49 1:44 1:51 2:41 2:47 3:29 3:34 4:09 4:16 4:46 4:55 5:20 5:33 5:54 6:11 6:29 6:51 7:06 7:32 7:46 8:16 8:30 9:06

Xavier Lemieux of Buxton shot this 9-point buck on the final day of rifle season 2021. Xavier’s dad Mark is the nephew of The Maine Sportsman’s “Downeast Region” columnist, Jim Lemieux.

For a Good Cause The Maine Sportsman magazine was a proud sponsor of the July 30 “Throwdown,” a softball match between Maine game wardens and NH game wardens held at Hadlock Field in Portland, with the proceeds benefiting Operation Game Thief (OGT). Here, the editor staffs the Sportsman’s booth, which included a raffle, proceeds of which also went to OGT. More than 2,000 fans watched the evenly-matched teams play to an extra-innings tie. Becky Morrell photo

������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • September 2022 • 15

Maine Wildlife:

Owls

by Tom Seymour

Hawks hold little interest for me.

As for ospreys, I can take them or leave them. And eagles, for all their regal magnificence, don’t excite me.

But owls? Oh, yes – they grab my attention.

Owls cloak themselves in an aura of mystery. Creatures of the night, seizing their unsuspecting prey on silent wings, owls have always held a prominent spot in the folklore of many different cultures. And as harbingers of tragic events – many people think that an owl showing up unexpectedly is a bad omen.

Not being superstitious, such thoughts don’t faze me. All the same, there is something deep down that wonders and questions. Then again, most nocturnal creatures carry about them an air of suspense, touching upon the unknown.

Maybe part of this stems from the way an owl’s eyes are set in its head.

Other birds have eyes on either side of their head, and in order to fully examine anything, they need to turn their head from side to side.

Owls, on the other hand, have their eyes in front – flat-faced and unsettling.

When an owl looks at you, it really is looking at you. That direct stare can unnerve a person. “Is that animal staring me in the face reading my thoughts?” And so began owl mythology, eons ago.

Maine’s Owls Ten different species of owls either live in Maine or at least make occasional visits. These are the eastern screech owl, great horned owl, snowy owl, northern hawk owl, barred owl, great gray owl, long-eared owl, short-eared owl, boreal owl and northern saw-whet owl.

Some of these owls are quite scarce in Maine, the eastern screech owl being one of them. So named because of their terrifying vocalizations, these owls do much to instill panic in those prone to such things. I cannot recall hearing a screech owl, but perhaps some of the more unsettling sounds I have heard in

Great Horned Owl

the nighttime woods were from screech owls. There are lots of things that go “bump” in the Maine woods at night.

Northern hawk owls are birds of the boreal forest, and their presence is limited to rare visits to northern Aroostook County.

Great gray owls are another rare visitor to Maine. A sighting of one of these magnificent birds causes much excitement among Maine birders, sometimes to the detriment of the owl, when too many humans crowd too close in order to take photos.

The rest of the owls are more widespread, and one of my favorites, the barred owl, has some endearing traits.

First, barred owls are often seen in the daytime – something rare for an owl. I once had a resident barred owl living in some trees near a little pond on my woodlot. I often found the owl sitting on a limb in midmorning, scanning the terrain for prey. The owl did not display any fear of me, and I was able to examine the bird in great detail.

The other thing about barred owls is their stylized hoots, which can be phonetically spelled as “Ho-hoo-hohooo.” This they let fly at all hours of the night. And as often as not, another owl, well within hearing range, will respond.

This back-and-forth can get pretty heated, and when an owl convention is going on, sleep is out of the question.

What’s more, sometimes a third owl, just within audible range, will answer the second owl. Picture me, awakened from a sound sleep, not at all upset but

smiling, as I strain my ears to detect the farthest hooting. It’s a real hoot, indeed.

Crepuscular Hunter Measuring up to 25 inches long and with a 3 ½- foot wingspan, great horned owls are the strong-men of Maine owls.

These huge predators hunt during twilight, both morning and evening. Once, while I was nestled in some brush and making mouse peeps on a mouth-blown predator call, something swooped down from behind and nearly hit me on the top of the head. It was a great horned owl.

In addition to their size, their “horns” – really nothing but tufts of feathers – lend an imposing dash to this already formidable-looking bird.

Couple this with blazing-yellow eyes, and you have a wild character that no one would care to mess with.

Other owls have a physical trait that great horned owls lack. Owls are noted for having the ability to turn their heads up to 270 degrees – almost all the way around. This adds considerably to owl mystique. Great horned owls, though, are unable to turn their heads that far.

Landowners should shout for joy upon finding a great horned owl on their property, because these large owls kill two nuisance animals – skunks and porcupines. Not too many mammalian predators have this capability, so for a bird to do this is remarkable.

Taken as a whole, our Maine owls are worthy of our interest. www.MaineSportsman.com

16 • September 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————

ATVs in Maine Changed Over Time to Meet Recreational Demand, Comfort and Safety Goals

by Steve Carpenteri While snowmobiles in some form or other have been part of Maine’s recreational scene for nearly a century, ATVs are relatively recent arrivals. Prior to the 1970s, nearly every ATV in existence was a homemade rig cobbled together with parts and pieces from a variety of sources, often an old VW Bug chassis, weld-

the early era of ATVs in New England.

From three wheels to four and even eight, and from one seat to two to four or more, ATVs used in Maine have developed quickly to meet the needs and demands of customers. Today it’s possible to obtain a specialty vehicle to furrow and plant food plots in the woods, or to propel the user over open water on rows of balloon tires. ed pipes and oversized tires that were almost certainly not original equipment.

Generally referred

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to as “dune buggies” because these early machines were frequently used by surf fishermen and surfers,

they were often unreliable, noisy, and prone to breakdowns – even bursting into flames on occasion. Such was

Moose Trail ATV System

Three-Wheelers In the mid-1970s, commercially manufactured threewheeled ATVs became all the rage. However, they were subject to inherent stability issues, especially when headed down a steep incline.

Awkward, poorly balanced and (Continued on next page)

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(let’s face it) dangerous to drive and ride, especially in the woods, these early ATVs were a good start, but they were largely left in the dust as bigger, more stable four-wheeled machines quickly began to dominate the market.

Early three-wheeler manufacturers did their best to “upgrade” their products with wider seats, balloon tires and various other improvements, and although these power-trikes had supporters then and even today, the basic concept was challenging to begin with. Too much power coupled with poor balance made those initial models difficult to operate in wooded terrain, on hills and even in snow. Accidents and injuries became commonplace, and the idea of a three-wheeled power machine gradually lost favor as being too unpredictable for all but experienced riders, except in back yards on well-manicured lawns.

Four-Wheelers Early four-wheel designs were generally short, open, compact units closely resembling the very popular military-style Jeep.

Compared to the previous three-wheel design, the newer models were much more stable, sturdy and dependable, but they also had their down side.

For example, many early four-wheelers had no doors, no windshield and no roof, creating obvious issues for spring fishermen and fall hunters. Great for tooling around old logging roads on sunny summer days, these initial models were not wind- or weatherproof, and if there’s anything we can depend on in Maine, it’s wind and weather. Most fledgling model four-wheelers spent much of their time in the garage, barn or under cover, because they were no fun to operate in inclement weather.

It did not take long for manufacturers to get their four-wheelers under cover. Today, most side-by-side (SxS) models come standard with roofs, doors, double seating, seat belts, adjustable windshields and even wiper blades, not to mention dump bodies, brush guards, headlights, heaters and a wide variety of accessories, add-ons and after-market options designed to appeal to kayakers, fishermen, hunters and other specific users.

For example, one after-market niche includes implements for plowing, planting, mowing and other farming uses, primarily focused on planting and maintaining food plots for deer, turkeys and other game.

Many powerful top(Continued on next page)

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LEWISTON Central Maine Powersports 845 Main Street 207-689-2345 www.centralmainepowersports.com *Offers vary by model. Financing available on 2017 – 2023 new and unregistered Polaris® RZR®, RANGER®, Sportsman®, GENERAL®, and ACE® models purchased between 8/1/2022 – 9/31/2022. †Rates as low as 4.99% APR 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; and with a 60‑month term at a 7.49% APR rate: $20.03 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 $13,999 is $419.50/mo. total cost of borrowing of $1,102.99 with a total obligation of $15,101.99. Down payment may be required. Other financing offers may be available. See your local dealer for details. Minimum Amount Financed $1,500; Maximum Amount Financed $50,000. Other qualifications and restrictions may apply. Financing promotions void where prohibited. Tax, title, license, and registration are separate and may not be financed. Promotion may be modified or discontinued without notice at any time in Polaris’ sole discretion.

WARNING: Polaris® off‑road vehicles can be hazardous to operate and are not intended for on‑road use. Driver must be at least 16 years old with a valid driver’s license to operate. Passengers, if permitted, must be at least 12 years old. All riders should always wear helmets, eye protection, and protective clothing. Always use seat belts and cab nets or doors (as equipped). Never engage in stunt driving and avoid excessive speeds and sharp turns. Riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix. All riders should take a safety training course. Call 800‑342‑3764 for additional information. Check local laws before riding on trails. ©2021 Polaris Industries Inc. WARNING: Polaris® off‑road vehicles can be hazardous to operate and are not intended for on‑road use. Driver must be at least 16 years old with a valid driver’s license to operate. Passengers, if permitted, must be at least 12 years old. All riders should always wear helmets, eye protection, and protective clothing. Always use seat belts and cab nets or doors (as equipped). Never engage in stunt driving, and avoid excessive speeds and sharp turns. Riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix. All riders should take a safety training course. Call 800‑342‑3764 for additional information. Check local laws before riding on trails. ©2022 Polaris Industries Inc.

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LEBANON Northeast Motorsports 451 Carl Broggi Hwy. 207-457-2225 www.nemotorsportsofmaine.com WARNING: Arctic Cat® vehicles can be hazardous to operate. For your safety, all riders should always wear a seat belt (Side-by-Sides), helmet, eye protection, and protective clothing. Riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix. Arctic Cat recommends that all operators take a safety training course. For safety and training information, please see your dealer or call 1-800-887-2887 (ATVs) or visit www.ROHVA.org (Side-by-Sides). Arctic Cat vehicles are for operators age 16 years and older with a valid driver’s license, except the Alterra 90, which is intended for operators 10 years of age and older. ©2022 Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc. All rights reserved.

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18 • September 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————

ATVing in Maine (Continued from page 17)

end four-wheelers are colloquially referred to as “gators,” although the term is actually a

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1Offer available on approved purchases of new 2020-2023 Yamaha Motorcycle, Scooter, ATV or Side by Side made on the Yamaha Credit Card issued by WebBank. Offer valid 7/1/20229/30/2022. Account must be open and current to be eligible for this offer. Promotional 3.99%, 5.99%,10.49%,17.49% APR with minimum payments of 2.96%, 3.05%, 3.26%,or 3.59% respectively of the purchase price balance, based on your creditworthiness, are effective until the purchase is paid in full. Minimum interest charge $2 per month. Standard APR 15.99%23.99%. †Customer Cash offer good on select models between July 1, 2022 through September 30, 2022. See dealer for additional customer cash available on prior year models. *The Yamaha 10-Year Belt Warranty covers all Assembled in the USA 2019-2021 models with the exclusive Ultramatic transmission, including the all-new Wolverine RMAX 1000 lineup, Wolverine X2 and X4, Viking, Kodiak, and full-size Grizzly models.Always wear your seat belt, helmet, eye protection and protective clothing. Yamaha recommends that all Side-by-Side riders take an approved training course. For Side-by-Side safety and training information, see your dealer or call the ROHVA at 1-866-267-2751. Read the Owner’s Manual and the product warning labels before operation. Avoid excessive speeds and never engage in stunt riding. Always avoid paved surfaces and never ride on public roads. And be particularly careful on difficult terrain. Never ride under the influence of alcohol or other drugs; it is illegal and dangerous. Models shown with optional accessories. ©2022 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved • YamahaMotorsports.com

True All-Terrain Vehicles While most modern recreational vehicles are referred to as ATVs, there are few that are actually designed and meant for use in “all” terrain. “True” ATVs include the famous ARGO machines, which were created during the 1960s to allow hunters, woodsmen and wilderness travelers to traverse terrain of all types, including water.

The most sophisticated of these units use huge balloon tires and tank-like tracks, but once featured fulllength screw-augerstyle tracks to propel the vehicle over land and across rivers, lakes, ponds and beaver flowages, literally on the fly. Hunters planning on traveling to Alaska, Canada, Labrador or Newfoundland may well find themselves traveling to and from camp in an ARGO. The ARGO line of ATVs includes a variety of options, ranging from eight balloon tires to flat tracks. Some of these vehicles are open-

style, but others are covered, heated and provide seating for four passengers and their gear. Prices range from $10,000 to $20,000, with the usual variety of after-market specialty options.

ATV Considerations Before purchasing any ATV for use in Maine, operators are advised to study current state laws on ATV use, including season dates, trail restrictions, access to private lands, and permit requirements. Log onto www. mefishwildlife for an update on state laws governing ATV use statewide.

Also, it is important to consider which type of ATV is best suited for your purposes. Riding models range from open, one-person units to covered four-seat units that feature a wide variety of comfort and use options including extra safety gear, lighting, heat and wipers.

Pick the rig that’s right for you!

¶

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©2022 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). All rights reserved. ®, ™ and the BRP logo are trademarks of BRP or its affiliates. In the U.S.A., products are distributed by BRP US Inc. Some vehicles depicted may include optional equipment. BRP highly recommends that all ATV drivers take a training course. For safety and training information, see your dealer or, in USA, call the ATV Safety Institute at 1-800-887-2887. In Canada, call the Canadian Safety Council at (6131 739-1535 ext 227. Read the Operators Guide and watch the Safety DVD before riding. Wear appropriate protective clothing and helmet. For side-by-side vehicles, fasten lateral net and seat belt at all times. Never engage in stunt driving and avoid excessive speed. Always observe applicable local laws and regulations. Side-by-side vehicles and ATVs are recommended for drivers aged 16 and older, and passengers aged 12 and older only. For off-road use only. Never ride on paved surfaces or public roads. Always ride responsibly and remember that riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix.

������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • September 2022 • 19

Time for a Spring Bear Season?

by Steve Carpenteri

How to encourage the taking of more bears?

A lottery system allowing winners to take an additional bear during the lengthy fall season?

Or why not take the bold step of reinstating a spring season? There appear to be many reasons to support such a move, and not a lot of good arguments in opposition.

Few modern Maine hunters remember the days when there was a $15 bounty on black bears (bobcats, too!).

That program ended in 1957. Bears were granted game species status in 1969, when mandatory monitoring of annual harvests began.

In those days, Maine also had a spring bear-hunting season, held during the month of May, in

which hunters traditionally used springspeared suckers, meat and other attractants to lure bears into range.

Long-Time Study In 1975 Roy Hugie, a Ph.D. candidate, in cooperation with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, established two study areas – Spectacle Pond (20 miles West of Ashland) and Stacyville

(near Patten).

This study was continued by biologist George Matula, and later by Randy Cross.

In fact, it continues to this day, standing as one of the longest continuous wildlife study programs in Maine’s history.

In 1980, the spring bear hunting season was eliminated due to fears that too many bears were being (Continued on next page)

Despite claims to the contrary, most Maine bear hunters wait for a mature, adult animal and will pass up sows with cubs. Photo by Steve Carpenteri

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20 • September 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————

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(Continued from page 19)

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taken. At that time, the state’s black bear population was estimated at 18,000 animals.

Maine’s bear population remained fairly stable through 2005, but has been increasing over the last five years, and the current estimate is between 24,000 and 36,000 bears. Since 1990, Maine’s bear season framework has remained fairly constant, with a three-month fall hunting season that opens the last Monday in August and closes the last Saturday in November.

Fewer Hunters; More Bears Hunting pressure was considerably higher in the late 1970s and 1980s in the study ar-

eas, but that pressure has since leveled off, according to the MDIFW. A rise in permit fees in 2003 (resident $5 to $27; non-residents $15 to $74) and the continuing downturn in the U.S. economy, have likely contributed to declining resident and non-resident hunter participation in recent years.

What to Do? The bag limit for black bears in Maine is two bears annually – one by hunting, and one by trapping. About 4,000 bears are taken annually by hunters, while the bear trapping harvest is fewer than 200. Only about 40 sportsmen take two (Continued on next page)

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������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • September 2022 • 21 (Continued from page 20)

bears per season.

However, state biologists continue to recommend an increase in the bear harvest by about 1,500 animals annually, in an effort to stabilize the bear population while reducing spring whitetail fawn mortality.

Therein lies the rub. Maine already has the longest continuous bear-hunting season in the country (late August through November), leaving few options to increase the bear harvest. Sunday hunting is currently not allowed in Maine, eliminating that option.

What About a Bear Lottery?

Considering the existing season limitations, perhaps DIF&W might consider a black bear permit lottery, in which hunters could apply for an additional permit to take a second bear during the baiting, hunting or hound seasons. The MDIFW could determine the number of permits to be issued while unlimited hunters could apply, bolstering the Department’s coffers while increasing opportunities for hunters at the same time.

Reinstate the Spring Season?

Any time reinstatement of the spring bear-hunting season arises, the discussion is predictable: Opponents invariably cite the possibility of too many sows and cubs being shot in spring.

However, the DIF&W’s harvest data clearly shows that the overall harvest from

August to November is more than half male bears, and 94 percent are adults – few if any cubs are being taken.

Considering the expense and effort required to hunt bears, few sportsmen are willing to put their tags on immature specimens.

Sows with cubs are traditionally taboo among guides and hunters, so the “problem” is more one of perception or projection than reality.

In addition, the separation between the fall and spring seasons is only three months – those spring cubs are still “cubs” in August, yet few hunters are choosing to tag them, rendering the “save the cubs” refrain invalid.

Also, few Mainers

are aware that the various indigenous tribes in Maine already have a spring bear season on tribal lands, and this has been the case for many years. There has been no issue with exceptional numbers of sows with cubs or cubs being taken during the tribal spring hunts.

Finally, when asked about a spring season, various DIF&W officials have indicated that the idea is not popular with “the public,” based primarily on the cub argument. This has long been a bone of contention among hunters who point out that “the public” contributes nothing to the MDIFW, which is operated entirely on license fees and federal fund-

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were created to protect and preserve wildlife, while at the same time providing maximum opportunities for hunters and fishermen. Perhaps it’s time we returned to our roots.

¶

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22 • September 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————

— Guest Feature —

Synthetic Deer Lure Tough to Find in Maine

by Staci Warren As whitetail deer bowhunting season approaches, I expect to receive an annual email from Maine DIF&W recommending that hunters use synthetic lure rather than natural scents, in order to reduce the threat of spreading Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in Maine’s deer herd.

In each year’s message, the department states, “There are no standardized or widely-accepted protocols in place for testing deer lures for CWD prions.”

Empty Shelves When I try to purchase synthetic lures for the deer season, I find almost no synthetic product available locally.

Last season, I finally did find Doe-in-Rut synthetic lure in a locally-owned store in Old Town; however, no sporting chains carried any synthetic Doe-in-Rut lure.

Dominant Buck or a scrape option were the only types offered in synthetic.

I was able to find synthetic options from all of the major manufacturers online, but then realized there is almost no distinguishable difference in packaging other than a subtle color change, or the replacement of the word “natural” for “synthetic.”

Packaging for natural and synthetic lures looks very similar and is therefore confusing.

Certified Safe Stores carrying the original “natural” lures carry most of the major brands, and on the back of the packaging are two very prominent logos: the ATA (Archery Trade Association) Deer Protection Program (DPP), and the RT-QuIC TESTED. These endorsements translate to seals of approval for most purchasers.

The ATA Deer Protection Program claims that with “responsible collection by participants in the ATA DPP, the risk of spreading CWD is virtually zero.”

(See cwdfacts.org). This logo only goes onto packaging of manufacturers that are ATA members of the industry initiative to do everything possible to prevent CWD from spreading. The ATA states that the “self-imposed measures meet or exceed state and federal CWD certification requirements by working with state www.MaineSportsman.com

If Maine’s DIF&W wants hunters to use synthetic deer lures to prevent CWD, then all parties must take action to make the products more readily available in this state. wildlife experts and CWD experts.”

The RT-QuIC is a new test the CWD Evolution Study began using in 2020 that “detects prions in urine that were previously undetectable.” The CWD Evolution Study is jointly funded by manufacturers Tink’s and Wildlife Research Center (https://www.cwdevolution.com/ rt-quic-urine-testing).

In 2021, ATA transitioned the DPP to a new organization, Responsible Hunting Scents Association (RHSA), and that organization is now responsible for the oversight of the scent manufacturers.

See more info at responsiblescents.org.

The Survey Says ….

To find out what Maine hunters use, a small survey was conducted on Facebook through the “Maine Deer Hunters” and “Maine Women Hunters” pages. Of those who responded, 98% use deer lure.

