Northwoods Sporting Journal, Sept. 2021

Me & Joe Build A Log Cabin For Mr. Rottweiler Only

September 2021

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Big Moose Tactics - Nathan Theriault

* Old Time Lumbering * B a ck S e at Shooters * T h e Ve n e r a b l e 30-06 * Camps, Cottages & L a n d Fo r S a l e

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September 2021

Northwoods Sporting Journal

The Singing Maine Guide

Page 3

Fly Casting Simplified

to your arsenal of fishing skills? Who knows what it might lead to? A trip to the Big Horn in Montana for trout? The Skeena in British Columbia for steelhead? The Ponoi in Russia for Atlantic salmon? Fishermen are dreamers anyway, so why not dream big now that you’ve ratcheted up your skills?

by Randy Spencer, Grand Lake Stream, ME I almost always pack a fly rod while guiding, even if the sports that day are strictly spin fishing. I do this because more and more often, the question comes up, “So what’s the ratio these days of fly fishers to spin or bait casters?”

That means there’s an interest there, and I want to be prepared to deal with it.

dated by the discussion of aerodynamics and energy and rod loading. But when they see a simple cast in two parts, it looks more like something they could do. And of course, they can.

Standing on a dock, or a rock, or a boat, just Art illustration courtesy of Chet Rensen getting a bunch of line out Randy Spencer’s new don’t rip the line out of the tell you the women pick any way at all is the best book, “Written on Waway to start. Peel line off water with a terrific force. it up faster, but that’s a ter,” is due out in October.

Instead, it is one fluid, de- subject for a whole new Reach him at randy31@ If you break it down into just two liberate motion that sends column. earthlink.net, or via www. the fly line behind you to Why not keep adding randyspencer.com simple parts, if diffuses a lot of the apprehension people may have about unfurl. I’ll stop the cast after Part One to show how fly casting. this happens. And when To be clear, an ad- the reel and wag the rod that line does unfurl, you’re ept spin or bait caster is tip back and forth until ready for Part two. The a very satisfying sight to there’s twenty to twenty time between Part One and see. Spine straight, taking five feet of line in the water. Part Two is roughly, “one in targets with a keen eye If you’re in a boat, troll it Mississippi.” Say it, or for likely habitat, work- out. I then get the line out invent something similar.

When you’ve waited ing from the forearms and in front of the rod by mak1681 Bennoch Rd, Old Town, ME wrists instead of from the ing a cast. Now, I lower the that magic second or so, the shoulders. Rapid-fire casts rod tip so that it’s no more rod, as we all love to say, is East Off I-95 Exit 197 “loaded.”

The force of the comb a shoreline or sweep than a foot off the water. through a shoal. This mode “Part One,” I announce, “is fly line you’ve sent behind you is gently pulling on of fishing can be very pro- called the haul.” ductive.

With a right-handed the rod tip. With your left But when the question person, I demonstrate how hand still gripping the fly comes up, I’ll often reveal to reach up with the left line, and after “one Misthe fly rod on board, and hand and grab the fly line sissippi,” you bring the fly CERTIFIED HUNTING & FISHING this peaks the interest even right behind the first fer- rod sharply forward with GAME LICENSES more. At lunch, if there’s rel, or guide on the rod, all that same deliberate, fluid SCALES RESIDENT • NON-RESIDENT a dock or a jetty handy, I the while keeping the rod motion and watch the fly might take them out onto it tip down. That line being line shoot out in front of and have them watch while gripped in the left hand you. This is when you let AMMO • CAMO I make a few casts. Then, I will be pulled all the way go of the line from your left hand.

Your rod tip is still pop the question: “Wanna back to the left hip while, HUNTING BLINDS & GEAR try?” The answer is “Sure” simultaneously, the fly rod high, at the “ten o’clock” pretty much a hundred per- is raised straight up with position let’s say, and then cent of the time. the right hand until it is you simply follow the line If you break it down stopped just behind the down toward the water into just two simple parts, if head. This is commonly with your rod tip. You’ve diffuses a lot of the appre- called the “2 o’clock” po- now completed Part Two. First timers are hension people may have sition. about fly casting. They You’ve just complet- amazed it can be so simple.

5 may have seen detailed ed Part One. This motion With a half hour of pracdiagrams of a fly cast, or of lifting the fly rod and tice, it’s all happening just CLOSED they may have watched pulling the line with your like it’s supposed to. Most videos and been intimi- left hand is not violent. You guides and instructors will www.oldtowntradingpost.net

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Page 4

On The Cover

Me & Joe Build A Log Cabin For Mr. Rottweiler - Pg 6 Big Moose Tactics - Pg 11 Old Time Lumbering - Pg 43 Back Seat Shooters - Pg 45 The Venerable 30-06 - Pg 33 Camps, Cottages and Land for Sale - Pg 67

Contents

3. The Singing Maine Guide - Randy Spencer 6. The Adventures Of Me & Joe - Bob Cram 9. Outdoors In Maine - V. Paul Reynolds 10. “A Hiker’s Life” - Carey Kish 11. Tactics For Big Moose - Nathan Theriault 13. Native Fish Talk - Bob Mallard 14. The Northwoods Bowhunter - Brian Smith 16. The Gun Cabinet - John Floyd 17. “Just Fishing” - Bob Leeman 18. Outdoor Sporting Library - Jeremiah Wood 20. Aroostook Woods & Water - Mike Maynard 22. Post-Script From Pocasset - Josh Reynolds 23. The Tyer’s Corner - Hugh Kelly 24. Warden’s Words - Kale O’Leary 25. Maine Outdoor Adventure - Rich Yvon 26. Ramblings From T8-R9 - Benjamin Rioux 28. Maine Tails - Jonah Paris 29. Basics Of Survival - Joe Frazier 31. North Maine Woods Director Retires - V. Paul Reynolds 32. The Buck Hunter - Hal Blood 33. Guns & Ammo: A Guide’s Perspective - Tom Kelly 34. The Maine Woods - Matt LaRoche 36. View From The River - Laurie Chandler 37. Fly Fishing - Joe Bertolaccini 38. The Fur Shed - Blake Dougherty 39. Old Tales From The Maine Woods - Steve Pinkham 40. What’s In Your Woods - Bud Utecht 42. On The Prowl - Justin Merrill 43. Northwoods Voyager - Gil Gilpatrick 44. Northwoods Sketchbook - Mark McCollough 46. South Of The Kennebec - Stu Bristol 47. Best Bassin’ - Bill Decoteau 48. Kineo Current - Suzanne AuClair 49. Muzzleloading Afield - Al Raychard 50. Vermont Ramblings - Dennis Jensen 51. Outdoors In Vermont - Gary W. Moore 53. Green Mountain Report - Bradley Carleton 55. On Point - Paul Fuller 56. Cookin’ With New England’s WildCheff - Denny Corriveau 57. New Hampshire Outdoors - Peter St. James 58. Marsh Island Chronicles - Matthew Dunlap 60. Against The Current - Bob Romano 62. Women In The Woods - Erin Merrill 64. The Trail Rider - Rod Fraser 66. The Bird Perch - Karen Holmes

Other Great Stories & Information

8. Editorial/Letters 12. Outdoor News 41. Trading Post 59. Crossword Puzzle 67. Real Estate

Northwoods Sporting Journal

September 2021

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

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

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

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

Best shot

www.sportingjournal.com

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

Vol 28 Issue 9 is published monthly by Northwoods Publications, 57 Old County Rd. North, W. Enfield, ME 04493 Periodical Postage Paid at W. Enfield, ME. and additional mailing offices.

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

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

All rights reserved, 2021. Written permission must be obtained from the Northwoods Sporting Journal to reprint any part of this publication. Any errors or omissions in ads or editorial matter will be corrected in the next issue of NWSJ. The views and opinions expressed by our monthly columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of this publication.

Dale Isham from Bethel, Vermont keeping up with what’s happening in his favorite part of the country, while visiting family in Palm Desert, California.

Tactics for Big Moose - Pg 11

By Nathan Theriault

Cover Photo:

Awesome Moose photo

by Bud Utecht Northwoods Bowhunter - Pg 14

By Brian Smith

Green Mountain Report - Pg 53

By Bradley Carleton

September 2021

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 5

Page 6

Northwoods Sporting Journal

The Log Cabin

The Adventures of Me and Joe

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

Me and Joe were in the side yard of his cabin putting a coat of shellac on the bottom of his 20foot Old Town Guide’s Model canoe when a Lincoln Navigator pulled into a driveway. A thin man in a light summer weight suit climbed from behind the wheel and walked toward us, a briefcase dangling from one hand.

“I’m Sherman Fraud,” he said, extending his right hand toward Joe. “I hear you’re good at building things.”

Joe looked at the outstretched hand, wiped his own on a scrap of cloth, and shook carefully. “I do some wood work; mostly axe and chainsaw stuff. Ain’t much of a finish carpenter, if that’s what yer needin’.”

“No, no, nothing like that,” Fraud said. Then he glanced over at Joe’s camp.

“What I actually need is somebody to build a log cabin.”

“Well,” I said, “Joe’s built a few.” Fraud glanced my way, then dismissed me and turned back to Joe. “I represent a wealthy gentleman in the internet commerce business. He has

purchased a plot of land on Creel Pond. He would like to have a log cabin built on the property for his private use. He has authorized me to hire whomever I choose to construct the cabin, and I’ve heard that you are the best man available, locally.”

“Jest how big an’ how elaborate a cabin is this feller…what’s his name?”

“Rottweiler. Mr. Harold T. Rottweiler.”

“What kind of cabin does this Rottweiler want?”

“If I may?” Sherman Fraud lifted his briefcase to lay it on the upturned canoe. I opened my mouth to warn him but Joe raised a casual hand. Fraud opened the case and drew out a piece of paper.

“It’s very roughly drawn by Mr. Rottweiler himself, but it’s enough to give you the idea.”

I peered over Joe’s shoulder at the pencil sketch. It was a crude drawing of a small, one room log cabin with the roof extended over a porch on the front.

“I kin build somethin’ like this,” Joe said. “What about logs an’ another

September 2021

Joe stared at the smooth logs, joined so carefully and accurately together. “Nope,” he said softly. “I agreed to build a log cabin like Rottweiler drew. We got at least two days. Let’s git to work.” buildin’ materials.”

“All the material is on site. Mr. Rottweiler engaged an Amos Strong, from Machias lake, to haul all the material in by boat and he also floated the cedar logs in over a period of several days last fall.”

“Cedar logs?” Joe said with a concerned look.

“Most cedar in these parts is wind-twisted an’ tapers too quick for good buildin’

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.

logs. An’ a lot of it is rotten at the stump. You have to cut off about three feet before you get to somethin’ you can use.”

“I’m assured that these are quality white cedar logs,” Fraud said haughtily. “They came from a Mr. Cyrus Cordwood’s lot just outside Mooseleuk.”

Joe looked relieved.

“Oh, that’s okay, then.

Cyrus’s cedar stand is on high ground an’ well drained. Some of the finest cedar I’ve ever seen.”

“So, when can you begin?” Mr. Rottweiler would like the cabin built as soon as possible.”

“I’ll git the tools together tonight. No reason why we can’t start first thing in the morning.”

“We?” Fraud asked.

Joe nodded in my di-

rection. “We always work together. Goes faster that way.”

Fraud nodded reluctantly. “Very well. I have to be in Presque Isle tomorrow. I’ll check back with you in a few days.”

“Kin I have that drawin’?”

“Of course, I have copies.” He handed Joe the drawing and then closed the briefcase. When he went to lift it off the canoe, a long, sticky strand of shellac came with it.

Fraud eyed the stain on the briefcase with disgust.

I silently handed him a rag.

He took is with a scowl and headed toward the Lincoln, swiping ineffectually at the gooey substance on the smooth leather.

As the Navigator backed out of the driveway, (Me & Joe cont. pg 7)

September 2021

Me & Joe

(Cont. from pg 6) Joe looked again at the rough drawing of the cabin.

“Shouldn’t be too hard.

Looks like this Rottweiler jist wants a small one-room log cabin with a porch.”

“Creel is a pretty little pond,” I said. “It’s about a three mile walk on the trail.

We probably better take the canoe in from the river, since we’ve got tools and supplies to bring along.”

Sunrise the next morning found us paddling the 500 yards through the deep connecting stream between the Little Salt Pork River and Creel Pond. Emerging at the southeast former of the pond we saw the pile of logs and other building materials lying in a clearing on the opposite shore.

We pulled the canoe up on the gravel beach and began carrying axes, a chain saw, hammers, pry bars, levels and chisels to a spot near the building site.

“Let’s git the tarps strung up and the camping gear sorted, an’ then we kin git to work,” Joe said.

Since the weather was mild we stretched a couple of big tarps between trees at one side of the clearing, with our sleeping bags and cooking gear spread underneath. Then we crossed to inspect the building site.

“This must be the spot he wants the cabin,” Joe said, indicating a flat, grassy stretch on a small rise, with a gentle slope down the beach. “Well, we’d best git to work.”

We carefully measured out the dimensions of the cabin and porch on the ground, then took spades and started digging down below frost line to set the support posts. It was a long day of backbreaking labor, digging the holes,

Northwoods Sporting Journal setting cement blocks and mixing mortar to hold them together. By late evening we had 12 cement piers set at regular intervals with their lower sections buried in the ground. Tomorrow we would start laying the underpinning for the floor.

“Time for supper,” Joe said. We assembled fly rods and went down to the shore.

“I’ve always loved the flavor of Creel Pond trout,” I said as I worked out line.

“Something about the feed or the water or something.

That pink meat is really delicious.”

“Ain’t much size to ‘um, though,” Joe replied.

“A big one is 10-inches. I guess that’s why it doesn’t get fished that much. Sure a lot of ‘um in here, though.”

In a half an hour we’d caught a dozen trout. We kept six averaging about 8-inches long, and cooked them over an open fire in olive oil, watching them sizzle and twist in Joe’s ancient Cold Handle steel frying pan. Combined with fried potatoes with wild onion tops, and cold water from the tiny spring near the shoreline, it was a meal fit for royalty. We turned in just as the sun disappeared into the western trees.

The next morning we began laying the beams. It was heavy work and we used a chain fall hooked to a rough tripod Joe constructed out of spruce poles.

I am always amazed at how skillful Joe is when using an axe. His favorite woodworking tool is a double-bit axe with a 3-pound head.

With each blade sharpened to a featheredge, he can remove the largest chips or the smallest slivers with a surgeon’s touch. It is an ancient skill, mostly lost in our modern society.

Carefully he fitted the

corner notches and cross notches of the floor supports. When he was satisfied, we began laying the floor stringers. It was slow work, since the logs were of different sizes and some had bends and bulges. With the axe, and using only his eye for measuring, he rolled and fitted, cut and recut, and then placed each log again. In late afternoon, when the last piece was laid, I bent to peer over the line of stringers. The surface of each looked directly in line with each of the others. I shook my head in wonder.

Joe sat near the end of the floor on a stump, sharpening his axe with a round stone. Suddenly I heard the sound of an outboard motor and an aluminum boat came through the channel and across the pond to the beach. I could see the tall figure of Sherman Fraud

in one seat and a short, solid looking man at the controls. We met the boat at the shore and pulled the front up on the gravel. The two men stepped out.

“This is Gorman Builder,” Fraud said, gesturing toward the other man. Builder shook hands with each of us impatiently.

“I’ve hired him to help build the camp.” He saw the look on Joe’s face and flushed. “It’s just that I’ve received word from Mr. Rottweiler and he says he intends to use the camp as soon as it’s built. I figured the sooner we could get it done, the more appreciative Mr. Rottweiler will be, if you know what I mean.”

He smiled and winked.

“I run a construction company in Presque Isle,” Builder said shortly. “Got a lot of experience in putting up small structures. Let’s take a look at what you’ve

Page 7 got here.” He brushed past us and strode up to the building site.

“Oh no, this is all wrong!” he said walking around the structure and peering at the log underpinning. “You should be using square beams for the sills and two-by-eights for floor stringers. This will never do!”

“No square beams by two-by-eights here,” Joe said mildly, swinging the axe to sink the blade into a stump.

“I’m planning on bringing in a small portable sawmill,” Building continued as though Joe had never spoken. “We can quickly turn some of these logs into beams and planks.”

“Be a shame, after all this work,” Joe said.

“Well, you may be fine with rough work,” (Me & Joe cont. pg 19)

Page 8

Northwoods Sporting Journal

September 2021

SAM: Working for Sportsmen

Throughout the country there are literally hundreds of organizations whose mission is to represent those of us who hunt and fish and recreate outdoors. Quite frankly, some are better than others.

Nationally, at the top of my list are the NRA and the RMEF (Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation). The NRA works tirelessly to protect our hunting heritage by fighting to protect our right to bear arms. The RMEF has been incredibly active and successful in conserving and protecting elk habitat and in funding the reintroduction of elk in a number of states where these magnificent animals once roamed.

In Maine, the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine (SAM) has evolved as THE premier state sportsman organization. Over the years, it has benefited from superb vision and leadership, not the least of whom was the late George Smith. David Trahan, SAM’s current executive director, has brought his own brand of mature leadership and steadfast stewardship to the helm of

Rangeley Fishing To the Editor: I am writing to report that the fishing in Rangeley Lake is terrible. This year, I have put in 76 angler hours for THREE FISH (two small trout and one decent salmon). I have talked with a bunch of people and heard the same story. Copied on this email is a local guide (Westwind Charters) who specializes in trolling for salmon and Brook Trout on Rangeley Lake. Larry may add to what I have to say.

I have been doing some research.

the Alliance.

Here are just some of SAM’s accomplishments this year in behalf of its membership: * Helped elect Senator Susan Collins and in so doing defeated one of the most extreme gun control advocates ever to run in Maine. * Helped convince Sen. Collins to oppose Pres. Biden’s nomination of David Chipman, an ardent gun control activist to head the ATF ( Alcohol-Tobacco & Firearms) in Washington. * Helped defeat countless bills in Augusta that abridged firearm rights in Maine. *Led a successful fight to keep gun shops open during the pandemic. * Supported a number of new laws that benefit sportsmen. * Introduced legislation that will appropriate millions of dollars, as well as and federal matching funds, that will allow IF&W to purchase and protect in perpetuity dozens of major deer wintering areas in the

Adult loons eat about 2 lbs of fish per day. A pair raising two chicks kill twice that.

Loons are feeding on Rangeley Region lakes at least six months a year. Call it 180 days.

Based on the National Audubon annual Loon count census, the Loon population on Rangeley Lake has EXPLODED. Here are some numbers: 1983 - 16 adult loons 1993 - 14 2003 - 25 (this is the highest count of any year before 2018) 2013 - 9 2018 - 38 2019 - 32 (Mooselook 48) 2020 - 38 (Mooselook 30) 2021 - 45 In 180 days, 40 loons

eat over 14,000 lbs of fish.

This take assumes a diet of all fish BUT neglects the extra fish killed to raise chicks. I think it is a fair guess for the amount fish loons are taking out of Rangeley.

My theory is that Loons have significantly impacted the natural population of small salmon and trout and done so repeatedly each year starting in 2018. And, the static stocking rate (+/- 1,000 salmon, +/- 600 brook trout) is no longer sufficient to offset the increased predation.

If these 1,600 stocked fish weighed a half pound each, which they do not, the stocking would feed the 45 loons for less than 10 days!

And I have a second

North Woods.

This last item is a big deal! It is landmark legislation that has the potential to be a game changer in the annals of Maine whitetail survival and herd enhancement.

This could not have happened without the skillful advocacy and passion of David Trahan and SAM’s membership.

Maine sportsmen and sportswomen who are not today dues paying members of SAM might want to give consideration to a membership. Never in my memory has my membership meant more and never has our support of SAM been more deserving.

You can sign up online at www.sportsmansallianceofmaine.org or call Becky at 207 623 4589.

- VPR Editor’s note: In this month’s Question of the Month SAM’s wildlife biologist Gerry Lavigne explains the workings of Maine’s deer wintering areas.

concern: It seems Loons are beginning to target fish released by anglers. I have seen this behavior by eagles and cormorants. But Loons approaching a boat with “fish on” is new behavior. And, a different but related problem, my wife caught a loon on sewn bait last week - at 3.5. colors!

I may be over estimating the Loon contribution to the situation with Rangeley Lake, but one thing in certain: The fishing on Rangeley is BAD and it used to be GOOD. Looking back, I see a downward pattern that fits well with the loon population increase.

What do you think?

Randall Poulton Saco

Coyotes and Deer Yards To the Editor: I was very proud to read your article on Good News for Deer Yards. I am sure we all applaud the hard work of David Trahan director of SAM and all others involved.

I can only imagine days gone by when many of us traveling back to Maine every November would wait to see the tally board at the Maine toll booth and seeing the big bucks on the cars as they came south.

While this is a wonderful first step I feel it is only half of the problem.

(Letters cont. pg 63)

September 2021

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Moose: Shot Placement

Moose are Maine’s largest big game animal by far. Bulls have been known to top the scales in excess of 1,000 lbs! Because of their sheer size and body mass, they can be difficult to put down, even with a high-powered rifle - if shot

arteries and the spine, so even if you miss the spine, you will likely cause severe arterial damage.”

Despite his years of moose-hunting experience, Kelso seems to be a voice in the wilderness when it comes to his collar theo-

est target there is and a killing one at that. We have witnessed wounds to the head and neck that are atrocious and negligent. A slight and imprecise hit results in a gruesome unethical shot. Better to hit the vitals with bigger margin for error.”

-Lee Kantar, Maine moose biologist “For the most part, clients arrive with an under-

Page 9

Outdoors In Maine

by V. Paul Reynolds, Ellsworth, ME of the nature of a moose hunt; it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for some that causes a panic shot and the complete breakdown of shooting fundamentals.”

- John Floyd, Moose Guide In the realm of moose-

is quite easy to track.

Maine’s fall moose hunt begins in September.

Good luck to those fortunate enough to have drawn a moose permit. Hunt safe!

The author is editor of the “Northwoods Sport-

A big target, a moose. What do you aim for?

There have always been different schools of thought on this question. Wives tales abound.

Theories on shot placement on a moose vary.

Smart moose hunters will give this question some advance thought. (Photo by Paul Huston) placement is not good. For ethical, as well as practical reasons, moose hunters need to zero in their rifles carefully and practice their marksmanship at various distances long before the fall hunt of a lifetime. Shot placement is key, even more important, really, than the caliber of choice!

A big target, a moose.

What do you aim for?

There have always been different schools of thought on this question. Wives tales abound. “Shoot for the hump. That will put the animal down fast,” it has been said. In his book, “Moose Hunting,” Aroostook County moose guide and author Dave Kelso strongly advocates what he calls “the collar shot.”

He writes, “Over the years I have found the best possible shot to take on a moose is in the neck, a comparatively large target. Within the neck you have major

ry on moose shot placement. No other moosehunt guides of those whose opinions we sampled agree at all with Kelso. In fact, to a man, these moose guides are all on the same page: a heart/lung shot behind the forward shoulder is the only way to go.

“My advice to hunters is take a lung shot, followed by another followed by another until the moose goes down. The lungs are a big target and a 30 06,180 gr., solid copper bullet will destroy lungs and the more you shoot the quicker he’s down.”

- John Richardson, Moose Guide “The average hunter. Shot placement to head or neck at close range can also be problematic based on discussion with other professionals. Point of entry for a bullet is like a needle on a moose. Heart/ lung broadside is the larg-

standing of shot placement and vitals (heart/lungs) in a textbook way. We certainly discuss it before every hunt, regardless of species.

However, when a hunter sees a trophy bull or any live moose for that matter for the first time, right in front of them, the initial reaction is – SHOOT! It’s a classic case of buck fever but elevated to a higher degree I believe because

hunting ethics, there is another consideration: shot followup. Because of the sheer size of a moose, even after a well-placed shot, there may not be tell-tale indications, like hair or blood, at the site of the shot taken. It is imperative that moose hunters do a meticulous, exhaustive followup to determine whether the moose was hit. In most ground conditions a moose

ing 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. maineoutdoorpublications. com. or www.sportingjournal.com. Contact email — vpaulr@tds.net

Page 10

Northwoods Sporting Journal

September 2021

Mt. Washington Revisited

“A Hiker’s Life”

by Carey Kish, Mt. Desert Island, ME The weather forecast for the Labor Day weekend in the Presidential Range of New Hampshire’s White Mountains was near perfect, with mostly clear skies and temperatures in the 50s. This hiker hadn’t been on Mt. Washington since passing through on the AT from Georgia to Katahdin in 2015, so I figured it was time to visit the “Rock Pile” again.

