Northwoods Sporting Journal, October 2023

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Pa’tridge In The Pan - V. Paul Reynolds

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

October 2023

Pa’tridge in the Pan

Before me in my garage office are three books about hunting grouse (pa’tridge if you are from Amity or Orneville). They are large, lovely, topshelf coffee table books with brilliant glossy pages and generous full-page photographs of grouse, gun dogs and upland bird hunters. One of them is “A Passion For Grouse.” It is a keepsake book if there ever was one, at 600 pages and close to five lbs! It retails to close to $100.00. In it you can read about the King of Game Birds and the iconic grouse authors such as Burton Spillar, Corey Ford, William Harden Foster and many others. There is even an interview with Maine’s own sporting artist and columnist the late Tom Hennessey. From expensive high-end bird guns

and legendary gun dogs to grouse behavior and evolution, it leaves no stone unturned – save for one.

Not a whisper about how

grouse compendiums contain grouse recipes, not even a token recipe or cameo mention of the culinary aspect of grouse hunting!

Page 3

Outdoors In Maine

by V. Paul Reynolds, Ellsworth, ME ate marketing nicety by the book publishers, kind of like when L.L. Bean changed the name of their fabled “Hunting Shoe” to the “Bean Boot.”

Grouse hunting sure isn’t catch and release.

When I hunted grouse with my beloved English Setter, Sally of Seboeis, the hunt was for her, but it also was for me, a chance to enjoy grouse breasts sauted gently in a little salt pork.

Sally of Seboeis (photo by V. Paul Reynolds) “Hmmm, why is best to cook a grouse!

This surprised me. this?” I wondered. PerIn fact, not one of these haps the lapse is a deliber-

Heaven as you can get in the temporal realm. When I hunted grouse with my beloved English Setter, Sally of Seboeis, the hunt was for her, but it also was for me, a chance to enjoy grouse breasts sauted gently in a little salt pork.

This is an attempt to fill in the blanks.

Hunter’s Grouse

Maine’s wanton waste law requires consumption of the kill. And, as we all well know, pa’tridge breast is wild table fare that is just about as close to gustatory

* This is a keeper recipe that Diane often prepares.

It works well with quail, pheasant, game hens or chicken.

–Place four to six grouse breasts in bag of flour with salt, pepper and lots of paprika.

– melt one stick of butter and place meat in baking dish and pour butter over the meat.

(Pa’tridge cont. pg 15)

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

On The Cover

The Sportin’ Journal

Pa’tridge In The Pan - Pg 3 The Buck Hunter - Pg 42 October Dilemma - Pg 7 October Flies - Pg 55 Camps, Cottages and Land for Sale - Pg 68-70

Contents

October 2023

The Outdoor Paper For “Maine Folks”

3. Outdoors In Maine - V. Paul Reynolds 6. Cookin’ with New England’s WildCheff - Denny Corriveau 7. Maine Tails - Jonah Paris 10. A Hiker’s Life - Carey Kish 14. The Bird Perch - Karen Holmes 16. The Adventures Of Me & Joe - Bob Cram 18. Outdoor Sporting Library - Jeremiah Wood 20. Aroostook Woods & Waters - Mike Maynard 22. Women In The Woods - Erin Merrill 23. Warden’s Words - Kale O’Leary 24. The Gun Cabinet - John Floyd 25. South Of The Kennebec - Stu Bristol 26. The Trail Rider - Dan Wilson 27. Kineo Currents - Suzanne AuClair 28. On Point - Paul Fuller 30. The Back Shelf - John Graves 32. From Craig Pond - Bob Mercer 33. Guns & Ammo: A Guide’s Perspective - Tom Kelly 34. The Maine Woods - Matt LaRoche 35. Oliver Collins’ Vermont Moose Hunt - Oliver Collins 36. View From The River - Laurie Chandler 37. Cracker Barrel - Homer Spit 38. Maine Outdoor Adventure - Rich Yvon 39. Old Tales From The Maine Woods - Steve Pinkham 40. Northwoods Sketchbook - Mark McCollough 41. Just Fishing - Bob Leeman 42. The Buck Hunter - Hal Blood 43. Northwoods Voyager - Gil Gilpatrick 44. Northwoods Bowhunter - Brian Smith 45. On The Ridge - Joe Judd 46. On The Prowl - Justin Merrill 47. Best Bassin’ - Bill Decoteau 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. Basics of Survival - Joe Frazier 55. Slipstream - Scott Biron 56. Question Of The Month - Joel Tripp 58. Marsh Island Chronicles - Matthew Dunlap 59. The Singing Maine Guide - Randy Spencer 60. Muzzleloading Afield - Al Raychard 61. Ash Hill Deer Farm - V. Paul Reynolds 62. New Hampshire Outdoors - Peter St. James 66. Grouse Days - V. Paul Reynolds 67. Bear Meat: Bad Rap - V. Paul Reynolds

The Northwoods Sporting Journal is the Northeast’s most comprehensive and readable monthly outdoor publication. Published at the trailhead of Maine’s sprawling North Woods, the Sporting Journal prides itself on being an independent voice for the region’s outdoor community for more than 28 years. Some of our writers are seasoned and specialized outdoors people who will share their know-how and insights; some of our contributors are simply lifelong outdoor people with interesting stories to tell.

Our aim every month is to capture the essence of Northern New England’s remarkable outdoor heritage by stirring memories, portraying outdoor humor, and sharing experiences and outdoor knowledge. We also keep our readers up to date with late-breaking outdoor news and hard-hitting editorials about fish and wildlife issues.

Anyone who loves to hunt and fish, or simply finds the Great Outdoors a treasured place, is more than likely to find some special connections amid the pages of the Northwoods Sporting Journal.

www.sportingjournal.com

Main Office Phone: (207) 732-4880 E-mail: info@sportingjournal.com Fax: (207)732-4970

Vol 30 Issue 10 is published monthly by Northwoods Publications, 57 Old County Rd. North, W. Enfield, ME 04493 Periodical Postage Paid at W. Enfield, ME. and additional mailing offices.

The Northwoods Sporting Journal (ISSN#1548-193X) Postmaster: Send address changes to: Northwoods Sporting Journal, PO Box 195, W. Enfield, ME 04493 Northwoods Publishing Group Victor Morin - Susan Morin - Diane Reynolds - V. Paul Reynolds Publishers - Victor Morin Jr. - V. Paul Reynolds Editor - V. Paul Reynolds Assistant Editor - Josh Reynolds Associate Editor - Donna Veino Graphic Arts Manager - Gayleen Cummings Subscription/Distribution Manager - Alicia Cram Operations Manager - Annette Boobar Webmaster - V. Paul Reynolds Sales Department; Victor Morin,Thomas Schmidt, Paul Hatin, Traci Grant, Michael Georgia, Mike Brown & Mike Maynard Regional Advertising Manager - Jim Thorne The Northwoods Sporting Journal invites submissions of photographs and articles about the Maine outdoors.

Manuscripts should be sent with a self-addressed envelope to: NORTHWOODS SPORTING JOURNAL P.O. BOX 195, W. ENFIELD, MAINE 04493 The Northwoods Sporting Journal accepts no responsibility for unsolicited photos or manuscripts. Photos submitted without a stamped, self-addressed envelope will not be returned.

All rights reserved, 2023. Written permission must be obtained from the Northwoods Sporting Journal to reprint any part of this publication. Any errors or omissions in ads or editorial matter will be corrected in the next issue of NWSJ. The views and opinions expressed by our monthly columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of this publication.

Back Shelf - Pg 30 John Graves The Gun Cabinet - Pg 24 John Floyd

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

Cover Photo: Photo by Tim Flanigan

Cookin’ With New England’s WildCheff - Pg 6 Denny Corriveau

“Just Fishing” - Pg 41 Bob Leeman

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 6

Drumming for the Plate

Cookin’ With New England’s WildCheff

by Denny Corriveau, Kennebunkport, ME

I am no stranger to drumming. In my youth I played with vigor; performing my version of a drum solo while keeping the beat for a drum and bugle corps called “The Muchachos”.

October 2023

with a positive spiritual connection.

In the fall, if you are fortunate enough, you can hear the rhythm of another drum, and the musician is the famed king of the

ground or in a tree.

I have always found these birds to be fascinating to observe and to hunt.

During the years of my youth, we ventured out into the woods hoping to stumble across a grouse that would take flight so we could test our reflexes, much like a gun fighter with an acute sense of gun mastery. Sometimes we

what I hoped to be a big buck. While I sat patiently, I caught movement out of the corner of my eye and before I knew it a grouse landed on a branch not more than a couple of feet

when you become one with nature.

For those who are fortunate enough to fill their moose tag early, those extra days at moose camp present a great chance to spend

from me. I didn’t move an inch but used my eyes to hone-in on this grouse that appeared to not even know I was there. I was in camo, but I was amazed at how close it was to me.

Before long the grouse started drumming right there on the branch.

I chalk this up to one of many unique outdoor experiences that I have been blessed to be a part of over 40+ years of hunting. If you are willing to get out of bed in the morning, it’s truly amazing what things you will see and experience

a few hours in pursuit of our woodland grouse population. It probably won’t take much convincing for your guide or lodge to cook up what you bring back to camp, sharing God’s bounty.

You’ll find these delicious birds in a variety of terrain that ranges from spruce and firs to open hardwoods. Try old logging roads that are restricted to single lane or atv activity as they can be easy walking and the edge habitat and gravel tend to attract grouse.

In my humble opinion, grouse are incredible table fare, and recipes for these birds are endless.

The primary method for cooking them includes sauteing, roasting, grilling and braising. Typical pan sautéing involves the breast meat, while the other methods involve the whole bird.

If you sear the breast, (Plate cont. pg 11)

One of my most memorable drumming experiences was while I was sitting in a tree stand awaiting what I hoped to be a big buck. While I sat patiently, I caught movement out of the corner of my eye and before I knew it a grouse landed on a branch not more than a couple of feet from me.

While I didn’t get an audition for Santana, every time I created that thumping with my drums, it made me understand that the sound of a beat has significance.

Recently I enjoyed the beat of tribal drums at my Metis (Mi’kmaq and French heritage) tribes’ Pow Wow. A different beat

gamebirds – grouse!

Not only are grouse beautiful upland game birds, but they are equally as attractive to eat.

In Maine the question always gets asked whether you call them partridge or grouse. I was told as a teenager that the difference is whether they are on the

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were fortunate enough to bring home some birds and enjoy their sweet flavor sauteed in a cast iron pan with fresh garlic and farm butter.

I learned early on from others how to quickly strip the feathers away from the carcass by holding the wings down with my feet and pulling back on the legs to release.

A few years ago, I had a close friend and Maine guide perform this process in his hands so quickly, he could of qualified to be on Penn and Teller as a magician– lol. He obviously had done this many times over the years.

One of my most memorable drumming experiences was while I was sitting in a tree stand awaiting

October 2023

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Ghost Birds

Page 7

Maine Tails

By Jonah Paris, Scarborough, ME truck, we were greeted by a panoramic view that many of us dream about all year long. Colors - red, yellow, and orange - lit up the mountains, contrasting against the dark green patches of pine and fir.

Looking left, then right, I smiled. We were finally all alone in beautiful country.

I slung my pack over

October on the grouse roads.

(Photo courtesy of Jonah Paris.)

I cannot say how many ruffed grouse I walk past or drive by on the gravel roads of Maine every fall - but I do know that the number, if I could even count that high, would be both astonishing and embarrassing.

For those of us who do not run bird dogs, and even for some who do, “ghost birds” are all too common.

They are crafty creatures, sly tricksters; they refuse to flush, strut, drum, or cluck, and yet you just know they are there.

One Saturday morning last October, Ashley and I were peering down at the truck console studying a faded page of my Delorme Atlas and Gazetteer - the bible of the Maine backcountry. We were trying to locate a new area to explore because other hunters were running a little too thick in our usual haunts. If we were going to find birds, we needed to leave behind the caravan of Jeeps and trucks. So instead of hunting east of the main road, 910 Exeter Rd, Corinna

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the grouse roads on a long leash at her own pace, sniffing everything a hound may sniff, and then curling up in the red chair next to the wood stove at camp.

The goal for the day, aside from getting some exercise, was for Ashley to have the opportunity to shoot at a grouse. So as Ashley crept ahead along the road with

Stepping out from the truck, we were greeted by a panoramic view that many of us dream about all year long.

Colors - red, yellow, and orange - lit up the mountains, contrasting against the dark green patches of pine and fir.

Looking left, then right, I smiled. We were finally all alone in beautiful country. we headed westward into the mountains and soon put Canada on the horizon. I turned down a gravel road, then down another road, and then finally parked at the start of a third road.

Stepping out from the

my shoulder, and let our beagle, Aurora, out from her crate. Aurora is not a bird dog; she is our middleaged family pet, though she did chase a rabbit or two in her younger days.

She now enjoys hiking

her 20-gauge, Aurora and I meandered behind.

We walked the road for a while and eventually came to a fork. The right finger descended into a valley, and the left finger (Ghost cont. pg 9)

Page 8

Northwoods Sporting Journal

October 2023

The Slippery Slope The Biden Administration’s Department of Education (ED) confirmed that, as of June, it is deliberately withholding federal funds from elementary and middle schools that have courses in hunting or archery.

The ED issued a statement claiming that the decision was due to an interpretation of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) passed last year in response to several shootings. The agency claims that its interpretation determined that funding for any shootingrelated activities will be blocked across the country, under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965.

The decision has already led to some schools canceling their archery and hunting safety classes altogether, which can affect millions of students.

Tommy Floyd, president of the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP), said that his group boasts 1.3 million students from 9,000 schools in 49 different states.

The decision drew backlash from the GOP, who say that the agency’s interpretation of the law is incorrect. Senators John Cornyn

(R-Texas) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) said that the provision cited by the ED was meant to prevent education funds from being used for the training of school resource officers, not the banning of hunting and archery classes.

“Hunting has been a tradition since the beginning of human history,” said Congressman Mark Green (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Homeland Security Committee. “The Biden admin’s decision to push its elitist values on Tennesseans isn’t going to fly.”

Here in Maine, the ramifications of this Federal ruling has just begun to filter down and as public school administrators apply the Federal dictum to determine its impact on curriculum choices and school budgets.

In Bucksport, the Bucks Mills Rod & Gun Club, to its credit, has been offering a state certified hunter safety course as part of the High School’s Adult Education Program. Students as well as adults have access to this course. Will the Federal ruling affect this program? Bruce Ashmore, President of the Bucks Mills Rod & Gun Club, thinks not. “ As an Adult Ed course, our hunter safety course, even though we do

Great Issue

“which issue would be a Solar Fields great example of this magaTo the Editor: zine.” Yeah this might just To the Editor: I just wanted to say be it. Thanks a lot.

Ernie and I apprecithe July issue was great. ated your editorial in the Really enjoyed it cover to Warren Seddon last issue, about the travcover. If you’re thinking esty of solar fields. Just how stupid are we? I feel a knife twisting in my heart whenever I drive by one.

Carol Lantiegne

Out of Hand To the Editor: Your editorial (Fields of solar panels, NWSJ, Aug. 23) was correct and much needed. This green energy foolishness has gotten out of hand and is NOT conservation. Your solar panel comments and the actions taken by SAM

have high school students taking the course, is not really a part of the MSAD curriculum, so I don’t see it shutting us down,” says Ashmore.

What this ruling may close down are public school curricula involving any kind of shooting sports, from skeet shooting, gun and hunting safety to rifle marksmanship and perhaps even competitive rifle teams and even junior ROTC programs at the high school level.

There are reportedly 2,000 high school rifle programs in the U.S.!

For example, at Brewer High School there is competitive rifle team, which is the case at other public schools in Maine. Will these programs by defunded by the Feds as anticipated?

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) has been on the books since 1965, so why all of this now?

Sad to say, anyone who has been paying attention to the policy agenda of the Biden Administration, should not be all that surprised.

Say goodbye to yet another freedom and another instance of the Feds tromping on local control and states rights.

-VPR

are not strong enough and must challenge green energy hysteria.

Green energy and climate change stupidity will greatly harm wildlife and wildlife habitat.

Solar panels will destroy nesting habitat for ground nesting birds, especially woodcock, when panels are placed next to brushy areas and woodlots.

Woodcock nest in these areas. Solar panel parcels 20 acres and larger should require an environmental impact statement before construction. These parcels can have a negative effect on nesting birds and limiting invertebrate, e.g., insects, food supply for wildlife.

Where are the “con-

servation” groups (e.g., NRCM, MAS, TNC, DSF, MCHT, et al) when it comes to bringing back songbird, woodcock, and black duck populations, protecting deer wintering yards, keeping river dams for wildlife, and backing lobstermen and women?

What about birds, including eagles, killed by windmills? And the ugliness of windmills. Green energy is more expensive than fossil fuels.

It is time for sportsmen and women and real conservationists to rally against green energy and climate change hysteria.

Fred Hartman (Letters cont. pg 11)

October 2023

Ghost (Cont. from pg 7) twisted higher up into the mountains. Both appeared to be rich grouse habitat.

Ashley chose the left finger, so we began climbing.

The rest of the morning proved uneventful with no grouse encounters, so we walked back to the truck for lunch.

After lunch, I decided to take my shotgun back out with me. Aurora’s leash was in my left hand, and my shotgun, unloaded, was in my right. With each step, three shells rattled inside the pocket of my jeans.

Once again, Ashley hunted ahead of us and this time we took the right fork. Af-

Northwoods Sporting Journal

ter two miles, the shadows started to get longer as the afternoon waned, and we were both ready for happy hour at camp. Ashley mentioned that she would like to walk with Aurora on the way back, so I handed off the leash, loaded a few shells into my shotgun, and went ahead.

Only a few hundred yards from the truck, I caught a quick flicker of movement in the undergrowth to my left. I peered over to find a pair of ruffed grouse sitting on a log watching me intently. Raising my shotgun, I clicked off the safety, and fired at the first bird. I then fired at the second as it whipped through the pine limbs. I knew I had shot behind the

bird as soon as I squeezed the trigger, and as expected, the second bird kept flying. Aurora, recalling her rabbit days, heard the shots and came running up from behind, nose working and white-tipped tail held high.

Of course, Ashley was

right on her heels. Looking down at the grouse in my hand, Ashley beamed. “We walked past that bird three times already! I’ll get the next one.”

This season, walk a little slower and a little further down the road. A

Page 9 ghost bird might just appear before you.

A four-season outdoorsman, Jonah lives in Ellsworth with his fiancée, Ashley, and beagle, Aurora. Jonah can be reached at jonaheparis@gmail.com

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

Hermon

Page 10

“A Hiker’s Life”

Northwoods Sporting Journal

October 2023

River Pond Nature Trail

By Carey Kish, Mt. Desert Island, ME You’ll find the River Pond Nature Trail on the Golden Road six miles west of where the Baxter Park Road and the Golden Road pinch together between Millinocket Lake and Ambejejus Lake (Golden Road Crossing and Big Moose Inn Cabins & Campground are landmarks). If you get to Abol Bridge over the West Branch of the Penob-

tween 4 and 5 miles of easy and highly scenic woods walking. En route are 11 full-color interpretive displays that will treat you to a host of interesting facts about the land’s remarkable ecology and its rich history as part of a commercial forest.

Hike the loop counterclockwise starting with Tenderfoot Trail on a me-

views of Katahdin, from Pamola to Knife Edge to Baxter Peak, plus Barren Mountain, Mount Coe, and Mount OJI. The Katahdin views

The interpretive displays provide fascinating details about everything from riparian zones, edge habitat, moose, forest succession after fire disturbance and wild blueberries to harvesting and growth cycles, old tree stumps as telltale signs, timber stand improvement and the importance of gravel from the land’s glacial deposits. scot River, well, you’ve missed it by four miles.

The unheralded River Pond Nature Trail features three major trails and a couple of connectors for a total of somewhere be-

andering route along the south side of River Pond, a flowage connected to Pockwockamus Deadwater on the Penobscot River. Numerous shoreline points reveal extraordinary

Coastal

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continue on Timber Cruisers Trail, but eventually it turns away to meet Foresters Trail. Diverging from this trail, the short River Driver Trail leads past several impressive erratics to the Penobscot River’s West Branch, which is protected for 500 feet on both shores by a 79-mile conservation easement.

The River Pond Nature Trail network was built around 1990 by Great Northern Paper Co., the industrial giant that once dominated Maine’s North Woods. Today, the land is

owned by Katahdin Forest Management, an arm of Acadian Timber, which manages 2.4 million acres in Eastern Canada and the Northeastern U.S., including 320,000 acres in the Pine Tree State.

The interpretive displays provide fascinating details about everything from riparian zones, edge habitat, moose, forest succession after fire disturbance and wild blueberries to harvesting and growth cycles, old tree stumps as telltale signs, timber stand improvement and the importance of gravel from the land’s glacial deposits.

Each panel also includes a bonus “Did You Know?” factoid that adds to the learning fun.

The educational component aside, what will no doubt enthrall you most about a hike at River Pond Nature Trail is that huge

Caribou Area

panorama of Katahdin.

The centerpiece of Gov. Percival Baxter’s “magnificent obsession,” Maine’s Greatest Mountain rises to its mile-high eminence just seven miles north and 4,736 feet higher than your stance on the shore of River Pond.

In 1992, Great Northern clear cut the existing poplar stands on the land and planted the more valuable black spruce.

Some thirty years hence, the spruce plantations are due for thinning and eventual harvesting, so hikers should be aware of these future operations and the landscape changes that will result from this cyclic process.

Carey Kish of Mount Desert Island 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

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Octoberr 2023

Letters

Plate

(Cont. from pg 8)

(Cont. from pg 6)

Reynolds’ Coyote Article

my recommendation would be to lightly coat them in olive oil followed by seasoning. That little amount of oil will add some additional moisture, even if you also use butter in the pan.

Flavor profiles that work really well with grouse include rosemary, sage, garlic and lemon, but you can get adventurous and go in a Tex/Mex direction, jerk flavors or even curry or Asian themes.

Recipe options are infinite. The meat is so versatile you could make a stir-fry, tacos, mac and cheese, pot pie, grouse and dumplings, or a delicious poutine.

Don’t be apprehensive about using the whole bird. You can split the bird and sear it, and then remove it from the pan, add onion and garlic, saute until translucent and braise it in stock at a simmer for 90 minutes to transform your bird into super tender meat that can be utilized in a variety of recipes.

Lastly, you can grind the meat with some duck fat or bacon to convert it into a sausage that you stuff a zucchini, mini bell pepper, mushrooms or make a cool pasta dish.

We all answer to the beat of a different drum, and with grouse, you have an opportunity to create your own culinary rhythm.

To the Editor I have read with great interest the question posed in V. Paul Reynolds’ article, Coyotes,Lessons to be Learned.

Two phrases pretty much sum up my answer........Committee Designed Mistake and/or Political Correctness.

Most committees (not all) are formed of maybe well meaning folks gathering to address a problem of which they have pretty much no knowledge.

Political correctness I term as “let us please everyone,” which can never happen as there will always be some folks not happy with decisions made.

Obviously in the photograph in the article shows that many deer have been killed by coyotes and it seems that none of the deer had been not consumed that much. So I guess,that the coyotes kill, eat little and then move on?

The problem is real.

It is there and is cause for much concern.

I have two books which address the problem and would send them to you if you wish.

One is 4 Seconds Until Impact by Bruce “Buckshot” Deming and the other Coyote Wars by David Willette.

I have before mentioned the problem with coyotes in my suburban area but it seems to draw no attention from Fish & Game.

Wayne Dengler Danbury,CT

About the author: WildCheff - Denny Corriveau is award-winning National Native American Game Chef, and the Founder of the Free-Range Culinary Institute, the only national wild game cooking school in the country.

As a Wild Game Evangelist

and trendsetter for wild game culinary arts - Denny is a nationally recognized authority concerning the culinary side of wild game.

You can learn more @ www.wildcheff.com or visit him on Instagram @ #thewildcheff or Facebook at @WildCheff

Maple Bourbon Grouse for Two

Ingredients 4 grouse breasts Olive oil WildCheff Tuscan Blend seasoning WildCheff Roasted Garlic Powder WildCheff Sagebrush Blend seasoning 8 oz of shiitake mushrooms Maple bourbon Butter flour Directions Lightly coat grouse breasts with olive oil, and then season them to your liking with the Tuscan spice and roasted garlic powder.

Lightly dredge the breast meat with unbleached all-purpose flour

Page 11

and shake off excess.

Heat up a skillet over medium high heat and add a tablespoon of olive oil and “real” butter.

When butter is melted add the breasts to the pan and brown on both sides until cooked.

Remove the grouse from the pan and tent foil and set aside.

Add a tablespoon of butter and mushrooms to the pan and saute until browned.

Add approximately one cup of Sweet Marsala wine to the pan and turn up heat so the wine bubbles and cook for 3-5 minutes,

while working fond into the wine sauce. Season the sauce with a pinch of sagebrush seasoning and some roasted garlic powder.

Sauce should thicken.

If needed, make a slurry with a teaspoon of cornstarch and cold water (stir with fork) and stir into wine to slightly thicken.

Add grouse back to sauce so meat is coated.

Serve grouse and wine sauce over cooked spaghetti squash, or with mashed potatoes and your favorite veggies.

WildCheff seasonings are found at WildCheff. com

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 12

October 2023

Outdoor News - October 2023

have been a grueling 16- to October! For most of 20-hour rescue, for which us who hunt or fish or just the search and rescue comenjoy the great outdoors munity was grateful.

The injured hiker was this is it – the month of identified as 42-year-old months. Enjoy!