The most frequently-used lure is Doe-inRut (57%); and of those hunters, 48% use the natural version, 18% use synthetic, and 34% use a combination of both.

When asked why they don’t use synthetic lure, hunters provided the following replies: • “Natural lures are tested to be CWD free, and I’m comfortable using them” (31%) • “Don’t feel synthetic lures work as well as natural ones” (22%) • “Didn’t know about synthetic lures” (17%) • “Can’t find synthetic lures in stores/ or I buy what’s available” (20%)

•

Other, such as “Human urine works just as well” (10%) The final question on the survey was, “Now that Maine DIFW is recommending use of synthetic lure, would you change to or consider using synthetic lure?”

Comparing the number of hunters who use synthetics (48%) to those additional hunters who said they would use them if they were available (20%), there’s potential for many more people to use synthetics if they could actually find them in stores.

Now that Maine IFW is recommending use of synthetic lure, would you change to or consider using synthetic lure?

Nearly 80% of hunters surveyed would use, or would consider using, synthetic deer lure.

Using Natural Lures For those who simply can’t part with the natural lure, you can take steps to help prevent CWD in Maine. Hunters should use the product carefully, using only those lures that don’t disperse into the air or ground. This means avoiding aerosols and avoiding the urge to spray lure around your entire hunting area as a cover scent. Hunters should use lure containers that you can take out with you when you leave. Mock scrapes and drip dispensers should be avoided, unless you use synthetic lures.

Ask for it!

If DIF&W encourages synthetic lures, then retailers in Maine need to know hunters want it and they need to stock their shelves. If the department wants hunters to make changes, then hunters need to start requesting the product in stores, Retailers won’t stock it if we don’t ask.

Follow Staci at www.MyMainelyGirl Adventures.com

¶

������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • September 2022 • 23

When is it Time to Travel Out of State for Deer?

I’m fortunate to have hunted deer for over 40 years. During that time, I’ve chased whitetails in eight different states and Canada. For the most part, the out-of-state and Canada hunts weren’t anything to write home about, because I wasn’t venturing away from home in search of trophy bucks.

Most hunts were with friends, and I was trying to put meat in the freezer. Over the last 16 years, however, I’ve looked to other states in an effort to shoot deer with larger racks.

Missouri was the

The author feels fortunate to have been able to seek deer in other states and in Canada. He appreciates seeing more trophy deer, especially in the Midwest. He prefers self-guided hunts, but offers advice to help readers decide what’s the best choice for them. first state I went to specifically seeking larger bucks. The weather was hot (daytime highs in the 90s) and not conducive to good deer movement.

Fortunately, I shot a good two-year old the first night we hunted. I could have shot that quality of buck in Maine with little trouble, but the weather

forecast and my desire to go home with venison, sent my arrow flying. Though I didn’t come home with a giant buck, that hunt gave me the confidence to keep exploring outof-state trophy deer hunting.

It’s Time to Explore Maine, New York and Connecticut had

provided me with a few really good bucks. In

fact, Maine has been excellent for me. However, the effort needed to regularly kill a solid adult buck in Maine, was more than my schedule could handle.

Work, family, friends and other commitments, have reduced (Continued on next page)

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24 • September 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————

Big Game (Continued from page 23)

The author’s good friend, John Drost, was rewarded with this super 9-point buck on a DIY hunt in Missouri.

my time in the woods.

Instead of killing a good buck every other year, buck kills came every three or four years. My desire was still there; however, settling on putting meat in the freezer instead of holding out for a big buck, has become the new normal.

Fortunately, hard work on the job was paying off. I’m good at saving money when I want something. An out of state DIY costs less than $2,000, and

that’s a price most can live with. Sure, I’d love to have a fully guided hunt at a lodge, where nearly everything is done for a hunter, but the thought of paying $4,500 - $8,000 for a hunt doesn’t sit well.

For me, DIY hunts will suffice ... for a while, anyway.

A benefit of hunting mid-western states like Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Ohio and Kansas is seeing more and bigger bucks. The geography and land use

in these states make deer far more visible.

The deer management, farming operations, hunter attitude and genetics all help bucks to grow older and larger. Seeing more and larger bucks is a reality out west! As an example, on my first hunt in Iowa, I saw 14 shooter bucks in eight days of hunting.

It’d take me five to ten years to see that many shooters while hunting Maine or anywhere else in the northeast.

Many of my friends are now expanding where they hunt, for (Continued on next page)

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������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • September 2022 • 25 (Continued from page 24)

the same reasons. My good friend John Drost has done the most exploring of my close friends, and his results are awesome. Over the last 10 years, I think his trophy room has doubled in size. On a

recent trip to Missouri, John smashed a giant nine-point that grosses nearly 160 inches. The long tines, wide spread and great mass make me want to head back to Missouri. John even killed a 150” 13-point on a trip to Iowa with me. He has also killed

a couple of the largest archery bucks in the state of Wyoming over the last few years.

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single largest factor in determining how to hunt out of state. Fully guided trophy deer (Big Game continued on page 27)

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26 • September 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————

The Annual Transition Back into a Hunter

by Mark Scheeren

September – all deer hunters feel it.

The nights getting longer, the cool crisp mornings, the drier fall air coming out of the west and the north. These changes kick in the desire to be in the woods, go scouting, and start the annual preparations for chasing whitetails.

For some, September starts their forays into the woods with a bow in hand. For those who prefer a rifle, the fever to begin the chase goes from warm to a boil.

This full transformation from civilian to ancient hunter happens to thousands every year. But why does it happen, and why is it such an intense feeling for some of us?

The Picnic I was sitting with my son Austin at the Annual Big Woods Bucks Team Picnic

Why do most of us deer hunters start thinking and planning for the next year’s hunts as soon as this year’s season is over? In fact, why do some of us plan our next seasons while we are hunting this one?

The anticipation that drives us to scout in September ...

this past June, and he said something that really made me think.

He said, “Look around at all of this (he was nodding toward all the Big Woods Team Members and their families eating, talking and having fun). All of this

... pays big dividends once the snow flies. Photos: Mark Scheeren

is to chase an animal and maybe get a single crack at ’em.”

Maybe it was the moment, or the way he said it, I don’t know, but his words really hit me. Here was a group of people who devote an enormous amount of their lifeblood, love, and energy into hunting the whitetail deer.

My next thought was, why do we spend so much time and energy in the pursuit of game? Why do we get excited just talking about it? Why do we go to the ballot box religiously to protect it? Why do we spend thousands annually to make it all happen?

And all of this with no guarantee of success?

That’s Why They Call it Hunting, Not Getting As Austin and I sat

www.MaineSportsman.com

and discussed this further, we agreed that it’s not just getting a buck that drives the sportsman and -women to literally transform each fall. I mean, let’s face it – there are a lot of easier ways to procure meat for the pot!

Sometimes there is even a slight sense of letdown after you’ve downed your buck – you don’t want the chase to be over.

This just shows that it’s not the “win,” but something about the “game” that is the real driver in us hunters transforming each fall.

The Answer So later, after we got home from the picnic, we resumed the discussion with my youngest son Joe present. As we were

digging for what ultimately drives people to transform back into hunters each fall, Joe quietly looked up and said, “Guys, it’s not the deer that gets us all whacked out each summer and fall.

That’s part of it, but it’s really the anticipation of that one moment when you see the buck and you get your chance at ’em. The anticipation is what drives us mad with enthusiasm.”

We both sat there, quietly rolling reels in our minds of past hunts. He was right.

Maybe it’s the fact that Joe is closer to the beginning of his hunting career that allowed him to see this so clearly.

Anticipation is just another side of hope; and hope is powerful stuff! You hope to see that buck. You hope to be able to line up that one decent shot.

It’s the hope that builds the anticipation. That anticipation then grows inside and it drives us to scout, spend the money for fuel and camp, arrange the vacation time, and transform back into that beautiful focused primitive mindset that brings such peace and joy.

I know I feel that transition happening inside – do you?

Hal’s Thoughts Mark hits the nail on the head. Serious deer hunters all think (Continued on next page)

������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • September 2022 • 27 (Continued from page 26)

Seeing evidence of big bucks nearby leads to a level of pitched excitement known only to whitetail hunters.

Big Game (Continued from page 25)

hunts can exceed $8,000, when factoring in travel and licenses. DIY hunts can be done for less than half that, especially when traveling with a friend.

If the bank account can’t handle the extra, DIY is the way to go.

A hunter’s physical fitness is a second limiting factor. For someone used to walking miles a day, climbing trees to hang stands and dragging deer from

the same way in this regard. We eat, sleep and breathe deer hunting all year long.

Deer hunters have that common thread that draws us together as a community. We can instantly become friends, as we know we already have one thing in common.

We may meet at a sportsman show, at a hunting lodge, or maybe in the woods, but when we do, we are no longer strangers.

Hunters have

passed on knowledge through the telling of stories, since the first animal was killed by a hunter. We willingly and enthusiastically pass knowledge on to other hunters, especially the next generations of hunters.

I don’t know of any other game animal that lives in the minds of hunters year-round.

Most of us start thinking and planning for the next year’s hunts as soon as this year’s season is over. Heck, sometimes, I’m planning next season while

deep in the woods, DIY is a great option. For hunters accustomed to sitting on the couch, riding a UTV to their stand, and utilizing it to get deer out of the woods, a guided hunt will work best.

Hunters who have a tough time getting on trophy deer in Maine should utilize a guide. This can seriously increase the odds of tagging a bruiser.

For hunters who regularly find good bucks at home, DIY will work well.

I’m hunting this one.

I spend more time thinking about chasing bucks, than I do actually chasing bucks!

From helping the deer make it through the winter, to seeing the first fawns in the spring, deer are on my mind. But now is the time of the year that the anticipation of this fall’s deer season begins to come to a crescendo, and another season will come and go in the blink of an eye.

Enjoy every minute of it.

¶

Sometimes the need for a change of scenery drives me to hunt other states for deer. Mostly, it’s a desire to see more big bucks and increase my odds of killing one. No matter the reason, hunting out west or in Canada for trophy whitetails is something many hunters will never enjoy.

There’s opportunity galore in the whitetail world. Don’t wait. There’s no time like the present to see what’s out there.

¶

MAINE WILDLIFE QUIZ: Owls by Steve Vose

Owls belong to the order Strigiformes, a group of birds that includes 205 different species. These species are divided into two groups, categorized as true owls and barn owls.

True owls are the largest group, comprised of 189 species, while there exist only 16 species of barn owls.

Maine Audubon reports that ten or eleven different species of owls live in or call Maine home for a portion of the year.

Owls live in a wide variety of habitats, including dense forests, open woodlands, clear-cuts, and even urban environments.

Owls have well-developed binocular vision, and faces and ear tufts that funnel sound, allowing them to hunt effectively at night. Owls feed on a wide variety of prey, including rodents, reptiles, birds, insects and rabbits. Since

owls do not have teeth, they swallow small prey whole, and later regurgitate a compressed “pellet” of bone, fur and feathers.

Between January and March, male owls pick a nest site. Owls make little effort to construct elaborate nests, instead preferring to nest in hollowed

Questions 1. To what order do owls belong?

2. How many different species of owls exist?

3. What are the two different catego-

ries of owls?

4. How many species of owls live in or frequent Maine?

5. In what kind of habitats do owls live?

Northern Saw-whet Owl

out trees, on rock ledges, on top of power-line towers or in hay lofts. Some species will even take over the nests of other bird species.

During this time, male owls will attempt to attract females. Owls produce a wide variety of calls to both find potential mates and frighten off any potential competitors.

Female owls lay two to three eggs that incubate for about a month before hatching. Both parents feed and care for the young until they can fly by ten weeks of age.

The mortality rate on owlets is about 50 percent, with many dying due to predators and accidents with vehicle or manmade structures.

Owls in the wild have been known to survive to 13 years of age, with a few captive birds living to 30 years of age.

6. What do owls eat?

7. At what time of year do owls pick out nesting sites?

8. How many eggs do owls typically lay?

Answers on Page 55 www.MaineSportsman.com

28 • September 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————

Maine Charters – Mid-Coast, Boothbay and Beyond

by Sam Wheeler Charger Sportfishing – Boothbay “We fish on our days off,” is the business’s slogan, and Captain George Warren stays true to the words. When he’s not putting clients on fish, he finds himself chasing after them, something he’s enjoyed doing for more than forty-five years.

Readers and charter boat operators tell us they appreciate our regional coverage that has brought attention to one of Maine’s great resources – the wide variety of fish available to in-shore and offshore saltwater anglers. This month, we cover charters out of St. George, Boothbay Harbor and Penobscot Bay. After a decade of running a different charter, Warren started Charger Sportfishing out of Boothbay Harbor in the 1980s.

Now, over 35 years later, his business is still going strong, and his love for fishing has not diminished.

His favorite part of

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the job is simply being around the people he is guiding, and when he does have a day off, it’s spent fishing and learning more about

the activity that has been a lifelong passion for him.

He says currently, his most popular trips are four-hour missions for stripers and mackerel, though six- and eight-hour excursions are also available for those who want more time on the water. He also offers private trips for several species of (Continued on next page)

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Seas weren’t the calmest for this group from Michigan, but Capt.

George Warren still got them on some nice fish. Photo courtesy of Charger Sportfishing (Continued from page 28)

groundfish, tuna and sharks.

Spinning gear is mostly used when catching stripers, though Warren says he occasionally guides fly fishers. When it comes to groundfish, it’s the conventional

rod and reel setup and for tuna. Warren provides bent-butt rods.

Starting this year, Warren will experiment with running his business year-round, with the goal of moving offshore in midto late-September in search of groundfish,

A nice closeup of a not-so-little striped bass. Photo courtesy of Charger Sportfishing

once the stripers have started to migrate.

The best way to get in on the fun is by calling Warren at 207380-4556.

Sea Ventures Charters – St. George Seeing a client reel in a shark is one

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30 • September 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————

Fishing Charters (Continued from page 29)

boat either east or west of the island, and start the search for sharks.

Shark fishing is one of Sinclair’s biggest attractions and mid-July through August is prime for catching them. People will have the chance to catch Porbeagle, Mako, Thresher and Blue sharks, with Blues being the most

Despite the size and lengths of some of the sharks, Sinclair emphasized that his offshore trips are for all ages. Here, a young girl gets some help reeling in a shark. Photo courtesy of Sea Ventures Charters

frequent.

Blues up to 12 feet long have been caught, as well as Makos weighing in at 800 lbs. However, reeling in one of these large sportfish is only part of the excitement that comes with an all-day adventure with Sinclair. The other part is the tagging process.

Since the 1980s,

Sea Ventures has been involved in a tagging program overseen by the National Marine Fisheries Service in Rhode Island. They have tagged and released hundreds of sharks for research since then. Out of the hundreds of sharks they’ve tagged, about thirty have been discovered in distant places around the world, including the (Continued on next page)

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������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • September 2022 • 31

Capt. Jackson says the best part of the job is the customers’ reactions to landing fish, especially if the fish are especially large.

Photo courtesy of Penobscot Bay Outfitters (Continued from page 30)

west coast of Africa, Azores, Columbia, Cuba, and the Flemish Cap (350 miles east of Newfoundland).

“When a tag shows up, we are notified and then sent an information card that tells us where it was caught, how much it’s grown and how long it’s been [since it was tagged],” Sinclair said.

In addition to fishing, Sinclair also offers diving and sightseeing trips.

To book a trip, interested parties can reach Sinclair by phone at 207-446-5484.

Penobscot Bay Outfitters -Searsport Captain Todd Jackson started fishing the ocean with his grandmother when he was still able to count his age on one hand. It didn’t take long for him to realize that moving forward, fishing was going to be a huge part of his life.

He’s owned his guide service, Penobscot Bay Outfitters, since 1991 and does fishing trips on Pe-

Sea Ventures Charters also offers dive trips. This group of divers is swimming near an ocean sunfish. Photo courtesy of Sea Ventures Charters

nobscot Bay and the Kennebec River. Most of the trips focus on stripers and mackerel, but he also offers shark trips and does them occasionally when requested.

He owns two boats – one geared toward fishing in flats, and the other, a 25-foot Center Console, that serves as a more all-purpose watercraft.

As is the case with many guides, Jackson says the best part of the job is the customers’ reactions to landing fish, especially if the fish are especially large.

“Recently, I was guiding some people who had never caught a striped bass before, and they were wicked excited when they caught one and saw how big it was,” Jackson said.

Jackson continued, “You’re showing someone a new way of fishing, a new fish to fish for.”

He added that it’s extra special when a kid reels in a fish, and that it excites him to see a younger generation getting into an activity that’s been such a major part of his life.

Trip lengths are four, six and eight hours, and Jackson’s typical season runs from June to late September. People interested in a trip can reach out by Facebook, or by calling Jackson at 207322-7919.

¶

Dave Sinclair (far left) and Cameron Sinclair (far right) tag a shark with a very pleased client. Photo courtesy of Sea Ventures Charters.

Capt. Todd Jackson says clients have reeled in some really big fish this year, which is always a plus.

Photo courtesy of Penobscot Bay Outfitters

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32 • September 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————

September Tops for Blue Sharks Late summer is a great time to target sharks off the Maine coast. The water’s warm, the weather’s usually pretty cooperative, and there are plenty of toothy critters cruising around out there to offer a day of excitement.

Although makos, porbeagles and threshers are the most coveted – and targeted – by offshore anglers, blue sharks can provide plenty of action when the sexier species play hard-to-get. Most range between 50 and 200 pounds, and they can be taken between a mile and ten miles offshore, well within the reach of a 21-foot center console. Blues like underwater humps and drop-offs in 90 to 300 feet of water – anywhere baitfish are likely to congregate.

Light tackle –even a 20-pound spin outfit – can provide some exciting catch-and-release sport with these open-ocean gamesters. Photo: NOAA Blue sharks aren’t particularly strong fighters for their size, so the trick to getting the most sport is to down-size your tackle accordingly.

Forget those 80STWs

and 130s you’d use for tuna. You’ll be way over-gunned. I’ve caught lots of blues on beefy 20-pound class spinning outfits more suited to stripers, and have had a blast doing

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so, but I now prefer a light 25- to 50-pound conventional stand-up outfit so I’ll have half a chance if a mako or thresher crashes the party.

Make Your Own Terminal Rig As for terminal gear, an 80- or 100-pound mono or fluoro wind-on leader is ideal, although you

can make up a very serviceable rig of your own by doubling the last 10 feet of your line via a Bimini twist and attaching a snap-swivel with an offshore swivel knot. Next, tie a surgeon’s loop in the end of an eight-foot length of mono leader (the loop goes onto the snap swivel) and a tie a heavy swivel to the other end. To the swivel attach a twofoot shot of #10 or #12 stainless piano wire, and then affix a lightwire 8/0 to 12/0 mild steel circle hook The advantages to this setup are that the double line will allow you to put extra pressure on the shark toward the end of the fight, and the heavy mono is easier to handle than a long wire leader and won’t cut into your hands. The short length of wire is all you need to prevent the shark from biting the hook off, and a light wire hook will (Continued on next page)

������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • September 2022 • 33 (Continued from page 32)

penetrate the shark’s jaw more easily and will rust out faster if the shark needs to be cut free. Finally, the two swivels in the rig will help prevent the leader from kinking up, as blue sharks are known to “do the twist” at boatside.

Baits & Floats My favorite blue shark bait is a live, bridle-rigged mackerel (I use those Ultimate Bait Bridles available at ultimatefishingfloat.com), or you can simply hook the mack up through the upper jaw. A fresh-dead mackerel will work almost as well, but hook these up through both jaws so the bait won’t spin as you drift along.

I stopped using balloons for floats years ago, and started using the sharksize foam floats made

by Redi-Rig (available at tackle shops and at www.redi-rig.com).

These floats snap to your line so they can’t break free, but can be

easily adjusted so your bait can be set at any depth you choose.

Create a Chum Slick Pails or blocks of frozen chum, usually ground-up pogy or herring, are available at many coastal Maine tackle shops. I dump the chum into a mesh chum bag and hang it over the side in the water. The chum slowly thaws and creates a nice slick of oil and bits of fish.

I normally set out three baits in the slick.

The closest one, about 30 feet from the boat, will be set at about 15 feet deep. The second one, at around 60 feet out, is set about 30 feet down, and the farthest, some 30 yards out, will be set 60 feet down. This assures that all three baits will be in the “slick zone” as the chum settles in the water behind the boat.

I like to drift for sharks. Anchoring is fine, but I prefer to slowly cover different depths and bottom

structures where blue sharks may be lurking. If there’s a stiff wind you might need to deploy a sea anchor to slow your drift.

Blue sharks aren’t very good to eat, so most anglers release them. If the shark is hooked in the “lip” or jaw hinge, you may be able to remove it with a de-hooker device or pliers, but if you can’t get to the hook easily, you can just clip the wire leader as close to the shark’s jaws as possible – keeping your own safety in mind.

