Joe Helps Larry Find The Culprit Only
January 2021
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More Moose Permits - Lee Kantar
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* Myster y Of Big Bog * The Phantom Buck * November Deer Har vest * Camps, Cottages & Land For Sale
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By Lee Kantar Proposal to Implement an Adaptive Management Unit for Moose The spruce budworm outbreak of the 1970s created widespread moose habitat across the commercial forestlands of Maine spurring an increase in moose numbers through the late 1990s. While this
Northwoods Sporting Journal
Moose Biologist Will Propose More Cow Permits in Zone 4
collars on over 600 moose, the department has documented the impact of the winter tick on our moose. More moose equals more winter ticks; less calves produced, less calves surviving to their 1st birthday. MDIFW is proposing to take management action in half of a Wildlife Management Unit to determine whether increased moose harvest can help break the winter tick cycle. During our research, winter tick has been highlighted extensively in the
tive. One potential exists that can be applied over a large area; moose hunting. Moose hunting is a sustainable and important management tool. For 40 years the modern Maine moose hunt has played an important role in hunters lives providing meat, recreation, family time and tradition to thousands of people across the state. Maine moose hunting permit numbers have been very conservative ensuring plenty of moose for wildlife viewing as well as
improve the production and survival of calves (6%; covering half of Wildlife Management District 4). This would be done by increasing cow permits on the western half of WMD 4. The number of additional cow permits issued will depend on this winter’s aerial population counts, but is likely to be in the hundreds. The department proposes conducting this increased hunt over 5 years during which time we will continue to monitor the moose and tick popula-
Page 3
tion thru GPS collaring ~8-month-old calves, conducting aerial surveys and collecting harvest data on reproduction and winter ticks. The department terms this an “Adaptive Unit” because we will be actively monitoring and assessing the moose population as we implement the increased harvest. Therefore, we can adjust permits during the time period as well as evaluate progress. When moose numbers have been (Zone 4 cont. pg 10)
MDIFW is proposing to test whether lowering moose densities in a small portion of the core moose range can decrease the number of winter ticks and improve the production and survival of calves (6%; covering half of Wildlife Management District 4). was great for moose hunters and wildlife watchers alike, animal populations that grow too dense can create problems when too many animals are sharing the same space. In Maine, the number of calves born each year has dropped significantly since the 1990s as well as the number of twin calves produced. With winters moderating, resulting in two weeks less winter and extended summers (Maine Climate council), the prevalence of the winter tick has increased dramatically causing moderate to high mortality in calves trying to make it to their 1st birthday. The winter tick is a one-year cycle tick that specializes in attacking moose (>50,000 ticks/ moose) and thru blood loss can result in death of young or small animals. After 7 years of research in Maine and putting GPS
news. The department has been asked over and over about ways to rid the moose woods of winter tick. This has included spraying the forest with pesticide, spraying the moose with pesticide, placing medicated salt licks and/or darting/ collaring moose from the helicopter to apply medication and/or tick collars. MDIFW listens and evaluates these measures; in short, none of these are effective, realistic, or economical. Why? MDIFW does not own the commercial forest lands moose thrive on. There is no current effective pesticide to put on moose or across the forestlands to kill winter ticks. Capturing and putting tick collars or powder or spray on moose would be extraordinarily costly and dangerous and there is no way to capture enough moose and to repeat it with the same moose to be effec-
hunting. But today facing climate change and high winter tick abundance, moose numbers in many areas remain too high for their own health. And most winters, calves as well as adults suffer horribly from the scourge of winter tick infestations. Often resulting in slow, lingering death for overwintering calves and reduced body condition in adult cows causing reproductive stress. Research across the global moose range shows that lower density moose populations are healthier populations. Lower density populations produce more calves and have less disease and most notably, less parasites including the winter tick. MDIFW is proposing to test whether lowering moose densities in a small portion of the core moose range can decrease the number of winter ticks and
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Northwoods Sporting Journal
On The Cover
Joe Helps Larry Find The Culprit - Pg 6 More Moose Permits - Pg 3 Mystery Of Big Bog - Pg 9 The Phantom Buck - Pg 24 November Deer Harvest - Pg 30 The Carey Buck - Pg 47 Camps, Cottages and Land for Sale - Pg 67
Contents
3. Moose Biologist Will Propose More Cow Permits in Zone 4 - Lee Kantar 5. The Tyer’s Corner - Hugh Kelly 6. The Adventures Of Me & Joe - Bob Cram 9. Warden’s Words - Game Warden Kale O’Leary 10. “A Hiker’s Life” - Carey Kish 12. The Trail Rider - Rod Frasier 14. The Fur Shed - Blake Dougherty 15. Cookin’ With New England’s WildCheff - Denny Corriveau 16. The Gun Cabinet - John Floyd 17. What’s in Your Woods - Bud Utecht 18. Outdoor Sporting Library - Jeremiah Wood 19. Aroostook Woods & Water - Mike Maynard 22. The Bird Perch - Karen Holmes 24. Question Of The Month - Robert C Spearin 25. Maine Outdoor Adventure - Rich Yvon 26. Ramblings From T8-R9 - Benjamin Rioux 28. South Of The Kennebec - Stu Bristol 30. Muzzleloading Afield - Al Raychard 31. Northwoods Sketchbook - Mark McCollough 32. The Buck Hunter - Hal Blood 33. Guns & Ammo: A Guide’s Perspective - Tom Kelly 34. Fly Fishing - Joe Bertolaccini 36. Anticosti - Mark Cote 37. Marsh Island Chronicles - Matthew Dunlap 38. The Back Shelf - John Ford 39. Old Tales From The Maine Woods - Steve Pinkham 40. The Allagash - Matt LaRoche 42. Against The Current - Bob Ramano 43. On Point - Paul Fuller 44. Native Fish Talk - Bob Mallard 46. New Hampshire Outdoors - Peter St. James 47. Northwoods Voyager - Gil Gilpatrick 48. Mass Wanderings - David Willette 49. On The Prowl - Justin Merrill 50. Vermont Ramblings - Dennis Jensen 52. Outdoors In Vermont - Gary Moore 53. Green Mountain Report - Bradley Carleton 54. Women In The Woods - Erin Merrill 55. “Just Fishing” - Bob Leeman 58. The Singing Maine Guide - Randy Spencer 60. Outdoors In Maine - V. Paul Reynolds 62. Best Bassin’ - Bill Decoteau 63. Maine Tails - Jonah Paris 65. Kineo Currents - Suzanne AuClair 66. SAM News - David Trahan
The Sportin’ Journal
January 2021
The Outdoor Paper For “Maine Folks” The Northwoods Sporting Journal is the Northeast’s most comprehensive and readable monthly outdoor publication. Published at the trailhead of Maine’s sprawling North Woods, the Sporting Journal prides itself on being an independent voice for the region’s outdoor community for more than 28 years. Some of our writers are seasoned and specialized outdoors people who will share their know-how and insights; some of our contributors are simply lifelong outdoor people with interesting stories to tell. Our aim every month is to capture the essence of Northern New England’s remarkable outdoor heritage by stirring memories, portraying outdoor humor, and sharing experiences and outdoor knowledge. We also keep our readers up to date with late-breaking outdoor news and hard-hitting editorials about fish and wildlife issues. Anyone who loves to hunt and fish, or simply finds the Great Outdoors a treasured place, is more than likely to find some special connections amid the pages of the Northwoods Sporting Journal.
www.sportingjournal.com
Main Office Phone: (207) 732-4880 E-mail: info@sportingjournal.com Fax: (207)732-4970
Vol 28 Issue 1 is published monthly by Northwoods Publications, 57 Old County Rd. North, W. Enfield, ME 04493 Periodical Postage Paid at W. Enfield, ME. and additional mailing offices. The Northwoods Sporting Journal (ISSN#1548-193X) Postmaster: Send address changes to: Northwoods Sporting Journal, PO Box 195, W. Enfield, ME 04493 Northwoods Publishing Group Victor Morin - Susan Morin - Diane Reynolds - V. Paul Reynolds Publishers - Victor Morin Jr. - V. Paul Reynolds Editor - V. Paul Reynolds Director of Marketing - Victor Morin Assistant Editor - Josh Reynolds Associate Editor - Donna Veino Graphic Arts Manager - Gayleen Cummings Subscription/Distribution Manager - Alicia Cram Operations Manager - Annette Boobar Webmaster - V. Paul Reynolds General Sales Manager - Victor Morin Jr. Sales Department; Thomas Schmidt, Paul Hatin & Michael Georgia Regional Advertising Manager - Jim Thorne The Northwoods Sporting Journal invites submissions of photographs and articles about the Maine outdoors. Manuscripts should be sent with a self-addressed envelope to: NORTHWOODS SPORTING JOURNAL P.O. BOX 195, W. ENFIELD, MAINE 04493 The Northwoods Sporting Journal accepts no responsibility for unsolicited photos or manuscripts. Photos submitted without a stamped, self-addressed envelope will not be returned. All rights reserved, 2021. Written permission must be obtained from the Northwoods Sporting Journal to reprint any part of this publication. Any errors or omissions in ads or editorial matter will be corrected in the next issue of NWSJ. The views and opinions expressed by our monthly columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of this publication.
The Singing Maine Guide - Pg 58 By Randy Spencer
The Trail Rider - 12 by Rod Fraser
Other Great Stories & Information
8. Editorial/Letters 13. Outdoor News 62. Crossword Puzzle 41. Trading Post 45. Carroll’s Corner - Carroll Ware 67. Real Estate
Cover Photo: Moose photo provided courtesy of I-Stock
The Allagash - Pg 40 By Matt LaRoche
Mass Wanderings - Pg 48 By David Willette
January 2021
Northwoods Sporting Journal
Page 5
The Elk Hair Caddis
The Tyer’s Corner by Hugh Kelly, Detroit, ME
This month’s fly is the Elk Hair Caddis. Designed by the late Al Troth during the 1950’s to imitate a caddis fly on the surface, this one is tough to beat. There are only four variables to this fly: body color, hackle color, wing color and hook size. By changing any of those components, you can imitate any caddis on the continent. This is a simple fly to master and by imitating a caddis fly, it can serve well the entire season. Recipe for the Elk Hair Caddis Hook – 8-16 dry Body – dubbing or dubbing thread. Hackle – Dry rooster hackle, brown, grizzly or dun Wing – Elk hock, Coastal deer, fine whitetailed deer Wrap a thread base
on your hook and tie in the hackle feather at the hook bend. This will be the rib, later. Tie on a body using dubbing, pre-spun dubbing yarn or Uni-Stretch. The color is your choice. Brown, tan and green are popular but some killer flies have come from tiers willing to think “outside the box”. Try using orange, yellow and red. An all black version can be deadly and you don’t see that color very often. Don’t wind the body material all the way to the hook eye; you’ll need to leave some room for the wing. After winding forward, tie it off. Leave your thread at the eye and wind the hackle feather forward to be tied off. This technique of a hackle running full length of the body is called “palmering”. Take notice because if you tie much, you’ll see it again.
The wing of this fly is what sets it apart. The flared body hair with and chopped off head look like a fluttering caddis on the surface of the water. The name of the fly says it all. Al used Elk hair and that is popular, especially out west. If you buy Elk hair, try to find Elk hock (I use bleached elk hock). You can use deer body hair if
you use the tips. Some other hairs I’ve used are calf body, mink guard hairs, Coastal deer hair, moose hock and even stripped off hackle fibers. Tie a small bunch on top of the hook shank just behind the eye. The hair should flare up and resemble a fluttering wing. Tie off your thread there and leave the butts flared-trim the butts of the hair wing at an upward angle. You can use the angle of the hook eye turned down as a guide. Here are a couple of alternative methods. Leave off the hackle and use a wire rib-this will let the fly sit lower on the water.
This is a simple dry that works on streams, rivers and calm water. It is a great pattern that can be tied in lots of different colors with inexpensive materials. It’s been catching trout for over 50 years. It works well on perch too. Even on a youngster’s fly rod. Hugh Kelly has fly fished and tied his own flies for over 40 years. He and his family live in Detroit where he ties flies, drinks Moxie and plans fishing trips. He can be reached at hkellymaine@gmail.com and writes a fly tying blog at puckerbrushflies.com
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Northwoods Sporting Journal
The Adventures of Me and Joe
January 2021
The Sheds
by Bob Cram, (Alias T.J. Coongate) Medway, ME
Harold Ruminant stood behind a large hemlock tree and peered around its side, across the snowcovered road, and through the back window of Larry Chisel’s pickup truck. Even in the dark, with low clouds and no moon, Harold could see Larry’s silhouette behind the wheel. The truck engine roared to life. Larry carefully backed out onto the road, shifted into gear, and drove off in the direction of Mooseleuk. Harold stood still and listened. Gradually, the sound of the pickup faded into the distance. The night became quiet once more, with scarcely a breath of wind stirring the tree branches. It was bitterly cold. Soon, Harold knew, perhaps within the hour, it would start to snow, and once it started, would fall heavily. The forecast called for a foot or more, and Harold was counting on it. Once he was sure no other vehicle approached along the River Road, Harold hurried through the trees a few hundred yards to where he had parked his own pickup in a twitch road. On the body of the
truck, the camper shell loomed large in the faint light reflecting off the snow. He quickly climbed into the cab and started the engine. Driving out of the twitch road, he turned left and sped quickly down the River Road to Larry Chisel’s small cabin. Stopping with a lurch, he backed hurriedly into the driveway, stopping only when the rear bumper of his truck was just a few feet away from the door to Larry’s workshop. Leaving the engine running, Harold leaped from the truck, scurried around the back and lifted the rear window of the camper. Then he dropped the truck tailgate. Few people in the Mooseleuk region locked doors, and Larry Chisel was no exception. Harold turned the knob and opened the door of Larry’s workshop and shone his flashlight inside. His jaw dropped. Harold had known that Larry stored a lot of shed moose and deer antlers in his shop. After all, a major part of Larry’s carving and building business
Warden Pinch Brody stood beside us, called in because the theft of antlers was of interest to Fisheries & Wildlife. involved the creative use of antlers. But the sheer number of antlers lying in every open space and on nearly every work surface was staggering. ‘He must spend ever spare minute in late fall and winter hunting for sheds!’ Harold thought. ‘All the better for me!’ The price on foreign markets for shed antlers had always been high, but in recent months it had gone through the roof. The huge number of
If you just can’t get enough of reading our Me & Joe Adventures, check out the All Outdoor section of our new Northwoods Sporting Journal website:www.sportingjournal.com You’ll find an ample supply of Me & Joe stories to keep you checking for a long time.
antlers in Larry Chisel’s workshop represented a small fortune if sold to the right buyers. And Harold Ruminant knew just the buyer to deal with. Shaking himself out of his reverie, Harold began gathering armfuls of sheds, taking them outside and tossing them into the back of the truck. Every few trips he stopped to listen for traffic, but practically nobody traveled the River Road this late except Larry Chisel, and Harold had reason to know that Larry was sharing a meal with Verna Silky at the Five N’ Diner this evening. As Harold packed the last of the antlers into the truck, the first flakes of snow began to fall. He quickly slammed the tailgate shut and lowered the rear lift window of the camper shell. Walking
back into the workshop, he crossed to the other side and knelt beside the end of the work bench. On the floor a litter of chips and wood shavings lay scattered in a bed of sawdust. He pulled a short stub of candle from a coat pocket. Carefully clearing a small space on the floor, Harold lit the candle and held it until the flame was steady. Then he tipped it so that a few drops of hot wax dripped to the floor. He set the candle base onto the melted wax and in a few seconds it had solidified holding the candle upright. Next he gathered wood shavings and packed them around the candle to within an inch of its top. Other chips and sawdust were pulled in to form a bed that touched the shavings. He glanced to the side (Me & Joe cont. pg 7)
January 2021
Me & Joe
(Cont. from pg 6) and noted that the little mound was only inches away from an electrical outlet. If all went well, and there was no reason why it wouldn’t, the candle would burn down an inch in a few minutes, ignite the shavings, and the whole place would be an inferno in no time. A fire inspector would blame it on an electrical fault, and all those antlers would be counted as lost in the blaze. Quickly easing the door closed, Harold ran around the truck and leaped into the cab. Dropping the shift into drive, he spun the tires and lurched out onto the River Road, turning left, away from town. In the Five N’ Diner, me and Joe hunched over steaming cups of coffee, trying to get warm. Enough ice had finally formed on Eggshell Pond so that we could feel comfortable ice fishing. We’d landed nearly a dozen pickerel and Joe, who could fillet and de-bone fish faster than a downeast greasy-belly, had them all cleaned and in a bag in the Jeep for the fish fry we planned to have later. The lights of the Five N’ Diner had drawn us in; that and the prospect of scalding coffee and the heat from the parlor stove at the head of the room. The bell over the front door jangled as it opened. WE looked up in time to see Larry Chisel close it behind him and glance quickly around the room. He looked slightly puzzled, although he noticed us sitting there and waved a hand. Trudy Entrée, the waitress, saw him and came quickly across the room. “Oh, I’m sorry, Larry… Verna just called.”
Northwoods Sporting Journal She stopped in front of him, absently wiping her hands on a towel. “She said she tried to catch you at home, but that you’d pro’bly already left.” “Is something wrong?” Larry said. “No, it’s just that her sister, Lorna, her what’s pregnant with her third? Well, her water broke an’ she’s on her way over to the hospital in Munsungan. Verna, she’s on her way over there too. She said she’s sorry she can’t meet you for supper.” “Oh, well…” Larry smiled slightly. “She’s been expecting that.” “Do you want some supper, Larry? Pot roast is on special tonight.” “No, I think I’ll pass for tonight, Trudy. Think I’ll jest head on home. Snow’s startin’ to come down pretty good.” He turned and headed for the door, then diverted to our table. “How you boys tonight? Look’s like you been spending some time outdoors.” “That we have,” I replied. “Been fishing out on Eggshell Pond. Got a bunch of pickerel fillets that need battering and frying bad.” Larry grinned. “I ain’t had fried pickerel in a dog’s age. Say, Joe, I got them ends and pieces of antler you wanted for knife handles. They’re out at the shop anytime you want to pick them up, but they’re gonna cost ya.” Joe glanced over at me and I nodded slightly. “If you’re goin’ right back home,” Joe said, “we kin stop over right now an’ dicker about them worthless antler pieces. Fact is, if you got some cookin’ oil and a few makin’s, we kin cook up them fish right at
your place. They’s plenty enough for all of us.” “Cain’t turn down an offer like that. You boys jest follow me.” Larry pulled up into his short driveway ahead of us and Joe drove his jeep in right behind. As we climbed out, Larry called to us. “C’mon in. We’ll git the first built up and the food started and then I’ll go out an’ git them pieces of antler. As we walked past the workshop Joe glanced in a window and stopped short. “Hey, Larry? You got some kid of lamp or somethin’ goin’ in the workshop?” “Me? No.” He came walking back along the path. “I ain’t even had a fire goin’ in the shop today.” Joe opened the door and stepped inside. He took one look at the growing light in the far corner and
hurried back outside. Before either Larry or I could react, he’d scooped up an armful of snow and hurried back into the shop. As we moved up beside him, he dropped the snow on what appeared to be a growing fire. It flickered out with a loud hiss. “What the heck happened?” I asked, confused. Joe worked the toe of his boot through the pile of burnt shavings and melting snow. The stub of a candle showed white in the shavings. “Somebody started this fire deliberate,” joe said grimly. “They was tryin’ to burn the place down. Larry? Look at this. Larry…” I turned. Larry was staring around the room, his mouth hanging open, eyes bulging. “What’…wha’… what happened to my
Page 7 sheds?!” I looked past him. Except for a few tools and tables, and a cold wood stove with a scattering of firewood, the big room was empty. Two hours later we stood in the driveway, in five inches of new snow, most of which was packed down with dozens of footprints. Even the puddle at the mouth of the driveway was dark with snowy tracks. On the road, state police vehicles and county sheriff cars sat in a line. Officers and a representative of the fire marshal’s office were still inside the shop, taking pictures, dusting for prints, and looking for clues. They’d already questioned Larry and me and Joe extensively. Warden Pinch Brody stood beside us, called in because the theft of antlers (Me & Joe cont. pg 11)
Page 8
Northwoods Sporting Journal
January 2021
The Game Dinners From Michigan’s famous Deerfoot Lodge to one of Maine’s oldest deer camps, the Skulkers of Seboeis, the annual game dinner always prevails as the intended high point of any legendary deer camp. The game dinner is both a celebration of the harvest of wild meat and a friendly, but intense, culinary contest: who can outdo the other guy in conjuring the tastiest and most savory preparation of a wild dish. Over the years, the Skulkers of Seboeis, which celebrated an amazing 51 years this fall, have at their game dinners eaten just about any wild meat available in the state of Maine. Frankly, there are gustatory highs and lows when a man, who really has no place in the kitchen, tries to fake it as a cook. No matter how much butter he uses. The least appealing wild dishes for me have been pan-fried beaver burger, sauted gray squirrel, and the most dreadful of all: a vile turtle soup that was the pride and joy of Maine’s famous outdoor newspaper columnist Ralph “Bud” Leavitt.
AuClair Right On To the Editor: Suzanne AuClair’s article “Dams: Not All Bad” (NSJ Nov. 2020) was right on target. Because of its importance, perhaps it should have been a lead item in this issue. Many dams must be left in place. Dams provide important wildlife habitat which can be saving for many wildlife species, especially waterfowl. The fanatic push to remove all dams is not good conservation. There is no logical reason to have more sea run fishes enter our waterways. Have good environmental impact statements been done before a dam is removed?
Surprisingly enjoyable wild dishes were raccoon pie and deep-fried frog legs. During the 51 years of sampling these wild dishes, two stand out above all the rest for my taste. A number of years back, one of our fellow Skulkers, Dana Young, formerly of Hampden and a schooled chef, created a bear meat loaf that was truly awesome. And this year, a Skulker recruit, Josh Cottrell, smoked a venison shoulder that was memorable, a prize winner in any game-dinner contest. After applying a dry rub, and dry smoking in his electric cooker with game blend wood pellets for three hours, he placed the roast in a covered platter with water and assorted veggies, and slow smoked for another 4 hours. Talk about tasty, tender and moist! The meat had the texture of pulled pork and was every bit as tasty as pan-fried back strap, if not more so! Looking back over the years, I regret making deer burger of venison front shoulders rather than smoking them. I no longer will I underestimate the advantages of smoking wild meat.
Lamprey eels are one fish we do not want. They destroyed the Great Lakes fishery some years ago and costly control measures are still needed to control them. How badly will an invasion of sea run fishes destroy our natural aquatic ecosystems? U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have jointly stated that Atlantic salmon will be on the endangered list for 75 years and cost $7 billion. That money would better serve Maine’s Infrastructure and elderly. DIF&W has wisely refused to list Atlantic salmon as an endangered species. Such a listing could tie the hands
of DIF&W to do important wetlands work. In Washington County we have 2 bad examples of dam removal. Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge destroyed at least 6 important wetlands because of this salmon foolishness. Also, Moosehorn ceased their required woodcock research and management work. And Downeast Salmon Federation (DSF) and Maine Coast Heritage Trust wanted to remove the Mill Pond in Whiting. So far, this removal has been stopped. Supposedly these are conservation organizations? The sad part is that DSF receives our tax monies via federal grants to
John Cartier, in his book on cooking wild venison, writes: “Smoking is a time honored cooking method. Wild meat is smoked to impart flavor from local species of wood. Smoking is also a valuable technique in the fight against fat. Like steaming and grilling, it is a no-added fat cooking method.” My late grandmother, a superb cook, had a habit of always washing her cookware as she went, to avoid the Awful Pile, the post-meal collection of dirty dishes and food-encrusted oven pans. The week-end chefs among Skulkerdom, in more than 50 years of game-dinner productions, have never been similarly disposed. Dish duty on game dinner day is a deer camp sacrifice like no other. But once the dishes are done, those who have partaken are reminded that the annual game dinner is a special, time-honored ritual, and an integral part of Maine’s historic hunting heritage. - VPR
continue their fantasy programs. Ask Senator Collins to stop these grants. And if that’s not bad enough, when the leftists and pseudo-conservationists get their climate change hysteria in full gear, wildlife will suffer. Climate change has always happened and man can do nothing about it. Fred Hartmand Whiting
Great Outdoor Books! To the Editor: I just want to say to people who love the great outdoors I just finished reading three wonderful
books. They being “A Maine Anglers Log Book”, “A Maine Deer Hunter’s Log Book” and “Backtrack” all by V. Paul Reynolds. I must admit they are among the very best books that I have read on the outdoors. They are very well written and they make make you feel you are right there with Mr. Reynolds in his essays. They also contain a wealth of information on the subject. My hope is Mr. Reynolds will write another book! If you are looking for a good read, read these books Anthony “Tony” Ostrowski, Chicopee, MA
January 2021
Northwoods Sporting Journal
The Mystery of Big Bog Part II
Warden’s Words
-
Throughout the fall and winter of 1922, the State of Maine was in a furor over the disappearance of two Maine Game Wardens that had ventured into the St. John River headlands and had not returned or heard from again. Countless volunteers along with many Maine Game Wardens canvassed this
Moosehead Lake where a medical doctor was awaiting to conduct autopsies. The official report for both Brown and Johnson reads “presumed drowning”; however no water was found in either Brown or Johnson’s lungs. It can be inferred that the condition of two bodies after spending 6 months in the ele-
discovery of the bodies talk of the public’s unrest over the deaths being ruled a drowning. Many interviews with locals and trappers of the area talk of “traps” being set for the Wardens. One man even speculated that Canadian poachers had rigged a foot bridge that was dropped as the Wardens started across
Page 9
is unlikely that anyone will know in another 100 years how both men perished. No matter what you choose to believe in this case, David Brown and Mertley Johnson died pro-
by Game Warden Kale O’Leary, Ashland, ME
Wardens Tom McKinney and Josh Beal, placed a stone marker which will stand the test of time and always remind visitors who come to the campsite at Big Bog that two brave War-
In the spring of 1923, closure was finally brought to the case, or so they thought, as the bodies of Brown and Johnson were discovered in the water at Big Bog. over Big Bog.
backcountry for months searching for Wardens David Brown and Mertley Johnson. The trail appeared to have gone cold for the search parties at Big Bog in T5 R18 WELS, the apparent intended destination for Brown and Johnson. It was here that searchers found a man-made “blind” and several boxes of raisins that are still believed to have belonged to Brown and Johnson. The winter’s deep snows added to the challenge of finding either man, and only months later would both bodies recovered. In the spring of 1923, closure was finally brought to the case, or so they thought, as the bodies of Brown and Johnson were discovered in the water at Big Bog. One man was found in the Dam, while the other was found downstream. Both Warden’s bodies were transported to the “Kineo House” on
ments of a Maine winter, made conducting an accurate autopsy very difficult. However, the drowning theory has always puzzled those familiar with this case for many reasons. First, no water was found in either man’s lungs, which likely points to the fact that both men were already deceased before entering the water. Also, Big Bog in 1922 was at most 4 feet deep and would not have been over either man’s head. David Brown was a veteran Warden with years of woodsmen experience which makes the drowning theory even less likely as both men would have been weary of crossing thin ice, if there was any on Big Bog at that time. Lastly, to this day no one has ever found the long rifle that David Brown was carrying with him or a revolver that was worn by Mertley Johnson. Even the newspaper articles writing about the
Suspects An investigation commenced looking for evidence of foul play in the deaths of David Brown and Mertley Johnson. It appears early on that investigators had their sights set on two brothers from Quebec with the last name of “Rodrigue”. The Rodrigue brothers were trapping on Big Bog in the fall of 1922 and had set up an encampment in this area. It is said that one of the Rodrigue brothers fled for Canada before the trapping season was over and near the end of November, which would have coincided with the time frame of when Brown and Johnson died. It is said that the second Rodrigue brother stayed behind until the end of trapping season. An investigation was launched in Quebec to locate Brown’s rifle and Johnson’s revolver, which were believed to have been brought back to Canada by these brothers. Neither firearm was ever located in the investigation. CONCLUSIONS AND LASTING LEGACIES After 100 years and no definitive answers, it
tecting Maine’s wildlife resources, and will always be remembered for this ultimate sacrifice. Their story does not simply end with their mysterious deaths however, as their legacies last into current times. During the summer of 2020, while completing the Advanced Warden School, new Game Wardens Nick Johnson, Mark D’Elia, Nick Mangino, Corey Cepelak and Steve Milton along with their Cadre staff
dens lost their lives here so many years ago. You can visit the campsite and view the marker placed here by travelling out the Golden Road to mile 88 and then travelling approximately 8 or 10 miles in on a righthand branch road. Big Bog sits just west of Fifth St. John Pond and is part of the North Branch of the Penobscot River. It can be found on Delorme Gazetteer map number 48.