There are myriad ways to scale the 6,288foot mass of Mt. Washington, from the routes up the steep-walled cirques of Tuckerman Ravine, Ammonoosuc Ravine, Hun-

and winter, at least once and a handful multiple times. Some of the trails I don’t care to repeat. And there are a number of treks on the big mountain that I’m eternally grateful just to have escaped with my life. If you’ve ever experienced the awful weather Washington can throw at you on any given day of the year, well, you know exactly what I mean.

So, it was Labor Day weekend, yes, but I wasn’t much interested in the laborious task of scrambling 4,000 feet up Mt. Washington to be able enjoy the incredible terrain and

The long view. (Photo by Carey Kish) treeline in the alpine zone, and that suited me just fine.

Opened in 1861 and billed as “America’s oldest man-made [tourist] attraction,” the nearly 7-mile drive up the Mt. Wash-

Some of the trails I don’t care to repeat. And there are a number of treks on the big mountain that I’m eternally grateful just to have escaped with my life. tington Ravine, the Great Gulf and Oakes Gulf, to the many excellent ridgeline routes, like Boott Spur, Lion Head, Nelson Crag, the Crawford Path and Gulfside Trail.

Over the years, I’ve climbed most every route on Mt. Washington in all kinds of weather, summer

great views the forecast promised. Instead, I concocted a high-elevation hiking route that would start around 5,000 feet on the Mt. Washington Auto Road, circumnavigate the summit cone, and include some time on top as well.

It would be more of a picnic than an epic, all above

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ington Auto Road (open through October 24) to the trailhead was exhilarating.

First in line when the toll house opened, I had the road to myself and could really enjoy the trip to the parking area at the old “Cow Pasture.”

A short stint on Huntington Ravine Trail brought me to the glorious Alpine Garden Trail, which led along the precipitous rim of Huntington’s and then Tuckerman’s, and

yielded beautiful vistas ranging from Maine to Wildcat to Washington’s summit.

F r o m Tu c k e r m a n Junction, my route crossed the awesome expanse of Bigelow Lawn. I peeked into the Dry River Wilderness and reveled in the view of Mt. Monroe and the Southern Presidentials on the descent to the AMC hut at Lakes of the Clouds, where I relaxed for a spell.

Mt. Washington’s summit beckoned, but I had more exploring to do before reaching the peak.

The historic Crawford Path (also the route of the AT) is the oldest continuously used and maintained trail in the northeastern U.S. Meandering up the Crawford, I then veered off on the Westside Trail, a remarkable sidewalk of rock

slabs that eventually joined Gulfside Trail.

The panorama of the Northern Presidential peaks of Jefferson, Adams and Madison along both trails was astounding, and ambling along the Gulfside, so was the view of tiny Spaulding Lake deep in the Great Gulf Wilderness. The circus showman, P.T. Barnum, once called the view from Mt. Washington the “second greatest show on Earth,” and I always figured he must have been referring to this particular grand scene.

As expected, the summit was crowded with hikers and Cog Railway and Auto Road trippers, but nonetheless, I enjoyed a fine hour on the rooftop of New England wandering about. Lunch in the Sherman Adams Summit Building was a delicious bowl of chili with a heckuva view.

Giving a huge, happy wave to the colorful Cog Railway trains as I headed down, I picked up a small lump of coal near the tracks and tucked it into my pocket as a souvenir of this fine hike.

Northwoods Sporting Journal

September 2021 You have been drawn for a once-in-a-lifetime moose tag. Or maybe, second, third or fourth. If that is the case, you are extremely lucky or blessed.

There’s nothing wrong with a little of both, if it gets you a tag. However, being lucky alone does not work so well today with

An Outfitter’s Tools of the Trade: A Highly Successful Maine Moose Guide and Outfitter Shares a Few Tricks of the Trade. filling a tag.

Over the years OMM has invested in all the best tools of the trade to be able to get our clients in front of some of the largest bulls in the woods. Trail cameras and scent, along with careful calling, are critical tools and improve

Page 11

Tactics for Big Moose

put together strategies to address this dynamic.

Cameras will help you

By Nathan Theriault study animal movement.

Make sure to spread your cameras into many types of terrain, forest types and areas with water. By doing this you will be able to put together a timeline that will add to your scouting repertoire. When placing your cameras be sure the batteries are new, and the memory card is formatted and cleaned so the pictures are in the proper order.

Trigger the camera before setting to make sure you get the shot. You may only get one chance. Be cautious This can be the hunter’s reward for doing his of false triggers and clear homework on a Maine moose hunt. away any brush that may a hunter’s odds of success. or planning a do-it-yourself any ground accessible by cause them. We set our You probably have heard hunt, hunters need to do vehicle. Moose habitat has cameras for 3-shot bursts the saying “you get out of it their homework. changed with the landscape to catch those bulls folwhat you put into it.” This Sometimes we are thus pushing the moose lowing a cow. We try to set statement cannot be more fortunate to locate animals into places that can be cameras on the high side to accurate when it comes to within a half mile from harder for the human eye keep them out of reach of moose hunting. Whether it a road, but most trophy to see. The time has come pesky bears. Sometimes (Tactics cont. pg 27) is choosing your outfitter moose are miles away from to collect your thoughts and

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Sporting Journal Northwoods

September 2021

Outdoor News - September 2021 Edited by V. Paul Reynolds

September. Music to the senses. The cadence quickens. Time to bid summer farewell and make plans for Maine’s finest hour and Mother Nature’s supreme orchestration: the debut of Autumn and those magical October days. September’s song includes a landscape of golds and rust-colored ferns. Windless days of apple picking, ripened Big Boys and dedicated anglers squeezing in a few more hours on the waters.

and bugless afternoons for lingering beside still waters. For hunters, there is bear season, special archery season for deer, an early goose season and much planning to be done.

There are dogs to be trained, guns to be sighted in, camp roofs to be fixed and woodlands to be scouted for deer and moose.

And for those true huntergatherers, there are wild mushrooms aplenty and vine-ripened blackberries to be plucked and put up in jam jars and pie plates.

Blueberry Mountain panded the search quickly perthwaite, who is retiring bringing in volunteers from at the end of September Claims Hiker

After a lengthy search through the night, a volunteer searcher working with the Maine Warden Service discovered the body of a missing 78-year-old Maryland woman in early August.

Barbara Goldberg, age 78 of Potomac, Maryland had gone missing during the middle of the day on August 6, while on a hike on Blueberry Mountain in Stow. Her partner, Steven Plotkin, had dropped her off earlier that morning at 9:00, and had talked to her via walkie talkie at 11:00 a.m. Barbara told him she was almost to the summit and expected to be back to the Stone House Road Parking lot around noon. When Barbara didn’t appear at the designated meeting area by 2:30 p.m., Steven contacted 911 and reported her missing.

Game wardens began Hiking mountain Maine in September. searching the area shortly trails and camping can be Next to October, who could after 3:00 p.m. the next day.

A warden service airplane great this time of year. Cool ask for anything more? searched from the air, and nights for deep sleeping the warden service ex-

HELP US FIND

The elusive Northwoods Sporting Journal’s moose Marty.

He has wandered into the northwoods.

Find Marty somewhere in the Northwoods Sporting Journal (Hint: he will be located in one of our ads) Send us the page number he’s on and you could be a WINNER! Win a FREE Northwoods Sporting Journal Marty Hat. We will draw one winner from all correct entries submitted each month. We will announce the winner in the next issue.

PLEASE MAIL THIS FORM TO: Northwoods Sporting Journal P.O. Box 195, West Enfield, ME 04493

Name Address City

State

Phone I found Marty on page

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Marty

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found on pg 24)

Entries must be postmarked by 9/13/21 to be eligible for this issue.

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MESARD (Maine Search and Rescue Dogs), Saco Valley Fire Department, Lovell Fire Department, Fryeburg Fire Department, Fryeburg Rescue, Mahoosuc Search and Rescue, Center Conway Fire Department, and Denmark Fire Department.

After searching alongside and over all area trails and nearby roads, a MESARD K9 located Barbara’s walkie talkie during the night near a ledge near the summit on Blueberry Mountain. Using Barbara’s Ipad that her partner had retrieved that night from their rented cabin, Wardens were then able to locate her Iphone coordinates utilizing the “find phone” feature. After searching the rough terrain and strewn boulders at the base of the ledges, at approximately 3:00 a.m. a MESARD volunteer recovered her body by calling her Iphone, and following the faint sound of her phone. She was located at the base of the ledges deceased. Her body was transported to Woods Funeral Home in Fryeburg where she will be examined by the State Medical Examiner. The death is not considered suspicious.

North Maine Woods Inc. Hires New Executive Director

Benjamin Carlisle, President of the Board of North Maine Woods Inc., announced recently that the Board has hired Thomas Pelletier of Eagle Lake to fill the position of Executive Director. Tom will come on board August 30, 2021 to replace Albro Cow-

from the position he has held for nearly 40 years.

Thomas Pelletier served in the Navy for six years, retired with the rank of Sargent from the Maine State Police after twentyfive years, and most recently, has served the Town of Fort Kent as Chief of Police since 2014. In 2018, he served Fort Kent as the interim Town Manager.

Thomas Pelletier Tom has spent much of his life in the North Maine Woods and is an experienced Maine Guide, having guided moose and bear hunters, fishermen and other outdoor experiences during his lifetime.

He is very knowledgeable of the region, including the Allagash River and other significant northern Maine forest destinations. He is well known by many of the landowner representatives he will be working with in his new position.

The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors, and on their behalf, oversees public use of close to four million acres of public and private forestland in northwestern and central Maine. He oversees a staff of approximately seventy employees.

(News cont.pg 35)

September 2021

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Old Boats: An Update

As I walked into one of my favorite remote brook trout ponds a few weeks back, a fly fishing only State Heritage Fish water on state-owned land, I noticed a small piece of baby blue fiberglass in the trail. I picked it up and examined it. While I wanted to believe otherwise, it was clear that it was from my unserviceable and abandoned canoe that I had dragged up into the woods several years ago, and re-

mine, I knew it couldn’t be fixed, I knew it was now litter, and I knew I was the reason it was there. Apparently, someone had taken it out for me, a source of embarrassment that will haunt me for years to come.

I went on to say, “I’d gladly hop on the back of a snowmobile, put on a pair of snowshoes, and drag my one unserviceable boat up the hill so it can be easily removed. I cringe every time I walk past it, knowing

had cleaned up after me.

After having talked about doing so a year or so ago, the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands (BPL) had started removing what were obviously unserviceable boats from lakes and ponds on state-owned land.

There were signs at the trailheads instructing anglers that boats now needed to be at least 25’ away from the water, a reasonable request. They also noted that boats must have the name

After having talked about doing so a year or so ago, the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands (BPL) had started removing what were obviously unserviceable boats from lakes and ponds on state-owned land. placed with a new one.

I mentioned the boat in question in a related article a few months ago in this publication: “…all [my backcountry boats] are serviceable except one that fell victim to a fallen tree.”

Every time I walked past it, I grimaced as I knew it was

that I am the reason it now sits there in disrepair. I’d sleep better if it were gone, and would be willing to give up a day to make that happen.” And I meant it.

But while I will sleep better knowing it is no longer there, I had nothing to do with its removal - someone

of the owner and contact information on the hull, again, I have no problem with that as it allows them to contact people up the road.

When we arrived at the water after a 20-minute walk through the woods, I was surprised to see that

Page 13

Native Fish Talk

by Bob Mallard, Skowhegan, ME old boats, some of which had been there for the 40-years I have been going there, were gone. Those remaining had small white and blue stickers with numbers affixed to them. The trailhead sign indicated that these were deemed serviceable, but not necessarily actively being used – the next step in the clean-up effort.

The first boat launch site which historically had the most boats, and most boat litter, looked cleaner than I had ever seen it.

There were holes in the forest floor where dilapidated and long abandoned boats had sat for years, and even decades. No longer did it look crowded, and like the boat equivalent of an auto salvage yard, sans the attendant and obligatory junk yard dog. Even some old pieces of boats were gone, likely taken out with the

rest of the debris.

We pushed our way up the shore of the pond passing another launch site, and again, it looked notably different. Old, nailed boards and bars, and ropedup logs, that once supported what were clearly long abandoned boats in all stages of disrepair were noticeably missing. Ugly as they were, I had become used to them, expecting them to outlive me. Nostalgia aside, I was glad to see them gone as they were rotting away and in the way.

Another couple of hundred feet in, we came to the launch where we store our boats, three serviceable and regularly used canoes of varying makes, colors, and sizes. While the others began the ritual of unchaining the boats and dragging them to the waters edge to be staged for fishing, I (Boats cont. pg 15)

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 14

The Northwoods Bowhunter

Record Book Boar

less and tried not to look him in the eyes. My suit must have worked as he

by Brian Smith, turned toward the bait alMachiasport, ME lowing me to take my bow It was opening day do on the coast. Over the off the hanger. It was so of the 2008 bear season next hour the storm got dark now that the trail cam in Maine and I had ar- closer and the wind started flashed twice and he deftly pawed the big rock and 10 rived at my stand at 3:30 to really pick up. p.m. knowing it would At 6:30 p.m. with 75 lb steel plate off the bucket be a long 5 hour sit until minutes of daylight left, the dark. My brother Dave and sky darkened ominously Uncle Craig were hunting and the thunder claps were stands a few miles away. It so close that I could feel was exciting to see the 40 the electricity in the air. I

fur and he woofed and ran over an embankment to his right. At that moment, the heavens opened up with a torrential downpour for the next 20 minutes. I thought I heard him crash and listened for the death moan, but the storm was so loud it drowned out everything

I drew my bow and settled the fiber optic pin behind his left shoulder for a quartering away shot.

lb rock had already been knocked off the bait bucket but only some of the sweets were eaten. The trail cam photos confirmed later that I had bumped a 150 lb bear walking in.

I climbed up the 15’ ladder stand, strapped in and settled into a very comfortable sling seat. The temperature was in the low 70’s with a light breeze and within an hour, my head was nodding followed by a nice nap. Distant rumbles of thunder awoke me but I expected the storm to pass to the north as they usually

looked to my left on the trail I had walked in on and silently gasped at a huge bear staring up at me only 15 yds away. It seemed like he was staring right through me and I could see his nostrils flaring, testing the air currents.

I was wearing the newest Scent-lok clothing head to toe but the stiff breeze was at my back blowing directly to the bait.

He would take a cautious step, then look up at me and sniff. He did so repeatedly until he was directly under my stand. I stayed motion-

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The author’s boar weighed 340 lbs and was the largest archery bear taken in Maine that year. including me. only 12 yards away.

My heart raced from When he put his huge head in the bucket, a mas- the excitement of the hunt sive thunder strike hit near- and worry that the blood by shaking the ground trail was being washed and causing me and the away. I said a short prayer treestand to shake. I drew and thanked God for the my bow and settled the blessing of this hunt. Affiber optic pin behind his ter getting thoroughly left shoulder for a quarter- soaked, I climbed down ing away shot. The Muzzy and searched for my arrow tipped carbon arrow buried but couldn’t locate it or out of sight in his coal black any blood. I decided to wait

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for Dave and Craig to finish their hunts so we could search in the dark together.

We went back to the stand and found a splash of blood under the lip of the bait bucket and my broken arrow and broad head buried in the soft soil. After a short search in the thick jack firs, we found him dead in a depression only 30 yards from the bait and found the rest of the arrow in his lung. We all marveled how big the boar was and couldn’t move him out of the hole. I had purchased a used ATV only a few days before and was able to get it within 50 yds of the big bear to drag out with a rope.

I called my friend Steve who opened up his tagging station to weigh him. The big boar tipped the certified scales at 340 lbs and measured 7 feet from his nose to back feet.

After the required 60 day drying period the skull measured 18 -9/16” qualifying for both the Pope &Young Club and Maine Skull and Antler Club. The Maine Bowhunters Association presented me with the Largest Archery Bear in Maine award at the banquet the following spring. Note: It is not wise to remain in a metal treestand during a thunder storm!

Brian Smith is a Retired Maine State Police Detective and NRA Field Representative. He received MBA Largest Maine Archery Bear Award in 2008 and 2018 and Bowhunter of the Year Award in 2005 and 2008. He is currently the MBA 1st Director at Large and serves on the SAM –ILA Board of Directors. He can be reached at bowhunter@mgemaine. com

September 2021

Update

Northwoods Sporting Journal

down the road, ferrying a BPL-provided 5-gallon pail full of trash, as well (Cont. from pg 13) quietly walked to where I as some larger items, we had discarded my old boat, collected across the pond a casualty of thirty-five- to a shorter trail so it can years in the woods, several be easily taken out..

While no consolidaacts of vandalism, and the final insult, a tree that fell right across the center and crushed it. As I suspected, it was gone.

Kudos the BPL, for taking this on, and doing what we sportsman, yours truly included, should have done years ago, clean up our mess. At some point, we should have addressed the decades-long neglect, and removed that which we sportsmen had abandoned and left to the elements. While some will balk at the idea, and fears of incrementalism, what’s next, will certainly arise, it needed to happen, and BPL should be commended for acting.

On my part, to atone for my sins, I reached out to BPL with a request that a trash can and 5-gallow pail be brought into the pond so we could clean up the small stuff – bottles, some broken, bottle caps, rusty cans, rotted lifejackets and boat cushions, cigarette butts, old plastic bailers, cigarette butts and cigar rings, and miscellaneous paper and plastic. To their credit, BPL acted, and we reciprocated by filling the trash can with debris to be hauled out.

Next time in, we plan to bring some work gloves so we can move some larger non-boat items, including two old fuel drums, some camp pipe, and a rusted coil spring bed skeleton, to a place where they can be consolidated and easily accessed for future removal. We repeated the effort on another remote pond on state land just

tion for leaving my defunct canoe for others to deal with, I feel better about it, and plan on supporting these types of efforts wherever possible.

fly fished for forty years.

He is the former owner of Kennebec River Outfitters, a Registered Maine Fishing Guide, and a commercial fly designer. Bob is a blogger, writer, and author. He BOB MALLARD has is also a native fish advo-

Page 15 cate and founding member, Executive Director, and Maine Board Member for Native Fish Coalition. Bob can be reached at www.

BobMallard.com or info@ bobmallard.com

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 16

Missed Opportunity

The Gun Cabinet

by John Floyd, Webster Plantation, ME My radio broke squelch and the traffic was for me. “Floyd, this is Kenny, you have your sidearm with you?” I told him I did. My 1911 pistol, was nestled in its holster on my shoulder rig, along with the rest of my gear in the back cargo area. I had debated leaving it home before I made the trip north to work the 2018 September moose season but my instinct has always led me to pack for every ‘just in case’ scenario – especially when camp is a good hour and a half drive on tote roads after I turn off the tar.

I was parked on a high ridgeline overlooking a few cuts, glassing a cow moose. I was waiting to see if a bull would break out of the wood line and seek the attention of that cow.

I had found quite a bit of

sign and fresh tracks in the area and if the amount of damage done to the alder and maple near me were any indication, there was a decent bull around. “I need you over at the block. My client hit a monster bull but it got up and took off before he could put another one in him. There’s lots of blood.

Viewed from above on satellite imaging, it is comprised of neatly squared cuts divided by equally squared tote roads. The main tote road rings the entire area and gives it the appearance of metropolitan city blocks. Kenny met me at the entrance to the cut he was hunting with his client and gave me the scoop. The client was fairly shaken and considering the terrain ahead of us and po-

across the cut and into the wood line. What troubled both of us was the lack of evidence you expect with a clean shot to the vitals. On the other hand, we didn’t see anything that indicated a gut shot either so we took that as a positive sign. As we started climbing ridge after ridge, Kenny marking last blood the whole way, we came upon a big smear on a mature tree about shoulder height. The

The client was fairly shaken and considering the terrain ahead of us and potential danger of a wounded bull lying in wait, Kenny decided to park the client with another guide until we located the moose.

He’s hit bad and we’re going to have to track him.”

I dropped my truck in gear and told him I was on my way.

‘The Block’ is a nickname the moose guides at OMM Outfitters in Eagle Lake gave to an area in big timber country in Wildlife Management District 3.

tential danger of a wounded bull lying in wait, Kenny decided to park the client with another guide until we located the moose. We’d retrieve the client and bring him to the moose when we either made contact or discovered the bull down.

Kenny and I set off following the blood trail

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scenario was becoming clearer. The bull was hit high. It was a clean pass through what some hunters call ‘No Man’s Land’ – above the vitals and under the spine. We kept tracking.

Six hours later, we finally got close to the wounded bull. We discovered a bed he made and was using to pack his wound with mud. Kenny spotted him first, 150 yards ahead. The bull squared off at us and for slow motion minute, we didn’t know if he was going to charge.

Instead, he whirled and shot up another hilltop.

We tried in vain to pick up

another blood trail, but it wasn’t to be. The bull was gone like the wind. Later at camp, another guide who was positioned on the other side of the ridge told us he heard the bull coming toward him, cruising through the timber following a cow, grunting the whole time. The moose not only survived the hit, he was trying to breed a cow only several hours later. While nearly despondent at a lost opportunity for a trophy class moose, everyone involved, especially the client, breathed easier knowing the bull was ok and wouldn’t be lost due to a bad shot. The moral of this story is obvious, so I’ll just offer this to the lucky few – be patient, shoot straight and kill clean. Good luck Maine moose hunters and enjoy your hunt of a lifetime!

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

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 17

Fishing: Dusk ‘Til Dark

fishing during the daylight hours! After work, they trudged off to “their” pool on the Prestile Stream near Easton. It seems like these diehards fished only in the darkness on night! And, according to the ringleaders, it paid off with big dividends!

Arriving at the scene, these fly anglers flipped

Fly fishing after dark has both its rewards and its drawbacks. (Photo by Sandy Macey) I have some fly fishing friends who won’t come off the water ‘til dark and later. “They’re still bitin’!”, they say. And, when they do come to shore, “they’re kicking and screaming!”, as the old saying goes.

My son, and some of our friends have discovered that “night fishing” can be quite productive. That is, if you don’t fall in!

It makes sense to cast a fly or bait as the sun begins to hide along the horizon. Some say, that’s when the big ones come out to feed. And, if you’re at a favorite fishing river, you might find yourself all alone out there…

I had a bit of a scary experience when casting a fly for landlocked salmon at a sprawling, rather expansive pool on a favorite river. It was overcast that evening, and the darkness came on quite suddenly.

I hadn’t noticed the silent withdrawal of light, actually. I was hooking salmon on a white woolybugger on almost every cast. “Time goes by rather swiftly when you’re having fun!”

Then all of a sudden, it struck me---“Which way is it to shore?” I had

waded out to well above the waist on my waders, and it seemed that every time I took a step, forward or backward, it became a little deeper. Oh, oh! I wondered. What about the next move?

Then I realized, I had my camera around my neck, and it had a tiny light. Snapping it on, it produced more light than I could have hoped for, in the pitch black darkness. On scanning the tiny beam, I could make out in the mist, a tree line.

I headed for it, slowly, being careful, now in total darkness, in the middle of a flowing river. I had made the correct decision. The deep water began to get more shallow, and I was home free. What a relief!

I thought of that chilling experience many times after that. Why doesn’t someone create a retriever, or tether, especially for use by adventurous knotheads who take too many chances just to catch a fish?!

Anyway, getting back to night fishing, I often reckon back to some of my old friends in northern Aroostook County. These late comers never went

“Just Fishing”

by Bob Leeman, Bangor, ME hatches occur at this time of the season. Evidently, it does make a difference as to what fly to use, and where. In spring, at dusk or dark, a casting size smelt pattern, or black ghost

I had a bit of a scary experience when casting a fly for landlocked salmon at a sprawling, rather expansive pool on a favorite river. It was overcast that evening, and the darkness came on quite suddenly. big, white, high-floating Wulff patterns and let ‘em blow around with maybe only a gentle twitch now and again.

Being mostly in summer, it came to mind that the Hexagenia mayfly

streamer works best. At dusk, a mayfly spinner is worth a float or two.

Lake trollers go one better, streaking their streamer fly patterns after the sun sets, and hardly go before. Unless you’re an

early riser, and prospect the coves before the sun creeps over the horizon. Most anglers prefer daylight to fish, and that’s a good thing. It’s safer, and you’re more able to witness the best part of the avocation, “the strike!”