Edited by V. Paul Reynolds

Hiker Rescued from Mount Guyot

On the evening of August 31, 2023, just before 9:00 p.m., NH Fish and Game Conservation Officers were notified by AMC of an injured hiker near the Guyot Shelter. The hiker had suffered a leg injury that was not allowing her to bear weight. She had to be carried 2/10 of a mile to the tent site where she spent the night. In the early morning hours of September 1, it was determined that the condition of the hiker had not improved.

Facing a 7.5-mile carryout over difficult terrain, Fish and Game made a call to the New Hampshire Army National Guard to check on the feasibility of an aerial rescue of the injured hiker in order to get her to medical care. The New Hampshire Army National Guard was able to get a flight crew together and departed from Concord at 10: a.m., and by 11:15 a.m. the injured hiker was at Littleton Regional Healthcare being evaluated. The aerial rescue saved what would

Mariapaz Carolina GomezJones of Brooklyn, New York. Gomez-Jones was on the first day of a three-day hike around the 32-mile Pemi Loop when the incident occurred. Nearing the first day’s destination, she slipped on wet rock causing a leg injury that prevented her from continuing. A companion and Good Samaritan hiker carried her to the Guyot Shelter overflow tent site where they spent the night. The AMC caretaker at the Guyot Shelter provided aid and was able to radio for assistance from the remote location. The injured hiker and her companion were well prepared for the multi-day hike.

Steady rain has fallen over the month of June, July, and August in New Hampshire. The rainy weather has caused slippery trail conditions which have led to many of the injuries seen by Conservation Officers recently. Appropriate footwear should be worn while hiking; hiking boots that provide support, protection and traction are recommended. For safe

hiking tips and a list of essential gear, visit hikesafe. com. Outdoor enthusiasts are encouraged to purchase a Hike Safe card at wildnh. com/safe. The card helps support Fish and Game search and rescue activities.

the nearest participating location.

Birds not registered in person must be registered online. To expedite online registration, hunters must have a reliable internet connection and should have the following information readily available: • Hunting/turkey license New Hampshire Fall information Turkey Season • License plate number The Granite State’s of the vehicle used while fall turkey hunting season opened on September 15 for archers, and the fall shotgun season runs October 16–22 in designated Wildlife Management Units (WMU). Hunters who did not fill both of their turkey tags during the 2023 spring season may harvest one bird during either the fall archery or shotgun season.

Hunters should take note of two new rule changes affecting all turkey harvests in New hunting Hampshire: • Town and Wildlife • WMU J1 is no longer Management Unit where open to the fall shotgun the turkey was harvested season.

• Sex of the bird • The turkey-hunting tac• Age of the bird (adult tic known as fanning or reaping is now prohibited vs. juvenile) • Weight of the bird (to statewide.

Wildlife Management the nearest 1/4 pound) • Beard length (to the Units that have a fall shotgun season include: D2, G, nearest 1/4 inch) • Spur lengths (to the H1, H2, I1, I2, J2, K, L, and nearest 1/16 inch) M. Hunters will continue to Successful online reghave the option to register istration will result in a their birds either online or in person. Regardless of confirmation email upon registration method, hunt- completion. Hunters must ers must affix the tag that retain a copy of this conis issued with their hunting firmation as proof that license to the bird immedi- their turkey was legally ately after harvest, and all registered online by saving birds must be registered a digital version or printing a copy of the email. Accuwithin 24 hours of take.

To register your bird rately entered registration in person at a check sta- data is imperative because tion, visit https://wildlife. the information is relied state.nh.us/hunting/deer- upon by wildlife biologists check-stations.html to find and conservation officers.

To register turkeys online, and for tips on how to age, weigh, and measure birds visit https:// www.wildlife.state.nh.us/ hunting/turkey-reg.html.

Vermont Goose Season Opens

Vermont’s resident Canada goose hunting season was held September 1 through September 25 to help control Vermont’s

resident Canada goose population prior to the arrival of Canada geese migrating south from Canada according to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.

The season will be open statewide with a daily bag limit of five Canada geese in the Connecticut River Zone and eight in the rest of Vermont.

A second Canada goose hunting season for resident and migrant birds will be held October 14-November 27 with a daily bag limit of three Canada geese in the Lake Champlain Zone and Interior Vermont Zone.

In the Connecticut River Zone, the second Canada goose season will be October 5-November 3, and November 22-December 21 with a daily bag (News cont. pg 31)

October 2023

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 13

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 14

The Loon Count

The Bird Perch

by Karen Holmes, Cooper, ME I believe this to be true and that is why I am a volunteer coordinator for the Maine Annual Loon Count.

It happens every year on the third Saturday of July.

In the month of April after ice-out, common loons return to various fresh water bodies and spend about a month establishing territories and bonding with their mates. In May and June, the pairs build nests of dead vegetation and mud on shorelines and islands.

They do this away from prevailing winds, waves, and human activity. When one or two eggs hatch, the family moves to a nursery area where the parents catch small fish for their

October 2023

hungry chicks.

Loon counters in July hope to see them and are very careful about approaching them because the adults can tolerate only a certain level of dis-

Count Saturday of July 15th, 2023 in Washington County, Maine had very foggy conditions. Many counters just did not venture out. But those courageous and dedicated souls who did counted 42 adults and 6 chicks.

“Who has ever paddled a canoe or cast a fly, or pitched a tent in the north woods and has not stopped to listen to this wail of the wilderness? And what would the wilderness be without it?” turbance. The brown and downy baby “loonlings” often “back ride” on a parent. If they stay in the water for too long, they lose heat through their large feet.

Riding on a parent’s back keeps them warm and safe from predators too. This

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In 2022, 90 adults and 8 chicks were counted and in 2021 97 adults and 15 chicks. So it is obvious the count results this year will not give an accurate idea of breeding success here. There were extreme rainfall events in June that might have flooded out many loon nests. Resident

Bruce Fraser of Pennamaquan Lake in Charlotte had a nest site nearby. He photographed during one day in heavy rain how one loon stayed on the nest while the other frantically kept building it upwards with new vegetation. Their efforts were successful and a few days later one baby hatched.

But who knows how many other nests did not survive throughout Washington County?

Humans often flood nests when they create surging waves from high speed boats and jet skies.

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been already flooded and abandoned, the wave surge would have ended it. I went out on Cathance Lake a few days after Count day, and happily saw 10 adults and 2 chicks. But an adult was found dead floating near a beach area a month later.

I called the local game wardens in the hope they picked it up for a necropsy.

They are the only ones allowed to retrieve a dead loon in Maine.

When I lived in Massachusetts I had a license to rehabilitate wildlife and could do such retrievals.

A loon was in the middle of a paved road and by some miracle was not hit by a car. I knew that if it had mistakenly landed on the road thinking it was water, it never would have been able to move from there. Loons cannot walk on land as their feet are too far back on their bodies. Their feet are huge and protrude from their rear end like propellers on a boat stern. And they are powerful swimmers. The loon I rescued could not hold its head erect, showing weakness in its neck muscles.

I brought it to a wildlife facility nearby where it was determined it could not be saved and its necropsy showed it was a victim of mercury poisoning. Lead and mercury poisoning are still leading causes of loon mortality.

Common loons can live for thirty years, but only one in four make it to that breeding age.

(Count cont. pg 15)

October 2023

Pa’tridge

Northwoods Sporting Journal

crumbed, 2 large minced garlic cloves, 1 large (Cont. from pg 3) minced onion, ½ teaspoon – Bake 30 minutes in oven ground oregano, 1 teaspoon ground sage, salt, and pepat 400 degrees. per to taste.

– Prepare sauce: Moisten stuffing inone can of cream of mushgredients with giblet stock room soup and mix well. Rub inside of ¼ cup water generous portion of fresh- bird lightly with butter. Salt and pepper inside and outly sauted mushrooms ¼ cup of dry cooking side of bird to taste. Stuff the bird and close the body sherry or white wine Remove meat from the oven and turn. Pour sauce over the meat and cook an additional 15 minutes at 400 degrees.

Shin Pond Grouse

Prepare a stuffing of cooked and minced giblets, 3 quarts of stale bread

cavity, with skewers of twine. Lightly rub outside of bird with butter and then sprinkle very lightly with flour. Roast covered bird at 325 degrees for about 30 minutes per pound, until tender.

Remove roaster cover for last few minutes of roasting time. *** Postscript: If you

have not the time or the patience, to mess around in the kitchen, just cut the grouse breasts in strips and saute lightly in an iron frying pan with butter and garlic on medium heat. For more fish and game recipes go to www.sportingjournal. com and click on Outdoor Connections.

The author is editor

Page 15 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

Fish Costa Rica Explore Costa Rica Live Costa Rica

Count

(Cont. from pg 14) They spend the first two to three years of their lives on the ocean and it takes seven years for them to reach breeding age. They then return to the freshwater body where they were born. I think it is easy to understand why an annual loon count is a good way to gather data, to establish a baseline to track population trends, and see if they are at risk. I hope in 2024 Washington County can have an Annual Loon Count that provides less foggy data.

Karen Holmes resides in Cooper, Maine. Around her home she has 200 acres of undeveloped land. This is a habitat for many birds and other animals. She has become more interested in entomology and continues to raise caterpillars and tag the resulting monarch butterflies. Her gardens are for pollinators and she has seen an increase of fruit production in her orchard as a result.

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 16

The Adventures of Me and Joe

October 2023

Fortuneteller

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

“Frogs…you know all them frogs we jigged. They come to me in the night, hundreds of um’, croakin’ an’, gaspin’ an’ starin’ at me with their bulgin’ eyes!

An’, patridge! They come flying’ at me outa the dark, squawkin’ an’ a’ crying’ out!”

I still get a creepy feeling when I see a carnival come to town. It isn’t that I don’t like the rides or the greasy food or the games of chance. All those things are great and, no matter how small the carnival, it always seems to leave the local residents a little happier when it finally blows town.

No, problem is with the fact that most of these country carnivals usually have a fortuneteller. And ever since that fateful day in 1963 when me and Joe visited the fortuneteller at the Blackstrap Carnival in Mooseleuk, nothing about the next few weeks turned out like we had it planned.

Not by a long shot. Nosir-

ree.

When school ended in June a wonderful summer of indolence lay before us. We would fish all the streams and ponds we’d dreamed about all Winter.

We’d swim every day in the Little Salt Pork River.

The mornings we would spend jigging frogs and the evenings catching eels by lantern light. It would be the greatest summer of our young lives. Then the carnival came to town.

All the kids in Mooseleuk had been waiting weeks for the yearly appearance of the carnival.

It was a time to cut loose and have fun without the controlling hand of our parents hovering over our heads. Getting sick on too much cotton candy and fried dough was part of the game and the Monday the carnival opened me and Joe wandered the midway on the edge of town with our friends Gasper Gooch and Condon Fishbane, happily indulging in too much of

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.

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Name

both.

We were passing the side-show tents with their lurid paintings of twoheaded men and bearded ladies when I noticed another, smaller tent, standing by itself to the rear of the others. Above the entrance was a faded sign that read “Madam Zimma – Fortuneteller”.

Standing beside the tent entrance were Calvin Moosewallow and Shad Horehound, our two prin-

cipal enemies in the closed society of rural teenage life. But on this morning the pair seemed nervous and uncomfortable. As they spotted us, Calvin put on a glassy smile and nudged Shad in the ribs.

“Hey, Shad, there’s Joe. Bet he’d like ta have his fortune told, wouldn’t ya Joe?” Joe eyed the dim interior of the tent visible through the entrance flap and I noticed he seemed a

little nervous.

“Why don’t you fellers jist git yore own fortunes told?” he asked. “Afraid she’ll tell say yore about ta come down with the creepin’ crud?” “We don’t…”

Shad began belligerently, but Calvin jabbed him with an elbow again.

“Fact is, we already had our fortunes told,” Calvin said with the same bland smile. “Fame, fortune an’ good fishin’ is (Me & Joe cont. pg 17)

Shown actual size

Carleton Stoup

(Marty was found on pg 51)

Address City

Marty

For the rest of that day we tried to have fun, but Joe’s pensive mood put a damper on our good times. When we finally split up in the late afternoon, we agreed to meet at the landing on the Little Salt Pork River in the morning for some early trout fishing.

State

Phone I found Marty on page

Zip

Entries must be postmarked by 10/10/23 to be eligible for this issue.

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.

October 2023

Me & Joe

(Cont. from pg 16) comin’ our way, accordin’ to Madam Zimma, an’ folks say she’s never wrong. So how ‘bout it Joe?” Joe was becoming ever more fidgety and it came to me that the last thing he wanted was to enter that dark tent and have his fortune told.

“Wal’, I don’t rightly put much stock in sech things. An’ anyway, we was jist goin’ over too the tilt-a-wheel an’…”

“See, Shad,” Calvin smiled scornfully at his sidekick, “it’s just like I thought. He’s too skeered ta have his fortune told like us.”

A look of smoldering anger came into Joe’s eyes and he took a step toward the heckling pair, who shrank back in sudden fear.

“Outa my way!” he ordered loudly, “we’ll jist see who’s skeert an’ who aint’t.”

The tent was too small to hold us all so I went in

Northwoods Sporting Journal

with Joe while Condon and Gasper stayed outside trading jibes with Calvin and Shad.

Madam Zimma sat behind a low table in the dark interior, the only light coming from a smoking kerosene lamp. She wore a kerchief over dark, straggly hair. A flowing, multicolored robe covered her from head to foot and gaudy rings circled every finger on each hand. Large golden loops hung from her ears and she stared at us from hooded eyes.

“You wish your fortune tol”, yes?” she asked in a low, rasping voice.

Joe slid the required quarter onto the table and answered in a nervous tone.

“Uh…yuh…that’s what I’m here for.” We sat down on a pair of uncomfortable stools across the table from her.

Madam Zimma stared into the cloudy crystal ball before her, seemingly uninterested in what she was seeing. Then, suddenly,

her eyes opened wider.

A look of concern came over her swarthy features and she glanced at Joe as though seeing him for the first time.

“I see…no!” She jerked her gaze from the crystal ball. With a swift movement, she shoved the quarter back across the table. “Take your money. I do not wish to tell fortune right now!”

“Wait a minute, “ sudden fear sprang up in Joe’s eyes. “What al d’you see in that there ball? I got a right ta know!”

Reluctantly, Madam Zimma peered once again into the misty of the crystal ball.

“I see that you are a hunter and a fisherman,” she murmured slowly.

“Yep, that’s me,” Joe was recovering a little of his confidence.

“You have killed many fish, many animals,” Madam Zimma continued in a monotone. “The spirits of these creatures cry out

to you.”

“Say what?” Joe’s jaw dropped and he stared in consternation.

“The ghosts of these creatures you have slain will come back to haunt your dreams. The spirits of these animals will give you no rest until you have made restitution.”

“What…what kinda restitution?” Sweat was now pouring freely from Joe’s brow and he hung on Madam Zimma’s every word.

“You must do something to appease these spirits. And you must publicly to all your friends that you will never harm another creature, that from now on your life will be one peace and reverence for all creatures, great an small.”

Outside the tent, Calvin and Shad had disappeared, but Condon and Gasper were waiting expectantly.

“So, Joe, what’d she …uh…say?” Condon asked expectantly.

Page 17

“Yeah (gasp), did she say you was gonna get rich and (gasp) famous?” Gasper chimed in.

“Bucha nonsense!”

Joe replied sharply, his face pale and worried. “I tol’ yer I don’t put no stock in fortunetellers. Come on, let’s go ride the Ferris Wheel.”

For the rest of that day we tried to have fun, but Joe’s pensive mood put a damper on our good times.

When we finally split up in the late afternoon, we agreed to meet at the landing on the Little Salt Pork River in the morning for some early trout fishing.

As the sun began to rise I stood with Gasper and Condon at the landing still waiting for Joe. Finally he came stumbling down the path, hair mussed up and eyes hollow from lack of sleep.

“What’s wrong, Joe?” I asked with some concern.

He stared at us uneasily.

“Was dreamin’ all night,” he said reluctantly.

(Me & Joe cont. pg 19)

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 18

Outdoor Sporting Library

by Jeremiah Wood, Ashland, ME

No matter where we call home, some of us find ourselves drawn to other places. For outdoors folk, these are usually wild places, and our imagination finds us living an entirely different life, perhaps on the edge of remote wilder-

James Campbell is one of those wandering minds, physically in his native rural Wisconsin, but dreaming of the Alaska wilds and struggling to balance those dreams with reality. Campbell is best known for his wildly popu-

Braving It

which followed the few remaining families who live within the Refuge as they built cabins, hunted, fished and trapped furbearers.

James is Heimo’s cousin, and was able to spend a great deal of time with the family as part of his writing project. As is so often the case, the experiences led to more dreaming.

As James’ daughter

October 2023

A Daughter, and an Unforgettable Journey into the Alaskan Wild” follows James and Aidan during their three separate trips to Alaska, where they face

river on the North Slope.

Along the journey over the course of the book, Campbell describes his wandering mind and the restlessness he’s felt since

adversity, overcome challenges and strengthen familial bonds.

In the first trip, the Campbells spend a month in summer helping Heimo build a new log cabin in the middle of his wilderness paradise: mosquitos, grizzly bears, fast frigid waters and hard manual labor all part of the package. Next, they revisit the Korths in winter, hunting moose and caribou and trapping fur in temperatures colder than minus 40 degrees.

Finally, they join a couple of adventurous friends for an overland hike combined with a float trip down the treacherous and breathtakingly gorgeous Hulahula

settling home in Wisconsin.

He introduces the reader to the German term fernweh, a longing for a place, or places. In his case, his longing has always been for wilderness, and despite being a family man rooted in a wonderful place he loves, the desire to be in a place like the Alaskan wilderness is constant. I think I can relate.

“Braving It” was published in 2016 and is widely available in all formats. I listened to the audio version.

The book was the inspiration for the hit TV show “The Last Alaskans”, which followed the few remaining families who live within the Refuge as they built cabins, hunted, fished and trapped furbearers. ness. I’m guilty of being one of those people. A reader recently expressed surprise that I was still in Maine, what with all this writing about Alaska and wilderness lifestyles. I’ll admit my wandering mind has me there from time to time. But I’m certainly not the only one.

lar 2004 book “The Final Frontiersman”, which told the story of modern day wilderness man Heimo Korth and his family, who live a subsistence lifestyle in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

The book was the inspiration for the hit TV show “The Last Alaskans”,

Aidan grew older, he finally found the excuse he needed to get back into the bush. As a child she had listened intently to his tales of the wilderness, and made him promise to take her there when she was older.

And when the time came, she held him to it.

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Me & Joe (Cont. from pg 17) “All kindsa animals come to me a wailin’ an’ a cryin’ an’ beggin’ me not to kill ‘um. It was awlful!” He glanced at me with a miserable expression.

“You know that big buck I kilt last fall in Percheron’s meadow?” I nodded. “He came ta me an’ said I better not kill another deer. Said he’d keep comin’ back til I made resti..restitution. How m’I gonna do that?”

“Joe, “I said sympathetically, “it was just a nightmare. It wasn’t real.

Come on, lets go fishing.

You’ll feel better with a rod in your hand.”

But things did not get better. Although the trout were cooperating, Joe couldn’t bring himself to kill a single fish. The rest of us kept enough trout for a fish fry at Uncle Arnold’s fishing camp that evening, but Joe returned every trout he caught to the river.

That evening our mood of festivity was entirely dampened by Joe’s attitude. He remained outside while the trout were frying and refused to eat any of the fish. Instead he made do with bologna sandwiches and potato chips. We saved enough trout to have for breakfast, but I didn’t expect things would be any different in the morning. I was wrong.

They were worse.

In the wee hours before dawn Joe woke us all up with his screaming and thrashing around in his bunk. When we finally got him fully awake, he recited a litany of continuing nightmares, his voice cracking with strain.

“Frogs…you know all them frogs we jigged. They

Northwoods Sporting Journal come to me in the night, hundreds of ‘um, croakin’ an’ gaspin’an’starin’ at me with their bulgin’ eyes!

An’, patridge! They come flyin’ at me outa the dark, squawkin’ an’ a cryin’ out!”

“Joe, Joe,” I said soothingly. “it was just a bad dream, nothing more.”

“An’ them trout we caught yesterday,” he continued as though I hadn’t spoken, “they come to me too! They said we’d murdered ‘um! Said they couldn’t rest ‘til I did somethin’!”

“But (gasp) Joe,” Gasper said in exasperation, “what can you (gasp) do?

They’re already (gasp) dead!”

Joe said nothing, but leaped up and stomped over to the old gas refrigerator. Opening the door, he grabbed the bag of trout, turned and lurched out the front door. The three of us looked at each other, then walked out onto the porch in the rapidly growing light and watched as Joe, shovel in one hand and bag of fish in the other, strode to the edge of the woods, dug a hole, and buried the sack.

After that, he went back into the camp, packed his things and left without another word.

The next week was a continuing nightmare, both sleeping and waking, for Joe. Dead animals continued to haunt his dreams and attempts at some form of restitution occupied his waking hours. It seemed there was nothing we, his friends, could do.

Joe purchased fish food and scattered it over the river in an attempt to placate the fish. He gathered grain, apples and other food and placed it through the woods to soothe the deer. He chopped up apples and mixed them with

birdseed to leave where he hoped patridge would find it.

On Friday afternoon I met Joe in an alley just off main street. He had called a meeting of his friends for a little later in the clearing bordering the frog pond just south of town. It appeared that he intended to do as the fortuneteller had suggested; renounce his old ways and take up a life of peace and penance.

Just now he carried a bucket from which emanated a horrible odor. He looked gray and haggard as I asked him what he was

Page 19 doing.

“I got this bucket of rotten meat from the slaughterhouse,” he muttered. “I’m gonna dump it down by the frog pond. It’ll draw all kindsa flies and that’ll give the frogs plenty to eat. They may leave me alone after that.”

I was about to once again try to convince Joe of his folly when we heard voices coming from behind the building close beside us. Curious, we both edged to the rear corner of the structure and spied Calvin Moosewallow and Shad (Me & Joe cont. pg 21)

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Page 20

Naming Deer?

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 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…”

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 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 overthe-top it’s silly. Hollywood, Rusty Nail, Easy Money, Buck Norris, 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

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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

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 Tik-Tok and Instagram. There are good hunting videos on

I liked it better when we just called big bucks by the names of the guys who shot them. 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 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 de-

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 (okay, me) 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. 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

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.

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.

Maybe next month I’ll tell you why Tom Miranda and Stan Pott’s irritate the crap out of me. 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

October 2023

Me & Joe (Cont. from pg 19) Horehound in conversation with Dobie Clamo, one of their cronies.

“Oh, you shoulda seen it!” Shad chortled.

“Joe was scared speechless. You could jist see the ol’ wheels a’ turnin’.

He was already seein’ the ghosts of all them wild critters a comin’ for him!”

“It was easy as takin’ candy from a baby,” Calvin chimed in. “All we had ta do ws slip Madam Zimma a dollar an’ tell her what ta say. Ol’ Joe’s imagination took care o’ the rest!”

I thought for a moment Joe was going to dash around the corner and throttle them. At first it looked like he might. Then a considering look came over his gaunt features and he motioned for me to follow him.

“Them lowdown blankety blanks!” Joe growled when we had reached the street. “I mighta know that theavin’ pair was behind this! C’mon!”

“Where we goin’?” I asked as I hurried to catch up. “Down to the clearin’!”

I got me a speech ta give!”

By the time Calvin and his friends had appeared in the clearing to hear the speech, me and Joe

Northwoods Sporting Journal

had already talked to our group of supporters, which included gasper, Condon, Smoky Cauldron and Aggie Brick. Standing away from us all, Joe cleared his throat nervously.

“I know all you fellers are wonderin’ why I asked you here. Well, the fact is, I been leadin’ a sinful life an’ I need yore help ta git myself straight. You boys are willin’ ta help me, ain’t you?”

We all nodded and Calvin gave a little laugh.

“We’ll help ya, alright Joe.” “Good.” Joe nodded foirmly. “Boys, latch onta them two skunks!” Before they realized what was happening, the five of us

had grabbed Calvin and Shad, pinning their arms.

Their two friends took one look at our grim faces and melted into the surrounding brush.

“Bring ‘um along,” Joe growled as he led the way down into the swamp by the frog pond.

“Wha…whatcha gonna do?” Shad’s voice quavered.

“You boys agreed ta help me make restitution,” Joe said grimly. “This here’s yer chance. Tie ‘um to them two cedars, boys.”

After the two culprits were bound to the trunks of trees, Joe walked up to face them. “Thought it was funny getting’ that there fortuneteller ta set me up

did yer?” All the color drained from Calvin’s face and he glanced ferarfully at Shad. “ We d i d n ’t m e a n nothin’…”

“Good. Then you won’t mind givin’ me a hand feedin’ the frogs.”

“Why, no, we’d be glad…” Before he could finish, Joe picked up the pail and slopped rotten meat down the front of both boy’s cloths.

“Oh, gross!” Calvin choked. “What are ya doin’ this for?” But even as he spoke, an ominous hum announced the arrival of a vast horde of flies, who promptly zeroed in on the stinky mess.

“Jist you stand there a few hours an’ help attract

Page 21

them flies for the frogs,” Joe said with a grin. “We’ll be back ta cut ya loose directly.” He turned and we followed him out of the swamp, ignoring the plaintive cries coming from behind us as the flies began to bite and sting.

“How long you gonna leave them there?” I asked as we reached Main Street.

“Oh, I don’t ‘spect it’ll take long fer them ta learn the error of there ways,” Joe said happily.

“An’ when we go back we might as well take along our frog jiggin’ stuff. Them frogs will prob’ly be so stuffed they’ll let us walk right up to um’. An’ I got me a mighty hankerin’ for a big o’ feed o’ frog’s legs!”

