The Maine Sportsman March 2025 Digital Edition

Ice Fishing!

P. 25, 34, 57

Bait Directory!

P. 28

Sportsman The Maine

March 2025 • $5.95

For Over 50 Years!

DOG-SLEDDING ADVENTURE P. 32

“My Snowmobile is Gone!” P. 63 Snowmobiling in The County P. 29

Best Boats for the Bay P. 19 Flat-Shooting Winchester .264 P. 48 Invasive Game Cameras P. 68

2 • March 2025 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

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Libby Camps Libby Camps is located in the vast North Maine Woods region of the state.

They specialize in fly fishing for native brook trout and landlocked salmon in small ponds and rivers; wingshooting for ruffed grouse and woodcock; trophy big-game hunting for black bear, moose and whitetail deer; and catering to snowmobile riders in the winter months.

Libby Camps is an award-winning, Orvis-endorsed lodge in both fly fishing and wingshooting – the only lodge in the East that’s endorsed for both activities.

This endorsement is maintained by combining world-class fishing and hunting, together with exceptional service.

Libby Camps’ commitment to service and conservation has been recognized, with the camp receiving the 2006-2007 Orvis Endorsed Lodge of the Year award, and being a finalist for Orvis Endorsed Lodge of the Year in both hunting and fishing several times, including in 2012, 2013, 2018, and 2021. They also won the Maine Tourism Hall of Fame Award in 2010. In addition, Libby Camps has been referenced in numerous books and magazines as one of the greatest fishing and hunting lodges in North America.

Libby Camps is unique in the Eastern U.S. in that it has two Cessna seaplanes on site to access remote regions as well as their ten outpost cabins. This allows sportsmen to fish for trophy native brook trout anywhere in and around the 3.5 million acres of the North Maine Woods, or hunt a much broader region than at a typical lodge.

Ten guest cabins are spread out around the historic main lodge where everyone congregates for meals. Each cabin is rustic but offers all modern conveniences. Heat is provided by wood stoves; illumination is from propane lights; and each cabin has a full bathroom. Homemade quilts and Amish-

made rocking chairs and furniture put the finishing touches on these historic cabins.

Libby has been known for generations for providing their guests with food that is second to none. Dinners are served family style in the main lodge, and the homecooked breads, pies and treats have people coming back for more, year after year. The Libbys pride themselves on creating a family atmosphere, and guests will feel like part of the family as soon as they walk through the door.

For more information, visit www. libbycamps.com, or call Matt J. at (207) 435-8274.

¶

Tim Pond Wilderness Camps “The Place You’ve Been Looking For and Didn’t Know How to Find!”

Tim Pond Camps, located in Eustis, Maine, consists of a main lodge and 11 rustic log cabins. The cozy cabins are equipped with a bathroom and hot and cold running water, and are heated with woodstoves. Delicious home-cooked meals are served in the spacious lodge dining room, and the cookie jar is always full for snacking.

Tim Pond, which has never been stocked, stretches a mile long and is well known for productive fly fishing for native brook trout. Tim Pond is actually one of only a few ponds left in Maine that is still all-natural. Although a lot

of fishermen practice catch-and-release, each angler is allowed to keep two fish.

Brookies are great fighters and a lot of fun to catch, and to eat – if you get “fish-hungry,” the cook will fry up your catch for breakfast.

Guests staying at Tim Pond Camps in September enjoy taking a hike up the brook to see the fish as they make their way to spawn, and they are always amazed at how far up the mountain the fish travel, and the small amount of water needed to make the voyage.

Tim Pond offers many adventures and attractions in addition to the spectacular fishing. If learning to fly fish is on your bucket list, or just to learn some

new fly-fishing techniques, enroll in Tim Pond’s Fly-Fishing School, Guests can enjoy an energetic hike, go bird or moose watching, or just sit on the porch and read a book while listening to the loons and enjoying the beautiful scenery. Deer, moose, eagles and fox are often seen without leaving the porch. And, if hunting is your passion, Tim Pond offers upland game and deer hunting in season.

Make Tim Pond Camps your next fishing or vacation destination. Call 207243-2947, or visit www.timpond.com.

¶

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4 • March 2025 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

Editorial

Here’s What’s On Our Minds This Month Finally, a cold and snowy winter!

It’s been a long and difficult three years for those of us who enjoy, and rely on, cold temperatures to freeze the surfaces of lakes and ponds for ice-fishing, and snow to cover the trails for snowmobiling along our state’s Interconnected Trail System network. Big areas of Sebago Lake froze this winter; ice shacks have been inching out onto the ice on the Kennebec River and its tributaries; and folks have unpacked their snowmobile suits and helmets to join their friends on the trails and at the trailside attractions. Mainers are a resilient lot, and it does not take long to push memories of prior years’ warm and snowless winters to the backs of our minds.

More Maine dams being removed or modified The Penobscot Indian Nation is working with several other groups to allow passage of salmon, trout and alewives at three Maine dams, according to a recent piece by Julie Harris in the Bangor Daily News.

The sites include Mill Brook Dam in Searsport, Pitcher Pond Dam in Lincolnville, and Chickawaukie Pond Outlet in Rockland.

And a story by Emmett Gartner in Maine Monitor details a vote taken by the Yarmouth Town Council to remove two municipally-owned dams along the Royal River; namely, the Bridge Street Dam and the Elm Street Dam. This complex project has been in the proposal and planning stages for about 15 years. We have paddled the river from North Yarmouth (near the intersection of Route 9 and the North Road) about 6-1/2 miles to the Elm Street dam. Change always requires patience and adjustment, but we’ve seen how dam removals have brought portions of the Kennebec River back to life, and we believe the same will occur upriver from Yarmouth.

Doldrums-Shaker – the upcoming State of Maine Sportsman’s Show As fans of pirate and sailing books know, “the doldrums” is an area near the equator where the wind can die – sometimes for days or weeks at a time. For that reason, the doldrums has come to mean a period of inactivity – such as, for example, Maine’s upcoming “mud season” just before the start of the traditional open-water fishing and boating seasons. But there’s something you can do with your family to break out of the doldrums – attend the State of Maine Sportsman’s Show in Augusta, Friday March 28 through Sunday March 30.

Details are coming together quickly – exhibitors are making travel plans; the seminar schedule is being finalized; and the archery ranges are being set up – but one thing’s for sure – when you enter the doors at the Augusta Civic Center, you will be surrounded by folks who know the outdoors better than anyone else in the northeast – guides, experts and retailers who make it their business to understand Maine’s outdoor sports, and to share their knowledge with you.

It will be a celebration of fishing, hunting and other wilderness activities – a tradition that’s been happening for 43 years. Please visit The Maine Sportsman booth while you are walking among the more than 100 exhibitors, and talk with your favorite writers and staffers.

See you there!

On the Cover: Last winter, “Maine Sportswoman” columnist Christi Elliott went dog sledding with Piper Ashley, in Fort Kent. Fifteen-year-old Piper and her Alaskan huskies are training for the 100-mile Can-Am International Sled Dog Race this year. Read all about Christi’s adventure, starting on page 32, and visit Christi and many other Maine Sportsman writers at upcoming the State of Maine Sportsman’s Show, Augusta Civic Center, Friday through Sunday, March 28 – 30.

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New England’s Largest Outdoor Publication

Sportsman The Maine

ISSN 0199-036 — Issue No. 628 • www.mainesportsman.com PUBLISHER: Jon Lund MANAGING EDITOR: Will Lund will@mainesportsman.com OFFICE MANAGER: Carol Lund carol@mainesportsman.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Kristina Roderick kristina@mainesportsman.com ADVERTISING DIRECTOR: Nancy Carpenter nancy@mainesportsman.com DISTRIBUTION DIRECTOR: Jon Mulherin distribution@mainesportsman.com Second class postage paid at Scarborough, ME 04074 and additional entry offices.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Almanac by Will Lund.................................................... 11 Aroostook - “The County” by Bill Graves..................... 34 Big Game Hunting by Joe Saltalamachia.................. 50 Big Woods World by Hal Blood..................................... 49 Editorial.............................................................................. 4 Freshwater Fly Fishing by William Clunie...................... 61 Get Out There by Staci Warren.................................... 38 Jackman Region by William Sheldon.......................... 46 Jottings by Jon Lund........................................................ 8 Katahdin Country by William Sheldon......................... 44 Letters to the Editor.......................................................... 6 Maine Sportswoman by Christi Elliott........................... 32 Maine Wildlife by Tom Seymour................................... 18 New Hampshire by Ethan Emerson.............................. 68 Nolan’s Outdoor World by Nolan Raymond............... 43 Outdoors & Other Mistakes by Al Diamon.................. 71 Petzal Logic by David Petzal........................................ 42 Quotable Sportsman by Will Lund................................ 15 Rangeley Region by William Clunie............................. 58 Ranger on the Allagash by Tim Caverly...................... 37 Riding Shotgun by Robert Summers............................. 70 Saltwater Fishing by Bob Humphrey............................ 23 Sebago to Auburn Region by Tom Roth..................... 57 Self-Propelled Sportsman by Jim Andrews.................. 39 Shooter’s Bench by Col. J.C. Allard............................. 52 Smilin’ Sportsman by Will Lund...................................... 70 Snapshots in Time by Bill Pierce.................................... 10 Southern Maine by Val Marquez................................. 56 Tales from the Warden Service by Ret. Lt. Doug Tibbetts. 63 Tidewater Tales by Randy Randall............................... 55 Trapping The Silent Places by David Miller.................. 40 Trading Post (Classifieds)............................................... 73 Trout Fishing by Tom Seymour....................................... 60 Vermont by Matt Breton............................................... 67 Western Maine Mountains by William Clunie.............. 65

GUEST COLUMNS & SPECIAL SECTIONS Boating by Bob Humphrey............................................ 19 Ice Fishing by Tom Seymour.......................................... 25 Snowmobiling by Steve Carpenteri............................. 29 GUEST: My Winchester .264 by Rob Kilcollins............... 48 GUEST: The Way They Run by Jim Fahey..................... 54 GUEST: My Grandfather’s Passion by Andrew Sharp. 64

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6 • March 2025 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

Letters To The Editor

Mainer Hunts Deer in Florida

To the Editor: I wanted to report to readers that it’s possible for a Mainer to hunt deer all over the country – even here in North Florida.

I was born and raised in Boothbay, the 6th of 12 kids. I learned to hunt when I was eleven years old, using an Iver Johnson 12-ga, with a forestock secured with electrical tape. What a kick!

I am a veteran – served as a military police dog handler in Vietnam.

I spend winters in Keaton Beach, Florida, and I receive my Maine Sportsman here every month. The Florida property holds several deer, and I hope to put some backstrap in the freezer soon.

In 2024, I came back to Maine for September and half of October – ate some fried clams, lobster, and haddock, shot me a tom turkey, and together with my wife Cheri, successfully hunted a couple of partridges.

GC Blackman, Florida and Maine —

Fishing Gets You Into the Zone To the Editor: I enjoyed William Clunie’s Freshwater Fly Fishing column in the January issue, titled “My 2025 Trout-Bum Plan Revealed.”

I’ve been fishing in the Rangeley region since 1959. My father started taking me there when I was 8 years old.

Clunie wrote that fishing is one of his favorite ways to find peace in the world – being on the water, immersed in nature, is his way of getting into the zone. I relate to that statement.

Jim McDonald, Enfield, CT —

Log Drive Piece “Fascinating” To the Editor: Just a quick note to tell you that I found Randy Randall’s recent column on marking logs before they were sent down the river so ownership could be determined at the mill (see “The Argyle Boom,” January issue) to be facinating.

Brian Beckman, Registered Maine Guide, Hiram and West Point, ME —

He Gifted His Lucky Savage .250

To the Editor: I was pleased to see Col. J.C. Allard’s column on the .250 Savage in the January edition of the Sportsman.

It’s a great all-around deer ri★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★ fle. Last year, I gave one of my Savage 250s – a gun I’d had Check out our website for more than 50 years – to my nephew. I had loaned him this same rifle (a model 99A) to take and follow us his first deer on a hunt with me on social media! in 1993 in Pennsylvania. Over

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the years, he’d asked me if I would sell it to him since he had taken his first deer with it. He shot a deer with it this past November in Indiana where he lives. As we say, he is a happy camper with his gift.

David Miller, Lexington TWP, ME —

Preserving Hand-Warmers for Re-Use To the Editor: With reference to the January “Almanac” article on hand warmers: I have used them for years, and can reassure you that after you first open them for use – say for an hour or two – simply put them in an air-free environment to stop the chemical heating reaction, and they can then be re-used for another 4 to 6 hours. I find that putting them in a small, air-tight bottle is very convenient. A ten-pack of the warmers can go me a couple of months. I use them every day in the winter to maintain sufficient blood flow to my fingers.

Reid Appleby, East Greenwich, RI —

Jim Andrews’ “Old Man in the Deer Woods” Struck a Chord with These Three Readers To the Editor: On Christmas day, I read Jim Andrews’ column titled “The Old Man and the Deer Woods.” It was very well done.

I am a big Hemingway fan, having read all his books. I am also an avid fisherman, salt and freshwater, but not a hunter, even though I have a license.

This story was a nice surprise.

Thanks to Jim for writing this.

John Schmuecker, Bethel, CT (Continued on next page)

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To the Editor: What a great column (“Old Man in the Deer Woods”) by Jim Andrews! Congratulations to him on a hunt to remember.

Seth Landry, Vienna ME To the Editor: I thoroughly enjoyed Jim Andrews’ column “The Old Man and the Deer Woods” in the January Maine Sportsman. I am not a deer hunter. I don’t shoot anything that will not fit in a game pocket. I mostly go for partridge in the western Maine mountains, and oftentimes alone.

I’m 72 years old and not in the greatest of shape, so there were several points he made with which I could identify. I carry a GPS and a cell phone but, as he mentioned, neither is the answer. I keep the cell phone turned off because it never has any bars, but I might try it if I get enough elevation or near town.

The GPS is a wonderful thing – you just need to know how and when to use it. The first thing I do when I park my vehicle is get a waypoint in my GPS.

Last fall I was headed back and needed that waypoint, but I also needed the waypoint I put in for the crossing on a large brook. Without the crossing waypoint, I could have walked a long way up and down stream through blowdowns, thick alders and swale grass full of hummocks before I found a dry way to the other side.

A few years back, my son convinced me to add another form of technology to my pack – a personal locator beacon. He said, “You know, Dad, if you’re going to hunt alone ....” He didn’t have to finish the sentence. I knew he meant that falling down and busting something could turn mean real fast. Besides, it wouldn’t be a bad thing to have when I am on the ocean in my skiff during the summer. Good boy looking out for Dad. I guess the point is that the column made me realize that, as with the Old Man, I definitely hunt differently than I used to, and the game I am pursuing is less important.

Everett Leland, Kittery, ME

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Things I Learned in the Workshop About Hacksaws A hacksaw is a most useful tool for any handyman. It can cut iron and wood. It consists of a frame that holds a thin, narrow blade. The blade is usually tightened by a wingnut.

As you’re tightening the wingnut, check to ensure that the blade is fully seated on the pins at either end, and make certain the blade is not twisted. Do this by holding the blade at an angle to a light source. If it’s not straight, the light reflection will tell you. The blade cuts better if it’s absolutely straight. If it’s twisted, back off the wingnut slightly, until the blade straightens. Once it’s straight, tighten it firmly, since a blade that is not tightened sufficiently is more likely to break.

Also, make certain

The author, a thrifty Yankee, has handled hacksaws for more than 90 years. Along the way, he’s taught himself how to use and maintain these important and versatile tools – and even what to do if the blade breaks in half.

Many Uses A hacksaw can be used to cut wood as well as metal. It’s often handy for cutting off dowels.

A common use is to cut off the ends of machine screws or woodscrews that stick out beyond the work.

Every workshop toolbox should contain a couple of hacksaws. Well-built frames last decades; these two have been in the author’s family for more than 50 years. W. Lund photo

the saw blade teeth are oriented the correct way – pointing forwards, so they cut on the push stroke.

Using the Saw A touch of light oil will lubricate the blade, allowing faster cutting through metal. If you’re cutting a

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ways, which is useful in some situations, such as when you are required to cut in tight quarters where the frame gets in the way of the work.

large-diameter bolt, adding a drop of oil periodically will help.

If you’re using a vise, place the area to be cut as close as possible to the jaws on the vice, and hold the work rigid, to keep it from vibrating. Putting a second hand on top of the frame may help to dampen the tendency of the hacksaw to vibrate.

As mentioned above, the power stroke is one way, and most workmen set the blade to cut on the push stroke. Don’t waste energy and dull the blade by bearing down on the return stroke.

On most saws, the blade can also be rigged to cut cross-

Do’s and Don’ts Lube the blade with light oil. Wipe the blade after use, to clean off filings.

Avoid cutting steel cable, which is hard and dulls the blade quickly. If you must cut cable, it’s perhaps better to use a rotary abrasive blade, like an angle grinder.

Wipe the blade before cutting wood, unless you don’t care about oil and fine metal fragments staining the wood black.

When the Blade Dulls If the blade becomes hopelessly dull, replace it if you can.

If you can’t replace it, cut using the teeth at either end of the blade.

That’s because blades usually get dull in the mid-section first. So if you are working with a dull blade, you can finish a small job by using the sharper parts of the blade (near the ends), cutting in short (Continued on next page)

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strokes.

If the blade breaks, don’t discard it. Instead, select the portion of the blade that will cut on the pull stroke (since even a frameless blade will stay straight on a pull stroke), and duct-tape a protective handle onto the near end, to

use in close quarters or for light tasks.

Don’t buy cheap replacement blades.

They usually don’t last.

Blades come in more TPI (teeth per inch) for cutting harder materials, or fewer TPI for softer materials like copper. Round tungsten carbide-coated hacksaw blades will

cut glass or ceramics.

For certain situations, hacksaws have been replaced by Sawzalls (reciprocating saws), which use thicker blades clamped only at one end. Sawzalls have the advantage of cutting faster, and in close quarters, or where a hacksaw would not fit in. Sawzalls are especially

useful in demolition work, but are more difficult to use when you need to make precision cuts.

Sawzall blades made in Switzerland are really tough, and are great when cutting wood and metal together.

When a blade becomes dull, put it aside. Old Sawzall

blades can be ground down to make excellent knife blades and scrapers. Grind slowly, and don’t let the grinding overheat the steel.

Carpenters often have a stock of old dull Sawzall blades, and they are sometimes willing to part with a few.

¶

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10 • March 2025 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————

“Snapshots in Time”

Historical Glimpses from Maine’s Sporting Past Compiled by Bill Pierce, Former Executive Director, Outdoor Heritage Museum

There is a quote about love by David Germell that all bull moose in the rut would be wise to heed. However, they become blindly reckless, driven by the curse of unbridled lust and their undeniable urge to procreate. The quote? “Love is both wondrous and yet full of peril.

Love is a gateway through which danger, disguised and unrecognized, can pass.” Okay, so moose and humans have

There is a Massachusetts hunter by the name of James Bartlett, who had a nice little time with a big Maine moose which he doesn’t wish to have repeated. Mr. Bartlett has often been in the Maine woods, but up to this fall had never shot a moose. When the time came for him to take his annual hunting trip, he decided he would go deep into the Maine woods around Mt. Katahdin and see if he could bag a moose. He hired a guide, of course, and three days after leaving Boston, found himself in a neat little camp on the shores of a pond, near Katahdin.

The calling season had just commenced, and for several days calling was tried without success. The camp finally got “without meat,” and the guide said that he would go out and shoot a few partridges and get home in time to call some more in the latter part of the afternoon.

The guide had been gone but a short time when Mr. Bartlett thought he would take a little paddle. Putting his gun case into the canoe, he started out. As he was paddling quietly along the upper end of the pond, he noticed the birch bark megaphone-like instrument, through which the guide called the moose. Seizing it, he thought he would have a try at calling just for fun.

After a couple of half-hearted attempts, he finally got the desired long rolling call, and his apparent call of a cow moose rang out upon the pond in a manner which would have done credit to the guide. What a surprise to hear the call answered from shore! www.MaineSportsman.com

similar traits. Add to this the fact that moose are terribly nearsighted, increasing the odds that danger truly becomes ‘disguised and unrecognized’ when the animal is trying to see something in the distance.

These realities are amply demonstrated in the article below. And it concludes with an amusing ‘Out of the Frying Pan and Into the Fire’ experience of

Blazing Bull

Thinking it might be the guide, he again called, and again came the answer.

As Bartlett was about to answer his supposed joker, a big bull moose broke cover in a small cove, and started swimming out toward the canoe.

Bartlett watched the big animal for a minute, wondering whether he would turn or not, and when he was about 60 yards away, he took up his gun case to shoot the animal. Imagine his surprise when he found that instead of the rifle, he had taken a shotgun.

The barrels were loaded to be sure, but with small bird shot!

On came the moose, however, and Bartlett did not know quite what to do.

He decided he must make a try for the animal with the shotgun. He waited until the moose was but a few yards away, when he emptied both barrels into the side of the big bull where he supposed the heart to be.

the sportsman involved, who was just looking to ‘kill’ some time.

Please enjoy this (slightly abbreviated) old yarn from yesteryear, first published in the MAINE WOODS on January 8, 1904.

Have a terrific month of March, as you venture outside to create some great Maine outdoor history of your own!

Grabbing the paddle, he started for the other end of the pond, but found that the infuriated animal was chasing him, apparently none the worse for the birdshot. Bartlett decided to go ashore, but hardly had time to land when the big animal was after him. Hastily looking for a tree to climb, he spied a big haystack raked together from a clearing planted for the logging teams. Climbing this, he was safe, while the bull raged around the bottom, unable to get at him.

Thinking the moose would soon tire of the fun, the man took out his pipe and began to smoke. He had hardly taken a dozen puffs when he noticed that the stack of dry hay was afire!

It certainly looked like a freshly-killed man for this bull moose, but an idea suddenly struck him. Seizing large handfuls of the burning hay, he began pelting the moose. When the animal was distracted, he slid down the farther side of the stack, and while it crackled merrily away, he shied for home.

Returning a half hour later with the guide, they found the stack burnt to the ground, and beside it the nowdead moose with slightly singed hair.

It was discovered that the big bull had died from an injury where the small shot had cut through his hide and made a bad wound. The bull’s head now adorns the Massachusetts man’s dining room, and he never tires of telling the story of how he killed the moose.

Almanac

��������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • March 2025 • 11

Three Minutes with a Maine Guide

by Lisa DeHart

Compiled and Edited by — Will Lund —

Corrupting The Youth of America At this point in my guiding career, it is my life goal to corrupt as many young people as possible, by teaching them to pole a canoe. I’ve actually been doing that since 2008. For years, older canoeists have wondered how we get those young people out of kayaks and back into canoes. I’ve said for years, give them a setting pole, and show them how to essentially “ski” a rapid. That’ll do it.

Heart-pounding action for sure. That Mountain Dew generation won’t know what hit ’em.

Now that I have my own classes, and with the magic of YouTube, it’s happening like never before. I recently taught a 29-year-old to pole while on the St. Croix River. Afterward, he said two things to me that I’ve heard over and over again.

He said, “I don’t know why anyone would

Maine Guide Jeff DeHart. Photo by Lisa DeHart

paddle a rapid when you could pole it,” and he also told me I’ve now made him a center of attention among his friends, because they’ve never seen canoe poling.

He recently emailed me, telling me he and his canoe partner just took a trip and poled the river, which was low. They ran into some older kayakers, and one woman said to him, “I didn’t think anyone knew how to do that anymore.” He has fully converted his canoe partner to the Holy Church of the Setting Pole.

Mission accomplished.

Because you’re standing up in the canoe, you can clearly see the river’s “lines” – the places you can go. Seeing a river from above and looking into the water, you enjoy seeing under water as well as above. You realize huge snapping turtles move gracefully and fast, because now you’re seeing them in their own habitat – where they excel. You’ll observe schools of fish, and beautiful reeds and other plants flowing and dancing underwater like prairie grass in the wind.

Autumn is the best time for poling – it’s a sublime time of the year to pole a river and have it all to yourself. The low water, the fall colors, and the wildlife activity, are all yours for the taking.

So make plans now to get out on a river and try poling this spring and summer, and also in the fall of 2025, when you can enjoy the last gasp of canoeing before winter.

