Northwoods Sporting Journal, November 2023

Joe Splits Ezra’s Buck With Him November 2023

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Finding Trophy Bucks - Stu Bristol

* Leeman Fly Of The Month * Hunting Small Woodlots * Maine’s Bass Champ * Camps, Cottages & Land For Sale

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 3

Finding Trophy Bucks

One of the most common cop-outs among deer hunters is the statement, “Every deer is a trophy, regardless of size.” This is true in most cases. However, under their breath they still consider a real trophy begins either with extra wide antlers or over that magic 200-pound weight.

I get asked more times than I can count, as a guide, will you find me a “trophy” buck. No guide in his right mind will ever flat out say I’ll find you a scorable deer/turkey/bear or fish.

That would be flat out professional suicide. What I and other guides promise is an enjoyable experience with a “chance,” just a “chance, of the client bagging what is in his or her mind a “trophy.”

So, the real answer I give those who ask consists of a few simple questions.

In your mind what is the trophy you are looking for?

Second, will you pass on anything less than ideal or will you take the next best deer that comes into gun range? Last, I ask if it is really the outdoor experience you seek.

in modern times there are many men and women in their 30’s and older that rarely if ever set foot in the forest other than to jog or hike. They need to be guided or taught to be woods-wise.

My curriculum is to educate the client as much as possible without being a “know-it-all.” I am con-

South Of the Kennebec

by Stu Bristol, Lyman, ME

Southern Maine is home to mostly red oak trees. Find a white oak in their midst and you will find a great deer attractant.

White oak acorns are larger and have more fat.

Finding a major league

bruisers will spend their entire lives within a 500acre property. Northern Maine deer run the ridges for miles and more often can be seen in clear cuts and open hardwoods.

Forget about tree rubs

Finding a major league whitetail can take a lifetime or it can be done in a few days if the proper amount of pre-hunt scouting is done. Several givens are noted to each hunter I take out.

Dave Ganter shows off trophy whitetail.

Actually, if a guide doesn’t provide a safe, enjoyable outing, never use that person again. The best guides are the ones that are there for you and speak up when needed and quiet when need be.

In my childhood men and boys (and many girls) grew up in the woods but

stantly surprised at how little many of my clients know about the workings of a forest. Just as I do when guiding fly anglers, I let the client show me what he or she knows then add information they obviously don’t know. Tracks, droppings, tree rubbings and buck scrapes are all on the menu as are tree identification and game funnels.

whitetail can take a lifetime or it can be done in a few days if the proper amount of pre-hunt scouting is done. Several givens are noted to each hunter I take out. “Big deer may scrape the bark off small trees but rarely will a small deer take on a 6-inch or larger diameter tree. Mature bucks stick to heavy cover and, in southern Maine these

after October in southern Maine and look for scrapes.

Tree rubs are made when bucks begin their pecking order or test their strength, not to rub off velvet. Bucks paw the ground raw then urinate in them and reach up and leave eye gland secretions on softwood trees.

Once you find a scrape, look for another softwood (Bucks cont. pg 9)

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On The Cover

Joe Splits Ezra’s Buck With Him - Pg 16 Finding Trophy Bucks - Pg 3 Leeman Fly Of The Month - Pg 12 Hunting Small Woodlots - Pg 25 Maine’s Bass Champ - Pg 57 Camps, Cottages and Land for Sale - Pg 68-70

Contents

Northwoods Sporting Journal

November 2023

The Sportin’ Journal The Outdoor Paper For “Maine Folks”

The Northwoods Sporting Journal is the Northeast’s most comprewww.sportingjournal.com hensive and readable monthly outdoor Main Office Phone: (207) 732-4880 publication. Published at the trailhead E-mail: info@sportingjournal.com Fax: (207)732-4970 of Maine’s sprawling North Woods, the Vol 30 Issue 11 is published monthly by Northwoods Publications, 57 Old County Rd. North, W. Enfield, ME 04493 Sporting Journal prides itself on being Periodical Postage Paid at W. Enfield, ME. and additional mailing offices. an independent voice for the region’s The Northwoods Sporting Journal (ISSN#1548-193X) Postmaster: outdoor community for more than 28 Send address changes to: years. Some of our writers are seasoned Northwoods Sporting Journal, PO Box 195, W. Enfield, ME 04493 and specialized outdoors people who Northwoods Publishing Group will share their know-how and insights; Victor Morin - Susan Morin - Diane Reynolds - V. Paul Reynolds some of our contributors are simply - Victor Morin Jr. - V. Paul Reynolds lifelong outdoor people with interest- Publishers Editor - V. Paul Reynolds ing stories to tell.

Assistant Editor - Josh Reynolds Our aim every month is to capture Associate Editor - Donna Veino Graphic Arts Manager - Gayleen Cummings the essence of Northern New England’s Subscription/Distribution Manager - Alicia Cram remarkable outdoor heritage by stirring Operations Manager - Annette Boobar - V. Paul Reynolds memories, portraying outdoor humor, Webmaster Sales Department; Victor Morin,Thomas Schmidt, Paul Hatin, and sharing experiences and outdoor Traci Grant, Michael Georgia, Mike Brown & Mike Maynard knowledge. We also keep our readers Regional Advertising Manager - Jim Thorne up to date with late-breaking outdoor The Northwoods Sporting Journal invites submissions of photographs news and hard-hitting editorials about and articles about the Maine outdoors. fish and wildlife issues.

Manuscripts should be sent with a self-addressed envelope to: NORTHWOODS SPORTING JOURNAL Anyone who loves to hunt and P.O. BOX 195, W. ENFIELD, MAINE 04493 fish, or simply finds the Great Outdoors The Northwoods Sporting Journal accepts no responsibility for a treasured place, is more than likely unsolicited photos or manuscripts. Photos submitted without a stamped, self-addressed envelope will not be returned. to find some special connections amid the pages of the Northwoods Sporting All rights reserved, 2023. Written permission must be obtained from the Northwoods Journal.

Sporting Journal to reprint any part of this publication. Any errors or omissions in ads

3. South Of The Kennebec - Stu Bristol 6. Maine Tails - Jonah Paris 7. On The Ridge - Joe Judd 10. A Hiker’s Life - Carey Kish 11. The Bird Perch - Karen Holmes 14. Women In The Woods - Erin Merrill 16. The Adventures Of Me & Joe - Bob Cram 18. Outdoor Sporting Library - Jeremiah Wood 20. Aroostook Woods & Water - Mike Maynard 22. From Craig Pond - Bob Mercer 23. Muzzleloading Afield - Al RayChard 24. The Gun Cabinet - John Floyd 25. Cracker Barrel - Homer Spit 26. Slipstream - Scott Biron 27. Warden’s Words - Kale O’Leary 28. The Back Shelf - V. Paul Reynolds 31. On The Prowl - Justin Merrill 32. Kineo Currents - Suzanne AuClair 33. Guns & Ammo: A Guide’s Perspective - Tom Kelly 34. The Maine Woods - Matt LaRoche 36. View From The River - Laurie Chandler 38. A Big, Ole Boar - Segille Jones 39. Old Tales From The Maine Woods - Steve Pinkham 40. The Northwoods Bowhunter - Brian Smith 41. Northwoods Sketchbook - Mark McCollough 43. Northwoods Voyager - Gil Gilpatrick 44. Cookin’ With New England’s WildCheff - Denny Corriveau 45. Tales Of A Maine Woodsman - Joel Tripp 46. The Trail Rider - Dan Wilson 47. Marsh Island Chronicles - Matthew Dunlap 48. Vermont Ramblings - Dennis Jensen 49. Outdoors In Vermont - Gary Moore 50. Maple Country Outdoors - Ben Wilcox 52. Green Mountain Report - Bradley Carleton 53. Against The Current - Bob Romano 54. Outdoors In Maine - V. Paul Reynolds 56. Question Of The Month - V. Paul Reynolds 57. Best Bassin’ - Bill Decoteau 58. On Point - Paul Fuller 59. The Singing Maine Guide - Randy Spencer Northwoods Voyager - Pg 43 60. Basics Of Survival - Joe Frazier Gil Gilpatrick 61. Turned Around - Bob Mallard 62. SAM News - David Trahan 63. New Hampshire Outdoors - Peter St. James 65. The Hunter’s Moon - V. Paul Reynolds

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.

Outdoors In Vermont - Pg 49 Gary Moore

Other Great Stories & Information 8. Editorial/Letters 12. Outdoor News 68. Real Estate

Cover Photo: Nice Fall Buck!

Muzzleloading Afield - Pg 23 Al Raychard

The Gun Cabinet - Pg 24 John Floyd

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 6

Maine Tails

By Jonah Paris, Ellsworth, ME In late August, I was talking over the phone with a fellow from Waldo County - we will call him “Waldo.” The conversation began by discussing outdoors writing, and soon shifted to deer hunting, a pursuit we are both passionate about.

We just know what gets mixed together when, and then add a pinch of this, a dash of that, and a drop of something over there. If it doesn’t taste quite right, an extra pinch will always fix it.

Waldo held tight to

Mushroom Soup and Venison

pretty quick on my feet; this comes from being the middle child with two sisters, working with the general public every day, and drinking too much coffee. But this time, I was caught with my figurative pants down.

An awkward pause ensued in the conversation, a really long few seconds.

“Well, I was going to say

“Doctoring up” the soup base is imperative; opening the can is just the beginning. By using unsalted cream of mushroom soup, I can add in salt myself and maintain better control of the flavor. I start by sauteing diced onions and garlic in butter.

Waldo was quick to note that outdoorsmen, hunters in particular, are “not great cooks.” I disagreed.

I stated that outdoorsmen are often great cooks - but perhaps inclined to focus on select ingredients or specific recipes rather than branch out with culinary curiosity. Additionally, we rarely write down recipes.

his position, so I countered.

“Well, I like to cook, and I think that I make good food.” Waldo replied, “I have PTSD from my childhood when my dad dumped a can of cream of mushroom soup over a venison roast and called it dinner.

It was nasty.” What do you like to do with your venison?” Usually, I am

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I like cream of mushroom over venison steaks and potatoes.” He respectfully attempted to backtrack and change the record; I desperately tried to move the conversation in a different direction. The damage was already done. “Duck,” I croaked. “I like duck breast seared simply with brown butter, salt, and pepper.

Cool the meat and shave it thin on a cracker with a dollop of sweet apricot preserves. Blackberry jam is good too.”

A week later, on a September morning, I was working on the charter boat. We were jigging for cod and pollock off Portland, and the conversation between our Midwestern clients inevitably landed on deer hunting. Heated “deer talk,” especially among patrons from the Heartland, is a common occurrence on the boat. One of our clients stated that his favorite venison recipe was summer sausage made with cheese and cranberries. Then his friend chimed in. “I like anything, except venison and cream of mushroom soup. I hate that mushroom

stuff.” My hat was casting a shadow over my face, so he couldn’t see my eyes narrow. I mentioned to “Mushroom-Hater” that he had just missed a bite, and it had probably been a

added, along with parsley and thyme. After the herbs, I add in a generous splash of dry white wine, like a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, followed by a few shakes of Worcestershire sauce and ground black pepper. The last step is to add in the can of soup base.

T h e ma g ic happens with a long simmer, during which the color darkens. After an initial taste, I add a little more of this The subject of much debate. and a little (Photo courtesy of Jonah Paris.) more of that. really big haddock, so he The result is a damn good should reel up from 300 gravy fit for the fall hunting feet to check his bait. season - and any other time.

It wasn’t until college Pour the mushroom that I began incorporating sauce over venison steaks condensed cream of mush- and sauteed onions or drizroom soup into my regu- zle it over a deer burger. lar shopping list. I started The sauce is also great over bringing a can along on mashed or roasted potatoes. backcountry fishing trips And, if you strike out with to heat up on the propane a deer this season, strips stove with potatoes. Soon of grouse breast dipped after, I started taking cans in the sauce is a treat. If with me to camp in October wild game birds are hard and November to cook with to come by, dark meat game meat. Now, there are chicken is almost as good. always a few red and white Everyone who has tried my cans of Campbell’s Cream mushroom sauce likes it… of Mushroom Soup stashed And so, I ask you, Dear away in the pantry.

Reader, am I missing some“Doctoring up” the thing? What is wrong with soup base is imperative; cream of mushroom soup? opening the can is just Convince me at jonahepathe beginning. By using ris@gmail.com unsalted cream of mushroom soup, I can add in salt myself and maintain A four-season outbetter control of the flavor.

I start by sauteing diced doorsman, Jonah lives in onions and garlic in butter. Ellsworth, ME with his wife After the aromatics soften, Ashley, and beagle, Aua few handfuls of fresh rora. Jonah can be reached chopped mushrooms are at jonaheparis@gmail.com

Northwoods Sporting Journal

November 2023

The Gun Debate

Since late June, I’ve been quietly paying attention to the Massachusetts gun Bill HD-4420 being proposed. If passed, this bill would attempt to modernize, and reform the state’s current gun laws.

it will have no positive impact for legal, and responsible, gun owners in Massachusetts. Simply put, it will make lawful gun ownership here, more difficult than ever.” William goes on to say, “I fully real-

est and, in many places, most cherished traditions of the people. The right to “keep and bear arms” was set forth as being so significant to the notion of liberty that it came second only to, “freedom of speech,” in the Bill of Rights! But when this is talked about or debated, it usually boils down to

Page 7

On The Ridge

by Joe Judd Shelburne, MA hear “guns.” So, I ask you, how did we ever get here? And how will a ponderous bill like Massachusetts HD-4420, ever get us to a path towards common ground?

was a Marlin Model 81, given to me by my father, which was handed down to him by his father. And I remember thinking how desperately I wanted to take care of this rifle

I’ve always been a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, but reasonable solutions on this topic are exceedingly difficult to reach. It stems from the fact that, while many people disagree on guns and gun ownership, owning a gun remains one of the oldest and, in many places, most cherished traditions of the people.

What really stands out to me in this massive proposal is the number of topics that’s covered within the bill, making it extremely difficult, if not impossible, for the average citizen to fully comprehend! I recently discussed this with my good friend, and retired MassachusettsWildlife Central District Director Bill Davis, who offered this comment!

“When it comes to the bottom line of HD-4420, it’s just a massive piece of legislation that cannot be amended or otherwise repaired. Which means

ize that emotions run deep on this topic, so we must temper our approach, stick to the facts, and search for reasonable solutions.”

Which I tend to agree with 100%, especially with finding reasonable solutions!

I’ve always been a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, but reasonable solutions on this topic are exceedingly difficult to reach.

It stems from the fact that, while many people disagree on guns and gun ownership, owning a gun remains one of the old-

Bingham

talking over, or through, one another.

So, the gun questions, and common-sense solutions, end in a standoff, to the point where people can’t agree on anything! Some scream for “Gun control,” while other people hear only “control.” Others shout for “law-abiding gun owners,” yet others only

Our country has been rural in nature for most of its history. In many places, firearms were tools—for protection, obtaining food, and connecting families. Yes, for many people, a firearm can be a beautiful thing!

I remember the year I was old enough to receive my first twenty-two caliber rifle for Christmas. It

and learn how to use it as well. Thoughts of wanting to pass it along someday didn’t surface until many years later.

But the gun still sits in my safe today, waiting to, hopefully, be passed on again!

However, the view of guns in many large metropolitan areas is de(Debate cont. pg 21)

Page 8

Northwoods Sporting Journal

November 2023

Maine Bass Champ

The Bassmaster Classic, which is the Superbowl of competitive bass angling, will be held March 22-24 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It takes a lot of angling skill, persistence, and dedication to make it to the Bassmaster Classic. There is a stepping- stone process through the bass fishing circuit that requires a lot of wins to qualify for the big one in Tulsa. At the classic, there will be 57 anglers from all over the country, who will compete for a purse reported to be in excess of $300,000.00!

And guess who will be in the thick of the angling competition in Tulsa next March?

Tyler Williams, a 21-year-old bass angler from Belgrade, Maine. Bass fishing writer Bill DeCoteau, who has followed Williams’ career on the bass circuit over the years, describes Williams as the “Smiling, Big Hearted Tyler Williams from Maine.”

Williams, who says he started fishing at age four, won Maine’s high school bass fishing championship two years in a row as a high school senior at age 17. Williams recently won the Watts Bar Reservoir BASS tournament in Florida, which qualified him for the Tulsa

No More Feds To The Editor: Your column “No High Peaks Refuge” was certainly noteworthy and contained important information against this Refuge proposal. We don’t need any more interference from the Federal Government in Maine. The Feds (Obama’s

classic.

“It took me a while for my folks to get on board with my passion, but they are solidly behind me now,” says Williams, who drives his truck camper around the country, hopping from one bass tournament to the next. Williams is comparatively young to be qualified for the Bassmaster Classic. In Tulsa, he will be pitting his angling skills against much older and more seasoned bass professionals.

During his young career, Williams has competed in 20 tournaments. He has caught 538 lbs of bass and collected $85,879.00 in cash prizes. He has finished first one time, but has consistently finished in the top 20 in many competitive fishing events.

In talking with Williams, his enthusiasm comes through loud and clear. Of course, bass boats are incredibly fast thus allowing the angler to get to the hottest fishing spots first.

He says it is not uncommon to race to these hot spots at speeds in excess of 70 mph! In response to my question, he says, “Nope, I have never torn an earlobe yet.”

Unlike many others among the com-

scalawags) stuck the North Woods Monument down our throats instead of making it a part of Baxter State Park.

The National Wildlife Refuges (NWR) that we have in Maine are important and fine for wildlife.

However, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is not managing them to their

optimum potential. These Refuges suffer greatly because they are underfunded and understaffed

by FWS. A prime example of this failing is Moosehorn NWR. Moosehorn is important to wildlife and people. Unfortunately, the previous Manager greatly mismanaged this Refuge by destroying important wetlands and stopping woodcock work. Moosehorn was established for woodcock in 1937.

Since Senator Collins is a lead member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, people should contact her and ask her to provide more funding for desperately needed wildlife work and staffing at Moosehorn Refuge.

petitive bass angling community, Williams contends that he has no “secret lures,” that he has a few favorite jigs, but nothing secret or exotic.

For me, the challenge is to find the fish using my a knowledge of the underwater terrain.

“It’s all about mapping the water body,” he says.

“Tyler, “ I asked, “Can you see yourself carving a lifetime career from your fishing passion?” He laughed, as if to say, “Why not?”

Then he pointed out that he often competes against other professional bass anglers who are well over 60.

After all, who could ask for more? He is doing what he loves, making some money at it, seeing the country and getting lots of fresh air, and, of course, driving a fast boat.

Maine has reason to be proud of this delightfully well adjusted and good humored young man, who is making a name for himself in the world of competitive angling. Win, lose or place, we wish him well next March in the national Bassmaster Classic in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Also, Mainers should be aware of the Downeast Maine National Heritage Area Program (NHA) administered by the National Park service (NPS). NPS has been at odds with State Wildlife Agencies over the years. With NHA the National Park Service allocates the distribution of funding (our tax money).

That is dangerous – too much over reach by the Feds and frivolously spending our tax money.

- VPR

posed attempts (by the Biden Administration) to cut education of hunting archery and all out door sports. (Slippery Slope, Oct. editorial). I appreciate your writings.

Michael Carroll

Editor ’s note: The S p o r t s m a n ’s A l l i a n c e Foundation, Safari Club International and the Western Michigan Bowhunters Chapter recently filed a Fred Hartman lawsuit against the DeThe Federal partment of Education to overturn this ban of FedFunding Ban eral funding for public schools that teach shootTo the Editor: Thank you so much ing, archery and hunting for speaking out about pro- conservation.

November 2023

Bucks

(Cont. from pg 3) tree where another scrape is likely. Pay attention to this pattern and you will learn the routine travel of a mature buck. Also look a few yards either side of a major scrape for subordinate buck scrapes. Be aware that mature bucks will follow edges, where softwood and mixed hardwoods meet.

Next, look for signs of doe feeding activity. “Find the does and the buck will come” is a safe motto.

However, it may visit the does during the night.

In heavily hunted areas you will need to find wooded marshes. (higher ground within a wooded marsh is shown with a

Northwoods Sporting Journal green background on topo maps.)

Your guide will probably use cell game cameras to locate mature bucks.

States are slowly overregulating these devices so check the regs. I support their use citing the limited opportunities for abuse or taking unfair advantage of game. I argued support many times for their responsible use.

Final bit of advice for “trophy” buck hunters is to be in great physical shape especially if you are after a northern ridge runner.

Southern Maine hunters need an extreme amount of patience. Staking out heavy cover can get tedious at times and right after you give up the big guy will put

hoof marks in your boot prints.

Hiring a guide can increase your odds of bagging a big buck but can also deplete your vacation funds very quickly. Finding the “patch” buck of your dreams is always sweeter when you get educated on

mature deer hunting and features have been printed become successful on your nationwide for nearly 65 own. years. He was inducted into the New England Turkey Stu Bristol is a Master Hunting Hall of Fame in Maine Hunting, Fishing 2019. He operates Orion and Tidewater Guide and Guide Service and is a Outdoor columnist. He is game call maker, www. a former Vermont Game deadlyimpostergamecalls.

Warden. His columns and com

Get Hooked on the Sporting Journal! www.sportingjournal.com

Hermon

Page 9

Page 10

“A Hiker’s Life”

Northwoods Sporting Journal

November 2023

Trout Mountain Preserve

By Carey Kish, Mt. Desert Island, ME The forested dome of Trout Mountain rises to an elevation of 1,409 feet just a mile south of Baxter State Park in the unorganized township of T2 R9 WELS. An old and rusted firetower, toppled more than four decades ago and resting on its side amid the thick canopy of spruce

flights of stairs leading to a wide-open observation platform on top. A hiking trail meanders for nearly three miles over the mountain’s western slopes to reach the summit, where the real excitement begins.

The picnic table in the clearing at the tower’s base is a good place to

Break out of the tree cover and the view is stunning, but there’s more, so steel your nerves for the final scramble up to the ultimate prize, a breathtaking 360-degree panorama featuring Katahdin in all its glory.

and fir, left errant explorers without any view from the peak. Until 2020, that is.

That’s when The Nature Conservancy had a refurbished firetower constructed on Trout Mountain, an imposing 80-foot steel structure with six

relax, enjoy a snack and contemplate the sign at the start of the stairs, “Climb at Your Own Risk.” As Maine firetowers go, this is a tall one, but it’s solidly built and quite safe to ascend. So, it’s clang, thump and bang, hiking boots on

Coastal

wiscassetspeedway.com

heavy metal, section after exhilarating section.

Break out of the tree cover and the view is stunning, but there’s more, so steel your nerves for the final scramble up to the ultimate prize, a breathtaking 360-degree panorama featuring Katahdin in all its glory. It’s eight miles distant, yes, but feels so close it seems like you could almost reach out and touch our state’s “Greatest Mountain.”

The Nature Conservancy purchased 3,598 acres around Trout Mountain some twenty years ago and established the Trout Mountain Preserve.

TNC has been “conserving the lands and waters upon which life depends” around the globe for more than 100 years. Right here in Maine, TNC has worked to preserve more than 2.4 million acres of ecologically significant lands.

The Trout Mountain

property abuts Baxter State Park to the north, wrapping around Lower Togue Pond before continuing toward Sandy Stream. The wild and remote Logan Ponds and Twin Ponds are protected along the eastern edge of the preserve, which extends to meet Millinocket Lake. To the south and west, TNC’s land abuts the Katahdin Forest Project Easement.

So, about that firetower view. Bracing against the wind and holding on to your hat, looking north you can see Barnard and Deasey mountains in Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument and the tops of Sugarloaf and Mt. Chase just showing beyond, The Traveler summits, Pamola Peak and Baxter Peak on Katahdin, the shoulder of Mt. Coe, Mt. O-J-I and Doubletop Mountain in Baxter State Park.

Scanning west and

south, there’s the unmistakable flat-topped Big Spencer Mountain, Coburn Mountain, Baker Mountain, the White Cap Range and Jo Mary Mountain in the 100-Mile Wilderness, and many others. Never mind Millinocket Lake and a host of other lakes and ponds. It’s an extraordinary lookout and worth downloading a peak finder app to identify what’s what.

The Nature Conservancy had been interested in acquiring the Trout Mountain land for some time and worked to get the funding to finally buy it.

The purpose was to add more protection around Katahdin. Public access is concentrated on Trout Mountain, leaving the remainder of the property in its wild state. The entirety of the preserve is managed as an ecological reserve.

Carey Kish of Mount Desert Island, ME is the author of Beer Hiking New England, AMC’s Best Day Hikes Along the Maine Coast, and the AMC Maine Mountain Guide. Catch up with him (maybe) at maineoutdoors@aol.com, on Facebook, and on Instagram @careykish

November 2023

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Buzzards Bay Spill

Some old photographs I was looking at recently brought back some memories again. In September of 1969 an oil barge grounded in Buzzards Bay off of West Falmouth, MA. It spilled some of its oil cargo

invertebrates.

Scavengers such as gulls and cormorants were feasting on those and eventually they would probably die from being poisoned.

Oil has internal and external effects on birds. I did

quence in galvanised metal tubs. They were handled with care with wings held in one hand and weight supported with the other hand. Then the tail feathers were washed with a gentle rubbing motion. The bird would be lowered deeper into the water and one wing stretched at a time, and swished up and down. Finally the bird, except for its head (which is always kept

Page 11

The Bird Perch

by Karen Holmes, Cooper, ME

placed in an enclosure with others of the same species to prevent fighting and minimize stress.

These birds had to be kept for a while until waterproofing, body weight and general health returned to normal. In 1989 on Prince William Sound of Alaska,

that oil exploration in irreplaceable and fragile environments should never be allowed to happen.

Karen Holmes became a social studies teacher for many years in a public middle school in Whit-

Scavengers such as gulls and cormorants were feasting on those and eventually they would probably die from being poisoned. Oil has internal and external effects on birds. into the water. The nearby shoreline became soaked with oil too and wildlife was in danger. One of my teachers at Framingham State College, now Framingham University, was Philip B. Stanton. He was recognized as a world expert on treating oiled birds.

He taught me about how an oil spill is a terrible calamity for the environment and wildlife. Seabirds are especially victimized and vulnerable to oil spills in places such as Buzzards Bay. Many species there have restricted ranges for breeding and only produce one or two offspring a year.

An oil spill could reduce an entire population significantly for years to come.

Stanton had created a Wildlife Rehabilitation Center at his home in Upton, MA. I lived nearby and I had seen how bird victims of oil spills are treated. I figured I could go down to the Bay for a day and rescue some birds and bring them back to his Center. The shoreline of Buzzards Bay near West Falmouth was littered with dead and dying fish and

find a few limp and pathetic birds that had died in tar-like straitjackets lying on the shore. Many birds were out on the water and could not be rescued by me.