If you want to go recreational fishing for sharks, you’ll need a $26 federal HMS Angling Permit with a Shark Endorsement.

In order to get the endorsement, you’ll need to watch a short video on identifying and handling sharks, and then take a brief quiz.

For more info, go to www.nmfspermits. noaa.gov.

¶

Most anglers release blue sharks to fight another day, either by carefully removing the hook (if possible) or by clipping the leader close to the hook. Note heavy mono leader and short wire trace to hook, which makes for easier boatside handling. Barry Gibson photo

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34 • September 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————

Grouse Hunting & Instinctive Shooting

by Brad Varney, Varney’s Clay Sports The best or most successful grouse hunters are instinctive shooters.

Why is this so?

Simply put, grouse seldom give the hunter time enough for implementing some form of visual or guesstimated lead.

I think God made grouse, and then gave man a mental formula so he and his bird dog could harvest a few!

To hit a moving target with a shotgun is really quite simple.

If you follow my system, you will never miss another bird on the wing. You must put the muzzle in the right place when the shot load leaves the barrel!

This is no easy feat. I know this to be true, as I have made a living trying to teach hundreds of shooters how to do it.

Your eyes should be locked on the flying bird, says the author, not on your shotgun. To hit a nail, he points out, you don’t look at the hammer, and to hit a baseball with a bat, you don’t look at the bat!

The key to upland game success, says the author, is activating your subconscious mind and allowing instinct to take over.

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predators. And to elude predators, grouse seldom fly in a straight line.

To hit a grouse on the wing, your shotgun’s muzzle must mimic the last few yards of its flight path. This is where instinctive shooting comes into play.

The formula for an instinctive shot at a grouse is as follows.

Insert the muzzle behind grouse, the closer to its tail feathers the better.

The key is that your eyes must be on the grouse, preferably on its head. When your shotgun’s muzzle obscures or passes the grouse’s head, then you shoot.

If things go right, by the time your shot leaves the barrel, the barrel will be several feet ahead of the grouse. This all happens so fast that you will be left with the impression that you shot at the grouse or its head.

The Sequence To hit this grouse, lead was created by the muzzle moving faster than the grouse, plus several other factors. The shooter’s eyes sent a signal to the brain; the brain in turn signaled the shooter’s finger to move the trigger to the rear. This disengaged the sear from the hammer; the hammer struck the firing pin, moving it forward and crushing the shotgun shell’s primer, causing it to push flame into the gunpowder and igniting it. This created enormous pressure, moving wad and shot charge down the barrel and exiting the shotgun’s barrel.

At this point, the shot charge was moving faster than the speed of sound – over 1,100 feet per second.

Then, the shot charge moved forward, and struck and killed the grouse. During these events, the muzzle was still moving faster than the grouse.

This is because a body in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by another object or force.

Remember – stopping your gun and (Continued on next page)

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

failing to follow through has saved many birds and countless clay birds. When shooting instinctively, your eyes must remain on the target till it falls or breaks. Keep in mind that the eyes feed information to the brain; in turn, the brain tells the muscles how to move the gun, and when to pull the trigger.

This is empowering

your subconscious mind, which operates about three-tenths of a second faster than your conscious mind.

Keep Your Eye on the Ball I bet you have heard the term “handeye coordination.” This in my opinion is wrong or backwards. It is eyehand coordination, plain and simple. How do you pound a nail?

You look at the nail,

and then swing the hammer. How do you hit a ball? You look at the ball, and then swing the bat.

To shoot instinctively, do your thinking before your shotgun touches your cheek and shoulder.

Remember the adage: “If you are looking, you are cooking; if you are thinking, you are stinking!

¶

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36 • September 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————

What’s a Proper Caliber for Black Bear?

September brings transitions. Summer fades into autumn and ends with the Equinox. Vacations at the beach end with fall chores, falling leaves, and the annual pursuits of sportsmen.

With their seasons not starting until next month, wise bird hunters spend September tuning up with clay targets. Fortunate ones spend September mornings running devoted gun dogs through their paces.

Deer hunters must wait almost two additional months for the firearm season opener.

They busy themselves now with scouting likely terrain and setting up deer stands where they think that fine specimen will come walking. The most dedicated among them will be spending this month on the fir-

While you may not need a cannon for most black bear, you do need to be patient and ensure a wellplaced killing shot. You do not want to find yourself tracking a wounded bear as darkness sets in.

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ammunition perform together. At night it is back to the maps and re-reading accounts of local deer hunting successes.

All About Bears In terms of hunting action, September belongs to bear hunters. Bear season comes early, before the big animals start heading to dens for the winter.

The general season

does eventually overlap the deer season, and some bears do fall to opportunistic deer hunters with a big game tag in their pocket.

Most bears taken in this part of the world are knocked down by a deer rifle and cartridge doing double duty. For the most part, black bear do not require the spe-

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cialization that a grizzly or brown bear hunt demands. But that does not make superfluous careful consideration of any rifle and cartridge combination used to take a black bear.

Bear & Bullets Few Maine, New England or New York sportsmen own a separate rifle just for bear hunting. That which does the job for deer serves equally well for a normal-sized bear. Most who hunt deer year after year will take a bear once or twice in a lifetime.

The .30-30 began taking bear in the 1890s and can still do the job. The .30-’06, .308, and .270 make more than adequate bear rifles. Add to the mix the .300 Savage, .280 Remington, .300 Winchester Magnum, and 7mm Remington Magnum, and the selection adds up to most of the rifles in popular use today.

That said, there are a number of other firearms that can and should be considered, particularly by the deliberate bear hunter.

Most bear are taken from a tree stand or ground blind in close range to a bait site. A far smaller number of bear are taken at close range after a chase by dogs. The remainder fall to those deer hunters who happen to spot a moving bear, usually at a range shorter (Continued on page 38)

������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • September 2022 • 37 (Continued from page 36)

than 50 or 60 yards.

Bear rifles do not need any particular long-range precision; hence the long-running popularity of lever-action rifles firing slower, heavy bullets to plow through the dense tissue of bears. Marlin’s 1964 240-grain .444 Marlin is a prime example of this type of heavy, slow, and effective cartridge. The revival of the .45-70 Government cartridge is due in part to its usefulness as a bear-getter.

Other cartridges fitting the need include 1955’s .358 Winchester, 1978’s .375 Winchester, and 1980’s .356 Winchester. Rolling forward into the 21st century will find cartridges such as the .450 Bushmaster and .450 Marlin included in the mix. Those hunters preferring lighter, faster bullets may look to the .308 Marlin Express, .30 Thompson/Center, and the plethora of contemporary .30-caliber short Magnums.

These include the .300 Ruger Compact Magnum, .300 Remington Short Action Ultra Magnum, and the .300 Winchester Short Magnum.

Any of these cartridges in a reliable bolt-action, or a lever-action repeater, will serve the needs and desires of any black bear hunter across the region.

Many on the list can also serve well for the annual deer hunt.

Some are fine for making the jump to elk or moose-sized game.

Finishing Touches The anticipated range to engage a black bear opens up

the options for shooters. However, there is a great difference between a 150-pound yearling and a mature old boar nearing 600 pounds. And as in all hunting situations, the first responsibility of the hunter is to put the animal down with a well-placed killing

shot. If anything about the shot feels off (line of sight, bullet weight, bullet type or caliber), resist the impulse to fire. Tracking a wounded deer is one thing.

Tracking a wounded bear is something else again – especially in fading light.

With some careful

forethought and a degree of preparation, no one should need a cannon to hunt black bear in the Maine woods or anywhere else. Brown bear hunters in Ketchikan or Kamchatka need to carry the .375 H&H Magnum, or .378 Weatherby Magnum, or .416 Rigby, but no

one need do so here.

In fact, a oneounce, 12-gauge shotgun slug serves black bear hunters as well as anything mentioned earlier, and it will carry all through a Grand Slam.

¶

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38 • September 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————

Where Are the Boots?

The author and other wardens knew that if they could only find the suspect’s boots, they’d be able to match the sole tread pattern to prints found at the scene of an illegal trapping operation.

It was a cold and dark Friday afternoon in December of 2008, and I was manning the office at the Ashland headquarters.

Wardens Jim Davis and Scott Martin had done a really great job developing an illegal trapping case and they were going to execute a search warrant in the Town of Patten, regarding the trapping of a lynx in the Town of Stacyville.

Earlier in the day, I had a phone conversation with Sgt. Durward Humphrey.

He had filled me in on the case, and he said that he and Investigator Bill Livezey were going to give them a hand with the search warrant.

Since I was bored being a pencil-pusher at the office, I decided to head down to Patten in mid-afternoon to check in on this operation. I knew that they didn’t need any help from me, but I thought it would be good if I just showed some interest, and maybe I could offer something that might be helpful.

Lynx Protections Lynx are federally protected, with policies and laws in place to reduce the risk of a trapper catching a lynx. Any intentionwww.MaineSportsman.com

al taking is strictly prohibited, but additionally, any incidental taking has specific guidelines for reporting the incident. These guidelines include immediate reporting to the Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife for assistance in releasing the lynx alive, if possible.

In this instance, it was alleged that the trapper had caught a lynx in his trap, but instead of reporting the incident, he had removed the dead lynx from his trap and disposed of it at a nearby location.

Other laws concerning trapping were also in play, such as allegedly failing to have the trapper’s name and address attached to the trap, failing to have it properly set in a manner designed to reduce the chances of catching a lynx, and allegedly failing to tend the trap at proper intervals.

The fact that there was snow on the ground, creating telltale tracks, was an essential element of the entire case.

The Author Arrives to Assist It was late in the afternoon when I arrived, and the wardens had already been

there for a little while.

The subject’s residence consisted of a mobile home, a large separate two-bay garage, and a 28-foot camper trailer located near the garage.

Too Many Pelts, but No Boots Investigator Livezey was in the camper interviewing the suspect, who was not the property owner, but just staying there during trapping season. I joined up with the other wardens, who were in the garage with some evidentiary items they had gathered up.

Among the item they had assembled was a stack of martin pelts that exceeded the limit of 25 for any one trapper to possess.

They were still looking for a few things, including the suspect’s boots, so the tread pattern could be matched to some tracks that had been left in the snow in the area of the dead lynx.

Author Left Alone in the Cold Wardens Davis and Martin headed off to interview the actual property owner, who lived in the mobile home. Sgt Humphry and I were getting quite cold hanging around in the garage.

There was a barrel stove in the garage, but the fire in it wasn’t doing much, so I added a little wood and stoked it up a little. Humphry and I huddled around the meager heat the stove was putting out, and waited for everyone to finish up what they were doing.

Some time passed before Davis and Martin returned from the mobile home. They reported they had not gained much additional information.

I decided that I might as well depart, but did want to speak with Investigator Livezey before I left.

I went to the camper trailer and knocked on the door.

Livezey came to the door and subsequently stepped outside to speak with me.

He asked what additional things had been found, and I described

the evidentiary items of which I had knowledge. He inquired about the boots, but I told him they had not been located.

Found the Boots I asked if there was anything I could do to help him before I headed home. He stated that the suspect was quite cooperative, and he would be all set.

I told all the guys what a fine job they had done (I would always say “You guys done good”), and started for home.

About halfway home, I got a phone call from Livezey. He sounded excited. He said, “Hey, we found the boots!”

I replied, “Great!

Where were they?”

He said, “You burned them up in the stove.”

¶

������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • September 2022 • 39

Maine Sportsman Trivia So you think you know everything there is to know about the Maine outdoors?? Take this quiz, and let me know how you do!

1. What is the approximate annual success rate for deer hunters in Maine? a. 0%-10% b. 10%-20% c. >20% 2. Who was the first Registered Maine Guide?

13. A small game hunting license permits hunting of all legal species except which five?

14. When waterfowl hunting, how many shells can you have in your shotgun total?

15. What is a baby fox called?

16. What is the Maine state fish?

21. True or False: It is illegal to dig up a lady slipper.

17. What animal made this track?

22. What is the Maine state flower?

3. What is the possession limit for ruffed grouse?

23. What is the minimum legal drawweight poundage for a compound bow used on a moose hunt?

4. True or False: A moose has a tail.

5. How often do colors change on lead core fishing line?

6. How much did the state record deer weigh?

20. What kind of trap is this?

24. What is the slot limit length to keep a striped bass?’

18. What cut of meat is this called?

25. Name this fly, and for a bonus point, name the Mainer who invented it!

7. Black bears can run up to what speed? a. 35 mph b. 45 mph c. 55 mph 8. True or False: Sailboats have the right of way over motorboats.

9. What is the minimum age to obtain a junior hunting license?

26. What do the T and R stand for in “T8R9.”

19. What kind of duck is this?

27. How many dogs can you use at a time to hunt bear?

10. What is the minimum age to hunt a moose?

28. A splake is a cross between what two fish species?

11. Name Maine’s first female Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife,

29. What is the Maine state insect?

30. Red running lights on a boat are located on which side of the boat?

12. True or false: Turkeys are native to Maine.

¶

Answers: 1. b. 10%-20% 2. Cornelia “Fly Rod” Crosby 3. 8 4. True 5. 10 yards 6. 355 lbs.

7. a. 35 mph 8. True – Sailboats under sail have the right of way.

9. No minimum age 10. 10 years old 11. Judy Camuso, the current Commissioner

www.MaineSportsman.com

12. True 13. Deer, bear, moose, racoon, and bobcat 14. 3 15. Kit 16. Landlocked salmon 17. Snowshoe hare 18. Tenderloin or inner loin 19. Bufflehead 20. Conibear 21. False (though certain public lands such as state and national parks prohibit the collection of plants, and a permit is required to collect from

Maine’s public lands).

22. White pinecone and tassel 23. 45 lbs.

24. Greater than or equal to 28” and less than 35” 25. Gray Ghost; Carrie Stevens 26. Township, and Range 27. 6 28. Brook trout and lake trout 29. Honeybee 30. Port (the left side when facing the bow)

40 • September 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————

Baitless Bear Hunting in Aroostook Black bear are raiding many of The County’s grain fields, imposing a cost on farmers in the form of lost crops. Those landowners are often happy to allow a hunter to set up a portable or natural blind, to help reduce the bear population. days, yielding castand-blast outings in short sleeves.

On the plus side, there are a lot more fin, fur, and feather outings to enjoy.

Bear baiting has been ongoing since July 30th. Hunting has been in progress since Youth Day on August 27th, and will conclude on September 24th.

Trapping and hunting with hounds carry on through October, and general hunting into late November. The breathtaking price of fuel and skyrocketing cost of bear bait have led individual baiters to postpone start up to this month, with a growing number eschewing baiting in favor of scout-and-stalk

The price of gasoline and baiting foods will have more hunters going the spot-and-stalk style of bear hunting this season. Big bruin are inundating Aroostook. This burly brute was walking through a field next to this writer’s house less than a mile from Main St. in Presque Isle last month. Graves photos

field hunting.

Aroostook black bear hunters simply don’t have the extended amount of time avail-

Glassing the Grain Aside from the money involved, a goodly number of

AMP BU W S E

CK

Aroostook County — The Crown of Maine —

(Continued on next page)

TH

September is a nebulous month across Aroostook County – the last elements of summer clawing to hang on against the cooler, colorful onslaught of fall. Every day of every week has been a bit of a surprise the last few years: climate change has resulted in previously unheard-of 80-degree

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������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • September 2022 • 41

With the widespread population of black bear throughout The County, sportsmen are saving money on gas and bait by waiting until just a couple of days before the hunting season begins to set up baits.

Within less than a week, this spot had multiple visitors.

(Continued from page 40)

able or the desire and effort needed to establish and maintain a bait site or two. With the Crown of Maine’s vast patchwork topography of farmland, the myriad grain fields draw bruin consistently to easy food sources, especially during the years when natural forest food sources are scarce. Drive-and-spot hunting is a valid option for sportsmen who are short on time.

A visit and friendly conversation with the farm owners or their foreman may garner info on regular bear sightings, since these individuals oversee the land all hours of each day. Then a hunter can investigate, locate game trails and current feeding locales in a field, and perhaps set up a portable blind or build a natural hide from which to shoot.

Farmers are generally cooperative, and are very happy to have extensive crop-damaging bear eliminated.

Driving back roads and two-tracks around crop fields at dusk and dawn offers the opportunity to spot feeding bear, and either sneak-and-peek until a shot is allowed, or return the next day to

Driving farm field roads to spot bear feeding in grain fields is less time consuming and less costly than baiting, but don’t forget to check out wild apple trees and chokecherry patches. This bear was really into the fruits of an apple tree located just uphill.

hide and wait for an opportunity.

Bring the Necessary Firepower Unlike shooting over bait, where a bow, handgun or open-sighted carbine work well, field hunters need a flat shooting, hard-hitting caliber rifle, equipped with clear, crisp optics.

I like a .270 or .270 WSM with a variable scope. Utilize a scope that offers 9 to 12 power at the high magnification. If you can find one with an illuminated dot for twilight shots, all the better.

Aroostook’s rural and urban edge areas abound with farmland, and fields to scout are

within 15 minutes of most hunters’ homes.

In the Caribou region, check out Route 228 and 164, and hundreds of side roads that intertwine this huge triangle with Washburn and Presque Isle at the other two corners.

If you’re in Limestone, check out the off-shoot roads and fields along 1A up toward Caswell and Van Buren.

Farther south along Route 1 from Littleton to Houlton and onward to Hodgdon are crop fields and pastures galore that often draw bruin into the open in their search for a quick and easy meal.

So get out and

Scout local ponds, bogs and marshes where native geese roost or rest during the day. This scouting allows hunters to select nearby farm fields to set up decoy spreads and blinds during the early season.

about for bear in The County – they are everywhere. You might not see as many as on a bait site, but the season is longer, and it’s less expensive and requires less time and effort.

Early Goose Season Kind of by accident a few years ago, a couple of my friends discovered that while driving back roads through regional farmland hoping to spot a bear in the late afternoon, they were spotting flocks of feeding geese. Often if we set up layout blinds and a couple of dozen decoys in those same spots the next morning, there was a better than 50%

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chance we’d get some shooting. With the limited number of native goose flocks and roost areas in contrast to the thousands of grain fields, those are pretty good odds.

There are a lot of young birds during the September season, not as “hunter educated” as the older, more experienced flyway honkers winging through later in the season. As few as a dozen full-bodied decoys, limited calling, and an active goose flag, often produce results. A grain field with proximity to a roost pond or river is a good bet, as the (Continued on next page)

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42 • September 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————

Roger Shaw of Mars Hill enjoys a fall outing on a local pond. Given the number of hunting opportunities available on weekdays, how about a relaxing Sunday castabout?

Set up a Haybale blind, a couple of layouts, and two dozen decoys in a cut grain field near a roost pond this month, and wait for the honkers to fly.

Sometimes two sports blend together in September. While sitting on a bear bait, the author got to do some moose scouting for the September hunt that begins the Monday after bear baiting ends.

The County (Continued from page 41)

morning and late afternoon feeding flights will travel as little as possible and often respond quickly to other birds in a field – even if they are plastic.

Up north, goose gunners should scout around St. Agatha and Sinclair for birds calling Long Lake home.

Collins Pond and the Aroostook River hold geese for the Caribou region. Christina and Josephina Reservoirs, several small ponds and the Aroostook River have honkers traveling to fields around Easton and Presque Isle.

Early season goose hunters in the Houlton region should concentrate on fields southwest toward Linneus, Oakfield and New Limerick, where large Nickerson and Drew’s Lakes and a dozen smaller neighborhood lakes and ponds and the Meduxnekeag River all serve as roost waters for native birds.

Regardless of the 10-bird limit this month in South and Coastal zones, large numbers of hunters trek north to take advantage of a more plentiful and widely

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The Cushman clan of Mars Hill, Conner, Carson and Ethan, with Dad Garrett behind the camera, scored big on a pre-school hunt last September.

distributed population and thousands of huntable fields. Our North Zone’s 6-bird limit is no deterrent to visiting gunners, as the other assets far surpass that small detriment.

Whether it’s a long drive or short jaunt to an Aroostook goose field, the action is usually worth the effort this month.

Moose, Trout & Salmon Don’t overlook the first week of the 2022

moose season, which takes place the last week of this month.

Most sportsmen agree that more moose and big racks roam Aroostook than other counties, and late September is prime time for calling an amorous bull up close and personal.

Also, let’s not forget about the anglers who aren’t quite ready to switch from cast to blast outings just yet.

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thanks to dropping nighttime temperatures. Also, spawning is getting underway.

Trout and salmon are dispersing from summer schooling locations and becoming more aggressive toward flies as they spread out.

In short, it’s a great time to wade or canoe the Fish River thoroughfares, the Aroostook and Meduxnekeag Rivers and a few local ponds near your town.

Years ago, September was a month to change over from fishing gear to hunting equipment and prepare for October.

Nowadays, however, it’s difficult to fit in all the opportunities. But it’s great fun to try!