(Continued on next page)

www.MaineSportsman.com

12 • March 2025 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————

Almanac

(Continued from page 11)

Guide Talk

by John LaMarca

High Tech for Coyote Hunting Many may know that Maine’s night coyote hunting season runs through our state’s harsh winters. This hunt is an effective wildlife management tool, as most coyotes tend to stick around where there are more deer and turkeys. You want better turkey/deer hunting? Become a coyote hunter!

But here are the million-dollar questions – how the heck do you get them to come in? Also, how do you go about SEEING them, let alone hunting a coyote at night?

There are two major ways to lure coyotes to come into range – baiting them, and calling them. Baiting is self-explanatory: take meat (for example, a lawfully possessed roadkill deer, or maybe some beaver carcasses from a local trapper) and place the bait in an open area where you can see any coyotes that come in, and wait. This is very effective, but this approach limits areas you can hunt.

The other option? Calling them, specifically by using electronic calls

The author (on the left) is shown with with his friend Matt. Between them is the author’s night coyote hunting loadout — a .556 rifle equipped with a night vision scope.

like those made by FoxPro. These electronic calls are simple; they come with a remote control; and they incorporate large speakers that broadcast preprogrammed animal sounds. Simply place the call a ways away from you, and play coyote sounds, or maybe the sounds of

Coyote calls incorporate powerful speakers that broadcast preset animal sounds. Utilizing them can fool even the craftiest coyote into coming to take a look. Photo credit: FoxPro

a wounded animal. Then, just wait for those curious critters to come to check out what’s making all that noise.

Now the question – How do you even see them? There are two technologies that lend themselves to hunting after dark: Thermal Vision, and Night Vision.

Night vision scopes utilize light-receiving sensors that combine ambient light with external infrared lighting, to illuminate what the user is looking at.

When done well, this presents a fairly clear image in black and white to the user.

Pros: They are fairly affordable, and they present a clear image.

Cons: They tend to be rather heavy, as the external lighting needed to utilize them can be cumbersome. In addition, coyotes can see the infrared light – just not as well as other forms of light.

The other option is thermal vision scopes. These use different sensors to pick up heat signatures coming off the animals, and they can operate at far greater distances than night vision.

Pros: Light, compact package, very good range, and coyotes can’t detect their use at all.

Cons: Expensive, and not as clear a picture as night vision.

Either option will work well and get (Continued on next page)

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��������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • March 2025 • 13 (Continued from page 12)

you into the sport. There are an abundance of these furbearers, and this equipment will allow you to participate in a great winter hunt.

—

A Better Clay Launcher?

Shooting clay pigeons is a fun activity – users can enjoy the satisfaction of blowing clays to bits while improving their hand/eye coordination in preparation for upland game or duck season.

However, the equipment is difficult to deal with. Conventional launchers are large; they do not store easily; and they have lots of sharp edges.

Does a company named Caldwell have a better answer, with their user-friendly ClayCopters?

The company describes their device as a “revolutionary target launch system,” and it sure looks like fun.

The invention is promoted as “a powerful, lightweight, motorized handheld launcher that shoots one or two biodegradable discs, called ClayCopters, to distances of up to 100 yards.”

Further, “the portable launcher is lightweight at only 3 lbs., and packs the same power of a traditional electric thrower into a handheld motorized design small enough to fit in a range bag or backpack.”

In our view, anything that makes shotgun practice easy and entertaining deserves our encouragement and support.

—

Hydrofoils and Underwater Boat Wings Entering the Consumer Market Hydrofoils have been around for many years, but usually in commercial settings or as part of high-tech ocean racing sailboats.

The idea is simple – a boat’s top speed is usually limited by the physics of the hull. However, if a foil lifts the entire hull out of the water, then there’s no longer a theoretical maximum hull speed.

In recent years, manufacturers have started incorporating foils into recreational boats. Two recent examples – one small, the other big – caught our attention.

The smallest ridable boats are called personal water craft, or PWCs. According to BoatUS magazine, a California company named Valo has started manufacturing an all-electric foil-lifted PWC called the Hyperfoil.

Photo credit: BoatUS magazine

With room for a driver and a passenger, the boat uses a 45 kW electric motor the manufacturer claims will propel the craft at 35 miles per hour.

A larger (much larger) foil-equipped vessel was recently introduced at Florida boat shows – the Aquilla Coupe, available in 42- or 46-foot sizes. These are powered catamarans. An underwater carbon-fiber foil bridges the space between the pontoons in the front, lifting the front of the boat out of the water as speed increases.

(Continued on next page)

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Read Owner’s Manual and all product labels before operating. Never operate on paved roads. Operators and passengers must wear a helmet, eye protection and protective clothing. Operators must be at least 16 years old with a valid driver’s license. Passengers, if permitted, must be at least 12 years old. Always use seat belts, cab netting and doors (if equipped). Never operate under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Avoid excessive speed and sharp turns, and never engage in stunt driving. Check state and local laws before operating on trails. Take a safety training course before operating. Contact your CFMOTO dealer for more information, call the ATV Safety Institute at 1-800-887-2887, or go to www.atvsafety.org. ©2015 Zejiang CFMOTO Power Co., Ltd.

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14 • March 2025 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————

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Almanac

(Continued from page 13)

Time will tell whether either small or large hydrofoils are practical for use in Maine coastal waters, because of at least two factors. First,

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foiled boats do not perform well in heavy seas, since choppy waves hit the hull, defeating the purpose of the lift provided by the underwater wings.

Second, Maine’s ocean waters present a number of obstacles, in the form of lobster buoys, mooring balls and other tied, floating objects.

What happens when a hydrofoil traveling at high speed encounters a buoy and pot warp? Maine boaters may have to find out the answer to that question on their own.

Photo credit: Aquilla

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Kaydiense Nelson, age 12 of Dover Foxcroft, earned her Biggest Bucks in Maine club patch on October 26, 2024 with this 213-lb, 13-point whitetail buck, taken in the town of Dexter. She was supervised by Mark Nelson, Jr. The deer was registered by Anthony Lorenz, at Old Town Trading Post.

Kaydiense has been hunting for five years, and uses a 7mm-08. www.MaineSportsman.com

��������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • March 2025 • 15

Quotable

Sportsman

by Will Lund

“I got hooked on fishing when I was five years old. My cousin had already caught a trout, and my Mom could see I was getting impatient. She cast the line out for me. I started reeling, and she said, ‘I think you’ve got a bite.’ Sure enough, I reeled in a trout that was bigger than my cousin’s.”

Glenn Poole, writing in Monson (Maine) Historical News, Volume 84. “What I did not know until 40 years later,” he continued, “was that when Mom saw me getting frustrated, she retrieved a large trout from the camp freezer, and attached it to my hook before casting it out.”

— “Identical/duplicate fish may not be entered more than once.”

Among the fishing derby rules set forth in the publicity information for the first-ever Lunker League “Angler Showdown.” The Georgia-based derby, to be held April 26 and 27, 2025, and which has been promoted to residents of all states in the USA, promises $50,000 in total prize money. However, it’s only after interested anglers begin the registration process that they are informed of the required entry fees: $75 for one day; $125 for two days.

— “Seeing his shadow may be bad enough news to trigger the highpitched alarm call that gives the groundhog (woodchuck) yet another nickname – ‘whistlepig’.”

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, in a press release sent out on February 2, 2025, just before Groundhog Day. Among the other facts provided by DIF&W – groundhogs are true hibernators during the winter. Their heartrate

and breathing decrease, and their body temperature cools to less than half its normal level.

— “This bill was prepared for the Joint Legislative Council Study Committee on Sandhill Cranes to authorize the hunting of sandhill cranes in the state of Wisconsin.”

Preliminary draft legislation that would establish a sandhill crane hunt in Wisconsin. “If approved, Wisconsin would join Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama in hunting sandhill cranes in the East,” according to Outdoor Life, January 16, 2025.

—

March 2025 Sunrise/Sunset Bangor, ME DATE RISE 1 Sat 6:10 2 Sun 6:08 3 Mon 6:06 4 Tue 6:04 5 Wed 6:03 6 Thu 6:01 7 Fri 5:59 8 Sat 5:57 9* Sun 6:55 10 Mon 6:54 11 Tue 6:52 12 Wed 6:50 13 Thu 6:48 14 Fri 6:46 15 Sat 6:44 16 Sun 6:43

DATE

Sandhill cranes in flight. Photo: National Park Service

“There Are Rodents in 21.5% of Kennebec County Households, 11th Most in the U.S.” Nationwide report from Cinch, which describes itself as a “customer data platform (CDP) and marketing automation solution.” Rodent infestations are most prevalent, says the report, in areas with older housing stock and colder climates, “conditions that drive rodents indoors and increase the likelihood of infestations.”

— “People ask me, ‘Are your Siberian sled dogs cold?’ And I answer, ‘Is a polar bear cold? Is an Arctic wolf cold? This is their home.’”

Jonathan Hayes, on a WSCH Channel 6 interview, before he set out on his trip from Nenana, Alaska, to Nome, recreating the legendary 1925 “Serum Run” to Nome. This trek saved countless lives during a diphtheria outbreak, as dog sled teams relayed life-saving serum across nearly 700 miles of Alaskan wilderness.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9* 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon

SET 5:24 5:25 5:27 5:28 5:29 5:30 5:32 5:33 6:34 6:36 6:37 6:38 6:40 6:41 6:42 6:44

DATE RISE SET 17 Mon 6:41 6:45 18 Tue 6:39 6:46 19 Wed 6:37 6:47 20 Thu 6:35 6:49 21 Fri 6:33 6:50 22 Sat 6:31 6:51 23 Sun 6:30 6:52 24 Mon 6:28 6:54 25 Tue 6:26 6:55 26 Wed 6:24 6:56 27 Thu 6:22 6:57 28 Fri 6:20 6:59 29 Sat 6:18 7:00 30 Sun 6:17 7:01 31 Mon 6:15 7:03

March 2025 Tides

Portland, ME HIGH LOW AM PM AM PM 11:47 — 5:33 5:58 12:12 12:34 6:21 6:42 12:56 1:24 7:11 7:29 1:44 2:18 8:03 8:19 2:36 3:17 9:00 9:15 3:34 4:22 10:03 10:17 4:39 5:32 11:12 11:25 5:49 6:46 — 12:26 8:02 8:53 12:40 2:37 9:08 9:50 2:50 3:37 10:04 10:39 3:48 4:27 10:52 11:22 4:39 5:11 11:36 — 5:23 5:50 12:01 12:16 6:04 6:25 12:35 12:53 6:41 6:57 1:07 1:28 7:17 7:28 1:39 2:03 7:51 8:00 2:11 2:40 8:27 8:34 2:45 3:20 9:06 9:13 3:24 4:05 9:49 9:56 4:09 4:56 10:38 10:45 5:02 5:53 11:33 11:41 6:00 6:55 — 12:34 7:04 7:57 12:43 1:37 8:07 8:53 1:47 2:36 9:05 9:42 2:48 3:27 9:58 10:28 3:42 4:14 10:48 11:13 4:33 4:59 11:37 11:58 5:23 5:45 — 12:27 6:12 6:31 12:44 1:17 7:02 7:18

* Daylight Saving Time Begins Sunday, March 9th at 2:00 AM

www.MaineSportsman.com

16 • March 2025 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————

Make Plans to Attend the

State of Maine Sportsman’s Show at the Augusta Civic Center

FRIDAY–SUNDAY, MARCH 28–30, 2025

All Photos by King Montgomery

Each spring, The Maine Sportsman magazine, in partnership with the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine (SAM), hosts the State of Maine Sportsman’s Show at the Augusta Civic Center. Last year, more than 7,500 folks were in attendance.

This year – Friday afternoon through Sunday, March 28 through 30 – is going to be even bigger and better, with two indoor archery ranges, Hal Blood and

Friday, March 28, 2025 1PM–8PM Saturday, March 29, 2025 9AM–7PM Sunday, March 30, 2025 9AM–4PM

the folks from Big Woods Bucks, Rick Labbe and his Nor’ Easter Game Calls, RoxStar Fishing Trout Flies and Spinners, seminars, a kayak giveaway, boats and docks, Cabela’s, a return of the exotic live reptile and spider exhibit “Mr. Drew and his Animals, Too,” and Maine author Tim Caverly.

We will host the annual Duck Stamp Contest, as well as the popular Game Camera Contest.

Turkey calling, seminars by NAVHDA dog enthusiasts, a 14-foot fiberglass brook trout, fly-tying with Trout Unlimited, the BIW Training Trailer, and an extensive Kids’ Zone, provide something for everyone.

Make plans now to attend! If you have questions, email Carol, at Carol@MaineSportsman.com.

The 43rd Annual

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Mark Your Calendars for Maine’s Premier Outdoor Show!

Outdoor enthusiasts wait all winter long for the spring thaw, and what better way to spend one of those spring weekends than at Maine’s biggest outdoor trade show, the 43rd annual

STATE OF MAINE SPORTSMAN’S SHOW MARCH 28–30, 2025!

Thousands of outdoors-minded folks will gather for an entire weekend of everything outdoors. There truly is something for everyone:

OVER 100 EXHIBITORS, KID ZONE, DEMONSTRATIONS, SEMINARS, GAME CAMERA PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST, TURKEY CALLING CONTEST, AND LOTS MORE! Are you a returning or new exhibitor with questions? Contact Carol at Carol@MaineSportsman.com or (207) 622-4242.

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— STAY TUNED TO OUR WEBSITE AND FACEBOOK PAGE FOR UPDATES! — www.MaineSportsman.com

��������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • March 2025 • 17

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18 • March 2025 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————

Maine Wildlife:

Skunks

by Tom Seymour

Some evening this month, we will notice a distasteful yet familiar aroma wafting about on the night air. Skunks become active now, and they seldom hesitate to use their first means of personal protection when faced with a threatening situation.

When a skunk first sprays, the result, even for those some distance away, is an acrid, biting sensation on mucous membranes. The closer you are to the skunk when it unleashes its chemicals, the more powerful the impact. Skunk scent lingers for an incredibly long time, but with each passing hour, it becomes less potent.

Skunk scent greatly affects some people, while others handle it quite easily. I belong to the latter group, which explains why my friends used to call me first when their dog got sprayed by a skunk. Armed with a quart can of tomato juice, I would place the sprayed dog in the bathtub and rub it with tomato juice until its coat was completely saturated. After allowing the juice to remain in place for a few minutes, I would then turn on the shower and rinse the dog completely. It still smelled faintly of skunk, but not so strongly as to be offensive.

Skunk aroma is so powerful that people driving at highway speeds are able to detect it inside their vehicles.

Nothing that I know of in nature has the strength or the staying power of skunk spray.

Downtown Skunks While some may think that skunks are primarily denizens of woods, fields and farms, that’s not the case at all.

Skunks are equally at home in suburban and urban areas. I once saw a skunk waddling down the streets of Belfast, Maine, and – remembering something I had read in, I think, a Robert Ruark book – tried to pick it up by the tail. As www.MaineSportsman.com

The author recounts the trials and tribulations of having a skunk take up residence under his house, for an entire winter. And no – skunks don’t hibernate. the story went, holding a skunk by the tail inhibits its ability to spray. But the skunk had other ideas and, fortunately for me, ran into a storm drain, out of my reach. I was young at the time, and believed much of what I read. The passing years have disabused me of such notions.

Skunks, being omnivorous, find much to their liking around human habitation. Trash cans serve as skunk supermarkets. If a skunk can’t topple a trash container, it will climb into it and begin feeding.

Raccoons, too, have a liking for our trash, and they are perfectly capable of toppling a trash can and spilling the contents on the ground, where the animal can peruse them at will. However, when the animal, skunk or ’coon, has eaten and fled, it is easy to determine which one was the culprit. Here’s how.

Racoons love to strew trash around as large an area as possible. They eat or chew on anything that smells even faintly like food. Skunks, on the other hand, don’t care so much about spreading your garbage about, but get right

Illustration credit: Maine DIF&W

down to the job at hand and begin chewing. And boy, do they chew. A skunk will chew everything to tiny bits. And if any bits of aluminum foil were used for cooking, a skunk will mince them into confetti. It makes my teeth tingle just thinking about it.

Always Active Skunks do not hibernate in winter, although they lay low when storms howl and the temperature plummets. But given a sunny day in midwinter, when temperatures hover at or above freezing, skunks freely roam about. Those funny tracks you saw on the snow? Perhaps they were left by a skunk.

Skunks den in whatever is available, including ground burrows, rockpiles, crevices in stacked firewood, and beneath vacant buildings. Once, a skunk got its wires crossed, and spent the winter under my house. The building definitely wasn’t vacant, and the skunk and I sparred frequently.

Skunks do not make good neighbors, and this skunk was a prime example of that. It was active at all hours, causing me to leap out of bed and go to the part of the house above the noisy skunk and stomp on the floor. That was only a temporary solution, though, because the skunk soon became active again. Yelling did no good either. Once, I thought to shoot it, but it was too dark beneath the house to get a good sight picture.

Perhaps the worst part of this skunk tenant’s residency was when it would, apparently while dreaming, let loose its spray. Picture this: It’s around daylight on a cold, January morning, and everything is still. Then, a faint awareness of something in the air catches my full attention. The skunk has sprayed, and as if to prove the point that nature abhors a vacuum, the stench grows, permeating the entire house and driving me deep under the covers in an effort to breathe untainted air.

As for me, I say skunks are better out of sight and out of mind.

��������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • March 2025 • 19

Best Boats for the Bay

by Bob Humphrey Choosing a boat for inshore and nearshore saltwater applications can seem a daunting task, because there are so many makes and models to choose from. A good starting point might be to see what works for other boaters. New brands and designs come and go, but some have

stood the test of time and are so common that, like Ford Escorts in the 80s, you barely notice them. Here’s a rundown of some of the classics in the 16’ 20’ range.

way I view Brussels sprouts – while their popularity is sometimes baffling to me, they offer good quality, and everyone has different tastes. However,

it’s clear that starting in the 1960s and ’70s with their 16-foot Nauset models and 17’ Montauks, Whalers popularized the center-console design

nearly singlehandedly. Their current fan base, including for older, restored models, remains exceedingly enthusiastic.

(Continued on next page)

Boston Whaler I personally view the iconic Boston Whalers in the same

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20 • March 2025 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————

Boating

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(Continued from page 19)

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Boston Whalers, such as this 1975 Montauk, have held their value well over the years. On choppy seas, however, their cathedral hulls and low sides can offer a bumpy, wet ride. W. Lund photo

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Whalers’ flat-planing hulls are very stable and require less power than a deep V hull, so you can save on engine and fuel costs. The downside of the hull shape is you’ll take a pounding in any kind of chop, and the low freeboard provides less protection from splash and spray, so pick your open-water days carefully, and either maintain a slow speed, or plan to wear your foul-weather gear.

Whaler has long and legitimately claimed their boats are unsinkable, due to construction of two precisely-engineered molded hull pieces fitted together and filled with foam. With some older boats, however, cracks in the hull

may form over time, allowing the foam liner to absorb water and making the boat heavier. Still, these boats hold their value and have proven their worth over time, which is why they remain so popular.

Skiffs Okay, most anything under a certain size could be called a skiff, but a couple of manufacturers use the term in their model names.

Maritime Skiff and Carolina Skiff both make a variety of different models including several smaller models with relatively flat planing hulls like the Whaler, but with higher freeboard.

They’re light yet rug(Continued on next page)

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Maritime Skiffs offer ample cockpit space for work or pleasure boating. Photo credit: Maritime/Chislett’s Boating and Design, New Hampshire

��������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • March 2025 • 21

The Maine Sportsman Digital Edition

Light and relatively inexpensive, flat-bottomed planing hulls like the Maritime Skiff provide a stable platform for fishing. Photo credit: Maritime (Continued from page 20)

ged, and relatively spartan, which makes for easy maintenance and clean-up.

Basic models consist of little more than a spacious, open cockpit with tiller control.

This is a great option for hauling folks from shore to island, or certain work applications like lobstering, aquaculture and diving.

Add a center console and a bench seat, and at least the skipper gets to ride in comfort.

Both are also great for striper fishing in shallow water, particularly for fly fishermen, as there’s little for their line to get hung up on. Some models even come outfitted with casting and poling platforms.

Center Consoles Here, too, there are dozens of makes and models, but Mako and

Aquasport stand out as standards. They’re well-built boats, so you’ll pay more for them than for some of the molded plastic hulls, but they’ll hold up better and last longer.

Their modified V-hull and higher freeboard are often better options for saltwater, where there’s almost always a chop.

The deep V bow cuts through waves rather than absorbing them, making for a much smoother ride in rough water. The flatter aft section improves planning, for greater efficiency at faster speeds.

Outboard-powered center consoles have become increasingly popular in recent years, particularly among day-trippers.

Cuddy Cabins Manufacturers offer many options, but

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22 • March 2025 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————

Boating

a couple of classics that come to mind are the Wellcraft V20 Steplift and the Grady-White Cuddy. Like the Mako and Aquasport, these brand names are synonymous with quality, so they’re a little pricier, but you get what you pay for.

When first introduced over 50 years ago, the venerable Wellcraft was something of a (then) modern molded fiberglass replacement for the classic wooden picnic boat. It offers the speed and comfortable ride of a center con-

(Continued from page 22)

Cuddy cabins provide many of the same features as walk-thoughs or bowriders, with the addition of an enclosed cabin. Photo credit: Grady-White

sole, with the amenity of a full windshield and fully enclosed cabin spacious enough for an overnight stay. Most lack a hard top, but if it doesn’t already have one, you can install a bimini and side curtains.

If you added all the various models and configurations, it wouldn’t surprise me if there were more Gradys on the coast of Maine than any other single brand of similar style boats.

Of them, small- to midsized cuddys make up the majority.

Compared to the Wellcraft, you get a little more up front and inside, and a little less cockpit. Most models also have a hard top

and a few more amenities. Inboard power is more common in older models, especially for Wellcraft. Outboards are more popular nowadays for a variety of reasons, including maneuverability, and ease of access for service.

That’s a look at some of the more common crafts along the Maine coast. New boat sales soared during Covid, and have only recently leveled out.

Speedy center consoles now hold the spotlight, but there are still plenty of classics out there.

You just don’t notice them as much, because they’ve always been there.

¶

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Some exclusions may apply in the Yamaha Extended Limited Warranty offered by Florida dealers (as compared to the Y.E.S. contract), such as TRIP coverage. In Florida, Yamaha Extended Service is administered by Automotive Warranty Services of Florida, Inc. 175 W. Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60604 (866) 937-3983. License # 60023. See authorized participating Yamaha dealer for complete details. Yamaha reserves the right to change or cancel this promotion at any time. Yamaha Motor Finance Corporation, U.S.A., dba Yamaha Financial Services, is an affiliate of Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. offering financing solutions to support Yamaha Dealers and loyal Yamaha Customers nationwide. REMEMBER to always observe all applicable boating laws. Never drink and drive. Dress properly with a USCG-approved personal floatation device and protective gear. © 2025 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved.

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Ryan L’Italien, Jr. of Fort Kent, a Maine Sportsman subscriber, earned his Biggest Bucks in Maine patch on November 29, 2024 when he tagged this impressive 209.2-lb., 8-point buck in the town of Eagle Lake. The buck’s weight was certified

by Laurie Pelletier, of Lake Road Grocery in New Canada. Photo provided by Angela Coulombe

��������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • March 2025 • 23

Looking Forward to a Great Year on the Water There’s reason for optimism and celebration, reports the author, with respect to stocks of mackerel, groundfish, sharks and tuna.

The saltwater fishing season is still a ways off, but looking back at last season suggests there’s a lot to look forward to in 2025.

Mackerel Just a few years back, many anglers were surprised to learn that a species whose abundance we long took for granted was imperiled. Stock assessments showed that mackerel were being overfished.

Spawning stock biomass (SSB) was at 24% of target levels, and recruitment was a similar 24% lower than

expected, meaning the stock was not meeting objectives of a recovery plan. Commercial quotas were cut drastically, and recreational anglers were limited to 20 fish per day.

Jump ahead to last summer (2024).

We’re still waiting for stock assessment results, but preliminary results from the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council staff provided some reason for optimism.

