Northwoods Sporting Journal, Sept. 2023

Moira Glubb Helps Joe Can His Venison September 2023

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Bull Named Yukon - Nathan Theriault

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 3

The Bull Named Yukon

By: Nathan Theriault Being a bush pilot cer- erating cost and of course License and maintaining tainly has its perks. Aside everything that goes into it. With this investment from acquisition cost, op- achieving a Private Pilot of time and money it has helped us to put eyes on bulls many wouldn’t have ever seen. The bull in this case was named Yukon.

During an aerial survey we put eyes on one of the largest bulls I had seen in almost 8 years. It was

general knowledge of his whereabouts, it’s still hard hunting in the big woods of Maine. Animals move and we are limited to the abilities of our customers and weather conditions.

As we neared the October week of the bull hunt, we were on an aerial scouting mission doing a pass

deep in moose hunting for eastern Canadian bull moose. There has only been one bull to achieve this in OMM’s 20 plus year tenure.

The client for the October hunt was Jeff Hintz.

This would be the second Maine moose hunt that Jeff would be on. Jeff, a Wis-

After a one mile walk, looking down the straight part of the road at 6:04 a.m. just 10 minutes prior to legal shooting, I saw a moose broadside in the road through the binoculars at about 250 yards. After looking, it was apparent that this was a very big bull. two days before the September hunt when myself and guide/manager, Dana Valleau, were surprised by the sighting of the massive bull. Looking down they always look bigger; however, he was not your average bull.

The September week did not come with the success of harvesting Yukon. Even with the

around where Yukon lived.

I turned to look behind me over the strut of the Aviat Husky and you couldn’t miss the large pans of the bull dubbed Yukon sticking out on the ocean of green forest. His great pans and amazing fronts supporting a 55.25in width rack—making him close to, if not over the 200 inch mark. A mark that runs

consin resident with ties to New England, had been on a past hunt with a good friend from Maine without success. Jeff from that day continued to apply for the coveted Maine moose tag for 13 years.

On the first morning of the hunt, accompanied by my helper and client, we headed to the area Yukon (Yukon cont. pg 14)

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On The Cover

Bull Named Yukon - Pg 3 The Buck Moon - Pg 23 Late Season Brookies - Pg 28 Fall Birds - Pg 58 Camps, Cottages and Land for Sale - Pg 67-70

Northwoods Sporting Journal 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 3. The Bull Named Yukon - Nathan Theriault Sporting Journal prides itself on being 6. Slip Stream - Scott Biron an independent voice for the region’s 9. From Craig Pond - Bob Mercer 10. A Hiker’s Life - Carey Kish outdoor community for more than 28 11. Marsh Island Chronicles - Matthew Dunlap years. Some of our writers are seasoned 16. The Adventures Of Me & Joe - Bob Cram and specialized outdoors people who 18. Outdoor Sporting Library - Jeremiah Wood will share their know-how and insights; 20. Aroostook Woods & Waters - Mike Maynard some of our contributors are simply 23. On The Ridge - Joe Judd lifelong outdoor people with interest24. The Gun Cabinet - John Floyd 25. Cookin’ With New England’s WildCheff - Denny Corriveau ing stories to tell.

Our aim every month is to capture 26. On Point - Paul Fuller the essence of Northern New England’s 27. Northwoods Sketchbook - Mark McCollough remarkable outdoor heritage by stirring 28. Just Fishing - Bob Leeman 29. Basics Of Survival - Joe Frazier memories, portraying outdoor humor, 31. Best Bassin’ - Bill Decoteau and sharing experiences and outdoor 32. Maine Tails - Jonah Paris knowledge. We also keep our readers 33. Guns & Ammo: A Guide’s Perspective - Tom Kelly up to date with late-breaking outdoor 34. The Maine Woods - Matt LaRoche news and hard-hitting editorials about 36. View From The River - Laurie Chandler fish and wildlife issues.

38. Maine Outdoor Adventure - Rich Yvon Anyone who loves to hunt and 39. Old Tales From The Maine Woods - Steve Pinkham fish, or simply finds the Great Outdoors 40. Bring Them Along Carefully - V. Paul Reynolds a treasured place, is more than likely 41. Back Shelf - Mark McCollough to find some special connections amid 42. The Buck Hunter - Hal Blood 43. Northwoods Voyager - Gil Gilpatrick the pages of the Northwoods Sporting 44. South Of The Kennebec - Stu Bristol Journal.

Contents

45. On The Prowl - Justin Merrill 46. Cracker Barrel - Homer Spit 47. Warden’s Words - Kale O’Leary 48. Vermont Ramblings - Dennis Jensen 49. Green Mountain Report - Bradley Carleton 50. Maple Country Outdoors - Ben Wilcox 52. The Northwoods Bowhunter - Brian Smith 53. Against The Current - Bob Romano 54. The Trail Rider - Dan Wilson 55. New Hampshire Outdoors - Peter St. James 56. Question Of The Month - V. Paul Reynolds 58. Muzzleloading Afield - Al Raychard 59. The Singing Maine Guide - Randy Spencer 60. Kineo Currents - Suzanne AuClair 61. Outdoors In Maine - V. Paul Reynolds 62. Women From The Woods - Erin Merrill 63. The Bird Perch - Karen Holmes 64. Outdoors In Vermont - Gary W. Moore 66. A Simple Ground Blind - Bob Humphrey 67. The Easy Blackpowder Buck - V. Paul Reynolds

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

Cover Photo:

Jeff Hintz from Neenah WI. This was the largest racked bull harvested for 2022.

Hintz was guided by Omm outfitters.

(Photo by Nathan Theriault)

September 2023

www.sportingjournal.com

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

Vol 30 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 Assistant Editor - Josh Reynolds Associate Editor - Donna Veino Graphic Arts Manager - Gayleen Cummings Subscription/Distribution Manager - Alicia Cram Operations Manager - Annette Boobar Webmaster - V. Paul Reynolds Sales Department; Victor Morin,Thomas Schmidt, Paul Hatin, Traci Grant, Michael Georgia, Mike Brown & Mike Maynard Regional Advertising Manager - Jim Thorne The Northwoods Sporting Journal invites submissions of photographs and articles about the Maine outdoors.

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

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

Northwoods Voyager - Pg 43 Gil Gilpatrick

As the result of a previous column by Tom Kelly, there seems to be some clarification required in the matter of the lead ammo ban on Federal property. President Biden has stated that it will be banned on all Federal properties. This has since been challenged in court.There are some bans in effect and others scheduled to be implemented, as well as numerous court challenges.

Maple Country Outdoors - Pg 50 Ben Wilcox

On The Ridge - Pg 23 Joe Judd

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 6

Slipstream

By Scott Biron, New London, NH I grew up fishing the Androscoggin River from Errol New Hampshire downstream to just below the Pontook Dam. In fact, I remember the last of the log drives and sitting on the dock of my grandfather’s

two changes, first the flies were slightly larger in size and second they centered around three colors. The colors were orange, copper and red. It seemed there was less attention paid to the pattern and more to

Fall’s Colors

in many flies is bucktail.

When bucktail gets wet it looks twice its actual size and can change the desired look of a fly pattern. Remember, less is more.

There is no question that fall flies benefit from the color orange. I’ve seen Orange Hornberg work as well as an Orange Mother.

A few years ago I saw an angler having some luck

trolling streamers had a floss body with some color tinsel rib. You wouldn’t see anyone changing a Carrie Stevens streamer body from her original recipe.

However many of the next generation of flies changed.

Often these flies moved from a floss based body to a copper body.

Some embossed copper,

September 2023

the Androscoggin River.

There are tons of patterns that work up there and some I’ve come up with but none that had both red and orange in them. My uncle had given me some synthetic seal dubbing in red and I was determined to incorporate that in a fly.

Thinking back to my early years fishing the river

There is no question that fall flies benefit from the color orange. I’ve seen Orange Hornberg work as well as an Orange Mother. A few years ago I saw an angler having some luck fishing a Chief Needahbeh that he had substituted the yellow and red wings for orange. camp wondering if I could walk across the logs that had jammed up in the river.

One thing for sure was that the flies we used changed in many ways throughout the year.

As the fall rolled round I always noticed

those colors. The other thing was the flies were tied more sparse.

Let me explain sparse because I will use that term a lot. When I instruct fly tying classes I often share with the students that one common material used

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fishing a Chief Needahbeh that he had substituted the yellow and red wings for orange.

Over the years I’ve spoken to dozens of fly tyers who don’t just tie flies but actually create fly patterns. I’ve also observed through my historical fly tying research that many of these tyers modify their patterns as they fish them.

Historically many early

others to flat copper or copper with a copper wire rib.

I have a brook trout fly that began with an olive body but morphed to a copper body with a silver rib. That change made all the difference in that fly.

I had been working on a casting streamer for 910 Exeter Rd, Corinna

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my grandfather always had a few very sparse bucktail flies that he swore by. If it worked back then why not give it a try in my new pattern. So armed with my synthetic seal and bucktail I came up with a fly to test.

It did not start out to be a fall pattern but I worked on it over the winter. Made some changes after fishing it in the spring and when fall rolled around I was catching fish on the pattern regularly.

I gave it to some friends who used it and they also were having great luck with it. Squaretails are attracted to the color orange and this fly has plenty of orange in it. The synthetic seal takes on some interesting color when the water and light hit it.

What to call it? Always a tough task for me to come up with a name for my fly. Given where I was fishing it the logical name is the “13 Mile Woods (Colors cont. pg 14)

September 2023

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 7

Page 8

Northwoods Sporting Journal

September 2023

No High Peaks Refuge

With clipboards in hand and a big bag of our tax money, the U.S, Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) yet again has designs on “protecting,” through Federal designation, some of the high peaks in Western Maine.

USFWS says it wants this area because it contains habitat that is “under-represented in the national refuge system.”

Although USFWS has not ear-marked specific parcels or tracts of wildlands, it did hold a public exploratory meeting in the Carrabassett Valley. USFWS spokesman Nancy Perlson says the goal is to create a five to 15,000 acre refuge within a 200,000 acre area that is currently being evaluated.

Maine’s reaction to all of this? One respected Maine outdoor publication has argued in an editorial that Maine folks should keep an open mind and weigh the pros and cons. “Hear them out,” the editorial counseled.

Other stakeholders have not been so inclined. The Federal trial balloon has been opposed at the outset by the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine (SAM), The Professional Maine Guide’s Association, the Maine Trapper’s Association and other state conservation organizations.

SAM’s position is unequivocal: In the last legislative session, our organization worked with our outdoor partners to

establish the Land for Maine’s Trust Fund, providing a mechanism for long term conservation funding. The LMF program is a very popular program because it is managed by the State Legislature and accountable to the Maine people. It also has statutory protections that ensure public access for traditional recreation like, hunting, fishing, trapping, snowmobiling and all forms of recreation.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Wildlife Refuge system is managed by Congress and imposes far more restrictions on public use, than the LMF Program; in addition, changes to management of wildlife and recreational access on a refuge is far more susceptible to lawsuits and the whims of unaccountable lawmakers elected in other states.

As SAM points out, Maine has done a commendable job conserving wildlands without Federal help. The Bureau of Public Lands has conserved 600,000 acres made up of 37 separate parcels. Among these is the 10,000 acre Bigelow Preserve, which includes at least one of these high peaks.

When the Federal government pledges to you that a Maine High Peaks Refuge will permit all manner of outdoor recreation, including hunting and snowmobiling, do you honestly think you can take that to the bank?

As SAM points out above, USFWS and its

all know, 99.9% of bass introductions have been illegal, and in my judgement To the Editor: There should NOT allowing additional bass be any bass tournaments tournaments (or derbies) in northern Maine. As we will simply promote more

Bass Tourney Ban

illegal stockings. They would be one of the last challenges that northern Maine needs to preserve its nationally recognized native brook trout and landlocked salmon fisheries.

Joe Bertolaccini Orrington

Solar Panel Myths To the Editor: I saw your piece ( Northwoods Sporting JournaL) of the impact fenced in solar farms have on wildlife. You included a comment about the benefits of solar farms and the amount of electricity they generate. Your number is

policies are at the whims of unaccountable national lawmakers from other states. As one Maine forester from Western Maine said, if we have a problem with state agencies, we go to Augusta. If we have a problem with the Feds we have to go to Washington and through six layers of bureaucracy.”

Additionally, the USFWS and its wilderness holdings are constantly in the litigatory crosshairs of national environmental organizations that are unabashedly anti hunting. For example, in Montana last week, the Center for Biological Diversity (CND) filed a lawsuit against USFWS to stop a new rule that USFWS issued to increase fishing and hunting opportunities in 147 national wildlife refuges in Montana.

The Land for Maine’s Future Program has proven an effective model for conserving important tracts of Maine wild lands and it will continue to do so. Best of all, unlike national wildlife refuges, it is managed by the state legislature and is accountable to Maine’s citizens.

Make no mistake, there are always strings attached when the Feds come calling. If Maine is smart, it will in a polite way tell USFWS that we know how to look after our own peaks, thank you very much.

- VPR

very misleading, because you have been misled!

Anytime we humans alter the Earth’s land or waters, there are consequences. I think a cost-benefit analysis is essential in deciding what projects make sense. The key to any such analysis is GOOD DATA. When evaluating the benefits of a solar farm, the Name Plate Rating of the solar panels is good to know, but is NOT the data you need to make good decisions.

Similarly, when buying a car, the horsepower of the motor is good to know, but a very minor consideration for most people: A car with a 500 HP motor

only goes as fast as fuel (gas) enters the carburetor and, solar panels only make electricity as fast as light enters the panel.

A solar panel’s name plate rating tells you what a brand-new panel, fueled by direct sun, would likely (best case) generate. A typical panel is rated for 300 watts. If a farm has 1,000 300-watt panels, it is RATED at 300,000 watts or 300 kilowatts. This means, in one hour, with new panels, at noontime on a sunny day, the farm might generate 300 kWh of electricity (worth about $15). This 300 kilowatt rating is what is touted by the (Letters cont. pg 21)

Northwoods Sporting Journal

September 2023

Page 9

Becoming A Writer

I have no idea what I am doing, but here goes.

I can’t imagine that I said “yes,” when V. Paul asked me to write for the Sporting Journal. It seems that folks enjoyed the drivel that I put together in the past, which prompted his asking me.

However, I find myself in an odd position. One reason I attended The Maine Maritime Academy was, as I perused the whole four years of course offerings, I found only one English course.

So why would I accept this challenge? I spent most of my adult life enjoying the out-of-doors, hunting and fishing the length and breadth of Maine and enjoyed time as a registered guide. I enjoy reading stories others have written. Most outdoor writing, however, is reporting rather than writing. For example, “We went here and did that,” or “here is how to do this or that.” I am especially dubious of “where to go” articles. Who in their right mind would publicize their best producing and favorite spots? I want to know how folks feel, what is inside them as they traipse about in the woods, forests, streams and on the lakes. Were they moved or inspired; if so, how? Can I make one feel what it felt like to be there?

One of my favorite country songs is The Ride

by David Allen Coe. The chorus asks, “Mister can you make folks cry when you play and sing, have you paid your dues, can you moan the blues, can you

bend them guitar strings?

Boy, can you make folks feel what you feel inside”.

The question to me is, as I pay my dues, can I make folks feel what I feel inside?

When I look at a Tom Hennessey print, I feel like I am there. There is an essence that comes

do I describe the thunderous explosion of a grouse exiting, post haste, from right under your nose, or the need to stop and listen as you hear him drumming in the spring? Try to explain the nervous excitement of a “nice one” rising to a dry fly on a calm June evening, on a remote pond

From Craig Pond

by Bob Mercer, Bucksport, ME

Questions keep arising. How does one explain the feeling of serenity that comes from the sound of rain on the roof of a camp?

Envision a hunting camp deep in the woods, or a

I have concerns as to whether I can share these feelings with others in a meaningful way. I am searching myself, wondering if I can write so that folks not only read the words, but feel the feelings. through, right off the canvas. Good writers help one experience the story. An example is the introduction to The Good Trail,

by Bill Geagan: (Outdoor writer for the BDN before Bud Leavitt) writes, “The witches of the wind are crying and clawing outside my cabin this January night.

The frost that is painting masterpieces on my windows is also snapping like whip-lashes in the trunks of the trees. The meadows of the sky are powdered with stars and the nervous green claws of the Northern Lights are trying to harvest them.” Any question as to what kind of night this is?

This to me is the epitome of writing.

That short paragraph is the type of material that I would hope to emulate.

Now, where do I go from here? How do I explain the crunchy, dainty steps of deer coming toward a stand in November? How do I describe the way your chest feels tight and breathing becomes uneasy, as your heart beat elevates? How

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with the wild silence of the wilderness surrounding you. I have concerns as to whether I can share these feelings with others in a meaningful way. I am searching myself, wondering if I can write so that folks not only read the words, but feel the feelings.

camp on the shore of the lake close to nature, with minimal technology, like my camp on the shore of Craig Pond. Can I pass on the importance of being still, quiet and in the moment; absorbing nature and not just passing it all off as nice.

With all of this in mind, I embark on becoming a writer. I hope from sharing feelings and not of ego and/or arrogance.

A place of sharing the love of nature, with the feelings the natural world evokes and not from a place of “I know more than you do.”

I hope you all will enjoy my writing and effort as I begin this new journey.

Bob Mercer writes from his camp on the shore of Craig Pond, where his wife Jean and he raised three children, who blessed them with ten grandchildren. Bob may be contacted by email at: Craigponder@ myfairpoint.net

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Page 10

“A Hiker’s Life”

Northwoods Sporting Journal

By Carey Kish, Mt. Desert Island, ME Old Speck rises nearly 2,700 feet above Grafton Notch, topping out at a lofty elevation of 4,170 feet. The mountain, situated in Grafton Township a scant three miles east of the New Hampshire state line, is the highest point in the wild Mahoosuc Range and the fifth highest peak

ledges with a good look at the upper reaches of the mountain and the large alternating swaths of exposed rock and tree cover from many slides over the ages.

This speckled appearance is the source of the mountain’s moniker, tweaked a little perhaps to

Old Speck

420 million years old.

The Old Speck Trail levels off on the southwestern edge of the Eyebrow before circling around to the south at a mostly moderate grade over a series of wooded knobs. Rising amid the stunted trees surrounding the summit clearing is a 36-foot observation tower, which nets you a huge 360-degree vista, ample reward for the sweaty effort to reach the top.

September 2023

west slopes, roughly from Table Rock to the peak of Old Speck. Surrounding the park are the Mahoosuc Public Lands, which range from Carlo Col near the NH border northeast to the Cataracts close to East B Hill Road in Andover North Surplus.

the airy rim of the 800-foot Eyebrow Cliff to enjoy the raw beauty of the Mahoosucs and consider what a conservation and recreation bonanza this place is for so many year-round.

Simply amazing.

Warning: On the summit of Old Speck, beware

The 31,800-acre unit features some extraordinary alpine terrain, the highest body of water in the state—Speck Pond at 3,400 feet—and many miles of scenic trails, including two dozen miles of the AT and a chunk of the 38-mile Grafton Loop Trail. Roughly 10,000 acres of the Mahoosuc Public Lands is specially designated as an ecological reserve.

On the descent, before tackling the iron rungs, ladders and cables on the last 1,000 feet to the valley floor, pause for a while on

of the brazen Canada jays, infamous denizens of boreal forest environments.

Cute as all get out, yes, and picture worthy, for sure.

But they’ll steal the sandwich right out your fingertips in a heartbeat if you’re not vigilant. Throw out a nibble or two of GORP to satisfy the little beasts and gain a few moments of peace.

This speckled appearance is the source of the mountain’s moniker, tweaked a little perhaps to distinguish it from other similarly named mountains in the general vicinity, like Speckled Mountain near Evans Notch and Speckled Mountain astride the Sumner-Peru town lines. in Maine, after Katahdin, Hamlin Peak, Sugarloaf and North Crocker Mountain.

The Old Speck Trail, also the route of the Appalachian Trail, switchbacks next to tumbling Cascade Brook for the first mile, eventually reaching some

distinguish it from other similarly named mountains in the general vicinity, like Speckled Mountain near Evans Notch and Speckled Mountain astride the Sumner-Peru town lines.

The wavy metamorphic bedrock of Old Speck, incredibly, is estimated to be

Coastal

wiscassetspeedway.com

Looking westerly, you can see right into the defile of Mahoosuc Notch, famously known as the most difficult mile on the entire 2,192-mile AT. Beyond, there’s the profile of Mahoosuc Arm, Fulling Mill Mountain and Goose Eye, and then the Carters, Wildcat and Mt. Washington and its northern Presidential Range neighbors.

Cast an eye over U-shaped Grafton Notch to view Sunday River Whitecap, Puzzle Mountain and West and East Baldpate.

The 3,200 acres of Grafton Notch State Park include the namesake notch and much of its east and

Caribou Area

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

SUBSCRIBE TODAY! (See page 47)

September 2023

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Water Power

The prudent sportsman takes care on the water. Before I go fishing or hunting on the Penobscot River or any local body of water, I make sure I leave a note saying where I’m launching from, so that if (heaven forfend) some-

weather was sunny and warm. We checked out the weather forecast soberly; it seemed as though a front was coming through with a day or two of rain. We were only thinking of how that would impact our Monday cookout, of course. By

because of the storm-swept fallen trees piled on it like Lincoln logs.

Paddling around on a quiet stream and flicking dry flies into the tops of backcurrents and swirling eddies belies the dangers of water when it is aroused.

Despite not knowing how to swim, I’ve never shied away from an adventure on or near water. During the Vermont flood-

Page 11

Marsh Island Chronicles

by Matthew Dunlap, Old Town, ME end-piece of my sectional rod slipped off and followed the fishing line into the depths. Now I risked not only being out a new and pricey lure, but my rod as well.

Did I mention I don’t know how to swim?

In the late fall while hunting the northern diving ducks, a misstep like that in the late afternoon can make for a long night.

thing goes wrong, my wife can give the local game wardens a starting way point to go looking for me.

When I do that, what I really have in mind is the embarrassment of running out of gas for my outboard several miles from the boat launch, or worse, hitting a rock and disabling the motor altogether. In the late fall while hunting the northern diving ducks, a misstep like that in the late afternoon can make for a long night.

This summer my family took our usual summer vacation week in northern Vermont. We have a timeshare in a town where there’s some pretty good fishing for me and great attractions—including fabulous restaurants—for the rest of the family. This year, the crazy weather that has become more common brought some sudden and frightening guests to the state: flash floods.

When we arrived, the

Sunday afternoon, however, the forecast transformed into dire warnings about historic rain and almost certain flooding.

We were lucky. Up in the mountains, a day of driving rain did no worse than compel us to cancel a dinner featuring charcoalseared cheeseburgers and hot dogs. Further downstate, though, the devastation was swift and dramatic. When I reached out to my scheduled fishing guide to talk about cancelling our trip, he replied “this flooding is the real deal—wow!”

Later in the week, as we returned home through the farm country of central Vermont, the wire service photos of the flood damage really didn’t do it justice.

Downtowns piled up with debris; bridges washed away; small farms inundated with a couple of feet of water—all within hours.

We went through one small town where the bridge over the local stream was closed

ing, I remembered an incident where I was fishing a brand-new—and rather expensive—spoon lure in some fairly fast water near Old Town. As I paused my retrieve, I thought I had a take—and was quickly disappointed that I had snagged something on the bottom. I tried flicking the lure off whatever it was hooked to, but to no avail.

Then, to my horror, the

I wrapped the reelside line and rod around the nearest tree, kicked off my shoes, and gripping the line, waded out into the current. I was nearly waist deep before I felt the bottom end of the rod section, and with an inspired twist and turn, rescued both the lure and the rod. It was only when I reached shore that the towering stupidity of what I had risked really

sunk in.

I sat for a while, watching the rolling current, and marveled at my good luck. Not a bad thing to have, especially when you need it; but it’s generally a poor substitute for some proper planning and a life jacket that fits.

Relying on that bit of luck when your attention to safety slips—even for a moment—is how a lot of obituaries get written.

Take it from a sportsman who has, at times, been imprudent, and lived to tell the tale.

Matt Dunlap is a sportsman from Old Town and is a periodic co-host on Maine Outdoors, heard statewide every Sunday night at 7:00 pm on WVOM 103.9 FM, WVQM 101.3 FM, and WRKD 95.1 FM in Rockland.

Page 12

Northwoods Sporting Journal

September 2023

Outdoor News - September 2023 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.

Hiking mountain trails and camping can be great this time of year. Cool nights for deep sleeping 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.

Maine in September.

Next to October, who could ask for anything more?

Gouldsboro Man Dies In UTV Crash

The Maine Warden Service is investigating a fatal ATV crash that occurred August 7 in Washington County.

A little after 12:15 p.m., Ethan Taylor, age 32 of Gouldsboro, and his passenger, 27-yearold Kimberly Billings of

Gouldsboro, were traveling

by UTV on the 42-000 road in Township 36 in Washington County.

While driving the 2021 Kawasaki side by side UTV, a dog who was also riding with them jumped out. Taylor, who was driving the UTV, looked back to see the dog, but when he did, he turned the steering wheel which caused the UTV to start to roll, and then it appears he overcorrected the steering, causing the ATV to roll over.

Taylor fell out of the UTV and then became pinned underneath the machine after it rolled over on him. Wardens arrived on scene, and were able to free Taylor from the ATV, but he had already passed away. Billings was transported to the Down East Community Hospital where she was examined then released. Taylor was taken the Bragdon-Kelley Funeral Home.

The Maine Warden Service was assisted on the scene by the Grand Lake Stream Fire Department, LifeFlight of Maine, and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

Biden Administration Withholding Funds from Schools with Hunting Courses

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

The ED issued a statement claiming that the decision was due to an inter-

pretation of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) passed last year in response to several shootings. The agency claims that its interpretation determined that funding for any shooting-related activities will be blocked across the country, under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965.

“This prohibition applies to all ESEA funds,” said an ED spokesman.

“The prohibition went into effect immediately on June 25, 2022 and applies to all existing and future awards under all ESEA programs, including [21st Century Community Learning Centers]. The Department is administering the bipartisan law as written by Congress.”

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

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

“It’s a negative for children. As a former educator of 30-plus years, I was always trying to find a way to engage students,” Floyd said last week. “In many communities, it’s a shooting sport, and the skills from shooting sports, that help young people grow to be responsible adults. They also benefit from relationships with role models.”

The decision drew backlash from the GOP, who say that the agency’s

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

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

“This is shameful, but not at all surprising,” said Congressman Dan Bishop. (R-N.C.). “The Biden admin will take any opportunity to stomp on your constitutional rights — even down to teaching kids archery and hunting skills.”

Windham Man Arrested After Threatening Game Warden With Handgun

A Windham man was arrested in early August after threatening a Maine Game Warden with a handgun.

The Maine Warden Service was called to Sebago Lake near Point Sebago Campground to respond to complaints about a boater acting erratically. A game warden deputy responded to the scene, and when he approached the boater, the boater pointed a pistol at him and threatened him.

The Game Warden kept his distance from the boater, radioed for assis-

tance, then secured the area on the water to make sure no one else approached the boater.