Page 10
“A Hiker’s Life”
Northwoods Sporting Journal
January 2021
Ham & Eggs in My Underwear
washboard terrain didn’t make the going easier, the rugged route offering lots by Carey Kish, of short but steep ascents Mt. Desert Island, ME and descents. One section The Appalachian Trail Partway across the room, was aptly named Agony enters New Jersey at the I suddenly realized I was Grind. spectacular Delaware Wa- in my underwear. Yes, I’d At midday, I stopped ter Gap, crossing the Dela- forgotten to put my shorts in for a break at the Bear ware River via the busy on. Granted, my underwear Mountain Inn to escape the Interstate 80 bridge before is black and looks a little heat and enjoy some food climbing back up into the like biking shorts, until you and drink. While there, I serenity of the mountains. Both Doc, the waitress and a fair For the next 50 miles, the number of fellow diners had a good AT follows the ridges of Kittatinny Mountain, a chuckle over my obvious horror. Doc natural extension of Pennnoticed on the walk to the restaurant sylvania’s Blue Mountain, but figured I knew what I was doing. but with fewer punishing rocks and a lot more views notice the fly. chatted with a young man owing to the semi-open Both Doc, the wait- working as a server. We forests of oak and laurel. ress and a fair number of talked about my hike, and Beautiful Sunfish fellow diners had a good he said he wasn’t sure if he Pond is the first natural chuckle over my obvious could ever do something so water body encountered horror. Doc noticed on the big, that it seemed overby northbound hikers. walk to the restaurant but whelming. All he’d ever Beyond, the old Catfish figured I knew what I was done, he said, was hike 50 and Culver fire towers doing. Not quite, especially miles once with the Boy offer panoramic vistas of before my first cup of cof- Scouts. this surprisingly wild and fee. I’d never had eggs in I told him the Appalascenic corner of densely my underwear before, ex- chian Trail was just a matpopulated New Jersey. Af- cept maybe at home. ter of linking together 44 ter High Point State Park, N e a r G r e e n w o o d 50-mile hikes. He thought where I took full advantage Lake, the trail turns north for a second, and I could of the sandy beach on Lake and passes into New York almost see the light go on. Marcia as well as the snack atop the craggy Prospect bar, the trail turns east, Rock. I left the trail a day closely following the New ahead at Harriman State Jersey-New York state line. Park, returning home to (Cont. from pg 3) At Vernon, I holed up Maine for 12 days to see for the night in a church my lovely wife and cel- lowered, the department would likely decrease the hostel, and in the morning ebrate our anniversary. went next door to the diner When I hit the trail permit numbers as we anawith trail friend Doc to get a again in late July, I walked lyze whether winter tick proper breakfast. Halfway right into a solid week of numbers have decreased through my ham and eggs, 90-degree temperatures and whether calf productivI got up to use the restroom. and high humidity. The ity and survival increases. The goal for this will be to determine whether the increased cow harvest can make a difference or not? If it makes a difference than we would continue to keep the population in check by adjusting permit levels, if not, permit levels would likely decrease to previous levels or slightly higher
Zone 4
It’s all about keeping your feet moving forward, I told him, about putting in the hours each day. Simply do that, and the weeks and months and miles will take care of themselves. Before you know it,
I knew his AT gears had started turning. My feet hardly touched down as I crossed the Bear Mountain Bridge over the Hudson River. At 175 feet, it’s the lowest point on the AT, but for me
(Photo sent in by Carey Kish) you find yourself in New it was a real high point. York, hardly remembering New England lay just 50 what you did before you trail miles north. started walking, and realCarey Kish is the auizing how all too soon the thor of “AMC’s Best Day journey of a lifetime would be over. And knowing that Hikes Along the Maine beyond the trail’s white Coast” and editor of the blazes, you will never look “AMC Maine Mountain Guide.” Follow more of at life the same again. With that, a big smile his outdoor adventures on came across his face, and Facebook @Carey Kish consistent with objectives put forth in the 2017 Big Game Management Plan (MDIFW). As an agency responsible for the conservation and management of Maine’s wildlife it is critical to apply the best available science to problems that are identified on the ground. As the Adult Cow and Calf Survival Project illuminated the biological impacts from winter tick, so to can implementing this Adaptive approach to moose management demonstrate whether proactive management actions can improve moose health and conditions on the ground.
Seldom do the resources, information and call to action align to determine the best management practice to take before inaction makes it unnecessary. In other words, winter tick is here, it is impacting our moose, and if we wait to act and years go by, we risk losing more moose by parasites when we could have determined whether we could make a difference now. Lee Kantar is the State Moose Biologist, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW).
Northwoods Sporting Journal
January 2021
Me & Joe
(Cont. from pg 7) was of interest to Fisheries & Wildlife. “Somebody planned this well,” Brody said in his gravelly voice. “Must have known about yore date with Verna, Larry. An’ he planned on the snow to cover his tracks. Must have come right after you left, ‘cause they ain’t even a faint indication of his vehicle tracks under the snow. Had to come right about when it started snowin’.” “But who would take ‘um? I mean, I don’t know anybody what would steal my sheds!” Larry twisted one hand in the other, staring at the shop and the activity visible through the now well-lighted windows. “Larry, them antlers were worth money. An’ it ain’t like it was any secret.” Brody smiled grimly.
“Everybody knew you had ‘um.” “Yeah, but I’ve had sheds for years. Never been bothered before.” “Did you have a lot more right now fer some reason, Larry?” Joe asked. “ We l l , y e a h , ” h e rubbed a hand down his face. “I had all the ones from last winter an’ some from the winter before. I got a lot of orders for special stuff. Like I was jist matchin’ up the best moose antlers for that big chandelier Judge Parker ordered.” “Those chandeliers are really something, Larry,” I said. “Yeah. Lots of builders make the frame out of iron. I carve the frames out of curly maple an’ birch. Takes a lot more time, but it really looks good.” He sighed glumly. “The judge, he ain’t gonna be happy.” Several days later me
and Joe stopped at the Emporium to get some live bait. Harold Ruminant stood at the counter talking to Eben Ramdown. They both looked up as we walked in. “Jest a dozen mummy chub, Eben,” Joe said, plumking the battered bait bucket down on the counter. “Them pickerel ain’t fussy, so I don’t have to go for the high priced stuff.” “Don’t know how I’m gonna make any money this way,” Eben grumbled, lifting the pail and heading for the bait tank in the back room. “Don’t steal nothin’ while I’m gone.” “How you doin’, Harold?” Joe asked as the lanky man in the red checked coat sipped at a battered cup of coffee. Eben always had a coffee pot going on the big wood heater in the center of the room. “Poorly,” Harold said,
Page 11
wiping his drooping mustache with a thumb. “Turrible, really. Don’t know what ever possessed me to git into the arty-facts business. Only so many moose an’ bear droppin’s coated in plastic that folks will by. Had me a good thing goin’ with the dri ki business, pickin’ up that water-worn an’ faded wood around the lakes. But the bottom done dropped out of the market.” He took another slurp of coffee. I made me some good contacts in the sellin’ business, but I think maybe I got to move downstate nearer to some population centers. Know what I mean?” “Yeah, it kin be tough makin’ a livin’ any way you look at it.” At that moment Eben brought the bait bucket back. “Two dollar an’ thirtyfive cent, countin’ the gov-
ernor,” he said. Joe laid two crumpled dollar bills and a couple of quarters on the counter. “Keep the change.” “Ain’t you big,” Eben said sourly. “I got to leave, too,” Harold said. “Thanks for the coffee, Eben.” He walked out onto the boardwalk with us. “I guess hey ain’t found the Jasper what took Larry Chisel’s sheds, have they?” he asked. “Nope. We’d have heard about it,” Joe said. “Police think it’s already gone out of state.” “Likely. You got to hand it to the guy, though,” Harold said, staring off across the road. “He must have been pretty smart. If you boys hadn’t shown up wen you did, the whole place would have gone up an’ nobody would have (Me & Joe cont. pg 14)
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Sporting Journal Northwoods
The Trail Rider
The riding season this year will be much different than the seasons of the past. This season, we have to enjoy our sport while also taking measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus and follow each state’s different COVID guidance. We are all well aware that snow-
Riding Through COVID
provinces are requiring visitors to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival, which by Rod Fraser, can make taking a trip Hyde Park, MA outside your state diffimobiling season runs hand cult. Some states allow for in hand with cold and flu quarantining at home for season. This year it is a 14 days before leaving and triple whammy with CO- traveling to another state. VID adding to the possible Over the past nine seasonal illness. Making months, this more challenging is Americans have that each state has different rules concerning COVID turned towards and visitors to their state. outdoor Most states and Canadian recreation, which
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Over the past nine months, Americans have turned towards outdoor recreation, which has been seen as safe during the pandemic. Can we ride safely in this time of pandemic? I think yes. We already tend to ride with our close family and a small circle of acquaintances. When out on the trails, we need to remember to maintain social distancing within
The Covid spinoff is that more people are finding fun and social distancing in the Maine outdoors. our groups when we stop for breaks and keep our masks (balaclavas) on at all times when possible. We need to limit interaction with others and not share any of our clothing and gear such as helmets or gloves. When traveling, we need to remember social distancing in parking lots near trailheads, and also at major visiting places, gas
stations, and restaurants. According to all of the information I have seen, all of the snowmobile trails will be open and we will be able to enjoy the sports as we always have. If you live in a region with plenty of snow, you should not see much of an impact on your riding. For those of us who have to travel to another (Riding cont. pg 29)
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Northwoods Sporting Journal
January 2021
Page 13
Outdoor News - January 2021 Edited by V. Paul Reynolds January. For ice fishermen, this is the best month to fish landlocked salmon. Early March is nicer, but the action is generally slower then. Liberalized the togue limits on many waters make for extra opportunity. As you make your plans to fish, don’t forget to check out the names and locations of the many statewide bait dealers listed this month in the Journal. Maine in January can be harsh, but for those willing to be bold with the cold there is much to do in the outdoors. Snowsledders and cross country skiers will be busy enjoying some of the best trails in the country. Our snowmobile trail system stretches from Kittery to Fort Kent and provides incomparable snowsled opportunities. The toughest among us will keep on hunting: rabbits, coyotes and sea ducks. Meanwhile, some of us will hunker down near a warm stove, dream of spring and tie up some dry flies with an eye to warmer days. However you get through Maine in January, all of us at the Northwoods Sporting Journal wish you a peaceful and prosperous and Covidfree New Year!
NH Moose Hunters Have 75 % Success Rate
New Hampshire’s 2020 moose hunt season closed this past Sunday with hunters taking a total of 39 moose – 29 bulls and 10 cows, according to Henry Jones, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s (NHFG) Moose Project Leader.
Hunters achieved a 75% success rate during the nine-day season. A total of 52 hunters took part in the hunt including 50 lottery permit holders, 1 permit auctioned by the Wildlife Heritage Foundation of New Hampshire, and 1 Dream Hunt participant sponsored by the New Hampshire Wildlife Federation. In 2019, the overall success rate was 76% and has averaged 73% over the previous 5 years. “As always, permit holders were very excited about the season, but this year’s hunters seemed particularly dedicated to preparing for the adventure and enjoying the experience whether they harvested a moose or not,” reported Jones. “The rapidly changing weather conditions during the nine-day hunt varied from heavy snow of up to 6 inches during the first weekend to temperatures in the upper 60s later in the week, which required adaptability and persistence on the part of hunters.” There are always memorable stories from each season, and this year is no exception. The hunting party of Sharon and Jessica Covey, a grandmother and granddaughter team, hunted hard and finally had the right opportunity to fill their tag on the second to the last day of the season
For Jones, a former UNH moose researcher, another memorable account was of a bull harvested by Brian Mumley with the assistance of Northern New Hampshire Guide Service. “The bull was taken in Jericho Mountain State Park and had ear tags indicating it was part of a 2014-2018 NHFG and UNH moose research project.” Said Jones. This moose should have also had a GPS collar around its neck, but the bull, originally captured as a calf in January of 2017 in Jericho Mountain State Park, slipped out of its GPS collar a year later and his fate was unknown. Mystery solved!” Throughout the Granite State this season, preliminary numbers demonstrate moose hunters having a 100% success rate in the Connecticut Lakes Region, 82% in the North Region, 60% in the White Mountain Region, 67% in the Central Region, 33% in the Southwest Region, and 60% in the Southeast Region. More than 5,300 people entered the moose hunt lottery this year for a chance to win a permit for the New Hampshire moose hunt. Additional information will be available in a future hunting report once all registration data have been verified and analyzed. Learn more about
moose hunting in New fenses in connection with Hampshire at www.huntnh. an incident involving deer com/hunting/moose.html decoys. Three Vermont Fish and Wildlife State Game Colchester, VT Man Charged with Wardens were conducting a deer decoy operation Poaching in Plainfield in the early The Vermont Warden morning of November 12, Service received an Opin response to multiple eration Game Thief alert in complaints of poaching the early morning hours of activity in the area. Wednesday, December 2, At 12:57 a.m., a vefor a report of a gun shot hicle turned into the field fired before daylight in where the deer decoys were Essex. A responding State placed. The vehicle accelGame Warden narrowed erated, turning its lights on the shot location to an and off as it ran over one overgrown field and after of the decoys. One warden, searching found an antlered who witnessed the event, deer deceased with a bullet communicated the activity hole in it. to the other two wardens as Wardens remained on the vehicle turned around scene conducting surveiland headed back toward lance for several hours until the roadway. a black truck pulled up to Wardens attempted the field and backed up to to stop the vehicle, but it the deer shortly after 11 turned off the roadway, o’clock. The operator of the crossed a private driveway, truck retrieved the deer and and hit a ditch before acceldragged it back to his truck. erating to speeds exceedWardens apprehended the ing 70 mph. Two wardens operator, Stephen Burt, briefly pursued the vehicle who was taken into cusbefore the vehicle escaped. tody without incident and Wardens examined is scheduled to appear in the scene and discovered Chittenden Superior Court a left front fender of the at a later date. vehicle had fallen off in the The Vermont Fish and ditch. An internet query of Wildlife department is askthe part number showed ing anyone with informathat the part belonged to tion about any poaching a Subaru Forester. The activity or this incident next day, the local warden to contact their local Verreceived an anonymous mont State Game Warden tip which produced the through their nearest State location of the Forester at Police Dispatch, or they a residence in Marshfield. may leave an anonymous The tip also provided intip to Operation Game formation on the person Thief at 1-800-75ALERT involved, who was residing (1-800-752-5378). in Barre. On November 14, Barre Teen Runs three wardens located a Over Deer Decoy Subaru Forester with a An 18-year-old from missing left front fender at Barre, Vermont has been (News cont. pg 42) charged with multiple of-
Northwoods Sporting Journal
Page 14
January 2021
The Life of a Trapper
The Fur Shed
miles away in my garage. course younger trappers viding taxi services to three After mouthing an exple- can usually take quite a bit kids and playing referee tive I crawl out of the creek more punishment. Lugging when things go off the rails by Blake Dougherty, and feel foolish on the gear or catches sometimes she might have time to do Suffield, CT way back to get the gear I miles can wear a person out some housework. I also pretty quick. When I was don’t take for granted that Trapping is hard. load of gear on your back. forgot. A trapper also needs younger I’d be up at dawn she puts up with the smell Some days it’s really hard. Trapping presents many Oftentimes during a party opportunities for bad things to be sure their gear, in- out the door and ready to of skunk and beaver castor or other gathering someone to happen to you if caution cluding whatever mode of hike all day. These days permeating through the will learn that I trap fur- is not used. Traps can fire transportation they use, is it’s a bit of an ordeal to get house, the countless hours bearers. Once their initial on your hand or arm resultTrapping can test a person physically as well. Trapping surprise that people are still ing in a heck of situation to water or land can both be very taxing on a trapper’s body. trapping in the 21st century get out of one handed and passes they start to ask when you finally do, likely questions like “What’s that some discomfort opening a in tip-top shape and op- my socks on without rock- I disappear to put up fur or like?” my response is usu- pickle jar. erational. The last thing a ing back and forth on the even the simple fact that ally “Great”. I mean who The number check- trappers needs is a vehicle bed a few times so I try to I probably sound like a wouldn’t love being out lists floating around in breaking down in the field. mix up the foot travel with high school marching band in the wilds with just their my head during trapping Small things like a leak some utv use. when I get up to start the thoughts enjoying every- season are many. A trapper in a boot can really make The term taxing can day at 5 a.m. thing nature has to offer? Trapping is hard. It’s needs to have certain gear for a long day so trappers also be applied to a relaBut the reality is that with them to make and a are usually over the top tionship any trapper is in. also extremely rewarding fur trapping is not easy. set or reset after a catch. with preparing for a day While my significant other when all your hard work It’s long, exhausting days Forgetting anything results or season afield. The list is darn close to attaining comes together and pays on the trap line and long, in wasted time. And time is of things to be prepared for sainthood for putting up off with a nice fox or fisher exhausting nights in the a commodity to a trapper is endless. with my trapping adven- or even just the immense fur shed. It’s fraught with running a trap line before Trapping can test a tures I know that it takes a gratitude a farmer shows dangers like injury and or after work. More than person physically as well. toll on her. After all, while you when you help prodeath from drowning, hy- once I’ve gotten waist deep Trapping water or land I’m out on the trap line she tect their livestock from pothermia or falling down in a creek only to learn my can both be very taxing is keeping the household predators like coyotes and an embankment with a full body grip setters were 15 on a trapper’s body. Of together. In between pro- bobcats.
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known nothin’. Well, I’ll catch you later.” He climbed into his pickup, started the motor and backed out of the angle parking spot, before chugging off down the road. “I hate to admit it, but he’s right,” I said quietly. “I’m afraid this is one crime that won’t be solved, not the way things are going.” I glanced at Joe, but he wasn’t looking at me. He was staring down at the rough, icy surface of the road. Slowly, he stepped off the boardwalk and squatted down, running his fingers over the hard surface. He looked at his fingers, then looked off down the road.
“What?” I asked. “I wonder,” he replied, “where we kin find Pinch Brody right now.” Late that night Harold Ruminant sat at the battered table in his back shed. An old tin heater, heavily stoked with beech butts, just barely kept the big room warm. But Harold sweated anyway. Across from him Alvin Clutch smiled slyly. Beside Clutch, a big, broad-shouldered man with a battered face stared without expression at Harold. A cut-down, pump shotgun hung from a strap on his shoulder. “What’s the gun for?” Harold swallowed noisily. “Protection,” Clutch said with a broader smile. “A man in my business… sometimes people don’t
understand. It can lead to unpleasantness…so Marvin, here, provides me with…protection.” “ Ye a h , ” H a r o l d cleared his throat. “I kin see how that would be. Anyway, the sheds are all loaded in yore truck. Now, if you’ll jist pay me my money, I won’t hold yer up.” “Ah, yes…the money.” Clutch reached into an inside pocket and drew out a thin sheaf of bills, which he dropped in the middle of the table. “It’s all there… ten thousand dollars.” “Ten thousand?” Harold lurched ahead. “The price was twenty thousand!” “Was!” Clutch no lon(Me & Joe cont. pg 20)
January 2021
Northwoods Sporting Journal
Mentoring in the Wild Kitchen As I child I was always taught to respect my elders. There was an added benefit when I chose to spend time with those older than I. As a child I grew up in a very large family. We didn’t have much in the way of material things, but we were rich in the things in life that really matter. I often found myself at the heels of my mom, dad, grandparents and other relatives, soaking up knowledge while we cooked together. Each of these individuals helped me to not only to master the basics of cooking, but I discovered a lot about life; all the while learning time-honored generational recipes. Spending time with your kids in the wild kitchen is very parallel to investing time with them fishing and hunting in the outdoors. A great example of this is my good friend and Maine Warden, Jonathan Parker. JP’s enthusiasm is off-the-chart when he spends time mentoring kids. We’ve had many discussions about the importance of passing our knowledge and passion for the outdoors on to our children, as well as to this younger generation of kids who are open to the outdoors. I’ve always personally felt that it is our obligation to teach the younger generation the right way to enjoy the outdoors and bring it full circle to the wild kitchen. Helping kids to prioritize life vs. electronics will serve them much better in life.
Page 15
Cookin’ With New England’s WildCheff by Denny Corriveau, Kennebunkport, ME
them how much you enjoyed cooking it with them. Cheers to you all, and happy wild eating!
Remove steaks from marinade and place onto plate. Season both sides of the steaks with the Tex Mex Grilled Maple Venison seasoning and cumin. Let Steak Tacos the steaks rest for 15 minIngredients utes at room temp. 1 ½ lbs. of venison steak, Place steaks on mefat and sinew removed dium high heated grill and
The WildCheff in the kitchen with his daughter Kayleigh. How do you get kids involved in the Wild Kitchen? My first suggestion is to have them help you gather up the ingredients to make a recipe. Whether it be things in your pantry, spices, or a trip to the store, get them excited about how jazzed you are to be making a recipe with them, and how great it will taste when you make it. As you prepare the recipe, delegate some of the tasks to your kids so they feel a part of making the completed recipe. While chopping ingredients and seasoning the wild game or fish, they will feel more involved and have stronger interest in what you eat if they feel that they had a part of it. During that process, encourage them and compliment them on doing a good job and it will build up their self-esteem in the wild kitchen, ultimately making them want to par-
ticipate in future recipes. As you make the recipe, have them smell the spices, taste the recipe and/ or ingredients along the way and they will develop skills for knowing what to pay attention to on future recipes. As they taste test, ask their opinion on what they think about the taste; would they change anything – add more spice, take away something, add an ingredient to make it better? Be sure to choose a recipe that is approachable; something they can relate with such as grilled game steaks, stew, chili, fish or game tacos, shepherd’s pie, spaghetti and game meatballs, game meatloaf, or fish cakes. If they view the recipe as something they can do, they will generally want to spend more time doing it. The last thing is to give them 100% credit for making the recipe. Praise them for a great job and tell
We’ve had many discussions about the importance of passing our knowledge and passion for the outdoors on to our children, as well as to this younger generation of kids who are open to the outdoors. 1 T of WildCheff Maple Balsamic Vinegar WildCheff Tex Mex Blend (available at WildCheff. com) Ground Cumin Olive Oil 8-10 medium-sized corn tortillas Taco Toppings Salsa – red, green or pico de Guacamole or diced avocado Rough chopped cilantro Crumbled Cotija or queso fresco Sour cream Wedges of lime to squeeze over taco ingredients Directions In a bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of olive oil with 1 tablespoon of WC Maple Balsamic. Whisk together to create the marinade. In a large gallon freezer bag, add the venison steaks. Pour the marinade over them. Place into refrigerator for 2 hours to overnight.
cook them, leaving them pink in the middle. Remove from grill. Place tortillas on grill and warm them through by flipping them as you go. To serve, thinly slice or dice cubes of the venison steak and place the meat on center of warmed tortillas. Top with desired toppings suggested. Olay! About the author: New England’s WildCheff Denny Corriveau is AwardWinning Celebrity Game Chef, Iron Chef, and the Founder of the Free Range Culinary Institute, the only national wild game cooking school in the country. As a Wild Game Evangelist and trendsetter for wild game culinary arts - Denny is a nationally noted authority regarding his “best practice” methodology for the culinary side of wild game. You can learn more @ www.wildcheff.com or visit him on Instagram @ thewildcheff
Page 16
The Gun Cabinet
Northwoods Sporting Journal
Good Camp Guns
by John Floyd, Webster Plantation, ME If you are a gun owner, chances are that you have several calibers of rifles and pistols in your collection. It’s also likely that you’ll own a few shotguns in various gauges. If you are like me, some of those guns haven’t seen the light
January 2021
get whacked. They had to scramble to ensure they had something to hunt with the next day. I set about to find a solution and decided to split my collection into two categories – personal guns and camp guns. Every hunting camp
need during the hunts I offer. My trusty Savage model 110, chambered in .30-06 Springfield, made the first cut. With its meaty stock and durable barrel, it is a perfect choice for any big game hunt in Maine. The Remington 700 ADL, also chambered in .30-06 was the second out of the gate. With its barebones configuration, entry-level
Stoeger is a solid gun, with some nice engraving detail and screw in chokes. It’s a fantastic grouse gun – fast handling and light. So what makes a good camp gun? Where is the line between which guns
back with rain dripping off the barrel and the stock smeared with dirt – they can be cleaned. I wouldn’t feel the same about my Antonio Zoli shotgun or my pre-64 Winchester Model 70. I would likely have a
So what makes a good camp gun? Where is the line between which guns stay in my own personal collection and which guns are used for loaners? For me, it comes down to a few simple guidelines. of day for a while. I seem to get in the habit of reaching for the same few rifles and shotguns throughout the various hunting seasons every year. It occurred to me that those guns in the back of the safe could be put to much better use than acting as placeholders. I recalled several times over the years when clients had a malfunction with their rifle, or had a rifle scope
needs the basics in regards to firearms. With that in mind, I was able to formulate a plan to weed out the placeholders in my safe and get them some much-needed sunlight and exercise. I started with center fire rifles. I had quite a few hanging out in the back of the safe and this type of gun is probably the most common firearm clients would
scope and synthetic stock, it was another perfect camp gun. The last two rifles to make the roster were both Ruger Americans – one chambered in .243 Winchester and the second in…you guessed it - .30-06 Springfield. Both possess a synthetic stock and detachable box magazine and are very user friendly. To fill the need for bird hunters, a few shotguns were in order. The Mossberg 500 in 12 gauge may not be known for its beauty, but it is a wellfunctioning, simple pumpaction gun that is as reliable as it gets. It makes the list. Next out is the Stoeger STF 3000 over/under chambered in 20 gauge. The
A good camp gun must be rugged and reliable and not a collector’s item for its owner. stay in my own personal collection and which guns are used for loaners? For me, it comes down to a few simple guidelines. First, the gun must be rugged. It must be able to be handled roughly and you must expect it to be in the weather. Secondly, the gun has got to be reliable. Choke tubes must not loosen, the bolt must operate with a little grime or weather about, and most of all – it has to go bang when you pull the trigger in any type of hunting conditions. Third, it has to be okay if the gun comes
heart attack if those guns showed up like that! Lastly, a good camp gun is one that has a lot of stories behind it. Every time a hunter takes it afield, it adds to its legacy. John is a Registered Maine Guide, an NRA Certified Instructor and is the owner of Tucker Ridge Outdoors in Webster Plantation, Maine. He also works as an outdoors writer and can be reached at john@ tuckerridge.me or on Facebook @writerjohnfloyd
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January 2021
Northwoods Sporting Journal
Wrong Side of the Mountain!