Bob Leeman is a Master Maine Guide, outdoor writer, naturalist, book author, and a co-host of the MAINE OUTDOORS radio program on Sunday evenings from 7-8 p.m. His three books are all available, in soft cover only, at several bookstores and fly shops, or directly from him.

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Page 18 Northwoods Sporting Journal

Outdoor Sporting Library

by Jeremiah Wood, Ashland, ME

A lot of young people dream about spending time in wilderness, a vast unpopulated area unaltered by man and free to explore.

For South Carolina medical student Mike Holloway, that dream took shape in the idea of a summer trek across Alaska. Mike and a fellow student cooked up a wildly ambitious plan for their summer break. They would travel cross country and up to the last frontier, hit the end of the road system in Circle City, and in ten weeks hike across the Arctic to Barrow, surviving off the land along the way.

It’s amazing what youth, enthusiasm and dreams can produce for plans. This one would prove too ambi-

tious for even the greatest adventurers, but regardless, it started them on a path toward something great.

Mike, his younger brother Ted, and an old classmate Richard Volkwein set off for Alaska in

Dreaming Bears

which would take them to the village of Fort Yukon.

It was then they learned that the area was one huge wetland, filled with water and willows, and nobody walked through it in summer. To get anywhere, they would have to fly. Bush pilot Cliff Fairchild made a circle on a map in Warren’s store, stating “I’ll take you

intrusion and begin their cross country hike from there. To their surprise, just about the entire village lined up at the airstrip to meet and greet. They were directed to Chief Abraham Christian’s cabin to ‘sign in’. The chief asked where the boys planned to go.

“Caro” said Mike, “to buy more food so we can

They built a cabin, crafted a moose skin boat, snared rabbits, caught fish, fought off a charging grizzly bear, and learned a unique and traditional way of living. the summer of 1961. After two weeks of steady driving and roadside camping, they made Fairbanks, and then Circle City. It was there, in Frank Warren’s general store, where reality set in. They’d have to cross the vast, silt-laden Yukon River to begin their trek westward, the first leg of

that far in any direction for sixty dollars.”

The boys settled on flying to Venetie, a native village of 150 on the far corner of the map, situated within what was the largest Indian reservation in Alaska. Uncertain about the reception they’d get, the plan was to apologize for their

go on to Chandalar.”

Caro was a village name on the map, but reality set in after Chief Christian’s pause.

“Nobody live there for long time, maybe….1913, 1914.”

The chief suggested the boys go up to a place called Gold Camp, an

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abandoned prospecting encampment on the East Fork of the Chandalar River, 40 miles from Venetie. The only remaining residents were Johnny Frank and his wife Sarah, an old native couple in their eighties who still lived off the land.

The next few weeks in the remote Alaska wilderness with Johnny Frank would help shape the rest of Mike Holloway’s life. He never did trek across Alaska, but he learned invaluable lessons from Frank, an old medicine man, hunter, trapper, miner and survivor, who ‘dreamed bears’ and told incredible stories.

They built a cabin, crafted a moose skin boat, snared rabbits, caught fish, fought off a charging grizzly bear, and learned a unique and traditional way of living.

Mike returned to South Carolina and became a doctor, but his friendship with Johnny and Sarah Frank continued, and he visited frequently over the years. His experiences shaped a passion for Alaska and its native people, and led to lobbying efforts on behalf of these people, their land and the caribou they depended on for survival.

Holloway and Frank were different in so many ways, but in others they were one.

While wilderness is important in shaping the lives of many, it’s the folks who inhabit it who often make the difference.

“Dreaming Bears”, published in 2014 by Mike Holloway, recounts his experiences in Alaska, friendship with the Franks, and more.

J e re m i a h c a n b e reached at jrodwood@ gmail.com

September 2021

Me & Joe

(Cont. from pg 7) Builder returned, “but you need dimension lumber to make a flat floor. Can’t be done with round logs.”

I pulled a long board from the pile nearby and slid it onto the floor stringers. It lay perfectly flat across each log. “Flatter than that?” I asked frostily.

Builder stared at the board. Then he reached over to where our big level lay on a stump and sat it on the board. The bubble steadied into the exact center. Builder quickly slid the board this way and that across the stringers, but the bubble stayed centered.

“Well…” he cleared his throat. “Maybe we won’t’ have to tear apart everything…”

“Won’t tear apart anything,” Joe said evenly.

“It’s a flat floor.”

“Well, we’ll still need the sawmill,” Builder said confidently. “how else are you going to square the logs on three sides.”

“I wasn’t plannin’ on squarin’ them at all,” Joe said. He pulled the folded drawing out of a pocket.

“The drawin’ shows round logs with saddle-notch corners.”

Builder waved a hand.

“That drawing’s just a rough

Northwoods Sporting Journal outline. I’m sure Mr. Rottweiler will want the best, most competently built structure available for the money. Logs with flattened sides fit together smoothly and keep out drafts. And those boards? They’re okay for the first floor but I’m thinking hardwood for the second. I’ve got some nice birch that will take a good finish with a buffing machine. And as for saddle notches, well,” he smiled deprecatingly, “that might have been alright in 1770, but I’ve developed a new type of tongue and groove notching system that is far better and can be done with a machine. I’ll bring the machine along with me next time, too. Of course,” he said, frowning. “You’ve got the cabin too small.”

Joe looked back and forth between the two men.

“All I got to go by is Mr. Rottweiler’s drawin’. He’s got the dimensions writ right on there…12 foot by 16 foot, with a six-foot porch. Looks to me like he wanted a small, traditional log cabin, not a modern chalet.”

“I’m afraid I have to go along with Mr. Builder,” Sherman Fraud said thoughtfully. “Although I haven’t personally met Mr. Rottweiler since he hired me by internet, I’m sure

he will be more pleased with a more comfortable and tightly built structure, using modern techniques and materials.”

The two men walked down to the boat while we followed along behind. Builder reached into the bow and pulled out a wooden construction about three feet square. It was an intricate web of tongue and groove ends joining a couple of short, square logs at right angles.

“Here’s a model of my corner joints, so you can study how it will go together. We’ll be back with everything I need in a few days time.” After Fraud climbed into the boat, Builder shoved it off and leaped inside.

“I’m sending along a man to help with some of the heavy lifting until I can get back. He’ll be coming by trail. He’s a little slow, but he’s able, and good at the grunt work.” The motor roared into life and the boat moved off across the pond.

We stared until the craft disappeared into the outlet stream. Then we turned silently and walked back up to the floor.

“What now?” I asked.

“You want to pick up our stuff ad head home?”

Joe stared at the smooth logs, joined so

Page 19

carefully and accurately together. “Nope,” he said softly. “I agreed to build a log cabin like Rottweiler drew. We got at least two days. “Let’s git to work.”

We worked until dark nailing down the first floor.

After a short night of restless sleep, we started on the walls before sunrise.

We had three logs up all the way around and the doorframe in place when a tall, muscular young man came out through the trees from the trail to town. He was dressed in old jeans and a tattered work shirt, with a scrap of red hand-

kerchief tied around his head. He walked slowly up to the cabin, staring, mouth slightly agape.

“You come to help?”

Joe said shortly. The young man closed his mouth.

“Yeah, I guess so.

Gee, mister, this is…why it’s beautiful!” He looked closely at the saddle notches at one corner. Not even a knife blade would fit into the corner joint. He looked up. “My name’s Tom. What you want me to do?”

To m m i g h t h a v e seemed slow to Builder, but he caught on quickly about (Me & Joe cont. pg 21)

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Aroostook Woods & Water

Archery: Head Over Heels

I jumped, reverentially, into the baptismal waters of 3-D shooting and lost

by Mike Maynard, myself in that world for Perham, ME years. I spent countless hours scouting likely tracts The older I get, the September just gets sent of land for that perfect tree. more I appreciate the fall. down to Providence. But I own every USGS topo When I was a kid, it was here’s the thing; those red ever printed. Just the act all about spring. Opening headed step-children of the of sitting at the table with day of fishing season was calendar have their charms, a cup of coffee, a topo, a a day that meant more too. For me, September compass, and a red markthan Christmas. And while ushers in the hope and ing pencil, made me happy.

I still love April 1st, living excitement that only bow God, I loved archery. here in the County I can’t season can bring. I love my I started shooting 3-D do a damn thing with it; rifles, one and all. I love the back in the 90’s when the it’s simply an expression different calibers, messing archery madness down of hope etched onto an around with optics and Orvis calendar, a symbolic bullet configurations; but if (Photo by Diane Reynolds) below was in full bloom. milepost buried under 200” you made me choose only and with one step to his It was nothing to get 250one method to hunt with, left, the perfect broadside 300 shooters to show up of snow.

September, on the it would be a bow, hands shot appeared. The sense of at a club back then. I shot arrows before work, I other hand, …I can do down. accomplishment from that shot them after work. I’ve I’ll never forget my first success was incredstuff with September. As far as dates go, October 1st very first bow kill. A mod- ible. The adrenaline surge owned all the bows and is the belle of the ball. If est 145 lb. basket six that almost took me out of my I’ve had more releases October 1st were a hockey came into my stand and of- tree; and I had to have more than Carter had pills. After game it would get the pro- fered me a 17-yard shot. He of it. I immediately started all these years, I still can’t verbial ‘3 stars tonight’; came in quartering away, reading everything I could decide between a thumb release or a trigger. You get my hands on. I started can keep your back tenhaunting archery shops. sion stuff -I don’t know

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how many times I can say this, but I don’t want to be surprised!

Arrows? I’ve owned most of them. Fletching?

I’ve shot every vane out there. Every now and then I’d get a wild hair across my arse and switch to feathers. I had target arrows, I had hunting arrows, I had practice arrows…

I had a lot of arrows. My

I own every USGS topo ever printed.

Just the act of sitting at the table with a cup of coffee, a topo, a compass, and a red marking pencil, made me happy. God, I loved archery. grain weights were all over the map, my spine tolerances were always on the ragged edge. Speed; we were always chasing more speed, weren’t we. I’m blessed with a 31.5” draw length, and I would flaunt it whenever I felt like being obnoxious. My hunting arrows became dangerously light. I learned a hard lesson one evening, and I gave up the dream of more speed to chase the siren song of kinetic energy. I turned my bow up to 70 lbs and started shooting arrows that resembled rebar more than carbon. I’d slap a 125g broadhead on the end of the shaft and go out and punch holes in battleships at 40 yards. 70 lbs, 60% let-off, and 6” brace heights were normal.

Time and age finally converged, and frayed rotator cuffs finally shredded themselves completely.

(Archery cont. pg 21)

September 2021

Archery

Northwoods Sporting Journal

ther of several, and a certi- Tom replied enthusiastifiable water-logged stream cally.

“C’mon,” Joe conrat. He lives in the woods of (Cont. from pg 20) Perham, Maine and can be tinued. “Let’s go catch Shoulder surgeries reached at perhamtrout@ supper.” have a way of ruining a gmail.com Tom had never fished perfectly good obsession with a fly rod, but it only like archery. The bow cases took a few minutes of lesgathered dust and I turned sons from Joe before the all of my attention to my young man was hooked rifles. But after a three-year fast to a 10-inch trout. He (Cont. from pg 19) hiatus, and some diligently whooped with delight as applied physical therapy, handling logs and moving the fish bored deeply, bendI’m trying to work my way lumber around. With his ing the rod in a tight arc. back into the game. Oh, muscles and willingness An hour later, full not like the bad old days; to work, the building went of trout and virtually exI’ve tuned my hunting bow even faster. By evening, we hausted, we laid around the down to a manageable 58 had the walls up nearly five fire under the tarps, staring lbs. I’ve got a 20 yard range feet, with the frames of all at the flickering flames. inside my barn and back in four windows in place.

Tom asked questions about May I started releasing arA half hour before the building and we told rows, point blank into the dark Joe wiped sweat off him the story about Fraud, bag, to try and regain some his face and looked over Builder, and the change of that long lost muscle at Tom. “You like fried in plans they intended to memory. Coming to my old trout?” impose. familiar anchor point that “I love fried trout,” “But this is a beautifirst day was like meeting an old friend again.

I started with just six arrows a day for a week or so. When my shoulder didn’t fall off, I increased it to a dozen. As I write this now, I feel pretty damn good; the yips have settled out and I’m back to arguing with myself over releases.

Monday - Thursday 11-9 Great fun.

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Me & Joe

Page 21

ful cabin,” Tom objected.

“I mean, really beautiful.

What’s this?” He had found the wooden model Builder left behind.

“That’s a model of the type of corner notch Builder wants to use on the cabin,” I said.

Tom examined it from all angles. “This is really weird,” he said. Then he looked across the fire at us.

“I got to hike out to town,” he said regretfully.

“I didn’t bring no sleeping bag or nothing.”

“We got an extra blanket,” Joe said looking around. “It’s gonna be a warm night, an’ you kin use my jacket for a pillow.”

“Gee, thanks, Joe.” I s m i l e d a s To m wrapped up in the blanket and was out like a light

almost immediately.

“Good kid,” I said softly.

“Yeah. Too bad he has to work for that idiot,” Joe replied.

The next morning we were at it again early. By mid-afternoon we had the walls up and the gable ends completed. We had just started the process of setting the roof stringers in place when we heard the sound of motors. Two boats came across the pond. In the front one, Fraud and Builder stared at the log structure that had miraculously risen on the campsite. The larger rear boat held two men and a mass of equipment. Me and Joe walked down to the shore as the boats slid onto the (Me & Joe cont. pg 41)

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 22

Post-Script From Pocasset

by Josh Reynolds, Wayne, ME Even though I grew up in Maine, where the rents aren’t high, the food is good, the dust is manageable and the morals aren’t deplorable - I still yearn to go west. We in Maine are blessed with so much – the sea, the mountains, the lakes, the rivers, 4 beautiful seasons, some of the finest big game hunting in the country and the biggest and best diversity of fresh water fisheries in New England. Indeed, Maine is an amazing place, but one trip out west opens your eyes to a country so vast,

open and expansive that it takes your breath away.

The west is on my mind because I’m about to embark

September 2021

Go West Young Man

Ranch. Dana, my 19-yearold, adventurous daughter decided to follow in Mom’s footsteps 30 years later and landed her own summer gig at the ranch. The 4UR is a decidedly upscale place that caters to well healed Texans and other western-

all accounts, Dana hasn’t squandered her meager free time at the ranch staring at her I-Phone. She’s been out fishing the remotest waters on the ranch, going on epic hikes above 10,000 feet and grabbing a horse from stables to go on jaunts

“Washington is not a place to live in. The rents are high, the food is bad, the dust is disgusting and the morals are deplorable. Go West, young man, go West and grow up with the country.”

Horace Greeley, New-York Daily Tribune, July 13, 1865

on a long-awaited family trip to visit my daughter Dana, who has been working in Colorado.

Thirty years ago, my wife Becca accepted a summer job at a dude/ flyfishing ranch in Creede, Colorado called the 4UR

Aroostook County

ers. Unlike Maine, much of the finest places to fish in Colorado are located where rivers run through private properties. Access is only granted if you become a ranch guest, hire a guide or have an insider connection. I could never afford a stay as a guest at the 4UR, but I now have an insider connection. By

through the Rio Grande Valley – I’m proud of her, and more than a little excited to have her guide ME for once!

I’ve hunted elk in Northern Colorado and skied there a few times, but I’ve never fished it, though I understand the water is similar to what I’ve experienced in Yellowstone.

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Gin clear (unless its raining) and cold, swift flowing stretches that hold big rainbows, eastern brookies, the occasional cutthroat and something called a palomino trout.

We’ll see how the yankee does on these western fish? This time of year, in Colorado, you can expect hatches of caddis, mayflies and stoneflies -kind of sounds like the West Branch of the Penobscot in June, without the blackflies! I’d better go cull my fly boxes and sort out what patterns I should take. With a basic-economy plane ticket in hand, I can’t even take a full-size carryon bag. Can you believe that? So, half of my little backpack will be fishing gear with enough room left over for a couple articles of clothing. Who needs underwear, socks or pants?

Shorts, crocs, a fleece and a couple of T-shirts and I’m good for a week out west... maybe.

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

September 2021

Page 23

The Miss Sharon Streamer

The Tyer’s Corner

by Hugh Kelly, Detroit, ME

This month’s fly is the Miss Sharon streamer.

This is a smelt imitation created by Arthur Libby many years ago for the Sebago Lake region he fished in. It works extremely well anywhere there are baitfish.

The secret is the colors and how sparse it is tied. Keep each bunch of bucktail to 6 hairs each. This makes a very flexible wing that gives good action and it is so sparse you can see through it, just like a real smelt. As famous as this streamer is, you don’t see many of them many of them being used. Food for thought.

Recipe for the Miss Sharon Streamer Hook – 8x or 9x long streamer hook (Mustad R-79-94720) size 6 Thread – Red Body – Red floss

Rib—Silver Mylar Wing –Sparse bucktail, in this order: Red under white, under orange, under black.

Head— Red You can tie these in bigger sizes but if size 6 is too small, consider tying it in a tandem for the extra length. Tie in the Mylar rib first at the very rear of the hook where bend starts. Tie it in with the gold side out so when you wind it, the silver side will roll out for a silver rib. Lay the Mylar

back while you tie in and wind a body of red floss.

Tie off the body back from the eye about an eighth of an inch, you’ll be tying in four bunches of bucktail for a wing and if you’re not careful the fly’s head will get pretty big. After the floss body, wind the Mylar rib forward and tie off.

The wing is the heart of this fly-please keep it sparse. The order is red bucktail on the bottom next to the hook shank. Next is white on top of red, orange

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on top of white and black on the top of the wing.

Use hairs from the tip of the bucktail, they are less stiff and give more action.

Some variations include using peacock herl on top instead of black bucktail and adding eyes. I consider the red head sufficient but if you want eyes, paint on black pupils with white irises. This is an original Maine streamer designed by a famous Maine guide;

the fly still catches salmon and should be in your fly wallet.

Hugh Kelly has fly fished and tied his own flies for over 40 years. He and his family live in Detroit where he ties flies, drinks Moxie and plans fishing trips. He can be reached at hkellymaine@gmail.com and he writes a fly tying blog at puckerbrushflies. com

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 24

Behind the Badge

Warden’s Words

by Game Warden Kale O’Leary, Ashland, ME I recently came across a series of Bangor Daily News articles from the 1960s, written by legendary Maine outdoors writer Bud Leavitt. Leavitt’s article was featured monthly in the Bangor paper and was entitled “The Men Be-

E, which in square miles is larger than Rhode Island and Connecticut combined.

This Division sits atop the State of Maine and encompasses Aroostook County, as well of parts of Piscataquis, Penobscot and Washington counties. It is

“I feel that the Maine Warden Service is one of the best law enforcement agencies anywhere in the country and I am proud to have been a Warden for this long.” hind the Warden Badge”.

Each article gave readers a glimpse into the lives and experiences of Wardens stationed around the State of Maine and sparked my interest to do the same in an updated version of Leavitt’s original style.

I intend to feature a new Warden from Division E every so often and will call these articles “The Men and Women Behind the Badge”.

Thomas “Tom” Ward is Lieutenant of Division

the largest Warden Division in Maine in terms of square miles.

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September 2021

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Thomas Ward grew up in Guilford, Maine and learned hard work from an early age as he began working with his father in the forest industry of western Maine, operating his own cable skidder. “I can’t think of any other career that I would have done if I had not become a Game Warden” he stated. “I feel that the Maine Warden Service is one of the best law enforcement agencies anywhere in the country and I am proud to have been a Warden for this long.”

Ward began his career path with the Warden Service in September of 1985 when he began working as a Deputy Warden for Don Annis in the Guilford area.

He spoke highly of Warden Annis stating “Don was a great guy to work with and I learned a lot about how to be a Game Warden during the two years I was his deputy”.

Ward was hired on full time by the Warden Service in February of 1987, after making the cut over thousands of other applicants of the time. Upon completion of his training, Lieutenant Ward recalled “I was given a truck, a map and a ticket book and told I should be on my way to Daaquam, which was my first district.” Ward would live in T11 R17 with his wife Shari, even having their first son Isaac, while living in this remote landscape.

Lieutenant Ward recalled the large amount of resource in that area during that time and violators, both American and Canadian who sometimes pushed the limits too far.

He recalled a Canadian trapper who made over $10,000 dollars in Marten fur one fall and winter while trapping in that area.

L i e u t e n a n t Wa r d wanted in on more action and to be closer to civilization with his growing family when he made the move to the Rockwood district for a couple years, before transferring to Greenville.

In 1996 he promoted to Sergeant in charge of the Greenville area, covering Moosehead Lake. He recalled many snowmobile fatals and drownings he (Badge cont. pg 30)

September 2021

Northwoods Sporting Journal

September Salmon

September is a great thinking of our fish first fish was so revered as the time of year to enjoy some instead of the other way number one sportfish that stocking was common evfall foliage and some won- around. derful Maine fall fishing.

The Maine,landlocked erywhere around the state.

The Penobscot’s west s almon is wild and native Many Maine waters tobranch river, among oth- in four water basins in day hold salmon and can ers, can be very productive Maine. The St. Croix, in- be considered invasive. In fact, the salmon toas well as beautiday continues to ful. This sumbe stocked over mer we have had native fish resultan abundance of ing many times in rain following an forage depletion. ongoing drought September is from our previthe start of the anous summer and nual salmon spawn. winter. The foreThe salmon switch most concern is from their typical water temperafeeding routine ture as it affects to being territothe fish. On that rial and protective note, I will menof their spawning tion some calls I ground. Their bereceived this past havior is not all month regarding that changes. Their salmon and trout physical appearfishing. Septemance changes as ber is almost well. Both landalways a good locked salmon and time to fish, but “Landlock Salmon” (by Rich Yvon) their cousin, the Atlangetting several calls from folks requesting Au- cluding West Grand Lake tic Salmon, are now similar gust? As almost everyone in Washington County; the looking to a brown trout. knows, August is the height Union, including Green The males have a kype or of Maine’s water tempera- Lake in Hancock County. hooked jaw, and their skin ture and is oftentimes too The Penobscot, including is now golden brown with warm for cold water fish- Sebec Lake in Piscataquis beautiful black-spotted ing. I was fortunate to have County; the Presumpscot, accents. The salmon and the opportunity to explain including Sebago Lake in brown trout now look very why I refused the trips Cumberland County. At similar indeed. The Atlanand recommended a river the turn of the century, tic Salmon is sometimes smallmouth bass trip. I’m propagation of the species mistaken when caught by hopeful that everyone starts began here in Maine. The

Page 25

Maine Outdoor Adventure

fishermen, so identifying the fish is critical. The Atlantic Salmon is an endangered species and fishing is prohibited in Maine. The Atlantic Salmon is presently listed endangered at the national level but unfortunately not at the state level in Maine. We stay hopeful that someday the great Atlantic Salmon runs of the past return as a result

by Rich Yvon, Bradford, ME Starting with ice-out is the beginning of open water salmon fishing. The general law closes the salmon fishing season on September 30, but has some waters open for catch and release fishing.

As always, remember to take a young person fishing and keep our fishing heritage alive and well!

Please support your

Many Maine waters today hold salmon and can be considered invasive. In fact, the salmon today continues to be stocked over native fish resulting many times in forage depletion. of the river restoration and conservation efforts.

Landlocked salmon is the state fish and is one of Maine’s most revered fish species throughout history.

State stocking of salmon has taken place all over the state since 1868. Where the habitat exists, landlocked salmon is wild and does not get stocked. Some popular salmon waters include Grand Lake Stream, the Kennebec River’s east and west outlets, the Roach River at Moosehead Lake.

local tackle shops and small businesses!

Rich is a Maine Guide.

He owns and operates Twin Maple Outdoors guide service and sporting lodge in Bradford. He serves as a board member for the Native Fish Coalition, Maine chapter. He is also an outdoor writer, tree farmer, fly-fishing instructor and certified NRA firearms instructor. Email: info@ Twinmapleoutdoors.com

At long last, revived from the archives of the once-authoritative books on New England streamer flies and how to use them: Trolling Flies for Trout & Salmon, by Dick Stewart and Bob Leeman.