¶

������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • September 2022 • 43

“Tweener” Streams Catch Bill’s Eye “Tweener” streams consist of moving water connecting two lakes that each hold solid salmon or trout populations. These connector flows often get little pressure this time of year. The author tells you exactly where and how to end your fly-fishing season on a high note.

It’s no secret that many anglers consider September one of the finest months to wet a line. That can also create some crowds.

Shorter days, cooling water temperatures and a spattering of precipitation tend to bring landlocked salmon and native brook trout out of their summer doldrums.

Salmonids have spent the summer hiding in deep, chilled holes that use springs or inlets to keep them at or below that 58-degree sweet spot. Biologists tell me they bulk up during this period.

It’s hard for me to verify the science, but

my nicest land-lockers and brook trout came to hand during the waning months of the season. Unless extended by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (DIF&W), the season ends September 30th. Always check regulations on individual waters BEFORE wetting a line.

Salmonids also have a solid, natural urge to spawn now.

This puts pre-spawn fish on the move. Expect aggressive strikes with this newfound energy. Increased fish activity means anglers need to make tracks to the nearest honey hole.

Wading anglers will find increasing water flows with favorable wading conditions. The high, often flooded conditions that haunted spring anglers have turned into a much more manageable situation.

September fishing offers prime access to many pools, riffles and runs that kept anglers shore-bound in the spring.

Slinging Streamers It’s my favorite time of year to sling streamers.

Nothing fancy – just cast across the stream, let the current pull the offering downstream, and

This river salmon couldn’t resist a Ballou Special.

The author released this fish and hopes to see it again someday. Many of the streams and rivers that connect salmonid filled waters often go overlooked by anglers focused on fishing name waters and perennial hotspots. These often overlooked “tweener” waters can produce some respectable pre-spawn salmon and brook trout this time of year. Bill Sheldon photo

when it straightens out, strip it in. I do my best to stay in contact with the fly throughout the run.

Over the years, I leaned towards a six weight for getting a little distance with bushy streamers.

However, a standard five weight will work fine. My nine-foot tapered 5X leader seems to do the trick on salmon.

For native square tails, I’ll lengthen the leader, and tie on a smaller fluorocarbon leader. Those selective native fish don’t survive without scrutinizing every morsel.

Most of the time, a floating line works just fine. Occasionally I’ll switch to a sinking tip in fast water or really deep pools. I go back (Katahdin Country continued on page 45)

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44 • September 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————

Cooking Lessons from a Guy Who Doesn’t Like to Cook Let me get one thing straight right now … I do not like cooking. I am not a good cook. I do not want to cook. Although I have cooked some great meals in the past, I’m not going to attempt too many more awesome meals

“I make the process as quick and easy as possible – including clean-up. I’m a paper-plate kind of cook, if you know what I mean.” in my lifetime. A fellow can make only so many meals before he realizes that there’s more to life than cooking.

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I was born to chow down, so, even though I prefer not to cook, sometimes I am forced to prepare a meal or two. Thus, I make the process as quick and easy as possible – including clean-up. I’m a paper-plate kind of cook, if you know what I mean.

With that in mind, realize there will be no gourmet cooking instruction going on here in this column.

I’ll be sticking to some of my secret methods for lightening the chore of cooking while on hunting or fishing trips.

My techniques come from years of hiking to the tops of mountains to camp out. A smart hiker does not take heavy cooking gear, or meals that require packing and carrying ingredients that weigh a lot.

Fluid is very heavy, so

I avoid canned goods, and I always have a water filter to pump fresh water, rather than hauling heavy water around on my back. All of my cooking gear is made of titanium, because it’s lightweight … even my “spork” (spoon/fork combo).

These techniques were all used for backpacking, but have now transferred over to my life as an off-road traveler. Scouring the woods for fish and game while camping out of a vehicle doesn’t (Continued on next page)

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

require ultra-lightweight gear, but I guess I just can’t give up old habits easily.

Off-Road Cooking The off-road cook can easily manage heavier gear and ingredients, because it’s so easy to haul around all sorts of food in the vehicle. Storage space is a luxury – compare the room in a vehicle to the square inches in a backpack. Nowadays, I carry canned items, extra water, and heavy ingredients without a problem. I fill the cooler with butter, milk, soda, and heavy slabs of fish and meat. Even so, I still cook with some of the same gear I used for backpacking.

I know many folks who like to splurge when they go hunting and fishing, taking prime cuts of beef and choice items such as scallops, shrimp, lob-

ster, clams and oysters. It sure does taste great out in the woods, but food like that takes up so much extra time cooking and cleaning up that I usually opt to go the easy route.

I would rather spend the time hunting and fishing. So back I go to my backpacking roots.

This is my usual routine for cooking from the back of my truck while out hunting or fishing for a day or two. I simply bring my food bag from my backpack. It’s always filled with a small cookstove, fuel for the stove, some pans and pots, coffee, granola bars, and several freeze-dried meals.

Modern freeze-dried meals (such as Mountain House, and Backpacker’s Pantry) are completely adequate and satisfy my wornout taste buds. I guess I got used to eating military food when I was in the Navy.

Katahdin Country (Continued from page 43)

and forth between the two set ups.

Learning from Lou Ever since I saw Maine Sportsman Fly Fishing columnist Lou Zambello carry three fly rods with him while we fished Webster Brook together a few years ago, I started rigging up multiple rods before hitting the water. Lou probably thought I wasn’t paying attention.

This time of year, I think it pays to fish aggressively. That means hard, fast strips to trigger strikes from prespawn fish. Many anglers pull out all the stops with bright-colored streamers. I have a hard time getting away from my personal favorite, the Ballou Special. With that said, my “Bandy the Rodeo Clown” fly will see some water this month.

“Tweener” Waters It makes perfect sense to target what I call “Tweener” streams. That’s moving water connecting two lakes that hold solid salmonid populations.

These connector flows often get little

Freeze-dried meals, very similar to the military MRE (mealsready-to-eat), are very easy to prepare and clean up after. Open the package, pour boiling water into the container, stir it up, seal it up, and let it set for the designated time (usually eight to ten minutes). It is warm and it fills you up. For the more sophisticated members in the party, I usually bring along some designer snacks, such as mixed nuts, Cheez-Its, gourmet chips, smoked fish, fancy cheese, and organic, health-foodgrade crackers.

Final Tips Do not try these meals out before you go on the trip, because they just won’t have the same flavor as they do when consumed right out there in the woods. What I do is take several extra meals, just in case I need to throw out a

To the author’s unsophisticated taste buds, quality freeze-dried entrees like those from Mountain House and Backpacker’s Pantry more than fill the bill, and because the each meal heats up in its own package, clean-up is a breeze.

few of the less favorable meals.

I’ve been eating these meals for many years now, so I have acquired a special taste for some of them.

I like the lasagna, stroganoff, any chicken or beef meal, and any of the rice meals. Breakfast meals of eggs and bacon or sausage aren’t too bad, either.

It is so easy to prepare these meals, and to clean up you simply throw the trash in a

pressure this time of year, as anglers hit easy-access perennial hotspots.

Nahmakanta Stream (DeLorme Map 42, A-4) connects Nahmakanta Lake to Pemadumcook Lake and has brook trout to 14 inches and salmon that stretch the tape towards 20 inches. Of course that means both smaller, and more important, larger, fish navigate this remote waterway.

For those looking to do some backcountry fishing, Nahmakanta Stream parallels the Appalachian Trail. You will notice Forestry-managed campsites in the area, and you’ll see campers exploring this hidden gem.

Make no mistake, the crowds may know that wading can be difficult at points along the stream’s six-mile run.

It’s not for everybody. But it’s beautiful backcountry, and astute anglers can pick Nahmakanta’s pocket for some well-earned square tails and intercept some handsome silversides.

Millinocket Stream Millinocket Stream (Map 43, A-3) connects Millinocket Lake to the Penobscot River. Access is good, consid-

bag or burn it in the campfire. This allows you precious extra time to get out there and hunt and fish, instead of wasting time around camp, discussing whether or not canola oil tastes better than olive oil while sipping a flavored Perrier. Just make cooking easy, and use the extra time chasing fish and game like you originally planned.

¶

ering the Stacyville Road parallels the waterway.

Never walk away from a dam. The dam at Millinocket Lake is no exception, and this tailwater has a reputation for producing, both in early spring and this time of year.

The northern section of the flowage makes for a perfect day trip, with a return to comfortable accommodations in Millinocket. While landlocked salmon and brook trout rate as the primary target, smallmouth bass also find their way into Millinocket Stream.

Fishing the stream from Millinocket south to its confluence with the Penobscot River requires some brush-busting. Fortunately, this section barely covers two miles as the crow flies, so it doesn’t need to take more than an afternoon to explore.

“Tweener” streams offer remote fishing opportunities without the crowds associated with name waters.

Wet a line now, and finish the season on a high note.

¶ www.MaineSportsman.com

46 • September 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————

Bass Anglers...This Bud’s for You! Heddon Lure Company came out with the “Big Bud” fishing lure – a miniature beer can with a lip on the front, a spinner blade on the back and a couple of treble hooks dangling off the bottom. Of course, my friend Bob Fuller had to try it out.

The slow gurgle of a Fred Arbogast jitterbug breaks the silence of a small nameless pond. It’s dusk, and the tree toads decide to chime in. A few more gurgles, and a pause for good measure.

Make that bass think.

Maybe make him mad.

Hope he’s just plain hungry.

I grew up living for the ensuing explosion

of a largemouth bass engulfing a top water plug. Back in the 1970s, Hula Poppers and Jitterbugs served as our family’s go-to plugs.

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pair of anglers leaving the water mumbled about a fish-less expedition. I noticed rubber worms attached to their lines. Undeterred, we slipped our boat into the water, and headed to the first patch of lily pads we spotted.

With a Jitterbug on one side of the patch and Dad’s favorite (Continued on next page)

A much younger Bill Sheldon holds a pair of fivepound largemouth bass caught by his dad during a Father’s Day fishing trip in the mid 1980s. In those days Jitterbugs, Hula Poppers and his dad’s favorite, a topwater mouse, served as their goto lures. It’s hard to beat the sound and pull of a largemouth smacking a surface lure after the sun settles behind the tree line. Jackie Sheldon photo

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mouse zigging along the opposite side, we caught the first of seven bass in an amazing 30-minute stretch.

Dad’s twin five-pound bucketmouths highlighted the Father’s Day celebration.

Of course, like all good things, it came to an end, as the fish developed lockjaw as quickly as they had started the bite. The next two hours of slapping the water involved mostly gloating.

We talked about that trip for years. We always managed to highlight those precious 30 minutes, but seem to gloss over the

following two hours spent getting skunked.

Note to self: fishermen have selective memories; we freely talk about the hits, but rarely the misses.

It wasn’t long before “Texas rigged” rubber worms started showing up in New England. Like everybody else, we gave them a try. And, they worked. But the hit from below the surface never had the thrill of a sizable largemouth bass exploding the surface and breaking the chilled silence at dusk or dawn.

Top Water Hotspots While anglers will flock to storied waters this month looking

for fall run salmon or brook trout feeding near outlets, they pass by some interesting opportunities that have “top water” written all over them.

A really good example of that is Great Moose Pond in Hartland (DeLorme’s Map 21, E-3). A few years ago, Scott Davis (DIF&W Fisheries Specialist) told me that they had determined that the 3,584acre water contained a strong, healthy population of largemouth bass.

So last summer, I decide to give it a try on my way by while traveling farther north. I met with a full boat ramp parking lot.

I also observed the lion’s share of the boats and haul rigs clearly identified themselves as specializing in largemouth bass fishing. I guessed that my hot tip from Davis was old news by then.

The drive up Route 201 also has a few sleepers for those

looking to relive the days of ripping bucketmouths out of the weeds. Wesserunsett Lake in Madison (Map 20, A-5) also boasts a population of both large and smallmouth bass. Access this water from the ramp in East (Jackman Region continued on next page)

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Maine Moose Mushroom Stew CONGRATULATIONS to the many moose permittee winners! Including my husband and me! We are so excited!

Here’s a recipe to start a long and prosperous hunting season for all. As the winter comes closer, stews should

be made thicker, with more herbs and spices, all to build up our reserves.

I am dedicating this recipe to my dear cousin Jeff Hall, who recently left us. I used to make him soups and stews every month or two. Once I ran out of

canning jars and froze a few quarts and the veggies were mushy. I do agree that veggies just don’t do well freezing. So, I bought more jars!

Enjoy, and Bon Appetit!

This hearty stew can be prepared ahead of your hunting day/week. It is best eaten within the week, or canned. Freezing just doesn’t cut it with most vegetables, at least for me and my cousin Jeff Hall!

Ingredients: • 2 tablespoons canola oil • 2 tablespoons butter • 1 ½ pounds moose meat, cubed • 2 tablespoons Bouquet Garni • 1 tablespoon black pepper, fresh ground • 1 teaspoon Smoked Bacon Salt • ¼ teaspoon cayenne • ¼ cup flour • 2 cups chopped Vidalia onions, chunked • 1 cup Shitake mushrooms, sliced • 1 cup button mushrooms, sliced • 2 tablespoons crushed garlic • 1 cup sweet yellow pepper, chunked • 1 cup dry white vermouth (or dry white wine)

Jackman Region (Continued from page 47) The late Bob Fuller firmly believed that most any bass, large or smallmouth, could use a good cold beer at the end of the day. Most anglers would hang this Budweiser fishing lure on a wall somewhere. Not Fuller. He successfully fished this lure until his untimely death in 1999. Today it hangs on the author’s wall – too much of a sentimental keepsake to risk losing.

Bill Sheldon photo www.MaineSportsman.com

• •

1 can diced tomatoes 2 cups game (or beef) stock

Directions: Combine moose meat, Bouquet Garni, pepper, salt, cayenne and flour in bag; shake to cover meat completely.

Heat oil and butter in large stockpot over moderate-high heat. Add moose Madison.

We all have our favorite lures. Catch a lunker on a lure, and it finds valuable seat time tied to the business end of the line. Hence, it gets fished more. Statistically it has to out-fish lures sitting on the sidelines. One of my fatal flaws as a fisherman comes from sticking with favorite lures way too long, even when they don’t produce.

Budweiser Lure My dear friend, the late Bob Fuller, introduced me to his new lure on a quiet private pond we fished regularly.

Bob enjoyed nothing more than top water bass fishing while enjoying a cold beer.

Heddon Lure Company came out with the “Big Bud” fishing lure, and Fuller proudly flashed his new lure for my reaction. It was a miniature beer can with a lip on the front, a spinner blade on the back and a couple of treble hooks dangling off the bottom of the can.

and brown on all sides. Add onions, mushrooms, and garlic and simmer 5 minutes, tossing to prevent sticking.

Add vermouth, tomatoes and stock and simmer 1 hour covered. Stir stew often to avoid scorching. Season more if necessary.

Serves: 4

¶

“What are you going to do with that?” I chuckled. I figured this was some kind of display lure that would find a home on a bar room wall or in a man cave’s bathroom.

“I’m going to fish it,” he replied.

Bob’s ear to ear smile let me know he was serious.

“Are you going to drink it first?” I sarcastically replied.

Needless to say, the beer can lure sailed out across the water. Fuller really got a kick out of fishing that lure.

He was sure bucket-mouths would like a cold one at the end of a long day.

And, of course, it finally happened.

Some thirsty bass fell for the beer can, and I got the duly noted “I told you so,” from a chuckling Fuller.

After Bob passed away, his wife Linda gave me his prized beer can lure.

I’m afraid to fish it, because I don’t want to lose it. Ironically, it will hang on my wall.

¶

������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • September 2022 • 49

Golden Days, Cool Nights Highlight September in Moosehead Region The Moosehead Region brims with fishing opportunities in September. On my way up Route 15 to Rockwood, the number of vehicles parked at East Outlet of the Kennebec River always surprises me.

Fly fishers congregate here, and for good reason. The place holds lots of trout and salmon, and even some togue. A togue on a fly rod gives a surprisingly good account of itself. But I no longer fly fish, and so I continue my trek to Rockwood, where I will jump in a boat and ply the mystic waters of Maine’s largest lake, Moosehead Lake.

Before reaching Rockwood, Route 15 crosses the West Outlet of the Kennebec River, which is managed under general law. If time allows, I always stop and throw out some Trout Magnets for the fall yearling brook trout stocked by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (DIF&W). Often, DIF&W will stock these 12- to 14-inch brook trout in late September, making it worthwhile to stop and make a few casts before heading on to my destination.

If fortune smiles on me, a salmon may come to net along with the brook trout. Our DIF&W has begun a salmon fishery on the West Outlet, and so fish may become firmly established, it

The man’s wife contended that their 16-foot family boat was sufficiently large and stable to handle the weather on Moosehead Lake. Would a big storm on the horizon change her mind?

On a calm day, Moosehead Lake is the picture of tranquility. Violent storms can kick up quickly, so boaters must keep a keen eye on the weather. Photo

by Eric Holbrook

is a no-kill fishery for salmon. Still, it can make an angler’s day to take a hefty salmon on a wispy spinning rod.

My real fun begins at Rockwood on Moosehead Lake.

September stands as an excellent salmon month, and I’ve hooked into some awfully nice fish at this time of year. And of course, the big lake’s numerous togue continue faithful through September, and anglers can pretty much count upon picking up

a few togue on any given trip.

Two Faces Moosehead Lake, like many of our large, northern lakes, has two personalities when it comes to weather conditions.

One day may see a glassy-smooth surface, with nothing but a few gentle ripples to disturb the serenity. The next day may see huge whitecaps and flying spray. This dictates that boaters always keep a keen eye out for the weather. When black, foreboding

clouds begin to build, it is time to get to a place where it will only take a few minutes to reach the shore. To do otherwise is foolhardy.

A friend recently shared a story with me. His buddy liked to take his wife and child fishing on Moosehead Lake in his 16-foot aluminum runabout.

They never had any problems with the

weather, but still, the man felt the need for a larger boat, just for safety’s sake. But his wife contended that the boat they had was more than sufficient for their needs.

Then one day out on Moosehead, a storm blew up unexpectedly and they were a far distance from shore. They made it back safely, but as the Scotsman said when counting his change, “Just.”

After stepping out of the boat, the man’s wife said, “When is the next boat show?”

This story highlights two thoughts. If you have a boat that might not handle what Moosehead Lake can throw at it, make sure not to venture out too far, and if weather conditions change, head back toward shore as (Continued on next page)

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50 • September 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————

Moosehead Region (Continued from page 49)

quickly as possible.

Moose-head has plenty of deep water within a stone’s throw from shore. You don’t always need to head out to the middle.

The second point of the story is that there really isn’t any such thing as a boat that is too big for Moosehead Lake. If you can swing

it, go for at least an 18-footer. Look for a wide, deep-hull model.

Salmon Chop Clear, bright, brisk days in September often bring windy conditions. These are usually constant, whatever the speed. If your boat can handle it, such times make for excel-

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lent salmon trolling.

And if the temperatures have been sufficiently cool, you might even take fish on a fly rod with sinking line and a streamer or bucktail on the end.

In some respects, September resembles an older, more mature brother of May. Fish may be found at medium depths and on choppy days, even near the surface. It all

conditions, for some reason, spur fish into feeding activity. Begin trolling at various depths. A fish locator will help determine where to begin. Use smaller lures and flies, in order to emulate the average size of smelt in the lake at this time.

By all means, try to hit Moosehead this September.

¶

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depends, and each day is different, so it pays to experiment.

Picture temperatures in the 50s, cerulean skies, with a few puffy white clouds skipping across the sky. This is a typical day in September in the Moosehead Region. A medium breeze stirs up a few whitetipped waves – what old-timers refer to as a “salmon chop.” These

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������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • September 2022 • 51

Cool Water Means Hot Fishing September ranks as an “iffy” month in much of Maine. If summer’s heat persists throughout the month, then carryover stocked trout won’t run to upstream headwaters.

And if water in lakes and ponds remains on the tepid side, coldwater game fish will continue to hug the depths.

But if the weather breaks, and cool temperatures set in, not only will fishing heat up for carryover trout in streams and rivers, but also fish in lakes and ponds will become more accessible. I once caught a brown trout while trolling with a fly rod and sinking line on Labor Day. I could see people having a last fling of summer at their shoreline camps, and could smell the smoke from their cook fires, while I trolled up and down the lakeshore.

Besides all this, in September the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (DIF&W) begins stocking streams and rivers that remain open year-round.

Here again, if warm, low-water conditions prevail, DIF&W will wait for conditions to improve before stocking. But if fall rains and cool weather arrive in a timely manner, September can see sizzling action on stocked trout.

Here’s an interesting thing about

Action in September is weather-dependent, as is the fall stocking schedule of Maine’s DIF&W. But if things line up, the month can offer some or the most productive fishing of the year.

Trout stocked the previous spring have grown fat and sassy by September.