During later summer my GPS stopped working. This appeared to be a problem for the cameras recently placed out in the field over the previous few months. The cameras placed before this occurrence were backed up on my computer. Not wanting
becoming slippery. Nonetheless, I trudged onward to the top where I located the cameras and downloaded a slew of pictures. Harvesting the SD cards for later, I knew it was time to head back down 2800+ feet before all daylight vanished. Wishful thinking.
away and making it out with daylight was a passing thought at this point. “Trust your tools” I told myself and moved on to the truck waypoint. Within a half mile of the location marked “truck” the Gatorade was consumed, which was turn-
Page 17
What's In Your Woods by Bud Utecht, Dedham, ME
self to head in the correct location of the newfound “truck” waypoint. Mistake. Two headlamps are always in my pack, spare batteries, and many survival necessities. I could do this. Heading back out was miserable and treacherous with ice forming in any areas that were wet during daylight.
didn’t seem very fair to all who may be wondering about my whereabouts. The decision to head back to the first waypoint and stay on a road was made. Back at the road I figured out exactly where I was and why the waypoint was put here. It didn’t take long to discover the
As it’s never understated, the most valuable tool we have is between the ears. When in the woods, stay calm and put that tool to good use.
to miss out on marking my cameras, I ordered a new GPS, which comes with the arduous task of locating the missing. Most were fairly easy to locate as I had checked them a few times and pretty much knew (in my mind) where they were placed. Fast forward to deer season. On a crisp fall afternoon, I decided to hunt around Jo Mary Mountain where I knew cameras were located at the summit. Initially the plan was just to hunt the area but as time went on the GPS altimeter was reading higher and higher. Once 2200 feet registered on the GPS going to the cameras was a foregone conclusion. Side note, the trip started after 2:00p.m. so daylight was not favorable. About two thirds of the way up Jo Mary Mountain the snow was plentiful and the steep terrain was
The moment I headed down the mountain things took a wrong turn. Looking on the GPS there was a waypoint named truck, although that’s not what my mind was telling me how I named the current truck location. The GPS has a scan out function which will show a larger area. It didn’t show any additional waypoints, so truck it was. Nothing felt right as the terrain was thickly overgrown, nasty to navigate through, and the snow was deep. The location of the waypoint named “truck” seemed quite far
ing to ice in my pack. This bothered me as my shirts were soaked with sweat and the temperature was falling fast. It was going to quickly drop into the teens. Arriving at the location was a huge disappointment, no truck... I checked the GPS again for other truck waypoints and came up empty handed at first. Then I searched in the memory of all waypoints and there it was; two and a half miles away if I went back up the mountain and down the other side. At this point darkness had set in and I pushed my-
After three quarters of a mile I came across a beautiful waterfall replenished my H20 bodily fluids and filled water bottles. It was at that point the decision to sit down, study the GPS and think things through was essential. Katy would have called for help by now and people would be looking for me and, of course, she was worrying. To head over the mountain meant there is no chance of finding me for hours and likely not at all that night. That
waypoint was a hastily programmed location put in during the moose hunt to scout a location quickly. I’m now on the other side of the mountain. This was miles from the main road with no chance of getting back to the truck or Buckhorn landing (where I board my boat and navigate back to our home on Jo Mary Island). Figuring there were people searching out there, getting to the main road was the best (Mountain cont. pg 41)
HELP US FIND
The elusive Northwoods Sporting Journal’s moose Marty. He has wandered into the northwoods. Find Marty somewhere in the Northwoods Sporting Journal (Hint: he will be located in one of our ads) Send us the page number he’s on and you could be a WINNER! Win a FREE Northwoods Sporting Journal Marty Hat. We will draw one winner from all correct entries submitted each month. We will announce the winner in the next issue. PLEASE MAIL THIS FORM TO: Northwoods Sporting Journal P.O. Box 195, West Enfield, ME 04493
(Marty was found on pg 5)
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Page 18 Northwoods Sporting Journal
Outdoor Sporting Library
January 2021
Second-Hand Storytellers
they make the effort to tell ter. I joined a friend on his its heyday. During a three other folks’stories in the bush trap line up the Por- week riverboat trip in 1983, by Jeremiah Wood, form of books. Jim Rear- cupine River, forty miles Bill Pfisterer recorded Mardon was a classic conveyer from the nearest neighbor. tin’s stories and accounts of Ashland, ME of others’ stories. He made The area, which had once the settlements, families, Oral histories. Most teller, and they tend to lose part of his career on telling supported a thriving com- unique events, and everyevery old timer who has details and accuracy with the stories of Alaska’s most munity of trappers, is all day life as it occurred in lived in an interesting each retelling, until they’re interesting outdoors men but abandoned today. I had a vast wilderness that’s and women. Jay Lawson a strong desire to learn ev- quiet today. place has one, and they’re lost in the past. Now, when I see a Fortunately, some did similar work in Wyo- erything there was to know more than happy to share their stories, whether at people with really inter- ming. Actually, a little paw- about the local history place on the map, rememthe kitchen table, around esting stories were good ing through my book shelf and read every book and ber a bend in the river or a the campfire, or anywhere writers, like Walter Arnold, My most recent experience with the work of a second-hand there happens to be an Helen Hamlin, Chick Feropening. Depending on guson and others, and they storyteller came after my first real vacation, a three week fur the story teller, these can preserved their mark on trapping expedition in the interior of Alaska last winter. be fascinating accounts history through magazine of things that happened in articles and books. But they reveals a surprising number historical account avail- prominent tributary, there’s the past and the way things were the minority. Let’s be of these second-hand story able. I thought I’d gotten a real life story associated used to be. And that knowl- honest, most folks will talk tellers. You’ve probably pretty close, until just a few with it that I can reflect back on, rather than just edge of the past can make your ears off with gold, but stumbled across a few of weeks ago. “Kaiiroondak: Be- speculating what may have our experience in outdoor would never sit down and them yourself. My most recent exhind the Willows” is a been. The old cabins are places that much more put a page of it on paper. Enter the listener. The perience with the work of collection of stories and hidden from view to a river interesting and enjoyable. The problem with oral compiler. The editor. The a second-hand storyteller accounts from Richard traveler now, obscured by histories is that they are just second-hand story teller. In came after my first real Martin (1914-1986), who willows, but if you know that – oral. Nobody writes short, the person who’s pas- vacation, a three week fur spent most of his years where to look, you can them down! So the stories sionate enough about learn- trapping expedition in the living a subsistence life- find some neat stuff behind usually die with the story ing and sharing history that interior of Alaska last win- style on the Porcupine in those willows. That’s the value of oral history. It gives a deeper meaning to the experience of a place. To all you secondhand story tellers out there, thank you. Your work helps enhance the outdoor exwww.visitaroostook.com www.visitaroostook.co m perience for all of us. We could use more of it. In fact, I may even chip in.
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January 2021
Northwoods Sporting Journal
Page 19
The Icemen Cometh…
Finally! January is here. 2020 is gone and I can’t remember the last time I was this excited to see a year roll over; I feel like Navin Johnson when the new phone books came out. Whatever your political persuasion, 2020 left us all a little bruised and battered. If you’re looking for a little peace to start this new year, some solace to sooth the fractured psyche,
remote ponds that we have in abundance. Some years, I actually do it. This winter I’m going to scale back my lofty ambitions and concentrate on one pond at a time. You know the ponds I’m talking about; no road access, 5-50 acres, and enough depth to keep brookies happy. Ponds that in the summer cry out for a float tube and a handful of dries
an ice chisel to make your holes. I’m not that much of a purist, I’ll go with the gas auger. I love the smell of two-stroke oil in the morning. Pull out your copy of the Blue Book (Delorme Atlas), pour a cup of coffee and puzzle out a route in to one of these ponds. Virtually all of them will hold a good population of brookies. A little advance
Pull out your copy of the Blue Book (Delorme Atlas), pour a cup of coffee and puzzle out a route in to one of these ponds. Virtually all of them will hold a good population of brookies. go ice fishing. There’s a lot to be said for taking yourself out onto a frozen lake where no one can hear you scream. The weather here in the County usually affords us the luxury of being able to get out on the ice sooner than our downstate cousins. Some of the bigger waters will be tender out in the broads for a while yet, so stay in close; that’s where the fish will be anyway. I’m not much for new year’s resolutions, but I’m usually good for a fairly illdefined plan or two. Every winter I seem to come up with the same one: fishing a couple of those near impossible to get to, small,
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planning won’t hurt the expedition either. You can continue to be the minimalist you’ve always been; nothing wrong with that, or you can live a little out there on the ice. I, for one, am getting too old to survive on stale PB&J and cold coffee. It doesn’t take up any more space or take any more time to throw some decent fare into the pack basket, and a small propane fired hibachi is the same size as a small tackle box. Drill a hole, set a tipup, grill some venison loin, enjoy the day. Maybe catch a few fish, too. Didn’t shoot a deer last fall? Take some chicken breasts and cut them in
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by Mike Maynard, Perham, ME half, (the long way), throw them in a Ziploc with Italian dressing or whatever your favorite quick marinade may be. Throw in some lettuce, some mayonnaise, or Miracle Whip, and your favorite bread into the cooler, and you’ve got a lunch you’d be proud to share with Julia Child. Better yet, take a small
frying pan, a little butter or bacon grease, and a baggie of cornmeal. Catch a handful of pan-sized brookies and enjoy them the way the gods intended: Fresh. Just be sure to check the regs for the body of water you’re on. Can’t bring yourself to use the hibachi? Just cut an alder branch and make up a (Iceman cont. pg 21)
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Northwoods Sporting Journal
Page 20
Me & Joe (Cont. from pg 14)
ger smiled. “The market has gone down.” Harold started to get up, but Marvin slid the shotgun off his shoulder. Harold sat back down quickly. “I, I guess ten thousand will be fine,” he croaked. “I thought it might be.” Clutch was smiling
again. Suddenly, the side door opened. The hulking figure of Warden Pinch Brody stepped carefully inside. The three figures around the table stayed froze, staring. Brody held up a hand. “Don’t mean to bother you boys. Jest want to get somethin’ I left layin’ around.” He walked over to the table and bent
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down, reaching a hand underneath. There came the sound of Velcro tearing, and his hand came up holding a tiny electrical device. “You get all that, Irving?” he said into the little microphone. His other hand went suddenly to his ear, where a tiny earwig nestled. “Yeah, I thought so. Oh,” he continued thoughtfully, glancing around the table, “you boys are under arrest…did I say that?” Martin started to raise the shotgun, but Brody quickly raised a hand. “Wouldn’t do that if I was you. Look over to the window.” Martin stared at the broken lower pane of glass, where the long barrel and magazine tube of a Winchester rifle pointed directly at his mid-section.” “That there’s Joe behind the gun, an’ I got to
admit, much as it pains me, that man is a real fine shot.” The shotgun dropped from Martin’s suddenly nerveless fingers. A half hour later, Clutch and his bodyguard were in state police custody and the truckload of antlers was being held as evidence. Eventually the sheds would be returned to Larry Chisel. Harold Ruminant had confessed to everything. Now he still sat at the battered table in the shed, hands cuffed in front of him, with me, Joe, and Larry standing to one side. Warden Brody grasped an arm, preparing to take him out to one of the police cars. “But I got to know,” he said plaintively, “how did you know it was me? I figured I’d thought of everything.” “You did, jest about,
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January 2021 Harold,” Joe agreed. “But this mornin’ outside the Emporium, when you drove off, somethin’ dropped out of the treads on a rear tire. I looked at it, an’ it was sawdust.” “Sawdust?” “Yeah. Then I asked L a r r y, h e r e , w h a t h e done with the sawdust an shavin’s when he swept the shop floor. He said he mostly jest swept it out the door into the driveway.” Comprehension showed on Harold’s face. “When you backed into Larry’s driveway, you backed through that puddle near the road. It was afore the snow, and that fine sawdust packed into them wet treads hard. Then, when you drove out, the snow packed it even harder. But after you’d drove around a few days, it started to crumble out. It was jest too bad for you that some of it fell out there in front of the Emporium.” “But…but…that ain’t nothin’!” Harold cried. “I mean, that ain’t enough to git a search warrant or to hide or but, or…” “You went an’ stole the makin’s of Judge Parker’s moost antler chandelier, Harold,” Pinch Brody cut in. “He’d give a warrant to search yore momma’s unmentionables in a case like that. C’mon, let’s git you out to the patrol car.” As they headed out the door, Larry was effusive in his thanks. “It never would have been solved if it wasn’t for you, Joe,” he said, smiling broadly. “If I can do anything for you, you jest come an’ tell me.” Joe grinned back and threw a hand over Larry’s shoulder. As he walked him toward the door, I heard him say, “Now Larry, about them knife handles.”
Northwoods Sporting Journal
January 2021
Iceman
(Cont. from pg 19) small fire right there on the ice. Trout on a stick, nothing better. No more cold coffee, either. Take your fired blackened camp coffee pot, the big one (throw the innards away), and keep a pot of coffee going all day. If you’ve forgotten how to make streamside coffee, it goes like this: fill the pot with water up to the bottom of the spout. Set it on the fire and let the water get warm before dropping in two or three handfuls of coffee, about 1.5 cups. Bring that to a full rolling boil for about three minutes. Remove the pot from the fire and let it sit for a minute or two, and then slowly pour in a cup of cold water. Let it sit again, 2-3 minutes, and that’s it. Best coffee, ever. If it works for ` Sidewalk Cafe
John Geirach, that’s good enough for me. I’m not saying bring the whole camp kitchen, just a couple of things to make a long day on the ice more enjoyable. Carpe Diem! Seize the day! Seize it and wring its neck. Become a modern-day Magellan and go off in search of the edge of the world. Your home waters are great, you know them, they’re reliable, but there’s also a case to be made, a good case, for getting out of Dodge and heading for the back of beyond every now and again. Mike Maynard is a part time farmer, grandfather of several, and an incorrigible water-logged stream rat and briar scarred covert crawler. He lives in Perham, Maine and can be reached at:perhamtrout@ gmail.com
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Page 22
Northwoods Sporting Journal
The Bird Perch
Horned Lark
usually difficult to see at any distance. Usually in the by Karen Holmes, winter they prefer open arCooper, ME eas such as dirt fields, golf My dog Dingo likes each beat, they called out courses, airports and gravel to chase birds. She is an a high pitched “tsee-titi”. I pits and my wide gravel Australian Cattle Dog and put Dingo in her kennel so driveway looked inviting. that breed has to have a job. I could watch these birds They are nicknamed “shore So guarding our property as they landed now undis- birds” because in the winter in Cooper from any animal turbed nearby on our gravel they can be found in large intruders, especially birds, driveway. Searching for flocks on beaches. Found is her job. Having a great food in a tight group, they nose, she has told me many always walked and never times on our walks that hopped. Their backs were a partridge was in a tree pinkish-brown, underparts pale white, and their faces near us. On this day as we were yellow with black were returning to her ken- mustaches and lines across nel, she scared up a small their foreheads. They also flock of birds. They were had black chest bands. I was surprised to see larger than most sparrows and as they flew overhead I these Horned Larks. The noticed their blackish tails. “horns”, small ,black feathFolding their wings after er tufts atop the heads, are
Aroostook County
coast to coast in North America, Horned Larks are one of the most widely distributed of our native birds and are our only member of the 75 species of larks. In my December column I wrote that this winter might have irruptions of northern birds here. I am pleased that this did happen
The Horned Lark
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in Down East Maine. I write this column two months ahead of being published and in November many birders have been seeing large flocks of Pine and Evening Grosbeaks, Pine Siskins, White-winged and Red Crossbills, American Pipits, Horned Larks, Snow Buntings and a few
I was surprised to see these Horned Larks. The “horns”, small, black feather tufts atop the heads, are usually difficult to see at any distance.
Northern Shrikes. I have not yet seen any Common Redpolls. Birders should go out and look for them as well as Rough-legged Hawks and Snowy Owls. My husband Ken had a bad fall in November and he has to take it easy while mending. He now enjoys watching the birds visit my feeding station and counting numbers and species for the 2020 - 2021 Project FeederWatch. During these days of the Covid 19 pandemic, bird watching at home or in the field is a great way to pass the time and relieve stress. Karen Holmes is now a retired teacher and naturalist. She enjoys writing and volunteering for various wildlife projects and surveys. For years she had participated in the Christmas Bird Count, Breeding Bird Survey, Annual Loon Count, the Hawk Watch, etc.. She tags Monarch butterflies for the Monarch Watch Project. Hunting and fishing are also enjoyable pastimes.
Page 24
Northwoods Sporting Journal
January 2021
Question Of The Month January 2021
Where Did He Go, that Phantom Buck of the Rockland Warren Line? By Robert C. Spearin, Bradford, ME
I’ve fished and camped most places All around the state of Maine And I’ve done a lot of huntin’ in my time. So let me tell you a story Of the strangest thing I’ve seen While hunting by the Rockland Warren Line It was in the fall of eighty-one, A cold gray dawn had just begun As I took my stand by an old and rotten pine. My thoughts were of that fabled buck That monster of the swampy muck In the bog there, by the Rockland Warren Line I must have been in a mile or more And I thought how I’d scoured the forest floor For tracks and scrapes and other kinds of sign When an icy wind began to blow And the darkened skies gave way to snow In the woods there by the Rockland Warren Line I shivered and shook from piercing cold, A sign to quit, so I’ve been told And I put all thoughts of hunting from my mind. Then I rose up slowly from the ground And I took one final look around In the gloom there by the Rockland Warren Line What I saw there in that twisted brush, What caused my heart and blood to rush Was something no man could ever hope to find. Me and that buck, with his rack held high, Were standing there almost eye-to-eye In the stillness beyond the Rockland Warren Line Well, I bet he’d a’ gone three fifty dressed, With twenty points, more or less, And a three-foot spread, I swear, from tine to tine. His nostrils steamed and his black eyes glared.
For a minute there I wondered if I dared Shoot this thing by the Rockland Warren Line As I finally raised the old four-forty-four His eyes burned right straight down the bore And he stood his ground as I stood there on mine. He never moved as the rifle roared And two-forty grains sped right towards That legend of the Rockland Warren Line I knew that round should have cleaned his heart But he stood there never giving a start. So I set the sights down on him one more time. I wouldn’t miss, there could be no doubt. I was going to take this big deer out Of the woods there by the Rockland Warren Line So I fired again but he stood there still, Ignoring my shots as if by will. To lose him now, I guessed, would be a crime. So I blasted a third, a fourth, and a fifth. Nothing on earth could stand up to this, Not even this beast by the Rockland Warren Line But there he was as plain as day. How I ever missed I couldn’t say. To miss five shots I guess you’d have to be blind But there he was and there he stood, That monster of the mossy woods, That legend of the Rockland Warren Line Well this wasn’t right-it couldn’t be! This just couldn’t happen to a hunter like me. I could make no sense at all of this in my mind. And as I thought of how this wasn’t right That buck just faded out of sight And left me there by the Rockland Warren Line I had to walk over to see what I’d done, To see if I’d hit him before he had run.
Rene Vigneault reading the Sporting Journal at a scenic backdrop.
If I touched him at all he’d be in a terrible bind. But my blood ran cold as I searched the ground ‘Cause there wasn’t a single track around In the snow there by the Rockland Warren Line No trace at all, not hide ‘nor hair, And he stood just moments before right there! What manner of beast could move and leave no sign? Then I noticed beside me in a young oak tree Five bullet holes grouped as tight as could be In the half-light there by the Rockland Warren Line And I remembered at once that phantom buck Who had tested everyone’s skill and luck. It was plain to see this deer was one of a kind. Yes, it must have been that ghostly deer Who’d appeared to hunters for many a year In the autumn woods by the Rockland Warren Line Well I was really shook up and began to feel That I was a fool ‘cause that deer wasn’t real. I was shaking so now I’d probably never unwind But I could see no sense in hanging about So I turned and started the long walk out Of the bog there by the Rockland Warren Line I don’t think I went more than just a few feet When what to my horrified eyes should meet But that big buck up ahead of me one more time. I shouldered my gun, then put it back down. There was just no use in fooling around With this big ghost deer by the Rockland Warren Line So he watched for a while then, making no sound, He rose up through the air twenty feet off the ground, Leaving me and everything motal far behind. Then he slowed his ascent and he stopped and looked back. And, lifting that gnarled and massive rack, He vanished for good by the Rockland Warren Line I thought myself lucky, despite such a fright, To have witnessed this strange and unearthly sight. It could happen to somebody once, just maybe one time, Sure-I can’t tell you why or much less how, But I have the feeling he is out there now. He’ll always be here by the Rockland Warren Line
January 2021
Northwoods Sporting Journal
“Traveling Maine’s Frontier Land”
Happy New Year! Let’s all hope this new year will bring us all back to some kind of normal living! As outdoor enthusiast, we can all be thankful we have the outdoors to love and passion to enjoy! Guiding and running the back woods of Maine, I am always being asked how is the road conditions
flat tire but as we parked in a scenic overlook we were in shock what happened next! I then proceeded to cook our burgers and make us a pot of coffee. As we sat down, we both looked at my guide truck to see anti-freeze pouring under the rear of the truck. As I looked under with a flash light, I noticed the liquid
inlet and outlet with the branch. Having some duct tape, I then tapped up the two lines. I topped off the radiator with the spring water we brought and checked for leaks. I considered us lucky and we finished our lunch driving to Big Eddy
Maine Outdoor Adventure
and when you are expected to return. • The Maine INFW is the foremost responder for life safety search and rescue in Maine. Make sure you leave the contact information with loved ones.
The roads in Maine can be very unforgiving with roads built from shale and other sharp stones. This could as well been a flat tire but as we parked in a scenic overlook we were in shock what happened next! or what do I need to venture out and explore the great North Woods? The weather at times just can’t be predicted or anticipated so my attitude is to prepare for the worst and hope for the best! As always, when you see someone broken down or pulled over, it’s a great policy to stop and ask the folks if they are ok or need a-little help. I believe that we as outdoorsmen, is most definitely, our best resource! A short story to show that you just never know what can happen on the trail...It was a beautiful day in July two years ago when I was scheduled to take a photographer out to enjoy some back woods exploring and get some nice photos. During the first part of the trip, it was going as planned when we decided to take a lunch break up on the Telos road. The roads in Maine can be very unforgiving with roads built from shale and other sharp stones. This could as well been a
pouring down from the rear heating coil. The fitting had chosen to break as we sat parked which I found very unusual, but lucky before it overheated. My client says, now what do we do? I then proceeded to pull out my tools and emergency road kit. After pondering a bit, it was certain I didn’t have the part to fix this problem so I decided to plug the lines to the coil. Looking around I found a branch which looked slightly larger than my line size. I cut the tubing and then plugged both
“Maine’s Frontier” by Rich Yvon Campground where a good • Have AAA tow service! friend, Don gave us some • Pack must have items fittings and some hose such as a form of reliable clamps. gps communication, first Yes, our trip was an aid kit, food/water, spare adventure but as always, clothes, tools, chain saw, could have been much fix a flat, spare tires, jacks, worse! Thanks Don! sleeping bag and any other So here is some things survival equipment that to remember to bring and the climate dictates. You think about before you venture out! • Always let your people know where you will be
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Page 25
by Rich Yvon, Bradford, ME never know when you will need to spend the night, be prepared! • As a guide on the trail year round, I use a Garmin Inreach explorer with rescue insurance. Being able to reach help in any situation is foremost when adventuring! • Never wander off, stay with your vehicle. Always remember that hypothermia is always a possibility all year long in Maine. Anytime your body temp falls below 95 degf, you are subject to hypothermia. • Be sure to stop at all gates to check in and pay any road use fees • Good Tires – 10 ply If you are new to the outdoors and need some basic help on being prepared, it may not always be common sense and having some know-how and self-preparation will go a long way. Getting an outdoor mentor or experienced guide can help with the learning curve and keep (Land cont. pg 45)
Northwoods Sporting Journal
Page 26
Three Killer Flies
Ramblings From T8-R9
Left: Libby Guide Rick Young - tying a fly one morning in the guides camp while he was waiting for his clients.
by Benjamin Rioux, Millinocket Lake As I’ve grown in guiding and fly fishing, so too has my appreciation for winter and the time I set aside for tying flies. There is something inherently relaxing about the tying process – set the hook in the vise, select the perfect combination of feathers, fur, and flash, and slowly but steadily work through the task of assembling something (I hope) will be appear both attractive and edible to any fish lurking
below. What makes flies appear attractive and edible is still the topic of much debate in the Guide’s Camp, and we all have our favorites that we love to tie and fish. One can spend hours tying Victorian style salmon flies, classic Rangeley style streamers, or complex dry flies that look equally at home in a frame as they do on the water. Still, a fly does not need to be complex to catch fish, and
guests at the camps are often surprised by what we tie on to the end of their line on any given day. So, in the name of simplicity and success, below are three incredibly simple flies you can tie this winter that are
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A majority of the emails I get on this topic ask about stillwater patterns fished sub-surface, so this particular column will focus on pond patterns fished most often on a 200grain Orvis Depth-Charge or comparable sinking fly line. all but guaranteed to bring you success during the upcoming season. A majority of the emails I get on this topic ask about stillwater patterns fished sub-surface, so this particular column will focus on pond patterns fished most often on a 200grain Orvis DepthCharge or comparable sinking fly line. First up is the BTO, an insanely simple pattern that, depending on who you ask, imitates a leach, crayfish, or dragonfly nymph. According to Alvin Theriault of Theriault Flies in Staceyville (www.theriaultflies.com) this fly was brought to him by Maine (Flies cont. pg 27)
January 2021
Flies
(Cont. from pg 26) Guide Willie Pelletier. Mr. Pelletier showed him three originals years ago and told him he used it to fish for big trout in the fall of the year and in spring holes. The pattern didn’t have a name, so they simply called it the BTO (Big Trout Only). Tie in the chenille at the eye of the hook, wrap it tightly down the shank until you get about halfway down the bend of the hook, then wrap it tightly back towards the eye and tie it off. That’s it, that’s all. I like to fish it low and (almost painfully) slow while keeping my rod tip almost touching the surface. You can try employing a slow jigging motion in your retrieval as well. The BTO (Big Trout Only) Thread – 6/0 Uni, Black Hook – Size 6, 6xl Body – Size 3 Peacock Color Danville Chenille (www.theriaultflies.com) wrapped 2x Next is every fly tyers first fly – the Wooly Bugger. In sticking with the theme, this is another pattern that is equally at home imitating a leach, crayfish, or dragonfly nymph. The Wooly Bugger is in my opinion one of the most disrespected patterns out there, and far too many fly fishermen overlook it for one reason or another. I fish several bugger variations in
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Northwoods Sporting Journal a wide range of colors, but none more so than black. I like to tie mine unweighted and without beads because I think they look more natural moving through the water. Be sure the hackle you use for the ribbing is long enough to generate a good pulsing action during each strip as well. I like to fish them slow off the bottom, but have had some recent success using quick strips alternated with a long pause of several seconds to create a more dramatic “opening and closing” motion from the hackle fibers.