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Page 22

Women In The Woods Seven trail cameras with my name on them are strategically placed on the property that I hunt. Most of them I keep out year round to track which animals are moving through and when. Once hunting season gets closer, Dad

October 2023

Are Trail Cameras Fair?

owned land. “As the number of trail cameras on the

by Erin Merrill, landscape increased, so did Portland, ME the number of reports made chance to fill my tag. Some- by constituents citing camtimes, it is more frustrating era theft and misuse,” the knowing which animals are assistant director of Kansas around then just being in Department of Wildlife and the woods looking for an Parks Ryan Stucky said. animal worthy of my tag. “There were also concerns However, in some about trail camera users states, the use of trail cam- disturbing wildlife with eras is considered unethical frequent visits to check on

Maine, I wonder if I would have had to turn off the cell camera when I saw that my bear was trapped and wait until the next day to shoot him instead of the three hours that it took from the

and taking them out of the woods (if nothing else, I would keep mine to track trespassers). As technology helps us get a better understanding of what is in the woods and fields around

time we got the photo until the time I put my tag on him. The shorter period of time seems less inhumane.

Only time will tell how these restrictions and laws will play out across the country. We may see laws moving us back to swapping out SD cards every couple of weeks or getting fed up altogether

us, our love and slight dependence on these cameras may come back to hurt us.

New Hampshire’s law bans the use of live-action cameras to hunt stating that: no person shall take, or attempt to take, a game animal or fur-bearing animal within the same calendar day of remotely viewing any image or video of that animal from a game camera in that area. adds his to the mix and we have a pretty good idea of where the animals are traveling, which animals are around and who thinks they can trespass on our land and not get caught.

The cameras have helped us know which animals are around, but in my experience they have not helped me shoot an animal. I have the knowledge of what deer made it through to another season, but it doesn’t guarantee a

and they have been banned.

In Arizona and Nevada, trail cameras can not be used for hunting purposes.

The Arizona Fish & Game Department explained their decision saying that it violates fair chase and goes against the traditions of hunting. Montana also prohibits the use of cameras ‘that transmit images remotely’ while hunting.

In August, Kansas passed a ban of all trail cameras placed on state

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those cameras.”

New Hampshire’s law bans the use of live-action cameras to hunt stating that: no person shall take, or attempt to take, a game animal or fur-bearing animal within the same calendar day of remotely viewing any image or video of that animal from a game camera in that area. When I checked this with a friend of mine in New Hampshire, he confirmed the law and said, “This state is screwed up.”

Are trail cameras fair?

Is technology moving us away from fair chase hunting? Some of these restrictions I can understand, especially on public property. However, if the New Hampshire law applied to

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October 2023

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Page 23

The Poacher

Warden’s Words

Part II

“So you mean to tell me that you shot the biggest deer of your life yesterday, and you just miraculously decided to trade the gun you used to your son Chris who is currently in possession of the gun?”

“Yup” “Really…you think we are going to believe that story?” asked Sergeant Durward Humphrey. If you remember back to last month’s article, myself and a team of Wardens found ourselves deep into a deer investigation involving a son, already tagged out, who killed a trophy whitetail over bait and had his father tag it during November of 2019.

The father stared back at us blankly and defiantly, swearing up and down that he had killed the deer on the Pinkham Road.

“Well, if your so certain you killed it on the Pinkham Road, why don’t you jump in the truck with Wardens Milligan and O’Leary and bring them back to where you killed it?” Sergeant Humphrey asked.

Before long, Warden Dave Milligan, Frank and I were on a late night, wild goose chase, riding out the Pinkham Road to locate the kill site which Frank continued to assure us was “just a little bit further” as he continued to scan the side of the road, hoping to find a kill site belonging to another hunter. After almost an hour of searching, Frank conceded that he actually could not remember where he had killed the deer less than 24 hours before. I spoke up and told Frank that his story was not

adding up and that DNA samples had been collected from the kill site we located near his son’s residence and that we would be seizing the deer to compare the two samples. We left that night with all the evidence needed to put the case together.

had been in town that day and did not see Frank at any time on the one road in and one road out of town.

I had however seen Chris on two separate occasions.

It did not take long once Warden Milligan began pressing about the details

by Game Warden Kale O’Leary, Ashland, ME beautiful deer by lawful means from other hunters.

Both men were charged in this case with violations ranging from exceeding the bag limit

The big buck had come into the deer yard, finding the bait that had been placed out in the form of oats and corn.

Unable to help himself, Chris pulled the trigger from inside his house and had his father tag the deer.

The following day, knowing what the DNA results would tell us, Frank called and wanted to speak with us regarding the investigation. Frank told Warden Milligan that he wanted to tell us the truth and spun a new story about how he had been plowing the driveway at Chris’ house when the trophy buck came out of the wood line. He stated he did shoot the deer in this location, but claimed he was nervous to tell us the truth, because he was too close to the house when he fired. This new story was not very well thought out however, as I

and timeline of the day, for this story to quickly unravel for Frank.

Through the investigation and teamwork done by the team of Wardens involved in this case, it was obvious what had occurred.

The big buck had come into the deer yard, finding the bait that had been placed out in the form of oats and corn. Unable to help himself, Chris pulled the trigger from inside his house and had his father tag the deer. Not much about this event was sporting or ethical, cheating the potential thrill and once in a lifetime opportunity of taking this

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on deer, hunting deer after having killed one, hunting deer over bait, unsworn falsification and false registration of deer. The case was eventually adjudicated in court with Chris paying hefty fines, losing his guide license for nine years, his hunting privi-

leges for eight, the firearm used to kill the deer and the deer itself was forfeited as part of the punishment.

This is one of many deer cases that I am proud to have been a part of in my career. Whitetail deer in Northern Maine are a precious and fragile resource that need protecting. Being at the northern reaches of their habitat range, our long, harsh winters, coupled with predation are natural factors that limit our deer numbers significantly.

These natural impacts, coupled with blatant disregard for game laws without a doubt negatively impact a deer herd for years to come.

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Page 24

Uncle Tom’s Gun

The Gun Cabinet

by John Floyd, Webster Plantation, ME I had the young man settle into the shooting bench, get comfortable and explained the target ranges to him. He told me he was hunting with his uncle’s Marlin 30-30 rifle and wanted to check the zero before the hunt, having recently acquired

from Danny Plant from Lisbon, New Hampshire, here for a bear hunt for the first time with his father Dan Sr. Another buck grunt from my phone, ‘They knocked the drum over and are feasting on my bait!’

I could tell he was worried that a bear wouldn’t

text came in. ‘Bear down.’

Danny made a great shot at 70 yards, bagging a 172 pound boar with a beautiful hide.

A few days later at camp, I was chatting with

I’ve ever been told.

Roughly six months ago, Danny’s Uncle Tom inexplicably collapsed on the factory floor where he, his father and uncle all worked. Suspecting a

Danny told me that while he doesn’t pray as much as he should, he bowed his head, clasped his hands and said a prayer on the morning of his first day before going on stand. the lever gun. At that time, neither he nor I knew how special his hunt would turn out to be.

It was Monday during the second week of the bear over bait hunting season, I was in the Tucker Ridge dining hall kitchen preparing the nights supper for the clients getting ready to come off stand on their first days hunt when my phone grunted with an incoming text at 6:45 p.m.

‘Raccoons beat the bear to my bait’. It was

October 2023

come in, fearing the bandits would clean out the bait barrel leaving nothing to attract a bear.

‘Normal. Stay focused bud. They do it all the time.

And bears follow them in’ I replied and sent him a snapshot of the target bear visiting his site to calm his nerves and keep his focus.

‘Look out for this guy’ I told him. He replied ‘OK’.

It was 6:57 p.m.

Exactly one minute later, my phone grunted for the last time as the

Danny and Dan Sr. with the boar he took using Uncle Tom’s gun.

(Photo by Edward Jellison, MHTV)

Danny after breakfast.

I wanted to know more about his uncle’s gun and the significance behind his choice to use it on his first ever bear hunt. I have always found the stories behind client’s firearms intriguing and Danny’s was one of the most inspiring

Send Us Your Favorite Game and Fish Recipes!

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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stroke, Tom was rushed to the hospital and diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer that aggressively forms tumors on the brain.

Danny’s family never had any indication that Tom was ill. At 67, he was still a very active outdoorsman and showed no signs health problems. It came as a complete shock to everyone.

Despite the best efforts of the premiere medical facility in New Hampshire, the cancer raged and the tumors spread like

wildfire. Within a month and a half, Uncle Tom lost his brief but heroic struggle. As Danny told me the story, I could see him fighting back the emotions he was feeling.

Uncle Tom’s gun collection passed down to the family, with Danny receiving the cherished 30-30 Marlin. He made a promise to himself and his Uncle Tom that day.

Danny told me that while he doesn’t pray as much as he should, he bowed his head, clasped his hands and said a prayer on the morning of his first day before going on stand.

‘I asked God to grant me an opportunity to take a bear for my Uncle Tom with his rifle and asked Uncle Tom to help me be successful’.

‘Well Danny’ I replied, ‘if that doesn’t make someone a believer, I don’t know what will.’ We both smiled and as he headed down to the lodge to meet up with his father, I know we were both thinking about how special Uncle Tom’s gun really is.

John is a Registered Maine Guide, an NRA Certified Instructor and is the owner of Tucker Ridge Outdoors in Webster Plantation, Maine. He can be reached at john@tuckerridge.me or on Facebook @tuckerridgeoutdoors

October 2023

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Old School Vs New

Page 25

South Of the Kennebec

How often have you were introduced game Hampshire is the latest with heard a hunting or fish- managers raised a red flag a regulation that prohibits ing buddy say, “I’m “Old claiming that easy access to the use of live action game

by Stu Bristol, School,” meaning he or she back country would allow cameras while hunting Lyman, ME is middle age or older and hunters to take advantage game that relays photos to has little use for modern and thus jeopardize popu- the hunter camera during allowed novice hunters to unfair advantage of game. gadgets. They prefer to be lations. The snowmobile the same day during any get farther back into the I’ve printed arguments pro surprised while sitting on industry has blossomed open season for fur-bearing wilderness, adding more and con on cellcams and ease in locating and tak- the benefits, I feel, outa deer stand or game animals. or hanging The motivation be- ing game. Old schoolers weigh the misuse.

Just as a guide who a lure in the hind most of the different frowned upon GPS units employs bait to selectively water. They state regulations for the use with the same argument. cull bears, the cellcam user walk into is afforded a look at any In the latest controversy, several states their deer stand and are currently formulating regulations to and all game that passes before the lens. This alstill use recurtail the use of cellular cameras. lows selective harvesting curve bows of a variety of modern elecinstead of Along came game of game.

If you are sitting in a tronic and other hunting or cameras and once again the compounds fishing aids is the need to game managers suggested blind or treestand and emand have no preserve “fair chase.” need for a regulations. The first game ploy one or more cellcams Fish finders also en- cameras contained com- around your perimeter, GPS or celldured the wrath of fisheries puter cards that hunters had then you will get a heads phone. managers and old-school- to visit the camera to down- up real time when game One of ers alike. In the years since load photos. Today cell- enters your field of vision. my most ofthe first sonar flashers were phone cameras eliminate The hunter will also get a ten repeated Old Schooler, Dennis Jensen introduced, fish finders the need and photos will better look at the animal, bits of adwith nice buck. have evolved into near automatically be texted to reducing the probability vice I give of shooting an unwanted to hunters and anglers is into a multi- billion dollar science fiction status. I the hunters cellphone.

“Hunt and fish for yourself, industry and key to many have seen finders that are Unfortunately, some animal. Therefore, what is not to please or impress states recreation income. so sensitive the angler can of the regulations stem- the reason for prohibiting others.” With that advice in The same is true with re- not only locate the fish but ming from the possibility users from taking game watch the lure go down and of taking unfair advantage they would eventually see, hand I ask, to what extent gards to ATV use. a hunter or angler prefers of game is generated by making hunters wait 24 In the latest contro- see the fish strike.

Handheld GPS re- people who never use or hours. “old school” techniques versy, several states are Most of the game rather than be aided by at currently formulating regu- ceivers came into being fail to understand the cellleast some modern tech- lations to curtail the use and in addition to being cams which offer very lim- cameras, fish finders, snownology? of cellular cameras. New beneficial to hikers, they ited opportunities to take (New cont. pg 29) Looking back over my 60 odd years of hunting and fishing and I can name ----Hunting Lodge & Outfitter---most of the so-called “modLocated in Zone 4 in the Adaptive Unit North Section ern” aids as they came into and only 13 miles from the South Section. being. Just to name a few Offering fully guided or bed and meals. of the most popular; snowmobiles, ATV, fish finders, digital mapping, game CALL TO PLAN YOUR cameras and cellular game cameras, compound bows, HUNT TODAY handheld GPS, a variety of shotshell and rifle loads including TSS for turkey We offer guided bear, muskie fishing, hunting that kill game at moose, semi guided deer hunts, 60 yards or more. The list grouse and meals & lodging pkgs. goes on and, in the future, more modern innovations 207-474-2644 will be added and debated.

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 26

“The Trail Rider”

October 2023

Falling Leaves

by Dan Wilson, Bowdoinham, ME Fall is my favorite season for ATV riding. The fields on our property are cut, the trails are drying out from a wet summer, and the leaves are beginning to change from lush green to vibrant reds, oranges, yellows, and rusty browns. The days have cooled, changing from short-sleeves and shorts kind of days to jeans, sweatshirts, and boots. The sun is lower in the sky yet strong enough to still warm your back on your ride.

ride and well maintained field.

Towards the end of fall, the colorful trees begin to lose their leaves, blanketing the ground in thick layers, ready to be scuffed through. Growing up in the country, I don’t remember doing a lot of raking of leaves as part of fall cleanup. We may have raked directly around the house, but the abundance of leaves didn’t seem to be as much of a problem

clearing fallen trees and trimming thorny branches, that’s typically about the extent of our fall cleanup

One method I’ve seen is attaching a chain harrow, or what is sometimes called a drag harrow, to your ATV. The chain harrow looks a lot like a chain link fence that has teeth or tines attached to each diamond.

In late summer, we cut the fields on our property using a bush hog. This single-spindle rotary cutter is attached to a tractor and rough cuts tall grass and brush, such as alders, clearing the way for a smoother

as they are in more urban neighborhoods. Raking at my late grandmother’s house seems to be an ongoing process, then you need to find a way to get rid of the leaves, usually through a paid pickup. Besides

on the trails through our property. I began to wonder what people do who want to clear trails, removing fallen leaves in the fall to pave the way for a clear path for November trail riding?

One method I’ve seen is attaching a chain harrow, or what is sometimes called a drag harrow, to your ATV. The chain harrow looks a lot like a chain link fence that has teeth or tines attached to each diamond.

They are usually angled so you can choose between an aggressive pull, digging deeper into the ground, or a lighter pull, capturing loose debris on top of the soil. The chain harrow picks up small branches and smoothes out the trail as it is pulled along, hooked

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onto a 5 ft. bar. The bar has a tow chain with a ring that can be attached to the ATV. I’ve only seen the chain harrow in action through videos online, but it looks like an effective method for building or grooming a trail. I might keep my eyes open for a used one to try out on our trails or maybe even pair it with the bush hog and make some new trails around our property.

My dad would probably appreciate a new wood road to fall some trees to saw up into boards or firewood.

An important note about trail maintenance is that unless you own the property, or have expressed permission from the landowner, trail maintenance should be left to authorized local clubs and state run services. Also, to quote the 2022-2023 Maine ATV Quick Reference Guide “Always respect closed trail signs, don’t be the person to cause a trail to close forever.” https://www. maine.gov/ifw/docs/22MDIFW-33-ATV-standalone-2022.pdf Daniel Wilson works in healthcare and enjoys time outside in nature with his family.

October 2023

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 27

WMD 4 Moose Hunt

Last spring coming off the St. John River we came across a moose calf, emaciated and long dead, having collapsed right in the middle of a logging road. It was heartbreaking to see, this young of the year succumbed to winter tick infestation. It wasn’t the only one we found that May. Stopped along a riverbank was another, in a wooded hollow, just the bones left. Not a bad place to die, but likely a hard death.

What to do about the winter ticks, the thousands of hitchhikers that live their entire lives feeding off the blood of its host, the moose, is a conundrum. This year the state is continuing an experiment, whereby in Wildlife Management District (WMD) 4, a northwestern section of the Moosehead Lake Region, moose hunting permits have been increased in a special “adaptive hunting unit.” The idea is to allow the taking of more cow moose in a certain area in order to reduce the density of the moose population in that area, which, in turn, may reduce tick loads and result in healthier moose.

If it’s found that reducing the moose population can break or lessen the cycle of the impact of winter tick infestations, then the state may recommend allowing for a higher number of moose hunting permits in other areas of Maine.

This summer, Lee Kantar, the Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife’s

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leader on moose management, said it seems counterintuitive to take more moose in order to break the tick cycle, but that it just might work. Time will tell. The adaptive hunt was started in 2019 and is expected to run through at least 2025 in a 2,000 square mile area of WMD 4. This

western half of WMD 4.

The numbers of permits in the eastern half of WMD 4, as well as the other WMDs opened to moose hunting, remained the same.

In 2022, the total number of hunting permits were increased to 4,000; 1,410 of those were issues for cows and 40 for

Kineo Currents

by Suzanne AuClair, Rockwood, ME watching are big business in Maine, the only state outside of Alaska with a large population. This year, the state received 69,551 moose hunting applica-

If it’s found that reducing the moose population can break or lessen the cycle of the impact of winter tick infestations, then the state may recommend allowing for a higher number of moose hunting permits in other areas of Maine. very remote section of the North Woods, pretty much above the Golden Road, is industrial forestland and prime moose habitat. The area has been divided into two similarly sized sections.

In Phase I, 60 moose calves (30 in each section) were captured live, fitted with GPS collars, then released to monitor their survival. According to Kantar, calves see the highest mortality due to the ticks.

In Phase II, hunting permits were increased in the

any moose. In 2023, permits increased to 4,105.

This year, late October and early November hunts in the experimental area of WMD 4 represents a total of 550 cows to be taken for the season. The other study section of WMD 4 remains the same, at a total of 500 permits. Nearer to Moosehead Lake, and the town of Greenville on the southeast side of the lake, in WMD 9, just 125 moose permits are issued, all bulls.

Moose hunting and

tions. Residents accounted for 45,302 of those; non-residents 24,249.

At Moosehead, seeing a moose is at the top of the list for visitors coming to the region. Guiding for moose is a competitive business.

A modern moose hunt was reinstated in 1980, with an allotted 700 permits. At that time, 91 percent of hunters filled their tags. In the early 1900s, after years of unrestricted

taking, the moose population dropped to just a few thousand throughout the state. By 1935, Maine ended moose hunting. By 1981, due to the ban and to good new habitat in industrial forestland, the moose population rebounded, and a limited hunt was tried.

Both the population and the hunt has grown since then.

Today, climate change has been good for the winter ticks. In turn, the ticks are wreaking havoc on moose.

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.”

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On Point

Northwoods Sporting Journal

by Paul Fuller, Durham, N.H. When you receive this issue of Northwoods Sporting Journal, it will be very close to the beginning of October. For the ruffed grouse hunter, October is the magic month. If you’re looking for new grouse coverts near an old hunt-

must center on early successional growth aspen.

When we discuss habitat, we’re looking for both food and shelter. Early successional growth aspen provides both.

Now let’s backup just a bit. Your author looks at

October 2023

The Magic Month

plate is huge. The second period is after the green has died and includes berries and nuts and early budding. The best budding is in early successional growth aspen stands. The third period consists of close to 100% budding. And, for that entire period, the aspen stands keep on giving.

The early succession growth aspen stand pro-

gathers his harem, he must have an area that provides both food and shelter. His first pick will always be an aspen stand.

breeding or undernourished birds which will reproduce poorly. This means that the mature forests need to be harvested on a rotational

The first period is the green period. Researchers say that there are over 500 plant species that feed grouse during the green period. That means the dinner plate is huge. ing destination or perhaps you’ve booked a trip at a sporting lodge where you haven’t hunted before, here is what you need to do.

Although iconic outdoorsmen Frank Woolner once wrote “birds are where you find them”, you’ll find more birds searching for ideal ruffed grouse habitat.

The search for new coverts

three feeding periods for the ruffed grouse. Spring through early fall is one period. Late fall into winter is the second and winter is the third.

The first period is the green period. Researchers say that there are over 500 plant species that feed grouse during the green period. That means the dinner

vides both high nutrition buds and thick cover to help the grouse avoid aerial predators. Researches say that ruffed grouse select areas of young aspen forests more often than other forest types. When a brood breaks up in the fall, the young male grouse sets out to find his domain. Instinct tells him that before he

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Good pre-hunt map work results in good hunting. (Photo by Paul Fuller) Without young aspen, basis. young males will have Although young astrouble locating a suitable pen stands can provide domain which leads to poor both food and shelter, ideal cover for protection from predators and bad weather are a stand of conifers.

Personally, I like 75% food and 25% conifers. It doesn’t take many conifer trees to provide shelter.

So, how does a grouse hunter in a new area find good grouse habitat without spending half of his hunting trip looking. The first thing you might do is ask the camp owner where the best habitat is. The problem with that is most likely every new hunter asks the same question.

The owner can’t send every hunter to the same area.

And, if he’s also a guide, he won’t give up his favorite coverts. So, you’re really on your own.

In today’s modern world, you turn to mapping. If done correctly, it

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(Magic cont. pg 29)

Northwoods Sporting Journal

October 2023

Best Shot!

Magic

(Cont. from pg 28) works. Find an early forest cut around your area. Go to Google Earth and identify that area. Simply look at the coloring and then look for the same coloring on Google Earth in the new area you’ll be hunting.

If you have OnX, do the same. Actually, OnX has a Master Class on identifying grouse cover. However, there is a mapping program that does the interpretation for you. It’s from Scout N Hunt. Go to mobilehuntingmaps.com Or, for immediate answers to questions, call 855-831-6277.

You’ll most likely speak with Ann Jandernoa. Ann is one of the most knowledgeable ruffed grouse gurus in North America. I use Ann’s maps and they are exceptional.

No mater where you hunt ruffed grouse this fall, your author wishes you a happy and successful hunt.

Perhaps we’ll meet you in the woods.

Paul and Susan, his wife, co-host the Bird Dogs Afield tv show. Past episodes are available on YouTube or their website www. birddogsafield.com. Contact: paul@birddogsafield. com

Page 29

New (Cont. from pg 25)

mobiles, atvs and other modern aids to hunting, hiking and fishing are just that, “aids.” A snowmobile or ATV allows disabled or elderly to continue backwoods adventures. Once again, I stress the point that “old school” is in the mind of the hunter or angler.

Just how many old school or new tactics you prefer to use is your decision to make. There will always be abusers looking for the

easy way out.

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

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THE BACK SHELF

Northwoods Sporting Journal

From the files of the Northwoods Sporting Journal The best hunting and fishing columns going back 25 years!

October 2023

Avoiding A Crash With A Moose

By their very nature backshelf articles, resurrected from our archives, may contain information or facts that have been altered or changed by the passage of time.

By John Graves, Registered Master Maine Guide

Attention drivers in Maine. The moose are moving and there are collisions daily, especially in the spring and fall. After many years of driving in moose country, I am offering my tips on how to avoid colliding with a moose or minimizing the damage if you do strike one.

SLOW DOWN AND STAY ALERT in moose areas.

If you see one moose, be aware that others may also be present and might run in front of you.

If you see a moose standing in the ditch, don’t assume that it will stay there. SLOW DOWN! Don’t follow other vehicles too closely, especially at night. Give yourself plenty of time to react in case the vehicle in front of you encounters a moose.

To help you see a moose in the road at night, focus your eyes about two feet above the roadway, at the point where your headlights blend into darkness.

Your peripheral vision will alert you to movement on either side within range of your headlights.

Central Maine Region

To help you see a moose in the road at night, focus your eyes about two feet above the roadway, at the point where your headlights blend into darkness. Your peripheral vision will alert you to movement on either side within range of your headlights.

The part of the moose that you will see first will be the LIGHTER COLORED LOWER LEGS. Their eyes are dull and will not reflect like a

deer’s eyes. LOOK FOR WHITE LEGS. When approaching on coming vehicles, to avoid headlight glare, focus your eyes to the right toward the

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edge of the road until the approaching vehicle has passed.

If you see movement ahead, HIT YOUR BRAKES HARD to slow your vehicle down in a straight line as quickly as possible.

If a collision with a moose seems eminent, release the brake and STEER TOWARD ONE END OF THE MOOSE OR THE OTHER. This will push the moose to one side, rather than causing it to fly up over your hood and into the windshield. By releasing the brake, your vehicle will hit higher up on the moose and it will be less likely to hit the lower legs which will toss the body toward the windshield in a broadside hit.

The instant before the crash, close your eyes tightly to avoid broken glass in your eyes.

Never swerve at high speed or drive off the roadway to avoid hitting any animal.

Good luck and be safe on Maine’s highways.

Northwoods Sporting Journal

October 2023

News

(Cont. from pg 12) limit of two Canada geese.

For a second year, a late Canada goose season will be held targeting resident birds. Within the Lake Champlain and Interior zones, the season will be held from December 1 to January 6, with a fivebird daily bag limit. The season will run December 22 to January 6 in the Connecticut River zone and applies only to the lands of the zone, not Connecticut River waters.

A hunting license is required, and a waterfowl hunter 16 or older must carry current federal and Vermont duck stamps. Federal stamps are sold at post offices, federal refuges and on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website https:// www.fws.gov/birds/getinvolved/duck-stamp.php.

Vermont is not one of the states where you can buy an electronic federal duck stamp, but you can purchase one form any state that sells them.