These might have gotten oil on their bodies somewhere and during their preening behavior would ingest it internally. This would act as a toxin and eventually would destroy the digestive system, kidneys, liver and pancreas. For some birds the cold water of the Bay would penetrate oil-soaked feathers and kill them from exposure.

Sometimes the oil could even destroy the taste buds and the birds face slow starvation because of inability to distinguish between edible and inedible things. I returned to the Center in Upton empty handed. But over the next few days Eider Ducks covered with oil were brought in. In 1969 a recognized cleanser was Polycomplex A-11. This cleansing agent got oil off fast with no harmful side effects.

Nowadays they do use Dawn dish detergent! The birds were cleansed in a se-

out of the water!), would have its neck and breast washed. Preening may have left oil coating inside the mouth and if possible, the beak would be opened and cod liver oil on a cotton swab would cleanse the mouth. The bird would be

the Exon Valdez oil spill exposed to the world how a huge oil spill could devastate wildlife, the environment and people’s lives.

My own experience in 1969 and then seeing this disaster unfold 20 years later has convinced me

man, MA. But she taught natural science programs during the summer because she always loved nature.

She recognizes that Philip Stanton was a mentor and hopes he and his Center in Upton, MA continue to do wildlife rescues.

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 12

November 2023

Outdoor News - November 2023

Edited by V. Paul Reynolds

November. Dwindling daylight, frosty mornings, acorns bouncing on the camp’s tin roof, clear vistas across the hard wood ridges. For the deer hunter, this is the best time of the year, period!

Rifle season for deer is upon us. Thousands of hunters from all over New England and beyond will take to the woods in search of their prize - a whitetailed deer.

Our senses, overloaded as November approaches, tell us that this is the time to fill the freezer and prepare for winter. Though the law book dictates when we can hunt, without it we would still know. Following the path laid before us, we will continue the tradition, providing food for our families and solace for our souls.

only October 26-29 season and the regular December 2-10 season. Cost is $10.00.

These permits can be purchased on the department’s website or at any local license agent on a first come, first served basis.

If you won a permit in the lottery you may not purchase a second permit unless you take a deer with your first permit and then only if you have not reached your four-deer annual limit.

There are unallocated antlerless permits in the following WMUs: A, B, F1, F2, K, N, and Q.. Hurry, they go quick!

The Maine Warden Service, with the assistance of several other organizations and the Maine Forest Service, rescued a 15-oldboy who had fractured his leg when he fell 60 feet down Tumbledown Mountain in late September.

Kyle Lund, age 15, of Dixfield, was hiking off-trail with a friend on a steep section of Tumbledown Mountain near the Loop Trail when he slipped and fell 60 feet down the mountain, sustaining a compound fracture of his left leg.

Forest Service helicopter.

Wardens and emergency service personnel stabilized Lund, then secured him to a backboard and carried him up the mountain a short distance to an open area. The Maine Forest Service Helicopter arrived on scene and was able to lower a crew down to the scene on the mountain, and then lifted the victim up into the hovering helicopter a little after 5 p.m.

The Maine Forest Service then flew the boy approximately two miles, landed, and transferred him into a waiting NorthStar Ambulance, which first took him to Franklin Memorial Hospital, and then later transported

Game wardens, along with volunteers from Franklin Search and Rescue, Mahoosuc Mountain Rescue, and members of the Weld, Wilton, and Carthage Fire Departments, hiked up over a mile to where Lund had fallen, and due to the severity of the fracture, made the decision to fly Lund out by a Maine

to Maine Medical Center where he was treated.

Injured Hiker Rescued on Tumbledown Mountain

The attached photos are of a Maine Forest Ranger being lowered to Unallocated assist at the scene where a Antlerless Permits 15-year-old broke his leg in NH falling down Tumbledown If you didn’t win Mountain; and the other a permit you’re eligible image is of Maine Warto get a permit in WMUs dens, Forest Rangers, and with unallocated antlerless volunteer rescue personnel deer muzzleloader permits readying the 15-year-old to for use in the antlerless- be hoisted to the helicopter.

Fly Pattern of the Month

Classic streamer fly recipes from the “cookbooks” of Bob Leeman and other famous tyers.

All patterns reprinted from “Trolling Flies for Trout & Salmon” by Dick Stewart and Bob Leeman.

Grouse Hunting Tips

Grouse hunting is an exciting and interactive experience for hunters of all skill levels. Grouse can be hunted with a, and no additional permits are required.

Big Game or Small Game

Hunting License This year, grouse hunting season runs from September 30, 2023 to December 30, 2023, with a daily bag limit of 4 grouse for all Wildlife Management Districts (WMDs). This gives you plenty of time to sharpen your shooting skills and enjoy Maine’s great outdoors. Make sure to review Maine’s current hunting lawbook before you head out. You can even save it as a PDF on your phone to reference in the field!

Ruffed grouse can be found throughout Maine in cover types of hardwood, softwood, old fields, and orchards. Approximately 27,690 square miles of Maine is forest land and is considered grouse habitat.

Here are five tips to help you on your grouse hunt this fall!

1.) Be familiar with ruffed grouse behavior Ruffed grouse may be active all day, but they are more actively feeding in the morning or shortly before sunset. They are not active during the night, except males may drum during the night, particularly on moonlit nights.

Ruffed grouse are omnivorous; they eat green leaves, fruits, and some insects. During winter, when snow covers the ground, they live almost exclusively on the dormant flower buds or catkins of aspens, birches, and cherries. Aspen is generally regarded as the most important single year-round food for ruffed grouse in Maine.

2.) Take your time Getting off the road and taking a walk in the woods can present more (News cont. pg 17)

November 2023

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 13

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 14

Women In The Woods

by Erin Merrill, Portland, ME Growing up in Millinocket, my friend Matt was surrounded by family members who were passionate hunters. He developed a deep love of

a friendship with someone who really reignited my interest in hunting,” Matt explained, “I went ahead and completed my hunter’s safety class and then

That First Deer

November 2023

opportunity in the second round to buy a doe tag. Being able to shoot any deer increased his chances of having a successful season and Matt eagerly headed into the deer stand.

“I missed my first deer,” he said, “I was really deflated. I learned that I am left-eye dominant but

Luckily, Matt has friends who offered to help him.

They offered to help him get more comfortable shooting and for him to hunt in one of their stands. The only problem was finding the time to be in that stand.

the outdoors and exploring the woods and waters of Maine. But, like many kids, he became involved with school-related activities and the time he had for hunting and fishing dwindled.

At 20, Matt put all of his time and energy into building his business. His entrepreneurial drive left little time for activities like hunting. When COVID hit, his thriving business slowed down and Matt found himself with more free time. It gave him the unexpected opportunity to get back to hunting and his love of the outdoors.

“During that time, I formed

bought my license.”

Luckily, Matt has friends who offered to help him. They offered to help him get more comfortable shooting and for him to hunt in one of their stands.

The only problem was finding the time to be in that stand. “As a business owner, it is hard to carve out enough time in my schedule for hunting. I want more of an opportunity to target practice and spend time with family and friends hunting,” Matt says.

Leading up to the season, Matt was fortunate enough to navigate the new any-deer system and get an

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

Shown actual size

Walter Sadowsky, Jr.

Name Address City

Marty

State

Phone I found Marty on page

Zip

(Marty was found on pg 13)

Entries must be postmarked by 11/13/23 to be eligible for this issue.

right-handed.” It was back to the shooting range to get more comfortable and work on shot placement given this new information. On Thanksgiving morning, he headed back into the stand.

At 7:18 a.m. that morning, my phone buzzed in my jacket. It was a photo of a buck on the ground.

The grass around him still frosted from the night before. “I killed my first deer with one shot. The five pointer dropped where I shot it at 138 yards away,” explained Matt happily, “I was so thankful to have made a good shot and for the meat that the deer would provide to me and my family.”

Now, like so many

Matt with his first deer. of us, Matt is eager to get back into the stand and hope a little bit of luck is on his side and he can punch another tag this year. Most of us can remember that feeling of shooting our first deer and the excitement and adrenaline that hits us. It’s that point when we become addicted to the outdoors and hunting.

I don’t consider myself a seasoned hunter but after 21 years of hunting, I have reached the point where seeing a new hunter be successful is as exciting as when I squeeze the trigger myself. I encourage all

of us to cheer on the Matts in our lives who, as adults, are now able to prioritize the time it takes to get into the woods and hunt.

Welcome to all of the new hunters this season!

Erin is a member of the Professional Outdoor Media Association, Outdoor Writers Association of America and the New England Outdoor Writers Association. She is a senior writer for Drury Outdoors’ DeerCast. You can read about Erin’s adventures and contact her at www.andastrongcupofcoffee.com

Northwoods Sporting Journal

November 2023

Page 15

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

The Adventures of Me and Joe

by Bob Cram, (Alias T.J. Coongate) Medway, ME

The old brass bell jangled noisily as me and Joe stepped into Eben Ramdown’s Mooseleuk Merchantile, hastily closing the door behind us against the November evening cold. A handful of the regulars sat or stood soaking up the welcome heat radiating from the old barrel stove, sipping coffee and making small talk. The air was thick with the mixed scents of pipe tobacco, wet wool clothing and gun oil.

“Howdjer do?” Eben lifted the battered enamel coffee pot from the steel plate tack-welded to the rounded top of the stove, pouring us each a cup of scalding liquid the color and consistency of molasses. We stood our empty rifles in the rack by the door and accepted the offering gratefully.

“Nothin’,” Joe commented sourly “Jist a couple of does over back of Munsungan Ridge, and neither one of us has got a doe permit.” A couple of heads nodded commiseratingly, but Graf Chortle looked up with a grin.

“You boys should try for Ezra Beech’s buck.”

“Ezra’s buck?” Joe shot a glance at Graf while taking a sip of coffee. “What you talkin’ about?”

Chandler Harness scowled at Graf and started to interrupt, but Graf hurried on with his story.

“Ol’ Ezra says they’s a

big buck been hangin’ arrount his apple trees the last few nights. Says he’s watched it head back out accrost that big clearcut what borders his property on the east just afore daylight. Seem’s it spends the daylight hours in that little island of woods the paper company left in the middle of the cut, where that springhole’s located. Can’t be an acre of woods there, but that’s where Ezra says he hides.”

“I doubt if he spends all his time there,” Chandler broke in importantly. “I went all through that piece today.

Sure, there’s a lot sign, but I didn’t see no deer.”

“Well, that settles it,” Joe commented sarcastically.

No love was lost between himself and Chandler Harness, whom Joe viewed as a blowhard and a braggart.

“Must not be any buck in that piece if ol’ Chandler couldn’t spot ‘im.”

Chandler started to bluster but Cain Truncheon brought him up short. “I was up on that pine knoll southeast of the clearcut when you went into that piece Chandler,” he said dryly. “I watched that ol’ buck sneak off across the cut to the west while you was goin’ into the woods on the east side.”

“Well, why didn’t you shoot ‘im, then?” Chandler bristled. Cain scowled back.

“Musta been 300 yards to that buck. He was pretty

November 2023

The Island Deer

“Well, we’ll just see who tags that buck!” he growled. “I’m settin’ up on that pine knoll with my .300. You do what you want, but if that buck is jumped into the open in some way, he’s my meat!” safe from me an’ my ol’ .30-30. Sure was a big buck, though,” he ended whistfully.

Chandler seemed to brighten visibly. “This sounds like a job for my .300 Magnum!” he said enthusiastically. “She’ll reach right out and do the job at a country mile! All I need,” he continued, looking around the room, “is for one of you boys to go

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.

into that island of woods and jump that deer out into the open for me.”

At that moment the doorbell jangled again. Pinch Brody, the Game Warden stood in the doorway. “Heard that, Chandler,” he growled, crossing to the stove and holding out two big, meaty hands to the warmth. “Drivin’ deer’s against the law. Guess it don’t matter much with

you, since I doubt you could find anyone around here that would do yer drivin’ for ya.”

Chandler flushed, but kept silent.

“Seems to me that that buck oughta belong to Ezra Beech.” Joe said thoughtfully.

“It was him that spotted it, him that figured out its movements and all.”

(Me & Joe cont. pg 19)

November 2023

News (Cont. from pg 12) opportunity to spot grouse.

Look, listen, and watch your step! Grouse and woodcock will often wait until the last moment to flush. Take it slow, whether you’re hunting with a dog, or not. Work through cover or along trails and edge habitat and continually look ahead for shooting lanes as you go. Woodcock

prefer moist young forests and dense cover. Slow down and focus on slight movements. Listen for increasingly frequent “chirping” which can indicate an alerted grouse ready to flush from cover.

3.) Practice and be familiar with your equipment As with any form of hunting, practice is key!

Stop into your local rod and gun club and practice with sporting clays, trap, skeet, or other clay target sports to be in top form. Even a backyard thrower will help improve your aerial shooting skills!

While a 12-gauge shotgun is a good choice, don’t overlook using a 20-gauge or even a 28-gauge shotgun with #7 ½ or #8 shot loads. Find a shooting range near you that allows skeet shooting.

If you’re looking for even more hands on opportunities to improve,

Northwoods Sporting Journal

check out our Next Steps Programs offered around the state. Programs are designed for first timers as well as those eager to bring their skills to the next level.

4.) Always keep safety in mind We encourage bird hunters to wear hunter orange at all times. When hunting ruffed grouse with a firearm during the firearms hunting season on deer (including youth days) or muzzleloader season on deer, two articles of orange is required; one article of orange is required within an open moose hunting district during moose hunting season.

When hunting with a partner, ALWAYS have a plan: Know your zones

of safe shooting for both of you at all times and stay in visual contact at all times.

5.) Consider hunting on a Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Ruffed grouse are abundant throughout Maine, but their density varies across the state. The highest densities occur in the transitional zone between the “big woods” and more developed areas of the state.

When it come to hunting, you have two options - you can hunt on private land with landowner permission or public land.

MDIFW has 69 Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) (WMAs), equaling over 110,000 acres of public land available to hunters. These areas provide opportunities for public recreation, including hunting. They also allow the state to protect and enhance important wildlife habitats.

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Jack Gibson of Norridgewock was honored in

Page 17

September with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Lifetime Outdoor Achievement Award. The award was presented to Gibson by MDIFW Commissioner Judy Camuso at the annual Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine banquet. The annual award honors individuals who are dedicated to the stewardship and wise use of Maine’s natural resources, and who have been or are active in Maine’s rich outdoor traditions.

“It is an honor to present the award to Jack Gibson,” said M D I F W Commissioner Judy (News cont. pg 42)

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November 2023

Outdoor Sporting Tundra: Romance and Library Adventure on Alaskan Trails

by Jeremiah Wood, Ashland, ME

No money, no responsibilities, and a desire for adventure. That was sixteen year old Bert Hansen standing by the Seattle waterfront in 1896. He took passage on a steamboat to Juneau, his first taste of Alaska. Things were booming and there was plenty of work to be found. He worked for the gold mines, cut firewood and tried a host of other jobs.

When the Klondike gold rush really got rolling in 1898, Hansen had to go along for the ride.

Unlike all of the stampeders, however, he had no interest in the gold. He just wanted to experience the action. From there it was back to the Southeast, then to Cordova to work on the railroad. Like many new Alaskans, Hansen was

eventually drawn to the Interior, and that’s where his true adventures began.

Hansen took the leisurely 470 mile stroll from Valdez to Fairbanks in winter. When he arrived he found the Interior a hub of activity. He quickly found a job at a gold mine, but an old acquaintance from his early time in the frontier was now a U.S. Marshall, and recruited him as deputy.

Bert was a trailsman.

That meant his job was to serve warrants, make arrests, pursue investigations and recover bodies throughout the territory.

And it was a big territory!

He assembled a top notch dog team and spent most of his winters on the trail, traveling to remote villages or mining camps in all di-

rections.

In addition to hauling in bad guys and witnesses, there was always the occasional miner or woodsman who went crazy out in the bush. Hansen had a heck of a time with one or two of those, and had more than one interesting story to tell

Marshalls didn’t have the legal authority to rescue, in extreme cases they’d swear out a vagrancy warrant on the person so they could go bring them in. Numerous lives were saved by this ‘bending’ of the rule.

The most memorable task of Hansen’s career,

was so remote there would be long periods with no place to purchase supplies, so most all would need to be brought in by sled. The journey would take at least a month or two in the frigid, brutal winter weather. And on top of it all, he would be passing through the

Bert was a trailsman. That meant his job was to serve warrants, make arrests, pursue investigations and recover bodies throughout the territory. And it was a big territory! about it. There were bootleggers who sold whiskey to the Indians, including a famous one who dared Bert to catch him on his dog team. That one led to a pretty impressive thousand mile trip!

Sometimes folks needed rescuing, and the early telegraph lines strung out across the wilderness allowed for communication of trouble to reach Fairbanks. Because the

Aroostook County

though, was one that took him practically to the edge of the world, where few white men had ever ventured. On a report that a white prospector had been murdered at his remote gold mine, Hansen was dispatched to recover the body and seek out additional evidence. There were just a few complications, though.

The body had been discovered the previous summer, covered to prevent animals from getting at it, and then abandoned. There were no clear instructions on how to get there, and no detailed maps existed for the area. The country

territory of the Chandalar Indians, believed to be potentially hostile and perhaps suspect in the case. It was a heck of a story, one Hansen survived to tell, if just barely.

“Tundra: Romance and Adventure on Alaskan Trails” was originally published in 1930. The first edition is very rare, but recent reprinting has made it more widely available. A copy or two can usually be found for sale on Amazon.

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November 2023

Me & Joe (Cont. from pg 16)

“Ezra’s 89 years old,” Pinch eyed Joe narrowly. “I doubt if he’s up to runnin’ the ridges after a buck.”

“That’s true,” Joe said, looking back at the warden.

“But he’s still got friends and he still likes deer meat. I figure if I can tag that buck, Ezra’s due for half of it. No law agin’ that is there warden?”

“Not as long as the meat’s registered and labeled proper.”

Chandler Harness broke into a laugh. “You gonna shoot that buck with that ol’ .38-55 of yours, Joe?” He looked around at the other hunters. “Got a trajectory about like a rainbow. I doubt it’ll even shoot 300 yards.”

Joe seemed unperturbed. “You put a lot of stock in that beanfield rifle of yourn, Chandler,” he said mildly. “But I thought I’d try somethin’ different ta git this deer.”

“What’s that?” Chandler asked suspiciously.

“It’s called huntin’,” Joe replied with a slight smile.

“You’d oughta try it sometime.” The room broke into laughter as Chandler’s face turned the color of a ripe apple.

“Well, we’ll just see who tags that buck!” he growled. “I’m settin’ up on that pine knoll with my .300.

You do what you want, but if that buck is jumped into the open in some way, he’s my meat!”

The next morning, everyone in town was talking about the big buck and the contest that had developed between Joe and Chandler Harness. In some areas, perhaps other hunters would have entered into the competition, figuring Ezra Beech’s buck was anybody’s game.

But in northern Maine, the old time ethic still held sway.

Most hunters figured the deer belonged to Ezra, or at least to the hunter who had announced that he would

Northwoods Sporting Journal share it with the old settler.

Chandler Harness was the greedy exception, rather than the rule.

The following morning a few of us drifted out to watch Chandler set up on the pine knoll. As he carefully placed a folding chair and tripod just inside the screen of trees, we peered out over the long expanse of open ground at the small patch of green growth near the center.

“Long shot,” I muttered to Joe. “Yeah,” agreed Chandler, smiling smugly from his comfortable seat and patting the breech of the .300 Magnum. “But this baby is up to it. No looping trajectories for his cannon.” He peered at Joe, suddenly suspicious. “Say, where’s your rifle?”

“Don’t need it here,” Joe said nonchalantly. “This here’s your spot, Chandler.

Wouldn’t dream of interferin’.”

“Yeah? Well, good.”

Chandler picked up a pair of powerful binoculars and began to scan the broad clearcut.

Pinch Brody walked up and examined Chandler’s setup with professional interest. He glanced over at Joe and seemed about to say something. Then he nodded curtly and strode off.

All that day Chandler sat watching over the clearcut, but nothing larger than a raven appeared. During the day, I tried to get Joe interested in going deer hunting down in the bottoms near the Little Salt Pork River, but he declined.

“When you gonna go after Ezra’s buck?” I asked.

“I don’t see how you’ll be able to sneak up on him in that patch of woods anyway.”

“Like I said,” Joe rejoined quietly. “I’ll do it by huntin’, not by firin’ an artillery piece at a quarter mile.

And I’ll do it when I’m good and ready. Lete’s jist hope that fool buck don’t go and wander out across that clearcut in broad daylight for a change.”

From anyone but Joe his claim would have sounded

like bragging, but I’d seen enough examples of his hunting prowess to harbor only a few nagging doubts.

Early the following morning, I eased up to the pine knoll. Dawn was fast approaching and Chandler was already ensconced in his folding chair. A few of the locals were present, including Pinch Brody. Joe was nowhere to be seen.

“I got a feelin’ today is going to be the day.” Chandler was in fine fettle. “That buck’s gotta move sometime and when he does…”

Suddenly, a lone rifle shot boomed in the distance and echoed against the surrounding hills.

Page 19 “Where’d that shot come from?” Chandler demanded. “Can’t seem to tell the direction with these echoes.”

“Sounded like it came from out there,” Pinch Brody nodded toward the clearcut, a slight smile working at his lips.

“Couldn’t be!” Chandler lifted his binoculars and peered out over the open ground. “Nobody out there anywhere.”

A half hour went by without noise or comment.

Suddenly I saw Chandler’s large nostrils flare.

“What’s that smell?” he asked suspiciously.

(Me & Joe cont. pg 29)

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Page 20

The Naming Deer Game

by Mike Maynard, Perham, ME Is it possible that Abe Simpson (father of Homer) and I share more than just a hairline? Abe is a cranky old man, known best for yelling at clouds. It was just pointed out to me that I also yell at clouds, a lot. The clouds I have been accused of yelling at today, swirl

November 2023

We now turn you to the obligatory “when I was a kid…” portion of our commentary. We never named our deer, ever! If we talked about them, which we did, ad nauseum, it was always predicated on the place where the deer was killed. First guy: “What

or worst of all; Mr. Crabs.

Seriously, people? Mr. Crabs? I watched a video from the Midwest; some guy arrowed a freak of nature non-typical with like, 400 points on one side, and he named it ‘Creature Feature!’ Yes, the exclamation point is his emphasis, not mine. And while I love watching Hal Blood walk down huge Maine bucks,

And while we’re complaining about new fads, when did a big deer become a ‘toad’, or a ‘pig’? The beasts and monsters of yesteryear have been replaced by a walking pork shoulder and the cousin to a frog. around the now common practice of naming the deer that we kill. If you’re going to name your deer, give him a reasonable name, like Bob, or Dale, or Timmy. That way when you call your buddies and say, “Hey! I just shot ol’ Dale!”

Some of them will be like, “Sweet! I’ve always wanted to shoot him!” or else, “Oh, man, you are in sooo much trouble…”

deer was that?” Second guy: “You remember, that big one I took down in T8 R11 back in ‘04”. First guy again: “Oh, yeah, that thing was huge!” and then off you go for the next two hours and the better part of a 12 pack, reliving every moment.

The names I now hear on these videos are so over-the-top it’s silly.

Hollywood, Rusty Nail,

Aroostook County

naming one of them Percival was a bridge too far for me; your mileage may differ however. Percival is a mythological figure, born of Arthurian legend, one of two knights who found the Holy Grail. How that transmogrifies into a 200-pound deer who roams the great north woods is something Hal will have to explain.

Still, it isn’t a line-in-thesand issue for me; I could watch Hal’s videos all day long. Rick Labbe’s, too.

But, you never saw Larry Benoit naming a buck, did you.

I find some of Ted Miller’s videos entertaining. His use of a horizontal rub was a trick that I had never even contemplated.

His footage of deer using it is absolutely fascinating.

Unfortunately, he has to name every buck that he films. Look, I understand

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the need to keep track of all these monsters that walk among us (I seriously need a sarcasm emoji), but the names are killing me!

Ted has a ‘breaker’ series of names; Jawbreaker, Jailbreaker, Heartbreaker, etc. I could say that my denunciation of this practice is based on generational extremes, but Ted is about 100 years older than me so that can’t be it.

Maybe it’s me. look, I just barely found YouTube, and I refuse to wander over to those other sites like TikTok and Instagram. There are good hunting videos on YouTube, a few guys right here in Maine make some great videos with wonderful production values; mostly young guns. They seem to drag one or two old farts around just for some generational authenticity; …so thanks for that, kids.

These guys all name their deer, too.

And while we’re complaining about new fads, (Game cont. pg 29)

November 2023

Debate (Cont. from pg 7) cidedly ­d ifferent. Cities like Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, and others, are 80% suburbs, carrying some of the highest, and most violent gun crime rates in the country, leaving little support by the people who live there for guns and gun ownership! On top of this, brutal shootings have become commonplace across our country, happening in our most precious and sacred places! Something that was unheard of just a generation ago has now become an element of routine.

Active shooter drills are as familiar to preschoolers and kindergartners today as are fire drills, with parents anxious, at best, as they watch their children leaving for school each morning. Still, with all of that said, none of these random and illegal acts of violence should ever affect even one law abiding, responsible, gun owner in this nation; but it does, almost every day!

So, what can we do to help end this madness?

Recently, a firearms instructor who lives about five miles from Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut commented that, “If we could educate on who we are, what we’re afraid of, and what we believe in, finding common ground might have a chance.”

“The responsibility, and the need for extraordinary care for those who legally own firearms— are common to both those who own guns, and those who want more control of guns.” And after

Northwoods Sporting Journal

mulling this over for a while, I decided that she was right…and that this concept might just be a bridge through a huge gap; and perhaps a logical starting point for a heartfelt conversation to begin!

Joe Judd is a life-

long hunter and sportsmen. He is an outdoor writer, seminar speaker, member of the New England Outdoor Writers Association, and a 2019 inductee into the N.E Turkey Hunting Hall of Fame. Joe is also on the Quaker Boy and Bass Pro/Cabela’s Pro Staff.

Page 21

Aroostook County

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Page 22

From Craig Pond

Northwoods Sporting Journal

by Bob Mercer, Bucksport, ME I wrote this in response to the question posed in the local paper, “Why do people hunt?”

First, hunting is a family tradition. There have always been guns in

sons and my daughter still hunt and all have shot deer.

There is also a historical heritage that goes beyond family. While I was in the woods I could be totally independent. I

Why Did I Hunt?

woods. I was away from the hurried world of TV, computers, cell phones and fast paced traffic and entered the past days of out-door-fires, wool shirts and rugged individuals.