The Black Wooly Bugger Thread – 6/0 Uni, Black Hook – Size 6 or 8, 4xl Tail – Black Marabou with sparse Krystal flash Ribbing – Black hackle feather wound over chenille Body – Black Chenille Last but certainly not least is the Black Ghost, a famous and well-known pattern developed in 1927 by the one and only Herb Welch. The first streamer I ever tied was a black ghost, and I tied dozens every winter out of neces-
sity because fish simply devour it. Mr. Welch originally tied this streamer with white saddle hackle, but when fishing it in ponds I prefer the marabou variation. I strip the black ghost slowly in the spring just after ice-out, and speed up my retrieval as the water warms up. Few streamers have been as productive for me on Maine ponds early in the season. The Black Ghost Thread – 6/0 Uni, Black Hook – Size 2-8, 6x-8x (Most commonly size 6, 6xl)
Page 27 Tail – Yellow Schlappen Body – Black wool Rib – Silver mylar tinsel Wing - White Marabou Throat – Yellow Schlappen Eye – Jungle Cock (or painted yellow w/black pupil) Ben is an avid fly fisherman, registered Maine Guide, and the Marketing director for Libby Sporting Camps. When he’s not exploring T8-R9 in search of new water, he can be reached at ben@libbycamps.com
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Northwoods Sporting Journal
Page 28
South Of the Kennebec by Stu Bristol, Lyman, ME As if anglers didn’t have enough to disagree about, the winter smelt fishing season pops up
or boards? Between December and March, depending upon ice conditions in the
Each camp generally outfits four anglers, each with five “house” lines per angler. The camp owners maintain a wood fire or kerosene heater during the six-hour tide during the anglers visit.
with another unsolvable topic. As a smelt angler, do you prefer using ice fishing rods or are you one of many anglers building their own smelt fishing rigs
midcoast rivers around Boindoinham/Dresden and surrounding towns, smelt anglers flock to the collection of rental shanties to cash in on the annual smelt
Smelt Rods Versus Boards migration. Each camp generally outfits four anglers, each with five “house” lines per angler. The camp owners maintain a wood fire or kerosene heater during the six-hour tide during the anglers visit. While the house lines, consisting of a tarred line and small length of monofilament, hook and weight will catch fish, many anglers prefer to bring their own, usually one or more limber ice fishing rod/reel combos or, their own smelt fishing boards. The more serious smelt anglers swear that
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Smelt rods or fishing boards? the use of smelt fishing rods will present baits in a more sensitive manner, thus catching more fish. Without a doubt, an attentive angler will catch many more smelt than the angler simply watching for the house lines to move about. Then, there are the repeat customers who are convinced that a board lined with ice fishing reels, ultralight line and spring bobbers is the answer to an increased harvest.
Here’s where I insert my two cents worth of opinion. In more than three decades of making the pilgrimage to the midcoast smelt villages, I have firm opinions on what has worked the best for me. House lines are fine for use by the occasional smelt angler out for a weekend night of food and drink with friends. The shacks are warm (sometimes too warm) the food is usually (Smelt cont. pg 29)
Northwoods Sporting Journal
January 2021
Smelt
(Cont. from pg 28) good, consisting of deer meat, red hot dogs and a choice of Allens Blackerry brandy or the new anglers choice, Fireball Whiskey. Unless you make the trip in December or early January, you will probably miss the height of the smelt run. As the winter wears on the quantity of fish becomes less, with few exceptions. Some years the camps around Bowdoinham are red hot with action and other years angler barely fill half a bucket. Hence the need for lighter gear and more attentive tactics. For certain, lighter lines and more sensitive rod tips will trigger more bites than heavier house lines. The standard smelt rod with a fast tip is murder in the hands of an angler who pays more attention to the line movement than the hot dogs and brandy. Next, fresh bait is a must. Just as when fishing natural bait anytime during the year, bait must be changed often. I suggest each angler be supplied with at least two dozen sea worms or blood worms. Use small hooks, size 1014 and cut baits the smaller the better. The modern glow jigs will attract more fish than bare hook and worm. These jigs are impregnated with luminescent paint and are activated by a strong LED light. Some anglers swear by sibiki rigs although I find they tangle too easily. I tie my own jig set-ups and employ what are known as lears to hold the baits out from the main line. A quick look at lure parts suppliers such as Netcraft will help. (www.jannsnetcraft.com) Using house lines usu-
ally means only five lines or baits per angler at any time. By replacing the five lines with rods anglers can double the baits or triple, depending on what you can handle with tangles. By constructing a reel board, anglers can multiple their number of baits down the hole. My boards consist of two, two-foot segments with two reels on each. They consist of ice fishing reels and well placed screw eye to channel line up through a spring bobber. I use a small silver spoon for a bottom weight, baited, and two baited glow jigs offset by lears. That gives me a total of twelve baits at one time, and no chance for lines to tangle. We had a broken sea-
son last year due to weather but we are hopeful the smelt runs of past years will return. There are several smelt groups and pages on Facebook for anglers to find camp numbers and current conditions. Stu Bristol is a Master Maine Hunting, Fishing and Tidewater Guide, outdoor writer and custom game call maker. He operates Orion Guide Service out of southern Maine. His outdoor features have been published nationwide for more than 50 years. Stu has been inducted into the New England Wild Turkey Hunting Hall of Fame. Visit his website at www.deadlyimpostergamecalls.com
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Page 29
Riding
(Cont. from pg 12) state to find snow to ride in, knowing the quarantine and testing restrictions will be critical to our ability to snowmobile this winter. The restrictions that are being put in place will impact our ability to ride outside of our states and impact our use of hospitality while enjoying the sport. Restaurants that we have frequented in the past will be restricted in their ability to serve us, but I am sure we can still be able to get gas and take out food on the trail. I recommend you do a little checking to make sure the places you intend to stop for gas and food are operating and what types of restrictions they are required to operate under. As we discussed in this column earlier this
year, this past summer saw a peak in ATV sales and ATV riding throughout the country. Based on that, the snowmobile industry also expects to see an uptick in snowmobiling, so there will probable be no shortage of riders out on the trail. Along with the normal safety precautions, remember to take care of and follow the COVID restrictions and recommendations. We can all enjoy this sport within the restrictions in place and stay safe and healthy. Enjoy your rides! Ride safe, ride right! Rod Fraser is an avid outdoorsman and twentyyear Navy veteran. Originally from Maine and living in Massachusetts, Rod has written extensively about snowmobiling. visit his website at www.roderickfraser.com
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Northwoods Sporting Journal
Page 30
January 2021
Muzzleloading November Deer Harvest under 500 were taken with growing in popularity. to it was 27,245 in 2018. Afield a crossbow. Last fall was the first year of general crossbow eligibility during archery kills through the the regular archery season. end of November. Of that There’s still two years to number the regular October archery season total was just short of 1,200 deer. In 2019, 2,180 deer were killed during the combined archery seasons making the combined archery take last fall well ahead of the 2019 total despite two weeks remaining in the expanded archery season which didn’t end until December 12. It’s interesting to note, of the 1,200 or so deer taken during the go before the crossbow regular archery season just sunset rule comes into play and the legislature revisits their inclusion, or not, but it seems crossbow use is
by Al Raychard, Lyman, ME
Despite weather conditions and daytime temperatures less than ideal in October and November last fall, a decent if not bumper hard mast crop in many areas and a rut period when bucks were uncharacteristically tight quartered, it seems Maine hunters were productive during the archery and firearms deer seasons. As of November 30 the total archery take was 3,082. That includes all regular archery kills in October and expanded
Central Maine Region
Hunters during the regular firearms season also did quite well killing 27,500 deer. That figure includes opening day for resi-
dents and the four weeks of regular gun season but not youth day. That’s the best November take since at least 2011. The closest total
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As you may recall 2018 was a banner year with 32,451 deer killed in all seasons, the highest since 2002. The muzzleloader season is still un-
Hunters during the regular firearms season also did quite well killing 27,500 deer. That figure includes opening day for residents and the four weeks of regular gun season but not youth day. That’s the best November take since at least 2011. The closest total to it was 27,245 in 2018. derway at the time of this writing, but on average roughly 1,200 deer are tagged during that season. Some 800 to 1,000 or so deer are typically taken on youth day. Add those numbers and whatever the final number is once the expanded archery season closes to the combined regular archery and regular firearms seasons and expanded archery take through November 30 and it looks like Maine’s total deer take last fall will once again surpass the 32,000 mark, perhaps nearer to 33,000, depending upon the muzzleloader and expanded archery final takes and everything has been tallied. It’ll be interesting to review the final summary when it becomes available, hopefully soon.
January 2021
Northwoods Sporting Journal
Covid and Wildlife
It is inescapable. Each evening the news is filled with warnings, the latest statistics on Covid-19 cases, and the grim tally of human deaths. This virus attacks our psyche as much as our lungs. We will celebrate when this plague is over. There is light at the end of a long tunnel. Science has given us the “miracle” of several vaccines that have promise to reduce or possibly
confident which animal the virus came from is to find it in that species in the wild. Finding the origin of the Covid-19 virus is becoming more complicated as it spreads in humans and has the very real possibility of infecting new wildlife species. The longer the pandemic lasts, the more widespread it is in humans and the
end this pandemic. Or will they? Humans contracted SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) from wildlife – a real danger when humans and wildlife come into close contact anywhere in the world. Many scientists are investigating when, where, and how the new coronavirus got into people. There is evidence that the virus originated in bats. SARS-CoV-2 most closely matches the DNA of a coronavirus found in horseshoe bats in China. But scientists know this genetic relationship is somewhat distant, and the virus most likely passed through an intermediate host species before humans became infected. The only way to be
increased risk of spread to other s p e cies of wildlife. There is a growing list of other species that can be infected. In laboratories, cats, fruit bats, ferrets, several species of primates, and hamsters have been experimentally infected with SARS-CoV-2. Outside the lab, pet cats and dogs, tigers, pumas, and lions in zoos, and farmed mink have also contracted the virus most likely from
people. Dogs can contract the virus but do not seem to transmit to other dogs or back to people. Domestic cats can transmit the virus to other cats, but transmission back to humans is uncertain. Further research shows that other mammal species, including sheep and other primates, might be susceptible to infection. It’s helpful to know which animals are suscep-
Page 31
Northwoods Sketchbook by Mark McCollough, Hampden, ME transmitted Covid-19 to wild animal populations. Nevertheless, wildlife biologists around the world who work directly with wild animals are taking precautions to avoid spreading the virus from infected humans to wildlife. These
handle wild animals, wear a mask and gloves, wash hands frequently, keep captured animals distant from each other, and keep onlookers at a distance. Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is implementing all these measures and
So far, there is no evidence that humans have transmitted Covid-19 to wild animal populations. Nevertheless, wildlife biologists around the world who work directly with wild animals are taking precautions to avoid spreading the virus from infected humans to wildlife. tible, manage the risk of them becoming new reservoirs for the virus, and become possible sources of re-infection to people sometime in the future. At this time, the CDC emphasizes that there is no evidence that animals play a role in spreading SARSCoV-2, and the risk of animals spreading COVID-19 to people is currently considered to be low. So far, there is no evidence that humans have
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measures are to protect wildlife from the potential devastating effects of this disease, but also to avoid creating multiple reservoirs of the virus in wild populations that could jump back to people in the future. The World Organization for Wildlife Health and State and Federal wildlife agencies recommend measures to prevent transmission. Protocols used by wildlife biologists are familiar – cease studies that
more this winter when they release Canada lynx that are incidentally caught in traps. Scientists across North America are suspending research with wild bats while the pandemic is still prevalent in humans. Wildlife rehabilitators are using similar protocols to avoid transmitting the virus to animals in their care and are not taking in bats for care. Which brings us back (Wildlife cont. pg 63)
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Northwoods Sporting Journal
The Buck Hunter by Hal Blood, Moose River, ME Another deer season has come and gone. It’s always bitter-sweet for me as I look forward to each season to roll around and then in the blink of an eye, it’s over. This past season was almost a polar opposite from the past two seasons when there was cold and
day of that week. With the warm weather, lack of snow and less hunters, due to COVID-19 policies, the deer kill in northern Maine is down in the areas that I know of. Here in Jackman it is down about 20-25 percent over the last few years. The number of 200-pound
My next thought was that this was the buck that God put in front of me and I was happy to have him. snow for the entire season in the north country. This year what little snow fell was mostly in the higher elevations and would melt within a few days. It was frustrating for the tracking crowd as hunters were concentrated where there was snow and quite often a track would lead you down into the low country where there was no snow. Warm weather was the norm this season, and the second week of the season took the prize with temperatures in the sixties for the first three
bucks tagged is also down by over half. If there is a silver lining to it all, it is that there will be plenty of big bucks running around next season. After my Client shot his buck the first week of the season, I let my second week hunter move his trip to muzzle loader week, due to the warm weather. This gave me three weeks to hunt and I was looking forward to some tracking snow. Obviously, that didn’t happen the second week so I took advantage
January 2021
Thanksgiving Buck
of the warm weather to get my Honey-do list shortened up. We finally got a little snow in the high country by the middle of the third week, so I was in search of an old toe dragger to follow. The first day of the snow I put on a lot of miles without finding a good buck track, before finally finding a medium sized track. As I was standing there looking at the track, I heard a noise to my left and a doe ran by and stopped at about 25 yards. Then a spike-horn bounded up behind here. I knew something was going on and got ready for another buck to come along. The doe jumped down over a knoll and the spike bounded back up the mountain. I eased ahead so I could see over the knoll and spotted the doe standing behind a blowdown, 20 yards away. Just then, another doe bounded down in front of me at about 40 yards. I knew something was after her, so I stood there ready. I heard grunting and an 8 pointer came trotting down and stopped broadside at 40 yards. He looked to be around a 180-pound buck. He wasn’t the buck that I
was looking for and let him continue on his way chasing the doe. The next day, I tracked a nice buck all over the same mountain. He was looking for does and never slowed down all day. By afternoon, I was back in my track where I had walked that morning. The buck was headed east, and the truck was to the west a few miles, so I headed to the truck and rest up for another day. Friday morning it was flurrying a little and I decided to head to a different mountain. On the way in I cut a decent buck
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track so fresh, I began to look in the woods for the buck. I figured this buck was about a 200 pounder. The weather forecast at the time was snow for all of Thanksgiving week, so with plenty of time left, I decided to look for a toe dragger. I ran into a friend a few minutes later and told him to take the track. I found the toe dragging track that I was looking for, about ten o’clock on the back of a mountain. I followed him cross country all day before he finally came into a herd of deer. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many tracks in one area. it appeared like there were several hot does being chased by several bucks up and down a hardwood ridge and in and out of the green growth. I circled around enough to know that the buck I was tracking, and several others were in a half a mile square softwood patch. Once again, time had run out and I needed to make the long slog back to the truck. On the drive out, I (Buck cont. pg 35)
January 2021
Northwoods Sporting Journal Guns & Ammo:
Milestones of the Hunt
We all have milestones in life, graduations, marriages, births, deaths. These are measurements of our lives. There are also things that we will always associate with these events. It could be a particular song playing at that moment. It could be the car we drove when that event happened, or in my life, the gun involved in making that particular memory. I would like to share some of those moments and the hardware involved. One of the most monumental events in a young aspiring hunter’s life is the first game taken. It is the moment when that hunter crosses from the theoretical to reality. My father and his friends were avid rabbit hunters. I grew up running and hunting beagles on both cottontail rabbits and snowshoe hare. My first foray into the world of hunter instead of dog handler and gun cleaner was a spirited race with a particularly fast and tricky hare. The hardware was an Ithaca Featherlite Mod. 37 in 16 gauge, #6 high brass Remington Peters shotshells were the fuel for this event. The hare did a somersault and the transformation from child to hunter was done. My next threshold was my first deer. I was hunting in the Allagash. I remember sitting on a
stump overlooking an old log yard. I first saw the doe feeding along the old skidder trail. In those long past days, bucks or does were legal. It was my intention to shoot that doe. I brought the rifle to my shoulder and as I peered through the scope, I spotted the other deer. It was a rack buck and immediately, I changed my target. I found the crease behind his front leg and squeezed the trigger. He dropped into the fresh snow. The deer
in my book. The next chapter marked by a gun is a bit different. It was an innocuous S&W Mod. 10, .38 caliber revolver. It had a 4” tapered barrel and ridiculously large target grips. In my estimation, this was the most important firearm in the world. It was not mine. It was issued to me after my graduation from the Police Academy on my first day as a sworn police officer. In my 21 year career, I carried many different firearms,
A Guide’s Perspective by Tom Kelly, Orient, ME
been treed by her Walker hound. She now owns this gun and my grandsons still shoot it today. A Remington 7400, .308 marks a couple of important periods as well. My wife, Ellie, used it to take two excellent bears on a trip to Idaho. These were her first big game animals. This same gun was used
The doe stood there in disbelief looking at the 8 point buck until I stood up from my stump, 40 yards away. She then exited stage right in a hasty retreat. kicked a couple of times and was still. The doe stood there in disbelief looking at the 8 point buck until I stood up from my stump, 40 yards away. She then exited stage right in a hasty retreat. My rifle was a Savage Mod. 99 in .308 Winchester. I was shooting 180 gr. Remington Corloct round nose ammo. My scope was Weaver 3X to 9X variable set at 3X. The buck had a bent antler on one side, but he was the most beautiful deer I had ever seen. That bent rack still adorns my wall to this day. This same Mod. 99 was used by my nephew to take his first deer as well. It was a spectacular 10 pointer that measured a fantastic 150 inches. That’s quite a rifle
but none meant as much as that one. In the progression of life, there can be no greater accomplishment or reward than having children. I have been blessed with children and grandchildren. It was a forgone conclusion that my kids would be raised outdoors. I purchased a used 10/22 Ruger rifle that I bought for coon hunting and it served faithfully in that capacity for a longtime. It became one of my milestone guns when my 12 year old daughter used it to shoot her first racoon as I held the light. The coon had
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by one of my nephews to harvest his first bear with me as his guide. Some years later, a rifle not owned by me, created another special memory. My youngest daughter was successful on a bear hunt guided by me. She shot a really nice bear with a Remington Mod. 7 in .308 owned by her husband. I was honored to have been with her for her first bear. Honorable mention goes to a S&W .500 revolver. I used it to take an interior grizzly in Alaska. This was a personal accomplishment that I am
very proud of. So, as you can see, firearms can mark your personal history as indelibly as pictures. If you have noticed, all of these milestones involved family members. They can only be made if you take them with you. Be sure to make some milestone memories and take a kid hunting or fishing. Come see us at the lake. Tom is a Registered Maine Guide. He is the owner/operator of Shamrock Outfitters in Orient Maine with his wife Ellie. He is a retired police officer as well as a retired manager from two major firearms manufacturers. He is an NRA Certified Instructor as well as a Hunter Safety Instructor in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. You can reach Tom at Shamrock Outfitters (207) 694-2473. Please visit our Facebook Page: Shamrock Outfitters and Properties and come visit us on East Grand Lake.
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At camp, this guy and his gundog - after a morning of chasing pa’tridge - found a comfy place to spend some time with their favorite read, the Northwoods Sporting Journal.
Where do you read your copy of the Sporting Journal? At camp, in the boat, at the ice shack? We’d love to see a photo of you with your copy of the Journal at an unusual place. If we like it, we will publish it in the Journal. If we select your best shot for publication, we’ll send you an exclusive Sporting Journal hat created just for the occasion. Send your Jpeg photo and a short blurb to vpaulr@tds.net. Please include your contact information, too. www.sportingjournal.com
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Northwoods Sporting Journal
Fly Fishing
Brooks’ Blondes
along the entire hook shank to provide a smooth base by Joe Bertolaccini, for body materials. With Orrington, ME that, let’s look at several The late Joe Brooks, Blonde that are simply tied examples of flies that can well known fly fisher, fly with tinsel bodies, bucktail be crafted for both fresh tyer and writer from Mary- wings and tails. With the and salt water. land, pioneered fly fishing advent of many new mafor saltwater species back terials, it is now possible in the 1920s. He is credited to adapt the basic Blonde with taking the first bone- design to represent a mulfish on a fly and held at titude of baitfish species
Using items such as craft fur, Polar Hair, Fish Hair, marabou, Crystal Flash, Flashabou, Corsair tubing, etc., we are limited only by our imagination for effective variations. one time world fly fishing records for striped bass and barracuda. Years before popular flies such as Deceivers and Clousers were developed, Joe created his own classic Blonde patterns that are essentially bucktails with only a tail, body and wing. His most famous being the yellow Honey Blonde and the white Platinum
from the slim smelt and sand eel to the more robust alewife and bunker. Using items such as craft fur, Polar Hair, Fish Hair, marabou, Crystal Flash, Flashabou, Corsair tubing, etc., we are limited only by our imagination for effective variations. It is important that all tail materials be tied down with the butts extending
January 2021
to 10, 4x long. Thread – Black 3/0 or 6/0. Tail – Yellow bucktail with the butts tied down along the entire hook shank. Length can vary from the gap width to three times the body length for saltwater patterns. Body – Silver mylar tinsel. Metal tinsel which was used for the original dressing tends to tarnish easily, especially in salt water.Wing – Clump of yellow bucktail extending to about the tip of the tail. Head – Black thread.
fouling around the hook), over which are a few strands of olive marabou. Body – Silver braided chenille. Head – White thread with black painted or stick-on eyes, well cemented or epoxied.
Alewife Hook – Salt water, size 1/0 to 5/0. Thread – White 3/0. Tail – White bucktail about equal to the hook length. Body – Pearl crystal chenille. Wing –White bucktail, over which are several strands of silver Crystal Flash, both extending to the tip of the tail, over which is a shorter bunch of dark Sand Eel green bucktail. Hook – Salt water, Head – White thread with size 4 to 1/0. black painted or stick-on Thread – White eyes, epoxied. Joe Brooks famous 3/0. Blonde Patterns. Tail – White buckRed and White Original Honey Blonde tail about twice the hook Hook – Salt water, size 4 Hook – Salt water, size 2 length (the stiffer bucktail to 3/0; Freshwater, size 4 to 3/0; Freshwater, Size 2 reduces the likelihood of to 10, 4x long. Thread – Black 6/0. Tail – White bucktail about equal to the hook length. Body – Silver braided tinsel. Throat – Small bunch of red bucktail. Wing – Red bucktail, over which are several strands of peacock herl, both extending to the tip of the tail. Head – Black thread. The above should all be fished as standard streamer patterns.