Trolling Flies for Trout and Salmon was first published in 1982 and again in 1992. There were 350 signed Limited Edition hardcover copies and several thousand hard and soft cover copies sold out with the two printings. Many fly tyers view this book as an up-to-date version of new and available streamer fly patterns and crave to have it in their library. Used copies have been selling on AmazonBooks.com for the last few years with a price tag up to $300.00 for each copy! There are 125 pages with 32 color plates of more than 90 classic streamer flies and tying recipes from a Winnipesaukee Smelt to a Barney Google and a Rangeley Centennial. Leeman and Stewart also share with readers many tips and tactics for trolling streamer flies for trout and salmon throughout New England.

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 26

Ramblings From T8-R9

by Benjamin Rioux, Millinocket Lake I think the term “vacation” means a lot of different things to people these days. Some folks pack the grocery getter up for the weekend and take the kids to the city. They visit restaurants, stores,

vacation.

Renovations have been plentiful these last several years – not that there is ever really a year that we aren’t doing some kind of repair, improvement, or project. The back

….we have found that a great number of our regular guests tend to agree that adding internet would take away so much more in the way of what makes a stay at Libby Camps special. and beaches. They might frequent amusement parks, play mini golf, or take in a show or a concert. Some travel abroad visiting allinclusive island resorts, or go out west of lavish skiing vacations.

At Libby Camps, we offer a different kind of

half of the lodge is currently undergoing major construction in phase one of our two part rebuild that will culminate with the completion of a brand new, state-of-the-art kitchen.

Glover just saw a major rebuild that includes new roofing, a new modern

September 2021

Preserving the Past

bathroom, and a completely redesigned floor plan.

More of our cabins are being winterized for running water to make room for even more snowmobile season rentals.

Throughout the property we are replacing roofs, building additions, and giving the necessary TLC to things like our float plane dock and the boat house.

Our crew takes pride in the work that they do, and all of their hard work is essential to keeping a remote camp like Libby’s running smoothly.

Keeping up with the times while preserving the history and traditional sporting camp feel at Libby Camps is a delicate balancing act we struggle with every day. The world outside of Libby Camps is on the opposite end of the spectrum from what we offer in almost every facet

of life. The pace is slow, the surroundings are quiet, and worries are few and far between. The natural beauty of the North Maine Woods wraps us like a blanket and shelters us from the

That is the type of vacation we strive to provide – a place where our guests can enjoy the perfect mix of modern and traditional comforts free from outside distractions. stressors that wait where gravel turns to asphalt, and towering pines give way to urban sprawl.

Our goal has always

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of propane lamps, wood burning stoves, and items like hand quilted comforters on all the beds. While the plumbing is all modernized at this point, the cabins and their furnishing remain a nod to our storied past – clean, comfortable, and classic in every sense of the word.

We serve traditional, hardy meals using fresh ingredients and working from recipes older than most of us. Would it be easy to put electricity in all of the cabins? Sure.

Several of them have it already, with plans to add it to most of them in the coming years.

Our biggest struggle lately however, has revolved around internet access. While we have had internet access on site for a while now, we have limited that access to the lodge.

While upgrades for faster, more reliable internet (Past cont. pg 30)

September 2021

Tactics (Cont. from pg 11)

Northwoods Sporting Journal hurt your chances rather than help them. During a week of hunting I usually expect to only get 2 days of great weather. It may be spread out across the whole week but those are the times to take advantage of the knowledge gained from your scouting tools and hone-in on your target bull.

When it comes to this coveted tag, nothing should

Page 27

be left to chance. So do your homework, use those cameras and practice with scent and calling. Learning is part of the fun. Avoid frustration and be patient.

Plan and execute with perfection. Be safe and have a blast. Success is in your future!

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a stick behind the camera can give a better angle.

Camera use is regulated, so get landowner permission prior to setting and label the cameras.

Artificial and natural scent can be extremely helpful in attracting a big bull and can also help to keep him in the area. Making a fake pit and tearing up Portage Lake, Maine Open 7 Days nearby bushes is intimidatA Week WELCOME HUNTERS ing to a bull that has laid Restaurant claim to an area. These visuals are taken seriously by a big bull and cause him to be more responsive to P.O. Box 254 Portage, ME 04768 calling.

Calling is the most Tel: (207) 435-3701 deansmotorlodge.com fun way to interact with a cagey old bull. A scapula or shoulder blade makes a very realistic antler sound when used on trees and brush. This resembles an aggressive bull marking his area and announcing he is present and willing to fight for territory or his cow. Natural sounds such as breaking branches or stripping leaves to imitate walking or feeding is a great way to get a response.

It is a subtle tactic and alIn the heart of the Allagash lows you time to adjust your location and get the and Fish River waterways....... wind right. Be careful not Fly Fishing to over call. As a rule, if the and Trolling moose are very vocal you can be too.

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 28

September On The West Branch

Maine Tails

By Jonah Paris, Scarborough, ME September is a transition month here in Maine.

The morning chill offers a subtle warning of what lies ahead, and though the days heat up, they fall short of

ers trotting across the road.

Fair season comes to a close and hand painted signs for “U Pick” apples dot the crossroads of small towns from Standish to Skowhegan; Ginger Golds, Cortland, and McIntosh, then Macoun, Snow, and Northern Spy. The outdoorsman prepares himself for a few final open water outings.

North Zone rivers, streams, and brooks remain open through the end of the month with special regulations. Although some waters offer an extended open water season later into the fall, most of us will trade our fly rods and vests for shotguns and flannels.

Located deep in the heart of Katahdin Country, the West Branch of the Penobscot River is home to arguably the State’s finest

Instinctively, you reach into your pocket and flip open a fly box.

There they are. A row of light brown Elk Hair Caddis flies. Size 12 looks about right on target. Of course, you only have size 12, so size 12 it will be. the sapping August temperatures. Twilight now occurs before eight o’clock; the days are getting shorter.

School buses resume their routes, pairs of new sneak-

Early morning on the West Branch. (Photo by Jonah Paris.)

wild landlocked salmon fishery. The West Branch is one of my favorite waters to fish, especially in September. Allow me to paint you a scene.

You reach Central Street in Millinocket at 4:30 a.m. and stop for a much needed coffee and donut, two if nobody is keeping tab. Even though your truck’s gas tank is over half full, you decide to

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You’re now crossing Abol Bridge. Looking over your right shoulder, you can’t help but smile. Katahdin looms over the river in a pink pre-dawn glow. You remind yourself of today’s goal: enjoy the adventure.

(September cont.pg 35)

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September 2021

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Kid Survival Kit

focation. They can sit on kit for the warmers to be the plastic, wrap it around put in as soon as they are themselves, or put it over opened. Warmers should not go directly against the the top of themselves.

The dark, especially skin and they should not in the woods, be exposed directly to the can be very open air. Again, it is good s c a r y f o r to have inexpensive kits so a n y o n e . A you can train kids before f l a s h l i g h t they need to use the gear.

Food and water are should be included in the the next consideration. kit. Another Kids will not starve in a good option day or two, but you want is chem-light them to be as comfortable sticks. The as possible while they are ones made waiting. Granola bars or for use as candy bars are easy to open bracelets or and are a welcome treat. n e c k l a c e s Gummy snacks or fruit w o r k w e l l leather are good as well. a n d t h e y You are more concerned crack easily. with giving them a snack Suggested items for a kid’s Sometimes and less concerned about survival kit. (Photo by Joe Frazier) the shorter nutritional value.

Water bottles can important to familiarize ev- light sticks are difficult eryone with gear and how to break. Chem-lights are sometimes be hard to open to use it. You might want to easy to use and extremely so include juice boxes or pouches for really little call this gear a “Come get safe.

Heat is the next con- kids. Sport top water botMe” kit.

At the very least, ev- cern. Even in summertime tles are often a good choice eryone should wear a whis- the woods can be cold as well.

Knives in a kit is a tle on a necklace inside and damp. Open flame or decision only the adult can their shirt. No matter their fire is NOT a good idea age everyone can use one. here. The better option is make. Each kid is differThe youngest in your group chemical hand warmers. ent, some are ready to use should be told “if you look Keep a pair of socks in the a knife very young while around and don’t know where you are, sit down and blow the whistle. We will come find you.” It only takes a few seconds for a 4 year old to wander off.

You can make up a good survival kit for young kids and still give them safe gear. These supplies 417 Thorndike Rd., Unity, ME 207-948-5729 www.chasetoysinc.com are available at Walmart or even at the dollar store.

Start with a way to carry the gear. Either a 368-2230 small backpack or a bag.

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Page 29

Basics Of Survival

by Joe Frazier, Bangor, ME others should not have them until they are much older. Some adults are not comfortable using knives either. There are good options rather than knives so the younger kids don’t feel left out when practicing with others. Landscape or florist shears, electricians scissors, and craft scissors for the little ones. Anything that will cut plastic or string/twine.

Some survey ribbon is a good idea as well. It is thin plastic and brightly colored. Tell your child to “decorate the area where they are sitting, put the ribbon as high up as you can reach”. This will make it easier to find them.

Be aware of the clothing people in your group wear in the woods. A camouflage jacket and pants might look cute in the store, but not if you are looking for a lost five year old one hour before sunset.

Bright blue, red, pink, yel-

low; anything that does not blend in.

During training, kids need to be told often that they will NEVER be in trouble for using their gear if they get lost, and they will NEVER be in trouble for getting lost either. You don’t want the kid thinking he will be in trouble if he blows his whistle, then wander further away from the group. You should also do a training either at a favorite woods spot or even in your back yard. Reinforce the fact that help will come if they sit still and blow their whistle. Explain how they are easier to see if they are in the open, so go to any open area they find if the area is safe.

With very little gear and some practice a fifteen minute scare does not have to turn into a tragedy.

Joe is a Husband, Father, Marine and Author.

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Page 30

Past

(Cont. from pg 26) are slated for the coming months, some guests have asked when we plan on establishing WIFI connections for our on-sight cabins as well. While we can admit that online access in the cabins would probably be a benefit to many people, we have found that a great number of our regular guests tend to agree that adding internet would take away so much more in the way of what makes a stay

Northwoods Sporting Journal

at Libby Camps special.

People visit us for a variety of reasons, but escaping from the outside world is typically at the top of the list. In an age where everyone is constantly connected, people are running out of places where they can truly disconnect. The excellent fishing and hunting are considered a bonus by many, though most who visit us for the first time would ever expect that to be the case. So, as we work to improve on our lodge access, for now our cabins

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(Cont. from pg 24) covered in this area during those years. “You know, I bet I’ve been to over 100 fatal accidents in my career. The ones that stick with me the most involve young kids. Those have always been the hardest for me.”

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County and Division E was very similar to the Greenville area. That move felt very natural to me.” After working several years as a Sergeant in Aroostook County, he was promoted to Lieutenant in 2009 where he has been ever since. “When I was first promoted to Lieutenant in 2009, I was in charge of Wardens from Fort Kent to Machias” he added.

“What has given me the most satisfaction in being a Game Warden? Well there are a couple things, first would be the times I caught intentional violators harming the resource and had them in my “sights” for some time. Saving lives on search and rescue missions is also right up there.

But, today as Lieutenant of Division E, what gives me the most satisfaction is seeing my team of Wardens succeeding, having fun and working together. I am blessed to have a great group of men and women that contribute to the success we have as an agency is this area.”

“Kale O’Leary has been a Maine Game Warden for 5 years, covering the Masardis/Oxbow district. He currently lives in Ashland, Maine.”

September 2021

Northwoods Sporting Journal

North Maine Woods Director Retires

By V. Paul Reynolds Al Cowperthwaite, executive director, of North Maine Woods (NMW) for 46 years, is retiring this month. A Houlton native, Cowperthwaite, 67, says it time for “new blood” and time for him “to spend more time with his wife and grandchildren.”

Tom Pelletier, an Aroostook County native, has been selected to replace Cowperthwaite.

Cowperthwaite attended Houlton schools and got his feet wet in outdoor recreation by working at his family’s campground on Nickerson Lake, where Cowperthwaite calls home today with his wife Linda.

He graduated from the University of Maine in 1976. Upon graduation he went to work for North Maine Woods, which had been created in 1970 led by northern Maine forester John Sinclair, also president and founder of Seven Islands Land Company.

North Maine Woods is a cooperative effort by many private landowners in northwestern Maine to keep 3.5 million acres of forest land open to public use. The NMW management system was created in 1971.

Cowperthwaite was named executive director of NMW in 1982. Although the outgoing director is clearly proud of the smooth-running organization that NMW is today, he does remember that the land management system was not without some difficulties and even controversy in the early days. In 1970, when NMW began a gate system for overseeing recreational use of its 3.5 million acres, there was

Al Cowperthwaite some public pushback. day, NMW, a non-profit Vandals sought to punish organization, supports its NMW by burning build- own operational costs for ings and fueling tension gatekeepers and managers with modest day-use gate and unrest.

“From 1971 until and camping fees.

Each year, between about 1986” says Cowperthwaite, “our camping moose hunters, bear huntfees were not sufficient to ers and grouse hunters, support our operational as well as campers, more budget. Many of the land- outdoor recreationalists owners were taking up pass through NMW gates the financial slack.” To- than the gates at Baxter

Page 31

North Maine Woods for so many years we know that so many others, besides the Northwoods Sporting Journal, thank him for his uncommon contribution to outdoor recreation in Maine and wish him a long and happy retirement.

State Park!

When the outgoing director was asked to share an observation looking back over his career with NMW he never hesitated. “My job was a fun and satisfying experience because of a public that has just been wonderful over the years.”

He explains that public campers have almost always been responsible with campfires and there have been few problems with littering or illegal dumping.

And the checkpoint system has served to keep theft and vandalism to a minimum throughout out the NMW acreage.

The Houlton man will stick around the NMW office until mid-September to help “break in” his successor. Given Al Cowperthwaite’s respected legacy as the voice and leader of

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. maineoutdoorpublications. com. or www.sportingjournal.com. Contact email — vpaulr@tds.net

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

September 2021

Alaska Moose Trip

The Buck Hunter

by Hal Blood, Moose River, ME September is the official kick off of fall in the state of Maine. By the first of September the hardwood ridges of the north country have already become tinged with burnt orange and red from the maple leaves. Bear season has begun, and frosty mornings are a common event. A lot of changes take place in the woods during September.

Deer shed their red coat of summer in exchange for their dull grayish brown one with the hollow hairs necessary to keep warm in the coming winter. The bucks and bull moose antlers have reached their full potential and the velvet covering will be shed to expose the hardened bone necessary for fighting over breeding rights. By late September Canadian geese will begin their migration south and the moose rut will begin. The bulls will be wandering around grunting as they look for love.

Fall is going to be a busy one for me as usual.

This year it will be an extra special or as I will be head-

ed to Alaska in late August with my wife, son, daughter in-law, and grandson.

I’ve been to Alaska twice, but wanted them to experience the beauty of that majestic place. Were going to tour around in an RV with no real schedule except a Halibut fishing trip that I booked down in Seward.

Other than that, it will be a loop from Anchorage up to Denali, Fairbanks, Glennallen and back. Once that trip is over, they will all be flying back home, and I am staying for a drop camp moose hunt. There will be six of us going on this hunt, in groups of two. The other guys will meet up with me in Anchorage to begin that journey. The other guys are Big Woods Bucks team members, with the exception of Mark Woodman, owner of Woodman Arms.

My hunting partner will be Jason DelPalazzo.

He is one of our cameramen and a film editor. It’s been a lifelong dream of his to shoot a moose. He has been applying for a Maine permit for years without any luck. Jason filmed and

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Shooting a moose is not going to be a high priority for me, I want to focus on trying to get one for Jason.

He said he’s going to make an epic film out of the hunt, and I assure you, he will. edited my Maine moose hunt in 2013 which can be seen on You Tube. I’m going to experience Alaska moose hunting and to see how it compares to here in Maine. The trip will be more about seeing some new country and sharing camp with a good friend.

Shooting a moose is not going to be a high priority for me, I want to focus on trying to get one for Jason.

He said he’s going to make an epic film out of the hunt, and I assure you, he will.

As soon as I get back from Alaska, it will be time to set up moose camps here, for the first season

and get some scouting in.

That first season is always so much fun, as interacting with rut crazed bulls, is classic moose hunting.

Calling a bull in through the brush, and hearing the grunts, brush cracking and antlers slapping against trees. Sometimes, this turns into the old saying, “don’t shoot until you see the whites of the eyes”, because quite often they are that close. I’ve had clients shoot bulls as close as 10 paces before and that can get pretty intense. Those are the experience’s that a hunter or guide will never forget.

Moose season is the warmup for deer season.

It’s a time to walk in the woods all day, all the while getting in shape for the long days in the deer woods.

I moose hunt similarly to the way I deer hunt. I am usually in search of them, instead of waiting for one to show up. Hunting that way comes from my lack of patience. I’ve never had much patience, so I’ve always used the go to them method. Sometimes, I have to change it up a little if a client isn’t capable of traveling very far, but that’s part of adapt(Alaska cont. pg 33)

September 2021

Northwoods Sporting Journal

The Venerable .30-06

There is an old saying that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

I suppose that is true.

H o w e v e r, there is another type of admiration.

When something is used as a standard, it’s because it is considered to be a good example of what should be expected from that which

All of the bear species have been taken with a .30-06, moose, elk, bison, musk ox, wolves, coyotes, and every species of deer have been dispatched. Was this the optimum choice for each of these animals?

Perhaps not, but nonetheless, it did the job.

is being compared. Such is the case with the venerable .30-06 caliber when comparing hunting rounds.

The .30:06 came to be familiar to the public when it was adopted by the US military in 1906. Millions of servicemen became ac-

Alaska (Cont. from pg 32) ing to the situation. Moose hunters nowadays should be prepared to do some walking. Bulls don’t hang around the roads anymore and shooting one from the road will be abstract luck. It is hard enough to get drawn for a permit, to rely on luck.

Be prepared and in shape, so you can get back in off the beaten path. You might

quainted with this caliber during their military service.

As hunting rifles started being offered in .30-06, it was a natural choice.

The

m o r e rifles being purchased in this caliber and the more types of game being hunted encouraged ammo manufacturers to put round development into high hear.

Today there is a vast array of ammo available for the .30-06. Further, this major push in development efforts has benefitted all of the hunting and competition calibers. In today’s ammo starved world, .3006 ammo is made from 125 gr. varmint loads up to 220 gr. dangerous game loads.

The most popular hunting loads are 150 gr. pointed soft points and 180 gr. soft points in both pointed and round nosed configurations. These choices have been successful in taking virtually every North American game animal that exists. also want to be prepared to pack your meat out, so you don’t limit your hunt to the easy spots.

Summer comes and goes in a hurry, so enjoy what is left of it in your area. until next month, good luck on the trail!

Hal is a Master Maine Guide and Author. He lives in Moose River Maine with his wife Deb. Hal can contacted though email at: hal@bigwoodsbucks.com

All of the bear species have been taken with a .30-06, moose, elk, bison, musk ox, wolves, coyotes, and every species of deer have been dispatched. Was this the optimum choice for each of these animals? Perhaps not, but nonetheless, it did the job. So, whether we love it or hate the caliber, the .30-06 has become the standard by which

S o , whether we love it or hate the caliber, the .30-06 has become the standard by which we compare the performance of all the other hunting calibers. we compare the performance of all the other hunting calibers. If you are a hand loader, the options are nearly endless. Every major, and most minor rifle manufacturers make this caliber. It is available in every rifle action we could ask for from the Ruger #1 single shot to a top-of-theline model 70 bolt action.

So, in addition to availability and variety, what about this round is standard? The factory ammo offerings provide admirable performance. A 180 gr. pointed soft point from either Remington or Winchester gives 2700 fps in velocity and 2913 ft. lbs in energy. A comparison with one of the newer super popular rounds in 6.5 Creedmore shows some areas where the 6.5 excels and some areas that it does not. Thus, comparing it to

Page 33

Guns & Ammo: A Guide’s Perspective

by Tom Kelly, Orient, ME

the 129 gr. projectile, 2950 fps, 2403 ft. lbs energy standard. The .30-06 is also considered a standardlength cartridge. Shorter than say a .300 Win Mag, but longer than a .308 and its derivatives. It’s not new.

It may not be exciting to many, but you can count on it to do the job you require it to do. If you have a specific need for a long-range tack driver, or a closerange sledgehammer, then by all means, buy that particular rifle. However, if you are concerned about utility and flexibility, compare your super caliber to the standard and you may be surprised.

Please take a kid or a

new hunter with you. Our collective futures depend on it.

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

He is a retired police officer as well as a retired manager from two major firearms manufacturers.

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Page 34

Northwoods Sporting Journal

September 2021

Flexible Trip Planning The Maine was a cool crisp evening a stick and the moose first ever brookie- and it Woods during the third week of charged at him splashing was on a fly rod!

Matt LaRoche, Shirley, ME

When low water levels or some other unforeseen circumstances alter your outdoor plans, a change in your trip itinerary can save the day.

I booked a September canoe trip last fall with Shawn Underhill and two

trip, I went to Indian Stream to check the water level and it was bone dry! I called Shawn again and explained the water situation to him, offering a full refund if they decided to cancel the trip.

I also suggested that we could still make a four-day

As the trip start date got closer, it became obvious that we were not going to be able to paddle the river below Long Lake because of low water conditions. teenaged boys. Our excursion was originally planned for a trip down the Allagash Wilderness Waterway from Churchill Dam to Michaud Farm. You may recall, we had a very dry summer and fall last year.

As the trip start date got closer, it became obvious that we were not going to be able to paddle the river below Long Lake because of low water conditions. So, I called Shawn with an alternative plan of starting the trip at Indian Stream on the south end of Eagle Lake and taking out at the Umsaskis Thoroughfare.

Two days before the

Allagash trip by starting at Churchill Dam, paddling to the Jaws Campsite on Churchill Lake, the next day we would run Chase Rapids (the AWW releases water from Churchill Dam every morning from 8:00 a.m. until noon), we would camp at Chisholm Brook on the upper end of Umsaskis Lake the next night, then we would paddle to Long Lake Dam where we would spend two nights and then paddle back to the Umsaskis takeout where we would end our trip.

Shawn approved and we had the most incredible experience our first night at the Jaws Campsite. It

September- the moose rut was just starting. I asked my guests if they wanted me to try calling a moose.

They agreed, so I gave a couple cow in heat calls and almost immediately a bull responded with a grunt. The two teenage boys that were on the trip couldn’t stop talking so the bull wouldn’t come in closer that evening.

At about 2:00 a.m, I was awakened by the sound of a cow moose in heat call that was so close that the tent I was sleeping in actually vibrated. I could hear gravel crunching and water splashing under the weight of what I now recognized as a bull and cow moose.

As I listened to what was going on outside my tent, I came to the conclusion that they were either mating or he was trying to mate her.

This commotion lasted for quite a while before they finally wandered off. In my 40 plus years in the Maine Woods, I had never felt and heard anything like I experienced that night!

The next morning Shawn woke up before me.

He saw a big bull moose on the sandbar across from the campsite. He snapped

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in the water- that was when I woke up. By the time I got out of the tent, the bull had retreated and was standing in the little cove behind the sandbar.

There are definitely adjustments to a traditional Allagash canoe trip that can be made when the water is low or something else changes your plans. The

Moose sightings galore made our camping trip! (Photo by Steve Day) Later that morning, headwater lakes are always Shawn and I were discuss- canoeable and Chase Raping what had happened last ids is runnable even during night/morning and how low water conditions due awesome it was. Come to to the daily morning wafind out, the boys had slept ter release from Churchill through the whole ordeal. Dam. A trip planned around I tried calling a moose these two variables can turn again from our campsite at a grind during low water Chisholm Brook the next into a very memorable evening and two bulls an- experience.

For low water canoe swered my cow in heat imitation. They didn’t come trip suggestions send me in as close as they did the an email or give me a call night before but they were at the number below. definitely nearby. Those Matt LaRoche is a were the last moose we saw retired Superintendent of or heard on the trip.

The fishing at Long the Allagash Wilderness Lake Dam was not as good Waterway, owner of Maine as I thought it would be, so Woods Guide Service and we only stayed one night an avid outdoorsman. He there. We went to one of can be reached at 207my secret fishing spots on 695-2877 or at matt.lathe waterway and caught roche2877@gmail.com several nice brook trout. . See www.mainewoodsOne of the boys caught his guide.com

September 2021

September (Cont. from pg 28) But come to think of it, catching a few salmon, and maybe one of those big West Branch brook trout would be nice.