The second aspect is the challenge. When I went deer hunting the deer had all the advantages. The animal had vastly superior

The only way I bagged a deer was if one of three things happened: (1) the deer made a mistake. (2) I outsmarted the deer. Or (3) plain dumb luck. The deer I shot have fallen as a result of numbers 1 or 3. our home, so it was natural to be interested in how to use them. Both my parents hunted. My grandfathers and one of my grandmothers hunted and most of my uncles and one of my aunts hunted. When my children were old enough, I took them hunting. Both my

could sense the feelings that caused people such as Jim Bridger and Jeremiah Johnson to go into the west and open up this country. I experienced feelings that writers like Bill Geagan, Louise Dickenson Rich and Helen Hamlin felt as they wrote of the Maine

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senses of sight, smell, and hearing. It had a sense of survival honed over the generations of being under constant threat of predators. The deer was on its home turf. The only way I bagged a deer was if one of three things happened: (1) the deer made a mistake.

(2) I outsmarted the deer.

Or (3) plain dumb luck.

The deer I shot have fallen as a result of numbers 1 or 3.

Case in point: I tried for two years to outsmart a big old buck. I knew where he lived. I saw a lot of his signs and got a glimpse of him once, but never had

a good shot. The essence of hunting is the decision to shoot or not. Hunting is about putting yourself in position to shoot the animal. I mentioned I had a glimpse of “my big buck”. I passed up the shot because I was not absolutely sure of a killing shot. All of life is based on choices. The thing that makes “yes” important is the ability to say “no”.

Without a no, yes has no meaning. Without the possibility of doing something bad, the choice to do something good is not important.

That is the heart of hunting, making the ethical decision when the opportunity to shoot comes. Most times, if the conditions are right, most hunters will choose to shoot, I was no different.

Another reason that I hunt, the third, I really enjoy the meat. There is a certain satisfaction in getting game for the table, even if the procurement of the meat did not have the significance it had years ago. I would point out that you cannot make mincemeat without venison.

Lastly is camaraderie.

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my friends and relatives in the woods and at hunting camps. There were those great hunting camp meals and lunches over an open fire in the woods. Telling stories on each other about the ones we missed and offering congratulations for the ones we didn’t. Those are the memories that help one through the bad times and mean the most in the good times.

I do not expect that this little essay will change many anti-hunter minds.

Some people will never allow themselves to look at hunting in a positive light.

It is kind of like people that left the city, trying to explain to a friend from “away” why they left the city lights for the woods of Maine. The folks that stay rooted in the city never seem to understand. The new Mainer has kind of a smug feeling because he/ she has an insight that the city cousin doesn’t even suspect. That is the way I felt about hunting. I had an experience each fall that others outside the fraternity could not comprehend. I had that smug feeling because I knew what they were missing.

I hunted because hunting was a deep seeded tradition, a challenge, a practice in ethics, a matter of friendships, camaraderie and opportunity to be out in the woods. . Finally, I really like mincemeat.

Bob writes from his camp at Craig Pond, where he and his wife Jean raised three wonderful children who blessed the Mercers with ten grandchildren.

Bob may be contacted by email at Craigponder@ myfairpoint.net

November 2023

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Timing the Rut

For most Maine hunters, the true meaning of life comes full circle each November. For one thing November brings the rifle

waterfowl and other game, it is deer and everything about hunting them that gets the adrenaline flowing like nothing else. For some, the November deer season is an addiction, for many a tradition enjoyed in various ways and for various reasons. I understand it all and admit that as much as I enjoy bow hunting in October I look forward to November’s opening day as much as anyone.

Part of the reason why so season on deer. Even if they many look forward to the have a passion for hunting November gun season is other game, bear, are lucky the rut. Every deer hunter in the moose draw, grouse, has heard of it and under-

stands what it is. They also know bucks can go a little bonkers during the period, are known to do things they don’t normally do in the pursuit of receptive does, providing hunters with an edge. Perhaps the best edge they get during the entire hunting season.

But how many understand the timing of the rut.

Page 23

Muzzleloading Afield

by Al Raychard, Lyman, ME

days. Does not successfully bred will come into cycle during a second rut, commencing 28 days later. It’s a rather basic and simple way of looking at it and I’m sure there is more to it

never given either much thought. All I know is it is in November. I found several fresh, randy-smelling scrapes the other day so bucks are chasing. The peak rut is coming. I’m

I’m a hunter and have always figured the rut starts when bucks create scrapes and deposit their scent sometime in October.

I’ll be the first to admit I don’t. I’m not a biologist.

I’m a hunter and have always figured the rut starts when bucks create scrapes and deposit their scent sometime in October. This period grows in intensity and reaches peak breeding when the majority of adult does mate with a buck around November 15 or so. It lasts for a week to 10

but I have never been one for technicalities in such things. My simple thinking seems to work and has proven about right.

There are two lines of thought about the rut. One is the rut is influenced by the amount of daylight, or the lack thereof. The other has to do with moon phase.

Both have their believers. To be honest, I have

getting excited and have a reason to be out there every day, peak rut or no peak rut.

Al Raychard and his wife Diane live on 43+/acres in Lyman, Maine that offers good deer and turkey hunting they both enjoy. If the property had a trout stream it would be true paradise. Al can be reached at alraychard@ sacoriver.net

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 24

The Redemption Bull

The Gun Cabinet

by John Floyd, Webster Plantation, ME You may have heard the adage ‘Third time’s the charm.’ There are many foundational stories of how this saying came to be. In Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s letters to R. H. Horne circa 1839, she mentions “The luck of the third adventure” is proverbial; meaning a well-used

November 2023

under this very law.

Let us fast forward to northern Maine, circa 2023. While I was guiding the September bull moose hunt in Wildlife Management District 2 with clients Ron and Blaine, I added another source to this famous English idiom. Here is how it went down.

had caught them moving through the area between the cuts many times. As I turned off the main branch road to a feeder tote road, about 70 yards from where I expected to set up and call, a 40 inch-class bull popped out of the tree line.

“Bull, bull, bull! Bail, bail, bail! Take him, take him!” I urged my hunters.

It was lightning fast and my shooters were just not prepared to get a shot off quickly before the bull

After a quick review of actions on contact, we piled back into the truck and headed to another of my favorite moose holding locations – 30 miles south and west.

sitions. And as before, we could not seal the deal.

I was crestfallen; we had two nice bulls in front of us so far and nothing to show for it. After a brief pity-party, I buckled down.

I was crestfallen; we had two nice bulls in front of us so far and nothing to show for it. After a brief pity-party, I buckled down. I had to remind myself that this is my job and my clients are depending on me, no matter the difficulties we face. term for the age. In 1862, Alexander Hislop’s ‘The Proverbs of Scotland’ mentions another early variation of the term – “Third time’s lucky.”

Another possible inspiration is an old English law that permitted a prisoner sentenced to hanging to be set free after three unsuccessful hanging attempts. A convicted murderer sentenced at Exeter prison, John “Babbacombe” Lee, was set free

After little success on the Monday opener with bulls hanging up and not responsive to calling, I decided to move our hunt area about 50 miles south and west. This was an area I had much success in during past hunts and was confident of our chances at pulling in a nice bull.

My target was a pinch point of standing spruce and fir between two big cuts. I knew moose frequently bed in this spot and

moved off to the north across a small cut. I parked Blaine at the cut to cover the escape route if the bull turned back south and grabbed Ron. We headed up to the intersection where I could observe the route I was sure the big moose would use to exit the cut and head down ridge to heavy cover. We were too late; fresh wet tracks across the road 100 yards down told the story. The bull was gone like the wind.

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Most outdoor folks like to eat what they bring home from the woods or the waters. And you like to cook it yourself, too right? So what is your favorite culinary lashup with fish or fowl? The Northwoods Sporting Journal would like to know. And we invite you to help us share your proud concoction with all of our readers. Our Northwoods Sporting Journal website:www.sportingjournal.com has a new addition: Outdoor Connections, which includes “Sporting Journal’s Top Shelf Game & Fish Recipes.” It has become a popular spot for visitors to find some great outdoor recipes, not from TV cooks, but from folks like you who live it.

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Blaine and Ron with their Redemption Bull.

I had taken a cow and I had to remind myself that a bull moose in this spot this is my job and my cliover the years and under- ents are depending on me, stood the travel patterns, no matter the difficulties we bedding, and food and face. ‘Focus, hunt the sign’ water sources. Like a sports I told myself. telecast replay, as I planned Thursday afternoon to set up further down the I parked down a remote, road, a monster bull broke gated road. We spent a from a skidder trail into the good amount of time listenroad to our right. It was a ing for bulls and cows. We 50 inch-class moose with were rewarded with a cow antlers like goal posts. My in estrous calling due north clients were more prepared about 400 yards away – on this time and I gave them the right side of the gate. the ‘go, go, go!’ The big We moved north in anticibull was standing straight pation of a bull seeking the on, 150 yards away. I held calling cow. Roughly 300 my breath as the hunters yards north and around got into their shooting po(Bull cont. pg 37)

November 2023

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Hunting Small Woodlots

Most deer hunters are and increase the odds in drawn to the big woods. your favor.

Admittedly, there is nothIntimacy ing like the North Woods Advantage one is terfor those who like to cover rain intimacy. The smaller the woods, the easier it is to get acquainted. It takes time and careful observation to really get to know deer cover.

My small woodlot never fails to reveal to me something unseen before, a new blowdown, a bubbling spring or fresh beaver works.

For one thing, this is one of those woodlots with lots of benchmarks, unique terrain features that help the hunter know where he is most of the time, not only in relation to other hunters, but in relation to the deer and their lots of ground, explore new often predictable habits. territory and get away from The stream winds the crowds and posted land. around in back of this 15 But deer hunting in small acre woodlot forming a woodlots, I have found, can curving boundary with albe highly productive - if der banks that make good you make the most of the deer runs. In the center of natural advantages. There the acreage is a jungleare some significant ones, thick spruce thicket nearly too. circumscribed by more The most obvious, of open softwood stands that course is small woodlots exist. In a perverse way, urban sprawl and the resulting reduction in deer habitat can work sometimes to the hunter’s advantage in these small woodlots.

This is because the deer being subjected to hunting pressure often must group up and hunker down in small areas of cover or risk exposure. This makes them easier to find. Along with denser concentrations of deer, a number of these other advantages accrue to the small woodlot hunter.

Together, these advantages simplify the hunt equation

have been selectively cut.

Combine this with some expansive roadside fields nearby that support lots of clover and you have the making of good deer habitat. The simplicity of this woodlot makes it possible to draw with confidence some conclusions about deer behavior: the equation is reduced to three components. They are feed, route of escape and daytime cover.

Page 25

Cracker Barrel

by Homer Spit to a casual reader of sign.

Last fall, for example, the buck I would encounter opening day revealed to me his favorite bedding spot a week or so before opening day. His tracks, somewhat larger than the tree does making their nightly visits to the fields, indicated a clear preference for the is-

walking to the deer cover than actually involved in concentrated hunting. Like some many other endeavors, time invested does figure into the hunter’s success rate in the field.

In some ways, deer hunting is akin to golf. Just when you think you’ve got it conquered, it finds a way

This was where I would sit opening day, I decided. Walking home across the field, I pondered the possibilities and reminded myself to buy a new box of .35 Remingtons.

Proximity A small woodlot can also offer and enormous secondary advantage with what I call terrain proximity. My backwoods are easy to get to. So I am able to walk my woodlot often.

In October, it just takes a few minutes before dark to poke about and make some mental notes about whitetail activity. If you scope out a deer’s movements on a daily basis, patterns of behavior emerge that otherwise might not be obvious

land spruce thicket. While the does were finding their daytime security in cover beyond the stream, the buck opted to hang close by both the browse and the nightly gathering of does.

Time Afield Self-evident, perhaps, but not insignificant is a third advantage of the small woodlot near home. It has to do with actual time in the woods hunting. Many hunters spend more time getting ready, driving to the hunting spot and then

to smack you silly with great servings of humility.

A few days before opening day several autumns ago, some intense intelligence gathering on the backside of our favorite island spruce thicket led to a discovery. The sign suggested that two bucks were bedding down in he thicket, and one - the larger of the two - was not following the script. He was leaving the thicket on the northwest side, far from the browse (Woodlots cont. pg 37)

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 26

Slipstream

By Scott Biron, New London, NH I tie flies all year long but November starts off a big push of fly tying classes. If I have a nickel for everyone who has said they wished they could learn to tie flies I might have retired a few years earlier. It’s really never too late to learn how to tie flies. It can be an

three tails?

I’m 99% self-taught having found a Tack-LTyers fly tying kit at my grandfather’s camp on the Androscoggin River in Errol, NH. The kit was my father’s but he had not used it in years so I became the proud owner of it. It had

November 2023

Getting the Fly Tying Bug

tried to duplicate it. When that first fly was complete, I looked at it and at the one in my uncles fly box. Did it look the same….not a chance, I’m not sure how I tied the head off on it but I took that out to the dock and used an old fly rod to get it out in the river.

I did not use the word cast because I had no idea how to cast a fly rod. My bet is I may have consid-

took me under his wing for the next few days. We tied a few patterns that were basic, we visited the local store that had flies and a limited number of tying materials. And he helped to plant the fly tying seed.

The point I’m making was I got some basic hands-on

Today fly shops, community organizations, Trout Unlimited and state agencies to name only a few offer fly tying classes. For years I have offered free fly tying classes through NH Fish and Games Let’s Go Fishing program.

Most of these classes

help right at the beginning and it made all the difference.

YouTube, Zoom, tying dvds are all great and each of these offers high level instruction. However, there is nothing like sitting in a class with an instructor that can give you advice, it enhances your learning.

are offered with all the equipment and materials as part of the free instruction. Many of the students have gone on to become quality fly tyers. Some have spun off into local tying clubs that meet weekly in the winter. Companies like HMH Vises have a Bar Flies Series that offer instructions at local bars using high quality instructors. If you’re interested in learning you just need to look around.

Once you get the basics down your local fly shop will help you choose the correct tools. Fly tying kits like I started with are great but 70% of the materials often never get used. The vise and tools with these kits are not high quality and they don’t last or work correctly without constant adjustments. The two most important tools for a fly tyer are their vise and scissors.

You will find that once you begin with the (Bug cont. pg 30)

I’m 99% self-taught having found a Tack-L-Tyers fly tying kit at my grandfather’s camp on the Androscoggin River in Errol, NH. The kit was my father’s but he had not used it in years so I became the proud owner of it. enjoyable way to expand your fishing knowledge.

The disclaimer is…it will not save you money.

Many tyers open up a new window into their fishing and begin learning about insects, hatches and fishing techniques they never explored. As a fly tyer you will carefully inspect the first mayfly you see each year on your house screens asking yourself, does it have two or

instructions a thumb screw vise, materials and hooks. I can confidently share with everyone that I looked at the diagrams in the directions but did not read any of the written instructions.

What I did and what in my mind was one of the more valuable first steps was to get a fly box from camp and look at the patterns in it. From there I got what materials closely matched one of the flies and

ered using a spinning rod to fish that fly but didn’t.

What happen next was where the power of dovetailing fly fishing and fly tying does its magic. I caught a fish; it was a river chub but it was a fish.

When my grandfather, father and uncle returned from fishing in the boat I met them with my fly and my fish.

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November 2023

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 27

Facebook: The Good and the Bad

Social media. Such a huge part of our society and culture in this day and age.

Something that has become such a part of everyone’s daily life, that many have forgotten how to live without it. It has become woven into the social fabric that makes up who we all are as humans. I often think about how only 15 years ago, Facebook was in its infancy and none of us could foreshadow what it would become, with many people unable to live without it.

My son who was born this past June, will never know a world without cell phones and the instantaneous access to information from a phone that never leaves your hand.

For many of us, the various social media platforms are a way to keep up with friends and family.

A way to share photos and important life events to a mass audience, keeping the people we care about informed. For outdoorsmen and women, it is a great way to share photos of harvested fish, deer, moose, bear or the various other game species they so desire. Social media can be a powerful tool for sharing knowledge, tips, information about new areas, techniques, or places to try. But boy, can it be a nasty, negative place where the vocal minority comes to roost.

I often cruise the various Maine outdoor related pages, looking for interesting content that catches my eye. For every picture of a young kid posing with his or her first turkey, a proud trapper with his first fisher, or a grandson and grandfa-

ther posing with a stringer limit of wild brook trout, there seems to be twice as many squabbles, conflicts and general negativity.

Everyone has an opinion, and on these types of pages, everyone needs to share it. I often read unsolicited “advice” being given on these pages that is illegal or just flat out wrong.

I increasingly only look through the photos of successful hunters with their trophies and very rarely ever read through comment sections to avoid the persistent vitriol among sportsmen and the ensuing headaches from frustration.

It is common to find posts pertaining to the Maine Warden Service or Game Wardens in general, and these almost always result in a spirited contest of outlandish tales of how “Johnny Greenpants” did me wrong. As a young Warden, reading these types of posts made me mad. “I know that case

and that isn’t even close to how that happened!” I would lament to my wife.

As I got older, I’ve realized a few things. Number one is that no one likes to be caught and given a summons. They say history is written by the victor, but on social media it is written by the keyboard and this will

Warden’s Words

ing about how there are no more deer left and that the Warden Service was to blame. I have to laugh when I see the posts about how Wardens “write the laws vaguely so that they can write you tickets to generate revenue.” I’ve

by Game Warden Kale O’Leary, Ashland, ME

plastic keyboard matches igniting the flames from this vocal minority that sweeps across the digital soapbox, uniting the bleeding hearts of the world to share their story of the time they were “done wrong”.

It is easy to get sucked

I have seen posts from moose hunters stating that we “planted” evidence, cheated, lied….you name it, we have done it. It often turns into a tinder box with plastic keyboard matches igniting the flames from this vocal minority that sweeps across the digital soapbox, uniting the bleeding hearts of the world to share their story of the time they were “done wrong”. be cast in the most favorable light for the individual and will always paint the Warden as heavy-handed, rude, unprofessional, or a plain old liar. You pick the narrative.

I once saw a post from a hunter who had killed a deer over bait and shot multiple deer that fall for his family members to tag over the bait, lament-

yet to write a law or receive commission from a case I have worked on, but damned if you don’t I suppose.

I have seen posts from moose hunters stating that we “planted” evidence, cheated, lied….you name it, we have done it. It often turns into a tinder box with

into this rhetoric and to take things personal. I always remind myself of all the great people I have met as a Warden. The positive remarks, the “thank yous”, the hugs, smiles and laughs I have shared with people from all walks of life that are thankful for the work I (Facebook cont. pg 30)

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Page 28

THE BACK SHELF

Northwoods Sporting Journal

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 V. Paul Reynolds

The plan, which they put together at the kitchen table, seemed well thought out.

Pack up sleeping bags, a tent, a change of socks, some rain gear and

newcomers to lugging heavy packs, Head Guide and his wife are experienced campers. They felt as ready as they would ever be for a Maine backpacking trip. Both had recently returned from 10 days of

A Camping Trip

mile bike ride along some old logging roads, a short hike to Pond No. 1, a canoe portage, another short hike to Pond No. 2 and a canoe portage to their campsite.

En route to their departure point, Head Guide and his wife were like a couple of giddy Boy Scouts eagerly anticipating their impending high adventure. Once on the trail, as things would turn out, the first leg of their jour-

Inexperienced at serious backpacking and mountain biking, they discovered that pedaling a borrowed bike uphill with a heavy pack over old logging roads is heart-pounding grunt work - even at sea level. grub and backpack their way into one of Maine’s most remote trout ponds for two days of primitive camping and trout fishing.

They would take fly rods and some of Alvin Theriault’s big Green Drake imitations.

Although relative

fishing and all-day hikes in the West, often at altitudes in excess of 8,000 feet.

Three or four miles of hiking at sea level would be a cakewalk, even with heavy backpacks – or so they figured. Getting to the destination pond would entail a journey of five legs: a 2.5

November 2023

ney soon would become a sobering experience.

Inexperienced at serious backpacking and mountain biking, they discovered that pedaling a borrowed bike uphill with a heavy pack over old logging roads is heart-pounding grunt work - even at

sea level. In fact, with 50 pounds or so strapped to his pack frame, Head Guide had all he could do to mount the bike on level ground. So much of the “biking” involved walking the bike, and his overloaded pack.

As the sun beat down on these backpackers and the perspiration oozed from their every pore, Head Guide whispered epithets at the “little extras”: in the pack. This camping trip was becoming more like a forced march than a walk in the park. Half way up Heartbreak Hill, Head Guide yelled back at his companion, “Have you seen anything of General McArthur? Or the Japanese?”

Weary and a little humbled by their backpacking debut, the two finally got where they were going by late afternoon. And just

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in time for the evening rise, their tent was pitched and campsite readied for business. A quick supper and they were on the water.

Fishing was slow, but a few Green Drakes emerged from nymphal shucks and began their flitting water dance just before dark.

One respectable brookie smashed Head Guide’s #10 Green Drake and he brought it back to camp for the next morning’s breakfast.

Back at their campsite, the campers discovered things rearranged or missing. During daylight as they fished on the pond nearby, a never-to-be-identified critter had reconned their campsite and ripped off their meager food inventory. First to be purloined was a two-day bread supply from a knapsack left on the ground by the Head Guide. As the two slept fitfully in a two-man tent, things went bump in the night, all night. The next morning their breakfast trout was among the missing. “Yes, Dear, the one that had been securely placed by me in a zip lock bag wedged beneath the canoe bottom. It really is gone!” ( A breakfast of milkless oatmeal just doesn’t satisfy mouths that had watered for a pan-friend brookie).

Bears or raccoons clearly had their number.

The campers managed to safeguard their remaining foodstuffs by hanging a knapsack high in a spruce tree. Day two was spent wood gathering, exploring, purifying drinking water and dragging a Maple Syrup and Bead Headed Wooly Bugger through the pond’s spring (Trip cont. pg 30)

November 2023

Game

(Cont. from pg 20) when did a big deer become a ‘toad’, or a ‘pig’?

The beasts and monsters of yesteryear have been replaced by a walking pork shoulder and the cousin to a frog. I know words can have meanings beyond their usual ken (I’m supposed to add a bunch up every month and make them make sense). But sometimes I forget myself.

I was looking at a nice 2-year-old buck one morning. He was cavorting all around my back field, and as I watched him from the dining room window, I commented to my wife, “Wow, that’s going to be a pissah of a buck!” Now, the grandchildren being of a certain age, picked that word right up quick and ran with it. Be careful out there, people; the English language can be hazardous to your marital harmony.

I liked it better when we just called big bucks by the names of the guys who shot them. The Jordan buck, the Hanson buck, the Rompola buck (that last one is always good for a lively deer camp argument!). The ‘Hole in the Horn’ buck, arguably the single most recognizable buck of all time, wasn’t even killed by a hunter.

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Death-by-train, poor guy.

It’s romantic to think some poor SOB actually got a shot off at that majestic animal, only to miss his vitals by a country-mile and give the deer it’s iconic name. I can handle that name, “Hole in the Horn”, because, well, he has a bullet hole in his antler.

‘Creature Feature’ was what we watched as kids every Saturday night on channel 56 out of Boston on grainy black and white, console televisions with tinfoil wrapped around the rabbit ears.

Okay, I’ll stop now.

It’s deer season! Go shoot a pig!

Mike Maynard lives in Perham, Maine and apologizes for his apparent inability to conform. He can be yelled at by going to perhamtrout@gmail.com

Me & Joe (Cont. from pg 19)

“Cain Truncheon took a deep breath. “Smells like salt pork fryin’,” he noted. “An somethin’ else…”

“Deer liver.” Pinch Brody said emphatically. “By the wind direction, I figure it’s comin’ from that patch of trees.” He nodded toward the island in the clearcut.

Chandler stared, then swore bitterly. Jumping to his feet, he set off across the clearcut at a jog. The rest of us were close behind.

Beside the small spring in the middle of the island of trees, Joe sat over a tiny fire, stirring liver in his battered old pressed steel frying pan.

The odor was intoxicating.

Hanging in a nearby hemlock was a monster buck, already dressed out. Joe’s tag dangled from one massive antler.

“Howdy, Chandler,” Joe looked up innocently. “Like some of this here deer liver?

It don’t get no fresher.”

Page 29

Chandler looked like he was about to strangle. “You cheated!” he gasped out. “You must’ve snuck out here in the night with a loaded rifle!

That’s illegal!”

“Didn’t neither,” Joe cut a small slice of liver, popped it into his mouth and chewed with apparent relish.

“Brought the rifle out here an’ stashed it that first night after you was braggin’ down at the Merchantile. Didn’t have no bullets. Pinch can tell ya.”

“Yer darned right he didn’t,” Pinch Brody agreed solemnly. “I had an idea somebody might try somethin’ underhanded so I was at the edge of the clearcut watching. I checked Joe for ammunition before he crossed over and he didn’t have any.”

“I stashed the rifle an’ then went back accrost to the treeline,” Joe continued, chewing appreciatively. “Saw that big ol’ buck come across just afore dawn. Brought some ammo over with me last night. New where the buck

was beddin’ so it was just a matter of waitin’ for him to come back.” He looked up at the warden.

“Didn’t load up ‘til it was legal time.”

“I timed the shot at three minutes after legal shooting began,” the warden agreed wryly.

Chandler looked as though he was about to explode. Veins stood out in his neck and his face was rapidly turning a mottled purple.

“An as far as that loopin’ trajectory is concerned,” Joe continued calmly, “I figure she didn’t loop much at all at 30 feet. Why, even that fancy rifle o’ yourn would have done the trick at that range.” Holding up a forkful of liver, Joe offered it to the angry hunter.

“Here ya go, Chandler, have some liver,” his smile took on a frosty edge as his rival eyed the morsel with dismay. “It’s all the venison from this here buck you’re ever likely ta see.”

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Page 30

Bug

(Cont. from pg 26) fly tying adventure you will meet many characters along the way. All fly tyers are characters and you will learn many ways to tie flies. Just load them in your ammo box because there will be challenges along the way and one of those techniques you mothballed might just come in handy.

My good friend Rick Estes is a master fly tyer having learned from several of the best instructors. He and I speak almost daily and seldom does a conversation not include some aspect of fly tying. Ive learned a lot from him and I hope I’ve reciprocated with some of my knowledge.

Don’t let this winter fly tying opportunities pass you by. Get out, take a class and soon you will be wading in a river saying, “today

Northwoods Sporting Journal

is a great day because I just and that we are humans, caught a fish on a fly I tied”. capable of mistakes, but go forth with the pure inScott Biron cut his tent of saving lives and teeth learning to tie flies protecting fish and game and fly fish back in the1960s for future generations to in the North County of New enjoy. The very antidote I Hampshire. He has fished see for breaking free from many of the streams north social media dependance of Route 26 in NH and his and the gloomy, negative favorite the Androscoggin world view that can come River. He is a Master Artist of too much screen time in the NH Traditional Arts is the outdoors that I have Program and instructs fly the privilege of being a tying both nationally and protector of. I will end internationally. He is on with a quote from Duncan the Ambassador Pro Team Trussell that has stuck with for HMH Vises and Par- me for a long time that is a tridge of Redditch. Ewing fitting end for this article. has come out with a signa“Some poor, phoneture series line of feathers less fool is probably sitting under Scott’s name. next to a waterfall somewhere totally unaware of how angry and scared he’s supposed to be.”