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January 2021
Bucks
(Cont. from pg 32) discovered that Sean, who I had put on the track in the morning had shot the buck. He was a beautiful 8 pointer that dressed 196 pounds. It warmed up again melting all the snow, and now the forecast for Thanksgiving week had changed to not much chance of snow. How could this be? Monday was forecast for a little snow Sunday night and rain for Monday. With one week left to hunt, it was time to bare down and try to make something happen, even if it meant no tracking. Monday morning there was a scale of icy snow on the ground and it had started to drizzle. I decided to head back into the ridge that all the chasing action was going on, and
Northwoods Sporting Journal still hunt the green growth. I decided to hunt down along the ridge I parked on and cross a stream to hike up to the honey hole. This ridge had been cut over at various times. I hunted the skid trails down the ridge in the newer cuts before coming to older cuts. The older cuts had grown up with hardwood whips making visibility poor. I pushed through the whips for a little way, before deciding it was time to turn down the ridge and cross the stream. As I pushed through some winter beech, a buck whirled in front of me at about 25 yards and bolted away disappearing into the whips. I had seen a rack and the deer looked big, so in a splitsecond decision, my 7600 was in motion. The buck was straight away and all I could see was flashes of
white through the whips, so I put the bead on the white and squeezed off a round. My first thought was, I doubt the bullet made it through the whips. As I eased ahead, I found out why I had gotten so close to the buck. He had been busy making a rub. When I stepped into the skid trail and looked up it, the buck was down. I gave him a finishing shot to the neck and it was over. As I walked up to him, a little disappointment set in as he was not as big as I had thought. He had an average 8-point rack, and I knew he would not dress out over 200 pounds. My next thought was that this was the buck that God put in front of me and I was happy to have him. I tell hunters all the time that deer hunting is about two points connecting at the
same time in the woods. In the Big Woods, the odds are not the favorable for the points to connect. So, I got to thinking what were the odds of me not only connecting at the same point as the buck, but also as he was making a rub. God sure did shine down on me that day. I had hunted the ridge far enough to be closer to a road that came in from another direction. This meant that my drag was only going to be about one third of a mile across and down the ridge. I named this ridge Master Gun ridge a long time ago, after a Marine Corp Master Gunnery Sergeant who had shot a moose there, so Master Gun will be the name of this buck. It was early in the day and I took my time to enjoy the drag and reminisce about the hunt. I was guessing the buck
Page 35 was going to weigh about 160 pounds, but the drag convinced me that he was going to be more than that. When I got to Bishop’s store to tag him, he ended up tipping the scale at 185 pounds. Not too bad for Thanksgiving week and he might just have been a 200 pounder at the beginning of the season. My wife was some happy when I got home as she has been telling me all season, that she needed to make a batch of mincemeat this winter. Congratulations to all of you successful deer hunters and until next month, Good luck on the trail! Hal is a Master Maine Guide and Author. He lives in Moose River, Maine with his wife Deb. Hal can be contacted at: hal@bigwoodsbucks.com
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Northwoods Sporting Journal
Page 36
Anticosti
High Country Elk
encounter. That’s right, we were in for the real deal; we were no longer on the top of the food chain. He of four of us. Close friend collected the gear to be and hunting buddy Josh packed on the mules and Raglin and I were going to hunt together with our guide Harley. Brett Callaghan and John Garceau were to hunt together with their guide Paul. John had been on a hunt here in the
by Mark Cote, Rumford, ME
This year’s trip to Anticosti was squashed by covid 19, but it just so happened that after three years of applying, I finally drew an elk tag in Wyoming’s high mountain wilderness of area 59, located in the Shashone National Forest.
January 2021
have a hard time sitting in my recliner for a half hour television show! I’m kind of a big guy so I was assigned a draft horse mix named Manitoba. What a gentleman! He was a truly experienced mountain machine. It was
for hunters and staff to sleep in. For the next week, it was home. Through the crisp, calm full moonlit night, we heard bull elk bugling all around us. Harley’s plan for the first day was to leave before daylight to a mountain
point and click. He knew what he needed to do without any direction from a rider. Strong, capable, well mannered, he made the trip a breeze. The scenery was mesmerizing. Rugged, tall, snow capped mountains, steep slopes, and river bottoms provided an endless backdrop to the sun filled beautiful day. It made the long ride seem shorter wondering what was around the next bend in the trail. Base camp was set up in a large meadow at 7500 feet of elevation along the Shashone River. It was comprised of a cook tent, a mess hall, a tack tent for the horse gear, and stake tents
peak not far from camp. Within a half hour, we saw the first elk. It was an adolescent bull. There were three or four other cows and young bulls but nothing to get excited about so we continued on our horses. The rest of the day was uneventful. We heard bugling early, but the previous night’s full moon and the temperatures in the 80’s shut them down. We returned to camp well after dark. On the second day, I was assigned a fresh horse. The mountain we went to was littered with downed trees but my experienced horse was able to pick his way through it to a mountainside meadow, where we dismounted and glassed. It only took a few moments to spot the first elk, who we heard bugling most of the time we were there. It was too far off to get a responsible shot, so we skirted to the right to get a better look
Once we got closer, Harley did a bull call and got an immediate response not far from us. Almost instantly, I saw movement heading in our direction. Right from the start, I was told to get in shape. Here in Maine, I live at 550’ above sea level. There, the base camp is in the 7500’ area, and the hunting is even higher. I decided to fly to Cody a couple days early to acclimate to the altitude. I would encourage anyone to do the same. There is a marked difference in the oxygen saturation at high altitude. In Cody, there is also a difference in humidity. I had nose bleeds every day. Our group consisted
past so he was very helpful in coaching us on gear and what to expect of the hunt. We didn’t know the three hunters in the next tent before the hunt, but we had a great time with them throughout the week. The evening before, we met at the Silver Dollar Bar in downtown Cody with our outfitter, Lee Livingston. He introduced us to our guides, briefed us on gun safety, how to effectively ride our assigned horses, and what to do in the event of a grizzly bear
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answered our questions. Then we went back to our hotel rooms. I didn’t sleep a wink… I was like a young kid the day before going to Disney Land. The next morning, we drove to the trail head. I don’t mind saying, I was nervous. I had never really ridden a horse much, and ride was six and a half hours to base camp. I have ridden horses as a tourist on a beach in the Dominican Republic a couple times, but that doesn’t hold a candle to a six hour ride through steep, rugged mountains! Heck, I
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(Elk cont. pg 65)
January 2021
Northwoods Sporting Journal
The Time’s Coming
Leaning in a corner behind the door in my home office is a beautiful Browning Gold Hunter gas-operated autoloading shotgun. It is a magnificent firearm, given to me by my wife the first year we were married. It is everything we’ve come to take for granted in a Browning fire-
ubiquitous with the waterfowl and turkey shotguns of recent years; the shiny, polished walnut stock and gloss-finished barrel and receiver stand as an Old Believer apostacy in the creed of modern concealment. In duck hunting, I learned long ago that the
travels alone. Rudyard Kipling probably hunted by himself, too. One November morning, not long after my beloved had surprised me with the Browning as an early birthday present, I made my way one cold and windy morning to Greenbush, Maine, not far from
I always wonder how dumb I can be, battling high November winds in a small boat in the rocky edges of the Penobscot River; if anything went wrong, my obituary would be in the Bangor Daily News long before the game wardens would find my remains hung up in the racks of one the downriver dams.
arm; not only dead-on reliable and simple to take care of, but in its own elegance it’s just a pretty firearm to behold. It has awaited me for some months, to pay attention to it, to stretch its reach in the field as my companion and clutch-face to the sporting world of adventure. It belongs in the gun safe, but I had more or less forgotten I had taken it out and cleaned and oiled it for turkey season, complete with the tight fist of the turkey load choke added to the end of the barrel. Primarily, I’ve used it over the years as my main, go-to duck gun. No, it doesn’t sport the modern camouflage patterns that have become
best blind is none at all. Unless your blind material is a perfect match for whichever random spit of shoreline you pick out to set up in during the predawn hours on a day of driving rain, when it gets light enough for the ducks to fly and move around to feeding areas, the wrong set up can resemble a lit-up mini-mart to wary black ducks. I tend to hunt alone, mostly because I don’t have a lot of friends, but also that because of my usually-crazed schedule I’m never exactly sure when I’ll be able to carve out a morning for a hunt. When I can go, I just go. He travels the fastest who
Old Town. The boat landing was in the teeth of a swift north wind, and once the boat and gear were off
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Marsh Island Chronicles by Matthew Dunlap, Old Town, ME the landing, actually getting away from the shore was a challenge with the wind blowing in. I always wonder how dumb I can be, battling high November winds in a small boat in the rocky edges of the Penobscot River; if anything went wrong, my obituary would be in the Bangor Daily News long before the game wardens would find my remains hung up in the racks of one the downriver dams. To my credit, though, I’ve come to know those
parts of the river pretty well and know where to navigate towards and where to give a wide berth to submerged hazards, even in the dark; and after a few harrowing moments, I had reached the lee of the wind abreast of the river islands in the big part of the river. The process of setting up was a nightmare. I had purchased a gang-rig for goldeneye decoys from (Coming cont. pg 67)
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Northwoods Sporting Journal
Page 38
Undercover
THE BACK SHELF
From the files of the Northwoods Sporting Journal The best hunting and fishing columns going back 25 years!
By their very nature backshelf articles, resurrected from our archives, may contain information or facts that have been altered or changed by the passage of time.
By John Ford The1972 fall hunting season found two of Maine’s best undercover pro’s infiltrating the hunting lodge located a short distance away from my warden’s home. The two agents quickly made lasting impressions upon Barry, the lodge owner, and his questionable guides. Within no time they were exposed to the mix of corruption and deceit emanating from within the lodge’s sleazy operations. The agents documented this information as they began building a case to one day prosecute the illegal activities of the crew. These so-called guides were a serious threat to the wildlife in our area. If left unchecked their activities could bring about the demise to the abundance of deer that this region was so well noted for. Unfortunately one of
the agents had a family emergency after spending only a couple of days at the lodge. They both were forced to leave with plans made for a revisit the next fall. They were convinced there was plenty of illegal activity warranting continuing the investigation into the next year. As they left the area I was advised to watch my back. During their brief stay at the lodge they were offered a guided “night hunting trip” down the nearby Sebasticook River for some real adrenaline building excitement. The excursion was offered for a hefty fee and under the cover of darkness via canoe, traveling from Burnham village through the remote thick woods and ending in the town of Clinton. “It’s a real adrenaline rush,” they were told.
The guides bragged about baiting several locations along the secluded stream with large piles of apples strategically placed in areas where it was easy to bag a large buck underneath the beam of a bright light. When asked about the chances of being apprehended by the wardens, Barry stated, “I have this special tool for that *#@* guy up the road,” as he
within the camp stated there was an obvious hate building between the guides and myself with each summons I issued to one of their own. While the violations were minor, the fact I was constantly showing up in areas where I wasn’t wanted, was beginning to irritate the hard-nosed members of the group. “Don’t trust a damn one of them!” my informant warned.
January 2021
from the non resident hunters invading the area. The undercover agents, Ralph and Donis, were welcomed back into the lodge as if they were long lost friends. Like before the corruption continued, as the guides operated fearless of the warden presence up the road from where they were operating. There were those night hunting excursions
The guides bragged about baiting several locations along the secluded stream with large piles of apples strategically placed in areas where it was easy to bag a large buck underneath the beam of a bright light.
hoisted a large metal flashlight high up into the air, indicating he’d resort to the use of violence if the need be.” It was those comments and threats that concerned the two agents the most. That fall hunting season ended with a few more minor citations handed out to the lodges clientele, bringing more of those socalled friendly visits from Barry. Like before, he was apologizing for their carelessness. My informant from
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At the conclusion to the hunting season, most of Barry’s guides returned to their jobs. The busy poaching season was on hold for yet another year, but the bar remained opened nightly, with the old crew making plans for the upcoming season. Simply maintaining a clientele of local regulars at the bar kept Barry busy between seasons. It wasn’t long before the 1973 hunting season was again back upon us. The camps guides were anxiously stalking areas to harvest their crop, as they deviously planned to profit
offered for the Sebasticook river night hunting trip if anyone cared to fork over the dollars to participate. Several of the men were being paid to be guides without the proper licenses. Barry was selling non resident licenses and reportedly pocketing the money for himself. The agents accompanied Barry and his cronies to area bars in the nearby towns of Waterville, Pittsfield and Newport, where they met with other wild characters who were selling deer to any hunters willing to pay the going (Back Shelf cont. pg 39)
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January 2021
Northwoods Sporting Journal
Terror in the Night
Sometime in the early 1870s John A. Thompson of Bangor, was hired to explore a township east of Allagash Lake, and to verify the rumor that it was loaded with pine and cedar. He published his account of that fateful trip in the Maine Sportsman in April 1902. “This old camp, which we found and decided to occupy for the night, was a low, cozy old shack right handy to the shore of the stream, and in one corner was a chance for an open fire but to guard against burning the camp was my chief aim. . My companion insisted for a fire for all night. I agreed to his proposition upon the condition that we should take turns in watching it. He preferred the last part, from one o’clock until morning, and thus it was settled. The fire was soon
started and our supper was prepared and eaten. I was much worried about the fire, however, on account of the extreme dryness of everything about, and the old fireplace right by the door of the camp looked to me to be a dangerous old trap built as it was of logs and clay, up against the logs. I felt ill of ease, and went down to the stream and brought up some water to
and over again not to drop asleep, I lay down and in a moment was fast asleep. Just how long I slept I shall never know. A bright light—a burning sensation together with difficulty breathing brought me all standing, to my feet, and there, to my terror, was the whole front of the camp, including our only means of escape—the door—in a blaze! I lived a lifetime in
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Old Tales from the Maine Woods by Steve Pinkham Quincy, MA
kicking I got some life into him and in a dazed kind of way he seemed to realize our predicament. Throwing water from and old wash boiler which I had filled the evening before onto our old camp blankets and wrapping them around our shoulders and heads so
their way to the roof of the camp. “Are you all ready?” I asked my camp mate. “Yes,” he replied. “Then here goes, and may luck go with us. Let’s keep together.” A rush into the flames, a despairing cry from my companion as he fall headI lived a lifetime in few seconds, and many’s the time long, just as the door was since when I’ve pitied the rat cornered by a terrier. To add to reached. A moment of awthe terror of the situation, I could not seem to get my ful doubt, of scorching, sufcompanion to his feet. focating heat as I stopped, be used in case of fire, for few seconds, and many’s that only our faces were grasped him by the arm and I well realized that if the the time since when I’ve exposed we made ready dragged him through the woods to afire there was no pitied the rat cornered by a for the fiery plunge, which burning doorway, and we escape for us. terrier. To add to the terror meant to us either life or were safe so far as being roasted alive in the camp My companion was of the situation, I could not death. soon asleep and I began seem to get my companion It was easy to locate was concerned. my lonely vigil. Tired as I to his feet. the door as the dry cedar Steve is an avid hiker, was, aching in every limb, How was I ever to get splits of which it was built but I must not sleep. At last myself and him through burned like tinder and were paddler and historian, havmy watch was over and my that burning door? It must soon consumed, so that the ing collected over 25,000 companion awake. Cau- be done, and done quickly! door-frame was easily seen Maine Woods articles to tioning him over and over At least, by yelling and as the flames greedily ate date.
as the rain came anxiously explained that Old Tales of the Maine Woods Back Shelf thunder, his partner had been placed down in buckets.
(Cont. from pg 38) price. Donis ended up buying a nice trophy buck from one of these men for $175. A hefty price for those days! Ralph said he wanted to see if he could get his own trophy before he left but that if he wasn’t successful he’d purchase a trophy to take home too. The real cup-de-grace came on the evening of November 14, 1973. A wild Nor’easter storm with heavy rain and winds suddenly encompassed the region shortly after dark. Bolts of lightning was snapping through the air, followed by loud claps of
I contacted my working partner deciding it to be a good night for us to stay home and get caught up on some rest, seeing as where we’d been working both day and night for the past several weeks. I welcomed the break in the action, when at 8 P.M. the phone rang. I could hear loud voices in the back ground, yelling obscenities and disgust at the caller, demanding that he hang up the phone and let them handle the matter on their own, without any damned game wardens assistance. The caller was one of Barry’s non resident clients from the lodge. He
in a tree seat earlier that afternoon in an area that he wasn’t familiar with. At the end of the day the man never returned to where he was to have been picked up. The panicked caller fearing his buddy was either lost or something bad had happened, begged for help. Up until then, Barry’s crew had been conducting their own search, convincing the caller to let them handle the situation on their own,”without involving that a--hole up the road,” referring to yours truly. Obviously the entire crew at the lodge was (Backshelf cont. pg 51)
Steve Pinkham
Maine Woods Historian, Author and Storyteller
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steve@oldtalesofthemainewoods.com www.oldtalesofthemainewoods.com
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Northwoods Sporting Journal
The Allagash
January 2021
Moose Hunt 2020
AWW Superintendent, Matt LaRoche, ME I had the good fortune of being drawn for a moose permit in 2020. My permit was for a bull in zone four during the second week in October (my first choice). Zone four is a huge zone that lies north of the Golden Road, south of the Reality Road, west of the
our country in the Navy for the last 14 years. He loves to hunt and really misses hunting back home in Maine. I had been drawn for a moose permit three other times so I decided to name him as my subpermittee and told him that he was the shooter and I
I made an authentic birch bark moose call, practiced calling and felt good about my ability to call in a moose as we got closer to the week of the hunt. Allagash Wilderness Waterway (AWW) and goes all the way to the Canadian border. There is a healthy moose population in zone four especially along the waterway. After the excitement of being drawn for a moose permit again wore off, I got to thinking about my son who has been serving
would be his guide. He was pretty excited when I told him the good news! I also invited my brother-in-law Russell Scott to come on the hunt. Russell had been my sub-permittee on my other hunts, and I had been his sub on his moose hunt. My wife Ruth came along on the hunt too, she made sure we were all well fed
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and taken care of. Moose were showing up very well along the waterway all summer with a huge bull being seen often in the narrows between Churchill and Heron Lakes. Dave Conley who guides several trips down the AWW every year sent me a beautiful photo of the bull we intended to target during our moose hunt. I sent this picture along to my son just to keep him pumped-up about the coming hunt. I spent a few days scouting during the end of September and first part of October. My “plan A” was to hunt from a canoe on the waterway and “plan B” was to hunt at locations we could drive to with a short hike to our stand. We would hunt from a canoe as long as the weather cooperated. The AWW is closed to hunting in September but open to general hunting from October 1st through April. I made an authentic birch bark moose call, practiced calling and felt good about my ability to call in a moose as we got closer to the week of the
hunt. In fact, I went up to the Jaws Campsite one evening at the end of September, made a few ‘cow in heat’ calls and had two different bulls respond to my call. A couple days before the hunt, I picked out a location along the shore of Heron Lake that was all tracked-up and the bushes had been worked-over by an angry bull moose. The first morning of the hunt we got up early had a big breakfast and headed up the lake before first light to setup our ambush. It was a perfect morning with a beautiful sunrise, fog hanging over the water and no wind. While we were walking to our stand - Russell looked over and said, “What’s that?” A bull moose was watching us walk to our stand. It wasn’t quite legal time to hunt yet and that moose didn’t hang around long enough for us. I did try calling him out once we got situated but he was on to us and didn’t respond to the calling. We saw seven moose that day as we checked the likely spots all the way down to Snare Brook on Eagle Lake. Two were bulls
but we couldn’t get close enough for a shot at any of those moose. That night we formulated a slightly different plan than we had for the first day. We would canoe out near the spot where we saw the bull on the first morning and just wait for light to come. The second day dawned as perfect as the first. We canoed out to where we had seen the moose the day before and waited quietly for the fog to lift. As it got lighter, Russell spotted a moose a few hundred yards in front of us. He thought it was a bull, but we were not sure and it was too far away for a good shot. I paddled quietly towards the moose while they watched it with binoculars. This moose was not the one we were looking for, but it was a bull. My son looked at me for an assurance to shoot and I said, “It is up to you.” A few minutes later, the .308 rang out, the moose took a couple steps and dropped in the mud! We had all watched (Moose cont. pg 41)
January 2021
Mountain (Cont. from pg 17)
bet. While walking miles to the road I planned out my overnight accommodations in the North Maine Woods, when to stop and build a fire, and what the pine bough bed would consist of. The wet clothes were my biggest downfall as stopping would bring on a rapid body temperature drop. I would first build a fire, remove wet clothes (and dry next to fire), and place with my outer wool vest next to my skin and then my heavy wool jacket to seal in the body heat. Luckily for me that moment never occurred. As suspected, Katy made some calls and three of our states incredible Maine Game Wardens were all over it. My phone was left behind in the truck and Katy, with my daughter’s assistance, used location tools to pinpoint the vehicle. A close friend, who knew the area well, took the phone location and provided an OnX map to Katy, who in turn, passed along to the Wardens. Maines finest had split up and started patrolling the roads around the base of the mountain. Good call to go back out to the road as I just happened to be on one of them when I saw a light off in the distance.
Northwoods Sporting Journal
What a sight to see those headlights coming and the Sergeant rolling down the window and asking me if I needed a ride. I certainly did need and want that ride. Now comfortably warm in the truck, I glanced at the clock on his dash. It was after 10:00 p.m. It’s nice to know we have some amazing people working at IF&W and I personally would like to thank them all. As embarrassing as being lost can be, the key is not to compound one mistake into another. Going to the wrong waypoint can simply happen, however heading back into the woods when you are wet, daylight has fallen, and temperatures are dropping may have been a perfect combination for a disastrous outcome. As it’s never understated, the most valuable tool we have is between the ears. When in the woods, stay calm and put that tool to good use. Bud Utecht is a Register Maine Guide, sporting camp owner, Browning trail camera dealer, and consultant. His trail cameras are strategically placed throughout the Maine Woods. Feel free to email Bud for trail camera tips or to discuss what’s in your woods. bud@whatsinyourwoods.com
Moose (Cont. from pg 40) the gutless quartering video on the Maine Fish and Wildlife website. After come-a-longing the moose to dryer ground, we proceeded to skin the moose and remove the meat from the carcass and slipped the quarters into game bags that my wife had made. It went just like it showed in the video and I would use that method again without question. The link to the video is at www.maine. gov/ifw When I picked the meat up at the butcher’s, he told me that our quarters were the cleanest he had ever seen that were quar-
Page 41
tered in the field. We hung the meat overnight to cool then placed it in a freezer we had onsite, but never let the meat freeze solid. The weather turned warm and rainy for the next few days while we hunted partridge and played cribbage. So, it was probably a good decision to shoot the moose we had in our sights rather than wait for that big one. My son left for the Naval base in Dahlgren, Virginia early Saturday morning with one of the outside tenderloins processed into nice meal size packages. He called me at about 7:00 p.m. that night and said he could see the base but was stuck in traf-
fic on the bridge over the Potomac River. He thanked me again for the great week and the hunt of a lifetime. AWW Notes: To reduce possible exposure to COVID-19 the AWW is accepting registrations for the winter campground at Chamberlain Bridge by mail. Call me at the number below for more information. Matt LaRoche is Superintendent of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, a Registered Maine Guide and an avid outdoorsman. He can be reached at 207695-2169 or at matt.laroche@maine.gov
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Northwoods Sporting Journal
Against The Current
News
(Cont. from pg 13) the Marshfield residence. Deer hair was found on the front bumper of the vehicle. Two wardens interviewed the 18-year-old, who admitted to the crimes. This individual will appear in Family Court to answer for multiple offenses. The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is asking anyone with infor-
A Very Special Book
BRIGHT WATERS MEET is an easy, entertaining read and one that anyone who cherishes a stretch of stream will appreciate. Sadly, Green’s cautionary tale will also bring a tear to the eye of all but the most jaded reader. For you see, he and his fellow anglers thought nothing of killing the wild brown trout found in their precious river, doing so in agoniz-
In the closing chapters of his book Greene’s passion is reduced to remorse, a love poem to a eulogy mourning the loss of the river’s trout. The book ends with the author’s whimsical hope: “…one night the fairy godmother will…send a message to me in the dark that when the mists begin to lift, and the poplars to shiver…the Little Bourne
ingly staggering numbers. Having eventually discovered the devastating effect this had on the wild fish of their stream, they attempt to resolve the problem by stocking hatcherybred trout. As with many streams in our country, this insured the eventual doom of the proud native stock that once swam freely in Greene’s idyllic river. By this time, the Industrial Revolution that began in England was in full swing. Roads were being tarred throughout the countryside, the runoff seeping into English streams, with the Bourne being no exception.
will wake and open her eyes and find in her bosom again the exiles she had thought were gone for good—the silver trout, and the golden gravel, and the shrimp and the duns—and me too, perhaps, kneeling beside her as of old…” New England’s wild fish remain as fragile as the Bourne’s silver trout. They live on the razor’s edge, able to endure their natural enemies, which are many, as well as weather that brings periodic flood and drought, but sustained higher temperatures, increased extreme weather events, and stocking of
hatchery-bred or foreign species can have the same devastating results as that experienced by the Bourne’s brown trout. You and I can lose our home water as easily and quickly as Greene’s beloved little river if we do not remain vigilant. Perhaps, you dear reader, have already experienced such a loss. Yo u ’ l l r e l a t e t o WHERE THE BRIGHT WATERS MEET if you believe, like I do, that the native brook trout and wild landlocked salmon of the Magalloway and Cupsuptic, the Kennebago and Rapid, the headwaters of the Connecticut or any of the many other rivers, brooks, and streams that continue to sustain wild fish, whether found throughout northern New England or in your neck of the woods, are worth saving, Bob’s website: forgottentrout.com contains reviews and excerpts from his books, including the tenth anniversary edition of, Shadows in the Stream, his fly-fishing trilogy set in the Rangeley Lakes Region of western Maine, and his latest novel, The River King.
Game Law Enforcement was notified of a family of three hikers and their dog that had become lost and overcome by darkness in Chesterfield. Marcus Harcus, 42, Zakeitheia Mearidy, 44, their son and family dog (all from Minnesota) were hiking the trails of Madame Three Lost Hikers Sherri Forest off Gulf Road in Chesterfield when they Found On Thursday, De- thought they could hike ancember 3, 2020, around other 1.5-mile trail before 5:31 p.m., NH Fish and dark but then became lost
and overcome by darkness. Harcus frantically dialed 911 on his cell phone with the remaining 10% battery life it had. The family was without any of the proper hiking gear including lights and were wearing sneakers and clothing not suited for the elements. Harcus stated that they made “one wrong turn at the wrong time,” became afraid, and were “totally unprepared.” The hikers were located safely and escorted
to the trailhead by Chesterfield Fire/Rescue and Hinsdale Fire/Rescue. Chesterfield Police also assisted NH Fish and Game with the incident. NH Fish and Game Conservation Officers wan to remind hikers to plan appropriately for hikes even when you think it will only be a short hike or quick trail; expect the unexpected and understand that search and rescue efforts take (News cont.pg 68)
by Bob Romano, Rangeley, ME During January, most evenings find me seated beside the woodstove, my two dogs lying close by while I read a book that draws me away from the snow and ice, and back to the stream and the fish that reside there. In a previous column, I listed a few such books, but there is one that is very special to me. For more than any other, it was the inspiration of my first novel, which was a diary of sorts that describes a year spent on a brook, a tiny ribbon of water only minutes from our home—an inconspicuous stream where a wild strain of brook, rainbow, and brown trout continue to rise from their secret places to a fly cast with a bit of precision and a lot of luck. Written in the early nineteen-hundreds, Harry Plunket Greene’s WHERE THE BRIGHT WATERS MEET is, in the words of Nick Lyons, “one of the happiest—and saddest— fly-fishing books ever written.” Set in Hampshire, England just after the turn
January 2021
of the twentieth century, Greene describes his beloved Bourne as a lovely little river that “twisted and turned…ran fast and smooth, under trees and in the open, chaffing and laughing itself into your heart, for if ever there was
Written in the early nineteen-hundreds, Harry Plunket Greene’s WHERE THE BRIGHT WATERS MEET is, in the words of Nick Lyons, “one of the happiest—and saddest— fly-fishing books ever written.” a happy river in this world it was the little Hampshire Bourne.” This is gentle story told by an author whose joy of fishing his home water fills each page. Harry Plunket Greene is someone with whom I’d very much like to have fished. He’s a man who was on a first name basis with each fish of his favorite stream as well as the flies he used to fool them. He enjoyed the company of fellow anglers as much as the wild trout he came to know and love. Unlike some other books written during this time period, WHERE THE mation about any poaching activity to contact their local Vermont State Game Warden through their nearest State Police dispatch, or they may leave an anonymous tip to Operation Game Thief at 1-800-75ALERT (1-800752-5378).