Vermont duck stamps can be added to your hunting license on Vermont Fish & Wildlife’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife. com) and through license agents. The hunter must sign the federal duck stamp.

All migratory game bird hunters must also be registered with the Harvest Information Program (H.I.P.). This can be done on Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s website or by calling toll-free 1-877306-7091. After providing some basic information, you will receive your annual H.I.P. registration number, which you then need to record on your hunting license.

A printable copy of migratory bird hunting regulations can be downloaded from the Vermont Fish and Wildlife website under “Hunt” – “Waterfowl.” A printed version is available from license agents and post offices.

Vermont Deer Hunting

Almost all of the

square mile in Vermont than in any other New England state.

Vermont’s deer herd is managed to minimize winter mortality and to improve both herd and forest health. For years “bucks-only” hunting resulted in the herd booming or crashing, depending Seasons Archery Youth Deer Weekend Novice Weekend Muzzleloader Antlerless

state’s 73,000 resident hunters hunt deer at some point during the fall and more bucks are taken per

November Regular Muzzleloader

Page 31

upon winter severity. Now, there is regulated antlerless deer hunting through either-sex archery hunting, the youth and novice deer weekend, and a controlled permit system during the muzzleloading season.

Limits may be a legal buck.

No more than four Youth and novice hunters deer per year, only one (News cont. pg 64) Vermont Seasons

Dates Notes October 1-December One legal buck may be taken anywhere in the state not to exceed the one buck annual limit 15, 2023 except closed during For the 2023 season, all WMUs are open to antlerless deer regular November hunting in archery season A crossbow may be used by anyone season One deer of either sex, no antler restriction (pending Fish October 21-22, 2023 and Wildlife Board approval) A Novice is a person who purchased their first hunting October 21-22, 2023 license within the past 12 months and is 16 years of age or older.

TBD by Fish and Wildlife Board Muzzleloader license and antlerless permit required - check October 26-October website in June for permit availability 29, 2023 Permit may be used during this season or during the regular muzzleloader deer season November One legal buck may be taken anywhere in the state not to 11-November 26, exceed the one buck annual limit 2023 One legal buck may be taken anywhere in the state not to December 2-10, exceed the one buck annual limit. Antlerless deer may be 2023 take if you have an antlerless permit

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Page 32

From Craig Pond

by Bob Mercer, Bucksport, ME I like open spaces, especially pastoral scenes around farms, like the hay fields. The view of the wild flowers and the different shades of green of the various grasses move me. I love the legions of Lupine marching across a field like British soldiers, but these are uniformed in purple instead of red.

I get these feelings from reading special books such as Braiding Sweet Grass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. This is a book I read every summer just after we move to Craig Pond. It is a book of, “Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teaching of Plants”.

In her Potawatomi traditions, the plants and animals are part of the “more-than-human people” of the world and as such

they are considered to be older brothers and sisters of humans. Being older, they have more experience and wisdom from which we can learn. Focusing on plants might seem inconsequential, but in fact, plants feed us and supply us with our oxygen.

Open Spaces

one whose spirit gives up an affirmative response.

They do the same when gathering sweet grass and other harvests. They also thank the plant for their gift. The harvesting then becomes a co-operative endeavor.

The point here is to honor and respect all the “more-than-human peoples”, as a method of caring for and protecting

mills and solar farms. The forest and fields are being replaced by mechanical contraptions in the name of “progress”. The trees, grasses, wild flowers, birds and animals that live in these areas were not consulted. They were simply removed. Windmills kill birds and leak oil. On the oceans there is evidence that the wind mills are affecting the navigational

A lot of the damage done to the earth has been done in the name of “progress”. The two most recent examples are windmills and solar farms. The forest and fields are being replaced by mechanical contraptions in the name of “progress”.

Reflecting on Professor Kimmerer’s thoughts, why do we not consult the plants before we disrupt them? The basket makers of the indigenous peoples ask the ash trees for permission to harvest them and turn them in baskets.

These people search, sometimes long and hard, to find

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our earth; that earth that we share equally with our “more-than-human-brothers and sisters”. How different would our practices be if we consulted these beings before disrupting them? There is be a big difference between asking a tree to sacrifice itself so that we may build a home for our families, keep us warm in the winter, make paper or other products necessary to our lives, as opposed to cutting them to replace them with a wind farm, solar farm or parking lot. The difference is between cutting trees based on needs and removing them based on making space for questionable profits.

A lot of the damage done to the earth has been done in the name of “progress”. The two most recent examples are wind-

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process in whales. The effect this has on whales is ignored. However the gear that lobster fisherman use is denigrated even though there is no evidence of trap gear in Maine doing any damage to whale populations.

Folks do not seem to be aware that these mechanical devices are more profitable because the government pays subsidies to make them so. Standing alone, windmills and solar farms are viable but not as attractive as investments.

It is government subsidies that makes them extremely attractive investments. .

The question then becomes why there is such a rush to use mechanical devices over nature? It is all about the dislike for fossil fuels and gaining political favor with a portion of the population, even to the point of banning internal combustion engines. How much further ahead could we be if all that money and effort were put into making burning of fossil fuels cleaner and more efficient?

We have come a long way

in that regard and I am sure more could be done, if that were the goal. However, it is not.

Our “more-than-human neighbors” do not speak in a language we can readily hear. Their language is more one of perception. Whales, animals and birds speak to us by disappearing, by beaching themselves, etc. There is no wildlife on a solar farm.

All manner of wildlife is disrupted by wind farms.

Yet, they are continuously being built. Why? It is because the word “progress” is really a substitute for the real driver of this process, money.

The view of wind mills on a mountain top or on the ocean, the view of solar farms in our hay fields and open spaces does not move me. It makes me sad.

As I have grown older I have come to believe there is more to this world than money. Things like beauty, serenity, and solitude are equally or maybe even more important. I believe this because during the time I spent in the woods, on trout streams, lakes, ponds and the ocean, the “more-than- human folks” have left me with that perception..

Perhaps it is time we heightened our perceptual insights of the “more-thanhuman people”.

Bob Mercer writes from his camp on the shore of Craig Pond, where he and his wife Jean raised three wonderful children, who blessed us with ten grandchildren. If you wish, you may contact him by email at Craigponder@ myfairpoint.net

October 2023

Northwoods Sporting Journal Guns & Ammo:

Hunting Binoculars

Let’s talk about hunting binoculars. If ever there was a case for the phrase, “You get what you pay for”, it’s hunting optics. Be that rifle scopes, spotting scopes or the subject of this column, binoculars.

We all like a bargain, but sometimes the bargain is paying a bit more initially to achieve good performance and longevity.

Hunting binoculars are used in rough and challenging conditions, so a quality piece of equipment will stand up better. It’s true you can get 8X50 binoculars from Wally World for $60 or $70, but your error will be revealed the first time you use them in the rain or drop them on the rocks. So, what should we be looking for? The first thing we must decide is what power to purchase, and what objective size.

The most useful and most common sizes are 7x35, 8x40, or 10x50. What do these sizes represent? The first number is the magnification or size of the view.

The second number represents the size of the light gathering objective. We could make the assumption that bigger is always better.

Well, not in this case.

A binocular with more than 10 power magnification is too powerful to hold still enough by hand and would require a bipod of some sort. This eliminates its usefulness for gen-

eral hunting. So, let’s call 10x the maximum practical power. The objective is the amount of light it gathers, and this determines how clearly we see in low light situations. Portability and

Never point your rifle or handgun at anything you do not intend to destroy.

So, looking at a cow moose across a clear cut when you are deer hunting, or a woman walking her dog on a powerline through your rifle scope, puts an unintentional target clearly in your crosshairs. Please don’t do it. The second reason is that the view through quality binoculars

Page 33

A Guide’s Perspective

by Tom Kelly, Orient, ME

quality sets over the years by letting family know what I needed. They are usually happy to have the suggestion. In my case, the children chipped in to buy a top-notch set. In the other, my wife put them on layaway and paid over time. Expert advice when

equipment outdoors, take a youngster or new hunter with you. It helps protect the future of our way of life.

Tom is a Registered Maine Guide. He is the owner/operator of Shamrock Outfitters in Orient

A binocular with more than 10 power magnification is too powerful to hold still enough by hand and would require a bipod of some sort. This eliminates its usefulness for general hunting. So, let’s call 10x the maximum practical power.

size tell us that for practical purposes, 50 mm is the largest objective that will give us a portable size. In the big woods, where visibility is limited, a good set of 7x35’s will serve the purpose. If power lines or glassing clear cuts are part of your plan, then an 8x40 or even a 10x50 will fit the bill. This is where trying several sizes will be of benefit to determine your comfort level.

“Why not use my rifle scope?, you may ask.

The reason is two-fold. The most important principle we must all follow is safety.

will be much clearer and more detailed especially in fading light. Once the target has been identified as a worthy game animal, then we can acquire a sight picture through our rifle scope.

Other desirable features to look for are user-friendly controls for focus and comfortable carry straps. Lens covers that stay put but are easily removed are also a big plus. Coated lenses are necessary to help avoid fogging during inclement weather and glare on sunny days. These features in a quality binocular will give you years of service and a glass that you can pass on to the next generation.

You can expect to pay several hundred dollars for binoculars of this quality, but it’s worth the investment. I have received two

investing in such items is invaluable. Places like Bass Pro Shops, Beans or Kittery Trading Post have knowledgeable sales folks that can be very helpful. I have used their expertise many times. Speaking of expertise, Craig Bodington and Outdoor Life have contributed info for this article as well as enjoyable reading.

On your visits to Bass Pro or Kittery Trading Post, or even using your

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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Looking for a guide or outfitter? Want to list your camp with a realtor? Looking for a hunting regulation in your state? Lodging in the North Woods? A fish stocking list? Wondering about sunset time on opening day? Or you simply need a new recipe for venison, moose or bear?

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Page 34

Northwoods Sporting Journal

October 2023

The Maine Moose Hunting in 2023 or so and wait. A Woods minutes moose has very good hearMatt LaRoche, Shirley, ME

Moose hunting in 2023 is vastly different from what it was during the early 2000’s. There are still plenty of moose in the northern half of the state but not as many as there were 20 years ago. The winter tick has thinned the herd out considerably and the forest has been more selectively harvested giv-

their antlers. They typically like to rub their antlers on alder bushes along grownin secondary roads. If you can find a well-worn trail with lots of fresh moose tracks, places they have rubbed their antlers and the edges of the trail have been browsed - that is a good place to setup. I have found it best to find a few

Once you find a good location, make yourself a comfortable place to sit with some cover and try calling. I like the cow in heat call, which is a long, loud bellow similar to the sound a dairy cow makes out in the pasture. ing the moose more cover to hide from hunters.

Twenty years ago, all you pretty much had to do was ride around on the logging roads north of the Golden Road and you would see moose. Today a hunter has to put in a few days scouting their hunting zone, find some good fresh sign and put themselves in position to be successful.

When I say sign- I mean rubs, tracks and browsed bushes. Rubs are places where bulls have been rubbing the velvet off

places that meet the above criteria because after you have decided upon “your spot”, it just might happen that someone else also found the same spot and arrived there before you on opening morning.

Once you find a good location, make yourself a comfortable place to sit with some cover and try calling. I like the cow in heat call, which is a long, loud bellow similar to the sound a dairy cow makes out in the pasture. Make a couple calls every 15

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ing, he may be coming for a while before you actually hear him grunting as he responds to your calls. I made myself a nice birch bark call that I laced together with spruce root a couple years ago – it really casts my call a long way.

I was guiding a moose hunter a couple years ago and I was calling with my birch call along the shore of a pond. That call was echoing for miles. Sure enough, at about dusk we heard the faint grunt of a bull coming in. He came in fast and furious, he was thrashing the bushes with his antlers and grunting as he came in.

It was very exciting! My hunter chose not to shoot because he wanted a trophy and unfortunately went home without a moose.

After half an hour of calling and waiting with no response, move to another location. I like an old road that you can walk down with good moose sign- stop and call every 300 yards or so.

My son had a cow permit last year in adaptive zone 4A. We found some good sign in a fresh chopping earlier that day while scouting. We went back to that location for the last hour of the day. I called and he watched over the chopping. After about half

The author calling moose with his birch bark call. (Photo by Paul Vuto) an hour a cow with a yearling calf came out behind us. My son had to turn and shoot. He made a good shot and the moose pretty much dropped in her tracks.

We used the gutless quartering method as shown on the Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife website. It worked great! We removed the four legs, cut out the back straps, removed the neck meat and had the inside tenderloins in the back of the truck in about an hour and a half. We used a high sided sled to bring the meat out to the truck.

See www.maine.gov/ifw to watch the gutless quartering method.

Another way to hunt moose and get away from other hunters is to use a boat or canoe. Moose are still attracted to water plants during the September season and can be seen along the waterways feeding on vegetation. Normally the moose move to

the hardwood ridges after the leaves drop to feed on browse. So, a watercraft hunt may not be as productive for the October weeks of the moose hunt.

If you got a moose permit this year, congratulations. Spend some time scouting your respective hunting zone. Have three or four good places picked out and try calling a moose in. There are some great YouTube videos out there that will help you learn to call a moose.

Enjoy and good luck!

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

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Let us help you. Contact our sales department at 207-732-4880 or check out the advertise page on our website at www.sportingjournal.com ““We have been using the Northwoods Sporting Journal to promote our business for years.

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October 2023

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Oliver Collins’ Vermont Moose Hunt

Page 35

Averill, VT 10/15/2022 was sticks breaking and I saw my Dad getting in a shooting stance and I knew something was going to die. My father shot the moose in the neck and it fell headfirst dead. We were really excited to see the moose on the ground.

Pulling the moose out was very exciting and interesting. We had a 1,800 pound horse named Rooster to pull the moose out.

The moose had a 38” spread and it had 13 points.

My moose weighed 620lb.

I used a Browning X-Bolt 7mm-08.

Oliver Collins

The first day we saw a bull, but it was really foggy and pretty far away.

On the second day we called the moose in using a cow call. My Dad was second shooter, my uncle Eric was the guide and I was the main shooter.

He came in to like 30 yards trying to get our wind. Withing a few seconds he got our wind. He started to run and we did a cow call. He stopped and I let him have it.

Well I had just shot the moose and the shot felt good. I was wicked excited.

It was my uncle Eric, my fun, there was no blood for 30 yards. When we did find Dad and myself.

Tracking it was really blood there was ponds of

blood. We went like half a mile only losing blood for just a few steps. After half

a mile I was feeling very Oliver Collins is 10 unhopeful. years old and has just startThen, all I heard ed his hunting career.

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Page 36

Northwoods Sporting Journal

View From The River

by Laurie Chandler Bremen, ME Time spent reading for enjoyment builds vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. It’s always a bonus when young readers discover Maine books, especially ones about life in the northwoods. Browsing our camp bookshelves recently, I took down one of my children’s favorites — Allagash River Towboat: A Maine Logging Adventure

Over a farewell breakfast of flapjacks and bacon, we are introduced to the crew and their responsibilities. The pikemen keep the heavy boat off dangerous boulders in swift current.

The horsefly guides the two draft horses, riding atop one’s broad back. The captain steers the boat with a long sweep oar and serves as camp cook. The supplies

October 2023

Allagash River Towboat

with lacy frost. Freshcaught trout sizzling beside diced potatoes and onions make me want to join the rivermen for their hearty breakfast.

From his perch on the cabin roof, Ben watches for moose and bear. It is the strong and gentle work horses who first sense their nearness, as their ears lay back or their tails twitch nervously. Sure enough, around the next bend in the river or atop a bluff, Ben spots a mother moose

boat is “stove up” on rocks miles above. After pondering the dilemma, Uncle Horace decides to take his boat up and over the carry.

Cutting a “passel of rollers,” the rivermen tackle the challenge.

Given the danger should the cable snap, Ben watches from a ridge

straighter course. With the men cheering and waving their hats, and Ben shouting instructions, the boat moves slowly across the lake.

I love that this is not just a boy’s story. Near Churchill Depot, Ben’s younger sister Sarah arrives in a canoe with

From his perch on the cabin roof, Ben watches for moose and bear. It is the strong and gentle work horses who first sense their nearness, as their ears lay back or their tails twitch nervously.

(Down East Books, 2003).

Written and illustrated

by Jack Schneider, this fictional tale follows elevenyear-old Ben on his first journey upriver on Uncle Horace’s 1930s towboat.

The plentiful maps and action-packed drawings are reminiscent of the work of Garth Williams, illustrator of the Little House books.

The story is educational and nostalgic for anyone, young or old, who loves the waterway or may soon be embarking on an Allagash trip.

Ben’s adventure begins in Allagash Village.

they carry will be portaged around Allagash Falls to another towboat, bound for a lumber camp on Eagle Lake. Surprisingly, the provisions include eight dozen lemons!

The waterway in early November is, in some ways, a far different place.

This is a good time—after the autumnal equinox—to see the northern lights, and Ben is not disappointed. The first night out, he watches colorful fingers of light dance in the vast night sky, then wakes to a chilly ground fog that has decorated every branch

with a calf and later a black bear with a pair of cubs peeking out.

Around the campfire, the rivermen share stories from their past lives. One worked a coastal schooner, hauling cargo as varied as ice, granite cobblestones, and molasses. The sailors aboard his ship once learned that war had been declared during a chance encounter with a German submarine. Another, an Irishman nicknamed Fiddler, had left his New York City home to become a roustabout with a traveling circus.

The most critical moment arises when the crew reaches Allagash Falls and learns that the upriver tow-

This model Allagash River towboat, built by author Jack Schneider, is on display at the Patten Lumbermen’s Museum in Patten, Maine. above. A block and tackle is attached to one of the iron rings that can still be seen today here and there along the river. Victory is achieved as the winch slowly lowers the towboat back into the river above the falls.

My favorite chapter recounts Ben’s ingenious idea to sail across Round Pond. The horses come aboard for a well-deserved rest. The rivermen lace a tarpaulin to the spare sweep oar, lash it tightly, and nail leeboards to the hull to keep the boat on a

Frenchie, a trapper who compliments her fine bow paddling skills. What children wouldn’t be thrilled to share Sunday dinner in a lumber camp— a feast of steaming potatoes, beans, dried codfish, cornbread muffins, and cranberry pie.

Or to ride one of the Eagle Lake steam locomotives over to Umbazooksus Lake and back.

On a more serious note, this is also a story of change. For us today, it takes imagination to picture Michaud Farm in the 1930s. Twenty families lived there, cutting hay, raising vegetables, and caring for livestock in the farm’s numerous barns and pastures.

Uncle Horace sees the changes that are coming. “Now them newfangled gasoline chainsaws is beginnin’ to invade (Towboat cont. pg 39)

Northwoods Sporting Journal

October 2023

Getting an Edge To the disappointment of many who know me, I have never been a detail man. Navy boot camp tried to change me. Making a tight bunk that would bounce a quarter, buffing black shoes with tiny cotton balls for hours, or

He gave me one, and I used it and became a believer. A few years after that, while skinning a tough elk in Colorado, the sharpener saved the day. (Elk hide will dull any blade the first five minutes of use).

So impressed was I

who owns ABCO Electric Contractors in the Windy City, had always wanted to get his two teenage sons in some kind of a small business. An active sportsman in his own right, Andy, along with his two boys Max and Parker, drove from Chicago to Diamond,

Page 37

Cracker Barrel

by Homer Spit this?” I asked Andy. I liked his answer: “I wanted to give my boys a chance to learn how to work for themselves and have an entrepreneurial spirit,” of-

….whether I’m filleting a fish or dressing a deer, the knife I carry always seems to be as dull as a rusty hoe.

What to do?

making Brasso mirrors out of Navy collar devices only served, eventually, to drive me deeper into slothhood.

This personal shortcoming has at times manifested itself in my outdoor activities. For example, whether I’m filleting a fish or dressing a deer, the knife I carry always seems to be as dull as a rusty hoe. What to do?

The solution, or the quick fix, to a dull blade in the field came to me a few years ago by happenstance. One of my fishing and camping companions, Fred Hurley, a detail man, introduced me to a small pocket-size knife sharpener called, Tony’s Sharpener.

with the sharpener’s effectiveness and portability I got to know the Missouri man who made them, Tony Roberts. For years, I promoted and sold the device in the Northeast with Tony’s help. Last summer Tony dropped a bombshell: “ Sorry Paul,” Tony said over the phone,” but I have run out of steam. I’m hanging it up. No more sharpeners.”

I wrote a goodbye column about Tony’s exodus. As fate would have it, a Maine man who lives in Chicago read about Tony’s business in the Northwoods Sporting Journal. Andy Ray, a 1991 UMO graduate and business major

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Missouri to see Tony and his setup. Before the sun set that night above the Missouri hills, Andy and his boys closed a deal with Tony. Not before learning to make the sharpeners on Tony’s metal press, however.

Andy and his sons trucked the manufacturing equipment back to Chicago and went to work.

This all happened early last September. Since then they have ramped up the business, the marketing effort, and fine-tuned the production process. “We have been filling some large orders and adding staff already,” says Andy.

“Why did you do

news. The Tony Sharpener is back in business under new ownership. I have field-tested the new ones and they are excellent.

Tony Roberts taught Andy and his boys well.

To learn more about how to purchase a Tony’s Sharpener check out their website at tonyssharpener. com.

fered Andy.

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Page 38

Maine Outdoor Adventure

Editor ’s note: Although the editor has been known to enjoy an occasional cigar while fishing, to keep the bugs at bay, this column is solely the opinion of the writer.

The Northwoods Sporting Journal does not support or encourage smoking in any form. Research indicates

Northwoods Sporting Journal

by Rich Yvon, Bradford, ME the plant in 1494 on a small island off the coast of Venezuela. Europe was never the same! Cigars historically have been used for social pleasure and status. Cigars had mostly been enjoyed by upper crest patrons, because of the cost associated with them. Today, they are widely enjoyed by

October 2023

Cigars For The Outdoors

Puff Rider”, and General Ulysses Grant are noted as prolific cigar smokers.

Cigars can be somewhat intimidating for the newcomer but wait! Tod a y ’s c u l t u r e a r o u n d the world lends itself to a friendly, relaxing, and universal culture. Customarily, “regulars” at a shop will often welcome newbies by giving a stick as a welcoming gift. Sitting down and meeting people

rettes, are not inhaled into the lungs. They are to be smoked and enjoyed tickling the palette. There are so many manufacturers, and growing environments that it is truly a science unto itself. It is said, that quality handmade cigars are made and handled 200 times before it makes it to your humidor. The cigar should be 100% all-natural, which gives the smoke

or hunting partner. Having a smoke when hunting quarry that cannot smell very good, like turkeys, can help pass the time making it more enjoyable. Cigars will help keep those pesky mosquitoes and black flies away as well!

Your local cigar establishment is certainly a great place to start. Even on the road, a local establishment can be most helpful and

its inherent, distinct characteristic that is sought after. Some folks find their satisfaction in one brand and in one blend. Others are more of a connoisseur type. They will try several cigars, sticking to a major characteristic profile that they enjoy. They will typically be knowledgeable about the cigar history, cigar etiquette, and the best value to be found.

Guiding fishing trips and smoking cigars have become very popular among anglers. Even in the hunting blind, hunters will enjoy a smoke and camaraderie with the guide

rewarding meeting new friends who share some of the better things in life.

Living in Maine, smoke establishments are few and far between. Most of the major cigar lounges are to be found where there are larger populations of people. Connecticut, where the famous broad leaf grows along the Connecticut River, hosts some very nice shops. Among others, The Crawford’s cigar shoppe in Connecticut, is one place that offers a friendly, relaxing, hospitable environment for anyone who is of legal age. If you care to (Cigars cont. pg 43)

Well-known public figures such as Winston Churchill and Mark Twain, took pleasure in smoking cigars. Even some of our presidents here in the United States such as Theodore Roosevelt “Teddy, the Puff Rider”, and General Ulysses Grant are noted as prolific cigar smokers. that cigars contain the same addictive, toxic and carcinogenic compounds found in cigarettes, and can cause cancer.

October is finally here! Cigars and the outdoors go hand and hand.

The history of cigars goes back to 2500 BC with the Mayas, using the plant for medicinal purposes. Christopher Columbus was a major importer of tobacco.

He is one who discovered

all walks of life, male and female.

America was raised on tobacco, including myself. Growing up in the Connecticut River valley has certainly left its impression! Picking tobacco as a kid for Mulnite Farms and Reichle Farms, taught me the value of hard work and what it means to farm. Well-known public figures such as Winston Churchill and Mark Twain, took pleasure in smoking cigars. Even some of our presidents here in the United States such as Theodore Roosevelt “Teddy, the

from all walks of life is a reward, almost as universal as food.

The best friendships and business associates have been forged over a good cigar.

Although this discussion is about cigars, pipes have had just as much notoriety and have been enjoyed by many sportsmen.

The first pipes were found in Egypt and dated back to 2000 BC; they were found inside tombs alongside mummies and were put there so they could enjoy a smoke in the afterlife.

Cigars, unlike ciga-

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

October 2023

A Maine Hunting Trip

On the morning of Nov. 19, 1900, Eugune A. Norwood, of Bellows Falls Vermont, reached Norcross and was met by Guy C. Hayes, who paddled him to his camp on North Twin Lake. In his account, which was published in Shooting and Fishing, On Jan 17, 1901, he related the following story.

“Sunday an amusing incident took place with George Greene, the sailor, as the central figure.

George is no hunter, but his highest ambition is to kill a deer, so we procured, on the sly, one that had been killed and frozen several days. This we carefully set up in the woods about a quarter of a mile from camp. We set small trees all about it, and made the whole thing as realistic as possible. At dusk I suggested to George that we go out to look for deer, as they come out at that time to feed.