(Cont. from pg 27) do. “The silent majority”.

Kale O’Leary is a I know that I work with Maine Game Warden who the finest group of people lives in Ashland, Maine.

I have ever been apart of

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Central Maine Region

November 2023

He covers the Oxbow/Ma- blown Green Drake hatch, sardis district in central the moment was pure joy., When the trout are hungry, Aroostook County. and you know that your fly is the right one, and it’s out there riding high on (Cont. from pg 28) the water among the real bugs, when the hit is ineviholes with no luck. table, you tend to get very By early evening, focused. You concentrate. though, the persistent wind And isn’t that what fly fishsubsided. The pond took ing is mostly about? on that ever-welcome “anOn the second night gler’s sheen,” and the sun of their camping trip, sleep broke through the overcast came easy. If there were in turn warming the surface bumps in the night, they water. The Hex (Green were never heard. A breakDrake) Hatch began in fast of pancakes and panearnest. Then came the fried brookies steeled them fish and those welcome for the big hills and packrise forms as the big green humping agony that lay Duns materialized upon ahead that morning. the surface film like an Leg for leg, the return animation from “Magic trip was less tiring than Kingdom.” The scene was the trip in, and almost una fly fisherman’s fantasy eventful. The canoe crosscome true. For the Head ings gave the twosome a Guide’s wife, a veteran fly welcome respite from the angler who had nonetheless nagging weight and the never experienced a full pinching pack straps. They began to learn how better to balance their packs, too, and use the bikes to full advantage. There was a missed photo op, though.

During a body-cooling downhill run in an effort to catch up with his wife, Titanium Dealer Head Guide’s bike tire snubbed up on a hidden rock. What followed was an involuntary swan dive over the handle bars into loose gravel.

“Thankfully,” chirped the Head Guide’s wife, who showed up at the crash scene just as he was righting his bike and reassembling his pack and composure, “you’re okay. But I wish I had been nearby.

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

November 2023

Page 31

Calling to Coyotes

Proper set-up is key when trying to fool those pesky coyotes with fake calls. You have to take into consideration that the calls we use are artificial and sometimes the real life coyotes know something

stick with only an electronic style call then you need to make darn sure the sound library on the device sounds like the real deal.

Play back the calls you intend to use on coyotes and then go to the internet and

it’s time to go hunt. I hope you choose your calling location and approach better than I did on my most recent coyote hunt. I had just got home from work when my wife chimes in saying my sister in law, Ashley, had seen a coyote

On The Prowl

by Justin Merrill, Cherryfield, ME

door and Jonathan was standing also looking on.

I was hunting out in their back field calling those nuisance coyotes with an

more carefully thought about my approach. See, what happened is I rushed right in, placed the electronic caller on a down-

I’ve had several eye opening experiences calling to coyotes that taught me that you should have the ability to shoot in all directions when setting up on coyotes.

(Photo by Bud Utecht)

doesn’t sound right. Just as equally as important to having a good sounding call your ambush location must be good too!

There are two very important factors that make up a good calling set for coyotes. One of those is having realistic sounding distress or coyote calls.

The second is having an ambush spot that gives you 360 degrees visibility of your surroundings. I’ve had several eye opening experiences calling to coyotes that taught me that you should have the ability to shoot in all directions when setting up on coyotes. So many hunters, including myself, miss many opportunities at shooting a coyote simply because we weren’t sitting or standing in the right spot.

When you are calling to coyotes, whether it be with coyote vocalizations or with distress sounds, it’s always a good idea to do research to find which brand of calls work well. If it’s mouth blown calls you choose then you must practice with them before going hunting. If you choose to

find real life calls to hear if those on your electronic caller resemble the actual animals you want to mimic.

Now that you have the predator calls all picked out and you’ve practiced

trying to get her chickens.

Her husband, Jonathan, had seen the coyote a few hours earlier around two o’ clock in the afternoon. Ashley asked my wife, Denise, if it would be alright if Justin came over to hunt the coyotes. I wasn’t ten minutes getting ready and off to see the Wizard of Oz! Thinking back on this coyote hunt I wish I had

hill slope and I went forty yards away to sit down out of sight of my electronic caller. The call should have been set where I could see it, like up on top of the knoll. I should have remained standing instead of sitting and hid myself up against a tree trunk just on the edge of the woods. Ashley sat on her livingroom floor looking out her glass

audience.

Later on after the hunt Jonathan tells me it wasn’t even three minutes after playing the “chicken distress” call that he saw two coyotes pop-up on the downhill side of the electronic caller. The coyotes stood there staring at my electronic caller all the while I could not see them.

(Coyotes cont. pg 32)

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Page 32

Kineo Currents

by Suzanne AuClair, Rockwood, ME Five of us and guide Matt LaRoche loaded our gear into a van from Northwoods Outfitters in Greenville and set off to make the Allagash River trip. It was the first time on the river for all of us but won’t be the last. I am already planning another trip, different places, for next year. If you are hiring a guide, I highly recommend Matt, partly because he had a career as a long-time superintendent of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, so brings to you a great deal of knowledge and experience that not everyone would have about the Allagash, and partly because of just who he is, a skilled outdoorsman and gentleman. Now retired, he operates North Woods Guide Service out of the Moosehead region.

He knows the river in all

her aspects and, for me, not used to white water, inspired confidence and ease to run the rapids.

Another thrilling part of the river that I did portage rather than run in our loaded canoe was the churl over the old Long Lake

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Allagash River Majesty

Penobscot River, and lived to tell about it, so that was fresh on my mind. Running the Allagash rapids was an important re-set for me, and Matt and friends were just the people to do this with.

We had unusually high water all along the Allagash River, so another year would likely bring an entirely different set of circumstances and ex-

I wasn’t sure I’d have the stamina to run the entire length of it. But the rapids run like a series, interspersed with calmer water, where you can eddy out and wait for the rest of your party, and where you can enjoy what you just did and take in the absolute beauty of the river before putting entire focus on the next one. This is partly the river’s majesty and partly our

periences. Because of all the rain we had continuously this year, the river ran high. Chase Rapids, an approximate five-mile stretch of a “rock garden” festooning the river from bank to bank, for many is a highlight of the trip. It was just one for me. We had plenty of maneuvering to do to avoid disaster, and there was some fetching up here and there amongst us.

The higher water helped, and we skimmed over some places that I imagine in other years could cause some spills, broken canoes, or worse, broken bones. An experienced person in the stern is a must.

Chase Rapids is an exhilarating ride. At first,

guide’s smarts. We were given time to ensure everyone’s safety and to enjoy what the river is made of.

This section was all that you dream about in a river, the banks arched thick with old cedars looming overhead, swift nubbly water pushing over rocks, and the surprising commodity of cool, freshly scented air wafting out from the woods and water. It doesn’t get any better than this for the soul and spirit. But, then, on the Allagash River Waterway, it does.

Any quiet, wilderness experience you want, you will find on the Allagash.

This queen holds it all, and gives it all to you.

There are long stretches of

Coyote

up for a successful hunt. I always preach to the choir about proper set-up and always having the best vantage point to increase your chances. It was quite embarrassing as my sister and brother in laws think of me as this great hunter. Veteran hunters make mistakes once in a while. All we can do is brush off our knees and get back out there and

Any quiet, wilderness experience you want, you will find on the Allagash. This queen holds it all, and gives it all to you.

dam. It was the perfect time to try it and is my only regret. But we had just come off of two days of rain and wet camp and had just finished a good drying day, so I was not ready to risk a dunk in the river, starting wet all over again.

Also, about a week before on another trip, I had been popped like a cork out of a raft into the raging waters at Ripogenus Gorge on the lower West Branch of the

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November 2023

(Cont. from pg 31) Ashley sitting down on her floor said she could only see their ears and tops of their heads.

I rushed through this hunt and never took time to read my surroundings to evaluate how I would set-

lakes, wide opened, with dramatic clouds moving with the wind across open skies, glittering water underneath. Some places are marshy, with long, wild celery floating over the top, ready for moose to snack on, curly leaf pond weed, water lilies, and bullrush.

We had eagles, many, many groups of loons gathering for the fall flight, great blue herons, kingfishers, and mergansers keeping us company throughout the day. The wide lakes funneled into the meandering river, where the trees hung close, gloomy and fragrant, and provided shelter when we needed it.

The river curves and bends, first in rapids, then into dead-water, then back to rapids. Each section offers something surprising and different. She is an elegant, exquisite gift. A perfect part of Maine.

Suzanne AuClair is an avid outdoorswoman.

She lives near Rockwood and has been writing about the Moosehead Lake Region for the past 28 years.

She produced Maine’s reference anthology, “The Origin, Formation, and History of Maine’s Inland Fisheries Division.”

try again.

Justin has over 30,000 acres of blueberry lands to hunt coyotes on and is a member of the New England Outdoor Writers Association (NEOWA). He has authored two books and is the owner of the YouTube channel, “SPIKES and GILLS”.

Northwoods Sporting Journal Guns & Ammo:

November 2023

Lessons from Bear Season

As always, in this column I will discuss the calibers, and in some cases the rifles that my esteemed clients, new friends and old friends showed up to bear camp with. There were

There were also a couple of .30/30’s. A .303 Savage caliber from the intrepid collector, Charlie. This caliber was originally designed to compete with the .30/30. The original

like mealtimes, lodging details, scent discipline, shot placement, etc. The lesson I learned here is that first time bear hunters from urban areas have some very distorted views of black bears. Further, because their views are distorted by headlines and legend, they can be very nervous.

Page 33

A Guide’s Perspective

by Tom Kelly, Orient, ME

and roads between hunters.

As he sat there in the dark, he thought of every horror story and Cocaine Bear tale he had ever heard. As a result, he thought noise

in a similar fashion. Ten to fifteen minutes before the end of shooting time, he heard footsteps and breathing on the side of the blind.

If he had waited, the bear

The lesson I learned here is that first time bear hunters from urban areas have some very distorted views of black bears.

Further, because their views are distorted by headlines and legend, they can be very nervous.

(Photo by V. Paul Reynolds)

multiples and this year seemed to be the year of the muzzle loader. There were three. There was a father and son team who hunted with muzzle loaders. One was a .50 cal that performed well, but yielded a poor blood trail because of the shot angle and interference from the shoulder blade. However, a 30 yard search yielded an excellent big bear very dead. The second, a .45 cal muzzle loader produced a double lung pass-thru with an excellent blood trail of about 25 yards in an arc ending a few yards behind the barrel. The third front loader was a .50 cal that gave us a difficult tracking job of about 9 feet. There were other multiples. The .30/06 continues to be a front runner in hunting rounds. It is a great caliber for black bears. The 180 gr. round nose continues to perform well. However, because of availability, a couple of folks showed up with 220 gr. round nose rounds. These are real bear hammers. The slug starts at 2410 fps and crushing energy of 2837 ft pounds.

ballistics are very similar to the .30/30. Charlie handloads for the .303 Savage and improves the performance somewhat. It is a very interesting setup.

We also had a trio of .44 magnums. Two were rifles, one was a Henry Big Boy, and one was a Ruger 96/44 lever gun. (I love this gun.)

The third was an excellent S&W Performance Center .44 Hunter 6” revolver.

There were also some lessons learned. I am going to discuss some of these here, not to criticize anyone or poke fun, but to help avoid repeating unforced errors. Like every other guide, I have an orientation for my hunters the day they arrive. We discuss things

Especially in the low light environment that bears live in. Here’s an example. I use both ladder stands and ground blinds. Some locations do not favor ladder stands and vice versa. In some informal conversations around the camp, the discussion turned to ground blinds. The bears like to play with the blinds and trail cameras. What was missing from these discussions was the fact that the bears do this when they are empty. Coincidentally, the two first time bear hunters happened to be in ground blinds expecting the worst. In the first scenario, the hunter was told when the end of shooting time was. He was also told it would be about 30 or 40 minutes after shooting time before he would be picked up because of the distance

Caribou Area

was his friend. He began to sing as loud as he could and also shine his 9 million candle power flashlight on the bait. We never saw another bear on that site the rest of the week.

In the meantime, our other first time bear hunter, who had similar concerns, was also defending himself

would have walked by the blind and approached the bait. Unfortunately, our hunter was convinced the bear was there to do him harm. He took his flashlight out and ripped open the Velcro closure on the side window and shined his light on what he described (Season cont. pg 35)

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Page 34

Northwoods Sporting Journal

The Maine Woods

November 2023

My Trusty Grunt Call

Matt LaRoche, Shirley, ME

I have been hunting deer for many years and one item that I must have when I go into the woods is my deer grunt. I’ve been carrying the same grunt call around for over 25 years! Isn’t it funny how we get attached to things,

We always had a good time regardless of how many deer were shot. We hunted hard, took turns cooking meals, and usually played a few jokes on each other.

One year, Scott Smith brought a deer grunt to camp as a gag. He blew on

I’ve had more success with bigger bucks when I have seen the deer before he knows I’m there. A deer that is moving away from you will sometimes turn and try to circle downwind at the along an old woods road, from me. I thought to my- had to grunt to stop him sound of the grunt call. especially things that have worked for us in the past?

Former waterway supervisor Tim Caverly used to invite me and a few other friends up to Churchill Dam to hunt deer during the first week of the season.

There were plenty of deer in that area in those days.

it a few times and jokingly said, “You better get out of the way, I can hear ‘em comin’.”

The first morning of the hunt, as I was heading out the door I grabbed the grunt call when no one was looking. Later that morning, as I was hunting

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I thought I heard a deer jump. I took cover behind a bushy fir tree and blew on the grunt a couple times.

I waited a few minutes, and then grunted again. I was amazed, when a nice doe walked within 40 feet of me, all stiff legged like she was expecting to meet one of her kind. That was exciting!

Later on that day, I jumped some deer while hunting on a hardwood ridge. I gave the grunt another try; it wasn’t long before I saw the flicker of a deer tail. There were three deer behind some blowdowns about fifty yards away. One small button buck searched me out. He was rubbing his nubs on a sapling only 20 feet away

self, this is cool! I finally had to scare the deer away so I could leave.

I gave Scott $10.00 for the call that night at camp.

Six of us hunted hard all week and only one buck was shot.

On the way home, I saw a buck and a doe run across the road, way ahead of the truck. We slowed the truck down and found where two fresh sets of tracks crossed the road. I followed the tracks up an old skidder trail for about 100 yards and then lost the track in the leaves. I gave a couple grunts on the deer call and within ten seconds I heard a twig snap, then saw a buck loping towards me. As a matter of fact, I

from going right by me.

I shot that six--pointer at 20- yards!

When I got home, I was telling some of my ranger buddies at work about my success with the call. One ranger went right up to Indian Hill Trading Post and asked for a deer grunt. The clerk asked him what kind, he replied, “The kind Matt LaRoche has.”

Over the last 30 years that same grunt call has been used to bag at least half the deer I have shot.

In fact, I used it on the last buck I shot, in 2021.

I was still hunting an area that I had seen deer in the past when I caught a glimpse of white. After waiting several minutes, (Call cont. pg 35)

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November 2023

Call (Cont. from pg 34) I stood up on a stump for a better view of the area.

A doe was standing there looking at me only about 30 yards away. She slowing walked away seemingly unalarmed. I took out my grunt call and gave a couple low murmurs. A few minutes later I saw a deer moving towards me. It was a nice fat crotch horn buck. When it came into an opening only 20 yards away, I shot and it was all over except the dragging!

Over the years, I’ve noticed that the smaller bucks are more likely to come walking right out than the bigger mature bucks are. Those bigger smarter bucks will some-

Northwoods Sporting Journal times come in but they usually stay behind some cover.

I’ve had more success with bigger bucks when I have seen the deer before he knows I’m there. A deer that is moving away from you will sometimes turn and try to circle downwind at the sound of the grunt call. If you’re lucky, you might get a shot while he is trying to get downwind.

The last big buck I shot was in 2002. I was hunting with the guys at camp. My brother-in-law, Clifford, jumped what he thought were two does. The does ran right past where I was standing. I could hear them rustling in the leaves beyond where I was standing.

I gave a couple grunts on my call and all of a sud-

den, this big buck came bounding right towards me.

I had to shoot him in selfdefense! He was a beautiful mature buck with a heavy eight-point rack. He weighed in at 218 pounds.

I’m sure there are plenty of good deer calls out there, but I’m sticking with the Lynch grunt call that was brought to hunting camp as a joke back in 1987.

Matt LaRoche is a retired Superintendent of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, owner of Maine Woods Guide Service and an avid outdoorsman. He can be reached at 207695-2877 or at matt.laroche2877@gmail.com See www.mainewoodsguide.com

Page 35

Season

(Cont. from pg 33) as a very large and startled bear about 10 yards from the blind. Bye, bye Mr. Bear. So here are my lessons as a guide. From the first contact with a new client, I must impress on them the importance of communication with your guide. You are not bothering me by asking as many questions as you have. I also have added some additional information to my orientation meeting and information letter that I send out. The lessons for the hunters are: Do not hesitate to ask questions. Do your research ahead of time.

When doing research, rely on hunting sources not the news media or Hollywood.

Before making decisions on your hunt, run it by your

guide. Lastly, remember no matter what the media tells you, bears are about as dangerous as big racoons. Include a child or new hunter in your research, they will learn as well.

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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Page 36

Northwoods Sporting Journal

View From The River

by Laurie Chandler Bremen, ME It all began with the International Seaplane Flyin in Greenville, Maine.

This annual early September gathering brings pilots and flying enthusiasts from across the country to the southern end of Moosehead

Continuing north for five miles on Route 6/15, I turned left onto the wellmaintained gravel of North Road.

About a mile in was the trailhead for the twomile climb up Big Moose

Big Moose Pond

anxiety) of this kind of camping comes from not knowing exactly where you’ll stay. I was intrigued by the single campsite on tiny, remote Trout Pond.

On the way there, however, active road grading forced me to carefully backtrack

through the trees.

I claimed the second site, with a lovely picnic table, fire ring, and two paths—one winding up to an enclosed privy and the other down to a small beach. Canoes and rowboats of every age and con-

down the steep road. I drove instead to the parking area for Big Moose and Little Moose ponds.

I shouldered my tent and large backpack dry bag to walk in and reconnoiter. The pleasant trail went downhill over an impressive set of 53 slate steps. Beyond, the way leveled out, continuing across numerous bog bridges to a fork. Left to 25-acre Little Moose Pond about threequarters of a mile further or right a short distance to 91-acre Big Moose Pond.

Over one last rise was a spacious campsite, gloriously empty, with glimpses of blue water peeking

dition lay scattered about in the surrounding woods.

Things worth doing often take effort. Earning this campsite meant four trips down the 0.6-milelong trail. And three back again. Of course, life wouldn’t have been as strenuous if I hadn’t brought my canoe, two camp chairs (Claire would be joining me later) and a small cooler.

By morning, I was settling into this new place.

After coffee and my favorite raspberry bars, I walked quietly back to where the trail bordered a wetland. A great blue heron lumbered away, leaving the early

Part of the fun (and anxiety) of this kind of camping comes from not knowing exactly where you’ll stay.

I was intrigued by the single campsite on tiny, remote Trout Pond.

Lake. Two author friends, Claire Ackroyd and Roger Greene, were joining me this year for a weekend of book signing among this very welcoming crowd.

I resolved to pair the fly-in with some primitive camping in the nearby Little Moose public lands management unit. I drove through Greenville on a Tuesday, around noon.

Mountain (elevation 3,194 feet). The peak claimed its place in history in 1905 when the M. G. Shaw Lumber Company installed the nation’s first forest fire lookout tower on its summit. The Maine Forest Service later manned the tower for decades before it fell into disrepair and was removed.

Part of the fun (and

November 2023

morning scene quiet and still. Later, a kingfisher came—a black silhouette backed by the rising sun— but no moose.

After a time, I returned to the pond and my canoe.

It was warm for September and surprisingly bug-free.

Across the pond, I found shade in the shelter of a leaning northern white cedar.

Just being, letting my mind clear. A thought came—how comfortable I was, even in my still-damp bathing suit.

Beyond my patch of shadow, sunlight pierced the water, illuminating a world where minnows cruised, then darted away. Shiny eyes and a dark black stripe on bodies colored in perfect unison with the sandy, silty bottom. Until one turned just so, and glinted bright as the shiniest fishing lure.

As always, I was hoping to spot something larger. Beavers had been at work here, and the land was growing up in a new generation of trees, crowding and jostling below the weathered skeletons of their elders. It was a good place and a good morning, even if no moose came.

The water began to awaken to the wind. Ripples flowed away, urging (Pond cont. pg 37)

November 2023

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Pond

Woodlots

(Cont. from pg 36)

(Cont. from pg 25)

me onward. A pair of loons appeared, and several times I caught the emphatic tail slap of a beaver. On the last and best of the beaches, I discovered carnivorous roundleaf sundew, its leaves glistening with sticky red filaments designed to trap insects.

In the shallows, the remains of an ancient boat lay deep in the silt. The manmade shape was unmistakable, and when I flipped over a side, worn paint lingered in shades of red and white. At that moment, I wanted to know that boat’s story more than anything.

There are other moments I will remember, long after the gear is hauled back out and stored away.

The call of the barred owl in the dark of the night. A light-colored shape across the pond, that glowed bronze in the late afternoon sun. It whirled, became a deer, and bounded up and away into the forest.

These 14,000 acres contain eight small ponds, eight primitive walk-in campsites, distinctive bog ecosystems, and an excellent native brook trout fishery. If you plan to camp, be sure to obtain a fire permit from the Maine Forest Service in advance.

area and the heavily used runways on the opposite side of this dense tangle of old growth softwoods. This was a first in my six years of watching this woodlot.

This was where I would sit opening day, I decided. Walking home across the field, I pondered the possibilities and reminded myself to buy a new box of .35 Remingtons. On opening day, first light came grudgingly held back by a low overcast and still air. My boys were settled into their tree stands a few minutes after leaving the house. Nursing a strong premonition, I made my way to the backside of our favorite woodlot spruce thicket. A serious deer hunter who tries most of the time to focus on the all important details, I scolded myself for forgetting to purchase new ammunition.

Standing in the shadows of a large gnarled hemlock across from an overgrown road that skirts the spruce thicket, I hadn’t even picked a spot to settle in for the morning when the vision began to unfold much sooner than I had expected.

A second or two later, I stood like a statute as a robust 8-point buck came to a full stop not 30 feet away. You know what these encounters are like. First there is overconfidence; you smell the venison frying as you lament the early end to your deer season.

Then, it dawns on you that the buck is a split second from thick cover and you are caught flatfooted with your lever action Marlin still at waist level. Hmmmm, a Mexican standoff.

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Easing back on the hammer of the .35 Marlin ever so softly, you shoulder the deer gun and take that snap lung shot just as he does a wheeling turn backwards.

Click! There is no explosion. There is no recoil. There’s just the faded crunch, crunch of a very healthy buck heading back from where he came.

This was not the first time that old ammo had resisted the firing pin in this rifle. But it was the first time that it kept me from an opening day buck. One has to be philosophical at times like that, otherwise selfloathing can monopolize the moment.

Back at home over a hot cup of coffee, I shared the buck story with my wife. Despite the ammo oversight, I told her of the hunter’s satisfaction in having at least correctly anticipated the escape tactics of one of Maine’s most wary and elusive critters. I then recounted the value of hunting small Maine woodlots.

She didn’t seem impressed.

Page 37

Bull

Blaine’s .300 Winchester Magnum boomed putting the moose on its knees. Ron (Cont. from pg 24) followed up and anchored the bend, Blaine called out the bull.

‘Moose!’

Ron and Blaine finally I grabbed the binocu- got their shot at redemplars and thrust the truck tion and perhaps I did as into Park, ‘Bull! Bull! Can well. The third time was you make the shot?’ I asked definitely the charm. my hunters. It was a long shot and I was concerned.

John is a Registered I could tell they were not Maine Guide, an NRA Cerconfident so I moved up tified Instructor and is the another 50 yards or so and owner of Tucker Ridge watched as the bull took a Outdoors in Webster Planfew steps forward, ready tation, Maine. He can be to run. reached at john@tucker‘It’s now or never’ I ridge.me or on Facebook @ told them and they bailed. tuckerridgeoutdoors

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Page 38

By Segille Jones

I cried when I shot my first squirrel. Even though I grew up with two older brothers and pretty much lived outside, I also watched “Bambi” way too many times as a youngster…so when I put that fox squirrel in the orange circle-sight of that 20 gauge, pulled the trigger

Northwoods Sporting Journal

November 2023

A Big, Ole Boar I stay home with the kids.”

In 2021, an old favorite boss of mine invited Matthew and I out to his father’s place in Lee, Maine, to try out bear hunting.

Henry “Hawkeye” Kwiatkowski welcomed us into his lodge and made us feel like old friends instantly – he quickly showed us the

rel and I quickly pulled the trigger. My ears about exploded and, while I could tell I hit the bear, he didn’t drop like he was supposed to. I couldn’t feel my ears

shot inside of the blind, nicked the top of the zipper and blew it out all the way to the ground. There I was, no cell phone service, I’d hit a bear, and also

My ears about exploded and, while I could tell I hit the bear, he didn’t drop like he was supposed to. I couldn’t feel my ears and did I mention my ears were ringing? and watched him fall, I sat down and bawled. Tears streamed down my face.

After the tears dried though…I was HOOKED. My high school boyfriend was an avid hunter, always in the woods of northern Kentucky, chasing turkeys, deer and coyotes, and since I liked him quite a bit, I had to make the decision as to either never get to see him, or learn to hunt.

I chose the latter and now, almost 20 years and many bucks later, he laughs when he tells people, “She hunts.

ropes on the baiting process, where to shoot, when to expect them to come in, etc. Our initial hunt began pretty quietly with no one seeing any action Monday evening. The next day though, I experienced something that is simultaneously my most favorite AND most embarrassing story to tell.

We had headed out and I was going to a new location in a new pull-over, one-seater blind. I rarely sit in blinds, so it took me a bit to get accustomed to it…and apparently I never really did get accustomed, because lo-and-behold, a big ole brute of a bear came waddling towards the bar-

The author with her 2022 state record black bear. and did I mention my ears had completely destroyed were ringing?

Mr. Henry’s blind. To say I look down after all I was mortified is an unthe commotion and there’s derstatement! While we now a hole the size of Tex- didn’t recover that bear, as in this new blind where even after some amazing there definitely wasn’t one work by Turbo the Tracker before. I’d misjudged the Dog, I did end up with one length of my .270 barrel, heckuva story that, to this day, is one of my favorites – I was thereby dubbed, “Sage the Destroyer” at camp and the name stuck!

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even better is what happened the very next year.

We got to the stand around 2 o’clock and that’s when the parade of red squirrels came in. Keep in mind, we’re used to the docile gray and fox squirrels of Oklahoma and Kentucky.