Meanwhile, here in Maine for several weeks in June of 2024, I witnessed what can only be described as a

natural phenomenon.

For miles in every direction, we saw shoals of mackerel on the surface. When they swam by the boat, we could see that what was on the surface was a mere fraction of what swam beneath.

There were literally millions of mackerel.

Even more encouraging, many were small, meaning recruitment is up. While more assessment is necessary, early indications are that the stock is now well on its way to recovery.

Groundfish Through the late

The mackerel are back! Stocks appear to be recovering nicely. All photos provided by the author

2010s and early 2020s, haddock stocks were deemed to be healthy, and recreational anglers were landing only a fraction of their total allowable catch.

That changed suddenly and dramatically in 2023, when survey trawls and assessments showed a steep decline in haddock.

Recreational and for-hire anglers struggled to find any fish on

the nearshore ledges.

NOAA Fisheries cut commercial quotas, which proved problematic to commercial fishermen. Where they fish – farther from shore and in deeper water – they were landing their haddock quota in single sets, which ended up limiting the number of days they could fish. Even the biologists weren’t (Continued on next page)

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24 • March 2025 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————

Saltwater Fishing (Continued from page 23)

sure whether the stock had actually declined, or merely shifted.

Last year provided an entirely different scenario. From April through June, haddock could be found on almost every ledge, in good numbers and sizes. Warmer water in July and August pushed fish off into deeper, cooler water, but they could still be caught by those willing to make the effort.

It certainly seems like the stock merely shifted, and remains in good shape.

Interestingly, the large pollack that helped fill the void in 2023 were far less abundant last year, at least in the more popular fishing spots.

However, that too seems to be more of a shift, as charter boats that fished deeper water still landed their fair share of big pollack and whiting.

Meanwhile, smaller fish remained abundant at near-nuisance

levels, at least for anglers trying to catch mackerel for tuna bait. The fish will be out there again, somewhere – you just need to find them.

Sharks Sharks were a bit of a mixed bag, but showed some reasons for optimism, depending on your perspective. Blue shark numbers seemed a bit lower, though many shark anglers reported seeing, but not catching, a fair number. There were also more larger blues around in late summer. Overall population levels are healthy, so there probably isn’t much need for concern.

Porbeagle numbers and encounters are up considerably.

Biologists believe (and tuna fisherman will confirm) that the waters off southern Maine are a pupping ground for ’beagles, and by mid-summer, anglers targeting oth-

The dramatic increase in porbeagles represents a bonus for those who target sharks, and a nuisance for bottom-anglers and tuna fishermen.

er species are sometimes plagued with little sharks. Those little sharks become big sharks, and they too are becoming more common in the catch, whether intentional or incidental.

Meanwhile, the prohibition on landing makos seems to be working, too, as encounters were noticeably higher in 2024.

Tuna Bluefin tuna stocks have been on the rise for some time now, but catching a giant that might weigh any-

where from 300-800 pounds is beyond the means of most anglers.

Fortunately, smaller fish have been showing up with more frequency, and last year proved a pleasant surprise when really small fish, or “footballs,” showed up in late August in good numbers. Fishermen in the right place at the right time were finding fish from the offshore tuna grounds to the inshore striper haunts, and several anglers reported getting spooled by tuna while striper fishing.

Little bluefin also seem to be making a comeback, which bodes well for both fish and fishermen.

Let’s hope this becomes a regular thing, because it would be a great addition to Maine’s otherwise limited saltwater sport fishing.

Like the surface schools of mackerel, the above summary is just the tip of the iceberg. Every year is different, but through careful and conservative management, it seems most stocks are in good shape. We just need them to show up.

¶

Let the Shows Begin!

It’s cold and dreary outside, and the “reel” action is still several months away for saltwater fishing enthusiasts.

Fortunately, there is a way to assuage your angling angst. It’s never too soon to start prepping gear, but if you really want to get in the mood, go to a show.

The mid-winter months offer an array of shows and expos where you can get the latest gear, learn some new techniques, and possibly even book a trip.

Below is a quick rundown of some of this spring’s events that cater to salty anglers.

Castafari Offshore Fishing Seminar March 1-2, Quincy, Massachusetts.

As the name implies, this event is geared toward deepwater big-game anglers, with a lot of how-to and ample opportunity to stock up on supplies.

The schedule is packed with presenwww.MaineSportsman.com

tations from some of the top offshore anglers in the region, running concurrently in three separate rooms.

latest gear, attend a seminar or two, and plan your summer fishing activities.

New England Saltwater Fishing Show March 7-9, Providence, Rhode Island. The largest of its kind in the northeast, this 3-day event will host over 300 booths offering everything imaginable from guides to gear, and seminars on a wide range of topics.

Whether you need it or not, you’ll find it there.

Saco Bay Tackle Fishing Seminar April 5, Old Orchard Beach, Maine.

This one-day event is equal parts consumer show and seminar series. Shop for gear, talk with experts, and learn tips and tactics on a range of topics from stripers and groundfish to sharks and tuna.

State of Maine Sportsman’s Show March 28-30, Augusta, Maine. For those preferring to stick closer to home, there’s our very own show, a joint enterprise of The Maine Sportsman magazine and Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, with a broad range of exhibits from hunting and fishing to boats, docks, and charter outfits. Pick up the

Kittery Trading Post FishingFest April 24-27, Kittery, Maine. Also known as “Fish-Paddle-Hunt!” and hosted by and at the Kittery Trading Post, the fishing portion of this event features sales and discounts on saltwater gear, free seminars, and pro staffers and experts from leading manufacturers. They’ll have tips, tackle and service for anything from mackerel to tuna.

��������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • March 2025 • 25

Sunny March Days Entice Anglers for Late-Season Ice Fishing

by Tom Seymour A somewhat-normal winter, with long stretches of sub-freezing weather, means that, barring an early warmup, Moosehead Lake and others in the region should still have plenty of ice through the month of March.

March makes an outstanding time to hit the ice on Moosehead Lake. All three cold-water game fish species – trout, salmon and togue – are present. One of the nice things about being out on the ice in March is that, especially toward month’s end, tempera-

The brook trout are so big, says the author, they don’t seem real – but they are. So if you want a chance at a 5-pound brook trout, you have two choices – book a trip to northern Canada, or visit Moosehead Lake! tures can range well above freezing. That, coupled with an ever-higher sun, can produce comfortable, if not downright balmy, conditions.

Sunglasses become a necessity now, to counteract the sun’s glare reflecting off the ice and snow. A folding chair, for those who don’t have an ice shack, makes for com-

fortable hours on the lake.

One thing to note: unlike early season ice fishing, when ice thickness is such that cutting holes is a snap, late-season fishing means that anglers will need to bore through the maximum amount of ice. Because of that, make sure to bring an extension bit for your ice auger.

World-Class An eye-opening development at Moosehead Lake, the appearance of world-classsize brook trout, has made Moosehead a destination spot. Want to catch a 5-poundplus brook trout? You have two choices. Book a trip to northern Canada, or visit Moosehead Lake.

Of course, not ev-

eryone takes fish of 5 pounds or more, but enough people do to justify high expectations on every trip out.

On the other hand, some people take brook trout of 6 pounds and more. We’re talking monster brookies here, the likes of which the most anglers can only dream about.

Looking at trout others have taken and seeing photos of giant brook trout, the fish seem almost artificial. Brook trout just don’t get that big.

But they do in Moosehead Lake. Excluding (Continued on next page)

Moosehead Lake Region Greenville • Rockwood

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26 • March 2025 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————

Ice Fishing (Continued from page 25)

spent broodstock fish released by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, most of us have never taken a wild brook trout bigger than, say, 15 or 16 inches. And if we do catch a larger fish, it instantly becomes the fish of a lifetime.

Trout measured in pounds rather than inches have become a hallmark of Moosehead Lake’s trout fishery. Better yet, these fish are distributed all around the lake. Just fish no more than 40 or 50 yards from shore, and you should be okay. You might want to set a shallow trap even closer.

Vicki Goulet holds a 6-pound Moosehead Lake brook trout taken while ice fishing. Photo courtesy of Eric Holbrook.

Togue Time Before the advent of those outsized brook trout, Moosehead’s largest togue took center stage in March. If you wanted a chance to take a truly impressive

togue, then you would book a trip sometime in March. Although overshadowed by trout, those big togue remain available, and March remains the time to target them.

For first-time visitors wanting to take either trout or togue, I recommend availing yourselves of the services of an area guide.

These people know where to go at any particular time, and they know what to use and how to use it. Sure, you can go out by yourself and do well, but hiring a guide increases your chances of success dramatically. Besides that, guides have all the gear, and you won’t need to bring anything except warm clothes and a desire to experience a day on the ice on Maine’s largest lake with someone who knows all the ropes.

(Continued on next page)

Holbrooks Guide Service Fishing • Moose Watching • Bird Hunting Eric Holbrook, Master Maine Guide

Moosehead Region (207) 349-0366 • www.HolbrooksGuideService.com

www.MaineSportsman.com

��������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • March 2025 • 27 (Continued from page 26)

Togue in winter seem almost ubiquitous. You can take them in deep water, and also in rocky coves where depths only go down to 30 feet or so.

One thing you should do, though, is place a few lines directly on bottom. Togue forage among rocks and other structures for not only baitfish, but anything else they can find.

Togue have wide-ranging appetites.

I once caught some togue that all had protruding bellies. Feeling them, it felt as if the fish had eaten a bunch of stones. The “stones” later proved to be crayfish – a plentiful denizen of Moosehead.

Finally, save a line for jigging with a Swedish Pimple. You might tip one of the hook points with a bit of smelt or shiner to make it more appealing.

Salmon, Too Salmon remain one of Moosehead Lake’s most sought-after game fish. For salmon, fish at mid-depths, and leave one baited line just under the ice.

Salmon cruise just beneath the ice, searching for wayward smelt or two.

Here’s something about salmon tak-

en during the late ice-fishing season.

Many will exhibit a definite yellowish tint, as opposed to their usual silvery appearance. This comes from

being deprived of direct sunlight. After months under the ice, experiencing no light or, at best, diffused light, salmon acquire their yellowish hue.

Don’t hesitate to visit Moosehead Lake this March. You just might hook on to a wallhanger of a togue,

or – just maybe – you could take the brook trout of a lifetime.

¶

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CHECK ONE (Maine Residents Price Includes 5.5% Sales Tax): r One Year $33 (Maine Residents $34.82) or r Two Years $54 (Maine Residents $56.97) Name________________________________________ Address______________________________________ City_________________________________________ State_________________________ Zip_____________ VISA/MC____________________________________ Exp._________________________ CVV___________

Phone_______________________________________ Email________________________________________ Include your Check, Money Order or VISA/MasterCard info to: The Maine Sportsman, 183 State Street, Suite 101, Augusta, ME 04330 You can also call (207) 622-4242, scan the QR code, or visit our website www.MaineSportsman.com www.MaineSportsman.com

28 • March 2025 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————

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GOLDEN & COMMON SHINERS • SUCKERS Open 7 Days 4:30am–9pm for Retail Wholesale Orders Delivered Statewide (207) 669-0465 • 49 Black Woods Road

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Shiners • Smelts • Suckers • Crawlers LIVE BAIT Sun–Tue 5:30am–Noon, Wed–Sat 5:30am–5:30pm Shiners • Bloodworms • Night Crawlers 1 Pleasant Street Worms • Jiffy Ice Augers • Ice Fishing Supplies 207-458-0246 or 207-716-1494

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SEBAGO BAIT

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Smelts, Shiners, Suckers, Crawlers Open Sun–Wed 5AM–12PM, Thu–Sat 5AM–6PM Retail 207-485-8574 Wholesale 207-557-4308 8 Little Cobbossee Avenue, Winthrop, ME

��������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • March 2025 • 29

Riding in Aroostook

by Steve Carpenteri Mention Aroostook County to anyone in Maine, and thoughts of potatoes, wilderness and winter adventures immediately come to mind. The County, also known as The Crown of Maine, may well become the state’s last bastion of winter snowmobiling, if snow

Go north, intrepid riders – snowy trails, magnificent scenery, and welcoming businesses await! depths in southern portions of the state continue to decrease.

Winter storms start early in the North Country, and bring an annual average of 10 feet of snow

to the region. Suffice it to say that if there is going to be snow in Maine, it will be in Aroostook County.

Snowmobile clubs with friendly, hard-working mem-

bers are scattered across the region’s extensive snowmobile trail network, providing endless opportunities to travel, warm up, grab some food and fuel, enjoy live music,

and visit with some helpful, colorful locals.

Generous landowners grant access to ride on routes that run throughout Aroostook County. From poker rides to Snow Bowls, races and guided trips, resident riders have found a way to turn (Continued on next page)

Visit Your Local Ski-Doo Dealer for Current Offers!

THAT SKI-DOO FEELING

Discover it. Share it. Repeat.

AUBURN LINCOLN Wallingford Equipment Lincoln Power Sports - Access Auto 265 West Broadway 2527 Turner Road 207-794-8100 207-782-4886 www.wallingfordequipment.com www.lincolnpowersports.com AUGUSTA LEEDS North Country Ski-doo Reggie’s Kawasaki Ski-doo 255 US Hwy 202 3099 N. Belfast Ave. 207-933-4976 207-622-7994 www.doitatreggies.com www.northcountryh-d.com WILTON DETROIT Mountain Side Powersports Huff Powersports 912 US Route 2 East 284 North Road 207-645-2985 207-487-3338 www.huffpowersports.com www.mountainsidepowersports.com GREENVILLE JUNCTION Moosehead Motorsports 13 Industrial Park 207-695-2020 www.mooseheadmotorsports.com

©2025 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). All rights reserved. ®, ™ and the BRP logo are trademarks of BRP or its affiliates. Products in the United States (US) are distributed by BRP US Inc. Always ride responsibly and safely and wear appropriate clothing, including a helmet. Please observe applicable laws and regulations. Remember that riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix. See your authorized BRP dealer for details and visit ski-doo.com.

WINDHAM Richardson’s Boat Yard 850 Roosevelt Tr, Rt 302 207-892-9664 www.richardsonsby.com

JACKMAN Jackman Power Sports 549 Main Street 207-668-4442 www.jackmanpowersports.com www.MaineSportsman.com

30 • March 2025 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————

EXPLORE MORE. ACHIEVE MORE. — Visit Your Local Arctic Cat Dealer for Current Promotions —

GORHAM White Rock Outboard 351 Sebago Lake Road 207-892-9606 www.whiterockoutboard.com

SIDNEY Kramer’s Inc. 2400 West River Road 207-547-3345 www.kramersinc.com

WARNING: Arctic Cat snowmobiles can be hazardous to operate. For your safety, all riders should read and understand their owner’s manual and safety instructions. Always wear an approved helmet and other safety apparel. Be aware of natural hazards you may encounter and don’t drink and ride. All scenes depicted or described were performed by professional riders under carefully controlled conditions. Never attempt to duplicate these maneuvers or encourage others to do so. Arctic Cat recommends that all operators take a safety training course.

For safety and training information, please see your local dealer. ©2025 Arctic Cat Inc. All rights reserved.

Yamaha Sidewinder L-TX-SE The Sidewinder L‑TX SE has all the trail performance and capabilities found in our LE models but at a lower price point. The ARCS front suspension with Fox® RC adjustable shocks leads the charge with longer, lightweight forged spindles and optimized geometry.

A 137” Ripsaw II track wrapped around the free‑arm, coupled SRV rear suspension with HPG shocks hooks up the industry’s most powerful engine. The race bred chassis holds you forward, at the ready to meet anything the trail throws your way.

Members of the Aroostook River Snowmobile Club take their trail grooming very seriously! Photo by ARSC

Snowmobiling (Continued from page 29)

their snowy landscape into a winter wonderland that provides fun and adventure for the entire family well into

March and April.

Why Aroostook?

For an overview of Aroostook County’s winter attractions,

I called Samantha Doak, a staff member of the Aroostook County Chamber of Commerce.

“We have thousands of miles of wellgroomed snowmobile trails in Aroostook, more than any other county in Maine,” she said, enthusiastically. “We have a tremendous network of trail-connected lodging, restaurants and supply needs, and there are all kinds of activities and events going on all winter that cater to our snowmobiling visitors.”

Doak said that in addition to dog-sled racing and various snowmobile runs and races, there are continuous ice-fishing opportunities, including winter derbies on Long Lake and Madawaska Lake.

(Continued on next page)

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JACKMAN Jackman Power Sports 549 Main Street 207-668-4442 www.jackmanpowersports.com

TOPSHAM MOMS Topsham 70 Topsham Fair Mall Road 207-729-1177 www.topsham.moms73.com

LEWISTON Central Maine Powersports 845 Main Street 207-689-2345 www.centralmainepowersports.com

GORHAM, NH MOMS Jericho 461 Main St. 603-466-5454 www.momsjericho.com

Always wear an approved helmet and eye protection. Observe all state and local laws. Respect the rights of others. Ride within your capabilities. Allow extra time and plenty of distance for maneuvering. Do not perform stunts. © 2025 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved.

www.MaineSportsman.com

Polaris recommends that all riders take a safety training course. Do not attempt maneuvers beyond your capability. Always wear a helmet and other safety apparel.

Read, understand and follow your owner’s manual. Never drink and ride. Polaris is a registered trademark of Polaris Industries Inc. © 2025 Polaris Industries Inc.

��������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • March 2025 • 31 (Continued from page 30)

Aroostook’s Top Trails Over 2,000 miles of groomed trails in the region are connected to the state’s 14,000-mile Interconnected Trail System (ITS). According to Doak, Aroostook County offers some of the best, most varied sledding in the state.

Popular trails include the following: Ghost Trains of the Allagash Two massive “Ghost Trains” left over from Maine’s logging heyday rest on the banks of Eagle and Chamberlain Lakes.

Sledders enter the North Maine Woods through the town of

Ashland. Pack extra gas and provisions, because this attraction is a full day’s adventure into one of Maine’s most remote winter destinations.

Number 9 Mountain The summit offers great views west toward Mount Katahdin, Maine’s highest peak. Ambitious sledders can catch this view in Monticello, Maine, near the towering Bangor & Aroostook trestle bridge.

Infinity View Located in southern Aroostook, this seemingly never-ending straight-line trail is actually a woods road in the summer.

Riders face directly at

The Presque Isle Snowmobile Club hosts vintage sled gatherings and rides each winter. Photo by PISC

Katahdin as they navigate the continuous ups and downs on the trip.

International View A picnic area rewards sledders with commanding views over the St. John River and into New Brunswick, Canada.

Riders can catch this view as they ride out of Madawaska and into Frenchville.

Loring Airforce Base The former military base is now closed, but its legendary runway and towering Arch Hanger stand as a testament to days gone by. Sledders who find lodging in Caribou or Presque Isle routinely visit this site on their long winter trip.

split Maine and New Brunswick in a nearly perfect straight line.

This trail is constantly groomed, because it is a favorite of locals and visitors alike.

The Border Trail Tall granite pillars

(Snowmobiling continued on page 33)

New Brunswick, Canada There are 11 ports of entry along the border of Aroostook County that provide access to New Brunswick,

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141 Main Street, Stratton, ME 207-246-4276 Cell: 207-313-3534 tlenterprises@roadrunne tlenterprises@roadrunner.com Rides: East Kennebago Mt., Rangeley, Jackman, Bigelow Lodge, Caribou Valley, Quill Hill

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32 • March 2025 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————

Dog Sledding Travis and I pulled into Doc’s Place in Fort Kent to gas up. We were skeptical when a burly man walked up to the driver’s side and explained with his Northern Maine accent, that it was full service.

“Does it cost extra?” Travis asked, suspiciously.

“Nooo, it’s just what we dooo,” the man replied with drawn out “ohs.” This was just the beginning of The County hospitality we would experience while up north for a few days to dog sled and ice fish for muskies.

It had been a long drive from Southern Maine, so after dinner at Swamp Buck, which was packed with snowmobilers, we went to bed early in our Air BnB in St. Francis.

The next morning, we ate breakfast at Rock’s Diner. A group of older locals chatted boisterously, switching back and forth from English to French effortlessly. Travis and I made a game of trying to distinguish which language they were speaking.

“As we sped toward a sharp corner, I completely forgot about the brake, and I went flying off the sled as it tipped over onto its side. Luckily, the dogs stopped, and the only injury was to my ego.”

Travis the musher. All photos by the author

“I think that’s French?” I would lean across the booth and whisper to Travis.

“No, that’s just their accent,” Travis would correct. “Oh, okay, now they’re speaking French.”

“Back to English now!” I chuckled.

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Dog-Teamed After breakfast, we headed to Flat Mountain to go dog sledding.

The summer prior, I guided a group of high schoolers with Dave Conley of Canoe the Wild on the Allagash River. One of the students was 14-year-old Piper Ashley, and she invited me to go dog sledding with her.

We arrived at the Ashley home, and met the rest of Piper’s family. Piper, her little brother Peter, and their parents Sarah and Jared, showed us how to rig up the dogs,

and we all worked to prepare for our ride.

Their sixteen Alaskan huskies yipped and paced around their dog houses anxiously, but not obnoxiously. I had been to the CanAm 250-mile and witnessed those dogs barking and jumping with excitement.

Piper’s dogs, however, were calm and friendly. They were all named after national parks the family had visited; hence, the dogs had names such as Acadia, Glacier, Smokey, and Archie.

We rigged up two

teams. Piper and her team of nine dogs had been practicing all winter, training for the 100-mile Can-Am International Sled Dog Race the following weekend (unfortunately, last winter’s event was cancelled due to lack of snow). The year prior, Piper had done the 30-mile course, so this was a big step for the teenager. Peter’s team consisted of six “retired” race dogs.

Piper explained that she and Peter would each drive a team, and Travis and I could ride. Her dad would lead with a snowmobile, which groomed a trail for the dogs. Then, when we were comfortable, Travis and I could drive the dogs. Piper gave us a summary of what to expect and a lesson on the “brake” – a rubber mat you step on to increase drag when going downhill or around corners.

Paw Power I was tucked into the sled when Piper lifted her foot off the brake. Her dogs pulled, and we gained speed, quickly descending Flat Mountain. At the bottom, we raced across the snowy fields in near silence, except for Piper’s commands, “Gee!” [right] and “Haw!” [left] How could we be moving so fast, so silently? My brain struggled to make sense (Continued on next page)

��������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • March 2025 • 33

“Fort Kent Flat Tire.”

(Continued from page 32)

of such magic. The dogs enthusiastically obeyed Piper’s commands, elated to do what they were literally born to do – what centuries of breeding had instilled in them.

After half an hour, Piper stopped her team with a “whoa!” and announced it was my turn to drive. I rode the brakes on the first downhill, a bit nervous with how quickly we

Piper drives while the author rides.

were going. As we sped toward a sharp corner, I completely forgot about the brake, and I went flying off the sled as it tipped over onto its side. Luckily, the dogs stopped, and the only injury was to my ego.

I eventually got into a rhythm with Piper’s speedy team, while Travis drove Peter’s team. It was invigorating, racing over the snow under “paw power.”

Uphill Battle As the trip neared to an end, Travis and I traded teams, and we headed back up Flat Mountain. As the incline increased, the team slowed almost to a stop and looked back at me, as if to ask, “Are you getting off, Fatso?” These were not the muscular Siberian huskies in the movies – instead, these were racing huskies, and they were not going to haul me uphill. I got

off the sled and jogged alongside it without letting go, as Piper had warned us not to do.

Sweating and muscles burning, I made it back to the Ashley homestead. What a ride! After we unhitched the dogs and packed up the gear, Sarah invited us in for ployes (buckwheat pancakes) with butter and jam.

What a magical day! Good luck Piper

Snowmobiling

in the 2025 CanAm! I hope to see many of you at the State of Maine Sportsman Show at the Augusta Civic Center, March 28 through March 30. I will be there all weekend at the Maine Women Hunters booth, and more of your favorite writers will be at The Maine Sportsman booth, so stop by and say hi!

¶

gion should call ahead to be ascertain which destinations, trails, lakes and events remain on the docket.

“Last year, we had no snow at Christmas and this year we only had 3 inches on the ground,” Graves said, noting that conditions improved greatly this year on account of several snowfalls in January and early February.

“There are some storms predicted for late February and March that will give us plenty of snow to cover the trails,” Graves said.