Sooner or later, you pull off the road and park at your spot. Maybe your spot is a secret honey hole, or maybe it’s a fabled haunt - one of the many hallowed pools and falls along the river. This time of year, nearly the entire stretch from Ripogenus Dam down to the lakes holds fish. Watching the mist lift off the river, you take a sip of coffee. Is that a caddis bouncing on the surface film? As you are about to take another sip, your entomological musing is suddenly broken by a violent splash, which was actually more of a slurp. The caddis

Northwoods Sporting Journal has disappeared.

Instinctively, you reach into your pocket and flip open a fly box. There they are. A row of light brown Elk Hair Caddis flies. Size 12 looks about right on target. Of course, you only have size 12, so size 12 it will be. Three casts later, you have landed your first salmon of the day, a fine buck boasting handsome spawning colors and a sharp kype.

After two more salmon, the sun rises higher and the bite on top ends abruptly. Off comes the dry fly. You recall that September is streamer month; fall patterns are traditionally bright and gaudy, with names to match. You scan through your streamer box at the colorful array - Mickey Finn Bucktail, Mickey Finn Marabou, Montreal Whore, One-Eyed Poacher, Dark Edson Tiger, Tri-

Color, Little Brook Trout, Warden’s Worry, and more than a few of your own secret bucktail-marabou concoctions. You settle on a Mickey Finn Marabou.

Marabou is always the right choice.

Walking upriver, you see an eddy forming behind a large rock. You cast ahead, allowing the streamer to sweep down through the eddy. You begin stripping, and on the fifth strip, your line comes tight with that familiar jolt.

But instead of silver, you see a rush of bright color - the crimson belly of a male brook trout. After releasing the fish, you sit on a rock, digest the moment, and take a sip of coffee.

As a mink scurries down the bank, you consider the Septembers that have come and gone in the shadow of the great mountain. You slip off your jacket; the day

is starting to warm.

Jonah Paris teaches English at a small high school in Southwestern Maine. A four-season outdoorsman, Jonah lives in Gorham, ME with his girlfriend, Ashley, and beagle, Aurora. Jonah can be reached at jonaheparis@ gmail.com

News

(Cont. from pg 12) North Maine Woods is a non-profit organization based in Ashland, Maine and was created in 1971 by the private family and industrial landowners owning land in the NMW region. The main objective is managing public use of the region by controlling access, providing overnight camping facilities while minimizing theft, vandalism and forest fires.

For more information,

Page 35

please visit www.northmainewoods.org.

VT Moose Permits Drawn

The winners of Vermont’s 2021 moose hunting permits were determined Wednesday, August 4, at a lottery drawing in Montpelier witnessed by Fish and Wildlife’s Director of Wildlife Mark Scott and Business Systems Analyst Cheri Waters.

The drawing is done by a random sort of applications that were submitted by the June 30 deadline.

As part of the regular lottery drawing, a “special priority drawing” was held for five permits to go to applicants who are Vermont resident veterans. The unsuccessful applicants from the veteran drawing were included in the larger regular drawing that fol(News cont. pg 47)

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Page 36

Northwoods Sporting Journal

View From The River

September 2021

Moose River and Long Pond

by Laurie Chandler Bremen, ME In my inaugural column, I wrote about the popular Moose River Bow Trip below Jackman, Maine.

From there, the Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT) continues along the Moose River, through Big Wood Pond and into town. For the weary canoe tripper, Jackman offers a variety of camping and lodging options and the simple joys of down-home cooking, coin-operated showers, and even a laundromat.

But where does the

from the boat launch to Long Pond—most signs of civilization have faded away.

Clumps of white birch stand out among the ranks of tall conifers, providing a pleasing backdrop.

The quiet river allows plenty of time to look for wildlife. One afternoon, a steady drizzle had turned the world a hazy gray, but still there was beauty. The colors of a pair of rattling kingfishers stood out, their vivid hues of blue and gray

The next fifteen miles offer several options for day or overnight trips. From the Route 201 bridge boat launch in Jackman, the Moose River flows east for seven miles into Long Pond.

NFCT go from there?

The next fifteen miles offer several options for day or overnight trips.

From the Route 201 bridge boat launch in Jackman, the Moose River flows east for seven miles into Long Pond. A gentle current aids progress, but there is no quickwater in this stretch.

Sandy banks thick with alder gradually become more heavily forested. By Halfway Brook—midway

and white enhanced by the dull day.

My first time through was a memorable one.

The sun shone, and an osprey and wildflowers brightened the early miles.

Nearing the pond, a river otter scrambled into the water with a loud splash, right at the boat. As my heart settled down, I realized the otter had company.

There are several names for a group of otters. My

The calf was lighter in color, with the endearing features of the young—large ears, fuzzy tufted fur, and legs that still seemed a little wobbly. (Photo by Laurie Chandler) favorite, a “romp” of otters, suited this crowd.

They popped up and down, chattering and squawking, keeping a close eye on me as we moved downriver.

An abundance of freshwater mussel shells along the muddy shore gave a clue as to why they loved this place.

Ahead, I could see two kayaks hanging out at the entrance to Long Pond.

I willed them to come my way, so they could see the otters, but they didn’t budge. After a while, I paddled toward them.

Emerging from the river, I discovered what had held the kayakers spellbound.

A mother moose and calf stood in the shallows.

I was much closer than I would have ventured if I had known they were there. After a few photos, I carefully paddled backward. The mother continued eating in typical moose fashion, weeds hanging untidily from her mouth. The calf was lighter in color, with the endearing features of the young— large ears, fuzzy tufted fur, and legs that still seemed a little wobbly.

A pair of rocky islands rise above this marshy western end of the pond.

Scrambling up one day

to eat lunch, a majestic bald eagle launched from a white pine overhead. A lush carpet of spongy moss cushioned my feet, and a pair of loons called out a welcome.

Long Pond is a thin, segmented waterbody, with two tight-waisted narrows.

Winds can sometimes build to challenging levels along its length. Traditionally, most NFCT paddlers have camped at a site with a sandy beach called “The Cedars,” on the Lower Narrows. This summer and fall, there are improvements planned in this area.

According to Noah Pollock, NFCT Stewardship Director, the nonprofit is currently working to formalize two campsites on the north shore. The second will be east of the Lower Narrows. As often happens, the project is a joint effort among several partners. If all goes as planned, the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands will

secure the necessary easements from Weyerhauser.

Next, with support from the Davis Conservation Fund, a crew of volunteers will add signage, tent pads, and privies to both sites.

An informal access point at the Parlin Stream bridge on Route 6/15 is another potential put in or take out for exploring Long Pond. For trip planning, NFCT Map 10 and the Trail Updates section of the NFCT website are excellent resources.

Laurie Apgar Chandler is the author of Through Woods & Waters, which provides an adventurous look at Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, and Upwards, the story of her 2015 solo thru-paddle of the 740-mile Northern Forest Canoe Trail. For more information or to purchase the books, visit www.laurieachandler.com

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September 2021

Northwoods Sporting Journal

The Strip Leech

The Strip Leech, developed by Gary Borger is a productive pattern, especially for brook trout, salmon and smallmouth bass in ponds and the slower reaches of streams. It is tied Matuka style using a fur strip rather than saddle hackles for the wing. Black is preferred for leeches, but it may also be tied in brown or olive to simulate the coloration of crayfish.

With the front half of the body weighted, it is best fished with a sinking line and six foot leader to get the fly down to the bottom where it is most effective. A slow retrieve will produce a tantalizing up and down jigging action. Leeches can also be fished in deep pocket water on a dead drift using a strike indicator and casting upstream to allow the fly to sink rapidly.

Ribbing – Silver wire or fine oval tinsel.

Wing – Rabbit fur strip, dyed black.

Collar – Black or grizzly soft hackle.

Page 37

Fly Fishing

Tie in the yarn for the body, wrap the thread

by Joe Bertolaccini, forward over the rear 1/2 Orrington, ME of the hook shank and wrap the body forward over the thread maintaining a uni- off about 1/4 inch of fur fur strip Matuka style and from the end that will be tie off behind the eye. It is tied in and trim the bare helpful to moisten the fur hide to a tapered point. and stroke it vertically prior This minimizes the buildup to ribbing. of materials at the front of Tie in a soft hackle the hook. The length of the by the butt end with the tip fur strip should extend a facing toward the rear and little beyond the tip of the concave side down. Wind The Strip Leech (Photo by Joe Bertolaccini) tail. The width should be several turns of hackle for Tying Notes: form body thickness about equal to that of the the collar, tie off, whip finWrap the hook shank Weight the front 1/3 body, 1/8 inch or so. ish the head and apply two with thread back to a point of the hook with lead free Place the fur strip over coats of lacquer. directly above the barb of wire, secure it with thread the body after tying in, septhe hook. winding it forward over arate the fur above the hook Joe has enjoyed fly Tie in a clump of mar- the wire to about 1/4 inch barb and wrap the ribbing fishing for over 65 years. abou with several strands behind the eye forming a tightly through the separa- His book, Fundamentals of of Crystal Flash for the nice smooth underbody. tion to initially secure it to Fly Fishing, is now availtail and wrap the thread Coat the underbody with the hook. Spiral the rib- able. He can be reached at: forward over the rear 1/2 head cement, wrap the bing forward through the brewerberts@aol.com of the hook shank. remaining body and tie Tie in the tinsel rib- off, leaving enough space bing and wrap the thread behind the eye to tie in the back to the hook barb. The fur strip and hackle collar.

Dressing: ribbing should be kept out Prior to tying in the Hook – Sizes 4 to 10, 4x of the way until after the fur fur strip at the front of the long. strip is tied in. body, prepare it by pulling Thread – Black 6/0.

Tail – Clump of black marabou barbs, same length as the hook, under which are several strands of Crystal Pellet, Wood, Gas & Coal Stoves • Heat Pumps • Firewood The closest store to Baxter State Park and the Flash.

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 38

September 2021

Trapping Prep Time

The Fur Shed

by Blake Dougherty, Suffield, CT As I sit down to put this article to pen and paper I can think of nothing else than the upcoming trapping season. I’m looking forward, more than ever, to the early morning trap checks and late night fur

tend to before even thinking about setting a trap line.

I won’t go into too much detail as I dove deep into this subject in a prior article but I would like to hit on a few things that need to be handled. In my opinion trap

Pre-season scouting, while necessary for the most successful season, is also a lot of fun. I really enjoy getting out in the side by side and riding around on farms to see what kind of activity there is. During the summer, when fields are turned over, I can see tracks very easily in the soil.

Never satisfied, I go

In my opinion trap prep and maintenance is near the top of the list. It’s absolutely critical to make sure your equipment is in peak operating order. handling. I’m also looking forward to getting my two boys out and running their own mini mink and muskrat lines. Unfortunately, there are no open seasons right now and the nuisance beaver jobs I help with as a volunteer beaver trapper for the State of Connecticut are few and far between this year. So what’s a trapper to do? Well, plenty.

There is so much preseason preparation to at-

prep and maintenance is near the top of the list. It’s absolutely critical to make sure your equipment is in peak operating order.

Obtaining permission (written if required) is also a pre-season must. It also wouldn’t hurt to try to get a few additional properties lined up if possible. The last item I’d like to talk about, although there are countless others, is preseason scouting.

even further with my preseason scouting and set up several bait stations. I have been fortunate to make friends with a local butcher who happily gives me all the meat scraps I want.

Around September 1st I’ll start dumping garbage cans full of scraps at various locations and even though the flies are still fierce that time of year, I am able to get several nights of information from them. Or not.

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I say or not because not every bait pile gets hit for whatever reason. Shockingly a few sit lonely until the birds of prey pick them apart.

The piles that do show activity get trail cams and that’s where it gets really fun for me. Watching coyotes, bobcats, opossum, skunk and fox visit night after night really builds confidence in where to put sets when the time comes.

Every now and then a bear will even visit.

I’ve recently started using wireless cellular cameras so I’m always waiting for an alert to pop up on my phone telling me there is activity. Heck I’ll even wake up in the middle of the night to check the darn thing. It’s become an awful addiction. I joke but others that use cell cameras probably know what I mean.

This year we are planning to run a fairly extensive mink line so we are also pre-scouting for these little buggers. Where we find sign we are building funnels out of rocks to get the mink used to them.

Once the season hits we will add some 110 body grippers and 1.5 foothold traps to try to seal the deal.

As far as beavers go we never seem to have a shortage of them, so simply visiting the prior year’s locations and even some new ones will quickly tell

us if they are present and active. We usually breach the dam once we think we have trapped all the beaver in a colony. This helps us confirm, at least to some some extent, whether we missed any beavers. If the breached dam is now being maintained we know we have a location that will be trapped. Fresh chewing is also a tell-tale sign beavers are present. Fresh whitepeeled sticks give it up.

While scouting for beaver we keep our eyes peeled for muskrat and otter as well. In all honesty spotting otter is just luck unless we stumble upon a toilet but we do see quite a few by happenstance, in which case we will set for them during the season.

Muskrat can be confirmed by locating their small huts and looking for tracks.

So, hopefully around the time you are reading this I’ll be out having fun scouting for the upcoming season.

Blake Dougherty is owner of Dougherty & Sons Fur Stretchers and Trapping Supplies located in Suffield, CT. A small family owned business that prides itself on quality products and great service. When he isn’t writing articles or selling trapping supplies he is out in the wilds teaching his kids to hunt, fish and trap and enjoying nature.

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September 2021

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Caribou Hunting At Kennebago Lake

This article, written

by Capt. Fred Barker, of Rangeley, was published March 30, 1883 in the Phillips Phonograph.

“On Dec. l7th, 1882, along with three guides I will call Little Crow, Lean Jake, and Jumbo, I headed north, spending 22 nights in a camp near the north end of Kennebago Lake.

At Little Kennebago Pond, they wounded a bull caribou, which Jake and Crow secured the next day.

“Come Crow, give it to us; tell us all about it.”

“When we reached the pond, there was no game in sight, we’d go up and see about those tracks you followed last night.

Jake was satisfied you were wrong, and we went on and found the other track.

Jake was anxious to go in where we left it, feeling almost sure we should find the old fellow dead. So we went on and found where he had laid down; followed up half a mile or so and jumped him. The cuss thought he was going to run away from us. I drew up and gave him one in the rear; then we put up for him. Soon I got sight of his broadside and tucked one in under his fore shoulder.

This made him sick and he came down on his knees; but he was soon on is feet again and turned around and had quite a notion to fight us. I advanced toward him to see if he meant business. Being satisfied he did, I gave him one more under the butt of the ear, and he changed his mind all of a

and all their legs off!’ Another slash and out came his inwards. With a stick through his under jaw, we bounced him down to the lake were we had left the sled.” We took him to camp and dressed him. Crow was satisfied it was the same old fellow on whom we had sworn revenge the morning

Page 39

Old Tales from the Maine Woods

by Steve Pinkham Quincy, MA

the door, I happened to look back and saw a caribou come out of the woods on the opposite shore. Two— three—four! “Great Scot!

The woods are full of them!

I said to myself. Five!

“I did not stop to count any longer, but got myself

shots all in a few minutes.

I knew if meant business, so I hurried as fast as possible. When I came up, I saw Crow with a big knife between his teeth. The inwards and their contents were flying all ways. He was so absorbed, he knew nothing. I could not make

At Little Kennebago Pond, they wounded a bull caribou, which Jake and Crow secured the next day.

sudden.”

J a k e s a y s , “ Yo u should have seen Crow then. Quick as a look he was at him. With one slash of his knife, he cut his head half off, then came off all four of his legs, remarking as he did so, that ‘you never were sure of them until their throats were cut

him hear, or see until I got to him.

“Tell your folks four (Illustration by Mark McCollough) of them will sleep cold tobefore. With great delight in readiness. I started up the night,” he remarked. And we cut out his heart, and lake, intending to cross at sure enough, had had crept soon had it in the fry-pan. Pine Point…Crow had reupon and killed four.

We had dinner and relished turned and was on the lake. it much.

His quick eye caught sight Steve is an avid hiker, Barker continued, of them just as they disap“Again we had a bright peared into the woods. He paddler and historian, havmorning. I kept close watch was soon on their track, ing collected over 26,000 and about noon, as I was and I a little way behind. Maine Woods articles to returning from the lake, Soon I heard him fire eight date. and was about to step in

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Page 40

Northwoods Sporting Journal

What's In Your Woods

by Bud Utecht, T4 Indian Purchase Township When I place cameras I usually put several in an area. This is so I don’t have to drive from camera to camera but hike several miles to check multiple units. There is a second reason. I can learn what critters are in an area and where some of their boundaries are. I have locations where I will see several bucks, but a short distance away I will get different ones with no crossover. I’m not sure what stops them from entering the other area, but none of the bucks seem to step over the line.

Once I’m firmly established in an area I can see these animals year to year. The bear scratching on a tree to bucks seeking out does will be the same year after year. I can tell you the alpha coyotes from the young stragglers in the territory. This is much easier in the rural areas in

contrast to the big woods.

The same thing exists in the big woods, just in a much larger scale.

By hunting season I have established where the best prospects are while eliminating certain spots with unimpressive animals.

I’m now wondering if I might be more successful targeting some of these unimpressive bucks. Now I don’t always get my deer but my camera tells me that at some point during the season the buck did come by. At times I have the most miserable timing. At least I

September 2021

Where Did You Come From?

This guy never showed himself on my trail cam.

Wonder where he has been hiding? (Photo by Bud Utecht) After the season is over I try to make a point to check as many cameras as possible. Most of the time I pretty much get

all this time. These animals have some age on them so they have been around enough that I should have them on camera before

animal is accessible from multiple access points then people know about him so many times I just have to walk further.

Now I’m not doing By hunting season I have established where the best this because I think I’m goprospects are while eliminating certain spots with ing to get him but I do want unimpressive animals. I’m now wondering if I might be more to figure out how I missed him for so long. I also want successful targeting some of these unimpressive bucks. to know why he showed up know I picked the correct what I expected. Lately now. They don’t appear to so unexpectedly but that is location. Maybe I should though I have some un- be so sneaky as they stood likely to remain a mystery. be sitting on my stand in- expected guests stop by. around for plenty of picstead of playing with game These guests are bucks tures when I did get them. cameras all the time.

I’ve never seen before and So its off to google earth to would certainly remember plan my next wave of camBud Utecht is a Regif I had. Big bad monster era placement. What am I ister Maine Guide, sportbucks that I not only hadn’t looking for? I’m looking ing camp owner, Brownseen this season but never at the surrounding terrain ing trail camera dealer, before. I’m sure you know and as important, access. and consultant. His trail the ones, they are standing How am I going to get cameras are strategicalbroad side 40 yards away, to the area within hiking ly placed throughout the every day before the season distance. I usually have Maine Woods. Feel free to starts, in your mind. The maxed my distance from email Bud for trail camera ones dreams are made of. the current access point and tips or to discuss what’s in So obviously I want to need to get into new terrain your woods. bud@whatsinknow where they have been from another avenue. If this yourwoods.com

Call Or Email Today To Advertise Here: Email: info@sportingjournal.com

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September 2021

Me & Joe (Cont. from pg 21) gravel.

Fraud stepped out, his mouth agape. “What the heck have you done?” he croaked.

“Built a cabin, jest like we agreed,” Joe said.

“Just look at everything we have to re-do!”

Builder thundered.

Fraud reached into a pocket and pulled out a piece of paper. “I figured we’d have to let you go when we talked to you last time, so I figured out your time and made out a check.

But I probably should subtract for the damage you’ve done. I may even…”

“Who’s that?” Builder interrupted.

I looked back and saw Tom Walking from the cabin to the campfire. “ T h a t ’s y e r man, Tom,” Joe said.

“That’s not my man,” Builder said. “My man couldn’t come until today.

He’s there in the other boat.”

As we watched, Tom picked up Builder’s model and carefully set it in the fire.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?!”

Builder roared.

Tom didn’t answer as he walked down to the shoreline. Pulling a disposable lighter from his pocket, he touched a flame to the bottom edge of the check Fraud still held. The tall man jerked as the flame touched his fingers.

Blowing on a quickly blistering thumb, Fraud glared at Tom. “Who do you think you are, you…” “my name is Harold Thomas Rottwieler,” Tom said, carefully pronouncing every syllable, “and you

Northwoods Sporting Journal two are fired!”

Both Fraud and Builder stared. “But…but… we…” Builder began.

Tom got right in his face. Pointing back at the cabin he said, “That’s what I wanted! That’s what I drew plans for! The kind of little cabin I fished out of with my Uncle Mose Linchpin over on the Mattawamkeak in Haynesville when I was a kid. You can’t even follow a simple drawing. If I’d left it up to you tow, I’d have something that looked like it belonged in the Hamptons. Now git!

And take your junk with you!”

Grumbling and complaining, the men climbed back into the boats. Motors roared, and the two craft streaked back across the pond toward the outlet.

Joe scowled. “You should of told us who you was.”

“I did. I’m Tom. I’ve always been called by my middle name.” He grinned.

“I guess it’s a good thing I decided to arrive early and see how things were going.”

“Yeha,” Joe smiled slowly. “I guess it is. You don’t look much like one of them ‘dot com’ millionaires.”

Tom grinned. “Too bad, ‘cause I are one.”

Joe grinned back.

“Well, you done jawin’?

We got work ta do.”

We started back up toward the cabin.

“Mose Linchpin really yore uncle?” Joe said.

“Yeah.”

“He was a crotchety ol’ fart.”

“That he was,” Tom sighed. “That he was.”

Page 41

The Deer Tracker, R.G. Bernier, Passes

One of Maine’s legendary big buck hunters, Richard “Dick” Bernier, died August 3rd from pancreatic cancer. Bernier, who was known as “The Deer Tracker,” was 62. He is survived by his wife Sharon and a number of children and grandchildren. He was a native of Westbrook.

Early in his outdoor writing career, Bernier wrote a highly popular deer hunting column for the North Woods Sporting Journal. He was field editor for Deer & Deer Hunting Magazine and wrote

a number of books on the art of deer hunting trophy bucks, as well as articles for outdoor magazines.

He was also a recognized wildlife photographer and faith-based speaker. One of his first books was “On

the Track.”

According to his obituary, “R.G. tracked down many whitetail bucks during his lifetime, loving every minute of the chase, but that is not what was most important in his life.

He had a profound faith in Christ and spent his career as a public speaker communicating it to audiences all across America.”

His hunt philosophy was “It’s not the clothes, the gun, the conditions or the outcome that makes the hunter – it’s the heart.”

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 42

On The Prowl

by Justin Merrill, Cherryfield, ME During August and early September, I have learned, if you find a field laced with fruiting plants you very well could have found a coyote’s hangout.

Just think of all the other wild animals that congregate in and around Mother Nature’s bait, which comprises blueberries, raspberries and black berries.

Occasionally coyotes will

fruit. All the more reason to dust off your rifle, get into predator hunting mode and pick the best fruiting field you can find, (without trespassing of course). Pattern the wind and thermals, choose a non-intrusive entry and park it. You do this with lots of patience and confidence you very well could see a coyote.

Like anything else

September 2021

Yotes in the Berry Patch in them, defecating inevitably. I just about step on, or see coyote scat, cram packed with berries, almost every five steps when strolling through a blueberry field. If you want proof just how effective hunting over Mother Nature’s fruitful bait really is – get a load of this: on one day while

and your efforts will soon pay off. If nothing else, you should get to watch deer, turkey, many types of songbirds and even red fox while sitting undetected along the field’s edge.

When I stake out an ambush on coyotes in my favorite blueberry and raspberry fields I’m almost

field taught me a couple things.

I learned to use mouse squeaking at my coyote ambush sites. I also learned that if a coyote catches my movements and is upwind of me so as not to smell me, then maybe mouse squeaks will calm its nerves, (like it did for the red fox), long

What does this mean to a predator hunter? You may already know the answer, but I will tell you this – a coyote being the opportunistic hunter/scavenger that he is will have a limitless dinner menu lurking around areas with abundant fruit. feed on partridge berries, a vine-like herbaceous plant that runs along the forest floor often found off fields edges. The hobble-bush is a deciduous woody plant that will have edible red berries on during early fall.

This too can be found just inside the woods edge next to fields.

What does this mean to a predator hunter? You may already know the answer, but I will tell you this – a coyote being the opportunistic hunter/scavenger that he is will have a limitless dinner menu lurking around areas with abundant

you’ve earned in life by putting in the time, effort, and energy - coyote hunting is no different. Forget about that bass boat and your favorite baseball team long enough to stake out an ambush in a field that is bearing fruit. All that coyote, fox, bear, deer, and turkey scat spread out like fertilizer should be all the proof you need for a successful ambush.