Red squirrels are their Red Bull-drinking cousins!

It was starting to get a bit darker when I saw a big black shape silently making its way in. It was angled to where I could see his left shoulder, but very much quartering-to. He just waltzed right up and started licking caramel off the top of the barrel, as in, licking down. From that point, I had him in the crosshairs of my scope. After what seemed like hours, he finally made two lumbering steps to the right. As soon as he was broadside, I took the shot behind the shoulder.

For an animal of that size to come in so quietly, he made up for it as he crashed and tore through the woods! After a while, I heard him do the “death moan” and I about died!

I called Mr. Henry and texted Matthew, all while shaking like a leaf!

When everyone arrived, Matthew, a seasoned blood tracker, picked up blood almost immediately and we were off to the races! The blood started out (Boar cont. pg 42)

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

November 2023

The Girl and the Moose

Helen B. Trask wrote this account of her hunting trip to John McInerney’s camp at Fort Kent. It was published in the New England Magazine in October 1910. Following the St. John River for about two miles in search of deer, the women suddenly came upon a large bull moose.

“I would gladly have

“Oh, Edith, what made you do that?” She had fired at something nearer than the moose. Neither of us looked in the direction of the shot — other thoughts were surging through our brains about that time — the moose was coming straight for us. “The tree” I shouted. I kit no need; she had sprung up to the

ing to fire again when another rifle shot from behind a growth of evergreens and a man’s voice “Eve got him fast” arrested our attention. That was too much for Edith, for the deer was hers and she meant to claim her rights and prepared to descend and secure her prize. I fired straight at a point behind the shoulder of that moose. I could not

Page 39

Old Tales from the Maine Woods

by Steve Pinkham Quincy, MA

to his feet in an instant and made for his assailant who fired again and missed him.

“It was evident that the hunter had used his last cartridge for he dropped his rifle and lit for the nearest tree which happened to be the one I was in.

when I aimed straight between his eyes and pulled the trigger; he dropped but came to his feet again. The young sportsman was now at my side, reaching for my rifle as he shouted “Make the tree, for God’s sake.”

But that moose was nearly

We were hardly clear of the ground when his lordship, the moose, was master of the situation below. Had we fully realized our position we should have been terrorized but it was a case of “Ignorance is bliss.”

welcomed the opportunity had his majesty been a deer, but a monster moose was one too many. He had not seen us, of that I was certain, for he was browsing quietly when the same crackling noise from an opposite direction assured us that something moving was in still closer proximity than the moose. In an instant the report of a rifle close to my ear caused me to jump and exclaim

lower limb with the agility of a monkey, still clinging to her rifle, while I was scrambling to get a footing in a big pine close by. We were hardly clear of the ground when his lordship, the moose, was master of the situation below. Had we fully realized our position we should have been terrorized but it was a case of “Ignorance is bliss.”

“I got him” exclaimed Edith, and she was prepar-

have done a worse thing; To say that he was enraged but feebly expresses it.

“While we were lamenting our folly, the branches parted a little to the right of us and a man emerged. I was too scared to look at him but I yelled at him to run for a tree. He either did not hear me. or was too intent on his purpose to take advice — I don’t know which; but he immediately began to pump lead into that wild devil at the base of my temporary habitation. For several seconds neither appeared to move a hair’s breadth, when suddenly the man stepped a little to one side — to get a better shot of course — and fired again. This time the moose dropped but came

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He reached for the lowest branch, missed his footing and fell sprawling to the ground. The moose, simply infuriated, was not ten feet away. The situation was horrible! I did not dare to fire from my position, so getting a firm grip on my rifle I climbed down to the lower limb and jumped to the ground. I was within two feet of the bull’s head

all mine — one more shot and he would belong to me.

I fired again and this time the ball went home; it had entered the kidneys — one of the most vital spots, and he fell dead in his tracks.

Steve is an avid hiker, paddler and historian, having collected over 30,000 Maine Woods articles to date.

Old Tales of the Maine Woods Steve Pinkham Maine Woods Historian, Author and Storyteller

617-407-0743

steve@oldtalesofthemainewoods.com www.oldtalesofthemainewoods.com

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 40

The Northwoods Bowhunter

by Brian Smith, Machiasport, ME In October 2016, my 75- yr- old Uncle Ernie won a Maine bull moose permit for WMD 18 near his home. He had to shoot several moose with brain worm or other maladies during his 20 years as a game warden, but had never harvested one as a hunt-

on the trailer, I had to make one last pull on the antlers to better position the head and felt my back go out.

The bulging discs pinched off my sciatica nerve, so I could barely walk for weeks. I missed the rest of bow season because I could not pull my bow or climb

November 2023

Sciatica Buck and The Chaplain

for more painkillers and lots of couch time. I did this tedious hunt for over three long weeks only seeing does, beautiful sunrises and sunsets. I knew that there was a great buck in the area and the rut had kicked in, keeping my hopes up. At 3 p.m. on November 19th, I settled into my shooting

Once loaded on the trailer, I had to make one last pull on the antlers to better position the head and felt my back go out. The bulging discs pinched off my sciatica nerve, so I could barely walk for weeks. er. His COPD slowed him down and he needed help, so Uncle Craig and I spent the week guiding him.

We hunted hard for three and half days and finally called in a nice bull late morning on Thursday, Oct 16th. Ernie finally had his first moose as a hunter and ,while he and Craig went for the trailer and ATV, I stayed and field dressed the bull for him. Once loaded

up into a treestand.

When rifle season opened, I had to hunt, so I got up before daylight, downed a couple of naproxen and limped down to my ground blind. I stayed as long as I could stand it, then plodded back home for two more painkillers and long hours on my back with ice or heat. Each afternoon, I would repeat the routine and crawl home after dark 910 Exeter Rd, Corinna

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chair with a nice rest and enjoyed the milder than usual lowery afternoon.

With 45 minutes of shooting light left, I saw a doe come up over the riverbank at 250 yards. I cranked the Leupold Scope up to eight power and planted my cheek on the stock of my Browning A-Bolt Titanium Mountain 308. I saw antler tips crest the hill and a big racked buck followed the doe. I settled the crosshairs behind the shoulder and saw him turn toward me as I pulled the trigger. He hunched up and ran after the doe into a ravine in the woods. I believed he was mortally hit and waited a few minutes before leaving the shooting house and

The author’s sciatica buck. making the long painful darkness but could not find walk down to where he more blood. I called a local disappeared. certified game tracker but I immediately found she was unable to respond. blood and chunks of flesh I then called my brother and bone but the wound- living two hours away, but ed buck crossed a stream he had to work and could and traveled uphill into a not assist. He called me tangled mess of alders. I back later to advise that lost the blood trail and fog our friend Maine Air Guard had rolled in, so I called Chaplain Earl Weigelt got my son Josh to help with his buck the day before tracking. We searched for and he wanted to drive over an hour in the foggy (Chaplain cont. pg 45)

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

November 2023

November Reveries

What is a deer season without a few good stories?

Spinning a yarn about “the buck that got away” is just as much of the deer-hunting experience as wearing your old red-checked Woolrich jacket. Here are a few of my “excuses” for not filling the freezer.

November 1 – Deer season opens, and Orion and his dogs Canis Major and Canis Minor patrol high in the pre-dawn sky.

Together, they lead the way on the long walk to my stand. Orion is known to our culture as “the hunter” dating back to the Greeks.

His right shoulder and left foot are marked by the brilliant stars Betelgeuse and Rigel. However, it is the distinctive waistline of three stars that is so recognizable to us and to the ancients. The constellation was well-known to Sumerians who saw in it their great hero Gilgamesh pursuing the Bull of Heaven (the neighboring constellation Taurus). Recent reevaluations of stone circles in Britain and Europe suggest that some were aligned to the rising and setting of Orion’s three-star belt.

What hunting stories did our 5000-year-old ancestors tell of this assembly of stars that appears in the autumn?

November 5 - I had my first crack at a buck tonight foiled by a porcupine!

As the sun set, I watched a young porcupine dozing in the high branches of a nearby oak. At dusk I made a doe bleat, which was immediately followed by a grunt and the stomp of hooves in the dry leaves.

of pellets, he stomped off snorting and wheezing.

November 7 - Nearly every time I am in the deer woods, I am entertained by mixed species flocks of winter songbirds. Bold chickadees lead the way investigating bark crevices and dangling precariously from the fir tips. Today, a

Page 41

Northwoods Sketchbook

by Mark McCollough, Hampden, ME

tree trunks from bottom to top. Between the three species they gave each tree in their path a thorough inspection. Usually, there are one or two golden crown kinglets in the flock; the smallest songbird to spend winters in Maine. The flock constantly “talked” to each other with their chips and chirps. By banding togeth-

opening in front of my stand. The buck dogged them like a beagle. He emerged from the balsams about 40 yards distant, but turned immediately and stood facing away from me. His wide rack glinted in the fading light. I had him in the crosshairs of my scope, but a shot at his tail was not ethical. He was

November 11 - It is the peak of the rut.

My luck turned this evening after a drought in deer sightings.

A large deer was closing in on my location fast! At the critical moment, my porcupine friend decided to evacuate his bowels from a lofty height. One, two, three…37, 38, 39. Who knew that a constipated porcupine could hold so many pellets? Hearing the rain of pellets fall oneby-one on the crispy, dry leaves, the buck held tight in a thicket of aspen whips.

Upset by the rhythmic rain

er, these birds developed a strategy to find scarce food in winter. Also, many eyes can keep watch for the darting shadow of the Cooper’s hawk that lurks in my deer woods.

November 11 - It is trio investigated the hem- the peak of the rut. My lock tree I was setting luck turned this evening under, occasionally land- after a drought in deer ing on my shoulder, barrel sightings. Just after sunset of my gun, and knee. One the unmistakable staccato chickadee was intent on of shuffling hooves in the visiting every seed head dry leaves announced the of the nearby goldenrods. approach of deer. A buck The chickadees were ac- grunted continuously as companied by red-breasted he chased a doe through a nuthatches who explored patch of dense firs. After a the boles of the same trees heart-pounding minute or from top to bottom. A two, the doe and her fawn brown creeper brought up burst from the brush and the rear and explored the rapidly crossed the small

a wise old fella, gave up the chase, and disappeared into the gloaming like an apparition. My chances of seeing him again are slim, but I will keep trying!

November 12 – Today’s high temperature was a balmy 63 degrees. I wore just a flannel shirt on the deer stand this evening.

The deer woods were alive with the sound of frogs. I located at least eight spring peepers calling from various nearby locations in hollow trees and stumps.

Their peep-peep-peep was slightly hoarse and out of practice, but they seemed excited about the warmer temperatures. A few (Reveries cont. pg 44)

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 42

Boar

(Cont. from pg 38) fairly iffy, but then it started to get heavier and we could see it was coming out on both sides: a pass-through!

I was still so nervous until Mr. Henry said, “There he is, he’s dead!”

That’s when the exclamations started! Mr Paul was excited and couldn’t believe how big he was and Mr. Henry even said it would break their camp record! I was laughing at their reactions, but honestly, I was just so RELIEVED, especially given my ground blind assassination experience the year prior!

After an almost twohour, tree-to-tree, drag with a battery-powered winch, we got him back to camp and weighed him…we saw the scale settle on “591” and we all lost it! We celebrated quite a while that night and it was awesome to see so many folks come by the next morning to see him on the pole and to hear the butcher say it was the biggest bear he’s ever processed.

The bear officially scored 20 6/16ths after the mandatory drying period, making him the largest bear taken in Maine in 2022.

I have no doubt 99% of this entire success story

was due to Mr. Henry – there’s no way I would have ever had that opportunity, or ever even seen a bear, without his expertise and generosity. If you are ever looking for an amazing adventure and making a lifelong friend while you’re at it, look no further than Hawkeye Hunting.

We were able to take two coolers of meat and a big ole skull back with us to the San Bois mountains of McCurtain, Oklahoma and we also took a lifetime of memories. Through the squirrels and tears, turkeys and deer, ground blinds and bears – I’m so excited to see what this great sport has in store for us next!

Segille Jones lives in McCurtain, Oklahoma.The Destroyer

News (Cont. from pg 17) Camuso. “Along with being an avid angler and hunter who passed on his passion to family and friends, Jack worked tirelessly in the community to protect and conserve the outdoors so that these outdoor opportunities would be available to all for generations to come.

Jack grew up on a farm in Union, where in his spare time between

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farm chores and school, he would always find time to go fishing and hunting. He went to veterinarian school in Pennsylvania, and when he proposed to his wife Gail, he did so under the condition that they move to Maine once they completed veterinarian school.

Jack and Gail ran a successful veterinarian practice in Skowhegan, and along with sharing his passion for the Maine outdoors with his family, he worked tirelessly to protect natural areas in the central Maine area for all to enjoy.

Jack became one of the founding members of the Lake George Regional Park, where he served as president from 1994 to 2003, and under his leadership the park grew with trails, public access, and community programs such as camps where he taught kids how to fly fish, as well as a variety of other outdoor skills.

Jack serves on the board of the Kennebec Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited, is a board member of the Natural Resources council of Maine, the native fish coalition, and the Pierce Pond Watershed Trust. He has spent countless hours working to ensure that Maine’s outdoors are protected and available to all. Jack has been a member of the Somerset Woods Trustees since 1994

and is currently president.

During his time there and with his leadership, the group has conserved over a million acres, providing access to the public for a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities, as well as ensuring that these woods, waters and wildlife will always be protected.

The Department’s Outdoor lifetime Achievement Award is presented annually, and beginning next year, the award will be renamed the Fly Rod Crosby Outdoor Lifetime Achievement Award, honoring not only the annual recipient, but also recognizing Cornelia “Fly Rod” Crosby, and her work in promoting and showcasing Maine’s outdoors.

Crosby is well know

November 2023 as Maine’s first registered guide, a program that she worked hard to establish, but she was also an outdoor mentor, and an ambassador for the state. For 15 years, she wrote an outdoors column in the local newspaper, the Phillips Phonograph, in which she detailed her outdoor adventures, passing on tips and tales that helped others enjoy the outdoors. She organized Maine sporting exhibits at national sportsman’s shows in Boston, New York and Philadelphia, showcasing the wonders of Maine’s rich outdoor resources, and of course, she guided, sometimes introducing people to their first taste of the Maine outdoors, and for those more experienced, helped fine tune their skills.

Jesse Dicker of Lincoln (left) bagged this buck with his bow during the September expanded archery season. His hunt buds, Tyler Strasenburgh (center) and Rich Gamble (right) helped with the long drag. Dicker says that the buck was hitting on a mock scrape using his Nature’s Natural Moonshine lure.

November 2023

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Wild Friends

Anyone who spends much time in the woods can see and enjoy wildlife.

As a life-long deer hunter I enjoyed seeing them in the off season and appreciated them just for the wild beauty. I found it hard to explain this to my nonhunter guests on summer

along side the canoe and made the noise every time I stroked. Hard not to love a wild companion like that!

While camped on Round Pond I was surprised when a young, half grown rabbit charged out of somewhere and dove into the water. I was amazed and

a burden at times. They both did any job they could find and at times I went along as there was probably nothing else they could do with me. Dad was working in the woods with another man in the late fall and took me along as I was of preschool age. He would build a fire for me and I would amuse myself around the fire and I have nothing but fond memories of that time.

One of the fondest was of a little visitor. As I sat by

Northwoods Voyager

Page 43

by Gil Gilpatrick, Brunswick, ME I had a long standing love for those little guys I decided to give him some each day, so I would take a handful and drop it on porch right in front of the sliding glass door so Dot and I could watch him come and go. I remember looking one day as I filled

Memories of these wild friends are precious to me and are something I continue to hold on to. I hope you are making some for yourself.

Gil Gilpatrick is a Master Maine Guide, and is the first living recipient

As I looked around the canoe trying to find the source of the squeak I finally I saw it. An otter was swimming along side the canoe and made the noise every time I stroked. Hard not to love a wild companion like that! canoe trips. How, some would ask, can you say you love an animal and then shoot them in the fall?

Sometimes I felt that the non hunter “got it” as I explained but the anti hunter certainly never did!

Though I stopped hunting them a few years ago, I still get to appreciate them in the woods near our home. I take a daily walk of about two miles each morning with my dog Sukey. We saw two this very morning as I write this.

Thinking of other animals that have stuck in my mind, I am reminded of the time I was leading my group through some mild rapids. The water was rather low so I was standing to find the best route.

As I dipped my paddle and stroked there was a loud squeak. I looked and saw nothing, but on the next stroke, same thing. This noise continued and continued to puzzle me. As I looked around the canoe trying to find the source of the squeak I finally I saw it. An otter was swimming

puzzled as I never thought of rabbits as water animals.

Shortly I got my answer as a mink come to the shore and was eyeing the young rabbit. Before anything else developed, however, the mink became aware of me and abandoned the hunt.

The young rabbit moved off and I never saw either animal again. Don’t know if that rabbit later became dinner for a mink family or not.

Now for my all time favorite wild animal. This one and I go back over 85 years together. I grew up during the great depression and world war two. My parents worked very hard and I must have been quite

the fire doing kid things I looked and a chipmunk was sticking his head out of his little hole. He watched me. I watched him and we had a shared understanding of that time and place. It was important enough to me that the memory has stuck with me all these years. It wasn’t anything big that happened, just a nice time for me that lasted and lasted.

Jumping ahead now many many years to our life in our log home. We had a bird feeder at the end of our porch deck. After I filled it each day with sunflower seeds I noticed a chipmunk moving in to pick up any stray seeds I might have dropped. Since

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the feeder and there was Chippie peeking around the corner of the house to check if I was doing my job.

It was fun watching him fill his cheeks with seeds until they bulged out wider than the rest of his body. When he had all he could hold the scooted off to his den only to return shortly for another load.

This routine continued until cold weather sent him into hibernation for the winter.

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

Page 44

Cookin’ With New England’s WildCheff

by Denny Corriveau, Kennebunkport, ME

Every day is worthy of giving thanks to the Creator. It is the way we appreciate life and all its blessings.

We as an American society have always been told the traditional colonial story of the Pilgrims, who had a feast with the Indians, which created this annual day of food and celebration.

What really happened at the first Thanksgiving in 1621?

The Pilgrims were not the ones who introduced the concept of turkey day; in fact, the indigenous tribes that existed in New England had already established autumn harvest feasts.

In the fall of 1621, the governor of Plymouth Colony made the decision to have a Plymouth harvest feast. He invited Massasoit, the Grand Sachem of the Wampanoag, to join the Pilgrims. Massasoit brought with him approximately 90 warriors and they brought food to add to the feast, which included venison, lobster, fish, wild birds, clams, oysters, corn,

squash, and maple syrup.

The original Thanksgiving foods that were part of this feast differed from the meals prepared in our modern Thanksgiving celebrations.

Massasoit and his warriors stayed in Plymouth for three days.

Truth be known, in later years, many Natives were killed by colonial authorities. Others were enslaved and sent to places such as Bermuda. It is estimated that 300,000 died by violence, and even more were displaced throughout New England over the next few decades.

Food for thought. It raises the questions as to why should Native people celebrate Thanksgiving?

Choose to make a difference in others’ lives by inviting someone to your dinner, volunteering at a food pantry, or donating food to those who need it so they can experience the thanks in Thanksgiving.

I hope that you all have a blessed Thanksgiving that is filled with delicious food, the joy of spending time with those

Northwoods Sporting Journal

November 2023

The Thanks in Thanksgiving you love.

WildCheff Grilled Wild Turkey Braciole Ingredients 1 breast of wild turkey 4-6 thin slices of prosciutto ham 1 C of Progresso gluten free bread crumbs 1 large stock of celery, diced 1/2 small sweet onion, diced 1/3 C of dried cranberries 1/2 T of WildCheff Sagebrush Blend seasoning + 2 tsp 1/2 T of WildCheff Lemon Lover’s Blend seasoning Olive oil Butter Chicken stock Cooking twine Directions Slice cutlets lengthwise with your turkey breast

Reveries (Cont. from pg 41) masked “Lone Ranger” wood frogs called from under stumps near my tree stand. Their quacking duck-like calls were out of place in the middle of deer season. The warm temperatures did little to get the deer moving.

November 17 - A gift

Place breast meat onto large cutting board and drizzle with olive oil to coat, followed by desired amount of WC Sagebrush and Lemon Lover’s seasoning.

Now place a piece of prosciutto across the seasoned breast cutlets.

To prepare the stuffing, place some olive oil and butter into a sauté pan and heat pan over medium heat.

Add onion, celery and cranberries to pan and season with desired amount of Sagebrush seasoning.

Cook, while stirring until onion is translucent.

Transfer to bowl and mix with breadcrumbs.

Add chicken stock as needed to moisten.

Place stuffing on top of prosciutto and then wrap the cutlets and tie them off with cooking twine.

Place on a medium heat grill and brown on all sides until turkey meat is cooked through.

Serve with your favorite Thanksgiving side dishes.

of deer hunting is the hours spent outdoors, sometimes under trying weather conditions, but worth every minute of it. In the course of a few weeks, a deer hunter is immersed in the natural world and becomes one with the deer, squirrels, and ravens. Last week, I hiked to the deer woods under the smoky, amber glow of a lunar eclipse.

After closing time this eve-

ning, I returned through the corn stubble, skipping over rows that may trip me in the failing light. The northern sky suddenly erupted with incandescent light.

A fireball meteor streaked like a freight train directly overhead. It visibly slowed as the atmosphere dragged it toward earth. At the zenith it disintegrated into 15 or 20 pieces like a splint of pine exploding in the campfire. A long streamer of ionized vapor glowed in the sky for a minute or two. This is the start of the Leonid meteor shower, and it began with a bang!

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Mark McCollough learned to hunt deer from his father in western Pennsylvania. He can be contacted at markmccollough25@gmail.com

November 2023

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 45

Jacking Deer

Tales Of A Maine Woodsman

The Winchester Model 1910 chambered in 401 pushed a 200grain bullet and kicked like a mule.

My mother, born in 1936, was brought up on the family farm in Limerick. The farm, first settled in 1795, had been prosperous early on. As was typical the timber ran out and the rocky soils became poor and depleted. Two generations further on my great great grandfather turned to apples. Orchards were planted and in time vinegar was shipped in barrels to Boston. Two generations later my grandfather was in the middle of the depression. Lack of markets and new regulations for the production of cider put a squeeze on the checkbook like pummy in the press.

Times were tough and my grandfather was not known for his thriftiness.

They grew most of their own food and did their own butchering but cash crops were hard to come by. My grandfather was known for putting down a respectable barrel of hard cider and

trading something you had for something you didn’t made good sense. Even then there were a lot of mouths to feed.

It may come as a surprise to some but deer love apples and apple farmers love (to eat) deer. As I was growing up my mother would never eat venison.

She would cook it but drew the line there. She always said they had so much growing up she couldn’t stand it anymore.

There are several stories about the antics of my grandfather and his sons jacking deer, which we will come to in due course, but first my father. In the mid50s my father was courting my mother and, one evening, he was given the honor of shooting. He was handed the 401, instructed how to load and out the door the appointed crew went.

would be started, backed into the driveway and everyone would wait in the house for an hour to see if the warden would show up.

One uncle was driving, my mother was in the middle with the spotlight and another uncle was in the passenger seat giving instructions to my father.

My father was in the back, the gun was loaded, the safety had been located and my father was trying to see the sights having never fired this gun before. My uncle pushed in the clutch and the only sound you

shown in the light and my uncle loudly whispered “shoot Forrest shoot”.

My father, having worn glasses since the age of eight, couldn’t see a thing.

The spotlight was reflecting off from his glasses.

After much heated whispering the spotlight was pushed forward and my father could see. Again “shoot Forrest shoot”. All the deer were moving but he touched one off. At the report of the rifle the spotlight instantly went out.

My mother had jumped and jerked the spotlight cord

Chaplain

sciatica and made my way to a thick bamboo batch to meet with a smiling Chaplain and a big bodied nine pointer. Earl had spied just an antler tip sticking out of the thick bamboo and I gave him a bear hug. When the buck had turned at the shot, I hit him too far back.

He had traveled over 400 yards before expiring from blood loss. A bobcat or coyote had found the buck in the night and eaten part of a hind quarter. After I put my tag on and photos, Earl volunteered to dress the deer while I made the long trek back home to get my pickup. I thanked Earl who then thanked me for many

bear and goose hunts over the years. The buck dressed weight was 196 lbs despite several pounds of missing flesh by a predator. For all you deer hunters this month, have a safe, enjoyable and “pain free”season!

tired Maine State Police Detective and NRA Field Representative. He has harvested 57 deer with bow, rifle and muzzleoader.

He currently serves on the boards of SAM-ILA and MBA and can be reached at bowhunter@mgemaine. com

(Cont. from pg 40) three hours to help me find the buck in the morning.

Major Weigelt arrived at 7 a.m. and I described the hunt, the shot and search for the deer the evening before. We followed the blood trail several hundred yards into the alder maze then began a slow methodical search finding a few more drops of blood.

We then began to grid search and followed game trails. After over an hour of searching I heard Earl yell, “I found your buck”!

Suddenly I forgot about my

The orchard was downhill and across the street from the house.

The plan was to roll the car down the driveway and turn to the left. The spotlight would then be plugged into the cigarette lighter and the shooter in the back seat would leisurely shoot a deer. The car

by Joel F. Tripp Limington, ME

could hear was the crunch of gravel under the tires.

The car eased to the side of the road and the signal was given. Light ‘em up.

Several pairs of eyes

Several pairs of eyes shown in the light and my uncle loudly whispered “shoot Forrest shoot”. My father, having worn glasses since the age of eight, couldn’t see a thing. The spotlight was reflecting off from his glasses.

Brian Smith is a Re-

free of the cigarette lighter.

My father always laughed as he told the story. It was like a snare drum listening to my mother trying to poke that cord back in.

Eventually she got it but the deer were gone and no second shot was taken.

Back at the house the crew shuffled into the kitchen and lined up in front of my grandfather to report. One of my uncles took the lead and did the best he could to salvage my father’s reputation to no avail. My father was never asked to shoot again.

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 46

“The Trail Rider”

by Dan Wilson, Bowdoinham, ME Rusts, browns, evergreens, grays, and golds envelop the November landscape in Maine. Pockets of bright red berries cling to bushes and beds of pine needles and dried leaves line the forest floor.

The peak of autumn is winding down with winter’s arrival whispering in

Our November tends to be a quiet month for trail riding, giving way to hunting season and walks in the woods. Each Veterans Day, plus or minus a few days depending where it falls, I like to go for a walk in the woods with my dad.

We look for signs of deer, beech nuts, and paths. My

November 2023

A Quiet November

overall, just enjoy our time together. Recharged and ready to go, we head onto the second half of our day.