(Continued from page 31)

Canada. A valid passport is required to enter the province, and all riders must stop at the crossings. Not all border crossings are open 24/7. A trail pass, required to snowmobile in New Brunswick, must be displayed on each sled.

For a complete rundown of activities and events in the region, contact the Aroostook County Chamber of Commerce at centralaroostookchamber.com or call (207) 764-6561.

Houlton-Bound Rick Ouellette of Biddeford, travels all the way to Houlton for his winter sledding.

“They have excellent, well-groomed trails that are clearly marked,” he said.

“There are also signs for lodging, gas, food and other amenities.

“The region is relatively flat, which makes riding a lot more enjoyable,” Ouelette added. “This winter, I would recommend focusing on the western part of The County, where they always seem to have plenty of snow.”

Even “retired” sled dogs still have a lot of pep.

The Portage Lake region offers dense woods and beautiful trails. Photo: Portage Lakers Snowmobile Club

Plan Ahead Longtime Aroostook County resident (and Maine Sportsman columnist) Bill Graves said that, given this winter’s late start for snow accumulations, snowmobilers planning to visit the re-

Snowmobile Rentals Snowmobiles, clothing and equipment rentals are available at The Sled Shop, Inc., Valley Rentals (Mike’s and Sons, Fort Kent), Ride North Recreation (formerly Houlton Powersports), and Shin Pond Village. Details can be found online.

Find Your Trail For a copy of the most current ITS map, send $2 (for postage and handling) to ITS MAP, Maine Snowmobile Association, PO Box 80, Augusta, ME 04332.

¶

www.MaineSportsman.com

34 • March 2025 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————

Try New Species for March Ice Fishing March is just another winter month up here in Aroostook – even with more daylight and warming temperatures, there’s still plenty of snow and ice. Most anglers are longing for open water, the sound of an outboard motor and the feel of a trolling rod in hand. In lieu of that daydream, we make do with one or two season-ending “hard water” outings.

How about a different waterway and a more unusual quarry to break the monotony of your usual spots and species?

Mammoth Musky Brook trout, salmon and splake trout tend to be the most sought-after freshwater game fish trio throughout Maine, but every fisherman should catch at least one muskellunge in their lifetime.

Glazier Lake, north of Allagash Village, is a prime location to enjoy a tug of war with a double-digit size water wolf through the ice – perhaps another state record, since this waterway has provided several. Sturdy traps

(207) 496-0341

Do you want to pursue some out-of-the-ordinary types of fish in The County? How about muskies?

Brown trout? And even whitefish? The author tells you where and how to land these exciting species.

“Variety is the spice of life,” he says.

James Daigle of St David displays a Glazier Lake musky almost a long as his son Corey is tall. The trophy fish weighed 24.8 pounds. All photos provided by the author

and reels, strong lines and wire leaders attached to a stout circle

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hook are crucial to successfully playing and pulling toothy musk-

ies onto the ice.

While trolling lures and casting

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large flies on Glazier and Beau Lakes as well as the Saint John River during open water season offers sporadic action, the heaviest muskies are taken on large, live baits through the ice.

Although crossing the border into Canada at Fort Kent offers a shorter drive over better roads leading right near the shoreline, there are hurdles. The hassle of transporting all the fishing gear, possibly a snowmobile, and the need for passports or equivalent citizenship documentation, as well as regulations against transporting any live bait through customs, lead most sportsmen to use the longer route in Maine.

Drive Route 161 from Fort Kent to Allagash to Dickey and the Little Black checkpoint. A snowmobile will be needed from the plowed logging road to reach the American shoreline of Glazier Lake. Study Map 66 of Delorme’s Maine Atlas for an overview of the roads and lake.

Large, live suckers, 8 to 12 inches, are the best bait for big fish success. Don’t overlook the fact that Glazier Lake is really only a wide spot on the Saint Francis River, and therefore has a steady current moving under much of the ice – it’s wise to check ice thickness every trip in (Continued on next page)

��������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • March 2025 • 35

Pete and Jim Daigle of St David each caught monster muskies only a couple of hours apart on the same day during a visit to Glazier Lake.

(Continued from page 34)

your desired location.

Bountiful Browns It won’t require all the fingers on one hand to tally the productive brown trout waters in The County, and for most recreational anglers, these rare fish are an enviable prize. One often overlooked winter location is Nickerson Lake, just South of Houlton.

Nearby Drew’s Lake garners the bulk of local attention, since it harbors six other finned targets besides brown trout, but I’m convinced the very deep waters of Nickerson Lake harbor more 5 lb. and larger, crafty brown denizens.

From I-95 or Route 1, visiting ice drillers need to seek either Route 2 or 2 A and then the Drew’s Lake road which passes less than 100 yards from Nickerson Lake right beside the local golf course. There is a narrow road and snowmobile track leading to the boat launch area at the eastern end of this boomerang-shaped

Tom Tardiff of Robinson enjoys some outside handlining on a very warm, sunny March afternoon on Drew’s Lake in New Limerick. Tom was hoping to ice an elusive brown trout.

lake. Several spots throughout Nickerson are 80 to 100 feet in depth.

Though the wire leader, large hooks and bigger bait used for musky won’t be required, sturdy tip ups and lengthy, strong lines will be needed. I prefer five- to six-inchlong smelt to entice the larger voracious brown trout to feed. I have it on good authority from local regular auger operators that using a jig rod with a bright lure

Sherby Morris doesn’t mind traveling a couple of hours to certain remote North Woods Lakes if there is a chance to jig for large whitefish, a species many Mainers have not caught.

and a chunk of cut bait often out produces tip ups. Peruse DeLorme’s, Map 53, coordinates A-2.

Why Not Whitefish?

It never ceases to amaze me how many Maine anglers have not seen a whitefish, let alone caught one.

Although this unusual species is found in a small number of deep, cold-water lakes compared to more popular game fish, whitefish (Continued on next page)

Allagash Lakes Region

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36 • March 2025 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————

The County

cellent whitefish population, brook trout, lake trout and cusk will keep tip up flags flying. There are accommodations for anglers who wish to spend a weekend rather than a very long tedious day trip. Like the musky and brown trout, ice fishing for whitefish tends to be more of an experience, adventure and a goal rather than the normal ice outing for the big three favorite species. Variety is the spice of life, so why not end your season with a change of pace?

(Continued from page 35)

Nickerson lake near Houlton holds some hefty brook trout like this beauty. Until the head clears the ice, you never know if it’s a brown or a brookie.

are well worth the effort to pursue, even if just to say you caught one, enjoyed the experience, and got to taste the delicious, delicate flavor. Whitefish in the 2- to 4-pound range are a handful of fun on a lightweight jig rod, and most folks agree they are very tasty tablefare.

While there are several small but productive whitefish waters in the deep Northern Maine Woods, for almost guaranteed action and larger fish, many county ice drill-

ers head for Chamberlain Lake. This huge frozen gem is part of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway and what I call “Aroostook-adjacent,” being just over the border in Piscataquis County.

It’s a bit of a drive from civilization, so a snowmobile is pretty much a must-have piece of equipment, and fishermen will never be crowded on this huge frozen expanse. View DeLorme’s Atlas, Maps 55 and 56, over several grids.

Along with an ex-

¶

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Strange But True Each year, I scheduled ranger meetings to discuss environmental issues.

One year, the topics involved concerns that the waters of the Allagash were becoming murky due to nearby forestry operations. However, such claims were difficult to evaluate, since we had no historical data by which to gauge changes in water quality. For those reasons, the Bureau directors decided to begin a water quality observation program.

One afternoon, 10 rangers and representatives from DEP met at my Churchill Dam headquarters to learn about monitoring lakes. At the training, my staff was introduced to a measurement tool called a Secchi disc. These devices are small 8-inch diameter plastic disks segmented into black and white triangles, and attached to a ten-foot nylon cord.

“I’ve hit a buffalo with my car,” the woman told the State Police dispatcher. “Please send a trooper.”

Experience at Michaud Farm, as told by receptionist Faye O’Leary Hafford “I had just gotten back from registering campers at the landing, when I heard a vehicle drive into my yard. Expecting that more people had arrived to register, I instead found our friend Wim knocking on my front door. As I said hello, he turned and said with a slight smile, ‘Faye, will you come take my picture?’ I said, ‘OK, Wim, I’ll take your picture.’ I grabbed my camera and followed him outside. At his van, he opened the side door, pulled out a calf moose, and gave it a big hug for a snapshot.

Secchi disk with cord.

With this instrument, rangers could use the measured string to lower the small disks down into a lake until the disks began to fade from sight. That recorded depth provided a measurement of the lake’s clarity. After several years of collecting data, we found that the quality of the wilderness waters had not declined as thought.

Partway through one planning session, we heard something falling down the stovepipe of my Ashley wood heater. The object moved through the pipe so fast that it spun the handle of the damper.

We all stared at the stove in disbelief. Hesitantly, I opened the heater’s fire door, only to discover the startled yellow eyes of a duck, covered in black grime.

Ignoring claims by the staff that I must have planted the bird as a trick, I carefully carried the duck outside to the blue waters of Heron Lake.

Wim Hafford with his moose calf.

“Offering no words of explanation, he said simply, ‘Thank you,’ picked up the baby moose, returned it to the van and drove off. You could have knocked me over with a feather.”

Tale from Saint Francis For many years, folks who traveled Route 161 from Fort Kent to Allagash Village were surprised to see pastured

buffalo. The bison belonged to Mr. Louis Pelletier of St. Francis, who raised the critters for many years.

One night, a bison escaped its fenced compound, and wandered onto the tar road. In the dark of night, a woman driving home from Fort Kent to the village hit that buffalo. As the story goes, she called the State Police in Houlton to report the accident. “I’ve hit a buffalo with my car,” she told the dispatcher. “Please send a trooper.”

Astonished, the dispatcher replied, “I am sorry, Ma’am, but we do not have buffalo in Maine. That animal lives in the American West.”

The woman firmly stated, “I tell you, I’ve hit a buffalo; please send a trooper.”

The dispatcher tried again. “I’m sorry, lady, but we do not have buffalo in Maine. You must have hit a moose. They are dark-colored animals that stand about six feet tall and are extremely hard to see at night. The animal can weigh several hundred pounds, and they will do a lot of damage to a vehicle, sometimes injuring the driver and passengers. Is anyone hurt? Do I need to send an ambulance? I can dispatch a trooper to your moose accident.”

The woman replied, “I know a moose when I see one. I’ve hit a buffalo, and need a trooper to report the accident.

No, I do not need an ambulance.”

The now-irritated dispatcher tersely continued: “If the moose is a female, she will not have antlers, but may have a calf. If it is a male, it will have large antlers. Do you see a calf nearby, or does the moose have antlers?”

By now the woman had heard enough, and with infuriated desperation shouted, “Damm it, man, I’ve hit one of Lou Pelkey’s buffalos! Now send me a trooper!”

Shaking his head in disbelief, the dispatcher simply replied, “Yes, Ma’am.”

And that is the honest truth. ***** My April column will discuss a sighting of Sasquatch in Baxter State Park.

Maine author Tim Caverly presents tales from the Maine woods throughout New England. For more information, see www.allagashtails.com/events

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www.MaineSportsman.com

38 • March 2025 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————

Spring Prep: Building a Pipe Bear Trap I know it’s only March, but this time of year is when I do prep for my hunting seasons, and bear season being my favorite, it gets dibs on my time. As a doit-yourself family, it was a no-brainer for us to decide to make a regulation-compliant bear trap. I am lucky enough to have an array of tools in our household and a welder in the family, but if you don’t, it’s still cost-effective to pay for welding, or better yet, to buddy up with someone – perhaps barter – and make more than one.

Our original model was created with black stove pipe, which didn’t hold up to the shenanigans of a bear, so I highly recommend the steel. You can get steel at any of the local companies, but I purchased mine from Kodiak Steel in Clinton.

They cut the steel to size, so it has a clean edge on both ends, and they have no minimum order requirement.

PVC is another option, but I can’t attest to its durability.

Be sure it meets requirements, as measurements vary depending on material.

All other items can be purchased at a hardware or home supply store. We’ve tweaked it over the years, but the bottom line is it’s durable, it meets regulations, and it works.

The cable set up can be purchased at a local trapping supply store, and the bait bag can be purchased at the trapping supply store, a marine supply

A completed, steel bear trap. On the lower right, note the earlier stove-pipe model, which did not stand up well.

All photos by the author

The design of the inner frame for the trap.

www.MaineSportsman.com

While other folks might spend their late winter and early springtime catalog-shopping for garden seeds or power-washing the back deck, the author is busy preparing for her favorite time of the year – bear-trapping season. store, or online. For less than $100, you can have a bear trap that will last, but not break the bank.

Here’s what you need to build your own regulation pipe bear trap.

Optional for anchoring set up: • 2 qty - steel ¾” nuts • 4 small carabiner snap hooks • 2 qty - 18” Wolf Fang trap anchors

the bait, use a vise to bend the round rod.

You will need two rods, each bent into a U-shape, and with outfacing tabs at the top. The tabs will hold the band where the cable is placed. The first bend is one inch at 90 degrees. Measure down 18 inches and bend 90 degrees, then at six inches bend 90 degrees and measure up 18 inches and bend a final one-inch angle.

Cut off any excess. See photo for the finished inner frame.

Position the U-shaped rods at 90 degrees to each other (like cross hairs). Hold the washer on top, and tack-weld it to the rods. You will need to bend the washer to reach all four rods.

The rods should line up with the slots in the pipe once they are assembled.

Materials: • 24” of 6-inch schedule 40 pipe (approx. $55, incl. tax) • 2 qty - 3/16-in. x 4 ft. zinc plated steel solid round rod ($16) • 1 qty - 2 1/2” OD Large flat washer with 1” ID ($2) • 1 qty - 1 in. x 3 ft. 1/8 in. thick plain steel flat bar ($10)

Instructions Begin by measuring off equal distances at the top of the pipe so that you have four points. At those points, using the disc grinder, make a one and half inch slot. It needs to be at least ¼ inch wide, so the inside of the trap can lift. You may even be able to ask the steel company to put the slots in for you, for a fee, of course.

To make the inner frame of the trap that lifts and holds

Bear trap equipped with carabiners, to secure the anchors.

Setting the snare around the barrel or pipe, which has been sunk into the ground.

• • • •

Tools needed: MIG welder 4” disc grinder Hammer Vise

(Get Out There continued on page 41)

��������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • March 2025 • 39

Bicycling Through History Biking up the steepest hill on Patch Mountain Road in the Town of Greenwood (Delorme’s Maine Atlas and Gazetteer, Map 12, C-4) was great training for an upcoming multi-day bicycle tour I had planned for last summer. But I had more on my mind that day as I ground uphill in the bike’s granny gear.

Greenwood was the area that my mother’s people homesteaded more than 200 years ago. One of its early occupants was quoted as saying that the area would have been settled earlier but “… the cussed town is so hilly that you can’t leave a cart anywhere in it without trigging a wheel.”

Whatever the reason, Greenwood was still a wilderness when William Yates moved his wife and four young children into the oneroom log cabin he built on Patch Mountain in 1802. Patch Mountain Road has reverted, in modern times, to a condition that is not that different from what was experienced by my 5th great grand-

Biking slowly on old dirt roads, at the speed of a horse or oxen team, gives modern day travelers a sense of the time and distance experienced by those from a bygone era. What effort was involved just to get to town, to get a sack of corn milled? Or even a trip to distant Portland, where the author’s relatives went as militiamen in 1814 to help build battlements intended to repel British forces?

The author on the Erie Canalway bike path. All photos provided by the author

father. The rough dirt track winds its way from Greenwood City to North Norway – two villages that were much busier and more populated two hundred years ago than they are today.

Yates Cemetery, Patch Mountain Road, Greenwood, Maine.

Mountain Biking Mountain bikes excel at this kind of travel. With low gear ratios designed for steep climbs, and wide tires with front shocks for rough descents. But the reputation of these bikes suffers from

their early connection to extreme sports.

Basic travel is an afterthought in their marketing, not their advertised specialty.

Newly built, single-track mountain bike terrain at ski resorts and bike parks

Canalway bike trail, along the Erie Canal.

get all the attention, but Maine has thousands of miles of these old, abandoned town and county roads. And the history lessons these rides offer are mind-bending.

Biking slowly on these old roads, at the speed of a horse or oxen team, gives modern day travelers a sense of time and distance from a bygone era. It makes it easier to imagine the kind of endurance that a trip to Norway Village might have required, just for William to get a sack of corn milled.

Or even a trek to Portland, where Yates and his oldest son went as militiamen in 1814 to help build battlements intended to repel British forces.

Bike travel provides an appreciation for the objective reality that is topography, and the daily physical demands our predecessors experienced living with it and overcoming it – one that motorized travelers easily ignore.

William lived and worked at his farm on Patch Mountain until (Self-Propelled continued on page 41)

Mandatory stop on a bike training ride. www.MaineSportsman.com

40 • March 2025 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————

Number of Licensed Trappers Increases by More than 100% Up until recently, the number of licensed trappers had been going down over a number of decades. Fortunately, that trend has reversed itself.

Just a couple of years ago, there were fewer than 2,000 trappers in Maine. Now just imagine this – coming into the 2024-2025 trapping season, there are 4,936 licensed trappers, and there will be even more in the woods and on the waters next season.

The public’s understanding of trapping’s role in the management of wildlife has combined with the application of Best Management Practices (BMPs) to improve the perception of trapping.

The information made available to the public in the recent Maine Furbearer Management Plan, along with the public’s involvement in that process, have increased the knowledge of the trapper’s role in wildlife management.

This process helped to educate the public about the furbearers found in Maine, and their population effects – both positive and negative – on the environment and human health. Among other things, the study revealed a lack of public knowledge about the specific species, their populations, habitat and availability for observation (night and day).

This, along with www.MaineSportsman.com

Maine now has more than twice as many trappers as it did just a few years ago. Why the increase? The author believes it’s a combination of factors, including a growing awareness of the valuable role trappers play in wildlife management, and the fact that the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has done an excellent job making the required courses easily accessible to interested sportsmen and -women.

To qualify for either a furbearer trapping license or a black bear trapping license, an applicant must first gain an in-depth knowledge of Maine’s comprehensive laws and regulations. Source: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

an upgraded Trappers Education Program provided by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IF&W), have contributed to an increased awareness of trappers and the role they play in the management of all wildlife.

Example: Coyotes A classic example of one of the factors that has drawn more of the public to trapping is the knowledge that trapping is the most effective method of combating the

effect of coyotes on the whitetail population. I believe this goal caused many folks to get involved in trapping.

Years ago a good number of women who lived in rural areas helped to supplement their family’s income by trapping. As society changed, with fewer people living in rural areas, the number of women trapping greatly decreased.

Today, however, more women are outdoors enjoying sporting activities such as

fishing, hunting and – yes – trapping. We have experienced a recent increase in the number of women who are becoming trappers.

Bear Trapping Another activity that is drawing more men and women is the trapping of bear. That increase has caused IF&W to create a course specifically designed to address bear trapping. The state’s “Black Bear Trapping Education Course” has been developed to en-

sure that anyone wishing to trap a bear understands the importance of bears in our ecosystem, trapping’s role in bear management, and the laws and regulations specific to that activity.

The course specifically addresses the lawful, ethical and safe trapping of bear. One must complete the course online or in person to get a bear trapping permit and associated license.

Individuals wanting to trap furbearers must first take the “Trapper Education Course.” This course teaches responsible trapping of furbearers. It provides a foundation of knowledge and skills to build on.

The course is 10 hours long, and covers ethics, equipment, responsible trap-setting, BMPs, and wildlife management.

Those who complete the course receive a Trapper Education Certification card. Both the Trapper Education and Black Bear Trapper Education courses can be taken by going to the IF&W website, and reviewing the “Educational Programs” tab.

Non-resident Licenses Although the numbers of non-resident furbearer licenses have decreased in recent years, the demand for non-resident bear trapping has greatly increased. Many out(Continued on next page)

��������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • March 2025 • 41 (Continued from page 40)

of-state trappers want the chance to trap a bear, because their states do not allow bear trapping.

If a non-resident wants to trap a bear in Maine, they have several options. A review of the Bear Trapping Regulations in the current Summary of Maine Trapping Laws will explain those options.

To increase one’s knowledge of – and to associate with others of a like mind and enjoy all the activity of trapping – an individual should join the Maine Trappers Association (MTA). The

annual Maine Trappers Association meeting and educational seminars from IF&W will take place Friday, March 28 at the State of Maine Sportsman’s Show in Augusta, ME. Trapping is a lifelong education in wildlife. Trappers also encounter a great number of trials and tribulations while learning the trade. I recently read an article in the January 2025 edition of Fur-Fish-Game magazine, titled “Lessons from the Book of the Woods,” by Ben Johnson, which addresses this topic about as well as one could.

¶

Get Out There (Continued from page 38)

To make the band on the outside of the trap, hammer the flat rod around the pipe, making it slightly larger than the pipe, and tack-weld the seam.

Grind flat.

With inner frame inside the pipe, place band down around pipe until it rests on tabs. Tack-weld each rod to the band, and grind flat. You want the inside to lift freely and not rub on the pipe, so you may need to tweak the fit.

The final weld is to close each slot

Self-Propelled (Continued from page 39)

he was 96 years old. He and his wife Martha left their mark, with the birth of 13 children and their 72 grandchildren – a legacy that hasn’t yet outlasted the early stone walls on his homestead.

William’s sons – they called him “Sir” – noted that he tended his garden four days before he died. He and Martha were buried in the Patch Mountain Cemetery, at the edge of land that was once their farm.

The old burial ground was a mandatory stop after climbing the hill.

Erie Canal Bike Tour Two weeks later, I found myself biking with my daughter in upstate New York along the Erie Canalway – a 400-mile off-road, non-motorized bike route that follows the course of the ca-

Outdoor Safety Courses Maine law requires all firearms, archery, crossbow and trapping license applicants to complete an outdoor safety course, unless they have previously held an adult license.

To purchase a bear trapping permit, applicants must complete the black bear trapping education course online or in-person; learn more at mefishwildlife.com/bearcourse. Exceptions to this course requirement can be found on the “bear trapping” page.

Furbearer trapping courses are traditional, in-person classes.

Firearms, bowhunter and crossbow hunter safety courses are available in two different formats: online, and traditional in-person classes. An in-person skills and exam session is required for stu-

dents ages 10-15 who take firearms and bowhunter safety courses online. The in-person classes are sponsored by school districts, sports clubs and civic groups, and are taught statewide by volunteer instructors certified by MDIFW. Advance registration is typically required.

To begin taking a course online or to register for an in-person course, visit www.maine.gov/ifw, and check the “programs and resources” tab. For information on becoming a volunteer instructor, contact your local Regional Safety Coordinator or the Recreational Safety Division Office, (207) 2875220.

Source: Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

above the band so the frame cannot be pulled from the main pipe. Once welded, grind flat so that the band will move smoothly.

We opted to add nuts to the outsides of the pipe, so the trap can be anchored.

This prohibits bear from stealing the trap. They may try to dig it out, but it’s rarely removed once set for the season, unless we remove it. By adding small carabiners to the Wolf Fang anchors, it makes removing the trap easier if you need to clean it, or to replace the bait bag, which is held in place with zip ties from the bottom. The bottom of the trap is open, to help with drainage and

to keep the bait dry.

The trap is done. Make sure you get a new cable set-up to go with it, and you’ll be ready for the season. Don’t worry about keeping it pretty. It will rust, but it’ll catch bear. If you have any questions, please reach out to me; I’ll be happy to help.

To review the rules on manufacturing a bear trap, go to the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife’s website, maine.gov/ifw, and follow tabs for “Hunting and Trapping,” “Trapping Laws and Rules” and “Bear Trapping.”

nal from Buffalo to Albany.

While William was toiling away on Patch Mountain up in Maine, immigrants from Yates’ homeland of Scotland and other European countries were digging the big ditch by hand. The canal has been called the first American engineering marvel – opening commercial traffic between the east coast and the Great Lakes in 1825.

Today, the canal is mostly a tourist attraction and outdoor historical museum. Pleasure boaters still travel the canal as part of the Great Loop circuit of the Eastern U.S. And the bike route travels mostly along the towpaths, where mules once pulled 60,000-lb. canal boats east and west. The bike trail is justly renowned as one of the longest continuous off-road routes in the country.