January 2021
Northwoods Sporting Journal
Page 43
Grading Our Gun Dogs
As we come to the end of upland hunting season in New England, your author thinks back about the quality of dog work his shorthairs provided during our hunts. Was it acceptable? Are there specific areas that need improvement before next season? Keep-
male (Blaze). Let’s begin with Dena. Dena is pretty steady. She has hunted in eight states and three Canadian provinces. Her points were solid and as always, her retrieves were perfect. She had mostly grouse encounters…only one woodcock. Overall, I
A down to a C. One habit Cordie has is if she has the bird pinned and I go in for the flush, she’ll move from two to five feet to mark the flight of the bird. This would fail her in a field trial, however, I don’t mind since it helps with the retrieve of a downed bird.
On Point
by Paul Fuller, Durham, N.H. ing dog. I love this little girl but her busting a couple of birds prevents me giving her an overall A. She gets a B. Now we have threeyear-old Blaze. He’s a big, powerful dog. Blaze has a beautiful stride and an excellent hunt (search pattern). He’s steady to the
ates a wild flush. A grouse shot on the wing is a trophy so there were some shots taken at those wild flushes. Blaze was always steady to the flush and shot. I think he should naturally develop a more reliable point; however, we’ll help him along this summer. For this season, though, Blaze
Currently, we hunt with three dogs: a nine-year-old female (Dena), a four-year-old female (Cordie) and a three year old male (Blaze). Let’s begin…..
ing in mind that we have a versatile breed, the German shorthaired pointer, there are several areas of performance to evaluate. Those include the hunt (search pattern primarily), the point, tracking and the retrieve. Let’s evaluate each dog for each area of performance. An important comment first, however. Our dogs typically have a solid week of work in Montana before we start our New England grouse and woodcock hunts. With plentiful bird numbers, the prairies offer an outstanding opportunity to steady-up our dogs. Due to the Covid-19 virus, we did not make our annual trip to Montana in 2020. That meant the dogs were a little rusty for New England hunting. Currently, we hunt with three dogs: a nineyear-old female (Dena), a four-year-old female (Cordie) and a three year old
would give her an A-. Now, let’s take a look at four-year-old Cordie. The pros will tell you it takes three to five years to make a good grouse dog. That means Cordie should be entering her prime. The rust, however, did show a bit on Cordie. Her search (or hunt) was excellent and deserves an A grade. She reaches out but is always within bell distance. If the bird is close, she holds her point very well. Due to her dark coloring, on opening day, I twice searched over ten minutes for her while she was on point. We quickly corrected that with a neon vest. I’ll give her an A for her point, however, it’s a qualified A. There were a few times when she was on a solid point that the bird moved on her and she could see it. She broke and busted the bird. That’s a no-no and needs to be corrected. It brings her pointing grade from an
Speaking of the retrieve, she’s not as good as her mother (Dena) but usually gets the job done. There is one area where I’ll give Cordie an A+. That’s tracking a running bird. The versatile dogs typically excel at tracking and Cordie is very good. As I think back, I believe every running grouse that Cordie tracked was eventually pinned. That’s pretty amazing. Most birds flush far in front of a track-
flush and shot and retrieves very nicely. Last year in Montana, at two years of age, he was outstanding on his search, point and retrieve. We thought we had the complete bird dog. However, thinking Blaze had arrived, we got lazy and did not follow-up with bird work this past summer. That was a mistake. Blaze simply ran over several grouse this past fall. He runs very hard and simply over ran the scent. That cre-
gets a C-. That’s a short recap on our dog work this past season. Even as long-time bird dog owners, we can still learn more about our dogs. And, we learned that we must never take our dogs for granted…always keep training. Paul and his wife, Susan, host the B i rd D o g s A f i e l d T V show. Contact: paul@ birddogsafield.com
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Page 44
Northwoods Sporting Journal
January 2021
Trout Pond Lost
Native Fish Talk by Bob Mallard, Skowhegan, ME Nothing drives home the loss of wild native brook trout for me like the story of Round Pond in Chase Stream Township in northern Somerset County. While I have fished many great wild native brook trout ponds, none stands out in my memory like Round Pond. I have never
to take him to Maine for a long weekend of fishing. After what was the roughest off-road excursions I had ever undertaken, we arrived at the shore of a small undeveloped pond. We unloaded the canoe, set up a small tent among the boulders and
After decades of dodging the bullet, Round Pond succumbed to death by a thousand cuts. The first blow was a new road that made the pond accessible by two-wheel drive vehicle. seen a finer brook trout fishery outside Canada, and I likely never will. I was brought to Round Pond by an old friend close to forty years ago. A resident of Auburn who had temporarily relocated to Massachusetts, his dad had been taking him to Round Pond since he was a child. Without a reliable 4x4 of his own, a must for accessing the pond at the time, he recruited me
mud, and strung a tarp off my truck. For the next three days I experienced wild native trout fishing unlike anything I had ever seen. Round Pond became my favorite brook trout water and I went there whenever I could. The trout averaged roughly a foot, fish between 14 and 16 inches were not at all uncommon, and fish larger than that were regularly caught. And the numbers
“Where once there was gold at the end of the rainbow, there are now highly invasive nonnative golden shiners. (BOB MALLARD)” were equally impressive. stories of large brook trout, overrun with golden shinThe pond also had the anglers flocked to the pond ers, and to a lesser definest hatches I have ever and did more damage in gree nonnative fathead seen. To call Round Pond one season than the prior minnows. These schoolthe perfect brook trout five years in aggregate. ing minnows competed pond would be fair. Stricter regulations that with the brook trout for A f t e r d e c a d e s o f could have protected the food and space, preyed on dodging the bullet, Round fish came, but too late to do juvenile trout, and seriPond succumbed to death anything but slow down the ously compromised the by a thousand cuts. The bleeding. once unmatched insect first blow was a new road Next up were the law- life. The hatches crashed, that made the pond accessi- breakers and their dan- you couldn’t put a fly on ble by two-wheel drive ve- gerous, and dangerously the water without it getting hicle. While hiking around effective, live minnows. taken by a shiner, and the the pond scouting for deer, While the pond had been fishery isn’t a shadow of we encountered surveyor’s restricted to fly fishing only what it used to be. string, or “hip chain,” col- for decades, selfish and unEach subsequent trip ored tape, and painted hash caring poachers came and to Round Pond was worse marks in trees, a sign of used live fish as bait. In ad- than the last. While trout what was to come. dition to removing the large could still be caught, they The new road in- brook trout at an alarming were smaller and harder creased angler traffic no- rate, they left behind lost to come by. And in order ticeably, and fish were be- and discarded nonnative to avoid the ever-present ing harvested at a rate that and highly invasive min- shiners, you had to go deep, far exceeded what had been nows. and in my opinion, there done in the past. Driven by Round Pond became (Trout cont. pg 45)
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Trout
(Cont. from pg 44) are better places to do so. Things got so bad that I removed my canoe, having occupied a prime shoreside spot for roughly 30 years. To have something so special yet treat it so poorly is wrong-headed. To stand by and do nothing about it is criminal. Could Round Pond be fixed? I believe so if we act before we lose the pond-specific strain of trout. Will we do it? Unfortunately, I’m not so sure, as we seem to have lost our appreciation for wild native things.
Northwoods Sporting Journal Let’s hope those of you reading this article don’t have to experience what I did. Let’s start putting the health of the resource ahead of desires of the masses, especially when it’s a minority group. Let’s do everything we can to prevent the next Round Pond, and save one of the things that makes Maine unique, wild native ponddwelling brook trout.
writer, and author. He is also a native fish advocate and founding member, Executive Director, and Maine Board Member for Native Fish Coalition. Look for his books 50 Best Places Fly Fishing the Northeast and 25 Best Towns Fly Fishing for Trout (Stonefly Press,) and his most recent, Squaretail: The Definitive Guide to Brook Trout and Where to Find Them (Stackpole Books.) Bob BOB MALLARD has can be reached at www. fly fished for forty years. He BobMallard.com or info@ is a former fly shop owner, bobmallard.com Registered Maine Fishing Guide, and commercial fly designer. Bob is a blogger,
Page 45 safe...
Land (Cont. from pg 25) you safe! Always respect the outdoors even in your own back yard or woods. I hope to see you up here in Maine enjoying all that it has to offer. Enjoy your new year in the outdoors and pass it down to our younger generations to value, protect and enjoy! Happy trails and stay
Rich is a Registered Maine Guide. He owns and operates Twin Maple Outdoors guide service and sporting lodge located in Bradford, Maine. He is a “Certified Yamaha G3 Guide” that runs fly and spin fishing trips with a G3 Jet boat and Stealthcraft drift boat. Rich also guides Maine Partridge, Turkey, Moose, Deer hunting and recreation adventures. Email: info@Twinmapleoutdoors.com
Carroll’s Corner Sportsman’s Shows
Happy Holidays to our readers! We trust that Santa was very generous to all and that the New Year brings a better, safer and happier 2021. As of this date, we are still waiting for the folks who promote the Presque Isle, Orono and Augusta Sportsman’s shows to make the call to present or not their events in March and April. As we all know, 2020 was a disaster for all three shows, as the Covid-19 pandemic forced cancellation of them. In the event that things take a turn for the better and we get to see the shows, I urge all Maine sportsmen to patronize them. Loss of the shows last year was a huge financial hit for the groups that promote these events and the loss of revenue for them is critical. Sportsman’s shows are always a great family event and are both expensive and a ton of work to present for these organizations. If you are a member of a sportsman’s club here in Maine, consider the idea of promoting your club at the show. Having your club represented at a show is a great way to draw positive attention to your organization and likely a fund-raising opportunity as well. Unfortunately, at this time so much depends on the Covid issue becoming manageable and a vaccine found. Realizing that all pertinent safety issues must be addressed, why not make 2021 the year that you and your family or fishing and hunting friends patronize a Maine sporting camp? The history and tradition of the Maine sporting camp goes back for a hundred and fifty years or more. Maine has many sporting camps that are being operated by the third-generation of the original family. A visit to a Maine sporting camp is a trip through the history of outdoor recreation here in our beautiful State. Even if you aren’t a fisherman or hunter, just enjoying the experience that an adventure like this brings, is a remarkable experience. One of the many results of the Covid-19 pandemic is that Maine’s sporting camp industry has taken a huge financial hit and there is no better time to support this industry than now. Make a reservation today and enjoy a piece of Maine’s history! Next Month…..Ice fishing tips Carroll M. Ware is a Master Maine Guide, holder of forty-eight world fly-fishing records and a two-time Maine Professional fly-casting champion.
Northwoods Sporting Journal
Page 46
Ice Fishing Derby is a Go
New Hampshire Outdoors
by Peter St. James, Warner, N.H. If there was ever a time that turning the page of the calendar meant getting a new start…this is the year. I’m not going to rehash 2020, but on so many levels it was an emotional and financial train wreck, played over and over in slow-motion. Good riddance! I had to cancel my elk hunting trip to New Mexico so now it’s time to start making plans all over again for next fall. But will it be New Mexico or will I cash in some of my preference points for an antelope/mule deer hunt in Wyoming? Choices, choices. That’s why I love
January 2021
a new year…anything is possible! In spite of the lingering impact of COVID, there’s good news from the Big Lake. According
prizes will be awarded. There may be mask and social distancing requirements when in the vicinity of Derby HQ and the fish board, consistent with the situation at that time, and then-applicable federal, state and local rules. We will provide updates regarding COVID-19 pro-
“The 2021 Great Meredith Rotary Ice Fishing Derby is on! February 13-14, 2021”. to the Meredith Rotary, “The 2021 Great Meredith Rotary Ice Fishing Derby is on! February 13-14, 2021”. The accompanying disclaimer said, “Since ice fishing is an outdoor activity and no large crowds are involved, the 2021 Derby will be conducted and all
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tocols as the Derby approaches.” The First Prize will be $15,000 Cash, $5,000 cash for Second Prize and $3,000 Cash for Third Prize. For more information or a registration form, go to : meredithrotary.com Even though the Old Farmers Almanac says that January will feature temperatures 5F below average and precipitation levels 1.5” above average around here, we’re still going to be outside whether for ice fishing, snowmobiling, skiing or snowshoeing. This is also the month that I start laying down trees for next winter’s firewood. I read a nice piece by Dr. Craig Harper and Jarred Brooke relating to that by in a newsletter from the National Deer Association (formerly the Quality Deer
Management Association). “Allowing more sunlight into the forest and releasing the crowns of those trees you favor also can increase the nutritional carrying capacity (NCC). Allowing as little as 30% sunlight into a previously closed-canopy forest typically increases deer forage availability seven to eight times in those areas where canopy coverage was reduced. And the crowns of those trees you release from competition often increase in size by 25% in the first year following treatment, which allows them to produce greater than 50% more acorns per tree. That is significant. As you kill or fell trees to allow more sunlight into the woods, it is important to realize that a relatively small percentage of the individual oak trees produce the majority of acorns. In fact, about 40% of the trees produce about 70% of the acorns. If you walk through your woods during a good acorn-production year, you can mark those trees that have produced lots of acorns. Ideally, you should do this over a few years so you can identify goodproducing trees from both the white oak and red oak groups. So, not only can you kill or fell relatively
unimportant non-mast producers, you also could kill or fell up to 50% of the oak trees (the poor producers) and still increase overall acorn production in the stand!” Definitely something to consider as I form my firewood plan and you should make that part of your woodlot management considerations. I haven’t seen the final numbers yet from the deer season but I assume it will have been another good year. The drought and warm fall weather altered some typical deer activity. But, when the rut kicked in…it kicked in! Snowshoe hare, Cottontail rabbit (in some limited areas) and Gray squirrel seasons are still open this month. Check: wildlife.state.nh.us for dates, bag limits and applicable WMUs. Finally, the Legislature is back in session and yes, there are some bills related to outdoor activities that will bear watching. I’ll keep you posted. Peter St. James is a member of the New England Outdoor Writers Association, Outdoor Writers Association of America and is a licensed NH Fishing Guide. Reach him at : stjames.peter@gmail.com
January 2021
Northwoods Sporting Journal
Bear Hunting In The Early Years
As I look forward to the new year and the challenges that it must hold, I can’t help but look into the past and some of the adventures that have been important enough to me to remain fixed in my memories. One that stands out is a difficult trek that Dick and I took several times. Back in the 1960’s there weren’t as many nicely maintained woods roads that have since came about with modern lumbering. Also, back then bear baiting did not exist or at least to any great extent. In fact, it was just a few years removed from the time that there was bounty of $25 on bear. We were intent on bear hunting and to get to where we knew there could bears in the blueberries we were determined to get there and take our chances on getting one of them. This is about just getting there! First, we drove north for about 75 miles over
paved highways. Next, we drove on a well-maintained woods road for about another 10 or 15 miles. That road was maintained because it was somewhat along a power line. The next leg of the trip was over an unmaintained woods road that had not been used for a number of years. Bear in mind that we did not have
up an unmarked trail that was actually an old railroad bed built to transport logs out of the woods. This was not a maintained route and we were only able to follow it because it was raised slightly over the surrounding woods. Now the hard part really began. At some point along the old railroad route it
Page 47
Northwoods Voyager by Gil Gilpatrick, Brunswick, ME
stashed in the woods and with it we rowed the length of the lake to our destination. Or I should say the start of our climb up the mountain which was our final destination and where we would check for signs that bear were feeding on the early blueberries. If we
Here we waded across the pond in water up to our waist as we held our gear and rifles over our heads. The beaver pond was two or three hundred yards wide and we emerged on the other side soaked to the waist and ready to continue our trip. four-wheel drive vehicles back then. But, we made it through the mud holes and eventually reached a corduroy road. These were common in the early days of timber harvesting, but not seen much anymore. We bounced over this old road for about five miles until we reached a small pond. At the pond we unloaded a canoe and paddled across to where we picked
disappeared under water that was no doubt caused by a beaver dam. Here we waded across the pond in water up to our waist as we held our gear and rifles over our heads. The beaver pond was two or three hundred yards wide and we emerged on the other side soaked to the waist and ready to continue our trip. Eventually we reached a lake and here we had a small boat
Steve Carey of Bangor bagged this 193 lb buck on a rainy day in late November. The buck, with a very unusual set of antlers, was taken from a tree stand in Mt Chase, not far from Patten. The buck has yet to be scored. Probably a non-typical buck in the scoring category, those familiar with the complexities of antler scoring believe the buck is somewhere between a 17 and 21 pointer, and could score in excess of 200. The state record of non-typical antlers is the Hill Gould Buck, which was shot at Grand Lake Stream in 1910. It scored 259 points plus.
found signs of bear feeding we would hunt during what little was left of the day and then go back down the mountain to an old lean-to where we would spend the night and prepare to climb again the first thing in the morning. If it was apparent that there were no bear feeding we would spend the night and then head back the way we came. We would go back in a week or so to scout the area again and
eventually harvest a bear or two. We later managed to find a couple of slightly easier routes that required a lot of hard hiking, but did not involve the soaking walk through a beaver pond. Why do this you might ask? Well, because we were young and it was there! Gil Gilparick is a Master Maine Guide, and is the first living recipient of the Legendary Maine Guide award. He is a life member of the Maine Professional Guides Association, a founding member of the Maine Wilderness Guides Organization, and served as a member of the Advisory Board for the Licensing of Guides from 1996 to 2010. He is a member of the New England Outdoor Writers Association and is the author of seven outdoorrelated books. Contact him at Gil@GilGilpatrick.com
Gil Gilpatrick, 18 Beaver Pond Rd, Brunswick, ME 04011
Northwoods Sporting Journal
Page 48
Mass Wanderings by David Willette, N. Adams, MA Let’s see a show of hands. How many of you can say that you’ve harvested a buck with a bow six weeks after having a total mastectomy? I only see one hand and that belongs
more powerful. Mandy still suffers from a lot of fatigue and her body still hurts from all of the antibody therapy that she’s going through but she perseveres and she contin-
Cancer Can’t Stop Her
rough,” Mandy said. “I was still pretty tired and sore from the surgery. Dylan and I had only a 1/3 of a mile walk, and there was only one hill but we still had to stop many times. This is
the range of motion to pull back the bow. We had multiple sightings over the next hour or so, all were does but then a big 8-pointer came by grunting at the does and scaring them
a big difference from last year when I ran five 5K races. We finally got to the ground blind and settled in. Dylan had me put my wig into a pony tail so that I wouldn’t get it caught in the bow string or cables.” “After a few minutes I looked over at my brother and he was falling asleep, so I had to cover his area too“, Mandy said. “Fifteen minutes later I’m starting to fall asleep. We both rallied and right after that a doe showed up at 25 yards. I had a doe permit but I couldn’t get a shot. A few minutes later another doe showed up but I didn’t have
off. It never stopped so I couldn’t get a shot at it.” “I was starting to get a little discouraged. I felt that my brother was disappointed that I couldn’t get the bow back better,” Mandy said. “A few minutes later a deer shows up at 16 yards. At first my brother couldn’t see it but then the deer moved and we both saw that it was a buck. I went to pull my new bow back and I couldn’t get passed the breaking point. Dylan got out of his seat and got behind me. When I got to the breaking point Dylan grabbed my arm and helped me get to full draw. And I
I went to pull my new bow back and I couldn’t get passed the breaking point. Dylan got out of his seat and got behind me. When I got to the breaking point Dylan grabbed my arm and helped me get to full draw. to Mandy Fachini Southworth. Some of you may remember Mandy from this Spring when after a bout of chemo and radiation treatments, for her stage three breast cancer, she killed a turkey with a 410. She used a 410 because her doctor told her shoulder area couldn’t handle anything
ues to hunt. She’s already an accomplished hunter but she’s never taken a deer with a bow. On 9/29 Mandy had both breasts removed. On 11/7 she and her brother Dylan went bow hunting for deer and in typical Fachini fashion, Mandy got her first deer with a bow. “That morning was
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let it fly. I thought that I had 10-ringed it. Dylan kept saying, “Did you get it?” I’m sure that I hit it. Then it started to rain and my brother made me wait two hours”. (Two hours!! Are you kidding me?) After a couple of hours Dylan turns to Mandy and says, “I guarantee that your deer is dead in that brush pile.” “We got out of the blind and the blood trail was very heavy,” Mandy said. “We went a little farther and we found half of the arrow and a little later we found the other half. Then Dylan says, “There’s your deer, it buried itself in the brush pile”. “I then said, Ya right - no way. Then I saw my deer. I started shaking. I had tears in my eyes. I just couldn’t believe it.” Dylan gutted and dragged out the deer. The day after I interviewed Mandy she had her ovaries removed as part of a precaution to keep cancer from re-occurring. The very next week she’s having more reconstructive shoulder surgery so that she can go about her daily life normally. After serving in the Philippines in WW II my father always had a saying, “would you want that person next to you in a foxhole?” And I’ll take Mandy next to me every day of the week. This brave, undaunted, gutsy young lady cannot be stopped and she’ll do anything and everything to get the job done.
David Willette is the author of “Coyote Wars” and he can be reached at coyotewars@gmail.com
January 2021
Northwoods Sporting Journal
Page 49
Sell Your Pelts
It would be a dream come true for a hunter to make money doing what they love to do – GO HUNTING! Contrary to what many believe it is possible for every hunter.
game pelts does still exist. For many years friends of mine, whom I will name the “Smith family”, have collected hundreds of pelts each fall and early winter. The outside back wall of their extremely large garage was adorned by these fleshed and salted pelts. Every January the Smith family took the hundreds of pelts to Bangor, Maine to auction off and sell the fur. They pocketed thousands of dollars doing what they loved to do. The prices vary for all the fur bearing These coyote pelts can bring up game animals. to $45 if properly prepared. You can comIt’s sort of a dying trade pare prices with your local but those that shoot and trappers association auctrap the fur-bearing game tions to that of the North animals can sell the pelts American Fur Associato fur auctions in their area. tion auctions to cross refJust about every state has erence. Generally the top a trappers association of selling pelt will be from some kind. Type “fur buy- a large bobcat that has no ers” in the Google search blemishes. You can get upbar and it will amaze you to wards of $60.00 to $70 dolfind that a market for prime lars for bobcat fur. Next in
line for your money maker would be the fisher. For a prime fisher specimen your top price will be around $45 dollars. I know your wondering what kind of money you can get for a coyote and a red fox. It just so happens that the average auction price for a large blemish free coyote is twenty and upwards of $45 dollars. You might get
On The Prowl
by Justin Merrill, Cherryfield, ME species of your choosing. The real work begins after the animal is in your possession. It will require a small pointy razor sharp knife, some type of fleshing tools of varying sizes and non-iodized table salt. I do all of my skin-
and roll back fur towards the eyes. Stop once you reach the tear ducts. Next slice straight down the middle of the pads of the back feet (side note: this tough skin glues back together nicely if and when the animal gets mounted on
I know your wondering what kind of money you can get for a coyote and a red fox. It just so happens that the average auction price for a large blemish free coyote is twenty and upwards of $45 dollars. You might get at most twenty dollars for a red fox pelt. at most twenty dollars for a red fox pelt. One other top selling pelt that you should know about is that of the otter. You can get a whopping $30 dollars for otter pelts. I’m sure I’ve peaked your interest by now. Going out this winter to hunt coyote, bobcat and fox just made it on your “daily-to-do-list”. Suddenly getting back out trapping or learning how to trap fur bearing game animals has become intriguing. A lot of well- worth- it fun work goes into collecting and preserving pelts. The first and most obvious task is to hunt for and successfully trap the game
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ning and caping for my own taxidermy with a small triangle shaped razor sharp scalpel. The smaller blades make it much easier to cape the fur off the skulls. It’s imperative that you don’t slice the eyelids, the lips, nose and ears. The whole pelt from tip of nose to tip of tail must be next to perfect for the pelt to be worth the most money. To begin the skinning and caping process for all mammals you first start at the mouth. Pull the mouth open and very carefully slice along the inside of the lips closest to the jaw bone. It’s important to keep the most skin attached. Slice
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a manniken). Keep slicing very carefully along the inner most part of the back legs where lighter colored or white hairs meet the darker hair. The animals hair almost forms a natural line for you to follow with your knife. Always pull or push blade in an upward motion from under the skin towards the fur side of skin. This prevents you from cutting off the hair. Slice all the way across from one foot to the next in a straight line. Pause at butt end of the tail to make an incision from anus all the way to the end of the tail bone. The tail will now peel (Pelts cont. pg 53)
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Northwoods Sporting Journal
Page 50
Vermont Ramblings
by Dennis Jensen, Vermont
Ice fishing is in its early stages and the deer seasons are all past. We have just experienced the strangest and, for many people, the most challenging year of our lives. The temptation is, of course, to look back on 2020 and talk about what it
near future. So here is my look at what 2021 could bring if things improve for us all: — Poker on Friday nights. Every Friday for about four years I would drive to Rutland, maybe 25 minutes from my home and sit around a table
A ‘Wish List’ 2021
friend Bob and sons Dan and Matt, gather at turkey camp up on that big hill in Pawlet. We have so many memories of great — but really challenging — hunting, lots of laughs and great food. — Those weeklong trips to Maine and the
So here is my look at what 2021 could bring if things improve for us all: all meant. But I am not going there. The past, as they say, is the past. Instead, I am going to look ahead, to 2021, with optimism, prayer and open-minded confidence that yes, Virginia, things will get better. I have been avoiding getting down with my own thoughts when it comes to this deadly virus that has changed our lives. So, no, I am not going to talk about what has stricken our nation and the world, other to hope that a safe, effective vaccine is in the
with six or seven guys to play three tournaments of no-limit Texas Hold’em. We don’t play for really big stakes, just enough to make the night interesting. Besides the poker game, which is something that I find both challenging and always surprising, the group of men I play poker with are all local, blue-collar guys who are brutally honest and a whole lot of fun. — A spring turkey season where the old group of hunters, my best
January 2021
early-morning and the dark of night fishing for striped bass for a week long in both July and August. I just want to sit back, with two big surf rods out and a cigar in my mouth waiting for the big, lurching dip of the rod tip, telling me a striper has taken the bait.