Multiple game wardens, Cumberland County Sherriff Officers and a state trooper responded to the scene. The Cumberland County Sheriff ’s Emergency Service’s Unit was able to start a dialog with the boater, and then later arrested him without incident.

Timothy Flick, age 60 of Windham, was transported to the Cumberland County Jail and charged with criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon, aggravated reckless conduct, and obstructing government administration.

Maine Warden Finds Missing 15-Year-Old Boy

Warden K9 Gordon and Game Warden Preston Pomerleau located a missing 15-year-old boy who had gotten lost camping after he had gotten up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom while camping.

Nathan Beckman, age 15, of Scarsdale, NY, was on a backpacking trip on the Grafton Loop Trail in western Maine. The Grafton Loop Trail is a remote 38-mile loop trail that connects nine mountain peaks.

Beckman was on a trip with Overland Summers, a Williamstown, Mass. organization that specializes in youth outdoor adventure trips.

Beckman had gotten out of his tent at the Bull Brook Campsite to go to the restroom at night. Trip (News cont. pg 13)

Northwoods Sporting Journal

September 2023

News (Cont. from pg 12) Leaders had heard Beckman get out of his tent, then heard distant yelling.

Trip leaders confirmed he had not returned to his tent and began searching for him, but were unable to locate him or get him to come back. When they could no longer hear him, they called 911 a little after

5:00 a.m.

Game Wardens responded to the scene and began to conduct a search in the rugged terrain on the southern slopes of Old Speck Mountain and Slide Mountain. 15 game war-

dens responded, along with over 40 personnel from search and rescue teams from across the state. Responding organizations included Newry Fire Department, Mahoosuc Mountain Rescue Team, Franklin SAR, Wilderness Rescue Team, Maine SAR Dogs, Maine Mounted SAR, Southern Maine Law Dogs, Maine Forest Service, and Bethel Fire Department.

Wardens used ground teams and SAR K-9’s to search trails, wooded areas, and stream beds throughout the search area.

They also utilized two fixed wing aircraft, a helicopter, and a drone to search from the air. ATVs were used to transport search teams into the remote area.

Game Warden Preston Pomerleau and his K-9 partner Gordon located a jacket and hiking boot where were believed to be lost by Nathan. They continued searching the area, and at about 3:10 PM, they

heard distant yelling. Upon investigating the source of the yelling, Warden Pomerleau located Nathan in the woods about 0.4 miles from the campsite. Nathan was still moving through the woods on the steep mountainside, attempting to find his way back to the campsite, eluding searchers and traveling back through areas already searched. Nathan was in good health and did not need medical attention. He was able to hike out with the assistance of search and rescue team members, and he was reunited with his group in Bethel at about 6:30 p.m.

Trout Unlimited Says Brookfield Report Sidesteps Facts

According to this press release from Trout Unlimited, in a filing required by Federal law, Brookfield Renewable Energy Partners failed to explain the July 7, 2023, draining of the West

Branch of the Penobscot River.

As previously announced, a shutdown of Brookfield’s McKay Hydro-electric Station below Ripogenus Dam occurred on July 7, 2023, leaving the West Branch of the Penobscot River virtually dry for over 4 hours and unquestionably resulting in devasting impacts to fish and aquatic communities, harming the river system, and impacting boating and recreational activities.

According to Brookfield’s own data, McKay outflows normally range from 3000 to 1800 cubic feet per second (CFS). The Brookfield SafeWaters website posted a flow of 100 CFS at 7:00 p.m. on July 7, and it remained low at 11 p.m. The resulting water flow drop was catastrophic for the re-

Page 13 cently hatched landlocked salmon in the river and shut down recreational activities for residents and visitors alike. Ripogenus Dam is located 30 miles west of Millinocket, ME. Brookfield’s confusing July 21 report to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), sidestepped the July 7 incident and its impact, instead focusing on river flows on July 8. The report includes graphics depicting river flows on July 8 but not on July 7. The flow events were attributed to the lightning strikes that occurred during the July 7 storm.

There are 3 generators at McKay Station and Brookfield reported: “Two units at McKay Station remain out of service until bearing repairs can be made.”

Water is currently being released through a deep (News cont. pg 15)

Let us know your opinion. Send letters to the Editor to: NWSJ P.O. Box 195 W. Enfield, ME 04493

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 14

Yukon (Cont. from pg 3) was last seen. My wife Katie also had been drawn for that week. As an outfitter, understanding priorities are very important. I knew that this was a bull that needed my attention. That said, I don’t remember feeling lucky very often over the decades, except on this day.

After a one mile walk, looking down the straight part of the road at 6:04 a.m. just 10 minutes prior to legal shooting, I saw a moose broadside in the road through the binoculars at about 250 yards. After looking, it was apparent that this was a very big

bull. We were able to walk within 150 yards. After setting Jeff up on the sticks, I asked him to look through his scope and give me the reaction of the bull as I called. Being slightly dark still, that would give me a read on other animals, mainly cows that might be with the bull. After a series of grunting the bull looked our way and quickly back to the right side of the road. We then focused our eyes there, which revealed two cows. It was clear we would be able to walk up to less than 100 yards for the shot. At 6:17 am., only three minutes into legal shooting, the bull was on the ground.

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(Cont. from pg 6) Special”.

Recipe Hook: Partridge Heritage Streamer CS5 9X #6-10 Tail: 2 Golden pheasant crests dyed orange curving upward Body: Rear 1/3 UV SealX sunrise, front 2/3s red Uni Seal Rib: Medium flat gold mylar Wing: Very sparse white bucktail under orange bucktail Collar: Sparse widgeon, 2 turns Eye: Short jungle cock Head: Red Over the winter after I developed this fly I got a nice email from someone asking for the pattern recipe. He then sent several photos showing me his work. The following spring he wrote me a note thanking me for the recipe and said he went on a fishing trip to Maine and used that pattern almost the entire trip catching many brook trout and was the envy of his friends.

Scott Biron cut his teeth learning to tie flies and fly fish back in the1960s in the North County of New Hampshire. He has fished many of the streams north of Route 26 in NH and his favorite the Androscoggin River. He is a Master Artist in the NH Traditional Arts Program and instructs fly tying both nationally and internationally. He is on the Ambassador Pro Team for HMH Vises and Partridge of Redditch. Ewing has come out with a signature series line of feathers under Scott’s name.

September 2023

Northwoods Sporting Journal

evin (larval salmon) are extremely vulnerable to rapid flow change and the initial (Cont. from pg 13) dewatering and subsequent gate in Ripogenus Dam flooding of the riverbed. bypassing the disabled genThe Holbrook Spawning, erators to maintain required Incubation, and Nursery flow levels.

Channel (FERC License Article 406) would have been completely dewatered during the event on July 7.”

Registered Maine Guide Todd Mercer ob-

served: “At about 9:30 a.m. on July 8, I put my raft in the water above McKay Station. At the time McKay was releasing 1400 CFS. I paddled across the river to the area across from McKay where I know fish get trapped at low flows. From the boat I could only see part of the area, but I could see about 10 dead salmon all about 10” fish lying

News

“Brookfield’s filing diverts attention from a devastating event affecting both the fisheries and the aquatic communities of the West Branch to a temporary disruption of whitewater flows,” said Steve Heinz who coordinates FERC actions for Maine Council of Trout Unlimited: “We need real transparency from Brookfield. We need to know exactly what happened on July 7 and why. And we especially need to know what’s going on at Brookfield as they seek a new license to continue operating this dam.”

“The photos of the Big Eddy taken the evening of July 7 show water levels lower than I have ever seen them, and the waters may have continued to drop as the outage persisted,” said Ed Spear, retired fisheries biologist formerly employed by Great Northern Paper, an owner of the Ripogenus Dam before Brookfield. Spear went on to say: “Essentially, the entire West Branch 2023 salmon year class was eliminated. The timing of this disastrous outage could not be worse as it occurred during the peak fish and aquatic growing season and a prime angling period and it occurred during daylight hours. Recently emerged al-

on the bottom of the river, and I wondered how many salmon had perished due to the previous evening’s dewatering.”

Julie Puleio and her husband were driving across Telos Bridge around 10:15 p.m. the evening of July 7. They noticed that: “The water was extremely low, it sounded different, so we stopped and

Page 15 got out. Looking out we could see expansive rock ledges below the bridge, which are otherwise always covered. Pools and pockets of water separate from the main flow in the middle of the river. We stopped next at the river left public access of the Big Eddy Campground, a point spot known to most anglers as (News cont. pg 19)

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Page 16

The Adventures of Me and Joe

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

Joe flipped down the bail on the old-style canning jar, pulled the tab on the rubber seal, and lifted off the glass cover. Careful not to spill anything, he poured the contents into the hot frying pan, stirring slowly. “That’s the last jar of deer meat,” he said ruefully, setting the empty jar and cover in the sink.

“Well, the season opens tomorrow,” I replied. “With any luck, one or the other of us should be able to hang up a buck before long.

We’ll just have to take another batch of venison over and have Moira Glubb can it up for us.”

Those who have never experienced the taste of canned deer meat have missed out on one of the great delicacies of rural cuisine. Properly canned, venison makes its own gravy in the jar, needing only a little seasoned flour to thicken it before eating.

Even the toughest sections of lower leg meat fall apart under the pressure of a fork

and the steaming hot mixture, poured over bannock or fresh biscuits, is fit for a king’s table. The canned meat will last for years with no other attention than to keep it from freezing and from getting too hot.

F or years , Moir a Glubb had canned our year’s supply of deer meat in return for a plentiful supply to add to her own larder. Moira was an elderly Mooseleuk widow who lived alone in a small house on the outskirts of town. Between Social Security, sewing and selling patchwork quilts, and the wild fish and game provided by people like me and Joe, Moira managed to live fairly comfortably.

“I don’t think Moria’s gonna be able to do our cannin’ this year,” Joe said thoughtfully as he stirred the meat and gravy in the pan.

I stopped cutting up bannock into our plates and looked at him. “Why not?”

“Heard they’d moved

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

The Canning Caper

On Friday, with a good deal of apprehension, we picked up the canning supplies at Moira’s house and drove over to the retirement home. As we carried the various canning supplies and the big container of deer meat into the lobby, Moira met us with a beaming smile.

her into that new retirement home by the river.

Seems she fell and banged ‘er hip a while back an’ her relatives down in Kittery figured she’d be better looked after in the home. I don’t ‘spect the folks that run the home will take too kindly to her takin’ over the kitchen out there to do her fall cannin’.”

Slowly, I began to set the table. Outside the cabin windows the wind had died and the temperature was starting to drop. It looked

like tomorrow would be a great day for hunting deer. But the idea of Moira penned up in a retirement home and the prospect of facing the winter without an ample supply of canned meat cast a pall on my good mood.

The next morning was cold and still. Me and Joe separated north of town to hunt the piece of woods above Slocum Deadwater. As I moved along the low ground bordering a hardwood ridge, I came

upon the fresh track of a young buck. Just the thing for good eating, I thought.

It looked like the buck had been feeding in Hobe Jillpoke’s back pasture during the night. From the leisurely pace of the tracks and the direction of travel, I figured the deer was going to lay up on the south slope of Tanner Ridge where the warm rays of the rising sun would warm him in his slumber.

I immediately swung (Me & Joe cont. pg 17)

Shown actual size

Noah Binder

(Marty was found on pg 68)

Address City

Marty

September 2023

State

Phone I found Marty on page

Zip

Entries must be postmarked by 9/7/23 to be eligible for this issue.

If you just can’t get enough of reading our Me & Joe Adventures, check out the All Outdoor section of our new Northwoods Sporting Journal website:www.sportingjournal.com You’ll find an ample supply of Me & Joe stories to keep you checking for a long time.

Northwoods Sporting Journal

September 2023

Me & Joe

(Cont. from pg 16) off to the south, downwind, and hurried along through the swampy growth to get ahead of the meandering deer. I came out in the thinning trees just east of the ridgeline and settled down to wait. Quietly, I checked the loads in the old .30-30 Winchester carbine I’d inherited from my father.

The gun sported a narrow leather sling, a peep sight, and an uncanny habit of laying 170 grain Remington Core-Lokts right where I aimed.

It was a half-hour later when I caught a flicker of movement down-slope to my left. The buck, a fat forkhorn, worked slowly up the hill, taking full advantage of every bit of cover and stopping frequently to scent the breeze and watch his back trail. Using a hemlock branch for a rest, I waited until he paused a scant 40 yards away. Then

I took careful aim and put my bullet right where the heck joins the head. The buck fell in its tracks.

I’d just finished field dressing the buck when Joe came sauntering down the slope. “Hear yore shot.

Figured you must have connected. That’s a right fat little crotch horn. Be nice an’ tender. Looks like it’s fresh liver an’ onions for supper tonight.”

“Yeah, but it’s too bad we have to do our own canning this year. Maybe we can borrow some jars from Moira. Let’s go over and visit her after we get this buck hung.”

That afternoon it clouded up and was spitting snow as me and Joe walked into the reception area of the Mooseleuk Sunny Seniors retirement home. At our request to see Moira Glubb, someone disappeared down a long hall.

Presently we heard a slow, clumping sound and Moira appeared in the doorway,

leaning on a cane.

“Wanted to bring me down in one of them dang wheelchairs. Be a cold day in the nether regions when I can’t get around on my own two feet, even if I do need a cane now and then!

How you boys doing?”

“We’re doin’ fine, Moria. Heard you’d banged yer hip. How’s it comin?”

Joe asked.

“Better every day, but it still pains me in this kind of weather. Then them nephews of mine down to Kittery used it for an excuse to stick me in here.

Still, I guess they mean well. But the food here is atrocious. They feed you things like artichokes and curried rice. I’d be like to starve if I hadn’t snuck in a few jars of canned deer meat to keep body and soul together. Speaking of which, I’m almost out.

Isn’t it about time you boys were bringing me some fresh meat to can?”

“Why, yes ma’am, it

is,” I said. “Fact is, we got a fat young buck this morning, but we figured, what with you being in here and all, that you wouldn’t be able to do it.”

“No such thing! You get that meat cut up and then stop by my house and pick up my canner jars, and…”

“I’m afraid that won’t be possible.” We all turned to see a tall, thin-featured man standing in the doorway, a frown on his pale face. “We certainly can’t allow any “home canning” in this facility.”

“Who’re you?” Joe asked flatly.

“My name is Hokely Cornfield, and I am the manager of this establishment.” He turned to Moira with a condescending smile. “Now, Mrs. Glubb, you must understand. State and federal statutes prohibit us from serving meat that isn’t federally inspected.”

“Don’t want you serving my deer meat here,”

Page 17 Moira replied emphatically. “I just want to can my winter’s meat and a little for my friends here.

Surely there’s room in that big shining kitchen back there. I mean, how much room does it take for those cooks to boil up a few pots of mush?”

Cornfield held up a hand. “I’m sorry, but it is out of the question. I can’t permit private use of the home’s facilities.”

As Joe was about to come out with an angry retort, a tall, pretty woman with short auburn hair came up to Cornfield with a worried look on her face.

“Hokely, I’m worried,” she began. “The doctor just wrote out another prescription, but Peter doesn’t seem to be getting any better.”

“There, there dear.

I’m sure the doctor knows what he’s doing.” Cornfield replied soothingly. “We’ll just have to be patient, and keep a close watch (Me & Joe cont. pg 22)

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 18

Outdoor Sporting Library

Alaska Challenge

help.

It was a honeymoon trip that brought Bill and Ruth Albee to the north, but this was far from a typical vacation. The newlyweds had a desire to experience true wilderness and learn about the people who lived

It would be a near impossible task to travel the north woods country with few trails, no settlements, and only what they could carry on their backs. The B.C. authorities initially refused to let them go,

With a determination that would serve them well later on, Bill and Ruth went anyway. In the spring of 1930 they purchased all the food and camping gear they could pack and quizzed the locals for information on the land and routes they’d have to take.

And then they disappeared.

in the arctic and boreal forest. More interestingly, though, is that they wanted to do it in a way that no one had done before. Starting in British Columbia, they planned to walk to Alaska through the ‘back door’, avoiding the somewhat civilized parts of the territory, to experience what the life and people were like in the far away places.

concerned they’d have two more missing people in the books, likely never to be found again. The route they wanted to take from Prince George to Liard Post and eventually Dawson City, would entail hiking several hundred miles of uncharted territory – not even maps could help them – and if something went wrong there was no place to find

A series of newspaper articles beginning in late June of 1930 told a story of a missing couple who defied the warnings of local authorities and experienced woodsmen, and were almost certainly dead somewhere in the wilderness. But after the news buzz went away, a weeks-old letter arrived at the California home of

by Jeremiah Wood, Ashland, ME

September 2023

Another letter from mid-September carried news that the couple were still alive despite the mass speculation, common in matters where facts are scarce, that they had succumbed to the wilderness. More letters arrived periodically, proving the Albees were carrying on.

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Bill Albee’s mother. It was from Bill. He and Ruth had reached a remote outpost and were continuing on their journey.

Another letter from mid-September carried news that the couple were still alive despite the mass speculation, common in matters where facts are scarce, that they had succumbed to the wilderness.

More letters arrived periodically, proving the Albees were carrying on.

What the letters didn’t describe, however, were the incredible struggles they

faced trying to navigate unmapped territory, battling the elements and warding off starvation.

By winter they reached Dawson, and settled in town to earn enough money to continue the trip down the Yukon. For a couple determined to avoid civilization, the truth is that Bill and Ruth loved people and they got along great in the small town. They immersed themselves in the community, befriended the people and became part of the local fabric for those (Alaska cont. pg 22)

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

relatively benign weather determine if any further Nancy Perlson, a conservation consultant in western conditions: water and air actions are required.

Maine. Perlson says estabtemperatures in the 60s.

(Cont. from pg 15) lishing a refuge in the area Conditions for the recent U.S. Fish and the “culvert pool” where would also help preserve event would be more likely we found stranded crayfish Wildlife Service public access to recreation. to cause mortality. and trout.”

Eyeing Western “Most of our recreThe Ripogenus Dam Maine Peaks ation takes place on private (Project No. 2572) is cur- Brookfield’s Report: The U.S. Fish and land and is not protected, rently undergoing FERC The Other Side of Wildlife Service issued guaranteed in any way,” relicensing. As part of the the Story this press release in early says Perlson. “In fact, process, Maine Council Kevin Bernier, Brook- August: we’re losing access all the of Trout Unlimited had field’s Compliance Of“The region has the time as land changes hands. requested that Brook- ficer for the Rip Project, state’s largest expanse of And right now we’re in the field conduct a study to explains the outage. In a high elevation forest, and midst of a real boom in real determine the degree of nutshell, they had a light- combined with rivers and estate development and stranding and mortality ning strike that knocked streams down below, it’s a sale of large tracts of land, that was occurring during out the generation units. At diverse habitat that could which puts that at even McKay Station generator that time, they were also re- become increasingly imfurther risk.” trip events when flows fall leasing 100 cfs through Rip portant for species to adapt “Nobody wants to quickly to 500 CFS. FERC Dam into the Gorge as re- to climate change,” says (News cont. pg 65) approved the request and quired by their license. The Brookfield conducted a West Branch flow that is US RT 1 BEGINS AT drawdown mimicking a reported on their website is “LA PORTE DU NORD” trip. This study was con- not measured by a physical ducted on October 5, 2022. gage in the river. The flow The results were shocking is calculated by the electriwith numerous strandings cal output at McKay Staof both fish and macroin- tion. So when the turbines 356 West Main St Fort Kent, ME 04743 vertebrates observed by the went offline, the electrical Phone: 207-834-3133 Fax: 207-834-2784 Brookfield contractor con- output went to zero. Thus, ducting the study as well the website only reported as TU observers. Stonefly the 100 cfs that was flownymphs and landlocked ing through Rip Dam. salmon young-of-the-year When the units went or fry were especially im- offline, the emergency pacted with the young-of- backup system went into the-year or fry being the effect and immediately most affected. Brookfield released around 400 cfs reported: “Stranded fish into the river. But that flow were observed throughout was not reported on the seven distinct reaches of website because it didn’t Nature never goes out of style here in Fort Kent. We are at the West Branch between result in power output, the the end of historic US Route 1, across the river from Canada, minutes from Allagash wilderness, walking McKay Station and the units were just passing the distance to the Lonesome Pine Downhill Ski Facility. The Nesowadnehunk Dead- water. This is how the sysTenth Mountain cross country and blathlon facility. The water. Approximately 450 tem is supposed to work.

University of Maine at Fort Kent, downtown with it‘s stranded fish were ob- This is what FERC has ap- quaint restaurants and bars. Walking, ATV and snowmobile served during the study, proved. I’m not sure what trails are adjacent to the property and there are many attractions a short drive away. representing nine species: the flow was at the time of landlocked salmon, brook the disruption, probably trout, slimy sculpin. Most somewhere in the range of stranded fish were young- 1100 – 2400 cfs, but a rapid of-year landlocked salmon drop in flow to around 500 (55 percent) followed by cfs would have resulted in blacknose dace (31%) and some stranding of young banded killifish (5%). Of salmon in certain areas the stranded fish observed, of the river, but it was the approximately half were result of an act of Nature. classified as mortalities.” The information has been This is even though the submitted to FERC by study was conducted under Brookfield. FERC will www.northerndoorinn.com

Page 19

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Page 20

Mass is More

by Mike Maynard, Perham, ME Brush rounds and brush guns, the age-old argument rolls merrily along. Are there good ‘brush guns’? Sure, that’s easy. The venerable .3030 Winchester 94 is the

with a wingspan that makes an albatross jealous, I can’t contort myself enough to get comfortable with it. Its traditional longer- nosed brother isn’t much better; I’m not Gumby.

sucker and I can almost get comfortable. The rifle has always been here with us, but the Benoits made it

But what about the ‘brush round’; is there such a thing? Do ballistics matter? Well, the short answer would be yes. first one that springs to mind. Even better would be the .30-30 Trapper, if you can find one. One of my lifelong hunting buddies took nothing else into the woods of New Hampshire, and he owned every other rifle ever made. Cute little thing, though impossible for me to shoot. At 6’4”

The Remington 760, sporting the 18” barrel is a ubiquitous fan favorite here in northern New England.

Everybody shoots those things! Open sights, quick swing time. The pump action exceedingly smooth, letting you get off a second and even third shot in rapid succession. Put a good,

famous. Not sure I’d go all ‘Grandma Moses’ on the stock like Larry did, but hey, to each his own.

For my size, the Mar-

choice. Longer, a little heavier, again, a generous butt-plate addition, and it just feels better in my

most of us, hunting on the frozen tundra of The County, in a sea of overworked, slash-burdened clear-cuts, shots beyond 50 yards are rare; just don’t break out your inner Chuck Connors and jack that lever for all it’s worth and wait for all the smoke to clear. But, I’m not really a lever action kind of guy, so I’m not likely to wander into the woods with either of them.

And at my advanced age, open sights have become unusable. You either focus on the deer and the sight picture is a total blur, or you focus on the sights and hands. They say that an the deer gets lost in translaMoA of 2+ inches at 100 tion. Old farts need scopes yards is pretty standard for and I can’t bring myself to these rifles. Not so good if put a scope on something you’re going to be shooting as sublimely beautiful as your grandfather ’s old Winchester anyway.

My rifle of choice is a .308, maybe a .25-06. No, that’s not true; sometimes I like the .30-06 better. I spend an inordinate amount of my summer trying to decide what rifle to take into the woods every season.

Think women have trouble deciding on shoes? You ain’t seen nothing… My .308 could be considered a brush gun. It’s short barreled but the stock, when you add the requisite extensions, actually fits me quite well. A good weight, easy to swing, and just ugly enough that the addition of a good scope makes up for Canoe, Kayak and a lot of visual warts. Tack Tube Rentals driver, too.

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September 2023

Mass

(Cont. from pg 20) you shoot a relatively slow round, like the aforementioned Winchester .30-30, with a 165gr big ol’ round nosed bullet, the odds of the round getting through softer, shrubby, grassier obstructions without much deflection are far better than if you’re shooting one of the warp speed rounds.

The .25-06, which I love (as long as you have the right bullet configuration) would not be a round that I would take into the boreal black growth of northern Maine. Nosler says it can push an 85gr ballistic tip round out at 3,600fps. An 85gr bullet at that speed would likely be kicked far offline simply by clipping grass.

Back in the late 50’s, Outdoor Life gun writer, Jack O’Connor, wrote a piece about ‘brush’ rounds.

He set out to test the theory by using several different calibers and varying bullet configurations. His conclusions were that, yes, if you want a ‘brush round’ you should be shooting a cartridge that is relatively slow, heavy, round-nosed, solid bullet construction and a slow spin rate. Just reading those old ballistic charts makes me want to

Northwoods Sporting Journal run right out and find a vintage 1950’s Marlin 336 chambered for .35 Remington. A 200gr bullet and a charge that lobs the bullet downrange at a sedate 2,100fps, is just what I need for shooting bucks that hang up in the thick stuff. Plus, I don’t own one, which means I need one. I know, I said I didn’t like them, but I lied.

When I was younger and more impressionable (read: dumber) everything had to be all about speed.

My bullets, my arrows, skis, motorcycles, everything. But then I made the mistake of shooting a buck with a completely inappropriate round from my .25-06. I recovered

the buck but what I found when I opened him up was a lesson in bullet construction I never forgot. No more light bullets that sacrificed proper expansion properties for the sake of achieving warp 9. We get smarter as we get older, it’s true. Even my wife tells me I might turn out alright, given a little more time.

Ammo has become ridiculously expensive. Do your homework before you pick up that next box of shells, you’ll be thankful you did.

Mike Maynard lives in Perham, Maine and can be reached at perhamtrout@gmail.com

Letters

(Cont. from pg 8) pro solar players. It is false advertising.

The number that is important in cost benefit analysis is the Name Plate Rating times the CAPACITY factor. The annual Capacity Factor for solar panels in Maine is at best 20%. Why is that? The biggest problem with solar is it does not work at night, which is half of every year, everywhere on Earth. The amount of electricity actually produced during daylight hours is further reduced by the angle of the sun, age of the panel (panels wear out fairly quickly) cloudy

Page 21

weather, snow covered panels and dirty panels (pollen and dust). The fact is that the 300 kW solar farm, AT BEST, only generates an average of 60 kW of electricity.

Have you seen the 500 ac solar farm in Farmington? That farm has a name plate rating of 76 megawatts. The actual capacity is only 15 MW (20% of 75). For comparison, the Aziscohos hydropower station (housed inside little building next to the parking lot on Magalloway) has a capacity of 7.4 MW! And some of the best fishing on the river is Powerhouse pool!

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 22

Me & Joe (Cont. from pg 17)

on the boy.” The couple moved off, conversing in low tones.

Moira watched them with concern. “Their son, Peter, is about eight years old,” she murmured. “He’s been sick for three or four days. Upset stomach, no appetite, low-grade fever.

The doctor has tried different drugs, but nothing’s helped so far.”

“Well,” Joe sighed, “I guess you won’t be doin’ any cannin’ this year Moira. Maybe we can borrow your stuff and do the cannin’ ourselves.” He paused, but Moira appeared to be in deep thought. Finally, she looked at us.

“You boys go ahead and bone out that deer.

Then, on Friday, you stop over at my house and get my canning stuff. Bring the meat, the jars and everything over here in the afternoon.”