Where I live there are blueberry fields scattered all over. These fields are like Mother Nature’s litter box as her birds and terrestrial mammals congregate

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Coyotes love to dine on fresh berries. (Photo by Bud Utecht) in a blueberry field I had two coyotes show up out in front of me. A second later another coyote showed and eventually a total of five coyotes were up to no good in that field. The very next week in the same field I nearly walked on a coyote eating berries among the tall grasses. I don’t know who was startled worse. On another occasion I found where the five coyotes took a nap right in this blueberry field.

By this time I really hope I’ve gotten your attention and you dropped the Northwoods Sporting Journal, picked up your varmint rifle and ran off to the blueberry patch. Even if you don’t get a crack at a coyote the first time, don’t get discouraged, keep at it

always greeted with a visit from white-tailed deer, turkey, and the occasional red fox. One time a red fox caught me off guard bolting out of some tall weeds but didn’t go far. The red fox stood still watching my every move. I used my cell phone camera and snapped picture after picture all the while I was mouse squeaking with my lips and creeping ever so slowly closer to the red fox for a close up picture. This red fox would run off and my mouse squeaks would stop it dead in its tracks. The mouse squeaking would bring it back around to at least try to get wind of me.

The mere sight of me was apparently not enough to run it off completely. This experience in a blueberry

enough for me to get off a shot. The point I’m making here is predator hunting can be tons of fun and a learning experience. If you are always trying to find ways to hunt, like I am, then ambushing coyotes in the summer and early fall months in fields loaded with fruit should be enough of an excuse to go hunting.

Justin has his Wildlife Biology degree from Unity College and is a member of the New England Outdoor Writers Association (NEOWA). He is the author of “Wild Maine Outdoors – Hunting Tactics, Tricks, and Secrets” and the owner of the YouTube channel, “SPIKES and GILLS”. He can be contacted at www. wildmaineoutdoors.com

September 2021

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Old Time Lumbering

I was surprised at what I found as I walked the trails through the woods near where we now live.

Surprised because it was something I never thought of existing in this part of the state. I don’t know why I thought that way because I knew the area was not always as populated as it is today. I’m talking about old-time logging.

All these things made me wish I had first-hand knowledge of those old time operations. I have kicked myself for not learning more from my father. He was orphaned at age seven when the pandemic of 1919 took both of his parents.

Through the years of wandering in the north woods with my friend Dick Mosher we often came across evidence of old woods operations. Sometimes it was an old cable left behind when the operations in the area was finished. Then there were the old piles of cans, wornout pots and pans and other discards. These were left in a pile, and no one thought anything about it because it was the way it was done back then. These piles of discards indicated that a lumber camp was operated near that spot. Further evidence of the camp was that it was always near a water supply.

Another thing we found in the north woods was evidence of a railroad used to get out the logs.

These railroads were often used when water transport was not nearby. One of the places where we went bear hunting (this was before baiting) was a remote mountain where blueberries were abundant in late

brush.

All these things made me wish I had first-hand knowledge of those old time operations. I have kicked myself for not learning more from my father.

He was orphaned at age

The cable used by old time lumberers is exactly the same as we found in the north woods. The railroad spike was found about a couple hundred yards from the cable near a graded road that I think was once a railroad bed. summer. Part of our route to the mountain was on an old rail bed that was easy to follow although we often followed along to one side of the rail bed because it was full of thickly growing

seven when the pandemic of 1919 took both of his parents. By the time he was 13 he was supporting himself by working in the woods as a cookee (cook’s helper). What other jobs he

Page 43

Northwoods Voyager

by Gil Gilpatrick, Brunswick, ME

went on to do I never knew.

He could have told me a lot about logging in those days if I only had been smart enough to ask. He was not one to talk about the old days unless asked, I suspect because many of the memories were not pleasant. He’s gone now, so I’ll never know.

So, as I wandered the woods near our condo I came upon an old cable that was reminiscent of the ones we often spotted way up north. That was my first clue about old time logging in the area. Our area is a lot more settled than what I was used to, so it got me to thinking about it all. At first it was hard to imagine that old time logging existed here because of all the civilized activity going on today. On another walk I was near a graded woods road when I found a railroad spike that was half embedded in the soil.

The graded railroad could have extended to the banks

of the Androscoggin River where the logs could have been further transported by water. Or, the line may have led to a mill set up to saw the logs into lumber.

Another woods activity that took place here, that I cannot put a date on is the condition of the pine trees. They are huge now, some two feet in diameter at the base. They definitely show signs that they were given some care along their life as they have no limbs showing for up to 20 or 30 feet high. They were all trimmed at a younger age.

All the clear white pine boards that could be sawn from those trees would make a woodworker drool.

The area is now in a land trust so they will never be cut as far as I know.

My final bit of old time logging lore in the area was a pile of discarded pots, pans, and cans left behind as evidence of a lumber camp nearby. There (Lumbering cont. 54)

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 44

The Vincent Rifle

Northwoods Sketchbook

cated near Marietta, Ohio.

In the early-1800s, Vincent developed a thriving business making spinning wheels at his home on Rocky Point on the Ohio River. In about 1845 at the relatively “old” age of 38, he began making percussion rifles after a brief apprenticeship with a nearby gunsmith, Aman Ford. Vincent quickly became a skilled craftsman of fine guns and had many willing buyers of his rifles

by Mark McCollough, Hampden, ME There are times when life unexpectedly catches you by surprise; when past events or people suddenly reappear. Such was the case when I attended my inaugural meeting of the Kentucky Rifle Association this past summer. I was nominated to become a new member of the KRA

September 2021

in the midst of a rifle frolic in the early 1800s. Here was a wonderland of classic flintlocks crafted by Henry and Jacob Albright, Andrew Strawick, Jacob Feree, Peter Angstadt, the Beck family, and so many others. I was surrounded by people who cherished, loved, and knew volumes

acteristics of the “Golden Age” of Pennsylvania long rifles. Its architecture reflected that of Vincent’s master, Aman Ford, who learned his trade in western Pennsylvania in the 1830s.

The full stock and high, straight comb of the cheek piece was reminiscent of the Lebanon County, Pennsylvania school of gun makers. It had few fancy inlays, and was a rifle built

known in the community, was a “fixer upper” of old rifles and furniture.

He built several flintlock rifles and pistols himself and gained the skill and knowledge necessary to properly repair the old guns. Retired from a life of farming, people from all over western Pennsylvania brought him rifles to repair.

I recall Grandpa working at a cramped, dimly lit

My fingers ran across the curly maple stock that Grandpa had labored over nearly 50 years ago. Times like these are few and far between in a person’s life; when the ancestors briefly reach through the mists of time and tap you on the shoulder as if to say, “we are still here.” by a distant member of our clan, who I had lost contact with for many decades. We recently discovered that we share a family tie with the artistry and history of the Pennsylvania (or Kentucky) long rifle.

I was not sure what to expect when I entered the KRA convention room for the first time. It was filled to the brim with original flintlock rifles, pistols, tomahawks, and accoutrements from a bygone era. As I walked spellbound through aisles of tables, I felt I was

on the legions of flatboats coming down the Ohio for St. Louis and points West.

Many of his rifles were carried by the mountain men and the earliest explorers of the West. His son, John Caleb Vincent, became a gunsmith as well. Together, they made about 300 to 360 rifles in their lifetimes with perhaps 80 to 90 examples surviving to the present day.

Just shy of 200 years old, the architecture of the Vincent rifle I was looking at still retained many char-

about these classic works of art.

But I was even more astonished when I visited my relative’s display of flintlock rifles and engraved powder horns. I instantly recognized my grandfather’s unmistakable handwriting on a 5-page letter next to a beautiful tiger-striped percussion rifle.

This rifle was born about 1845-50 in the shop of John Vincent, a cabinetmaker turned gunmaker from Barlow Township lo-

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The Vincent Rifle

(Illustration by Mark McCollough)

for the common hunter and farmer. It had a simple, but nicely engraved brass patchbox and bridle plate.

The simple lines and style of Vincent rifles appealed to Ohio farmers, and at a price of $9.50 to 12.00 they were affordable (about $350 in today’s dollars).

The Vincent rifle is kept alive today by several manufacturers of percussion rifle kits.

My relative found the Vincent rifle in western Pennsylvania in the 1970s.

It was his first “find” and the start of a lifelong collection of antique firearms.

Worn, broken, and missing parts, the rifle was brought to my grandfather, Theodore McCollough, for repairs in 1974, the year before I graduated from high school.

“Doc,” as he was

workbench tucked under the basement steps in the farmhouse. A single light bulb with an aluminum pie plate reflector hung overhead. Cigar boxes of gun locks, inlays, trigger guards, scraps of brass, silver, and tiger maple were stored above the work space. A coffee-can spittoon received the juicy remains from Grandpa’s Workman “chaw.”

I read Grandpa’s letter with great anticipation.

Few of his letters survive today. He wrote to my distant cousin, “I will answer your letter to let you know what I have done with the rifle. I did work pretty steady on it as I didn’t have too much time since I had that other gun to finish. It came out very well. It was in far worse condition than (Rifle cont. pg 45)

Northwoods Sporting Journal

September 2021

Rifle (Cont. from pg 44) yours and was of a later date than yours.” Grandpa went on to describe in great detail (as he was apt to do) the many repairs made to restore this rifle. He re-set the muzzle cap, replaced the thimble, repaired the bridle plate, removed the dulled varnish from the stock, and cleaned the rusty barrel and bore. He found just the right piece of curly maple to match the stock and replaced a piece above the percussion hammer badly burned after a century of ignitions. I’d like to think some well-placed tobacco juice helped match the stain of the new wood with the patina of the original.

Grandpa concluded, “Now as for payment, I only had $4.00 in actual outlay, which is minimal in contrast to most. My time I will bypass partly

on family ties and also not forgetting the two ancient artifact you so graciously sent to me a couple of years ago… We are both well and I hope that all is well with you. Write. Sincerely, Theodore.” Grandpa lived another dozen years.

In that time, he repaired many flintlock and percussion rifles. Many of them still hang proudly above western Pennsylvania fireplaces.

On Sunday morning the KRA show was winding down. Collectors were taking down their displays and saying their farewells until next year. My cousin called me over to his table and said, “I have something for you.” He handed me the Vincent rifle and the letter from Grandpa. “I want to you to have this,” he said.

An unexpected treasure from across the generations. My fingers ran across the curly maple stock that Grandpa had labored over nearly 50 years ago. Times

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like these are few and far between in a person’s life; when the ancestors briefly reach through the mists of time and tap you on the shoulder as if to say, “we are still here.” When the Vincent rifle achieves its 200th birthday, I will give it and the letter to my grandson. Theodore was born this spring and named for his great-great-grandfather.

I hope that he will cherish the Vincent rifle and hang above his mantle with pride.

Mark McCollough is a wildlife biologist and can be contact at markmccollough25@gmail.com

Ashlee Boobar caught this 16” 2 lb brook trout at Jo Mary lake.

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Back Seat Shooters

Four cow elk answered the call. On cue the elk emerged from the aspens and began to mill about along the edge of the small creek that meandered through the wide open drainage.

Nothing but tall sweet grass between us and the elk.

But it was a long shot. Wife, in a prone shooting position beneath an overhanging lodgepole pine, snapped off the safety on her scope-mounted 7 mm-.08. She took a deep breath.

“Don’t shoot. Don’t shoot,” whispered the guide kneeling beside her.

The lead cow turned and presented a broadside shot. “Shoot! Shoot!” urged the guide.

She did not shoot. She glanced at the guide, not pleased at all.

The elk turned looking head on. “Wait, wait, don’t shoot,” he counseled.

If looks could kill, the guide would be headed for the game pole instead of the elk. Wife, no longer composed, eventually took the 120 yard shot. The elk were ready to bolt. It was a rushed shot. Insofar as we could tell she never hit her elk. As the guide and I searched in vain for telltale hair or blood, out of earshot from Wife, he said,” Man, she is a strong-willed woman!” He intimated that if she had taken the shot as directed she would have punched her tag.

Perhaps. We’ll never know for sure.

The guide has become a close friend over the years, but Wife - though she has long forgiven our guide friend - had reason to dislike the confusing shoot-don’t-shoot commands.

A guide can be your expert in the pursuit and find the animal for you, but at the critical moment of decision, the coach needs to zip it up. For better or worse, let the shooter call the shot, so to speak, without additional pressure.

A few years later, I called a Maine cow moose into a logging yard for Wife - her first moose encounter. Looking over her shoulder from a crouched position, I watched the cow stop broadside at a little over 100 yards. Taking deep breathes after cocking the hammer on her .35 Remington, it seemed to me like she was taking her merry old time with the shot.

“Shoot, dammit. Shoot! I said impatiently only to myself, oh so softly.

Finally, WHAM! This time it was a kill, a well-placed lung shot that put the big animal down after a 50-yard gallop.

Although I am not sure what the shoot- command protocol is for seasoned big game guides, I would suggest that any adults mentoring young hunters school your youth hunter thoroughly in advance, but at the moment of reckoning, when the pressure is on, let him or her decide all by themselves when or when not to squeeze that trigger.

What do you think?

Homer Spit lives on a Maine lake. He tries to keep a low profile.

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 46

South Of the Kennebec

by Stu Bristol, Lyman, ME I hear you. It seems way too early to be planning fall hunting trips but the most successful hunters, especially those in search of wild turkeys of wall hanging quality, need to get out right now.

tively easy to locate, flush and call back a limit of young birds. During a fall hunt, the next best thing to a flush- and- call technique for young flocks is the ambush.

This entails finding a

It is during the fall months these coming of age males follow, pester and many times try to drive off the mature gobbler in hopes of taking his place after the winter snows melt away.

Fall hunting in Maine has been allowed for many years now and the more serious hunters want more than just a few “turkey nuggets” to fill the freezer.

Longbeards in the fall and their nearly mature twoyear old “superjakes” are enough challenge for turkey chasers of all stripes.

Because the fall flocks are so visible largely due to numbers, it seems rela-

flock, watching their daily routines, setting up along their travel route and picking off the one or more of your liking.

Some hunters may frown on the very thought of collecting young birds that rarely tip the scales at ten pounds. Other realize the fall hunting season is designed to reduce the number of birds going into the harsh winter months.

September 2021

Fall Turkey Trophies

Some of the very same critics of fall turkey hunting have no problem with harvesting grouse, woodcock or quail that weigh less than a pound each. ”The big difference,” they claim, “Is the challenge presented by a flushed wild bird, especially over a well-trained pointing dog.”

The Maine wild turkey restoration has become so wildly successful hardly a hunter will argue there are too few turkeys available for the next springtime hunt. Biologists estimate Maine wild turkey populations at over 50,000.

Then, there are the exceptional fall hunters whose goal it is to harvest a mature wild turkey male, similar to their target during the springtime season.

This goal is by far the most difficult to achieve and will require hours of scouting, more hours of patience and plenty of research on the vocalizations of fall mature gobblers.

Locating one or more mature gobblers in September is difficult but not impossible for a trained hunter. Mature gobblers prefer roosting trees near or overlooking water and food sources. They have little interest in hens or their broods.

One of my favorite tactics in finding a mature gobbler in the fall is to first find the two-year-old males commonly referred to as “superjakes.”

It is during the fall

months these coming of the open. As in the springage males follow, pester time hunt, rainy days are and many times try to drive off the mature gobbler in hopes of taking his place after the winter snows melt away.

Eyes, ears and plenty of patience come into play. The youngsters make plenty of vocal chatter in the fall.

Wildlife artist, the late They will loudly Randy Julius with fall cluck, purr and longbeard. even gobble at any time during their daily routine. Groups much more productive than of superjakes can be any- sunny days, provided the where between three and rain is soft without much ten birds traveling together. wind. The birds lose some Once you have lo- of their protective eyesight cated the two-year-olds and hearing, making them or a pair or three mature more vulnerable. gobblers, stay with them If filling the freezer or every day if you can free up crockpot with fall turkeys the time from work. Watch is your game, have at it. how and where they travel, The population in Maine which vocalizations they can certainly withstand the use and be mindful of their reduction and who doesn’t aggressive behavior to each like a good turkey stew or other and to mature birds. fried turkey nuggets?

It will be helpful for you to However, if engaging practice duplicating these in one of the most challengvocalizations. ing opportunities suits you Turkeys, in the fall then get out, right now and are more likely to commit shadow the longbeard of to daily habits or routine in your choosing. Maine has a travel and feeding. It may long fall season with a five be helpful to set up blinds bird either-sex limit. along their travel routes.

I have been far more Stu Bristol is a Hall successful during fall hunts of Fame wild turkey huntfor mature gobblers to stick er, Master Maine Guide to the hardwoods or edges (Orion Guide Service) and rather than fields. Turkeys Outdoor writer. His books, are much more aware out in newspaper and magazine articles have been published nationwide for more than 50 years. He operates Deadly Imposter Game Calls in southern Maine. www.deadlyimpostergamecalls.com

Caution: Children starting school soon, be prepared to STOP for school buses.

September 2021

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Mueller’s September Strategy

The month of September can be a time of transition from summer habitat as the nights begin to get cooler and water temperatures begin to decrease. It can also be

Team Member. Adding, “It’s imperative to cover the entire water column.”

While targeting smallmouth Mike Mueller is adamant when it comes to balance tackle and his

Duo Realis Pro Staffer Mike Mueller enticed this September Smallmouth with a 120 SP Duo Realis Jerk Bait.

(Courtesy of B.A.S.S./MLF Angler Mike Mueller)

just the opposite as August heat waves linger into September. Keeping that in mind, I contacted B.A.S.S. and MLF Tournament Coangler Mike Mueller to get his insight for targeting smallmouth and largemouth bass in September.

“Water temperatures are always a Key-Factor.

As water temperatures drop into the mid-60 degreerange, bass begin their transition following baitfish towards shallower water.

This is especially true for smallmouth bass, which gravitate towards structural contours including sudden drop-offs, isolated humps or long tapering points close to their deep-water summer habitat”, suggests the National Duo Realis

choice of baits. “When smallmouths are feeding I have both a Duo Realis 110 SP and 120 SP Jerkbait rigged on 7’ Med. Razr Rodz MAXX series, saddled with a Lews Hypermag 8.3:1 reel, spooled with Seaguar 12 lb. InvizX Fluorocarbon. The fast retrieve reel allows for a more erratic natural baitfish action.” (www.Seaguar.com) Mueller’s confidence level and talent shines with his ability to fish his Spybaits. “The Duo Realis Spinbaits were designed to trigger neutral-negative fish. For this reason, I usually rig both a Duo Realis 80 and 80 GFX Spinbait on 7’ Medium-Light Razr Rodz Edge series spinning rods, paired with Lews Cus-

tom Pro 2000 Series 6.2:1 spinning reel spooled with 20 lb. Seaguar Smackdown braid tied to a long 6 lb.

Seaguar InvizX fluorocarbon leader.”

Mike Mueller revealed the secret to his Duo Realis Spybait combination. The medium-light action of his 7’ rod allows for long cast and shock absorbing parabolic action when battling big smallmouth bass. The Duo Realis natural baitfish design and in-

Page 47

Best Bassin’

by Bill Decoteau, Hampden, MA high speed reel, saddled on a 7’6” Med./Heavy Razr Rodz Edge Series. (www.

Lews.com) Mike Mueller instructs targeting Largemouth is different. “I’ll start my search halfway back into main lake coves and creek arms, working my way out towards

Chicken craw trailer.” Concentrating on what he calls ‘stopping points’ Mueller picks apart every dock, laydown, brush pile or any other form of cover he comes upon.

Mike Mueller’s September Strategy Tip: Keep logging the water temperature every time to go out and in every location “Water temperatures are always a you fish.

Key-Factor. As water temperatures drop Follow Mike Mueller’s tournament results into the mid-60 degree-range, bass begin their transition following baitfish at www.facebook.com/ mike.mueller32, Facebook towards shallower water.”

Fan Page; Mike Muellerherent movement triggers the main lake. My search Tournament Bass Angler neutral-negative enticing baits include topwater Zara (@Mike.Mueller.9357) reaction bites, while the Spooks, Whopper Ploppers or Instagram@mikemuelLews reel 6.2:1 retrieve and Buzzbaits. If the top- lerbass. speed assists the baits natu- water baits don’t produce God Bless and Best ral movements within his then I’ll switch to Chatretrieval cadence. Seaguar terbaits and Spinnerbaits. Bassin’ Smackdown small diam- It’s important to cover a Billy “Hawkeye” eter braid allows for longer lot of water in your search, and stronger cast with zero be sure to target rocks and Decoteau is an outdoor stretch as his long Seaguar edges where rocky bottoms journalist with a strong 6 lb. fluorocarbon leader intersect with vegetation. passion for pursuing the invisibly secures his Duo Try to find green healthy Black Bass. His activities Realis Spybait.) (www. vegetation largemouths are include; emceeing The RazrRodz.com) more prone to be in these Bass University weekend educational seminar pro“What if September areas.” temperatures soar due to If unable to entice grams, as well as emceeing an Indian summer,” I in- largemouth reaction bites benefit tournaments such quired? Mueller replied, Mueller recommends slow- as Maine’s Annual May “As I mentioned previ- ing down and start flipping Special Olympics Team ously, it’s imperative to jigs. “I like to flip a 7/16 oz. Tournament, Fishing For cover the entire water col- Jewel Finesse Flippin Jig Freedom, and working with umn. To imitate crayfish with a Snack Daddy Ditch the USO. my go to bait is a Jewel issue 60 either-sex moose Pee Wee football jig, with hunting permits and 40 a Snack Daddy Lures Ditch antlerless moose hunting Chicken trailer. It’s virtu(Cont. from pg 35) permits for a hunt limited ally snag-less, plus it tele- lowed. All applicants for to Vermont’s Wildlife Mangraphs the bottom content both drawings who did agement Unit (WMU) E and slides over rocks effort- not receive a permit were in the northeastern corner lessly.” Mike Mueller’s Pee awarded a bonus point to of the state. The scienceWee Jig combination is tied improve their chances in based hunt will result in an to 15 lb. Seaguar InvisX future moose permit lot- estimated harvest of 51 to Fluorocarbon line, spooled teries.

(News cont. pg 48) to a Lews 8.3:1 Hypermag The department will

News

Page 48

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Kineo Currents

by Suzanne AuClair, Rockwood, ME

A 20-foot Templeton canoe is coming home. The wood and canvas canoe was built many decades ago here on the Moose River. It was well used for two generations by a father and son who had a camp here. Today, the son is old,

he has our promise. We will hold it well, show it always, and tell her story.

The Moosehead Lake Region has had its share of renowned builders of traditional canoes. One of the best known forms was designed by Fred Temple-

September 2021

Templeton Canoe Coming Home

ing doing other jobs. The Templeton forms included a 10-footer, 15-footer, and 20-footer. The 20-footer became known as the “Moose River Taxi.” The hobby often turned into a small business, as sportsmen kept wanting to buy up the one that just got finished.

The 20-footer became known as the “Moose River Taxi.” The hobby often turned into a small business, as sportsmen kept wanting to buy up the one that just got finished. and he has to let it go.

A few months ago he called the Moosehead Historical Society, where I am director, and asked if we might like to have it. No doubt! There is no better place to retire a bit of our history than here. It will be a permanent part of our Moosehead Heritage Center. The owner does not want it sold. With strict instruction, he just wants it back at Moosehead, and

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ton. Templeton was born in Willimantic on February 15, 1876 and moved to Moosehead in 1898. He guided from Mt. Kineo in its heyday. He died in 1952.

The 20-foot Templeton fit the requirements for hunting and fishing. It is lightweight (before the era of plastic), carries a very heavy load, and ably manages swift waters due to its wide, steady beam. Many of the men who built wood and canvas canoes lived along the Moose River in Rockwood. They built canoes more or less for a hobby, while making a liv-

In the off season, Fred recalled that some guides made a living by trapping and by collecting spruce gum, which was purchased by drug firms in Boston for as much as a dollar a pound. He said it garnered enough pay that a person could “about break even.” With the sale of beaver pelts, he said he could turn a small profit.

Over the years, his canoe forms were handed down from local builder to local builder. Eventually, no one was building anymore, and the forms were sold to someone out of state.