In recent years, it’s been cold enough to have a skim of ice over vernal pools and puddles throughout the forest and the frost covered leaves begin to warm as the day goes on, softening ever-so-slightly, pooling a small bit of water in each cupped leaf underfoot.

While hunting may

off-road machine should you choose a more detailed approach.

There are a variety of methods posted, listing different techniques and tools used, but the ultimate goal is to keep the 4-wheeler clean and ready to go for next season. This will in return help protect from

work of dissolving grease and grime. Some other helpful tools include a microfiber towel for shiny and smooth plastics and mitt for hard to reach places. Take extra caution near electronic gauges and hoses and don’t forget about the tires and wheels.

As the 4-wheeler sea-

deterioration, corrosion, and hopefully keep your machine running cleanly and smoothly. Using a garden hose and mild detergent will work for most riders, but if a power washer (1300-2000 PSI) and foaming arm attachment are available to you, that can be an effective method too, letting the detergent do the

son draws to a close it signals the beginning of snowmobile season and hopes of a good base of snow for the winter months ahead.

Our November tends to be a quiet month for trail riding, giving way to hunting season and walks in the woods. Each Veterans Day, plus or minus a few days depending where it falls, I like to go for a walk in the woods with my dad. We look for signs of deer, beech nuts, and paths. the crisp air. Will we have a dusting of snow?

Many of the wild game hunting seasons are wrapping up with the firearms deer season just beginning.

Perhaps you load up the 4-wheeler with a tree stand, riding around to choose an ideal spot on your property, or after securing permission from a landowner. Or perhaps you’re just taking in the scenery with a cool breeze in the air, traversing through sun-speckled trails, open fields, and cozy corners of the forest.

three nephews also like to join in, ever hoping that “Papa” will get a deer. We learn a lot together about how to hunt, what it means to hunt, and where to look for signs of deer. As our bellies begin to growl with a bit of hunger, ready for lunch, we head to camp to unwind and take a sandwich break, playing cards near the crackling wood stove.

We talk about hunting seasons of the past, plan the next part of the woods we’d like to explore, and

very well be your priority in November, preparing the 4-wheeler for its winter slumber should borrow some of your attention too.

After a summer and autumn of riding, your 4-wheeler could use a wash, freeing it from dust, sand, mud, and other debris gathered along the way. I can’t say that I’ve ever thoroughly cleaned my 4-wheeler to the extent of some of the videos you can find online, but there are whole cleaning product lines made specially for cleaning your

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November 2023

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Save the Date

Sportsmen, mark your calendars. Deer season is upon us, and it always goes by too fast. So this year, look past Opening Day— which is October 28th for residents, and October 30th for non-resident hunters— and mark this date down instead: December 9th.

December 9th is your last day to put a tag on a deer. The rifle season ends on November 25 th—the Saturday after Thanksgiving—but muzzle-loader marksmen and expanded archery zone hunters have until the 9th of December.

Doesn’t that seem like a long time?

Spoiler alert: it isn’t.

When you factor in that Maine does not allow hunting on Sundays, and assuming you don’t hunt with a bow, that October to December stretch is a mere 25 days for rifle hunters, and if you tack on a muzzle-loader tag, you can add on 12 more.

Muzzle-loading, of course, happens when the weather starts getting less predictable with the approaching winter.

We’re more or less

wired, though, to think of opening day and maybe a couple of days we can miss work and try our hand out in the woods. Successful hunters, when pressed for their number one tip for success, will almost always tell you that you have to get out there. “You can’t tag a trophy buck if he walks under your stand and you’re home in bed,” we

opening day, that we have plenty of time. We don’t, especially if your employer likes having you around more often than not.

I learned the hard way to also not neglect preparing for the season, as well—and that includes not only scouting and target practice, but gathering your gear, too. I’ve found myself bumbling around

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Marsh Island Chronicles

by Matthew Dunlap, Old Town, ME

Look, I get it. Life gets in the way. We have firewood to stack, our kids have games, work sometimes spills over into the weekend, and there’s a lot to button up before winter.

But really, do you want to read about stacking wood?

December 9th is your last day to put a tag on a deer.

Me neither. I would like to The rifle season ends on November 25th—the Saturday after write about, for your readThanksgiving—but muzzle-loader marksmen and expanded ing pleasure, a story about my hunting success this archery zone hunters have until the 9th of December. year. After all, isn’t huntremind ourselves when we in the attic at four o’clock up to the only day I had ing season something we start putting on extra layers in the morning looking for to hunt that year—I had live for? topped with rain gear. my hunter orange clothing, to do a shift at the restauOne of the arguments the clip for my rifle, my rant I was working at the Make a plan. Decemfor Sunday hunting has al- compass, and other hunting night before and didn’t get ber 9th is closer than you ways been that for working necessities that after being home until two o’clock in think. people who work a tradi- carefully stored away at the morning. I put on my tional schedule of Monday the end of the last season hunting gear and slept in a through Friday really only somehow scatter to the chair; when my alarm went get Saturdays to hunt—but four winds over the course off what seemed like only let’s not get distracted by of less than eleven months. minutes later, it occurred Matt Dunlap is a that shiny object. My entire When I finally located my to me that if I shot a deer, sportsman from Old Town thesis here is that if we let it favorite L.L. Bean insulat- which I was keen to do, that and is a periodic co-host get away from us, our odds ed hunter orange cap with I had nowhere in or near on Maine Outdoors, heard of tagging a deer decline the fancy ear flaps that tuck my small apartment to hang statewide every Sunday sharply simply because we up into the hat after look- it. To make matters worse, I night at 7:00 pm on WVOM think, as we take that first ing for it for parts of three had to work again Saturday 103.9 FM, WVQM 101.3 deep breath at the opening hunting seasons, I stopped night. I gave up my one- FM, and WRKD 95.1 FM of legal shooting time on putting it away. It now is day season and went to bed. in Rockland.

Nace Gets Charged By 10 Point Buck After Being Rattled In November 2022

Page 47

a full-time resident of my glove compartment in my truck. I’m done hunting for that instead of deer.

The first year I received an any-deer permit, on opening day—which for work reasons was shaping

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 48

Vermont Ramblings

by Dennis Jensen, Vermont I located the big pine tree while scouting the woods one year earlier.

The pine was situated in an interesting location: To my right were open hardwoods, with a view of more than 150 yards. To my left the cover grew thicker, with a good deer run about 25 yards from where I sat.

The prevailing wind was in my favor on this, the

but darkness was setting in and I left the woods vowing to return to the same place the next morning Who knows? Maybe she was in heat and a buck could be on her track hours later.

I settled in, at the same place, the next morning. While my eyes would occasionally shift to the open place to my right, I concentrated most of my

I raised the 30-30, picked that place behind the shoulders and touched off a shot. The buck hunched up — almost always a clear indication of a doublelung hit — and bolted off. third day of the Vermont rifle season, blowing from the thick stuff to the open woods. I sat in that place the entire day. Then, about a half-hour before darkness, I caught movement coming down the aforementioned deer trail. It was a doe, a big doe. I locked my eyes on that run, hoping a buck might be on her trail

attention on the doe’s path the day before. Maybe an hour later, here he comes, nose down, following the path of what did turn out to be a doe in estrous.

I raised the 30-30, picked that place behind the shoulders and touched off a shot. The buck hunched up — almost always a clear indication of a double-

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The Buck at the Big Pine

lung hit — and bolted off.

I found the blood trail, a deep red trail that said a bullet through the heart and, 80 yards away, I found a heavy-bodied 7-pointer.

The 170-grain bullet had torn his buck’s heart in two.

Can anyone fathom how really tough a whitetail is?

This deer went at least 80 yards with his heart torn in half. And this was not the first time I had witnessed this kind of thing.

During the bow season the next October, I went to that place where I had found success during the previous rifle season.

I was looking for a good place to hang a tree stand.

At one point, not 15 yards from where I sat last season, I noticed another big pine tree, but this one was built to climb. There were limbs up and down that allowed for me to climb up and sit, very comfortably, with one limb on which to rest my legs and another that served as a seat. Same place, but now I am elevated, with a better view and a perch above any deer

that might come my way.

I made my way to the place on the opening morning of the Vermont buck season. It was a good half-

I was even aware of such a thing. Anyway, maybe two hours into the day, I spotted brown movement, this time coming up the ridge, in the

The skull and antlers of a 7-point buck was found by the author one afternoon while bow hunting. It is doubtful that the buck was struck by a vehicle because there wasn’t a road within a half-mile from where it was found. Is could have been taken by a predator but that is also unlikely. Most likely, the buck was shot by a hunter a year earlier, got away and died.

That is unfortunate, but it does happen.

(Photo by Dennis Jensen) mile walk and I arrived just as the sun was breaking over a big ridge to the east.

Even then, I knew the dangers of sitting in a pine tree without a safety harness but I can’t say for sure that

opposite direction but on the same deer run.

The buck was on the move and I brought the rifle to my shoulder but this time I did something I (Pine cont. pg 64)

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

November 2023

Outlook Good for Deer and Bear Seasons

The brilliant fall colors attract thousands to Vermont in October, but most locals take the natural splendor for granted. It is in November, when the foliage is gone, that the woods come to life. There is a second influx of visitors to the state and they join we locals in adding color to the woods. This time the colors are blaze orange or red, and the colors are worn not marveled at.

The frosty days of November arrive and hunters in Vermont turn their thoughts to deer hunting.

Those of us who grew up in families where hunting was a tradition handed down from generation to generation get very focused on locating and pursuing the whitetail.

A tradition of family and friends heading to camp for opening weekend and longer is much revered.

The memories are treasured of those special times spent with friends and loved ones no longer with us.

The regular deer season opens the second Saturday, November 11 and continues through November 26.

Those who want to

see a lot of deer should concentrate their hunting around the lower elevation agricultural lands such as are found along the Connecticut River in the east and Lake Champlain in the west or in most river val-

E2, G, I, L, M, P, and Q a legal buck is any deer with at least one antler three inches or more in length.

In Wildlife Management Units A, B, F1, F2, H, J1, J2, K, N, and O a legal buck is any deer with at

Michael Jolly and 370 pound bear he took in Peacham. leys. Larger bucks tend to least one antler with two or be found in the mountains more antler points one inch along the spine of the state in length or longer. or in the big woods of the A point is defined as Northeast Kingdom. How- an antler projection of at ever, you can hunt hard all least one inch measured day without seeing a deer from base to tip. A broken in those areas. main beam shall count as a Hunters may take no point, regardless of length. more than four deer per year in all seasons. Only one may be a legal buck.

In Wildlife Management Units C, D1, D2 E1,

Leashed Tracking Dogs Recover Wounded Game Volunteer leashed tracking dog owners provide a valuable service for hunters in Vermont and New Hampshire. They do so free of charge volunteering their time and dogs to help locate deer and bear that have been shot but not recovered.

Vermont has a system that certifies and licenses the dogs and handlers after passing an extensive exam.

This list, which may be updated during hunting seasons, is available on the Vermont Fish and Wildlife website, www.vtfishandwildlife.com Online Tagging Vermont hunters will be able to report some deer they take online through the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s website www.vtfishandwildlife. com Deer may be reported

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online or in-person during the archery and muzzleloader seasons, but deer must be reported in-person during the regular deer season on November 11-26.

This in-person reporting requirement allows biologists to collect important information from deer during these seasons.

Bears must be reported in-person at a regional big game reporting station.

The hunter must also submit a premolar tooth from the bear at the time the bear (Seasons cont. pg 66)

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“Rutcation”, is the new social media term for taking a hunting vacation during the whitetail rut.

This year my father and I will be on “rutcation” in Kentucky for the first

Maple Country Outdoors

Northwoods Sporting Journal

November 2023

Getting Out of Dodge

by Ben Wilcox, Essex, VT

successful, hunting out of state allows us to forget all the worry and stresses of home and business and focus solely on hunting. This is especially true since we work in the woods where

of daylight hours, period.

No mid morning coffee breaks or lunches at the truck. The only time I see a vehicle during daylight hours the entire week are to move areas when scouting or after I have killed a deer.

Chances at a quality buck are few and far between, even in the midwest. You

spend a lot of hours looking at maps and attempting to narrow down where to scout. I’ll have 5-6 locations identified and will have them ranked in order of what looks best to me and proximity to each

I’ll check at least 2-3 areas.

Buck sign alone however will not do much to kill you a deer. The sign must be located in a place which concentrates deer movement and is used during the day. Occasionally I’ll find

Upon finding the spots I’ll attack them in two ways.

If I have full confidence in the area I’ll spend at least two days in there as long as wind allows. If, after two days, I don’t see what I expected I’ll either scout or move to another area I located. time during early November. This will be the 14th straight year we have been on a Do It Yourself (DIY) hunting trip, and I look forward to this week more than any other. While hunting on my own land is fun and very rewarding when

we hunt. Over the years we have hunted many different states and provinces from Idaho to Maine. Being successful hunting a new area in a short period of time is extremely challenging, but offers huge rewards. I’ll walk you all through how I attack my “rutcation” in a new area.

Persistence, focus, and preparation. Possibly the most important pieces to a successful DIY hunting trip, are also the three variables that you can control.

You should be in the woods scouting or hunting 100%

must stay focused at all times in order to capitalize on your opportunity, you will never know when it may come. Lastly, preparation goes without saying.

It just makes no sense to spend the time and money to take a hunting trip, without putting in the time to prepare.

With the right mental attitude and preparation in place, it’s now time to scout a new area. One week goes by real quick especially if you have to spend a day or two traveling. You cannot hope to see everything. I

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A lot of scouting resulted in the author locating where this 222 pound 10 point buck would be found in daylight. other.

The real work begins once you get boots on the ground. As I move through a piece of woods, I’m looking for the best and freshest buck sign. You need to check multiple areas to determine what the best sign is. Different areas will have varying amount of buck sign. Great sign in VT will be nothing that even interests me in Ontario for instance. On the first day,

what I am looking for on the first day, but it may take a few more days to find the right area to focus the remainder of my hunt on.

Upon narrowing down the area you are going to hunt, you’ll have to figure out exactly where to spend most of your time, and how you are going to kill a big deer. If you are bow hunting it’s most (Dodge cont. pg 51)

Northwoods Sporting Journal

November 2023

Dodge (Cont. from pg 50) challenging because you have to be at the exact spot where a smart old buck will walk within 40 yards and without knowing you are there. Gun hunting is obviously more forgiving as you can choose to still hunt, or sit and cover a larger area. If you happen to get snow and are hunting a big woods area, then these places you’ve located can be great areas to find a buck to track.

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spots I’ll attack them in two ways. If I have full confidence in the area I’ll spend at least two days in there as long as wind allows. If, after two days, I don’t see what I expected I’ll either scout or move to another area I located. If I am not fully confident in the areas I located, or one spot does not stick out as being better then the rest then I’ll try to

spend time at each one until I see what I am looking for or kill a buck.

I have found that entering a new area with no pre-conceived notions as to where or how it should be hunted leads to better decision making and more success. I’ve found myself hunting some funky places that locals probably would laugh at me over if they

saw me, but can think of two such times I killed quality bucks on public land. Good luck on your “rutcations” this season!

Ben Wilcox is owner of Maple Country Anglers, located in Northwest Vermont. He is a current member of the USA Fly Fishing Team. He is a registered

Page 51 Maine Guide and graduate of the University of Maine.

He also owns a large Maple Sugaring Business, Amber Ridge Maple. These occupations allow him to be in the woods or water nearly every day of the year. He can be reached at maplecountryanglers@gmail.co , or on instagram @benwilcox_maplecountryanglers.

Page 52

Green Mountain Report

Northwoods Sporting Journal

The Doe Camp

by Bradley Carleton, Charlotte, VT

November. Some of the younger generation think that if they grow beards during “No Shave November” that they might pass as “real outdoorsmen.”

There is nothing about rejecting hygiene for a month

but by consequence. Lest I continue ranting and be hung for not embracing diversity, equity and inclusion, let me state here and now, that although it may be unpopular with the Old Guard, times are changing.

idea that our government and big business will provide us with everything we need to survive. Some sectors of society see our ways as primitive and unnecessary when we can buy our meat in pre-packaged styrofoam containers under neon lights and never have to think about who killed this animal for us. Hunt-

November 2023

ing to need to make some changes. Let’s not throw out the proverbial “baby with the bathwater.” We can maintain our traditions and begin to share them with our children and partners. If you want to see

bought his first boat at 18 years old, before he even had a car with which to tow it. He washed windows for 26 years to pay for his passion. He was tutored in piscatorial skills by his grandfather, John Martin

how well this has worked, look no further that what Gray Stevens has done with the Doe Camp program for the last twenty-plus years.

Gray served as Director for all this time and has now graciously turned over the reins to an all-woman board of directors. The new Doe Camp is a big step in the right direction.

Thank you, Gray Stevens, for your herculean efforts to get women involved in out sport. Pay homage to Gray through his website at www.voga.org I recently had the honor of meeting one of Vermont’s top professional bass fishermen, Bryan LaBelle of Hinesburgh. Bryan grew up in Shelburne and, from an early age, found his passion for catching tournament-winning bass.

He first got serious about it at around 16 years old. He

and learned the importance of ethics, and a drive to excel. Soon, he received his Captain’s license and now operates Mega Bass Charters. For an outdoorsman with his winning record to express humility and gratitude for his those who influenced him is an example of what all sportsmen could be. He credits his father for “always having faith” in, even when, in his first tournament, “had his (behind) handed to him.” He decided that he was going to master this sport and proceeded to focus all his energy on it. They say that “behind every great man, stands a woman.” I would have to agree. His wife, Jess, is 100% behind him and is willing to make the sacrifices to allow Bryan to rise to the top of his game.

When I asked what he (Camp cont. pg 64)

We can maintain our traditions and begin to share them with our children and partners. If you want to see how well this has worked, look no further that what Gray Stevens has done with the Doe Camp program for the last twenty-plus years. that determines what is “real” and what are just posers. Honestly, the beard thing, is not a conscious attempt to be included in the fraternity that spends most of their waking moments in the woods or at camp.

It happens, not by intent,

Like it or not, our sport is facing severe consequences because of the technological revolution. Kids would rather stay inside and play video games on their smart phones. Our traditions are being attacked by a society that has bought into the

ing license sales across the country are in rapid decline. Fish & Wildlife Boards are being publicly denigrated for not representing the “non-consumptive” organizations who feel that they should have a seat on the Board whose business it is to recommend Best Practices, regulations and rules for managing our wildlife though hunting and fishing.

Folks, the only way we are going to stop this hemorrhaging of the loss of our traditions is to adapt our idea of a men’s club to include women and children into our camps and on our streams. As much as I love feeling like I am a part of the “Old Boys Network” it is killing our only chance to survive. It doesn’t mean that we must invite our spouses, significant others, partners, or whatever they prefer to be called, to the camp every weekend.

I believe that men need times that they are around men. And there are times when mixed company can be accommodated. My point here is that, if we are to survive another couple of generations, we are go-

November 2023

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 53

Winter Reverie

Western Maine is a place of vast forests and wild water. It’s home to a number of unrestrained and rowdy rivers. There are other streams—smaller rills, some with sunlit riffles and plunge pools splashing down the sides of mountains, others with slow-moving currents, the

its native brook trout have endured down through the millennia. These speckled wonders are as tenacious as they are small. They abide through flood and drought, living secret lives under shadows cast by the surrounding forest. The fish of the little rill remain as honest as a June day is

Held against my damp palm, the char was no longer than five inches. The worm-like pattern along the fish’s back was as black as a raven’s feather, the sides of its stomach, bloodred. Predator as well as prey, an open wound across the brook trout’s bejeweled flank, evidence of an encounter with a great-blue heron or perhaps a mink.

More than twenty seasons have passed since

Against The Current

by Bob Romano, Rangeley, ME ers. A six-inch brookie rose when I twitched the wet fly knotted to my tippet. As I reeled the fish away from the far bank, a sudden streak of crimson flashed under the surface.

While I drew the trout closer, a massive set of jaws snapped at the fish’s

too wide for my fingers to grasp. With one hand around the predator’s tail, the other under its stomach, I lowered the massive trout back into the water.

Although I’ve replayed this encounter on more than one occasion, tonight, while seated beside

Patches of trout lilies and ground cover dogwood, as well as the occasional trillium and lady slipper provide splashes of unexpected color under a canopy of second-growth spruce, balsam, arborvitae, and pine.

earthly scent of peat rising from their bottoms. Hidden by a conifer forest, such smaller water rarely sees the footprint of man.

One such rill slips down the Boundary Mountains. There are no paths leading to the water, except perhaps those rambling, narrow trails made by deer and moose. Upon reaching the water, an angler can hop from one moss-covered boulder to the other. Alders, low-bush blueberries, and wild raspberries crowd the banks. Patches of trout lilies and ground cover dogwood, as well as the occasional trillium and lady slipper provide splashes of unexpected color under a canopy of second-growth spruce, balsam, arborvitae, and pine.

The tannin-stained ribbon of water twists and turns, bending one way and then another. The streamlet’s riffles are, for the most part, calf deep. Even so,

long. They look to neither past nor future, living only in the moment.

With little room for a back cast, I rolled my casts across the dark current on that first afternoon. The trout did not come willingly, and after an hour without finding a fish, I came upon a spruce, one of many fallen from one bank to the other. Sufficient debris had collected in front of the tree’s trunk, causing the water’s depth to rise a foot or so. After a bow-and-arrow cast, the current carried my fly into the pool. It was about to become entangled in the conifer’s spindly branches when a pair of jaws flashed through the surface.

my fly floated toward the branches of that fallen spruce. One evening, when the sun fell below the forest canopy, a great horned owl refused to blink, its head slowly turning as I passed under the dead pin-oak where it remained perched.

On another occasion, a young coyote squatted on a hummock. Staring across the current while I waded around a bend, the young canine hopped back into the verdancy when we locked eyes. Never once have I seen evidence of another angler.

Since that first afternoon, I’ve caught a number of palm-sized fish while exploring the little stream down to its outlet, a quiet cove at the north end of a lake. This spring, I waded from the outlet into the cove where the water threatened to swamp my chest wad-

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tail not once but twice. The larger char broke off its attack only after I’d reeled its smaller kin to my side.

This was not the first time I’d watched a large brook trout attack a chub or small trout. Each time, I’d switch to a streamer, but never with success.

Even so, after wishing the little brookie bonne chance, I clipped the fly from the tippet in favor of a soft-hackled streamer, a favorite pattern first tied by the innovative fly tyer, the late Jack Gartside.

To my surprise, the brute struck on my second cast. I wasn’t prepared for such a fish and felt outmatched, but after a heart-pounding struggle, the enormous fish filled my net and then some.

Its shoulder was solid,

the woodstove, it is the little fish, the one hidden under the spindly branches of the fallen spruce that comes to mind. I am aware that as Nick Karras notes in his informative treatise entitled Brook Trout, our native char rarely live beyond four, perhaps five years. Nevertheless, as wet snow ticks against the window, I’d like to think the little trout survived, grown strong, the jagged wound healed. Swept downstream, it found the cove to its liking–the water deeper, the food more plentiful. With each passing season, it grew larger, the scar on its side a reminder to remain wary until the undulating quality of a marabou feather was mistaken for an easy meal.

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Page 54

Outdoors In Maine

Northwoods Sporting Journal

by V. Paul Reynolds, Ellsworth, ME In many cases, recovering wounded game – whether deer, bear, or moose – is no easy thing.

The late John Jeanneney, considered the American icon of tracking wounded whitetails, says in his book, “Dead On,” that, in hunting, “even with our best intentions something will

ered.

As a hunter do you have a contingency plan?

From my hunting experiences, there is no common denominator when it comes to tracking a wounded animal or in determining its condition based on its behavior. Far too many hunters attempt to track a

November 2023

The Blood Trackers

Blood trackers Susanne Hamilton and Lindsay Ware were guests recently on my statewide radio program, Maine Outdoors. Hamilton, from Montville, has been tracking for more than 20 years and is national president of the United Blood Trackers.

Ware has been tracking for more than a decade and learned the ropes from Hamilton. Both women employ German Wire-

blood, by tuning in on the animal’s adrenaline left in the air, which is detectable to a Dachshund. As one who spent a day a number of years ago with Susanne Hamilton and her dog, Meggie, tracking a wounded buck, I

question, “Which wounded animals have you found more dangerous to you and your dogs, bear or moose?”

There was no hesitation.

Moose!

They explained that a wounded bear will almost always flee even on

Far too many hunters attempt to track a wounded animal and, when a blood trail is lost, abandon the search prematurely and assume wrongly that the animal will survive. eventually go wrong. We must be prepared to deal with situations in which the deer was not hit exactly where we intended.”

In other words, no matter how skilled we are as marksman and hunters, if we hunt long enough the odds are that we will wound an animal. During his 34 year career, Jeanneney had almost 1,000 searches under his belt.

Of these searches, about 25 percent of the wounded deer were actually recov-

wounded animal and, when a blood trail is lost, abandon the search prematurely and assume wrongly that the animal will survive.

There is professional help available. The Maine chapter of the United Blood Trackers (UBT) comprises seasoned, licensed trackers who, with the help of their trained tracking dogs, will help you find your critter. All they ask for their services is a thank you and perhaps a tip to help defray the cost of gas.

Haired Dachshunds for scent dogs.

In our on-air conversation, both trackers radiated unbridled enthusiasm for their work.

Here are some of the highlights of our exchange that I think, if you are a hunter or just curious, will find helpful if not downright fascinating” 1. Their tracking dogs do far more than sniff a blood trail. According to Hamilton, they can track an animal in flight without

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The blood trackers: Lindsay Ware (left) with tracking dog Fritzy, and Susanne Hamilton (right) with Meggie. (Photo by V. Paul Reynolds) can vouch, not only for the dog’s incredible nose, but for her master’s grit, stamina and determination as well.

2. The recovery rate is less than 50 percent, unless the animal is mortally wounded. In that case the recover is well over 90 per cent.

3. Neck shots on any animal, whether bear, deer or moose, are bad news.

The old theory that necks shots result in clean kill or clean miss is bogus, as well as unethical, according to both Hamilton and Ware, who over the years have seen it all and are quite well informed about the forensics of wounded animals.

Both trackers agree, “lung/heart shot always!”

Jeanneney, in his book’s chapter on shot placement, echoes the positions of Ware and Hamilton.

4. In response to my

close encounters, while a wounded moose, aggravated by the tracking dogs, can be very aggressive. Ware was actually hurt, badly bruised, during an encounter with a moose during a tracking event. Because of the safety concerns associated with the tracking of wounded moose, Ware and Hamilton work as partners, one handling the dog and the other with a firearm at the ready. “ Are there any common threads from your observations when it comes to firearms vs bows, or particular calibers of rifles used?” I asked. They indicated that every search situation is unique with its own unknowns and challenges. Jeanenney in his book, however, cites one common thread: “I have had more calls to track deer wounded by.243s than (Trackers cont. pg 64)

November 2023

Northwoods Sporting Journal

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Page 55

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 56

November 2023

November Question Of The Month

By V. Paul Reynolds

Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes?