“But Cornfield said…”

Moira interrupted me.

“Never mind what he said,

just do as I say!” She turned and clumped off down the hall.

Me and Joe spent the next day cutting and packaging deer steaks and roasts and putting them into the freezer. We put everything else, the cuts that many people grind into hamburger, into a big container for canning.

On Friday, with a good deal of apprehension, we picked up the canning supplies at Moira’s house and drove over to the retirement home. As we carried the various canning supplies and the big container of deer meat into the lobby, Moira met us with a beaming smile. I noticed that she had given up her cane and was walking with barely a limp.

As we greeted her, Hokely Cornfield appeared in the doorway, a dark and ominous look distorting his long face. “What is the meaning of this? I thought I made it very clear that under no circumstances were you to do any canning in this facility! Who told you to bring this…this… paraphernalia over here?”

“I did,” Moira answered firmly.

“You did? And just what made you think you could do something here that I expressly forbid?”

“I told her she could.”

Cornfield turned in astonishment as his wife walked into the room.

“But, Maureen, I thought I had made it plain that…” At that moment, a small boy came rocketing through the room, a toy airplane held high in one hand. With a loud ‘brrrrrr’ to simulate engine noise, he disappeared down the hallway.

“Was that…was that Peter?” Cornfield stared down the hallway in consternation.

“It certainly was, no thanks to that quack you hired,” his wife answered firmly. “Moira, here, has been feeding Peter broth made from canned venison for two days now. Today his fever’s gone, he’s eating like a pig, and he has more energy than two boys.

Now Moira is going to can up this deer meat in the kitchen and what’s more, I’m going to help her. You men follow us.” With that, she put an arm around

September 2023

Moira’s shoulder and the pair of them moved off toward the kitchen, deep in conversation.

Hokely Cornfield stood with his mouth hanging open. “Well, I…that is I don’t know…”

“Don’t you fret about it Hokely, my man,” Joe grinned as we picked up the canning supplies and prepared to follow the women. “Jist you wait ‘til you get you a belly full of this here canned deer meat.

It’ll likely cure what ails you, same as it did fer yore boy!”

Alaska (Cont. from pg 18) long winter months.

The second leg of the journey began the following spring. After building a boat and loading with supplies, a much less rigorous but just as interesting mode of travel described their second summer.

After the journey ended, the Albees found themselves in an interesting predicament that often confounds young people. It was time to settle down, find a place to call home and start a family.

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But home was no longer California. They loved the north and desired to stay.

Plus, the costs of the trip had prevented them from saving the money necessary to leave.

A new chapter unfolded with an opportunity to teach in the Eskimo village of Cape Prince of Wales, the westernmost settlement in North America on the harsh Bering Sea. While most outsiders avoided the desolate, remote place, the Albees grew to love it.

They became part of the small community there as they taught the kids, hunted and foraged with the locals, and now with two children of their own, began to build a life.

Books about the north seem to have a common thread, with folks from outside relishing their experience in a wild frontier, but almost invariably returning to civilization after a short time. With Bill and Ruth there was something different. They could actually see themselves staying in Arctic Alaska forever.

Ironically, two of the only people willing to stay were forced to leave. The government terminated their positions due to lack of funding. The Eskimos lost their school, and the Albees found themselves back in California.

“Alaska Challenge” was first published in 1940 and was reprinted several times. It is also available in ebook and audio formats.

Have a Safe and Happy Labor Day!

September 2023

Northwoods Sporting Journal

The Buck Moon

I was reminded recently, that the full moon in the month just passed is often referred to as “The Buck Moon”! Now, I might have already known this and

But what does the moon phase have to do with this?

Well, while most serious deer hunters are familiar with the facts about the moon phase, a little well-

on its orbit position, which is broken into the four lunar phases, “New Moon, First Quarter, Full Moon, and the Third Quarter”, and they’re divided based on the shape of the moon and the phase it’s in. Many people don’t realize just how much the moon affects our daily lives.

For example: when we

Page 23

On The Ridge

by Joe Judd Shelburne, MA gency unit responses, crime, etc. Just ask a nurse or a cop and they’ll be happy to give you the low down on this phenomenon!

During deer season, I

cycles and deer movement.

The reality is, there simply is no real evidence to be found. However, virtually all marine life is influenced by the tides, and since the

But, as interesting as all this might be, most of the hard research on the topic shows no parallel whatsoever between the lunar cycles and deer movement. The reality is, there simply is no real evidence to be found.

simply forgotten it, and perhaps you knew this as well!

But all it took was a little research to remember that the “Buck Moon” gets its name from the antlers of a male deer, which are large enough in July to be spotted in the moonlight, which makes perfect sense to me! However, other names also describe a full moon in July, such as, “Ripe Corn Moon, Thunder Moon, Salmon Moon, and Raspberry Moon”, just to name a few, and it’s all fascinating stuff for discussion.

But when a name like “Buck Moon” comes into my conversations, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that my head is going straight in the direction of deer hunting, deer movement, and the full moon! That said, it’s always important to understand deer movement in general, and to remember that the objective of a whitetail deer’s existence is to find food daily.

intended refreshment on the subject never hurt anyone!

It’s common knowledge that the moon rotates on its axis at the same rate it orbits the Earth, but only one side of the moon is visible from our planet. However, moon illumination varies by degree of sunlight depending

have a Full or New Moon, the earth, sun, and moon are in alignment, and the combined gravity force of all three creates high tides and low tides. During quarter phases, when these gravity forces of the moon and the sun become perpendicular to the Earth, there is less tidal change. Most animals consist of about 50 percent water. So, one might expect the moon could, somehow, influence behavior in both animals and humans alike.

And with that in mind, there are numerous reports on how the Full Moon affects human reproduction, admittance to hospitals, emer-

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always toss and turn at night during the Full Moon, while lying awake in bed, wondering what they’re doing, and itching for “first light” to appear! But, as interesting as all this might be, most of the hard research on the topic shows no parallel whatsoever between the lunar

moon controls the tides, couldn’t you say that the moon absolutely affects the behavior of marine life? In comparison, whitetail deer behavior is influenced by changes in the amount of daylight more than anything else. But could the moon, in (Moon cont. pg 37)

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 24

The Gun Cabinet

by John Floyd, Webster Plantation, ME As a professional bear hunting guide, I answer a lot of questions about bear behavior from prospective clients as well as nonhunters who are just simply curious. Quite often, I find myself answering the same

September 2023

Debunking Bear Hunting Myths

a bear site less desirable.

The truth is that during bait site, it goes cold due the fall season, bears are to an abundance of human entering the hyper-feeding stage in anticipation of the activity.

While it sounds like winter slumber. Food is on

the bear at 6:51 p.m. The next photo on the camera’s memory card was another bear at the bait at 9:06 p.m.

Yet another bear showed up at the same bait the follow-

have been seeking out.

Josh Peters was hunting one of my most productive stands during the 2019 season. Tucked away inside the wood line looking

Myth: Once a bear is killed and retrieved from a bait site, it goes cold due to an abundance of human activity. questions frequently. Most of these are based on old wives’ tales and hunting fallacies passed down from generation to generation.

Here are the top two ‘rural’ legends I am most asked about during bear season.

A mature bear visits a bait site after the author retrieved his client’s bear at the same spot two hours earlier. common sense, this belief their mind constantly and ing morning! over a cedar swamp to the couldn’t be further from little will prevent them north with a corn field to the truth. Every season and from seeking it. In Richard Abandoned Baits the south, this site had mulpractically every individual P. Smith’s Hunting TroMyth: If bears stop tiple bears visiting nearly camp, hunters ask to sit a phy Black Bear, the author tending a bait site, it isn’t daily. As soon as Josh took Multiple Harvests stand that hasn’t been hunt- notes how a Michigan bow worth hunting anymore. the stand however, the site Myth: Once a bear is ed before, believing that hunter, testing new equipThere are many rea- shut down. After not seeing killed and retrieved from a prior human activity makes ment in Ontario during a sons bears will stop visiting bears for three days he was no bag limit hunt between a bait site that has been getting anxious. I was too.

1969 – 1970 successfully active. Changes in natural The trail camera revealed dropped four bruins within food source availability, no bear activity. Then I no42 minutes at the same bait weather and the want for ticed bear sign at the edges site. Two of the bears went variety can all cause it. of the cornfield and saw down where they were Sometimes, just the small- patches where bears had hit with a third bolting a est change of scent in the been feeding heavily in the short distance, piling up air from a hunter being on rows, trampling flat spots within sight. More bear ap- stand can cause a bruin to throughout. I convinced proached the bait site later, hang back from a well- Josh to hang tight at that pausing to inspect one of tended site. The key to stand for the rest of his hunt the downed bears then con- what may be perceived as and he tagged his first black tinued on to the bait unde- an abandoned bait site is bear two days later.

DISTRIBUTOR NEEDED! terred. The fourth bear the patience. Bears know the The Northwoods Sporting Journal is archer arrowed made it to bait is there. They want to John is a Registered looking for a part-time distributor for the cover before going down. eat that bait. They just need Maine Guide, an NRA CerSouthern Maine area.

During the 2020 fall to be comfortable returning tified Instructor and is the Applicant must have personal transportation bear hunt here at Tucker to it after whatever trig- owner of Tucker Ridge and will be responsible for delivering the Ridge, my client Bill Mc- gered them off of it doesn’t Outdoors in Webster PlanNorthwoods Sporting Journal to stores in Guire took his first black bother them anymore or tation, Maine. He can be Southern Maine on a monthly basis. bear on the first day of his they have had their fill of reached at john@tuckerhunt. The trail camera re- beechnuts, berries and any ridge.me or on Facebook For more details contact Alicia at 207-732-4880 corded Bill and I retrieving other natural foods they @tuckerridgeoutdoors or Email: info@sportingjournal.com

September 2023

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Preparing Wild Game Are you a person that likes to process your own game or bring it to a quality butcher?

Many individuals

Cheff, understands that I for those who enjoy eating am all about making the game in an innovative way.

What do I mean by most out of what I harvest, and I am also dialed into this?

As with anyone that to creativity as it relates has niche expertise, there are people that have standard efficiency that you can live with, and there are others who can apply a little bit extra technique which yields a different result.

One prime example

Page 25

Cookin’ With New England’s WildCheff

by Denny Corriveau, Kennebunkport, ME

that has great expertise, and they deliver results that leave an impression on you.

Starting with bears; they are a unique animal that despite what many think, can provide some great table fare. The best

Moose on the other hand, can provide you with a variety of options once you find that gifted butcher.

While the standard cuts that you are accustomed to hold true, there are unique cuts that can also be enjoyed from your moose.

Once such instance is when you harvest a bear or moose.

Both of these animals have unique properties in how they can be butchered, and with the right skill and knowledge, an experienced meat cutter will apply creativity.

choose to take their game animals to a local butcher for processing. In doing so, it saves them the time and work that is required to break down their animal and package it for consumption.

While I am a firm believer in self-preservation and reliance, there are times when utilizing a quality game butcher can pay dividends.

Once such instance is when you harvest a bear or moose. Both of these animals have unique properties in how they can be butchered, and with the right skill and knowledge, an experienced meat cutter will apply creativity.

I don’t want to discourage you from processing your own game, but I do want you to recognize circumstances that warrant consideration for letting someone who is better positioned to handle that task help you when needed.

Anyone that knows me or follows me as Wild-

to my game that I prepare.

Personally, I enjoy cooking and eating it in inventive ways, and I view wild game as an adventure that continues on the plate, long after the hunt is over.

There are effective ways to achieve this. When you find a talented and knowledgeable butcher that can work with your harvested meat in a creative way, it’s a game changer

is my good friend Josey Hemphill in Woodland Center, ME. Josey is a dedicated butcher who thinks outside the box. He applies his creative side and talent to provide his customers with cuts that allow you to extend the ways that you enjoy your game.

I am thoroughly impressed with any individual that goes the extra mile for you, and Josey is one of those types of individuals.

He’s parallel to picking a hunting or fishing guide

cuts for steaks come from the loin and backstrap.

Bear can also present a great opportunity for tasty hams, and offer unique value, as you can render the fat and make lard that lends itself to creating beautiful pie crust for pot pies, game pies and the like.

Bear meat can also play a great role for delicious stews, flavorful burgers, and tasty sausages. You can also process shaved steak to make steak and cheese sandwiches with it.

Examples would be Ribeye’s, NY Strip, Tri Tip, Cube, Sirloin Tips and Flank Steak, which is often overlooked by most hunters and butchers.

With both of these animals, you can also braise large pieces of the meat for 90-120 minutes until it is tender enough to cool down and shred. You can then enjoy some of the tastiest tacos you’ve ever had.

It’s all about creativity and making the most of (Game cont. pg 35)

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 26

On Point

by Paul Fuller, Durham, N.H. It’s important that each time you perform this exercise, when the pup is placed back down on the table, you repeat “whoa” and hold the puppy still initially for three or four seconds and extend that hold still time each exercise. After the puppy shows

lease command, we have a different command for each dog. For Dillon, it was “super”. For Cordie, it’s “trigger”. For Dena, it’s “amen”.

The same time your dog is learning to stand still, it can learn its release command.

The release command is used every time you want

Teaching Whoa

September 2023

Part 2

Some pro-trainers will lift and put down as we did on the training table but most I’ve seen simply put the dog down on the plank and leave it there while repeating the “whoa” command.

Initially, for a puppy, I would only leave it for a minute or two. We don’t want to scare the pup…it needs to be fun. After the pup has acclimated to the

Also, some of the dog supply companies sell a “whoa” harness. It’s a harness with a handle. The idea is to walk along side of your dog and, when commanding “whoa”, you pick-up the dog with the handle and then set the dog down. signs of understanding what you mean by “whoa” and stands still mostly on their own, no longer hold the pup. The training sequence is you initially lift, put down and hold, then you will lift and put down and not hold and then you will simply give the command “whoa” and the pup must stop on its own…and stand still until you give the release command.

Speaking of the re-

to release your dog from standing still.

There is also the “whoa” plank. The plank is a board 6” wide and about four feet long. It’s positioned at waist height.

The concept here is that because this is a narrow and precarious position, the dog won’t want to move and will stand still automatically. Lift a dog up and place on the plank. Very seldom will they move.

narrow plank, eventually extend the standing still time to five minutes.

And, there is then the “whoa’ barrel. The barrel is the same concept as the plank. It’s a barrel that’s been positioned on a platform so it won’t roll when placing a dog on top.

Also, some of the dog supply companies sell a “whoa” harness. It’s a harness with a handle. The idea is to walk along side

Susan Fuller using a place board for whoa training. (Photo by Paul Fuller) of your dog and, when training table to actually commanding “whoa”, you teach standing still; howevpick-up the dog with the er, we use the place board handle and then set the dog to reinforce the command. down.

Our place boards are 3’ One more tool you high and 2’ wide and 3’ may use for standing still long. The top is 3/8” ply(whoa) is the place board. wood. We paint the entire At our house, we use the board and then cover with outdoor carpeting.

On a lead, bring your dog up to the place board (do not stop) and just prior to the dog reaching the board, give a the command “place” while leading the dog onto the place board.

Once all four feet are on the place board, give the command “whoa”. We do this three times for one session.

When the dog stands still, reward with a treat. Our goal is for the dog to associate the place board with standing still. This is important since we use place boards to teach steadiness (Chapter 6). As with other exercises, we try to do two sessions (three repetitions (Whoa cont. pg 30)

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September 2023

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Warm Weather Moose Hunting

For three days in July, the University of Maine Climate Reanalyzer unofficially documented that the planet sweltered in the hottest days recorded since satellite records began 44 years ago. Temperatures hovered at 100+ alltime highs for weeks in the Southeast and Southwest, in part to an un u su ally strong and warm El Nino, a warming of the central Pacific Ocean. El Nino years bring warmer weather and drought to Maine, particularly in the fall.

This autumn, Maine moose hunters could experience more warm, dry weeks of hunting.

In 2022, Maine moose hunters experienced the lowest success on record; just 62 percent according to Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW). Warm weather during September and October moose weeks can further reduce success rates.

On warm nights moose are not as active, even during the rut, and don’t move far from cool, wet bogs and shaded spruce, fir, and cedar wetlands.

Maine moose hunters have two challenges when the weather is warm; to find a legal moose and to recover and cool the meat

as quickly as possible. I have encountered shortsleeve weather on my last several moose hunts, which

Skip hunting moose from a truck. We have been most successful finding moose just before sunrise and just

The Author with his warm weather moose. requires a change in tac- after sunset adjacent to tics. Preseason scouting wet, boggy areas. That may is helpful in locating bogs mean hiking miles during and wetlands where moose the mid-day heat to find acare likely to be hunkered tive moose trails, wallows, down in warm weather. and beds; good candidates

Page 27

Northwoods Sketchbook

by Mark McCollough, Hampden, ME to use your birchbark call for a morning or evening hunt. Be prepared for an active week by pre-season exercise and walking, and be ready to hunt (and haul out) a moose much like you would hunt deer.

So, your planning, scouting, and luck paid off, and you have downed a moose. Photos are taken and the phrase “Now the work begins” is repeated thousands of times each fall in the Northwoods. The key to top-quality moose steaks starts the very moment you pull the trigger.

Each year, fewer Maine moose hunters adhere to the tradition of extracting a whole moose from the woods. Quartering and packing a moose out in game bags is the best way to care for your meat.

Skip extracting the whole moose with its hide

on. By fall, the winter coat is growing in, and it retains a moose’s 101-degree body heat like a wool blanket. A whole moose carcass left in the woods on a warm September night will “cook” inside the hide. Instead, butcher your moose in the woods, get it into game bags, and cool the meat as quickly as possible.

In warm weather, hunters have to work quickly to protect the meat from bottle flies (blowflies). Within hours on a warm day, a moose carcass can become a buzzing orgy of egg-laying flies. Maggots appear in the meat within 2 to 3 days later depending on temperature.

Bacteria, yeast, and molds begin to multiply in game meat at temperatures above 40 degrees. Spoilage can occur in 3 to 6 hours at air (Hunting cont. pg 30)

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Page 28

“Just Fishing”

Northwoods Sporting Journal

by Bob Leeman, Bangor, ME As the fall season eases in on us again, it’s time for a canoe trip down a favorite brook trout fishery.

Pick an avenue that’s shaded, quiet, smooth flowing, with trickles of a spring

2X long shank hook---size 10 or 12. Some anglers fashion up a muddler head on it, while others stripe it with silver tinsel, and still others prefer to criss-cross red thread over the wool

September 2023

Late Season Brookies

veterans kept blocking a fishing proposal to keep it open for a couple of weeks more, at least. Finally, after many attempts, the law was amended to not only the end of August, but also including the full month of September. Wow!!

However, there are some added restrictions, that

been harvesting the animals, to the deterrent of both fish and fishermen.

First off, beaver dams have sprung up on most brooks and streams, causing catastrophe for most. These bar-

Fishery biologists agree that the increase of beaver and their dams is a real deterrent for a healthy and thriving brook trout fishery. Too, the water temperature in these “beaver

riers block the flowage and become good fishing holes for short times perhaps, but without the availability of flowing water and riffles for spawning and reproduction, the waterway soon becomes a dead hole for good fishing.

ponds” usually rises to unhealthy conditions during the crucial months of July and August.

If there is a tiny light at the end of this tunnel, from the loss in value in beaver furs, beaver “casters” have bolted in treasure to upwards of fifty dollars per pound! That, in itself, keeps a scattered few trappers still in pursuit of these treasured furbearers.

Fishery biologists agree that the increase of beaver and their dams is a real deterrent for a healthy and thriving brook trout fishery. Too, the water temperature in these “beaver ponds” usually rises to unhealthy conditions during the crucial months of July and August. entry. Following a long, sultry summer, trout seek comfort in such places.

Perhaps a favorite imitation fly choice might be an old favorite grasshopper pattern. There are several sham look-a-likes, but none “fills the bill” like the original. That is, with a yellow wool body, red quill snit tail, assembled on a

body. Doubt the quarry cares or notices one way or the other. This late-season fly pattern works, and that’s what counts.

Not too many moons ago, brook and stream fly anglers, and bait users, were cut off legally from their revered trout waters on August 15 th! Hard to imagine, isn’t it! That old

most trout seekers agreed to, and that included: “Fly Fishing Only and a No-Fish Limit.” My fishing buddies were overjoyed. Now we can enjoy the sport and not harm the fishery one bit.

These days, however, with the fur market value on beaver skins falling to a new low, the trappers, excepting a few, have not

Central Maine Region

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

September 2023

Page 29

Immediate Survival Checklist

place to lay down. No ants/ candy. Relax.

Feel fear and panic, hornets/biting things. No dead branches/trees above but STAY SITTING. Get your trash bag/ you?

Find a way to be off tarp/rain cover out and the ground. Either lay on a ready for rain. Stay dry!

Check your map/GPS. tarp or a pile of green tree Check map on your phone/ branches or dry leaves. phone location. Check Cold or wet ground is You can put a phone signal. Try to find BAD. What does weather where you are. If phone can copy of this list look like? Cold? Need a call out, call for help. in your survival During daylight, use fire? kits or use it as a Take a complete inyour whistle every 20 minguide to write ventory of all your gear. utes or so. 3 loud blasts. your own.

If you have less than Pack/pockets/clothing.

Before dark. Bring a copy of this list in your 2 hours of daylight, don’t firewood to your fire area. survival kits or use it as a try to walk out. Plan to stay Be sure it is a safe place to the night. guide to write your own.

Drink more water. burn. Nothing on or under Are you on fire or is the ground to catch fire.

Use water filter! anything eating you?

Find a comfortable Keep everything in arms Are you injured? Treat the injury.

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Basics Of Survival

by Joe Frazier, Bangor, ME reach from the fire pit.

Find a place a few steps from your sleeping area to use as a bathroom. If you don’t have a flashlight, plan on not walking more than 4 steps from your fire/ sleeping area.

Drink more water.

Use water filter.

Prepare water for morning. If you don’t have a filter, start a fire for boiling water.

Settle in for the night.

Then try to get sleep. Be careful with the fire.

In the morning, as soon as it is daylight. Start using your whistle again.

Every 20 minutes or so, 3 blasts and listen. If you

hear a response, do 3 more blasts. Search crews usually start at first light.

Drink more water.

If it is cold, get your fire going again.

Check your area again. Be sure it is safe and a good area to be in.

Unless you are COMPLETELY SURE of where you are, don’t leave. Stay and wait for rescue. Don’t get more lost.

Try to see a large open area. Either a field, shoreline, powerlines, anyplace you can be seen from the air. Planes, helicopters and drones will not see you under trees.

(Checklist cont. pg 37)

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 30

Whoa

(Cont. from pg 26 per session) per day. One in the morning and one in the afternoon. Three consecutive days is good.

For place board work, don’t be concerned about not having a place board in the field while hunting. The dog easily transitions from place board to bare ground.

Here’s an issue your author learned first hand.

Early on, I taught my recall commands before I taught whoa. Both are extremely important. However, teaching recall first makes it a default command. Getting your dog to learn and be obedient to whoa becomes harder. When you whoa your dog, it will feel the pressure and recognize that pressure is eliminated by coming to you. Teach whoa first and then your recall

command.

Remember that patience and persistence are the key words in training.

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

Hunting

(Cont. from pg 27) temperatures above 50-degrees. Never cool the meat in a stream or lake. Moisture accelerates bacterial growth.

MDIFW has an excellent video on “quartering” a moose using the gutless method. First, roll the moose on its belly, slit the hide down the center of the back and skin the moose, and cut off the

Central Maine Region

lower legs. Unless you are a real Paul Bunyan, quartering a moose into 4 pieces is a misnomer. Cut the moose carcass into pieces as small as you can realistically carry, and immediately place each piece into a game bag. Smaller pieces of meat cool faster.

Game bags do doubleduty to cool meat and keep it clean. I cut each hind quarter into two pieces (4 bags), keep each front leg and shoulder blade intact (2 bags), cut the neck into two pieces (2 bags for a bull), carefully fillet the tenderloins and inner loin (1 bag), and bone the remaining meat from the ribs and the rest of the carcass plus heart, tongue, and kidneys (1 bag). Bone as many of the leg pieces as feasible to reduce weight and better cool the meat. Hang closed game bags in nearby trees to help cool the meat un-

September 2023

til it can be hauled to the truck. That adds up to 10 trips out with game bags of meat and an 11th trip to retrieve the head, antlers, hide or cape. Using the gutless method, the remains of the carcass (spine, rib cage, neck bones, entrails) are left in the woods. When you are done, the skeleton should be cleaned of meat better than the ravens and gray jays could do.

Hunters should prepare by having your warm weather butchering kit packed and ready in the back of the truck: 2 or 3 pairs of latex gloves. ten X ten blue tarp for a clean surface to butcher meat and keep flies off the moose carcass. ten game bags with transportation tags, two knives; a stout hunting knife and a thin-bladed fillet or butcher’s knife and sharpening stone, a bone saw or Wyoming saw,

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heavy duty pruning loppers (great for cutting ribs), 20-30 yards of parachute cord, rags, pack frame for packing out meat, chain saw or axe to clear brush, headlamp, bright flashlight, and extra batteries. Coleman lantern (and matches and fuel) to illuminate the butchering area after dark or to find your truck hiking out at night, flagging tape to mark a trail in and out, sturdy boots to avoid twisting an ankle carrying heavy loads, first aid kit, plenty of drinking water, and hip boots to cross deep water. Some hunters use pepper to deter blowflies.

Extra snacks or K-rations; you may be out until 2:30 in the morning. Finally, a large 120-quart cooler or multiple smaller coolers.

Have ice pre-frozen back at camp (1-gallon milk jugs work best). If there is no ice, spread out (don’t stack) the game bags of meat on wood pallets in the back of the truck to encourage air circulation, cover loosely with a plastic tarp to keep dust off the meat, and get to refrigeration as quickly as possible.

A warming climate means we will experience ever-warmer moose hunts.

Hunters must have a plan to get their moose meat cooled as quickly as possible. It’s nearly impossible to cool the meat with the hide on, so the gutless method (quartering), and cooling meat in game bags is the only way to go in warm weather. Here’s hoping for a frosty morning or two, and best of luck to the lucky permit holders!

Mark McCollough is a 145-pound (when wet) wildlife biologist who has quartered and hauled out many moose. If he can do it, so can you!

Northwoods Sporting Journal

September 2023

Page 31

ICAST 2023 Copycat or Not Best Bassin’

It never ceases to amaze me how so many items can be labeled new and different, yet still seem to look the same and work the same way as many older items? Now please don’t misunderstand me, when it’s labeled ‘Fishing’. I’m the first one in line whether it’s labeled new or old! There must be some minute difference within these similarities, right? I must admit, recently my mouth went into gear before my brain. Was it at all possible, that one manufacture placed another manufactures product onto their product line? The answer was an absolutely no questions asked, oneword statement, “YES”.

Daiwa’s new Muskie Bessie is 6.5 inches long, weights vary up to 5.5 ounces and is equipped with two 4/0 treble hooks.

Between the hooks is a unique stainless-steel blade design for vibration, noise and action. Actually, the Muskie Bessie is a larger version of the Nishine Lure Works ABINO 110F. There is no copycat action here the two companies agreed to the larger version of the ABINO 110F being marketed as a large Daiwa Muskie Bessie!