Greenville

A few years ago, that gentleman, then living in southern Maine, called and wanted the forms here.

He too had grown old and wanted them cared for. I saw many possibilities for the use of the forms, including building workshops.

We arranged to bring those home, too. But, as happens sometimes, the deal fell through. Though never built upon, and stored for decades, the old man could not part with them. Things mean a lot to people, for different reasons. I have no idea what became of the Templeton forms. But I am happy that we will have a

canoe.

A couple of weekends ago, a group of us went on a canoe trip with the Penobscots. Some of the men tried a birch bark canoe.

They found it super light in weight and able to turn on a dime.

News

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66 moose, or 5 percent of the more than 1,000 moose currently estimated to live in WMU E. Winners in this year’s moose hunting lottery are posted in a searchable database on the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com).

Suzanne AuClair lives near Rockwood. She has been writing about the Moosehead Lake region for 27 years and produced “The Origins, Formation & History of Maine’s Inland Fisheries Division.”

She is an award-winning member of the New England Outdoor Writers Assn.

207-7324880

September 2021

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 49

Too Many Laws

One of the primary rolls of government is to enact laws. Some of the proposals are suggested by constituents, others are the brainchild of groups and

acted and signed in to law by the governor, or rejected at some point along the way. I don’t really understand it all but I’ve come to the conclusion there’s just

proposed legislation becomes law. With that in mind here are just a few dealing with hunting, fishing and firearms that passed muster and some that didn’t this session. Take note some of those enacted may not have been signed by the governor during a 10 day window following enactment. If the legislation is not vetoed but remains unsigned it becomes law if the legislation is still in

Muzzleloading Afield

by Al Raychard, Lyman, ME

when hunting big game (including Canadians) was enacted on June 2 but was unsigned by the governor as of that date. Here’s another I wrote about some time ago. An act to allow Sunday hunting on private land with permission was passed and signed July 9, but it only directs IF&W

And finally an act prohibiting the discharge of a bow on land of another within 100 yards of a building or residence without permission was enacted and signed on May 25.

organizations and some are thought up by those elected to office. If enacted they affect every aspect of human life from the moment of birth to the day we take our last breath and laid to rest or our ashes are scattered to the wind. There is a legislative process any proposed law must go through but in short it is either passed, en-

too darn many. The scary thing is in every session of the legislature hundreds of new laws or changes to old ones are proposed. For a recent regular session of the Maine legislature over 2,000 requests were submitted to the Office of Revisor Statutes which drafts proposed legislation.

Now every piece of

session. If the legislature has adjourned for the year it does not become law so some standings may have changed.

A bill to allow hunters to harvest two bears was voted Out Not To Pass (ONTP) back on March 30 and an act to expand the hunting season on deer was voted ONTP on May 19.

An act to assist in the restoration of Atlantic salmon was enacted and signed in law on May 21.

Here’s one I wrote about a month or two ago, an act to require non-residents hunters to hire guides

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that date. An act to improve turkey tagging by allowing electronic tagging was enacted and signed by the governor on June 8. Not surprising an act to allow the baiting of deer was voted ONTP on June 2 and an act to preserve deer wintering areas was enacted and signed July 8.

And finally an act prohibiting the discharge of a bow on land of another within 100 yards of a building or residence without permission was enacted and signed on May 25.

Keep in mind these are just a handful of the legislative proposals that passed or didn’t in the last session. There were numerous others pertaining to snowmobiles, off road vehicles, public lands, hunting, fishing and firearms to name but a few that interest those of us to enjoy Maine’s outdoors and wildlife.

No doubt dozens more will be forthcoming and revisited in 2022.

to examine Sunday hunting and report back by January 3, 2022. We’ll have to wait and see on that one but considering all the special interest groups against I’m not holding my breath.

An act to require background checks on the sale of firearms was voted ONTP on May 14 and an act to ban hunting with lead ammunition was voted ONTP on May 19. An act to lower the Youth Hunting Age was also voted ONTP on June 2. An act to ban the surveillance of firearms Al can be reached at sales was enacted June alraychard@sacoriver.net 3 but was unsigned as of

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Page 50

Vermont Ramblings

by Dennis Jensen, Vermont Rain has fallen for most of the day. It seems as if September just kind of lingers, somewhere between the early month of still-summer and the latermonth of cooler days and colder nights.

thing is, the wood shed is full and so we need to think about selling about two cords of split wood that have dried for more than a year.

That ground blind across the street, up on the

It won’t be long now. That is, the archery season is just around the corner. Still, there are things to do if we want to be ready for the coming months of hunting in autumn.

It won’t be long now.

That is, the archery season is just around the corner.

Still, there are things to do if we want to be ready for the coming months of hunting in autumn.

So, the fire wood is just about done. We still had some big chunks to split and stack. But the

hill, will need refurbishing.

We will get to that right away. We will not put out the trail camera because, well, we saw does almost every day, as well as two spiked bucks. My feelings about a trail camera are pretty clear: I think too many hunters rely on what is simply another

September 2021

Not Long Now

devise that most of other sign that some us could do without. hunters have decided When I read, to forego the old, relinot too long ago, able tactic of pre-seaabout a hunter who son scouting, as well put out more than a as learning all that dozen trail cameras, you can about deer I have to say that I behavior, in favor of was bewildered by using any one of the the fact that a hunter latest gimmicks out would be moving there. Nothing in this around, especially world, when it comes since it was close to deer hunting, is to the deer season, better than putting in checking some your time out there in dozen cameras and, the deer woods. let’s face it, leavI own a trail caming his stink in and era but have not set it around the places out for about three where he hoped to years. Don’t need it. I soon kill a buck. killed a bunch of deer There will be, Nothing in this world, when it before the cameras of course, a bit of comes to deer hunting, is better came along and will, debate about the use than putting in your time out there hopefully, continue of trail cameras. I in the deer woods. to kill deer without know of hunters (Photo by V. Paul Reynolds) the blasted camera. who have found a I guess it really comes good deal of success us- as I grow older, I find this down to personal prefering them but, call me old- dependence on things like ence. But if you watch fashioned or out of touch, trail cameras simply an- (Not Long cont. pg 52)

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

September 2021

State Parks Provide Base for Hunting, Fishing and Scouting

Camping allows sportsmen to be close to the places they want to fish or hunt and helps keep the cost down. There is no lack of places to camp in the Northeast Kingdom, a Mecca for sportsmen, and some of the nicest campgrounds are owned and operated by the state.

Maidstone State Park is one of my favorites because of its location. Situated on beautiful Maidstone Lake, the campground offers a nice beach and clean campsites. It is a good base of operations for canoeing and fishing the upper Connecticut River as well as for exploring Essex County, Vermont’s most remote. To list the trout waters within a short drive of Maidstone would take more space than I have for this whole column.

To the west is Brighton State Park on the shore of Island Pond. It too offers easy access to Essex County and also Orleans County and is much closer to stores, restaurants and other amenities.

Brighton and Maidstone are ideal for exploring West Mountain Wildlife Management Area and the Nulhegan Basin Division of the Conte National Wildlife Refuge.

The huge Groton State Forest in southern Caledonia County has three very popular campgrounds and a beach and recreation area. The campgrounds are Stillwater, Ricker Pond and New Discovery.

It is advisable to make reservations for any of the parks if you will be arriving on a weekend, but in most

cases sites are available for those who simply drive to the entrance.

Go to: http://www. vtstateparks.com/htm/ reservations.htm to make reservations or learn more about the parks or call 1-888-409-7579 Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

A good source of information is http://vermontvacation.com/ is the official state tourism site that will help people find places to stay.

Another good resource is http://www.voga. org/, the website for the Vermont Outdoor Guides Association.

September provides an overlap of hunting and fishing seasons so choices abound. The season for Vermont’s most soughtafter game bird, the ruffed grouse or partridge as we know them, opens September 25 as does that for woodcock. The next day, September 26, the snowshoe hare season opens.

Bear season has been open since September 1 and it looks like there are a lot of bears around from the reports of nuisance bears that kept game wardens busy all summer.

Hunters took a record 925 black bears during the 2020 two-part early and late bear seasons. The pre-

vious highest harvest ever recorded in Vermont was 750 in 2019.

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department says hunters who took a bear last year can now look up the age of their bear on the department’s website, www.vtfishandwildlife. com A statewide Vermont open hunting season for resident Canada geese will occur September 1-25. The daily bag limit is five Canada geese in the Connecticut River Zone and eight in the rest of the state during this September season.

Vermont’s youth waterfowl hunting weekend will be September 25 and 26 for both resident and nonresident hunters.

A printable copy of the Migratory Bird Syllabus can be downloaded from the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s website, www.vtfishandwildlife.com, under “Hunt” – “Waterfowl.” A printed version is available from license agents and post offices.

As the water cools and the crowds disappear after Labor Day, the fishing gets good. Seasons for all the popular species such as trout, salmon, walleye, bass and northern pike remain open through September.

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Page 51

Outdoors In Vermont

by Gary W. Moore, Bradford, VT

Wildlife Department and partners has placed new signs near eight ponds where the use of baitfish is prohibited. The signs will remind anglers that use of baitfish poses a threat to the wild native brook trout that have existed there for thousands of years.

The signs will be posted at public access points near the following ponds: Beaver Pond (Holland); Blake Pond (Sutton); Cow Mountain Pond (Granby); Jobs Pond (Westmore); Lewis Pond (Lewis); North Pond (Chittenden); Unknown Pond (Avery’s Gore); and Noyes Pond (Groton). All except North Pond are in the Northeast Kingdom.

Get out, do a little

fishing, a little hunting and some scouting for the coming deer seasons. The biting bugs are gone and the cooler days are ideal for hiking far back to the ridges and beaver ponds not frequented by many.

Syndicated columnist Gary W. Moore is a life long resident of Vermont and a former Commissioner of Fish and Game.

He may be reached by email at gwmoore1946@ icloud.com or at Box 454, Bradford, VT 05033. copyright 2021 Gary W. Moore

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Page 52

Not Long

(Cont. from pg 50) those damned hunting shows — and I decided a number of years ago not to — you will want to be ashamed at what they call “hunting” these days.

When I stopped tuning in, it was hunting out of big

Northwoods Sporting Journal boxes, where it was clear that the “shooter” bucks that were coming in to feed in broad daylight in a big field were not under any kind of hunting pressure.

It was almost as if it was killing in a deer shooting gallery. And what a disparaging term “shooter” is.

The whitetail deserves far

more respect.

What may not be a “shooter” to some guy who is hosting an outdoor show — and clearly a guy or gal who would be lost during a routine deer hunt in Vermont — would be a good, legal buck anywhere where fair chase is the rule of the day.

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September 2021

But I digress. As I said, bow season is closing in and I must take out the crossbow (for those of you who may howl at my choice of archery equipment, I have a repaired torn rotator cuff and cannot pull back a traditional bow) and practice, practice, practice.

The last couple of bow seasons have been marred by an injury and a last-minute trip to Texas to visit my oldest brother.

This season, I plan to hunt more days than in the past.

As any veteran deer hunter knows, the more time you spend in the woods, the better your chances for success are.

Dennis Jensen is the outdoor editor for the Rutland Herald and the Barre Times Argus and a freelance writer. Contact him at d.jensen62@yahoo.com

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September 2021

Northwoods Sporting Journal

All Hail September!

Page 53

Green Mountain Report

by Bradley Carleton, Charlotte, VT field. It is ½ hour before legal shooting light when we finish. Time for a cup of that coffee and a maple donut. As we begin pass-

nothing more. Then slowly the breakfast flock begins to chatter. “Flag ready?’ I ask. “Check!” comes the answer. “Tuck in boys and

Wings begin back peddling. 20 birds in all. “Take ‘Em!” I yell. Blind doors open and the sounds of autumn gunfire ring through the valley.

It’s 3:25 a.m. and the green numerals on the LED clock are slowly flipping toward 3:30. A cool breeze wafts in the north window of my bedroom, waving the thin curtains like ghosts on a sleepless night. I breathe in the air and get a faint whiff of someone’s campfire from the evening before. “Ah the heck with it!” I whisper to myself. “Might as well just get up now. The aroma of French roast coffee climbs the stairwell and begs me to get moving. I get dressed in the dark. “Why would anyone in their right mind get up this early just to go goose hunting?” Because of all the small components of a good hunt that need to be accomplished before daylight. Thermos. Field bag. Calls. Flag. Gun and ammo are already in the truck. The trailer is already hooked up. I turn the key and the diesel engine rumbles to life, knocking and pinging a cheerful mechanical percussion. I meet my partners at the abandoned gas station at the bottom of the hill. “Follow me boys!” I cheerfully exclaim. We arrive at the

hay field that was cut about a week ago. The birds have been using this field for the last few days and I’ve scouted out the “X” for their landing zone. Light northwest wind. Feeder decoys clumped together near the blinds. “Pushers” with their heads down in an aggressive pattern, set so that it appears that they are sneaking up to the feeding area around the blinds.

Grassing duty is as-

signed to one half of the crew and the rest are setting the sentries and walkers at the tail end of the banana-shaped spread. It is 4:30 as the last decoy is set and now all hands are on deck to grass the blinds.

I am fanatical about handpicked fresh grass and clover being threaded into the stubble straps of the blinds.

Everything must be completely covered in natural camo from this specific

ing them around, a sudden lone honk comes across the field from the water to the West. We all look at each other, our hearts skipping a beat. 15 minutes pass and

remember only one of us is watching the birds. Keep your faces and heads down until I call the shot.” 15 more minutes pass, then (September cont. pg 54)

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 54

September tember 1 and runs through head to the hardwoods to Lumbering (Cont. from pg 53)

suddenly, over the treeline, without a sound, the first flock cups their wings to glide into the spread. They turn downwind, heads swinging from side to side, looking for the best landing hole. “No calling” I say.

“They are on a string and we’re reeling them in!” I whisper loudly. Black feet drop down at 50 yards. 40.

30. At 20 yards they are headed right toward us and look as if they are going to land on the blinds. Wings begin back peddling. 20 birds in all. “Take ‘Em!” I yell. Blind doors open and the sounds of autumn gunfire ring through the valley.

All Hail September!

Resident Canada

goose season opens on Sep-

iron sights or 4x scope and

September 25 from ½ hour before sunrise to sunset every day. Daily bag limits are 8 birds per hunter with 24 in possession for the Lake Champlain and Interior Zones and 5 birds daily with 15 in possession for the Connecticut River Zone. Also, remember that the first Saturday in September is the legal date that we can construct duck blinds. I’m always in the swamp for the sunrise and to see what numbers of birds are using the area.

Now, if you haven’t located a field and gotten permission to hunt Canada geese, or just don’t appreciate the absurd level of detail and equipment needed for goose hunting, grab that old .22 with the

pursue the wily bushytail (gray squirrel). I know that some of you feel disdain for this member of the rodent family but in a pot pie or Brunswick Stew, they can’t be beat! Squirrel season opens the same day as goose and is a lot easier on the bank and the wallet.

This year, I’ll be checking with the warden to see if it is legal to “bait” squirrels.

I found some interesting molasses-based “squirrel bait” and am curious if it’s legal and if it is, if it works! .

Bradley Carleton is the founder and Executive Director of www.sacredhunter.org which teaches the public respect and empathy through hunting and fishing.

September 2021

evidence of a fallen tree nearby. I think the activity took place in the late (Cont. from pg 43) 1800’s or early 1900’s. was also a small spring fed This is just my guess, but brook nearby that would maybe with a little more be a good reliable water research I can find out. source. I stood in that old I’ll keep looking. campsite and was awed by Gil Gilpatrick is a the fact that maybe a little over 100 years ago none Master Maine Guide, and of the roads and buildings is the first living recipient that I could see from this of the Legendary Maine old campsite were there. It Guide award. He is a life member of the Maine Prois hard to take in.

How long ago this fessional Guides Assologging took place is hard ciation, a founding member to determine. I looked for of the Maine Wilderness stumps that may have been Guides Organization, and cut down back then. I know served as a member of what a 50 year old stump the Advisory Board for looks like because I cut the Licensing of Guides some trees myself back from 1996 to 2010. He then. Stumps were hard is a member of the New to find. A few showed up England Outdoor Writand were well rotted, but ers Association and is the they definitely showed the author of seven outdoorarea was cut over because related books. Contact him none of the stumps showed at Gil@GilGilpatrick.com

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 55

On Point

The Best Dog Food

by Paul Fuller, Durham, N.H.

Our canine athletes require three ingredients for top performance: proper diet, hydration and conditioning. For most of us, the diet is the most difficult to understand.

For decades, there was very little written about dog food. My father subscribed to every fishing and hunting magazine that was published in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. I read them all and I recall only one advertisement for dog food…it was in Hounds and Hunting. And, the ad said something like: For a hard running dog, feed Big Boy Dog Food.. There was no science or research quoted. What a difference from today’s ads for dog food.

However, with all the claims about research and science, what is the dog owner to believe? That’s a tough question. We have to keep in mind that most of the top selling dog foods are owned by huge corporations. Proponents of these foods will argue that the large corporations have the funds to do research that the smaller companies are not capable of funding.

Opponents will argue that the bottom line is more important to these companies than the research. Let’s look at ways to separate the wheat from the chaff.

First, what is the reputation of the manufacturer?

Talk to fellow dog owners; what foods have they been happy with. Although social media can be brutal, ask other hunting dog owners what dog food they prefer and why. About ten years ago, I was filming and hunting pheasants in South Dakota with two executives from Kent Feed Company. They told me if they put the same quality of products in their food (Native) as company X does, they could double their profit margin. They would rather produce a high quality food than a high profit food.

Next, check-out the Guaranteed Analysis on the packaging. This statement guarantees minimum levels of fat and protein.

And, don’t forget to

check the ingredients listing. Watch for fat, protein, vitamins and minerals.

They are listed in descending order by weight.

Now, what about those ingredients? The two ingredients I feel are the

energy needs of hunting season. That’s when the level system of protein/fat were developed. And, it has been copied by most all of the major dog food manufacturers.

Quality protein supports tissue growth and replacement and is very important to the canine athlete. That tissue includes muscle, heart, lungs, skin and more. Whether it’s hunting season, field trial circuit or training in the prairies, your dog needs

However, with all the claims about research and science, what is the dog owner to believe? That’s a tough question. most important are protein and fat. At one time, among major dog food manufacturers, dog owners were restricted to one protein/fat level. It was often around a 25% protein level and a 15% fat level. While developing the Native Dog Food line, the scientists at Kent Feed Company recognized that energy needs are different during the dog days of summer and the high

high grade protein. Our household feeds Native Level 2 during the off season. That’s a 26% protein level and 16% fat level. If you are strictly a weekend hunter, Level 2 is perfect.

We switch to 30/20 about thirty days before hunting season. Especially if we’re hunting seven days a week the prairies in Montana. We probably all learned early in life that fat equals calo-

ries and calories equal energy. Fat that is not burned will result in heavier body weight and laziness. Fat that is burned will equal more calories and more energy.

A key point in all of this dog food discussion is quality of ingredients. I mentioned above the proponents of the big corporations being able to do in-depth research and the opponents crying that the profit margin is the most important. What I like about Kent Feed Company is that they are a large manufacturer but family owned. They were founded in 1927 by G.A. Kent by being the first to produce a high quality cattle food with no fillers. The company today is managed by grandson Gage Kent who still practices high-quality feeds with no cheap fillers.

I feel that other good manufacturers are Eukanuba and Kinetic. Keep your dog well fed and you’ll have a happy dog during hunting season.

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 56

Bear: Underestimated Tablefare!

Cookin’ With New England’s WildCheff

by Denny Corriveau, Kennebunkport, ME

If you are an avid hunter, at some point and time you have probably considered bear hunting.

Bears present a whole new challenge, and in my opinion – offer a tremendous opportunity for honing skills that will serve you well with other types of hunting.

Bear hunting is not as easy as luring Boo Boo to the famed picnic basket as some would portray.

Bear are wary to say the least. They exhibit survival behavior such as circling around you to ensure that they feel a sense of confidence coming into a bait site. This makes hunting bear extremely challenging.

Bear are exceptionally quiet. A bear can close in on you without you even hearing or knowing it. Being stealth, motionless, and understanding how to scan the area that surrounds your stand with your eyes in a methodic manner is of the utmost consideration.

Even the slightest motion

September 2021

or sound will send a bear running for the state line.

I experienced this a couple of years ago. I sensed that a bear was closing the distance on me and heard what I thought was a very

yards. It just goes to show you that even a cautious person can get busted.

Bear also represent some of the tastiest table fare you can consume from the wild. The misnomer of bear being fatty and having any off-color in taste could not be further from

Bear also represent some of the tastiest table fare you can consume from the wild. The misnomer of bear being fatty and having any off-color in taste could not be further from the truth. faint sound of feet on the ground. Some may see that as unusual, but I learned a lot about hearing things most don’t hear from a fellow Indian I hunted with some 35+ years ago. It heightened my hunting senses and made me a better hunter.

While attempting to be stealth and simply shift my hip in the tree stand, it caused a minor creek, undetectable to most. A large bruin that snuck up approximately 25 yards behind me, instantly bellowed a large huff and went crashing through the woods for at least a couple hundred

the truth. Bear is a tremendous sustainable resource Bear hunting is challenging and the meat, if for wild protein that will properly handled, is superb. (Photo by Bud Utech) not disappoint. Consider it like a wild version of beef. differs from pursuing deer, 1tsp. of fresh ground pepWhen harvested and pro- bear will provide an experi- per cessed properly it is a very ence that is challenging and 4 T of salsa rewarding!

1 small can of tomato sauce clean tasting meat.

8 oz. of Mexican cheese As a First Nation Native, I have always had a Indigenous Bear-sagna blend Ingredients corn tortillas deep desire to educate and 1 lb. of bear burger olive oil inspire others on the value Directions of consuming all things 1 shallot, minced 1 large poblano pepper, Heat up a skillet over wild. Indigenous foods medium high heat. Once nourish the body and the diced 1 can of black beans, rinsed heated, add 4 tablespoons soul. of olive oil.

While you wait to get 1 tsp. of ground cumin Add shallots and pepthat Maine moose lottery 1 tsp. of WildCheff Roasted Garlic Powder pers to the pan and season permit, consider a bear hunt to fill your freezer. 2 T of WC Tex Mex Blend with cumin.

(Bear cont. pg 59) Much like moose hunting seasoning

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September 2021

Northwoods Sporting Journal

September Cast and Blast

Science tells us that humans and other living creatures have an internal clock. That circadian rhythm describes the twenty-four-hour cycle which affects eating, sleeping and our immune systems. But, there’s also another clock, an external clock, that also impacts our eating, sleeping and work schedules.

And that clock begins ticking on September 1st which officially marks the start of another hunting season in New Hampshire when hunters head afield for bear.

While the season opens on September 1 st, there are two closing dates.

In WMUs - A, B, C2, D1, H1, H2, I2, K, L and M the season ends on November 9th, which is also the last day of the muzzleloader season for deer. In all other units (C1, D2, E, F, G, I1, J1, J2), bear season will close on November 30th.

So, deer hunters will have an extended opportunity to fill their bear tag. The reason for the later closing in those units is to try and address the management goals for bear densities.

It was determined that the

current populations in those areas exceed the management goals. In some cases, by a significant amount.

Last year 1183 bears were taken with the largest being a 504 pound male taken in Waterville Valley over bait.

Two weeks after bear season opens, the archery season for deer and turkey begins on Wednesday, September 15th. The 2020 deer seasons resulted in the fourth highest deer harvest in 97 years and it’s reported that the turkey population is stable or increasing throughout the state. So it could be another good year for hunters. Hopefully, all of the rain we got in July was enough to let the oaks produce a good crop of mast. That’s good for the deer and turkey and also helps hunters identify travel patterns.

Even though we’ve still got a couple of months before rifle season, I’m already hearing new versions of the debate on which caliber is the “best” for deer hunting. As I’ve gotten older I’ve realized two things; 1.There’s no correct answer and 2. it really doesn’t mat-

ter what you say because most hunters will disagree, preferring instead to justify their personal choice. My attitude is, take the caliber that you’re most comfortable with and that you’ve dialed in. Familiarity of the firearm is the most important thing. Knowing how it swings up, sights in, the pull of the trigger and no distracting thoughts of recoil punishment all combine to make for a good deer rifle. Now, whether that’s a .243, 25-.06, .270, .308, 6.5 Creedmoor, 30-.06 or a 7mm-08 is irrelevant to me.