We were on a supported bike tour sponsored by the non-profit New York

Parks and Trails, Inc. The ride reminded me of past bike trips on the annual Trek Across Maine tour. Campsites, gear shuttle, catered rest stops, along with morning and evening meals, were all provided, making the logistics simple.

But behind the tourism industry, in the tiny, quiet canal towns, there was a hint of Greenwood City and North Norway. Villages that had their heyday 200 years ago, when the daily strain of hard labor was unrelieved by motorized assistance, retain a certain atmosphere. Patch Mountain Road and the tow path were both created by the same process – human muscle and persistence.

Which were the same two ingredients necessary to ride 50 miles per day along the trail.

A bicycle is a time machine.

¶

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www.MaineSportsman.com

42 • March 2025 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————

When to Hang It Up This is for coots and geezers who hunt and shoot. I suspect there are a lot of you, because Maine is the state with the highest percentage of older residents, and from what I’ve seen, there are a lot of us relics who still enjoy the smell of burning gunpowder.

But age takes its toll, and sooner or later, you’ll either have to cut way back or stop popping primers altogether. Oddly, no one seems to have written anything about this. Therefore, let me.

Subtle Clues If you hunt and shoot and have gotten old, that fact will be brought to your attention by those around you. In my case, I was first put on notice in Montana, where the pickup in which I was riding got stuck in the snow. The two young cowhands in the cab bailed out to push, and I followed. “Where the hell do you think you’re going?” asked the driver, who was not young. “Get back in here.” In that moment, regardless of what my age was, I was old. That was my first official notice. There would be more.

In Alaska, I shot a moose, and those moose are much bigger than ours, scaling around 1,600 pounds, which translates to around 500 pounds of meat that you have to carry out on a pack frame, because there’s no other way to do it.

There was me, and the outfitter, and a young guide, and we were going to have to haul it through the worst bog I’ve ever slogged through. “How long do you think it will take us?” I asked, filled with dread.

“Us?” exclaimed the outfitter, who was no spring chicken. “There’s no ‘us’.

We’ve got half a dozen young guides back at the lodge. They’re going to do it.”

And finally, here in Maine, at the Scarborough Fish & Game Club, I was brought up short in the pits where you set up target frames before a shoot, and take them down afterwards. The chief range safety officer told me that he did not want to see me hauling target frames anymore. He actually told me twice, because the first time, I thought he was kidding. He was not kidding. www.MaineSportsman.com

“Those television ads you see of smiling seniors jogging along beaches,” says the author, “are not real.

If they showed those same people frantically looking for a place to take a leak, or clutching at their chests and wondering what that strange sensation was, they’d be more on target.”

Hunt as late in life as you can, says the author, until such time as you put yourself or others at risk.

Things Don’t Work Any More If by some wild chance you aren’t informed by outside sources, your own body will tell you that it’s time for sober reflection. Those television ads you see of smiling seniors jogging along beaches are not real. If they showed those same people frantically looking for a place to take a leak, or clutching at their chests and wondering what that strange sensation was, they’d be more on target.

The fact is that once you get into your sixties, or before, things start to fail. A bowhunter friend of mine who was an officer in Special Forces and was a very hard case, told me he has so much

titanium in his legs that the price of golf clubs has skyrocketed. He has hung up his bow.

About 40 years ago, when hunting license sales first began declining, the National Shooting Sports Foundation did a survey to find out why, and the number one cause for people getting out of the sport was their friends leaving. When the people you’ve looked forward to seeing all year stop showing up, it gets very, very lonely. Nothing can take their place and, trust me, hanging out with people who are thirty years younger than you are is no substitute.

Nor can you keep up with them. Nor should you try. One of the saddest sights I’ve seen was in an Alaska caribou camp where one of our number, who was in his 70s and was one of the very few people to take all 28 species of North American big game, spent the whole two weeks silently enraged at himself because he was slow and clumsy and exhausted, since he could not keep up with the 40and 50-year-olds who were his companions. He should never have come, and he never hunted again.

You may have to quit to save what little hearing you have left. Life is very, very difficult when most of your hearing is gone, and if you’ve shot for decades, even with noise-canceling ear muffs, I can guarantee you’ve lost a big chunk of it. Hearing aids are just that. They help somewhat, but it’s not like having ears that actually work.

Safety Concerns And finally, there’s the question of safety. Old people become lost. Old people fall. When they do, they break bones.

Or they fall with a gun in their hands, and that’s another matter entirely. Or they forget their gun is loaded, and because of long familiarity with firearms, they don’t check.

There’s a saying that God, in his mercy, does not give us to know when we’ve fired our last shot. True enough, and you don’t want that last shot to be an accidental discharge.

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��������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • March 2025 • 43

Maine’s Tradition of Leaving Canoes Beside Remote Ponds I’m sure we’ve all found one: a canoe, rowboat or kayak stashed along a pond so far in the woods that it seems impossible to have been brought in by humans.

I recall the first time I found one: A good friend and I had been partridge hunting, and we hiked into an interesting pond we found on the Gazetteer. When we arrived at the makeshift put-in spot, we were surprised to find a couple of old, decrepit canoes flipped over just along the shoreline.

Intrigued, we walked the shore and found a few more.

So what is the deal with the mysterious boats strewn about the Maine woods? For those who don’t know, it’s not uncommon for

Lock it? Or leave it unlocked? Use an unchained canoe, or leave it alone? And if you’ve got an old canoe, how do you get it to a pond that offers no road access? an angler to stow a canoe or kayak (or sometimes even an aluminum boat) in a difficult-to-access pond. It makes it much easier to fish the body of water, since you don’t have to carry a canoe in and out every time, and you don’t have to fish from shore.

However, this situation raises an important question: What are the rules around these “trout-pond canoes”?

Landowners Make the Rules Not surprisingly, there is a scarcity of legal decisions governing the rights of a person who stows a

The author and a friend acquired a beatup canoe, but before they dragged it to a remote pond, it required certain repairs, such as a replacement thwart made from a section of PVC pipe.

All photos by the author

canoe in the woods.

Ultimately, it’s within the discretion of the landowner whether to allow canoes to be left in the woods along ponds.

Since this North Woods tradition has been around for so long, it seems safe to say that most of the major timber company landowners in Maine don’t have much of a problem with it, when it’s done responsibly.

However, I have seen some instances in which these canoe stashes are getting nearly out of hand, and I can see the potential for problems

with landowners.

For example, it seems that the old Maine tradition is for one or two canoes to be stowed along a pond, with the understanding that someone may come along and make use of the boat you stored. As long as it’s put back upside-down in the same location, and is not mistreated, that seems harmless.

It’s part of a sportsman’s honor system.

Too Much of a Good Thing However, problems may start when people begin to lock their boats up to trees. I can see why owners try to

Here, the anglers haul the repaired canoe down a rocky hillside to the shore of a likely-looking trout pond.

secure their boats – it’s a leap of faith to assume that nobody will take advantage of your good intention, and damage – or steal – your boat.

“The world would be a perfect place, if it weren’t for all the people,” as my dad would say.

However, this creates a problem. If 30 people frequent one secluded trout pond, and everyone locks their canoe up each time they fish, everyone else is incentivized to bring their own boat in. Further, if everyone locked them up, there would be 30 old canoes sitting on one pond.

This is not only wasteful, but also an unpleasant blemish (Nolan’s Outdoor World continued on page 45)

The author’s father holds a nice trout – signifying a successful maiden voyage for the canoe out onto the pond. www.MaineSportsman.com

44 • March 2025 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————

Chasing the Past, and BIG NEWS! I recently acquired a 1969 copy of FurFish-Game. After perusing the 56-year-old magazine that caters to trappers, I concluded that the more things change, the more they stay the same.

To get a feel for the difference between then and now, I compared it to a recent issue of the same periodical. Nice to see that, much like The Maine Sportsman, that magazine has stood the test of time.

First, the cover format hasn’t changed a bit. They still use a copy of an original art painting on the cover.

The heading uses the same font and color as the original. The newer copy looked a little brighter.

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Classic magazines like The Maine Sportsman and Fur-Fish-Game have served outdoor enthusiasts for decades. Many of the advertisers in both magazines have also passed the test of time, continuing to offer quality products and services, and continuing to advertise to loyal readers. Bill Sheldon photo

Price Change Of course, the price has changed. Back then, 35 cents bought

readers timely outdoor information. A modern copy costs a penny shy of six dollars. Both is-

The author covers the gambit in this month’s column, from a vintage copy of Fur-Fish-Game, to alligators, a modern outboard motor, a colorful tandem fly, and trailer wheel bearings. Come along for the ride!

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sues had exactly 64 pages, not counting the front and back covers.

The vintage issue included information on a range of topics, such as using deer scents, an overview of goose hunting, a fishing and tenting adventure, a Kentucky coon hunt, and a how-to article on hunting bobcats. They also covered rabbit hunting, bass fishing, and survival tactics.

The 2024 version also had articles on bear hunting and – 56 years later – rabbit hunting. For all the technology we have added to our sport, the core values still ring true with out-

door types around the globe. Did I mention both magazines contained goose hunting articles?

The Trapline, Gun Rack and Fish & Tackle columns have survived for half a century plus. Longtime Maine Sportsman readers can attest to the longevity of many of the columns that grace these pages. It led me to wonder, “Have things really changed that much?”

Timeless Advertisements As an avid reader and critic of “other” magazines, I delved deep into the vintage issue’s advertisers.

I never realized how

many outdoor product companies in business today existed 56 years ago.

Ever hear of a company called L.L.Bean?

How about Rapala, Fred Arbogast, CCI Ammunition, Mossberg, Browning Arms, Ruger Firearms, Buck Knives, Williams Sights, Mepps, and Plano Tackle boxes?

My prize find was an advertisement by Maine’s Oscar Cronk.

Cronk wrote the trapping column for The Maine Sportsman for many years. His company sold, and still sells, trapping lures and supplies.

The internet age has eliminated the need for the “Handy Mail-in-Coupons” offered by many of the advertisers in the 1969 Fur-Fish-Game edition. I guess technology has had a major impact on how folks do business.

It’s safe to say our outdoor passions are strong, enduring and ready to meet the challenges ahead.

Locked and Loaded Each year, I spend a good part of the month of March getting ready for a busy spring season. I’m a big believer in looking down the road for alligators, and shooting them before they bite me. Gear preparation rates as job #1 this month.

Time flies, and it’s easy to forget just how (Continued on next page)

��������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • March 2025 • 45 (Continued from page 44)

old that spooled-up fishing line is. It’s usually much older than I thought. Rather than having the catch of a lifetime swim away, I replace all fishing line now. Reels get a drop of oil and a dab of grease. Sunlight really takes its toll on lines.

Big News The BIGGIE for this year includes replacing my 1981 outboard motor with a brand new 60-horse-

power 4-stroke. Old Betsy was running just fine. However, the lure of a quiet running, not-so-smokey 4-stroke proved irresistible. No more being the smokiest guy on the lake.

The new motor has a feature that allows me to lower the RPMs for slow trolling. I’m thinking this will eliminate the need for a trolling plate. When I’m trolling for salmon on Matagamon Lake or Grand Lake in

Nolan’s Outdoor World (Continued from page 43)

on the beautiful, natural landscape.

Having seen it firsthand, it seems ridiculous: I’ve never seen more than one canoe in use at most of these ponds at one time, and it really wouldn’t be all that bad to share.

Getting Your Canoe to the Pond So if you wish to stash your canoe in

Grand Lake Stream, I like to do two miles per hour. The lower RPMs should make this easy.

Oh, and one more feature, one that promises to save my tired back – power tilt.

It’s just getting harder when I want to lift that 200-plus pound motor. I’ll report back on how all these newfangled features work.

Tandem Flies And I’ve got to tie some flies. For salmon trolling, I use stream-

ers. Big, easy-to-seeand-tie streamers. I start with the colorful Sheldon creation I call Bandy the Rodeo Clown. It’s just a big, colorful, glittery attractor fly. I follow that up with a traditional Black Nose Dace.

I gang-tie them to a section of leader separated by mini barrel swivels. Then I roll them up on a pool noodle. The foam noodle works slick for holding pre-rigged tandem streamers, and floats

a small pond off the beaten path, there are a few ways to get it in place. My school friend and I struck gold recently when we purchased an old beat-up canoe. After some repairs, she was ready for her maiden voyage to a small pond that offered no road or trail access.

We hiked the canoe in, down a hillside from the nearest road, using a canoe dolly when we could.

In other places, I’ve seen folks transport their canoe in the winter to

in case the whole rig gets dropped overboard.

And one real important maintenance item before I tug this 18-foot fish-catching machine to Matagamon and Grand Lake – I check the tires and bearings on the trailer. That’s one fewer alligator waiting to bite me in the keister.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

¶

their spot, pulling it over the snow by hand or with a snowmobile.

Social Experiment?

A stashed canoe can be an interesting social experiment – to lock or not to lock? To use, or leave alone? To allow, or to forbid?

For now, the tradition of sharing is still going strong here in Maine, just as it has for decades.

¶

Trophy Gallery

Junior Hunter Skyler Kurr Completes her Grand Slam Maine Sportsman subscriber Skyler Kurr, age 16 of Nobleboro, had a memorable 2024, achieving her Grand Slam in style.

Starting in April with two tom turkeys, including a 19-lb, 10-oz. bird, she continued her pursuit of membership in the patch club with a 170-lb black bear from Connor TWP on August 29, followed by a 600-lb bull moose on October 16 in T13 R10 Wels, and wrapping up with a 162-lb. whitetail buck in Nobleboro on November 5. The game animals’ weights were certified by Joey Bearce, at JZ Meat Processing, in Windsor.

Skyler has an extremely supportive family, including her dad Jeremy (who supervised the hunts) and her mom, Shawna. “Skyler’s hunting journey began at the age of 5,” Shawna wrote to us, “when she first joined her father on deer and turkey hunts.”

Skyler has learned to field dress game, including helping to quarter and pack out her 2024 moose. “Carrying just the moose’s head and hide on my back was so heavy, I had to lean forward the entire time to avoid falling over backward,” she told The Sportsman.

Skyler has no plans to slow down.

While starting to plan her college education, she will also travel to Montana in the fall of 2025 for her first elk hunt.

www.MaineSportsman.com

46 • March 2025 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————

Winchester Model 42 a Timeless Classic With my feet firmly planted in the deep snow on an overgrown logging road, I leaned an ear to the baying hounds.

Snowshoe hare tracks littered the snow. Three rabbit hounds sorted out the difference between hot tracks and last week’s news.

Hares make a ton of tracks. It’s easy to get excited looking at beat-down rabbit runs. Nocturnal by nature, they spend the midnight hours bouncing back and forth on many of the same trails. During daylight hours they lay low, often tucked neatly in a depression, or up tight to a low-slung conifer.

That’s where sharp-nosed bunny busters earn their keep. Once they decipher a hot track, nervous hares take note. The chase is on.

The Model 42 in .410 took the best features of its “big brother,” the Winchester Model 12, and improved upon them, says the author. In 1933, the Model 42 sold for $25. Today, some are valued at 600 times that amount.

There’s one question every rabbit guide hears: “How much of a lead does the rabbit have on the dog?”

They all say it depends on the dog. I’ve shot hares 20 minutes before the dogs came through. My son, Willie, has an amazingly fast Podengo (Portuguese rabbit hound) that darn near catches them. Most guides use the slower-moving beagles.

Snowshoe hare season runs until March 31. It’s the last hurrah before I put my hare-hunting tools away, and break out my fly-fishing toys.

And for reasons that

make little or no sense, I’ve added another tool to my bunny-busting program.

Winchester Model 42 For some unexplained reason, I’ve always wanted a Winchester Model 42 pump shotgun. This scaled-down version of the iconic Model 12 went on the market in 1933 during the Great Depression. Production ceased in 1963.

The little .410, chambered in three inches, hit the shelves for a whopping $25.

That’s only $606 in today’s money. Collectors sell these sweethearts for $1,500 to

$15,000, depending on grade and condition. They came in five grades: Standard, Deluxe, Skeet, Trap, and Pigeon Grade.

Bill settled for a standard grade in mint condition. Married men do not talk about how much they pay for guns.

The now-collectible Winchester was designed as a standalone .410 that took the best features of its big brother Model 12, and incorporated some improvements.

The Model 12, also known as the “Perfect Repeater,” could be slam-fired (i.e., if you hold the trigger back and work

the pump, the shotshells will fire one after another as soon as they are in place in the chamber). This “holdthe-trigger-and-pump” feature was eliminated in the Model 42.

Trap and skeet shooters soaked up the 3-inch shells and enjoyed the lighter recoil.

Most Model 42 shooters consider the little gun a scaled-down 20 gauge. For me, carrying less weight into the woods and reduced recoil combined to signal a win. It has plenty of knock-down power for small game.

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line, but the heavy-duty equipment rolling through that makes me hesitate to loose a dog. I’m hoping that once things settle down, it will make sense to run hounds again in the areas northeast of Moscow.

That means my Model 42 will head to new covers on the west side of Route 201. That stretch from Bingham to the Canadian Border has a lot of acreage from which to choose.

Snowshoe Hare Habitat Looking for new territory has me keying in on specific habitat. Snowshoe hares thrive in coniferous forests. The soft-needled balsam deserves special attention. I won’t overlook spruce mixed with aspen, either. Thick, low hanging cover suits these “White Ghosts of the Forest” simply fine.

Thanks to watching “Bugs Bunny” as children, many folks think that rabbits live in holes. Actually, snowshoe hares prefer to rest under low-slung branches, taking ad-

The author has added a Winchester Model 42 to his bunny-busting and bird-hunting endeavors. The .410 gauge, three-inch chambered classic pump shotgun was manufactured from 1933 through 1963. Purchasing this classic firearm keeps alive the author’s streak of never owning a shotgun with modern insert chokes. Bill Sheldon photo

vantage of the natural shelters. Brush piles are hare magnets.

My cousin Donald got a bunny moving by repeatedly stomping on a brush pile created by the top of a tree that fell in the forest.

When the rabbit finally came out, it ran under him so fast that by the time he turned around, the rabbit was gone.

This time of year, the nocturnal hare survives by eating tender tree growth.

Think young, newer trees as tasty morsels

that help get these long-footed speedsters through the long cold Maine winter.

Tall grass edging the path wiggled enough to give away the fast-moving target.

I readied my 20-gauge Browning pump gun.

The rabbit planned on clearing the overgrown trail with one long jump.

Shooting at airborne rabbits is akin to upland bird hunting. I swung through the flying bunny and squeezed the Browning’s gold trigger.

That rabbit did an end-over-end flip in mid-air, and landed on the far side of the path. It made standing in the snow on a frigid

winter day suddenly make sense. I hope to repeat that shot with my Model 42.

¶

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48 • March 2025 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————

— Guest Column —

My Winchester .264

by Rob Kilcollins

Rob Kilcollins of Fort Fairfield got the heaviest deer registered in The Maine Sportsman’s “Biggest Bucks” patch club last season – 261 pounds. The deer was 540 yards away when he pulled the trigger. Kilcollins’ firearm of choice? A .264 Winchester. We asked him about the .264, and this is what he said.

My interest in the .264 caliber comes from my father, who has used this caliber in the forms of the 6.5 Rem magnum, .264 Win Mag and as an early adopter of the 6.5 Creedmoor in the early 2000s. .264 diameter bullets are very long for their weight, which increases their sectional density, making, for example, a 150-gr .264 projectile considerably longer than a 30 caliber 150-gr projectile.

This equates to better penetration on game per given bullet weight.

Put simply, a hunter can “cheat” (reduce) recoil by using a lighter projectile, with a lighter powder charge, if the hunter selects quality hunting bullets that feature a high sectional density.

As a handloader, I prefer the .260 Remington over the 6.5 Creedmoor. By means of handloading, I’m able to extract slightly more velocity than the Creedmoor.

These two cartridges specifically, with their mid 40-ish grains of smokeless powder stoking a 130-140 grain projectile anywhere from 2600 to 2800 feet per second, is not only ideal for me, but also for hunters across Scandinavia and Europe who have used the 6.5x55 Swede cartridge to take more moose in their respective areas than perhaps any other cartridge in the world. The 6.5x55 Swede dates back 100 years. A .264 cartridge using roughly 50gr of smokeless powder is preferred over a 130-160-gr round nose projectile!

I’ve had a great deal of success with whitetails, moose and bears using the 260 Remington. Its combination of low recoil, high sectional density, flat trajectory and high ballistic coefficient make it a sleeper of a caliber.

It’s been rapidly gaining popularity among hunters and sport shooters alike the past 20 years, with the advent of cartridges like the 6.5PRC, 6.5 Grendel, 6.5 RPM Weatherby and 6.5x47 Lapua.

I’ve been able to practice shooting on an 800-yard range I built myself.

I’m blessed to live in an extremely rural area. I have no neighbors within a halfmile. 275 acres of potato fields surround my house. www.MaineSportsman.com

The author’s rifle, and the Kestrel, which calculates bullet drop for a known distance. Photos by the author

In the field directly behind my house, I placed suspended steel targets in front of a dirt berm. The steel targets can be easily painted for visibility, and provide fast data for range finding, as well as an audible sound when hit. I rarely need to use a spotting scope, since most modern scopes equipped with the appropriate magnification and adjustment can spot the hits on the steel, or the splash in the dirt.

Unlike in most of the state, the bulk of public hunting land within 50 miles

The author practices frequently on his 800-yard homemade range, and keeps track of the results.

of my residence consists of large, open fields. The local tactic is to pay attention to crop rotations, with whatever field offers the highest content of food source being the one most apt to provide a likely quarry in the early morning or late evening feeding time.

With modern scopes and data, it’s easier than ever to establish an accurate bullet drop chart at known distances. A quality range finder is a must, as well as knowing the specific velocity of your ammunition, found by shooting over a chronograph.

Modern ballistic software, such as the kestrel pictured, allow a shooter to input the data from their rifle, and then input any given range. An accurate firing solution will be displayed.

The accepted rule is that 1000ft-lbs of kinetic energy or more are required for consistent and ethical harvesting of game. If one were to use that as a baseline, that would make the effective hunting range for medium-sized game roughly 750 yards with a .264 caliber projectile of 143 grains going 2800 fps.

I find this a little too optimistic, and like most, I prefer to keep my shots as close as possible. Beyond 550 yards, environmental factors, primarily wind and bullet flight time, provide too many variables for my liking.

The low recoil of the .264 also allows me to follow my shot all the way into the game itself. This has saved me countless hours of tracking or guesswork, since I’m able to see the shot on game, and track its movements afterwards.

Using this year’s 261-lb buck as an example – I was able to see the big deer, set down a proper firing position, scan it with a rangefinder, input the range into my kestrel, input that data into my scope, carefully take aim, and watch the bullet in flight as it stayed true to the target.

Even as I lost sight of the big deer when it dropped, I had full confidence in the shot due to low recoil. The distance between us served as my environmental cloak.

¶

��������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • March 2025 • 49

Different Seasons in the Big Woods

by Hal Blood

After the deer seasons are over, we take some time to swap stories and reminisce about those days in the woods. There are trade shows to attend through the winter, where people go to keep themselves immersed in the outdoor world. There are plenty of other things going on in the Big Woods, not only in the winter, but all year-round.

Winter For example, antler hunting has grown in interest over the years for both deer and moose antlers.

When I started looking for moose antlers thirty years ago, there were only a couple of us roaming the north Maine woods in search of antler on our snowmobiles. I would wait a week between trips to an area and nobody else had been there.

Now, you would be lucky to find anywhere where someone hasn’t traveled within 2 or 3 days. I’m sure the value of the antlers has been a contributing factor, but the recreational aspect has also driven the increase.

Winter hunting for rabbits, bobcats, and coyotes are great winter sports and will help you keep your shoot skills sharp for the next deer season.

Coyote hunting with hounds has really gained support over the ten years. Hound hunting is effective, as

While hunting in the fall gets all the attention, there’s plenty to do during the other three seasons of the year in the Big Woods – especially activities such as scouting, staying in shape, and getting your gear ready for next fall’s hunting!