Tom Seymour photo

fall fishing. Thanks to an aggressive stocking policy on the part of DIF&W and more liberal regulations, we now have more fall-fishing opportunities than ever. In my younger days, the season on rivers, brooks and streams ended on my birthday, September 15. As a birthday present to myself, I would go to my favor-

ite dam site and take outsized brown trout on dry flies. And that was it, the final blowout until April 1 the following year.

But no more. Beginning in September, fishing is just beginning to blossom.

Trolling, Too While September sees many boaters putting their boats to bed

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for the winter, others know that September ranks as a top month for trolling. Fish have come up off bottom, while cool temperatures stimulate their metabolism.

Trout, togue and salmon are hungry and will readily strike a trolled offering.

Also, some of the biggest trout and salmon of the year come

to net in September.

Well, they do for most people. I have had the gut-wrenching disappointment of having monster salmon take my trolled Mooselook Wobbler, only to jump clear of the water and throw the little piece of metal back at me.

The same for trout.

I once hooked what could only have been a personal record brown trout, only to have the hook pop out, for no reason at all. My fond hope is that one of these Septembers, a trout or salmon of a lifetime will hit and get solidly hooked so that I can finally land it.

Here’s something else about fishing in September. I believe that fish fight harder now. Invigorated by well-oxygenated, cool water, salmonids put more energy into their fight than at any other time.

Terminal Gear Here’s a secret for trollers to use to slam trout and salmon in September. It’s based on fact and is a troller’s version of match(Trout Fishing continued on page 53)

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52 • September 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————

Avoiding the Crowds This September For anglers, September promises autumn’s benefits – cool nights, falling water temperatures, and storms that bring a flush of water, triggering trout and salmon to move into lake shallows or up rivers and streams.

If only this was still consistently true.

For the last decade, most of September has been just an extension of August, with dry and warm conditions.

For most of this summer, we here in Maine experienced moderate drought conditions (for the third consecutive year). I hope that as this September issue of The Sportsman goes to

The expert guide reveals his secret to outfishing the competition.

A beautiful sunrise back at camp after I had been on the river for several hours. All photos: Lou Zambello

press, a tropical storm will drop torrents of rain to refresh our state’s aquafier and refill our waters.

Seasonal Changes Forest ecologists have data that shows the seasonal change to autumn has shifted

11 days later on average in Northern New England. This has affected the salmonid migration timing. In

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2021, salmon did not swim up the Kennebago River until the last week of fishing season. Years ago, I could catch them as early as mid-August.

Productive fishable water in September has been hard to find because of water conditions, and that has crowded anglers into fewer spots. Fishing has been tough.

Finding Solitude What I now try to do is fish when my fellow anglers don’t.

The solitude is relaxing and improves the fishing. Let me offer you several novel approaches.

Try fishing in the dark. (I mean literally, not figuratively; we all fish cluelessly some of the time!) I am talking about getting streamside before dawn’s early light.

I like to arrive at a favorite pool at least half an hour before first light, ahead of other early-bird crazies, so I can sit riverside and relax at the location of my choosing. I have a headlamp so I can see, but never shine it directly on the water.

The fishing can start fast. Pressured and educated salmonids that will turn up their noses at a size-20 delicately presented emerger on 7X tippet at five in the afternoon, will hammer a mouse pattern at five in the morning.

(Continued on next page)

������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • September 2022 • 53

A fat native brookie landed at at 5:40 a.m. (taken with cell phone flash).

(Continued from page 52)

I have two rods rigged – one with a mouse pattern, the other with a size-6 black Wulff dry fly. One rod is a back-up in case I get tangled or broken off.

You don’t want to be rigging up or changing flies in the dark.

I don’t cast until I hear the first splash of the morning. To me, everything still looks black except perhaps just a slight graying of the eastern edge of the sky, but the fish sense the changing light. I then cast either fly (my preference changes day to day) and execute a slow steady retrieve across the surface with a regular pause. The strike often comes at the pause and on the first cast.

Your first casts should be short, covering the shallow water that big fish move into at night. Then lengthen your casts, or direct them towards any suspected rises.

Setting the hook, playing, and landing fish in near darkness is its own challenge. I have learned to trust my hands and instincts, honed from decades of fishing.

By the time the sun breaks the horizon, it has been light for more than half an hour, and fishing is already slowing down. The crunch of tires on gravel and slamming car doors tell me the morning contingent of fly fishers have arrived. I then head back to my camp for coffee with memories of

Trout Fishing (Continued from page 51)

ing-the-hatch.

Those with fish locators will notice great, large balls of baitfish here and there. These are smelt young-of-theyear, and they far outnumber whatever mature smelt remain.

Even knowing this, most anglers continue to troll with full-sized wobblers. Not that bigger spoons won’t take fish, but smaller ones, more in line with the prevailing size in the lake or pond, will take far more.

I mention Mooselook Wobblers because they offer extremely small wobbling spoons. These come in a variety

a few nice fish coming to hand.

Bad Weather: Good Fishing Another way to avoid the crowds: Fish in bad or changing weather.

High winds, pouring rain, cold fronts and storm squalls will all discourage anglers from the water. Who can blame them? Better to rest up and begin again when the weather stabilizes.

Common sense – except it’s wrong.

During autumn, bad weather can energize trophy fish. Rain means rivers rising and fish moving. Cold fronts mean cooling water.

Bad weather causes air pressure changes that fish sense underwater.

Migrating fish sense a pressure change

My go-to limited light patterns. Black offers a good silhouette for the trout against a starry or moonlit sky.

through their lateral line, and interpret it as either approaching food or a predator. Either way, they become active. For years, we have hooked the biggest fish when the air pressure is changing, just as a weather front is passing through.

One day, I was fishing a popular pool in a windstorm all by my lonesome. Several trees had blown down across the main access road and blocked everyone else!

I had never before seen whitecaps on a

of sizes, and for September fishing, the Mooselook Midget ranks as my favorite. These little powerhouses measure 1-7/8 inches long and weigh only 1/12 ounce.

It would seem that such a small lure would have trouble landing large fish. But consider that fly fishers take large trout on tiny flies.

Mooselook Midgets have treble hooks, and if a 4-pount togue, for example, takes the spoon, it will most likely inhale it and get hooked well back in the mouth.

You needn’t stick exclusively to Mooselook, but they work for me. If you have other scaled-down trolling lures, by all means give them a try. By the

river pool. The wind was so strong into my face, the only way to cast was to use sinking line and fling it sidearm, low to the water. Aggressive two- to three-pound trout were hitting my streamer as it touched the surface – no retrieve necessary.

It was epic.

Waterproof, warm and lightweight apparel is readily available and allow us to fish comfortably in all sorts of weather conditions.

Take advantage this September.

¶

way, an all-chrome color pattern gets me the most hits in September.

Rod Size For trolling, use a medium-weight rod and no less than a 6-pound test line, 8-pound test being better. The chances of hanging on to a lunker in a lake or pond is good in September, so use appropriate-size rods, reels and lines.

For stream fishing, though, the likelihood of anything more than 3 or 4 pounds seems slim, so scale your rod size down. I use an ultralight St. Croix rod and 4-pound test line, and it has landed fish over 3 pounds.

Here’s hoping your September sizzles.

¶

www.MaineSportsman.com

54 • September 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————

Fall Fishing and Hunting Opportunities Excite Downeast Sports Downeast anglers can fish for smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, or lake trout on many of the region’s lakes and ponds.

One small water that harbors a healthy population of white perch and bass is Phillips Lake in Dedham (DeLorme’s Map 23, C-4). Phillips Lake is a mid-sized water consisting of 828 acres.

Heavy humpbacks, and bass shaped like frying pans, are caught by anglers near the shoreline in September.

The lake supports

A myriad of fishing and hunting opportunities await the Downeast area sportsmen and sportswomen, from bass and perch to togue, and from expanded-archery deer to fall wild turkeys. a pretty good smallmouth bass fishery.

Some of the coves and drop-off areas by the islands have many submerged boulders – habitat favored by this species. Every year, the lake produces some trophy 3–4-pound smallmouths, most of which are in excellent condition.

Phillips’ deep, well-oxygenated water also has a reputation

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for producing summer salmon and lake trout.

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Washington County Bass Another favorite Washington County water in September is Meddybemps Lake (Map, 36, D-4). Some

of the best fishing spots on this water are found around the many small islands.

Meddybemps is often considered one of the best smallmouth bass lakes in eastern Maine.

Numerous coves, rocky shoreline and gravel beds create ideal bass-spawning habitat. Even though bass are abundant, their average size is limited due to

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over-population.

Smallmouths average around 10 inches; however, a few trophies up to four pounds are caught.

Anglers at times catch bass on nearly every cast, and may finish the day landing 80 or more smallies.

Bass lures and plastic worms catch the majority of bass.

This water also contains a lot of 10- to 12-inch white perch.

Pickerel are also present in the lake. The boat launch is off Route 214 in Meddybemps.

(Continued on next page)

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������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • September 2022 • 55 (Continued from page 54)

Lake Trout Hopkins Pond (Map 24, B-1) is a popular togue fishing water. This well-oxygenated, 442-acre water contains an ideal habitat for cold-water gamefish. Some of the best lake trout fishing is during the cooler month of September.

Drift-fishing with live bait, according to a very reliable authority, takes fish in the fall. Anglers trolling large copper-colored spoons or flies attached to dodgers also take fish. Late-summer togue seekers need to troll deep – 3550 feet is a good bet.

Trollers using lures, especially Mooselook Wobblers, often have the good luck.

Most of the togue

are small, with only a few measuring over the 20-inch minimum length limit. According to Mike Cummings, fish weighing up to up to 5 pounds are occasionally caught by anglers.

September anglers who still-fish with smelts catch a few of these bottom-dwelling trout in deep water at the southern end of the pond. Dawn fishing usually provides the best opportunity to take a few lake trout.

Folks gain access to Hopkins from Route 9 near the Mariaville-Clifton town line.

Follow the Debec Pond Road for two miles.

The boat landing is on the east shore.

Downeast Hunting A second exciting September activ-

ity for sports in the Downeast Region is expanded-archery season. Deer populations in my Downeast area seem to be rebounding nicely. Mild weather conditions have helped more deer to survive.

Most of the deer I have encountered on my travels were seen in Bucksport’s Expanded-Archery Zone, DeLorme’s Map 23, E-2, or in Castine’s Expanded-Archery Zone, Map 15, B-2. Refer to Maine’s hunting regulations for more precise details on towns with an expanded archery season.

Hunters who have a valid archery license will be able to purchase multiple expanded-archery-antlerless deer permits for $12 each, and one expanded-archery-antlered permit

Wildlife Quiz Answers: Owls

1. Owls belong to the order Strigiformes.

2. There exist 205 different species of owls.

3. The two categories of owls are true owls and barn owls.

4. Ten or eleven different species of owls live in or frequent Maine.

5. Owls live in a wide variety of habitats, including dense for-

for $32. Bowhunters might also widen their hunting area to include the high-density deer terrain found in other expanded-archery towns in WMD 23.

Another fall hunting opportunity is Maine fall turkey hunt. WMD 26, my home range, offers prime turkey habitat from the coastal waters of Bucksport to Lamoine. Refer to Delorme’s Atlas, Maps 23 and 24 and a copy of Maine’s Hunting Regulations for a detailed map of this district.

Some other top-notch

hunting areas to pursue a wild turkey lie within the boundaries of WMD 27 and 28 from Sullivan to Calais.

The estimated turkey population, according to DIF&W bird biologist Brad Allen, is approximately 60,000 birds scattered over the state. Due to our unseasonably mild, snow-free winter, Biologist Allen feels that most birds will have fared quite well.

Spring conditions this year were mild, fostering ideal spring-hatching conditions.

¶

(Quiz on Page 27)

ests, open woodlands, clearcuts, and even urban environments.

6. Owls feed on many types of prey, including rodents, reptiles, birds, insects and rabbits.

7. Owls pick out nesting sites between January and March.

8. Female owls lay two to three eggs that incubate for about a month before hatching.

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56 • September 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————

What is that Bird? That Flower?

That Fish? Ask Your App! icent but oft-hidden birds when walking the trails behind our house.

The speed and simplicity of accessing information on our smartphones continues to boggle the mind. Many of us use our electronic devices far more as encyclopedias than we do as phones.

Need to find a fun fact quickly?

Boom. Answer found.

Some of the coolest applications today allow us to explore the environment around us, learning more about nature than we thought possible, including birds, flowers, trees, fish, bugs and mushrooms.

If you don’t have one of these nature ID apps, it is time to check some of them out.

Powerful and Fast Using powerful digital matching technology and artificial intelligence similar to facial or voice recognition, the growing fleet of nature ID apps uses your photos or audio recordings to identify a species of plant or animal or, yes, even the type of rock you found in a stream or on a mountain top.

My first nature ID app was Picture This. I started using this impressive botany app a couple years ago when I was learning to identify ferns. I’ve since used it for native and non-native plants in the wild and cultivated plants in my yard and garden. It can identify a plant in any season, using a photo of a leaf, flower, seed, bud, bark or even a profile shot.

If a plant in your garden has a disease or pest, the app will diagnose the problem and suggest remedies.

Like all of these apps, Picture This is very accurate but not 100%, although it seems to be getting better the more people use it. There is a free version, or you can subscribe to a premium version.

Look It Up I’m also a big fan of the Audubon app, a traditional “look up” guide for identifying birds. It’s an encyclopedia of information, including quick ways to identify the bird based on size, profile, behavior, colors and photos. The app doesn’t use photos or sound recognition to identify the bird. You need to do that yourself.

The app provides detailed descriptions and shows similar birds, seasonal range, habitat, life history and conserwww.MaineSportsman.com

Real Time ID Apps If you hear a bird calling and want to identify it by its sound, or you are lucky enough to get a good photo, there are two great apps that can do the job.

Merlin Bird ID, available for free from The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, is nothing short of remarkable. Push the record button and it “listens” for birds around you, identifying them in real time, and highlighting which bird is singing at any moment. It can also ID a bird from a photo.

Another similar is Picture Bird.

Using Picture Bird, I learned that redeyed vireos are calling almost non-stop in our yard.

Other ID apps in this family include Picture Fish. Using this app, I identified an unusual fish that I caught in a stream in New Hampshire. The rosy-sided dace (Clinostomus funduloides) is native to the Tennessee River and the Delaware River drainage. But somehow a small population was introduced, probably as bait, in the upper Connecticut River, and these fish live in the fast-flowing tributaries where one took my parachute Adams.

I was stumped when I caught the tiny fish, but the app quickly told me what I had in my hand.

Using the “Picture Fish” app, the author was able to identify a Rosyside dace, which has established a population far from home. Van Wie photo

vation status. It also maps recent sightings of birds in your vicinity to help you confirm your ID, or to let you go look for a specific bird in the wild.

Indeed, it’s a social media community as well as a scientific research tool.

I wrote previously how scientists have used data from these “citizen science” applications to identify trends in bird populations and effects of human impacts, such as air pollution.

One of my favorite features of the Audubon app is the recordings of songs.

This spring, we had a nesting pair of Cooper’s hawks in the woods within sight of our porch. When I listened to the Cooper’s hawk call on the app, I realized how frequently I’ve heard these magnif-

iNaturalist Another source of expertise for identifying plants and animals is the iNaturalist app. Like the others, you can upload photos of plants, butterflies, mammals and other flora and fauna for help identifying what you see. If the app doesn’t provide a satisfactory result, you can ask for help by reaching out to the community of naturalists who use the app to share what you saw. iNaturalist also has a newer app called Seek, which is designed for families who want to explore nature together.

There are many apps and naturalist communities that specialize in identifying other critters and organisms. It’s never too late to download an app, start exploring, and learn more about our Sporting Environment.

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September Tranquility Beginning the day after Labor Day, a transformation occurs on Maine’s lakes and ponds. Gone are the speedboats, water skiers, tubers and other recreational watercraft. No longer do motor-induced waves crash on serene shorelines. Even canoeists can safely ply most waters without fear of being swamped.

And as the water becomes colder, trolling for coldwater game fish gets better and better.

Now, the laughing of loons replaces the ambient noise of buzzing of motors. An aura of peace and quiet reigns over the waters. The fall fishing season has begun, and for me it has largely supplanted the spring season as my favorite time get out trolling.

Salubrious temperatures, mostly great weather, and cooperative fish recommend September to anglers who in years past may have put their boats away after Labor Day. It seems hard to believe that that same lake or pond that was being churned to a froth only scant days before could now become a prime fishing spot. But it happens, nonetheless. No longer do we need to hit the lake in the early morning or late evening just to avoid boat traffic.

Now we can fish all day in complete peace and serenity.

as Mooselook Wobblers, fished on ultralight tackle. Cast out, but don’t begin reeling until the lure has fluttered most of the way to the bottom. Any nearby pickerel will probably intercept it on the way down.

I don’t purposely fish for bass, but still catch lots of them while fishing for other species. Bass hang around the periphery of large schools of white perch, so once the schools move, continue drifting and you may get into the bass.

Also, I routinely pick up bass, mostly smallmouths, while trolling for trout and togue. A 4-pound smallmouth bass does a remarkable job of convincing me that it is a brown trout, at least for a little while.

It seems hard to believe, says the author, that the same lake or pond that was being churned to a froth only scant days before by recreational boaters, could now become a prime fishing spot.

But that’s what happens!

Rainbow trout such as these bite well in September. Photo: Tom Seymour

And though I mentioned trolling, other kind of fishing gets good as well. Schools of white perch splash on the surface in the early morning. These schools, still cohesive, consist of dozens or even hundreds of scrappy white perch, all ravenous and wanting to eat everything they can before winter sets in. Some of my best perch fishing has happened in September. Pickerel, too, come alive now and places that saw action on old chainsides in early spring come awake again in September.

Warmwater Species White perch schools tend to stay in relatively shallow water now, perhaps 10 – 15 feet. No more plugging the deep holes,

because fish have largely moved on.

In the old days, my grandpa and I would slowly drift around known hotspots and when perch began to bite, we (mostly me) would gently lower the anchor and tie it off.

Then the waiting game began. The anchor would spook the fish, but not for long, and in a matter of minutes we would both have a perch on the line. Action would remain hot and heavy as long as the school stayed put.

Today, fish locators make the job of finding fish so much easier, but the old-time way still works too.

While we used spinner-and-worm combos in the halcyon days, I have since gone to live shiners on lakes noted for big perch, since the larger variety

prefer shiners. Give ’em what they want, I say. Most of the time, I simply bounce a crappie jig along the bottom. Crappie Magnets rank as my top choice, but many brands will work.

Pickerel, as mentioned, put on the feedbag as waters chill in September. These fine game fish are mostly overlooked nowadays, and that’s a shame, because pickerel fight well and are very aggressive. I prefer small wobbling spoons such

Trout Trolling If water has sufficiently cooled, trout may be in as little as 30 feet of water or less by mid-month. A fish finder can give more specific data, so do put it to use. Both downriggers and lead-core lines make good choic(Midcoast Region continued on page 60)

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58 • September 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————

Maine’s 4,000-Footers For years, I have watched my kids grow into strong hikers.

Over time, their skills evolved to a point where they were no longer content with easy day hikes up such central Maine favorites as French Mountain, 716 ft. (DeLorme’s Map 20, E-3) or Mt. Phillip, 755 ft.

In fact, most of the training we did throughout April and May was accomplished in the Georges River Land Trust in the towns of Rockport and Camden.

One of the kids’ favorite preparation/ training hikes includes 1,300 ft. Ragged Mountain (Map 14, D-3). From the summit, Ragged boasts dramatic views of Penobscot Bay. Multiple trailheads lead up to the summit; however, our favorite is the Thorndike Brook Trailhead.

Ragged Mountain is also accessible through the Camden Snowbowl, a small community-owned ski area in Camden. The two primary trailheads are on the right side of the A-frame lodge, and at the pond end of the main parking lot, beyond the double chairlift.

There is also a set of kiosks with information and maps available near the boat launch, just before entering the main parking lot.

The Ragged Mounwww.MaineSportsman.com

rain jacket. Being able to stay warm and dry in Maine’s inclement weather is key to having an enjoyable time in the mountains.

As shown in this aerial photo of the Bond Brook Recreational Area in Augusta, about six miles of single-track trails for mountain biking, walking and snowshoeing have been laid out on the 270-acre parcel, along with five miles of (oneway) Nordic ski trails. Source: KennebecValley.org

tain trails have no real “height” exposure; only the summit has a steep edge where hikers should exercise caution.

Summer 2022 had the kids and me once again continuing to chase our lifetime goal of completing all of Maine’s 4,000 footers.

In 2018, we climbed Katahdin, and in 2021 we completed North and South Crocker, Sugarloaf, Saddleback, Saddleback Horn, Avery and W. Peak. Summer 2022 our plan is to climb Abraham and Hamlin, while Spaulding and Redington are scheduled for summer 2023.