Vermont
— Our annual trip down the Connecticut River, casting for smallmouth bass as we drift down that lazy, spectacular river. Bob Walker and I fish, stay at a camp ground for two or three days and get to bond as close as brothers. — Back to the
hope for. — My buddy Bob being able to come to Vermont to hunt the November rifle season and the December muzzleloader hunt as he has for some 20 years. We have been friends since the seventh grade, a span of almost 70 years. No one in my life, other than family, has been more loyal or closer to me than Bob. So there it is. I might be asking for a whole lot more than is possible but this is what I look forward to. Of course, I want my family and friends to be careful and to get through the crisis we are currently facing. I want the world and the people to get back to some semblance of normal. Keep the faith. Be strong. Pawlet camp in October We will get through this, for the fall turkey season. God willing. We have taken some nice birds over the years. And Dennis Jensen is the the scenery that beckons outdoor editor of the Rutin the background? Those land Herald and Barre hills, colored in fall and the Times Argus and a freebirds coming in to our calls lance writer. Contact him is more than anyone could at d.jensen62@yahoo.com (Crossword answers from pg 62) Across: 1 Sheep, 3 Hot, 5 Ash, 7 Gray jay, 8 Crocker, 10 Old, 12 Froid, 14 Arrow, 16 Fir, 17 Reel. Down: 1 Sugarloaf, 2 Evan’s, 3 Haymock Lake, 4 Tackle, 6 Hunt, 9 Road, 11 Dew, 13 Oar, 15 O-H V.
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Northwoods Sporting Journal
January 2021
Page 51
if they walked out of the woods teriously caught fire reduc- ize. The latest fiasco that Back Shelf wantedI inquired to help. Roy sar- on his own, wet, tired, and ing it to ashes, taking with brought so many unfair and castically grumbled, “We’ll go over on the road that runs parallel to where we left him and fire a couple of shots to see if we get a response. He possibly might have walked that way if that’s okay with you!” he sarcastically grumbled. Wanting to get them out of the area, I was more than happy to send them away. But instead of going to where they claimed, they headed in the opposite direction to south Unity, where underneath a grove of apple trees they shot a huge buck after casting a bright light into its eyes. After illegally killing the deer, they quickly returned to the lodge with Russell bragging to the crew, “we did it right underneath that damned wardens nose!” which drew a loud chuckle from Barry himself. The very next morning, Russell proudly sold the poached deer to Ralph the undercover agent, after they dickered on a reduced price from what Russell was originally asking. Eventually later that evening the missing hunter
(Cont. from pg 39) highly intoxicated, with the exception of this poor guy who was concerned for his buddy and the two agents who were closely monitoring the situation. I agreed to meet the complainant at the location where his buddy had been left. Roy and Russell, guides from the lodge came along to watch. They both had been drinking and were of no help. Assembling a group of volunteer members from the area fire departments, we began organizing a search group to assist in looking for the missing man. The rain was coming down sideways as the wind and lightning snapped around us. It was going to be like looking for a needle in the haystack, hoping that maybe the hunter would wander out of the woods on his own and would simply need a ride back to the lodge. It was obvious Roy and Russell were not to happy with the wardens or volunteers being called, as they sat in their car intently staring at us in disgust.
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scared. He was quickly returned to the lodge and his buddy. The two of them quickly gathered up their gear and departed the area vowing to never return. At the end of the hunting season and just before Christmas it was time to conclude the undercover operation. Ralph and Donis had turned in their well documented reports to the prosecutors. Armed with warrants and summonses, a team of wardens hit the area delivering Christmas cheer to Barry’s shocked team of guides and several to Barry himself. Justice did prevail. For Barry, it was the end of what started out as a well intended adventure. Sadly the mixture of booze, greed, and a total lawlessness by a group of area men who persuaded him to do otherwise, brought about the demise of that great hunting lodge he once envisioned. On a cold winter night a few months later, the midnight sky was aglow with a bright orange tint, as suddenly the lodge mys-
it the hopes of what was once portrayed as the “Best damn hunting lodge in the State of Maine”. Had it not been for the diligence and expertise of the undercover operation one can only wonder what the future would have been for the areas wildlife. Contrary to the current tone of public sentiment being spread by disgruntled people who found themselves in similar circumstances and backed by a biased news media, and supported by a few political hacks trying to protect their own clientele, Maine’s wildlife resources can never be fully protected from this type of rampant lawlessness. In the coming months I expect there will be a move to shut down these types of undercover operations. Speaking from experience, a lone warden can never properly protect our wildlife from the slaughter and greed these unchecked men can initiate. There’s far more of it happening across our great state than what folks real-
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biased headlines against Maine’s Wardens should prove that point quite well. Don’t be fooled by those who got caught and convicted in their own disregard of the rules, it is your hunting futures that depend upon keeping the great Maine tradition the way it should be! The late John Ford Sr was a retired State of Maine Game Warden and Waldo County Sheriff. John was also a published author,”Suddenly the Cider Didn’t Taste So Good,” and “ This Cider Still Tastes Funny.” John lived in Brooks, Me with his wife Judy.
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Northwoods Sporting Journal
Page 52
Outdoors In Vermont
January 2021
Ice Fishing: Covid Cure
by Gary W. Moore, Bradford, VT
Ice fishermen are a The past year was full different breed. They seem of unforeseen challenges to thrive on the challenges including being told we
The third Saturday in January many of Vermont’s lakes open to ice fishing for trout, salmon and bass. The list is long and several lakes have restrictions so be sure to check the digest before going out. winter brings and look forward to a day on the ice, often enjoying the fresh air with friends. No couch potatoes there.
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months that we long for in the open chatting with a an escape. Ice fishing can friend who is a dozen feet be just what the doctor or- away exceeds the requiredered. Sitting on a bucket (Cure cont. pg 64)
January 2021
Northwoods Sporting Journal
Hope for The New Year
How many of you, my fellow outdoorsmen and women, are thrilled that 2020 is now just a memory? I, for one, am excited to start over with the
the very least, I will sally forth with the enthusiasm of a youngster onto this year’s first ice. That first hole I drill will be filled with the joy of breathing
fish as if it were my last day on earth, for I have known the darkness of isolation from having lived through the previous year. Let’s not waste a minute of 2021 rehashing the past. Instead, let us focus all our attention on that miracle that keeps us all sane – the outdoors. As I reel in the line, the fish tugs mightily on the
Page 53
Green Mountain Report by Bradley Carleton, Charlotte, VT and Facilities Administrator, Mike Wichrowski. “This new app will provide access to fish and wildlife law digests, baitfish dealers, department news and current events, and the abil-
A rifle buck has generated a great deal of excitement on social media this season. Greg Jenne bagged a 222-pound 10-point buck in Bridgewater on November 15th. There is lots of
Let’s not waste a minute of 2021 rehashing the past. Instead, let us focus all of our attention on that miracle that keeps us all sane – the outdoors.
advent of a New Year! Let’s face it. 2020 was just plain awful, and I don’t think it’s necessary to enumerate the ways in which it hurt us all. So, let’s start out the New Year with a modicum of hope and optimism. My first venture of the year will be to test out some new ice. I’ve got a new shanty and if Christmas was good to me, maybe a new Vexilar. At
in the cold fresh arctic air and the first tug on the ice rod will send my heart leaping with joy to be alive and fishing the hard water again. Maybe it will be a nice slabber yellow belly or maybe just a sprightly little pumpkinseed. Either way, it will reinforce my belief that the universe is still full of adventure and excitement. I will play that
Pelts
the ear away from the skull keeping cartilage and all. Keep going onto the eyes. Be extremely careful not to slice through the eye lids. Once the entire pelt is free from the carcass immediately salt every square inch of the skin side of the pelt. Only use non-iodized salt. Let the salt penetrate and dry up the flesh and membrane part of skin. Either
(Cont. from pg 49) off the bone. Continue cutting to the other foot. Now start pulling and cutting away membrane as you roll the fur down towards the head like a giant sock. Continue pulling down and carfully cutting away membrane all the way to the base of the ears. Just cut
short rod. And finally, the fish slides up out of the icy cylinder and into broad daylight. But, this year, my first fish is released back into the watery depths, and with a wave of gratitude, I breathe deeply and know that all is well with the world. The VT F&W released a new mobile application to help the public recreate outdoors in a safe and socially distanced manner. The “Vermont Outdoors” app connects the public with department lands, fish, and wildlife regulations and up to date COVID-19 guidance. “We’ve seen an increase in outdoor recreation across our 100 wildlife management areas and nearly 200 fishing access areas since the beginning of the pandemic,” said Lands let the pelt sit for three to four hours before fleshing or roll it up to bag it and freeze it until you have free time to complete the shaving process. Be sure all pelts are free of meaty flesh and most membrane before selling at the fur auctions.
ity to report fish and wildlife violations.” The application can be downloaded at the Apple App Store for iPhones or Google Play for Android phones. The VT F&W is offering hunters the opportunity to participate in its annual deer hunter effort and sighting survey. The survey asks hunters to record how many hours they hunted and how many deer, moose, bears, or other wildlife they saw on each day of the November rifle season. Hunters are asked to complete the survey as soon as possible after the rifle deer season even if they did not hunt or did not harvest a deer. The survey is now available for all licensed deer hunters at https://vtfishandwildlife. com/hunt/hunter-effortsurvey.
and secrets” and the “The Sit Spot – Discovering the forest near you”. He is a member of the New England Outdoor Writers Association (NEOWA) and the owner of Wild Maine Outdoors Media (WMO MEDIA) and the “SPIKES and GILLS” Justin is the author YouTube channel. You can of, “Wild Maine Outdoors learn more at www.wild– Hunting tactics, tricks maineoutdoors.com
talk about this buck on the Vermont Biggest Bucks Club Facebook page. I have not been able to secure the rights to copy the photo so you’ll have to go to the Facebook page to see it, but word is that Bill Campbell has reportedly green scored the antlers at 180 2/8 inches. Bradley Carleton is the founder and Executive Director of www.sacredhunter.org which teaches the public respect and empathy through hunting and fishing.
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Northwoods Sporting Journal
Page 54
Women In The Woods
January 2021
Antler Point Restrictions
that they will give you the opportunity to shoot them instead of your neighbor. by Erin Merrill, Antler point restricPortland, ME tions on the property will When I made the camera photos trying to now mean that my allcomment towards the end figure out how many bucks day sits will require more of deer season last fall, that are walking through the patience, more observing I might shoot a decent sized properties and at what and more assurance that crotch horn, the landowner Antler point restrictions on the property smiled, “you can’t shoot will now mean that my all-day sits will anything smaller than a require more patience, more nice 6-pointer or a doe.” We had talked about it caobserving and more assurance that sually but there it was. We what I am shooting fits the criteria of a were now managing the mature buck on the property. land to support larger bucks and allowing the smaller times and are they a poten- what I am shooting fits the tial shooter. We all know criteria of a mature buck on ones to grow. I have shot spike that just because they are the property. And it could horns. I have shot crotch on your camera, it doesn’t mean that I go home at the horns. A few of them in mean you will see them end of the season with my fact. I obsess over trail during shooting hours or tag still in my pocket.
It is a controversial topic and if you mention it on social media or at the tagging station, the comments explode with opinions on the benefits and pitfalls. There is the point that a deer equates to a full freezer (which is
a lifelong love of the outdoors and hunting. We need opportunities for new hunters as a generation leaves the woods and fields. So, if my waiting on a larger, mature buck means that more deer will be available for my kids to
does), the argument that a deer is a deer and it is all resource management (it is) and there is the argument that we won’t have the big bucks of decades ago if we don’t let them grow (maybe.) All of these are valid arguments that can help each hunter figure out their own conservation goals. I am also pretty confident that when my children are ready to squeeze the trigger, these restrictions will not apply to them. And I am okay with that. Maine has a very healthy deer population as evidence by the additional tags that were given out last year. We need more hunters and we need more people being successful to get that hunting bug that we know can be addicting and create
hunt, then so be it. I won’t be overly thrilled about walking out of the woods without tagging a deer but I will deal and appreciate the time in the woods. And maybe, the landowner will decide that because I’m his daughter, I can sneak in a crotch horn every now and then. Maybe.
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Erin is a member of the OWAA and the New England Outdoor Writers Association. She is a senior writer for Drury Outdoors’ DeerCast and is the President and co-Founder of the non-profit group Women of the Maine Outdoors. You can read about Erin’s adventures and contact her at www.andastrongcupofcoffee.com
January 2021
Northwoods Sporting Journal
The Seasonal Outdoorsman
mouth…chilled winds sing weird songs through a colony of pines…icy walls gird a river bank…protruding sofa pillow snow mounds on the river rocks…a stand of poplar trees is a winter food pantry for partridge… shore fires along the ice fishing lakes melt deep, black holes in the snow… goldeneye ducks bob for
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“Just Fishing” by Bob Leeman, Bangor, ME frogs in the evening… and guttural gurgling bullfrogs at night…sighting the first red-winged blackbirds…trout fishing at the culvert pool…tender green tree leaves…
the smelt runs with bucket and long-handled net… first robins on the back lawn…planting peas… ice-outs at the lakes…duck broods at the pond…hearing the inviting song of
FALL is: a pocketful of beechnuts…pumpkins peeking from under spreading vines…a partridge in the road…pine needle carpets…morning frosts being sun-steamed…brilliant sunsets over painted hills…the fierce blue that is the autumn sky…
Fall is...red squirrels chattering your intrusion in the woods…frozen deer tracks punched in the new snow…a spruce grove becomes a still, dark place… (Illustration “Ridgerunner” by V. Paul Reynolds) sustenance in the open waBe you fisherman, dry snow that squeaks un- ter below the river dam… hunter, hiker, birdwatch- derfoot…a sublimity of hastening in the next seaer, or whatever, who just paradise after an ice storm son. plain enjoys being in the coats the winter woods… SPRING is: The delioutdoors of Maine, you ice anglers chop out fruit cate aroma of new-mown can’t help but notice the basket holes in three foot grass…honey bees worklittle things that make up deep ice…a family of ot- ing the apple blossoms… those lasting moments of ter frolic in the open river hearing the chattering tree days afield through all the FORT KENT POWERSPORTS seasons. Sales • Service • Parts • Sportswear Sales • Service • Parts • Sportswear WINTER is: Hornet’s nests hung high to predict deep winter snow… charcoal streams are icerimmed…time to gather spruce gum…the odor of balsam fir and pine remind 377 Caribou Road, Fort Kent, ME Phone (207) 834-3607/3659 Fax (207) 834-6287 of Christmas…a mink track www.fortkentpowersports.com in the snow at the bridge… Wireless Internet pack baskets and snowOVERLOOK MOTEL Air Conditioning mobiles are made ready… Cable TV • Private Decks woods vision is clear to Hot Tub Suites the ridge top…snug log Efficiencies cabins feeling secure when 2 & 3 Bdr. Apts. the winter wind howls… In-room Coffee Makers & LAKESIDE COTTAGES beaver trapping begins… Tanning Bed • Private Beach Phill LeBoeuf Tel:(207) 444-4535 when weasels hide in the 3232 Aroostook Rd. Coin-up Laundry P.O. Box 347 Eagle Lake, ME 04739 woodpile…the initial acLarge Parking Lot overlookmotel.com Vehicle Plug-Ins quiring of “snowlegs” on the highways… warming wood fires in the parlor stove…first hard ice on the pond…opening a jar of preserves…a cardinal at the bird feeder…harvesting the last of the garden root crops…northern lights… shimmering crystals on the chilled night air…cold
doing outside chores after supper…getting the screens out…next building time for songbirds…camp clean-up time…seeking hidden wildflowers in the deep woods…following
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Page 56
Northwoods Sporting Journal
January 2021
Happy Sportsmen & Women Of 2020!
Sam Huston bagged his first deer, a 180 pound buck in the Newburgh-Dixmont area.
Sheydon Stitham, 11 of Howland out did himself this year with an impressive grand slam. Hunting with his father, Sheldon Stitham, the young hunter bagged his game with a .308 rifle that was handed down to him by his late grandfather.
Five year old Tanner LeBlanc's fall 2020 harvest!
Left: 107 pound bear shot with custom made 300 blackout Above: 138 pound doe, shot with custom made 243 Right: Partridge, shot with custom made 20 gauge
January 2021
Northwoods Sporting Journal
Paul Brody of Brewer got his first deer November 27th in Orrington. And it was a good one! The ten- pointer dressed at 169 lbs.
Page 57
Joyce Smith, wife of Brian Smith of East Machias, bagged this 190 lb ten-pointer early in the season. A new hunter, this is Smith’s second buck in two years!
Keri Bassingthwaite with her first deer which happens to be a smasher 8 point! Shot with her trusty 308.
Michelle Fisher with her nice 6 point, 150 pound deer.
Scarlet Corbin (age 6) shows off her pickerel she caught during a February 2020 fishing trip with her Dad and cousins.
Northwoods Sporting Journal
Page 58
The Singing Maine Guide
January 2021
Never a Dull Moment
by Randy Spencer, Grand Lake Stream, ME The main things hunters usually talk about after the season is the success or failure of the hunt. But what happened during those other hours spent
beautiful buck, or a nice doe if you were lucky enough to be drawn for an any deer permit in your district? Presumably, you didn’t fall asleep. You were
That comfort was shattered about thirty minutes into the hunt by a blood-curdling scream that had to be no more than fifty yards away. It sounded similar enough to a human to make a note of the other all systems switched to at around 25 pounds. scream that all sorts of wild ideas We got very little things I noticed while wait- “on” as I squinted, slowly crossed my mind. in the woods not seeing keenly watching and listendeer? What about them? ing. The truth is, you saw What happened when you and heard a lot. weren’t sighting in on a This year, I decided
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ing for the object of my being there. One of the most unusual sightings happened one evening about twenty minutes after I’d settled into a position overlooking a swale I knew to be active from my earlier scouting. Directly below me, in the bottom of this swale was a boulder about the size of a coffee table. For some reason, I hadn’t focused on it while sitting there–at least not until something moved and caught my eye. The first color I noticed was brown, so naturally,
moving my line of sight for a better look. Had there been a deer lying there the whole time? No! Just then, a bobcat stood up and began to groom and preen itself without a care in the world. It had been there the whole time, either unaware, or unperturbed by my presence. After taking plenty of time to get its fir in order, it sauntered off to the left and I got a good look at its height, length, and overall size. This one still had some growing to do. I estimated his weight
snow cover in my area this year, but when we did get a coating one day, I made sure to be out there that evening. For the second time in all my deer hunting years, I was visited by a porcupine. These two instances have taught me that if you are stationary, a porcupine is not afraid to walk right up to you. This one got a good look at me, but he lost the staring contest. Still unfazed, he simply ambled up the sidehill I was sitting on, (Moment cont. pg 69))
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Northwoods Sporting Journal
January 2021
Seasonal
(Cont. from pg 55) spiderwebs…prevailing afternoon winds waltz acres of yellow buttercups in the fields…a mournful loon call echoing from the lake…woods trails closing in and becoming hard to follow…distant camp lights burning little holes in the night…bothersome blackflies…readying the backyard garden patch… golden fields of dandelion blossoms…finding the gaudy blossoms of the purple and white trillium wildflowers in the hardwoods…first feeds of fiddlehead greens…rhubarb pie…listening for the thunder of a male partridge calling a mate…getting muddy boots…observing the darting, swooping swallows feasting on the bounties of hatching insects…just enjoying the warm, fresh breath of spring…another new time outdoors… SUMMER is: Splashing children sounds from the sand beach…bothersome midges that sneak through the screens…brook trout retreating to the cool spring holes…mooseflies biting off a hunk of skin… low water at the brooks and streams…rumbling thunderstorms…dusty back roads…parachute thistle seeds airborne on warmed afternoon winds…ripening woods berries include bunchberry, blackberry, and chokecherry. (elderberries ripen a bit later)… the swallows and cedar waxwings have suddenly departed for food-richer territories…barbeque cookout time back…deep lake trolling for salmon and togue…fresh lettuce and string beans from the garden…pretty white lilies on the pond…stringers of white perch…sailboats
quartering a warm southwest wind…blueberry pie and muffins…lobster and clam feeds at the coast… a toad croaks under the backdoor stoop…wrinkled pond reflections…Grange suppers…sun-worshipping painted turtles…scrubbed white sand beaches… the splendor of spreading ferns…buck deer protecting a soft, velvet antler spread…black-eyed-susans blossoming along roadsides…and lest we forget, those first luscious corn on the cob feeds…a gathering around the campfires with friends… FALL is: a pocketful of beechnuts…pumpkins peeking from under spreading vines…a partridge in
the road…pine needle carpets…morning frosts being sun-steamed…brilliant sunsets over painted hills…the fierce blue that is the autumn sky…shotgun shells in your pocket…cooler winds emitting weird little songs…small campfires that snap and crack and feel good again… munching a noon sandwich under a sweet-smelling pine tree…long-sleeved flannel shirts…spotting giant mushrooms in the woods…wild asters…robin flocks…boat storage… chimney cleaning…dried leaves underfoot in the hardwoods…garden cleanup…foliage display along rural drives…red squirrels chattering your intrusion
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in the woods…frozen deer tracks punched in the new snow…a spruce grove becomes a still, dark place… an early cold snap etches frost patterns on the camp window…patient canoes hang from cabin lofts… pond ice is thin and treacherous…bears, woodchucks and chipmunks are seeking dens…chickadees seem unmindful of your presence…wet snowstorms… stubborn leathered oak leaves are the last to curl and drop…that first crispy
bite into a frosted red McIntosh apple just fallen. Bob Leeman is a Master Maine Guide, outdoor writer, naturalist, book author, and a co-host of the MAINE OUTDOORS radio program on Sunday evenings from 7-8 p.m. His three books are all available, in soft cover only, at several bookstores and fly shops, or directly from him. For information on his books, please call 207573-1468.
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Page 60
Northwoods Sporting Journal
Outdoors In Maine
January 2021
The Grouse Blunder
was a tribute to Maine’s most popular and sought by V. Paul Reynolds, after legendary upland game bird. Sporting litEllsworth, ME erature has over the years, A number of years column for this paper and a with no small measure of ago when I was a work- number of others in Maine. hyperbole, helped along the ing newspaper editor, the I have no copy desk to grouse’s sterling reputation silent unsung heroes of the “proof” this column before as exceedingly elusive, newsroom operation were it is sent to my client news- hunter wary and very fast. the “copy editors” on the papers. There is Diane, Inadvertently, I contributed copy desk. These word and however. Not only is she to the myth building by fact sleuths did not wear my wife of more than 50 stating that the grouse flew
So where did the 900 feet per second come from? We are still checking our research notes. In all probability, 90 feet per second was found by me in a grouse book that took liberties as well with grouse
me.
speeds. My clumsy typing style clicked in an excess zero that did not belong. My apologies to all, especially to the Ruffed Grouse, who is a stalwart and impressive game bird in its own right and needs no marketing hoopla from
heard Sundays at 7 p.m. on “The Voice of Maine News - Talk Network.” He has authored three books; online purchase information is available at www. maineoutdoorpublications. com. or at www.sportingjournal.com. Contact email is: vpaulr@tds.net
The author is editor of the “Northwoods Sporting Journal.” He is also a Maine guide and host of a weekly radio program — “Maine Outdoors” —
“At that speed a grouse could take off from Bangor International Airport and land in Rochester, New York in one hour!” My critic ground it in by reminding me that some handguns don’t shoot bullets that fast. green eye shades or elastic arm bands, but they were meticulous and detail oriented to a fault. They were the gate keepers - the final check before the news story went to press and then on to the readers. Nothing got by the copy desk unchecked. And these yeomen checked for more than spelling, grammar, and run-on sentences. If something didn’t add up, if a fact was suspect, their job was to challenge the reporter or the desk editor, who gave the story the green light. Since then, for almost 30 years, I have been writing this weekly outdoor
years, my cribbage partner and extraordinary cook, she is a second set of eyes to look over this column before it is sent out. Her sharp eyes and grammar knowledge have saved me more than once. Editors at my client newspapers have also caught mistakes before they wound up engraved in black type for all to see. But, alas, back in August I made a beaut, a significant math error in an article about Ruffed Grouse that just slid on by me, Diane, and, as far as I know, the client newspaper editors as well. The piece in question
at 900 feet per second! That number caught some readers’ attention. They wrote to me, “C’mon, man. They are fast, but not that fast!” Another wrote, “Wow, no wonder I have such a hard time hitting them in the air.” A friend, who enjoyed poking me in the eye, observed: My face is red. In fact, a grouse’s top speed is 35 mph. If my math serves, and you might want to double-check me, that computes to 51.3 feet per second. A grouse that flies at 900 feet per second is supersonic at sea level, 613 mph, or as the test pilots say, Mach One.