Hal Blood’s grandson Rylan shows off some moose antlers found in the snowy woods. Photo provided by the author

you can target the coyotes in the deer yards, where they are doing the most damage. The coyotes do not kill every deer they chase, but the cumulative stress on the deer from being chased over the winter wears them down, and they will lie down and die anyway.

My observation of this over the years is

SS

that in a bad winter, more deer will die from being harassed than will actually be taken down by coyotes. The end result is that coyotes are responsible for those deaths.

nutrition for the animals coming out of a long cold winter. This is vital to the survival of not only adult ani-

mals but more importantly to the newborn of the year.

As hunters, we should enjoy the spring by doing things like scouting for deer, which will help you come fall. Spend some time in new places looking for sign, instead of relying on your old haunts. You could arrive at one of your old haunts come fall, and find out that it’s now a clear-cut.

While you’re at it, you could always grab your fishing rod and catch brookies. Who knows – you might find some fiddleheads to pick along the way.

Since winter is the time when most of us seem to put on a few extra pounds, spring is a great time to put a good exercise plan in effect.

Walking is always a good start, but make (Big Woods World continued on page 51)

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50 • March 2025 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————

How to Choose an Outfitter Last month, I wrote about my successful hunt in Saskatchewan. The trip was a dream come true. Readers and friends have asked who I went with, why I chose this outfitter, and if I’d go back again. There are myriad responses to those questions. For other hunters dreaming of hunting big-bodied whitetails in northern Canada, here are my answers.

As often happens, my friends hunt with outfitters across the country. In this case, my good friend John had hunted with Spirit Creek Outfitters (SCO)

What makes a good outfitter? The author runs through the various factors that go into a successful outfitted hunt – especially a destination, bucketlist trip. in Weekes, SK for the last three years. John hunts whitetails and black bears with SCO. When your buddies travel to places you want to go, the best thing you can do is listen to them, and ask them questions.

A Trusted Friend While John has killed only one bear and has not killed a whitetail with SCO, I need to add some context. John is a very accomplished deer and

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bear hunter. His trophy room is something dreams are made of.

With more than 35 shoulder mounts on his walls, John is more picky than most hunters. If he’s pulling the trigger or letting an arrow fly during an outfitted hunt, the buck will be 150” or larger.

When a guy like John tells me he likes an outfitter, the area, the lodging and the food, I listen. When that guy has been a friend for over 30 years, the information is invaluable.

It wouldn’t be fair to not mention my other friends, Sebby and

Nick. Both have hunted with SCO twice, and both have been successful. Nick has killed two 150-class bucks in two visits, while Sebby killed a beautiful eight-point on his first trip.

Seeing is Believing Most outfitters have websites and Facebook pages. Photos are posted, as these are often their best way to advertise success. After all, seeing is believing. One of the things I loved about SCO was the weekly posting of successful hunters. Week after week, I’d check in to see the bucks

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that were killed. Those weekly harvest photos, instead of a big photo dump at the end of the season, added credibility.

Dean Sliva, owner and Head Guide at Spirit Creek Outfitters, has operated SCO since 2007 for big game animals. He has also offered guided waterfowl hunts since 2001.

SCO operates in a nearly one-millionacre area, so they don’t run out of deer or places to hunt. Each year, SCO hosts 50-60 deer hunters and 60 + bear hunters. Deer hunts are five days, with 1112 hunters in camp at once. In addition, Dean runs a “South Camp,” and hosts another six hunters there, weekly.

SCO has a 130” minimum score on their whitetails. From my experience, this is 10” less than most other outfitters, but this allows hunters to shoot bucks that might still be their largest, without being “fined.”

Accommodations were very good. Each hunter had his or her own room. There’s a large, communal bathroom for all to share, but it never felt cramped. In addition, there’s a great lounge area with a TV, and couches and chairs for hunters to relax in, after dinner and before bed. This was a great place to get to know the other hunters.

Food is all-import(Continued on next page)

��������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • March 2025 • 51 (Continued from page 50)

ant on these hunts.

Chef Sheryl is a great cook. Smoked chicken, ribs, meatloaf, ham, wings and delicious desserts awaited us each evening. Each morning, there’d be coffee, eggs, French toast, hash-browns and bacon, and the sandwich bar would be ready for each hunter to take what they wanted to their blinds.

Food is extremely important when choosing an outfitter.

Communication from the outfitter is very important to me.

I want the outfitter to speak with me, and answer questions. I’ve reached out to outfitters with interest in

their services and had them respond once, then ignore texts or emails after. We all get busy with life, and a busy guide isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

However, a potential sport (customer) deserves attention. Ignoring them isn’t good business. Dean Sliva was very responsive, even though he mostly works with return customers.

Finally, and of great importance to most hunters, is price.

With Saskatchewan deer hunts running $9,000 and higher, the price of an outfitter was very significant to me. For 2024, SCO’s five-day hunts cost just under $5,000, not including the license

Big Woods Bucks (Continued from page 49)

sure you include uphill and downhill, so you get your cardio in. Walk as much as you can, and remember – the energy you will exert by walking a mile on the road will only get you a half of a mile in the woods.

Summer I have a term I call “the summer doldrums.” The warm temperatures that lure people to beaches and vacations become a top priority for some.

and tag. For a bucket list hunt, this was an affordable option for me. It was a big reason I chose to hunt with SCO. We’ve all got bucket list hunts, but not all of us will be fortunate enough to live our dreams. I’m thankful to have found an outfitter who delivered all he promised. While I didn’t shoot a giant, I know SCO has them.

They kill a few bucks over 170” each season, and most of the mature bucks they harvest dress well over 200 pounds, with some in the 270-pound range. This is an outfitter and hunt I hope to experience again.

¶

The author took this selfie after dinner, with many of the sports who were hunting the final week of the 2024 deer season with Spirit Creek Outfitters.

Joe says meeting people from all over the country is one of his favorite parts of these trips.

Thoughts of hunting temporarily wane for most hunters.

When you get those things out of the way, it’s time to start working on getting ready for hunting season again. Go through your clothing, gear and guns to make sure everything is serviceable and in working order. Don’t waste any time replacing the things you need. As we drift into fall, things become harder to find, especially if you are an odd size or shoot an uncommon caliber. Believe me, I’m guilty of dropping the ball as well when it comes to this preparation.

It usually causes you to end up spend-

ing more money than it should have. In Maine, summer turns into fall quickly.

Bear hunters will start putting out baits by the end of July, which to most people is the peak of summer. The bear hunt begins in late August, and that rolls right into moose season. Then, fall is once upon us, and another deer season is right around the corner. The next thing you know, another year has come and gone.

Cherish all the days, weeks, months and seasons.

¶

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52 • March 2025 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————

.44 Ruger Magnum Carbine – Light, Lithe, and Power to Spare Looks can be deceiving. The accompanying photo (see next page) does not show the popular and nearly ubiquitous Ruger 10/22, named for its .22 rimfire rotary magazine capacity of ten rounds. Rather, the photo shows the 10/22’s 64-year-old – and less well-known – parent. Indeed, the photo shows the rifle that actually spawned Sturm, Ruger & Co.’s rifle-making efforts.

Released to the public in 1961 and built on their previous success with the

“Like the Winchester Model 94 and the Marlin Model 336, the Remington Model 44 Magnum shouts working class,” says the author. “This is a rifle for the field, and it was designed to put meat on the table.”

Blackhawk revolver utilizing the .44 Remington Magnum cartridge, this carbine represented the efforts

by Ruger’s engineers to design a rifle for deer hunting in thick terrain.

Initially called “The Deerstalker,” it was Ruger’s first attempt to manufacture a rifle. New York’s Ithaca Gun Company

quickly filed suit over the Deerstalker name conflicting with one of their shotguns. As a result, Ruger dropped that name in 1962. After that, the little center-fire became known as the Model 44, with no apparent negative impact on its popularity.

Within a short period of time, production of the carbine

included three variations on the original.

The RS included an aperture sight rather than the folding leaf of the original, as well as sling swivels.

The Sporter included a Monte Carlo stock.

And the International utilized a Mannlicher-style full stock.

Over the course of 25 years, Ruger produced 250,000 Model

44 carbines in all of its various configurations. Production ended in 1985 due to the high costs associated with machining the solid steel receiver and providing the American walnut stocks, but as you can see, the idea of a handy, lightweight rifle in .44 Magnum didn’t end with that first round of production in 1961.

And it continued with more variations on the theme.

Spin-offs of the Model 44 included the Model 96 lever-action carbine, and a scaleddown .44 Magnum version of the Model 77 bolt-action rifle.

They returned to the semi-automatic format with the introduction of the Model 99/44 “Deerfield” carbine in 2000. The modernized Deerfield utilized a four-round detachable rotary magazine similar to the 10/22. In another post-Bill Ruger cost-cutting move, the company shut down the run of Deerfield rifles in 2006.

Utilitarian Chic Always meant for the hunter, the trapper, the farmer, or the rancher, the Model 44 mostly defied the frills that collectors so often want. Like the Winchester Model 94, the Marlin Model 336 and some others, the Model 44 shouts “working class.” This is a rifle for the field, and was designed to put meat (Continued on next page)

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on the table.

The 44 carbine has always employed an 18½-inch barrel, making it 37 inches overall, and weighing-in at about six pounds. The carbine’s maximum capacity is one round in the chamber and four in the magazine.

Up through 1985, the first generation had a tubular magazine completely enclosed in the stock forward of the trigger guard, and loaded in similar fashion to a semi-automatic or pump shotgun. The magazine tube does limit the use of some longer bullets, but plenty of options remain.

The blowback operation ejects the spent cartridge and chambers a fresh one whenever the trigger is pulled. Second shots come faster than any lever or bolt action. In contrast, the 21st century Deerfield version uses the rotary magazine similar to the 10/22, and employs a gas piston to cycle the action. Either provides excellent results for the shooter, although the gas-operated Deerfield may demonstrate slightly less recoil.

The Model 44 bears a passing resemblance to the U.S. Govern-

Here’s a much-used and well-loved example of Sturm, Ruger’s first long gun, a .44 Magnum semi-automatic carbine. The rifle was designed and engineered for deep woods hunting. Photo by Russ Chastain

ment M-1 carbine of World War II and Korea fame. Actually, the resemblance is more than passing. The 44 was built for the same reason as the M-1 – to be lightweight, rapidly responsive, easy to maintain, and comfortable to shoot, all while delivering the ballistic equivalent of the .30-30 Winchester cartridge.

The 44 carbine in all its variations suits

at least 90 percent of Maine’s game and hunting situations. It particularly suits older, younger, or smaller shooters who appreciate its handling characteristics and the modest recoil. It more than suffices for deer, bear, and even moose inside of 100 yards.

From 100 to 150 yards, the shooter must be experienced enough to account for the significant drop of the heavy

.44 Magnum bullets.

Parting Shot I am reluctant to recommend any semi-automatic rifle or shotgun for a young or inexperienced shooter over the deliberate mechanical act of working a bolt or lever before taking a follow-on shot. Yet, the Ruger 44 carbine offers enough

other positive aspects to somewhat overcome my reticence.

The 44 carbine makes a superb hunting rifle for anyone (and there are many) who have experience with the 10/22 rimfire rifle. The two rifles are supremely compatible.

However, while the 10/22 resides nearly everywhere, the 44 carbine is much more difficult to find. Once found, it can be quite pricey to acquire, depending on condition and what variant it may be.

In any case, a successful search proves its worth. The newbies like the .350 Legend, .300 Blackout, and .450 Bushmaster are fine, but there is nothing like a tried-andtrue cartridge in a rifle with some history behind it.

¶

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54 • March 2025 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————

— Guest Column —

The Way They Run

by Jim Fahey When someone asks a snowshoe hare hunter how the beagles ran, there are many things that contribute to the answer. A lack of any of the following dog traits can affect the productivity of the hunt. Environmental conditions and the local hare population are significant factors, also.

The dog’s genetics dictate its size, its speed (also known as “foot”), and whether or not it has a “cold nose” or “hot nose.” The hound’s brains and desire come from its breeding, also.

Physical condition and experience are also key, but they are more a function of how the hound-hunter cares for, trains and conditions his or her hounds.

A dog’s size can be relevant, depending on the terrain and conditions being hunted. A 13” beagle – one that is measured at the shoulder up to and including 13” – is generally preferred for areas with little snow depth, light icy crusts, or perhaps extra thick or brushy cover.

A 15” beagle is one that measures over 13” and up to and including 15” at the shoulder. They are generally preferred when dealing with deeper snow, and when the hunter likes a little more foot.

A cold nose dog has the ability to smell and advance the track, or line, with the minimal scent that may be available. This could be due to the track being old, or the atmospheric and ground conditions. These hounds work the scent carefully, slowly unraveling the hare’s

The author’s male hound, Chum; January, 2015. Photo by the author www.MaineSportsman.com

Hare-hunters have their own language, and they have their own objective and subjective ways of evaluating hounds. Here, the author offers an inside look at the sport, translating the language and deciphering the art of hound evaluations. trail before jumping and pursuing it. A hot nose dog generally requires more scent and more favorable hunting conditions to start a hare. A good match of foot and nose is desirable.

Hounds that are not in good physical condition or that lack hunting experience are at a disadvantage. It is the hunter’s responsibility to provide an adequate diet and exercise that keep a dog toned and in shape. Likewise, a dog needs to be exposed to the game and given repeated opportunity to hone its skills, just like any athlete.

Air temperature, humidity, wind and ground conditions also play a role in how they run. In Maine, winter air temperatures and snow conditions can be extreme. There are times when it is just too cold or the snow is just too deep to hunt and expect a positive result. I lived in Aroostook County, Maine’s northernmost county, for 12 years, and know first-hand how unaccommodating the conditions can be. Sub-zero or low single digit daytime highs, with four feet of fluffy snow on the ground, was not unusual in the dead of winter.

The final element is the relative abundance of snowshoe hare, commonly called rabbits in Maine. The best of hounds can’t locate and trail what isn’t there.

Hare don’t go underground like cottontails do. They are on the landscape, and huddle in “forms,” generally in thick cover that offers protection from predators such as hawks and owls. When not preyed on from above, they are hunted by bobcat, marten, fisher, fox and coyote.

There’s a reason why they are prolific, producing up to 4 litters per year of 3-5 young on average.

Hare, when jumped in their home

range, tend to run loops and figure 8s.

Oftentimes, they overlap their previous track before jumping off it. They may also run it the opposite way, or simply just cross over it. The hound needs a keen nose to discern which way the hare went most recently.

When the scent and conditions are favorable and the hound pushes steadily, the hare more or less remains on the move. When the hound is not pushing hard for whatever reason, the hare may get ahead and stop. It may look and listen for danger, or it may sit and scratch.

I’ve seen it both ways.

Contrary to popular belief, beagles do not herd or “bring the rabbit back” to the hunter. They simply track and trail the hare wherever it goes. That is generally in the area where it was started.

However, there is an exception. A buck rabbit that has wandered out of its home range looking for a doe to breed often high-tails it back to where it is familiar. This can sometimes be up to a half mile to a mile away. In Maine, this is a common occurrence in the month of March. Hunters who have chased one of these bucks can appreciate the saying, “Crazy as a March hare.”

At the end of the day, when the guy at the gas pump asks the hound hunter how’d they run, there’s a lot of considerations. That goes for both the beagle and the hare.

¶

Jim Fahey is a lifelong Maine resident and rabbit hunter.

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Music in the Maine Woods Our son Jeremy plays guitar, and I don’t. He also sings pretty good, too, and I don’t. I can’t carry a tune in a basket.

Even “auto-tune” can’t mellow my Maine accent and help me sing on key.

Jeremy’s brothers all have nice voices. They got that talent from their mother, and they sing at our cabin in the woods.

I’m wondering what other people do when they’re out in the boonies? Anyone sing a song? Or play a tune?

The boy scouts sing all the time. They sing when they’re hiking or paddling or sitting around a campfire. Campfire songs are legends with the scouts. Who knows the words for “Scout Vespers”?

Work Songs The voyageurs (Canadian boatmen) of long ago sang songs to keep the cadence when they were paddling for the Hudson Bay Company. These were work songs, in the “call-and-response” style.

The lead canoe or crew chief sang the first line, and the rest of the crew sang a response, mile after mile. One of the most famous paddling songs was En Roulant Ma Boule (“Let’s Get the Ball Rolling”).

The Maine lumbermen sang too, according to Fannie Hardie Eckstorm. She collected some of the songs in her book The Minstrelsy of Maine. These were folk songs and ballads, often telling tales of tragedy or lost love. The Jam on Gerry’s Rock is a famous tragic ballad.

But what about you at your remote cabin? Does your uncle bring his harmonica or fiddle, and bust out a song or two after the supper dishes are washed up?

Making Up Lyrics Jeremy brings his guitar, and he and his friends make up songs, often about the events of the day, or a fish that got away. Whatever catches their fancy becomes song lyrics. He plucks the first chords of “Purple Rain” and looks at his wife and begins to sing about margaritas.

As I said, I am not gifted musically in any way or fashion, but I love music just the same, and listening in the evening

The author – despite admittedly having no musical aptitude – does his best to encourage Maine’s tradition of enjoying music in the woods.

“Maine Minstrelsy” -- a collection of lyrics from lumbermen’s songs.

there at the cabin is a fun thing to do.

We have a cardboard box filled with cassette tapes from the 70s and 80s. Even the young people like to drag those out and pop a tape into the ancient boom box player we have at the cabin. We have all the rock’n’roll and folk singers from those years gone by, and when the player hiccups and the tape winds around the capstan, the kids learn the trick of sticking a pencil into the cassette and winding the tape back so it’s tight and ready to play again.

Modern Music-Makers Of course, the young people today bring songs on their smart phones and iPods and speakers the size of a beer can that have the capability to blast out high fidelity sound. These players seem to go for hours, and the kids make long playlists of favorite artists and bands.

They even bought us one. An iPod Nano, I think it was. “Here, Dad,” they said, “you can listen to all your 50s and 60s hits.” This seemed like a good idea, but the controls were tiny little buttons with lights and miniature menus that were impossible to read. We tried it a few times, and then politely gave it back.

Aside from live singing and recorded music, we listen to good old-fashioned radio out there in the woods. The reception is bad most of the time, but if the conditions are just right and the batteries are new, we can pull in a few stations. WERU in Blue Hill comes in strong some nights, and we enjoy hearing the variety of songs and genres the volunteers come up with.

We have an elderly transistor radio beside our bed, and late at night I twiddle the dial hoping to hear “Wolf Man Jack” from days gone by. It never happens, of course, but I can find NPR and hear some high-brow stuff for an hour or so before dropping off to sleep. It’s no wonder we go through batteries so fast when I leave the radio on all night.

Nature’s Music And let’s not forget the natural music of the night just outside the cabin walls. The loons out on the lake are singing and yodeling. Loon calls are famously used by film makers to create a sense of wilderness.

It’s been years since I’ve heard one, but we used to hear the whippoorwills singing their little song over and over again as we fell asleep. The wind off the lake high up in the pines, sighs and whispers of bygone days. The waves play a little tune against the sandy beach, or create a sort of percussion section when they crash against the shore. Insects and birds and owls hooting in the dark all come together to make a little night music for us as we turn down the lights and pull the blankets up.

Come to think of it, the cabin is filled with music, if we just listen. Rain falling on the roof sounds like Buddy Rich pounding out “Hawaiian War Chant” on his drums.

¶

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56 • March 2025 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————

Southern Maine’s Rainbows in the Mist I enjoy fishing downstream of the dam on the Ossipee River, located in Freedom and Effingham, New Hampshire. Water below this dam is highly - ox y g ena ted, with abundant forage fish that attract rainbow, brown trout and land-locked salmon.

In the 1990s, I was fishing there on a cold and snowy day in March. I had in hand a 9-foot, 9-weight L.L.Bean fly rod, and I was casting a large Gray Ghost streamer – that combo generally gets the job done in big waters on windy days.

All of the gates were open in the dam that day, creating fast, turbulent currents. I cast my fly to all my favorite holding waters, but the currents quickly swept it downstream, well before it could reach what I considered holding water for trout. I needed to change tactics.

I changed locations, moving downstream to a spot with a pool at the side of the fast-moving currents.

This pool was an eddy with whirlpools at the edge of the raging currents. I cast the Ghost in the pool and darted it through the water a few times; still, the fly stayed near the surface.

Another Change My cold fingers fumbled around in the fly box. I picked out a big, ugly-black stone fly nymph I had tied www.MaineSportsman.com

Do you want to fish for a colorful, hard-fighting and resilient trout? Consider seeking out rainbow trout, and benefiting from the state’s generous ’bow stocking program.

Rainbow trout are essentially spring spawners, according to Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, with most ’bows spawning from mid-April to the latter part of June. Illustration: Maine DIF&W

years ago, and secured it to the 4-pound tippet. Sometimes, an angler needs to step back and study the water before their first cast, and that’s what I did.

My new approach was simple – cast the big bug into the eddy, and let it float around naturally. Soon, my offering was entrapped in a whirlpool, and the nymph was sucked down deep into the water, disappearing from sight.

I felt a tug on the line and a slow head shake. The trout came to net easily because of the cold water conditions – during the summer, it would have been a classic fight to the finish. I studied the trout in my net as the mist engulfed us.

I had caught what I thought was a rainbow trout (I had never seen a rainbow). Later that week, I sent in my column and photo to Harry Vanderweide, then-editor of

the Maine Sportsman; he said that it indeed was a rainbow. This was my first encounter with a rainbow trout.

This happened well before Maine stocked rainbows in southern Maine. Today, rainbows are stocked in 16 southern Maine waters. Unlike other trout, rainbows spawn in early spring, making springtime a good time to fish for these colorful, hard-fighting fish.

ters that receive annual stockings are: Ossipee Lake, in Waterboro, with 3,080 ’bows; Warren Pond, South Berwick, 350; and Great East Lake, located in Acton and Wakefield, NH with 2,000. Stanley Pond in Hiram, stocked with 950, also needs mentioning. Rivers and stream systems both up and downstream of these lakes are always good stream-side fishing locations.

Timeline Actually, rainbows have been in Maine since 1930, when the Federal Hatchery stocked a few waters in this state. From 1968 to 1974, MDIF&W hatcheries conducted an experimental rainbow stocking program (Ell Pond in Sanford and Wells was one of these waters). In 2007, the state started a regular rainbow stocking program.

A few notable wa-

Fly Anglers Dream Fish For me, stream fishing with a fly rod for trout is the only way to fish, especially for rainbows. Other anglers seem to agree.

While studying a recent MDIFW angler survey on rainbow success methods, I was surprised to see that fly fishing accounted for 39 percent of the reported successful fishing methods for rainbow trout. An-

glers fishing with bait also accounted for 39 percent, while trolling and spin-fishing accounted for the rest.

Rainbow trout thrive in warmer waters than other trout, because they were transplanted from the West Coast, where water temperatures are higher. So ’bows can survive during summer months as temperatures rise, making them available in marginal streams where brookies and browns can’t survive.

This makes for excellent fishing year-long, even in marginal waters here in southern Maine.

Rainbows are starting their spawn in the next few weeks; males will be colorful, with dark pink along their sides. They will be located in tailwaters and in fast-flowing streams and rivers.

As waters warm, the fish will become aggressive and will strike a colorful fly like a Mickey Finn or Red-Gray Ghost streamer fished in fast white-water or under foam lines. When rainbows are hooked, they explode with leaps and long runs.

After a few of these encounters, fishing for rainbow trout will become one of your favorite fishing adventures.

Southern Maine has many waters in which to fish for them.

¶

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Ice Angling Continues After a slow start to winter, we made some ice and could enjoy a few ventures on the hard water. As we have been seeing more and more March iceout dates on Sebago Lake (DeLorme’s Atlas, Map 5, C-1), you need to get out there to beat the receding ice. Small ponds hold the ice longer, but the big lakes can prove productive to cusk anglers this month.

Stocked Fish Some of the first waters to see ice angling each winter are the Otter Ponds (Map 5, D-1) in Standish.

Shallow and heavily stocked, these are great spots to fish early and late in this short season. Otter Ponds #2 and #4 receive a healthy dose of brook trout, and anglers clamor after these tank-scrubbers.

They were stocked in October and November of last year and have been fished since the ponds skimmed over, but there are still plenty of fish to be had.