This list of Maine’s highest peaks includes a mixed bag of mountains that will challenge even seasoned hikers. While two of

the 4,000 footers (Saddleback and Sugarloaf) are relatively straightforward slogs up ski hills, Baxter Peak, Mt. Redington and Old Speck are much more remote, and hikers should ensure that they are well-prepared physically before undertaking these hikes.

9. Bigelow – Avery Peak – 4,090 10. Mt. Abraham – 4,050 11. Crocker Mt. (South) – 4,050 12. Saddleback Horn – 4,023 13. Spaulding Mt. – 4,010 14. Mt. Redington – 4,010

Maine’s 4,000-Footers Maine’s 4,000 footers include: 1. Katahdin – Baxter Peak – 5,268 feet 2. Katahdin – Hamlin Peak – 4,756 3. Sugarloaf – 4,250 4. Crocker Mt. (North) – 4,228 5. Old Speck – 4,170 6. North Brother – 4,151 7. Bigelow – W. Peak – 4,145 8. Saddleback Mt. – 4,120

Stay Safe There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad gear. While a summer backpacking adventure up a 4,000-footer may not be as demanding as other sporting pursuits, Maine’s fickle weather can certainly make these climbs challenging or even dangerous for the ill-prepared.

High quality synthetic, breathable clothing is a must-have, as well as a winter hat and a

Stay Hydrated My youngest son had an encounter with heat exhaustion this past summer while out hiking. It was my obvious oversight, believing that it would be something that I would easily see coming and could prevent.

Not true. It came on fast, and with hardly any warning. One moment he was hiking along fine, and the next he slipped into a state of total exhaustion.

Not drinking enough water was a major part of his problem, and after getting him cooled down and rehydrated, he recovered quickly. Lesson learned – kids (and even some adults) must be frequently reminded to slow down, take more water breaks, and wear lightweight breathable clothing and a shade hat in hot weather.

Keep Moving!

I’m not saying that everyone needs to have a goal, like climbing all of Maine’s 4,000 footers, to motivate themselves to keep moving.

What I am saying is that it is important to find a physical activity that excites and motivates you, and to em(Central Maine continued on page 60)

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Fur Prices Affected by Foreign and Domestic Events and Politics Domestic and foreign politics and events will surely have a detrimental effect on trapping and wild fur prices this coming year – even more so than in previous years.

Soaring fuel prices will have the biggest domestic impact. With fuel between $4 and $5 per gallon, a trapper will not be able to make much profit.

And then there’s the issue of international auction prices.

One might have predicted that during the upcoming 2022/2023 trapping season, our fur auction prices would have increased.

The assumption was that higher prices would keep some trappers home, reducing supply and thereby increasing prices.

Another reason trappers thought prices of fur and fur sales might go up was that many of the European Union nations banned or phased out mink ranching starting in the year 2000.

Further, as a result of the Covid pandemic spreading into ranched mink, eleven European Union nations and the Canadian province of British Columbia also quit or suspended mink farming in 2021.

Two other international trends, however, kept prices low, including the stabilization of the Chinese economy, and Unit-

North American wild fur prices have always gone up and down like an express elevator, says the author, but it was usually possible to shift trapping practices and remain profitable. Now, however, international politics, the pandemic, and increased costs of doing business, have combined to create nearly insurmountable barriers. ed States sanctions against Russia.

How Low Can They Go? Just how low are prices? Looking back only a decade, a Maine fur auction held back in 2013 included beaver pelts that sold at an average of $23.25, coyote averaged $24, mink averaged $25, marten averaged $46, and red fox averaged $35.

And that was with in-person buying, which changed these past two years as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Because of restrictions on personal contact and travel, auctions have been held online. International buyers have not been able to physically see and examine the furs.

Sales results illustrate the impact. The only remaining North American fur auction house, North Bay Fur Harvesters, reportedly sold 55% of pelts offered in 2021, but the first North Bay auction of 2022 had to be held online because of the pandemic, and sellers sold only 39% of the pelts offered.

Effect of the Russia/Ukraine War Now the war between Russia and Ukraine is further harming the fur industry. For many years, both Russia and Ukraine have been enormous supporters of North American wild furs, buying the top goods in a great many wild fur species.

Now, however, Ukraine is in no position to purchase goods, while Russia is further blocked with sanctions that prohibit the importation of luxury goods. Russia is the world’s second-largest user of our wild furs, and it’s also targeted

by Canadian and other

allied economic sanctions.

North Bay Fur Harvesters Auction CEO Mark Downey blamed the Russian invasion of Ukraine for what currently appears to be the most depressed trapped fur sales since 1999. The US also usually sells to buyers in Greece, Italy and Turkey, but that’s because manufacturers in those countries formerly made fur products that were sold in Russia, and that indirect sales process is currently on hold.

Other Auctions Did No Better The slumping

North Bay Fur Harvesters sales were hardly the worst of 2022 for fur sellers.

The Kopenhagen Fur Center’s February 2022 auction ended with them selling only 5% of their total offering, followed by Finland’s SAGA Furs doing only slightly better. In March 2022 Kopenhagen Fur Center also announced they were cancelling their April auction due to global issues.

On top of all this, the Chinese wild fur demand is also down.

Fur demand from China drove trapped fur prices up temporarily from 2000 through 2018, but not nearly to the levels of the late 20th century, and that boom was also shortlived. By 2019, the major question about the Chinese fur trade was not whether it was in decline, but rather (Continued on next page)

www.MaineSportsman.com

60 • September 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————

Trapping (Continued from page 59)

about how steep the fall would be.

Domestic Issues Also Affect Prices For purposes of international trade, the market treats North America and Canada as one in the same. All our furs on the inter-

national market are handled and treated the same. We together make up the majority of the world’s wild fur trade. Put more succinctly, American trappers ride the same horse as Canadian trappers.

Midcoast Region (Continued from page 57)

es for fall trolling, and if the water has really cooled, a fly rod and sinking line will take fish now.

For terminal gear, either a single frozen or preserved smelt or even a live

Central Maine (Continued from page 58) brace it. As we age, it may get harder and harder to do all of the physical activities that we were able to easily accomplish in our youth, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still find activities that get us outside enjoying all of the exciting adventure that Maine’s woods and waters offer.

Anyone starting out on a new exercise program should first consult a doctor. It’s also a good idea that if you have

Thus, in the 1980s, US trappers were affected when anti-fur protests raged and groups such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals stigmatized the wearing of wild fur, and sales of Canadian wild pelts dropped from more than $75 million (Canadian) to only $18

million. Then a growing Russian market brought the tally back to $50 million in the mid-1990s, only to have a ruble devaluation in 1998 leave trappers in the lurch again.

“Like an Elevator” Our North American wild furs have always gone up and

down in value like an express elevator. Over the years, each species of furbearer has had its own market, depending on fashion or utility use demands.

Now more than ever before, we have to consider the impact of international politics into the mix.

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shiner can work wonders. If you prefer to dress up your offering, try fishing a Wood Special fly 2 ½ feet behind a silver dodger. This requires going quite slowly, so if using lead line, watch your rod tip, and when it bounces with a slow, steady rhythm, you have found the proper speed.

You might want to sweeten your offering by adding a small shiner. Hook the baitfish just behind both lips. It will ride naturally behind the dodger, and fish find it hard to resist.

If you haven’t tried September fishing, you owe it to yourself to give it a whirl.

not exercised in a long time to start out with something relatively easy. In Augusta, the Bond Brook Recreation Area (Map 12, C-5) is a 270-acre urban wilderness area owned by the City of Augusta. Despite its relatively modest size, visitors will be pleasantly surprised to discover a network of over 12 miles of trails. These trails are popular during the summer with mountain bikers and hikers, and in the winter with snowshoers and Nordic skiers.

The Bond Brook parking lot is located directly behind the Augusta airport.

To get there from Downtown Augusta, head north on Mt. Vernon Avenue, and turn left onto Bond Brook Road. From Civic Center Drive, head south, and turn right on Bond Brook Road. Turn left on Tall Pines Way; there is a parking area located before and after the bridge, and more parking is available at the stadium. Follow Tall Pines Way up the hill to the Stadium Parking Lot. Parking is also available at Mt. Hope Cemetery, off Winthrop Street.

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Trophy Gallery

At age 12 in 2019, Logan Sousa of Augusta completed his Grand Slam -- with a 22-lb. tom turkey in Augusta, a 125-lb. black bear in Rockwood, a 120-lb. doe in the Augusta area, and this 650-lb. bull moose in WMD 4. Logan’s family has always supported his hunting, including his grandfather and biggest fan, Ron Blaisdell.

Congratulations to Logan and his family! www.MaineSportsman.com

Five-year-old Leland Fields of Lincolnville dropped this 5-point, 115-lb. buck October 23, 2021 in his hometown. Leland was using a .300 blackout rifle. The hunt was supervised by Zachary Fields.

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Dedication – Ralph W. Heath End of Watch New England’s two premiere wilderness areas are neighbors. Baxter State Park, with a mandate “to protect the natural resources of the park for their intrinsic value and for the enjoyment of generations,” and the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, with the directive “to develop [its] maximum wilderness character,” lie only a mile apart.

While these directives are intended to protect, they often place rangers in harm’s way.

During my years as Supervisor, the Allagash challenges and those of Baxter, under the direction of brother Buzz, were frequently aligned. I often felt the Allagash operation was more associated with Baxter than the areas found in Maine’s developed park system.

While fortunately an Allagash Ranger has not lost a life, the same cannot be said for Rangers serving at Baxter.

Ralph Heath, 1926 to 1963 In 1962, by a Joint Resolution of Congress, National Police Week was established to recognize those law enforcement officers who had lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.

On May 22, 2022, Baxter personnel, retired rangers, family, and friends gathered at the Sherman Mills Cemetery to honor and remember one of their own.

Rescue Attempt by Ranger Heath In April of 1960, three rangers were hired and assigned to work at Abol, Roaring Brook and Chimney Pond Campgrounds. Those employees were Wilbur Smith from Brownville, Ralph Heath of

Sherman Mills, and Irvin “Buzz” Caverly Jr. from Enfield, Maine.

Heath was hired for Abol, while Caverly was assigned to Chimney Pond.

Prior to reporting to Millinocket’s Great Northern Hotel for a spring meeting, Heath contacted BSP Supervisor Helon Taylor and requested a transfer to Chimney Pond.

Heath reasoned that he had undergone several tragic events, including serving in World War II. After release from military service, his house burnt down and he lost everything to the fire— including his discharge papers.

Unable to prove he’d served, Heath was redrafted for the Korean War, and served in battle before the government verified his previous service and discharged him for a second time. Meanwhile, his wife filed for divorce, separating him from his young daughter.

Accordingly, Ralph felt he was best suited for a remote assignment. Taylor asked Caverly if he would accept the Abol transfer, and the exchange of assignments was accomplished.

According to Buzz, Ralph Heath was an outstanding Ranger. He took excellent care of the mountain patrol and rescue duties at Chimney Pond, and was well respected by visitors and co-workers alike.

In early October during the fall park meeting at the Houston House in Mattawamkeag, Taylor announced that Ralph had been selected to be a yearround Ranger.

A couple of weeks later, at 37 years old, he died in a heroic rescue attempt on the headwall of Mt. Katahdin. He ascended the headwall at night in an effort to rescue a woman who was unable to climb down, just as a winter storm dumped as much as 18 inches of snow on the mountain. Both he and the woman perished.

Baxter Peak, as seen from Chimney Pond.

Ranger Heath is buried in Sherman Mills, with a tombstone purchased by

Governor Percival Baxter.

Ralph’s epitaph is as follows: RALPH W. HEATH, RANGER HE GAVE HIS LIFE IN AN ATTEMPT TO SAVE THAT OF ANOTHER In 2023, National Police Week will begin on May 14th – a time to honor all who paid the ultimate price.

In past years, Baxter Park Rangers have held a ceremony at Ranger Heath’s grave in Sherman and attended a memorial celebration in Augusta.

For years, Ralph’s picture, along with a remembrance plaque, were on public view at the Park’s Millinocket headquarters.

Last spring, a decision was made that staff should not attend memorial services, with the reason given that the park did not have sufficient manpower.

Further, my brother Buzz learned that Heath’s picture, along with the bronze inscription, was stored in a closet, away from public view.

Four Requests To ensure that Heath’s sacrifice will not be forgotten, Buzz has made four requests of the administrators of the park: First, that the memorial plaque be placed outside Millinocket HQ; second, that Ralph Heath’s photo be returned to a place of prominence inside the office; third, that a similar tribute and picture be placed at the park’s Togue Pond information center; and fourth, that each year a Ranger’s honor guard lay a wreath at Heath’s grave in Sherman and attend the National Police Week service in Augusta.

Heath’s body was recovered on May 17th of 1964, nearly six months after his fatal rescue effort. Ranger Heath’s name is on the Law Enforcement Memorial in Augusta and in Washington, D.C. Buzz, who served the park from 19602005 as Ranger and Director, believes strongly that park governance and visitors should never forget the bravery of Ranger Ralph Heath.

I applaud my brother’s efforts to honor and remember.

Tim Caverly has authored eleven books about Maine’s northern forest.

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www.MaineSportsman.com

62 • September 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————

Doggie Charades Dogs would be good at charades, since they are world champions at getting a message across without actually saying anything.

Well, I suppose they have no choice.

You ever play Charades? It’s that parlor game where your playing partner is not supposed to talk but instead make signs and gestures to get you to say a secret word or a phrase.

I was never very good at it, and when it was my turn, people laughed at me.

My wife was not amused. She scolded, “Nothing you did made sense!” and “What were you thinking?”

She and I do not think alike, so we seldom won. But nowadays I think I’m getting better at it. That’s because I play with my dog.

Without doubt, dogs are world champs when it comes to body language and getting a message across without actually saying anything. Well of course, they have no choice I suppose, not being able to speak, but they have no problem being understood.

Dogs seem to have a boundless repertoire of expressions and attitudes. A dog can convey almost any emotion or feeling with such clarity there’s no question what they mean.

Really, I sometimes think dogs allow us to live with them for no other reason than to open doors for them. www.MaineSportsman.com

When Scout wants out, there is no misunderstanding. He goes to the door, sits on his haunches, scratches the door with his paw and then looks right at me, as if to say, Well, get up and open this door.

He would be a world class Charades player. His message is crystal clear: Get out of your chair and open this door. And I do.

Treats and Leashes Scout communicates with us many times a day, and the longer we live together and the better we know him, the more we understand.

His nose is our undoing. He can easily smell food and treats that are stored in a closet or cupboard. He knows exactly where those good things are.

Likewise, there’s no question where his leash is. He’ll sit in front of the closet door and look at it, like he is willing it to open.

Then he glances at me.

Well, are you going to get the leash and take me out, or not?

His message rings loud and clear. There is just no way you could misinterpret what he wants. See? Charades – he’d be a world champ.

No Sense of Timing The only thing wrong with Scout’s

communications is that sometimes his timing sucks.

His favorite toy is his frisbee. It’s supper time, and I’m in the kitchen tending a ham slice cooking on the stove, and I feel a wet rubbery thing being pushed into my free hand. Frisbee! He looks up at me imploringly. Frisbee please.

Oh, please. Oh please, can we throw the frisbee?

“Not now, Scout,” I say, and his smile wilts. I’ve hurt his feelings. He’s sad.

My heart breaks. But of course, he knows nothing about humans cooking food and eating supper at 6 pm.

We watch TV, and Scout comes into the room, pushes up close to the lounge chair, turns his back to me and sits and waits. He might as well have a neon sign on this head that says “Pet me.

Time for petting.” We stroke his back and shoulders, and within a few seconds he’s on his back, spread eagle.

“Tummy rubs, please” is the message no one could miss. We scratch a little and his head sags to the side and his tongue hangs out and his eyes close and we get to see pure doggie contentment. We rub his tummy until our hands cramp.

Scout – a master of non-verbal communication.

Randy Randall photo

Trying to Work We have work to do for our marina, so I’m sitting at a desk typing something important, and the next thing you know Scout is beside me, sitting on his butt and staring.

Not saying anything, but just staring.

He is patient and insistent. His eyes capture my attention.

I look at him. “What do you want?” But I know already. Like in Charades, I get all the clues. “Out, he’s saying. It’s time to go out.

Out. Out.” And so, he wins the game again, and I get the message and put on my coat and we go out.

Scout loves some people. A few customers and old friends are very special to him. When Bill or Ken come up the steps, Scout cannot suppress

his joy. He barks, he jumps, his whole body trembles and his tail wags like a flag in a hurricane. He’s happy beyond feeling.

His friend is here and he’s in heaven and he shows it. There’s no mistaking his sheer pleasure in seeing Ken. The message is simple and obvious.

Love me. Pet me. Hold me. Play with me.

His eyes sparkle.

Scout doesn’t need to speak. He can ask questions, give commands and express joy without saying anything.

If he had been my Charades partner years ago, we might have actually won a few of those games, because he’s an absolute expert at nonverbal communication. World class. The best there is.

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Can’t Find Clean Water in the Wild? Then Make It! Our day had begun prior to sunrise, with temperatures cool enough that the two moose-hunting clients wore heavy layers to keep from shivering as the canoe glided silently along the river. But by 10 a.m., we were all stripped down to our base-layers and still perspiring as the late-September sun flooded the canoe with light and heat.

Our water bottles were soon empty, and I paddled the canoe into a shaded spot along the bank where a small stream ran noisily into the river.

The two hunters gave me the stink-eye as I filled our three Nalgene bottles with cold, clear water from the stream.

“I think I’ll pass,” said the permit-holder who was taking his turn in the shooter’s seat at the bow of the big canoe. “It’s only day two of the hunt, and I don’t want to have the runs all week!”

I set the uncapped bottles on the floor of the canoe in front of my stern seat and pulled a small device from the ammo box between my feet. Within five minutes, we were all sipping cold, clean and safe water from our bottles.

Water, Water Everywhere Maine outdoors-people of a certain age will recall a time when we rarely worried about drink-

When lugging gallons of clean water with you is not practical, you’ve got to find a way to purify stream, pond or lake water. Here, the author reviews the options, based on years of guiding experience.

Filling up with filtered stream water.

Katadyn water filters have been reliable friends of Maine hikers for decades. Photos: J. Andrews

ing water. We seldom carried it, didn’t see much value in having it along, and often drank straight from streams, ponds, rivers or lakes without any concern about health issues. Water was everywhere, and if it looked clear and wasn’t stagnant, or otherwise obviously contaminated, we considered it safe to drink.

Very few of us believe that today. Maybe it was the old anti-pollution ad campaigns that warned of dirty surface water. Maybe it was the increasing number of media reports of giardia infections. But most likely it was because at some point we, or someone we were with, lost the gastro-intestinal lottery and got sick from drinking untreated water. I speak from personal knowledge when I say that it’s a

Ultraviolet light makes easy work of water purification.

very unpleasant experience.

The initial answer was to carry water from home. I remember river trips when a 5-gallon plastic container of tap water tucked into the bow of an aluminum canoe was standard practice. Hiking and other off-road activities required different procedures. Foul-tasting iodine tablets dissolved in a canteen, a few drops of bleach, or water boiled and then cooled for drinking, were the only real alternatives on long trips.

Katadyn – But Not That Katahdin A Swiss company, Katadyn™, created the first portable water purifier for recreational outdoor use.

And in the 1980s, their handheld filter-pumps began appearing in the backpacks of most

Maine’s trail hikers.

Those devices became the new standard, and they remain popular today. I’ve carried my Hiker model for decades.

The pump filters are compact and lightweight, and the taste of the water is not affected. But the set-up is a little bit fussy; intake and outlet tubes need to be attached to the appropriate ports.

This can be an annoying chore in cold weather. A great modification was when the company adopted a cap attachment to the outlet tube that fitted standard Nalgene bottles.

The filter cartridges themselves will last a long time if they are disinfected and dried before storage at the end of your trip. Simply stuffing the wet, uncleaned filter into a gear bin will result

in a moldy mess that requires an expensive filter replacement.

The pumping procedure takes a few minutes to fill each liter-sized bottle. With set-up and takedown time included, it’s likely to be something that most hikers will want to do only once a day. This can mean rationing water intake, or filling and carrying multiple Nalgene bottles, which add significantly to pack weight.

Ultraviolet Light Disinfection to the Rescue A Maine resident, Miles Malden, invented the SteriPen™ about twenty years ago, and revolutionized portable water disinfection. The pen is a simple battery-operated ultraviolet light.

When submerged in a Nalgene bottle and then used to stir the contents, it completely purifies the water in 90 seconds.

The pen weighs less than 8 ounces, so even with backup batteries in tow, it’s much lighter than the filters. For portability and ease of use, nothing else comes close to it. My early model, from ten years ago, has worked flawlessly from the start. The ultra-violet light switches off automatically and a green safety light flashes to signal successful purification.