The truth is major companies have been producing their products for competing companies for a very longtime! Be it fishing rods, reels, line, hard & soft baits or terminal tackle…

With minute differences (Ex: metal replaced by plastic) and sold under the competing company’s name!

After scanning the ICAST aisles in search of items I would purchase, either due to their uniqueness

or down right fish catching ability. The following products in my opinion are worth considering.

Accessories: Installing rattles or weights in plastic baits is quick, smooth and easy! ZMan’s new RattleSnaker is a stainless-steel compact tool allowing anglers to insert rattles into their plastic baits instantly.

Equipped with a 10-rattle storage section, simply make the insertion hole and then use the pushrod to insert your weight or rattle. www.ZManfishing. com VMC Swingin’ Ned Rig answered the call for Ned Rig jigs. Plastic trailers move independently and more naturally. Sizes 1/16, 1/8, 3/16, 1/4 and 3/8 oz. www.Rapala.com

Rapala RapStack Tackle Trays Rigid, cold and heat resistant UV material. www.Rapala.com Rods: Cashion Rods answered the calling for ‘Going Finesse’! The introduction of a Salt Finesse BFS Ned Rig Rod, is built on a carbon fiber CR6r blank. At 7’ this Cashion rod mates perfectly for micro finesse baits from 1/16 oz. to 3/8 oz. Plus has a Lifetime Replacement. www.Cashionrods. com Reels: Shimano Stradic FM spinning reel received several upgrades; InfinityXross Technology increasing gear durability, Duracross Drag system provides smooth performance and the new Anti-

by Bill Decoteau, Hampden, MA Twist Fin enhances line management when spooled with either monofilament or fluorocarbon line. www.

Fish.shimano.com Lews Custom Lite SS Baitcaster Reel; Designed for Finesse anglers produces ultimate distance and control. Shallow Spool less inertia to spin when casting light weights. One piece frame and duralumin spool with featherweight frame. www.Lews.com Softbaits: ZMan’s new Gremlin measures at 4.5” Creature style bait. Designed for

flipping with a ribbed body.

The Gremlin is constructed with ZMan’s new ElaZtech Flipping Formulation for durability and easy hook penetration. www.ZMaFishing.com ZMan’s 2.4” TRD GobyZ mimics round goby perfectly. Suggested to be rigged on ZMan Ned Rig or Football NedZ www.

ZManFishing.com Rapala CrushCity Freeloader New to Rapala CrushCity are Custom soft plastic baits. With an enticing tail action the Free(Copycat cont. pg 40)

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 32

Maine Tails When I was younger, my grandfather would often recount stories of lateseason bottom fishing in the 1940s. On frosty mornings, my grandfather and great grandfather would leave the marina on Emmons Avenue in Brooklyn, New York, aboard the family fishing boat, Whitecap, and

Whiting: A Forgotten Groundfish

Midwest. To further add to the confusion, the New England whiting is an encaught many of them along tirely different species than the ledges of Casco Bay. A the “whiting” of the Southfew more years would pass eastern and Gulf coasts before I would find myself (from the Menticirrhus far enough offshore in the Gulf of Maine to catch ling (red hake) and whiting.

Whiting, also called silver hake (Merluccius bilinearis), are long, streamlined fish with pointed

By Jonah Paris, Scarborough, ME

catch, it is not uncommon to find a juvenile whiting in the stomach of a larger whiting. Top baits for whiting include small pieces of clam, mackerel, and squid.

Though whiting will not

Historically, whiting have been a late summer and fall fishery on the ledges in the Gulf of Maine. snouts and large mouths lined with needle-sharp teeth. Despite their name, they lack the hallmark whiskers and resemble little of a “true” hake. WhitThe author with a four-pound whiting ing have a white belly, destined for the dinner table. which gives way to silver (Photo courtesy of Jonah Paris.) flanks, and a dark copper olive back. At first glance, genus) and are actually typically hit a cod jig, they whiting look similar to kingfish. will eagerly bite teaser flies speckled sea trout of the Historically, whiting and soft plastics.

South and walleye of the have been a late summer Look for whiting in 30 and fall fishery on the ledg- to 45 fathoms. While hades in the Gulf of Maine. dock are typically found on In years past, whiting had the high ground, whiting moved up on the bank by congregate on the declinlate July and we would ing contour of hard bot1 John Deere Road target them until the charter tom structure. Clients will Windham, ME 04062-4836 season faded out in mid- often hook into whiting 207-892-6894 www.hallimplementco.com October. However, when towards the end of a drift.

Conquer the Maine Woods with a John Deere we started fishing the tradi- However, when predators Gator. Whether you are hunting, fishing, camptional haddock grounds in are present, like a school of ing, trail riding or whatever brings you to the woods in Maine, be sure that you have everyJune this season, the whit- bluefin tuna, whiting seek thing you need including your John Deere Gator ing were already awaiting refuge in the mud bottom XUV. With several models to choose from, there is bound to be a Gator to fit your outdoor needs. us in impressive numbers. at 50 fathoms or deeper.

With greater operator confidence, master the These whiting average Interestingly, larger whittrails of Maine for work or play. two pounds, but three- and ing, the “baseball bats,” four-pound fish are not seem to bite best later in the uncommon. The charter day - though nobody I have fleet affectionately refers talked to can explain why.

At every restaurant, to these oversized whiting roadside seafood shack, Guns • Ammo • Supplies as “baseball bats.”

Whiting are highly and fish market across New predatory and opportunis- England, haddock reigns tic feeders, mainly eating king. Even people who typfinelinegun@aol.com fish, shrimp, and squid. ically turn up their noses at Ralph & Mary Sleeper While processing the day’s fish because it is “too fishy” 590 Plains Road, Poland 207-998-2374

steam out into Sheepshead Bay. Armed with short “broomstick” rods, Penn Long Beach reels loaded with squidding line, and Mustad hooks they would jig for cod, ling, and whiting. My grandfather recalled frost-bitten hands, rough seas, and good fishing. When I first heard these stories, I was familiar with cod, having already

The Sebago Region

Fine Line Gun Shop

September 2023

will quickly proclaim, “I only eat haddock.” I enjoy a fried haddock sandwich or bowl of haddock chowder as much as the next person, but if whiting was ever offered on a menu, haddock would quickly be dethroned. Whiting is one of the mildest and best tasting fish in the Gulf of Maine.

Whiting filets are a light cream color when raw, and opalescent white when cooked. The flesh is less flakey than haddock, cod, or pollock, and makes for excellent fish tacos, fish and chips, and chowder. Additionally, the texture and thin filets lend themselves to stuffing with crabmeat, rolling, and baking, similar to flounder or filet of sole. Smaller whiting, those around a foot in length, are best tasting and maintain the finest texture.

Whiting have a unique rib cage structure, and lack the pin bones found in other groundfish, which makes for easy fileting. They must be bled and chilled immediately to avoid a mushy filet. All summer long and into the fall, I am fortunate to eat whiting for dinner at least a few nights a week. And each time I do, I can almost see myself leaning against the rail of the Whitecap alongside my grandfather and great grandfather.

During the summer, Jonah is first mate aboard the Teazer in South Portland, Maine. A four-season outdoorsman, Jonah lives in Ellsworth, ME with his fiancée, Ashley, and beagle, Aurora.Jonah can be reached at jonaheparis@ gmail.com

Northwoods Sporting Journal Guns & Ammo:

September 2023

Advice from Uncle Zeke

It’s time to talk about that relative who knows everything about shooting and hunting. You know we all have at least one. Sometimes the sage old advice is invaluable and the product of years of experience and knowledge. Sometimes, however, it is just the repetition of rumors, old wivestales and false opinions.

Let’s go over a few of these gems from Uncle Zeke and

ing a bear is the hard part.

What a bear hunter should require from their rifle or handgun projectile is a bullet that has sufficient energy to penetrate through both lungs with a large exit wound. Smaller diameter rounds like .243, .270, and 7 mm will kill the bear, but the smaller entrance wound will fill with fat, the long hair will soak up the blood and the high

true, the .220 swift caliber would be the greatest big game caliber in existence at over 4,000 fps. Of course, it’s not. The bullet is too small and the impact is explosive with little penetration. The real answer is a combination of velocity, energy and adequate penetration. We should not lose sight of the fact that a big game animal must lose 30% of their blood volume

Uncle Zeke says, “Any brand ammo will do, as long as the bullet weight is the same.” This one is false.

Different brands, different bullet shapes and constructions will group differently. see which ones hold water and which ones leak like an old cabin roof. In this age of information, there is a plethora of advice online.

Places like Facebook, Instagram, and the result of Google searches can yield lots of “information”. The issue with an electronic “Uncle Zeke” is you have no way of verifying the source of the information.

Specifically, the knowledge and experience of the person giving advice.

I subscribe to several bear hunting sites on Facebook. A common question heard is, “What caliber should I use for bear hunting?” Inevitably, there will be multiple responses to this question that say, “Any gun that will kill a whitetail will kill a bear.” This answer is in fact true. However, it is a gross oversimplification. Pretty much any rifle or handgun round in the vitals will kill a bear. The difficult truth is that bears rarely just fall down and die. Further, they live in very inhospitable environments, thick, wet and moss covered. Track-

velocity round will expand rapidly dumping its energy inside the bear leaving no exit wound to bleed. Dead bear – never recovered.

The correct answer here is a caliber with sufficient energy and a well-constructed bullet to pass through both lungs leaving big holes to facilitate a good blood trail.

In my humble opinion, any caliber over .30 caliber with a well-constructed bullet does the job.

Uncle Zeke says, “Any brand ammo will do, as long as the bullet weight is the same.” This one is false. Different brands, different bullet shapes and constructions will group differently. The difference at 25 yards will be minimal, but the difference at 100 yards will be significant. It could mean the difference between that 10 pointer 125 yards down the power line hanging on your wall or being the hunting story no one believes.

Uncle Zeke is also a big fan of muzzle velocity.

He believes that the faster a bullet is traveling, the more effective it is. If this were

or an immediate destruction of the central nervous system needs to happen for the animal to die. That, as previously stated, requires a projectile with enough energy to penetrate deep enough to reach the vitals.

Light calibers like the .220 traveling very fast tend to disintegrate on contact.

Heavy calibers like the .300 Win Mag are also pretty fast and with heavy bullets, it will certainly do the job. However, they come in heavy rifles and pack considerable recoil.

Not the ideal whitetail rifle.

The answer is somewhere in the middle. Thus, the popularity of the various .270, .308, .30/06 class of rounds.

Uncle Zeke also believes in “Brush Guns”.

These are defined by him as large bore, slow moving calibers in compact, fast handling carbines.

Those big bullets can smash through brush and harvest game after doing so. This is a myth. Zeke is wrong. Even small twigs can deflect a bullet enough to cause a miss. I am all

Page 33

A Guide’s Perspective

by Tom Kelly, Orient, ME

for the short, fast handling rifles, but a clear shot is still a requirement for a clean kill. While on the subject of brush guns, there is a current trend to shoot lighter bullets through these rifles to improve their performance. The reality is that lighter bullets in calibers like .30/30, .35 Rem, .45/70 do not improve the performance. These do increase the velocity, but not enough to override the loss of bullet weight. It requires 2500 fps on impact to create “hydrostatic shock”. That would be the advantage of a faster bullet. Even these lighter bullets in these type of calibers cannot approach this threshold. They will be a bit flatter shooting, but at the cost of penetration.

Further, the bullets used are very rapid, expanding bullets that tend to fragment and come apart on impact.

In the case of the .45/70 or .450 Bushmaster, the best performance comes from slow, well constructed bullets that hold together and penetrate well. No expansion is necessary when the

.45 caliber slug is already as large in diameter as an expanded .30 caliber.

So, my approach to advice, is to listen respectfully to folks like Zeke because we can learn a lot from our elders. But, as the great Ronald Reagan once said, “Trust but verify.”

While you are verifying, take a kid or new shooter with you so you too can be a well-informed Uncle Zeke to someone.

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

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

He is an NRA Certified Instructor as well as a Hunter Safety Instructor in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. You can reach Tom at Shamrock Outfitters (207) 694-2473. Please visit our Facebook Page: Shamrock Outfitters and Properties and come visit us on East Grand Lake.

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207-732-4880 OR EMAIL: info@sportingjournal.com

Page 34

Northwoods Sporting Journal

September 2023

The Maine Webster Stream Trip estimate the flow Woods Iatwould close to 1000 cfs at the Matt LaRoche, Shirley, ME

My oldest daughter, Anna, emailed me a few months ago saying that her family was coming to Maine for a visit and that they wanted to have a family adventure. I suggested camping on the West Branch of the Penobscot and making day trips to the various attractions in that area. When she said she wanted something

Webster Lake and portaged all our canoes and gear into the lake on day one. On day two, three people drove vehicles to Matagamon Landing where they left our automobiles and were flown back to Webster Lake with Katahdin Air Service – they were professional and right on time.

What took three hours of driving (all the way around

This trip was anything but slow! After running through the remnants of the old log driving dam at the outlet of the lake we navigated almost continuous class II whitewater for 2- 3 miles. more adventurous, I suggested a trip down Webster Stream. She thought that was a good idea, so I made a reservation with Baxter State Park (BSP) for the campsite at the head of Matagamon Lake called Little East and contacted a couple flying services for flight details.

We had a group of seven people including my wife, Ruth, Anna’s husband, Jared and three of my grandchildren: Carter, Marshall and Audrey, ages 16, 14 and 12. We drove to

BSP) only took ten minutes by float plane. Our group spent parts of two days fishing and swimming at Webster Lake and enjoying the peace and solitude of that remote area before heading down the Stream.

It had been 20 plus years since my last trip down Webster Stream. That journey was on low water resulting in a rather slow but entertaining run down the stream – in fact I poled most of the way. The water level for this trip was only 275 cfs at Telos Dam but

MAINE WOODS GUIDE SERVICE

• Canoe Trips • Fishing • Hunting • Wildlife Watching Matt LaRoche - Registered Maine Guide 207-695-2877 www.mainewoodsguide.com

lower end of the stream adding in all the tributaries.

This trip was anything but slow! After running through the remnants of the old log driving dam at the outlet of the lake we navigated almost continuous class II whitewater for 2- 3 miles. The stream then quieted down with short sections of easy rapids with beautiful pools that looked like they would be great fishing at the right time of year. The only hazards on this section of river were the trees that had fallen into the watercourse that we had to avoid.

The next three miles of stream was a series of class II and III ledge drops most of which required scouting. There is a very difficult ledge drop called Indian Carry which we decided to portage around on river right due to the highwater – we had run this drop on my previous trip.

The scouting and portage took a lot of extra time and we were very late and tired before getting to our campsite at the end of the day. My daughter found an open sleeping bag on the side of the trail when we were scouting one of the ledge drops. If that sleeping bag could talk, I would bet the last person who slept in it had a miserable trip down Webster Stream.

About a half mile before Matagamon Lake there is a 6/10 of a mile mandatory portage around Grand Pitch on river right.

Our group was pretty well played-out by the time we got to this portage. I was proud of the way everyone in our little group “sucked

it up” and just got it done without complaint when making this difficult carry.

It was obvious that this portage trail had not been cleared in a couple years since there were well worn trails around trees that had fallen across the trail.

On the last day of our trip, we paddled the eight miles from Little East Campsite to the boat landing at Matagamon Lake.

We had a slight wind at our back that we were very thankful for as we paddled down the lake.

Our expedition was a truly memorable one through some of the wildest country in the eastern United States. The whitewater tested our canoeing skills and the portages required an inner strength to accomplish. I felt a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment from our adventure. We all grew a little closer as a family and I’m sure will remember this trip for many years to come.

When I asked Carter (my oldest grandson) how he liked the trip he said, “I’m having the best time in my life.”

Some takeaways from the trip: •Make sure your group has at least advanced paddling skills.

•The group should have good physical strength and mental stamina.

•Pack light.

•Leave Webster Lake early in the morning.

•Scout the ledge drops on the lower section of the stream.

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

September 2023

Game

(Cont. from pg 25) what you harvest.

One way that I like to enjoy some of my moose roasts is to slice them into boneless short ribs. I then cook them for a couple of hours using a WildCheff signature recipe. When I ladle those tender pieces of meat out of the pot, rest them against some mashed, and then ladle some of that red wine sauce over them and take that first bite, it’s like I died and went to heaven!

There are numerous ways you can bring your game successfully from field to kitchen.

I know there is expense involved with hiring a butcher vs. processing your animal, but there are times you will find that it

Northwoods Sporting Journal pays delicious dividends!

1 T of brown sugar

WildCheff’s Moose Short Ribs

Directions Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Place boneless meat onto a sheet pan. Lightly coat the meat with olive oil and then season with the butcher’s salt and pepper.

Place into oven for 15 minutes and then remove.

Reduce oven temperature to 300 degrees.

Heat the 1/4 cup of olive oil in a large Dutch oven. Add the onion, carrot and celery. Season the veggies with a small amount of salt and pepper, and then cook over medium heat for approximately 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add minced garlic and stir into veggies and cook for another 1-2 minutes.

Now add the tomato

Ingredients 2-3 lb. moose roast, sliced into large, short-ribsized pieces WildCheff Butcher’s Salt & Pepper Blend 1/4 C of olive oil + 1 T 2 sweet onions, chopped.

1 C of carrots, peeled and half-moon diced 1 C of celery, large diced 6-8 garlic cloves, minced 3-4 T of tomato paste 1 bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir wine Fresh rosemary sprig Fresh thyme sprig 1-2 bay leaves 3 C of beef bone broth

paste and work into the veggies, followed by the wine (minus 1 glass for the cook). Bring to a boil and cook until the liquid is reduced by half. (about 10 minutes) Tie the rosemary and thyme together with cooking twine, or in cheesecloth and add to the pot, along with bay leaves.

Place the pieces of moose meat and the juices into the pot.

Add the bone broth and brown sugar and bring to a simmer.

Cover the pot and place it in the oven for 2 hours until the meat is tender.

Gently remove the pieces of meat from the pot and set aside.

Discard the herbs, bay leaves and skim any excess fat off the top of the sauce.

Page 35 Using a slotted spoon, remove the veggies.

Make a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon of cornstarch and cold water whisked) and stir in the sauce if needed to thicken the sauce.

Add meat and veggies back to sauce.

Serve over mashed potatoes and a nice crusty bread. Bon Appetit!

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Page 36

Northwoods Sporting Journal

View From The River

by Laurie Chandler Bremen, ME Now, let’s talk about the nuts and bolts of outdoor journaling. Begin by considering your writing goals. Clarifying why you are keeping a journal will fine tune your efforts and encourage more consistency and focus.

You may be writing to preserve memories or leave a legacy for your

when immersed in wild places.

As an author, I may intentionally endeavor to create a mood. Paddling the lonely Saranac River with a violent escaped convict on the loose, I once wrote: Blind to the scenery, my eyes darted from bank to bank, wishing I could penetrate the tangled al-

September 2023

Journaling the Outdoors Part 2

Be sure to tune into all your senses, not just what you see and hear. Appreciate the cushion of bright green moss, spongy under weary feet. Breathe in the pungent odor of fir boughs permeating a foggy morning.

As an outdoor writer, think of yourself on a quest for intriguing discoveries.

Often, your observations will generate topics for future research. The more

Writing can also help us make meaning of times that are difficult, joyous, tenuous, or life changing. We may turn to the written word for discernment, healing, or to think through what’s next in life’s path. For me, this is best done when immersed in wild places. children or grandchildren.

You may want to become a more educated naturalist by keeping track of your observations and finding answers to the questions that inevitably arise. You may be recording the daily rhythms or changing of the seasons at your home or camp.

Writing can also help us make meaning of times that are difficult, joyous, tenuous, or life changing.

We may turn to the written word for discernment, healing, or to think through what’s next in life’s path.

For me, this is best done

der. It did register that the manicured lawns, the colorful powerboats with massive engines, in fact human presence in any form, had faded away. Instead, there was the papery rustle of grass, its whisper loud in the gloomy silence. Darkening clouds shrouded the sky.

Writing will naturally heighten your powers of observation. Creating a sense of place (for a reader or your future self) requires rich detail. Look closely, go slowly, zero in on the small things all around you.

Observe, observe, observe.

specifics you see and record, the better data you will have to later identify a mushroom, butterfly, or rock. The more likely you will be to find an answer to a question about an animal’s habits or the workings of an ecosystem.

As I write this, the lyrical notes of a thrush ripple through the woods. I remember the moment the song of the hermit thrush first registered with me.

Drinking hot tea and resting my weary body, I was waiting near Grand Falls for a shuttle pickup. In the margin of my journal, I made notes about this new and joyous sound. Later, those notes inspired this

Look closely, go slowly, and tune into all your senses. haiku.

Hermit Thrush Mottled brown, unseen trilling notes lift up my heart, who and where are you?

Another well-known, invaluable piece of advice is to show, not tell. In the passage quoted at the start of this article, I never say that I am terrified. Hopefully, my description of the setting conveys that message for me, and with a stronger impact.

Lastly, be sure to give yourself time to absorb and reflect upon the moment and see what arises. Let your thoughts wander. It’s not just your surroundings and the action, but how those make you feel. What connections do you make?

What trains of thought emerge?

In a canoe, one circumstance that forces you to slow down, even stop, is the wind. One afternoon on Telos Lake, windbound, there was nothing to do but sit and wait. Pushed decisively and unequivocally to the wave pounded shore, I sat amidst piles of gear, my canoe resting safely back along the perimeter of dense young forest. My observations soon segued to deeper thoughts, and I (Outdoors cont. pg 37)

September 2023

Moon

(Cont. from pg 23) some possible way, really affect their movement? I know hunters who believe in this religiously, and I believe it does have merit, especially during the New Moon and the Last Quarter. In my own personal observation, from over 50 years of whitetail deer hunting, deer activity does seem to decline during the full moon.

I see less deer movement during typical peak periods, from dawn to dusk, during a full moon. But that decline is very subtle.

I’ve also observed a slight increase in movement during mid-day, with the same thing being true during the rut! But again, as far as I know, there is not a stitch of scientific evidence that’s supports this! In addition, because the full moon doesn’t occur at the same time annually, the popular belief is that peak breeding dates will change from year to year, or even from region to region, possibly by as

Checklist (Cont. from pg 29) If you can move SAFELY, go to the open area. Your job is to be seen.

Leave a note which way you are traveling. Use duct tape or survey ribbon if you have it. Tear small pieces of cloth to mark trees.

Prepare anything shiny for Signaling. A mirror is best. A watch face, your cell phone screen, whatever you have. If you see an airplane, helicopter, etc. Flash it with your mirror. Hold the mirror next to your cheek. Hold your other arm out and form a V with your first 2 fingers of your other hand. Put the plane between your fingers

much as a week! But even that, “common sense”, opinion, to date, has no certified or documented evidence to support it.

So, think about it! And before you start scheduling vacation time based on any of this, remember that “light is light”, no matter how long or short the days become. Remember that most deer movements occur at dawn and dusk, and that this movement may change ever so slightly during certain phases of a deer season, all other things being equal. But unfortunately, in hunting, all other things are seldom equal!

Joe Judd is a lifelong hunter and sportsman. He is an outdoor writer, seminar speaker, member of the New England Outdoor Writers Association, and a 2019 inductee into the N.E. Turkey Hunting Hall of Fame. Joe is also on the Quaker Boy Game Calls and Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s Regional Pro-Staff. and flash the reflection from the mirror on your fingers. It will flash the plane.

If the field is light colored, use branches or anything dark colored to spell out SOS as large as you can make it.

If you have a safe place to make a large fire; pile LOTS of dead, thin branches up. Dead pine branches work best. You need a big pile and very thin wood. You want it to burn bright and FAST. Add birch bark into it if you can and a good pile of tinder at the bottom. Keep a pile of branches with green leaves close. They will make dense white smoke for daytime Signaling. When you see or hear a plane, start the fire, then

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Outdoors (Cont. from pg 36)

wrote: Whitecaps race in mighty legions, as the heads of marsh grass bow.

Water, churned coffee brown, breaks on shore in rolling waves, but the distant mountains in their blue haze are unmoved.

They know that calm will follow frenzy, as it has done since the birthing of this lake. This one lesson we come to learn, that there are many things beyond our understanding, or our control. The Penobscot knew this. Perhaps they, too, rested here, immersed in beauty, and thought great thoughts, thanked the Creator, and simply waited. For the wind will calm, sometime, we have only to wait.

The English poet William Wordsworth once said, “Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.” While this lofty and poetic sentiment may throw them on.

If you have any bright colored cloth or survey ribbon, make a big flag to wave and help you be seen when a plane is close.

Be sure you are drinking water through the day.

Filter or boil it if you can. If you can’t, try to find clear, fast moving water. It is worth risking getting sick.

You must drink.

When you get rescued, try to get a list of the groups who came out to find you. Once you are home and safe, write each team a thank you letter.

Page 37

not be achieved right away, I believe you will surprise yourself. If you are feeling the pull to write, just begin.

Some days the words will flow, and your senses will open to new discoveries.

Some days they won’t. As time passes, however, you will be creating a cherished record of your time in the great outdoors.

Laurie Apgar Chan-

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

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

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Page 38

Maine Outdoor Adventure

Fall is upon us after a record-setting wet summer.

I always say when people complain about too much rain, “It’s better than a drought.” It’s very unfortunate the damage caused by flash flooding and high water than normal water levels. Twenty-five percent of Maine’s land area is wetlands, four times the wetland area of the other five New England States combined. Over five million acres of Maine’s wet-

Northwoods Sporting Journal

by Rich Yvon, Bradford, ME would cease to exist as we know it.

If you are like me, cutting grass seems to be at the top of the “must-do list” these days. Fishing almost takes a back seat.

It’s a double-edged sword because the fishing is good, and the grass needs cutting!

Yes, the fishing this openwater season has been not only good but great! It will continue into the fall with good water flows and cooler water temps. I’m al-

September 2023

September Fishing Forecast

food source along with the ing to the conditions to be cooler water will find the successful. When the river trout and salmon. Even our flows double or even triple, fishing will still be good This year, finding the food source along with the cooler after the water clears up. water will find the trout and salmon. Even our lake trout and Water clarity is critical to most fishing. In addition, Arctic Charr will be found in shallower water this year. So, with some adjusting and being mindful of conditions, fishing fish will hold out of the direct flow of water. They will remain excellent into hard water season. can be found where food lands are freshwater types ways concerned about fish lake trout and Arctic Charr will be concentrated for (wooded swamps, shrub mortality and fish stress as will be found in shallower an easy meal, along with swamps, bogs, freshwa- I pursue my passion as well water this year. So, with not exerting unnecessary ter meadows, freshwater as my guiding. The water some adjusting and being energy to get that meal. marshes, and floodplains). in most cases has been mindful of conditions, fish- Using the correct terminal Rainfall does indeed help clearing up in a relatively ing will remain excellent tackle is another consideration when fishing higher wildlife and fish. After all, short time after our storms into hard water season. water is the essence of life. this summer. The habits When it comes to water flows. The combined Without water, life on earth of fish in rivers have cer- river fishing, higher water knowledge of the fish lotainly changed as to where scares away some fish- cation, presentation, and they will be found. Most ermen. It is sometimes equipment used will equal seasons trout and salmon perceived that high water success in your fishing are to be found in spring equals poor fishing. In endeavors. Fishing is genholes, holding in deep wa- fact, the opposite is true. erally all about adapting to ter. This year, finding the It’s all a matter of adjust- environmental conditions.