“We started George

well ahead, with a rifle on his shoulder, which was kindly loaned him by one who was to follow on and see the fun. After circling his around until he was nearly exhausted, the guide, tapping him on the shoulder, said, “I think I can see a deer.” George nervously exclaimed, in a voice loud enough to be heard at camp, “Where, where?” and I looked in every tree top within sight or range. After we had succeeded in quieting him, we

in the rear, losing control of himself and nearly bursting, with laughter, gave a shout. George nervously exclaimed, “What’s that?”

The guide said, “It is another deer, but we must get this one first,” which gave him new courage, as he supposed we were fairly surrounded by them.

“By this time, he had emptied his rifle to one rifle. I raised the sight on my rifle to one thousand yards and handed it to him, saying, “Now take good

is sadness and a great love for the days of the double(Cont. from pg 36) bitted axe and woods teams the woods,” he laments, whose time is almost past.

“They’re most efficient, but Isn’t it wonderful, though, so loud the noise is enough that these times live on in to send even the blackflies books like this one? packin’.”

Laurie Apgar ChanAs the old man turns dler is the author of homeward on what may be his final river trip, there Through Woods & Waters,

which provides an adventurous look at Maine’s Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, and Upwards, the story of her 2015 solo self-propelled thru-paddle of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail.

For more information or to purchase the books, visit www.laurieachandler.com

Towboat

Page 39

Old Tales from the Maine Woods

by Steve Pinkham Quincy, MA

I bore him now.” Opening fire again he began cutting all the high limbs from the tall trees, owing to the raised sight. After shooting seven or eight times in the most excited manner, he said, “Well, he must be dead now,” although the deer was still standing as before, head and tail up.

By this time, he was near

said, “Yes,” and he at once tried to do so, but with no success, owing to the frozen condition of the deer.

The guide, not being able to stand this any longer, kicked the prop out from under the deer, it rolled over and for the first time George saw his mistake.

The deer had previously been dressed. His mortification was complete, but he “We started George well ahead, with a rifle on his shoulder, put on a bold front, dragged which was kindly loaned him by one who was to follow on the deer into camp, and and see the fun. After circling his around until he was nearly insisted upon it that he had exhausted, the guide, tapping him on the shoulder, said, “I killed it. This did not go down, as every one was on think I can see a deer.” to the joke and gave him a directed his eagle eye to the aim and don’t get nervous.” enough to rest his rifle great jolly, which he took deer, which still seemed Looking back, I saw the across the deer’s back, and good naturedly enough.” to be quietly browsing. rest of the party rolling said with a small profane George began operations on the snow and shouting preface, “He ran between by firing a volley into the with laughter, but this did those two trees and died.”

Steve is an avid hiker, innocent creature, get- not disturb George. He We told him he must bleed paddler and historian, havting still nearer and more stepped into the road where the deer, and handed him ing collected over 30,000 excited with each shot. he had full view of the a knife. George asked if Maine Woods articles to About that time someone deer, exclaiming, “Won’t must cut the head off. We date.

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Page 40

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Busy as a Blue Jay

Northwoods Sketchbook

ground caches. The days when the burs open are a free-for-all, and blue jays and squirrels strip a tree of his chestnuts in just a few days.

“Back in the day,” a mature chestnut tree would produce 100-200 pounds of chestnuts for deer, bear, turkeys, squirrels, blue jays, and people. A behemoth over 400 years old and 120 feet tall, could produce 1000 pounds of chest-

by Mark McCollough, Hampden, ME October 3 - This week the Maine Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation is in a race with the squirrels and blue jays to harvest ripe chestnuts. A few of our last remaining native chestnut trees (and some planted 25 years ago by the Foundation) are infected by fungal blight

October 2023

throat pouch and flew to a distant location to hide the nuts for food this winter.

Bernd Heinrich, naturalist and retired professor, is a keen observer of blue jays, red squirrels, and American chestnuts at his home in Weld, Maine. Bernd planted several American chestnuts at his camp

The American Chestnut Foundation has been working for decades to produce a blight-tolerant American chestnut. They

ing along an overgrown logging road looking for a grouse. Far ahead, I saw a black object advancing on the same road toward me

are close. When they are ready for distribution, squirrels and blue jays will be the “Johhny Appleseed” of chestnut restoration – planting the chestnuts far and wide and restoring this important tree to our eastern forest.

October 15 – Moose are still in the rut and looking for the last of the cows to breed. Today I was walk-

– a bear, a moose? It was a large bull moose on a mission to find a cow. Through my binoculars I could see the old bruiser constantly licking his nose to catch the scent of a cow in heat.

Males of the deer family lick their nose frequently to improve their ability to capture the scent of an eligible female. Bull moose (Blue Jay cont. pg 65)

Blue jays start inspecting the state of the chestnut burs in late September hoping to be there the day when the burs open and spill their contents. To beat the blue jays, red squirrels cut the burs two or three days before they open. and are mere white skeletons of their former selves.

Some branches struggle on. These trees seem to sense their pending fate and shower the forest with one last bounty of chestnuts. The spiny chestnut “urchin” protects three nuts from would-be predators until they are ripe for harvest. I watched a blue jay fly into the top of the chestnut tree I was harvesting.

The normally raucous bird was stone silent, probably to avoid attracting local competition. It methodically eyed each chestnut burr to see if it was open.

It easily gobbled all three seeds, stored them in its

nuts. Today this keystone of the eastern forest is gone except for a few stragglers and stump sprouts.

Bernd started to notice young chestnut seedlings throughout his woodlot from seeds that the jays and squirrels hid but “forgot.” Being the ever-curious naturalist, he recruited help and systematically searched his land.

They made an astonishing discovery and mapped over 1,300 chestnut seedlings growing on his land; all originating from just two chestnut trees! Some were located as far as 300 yards distant (and possibly further).

in the early 1980s, but just two survive today. They are isolated on Bernd’s mountain and have thus far escaped the chestnut blight. True to their kind, they continue to produce copious crops of chestnuts each fall.

Bernd pulls up a lawn chair to observe the harvest. Blue jays start inspecting the state of the chestnut burs in late September hoping to be there the day when the burs open and spill their contents.

To beat the blue jays, red squirrels cut the burs two or three days before they open. They carry the burs or nuts to nearby under-

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

October 2023

My Friend Roger Wakefield Oh, Dear Roger!

Without any doubt, one of the finest men I have ever known. An honest, decent, God fearing man, devoted and good family man from Downeast Maine. He was

with for more than forty years!

Roger was perhaps a “fine fisherman”, as they say in outdoor chronicles.

He once said, and I quite agree, “Fishing? What else

master for the Maine central Railroad Company in Columbia Falls in Machias, and I think he is going to have a nervous breakdown if you guys don’t get together and go fishing again soon.” That was during a pause from several years of memorable times in his company---fishing, hunting, and trapping in the thralls of Township 30 mostly. He knew the spots for all activity in that

Page 41

“Just Fishing”

by Bob Leeman, Bangor, ME fell right through the window and just over the steering wheel. Now, as Roger began picking and chomping and eating ravenously, he turned to me and said: “Lord, burn my clothes, I’ve gone to heaven!”

Later that day, I asked my close companion, “Rog, if you had to live your life

Church services were attended by more family and friends than you could count, both inside and outside.

Bob Leeman is a Master Maine Guide, outdoor writer, naturalist, book author, and a co-host of MAINE OUTDOORS ra-

Now, as Roger began picking and chomping and eating ravenously, he turned to me and said: “Lord, burn my clothes, I’ve gone to heaven!” location of Maine, and had guided me on some of the most enjoyable days of my life!

On one occasion, among so many, we were driving into a remote trout stream over the remnants of what used to be a tote road, plowing over overgrown thick growth, and dredging through a “slouth” at the base of a hill, he pulled up the Dodge four-wheeled “tank”, and stopped amid a huge growth of blackRoger Wakefield with that “wry” smile over a berries---loaded with ripnice catch of brook trout with a friend. ening, fresh fruit. Rog, the an outdoor guy, for sure, is they?” artful dodger, as I often with fishing, hunting, trapHis wife, Dot, called called him, rolled down ping, gardening, bee keep- me one day and asked: his truck window, and as ing, fly tyer, and so much “Bob, you’ve got to contact sudden as you can imagmore---outside and inside, Roger again. He’s retired ine, a huge bush, heavily a wonderful friend to be from his post as station laden with blackberries,

over again, would you want to?” After a long pause of contemplating, he said, “No! That’s for sure. I’ve got such a wonderful family and close friends, and so many memories, a great job. What more could a man ask for? My answer is “No, that’s for really sure!”

My dear, dear friend died a young, full of life and vibrant, active buddy until the day he passed from cancer at the young age of mid-seventies. The

dio program on Sunday evenings from 7-8 p.m. on 103.9 FM. Two of his three books are still available, in soft cover only--“Fly Fishing Maine Rivers, Brooks, and Streams” for $19.95, and “Trolling Flies for Trout and Salmon” for $21.95, plus $4.00 postage for each. They are available at several fly shops or directly from him. For information, see ad in this publication or call 207217-2550.

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

The Buck Hunter

The Buck Hunter

by Hal Blood, Moose River, ME The long wait is over and deer season is fast approaching. For some hunters, especially the younger generation, it is time to put out trail cameras. Other hunters will be bow hunting, with some taking advantage of the expanded archery season to fill their freezers with meat. One

crowd thinks we are taking to the woods just to kill a deer. The anti-hunting crowd thinks it a blood lust or something. For most hunters the killing is just the logical conclusion or final act in the hunt. They just can’t understand the personal connection a hunter has with the game. For

allow you become as successful as you might be.

After guiding deer hunters for over thirty years, I learned a lot about hunters and people in general. It often amazes me how different people react to the same situation. It might be something as simple as seeing a deer bounding away. Some hunters are ready to shoot in an instant while others seem to lose their composure and don’t bring their gun to their

It often amazes me how different people react to the same situation. It might be something as simple as seeing a deer bounding away. Some hunters are ready to shoot in an instant while others seem to lose their composure and don’t bring their gun to their shoulder. thing is for sure though is that just about every deer hunter is waiting for the opening day of rifle season. That day is a tradition that has been passed down through the generations.

Some hunters will get together as a family group, while for others it might be a friend or group of friends setting off after an elusive whitetail buck. I think the opening day of deer season is a spiritual event. The beginning of the days ahead where we can leave everything else in life behind and get back in tune with nature.

The non hunting

October 2023

me, the hunt is about the pursuit of the game that I’m after. Whether wandering around on bare ground, trying to find a buck lying around or cruising through his territory or following his track on a blanket of fresh snow, I just have that sense of belonging in the woods. I never feel like I am an intruder in the woods, I feel as though I am part of it. I know many hunters feel uneasy in the woods. They are always concerned with where they are and how to get out of the woods. Those type of feelings will never allow you to fit in the woods or

shoulder. You might think in the latter case that it is just lack of experience, but that doesn’t always seem to be the case. Some people are just calm and collective by nature while others are excitable and erratic. I’ve watched clients pull their gun up and drop a running buck in his tracks, while others could get a shot off at standing buck. I tell people that if all the bucks that I’ve watched get away from a client were on the wall, it would make my wall look sick!

Some hunters have a natural ability for hunting while others don’t. Some

people are naturally good at baseball and others are naturally good at video games. While natural ability gives people a head start, it doesn’t mean somebody lacking it, can’t excel at something. They just may have to practice more

the local store or with your friends. Some hunters their ego get the best of them and clouds their judgement. We see it quite often with the so-called pro hunters or personalities, where they get caught breaking the law in some way. Maybe it’s something like hunting in a closed area, baiting where it’s not legal, hunting after hours, or shooting over the limit. These people get too wrapped up competing with each other for a kill, that the essence of the hunt has escaped them.

For these peoThe author with a big ole buck. ple, (I can’t call and work harder, but it them hunters) don’t seem can be done. So, if you are to have any respect for the nervous about getting lost, animal and have lost their learn Map and compass. If way in my opinion. We will you are a poor shot, go the all do better to get out in range and practice more. If the woods and just enjoy you have trouble climbing every moment of it. Learn a ridge, get in shape. If you all you can along way. make too much noise walk- Sure, you can learn from ing, figure out how to walk others by reading, telling quietly. It really not rocket stories or watching films, science, it just takes effort. but there is no substitute The hunters willing to put for getting out there and in the effort will always be applying it. If you do, I more successful than the guarantee that you will ones who don’t. I watched have fun and become a a lot of hunters over the better hunter. The only years who lacked natural competition you have is the ability for hunting in a lot buck or whatever animal of areas, become deer hunt- that you are after. ers in the top ten percent of hunters I know. Every one Good luck on the of them worked hard at it trail! for years to get that point and there isn’t one of them Hal is a Master Maine who didn’t think it was Guide and author. He lives worth the effort. in Moose River Maine Hunting is not a com- with his wife Deb. Hal petitive sport. Sure, you can be contacted at hal@ can enter a buck pool at bigwoodsbucks.com

October 2023

Northwoods Sporting Journal

A Helping Hand

This month for me was a transition month.

Most summertime activities are over, but the fall season, for me, has not started yet. It was a time to consider some of the important aspects of outdoor life that have stuck with me over the years.

One of the important ones is helping others. I can think of nothing as satisfying as helping a handicapped person in an outdoor excursion. It is an experience that such a person could never hope to have except in the company of a responsible woodswise person. Plus, if you do it, the adventure may well do you more good than it does the person you are responsible for!

Consider the following for example. One member of a group of young people I guided on a river trip was legally blind. I got to know him quite well before the trip and was impressed with his positive attitude toward life and the future. He was realistic, and we openly discussed

in my canoe, and he was a good one. He couldn’t see the rocks when we ran whitewater, but he was well coordinated and responded to my commands, drawing right or left without hesitation. I remember him yelling to me, as we started down our first rapids of the trip, “I can’t see

This story has been told before and a couple of years after publication of the tale, I got a phone call that brought tears to my eyes. his problem and the trip we were going to undertake. I also talked with his mother, who, though worried, was supportive and anxious for him to have the experience. I made the youngster the bow paddler

the rocks, but you tell me what to do and I’ll do it!”

He did too! We never touched a rock, and in our cooperation quite a camaraderie built up between us. As a group member, he pulled his own weight, do-

Cigars

Turkey, Moose, Deer huntCall: 207-907-9151 Email: info@Twin- ing and recreation adventures. When Rich is not on mapleoutdoors.com (Cont. from pg 38) Visit: http://www. adventures, he serves as a dine and smoke, The White Ash Cigar Lounge located TwinMapleOutdoors.com board member for the Native Fish Coalition, Maine in Pawtucket Rhode Island, Rich is a full time chapter. He is also an outoffers excellent dining, Registered Master Maine door writer, tree farmer, drink and fine cigars.

If you would like more Master Guide. He owns fly-fishing instructor, and information on hunting or and operates Twin Maple certified NRA firearms inice, fly/spin fishing tech- Outdoors guide service structor. Spending time in niques/strategies for bass, and sporting lodge located Maine’s North Woods, has pike, salmon, and trout, in Bradford, Maine. He is provided a canvas for Rich please feel free to reach out a “Certified Yamaha G3 to share his passion of the to me. I’m always happy Guide” that runs fly and outdoors with all walks of to share my knowledge spin fishing trips with a life. His company’s mission and experience to anyone, G3 Jet boat and Stealth- is “To Provide All People for a better day of fishing! craft drift boat. Rich also the Opportunity to Enjoy On the water lessons are guides Maine Partridge, Maine’s Outdoors.” offered by Rich at https:// twinmapleoutdoors.com/ contact-us/ As always, remember to take a young perACCESS AUTO / LIN LINCOLN COLN PO POWERSPORTS 265 West Broadway son hunting or fishing to ATV’S Lincoln, ME SIDE-BY-SIDES keep our outdoor heritage 794-8100 SPYDER alive and well! In addition, please support your local tackle shops and small businesses!

For more information about the Maine outdoors, www.lincolnpowersp owerspoortsme.com please contact Rich at:

Lincoln

Northwoods Voyager

Page 43

by Gil Gilpatrick, Brunswick, ME ing camp chores every bit as well as anyone else.

This story has been told before and a couple of years after publication of the tale, I got a phone call that brought tears to my eyes. The caller told me his name and then said he had just returned from his daughter’s funeral. He wanted to thank me for writing the story because it had encouraged him to take his handicapped daughter on a canoe trip that turned out to be the high point of her short life.

So, as it turned out I was rewarded on two fronts. First, I had the satisfying feeling that came from helping the young man have a great outdoor adventure. Second, in writing about the experience I helped a father give his daughter an adventure that turned out to be the trip of a lifetime for her.

Don’t hesitate to hold out a helping hand. Each

handicapped person must be considered according to his or her particular problems and abilities. Very often the problems are multiple, but do consider taking someone on an outing if you have the opportunity.

If it is feasible, then by all means do it. You’ll never regret it.

Gil Gilpatrick is a Master Maine Guide, and is the first living recipient of the Legendary Maine Guide award. He is a life member of the Maine Professional Guides Association, a founding member of the Maine Wilderness Guides Organization, and served as a member of the Advisory Board for the Licensing of Guides from 1996 to 2010. He is a member of the New England Outdoor Writers Association and is the author of seven outdoorrelated books. Contact him at Gil@GilGilpatrick.com

Page 44

The Northwoods Bowhunter

by Brian Smith, Machiasport, ME The big bruin materialized from up wind and cautiously tested the air while checking the bait site. I was amazed how silent such a large bear was at only 15 yards away. When it stepped out from behind a jack fir, I knew from the giant hind end and sagging belly, it was Lizzo, and readied my Mathews bow!

der and hang-on stand 15 yards uphill from the bait in a large and well shaded yellow birch tree. We later met with the property owners to show them the bait site and videos of the bears.

They were surprised to learn how many bears were nearby and happy to have us harvest one if we could.

We had nicknamed

Northwoods Sporting Journal

October 2023

Wicked Fat Bear!

enjoyed some of the finest bear meat all year long.

We had just finished off the last stick of delicious summer sausage created by our local butcher. I decided that if Lizzo appeared and presented a good bow shot, I would take her.

On opening day I settled into the 18’ high stand just before four p.m.

I strapped into my safety harness in case I dozed as it was a warm afternoon with a light breeze. At 7 p.m, Lizzo came cautiously

I took my bow off the hanger and clamped my release onto the string loop. When she pulled the 30 lb rock and cover board off the bucket, I drew the 60 lb Heli-M and settled the 15 yard pin just behind the shoulder, halfway up the body.

Earlier, I got permission on a new piece of property then found the perfect spot to bait. On July 29th, my wife and I set up a bucket full of mixed nuts and real fruit smoothie mix.

We also hung anise soaked scent rags and poured old fryer oil on dead stumps.

A check of the bait camera a few days later showed it was hit in only 12 hrs by very fat sow. A good sized boar also came by walking on two legs, while urinating to mark the site. After ensuring regular visitors at the site, we set up a tall lad-

the bear “Lizzo” and she became a regular early evening and sometimes morning visitor to the bait site always exhibiting wariness and caution when approaching. She was the only bear at any of our baits consistently coming during daylight hours. As the opener approached I urged Joyce to sit at that stand but, although she wanted to see Lizzo live, she also didn’t want to miss a chance at her favorite bait should a bear appear there.

We both had harvested large dry sows in 2022 and

waddling in from the west and worked toward the bucket. I took my bow off the hanger and clamped my release onto the string loop. When she pulled the 30 lb rock and cover board off the bucket, I drew the 60 lb Heli-M and settled the 15 yard pin just behind the shoulder, halfway up the body. Upon release, the Muzzy tipped Easton Axis arrow sliced through both lungs with a smack and stuck in the ground with the Nokturnal nock flashing. The behemoth woofed and ran back 30 yards on

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The author with his 320 lb bow bear, his largest ever. the trail she came in on and weighed her at Craig’s, and collapsed. She was where she tipped the scale dead in 30 seconds from at 321 lbs, the heaviest sow lung collapse and mas- I had ever taken. She was sive blood loss. I thanked an old bear with yellow and God, savored the moment broken teeth and surely had and texted my wife who taken her share of newborn responded that she was fawns over the years.

After gutting and on her way. After a few minutes I lowered my bow packing her in ice for the and climbed down to look overnight cool down, she at my third bear in a row was the first bear tagged that had dropped and died at the local hardware store within sight of my stand. the next morning. On to the She had collapsed into butcher’s and more of that a depression and was so wonderful summer Chedheavy I couldn’t move her. dar Jalapeno and maple My 19th archery bear was a breakfast sausages and many other delicious cuts real fatso!

While walking out to to enjoy for the next year. my truck, I texted Uncle Brian Smith is a reCraig and friend Harry to come help and to bring my tired Maine State Police six and ten year old cousins Detective and NRA Field with them. My ATV battery Representative. He rewent dead so I took a jet ceived the MBA Largest sled in to the dead bear and Maine Archery Bear Award expected an easy 100 yard in 2008 and 2018 and was drag out to my truck. After named Bowhunter of the photos, we began to drag Year twice. He served on but because she was so the SAM-ILA and MBA heavy, it took three of us a Boards and can be reached half hour to haul her uphill at bowhunter@mgemaine. to my pickup. We hoisted com

October 2023

Northwoods Sporting Journal

A Hunting Dog

With the fall hunting season fast approaching, upland game hunters are starting to think about crisp autumn mornings, thick cover, fresh snow, and dogs with their noses to the ground, waiting patiently for Brittany to point, or the

of Western Massachusetts, running the dogs. We loved those dogs and took great pride in caring for them!

But in my life, the best hunting dog I ever had was a rugged little black and tan beagle named King, who came to me in what

over-run rabbits, but by his fourth year he had shifted into a lower gear, and from that time on, he was just a joy to watch! He was a hunter, and oh how he would thrash through junipers, barberry bushes, thick brush, and deep snow searching for a scent. And he was just as good with or without snow, whether it was cottontails or hares, if the conditions were right,

Page 45

On The Ridge

by Joe Judd Shelburn, MA

waiting, knowing I would always return for him. He was so devoted, and the most loving hound I had ever known. And when the end finally came, I was devastated! But I was there with him that day, helping him crossover as peacefully as possible.

Now as we sat together, enjoying this beautiful autumn afternoon, I knew that King would never run the ridges of Massachusetts and Vermont with me again. And as he rested his head in my lap that day, gently nudging my hand when I would stop strok-

And when I returned a few hours later or, on rare occasions, the next morning, he would be there, confident in his waiting, knowing I would always return for him. He was so devoted, and the most loving hound I had ever known.

Beagles to sing, both signaling that something special is about to happen! For many upland game hunters, a day in the field is simply not enjoyable without their devoted companions by their side. Like old friend and semi-retired outdoor writer, Gary Sanderson, a legendary game bird hunter in Massachusetts, who adored his dogs, especially Chub-Chub and Ringo! So, I know a little bit about the bond between an upland hunter and their dogs – which goes far beyond moments of just hunting together!

When I was young, and before turkey hunting consumed me, I would rabbit hunt with my brothers (in-law) Doug, Fred, and David Churchill as often as possible. During those seasons, we would head up north into Vermont to hunt snowshoe hares or stay local and hunt the thick cover

I refer to as, “The Great Trade of 1983” when there were more dogs moving than dust particles in the air! And when the dust finally settled from this “Great Trade”, I ended up with King, and I couldn’t have been more pleased! In his youth, the King would

King and I would be off and running. Many days, when darkness set in and the hunt was over, King’s voice could still be heard singing out, cutting through the night, not wanting to give up. And when waiting for him to return became futile, I would leave my coat knowing that he would eventually find his way back to it. And when I returned a few hours later or, on rare occasions, the next morning, he would be there, confident in his

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I remember as if it were yesterday, holding his face in my hands, gently rubbing his eyebrows with my thumbs, while searching his eyes for the excitement he would always display whenever I approached his house. The anticipation of coming with me would always show in his actions, and when the cool crisp air of October sent his young lungs ablaze, his eagerness could never be hidden or contained!

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Page 46

On The Prowl

Northwoods Sporting Journal

by Justin Merrill, Cherryfield, ME Disclaimer: This column is merely a recollection of my past experiences and partly my opinion. I understand that the reader may have their own knowledge and opinion about tracking animals.

Always, without a doubt, a hunter purposefully starts every excursion with first deciding what area to go to and where to

week from April to November, I have the pleasure of being able to see more than my fair share of coyote and deer signage. It’s not uncommon for me to see the real deal sneaking around field edges or sprinting across a blueberry field.

All this and more is taken into consideration before testing my luck at tracking.

The tips and tactics

The Tracker

ing some of Tom’s tactics, well, actually they are Stalking Wolf’s and the Apache Indian’s tricks and tactics. So, with all this in mind, let’s get to it.

I’d like to make a suggestion and that is to first, out of pure enjoyment, go to the woods to establish a “Sit Spot”, where you will very quietly go to often.

Don’t forget to cover your human scent in any way you see fit. Then go to your tree trunk, stump, rock or what have you, to sit down and remain motionless for

live animals going about their daily business, assuming your remaining quiet and motionless. Through the course of your stay you should get to notice what animals most recently walked by your sit spot by observing all the tracks.

Let’s say a coyote

If you want to see real coyote tracking then you go to the Pine Barrens in New Jersey and look up Tom Brown, Jr. to tag along with him on a tracking expedition. begin the journey. That’s how this column will begin.

Think back on all the locations where you’ve seen the mullah sign of your favorite quarry before running to the woods and fields. Having reviewed your notes, about tracks, scat, feeding locals, breeding areas, safety zones and last but not least, the most frequented areas, a travel pattern begins to emerge.