The late country singer George Jones had a big hit with this sad lament: “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes?” Jones, who was not that far from his own final exit, recounted the icons of country music, who were fast disappearing from the Nashville billboards. It was a double-edged lament, not only for their passing, but

“My observation is that there are three basic kinds of deer hunters: 1) The casual hunter 2) The meat hunter, and 3) the trophy hunter. The majority of those who take to the woods in November fall into one of the first two categories.

Skillful, dedicated, truly obsessed trophy deer hunters are in the minority. In

them all, the acknowledged King of North Woods big buck hunters: Vermont’s Larry Benoit of Duxbury.

Benoit, a contractor by vocation, began gaining attention in the hunting community for one simple reason. He consistently tagged bucks in the 200 lb plus range fall after fall.

Many deer hunters, even

own one of Larry’s books the inscription is: “Clear tracks and short drags.”

Hunter Ron Boucher from Wallingford, Vermont, who knew and greatly admired Benoit, said that

of the trophy Maine buck hunters, he was tenacious on a track, and never worried about getting back to the truck before dark.

He eschewed technology.

Didn’t believe in scent

A cover story about Benoit in Sports Afield, which called him the “Best Deer Hunter in America,” helped catapult him to the legendary status in the hunting fraternity.

If you own one of Larry’s books the inscription is: “Clear tracks and short drags.” that there seemed to be no new country singers coming along that could quite measure up.

There may be a parallel here with trophy whitetail hunters in northern New England. Most of these fabled trophy buck hunters have published books. In 2007, I wrote a foreword for trophy buck hunter Ralph Norris’ book “Hunting Top End Bucks.”

Part of the foreword reads:

fact, if truth be known, you could probably fit Maine’s cadre of bona fide big buck hunters in the cab of one full size pickup truck.

(Well, maybe you would have to put a couple in the truck bed). There ain’t many. Count’em. There’s the Berniers, Hal Blood, Lee Schantz, Ralph Norris and, perhaps, a few others whose names escape me.”

Not mentioned in my foreword was the Daddy of

the dedicated ones, go years without a true trophy buck that tops the scales at more than 200 lbs. Benoit and his sons parlayed their hunting success into a cottage industry selling books, videos, seminars, and hunting attire. A cover story about Benoit in Sports Afield, which called him the “Best Deer Hunter in America,” helped catapult him to the legendary status in the hunting fraternity. If you

The late, legendary Vermont trophy buck hunter, Larry Benoit. what Ted Williams was to baseball Larry Benoit was to the hunting fraternity.

Part of Benoit’s appeal, besides his skill as a buck hunter, was his backwoods authenticity and his no frills approach to the hunt.

He was a woodsman as well as a tracker. Like all

sprays or estrus scents or rangefinders. He made the green and black checkered hunting coat trendy, not to mention his hunting rifle, the Remington 7600 pump in 30-06 with iron sights.

Insofar as I can tell, most, if not all, of Maine’s most (Shoes cont. pg 67)

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November 2023

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Williams Wins Bassmaster Best Bassin’ Classic 2024 Berth

Every serious bass angler will confess, “Ever since I was little, I have dreamed about competing in the Bassmaster Classic!”

The B.A.S.S. Classic is the pinnacle of Championship Tournament Bass Fishing Competition Worldwide.

Qualifying for the Bassmaster Classic is obviously extremely difficult.

Only 56 B.A.S.S. anglers will qualify for the 2024 Bassmaster Classic, which will be held in Tulsa Oklahoma at Grand Lake of the Cherokees on March 2224, 2024.

Belgrade, Maine’s Tyler Williams earned his 2024 Classic Berth by winning the Bassmaster Open September 14 th -16 th on Watt’s Bar Reservoir in Kingston, TN. The twentyone-year-old Pro-Angler weighted in a threeday total of 41 pounds 4 ounces. Securing his first Bassmaster 1st Place Blue Trophy, $42,267.00 winners’ purse, and his automatic berth for the 2024 Bassmaster Classic.

Williams overcame a sudden loss of power to his trolling motor and his power pole anchors on Day-1. “Wow, it was crazy!

Suddenly, my trolling motor stopped working and my power pole anchors wouldn’t work?” Rather than falling victim to these obstacles, Tyler continued to monitor his Garmin forward facing sonar, by turning his trolling motor by hand.

He finished Day-1 in second place with 14 pounds 15 ounces.

With his electrical problem corrected, the

Belgrade Maine Pro Angler was now running with full confidence. “I felt very comfortable starting Day2”, smiled Tyler as his five bass-limit hit the scales locking-in a total weight of

variety of baits to trigger strikes as he rotated his arsenal until he was able to zero in on his most productive bait. “The majority of my keeper bass were caught on a 3/4 oz. Green-

Page 57

by Bill Decoteau, Hampden, MA

it simple and stick with my confidence colors for my jigs,” replied Williams.

With only three rods on his deck Tyler Williams arsenal consisted of two Duckett 7’6” Black Ice Heavy casting rods rigged with 3/4 oz.

Forward Facing sonar I could read both my jig and the bass location.”

However, when the current ceased William adjusted his presentation! “The fish seemed to move higher within the water column on

Belgrade, Maine’s Tyler Williams earned his 2024 Classic Berth by winning the Bassmaster Open September 14th-16th on Watt’s Bar Reservoir in Kingston, TN. PBJ or Pumpkin color jigs paired with Green Pumpkin Magic or Green Pumpkin Purple/Copper Flake. “My reels were all spooled with Seaguar Tatsu Fluorocarbon. (www.Seaguar.com).

One jig was tied to 20 lb.

Tatsu and the other jig to 25 lb. Tatsu, I would alternate depending upon on the cover. I also, had a Duckett Black Ice 6’8” Med rod with a jerkbait ready for isolated targets.” (www.

DuckettFishing.com) When it came to targets the 2024 Classic Qualifier, utilized moving water current as a signal to hit his isolated cover harboring active bass. “My Jig was an excellent search bait, paired with my Garmin

Day3. “I fished exactly the way I like to and worked my ¾ oz. jig the as I would a hair jig. I reeled the jig quickly, stopped, reeled it again quickly and then I would hop the jig off the bottom and let it free fall…

This is when the bass usually ate it!”

Wi t h t w o m o r e B.A.S.S. Open events left in the 2023 season, Tyler Williams is looking to qualify within the “Angler of the Year” standing to become a Bassmaster Elite Pro Angler. The highest level of competition with the Bassmaster organization.

“Maine’s Tyler Williams hold his 2023 B.A.S.S. Championship Trophy” (photo by Andy Crawford B.A.S.S. Photographer) 14 pounds 6 ounces. When fish Tackle living rubber the scales were officially jig. (www.GreenfishTackclosed for Day-2 Tyler le.com) I rigged the 3/4 oz.

Williams not only made jig with a Yamamoto 3.75 the Top-10 Championship in. Flappin Hog,” revealed Saturday Day-3 cut…

Williams.

Tyler Williams was According to the sitting in First Place!

Watt’s Bar Champion his Championship Sat- 3/4 oz. living rubber jig urday Day-3 on Watts Bar would flare out enticing Reservoir belonged to Ty- weary bass, while the Flapler Williams from start to pin Hogs appendages allow finish. Although Williams his jig to slide through covand fellow Pro Angler JT er sending slight vibration God Bless and Best Thompkins seemed to be movements. “I try to keep Bassin› playing ‘Leapfrog’ as they battled each other’s total weight within ounces.

However, when the Day-3 Where do you read your copy of the scales closed Maine’s TySporting Journal? At camp, in the boat, at ler Williams was crowned the ice shack? We’d love to see a photo the B.A.S.S. Watt’s Bar of you with your copy of the Journal at Champion with 41 pounds an unusual place. If we like it, we will 4 ounces. Williams 5 bass publish it in the Journal. If we select your Day-3 limit weighted best shot for publication, we’ll send you 11-pounds 15-ounces, with an exclusive Sporting Journal hat cre a 2-pound 7-ounce margin ated just for the occasion. Send your Jpeg over second place angler JT photo and a short blurb to vpaulr@tds.net.

Thompkins.

Please include your contact information, too.

Williams utilized a www.sportingjournal.com

GIVE US YOUR BEST SHOT!

Page 58

On Point

Northwoods Sporting Journal

by Paul Fuller, Durham, N.H. Montana: Just the state name brings visions of the great west, adventure and prairie life. And it delivers on all counts. In September, Susan, the dogs and I made our seventh trip to Montana, For us, roundtrip, it’s an eighty-hour drive covering over 4000 miles.

We travel through eleven states.

Let’s talk about the upland bird hunting. Mon-

tail grouse and Hungarian partridge are legal. Due to later hatches, the ringneck pheasant hasn’t matured enough to be hunted on September 1st.

Susan and I like the opening week because the birds have not yet been pressured which means the opportunity for solid points from our dogs is better than later in the season.

The downside of the early

Montana Upland Hunting

pheasants, you’re in the wrong cover for sharptails.

Pheasants prefer taller and thicker cover. Sharptails prefer knee high and thinner cover. That short and thin cover equals native grass. It gives the sharptail the opportunity to stretch their necks and watch for predators. Slightly elevated ground is also favored by the sharptail.

Let’s discuss native grass. Unlike the ringnecked pheasant and the Hungarian partridge, the native sharptail has never

In the seven trips we’ve taken to Montana, this year we found sharptail numbers to be down a bit, Hun numbers about the same and pheasant numbers very high. In fact, you could hardly go ten minutes without seeing pheasants somewhere…on the roads, in fields or flying over roads. tana has three popular upland birds: the ring-necked pheasant, the sharptail grouse and the Hungarian partridge. Of those three, only the sharptail grouse is a native bird. The ring-necked pheasant and Hungarian partridge are imports. For the September 1st opener, only the sharp-

dates is that the weather is warm and pheasants are a nuisance. We counter the warm weather by hunting early in the morning.

We counter the pheasant issue by carefully selecting the cover we’re hunting. There is an old adage about the cover. If you’re finding and flushing

November 2023

adapted to agriculture.

Which means they are not corn, wheat, peas, etc. feeders. They require berries found in the native grass fields. So, both food and shelter must come from native grass fields.

Not grain fields.

For many years, much of the native grass was protected under the Crop Reserve Program. This program paid farmers to not

Author and dog with two Montana sharptail grouse. plow native grass. However, when ethanol was invented, many farmers found it more profitable to plow native grass and raise corn. As the native grasslands slowly diminished, so did sharptail numbers plus other upland birds such as the sage grouse. I want to state that I’m not blaming farmers. I grew up in farm country. They do what’s necessary to survive.

Here is a possible solution. In July of 2022, Senators Ron Wyden of

Greenville

Oregon and Michael Bennet of Colorado introduced the North American Grasslands Conservation Act. This Act provides resources to farmers, ranchers, and Tribes to voluntarily take steps to prevent the loss of grasslands and, when possible, restore them. As of this writing, this Act is still working its way through congress. Let’s hope it’s passed soon.

Let’s get back to hunting in Montana. In the seven trips we’ve taken (Hunting cont. pg 66)

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Snappers Aplenty

Page 59

The Singing Maine Guide

by Randy Spencer, Grand Lake Stream, ME

They’re a reliable source of entertainment and wonder on many lunch grounds throughout the summer months. When they appear next to you without warning, they can send a shiver up your spine.

When they face you and open their mouths, you can feel the kind of primal fear our ancient ancestors probably felt all too often.

No, they are not snakes. And they’re not bears. These guys live to be much older than those, and have a reptilian appearance more menacing than snakes. Though they are supposed to be in decline, you’d never know it if you were to follow guides around in the St. Croix watershed on any given summer day.

For all the fear that they can inspire, snapping turtles are one mysterious critter. They are said to be “philopatric,” which means that they tend to remain in, or return to their places of birth. This is born out when we see, “Hank” year after year, easily identifiable by the wound on his carapace, just forward of his right front leg. We’ve theorized that it was made by the propeller of an outboard motor since very few predators could bite through that shell.

Do they even have any predators? It’s another mystery. About the only time this species is vulnerable is in the egg, or juve-

nile stages. Attrition is high at this stage. Everything wants those eggs. In June, when you see a section of shoreline, or even a dooryard that appears to have been rototilled into a series of craters, that’s where the mother snapper has deposited her eggs. And they’re not very deep, and are therefore easily excavated by snakes, eagles, ospreys, otters, raccoons, and practically anything else.

At the adult stage, however, that huge coat of armor provides an immaculate barrier of protection from almost everything… except outboard motors.

Whether they know it or not, most guides and frequent boaters have hit one at one time or another.

They are the manatees of the north, and are vulnerable to boat traffic wherever they proliferate.

In the southeastern U.S., it’s another story.

There, where hunting and trapping them is still allowed, humans are still their principal predator. After that, comes alligators.

A snapper born in Maine has a much greater chance of living out it’s full 30 or more years than if it were born in Florida. There, a third predator has appeared in the form of pythons.

The intelligence of snapping turtles could also be easily underestimated.

Similar to crows and ravens who can identify the uniforms of fish and wild-

life personnel who have conducted feeding experiments with them, turtles recognize green Grand Laker canoes! When they pull up to a lunch ground any time from mid summer on, fish will be cleaned at that spot, and the remains

snapper will get on top of a younger one and hold it under until it almost drowns.

When the larger one lets go, his victim makes haste to get away. A pecking order of sorts seems to determine who gets what, and how fast.

Once, a sport from Massachusetts hooked a huge snapper that had to weigh 50 lbs. The turtle went for a Mepps Aglia #4,

Being that close to the hissing, blood-red mouth of this monster was chilling to all aboard.

Another time, Billy, an 11 year old sport went to step out of the canoe onto a rock jetty. When his foot was about to touch down on a nice round rock, it moved. Then, a head came out at the end of a long neck. Billy almost did a Russian split, but recovered

At the adult stage, however, that huge coat of armor provides an immaculate barrier of protection from almost everything…except outboard motors.

will be given back to the lake. It’s a routine the snappers know well, and if you’re in their habitat, you can count on two, or three, and sometimes five or six of them showing up for lunch.

Ever see hummingbirds get into fights at the feeder? Something like that happens here, where there are fish bones, and heads, and skins to tussle over.

Sometimes, an older, larger

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and there was no such thing as reeling it in. We had to go to it! This guy was much too big for the net, so we had to invent plan B. When we had him beside the boat, we saw that two of the three hooks in the treble were embedded in the lower lip of the snapper.

It was a Leatherman to the rescue! The pliers served to hold onto the upper lip while a hemostat disgorged the hooks from the lower.

in time to watch the hefty snapper swim away.

Snappers in decline?

Not so you’d notice it…not around here anyway.

Randy Spencer is a working guide and author.

All of his award-winning books are available on Amazon. Reach Randy at randy31@earthlink.net, or at www.randyspencer. com

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 60

Basics Of Survival

by Joe Frazier, Bangor, ME When you go into the woods you should always be aware of safety. When you are hunting it is even more important. These are some reminders to get you thinking about your own gear.

Take time to make out a checklist of things you need to carry and things you need to do. Some people don’t inspect or use their gear from one hunting season till the next.

Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife produces a free book, “You alone in the Maine woods”. You can download free copies from Maine.gov/IFW (then search You alone in the Maine woods). It is a great survival manual focusing on Maine. The IFW website has lots of useful information. Well worth reading.

Be sure you have a printed copy to carry with you.

Even if you download a copy, never fully trust your phone in the woods.

Go through all your supplies in your survival kit. Space blankets, fero rods, lighters, matches all deteriorate over time. Be sure all your gear is in good condition. Plan for at least twenty four hours in the worst weather possible and possibly you will be injured. Have a LOUD whistle and Chem lights for Signaling.

Review basic first aid skills and carry supplies you know how to use. Your life or the life of a fellow hunter could depend on it.

Know how to handle trip/ fall injuries. They are the most common.

If you hunt with a group, have a plan. Everyone should know where everyone else is and have two- way radios so ev-

Hunter Safety

eryone can communicate.

Have a plan in case someone gets lost and signals for help. Designate an emergency meeting location; if anyone calls for an emergency meet up, everyone stops and goes to the meeting spot immediately.

If you are not sure where everyone is, don’t shoot.

If you are not used to physical stress, be careful.

Walking through the woods when you are not used to exercising can bring on a heart attack.

NEVER use alcohol or drugs when you are anywhere near a gun. Ever.

If you use a tree stand, you should be familiar with the one you have. Read and watch safety videos about the stand and the fall arrest system/harness. Practice with your gear before you go out. Climb empty handed, then use rope to bring up your pack and EMPTY gun. Know how to self rescue after a fall. If you are at all not sure, don’t use the stand.

Consider putting one layer of painter’s tape over the muzzle of your rifle. It

will keep mud or rain out and you can shoot through it without effecting your gun.

If you have a dog with you, be sure they have an orange vest on as well.

You should wear eye protection when you are shooting and walking in the woods. Wear hearing pro-

November 2023

Consistently hitting an eight inch dinner plate should be your goal at whatever range you expect to be hunting.

Look over your clothing and boots. Be sure everything that should be waterproof is. If your orange clothes are faded, you need new ones. If you don’t

Designate an emergency meeting location; if anyone calls for an emergency meet up, everyone stops and goes to the meeting spot immediately.

tection as well. The plastic kind on a cord only takes a second to put in before you shoot.

All guns are ALWAYS LOADED and need to be treated as such. Every year people are killed or injured by “unloaded” or “empty” guns. Be sure they are pointed in a safe direction. YOU are responsible for every bullet that leaves your gun. Always be sure of your target and what is behind it as well. Your gun needs to be cleaned and oiled, scope or sights adjusted, and if you haven’t fired it in a while you need some time on the range.

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want to replace a favorite jacket, buy a vest to wear over it. You can never have too much orange when you are in the woods whether you are hunting or not.

If you need new boots, be sure to break them in before you go into the woods.

You don’t need blisters five miles from your vehicle.

Before you go out, write a letter and give it to someone you trust. Include where you are going, what time you expect to be back, what gear you are carrying, and what experience you have. Be sure whoever you leave the information with is trustworthy. Your life might depend on it. Write on it the time you expect to be back, and what time you want them to call for help. If you dial 911 and tell them what is happening, they will put you in touch with who can help in your area.

Again, all guns are LOADED always. Never play around and don’t put your finger on the trigger until you are ready to shoot.

Joe is a husband, father, author, and Marine. Joefrazier193@ gmail.com

November 2023

By Bob Mallard

I was recently reminded just how easy things can go wrong in the Maine woods. While the event was resolved relatively quickly, and no one was hurt, it could have been worse if not for a bit of luck.

While camped at the end of a road where a trail heads into a pond, I was awakened by yelling from a direction no one should be in. I sat up and listened

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 61

Turned Around no name, and the voices sounded stressed to me.

We walked to the end of the road to see what was going on. There was fishing gear on the ground next to the truck, something that seemed odd to me.

We started down the trail and found a gentleman sitting on the ground.

I asked what was going on.

He said his friend stayed back to answer natures call while he headed in

an old trail that could easily be mistaken for the main trail. While it starts strong, it becomes overgrown in a hundred or so feet and is really hard to follow.

Certain that the person took the wrong turn and then lost the trail, I left my friend with the other party, and headed off for a quick search. The more time that goes by the further a lost person can get, and the harder the search

ing. He responded that he could see me.

As I approached the gentleman, I noticed that he was soaked from head to toe with sweat, and his arms were covered in blood. He was dragging a fly rod case

lected their gear, and they called it a day.

I suspect the gentleman was lost for less than an hour. He was within 100 yards or so of the main trail when I found him, but I suspect he had wan-

and paddle. I took both and asked if he was alright. He said he was and asked for the paddle so he could use it to help him walk.

As we pushed back to the main trail, I called out to my friend to meet us at the truck. When we got there, I sent her for our first aid kit. After cleaning off the blood, I saw that it was just scratches made to look worse by sweat. We bandaged him up, they col-

dered around a bit based on where the original calls came from. No one was hurt, nothing was lost or broken, it didn’t take long to find him, and the worst part was likely losing a morning of fishing.

To be clear, it could have been worse. What if no one else was there?

What if the gentleman had a medical emergency and was unable to call for help?

(Turned cont. pg 68)

It didn’t seem like someone was calling a lost dog to me.

There was no name, and the voices sounded stressed to me.

We walked to the end of the road to see what was going on. There was fishing gear on the ground next to the truck, something that seemed odd to me. for a bit. I could hear two voices calling back and forth, one relatively close from the direction of the trail, the other further off and away from the trail and road.

I climbed out of the tent and asked my friends how long the yelling had been going on. They said 20 minutes or so, and thought someone was looking for a dog as a couple had walked by earlier with one. A truck had passed as well and was parked at the end of the road.

It didn’t seem like someone was calling a lost dog to me. There was

to unchain the boat. After roughly 20 minutes, he heard yelling from the woods. He walked back to the truck, but his friend was nowhere to be seen.

The gentleman we met did the right thing, he returned to the trail and tried to make voice contact with his friend. He stayed put so he was not a moving target and continued calling. Heading into the woods to try to find his friend would have only made matters worse.

By now over 30 minutes had passed since the calling began. I knew the area well and was aware of

will be.

I headed down the main trail toward the old trail at a quick pace. As I turned onto the old trail I scanned the woods for any sign of movement or unnatural objects. I called as I walked. As the trail started to peter out, I slowed my pace and looked down so I didn’t drift off course.

Soon I got a response to my call. Moving toward the voice, I called again. I got another response. I said to stay put while I worked toward them. A hundred feet ahead, I spotted movement. I yelled that I could see him and started wav-

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 62

SAM News

by David Trahan, “Executive Director” Just after becoming the new SAM Executive Director in 2010, I testified on a bill in the Legislature’s Education and Cultural Affairs Committee that would require firearm safety education in Maine’s K-12 public education curriculum. The bill would do what, according to testimony at the time from the Department of Education, is already required by Maine Learning Results-require grade level appropriate firearm safety education in all Maine schools.

What came next, I will never forget, then Education Committee member, Sen. Rebecca Millett, DSouth Portland, Cape Elizabeth, and Scarbough said, “based on your testimony in support of this bill, why shouldn’t we assume you are trying to indoctrinate kids into the gun culture?”

Some of you already know Senator Millett, she is a key member of the gun control community and a member of the organization calling itself the Gun Safety Coalition. She was also the sponsor of the dra-

conian so-called “Red Flag Legislation” that rightly failed passage and would have allowed your neighbor or a stranger to initiate what many believe to be the unconstitutional taking of gun rights.

That is not the issue here, she represents a cadre

The Culture War on Gun Rights

biden-gun-safety-democrats-school-education-0011630).

I realized at that moment, in front of the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee, that the chances of teaching kids about hunting and the safe handling of firearms in school were next to impossible.

front line of this culture war. Gun control and antihunting advocates want to deny young people access to these activities long enough, so they can instill a bias against us. Right now, these groups and individuals own the education pipeline. It makes no difference if this education would save lives, their

“As Hunters and Firearm Owners we are in an Educational Culture War-We Either Change Our Tactics or Face the Decline of Our Traditional Values”.

of legislators and elected leaders from around the country who act as education gate-keepers, denying even the most basic firearm and hunting outdoor education programs from entering our schools, even supporting the purging of what few hunting and firearm programs already exist.

For example, just recently, President Joe Biden’s Department of Education, exposed their bias against guns and hunting by clarifying schools that teach hunting and archery will not be eligible for federal funding, (https://www.politico. com/news/2023/09/15/

November 2023

There are states like Maine across the country, where one party rules, (the same party that mostly promotes national gun control and policies which discourage hunting). Even though we have friends and supporters in both parties in the Maine Legislature who enable us to win most hunting and firearm issues, leaders of this biased opposition have found ways to win key posts in government that block even the most basic firearm and hunting education to reach young people. This is not a coincidence!

It is my observation that young people, once introduced (without bias) to the outdoor activities like recreational shooting, firearms safety and hunting soon learn to love the sports and that is the

hatred and bias blind them to any benefits of learning safe firearm use.

Against that backdrop is the reality that guns and hunting are still an important part of our Maine culture and learning how to responsibly live with guns and how to hunt ethically is crucial to our future.

Without quality education, shooting accidents and irresponsible behavior become inevitable.

Across this state, volunteers from Fish and Game Clubs, firearm instructors and individuals who love and respect a life lived outdoors have no choice but to take on the role of educators, mentors, and ambassadors. That is why building an education center is so important.

SAM, its Board of Directors, and members, along

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with Maine’s Fish and Game Clubs and DIFW must partner to do this important work. Absent their commitment and sacrifice, there is no second line of defense. We are in a culture war, plain and simple!

Ironically, the word culture is defined:” relating to a particular society and its ideas, customs, and art” In the past, someone recognized that by adding the word “cultural” to the Legislature’s Education and Cultural Affairs Committee they could blend political bias and basic education to shape the minds of young impressionable children. Right now, these individuals are winning the culture war by denying education and access to unbiased information about hunting and responsible firearm ownership.

The reason these groups and individuals must deny children this educational access is, once young people get past the political bias of elected officials and judgmental stigma promoted by adults, they can make up their own minds and, in most cases, will recognize that a life lived outdoors with proper mentoring and firearms education is a much fuller, safer life.

D a v i d Tr a h a n i s SAM’s Executive Director .

Send your letters to the Editor to: NWSJ P.O. Box 195 W. Enfield ME 04493 or

info@sportingjournal.com

November 2023

Northwoods Sporting Journal

New Hampshire’s Long Deer Season

Muzzleloader season for deer runs October 28th through November 7th this year. And the Regular Firearms season for deer will go from November 8th to December 3rd. (The season closes one week early in WMU A).

For the first time in New Hampshire, deer hunters have the option of registering their deer online this fall. To register your deer online visit www.wildlife. nh.gov/hunting-nh/checkstations-registration Registration stations will also remain a choice for those who prefer in-person registration. To allow for collection of biological data, online registration will be unavailable on the first two days of muzzleloader season, October 28 th and 29 th, and the first three days of firearms season, November 8, 9 and 10. Hunters must check in their deer in person on these days because online registration will be unavailable.

To accommodate the new online registration system and streamline the tracking of deer registrations, New Hampshire Fish and Game will no longer issue metal deer seals.

Instead, hunters will be issued a confirmation number that will serve as their proof of registration. Some deer registration stations have chosen to purchase replica metal deer seals to issue to successful hunters to maintain a sense of tradition and nostalgia. Hunters should be aware that these are not official deer seals and cannot be used as

proof of registration.

By now, your pre-season scouting efforts have no doubt shown you where the best producing acorn and beechnut areas are. It was a weird spring/summer for sure with copious

Last year, the White Mountain Region of WMUs (C1, D2, E, F) accounted for 305 bears which was an 11% increase over the 5-year mean harvest. As a matter of fact, we’ve got somewhere between 5,000

New Hampshire Outdoors

by Peter St. James, Warner, N.H. Win Mag, 6.5 Creedmoor.