As our planet changes, so will the inhabitants in order to survive. There is no drought, that the earth heats up and cools down.

For the most part, it’s a normal cycle of the earth in my opinion. Using our Authentic Maine Outdoors resources with a conserva•Luxury Lodging - Private and Peaceful tion mindset will certainly •Recreation - Moose Safaris, Hiking, Camping & Paddle Sports be crucial for sustainability •Fishing - Fly and Spin Fishing going forward. As in any •Hunting - Moose, Deer, Turkey, Partridge outdoor activity, enjoying •Instruction - Fly Fishing, Survival, Firearms the outdoors with a buddy Call to Reserve: 207-907-9151 is not only more fun but Web:www.TwinMapleOutdoors.com Email:Info@TwinMapleOutdoors.com *30 minutes from Airport, Fine Dining and Shopping * Centrally Located to Acadia, Moosehead, Mt. Katahdin safer as well.

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On the water lessons are offered by Rich at https:// twinmapleoutdoors.com/ contact-us/ .

As always, remember to take a young person hunting or fishing to keep our outdoor heritage alive and well! In addition, please support your local tackle shops and small businesses!

Rich is a full time Registered Master Maine Master Guide. He owns and operates Twin Maple Outdoors guide service and sporting lodge located in Bradford, Maine. He is a “Certified Yamaha G3 Guide” that runs fly and spin fishing trips with a G3 Jet boat and Stealthcraft drift boat. Rich also guides Maine Partridge, Turkey, Moose, Deer hunting and recreation adventures.

Northwoods Sporting Journal

September 2023

He Landed the Fish

This fish story took place at Phillips Lake in Hancock County, being published in The Maine Sportsman in August 1904.

“It was at this place that M. H. Rideout, Bangor’s city electrician, had a most unusual experience with a big salmon, and the most remarkable part of the affair to the editor is that the latter has yet to hear of Mr. Rideout’s telling of it—certainly he has kept the story of his trip from the ears of the omnivorous reporters, who swallow everything in the

one of the liveliest salmon he had ever felt in those waters, which are, by the way, a favorite resort for him and his friends.

Back and forth he rushed the fish, and as he broke from the shelter of the lake and showed his

line of fishing and hunting yarns that is told to them, seemingly never doubting the most absurd-seeming tale. However, the testimony is unimpeachable.

Mr. Rideout was out on the lake for the day, and was alone, so that as he trolled his lure about over the lake there was none to aid him if he succeeded in hooking a nice fish. Passing by the upper (or is it the lower?) end of the Isle of Patmos his reel began to sing, and as he took in the line to hold the fish, he found himself hooked to

whole glistening side, Mr. Rideout became more and more anxious to land it, for the fish was unquestionably a beauty, and evidently a large specimen of salmo Sebago, which is the fish invariably meant when salmon is spoken of in connection with the lakes and ponds of Maine, although salmo solar ascends the rivers to spawn, and is frequently taken far from the sea in the rivers.

Leap after leap the fish made for the open water, but it was evidently growing weaker and, af-

ter towing the canoe the entire length of the island it showed signs of being ready to succumb to the superior skill of the man with the split bamboo. Right here came the chief difficulty of the game, for Mr. Rideout’s landing net and

Page 39

Old Tales from the Maine Woods

by Steve Pinkham Quincy, MA

for the final stage of the sport. By this time, he had evidently grown somewhat nervous, and miscalculated the distance between the

it did not go far but lay right on top of the water, and with feverous haste the angler seized his paddle and not only worked his way to-

By this time, he had evidently grown somewhat nervous, and miscalculated the distance between the fish and canoe as the former gave up the fight, and Mr. Rideout reached out to pull his trophy, already as good as won, for it was plainly exhausted.

staff had not been treated as they should have by so old an angler, never having been so much as untied from their wrappings, so that the work of unwrapping and assembling the landing outfit was added to the difficulties of playing the salmon and handling the boat.

With the utmost care, both eyes on the rod and line and but a corner of one eye to spare for the net, the angler carefully and fearfully undid the staff and net and finally succeeded in putting them together

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fish and canoe as the former gave up the fight, and Mr. Rideout reached out to pull his trophy, already as good as won, for it was plainly exhausted.

As he slid the net beneath the fish, it barely grazed it, and in a flash the fish was clear of the hook and outside the net, as well as beyond reach. It was, however, so exhausted that

ward the fish as it lay upon the water, but succeeded in slipping the net once more beneath it, and saved his fish, which proved to be a fine five-pound salmon.”

Steve is an avid hiker, paddler and historian, having collected over 40,000 Maine Woods articles to date.

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Page 40

By V. Paul Reynolds

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Bring Them Along Carefully

It was mid-November in the Big Deer Woods. A northeast wind was rocking the hemlock tops and pushing a cold, pelting rain that seemed to penetrate the slicker beneath my wool hunting shirt. The damp, raw day was in my pores.

Noon or not, it was time to call it a day.

Heading back to camp, I could, in my mind’s eye, smell the hot coffee and feel the radiating heat from the old wood stove. Then, two fellow hunters from camp broke out of the fir thicket and waved me down. In their early twenties, but serious apprentice hunters, one of whom was my nephew and the other a son of a close friend, they were excited.

They exclaimed over the wind and driving rain,”You gotta help us, Uncle. There are two bucks bedded in the whippets in that cutting up above! We saw them twice.

We think that they’re still in there.”

A dilemma for me.

Camp beckoned. I was close to hypothermic. But the young men, operating under the illusion that I somehow was a seasoned deer hunter who would drum up a strategy to outwit these bucks, were looking for leadership. Protest

as I might, they insisted that I help and show them how to pursue the deer.

“Tell you what,” I said to the eager twosome.

“We’ll give it an hour, then yours truly is on his way back to camp to dry out, ok?” I offered.

With the two boys posted at likely exit corridors through the tangle of

a different spot to post himself, contrary to my instructions to “stay put.”

Big, splayed buck tracks in the mud told the story: the buck kept its appointment at the designated place of my choosing; the novice hunter did not.

I was furious and read him out for “going rogue” and not sticking to the

I was furious and read him out for “going rogue” and not sticking to the game plan. “You blew it, son,” I hissed. “I moved that buck to right where you were supposed to be!

What’s the matter with your head? whippets in the two-year game plan. “You blew it, old cutting, I began zig zagging my way through the tangle in hopes of moving a deer. The steady downpour made the deer push all that more difficult as I counseled myself to be patient and set a good example for these aspiring young deer hunters.

Within seconds, I moved a big deer and it high-tailed it in the direction of one of the posted hunters. The muffled shot I expected never came. As it turned out, the posted hunter had decided to find

son,” I hissed. “I moved that buck to right where you were supposed to be!

What’s the matter with your head? Why in hell did you move? You guys are on your own. I am soaked and freezing and going back to camp.”

Duly chastised, the young hunter apologized.

After things cooled down, the second young hunter showed up.”That other buck is still in there, Unc. I swear I can smell him in those thickets,” he said.

This story has a happy

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ending, sort of, and a lesson for experienced deer hunters who mentor young, aspiring hunters. The rain let up some. I was in the game and just couldn’t give up, not with a buck possibly that close.

With the boys posted again, I went back in the whippet tangle for an-

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September 2023

man, who left his post that miserable cold rainy day, is now skillfully coaching his sons in the deer woods. He also has proven himself the deer hunter’s deer hunter, with more trophy deer to his credit than most other hunters I have known, including me. We still hunt together. All indications are that he has forgiven me, although I am not so sure that his mother has.

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 informaother push. It was a slog, tion is available at www. but before the afternoon maineoutdoorpublications. was over a thick-necked, net 9-point buck evading my scent sealed its fate while running in front of my (Cont. from pg 31) nephew’s .32 Special. loader is the perfect trailer His first deer and a trophy buck it was. You for bladed jigs and spincan imagine his excitement nerbaits. Jacob Wheeler and the joy I felt for him. also suggest the Freeloader Looking back upon that is an excellent soft plastic proud and wonderful day jerkbait. www.Rapala.com Hardbaits: in the deer woods so long ZMan’s new Chatterago, the memory of the joy remains tainted some, bait Elite EVO wins ICASthough, for me personally. DT 2023 ‘Best Hard-Lure Losing my cool and chew- in Show Award. Equipped ing out that eager young with a 5/0 needlepoint black hunter was not the right nickel hook the EVO starts thing to do. Those of us vibrating as soon as it hits who bring young people the water. Its stainless-steel along in the deer woods, blade is available plated, or on the trout waters, need painted and glitter-coatto to do so with care and ed finishes in 3/8 and 1/2 compassion, regardless of oz size. www.ZManFishthe mistakes they make. ing.com Congratulations Relationships with people to ZMan Fishing on all are always more important their unique 2023 ICAST than the game pole, even in Awards.

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

September 2023

Moose: Dangling Dewlaps

By Mark McCollough

The Indians called it mousomodai, meaning literally “Moose bottle.”

You may refer to it as the bell. In 1909 Ernest Thompson Seton in Lives of Game Mammals wrote, “A marked peculiarity in the Moose, male and female, is the bell on the throat. I have examined many of these in the newly killed specimens, and in the living animal: and could find nothing in them

that would afford a hint of their purpose. No one yet has given any satisfactory explanation of this curious dangler.”

This fall, lucky Maine moose hunters will have a golden opportunity to fondle this curious dangler; although preferably not one from a living moose.

The dewlap or bell is an unorthodox feature of the moose anatomy, yet no one seems to understand just

edly better. Another theory is that during the rut, a bull rubs the cow’s flanks with his chin; a behavior called chinning. While engaged in this form of affection some believe the dewlap transfers the bull’s musky scent to the female. Perhaps the highly vascularized moose bell is there to

THE BACK SHELF

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

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

But in 1897, a Manitoba Indian brought a cow moose to a taxidermist shop in Winnepeg with a bell that was a whopping 38 inches

Most of these theories don’t explain why cows also have a dewlap. In fact, the longest dewlap on record belongs to a female moose. Ordinarily, a good-sized bell is 8 to 10 inches long; 14 inches would be exceptional even for a bull. but a long dewlap of skin with appropriate blood vessels. Sometimes it is round; sometimes flat, lying along the way; sometimes flat the cross way of the animal’s throat; sometimes simple; sometimes forked; sometimes hanging from the jaw, and sometimes from a long blade-like dewlap, but always without discernable scent glands. I have squeezed and worked them with my hands on the living Moose, and have been unable to discover any smell or signs of exudation; or indeed, any specialization

what it is for.

In the 1800s, naturalists postulated this flap of hair and skin swaying under a moose’s chin either spread scent, kept a moose’s throat warm while lying in snow, or was just there for good looks. Some believed it once had a function that was lost long ago, but it still hangs there as a vestigial organ, much the same as our appendix.

More recent theories abound. Female moose may assess a bull’s virility by the size of his pendulous bell. A bigger bell is alleg-

Watercolor Illustration by V. Paul Reynolds.

Prints available at: www.artpal.com/vpaulr cool the moose during the host summer months. Yet another speculation is that the size and shape of the dewlap and antlers is an indicator of dominance at the moose singles bar.

Most of these theories don’t explain why cows also have a dewlap. In fact, the longest dewlap on record belongs to a female moose. Ordinarily, a goodsized bell is 8 to 10 inches long; 14 inches would be exceptional even for a bull.

Page 41

long. Does your bell hang low, does it wobble to and fro…? At the insistence of the hunter, the taxidermist mounted the incomparable bell on a bull moose’s head.

Dewlaps come and dewlaps go. They are present on bulls and cows in utero. They grow as both sexes mature, and frequently sport a “tail,” which has a propensity to freeze and drop off from frostbite during the second to fourth winter of a moose’s

life. For unknown reasons, woodland moose lose the tails on their dewlaps more frequently than their northern taiga brethren. Cow moose retain their tails more than bulls. Moose bells reach peak size when a bull is in his prime (4 to 6 years). With age the part of the dewlap closest to the neck broadens while the pendulous length shortens.

They allegedly shrink with old age. Seton wrote of old dewlaps, “…it no longer answers any useful purchase.” If you don’t use it, you loose it.

In 1979, Lakehead University wildlife student, “Tim” Timmermann, was the first to delve into the science of dewlaps and wrote an entire master’s thesis on the subject. He carefully dissected dewlaps and found them heavily vascularized with blood vessels and full of sebaceous (sweat) glands, but no scent glands. Since then a handful of scientists have pondered the mysteries of the bell, dissected dewlaps to unravel (Dewlaps cont. pg 68)

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Come Autumn

The Buck Hunter

by Hal Blood, Moose River, ME The summer doldrums have slipped away, and we are sliding into fall. The cooler weather is a blessing to me as I do not like the heat. If it never got above 70 degrees in the summer, I’d be a happy camper. This is when the fall hunting seasons roll along, one after another. As I write this, bear baiting is

along in the truck, hoping to see a deer, moose or even a partridge.

It seems like the seasons come and go more quickly all the time. Bear season just gets going and the next thing I know, the moose seasons are fast approaching. After deer hunting, moose hunting is my next favorite season. I

sick cow. The anticipation of what the bulls’ antlers might look like keeps you on edge. Sometimes a bull will come in as if you are pulling him with a rope and other times it may take him an hour to come as he tests the wind every few steps trying to coax the cow to come to him. I don’t know if there is a greater anticipation and sometimes the wind is let out of your sails, as the bull sneaks away quietly never to be heard from again.

September 2023

would never shoot a grouse on the ground. I find it an interesting paradox and to each his own.

All of these fall seasons culminate into deer season. The dyed in the wool deer hunter thinks about deer hunting all year

There couldn’t have been a more friendly bunch of people, but I wouldn’t have expected anything else.

The interest in tracking is gaining all the time.

There seems to be two reasons for it. One is that people are getting tired of

long. We might be doing winter or summer activities, but deer hunting is always right there in the back of the mind, where we can get to it in a split second. I just came back from an event in Massachusetts called Huntstock. This was the second year of the event centered around deer hunting. I think it got its name as a play on Woodstock, the rock concert in the 60’s at a farm in New York.

Huntstock was at a farm in the central part of the state.

The Big Woods Bucks team was front and center there, doing seminars and podcasts. It was a great event designed to get deer hunters together ahead of the season. I talked to hundreds of hunters over the weekend, with some traveling from as far away as Pennsylvania and Virginia.

just sitting in stands and wanting some adventure.

The other is the mystique of tracking a buck on the snow. That is to say most hunters don’t live where there is snow for deer season, but also that a lot of hunters are watching tracking films on YouTube or DVDs. I think hunters can visualize themselves being on that track on. Snowy day, and they have a dream to do it. I encourage everyone to give it a try because there is nothing like chasing a dream!

All of these fall seasons culminate into deer season. The dyed in the wool deer hunter thinks about deer hunting all year long. We might be doing winter or summer activities, but deer hunting is always right there in the back of the mind, where we can get to it in a split second. in full swing, and hunters are counting the days until they can get in a stand with the hope of seeing one of the most elusive animals around. I still take a few clients for bear as it keeps me in the woods and helps get me in shape for deer season. I used to think bear baiting was just a job to get done. As I’ve gotten older, I look at it as more of an adventure. Probably because I don’t have as many baits to tend as I used to. It used to be run in fill the barrel and move on to the next one. Now, I putt

don’t think that I will ever quit guiding moose hunters. There is just something about getting into the woods on a frosty morning and interacting with the moose. The sound of a cow moose bellow echoing across a valley or the faint grunt of a lovesick bull will stir excitement in anyone. Calling in a bull is an adrenaline rush. You may hear everything from his subtle grunts to him racking his antlers in the brush or sticks snapping as he makes his way to what he believes is a love-

For many hunters, partridge season is what they wait for all year. They are probably the most challenging bird to hunt as you don’t find them in fields or many openings for that matter. You’ve probably heard the old saying that “what’s the difference between a grouse and a partridge?” you shoot a grouse in the air and a partridge on the ground! I know a lot of people who partridge hunt and would never waste a shell trying to hit one in the air. I also know a lot of hunters who

trail!

Good Luck on the

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

Northwoods Sporting Journal

September 2023

A Different Moose Hunt

Northwoods Voyager

Page 43

by Gil Gilpatrick, Brunswick, ME

The moose lottery was very kind to me. I was fortunate enough to be drawn twice and Dot was drawn for one so I got to go with her as well. There are a lot of good memories involving those hunts and I treasure them. However, one of them was not as pleasant, but it cannot be forgotten so I want to tell about it so if anyone else finds themselves in a possibly similar situation they can take steps to prevent the unpleasantness. I hasten to add that the hunt was not completely ruined and we still talk about some of the good memories of it.

Here’s what happened. The area I was drawn for was completely unknown to me, so I arranged for space in a camp in the area for a base to work from. The camp had guides for hire, but I felt confident that I could manage without their help.

Also, my best friend Dick and his wife, Judy were staying at the same camp.

We could scout around and compare notes every evening. We got there on the weekend before the hunt and spent some time just getting familiar with the area. Though we didn’t see any moose, there were ample moose sign and we were confident we would find one before the week

was over.

The first two days were more or less uneventful. We were in promising areas and just felt that it was just a matter of time until a moose showed up.

There was cell phone service there so we could communicate and compare notes. It turned out that the camp owner sent out a couple of the young guides to scout as well. The camp felt that the more successful its customers were the better for them. On the third day I got a call from a guide that he had spotted a moose and that if I came right over he could show me the area.

A short time later I found the young man and he pointed out the area where he had spotted the moose. I thanked him, readied my rifle and whatever else I felt I might need and headed off in the direction

indicated. The guide went along with me. I didn’t really want him along, but on the other hand what harm could it do.

It didn’t take long before we spotted the moose. It was standing facing us and only 25 or 30 yards away. I immediately raised my model 600 Remington to my shoulder and put a .308 round in the center of its chest. This is where the bad part of the story starts.

It didn’t take long before we spotted the moose.

It was standing facing us and only 25 or 30 yards away. I immediately raised my model 600 Remington to my shoulder and put a .308 round in the center of its chest. This is where the bad part of the story starts. The young man immediately turned to me and said, “I can run it down for you”. Of course I said no, but then he just nodded and started walking in the di-

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rection in which the moose had disappeared. I wanted to wait and let the moose go down and then make my approach. He would not stop so I went along and very soon the moose jumped up and started to run. That is when the young guide raised a handgun and fired at it. I didn’t even know he had a handgun with him. I was shocked and told him in no uncer-

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tain terms not to do that again. It was obvious that the young guide wanted to kill the moose himself, but I would have none of that.

I continued on and soon found the moose down and finished it off.

At this point it was good to have the young

man along because he returned to camp and arranged for transport out of the woods. I proceeded to take care of the moose and then sat down to wait for help to arrive. As I sat there I couldn’t help thinking of how the young guide’s actions had muddied up some otherwise pleasant memories of the moose hunt.

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

Page 44

South Of the Kennebec

by Stu Bristol, Lyman, ME This joke is older than dirt; “If you shoot the bird on the ground or from a tree limb, it’s a partridge. If you flush and shoot it while flying, it’s a grouse.” Of course it is the same species of bird. Actually it is meant as a double-bladed insult to hunters who use a hunting dog and those who do not.

Until about ten years

country, is that “road” birds are generally young of the year and mature grouse are more likely to be found deep in the woods.

Having a trained bird dog was as foreign to me as owning one of those Famars shotguns I was holding two years ago at the Orvis Game Fair, with a price tag of $98,000.

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Grouse or Partridge?

pellets, a meal would be lost and left for the foxes and coyotes.

More times than I can count the real stars of the birddogsafield.com tv show and webcast, the German Shorthair Pointers have brought back grouse and woodcock that never would have been found otherwise.

As with any family pet, the cost of buying and raising a family pet, even one that doubles as a hunting companion, is steep.

Animals, especially hunting dogs in the home, have been and always will be a major part of my life. They become part of the family, they cost as much as raising a child and demand just as much time.

ago I would be considered strictly a “partridge” hunter and I’m not ashamed of being called one. Raised in a super-sized family of 17 we enjoyed and appreciated all the wild game we could collect.

Dozens of hunters take partridge while walking or driving a gravel road in remote areas. Provided they stay within the law and do so safely, I have no problem with “camp meat’ birds.

My experience,which is backed by a number of bird biologists around the

Animals, especially hunting dogs in the home, have been and always will be a major part of my life.

They become part of the family, they cost as much as raising a child and demand just as much time.

Then, during my travels with Paul and Susan Fuller as a photographer/ videographer for Bird Dogs Afield television, I have quickly learned the value of a well-trained sporting dog.

Too often over the years my bad aim or the bird’s ability to swing and dodge hundreds of flying shotgun

September 2023

Most sporting dog trainers I have filmed over the past few years agree that the cost to raise a dog that is steady to wing and shot tallies to around $4,000 and that’s on the low side for canine athletes such as Cordie, Dena and Blaze, currently seen on the show.

Steady to wing and shot means that the dog finds, points and pins the bird in place until the hunter moves in close, flushes and shoots the bird. Only then will the dog be released and sniff out the fallen bird and bring it back. It takes hours

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of daily training to attain that level of perfection.

Back to the pursuit of upland birds without the aid of a trained dog. Hunters

doned homestead. Look for an abandoned house along a country road or better yet, a gravel road. If there is a family cemetery nearby

Bird Dogs Afield Susan and Paul Fuller and Stu Bristol and GSP Dillon need to seek out the grouse, there will almost always or partridge, whichever be an apple orchard or a name you prefer, in covers few apple trees in a back that are fruitful yet easier to meadow. This will most find without the educated likely be prime partridge/ nose of the dog. grouse cover.

One of the most often Stone walls and clearasked questions at seminars cuts that have aged for five is,”How do you guys find to seven years are another so many great covers?” prime cover. The alders No, we don’t always have and new growth make for local guides pre-scout the good cover and great food covers and an absolute NO sources. The newest veron using one dead bird to sion of Google Earth has inflate the level of our suc- an aging feature that can be cess. What you see is what used to view past history of we did. plots of land.

The one secret, if you Then, there is OnX wish to call it that, is for mapping that is used by one of us to keep eyes on many deer and turkey huntthe road while the other ers but for the serious travlooks for new habitat. One elling grouse hunter there is of the most productive Scout-N-Hunt, developed grouse covers is an aban(Grouse cont. pg 51)

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 45

On The Prowl

North America’s Icon It’s my opinion that the black bear is the epitome of all bears. This bear may not be the largest of all bear species but it does bear the name American Black Bear. Its scientific name just so happens to be, Ursus Americanus. I do think any animal with America in its name deserves to be called an icon. Clay Newcomb, “Bear Hunting Magazine’s” editor had this to say in a podcast in regards to hunting black bears, “Bear hunting is a critical component of the

see how necessary hunting black bears, really is.

With all the controversial thoughts and discussions out there about hunting black bears ,it opens up a gateway for the anti-hunting incentives and agenda.

We need to shed some light on bear hunting. For instance, one positive aspect about baiting black bears is that hunters can be highly selective by making sure they only shoot mature male bears. This is a good practice for black bear conservation. It’s all part of

human eye. Its dark black fur and low profile make it disappear in the thick, mossy covered, dark damp forest where it lives. Black bears travel, dine, sleep, reproduce and do what bears do in the parts of the forests that hides them best. Bear specialists will tell you that black bears do not tolerate human disturbance. So in light of everything black bear sightings would be extremely rare and virtually non-existent if it weren’t for the baiting season.

Clay also stated in his

Bear specialists will tell you that black bears do not tolerate human disturbance. So in light of everything black bear sightings would be extremely rare and virtually non-existent if it weren’t for the baiting season’s for the sole purpose to hunt the black bears.

North American hunting model”. He continued on to say, “It’s part of the model that is in jeopardy because of anti-hunting sentiment and today’s culture”. Just like Mr. Newcomb, I too feel that the black bear needs to regain merits by helping to educate the people and hopefully more people will convert over to bear hunting. We need more advocates to help sustain one of the most vital Wildlife Conservation models.

In today’s world if you were to randomly walk up to someone and ask if they know anyone who has eaten bear meat the answer would be no. It’s just how today’s society is programmed that happens to be detrimental to our beloved sport. Looking on the outside, our black bear hunt is fading away. It is the current bear hunter's job to be a crusader of sorts so in the public eyes they will

the Wildlife Conservation model. The hunter watching an active bait site also has the opportunity to observe black bear behavior and learn a lot about one of the most elusive animals in North America.

The black bear has all the characteristics to make it nearly invisible to the

podcast that, “It’s a good idea to educate people on bear hunting and the commodities of bear hunting”. This was really neat what Clay said about bear hunting. He also said, “We actually use more parts of a bear than any other critter we hunt”. He continued by saying, “This connec-

by Justin Merrill, Cherryfield, ME tion with food is a strong point of relevance as we try to rebrand what hunting is to a population that doesn’t often understand”.

These spot on statements from Clay Newcomb really hit home for me. I have for many years educated several folks about black bears and black bear hunting. I am still learning more everyday about this bear hunting that I hold so dear to my heart. I hope my passion will rub off on others. Currently to date I can think of five people I have helped convert to bear hunting. I’ve even led two

of these folks into shooting their first black bear. It’s one of my greatest hopes of all time that black bear hunting never dies.

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 46

September 2023

Pulling the Plug

Cracker Barrel

bailed out of the truck in paring to leave launch sites, panic and forgot to put it boaters are required to rein park. Yes, you guessed move or open any devices

by Homer Spit it. The boat, the trailer and designed for routine re“Out of the way”! you the truck, the whole lashup moval/opening (for exMost boaters who live long enough will sooner scream, as you in despera- wound up in the sea. He ample, hull drain plugs, or later commit the cardi- tion drive back up the boat and his wife wept, and I bailers, live wells, ballast tanks) to encourage drainnal boat-launch sin. I’ve ramp just in time to save misted up a little, too.

Every boater needs ing of areas containing done it. You’ve done. Your your boat from a watery grave.

Uncle Zeke has done it.

There have been other Before you back your boat trailer down the lake boat-launch mishaps that ramp, you do a mental have ended far worse. Just check. Hmmm.. Straps off, ask any boat launch attenfore and aft. Unlatch the dants or dockmasters who bow clip on the winch... have witnessed waterside outboard trimmed up..wife debacles you would not has the bowline in hand…. believe. Once a few years good to go. ago, at a boat launch ramp “Ok, Hon, watch your in Key Largo, Florida I feet I’m backing down.” witnessed the ultimate misAs soon as the trailer fortune. A guy was backing wheels are under the water his new boat down a steep Boat Handling 101: a boat without a and the boat starts to float ramp into the ocean side stern plug will not float. off the trailer bunks, a light bay while his wife minded bulb comes on abruptly and the bowline. He got his to inscribe “stern drain” water (excluding live bait signals your synapse. Oh, boat all the way into the in boldface in a prominent containers). This must be done in a way that does water when it started sink- place. sh…., the stern plug.!!!