(Self-Propelled continued on page 65) www.MaineSportsman.com

64 • September 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————

Veterans and Salmon Spell September Sebago Fun Each year about this time, the Wounded Heroes Program of Maine, through Executive Director Pam Payeur, holds a “Trolling For Troops” event on Sebago Lake (DeLorme Atlas, Map 5, C-1).

Area guides and non-guide boat owners pair up with veterans for a morning on the lake and arguably some of the season’s best angling for lake trout and salmon.

The last few events I’ve been lucky enough to share my boat with uncle/nephew team

Bernie and Brian Lovering. Uncle Bernie is a Vietnam-era SeaBee, and his nephew Brian served in the Marine Corps. Our first year out was a blast with now 80-year-old Bernie slaying the salmon and lakers. Last year was no different, and each year these two veterans ask to accompany me on my boat, “The Black Ghost.”

Last year, all boat captains and their veterans met up at Port Harbor Marina in Raymond and headed out. I had been having luck in Jordan Bay

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with salmon and lakers, so I opted to start dragging hardware as soon as we got into 50 feet of water.

Since the fish are up higher this month, I typically use trolling fly rods in concert with downriggers. I run the downriggers on bottom for lakers and the fly rods, equipped with special trolling fast-sinking line, do well for both salmon and the togue that are up in the water column.

Togue Trickery I run my lake trout sets just off bottom.

A few a years ago, I noticed that I caught a lot of fish when I pulled the ball up to check the lure or bait for weeds. Having electric downriggers makes this super-easy!

So I began occasion-

ally raising the ball about 10 to 15 feet, and got many hits. I surmise that the fish is following the bait or lure, and when it suddenly darts toward the surface, the predatory instinct kicks in and the laker takes the offering before it gets away. In any case, it works!

I had done this with my port downrigger, and saw the line release but didn’t feel much of a tug. Just to be safe, I handed Bernie the rod and he reeled in a laker, albeit the smallest one of the day.

Not long after Bernie’s diminutive laker, one of the fly reels began to scream, so it was Brian’s turn.

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dislodge the spoon.

Soon we had a decent salmon in the boat and smiles on everyone’s faces, mine included!

Bernie ended the morning with the biggest laker of the trip, and we headed back to the marina, agreeing to repeat the trip this year.

For information about the Trolling For Troops event, contact the Wounded Heroes of Maine program at 207-468-1026.

Hot Pink!

As the month of September progressed last year, it seemed that the fishing got better. I had several other trips, and we seemed to get a good mix of Sebago’s bounty – lakers and salmon.

As the water cools, salmon and lakers come up toward the surface, so trolling fly lines or lead core work well. Some years, bait seems to be the ticket; other years lures work best.

This summer, lakers liked copper and nickel spoons, and salmon went crazy for Northeast Troller’s pink lady and orange crush spoons. Sebago salmon have always been partial to orange offerings, but we are seeing the pink – and I mean hot pink – colors triggering strikes.

Speed seems critical, so for lures I try to keep my speed between 2 and 3 MPH. Sometimes the 2-ish (Continued on next page)

������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • September 2022 • 65

Trophy Gallery

Maine veteran Brian Lovering shows off a September Sebago salmon while being guided by the author during the “Trolling for Troops” event. Photo

by Tom Roth (Continued from page 64)

speeds work well, sometimes they need a little boost to 3 or 3.2 MPH. Sounds crazy that such minute differences matter, but they do make a difference.

For bait, slow is the rule. If I drag live or frozen shiners or one of the many smelt imitating products, 11.2 MPH is the ticket.

I use the adjustable bait harnesses that I make or buy. Don’t be afraid to experiment with speed, but these guidelines work well for me and the frater-

nity of anglers I speak with daily.

As September nears close, hunters can get out and chase birds and waterfowl, as well. Try a cast and blast day, with a pheasant hunt in the morning and a fishing trip in the afternoon.

Maybe alternate with a fall turkey hunt first thing. Oh, and don’t forget the expanded archery season kicks off this month. With such a smorgasbord of choices, it makes me wish September was a few weeks longer!

Riley Lizotte (far right) of Hampden is joined here by James Lizotte (far left) and Alan Lizotte in celebrating Riley’s bull moose, taken September 30, 2021 in Grand Isle using a .270. The bull featured a 48” antler spread, and 16 points.

Its total weight is not known, since it was quartered in the field. The bull was registered at Ouellette’s Trading Post, on Champlain Street in Van Buren.

¶

Self-Propelled (Continued from page 63)

When my moose-hunting clients watched me use the pen to purify their water bottles, they expressed the same thoughts I originally had about the SteriPen: “It’s too easy and it’s too quick. It must be voodoo.”

I explained that I had been drinking the results for a decade and never had a bad experience. I also mentioned that I was reassured to learn that my own town water department used ultraviolet light to treat the municipal drinking water.

“If it’s magic, I said, “it’s magic that works every time.”

They took their full bottles and guzzled the cold, clean stream water.

No more stink-eye.

¶

Selfie-and-Release Program?

Jason Gardner of Topsham caught, photographed and released this 20inch smallmouth bass earlier this summer. The fish, which was caught in Crescent Lake in Raymond using a Megabass Vision OneTen+1 jerkbait, was large enough to earn Jason a “Catch and Release” club patch from The Maine Sportsman. www.MaineSportsman.com

66 • September 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————

How to See More Deer While Hunting Coastal Maine Maine’s “Expanded Archery” season opens on September 10th. Thousands of archers are preparing for an encounter with a big buck they hope will come walking under their tree stand. Most have been scouting, checking trail cameras, setting tree stands and cutting shooting lanes for weeks – they feel ready and well prepared.

I used to be that guy, too. However, today I have learned to take a totally different approach. The reason is two-fold – first, old age along with some heath issues have placed some restrictions on my hunting activities. And second, I have learned to adjust hunting methods after 60 years of hunting whitetail deer here in Southern Maine.

The following are some lessons I’ve learned over the years.

Some may not help your success, while others may become that last piece of the puzzle needed to take you to the next level as a deer hunter.

More is Less I hate to use buzz words such as “More is less,” but I have found that the more time you spend in the woods, the fewer deer you will see in that area. Every time you enter the woods, you leave both ground and airborne scent trails that deer will smell for several www.MaineSportsman.com

Bowhunting during the Expanded Archery Season in populated areas is very different from hunting the remote north woods. Success, therefore, requires implementation of unconventional tactics tailored for urban-savvy whitetails. days. You also make noise that will spook deer from the area. If you think that deer don’t remember these encounters, then just consider your dog or cat and how they have developed habits and how they remember certain commands – deer have more developed brains due to eons of survival evolution.

As an example how deer can detect humans, I was sitting on the limb of a large pine tree in Wakefield, New Hampshire (back when I was young and inexperienced), watching a mature buck slowly walking toward an opening where I hoped to get a shot. That buck stopped, tested the air and exploded back towards the safety of the swamp. I wondered why, since he didn’t smell or see me.

Deciding that the hunt in that area was over because the noise the buck had made, I started the long walk back up the mountain to the field where I had parked my truck.

As I neared the field, I heard voices – a group of teens were parked in the field drinking beer and

laughing. Their noise and scent had drifted down the ridge on the evening thermals.

The buck had smelled or heard them, and that’s why he reacted.

After returning home, I checked the topographic map of the area and determined the buck had detected those kids from nearly a quarter-mile away.

So never underestimate a deer’s ability to detect danger. That buck would never have forgotten that encounter – he would never have moved in that area during daylight again.

No matter the amount of money you spend on scent-controlling products, you will never beat a deer’s nose. The only way to fool a deer’s ability to detect your scent is by staying downwind – an extremely difficult challenge, given our fickle coastal wind directions.

Out of Your Control If another predator, like a coyote, enters your hunting area, then that can change local deer patterns and ruin your hunt for weeks – if not for the season. Other things that are total-

ly out of your control, like other hunters in the area, free-roaming dogs, or hikers, will also have an influence on your hunt.

It’s nearly impossible to hunt unalarmed deer in the Expanded Archery Zones in southern Maine. Further inland, a hunter can find little “honey holes” where deer haven’t been spooked and remain in their normal patterns and lifestyles.

A way to see more deer in areas that contain other hunters and people recreating is to use oddball tactics.

There’s an island off the coast of southern Maine with a large section of public land that sees a lot of human activity, I have killed three deer there while bowhunting over the years; my friend Bob Strauss has also killed deer there.

There’s an active trail used by local dog-walkers and hikers that circles the area. I learned the hard way that if you dive deep into the woods to hunt, you will spook every deer on the island – one running deer will spook the rest of the deer into a large swamp

in the middle of the woods.

Adapting to Conditions How I killed the deer on that island was to hunt along the hiking trails and keep out of the deep woods.

I found that deer were accustomed to human sounds and scent on the trails and didn’t spook.

The first deer I killed was a spikehorned deer. I simply walked a hiking trail and placed a tree stand just out of eyesight of folks walking past.

Deer would not even look up when hikers walked past on the trails. Even though the walkers were yapping away, deer just kept feeding.

Another deer I killed was while still-hunting along the trails.

I have found that most of the public lands along the coast have these same conditions, and a smart bowhunter can adapt and use unconventional methods to see more deer.

Now, if you are consistently killing deer, then by all means keep doing what you are doing. But, if you are frustrated and not seeing deer, then consider going to the next level. Hopefully, some of the information found above will help.

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������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • September 2022 • 67

True Friends Understand the Need for Solitude As much as I enjoy fishing or hunting with friends, I often prefer to spend my time in the woods or on the water by myself – or in the company of my dog, Ginger.

I have spent many hours bird hunting with Ginger, and just as many sitting in a canoe or rambling on stream banks fishing. My time alone is cherished and hard to come by – even though I am semi-retired, I still don’t have a lot of free time.

Fishing alone offers me a chance to do exactly what I want, and exactly when I want. Now, saying that, I don’t want to give you the impression that when I am with my friends, I am constantly pressured into doing what they want. It usually goes something like this.

Me: “Do you guys want to pack up now and go to the next fishing area?”

Them: “I don’t

but I remember some dumb things from the past. Do you remember the over-quoted, cliché statement, “What if you had a party and nobody showed up?” Well, I say to that, “Bring it on – I don’t have to have folks around me to enjoy myself.”

With that said, I also relish the time spent with hunting and fishing buddies. A good hunting or fishing friend can make a great trip even better.

On the other side of that – a lousy partner can turn a great day into a nightmare that you can’t wait to end.

Sharing the outdoors with other sportsmen is fine, says the author, but every once in a while, anglers and hunters need (to quote Hank Williams, Jr.) “a good leaving alone.” know. Gene, what do you think? Are you ready to move out, or do you want to stay here for a while? I haven’t caught a fish in a while and am ready to move.”

Gene: “Yeah, let’s get out of here.”

You see, they pretty much come to the same consensus and agree most of the time about when and where to make the next move.

I guess it just comes down to me liking the alone time – a time where I can drift from one area to the next on a whim, without any dialog, or maybe just a look from my dog that tells me we need to move on.

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alone. Each one of them has mentioned the same thing to me, “Don’t take it personally, but I like fishing alone sometimes.

Even though it’s awesome when we fish together – I gotta have my alone time.”

Some of the guys don’t really spell it out. Instead, I find out about it later, when I get the post-trip report. They’ll say, “I fished most of the day without seeing a single angler. It was awesome. I feel totally refreshed and ready

for the next trip. We should go there sometime.”

What they really mean is, “I can’t wait until I get another day by myself like that again.” I know this because that is exactly how I like it, too. Quiet time, hunting or fishing solo, does refresh the soul. It is similar to the refreshing feeling of being with your buddies, except for a subtle difference that is so hard to explain, other than, “I need my alone time.”

I don’t know why,

Not Alone Now, I know I am (Continued on next page)

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68 • September 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————

Rangeley Region (Continued from page 67)

Here’s one of the photos I sent my friend.

William Clunie photo

not alone in thinking this way – many others are surely agreeing with me, saying to themselves, “Yes, I’m with Clunie on this one, I do like hunting and fishing by myself at times.”

What got me thinking about this was something that happened just the other day. The next Monday on the calendar looked like a great day for fishing, so I called a couple of buddies to drift the Androscoggin River for smallmouth bass.

Both declined, so I changed plans and decided to head up to the Rangeley Region and hit a few ponds for brook trout – a solo trip that doesn’t happen that often.

As I was driving up, I came upon road construction and had to stop. I noticed one of the guys I had called to fish that day was on the job, working with

the road crew and standing right beside the pavement. I couldn’t stop once I got rolling again, so I beeped the horn and waved as I drove by. I felt bad for the fellow, but knew he understood.

The funny thing was that just a few minutes before I spotted my friend, a song by George Thorogood came on the radio that blasted out the tune, “…I PREFER TO DRINK ALONE!” As is often the case, I changed the wording to reflect the mood of the day, and belted out, “I PREFER TO FISH ALONE!” Sorry buddy, you will soon be retired, and we will fish plenty. I don’t feel too bad; this particular fishing buddy gets in plenty of his own fishing time – it’s just that the song and the moment came together so well I had to laugh.

I sent my buddy some fish photos later that day so he could see what I was up to. I’m sure I’ll get some from him on his next outing.

¶

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Enjoy the Challenges of Fall Turkey Hunting

by Blaine Cardilli More and more folks are developing an interest in fall turkey hunting. Even deer hunters who had been focused on either expanded or regular archery and who just weren’t willing to give up the time they wanted to dedicate to deer hunting, seem more open to giving it a try, what with all the extra weeks and bag limits now available.

The only way they would take a fall turkey in the past, they said, was if one walked close enough to their tree stands for a shot, so many just weren’t making the extra effort. I am glad to see that they, as well as others (especially kids), are now showing an increased interest.

Fall turkeys are definitely a different breed compared to spring birds, and hunting them out of the mating season offers the hunter many more challenges, for sure.

Tactics While popular tactics for hunting fall turkeys include the “bust ’em up and call them back in” method, hunting with the use of dogs has become quite popular.

Other hunters just enjoy setting up near travel routes and roost areas, hoping to snag

The author has enjoyed many years of success on Maine’s wild turkeys, including calling in toms in the fall. He says most birds will come in silently, so arrange your birds to provoke a reaction from the toms, call aggressively, and then sit back, relax and be patient.

Hunting fall turkeys is markedly different from the spring hunt, says the author.

Birds have different motivations now, so the hunter’s approach must change to match the birds’ autumnal behavior.

one by ambush.

My favorite method, however, is to sit and call. After having bagged my share of hens over the years, I much prefer the challenge of calling in mature gobblers. I have enjoyed much success in doing so since 2010.

When and Where Time of day doesn’t

matter to me. Usually, I’ll head out early to mid-morning to a spot I’ve already scouted and know holds birds.

Using a blind, you have freedom of movement within, but I often prefer the challenge of hunting in the open. That means picking a spot with my back to a nice wide

tree – preferably with bushes around it, so I’m well concealed from the back and sides. This is especially important for me, ever since a mature coyote attacked me back in 2008 that left me with a scar on my left arm, a knocked out filling, and required nine rabies shots!

Arranging Decoys I do enjoy using decoys on my hunts, and since the urge to breed has been replaced in the fall with the constant and continuing need to re-establish dominance within the male ranks, I’ll usually either employ a full strutter with a standing, passive jake and 2 hens, or perhaps just an aggressive jake with a couple hens.

Nine times out of 10 (in conjunction with the right calls), toms and jakes will respond both whole-heartedly and aggressively, often gobbling and strutting as soon as they see the set-up.

Arranging your decoys for success also requires that you be positioned in such a way as to not be visible near them.

For example, do not situate yourself in a straight line directly behind your decoys where incoming birds will be able to look past them and see you.

They have extremely sharp eyesight, and the slightest movement on your part will alert them, and it’s “game over.” Always set up off to one side or the other.

Calling Techniques When it comes to calling, I generally (Turkey Hunting continued on page 71) www.MaineSportsman.com

70 • September 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————

Getting Priorities Straight in Western Maine For me, September has become a month of reflection – a month where I look back over the prior year’s hunting season and compare notes. I still get out and fish, hitting loads of ponds and streams for trout and salmon, but it’s a good time to really bear down and see what worked and what didn’t last fall.

I don’t fish for smallmouth bass in the Androscoggin River too much in September, unless it stays unusually warm. My days of casting a fly rod dwindle, and I am drawn to the shotgun and my bird dog.

I’ll spend more time in the woods, running her around to get her into shape. With any luck, I’ve had an opportunity to do more clay pigeon shooting during the summer,

The author details the steps he’s taking to get himself, his shotgun, his gear and his dog in shape for grouse season.

A double-barreled shotgun and a good bird dog will carry me through until the end of the year. William Clunie photo

so I can keep up my end of the bird hunting partnership. I also hope to get in some extra walking – good leg work, so I can keep up with my four-legged,

bird-hunting, running machine.

Double-Barreled Action The first shotgun I ever fired was my fa-

ther’s double-barreled, J.C. Higgins 12-gauge.

I was a lad of 10 years old, and it almost rolled me over backwards, but I liked it, and fondly remember

my father taking the time to show me how to safely shoot the old shotgun.

I now find myself enjoying and preferring double-barreled shotguns. For what I do, I prefer the 20-gauge myself.

I like the lightweight 20-gauge more than the 12 – it carries better and swings more quickly for me. I’ve dropped just as many birds with the 20 as the 12, but one thing I know for sure – the 20 allowed me to hit some birds that I would have missed with the 12.

For too many years, I lugged my old Remington 870 12-gauge pump shotgun around the grouse woods. I switched to Remington’s 11/87 model in 12 gauge, but it was still too heavy (Continued on next page)

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to carry comfortably all day long. I guess these are the types of things you think of as you age – the longer I can stay comfortable in the woods, the longer I stay in the woods hunting.

I’ll be hanging up my beloved, waxed-cotton hunting vest this year, for the very same reason. It’s great that the heavy vest is so sturdy that it has lasted so many years (I think it’s been ten years now), but I am getting one of the lightweight vests to shave off a few pounds so I can continue in the pursuit of grouse throughout the day.

It will be one of those strap vests that have easy-access, side pockets for water bottles and a handheld GPS/ E-Collar unit.

My boots are also lighter these days. I got a pair of boots from L.L. Bean years ago that lasted at least six good years (and I put some miles on them).

I just picked up another exact pair – “Men’s Technical Kangaroo Upland Boots with

Boa Closure,” my favorite boot of all time.

These boots will last me another six or seven years and help me in my endeavor to stay light and stay in the woods longer.

Finish the Refinishing A few months ago in this column, I mentioned a little bit about refinishing the stock on my 20-gauge double-barreled Dickinson “Plantation” shotgun.

I easily re-did the oil finish after scratching it up during the previous hunting season.

I used a product by “Timberluxe” that really made the process a breeze. Now, I will do the same with my old 20-gauge L.C. Smith double, a gem from the past that has served me well for years. The old shotgun has taken a beating during that time, and it will get a new finish on the old, oiled stock.

That’s the beauty of an oil-finished stock … all that’s necessary to smooth out dings, scratches, and dents is a simple process of sanding in the Timberluxe product. Thanks to Zackary Smith, a

Turkey Hunting (Continued from page 69)

stick with raspy hen yelps, mixed with some sharp, excited cutts, but you’ll also need to incorporate actual gobbles and, more specifically, gobbler clucks and yelps.

Many hunters will recommend that you call softly and sparsely, and while that may work for some, believe me when I tell you that in 17 years of hunting fall birds, calling aggressively and often has filled almost all my fall tags with some nice, mature, boss gobblers!

My ace-in-the-hole call (used when nothing else seems to be working), is the “fighting purrs.”

When imitating two birds fighting by implementing these aggressive

bird-hunting friend from New Hampshire, for recommending this product.

I’ve also perfected a way to protect my shotguns while transporting them in the vehicle. I used to simply point the unloaded shotgun muzzle down at the passenger floor, figuring the rubber floor mat would be okay for a rest. Well, let’s just say my dog’s nails are very sharp, and she doesn’t watch where she steps.

So this year, I will carry the shotgun in a case behind the seat that straps right on to the head rests. All I do is open the back door hatch that faces to the front, and bingo – I have my hands full of an oil-finished double-barreled shotgun.

The shotguns will be shining and my new boots will definitely be broken in by bird season (they felt broke in on day one), and my dog and I will be eager to go. Look out, Western Maine Mountain grouse – here we come with both barrels.

Trophy Gallery

Ayla Lizotte of Hampden was 9 years old on May 8, 2021 when she shot this huge tom turkey from a blind in Winterport. The bird was registered at JC Variety, in Hampden.

¶

purrs, combined with an old wing or piece of brush used to stir up the leaves, your chances of bringing in a stubborn bird can increase dramatically!

Mixing up your calls will, at the very least, arouse curiosity, but the real key to success will be patience. Except for the occasional yelp from an aggravated boss hen or the unmistakable deep cluck or calque of a surprised jake or tom, most birds will probably come in silently, so settle in, enjoy being out there, make safety your #1 priority, and don’t be in a hurry.