I’m in blueberry fields and next to, if not in the woods, five to seven days a

I’m about to share have been learned while being a student in the Advanced Woods Survival Class at the Maine Conservation School in Bryant Pond, Maine. A couple years later I went on to be an assistant Instructor/Field Teacher for this same class and the very next year I became the Field Teacher. Everything taught during this weeklong course came right from Tom Brown, Jr., (The Tracker), instruction books and manuals. Every time I go hunting I’m incorporat-

the duration of your patience. Only use your eyes, ears, and nose to observe your surroundings. Believe it or not, but doing this will allow you to learn about every creature, big and small, that makes that forest their home. In a sense, this IS tracking. You’ll see fresh and old tracks, pock marks made by the rain and sun, (the sun, rain and wind make tracks too), and also you will become familiar with all the smells of the forest and most importantly get to observe the

walked by one morning before you arrived at the sit spot, you look closely to study the tracks to find the “Pressure Releases”, to know where the next track will be and to figure out the direction the coyote went in. Pressure releases are simply the deeper depressions/divots in a track with mounds of dirt or any debris spread out somewhere in front and behind a track.

By drawing an imaginary line through the center of this mound in the back and lining it up through the middle of the mound in front you then should be able to find the next track. Pressure releases

October 2023

also might only be a high ridge of mud, dirt, leaves/ needles, or sand in the back of the track that the coyote left behind when it pushed off before placing its paw ahead of the previous track.

This tactic can be used to track any and all animals, including humans.

If you want to see real coyote tracking then you go to the Pine Barrens in New Jersey and look up Tom Brown, Jr. to tag along with him on a tracking expedition. He can tell you how much a coyote weighed, whether or not it just ate, how old it was, if it was male or female, and much, much more. Tom very quickly looks at a track as being a grid with many different pressure points in each square on the grid that he can read like a book.

This master tracking technique Tom learned when he was eight years old when an Apache Indian named Stalking Wolf took Tom under his wing. Tom calls him Grandpa.

Justin is an author and the owner of the YouTube channel, “SPIKES and GILLS”. You can learn more by visiting www.WildMaineOutdoors.com

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October 2023

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Vinson’s October Bait

The month of October can be a coin flip for bass anglers that also are avid hunters! It’s all about going into the woods. Or towing your boat heading to the lake in search of some of the best bass angling opportunities of the year. With that thought I contacted my good friend Professional MLF Bass Angler Greg Vinson, of Wetumpka, AL. (www.gregvinson.com) Greg’s list of tournament accolades include over $1 million in tournament winnings, 4 Bassmaster Classic appearances, 4 MLF REDCREST qualifications, 23 Top-10 Finishes and the list continues. (Follow Greg Vinson at www.

MajorLeagueFishing.com) “The Fall Transition for bass focuses on Baitfish-Forage, find the baitfish balls and the bass will be close by,” echoed Vinson. So, it’s that easy, I replied. “Yes, however the efforts involved in locating them involves covering a lot of water at all depths.

I utilize my Garmin sonar set in the 2D format as I cruise on plane searching for both baitfish and the

habitat available. Drains, ditches, creek channels including areas with flatter structure within the sixto-eight-foot range are all prime locations.”

Vinson points out, “Forward facing sonar has assisted anglers in locating bass and baitfish. “Previously anglers would scan the surface looking for bait-

pens, it allows me to work a variety of baits within the same area for bass holding at different depths.”

When it comes to targeting October bass, The REDCREST Qualifier likes to keep it simple! “I’ll rig a drop-shot 6’10” Halo KS II spinning rod, spooled with 15 lb. Seaguar Smackdown braid, then attach a 20 ft.

fish and bass breaking the surface. My Garmin forward facing sonar reveals everything suspending to those along the bottom! I may locate a suspending ball of baitfish ten feet below the surface. While a school of bass may be swimming or holding along the bottom. When this hap-

10 lb. Gold Label Seaguar fluorocarbon leader. Tie on a #1 drop-shot hook, impaled with a 4.5” LonGoby or Grey Ghost color Flat Sided Shad NetBait supercharged with Baitfuel scent. A 3/8 oz. weight anchors the rig in place.”

Pro Tip: When bass refuse or stop eating the

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Page 47

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by Bill Decoteau, Hampden, MA Flat Sided Shad, switch to a NetBait 3” JR. Crush Worm in the same colors.

The smaller bait is subtler and entices additional bites. www.Americanbaitworks.com Cooler nights and shorter days keep baitfish and bass on the move. “This is when a jerkbait becomes my bait of choice. I’ll use a Suspending MegaBass 110 the longer cast to cover a wider range and the noise to attract the bass especially with a slight chop on the water. My Garmin Forward Facing Sonar allows me to pinpoint the bass location keeping my bait over their heads.”

Pro Tip: If the water is clear and the sky is bright rig a translucent Pro Green color Jerkbait. If the water is off color and its cloudy rig an opaque dark color or chrome color. Use an aggressive retrieve these bass are looking to fatten up!

“Fall is also a time to catch big bass, and a

jig is the best to do it!”, insist Vinson. Greg suggest October anglers do the following: “Shade is a key factor, and a jig is a Big Bass Bait. I have found a 1/2 oz. jig is the perfect size as it falls fast, and you can also swim it.

It’s very important to keep your colors natural. Greenpumpkin with black trailers or Bluegill, Alabama Craw will work.” www.DirtyJigs.com has a compact jig with a 3/0 hook that meets this recipe perfectly informs Vinson.

Pro Tip: Vinson recommends 25 lb. Seaguar Abrazx fluorocarbon, a 7ft 6inch Halo KS II flipping rod, and a Shimano baitcaster. “You don’t need much line for pitching and flipping 25 lb. Seaguar Abrazx is extremely strong under all conditions! www.

Seaguar.com God Bless and Best Bassin’

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 48

Vermont Ramblings

by Dennis Jensen, Vermont We set out, later that morning, for a stretch of public land over in the next town, maybe six miles from my home. This was quite early in Matt’s days of fall turkey hunting and he was still looking for his first wild turkey.

Having hunted this land a few times during the spring turkey season and having

every 50 yards or so to cut loose with a series of soft yelps. Just after 9 a.m., as we turned a corner in the trail, more than a dozen birds burst off, this way and that, from a series of trees. I was a bit perplexed, for this is pretty late for turkeys to be roosted. But this was not the first time I had experienced this kind

October 2023

Turkey Woods: Lessons

with a former commissioner of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department and a longtime pal, Paul Davoran, my dentist for years and a good hunter.

Leading the group, I busted up a flock of about two dozen birds and they took flight in all directions. I set my companions to my left and right and settled back about 30 yards behind them.

Not five minutes later, while I sent out sweet yelps with the mouth call and

seen, maybe 60 yards away, gathering her group back together. My call then fell on deaf ears. Still, you have to call that hunt a success.

While hunting fall birds is both challenging and rewarding, there is another delicious thing about fall turkey hunting. While we are moving, at a slow

on opening day, hoping to stumble upon a good buck.

Matt and I hunted few more hours that day but did not locate any more turkeys. Still, it was a great day for bonding with my son. He learned a few things about fall turkeys and I, of course, learned some things, as well.

Not five minutes later, while I sent out sweet yelps with the mouth call and a series of kee-kee-runs when I could clearly hear a series of responses from at least two birds. Minutes later, my two companions, shooting only five seconds apart, had each bagged a hen. taken one good gobbler two years earlier, I had a good feeling about the day.

We crossed a wide, noisy stream, using a log crossing. After that a gradual climb, up through old pines and mature oaks. Off to our right was a broad field of corn. After a few hundred yards, the old logging trail meandered along flat terrain. Here, we paused and I slipped a diaphragm call in my mouth.

We walked perhaps a quarter mile, stopping

of thing.

Anyway, I found two good trees, right in the place where they had roosted, and we set up. Despite the fact that the birds had disbersed, I had no success in calling them back in.

One thing about fall hunting: when you do manage to bust a flock, you have to try and convince at least some birds that you are the boss hen calling them back in. That is not always easy.

One fall, about 25 years ago, I was hunting

a series of kee-kee-runs when I could clearly hear a series of responses from at least two birds. Minutes later, my two companions, shooting only five seconds apart, had each bagged a hen.

I continued to call, hoping to coax a bird to me.

Then I heard the call that will break the spirit of any fall turkey hunter. It was the boss hen, the dominant hen that shows the way for the rest of the flock.

She was sounding off, un-

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A fall wild turkey, taken by the author, hangs from the front porch of a deer camp in Pawlet, Vt. pace, listening and looking for turkeys, I am constantly on the lookout for buck sign, with the coming rifle season always on my mind.

By buck sign, I am talking about deer droppings, buck rubs, buck scrapes, well-used deer runs and, of course, deer.

None of these deer signs, of course, is any guarantee that the deer will be available come opening day, but this approach is far better than venturing into unknown deer woods

Be careful out there when hunting fall birds. No “accident” can ever be justified. And one more thing: We always wear a blaze orange hat when pushing the woods. If you are moving, a turkey will spot you whether you war that orange or a camouflage cap. Be safe.

Dennis Jensen is a freelance writer from Vermont. Contact him at d.jensen 62@yahoo.com

Northwoods Sporting Journal

October 2023

The July Flood

Page 49

Outdoors In Vermont

by Gary W. Moore, Bradford, VT

They also provide fish with shelter and places to forage that can be the difference between successful recovery and lasting impacts for fish populations.

“After Irene some recovery efforts removed trees and boulders from rivers and ended up making rivers more vulnerable to floods and slowing fish The North Hartland dam at 86.75 feet above normal. population recovery,” said Note the massive amount of debris held back by the river boom Eldridge. “We are askin the upper half of the photo. ing Vermonters to leave It was not just the dens and burrows were un- helps impacted fish popula- downed trees and boulhumans and the infrastruc- derwater and are now full tions rebound lines up with ders in rivers and streams ture that suffered damage of mud. The same is true that human safety priority.” whenever doing so does during the July flooding. for the woodchucks who Rivers with features not create a risk for people, Many animals lost their call the many meadows and like fallen trees, large boul- roads, or infrastructure. homes too and the habitat fields home that were under July 9-10 more than 9 inches of rain needed for various fisheries several feet of water. fell on many parts of Vermont causing Fish living in our rivwas often destroyed.

July 9-10 more than 9 ers and streams were se- major destruction to roads, bridges and streams. inches of rain fell on many verely impacted as well parts of Vermont caus- and, if we are not careful, ders, and winding chan- These features will help ing major destruction to recovery efforts can do nels provide better fish fish populations recover roads, bridges and streams. even more damage. habitat and are more re- and help our rivers weather “The first priority silient to floods. These future floods.”

Hundreds of homes were destroyed and many people in flood recovery is hu- features reduce flood imI tell people a messy had to be rescued by swift man safety,” said Vermont pacts for landowners and stream is good for the fish. water teams. President Fish and Wildlife Aquatic downstream communities In many cases, Fish and Biden issued a disaster Habitat Biologist Will El- by slowing flood waters. Wildlife has been adding declaration for eight of dridge. “During Tropical Vermont’s fifteen counties Storm Irene, we learned that retaining and recoveras a result.

Just imagine the bea- ing river habitat that buffers vers and muskrats whose against future floods and

logs and trees to streams to slow flows, lesson erosion, and improve habitat.

Impacts to Vermont’s fish populations and river habitats from the July flood will take time to assess.

But based on data from Tropical Storm Irene, the department says that trout populations in some rivers may be significantly reduced by this year’s flood.

“Trout populations can drop by around 50% after extreme events like we saw this month, and (Flood cont. pg 57)

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Page 50

Maple Country Outdoors

Northwoods Sporting Journal

by Ben Wilcox, Essex, VT

October is a real dilemma for me as an outdoorsman. I have a one track, goal oriented mind and enjoy being fully focused on one season at a time. Beginning in spring, I am entirely focused on maple sugaring and achieving our production goals.

The minute we finish up sugaring season I am on to fishing season. I always

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have a handful of fly fishing tournaments on the horizon that focus my attention toward preparing and practicing for specific scenarios I may face in the next competition. Beyond

The October Dilemma

Carolina. This competition is the last regional event before the USA National Championships next year, and I’ll need to have a solid performance. I’ll probably be on the river a lot so that I am completely dialed in for the tournament. If that’s not enough, late October is the best time to catch lake run landlocked

hunting as the month goes on. I do not set any hunting related goals for the month.

Warm days I’ve learned are for fishing, while a nice temperature drop and calm cool weather are the days to

trip the first week of November. This year we will head to Kentucky. Before November rolls around I usually make one final trip for Landlocked Atlantic Salmon, catching a nice

I’ve learned that to stay sane and enjoy October I have to play the weather and ramp up the hunting as the month goes on. I do not set any hunting related goals for the month.

Warm days I’ve learned are for fishing, while a nice temperature drop and Author With a Vermont Landlocked Salmon from the last day of October. calm cool weather are the days to be in the woods. be in the woods. I also try 3-8 pound salmon is a great that I always set a goal for getting the kids out on the water having fun as well as exploring new places both locally and on vacations.

Then comes October and the start of deer season, and even though I have been fishing for months, it’s hard to completely turn it off. This year for instance I have a big fly fishing tournament in the mountains of North

Atlantic salmon, as well as big browns and brookies preparing to spawn. How do you focus solely on bow hunting? As you can see my mind begins to spin in October! Throw a trail camera picture or two of a good buck at me and I start to get a little crazy.

I’ve learned that to stay sane and enjoy October I have to play the weather and ramp up the

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to bring the kids 8,6,4 bow hunting at least 2 evenings each on nice weather days.

Last year I made the mistake of bringing 2 of them one day and all 3 another.

They had great fun throwing pine cones at me and making grunting noises that sounded nothing like a deer. There was so much talking, moving, and laughing we would have had a better chance at seeing big foot, but we had fun.

The last week of October is when I really start to forget about fishing. I try to give myself 3-4 good mornings or evenings bow hunting and begin getting serious. It’s also the week I begin to prepare for our annual out of state hunting

way to end the year. By the time I get back to the truck, fishing season feels like it was months ago and I can fully focus on killing a big buck.

My goals for this hunting season are to be successful in Kentucky hunting DIY on new ground, and to kill a quality deer on my grandfather’s old farm where I now live. My dad gave me his old 30-30 this past winter, which I used to kill that last deer I got on the farm when I was a kid. I put a red dot scope on the Marlin 336 and plan to hunt with it “up back” this year. I’d really love to get a nice deer and have the kids help drag it out. Beyond (Dilemma cont. pg 51)

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Dilemma

Dog

(Cont. from pg 50)

(Cont. from pg 45) I got to Fred his eyes announced that he might have missed. Right about then Doug showed up with King, who was still barking up a storm. When Doug realized what happened, he immediately released King who darted out about 75 yards in front of us. A

that I plan to spend 3 days up north tracking deer and since its a short window, my goal is just to continue to get better at tracking, maybe I’ll even get one down up there!

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 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. com, or on instagram @ benwilcox_maplecountryanglers.

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few moments later here he comes, racing back, carrying Fred’s snowshoe hare along with him! When we got to him, we just hugged him, held him, and lavished him with love and praise.

The King just sat there smiling and enjoying the whole thing!

No question about it, I loved that dog. Yet, even now, when I think of those

Page 51

times together, I still feel the same sadness I felt on the day he left me. King would be the last hunting hound I would ever own.

No other before him, or after, could ever hold the place in my heart as did King. He was simply a true friend, who will forever remain, “a champion”, to me!

Joe Judd is a lifelong

hunter and sportsman, 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 Game Calls and Bass Pro/Cabela’s Pro-Staff.

Page 52

Green Mountain Report

Northwoods Sporting Journal

October Beckons

by Bradley Carleton, Charlotte, VT

I live for October. It’s got it all. October 1 brings in the hope of connecting with a nice fat doe (where I hunt, we must shoot a doe before we can take a buck.) October also brings my most cherished pursuit, ducks! When a cool north breeze embraces the valley, the call of migrating geese can be heard all night long under the waxing moon. If

October 2023

I could choose one element of life that I have found brings me the most joy and creates the strongest desire to live for more seasons, it is Opening Day of duck season. Standing in our blind in the pre-dawn, peering out over the top rail covered in cattails and hearing whistling wings flying dangerously close to our heads, is as close

to heaven as I’ve been on this planet. To be honest, I haven’t visited any others, but I simply can’t imagine they could be any better. Loud raucous quacks and the high-pitched whistles of teal mix with the wooo-eeek of woodies.

The eastern sky is slow to change from its dark hues of black to purple, then shading gently to a sage green and finally a hint of burnt orange. The swamp comes alive. I breathe in the lusty musky swamp

gas from decaying arrowroot and lilypads. Seeds float in giant mats of rice and smartweed, tantalizing the avian rockets. The last ten minutes before legal shooting are spent whispering. “Two in the spread!”

“Oh my God! Did you see that? That mallard almost took my cap off!” Coffee and half-eaten donuts sit ignored on the gun rack.

This is no time to be caught with a cup of hot joe in your hand. My partner, John Lesher, of Burlington and our new protégé’, Trevor

November 3. The second season for the CRZ opens November 22 through December 21. Fortunately, the Atlantic Flyway Council finally recognized that the Eastern Mallard population was doing better than expected and is different than the numbers for the Midwest Central flyway.

Thus, the return to the 4-mallard daily bag limit.

Also, black duck daily limits were increased last year and remain at 2 birds per day. The daily limit of 6 ducks may include no har-

“John, you take the big birds in the corner to your left. Trevor, you’ve got the single woodie in the spread. I’ll take the teal in the right corner. On the count of three. One. Two….Three!”

Coles from Manchester NH, count down the last few seconds until legal and last-minute directions are ordered. “John, you take the big birds in the corner to your left. Trevor, you’ve got the single woodie in the spread. I’ll take the teal in the right corner. On the count of three. One. Two….Three!”

The guns of autumn ring in the NewYear. Be well, Be safe. And most importantly, remember to breathe in that rare air of October. It only comes once a year.

Duck season opens Saturday, October 7 this year for the Lake Champlain Zone and runs through October 11 in the LCZ. The second season for the LCZ opens November 4 through December 28. The first season for the Interior Zone runs from October 7 and runs straight through December 5. The first season for the Connecticut River Zone (CRZ) opens October 5 and runs through

lequin, and no more than 4 mallards (2 of which may be hens), 2 black ducks, 3 wood ducks, 1 pintail, 2 canvasbacks, 2 redheads, 2/1 scaup, 4 sea ducks (including no more than 3 scoters, 3 eiders, and 3 longtailed ducks). The daily limit of 5 mergansers is in addition to the regular duck bag. I would advise anyone considering taking up this sport that you take advantage of a seasoned mentor and read the syllabus very carefully. The violations for many of the regulations are federal offenses and are much more severe than the state regulations. Wardens are typically very fair but very firm, so show some respect and ask if you can’t find a definitive answer to a question.

Of course, Opening Day for archery deer is October 1 and, except for rifle season in November, you could, hypothetically hunt from October 1 (Beckons cont. pg 57)

October 2023

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 53

Two Books Worth Reading

A jet plane flying to parts unknown leaves a stream of vapor against a flawless sea of cobalt. It’s what the old-timers might call a blue-bird morning.

The humidity of late summer has dissipated, the temperature this morning in the high sixties. Steam from recently brewed tea rises from my mug as I sit on the faded cushions of this hand-me-down chair.

From the porch of our cabin in western Maine, I watch a breeze ruffle the surface of the lake, creating what my late father-in-law referred to as a salmon ripple. In the distance, a loon leaves a long line of splashes as it practices taking off. The pair that builds their nest in a hidden cove will soon depart for the winter. In a corner of the yard, a grouse has flown into a mountain ash where the bird feasts on the tree’s blood-red berries. A snowshoe hare hops from a patch of ferns, their leaves turning rust-colored.

It’s been a tough year. Although Trish and I avoided the Corona Virus, flu-like symptoms plagued me through March. My doctor thought it might be a tick-borne virus and put me on a dose of antibiotics. When that didn’t work, he prescribed a different medication.

By April, when the virus developed into walking pneumonia, the doctor suggested a third antibiotic, one he rarely used because of possible side-effects.

Slowly, very slowly, the virus abated, leaving me weak and short of breath.

I decided it might be best to allow the month to storm by while gathering my strength. We canceled

our annual trip to open the seasonal cabin. Back home, I was looking forward to those sweet-scented days of May when the honeysuckle floods the woodland with its heady perfume and the trout are eager to take a fly cast upon the surface.

But the twelve acres of land we call home require a great deal of maintenance, and rather than remain housebound, I thought it best to weed and mulch Trish’s gardens.

After two weeks, my knee began to ache and shortly thereafter my hip followed.

As May approached, I iced my joints, but the ache in my hip would not abate and the knee continued to plague me. I attempted a visit to a local stream, but found the pain outweighed any enjoyment in playing tag with the fish. The doctor confirmed a severe case of bursitis.

Sometime in May, a routine exam found another problem, requiring various tests and probes continuing through summer.

Which brings me back to why I’m seated on the porch of our cabin on this blue-bird morning in late September.

For quite some time I’d wanted to read John J. Rowland’s Cache Lake Country, but for some reason had never gotten round to it. It was while recuperating from my various aches and pains, I found the time, and glad I did. In his introduction to this diary-like account, Verlyn Klinkenborg boasts it’s “The best book ever written.” I’m not sure if I can agree with such high praise, but it’s certainly one of the best books on life in the Northwoods. Published in 1947,

it chronicles a year during which Rowland lived in a cabin on a wilderness lake in northern Ontario.

As one reviewer has pointed out, the more than 200 illustrations are enchanting while the author’s unassuming writing is filled with practical wisdom and love and respect for all the animals, large and small, that call the great forests their home.

If you want to learn how to construct snow googles, a hack saw from a bread knife, a miner’s candle, a mussel-shell spoon

Against The Current

by Bob Romano, Rangeley, ME and Joe-Pye weed spread across the banks of larger rivers; if I was unable to hear frogs and toads plopping ahead of my footfalls, see the occasional black bear tramping through the forest, a moose wading in a shadowy cove; if I was not to play tag with those magical wild trout that have provided me such delight over the years, then I would spend time with

Now, seated here in this chair with the tired cushion, reading the last few pages of Nature I Loved, I’m able to accept the notion that all things must pass. And although it took until late August for my knee to heal, and until September for the doctors to give me a clean bill of health, I’m grateful to be back among the spruce and balsam.

For quite some time I’d wanted to read John J. Rowland’s Cache Lake Country, but for some reason had never gotten round to it. It was while recuperating from my various aches and pains, I found the time, and glad I did. and so much more, this is the book for you.

After reading Cache Lake Country, I wanted more, and found it in Bill Geagan’s Nature I loved.

First published in 1952, it became unavailable for many years until North Country Press published a 70th anniversary edition.

Tormented is not too strong a word to describe Bill Geagan as a young man. Undecided as to how to spend the rest of his life, he purchased a rundown cabin located in the Maine woods where against the wishes of his parents he lived for two years. It is there he honed his skills as an outdoorsman while developing an enduring relationship with the natural world around him.

If I couldn’t trod past trilliums and lady slippers along the edge of trails leading to my favorite backwoods streams, enjoy the sight of lupines

young Bill Geagan, learning (with a bit of envy) of his adventures.

Between the X-rays and MRIs, I watched as young Bill Geagan improved his cabin and made friends with the wildlife around him. I enjoyed his encounters with an injured crow and a baby skunk, the former as persnickety as a housecat, the latter as affectionate as the author’s two hunting dogs. I held my breath during his many trials and tribulations and shared in his little triumphs. The book was a balm during those days when I was unable to cast my flies upon the current.

The aluminum tube holding the cane rod I prefer to cast on smaller streams leans in the corner by the door beside my wading boots and hippers. My favorite cap, the one with the ragged bill and sweatstained brim hangs from a spruce notch. Taking a final sip from my mug of tea, I rise to give Trish a kiss before heading out to a little rill, one where with a bit of luck, I may once again hold a wild trout in my moist palm, and if only for a moment, feel as young and fit as Bill Geagan during his two years in the backwoods of Maine.

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 54

Basics of Survival #31: Knife Safety

Basics Of Survival

by Joe Frazier, Bangor, ME There are two types of knives we will talk about; folding or pocket knives, and fixed blade or belt knives. Most of the safety rules apply to both.

Fixed blades should be in good physical shape.

The handle should be clean and have no cracks or missing pins. There should be no chips or cracks in the

release. The easy way to clean folding knives is to open all the blades only half way, then use pressurized air (canned air) to clean dust and dirt from the blades, hinge pins, and springs. The handles (scales) should be free from breaks or cracks. For this article, multi-tools are the same as folding knives.

most knives for bushcraft (survival) use is a hammer grip. Grasp the knife with your strong hand with the blade spine towards you and the sharp edge cutting away from you. Always keep your weak hand away from where the blade is, and where it can go. If you slip, the blade will move faster than you can stop it. Never use your leg as a brace for the work you are

Knives are much safer when they are as sharp as possible.

A dull knife needs to be pushed through the work using force. The more force you need to use, the easier it is to slip and lose control. blade, and the tip should not be broken off. The sheath should be in good shape with no holes or rips.

The stitching should be intact and any fasteners need to be clean and working properly.

Folding knives should be clean and free of dirt or pocket lint. The blade (or blades) should open and close properly. If there is a blade lock, the lock should engage solidly and release easily when you push the

Never completely trust the blade locks on knives.

Always assume they can still close.

Knives are much safer when they are as sharp as possible. A dull knife needs to be pushed through the work using force. The more force you need to use, the easier it is to slip and lose control. A sharp knife cuts using very little pressure and you are simply controlling it.

The basic grip for

cutting. Always assume the blade will slip, the work will roll, or both.

Before you start working, be sure everything and everyone is outside of your arms reach. If you are cutting string or rope, plan on cutting through and the knife going beyond your work.