Speaking of stern not allow drained water to “Oh, my goodness, ing (no stern plug) and his Frank,” your wife exclaims. wife started screaming at drains, our state legislators enter any inland water of the top of her lungs. He have conjured up a new the state.

“The boat is sinking! stern drain law that will Proponents of this warm the cockles of your law, no doubt well- intenheart. Here it is: tioned, assert that many th Effective June 16 , other states have this law 2023, boaters are now re- and that is is intended to quired to do the following: minimize the introduction Prior to entering a of invasive plants and orwater body and when pre- ganisms.

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Most boaters, who still have a pulse, perform these drain plug routines anyway, without yet another law. What’s next? How about a law that requires you to snap an I-phone photo of your trailer hookup to the State Police and forward to the dispatcher before you head out? Or

“Oh, my goodness, Frank,” your wife exclaims. “The boat is sinking! a law that requires you to take a boat handling certification from the U.S Coast Guard before you operate you 14-foot fishing boat in tidal water?

Who knows, perhaps this new stern drain law will serve to remind the absent minded boaters among us that, indeed, there is a stern drain that needs to be checked in that boat before it heads down the ramp.

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

September 2023

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 47

The Poaching Puzzle

Editors note: This is a true account of actual events, but the actual names of the poachers who were prosecuted and convicted have been changed.

It was late November in 2019 and recent snowfall had started the migration of whitetail deer into the “deer yarding”

hunting on posted property.

I was travelling on through town, late in the afternoon, when a pickup came up behind me, travelling at a high rate of speed. Most vehicles travelling this area are travelling slow, spotting deer scattered throughout the towns apple orchards and small fields. I recog-

presence around town and was maybe just in a hurry.

I continued on my way, unsure of what that highspeed encounter was all about.

I soon found a hunter out on foot, tracking a deer and struck up a conversation with him a short distance from the location

Warden’s Words

town at 50 plus miles an hour. Chris was someone that I needed to catch redhanded, not the kind of guy that would admit to anything without hard evidence but having already

by Game Warden Kale O’Leary, Ashland, ME

the road. I now needed to piece together the pieces of this puzzle with physical evidence. A simple hunch or gut suspicion doesn’t “fly” in the court of law.

I soon received a call

I soon found a hunter out on foot, tracking a deer and struck up a conversation with him a short distance from the location where Chris had flown past me heading towards his house. I asked the hunter while checking him, if he had heard any shots fired that evening.

areas around Aroostook County. Having worked in the Oxbow district for several years, I knew this was the time when deer came into the town and with it, the road hunting activity, increased hunting pressure and often times issues and chaos. My focus for the day was to patrol in a highly visible manner to deter hunters from shooting from the paved road or

nized this particular vehicle as a local Maine Guide named Chris, who lived in town and had already killed a deer a week before. I slowed down as Chris continued following me very closely, I pulled over and watched as he sped past me towards his residence.

I remember thinking to myself that this was odd, but Chris was not exactly someone who enjoyed my

where Chris had flown past me heading towards his house. I asked the hunter while checking him, if he had heard any shots fired that evening. He stated that he just heard a shot from close by, about half an hour ago and pointed in the direction of Chris’ house. While checking the man’s license within sight of the main road. I watched as Chris passed by us again, heading away from his house at a high rate of speed. Something was up, the witness hearing the shot, his odd behavior and driving in and out of

been “tagged out”, my suspicions were heightened.

The following morning, I received a text from a concerned citizen, showing Chris and his father, Frank, posing with a beautiful whitetail buck. The buck was a 200 plus pound deer, with a massive 8-point rack with tall tines and heavy mass. I couldn’t help but recall the previous evenings events and knew that my initial suspicions were now correct. Chris had likely shot this deer at his residence and was likely getting the deer out of town when I encountered him on

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from someone who had stopped at Chris’ residence that morning and found evidence of a deer being killed over bait very recently. The concerned caller stated that I should head to the residence to see what they had found. Wardens Dave Milligan and Preston Pomerleau arrived at the house a short time after I received the call and found an area within view of an upstairs window of the residence that was scattered with corn and oats.

Fresh blood was visible in the snow along with a fresh (Puzzle cont. pg 65)

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 48

Vermont Ramblings

by Dennis Jensen, Vermont While I never gave much thought about it when I was a younger man — perhaps because I was preoccupied with things that I believed were important at the time — it came to me, years later that, at times, my state of mind went through a dramatic change when I was locked into the

are right and I am situated in a good place, a place where I have done a good deal of scouting and have located good buck sign, that my attention is on but one thing: killing a good buck. Nothing else enters my mind. No thoughts of finance, romance or happenstance. All focus, all at-

September 2023

The Zone of Peace

that I experience the same emotions while spring turkey hunting, but that is probably not true. There is the matter of calling, of changing from, say, the diaphragm call to a slate call, of mixing things up so that you are constantly searching for a way to attract a gobbler and because of that, the mind is preoccupied. Still, I can say that I experience true peace, if not a state of grace, while

course will be on killing a legal buck.

But now, with the years advancing and my days afield truly numbered, I have learned to become one with the woods, to de-

of bucks and long beards over the years. Almost all of those hunts live on in my memory. But, looking back, I believe that much of my satisfaction gained while afield has been

In the zone is where my peace is found “I did not realize this at the time, but from the start, I was always at peace with myself when I fished.” -David Halberstam (Forward to ‘The Best Fishing Stories Ever Told”) mystical world of nature.

For example, there were occasions when I was on the beach in Maine, draped in the dark of night, when my focus was on but one thing — hooking into and reeling in a good striped bass. Looking back, it has become clear to me that I, that is my brain, was in a zone, a state of mind that managed to push all other stuff away.

This has also been something that I also experienced while deer hunting.

I know that, when things

tention is on but one thing: Looking for the flicker of a big tail, the slight movement of brown at 50 yards, the sudden appearance, as if a ghost, magically, stepping from thick cover to reveal the most amazing critter in my woods, the white-tailed deer.

That I why I loved Halberstam’s words, quoted above.

The “peace” he references is what I would call the calm serenity of being one with the forest, one with the ocean, one with the river.

I would like to believe

turkey hunting.

I am certain that I am not alone in these matters.

But my guess is that, when we are young and still learning above ourselves and our quarry, we do more thinking than hunting. Not that that is a bad thing. I know that, in my 20s and 30s, my sole preoccupation when I drifted into the deer woods was killing a deer.

Hey, I gotta kill a deer, you know? Let me make it clear that when the opening day of the rifle season comes around, my focus of

Vermont Vermont Outdoor Guide Association hosts Vermont's most complete directory of outdoor recreation services, guided tours and adventure travel resources. https://www.voga.org/

The author holds up a nice striped bass taken along the beach in Saco, Maine.

(Photo by Kathy Jensen) light in the sudden, silent appearance of a barred owl, seeking its prey. I have been lucky enough to observe bobcats, fishers, coyotes, other birds of prey while seated near a well-used deer run on a cold, mid-November morn.

Yeah, I guess you could say I’ve been blessed.

I have killed my fair share

knowing I was there and yet, being with the woods, in the wild, with only my wits and the knowledge that I can go there and find myself in the zone, in the peace of the experience.

Dennis Jensen is a freelance writer from Vermont. Contact him at d. jensen62@yahoo.com

September 2023

Northwoods Sporting Journal

High Water – Good for Duck Hunters

Ahhh, September!

Rhymes with “remember.”

So many Septembers have passed in my life, yet every year when I flip my DU calendar to September, I feel a rush of excitement. The first soft northern breezes

“lead” their flock toward the feed pile. These birds are seasoned and know that things are not always as they appear. At the very tail of the spread are the sentries, watching the flock as they approach the delec-

Green Mountain Report

hits him and his right leg glistens reflecting a silver band. The moment will be permanently etched in my memory. It is September, remember?

After the shoot, we gather to admire our bounty

Page 49

by Bradley Carleton, Charlotte, VT July, where entire towns like Montpelier, Johnson, Jeffersonville where raging rivers rendered the streets unsafe except by boat, canoe, or kayak. It

barometric pressures of impending fronts. When you sort it all out, he’s right more often than the guys and gals they pay to be wrong 50% of the

With Lake Champlain being almost three feet higher than normal as of this writing (98.36’ above sea level) this portends a duck season that may resemble those of the last decade.

begin to sweep across the lake and carry the scent of the lake into my bedroom window. Tomorrow the predawn darkness will find us, once again, in a green field, plucking grass and stuffing it into the stubble straps on our layout blinds. We will be carrying on a lively but hushed conversation. We can hear the giant Canadas stirring in the bay to our south and we don’t want to awaken them. We set out the full-body decoys that way I have always demanded. I like to apply psychology to the spread.

There are leaders, feeders, pushers, and sentries. Each decoy has its own job and certain postures when positioned in logical patterns are more realistic when considering the overall flock. The feeders with the motion stakes are closest to the blinds, the pushers are downwind, “pushing” to get to the feed pile.

The leaders of the second flock that lands downwind

table greens. These birds rarely get shot. They are most frequently seasoned and may show a pinion feather or two missing. As the eastern sky begins to change from a dark black to a deep purple, we hear the first sounds of the flock on the water, a quiet, gentle cluck, like a moan when first waking up. Others begin to cluck back and forth, sleepily communicating their hopes for a field full of winter wheat or barley. Before long, everyone is clucking that, they too, are hungry, and “let’s get going!” Soon the raucous honking of the flock is heard echoing across the bay. “Cover up boys! This is it!” I whisper loudly. Scrunching down in our blinds, the lead bird is beating his powerful wings over the edge of the shore. He sees our spread and starts grunting his approval. His large black feet drop down, and for just a moment, the sun

and before you know it, someone brings up the possibility of an evening squirrel hunt. It is September, remember? And with this gift Opening Day for the wily bushytails tempts us to get these birds clean and load up the .22’s to wander into the oak woods. I’m not sure what kind of year it has been for mast, but the apple crop – at least the commercial operators – are not optimistic after the late freeze this spring. I have been seeing a number of wild apple trees that have done well. The blackberries made it through one of the most severe summers.

We have had heat near 100 degrees and more rain than anytime since 1927.

You may have read about the horrendous flooding we experienced back in

was strange to see people paddling down Main Street and rescues being performed by boat. Despite these extremes, the upland mast-producing trees – beechnuts, hickory, butternut, and red and white oaks were productive.

With Lake Champlain being almost three feet higher than normal as of this writing (98.36’ above sea level) this portends a duck season that may resemble those of the last decade. My dear fanatical friend, Don Rivers, who has charted the lake level for longer than most of us have hunted, has his prediction. Every year, before the season gets near, I call to ask him his opinion. This guy calls the meteorologists to argue with them about the jet stream and

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Page 50

Maple Country Outdoors

Northwoods Sporting Journal

by Ben Wilcox, Essex, VT

Without a doubt, the theme of the summer in the Northeast was the never ending rain. My dad always says one weather extreme follows another and after not getting much of any precipitation all spring, the rain just didn’t stop this summer. Much of Vermont

set in stone. Regardless of what the river conditions are that day I have to make the most of my 2-3 hours to fish a 200-400 yard piece of water. Often in competition I have had to deal with high water, and on more than a few occasions the river has been chocolate milk. Every

September 2023

The Year Of High Water

be a good guide, I’d need to learn to put people on fish no matter what. This paid off for me in a recent competition where I drew a beat that did not have the fish numbers to win, but when a wild storm turned the river to mud, I was able to catch quite a few fish, when most gave up.

Once you have committed to fishing high dirty water, you need to asses

places on my entire beat, an 18” deep piece of flat water downstream of an island and behind a bridge pillar.

If the water is dirty, but not really pushy then fish the same areas you would if the water were clear.

phing but I adjust the flies slightly. In another recent comp the river muddied up badly and rose about 10” during the session. I had been catching fish on a dry fly, and small size 18-20 nymphs. When the

The first thing to do when fishing high or muddy water is to understand that fish do not stop eating when things get dirty. If you can get past the mental roadblock that tells you to go home, you’ll be ahead of the game. experienced a 100 year flood event this past summer and most other areas have seen excessive rainfall if not severe floods as well.

So what is a trout angler to do when the rain just won’t stop and the rivers are high and occasionally muddy?

As a competitive angler and guide I am faced with these challenges often. When in a fly fishing competition the rivers and “beats”, which is a small stretch of the river that each angler is given to fish for a set period of time, are

time I have been faced with these obstacles I’ve been able to catch trout and finish at or near the top.

The first thing to do when fishing high or muddy water is to understand that fish do not stop eating when things get dirty.

If you can get past the mental roadblock that tells you to go home, you’ll be ahead of the game. Prior to launching my guide service I used to go to the river when the conditions were terrible just to learn how to catch fish. I told myself to

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where fish will be holding and where you can safely wade. If the water is very high and pushy, the fish will find the slower water on the bank, at the tail outs of pools, and behind mid stream structure such as rocks, bridges or islands.

The depth of the water is really not that important because the water is so dirty that trout are not susceptible to predation from overhead. During a competition in PA I won a session in very high chocolate milk fishing only two

The Author with a trophy VT brook Trout caught on a streamer during very high water conditions.

Tactics are the final mud hit all I did was up piece of the puzzle you’ll size my nymph to a size 16 need to get right if you want and select a black fly with to catch a big high water florescent pink tail and cdc trout. Unless you see fish collar which would create rising, which sometimes a good profile and show up happens in chocolate milk against the light colored if there is a good hatch, I’d mud. I continued to catch skip the dry fly unless using fish almost as fast in the it as a suspension device. mud for the remainder of My go to method is nym- the session. Often the fish will focus on bigger attracVISIT US at tor nymphs and stoneflies.

1458 Route 7 South Lastly, high water means Middlebury, VT 05753 it is streamer time. Many 802-388-3572 big trout will go on the Get the most modern archery equipment hunt when the water is high from Vermont Field Sports and you may catch a true If you don't want to spend a fortune, Vermont Field trophy when the water is Sports is the place to go. up. In fact during summer SIGHTS: We have a CROSSBOWS: and early fall high water is variety of different bow and almost the only time I can crossbow sights for your equipment. find big browns in my area.

They have a wide variety of The few that are around ACCESSORIES: crossbow manufactures such We have everything seem to disappear until as Barnett, TenPoint, Wicked you need to equip Ridge andExcalibur. Also, they start to think about and care for your VFS can help find the right spawning in the fall when bows & crossbows. compound bow for you. the water is low. There is a Squirrel Season is now open and get set for training your eye by hunting big storm rolling through for squirrels. By the time the Rifle Deer Season comes along your eye should be right on and hopefully help you shoot and kill that exclusive as I write this piece, and white tail buck of your dreams. vtfieldsports@comcast.net www.vtfieldsports.com (Water cont. pg 57)

September 2023

Grouse

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Supermarket prices are already on the rise and most of the foods bought (Cont. from pg 44) are contaminated with and marketed by a map- stuff that turns out badly ping company out of Wis- in our systems. There is consin. Website is www. no purer, “free-roaming” mobilehuntingmaps. or “grass-fed’ meat than ruffed grouse, woodcock, com We use it and have deer, bear, moose or any other game you choose to enjoyed great success.

It doesn’t matter hunt and place on the fammuch to me if you are a ily’s table.

The Maine upland ground shooter or tree limb shooter, or if you only shoot grouse on the wing. Your interest in this or any other shooting sport insures the future of the species population. If we stop hunting, the habitats will be quickly turned into shopping malls and parking lots.

As I have published many times in the past, I hunt and fish for myself, not to please others or to prove my hunting prowess.

I urge others reading this column to do likewise.

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bird season begins September 30 and runs through December 30. While the woodcock is a migratory bird, no waterfowl stamp is required.

In parting I add only my personal caution to those who wish to add a trained sporting dog to the family. If you are not prepared for the challenge, don’t take it on. That’s why I always note that other

peoples’ trained bird dogs are like grandchildren. We can play with them then we send them home. I appreciate having friends who have well-trained dogs for me to hunt over.

For in-depth information on the use of sporting dogs for grouse, please visit www.birdogsafield. com Stu Bristol is a Mas-

Page 51

ter Maine Hunting, Fishing and Tidewater Guide.

(Orion Guide Service) His books and articles have been published nationwide for more than 60 years. He was inducted into the New England Wild Turkey Hunting Hall of Fame in 2019 and operates the Deadly Imposter Game Call Company. www.deadlyimpostergamecalls.com

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 52

The Northwoods Bowhunter

by Brian Smith, Machiasport, ME

Most of my fondest childhood memories are of hunting and fishing with my dad, brothers and uncles. Uncle Ernie was a Maine Game Warden from 1965 until his retirement in 1985. He and my dad taught me how to hunt and fish with a focus on safety

gobbler when he was 60 and helped guide him to his first bull moose on his 75th birthday. When he was 76, I took him to Newfoundland to catch Atlantic Salmon for the first time in 20 years. The first morning, he landed a 10 lb bright fish on a seven weight rod

September 2023

Hunting and Fishing with Cops

rivers as well catching giant bluefish on pogies.

Warden Barry Woodward and I hunted and fished together all over Washington County before he was tragically killed in a plane crash. Warden Blaine Holding aided me harvesting my second bull moose and made the journey to Newfoundland with us for Atlantic salmon. I worked night hunters with Warden

The late Bob Carter was a retired Game Warden and joined Ernie and I on a few Atlantic salmon adventures on Downeast rivers as well catching giant bluefish on pogies.

Warden Barry Woodward and I hunted and fished together all over Washington County before he was tragically killed in a plane crash. and ethics. Ernie guided me to my first buck when I was 15, my first bear at age 19 and my first Atlantic Salmon in 1986. We spent countless hours together in duck blinds, upland coverts, deer woods and water bodies with a fly rod in hand. After his retirement, a couple of heart attacks and COPD slowed him down, but he still pursued his passions up until his passing two years ago. I got to reward Ernie by calling in his first

I gifted him and exclaimed, “I can die a happy man now!” My brother Alan is a longtime Penobscot County Deputy and Ret. Chief of the ME Airforce Security Police. We have hunted and fished together our whole lives and he was beside me when I shot my second bull moose.

The late Bob Carter was a retired Game Warden and joined Ernie and I on a few Atlantic salmon adventures on Downeast

Neil Wykes who is still serving after 44 years and ice fished Chamberlain Lake with us. Trooper Jeff Parola shared a duck blind and a few trout streams with me before he sadly passed while responding to a Tactical Team call.

The late Sgt. Tom Perkins and I ice fished for trout and smelts and might have even shared in a rat hunt or two. Ret. Warden Gary Sargent and I trout fished trout waters on the Airline

The Author on MSP Graduation Day 1982 with Game Warden Uncle Ernie.

Road and duck hunted ed us on Prudence Island together. My close friend to bowhunt deer. I secured Ret. MSP Sgt. Dave Burns a moose camp in Jackman has hunted and fished with and helped him harvest his me for 40 years and last fall first Maine Bull. I assisted I was privileged to guide NYSP Ret. Sr. Investigator him to his first buck in 15 Bob Boek and his Troopyears. Ret. MSP Sgt Kelly er Son Eric on the 1999 Barbee and I chased brook Maine Moose Hunt. For trout and grouse together years after we traveled to in Western Washington Western NY to hunt spring County. Ret. Marine Pa- gobblers and fish walleye trol Officer Dave Dent with them. is a longtime friend that After retirement 20 spent many hours in the years ago, I was privileged duck blind with me and to work for the NWTF my family. Retired MSP for three years and the Det. Dean Jackson arrowed NRA for seven years. I got his first bear on one of my to travel and meet many baits and we bowhunted more active and retired in Rhode Island together police with the same interwith Conservation Officer ests. Retired Chief Deputy friends in the Ocean State. Bryan Hoover was able to We often stayed at his arrow his first bear while home when turkey hunting. hunting with me. I became Waldo County. Ret. Rhode close friends with retired Island CO John Gingerella Vermont Game Warden guided me to my first RI Lt. Don Isabelle, a Warden gobbler and was able to of the Year and legendary harvest his first bear on one turkey hunter. I arrowed of my baits. Ret. Rhode Is- my first Vermont buck out land CO Tony Rosa guided of one of his stands and he me to a 10 pt muzzleloader took his first Maine bear buck in Cranston and host(Cops cont. pg 57)

September 2023

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 53

Waiting For Aldro French

Be thankful. That’s what I told myself while confirming for the third time that the metal gate blocking the dirt-and grit logging road was indeed locked. After an hour, I turned to Trish and asked if we should turn back. I feared our host had forgot-

face from the August sun.

I watched a red squirrel scamper along the edge of the forest, stop for a moment on a moss-covered stump, and then jump onto the trunk of an enormous spruce alongside one end of the gate. Overhead, a few crows swept past, but

summer, and the mosquitoes that are not, Emily’s body dangled from the gate in different positions while whining about when we were “going to get there?”

For her part, Trish was her usual even-tempered self, hiking up and down the logging road taking photographs.

Another thirty irretrievable minutes ticked away before a pickup drove

Against The Current

by Bob Romano, Rangeley, ME a smile slipping across his lips. “That who you waiting on?”

“Nearly two hours.”

“Ah. Well there’s time and then there’s Aldrotime,” he said, placing a key in the lock and swinging the gate to one side. “ Yo u e v e r m e e t

As Bill began to rig his fly rod, Trish and I stared down onto the river for our first time. Its surface was flecked with sunlight, the current sweeping over and around huge boulders, some the size of a moose’s shoulder. Staring down at the rough-and-tumble

The stranger tipped the cap’s brim in Trish’s direction and gave me a “howdy” while smiling down at Emily, who dangled from the gate like a monkey in a tree. “Bill Pierce.

Director of Public Relations for the Maine Warden Service.”

The other: “Aldro French circa 1990” ten us or perhaps we’d got they appeared to have little our dates wrong, but Trish, interest in our situation.

I’ve been described who’d made the reservations, assured me that there as impatient, quick to cut was no mistake as to the off a client who wanders from the point, and prone date, time or place.

She suggested we give to ask for the check the it another ten minutes for moment after taking my we were within only a few last bite of a meal. Small miles of our destination­— talk has never been in my The historic Rapid River. skill set. When it comes to While Trish cleaned fly fishing, my excitement dust and pollen from her rises while still collecting camera lens, Emily Rose, my gear, my pulse quickenno more than six at the ing as I arrive streamside. time, hung on the upper bar You could say I was not a of the metal gate, dragging happy camper.

Between the heat, her pink sneakers in the dirt, my wife’s straw hat which is unusual for westprotecting her daughter’s ern Maine, even in high

down the road, braking parallel to ours. Tall and lanky, wearing jeans, an olive-colored shirt and a cap with the Boston Red Sox B over the faded brim, the driver hopped out of his vehicle.

After the first hour, I was ready to punch our host. By now, I didn’t care who was the target.

The stranger tipped the cap’s brim in Trish’s direction and gave me a “howdy” while smiling down at Emily, who dangled from the gate like a monkey in a tree. “Bill Pierce. Director of Public Relations for the Maine Warden Service.”

With clench fists, I demanded, “Do you know Aldro French?”

The Director of Public Relations for the warden Service cocked his head,

Aldro?” he asked.

“He spoke with my wife over the phone. Have a reservation for three days at the Winter House.”

Ten minutes later, we pulled beside Middle Dam, an impressive wooden structure built upon a rock-and-beam cribwork that has withstood the elements for more than one hundred years. We had to raise our voices to be heard over the flumes of white water descending into the river below.

current pouring forth from Middle Dam, we were in awe of the river’s power, its wild beauty and the conifer forest stretching outward without interruption for more than 10,000 acres.

Off to one side of the Dam was Lakewood Camps, a traditional sporting lodge. At the time owned by Whit and Maureen Carter, Lakewood was established in 1853. It is a place where sports can (French cont. pg 57)

RIVER FLOWERS - by Robert J. Romano, Jr. "Lyrical, poignant, and sometimes fantastical angling tales from the Maine woods and beyond, written in the great storytelling tradition of Sparse Gray Hackle and Robert Traver..."Stephen Sautner, author of A Cast in the Woods and Fish On. Fish Off.

FOR A LIMITED TIME: readers of Northwoods Sporting Journal can obtain an autographed copy, with free shipping and a five-dollar discount from the retail price of $25.00. Send your check in the amount of $20.00 made payable to West River Media to Andora and Romano, 15 Essex Rd., Suite 406, Paramus N.J. 07652. For more information go to forgottentrout.com

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 54

“The Trail Rider”

by Dan Wilson, Bowdoinham, ME already too long, so there’s a bit more clean-up to do.

Having such wet ground makes getting “over in back” to the rest of our property difficult. There are two hills on either side of the brook to go up and down, so the road can get a bit slick, plus all the wood

I don’t know about you, but I haven’t had a chance to take many 4-wheeler rides this summer. Those magic sunfilled days are few and far between and I seem to fill my spare time with chores like mowing the lawn or tending the mud pit… I

September 2023

Riding in Circles

out wildflowers, birds, and types of trees. We’d see black-eyed Susans, goldenrod, milkweed, monarch butterflies, deer scat, and thistle. In recent years my oldest nephew has taken to practicing with the 4-wheeler too, attaching a small trailer to hone his navigation skills even further. Impressive to see him getting the feel of towing and positioning a

Having such wet ground makes getting “over in back” to the rest of our property difficult. There are two hills on either side of the brook to go up and down, so the road can get a bit slick, plus all the wood trails are pretty mucky. mean garden.

Between the rain, some light travel and day trips, birthday parties, barbecues, and a growing “to do” list, my summer has been pretty full. I usually find time for a ride around the property now and again, but this summer seems to not have allowed much time for that. The riding conditions haven’t been great with all of the rain we’ve been having. The lawn is soggy, the grass is thick, and by the time I can get outside to mow, it’s

trails are pretty mucky.

When I was younger, I’d ride around, making new trails through the tall grass in the field behind our house. I’d practice parking and backing up, making interconnected roads for varied scenery, riding around in circles. There were some wet spots now and again that I’d usually avoid so as to not rut up the field, re-routing some of my standard routes with inventive solutions. Nowadays, I give my nephews rides around the paths, pointing

trailer, that’s a skill I’m still working to get better at too.

In late summer my dad usually bush hogs the long grass around our house, but this year will be delayed. Local hay farmers usually would have had a midsummer harvest by now too, needing to wait for a less saturated field before they can begin. Once the ground is dry enough, the green waves of grass, speckled with purple, pink, and yellow flowers will become a mowed field of light brown. My meander-

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ing network of paths will be gone, taking on a more navigable structure, lending itself to a ride with a clear view and an inviting terrain for a stroll.

In place of 4-wheeler rides, I’ve done more exploring on foot, checking on the bridge that had washouts on either side after the rain and flooding in May, and walking around the barn with my mother and nephews. One of our walks took us past orange day lilies and wild roses next to the brook. It’s nice

to see that the water is at a good level in the brook as sometimes it can be very low and almost just be a trickle this time of year.

Before we know it, it will be time for going back to school, changing leaves, and apples fit for picking, but for now, we can savor every moment of summer and our time together, rain or shine.

Daniel Wilson works in healthcare and enjoys time outside in nature with his family.

Eustis

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September 2023

Northwoods Sporting Journal

High Water Mark

Someone once told me, that part of what determines how bountiful a mast crop will be in the Fall is how much rain they got in the Summer. Well, if there’s any truth to that, we should be soon swimming in acorns and beech nuts! Between the first of June and mid-July, some areas of the state picked up over a foot of a rain.