If you’re patient you might just put an old gobbler on the Thanksgiving table this season!

¶

Dillon Henderson of Hermon earned a Maine Sportsman “Biggest Bucks” patch with this 237lb. 6-pt “smasher” whitetail. The deer was taken in his hometown with a 6.5 Creedmoor and was registered at The Village Market, in Carmel. www.MaineSportsman.com

72 • September 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————

The Dog Days of Fall There’s no bond quite like that between a working dog and its owner.

There seems to be an unexplainable overload of pride and affection every time my springer spaniel “Galt” retrieves a wounded grouse or sniffs out a distant moose antler. Looking at his big goofy eyes and wiggling butt, I think it is a mutual feeling.

I recently went through the unsuccessful process of trying to arrange to stud Galt out for puppies. The female’s owner, as is her prerogative, wanted a full work-up on Galt to see his lineages, certifications and health records – and wanted several procedures, tests, and consultations done. I’m sure she had good reasons, but as for me, since I am just a simpleton, I found it all too cumbersome and unnecessary (and expensive). If you want to know if he’s a good boy, just spend an afternoon with him playing around and walking through the woods.

So, long story short … no puppies.

Odd Dogs The experience got me really appreciating the idea of dogs that break the mold, though. Just like wonderful people who come from crummy circumstances, or have natural gifts and abilities that their parents had no interest or desire in, dogs, too, are often what you make of them.

Maybe I’m partial because of Galt’s shed-hunting abilities, but I’m especially intrigued by working dogs that are of an atypical breed for their purpose.

I have a buddy who plans to get a German Shepherd to train on antlers.

They are highly intelligent dogs with superb noses, so why not? I have another friend whose best rabbit dog is a big, tall walker/bluetick mix. It’s not uncommon in the southern part of the country to encounter a wide variety of non-traditional mongrels and mutts that chase everything from coons to squirrels to hogs.

Fearless Fur I am good friends with a couple who are notable houndsmen. Some of the best in New England. They’ve been training and breeding bear dogs (they also run fisher and bobcat) for a couple of decades. They’ve raised and trained a www.MaineSportsman.com

The author loves stories about dogs that perform unexpectedly.

A wirehaired terrier that chases bears into the next county and then returns on its own? A coonhound/beagle mix that retrieves birds?

Who knew?

Cairn, also known as “Cairnage,” a Drahthaar owned by NH houndsmen, has no fear when in comes to black bears. Photo by Kelly Irwin

variety of the traditional breeds, such as black-and-tans, walkers, and plots. But a couple of years ago, they decided to have some fun with getting an unusual breed of bird dog for upland hunting.

“Cairn” (like the rock piles on hiking trails) has several nicknames: “The

Beast,” “Cairnage,” and “Bad Taxidermy.” She is a Deutsch-Drahthaar – a rare type of German wire-haired pointer.

She has all the fancy lineages and certifications and other things that I can’t wrap my head around the importance of. The primary use of drahts is bird hunting. She’s a great bird hunter, but she’s also proved her mettle in my friends’ chief fall passion – chasing big bruins.

She innately has the bird-dog mentality of not straying too far from her owners, as opposed to her compadre of hounds that will run miles and miles away without concern. So, typically the hounds do their thing and get the bear treed or bayed.

Then, my friends will walk in with Cairn. She has no fear. Because of this, and her impressive speed and agility, she makes for a great harasser. (Sometimes the objective is just to harass bears to chase them out of an area where they’ve caused nuisance problems like breaking into camps or thrashing campsites.) In this case, the hounds are tied up back from the tree. Eventually the bear will come down, and Cairn is let loose to nip at it as it takes off at full speed. She’ll shortly come back, avoiding another hours’-long pursuit with the group of hounds.

What a Gomer!

I was recently made aware of a highly successful NH small game duo, Cathy McComish and her dog, “Gomer” (named after the character from the Andy Griffith Show). Gomer is not your typical pure-bred bird dog. Cathy adopted him from a shelter in Tennessee when he was 10 weeks old. He’s “mostly coonhound and beagle.” (Remember those talented southern mutts I mentioned earlier?)

Gomer, unsurprisingly, given the beagle in him, is a bunny-buster. But Cathy’s Facebook page also boasts a ton of pictures of the handsome boy retrieving pheasants, grouse, and woodcock!

I asked Cathy about how she trained the hound out of him, in order to keep him in close range for bird hunting. She said, “I use a GPS collar for rabbits and a sport dog collar for birds, so he eventu(Continued on next page)

������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • September 2022 • 73 (Continued from page 72)

Cathy McComish of NH, and her adopted hound-mix Gomer successfully pursue a variety of small game, including pheasants, grouse, woodcock, and rabbits. Photo by Cathy McCormish

ally figured out that the heavy bell and big collar means rabbits, while the little collar and light bell means birds and to stay close.”

She admits that, being a hound, it wasn’t easy to teach him to retrieve and that “He can be thick-skulled, but so can I – so we work well together.”

Hearing Cathy say this, and hearing other sportsmen talk about their pups, reinforces my belief in that one-of-a-kind bond not found anywhere else.

Good boy, Gomer!

¶

Gomer retrieves a ring-necked pheasant.

Gomer knows whether he’s going rabbithunting or bird-hunting by the type of caller or bell Cathy McComish puts on his neck. Photo by Cathy McCormish

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74 • September 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————

“P is for Public Land” With the stroke of a pen in 1793, the framers of Vermont’s state constitution ensured that we can access a great deal of private property to cruise mountain ridges, float rivers for ducks, and sink a worm. Add public lands, and the total accessible property approaches 700,000 acres.

When the calendar flips to September, I feel like the lights turn on. Ahead of me awaits a flurry of activity as well as some of the most exciting moments of the year. I only hope I’m ready.

I get out all my gear and get that ready (my girlfriend would say that I never actually put it away, but we don’t need to get too technical). I shoot my bow, rifle, and shotgun a bunch. I try to remember which rubber boot was leaking last fall. I need to check my woolies for holes and get those fixed, as well as find my blaze orange cap.

A big part of September is planning what to do and where to go. While it’s winding down, the fishing can still be hot, and there is little in nature as pretty as a brook trout in spawning colors pulled from a mountain stream. Bear season is on. Moose hunting is just around the corner. There are dogs and gear to get ready for ducks and upland birds. There are traps to boil, dye, and wax.

Top of mind for me – deer tracking is coming, which takes some September scouting for me. What an embarrassment of riches www.MaineSportsman.com

we have!

Where to Go Adding to the abundant opportunities we have, we are exceedingly lucky in Vermont, and really across northern New England, to have a lot of access to real estate.

The private land connection, with a focus on the land owned by the timber companies, is really a boon to us.

In the Constitution of VT, access to private land has been codified: “The inhabitants of this State shall have liberty in seasonable times, to hunt and fowl on the lands they hold, and on other lands not inclosed [sic], and in like manner to fish in all boatable and other waters (not private property) under proper regulations.” With that stroke of a pen in 1793, the framers assured for us that we can cruise mountain ridges, float rivers for ducks, and sink a worm.

In addition to this fortunate access to private land, we have some tremendous public land around VT. Backcountry Hunters & Anglers celebrates September as “Public Land Month,” and it really is something to revel in. As of this writing, there

are 345,000 acres of land managed by the VT Agency of Natural Resources (VTANR), with an additional 128,000 acres of land under conservation easements, most of which have access as part of the easement.

Within the VTANR lands, there are 130,000 acres on 100 Wildlife Management Areas that are overseen by Vermont Fish and Wildlife. The state forests and parks are managed a bit differently than wildlife management areas, but many have opportunities to hunt on them, especially after operating seasons are over.

Under the heading of federally managed public lands, we have the Green Mountain National Forest, with more than 400,000 acres in the southern and central parts of the state. The National Wildlife Refuge System has over 33,000 acres in the northeast and northwest portions of VT. Much more local, there are also numerous town forests that might be just the spot for a new hunter.

All told, that is over 700,000 acres of public land to which we have access, that is

Vermonters are lucky to have South Bay WMA, which sits very near populated Newport, VT along Lake Memphremagog. These 1800+ acres of publicly-accessible land host many species of game animal. They are open to hunting and fishing, as well as some trapping. Photo: Matt Breton

managed for the benefit of the citizens. Add to that all the water in the state that we can get out upon, and we are most certainly blessed. We can haggle over how it should be managed, but that amount of land is a tremendous inheritance that we have a right to use.

Of course, with rights come responsibilities.

Managing Ourselves As hunters and anglers, whether we’re on public or private land, we need to behave.

Things like yanking down gates on public land ruins things for everybody. Crowding one another can ruin everyone’s day, so I remind myself to give people space. It isn’t that hard to get along at trailheads and parking spots. I find a kind word goes a long way, and there’s usually space to spread out once I’m out in the woods.

We need to respect all property by not

damaging or littering.

I’ve picked up more trash from impromptu shooting ranges than I really wanted to, along with worm containers and beer cans at fishing access areas.

Our chosen lifestyle could really use some relationship-building, despite our inherent right to be out there.

Fall is looming large just in front of us, and there is much to be excited about.

I get riled up getting my gear organized and checking out places to go.

I try not to get locked into just one spot – it’s a lot more fun to find a bunch of places to have adventures on this fall.

I’d encourage folks who are coming to VT to pick up a hunting license and check out a Wildlife Management Area – there are lots of them spread around the state.

For more information, check out https:// vtfishandwildlife.com/ find-a-wildlife-management-area

¶

������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • September 2022 • 75

Smilin’ Sportsman

Can You Hear Me Now? Remember, folks, when you say something, and your spouse replies, “What?”

– it’s not because they didn’t hear you.

Instead, they’re giving you a chance to change what you said.

— Baited Breath Lou was pulling in and releasing fish after fish using his secret lure.

But before he released each fish, he

“I was hoping you wouldn’t ask about that.”

poured a small amount of beer into the fish’s mouth.

“Why you doin’ that?” asked his buddy.

“Well,” said Lou, “each fish I’m releasing is going to go back to the other fish and tell them all about my secret lure. But then the other fish will smell beer on its breath, and they won’t believe a thing it says.”

— That’s Rabbi, Without the “T” A priest, a pastor and a rabbit walked into a blood donation clinic.

The nurse asked the rabbit: “What is your blood type?”

“I am probably a type-O,” said the rabbit.

— Or if his Name is “Sparky” Mainers say: Never hire an electrician who doesn’t have any eyebrows.

— Trivia for our Sailor Friends Q: Why does a mermaid wear seashells?

A: Because she outgrew her B-shells!

—

Undecided My next-door neighbor and his wife are having a disagreement about her nude sunbathing in the back yard.

She says it’s a matter of free choice.

He says it’s improper.

Personally, I’m on the fence.

— Directional Humor I couldn’t believe the Maine Department of Transportation called my brother a thief … … but when I got home, the signs were all there!

Now remember Snoot, it’s a party for our family and close friends! You know everybody!

So...There will be ‘NO’ sniffing anyone tonight!

www.MaineSportsman.com

76 • September 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————

The Birds and the Bees (and the Fish) In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the Prince of Denmark tries to convince his friend that he’s just pretending to be nuts. “I am but mad north-north-west,” Hamlet says. “When the wind is southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw.”

As someone whose ability to recognize wildlife is considered distinctly subpar (when it’s happy hour, I know a beer from a bear), I’m hesitant to criticize anybody else’s skills in this area. But ol’ Hammie has set a pretty low bar.

Not, however, the lowest. As unimpressive as the prince might be at discerning the difference between birds of prey and cutting instruments, there appear to be those whose capacity for confusing dissimilar objects renders them incapable of reaching even his feeble level.

California’s Third District Court of Appeals ruled in late May that, for legal purposes, bumblebees are fish.

Bees Shouldn’t Be Able to Fly Before we discuss the gist of this matter, it’s worth noting that this isn’t the first occasion in which the poor bumblebee has been the subject of questionable conclusions from supposedly learned authorities. As far back as 1918, biologists conducted studies that proved conclusively that the bumblebee’s wings were too small for its body weight to allow it to fly.

For more than a century, bumblebees have been ignoring that scientific finding.

Now that a court has decided bumblebees are fish, that inability to take flight will probably be less of an impediment to the bees, given that, generally speaking, fish don’t do much flying.

They leave that to hawks. Or handsaws.

I forget which.

What is a Fish?

The court decision came in a case involving whether certain species of endangered bees – including the curiously-named Crotch bumblebee and Suckley cuckoo bumblebee – were protected under California environmental law.

That particular statute applied to birds, mammals and fish, but is sorta vague concerning creatures that lack a backwww.MaineSportsman.com

Our columnist means that literally and not as a euphemism for, you know, spawning.

In the May, 2022 decision in Almond Alliance of California v. Fish and Game Commission, California’s Third Appellate District Court determined that in the eyes of the state’s Endangered Species Act, a bumblebee is a fish.

bone, such as worms, spiders and the commissioner of the NFL. The act defines “fish” as “a wild fish, mollusk, crustacean, invertebrate, amphibian, or part, spawn, or ovum of any of those animals.” By that standard, not only bumblebees, but also most millennials and all New York Yankees fans are “fish.”

To the bumblebees’ good fortune, previous rulings had decided the law did cover certain snails, because, the legal reasoning went, snails are more or less the same as fish. Since that sort of tortured logic required no scientific basis to support it, it wasn’t much of an effort to leap to the conclusion that bumblebees (being incapable of flight) were kinda the same thing as snails, making them, in the eyes of the law, fish.

That seems more than a little Suckley cuckoo. But if you get it, you probably have the makings of a justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Or a deranged podcaster.

What’s Next?

The California ruling doesn’t directly

impact Maine, where, for the time being, bumblebees will remain insects. Anglers in this state will not have to worry about exceeding their catch limit just because they have a bee in their bonnet.

Nevertheless, the long-term implications are concerning. If bees can be fish, there’s no telling what other transmogrifications might be in the offing. Some judge, having lingered at the bar too long after happy hour ended, might decide squirrels are moose, gulls are bacteria or coyotes are luxury automobiles.

Our only defense against this form of judicial overreach is that the animal kingdom will pay no attention. Just as the bees ignored the study that proved they couldn’t fly, squirrels will refuse to grow antlers, gulls will fail to respond to antibiotics, and coyotes will only pay their car registration fees if they can obtain adult-themed expressions on their license plates.

There are limits to what even the law can accomplish. Of course, there’s plenty of opportunity for this broad redefining of species to be misused. Advocacy groups representing mosquitos, black flies and ticks may even now be petitioning courts to have these noxious bugs classified as Hollywood producers, Russian dictators or attorneys at law.

On the whole, those don’t seem like upgrades.

Rose By Any Other Name It was Shakespeare who got us into this mess, so perhaps the Bard has some clarifying thoughts on the matter. As is usually the case, he does. In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare points out, “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”

I’ve never actually sniffed a bumblebee, but I suspect this court ruling hasn’t had much impact on its odor. Although unlike the more traditionally defined version of fish, bumblebees don’t start to stink after the third day.

Al Diamon writes the weekly column Politics & Other Mistakes for the Daily Bulldog and the Portland Phoenix. He can be emailed at aldiamon@herniahill.net.

¶

������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • September 2022 • 77

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¶

Lakefront Cabins 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.

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78 • September 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————

Own this Sportsman’s Paradise!

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ALDER STREAM TWP - Just a stone’s throw from the North Branch of the Dead River! This like-new Maine Pine Log Cabin offers 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, open kitchen/living area, added living space in partially finished walkout basement, elevated deck overlooking river and mountain views. Private rear yard with lawn to stairs down to the river. 10X16 storage shed for your gear. A sportsman’s delight in the heart of recreation heaven! Don’t miss out on this riverside gem! MLS #1539581 – $327,000 PARKERTOWN TWP – Three-season fishing/ hunting camp on owned land with 100’ gradual entry shore frontage to Azicohos Lake. Off-grid insulated 2 bedroom camp with knotty pine throughout, gas appliances/lights, Empire wall heater, wired for generator. Storage shed, gravity-fed indoor shower and toilet. Sold furnished. Spacious deck overlooking the panoramic lake, mountain and sunset views. Don’t miss out on this one, inquire today! MLS #1532449 – $249,900 LANG TWP - Ideally located in the heart of 4-season recreation! This cozy 2 bedroom, 1 bath cottage offers sunny open living spaces, enclosed rear porch. Oversized 1 car garage. Access ITS snowmobile trails, ATV trails from your door. Close to Sugarloaf, Saddleback, paddling on South Branch of the Dead River. Hunt, fish, play cards! Great spot to get away from it all - don’t miss out on this one, inquire today! MLS #1539208 – $219,000

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������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • September 2022 • 79

Moose such as these two will be looking for cover when the first weeks of Maine’s various seasons open the last full week of September. Eric Holbrook photo, Holbrook’s Guide Service

“Just One More Cast, Grandpa?”

Glenn, a lifelong fisherman from Norton MA, teaches his grandson Chase how to fish for largemouth bass during their vacation in Litchfield. Photo: Adam Reeves Photography

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NORRIDGEWOCK – This spacious 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom log home sits in a beautiful setting in the Norridgewock countryside. Nestled among the towering oak and maple trees, this home has a well-appointed kitchen, large dining area, and a spacious living room. This home has been meticulously maintained and it rests on a wellinsulated, full foundation. Down the road flows the picturesque Sandy River where, with your deeded access, you can cast a line to rising brown trout and small mouth bass. You can also enjoy close access to the Kennebec River and a public boat launch, and ATV right from your driveway. Recreation awaits as this property is located only minutes to the Belgrade lakes region, Lake Wesserunsett, and Titcomb Mountain. Sugarloaf USA is also only an hour long drive. This property will allow you to enjoy the solitude of the Maine countryside, yet you are only minutes from Farmington, Skowhegan, and the Waterville area.

This quality of log home is a rare find. MLS #1536390 – $349,000 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 WELLINGTON – Cute two room camp in the beautiful Maine countryside! Survey and new deed description already complete. Camp is fully wired and power is available a short distance away at the street. Driveway entrance is already in place, and the camp is just waiting for you to come put the finishing touches on. Plenty of room to add on for more space if wanted, or build new. You can leave right from the property and hit the ATV trails! All this and it’s less than a 15 minute drive to the beautiful Kingsbury Pond! If you’ve been looking for that seasonal getaway or hunting camp, this could be it! Taxes are TBD. MLS #1512343 – $62,000 ATHENS – 3 bedroom 1 bathroom single wide mobile home with covered porch area. This home sits on 89.06 surveyed acres that are well wooded. Stay in the home while building your new home or camp or use as the current owners do for recreation. Great area for hunting, fishing and trail riding.

MLS #1531792 – $160,000 ANSON – Beautiful spot on the shore of Carrabassett Stream. This 2.11 acre lot features 158 feet of stream frontage. This is the perfect spot to build your cabin on the water or place your camper for summer fun. There is some debris on the property that needs to be removed and the property will convey AS-IS. Call today for more information and your private showing. MLS #1538872 – $25,000 THE FORKS PLT – Motivated Seller! In the heart of whitewater rafting country sits this 3 bedroom property that could be used as a year round home or base camp for your recreation. There is a living room, kitchen, full bathroom, three bedrooms including a main floor one, outside sheds on approximately 1.3 acres. MLS #1527153 – $115,000 SOLON – Approximately 78 acres of wooded land with some views. Road is private and gated.

ATV and snowmobile trails close by. Perfect spot for an off-grid hunting cabin. Taxes are estimated.

Currently in tree growth for tax purposes. MLS #1534242 – $87,900 CONCORD TWP – Here is approximately 11 acres of land on a gravel road. There is about 750 feet of marshy frontage on Martin Stream. Nice spot to build your home or camp. Currently in tree growth for tax purposes. Taxes are estimated. (23025Hb0002) MLS #1534479 – $47,500 09/22

LEE – This nice 10 acre lot on North Road is on a year round road with electricity. The lot is nicely wooded. Take a look! MLS #1537739 – $21,900

BURLINGTON – Private 0.5 acre lot on Madagascal Pond with driveway and 16’x24’ concrete pad. Private access to a sand beach and boat launch (to pond area property owners). Access to ATV and snowmobile trails. MLS #1516475 – $69,000

LINCOLN – Excellent lot located on Egg Pond with 3.87 acres, 284 feet of water frontage, and a nice dock . Driveway is in and power is available at the road. Direct ATV and Snowmobile access from the lot. MLS #1539622 – $115,000

MEDFORD – Nice lot with electricity on Railroad Bed Road.

The camp needs a little work.

Great recreational property with electricity. Only 500 feet off a town road. MLS #1539147 – $39,900

LINCOLN – This private 1.43 acre lot on Transalpine Road is close to amenities but still has a rural feel with direct access to snowmobile and ATV trails and only a few hundred feet from a public boat landing. MLS #1536291 – $19,500

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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80 • September 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————

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