Long Lake in Naples (Map 4, A-5) froze early, and will still hold ice quite late, if conditions stay cold.

Salmon and brown trout are stocked, giving area anglers something to aim for.

Every year, the Sebago Lake Angler’s Association partners with the Town of Naples Recreation Department and holds an

Whether you pursue stocked trout and togue during the day, or drill holes for cusk overnight, March offers some great ice fishing on Sebago Lake; Long Lake in Naples, Harrison and Casco; Thompson Lake; and the Otter Ponds.

Both freshwater cusk and their saltwater cousins are strange-looking fish that are found in many area lakes, including Sebago. The author has had good luck using frozen smelt laid right on the sandy or gravel lake bottom in shallow depths. Cusk make for outstanding eating, especially in fish chowder. Illustration: Mass.gov

ice-fishing open house in February, showing neophytes how to ice fish. They even have a cookout and a warning fire to keep the kids interested. Look for it next year, and pop over.

Anglers can do well on Long Lake, either from the Casco side or from the Harrison side. I caught my personal best brown trout trolling flies in the town cove in Harrison, so I know there are big browns in there!

Cusk Waters Thompson Lake (Map 5, A-1) was always known as a good togue lake, and a fraternity of anglers fish for lakers, while the salmon are given a break to rest up for open water season.

The bottom of Thompson Lake is crawling with lakers, and multiple catches from the same hole are

common. What many don’t know is that Thompson Lake is also a great cusk lake.

Having a portable shack, or – even better – a camp on the lake, makes cusk fishing more enjoyable. While March temperatures are typically mild, a night on the ice after cusk is a chilly endeavor. The best-case scenario puts you in front of a fire or woodstove at camp, only venturing out every hour to check your traps. I know of a few die-hard anglers who sleep in their shacks all night when cusking, but that’s a young person’s game, in my opinion.

Sebago Lake is my home base and where I choose to do my cusk fishing. Many years ago, I was a young police office and worked night shift, so my Lieutenant and I

would head down to my parents’ camp on our nights off, and stay up all night tending our traps for cusk. Of course, I had a fire going in the fireplace, so the place was cozy. It was tempting to miss that one-hour interval of trap-checking, but we had to abide by the law, so we donned our heavy gear and headed out.

Back then, we set traps all over Jordan

Bay to increase our odds. We traveled by snowmobile, and sometimes finding our traps was difficult in the dark. No GPS to set waypoints then.

I used the lights from the WGME tower on Brown Mountain in Raymond as a point of reckoning, and still do. My chocolate lab was always eager to go along for the ride, so he hopped on the tank of the sled and rode from trap to trap.

My fishing partner, the late Rene Lavoie, believed in shaking your bait to entice the fish, so he insisted on lifting up each trap.

We used frozen smelt taken from the coastal shacks, laid on bottom in shallow water with a sandy or gravel bottom.

Nowadays, I get cusk right off my beach, so there’s no need to travel by sled long distances. I still miss those “night shifts” with Rene and (Sebago to Auburn continued on page 59)

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58 • March 2025 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————

Continue Bird Dog Training During Winter Months When it’s so cold and windy “it ain’t a fit day out for man nor beast,” the author has developed a series of indoor training exercises to keep his dogs’ minds and conditioning sharp.

Winter dog training can be difficult – more so in this region, where the deep snow and icy conditions can make the simple act of getting outdoors a problem.

One day last month I took the dogs outside because it looked so nice. The sun was shining and inviting, but as I neared the riverbank in my back yard, the bone-chilling temperatures cut right through my clothing, and a biting wind had me looking up to make certain no trees were going to come crashing

down.

Needless to say, we cut the outdoor run short, and hurried right back into the warm house. I checked the Weather Channel when I got back in, and found that it was only 11 degrees Fahrenheit, with wind gusts up to 36 miles an hour.

My older dog, Ginger, was the smart one. She didn’t even want to go outside. I must have missed the announcement of the high wind, and figured we could handle a little cold. Ginger knew

better, and balked at heading out. I talked her into it, and felt foolish when we returned to the house after a brief five-minute dash to the riverbank and back. I barely gave the dogs time to do their business.

Don’t Stop Training Even though that day of cold wind cut our training short, I continue a “semi-training” routine throughout the winter months.

Let’s just say, “We get outdoors when we can, and modify the training to indoors if we can’t.”

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This particular day offered warm sunshine that allowed the dogs to romp comfortably in the snow. On other days, extremely cold temperatures and wind make outside exercise impossible, so the author had developed an inside regimen. William Clunie photo

Days that won’t allow outdoor training are few … between five and ten days each month. On those days, my wife and I increase the indoor fetching to help the dogs burn pent-up energy. It’s always playtime, and they love it – especially our younger dog, Andro.

I mix the fetch

game up a little, and have them learn to search direction by hand signal. I have them sit and stay in one room, then throw the Frisbee or toy into the next room where they can’t see. I make an exaggerated point at the fetch toy in the next room while they stay in position, and (Continued on next page)

��������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • March 2025 • 59 (Continued from page 58)

then say “Fetch” to release them. I do the same thing outdoors to get them to look at me for direction. It works great for helping them find dead birds in the woods while hunting.

We also make a big deal out of the game “Find it.” We take training treats and hide them around the house. They smell the treats and hear the opening of the bag in the kitchen, so they know the game is on.

They immediately go into search mode when they hear the command, “Find it.”

These activities may sound simple, but the fact that the dogs are working their

brains to figure things out helps tire them out mentally on those days when it can’t be done physically with long runs and outdoor training.

Life around the house is really one big training exercise.

Every time I open the door to let them out, I make them wait until I give them the “Okay” command to go through the door.

This stops them from rushing out the door as soon as I open it, and establishes my dominance as their big leader.

Overarching Theme Even though the whole training concept is meant to be fun and exciting for

the dogs, I still want them to know who’s in command. I try and keep my voice steady and calm. I don’t want to scream and rant at them, even if they are doing something wrong. I give them a lower (still quiet) tone of voice when they are doing something wrong, and then immediately redirect their attention to a more fun and correct game of some sort.

I do sometimes allow them to make their own decision to do the right thing. If they happen to jump up on my lap while I’m seated, I calmly tell them, “Down,” and let them back off. Once they are down, I praise them in the same calm voice.

Too many dog owners talk to their dogs like they are humans.

When the dog is doing something wrong, they throw a whole paragraph of words at the poor animal. “No Buffy, bad girl. I told you not to jump on the couch. You mess up the pillows every time you do that. Now get off the couch!”

Use one- or twoword commands, and keep your voice calm, even when praising your dog. I know it’s boring, but it does work best for training … and I don’t sound like a goof when I’m out in the field hunting with my buddies.

¶

Sebago to Auburn (Continued from page 57)

my lab Luke. I’d trade a lot to fish with them Use one- or twoagain. word commands, and It goes without saying, but March fishtry not to use a highing in Southern Maine can be dangerous, so pitched, screechy, excheck the ice, limit snowmobile or ATV use, cited voice … even and always tell someone where you are going. when praising for good I don’t need Rene or Luke where I’ll be; behavior.

A lottooftell folks they’ll be with watching for certain. overpraise an excited voice, and it’s

¶

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60 • March 2025 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————

Knowing Your Lake Pays Off in Dividends Over time, says the author, your favorite lakes and ponds become as reliable as old friends. And old friends never let you down.

A competent angler can, or should, have the ability to go to a new lake or pond and after some exploring and bottom-checking, locate trout, salmon or togue. You don’t have to have an intimate knowledge of a lake in order to take fish.

On the other hand, knowing every nook and cranny of a lake, including when the thermocline forms and how deep it lies, puts you in a place to reap the most benefits from each and every visit.

Intimacy with any water allows you to go to the exact place where fish hold, saving time poking about, trying to locate fish.

All this comes from

experience, and that experience can continue over the course of many years. Because of the time it takes to become fully acquainted with a water, it is mathematically impossible to become totally familiar with more than a handful of waters.

It requires fishing a place regularly for years, in different seasons and in all kinds of weather, in order to become perfectly acquainted with it. And then, after you have put in your time, the place becomes an open book to you.

Old Friends Over time, your favorite lakes and ponds become as reliable as old friends. And old

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friends, the good kind that you can count on one hand and have a few fingers left over, never let you down.

Your favorite lakes and ponds will act similarly. This even extends to knowing when not to fish. Familiarity will show when it is better to stay home and rearrange your tackle box.

It stands to reason that the waters you visit the most will become your most reliable producers because of your intimate knowledge of them, born of years of experience. Usually, these are the closest waters to you – places where you can visit without making a long road trip. The easier it is to get to a place, the more likely you are to fish it.

Your list of favorite waters can also include more distant places, such as the lake where you have a camp, or the lake you visit every chance you get. It may take longer, but you can do it.

A thorough knowledge of your favorite lake brings results like this hefty brown trout held by the author.

My favorite lake in the whole universe, Moosehead Lake, is just too massive for me to know every square inch of it. So I had to learn it in chunks, bit by bit, piece by piece. And because I have fished Moosehead for so long, I have the requisite knowledge to go directly to a place where I have the best chance to take fish. This knowledge of Moosehead comes from going on the water with friends from the area – those good kind of friends described above. Without tutelage from my friends, I would know little about Maine’s

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largest lake.

How To Learn Lakes So how exactly does someone go about learning as much as possible about any given water? Well, I just spoke of my friends, the ones who have educated me on fishing Moosehead Lake. We learn from friends, and that is one of the best ways to start to become familiar with any lake.

As a rule, fishermen like to share their experiences. A professional guide may not wish to divulge his honey hole or secret method because his livelihood depends upon these things, but the average angler usually enjoys sharing their times on the water. I say listen to any and all advice. Try it out. Act upon it. Some of it will fall short of the mark, but some of (Trout Fishing continued on page 62)

��������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • March 2025 • 61

It’s a Fact: Fly Fishing is Good for the Soul I’ve written before about the healthy aspects of fly fishing; specifically, that fly fishing relieves stress, clears the mind, improves the attitude, promotes emotional well-being, and in general is good for the soul.

Most of my anecdotal evidence came from my own time spent fishing and guiding, and from other anglers who’ve told me about their experiences.

I volunteer with a non-profit organization that heals veterans through various outdoor adventures.

The programs or missions get veterans outdoors, doing activities such as hunting, fishing, panning for gold, and tying flies. These activities help to heal those with various disabling injuries – some you can visually recognize, and others that can’t be seen.

A lot of the healing process comes from showing the veterans how much fun these activities can be, and the simple fact that being together with other veterans rekindles that comradery associated with those who served together in the military.

This veteran’s program works miraculously, I am in charge of the Fly Fishing Program, and I’ve personally witnessed its healing effects. I’ve often wondered whether

The author has long suspected, from his own observations, that fly fishing reduces stress and allows folks to heal, both physically and psychologically. Recently, he learned that researchers have backed up his theory, using scientific data. benefits were merely the result of the fresh air and friendships formed while out in the woods or on the water.

Now, I’ve learned it’s more than that … scientists have gathered clear evidence demonstrating that the soothing aspects of fly fishing produce a healing effect, and I’m sure those qualities carry over into other outdoor activities as well.

The Scientific Study It’s all about reducing the body’s levels of cortisol, which is a hormone associated with increased stress levels and excessive

inflammation.

I read an article

by E.J. Iannelli in the July 12, 2024, issue of Inlander magazine (inlander.com) about this exact topic. The article cites clinical evidence that fly fishing reduces harmful cortisol levels and helps us heal.

The study measured cortisol levels in veterans who served in combat in the Iraq war. These veterans all had serious PTSD issues, as well as physical injuries. The clinicians recorded the veterans’ cortisol levels before and after a weekend of fly fishing, and noted a significant

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decrease in these levels after the weekend of fly fishing.

The article explained that fly fishing differs from many other outdoor activities – in fly fishing, you don’t just sit passively in a boat or on the shore; rather, you are immersed in the environment. In fly

fishing, you are constantly solving problems, watching insect activity, reading the water, hopping from one rock to the other, balancing in the current, and making fly choices to match the appetite of the fish.

In other words, fly anglers are constantly in tune with their environment … always trying to figure out the puzzle of what the fish want and how best to present the proper flies to the fish.

Fishing Therapy Increased corti(Continued on next page)

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Fly fishing puts anglers in tune with their environment. A recent study shows that beneficial health effects can actually be measured.

William Clunie photo

Freshwater Fly Fishing (Continued from page 61)

sol levels can have a detrimental effect on the body physically, as well as increasing stress and anxiety levels. Lowering harmful cortisol levels by fly fishing can be good for every fly fisher, not just veterans.

Some veterans have reported to me that traditional group therapy works sometimes, and for some folks. Fly fishing therapy is a great way for

certain veterans to unwind, connect with their fellow veterans, and get a little break from their troubles.

Fly fishing takes the angler away from the rat race and soothes the savage beast within. I’ve seen it work on veterans and non-veterans alike.

On one trip, I guided two brothers down the Androscoggin River, fly fishing

Trout Fishing (Continued from page 60)

it will prove useful, if not indispensable.

When heading out on your own, the most potent weapon in your toolbox is your power of observation. Take note of everything, including wind speed and direction, water temperature, time of year, depth and anything else that might present itself.

Whether or not you take fish on any particular day isn’t as important as www.MaineSportsman.com

for smallmouth bass.

The brothers were both highly successful lawyers from Chicago, and they started the day with plenty of excess stress.

They immediately tried to turn the day of fishing into a competition by counting fish, strikes, hook ups with trees, and bad casts.

I gently steered their day to a more quiet, serene ride down the river. At one point later in the day, I actually saw one of the brothers stop and just stare into the river.

When I asked what

he was looking at, he said he had never seen such a beautiful river bottom.

The high-pressure, big city lawyer was finally settling down.

He said words to the effect, “The sparkling riverbed seems to be relaxing my brain, unwinding my bundled-up nerves. Just looking at it is like meditating.” I’m paraphrasing here, but his whole demeaner changed as the day went on … and so did his brother’s demeaner.

I hope they are

the knowledge gained from that trip. If there was a reason you failed to score, then you can sit back later and try to determine that reason, so you don’t make the same mistake again. It’s the sum total of little things such as this that increase your knowledge of any lake or pond.

Two Anglers Call it a tale of two anglers. Both arrive at the boat landing at the same time in the morning. Both fish for most of the day, and both return to the land-

both back at their jobs in Chicago with the full understanding that they can go relieve their stress anytime they want … all they have to do is grab their fly rods and head to the river.

The world needs a collective unwinding – a movement of the masses toward a better attitude. I believe some of the answers come when each of us finds a healthy way to get a break from our sometimes-hectic lives. For me, fly fishing is the answer.

¶

ing at the same time in the evening.

But one has taken some very respectable trout, while the other caught nothing. Why? The angler who spent the day fishless did not know the lake. He didn’t know where to fish, what to fish with, or how deep or fast to fish. The other knew the lake like the old, familiar friend it was, and because of acquired knowledge, scored big.

Do your best to be the one who scored big.

¶

��������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • March 2025 • 63

“My Snowmobile is Gone!”

That was the message I received one day from a homeowner in the Town of Exeter.

It was during the first week of February in 1982. I was actually out on the snowmobile trails with the only new snowmobile I ever had, a 1982 Skidoo 377 Skandic.

It was just after noontime when I stopped at Clyde Smith’s store in Exeter to call into the Orono state police barracks in response to a message I had received on my portable radio.

At the store I used their phone, which was a normal occurrence, to contact the dispatcher. I was informed that a resident from that town who resided on the Avenue Road had called to report that someone had stolen their Arctic Cat snowmobile. The machine had been parked behind their house, which is adjacent to a local snowmobile trail.

They had returned home for lunch, and discovered the machine was gone.

Responding Since I was already in Exeter, I could ride my sled from the store to the complainant’s residence in just a few minutes.

Upon arriving, I went to where their sled had been parked, to look around. There were some footprints in the snow, and from

With good detective work, it’s possible to solve a mysterious theft. It helps when you know you are following the right track.

“From what I could tell, it looked like the stolen sled had been towed away by another snowmobile, right onto the snowmobile trail.”

what I could tell, it looked like their sled had been towed away by another snowmobile, right onto the snowmobile trail.

After obtaining the registration number of their sled, I set out to see if I could follow the tracks of the missing sled, since no other tracks had yet covered them up, even though quite some time had passed.

In a short distance, the tracks crossed the road and headed towards Exeter Mills.

Keep Following the Tracks When I arrived in the area of Exeter Mills, the tracks I was following became covered up by tracks from

a couple of other sleds.

This was causing me some difficulty, but the track on the stolen Arctic Cat did have a different design from the other tracks that were obliterating my trail. By paying close attention to turn-offs on side trails, I was able to get back on the right track without losing too much time.

Subsequently, after another mile or so, I came into a large set of fields, where the track turned off from an established trail and headed in a northerly direction toward Route 43 & 11. The track led to a long driveway, and then down to a bridge that crossed French Stream. From there,

the track led to a spot where it crossed Route 43 & 11, and in a very short distance, to a residence.

At the End of the Trail In close proximity of this residence, there existed a conglomeration of snowmobile tracks. All things considered, I decided to go to the front door in an attempt to speak with an occupant. I found that apparently there was nobody home, but in doing so, I could see snowmobile tracks in front of a roll-up garage door. I returned to my sled and rode into a field behind the residence, where I discovered some sled tracks leading towards

the woods. Down at the end of the field, out of sight from the road, I came upon the missing Arctic Cat. Getting off my sled to examine it more closely, I discovered the engine was missing. I returned to the residence and knocked on the door again, but still no response.

The Rest of the Story As we had no portable phones at that time, I had to ride all the way home to Corinna to begin following up on the situation.

It was late in the day when I arrived home, whereupon I called the local deputy sheriff, Kenneth Emerson, and asked if he knew who lived at that residence in Exeter. He did know, and stated that he would be very surprised if the man living there was involved in anything like the theft of a snowmobile.

The next morning, I drove to the residence, arriving about 7:30 a.m. When I went to the door, I was greeted by a woman.

I explained why I was there, and she told me her husband had gone to work. She also said her eighteen-year-old son had just left for school in Dexter, driving a family vehicle.

She told me that her (Tales from the Warden Service continued on page 66) www.MaineSportsman.com

64 • March 2025 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————

— Guest Column —

You Couldn’t Keep Him Away – My Grandfather’s Passion for Maine

by Andrew Sharp Delaware, where I live, is clogged with deer, thick as chiggers.

They’re fat with soybeans, and crammed into small woodlots.

From a venison perspective, it makes no sense to drive to Maine to hunt, but we do it anyway. It’s my grandfather’s fault.

His name was Simon (“Sim”) Sharp.

For more than 50 years, my grandfather made the long drive up I-95 to Maine for a week of November deer hunting.

It was a rare occasion when he missed the trip. One such time was in 1954, when my dad was born in early December. Grandma apparently didn’t relish the idea of waiting alone in their Delaware farmhouse so close to her due date.

Sim and his brother (my great-uncle, Crist) shared a lifelong bond, and one way they maintained it was hunting trips together.

I wish I knew how their Maine hunting trip tradition started, but Grandpa and his brother are both gone now.

It All Started in PA Sim downed his first buck in 1943 in McKean County, Pennsylvania with a Winchester .25-35, and spent the rest of his life pursuing more. www.MaineSportsman.com

My grandfather Sim, while an accomplished hunter, could get enthusiastic about exploring the wilderness, and he didn’t always find his way out of the woods immediately. The saying in deer camp, I’ve been told, was “We hunt deer all day, and Sim all night.”

Grandpa Sim (far right) and the gang with a full game pole (including a bear) at Parlin Dam Camps, in 1949 in Jackman. Photos provided by the author

But why did he and Crist start traveling to Maine? What conversations led them north? What article in a hunting magazine, or tales from neighbors, tipped them off that Maine was a great state to bag a buck?

From old postcards I dug up, it appears their first trip was around 1947. Did they know it would launch an annual ritual? Traditions almost never start that way.

They are a random choice of one destination over another, and a “Why don’t we do

this again next year?”

Then a decade goes by, and it’s an institution: The Maine Trip, with capital letters. By the time I can remember, it was on the calendar like Christmas and Thanksgiving. If it was November, Grandpa was leaving for a week in Maine.

Although family legend came to hold that Grandpa only ever missed the one hunt, I know he had to skip a few more when the children were young. Among the postcards, likely purchased at Bishop’s

Store in Jackman, are messages from Uncle Crist about the great hunting Grandpa was missing.

In ’57, Crist reported shooting a big 8-point along Crocker Pond Road. In 1959, he wrote of downing a 10-point over 200 pounds. These are not the kind of messages that make a diehard hunter happy to be home working on the farm.

The Allure of Maine Part of what hooked Grandpa on

the State of Maine was its wild country. When you’ve been raised in Delaware farm country, the chance to walk, and walk, and walk and never get to the end of the woods is deeply alluring.

When my brother and I first started going along on the trip, Dad gave us stern warnings about venturing into the mountains. Consult your compass and map frequently. Always know which way the road is.

If you get lost, stop and build a fire, because if you keep going, you could get lost for good. If you’re turned around but have a river handy, follow that, since rivers always end up at civilization eventually.

A seasoned Maine tracker might have smiled at Dad’s tone, but it was a wise precaution for green hunters from the flatlands whose idea of the big woods was a 200-acre lot.

Where’s Grandpa?

Maybe one of the reasons Dad was so vehement about us not getting lost was that he didn’t want to go searching for us at night like groups did for Grandpa. Sim, while an accomplished hunter, could get enthusiastic about exploring the wilderness, (Grandfather’s Passion continued on page 66)

��������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • March 2025 • 65

Begin the Fishing Season with Clean Gear As I gather up all my fly-fishing gear to prepare for another season, I notice the pocketful of crumpled flies mixed in with gum wrappers in my vest. I meant well last year, but the post-fishing season chores I was going to take care of never happened.

My only excuse falls short when I read it back to myself. Fly fishing season and the beginning of bird hunting overlap, so I put my fishing gear away, and jumped right into bird hunting … therefore, my fishing gear gets put away with little care.

I could use the excuse that I might be keeping my fishing gear ready for a late December fishing trip.

The Androscoggin River is right in my back yard and is open

fishing last fall. I simply stuffed everything back into a closet, and proceeded to hunt grouse and woodcock, never looking back.

There, I said it.

I know I’m not the only one in this situation, so how shall I begin to prepare for the new fishing season at this late date? It’s actually pretty easy, because I’ve done this so often.

I clear off a big table and lay out the gear so I can get an overall image of what needs to be done. I am going to focus on organization and maintenance … get the thousands of flies in their correct locations, clean up fly lines, and check to make sure fly rods and fly reels are clean and working properly.

I take on the hard-

Most folks don’t realize how dirty a rod gets from only one season of use, says the author. Rods get wet and muddy, and usually get stuffed back into their tubes without proper care. This year, he says, he’ll try something different.

Cleaning and maintaining your fly fishing gear for the upcoming season makes good sense, says the author. But sometimes it’s difficult to keep your reel out of the sand – such as when you are photographing hard-fighting smallmouth bass that have come to the net. William Clunie photo

all year long – but I must admit, I’ve never fished it in December.

The truth of the matter is, I hardly

ever take good care of my fishing gear. Maintenance is always a second thought. I’m very rough on my fish-

ing gear and am trying to be better at it.

Pre-Season Routine So, I failed to take care of my gear after

(Continued on next page)

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Western Maine

eral wear and tear, to see if it needs replacing.

(Continued from page 65)

est job first … getting my flies in order. I place the most heavily damaged flies from last season in a box of their own. I can look them over later, and repair them if possible. Then I fluff up the rest of the flies as best I can. Holding the flies over a pot of steaming water helps reshape them, but those flies that are smashed are beyond help.

After putting all good flies from last season back in their proper places, I move on to the next project … cleaning fly lines.

I wait for a nice

sunny day, and take the reeled line outdoors. I tie the leader off and unwind the line to the backing, and then attach the backing to something so the line has a little tension on it.

I use Johnson’s Baby Shampoo and warm water on a washcloth to clean the line, rinse and dry the line off, and then treat it with a commercial conditioner (there are many brands out there) and let it sit in the sun for ten minutes. During this process, I check the line for cracking and gen-

Tales from the Warden Service (Continued from page 63)

son had been working on a snowmobile in shop class at Dexter High School.