Lakes Winnipesaukee and Sunapee were running six inches above normal while Lake Winnisquam was 9.5” above normal. No wake orders were introduced on Lake Sunapee and Silver Lake to try to reduce the amount of erosion caused by volume of water.

Stream and river fishing have been challenging as well. Up in Pittsburg, the USGS river gauge below the Connecticut River’s junction with Indian Stream was around 450 CFS before the rains of mid-July. After those rains, the water crested at that same gauge at 5720 CFS. That makes wading a nonstarter and water visibility is nonexistent. It took a while for the levels to get back where it’s safe to fish

the rivers. But, to be on the safe side, make sure you have a wading staff with you. You may need it.

However, with bear season opening on Friday, September 1 st, you may want to forgo water activities for a walk or sit in the woods. Depending on the WMU hunted and the method of hunting, the seasons will run anywhere from September 1st through November 30 th “Without The Aid of Bait or Dogs”… September 1st through October 5th , “With Aid of Bait”… September 18 th through November 7th ,“With Aid of Dogs”.

Check the Hunting Digest for more specifics.

Speaking of bears, I overheard someone (mostly likely a Flatlander) in a checkout line talking on her phone. She was telling the other party that she had seen a bear a few days before and was terrified to go anywhere near the woods. Now, I should have had her put her phone down and let me explain the facts of life about bears in New Hampshire. First and foremost, would be, yes, black bears are capable of attack-

ing people, but according to Fish & Game, the last time someone was killed by a black bear in New Hampshire was 1784. And secondly, black bears, like all wild animals, should be treated as unpredictable. They’re not cartoon characters or straight out of a Disney movie. But we didn’t have that conversation because I figured in this litigious-happy society that we live in, somehow, I’d be arrested for harassment or something equally as dubious. And looking at it that way, it just didn’t seem worth it. Oh, there will be other opportunities I’m sure!

Archery season for deer opens on September 15th and runs through December 15th, except in WMU-A where it closes one week earlier. Archery season for Fall Turkey also opens on September 15 th and closes on December 15th again, except in WMU-A where it will close a week earlier.

I was looking around recently at some muzzleloaders and noticed that New Mexico just joined O r e g o n , Wa s h i n g t o n ,

Page 55

New Hampshire Outdoors

by Peter St. James, Warner, N.H. Montana and Colorado as states that have muzzleloader seasons that don’t allow scopes or optics on their muzzleloaders. Just iron sights.

The head biologist for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish said he expects that loss of animals to wounding by muzzleloaders may decrease under the prohibition against scoped muzzleloaders. Although scopes allow hunters to hit animals at long range, he said the animals may not give any indication that they’ve been hit so hunters may not follow up all their shots.

What? That’s a hunter issue not a scope issue! I’d be more concerned that the rate of wounded animals might go up when you have people with open sights still trying to shoot too far.

Because you know, without a rangefinder they’ll overestimate the distance and shoot accordingly.

Commissioner Roberta Salazar-Henry cast

the lone votes against the change on muzzleloaders saying she was dissatisfied with the department’s public education efforts on the issue and was concerned that 17,000 muzzleloader hunters will find out that they don’t have a chance to use their scoped muzzleloaders anymore. “On the other hand” she said, “I’m hearing that the elk population is growing all over the place.”

So, am I heading back to New Mexico this Fall elk hunting? Only if I can get a rifle tag. Two hundred yards is a long poke with a muzzleloader and iron sights. I could do it but it’s better for me and the elk if I don’t.

Peter St. James is a member of the New England Outdoor Writers Association, Outdoor Writers Association of America and is a licensed NH Fishing Guide. He’s at : stjames. peter@gmail.com

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Page 56

Northwoods Sporting Journal

September Question Of The Month

September 2023

Coyotes: Lessons to Be Learned?

By V. Paul Reynolds A very misguided bill that almost passed in the state legislature, LD 814, would have set back a lot of work in this state to bring back Maine’s declining deer populations in the North Woods. The bill would have ended recreational coyote hunting and trapping as we know

A good question!

Why in the world would DIF&W include two well-known anti-hunting activists on a technical subcommittee charged with evaluating wildlife management strategies? it. Coyotes kill deer. The data is clear. By definition, coyote management means population control by hunters and trappers.

A recent post mortem of the intense debate surrounding LD 814 by Gerry Lavigne in the SAM News is an eye opener.

Lavigne explains that in 2022 the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (DIF&W) set out to

formulate a formal coyote management strategy. The Department put together a committee comprised of a wide range of stakeholders, as well as a technical subcommittee whose mission was to evaluate the efficacy of the main committee’s

Department staff, and two anti-hunting proponents. I was one of the independent biologists, selected for my past research and management activities while at DIFW from 1975 to 2005. I was also selected because of my coyote hunt-

I was told the agency wants to be inclusive of all viewpoints. Personally, I felt the steering committee was the place for such “inclusiveness”.

The several technical committee meetings may best be described as “con-

Maine’s ill-informed urban legislators, such as State Rep. Cluchey and State Rep. Golek, who want to coexist with “Maine’s Songdog” and ban coyote hunting and trapping, should take a close look at this photo. A few years ago, all of these wintering deer were killed on the ice in Washington County by “song dogs.” recommendations. Here is part of Lavigne’s article: The technical subcommittee was comprised of four biologists who were independent of DIFW, trappers, hound hunters, a game warden, a DIFW regional biologist, other

Get Hooked on the Sporting Journal!

ing experiences since retiring from DIFW. It seemed inexplicable to me that DIFW would invite two anti-hunting activists to help shape coyote management policy for the next decade and beyond. When I questioned this decision,

tentious” at best. The two antis repeatedly derided coyote hunters and trappers, and both went on the record to say they want to see an end to all hunting and trapping of coyotes.

Their alternate vision is to allow coyote populations to “self-regulate” and that people need to learn to coexist with Maine’s “Songdog”.

A good question! Why in the world would DIF&W include two well-known anti-hunting activists on a technical subcommittee charged with evaluating wildlife management strategies?

This seems more a

political gesture, a bow to “inclusivity,” than it does a wildlife management priority. Is this not carrying the progressive concept beyond the realm of common sense? You would not invite the fox into the hen house if you were trying to develop management strategies to safeguard your livestock, would you?

DIF&W has no historical or constitutional obligation to get on bended knee for the anti-hunting activists.

We learned something else from the legislative debate about LD 814. The Legislative Standing Committee on Fisheries and Wildlife, which decides the fate of many pieces of legislation dealing with fish and wildlife, has among its members two legislators who demonstrated during debate that they are woefully unprepared in their backgrounds, knowledge and outlooks to be voting on the fate of prospective Maine fish and wildlife laws: State Rep. Sally Cluchey, D, from Bowdoinham and State Rep. Cheryl Golek, D, Harpswell. Their appointments to these committees does not seem appropriate.

The author is editor of the Northwoods Sporting Journal. He is also a Maine Guide and host of a weekly radio program “Maine Outdoors” heard Sundays at 7 p.m. on The Voice of Maine News-Talk Network. He has authored three books. Online purchase information is available at www.sportingjournal.com

Northwoods Sporting Journal

September 2023

Water

French

(Cont. from pg 50)

(Cont. from pg 53)

you can bet I’ll be out on a wild trout stream tomorrow morning looking for a trophy.

take their meals and spend evenings telling tales of fish caught and lost before departing for one of the cabins that flank the main building. Steeped in the region’s sporting history, an angler spending time at Lakewood can feel his or her place in the long tradition of men and women seeking solace under the spreading branches of balsam-and-spruce while casting a bit of feather-and-fur to fish as wild as the river they call home.

After wishing Bill good luck, we piled back into the Isuzu and turned down the Carry Road, driv-

Ben Wilcox is owner of Maple Country Anglers, located in Northwest Vermont. He is a current member of the USA Fly Fishing Team. He is a registered Maine Guide and graduate of the University of Maine.

He also owns a large Maple Sugaring Business, Amber Ridge Maple. These occupations allow him to be in the woods or water nearly every day of the year. He can be reached at maplecountryanglers@ gmail.com or on instagram @benwilcox_maplecountryanglers.

Cops (Cont. from pg 52) with archery tackle out of one of mine. Ret. Vermont Game Warden Lt. Dennis Amsden has become a close friend as well and built me a one-of-a-kind custom 1911 that will shoot one inch groups at 25 yds.

There are many more Troopers and Wardens that I have been blessed to share the outdoors with. I will forever treasure the memories and always miss those that have passed.

Brian Smith is a Retired Maine State Police Detective and NRA Field Represenative. He has hunted and fished all over the US and Canadian Maritimes. He serves on the Maine Bowhunters Association and SAM-ILA Boards and can be reached at bowhunter@mgemaine. com

ing into a little complex of structures, one of which was identified as The Winter House, the one-room cabin Ralph Rich built for his wife, Louise Dickenson Rich, which was made famous in her book, We Took To The Woods. A few feet away we found Aldro French, his back against the trunk of a birch tree, ankles crossed, legs extended across the ground, the wide brim of a felt fedora covering his eyes.

Postcript: The principal facts of the abovenarrative are true, or at least as true as an angler can remember them. After leaving the Warden Service, Bill Pierce became the Executive Director of the

Page 57

Rangeley Region’s Outdoor Heritage Museum where he worked for many years.

As all who have had the pleasure of knowing Aldro French can affirm, he is

one of those truly unique free spirits, who over the years has contributed to the rich sporting tradition of the Rangeley Lake’s Region of western Maine.

Greenville

Page 58

Northwoods Sporting Journal

September 2023

Muzzleloading Fall Birds back in 2002. Up until 2010 Not the most ideal way so be sure to check. The Afield

by Al Raychard, Lyman, ME

I’ll be honest here, I have never been overly enthusiastic when it comes to hunting fall turkeys. I do hunt them, generally when there is nothing else to do or the family has a hankering for a homemade turkey pot pie. But overall I never got into the fall turkey

ones. And, once May rolls around there’s an urge, a need almost to get back in the woods after the long winter, which the spring season allows. That’s missing in the fall. I still have that desire to get in the woods in the fall but for different reasons. I’m also

when the combined spring/ fall turkey permit replaced the individual spring and fall permits just over 5,200 resident fall turkey permits were purchased in 2007, the highest ever.

Most years less than 4,000 were sold. That same year more than 17,400 resident spring permits were sold.

The highest was 23,026 spring permits back in

of doing things, but if opportunity knocks I take advantage of it. A pot pie made with a turkey taken that way tastes just as good as a pie made with a turkey taken by more traditional

point is, whether you’re a die-hard fall turkey enthusiast who hunts traditional methods or an opportunistic one like me September is a fine time to be in the woods. It doesn’t really

Fortunately, Maine’s fall turkey season is long, opening this year September 18 and ending November 7, and bow and arrow, crossbow or shotguns are legal with the right licenses and permits. hunting hype or found it overly exciting.

Hunting fall birds isn’t like hunting spring birds. The telling sound of gobbling at dawn that instantly elevates the excitement level is missing, and my personal experience has been birds don’t respond as well to calls.

Maybe I am just not that good at it. Or use the wrong

getting too old to run like a mad man through the timber with a shot gun in hand in the attempt to bust or scatter a flock of birds.

No, fall turkey hunting isn’t my cup of tea for a variety of reasons and it certainly doesn’t get my adrenaline flowing like the spring season does.

Fall turkey permits were first issued in Maine

2005. Quite a difference, so I guess I’m not alone in my less than enthusiastic dedication when it comes to fall turkey hunting.

This doesn’t mean to say I won’t kill a fall bird if given the opportunity. In fact, most of my fall takes have been opportunistic while hunting other game, especially in October. I wonder if I’m alone in that, too. Looking back on it now, if memory is correct I have killed more fall turkeys from a treestand during the expanded and regular archery deer seasons than on the ground specifically hunting them.

Hunting fall turkeys isn’t the author’s favorite pastime but will take a shot if opportunity knocks. (Photo By Al Raychard) methods. matter which category you Fortunately, Maine’s fall under. fall turkey season is long, opening this year September 18 and ending NovemAl Raychard and his ber 7 and bow and arrow, wife Diane live on 43 +/crossbow or shotguns are acres in Lyman, Maine legal with the right licenses that offers good deer and and permits. In districts turkey hunting opportuni15-17 and 20-25 where I ties which they both enlive the bag limit is also joy. If the property had a extremely generous at five trout stream it would be birds of either sex. In other true paradise. Al can be districts the limit is 3, 2 or reached at alraychard@ 1. Some districts are closed sacoriver.net

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 59

September Song

The opening song lyric goes: “the day breaks, and the boy wakes up, and the dog barks, and the birds sing, and the sap rises, and the angels sigh.” That’s from James Taylor’s, “Copper Line.” The same was true here, except for the part about the sap rising because it was September.

And when the day broke and the dog barked, the boy’s Dad was already on the lake in the rented boat.

They’d arrived the night before, but the boy didn’t remember exactly when because he was sound asleep beside the dog in the back seat. Even though he was already 8 years old, his Dad must’ve carried him into the cabin and put him in the bunk where he now woke up. He surveyed the room to see if anything had changed since last year. No, the same curtains with the moose and bear on them still hung over the one window in his cabin bedroom.

He loved the steel frame bunk bed with springs that made noise every time he turned in bed. It reminded him of boy scout camp.

The floor was uneven with its wide pine boards, and when he got up, they creaked as he walked uphill towards the door. It opened into the living room which

was also the kitchen and dining room. The log furniture with cushions were just as he remembered them, and the smell of bacon was in the air as he caught sight of his Mom standing over the small, apartment sized range. The sizzle of the bacon blotted out the sound of his footsteps, so that when he said, “Morning Mom,” she wheeled around as if ready for combat.

Strange that at so young an age, he insisted that nothing change. The front door, which opened onto a screened porch, stuck at one spot when it swung open. Just like it always had. You’d think that someone might think to sand or plane that spot on the bottom of the door so that it would swing freely.

But really, he would prefer that they didn’t. In his universe, camp was meant to stay the same, and never change. That way, you could trust it. You knew you could always return to it and find the same joys that you had always found since your first memories kicked in.

Dad’s morning fish would have started at first light. Their hosts at the housekeeping cabins would have parked his boat at the

dock in front of their cabin and made sure it had gas in the tank and the proper PFD’s. Dad would be back in time for breakfast, and if he was lucky, he’d walk into the cabin with his little finger hooked through the gill and jaw of a salmon which he’d hold up for his wife and son to see before he laid it down in the sink.

“Supper,” he’d say while

The Singing Maine Guide

by Randy Spencer, Grand Lake Stream, ME to an end when the water temperatures dropped.

Funny that these same smallmouth bass changed their habitat from rocks and gravel in the spring to mud and weeds in autumn.

But that’s where the food was, and when you cleaned

“No one knows.”

He would go out once or maybe even twice on those daybreak trolls with his father, but mostly he preferred the fast-action fishing of casting to bass that were more than accommodating. He also had an

It was after breakfast that the fun began. That’s when Dad took him along rocky shorelines where he would cast to ten inch bass until his wrist cramped up. ruffling his boy’s hair with his other hand.

It was after breakfast that the fun began. That’s when Dad took him along rocky shorelines where he would cast to ten inch bass until his wrist cramped up.

His Dad would say this was just to get him limbered up for the larger fish. Then, it was off to the mouths of inlets and estuaries that served as nurseries for baitfish. Here, the September bass were at their largest and heaviest of the season, knowing that soon, their feeding would come

one for lunch, you found out exactly what kind of food. Crawfish and small yellow perch gave these bass something of a beer gut, not quite as grotesque as those largemouth bass bellies on the covers of the fishing magazines, but getting there.

As they moved along the shorelines, his Dad said, “Ever notice that people who fish from boats cast in as close to shore as they can, and people who fish from shore cast as far out as they can?”

“Why is that, Dad?”

inkling that in the future, he’d probably have the patience to troll for salmon, just like his Dad. But for now, it seemed enough to wake up to hear the dog bark and the birds sing and the angels sigh, and to make sure that everything at camp had stayed the same for another year.

Randy Spencer is a working guide and author.

All of his award-winning books are available on Amazon. Reach Randy at randy31@earthlink.net or www.randyspencer.com

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Page 60

Kineo Currents

by Suzanne AuClair, Rockwood, ME

Last winter the ice on Moosehead Lake was slow to form, so much so that a lot of the lake was still opened at the end of January. This is only a little surprising because it is not unusual for parts of the lake to still be opened, like around Mt. Kineo here in Rockwood, until after the New Year. Last winter, the

all that. But going back through log books, January is typical. On the other side of it, Moosehead usually remains ice-bound until somewhere around the end of April or the first week of May. Ice-out has been recorded since 1848 and is closely watched, and officially called, so that boats can safely navigate

A few years ago, for the first time in recorded history, regional fisheries biologist Tim Obrey and his crew discovered that the wild brook trout in Moosehead Lake spawn later than trout in other area waters. cove here near Kineo was wide opened, even near the shore, until late January.

For many years, it was on my mind that Moosehead Lake should turn solid early, sometime in December. A white Christmas and

open water from one end of the lake to the other. But ice-in has not had the same importance until recently.

All this is to say that there’s a proposal for 2024 to clarify a winter fishing regulation. The purpose is to state that from January

Northwoods Sporting Journal

September 2023

Moosehead Lake Winter Trout Reg

1 - March 31, all areas on the lake that are identified as closed to ice fishing for brook trout are completely closed during the stated dates, even if there are places where the water is opened, as it was last winter. There is a particular and very interesting, important, reason for this.

A few years ago, for the first time in recorded history, regional fisheries biologist Tim Obrey and his crew discovered that the wild brook trout in Moosehead Lake spawn later than trout in other area waters. In the past, it was believed that brook trout spawned sometime beginning mid-October.

It was astounding to learn that the trout in Moosehead live differently. They begin staging and spawning not in the fall, but in early winter! Another reveal was where these Moosehead Lake trout spawned, the locations having been a mystery for time on end.

New technology changed all that. Today, some of

the spawning grounds for those trophy brook trout have been identified, and it’s widely agreed by area

be released alive without removing them from the water. Unlike other areas around the state, spring is

anglers and fisheries biologists alike that this timing for the Moosehead trout spawning cycle needs protecting, so that they may continue to flourish. To that end, certain known areas were closed off to winter fishing. The proposal just clarifies that those identified areas are closed to winter fishing at all times.

Also to note, from April 1 - April 30, all brook trout caught while fishing on Moosehead must

slow to come on Moosehead and the lake is generally still locked in with ice until the very end of April.

For us, it is a slow slog.

It should also be noted that winter fishing for landlocked salmon, the other popular game fish on Moosehead Lake, is closed for the taking from Jan. 1 - Feb. 14 and from April 1 - 30. During those times, all landlocked salmon caught must be released alive without removing (Trout cont. pg 63)

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September 2023

Northwoods Sporting Journal

West Branch Shut Down

At 7 p.m. on July 7, there was an unexplained shut down of the MCKay Hydro-electric station below Ripogenus Dam. This so-called “trip event,” that lasted over 4 hours, left the fabled West Branch of the Penobscot River and the popular Big Eddy salmon and trout fishery virtually dry for that period, accord-

employed by Great Northern Paper, an owner of the Ripogenus Dam before Brookfield. “The timing of this disastrous outage could not be worse as it occurred during the peak fish and aquatic growing season and a prime angling period and it occurred during daylight hours. Recently emerged alevin (larval salmon) are ex-

ering that flow to the river.

Long term mitigation is needed to rebuild salmon stocks, notable the loss of 2023 hatchlings (alevin) and aquatic insects. This can be accomplished by requiring minimum flows of 2200 CFS accompanied by requiring the Licensee to follow a Ripogenus Impoundment storage curve

Page 61

Outdoors In Maine

by V. Paul Reynolds, Ellsworth, ME

the winter of 2021the lake was refilled from a previous drawdown by drastically reducing power generation at McKay Station below the flow levels required to protect salmon spawning

field’s license renewal with FERC, other state fisheries conservation organizations besides Trout Unlimited, as well as sportsmen themselves, might serve the greater good by taking a

“Essentially, the entire West Branch 2023 salmon year class was eliminated,” said Ed Spear, retired fisheries biologist formerly employed by Great Northern Paper, an owner of the Ripogenus Dam before Brookfield. keen interest in this license that guarantees storage will and incubation. be available to meet the The Ripogenus Dam renewal process. year-long minimum flow (Project No. 2572) is curgoal.” rently facing FERC reliThe author is editor of Water level problems censing. The federal liare not new to the lake censing of McKay station the Northwoods Sporting Over the years, the water flows on the West above the dam and the expires in September of Journal. He is also a Maine Branch of the Penobscot River, and here at Guide and host of a weekly tailwater below the power 2026. the popular fishing spot, Big Eddy, have been station. The July 7 inciLike the fabled tailwa- radio program “Maine an issue for anglers and rafters alike. dent is the most recent in ter salmon fishery at Grand Outdoors” heard Sundays (Photo by V. Paul Reynolds) ing to a press release from tremely vulnerable to rapid a series of events hurting Lake Stream, the West at 7 p.m. on The Voice of Trout Unlimited. TU said flow change and the initial the West Branch of the Branch of the Penobscot Maine News-Talk Network. that this resulted in “dev- dewatering and subsequent Penobscot River below River below McKay Station He has authored three Ripogenus Dam and Ripo- is a popular Maine sport books. Online purchase astating impacts to fish flooding of the riverbed.” and aquatic communities, In a letter to the Feder- genus-Chesuncook Lake, fishery like no other. As the information is available at harmed the river system, al Energy Regulatory Com- Maine’s third largest. In date approaches for Brook- www.sportingjournal.com and impacted boating and mission (FERC), which Fast Action Trolling - Skijigger & Sammee recreational activities.” oversees such dams, in According to the pow- response to the Brookfield er station owner, Brook- Ripogenus disaster, Spear field Renewable Energy wrote: “FERC has the abilPartner, McKay outflows ity to prevent and/or mininormally range from 3000 mize future catastrophic to 1800 cubic feet per sec- flow interruptions caused ond (CFS). The Brookfield by outages. Long-term and SafeWaters website posted short-term mitigation meaThe proven success of hundreds of trolling anglers like you demonstrates that these jiggers will be the most advanced and an “outage” flow of 100 sures are needed. Initially, dynamic tool you add to your trolling spread. We developed CFS at 7:00 p.m. on July FERC should order that a these jiggers for use both with streamers, lures, and bait. Troll fast or slow (use our magnum prop for slow trolling) and you 7 and it remained low at 11 McKay Dam Tender posiimpart a life like action to your spread that can not be duplip.m. Brookfield has offered tion be created and staffed cated. This lifelike action imitates the action of a baitfish; first no explanation for the ex- during the aquatic growing your lure/streamer runs at normal speed, then it accelerates Trolling with the Skijigger or the Sam- at 1.5 times your boat speed, then it stops and flutters like a treme flow reduction. The season, housing is readmee is almost a guarantee that you will wounded bait. This action triggers the instinct of fish to strike. resulting water flow drop ily available. Secondly, have more exciting fishing and will The Jigging action repeats 10 times a minute at 2.5 mph increase your strikes by 4 to 1. was catastrophic for the re- McKay Station emergency trolling speed. The jigging length is approximately 36”. The cently hatched landlocked flow mechanism should be jiggers will perform at any speed and in any conditions. salmon in the river. “reengineered” and mainThis advanced method of trolling takes a little practice to “Essentially, the entire tained. Thirdly, during the become an expert and anglers like you from around the world have embraced the jiggers and wouldn’t consider trolling West Branch 2023 salmon ongoing licensing, the apwithout them. year class was eliminated,” propriate emergency outage Learn more about the Skijigger and the Sammee at: www.ceedeestreeamers.com on the said Ed Spear, retired fish- flow should be determined Water Powered Jigging page. Questions? sales@ceedeestreamers.com or text 603-903-4342 eries biologist formerly as well as methods of deliv-

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 62

Women In The Woods

by Erin Merrill, Portland, ME I have written and rewritten this article several times trying not to ramble, while also remembering the life of a Maine Guide.

At the end of July, my family lost an avid outdoorsman and adventurer to the river that he loved so much.

Scott did more with

and turned it into a thriving business in Bingham, The Forks and Jackman, where he and his wife spent their days bringing Maine adventures to life. They spent hours rafting, grooming snowmobile trails and guiding. In the Explore New England video series,

September 2023

Honoring an Outdoorsman

they had in the region. He was a staple at the sportsman’s shows and snowmobile shows held in Augusta every year. But, he was never in his booth, instead you could find him standing near the door talking to new and old friends.

When COVID hit, I convinced him to speak to my Rotary club about the challenges and opportunities that businesses like

both came home with incredible stories and freezers fill of meat. We shared trail camera photos and

port high school students as they pursue an education in outdoor recreation.

If you were lucky

My cousin, Scott Newton, did more with his 38 years of life than many of us dream of. He took his passion for the woods and waters of Maine and turned it into a thriving business in Bingham, The Forks and Jackman, where he and his wife spent their days bringing Maine adventures to life. his 38 years of life than many of us dream of. He took his passion for the woods and waters of Maine

he and his wife joked about how much they loved their crazy life and all of the outdoor opportunities that

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his were dealing with. I can remember him logging into the Zoom meeting, beginning to highlight the concerns they faced at the start of COVID and how, when people decided to explore the outdoors, he couldn’t keep his rentals in the shop – the demand was huge. During the presentation, he would periodically leave to take care of a customer that had walked in.

His customers were a top priority.

Scott was an avid hunter and fishermen. We were both drawn for our moose tags in 2021 and

The late Scott Newton, far right, and his family celebrate a successful moose hunt. kept tabs on who else in our family was hunting and who had the biggest buck or doe of the year.

At his celebration of life, more than 800 people gathered to celebrate the impact he had made on the outdoor recreational world.

People from across the United States reached out to send condolences. We decided to create a scholarship in his name and have been raising money to sup-

enough to know him, you have your own stories about adventures shared.

He was passionate about the outdoors, his friends and family. He worked tirelessly to ensure trail access and promote the sports he loved so much.

The Maine outdoors lost a great man, but hopefully we can create many more passionate men and women to pick up where Scott left off and continue the work needed to get more people outside and enjoying this great state.

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

September 2023

Northwoods Sporting Journal

The Albatross I have had some interesting responses from readers of my bird articles.

In 1992 while I lived in Middleboro, MA, Mrs. Franklin G.Harlow sent me some black and white photographs. Her husband had been stationed on Midway Island in 1942 with the Seabees, the builders branch of the Navy. He sent her some photos he took there in 1942. The envelope itself is stamped with “navy censor.” This checking of mail was done during the war. The photographs are of various seabirds seen in 1942 on Midway Atoll.

Trout

(Cont. from pg 60) them from the water. But, during the heart of winter, from Feb. 15 - March 31, one salmon with a minimum length of 18 inches may be kept.

There’s no minimum length limit on the native togue (lake trout). There’s a daily bag limit of 5 togue (only one can be greater than 18”). The annual togue derby is super popular and brings in some good, family fun every winter.

Suzanne AuClair is an avid outdoorswoman.