Sometimes you can control your knife better with your thumb along the spine of the knife as you cut. If you need even

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more control you can use the thumb of your weak hand to put pressure on the blade. Be very aware of where your other fingers are on your weak hand if you do this.

If you feel you need practice with your knives, use them in your kitchen.

Food prep helps you learn knife control and you develop a feel for your knife.

Be sure to clean it before and after you cut food, and do not cross contaminate from sticks in the woods to food in your kitchen.

Never leave a knife laying around. Close it and put it in your pocket, or put it in your sheath. Someone may not be paying attention and pick it up by the blade.

If you drop a knife, let it go. Be sure it is not going to hit someone’s foot and just let it fall. Never attempt to catch a falling knife, it never works out well.

A knife is a tool. Don’t throw them or wave them around. Never stick a knife into a tree or throw it into the ground. Sand and dirt will destroy the edge, and rocks will chip the blade or break off the tip. If what you are doing feels like a bad idea, it is!

If you are processing fish or skinning/processing an animal, consider using

a cut resistant glove on your weak hand. Possibly use one on both hands if things are getting wet and messy. Cheap ones are less than ten dollars, some are up to forty dollars. MUCH cheaper than stitches and hand surgery from a simple slip.

Be sure you use the right sized knife for the job you are doing. For almost all jobs you will need to do, a two to four inch blade is plenty. The larger a blade is the harder it is to control and be precise with your cuts. A machete has its place, but a twelve inch blade is usually not the first knife you will need.

Always pay attention to what you are working on. If you need to talk to someone, stop the work and put the knife away.

Knives are handy tools, but they demand respect.

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

October 2023

October’s Flies October is an interesting fishing month. For most of us we begin to count down the days we have left to fish here in New England. In New Hampshire the trout ponds all close and the rivers begin to get cooler with fish becoming active. Usually make a trip

As the fly responds and begins to rise a bit the trout will attack it.

The other soft hackle that works, and don’t ask me to explain why, is the Blew on Blue. It’s another fly that was developed in Montana and it has worked extremely well fishing on

Heritage Streamer Hook.

I will change the fly's size before I change to a different fly pattern than the Sanborn and I like the one with the painted eye best.

I wait to hear from my friend Chuck for the invite to troll one of Maine’s great ponds in the fall. We usually get out a few times and what we find is not always a lot of action but when we get strikes, they are fero-

Page 55

Slipstream

By Scott Biron, New London, NH when I was tying at the White Nose Pete Day in Rangeley Maine, Leslie Hilyard, who authored books on Carrie Stevens and Herb Welch with his late father, showed me an interesting find. Carrie Stevens has a pattern called the Wizard and Leslie showed me a

ville Flash: Hot orange Krystal Flash Tail: Lemon wood duck fibers Body: Amber superfine dubbing Rib: Brown 3/0 thread Thorax: Orange ostrich herl

Another good fall pattern that was developed in by the late Nick Nicklas, a guide from Montana, is the Shakey Beeley. The original orange soft hackle has always been very effective for me.

or two to Maine to troll in one of the catch and release ponds that stay open through the month.

I get asked all the time for fall fly recommendations which sometimes can change from one day to another. There is no question that every angler fishing in NE should have variations of an October Caddis pattern in their fly box.

Another good fall pattern that was developed by the late Nick Nicklas, a guide from Montana, is the Shakey Beeley. The original orange soft hackle has always been very effective for me. In the trout ponds I just find the spots where the pond drops off and fish it in those areas. Using sink tip line, I let it drop about 1-2 feet below the surface and then just give it a twitch.

rivers in the fall. A lot of anglers use purple-colored flies and the Blew on Blue is one that morphed out of that color. Several years ago, I fished this pattern on a partly cloudy day and came up one species short of and Androscoggin River Grand Slam. Missing out by not catching a Rainbow Trout. I think it is the combination of the Krystal Flash and the Ice Dub that makes this pattern work.

Fred Sanborn’s, Sanborn streamer pattern is always good choice to begin with in ponds and bigger rivers in the fall. The yellow wing and throat make this casting streamer versatile. It is an older pattern and for that reason is often overlooked for more modern flies. I tie this in sizes 2-6 on a Partridge 7X

cious. We troll on top with our flies and usually have 20 feet of line out or less.

There are many thoughts on streamer patterns for the fall. Some anglers stick with the same patterns they use in the spring and others change it up. I tend not to fish tandems in the fall and usually stick with 9x long single hooks in sizes 2-4. I don’t think there is a hard and fast rule on the single hooks for the fall but it works for me so I start there. If you hear me saying “Adjust We Must” on the water you can bet I’m moving to a tandem.

One thing is for sure when imitating fall smelt, is the top of this bait fish is much darker than at other times of the year. The colors of orange, salmon, yellow and dark red always is where I will start. These colors are often blended with some shade of gray or natural grizzly and will incorporate a dark topping on the pattern.

The Lake Smelt which I wrote about in the August 2023 issue of the Journal is highly effective. In June

framed pattern called the Gray Wizard that she tied.

She incorporated a few changes to her original pattern and, through the glass frame and the faded cellophane, I made notes on the recipe as best as I could.

The colors on this pattern suggested to me it might work in fall so I will have a few with me to test. Stevens patterns, All Orange, Allies Favorite, Indian Rock, Chief and the Commander all are in my fly wallet for this fall.

Shakey Beeley Hook: Partridge H1A Nymph Long #12-14 Thread: Brown 6/0 Dan-

Hackle: Natural hungarian partridge Scott Biron cut his teeth learning to tie flies and fly fish back in the1960s in the North County of New Hampshire. He has fished many of the streams north of Route 26 in NH and his favorite the Androscoggin River. He is a Master Artist in the NH Traditional Arts Program and instructs fly tying both nationally and internationally. He is on the Ambassador Pro Team for HMH Vises and Partridge of Redditch. Ewing has come out with a signature series line of feathers under Scott’s name.

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 56

October 2023

October Question Of The Month

By Joel Tripp

Anybody Seen a Blue Partridge?

It was a perfect fall day, crisp and clear. The only sound you could hear was a slight rustling as the leaves were slowly drifting down. I was marking timber on a remote lot in Waterboro and the logging crew had not moved in yet so I had the woods to myself.

Anytime a forester

time the fires of forty-seven came through the woodlot had been cut over and had regrown to a young stand of mostly pine. It burned hot and it burned deep.

Fifty years after the fire the land was again wooded but the trees were short bodied, slow growing and poor quality for timber.

Wildlife, however, doesn’t

Instinct and adrenaline took over and my right hand was pumping blue paint from the paint gun like a fire hose.

Everything that moved and everything around it was covered in bright tree marking paint blue. goes into the woods with a paint gun he is “marking timber” but this woodlot had been burned over in the fires of forty-seven and timber was not on the menu. The entire area had been farmed at one time, trees cleared and rock walls piled to make way for crops, hay and pasture.

After the civil war the area was abandoned and trees reclaimed the site. By the

seem to mind if a tree is straight and clear or covered with branches. Animals, being more mobile than trees, are quicker to move into an area as long as it provides food, water and shelter.

I am easily distracted by rock walls and old foundations, productivity was not peaking as I explored the woodlot. Whenever I happen upon an old set

of foundations I set about recreating the buildings in my mind. How did the house set? Which way did the ridge run? Were the outbuildings attached? Where is the barn?

Time to get back to work. My primary concern this day was to locate gaps in the walls and layout the job so the logger

could skid the wood and do the least damage to the walls and foundations. I stopped and put a new quart of paint on the paint gun and not ten steps from where I had spent a half an hour living vicariously one hundred and fifty years ago through

the foundations of a long lost settler a patridge takes off from under my foot.

The wings beat upward on my leather shoe as the patridge scuttled away from me and I tried to back away from it.

Instinct and adrenalin took over and my right hand was pumping blue paint from the paint gun like a fire hose.

Everything that moved and everything around it was covered in bright tree marking paint blue.

The patridge became airborne and rocketed away in a blue streak never to be seen again. I stood there, heart racing like a runaway diesel engine, and looked at the ten foot circle of blue paint on the ground.

Thoughts; one, I began to laugh as I thought of someone seeing that patridge in bird season and wondering how it came to be blue. Two, what would that settler think if he saw his land today. Buildings

gone, trees grown back, nothing but rock walls as a monument to his labor.

Three, how lucky am I. To live when we do, electricity, running water, hot running water, sliced bread (don’t discount this one).

We have all the advantages of the modern world and we can also grab a rifle and step into the woods in hunting season and become that settler, shrug off technology and let our primal instincts rule for awhile.

All the things we think are so important in everyday life will be nothing more than those lost rock walls when we are gone. Relax, go hunting and keep an eye out for that blue partridge.

Joel Tripp is a Maine Woodsman and Master Blacksmith living in Limington, Maine producing hand forged outdoor cooking equipment. For more information go to; trippsend.com

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October 2023

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(Cont. from pg 52) through December 15 and utilize up to four tags, but, importantly, only one buck may be taken throughout all seasons. And now for a little anecdotal observation. I have been seeing a lot of mast this year, which we predicted that the mast production would be very poor this year due to a very late hard freeze. What I’m seeing is a very strong crop of apples and berries, red acorns and hickory nuts seem to be plentiful. I have not, however, noticed much in the beechnut production.

White acorns seem to be sparse but when you find a white oak that is producing, I’d recommend lashing

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

yourself to the tree and waiting against all manner of discomfort. It is likely that corn will be chopped late as well due to the soil still being very wet. Again, be sure to refer to the F&W Guidebook for regulations specific to each WMU. As of this writing we are still waiting for the announcement of antlerless muzzleloader lottery winners.

So, October. Go. Be October.

Bradley Carleton is the founder and Director of Sacred Hunter.org which teaches the public respect and empathy through hunting, fishing and foraging.

Flood

(Cont. from pg 49) can take two or three years to recover,” said Eldridge.

“How badly trout in a given river are impacted and how well they recover has a lot to do with habitat.”

The attached photo shows the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dam in North Hartland during the flooding. Water rose 86.75 feet above normal to an elevation of 122.95 feet. The several flood control dams around the state reached levels near capacity but did the job they were built for in holding back water to prevent worse damage downstream.

Syndicated columnist

Page 57

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.

Greenville

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 58

Marsh Island Chronicles

by Matthew Dunlap, Old Town, ME I didn’t expect my shotgun’s story to be so complicated.

I bought the new shotgun this summer—ostensibly to keep at my mother’s house, because she’s been having significant problems with garden pests and I suggested it, although truthfully, I couldn’t pass up the chance to actually need a single-shot .410.

With the able assistance of

lent—MAX” the box proclaimed amongst its specifics. Dram equivalent. It got me thinking.

The use of dram equivalent is a holdover from the old days of black powder cartridges, when black powder loaded into small arms was measured by hand for every shot using a small measure.

As we will see, we have a hard time letting go of such

Equivalents

pound”, a descriptor that mystified me until I learned how shotgun gauge sizes are indicated by the equivalent number of round lead balls that would make up a pound if they were sized to fit in the barrel; hence, ‘fourteen to a pound’ meant a 14-gauge shotgun. It’s why the bore of a 20-gauge is smaller than that of a 12-gauge.

The old-timers had lots of ways to weigh things, and measuring weight, length, area, and even time against something we al-

of weight in Ye Olde Worlde. For distance, a mile was equivalent to a thousand paces (a pace is the equivalent of two strides) of a Roman soldier on the march.

Seconds and hours were based a Mesopotamian sundial numbering system

The use of dram equivalent is a holdover from the old days of black powder cartridges, when black powder loaded into small arms was measured by hand for every shot using a small measure.

my friends at the Old Town Trading Post, in short order I was the owner of a new Charles Daly Model 101.

When I went to pick it up, I also was able to secure a couple of boxes of 2 ½ inch game loads.

It was the little cubeshaped box of cartridges that brought me up short as I read about the load; “Shot size—6; Dram equiva-

mechanisms, which is why many new electric vehicles come with grilles, even though they don’t have radiators.

Henry David Thoreau made a number of visits to Maine in the 1850s and wrote extensively of his travels and the guides he hired. One, he noted, carried a shotgun that was “bored fourteen to a

ready knew was a handy way to create commercial equivalencies. We still use grains to measure bullet weights, for example; but for most weights, we refer to grains of wheat, whereby for precious metals, we compare the weight with a grain of barley. Seven thousand grains of wheat equal a pound; one of the sixteen ounces of a pound, then, are about the same as roughly 438 grains of wheat. A dram, however, was about the smallest unit

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based on multiples of six and ten (hence sixty seconds in a minute, etc.). The whole avoirdupois system evolved out of commercial trade and means ‘goods of weight’. Everything we use is tied to the measures used in some medieval market or some other recognizable standard from a bygone time.

An inch was the width of Charlemagne’s thumb knuckle; an acre was the amount of land a farmer

October 2023

could plow with an ox in one day. A dram, being 1/16th of an ounce, is just under 2 grains. Arguably, in the application of black powder in munitions, it is a small but significant difference. Gallons, quarts, pints, cups—all have some esoteric background that was an equivalent measure of something.

The standardized foot— roughly a size 14 shoe—is twelve inches (see Charl e m a g n e ’s thumb knuckle above); drawn out, we have yards, furlongs, and miles.

We ’ v e grown up with these equivalencies and recognize them, although the definitions stretch out our minds pretty quickly. Those .410 game loads, for example, move along at an understandable 1,300 feet per second—a distance covered, in one second, of four and one-third football fields.

These utilitarian equivalencies are useful to the small handful of (Equivalents cont. pg 65)

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 59

Bird Camp

Gatherings of upland bird hunters in the fall can be both fun, and funny. Last year, it was indeed both at one of Maine’s storied outposts––a magnet for those whose hearts beat faster with the approach of October.

This camp boasts not only great covers within walking distance of your

do he may flush a bird prematurely, when you’re not ready. My pointer notifies me that there’s a bird there, but holds until I’m in position and ready.”

“Okay, but let’s look at it from the bird’s point of view…whether it’s a grouse or a woodcock.

What makes you think the bird will hold just because

as it is with flushing dogs.

We take our time, don’t tucker out as fast, and get to go out twice a day. But friend, you’re all done and it’s only noon. We’ve got the late afternoon ahead of us when birds are heading for roosts. I hope you like cribbage.”

“Well, as a matter of fact, I do, but that’s neither here nor there. I like the pace my springer sets. I love it when his blood is

The Singing Maine Guide

by Randy Spencer, Grand Lake Stream, ME

“If the bird’s still there.”

At this, both men laugh, knowing that there will never be any such thing as winning this argument. The best you can do is state your case as strongly and convincing as you can, knowing that you’re about to witness the same

It never happened.

At dinner, the pointer fellow was able to boast a limit of grouse. The flushing fellow clobbered his opponent in cribbage. Both had had a great day with many wing shots.

Sitting nearby at another table, I was the eavesdropper, happy that

The pet topic last year was flushing breeds vs. pointing breeds, and few subjects in the upland sphere will generate as much passion and argument among bird hunters as this will.

cabin, but great table fare when you return. That’s where the high-toned discussion kicks in, comes up to speed, and sometimes flares with enthusiastic opinion.

The pet topic last year was flushing breeds vs. pointing breeds, and few subjects in the upland sphere will generate as much passion and argument among bird hunters as this will.

Who knows who or what started it? Within minutes, no one cared, they were so busy making their case. “My springer hunts close, and no matter how thick the cover, he’ll flush any bird in there no matter how hunkered down he might be. And because he hunts close, he’ll give me a close shot, one I’m less likely to miss.” “ Ye a h , b u t y o u r springer requires more control than my GSP (German Shorthair Pointer), and you know as well as I

your pointer is holding?

Once that bird knows he’s made, he’s just as likely to keep going, and my springer isn’t going to let that happen.”

“Again I say, it may happen, but before you’re ready. That springer is way noisier than my pointer.

Crashing through the brush like a moose in rutt alerts game birds too soon. My GSP won’t spook that bird, which allows me time to take aim and get off a better shot. Hunters with flushing dogs make “slapshots” and miss more.”

“I beg your pardon.

We just had a gold medal morning in thick cover including old apple orchards.

Sure, I missed a few, but I still limited, and that springer brought back every bird, no matter where it landed.” (This hunter knew that the other had not yet limited).

“Well, I’ll grant that the hunt with most pointers is not as fast and furious

up and he starts “making game.” I think I’m just as excited as he is when that happens and it puts me on high alert. It’s like shooting clay and you don’t know which direction the pigeon is coming from or where it’s headed.”

“Okay, that’s all well and good at your age, but when you get to be my age, you’re happy to have the hound perform his magic, wait for you to get into position, and then put up the bird.”

thing from the other side.

Later, outside, the dogs had a chance to meet.

The GSP was a female and the springer, a male.

They made their rounds, sniffing, waiting, watching, and then repeating.

Then, they began to hop around the lawn, chasing one another in some game only they understood. The owners, each thinking his dog was superior, thought the dogs might behave in kind––haughty and condescending to the lesser dog.

no fights broke out, happier still that the dogs got along. In the end, I knew there was a story to be told, one with a moral, but not one I would be willing to spell out.

Randy Spencer is a working Master Maine guide and author. All of his award-winning books are available on Amazon.

Reach Randy at randy31@ earthlink.net or at www. randyspencer.com

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Page 60

Muzzleloading Afield

Northwoods Sporting Journal

October 2023

Love of October

by Al Raychard, Lyman, ME

I have probably mentioned this before, but as a hunter and fisherman there are certain times of the year I love and certain times I hate. To be fair, hate may be too strong of a word.

At my age, every day is a blessing, whether it comes

rise each morning in the dark and go to bed in the dark. I’m not a snowmobiler so I have little use for snow. I find ice fishing rather tedious, although I do get out on those rare days when the wind isn’t blowing and you can actu-

and spring gobbler season arrives. By May I am more than ready to get outside, stretch muscles that have been pretty much been

I don’t know how anyone, hunter or not, can dislike October.

The fall colors can be stunning, the air is cool and clean, the crisp nights provide good sleeping conditions and it is just a splendid time to be in the woods, especially the view from a treestand with bow in hand. I can’t say enough about it! in bone-chilling January or humidity-filled July or August. Let’s just say, there are periods of the year I like a whole lot less than others.

Topping the period I dislike the most is January through March. Following the holidays, and especially after football playoffs and Super Bowl are over the days just seem to drag and there doesn’t seem there’s any end to them. The daylight hours are short. You

ally feel heat from the sun.

The highlight of my day is keeping the woodstoves going and keeping the coffee pot going.

By the time April rolls in, I start to come alive again. I like May and June.

Spring is just around the corner with its promise of rebirth and renewal and the days are getting nicer.

Daytime temperatures are on the rise, the sun is stronger, things are coming alive

idle all winter and kill something. To be honest, it matters little whether I bag a tom or two. I make a sincere effort hunting them and am pleased when successful, but I enjoy hearing them gobble and cackle at dawn and just being out there just as much.

May and June also brings some of the best times of the year to fly fish.

We generally head north in June for a few days to some “secret” trout pond hoping to hit the hatches just right. Sometimes we do, sometimes we don’t.

But it doesn’t matter. Just working a fly rod again, being on the water, the smell of campfire smoke and the quiet and solitude is what it all about. It seems to rejuvenate the soul.

I like July and August, but hate the humidity that often comes with them, days when you sweat just standing still. Free time is often spent along the coast somewhere casting flies for stripers. It doesn’t matter what size. On a fly rod they are all fun. When the cold fronts finally move down from Canada in September taking the heat and humidity with them, I rejoice because my absolute favorite time of year is just around the corner.

If you haven’t guessed by now it’s October and November.

I don’t know how anyone, hunter or not, can dislike October. The fall

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colors can be stunning, the air is cool and clean, the crisp nights provide good sleeping conditions and it is just a splendid time to be in the woods, especially the view from a treestand with bow in hand. I can’t say enough about it! I’ve fished and hunted all my life, been fortunate to have traveled extensively in those pursuits. I have many fond memories but, for me at least, nothing is quite like October and archery season in Maine. If you don’t know what I mean I suggest you give it a try.

Of course, October is followed by November and December. Come November, and certainly by December, the fall foliage has dropped and the world has taken on a stark, gray appearance. There’s nothing pretty or comforting about either month. It’s getting colder, the days shorter and Old Man Winter is just around the corner once again. The only good thing I can say about them is the November rifle and early December muzzleloader seasons offer an opportunity fill deer tags if necessary.

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

Al can be reached at alraycard@sacoriver.net

October 2023

By V. Paul Reynolds

If you flew a drone low over a multi-acre parcel of farmland, not far from Ash Hill in Carmel Maine, you would not believe your wide eyes! At first glance, you would behold a herd of elk, including a largeracked bull, like you might

This Red Stag, with an impressive set of antlers, is the “head bull” at the Ash Hill Deer Farm. Watching it, it is hard to believe that you are not in the Colorado Rockies or the Bavarian Alps, but in Carmel, Maine! see high in the Colorado Rockies. Upon closer inspection, especially, if you walked closer to the fourth generation Swett Farm at the end of the Swett Road, you would see, milling about, more than 90 head of European Red Deer. You

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Ash Hill Deer Farm

Page 61

Red Deer and marketing the venison. In the beginning, the Swetts got their ‘starter stock” from another Red Deer farm in New Brunswick. Both Ken and his son Nathan held conventional jobs and ran the farm simultaneously.

Nathan the younger, who has had enough of traveling to faraway places, has decided to devote all his time and energies to the deer farm operation. Ash Hill

of the largest are sold to commercial deer-hunting preserves.

Due to the fact that the Red Deer are still wild critters, there is quite an elaborate system involved in “capturing” and transporting the animals that must, by state law, be transported live to the processing facility. The system that the Swetts have devised on their own is a testament to do-it-yourself improvisa-

View Farms also operate a large maple syrup business, as well as custom lumber milling.

Ken’s son, Nathan, who is taking over management of the farm from his retirement- age Dad, is emphatic that their operation is licensed and closely regulated by Maine state agriculture and health officials. All of the animals The Ash Hill View Deer Farm, which was once must be tested routinely for a dairy farm, has been in the Swett family for CWD. At slaughter time, four generations. Ken Swett (right) started the live deer are transported raising the Red Deer back in the 1990s. His to a licensed processor son, Nate, will be taking over the management for licensed slaughter and of the farm from his father. packaging. Most of the Swetts, in the 1800s the dairy farm closed some meat sold is from the cows Red Deer was introduced time in the mid 1960s, Ken called “hinds.” Many of in New Zealand. There the was intrigued with the idea the large-racked bulls are Red Deer over-produced of raising and breeding kept for breeding and some

tion and farmer’s ingenuity.

You can see the deer, and the whole operation by appointment.

Cuts of frozen farm venison can be purchased directly from the Swetts and is also sold at various farmer’s markets and state trade shows. Nathan stresses that their venison is, not only delicious, but low in fat and high in protein, and very close to organic. Ken jokes, “Didn’t get your deer this fall, Bunky? Come see us at Ash Hill Farms.”

Prices? Venison hamburger is $10.00 a pound.

Stew meat $11.00 a pound.

A rump roast is $14.45. The highly coveted backstrap (Farm cont. pg 65)

would be, not in the Rockies, but at Ash Hill View Farms, where father and son, Ken Swett and Nathan Swett, raise and breed Red Deer and sell premium Red Deer venison.

The Red Deer, or the Red Stag, is native to Europe. According to the

over the century and became a nuisance. An “extermination” program was undertaken in the 1980s.

That was short-lived when Canada began importing New Zealand’s Red Deer.

In looks and in lineage, the Red Deer is the nearest ancestor to the Elk in this country. “The meat is delicious, “ says Ken Swett, “and not as gamey as some whitetail venison.

It tastes just like our Western elk.”

According to Ken, most of the four generations of Swetts, including George and Henry Swett, ran a dairy farm. When the

In looks and in lineage, the Red Deer is the nearest ancestor to the Elk in this country. “The meat is delicious, “ says Ken Swett, “and not as gamey as some whitetail venison. It tastes just like our Western elk.”

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 62

October Transition

New Hampshire Outdoors

by Peter St. James, Warner, N.H. When October rolls around, some folks are excited because that means it’s National Pizza Month, National Pork Month and National Seafood Month.

Well, I guess if that’s what floats your boat?

For me, October is all about the outdoors. While lake trout and salmon season ended on September

the brook trout as they are in their spawning season.

And, oh the colors. Male brookies often display bright red belies and vivid spots on their sides during spawning season. Lower side-markings can change to a golden brown, scarlet red, royal blue, emerald green and bright florescent orange. Those color varia-

nymphs and streamers, I’m big on attractors like: Bead Head Prince, Copper John, Hare’s Ear and Pheasant Tail on hand. For streamers, it has to be some Muddlers, Wooly Buggers, Baby Brook Trout, Chartreuse Clouser, Golden Demon and Montreal Whore.

(In many places they’re now referred to as the Montreal Floozie. I guess that’s the PC name. But me and PC had a very casual relationship so I’ll stay with the original name!)

While lake trout and salmon season ended on September 30th, anglers have until October 15th to tangle with a brook, rainbow or brown trout in New Hampshire’s rivers, streams and trout ponds.

30 th , anglers have until October 15th to tangle with a brook, rainbow or brown trout in New Hampshire’s rivers, streams and trout ponds. The air temperatures are more hospitable this month and water temperatures are between 42 and 52F. Which is ideal for

October 2023

tions play a significant role in spawning; the brighter colors change for attracting female brook trout. The brighter the color range, the more females are attracted.

During the spawn, females may display a darker coloration with lighter spots.

When it comes to

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Virginia, and West Virginia.

While fishing wraps up on October 15th, archery hunting for deer is open and runs through December 15 th. (A week earlier in WMU-A).