Among the cartridges that didn’t make the cut, were three of my favorites. .280, .35 REM and .257 Roberts.

Then I looked at an

Some deer registration stations have chosen to purchase replica metal deer seals to issue to successful hunters to maintain a sense of tradition and nostalgia. Hunters should be aware that these are not official deer seals and cannot be used as proof of registration. amounts of rain and a late frost in May that nipped the oak trees and caused many orchards to lose a portion of their fall crop. But, with all the rains and humidity of the summer, it’s translating to a good mast crop.

Not a banner crop but better than last year. And that’s good news for us and thee critters.

One of my deer hunting companions for many years won’t be with us this year as he just retired and is traveling the country.

But he did sneak back into the state in September and got a very respectable 259 pound bear in WMU-E in the White Mountain region.

and 6,500 bears in the state I hear. You’ve still got time, if you’d like to do some still- hunting. The season ends on November 7th in WMUs A, B,C,D1, H1, H2, I2 and K. But, in WMUs C1, D2, E, F, G, I1, J1, J2, L and M you’ve got until November 30th to try your luck.

Outdoor Life recently ran an article titled “Best Deer Huning Calibers of 2023”. It was penned by John B. Snow, OL Shooting Editor. If you were looking for surprises, you would have been disappointed.

It was the usual suspects. .30/06, .30/30, 7mm Mag, .270, .243, .308, .223, .300 Handbuilt 13'10" open boat.

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Page 63

article in Field & Stream

by Richard Mann titled “11 Best Rifle Cartridges for Whitetail Deer”. A few variations from the Outdoor Life list, but by and large, it was much the same. The big difference was the Outdoor Life article picked the 30.06 as the Number One deer caliber saying, “The .30/06 Springfield is the Captain America of big-game car-

tridges”. But, the Field & Stream said, “There isn’t one best cartridge for deer hunting.” I liked that. Honesty. “However, if forced, I can name the one cartridge that will work very well in the most varied conditions and for the most varied types of shooters.”

The .308 Winchester.

As I’ve said before, the best deer caliber is the one that you’re comfortable with. Disagree with the Best Of lists but agree with your caliber of choice.

You’ll be a lot happier in the long run.

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

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 64

Pine (Cont. from pg 48) never before did. I let forth with a loud, vocal grunt and that buck, maybe 20 yards away, stopped on a dime. A second later, I touched off a shot and the buck lurched and took off like hell. He only went about 30 yards and, shot through both lungs, died.

Making a loud, vocal grunt, deep in the throat, has turned out, for me anyway, to be a great way to get a buck to stop in his tracks. I have killed a good number of bucks this way, but it will rarely work when a buck is on the scent of a hot doe or is with a hot doe.

They just seem uninterested and why not? That is not to say no one has. I just don’t bother about grunting at a buck chasing a doe.

I returned to that place a number of times later but never killed another buck in that location. Still, I will

never forget the title I put on that kill when I wrote about it, later on. The title?

“The buck at the Big Pine.”

Dennis Jensen is a freelance outdoor writer for three outdoor publications. Contact him at d.jensen62@yahoolcom

Trackers (Cont. from pg 54) calls to track deer shot by all the other deer cartridges combined.”

Maine today has about 30 or so licensed trackers, all of whom are listed on the UBT website. How do you know when it’s time to call in a tracker?

Hamilton’s advice is this: “Once you have made a reasonable effort to track your critter with no luck or determination of the animal’s condition, make your call to your nearest tracker listed on the UBT website. The tracker will

ask you some questions to get a better idea of the situation.” If you are waiting for a tracker to arrive, she urges you to wait patiently and not “mess up” the track for the dogs by spreading your scent again on a track you have already been on.

For a list of trackers nearest you, consult the website United Blood Trackers. Lindsay Ware’s cell phone number is 207 812 1366. Susanne Hamilton’s cell phone is 207 249 8078.

The author is editor of the Northwoods Sporting Journal. He is also a Maine Guide and host of a weekly radio program “Maine Outdoors” 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.sportingjournal.com

Camp

(Cont. from pg 52) might offer for fishing tips that have helped propel him to the podium he said “Be patient. Have confidence.

Fish your strengths. Don’t get discouraged. Look for “clean water” not silty and slimy. Fish less visible cover. Docks, trees, etc. get too much pressure. Look for 14-18’ of water. Use a side scan on a Lowrance.”

Bryan is sponsored by Billy Bissonette (Al’s French Fries fame) Derek Kerr of “Beast Coast” jigs and his favorite rod, he said, is “no surprise.” “It’s the Ugly Stik – the best rod ever made.” Bryan won First Place in the 2018 Bass Open and the 2022 Toyota Series. Keep an eye on this guy. He’s headed for some serious titles!

If you didn’t win a muzzleloader doe permit you’re still eligible to get a permit in WMUs with

November 2023 unallocated antlerless deer muzzleloader permits for use in the antlerless-only October 26-29 season and the regular December 2-10 season. Cost is $10.00.

These permits can be purchased on the department’s website or at any local license agent on a first come, first served basis.

If you won a permit in the lottery, you may not purchase a second permit unless you take a deer with your first permit and then only if you have not reached your four-deer annual limit. There are unallocated antlerless permits in the following WMUs: A, B, F1, F2, K, N, and Q. (view map of WMUs on VT F&W’s website). Hurry, they go quick!

Bradley Carleton is the founder and Director of Sacred Hunter.org which teaches the public respect and empathy through hunting, fishing and foraging.

Northwoods Sporting Journal Offers A FREE DIGITAL COPY to All Active Duty Military Personnel Worldwide!

E CTIV A O Y ET FRE ILITAR M

In these troubled and divisive times for our country, we at the Northwoods Sporting Journal remain proud to be Americans. We still stand for the National Anthem and thank our lucky stars that we live in the land of the free.

And we still salute our military men and women, who have served and continue to serve their country, here at home and in faraway lands. To them we owe our gratitude and appreciation for what they do, and for safeguarding our American way of life, which we value deeply.

As a way of saying thank you, we make the digital versions of the Northwoods Sporting Journal past and current - available online to service people around the world. If you have a loved one or friend now serving on active duty in Iraq or Afghanistan, or anywhere else, please let them know that they have free access to our digital magazines at: www.sportingjournal.com

November 2023

By V. Paul Reynolds Many sportsmen count the November deer hunt as the highlight of all of their outdoor passions.

It is a special time. Frosty mornings and quiet moments in a tree stand with hand warmers, a thermos of hot coffee mixed with the anticipation of a big buck in the cross hairs is a deer hunter’s daydream. Or, for the most hardy and driven among the hunt fraternity, the dream is of to follow a big track on fresh snow.

And, of course, the

And, of course, the Maine deer camp is also the centerpiece of the hunt, part of the heritage and the history. These camps come in all sizes and description and locales, many of them passed along from generation to generation...

Maine deer camp is also the centerpiece of the hunt, part of the heritage and the history. These camps come in all sizes and description and locales, many of them passed along from generation to generation, along with unique histories and huntin’ yarns that get carried on year after year.

A mouse in the corner – a graying one that has been hiding in the food bin for more than a year or two – knows that many of the same old topics get worked over at the card tables year after year. Among them: the best deer gun, the time of day that bucks move, tracking methods, and the Daddy of them all, when is the peak period of the allimportant rut?

Northwoods Sporting Journal

The Hunter’s Moon

Around the pot belly stoves at deer camps everywhere, the debate rages on: “When is the peak of the rut, anyway?”

(Illustration by V. Paul Reynolds)

In general, if you can figure out what time of the month the rut is at its peak, you stand the best chance of catching a buck when he is distracted with his guard down and his focus is not on danger. Since there is only educated guesswork about rut times, mixed with some well-grounded anecdotal evidence, the deer rut can be the subject of spirited debate at deer camp.

There are two clear schools of thought on this subject. The conventional wisdom of highly respected wildlife biologists like Gerry Lavigne is straightforward and has nothing to do with the moon phases.

Lavigne will tell you, unequivocally, that the rut always peaks on November 15th year after year, period. This theory holds that the breeding season is guided or dependent upon the length of daylight.

The more romantic theory, if you will, is that the rut, although occurring over a period of 40 days,

has a “sweet spot” that lasts about 10 days. This is the lunar theory as articulated by well-known deer researcher Charles Alsheimer from Bath, New York. In a chapter in his book titled “Anatomy of the Rut,” Alsheimer postulates that the whitetail rut is regulated by the lunar cycle.

He theorizes that the Rutting Moon, or the Beaver Moon, determines the sweet spot, which begins three days after the Rutting Moon and lasts, as

said earlier, about 10 days.

Unlike the Lavigne rutting theory, this lunar theory dictates a different rut peak year after year, and takes a little calculation on the hunter’s part. For example, the Rutting Moon is always the second full moon after the autumnal equinox. This fall, however, the Rutting Moon, or Beaver Moon, falls on November 8th. So this would commence the rutting “sweet spot” on Nov. 11.th So what does this

Page 65 mean? It really depends upon which theory you elect to go with, lunar cycle or length of day. If you opt for the lunar theory and really want to maximize your odds for catching a rutting buck in deep distraction, you might want to reconsider the date you have set for your hunt week vacation. If Alsheimer is right, the buck of your dreams is more likely to make a mistake in your favor from November 11th to November 21st.

One other thing. If you really want to “play the numbers,” and cover all bases, lunar theory AND length- of- day theory, and you have a tree stand in good deer country, be in that stand everyday during the aforementioned dates.

Good luck, and hunt safely!

The author is editor of the Northwoods Sporting Journal. He is also a Maine Guide and host of a weekly radio program “Maine Outdoors” 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.sportingjournal.com

Finally, the fishing book that you've been waiting for...drum roll, please...

FLY FISHING MAINE RIVERS, BROOKS AND STREAMS - By Bob Leeman Sporting Journal columnist Bob Leeman, a Master Maine Guide and ardent fly fisherman, has written a book whose chapters capture the experiences of a lifetime of fishing Maine. This book not only tells where to go to catch brook trout and landlocked salmon in rivers, brooks and streams, but locates wadeable waters and canoeable waters. Certain pools, secretive springs, slow water, beaver ponds and fast water pocket holding places are located in words and detailed map illustrations. For the fly fisherman, this is a useful, practical, "how-to" angling manual, unmatched for its thoroughness, originality and authoritative advice.

Bob shares his own fly creations along with recipes and striking color photos of each fly.

Maine Outdoor Publications

125 pages "If your passion is flyfishing Maine's remarkable rivers, brooks and streams, you'll learn so much from Bob's book. It's good. Very good!" - V. Paul Reynolds, NWSJ Send a check for $19.95 plus $4.00 postage and handling, along with this ad to: Bob Leeman, 992 Ohio St., Apt. 112, Bangor, ME 04401

Page 66

Seasons

(Cont. from pg 49) is reported or within 30 days. The tooth provides important data on the age structure and size of the bear population. Envelopes for submitting teeth are available at all big game reporting stations.

Hunters are required to report deer, bear and wild turkeys they harvest during the hunting seasons within 48 hours. Deer and bear must be field-dressed prior to reporting, and a hunter must take a warden

Northwoods Sporting Journal to the kill site of a deer or bear if requested by a warden.

The online reporting link for deer as well as a map and list of big game reporting stations is available under “Hunt” on the left side of Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s website.

It is a good idea to review the 2023 Deer Season Guide also available on the website home page.

The Future Of Hunting Is Up To Us To Protect I like to remind all hunters that the future of our sport may be deter-

Left: Hampden, Maine teenager Wyatt Rollins, son of Jeremy Rollins, poses proudly with his first Maine black bear.

mined by our actions. The following quote by Aldo Leopold is worth remembering.

“A peculiar virtue in wildlife ethics is that the hunter ordinarily has no gallery to applaud or disapprove of his conduct.

Whatever his acts, they are dictated by his own conscience, rather than by a mob of onlookers. It is difficult to exaggerate the importance of this fact.

“Voluntary adherence to an ethical code elevates the self-respect of sportsmen, but it should not be

November 2023

forgotten that voluntary disregard of the code degenerates and depraves him.”

Syndicated columnist Gary W. Moore is a life long resident of Vermont and a former Commissioner of Fish and Game.

His latest book, Four Season in Vermont, is available at many bookstores and sporting goods shop or from him directly. He may be reached by e-mail at gwmoore1946@icloud. com or at Box 454, Bradford, VT 05033.

Left: This 567 lb boar was shot by Joe Janak from Wisconsin.

He shot in the Patten/Shin Pond area, with the help of Libby’s Lodge at Shin Pond.

Hunting

(Cont. from pg 58) to Montana, this year we found sharptail numbers to be down a bit, Hun numbers about the same and pheasant numbers very high. In fact, you could hardly go ten minutes without seeing pheasants somewhere…on the roads, in fields or flying over roads.

Northeast Montana will have an outstanding pheasant season.

For Susan and me, it’s all about watching our dogs work. Killing a large number of birds isn’t necessary. When our dogs point and pin a cover of sharptail grouse, we limit ourselves to shooting only two birds from that covey.

The sharptail is not a difficult target. It’s a rather slow bird. Also, the covey flushes in stages. Perhaps three will flush, then two, then four, then two and so on. Shooting a side x side, the most I could kill would be two birds from a covey.

Shooting an over/under, the same for Susan. That’s enough.

Every upland hunter should have a prairie hunt on their bucket list. Either Montana or North Dakota will satisfy your desire.

You’ll be happy and so will your dogs.

TO ADVERTISE IN THIS SPACE CALL 207-732-4880 OR EMAIL: info@sportingjournal.com

November 2023

Shoes

(Cont. from pg 56) high-profile buck hunters, like Hal Blood for example, use the Benoit signature deer rifle.

Larry Benoit died at the age of 89 on October 7, 2013. This fall on Sept 24th at the Rutland Recreation and Community Center in Rutland, Vermont a special Larry Benoit Family Celebration was held in the large gymnasium, complete with Benoit family members, friends, vendors and a roster of guest speakers. Among the speakers were Larry Benoit’s son, Lanny Benoit, a trophy buck hunter in his own right, and author Bryce Towsley, who wrote a couple of books about the Benoits. The event coordi-

Northwoods Sporting Journal nator, Ron Boucher, said that Sept 24th was Benoit’s birthday. He would have been 99.

Boucher said that as far as he knew Larry Benoit never kept a count of his cumulative buck harvest.

Those in the know estimate that he tagged close to 200 trophy bucks in his long hunting career. Boucher contends that in the ranks of North Woods big buck hunters, there “will never be another like him.”

Perhaps not. Time has a way of changing things. Buck hunter Richard Bernier is gone. So is Lane Benoit, Larry’s son.

Hal Blood is still on the track, but in private moments concedes that, when it comes to the legs and the endurance, it “just ain’t like it used to be.”

Oh, looking ahead, a Maine trophy buck and a happy hunter will still make the magazine covers, but there is no heir apparent waiting on stage left, no latterday Larry Benoit or Hal Blood, at least not as far as we can tell. So, those of us who keep tabs on these sort of things have to ask. Who’s gonna fill their shoes?

The author is editor of the Northwoods Sporting Journal. He is also a Maine Guide and host of a weekly radio program “Maine Outdoors” 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.sportingjournal.com

Page 67

Best Shot!

Tom Carbone enjoys his Journal while fishing at Moosehead lake.

Page 68 SELLERS LANE

BUYERS ROAD

REAL ESTATE

Northwoods Sporting Journal

136 Moosehead Trail Newport, ME 04953 Bus 207-355-3252

doug@brockwayinsurance.com Doug Brockway Agent

Like a good neighbor, "State Farm is there" FLAGSTAFF LAKE: 18.7 Acres at Jim Eaton Hill with 320' of water frontage on Flagstaff Lake.

Gated. Off grid. Amazing views of Mount Bigelow. Sandy bottom beach. 2 bedroom cabin, gas appliances and lights.

8'x24' covered porch. $410,000.

Turned

(Cont. from pg 61) The closest cell signal is 2.5 miles away, and only if you know exactly where to go. And help was likely an hour away.

I’m sure everyone took something away from the incident. Keep together.

Stay put when you realize you are lost, stop walking.

Don’t assume anything when you hear someone

80 Penobscot Avenue Millinocket, Maine 04462 207-723-9086 www.northwoods-realestate.com

member, Executive Director, and Maine Advisory Council Member for Native Fish Coalition. Look for his books 50 Best Places Fly Fishing the Northeast, 25 Best Towns Fly Fishing for Trout, Squaretail: The Definitive Guide to Brook Trout and Where to Find Them and Favorite Flies for Maine: 50 Essential Patterns from Local Experts and Fly Fishing Maine: Local Experts on the State’s Best Waters. Bob can be reached at BobMallard.com or info@bobmallard.com

Subscribe Today!

“Serving Maine and the Katahdin Region Since 1984” A 21.6 acre undeveloped island. Located on T1R9 WELS in Piscataquis County near Millinocket. It includes 2 large sand beaches. Price $425,000. Dan Corcoran, Agent

Enjoy Maine's Vacation-land!

"Tate" Aylward - 207-794-2460 Peter Phinney - 207-794-5466 Kirk Ritchie - 207-290-1554

MLS#1567418

Email: cwa@cwalakestreet.com

T3 R1- Brand spanking new cabin with detached woodshed/privy. Deeded across to Bill Green Pond (across the road).

Partially furnished and cute as a button.

Possible owner financing. $89,900

(See pg 47)

• Nearly a brand new camp, sleeps 4-6.

• Completely renovated incl new floor, walls and roof a few years ago.

• Neat as a pin, 12.5 x 18.5 and efficient for utility and heat.

• Features solar/electric and generator backup.

• Moose and grouse abound.

• Only 30 minutes to the pavement, yet private and remote.

• P and C lease is 800 annually.

MLS#1565387

janet@csmrealestate.com

Danforth- Lot offers relaxing sunset’s views, has electricity available at the road and is level and well wooded right on Lower Hot Brook Lake. This is a beautiful, quiet part of northern Lakeville- Large cabin is unfinished on the Maine- ready for you. $99,000 inside and sits on a half acre of land. End of road privacy in quiet, rural location on T3R1- Remote. Private. Wooded Duck Lake. It has a one car, drive in full and beautiful. With deeded foundation with a 400amp underground access to Bill Green Pond, this would be a wonderful electrical feed. $229,000 place to build your seasonal Lakeville- This cute, well-constructed cabin right off Engstrom Rd. cabin on a small hidden cove on Lower POSSIBLE OWNER FINANCING. Dobsy Lake. Private 10 wooded acres. The driveway is shared with Light a fire & sit near thousands of acres lot 17 and is partially installed. of additional lakes & ponds of Northern $24,900 Maine. $149,000

BOB MALLARD has fly fished for forty years.

He is the former owner of Kennebec River Outfitters, a Registered Maine Fishing Guide, and a commercial fly designer. Bob is a blogger, writer, and author. He is also a native fish advocate and founding

Pemadumcook Lake Island

207-265-4000 259 Main Street, Kingfield, ME www.csmrealestate.com

5 Lake Street, P.O. Box 66, Lincoln, ME 207-794-2460

calling. And act quickly, as every minute counts when someone gets turned around in the woods.

November 2023

• Located near East Chapman in T10 R3.

• Spacious camp sleeps 10-12.

• Wood stove and propane heat.

• Only 30 minutes from downtown Presque Isle.

• Mostly furnished and ready for your weekend.

• 12x10 and one 7x7 storage building.

• Prentiss and Carlisle lease is $800 annually.

515 Main Street Presque Isle Maine 04769 CHUCK JOHNSTON

207-227-2305

Representing Buyers and Sellers CAMPS • LAND • RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL

(207) 764-4600

Northwoods Sporting Journal

November 2023

REAL ESTATE SELLERS LANE

BUYERS ROAD

Bus. (207) 853-2626 Toll Free: (877) 853-2626 Cell: (207) 952-2001 Fax: (207) 853-2605 www.DueEast.com 183 County Road Eastport, ME 04631

Mike MacPhee, Sales Agent

Covering the Heart of Downeast ME & Unspoiled Washington Co. 967 Ayers Junction Rd, Charlotte: 29 acre forested lot with 900 feet of road frontage running along Route 214 in Charlotte.

Electricity at the road. Brook running through back of property. Some level spots at road with generally sloping terrain. Both Round Pond and Pennamaquan Lake are located nearby as well as the Ayers Junction Sunrise Rail Trail that runs all the way to Machias and from there on to Ellsworth. Remnants of a wood mill and a small house are visible. Sign on property. $60,000

TBD Station Rd., Pembroke: Nice level 1.96 acre lot with electric and dug well on site. Ready to build your seasonal get away, year round home or park your camper. Located on a paved town road, the property has access to the Sunrise Trail with miles of 4 wheeling trails that connect all the way to Machias and even Ellsworth beyond that. The property is located very close to both Boyden and Pennamaquan Lakes with the Boyden Lake boat landing just half a mile away. Eastport is just 15 minutes away, with its many restaurants, galleries and fishing fleet. $28,500

6 Travis Lane, Robbinston: Private off grid tiny log cabin hideaway, surrounded by pine forest overlooking Western Lake in Robbinston. Custom built and in great condition. Cabin has a cathedral ceiling, full insulation, covered porch, 250 gallon rain barrel water collection system, sleeping or storage loft, gravity fed flush toilet, and woodstove. Includes a rowboat and a right of way to boat landing on Western Lake. $79,900

1471 Jacksonville Rd., East Machias: Sitting on 100 acres+ known as McGeorge’s Crossing is this charming 1835+/- post and beam Cape, with original exposed ceiling beams. Home has 3 bedrooms (one being used as a den) and 2 full bathrooms. Hardwood floors throughout, some original, some new. Property has extensive road frontage with Sunrise Trail system going through North end of Property. $369,000

(207) 696-4247

www.HearthAndHomeRealty.com 274 Main Street Madison, ME 04950

#3458-Athens; Beautiful 2BR, 2 bath home on a private country road. Very well maintained. Spacious, picturesque yard, and very well cared for. Two screened in porches, cathedral style ceiling, well insulated, multiple heat sources, second bath in garage. Use as a year-round home or camp. A real gem in the Maine Woods. $269,000 3459-Madison; Quality 2BR, 2 bath ranch. Very spacious with 2,176 sq. ft. of living area. Master BR w/bath. Very efficiently built and a must see for anyone looking for a quality home. 2-car attached, heated garage. Far too much to list here. Possible commercial location as well. 1.2 acres. $375,000

P.O. Box 616 Long Lake, NY 12847

518-265-9198

Adirondack Land For Sale "Build Your Dream Cabin and Explore this Pristine Mountain Wilderness"

8461-Starks; Own your own piece of the Maine woods. Here is 42.5 acres that is very nicely wooded and has not been cut since the 1950’s. Stream frontage and a great place to build a camp or cut some trees to help with the cost of the land. $80,000

574-Skowhegan; Investors take note: two buildings side by side in downtown Skowhegan w/high traffic count. 3-story building has beautiful woodwork/character throughout. 1700 sqft per floor and ready to be finished and utilized. Apartments, offices, storefront, living space? Includes 16+ car parking lot. 2-story building w/commercial space downstairs & rental upstairs. Beautiful location, ample opportunity, gorgeous views. $649,900

www.adirondackmtland.com

Page 69 Lindsey Brann, Associate Broker 207-441-9317 lindsey@integrityhomesregroup.com

www.integrityhomesrealestategroup.com/lindseybrann

This cozy year-round log cabin nestled in the Village Circle neighborhood of Beaver Cove has so much to offer! Located just steps away from Moosehead Lake with 250’+ of shared beach waterfrontage, docks, a picnic & playground area and trail rights. The cabin comes fully furnished and equipped for fourseason easy maintenance living. Snowmobiling and ATV trails nearby - leave right from your front yard. Annual BCA fee of $75/yr. and water/sewer fees of $175/qtr., low taxes, and town-maintained road. Many opportunities with this once in a lifetime property, including 2yrs of short-term vacation rental history. Don’t miss out on your chance to own a beautiful piece off Maine’s largest lake! $405,500 MLS-1571169 This year-round chalet home boasts a spacious layout for the whole family over three floors with 2-3 bedrooms, and 2 large bathrooms. Ample space for entertaining or relaxing, including a partially finished basement plus additional attic space ready to be turned into a room of your choice. Recently remodeled down to the studs, almost everything in this modern home is brand new insulation, sheetrock, siding, flooring, ceilings, paint, plumbing, wiring, windows, doors, along with an appealing hardscape. Across the street just steps away is a nicely landscaped spot to enjoy the impressive Great Moose Lake. $389,000 MLS-1568721 Check out this prime Great Pond property located in desirable Belgrade.

Situated on a spacious wooded 8.7-acre lot with over 1100’ road frontage. Step out onto the screened porch and watch the sunrise through the surrounding trees or relax after a long day and enjoy the sunset. Take a stroll down the extended dock and launch your boat or observe lake life on your private 1000’ of waterfrontage. This well-loved 2-3 bedroom, 1 bathroom gambrel home has stayed in the family since it was new in 1983. On the first floor boasts additional living space prepped for an in-law apartment.

Seller is offering a $5,000 credit towards finishing the in-law apt to the new buyer. Recently built in 2016 is a massive 28x56 garage w/ a room above awaiting finishing touches. $699,000 MLS-1566446

www.edssheds-cabins.com Email: edwardl@edssheds-cabins.com Bangor 207-738-5315

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Our Past. Your Future

P.O. Box 72 Houlton, Maine 1-800-341-1566 www.wardcedarloghomes.com

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 70

November 2023

Houlton Office 207-532-4500 Hermon Office 207-605-0556 Scot Walker, Broker

For all your recreational needs!

First Choice Real Estate

Land, Cabins, Acreage, Waterfront and more.

P.O. Box 628 Main Street Machias, ME 04654

SUNRISE REALTY

www.mainelandbroker.com www.firstchoicerealestate.com SELLERS LANE BUYERS ROAD

REAL ESTATE

to $112,000.00

SELLERS LANE BUYERS ROAD

Office Tel. & Fax: (207) 255-3039 Email: anitaj@midmaine.com Website: www.sunlist.com Anita Johnson

CALAIS: This home has 2 1/2 baths with 3 bedrooms and there is a room down stairs that could be used as another bedroom. Home is close to stores, banking and even some eating places. Home sits on a quiet side street. There is a garage but the owner has never used it and it is need of repairs. Home has been reduced

EAST MACHIAS: This home sit on 7.21 acres and is nestled amongst trees. There is also another building that the owner started but do to bad health did not get it finished. There is no septic but there is a drilled well but not hooked into either building. This would make a great project for anyone who likes to do carpenter work.

They could have a place to live in and the other to rent. The homes sit in a nice quiet location. A great price for two homes at only $130,000.00