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

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

The Battle of Midway was their own nests, eggs and fought for five days in June young amid such a cha1942. It was won by the otic scene.

The soldiers stationed Americans and stopped Japan’s offensive in the Pacific area. I wonder if the The soldiers photos were taken before or stationed on after the battle.

Midway It is just amazing to see these birds continuing Atoll in 1942 must have been awed their lives despite the chaos of war. A fluffy baby Sooty by the noise made Shearwater is being fed by the loud calls by one of its parents. Two of hundreds of Black-browed Albatross Shearwaters, face each other during a Terns, breeding stance. A RedBoobies, and footed Booby sits atop its nest on the sand. Two Albatrosses.

Fairy Terns sit side by side in a shrub. Thirty or more on Midway Atoll in 1942 Black-backed Terns are do- must have been awed by ing colonial nesting in an the noise made by the loud area where each spot will calls of hundreds of Shearhave their nests no more waters, Terns, Boobies, than outstretched wings and Albatrosses. The Alfrom others. The parent batrosses flew over them birds will have such amaz- gliding on 7 foot long ing abilities to recognize wing spans. They and the

Best Shot

Mark Potschmidt a member of Clark’s Rangers snapped this best shot during a spring fishing trip to Grand Lake Stream and Leen’s Lodge.

Page 63

The Bird Perch

by Karen Holmes, Cooper, ME other seabirds have tubular nostrils located on the tops of their bills. These extract fresh water from the salty ocean. They can spend almost their entire lives on the open ocean. They only come ashore to places like Midway Atoll to nest.

When I received the photos in 1992 , they were already 50 years old. I wondered what had happened there since 1942. Midway Atoll in 1996 became part of the Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge. Scientists and others are allowed to

go there only with strict permits. So the beautiful scenes Mr. Harlow photographed in 1942 are continuing, preserved in their biodiversity.

Karen Holmes is a writer and naturalist. She enjoys sharing her over 70 years of knowledge and experience exploring and admiring the natural world wherever she has lived and worked. She lives in Cooper, Maine in many acres of conifer forest there.

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Page 64

Outdoors In Vermont

by Gary W. Moore, Bradford, VT

Henry Parro has a right to be proud. His gun shop and shooting range has been named the Vermont Small Business Administration Veteran Owned Business of The Year.

This is the 40th anniversary of Parro’s Gun

his dream facility. When I visited, Parro told me that the Community National Bank had nominated him for the SBA award.

I used to frequent Parro’s old, much smaller, store nearby and now find myself getting off I-89 intentionally to visit this

Northwoods Sporting Journal

September 2023

Henry Parro - Business Owner of The Year

firearm can take their time and check out just about any brand or model they think might be right for them. Add to that all the accessories one could want as well as a long wall of ammunition with all calibers and brands and you can see why gun enthusiasts flock to Parro’s.

A 30-seat classroom

This is the 40th anniversary of Parro’s Gun Shop and Police Supplies, the Waterbury, Vermont “Destination” for those who want to purchase firearms and related supplies.

Shop and Police Supplies, the Waterbury, Vermont “Destination” for those who want to purchase firearms and related supplies.

Parro’s opened its new facility in 2021 to the delight of many, including myself.

Owner Henry Parro stated, “We created a destination.”

Those who visit agree. It is paradise for those of us who love firearms of all kinds.

Parro worked with the Community National Bank and Granite State Development Corporation to secure a Small Business Administration 504 loan to build

Mecca for those of us who appreciate firearms. Today, Parro’s is a multimilliondollar business employing 27, of whom 60 percent are either Veterans, former law enforcement or both.

Do you want to handle a certain handgun you are interested in? Likely Parro’s has it and you won’t have to wait for someone to take it out of a case and hand it to you. There are hundreds of firearms, including handguns, on display, tethered, so you can pick them up and get a feel for them.

Those in search of a

is in the facility where all sorts of experts offer training and coaching. Another draw is the state-of-the-art 10 lane, 25-yard indoor shooting range. It is the only one in Vermont open to the public, and allows shooters to practice in a safe, controlled environment year-round.

Henry Parro is a veteran of the Vermont National Guard and a former police officer. That background has enabled him to become a major supplier to law enforcement agencies and departments around the U.S.

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FLY FISHING MAINE RIVERS, BROOKS AND STREAMS - By Bob Leeman Sporting Journal columnist Bob Leeman, a Master Maine Guide and ardent fly fisherman, has written a book whose chapters capture the experiences of a lifetime of fishing Maine. This book not only tells where to go to catch brook trout and landlocked salmon in rivers, brooks and streams, but locates wadeable waters and canoeable waters. Certain pools, secretive springs, slow water, beaver ponds and fast water pocket holding places are located in words and detailed map illustrations. For the fly fisherman, this is a useful, practical, "how-to" angling manual, unmatched for its thoroughness, originality and authoritative advice.

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Henry Parro stands on the balcony overlooking his gun shop Becoming an authorized Glock Law Enforcement dealer was a major benefit to the business. He set out to convince departments to convert to Glocks.

“At first, they weren’t that receptive. When I told people it was lightweight because a Glock has a polymer frame, many would say ‘the last time I bought a plastic gun, I was six years

old.’ But at the time all the three-letter agencies were converting to Glock and that helped with the sell,” he recounted.They listened and now Parro’s has two full-time employees selling Glocks to police agencies.

The store is spacious and the high ceilings make it feel even more open and inviting and that is what (Parro cont. pg 69)

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September 2023

Puzzle

(Cont. from pg 47) drag mark. The trophy deer had been shot over bait.

The Wardens took pictures of the scene and collected this important evidence for the investigation. They also located a military-style gurney that was used to carry the deer from the location it was shot and killed, down to the driveway where it was loaded into a truck. The gurney was used to prevent an obvious drag mark from being seen from the driveway and to prevent blood from dripping into the snow near the house.

It was obvious now that Chris went to great lengths to prevent anyone from finding the scene of this crime. Chris knew I was in town that day and wanted to prevent any evidence from being located in case I pulled into the driveway to investigate the shot that was heard in town.

We needed to locate

Northwoods Sporting Journal

the deer now to put another piece into our puzzle.

We arrived a short time later at Frank’s house and spoke with his brother who told us Frank wasn’t home but that he had killed the deer at one mile on the Pinkham Road in Nashville Plantation. Frank arrived a short time later and proudly showed us the trophy buck that was hanging in his garage, telling us he killed it somewhere on the Pinkham Road that he couldn’t specifically recall now. Frank had gutted the deer inside the garage and into a trash can. Not a normal occurrence for a deer hunter with nothing to hide. Things were not adding up and it was obvious that we were getting lied to. It was time to up the pressure.

Kale O’Leary is a Maine Game Warden who patrols the Oxbow district in Central Aroostook County. He lives in Ashland, Maine.

Duck

(Cont. from pg 49) still feels we will be around 95.75’ or 96.0’ by Opening Day of duck season on Saturday, October 7. This could mean that, for the first time in a decade, the swamps may be at a normal level when boats will be able to get into the pools.

I will cross my fingers and hope Ol’ Man Rivers is right. But remember. It is only September.

For a thorough view of Vermont’s migratory seasons please refer to the VT F&W website or type in this URL into your overly technical electronic word processor: https:// vtfishandwildlife.com/ press-releases/vermontsmigratory-game-bird-seasons-are-announced

News

(Cont. from pg 19) protect the High Peaks more than I do,” says Bob Carlton, a consulting forester from Kingfield. But he says plenty of land is already protected, and he worries a refuge would actually limit access to recreation.

“I think we need a good blend,” he says. “People that come here to go snowmobiling in the back country, it’s a huge business here. And the more that we put under federal control, I mean what we have now is Bradley Carleton is fine. And we can work with the founder and Director our state agencies because of Sacred Hunter.org which if we have a problem we teaches the public respect go to Augusta. Because if and empathy through hunt- we have a problem with the ing, fishing, and foraging. feds, we have to go through

Page 65

six layers of bureaucracy, and then you go to Washington.”

Perlson says the goal is to create a five to 15,000 acre refuge within a 200,000 acre area that’s currently being evaluated.

If a refuge area is established, she says it gives the Fish and Wildlife Service the ability to

purchase land or a conservation easement from willing sellers, but does not require landowners to sell.

She says the refuge would not have to be contiguous.

The Fish and Wildlife Service is holding its next public meeting on the proposal in July in Carrabassett Valley. It plans to create a draft proposal in the fall.

Northwoods Sporting Journal Offers A FREE DIGITAL COPY to All Active Duty Military Personnel Worldwide!

E CTIV A Y E TO FRE ILITAR M

In these troubled and divisive times for our country, we at the Northwoods Sporting Journal remain proud to be Americans. We still stand for the National Anthem and thank our lucky stars that we live in the land of the free.

And we still salute our military men and women, who have served and continue to serve their country, here at home and in faraway lands. To them we owe our gratitude and appreciation for what they do, and for safeguarding our American way of life, which we value deeply.

As a way of saying thank you, we make the digital versions of the Northwoods Sporting Journal past and current - available online to service people around the world. If you have a loved one or friend now serving on active duty in Iraq or Afghanistan, or anywhere else, please let them know that they have free access to our digital magazines at: www.sportingjournal.com

Page 66

By Bob Humphrey It seemed like an ideal setup: a narrow wooded funnel between a large open field and several houses. Heavy trails and a pair of fresh rubs indicated at least one buck was using this narrow band of woods to reach an area of dense bedding cover. Normally I would be perched

Northwoods Sporting Journal

A Simple Ground Blind an opening as I pressed my body back against a small rocky outcrop. As the buck stepped into a clearing he paused, then lowered his head to nibble an acorn. I drew back and my twenty-yard pin settled behind his shoulder. I took a deep breath, held it, and released.

A Simple Ground Blind Made of Camo Cloth Offers Stealth and Mobility

in one of my portable tree stands. But this day I decided instead to hunt the first 30 minutes or so from a makeshift ground blind, then still-hunt the swampy bedding area.

The sun had yet to top the trees, but there was ample light when I heard a faint rustling just upslope from my position.

I had scarcely turned my head when I saw antlers.

It was a big eight-pointer, easily in the 125-class, and he was working his way down the trail toward me. I quickly scanned for

Instead of the dull thud of an arrow striking flesh however, I heard a sharp “ping,” and the deer bolted.

A quick study of the area revealed the reason for my miss. There on the ground, where the buck was standing lay a freshlycut sapling, scarcely larger than a pencil. My arrow, which was hung up in a tangle of branches, was clean - no blood, no hair. I cursed my bad fortune, but felt some satisfaction at having outwitted a mature buck.

Beginning this Sep-

tember, many archers in Maine will participate in a season that spans more than three months and includes the opportunity to take up to three deer. Most will probably hunt from stands.

But a few will set out afoot.

If you’ve tried it, you know how difficult, but successful it can be. If you haven’t, you may want to add this most challenging method to your repertoire.

Tree stand hunting is the most common method for archers. Being on an elevated perch offers much greater visibility, particularly in thick cover. It also affords a better chance to move in the presence of deer without being detected. Finally, it helps with scent control by getting human odor up, off the ground. Conversely, bowhunting on the ground is more difficult, but certainly not impossible.

In fact, it offers several advantages, the most significant one being mo-

bility. Once up a tree, you’re committed to that spot, unless you expend considerable effort and risk disturbing the area by moving. A grounded hunter on the other hand, can pick a spot at random, and change locations with a minimum of effort. They also have the ability to still hunt and stalk deer. Watching a big buck pass by just out of bow range is one of the banes of tree stand hunting.

Afoot, the bowhunter has two modes to choose from: still-hunting or stand hunting. In the latter case, it is often advantageous to build a blind. A makeshift blind can often be fashioned from vegetation and fallen branches, and the ice storm of ‘98 provided a nearly unlimited supply of blind material in some areas. Still, some hunters prefer to carry a portable blind. Portable blinds range from simple to complex.

My personal preference is a bolt of camo material and

September 2023

a few clothes pins, which fit in my fanny pack and can be fashioned into an adequate blind most anywhere. Others I know have purchased or made blinds consisting of little more than camo material and stakes (made from old arrow shafts or fishing rods).

The most elaborate blind I’ve seen consists of camo material and hooped rods, which unfolds into a small “tent.” Whichever you choose, it is important to place yourself downwind of trails you anticipate deer will move on.

Scent control is even more critical when hunting on the ground and there are several ways to accomplish this. Masking scents are okay, but may alert deer to the presence of something, putting them on edge. It’s best to use plant scents like fir and cedar rather than animal (fox, skunk) or food (acorn, apple) scents.

I prefer odor elimination.

Several products are available including scent wash for clothing; scent shield sprays for body and clothing; and Scent-LokTM suits, which absorb human body odor. I was skeptical about the latter until I tried it last spring on a bear hunt.

A blind is certainly not necessary; however camo clothing is. The pattern you choose can be a matter of personal preference, but it helps if you can match your surroundings.

The key is to break up your outline. Leafy patterns like AdvantageTM and Break-UpTM, are popular but PredatorTM is among the best for breaking up the human form. Another option is a 3-D leafy suit, (Blind cont. pg 67)

September 2023

The Easy Blackpowder Buck

By V. Paul Reynolds

On average the Reynolds family freezer winds up with some venison about every other year.

The math has been surprisingly consistent over the past 50 years. Having been skunked in 2015, this past fall was to be the year to get out the Food Saver and the meat grinder.

But it didn’t get off to a good start. During the expanded bow season in September, a doe came almost close enough for a shot. Then, during the October bow season, hours and hours of late afternoon groundblind vigils left me rested, but empty handed.

The November firearms season opened. It was time to get serious.

My old hunting haunts found me in position mornings and evenings and even for a few all-day stints.

Does, lots of does in the crosshairs, but not a buck in sight. Signs of deer activity, especially scrapes and rubs, suggested an early rut and an improved deer situation.

My deer-hunter enthusiasm meter was pinned, but for most of November – including 10 days at deer camp in the North Woods – it was like hunting ghosts.

The last two days of

Blind

Northwoods Sporting Journal

(Cont. from pg 66) now available from several manufacturers. I tested this on turkeys last spring and was genuinely impressed with the results. If they can fool a sharp-eyed turkey, they can definitely dupe a deer.

Camo clothing and scent control are also important when still-hunting

the November season two does showed up on cue late in the afternoon on a beech ridge to forage for some lingering greenery. A buck was expected to show, with its nose to the ground, but it was not to be.

Finally, blackpowder

Page 67

from its bed. You get a glimpse through the hardwoods but no shot. With the wind in your favor, you play cat and mouse for an hour or more with this guy.

Snort, snort, snort. Exciting stand off, but eventually the buck wins the game and is not seen or heard again.

The 2016 deer hunt is about over. It’s not looking hopeful. Then it snows on

soup at home. You call it a day and, with the truck in sight, you mumble a crestfallen concession speech to yourself, always painful for a serious deer hunter: “It’s over. Time to oil the gun and call it quits. Maybe next fall.”

Back at the house the hot soup revives you, and you know that you must go back to that spot where you

and the smell of powder fills the damp, still air. The big-racked 8-pointer takes three leaps and then folds up.

Your jaw drops in disbelief. You are thankful but stunned. Never in all of your years in the deer woods has anything quite like this ever happened. For a discouraged old deer hunter, you could

saw the tracks. Something tugs. At 2 o’clock you grab your .45 caliber muzzleloader, pack and folding chair and start the short walk down a logging road to a big open area for the final afternoon vigil.

You never get there.

Suddenly, crunch, crunch, crunch. Off to your right there is a deer in motion. Safety off. Down on one knee. Bring up the scope. Holy $%#@. It’s a good buck and it’s coming at you head on! It’s fast walking with head down.

Nice rack! You pull ahead of the deer to an opening in the hardwoods at about 30 yards. On cue, as if scripted, the buck senses danger and stops precisely at the opening. Kaboom! Smoke

never have dreamed up or choreographed a cooler encounter.

season arrives, the hapless deer hunter’s ace in the hole. You are tired and getting discouraged after nearly three months of climbing over blowdowns and sitting on cold stumps.

Sleeping in becomes seductive, but wife wants meat in the freezer. She “encourages” you. So you press on. The smoke pole comes out of the gun safe and you get back in the deer woods.

On a misty, damp morning a buck is rousted

the last day of your hunt – not a lot, but enough to find a track. Getting out of bed is easy – even to a worn out deer hunter – when there is a fresh snow.

You change tactics.

This day you will do quick probes into all of your hunt spots until tracks are found. At first, it’s all coyote and hare tracks dotting the snow-covered ground.

Then, at hunting area number three, bingo! Tracks, lots of tracks. The leaves are frozen under the dusting of snow. It is still too noisy to seriously track.

You elect to hunker down hoping for a break. By noon no deer show. Hunger gnaws. Peanut butter crackers don’t cut it. There is steaming homemade

and stalking, as is movement. The former becomes the latter as soon as a deer is sighted, and to stalk within range of a deer is without question the most challenging method of bowhunting.

It takes extreme patience and stealthy movements. If possible, use trees or other obstacles to obscure your approach and move only when the deer is not looking in your direction.

A certain amount of noise is acceptable as the woods are often filled with the clamor of feeding birds and squirrels. Still, each step should be slow and delicate. Moving slowly also reduces the evenpaced gait of a bipedal human. When the moment of truth comes, I like to be behind a tree so I can draw without being seen. Then, I lean out and take the shot.

Those hunting the early bow season may also be pestered with biting insects. A fine mesh headnet can help, but sometimes obscures your vision. Another option is using repellent, but most have a very strong odor. There are some however, available in earth or other natural scents.

The greatest advantage of hunting on the ground is flexibility. When

the wind isn’t right or that favorite stand just isn’t producing you can move to another locale and begin hunting immediately, without the hassle of lugging and erecting a stand.

It takes meticulous attention to scent control, appearance, and movement, and is more challenging.

But then, the greater the challenge, the greater the reward.

Suddenly, crunch, crunch, crunch. Off to your right there is a deer in motion. Safety off. Down on one knee. Bring up the scope. Holy $%#@. It’s a good buck and it’s coming at you head on! It’s fast walking with head down.

For more articles and stories about hunting, fishing and the outdoors, be sure to subscribe to our monthly publication the Northwoods Sporting Journal.

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

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 68

Dewlaps

impress females during the rut. This is somewhat like (Cont. from pg 41) hunters basting themselves their riddles, and observed with Old Spice before remoose using their pendu- turning to their wives from lous protuberances. Two hunting camp. Coy cows competing hypotheses roll in a bull’s wallow and have emerged. First, bull rub against his bell, which moose lather their bells may stimulate ovulation. with slobber and urine to Theory number two is that

the bell evolved as a secondary sex characteristic that conveys information on sex and age to other moose, especially during the winter when the antlers are not present.

Bull caribou and elk sport manes possibly for the same purpose.

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September 2023

wildlife graduate students dream of becoming this famous.) They recorded the size and shape of dewlaps of bulls and cows during antagonistic encounters, especially during the rut.

Small-antlered bulls had long, skinny dewlaps with tails. Large-antlered bulls had large, pendulous bells with no tails. However, bell size and shape had no bearing on the outcomes of spats between bulls or cows. Although the shape of the bell may be a way for moose to gauge each other’s age (tail or no tail on the bell), it seems unlikely that nature would select for a characteristic that was susceptible to frostbite.

Therefore, the jury remains out on hypothesis number two. Perhaps some aspiring wildlife biologist will rise to fame and unlock the mystery of the dangling dewlap.

Mark McCollough has been on many moose hunts with friends from Hampden, Maine. The tail of his dewlap froze and fell off years ago. He can be reached at ellmcc25@ yahoo.com

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To test the first hypothesis, scientists studied wallowing behavior of moose in Denali National Park. Bulls make wallows, pee in them, and roll in the testosterone-laden perfume. Female moose frequented and rolled in wallows made by rutting bulls.

Rutting cows and bulls touch noses and rubbed rumps far more frequently than other regions of the body, including the bell.

Chinning was a relatively rare behavior. Hypothesis one was rejected. The bell did not seem to play a unique role in dispersing the pungent stench of a rutting bull.

To test the hypothesis that the size and shape of the bell communicates social status and sex, researchers observed moose and classified their bells according to 8 different “Timmermann bell classes.” (All

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September 2023

Parro

(Cont. from pg 64) Parros wanted in the new facility.Wander around the store and you don’t see just a few of a given item, you see pallets piled high.

What you don’t see is the police supplies part of the business that sells firearms and equipment to law enforcement agencies which adds to Parro’s purchasing power. Because of the volume of business they do, Parros buys in quantities that help keep the prices down for the purchaser. Parro told me they ship all over the country every day.

Ruger was so impressed with Parros that they created a store within the store, installing their own display racks and creating a large space to display their full range of firearms. The same was true of Vortex which created another space to display its range of optics in another part of the store.

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Ruger is currently making a commemorative rifle for Parro’s 40th anniversary. I hope to own one.

Being a full-scale gun shop, Parros will buy, sell or trade firearms. Gun repair is also offered and skilled craftsmen are ready to meet the needs of the gun owners. Parro’s also offers appraisals of individual firearms or collections, ensuring that the owners know the true value of what they may be wanting to sell.

Parro feels now that his business is where he wants it, he’d like to slow down and have his son Ethan take over the business. Parros is located at 601 Route 2 in Waterbury,

VT and is open seven days a week. Phone them at 802244-8401. You can check them out at https://www. parros.com where you can take a virtual tour or, better yet, stop by, but I warn you plan on plenty of time

Page 69

son in Vermont, is available at many bookstores Syndicated columnist and sporting goods shop Gary W. Moore is a life or from him directly. He long resident of Vermont may be reached by e-mail and a former Commis- at gwmoore1946@icloud. sioner of Fish and Game. com or at Box 454, BradHis latest book, Four Sea- ford, VT 05033. to browse.

NESOWADNEHUNK CAMPGROUND AND GUIDE SERVICE FOR SALE ONLY $799,000 A once in a lifetime opportunity to own a little piece of heaven on a fly fishing lake with native brook trout. Gorgeous new log cabin home with 3 bedrooms, one bath and a 20x40’ general store. There are 50 campsites with 45 of them permanent seasonal. 12 cabins fully equipped with everything you need for a relaxing vacation. 2 diesel generators, 20 KW and 45 KW, 10 rental boats with docks, also comes with 45 well established bear sites. This is a turn key business, all equipment stays, lawn mowers, Kabota tractor, dump truck ad a well stocked shop. This is an amazing business opportunity! Serious inquirers only. Call for a showing.

Summer-After May 15th 207-458-1551 - Winter - After Dec. 1st 207-319-6586

(207) 696-4247

www.HearthAndHomeRealty.com

www.edssheds-cabins.com Email: edwardl@edssheds-cabins.com

Bangor/Millinocket 207-738-5315/Dexter 207-270-2312

274 Main Street Madison, ME 04950

3456-Solon; 3BR, 2 bath cape with so much to offer.

Wo n d e r f u l location for small farm, or anyone looking to become more selfsufficient. Small barn for animals. 14.7 acres with open fields and mature wood growth. Multiple heating systems. automatic generator. Small stream and snowmobile trail. Well built and a nice location. $460,000

3457-Embden; New 3BR, 2 bath ranch on 33.55 acres.

Custom 2022 double-wide of exceptional high quality with many stunning upgrades.

High-end electric fireplace built into the entertainment center. Views and access to the ATV/snowmobile trails. Stream on property.

Simply a must see. $355,000

572 Skowhegan; 3,200 sq.ft. commercial building in downtown Skowhegan.

High visibility and traffic count. Historical building with grand and unique features. Superb architecture. Water frontage on the Kennebec River. 0.44 acre. $600,000

# 6 0 8 8 - We s t Forks; Quaint 2BR camp in a beautiful area.

Ye a r - r o u n d maintained road for ease of access in winter months. Close to trails and a hunter’s paradise. 1.04 surveyed acres. $125,000

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P.O. Box 72 Houlton, Maine 1-800-341-1566 www.wardcedarloghomes.com

Page 70

Northwoods Sporting Journal

September 2023

P.O. Box 628 Main Street Machias, ME 04654

SUNRISE REALTY

Office Tel. & Fax: (207) 255-3039 Email: anitaj@midmaine.com Website: www.sunlist.com Anita Johnson

COOPER: Large lot with some views of Hills and Eastern Cathance Lake. Watch the sun come up in the morning on your own 100+ acres of land. Land was cut over several years ago and is growing back. At one time there was a home on the property but just the well can be found. Build in the middle and have just the wildlife for company. Plenty of room to have all kinds of animals. Property is in tree growth. Great price at only $110,000.00 TWP 26 -One room Log cabin on Chain Lake in Township 26 with fieldstone fireplace.

Property boasts 200 feet of frontage on Chain Lake. Beautiful beach front. Amazing view of lake on both sides. Easy access . Off grid but camp has propane lights and appliances. All content conveys. $130,000

SELLERS LANE BUYERS ROAD

REAL ESTATE Lindsey Brann, Associate Broker 207-441-9317 lindsey@integrityhomesregroup.com

www.integrityhomesrealestategroup.com/lindseybrann

*Reduced price, motivated seller!* Nestled on 3.76 acres, this duplex property is waiting for your next investment opportunity. Whether it be a two-unit rental, owner occupying, and/or utilizing it as commercial space on rt. 7, there are multiple possibilities here being zoned both residential & commercial. Unit 1 was generating $1200/mo. in rent prior to vacating. If both units were rented at fair market value, this building should generate approximately $3,000/mo. With over 3200sq. ft., this one level ranch style has ample amount of space. Boasting 3-4 rms and 1 bath on one side and 2-3 rms, 1 bath on the other. Large front & back yard to enjoy gardening and outdoor activities.

Contains metal framed interior walls that are an advantage to altering the building to your preference.

Radiant heat, full attic space, and a new septic system installed in 2021. 20 minutes to Belfast, 35 minutes to Bangor, 45 minutes to Camden Rockport, and 45 min. to Waterville. $279,000 MLS#1566168 & 1555181 60 Abena Shores Drive, Belgrade, ME: First time on the market is this unique and rare Great Pond property consisting of 5-6 bedrooms & 3 baths designed and constructed with only superior, high-end materials. Breathtaking 200’ of owned sandy beach waterfront on pristine Great Pond in the desirable Belgrade Chain of Lakes. This property is being conveyed fully furnished with many vintage items.

Enjoy a family gathering aside the stunning stone fireplace while others play a game of pool or hear the baby grand piano. A massive 3-4 car garage with both storage above & below completes this one-of-a-kind property. This remarkable home was built and maintained with impressive craftsmanship and durability. Don’t let this one slip away! Sellers are allowing up to a $300,000 allowance for upgrades and/or finishing the interior at listing price. MLS: 1564585 $4,500,000 746 Great Moose Drive, Hartland, ME: Cozy, 3-4 bdrm, 1 bath cabin w/ watrfront access on Great Moose Lake is sure to please. Open concept kitchen & living area, and hand cut & milled hardwood floors w/pine board walls throughout. Master bdrm and full bath on the first floor. 2-3 bdrms upstairs in the loft space. Perfect for all water recreation, plus excellent ATV trails nearby.

Located between Waterville & Bangor, a 40 min. commute and 90 min. to Portland. Schedule a private showing today! MLS:1556303 $279,900

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