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Northwoods Sporting Journal
January 2021
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Best Bassin’ by Bill Decoteau, Hampden, MA Covid-19 consumed the world, masking humanity, and compelling people to shelter within their individual private domains during the year 2020. However, dedicated anglers as well as fishing gear manufactures continued to inhale a breath of fresh outdoor air with positive attitudes, advancing angling technology into the new year of 2021! Minnesota Professional Guide Tony Roach didn’t hesitate when questioned how Corvid-19 might affect his Roach’s Guide Service in 2021. Roach believes new angling hour records will be set during the winter ice-fishing season. (www. TonyRoachOutdoors.com) Roach’s forecast is certainly reasonable, as most states have seen a significant rise in the number of fishing licenses sold during 1
Answers on page 50
7
2
January 2021
Ice Fishing – Electric Easy Drilling
tures like StrikeMaster Ice first electric auger, then in Augers continue research 2017, StrikeMaster Ice Au2020. and development, making gers accelerated ice-anglers Years ago, I remember drilling holes in ice easy ability to drill more holes all too well trying to drill and fun! (www.rapala.com/ faster, easier, and environholes with a hand operated strikemaster-augers) mentally friendly with its drill. That quickly turned StrikeMaster Ice Au- powerhouse Lithium 40V to my scanning the frozen Priced with an MSRP of $399.99 USD surface for old previously drilled holes and then clearthe new StrikeMaster Lithium 24V Ice ing the thin layer of ice. Auger is available via major hunting And, it wasn’t long before and fishing retailers in the U.S. and I abandoned this as well! Canada or online at www.Rapala.com However, a quick survey from devoted ice anglers, gers new Lithium 24V Ice Auger. Calling the new as well as Tony Roach has Auger 6-inch Lazer-blade Lithium 24V Ice Auger my opinion siding with offers ice-anglers a super “A tough little brother” to technology encouraging a light (13.3 lbs.) mobile ice their Legendry Lithium larger increase percentage auger with the power and 40V Ice Auger. Ice-anglers of anglers fishing on frozen capability of drilling 100 in the market for a lighter, holes through 16-inches more efficient hole drilling water! Why? Because hand of ice on a single charge! machine would be wise to drilling holes in ice or a dy- StrikeMaster Ice Augers consider this “Tough little ing battery on an ice auger new Lithium 24V Auger brother”! Additionally, the isn’t fun! Fishing should 8-inch Lazer-blade can drill 2-amp charging station, be fun, whether it is open 50 holes through 16-inches which comes with the Lithwater or frozen water. The of ice on a single charge. ium 24V Ice-Auger, can utilization of electric bat- (Hole performance was bring a Lithium battery tery power augers versus based on repeated test from empty to full charge gasoline makes for a clean- through 16-inches of ice.) in as little as two hours. In 1977 StrikeMaster Priced with an MSRP er and safer improvement. Especially when manufac- Ice Augers developed the of $399.99 USD the new StrikeMaster Lithium 24V 3 4 14. Longbow ammo 16. Balsam ---, a medici5 6 nal tree 1. Line holder for casters
Down 1. Carrabassett Valley ski 8 9 mountain 2. --- Notch Loop, Bethel 10 11 trail 3. Piscataquis place to 12 13 14 15 catch trout 4. Needed to get the best out of 3 Down 16 17 6. Look for game 9. Old River --- Trail, near Across 8. Fourth highest Maine Turner, Androscoggin 1. --- laurel, aka lambkill mountain 3. Upper --- Brook Lake, 10. --- Town Canoe Com- County 11. Early-rising campers Danforth pickerel, perch pany find it right outside and bass source 12. To face a bear up 13. Boat propeller 5. Grows green, white or close, you need a gun and 15. For those in the rough black in Maine sang --on wheels 7. Camp robber
Ice Auger is available via major hunting and fishing retailers in the U.S. and Canada or online at www. Rapala.com Fishing guide Tony Roach warns ice-anglers “Take care of your battery, don’t leave it outside all night and your 24V Lithium battery will keep punching holes with performance you can depend on!” God Bless and Best Bassin’ Billy “Hawkeye”
Decoteau is an outdoor journalist with a strong passion for pursuing the Black Bass. His activities include; emceeing The Bass University weekend educational seminar programs, as well as emceeing benefit tournaments such as Maine’s Annual May Special Olympics Team Tournament, Fishing For Freedom, and working with the USO.
January 2021
Northwoods Sporting Journal
A Forgotten Memory
During an October grouse hunt this past season, the loss presented itself to me. All of the signs were there. The beaten deer run no longer approached the base of the old tree. The high apples, which in the past had hung stubbornly until the first snow, were absent. And, in a final scene of defeat, the trunk lay
spot to mourn the loss of an apple tree. A recent blowdown diverted my usual path to the stream by about five feet. A chrome glint against the burnt orange of fallen pine needles caught my attention - just another Pepsi or Budweiser can. I grabbed the can to rid the woods of trash, but there was resistance, and the
big buck that never came. When the wind grabbed the water, the stream’s trickle was amplified to a roar. And as that same breeze raced through the pines and danced among the skinny white birches, I swore that I heard a woman’s voice rising from the level piece of land where our cabin now stands.
Note the detailed etchings on the side plate. (Photo courtesy of Jonah Paris.) Was she calling out to can was not The (un)buried treasure. a can. The someone? A second voice, (Photo courtesy of Jonah Paris.) earth broke, unfamiliar, yet surely the twisted in a strange pose. exposing a fishing reel and high voice of a child, called The roots of the gnarled, the remains of a rod. I had back to his mother. The knotted, grotesque beast walked past this artifact for boy’s response came from had failed; the apple tree nearly a decade, but never the stream. The woman holbehind camp did not sur- once had seen it. lered again, and her words A few weeks later, on came softly tumbling down vive 2020. Upon this unfortu- a mild November morn- the hillside, “Apple pie for nate discovery, the search ing, I returned to the apple supper!” The child must for grouse led me down tree and sat against its rot- leave with haste, for his the hill, where the stream ting corpse. I looked down mother has baked his faslows, and a stand of pines towards the stream as the vorite treat! The boy leans provides dense cover for woods flooded with light his rod against a scrappy the gamebirds - an ideal and waited patiently for the pine, and eagerly starts up
Wildlife
(Cont. from pg 31) the effectiveness of the human vaccine. Humans transmitted the SARS-CoV2 virus to captive mink in Denmark. The virus mutated in the captive mink and created a new variation of the virus. It’s not surprising that the virus mutated in a
new species as it adapts to the new host. As I write this column, 17 million captive mink are being culled in Denmark. But not before the virus with mink-related mutations were transmitted back into humans. The concern is that the mutated virus could evade vaccines that were developed from the original non-mutated
version. Wild populations of mustelids – weasels, otters, skunks, marten, and fishers – are potentially at risk. Let’s hope that medical and wildlife scientists are taking appropriate precautions and that this virus will be contained and vanquished with the current vaccines. My wildlife disease
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Maine Tails the hill towards home. The sun sets on that day, then on more days, and then on the year. The pine grows mighty, and so does the boy. He starts his own
By Jonah Paris, Scarborough, ME hunts the same hillside, brushes against the same pine needles, curses the same pine sap, and walks the same trail down to the stream, unearthed a forgotten memory.
And as that same breeze raced through the pines and danced among the skinny white birches, I swore that I heard a woman’s voice rising from the level piece of land where our cabin now stands.
family and moves away from the homestead. He leaves Somerset County or maybe he stays; perhaps moving north to Jackman to work in the woods, or south to Skowhegan to the pulp mill. But his fishing rod remains stranded in a past life, patiently awaiting the return of the young boy, gently propped against the aging pine. And the seasons change, the trout build their redds in the stream, the snow falls, the apple tree blossoms, the deer drop their dainty fawns, the days grow short again, and the winter winds blow cold across the North Country. Decades pass to 2020, mere milliseconds on Nature’s great clock. But in 2020, the year the apple tree died, someone, who fishes the same pools,
Was his stringer full of trout when he left his beloved rod and reel streamside? Why did he never return for it? Where is this fisherman today? How many November sunrises did he watch from his perch beneath the old apple tree? How much cinnamon did his mother use in her apple pie? Have you, dear reader, uncovered a curious artifact during your outdoor pursuits? If so, I’d love to hear your story.
class at the University of Maine with Dr. Harold Gibbs was one of the most fascinating, and terrifying, classes that I ever took. Biologists (and hunters) too often take it for granted that it is safe to handle wild animals, but sometimes there are serious risks. A new disease could transmit from animals to humans in North
America just as easily as it did in China. There are many lessons to be learned from this pandemic.
Jonah Paris teaches English at a small high school in Southwestern Maine. A four-season outdoorsman, Jonah lives in Gorham, ME with his girlfriend, Ashley, and beagle, Aurora. Jonah can be reached at jonaheparis@ gmail.com
Mark McCollough is a wildlife biologist who is hunkered down at his home in Hampden, Maine this winter. He can be contacted at markmccollough25@ gmail.com
Northwoods Sporting Journal
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Cure
(Cont. from pg 52) ments for social distancing and can do wonders for ones mental health. Vermont has no closed season on pickerel, northern pike, yellow perch or smelt. Most smaller bodies of water will be frozen over and safe to venture onto by January 1, but many will not, so be very careful. A meal of delicious fresh fish is not worth a cold dunking or worse. There is no closed season on lake trout or salmon on Lake Champlain and those who fish it before freeze up often do very well. The main lake does not freeze over until February if at all. The “inland sea” between Grand Isle County and Franklin County and the many bays along the
huge lake do freeze and provide excellent ice fishing. On the eastern side of Vermont, many of us head to the Connecticut River setbacks for some early ice fishing. The shallow water freezes long before the main stem of the river and often makes for some fast action with perch, pickerel and northern pike. If the downstream dams are lowering the water level, getting on and off may be a challenge. A pair of crampons are what most of us take along. The Connecticut River offers more fishing opportunities than any body of water in Vermont with the possible exception of Lake Champlain. The river is open to fishing all year from the confluence of the Upper Ammonoosuc in Northum-
berland to the Massachusetts border. New Hampshire and Vermont have an agreement whereby a resident fishing license from either state is valid in the Connecticut River including all bays, setbacks and tributaries to the first upstream highway bridge on either side of the river. If you do fish the big river, be sure to check the regulations published in both states’ digests. The third Saturday in January many of Vermont’s lakes open to ice fishing for trout, salmon and bass. The list is long and several lakes have restrictions so be sure to check the digest before going out. Whenever you are ice fishing anywhere, check the depth of the ice frequently. It can go from several inches to an inch or
less in a few feet depending on currents, springs and structures. I like to take an ice chisel along and start at the shore tapping the ice. Your ear will tell you if the ice is too thin. Chopping a small hole every few feet will let you know just how thick the ice is. Four inches should be the minimum for safety. Remember that four inches can change to skim ice very quickly. Ice is thinner over moving water such as occurs at inlets, outlets, between islands, over reefs and around bridge abutments. Springs can also be dangerous. *** Hunters too enjoy brisk January days. Snowshoe hare, what we refer to as rabbits, are the favorite game sought by many and the season remains open
January 2021 through March 14 in all except WMUs D and E in the Northeast Kingdom where it closes March 31. Listening to a good hound pursuing a bunny through a swamp is a real joy. Coyotes are fair game year round and many hunters devote their winters to hunting the elusive animal both with hounds and by calling. Either way, coyote hunting is a challenge. Bobcats may be hunted January 10 to February 7 this year. A dedicated group of houndsmen seek the seldom seen cats. Syndicated columnist Gary W. Moore is a life long resident of Vermont and a former Commissioner of Fish and Game. He may be reached by email at gwmoore1946@ icloud.com or at Box 454, Bradford, VT 05033.
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Northwoods Sporting Journal
Mooshead Guides – The Early Days
almost as soon as he could walk, Richard went into the woods with his father, learning at an early age the habits and characteristics of the animals that inhabited the area. He became an expert with the canoe, a crack shot with the rifle,
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Kineo Currents by Suzanne AuClair, Rockwood, ME
The Moosehead region has for many years attracted eccentric, strongwilled individuals who preferred living in the remote woodlands. Generations ago, the title “hermit” had a different connotation than it does today. Now it is used more to denote “strange” people who have problems living in society. In the old days, “hermit” was used for those people who just preferred nature over society and had decided to live by themselves, and the more remote the setting, the better. Early guides around the Moosehead Lake region and to the north were sometimes hermits, sometimes eccentric, but always dedicated to their own individualistic way of life. For some, guiding sportsmen was a way of earning a
living and providing the necessities that couldn’t be got in the woods. Two of the wellknown guides of the late 1800s and early 1900s were Edward Masterman and his son, Richard. Edward was one of the early set-
tlers in the region, taking up a track of forest a dozen miles north of Greenville and clearing it for a farm. His father, John Masterman, had earlier purchased Sandbar Tract, which is located between the East and West Outlets on the west side of Moosehead Lake. Long before Richard was born, Edward Masterman was famed as a hunter, trapper, guide, and
and few could equal his skill as a trapper. He started guiding at age 17. He was once quoted in a newspaper article as saying when he started guiding, his equipment consisted of a canoe, tent, paddles, pole, and cooking kit. It cost him $40 to get into the business. Masterman also found that guiding wasn’t a very good way of making money, especially when he started
of catching fish or shooting game. We would pick out a location deep in the woods and remain there for a couple of weeks. The hunters would live mostly on the fish they caught or the game they shot, and get a thrill from eating their own kills,” Masterman said in a 1936 newspaper article by Henry Buxton. The Mastermans represent three generations
Elk
but by the time I got there, the bull was out of sight. Josh could still see him. He hit the cow call and the elk did an about face. He started making his way back. “He’s coming back!” Josh exclaimed in an excited whisper, as he hit the young bull call. That sealed the deal. The bull gave an all-in, deep-throated bugle and picked up the pace to the crest of the knoll in front of me. Harley was watching over my shoulder and ranged him at 150 yards. “He’s a nice 5X5! He’s a mature bull! You don’t have to take him if you don’t want to, but I call him a good bull!” Harley enthusiastically coached. That’s all I needed to
hear. He was quartering to me, so I settled the crosshairs on the front of his left shoulder and touched it off. He majestically dropped in his tracks. I have been on countless hunts. Every one of
them is memorable in its own way, but I have to say, this one was truly an incredible experience. Hopefully, good Lord willing, I will have a “twice” in a lifetime Wyoming hunt in the future. Stay tuned…
(Cont. from pg 36) at him. Once we got closer, Harley did a bull call and got an immediate response not far from us. Almost instantly, I saw movement heading in our direction. I scooched down behind some debris but couldn’t get a clear look at him. I could see it was a bull but couldn’t size him up through the trees. He disappeared to my right, which was where Harley and Josh were standing. “Harley, get Mark over here!” Josh yell whispered! I made my way to Harley, who was standing about ten yards from Josh,
work at 4 a.m. and often did not retire until 9 or 10 p.m. “When I started guiding, my work had to do mostly with real sportsmen who went into the woods for the sole purpose
Early guides around the Moosehead Lake region and to the north were sometimes hermits, sometimes eccentric, but always dedicated to their own individualistic way of life.
Greenville
of guiding in the North Woods. Richard Vaughn Masterman was born in Sandbar Tract in 1870. He died in 1945 and is buried in Greenville Cemetery. Edward’s granddaughter, Elisabeth Damon Odiorne, sprang from this Moosehead heritage. She maintained a family summer camp near Masterman Farm until the 1980s. Suzanne AuClair lives in Rockwood. She has been writing about the Moosehead Lake Region for 25 years and produced Maine’s first freshwater fisheries management anthology “The Origin, Formation & History of Maine’s Inland Fisheries Division.” She’s director of the Moosehead Historical Society, where this story first appeared in its quarterly newsletter.
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Northwoods Sporting Journal
Page 66
The Silver Lining
SAM News by David Trahan, “Executive Director” As I write this report, we are into the first week of the muzzleloader deer hunt in southern Maine. It is pouring buckets and the Pandemic is surging across our state. If I was a “glass half empty” kind of guy I would be sobbing in my Folgers light roast lamenting about the long wait between now and next deer hunting season as well as the devastating Covid-19 impacts on life and business. It is too hard on the psyche to focus on the things I can’t control, so, instead I am going to relive and reflect on the last year in the Maine outdoors and count my many blessing that I live in such a special
place. My outdoor adventures started just after Mother’s Day. My buddy Rod MacDougal and I traveled to the upper Kennebec river just after the smelt run and at the start of the fiddlehead season. It was
Just a few days later, I paddled with my friends Matt Niemeyer and SAM Board member Craig Poulin around Little Pond in Damariscotta. We landed two brook trout well over 20 inches. Later in the spring, I took several Striper fishing trips with friends, Ken Hardy Matt Niemeyer and Jeff Romano, as well as his son Anthony on the
ming in Muscongus Bay. As the summer heated up, I spent several early evenings white perch fishing Damariscotta Lake. I could spend every summer night watching young kids catch their first pound and a quarter white perch and see their smiles when I filet their fish and send them home with a mess. M a n y a s u m m e rnights were spent in my
It was one of those days when every strike seemed to produce a fish. We landed over 30 trout, salmon and splake. Nothing huge but more action than one trip deserves. We finished the day with a half bucket of fat fiddleheads. one of those days when every strike seemed to produce a fish. We landed over 30 trout, salmon and splake. Nothing huge but more action than one trip deserves. We finished the day with a half bucket of fat fiddleheads.
Surprise Visit! Mackenzie Stevenson of Wayne looked up from her turkey blind to behold this unexpected sight. The cows had to check out her decoy. She got her first turkey dispite the distraction. (Photo by Mackenzie Stevenson)
Medomak River. The fish were big and plentiful, not only did I watch some of them catch their first striper, I saw some of the most amazing sunsets I can remember. In early summer, I guided my wife Pam and her mother Donna Nash on a long weekend in Acadia National Park. The scenery and the weather were stunning. I watched with great astonishment as my eighty something mother-law took a spontaneous fully clothed swim in the Atlantic Ocean and then listened as she reminisced about her childhood growing up swim-
At long last, revived from the archives of the once-authoritative books on New England streamer flies and how to use them: Trolling Flies for Trout & Salmon, by Dick Stewart and Bob Leeman. Trolling Flies for Trout and Salmon was first published in 1982 and again in 1992. There were 350 signed Limited Edition hardcover copies and several thousand hard and soft cover copies sold out with the two printings. Many fly tyers view this book as an up-to-date version of new and available streamer fly patterns and crave to have it in their library. Used copies have been selling on AmazonBooks.com for the last few years with a price tag up to $300.00 for each copy! There are 125 pages with 32 color plates of more than 90 classic streamer flies and tying recipes from a Winnipesaukee Smelt to a Barney Google and a Rangeley Centennial. Leeman and Stewart also share with readers many tips and tactics for trolling streamer flies for trout and salmon throughout New England.
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office manager) and her son Duncan to my favorite squash field in Waldoboro. As I snuck along a stonewall, I heard Duncan fire twice, a double, and his first ever wild turkey. His mother was at his side and had a smile of pride worth remembering. Later in October I would take two myself. In early November, I deer hunted on the 240acre family woodlot. I saw rabbits, a bobcat over 30 deer, hunted with family and harvested a buck, 15 minutes before Becky Morrell harvested one as wellsame property. I went deep sea fishing for the first time in 20 years, watched in awe as several whales and dolphins slipped gracefully through the ocean. The pandemic has challenged our patience, crushed businesses and continues to rock our world to the core; fortunately, by the grace of god, it has not impacted my immediate family or any of our SAM staff and Board. In such times, it is easy to see the world in shades of grey, but we must resist this urge and one way to do it is to reconnect with our outdoor roots.
back yard with friends and family watching bats hunt insects over my farm pond and cooking smores on the open fire pit. As the late summer wore on, I anxiously awaited the October grouse hunt. Rod MacDougal, Mark Goodridge and his sonlaw Ryan joined me in a two-day hunt in Lower Enchanted Stream. We ate great food, drank adult beverages and played cribbage under gas lights. In between, we saw over a hundred partridge and filled our limits. I am still eating a partridge for supper now and then. In the turkey season David Trahan is exI had the opportunity to take Becky Morrell, (SAM ecutive director of SAM.
Northwoods Sporting Journal
January 2021
Coming
(Cont. from pg 37) some national chain—you know, another Miracle Gadget—and anchored off the shore about twenty yards, began snapping the decoys onto the swivels. I clicked on the last decoy, looking downriver to check the spread and realized to my frustrated rage that they had all become tangled together in one big, mocking snarl. It took several mighty oaths and another ten minutes of rigging that I really didn’t have before they were properly lined up in the current. I landed the boat on shore, and with only a minute before the opening of legal shooting, loaded up my new shotgun with three 12-gauge loads of steel shot. I didn’t have time to even sit down. Flight after flight of goldeneyes came piling in, looking to get out of the wind, and as luck had smiled, I had a perfect setup. Within a half-hour, I had a rare limit of three ducks, and that didn’t include the ones I
had missed altogether as they came blazing over the decoy spread at forty miles an hour. That lovely morning flashed through my mind as the Browning caught my eye while I was looking for some reference book or another in my home office. Readers of this space have heard me complain for years about the lack of time I have to take to the field; that’s largely my own fault, but now with a change in employment status rushing forward, there’s the promise of a bit more time on my hands. I picked up the Browning, and for the millionth time, admired its graceful lines. “Not much longer, old friend,” I said, putting it away. “We’ll be back to the opposite shore soon enough.”
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Montville - 97.75 acres Active licensed/ permitted gravel pit. Plenty of material left. Potential option to expand. Storage/ maintenance building on site. $125,000.
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News
(Cont. from pg 42) time. Before you hike, let someone know where you plan on hiking; stay with your group and stay on the marked trails. Make sure you are wearing proper hiking gear and have a pack with extra clothes, food, water, a light source with extra batteries, map, compass, GPS, cell phone, and
Northwoods Sporting Journal
other necessities. To learn 35, of Gorham, NH, failed more about being prepared, to return from a hunt in the visit www.hikesafe.com Conner Brook area of the White Mountain National Overdue NH Forest. A search effort ensued with Fish & Game Hunter Located Fish and Game Con- Conservation Officers and servation Officers were no- a canine responding. K-9 Moxie began tified of an overdue hunter by a concerned relative on searching at approximately Saturday night at around 9:20 p.m. and after almost 7:30 p.m. The hunter, iden- 2 hours of looking, traveltified as Garret Waterman, ing over 2 miles, the K-9 "Build Your Dream Cabin and Explore this Pristine Mountain Wilderness"
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and her handler successfully located the hunter. Waterman had suffered a lower-leg injury after a fall from his tree stand which prevented him from bearing weight on his leg and walking out. With no cell phone service in the area he was unable to call for help. Fortunately, he had told family members where he would be hunting, so when he failed to return they knew where to direct
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January 2021
the responding officers. Conservation Officers, a State Police Trooper, family members, and a friend hiked into his location and after his injury was assessed and treated, he was assisted out .2 miles to a Forest Service road where he was placed in a vehicle and driven from the scene. He was taken to Androscoggin Valley Hospital in Berlin for treatment of his injuries.
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T5R7 WELS- Views of Mt. Katahdin from the shore, this new & beautiful cabin has 247’ of waterfront on Lower Shin Pond. Access to Katahdin National Monument & Baxter State Park. Amenities of home in the deep Maine woods. $279,000
Grand Falls- This cabin was landed on this lot two years ago and ready to finish off and use. This 41 acre lot sits high on a hill with great views on Lord Brook Rd. ATV and snowsled from this location. Take a look. $79,000
Springfield- Complete with a full, concrete foundation, well, septic, laundry. Cabin can easily be year round residence for someone looking to live off grid on True Rd. With snowmobile access. It is situated in a great recreational area. $79,500
Lakeville- 52 acre lot with rustic cabin sits at the top of the hill offering breathtaking 180 degree views of area lakes & hills. ATVing & snowmobiling are at your door step on Vista View. Set it up for solar and live here year round. $99,000
Lee- A traditional northern Maine hunting camp. Located along an ATV and Snowmobile trail. Private location and hidden from view on Ames Rd. This is a wonderful hunting location and is priced fairly. $29,900
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Lincoln- Inexpensive lot on Stump Pond. The lot has a driveway started and is very private. Great Bass Fishing. More Land available at added cost. $29,900 Lincoln- This large private lot with 500 feet on Egg Pond is a must see. The lot has a new driveway and gravel pad. With 6.5 acres enjoy the privacy. $109,900 Lakeville- Heavily wooded. Power available. Access to Duck Lake. Cheap taxes on Hobbs Rd. What more could you ask for? This is a very nice lot and priced to move. $13,900 Oakfield- This lot is on a year round road. There is electricity on the Brown Road. Driveway has been installed. Great lot for that cabin you always wanted. Great ATV and snowsled spot. Easy access from I 95. This is a must see. $22,500
January 2021
Moment
(Cont. from pg 58) and as it was a quiet evening, I heard him long after that, waddling away in the noisy brush. Another evening was much less serene. Again, what happened that night was not a first, but a second in my deer hunting archive. Having climbed a deer stand and pulled my bow up with a length of paracord, I got myself comfortable for my hourand-a-half sit until legal shooting time was over. That comfort was shattered about thirty minutes into the hunt by a bloodcurdling scream that had to be no more than fifty yards away. It sounded similar enough to a human scream that all sorts of wild ideas crossed my mind. But then
Northwoods Sporting Journal many things in the woods are capable of letting out a scream like the one I’d just heard. A coyote, a bobcat, a fisher, a fox, a skunk…all are at times able to make a bone-chilling screech, enough to make the hair on the back of your neck stand up. I never got to see what it was that made that awful sound, but I did get to see what was responsible. Moments after I collected myself, a Great Horned Owl landed on a pine limb about 60 feet away. He definitely had something in those ginormous talons of his, but whatever it was, it had stopped making any noise. At one point, this scary raptor swiveled his head and looked right at me. Just like the first time this happened, when a Great Horned Owl looks right at you, all the blood drains out of your
head. The Great Horned’s face is human-like, with eyebrows, nose, and a mustache. And if looks could kill, this is the look that could. When he finally took off, I saw that this bird could easily pick up your
Page 69
house cat and fly away with it while it screeched and screamed. Ye s , I s a w m a n y things this season, and that’s not counting the red squirrel that ran across my shoulder, or the chickadee
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that landed on my knee. As I rediscovered once again this year, there’s never a dull moment out in those woods! Randy Spencer is a Downeast Maine Guide.
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Northwoods Sporting Journal
Page 70 SELLERS LANE
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SUNRISE REALTY
Office Tel. & Fax: (207) 255-3039 Email: anitaj@midmaine.com Website: www.sunlist.com Anita Johnson
MACHIAS: Home is on the Kennebec Road and not far from Roque Bluffs State Park. At the park there is fresh water on one side of the road and salt with a beach on the other side so take your pick which one you want to be on. There is nice beach on the salt water side where you can take a nice walk and enjoy the nice FRESH MAINE AIR. Home has two bedrooms and one bath and needs work but if you like winter projects then this is the one for you. The land next to where the building is also goes with the property. A super great price at only $39,500. MACHIAS: Home is on Broadway and the land goes to Allan Avenue. A great place to have a nice BBQ or just sit outside and enjoy the area. Home has 4 bedrooms and 2 baths with a great family room for those family times. Home is only about 5 minutes to the Post Office and Library. Also close to the UMM and Hospital. Oh yes forgot also close to the schools. Not far to the Roques Bluffs State Park where you can take a nice walk or just sit and relax and enjoy the area. A great price for an in town property. $90,000.
www.sportingjournal.com
Overhead Door Company of Bangor
“The original since 1921”
Residential Sales, Service Parts for Residential, Commercial, Industrial 24-Hour Emergency Repair Reliability and so much more
Commercial
1-800-696-2235 56 Liberty Drive, Hermon www.overheaddoorofbangor.com
Judd Goodwin Well Co
"We Do It Right The First Time"
Complete Well & Pump
Installation, Service and Repair Residential • Commercial Camps • Cottages
P.O. Box 17 Greenville, ME 04441 Office: 207-695-3645 Cell: 207-280-0923 goodwinjudd@yahoo.com www.juddgoodwinwell.com Member Maine Groundwater Association
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