She then offered to show me the inside of their garage. I took a look in the garage and could see no sign of an en-

Grandfather’s Passion (Continued from page 64)

and he didn’t always find his way out immediately.

The saying in deer camp, I’ve been told, was “We hunt deer all day, and Sim all night.”

While my brother and I didn’t get lost, some memories stick in my mind.

Like slogging my way through a bog in a driving wet snow, searching vainly for dry hummocks. I had time to reflect on my poor choice of boots, as icy mountain water poured in around my socks.

Or the disbelief and euphoria when I shot my first elusive Maine buck, dropping it on the spot with a single shot.

And perhaps the best part: Sitting around the stove in the tent or cabin, telling yarns and solving the world’s problems, having a beer or a cup of hot www.MaineSportsman.com

Reels and Rods Most folks don’t realize how dirty a rod gets from only one season of use. Rods get wet and muddy, and usually get stuffed back into their tubes without proper care.

This year I’m going to try something different.

I am going to take the rod socks out of the tubes, turn them inside out, and run them through the washing machine. Then, I’ll clean the rods and guides, making sure there aren’t any rough areas on the guides to damage the line.

At the same time, I can straighten out any bent guides, and lube up the ferrules to make assembling and disassembling the rods easier. I use a wax especially make for this purpose … I’ve had the same chunk of wax for years, but I don’t know the brand.

Next comes the reel maintenance. I can break most reels down, and clean and lube them without too much difficulty. If I ever have a problem with this procedure, I know I can go to youtube.com and easily follow a tutorial.

The basic task here is to clean the grime build-up off the reel, especially where the

gine, but I did observe an array of tools strewn about the cement floor, along with a couple of bolts that had been cut off with a hacksaw.

I proceeded to Dexter, and after checking in with the police chief, Dave Clukey, we made a trip over to the high school. There, we checked with the principal and were sent down to the

metal surfaces make contact. After cleaning these surfaces, lightly coat these areas with a good reel grease/lube.

Think back to last season and remember how many times you placed your reel in the water, or on the sand and gravel shore. As much as I try to avoid it, it happens. All that grit and water can prematurely wear out a reel, so starting the season with a clean reel is smart.

Although an angler can clean a dirty reel off by dunking it in the water, I always try and keep my reel off the ground. Your mileage may vary.

¶

shop to speak with the head instructor, Bud Ellms.

We asked if that particular student was in his class. He replied “Yes – he is right over there, putting an engine in that Arctic Cat snowmobile that he has been working on.”

¶

coffee, the day’s strains behind you and your leg muscles weary, your feet warm again as the glow radiates out from the stove and your wet coat steams on a hook on the wall. ***** Grandpa was a loyal man. Going to Maine energized him in a way that simply sitting at home remembering could not. As his health declined, and he couldn’t handle hiking in the woods, he stubbornly sat in the truck, parked where he could look out over a logging spur or open stretch of trees. His Maine trips only ended with his death at 82 in 2005.

If God gives me the years, I hope that, like Grandpa, I’ll ignore the pleadings of my family, and hunt until the end.

I know he’d be pleased.

¶

The author’s grandfather Sim, right, and his brother Crist in their happy place — ­ the snowy Maine woods.

��������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • March 2025 • 67

VT Fish and Wildlife Updates March is the month when the VT Department of Fish and Wildlife holds their yearly deer and moose meetings. Folks who are interested in attending one of the deer/moose public meetings should check the VT Fish and Wildlife Department website. They are scheduled for the week of March 17th. Nick Fortin is the biologist in charge of both those species, and he does a great job of presenting the results and – working with the Fish and Wildlife Board – managing both herds so that we have hunting opportunities now and into the future.

The preliminary data shows that the 2024 buck harvest was a little over 9,200, which is down from 2023 (9,848) and the previous 3-year average of 9,533. The final antlerless deer harvest was around 8,000, which is up from the previous 3-year average of 7,188. According to Nick, “Season totals were mixed in 2024.

The harvest during the November regular season was down about 10 percent from 2023, and this accounted for all of the decline in the total buck harvest.

Harvests during every other season were up compared to 2023.”

The final moose harvest was 62 total.

Archery season had a normal success rate, with 12 bulls from 23 hunters. The regular

The author provides deer and moose season harvest numbers, and also introduces readers to Vermont’s new interim Wildlife Commissioner, Andrea Shortsleeve.

Interim VT F&W Commissioner Andrea Shortsleeve, with a lake trout from Lake Memphremagog.

season was very challenging, mostly due to record or near-record high temperatures for the entire season. 155 hunters took 50 moose.

This is the lowest success rate ever for both either-sex and antlerless-only permits.

Change at the Top In late November of 2024, Governor Scott appointed Andrea Shortsleeve as the interim Commissioner of VT Fish & Wildlife, after Chris Herrick departed for

the state’s Agency of Transportation. While she is the first woman appointed to the post in VT, it is more notable that she is the first biologist to hold the position in over a decade, and the first promoted from within the Department in over a quarter-century. She has an undergraduate degree in wildlife biology, and a graduate degree in human dimensions of natural resources. After grad school, she worked in

the Rocky Mountain west for the Bureau of Land Management and the US Forest Service, before returning home to Vermont to work in the Fish and Wildlife Department.

I got to meet Andrea through some volunteer work with BHA, and found her to be engaging and smart, two qualities, among many, that will benefit her in this position. She steps into the role at what I think is a good time.

I suspect there will be a shift in the politics at the statehouse after significant election season changes. Combined with some legislative wins last year, I think the wind has come out of the sails of a few anti-hunting folks.

Administrative Priorities Ms. Shortsleeve mentioned a few priorities as she steps into this interim role.

Funding and relevance topped her list.

Securing funding is a priority because the VTF&W Department has to request – on a yearly basis – any general funds it receives.

When I consider the many under-funded tasks and roles that the Department provides across the state that have largely been performed on the financial backs of hunters, anglers, trappers via license sales and excise taxes, it makes sense to more permanently broaden the financial base.

Shortsleeve used the example of Missouri’s Conservation Sales Tax, which is an earmarked 1/8th of 1% tax that goes directly to their Department of Conservation. She mentioned another source of money might be an excise tax on outdoor gear, providing an opportunity for all outdoor user groups to contribute to the De(Vermont continued on page 69) www.MaineSportsman.com

68 • March 2025 • The Maine Sportsman ——————————————————————————————————————————————

An Invasive Woods Encounter I was five hours into an all-day hunt. I worked the long, thick edge of some beaver flows along the bottom of a steep mountain. Finally, I started finding some deer sign as I climbed onto the lower southern finger of the ridge. It’s one of the rare places in the Great North Woods of NH with oak trees.

Exciting Start Though I’d hunted this mountain many times, I’d never been to this remote end of it before. I found myself on a beautiful runway,

The author looked up, and saw a cell cam – first one, and then a second one. “It felt like I’d been caught naked on a hidden shower camera,” he writes. “This isn’t hunting.” and with every step, I was seeing more and bigger oak trees, acorns littering the ground, with pawing activity everywhere. I could hardly contain my excitement when I saw a big scrape up ahead. As I walked toward it, I was practically skipping with glee, planning how I was going to hunt out the rest of my day

here.

But when I got to the scrape, something didn’t seem right. It was too big.

And too smooth. And there wasn’t a licking branch overhead.

And I couldn’t see the typical signature hoof print stamped in the middle of it. It felt … man-made.

As soon as the thought struck me, I

Welcome to

looked up, and there it was … one of the most stomach-turning things I’ve ever encountered in the woods … a cell cam.

Like a Hidden Shower Camera I guess I’ve been spoiled up here in the North. I’ve heard the talk for a couple years about the intrusion of these live surveillance devices inundating

and ruining people’s favorite hunting spots in more urbanized areas. And I’ve read articles and columns from other writers who’ve bragged about their conquests while using them. But I’ve always hunted big, remote woods, and I thought my peers who also did so were above using these ethically questionable and slothful devices.

I felt like an idiot standing directly in front of this thing, while the livestream (Continued on next page)

Northern New Hampshire

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recorded me. It felt like I’d been caught naked on a hidden shower camera. Hunting and what I do in the woods is as personal and private a moment as any other to me.

As disheartening as it was, I tried unsuccessfully to shrug it off and scurry down along the game trail.

I put a hundred yards between us, fast.

Then I slowed down, and tried to get back into the groove of still hunting.

At first, I thought it was the paranoia making me see things, but it looked to be another dark square on a tree up ahead. Sure enough, another camera with an antenna!

This time I saw it first, and I wasn’t about to get caught looking stupid again. I made a hard turn, and scampered as fast as I could right off that beautiful oak finger, probably never to return again.

Two cameras in less than 150 yards on the same game trail.

And only God knows how many more I’d

see if I were to continue down it, as it became more defined.

This wasn’t simple curiosity about what kind of critters were in the area. This was targeted surveillance of movements and patterns. This wasn’t hunting. This was gross.

Always Watching I spent the rest of the day hunting the other parts of the mountain. I never felt comfortable again. My mind was reeling with questions. Who put the cameras there?

Were they actively hunting there right now? (Probably not; it was a Wednesday.) If they have those cameras, they are probably stand hunters, right?

Or are mobile ground hunters using them now, too? Do they even hunt the area routinely, or did they set them up weeks (or months or years) ago, and haven’t been back since? It’s public land; I have every right to hunt here; but why did I feel like I was trespassing and intruding on another’s private

Vermont (Continued from page 67)

partment. When I asked if this would allow for new groups to have a seat at the decision-making table, Shortsleeve countered, quite correctly, that these groups are already at the table.

Obviously, any discussion about taxes needs to be worked on at all levels of government, but it is a conversation worth having.

The other priority Commissioner Shortsleeve brought up is to increase the relevancy of the Department to the general public. This is partly an issue of awareness. A lot of the non-hunting/ fishing/trapping public doesn’t realize the wide range of work that the Department of Fish and Wildlife performs across the state. I also asked her about what I perceive as a widening gap be-

area? And the scariest of all … what if I start finding these in all the places I like to hunt?

I’ve encountered plenty of trail cameras over the years.

And though it’s always disheartening to me to find out that I’m not the first person to discover an area, I can usually get over it, and go on hunting somewhat placidly.

But there is something different about knowing that someone right now, in this very moment, is watching you.

And in this case, potentially tracking your movements through the woods in real time on multiple cameras.

It is scary to me.

Final Thoughts I don’t believe this is consistent with the principles of fair chase with respect to the animal. But it’s also an intrusion into the sovereignty and solace of other hunters. I take to the woods to escape the rest of the world and do my own thing on my own terms, not to be surveilled by some voyeur in camo sitting on his couch or

One of several cellular cameras the writer found while deer hunting this year. Encountering them made the writer feel like he was the one being surveilled. Ethan Emerson photo

in his truck down the road, too lazy to actually put his boots into motion without the prompting of a live photo or video telling him it is worth his effort.

Throw your cellular cameras away. If you are using them,

tween biologists and citizens.

We had a good exchange about what this might mean, since it could be dissected a few different ways. Part of this, she feels, is that the term “science” gets misused in discussions about wildlife issues, and I agree.

We discussed how science is an ongoing process, rather than a static position. Scientists continually gather evidence and apply it. Things shift because of the fluid nature of the scientific process. To many of us, it can feel like someone abruptly changed their mind, when rather, the scientists adapted to new information. With our decreasing attention spans and the information silos we often find ourselves in, the nuance and evolution in these complex issues can be lost. When paired with the barrage of competing messages that are out there, it is no wonder we don’t

you aren’t actually hunting. And you are ruining it for others who are just trying to enjoy the woods for the experience and solitude it brings. The ends do not justify the means.

¶

know what to believe. As citizens, we have an individual responsibility to put in some work, be involved, and sort the wheat from the chaff.

After the heavy discussion about some big issues, I changed direction and asked Commissioner Shortsleeve about her hunting and fishing. She didn’t get a chance to do much deer hunting last fall due to her new role, but she’s looking forward to ice fishing and spring turkey hunting. She flyfished in some of the big rivers in her time out west, and now she’s been working on improving her technique within the dense vegetation of Vermont’s small stream brook trout waters.

I’m hoping Shortsleeve tells me her tight quarters casting secrets and that she gets to stick around in this role for a while.

¶

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Smilin’ Sportsman

Man on the phone: “Doctor, please come to my house right away! My three-yearold just swallowed all of my golf tees!”

Doctor: “I can be there in two hours.”

Man on the phone: “Two hours? But what will I do in the meantime?”

Doctor: “Practice your putting.”

— A Phillies fan, a Yankees fan and a Red Sox fan were climbing Mt. Katahdin, when they got into an argument as to which city had the most loyal fans.

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The man from Philadelphia decided to demonstrate that his city’s fans were the most loyal. “This is for the Phillies!” he yelled, and jumped off the near-vertical slope of the Knife’s Edge.

Not to be outdone, the fellow from Boston yelled, “This is for the Red Sox!” and pushed the Yankees fan off the cliff.

— I was out hunting when I saw a ticket to an upcoming Taylor Swift concert, nailed to a tree. So I took it.

I mean, you never know when you might need a nail.

— A mild-mannered man married a demonstrative woman. They were on their honeymoon. She was driving their horsedrawn carriage through Deering Oaks park.

A squirrel ran in front of the horse, and the animal spooked, jostling the carriage’s occupants. The wife quickly reined in the horse, got out, looked the horse in the eye, and said, “That’s one!”

Soon thereafter, the horse went under a low tree branch, which then brushed against the newlyweds. “That’s two!” yelled the wife at the horse.

Then the horse accidently stepped into a pothole, and the carriage jerked to a stop. Furious, the wife ran in front of the horse and clobbered it on the head with a large stick, knocking the horse unconscious.

“Oh my goodness!” shrieked the husband. “Now I know what kind of woman I married! I want a divorce!”

Replied his wife, looking him in the eye, “That’s one.”

¶

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The Robots are Coming The debate over the use of technology in hunting has been going on for – let’s see – more than a million years. Back then, some cranky old caveman spotted a bunch of rowdy Paleolithic youth setting out to hunt wooly mammoths using rocks and sharp sticks.

“You weenies,” the neanderthal senior citizen cried out. “In my day, we took those suckers down with nothing but our teeth and our untrimmed fingernails.”

And so it went through the ages.

Spears were rejected by primitive hunters as not being in keeping with Cro-Magnon ethics. Bows and arrows were predicted to spell the end of the sporting tradition. Crossbows prompted demonstrators to take to the streets in an effort to ban them. And muskets were considered so unseemly for hunting that no self-respecting sportsman would even consider eating a bird killed in such a manner.

Modern Times As can be seen by this progression, the problem wasn’t with technology – it was with new technology. Once we got used to the latest gadget, we’d lose all emotional attachment to the good old days when we fought saber-tooth tigers with slingshots, or dodoes with Nerf

The author suggests that the concept of “fair chase” is an adaptable, malleable and adjustable premise that changes with the times. guns.

It doesn’t seem that unlikely that in a few years, the state will offer combo licenses for both moose hunting and operating a killer drone. The only catch will be that the latest method will be so much more efficient than the old way of doing things that the hunting season will last just 25 minutes. Any longer than that wouldn’t seem sporting.

Advances in Technology The quaint idea that using trail cams is going to destroy the legacy of hunting in Maine is clearly bogus.

The same goes for satellite imaging to track your prey. If that’s unethical, then so is your

doorbell camera and the surveillance system at your local bank branch. The former is an insult to porch pirates, and the latter an unreasonable impediment to bank robbers.

And there’s no reason to fear the next technological advance; namely, mind-control microchips. Once these become cheap and readily available, you’ll have the opportunity to implant one in a bear’s cranium in the summer using a high-powered dart gun, then return in the fall with the controller that compels the big bruin to show itself at a convenient time and place. Maine will have to find another use for stale doughnuts.

What Hunting’s Really About In ancient times, advances in science gave hunters an edge that made it more likely they’d kill some game before the game killed them. But in the modern era, that’s no longer an important consideration. Hardly any human being comes out on the short end of a fatal confrontation with a wild turkey or prize buck, and those that do improve the gene pool. Rather, all these new-fangled contraptions tend to reduce the time it takes to find that tom turkey or trophy deer, thereby freeing the 21st century sportsman to spend his precious days in the woods carrying on that finest of hunting traditions –

consuming adult beverages with his pals in some remote cabin.

This in no way diminishes the hunting experience, since scientific studies show that 91.3% of said experiences have always been composed of lies.

So what if you bagged your deer in the first 30 minutes thanks to AI-powered tracking devices? You’ll still have all week to drink and make up stories about the rigors you overcame.

New Products are Here!

Which brings us to another impending change in the world of cyber adventuring.

Introducing the Huntbot 207 (trademark pending), expressly engineered for the Maine woods. Just as cameras and drones have made such time-consuming and inefficient activities as scouting, tracking and thinking obsolete, the Hunt-bot (as seen on TV) removes the final obstacle to quick and easy hunting – the human hunter no longer needs to go near the wilderness to stalk and kill game. Nor will the modern sportsman need to sully their person with deer guts, moose entrails or turkey feathers. Hunt-bot (endorsed by influential celebrities) handles the messy stuff, although not before it’s taken deepfake photos of you next (Continued on next page) www.MaineSportsman.com

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Trophy Gallery Now, That’s a Big Bull!

Scott Durand, of Frankinville, New Jersey shot one of the largest Maine moose registered in 2024, when he took this 931lb. bull on September 23, 2024 in Marion Township with his .30’06.

The rack will be recognized by Maine Skull and Antler Club, with a score of 178-2/8. The moose was tagged at Pineo’s True Value in Machias, and the weight was certified by Larry Libby at Spreader’s Butcher Shop, in Indian Township.

Scott told The Sportsman that he was very excited to learn that his name had been drawn for the moose permit. “I called my wife and said, ‘Baby, I won the lottery!’ She was very quiet.

Then I clarified: ‘The Maine moose lottery!’ She later told me she thought I meant the Powerball or Mega Millions.”

This photo shows the immense size of the bull moose. Scott, the permit holder, is on the left; Scott’s 84-y.o. father is on the right, and in the center is guide Pat Gardner, of Great Meadow Guide Service, in East Machias.

On November 4, 2024, her 27th birthday, Jessica (Girsa) Haynes qualified for a “Biggest Bucks in Maine” patch with this massive 232.5-lb. whitetail buck. Jessica was hunting in Winn, Maine with her father Stephen Girsa (left), while Jessica’s husband was hunting in Canada. Jessica dropped the buck with a single shot, resulting in her father “doing a happy dance,” reports Jessica. Congratulations to the entire family.

Outdoors & Other Mistakes (Continued from page 71)

to your prize. Then, it will proceed to butcher and wrap your steaks, chops and backstraps, storing them safely in the Hunt-boterator deep-freeze unit (approved by your local health departwww.MaineSportsman.com

Autumn Provost, age 11 of Skowhegan, was awarded her Maine Youth Deer Hunting Club patch after using her .243 to bag this 4-point, 125-lb. buck in her hometown on November 27, 2024. She was supervised by Spencer Provost, and she registered her buck at Canaan Superette, on Main Street in Canaan. Congratulations from all of us here at The Sportsman, Autumn, and may you have many years of productive hunting in your future.

ment).

You may be asking yourself if this is legal. Unless you’re a lawyer specializing in fish and game law, there’s no reason you should be posing questions like that to yourself. Hunt-bot (made in the USA — partly) is fully capable of explaining the finer points of the applicable statutes to any game warden it encounters (law certificate from the

University of Nigeria), and it can offer bribes if necessary.

Your next hunting adventure awaits. Don’t bother to get out of your pajamas.

Al Diamon writes the monthly column Politics & Other Mistakes for The Bollard magazine.

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Trophy Gallery

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MiKayla Churchill of Presque Isle gained membership in the Sportsman’s “Biggest Bucks in Maine” club when she dropped this 227-lb. (field dressed), 10-pt. whitatil buck on November 2, 2024 in Charleston, using her 6.5 Creedmoor. The big deer was registered at the Exeter Country Store by Mark Pullen. Congratulations, MiKayla!

ATHENS – This charming property has everything for which the outdoor enthusiast could ask. Sitting on 10+ surveyed acres, this home has a long, covered porch where you can enjoy the sights and sounds of nature while you sip on your morning coffee. Open-concept living space with cathedral ceilings and open beams. Kitchen features granite countertops with ample cabinet space. Living area boasts multiple windows. Primary bedroom and bathroom are both located on the first floor which provides the opportunity for one-floor living. This home is well-insulated and comes with an on-demand generator and a 500 gallon propane tank. Property also features three exterior buildings making it the perfect spot for your toys, automobiles, or animals. Adjacent to the house is a heated, onecar garage with electric garage door openers and extra storage. Storage building that is perfect for ATVs or lawn mowers and gardening equipment. The lower lawn features a two-car heated garage. This garage boasts high ceilings, concrete floor, extra storage, and electricity.

This is the perfect spot for a workshop or to store your toys. This is the perfect property for the outdoor enthusiast. Ironbound Pond, Wesserunset Lake, and Kenenbec River are nearby. Automotive related equipment does not convey. Call today for your private showing. MLS #1606765 – $339,000 EMBDEN – 15.78 acres of prime, surveyed woodland on a highly desirable road. Driveway already in place and features over 500 feet of frontage on Hancock Pond Road. This area is great for hunting, ATV and snowmobile trail riding, and there are plenty of lakes within minutes to launch your boat, canoe or kayak. Gorgeous views of the surrounding hills and mountains and is only a short distance to Sugarloaf. Perfect lot to build your dream home or camp. MLS #1613528 – $79,000 STARKS – 40+/- acres of prime hunting land. Property is accessed via deeded right of way. Nice stands of mixed hardwoods and softwoods. Wildlife abounds with direct access to snowmobile trails.

Property also features a brook with nice beaver bogs and flowages. This is the perfect place to hunt, trap, bird watch, or just enjoy the outdoors. MLS #1613000 – $49,000

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Dexter – This 84-acre wooded lot is on a town maintained road. No matter the season, bring your ATV, snowmobile, skis, snowshoes, hiking gear and take in all this property has to offer. MLS #1579300 – $199,000

D

Readfield – This 8.1-acre lot at 1740 Main Street is situated in a tranquil town where you’ll benefit from a close-knit community and the charm of rural life. Enjoy nearby recreational opportunities and the beauty of nature. MLS #1598994 – $94,000

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PALMYRA – This cabin is largely unfinished and features three floors with much of the interior framing work already done. Propane direct vent heater already in place. Property features 200 feet of frontage on the Sebasticook river. Easy walk to the water’s edge and you can slide your canoe or kayak into the water and enjoy endless adventures. MLS #1611069 – $89,000 ANSON – Nice 42 acre surveyed lot offering excellent views! Property is located on a town maintained paved road with power available at the road. Plenty of wood remains and the wildlife is abundant. A small intermittent stream runs through the property. Perfect hunting area with several apple trees throughout. There is an old unused dug well and 2 hunting sheds on the property. Great spot to build your dream home or camp. MLS #1603543 – $149,900 HARMONY – This beautiful property is located on a quiet country road. Enjoy 17.6 peaceful acres with 250 feet of frontage on the North Road and 560 feet of frontage on Higgins Stream. This property is the ideal place for your dream home or cabin in the woods. This is a well-wooded parcel with large stands of mature hardwood and softwood. This area is widely known for its exceptional hunting and you can fish from your very own property. There are also ATV and snowmobile trails nearby. Call today for your private showing. MLS #1582681 – $69,000 STARKS – Large acreage off Route 43 and the Mayhew Road. Great habitat for deer, moose, bear, turkey, and upland game. If you are looking for a parcel of land to hunt, hike, ATV, snowmobile, or build your camp look no further. Snowmobile trails bisect the property and there are miles of ATV trails and hiking possibilities. Property contains some harvestable timber, an unnamed brook, and beaver bogs. Access is via a right of way off Route 43. Selling a portion of deeded property. Taxes to be determined. Call for more info. Survey may be required. Selling all of Map R7 Lots 1 and 2, and a portion of Map R11 Lot 15. MLS #1558248 – $139,000 3/25

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Julian Harwood

Your Maine Guide to Real Estate juliantharwood@gmail.com | 207-592-7223 www.LaerRealty.com

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