If you’re comfortable with it and know that you can hit what you aim at, then that’s the “best” deer caliber. All other arguments are either white noise or sales pitches. And, all the talk about being able to shoot accurately at 4 or 500 yards seems kind of lame when you consider that around here, seventy-five yards is a long shot. Stick with what you’re comfortable with.

While I might take the .308 or .35 Rem for some walks this month, I’ll be on the water as well. September is a great time to be

Dean Ferris of Westbrook boated this 18.5 lb lake trout July 24 while trolling with lead core line in 97 feet of water. The lunker fish hit a T4 Flatfish being fished behind a long nylon leader and 9 colors of lead line.

(Photo by Bob Morrill)

Page 57

New Hampshire Outdoors

by Peter St. James, Warner, N.H. trout fishing. The brookies and browns are getting set to spawn and the colors are outstanding. Plus, as they get closer to spawn, they also get a bit hungrier and more aggressive about feeding. Which could be good news for the angler.

And after a summer of low, slow water and then high, muddy water run-offs, we need all the advantages we

can get!

Peter St. James is a member of the New England Outdoor Writers Association, Outdoor Writers Association of America, is a licensed NH Fishing Guide and has a daily radio show on WNTK-99.7FM. Reach him at : stjames.peter@ gmail.com

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 58

Marsh Island Chronicles

by Matthew Dunlap, Old Town, ME On every Opening Day, my favorite moments are just before it begins.

The guns are laid, the decoys are spread, the line is shaken out, the calls are ready, the tackle box is organized, we’re secured in a tree stand, the baits are set—whatever kind of hunting or fishing we are doing, I love being able to take that deep breath. Now. Now it begins.

A lot of work goes into those moments. As a young trapper, as much as I loved being in the field, I also drank in the hours of dying traps, checking chains and drags, preparing baits and gloves, and getting everything together for those weeks I’d race home from school and check the trap line on our farm. Now, I methodically take the time to check my duck decoys along with the anchor lines and anchors,

touch up any chipped paint, clean the blind cloths, and all of that.

Perhaps most important, dear reader, is getting our shooting eyes straight.

That means time on the range. This has been a tough year for that, with

September 2021

The Ready Season the lam.

The best part of using this time is not having to rush. A leisurely drive to the range, and when you get there, it’s full of other shooters (of course, this doesn’t apply to the lucky marksman who has a range set up on their own back forty). No problem—go fishing for a couple of hours and try it again. Or

you need the equipment tomorrow.

September is a perfect month for such endeavors, and when you’re done, you can sit back for longer than just those few moments with the secure feeling of being prepared.

commander that the emperor Augustus detested was haste, saying “that which has been done well has been done quickly enough.” We love the outdoors. Let’s take the time we have, and do it right.

The attentive reader

In our busy lives, it’s easy to make excuses. Oh, we have plenty of time.

Deer season is two months away, and the grass needs cutting. Well, what will you say at four in the morning on Opening Day when you can’t find your compass, you forgot to sharpen your knife, you only have one boot, and you overslept?

Suetonius remarked that a trait in a military

understands what I’m saying. This is a memo to myself.

September is a perfect month for such endeavors, and when you’re done, you can sit back for longer than just those few moments with the secure feeling of being prepared. ammunition as hard to come by in this pandemicstrained time as just about anything else; but my experience tells me that even a few hours punching holes in a piece of paper with an ‘X’ marked on it with a crayon will pay huge dividends in the moment of truth, and a box of broken clays can mean the difference between a grouse in the pan and a grouse on

the next day. Or work on something else, or maybe give up on trying to find your favorite insulated hunter orange cap, and go buy another one.

I’ve tried in recent years to keep my off-season gear organized in boxes, so that when I need it for next year, I don’t have to go looking for it. That’s not foolproof, especially if you have gear that you use in spring and fall, but not in winter or summer or viceversa. Better to start such scavenger hunts before

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 1450 AM in Rockland.

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

September 2021

Bear

Across 1 The Horned ---, which sings in flight 2 Aroostook County tributary to the St. John River 5 Nova Scotia Duck --- Retriever 8 --- Warden 9 What outdoorsmen use when inside outside 10 Maple 11 --- Juniper, a low grower 13 --- Gamelands, Anson

(Cont. ftom pg 56) Once the shallots and peppers are beyond raw stage, add the burger to the pan.

Season the burger with some sea salt, garlic powder, pepper and Tex Mex seasoning. Break up the burger and mix peppers and shallots into the burger and sauté until cooked.

Add black beans and salsa, followed by the tomato sauce to the burger and mix thoroughly.

In a separate flat cast iron pan, warm tortillas through on both sides.

Using a casserole dish, spoon some salsa across the bottom of the pan. Place a layer of warmed tortillas, followed by burger filling and then cheese.

Add second layer starting with tortillas repeating same method.

Bake in 400-degree oven until cheese is melted thoroughly and all is warmed through (approximately 15-20 minutes).

To serve, cut squares and plate. Top with dollop of sour cream and a squeeze of lime. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro or parsley.

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Page 59

Down 1 Black-headed winter visitor to the Maine coast 2 It commonly covers coastal areas 3 --- crake, yellow-billed marsh bird 4 --- Lake, Piscataquis County togue source 6 Fishing aid 7 Brunswick-Bangor direction 8 --- Lake, boating and fishing resource for glass workers?

9 Lake family, including Little Purgatory Pond 12 --- Treefrog, which can change color

(Answers on pg 66)

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 60

Against The Current

by Bob Romano, Rangeley, ME Seated on a log beside my favorite stream, cushioned by moss that has crept across the bark, I wonder why it is that I tend to gravitate toward these little ribbons of water.

Although the sun shines brightly on this afternoon

the largest fitting snugly in my palm. Like me, they prefer the solitude of the deep forest to larger rivers that are more readily accessible.

A number of years back, my wife, Trish, and I spent two weeks along the

September 2021

Bends in the River

is where The Quiet Man was filmed. For many of us who grew up in the 1950s, this movie, starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara, remains synonymous with St. Patrick’s Day. Now, I must be getting old because back home there wasn’t a single person in my office who’d heard of The Quiet Man. “John Wayne? Wasn’t he that guy who played a

a dog of unknown origin snarled until the old man kicked him with a rubber boot.

“Tell me boyo, what might you be doin’?” He spoke without removing the cigarette from between his lips.

“I was hoping to catch

of the country where the rivers and rills are as wild as those flowing out of the mountains that separate Maine from its northern neighbor, and as untamed as those found along the western coast of Ireland.

If you don’t remember The Quiet Man, you

one of your Irish browns to write home about,” I replied.

“A Yank, are ya, then?” he said.

“Meant no harm.” I gave him my best smile.

“Well, guess I’ll leave you to it, then” he replied.

Turning his back, he called to the dog that had continued to stare with bad intention.

I spent my final few nights listening to “trad” music in the pubs we found along the road and my days searching out streams that flowed under the shadows cast by the “twelve Bens,” a series of mountains in Connemara. I did so, not so much to catch fish, but to stand near the places where they were found.

Perhaps John D. Voelker said it best in his short piece Testament of a Fisherman: “I love the environs where trout are found, which are invariably beautiful, and hate the environs where crowds of people are found, which are invariably ugly…” Voelker lived in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, a part

probably won’t recall Anatomy of a Murder. Based upon the novel written by Voelker, this intense movie, starring Jimmy Stewart as a mild-mannered, fly-fishing, defense attorney, was also filmed in the 1950s. The money Voelker made from the film allowed him to spend the remainder of his days on those trout streams where he preferred to spend his time.

I first discovered Voelker a few years after graduating from college.

He’d written a wonderful book of stories titled Trout Madness under the pen name of Robert Traver. It inspired me to purchase my first fly rod—a cheap fiberglass model manufactured by the Cortland Company.

A number of years later, I, too, became an attorney, and even wrote my own book of stories. I now own a number of fly rods, most constructed of graphite, a few from bamboo, while the Cortland, with its chipped paint and frayed wraps, rests comfortably on my den wall.

(River cont. pg 63)

I remember that Irish farmer humping down the wind-slept lane to see what “a Yank” was up to, and all the other fellows, now in their 70s, 80s, and older, some still wandering rivers and streams… in late September, it’s lost most of its heat. The leaves are turning the distant hills into an autumn palette. The brook trout that I’ve been teasing with a wet fly over the last few hours are also decked out in their autumnal attire: flaming bellies of golden orange, dark backs, and red-in-blue dots along the flanks—the reason oldtimers call them speckled trout. These are small fish,

western coast of Ireland.

Our daughter had spent a semester at the Burren College of Art in County Clare, and we’d traveled there to fetch her home.

The plan had been to tour the countryside. While the ladies snapped pictures of an Abbey built for the Augustinians in 1120, l unpacked my fly rod.

Located in County Mayo, the village of Cong

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cowboy?” my secretary replied when asked if she knew of the movie.

On that day, the wind had picked up by the time we took the turn at a wooden sign with the words QUIET MAN BRIDGE painted on it. Above the little stone bridge was a slow-moving stream surrounded by a wild marsh of grassy hummocks. Below, the current quickened as it flowed through the narrow openings under the bridge.

After tramping through tall reeds, I stood where Barry Fitzgerald had carried John Wayne to his ancestral home on a one-horse cart more than 60 years ago. I was about to cast a tiny pheasant-tail nymph into the current, when an old man humped over the muddy lane that led from his white-washed farmhouse down to the bridge. His threadbare coat was buttoned to his chin, his hands sunk deep in its pockets. Wisps of white hair danced around the wide-brimmed hat he wore low on his brow. A cigarette dangled from the corner of his mouth. By his side,

Northwoods Sporting Journal

September 2021

Page 61

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 62

Women In The Woods

by Erin Merrill, Portland, ME It is the time of year that we have all been waiting for. We will head out into the woods and fields in search of Maine’s big game animals. One of the things that I have been increas-

element of hunting and trapping that they can in order to eliminate hunting and/or trapping. Every time we post a photo of us happily (and legally) harvesting an animal, it has the

Most days I cannot wrap my mind around people not understanding the tradition of going out into the woods and bringing back meat that will feed your family for the next year. ingly aware of is how we portray what we do, why we do it, and in the photos that we choose to post on social media or share with friends. For better or worse, we create the perceptions of what it means to be a hunter.

As we have seen over the past few years the antihunting lobby is determined to chip away at any

potential to be used against us as hunters.

I have seen some incredible anti-hunting propaganda from extreme animal rights groups that teaches people how to take down tree stands, break down traps and threaten the lives of hunters. It is terrifying and shocking.

Hunting has such a rich history in this country

September 2021

The Hunter’s Public Image

and the trapping industry is what this country is built upon. Most days I cannot wrap my mind around people not understanding the tradition of going out into the woods and bringing back meat that will feed your family for the next year. We put in the time, the effort and money in order to spend hours sitting in a cold tree stand hoping for an opportunity to harvest an animal. It is nothing like going into the store and picking up a cellophane-wrapped piece of meat from 10 states away. We know how and when that animal died.

As society moves further and further away from the practices of yesteryear, it is our job to do what we can to demonstrate the ethics, to highlight the work and to share the bounty in hopes of recruiting new hunters. And helping nonhunters understand the critical role hunters play in

the world of conservation.

Every photo we post and every comment we make on social media has the potential to gain or lose a vote that could impact what we all love to do. New Jersey is a prime example of that. With an exploding bear population, hunters are being denied a bear hunt because of politics and perception.

So, I wish you all a successful fall but I ask that as you post comments and post photos that celebrate your success, you think of how a non-hunter or an anti-hunter could perceive and use your words and your photo against us. If ever there was a time to come together and work together to ensure our hunt(Image cont. pg 63)

Northwoods Sporting Journal Available to All Active Duty Military Personnel Worldwide!

E CTIV A O Y ET FRE ILITAR M

In these troubled and divisive times for our country, we at the Northwoods Sporting Journal remain proud to be Americans. We still stand for the National Anthem and thank our lucky stars that we live in the land of the free.

And we still salute our military men and women, who have served and continue to serve their country, here at home and in faraway lands. To them we owe our gratitude and appreciation for what they do, and for safeguarding our American way of life, which we value deeply.

As a way of saying thank you, we make the digital versions of the Northwoods Sporting Journal past and current - available online to service people around the world. If you have a loved one or friend now serving on active duty in Iraq or Afghanistan, or anywhere else, please let them know that they have free access to our digital magazines at: www.sportingjournal.com

September 2021

Image

(Cont. from pg 62) ing and trapping heritage, it is now!

Erin is a member of the OWAA and the New England Outdoor Writers Association. She is a senior writer for Drury Outdoors’ DeerCast and is the President and co-Founder of the non-profit group Women of the Maine Outdoors.

You can read about Erin’s adventures and contact her at www.andastrongcupofcoffee.com

Letter

Northwoods Sporting Journal

River (Cont. from pg 60) On the six-and-a-halfhour flight home from Ireland, I thought of The Intruder, a Voelker tale found in Trout Madness about a stranger who unexpectedly shows up at the angler’s favorite pool. You’ll have to read it to see why the times, they apparently are not changing. Upon my return home, I took the book down from the shelf and reread it cover to cover.

Now, seated on this

log, surrounded by the spruce and balsam of western Maine, listening to the timeless current pass by, I’m once again reminded of John Voelker, a.k.a. Robert Traver, who died in 1991, at the age of 88; and of my father, who at age 83 passed away after struggling for many years with a heart condition; and my uncle George, who joined him a few years later, a guy who couldn’t catch a fish if it leaped out of the water and into his arms, but who was the most enthusiastic angler I’ve had

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(Cont. from pg 8) If Maine can come up with 40 million dollars for deer yards and biologists will monitor them, who will monitor the easy pickings the coyotes will have. It is time to put a bounty on these deer killers. I hate reading articles where someone has found large numbers of deer slaughtered on a lake in winter by these killers. We know Maine has hybrid coyotes that have mated with wolves giving us a larger animal.

Reading articles by Guides and woodsman like Hal Blood showing the great results on deer in an area that has been heavily hunted to remove coyotes. I am sure the State of Maine would recoup the money spent in bounties by the number of hunters that would flock back to a Maine with a bigger healthier herd and the big bucks were famous for. The economy would also love it.

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the pleasure to know. And of my best friend, Trish’s dad, Charlie, who found it hard to release a trout he’d fooled fair and square, and who, later in life, after losing his sight, I’d entertain with tales of my western Maine adventures. I like to think of them, not as they were in those later years, but as young men filled with possibility.

I remember that Irish farmer humping down the wind-slept lane to see what “a Yank” was up to, and all the other fellows, now in

Page 63 their 70s, 80s, and older, some still wandering rivers and streams, with backs stooped forward, leaning on wading staffs, their eyes still twinkling with mischief, their minds filled with a lifetime of memories.

Rising from my seat on this moss-covered log, I can see the next bend in the river. Perhaps that’s what best about a trout stream.

There’s always one more bend to explore.

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Page 64

The Trail Rider

Northwoods Sporting Journal

by Rod Fraser, Hyde Park, MA Wow, fall is quickly coming on us and it seems like the summer just got started. Maybe having more freedom from the COVID restrictions made the time fly by. I hope you all had a very enjoyable summer as I

trout.

But, what does the wet summer we had in New England mean for the coming fall and winter? We will soon find out.

Even though it has come too quickly, autumn

The fall brings with it hidden pleasures that can make a trip out through familiar trails and backcountry seem very different.

did. I had two great fishing trips out on the Deerfield river with Chris Jackson (https://chrisjacksonflyfishing.com) and caught some large rainbows and wild brown trout. I also got out on the Swift river for some wild native brook

is one of my favorite times of the year. I love getting out in the woods on a crisp fall morning when there is a light breeze blowing through the orange, red and yellow colors of the hardwood leaves. I find it to be extremely refreshing and

Fall Riding

relaxing. The sound of the dry leaves rustling in the wind is, I think, calming and peaceful.

I am thinking ahead to plan some of the excur-

switch into snowmobile season. The fall, to me, is a great time for hiking and bird hunting and also, a great time to get out on the trails. The fall brings

Warm days and cool nights come September make for fun outdoors. sions I want to take on my snowmobile this coming winter. However, there is still time to enjoy the trails on your ATV before the real cold weather sets in, the snow flies and we

STACYVILLE SHERMAN • SHERMAN MILLS

with it hidden pleasures that can make a trip out through familiar trails and backcountry seem very different.

The fall is also one of my favorite times of the year for camping. Most people enjoy camping in the summer, but October is great camping weather and it can get pretty cold at night, which for me, means better sleeping. I much prefer being comfortably warm in a sleeping bag on a cold night, to laying on top

September 2021

of the sleeping bag, unable to get comfortable because it is so warm outside. And although it gets dark much earlier, that just means you can get your campfire going earlier and sit out enjoying a night time fire without the unwelcome distraction of mosquito and black fly attacks or the greasy feeling after having to douse yourself in Deepwoods Off, Ben’s or my personal favorite “Ole Time Woodsman.” Additionally, the warmth of the campfire is much more enjoyable and welcoming on a cool evening than on a warm one and you can enjoy hours of relaxation and story swapping with your friends and family and still get to bed at a reasonable hour.

Before you put the ATV away for the winter, get out there and enjoy some fall riding and camping. There are campgrounds and sporting camps open for the fall season but there are fewer people out on the trails, so you can find yourself riding for hours (Riding cont. pg 68)

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Page 66

Northwoods Sporting Journal

The Saw-whet Owl

The Bird Perch to listen at home to my bird calling tapes.

But I like the challenge. There are always some new species on the route as well as the regulars. Blue-headed and Redeyed Vireos were abundant again as well as American

a calling Saw-whet Owl! The wailing call of a Common Loon from a lake nearby was a treat. However I was disappointed this year by not hearing a Whip-poor-will. They just are not commonly found in this part of Maine and elsewhere. Also the numbers of aerial insectivores such as swallows and swifts are plummeting worldwide. The expanding

Robins,White-throated and Chipping Sparrows, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow, Chestnut-sided, Ovenbird, Black-throated Blue and Green Warblers, Eastern Phoebes, Least and Yellowbellied flycatchers, Crows, Ravens, Bluejays, and Hermit Thrushes. This year there was a commotion of upset birds at one spot. I knew there was some sort of predator nearby. It was

Motus Wildlife Tracking Network Project will help scientists learn more about the lives of birds and provide clues to where the biggest threats are for their continued existence.

Young Barn Swallows from the 2020 nesting were outfitted last year with tiny radio transmitters often called nanotags. Before they even left Ontario,Canada to migrate

by Karen Holmes, Cooper, ME I enjoyed doing my Breeding Bird Survey route this year of 2021. It was cancelled due to Covid in 2020. I find it tough to get out of bed at 3:00 a.m. because I have a distance to drive and reach my assigned route on Route 192 and onto Route 9 a half hour before dawn. But the reward is hearing the beautiful dawn chorus of birds.

Many birds sing early in the day and after storms to announce their claims on territories. I must go for 25 miles and stop for every 1/2 mile to listen for 3 minutes to the calls of birds. Then I list them on official forms.

Years ago I had to pass a test before I was assigned my route. I demonstrated I could correctly identify the bird species from their calls. Every year one or two mysterious calls cause me

September 2021

to South America, almost 60% had died. This horrible rate of loss is an example why the population of this species is crashing in North America. Bird Studies Canada founded

ing. The Northeast Motus Collaboration of North America with 50 receiving stations in New England are collecting and sharing data. Maine Audubon will be installing Motus

This year there was a commotion of upset birds at one spot. I knew there was some sort of predator nearby. It was a calling Saw-whet Owl!

The Saw-whet Owl. and manages Motus. They also decode the transmitted data. Motus in Latin means “movement” and does provide valuable migration movement data.

A network of automated radio telemetry receiver stations in 30 countries is already work-

antennae at the Fields Pond Audubon Center in Holden and the Hamilton Audubon Sanctuary in West Bath this year. Other Maine facilities joining in are the Downeast Lakes Land Trust, Bates College, the Western Foothills Land Trust and the Hirundo Wildlife Refuge.

The Motus project has the potential to become a massive international effort to track various animal movements of birds and other animals such as Monarch butterflies and bats.

Karen Holmes is a retired educator who now is volunteering to do various wildlife projects for many organizations. She really is enjoying gardening and other outdoor activities at her home in Cooper, Maine.

Crossword Answers

Across: 1 Lark, 2 Fish, 5 Tolling, 8 Game, 9 Tent, 10 Acer, 11 Creeping, 13 Lemon Stream.

Down: 1 Little Gull, 2 Fog, 3 Sora, 4 Clear, 6 Lure, 7 Northeast, 8 Glazier, 9 Tacoma, 12 Gray.

Northwoods Sporting Journal

September 2021 (207) 316-5631

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Page 67

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 68

Riding

fall.

You may find, since fishing season is over in (Cont. from pg 64) most places and golf courswith your group the only es are starting to close, that people you will encounter. you have more time to ride Going for a ride will also than you might have just keep the summer activity a month ago. The fall is a momentum going which great time to be outdoors seems to slow down in the and a great time to be out www.edssheds-cabins.com Email: edwardl@edssheds-cabins.com Bangor/Lincoln 207-738-5315/Dexter 207-270-2312

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enjoying the trail systems.

Resist the temptation to park yourself on the couch waiting for the baseball playoffs and get outside!

You will see the same areas you ride in during the summer months in a whole new light, one of vibrant colors

September 2021

and new views opened by the leaves that have fallen from the trees making familiar trails look slightly different. And if it keeps you active during this time of natural “slow down” that’s even better.

Enjoy your rides!

Ride safe, ride right!

Rod Fraser is an avid outdoorsman and twentyyear Navy veteran. Originally from Maine and living in Rhode Island, Visit his website at www.roder-

200 +/- acres Masardis Maine. In the same family for 100 years and managed sustainably as a woodlot. This well forested tract of land features its own brook and a special corner that is exceptionally mature. Interior lot that allows hunting without concern for trafficked roads. Snowmobile to your getaway in the winter and drive on a nice, graveled road the rest of the year. Enjoy the trees, create paths and trails or clear a spot near the brook or other prime spots and build your dream cabin. An investment that will both grow and pay for itself as some wood can be harvested to help with costs. Land-they are not making any more of it.

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Prentiss TWP- Sitting on 43 acres in a nice wildlife area, the cabin has been lived in, year round, the past few years right on Rosewood Haven. Put the work into removing the mold, put down a floor & turn this into a nice, little hunting cabin. $49,900

Lakeville- Spacious inside with a covered porch & large back deck.

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Two driveway entrances for your convenience on Birch Hill Rd. Extremely low taxes & access to dozens of lakes. $129,000

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Private location and hidden from view on Ames Rd. This is a wonderful hunting location and is priced fairly. $29,900

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This 41 acre lot sits high on a hill with great views on Lord Brook Rd. ATV and snowsled from this location. Take a look. $79,000 Lincoln- New lot On Long Pond. This lot has power being run on Trails End. This lot has a nice driveway and gravel pad. Very nice frontage and easy access. This is a must see. $89,900 Mattamiscontis TWP- Stunning riverfront lot with electricity nearby and on year round road on the Penobscot River. Possible owner financing to qualified buyers. Only 5 minutes from I-95 or downtown Lincoln. Quiet & rural yet easily access. $39,900 Springfield- Looking to purchase a small piece of northern Maine? This 2+/- acre parcel would be perfect. Priced to move. Ready for your camper or getaway cabin right on Route 6. Call today to come see your little slice of the north woods. $18,900 Lee- Looking for some privacy but still need year round access and electricity? This lot is well wooded, fairly level and ready for you to take a peek at on Old Steamboat Road. It could be the property you have been looking for. $37,500

Fish for Alittle slice of heaven far from the beaten path..but close to town • 90-plus acres of woodland wild • 25' x 25' log-end cabin overlooking a 7-acre pond, with a 32' aluminum native dock.

• Just 7 miles from downtown trout Presque Isle • Abundant wildlife including and moose, bear, deer, partridge, rab$249,900 bit, ducks, and geese $39,900 salmon • Immediate access to over 2,300 miles of groomed snowmobile and ATV trails Property abuts Aroostook State Park in the North Maine Woods. •• 1,200' road frontage on dead-end road offers possibilites for development

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

REAL ESTATE

Page 69

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Northwoods Sporting Journal REAL ESTATE

Page 70 SELLERS LANE

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September 2021

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