The Fall Shotgun season runs October 16th – October 22nd ONLY in the following WMUs, D2, G, H1, H2, I1, I2, J2, K, L and M. Pheasant season opens October 1st and runs through December 31st.

If you got a Moose permit, that season will run October 16-22.

October 21-22 is the annual Youth deer-hunting weekend and, Saturday, October 28 th marks the opening of the Muzzleloader for deer. That runs through November 7 th .

The following day will be the start of the regular rifle season for deer.

Speaking of muzzleloaders, it looks like I won’t be taking my annual elk hunting trip out to New Mexico this fall.

As mentioned in a previous column, New Mexico

is the latest state to say that scopes are no longer permitted on muzzleloaders. I get the concept of a traditional smoke pole. But hunting out there is not like hunting around here. The elk don’t always let you get within 30 – 75 yards.

Instead you’d have to count yourself lucky if you had a clear cross canyon shot at 160 yards. I’ve taken my share of elk and the vast majority have been with one shot. Not sure how I’d feel taking that 160yard shot with iron sights?

Just don’t have the time or range available to practice making those shots feel natural like second nature.

I tried to get a rifle tag so I could take the .280AI instead. But the only available tags are Land Owner tags and those don’t come cheaply. A friend in New Mexico just got a rifle tag for the area where I usually hunt …for $10,000. I only have to justify the hunting expenses to me. Even with that streamlined process, 10 large is a non-starter.

I did get an extra antlerless only tag in WMU-L in New Hampshire. So maybe this year I just hunt at home and keep the money in the bank? Dad always told me, just because you have the money to spend, doesn’t mean you should.

This may be one of those times? Sometimes, getting older and wiser isn’t much fun.

Peter St. James is a member of the New England Outdoor Writers Association, Outdoor Writers Association of America, a licensed NH Fishing Guide.

Reach him at: stjames.peter@gmail.com

October 2023

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Salmon Run Up

The last wild Atlan- threats. tic salmon that return to Officials counted U.S. rivers have had their more than 1,500 of the most productive year in salmon in the Penobscot River, which is home to Officials counted the country’s largest run of Atlantic salmon, Maine more than 1,500 state data show. That is the of the salmon in most since 2011 when rethe Penobscot searchers counted about River, which is 2,900 of them. home to the The salmon were once country’s abundant in American rivers, but factors such as largest run of Atlantic salmon... overfishing, loss of habitat and pollution reduced their more than a decade, raising populations to only a handhopes they may be weath- ful of rivers in Maine. The ering myriad ecological fish are protected by the

Endangered Species Act, and sometimes only a few hundred of them return from the ocean to the rivers in a year.

The greater survival of the salmon could be evidence that conservation measures to protect them are paying off, said Sean Ledwin, director of the Maine Department of Marine Resources sea-run fish programs. The count of river herring is also up, and that could be aiding the salmon on their perilous journey from the sea to the river.

Page 63

On opening day of the Expanded Archery Season, Tyler Strasenburgh of Clifton bagged this 11-point non-typical buck.

The animal had an unusual set of antlers for a young 150 lb buck. The hunter said that just before the buck appeared near his tree stand, he heard coyotes, which may have driven the buck to him.

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 64

News

Doale, 28-years-old of Portland, was on a boat on Sebago Lake with another individual when at approximately 8:25 p.m., their 1999 18’ Regal motorboat broke down and drifted towards shore near a deep area of Sebago Lake State Park at the mouth of the Songo River.

Ahmed got out of the boat to push it free from shore, near where there was a steep, deep drop very close to shore in this location, and as he was pushing the boat out, he stepped into deep water. Ahmed did not know how swim, and he went under the water and never surfaced.

Witnesses on shore heard yelling and called 911. Game Wardens, Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, state park staff, Casco Fire/Rescue, Raymond Fire/Rescue, Naples Fire Department, and Naples Marine patrol responded and searched the area for Ahmed for several hours and were unable to locate him. Maine Game Wardens and other emergency service personnel searched until approximately 10:15 last night along the shore, in the water, and with boats and spotlights on the water.

October 2023

Flows later in the month The same is true at will depend on rainfall.

Fall Fishing (Cont. from pg 31) Lower Wilson Pond in It’s likely that flows could Outlook can take two legal bucks, The exceptionally wet Greenville. We anticipate increase above 1,250 cfs, provided one is taken dursummer will ensure that increasing the flow to if we get significant rain. ing the youth or novice there is plenty of water around 120 cfs on Sep- Anglers need to be aware. th Flows at the East Outseason, not to exceed the for fall river fishing be- tember 5 to provide attraclet will likely be high in annual limit of four deer. low impoundments. Our tion and passage flows for No antler restrictions apply lakes are full as for Youth Deer Weekend. we roll out of Legal Buck Definition August and into In Wildlife Managethe best time of ment Units C, D1, D2 E1, the year to catch E2, G, I, L, M, P, and Q a big salmon and legal buck is any deer with brook trout. at least one antler three Night time teminches or more in length. peratures have In Wildlife Managebeen cooling ment Units A, B, F1, F2, H, down as well, J1, J2, K, N, and O a legal which should buck is any deer with at enhance the fall least one antler with two or fishing. more antler points one inch We p l a n in length or longer. to increase the flow at the Roach River on September 1st to the 200- salmon moving from Sebec September. The big lake Sebago Drowning 250 cfs range. Brook trout Lake into Wilson Stream. is full, and Brookfield will Victim Recovered tend to come into the river Camp owners can expect need to draw it down in The Maine Warden soon after the gates are the lake level to start drop- September and October.

Service Dive Team recovHigh flows will really open. Salmon follow, but it ping at that time. ered the body of a Portland move the fish around and The flow at the Moose usually takes an extra week man who drowned in Sebefore they start to contrib- River below the Brassua a big salmon on the fly in bago Lake over the Labor ute a significant portion of Dam will also increase that heavy water will be a Day weekend. the catch. Camp owners on over Labor Day weekend. great fight. But high flows At approximately First Roach Pond should Attraction flows should can also be challenging for 9:15 a.m.Game Warden be prepared to see the lake be in the 1500 cfs range wading anglers and certain Diver Sergeant Kyle Hlaelevation drop 1-1.5 inches which is good for the fish boats. You can get up-todik recovered the body of date information on flows per day with the increased and fishing.

Ahmed Doale, age 28 of Brookfield will be at all Brookfield facilities outflow. Keep this in mind Portland in about 8 feet of if you have boats and/or working on the concrete at on their website: https:// water, ten feet from shore. docks to remove from the Seboomook Dam this fall safewaters.com/ For the last several which will require a drawyears, the September flows down of the lake by Oct Finally, the fishing book that you've been waiting for...drum roll, please... nd 2 . We anticipate flows in in our free-flowing rivers FLY FISHING MAINE RIVERS, BROOKS AND STREAMS - By Bob Leeman the 1,250 cfs range to start and streams have been very the month of September.

(News cont. pg 68) 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

lake.

Bangor 72 Target Industrial Circle, Suite 1 • Bangor Maine 04401 Tel: 207-941-1920 • 800-941-1920 (ME) • Fax; 207-947-7578

Sean Sullivan

Owner/General Manager

sean@mainecollisioncenter.com • www.mainecollision.com

ASE/IICAR Certified Technicians

Chief Collision Frame Equipment

October 2023

Blue Jay

(Cont. from pg 40) cover a lot of ground during the rut, and scent plays a big role in finding a receptive female. Once in close contact with a female and her urine, the bull exhibits a flehmen or lip curl behavior. This draws scent pheromones into the vomeronasal organ located above the roof of the mouth via a duct that exits just behind the front teeth; almost a “second nose.”

This old bull seemed oblivious to my presence and lumbered to within 30 feet of my parked truck, squinted to identify the odd creature in his path, then sauntered into the puckerbrush. Now why couldn’t that happen during moose season last year?

October 26 – Hawks are on the move south to their winter quarters. Today, I was standing outside the Urban Forestry Center in Portsmouth when a red-tailed hawk screamed

Northwoods Sporting Journal

when it dove on a flock of pigeons perched on the roof of the center. The pigeons ducked the outstretched talons but refused to flush into the air where they would be more vulnerable.

We all looked up at the unexpected scream and were amazed to see seven other red-tails wheeling a hundred yards overhead. Was this an attempt at cooperative hunting? As we (and the pigeons) watched, several of the red-tails tucked their wings and shot off over the horizon after unseen prey.

Limited edition prints of Mark McCollough’s blue jay and chestnut painting Race to the Finish can be purchased from The American Chestnut Foundation at https://support.acf.org/ store/blue-jay-print. All proceeds support restoration of American chestnuts in the eastern U.S. Mark can be contacted at markmccollough25@gmail.com

we still measure land Equivalents but by how much an ox can

(Cont. from pg 58) things we have to think about in our daily lives, but they don’t stretch well in our heads. Light, as we have discovered, travels at around 186,000 miles per second. That’s a little harder to imagine. The star nearest to our sun, Proxima Centauri, is only 4.22 lightyears from earth. The Voyager spacecraft, traveling at 2.78 miles per second, would take over 73,000 years to arrive at Proxima Centauri. Let’s not even take up HD1, which is, so far, the galaxy furthest identified away from us at thirteen and a half billion light-years away (spoiler alert; I tried to calculate how long it would take Voyager to reach HD1. It’s 7.91something to the 22nd power in years).

Modern technology has changed everything; journeys that once took months or even years can now be completed in hours,

plow, time by a setting on a Mesopotamian sundial, and we try to comprehend interstellar distance by the marching stride of a soldier from an army that vanished nearly two thousand years ago.

The “max-dram equivalent” in a 2 ½-inch .410 game load, whatever its origin, should do the trick in thwarting a rogue woodchuck or squirrel helping themselves in the garden. That much I can get my head around. The dram equivalent required to reach the moon? Well, let’s just leave that for a future equivalency.

Matt Dunlap is a sportsman from Old Town and is a periodic co-host on Maine Outdoors, heard statewide every Sunday night at 7:00 pm on WVOM 103.9 FM, WVQM 101.3 FM, and WRKD 95.1 FM in Rockland.

Page 65

Farm

(Cont. from pg 61) (tenderloin) is $23.00 a pound.

An entire critter can be purchased for at-home processing. The price is $3.00 a pound live weight.

The Swetts will field dress and skin your purchase for home processing.

Nathan Swett can be reached at (207) 217 0152.

His email is natesw13@ gmail.com. The address of the Ash Hill View Deer Farm is 89 Swett Rd., Carmel, Maine.

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

Northwoods Sporting Journal Offers A FREE DIGITAL COPY to All Active Duty Military Personnel Worldwide!

E CTIV A Y E TO 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

Page 66

By V. Paul Reynolds

Ahhh, October. Frosty mornings and flaming foliage. Grouse days are upon us. In Maine, next to whitetail deer, there is no other game species that draws as much attention in autumn from hunters, residents and nonresidents alike. Deservedly. Can you think of any

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Grouse Days trick, he may not see them again that day.”

There can be no doubt, either, that our fondness for this fall game bird has something to do with its sweet flesh. They eat well.

There is only one way to prepare and cook grouse, no matter what you hear

must, but grouse richly deserve the respect reflected in the cooking adage that less is more.

There is an additional reason why the grouse is the hallowed game bird, why the hunt for ruffed grouse has been the subject of so much attention over

Short Hairs. It is a rare upland bird hunter who doesn’t nurture and treasure a special relationship with his gun dog. Legendary grouse writer Corey Ford

There is an additional reason why the grouse is the hallowed game bird, why the hunt for ruffed grouse has been the subject of so much attention over the years from sporting artists and legendary outdoor writers. other game bird that so challenges a gun dog and a shooter?

The bird man himself, John James Audubon, held the grouse-as-game-bird in reverence: “Sometimes, when these birds are found on the side of a steep hill, the moment they start, they dive towards the foot of the declivity, take a turn, and fly off in a direction so different from the one expected, that unless the sportsman is aware of the

or read in cook books. Cut up the breast in strips a half inch thick. Lightly sautee them in an iron skillet with butter and garnish with a sprinkle of salt and pepper.

Don’t overcook.

Sportsmen have been known to parboil a partridge breast in a bean pot or smother the overcooked breast with a creamy sherry sauce. This is a sacrilege, a culinary crime of the first order. Drown a woodcock breast in the bean pot if you

the years from sporting artists and legendary outdoor writers. It is the time of year, October, when fall foliage is a feast for the eyes and the air is clear and cool in popple swamps and alder swales.

Then there is, for many of us, the main reason to be there picking our way through the thornapples, alder tangles and wire birches, the gun dog: the Setters, the Pointers, the Britts and the German

captures man’s romance with his gun dog in “The Road to Tinkhamtown.

"The old man in the story spends his final hours reliving his days in the grouse covers with his beloved Shad."...Shad was standing motionless. The white fan of his tail was lifted a little

October 2023

and his backline was level, the neck craned forward, one foreleg cocked. His flanks were trembling with the nearness of the grouse, and a thin skein of drool hung from his jowels. The dog did not move as he approached, but the brown eyes rolled back until their whites showed, looking for him. “Steady boy,” he called. His throat was tight, the way it always got when Shad was on point, and he had to swallow hard. “Steady, I’m coming.”

This time of year, especially this time of year, memories of my “Shad” - a soft-haired English Setter named Sally of Seboeis - take up residence in my daydreams. She was far from a “finished” gun dog, but she wanted to please and took to the hunt with enthusiasm and energy. As a youngster she launched her gundog career at a wonderful pheasant preserve in New Brunswick and, later, the cornfields of South Dakota. Regrettably now, we didn’t hunt her as much as she deserved, but there were some wonderful days in Maine woodcock and grouse covers.

Grouse days are always good, but never quite the same when your favorite gun dog can’t be with you.

The author is editor of the Northwoods Sporting Journal. He is also a Maine Guide, co-host of a weekly radio program “Maine Outdoors.” His e-mail address is paul@sportingjournal.com He has two books “A Maine Deer Hunter’s Logbook” and his latest, “Backtrack.”

October 2023

By V. Paul Reynolds What does bear meat taste like?

If you google the question, you’ll get a variety of answers. “It can be gamey and greasy.” “Hard to describe.” “It tastes a little like beef and a little like pork.”

Over the years, I’ve

tried just about every wild critter Maine has to offer. Only two turned me off. One dish used ground beaver burger. I found it nauseatingly sweet. And one time at deer camp on Pearl Pond of Ebeemee, Bud Leavitt, the late outdoor writer for the Bangor Daily News, concocted a thin soup from the meat of a snapping turtle. Ughh. It was dreadful. Sorry, Bud. Bear meat? My experience with bear meat has been positive. My wife Diane killed a small sow bear a few years back. We cooled the meat quickly

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Bear Meat: Bad Rap and butchered it meticulously, making sure to trim all fat from the cuts. The roasts were excellent table fare and the burger made wonderful lasagna! We once served a bear lasagna to an unsuspecting dinner guest who had always refused adamantly to EVER

consume wild game. She swooned over the lasagna and, to this day, is none the wiser.

Bear meat’s bad rap no doubt stems from improper meat handling. Or, perhaps, in a few isolated cases, the “bad” bear was the product of a poor diet.

As omnivores, bears are opportunistic feeders.

A few years ago at deer camp, the Skulkers of Seboeis head chef, Dana Young, prepared a bear meat loaf as one of the main courses served up at our Annual Game Dinner.

It was a big hit. In fact, I

can recall no other wild game dish that has evoked so many bug-eyed superlatives from the skulker huntsmen.

The recipe follows.

Since it has never before been written down, and was “extracted” from the

1/2 cup shredded cheese of choice 2 eggs 1/4 package of Lipton Onion Soup mix Mix all of the ingredients, except the Lipton Onion soup mix, (estimated amounts) in a bowl

Page 67

degree oven. Remove the foil after an hour of cooking to check the doneness of the vegetables. If more cooking is required remove the foil and put dish back in oven for desired amount of cooking time. * Recipe also ideal for

We once served a bear lasagna to an unsuspecting dinner guest who had always refused adamantly to EVER consume wild game. She swooned over the lasagna and, to this day, is none the wiser. cook’s next-day recollection of how he assembled this culinary lashup, you’ll have to wing it on some of the amounts. Play around with it. I tried it last week using 2 lbs of elk burger and three store-bought sweet Italian sausage. It was very good, but not as good as the real McCoy. (Too much sausage).

Dana’s Bear Meat Loaf

2 lbs ground bear meat 1/2 lb sweet bear sausage garlic powder ketchup lightly sauted onions and mushrooms bread crumbs milk-soaked white bread (squeeze out the milk and break up the bread) pepper & salt worcestershire sauce

and form into a large ball.

Dust the outside of the ball with flour. In a large cast iron skillet, partially flatten the meat ball and brown on both sides in oil. Keeping the meat ball in the skillet, sprinkle with the 1/4 package of Lipton Onion soup mix. Add a quarter cup of water and a few carrots, potatoes and pieces of raw onions along side the meat loaf in the skillet. Cover the skillet with alumninum foil and bake for an hour plus in a 350

bear meat balls. Eliminate the flouring.

The author is editor of the Northwoods Sporting Journal. He is also a Maine Guide, co-host of a weekly radio program “Maine Outdoors” heard Sundays at 7 p.m. on The Voice of Maine News-Talk Network (WVOM-FM 103.9, WQVM-FM 101.3) and former information officer for the Maine Dept. of Fish and Wildlife. His e-mail address is vpaulr@tds.net

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 68

News

be great places to explore and to escape the Septem(cont. from pg 64) ber crowds. low due to lack of rain.

In the Moosehead This year has been quite the Lake Region, we have opposite. The upper Moose voluntary angler survey River, the North Branch of boxes on most of our mathe Penobscot River, and jor rivers. We ask anglers other smaller rivers could to fill out a card each time SELLERS LANE

they fish. This information is very important for us to track catch rates and fish size over time, and we have data that goes back into the 1980s on most of these rivers. Angler participation has slipped over the past 5 years, so we are asking to

EUSTIS: Located on beautiful Flagstaff Lake. 50 ft. shore frontage. 2 bd., 1/2 bath. Room for dock, boat and float. New metal roof. ATVing and boating.

The camp is just across the street from manicured ATV and snowmobile trails. $239,000.

BUYERS ROAD

80 Penobscot Avenue Millinocket, Maine 04462 207-723-9086 www.northwoods-realestate.com

“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

Lakeville- Large cabin is unfinished on the inside and sits on a half acre of land. End of road privacy in quiet, rural location on Duck Lake. It has a one car, drive in full foundation with a 400amp underground electrical feed. $229,000

Enfield- This large lot is part of a larger parcel, owner would consider selling larger piece.

Not far from Cold Stream Pond & Cold Stream. Public road of Caribou Rd & short distance Danforth- Lot offers relaxing sunset’s views, to electricity. Make this your has electricity available at the road and is camp/home. $34,000

Fish Stocking Report www.mefishwildlife.com Fish Stocking Report Now Available from Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife With Daily Updates The fish stocking report now features daily updates from hatchery staff. Instead of hearing when and where the hatcheries have stocked well after the season has ended, anglers now will be able to easily locate waters freshly stocked with catchable trout.

Waters are grouped by county, listed by town, and include the date of stocking as well as the species, quantity, and size of fish released.

Find the report online at www.mefishwildlife.com.

Just click on stocking report.

• 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

level and well wooded right on Lower Hot Brook Lake. This is a beautiful, quiet part Lee- Well wooded. Remote. of northern Maine- ready for you. $99,000 Critters everywhere. Add in the good, clean air of Northern Maine and you’ve Winn- This cute cabin is insulated with a got yourself a “keeper”. This knotty interior. The lot is heavily wooded smashin’ little lot right off and gorgeous. Situated on North Rd; a Mallet’s Mill Rd shouldn’t last paved, year round, secondary road. With a long- call today for a guided little fire pit sitting just off the cabin’s screen tour. $69,900 porch. $49,900

Tim Obrey, Fisheries Resource Supervisor

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

please take a few seconds and fill out a card if you are fishing one of these rivers (East Outlet, Roach River, Moose River) to help us better manage these systems.

SELLERS LANE

REAL ESTATE

BUYERS ROAD

October 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

October 2023

REAL ESTATE

Bus. (207) 853-2626 Toll Free: (877) 853-2626 Cell: (207) 952-2001 Fax: (207) 853-2605 www.DueEast.com Mike MacPhee, Sales Agent

183 County Road Eastport, ME 04631

Covering the Heart of Downeast ME & Unspoiled Washington Co.

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 it’s 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. $85,000.

7 Barron Rd., Eastport: Classic 9 room New Englander with back deck, a large back yard and an oversized 31 x 40 garage in the delightful South End of Eastport.

Garage could easily store 4 vehicles. First floor bedroom with full bath and additional three bedrooms and full bath upstairs. Additionally, there are two living rooms, dining room, large hallway and kitchen. $225,000.

SUBSCRIBE TODAY

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. $55,000.

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"

www.adirondackmtland.com

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G

IN D N E

P

NESOWADNEHUNK CAMPGROUND AND GUIDE SERVICE FOR SALE ONLY $799,000 A once in a lifetime opportunity to own a little piece of heaven on a fly fishing lake with native brook trout. Gorgeous new log cabin home with 3 bedrooms, one bath and a 20x40’ general store. There are 50 campsites with 45 of them permanent seasonal. 12 cabins fully equipped with everything you need for a relaxing vacation. 2 diesel generators, 20 KW and 45 KW, 10 rental boats with docks, also comes with 45 well established bear sites. This is a turn key business, all equipment stays, lawn mowers, Kabota tractor, dump truck ad a well stocked shop. This is an amazing business opportunity! Serious inquirers only. Call for a showing.

Summer-After May 15th 207-458-1551 - Winter - After Dec. 1st 207-319-6586

(207) 696-4247

www.HearthAndHomeRealty.com

www.edssheds-cabins.com Email: edwardl@edssheds-cabins.com

Bangor 207-738-5315/Dexter 207-270-2312

274 Main Street Madison, ME 04950

573-Norridgewock; Have a business in mind? Perfect location on Main Street with yearround access to major snowmobile, 4X4 and ATV trail system. Can be used as a dual storefront or use the whole building for larger retail, dining, office or showroom. Seller is motivated and offering owner financing to the right buyer. $115,000 572-Skowhegan; 3,200 sq.ft. commercial building in downtown Skowhegan.

High visibility and high traffic count.

Historical building with grand and unique features.

Superb architecture. Water frontage on the Kennebec River. 0.44 acre. $600,000

3457-Embden; Absolutely gorgeous property!

Brand new custom 3BR, 2 bath very high-quality double-wide.

Many upgrades; extra thick insulation, granite countertops, Island, spacious laundry and so much more. 33.55 surveyed acres with views and trail access. Truly a must see. $350,000 3456-Solon; 3BR, 2 bath cape situated on 14.7 acres.

Great location if you want some animals and a garden. Small barn and several acres of open fields with balance in mature wood growth. Multiple heating systems and automatic generator. Small stream and snowmobile trail on property. Very well-built home in a nice country location. $460,000

Ed’s Sheds SUPERIOR Construction!

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FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL

"We Do It Right The First Time"

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Installation, Service and Repair Residential • Commercial Camps • Cottages

P.O. Box 17 Greenville, ME 04441 Office: 207-695-3645 Cell: 207-280-0923 goodwinjudd@yahoo.com www.juddgoodwinwell.com Member Maine Groundwater Association

Our Past. Your Future

P.O. Box 72 Houlton, Maine 1-800-341-1566 www.wardcedarloghomes.com

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 70

September 2023

P.O. Box 628 Main Street Machias, ME 04654

SUNRISE REALTY

Office Tel. & Fax: (207) 255-3039 Email: anitaj@midmaine.com Website: www.sunlist.com Anita Johnson

CALAIS: This three bedroom home with 1 1/2 baths is close to stores, banking and even some eating places. There is a garage with the property but the owner has not used it. Home is on a nice quiet side street. There is a room downstairs that could be made into a bedroom.

Home has just been reduced to $112,000.00.

EAST MACHIAS: This beautiful home sits on 1.08 acres and has 3 bedrooms with the master having the 1/2 bath. There is also a full bath.

Beautiful large kitchen and living room. There is a nice laundry room. Home is move in ready except for some floors. Large dry basement with both inside and outside entry. There is a large 2 car garage with a work area on the end. Home is on Route 191 North and about 4 miles to Machias where there is the UMM, DECH and all kinds of stores. The price has been reduced to $115,000.00.

SELLERS LANE BUYERS ROAD

REAL ESTATE Lindsey Brann, Associate Broker 207-441-9317 lindsey@integrityhomesregroup.com

www.integrityhomesrealestategroup.com/lindseybrann Along the quiet countryside is this well-maintained 2-3 bedroom, 1 bath New England cape cod home with additional rooms to expand. This charming, sunny home sits on a substantial lot of 30 wooded acres with over 1300’ of road frontage. Several opportunities for building, developing, and/ or retaining it for all that Maine has to offer for a Sportsman’s dream! Detached 1-car garage for extra storage. Bring your ideas and a few modern DIY touches to turn this home into yours! *Sellers are offering $3000 credited in closing costs towards new flooring!* Recent updates and some of the major components have already been completed including a metal roof, vinyl siding, insulation, windows, paint, plumbing, electrical, and more! Super efficient to heat in the Maine winters, plus a wood boiler to save on oil! $299,900 MLS: 1557271 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. Centrally located next to Pittsfield and between Bangor and Waterville. Don’t miss out on this stunning property! $399,000 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. Recently built in 2016 is a massive 28x56 garage w/ a room above awaiting finishing touches. Also included on the property are several outbuildings to store your recreational toys, house the stand-by generator, plus your very own sauna room! $749,000 MLS: 1566446